JP2001208759A - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic analyzer which can obtain a desired cleaning effect without newly generating the periodic exchanging cost of a plunger pump, the installation cost of the side wall cleaning mechanism of a plunger, and the running cost of a side wall cleaning fluid. SOLUTION: This automatic analyzer is provided with a first cleaning fluid feeding mechanism which supplies a cleaning agent that is a first cleaning fluid used for cleaning an object to be cleaned by using a plunger pump 14 composed of a plunger section 19 and a cylinder section 20 and a second cleaning fluid feeding mechanism which supplies an ion-exchanged water which is a second cleaning fluid used for rinsing the object cleaned with the first cleaning fluid. The side wall of the plunger section 19 of the pump 14 is made to lie in the flow passage of the second cleaning fluid feeding mechanism so that the object cleaned with the first cleaning fluid may be rinsed with the second cleaning fluid supplied through the side wall of the plunger section 19.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a cuvette cleaning,
A first cleaning liquid feeding mechanism for supplying a cleaning liquid for cleaning an object to be cleaned such as nozzle cleaning, agitating rod cleaning, and B / F separation using a plunger pump; and a cleaning object cleaned with the first cleaning liquid. Second supplying a second cleaning liquid for rinsing
The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer provided with a cleaning liquid feeding mechanism of (1).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an automatic analyzer, an automatic analyzer having a high cleaning effect in cleaning such as cuvette cleaning, nozzle cleaning, stirring bar cleaning, B / F separation, etc. is required, and an automatic analyzer with a low apparatus price and running cost is required. A device is needed.

Conventionally, cuvette cleaning, nozzle cleaning,
Various automatic analyzers having a mechanism for supplying a cleaning liquid for stirring rod cleaning, B / F separation, and the like are known. For example, JP-A-6-230014 describes an automatic analyzer equipped with a cuvette washing mechanism. Also, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-213906 describes an automatic analyzer having a cleaning mechanism for a reagent nozzle. Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-62433 describes an automatic immunoassay apparatus provided with a washing mechanism for performing B / F separation.

[0004] In the automatic analyzer as described above, various detergents are devised and used as a cleaning liquid used to obtain a desired cleaning effect. However, some detergents
It is known that there is something that affects the durability of the plunger pump that supplies the detergent. As a countermeasure, for example, JP-A-6-229369 proposes a plunger pump in which the durability of the pump itself is improved by providing a mechanism for cleaning the side wall of the plunger. When such a plunger pump is used as a drive source of a cleaning liquid sending mechanism of an automatic analyzer, in addition to a mechanism for the original purpose of “supplying a cleaning liquid to an object to be cleaned”, a side wall cleaning of the plunger is performed. It becomes necessary to additionally provide a mechanism for cleaning, and the side wall cleaning liquid is consumed every time the side wall of the plunger is cleaned.

[0005]

A first cleaning liquid feeding mechanism using a plunger pump as a drive source of a first cleaning liquid such as a detergent, and a second supplying a second cleaning liquid such as a rinse liquid.
In an automatic analyzer having the above-mentioned washing liquid feeding mechanism, the following two methods can be considered as methods for ensuring the durability of the plunger pump. A first method is a method in which the plunger pump is used up until the expiration date set according to the service life elapses without providing the plunger pump with a side wall cleaning mechanism, and the plunger pump is periodically replaced for each expiration date. In this case, “the installation cost of the side wall cleaning mechanism and the consumption cost of the side wall cleaning liquid” do not occur, but “the periodic replacement cost of the plunger pump” occurs instead. Second
The method disclosed in JP-A-6-2293 is applied to the plunger pump.
This is a method of performing side wall cleaning by providing a side wall cleaning mechanism as disclosed in JP-A-69-69. In this case, the "periodic replacement cost of the plunger pump" does not occur, but instead, "the installation cost of the side wall cleaning mechanism and the running cost of the side wall cleaning liquid" are generated.

According to the present invention, a desired cleaning effect can be obtained without causing the periodic replacement cost of the plunger pump, the installation cost of the side wall cleaning mechanism of the plunger and the running cost of the side wall cleaning liquid. An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer.

[0007]

To achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a first cleaning liquid for cleaning an object to be cleaned is supplied using a plunger pump including a plunger and a cylinder. An automatic analyzer comprising: a first cleaning liquid feeding mechanism; and a second cleaning liquid feeding mechanism for supplying a second cleaning liquid for rinsing an object to be cleaned washed with the first cleaning liquid. The side wall of the plunger is interposed in the flow path of the second cleaning liquid sending mechanism, whereby the object to be cleaned cleaned with the first cleaning liquid is rinsed with the second cleaning liquid passing through the side wall of the plunger. It is characterized by having done.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the second cleaning liquid is neutral water.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the first cleaning liquid is a detergent.

In an automatic analyzer, cuvette cleaning, nozzle cleaning, stirring rod cleaning, B
It is necessary to perform rinsing in order to wash away the cleaning liquid adhering to the cleaning object (cuvette, nozzle, stirring bar, etc.) after the / F separation or the like. The rinsing is desirably performed so as to completely remove the attached cleaning liquid, but some residual cleaning liquid can be tolerated.

[0011] Based on the above idea, in the first invention, a side wall of a plunger of a plunger pump, which is a component of a first cleaning liquid feeding mechanism for supplying a first cleaning liquid for cleaning an object to be cleaned. Is provided in a flow path of a second cleaning liquid supply mechanism for supplying a second cleaning liquid for rinsing an object to be cleaned cleaned with the first cleaning liquid, whereby the cleaning performed with the first cleaning liquid is performed. Since the object is rinsed with the second cleaning liquid passing through the side wall of the plunger, the second cleaning liquid feeding mechanism already installed in the automatic analyzer also serves as the side wall cleaning mechanism of the plunger. Thus, the side wall of the plunger is cleaned by the second cleaning liquid supplied when rinsing the object to be cleaned, and a desired cleaning effect can be obtained. At this time, there is no need for periodic replacement cost of the plunger pump, and no additional cost for installing the side wall cleaning mechanism of the plunger and running cost of the side wall cleaning liquid.

In the second invention, since the second cleaning liquid is neutral water, the first cleaning liquid for cleaning the object to be cleaned is provided.
The side wall of the plunger of the plunger pump to which the cleaning liquid (detergent, etc.) adheres can be cleaned with neutral water,
The life of the plunger pump can be increased as desired. Further, since the object to be cleaned, which has been cleaned with the first cleaning liquid, is rinsed with the neutral water, the cleaning of the next liquid to be supplied and discharged is performed regardless of the liquid to be supplied and discharged next. The cleaning efficiency can be improved by minimizing the influence of the residue attached to the target object.

In the third aspect of the present invention, since the first cleaning liquid is used as a detergent, a residue attached to the object to be cleaned such as a cuvette, various nozzles, a stirring rod, etc. can be washed away with the detergent. The effect of the residue attached to the object to be cleaned on the liquid to be drained can be suppressed. In particular, when an alkaline detergent is used as the detergent, a remarkable cleaning effect is exerted when serum or protein is contained in the liquid supplied to and discharged from the object to be cleaned.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part of the automatic analyzer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows the above-mentioned JP-A-6-2300.
1 shows a part of an automatic analyzer as shown in FIG. The automatic analyzer according to the present embodiment is provided with a cuvette cleaning mechanism for cleaning the cuvette 1 as an object to be cleaned.

The cuvette cleaning mechanism comprises a cuvette wheel 2 on which a cuvette 1 is mounted, as shown in FIG.
And a nozzle plate 6 on which various nozzles 3 to 5 described below are installed.
And various components for sucking / discharging the liquid to / from the cuvette 1. The various components include a concentrated waste liquid pump 7, a buffer tank 8, an exhaust pump 9, a waste liquid pump 10, a detergent 11, a detergent tank 12, a detergent electromagnetic valve 13, a detergent pump 14, ion exchange water 15, an ion exchange water tank 16, an ion exchange water electromagnetic valve 17, an ion exchange water pump 18, and the like are used.

The concentrated waste liquid pump 7 sucks the test liquid after the analysis reaction in the cuvette 1 via the concentrated waste liquid nozzle 3 and discharges it to a waste liquid hole or a waste liquid tank (not shown) outside the apparatus.

The cuvette cleaning mechanism includes a first cleaning liquid feeding mechanism for supplying a detergent 11 which is a first cleaning liquid for cleaning an object to be cleaned, and a mechanism for rinsing the object to be cleaned cleaned with the first cleaning liquid. And a second cleaning liquid feeding mechanism for supplying ion-exchanged water 15 as the second cleaning liquid.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first cleaning liquid feeding mechanism includes the cleaning nozzles 4L-1 and 4L-1 installed on the nozzle plate 6.
4S-1 and 4L-2, 4S-2, and the longer cleaning nozzle 4L due to the negative pressure generated liquid in the cuvette 1.
−1, 4L-2, an exhaust pump 9 that guides the liquid into the buffer tank 8 and a waste pump 10 that discharges the liquid guided into the buffer tank 8 to a waste liquid hole or a waste liquid tank outside the apparatus (not shown). And a detergent tank 12 storing a detergent 11, which is a first cleaning liquid for cleaning the inside of the cuvette 1.
And a detergent pump 14 for supplying the detergent 11 in the detergent tank 12 from the shorter washing nozzles 4S-1 and 4S-2 into the cuvette 1 via the detergent solenoid valve 13.

As shown in FIG. 1, the second cleaning liquid feeding mechanism includes cleaning nozzles 4L-3,
4S-3 and 4L-4, 4S-4, and the longer cleaning nozzle 4L due to the negative pressure that generated the liquid in the cuvette 1.
An exhaust pump 9 that sucks the liquid through the -3, 4L-4 and guides the liquid into the buffer tank 8, and a waste liquid pump 10 that discharges the liquid guided into the buffer tank 8 to a waste liquid hole or a waste liquid tank (not shown) outside the apparatus. Rinse the cuvette 1 washed with the detergent 11, an ion-exchanged water tank 16 in which ion-exchanged water 15 as a second cleaning liquid is stored, and ion-exchanged water solenoid valve 17 in the ion-exchanged water tank 16.
And an ion-exchange water pump 18 for supplying the cuvette 1 from the shorter washing nozzles 4S-3 and 4S-4. In the above, for the cleaning nozzle 4S-4, the ion exchange water 15
Is supplied directly to the washing nozzle 4S-3, and ion-exchanged water 15 is supplied from the ion-exchanged water solenoid valve 17 via the detergent pump 14. The evacuation pump 9 also performs an operation of sucking the liquid in the cuvette 1 through the drying nozzle 5 installed on the nozzle plate 6 and guiding the liquid into the buffer tank 8 by the negative pressure generated.

The detergent pump 14 is configured as a plunger pump including a plunger portion 19 and a cylinder portion 20, as shown in a detailed view of FIG. The cylinder unit 20 is provided with a detergent base 21, and one end of the tube (not shown) connected to the detergent solenoid valve 13 is connected to the detergent base 21. On the other hand, the plunger portion 19 is provided with an ion-exchanged water outlet base 22 and an ion-exchanged water inlet base 23 in order from the top, and one end of the ion-exchanged water outlet base 22 is connected to the cleaning nozzle 4S-3. The other end of a not-shown tube is connected, and the other end of a not-shown tube connected to the ion-exchanged water solenoid valve 17 is connected to the ion-exchanged water inlet base 23.

The cylinder section 20 defines a detergent chamber 24 communicating with a detergent base 21. This detergent room 24
Inside is an X-ring 25 located above the plunger 19
Accordingly, the plunger portion 19 is hermetically sealed with the plunger portion 19, and the volume in the detergent chamber 24 can be changed by vertically moving the plunger portion 19 with respect to a cylinder portion 20 fixed to a drive unit (not shown). On the other hand, in the plunger section 19, an ion exchange water chamber 26 communicating with the ion exchange water outlet base 22 and the ion exchange water inlet base 23 is defined. The interior of the ion exchange water chamber 26
The upper and lower X-rings 25 hermetically seal a portion above the upper X-ring 25 and a portion below the lower X-ring 25. The space between the ion exchange water chamber 26 and the spacer 27 and the space between the spacer 27 and the upper and lower two X rings 2
5, gaps (play) in the plunger sliding direction as shown are formed between the spacer 27 and the side wall of the plunger portion 19 in the radial direction in which the ion-exchanged water 15 can circulate. Since the gap (play) is formed, the ion exchange water 15 can reach the side wall of the plunger 19 from the ion exchange water chamber 26. In the detergent pump 14 having such a configuration, the ion-exchanged water inlet base 2
When the plunger 19 moves up and down, the side wall of the plunger 19 (the part that slides on the upper and lower X-rings 25 of the plunger 19) due to the ion-exchanged water 15 introduced from 3 and flowing out of the ion-exchanged water outlet base 22. Will be washed.

Next, the cleaning operation in this embodiment will be described. For example, the cuvette 1 located at the left end in FIG.
Is an analysis-reacted cuvette to be washed (hereinafter referred to as
In the case of the cuvette 1 to be washed), first, the cuvette wheel 2 is rotated to the state shown in the drawing, and then the nozzle plate 6 is lowered to allow the concentrated waste liquid nozzle 3 to enter the cuvette to be washed, thereby completing the analysis reaction. The concentrated test liquid is sucked by the concentrated waste liquid pump 7 and discharged to a waste liquid hole or a waste liquid tank outside the apparatus (not shown).

Next, after raising the nozzle plate 6, the cuvette wheel 2 is rotated by one pitch in the clockwise direction.
Thereafter, the nozzle plate 6 is lowered, and the detergent 11 is discharged from the washing nozzle 4S-1 to the cuvette 1 to be washed by the detergent pump 14. Further, the detergent 11 in the cuvette 1 to be washed is sucked from the washing nozzle 4L-1 by the exhaust pump 9. As described above, the first cleaning is performed.

Next, after raising the nozzle plate 6, the cuvette wheel 2 is rotated one pitch in the clockwise direction.
Thereafter, the nozzle plate 6 is lowered, and the detergent 11 is discharged from the washing nozzle 4S-2 to the cuvette 1 to be washed by the detergent pump 14. Further, the detergent 11 in the cuvette 1 to be washed is sucked from the washing nozzle 4L-2 by the exhaust pump 9. As described above, the second washing is performed.

Next, after raising the nozzle plate 6, the cuvette wheel 2 is rotated one pitch in the clockwise direction.
Thereafter, the nozzle plate 6 is lowered, and the ion exchange water pump 18 discharges the ion exchange water 15 from the cleaning nozzle 4S-3 to the cuvette 1 to be cleaned. Further, the cuvette 1 to be cleaned is discharged from the cleaning nozzle 4L-3 by the exhaust pump 9.
The ion-exchanged water 15 inside is sucked. As described above, the first rinsing is performed. In the first rinsing, the ion-exchanged water 15 passed through the ion-exchanged water chamber 26 of the detergent pump 14, that is, the ion-exchanged water 15 used for cleaning the side wall of the plunger portion 19 is used. Since the cuvette 1 is a cuvette that has just been washed with the detergent 11, there is no problem even if ion exchange water 15 containing some detergent 11 is used as a rinse liquid.

Next, after raising the nozzle plate 6, the cuvette wheel 2 is rotated one pitch in the clockwise direction.
Thereafter, the nozzle plate 6 is lowered, and the ion exchange water pump 18 discharges the ion exchange water 15 from the cleaning nozzle 4S-4 to the cuvette 1 to be cleaned. Further, the cuvette 1 to be cleaned is discharged from the cleaning nozzle 4L-4 by the exhaust pump 9.
The ion-exchanged water 15 inside is sucked. As described above, the second rinsing is performed. In the second rinsing, the ion-exchanged water 15 directly supplied from the ion-exchanged water tank 16 is used, so that the cuvette 1 to be cleaned is reliably rinsed.

Next, after raising the nozzle plate 6, the cuvette wheel 2 is rotated one pitch in the clockwise direction.
Thereafter, the nozzle plate 6 is lowered, and the exhaust pump 9 sucks water droplets attached to the inner wall of the cuvette 1 to be cleaned from the drying nozzle 5 to dry the inside of the cuvette 1 to be cleaned. By this drying, the cuvette 1 to be cleaned is brought into a state that can be used for the next analysis. The above-described series of operations is controlled by a control unit (not shown) operating each drive unit based on operation instruction information input from a keyboard while an operator views a CRT monitor (not shown).

In this embodiment, the side wall of the plunger section 18 of the plunger pump 14 for supplying the detergent 11 to the cuvette 1 to be cleaned is interposed in the flow path of the second cleaning liquid supply mechanism for supplying the ion exchange water 15. Then, the cuvette 1 to be cleaned after the detergent cleaning is configured to be rinsed with the ion-exchanged water 15 via the side wall of the plunger section 19, so that the second cleaning liquid feeding mechanism already installed in the automatic analyzer is provided with the plunger section 19. The side wall of the plunger 18 is cleaned by the ion-exchanged water 15 supplied when rinsing the cuvette 1 to be cleaned, and a desired cleaning effect can be obtained. At this time, there is no need for periodic replacement costs for the plunger pump, and no additional costs for installing the side wall cleaning mechanism of the plunger portion and running costs for the side wall cleaning liquid.

Further, in the present embodiment, the side wall of the plunger portion 19 of the plunger pump 14 to which the detergent 11 has adhered is washed with the ion-exchanged water 15 which is neutral water, so that the life of the plunger pump is improved as desired. Can be done. Detergent 1 is also provided by ion-exchanged water 15.
The rinsing of the cuvette 1 to be cleaned, which has been cleaned in step 1, is performed, regardless of the liquid property of the liquid to be supplied and discharged next, the effect of the residue attached to the cuvette 1 to be cleaned next on the liquid to be supplied and discharged next. Can be minimized and the cleaning efficiency can be improved. Further, in the present embodiment,
Cuvette 1 to be cleaned with detergent as the first cleaning liquid
Since the residue attached to the cuvette 1 can be washed away, the influence of the residue attached to the cuvette 1 to be cleaned on the liquid to be supplied / discharged next can be suppressed.

In the first embodiment, the cuvette 1 after the completion of the analysis reaction is to be cleaned. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various changes can be made. For example, the cuvette 1 with the drying nozzle 5 omitted.
By providing a magnetic flux collecting portion or the like on the side wall of the magnetic particles, the present invention may be applied to B / F cleaning performed in an immune reaction.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an automatic analyzer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 shows a part of the automatic analyzer as shown in FIG. 1 of JP-A-6-213906. The automatic analyzer according to the present embodiment is provided with a reagent nozzle cleaning mechanism for cleaning the reagent nozzle 41 as an object to be cleaned. The reagent nozzle cleaning mechanism includes a first cleaning liquid supply mechanism that supplies a first cleaning liquid for cleaning the cleaning target using a plunger pump, and a rinse target for cleaning the cleaning target cleaned with the first cleaning liquid. And a second cleaning liquid supply mechanism for supplying the second cleaning liquid.

The reagent nozzle 41 is held by a transfer arm 42 as shown in FIG. 3, and by driving the transfer arm 42, a cuvette, which is a reagent bottle and a reaction vessel (not shown), and a cleaning cup 43 are connected. You can move between. The reagent nozzle 41 is connected to the reagent pump 4
4 is connected to the liquid selection valve 45.

When the detergent 46 is selected by the liquid selection valve 45, the detergent valve 47 is supplied from the detergent tank 47 by the detergent pump 48.
The detergent 46 can be sucked and discharged via the nozzle 9. The detergent 46 sucked from the detergent tank 47 passes through the detergent valve 49 and the liquid selection valve 45, and then passes through the reagent pump 44.
Is discharged from the reagent nozzle 41 via the On the other hand, when the ion exchange water 50 is selected by the liquid selection valve 45, the ion exchange water 50 can be sucked and discharged from the ion exchange water tank 51 via the ion exchange water valve 53 by the ion exchange water pump 52. .

The detergent pump 48 is configured as a plunger pump similarly to the detergent pump 12 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. Therefore, the ion exchange water pump 52
After the ion-exchanged water 50 discharged through the ion-exchange water valve 53 by washing the plunger side wall of the detergent pump 48, the ion-exchanged water 50 passes through the liquid selection valve 45 and further passes through the reagent pump 44.
Is discharged from the reagent nozzle 41 via the

Next, the reagent nozzle cleaning operation at the time of dispensing the reagent according to the present embodiment will be described. First, the transfer arm 42 shown in FIG. 3 is operated to transfer the tip of the reagent nozzle 41 to below the reagent liquid level in a reagent bottle (not shown). Next, the plunger of the reagent pump 44 is lowered to suck the reagent into the reagent nozzle 41. At this time, a detergent is selected by the liquid selection valve 45 to make communication between the piping on the reagent pump 44 side and the piping on the detergent valve 49 side, and the detergent tank 47 is selected by the detergent valve 49 and the detergent pump 48 is selected. The side pipe and the detergent tank 47 side pipe are communicated in advance. By doing so, the suction pressure of the reagent pump 44 stops at the detergent valve 49, and the reagent is sucked from the reagent nozzle 41 connected to the pipe on the transfer arm 42 side of the reagent pump 44.

Next, the transfer arm 42 is operated to transfer the reagent nozzle 41 onto a cuvette (not shown). Thereafter, the plunger of the reagent pump 44 is raised, and the reagent is discharged from the inside of the reagent nozzle 41 into the cuvette.

Next, the transfer arm 42 is operated to insert the tip of the reagent nozzle 41 into the cleaning hole 54 in the cleaning cup 43. Next, the plunger of the detergent pump 48 is lowered to suck the detergent 46. Then, after the detergent valve 49 is switched to the liquid selection valve 45 side, the plunger of the detergent pump 48 is raised, and the detergent 46 is discharged from the reagent nozzle 41 via the liquid selection valve 45 and the reagent pump 44. At this time, the discharged detergent 46 cleans the inner wall of the reagent nozzle 41 containing the reagent, and then cleans the cleaning hole 5 of the cleaning cup 43.
4, the outer wall of the reagent nozzle 41 is also washed and overflows from the washing hole 54. The overflowed detergent 46 is discharged outside through a drain hole 55 of the cleaning cup 43.

Next, the liquid selection valve 45 is switched to select the ion-exchanged water 50, and the ion-exchanged water valve 53 is used to select the ion-exchanged water 50. In this state, the plunger of the ion-exchange water pump 52 is lowered, and the ion-exchange water 50 is sucked from the ion-exchange water tank 51.
Thereafter, the ion exchange water valve 53 is switched to the detergent pump 48 side, and then the plunger of the ion exchange water pump 52 is raised to discharge the ion exchange water 50 to the detergent pump 48 side. At this time, the discharged ion-exchanged water 50 cleans the side wall of the plunger of the detergent pump 48 and then the liquid selection valve 45.
The liquid is discharged from the reagent nozzle 41 into the cleaning hole 54 in the cleaning cup 43 via the reagent pump 44.

By discharging a sufficient amount of ion-exchanged water 50 from the reagent nozzle 41 in this manner, the detergent can be flushed from the plunger side wall of the detergent pump 48 and the inner and outer walls of the reagent nozzle 41. Note that, if desired, the suction / discharge operation of the ion-exchanged water 50 by the ion-exchanged water pump 52 may be repeated to perform sufficient rinsing. Thereafter, the reagent nozzle 41 is transferred to a reagent bottle (not shown) again, and the reagent dispensing operation for the next cuvette is repeated.

In the present embodiment, the side wall of the plunger of the detergent pump 48 for supplying the detergent 46 to the reagent nozzle 41 is interposed in the flow path of the second cleaning liquid supply mechanism for supplying the ion-exchanged water 50, and the detergent is provided. Since the inner and outer walls of the reagent nozzle 41 after washing are rinsed with the ion-exchanged water 50 via the side wall of the plunger of the detergent pump 48, the second cleaning liquid feeding mechanism already installed in the automatic analyzer is a plunger side wall cleaning mechanism. And the reagent nozzle 4
The side wall of the plunger is cleaned by the ion-exchanged water 50 supplied at the time of rinsing 1, and a desired cleaning effect is obtained. At this time, there is no need for periodic replacement costs for the plunger pump, and no additional costs for installing the side wall cleaning mechanism of the plunger portion and running costs for the side wall cleaning liquid.

In the present embodiment, the plunger side wall of the detergent pump (plunger pump) 48 to which the detergent 46 has adhered is washed with the ion-exchanged water 50 which is neutral water. Can be improved. Further, since the reagent nozzle 41 washed with the detergent 46 is rinsed with the ion-exchanged water 50, even if the liquid to be supplied / discharged next has any liquid property, the reagent nozzle 41 for the liquid to be supplied / discharged next will be rinsed. The cleaning efficiency can be improved by minimizing the influence of the adhered residue. Further, in the present embodiment, since the residue attached to the reagent nozzle 41 can be washed away by the detergent as the first cleaning liquid, the influence of the residue attached to the reagent nozzle 41 on the liquid to be supplied / discharged next is suppressed. be able to.

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an automatic analyzer according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 shows a part of the automatic analyzer as shown in FIG. 1 of JP-A-6-230014 and FIG. 1 of JP-A-6-213906. The automatic analyzer according to the present embodiment includes a stirring rod 7 that stirs a test solution in a cuvette after a sample is dispensed and after a reagent is dispensed and dispensed.
1 is provided with a stir bar cleaning mechanism for cleaning.

The stirring bar 71 is held by a transfer arm 72 as shown in FIG. 4, and is movably arranged between a cuvette (not shown) and a washing cup 82. The stirring rod cleaning mechanism includes a first cleaning liquid supply mechanism that supplies a first cleaning liquid for cleaning an object to be cleaned using a plunger pump, similarly to the cleaning mechanism of the second embodiment. A second cleaning liquid feeding mechanism for supplying a second cleaning liquid for rinsing the object to be cleaned cleaned with the first cleaning liquid, and as shown in FIG. 4, a liquid selection valve 73, a detergent valve 74, Detergent pump 75, detergent 76, detergent tank 77,
Ion exchange water valve 78, ion exchange water pump 79, ion exchange water 80, ion exchange water tank 81, washing cup 82
And the like.

Next, the washing operation of the stirring rod after sample dispensing in this embodiment will be described (since the washing operation of the stirring rod after dispensing reagents is the same, the explanation is omitted). First, FIG.
Is operated to insert the stirring rod 71 into the cuvette into which the sample and the reagent are dispensed, and in this state, the stirring rod 71 is rotated to perform stirring. Next, the transfer arm 72 is operated to insert the stirring rod 71 into the cleaning hole 83 of the cleaning cup 82.

Next, the detergent 76 is selected by the liquid selection valve 73 and the detergent valve 74, and the detergent pump 7 is selected in that state.
Lower the plunger of No. 5 to remove the detergent 7 from the detergent tank 77.
6. Aspirate 6. Thereafter, the detergent valve 74 is switched to the liquid selection valve 73 side, and then the plunger of the detergent pump 75 is raised, and the detergent 76 is passed through the liquid selection valve 73 to the cleaning cup 82.
Is discharged into the cleaning hole 83 of FIG. Next, the stirring rod 71 is rotated in the detergent 76 discharged into the cleaning hole 83 of the cleaning cup 82 to wash the stirring rod 71 to which the sample and the reagent are attached.

Next, the ion-exchanged water 80 is selected by the liquid selection valve 73 and the ion-exchanged water valve 78, and in this state, the plunger of the ion-exchanged water pump 79 is lowered to move the ion-exchanged water tank 81 from the ion-exchanged water tank 81. Aspirate 80. Then, after the ion exchange water valve 78 is switched to the detergent pump 75 side, the plunger of the ion exchange water pump 79 is raised, and the ion exchange water 80 is discharged to the detergent pump 75 side. The ion-exchanged water 80 discharged at this time is discharged into the cleaning hole 83 of the cleaning cup 82 via the side wall of the detergent pump 75 and the liquid selection valve 73. Thus, the detergent adhering to the plunger side wall of the detergent pump 75 and the stirring rod 71 can be washed away by the ion exchange water 80 discharged into the washing hole 83 of the washing cup 82.

In this embodiment, the plunger side wall of the detergent pump 75 for supplying the detergent 76 into the washing hole 83 of the washing cup 82 is placed in the flow path of the second washing solution feed mechanism for feeding the ion exchange water 80. Since the stirring rod 71 after the detergent cleaning is interposed and rinsed with the ion-exchanged water 80 via the plunger side wall of the detergent pump 75, the second cleaning liquid feeding mechanism already installed in the automatic analyzer is connected to the plunger side wall. Since the cleaning mechanism is also used, the side wall of the plunger is cleaned by the ion-exchanged water 80 supplied when rinsing the stirring rod 71, and a desired cleaning effect can be obtained. At this time, there is no need for periodic replacement costs for the plunger pump, and no additional costs for installing the side wall cleaning mechanism of the plunger portion and running costs for the side wall cleaning liquid.

In the present embodiment, the plunger side wall of the detergent pump (plunger pump) 75 to which the detergent 76 has adhered is washed with the ion-exchanged water 80 which is neutral water. Can be improved. Further, since the stirring rod 71 washed with the detergent 76 is rinsed with the ion-exchanged water 80, even if the liquid to be supplied and discharged next has any liquid property,
Next, the effect of the residue attached to the stirring rod 71 on the liquid to be supplied and discharged can be minimized, and the cleaning efficiency can be improved. Further, in the present embodiment, since the residue attached to the stirring rod 71 can be washed away by the detergent as the first cleaning liquid, the effect of the residue attached to the stirring rod 71 on the liquid to be supplied / discharged next is suppressed. be able to.

In the first to third embodiments, a detergent is used as the first cleaning liquid for cleaning an object to be cleaned. The detergent may be a neutral detergent containing a surfactant or a detergent. Various detergents such as an alkaline detergent which is considered effective for removing proteins can be used. Here, when an alkaline detergent is used as the detergent, a remarkable cleaning effect is exerted when blood, protein, and the like are contained in the liquid supplied to and discharged from the object to be cleaned.

In the first to third embodiments, the first
Although the ion-exchanged water is used as the second cleaning liquid for rinsing the object to be cleaned which has been washed with the detergent which is the cleaning liquid, the ion-exchanged water can be replaced with distilled water or, in some cases, replaced with a buffer solution or the like. .

In the first to third embodiments, the X-ring for supporting the plunger of the plunger pump in a watertight manner can be replaced with an O-ring or other sliding seal members. Further, in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the ion exchange water solenoid valve 17 and the ion exchange water pump (plunger pump) 18 are used in combination, and in the second embodiment shown in FIG. A water pump (plunger pump) 52 is used in combination, and in the third embodiment shown in FIG.
And the ion exchange water pump (plunger pump) 79 is used in combination, but the present invention is not limited to this combination, and a bellows pump in which both are integrated may be used. Further, in the above-described second embodiment shown in FIG. 3 and the third embodiment shown in FIG. 4, all the discharge liquid overflowing from the pump is discharged from the discharge port. It is sufficient to use a coarse pump (such as a rolling pump).

[0052]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the side wall of the plunger of the plunger pump, which is a component of the first cleaning liquid supply mechanism for supplying the first cleaning liquid for cleaning the object to be cleaned, is provided with the first cleaning liquid. By interposing in the flow path of the second cleaning liquid feeding mechanism for supplying the second cleaning liquid for rinsing the object to be cleaned washed with the cleaning liquid, the second cleaning liquid feeding mechanism also serves as the side wall cleaning mechanism of the plunger. Accordingly, the life of the plunger pump can be improved at low cost without incurring the periodic replacement cost of the plunger pump, the installation cost of the side wall cleaning mechanism of the plunger, and the running cost of the side wall cleaning liquid.

According to the second invention, the plunger side wall of the plunger pump to which the first cleaning liquid (detergent or the like) for cleaning the object to be cleaned is attached is washed with neutral water as the second cleaning liquid. Thereby, the life of the plunger pump can be improved as desired. Further, since the object to be cleaned, which has been cleaned with the first cleaning liquid, is rinsed with the neutral water, the cleaning of the next liquid to be supplied and discharged is performed regardless of the liquid to be supplied and discharged next. The cleaning efficiency can be improved by minimizing the influence of the residue attached to the target object.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the residue attached to the object to be cleaned, such as a cuvette, various nozzles, and a stirring rod, can be washed away with the detergent as the first cleaning liquid. The effect of the residue attached to the object to be cleaned can be suppressed. In particular, when an alkaline detergent is used as the detergent, a remarkable cleaning effect can be obtained when the liquid to be supplied to and discharged from the object to be cleaned contains serum, protein, and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an automatic analyzer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a detailed view of a detergent pump of the automatic analyzer according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an automatic analyzer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an automatic analyzer according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 cuvette 2 cuvette wheel 3 concentrated waste liquid nozzle 4L-1 to 4L-4 washing nozzle 4S-1 to 4S-4 washing nozzle 5 drying nozzle 6 nozzle plate 7 concentrated waste liquid pump 8 buffer tank 9 exhaust pump 10 waste liquid pump 11 detergent 12 detergent Tank 13 Detergent electromagnetic valve 14 Detergent pump (plunger pump) 15 Ion exchange water 16 Ion exchange water tank 17 Ion exchange water electromagnetic valve 18 Ion exchange water pump 19 Plunger part 20 Cylinder part 21 Detergent base 22 Ion exchange water outlet base 23 Ion exchange Water inlet cap 24 Detergent chamber 25 X-ring 26 Ion exchange water chamber 27 Spacer 41 Reagent nozzle 42 Transfer arm 43 Cleaning cup 44 Reagent pump 45 Liquid selection valve 46 Detergent 47 Detergent tank 48 Detergent pump (plunger pump) 49 Detergent valve 50 On-exchange water 51 Ion exchange water tank 52 Ion exchange water pump 53 Ion exchange water valve 54 Washing hole 55 Drainage hole 71 Stirrer bar 72 Transfer arm 73 Liquid selection valve 74 Detergent valve 75 Detergent pump (plunger pump) 76 Detergent 77 Detergent tank 78 Ion exchange water valve 79 Ion exchange water pump 80 Ion exchange water 81 Ion exchange water tank 82 Cleaning cup 83 Cleaning hole

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A first method for cleaning an object to be cleaned using a plunger pump including a plunger and a cylinder.
A first cleaning liquid supply mechanism for supplying the first cleaning liquid;
An automatic analyzer for supplying a second cleaning liquid for rinsing an object to be cleaned, which has been cleaned with the cleaning liquid, wherein the side wall of a plunger of the plunger pump is supplied with the second cleaning liquid. An automatic analyzer characterized by being interposed in a flow path of a mechanism, whereby an object to be cleaned, which has been cleaned with the first cleaning liquid, is rinsed with a second cleaning liquid passing through a side wall of the plunger. 2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the second cleaning liquid is neutral water. 3. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the first cleaning liquid is a detergent.