JPS5917161A - Confirmation method and apparatus of dispensation of sample - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To confirm the exact dispensation of a sample and improve the analytical accuracy, by detecting photoelectrically containers to which the sample has been dispeused in order to confirm whether the sample is dispeused or not. CONSTITUTION:A confirming apparatus 17 for dispensation of sample is provided with a light source lamp 18, a photodetector 19, and a filter 20. A shielding wall 21 is arranged so as to surround a transporting path of a dilution cup 14 which is attached to a transported rack 15 placed on a conveyoer 16. An opening 21a is made at the part of the wall 21 opposite to the light source lamp 18, and the filter 20 is engaged at the part opposite to the photodetector 19. Thus, use of the filter 20 in colorimetry enbles the exact confirmation of dispensation of sample, and therefore the accuracy of dispensation can be improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for confirming sample dispensing.

Conventional. ) When dispensing a sample, it is known that the presence or absence of a CC lean pull is detected using appropriate means before and after sample dispensing, and the suitability of the measurement result is determined based on this information. For example, when only a homogeneous substance such as serum is used as a sample, it is possible to judge whether or not sample dispensing is appropriate by detecting whether or not there is a sample in the sample cup. However, with analyzers that dispense blood cells, etc., such as blood type determination machines, when centrifuged blood is used as a sample, the sample is not dispensed properly even though there is a sufficient amount of sample. It often happens.

This is because the dispensing nozzle is clogged with fibrin, white blood cells, etc. contained in the blood, making suction impossible or insufficient. Therefore, just by detecting whether or not there is more than the required amount of sample in the sample cup as in the past, it is not possible to accurately determine whether or not the sample has been dispensed correctly.

Current blood transfusion testing includes front blood type testing, back testing, antibody screening (crossmatch testing), and syphilis 1HB antigen testing. In the table test for blood type, blood cells are used as the sample, and +m plasma or serum is used for the sample. With a device that analyzes these items simultaneously, it may not be possible to dispense the sample correctly due to fibrin clots, white blood cell layers, etc. even though there is a sufficient amount of sample nails. In the front blood type test, blood cells are used as the sample, so it is possible to determine the suitability of dispensing to some extent by observing the particle pattern formed by the blood cell particles after the reaction is completed, but in the back test, blood cells are used as the sample. Using plasma or serum, AIII as reagent
Since I, B, and n'n spheres are used, it is not possible to judge whether or not sample dispensing is appropriate just by observing the particle pattern after the reaction is completed. A similar problem arises in analytical items such as antibody screening, syphilis testing, and HB antigen testing (using plasma or 11'1 serum as lymph).

The temperature of such a blood type determining machine is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7114/1988 filed by the applicant. In such a blood type determining machine, the sample is diluted before being dispensed into the reaction container. For this reason, a blood cell sample and a plasma or serum sample of a predetermined amount are sucked into a nozzle, diluted, and dispensed.

In this case, the liquid level of the sample to be aspirated is detected electrically or photoelectrically to determine whether there is more than the required amount of sample. However, as described above, suitability for dispensing cannot be determined only by detecting the amount of sample.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a method for confirming sample dispensing, which can accurately confirm the suitability of sample dispensing and perform more accurate analysis.

In an analysis that requires sample pre-treatment such as dilution, the present invention provides a method for determining whether the sample has been dispensed into a container or not after dispensing the sample. It is characterized by detecting the container using light Wj.

This method of confirming sample dispensing of the present invention was carried out in actual bn1.
For example, whether a sample has been dispensed into a dilution cup can be determined by detecting the photoelectric flux of the light beam transmitted through the dilution cup. However, with this method, when a diluted liquid is dispensed, it is not possible to accurately detect whether it is a sample, a dispensed liquid, or an apricot.

The purpose of the 1ilx of the present invention is to eliminate such drawbacks, and to be able to detect the suitability of dispensing Limbu/l even when diluted Iy'p is dispensed. Note 41゛σ詔! ,'), iKj is J'+'.

In an analyzer H that performs sample dilution as a pretreatment for dispensing a sample into a reaction container, the absorption characteristics of the sample and the diluent are displayed on the transfer line of the container into which the sample and the diluent are dispensed. ka phasejI′? 4z) is characterized in that it is provided with a means for performing colorimetric measurement using light of a wavelength corresponding to the wavelength of the sample dispensing.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an apparatus for implementing the sample dispensing confirmation method according to the present invention. - A predetermined amount of sample 2 contained in the rimple cup 1 is sucked into the nozzle 4 by the dispenser 3. After suction, the nozzle 4 is pulled out of the sample cup 1 and placed above the container 5,
is driven to discharge the sucked sample into the container 5. Light from a light source 6 is projected onto the container 5, and the light transmitted through the container is detected by a light receiver 7. Light reception! The photoelectric conversion output of a7 is supplied to one input terminal of the differential amplifier 8. A reference voltage is applied to the scolding input terminal. If the sample is dispensed correctly into this container 5, the amount of light received by the photoreceiver 7 will decrease, whereas if the sample is not dispensed at all or only a little, the photodetector 7 will receive less light. The amount of light received increases. Therefore, by setting the reference voltage 'f appropriately, a reliable signal indicating the suitability of sample dispensing can be obtained at the output terminal 9.

Since the above-mentioned sample confirmation method detects whether or not a diluted acid is dispensed into the container 5,
When dispensing a diluent before, after, or together with rimple dispensing, it is not possible to accurately know whether the sample dispensing is appropriate or not. This poses a problem particularly when the amount of diluted liquid dispensed is larger than the amount of sample dispensed.

In the embodiment described below, sample dispensing can be accurately detected even in such a case.

FIG. 2 is a g-line plan view showing the configuration of an example of a blood analyzer equipped with a sample dispensing device of the present invention.A sample rack 11 holding a plurality of sample cups 10 is a sample rack transporter 12 so as to be able to reciprocate in the direction of the arrow.Each sample cup 10 includes a
Plasma and blood cells or serum and blood m1 are stored separately. In this example, it is assumed that 1r1 [plasma and blood cells are contained]. A plasma dispensing nozzle 13a and a blood cell dispensing nozzle 13b are provided to separate the plasma and blood cells into molecules independently. These nozzles are equipped with a liquid level detection electrode and an interface detection electrode to detect the plasma liquid level and the interface between plasma and blood cells to detect whether the plasma and blood cells are present in excess of the required amount. do. In this example, for each sample, ABOtnt liquid type, Rh blood type, antibody screening, HB antigen 1 syphilis anti 2 5
For this purpose, the
The dilution cups 1.4a to 14 (one set are attached to each dilution cup rack 15, and the dilution cup racks 15 are configured so that they can be transported in the direction of the arrow by a conveyor 16 such as a belt.The dilution cups 1.4a are Dilution cup 14, b is a dilution cup for making blood cell dilution liquid, dilution cup 14b is also used to prepare plasma dilution liquid for ABO blood type back test and antibody screening test, dilution cup 14C is HB
The dilution cup 14d is a dilution cup for preparing plasma dilution i+i/ for antigen testing, and is a dilution cup for preparing plasma dilution for syphilis antibody testing. Therefore, the blood cells aspirated by the nozzle 18a are distributed into the dilution cup 14a: the plasma aspirated by the L, Z through hole 18b is distributed into the dilution cup]
Dispense to 4.b to 14d. Before or at the same time as this sample dispensing, a predetermined amount of a predetermined diluent is applied to the dilution cups 14a to 141 using the diluent dispensing nozzles 17a to 17d.
Dispense into d.

The dilution cups 14a to 4d into which the sample and diluent have been dispensed in this way are transported to the left in FIG. 2q) together with the rack 15. In this example, a nozzle molecule 4 confirmation device 17 is used in this conveyance path (1) 4. In this example, (+(1,
It includes an M device 17 (J, an optical IJIN lamp 18, and a light receiver] 5), and a filter 20. FIG. 3 shows one sample dispensing +r (t, 74! A cross-sectional view of the device 17 is not shown), and the rack 15 is transported by a transporter 160.
Dressed in.

7. The optical wall 21 is arranged so as to surround the conveyance path of the dilution cup 14 which has been diluted by γ1.
If an open 1121ai is formed in the Al portion facing the C5 source lamp 18 of 1I7ii, 7! Filter 2 () 6 (1 (combined). In this example, this σ) is applied to the part facing the photoreceiver 19 in G, - filter 2 (1) by colorimetric photometry. Definitely i!
(li'a"ll-4 le.

The curves in Figure 4 are each (!1 (absorption yC;
is the absorption characteristics of physiological saline used for dilution of blood cells, song &lB
is the absorption characteristic of diluted solution for HB antigen test 1゛・r↑′L1 curve CG: j '5j Absorption characteristic of diluted solution for i17 antibody test, curve 2T: and I)' is for plasma diluted five times The absorption characteristic is also σ). The curve and DI indicate variations depending on the sample. In addition, the [1'&II'J, #)' Kl of the hemocyte dilution solution is not shown, but the IJ of the 1-5% concentration of ll'll,
The luminous intensity is automatically greater than 1.0 in the entire wavelength range of 2(lO~5(111 nm).As is clear from FIG. 41, the wavelength range around 41+10 nm is selected by the filter 20. As shown in the figure, it is possible to distinguish between the diluent and the phosphorus in a sufficient amount C4.
Since there is a large difference in absorbance between the case where the diluent and sample are dispensed into the dilution cup and the case where the diluent is dispensed, these can be divided into sufficient quantities of 11+;/.

In addition, from the absorbance value determined by 71ilI, it is possible to detect whether lean pull dispensing has been performed or not, and whether the dispensed amount of rampule is appropriate. degree will further improve.

- As described above, the dilution cups 14a to 141d, which have undergone the sure MH for ripple dispensing, are transported to the diluted sample dispensing position, where 1 is sucked into the diluted ripple dispensing nozzles 22a to z2d, and the rimple dispensing nozzles 22a to 23d The liquid is dispensed into the container af24 formed in a matrix shape.

The plate 23 is transported in the direction of the arrow by a belt-shaped transport body 25. The reaction vessel 24 formed in the microplate 28 has a conical bottom surface on which a particle pattern is formed. A predetermined amount of a predetermined reagent is dispensed by the reagent dispensing nozzle 26 before or at the same time as dispensing by the dilution nozzle.

These reagents are contained in a reagent container 27.

After dispensing all of the diluted samples and reagents in this manner, the plate 28 is left almost stationary to allow the antigen-antibody reaction to occur. When this reaction occurs, blood cell particles aggregate and are deposited uniformly on the slanted bottom of the reaction vessel; however, when no reaction occurs, blood cell particles do not aggregate and accumulate in the center of the conical bottom. be done. By detecting the pattern formed on the bottom of the reaction vessel, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of an antigen-antibody reaction. can be inspected. It should be noted that conventionally known patterns can be used as the nozzle moving mechanism and dispenser for dispensing the sample, dispensing the diluted sample, and dispensing the trial cell 18.

As mentioned above, when confirming sample dispensing, if a sample is determined to be unsuitable for rimple dispensing, the measurement result will not be output and the sample dispensing unsuitable display will be displayed or ia
In addition to all results, indications of inappropriate tip dispensing can be displayed.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible not only to detect whether or not a sample is present in the nozzle cup, but also to actually dispense the sample.

Since it is possible to confirm whether or not the analysis was carried out correctly, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the analysis and the reliability of the analysis. Further, even when dispensing a diluted liquid into a sample dispensing pond, rimple dispensing can be performed reliably due to the difference in spectral absorbance characteristics between the sample and the diluted liquid.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an example of an apparatus for carrying out the sample dispensing confirmation method of the present invention, and FIG. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the sample confirmation device, and Figure 4 shows the spectral absorption characteristics of the ripple and diluent.
It is a diagram. ]...Sample cup 2...°Nozzle 5.
...Container 6...Light source 7...Receiver
1(]...Sample cup 14-a~14
(1... Dilution cup) '7... Simple dispensing gI! Edict device 18... Light d
1 lamp 111...Receiver 2 (1...Filter 22, '1~22d...Dilution/rinsing 1 dispensing nozzle old...Reaction container 26...Trial pasting dispensing nozzle 1st Figure 1] 〉 ζge

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In an analysis that requires 1) IJ treatment such as dilution for rimple, in order to confirm whether or not the sample has been dispensed into a container, the sample is A method for confirming sample dispensing that is characterized by electrically detecting the dispensed container. , - Asked about the means to confirm sample dispensing by performing colorimetric measurements with light of wavelengths that have different absorption characteristics by the sample and diluent on the transfer line of the containers in which the lean pull and diluent were dispensed. A sample dispensing device featuring (1 m).