JP2000314739A - Cleaning mechanism for analysis device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the generated quantity of waste liquid to reduce the load on the environment and to ensure practical reusability by using a deactivating fluid for deactivating the biological activity of a sample and/or a reagent. SOLUTION: A deactivating fluid feeding means is provided to feed a deactivating fluid having the action of deactivating the biological activity of a sample and/or a reagent. As the deactivating fluid, peroxide gas such as ozone or hydrogen peroxide, or liquid containing peroxide gas is used. A sample in a sample cup 1 is sucked through a nozzle 2 by the action of a plunger 9 and discharged in a reaction container 1, and then the nozzle 2 is cleaned in a container 3 with air containing ozone, that is, air is fed into an ozone generator 6 by an air pump 7, and air containing ozone is released from the nozzle 2. The air containing ozone is sucked by a suction pump 12 and discharged through an ozone treating device 10 and a filter 11.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an analyzer and a dispenser provided with an instrument for processing a biologically active substance or a sample containing the active substance, and more particularly to a mechanism for cleaning the instrument.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In clinical examinations and the like, various body fluid components such as urine, serum, and plasma are analyzed by using various analyzers. Such analysis is not limited to the usual biochemical measurement method, but may be a variety of analysis methods such as an immunological measurement method using an antigen-antibody reaction, a measurement method using a DNA probe, or a measurement method using electrophoresis. Has been adopted.

[0003] In recent years, these analytical methods have been significantly improved in sensitivity and the measurement range has been expanded. Along with that, especially like sample dispensing nozzles and reaction vessels,
The cleaning of the part in contact with the sample has become increasingly important.

Conventionally, many ideas have been devised for cleaning nozzles and vessels used in the above-mentioned various analyses, but these are basically based on the use of washing water or detergent.
In many cases, the cleaning efficiency is mechanically increased (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 62-242858 and 62-288574,
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-23572, Tokiko 52-38754
issue). For example, in the washing mechanism described in JP-A-62-288574, when the washing water is blown up from below and the tip of the washing probe moves through the washing water blow-up part with the movement of the sampling probe for sucking and discharging the sample and the reagent. ,
An outer wall of the sampling probe is configured to be washed with the washing water. However, there is a limit to simply increasing the cleaning effect mechanically, and this cannot be said to be sufficient.

[0005] In view of this, there has been proposed a mechanism for making a portion in contact with a sample, such as a sample nozzle, disposable (JP-A-63-2437).
No. 62, JP-A-1-184465, JP-A-1-146
No. 162, Japanese Utility Model Unexamined Publication No. 1-141466, and JP-A-63-1
No. 06567).

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Among the above prior arts,
In a mechanical cleaning mechanism using cleaning water, a large amount of cleaning water is required to avoid carryover and contamination, resulting in an increase in the amount of waste liquid generated and an increase in processing costs. However, there is a problem that the load on the environment increases. Moreover, with the recent increase in sensitivity of analysis, carry-over and contamination cannot be completely avoided at a practical level by washing with washing water. Further, since it takes time to wash out the cleaning agent, it is not suitable for large-scale processing or continuous processing, which also contributes to an increase in processing cost.

On the other hand, by making the sample nozzle and the reaction vessel disposable, problems such as contamination between samples due to poor cleaning or carry-over can be reliably avoided. However, discarding the sample nozzle every time one sample is measured not only increases the cost, but also is not preferable from the viewpoint of environmental protection, which has been increasing in recent years.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a cleaning method which does not excessively perform the conventional cleaning with water or the like, and which is rather close to no cleaning in the conventional concept. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device which can reduce the amount of waste liquid generated to reduce the load on the environment, reduce the size of the waste liquid tank, and ensure non-disposable practical reusability.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A washing mechanism for an analyzer according to the present invention comprises a liquid storage section for storing a liquid containing a biologically active sample and / or a reagent; and a plurality of containers to be dispensed. Liquid transfer means having a suction and discharge path and movable between the liquid container and the container; and a biological activity of the sample and / or reagent in the suction and discharge path of the liquid transfer means. A depleted fluid supply means for supplying a depleted fluid having a deactivating effect; a decomposition treatment chamber for collecting the depleted fluid and decomposing the deactivated effect; and washing away the sample and / or the sample Washing water supply means for supplying the wastewater to the washing wastewater, and recycling means for circulating the wastewater after the deactivation treatment to the washing water supply means.

In the present invention, as the waste fluid, for example, a peroxide gas such as ozone or hydrogen peroxide or a liquid containing the peroxide gas can be used.
In particular, ozone water, water mixed with air bubbles containing ozone, or air containing ozone can be suitably used.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The details of the present invention will be described below.

[0012] The completeness of washing at the part where a sample or a reagent comes into contact, such as a sample nozzle, a reagent dispensing nozzle, and a reaction vessel in an analyzer, is required mainly when performing an immunological measurement method. And a case where a biological activity is measured as in a DNA assay using a DNA probe or the like. Each of these measurement methods is a method whose measurement range and sensitivity have been significantly improved in recent years.
Also, when observing cells or the like by histochemical staining or luminescence, biological activities such as antigens, antibodies and enzymes are often used. There must be no contamination.

In the above case, it is only effective to completely wash away biologically active substances (for example, antigens, antibodies, enzymes, bacteria, viruses, DNAs, RNAs, etc.) present in a sample or a reagent. Not a wash. That is, since the purpose of washing is to regenerate the instrument to a reusable state, active substances present in the sample or reagent attached to the instrument are not deactivated so as not to affect the analysis results. As long as it is inactivated, the purpose of cleaning can be effectively achieved.

On the basis of the above basic idea, the present inventors have studied the effects of regenerating a device by various inactivation treatments. In particular, studies were conducted on methods having a denaturing or degrading effect on proteins.

Traditionally, protein denaturants or inactivators have been used as fungicides and disinfectants, including the following: acids or alkalis (eg, mineral acids, caustic soda, barium hydroxide). , Benzoic acid, parahydroxybenzoic acid, lactic acid, propionate), heavy metals (for example, mercury agents such as Shoei, mercurochrome, merthiolate, mercury phenylacetate, arsenic agents such as salvarsan, copper sulfate, silver nitrate), Oxidizing agents (eg, halogens such as potassium permanganate, bromide, iodine or fluorine), formalin, coloring agents (eg, basic or acidic dyes) and the like.

However, for sterilization or disinfection,
Conventionally, the denaturation or inactivation of proteins using ultraviolet rays, heated steam, ultrasonic waves, etc., will calm down or weaken the harmful living ability of microorganisms such as infectious, parasitic and proliferative. It is performed for the purpose of conversion or killing, and is not necessarily the same as eliminating the activity of substances such as antigens, antibodies and enzymes. This means that the activity of antigens and antibodies can be determined by sterilization and disinfection, such as purification of various proteins using ethanol or acetone, sterilization of insoluble antigens using formalin or phenol, and immunohistochemical staining after folimarin fixation. It is also evident from the fact that the above-mentioned activity is generally used after the same treatment as described above.

[0017] The use of various conventionally used protein denaturants and inactivators in a washing solution was also studied. However, the residual effect has caused problems such as affecting the analysis results or chemically damaging the analyzer. In addition, since the washing time in a general analyzer is as short as several seconds, in order to obtain a sufficient effect, the concentration of a denaturing agent or a deactivator to be used must be increased, which is not very practical. Was. This is expected, and it is believed that, despite the fact that many technicians would have considered it, it has hardly been put into practical use as an effective means of cleaning.

Under such circumstances, the inventor paid attention to peroxide gas. Generally, a peroxide gas such as ozone or hydrogen peroxide has a strong oxidizing effect, and is unstable and easily inert, and therefore has a property that the survivability is equal to zero. This property is important and advantageous in realizing the basic idea of the present invention in that it does not affect the analysis result. In particular, ozone can control its generation amount and time electrically, which is another important property not found in other substances.

It is known that cysteine, methionine, cystine, tyrosine and histidine are affected by the strong oxidizing action of ozone (M. Kuroda,
F. Sakiyama, K .; Narita, J. et al. Bio
chem. , 78, 641 (1975)). It has also been proposed to use ozone for sterilization and disinfection (JP-A-63-236593, JP-A-61-13858).
6, JP-A-61-236991). Furthermore, proposals have been made regarding an endoscope disinfection device using ozone water (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 3-11026 and 3-68331).

However, the time required for sterilization and disinfection varies greatly depending on the size, morphology, resistance, protein composition, and the like of the microorganism, and the action speed decreases as the bacteria become sterile. Processed for 24 hours. Therefore, there has been no indication that an effect such as completion of sterilization and disinfection can be expected by ozone treatment for a short time, for example, about several seconds to about one minute, which can be used for cleaning the analyzer. Also, antigens, antibodies, enzymes or DNA
There is no literature showing that such activities can be eliminated at a practical level. Conversely, there is a report that it is estimated that denaturation of protein takes several tens of minutes (water and wastewater P894 Vol. 30 No. 9 (1988)). Therefore, based on common sense from the descriptions of these prior documents, it was considered impossible to realize the basic idea in the present invention.

As a result of intensive research under the above circumstances, the present inventors have found that ozone water, water mixed with ozone-containing air bubbles, or ozone-containing air is effective for cleaning the analyzer. It has been confirmed that it can be used. In particular, cleaning with air containing ozone is effective and has provided unprecedented results. The result was completely unexpected and surprising. Therefore, the present invention has been completed by combining the above-mentioned advantage of being able to electrically control the amount and time of ozone generation and the surprising result, and has enabled an optimal cleaning mechanism for an analyzer. is there.

Instruments to which the method of the present invention is applied include a dispensing nozzle, a syringe, a suction tube, a container for various sample reagents, a container for reaction, a container for measurement, a stirrer, a filter,
Sensors and the like. In the case of the analyzer, cleaning-related parts such as an instrument replacement system and a drainage system can be extremely reduced, or can be completely omitted.

Further, the present invention also provides a recycling technique for reusing post-use cleaning water in a cleaning system for performing water cleaning without a cleaning chemical as pre-cleaning.

The field in which the washing mechanism of the present invention can be used is not limited to the analysis apparatus, but may be a microplate washer,
Needless to say, it can be used for cleaning instruments used manually, such as scalpels, microtomes, tweezers, test tubes, petri dishes, flasks, optical lenses for objectives, and pipettors.

The washing water used for the pre-wash includes pure, physiological saline, various buffers, and diluents, and these are used only to the extent that samples attached to the instrument surface are washed away.

The washing mechanism of the present invention can be applied to an apparatus using various analysis methods. In particular, an apparatus using immunological measurement, for example, agglutination of particles such as red blood cells, latex immunoassay, immunoturbidimetry, radioimmunoassay,
Enzyme immunoassay, fluoroimmunoassay,
The present invention can be applied to an analyzer using a chemical luminescence immunoassay. In addition, it is considered that the ozone oxidizing effect also shows a sufficient effect on a sample using DNA, RNA or the like or a sample using a DNA probe as a reagent. It can be used for body fluids such as blood and lymph, urine, feces, etc. without being restricted by the type of specimen. In particular, in the analysis using urine and feces, the effect of collecting waste liquid can be expected.

The cleaning mechanism of the present invention embodies the above basic idea as an apparatus. That is, when ozone is used as the waste fluid, the present invention provides an ozone generator and a sample or a reagent such as a sample nozzle, a reagent dispensing nozzle, or a reaction vessel that contacts a gas containing ozone and a fluid containing ozone. It is configured to have a mechanism for contacting a part and a mechanism for collecting ozone after processing and performing processing such as decomposition. In this case, a commercially available ozone generator may be used. Further, as a mechanism for bringing a gas containing ozone or a fluid containing ozone into contact with a portion in contact with a sample or a reagent, for example, the following method can be used.

Pass a gas containing ozone through the sample nozzle.

Passing a fluid containing ozone through the sample nozzle;

(3) A fine millet of air containing ozone in water is generated and washed.

Blow or suck air containing ozone into the sample nozzle.

The reactor is kept in the ozone treatment chamber.

Further, as a physicochemical technique for recovering ozone after the treatment, performing a treatment such as decomposition and detoxifying the ozone, those described in known papers or handbooks can be applied.

[0034]

The waste fluid which inactivates a biologically active sample or reagent, for example, ozone, is generated by an ozone generator. This ozone-containing air remains as a gas,
Or a sample nozzle or reagent dispensing nozzle that has been dissolved in a liquid and has been subjected to a prescribed dispensing operation, or a reaction container that has completed a prescribed reaction and measurement, or a sample or reagent container that has been dispensed into a reaction container. The biologically active substances such as antigens, antibodies, and enzymes are inactivated by contacting the sample with a portion that repeatedly contacts the sample or reagent. Gases and fluids containing ozone after treatment are rendered harmless by treatment such as recovery and decomposition.

Thus, the device for treating a biologically active substance or a sample containing the active substance is washed to a practically reusable level.

The present applicant has already filed Japanese Patent Application No. 3-251903.
In the publication, the effect of inactivating the dispensing nozzle and the reaction vessel by ozone treatment is shown. According to that, the inactivation of the above-mentioned instruments, which is used synonymously with washing, reaches a practical level in a few seconds to one minute. Therefore, if such performance is applied to the apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to sufficiently cope with continuous processing of samples and the like. That is, according to the cleaning mechanism of the present invention, the dispensing nozzle can be quickly cleaned while continuously dispensing the same or different samples. At this time, if a plurality of nozzles are alternately used, more rapid continuous processing can be performed. If necessary, an inactivation process of about one minute may be performed each time a predetermined number of dispenses are completed. In addition, the reaction vessel can be quickly reused in cleaning the reaction vessel, so that the reaction line can be significantly shortened.

[0037]

<First Embodiment> This embodiment relates to a dispenser having a washing mechanism using air containing ozone.

FIG. 1 shows an example of an apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This apparatus is configured to perform cleaning by flowing air containing ozone. More precisely, it is intended to inactivate the components in the sample rather than washing.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a sample cup containing a sample, 1 'is a reaction vessel, 2 is a nozzle for dispensing a sample into the reaction vessel 1', 3 is a vessel for washing the nozzle, 4 is Syringe, 5 is a solenoid valve, 6 is an ozone generator, 7 is an air pump, 8 is a connecting part, 9 is a plunger, 1
0 is an ozone treatment device, 11 is a filter, and 12 is an intake pump.

In the embodiment using this apparatus, the sample of the sample cup 1 is moved by the operation of the plunger 9 to the nozzle 2.
After discharging the solution into the reaction vessel 1 ', the nozzle 2 is washed in the vessel 3 with air containing ozone. The number of steps is extremely small, and air is supplied to the ozone generator 6 by the air pump 7 and air containing ozone is discharged from the nozzle 2 for an appropriate time. The release pressure of ozone is appropriately selected depending on the nozzle shape and sample properties. At this time, the container 3 is not always necessary, but air containing ozone is more effective because the air easily contacts the inner wall and the outer wall of the nozzle 2 in the container 3. Gas cleaning also has the effect of draining water and preventing clogging. The container 3 may contain a liquid such as water, and the nozzle 2 may be bubbled with air containing ozone in the water. However, this liquid is not always required.

Further, after air containing ozone is discharged from the nozzle 2 for an appropriate time, the ozone generator 6 is stopped,
Only the air can be sent to the nozzle 2 by the suction and discharge operation of the air pump 7 or the syringe pump 4. When air containing ozone affects the analysis result, it is desirable to prevent the influence of ozone in this way.

The air containing ozone is sucked by the suction pump 12, and the ozone treatment device 10 and the filter 11
Is discharged through. The filter 11 is not always necessary.

The first embodiment can be implemented as the apparatus shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, 13 is a water supply port, 14 is a drain port, 15 is a sample cup, 15 'is a reaction vessel, 16
Is a syringe, 17 is a connecting part, 18 and 19 are solenoid valves, 20
Is an ozone generator, 21 is an air pump, 22 is a water supply tank, 23 is a water supply pump, 24 is a container for cleaning the nozzle, 25 is a plunger, 26 is a nozzle, 27 is a waste liquid tank, 28 is an ozone treatment device, 29 is Filter, 30
Denotes an intake pump, and 31 denotes a waste liquid pipe.

A feature of the configuration of FIG. 2 is that, compared with the apparatus of FIG. 1, mechanical cleaning can be performed with the solution supplied from the water supply tank 22. The solution may be sent from the water supply port 13 to the container 24 for cleaning the nozzle, or only the drainage operation may be performed. The nozzle 26 sucks the sample in the sample cup 15 and discharges the sample into a predetermined reaction container 15 ′, and then is washed in the container 24. However, it is preferable to wash once with the solution supplied from the water supply tank 22 (= primary washing) and then wash with ozone-containing air (= secondary washing) as in the case of FIG. In addition, as a means for supplying the washing water, the tank 2
It may be connected to a water supply or an external deionization tank without going through the second step.

The waste liquid and the air containing ozone are sucked by the suction pump 30, the waste liquid accumulates in the waste liquid tank 27, and the air containing ozone is discharged through the ozone treatment device 28 and the filter 29.

The solution stored in the waste liquid tank 27 is deactivated by bubbling with air containing ozone discharged together with the waste liquid through a waste liquid pipe 31 extending from the drain port 14. At this time, the water supply tank 22 and the waste liquid tank 2
The cleaning liquid can be reused by sharing or connecting the cleaning liquid with the liquid 7, so that it is not necessary to discard the waste liquid.

The cleaning step in the first embodiment will be described in more detail. In FIG. 1, the nozzle 2 is moved to the sample cup 1 containing the sample, the tip of the nozzle 2 is immersed in the sample, and the plunger 9 is pulled. Aspirate sample. Thereafter, the nozzle 2 is moved to the reaction vessel 1 ′, and the sample is discharged by pushing the plunger 9. Then, the nozzle 2 moves to the cleaning container 3 and the electromagnetic valve 5
At the same time when the solenoid valve is normally closed, the ozone generator 6 is turned on, and air containing ozone comes out of the nozzle 2 by the air pump 7 pushing out air. When the washing is completed, the electromagnetic valve 5 closes, and the nozzle 2 moves to another sample cup to suck the sample. The same operation is repeated.

Also, in FIG. 2, the nozzle 26 is
, The electromagnetic valve 18 is opened, water is pushed by the water supply pump 23, and the water is discharged from the nozzle 26. Subsequently, the power of the ozone generator 20 is turned on at the same time when the electromagnetic valve 18 is closed and the electromagnetic valve 19 is opened, and air containing ozone is emitted from the nozzle 26 by the air pump 21 pushing out the air. After the washing is completed, the solenoid valve 19 is closed, and the ozone generator is stopped. Next, the nozzle 26 moves to another sample cup, aspirates the sample, and repeats the same operation.

<Second Embodiment> This embodiment relates to an apparatus configured to generate fine bubbles of air containing ozone in water and to perform cleaning.

FIG. 3 shows an apparatus according to this embodiment. In the figure, 32 is a sample nozzle, 33 is a sample cup, 34 is a washing vessel, 33 'is a reaction vessel, 35
Is an hour generator, 36 is a solenoid valve, 37 is an ozone generator, 3
8 is an air pump, 39 is a connecting portion, 40 is an electromagnetic valve, 41 is a syringe, 42 is a plunger, 43 is an ozone treatment device,
44 is a filter and 45 is an intake pump.

In cleaning using this apparatus, air is sent to an ozonizer 37 by an air pump 38 and air containing ozone is passed through an hour generator 35 to the cleaning container 3.
Vent 4. The hour generator 35 may be a porous filter or an ultrasonic oscillator. The inside of the nozzle 32 can be cleaned by sucking and discharging the solution in the cleaning container 34 in which air bubbles containing ozone are generated by the plunger 42.

<Combination of First and Second Embodiments> The embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is similar to the first embodiment in that it is cleaned with ozone-containing air and the same as in the second embodiment. 1 shows an apparatus configured to be used in combination with the cleaning of air containing fine bubbles by fine bubbles.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 46 denotes a sample nozzle,
7 is a sample cup, 48 is a drain port, 49 is a washing container,
47 'is a reaction vessel, 50 is an hour generator, 51 is a solenoid valve,
52 is a water inlet, 53 is a connecting part, 54 is an ozone generator, 5
5 is an air pump, 56 is a connection part, 57 is a solenoid valve, 58 is a water supply pump, 59 is a solenoid valve, 60 is a solenoid valve, 61 is a connection part, 62 is a syringe, 63 is a plunger, 64 is a water supply tank, and 65 is a waste liquid. Tank, 66 is an ozone treatment device, 67
Is a filter, and 68 is an intake pump.

This embodiment includes the same structure as that of the first and second embodiments. Therefore, cleaning with air containing ozone and fine milling of air containing ozone in water are included. Washing can be performed in combination.

<Third Embodiment> This embodiment relates to an apparatus configured to perform cleaning with a cleaning liquid in which ozone is dissolved.

FIG. 5 shows an apparatus according to the third embodiment. In the figure, 69 is a sample nozzle, 70
Is a sample cup, 70 'is a reaction vessel, 71 is a drain port,
72 is a water supply port, 73 is a solenoid valve, 74 is a cleaning container, 75 is a connection part, 76 is a solenoid valve, 77 is a syringe, 78 is a plunger, 79 is a solenoid valve, 80 is a connection part, 81 is a water supply pump, and 82 is a water supply pump. An ozone vent, 83 is an electromagnetic valve, 84 is an ozone generator, 85 is an air pump, 86 is a water supply tank, 87 is an ozone treatment device, 88 is a waste liquid tank, 89 is an ozone treatment device, 90 is a filter, and 91 is an intake pump. is there.

Although this embodiment is less effective than the first and second embodiments, it can be used when it is mechanically difficult to vent the container such as a nozzle.

<Fourth Embodiment> This embodiment is an apparatus having a mechanism for cleaning the outer surface of a sample nozzle by blowing air containing ozone to the sample nozzle.

FIG. 6 shows an apparatus according to this embodiment. In FIG. 6, 92 is a sample nozzle, 93 is a sample cup, 93 'is a reaction vessel, 94 is a washing vessel, 95
Is an electromagnetic valve, 96 is an ozone generator, 97 is an air pump, 9
8 is a syringe, 99 is a plunger, 100 is an ozone treatment device, 101 is a filter, and 102 is an intake pump.

In cleaning using this apparatus, air is sent to the ozonizer 96 by the air pump 97. Thus, the air containing ozone is blown to the sample nozzle 92 in the cleaning container 94 to perform the cleaning.

The same cleaning as in the fourth embodiment is performed as follows.
It can also be implemented using the apparatus of FIG. 7, 103 is a sample nozzle, 104 is a sample cup, 104 'is a reaction vessel, 105 is a washing vessel, 106 is a syringe, 107 is a plunger, 108 is an ozone blowing nozzle, 109 is an ozone blowing port, 110 is an electromagnetic valve, 111 is an ozone generator, 112 is an air pump, 11
3 is an ozone treatment device, 114 is a filter, and 115 is an intake pump.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, air is sent to the ozonizer 111 by the air pump 112. The air containing ozone formed by the ozonizer 111 is supplied to the cleaning container 10.
In 5, the sample is blown from the ozone outlet to the outer surface of the sample nozzle 103 through the ozone outlet nozzle 108. As a result, the outer surface of the ozone blowing nozzle 108 is cleaned.

The cleaning by the apparatus of the fourth embodiment also has the effect of blowing off water droplets remaining at the tip of the sample nozzle after dispensing or washing the sample.

The fourth embodiment can be used together with the first, second and third embodiments.

<Fifth Embodiment> This embodiment is an apparatus configured to pass a reaction vessel into a room filled with air containing ozone for cleaning.

FIG. 8 shows an apparatus according to this embodiment. In the figure, 116 is a reaction vessel, 117 is a connecting belt for transporting the reaction vessel, 118 is an ozone treatment chamber, 119
Is an ozone generator, 120 is an air pump, 121 is an ozone treatment device, 122 is a filter, and 123 is an intake pump. In order to prevent the ozone gas from leaking, a shielding means such as an air curtain is provided in the vicinity of the passage inlet and the outlet of the ozone treatment chamber 118, or the inside of the treatment chamber is slightly negative pressure than the outside air.

In the above apparatus, air is sent to the ozonizer 121 by the air pump 120, and the air containing ozone is filled in the ozone treatment chamber 118. In it,
The reaction vessel 116 after the sample processing by the dispensing means and the measuring means (not shown) and the draining by the drain means (not shown) are completed
Is passed through the ozone treatment chamber 118 and processed by rotating the transport connection belt 117 of the reaction vessel. Although not shown, the ozone treatment chamber 1
21 is provided with a convection generating means such as a fan, and blows ozone air into the container that has entered the processing chamber. Further, the ozone concentration in the processing chamber is also controlled.

In the above example, the ozone treatment was performed after the liquid in the reaction vessel was drained. However, when the amount of the liquid is very small, when the water depth is extremely shallow, or when an analytical element with little wetness is used, the ozone treatment is performed. The wastewater can be omitted by performing only the treatment.

In order to extend the processing time, the reaction vessel may be meandered in the ozone treatment chamber as shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, a configuration may be used in which the time other than the time used for the reaction is retained in the ozone treatment chamber.

Such a mechanism for cleaning a reaction vessel can be effectively applied to a reaction vessel transferred on an endless reaction line.

Further, a water washing device for the reaction vessel may be provided before and after the ozone treatment chamber or in the treatment chamber.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, when cleaning the inner wall of the nozzle with ozone gas, the nozzle may enter the processing chamber as in the fifth embodiment, and the pressure may be changed from the outside by increasing or decreasing the pressure in the processing chamber.

If the tip of the sample nozzle is replaceable, an apparatus is considered that removes the tip, processes it according to the fifth embodiment, and then reuses it.

[0074]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
By reducing the amount of waste liquid generated at the time of washing the sample nozzle and the like, it is possible to reduce the cost for waste liquid treatment and to reduce the size of the apparatus by saving space in the water supply tank and the waste liquid tank.

Further, by reducing the amount of waste such as disposable chips, it is possible to reduce the cost of analysis and the effect on the environment.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing another example of the device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing an apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing an apparatus which is an embodiment combining the first embodiment and the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing an apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing another example of the device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing an apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a modification of the device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing another modification of the device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 15, 33, 47, 70, 93, 104 ... sample cup, 1 ', 15', 33 ', 47', 70 ', 93
', 104': reaction vessel, 2, 26, 32, 46, 6
9, 92 ... sample nozzle, 4, 16, 41, 62, 7
7,98,106 ... Syringe, 5,18,19,36,
40, 51, 57, 59, 60, 73, 76, 79, 8
3: Solenoid valve, 6, 20, 37, 54, 84, 96 ... Ozone generator, 7, 21, 38, 55, 85, 97 ... Air pump, 8, 17, 39, 53, 56, 75, 80 ... Connection Part, 9, 25, 42, 63, 78, 99, 107 ... plunger, 13, 52, 72 ... water supply port, 14, 48, 71
... water outlets, 22, 64, 86 ... water supply tanks, 23, 5
8, 81 ... water supply pump, 3, 24, 34, 49, 74,
94, 105: Nozzle washing container, 35, 50: Hour generator, 10, 28, 43, 66, 87, 89, 100, 1
13, 121: ozone treatment device, 11, 29, 44, 6
7, 90, 101, 114, 122 ... filters, 1
2,30,45,68,91,102,115,123
... suction pump, 108 ... ozone blowing nozzle, 117
… Transport connecting belt, 118… Ozone treatment chamber

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] April 26, 2000 (200.4.2
6)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

Claims (2)

[Claims] A liquid container containing a liquid containing a sample and / or a reagent having a biological activity; a plurality of containers to be dispensed; a suction and discharge path; A liquid transfer means movable between the liquid transfer means and the container; and supplying an aspirated fluid having an action of inactivating the biological activity of the sample and / or reagent to a suction and discharge path of the liquid transfer means. A decomposing fluid supply means, a decomposition treatment chamber for recovering the depleted fluid and decomposing its deactivating action, a washing water supply means for washing out the sample and / or the sample, and A cleaning mechanism for an analyzer, further comprising: a recycle means for supplying a utilization fluid and circulating the waste water after the deactivation treatment to the cleaning water supply means. 2. The cleaning mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the wastewater to be deactivated is cleaning water for primary cleaning.