JP2000162215A - Specimen treatment tube element and feed system thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a specimen treatment tube element and a feed system, capable of automatically feeding the specimen treatment tube elements one by one. SOLUTION: Flanges 10a are provided to a blood-collecting tube 10A, an examination tube 10B and a partial sampling and an injecting chip 10C. With this constitution, the respective tubes 10A-10C can be automatically fed one by one, by hooking the flanges 10a with endless chains of a chain conveyor reciprocatively moving between a feed part and a feed destination at a time of the feed of the tubes 10A-10C. Therefore, conventional labor of individually inserting the tubes 10A-10C in a rack similar to a test tube stand by the manual work of a worker is dispensed with. As a result, the feed system of the specimen treatment tube element, including a specimen pretreatment feed system, can be automated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sample processing tube and a transport system therefor, and more particularly, to a sample tube into which a sample is injected, a tip for dispensing and dispensing a sample, and a dispensing tip. The present invention relates to a sample processing tube capable of automatically transferring a sample processing tube such as a test tube (dispensing test tube) for dispensing a sample to a transfer destination (destination) and a transfer system therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Before performing various blood tests, blood (sample) in a blood collection tube (sample tube: sample processing tube) is separated into serum and blood clot by a centrifuge, and the supernatant is used. A pretreatment is performed in which only serum, which is a liquid, is dispensed using a dispensing and dispensing tip (sample processing tube) and then dispensed into a plurality of test tubes (commonly called Spitz: sample processing tube). I have. By the way, in recent years, an automatic sample pre-processing system that automates such sample pre-processing has been developed in order to prevent mixing of samples during sample pre-processing and infection of workers due to sample contact. In the serum dispensing process using this automatic sample pretreatment system, when the blood collection tube being transported reaches the dispensing position of the dispensing unit, the height of the interface between the serum separating agent and serum is detected by an optical sensor. Thereafter, based on the detection signal from the optical sensor, the pipette-shaped dispensing and dispensing tip is lowered, the tip of the tip is inserted into the serum in the blood collection tube, and only the serum is aspirated into the chip. Next, this is a work process of moving the dispensing / dispensing tip to the dispensing position and discharging and dispensing serum into a plurality of set test tubes.

[0003] As shown in FIG. 13, a conventional test tube (the same applies to a blood collection tube) 100 and a dispensing tip 101.
In such a sample processing tube, the opening at the upper end of the tube has been rounded to take a bevel. By performing this processing, it is possible to eliminate injuries such as fingers caused by the peripheral portion of the tube during handling. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a sample processing tube according to a conventional means.

[0004]

By the way, blood collection tubes, tips for dispensing and dispensing and test tubes used for dispensing and dispensing are usually sold in plastic bags of, for example, 100 pieces. . Specimen testing facilities such as hospitals and health centers purchase and use these bags. Conventionally, when using these, an operator opens a bag packed with a blood collection tube, a tip for dispensing / dispensing and a test tube, and manually inserts each one into a test tube stand. Standing in the rack. Thereafter, the operator carried the rack to a blood collection stage or a dispensing / dispensing stage. Therefore, there is a problem that time and labor are required for such manual preparation, and that the automatic sample preprocessing system cannot be further automated.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention provides a sample processing tube having one tube.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a sample processing tube that can be automatically transferred one by one and a transfer system therefor. Another object of the present invention is to provide a sample processing tube which can increase the reliability of the hooking projection. Another object of the present invention is to provide a sample processing tube that can transport the sample processing tube in a stable posture. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a sample processing tube capable of automatically identifying a sample tube or a test tube. Next, an object of the present invention is to provide a sample processing tube transfer system that can simultaneously achieve reliable transfer and reduced equipment cost. An object of the present invention is to provide a sample processing tube transport system capable of automatically taking out sample processing tubes one by one from sample processing tubes stocked together. I have.

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sample tube into which a sample is injected, a tip for dispensing and dispensing a sample in the sample tube, and a tip for dispensing the sample. In a sample processing tube such as a test tube for dispensing a sample collected by a chip, a sample processing unit provided with a latching projection for transporting the sample processing tube to a predetermined destination in a hooked state. It is a tube.

The term "sample processing tube" as used herein refers to a tube required when a sample such as blood, urine or the like is subjected to processing such as fractionation and dispensing. The kind of the sample processing tube is not limited to the sample tube, the dispensing / dispensing tip, and the test tube as long as the tube is for processing the sample. Further, the material, shape, size, length, and the like of the sample processing tube are not limited. In the case of a material, for example, a synthetic resin such as polypropylene, glass, ceramics, or the like can be used. Examples of the shape include a tube having a circular or polygonal cross section. The transport destination of the sample processing tube is not limited. For example, a required portion of the sample in the sample tube is dispensed with a pipette-shaped dispensing and dispensing tip,
Thereafter, there is a dispensing stage for subdividing (dispensing) this into a plurality of test tubes.

The material, shape, formation position, number, size, etc., of the locking projections provided on the sample processing tube are not limited. For example, in the case of a material, the material may be the same as or different from the sample processing tube. Further, the shape of the hooking projection may be, for example, triangular, quadrangular or more polygonal, elliptical, or semicircular, in addition to the annular shape of claim 2. Further, the hooking projection may be formed over the entire outer peripheral surface of the sample processing tube, or may be formed on a part thereof. The position where the hooking projection is formed may be, for example, a central portion or a lower portion of the sample processing tube, in addition to the opening (upper end) of the sample processing tube. However, the tube opening can transport the sample processing tube in a stable hanging state.

The invention according to claim 2 is the sample processing tube according to claim 1, wherein the engaging projection is an annular flange provided on the outer peripheral surface of the tube.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the sample processing tube according to the first or second aspect, wherein the engaging projection is provided at an opening of the tube.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the case where the sample processing tube is a sample tube or a test tube, a bar code is attached to an outer peripheral surface of the tube. 2. The sample processing tube according to item 1. Here, the barcode may be a barcode printed directly on the outer peripheral surface of the sample processing tube, or a barcode previously printed on the seal surface may be attached to the outer peripheral surface of the tube. This matter also corresponds to claim 8.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the reciprocating movable body is reciprocated between a predetermined transport source and a transport destination,
Sample processing tubes such as a sample tube into which a sample is injected, a dispensing / dispensing tip for dispensing / dispensing a sample in the sample tube, and a test tube for dispensing a sample dispensed by the dispensing / dispensing tip. A transporting conveyor for transporting the body, the sample processing tube is provided with a locking projection that can be hung and releasable on the reciprocating moving body, and the reciprocating movable body locks the locking protruding piece. This is a sample processing tube transport system that transports the sample processing tube in a state where the sample processing tube is transported. The transport source here is not limited. For example, there may be mentioned one in which a large number of sample processing tubes are stored, such as the parts feeder of claim 7. The destination is, for example, claim 1
The transport destinations exemplified in the above.

The reciprocating moving body is provided on a conveyor for transportation, and is limited to a member capable of transporting a sample processing tube as an object to be transported from a source to a destination. Not done. For example, in addition to the endless chain according to the sixth aspect, an endless belt of a belt conveyor, a bucket of a bucket conveyor, a robot arm, and the like are included. The type of the conveyor for conveyance is not limited. For example, in addition to the chain conveyor of claim 6, a belt conveyor, a bucket conveyor, a screw conveyor having a spiral blade for catching a hooking protruding piece, and the like are included.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the transport conveyor holds the sample processing tube between a pair of endless chains arranged opposite to each other, and furthermore, hooks a projection for hooking on both endless chains. The transport system for a sample processing tube according to claim 5, which is a chain conveyor that transfers the sample processing tube in a stopped state.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, one sample processing tube is automatically placed at the upstream end of the conveyor from a storage box into which a large number of sample processing tubes are put together. 7. The sample processing tube transport system according to claim 5, wherein a parts feeder that takes out each one and sends it to the reciprocating body is connected. 8. The material, shape, size, etc. of the storage box are not limited. It is only necessary that three or more sample processing tubes can be stored. The mechanism of the parts feeder is not limited. For example, a vibration transport mechanism and the like can be mentioned. As an example, by vertically oscillating a cylindrical storage box provided with spiral blades on the inner peripheral surface, the sample processing tube put into the storage box is gradually lifted up along the spiral blades. This is a mechanism that discharges outside the box from the discharge port at the top of the box. Also,
Other than this, for example, an inclined conveyor type mechanism can be cited.
That is, a scraper-like ridge for scooping up the sample processing tubes one by one on the endless belt is formed at a pitch, and the endless belt is rotated between the head pulley and the tail pulley, so that the bottom of the hopper-shaped storage box is formed. ,
The sample processing tubes are raised one by one to the outside of the box.

According to the present invention, in the case where the sample processing tube is a sample tube or a test tube, the downstream end of the conveyor is a bar for attaching a bar code to the outer peripheral surface of the sample processing tube. The transport system for a sample processing tube according to any one of claims 5 to 7, which has reached a code stage. The barcode stage in the case where the sample processing tube is a blood collection tube is disposed between a transfer source such as a parts feeder and a transfer destination such as a blood collection site. When the sample processing tube is a test tube for serum, the sample processing tube is disposed between the centrifuged blood and a test and dispensing stage for collecting and dispensing serum from the centrifuged blood.

[0017]

According to the present invention, since the protruding piece is provided on the sample processing tube, when the sample processing tube is transported, for example, between the transfer source and the transfer destination, as in claim 5, This sample processing tube can be automatically conveyed one by one by hooking the hooking protruding piece on the reciprocating body that is reciprocating.
This eliminates the need for an operator to manually insert a sample processing tube into a rack similar to a test tube stand as in the related art. As a result, it is possible to automate the transport system of the sample processing tube including the sample preprocessing transport system.

[0018] In particular, according to the second aspect of the present invention, since the hooking projection is an annular flange provided on the outer peripheral surface of the tubular body, the hooking projection is reliably hooked. Can be increased.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the hooking projection is provided at the opening of the tube, the sample processing tube can be transported in a stable posture.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 4,
In the case of a sample tube or a test tube, since a barcode is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the tube, reading the barcode enables automatic identification of the sample tube or the test tube.

Further, according to the invention as set forth in claim 6, the sample processing tube is transported by the chain conveyor in a state in which the retaining projections are suspended on both endless chains, so that reliable transportation is achieved. Equipment costs can be reduced at the same time.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention,
From the many sample processing tubes put into the storage box of the parts feeder, the tubes are automatically taken out one by one. Then, the taken-out tube is sent to the reciprocating moving body. Thus, the sample processing tubes can be automatically taken out one by one from the sample processing tubes that are stocked together.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a sample processing tube according to the present invention and a transport system therefor will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sample processing tube according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of another sample processing tube according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view of another sample processing tube according to one embodiment of the present invention.

1A to 1C, 10A
Is a blood collection tube (test tube) of one embodiment of the present invention,
B is a test tube according to one embodiment of the present invention. Also, 10C
Is a tip for preparative dispensing of one embodiment of the present invention. The dimensions of each of the tubes 10A to 10C are as follows:
It is 2 mm long and 75 mm long. In the case of the test tube 10B, the outer diameter is 12 mm and the length is 80 mm. further,
In the case of the dispensing / dispensing tip 10C, the total length is 14 cm, and the diameter of the large diameter portion on the opening side is 15 mm. In addition, blood collection tube 1
A rubber stopper 11 is fitted into the opening at the upper end of 0A. The lower part of the preparative dispensing tip 10C is a thin tube. The material of each of the tubes 10A to 10C is polypropylene.

Here, the feature of the present invention is that an annular flange (hanging protruding piece) 10a is integrally formed at the opening of the blood collection tube 10A, the test tube 10B and the dispensing / dispensing tip 10C. (See also FIG. 3A). Each flange 10a has a thickness of 1 mm and a width of 1.5 mm. From the width of 1.5 mm, the outer diameter of the flange 10a is 18 mm. However, the thickness of the flange 10a may be larger or smaller than 1 mm. The width of the flange 10a is 1.
It may be longer or shorter than 5 mm. Of course, the pipe diameter is not limited. As a specific example, FIG. 2A shows a flange 10a-1 whose thickness is about five times, and FIG. 2B shows a flange 10a-2 whose width is about twice.

Further, as shown in FIG.
The planar shape of a is not limited to an annular shape (FIG. 3A).
That is, for example, an elliptical annular flange 10a-3 as shown in FIG. 3B may be used, or a partially annular notched flange 10a-4 as shown in FIG. A rectangular annular flange 10a as shown in FIG.
It may be -5. An octagonal annular flange 10a-6 as shown in FIG. As described above, the flange 10a having a predetermined width is provided at the upper end opening of each of the blood collection tube 10A, the test tube 10B, and the dispensing / dispensing tip 10C, instead of the conventional outer peripheral edge having a rounded corner. The flange 10a is hooked between a pair of chain conveyors of a transport system for a sample processing tube, which will be described later.
0A to 10C can be automatically conveyed one by one. In addition, since the engaging projections provided around each of the pipes 10A to 10C are annular flanges 10a, the engaging projections are engaged between endless chains (reciprocating bodies) 21a to be described later. Reliability can be increased. Also, the flange 10a
Is provided at the upper end of the pipe, so that each pipe 10A to 10C can be transported in a stable posture.

Hereinafter, the transport system for a sample processing tube of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG.
1 is an overall perspective view of a sample processing tube transport system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 20 denotes a sample processing tube transport system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The sample processing tube transport system 20 is provided in a sanitary blood test room. The sample processing tube transport system 20 mainly includes a first line L1 and a second line L2. Note that both lines L
In both 1 and L2, a chain conveyor 21 having a pair of parallel endless chains 21a is routed in double tracks (see also FIG. 5). The distance between the two endless chains 21a is 1
6 mm. In addition, in the first line L1, the blood collection tube 10
A is transported, and the inspection tube 10B is transported in the second line L2. These blood collection tube 10A and test tube 10B
Are conveyed in a state where the flange 10a is hooked between the endless chains 21a that rotate in synchronization with each other.

On the first and second lines L1 and L2, the following devices are sequentially arranged from upstream to downstream.
Has been deployed. That is, in the first line L1, a loading unit 22 for loading the blood collection tube 10A onto the line by the robot arm, an automatic centrifugal unit 23 for centrifuging the loaded sample, and a barcode of the loaded blood collection tube 10A. If there is an error such that information matching cannot be obtained, a barcode reading error carrying unit 24 that removes the blood collection tube 10A from the line,
A blood clot detection unit 25 that detects an interface between the blood clot and blood serum of the blood collection tube 10A by an optical sensor and transmits the data to the dispensing unit 27, and a blood collection tube 10 that has flowed on the line.
A stopper removal unit 26 for automatically removing the stopper 11 of A,
A dispensing unit 27 for dispensing a designated amount of serum from a parent sample (a sample in the blood collection tube 10A) on the line, and dispensing the test tube 10B based on dispensing request information from a host computer; And a parent carrying-out unit 28 for carrying out the parent specimen after dispensing out of the line.

Further, the same bar code label as that of the parent sample is issued to the second line L2, and a bar code label issuance / attachment supply unit 29 is attached to the three test tubes 10B required for dispensing. A device for dispensing a necessary amount of serum to an automatic chemical analyzer 30 for automatically performing biochemical analysis of the dispensed serum and a sampler 31a for various analyzers (see FIG. 12D). The dispensing unit 31 and the test tube 10B processed in each unit are moved by a robot arm (not shown).
And an unloading unit 32 for unloading from the line.

The automatic centrifugal unit 23 employs a swing rotor system. As a result, uniform centrifugation can be performed for each sample. In addition, the clot detection unit 25 is provided with a liquid level sensor (not shown). By detecting the liquid level with this liquid level sensor, the amount of serum in the blood collection tube 10A is calculated. Further, the dispensing unit 27 is provided with a dispensing and dispensing arm 27a. The dispensing / dispensing tip 10C is exchangeably attached to the tip of the dispensing / dispensing arm 27a. In addition, the automatic chemical analyzer 30 includes a test tube 10B
This is a device that directly samples the serum dispensed into the sample and automatically tests various test items such as blood type and blood sugar level.

The blood collection tube 10A carried into the carry-in stage in which the carry-in unit 22 is provided is conveyed from a blood collection place (not shown) through another line on which a similar chain conveyor 21 is provided. In addition, in addition to the blood collection tube 10A carried to the blood collection site, a test tube 10B sent to the barcode label issuance / sticking supply unit 29, and
As shown in FIGS. 8 (a), 10 (a), and 11 (a), one dispensing / dispensing tip 10C sent to the dispensing unit 27 is one from the same type of parts feeders 33A to 33C. These are taken out one by one and transported by the chain conveyor 21. Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS.
The parts feeder will be described in detail by taking the parts feeder 33C for the dispensing / dispensing tip 10C as an example. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the parts feeder provided in the sample processing tube transport system during use. FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the parts feeder in use. FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion E in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, this parts feeder 33C is a cylindrical box-shaped base 34.
And a cylindrical storage box 35 disposed on the gantry 34 and having an open upper end surface; and a vibrator 3 housed in the gantry 34 and vibrating the storage box 35 in the up-down direction.
6 and a pipe feed conveyor 37 for carrying the dispensing / dispensing tip 10C discharged from the discharge port 35a formed on the upper outer peripheral surface of the storage box 35 to the dispensing stage in which the dispensing unit 27 is provided. And The storage box 35 is a large cylindrical container, and is mounted on the gantry 34 via a cylindrical connection cylinder 34a. The bottom plate 35b of the storage box 35 is a plate material having a mountain-shaped cross section with a raised central portion. One spiral blade 38 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral side plate 35 c of the storage box 35. As shown in FIG. 7, the spiral blade 38 is slightly upwardly inclined toward the tip.

The pipe feed conveyor 37 has a guide case 39 fixed to the vicinity of the upper part of the peripheral side plate 35c along the circumferential direction of the storage box 35. Guide case 3
Reference numeral 9 denotes a rail-shaped case having an open upper end surface, which is fixed to the peripheral side plate 35c via a bracket 35d and an inclined chute 35e. The inclined chute 35e is a downwardly inclined chute for discharging the dispensing / dispensing tip 10C. The inclined chute 35e is connected to the discharge port 35a.
And the upper edge of the guide case 39 on the original side.
Further, the pulley 2 on the head side is provided in the guide case 39.
Chain conveyor 21 for rotating the parallel endless chain 21a synchronously by a rotary motor 40 connected to the chain conveyor 1b
Is stored. 5 and 6, 2
1c is a pulley on the tail side, 35f is a guide case 39
And a drop prevention plate for preventing the dispensing / dispensing tip 10C discharged from the discharge port 35a from falling out of the case 39, and 35g for dispensing / dispensing which has risen up to the discharge port 35a. This is a discharge guide for guiding the chip 10C to the inclined chute 35e.

The operation of the parts feeder 33C will be described below. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the storage box 35 is vibrated in the vertical direction by the vibrator 36 in advance. Then, for example, the plastic bag packed with 100 pieces is broken, and the tip 10C for dispensing and dispensing therein is put into the storage box 35 through the opening of the storage box 35. Many of the inserted dispensing tips 10C fall onto the vibrating bottom plate 35b. Thereby, each preparative dispensing tip 10C gradually slides down to the outer peripheral portion of the bottom plate 35b along the inclined surface of the bottom plate 35b. Thereafter, the dispensing / dispensing tip 10C reaching the outer peripheral portion of the bottom plate 35b.
Are arranged on the lower end of the spiral blade 38, respectively. Then, with the vibration of the storage box 35 by the vibrator 36, the spiral blade 38 gradually goes up.

At this time, the dispensing / dispensing tip 10C is provided with a flange 10a. As a result, the upward vibration of the vibrator 36 prevents the dispensing / dispensing tip 10C, which has been slightly repelled by a short distance, from sliding down along the inclined conveying surface of the spiral blade 38. it can. By repeating this movement at a high speed, the respective dispensing / dispensing tips 10C gradually go up the spiral blade 38 to the discharge port 35a in a state of being substantially aligned. At this time, since the spiral blade 38 is inclined upward toward the tip end, the dispensing / dispensing tip 10 in the middle of reverse ascent is used.
C is less likely to fall from the spiral blade 38.

At the upper end of the spiral blade 38, a dispensing tip 1
When the temperature reaches 0C, the tip 10C is moved to the discharge guide 35.
g, the inclined chute 35e is rolled and discharged to the tube feed conveyor 37. And the tip 1 for preparative dispensing
0C falls between the endless chains 21a of the chain conveyor 21. In this case, the opposing portions of the flange 10a are hooked on both endless chains 21a. As the endless chain 21a rotates, it is transported in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 5, that is, in the direction of the dispensing stage in FIG.

As described above, in this embodiment, the structure in which the flange 10a is hooked between the endless chains 21a is employed. At the time of dropping onto the chain conveyor 21, there is no problem as long as the rotation direction of the tip end around the flange 10a changes from right rotation to left rotation or from left rotation to right rotation. In addition, if the parts feeder 33C is adopted, a large number of dispensing / dispensing tips 10C are automatically converted from a large number of dispensing / dispensing tips 10C.
Can be taken out one by one and sent to a dispensing stage provided with a dispensing unit 27. This eliminates the need for the operator to manually insert the dispensing / dispensing tips 10C one by one into a rack similar to a test tube stand as in the related art. The parts feeder 33A for the blood collection tube 10A and the parts feeder 33B for the test tube 10B also have the same structure and the same operational effects.

Next, an automatic sample preprocessing method using the sample processing tube transport system 20 described above will be described. FIG. 8 to FIG. 12 are explanatory views showing a sample processing process to which the sample processing tube transport system according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied. First, the blood collection tube 10A discharged from the parts feeder 33A (FIG. 8A)
Via 7, it is sent to the blood collection site. Here, a label 5 on which a patient's barcode is printed by an automatic labeler (not shown)
0 is attached and blood is collected (FIGS. 8 (b) and 8 (c)). The blood collection tube 10A after blood collection is carried into the carry-in stage via the carry-in stage feed conveyor 51 mainly composed of the chain conveyor 21 (FIG. 8D). At this time, each blood collection tube 1
At 0A, the flange 10a is suspended above the endless chain 21a. As described above, since the blood collection tube 10A is transported in a state where the flange 10a is hung on both endless chains 21a, reliable transport and reduction of equipment cost can be achieved at the same time.

The blood collection tube 10A that has reached the loading stage is:
The wafer is transferred from the loading stage feed conveyor 51 to the chain conveyor 21 on the first line L1 via the robot arm of the loading unit 22. In that case, similarly, the blood collection tube 10A is in a suspended state via the flange 10a. Thereafter, the sheet is transported on the first line L1. In the blood collection tube 10A that has reached the centrifugation stage, the blood (sample) in the tube is centrifuged by the automatic centrifugation unit 23 (FIG. 9A). Next, the barcode of the blood collection tube 10A after centrifugation is confirmed via the reading sensor 52 of the barcode reading error carrying-out unit 24 in the reading error detection stage. At this time, if an error such as inability to obtain information matching occurs, the blood collection tube 10A is connected to the first line L1.
(FIG. 9B).

Subsequently, the blood collection tube 10A that has reached the clot detection stage detects the boundary surface between the clot and the serum using the optical sensor 53 by the clot detection unit 25. Then, the data is transmitted to the dispensing unit 27 (FIG. 9).
(C)). Then, when the blood collection tube 10A reaches the stopper removal stage, the blood collection tube 10A is automatically extracted using the stopper removal unit 26 for extracting the stopper 11 of the blood collection tube 10A flowing on this line (FIG. 9D). That is, the upper part of the blood collection tube 10A is clamped from both sides by the pair of tube holding clampers 54. Then, in this state, the stopper 11 is clamped from both sides by a pair of extraction clampers 55, and is opened by lifting.

The opened blood collection tube 10A is then transported to the dispensing stage. In this dispensing stage, FIG.
From the parts feeder 33C shown in (a), chips 10C for dispensing and dispensing are fed one by one via a chip transport conveyor 56 (FIG. 10B). On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11A, the barcode label issuance / attachment supply stage provided with the barcode label issuance / adhesion supply unit 29 at the upstream end of the second line L2 includes:
The inspection tubes 10B are sent one by one from the parts feeder 33B via the inspection tube transport conveyor 57 (FIG. 11B). In this barcode label issuance / adhesion supply stage, the barcode label issuance / adhesion supply unit 29
Issues a label 50A having the same barcode as the corresponding blood collection tube 10A, and three test tubes 10B required for dispensing.
(FIG. 11 (c)). As described above, since the barcode is attached to the blood collection tube 10A and the test tube 10B,
By reading this bar code, both tubes 10A, 10B
Can be automatically identified.

Thereafter, in the dispensing stage, the dispensing and dispensing arm 27a of the dispensing unit 27 is moved, and the dispensing and dispensing tip 10C automatically attached to the tip of the arm is used. Aliquots of the serum of the amount corresponding to the specified dispensed volume. Then, based on the dispensing request information from the host computer, the serum is dispensed into the three test tubes 10B (FIG. 12A). Note that these test tubes 10B are supplied from a barcode label issuing / sticking / supplying stage. The blood collection tube 10A in which the parent sample remaining after the fractionation remains is carried out from the parent carrying-out unit 28 arranged at the upstream end of the first line L1 to the outside via a robot arm (not shown). In the tip exchanging section (not shown) of the dispensing stage, the dispensing / dispensing tip 10C is exchanged in order to dispense the serum of the next blood collection tube 10A.

The blood collection tube 10A in which the parent specimen after the collection is left is:
It is carried out from the downstream end of the first line L1 to the outside via the parent carry-out unit 28. On the other hand, each test tube 10B after dispensing
Is transported downstream through the second line L2 and sent to the automatic chemical analysis stage. Here, various biochemical analyzes are performed by the automatic chemical analyzer 30. continue,
In the instrument dispensing stage, the instrument dispensing unit 31 provides samplers 31a for various analyzers provided.
Is used to dispense the required amount of serum in the test tube 10B.
In this way, the test tube 10B, on which all the various biochemical analyzes have been completed, is carried out at the carry-out stage by the carry-out unit 32.
The second line L2
Is discharged to the outside from the downstream end.

With this configuration, the sample-collecting tube 10A with the flange 10a, the test tube 10B, and the dispensing / dispensing tip 10C are provided by the sample processing tube transport system 20.
Can be smoothly transported one by one from blood collection to the end of sample processing without manual intervention. As a result, each pipe 10A to 10A is manually
There is no need to put C one by one in a rack similar to a test tube stand. This makes it possible to automate the sample processing tube transport system 20 including the sample pretreatment transport system.

[0045]

According to the present invention, since the hanging projection is provided on the sample processing tube, when the sample processing tube is transported, the hanging projection is used to reduce the sample processing tube to one. Automatic transfer of books is possible.

In particular, according to the second aspect of the present invention, since the hooking projection is an annular flange provided on the outer peripheral surface of the tube, the hooking projection is reliably hooked. Can be increased.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the hooking projection is provided at the tube opening, the sample processing tube can be transported in a stable posture.

Further, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention,
In the case of a sample tube or a test tube, since a barcode is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the tube, reading the barcode enables automatic identification of the sample tube or the test tube.

Further, according to the present invention, the sample processing tube is transported by the chain conveyor in a state where the hooking projections are hung on both endless chains. The transport and the equipment cost can be reduced at the same time.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention,
By using the parts feeder, a large number of sample processing tubes put into the storage box are taken out one by one, so that the sample processing tubes can be automatically extracted from the sample processing tubes that are stored together. Can be taken out one by one.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 (a) to 1 (c) are perspective views of a sample processing tube according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are enlarged perspective views of main parts of another sample processing tube according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A to 3E are plan views of another sample processing tube according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an overall perspective view of a sample processing tube transport system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view during use of a parts feeder provided in the sample processing tube transport system.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the parts feeder provided in the sample processing tube transport system during use.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion E in FIG. 6;

FIGS. 8A to 8D are explanatory views showing sample processing steps to which a sample processing tube transport system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIGS. 9A to 9D are explanatory views showing sample processing steps to which the sample processing tube transport system according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing sample processing steps to which the sample processing tube transport system according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIGS. 11A to 11C are explanatory diagrams showing sample processing steps to which the sample processing tube transport system according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied.

12 (a) to 12 (d) are explanatory views showing sample processing steps to which the sample processing tube transport system according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a sample processing tube according to conventional means.

[Explanation of symbols]

10A blood collection tube (sample tube: sample processing tube), 10B test tube (sample processing tube), 10C preparative dispensing tip (sample processing tube), 10a, 10a-1 to 10a-6 flange (locking) Projecting piece), 21 chain conveyor, 21a endless chain (reciprocating body), 20 sample processing tube transport system, 33A-33C parts feeder, 35 storage box, 50, 50A label (bar code).

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A sample tube into which a sample is injected, a dispensing / dispensing tip for dispensing / dispensing the sample in the sample tube, and a test tube for dispensing a sample dispensed by the dispensing / dispensing tip. In a sample processing tube such as the one described above, a sample processing tube provided with a locking projection for transporting the sample processing tube to a predetermined destination in a hung state. 2. The sample processing tube according to claim 1, wherein the hooking projection is an annular flange provided on an outer peripheral surface of the tube. 3. The sample processing tube according to claim 1, wherein the hooking projection is provided at a tube opening. 4. The sample processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the sample processing tube is a sample tube or a test tube, a bar code is attached to an outer peripheral surface of the tube. Tube. 5. A sample tube into which a sample is injected by reciprocating a reciprocating movable body between a predetermined transport source and a transport destination,
A dispensing and dispensing tip for dispensing and dispensing the sample in the sample tube, a transport conveyor for transporting a sample processing tube such as a test tube for dispensing the sample dispensed by the dispensing and dispensing tip. The sample processing tube is provided with a hooking projection that is detachable from the reciprocating moving body, and the reciprocating moving body is configured to hold the sample processing tube in a state where the hanging projection is hung. A transport system for transporting sample processing tubes. 6. The transporting conveyor holds a sample processing tube between a pair of endless chains arranged opposite to each other, and further, holds a sample processing tube in a state where a hooking projection is hung on both endless chains. 6. A chain conveyor for carrying a body.
3. The transport system for a sample processing tube according to claim 1. 7. At the upstream end of the transporting conveyor, sample processing tubes are automatically taken out one by one from a storage box into which a large number of sample processing tubes are put together, and the reciprocating movable body is taken out. 7. The transport system for a sample processing tube according to claim 5, wherein a parts feeder for feeding the sample processing tube is connected. 8. When the sample processing tube is a sample tube or a test tube, a downstream end of the transport conveyor reaches a barcode stage for attaching a barcode to an outer peripheral surface of the sample processing tube. The transport system for a sample processing tube according to any one of claims 5 to 7.