JP2006250832A - Dispensing device and nozzle tip - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a dispensing device capable of treating very little liquid, discharging a proper amount of liquid correctly, and for example, using a valuable liquid without incurring any waste. <P>SOLUTION: The dispensing device comprises: a vessel which has a port opening and is made up such that its volume can be adjustable; a dispensing burette having a valve disposed in the middle of the port opening; and a controller which controls the valve and the volume of the vessel. The controller, which includes a display section and an operation section for setting a parameter relating to discharging a medical solution, increases the volume of the valve minutely by turning the valve open, and then decreases the volume of the valve into a prescribed value in order to raise its inner pressure by turning the valve closed, and then discharges a medium in the vessel through the port opening by turning the valve open. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a dispensing device that can dispense a small amount of liquid in a desired amount.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a dispensing device, an apparatus in which a chemical solution is stored in a container, a container is compressed with a finger, and a desired amount of the chemical liquid is dropped onto the eyeball is known. As an example, a drop of ophthalmic solution quantification unit is connected to the ophthalmic solution discharge port, and a pressure is applied to the ophthalmic solution in such a manner that one drop of the ophthalmic solution quantification unit is ejected linearly from the ophthalmic solution discharge port. There is known an eye dropper provided with a pressure application function to be applied and a discharge operation initial pressure control function for controlling the discharge operation initial pressure of the ophthalmic solution (see Patent Document 1). In addition, there is a device that dispenses a small amount of liquid droplets by providing a pump associated with a container of a substance to be dispensed (see Patent Document 2).
JP 2003-319999 A (1st page, 1 figure) Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 06-134221 (first page, one figure)

  In recent years, by dispensing very small amounts of expensive chemicals into specific containers and locations, drug experiments, biochemical experiments, pharmaceutical product manufacturing, etc. have been conducted. Even if a dispenser can handle a drop of liquid, it cannot handle a very small amount of liquid, and it is necessary to prepare a certain amount of liquid in the container of the dispenser. It is desired to solve the drawbacks of dispensing an excessive amount of liquid and the disadvantages of wasting liquid remaining in the dispensing device.

  In order to solve the above problems, the dispensing apparatus of the present invention employs the following means and procedures.

(1) A container having an inlet / outlet and having a variable volume, a dispenser having a valve provided in the middle of the inlet / outlet, and a controller for controlling the volume of the container and opening / closing of the valve The controller includes an operation unit for setting parameters related to the discharge of the chemical solution and a display unit for displaying the set parameters, the valve is opened, and the volume of the container is set to a very small amount. The valve is closed, the volume of the container is decreased to a predetermined amount to increase the internal pressure of the container, the valve is opened, and the medium in the container is discharged from the inlet / outlet. Dispensing device to do.
(2) The dispensing apparatus according to (1), wherein a small amount (about 100 nL or less) of liquid is sucked from the inlet / outlet by increasing the volume of the container by a small amount.
(3) The dispensing device according to (1), wherein a detachable nozzle tip is coupled to the inlet / outlet, and a minute amount of liquid is sucked.

  (4) A valve is provided in the middle of the inlet / outlet of the container having an inlet / outlet, the volume of which is variable, the valve is opened, the volume of the container is increased by a small amount, and a small amount of liquid is sucked from the inlet / outlet. A step in which the valve is closed and the volume of the container is reduced to a predetermined amount to increase the internal pressure of the container; and the valve is opened and the sucked liquid is discharged from the inlet / outlet. Dispensing method.

(5) A syringe, a piston, an electromagnetic valve, a pipe, a nozzle tip, and a piston drive unit, the electromagnetic valve is provided between the syringe and the pipe, the nozzle tip is coupled to the pipe, and the syringe A dispenser for controlling the volume of the container formed by the piston, an operation unit for setting a parameter related to discharge of a chemical solution, and a display unit for displaying the set parameter; And a controller for driving the solenoid valve based on the parameter value.

(6) A syringe, a piston, an electromagnetic valve, a pipe, a nozzle chip, and a piston drive unit, the electromagnetic valve is provided between the syringe and the pipe, the nozzle chip is coupled to the pipe, and the syringe The dispensing device that controls the volume of the container formed by the piston by the piston drive unit, and when the electromagnetic valve is in an open state, the piston drive unit draws the piston and fills the syringe with air, Next, the piston drive unit pulls out the piston a minute distance and sucks a small amount of chemical liquid at the tip of the nozzle tip. Next, when the electromagnetic valve is in a closed state, the piston drive unit pushes the piston. Then, the air in the syringe is compressed, and then the minute amount of the chemical solution is discharged from the nozzle tip when the solenoid valve is open. A dispenser that performs an operation to be performed, an operation unit that sets a parameter related to discharge of a chemical solution, and a display unit that displays the set parameter, and drives the piston drive unit based on the input parameter value, And a controller for driving the solenoid valve.
(7) The dispensing apparatus according to any one of (5) and (6), wherein the pipe is omitted and the solenoid valve and the nozzle tip are coupled.
(8) The dispensing device according to any one of (5) and (6), wherein the nozzle tip is detachable.

  (9) A syringe, a piston, an electromagnetic valve, a pipe, a nozzle tip, and a piston drive unit, the electromagnetic valve is provided between the syringe and the pipe, the nozzle tip is coupled to the pipe, and the syringe A dispensing method in which the piston drive unit controls the volume of a container formed by the piston, the step of pulling out the piston and filling air into a syringe with the electromagnetic valve open. Pulling out a minute distance and sucking a small amount of chemical at the tip of the nozzle tip, keeping the electromagnetic valve in a closed state, pressing the piston and compressing air in the syringe, and the electromagnetic valve A dispensing method comprising the step of: opening the minute amount of the chemical solution from the nozzle tip.

According to the present invention, a very small amount of liquid can be handled.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a dispensing device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, since the component which attached | subjected the same code | symbol in embodiment performs the same operation | movement, description may be abbreviate | omitted again.
(Embodiment 1)

  First, the basic configuration of the dispensing device of the present invention will be described. The dispensing device of the present invention includes a dispenser 1 and a controller 2. The dispenser 1 has an inlet / outlet through which liquid is taken in and out, and includes a container having a variable volume and a valve provided between the container and the inlet / outlet. The volume of the container and the valve are controlled by the controller 2. The controller 2 can open the valve and increase the volume of the container by a small amount. With the valve in a closed state, the volume of the container can be reduced to a predetermined amount to increase the internal pressure of the container. The valve can be opened to discharge the medium in the container from the inlet / outlet. A specific example will be described next.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a specific configuration of the dispensing apparatus of the present invention. The dispensing apparatus of the present invention includes a dispenser 1 and a controller 2. The dispenser 1 includes a substrate 10, a piston driving unit 11, a syringe 12, a piston 13, a solenoid valve 14, a pipe 15, and a nozzle tip 16. The piston drive unit 11 includes a pulse motor 111, a drive shaft 112, and a spring 113. The controller 2 includes an operation unit 21, a display unit 22, an MPU (microprocessor unit) 23, a storage unit 24, a solenoid valve drive unit 25, and a motor drive unit 26.
First, the dispenser 1 will be described in detail.

  The syringe 12 is fixed to a vertical portion of the U-shaped substrate 10. A piston 13 is inserted in the syringe and is movable in the axial direction of the syringe 12. The syringe 12 and the piston 13 are variable capacity containers having an inlet / outlet through which air can be sucked and discharged with a structure like a small syringe or injector. A spring fixing shaft 114 is provided on the shaft of the piston 13, and a spring 113 is attached to the spring fixing shaft 114, and the spring 113 is pulled so as to pull out the piston 13 to the outside of the syringe 12. . The pulse motor 111 is fixed to the vertical portion of the other side of the substrate 10 (the direction opposite to the direction where the syringe 12 is fixed). One end of the spring 113 is also fixed on a mounting plate (vertical portion of the substrate 10 in FIG. 1). Due to the rotation of the pulse motor 111, the motor shaft, which is the drive shaft 112, is movable in the left-right direction on the drawing. One end of the drive shaft 112 is in contact with the shaft of the piston 13. When the drive shaft 112 moves in the right direction in the figure, the piston 13 moves in the air discharge direction against the pulling force of the spring 113. When the drive shaft 112 moves to the left, the piston 13 is pulled by the spring 113 and moves in the air suction direction.

  The right tip portion of the syringe 12 has a thin tube shape, and one port of the electromagnetic valve 14 is connected thereto. A pipe 15 is connected to the other port of the electromagnetic valve 14. The tip of the pipe 15 has a conical shape so that the nozzle tip 16 can be fitted. The nozzle tip 16 is provided with a hole having a fine diameter. The solenoid valve 14 is provided with a valve for blocking the air flow on the syringe 12 side and the pipe 15 side. The valve is opened and closed by an electric signal supplied from the controller 2. When the electromagnetic valve 14 is open, the inside of the syringe 12, the inside of the electromagnetic valve 14, the inside of the pipe 15, and the inside of the nozzle tip 16 are connected to the outside, and air can flow. External air can be sucked into the syringe 12 by pulling the piston 13 in the direction of pulling it out of the syringe 12. When the electromagnetic valve 14 is closed, the air inside the syringe 12 is blocked from the outside. When the piston 13 is inserted into the syringe 12 when the electromagnetic valve 14 is in the closed state, the air in the syringe 12 is compressed.

  An example of the structure of the pulse motor 111 is shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. In FIG. 3A, the pulse motor 111 includes a motor shaft 30, a rotor 31, a stator 32, and a housing 33. The rotor 31 and the stator 32 have the same structure as a known pulse motor or stepping motor. The housing 33 is provided with two bearings. One bearing is a thrust bearing, and the shaft is freely movable in the axial direction. The other bearing is a screw bearing 34. As shown in the enlarged view, the motor shaft 30 is male threaded and is inserted into a female threaded hole provided in the bearing portion of the housing 33. . When the rotor 31 rotates clockwise as viewed from the screw bearing 34, the motor shaft 30 moves in the direction of the thrust bearing 30. When the rotor 31 rotates counterclockwise as viewed from the screw bearing 34, the motor shaft 30 moves in the direction of the screw bearing 34. That is, the rotational motion of the rotor 31 can be converted into the linear motion of the motor shaft 30. Since the rotor 31 also moves with the movement of the motor shaft 30, the thickness of the rotor 31 in the motor shaft direction is made smaller than the length of the stator 32 in the motor shaft direction so that the rotor 31 comes out in the magnetic field of the stator 32. Do not hit the housing. The length of the male thread portion cut into the motor shaft 30 may be a length obtained by adding a slight margin to the maximum movement distance required for the piston 13.

  Due to the pulling force of the spring 113, the end of the shaft of the piston 13 is in contact with the motor shaft 30 which is the drive shaft 112. Therefore, when the pulse motor 111 is rotated counterclockwise toward the piston 13, The piston 13 moves in the direction of being pulled out of the syringe 12. When the pulse motor 111 is rotated in the clockwise direction toward the piston 13, the piston 13 is pushed into the syringe 12.

  In the present invention, by controlling the position and moving direction of the piston 13 and the opening and closing of the electromagnetic valve 14, a minute sample 17 of the chemical solution is sucked into the nozzle tip 16 from the container containing the chemical solution 18, and the sample 17 is drawn into the nozzle tip. 16 is discharged toward a laboratory petri dish or the like. Operation | movement of the dispensing apparatus of this invention is demonstrated with FIG. 2 (A)-(D). The chemical liquid 18 is an example of a liquid and may be another liquid.

  First, a new nozzle tip 16 is fitted into the tip of the pipe 15. As shown in FIG. 2A, the pulse motor 111 is rotated counterclockwise, the piston 13 is pulled out from the syringe 12, and the piston 13 is moved to a predetermined position P1. The position P1 is a distance measured in the insertion direction of the piston 13 with the open end (left end in FIG. 1) of the syringe 12 as a reference. At this time, the electromagnetic valve 14 is left open. The syringe 12 is filled with normal pressure air.

  Next, in FIG. 2 (B), the tip of the nozzle chip 16 is immersed in the chemical solution in the chemical solution 18 container, the pulse motor 111 is rotated slightly counterclockwise, and the piston 13 is pulled out slightly to the predetermined position P2. The electromagnetic valve 14 remains open. A chemical solution having a volume corresponding to the product of the circular area Ss in the cross-sectional method of the syringe 12 and the movement distance (P1 to P2) of the piston 13 is sucked into the tip of the nozzle tip 16 as a sample 17.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 2 (C), the electromagnetic valve 14 is closed, the pulse motor 111 is rotated clockwise, and the piston 13 is pushed inward of the syringe 12 until reaching a predetermined position P3. Since the solenoid valve 14 is in a closed state, the air in the syringe 12 is compressed to a high pressure.

  Next, the dispenser 1 is moved so that the tip of the nozzle tip 16 is positioned on a container such as a laboratory petri dish or a laboratory instrument, and as shown in FIG. To the open state. The compressed air in the syringe 12 is discharged through the electromagnetic valve 14, the pipe 15, and the nozzle tip 16, and the sample 17 at the tip of the nozzle tip 16 is discharged. An extremely small amount of sample 17 can be accurately discharged.

  Next, the controller 2 will be described. The controller 2 shown in FIG. 1 sets the parameters related to the discharge such as the use amount of the chemical solution in the dispenser 1 and the use conditions such as the strength of the discharge, and the piston 13 and the electromagnetic valve 14 in the suction and discharge. Control. In the controller 2, the operation unit 21 is a part for instructing operation of setting of a chemical liquid suction amount, chemical liquid discharge strength, chemical liquid suction operation, chemical liquid discharge operation, and the like, and typically includes a switch. Is done. The display unit 22 is a display device that displays set values such as a chemical liquid suction amount and chemical liquid discharge intensity, and a display device using a liquid crystal panel is applicable. The MPU 23 is a microprocessor and performs various processes described later. The storage unit 24 stores various parameter item names, unit names, chemical solution suction amounts, parameter setting values such as chemical solution ejection strength, calculation procedures such as calculation formulas of various parameters, and a program of processing procedures performed by the MPU 23. A non-volatile storage device is suitable. The electromagnetic valve driving unit 25 is a driver circuit that performs opening / closing driving of the electromagnetic valve 14. The motor drive unit 26 is a driver circuit that generates and supplies a drive pulse signal for the pulse motor 111. Although not particularly illustrated, the controller 2 is provided with a power source. The power source may be a battery or a rectified AC power source. In the case where a volatile memory is used for the storage unit 24, the storage and holding may be performed by a battery power source.

  FIG. 4A shows an example of the operation unit 21 and the display unit 22. In FIG. 4A, the operation unit 21 is provided with a push-button parameter selection switch 41, a lever-shaped numerical value selection switch 42 that is tilted up and down to increase / decrease the numerical value, and a push-button-like instruction for inhaling a chemical solution. And a discharge button 44 that is a push-button switch for instructing the discharge of the chemical solution. Each of these switches is connected to an interrupt terminal of the MPU 23, and the MPU 23 is configured to generate an interrupt in the MPU 23 when an operation of each switch or button is detected. The display unit 22 is provided with display areas for the suction amount (μL), the discharge distance (cm), and the viscosity (cP) of the chemical solution. It is possible to display three parameter item names, units and parameter set values such as XX (μL), discharge distance: YY (cm), and chemical viscosity: ZZ (cP). One of the three parameter items is selected, and a frame indicating that it is selected is displayed around the display. In the example of FIG. 4A, a frame is displayed in the “ejection distance” column. Instead of displaying a frame, a numerical value may be blinked.

  In the example of FIG. 4A, three parameters can be set by operating the operation unit 21. The operation procedure and the operation of the controller 2 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5 (A) and 5 (B). The storage unit 24 stores parameter item names, unit names, and default values in advance as a table, which is read out from this table and used for display. As an example, suction amount: 1.00 (μL), discharge distance: 5.0 (cm), chemical solution viscosity: 1.0 (cP) (= centimeter poise), and the like. A storage area for the set values is also provided in the storage unit 24 in correspondence with each parameter item.

  When the power of the controller 2 is turned on, the main routine is started in the MPU 23, and the MPU 23 reads out the parameter item name, unit name, and default value from the storage unit 24 and causes the display unit 22 to display them. The frame display is the “suction amount” position at the top. After this processing, the MPU 23 enters an interrupt waiting state. When the parameter selection switch 41 is turned ON, in the procedure of FIG. 5A, an interrupt wait occurs in (S10), and the process proceeds to (S11) to select an input parameter item. That is, the parameter item selected by being surrounded by the frame in the display unit 22 is switched to the next lower item. FIG. 4A shows a state where “suction amount” is switched to “discharge distance”. Thereafter, the MPU 23 returns to the interrupt waiting state in (S10). Each time the parameter selection switch 41 is turned ON, the selected parameter item is cyclically switched one by one in the order of “aspiration amount”, “discharge distance”, and “viscosity”. The MPU 23 stores in the storage unit 24 what the selected parameter item is. After selecting a desired parameter item, the user operates the numerical value selection switch 42 to input a parameter value. When the lever of the numerical value selection switch 42 is tilted upward, the YY value displayed on the display unit 22 can be increased from the default value. When the lever of the numerical value selection switch 42 is tilted down, the value of YY displayed on the display unit 22 can be decreased. This operation can be performed according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. The MPU 23 waits for an interrupt from the numerical value selection switch 42 in (S20), and when the numerical value selection switch 42 is operated, an interrupt occurs, and the process proceeds to (S21). In (S21), a parameter value is input to the input parameter item in accordance with the operation of the numerical value selection switch. That is, the MPU 23 detects whether the operation of the lever of the numerical value selection switch 42 is upward or downward, and if it is upward, the memory corresponding to the selected parameter item in the parameter value column in the storage unit 24. The numerical value is increased by a predetermined change, and the numerical value is displayed on the display unit 22 as a set value. In the downward direction, the numerical value in the parameter value column corresponding to the selected parameter item is decreased by a predetermined value, and the numerical value is displayed on the display unit 22 as a set value. Next, the process proceeds to (S22), and piston positions P1, P2, and P3 are calculated according to the input parameter value, that is, the set value, and the process returns to (S20). The calculation method will be described later. If the numerical value selection switch 42 is still operated when returning to (S20), an interrupt is generated again according to the operation, and (S21) and (S22) are executed.

  When the user sees the displayed numerical value and becomes the desired numerical value, when the lever is released, the numerical value in the storage unit 24 at that time becomes the setting numerical value in the parameter item. The MPU 23 executes (S22) according to the setting value at that time, and then returns to the interrupt wait of (S20). Thus, the parameter value of one parameter item is set. If the user performs the above operations for “suction amount”, “discharge distance”, and “viscosity” and the MPU 23 executes (S10) to (S11) and (S20) to (S22), “suction amount” ”,“ Discharge distance ”, and“ Viscosity ”are set. In (S22), the MPU 23 calculates the piston positions P1, P2, and P3 based on the latest set values of “suction amount”, “discharge distance”, and “viscosity”.

  The discharge distance YY of the chemical liquid from the nozzle tip 16 is generally determined by the suction amount XX of the chemical liquid, the viscosity ZZ of the chemical liquid, and the pressure Ps of the compressed air in the syringe. Approximate expressions representing these relationships can be obtained by general mechanics or fluid mechanics principles. An approximate expression and a program for solving the approximation formula are stored in the storage unit 24, and the MPU 23 uses the program to calculate the necessary discharge amount YY, the suction amount XX of the chemical solution, and the viscosity ZZ of the chemical solution in the syringe. What is necessary is just to obtain | require the pressure Ps of compressed air.

  It is also possible to obtain a relationship among the discharge distance YY, the chemical liquid suction amount XX, the chemical liquid viscosity ZZ, and the pressure Ps of the compressed air in the syringe by experiments, and calculate the pressure Ps using the experimental results. . For example, the discharge distance YY is determined by performing a discharge experiment, for example, by selecting five conditions for the chemical liquid suction amount XX, the chemical liquid viscosity ZZ, and the compressed air pressure Ps in the syringe, respectively. The 5 × 5 × 5 = 125 (XX, YY, ZZ, Ps) tables obtained in this way are stored in the storage unit 24. Compressed air in the syringe by interpolation calculation using 125 table values based on the discharge distance YY, the chemical suction amount XX, and the chemical viscosity ZZ set using the operation unit 21 and the display unit 22. The pressure Ps can be approximately obtained. In the three-dimensional space of the discharge distance YY, the chemical liquid suction amount XX, and the chemical liquid viscosity ZZ, the rectangular parallelepiped to which the set values (XX, YY, ZZ) belong to the area of 64 cubes or rectangular parallelepiped formed by 125 points. You may calculate and use the average value of the value of the pressure Ps corresponding to eight vertices. For further accuracy, the pressure Ps may be obtained by sequentially performing an operation for obtaining an interpolated value of the pressure Ps according to the distance between (XX, YY, ZZ) and the above eight points in the three axial directions. The calculation process of such an interpolation calculation may be programmed and stored in the storage unit 24, and the MPP 23 may perform the interpolation calculation while reading the program to approximately obtain the pressure Ps.

  Next, piston positions P1, P2, and P3 are calculated from the amount of chemical liquid suction XX and the pressure Ps. When the cross-sectional area inside the syringe 12 is Ss, the suction amount XX = Ss × (P1-P2). When the volume from the piston 13 in the syringe to the valve of the solenoid valve 14 when the piston 13 is at the position P1 is V1, the valve from the piston 13 in the syringe to the solenoid valve 14 when the piston 13 is at the position P2. The volume V2 up to is V1 + Ss × (P1−P2). When compressed from P2 to P3, the pressure Ps = V2 / {V2-Ss × (P3-P2)}. If P1 is determined in advance as the reference position of the piston, P2 and P3 can be obtained by calculation. The calculation procedure for this is stored as a program in the storage unit 24, and the MPU 23 reads the program and performs the calculation to obtain P2 and P3.

  The controller 2 shown in FIG. 1 performs a series of control of the piston 13 and the electromagnetic valve 14 described with reference to FIG. 2 using the values of P1, P2, and P3. FIG. 5C and FIG. 5D are flowcharts showing the control procedure of the pulse motor 111 and the electromagnetic valve 14 performed by the controller 2. When the suction button 43 is turned on, the MPU 23 detects the occurrence of an interruption in (S30), proceeds to (S31), and pulls out the piston to the position P2 by the amount of the chemical solution. Next, proceeding to (S32), the electromagnetic valve is closed, and the piston is pushed into the position P3. Preparation for discharge is now complete, and the process returns to (S30). (S31) is the control described in FIG. 2 (B), and (S32) is the control and compression control of the electromagnetic valve 14 described in FIG. 2 (C). When the discharge button 44 is turned ON, the MPU 23 detects the occurrence of an interrupt in (S40), proceeds to (S41), and opens the solenoid valve. Next, it progresses to (S42) and pulls out a piston to the position P1. The next suction is ready, and the process returns to (S40). (S41) is control for opening the solenoid valve 14 described with reference to FIG. (S42) is the control described with reference to FIG. In the flowchart of FIG. 5, the process ends when the power is turned off or the process ends.

  The pulse motor 111 can determine the rotation angle based on the phase and the number of pulses of a plurality of pulse signals to be supplied, and can be rotated about 0.5 degrees by one pulse. Therefore, it is easy to set the position of the piston 13 accurately. In the pulse motor 111 having the structure shown in FIG. 3A, the rotational movement of the rotor 31 can be converted into the minute movement of the motor shaft 30 by the screw bearing 34, so that the resolution of the position of the piston 13 can be set finely. The controller 2 supplies the pulse motor 111 with a control signal having a polarity and a pulse number corresponding to the positions (P3-P1), (P1-P2), and (P2-P3). For this purpose, coefficient values for calculating the number of pulses required to move the piston 13 to the positions P1, P2, and P3 are stored in the storage unit 24, and the MPU 23 stores those coefficient values and P1, P2,. The necessary number of pulses is calculated from P3.

  Since the amount of suction and the discharge pressure may be changed depending on the chemical, it is preferable that the controller 2 can change and set the number of pulses in each procedure. For this purpose, an input operation unit using a knob or a numeric keypad for setting the suction amount and the discharge pressure may be provided in the controller 2 so that the number of pulses can be changed. A plurality of types of nozzle tips 16 may be prepared, selected, and used so that the inner diameter of the nozzle tip 16 can also be changed according to the viscosity of the chemical solution 18, the mixed substance, the suction amount, and the like.

  The dispenser 1 can be made as large as a thick pen or fountain pen by using a small pulse motor 111, a syringe 12, a solenoid valve 14 and the like. Can be used. If the controller 2 and the dispenser 1 are integrated, dispensing can be performed with one hand.

  The coupling between the syringe 12 and the electromagnetic valve 14 may be direct or indirect. In an indirect case, it couple | bonds via a linear or curved pipe, However, It remains unchanged that the syringe 12 and the solenoid valve 14 are couple | bonded. The coupling between the solenoid valve 14 and the pipe 15 may be direct or indirect. In the case of indirect, it may be coupled via a straight or curved pipe. FIG. 6B shows an example in which the syringe 12 and the electromagnetic valve 14 and the electromagnetic valve 14 and the pipe 15 are indirectly coupled by the curved pipe 19. The pipe 15 itself may be curved. The pipe 15 functions as an attachment portion into which the nozzle tip 16 is fitted. When one port of the electromagnetic valve 14 is an attachment portion for the nozzle tip 16, the pipe 15 can be omitted.

  In FIG. 1, it is assumed that the syringe 12 and the piston 13 form a container having a variable internal volume, the pipe 15 and the nozzle tip 16 form an inlet / outlet of the container, and an electromagnetic valve 14 is provided in the middle of the inlet / outlet. Also good. In FIG. 6B as well, it can be seen that the syringe 12 forms a container, the pipe 19, the pipe 15, and the nozzle tip 16 form an inlet / outlet of the container, and the electromagnetic valve 14 is provided in the middle of the inlet / outlet. . Further, the nozzle tip 16 may be viewed as a part of the entrance / exit, or may be viewed as a separate part.

  The lever of the numerical value selection switch 42 of the display unit 22 can be tilted left and right in addition to up and down, and by moving the lever to the left and right, the digit of the numerical value of the parameter value display on the display unit 22 is selected to move left and right by one digit. The numerical value may be input by moving the lever up and down one digit at a time. When inputting a numerical value of two or more digits, the numerical value can be input for each digit, and the input operation time can be reduced.

  In the display unit 22a shown in FIG. 4B, two parameter values of suction amount: XX (μL) and discharge pressure: Ps (atmospheric pressure) are input and displayed. In this case, a number table of discharge pressure values Ps for “suction amount”, “discharge distance”, and “viscosity” is printed and created as a number table on paper or the like, and the user needs to look at the number table. A suitable discharge pressure value Ps is searched for and input by the parameter selection switch 41 and the numerical value selection switch 42.

  The operation unit 21 is a mouse instead of a switch, and the display unit 22 is a liquid crystal display device used on a personal computer. The pointer icon is moved by the mouse, a desired parameter item is selected, and a numerical value is input. You may do it. Numerical values may be input using a numeric keypad provided on a keyboard or the like.

  A memory card reader is provided in the controller 2, parameter setting values are stored in the memory card, this memory card is inserted into the reader, the reader reads out the parameter setting values and stores them in the storage unit 24. However, the MPU 23 may use the parameter setting value. The MPU 23 may read the parameter setting value from the storage unit 24 and display it on the display unit 22.

The parameter items in the present embodiment are examples, and other items may be added or other parameter items may be used. For example, when a plurality of types having different inner diameters of the nozzle tips 16 are prepared, the influence of the viscosity varies depending on the inner diameter. Therefore, when the inner diameter value is added to the parameter item, a more accurate discharge distance can be set.
(Embodiment 2)

In the first embodiment, the pulse motor 111 having the screw bearing 34 is used, but another general motor may be used as the motor. In FIG. 3B, a pinion 36 is provided on the motor shaft of a normal pulse motor 111 a, and the rotation operation is converted into a linear operation by the rack 37, so that the rack 37 also serves as the axis of the piston 13. The structure of the other parts may be the same as in FIG. In this case, the spring 113 that pulls the shaft of the piston 13 may not be provided.
Various motors such as a linear motor and an ultrasonic motor may be used in addition to the rotating motor.
(Embodiment 3)
Next, another embodiment of the dispensing device of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, another container is used.

  FIG. 6A is an example of such an embodiment. Instead of the syringe 12, a container 51 having a variable volume is used. The container 51 is provided with an air inlet / outlet port and is connected to the electromagnetic valve 14. The container 51 is made of a slightly hard rubber or a flexible plastic material. When the container 51 is sandwiched and pressed by the pressure plate 52, the volume of the container 51 decreases, but if the container 51 is not pressed, the container 51 is restored to its original shape. When the electromagnetic valve 14 is closed and the container 51 is pressed by the compression plate 52, the internal pressure increases due to the decrease in volume. If the container 51 has a slightly flat or elliptical bag shape and is sandwiched between two pressure plates 52, it is easy to significantly reduce the internal volume of the container 52.

When the electromagnetic valve 14 is opened, the pressure plate 52 is held down slightly, the nozzle chip 16 is immersed in the chemical solution 18, and the pressure of the pressure plate 52 is removed, the volume of the container 52 is restored, and a small amount of chemical solution is removed. The sample 17 can be sucked to the tip of the nozzle tip 16. Thereafter, the electromagnetic valve 14 is closed, the pressure plate 52 is pressed, the volume of the container 51 is reduced to about half of the original volume, and then the electromagnetic valve 14 is opened to discharge the minute sample 17 at about 2 atm. it can. The movement of the position of the pressure plate 52 can be realized by a drive mechanism such as a pulse motor and a gear.
(Embodiment 4)

The syringe 12 and the piston 13 described in FIG. The shaft of the piston 13 is formed in a pipe shape and is fixed to the vertical portion of the base 0 instead of the syringe 12. The pipe of the shaft of the piston 13 is connected to the electromagnetic valve 14. The syringe 12 is put on the piston 13 and pressed by the motor shaft of the pulse motor 111. The syringe 12 is pulled to the opposite side to the piston 13 by the same structure as the spring 113.
(Embodiment 5)

FIG. 6C shows a nozzle tip 16 a that is a modification of the nozzle tip 16. In the nozzle tip 16a, the nozzle part is made of a transparent member, transparent plastic or the like. Since the suction state of the chemical solution can be confirmed with the eyes, erroneous operation can be prevented. A filter 60 is provided at the root of the nozzle tip 16a. The material of the filter 60 is a film or plug having a property of transmitting air and blocking the passage of liquid. Urethane resin or non-woven fabric can be used. Since the suction of the chemical solution stops at the position of the filter 60 and is not sucked up to the pipe 15, the main body portion of the dispenser can be prevented from being contaminated by a liquid mixed with bacteria or microorganisms. In addition, unintended mixing of different chemicals is difficult to occur.
(Other embodiments and supplements)

  According to the dispensing device of the present invention, a small amount of liquid can be sucked and discharged. For example, it is possible to handle a small amount of liquid such as 100 nL to 20 μL. In addition, a discharge distance of about 5 mm to 50 mm can be realized. Since the suction amount and the discharge amount are almost the same, there is no waste of chemicals. The controller 2 can be reduced in size, and if it is integrated with the dispenser 1 and formed into a small and lightweight handpiece of the size of a fountain pen, it can be operated with one hand. The dispensing accuracy is 1 μL, and the CV value can be within 5%.

  The syringe may have a structure similar to a syringe as described above. Metal, plastic, etc. can be applied to the material of the syringe 12. The syringe 12 has an inner diameter of 1.5 mm and a maximum movement distance of about 2 mm of the piston 13 as an example, but is not limited thereto. Needless to say, since the air is compressed, the piston 13 and the syringe 12 preferably have a highly confidential structure.

  The nozzle tip 16 is preferably a disposable tip that can be easily replaced from the standpoint of hygiene and safety to avoid mixing of chemicals. An inner diameter of the hole of the nozzle tip 16 is about 0.4 mm and a conical shape having a length of about 35 mm is easy to handle, but is not limited to this size. Needless to say, it is preferable to use a sterilized chip. Therefore, the nozzle chips 16 for replacement can be stored in sealed bags one by one and can be disposable after use.

  As already described, it is preferable that the pressure of the compressed air in the syringe 12 can be changed by the inner diameter of the nozzle, the amount of the liquid, the viscosity of the liquid, the mixed substance, and the like. As an example, it is possible to realize a dispensing device that discharges 1 μl of a chemical solution at 4 atm.

In addition, the liquid which the dispensing apparatus in this Embodiment discharges may be anything. The liquid is, for example, biological blood or body fluid. By using the dispensing device according to the present embodiment, for example, it is possible to promote biotechnology research by effectively using a liquid in a precious organism.
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible, and it goes without saying that these are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  The dispensing apparatus according to the present invention can be used for dispensing work in which various solutions are supplied in minute amounts. It can be applied to fields such as genetic engineering and processing of small liquid volumes.

The block diagram of the dispensing apparatus by one Embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the operation | movement and dispensing procedure of the dispensing apparatus by one Embodiment of this invention. Diagram of an embodiment of a pulse motor used in the present invention The figure of embodiment of the operation part and display part of the controller used by this invention Flow chart of control procedure of dispensing method of the present invention The block diagram of the principal part of the dispensing apparatus by other one Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Dispensing apparatus 2 Controller 10 Board | substrate 11 Piston drive part 111 Pulse motor 112 Drive shaft 113 Spring 12 Syringe 13 Piston 14 Electromagnetic valve 15 Pipe 16 Nozzle tip 17 Sample 18 Chemical solution 21 Operation part 22 Display part 23 MPU
24 Storage Unit 25 Solenoid Valve Drive Unit 26 Motor Drive Unit 51 Container 52 Compression Plate

Claims (17)

An inlet / outlet through which liquid is taken in and out; a container having a variable volume; and a dispenser comprising a valve provided between the container and the inlet / outlet;
A dispensing device comprising a controller for controlling the volume of the container and the opening and closing of the valve,
The controller opens the valve to increase the volume of the container;
With the valve closed, the volume of the container is reduced to a predetermined amount to increase the internal pressure of the container,
A dispensing apparatus, wherein the valve is opened and a liquid as a medium in the container is discharged from the inlet / outlet. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid is sucked from the inlet / outlet by increasing the volume of the container. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a detachable nozzle tip is coupled to the inlet / outlet to suck the liquid. The controller is
The dispensing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an operation unit configured to set parameters relating to liquid discharge. The controller is
The dispensing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a display unit that displays the parameter. A syringe, a piston, a solenoid valve, a pipe, a nozzle chip, and a piston drive unit that drives the piston,
A dispenser in which the solenoid valve is provided between the syringe and the pipe, the nozzle tip is coupled to the pipe, and a volume of a container formed by the syringe and the piston is controlled by the piston drive unit;
A dispensing apparatus comprising: a controller that drives the piston drive unit and drives the solenoid valve. When the solenoid valve is in an open state, the piston driving unit pulls out the piston and fills the syringe with air, and then the piston driving unit pulls out the piston a predetermined distance and puts a chemical solution at the tip of the nozzle tip. Next, when the solenoid valve is in the closed state, the piston driving unit pushes the piston to compress the air in the syringe, and then when the solenoid valve is in the open state, the liquid is discharged. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein an operation of discharging from the nozzle tip is performed. The controller is
An operation unit for setting parameters related to liquid ejection;
A display unit for displaying the parameters;
The dispensing device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the piston driving unit is driven based on the parameter value. The dispensing apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the pipe is omitted and the solenoid valve and the nozzle tip are combined. The dispensing device according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the nozzle tip is detachable. The dispensing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the liquid discharged from the inlet / outlet is a small amount of liquid of about 100 nL to about 20 μL. The dispensing device according to claim 8 or 12, wherein the operation unit sets any one of a suction amount, a discharge distance, a viscosity, and a discharge pressure. The dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the nozzle tip is made of a member having a transparent or translucent tip at least. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle tip includes a filter therein. The dispenser which comprises the dispensing apparatus in any one of Claims 1-14. The controller which comprises the dispensing apparatus in any one of Claims 1-14. The nozzle tip which comprises the dispensing apparatus in any one of Claims 3-14.

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