JP2000137033A - Dispenser for automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively enhance a processing capacity without generating carrying-over between liquids not to deteriorate analytical prcision, and to reduce a size. SOLUTION: This dispenser has plural different kinds of liquid storing containers 137 with readable discriminating means 141, plural dispensing mechanisms 133 connectable individually with the respective plural containers 137, and a transfer means 117 for positioning selectively the plural dispensing mechanisms 133. The dispensing mechanism 133 relating to a desirable liquid is positioned in a prescribed dispensing position based on an information provided from the discriminating means 141 of the container 137 to conduct dispensing to another container 33.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dispenser for an automatic analyzer for automatically analyzing components such as blood.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various automatic analyzers have been proposed. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 56-119853 discloses a method in which a plurality of reagent containers are set on a reagent tray, and a desired reagent is suctioned by a common reagent dispensing probe and dispensed into a cuvette set on a turntable. Is disclosed.

[0003]

However, in the case of using a common reagent dispensing probe for a plurality of reagents as described above, it is necessary to wash the probe after dispensing the reagent. There is a problem that
Further, if the processing capacity is to be increased, there is a problem that the washing time of the probe is shortened, carry-over between reagents occurs, and analysis accuracy is reduced. In addition, since the probe needs to be moved between the reagent tray and the turntable holding the cuvette, there is a problem that the dispensing device becomes large.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and can effectively improve the processing capacity and reduce the size without causing carry-over between liquids and, therefore, without lowering the analysis accuracy. It is an object of the present invention to provide a dispensing device for an automatic analyzer appropriately configured as described above.

[0005]

A dispensing apparatus for an automatic analyzer according to the present invention, which achieves the above object, comprises a plurality of different types of liquid storage containers provided with readable identification means, and a plurality of liquid storage containers. A plurality of dispensing mechanisms that can be individually connected to each other, and a transfer unit that selectively positions the plurality of dispensing mechanisms. The dispensing mechanism for the liquid is positioned at a predetermined dispensing position and dispensed to another container.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a breakable film portion is provided in the liquid container, and the film portion is inserted into the dispensing mechanism, whereby the liquid container and the dispensing pipe of the dispensing mechanism are connected to each other. Is configured to be able to communicate. In addition, the identification means is provided on the side surface of the liquid container, and the ejection drive unit of the dispensing mechanism is disposed below the identification means.

[0007]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing the configuration of an embodiment of an automatic analyzer having a dispensing apparatus according to the present invention. The apparatus main body 11 is provided with a sampler section 13 and an operation panel 15 composed of a keyboard for inputting analysis items and analysis conditions for each item to a microcomputer for controlling the entire apparatus in an easy-to-operate portion on the front surface thereof. In addition, a liquid crystal display 17 for displaying input information, analysis results, and the like from the operation panel 15 is provided. Operation panel
At the bottom of 15 is a floppy disk drive 19
And a microcomputer and an operation panel via a floppy disk set in the drive device 19.
Exchange data with input information from 15. Further, a printer base 21 is provided on the upper part of the apparatus main body 11, and a printer 23 is placed on the printer base 21 to print out an analysis result and the like, and a U-shaped so as to escape the printer base 21. The top cover 25 is provided so as to be openable and closable. By placing the printer 23 on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 11 in this way, it is possible to improve the operability as a system and to reduce the size of the apparatus. In addition, on one side of the apparatus main body 11, a case 27 for discarding an empty cuvette pack, which will be described later, is detachably provided, and a door 28 for setting a new cuvette pack is provided. Is detachably provided.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are a perspective view and a plan view, respectively, showing the top cover 25 removed. In this embodiment, the cuvette 33 is detachably held on the cuvette wheel 31,
The cuvette 33 is disposable and the cuvette wheel 31
While rotating, various items are analyzed by the random access method. Therefore, around the cuvette wheel 31, in addition to the sampler unit 13, the cuvette loader 35, the diluent dispensing mechanism 37, the reagent storage 41 for storing the first and second reagents, the sample dispensing mechanism 43, Mechanism 4
5. A photometric unit 51 and a cuvette disposal unit 52 are provided. Hereinafter, the configuration of each unit will be described.

<Sampler Unit 13> The sampler unit 13 is configured to sequentially convey a number of sample cups containing a sample to be analyzed via a predetermined sample suction position. In this embodiment, a turntable 53 is provided in the sampler section 13, and six turn racks 57 capable of holding ten sample cups 55 are detachably mounted on the turntable 53. Each rotating rack 57 is mounted by engaging with a guide shaft 59 and a positioning pin 61 on the turntable 53,
The turntable 53 and the rotation rack 57 are engaged via a planetary gear (not shown), and the rotation of the rotation rack 57 is caused to revolve while rotating the rotation of the turntable 53 so that each sample cup 55 is moved to a predetermined sample suction position A. And transport them sequentially. Further, in the vicinity of the turntable 53 and before the sample suction position A, a rotating rack presence / absence detection mechanism 63 and a sample cup presence / absence detection mechanism 65 are provided.
The presence / absence of the rotating rack 57 and the sample cup 55 is detected by these presence / absence detection mechanisms 63 and 65, and the operation of the sample dispensing mechanism 43 described later is controlled. Furthermore, in addition to the above-described holding portion of the rotating rack 57, the turntable 53 has
A cup holder 67 for detachably mounting a sample cup for interruption is provided. A sample cup for a stat is set in the cup holder 67, and is directly transferred to a sample suction position A by rotation of the turntable 53. With this, night analysis or interruption analysis can be dealt with.

<Cuvette Wheel 31> The cuvette wheel 31 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 3 by a motor 77 via a spur gear 79 and an internal gear 81 as also shown in a sectional view in FIG. . The cuvette wheel 31 is formed of a material having good heat conductivity, and a plurality of cuvette holding portions 83 having T-shaped grooves are formed around the cuvette wheel 31, as shown in FIG. The cuvette 33 is detachably held by the cuvette holder 83, and is conveyed in a ring-shaped constant-temperature groove 87 formed in a constant-temperature member 85 having good thermal conductivity. In addition, the periphery of the constant temperature member 85 is surrounded by a heat insulating material 89, and a sheet-like heater 91 is provided on the back surface, and the heater 91 is turned on and off to maintain the temperature of the cuvette 33 at a desired temperature. . The heater
Reference numeral 91 designates a partial volume density at the cuvette loading position, the first reagent dispensing position, the second reagent dispensing position, the sample dispensing position, and the diluent dispensing position on the transfer line (reaction line) of the cuvette 33. And the temperature distribution near each position is changed to improve the temperature rise.

<Cuvette Loader 35> Cuvette Loader
Numeral 35 is provided above the reaction line, and at a predetermined cuvette loading position P, the cuvette loader 35 automatically supplies and sets an empty cuvette 33 to the cuvette holding portion 83 of the cuvette wheel 31 at a predetermined timing. In this embodiment, the cuvette loader 35 includes a cuvette pack storage unit 93, a cuvette buffer unit 95, and a cuvette wheel loading unit 97 having a vertical movement mechanism, and a maximum of five cuvette packs 99 are stacked in the cuvette pack storage unit 93. Cuvette 33 from the bottom cuvette pack 99 to the cuvette buffer section.
The cuvette 33 is supplied to the cuvette wheel loading unit 97 via the 95, and the cuvette 33 is loaded into the cuvette holding unit 83 from above the cuvette wheel 31 by moving the cuvette wheel loading unit 97 up and down.

Each cuvette pack 99 contains a cuvette 33
10 rows x 10 rows (total of 100 pieces), and the lowermost cuvette pack 99 by the vertical feed mechanism 101 and the horizontal feed mechanism 103
The cuvettes 33 are sequentially supplied to the cuvette buffer unit 95 through the vertical feed outlet 105 from the cuvette buffer unit 95.
95 multiple cuvettes 35 and cuvette wheel 31
Heat and heat up before loading into When the lowermost cuvette pack 99 is empty, the claw 107
Is laterally moved and the lowermost cuvette pack 99 is slid so as to fall into the case 27 on the side surface of the apparatus main body through the inclined surface 109, and the next cuvette pack 99 is positioned at the lowermost stage by its own weight. Thus, the cuvette loader 35 is provided on the reaction line, and the empty cuvette pack is provided.
By disposing 99 on the side of the device body,
The device can be downsized, and maintenance can be facilitated. The cuvette 33 is supplied from the lowermost cuvette pack 99 in the cuvette pack storage unit 93, so that the side door of the apparatus main body 11 shown in FIG.
Cuvette pack 99 from 28 to cuvette pack storage 93
Can be added at any time.

<Cuvette 33> As shown in FIG. 6, the cuvette 33 has two reaction tanks 34A and 34B, and each reaction tank performs one item of analysis. Therefore, one cuvette pack 99 containing 100 cuvettes 33 can analyze 200 items. The cuvette 33 is formed with concave portions 34C which engage with the T-shaped grooves of the cuvette holding portions 83 at both end surfaces in the direction in which the reaction tanks 34A and 34B are arranged, and these concave portions 34C are filled by the cuvette wheel loading portion 97 with the cuvette holding portions 83. The cuvette 33 is positioned vertically and radially with respect to the cuvette wheel 31 by engaging with the T-shaped grooves of the two reaction tanks 34A, 34A.
The cuvette wheel 31 is loaded so as to be aligned in the circumferential direction. In addition, each reaction tank 34A, 34B of the cuvette 33
Flat sides 34D for direct photometry
To form In this way, by forming two reaction vessels 34A and 34B in one cuvette 33 and analyzing two items, one cuvette of the same size can be used for one cuvette.
Compared with the case of analyzing the items, the maximum sample amount can be reduced, the cost of the cuvette can be reduced, and the industrial waste can be reduced by half. Further, since the size of the cuvette pack 99 with respect to the number of analysis items can be reduced, the volume of the cuvette pack storage unit 93 can be reduced, and the apparatus can be downsized.

<Diluent dispensing mechanism 37> Diluent dispensing mechanism 37
Is constituted by providing a diluent nozzle 113 at the tip end of a rotatable dilution / dispensing arm 111, whereby two cuvettes 33 held on a cuvette wheel 31 at a predetermined diluent dispensing position D are provided. A predetermined amount of diluent, that is, a total amount of diluent for the first reagent, the sample, and the second reagent is sequentially dispensed to each of the reaction tanks 34A and 34B according to the analysis items and the analysis conditions. The diluting liquid dispensing mechanism 37 may be configured such that the diluting liquid nozzle 113 is fixedly disposed above a predetermined diluting liquid dispensing position D without using a rotatable arm.

<Reagent Storage Box 41> The reagent storage box 41 is disposed above the reaction line. The reagent storage 41 has two rotating tables 115 and 117 as shown in FIG.
Are provided concentrically, and these rotary tables 115 and 117 are driven to rotate independently by motors 119 and 121 and belts 123 and 125, respectively. The rotating table 115 has a plurality of dispensers corresponding to the analysis items, and in this embodiment, 38 dispensers.
127 and one stirring mechanism 129 are provided on the same circumference, and the first packed reagent containers 131 used for analysis are individually set in the corresponding dispensers 127, and the desired second liquid is driven by driving the motor 119. The one reagent container 131 or the stirring mechanism 129 is positioned at a predetermined first reagent dispensing position R1 on the reaction line. Similarly, the turntable 117 also has 38 dispensers 133 corresponding to the analysis items and one stirring mechanism on the same circumference.
135, the packed second reagent containers 137 used for analysis are individually set in the corresponding dispensers 133, and the desired second reagent containers 137 or stirring mechanisms 135 are reacted by driving the motor 121. Predetermined second reagent dispensing position R on line
2 position. Each reagent container 131, 13
7, an air hole 138 is provided at the upper part and a breakable film surface 139 is provided at the lower part as shown in FIG.
And the dispenser 133 with the film surface 139 facing down.
And set by breaking the film surface. In addition, a bar code 141 is provided on each of the reagent containers 131 and 137, and the bar code 141 is read by a reading device (not shown) to automatically manage the reagent setting position on the rotary table so that the reagent container can be set arbitrarily. The dispenser 127 or 133 is positioned at a predetermined dispensing position, so that selective dispensing according to the type of reagent can be performed with high efficiency.

The dispensers 127 and 133 are provided with probes 143 and 145 having the same configuration. These dispensers 127,
FIG. 9A shows a cross-sectional view of the dispenser 133 in FIG. 9A, and FIG. 9B also shows a bottom view of the pipette 133. The probe 145 side of the pipe 146 communicating with the probe 145 and the second reagent container 137 and the second reagent Check valves 147A and 147B on the container 137 side respectively
And a pipe between these check valves 147A and 147B.
A piston 149 is provided in a conduit 148 communicating with 146. The check valves 147A and 147B connect the ball valves to springs 150.
A, 150B pushes upward to close the line 146. The piston 149 is connected to the pipe 14 by a spring 151.
8, the displacement of the piston 149 caused by the spring 151 is regulated by the stopper 152. In this way, the solenoid at the predetermined reagent dispensing position
153 and the plunger 153A causes the piston 149
Is pressed against the force of the spring 151, thereby
Push down 147A against the force of spring 150A, piston 149A
After dispensing an amount of reagent corresponding to the stroke, the solenoid 153 is deenergized and the piston 149 is returned by the force of the spring 151 until the piston 149 comes into contact with the stopper 152, and the negative pressure in the pipelines 146 and 148 at that time is checked. Spring 150B with valve 147B
The amount of reagent corresponding to the stroke of the piston 149 is drawn into the pipes 146 and 148 between the check valves 147A and 147B and the piston 149. If the amount of reagent dispensed differs depending on the analysis item or the like, the stroke of the piston 149 is adjusted by adjusting the position of the stopper 152 or the displacement of the plunger 153A of the solenoid 153, or a plurality of the above dispensing operations are performed. Repeat to dispense the desired amount of reagent.

The stirring mechanisms 129 and 135 have cuvettes.
Two stirring rods 154 are provided for each of the two reaction tanks 34A and 34B, and a rotation drive mechanism 155 and a vertical drive mechanism 157 for rotating and vertically moving these are provided. After the required reagents are dispensed into the two reaction tanks 34A and 34B of the cuvette 33, these stirring mechanisms 129 and 135 are positioned at a predetermined reagent dispensing position, and in this state, the stirring rod 154 is lowered by the vertical drive mechanism 157. Then, the liquid is introduced into the two reaction tanks 34A and 34B of the cuvette 33, and the stirring rod 154 is rotated by the rotation drive mechanism 155, thereby causing the reaction tanks 34A and 34B to rotate.
Stir the reagents dispensed in B respectively.
Further, in the reagent storage 41, washing tanks 159, 161 for washing the stirring rods 154 of the stirring mechanisms 129, 135 are provided, and after the reagents are stirred, the rotating tables 115, 117 are rotated to move the stirring mechanisms 129, 133 onto the corresponding washing tanks 159, 161. In this state, the stirring rod 154 is moved into the washing tanks 159 and 161 for cleaning, and then the stirring rod 154 is raised to be in a standby state for the next reagent dispensing.

The reagent storage 41 is covered with a heat insulating material 163 and has a door at the top for setting a reagent container.
165 is provided so that it can be opened and closed. In addition, a shutter 169 that is opened by the drive mechanism 167 during reagent dispensing is provided at a portion corresponding to the first reagent dispensing position R1 and the second reagent dispensing position R2 on the lower surface of the hangar, and the shutter 169 prevents dew condensation. A heater 171 for burying is provided. further,
At the lower part of the reagent storage 41, a circulation fan 173 is provided, and an electronic cooling device 177 having a heat absorber 175 is provided. Is kept uniform by the circulation fan 173.

In this embodiment, when dispensing a desired first reagent, first, the rotary table 115 is rotated to rotate one of the reaction vessels 34A of the cuvette 33 positioned at the first reagent dispensing position R1. The first corresponding to the analysis item in
Position the reagent container 131 above the reaction tank 34A,
In this state, the shutter 169 is opened to energize the solenoid 153, thereby driving the piston 149 of the dispenser 127 to dispense a desired amount of the first reagent into the reaction tank 34A. Next, the rotary table 115 is rotated so that the first reagent container 131 corresponding to the analysis item in the other reaction tank 34B is positioned above the reaction tank 34B, and a desired amount of the first reagent Is dispensed. When the dispensing of the first reagent to the two reaction tanks 34A and 34B of the cuvette 33 at the first reagent dispensing position R1 is completed, the rotating table 115 is rotated to cause the stirring mechanism 129 to dispens the first reagent. The first reagent placed in the pouring position R1 and dispensed into the reaction tanks 34A and 34B is stirred. After that, the rotation of the rotary table 115 positions the stirring mechanism 129 on the washing tank 159 to wash the stirring rod 154, and waits for the next reagent dispensing. The dispensing of the second reagent is also performed while rotating the turntable 117 in the same manner as the dispensing operation of the first reagent. As described above, dispensers are provided corresponding to the analysis items,
If a desired reagent is dispensed by setting a packed reagent container in each dispenser, carryover between reagents does not occur, so that high-precision analysis can be performed. Since the washing of the dispensing probe is not required, the processing capacity can be effectively improved. Further, by providing the reagent storage 41 above the reaction line, the entire apparatus can be effectively reduced in size.

<Sample dispensing mechanism 43> Sample dispensing mechanism
43 sucks the sample in the sample cup set in the sampler section 13 at the sample suction position A, and dispenses the sample at a predetermined sample dispensing position S to the cuvette 33 set on the cuvette wheel 31. The sample dispensing mechanism 43 includes two independent sample probes 17
9A and 179B are held and provided on the arms 181A and 181B, and these arms 181A and 181B can be integrally rotated about the same fulcrum,
The sample probe is configured to be able to move up and down independently.
A suction / discharge mechanism using a suction / discharge syringe (not shown) or a piezoelectric element (not shown) is connected to each of 179A and 179B so as to suction a desired amount of sample.

In this embodiment, first, the arms 181A, 181B
Are pivoted together to position one sample probe 179A at the sample suction position A, and in that state, the arm 181A
Is lowered to suction the sample in the sample cup at the sample suction position A by an amount corresponding to the analysis item, and then the arm 181A is raised. Thereafter, the arms 181A and 181B are rotated together to position the other sample probe 179B at the sample suction position A. In this state, the arm 181B is lowered to analyze the sample in the sample cup at the sample suction position A. After sucking the amount corresponding to the item,
Raise 181B. Note that the arm 181B is made to wait at the raised position during the sample suction operation by the sample probe 179A, and the arm 181A is made to wait at the raised position during the sample suction operation by the sample probe 179B. Next, arm 181
A and 181B are rotated together, and sample probes 179A and 17
9B is positioned at the sample dispensing position S, and in this state, the sample sucked into each probe is simultaneously discharged to the two reaction tanks 34A and 34B of the cuvette 33 at the sample dispensing position S.

Thereafter, the arms 181A and 181B are rotated together to position the sample probes 179A and 179B on the washing tank 185, and in this state, the arms 181A and 181B are lowered integrally to wash the sample probes 179A and 179B. The probe 179A and 179B are made to enter the tank 185, and the inside and outside of the probes 179A and 179B are washed to prepare for the next dispensing operation. Each of the sample probes 179A and 179B is provided with a liquid level sensor (not shown), which detects the liquid level of the sample and controls the lowering of the arms 181A and 181B. The amount of intrusion is kept constant to minimize the contamination. When the electrolyte is measured by mounting the electrolyte measuring device 29, the sample in the sample cup set in the sampler section 13 is sucked at the sample suction position A by the sample dispensing mechanism 43, and this is sucked into the electrolyte measuring device. Dispense at 29 predetermined sample dispensing positions.

<Stirring Mechanism 45> The stirring mechanism 45 stirs the liquid in the cuvette 33 after dispensing the sample. In this embodiment, the stirring mechanism 45 is coaxial with the rotation axis of the arms 181A and 181B of the sample dispensing mechanism 43. An arm 187 is provided so that it can rotate and move up and down.
Two stirring rods 191A and 191B are provided at the rotating tip of the arm 187 so as to be rotatable by a motor 189. After the arm 187 is rotated to position the stirring rods 191A and 191B at the predetermined sample stirring position M, the arm 187 is lowered and the stirring rods 191A and 191B are moved to the reaction tanks 34A and 34A of the cuvette 33.
The reaction tanks 34A, 191B are rotated by a motor 189 in this state.
It is configured to simultaneously agitate the liquid in 34B. After stirring, the drive of the motor 189 is stopped, the arm 187 is raised and rotated, and the stirring rods 191A and 191B are moved to the cleaning tank 193.
With the arm 187 lowered in this state, the stirring rods 191A and 191B are made to enter the cleaning tank 193 to perform cleaning.

In this embodiment, as shown in the plan view of the reaction line in FIG. 10, when the cuvette loading position P is set to the first cuvette position, this cuvette loading position P
The 22nd cuvette position is the first reagent dispensing position R1 and its stirring position, and the 29th cuvette position is the second reagent dispensing position R2 and its rotation direction (counterclockwise direction). The stirring position, the 43rd cuvette position are set to the sample stirring position M, the 45th cuvette position is set to the sample dispensing position S, and the 47th cuvette position is set to the diluent dispensing position D, and the photometric position and the cuvette disposal position are set. To the cuvette loading position P
The cuvette 33 is set at an arbitrary cuvette position between the first reagent dispensing position R1 and the stirring position thereof.
180 ° -1 cuvette in one cycle.

<Light Metering Unit 51> The light metering unit 51 sequentially and directly measures light at a predetermined light measuring position on the cuvette 33 conveyed along a reaction line on the circumference of the cuvette wheel 31, and is schematically shown in FIG. The light source 201, the diffraction grating 203 and the mirror 205 are arranged on the outer peripheral side of the reaction line, and the light receiving element 207 is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the reaction line, and the light from the light source 201 is reacted by the cuvette 33 via the diffraction grating 203 and the mirror 205. Vessel 34
The light is incident on the flat portion 34D of A (34B), and the light transmitted through the reaction tank 34A (34B) is received by the light receiving element 207. The diffraction grating 203 is rotated by a motor 209, so that a specific wavelength corresponding to the analysis item is reflected by the mirror 20.
5 so as to be incident on the reaction tank 34A (34B) of the cuvette 33.

<Cuvette disposal unit 52> Cuvette disposal unit
Reference numeral 52 denotes a cuvette 33 for which analysis has been completed is removed from the cuvette wheel 31 at a predetermined cuvette disposal position and discarded. As shown in FIGS. 12A to 12E, the cuvette 33 can be moved in the radial direction of the cuvette wheel 31 and can be moved up and down. A take-out machine 211 is provided. The unloader 211 is provided with an upper claw 213A and a lower claw 213B at the tip thereof, and the upper claw 213A is used as a fulcrum.
A drive mechanism (not shown) is used to selectively rotate the actuator 215 around the center, and an extruder 217 is provided inside. In the cuvette disposal section 52, the unloader 21
1A is moved from the initial state shown in FIG. 12A in the radial direction of the cuvette wheel 31 while rotating the upper claw 213A upward, and the upper claw 213A and the lower claw 213B are moved to the cuvette disposal position as shown in FIG. 12B. It is positioned above and below a certain cuvette 33. In this state, the upper claw 213A is rotated downward to clamp the cuvette 33 between the upper claw 213A and the lower claw 213B, and thereafter, as shown in FIG. 12C, the take-out device 211 is raised and pulled in the horizontal direction, and further lowered. Then, it returns to the initial position shown in FIG. 12D. Thereafter, as shown in FIG.
Is further pulled in, the upper claw 213A is rotated upward, and the cuvette 33 taken out is pushed out by the pusher 217 and dropped into the waste cylinder 219.

Hereinafter, an example of the analysis operation of this embodiment will be described. In the automatic analyzer of this embodiment, the operation of each unit is controlled by inputting the analysis items and the analysis conditions for each item to a microcomputer (not shown) via the operation panel 15. First, a rotating rack 57 holding a number of sample cups 55 accommodating a sample to be analyzed is set on the turntable 53 of the sampler section 13, and the analysis operation is started by pressing a start button on the operation panel 15 in that state. Let it. With the start of the analysis operation, the cuvette 33 is set from the cuvette loader 35 to the cuvette wheel 31 every time the cuvette wheel 31 rotates 180 ° -1 cuvette counterclockwise at the cuvette loading position P. The cuvette 33 supplied at the cuvette loading position P is positioned at the diluting liquid dispensing position D when the transfer of the 180 ° -1 cuvette is performed for two cycles. A predetermined amount of diluent according to the analysis item and analysis condition is sequentially dispensed to each of the reaction vessels 34A and 34B. Thereafter, in the next cycle, the rotary table 11 is positioned at the first reagent dispensing position R1.
5, the two reaction tanks 34A, 34A,
Predetermined first reagents corresponding to the respective analysis items are sequentially dispensed into 34B and are stirred by the stirring mechanism 129.

When the above operation proceeds for four cycles from the first cuvette loading, the cuvette loaded first is loaded.
Since 33 is positioned at the sample dispensing position S, in synchronism therewith, the sample dispensing mechanism 43 aspirates two sample amounts corresponding to the analysis conditions at the sample aspirating position A of the sampler section 13 and dispenses these samples. At the pouring position S, the mixture is simultaneously dispensed into the two reaction tanks 34A and 34B of the cuvette 33. In addition, the cuvette 33 is used after dispensing the diluent and
After the reagent is dispensed, the sample passes through the photometric unit 51 until it is positioned at the sample dispensing position S. During this time, a water blank or a reagent blank is measured. Here, in the reagent blank, since the diluting solution is dispensed as a total sum for the first reagent, the sample, and the second reagent, the amount of the diluting solution for the sample and the second reagent is corrected. Ask. After dispensing the sample at the sample dispensing position S, the cuvette wheel 31 is once reversed to position the cuvette 33 having received the sample dispensing at the stirring position M, where the stirring is performed by the stirring mechanism 47. Initiate the reaction between the first reagent and the sample. After that, the cuvette 33 is
Each time it passes, the reaction liquid in each of the reaction tanks 34A and 34B is measured for light, and their optical characteristics are measured.

After progressing for 20 cycles from the first cuvette loading, the cuvette 33 which has been loaded first and has received the diluent, the first reagent and the sample is positioned at the second reagent dispensing position R2, where the reagent is placed. By the rotation of the rotary table 117 in the storage 41, predetermined second reagents corresponding to the respective analysis items are sequentially dispensed into the two reaction tanks 34A and 34B of the cuvette 33, and are stirred by the stirring mechanism 135. . Thereafter, each time the cuvette 33 passes through the photometric unit 51, the reaction liquid in each of the reaction tanks 34A and 34B is measured for its optical characteristics. When the photometry of a predetermined number of times is completed, a computer performs a required operation based on the photometric data and the previously measured reagent blank to obtain an analysis result, which is printed out from the printer 23, and printed out from the cuvette 33. When the cuvette is positioned at the predetermined cuvette disposal position, it is removed from the cuvette wheel 31 by the cuvette disposal unit 52 and disposed. As described above, the sequential samples are sequentially analyzed in accordance with the analysis items and the analysis conditions for each item.

According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) A dispenser is provided for each reagent container corresponding to an analysis item, and a packed reagent container is set in each dispenser to dispense a desired reagent. Is unnecessary, and carryover between reagents does not occur. Therefore, high-precision analysis can be performed, and since the washing of the reagent dispensing probe is not required, the processing capacity can be effectively improved. (2) Since the reagent storage 41 is arranged above the reaction line and a stirring mechanism is provided in a part of each of the first and second reagent container rows, compared with the case where these are provided on the same plane as the reaction line. In addition, the entire device can be effectively reduced in size. (3) Since analysis of two items is performed in one cycle by the random access method, compared to a conventional automatic analyzer that performs analysis of one item in one cycle, when the analysis speed is the same, the photometric time and the amount of sample can be reduced. Note The probe can be washed for a longer time. Accordingly, stable photometric data can be obtained, carryover can be effectively prevented, and highly accurate analysis can be always performed. (4) Since the temperature of the thermostatic chamber 87 is made constant by using the sheet-shaped heater 91, the maintenance becomes unnecessary and the thermostat can be made smaller as compared with the case where the thermostatic liquid is flown to make the temperature constant. Further, since the capacity density of the sheet-shaped heater 91 is increased at the cuvette loading position P, the first reagent dispensing position R1, the second reagent dispensing position R2, the sample dispensing position S, and the diluent dispensing position D, The rise of the temperature near each position can be improved, so that highly accurate analysis can be performed. (5) Since two reaction tanks 34A and 34B are provided in one cuvette 33 and two items of one cuvette are analyzed,
Compared to the case of analyzing one cuvette and one item using a cuvette of the same size, the maximum sample amount can be reduced, the cost of the cuvette can be reduced, and industrial waste can be reduced to half. Further, since the size of the cuvette pack 99 with respect to the number of analysis items can be reduced, the cuvette pack storage 93
Can be reduced in size, and the size of the device can be reduced. (6) Since the cuvette holding portion 83 having the T groove is formed on the cuvette wheel 31 and the cuvette 33 is loaded into the cuvette holding portion 83 from above, the occurrence of cuvette jam can be effectively prevented. In addition, the number of loading of the cuvette is also such that two reaction tanks 34A,
With the provision of the 34B, it is only half that required for the analysis of one cuvette and one item. Therefore, an automatic analyzer having excellent reliability can be obtained. (7) Since the cuvette loader 35 is provided on the reaction line and the empty cuvette pack 99 is discarded on the side of the apparatus main body, the apparatus can be downsized as compared with the case where the cuvette loader is provided on the same plane as the reaction line. , Maintainability can be improved. (8) Since a plurality of cuvette packs 99 are stacked in the cuvette pack storage unit 93 and the cuvettes 33 are supplied from the lowermost cuvette pack 99, the cuvette packs 99 can be added at any time during the analysis, so that operability can be improved. Can be improved.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing the configuration of another example of the dispensing apparatus according to the present invention, in which the first reagent and the second reagent are dispensed in the automatic analyzer shown in FIG. This dispenser 231 is configured by using a piezoelectric element generally used in an ink jet printer, and includes a probe 23.
3 and a conduit 23 communicating with the first or second reagent container 235
7, check valves 239A and 239B provided on the probe 233 side and the reagent container 235 side, respectively.
A cylindrical piezoelectric element 241 provided in close contact with the periphery of a conduit 237 between 9A and 239B by adhesion or the like. Check valve
239A, 239B use springs 243A, 243B
To close the pipe 237 by pressing upward. Further, the piezoelectric element 241 is provided with electrodes 245A and 245B on the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side thereof, respectively.
B is connected to terminals 249A and 249B provided on the outer periphery of the dispenser 231 via lead wires 247A and 247B, respectively. Further, in this example, since the liquid level of the reagent container 235 set in the dispenser 231 is detected, the pipe line 237 above the check valve 239B is detected.
A pair of electrodes 251A and 251B are exposed on the
1A, 251B is also dispensed via lead wires 247C, 247D.
1 are connected to terminals 249C and 249D provided on the outer periphery, respectively.

On the other hand, in the vicinity of a predetermined reagent dispensing position, a movable table 253 slidable in the direction of the double arrow is provided, and terminals 249A to 249A of the dispenser 231 positioned on the movable table 253 at the reagent dispensing position. Four contact probes 255A to 255D selectively contacting 249D are provided. In this way, the moving table 253 is moved at a predetermined reagent dispensing timing, and the terminals 249A to 249D of the dispenser 231 positioned at the predetermined reagent dispensing position.
The contact probes 255A to 255D are brought into contact with each other, thereby applying a pulse voltage of a predetermined frequency (several tens of KHz) to the piezoelectric element 241 to dispense a desired amount of the reagent, and to the liquid level detecting electrodes 251A and 251B. A predetermined voltage is applied, and the presence or absence of the reagent in the reagent container 235 is detected from the change in resistance. here,
When a pulse voltage of a predetermined frequency is applied to the piezoelectric element 241, the pressure is generated in the pipe 237 because the inner diameter of the piezoelectric element 241 is reduced and the volume of the pipe 237 is reduced while the voltage is being applied. The valve 239A is pushed down against the force of the spring 243A, and the reagent corresponding to the volume change is dispensed via the probe 233. After that, the voltage becomes zero and the piezoelectric element 24
When the inner diameter of 1 returns to the original position, the pressure in the pipeline 237 becomes negative, and the check valve 239B is pushed down against the force of the spring 243B.
The reagent corresponding to the volume change is sucked into the conduit 237.

Therefore, if the dispenser 231 is used, when the dispensed amount of the reagent differs depending on the analysis item, etc.
This can be easily dealt with by changing the number of voltage pulses applied to the piezoelectric element 241. Further, since the change in the volume of the pipeline 237 in one pulse is small, it is possible to dispense a small amount of reagent, and to increase the dispensing accuracy even when dispensing a desired amount of reagent in a plurality of pulses. Can be. Also, liquid level detection electrodes 251A and 251B are
Since the presence / absence of the reagent is detected, empty dispensing of the reagent can be prevented, and the reliability of the analysis result can be effectively improved.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited only to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications or changes can be made. For example, three or more reaction vessels may be formed in one cuvette, samples may be simultaneously dispensed into these reaction vessels, and three or more items may be analyzed in one cuvette. As an item, a configuration may also be adopted in which a sample is sequentially dispensed into each cuvette for analysis.

[0035]

As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of different types of liquid storage containers provided with readable identification means and a plurality of liquid storage containers individually connectable to each of the plurality of liquid storage containers. A dispensing mechanism, and a transfer unit for selectively positioning a plurality of dispensing mechanisms, and positioning the dispensing mechanism for a desired liquid at a predetermined dispensing position based on information obtained from identification means of the liquid container. And dispensing to other containers, it is not necessary to clean each dispensing mechanism, and there is no carry-over between liquids, so the processing capacity is effective without lowering the analysis accuracy. And the size of the device can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a configuration of an example of an automatic analyzer including a dispensing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the automatic analyzer shown in FIG. 1 with a top cover removed.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a cuvette wheel.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a cuvette holding unit.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a cuvette.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a reagent storage.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a reagent container and a dispenser thereof.

9 is a cross-sectional view and a bottom view showing the configuration of the dispenser shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a reaction line.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a photometric unit.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the configuration and operation of a cuvette disposal unit.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing the configuration of another example of the dispensing device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Main unit 13 Sampler section 15 Operation panel 17 LCD display 19 Drive unit 21 Printer stand 23 Printer 25 Top cover 27 Case 28 Door 29 Electrolyte measuring device 31 Cuvette wheel 33 Cuvette 34A, 34B Reaction tank 35 Cuvette loader 37 Diluent dispensing mechanism 41 Reagent storage 43 Sample dispensing mechanism 45 Stirring mechanism 51 Photometric unit 52 Cuvette disposal unit 115,117 Rotary table 119,121 Motor 123,125 Belt 127,133 Dispenser 129,135 Stirring mechanism 131 First reagent container 137 Second reagent container 139 Film surface 143,145 Probe 146,148 Pipe line 147A, 147B Check valve 149 Piston 150A, 150B, 151 Spring 152 Stopper 153 Solenoid 153A Plunger 154 Stirrer bar 155 Rotary drive mechanism 157 Vertical drive mechanism 159,161 Cleaning tank 163 Insulation material 165 Door 167 Drive mechanism 169 Shutter 171 Heater 173 Circulating fan 175 Heat absorption 177 Electronic cooling device 231 Dispenser 233 Probe 235 Trial Chemical container 237 Pipe line 239A, 239B Check valve 241 Piezoelectric element 243A, 243B Spring 245A, 245B Electrode 247A, 247B, 247C, 247D Lead wire 249A, 249B, 249C, 249D Terminal 251A, 251B Electrode 253 Moving table 255A, 255B, 255C , 255D contact probe

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Mikio Watanabe 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Machida 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Within Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Mutsuro Kashiba 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of different types of liquid containers provided with readable identification means, a plurality of dispensing mechanisms individually connectable to each of the plurality of liquid containers, and a plurality of dispensing mechanisms are selected. And a transfer means for positioning the liquid dispensing mechanism for a desired liquid at a predetermined dispensing position based on information obtained from the identification means for the connected liquid storage container. A dispensing device for an automatic analyzer, wherein the dispensing device is configured to perform injection. 2. The liquid container has a breakable film portion, and the film portion is inserted into a dispensing mechanism so that the liquid container and the dispensing pipe of the dispensing mechanism can communicate with each other. The dispensing device of an automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein 3. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the identification means is provided on a side surface of the liquid container, and a discharge driving unit of the dispensing mechanism is disposed below the identification means. Dispensing device.