JP2001124690A - Sample inspection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sample inspection device with a simple structure never causing a problem in sanitary management and having excellent measurement precision. SOLUTION: A case 16 and a cover 18 protect a disc 20 housed in the case 16. The disc 20 has an injection part 28, a dispersing passage 64 and a guide passage 62. The injection part 28 is formed on the upper surface of the disc 20 in an opening shape, so that a particle-containing sample is injected through an opening 26 and stored in this part. The dispersing passage 64 is formed in a position closer to the periphery along the circle having the rotating shaft 54 of a motor 52 as the center within the disc 20 to disperse the particle component in the sample injected to the injection part 28. The guide passage 62 is extended in the direction leaving the rotating shaft 54 to guide the sample injected to the injection part 28 to the dispersing passage 64 by the centrifugal force by the rotation of the disc 20.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sample testing apparatus, and more particularly, to a sample component used in a hospital, a blood testing center, or a clinical testing field such as remote medical care or home medical care. The present invention relates to a small sample inspection device for easily inspecting a contained sample.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Among the sample inspecting apparatuses of this type, those which attempt to optically measure particle components include, for example, an analyzing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-269938 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-225276. 2. Description of the Related Art Discs for analysis and the like shown in the gazette are known.

[0003]

In the former analyzer, a blood smear is prepared by dropping a blood sample on a disk having a sample development surface on the surface and rotating the disk to classify blood cells. , Counting. However, in this analyzer, a blood scattering prevention device such as a tray for receiving the sample falling from the disk or a collection tank for collecting the sample in the tray is required, which leads to a complicated analyzer. I have. There is also a problem in sanitary management such as blood infection.

[0004] The latter analysis disk is provided with a hollow portion and a sample injection port communicating with the hollow portion so that the blood sample is developed in the hollow portion. But,
With this analytical disc, there is doubt as to whether blood cells can be reasonably dispersed in the optical measurement area,
Therefore, it is questionable whether a predetermined measurement accuracy can be obtained.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a sample inspection apparatus which has a simple structure, does not cause problems in hygiene management, and has excellent measurement accuracy. With the goal.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a power source having a substantially vertical rotating shaft for generating a rotating force, and a substantially horizontal power source removably attached to the rotating shaft of the power source. It has a disc and a control unit for controlling the power source,
A disk, an injection part for injecting the particle-containing sample,
A dispersion channel formed inside the disc along a circle around the rotation axis for dispersing a particle component in the sample injected into the injection section, further comprising an irradiation optical system and a light receiving optical system; An optical unit for detecting optical information of the particle component in the dispersion channel of the disk, an analyzing unit for analyzing the optical information detected from the light receiving optical system of the optical unit, and an analyzing unit. And an output unit for outputting the analysis result of the above.

As a power source, for example, a stepping motor is preferably used. As the disk, for example, a transparent disk made of a resin such as an acrylic resin is preferably used, but the material and shape are not limited. Preferably, the disc is disposable. The control unit controls the power source.

[0008] The injection portion of the disk is
It can be formed at a place or at a plurality of places. This injection part is a part for injecting a particle-containing sample such as liquid or urine into the inside of the disk. The dispersion channel of the disk is formed inside the disk along a circle centered on the rotation axis of the power source. This dispersion channel is a channel for directly or indirectly communicating with the injection part and for dispersing the particle component in the sample injected into the injection part.

[0009] The sample inspection apparatus according to the present invention further includes an optical unit, an analysis unit, and an output unit. The optical unit has an irradiation optical system and a light receiving optical system, and is a unit for detecting optical information of a particle component in the dispersion channel of the disk. The analysis unit is a unit for analyzing optical information detected from the light receiving optical system of the optical unit. The output unit is a unit for outputting an analysis result of the analysis unit.

Preferably, the sample inspection apparatus according to the present invention further includes a guide channel formed inside the disk. That is, the guide channel extends in a direction away from the rotation axis, and is a channel for guiding the sample injected into the injection unit to the dispersion channel. When such a guide channel is provided, the sample injected into the injection section is guided to the dispersion channel reliably and smoothly by the rotation of the disk, and is developed in the dispersion channel.

In the sample inspection apparatus according to the present invention, the guide flow path and the dispersion flow path communicate with each other so as to ensure a smooth flow of the sample. It is more preferable to increase the Further, the dispersion channel may be formed deeper than the guide channel.

The disk of the sample inspection apparatus according to the present invention
The plane shape of which is point-symmetric with respect to the rotation axis-a circle,
It is more preferably-such as a square or a regular hexagon. That is, it is preferable that the position of the center of gravity of the disk coincides with the mounting position of the rotating shaft. In such a configuration, the rotation of the disk becomes smoother, and the sample is dispersed well.

In the sample inspection apparatus according to the present invention, it is more preferable that the light receiving optical system of the optical unit includes an image pickup device for taking an image of the particle component. In such a configuration, the analysis unit can analyze the optical information with higher accuracy by using information obtained from the image of the particle component captured by the imager.

The sample inspection apparatus according to the present invention is used, for example, when the particle-containing sample is a body fluid component such as blood or urine. In this case, body fluid components, such as blood and urine, for which there is a great need for testing can be easily tested.

The sample inspection apparatus according to the present invention is used, for example, when the particle-containing sample contains blood and a hemolytic agent, and the particle components dispersed in the dispersion channel are white blood cells. In this case, a desired test for leukocytes in blood can be easily performed. In order to detect leukocytes more appropriately, a dye (eg, EB (ethidium bromide) or PI
(Propidium iodide)) may be included in the particle-containing sample in an amount necessary for staining.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited by this.

FIG. 1 shows a simplified sample inspection apparatus D according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of FIG. In FIG. 1, 1
Reference numeral 0 denotes a mechanism for measuring a particle-containing sample, 12 denotes a control / analysis unit for performing various controls and analyzes required for measurement, 13 denotes an input unit for performing various input operations, and 14 denotes measurement. 5 shows an output unit for outputting a result or the like. The control / analysis unit 12 includes a function as a control unit 12a and an analysis unit 1b.
It also has the function as

The mechanism section 10 includes a stepping motor 52 as a power source, and a transparent disk-shaped acrylic resin having a diameter of about 60 mm, and a substantially vertical rotating shaft 5 of the motor 52.
4, a substantially horizontal disk 20 detachably attached to the disk 4.
And a light-emitting unit 30 as a part of the optical unit and a light-receiving unit 36 as a part of the optical unit.

The disk 20 is formed in an upper opening shape on the upper surface thereof. An injection portion 28 for injecting a predetermined amount of the particle-containing sample through the opening 26 and storing the sample therein, and the rotating shaft inside the disk 20. A dispersion channel 64 formed at a position near the periphery of the disk 20 along a circle centered at 54 and for dispersing the particle components in the sample injected into the injection unit 28 for the purpose of performing a predetermined measurement; The guide channel 62 extends in a direction away from the rotation shaft 54 and guides the sample injected into the injection unit 28 to the dispersion channel 64 by centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the disk 20. .

The injection section 28 and the guide channel 62 are provided two at an angle of 180 degrees. One dispersion channel 64 is provided annularly in communication with each guide channel 62.

The light emitting section 30 is composed of an irradiation optical system and supplies light for illumination to the dispersion channel 64 of the disk 20. The light receiving unit 36 includes a light receiving optical system, and receives light from a measurement target existing in the dispersion channel 64 of the disk 20.

When measuring white blood cells, a liquid obtained by uniformly dispersing blood in a diluent containing a hemolytic agent is used as the sample tester D.
The test sample to be used for the test.

For example, through the opening 26 of the injection part 28, 9
Eight microliters (μl) of the diluting solution is spotted on the injection section 28, and 2 microliters of blood is dropped and mixed into the diluting solution. Needless to say, a diluted sample prepared at a predetermined magnification (for example, 50 times) in another place is supplied in a predetermined amount (for example,
(Microliter) may be dropped into the injection part 28.
The diluent contains a dye for staining leukocyte nuclei (here, PI
(Propidium iodide)).

When the start switch of the input unit 13 is pressed, the control unit 12a operates the motor 52, and the disk 20 starts rotating. By the rotation of the disk 20,
The test sample in the injection section 28 is developed in the dispersion channel 64.

By rotating the disk 20 at a high speed, the white blood cells existing in the dispersion channel 64 are distributed to the portion of the dispersion channel 64 near the outer edge.

Next, the control unit 12a rotates the disk 20 at a low speed and causes the light emitting unit 30 to emit light. The light information from each white blood cell is received by the light receiving unit 36, and the light receiving unit 36
By performing signal processing, data processing, and the like on the optical information received in step 1, the analysis unit 12 b calculates the number of white blood cells, and outputs the result to the output unit 14.

The mechanism section 10 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the mechanism section 10 as viewed from above. 3 and 4 show the mechanism unit 1 respectively.
It is the side view drawn irregularly in order to make the structure of 0 easy to understand.

In FIG. 2 to FIG.
And a cover 18 that is openably and closably attached to the case 16 by a shaft 17. The case 16 and the cover 18 are made of a transparent material made of acrylic resin, and protect the disk 20 accommodated in the case 16. The cover 16 has a ridge 1 provided on its outer surface.
The case 9 is firmly closed by elastically fitting into a groove provided on the inner surface of the case 16. Therefore, the disk 20
There is no danger even if it rotates at high speed.

The stepping motor 52 is controlled by the controller 12a.
, And is mounted on the lower surface of the case 16, and its rotating shaft 54 protrudes into the case 16 from the bottom of the case 16. A lower fixing member 56 is fitted to the rotating shaft 54 by a screw member 58 so as to be fitted.

After the cover 18 is opened and the disk 20 is fitted into the lower fixing member 56 and then fixed by the upper fixing member 60 fitted thereto, the disk 20 is
Attached to 2 shafts. In addition, as shown in FIG.
9 is formed, and the lower fixing member 56 is shaped to fit into the opening 29 thereof. The removal of the disk 20 is performed by removing the upper fixing member 60 from the lower fixing member 56.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, reference numeral 51 denotes four columns which are attached to the lower surface of the case 16 in a hanging manner.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the disk 20 as viewed from above. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a vertical cross section of the center of the disk 20 as viewed from the side. The disk 20 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 7, the upper member 22 and the lower member 24 are integrated. In order to prevent instability due to weight imbalance and to ensure smooth high-speed rotation, the disk 20 has a circular shape whose plane is point-symmetric with respect to the rotation axis 54, and an upper member. Two raised portions 27 of the same shape and size are provided at a position 180 ° with respect to the rotation axis 54 and at the same distance from the rotation axis 54 in FIG.

Each protruding portion 27 has a shape of a truncated cone, and has an injection portion 28 which is a hollow cylindrical shape, and an opening 26 in which the injection portion 28 is opened on the upper surface.

The lower member 24 has two shallow groove-guide flow paths 62 extending in a curved shape in a direction away from the rotation shaft 54.
And the lower member 24 communicating with these guide channels 62.
One deep groove annularly extending around the periphery of the
Are provided.

By integrating the upper member 22 and the lower member 24, the inside of each disk 20
Two guide channels 62 and one dispersion channel 64 are provided, and each opening 26 and injection part 28 communicate with each guide channel 62.

The hollow portion of the injection section 28 functions as a sample placement section for placing a test sample, and the guide channel 62 serves as a transfer channel for guiding and transferring the test sample to the next dispersion channel 64. Function. Since two openings 26 are provided for the dispersion channel 64, the dispersion channel 6 for the test sample is provided.
4 can be easily transferred and deployed.

From the viewpoint of effectively transferring the sample, the rotation direction of the disk 20 is preferably counterclockwise in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged sectional view of the disk 20. The test sample flows into the dispersion channel 64 through the guide channel 62 by the rotational energy of the disk 20, and is developed over the entire dispersion channel 64. Then, the white blood cells in the test sample are moderately dispersed at the lower end of the dispersion channel 64 (the bottom surface of the dispersion channel 64).

The form of the internal flow path of the disk 20 is as follows.
As shown in FIG. 8, the disk 120 is provided with a dispersion channel 164 substantially perpendicular to the guide channel 162, or the disk 220 is provided with a guide channel 262 and a slightly gentler depth as shown in FIG. And a dispersing flow path 264 having an inclined shape.

For example, in the case of the disk 120 as shown in FIG. 8, the white blood cells are dispersed on the outer peripheral wall of the dispersion channel 164.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG.
The light emitting unit 30 is attached to the cover 18 so that light can be supplied to a portion of the dispersion channel 64 in a state where the light is attached to the rotation shaft 54 of the motor 52. A light receiving section 36 is attached so that light from the portion can be received.

The light emitting section 30 includes an LED 32 as a light emitting element.
And a lens 34. The light receiving section 36 includes a CCD 40 as a light receiving element and a lens 38.

As shown in FIG. 4, the light receiving section 36 is mounted on a member 41 whose position can be adjusted with respect to the case 16. The member 41 has a cylindrical projection 42 projecting downward from the case 16 fitted in the receiving portion 44, and is urged toward the lower surface of the case 16 by a screw member 46 and a spring member 48.

The member 41 is fixed to the case 16 at one end 49 by a screw member 50, and the light receiving section 36 is attached to the other end 52. Reference numeral 54 denotes a fixing screw member. When the screw member 50 is loosened and the one end 49 is moved, the light receiving unit 36 moves a small amount around the protrusion 42.
That is, the position of the light receiving unit 36 can be adjusted. The screw member 50 is tightened at a preferable position.

The light receiving section 36 may be mounted at a position facing the light emitting section 30 (on the lower surface side of the disk 20) as in this embodiment (to capture a transmitted light image). For example, it may be attached to a position that is not to be performed, for example, on the side (on the circumferential surface side of the disk 20) (the scattered light image is captured).

The former system is preferable when the white blood cells are dispersed on the bottom surface of the dispersion channel 64, and the latter system is preferable when the white blood cells are dispersed on the outer peripheral wall surface of the dispersion channel 64. Light receiving unit 3
The image information from 6 is analyzed by the control unit 12a, and the number of white blood cells is calculated.

[0047]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a power source having a substantially vertical rotating shaft for generating a rotating force, and a substantially horizontal power source removably attached to the rotating shaft of the power source. A disk and a control unit for controlling the power source,
A disk, an injection part for injecting the particle-containing sample,
A dispersion channel formed inside the disc along a circle around the rotation axis for dispersing a particle component in the sample injected into the injection section, further comprising an irradiation optical system and a light receiving optical system; An optical unit for detecting optical information of the particle component in the dispersion channel of the disk, an analyzing unit for analyzing the optical information detected from the light receiving optical system of the optical unit, and an analyzing unit. And an output unit for outputting the analysis result. Therefore, it has a simple structure,
There is provided a sample inspection apparatus which does not cause problems in hygiene management and has excellent measurement accuracy.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is further provided a guide channel formed inside the disk and extending in a direction away from the rotation axis to guide the sample injected into the injection section to the dispersion channel. I have. Therefore, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the sample injected into the injection section is reliably and smoothly guided to the dispersion channel by the rotation of the disk.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the light receiving optical system of the optical unit includes an image pickup device for taking an image of the particle component. Therefore, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1 or 2, the optical information can be analyzed with higher accuracy in the analysis unit by the information obtained from the image of the particle component taken by the imager.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the particle-containing sample is a body fluid component such as blood or urine. Therefore,
In addition to the effects achieved by the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, it is possible to easily inspect body fluid components such as blood and urine.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the particle-containing sample contains blood and a hemolytic agent, and the particle components dispersed in the dispersion channel are leukocytes. Therefore,
In addition to the effects of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, a desired test for leukocytes in blood can be easily performed.

In the invention according to claim 6, the particle-containing sample further contains a dye. Therefore,
In addition to the effect of the fifth aspect, leukocytes in blood are more suitably detected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration explanatory diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a simplified sample inspection apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a mechanism of the sample inspection apparatus shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from above. It is a flowchart which shows each process of a sample dilution part, a sample mixing part, and a sample measurement part.

FIG. 3 is a side view of one of the mechanical units of the sample inspection device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is another side view of the mechanism of the sample inspection apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the disk of the sample inspection apparatus shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from above.

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view at the center of the disk of the sample inspection apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

7 is a partially enlarged sectional view of a disk of the sample inspection device shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing one modified example of the internal flow path in the disk of the sample inspection device shown in FIG.

9 is a partially enlarged sectional view showing another modified example of the internal flow path in the disk of the sample inspection device shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Mechanism part 12 Control part 13 Input part 14 Output part 16 Case 18 Cover 20 Disk 22 Upper member 24 Lower member 26 Opening 27 Raised part 28 Injection part 30 Light emitting part 36 Light receiving part 52 Motor 54 Rotation axis 62 Guide flow path 64 Dispersed flow Road

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yasunori Maekawa 1-5-1, Wakihama-Kaigandori, Chuo-ku, Kobe Within Sysmex Corporation (72) Inventor Kenichi Sawa 1-1-1, Wakihama-kaigandori, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi No. Sysmex Corporation (72) Inventor Yasumasa Akai 1-5-1, Wakihama Kaigandori, Chuo-ku, Kobe F-term (reference) 2G045 AA02 AA15 BB39 CA11 CA25 CB03 FA11 FA19 GB10 HA14 JA07 2G058 BA01 BA06 GA02 HA01

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A power source having a substantially vertical rotation axis for generating a rotational force, a substantially horizontal disk detachably attached to a rotation shaft of the power source, and a power source for controlling the power source. A control unit, wherein the disc has an injection unit for injecting the particle-containing sample,
A dispersion channel formed inside the disc along a circle around the rotation axis for dispersing a particle component in the sample injected into the injection section; and further comprising an irradiation optical system and a light receiving optical system. An optical unit for detecting optical information of the particle component in the dispersion channel of the disk, an analyzing unit for analyzing the optical information detected from the light receiving optical system of the optical unit, and an analyzing unit. A sample inspection device comprising: an output unit for outputting the analysis result of the above. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a guide channel formed inside the disk and extending in a direction away from the rotation axis to guide the sample injected into the injection section to the dispersion channel.
A sample inspection device according to claim 1. 3. The light receiving optical system of the optical section includes an image pickup device for taking an image of a particle component.
A sample inspection device according to claim 1. 4. The sample inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the particle-containing sample is a body fluid component such as blood or urine. 5. The particle-containing sample according to claim 1, wherein the particle component contains blood and a hemolytic agent, and the particle component dispersed and detected in the dispersion channel is a leukocyte. The sample inspection apparatus according to the above. 6. The sample inspection apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the particle-containing sample further contains a dye.