CN117184620A - Sample measurement device and sample measurement method - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a sample measurement device and a sample measurement method capable of coping with miniaturization of the device. The sample measurement device (1) is provided with: a reagent container housing part (52) for housing a reagent container (580) containing a reagent, and a measuring part (53) for measuring a sample using the reagent. The reagent container housing section (52) has: a frame (500) for accommodating the reagent container (580), and a cooling unit (501) for cooling the frame (500). A ventilation path (602) is provided below a reagent container holder (581) in a housing (500), and at least a part of a cooling unit (501) is provided in the housing (500) at a position higher than the ventilation path (602).

Description

Sample measurement device and sample measurement method

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a sample measurement device and a sample measurement method.

Background

A sample measurement device for measuring a sample using a reagent is provided with a reagent container housing section for housing a reagent container containing a reagent.

In order to maintain the accuracy of the sample measurement, it is necessary to maintain the reagent at a predetermined temperature or lower, and therefore, the reagent container housing section of the sample measurement device has a function of cooling the reagent contained in the reagent container.

Patent document 1 discloses a sample analyzer that cools a bottom of a housing of a reagent library by a cooling unit, and cools a reagent by circulating air in the housing by a fan provided in the housing.

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open No. 2009-8611

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, since the sample analyzer requires a fan for circulating air in the housing of the reagent chamber, the analyzer is not suitable for a small-sized apparatus because of its large size.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a sample measurement device and a sample measurement method that can cope with miniaturization of the device.

Means for solving the problems

As shown in fig. 2 and 6 to 9, the sample measurement device 1 of the present invention includes: a reagent container housing part 52 for housing a reagent container 580 containing a reagent; and a measurement unit 53 for measuring a sample using a reagent, wherein the reagent container housing unit 52 includes: a housing 500, wherein the housing 500 houses a reagent container 580; and a cooling unit 501 that cools the housing 500, wherein a ventilation path 602 is provided below the reagent in the housing 500, and at least a part of the cooling unit 501 is provided in a portion of the housing 500 higher than the ventilation path 602.

According to the sample measurement device 1 of the present invention, the cooling unit 501 cools the portion of the housing 500 of the reagent container housing 52 higher than the ventilation path 602, thereby generating natural convection through the ventilation path 602 in the housing 500 and cooling the reagent in the housing 500. Accordingly, a fan for circulating air in the housing 500 is not required, and the device can be miniaturized.

As shown in fig. 13, 2, 6, and 9, the sample measurement method according to the present invention is a sample measurement method using a sample measurement device 1 in which a vent path 602 is provided below a reagent container 580 in a housing 500 that houses the reagent container 580, and includes: a cooling step T1 of cooling the reagent in the reagent vessel 580 by cooling at least a portion higher than the ventilation path 602 in the housing 500; a dispensing step S4 of sucking the reagent in the cooled reagent container 580 and dispensing the reagent into the reaction container 70; and a measurement step S5 for measuring a sample in the reaction container 70 in which the reagent is dispensed.

According to the sample measurement method of the present invention, by cooling the portion of the housing 500 higher than the ventilation path 602, natural convection through the ventilation path 602 can be generated in the housing 500, thereby cooling the reagent in the housing 500. Accordingly, a fan for circulating air in the housing 500 is not required, and the device can be miniaturized.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, a sample measurement device and a sample measurement method that can cope with miniaturization of the device can be provided.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a sample measurement device.

Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the sample measurement device.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram related to control of the sample measurement device.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing the structure of the dispensing device.

Fig. 5 is a schematic view showing the structure of the container holding portion.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the structure of the reagent container storage section.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the reagent container storage section.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the reagent vessel housing part.

Fig. 9 is a side view of the bracket support.

Fig. 10 is a schematic view showing a drawing mechanism of the holder support portion.

Fig. 11 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the cooling unit is attached to the heat transfer frame unit.

FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of the sample measurement device showing the structure of the heat discharging portion of the reagent container housing.

Fig. 13 is a flowchart of a sample measurement method.

Fig. 14 is a side view of a stent support part showing another configuration example of the ventilation path.

Fig. 15 is a side view of a bracket support portion and a rail portion showing another configuration example of the ventilation path.

Fig. 16 is a side view of a stent support part showing another configuration example of the ventilation path.

Description of the reference numerals

1 sample measurement device

52 reagent vessel storage part

53 measuring section

70 reaction vessel

500 frame

500a to 500d side face portions

500e upper surface portion

500f bottom surface portion

501 cooling part

502 heat extraction part

533 support part

580 reagent container

581 reagent container stand

602 ventilation path

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the sample measurement device and the sample measurement method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

< sample measurement device >

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a sample measurement device 1 according to the present embodiment. The sample measurement device 1 is used for, for example, a blood coagulation measurement for analyzing the activity of a coagulation factor of a sample (blood sample).

The sample measurement device 1 has a device housing 10 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The device housing 10 has a front surface 20, a rear surface 21, a right side surface 22, a left side surface 23, an upper surface 24, and a bottom surface 25. In the present specification, "left" and "right" of the sample measurement device 1 are based on the direction in which the front surface 20 is viewed from the front.

The front surface 20 is provided with a cover 30 which can be opened and closed, and a user can access the inside of the apparatus housing 10 by opening the cover 30. A door 31 for accessing the inside of a reagent container housing part 52 described later and a door 32 for accessing the inside of a sample rack housing part 50 are provided on the front surface 20.

The upper surface 24 is a square planar surface on which the monitor 40 can be disposed. The monitor 40 is a touch panel type display, and can display an input for an operation required for sample measurement, display of various information, and result information of sample measurement.

Fig. 2 is a plan view showing an example of the internal structure of the sample measurement device 1. The sample measurement device 1 includes a sample rack housing portion 50, a reaction container housing portion 51, a reagent container housing portion 52, a measurement portion 53, a washing portion 54, a disposal portion 55, a power source portion 56, a control portion 57, and a dispensing portion 58 in the device housing 10.

The sample rack housing portion 50 is provided at a position closer to the front surface 20 than the center in the front-rear direction Y of the apparatus housing 10 and is provided near the center in the left-right direction X of the apparatus housing 10. The sample rack housing section 50 houses sample racks that hold a plurality of sample containers. The sample rack housing portion 50 has an upper surface portion 60, and a plurality of holes 61 are formed in the upper surface portion 60. The pipette 200 described later of the dispensing section 58 is inserted into the sample container in the sample rack housing section 50 through the hole 61, and can aspirate a sample in the sample container. The sample rack of the sample rack housing portion 50 is moved in and out from the door 32 of the apparatus housing 10 shown in fig. 1.

The reaction vessel housing 51 shown in fig. 2 is provided on the front surface 20 side of the center in the front-rear direction Y of the apparatus housing 10 and on the right side of the center in the left-right direction X of the apparatus housing 10. The reaction vessel housing portion 51 houses a vessel holder 71 that holds a plurality of reaction vessels 70.

The reagent container housing 52 is provided on the front surface 20 side of the center in the front-rear direction Y of the apparatus housing 10 and on the left side of the center in the left-right direction X of the apparatus housing 10. The reagent container housing part 52 is provided adjacent to the left side of the sample rack housing part 50. The reagent container housing part 52 houses a plurality of reagent containers in which reagents are housed. Details of the reagent container housing section 52 will be described later.

The measuring unit 53 includes a heating unit 80 and a detecting unit 81. The heating unit 80 and the detecting unit 81 are provided on the rear surface 21 side of the center in the front-rear direction Y of the apparatus housing 10 and on the right side of the center in the left-right direction X of the apparatus housing 10.

The heating section 80 has a plurality of holding holes 90 for holding the reaction vessel 70. The plurality of holding holes 90 are arranged in a row in the left-right direction X. The heating unit 80 can heat the reaction vessel 70 held in the holding hole 90 by a heat source.

The detection section 81 has a plurality of holding holes 100 for holding the reaction vessel 70. The plurality of holding holes 100 are arranged in a row in the left-right direction X. A plurality of holding holes 100 are provided on the rear surface 21 side of the holding hole 90 of the heating portion 80. The detection unit 81 irradiates light to the sample held in the reaction container 70 of the holding hole 100 and receives light transmitted through the sample, thereby detecting measurement data related to the sample.

The cleaning section 54 is provided near the center of the apparatus frame 10 in the front-rear direction Y and between the measuring section 53 and the reaction vessel accommodating section 51. The washing section 54 has a washing tub 110 for washing the pipette 200 of the dispensing section 58.

The discarding portion 55 is provided between the measuring portion 53 and the reaction vessel accommodating portion 51. The discarding portion 55 has a discarding port 120 for discarding the reaction container 70.

The power supply unit 56 is provided near the rear surface 21 of the device housing 10 in the front-rear direction Y and on the left side of the center in the left-right direction X. The power supply unit 56 supplies electric power supplied from an external power source to various devices such as the reagent container housing unit 52, the measuring unit 53, the control unit 57, and the dispensing unit 58.

The control unit 57 is provided near the rear surface 21 of the device housing 10 in the front-rear direction Y and on the right side of the center in the left-right direction X. As shown in fig. 3, the control unit 57 can communicate with various devices such as the reagent container housing unit 52, the measuring unit 53, and the dispensing unit 58, and can control the operations of the various devices. The control unit 57 has a memory and a CPU, and the CPU can control various devices and perform sample measurement by executing a program stored in the memory. The control unit 57 can communicate with the monitor 40, and can perform sample measurement based on information input from the monitor 40, or can display the result of the sample measurement on the monitor 40.

As shown in fig. 2, the device housing 10 has a vertical wall 140 disposed on the rear surface 21 side of the center in the front-rear direction Y in the inside thereof. The vertical wall 140 has a plate shape with a plate surface facing in the front-rear direction Y. The vertical wall 140 partitions the interior of the device housing 10 into a main region R1 and a rear region R2. The power supply unit 56 and the control unit 57 are provided in the rear surface region R2. The power supply unit 56 and the control unit 57 are mounted on the rear surface region R2 side of the vertical wall 140. The sample rack housing section 50, the reaction container housing section 51, the reagent container housing section 52, the measuring section 53, the washing section 54, the discarding section 55, and the dispensing section 58 are provided in the main region R1.

The dispensing section 58 has a function of dispensing the sample container, the reaction container 70, and the reagent container. The dispensing section 58 includes a dispensing device 150 and a moving device 151 for moving the dispensing device 150.

< Structure of dispensing portion 58 >

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the structure of the dispensing device 150. The dispensing device 150 includes a pipette 200, a container holding unit 201, a moving mechanism 202, and the like.

The pipette 200 is an elongated tube extending in the vertical direction Z, and can hold a predetermined amount of liquid in the tube. The pipette 200 is configured to be capable of sucking liquid from the front end portion 210 and discharging the sucked liquid.

As shown in fig. 5, the vessel holding portion 201 has two (a pair of) holding arms 220 for holding the reaction vessel 70. The holding arm 220 is disposed below the pipette 200, and can hold the reaction vessel 70 coaxially with the vertical direction Z of the pipette 200. The pipette 200 is smaller than the interval between the two holding arms 220 of the container holding section 201, and can be inserted between the two holding arms 220 in the vertical direction Z.

As shown in fig. 4, the moving mechanism 202 is a mechanism for relatively moving the pipette 200 and the container holding section 201 in the vertical direction Z while maintaining the holding arm 220 and the pipette 200 coaxially.

The moving mechanism 202 has a mechanical mechanism configured such that when one of the pipette 200 and the container holding section 201 is raised, the other is lowered in conjunction with the one. The moving mechanism 202 includes a mechanism configured such that the pipette 200 is lowered, the container holding unit 201 is moved up in conjunction with the same, and when the container holding unit 201 is moved up to a predetermined position, the movement is released, and the pipette 200 is moved down in a state where the movement of the container holding unit 201 is stopped. An example of the mechanical mechanism will be described below.

The moving mechanism 202 has: the pipette 200 includes a first moving unit 250 for moving the pipette 200 in the vertical direction Z, a second moving unit 251 for moving the container holding unit 201 in the vertical direction Z, a linkage unit 252 for linking the first moving unit 250 and the second moving unit 251, and a driving source 253 for driving the linkage unit 252.

The moving mechanism 202 has a substantially rectangular plate-like member 260. The plate-like member 260 is erected such that the plate surface faces the left-right direction X. The first moving portion 250, the second moving portion 251, and the interlocking portion 252 are provided on the first plate surface 260a on the right side (front side in fig. 4) of the plate-like member 260 in the left-right direction X. The driving source 253 is provided on the second plate surface 260b on the left side (the back surface side in fig. 4) of the plate-like member 260 in the left-right direction X.

The first moving part 250 has a pipette holding member 270 holding the pipette 200 and a first elevating member 271 to which the pipette holding member 270 is fixed and which is elevated by the linkage part 252.

A pipe 280 for supplying air and sucking air into the pipette 200 is connected to the upper part of the pipette holding member 270. The piping 280 communicates with the pump device.

The first elevation member 271 has a plate shape. The pipette holding member 270 is fixed to the right plate surface of the first elevating member 271 in the right-left direction X.

The first lifting member 271 is movably attached to a first rail 272 provided in the vertical direction Z of the plate-like member 260. The first lifting member 271 is attached to a belt 322 described later.

The second moving unit 251 includes: a second lifting member 300, wherein the second lifting member 300 is fixed with the container holding portion 201 and can be lifted freely; a biasing member 301, the biasing member 301 biasing the second elevating member 300 upward; a stopper 302, the stopper 302 preventing the second elevating member 300 from ascending; and a pressing member 303, wherein the pressing member 303 is lifted by the linkage part 252, and is capable of pressing the second lifting member 300 downward.

The second elevating member 300 includes a main body 310 and an arm 311 connecting the main body 310 to the container holding portion 201.

The second elevating member 300 is movably attached to a second rail 304 provided in the vertical direction Z of the plate-like member 260.

The biasing member 301 is a spring and is oriented in the vertical direction Z. The upper end of the biasing member 301 is fixed to the plate member 260 at a position above the second elevating member 300, and the lower end is fixed to the upper portion of the second elevating member 300. The urging member 301 urges the second elevating member 300 upward.

The stopper 302 is provided at a position above the second elevating member 300 of the plate-like member 260. The stopper 302 is provided to abut against the upper portion of the second elevating member 300 when the second elevating member 300 is elevated to a predetermined upper limit position, that is, when the pipette 200 is inserted into a predetermined position (positions shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5) of the reaction vessel 70 held by the holding arm 220 of the vessel holding section 201, and thereby prevents the elevation of the second elevating member 300.

The pressing member 303 is disposed at a position above the second elevating member 300. The pressing member 303 is attached to a belt 322 described later, and is lifted up and down freely by the belt 322. The pressing member 303 can press the second elevating member 300 downward when it is lowered, and can be raised to a position above the upper limit position of the second elevating member 300.

The second moving unit 251 is configured such that, when the container holding unit 201 is lowered, the pressing member 303 is lowered by the interlocking unit 252, the second lifting member 300 is pushed down against the urging force of the urging member 301, when the container holding unit 201 is raised, the pressing member 303 is raised by the interlocking unit 252, the second lifting member 300 is raised by the urging force of the urging member 301, and when the container holding unit 201 is raised to a predetermined position, the second lifting member 300 is prevented from being raised by the stopper 302.

The interlocking portion 252 includes a pair of pulleys 320 and 321 arranged in the vertical direction Z and an endless belt 322 suspended from the pair of pulleys 320 and 321.

The pair of pulleys 320 and 321 is disposed vertically on the plate member 260. The pair of pulleys 320, 321 is provided between the first rail 272 of the first moving portion 250 and the second rail 304 of the second moving portion 251 in the front-rear direction Y. The pulley 320 is disposed near the upper portion of the plate-like member 260, and the pulley 321 is disposed near the lower portion of the plate-like member 260.

The belt 322 is suspended on a pair of pulleys 320 and 321, and is lifted and lowered in opposite directions via belt portions 330 and 331 of the pulleys 320 and 321 facing each other in the front-rear direction Y.

The first moving part 250 is driven by the belt part 330. That is, the first elevation member 271 is mounted to the belt portion 330, and the first elevation member 271, the pipette holding member 270, and the pipette 200 are elevated in association with the elevation of the belt portion 330.

The second moving part 251 is driven by the belt part 331. That is, the pressing member 303 is attached to the belt portion 331, and the pressing member 303 is lifted and lowered along with the lifting and lowering of the belt portion 331. The second elevating member 300 and the container holding portion 201 can be elevated and lowered in association with the elevation of the pressing member 303.

The drive source 253 is a single motor and is connected to the pulley 320. The driving source 253 is fixed to the second plate surface 260b on the left side in the left-right direction X of the plate-like member 260. The drive source 253 can switch between normal rotation and reverse rotation, and can rotate the belt 322 rightward and leftward via the pulley 320.

The moving mechanism 202 includes a vibrating member 350 that vibrates the reaction vessel 70 held by the vessel holding portion 201. The vibration member 350 is a vibration element that vibrates by power supply, and is provided to the arm portion 311 of the second elevating member 300.

The movement mechanism 202 has a heating member 360 that heats the sample or reagent of the pipette 200. The heating member 360 is a heating element that generates heat by power supply, and is provided in the pipette holding member 270.

The moving device 151 shown in fig. 2 is configured to move the entire dispensing device 150 to any position in the left-right direction X and the front-rear direction Y within the device housing 10.

< Structure of reagent Container storage part 52 >

The structure of the reagent container housing part 52 will be described. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the reagent container storage part 52, and fig. 7 is an exploded view of the reagent container storage part 52. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the reagent vessel housing part 52 taken along line A-A. As shown in fig. 6 to 8, the reagent container storage section 52 includes a housing 500, a cooling section 501, and a heat release section 502.

< Structure of frame 500 >

The housing 500 houses a plurality of reagent containers. As shown in fig. 6, the frame 500 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape elongated in the front-rear direction Y, and a space having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape is formed inside.

The frame 500 has a hexahedral structure, and includes a first side surface portion 500a, a second side surface portion 500b, a third side surface portion 500c, a fourth side surface portion 500d, an upper surface portion 500e, and a bottom surface portion 500f.

As shown in fig. 7, the frame 500 includes a heat transfer frame 530, a heat insulating frame 531, a bottom surface 500f, a bracket supporting portion 533, and a heat insulating member 534. The heat transfer frame 530 is made of a thermally conductive material such as aluminum. The heat transfer frame 530 constitutes a part of the inner wall of the frame 500. The heat transfer frame 530 includes a first side wall 540 located on the left side in the left-right direction X, a second side wall 541 located on the right side in the left-right direction X, a third side wall 542 located on the rear side in the front-rear direction Y, and an upper surface connecting portion 543 located above. The front side surface of the heat transfer frame 530 in the front-rear direction Y is open.

The first side wall portion 540 and the second side wall portion 541 have rectangular plate shapes long in the front-rear direction Y. The first side wall 540 and the second side wall 541 are arranged vertically so that the plate faces in the left-right direction X. The first side wall 540 and the second side wall 541 are disposed in parallel and opposite to each other.

The third side wall portion 542 has a square plate shape. The third side wall portion 542 is vertically arranged so that the plate faces in the front-rear direction Y. The third side wall portion 542 connects the rear end of the first side wall portion 540 with the rear end of the second side wall portion 541. The third sidewall portion 542 is formed to be lower in height than the first and second sidewall portions 540 and 541.

The upper surface connecting portion 543 has a square plate shape. The upper surface connecting portion 543 is horizontally arranged such that the plate surface faces the vertical direction Z. The upper surface connecting portion 543 connects the front upper end portion of the first side wall 540 and the front upper end portion of the second side wall 541. The upper surface connecting portion 543 is not provided so as to cover the entire surface of the upper surface portion 500e of the housing 500, but is provided so as to cover only a part of the front side of the upper surface portion 500e of the housing 500. The upper surface connecting portion 543 is provided at a position not overlapping the reagent vessel 580 stored in the housing 500 in a plan view.

A temperature sensor 544 is provided in the first side wall 540. The temperature sensor 544 detects the temperature of the heat transfer housing 530. The control unit 57 can control the cooling unit 501 based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 544 to adjust the temperature in the housing 500. The control unit 57 controls the cooling unit 501 so that the temperature of the first side wall 540 measured by the temperature sensor 544 is 0 to 10 ℃, for example, 5 ℃.

The heat insulating frame 531 is made of a heat insulating material such as foamed styrene or cellulose fiber. The heat insulating frame portion 531 constitutes a part of the outer wall portion of the frame 500. The heat insulating frame portion 531 includes a first outer wall portion 550 located on the left side in the left-right direction X, a second outer wall portion 551 located on the right side in the left-right direction X, a third outer wall portion 552 located on the rear side in the front-rear direction Y, and an upper surface outer wall portion 553 located above. The front surface of the heat insulating frame 531 in the front-rear direction Y is open.

The first outer wall portion 550 is located outside the first side wall portion 540, and has a square opening 550a in the center. The second outer wall 551 has a rectangular plate shape longer in the front-rear direction Y. The second outer wall 551 is vertically arranged so that the plate faces in the left-right direction X. The second outer wall 551 is disposed to cover the second side wall 541 outside the second side wall 541.

The third outer wall portion 552 has a square plate shape. The third outer wall portion 552 is vertically arranged with the plate surface facing in the front-rear direction Y. The third outer wall portion 552 connects the rear end of the first outer wall portion 550 with the rear end of the second outer wall portion 551. The third outer wall portion 552 is disposed so as to cover the third side wall portion 542 outside the third side wall portion 542.

The upper surface outer wall portion 553 has a rectangular plate shape long in the front-rear direction Y. The upper surface outer wall portion 553 is horizontally disposed such that the plate surface faces the vertical direction Z. The upper surface outer wall portion 553 connects an upper end portion of the first outer wall portion 550 with an upper end portion of the second outer wall portion 551. The upper surface outer wall portion 553 is provided so as to cover the entire surface of the upper surface portion 500e of the housing 500. The upper surface outer wall portion 553 has a portion 553a that covers the upper surface connection portion 543 and a portion 553b that does not cover the upper surface connection portion 543.

A through hole 555 for the pipette 200 of the dispensing section 58 to come in and go out is provided in a portion 553b of the upper surface outer wall section 553. The plurality of through holes 555 are arranged in the front-rear direction Y (five in the present embodiment). The through holes 555 are provided in a plurality of rows (two rows in the present embodiment) in the left-right direction X.

An opening 560 for the entrance and exit of the bracket supporting portion 533 is formed in the front side surface of the heat transfer frame 530 and the heat insulating frame 531 in the front-rear direction Y.

In the present embodiment, the first side wall portion 540 of the heat transfer frame 530 and the first outer wall portion 550 of the heat insulation frame 531 constitute the first side surface portion 500a of the frame 500, and the second side wall portion 541 of the heat transfer frame 530 and the second outer wall portion 551 of the heat insulation frame 531 constitute the second side surface portion 500b of the frame 500. The third side wall portion 542 of the heat transfer frame portion 530 and the third outer wall portion 552 of the heat insulating frame portion 531 constitute a third side surface portion 500c of the frame 500, and the upper surface connecting portion 543 of the heat transfer frame portion 530 and the upper surface outer wall portion 553 of the heat insulating frame portion 531 constitute an upper surface portion 500e of the frame 500.

The bottom surface 500f has a rectangular plate shape long in the front-rear direction Y. The bottom surface 500f is made of a material such as resin having a lower thermal conductivity than the heat transfer housing 530. The bottom surface 500f is formed with a rail 570 for sliding the rack supporting portion 533. As shown in fig. 8, a groove 571 for recovering liquid when condensation occurs in the inside of the housing 500 is formed at the left end portion of the bottom surface portion 500f in the left-right direction X.

As shown in fig. 7, the holder support portion 533 supports a reagent container holder 581 for holding a plurality of reagent containers 580 in a row. The reagent container holder 581 has a shape long in the direction in which the plurality of reagent containers 580 are arranged (front-rear direction Y of fig. 7). The rack supporting portions 533 are arranged in two in the left-right direction X. Fig. 9 is a side view of the rack supporting portion 533 as viewed from the left-right direction X. As shown in fig. 7 and 9, the stand supporting portion 533 includes a bottom portion 590 long in the front-rear direction Y, a front portion 591 extending upward from a front end portion of the bottom portion 590, and a handle portion 592 formed on a front surface side of the front portion 591.

The bottom 590 includes a slider 600 that moves in the front-rear direction Y on the rail 570 and a mounting portion 601 on which the reagent container holder 581 is mounted. The slider portion 600 is fitted to the rail portion 570. The mounting portion 601 has a projection 601a projecting upward from the slider portion 600. The protrusions 601a are provided at the front and rear of the bottom 590. The reagent container holder 581 is placed on the upper surface of the protrusion 601a. In a state where the reagent container holder 581 is mounted on the protrusion 601a, a ventilation path 602 penetrating and ventilating in the left-right direction X is formed between the slider 600, the mounting portion 601, and the reagent container holder 581.

As shown in fig. 7, the front portion 591 has a square plate shape as viewed from the front side. The front portions 591 of the two bracket supporting portions 533 are configured to be capable of closing the front openings 560 of the heat transfer frame 530 and the heat insulating frame 531. That is, the two front portions 591 function as the fourth side surface portion 500d of the housing 500. The housing 500 has no portion that is internally and externally ventilated except the through hole 555, and can form a closed space inside.

The handle portion 592 is configured to extend forward from an upper end of the front portion 591, and then extend downward.

The slider 600 moves on the rail 570 of the bottom surface 500f, whereby the holder support 533 is movable in the front-rear direction Y with respect to the housing 500. As a result, as shown in fig. 10, the holder supporting portion 533 is pulled out freely with respect to the apparatus housing 10 and the housing 500. The reagent container holder 581 and the reagent container 580 can be removed from and placed into the device frame 10 by removing and placing the holder supporting portion 533 from and into the door 31 of the device frame 10. The reagent container 580 stored in the housing 500 through the holder supporting portion 533 is positioned to coincide with the through hole 555 of the housing 500 in a plan view.

As shown in fig. 7, the heat insulating member (sealing member) 534 has a frame shape capable of being fitted into the front surface side of the heat transfer frame 530. The heat insulating member 534 has a first side wall portion 610 located on the left side in the left-right direction X, a second side wall portion 611 located on the right side in the left-right direction X, and an upper surface portion 612 located above.

The first side wall portion 610 and the second side wall portion 611 have a rectangular plate shape long above. The first side wall portion 610 and the second side wall portion 611 are respectively abutted against the inner surface of the first side wall portion 540 and the inner surface of the second side wall portion 541 of the heat transfer frame portion 530. The upper surface portion 612 has a rectangular plate shape long in the left-right direction X. The upper surface portion 612 connects the upper end of the first side wall portion 610 and the upper end of the second side wall portion 611. The upper surface portion 612 abuts against the inner surface of the upper surface connecting portion 543 of the heat transfer frame 530.

The first side wall portion 610, the second side wall portion 611, and the upper surface portion 612 each have an abutment portion 630 that abuts against the front portion 591 of the bracket supporting portion 533. The heat insulating member 534 prevents the contact between the holder support portion 533 and the heat transfer frame 530 and the contact between the reagent container holder 581 and the heat transfer frame 530. The heat insulating member 534 prevents air in the housing 500 from flowing out between the bracket supporting portion 533 and the heat transfer housing portion 530.

< Structure of Cooling section 501 >

As shown in fig. 11, the cooling unit 501 is constituted by a peltier element. The cooling portion 501 has a square plate shape. The cooling portions 501 are bonded to each other with surfaces thereof to the outer surface of the first side wall portion 540 of the heat transfer frame portion 530.

< Structure of Heat extraction portion 502 >

As shown in fig. 12, the heat discharge portion 502 includes an intake port 800, a duct 801, an exhaust port 802, a radiator 803, and a fan 804.

The radiator 803 is mounted on the left side of the cooling unit 501 in the left-right direction X, and the fan 804 is mounted on the left side of the radiator 803 in the left-right direction X.

The intake port 800 and the exhaust port 802 are provided on the left side surface 23 of the device housing 10 in the left-right direction X. The intake port 800 and the exhaust port 802 are disposed vertically, and the exhaust port 802 is disposed at a position higher than the intake port 800. A duct 801 is formed to reach the fan 804 from the suction port 800 and to reach the exhaust port 802 from the radiator 803.

< method for measuring sample >

Next, an example of sample measurement using the sample measurement device 1 configured as described above will be described. Fig. 13 shows an example of a process flow of the entire sample measurement.

In the sample measurement of the sample measurement device 1, the start step S1 of the reagent cooling step T1, the transfer step S2 of the reaction vessel, the sample dispensing step S3, the reagent dispensing step S4, the measurement step S5, and the recovery/disposal step S6 of the reaction vessel are mainly performed in this order. The cooling process T1 of the reagent is continued during the other processes S2 to S6. These steps are executed by the control unit 57.

Before the sample measurement is started, as shown in fig. 2, the plurality of empty reaction containers 70 are stored in the reaction container storage section 51. The plurality of sample containers containing the samples are held by a sample holder, and the sample holder is stored in the sample holder storage section 50 from the door 32 shown in fig. 1.

As shown in fig. 10, the reagents used for the sample measurement are accommodated in a plurality of reagent containers 580, the plurality of reagent containers 580 are held by a reagent container holder 581, and the reagent container holder 581 is supported by a holder supporting portion 533. Then, the rack supporting portion 533 is placed in the housing 500 of the reagent container storage portion 52 along the rail portion 570 from the door 31 of the apparatus housing 10, and the reagent container 580 is stored in the housing 500. At this time, a closed space is formed in the housing 500 in which the plurality of reagent containers 580 are housed.

Then, the cooling step T1 of the reagent is started (step S1 of fig. 13). First, the cooling unit 501 shown in fig. 8 operates, and the housing 500 is cooled. At this time, the cooling portion 501 absorbs heat of the first side wall portion 540 of the heat transfer frame portion 530 of the frame 500. Thereby, the first side wall 540 of the heat transfer housing 530 is cooled, and the cold air generated above the inside of the housing 500 flows downward, thereby generating natural convection through the ventilation path 602, and the temperature of the internal space of the housing 500 is reduced to the target temperature or lower.

The first side wall 540 where the cooling unit 501 is located has the lowest temperature, the upper surface connecting unit 543 and the third side wall 542 have the next temperature, the second side wall 541 has the next temperature, and the bottom surface 500f has the highest temperature. Thereby, a temperature distribution is formed in the inner space of the housing 500, and natural convection occurs. Natural convection is performed as follows: first, the air having a low temperature near the first side wall 540 flows downward in the gap between the first side wall 540 and the reagent container 580 toward the bottom surface 500f having the highest temperature, then flows rightward in the right-left direction X in the ventilation path 602 below the reagent container holder 581 in the bottom surface 500f, then flows upward in the gap between the second side wall 541 and the reagent container 580, then flows leftward in the right-left direction X in the gap between the upper surface connecting portion 543 and the upper surface outer wall 553 and the reagent container 580, returns to the vicinity of the first side wall 540, and continues the cycle.

On the other hand, on the outside of the housing 500, as shown in fig. 12, a fan 804 on the outside of the cooling unit 501 is operated, and air outside the device housing 10 flows into the duct 801 through the air inlet 800 and is supplied to the radiator 803. The heat generated by the cooling unit 501 is transferred to the air in the radiator 803. The air having passed through the radiator 803 reaches the exhaust port 802 through the duct 801 together with heat, and is exhausted from the exhaust port 802 to the outside of the apparatus housing 10. In this way, the heat of the cooling unit 501 is discharged to the outside of the apparatus housing 10.

As shown in fig. 13, after the start of the cooling step T1 of the reagent, a transfer step S2 of the reaction vessel is performed. In the reaction container transfer step S2, first, the container holding portion 201 of the dispensing device 150 shown in fig. 2 is moved from the initial position onto the container holder 71 of the reaction container housing portion 51, and then lowered to hold the empty reaction container 70 of the container holder 71.

Then, the container holding portion 201 of the dispensing device 150 moves onto the heating portion 80, and then descends, and the reaction container 70 is held in the holding hole 90 of the heating portion 80. Then, the container holding portion 201 is raised.

Next, a sample dispensing step S3 (shown in fig. 13) is performed. First, the pipette 200 of the dispensing device 150 shown in fig. 2 moves onto the sample rack housing section 50 and descends. The pipette 200 is inserted into the sample container of the sample rack in the sample rack housing section 50 through the hole 61 of the upper surface section 60, and attracts the sample.

After that, the pipette 200 is lifted up to the sample rack housing section 50 and moved to the heating section 80. The pipette 200 descends toward the reaction container 70 of the heating part 80, and injects a sample into the reaction container 70.

Then, the pipette 200 is lifted up on the heating section 80 and moved to the washing section 54. The pipette 200 is lowered toward the cleaning tank 110 of the cleaning section 54, and is inserted into the cleaning tank 110 to perform cleaning. Finally, the pipette 200 is raised up on the washing section 54.

Subsequently, a reagent dispensing step S4 (shown in fig. 13) is performed. First, the pipette 200 of the dispensing device 150 shown in FIG. 2 is moved onto the housing 500 of the reagent container housing part 52. Then, the pipette 200 is lowered, and enters the housing 500 through the through-hole 555 of the upper surface outer wall portion 553. The pipette 200 is then inserted into the reagent container 580 of the reagent container holder 581, attracting the reagent of the reagent container 580.

Then, the pipette 200 is raised up to the reagent container housing part 52. Next, the reagent of the pipette 200 is heated by the heating member 360. The pipette 200 is moved onto the heating section 80 while heating the reagent of the pipette 200.

Then, the container holding portion 201 of the dispensing device 150 is lowered toward the reaction container 70 of the heating portion 80, and holds the reaction container 70 of the heating portion 80.

Next, as shown in fig. 5, the vessel holding part 201 is raised on the heating part 80, and the pipette 200 is lowered and inserted into the reaction vessel 70. Then, the pipette 200 injects the reagent into the reaction vessel 70 of the vessel holding part 201. Then, the reaction vessel 70 of the vessel holding section 201 is vibrated by the vibrating member 350, and the sample to which the reagent is added is stirred.

Next, the container holding portion 201 shown in fig. 2 moves onto the detecting portion 81 and descends. The container holding portion 201 descends toward the holding hole 100 of the detection portion 81, and holds the reaction container 70 in the holding hole 100. Finally, the container holding portion 201 rises up to the detecting portion 81.

Next, a measurement step S5 (shown in fig. 13) is performed. In the detection unit 81, blood coagulation measurement is performed in which the activity of the coagulation factor of the sample in the reaction vessel 70 is analyzed.

Finally, a recovery/disposal step S6 (shown in fig. 13) of the reaction vessel is performed. First, the container holding portion 201 of the dispensing device 150 shown in fig. 2 moves onto the detecting portion 81 and descends. Then, the vessel holding section 201 holds the reaction vessel 70 of the detection section 81.

Then, the container holding portion 201 rises above the detecting portion 81 and moves to the discarding portion 55. The container holding portion 201 descends toward the discarding port 120 of the discarding portion 55, and discards the reaction container 70 to the discarding port 120. Finally, the container holding portion 201 is lifted up by the discarding portion 55, and thereafter, returns to the initial position.

According to the present embodiment, the reagent container housing part 52 of the sample measurement device 1 includes the housing 500, the cooling part 501 for cooling the housing 500, and the reagent container holder 581 for holding the reagent container 580 in the housing 500, the cooling part 501 is provided on the first side wall part 540 which is a part of the first side surface part 500a of the housing 500, and the ventilation path 602 is provided between the reagent container holder 581 and the bottom surface part 500f in the housing 500. In this case, since the first side wall 540 of the housing 500 is cooled by the cooling unit 501, a downward air flow is generated in the vicinity of the first side wall 540 in the housing 500, and natural convection through the ventilation path 602 is generated in the housing 500. Accordingly, a fan for circulating air in the housing 500 is not required, and the device can be miniaturized. Further, by cooling by natural convection, the cool air can be distributed into the housing 500, and the plurality of reagent containers 580 can be cooled from the surroundings, whereby the temperature of the reagent in the plurality of reagent containers 580 can be uniformly controlled.

The upper surface 500e of the housing 500 is provided with a through hole 555 for the pipette 200 to be inserted and withdrawn. In this case, the pipette 200 is located outside the housing 500, and the pipette 200 can be used to aspirate a reagent into the housing 500 as needed. Therefore, the volume of the housing 500 can be reduced, and as a result, strong natural convection can be reliably generated in the housing 500. Therefore, the reagent in the reagent vessel 580 in the housing 500 can be cooled stably and sufficiently.

The frame 500 has a heat-conductive heat-transfer frame 530, and the heat-transfer frame 530 has a first side wall 540, a second side wall 541, and an upper surface connecting portion 543, and the cooling portion 501 is provided in the first side wall 540. Thereby, the entire heat transfer frame 530 is appropriately cooled, and the reagent can be cooled from above and from left and right of the reagent container 580. As a result, the reagent in the reagent vessel 580 can be cooled appropriately and stably. Further, the cooling unit 501 cools the heat transfer housing 530 itself, and then cools the internal air of the housing 500, thereby cooling the reagent container 580, and therefore, condensation in the reagent container 580 can be suppressed.

The bottom surface 500f of the frame 500 includes a member having a lower thermal conductivity than the heat transfer frame 530. Thereby, the temperature difference between the first side wall portion 540 and the bottom surface portion 500f where the cooling portion 501 is provided becomes large. As a result, the downward air flow from the vicinity of the first side wall 540 toward the bottom surface 500f is enhanced, and natural convection is enhanced, so that the reagent in the reagent container 580 can be sufficiently cooled.

The upper surface connecting portion 543 of the heat transfer housing 530 is provided at a position not overlapping the reagent vessel 580 housed in the housing 500 in a plan view. Thus, even if the upper surface connecting portion 543 is cooled and temporarily condensed, water can be prevented from dropping onto the reagent container 580.

The frame 500 is configured to be capable of accommodating a plurality of reagent containers 580 in a row along the longitudinal direction Y of the first side wall 540 and the second side wall 541. The housing 500 is configured to house the reagent container holder 581 with the longitudinal direction of the reagent container holder 581 oriented in the front-rear direction Y orthogonal to the left-right direction X from the first side wall 540 to the second side wall 541. As a result, the path along the inner wall of the housing 500 in the direction in which natural convection occurs becomes shorter, and strong natural convection is likely to occur. As a result, the reagent in the reagent vessel 580 can be sufficiently cooled.

The frame 500 has the heat insulating frame portion 531 covering the heat transfer frame portion 530, and therefore, the heat transfer frame portion 530 can be cooled efficiently.

The reagent container housing part 52 has a holder supporting part 533 for supporting the reagent container holder 581 in the housing 500, and the holder supporting part 533 is configured to be pulled out from the housing 500. This allows the reagent vessel 580 to be easily removed and replaced.

The ventilation path 602 is formed between the reagent container holder 581 and the holder supporting portion 533. Thus, the ventilation path 602 for natural convection can be appropriately formed.

The sample measurement device 1 includes a heat release portion 502 for releasing heat generated by the cooling portion 501. Accordingly, the heat of the cooling unit 501 does not remain in the housing 500, and therefore, the reagent in the reagent vessel 580 in the housing 500 can be appropriately cooled.

The sample measurement device 1 includes a device housing 10 having a measurement unit 53 and a reagent container housing 52 therein. Thus, the housing 500 of the reagent container housing part 52 is positioned inside the device housing 10. Therefore, the volume of the housing 500 can be reduced, and the reagent in the reagent vessel 580 in the housing 500 can be cooled efficiently.

The housing 500 is configured such that natural convection generated inside the housing 500 by cooling of the cooling unit 501 circulates in this order between the first side surface 500a of the housing 500 and the reagent vessel 580, between the ventilation path 602, between the second side surface 500b of the housing 500 and the reagent vessel 580, and between the upper surface 500e of the housing 500 and the reagent vessel 580. Therefore, the reagent in the reagent vessel 580 in the housing 500 can be cooled appropriately.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to this example. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications and corrections can be made within the scope of the idea described in the claims, and these naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

The sample measurement device 1 described in the above embodiment may have other configurations. The frame 500, the heat transfer frame 530, the heat insulating frame 531, the bottom surface 500f, the rack supporting portion 533, and the like of the reagent container housing 52 may have other structures. The cooling unit 501 and the heat discharging unit 502 may have other structures. The cooling unit 501 is not limited to the peltier element, and may be any other element as long as it has a cooling function. The cooling unit 501 need not be constituted by one element such as a peltier element, but may be constituted by a plurality of elements.

As shown in fig. 14, the ventilation path 602 may be formed in the support portion 533. In this case, the ventilation path 602 may be formed to penetrate the bottom 590 of the support frame supporting portion 533. As shown in fig. 15, the ventilation path 602 may be formed in the bottom surface 500f. In this case, the ventilation path 602 may be formed to penetrate the lower portion of the rail portion 570. As shown in fig. 16, the ventilation path 602 may be formed in the reagent container holder 581.

The cooling portion 501 is provided on the first side wall portion 540 which is a part of the first side wall portion 500a of the housing 500, but may be provided on any of the other side wall portions 500b, 500c, 500 d. The cooling unit 501 may be provided on the upper surface 500e of the housing 500. In this case, by cooling the upper surface portion 500e of the housing 500, the air in the vicinity of the upper surface portion in the housing 500 is lowered, and natural convection is formed through the ventilation path 602, whereby the reagent in the reagent container 580 can be cooled. The cooling unit 501 may be provided at a part of the housing 500 higher than the ventilation path 620, or may be provided at another part of the housing 500. The cooling portion 501 may be provided over the entire side portions 500a, 500b, 500c, 500d of the housing 500, or may be provided over the entire upper surface portion 500e. The cooling portion 501 may be provided over the entire side portions 500a, 500b, 500c, 500d and the entire upper surface portion 500e of the housing 500. The cooling portion 501 may be provided in a part of the side portions 500a, 500b, 500c, 500d and the upper surface portion 500e. The cooling unit 501 need not be in direct contact with the housing 500, but may be in indirect contact with a heat transfer member such as a radiator.

The sample measurement device of the present invention can be applied to a sample measurement other than blood coagulation measurement, blood immunoassay, blood cell number measurement, biochemical analysis, urine analysis, and the like.

Industrial applicability

The present invention is useful for providing a sample measurement device and a sample measurement method that can cope with miniaturization of the device.

Claims (22)

1. A sample measurement device, wherein the sample measurement device comprises:

a reagent container housing section that houses a reagent container containing a reagent; and

a measurement unit for measuring a sample using the reagent,

the reagent container housing section includes:

a housing that houses the reagent container; and

a cooling unit that cools the housing,

a ventilation path is provided below the reagent container in the housing,

at least a part of the cooling portion is provided in a portion of the housing higher than the ventilation path.

2. The sample measurement device according to claim 1, wherein,

the frame body has an upper surface portion, a bottom surface portion, and side surface portions,

the cooling portion is provided on the side surface portion or the upper surface portion of the frame body.

3. The sample measurement device according to claim 2, wherein,

the frame body is provided with two opposite side surface parts,

the cooling portion is provided on one of the two opposite side surfaces of the frame.

4. The sample measurement device according to claim 1, wherein,

the sample measurement device further includes a pipette that sucks the reagent contained in the reagent container housing section and dispenses the reagent into the reaction container housing the sample,

the upper surface of the housing is provided with a through hole for the pipette to come in and go out.

5. The sample measurement device according to any one of claim 1 to 4, wherein,

the frame includes a heat transfer frame portion having thermal conductivity,

the heat transfer frame portion includes:

a first sidewall portion;

a second side wall portion disposed on an opposite side of the first side wall portion across the reagent container, the second side wall portion being opposite to the first side wall portion; and

an upper surface connecting portion connecting the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion,

the cooling portion is provided at the first side wall portion, the second side wall portion, or the upper surface connecting portion.

6. The sample measurement device according to claim 5, wherein,

the cooling portion is provided at the first side wall portion or the second side wall portion.

7. The sample measurement device according to claim 5, wherein,

the bottom surface portion of the frame includes a member having a lower thermal conductivity than the heat transfer frame portion.

8. The sample measurement device according to claim 5, wherein,

the upper surface connection portion of the heat transfer frame portion is provided at a position that does not overlap with the reagent container housed in the frame in a plan view.

9. The sample measurement device according to claim 5, wherein,

the frame is configured to be capable of accommodating a plurality of reagent containers in a direction orthogonal to a direction from the first side wall portion toward the second side wall portion.

10. The sample measurement device according to claim 5, wherein,

the reagent container is accommodated in the housing in a state of being held by a reagent container holder,

the reagent holding rack has a shape longer in a direction in which a plurality of the reagent containers are held in an aligned manner,

the frame is configured to house the reagent container holder in a state in which a longitudinal direction of the reagent container holder is oriented in a direction orthogonal to a direction from the first side wall portion toward the second side wall portion.

11. The sample measurement device according to claim 5, wherein,

the frame has a heat insulating frame portion covering the heat transfer frame portion.

12. The sample measurement device according to any one of claim 1 to 4, wherein,

the reagent container is accommodated in the housing in a state of being held by a reagent container holder,

the reagent container housing part has a holder support part for supporting the reagent container holder in the frame,

the bracket support portion is configured to be pulled out freely from the frame body.

13. The sample measurement device according to claim 12, wherein,

the vent path is formed between the reagent container holder and the holder support.

14. The sample measurement device according to claim 12, wherein,

the ventilation path is formed in the stent support portion.

15. The sample measurement device according to claim 12, wherein,

the bottom surface of the frame body has a rail portion for sliding the bracket supporting portion,

the ventilation path is provided in the rail portion.

16. The sample measurement device according to claim 12, wherein,

the vent path is formed in the reagent container holder.

17. The sample measurement device according to any one of claim 1 to 4, wherein,

The sample measurement device further includes a heat discharge unit that discharges heat generated by the cooling unit.

18. The sample measurement device according to any one of claim 1 to 4, wherein,

the sample measurement device further includes a device housing having the measurement unit and the reagent container housing unit therein.

19. The sample measurement device according to any one of claim 1 to 4, wherein,

the frame is configured such that natural convection generated in the frame by cooling of the cooling unit circulates in this order between the first side surface portion of the frame and the reagent container, the ventilation path, between the second side surface portion of the frame facing the first side surface portion and the reagent container, and between the upper surface portion of the frame and the reagent container.

20. A sample measurement method using a sample measurement device in which a ventilation path is provided below a reagent container in a housing that houses the reagent container, the sample measurement method comprising:

a cooling step of cooling the reagent in the reagent container by cooling at least a portion higher than the ventilation path in the housing;

A dispensing step of sucking the cooled reagent in the reagent container and dispensing the reagent into a reaction container; and

and a measurement step of measuring a sample of the reaction vessel into which the reagent is dispensed.

21. The method for assaying a sample according to claim 20 wherein,

the frame has a thermally conductive heat transfer frame portion,

the heat transfer frame portion includes:

a first sidewall portion;

a second side wall portion disposed on an opposite side of the first side wall portion across the reagent container, the second side wall portion being opposite to the first side wall portion; and

an upper surface connecting portion connecting the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion,

in the cooling process, in the course of the cooling process,

the entirety of the heat transfer frame portion is cooled.

22. The method for assaying a sample according to claim 20 wherein,

in the cooling step, natural convection generated inside the housing circulates in this order between the first side surface portion of the housing and the reagent container, the ventilation path, the second side surface portion of the housing facing the first side surface portion and the reagent container, and the upper surface portion of the housing and the reagent container.