JP2002062302A - Sample-dispensing device and autoanalyzer equipped therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sample-dispensing device, which can detect an external force being applied to a sampling pipette which is being moved in the horizontal direction, and which is small, light-weight and low-cost, and to provide an autoanalyzer equipped with the dispensing device. SOLUTION: The sample-dispensing device is provided with the sampling pipette which dispenses samples, a sampling-pipette movement means, which moves the sampling pipette in nearly horizontal direction and nearly vertically directions, and an external-force detection means which detects the external force being applied to the sampling pipette. The sampling device is constituted, in such a way that the sampling pipette is held movably by the movement means and the detection means, that the bonding part of the detection means to the sampling pipette is formed into a tapered shape, and that the bonding part is moved in nearly the vertically directions, when the external force applied to the sampling pipette is transmitted to the bonding part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sample dispensing apparatus and an automatic analyzer having the same, and more particularly, to a sampling pipette for dispensing a sample held by an arm, and moving the sampling pipette via the arm. The present invention relates to a sample dispensing device provided with an arm moving means for causing the sample to be moved, and an automatic analyzer provided with the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a sample dispensing apparatus includes a sampling pipette for dispensing a sample, an arm holding the sampling pipette at one end, and a sampling pipette held on the arm through the other end of the arm. Arm moving means for moving the arm vertically. Such a sample dispensing device is usually used together with various automatic analyzers or incorporated in the same.

For example, in an automatic analyzer such as an immunoagglutination measuring device, a sampling pipette collects a minute amount of liquid from a sample container containing a sample, a reagent, or a washing solution by suction. Next, the sampling pipette is moved in the horizontal direction by the arm moving means. When the tip of the sampling pipette moves over another sample container,
Lower the sampling pipette vertically and position its tip in the sample container. Then, the sampling pipette discharges the sucked liquid, and the sample is dispensed.
In such an apparatus, the sample container is often a small-diameter tube, and the sampling pipette is made as thin as possible in order to accurately collect and dispense a small amount of sample.

In the above-mentioned apparatus, the sampling pipette which moves together with the arm due to malfunction of the arm due to a failure or serious negligence of an operator comes into contact with a solid object or a human body, etc., thereby damaging the pipette, May be damaged. Damaging the human body with a pipette can lead to viral infection, since the sample may contain a virus. Also, when the arm descends,
The pipette may come into contact with a solid substance such as the sample container body or the container lid due to a general use error such as forgetting to remove the reagent container or the lid of the reagent container. Accordingly, the present inventors have disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No.
As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 41464, a protection mechanism for the sampling pipette has been devised.

In Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 63-120166, an arm extending in a substantially horizontal direction includes a first arm for holding a sampling pipette at one end and a first arm centered on a fulcrum formed at the other end of the first arm. And a second arm that supports the first arm so as to be able to rotate substantially vertically. Also, a micro switch having an operating part and a spring provided between the first arm and the second arm so as to connect the first arm and the second arm and restricting the rotation of the first arm with respect to the second arm. It has.

In this sample dispensing apparatus, when the sampling pipette comes into contact with a solid object or a human body due to a malfunction of the arm or the like, the first arm slightly lifts around the fulcrum,
Pressing of the micro switch and the operation unit is released. Therefore, the microswitch is in a non-operating state and immediately stops the operation of the arm. Thereby, breakage of the thinly formed sampling pipette can be prevented.

In Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 7-41464,
It comprises a sampling pipette for dispensing a sample, an arm, a support member, an arm moving means, a low load supply means and a high load supply release means. The arm extends substantially horizontally and holds the sampling pipette at one end. The support member supports the arm so as to be rotatable substantially vertically about a fulcrum formed on the arm.

In this sample dispensing apparatus, when the sampling pipette comes into contact with a solid object or a human body due to an erroneous operation of the arm, the arm is slightly lifted around the fulcrum, and the pressing of the microswitch and the operating section is released. Further, since the arm can be prevented from floating around the fulcrum due to the inertial force caused by the high-speed movement of the arm, malfunction of the microswitch can be prevented.

[0009]

In the protection mechanism according to the above two inventions, when the sampling pipette comes into contact with a solid object or a human body while the arm is moving in the vertical direction, the microswitch is in an inactive state. By doing
The operation of the arm can be stopped immediately. But,
If the sampling pipette comes into contact with a solid object, a human body, or the like while the arm is moving in the horizontal direction, the microswitch cannot be turned off, and the sampling pipette is inevitably damaged.

On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-44556 discloses an invention capable of preventing the sampling pipette from coming into contact with a solid or the like while the arm is moving in the horizontal direction. According to the present invention, since the sampling pipette is provided with the protective cover, the sampling pipette does not directly come into contact with solid matter or the like while the arm is moving in the horizontal direction.

However, according to the present invention, the microswitch can be made inoperative only when the sampling pipette or the sampling pipette protection cover comes into contact with a solid material while the arm is moving in the vertical direction. . Therefore, even if the sampling pipette protective cover comes into contact with a solid or the like while the arm is moving in the horizontal direction, the arm moving means does not stop. As a result, unexpected failures such as the sampling pipette protective cover being detached and the sampling pipette eventually being damaged, or the arm moving means being damaged due to an excessive load being applied to the arm moving means. there's a possibility that.
Also, when moving the arm, it is necessary to consider the size of the sampling pipette protection cover,
As a result, the size of the automatic analyzer equipped with the dispensing device according to the present invention increases. In addition, the weight of the sampling pipette protection cover places a load on the arm moving means, which may cause a failure of the arm moving means.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-239336 is an invention which can prevent the sampling pipette from coming into contact with a solid or the like while the arm is moving in the horizontal direction. According to the present invention, the operation of the arm can be stopped by detecting that the sampling pipette has contacted a solid object or the like. However, a microphone, a touch sensor, or a piezoelectric actuator is used as the detection means, all of which are very expensive and require special circuits for mounting them.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for moving an arm in a horizontal direction as well as moving the arm in a vertical direction due to a malfunction of the arm or an accidental or general misuse by an operator. Another object of the present invention is to provide a small, lightweight, and inexpensive sample dispensing apparatus that does not damage the sampling pipette or damage the human body even when the sampling pipette comes into contact with a solid object or the like while moving. Also,
An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer provided with the above.

[0014]

According to the present invention, a sampling pipette for dispensing a sample, sampling pipette moving means for moving the sampling pipette in a substantially horizontal direction and a substantially vertical direction, and an external force is applied to the sampling pipette. An external force detecting means for detecting that the sampling pipette is movably held by the sampling pipette moving means and the external force detecting means, and joining the external force detecting means with the sampling pipette. The connecting portion has a tapered shape, and the connecting portion is moved substantially vertically by transmitting an external force applied to the sampling pipette to the connecting portion.

Thus, it is possible to detect not only that the external force is supplied to the arm in the vertical direction, but also that the external force is supplied in the horizontal direction, and to provide a small, lightweight, and inexpensive sample dispensing apparatus. can do.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The external force detecting means of the sample analyzer of the present invention is preferably arranged such that a joint of the sampling pipette with the external force detecting means and the sampling pipette moving means has a spherical shape.

Thus, the frictional force generated when transmitting the external force applied to the sampling pipette to the joint can be reduced. Therefore, the load applied to the sampling pipette when an external force is supplied to the sampling pipette can be reduced, so that the sampling pipette can be prevented from being damaged.

In the sample analyzer of the present invention, it is preferable that the external force detecting means includes a coil spring in order to hold the sampling pipette by the sampling pipette moving means and the external force detecting means.

Further, in the sample analyzer of the present invention, it is preferable that the optical sensor detects that the joint moves substantially vertically.

Thus, the sampling pipette is
When no external force is applied, a predetermined position can be maintained. Further, by using the optical sensor, it is possible to realize an accurate external force detecting means with a simple circuit.

Preferably, the sample analyzer of the present invention is mounted on an automatic analyzer.

Thus, a safe, compact, lightweight, and inexpensive automatic analyzer can be provided.

[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited by this. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the sample dispensing apparatus of the present embodiment as viewed from a side, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a state diagram showing the sample pipetting device in a state where no external force is supplied to the sampling pipette, and FIG. 4 is a state diagram of the sample pipetting device in a state where a horizontal external force is supplied to the sampling pipette. FIG. 5 is a state diagram of the sample dispensing apparatus in a state where an upward external force is supplied.
FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an automatic analyzer equipped with the sample dispenser of the present embodiment.

In FIG. 1, a sample dispensing apparatus A of the present embodiment is shown.
Are inserted into the housing 3, a sampling pipette 1 for dispensing a sample, an arm 5 having at one end a housing 3 through which the sampling pipette 1 penetrates, an external force transmitting member 7 fixed to the sampling pipette 1. A ring 9, a coil spring 11 for supplying a load to the ring 9 in a downward direction, a light shielding plate 13 fixed to the ring 9, and a light shielding plate 1
3 and a motor 17 for moving the arm 5 in the vertical direction. The housing 3 needs to have a space in which the external force transmitting member 7 can move in each direction.

Here, the external force transmitting member 7 has a shape in which a hemisphere is covered on the upper surface and the lower surface of a cylinder, and the ring 9 has a tapered portion and has a ring shape. These materials are not particularly limited, but those having a small friction coefficient are preferable. The external force transmitting member 7 may be a member that fits with the sampling pipette 1 as shown in the figure, but it can also be used by forming the sampling pipette 1 into a predetermined shape.

Here, the arm 5 is supported by the base 23. The base 23 is configured such that the power of the motor 17 is
By being transmitted to the base 23 via the pulley 20, the arm 5 can be moved on the rail 21 and the arm 5 can be moved up and down. Hereinafter, the arm 5, the motor 17, the belt 19, the pulley 20, the rail 21, the base 23, and the arm moving means 27 and 29 shown in FIG. 6 are collectively referred to as sampling pipette moving means. Note that the arm moving means 27 and 29 can move the sampling pipette 1 in the horizontal direction by a similar motor and belt (not shown).

The optical sensor 15 can detect whether or not the light incident on the detecting section 16 is blocked by the light shielding plate 13. Note that the ring 9, the coil spring 11, the light shielding plate 13, and the optical sensor 15 are collectively referred to as external force detecting means. In addition to the external force detecting means, such as a micro switch,
Anything that can detect the operation of the ring 9 can be used.

First, a case where no external force is supplied to the sampling pipette 1 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the external force is a force generated when the sampling pipette 1 comes into contact with an obstacle or the like while moving, and does not include an inertial force generated when the sampling pipette 1 moves. The external force transmitting member 7 and the ring 9 receive a downward force by the coil spring 11, and are mechanically balanced at the position shown in FIG. At this time, the light sensor 15 is not shielded from light by the light shielding plate 13. This makes it possible to detect that the sampling pipette 1 is not receiving an external force. In addition, sampling pipette 1
It is necessary for the coil spring 11 to supply a load that does not change the position of the sampling pipette 1 depending on the inertial force generated by the movement of the coil.

Next, a case where the sampling pipette 1 receives a horizontal external force F1 due to contact with an obstacle or the like will be described with reference to FIG. Sampling pipette 1
Rotates around the fulcrum 32 in the direction of arrow B shown in FIG. At this time, the external force transmitting member 7 comes into contact with the ring 9 at the contact point 33, and supplies a force F3 in a predetermined direction to the ring 9. Here, since the contact point 33 is a tapered portion of the ring 9, the force F3 can be decomposed in each direction, and the ring 9 is supplied with the upward force F2. Therefore, the ring 9 moves upward. The light shielding plate 13 moves upward in conjunction with the ring 9 to shield the optical sensor 15 from light. Then, the optical sensor 15 can detect that an external force is supplied to the sampling pipette 1. Here, the force F1 is shown from the left to the right in the drawing, but the above-described detection is possible even if the force is in any direction, such as from the right to the left, from the front to the back, or from the diagonally lower left to the diagonally upward. Needless to say,

Here, the relationship of the force when the sampling pipette 1 receives the external force F1 in the horizontal direction will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a mechanical relationship diagram of the sample dispensing apparatus of the present embodiment, showing the external force F3 transmitted by the external force transmitting member 7 to the ring 9 and the state when the external force F3 is disassembled in each direction.

First, as shown in FIG. 7, the angles α, β, γ,
θ1 and θ2 are defined. 32 and 33 in FIG.
1 shows a fulcrum 32 and a contact point 33 shown in FIG.
It is a part of the ring 9 indicated by. In FIG. 7, the dashed line indicates the vertical direction or the horizontal direction. When the sampling pipette 1 receives the external force F1, the external force F3 is transmitted to the ring 9 in the direction shown in FIG. This direction is a tangential direction when the sampling pipette 1 rotates about the fulcrum 32. That is, the straight line connecting the fulcrum 32 and the contact point 33 is orthogonal to the direction of the external force F3. Here, the following relational expressions are derived from the respective angles. γ = 90 ° −θ1 α = θ2−β β = 180 ° −90 ° −γ = 90 ° − (90 ° −θ1) = θ1 Therefore, α = θ2−θ1

Further, referring to FIG. 7, when the external force F3 is decomposed in each direction and the above relational expression is used, the following relational expression is derived. F4 = F3sinα F2 = F4sin (90 ° −θ2) = F4cosθ2 = F3sinαcosθ2 = F3sin (θ2−θ1) cosθ2 Here, F2 is a force that pushes the ring 9 upward, so that it is necessary that F2> 0 to realize the sample analyzer according to this embodiment. Here, in order to satisfy F2> 0, the ring 9 having a tapered portion having a relationship of θ2−θ1> 0, that is, θ2> θ1 is satisfied.
You need to use

Next, a case where the sampling pipette 1 receives an upward external force F5 due to contact with an obstacle or the like will be described with reference to FIG. In this case, the external force F5 is transmitted to the ring 9 by the external force transmitting member 7. For this reason,
The ring 9 moves upward. The light shielding plate 13 moves upward in conjunction with the ring 9 to shield the optical sensor 15 from light. Then, the optical sensor 15 can detect that an external force is supplied to the sampling pipette 1.

Here, the coil spring 11 may supply a load in a downward direction, for example, a plate spring, a magnet, or the like. Also, by changing the load of the coil spring 11, the magnitude of the external force that can move the ring 9 changes, and by using this, the magnitude of the external force that can be detected by the optical sensor 15 changes. Can be done.

Next, an automatic analyzer equipped with the sample dispenser of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Reaction system,
The basic configuration such as a measurement system is the same as a conventionally known device. First, the sample dispensing apparatus A moves to the sample aspirating section 50, and aspirates a predetermined amount of a sample from a sample container (not shown). After that, the sample dispensing device A rises and moves horizontally,
By descending again, the aspirated sample is dispensed into a reaction container (not shown) installed in the reaction container installation section 52. After that, the sample dispensing apparatus A repeats the upward movement, the horizontal movement, and the downward movement in the same manner to wash the sampling pipette 1 by the pipette washing unit 54 and to remove the sample from the reagent container (not shown) installed in the reagent installation unit 56. Aspiration of the reagent, dispensing into the reaction vessel, etc. are repeated. The sample created in the reaction vessel is moved to the measuring section 58 by a reaction vessel moving means (not shown) and measured.

As described above, in the automatic analyzer, it is necessary to repeatedly move the sample dispenser up and down and horizontally. By the way, for example, in an immunological test, it is necessary to use various types of reagents, and the size and height of the reagent container are also generally various. Therefore, if the operator makes a mistake in the installation location of the reagent, the sampling pipette 1 may come into contact with the reagent container while the sample dispensing apparatus is moving. Also, the automatic analyzer may malfunction for some reason. Furthermore, there is a possibility that the operator may put his hand or the like into the movement path of the sampling pipette 1 and come into contact with the sampling pipette 1. In such a case, the optical sensor 15 detects that an external force has been supplied to the sampling pipette 1 by performing the above-described operation of the sample dispensing apparatus A. Optical sensor 15
The information detected at is transmitted to the control unit 60, and the control unit 6
0 immediately stops the operation of the sample dispensing apparatus A. Also,
The fact that the operation has been stopped can be displayed on the display unit 62 to alert the operator. Further, it is also possible to notify the operator that the operation has stopped by an alarm (not shown) or the like.

[0037]

As described above, according to the sample dispensing apparatus of the present invention, the arm is moved up and down due to a malfunction of the arm or a serious accident or a general use error by the operator. Direction, as well as when the sampling pipette comes into contact with solids etc. while the arm is moving in the horizontal direction, does not damage the sampling pipette or damage the human body, and is small and lightweight, An inexpensive sample dispensing apparatus can be provided. Further, it is possible to provide a small, lightweight, and inexpensive automatic analyzer equipped with the automatic analyzer.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a sample dispensing apparatus according to the present embodiment as viewed from a side.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the sample dispensing apparatus of the present embodiment as viewed from the front.

FIG. 3 is a state diagram showing the sample dispensing apparatus of the present embodiment in a state where no external force is supplied to the sampling pipette.

FIG. 4 is a state diagram showing the sample dispensing apparatus of the present embodiment in a state where a horizontal external force is supplied to the sampling pipette.

FIG. 5 is a state diagram showing the sample dispensing apparatus of the present embodiment in a state where an upward external force is supplied to the sampling pipette.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an automatic analyzer equipped with the sample dispenser of the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a mechanical relationship diagram of the sample dispensing apparatus of the present embodiment, showing an external force F3 transmitted to the ring 9 by the external force transmitting member 7 of the present embodiment and a state when the external force F3 is disassembled in each direction.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 sampling pipette 3 housing 5 arm 7 external force transmitting member 9 ring 11 coil spring 13 light shielding plate 15 optical sensor 16 detecting unit 17 motor 19 belt 20 pulley 21 rail 23 base 27, 29 arm moving means 32 fulcrum 33 contact 50 sample suction unit 52 Reaction container setting unit 54 Pipette washing unit 56 Reagent setting unit 58 Measurement unit 60 Control unit 62 Display unit

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A sampling pipette for dispensing a sample, and a sampling pipette moving means for moving the sampling pipette substantially horizontally and substantially vertically.
An external force detecting means for detecting that an external force has been applied to the sampling pipette,
The sampling pipette is movably held by the sampling pipette moving means and the external force detecting means, and a junction of the external force detecting means with the sampling pipette has a tapered shape, and the external force applied to the sampling pipette is A sample dispensing apparatus characterized in that the joint is moved substantially vertically by being transmitted to the joint. 2. The sample dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a joint of said sampling pipette with said external force detecting means and said sampling pipette moving means has a spherical shape. 3. The sample dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein said external force detecting means includes a coil spring for holding said sampling pipette by said sampling pipette moving means and said external force detecting means. apparatus. 4. The optical sensor according to claim 1, wherein the movement of the joining portion in a substantially vertical direction is detected by an optical sensor.
4. The sample dispensing device according to any one of items 3 to 3. 5. An automatic analyzer provided with the sample analyzer according to claim 1.