JP2004361396A - Analyzer with built-in centrifuge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize simplification and automatization of measurement operation, while reducing the size, when a centrifuge is integrally incorporated in an analyzer. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus for analyzing a sample comprises a sample tray 2 on which the sample is mounted, the centrifuge 7 which centrifuges the sample, a dispensing mechanism 6 which dispenses a predetermined amount of the sample. The centrifuge 7 is equipped with a cylindrical separation vessel 71 into which the sample is dispensed. The dispensing mechanism 6 is movable between the sample tray 2 and the centrifuge 7. The predetermined amount of the sample mounted on the sample tray 2 is dispensed into the separation vessel 71 of the centrifuge 7 by the dispensing mechanism 6, and a part of the sample, after being centrifuged in the separation vessel 71, is aspirated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention is a centrifuge that separates a sample such as blood into a liquid component and a solid component, receives and analyzes a part of the sample after centrifugation, and performs a substance concentration of a predetermined biochemical substance in the sample, The present invention relates to an analyzer with a built-in centrifuge, which is integrally provided with an analyzer such as a biochemical analyzer for determining components such as ion activity.

  For example, when performing blood analysis, blood is collected in a blood collection tube such as a vacuum blood collection tube, and the collected sample is subjected to a liquid component, ie, plasma / serum, and a formed component, ie, blood clot (blood cell) by a centrifuge or a filtration mechanism. And platelets).

  Then, the rack holding the blood collection tube is mounted on the apparatus, the sample is centrifuged by a centrifuge, the blood collection tube is opened, and the separated liquid component is aspirated and dispensed into a test container. An apparatus has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

In addition, the analyzer and centrifuge are integrated, and a specially constructed sample container (container) containing the collected blood is carried into the centrifuge, and the plasma moves to a specific part of the sample container by centrifugal force. Removed from the centrifuge, moved on the test element of the distribution unit, inserted the pressurized nozzle into the sample container, spotted the plasma on the dry analytical element, carried into the incubator and configured to measure the color reaction A blood analyzer with a built-in centrifuge has been disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 2).
JP-A-7-120476 JP-A-5-107251

  As in the automatic pretreatment device of Patent Document 1 described above, in which a blood collection tube containing blood to be collected is directly set in a centrifuge and centrifugation is performed, the centrifuge becomes large, and the size of the device is reduced. This is an obstacle to planning.

  In other words, the use of vacuum blood collection tubes, which are recently used for blood collection tubes, increases the size of the blood collection tubes and the size of the centrifuge. Is not constant and the fluid volume fluctuates. In order to control the insertion of the nozzle mechanism into the blood collection tube so that only the separated liquid components (plasma and serum) are sucked and the formed components are not sucked, the separation boundary It is necessary to provide detection means for optically detecting the surface, and the control system is complicated, and it is difficult to reduce the size and simplification.

  Further, as in Patent Document 2, when a user manually dispenses a fixed amount of a specimen into a specimen container (container) having a special structure, which is another container, after collecting blood with a vacuum blood collection tube, the dispensing operation is not performed. Complicated and unsatisfactory in workability of measurement work and improvement of processing efficiency, and disadvantageous in versatility due to the use of a specially structured sample container without using general-purpose blood collection tubes and tubes. It becomes.

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a centrifuge built-in type analyzer that can simplify the measurement work while realizing automation while reducing the size when the centrifuge is integrated into the analyzer. To do.

The analyzer with a built-in centrifuge of the present invention includes a sample tray for mounting a sample, a centrifuge for centrifuging the sample, and a dispensing mechanism for dispensing a predetermined amount of the sample, and a built-in centrifuge for performing a sample analysis process. In the type analyzer,
The centrifuge sets a cylindrical separation container in which the sample is dispensed, and the dispensing mechanism is movable between the sample tray and the centrifuge, and the dispensing mechanism allows the sample tray to be moved to the sample tray. A predetermined amount of the mounted sample is dispensed into a separation container of the centrifuge, and a part of the sample after centrifugation in the separation container is aspirated.

  Further, it is preferable that the number of specimens mounted on the sample tray is equal to the number of separation containers set in the centrifuge.

  It is preferable that an unused analytical element is mounted adjacent to the sample tray corresponding to the measurement item of the sample.

  As the separation container, a tube is preferably used, and a general-purpose container suitable for containing a predetermined amount of a sample and centrifuging is used.

  It is also preferred that the dispensing mechanism includes a liquid level detection, so that when an empty detection or a sample dispensing less than the required amount is detected, an alarm is issued.

  The dispensing mechanism preferably moves on the same straight line between the spotting unit, the sample tray, and the centrifuge.

  The analysis treatment in the present invention may employ either a dry method using a dry analysis element or a wet method using a reaction vessel.

  According to the present invention as described above, a centrifuge for setting a cylindrical separation container into which a sample is dispensed is provided, and mounted on the sample tray by a dispensing mechanism movable between the sample tray and the centrifuge. By dispensing a predetermined amount of the sample into the separation container of the centrifuge and aspirating a part of the centrifuged sample, the centrifuge is equipped with a separation container to reduce the size of the centrifuge. On the other hand, an arbitrary sample container such as a blood collection tube mounted on the sample tray can be used.

  In addition, since a certain amount of sample (whole blood) dispensed into the separation container is centrifuged, the boundary position between the liquid component (plasma) and the formed component (blood clot) can be estimated, and only the separated liquid component is separated. It is possible to easily control the suction so as not to detect the boundary surface, and the centrifuge and the dispensing mechanism can be reduced in size and simplified.

  In addition, when the number of specimens mounted on the sample tray and the number of sets of separation vessels of the centrifuge are made to match, the relationship before and after centrifugation can be easily understood, and erroneous operation can be prevented.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is an example of a centrifuge built-in analyzer using a biochemical analyzer. FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional front view showing a schematic mechanism of the biochemical analyzer of one embodiment, and FIG. It is a top view of a part mechanism.

  The overall configuration of the biochemical analyzer 1 with a built-in centrifuge will be described with reference to FIGS. In the biochemical analyzer 1, a sample tray 2, a spotting unit 3, a first incubator 4, a second incubator 5, a dispensing mechanism 6, a centrifuge 7, a device transport mechanism (not shown), A transport mechanism 8, a chip discarding unit 9, an element discarding mechanism 10, and the like are integrally provided, and blood (whole blood) is analyzed as a sample using a dry analysis element 12.

  The sample tray 2 has a circular shape, a sample container 11 containing a sample (blood collection tube: for example, an outer diameter of 13 to 16 mm, a length of 75 to 100 mm), an unused dry analytical element 12 (a colorimetric dry analytical element and an electrolyte type). An element cartridge 13 accommodating the dry analytical element of (1) and consumables (a nozzle chip 14, a diluting liquid container 15, a mixing cup 16 and a reference liquid container 17) are mounted. The sample container 11 is mounted via a sample adapter 18, and a large number of nozzle tips 14 are stored and mounted in a chip rack 19.

  The spotting part 3 is disposed on an extension of the center line of the sample tray 2 and performs spotting of a sample, that is, a liquid component (plasma / serum) obtained by centrifuging blood, on the transported dry analytical element 12. By the dispensing mechanism 6, the sample is spotted on the dry analysis element 12 of the colorimetric measurement type, and the sample and the reference liquid are spotted on the dry analysis element 12 of the electrolyte type. Subsequent to the spotting section 3, a chip disposal section 9 for disposing the nozzle tip 14 is disposed.

  The first incubator 4 has a circular shape, is disposed at an extended position of the chip disposal unit 9, accommodates a colorimetric type dry analysis element 12, holds the same at a constant temperature for a predetermined time, and develops a color between the reagent and a specific component of the sample. A colorimetric measurement of the reaction is performed. The second incubator 5 (see FIG. 2) is disposed adjacent to the side of the spot application part 3, accommodates the electrolyte type dry analysis element 12, keeps it at a constant temperature for a predetermined time, and uses the dry ion selection electrode 2. The potential difference of the activity of the specific ion contained in the sample spotted on the pair of electrodes is measured by potentiometry using a reference solution.

  An element transfer mechanism (not shown) is provided inside the sample tray 2, connects the center of the sample tray 2 to the center of the first incubator 4, and passes through the spotting unit 3 and the chip disposal unit 9. An element transport member (transport bar) that transports the dry analytical element 12 from the sample tray 2 to the spotting unit 3 and further to the first incubator 4 along the element transport path R (FIG. 2). The transfer mechanism 8 is installed also as the spotting section 3, and transfers the electrolyte type dry analysis element 12 from the spotting section 3 to the second incubator 5 in a direction orthogonal to the element transport path R.

  The dispensing mechanism 6 is disposed at the top, and the dispensing nozzle 45 that moves up and down moves on at least the chip disposal unit 9 and the centrifugal machine 7 on the same straight line as the above-described element transport path R, and the sample (whole blood) , Dispensing of a sample (plasma) and a reference solution, and diluting and mixing the sample with a diluent. The dispensing nozzle 45 has a tip mounted with the nozzle tip 14 and sucks and discharges a sample, a reference liquid, and the like into the nozzle tip 14, and is provided with a syringe means (not shown) for performing the suction and discharge. The nozzle tip 14 is removed by the tip discarding unit 9 and dropped and discarded.

  The centrifuge 7 is disposed adjacent to the sample tray 2 on the side opposite to the spotting portion 3 and has a cylindrical separation using a commercially available small cylindrical tube (for example, an outer diameter of 3 to 10 mm and a length of 30 to 50 mm). A container 71 is set, and a predetermined amount of a sample (whole blood) is dispensed into the set separation container 71 by the dispensing mechanism 6, centrifuged, and the separated liquid components (plasma / serum) are dispensed. It is sucked by the mechanism 6 for spotting.

  The element disposal mechanism 10 (see FIG. 2) is attached to the first incubator 4, and pushes out the colorimetric dry analysis element 12 after the measurement into the center of the first incubator 4 to drop and discard it. It should be noted that the element can be discarded by the element transport mechanism. Further, the electrolyte type dry analytical element 12 measured by the second incubator 5 is discarded in the disposal hole 69 by the transfer mechanism 8.

  The mechanism of each part will be specifically described. First, the sample tray 2 has a disk-shaped rotating disk 21 that is driven to rotate in the normal rotation direction and the reverse rotation direction, and a disk-shaped non-rotating part 22 at the center thereof.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the rotating disk 21 has five sample mounting portions 23 A to E holding sample containers 11 such as blood collection tubes containing each sample via a sample adapter 18, and adjacent thereto. Five element mounting portions 24 for holding element cartridges 13 containing stacked unused dry analytical elements 12 which usually require a plurality of types corresponding to the measurement items of each sample, and a large number of nozzles The two chip mounting portions 25 for holding the chip racks 19 containing the chips 14 arranged in the holding holes, the diluent mounting portions 26 for holding the three diluent containers 15 containing the diluent, the diluent and the sample, And a cup mounting portion 27 for holding a mixing cup 16 (a molded product having a large number of cup-shaped recesses) for mixing the components.

  Further, the non-rotating part 22 includes a cylindrical reference liquid mounting part 28 for holding the reference liquid container 17 containing the reference liquid in the movement range of the dispensing nozzle 45 on the extension of the element transport path R. The reference liquid mounting section 28 is provided with an evaporation prevention lid 35 (FIG. 1) for opening and closing the opening of the reference liquid container 17.

  The lower end of the evaporation prevention lid 35 is held by a swinging member 37 pivotally supported by the non-rotating portion 22 and is urged in the closing direction. The upper end locking portion 37a of the swinging member 37 can come into contact with the lower end corner portion 42a of the moving frame 42 of the dispensing mechanism 6, and the moving frame 42 that has moved closer when the reference liquid is sucked causes the swinging member 37 to open. The evaporating prevention lid 35 opens the reference liquid container 17 to allow the dispensing nozzle 45 to suck the reference liquid. In other states, the evaporation preventing lid 35 closes the opening of the reference liquid container 17 to prevent evaporation of the reference liquid and prevent a decrease in measurement accuracy due to a change in the concentration of the reference liquid.

  The rotating disk 21 has an outer peripheral portion supported by a support roller 31 and a central portion rotatably held by a support shaft (not shown). A timing belt (not shown) is wound around the outer periphery of the rotary disk 21 and is driven to rotate in a forward direction or a reverse direction by a drive motor. The non-rotating portion 22 is non-rotatably attached to the support shaft.

  The element cartridge 13 is normally inserted with a plurality of unused dry analytical elements 12 stacked from above and inserted into the element mounting section 24. Is formed on the front side of the lowermost end, through which only one dry analysis element 12 can pass, and on the rear side, an opening through which the element transport member can be inserted. In addition, a window is formed on the bottom surface so that a lot number or the like by a bar code attached to the lower surface of the dry analysis element 12 can be read from below the element cartridge 13.

  The sample adapter 18 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the sample container 11 is inserted from above. The sample adapter 18 has an identification unit (not shown), and information such as the type of sample (processing information) and the type (size) of the sample container 11 is set on the outer peripheral portion of the sample tray 2 at the initial point of measurement. The identification is read by the identification sensor 30 (FIG. 2) provided, the presence or absence of dilution of the sample, the presence or absence of plasma filtration, and the like are determined, and the amount of liquid level variation according to the size of the sample container 11 is calculated. Processing control corresponding thereto is performed.

  The centrifugal machine 7 includes a rotary table 72 that is driven to rotate by a motor 73. The rotary table 72 is provided with a plurality of separation container mounting portions 74 that hold a cylindrical separation container 71 into which a sample is dispensed. I have. Although not shown in detail, the separation container mounting portion 74 is installed to be tiltable so that the lower end portion of the held separation container 71 moves to the outer peripheral side during rotation for centrifugation. The number of the separation containers 71 set on the turntable 72 is the same as the number of the sample containers 11 mounted on the sample tray 2, and the displays A to E corresponding to one-to-one are given. . The separation container 71 is disposable, and is set by an operator in accordance with the sample.

  When a predetermined amount of a sample (whole blood) is dispensed from the sample container 11 of the sample tray 2 to the separation container 71 by the dispensing nozzle 45 of the dispensing mechanism 6, the separation container 71 at this dispensing position is dispensed. The injection mechanism 6 is located on the extension of the element transport path R.

  The rotation of the rotary table 72 is performed by high-speed rotation for centrifuging the sample dispensed into the separation container 71 and low-speed rotation for stopping the predetermined separation container mounting part 74 at the dispensing position. Controlled to do so. That is, the sample is stopped at the dispensing position when the sample is dispensed into the separation container 71 and when the liquid component of the sample after the centrifugation is aspirated. The control is performed by the control unit in cooperation with the operation of the sample tray 2, the dispensing mechanism 6, and the like.

  The spotting unit 3 and the transfer mechanism 8 include a support base 61 long between the sample tray 2 and the first incubator 4 in a direction perpendicular to the element transport path R, and a sliding frame 62 is movably mounted thereon. is set up. A first element presser 63 and a second element presser 64 having an opening for spotting are mounted on the sliding frame 62 so as to be adjacently and integrally movable. The first element holder 63 (the same applies to the second element holder 64) has a concave portion on the bottom surface facing the support table 61, through which the dry analytical element 12 passes along the element movement path R. One end of the sliding frame 62 is guided by the guide bar 65, the pin 66 is engaged with the long groove 62a on the other end, and the drive gear 67 of the drive motor 68 is engaged with the rack gear 62b. Is done. The support table 61 is provided with the second incubator 5 and a disposal hole 69.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 2, when the first element presser 63 is located at the spotting section 3, the colorimetric dry analytical element 12 after the spotting is pushed out by the element transport mechanism and becomes the first element. Transferred to incubator 4. On the other hand, when the spotting on the electrolyte type dry analysis element 12 is performed, the sliding frame 62 is moved, and the dry analysis element 12 after the spotting is held on the support base 61 while being held by the first element holder 63. The sample is transferred to the second incubator 5 so as to slide, and the potential difference is measured. At this time, the second element presser 64 moves to the spotting section 3 (dotting position), and then the sample is spotted on the colorimetric type dry analysis element 12 that is conveyed afterward, and the sample is loaded on the first incubator 4. Transport is possible. When the measurement in the second incubator 5 is completed, the sliding frame 62 is further moved, and the dry analytical element 12 after the measurement is transferred to the disposal hole 69 and dropped and discarded.

  When the colorimetric type dry analytical element 12 is transported, the second element presser 64 is moved to the spotting unit 3 and only when the electrolyte type dry analytical element 12 is transported, the first element retainer 64 is moved. 63 may be moved to the spotting unit 3.

  The dispensing mechanism 6 (FIG. 1) includes a moving frame 42 held on a horizontal guide rail 41 of a fixed frame 40 so as to be movable in a lateral direction. 45 are installed. A vertical guide rail 43 is fixed to the center of the moving frame 42, and two nozzle fixing bases 44 are slidably held on both sides of the vertical guide rail 43. An upper end of a dispensing nozzle 45 is fixed to a lower portion of the nozzle fixing base 44, and a shaft-like member extending upward is inserted into the drive transmitting member 47. The fitting force of the nozzle tip 14 is obtained by a compression spring interposed between the nozzle fixing base 44 and the drive transmission member 47. The nozzle fixing base 44 can move up and down integrally with the drive transmitting member 47, and when the nozzle tip 14 is fitted to the tip of the dispensing nozzle 45, the nozzle fixing base 44 is driven with respect to the nozzle fixing base 44 by compression of a compression spring. The transmission member 47 can move downward. The drive transmission member 47 is fixed to a belt 50 stretched over upper and lower pulleys 49 and moves up and down according to the movement of the belt 50 by a motor (not shown). In addition, a balance weight 51 is attached to an outer portion of the belt 50 to prevent the dispensing nozzle 45 from moving downward when it is not driven.

  The moving frame 42 is driven in a lateral direction by a belt driving mechanism (not shown), and the two nozzle fixing bases 44 are controlled in horizontal and vertical movements so as to move up and down independently. , Move laterally together and independently move up and down. For example, one dispensing nozzle 45 is for a sample, and the other dispensing nozzle 45 is for a diluent and a reference liquid.

  In particular, the height control of the dispensing nozzle 45 at the time of suction after centrifugation is performed so that only the separated liquid component (plasma) is sucked into the upper part of the separation container 71 and the formed material is not sucked.

  The two dispensing nozzles 45 are formed in a rod shape, provided with an air passage extending in the axial direction therein, and fitted with a pipette-shaped nozzle tip 14 in a sealed state at the lower end. An air separation container connected to a syringe pump or the like (not shown) is connected to each of the dispensing nozzles 45 to supply suction / discharge pressure. Further, the liquid level of the sample or the like can be detected based on the change in the suction pressure.

  The chip disposal unit 9 is provided to intersect the transport path R in the up-down direction and includes an upper member 81 and a lower member 82. An oval opening 83 is formed in the support base 61 of the chip disposal section 9. The upper member 81 is fixed to the upper surface of the support base 61, an engagement notch 84 is provided immediately above the drop port 83, and the lower member 82 is formed on the lower surface of the support table 61 so as to surround the lower part of the drop port 83. And guides the falling nozzle tip 14.

  Then, the dispensing nozzle 45 to which the nozzle tip 14 is attached is lowered into the upper member 81 and then moved laterally, and after engaging the upper end of the nozzle tip 14 with the engaging notch 84, the dispensing nozzle 45 is dispensed. The injection nozzle 45 is moved upward to extract the nozzle tip 14, and the detached nozzle tip 14 is dropped and discarded through the drop port 83.

  The first incubator 4 for performing colorimetric measurement is provided with an annular rotating member 87 on the outer periphery, and the rotating member 87 is rotated by an inclined rotating cylinder 88 fixed to the lower part on the inner periphery supported by a bearing 89 at the lower part. It is free. An upper member 90 is disposed above the rotating member 87 so as to be integrally rotatable. The bottom surface of the upper member 90 is flat, and a plurality of (13 in FIG. 1) recesses are formed on the upper surface of the rotating member 87 at predetermined intervals on the circumference so as to form a slit-shaped space between both members 87 and 90. An element chamber 91 is formed, and the height of the bottom surface of the element chamber 91 is the same as the height of the transfer surface. Further, the inner hole of the inclined rotary cylinder 88 is formed in the discard hole 92 of the dry analysis element 12 after the measurement, and the dry analysis element 12 in the element chamber 91 is moved to the center side as it is and dropped and discarded.

  A heating means (not shown) is provided on the upper member 90, and the temperature of the heating means keeps the dry analysis element 12 in the element chamber 91 at a predetermined temperature. The upper member 90 is provided with a pressing member (not shown) for pressing the mount of the dry analysis element 12 from above to prevent evaporation of the sample, corresponding to the element chamber 91. A heat insulating cover 94 is provided on the upper surface of the upper member 90, and the entire first incubator 4 is covered with a light-shielding cover 95. Further, an opening 91a for photometry is formed at the center of the bottom surface of each element chamber 91 of the rotating member 87, and the reflection optical density of the dry analysis element 12 by the photometry head 96 disposed at the position shown in FIG. Is measured. The first incubator 4 is driven to rotate by a belt mechanism (not shown), and is driven to reciprocate.

  The disposal mechanism 10 includes a disposal bar 101 that moves forward and backward into the element chamber 91 from the outer peripheral side toward the center. The reject bar 101 is fixed to a belt 102 having a rear end running horizontally, and in accordance with the running of the belt 102 driven by the drive motor 103, the dry analytical element 12 after measurement is pushed out from the element chamber 91 to be discarded. I do. In addition, a collection box for collecting the dry analytical element 12 after the measurement is provided below the disposal hole 92.

  In the second incubator 5 for measuring the ion activity, the first element presser 63 of the sliding frame 62 serves as an upper member, and a concave portion at the bottom of the second incubator 5 causes one element chamber between the element holder and the upper surface of the measurement main body 97. Is formed. The second incubator 5 is provided with a heating means (not shown), and heats a portion of the dry analysis element 12 for measuring the ion activity at a predetermined temperature by adjusting the temperature. Further, three pairs of potential measurement probes 98 for measuring ion activity are provided on the side of the measurement body 97 so as to be able to come into contact with the ion selection electrodes of the dry analysis element 12.

  In the biochemical analyzer 1 as described above, the operation of each mechanism is performed by a control unit (not shown) based on a control program registered therein to perform each measurement operation and an arithmetic processing of an analysis result based on the measurement. Done.

  The overall operation of the biochemical analyzer 1 will be described. First, before performing the analysis, the sample containers 11 containing the respective samples, the element cartridge 13 containing the dry analytical element 12, the chip rack 19 containing the nozzle chips 14, The mixing cup 16, the diluting liquid container 15, and the reference liquid container 17 are mounted, and an empty separation container 71 is set in the separation container mounting part 74 of the centrifuge 7 to prepare for measurement.

  After that, the analysis process is started. First, a sample is dispensed into the separation container 71 of the centrifuge 7. For this purpose, the sample tray 2 is rotated to move the nozzle tip 14 of the tip rack 19 below the dispensing nozzle 45 of the dispensing mechanism 6, and is mounted on the dispensing nozzle 45. Subsequently, the sample tray 2 and the turntable 72 are driven such that the corresponding sample container 11 and separation container 71 are located on the element transport path R. The dispensing nozzle 45 is lowered on the sample container 11 to aspirate the sample into the nozzle tip 14, and the dispensing nozzle 45 is moved onto the separation container 71 of the centrifuge 7, and a specified amount of the sample is dispensed into the separation container 71. Note.

  Then, the rotary table 72 of the centrifuge 7 is driven to rotate at high speed to perform centrifugal separation, and the sample in the separation container 71 is separated into a liquid component (plasma / serum) at the upper portion and a formed component at the bottom portion. The setting of the operation time of centrifugation can be changed, and if the sample viscosity or the like is different from the normal one, it is changed accordingly. Since the centrifugation time can be arbitrarily set, it is possible to cope with the specificity of the blood used, and if the time required for separation differs, unnecessary centrifugation for an unnecessarily long time is not required.

  Next, the sample tray 2 is rotated to stop the element cartridge 13 of the sample to be measured at the element removal position corresponding to the spotting section 3, and the dry analysis element 12 is removed from the element cartridge 13 by the element transport mechanism, and Convey to 3. Before being conveyed to the spotting unit 3, the analysis information given to the dry analysis element 12 is read, and the subsequent operation is controlled.

  When the measurement item is colorimetry, the dry analytical element 12 is transported in a state where the first element holder 63 is located at the spotting portion. Further, in order to spot the separated liquid component (plasma) in the separation container 71 onto the dry analysis element 12, a new nozzle tip 14 is attached to the dispensing nozzle 45 of the dispensing mechanism 6, and the centrifuge 7 After moving over the separation container 71 and lowering the dispensing nozzle 45 to aspirate a part of the sample (plasma) into the nozzle tip 14, the dispensing nozzle 45 is moved to the spotting unit 3 and the dry analytical element 12 The sample is spotted on the sample.

  When the plasma is to be sucked, the nozzle tip 14 is inserted into the separation container 71 so that the suction height of the dispensing nozzle 45 is controlled so that the formed portion is not sucked. The control of the suction height is controlled according to the prediction of the component ratio because the amount of the sample (blood volume) dispensed into the separation container 71 is constant. It is possible. After a certain amount of whole blood is centrifuged, the ratio of the liquid component to the solid matter (clot rate) is constant within a certain range, especially in a human blood sample, and the plasma volume can be estimated accordingly. The suction height can be controlled.

  That is, the ratio of the solid matter in human blood is usually 44 to 67%. Therefore, the dispensing mechanism 6 is configured to allow the nozzle tip 14 at the tip of the dispensing nozzle 45 to be within a range that allows for a margin between the upper 100-67 = 33% of the liquid component (plasma) and the boundary surface. The suction height is controlled, and only the liquid component is sucked without sucking the solid matter (blood clot) separated at the bottom of the separation container 71. At the time of the control, the setting of the predicted component ratio is changed in accordance with the specificity of the sample, and the control of changing the insertion height in accordance with the fluctuation of the separation interface can be performed.

  In addition, before plasma aspiration, the liquid level is detected by detecting the liquid level in the separation container 71, and control is performed so that only the liquid component is sucked regardless of whether the sample dispensed amount to the separation container 71 is small or large. I do. This liquid level detection detects the liquid level by sucking or discharging air from the tip of the nozzle tip 14, approaching the liquid level, and measuring a change in the internal pressure of the dispensing nozzle 45. Then, even when the specified amount of the sample is not dispensed into the separation container 71, the plasma amount (separation surface position) corresponding to the liquid amount and the predicted component ratio is estimated in response to this, and the suction height Can be controlled.

  In addition, this liquid level detection makes it possible to detect whether sample dispensing cannot be performed at all or is less than the required amount by comparing the measured pressure with a threshold value. Can be emitted.

  Then, the colorimetric type dry analytical element 12 on which the sample is spotted is inserted into the first incubator 4. Next, after the element chamber 91 is rotated and kept at a constant temperature for a predetermined time, the inserted dry analytical element 12 is sequentially moved to the position of the photometric head 96, and the reflection optical density of the dry analytical element 12 is measured. After completion of the measurement, the measured dry analytical element 12 is pushed out to the center side and discarded. The measurement result is output, and the used nozzle tip 14 is detached from the dispensing nozzle 45 by the tip discarding unit 9 and dropped down to be discarded, thereby completing the process.

  Next, in the case of measuring the ion activity, after transporting the electrolyte type dry analytical element 12 to the spotting position, first, the nozzle tip 14 is attached to one of the dispensing nozzles 45 and moved to the centrifuge 7. Plasma is aspirated from the separation container 71 by controlling the height in the same manner as described above. Next, the nozzle tip 14 is attached to the other dispensing nozzle 45, and the reference liquid is sucked from the reference liquid container 17. Next, the sample is spotted on one liquid supply hole of the dry analysis element 12 by one dispensing nozzle 45, and the reference liquid is further spotted on the other liquid supply hole of the dry analysis element 12 by the other dispensing nozzle 45. To wear.

  Then, the dry analytical element 12 onto which the sample and the reference liquid are spotted is transferred from the spotting unit 3 to the second incubator 5 by moving the sliding frame 62 together with the first element holder 63, and the potential is measured while maintaining the constant temperature. The ion activity is measured by the probe 98. After the measurement is completed, the dry analytical element 12 after the measurement is transferred to the disposal hole 69 by the movement of the sliding frame 62 and disposed. Then, the measurement result is output, both used nozzle tips 14 are removed from both dispensing nozzles 45 and discarded, and the process is terminated.

  In the sample tray 2 and the centrifuge 7, the number of mounted sample containers 11 and the set number of separation containers 71 have a one-to-one relationship. The analyzer may be set so as to be able to be set, or may be configured so that one set can be set, so that the analyzer may have a simpler structure.

  When the type of the sample or the measurement item does not require the centrifugation function, the sample may be directly aspirated from the sample container 11 of the sample tray 2 and spotted on the dry analytical element 12 for analysis. it can. This allows analysis of a sample using another centrifuge outside the device.

  On the other hand, in the centrifuge 7, centrifugation of the separation container 71 can be repeatedly performed, and a sample that has been centrifuged once can be centrifuged again. In this way, when an abnormality of the sample is detected or the like, re-analysis can be performed without newly dispensing the sample into the separation container 71 by performing centrifugation again.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example of a dry-type analyzer using the dry-type analytical element 12 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. A method of mixing and performing measurement analysis accompanying the color reaction of both may be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, a commercially available tube is used as the cylindrical separation container 71. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an empty container of the sample container 11 may be used. The shape of the separation container 71 may be any shape such as an arc or a cone as long as it is a cylindrical container that is suitable for centrifugal separation and is efficient.

  The material of the separation container 71 may be glass, resin, metal, or may be transparent or opaque. With the transparent separation container 71, the state of centrifugal separation in the container can be confirmed visually or by a sensor, and control of an alarm or the like can be performed based on the information.

1 is a partial cross-sectional front view showing a schematic configuration of a centrifuge built-in type analyzer using a biochemical analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a main part mechanism of the analyzer with a built-in centrifuge of FIG.

Explanation of reference numerals

1 Built-in centrifuge analyzer (biochemical analyzer)
2 Sample tray 3 Spot application part 6 Dispensing mechanism 7 Centrifuge
11 Sample container
12 Dry analytical element
14-17 consumables
71 Separation container
72 turntable
73 motor
74 Separation container mounting section

Claims (6)

In a sample tray for mounting a sample, a centrifuge for centrifuging the sample, and a dispensing mechanism for dispensing a predetermined amount of the sample, a centrifuge built-in analyzer for analyzing the sample,
The centrifuge sets a cylindrical separation container in which the sample is dispensed, and the dispensing mechanism is movable between the sample tray and the centrifuge, and the dispensing mechanism allows the sample tray to be moved to the sample tray. A predetermined amount of the mounted sample is dispensed into a separation container of the centrifuge, and a part of the sample after centrifugation in the separation container is configured to be aspirated, and the centrifuge built-in type analysis is characterized in that: apparatus.   The centrifuge built-in type analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the number of mounted samples on the sample tray is equal to the number of separation containers set in the centrifuge.   The analysis device with a built-in centrifuge according to claim 1, wherein an unused analysis element is mounted adjacent to the sample tray corresponding to the measurement item of the sample.   4. The analyzer with built-in centrifuge according to claim 1, wherein the separation container is a tube.   The centrifuge built-in type analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing mechanism includes a liquid level detection, thereby issuing an alarm when an empty detection or a sample dispensing less than a required amount is detected. .   The centrifuge built-in type analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing mechanism moves on the same straight line between the spotting unit, the sample tray, and the centrifuge.

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