JPH11125638A - Dispensing apparatus - Google Patents

Dispensing apparatus

Info

Publication number
JPH11125638A
JPH11125638A JP9306408A JP30640897A JPH11125638A JP H11125638 A JPH11125638 A JP H11125638A JP 9306408 A JP9306408 A JP 9306408A JP 30640897 A JP30640897 A JP 30640897A JP H11125638 A JPH11125638 A JP H11125638A
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
liquid
dispensing
frequency
dispensing nozzle
test
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
JP9306408A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
Mitsuo Tomita
光雄 冨田
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Srl KK
Original Assignee
Srl KK
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Srl KK filed Critical Srl KK
Priority to JP9306408A priority Critical patent/JPH11125638A/en
Publication of JPH11125638A publication Critical patent/JPH11125638A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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  • Automatic Analysis And Handling Materials Therefor (AREA)
  • Measurement Of Levels Of Liquids Or Fluent Solid Materials (AREA)
  • Sampling And Sample Adjustment (AREA)

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a dispensing apparatus with a detection means which enables the detection of clogging of a dispensing nozzle and a dispensing tip, the shortage of a test liquid, leaking at a connection part and the like while allowing accurate detection of the amount of a liquid sucked and dispensed. SOLUTION: A sound sensor comprising a sound generator 11 for generating a resonance sound according to the height of a liquid surface in a dispensing tip 5 and a sound receiver 12 are arranged on a base part of a dispensing nozzle 1 while a frequency measuring part is provided to measure the frequency of the resonance sound and an arithmetic unit which calculates the amount of a test liquid within the dispensing tip 5 from a frequency measured by the frequency measuring part according to a predetermined frequency-liquid quantity conversion formula is provided to measure the amount of a suction liquid. Otherwise, an ultrasonic transmitter/receiver is provided as sound sensor 10 at the base part of the dispensing nozzle 1 to calculate the amount of the liquid sucked from the time required for the reflection of an ultrasonic wave.

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

【0001】[0001]

【発明の属する技術分野】本発明は、分注装置に関し、
詳しくは、血液の臨床検査を行う際の血球や血清等のサ
ンプリング液を多数の試験管に極少量ずつ小分けする際
のサンプリング液量を正確に測定することができる機能
を備えた分注装置に関する。
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a dispensing device,
More specifically, the present invention relates to a dispensing apparatus having a function of accurately measuring the amount of a sampling liquid when a sampling liquid such as blood cells or serum is subdivided into a large number of test tubes at the time of performing a clinical test on blood. .

【従来の技術】[Prior art]

【0002】分注装置は、医療,生化学,バイオ,臨床
検査,放射線等の分野で、各種試験液を数マイクロリッ
トルから数ミリリットルの単位で定量的に小分けするた
めに用いられるもので、試験液を貯留した容器から試験
液を吸引し、多数本の試験管等の小分け容器に試験液を
それぞれ注入するために、X−Y方向に移動可能な分注
ヘッドにより分注ノズルを上下動可能に保持している。
[0002] Dispensing devices are used in the fields of medicine, biochemistry, biotechnology, clinical examination, radiation and the like to quantitatively subdivide various test liquids in units of several microliters to several milliliters. The dispensing nozzle can be moved up and down by a dispensing head that can be moved in the X-Y direction in order to aspirate the test solution from the container that stores the solution and to inject the test solution into a small number of dispensing containers such as test tubes. Holding.

【0003】さらに、上記分注ノズルの基部には、柔軟
性を有する管を介して吸引・注入用のシリンダが接続さ
れており、分注ノズルへの試験液の吸引や、小分け容器
への試験液の注入は、ステップモーター等の駆動装置で
前記シリンダのピストンを移動させることにより行われ
ている。
Further, a suction / injection cylinder is connected to the base of the dispensing nozzle via a flexible tube, so that a test liquid is sucked into the dispensing nozzle and a test is performed on a small container. The injection of the liquid is performed by moving a piston of the cylinder by a driving device such as a step motor.

【0004】また、分注装置では、試験管等に他の試験
液、例えば試薬や希釈液等を続けて加える際のコンタミ
ネーションを防止するため、分注ノズルの先端に分注チ
ップを装着する形式のものと、分注ノズルを洗浄液で洗
浄する形式のものとがある。分注チップを装着するもの
では、試験液が変わる都度分注チップを交換し、試験液
は、分注チップ内に吸引され、分注ノズル内には試験液
が入り込まないようにしている。
In addition, in a dispensing apparatus, a dispensing tip is attached to the tip of a dispensing nozzle in order to prevent contamination when another test solution, for example, a reagent or a diluent is continuously added to a test tube or the like. There is a type and a type in which the dispensing nozzle is cleaned with a cleaning liquid. In the case where the dispensing tip is mounted, the dispensing tip is replaced each time the test liquid changes, so that the test liquid is sucked into the dispensing tip so that the test liquid does not enter the dispensing nozzle.

【0005】一方、分注ノズルを洗浄するものは、分注
ノズル内を洗浄する必要から、前記シリンダ内を含めて
洗浄液と同等の媒体液で満たされており、試験液は、媒
体液を介して分注ノズル内に直接吸引される。このと
き、試験液容器内の試験液に媒体液が混入することを防
止するため、分注ノズル先端から媒体液を僅かに上昇さ
せた状態で試験液を吸引するので、試験液と媒体液との
間には、薄い空気層が形成される。
On the other hand, in the case of cleaning the dispensing nozzle, since the inside of the dispensing nozzle needs to be cleaned, the medium including the inside of the cylinder is filled with a medium liquid equivalent to the cleaning liquid. Is directly sucked into the dispensing nozzle. At this time, the test liquid is sucked with the medium liquid slightly raised from the tip of the dispensing nozzle to prevent the medium liquid from mixing into the test liquid in the test liquid container. A thin air layer is formed between them.

【0006】両分注装置で試験液を分注する際には、試
験液貯留容器及び試験管等を所定の位置にセットした
後、試験液の分注量や試験管等の本数及び位置を制御装
置に入力する。これにより、分注チップ式のものでは、
分注ノズルの先端に分注チップを装着した後、分注ヘッ
ドが試験液貯留容器位置に移動して分注ノズルを下降さ
せ、分注チップの先端を試験液中に挿入する。また、洗
浄式のものでは、そのまま分注ノズルの先端を試験液中
に挿入する。
When dispensing a test solution with both dispensers, a test solution storage container and a test tube are set at predetermined positions, and then the amount of the test solution dispensed and the number and position of the test tubes are determined. Input to the control unit. As a result, in the dispensing tip type,
After attaching the dispensing tip to the tip of the dispensing nozzle, the dispensing head moves to the test solution storage container position, lowers the dispensing nozzle, and inserts the tip of the dispensing tip into the test solution. In the case of the cleaning type, the tip of the dispensing nozzle is inserted into the test solution as it is.

【0007】次いで、前記駆動装置が作動してピストン
を所定量移動させ、分注ノズル内あるいは分注ノズルの
先端に装着した分注チップ内に所定量の試験液を吸引す
る。そして、分注ノズルを上昇させた後、分注ヘッドが
所定の試験管の位置に移動し、分注ノズルを下降させる
とともに、駆動装置が逆方向に作動して試験液を試験管
内に注入する。この動作を所定回数繰り返すことによ
り、各試験管内に所定量の試験液が分注される。
Next, the driving device operates to move the piston by a predetermined amount, and aspirates a predetermined amount of the test liquid into the dispensing nozzle or into the dispensing tip attached to the tip of the dispensing nozzle. Then, after raising the dispensing nozzle, the dispensing head moves to a predetermined test tube position, lowers the dispensing nozzle, and the driving device operates in the opposite direction to inject the test liquid into the test tube. . By repeating this operation a predetermined number of times, a predetermined amount of test liquid is dispensed into each test tube.

【0008】続いて各試験管内に他の試験液を加える際
には、前述のように、分注チップを交換し、あるいは、
分注ノズルを洗浄した後、上記同様の操作を繰り返す。
これにより、各試験管内に所定量の各種試験液が所定量
ずつ注入された状態となる。
Subsequently, when adding another test solution into each test tube, the dispensing tip is replaced as described above, or
After washing the dispensing nozzle, the same operation as above is repeated.
As a result, a predetermined amount of each test liquid is injected into each test tube by a predetermined amount.

【0009】[0009]

【発明が解決しようとする課題】ここで、従来の分注装
置では、分注時の液量や試験液を吸引する際の目詰まり
や試験液の不足あるいは試験液の有無、接続部(分注ノ
ズルと分注チップとの間、分注ノズルと前記シリンダと
の間等)のリーク等を検出する手段として、そのほとん
どが圧力センサーを用いていた。
Here, in the conventional dispensing apparatus, the amount of liquid at the time of dispensing, clogging when aspirating the test liquid, shortage of the test liquid, the presence or absence of the test liquid, the connection portion (the Most of the devices use a pressure sensor as a means for detecting a leak or the like between the injection nozzle and the dispensing tip, between the dispensing nozzle and the cylinder, and the like.

【0010】しかし、圧力センサーでは、吸引時の一瞬
の圧力を検出するため、吸引・分注時の液量そのものを
正確に検出することはできず、吸引・分注時の液量の制
御は、前記駆動装置の作動量に頼っているのが実情であ
る。さらに、圧力センサー自体の感度やゼロポイントの
経年変化や温度変化が大きいという問題もあり、また、
吸引した試験液の飛沫が圧力センサーに付着し易く、信
頼性の点でも問題があった。
However, since the pressure sensor detects the momentary pressure at the time of suction, it is not possible to accurately detect the liquid amount itself at the time of suction / dispensing. In fact, it depends on the operation amount of the driving device. Furthermore, there is a problem that the sensitivity of the pressure sensor itself, the aging of the zero point, and the temperature change are large.
The sucked test liquid droplets easily adhere to the pressure sensor, and there was a problem in reliability.

【0011】本発明は、上記の問題点に鑑み創案された
もので、上述の目詰まりや試験液の不足、接続部のリー
ク等を検出することができるとともに、吸引・分注した
液量を正確に検出することができる検出手段を備えた分
注装置を提供することを目的としている。
The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and can detect the above-mentioned clogging, shortage of test solution, leak of a connection portion, and the like, and can measure the amount of aspirated / dispensed solution. It is an object of the present invention to provide a dispensing device provided with a detecting means capable of detecting accurately.

【0012】[0012]

【課題を解決するための手段】上記目的を達成するた
め、本発明の第1の構成は、チップ交換式分注装置を対
象としたもので、先端に交換可能に装着される分注チッ
プ内に試験液を吸引する分注ノズルの基部に、分注チッ
プ内の液面高さに応じて共振音を発生させる音響発生器
と音響受信器とを設けるとともに、前記共振音の周波数
を測定する周波数測定部と、あらかじめ設定された周波
数−液量変換式に応じて前記周波数測定部で測定した周
波数から分注チップ内の試験液量を算出する演算装置と
を設けたことを特徴としている。
In order to achieve the above object, a first configuration of the present invention is directed to a tip-exchange type dispensing apparatus, in which a tip inside a dispensing tip which is exchangeably mounted at the tip. At the base of the dispensing nozzle that sucks the test liquid, a sound generator and a sound receiver that generate a resonance sound according to the liquid level in the dispensing tip are provided, and the frequency of the resonance sound is measured. It is characterized in that a frequency measuring unit and an arithmetic unit for calculating a test liquid amount in the dispensing tip from a frequency measured by the frequency measuring unit according to a preset frequency-liquid amount conversion formula are provided.

【0013】また、本発明の第2の構成は、分注ノズル
洗浄式分注装置を対象としたもので、媒体液を介して試
験液を吸引する分注ノズルの基部に、超音波発信器及び
超音波受信器を設けるとともに、超音波発信器から発信
した超音波が、媒体液と試験液との間の空気層で反射し
て超音波受信器で受信されるまで時間差を測定する時間
差測定部と、あらかじめ設定された時間差−液量変換式
に応じて前記時間差測定部で測定した時間差から分注ノ
ズル内の試験液量を算出する演算装置とを設けたことを
特徴としている。
A second configuration of the present invention is directed to a dispensing nozzle cleaning type dispensing device, and an ultrasonic transmitter is provided at a base of a dispensing nozzle for sucking a test solution through a medium liquid. And an ultrasonic receiver, and a time difference measurement for measuring a time difference until an ultrasonic wave transmitted from the ultrasonic transmitter is reflected by an air layer between the medium liquid and the test liquid and received by the ultrasonic receiver. And a calculating device for calculating the test liquid amount in the dispensing nozzle from the time difference measured by the time difference measuring unit according to a preset time difference-liquid amount conversion formula.

【0014】さらに、本発明では、前記分注ノズルの近
傍に温度検出器を設けるとともに、前記演算装置に、温
度検出器で検出した温度によって前記算出した液量値を
補正する演算部を有していることを特徴としている。
Further, in the present invention, a temperature detector is provided in the vicinity of the dispensing nozzle, and the arithmetic unit has an arithmetic unit for correcting the calculated liquid volume value based on the temperature detected by the temperature detector. It is characterized by having.

【0015】[0015]

【発明の実施の形態】以下、本発明の好ましい実施の形
態を図面に基づき詳細に説明する。図1は本発明を分注
チップ交換式の分注装置に適用した実施形態例を示す要
部の断面図、図2は制御装置のブロック図、図3は周波
数と液量との関係を示す図、図4は分注装置の全体形状
を示す斜視図である。
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 is a sectional view of a main part showing an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a dispensing tip exchange type dispensing device, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control device, and FIG. 3 shows a relationship between a frequency and a liquid amount. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the overall shape of the dispensing device.

【0016】まず、図4に示すように、分注装置の基本
的な形状,構成は、通常の分注チップ交換式分注装置と
同様であり、分注ノズル1を上下動可能に保持した分注
ヘッド2と、この分注ヘッド2をX−Y方向に移動させ
る駆動部や前述のシリンダ、制御装置等を内蔵した本体
部3と、試験液貯留容器や試験管等をセットするテーブ
ル4とを有している。
First, as shown in FIG. 4, the basic shape and configuration of the dispensing device are the same as those of a normal dispensing tip exchange type dispensing device, and the dispensing nozzle 1 is held so as to be vertically movable. A dispensing head 2, a main body 3 containing a drive unit for moving the dispensing head 2 in the X and Y directions, the above-described cylinder, a control device, and the like, and a table 4 for setting a test liquid storage container, a test tube and the like. And

【0017】そして、分注ノズル1の基部には、試験液
の吸引量等を検出するための音響センサー10が設けら
れている。この音響センサー10は、図1に示すよう
に、分注ノズル1内に所定の周波数を出力する音響発生
器(スピーカー)11と、分注ノズル1内で発生する音
響を受信する音響受信器(マイクロホン)12とからな
るもので、この音響発生器11と音響受信器12とは、
図2に示す制御装置に接続されており、音響受信器12
で受信した信号(音波)が増幅器13で増幅されて音響
送信器11に帰還するように形成されている。
At the base of the dispensing nozzle 1, there is provided an acoustic sensor 10 for detecting a suction amount of the test liquid and the like. As shown in FIG. 1, the acoustic sensor 10 includes a sound generator (speaker) 11 that outputs a predetermined frequency in the dispensing nozzle 1 and a sound receiver (sound receiver) that receives sound generated in the dispensing nozzle 1. Microphone 12), and the sound generator 11 and the sound receiver 12
The acoustic receiver 12 is connected to the control device shown in FIG.
The signal (sound wave) received by the amplifier 13 is amplified by the amplifier 13 and returned to the acoustic transmitter 11.

【0018】また、増幅器13の信号は、周波数測定回
路14に入力されてデジタルカウンターによって周波数
がデジタルデータに変換され、このデジタルデータが演
算装置15に入力される。また、分注ノズル1の近傍に
は温度検出器16が設けられており、この温度検出器1
6で検出した温度も、前記演算装置15に入力される。
The signal from the amplifier 13 is input to a frequency measurement circuit 14, the frequency of which is converted to digital data by a digital counter, and the digital data is input to an arithmetic unit 15. A temperature detector 16 is provided near the dispensing nozzle 1.
The temperature detected at 6 is also input to the arithmetic unit 15.

【0019】上述のように、分注ノズル1の所定の位置
に音響発生器11と音響受信器12とを設け、音響受信
器12で受信した信号を音響送信器11に帰還させるこ
とにより、分注ノズル1の先端に装着された分注チップ
5内の液面Lと音響発生器11及び音響受信器12の取
付け部との間の空間Sが共振体として作用し、液面高さ
に応じて共振周波数が変化する。この共振周波数F[H
z]は、次式に示すように、共振体の長さL[m]と音
速C[m/sec]とにより算出することができる。
As described above, the sound generator 11 and the sound receiver 12 are provided at predetermined positions of the dispensing nozzle 1, and the signal received by the sound receiver 12 is fed back to the sound transmitter 11, whereby the dispensing is performed. The space S between the liquid level L in the dispensing tip 5 attached to the tip of the injection nozzle 1 and the mounting portion of the sound generator 11 and the sound receiver 12 acts as a resonator, and depends on the liquid level. The resonance frequency changes. This resonance frequency F [H
z] can be calculated from the length L [m] of the resonator and the sound speed C [m / sec] as shown in the following equation.

【0020】Fn=(2n−1)・c/4L (式中、nは1以上の自然数である。)Fn = (2n−1) · c / 4L (where n is a natural number of 1 or more)

【0021】したがって、分注ノズル1を介して分注チ
ップ5内に試験液を吸引したり、吐出したりすると、分
注チップ5内の液面高さ、すなわち、分注チップ5内の
液量に応じて共振周波数が変化し、n=1の基準周波
数,n=2の倍音等、ある一定の共振周波数が発生する
ので、この共振周波数を測定することにより、分注チッ
プ5内の液量を算出することが可能となる。
Therefore, when the test liquid is sucked or discharged into the dispensing tip 5 through the dispensing nozzle 1, the liquid level in the dispensing tip 5, that is, the liquid in the dispensing tip 5, The resonance frequency changes according to the amount, and a certain resonance frequency is generated such as a reference frequency of n = 1, a harmonic of n = 2, etc. By measuring the resonance frequency, the liquid in the dispensing tip 5 is measured. The amount can be calculated.

【0022】共振周波数からの液量への変換は、あらか
じめ、所定量の液を吸引してそのときの共振周波数を測
定することにより共振周波数と液量との関係を求め、図
3に示すような共振周波数と液量との関係を示す曲線
(液量変換曲線)から変換式を設定する。
The conversion from the resonance frequency to the amount of liquid is performed by previously suctioning a predetermined amount of liquid and measuring the resonance frequency at that time to determine the relationship between the resonance frequency and the amount of liquid, as shown in FIG. A conversion formula is set from a curve (liquid volume conversion curve) indicating the relationship between the resonance frequency and the liquid volume.

【0023】表1は、図3に示す液量変換曲線を求める
ために行った実験結果を示すもので、複数回の分注操作
を行った際の平均分注量と平均周波数とを示すものであ
る。なお、実験は、目標吸引液量を設定して従来の制御
方法で制御することにより試験液を吸引し、各操作にお
いて、分注チップを装着していないとき、分注チップを
装着したとき、試験液を吸引したとき及び試験液を分注
した後の各操作時点で共振周波数を読取り、それぞれ4
回程度の分注操作を行った平均値を求めた。分注機に
は、ユニプラン製F−1型分注機を用いた。また、分注
量は、電子天秤を用いて重量法により求めた。
Table 1 shows the results of an experiment performed to obtain the liquid volume conversion curve shown in FIG. 3, and shows the average dispensed amount and the average frequency when a plurality of dispensing operations are performed. It is. In the experiment, the test liquid was sucked by setting the target aspirating liquid amount and controlling by the conventional control method, and in each operation, when the dispensing tip was not mounted, when the dispensing tip was mounted, When the test liquid was aspirated and at each operation time point after dispensing the test liquid, the resonance frequency was read,
The average value obtained by performing the dispensing operation about once was determined. The dispenser used was an F-1 type dispenser manufactured by Uniplan. The dispensed amount was determined by a gravimetric method using an electronic balance.

【0024】[0024]

【表1】 [Table 1]

【0025】また、温度による音速の変化や分注ノズル
1,分注チップ5の熱膨張等を考慮して温度検出器16
で検出した温度データによって液量の補正を行うことに
より、室温の変動による測定誤差を解消することができ
る。なお、恒温室等の室温が一定の雰囲気下で使用する
場合は、この温度検出器16による温度補正を省略する
ことができる。
Also, taking into account the change in sound speed due to temperature, the thermal expansion of the dispensing nozzle 1 and the dispensing tip 5, etc., the temperature detector 16
By correcting the liquid amount based on the temperature data detected in the above, it is possible to eliminate the measurement error due to the fluctuation of the room temperature. When the device is used in an atmosphere where the room temperature is constant, such as a constant temperature room, the temperature correction by the temperature detector 16 can be omitted.

【0026】図5は、本発明をノズル洗浄式の分注装置
に適用した実施形態例を示す要部の断面図である。本形
態例の分注装置では、分注ノズル21の基端部に、音響
センサーとして超音波送受信器22を設けており、前記
吸引用のシリンダには、分注ノズル21の基部側側方に
設けた枝管23を介して接続されている。
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a main portion showing an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a nozzle cleaning type dispensing apparatus. In the dispensing apparatus of the present embodiment, an ultrasonic transceiver 22 is provided as an acoustic sensor at the base end of the dispensing nozzle 21, and the suction cylinder is provided on the side of the base of the dispensing nozzle 21. They are connected via the branch pipe 23 provided.

【0027】この状態で超音波送受信器22から超音波
パルスを分注ノズル21内の媒体液24に向けて発信す
ると、この超音波は、媒体液24を通って媒体液24と
試験液25との間に形成される空気層26で反射し、再
び媒体液24内を通って超音波送受信器22に受信され
る。
In this state, when an ultrasonic pulse is transmitted from the ultrasonic transmitter / receiver 22 toward the medium liquid 24 in the dispensing nozzle 21, the ultrasonic wave passes through the medium liquid 24 and is transmitted to the medium liquid 24 and the test liquid 25. Then, the light is reflected by the air layer 26 formed between the medium and the ultrasonic wave transmitted and received by the ultrasonic transceiver 22 again through the medium liquid 24.

【0028】そして、発信から受信までの時間差(反射
時間)Tは、超音波送受信器22から空気層26までの
距離L[m]の2倍に比例するので、水中での音速をS
[m/sec](17℃で1430m/sec)とする
と、次式により算出することができる。
The time difference (reflection time) T from transmission to reception is proportional to twice the distance L [m] from the ultrasonic transmitter / receiver 22 to the air layer 26.
[M / sec] (1430 m / sec at 17 ° C.) can be calculated by the following equation.

【0029】T=2L/ST = 2L / S

【0030】したがって、発信から受信までの時間差を
測定することにより、液面の上昇高さを知ることがで
き、この液面の上昇高さと分注ノズル21の内径とによ
って液量を容易に算出することができる。
Therefore, by measuring the time difference from transmission to reception, the height of rise of the liquid level can be known, and the liquid amount can be easily calculated from the rise height of the liquid level and the inner diameter of the dispensing nozzle 21. can do.

【0031】上述のように、分注ノズル1の基部に音響
センサーを設け、この音響センサーから得られた共振周
波数や超音波の反射時間に基づいて分注チップや分注ノ
ズル内に吸引した液量を算出することにより、極めて高
い精度、例えば1%程度の精度で液量を測定することが
できる。したがって、血液検査等の各種検査における精
度を大幅に向上させることができる。
As described above, the acoustic sensor is provided at the base of the dispensing nozzle 1, and the liquid sucked into the dispensing tip or the dispensing nozzle based on the resonance frequency or the ultrasonic reflection time obtained from the acoustic sensor. By calculating the amount, the liquid amount can be measured with extremely high accuracy, for example, approximately 1%. Therefore, the accuracy in various tests such as a blood test can be greatly improved.

【0032】[0032]

【発明の効果】以上説明したように、本発明の分注装置
によれば、分注ノズルの基部に設けた音響発生器と音響
受信器とからなる音響センサーあるいは超音波送受信器
からなる音響センサーにより測定した共振周波数あるい
は反射時間によって吸引液量を算出するようにしたの
で、従来と同様に分注ノズルの目詰まり等も検出するこ
とができるだけでなく、従来の圧力センサーに比べて正
確な液量測定を行うことができる。
As described above, according to the dispensing apparatus of the present invention, the acoustic sensor comprising the acoustic generator and the acoustic receiver provided at the base of the dispensing nozzle or the acoustic sensor comprising the ultrasonic transceiver. The suction liquid volume is calculated based on the resonance frequency or the reflection time measured according to the above, so that clogging of the dispensing nozzle can be detected as in the past, and more accurate fluid than the conventional pressure sensor. Quantitative measurements can be made.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief description of the drawings]

【図1】本発明を分注チップ交換式の分注装置に適用し
た一例を示す要部の断面図である。
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing an example in which the present invention is applied to a dispensing device of a dispensing tip exchange type.

【図2】制御装置のブロック図である。FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control device.

【図3】周波数と液量との関係(液量変換曲線)を示す
図である。
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a relationship between a frequency and a liquid amount (liquid amount conversion curve).

【図4】分注装置の全体形状を示す斜視図である。FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the overall shape of the dispensing device.

【図5】本発明をノズル洗浄式の分注装置に適用した実
施形態例を示す要部の断面図である。
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a main part showing an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a nozzle cleaning type dispensing apparatus.

【符号の説明】[Explanation of symbols]

1 分注ノズル 2 分注ヘッド 3 本体部 4 テーブル 5 分注チップ 10 音響センサー 11 音響発生器 12 音響受信器 13 増幅器 14 周波数測定回路 15 演算装置 16 温度検出器 21 分注ノズル 22 超音波送受信器 23 枝管 24 媒体液 25 試験液 26 空気層 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 dispensing nozzle 2 dispensing head 3 main body 4 table 5 dispensing tip 10 acoustic sensor 11 acoustic generator 12 acoustic receiver 13 amplifier 14 frequency measuring circuit 15 arithmetic unit 16 temperature detector 21 dispensing nozzle 22 ultrasonic transceiver 23 Branch pipe 24 Medium liquid 25 Test liquid 26 Air layer

Claims (3)

【特許請求の範囲】[Claims] 【請求項1】 先端に交換可能に装着される分注チップ
内に試験液を吸引する分注ノズルの基部に、分注チップ
内の液面高さに応じて共振音を発生させる音響発生器と
音響受信器とを設けるとともに、前記共振音の周波数を
測定する周波数測定部と、あらかじめ設定された周波数
−液量変換式に応じて前記周波数測定部で測定した周波
数から分注チップ内の試験液量を算出する演算装置とを
設けたことを特徴とする分注装置。
An acoustic generator for generating a resonance sound at a base of a dispensing nozzle for sucking a test liquid into a dispensing tip which is exchangeably mounted on a tip, according to a liquid level in the dispensing tip. And a sound receiver, and a frequency measuring unit for measuring the frequency of the resonance sound, and a test in the dispensing tip from the frequency measured by the frequency measuring unit according to a preset frequency-liquid volume conversion formula. A dispensing device, comprising: a calculation device for calculating a liquid amount.
【請求項2】 媒体液を介して試験液を吸引する分注ノ
ズルの基部に、超音波発信器及び超音波受信器を設ける
とともに、超音波発信器から発信した超音波が、媒体液
と試験液との間の空気層で反射して超音波受信器で受信
されるまで時間差を測定する時間差測定部と、あらかじ
め設定された時間差−液量変換式に応じて前記時間差測
定部で測定した時間差から分注ノズル内の試験液量を算
出する演算装置とを設けたことを特徴とする分注装置。
2. An ultrasonic transmitter and an ultrasonic receiver are provided at a base of a dispensing nozzle for aspirating a test liquid through a medium liquid, and ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic transmitter are tested with the medium liquid. A time difference measuring unit that measures a time difference until the light is reflected by an air layer between the liquid and the ultrasonic wave, and a time difference measured by the time difference measuring unit according to a preset time difference-liquid amount conversion formula. A calculating device for calculating a test liquid amount in the dispensing nozzle from the dispensing nozzle.
【請求項3】 前記分注ノズルの近傍に温度検出器を設
けるとともに、前記演算装置に、温度検出器で検出した
温度によって前記算出した液量値を補正する演算部を有
していることを特徴とする請求項1又は2記載の分注装
置。
3. A method according to claim 1, wherein a temperature detector is provided in the vicinity of the dispensing nozzle, and the arithmetic unit has an arithmetic unit for correcting the calculated liquid amount value based on a temperature detected by the temperature detector. The dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
JP9306408A 1997-10-21 1997-10-21 Dispensing apparatus Pending JPH11125638A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP9306408A JPH11125638A (en) 1997-10-21 1997-10-21 Dispensing apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP9306408A JPH11125638A (en) 1997-10-21 1997-10-21 Dispensing apparatus

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
JPH11125638A true JPH11125638A (en) 1999-05-11

Family

ID=17956665

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP9306408A Pending JPH11125638A (en) 1997-10-21 1997-10-21 Dispensing apparatus

Country Status (1)

Country Link
JP (1) JPH11125638A (en)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2003006998A3 (en) * 2001-07-09 2003-11-20 Evotec Ag Method for monitoring the operational capability of a liquid transport device and liquid transport device
JP2004512520A (en) * 2000-10-24 2004-04-22 フラウンホーファ−ゲゼルシャフト ツァー フォルデルング デア アンゲバンデン フォルシュンク エー. ファオ. Pipette system and pipette array
KR100559807B1 (en) * 2002-12-25 2006-03-15 세이코 엡슨 가부시키가이샤 Nozzle clogging detection device, liquid droplet discharging device, electrooptical device, manufacturing method of electrooptical device, and electronic apparatus
JP2009507216A (en) * 2005-09-05 2009-02-19 エニグマ ディアグノスティックス リミテッド Liquid dispensing device with cap and diaphragm
JP5331824B2 (en) * 2009-01-30 2013-10-30 株式会社日立ハイテクノロジーズ Automatic analyzer and sample processing apparatus
CN105784408A (en) * 2016-04-05 2016-07-20 广东工业大学 Submarine sediment in-situ layering acoustic measurement synchronous sampler
JP2016527011A (en) * 2013-07-18 2016-09-08 ケーシーアイ ライセンシング インコーポレイテッド Fluid volume measurement using canister resonance for decompression therapy system
JP2022538589A (en) * 2019-07-02 2022-09-05 メソ スケール テクノロジーズ エルエルシー Device and method for determining liquid contact and liquid volume in a liquid dispenser based on sound

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2004512520A (en) * 2000-10-24 2004-04-22 フラウンホーファ−ゲゼルシャフト ツァー フォルデルング デア アンゲバンデン フォルシュンク エー. ファオ. Pipette system and pipette array
WO2003006998A3 (en) * 2001-07-09 2003-11-20 Evotec Ag Method for monitoring the operational capability of a liquid transport device and liquid transport device
US7096710B2 (en) 2001-07-09 2006-08-29 Evotec Oia Ag Method for monitoring the operational capability of a transport device and liquid transport device
KR100559807B1 (en) * 2002-12-25 2006-03-15 세이코 엡슨 가부시키가이샤 Nozzle clogging detection device, liquid droplet discharging device, electrooptical device, manufacturing method of electrooptical device, and electronic apparatus
JP2009507216A (en) * 2005-09-05 2009-02-19 エニグマ ディアグノスティックス リミテッド Liquid dispensing device with cap and diaphragm
JP5331824B2 (en) * 2009-01-30 2013-10-30 株式会社日立ハイテクノロジーズ Automatic analyzer and sample processing apparatus
JP2016527011A (en) * 2013-07-18 2016-09-08 ケーシーアイ ライセンシング インコーポレイテッド Fluid volume measurement using canister resonance for decompression therapy system
JP2019080938A (en) * 2013-07-18 2019-05-30 ケーシーアイ ライセンシング インコーポレイテッド Fluid volume measurement using canister resonance for reduced pressure therapy systems
US11273249B2 (en) 2013-07-18 2022-03-15 Kci Licensing, Inc. Fluid volume measurement using canister resonance for reduced pressure therapy systems
CN105784408A (en) * 2016-04-05 2016-07-20 广东工业大学 Submarine sediment in-situ layering acoustic measurement synchronous sampler
JP2022538589A (en) * 2019-07-02 2022-09-05 メソ スケール テクノロジーズ エルエルシー Device and method for determining liquid contact and liquid volume in a liquid dispenser based on sound

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