WO2013168559A1

WO2013168559A1 - Sampling device

Info

Publication number: WO2013168559A1
Application number: PCT/JP2013/061979
Authority: WO
Inventors: 和了小野木; 高橋　智一; 晶子馬場
Original assignee: 株式会社島津製作所
Priority date: 2012-05-07
Filing date: 2013-04-24
Publication date: 2013-11-14

Abstract

In the present invention, a probe drive mechanism for driving a probe and a piercer drive mechanism for driving a piercer are provided separately and enabled to operate independently of each other. The operations of the probe drive mechanism and the piercer drive mechanism are controlled by a control unit, and the control unit is provided with a sample intake preparing means configured so as to execute a sample intake preparation operation, a sample intake means configured so as to execute a sample intake operation, and a dispensing means configured so as to execute a dispensing operation. The sample intake preparing means is configured so as to execute a sample intake preparation operation in which, while the probe is being driven at a position different than an intake position, a cap of the next object-of-sampling sample container is penetrated by a piercer.

Description

Sampling device

The present invention relates to a sampling device that automatically performs an operation of sucking a sample contained in a sample container with a probe and dispensing the sample at a predetermined position.

An automatic analyzer that automatically executes sample analysis is provided with a sampling device that collects a sample with a probe. The sampling device is configured such that when an analyst places a sample container containing a specimen such as blood as a sample in a predetermined location, the sample container is transported to a predetermined inhalation position, and a sample inhalation probe is in the inhalation position. Thus, the device automatically inhales the sample in the sample container and dispenses the sample to a dispensing position provided at another location.

In order to prevent the sample contained in the sample container from drying, the upper surface of the sample container installed in the sampling device is generally sealed with a cap made of an elastic member or the like. For this reason, when a sample in a sample container is inhaled by a probe, the conventional general sampling apparatus lowers the probe from above the sample container and penetrates the top cap so that the tip of the probe enters the sample container. It was supposed to be inserted. However, cap debris generated when penetrating the cap with the probe may enter the suction / discharge port at the tip of the probe and become clogged.

In order to prevent capping chips from clogging the probe suction / discharge port, a suction / discharge port may be provided on the side of the probe tip, but if this is done, all of the sample contained in the sample container will be probed. Inability to inhale with this increases the dead volume of the sample. In addition, when the suction / discharge port is provided on the side surface of the probe tip, there is a problem that water drainage is worsened and the minimum dispensing amount is increased.

In view of this, it has been proposed and implemented to provide a piercing member (piercer) for piercing through the cap of the sample container separately from the probe for inhaling and discharging the sample (Patent Document 1). reference.). The piercing member is a cylindrical member with a sharp tip, and is lowered from above with respect to the cap to penetrate the cap and form a hole of a size through which the probe can pass. .

In a sampling device equipped with a piercing member, when a sample container to be sampled is placed at a predetermined sampling position, the piercing member first descends from above the sample container to seal the upper surface of the sample container. It stops when it penetrates the piercing member. Thereafter, the probe descends from above the piercing member penetrating the cap, passes through the inside of the cylindrical piercing member, enters the sample container through the hole formed in the cap, and enters the sample container from the tip of the probe. Inhal the sample.

Japanese National Patent Publication No. 3-501168

In a conventional sampling apparatus equipped with a piercing member, in the step of sucking a sample from a sample container to be sampled, an operation of penetrating the cap of the sample container by the piercing member is inserted before the operation of inserting the probe into the sample container. As a result, the time required for the sample inhalation process is long.

Also, there is an apparatus in which the drilling member and the probe drive mechanism are shared. In such an apparatus, when the probe is inserted into the sample container, the piercing member also descends from the upper side of the sample container together with the probe, and the piercing member contacts and penetrates the cap of the sample container before the probe. The probe is configured to pass through the inside of the member. In such an apparatus, since the probe insertion operation and the cap penetration operation by the piercing member are simultaneously performed, there is no problem that the time required for the sample aspirating process becomes long. However, each time the sample is sucked into the same sample container twice or more, the cap is penetrated by the piercing member, and there is a problem that the scrap of the cap easily falls into the sample container.

Therefore, the present invention uses a perforating member to penetrate the cap of the sample container, thereby preventing an increase in the dead volume in the sample container, an increase in the minimum dispensing amount, and an intake / discharge port of the probe. An object of the present invention is to reduce the time required for sampling by preventing cap debris from falling into a sample container while preventing the cap debris from entering.

The sampling device to which the present invention is directed includes a probe that sucks and discharges liquid, a probe driving mechanism that drives the movement of the probe in the horizontal plane direction and the vertical direction, and a suction operation, and the probe is arranged by the probe driving mechanism. An inhalation position provided at a position to obtain, a dispensing position at which the probe can be arranged by the probe driving mechanism and provided at a position different from the inhalation position, and a sample container whose upper surface is sealed by a cap. Sample holding mechanism having a function of holding a plurality of held sample containers to an inhalation position, a cylindrical member having a pointed tip, and a punching member for punching a cap by the tip, and a probe Provided independently of the drive mechanism, the piercing member can be arranged at the suction position and can be removed from the suction position. Those having a piercing member driving mechanism having a function of penetrating the cap by piercing member by downward movement, the probe driving mechanism, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the sample transport mechanism and piercing member driving mechanism.

In the control unit, the sample container is placed at the suction position by the sample transport mechanism, and the sample suction preparation operation for penetrating the cap of the sample container placed at the suction position through the punching member is performed except for the suction position. The sample inhalation preparation means to be executed during the probe movement operation, the inhalation operation or the discharge operation at the position, and the perforation member from above the perforation member penetrating the cap with respect to the sample container in which the sample inhalation preparation operation has been performed Provided in the control unit and a sample inhaling means for performing a sample aspirating operation for lowering the probe so as to pass through and inserting the tip of the probe into the sample container and sucking the sample in the sample container from the tip of the probe Dispensing means for performing a sample dispensing operation for moving the probe that has sucked the sample to the dispensing position and dispensing the sample at the dispensing position is provided.

Here, the piercing member is a cylindrical member. The cylindrical shape includes a polygonal shape in addition to a circular cross section, and a hole through which the probe can pass in a state of penetrating the cap is formed on the inside. Any shape can be used as long as it can be formed.

According to the sampling apparatus of the present invention, the probe passes through the cap of the sample container by the piercing member provided separately from the probe, and the probe passes through the hole formed in the cap by the piercing member. There is no need to use a probe with a suction / discharge port, a probe with a suction / discharge port at the tip can be used, and the dead volume and minimum dispensing volume in the sample container can be kept small. . A control unit that controls the operations of the probe driving mechanism, the sample transport mechanism, and the piercing member driving mechanism is provided via the sample suction preparing means and the punching member for executing the sample suction preparing operation for punching the cap of the sample container. Sample inhalation preparation for performing sample inhalation operation for inserting a probe into a sample container and inhaling the sample, and dispensing means for performing sample dispensing operation for dispensing the sample by the probe The means has a function of executing the sample inhalation preparation operation for the sample container to be sampled next during the movement operation, the suction operation or the discharge operation of the probe at a position other than the inhalation position. It is also possible to perform a drilling operation of the cap of the sample container in advance, and the operating rate of sampling can be improved.

Furthermore, since the probe driving mechanism and the piercing member driving mechanism are provided independently of each other, the probe and the piercing member can be driven individually. As a result, when performing the sample aspirating operation twice or more for the same sample container, the perforating member may be kept in a state of penetrating the cap of the sample container until all the sample aspirating operations are completed. Thus, the cap can be penetrated only once in a plurality of sample inhaling operations. Accordingly, the penetrating operation of the cap can be suppressed to a minimum number of times, so that the cap waste can be prevented from falling into the sample container.

It is a top view which shows one Example of a sampling device. It is a figure for demonstrating the sample inhalation preparation operation | movement of the Example, Comprising: It is sectional drawing which shows the state which has arrange | positioned the sample container and the piercer in the inhalation position. It is a figure for demonstrating the sample inhalation preparation operation | movement of the Example, Comprising: It is sectional drawing which shows the state which the piercer penetrated the cap of the sample container. It is a top view which shows the state at the time of sample inhalation operation | movement of the Example. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which has arrange | positioned the probe in the inhalation position in the Example. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which inserted the probe in the sample container in the Example. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the control system of the Example. It is a flowchart for demonstrating sample inhalation preparation operation | movement. It is a flowchart for demonstrating sample inhalation operation | movement. It is a flowchart for demonstrating sample dispensing operation | movement. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the sampling operation | movement of the Example. It is a top view which shows the other Example of a sampling apparatus. It is a top view which shows the other Example of the piercer drive mechanism.

As a preferred embodiment of the sampling apparatus of the present invention, the probe drive mechanism includes a first drive shaft arranged in a vertical direction and a probe arm supported by the first drive shaft so as to extend in the horizontal direction. The probe is moved in the horizontal plane by rotating in the horizontal plane around one drive axis as the center of rotation, and the probe is moved in the vertical direction by moving the probe arm in the vertical direction along the first drive axis. And a piercing member driving mechanism includes a second driving shaft disposed vertically at a position different from the first driving shaft of the probe driving mechanism and a piercer arm supported by the second driving shaft so as to extend in the horizontal direction. The piercer arm rotates in the horizontal plane around the second drive shaft as the center of rotation, thereby moving the piercing member horizontally on the track passing through the suction position. Are allowed, it is possible examples Piasaamu is to move the piercing member in the vertical direction by moving vertically along the second drive shaft.

As a more specific embodiment of the probe drive mechanism, the first drive shaft is a bar screw threaded on the outer peripheral surface, and the portion of the probe arm supported by the first drive shaft has a first drive shaft. A screw that is screwed with a screw cut on the outer peripheral surface is cut, and the probe arm is configured to move in the vertical direction when the first drive shaft rotates.

Similarly, as a more specific embodiment of the piercing member drive mechanism, the second drive shaft is a bar screw threaded on the outer peripheral surface, and the portion supported by the second drive shaft of the piercer arm has a second A screw that is screwed with a screw cut on the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft is cut, and the piercer arm is configured to move in the vertical direction when the second drive shaft rotates.

As another specific embodiment of the punching member driving mechanism, the punching member driving mechanism further includes a belt that is driven in the vertical direction by a pulley that rotates about a horizontally disposed shaft, and the piercer arm moves up and down in conjunction with the operation of the belt. Those configured to move in the direction are listed.

In the sampling apparatus of the present invention, the sample inhaling means is configured so that the sample inhaling operation can be executed twice or more for the same sample container, and the sample inhaling preparing means is configured to inhale all the samples to the same sample container. It is preferable that the piercing member is configured to maintain the state of passing through the cap of the sample container until the operation is completed. Then, even if the sample suction operation is performed twice or more for the same sample container, the number of times the piercing member penetrates the cap is only once, so every time the sample suction operation is performed. Compared with the case where the piercing member penetrates the cap, the amount of cap scrap falling into the sample container can be reduced.

The sampling apparatus of the present invention further includes a second inhalation position for inhaling the sample from the sample container where the probe can be arranged by the probe driving mechanism and the upper surface is not sealed by the cap. The control unit is further provided with second suction means for performing a second suction operation for inserting the tip of the probe into the sample container disposed at the second suction position and sucking the sample, and the sample suction preparation means is It is preferable that the sample inhalation preparation operation for the sample container to be sampled next is executed even during the second inhalation operation. Then, while performing sampling on the sample container that does not require the piercing operation by the piercing member at the second suction position, the piercing operation of the cap of the sample container to be sampled at the next suction position may be performed. In addition, it is possible to shorten the waiting time during the perforating operation of the cap with the perforating member when sampling the sample container, and to improve the sampling throughput.

An embodiment of the sampling apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.
A probe 6 for inhaling and dispensing a sample is held at the tip of the probe arm 4 with its tip facing downward. A probe driving mechanism 2 for driving the probe 6 is provided. The probe drive mechanism 2 holds the base end portion of the probe arm 4 horizontally with a drive shaft 8 (first drive shaft) extending vertically. The probe drive mechanism 2 can rotate the probe arm 4 about the drive shaft 8, thereby moving the probe 6 so as to draw a circle in the in-plane direction.

Also, the probe drive mechanism 2 can drive the probe arm 4 in the vertical direction along the drive shaft 8 to move the probe 6 up and down. The drive shaft 8 is a rod screw having a threaded outer peripheral surface, and a screw threaded to a screw on the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft 8 is cut at a portion of the probe arm 4 supported by the drive shaft 8. The probe arm 4 is configured to move in the vertical direction when the drive shaft 8 rotates.

The suction position 26 and the dispensing position 28 are provided on the movement path of the probe 6 in the horizontal plane direction. The suction position 26 is a position for sucking the sample accommodated in the sample container 24 by the probe 6, and the dispensing position 28 is a position for dispensing the sample sucked by the probe 6. A sample container to be sampled is disposed at the suction position 26, and a reaction container for performing a reaction analysis of the sample is disposed at the dispensing position 28.

The sample container 24 is held by the sample rack 22, and the sample rack 22 is accommodated in the sample tray 20. The sample tray 20 and the sample rack 22 are installed in the sample transport mechanism 18 and are transported by the sample transport mechanism 18. Although the detailed mechanism is not shown, the sample transport mechanism 18 moves the sample tray 20 in the horizontal direction, and the sample rack 22 accommodated in the sample tray 20 is perpendicular to the moving direction of the sample tray 20. It can be taken out in the direction and moved on the path passing through the suction position 26. Further, the sample transport mechanism 18 can be stopped in a state where any sample container 24 of the sample rack 22 is disposed at the suction position 26.

In this embodiment, five sample containers 24 are held in one sample rack 22, and the sample transport mechanism 18 sequentially arranges the sample containers 24 held in each sample rack at the suction position 26. Yes. The sample container 24 is sealed with a cap made of an elastic member or the like in order to prevent drying of the sample accommodated therein.

A piercer 14 (piercing member) for piercing the cap of the sample container 24 is held at the tip of the piercer arm 12 with its tip facing downward. A piercer drive mechanism 10 (piercing member drive mechanism) for driving the piercer 14 is provided. The piercer drive mechanism 10 holds the base end portion of the piercer arm 12 horizontally with a drive shaft 16 (second drive shaft) extending vertically. The piercer drive mechanism 10 rotationally drives the piercer arm 12 about the drive shaft 16, thereby moving the piercer 14 in a circle in the horizontal plane direction.

Also, the piercer drive mechanism 10 can drive the piercer arm 12 in the vertical direction along the drive shaft 16, thereby moving the piercer 14 up and down. The structure of the piercer drive mechanism 10 is that the drive shaft 16 is a rod screw threaded on the outer peripheral surface, and the screw and screw on the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft 16 are screwed into the portion supported by the drive shaft 16 of the piercer arm 12. The screw which is matched is cut, and the structure in which the piercer arm 12 is moved in the vertical direction by rotating the drive shaft 16 is exemplified.

Further, another example of the piercer drive mechanism 10 is shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 12,

pulleys

10b and 10c that rotate around a horizontally arranged shaft are arranged side by side, and a belt 10d is placed between the

pulleys

10b and 10c. The pulley 10b is rotationally driven by the motor 10a, and the belt 10d is driven in the vertical direction by the rotation of the pulley 10b. The piercer arm 12 moves up and down in conjunction with the operation of the belt 10d. In this case, only the piercer arm 12 may be configured to move up and down along the drive shaft 16 in conjunction with the operation of the belt 10d. However, the drive shaft 16 may move up and down in conjunction with the operation of the belt 10d. The piercer arm 12 may be configured to move up and down as the shaft 16 moves up and down.

Returning to FIG. 1 and continuing the description, the piercer 14 is a cylindrical member having a pointed shape so that the tip can penetrate the cap of the sample container 24. The inner diameter of the piercer 14 is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the probe 6, and the outer diameter of the piercer 14 is set to be smaller than the inner diameter of the sample container 24.

The length of the piercer arm 12 is shorter than the length of the probe arm 4, and the orbit circle in the horizontal plane direction of the piercer 14 is smaller than the orbit circle in the horizontal plane direction of the probe 6. The piercer drive mechanism 10 is arranged at a position closer to the injection position 26 than the probe drive mechanism 2 so that the injection position 26 enters the orbital circle in the horizontal plane direction of the piercer 14.

The lower limit of the drive range in the vertical direction of the probe arm 4 by the probe drive mechanism 2 is designed to be higher than the upper limit of the drive range in the vertical direction of the piercer arm 12 by the piercer drive mechanism 10, and the rotational drive of the probe arm 4 or the piercer arm 12 is driven. Sometimes they do not interfere with each other.

The operation of the probe drive mechanism 2, the piercer drive mechanism 10 and the sample transport mechanism 18 is controlled by the control unit 30 as shown in FIG. The control unit 30 includes a sample inhalation preparation unit 30a, a sample inhalation unit 30b, and a dispensing unit 30c. The sample inhalation preparation means 30a is configured to execute a sample inhalation preparation operation, the sample inhalation means 30b is configured to execute a sample inhalation operation, and the dispensing means 30c is a dispensing operation. Is configured to execute. The control unit 30 can be realized by a personal computer connected to the sampling device or a dedicated computer of the sampling device.

As shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 7, the sample inhalation preparation operation places the piercer 14 at the inhalation position 26 and conveys the sample container 24 to be sampled to the inhalation position 26 to pierce the piercer 14. Is positioned above the sample container 24 (see FIG. 2A), and the piercer 14 is lowered from there to penetrate the cap 24a on the upper surface of the sample container 24 at the tip 14b (see FIG. 2B).

As shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 8, the sample inhaling operation is performed by placing the probe 6 at a position above the piercer 14 that has penetrated the cap 24a of the sample container 24 by the sample inhaling preparation operation. The probe 6 is moved down (see FIGS. 3 and 4), and then the probe 6 is lowered so as to pass through the inside 14a of the piercer 14 and inserted into the sample container 24 (see FIG. 5). In this operation, the sample in the container 24 is inhaled.

In the sample dispensing operation, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9, the probe 6 that has inhaled the sample by the sample inhaling operation is lifted and pulled out from the sample container 24 and moved to the dispensing position 28 to be dispensed position 28. In this operation, the sample is dispensed into the reaction vessel arranged in the above.

Although not shown in FIG. 1, a probe cleaning port is provided on an orbital circle in the in-plane direction of the probe 6, and the inner surface and the outer surface of the probe 6 can be cleaned at the probe cleaning port. Further, a piercer cleaning port is provided on a track circle in the in-plane direction of the piercer 14, and at least the inner surface of the piercer 14 can be cleaned at the piercer cleaning port.

An example of the operation of the sampling apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 10 together with FIG.
The sample container 24 to be sampled is transported to the suction position 26, and the sample suction preparation operation that penetrates the cap 24 a of the sample container 24 by the piercer 14 at the suction position 26 is executed. With the piercer 14 penetrating the cap of the sample container 24, a sample suction operation is performed in which the probe 6 is lowered from above the piercer 14 at the suction position 26 and inserted into the sample container 24 to suck the sample.

Here, after the sample inhaling operation is completed, the sample dispensing operation is performed in which the probe 6 is moved to the dispensing position 28 to perform dispensing. In some cases, analysis of a plurality of items may be performed on one sample. In this case, the sample inhaling operation and the sample dispensing operation are repeatedly performed for one sample container 24 a plurality of times.
When all the sample suction operations for the sample container 24 are not completed, that is, when the next sample suction operation is also performed for the same sample container 24, all the sample suction operations for the sample container 24 are completed. Until the piercer 14 passes through the cap 24a of the sample container 24, the state is maintained.
Here, “all sample inhaling operation” means one sample inhaling operation when the sample inhaling operation is executed only once.

When all sample inhaling operations for the sample container 24 (one sample inhaling operation when executed only once) are completed and there is a sample container 24 to be sampled next, While the dispensing operation is being performed, a sample inhalation preparation operation for the next sampling target sample container 24 is performed. That is, while the probe 6 moves to the dispensing position 28 and dispenses the sample, the piercer 14 is moved to the piercer washing port to wash the piercer 14 and suck the sample container 24 to be sampled next. At the position 26, the cleaned piercer 14 is returned to the suction position 26, and the cap 24a of the sample container 24 is penetrated. After the sample dispensing operation is completed, the probe 6 is moved to the probe cleaning port, the probe 6 is cleaned, and the sample suction operation for the next sample container 24 is executed.

Further, after completion of all the sample suction operations for a certain sample container 24, when there is no sample container 24 to be sampled next, the piercer 14 is cleaned while the sample dispensing operation is being performed. After the sample dispensing operation is completed, the probe 6 is washed and finished.

In the above-described embodiment, the sample suction preparation operation for the next sample container 24 is performed during the sample dispensing operation. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The sample inhalation preparation operation may be executed while washing with the probe washing port. That is, since the probe driving mechanism 2 for driving the probe 6 and the piercer driving mechanism 10 for driving the piercer 14 are provided separately and can operate independently, the probe 6 is driven at a position different from the suction position 26. During this time, the cap 24 a of the sample container 24 can be penetrated by the piercer 14.

For example, as shown in FIG. 11, when an installation section 32 for installing a sample container is provided separately from a normal sample transport path for sequentially transporting a prepared sample container 24 to a suction position 26. There is. The installation unit 32 is provided, for example, for installing a sample container 25 that contains a sample to be analyzed with priority over the sample container 24 that is transported through a normal transport path. The sample container 25 arranged in the installation part 32 is open without a cap on the upper surface, and the probe 6 can be directly inserted into the sample container 25 without using the piercer 14 to inhale the sample. For this reason, while the probe 6 is performing sample inhalation to the sample container 25 of the installation unit 32, it is also possible to execute a sample inhalation preparation operation for the sample container 24 to be sampled next.

Also, since the piercer 14 can operate independently of the probe 6, only the piercer 14 can be retracted from the suction position 26. Thus, when a sample container having an open upper surface is transported to the suction position 26, the piercer 14 is sucked when performing sample suction from the sample container by giving such information to the apparatus. It is also possible to retreat to a position different from the position 26 and to inhale the sample by inserting the probe 6 into the sample container without using the piercer 14. By doing so, the probe 6 after inhaling the sample does not pass through the inside of the piercer 14 in the sampling from the sample container whose upper surface is open, and thus the piercer 14 is not contaminated with the sample and the piercer 14 washing step is omitted. can do.

2 Probe Drive Mechanism 4 Probe Arm 6 Probe 8 Probe Drive Shaft 10 Piercer Drive Mechanism 10a Motor 10b, 10c Pulley 10d Belt 12 Piercer Arm 14 Piercer 16 Piercer Drive Shaft 18 Sample Transport Mechanism 20 Sample Tray 22 Sample Rack 24 Sample Container 26 Inhalation Position 28 Dispensing position 30 Control unit 30a Sample inhaling preparation means 30b Sample inhaling means 30c Dispensing means

Claims

A probe for sucking and discharging liquid,
A probe driving mechanism for driving the in-horizontal and vertical movements of the probe and the suction operation;
An inhalation position provided at a position where the probe can be arranged by the probe driving mechanism;
A dispensing position at which the probe can be arranged by the probe driving mechanism and provided at a position different from the suction position;
Holding a plurality of sample containers whose upper surfaces are sealed by a cap, and a sample transport mechanism having a function of transporting the retained sample containers to the suction position;
A cylindrical member whose tip is a pointed shape, and a piercing member for piercing the cap with the tip;
Provided independently of the probe driving mechanism, the piercing member can be disposed at the suction position and can be removed from the suction position, and the cap is moved up and down at the suction position by moving the piercing member up and down. A piercing member drive mechanism having a function of penetrating by the piercing member;
A control unit for controlling operations of the probe driving mechanism, the sample transport mechanism, and the punching member driving mechanism;
Sample inhalation preparation operation provided in the control unit, wherein the sample container is disposed at the inhalation position by the sample transport mechanism, and the cap of the sample container disposed at the inhalation position is penetrated by the perforating member and the cap is perforated. A sample inhalation preparation means for performing the probe moving operation, inhalation operation or discharge operation at a position other than the inhalation position;
The probe is lowered so as to pass through the piercing member from above the piercing member passing through the cap with respect to the sample container provided in the control unit and subjected to the sample inhalation preparation operation. A sample inhaling means for inserting a tip of a probe into the sample container and performing a sample inhaling operation for sucking a sample in the sample container from the tip of the probe;
A sampling device, comprising: a dispensing unit that is provided in the control unit and performs a sample dispensing operation for moving the probe that has sucked a sample to the dispensing position and dispensing the sample at the dispensing position.
The probe drive mechanism includes a first drive shaft arranged in a vertical direction and a probe arm supported by the first drive shaft so as to extend in a horizontal direction, and the probe arm has the first drive shaft as a rotation center. The probe is moved in the horizontal plane by rotating in the horizontal plane direction, and the probe is moved in the vertical direction by moving the probe arm in the vertical direction along the first drive axis.
The piercing member drive mechanism includes a second drive shaft arranged vertically at a position different from the first drive shaft of the probe drive mechanism, and a piercer arm supported by the second drive shaft so as to extend in the horizontal direction. The piercer arm rotates horizontally in a horizontal plane around the second drive shaft as a rotation center, thereby horizontally moving the piercing member on a trajectory passing through the suction position, and the piercer arm moves along the second drive shaft. The sampling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the perforating member is moved in the vertical direction by moving in the vertical direction.
The first drive shaft is a bar screw threaded on the outer peripheral surface, and a portion of the probe arm supported by the first drive shaft includes a screw cut on the outer peripheral surface of the first drive shaft. The sampling apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a screw to be screwed is cut, and the probe arm moves in the vertical direction when the first drive shaft rotates.
The second drive shaft is a bar screw threaded on the outer peripheral surface, and a portion of the piercer arm supported by the second drive shaft is threaded with a screw and screw cut on the outer peripheral surface of the second drive shaft. The sampling device according to claim 2, wherein a screw to be fitted is cut, and the piercer arm moves in the vertical direction when the second drive shaft rotates.
The perforating member driving mechanism further includes a belt that is driven in a vertical direction by a pulley that rotates about a horizontally disposed shaft, and the piercer arm is configured to move up and down in conjunction with the operation of the belt. The sampling device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein
The sample inhaling means is configured to perform the sample inhaling operation twice or more with respect to the same sample container,
6. The sample suction preparation means is configured to maintain the state where the piercing member penetrates the cap of the sample container until all the sample suction operations for the same sample container are completed. The sampling apparatus as described in any one.
A second inhalation position for inhaling a sample from the sample container, where a sample container in which the probe can be disposed by the probe driving mechanism and whose upper surface is not sealed by the cap is disposed;
A second inhalation unit that is provided in the control unit and that performs a second inhalation operation of inserting a tip of a probe into a sample container disposed at the second inhalation position to inhale a sample;
7. The sample inhalation preparation unit is configured to execute the sample inhalation preparation operation for a sample container to be sampled next even during the second inhalation operation. Sampling device.