JP2003083998A - Channel connection mechanism and reagent holder having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a reagent channel connection mechanism for easily exchanging containers by mechanically connecting the channel between a container and an analysis apparatus. SOLUTION: The channel connection mechanism for connecting a liquid feed line that is continuous from the opening section of a container to the inside of the container to the liquid feed line at the side of the analysis apparatus comprises a guide mechanism that is mounted for rotating with a support member as a base axis, and a nozzle that is mounted to the guide mechanism. A channel is formed inside the nozzle. One end of the channel can be connected to the liquid feed line at the side of the container, and the other end can be connected to the liquid feed line at the side of the analysis apparatus. The guide mechanism guides the nozzle into the opening section of the container with the support member as a base axis.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connection mechanism for a flow path of a fluid that moves between a container and an analyzer, and more specifically, it connects the flow path to a container housed in a reagent holder of the analyzer. The present invention relates to a flow path connection mechanism.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, due to changes in the medical environment, hospitals are required to provide inexpensive and efficient medical care and patient-oriented medical services. Therefore, the POC (Point of Care) test is currently attracting attention. The POC test is a general term for tests performed "close to the patient". Taking a hospital as an example, by performing an examination near the patient such as an examination room, an ICU (intensive care unit), an operating room, and an emergency examination room, it is possible to perform an examination suitable for each patient when necessary. Since the doctor can immediately judge the test result and can promptly perform the treatment, it is expected to be greatly useful for improving the quality of medical care and the quality of patient service. Also,
It is said that it is possible to reduce the cost for transporting and equipment of specimens and the cost for unnecessary tests as compared with the test in the central laboratory, and it is possible to reduce the total test cost. Therefore, the POC testing market is expanding rapidly in the United States, where hospital management is becoming more rational, and it is expected that it will become a growing market not only in Japan but also globally. By the way, there are various analyzers used in the POC test, and a blood analyzer is one of them. These devices are required to be installed anywhere, not to take up space, to be portable, to be easy to operate, and to be used by not only a technician but also a doctor or a nurse. Until now, as a small blood analyzer, a semi-automatic type, that is, a human performs the process of collecting blood and preparing a measurement sample,
There was a device that only measured. However, it is complicated to manually prepare a sample, and a proper technique is required to obtain accurate data. In addition, the increased chance of contact with blood increases the risk of biohazard due to pathogenic bacteria and viruses. Therefore, there is a demand for a fully-automatic analyzer that can perform automatically from blood collection to outputting measurement results, and a compact fully-automatic blood analyzer for POC testing has already been put on the market. By the way, in an analyzer, a reagent is used to prepare an analysis sample. For example, in a blood analyzer, the white blood cell count (WBC), red blood cell count (RBC), platelet count (PLT), hemoglobin amount (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), etc. are used by the electric resistance method, the light scattering method or the absorptiometry method. However, in blood cell measurement, the sample is prepared with a diluent at an appropriate dilution ratio and then measured. Further, it is necessary to hemolyze red blood cells when measuring white blood cells, and therefore a hemolytic agent is used.
A hemolytic agent is also used in measuring the amount of hemoglobin, and the hemoglobin released from the red blood cells by hemolyzing the red blood cells is converted into an appropriate chromogen, and then the absorbance is measured. When the analysis of one sample is completed, it is necessary to wash the analysis flow paths such as the sample suction line and the detection section in order to prevent carryover in preparation for the next analysis. At this time, a cleaning agent is used (dilution). The agent is used as a cleaning agent). Therefore, it is necessary to fill a container with a diluent for analysis and a hemolytic agent in advance so that the container can be supplied as needed. In addition, in the analyzer for POC inspection, it is preferable to collect the waste liquid (the mixed liquid of blood, the diluent and the hemolytic agent), which has been analyzed, in the collection container in order to prevent the installation place from being selected.

In a blood analyzer, a diluent is used in a large amount as compared with a hemolytic agent, but considering the labor of reagent replacement,
It is preferable that the diluent and the hemolytic agent can be exchanged at the same time. Therefore, it is preferable to prepare a container having a different volume depending on the amount of the reagent used. Regarding the use of containers having different capacities, a small reagent container to be stored in one divided compartment in the reagent storage and a plurality of divided compartments in the reagent storage to occupy JP-A-5-256854 discloses a technique in which a large reagent container that can be used in combination with a small reagent container is mixed.

[0004]

The above-mentioned small-sized fully automatic blood analyzer is not small enough to be installed anywhere. In addition, some of the devices are designed to save space by allowing the reagents to be used to be built into the analyzer. The structure is difficult to implement. Furthermore, when the reagent is consumed, the reagent container needs to be replaced, but it is difficult to say that the reagent container can be easily replaced. Since the replacement work of the reagent container is troublesome, it is desirable to perform the replacement work as efficiently as possible.

If a reagent container or the like is attached by mistake, the analysis will fail and a valuable blood sample will be lost.
Therefore, it is desirable to be able to reliably and correctly replace the reagent container and the like by a simple operation.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a flow path connecting mechanism capable of easily replacing a reagent container or the like.

[0007]

The flow path connecting mechanism of the present invention, which has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, connects a liquid sending line continuing from the mouth of the container into the container and a liquid sending line on the analyzer side. A flow path connecting mechanism that is configured to include a guide mechanism that is attached so as to be rotatable about a support member as a base axis, and a nozzle that is attached to the guide mechanism, and a flow path is formed inside the nozzle. One end of the passage can be connected to the liquid sending line on the container side, and the other end can be connected to the liquid sending line on the analyzer side.The guide mechanism rotates the nozzle around the support member as the base to connect the nozzle to the mouth of the container. It is possible to guide to.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A liquid feed line that continues from the mouth of a container to the inside of a container has an inner lid that has a fluid passage hole and an air hole to close the mouth of the container, and a fluid passage from the fluid passage hole of the inner lid. It can be constituted by a tube suspended in the container in a connected state. When connecting the flow paths, the nozzle is inserted by the guide mechanism into the fluid passage hole provided in the inner lid of the container. Since the flow path tube is suspended in the container from the fluid passage hole and the inner lid is provided with the air hole, the reagent can be sucked from the bottom of the container through the nozzle.

A support member for supporting the guide mechanism is attached to a reagent holder for accommodating the reagent container, and the reagent holder is configured such that when the container is accommodated, the mouth of the container comes under the mounting position of the guide mechanism. The guide mechanism may be configured to move the nozzle attached to the guide mechanism toward the mouth of the container by rotation about the member. Alternatively, the support member that supports the guide mechanism may be directly attached to the housing (wall surface) of the analyzer.

According to this, since the positional relationship between the mouth of the container and the nozzle supported by the guide mechanism is determined by storing the container in the reagent holder, the nozzle is mechanically attached to the mouth of the container by the guide mechanism. Will be possible.

When a plurality of containers are set in the reagent holder, each container may be housed in one inner case. Here, the inner case is configured so that the containers are fixed so as not to move within the case when the containers are arranged and accommodated. Specifically, the inner dimensions of the inner case are specified so that the state can be maintained when the side surfaces of adjacent containers are arranged side by side so that they are in contact with each other. Further, when the inner case is set in the reagent holder, the position of the inner case in the reagent holder is set so that the mouth of the container housed in the inner case is located just below the mounting position of the guide mechanism. You may comprise a reagent holder. According to this, the inner case accommodating the container is attached to the reagent holder. As a result, the positional relationship between the guide mechanism and the mouth of the container is determined, and the nozzle can be mechanically attached to the container by the guide mechanism.

Further, a fixing mechanism for fixing the guide mechanism in a state where the nozzle is inserted into the fluid passage hole by the guide mechanism may be further provided. According to this, the guide mechanism can be fixed while the nozzle is inserted in the fluid passage hole, so that the container can be protected from vibration and the like.

The fixing mechanism may be provided with a container protrusion near the mouth of the container, and may be constituted by a recess for engaging with the container protrusion formed on the guide mechanism.

The guide mechanism comprises a first lever, a second lever and a biasing member, and the first lever is rotatably mounted on one end side of the first lever with the support member (first base shaft) as a base shaft. The second lever is rotatably supported about a second support member (second base shaft) attached to the other end side of the first lever as a base shaft, and the biasing member moves the first lever away from the mouth of the container. Mounted between the first lever and the reagent holder or the wall of the analyzer for biasing
The nozzle may be attached to the second lever.

The nozzle is provided with a support hole, and the second support member (second base shaft) of the guide mechanism penetrates the nozzle support hole so that the nozzle is supported by the guide mechanism, and the support member (first base shaft) is used as an axis. The nozzle may be inserted into the sample passage hole when the second support member (second base shaft) approaches the upper part of the mouth of the container by the rotational movement of the first lever.

Further, the second lever is formed with a recess for engaging with a container-side projection provided near the mouth of the container, and the second lever rotates about the second support member (second base shaft). Alternatively, the protrusion of the container and the recess of the second lever may be engaged with each other to be fixed.

Further, the first lever is gently supported by a support member (first base shaft) in an elongated hole so that the first lever can be finely moved in the longitudinal direction of the first lever, and the rotary motion of the first lever causes the nozzle to sample. The support member (first base shaft) may be finely moved in the elongated hole when it is inserted into the passage hole so that the nozzle can easily enter the sample passage hole.

The guide mechanism further includes a third lever pivotally supported by the supporting member, and the third lever is attached to the mouth of the container by rotating the first lever toward the mouth side of the container. It may be configured to abut. At this time, it is more preferable to attach a second urging member for exerting a force in the direction of separating the first lever and the third lever from each other.

As a result, the inner lid can be closed accurately, and as a result, the nozzle can be easily inserted into the sample passage hole.

Further, a support protrusion for supporting the second lever by contacting the second lever is provided at the other end of the third lever, and (1) the support protrusion of the third lever supports the second lever. The first lever, the second lever, the third lever
In a state where the lever rotates integrally, (2) the third lever comes into contact with the inner lid to stop the rotation, and then the first lever resists the second biasing member and the supporting member (first base shaft). While further rotating around the axis, the contact state between the third lever and the second lever due to the support protrusion is released, and the second lever moves to the second
A state of rotating around the support member (second basic shaft), (3)
The first lever comes into contact with the third lever to stop the rotation, and then the second lever further rotates about the second support member (second base shaft) as a shaft. It may be inserted into. Moreover,
(4) The concave portion of the second lever and the convex portion of the container are fixed in a state in which the nozzle is inserted into the fluid passage hole by going through the state in which the convex portion of the container and the concave portion of the second lever engage with each other. Good.

[0021]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be described below with reference to examples. FIG. 1 is an embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram showing an external configuration of a reagent holder including a container storage unit and a channel connection mechanism to the container stored in the container storage unit.
The reagent holder is used as a reagent supply unit of an analyzer such as a blood analyzer.

(1) Container Storage Unit 100 in FIG. 1 is a container storage unit, which is composed of an inner case 101, large rectangular containers 102 and 103, and a small container 104. As shown in FIG. 1, the inner case 101 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open upper surface, and a handle 106 is formed on a part of the side surface thereof so that the inner case 101 can be held easily by inserting fingers. Note that the handle 106
May be formed by placing a perforation in the handle and breaking it.

The inner case 101 comprises two large containers 10
2,103 can be stored, and these two large containers 1
When the containers 02 and 103 are put in the inner case 101, in order to determine the positions of these containers in the inner case, when arranging them so that one surface (indicated by S in FIG. 1) of each large container is in contact with each other. The inner shape and inner dimension of the inner case 101 are defined according to the outer shape and outer dimension. In addition, due to the positional relationship with the guide mechanism attached to the reagent holder 150, when it is necessary to arrange the large containers apart from each other, the inner shape of the inner case 101 can be adjusted according to the state where all the containers are accommodated in the inner case 101. By defining the inner dimensions, the position of the container within the inner case 101 can be determined. The inner case 101 is made of, for example, corrugated cardboard or plastic. In addition, the inner case may be configured to have a lid after accommodating the container.

Next, the shape of each container will be described. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a large container, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a small container. These containers are made of plastic, for example, made by blow molding of HDPE (high density polyethylene), and are replaceable and disposable. The large-sized containers 102 and 103 have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape in a tank portion (referred to as a container body 110) for storing a reagent, and a small-diameter mouth portion 111 for loading and unloading the reagent is provided on an upper portion of the container body 110. There is. A thread groove 112 is formed on the side surface of the mouth portion 111 so that the large containers 102, 103 can be screwed with an outer lid (not shown) when sealing the large containers 102, 103. Also, the large container 10
When using 2, 103, the inner lid 113 is attached so as to close the mouth 111. The container body is
It does not necessarily have to be a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and may be a cylindrical shape.

Shoulder projections 123 are formed on the shoulders of the large containers 102 and 103 shown in FIG. This shoulder protrusion 1
Reference numeral 23 is provided so as not to make a mistake in the setting direction when the container storage unit is set in the reagent holder. Three guide mechanisms are attached to the reagent holder 150 shown in FIG. 9, and their uses are determined, for example, for waste liquid, hemolytic agent, and diluent. Therefore,
When setting the container, it is necessary to connect the flow paths so as to suit each application. If this shoulder projection is not present, the direction in which the container storage unit is set may be reversed and the connection may be erroneous for waste liquid and diluent. However, when the large container is housed in the inner case so that the shoulder projections 123 are in the same direction (FIG. 1) and the setting direction is wrong, the shoulder projections 123 of the large containers 102 and 103 are
Protrusion 1 provided inward on the wall surface of the reagent holder
It is possible to prevent the container storage unit from being set in the wrong direction by preventing it from being set by being caught on 55 (the same height as the shoulder projection 123 of the large-sized containers 102 and 103).

FIG. 4 is a view showing a cross section of the large containers 102 and 103 with the inner lid 113 attached. The inner lid 113 is required to have flexibility and resistance to a reagent to be used. For example, silicone rubber is suitable. A fluid passage hole 114 and an air hole 115 are formed in the inner lid 113, and when a reagent passes through the fluid passage hole 114, air can flow in and out of the air hole 115 so that the inside of the container is depressurized or positively charged. Prevents pressure.

Inside the large vessels 102 and 103 (inside the vessel body 110), a channel tube 116 that is connected to the fluid passage hole 114 and serves as a channel is suspended, and the tip of this channel tube 116 is the vessel. By reaching the bottom of the flow channel tube 116 even when the reagent remaining amount is small.
The reagent can be aspirated via the. As the tube, urethane tube, silicon tube,
Examples thereof include tetrafluoroethylene tube.

A shoulder 117 for expanding the container to a large diameter is formed below the mouth 111, and a container side surface 118 continues below the shoulder 117. The inner space surrounded by the container side surface 118 becomes the container body 110. A step 119 is formed at a part of the shoulder 117 and around the mouth 111. This step 119 allows the small container 104 to rest on the shoulder 117.
The outer diameter of the small container 104 is provided to fix the small container 104 such that the side surface of the small container 104 (a side surface portion of the small container described later) comes into contact with the small container 104 (see FIG. 7). The outer diameter (outer dimension) of the step 119 is defined according to the (outer dimension). In addition, the mouth portion 111 of the large container
A container protrusion 122 is formed on the side surface of the container, which will be described later.

On the other hand, the small container 104 shown in FIG. 3 has a container side surface 139 forming a tank portion (container body 131) for storing a reagent, and a small diameter for taking in and out a reagent is provided on the upper part of the container body 131. A mouth 132 is provided. Also, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG.
4, the bottom surface 142 is finished to be substantially flat so that it can be placed on a flat surface. However, the degree of this flat surface does not need to be a perfect flat surface, and is smaller than the shoulder portion 117 of the large containers 102, 103. Place where the container is placed (small container placing part 12
4)), and if the small container placement portion 124 on the shoulder of the large container is slightly inclined, the bottom surface of the small container is adjusted to the inclination. As described above, the substantially flat surface includes those having some unevenness, curved surface, and inclination. The small container placement unit 124 is not limited to a substantially flat surface as long as the small containers can be arranged between the large containers when the two large containers are arranged side by side. Therefore, the bottom surface of the small container may be matched with the shape of the small container mounting portion 124, and is not limited to a substantially flat surface.

The screw groove 133 provided in the mouth portion 132, the inner lid 134, the fluid passage hole 135, the air hole 136 and the shoulder portion 1
With respect to 37, the flow path tube 138, and the container protrusion 141, substantially the same components as those of the large-sized containers 102 and 103 are configured to have the same functions, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

The diameter of the substantially disk portion which is the container side surface 139 of the small container 104 is the same as that of the large containers 102, 10 as described above.
It is defined so as to be capable of contacting the stepped portion 119 of the third portion (see FIG. 1).

Although the step 119 and the container side surface 139 of the small container 104 are substantially circular in the drawing, the shape is not limited to this and may be, for example, polygonal. In that case, the dimensions are defined so that the step portion 119 and the container side surface 139 are in contact with each other.

The shoulder 117 around the outside of the step 119 of the large-sized containers 102, 103 is finished to have a substantially flat shape as described above, and the bottom surface is configured to be a substantially flat surface in conformity with the shoulder 117. 104 can be easily placed on this.

Furthermore, the stepped portion 1 of the large containers 102, 103
A convex portion 120 is formed on a portion of the portion 19 that comes into contact with the small container 104. On the other hand, the small container 104
A concave portion 140 that can be fitted to the convex portion 120 is also formed on the side, and by sandwiching the small container 104 with step portions 119 from both sides, by fitting the convex portion 120 and the concave portion 140 of the small container 104 together. The lateral displacement is restricted so that it can be securely fixed.

It should be noted that a ring-shaped convex portion matching the outer circumference of the small container 104 may be formed in the substantially flat region of the shoulder 117 to limit lateral displacement.

Further, the stepped portion 11 of the large containers 102, 103
In the convex portion 120 provided in 9, the flange portion 121 is formed on the upper side of the convex portion, and the flange portion 121 covers the part of the small container 104 so that the small container 104 is not limited to the lateral direction. It will also be possible to prevent the upward movement.

Next, an operation procedure for housing the large containers 102 and 103 and the small container 104 in the inner case 101 will be described.

When the large container 102 and the large container 103 are housed in the inner case 101, the surfaces (the contact surfaces indicated by S in FIG. 1) that come into contact with each other are slightly separated (about 1 cm), These two large containers 102,
Place 103 side by side.

Subsequently, the small container 104 is placed on the flat area formed near the center by the shoulders 117 of the two large containers 102 and 103.

The convex portion 120 formed on the stepped portion 119 of the large container 102, 103 and the container side surface 139 of the small container 104.
The two large containers 102 and 103 are brought close to each other while finely adjusting so that the concave portion 140 formed in 1 is fitted.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state where the two large containers 102 and 103 are in contact with each other on the surface S, FIG. 7 is a front view thereof, and FIG. 8 is a plan view thereof. Two large containers 102, 103
When they are in contact with each other on the surface S, the small container 104 has the step 119.
Since it is fixed by the convex portion 120 and the flange portion 121, the two large containers 102 and 103 are kept in this state.
Is lifted and inserted into the inner case 101.

An inner case 101 and two large containers 102,
Since the size of the container 103 is defined so that it can be housed in a fitting manner, the large containers 102, 103 can be accommodated in the inner case 101.
The positions of the large-sized containers 102 and 103 are determined by the insertion of, and thus the positions of the small-sized containers 104 are also determined. As described above, the small containers 104 are placed on the shoulders 117 of the large containers 102 and 103, and these containers are stored.

Next, the reagent holder of the blood analyzer in which the above-mentioned container storage unit 100 is used will be described. Figure 1
Is a reagent holder (including the container storage unit 100)
3 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of FIG. FIG. 9 is a front view showing the external appearance of the reagent holder (however, the container storage unit 100 is removed). The container storage unit 100 is stored in the reagent holder 150. This reagent holder 150 is used by attaching it to a blood analyzer as shown in FIG. 18 using attachment screws 156 and 157.

The reagent holder 150 is basically a rectangular parallelepiped,
Of the six surfaces forming the rectangular parallelepiped, the front surface 151 is notched so that the upper right side draws a large arc, and the bottom surface 152 and the wall surface 15 are formed.
3, the left side surface 154 is left, and the surfaces corresponding to the upper surface and the right side surface are lost and become openings.

The inner size of the reagent holder 150 is adjusted to the outer size of the inner case 101 of the container storage unit 100, and the reagent holder 150 should be inserted from the right side surface to the position where the inner case 101 of the container storage unit 100 contacts the left side surface 74. Thus, the inner case 101 can be positioned.

Therefore, the mouth portions 111 of the large containers 102 and 103, which are fitted and housed in the inner case 101, and the small container 104 fixed by the large containers 102 and 103, respectively.
The positional relationship between 132 and the guide mechanism attached to the reagent holder 150 is also determined.

The handle 106 of the inner case appears at the notched position on the front surface 151, and the handle 106 can be easily pulled out by inserting a finger into the handle 106.

(2) Flow path connection mechanism Next, in order to supply the reagent from the container to the blood analyzer (external device) and to discharge the waste liquid from the blood analyzer to the container, the container and the blood analyzer are connected. A flow path connecting mechanism for connecting flow paths will be described.

The flow path connecting mechanism is composed of a portion inside the container and a portion outside the container. The inner part of the container is as described above with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. That is, in FIG. 4, a fluid passage hole 114, an inner lid 113 having an air hole 115, and a passage tube 116 suspended from the inner lid 113 are used as part of the passage connection mechanism. Passage hole 13
5, inner lid 134 having air holes 136, inner lid 134
A flow channel tube 138 that is suspended in the space is used.

Regarding the flow path connecting mechanism on the outside of the container,
A perspective view is shown in FIG. 1 and a front view is shown in FIG. Hereinafter, description will be given with reference to these figures and another figure. This flow path connection mechanism is composed of a nozzle 160 and a guide mechanism 170.

The guide mechanism 170 is attached to the notch 188 formed in the upper end of the wall surface 153 of the reagent holder 150. Although three flow path connecting mechanisms are attached to the three containers in the figure, all have the same structure, so one of the flow path connecting mechanisms for a large container will be described.

10 to 13 show the structure of the guide mechanism 170 of the flow path connection mechanism as viewed from the right side of FIG. 1 and FIG. 9 (view A in the drawings), and the movement of the guide mechanism 170 will be described. FIG. Further, FIG. 14 is a central sectional view of the guide mechanism 170 (a sectional view in a position state of FIG. 13 described later).

First, the nozzle 160 will be described. The nozzle 160 is attached inside the guide mechanism 170. Further, the nozzle 160 has a substantially cylindrical shape in which a flow channel 161 is formed as shown in the cross section of FIG. One end of the channel 161 is inserted into the fluid passage hole 114, and the other end is channel-connected to the blood analyzer (external device). Of these, the nozzle tip portion 162 on the side to be inserted into the fluid passage hole 114 is finished in a tapered shape in order to easily fit in the fluid passage hole 114.

The flow channel 161 in the nozzle 160 is bent at a right angle in the middle of the nozzle and is connected to the opening 164 formed on the cylindrical side surface near the axial center of the nozzle 160. A tube connected to the blood analyzer in a flow path is attached to the opening 164. A support hole 163 is formed on the rear end side of the nozzle 160. This support hole 163
A second base shaft 173, which will be described later, penetrates through, and the nozzle 160 is supported by the second base shaft 173. In addition, since the support hole 163 is formed on the rear end side of the nozzle 160, the nozzle tip portion 1 is
62 is directed vertically downward.

Next, the guide mechanism 170 will be described. The guide mechanism 170 has, at one end, a first lever rotatably supported by a support member (hereinafter referred to as a first base shaft) 171 attached to a notch 188 portion of the wall surface 153 of the reagent holder 150. 172, a second supporting member (hereinafter, referred to as a second base shaft) 173 attached to the other end of the first lever 172 and a second pivotally supported shaft.
Lever 174, support member (first base shaft) 17 at one end
A third lever 1 pivotally supported together with the first lever 172
And 75. As a material for the support member and the second support member, for example, SUS303 is preferably used. As a material for each lever, for example, ABS resin is preferably used.

The first lever 172, the second lever 174, and the third lever 175 allow the nozzle 160 to be wrapped and supported inside the lever as shown in FIGS. In order to be able to cover the lid 113, each lever has a symmetrical shape having a thickness in the axial direction of the base shaft, and each lever is pivotally supported at two left and right positions. In order to connect the left and right shaft supporting portions, a connecting portion is formed in the center of each lever so as to connect in the axial direction.

In this connecting portion, the first lever 172 and the third lever 175 have a flat plate shape, and the second lever has a cup shape as a whole. The relationship between the first lever 172 and the third lever 175 is that the third lever 175 is the first
It is attached so as to come inside the lever 172.
In addition, the relationship between the first lever 172 and the second lever 174 is such that the second lever 174 comes inside. Further, the second lever 174 and the third lever 175 are formed with a step inside so that the portion on the lever tip side of the third lever 175 avoids the second lever 174 so as not to interfere with each other.

Regarding the first lever 172, as shown in FIGS.
Further description will be made with reference to FIG. The through hole through which the first base shaft 171 penetrates is a long hole 187 that can be eccentric in the longitudinal direction of the first lever 172, and the first lever 172 is rotatably supported in the longitudinal direction so as to be finely movable.

Further, in order to prevent the first lever 172 from rotating indefinitely in the pulled-up state as shown in FIG. 10 (state of FIG. 1), the stopper 189 which abuts the back surface 153 in this state. Is the long hole 1 of the first lever 172.
It is formed at a position slightly away from 87 in the lateral direction.

Inside the first lever 172, the third lever 1
75 is pivotally supported by the first base shaft 171, and the first lever 1
A protrusion 178 is formed on the third lever 175 to prevent the 72 and the third lever 175 from spreading indefinitely, and an elongated hole 179 into which the protrusion 178 fits is formed on the first lever 172. Therefore, the first lever 1
72 and the third lever 175 are the protrusions 1 in the elongated hole 179.
It can spread at an angle within the range in which 78 can move.

A central surface 190 connecting the left and right surfaces of the first lever 172 and extending in the width direction is finished in a flat plate shape.

Regarding the second lever 174, as shown in FIGS.
Further description will be made with reference to FIG. The second lever 174 is pivotally supported by the second base shaft 173.

The second lever 174 has a cup shape, and the inner space 18 into which the inner lid 113 can enter.
0 (FIG. 14), and the nozzle 160 supported by the second base shaft 173 is attached to the inner space 180. The nozzle tip portion 162 can be inserted into the fluid passage hole 114 (see FIG. 1) when the inner lid 113 enters the inner space 180.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the second lever 17
On the inner wall surface of No. 4, a cloud-shaped recess 182 for engaging with the container projection 122 provided on the side surface of the mouth 111 of the container is formed. The concave portion 182 is formed in a cloud-shaped curved shape so that when the second lever 174 rotates about the second base shaft 173, the container protrusion 122 enters the concave portion 182, and as the rotation progresses, the container protruding portion 122 moves further into the concave portion 182. As a result, the second lever 174 is engaged by the engagement with the container protrusion 122.
The large container 102 and the large container 102 can be fixed to each other.

Further, the second lever 174 is formed with an arm 183 for facilitating the operation when rotating the second lever 174.

The third lever 175 shown in FIGS.
Further description will be made with reference to FIG. A pressing portion 184 (see FIGS. 9 and 1) that abuts against the inner lid 113 and presses it against the other end of the third lever 175, and supports the second lever 174 with the first lever 172 pulled up. The support protrusion 185 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) is formed.

The pressing portion 184 is composed of a protrusion that is directed inward so as to press the inner lid 113 that comes inside the third lever 175 (see FIG. 1). On the contrary, the support protrusion 185 is directed outward so that the second lever 174 can be supported.

The support protrusion 185 is formed by the first lever 1
When 72 and the third lever 175 come close to each other (the protrusion 178 moves to the right in the elongated hole 179), the position of the contact point between the support protrusion 185 and the second lever 174 gradually moves. , The second lever is supported at the moved position. On the contrary, the second lever 174 is formed with a support projection contact surface R (see FIG. 14) so that it can rotate in the counterclockwise direction as the contact point moves.

The central surface 191 connecting the left and right surfaces of the third lever 175 is finished in a flat plate shape. Furthermore, when the third lever 175 is pulled down, the container mouth 11
An arcuate cutout 192 (see FIG. 9) is formed so as to avoid the mouth portion 111 so as not to collide with 1.

Further, in order to keep the guide mechanism 170 pulled up in a state where the nozzle 160 is not inserted in the fluid passage hole 114 (the state shown in FIG. 1), the first lever 17
2 and the back surface 153, a torsion spring 176 wound around the first base shaft 171 for applying an urging force, and also the guide mechanism 1
When the lever 70 is pulled up, the first lever 1
The torsion spring 1 wound around the first base shaft 171 for applying an urging force in the direction in which the 72 and the third lever 175 are separated from each other.
77 and are attached.

The two springs are shaped so as not to interfere with each other. That is, as shown in FIG. 15, in the torsion spring 176, the coil is wound in two separate parts on the left and right sides, and the central part is formed such that the coil core wire is extended so as to detour from the coil axis.

Further, the torsion spring 177 has an ordinary linear coil shape, and the torsion spring 177 is attached to the detour portion of the central portion of the torsion spring 176. 16,
As shown in FIG. 17, the ends A and B of the torsion spring 176 are fixed and supported by the center fixing surface 190 of the first lever 172 and the coil fixing portion 193 formed on the wall surface 153. The ends C and D of the torsion spring 177 are the central surface 1 of the first lever 172.
90, the third lever 175 is supported so as to come into contact with the central surface 191 of the third lever 175.

Next, the operation of the guide mechanism will be described.
10 to 13 show that the guide mechanism 170 gradually rotates from the free state (the pulled state) to the nozzle 16
0 is inserted into the fluid passage hole 114, and the container protrusion 1
22 sequentially shows a state in which 22 and the cloud-shaped recess 182 of the second lever 174 are engaged with each other.

(FIG. 10) FIG. 10 is a view in which the guide mechanism 170 is placed in a free state. First lever 172
Is flipped up by the urging force of the torsion spring 176 wound around the first base shaft 171, and stops with the stopper 189 abutting on the back surface 153.

At this time, the third lever 175 has the first base shaft 1
The urging force of the torsion spring 177 wound around 71 causes the protrusion 178 to move away from the first lever 172, and the protrusion 178 is formed into the long hole 179.
It has stopped while being in contact with the end of the.

At this time, the second lever 174 has the second base shaft 1
The second lever 174 is supported by the support projection 185 by its own weight because the second lever 174 is supported by the support projection 185 of the third lever 175 while being pivotally supported about the shaft 73.

In this state, when the operator holds the arm 183 of the second lever 174 and rotates the arm 183 in the direction of the arrow X, the support protrusion 185 is kept in contact with the second lever 174 for a while. The 1st lever 171, the 2nd lever 174, and the 3rd lever 175 will rotate integrally.

(FIG. 11) FIG. 11 is a view showing a state in which the third lever 175 rotates until it becomes substantially horizontal and contacts the inner lid 113. When the third lever 175 contacts the inner lid 113, the inner lid is pushed by the pressing portion 184. The inner lever 113 prevents the third lever 175 from rotating any further.

Therefore, when a force is further applied to the arm 183 of the second lever 174, the first lever 172 is rotated against the biasing force of the torsion spring 177 acting between the first lever 174 and the third lever 175. start. That is, the first lever 172 covers the third lever 175 while the angle formed between the first lever 172 and the third lever 175 is narrowed, and the first lever 172 eventually becomes the third lever 1.
Abut 75 (first lever 172 becomes horizontal)
The rotation advances to.

When the angle formed between the first lever 172 and the third lever 175 begins to narrow, the support protrusion 185 and the second lever 175
The distance to the base shaft 173 changes in the direction of contraction, and the position of the contact point between the second lever 174 and the support protrusion 185 moves on the support protrusion contact surface R of FIG. The second lever 174 can be rotated about the two base shafts 173.

Therefore, in the state shown in FIG. 11, thereafter, the rotation of the first lever 172 about the first base shaft 171 and the rotation of the second lever 174 about the second base shaft 173 are interlocked. .

Further, the first lever 172 and the third lever 17
The nozzle tip portion 162 comes into contact with the inner lid 113 after a while after the angle formed with the nozzle 5 starts to narrow. Since the nozzle tip 162 is tapered,
While being guided by the taper, the nozzle 160 causes the fluid passage hole 11
It is inserted in 4.

At this time, since the first base shaft 171 of the first lever 172 is pivotally supported by the elongated hole 188,
The first lever 172 has some freedom in the longitudinal direction (play)
have. This degree of freedom makes the nozzle 16 smooth
0 can be inserted into the fluid passage hole 114.

(FIG. 12) FIG. 12 shows a state in which the first lever 172 rotates until it becomes substantially horizontal and contacts the third lever 175. In this state, the nozzle 160 is completely inserted in the fluid passage hole 114.

When the first lever 172 comes into contact with the third lever 175, the first lever 172 cannot rotate any further. The support protrusion 185 and the second base shaft 173 are in the closest state, and the second lever 174 and the support protrusion 185 are in the released state.

After that, only the rotation of the second lever 174 about the second base shaft 173 is advanced, and the rotation of the second lever 174 causes the container projection 122 to have the cloud-shaped recess 182 of the second lever 174. Will come in.

(FIG. 13) FIG. 13 shows a final state in which the container protrusion 122 is fixed in the cloud-shaped recess 182 of the second lever 174. Rotation of the second lever 174 about the second base shaft 173 progresses, and the container protrusion 122 forms a cloud-shaped recess 182.
Abuts the deepest part of. It is fixed in this state (state of FIG. 14).

By the above operation, the guide mechanism 170
The nozzle 160 can be inserted into the fluid passage hole 114. As a result, the flow path tube 116 in the container,
The fluid passage hole 114 of the inner lid 113 and the nozzle 160 are connected to each other by a flow path, so that a flow path connected to the blood analyzer can be established.

It should be noted that, as in the above embodiment, the first lever 17
Although it is desirable to attach a torsion spring 177 for applying an urging force in the direction in which the second lever 175 and the third lever 175 are separated from each other, the first lever 171 and the second lever 1 in the state of FIG.
74, the third lever 175 has only the function of rotating integrally with the third lever 175.
It is not necessary because it acts to separate from the lever 172.

(3) Relationship between container storage unit, reagent holder and flow path connecting mechanism As shown in FIG.
By accommodating the container accommodating unit 100 at a fixed position of 0, the positions of the mouths 113 and 132 of the large-sized containers 102 and 103 and the small-sized container 104 are determined, and the guide mechanism 170 of the flow path connection mechanism is attached according to this position. Therefore, the operator simply attaches the container holding unit to the reagent holder 150.
The guide mechanism 170 to rotate the nozzle 16
0 can be inserted into the fluid passage hole 114 of the inner lid 113.

[0091]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The guide mechanism allows the nozzle to be inserted into the inner lid,
Since the inner lid is provided with the sample passage hole and the air hole and the flow path tube is attached, the flow path can be easily connected.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an external configuration when a container storage unit according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to a reagent holder.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a large container used in a container storage unit that is an example of a real storage container of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a small container used in the container storage unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a large container with an inner lid attached.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a small container with an inner lid attached.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which two large containers and a small container are stored in an inner case.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a state in which two large containers and a small container are stored in an inner case.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a state in which two large containers and a small container are stored in an inner case.

FIG. 9 is a front view of a reagent holder to which a flow path connection mechanism is attached.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the configuration and movement of a guide mechanism of the flow path connection mechanism.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the configuration and movement of a guide mechanism of the flow path connection mechanism.

FIG. 12 is a view for explaining the structure and movement of the guide mechanism of the flow path connection mechanism.

13A and 13B are views for explaining the configuration and movement of the guide mechanism of the flow path connection mechanism.

FIG. 14 is a central sectional view of the guide mechanism.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a mounting state of a biasing member used in the guide mechanism.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an attached state of a biasing member used in the guide mechanism.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an attached state of a biasing member used in the guide mechanism.

FIG. 18 is an external view of a blood analyzer to which a reagent holder is attached.

[Explanation of symbols]

100: Container storage unit 101: inner case 102, 103: Large container 104: Small container 106: handle 110, 131: container body 111, 132: mouth 113, 134: Inner lid 114, 135: Fluid passage holes 115, 136: Air holes 116, 138: Flow tube 117, 137: Shoulder 118, 139: side surface of container 119: Step 120: convex part 121: Tsubabe 122 and 141: container protrusion 123: Shoulder protrusion 124: Small container mounting part 140: recess 142: bottom 150: Reagent holder 153: wall surface 155: Wall protrusion 156, 157: Mounting screw 160: nozzle 161 flow path 162: Nozzle tip 163: Support hole 170: Guide mechanism 171: First basic shaft (support member) 172: first lever 173: Second base shaft (second support member) 174: Second lever 175: third lever 176: Coil spring (between the first lever and the back) 177: Coil spring (between the first lever and the third lever) 178: Protrusion 179: long hole 180: inner space (second lever) 182: concave portion (cloud shape) 183: arm 18: Pressing part 185: Support protrusion 187: long hole 188: Notch 189: Stopper 190: central surface (first lever) 191: Center surface (third lever) 192: Notch (arc shape)

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Yoichi Nakamura             1-5-1, Wakihama Kaigan Dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi             Inside Sysmex Corporation (72) Inventor Takayoshi Yoshida             1-5-1, Wakihama Kaigan Dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi             Inside Sysmex Corporation (72) Inventor Kazutoshi Tokunaga             1-5-1, Wakihama Kaigan Dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi             Inside Sysmex Corporation (72) Inventor Koji Kasuya             2-4-3 Kawamen-cho, Tomitabayashi-shi, Osaka             Inside the company Ark F term (reference) 2G058 CA02 CE02 CE05 CF09 EA05                       EA07 EA14 EB01 ED10 ED19                       HA01                 3E082 AA01 BB10 DD09

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A flow path connecting mechanism for connecting a liquid sending line continuing from the mouth of the container to the inside of the container and a liquid sending line on the analyzer side, the guide being rotatably mounted on a supporting member as a pivot. It is composed of a mechanism and a nozzle attached to the guide mechanism, a flow path is formed inside the nozzle, one end of this flow path can be connected to the liquid sending line on the container side, and the other end is on the analyzer side. And a guide mechanism capable of guiding the nozzle to the mouth of the container by rotation about a support member as a shaft. 2. The flow channel connection mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the support member is attached to a wall surface of a reagent holder or an analyzer that accommodates the container. 3. The guide mechanism includes a first lever, a second lever, and a biasing member, and the first lever is rotatably mounted on one end side of the first lever with the support member as a pivot. The second lever is the second lever attached to the other end of the first lever.
The support member is rotatably supported by a pivot, and the biasing member is attached between the first lever and the reagent holder or the wall surface of the analyzer in order to bias the first lever in a direction away from the container mouth. The flow path connection mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the nozzle is attached to the second lever. 4. The guide mechanism further has a third lever pivotally supported by the support member, and the third lever is attached to the mouth of the container by rotating the first lever toward the mouth side of the container. The flow path connection mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the flow path connection mechanism is configured to come into contact with the inner lid. 5. A support member attached to a wall surface of the reagent holder, a guide mechanism attached so as to be rotatable around the support member as a shaft, and a nozzle attached to the guide mechanism. A flow path is formed, one end of this flow path can be connected to the liquid supply line on the container side, the other end can be connected to the liquid supply line on the analyzer side, and the guide mechanism uses the support member as a base shaft. A reagent holder that can guide the nozzle to the mouth of the container by rotation.