JP2006258692A - Dispensing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a dispensing device that has a simple structure and provides precise dispensing amount. <P>SOLUTION: The inside of a needle rack 1 is hollow. A plurality of needles 2 of the same shape are held by the needle rack 1 so that the lower ends of the plurality of needles 2 project out of the needle rack 1 and the upper ends of the plurality of needles 2 project into the needle rack 1. An opening 2a is formed at the same position near the upper end of each of the plurality of needles 2. The pressure of the inner space of the needle rack 1 is made negative to suck liquid from the lower end of the needle 2, the liquid is reserved and stored inside the needles 2, the inner space of the needle rack 1 is pressurized, and the liquid held by the needles 2 is delivered. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a dispensing apparatus, and more particularly to a multipoint simultaneous dispensing apparatus that dispenses a plurality of liquids simultaneously.

  In a conventional dispensing device, the liquid contained in a container such as a bottle, test tube, or vial placed on a plate or table is sucked up with a needle for each container, and is transferred to another container such as a bottle, test tube, or vial. The operation of injecting the sample into the sample, washing the needle to prevent contamination, sucking the liquid with the needle, and injecting the sample into the sample is repeated for the number of containers.

  However, in this method, when a large number of samples are processed simultaneously, it takes time. For example, as described in JP-A No. 11-287812, a plurality of liquids are simultaneously dispensed using a plurality of dispensing nozzles. The method of pouring is known. Here, when a plunger pump for performing suction and discharge is provided for each dispensing nozzle, although the accuracy of the dispensing amount is improved, the same number of plunger pumps as the dispensing nozzle is required, resulting in an increase in cost.

  On the other hand, as disclosed in Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 52-30874, an air source such as a single plunger pump is connected to an air conduit to simultaneously dispense a large number of liquids. In the method using a single air source, since the distances to a plurality of dispensing nozzles are different, there is a problem that the pressure in the dispensing nozzle is different and the dispensing amount is not constant. To solve this problem, in the method described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 52-30874, a piston is provided in each dispensing nozzle to improve the accuracy of the dispensing amount. There is a problem that the structure is complicated because the piston needs to be installed.

JP-A-11-287812 Japanese Patent Publication No.52-30874

  In the method using a single air source, since the distances to a plurality of dispensing nozzles (needles) are different, there is a problem that the pressure in the dispensing nozzle is different and the dispensing amount is not constant. In order to solve this problem, in the method described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 52-30874, a piston is provided in each dispensing nozzle to improve the accuracy of the dispensing amount. There is a problem that the structure is complicated because the piston needs to be installed.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing device having a simple structure and capable of obtaining a highly accurate dispensing amount.

(1) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a dispensing device that dispenses a plurality of liquids simultaneously using a plurality of needles having the same shape, the needle rack having a hollow inside, and the plurality of the plurality of liquids With respect to the needle rack, the needles have lower end portions of the plurality of needles protruding outside the needle rack, upper end portions of the plurality of needles protruding and held inside the needle rack, and the plurality of needles. An opening formed at the same position near the upper end of each needle is provided, the internal space of the needle rack is made negative pressure, the liquid is sucked from the lower end of the needle, and the liquid is retained and retained in the needle Then, the internal space of the needle rack is pressurized and the liquid held by the needle is discharged.
With this configuration, it is possible to obtain a dispensing amount with a simple structure and high accuracy.

  (2) In the above (1), preferably, the opening formed in the needle is formed in an upper end portion of the needle.

  (3) In the above (1), preferably, the opening formed in the needle is formed on a side surface near the upper end of the needle.

  (4) In the above (1), preferably, the opening formed in the needle is formed on a side surface in the vicinity of the upper end portion of the needle and has a slidable side wall on the side surface of the needle. It is.

(5) Moreover, in order to achieve the said objective, this invention is a dispensing apparatus which dispenses several liquid simultaneously using several needles of the same shape, Comprising: The inside is hollow and it can slide. A needle rack having a plunger, and the plurality of needles, with respect to the needle rack, lower end portions of the plurality of needles protrude outside the needle rack, and upper end portions of the plurality of needles are bottom surfaces of the needle rack. Are held in the same plane, open to the inside of the needle rack, and the plunger is pulled out to make the internal space of the needle rack a negative pressure to suck liquid from the lower end of the needle, and into the needle. The liquid retained and retained, and the plunger was pushed in to pressurize the inner space of the needle rack, and the liquid retained by the needle It is obtained so as to eject.
With this configuration, it is possible to obtain a dispensing amount with a simple structure and high accuracy.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a dispensing amount with a simple structure and high accuracy.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a dispensing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
Initially, the whole structure of the dispensing apparatus by this embodiment is demonstrated using FIG.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a dispensing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The dispensing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a needle rack 1, a medicine table 4, a sample table 6, a washing port 8, and the like. A plurality of needles (dispensing nozzles) 2 are mounted on the needle rack 1. The needle 2 has a pipe shape, and an upper end portion protrudes into the needle rack 1 and a lower end portion protrudes downward from the outside of the needle rack 1. The number of needles 2 is, for example, 100 or 200. Further, a plunger pump, a syringe, and the like for connecting the inside of the needle rack 1 to a negative pressure are connected to the needle rack 1 whose inside is sealed. By making the inside of the needle rack 1 negative by a plunger pump or the like, a plurality of liquids are sucked simultaneously by the plurality of needles 2 and are also sucked by the plurality of needles 2 by pressurizing the inside of the needle rack 1. A plurality of liquids can be discharged simultaneously.

  The needle rack 1 can reciprocate in the vertical direction (in the direction of arrow A in the figure) within the dispensing device. That is, it is possible to move down from the position shown in FIG. 1 to a position immediately above the sample table 6. The needle rack 1 can be rotated in the direction of arrow B in a horizontal plane. That is, it can be rotated from the position shown in FIG. 1 to a position immediately above the cleaning port 8. The washing port 8 is fixed.

  The medicine table 4 holds a liquid such as a reagent contained in a container such as a bottle, a test tube, or a vial. The number of liquid containers held on one medicine table 4 is equal to the number of needles mounted on the needle rack 1. The medicine table 4 can be rotated in the direction of arrow C. That is, in the illustrated example, six drug tables 4 are illustrated, but each can be rotated to a position directly below the needle rack 1.

  The specimen table 6 is set with specimens contained in containers such as bottles, test tubes, and vials. The number of sample containers held on one sample table 6 is equal to the number of needles mounted on the needle rack 1. The sample table 6 can be rotated in the direction of arrow D. That is, in the illustrated example, seven sample tables 6 are illustrated, but each can rotate to a position directly below the needle rack 1.

Next, operation | movement of the dispensing apparatus by this embodiment is demonstrated using FIG.
2A to 2C are perspective views for explaining the operation of the dispensing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 2A shows the operating state of the liquid suction phase. In the liquid suction phase, the plurality of medicine tables 4 shown in FIG. 1 rotate in the direction of arrow C, and the predetermined medicine table 4 moves to a position directly below the needle rack 1. Thereafter, the needle rack 1 is lowered in the direction of arrow A, and the tip of the needle 2 is inserted into the reagent container 3 set on the medicine table 4 as shown in FIG. The reagent is held inside the reagent container 3, and the tip of the needle 2 is inserted into the reagent liquid.

  The sealed needle rack 1 and the plunger pump (PP) 10 are connected by a suction / discharge pipe 7. In this state, when the plunger pump 10 is operated and the inside of the needle rack 1 is set to a negative pressure via the suction / discharge pipe 7, a plurality of reagents in the reagent container 3 are transferred from the tips of the plurality of needles 2. It is sucked into each of the needles 2 and retained. At this time, the part that retains and holds the liquid such as the reagent is a part of the needle 2.

  FIG. 2B shows the operating state of the liquid ejection phase. In the liquid ejection phase, the plurality of sample tables 6 shown in FIG. 1 rotate in the direction of arrow D, and the predetermined sample table 6 moves to a position directly below the needle rack 1. Thereafter, the needle rack 1 is lowered in the direction of arrow A, and the tip of the needle 2 is inserted into the sample container 5 set on the sample table 6 as shown in FIG. A specimen (sample) is held inside the specimen container 5, and the tip of the needle 2 is inserted into the specimen liquid.

  In this state, when the plunger pump 10 shown in FIG. 2A is operated to pressurize the inside of the needle rack 1 via the suction / discharge pipe 7, the reagents held in the plurality of needles 2 are removed. And discharged into the sample container 5.

  FIG. 2C shows the operating state of the cleaning phase. In the cleaning phase, the needle rack 1 shown in FIG. 1 rotates in the direction of arrow B and moves to a position directly above the cleaning port 8. Thereafter, the needle rack 1 is lowered in the direction of arrow A, and is inserted into the cleaning port 8 as shown in FIG.

  In this state, the plunger pump 10 shown in FIG. 2 (A) is operated, the inside of the needle rack 1 is set to a negative pressure via the suction / discharge pipe 7, and the cleaning liquid is sucked into the needle 2. Further, the inside of the needle rack 1 is pressurized, the cleaning liquid held by the plurality of needles 2 is discharged, and the inside and the outside of the needle 2 are cleaned with the cleaning liquid.

  By repeating the phases shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, the step of dispensing the reagent to a plurality of specimens and washing the needles can be repeated.

  It should be noted that the container 3 such as a bottle containing liquid, a test tube or a vial, or the container 5 such as a bottle containing a sample, a test tube or a vial has information by means of an IC chip, a barcode, etc. Interlocked with the movement of

Next, the detailed structure of the dispensing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a detailed configuration of the dispensing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of FIG. 1 and 2 indicate the same parts.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the needle rack 1 is a hollow box having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. A suction / discharge pipe 7 and a cleaning liquid introduction pipe 13 are connected to the upper part of the needle rack 1, and a discharge pipe 14 is connected to the lower end part. A plurality of needles 2 are inserted and fixed in the lower part of the needle rack 1 through the bottom plate. The upper end portion of the needle 2 protrudes inside the needle rack 1, and the lower end portion protrudes downward from the outside of the needle rack 1. With respect to the needle rack 1, the pipes 7, 13, 14 and the needle 2 are sealed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the upper end portion of the needle 2 protruding into the needle rack 1 is cut in the horizontal direction to have an opening 2 a and is open to the inside of the needle rack 1. The plurality of needles 2 shown in FIG. 3 have the same inner diameter and the same overall length, and the mounting positions with respect to the needle rack 1 are all equal.

  As shown in FIG. 3, for example, while the reagent is held in the reagent container 3, the tip of the needle 2 is inserted into the reagent liquid, and the ends of the pipes 13 and 14 are sealed with a valve or the like. In this state, when a negative pressure is applied to the inside of the needle rack 1 via the suction / discharge pipe 7 by the plunger pump 10 shown in FIG. 2, the reagent is sucked into the plurality of needles 2, respectively. When the liquid level of the reagent inside the needle 2 rises and rises to the position of the opening 2 a at the upper end portion of the needle 2 shown in FIG. 4, the reagent overflows from the upper end portion of the needle 2. At this time, when the suction by the plunger pump is stopped, the reagent is held inside the needle 2. As described above, the plurality of needles 2 have the same inner diameter and the same overall length, and the mounting positions with respect to the needle rack 1 are all equal, so that they stay in and are held inside the needle 2. The amounts of reagents can all be equal.

  As described above, by using a pressure source (power source) such as a single plunger pump, the same plurality of needles are configured such that the upper ends of the needles protrude into the inside of the needle rack 1. The same amount of liquid can be sucked into a plurality of needles simply by overflowing from the upper end of the needle.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 2 (B), the needle rack 1 is moved onto the sample rack, and the reagent (liquid) held inside the needle 2 is discharged, whereby a large number of liquids can be quantitatively analyzed simultaneously. Can be noted.

  In the state where the valve of the pipe 14 is closed, the overflowing liquid remains in the needle rack 1, and therefore, when it accumulates to some extent, it is discharged from the discharge pipe 14 to the outside. Further, the inside of the needle rack 1 can be cleaned by injecting the cleaning liquid into the needle rack 1 from the cleaning pipe 13 and discharging it from the discharge pipe 14.

Next, another needle structure used in the dispensing device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of another needle structure used in the dispensing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a needle 2A according to another first example has an opening 2b on the side surface near the upper end of the needle 2A. Accordingly, when a negative pressure is applied to the inside of the needle rack 1 by a plunger pump or the like, the reagent is sucked into the plurality of needles 2A. When the liquid level of the reagent inside the needle 2A rises and rises to the position of the opening 2b near the upper end of the needle 2 shown in FIG. 5, the reagent overflows from the opening 2b near the upper end of the needle 2A. Become. At this time, when the suction by the plunger pump is stopped, the reagent is held inside the needle 2A. As described above, each of the plurality of needles 2A has the same inner diameter and the same overall length, and by making the side opening 2b formed at the same position, the mounting positions on the needle rack 1 are all equal. Therefore, the amount of the reagent that stays and is held inside the needle 2A can be all made equal.

Next, another needle structure used in the dispensing device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of another needle structure used in the dispensing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a needle 2B according to another second example includes a cup 2D connected to the upper end side of the needle 2B by a pipe 2C. The upper end of the cup 2D has an opening 2a. Therefore, when a negative pressure is applied to the inside of the needle rack 1 by a plunger pump or the like, the reagent is sucked into the plurality of needles 2B. When the liquid level of the reagent inside the needle 2B rises and rises to the position of the opening 2a at the upper end of the cup 2D through the pipe 2C, the reagent overflows from the opening 2a at the upper end. At this time, when the suction by the plunger pump is stopped, the reagent is held inside the needle 2B, the pipe 2C, and the cup 2D. The plurality of needles 2B, pipes 2C, and cups 2D have the same inner diameter size and overall length, and the mounting positions with respect to the needle rack 1 are all equal, so that the inside of the needles 2B, pipes 2C, and cups 2D The amount of reagent that stays in and is retained can all be equal.

Next, still another needle structure used in the dispensing device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of still another needle structure used in the dispensing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a needle 2E according to another third example includes a slidable side wall 2F on the side surface near the upper end thereof. An opening 2c is provided at the upper end of the side wall 2F. The opening 2c is formed on the side surface when the sliding side wall 2F is lowered, and is formed on the upper side when the sliding side wall 2F is positioned at the upper end. Therefore, when a negative pressure is applied to the inside of the needle rack 1 by a plunger pump or the like, the reagent is sucked into the plurality of needles 2E. When the liquid level of the reagent inside the needle 2E rises to the position of the opening 2c, the reagent overflows from the opening 2c near the upper end. At this time, when the suction by the plunger pump is stopped, the reagent is held inside the needle 2E. Each of the plurality of needles 2E has the same inner diameter size and overall length, and all the mounting positions with respect to the needle rack 1 are also equal. Therefore, the amount of the reagent that stays inside the needle 2E and is held is: All can be equal.

  By connecting the side walls 2F of all the needles 2E and raising and lowering them uniformly using a drive source such as a motor, the side walls 2F can be made equal in the position of the upper end of the side walls 2F. Thus, by providing the slide-type side wall 2F, the amount of liquid to be sucked can be varied, and the dispensing amount can be varied.

  The embodiments shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 are common in that an opening is formed near the upper end of the needle. When the liquid is sucked, the amount of liquid staying in the needle can be made equal by the plurality of needles by overflowing the liquid from the opening near the upper end of the needle.

Next, the configuration of a dispensing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The overall configuration of the dispensing apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a main configuration of a dispensing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. 9A to 9C are perspective views for explaining the operation of the dispensing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. 1 to 3 indicate the same parts.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a syringe-like plunger 12 slidable in the vertical direction is provided inside the needle rack 1A. The sliding surface between the inner surface of the needle rack 1A and the plunger 12 is sealed. A plurality of needles 2G are attached to the lower part of the needle rack 1. Here, the lower end of the needle 2G protrudes from the lower portion of the needle rack 1, but the upper end is located on the same plane as the inner bottom surface of the needle rack 1.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 8, when the reagent 2 is held in the reagent container 3, the tip of the needle 2 is inserted into the reagent liquid, and the plunger 12 is pulled upward, so that the inside of the needle rack 1A Becomes negative pressure, and the reagent is sucked into each of the plurality of needles 2G. At this time, since the distance from the upper end portion of each needle 2G to the lower surface of the plunger 12 is equal, the negative pressure generated inside the needle rack 1A by pulling up the plunger 12 is equal for all the needles 2G. When the upward movement of the plunger 12 is stopped, the amount of the reagent held inside the needle 2G can be made equal. Further, since the amount of the liquid staying inside the needle 2G can be changed according to the upward movement amount of the plunger 12, the dispensing amount can be easily varied.

  Next, operation | movement of the dispensing apparatus of this embodiment is demonstrated using FIG. 9 (A)-(C).

  FIG. 9A shows the operating state of the liquid suction phase. In the liquid suction phase, the plurality of medicine tables 4 shown in FIG. 1 rotate in the direction of arrow C, and the predetermined medicine table 4 moves to a position directly below the needle rack 1A. Thereafter, the needle rack 1A descends in the direction of arrow A, and the tip of the needle 2 is inserted into the reagent container 3 set on the medicine table 4 as shown in FIG. 9A. The reagent is held inside the reagent container 3, and the tip of the needle 2 is inserted into the reagent liquid.

  In this state, when the plunger 12 is pulled upward, the inside of the needle rack 1A becomes negative pressure, and the reagent inside the reagent container 3 is sucked into the inside of each of the plurality of needles 2G from the tips of the plurality of needles 2G. Retention is retained.

  FIG. 9B shows the operating state of the liquid ejection phase. In the liquid discharge phase, the plurality of sample tables 6 shown in FIG. 1 rotate in the direction of arrow D, and the predetermined sample table 6 moves to a position directly below the needle rack 1A. Thereafter, the needle rack 1A descends in the direction of arrow A, and the tip of the needle 2G is inserted into the sample container 5 set on the sample table 6 as shown in FIG. 9B. A specimen (sample) is held inside the specimen container 5, and the tip of the needle 2G is inserted into the liquid of the specimen.

  In this state, when the plunger 12 shown in FIG. 9A is pushed downward, the inside of the needle rack 1A is pressurized, and the reagents held in the plurality of needles 2G are discharged into the sample container 5. The

  FIG. 9C shows the operating state of the cleaning phase. In the cleaning phase, the needle rack 1 </ b> A shown in FIG. 1 rotates in the direction of arrow B and moves to a position directly above the cleaning port 8. Thereafter, the needle rack 1 </ b> A descends in the direction of arrow A, and is inserted into the cleaning port 8 as shown in FIG. 9C.

  In this state, when the plunger 12 shown in FIG. 9A is pulled upward, the inside of the needle rack 1A becomes negative pressure, the cleaning liquid is sucked into the needle 2G, and further, the plunger 12 is pushed down to bring the needle rack 1A down. The inside of the needle 2G is pressurized, the cleaning liquid held in the plurality of needles 2G is discharged, and the inside and the outside of the needle 2G are cleaned with the cleaning liquid.

  By repeating the phases shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C, it is possible to repeat the steps of dispensing reagents to a plurality of specimens and washing the needles.

It should be noted that the container 3 such as a bottle, a test tube or a vial containing a liquid, or the container 5 such as a bottle, a test tube or a vial containing a sample has information by an IC chip or a barcode, and the needle rack 1A Interlocked with the movement of

It is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of the dispensing apparatus by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view for operation | movement description of the dispensing apparatus by one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the detailed structure of the dispensing apparatus by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a principal part expansion perspective view of FIG. It is a principal part expansion perspective view of the other needle structure used for the dispensing apparatus by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a principal part expansion perspective view of the other needle structure used for the dispensing apparatus by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a principal part expansion perspective view of the further another needle structure used for the dispensing apparatus by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the principal part structure of the dispensing apparatus by other embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view for operation | movement description of the dispensing apparatus by one Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Needle rack 2 ... Needle 2a ... Opening 3 ... Reagent container 4 ... Chemical table 5 ... Sample container 6 ... Sample table 8 ... Washing port 10 ... Plunger pump 12 ... Plunger

Claims (5)

A dispensing device that dispenses a plurality of liquids simultaneously using a plurality of needles having the same shape,
A needle rack with a hollow interior,
The plurality of needles, with respect to the needle rack, lower end portions of the plurality of needles protrude outside the needle rack, and upper end portions of the plurality of needles protrude and hold inside the needle rack,
An opening formed at the same position near the upper end of each of the plurality of needles;
The inner space of the needle rack is set to a negative pressure, the liquid is sucked from the lower end of the needle, the liquid is retained and held in the needle, the inner space of the needle rack is pressurized and held by the needle. Dispensing device characterized by discharging a liquid. The dispensing device according to claim 1,
An opening formed in the needle is formed in an upper end portion of the needle. The dispensing device according to claim 1,
An opening formed in the needle is formed in a side surface near the upper end of the needle. The dispensing device according to claim 1,
An opening formed in the needle is formed on a side surface in the vicinity of the upper end portion of the needle, and includes a side wall slidable on the side surface of the needle. A dispensing device that dispenses a plurality of liquids simultaneously using a plurality of needles having the same shape,
A needle rack that is hollow inside and has a slidable plunger;
The plurality of needles, with respect to the needle rack, lower end portions of the plurality of needles protrude to the outside of the needle rack, and upper end portions of the plurality of needles are held on the same plane as a bottom surface of the needle rack, While opening inside the needle rack,
By pulling out the plunger to make the internal space of the needle rack negative pressure, the liquid is sucked from the lower end portion of the needle, the liquid is retained and held in the needle, and the plunger is pushed in to push the plunger into the internal space of the needle rack. A dispensing device, wherein the liquid held by the needle is discharged.

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