JP2004061160A - Reagent vessel - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a box-like reagent vessel having both satisfactory space efficiency when mounted on an automatic analyzer and shape characteristics which improves efficiency in linear rocking agitation. <P>SOLUTION: The approximately box-like reagent vessel 10 for housing, in a rocking state, a reagent to be dispensed to a prescribed plate for determining particle coagulation comprises primary wall surfaces (an upper surface 1; side surfaces 2a, 2b, 3a, and 3b, and a bottom surface 4) and a tubular opening part 5 as a suction opening of the reagent protruded from the approximately rectangular upper surface 1. Both corner parts from the vicinities of the lower ends of the side surfaces 3a and 3b, which continue downward from the short sides of the upper surface 1, to bottom end corner parts 6 and 7 are formed into curved surfaces having a prescribed curvature R. The reagent vessel 10 has an effective aspect ratio in a horizontal cross-sectional shape for agitating a liquid as a whole even when the amount of movement of the liquid increases in agitation, and is operated in such a way as to be rocked longitudinally. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a reagent container for storing a reagent or the like to be dispensed for blood transfusion or test analysis using an analytical test device, and particularly to the shape of the reagent container.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, various types of analyzers used for analysis tests of blood types and infectious diseases have been devised to perform many sample tests and quick automatic analysis tests of test items.
In an automated analytical test step, for example, a reagent is transferred from a reagent container to a current reaction container (plate) used for an agglutination blood test method or a large number of wells (recesses) formed on the plate. A syringe-type quantitative dispensing device that inserts and removes a nozzle and dispenses the nozzle is appropriately combined and operated.
As the above-mentioned reaction vessel, a microplate disclosed in the document “Examination of red blood cell agglutination images in microplates having various tube bottom configurations” of the 33rd Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Transfusion Society is widely known. Further, there is known an automatic technique of an apparatus as taught in a special article “Automation of Blood Transfusion Test” described in “Clinical and Research Vol. 66, No. 2”.
[0003]
On the other hand, most of the conventional reagent containers having a container shape have a substantially conical shape having an opening at the center of the upper portion or a similar shape.
In addition, when a reagent or the like is put in operation, it is necessary to constantly stir the contents so that blood cells and the like do not precipitate and harden in the contents. Therefore, in the case of a wide-mouthed container, stirring is performed by inserting a stirring rod or the like. In these reagent containers, swing stirring in which the entire reagent container is moved by arc movement by a dedicated stirring mechanism is applied.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As a method of rotating and stirring a circular container among reagent containers for constantly holding a liquid that needs stirring, there is a method described in, for example, JP-A-11-38009. In this method, a good stirring effect was obtained due to the turbulent flow generated in a spiral shape due to the circular bottom shape of the container.However, when a large number of cylindrical reagent containers are arranged and operated, the bottom surface is Because of the circular shape, there is a waste in the arrangement space.
In other words, even if a large number of reagent containers are arranged to reduce the number of dispensing and the like and to shorten the required time, a container having a circular bottom surface causes useless gaps between adjacent containers, resulting in poor area efficiency. This has made it difficult to reduce the size of the entire apparatus.
[0005]
As a method of stirring by reciprocating linearly in a reagent container having a rectangular bottom surface (hereinafter referred to as a “box-shaped container”), that is, in a longitudinal direction (horizontal direction) or a vertical direction of the bottom surface, for example, There is a method described in JP-A-63945. However, there has been no suggestion about a shape suitable for efficiently stirring the reagent in the box-shaped container.
[0006]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a box-shaped reagent container which has a good mounting space efficiency when mounted on an automatic analyzer and has a shape characteristic in which the stirring efficiency is improved even with linear swinging stirring. It is in.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the present invention takes the following measures. That is, according to the first aspect, in a substantially box-shaped reagent container for storing a reagent used in a blood analyzer that performs particle aggregation determination using an antigen-antibody reaction in a horizontally agitating state, A reagent container having an opening on the upper surface as a suction port for the reagent, and having a substantially rectangular cross section in the horizontal direction so that the swing direction coincides with the horizontal direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the upper surface. suggest.
[0008]
According to the second aspect, in a substantially box-shaped reagent container for storing a reagent used in a blood analyzer that performs particle aggregation determination using an antigen-antibody reaction in a horizontally oscillating stirring state, It has an opening on the upper surface as a suction port, and a curved surface or a slope is formed at both corners from near the lower end of a pair of side surfaces extending downward from the short side of the upper surface to the end of the bottom surface. A characteristic reagent container is proposed.
[0009]
According to the third aspect, in a substantially box-shaped reagent container for storing a reagent used in a blood analyzer that performs particle aggregation determination using an antigen-antibody reaction in a horizontally oscillating stirring state, The upper surface has an opening as a suction port for the reagent, the cross section in the horizontal direction is substantially rectangular so that the swing direction coincides with the horizontal direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the upper surface, and from the short side of the upper surface. The present invention proposes a reagent container characterized in that curved or inclined surfaces are formed at both corners from the vicinity of the lower end of a pair of side surfaces continuing downward to the end of the bottom surface.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The reagent container of the present invention is a box-shaped container having a substantially rectangular horizontal sectional shape, and has a shape for efficiently moving the liquid in the container by swinging the container in the longitudinal direction.
The reagent container of the present invention implemented here has, for example, 12 wells (not shown) in one column and 10 wells in one row (row) at a pitch of 9 mm, for example. It is assumed that the reagent container is used together with an automatic analyzer (not shown) capable of dispensing the above-mentioned plate (microplate).
[0011]
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to a plurality of embodiments based on FIGS.
(1st Embodiment)
FIGS. 1A to 1C illustrate an example of a reagent container according to a first embodiment of the present invention by a third triangulation method based on a projection method. Specifically, assuming that the plane having the largest projected area is the front of the reagent container, FIG. 1A shows a front view of the reagent container 10, FIG. 1B shows a right side view thereof, and FIG. The plan views are respectively shown.
FIG. 3A is a plan view showing a case where the reagent containers 10 are arranged during operation, and FIG. 3B is a line segment 3B in FIG. 3A along the longitudinal direction of the container arrangement. 3B shows a cut surface at -3B.
[0012]
According to FIGS. 1A to 1C, the reagent container 10 is set in the following shape.
That is, it has a substantially circular opening 5 protruding in a cylindrical shape upward from the vicinity of the end of the horizontally extending rectangular upper surface 1. The reagent container 10 is formed in a box shape, and is formed vertically downward with main side walls (side surfaces 2a, 2b and side surfaces 3a, 3b) facing each other, in addition to the top surface 1 and the bottom surface 4, and has bottom end corners 6,7. Continue until. A characteristic predetermined curvature R is applied to both bottom end corners 6 and 7 up to a bottom surface 4 formed substantially obliquely as shown in FIG. 1A (detailed dimensions will be described later).
[0013]
The swing direction is set in the longitudinal direction of the reagent container 10, and is set so as to satisfy that the ratio of the long side to the short side of the rectangular base is 2: 1 or more. Particularly in the case of this example, the dimensions of each main part of the reagent container 10 are such that the total width is 17 mm, the inner width is 14 mm, the total height is 60 mm, the total length in the longitudinal direction is 75 mm, the average thickness is 1.0 mm, and the minimum thickness is Is 0.2 mm.
The maximum inner diameter of the opening 5 is 14.0 mm, and the center of this opening is provided on the longitudinal center line of the upper surface 1 and at a position 17 mm from one short side of the upper surface 1. The bottom surface 4 is an inclined surface (C surface) having an inclination angle of 10 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction.
[0014]
Further, a curved surface having a curvature R10 mm outside the reagent container 10 and a curved surface having a curvature R9 mm inside the reagent container 10 are formed on the first bottom corner 6, respectively. The curved surface having the same curvature is formed inside and outside the reagent container 10 so that the horizontal liquid movement due to the swing can be easily converted to the depth direction.
[0015]
The material used for the reagent container 10 is preferably a transparent container made of glass, but may be a container using inexpensive resin or plastic (HDPE). As a manufacturing method for forming such a reagent container, for example, blow molding is employed. However, it is not easy to make such a small-sized glass container by blow molding, and the strength is not sufficient even from a small thickness, so that a plastic-made one that does not affect reagents is practically suitable. .
[0016]
As shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b), a plurality of reagent containers 10 are arranged in six rows in one row, and two rows of six adjacent reagent rows are arranged adjacent to each other, and six reagents are arranged in opposite directions. The containers 10 are collectively accommodated in a rectangular carrier (wagon) 30 having a handle (handle) 31 having reagent areas such that the containers 10 are arranged in a horizontal row and used for operation.
[0017]
However, in this arrangement, a total of three sets (6.times.6.times.x) are arranged in such a manner that a set of six arranged sideways is slightly shifted so that the broken line segment 3B-3B in FIG. 3A is not a straight line. (6 = 18) are integrally accommodated, set in the storage area of the automatic analyzer 40, and operated. In FIG. 3A, only two sets arranged on the right side are displayed, and one set arranged on the left side is omitted.
[0018]
The reagent containers 10 are arranged in three rows of six in a staggered pattern corresponding to twelve nozzles (not shown). After the setting, the reagents are stored in dedicated reagent containers 10 for each type of reagent, and the reagents are respectively supplied to the wells on the plate by nozzles connected to dedicated syringe pumps (not shown). It is assumed to be dispensed.
[0019]
During the period in which the reagent containers 10 exemplified here are arranged and operated as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the directions in which the reagent containers 10 are swung are in the horizontal direction along the longitudinal direction as indicated by the arrow. It is. In this direction, the contents of the containers are rocked and agitated at a predetermined amplitude (stroke) by the operation of a well-known reciprocating mechanism (not shown).
[0020]
As described above, according to the first embodiment, the curve of the curvature R formed at the bottom end corners 6 and 7 changes in the vertical direction (depth) depending on the shape and arrangement of the reagent container 10 exemplified here and the swinging direction. Direction), the agitation efficiency is improved even with a simple horizontal swing motion of the mechanism.
[0021]
In addition, after the reagent containers 10 corresponding to the number of samples are densely arranged in a narrow area, the movement of the nozzles and the like can be controlled as simple as possible, so that they are suitable for reagent transfer to dispensing work. Operation is possible by devising the shape and arrangement of containers.
[0022]
In addition, the curvature R illustrated here is given as a preferable example in design. Therefore, by appropriately changing the curvature R, the degree of agitation, that is, the magnitude of the turbulence can be adjusted to a desired degree.
[0023]
Then, without adding complicated mechanical means as in the related art, efficient stirring can be performed with low energy by a well-known reciprocating motion mechanism, and unnecessary vibration and noise can be minimized.
[0024]
Furthermore, the adverse effect when the image pattern of the microplate is photographed can be suppressed to a small level.
[0025]
The swing stroke and cycle are determined by considering the conditions of the reagent (liquid mass, depth in the container, viscosity, etc.) from the viewpoint of fluid engineering. Operation may be possible.
[0026]
(2nd Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIGS. 2A to 2C show an example of a reagent container according to the second embodiment by a third triangulation method based on a projection method. Specifically, assuming that the plane having the largest projected area is the front of the reagent container, FIG. 2A shows a front view of the reagent container 20, FIG. 2B shows a right side view thereof, and FIG. The plan views are shown respectively.
[0027]
According to FIGS. 2A to 2C, the shape of the reagent container 20 is basically similar to that of the reagent container 10 of the first embodiment, such as a box-shaped container. When focusing on the differences, as shown in FIG. 2 (a), the bottom surface 4 is made horizontal to improve the stability at the time of placing, and the thickness is increased to strengthen the container.
[0028]
Further, as shown in FIG. 2B or FIG. 2C, the shape is set to a shape in which a corner is cut in consideration of identification of the direction of the reagent container 20 itself.
Therefore, although the upper surface 1 and the bottom surface 4 are not rectangular but pentagonal, the ratio of the long side to the short side is similar to that of the first embodiment described above in the bottom surface 4 forming an elongated rectangle as if one corner of the rectangle was cut. Is similarly set to satisfy the condition of 2: 1 or more.
[0029]
In this example, the dimensions of each main part of the reagent container 20 are 17 mm in total width, 14 mm in inner dimension, 60 mm in total height, and 50 mm in total length in the longitudinal direction. The thickness may be about two to three times the thickness of the first embodiment.
The opening 5 has an inner diameter of 10 mm, and the center of the opening is provided on the longitudinal center line of the upper surface 1 and at a position 17 mm from the short side of the upper surface 1. The upper surface 1 continues to the side surface 3b with an inclination of 10 degrees. On the other hand, the bottom surface 4 is formed horizontally as described above.
Note that the dimensions including the shape of other details are also one design example, and may of course be appropriately changed.
[0030]
As described above, according to the second embodiment, in the case of this example, the thickness is set to be thicker than that of the above-described first embodiment, so that it is easily fitted to a transparent container made of glass in terms of strength. In addition, the state of the reagent can be easily observed even from the side or obliquely, and is more preferable for strict analysis. In addition, the adopted material and manufacturing method may be the same as in the first embodiment. If emphasis is placed on the strength, those made of resin or plastic are practical.
[0031]
As a result of implementing the present invention as described above, a reagent container meeting the following objects can be provided. That is,
-By providing a curvature or an inclined surface at the bottom end corner, the liquid is positively moved in the vertical direction only by the horizontal reciprocation of the container, and the whole liquid is easily stirred.
By setting the aspect ratio of the top or bottom sides forming a rounded rectangle (such as a rectangle) in the swinging direction and the non-swinging direction to be not less than 2-3: 1 and not more than 10: 1 The amount of liquid movement at the time of rocking becomes large, which is effective for stirring the whole liquid.
[0032]
In order to reduce the number of dispensing operations and required time by arranging a large number of reagent containers, an elongated rectangular bottom shape that follows the processing flow of the cooperating analyzer is used instead of the conventional circular bottom. By arranging the reagent containers according to the present invention, the area can be used more efficiently without generating useless gaps even when the number of test items increases. Therefore, the apparatus can be compactly accommodated in a smaller analyzer main body, and more samples can be automatically analyzed at once.
[0033]
In addition, if different types of reagents can be used independently, mixing of reagents (contamination) and waste associated therewith are eliminated. Therefore, in the case of the reagent container of the present invention as well, each of the reagents is stored in a dedicated one for each type of reagent, and each can be reliably dispensed to the microplate by a syringe pump with a nozzle. . For example, as a special reagent container used for the current "automatic blood transfusion test device (PK7200)", etc., a special mechanical means is added by optimizing the shape of the characteristic reagent container and the swinging direction thereof. Without this, efficient stirring can be performed with low energy by a simple mechanism. As a result, the occurrence of vibration, noise, and the like can be reduced, and thus, the adverse effect on the imaging pattern of the microplate can be further reduced.
[0034]
The first and second embodiments described above may be modified as follows. For example, the dimensions, angles, materials, and the like of the respective parts illustrated here are examples of a suitable design, and may be appropriately changed as needed with reference to these.
In addition, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
[0035]
[Appendix]
According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention as described in detail above, the following configuration can be obtained.
(Supplementary Note 1) In a substantially box-shaped reagent container for storing a reagent to be used in a blood analyzer that performs particle aggregation determination using an antigen-antibody reaction while swinging and stirring in a horizontal direction,
A reagent container having an opening at an upper surface as a suction port for the reagent, and having a substantially rectangular cross section in a horizontal direction such that a swing direction coincides with a horizontal direction corresponding to a longitudinal direction of the upper surface.
[0036]
(Supplementary Note 2) The aspect ratio of the horizontal section is 1: 2 to 3 or more and 1:10 or less, the ratio of the height to the height of the container is 1: 2 to 3 or more and 1:10 or less, and the vertical dimension of the container is 5 mm or more and 25 mm. The reagent container according to claim 1, wherein:
[0037]
(Supplementary Note 3) In a substantially box-shaped reagent container that holds a reagent to be used in a blood analyzer that performs particle agglutination determination using an antigen-antibody reaction while swinging and stirring in a horizontal direction, the reagent is used as a suction port for the reagent. A reagent having an opening on the upper surface, wherein a curved surface or a slope is formed at both corners from near the lower end of a pair of side surfaces extending downward from the short side of the upper surface to an end of the bottom surface. container.
[0038]
(Supplementary Note 4) The reagent container according to Supplementary Note 3, wherein the curvature of the curved surface is 10 mm or more and 30 mm or less.
[0039]
(Supplementary Note 5) The reagent container according to Supplementary Note 3, wherein the height of the slope is 10 mm or more and 30 mm or less.
[0040]
(Supplementary Note 6) In a substantially box-shaped reagent container in which a reagent to be used in a blood analyzer that performs particle agglutination determination using an antigen-antibody reaction is stored in a horizontally oscillating stirring state, the reagent is used as a suction port for the reagent. It has an opening on the upper surface, the horizontal section is substantially rectangular so that the swing direction matches the horizontal direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the upper surface, and
A reagent container, wherein a curved surface or an inclined surface is formed at both corners from the vicinity of the lower end of the pair of side surfaces extending downward from the short side of the upper surface to the end of the bottom surface.
[0041]
(Supplementary Note 7) The aspect ratio of the horizontal section is 1: 2 or more and 1:10 or less, the ratio of the height to the container height is 1: 2 or more and 1:10 or less, the vertical dimension is 5 mm or more and 25 mm or less, and the curvature of the curved surface is 7. The reagent container according to Supplementary Note 6, which is 10 mm or more and 30 mm or less.
[0042]
(Supplementary Note 8) The aspect ratio of the horizontal section is 1: 2 or more and 1:10 or less, the ratio of the height to the container height is 1: 2 or more and 1:10 or less, the vertical dimension is 5 mm or more and 25 mm or less, and the height of the slope 7. The reagent container according to Supplementary Note 6, wherein is not less than 10 mm and not more than 30 mm.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a box-shaped reagent having a shape characteristic in which the mounting space efficiency when mounted on an automatic analyzer is good and the stirring efficiency is improved even with linear rocking stirring. A container can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1 (a) to 1 (c) show the appearance of a reagent container according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 (a) is a front view of the reagent container, and FIG. 1 (b). Is a right side view of the reagent container, and FIG. 1C is a plan view of the reagent container.
2 (a) to 2 (c) show the appearance of a reagent container according to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 (a) is a front view of the reagent container, and FIG. 2 (b). Is a right side view of the reagent container, and FIG. 2C is a plan view of the reagent container.
3 (a) and 3 (b) show a case where the reagent containers exemplified in FIGS. 1 (a) to 1 (c) are arranged, and FIG. 3 (a) shows the arrangement of the reagent containers. FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the reagent container array when cut in the longitudinal direction.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 top surface 2a, 2b side surface (front, back)
3a, 3b ... side surfaces (left and right surfaces)
4 bottom surface 5 opening 6 (first) bottom corner 7 (second) bottom corner 10 reagent container (first embodiment)
20: Reagent container (second embodiment)
30 ... Carrier (wagon)
40 ... Automatic analyzer

Claims (3)

A reagent used in a blood analyzer that performs particle agglutination determination using an antigen-antibody reaction, in a substantially box-shaped reagent container that is housed in a horizontal swinging stirring state,
A reagent container having an opening on an upper surface as a suction port for the reagent, and having a substantially rectangular cross section in a horizontal direction such that a swing direction coincides with a horizontal direction corresponding to a longitudinal direction of the upper surface. A reagent used in a blood analyzer that performs particle agglutination determination using an antigen-antibody reaction, in a substantially box-shaped reagent container that is housed in a horizontal swinging stirring state,
An opening is provided on the upper surface as a suction port for the reagent, and curved or inclined surfaces are formed at both corners from near the lower end of a pair of side surfaces extending downward from the short side of the upper surface to the end of the bottom surface. A reagent container, characterized in that: A reagent used in a blood analyzer that performs particle agglutination determination using an antigen-antibody reaction, in a substantially box-shaped reagent container that is housed in a horizontal swinging stirring state,
The upper surface has an opening as a suction port for the reagent, the horizontal cross-section is substantially rectangular so that the swing direction coincides with the horizontal direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the upper surface, and
A reagent container, wherein a curved surface or an inclined surface is formed at both corners from near a lower end of a pair of side surfaces extending downward from a short side of the upper surface to an end of a bottom surface.

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