JP2007047085A - Reaction container, stirrer and analyzer equipped with stirrer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a reaction container capable of emitting the sonic wave, which is emitted from a sonic wave producing means, into a liquid without leaking it, a stirrer and an analyzer equipped with the stirrer. <P>SOLUTION: The reaction container for stirring the liquid by the sonic wave to react it, the stirrer and the analyzer equipped with the stirrer are disclosed. The reaction container 7 has at least two openings and a liquid holding part for holding the liquid in the space formed between the openings. The stirrer is equipped with a surface elastic wave element separating and approaching relatively with respect to the reaction container 7 and having a sounding part coming into contact with the liquid held to the liquid holding part to irradiate the liquid with the sonic wave and an insertion mechanism 23 for allowing one of the reaction container and the surface elastic wave element to separate and approach with respect to the other one of them. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a reaction vessel, a stirrer, and an analyzer equipped with a stirrer.

  Conventionally, in order to avoid downsizing of reaction containers and contamination between specimens, chemical analyzers irradiate the reaction container with ultrasonic waves from outside to generate an acoustic flow in the liquid held by the reaction container. What mixes and mixes a liquid in a non-contact manner is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

German Patent Invention No. 10325307

  By the way, in order to efficiently stir the liquid in the minute reaction container, it is necessary to form a sharp sound field in the liquid. At this time, as in Patent Document 1, when a SAW device is used as a sound source for generating an ultrasonic wave, the sound wave enters the liquid at a predetermined angle at the interface between the reaction container and the liquid. For this reason, when the volume is reduced, the reaction vessel is too small or thin, and the bottom wall is thick, some or all of the sound waves generated by the SAW device may not be incident on the liquid. In particular, when the volume of the reaction vessel is several nL to several tens of μL, the wall surface becomes relatively thick, and a sound wave that is not incident on the liquid is generated depending on the frequency of the sound wave.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and provides a reaction vessel, a stirrer, and an analyzer equipped with a stirrer that can emit sound waves generated by sound wave generation means into a liquid without leaking. For the purpose.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a reaction vessel according to claim 1 is a reaction vessel that reacts by agitating a liquid by sound waves, and has at least two openings between the openings. A liquid holding part for holding the liquid is provided in the space to be formed.

  The reaction container according to claim 2 is characterized in that, in the above invention, the liquid holding part introduces at least a part of the liquid from the one opening by capillary force.

  The reaction container according to claim 3 is characterized in that, in the above invention, the inner surface of the liquid holding part has affinity for the liquid.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the stirrer according to claim 4 is a stirrer that stirs a liquid by irradiating a sound wave. A sound wave generating means having a sounding part that approaches and contacts the liquid held in the liquid holding part to irradiate the liquid with sound waves; and a separation unit that separates and approaches one of the reaction container or the sound wave generating means to the other. And a contact means.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the above invention, the separation / contact means includes a first position where the sound wave generation means and the reaction vessel are brought into contact with each other to cover the one opening, and It is characterized in that the second openings are separated and changed to a second position where the two openings are opened.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the above invention, the liquid holding unit and the sound wave generation unit are configured such that the reaction container and the sound wave generation unit are separated from each other and the two openings are opened. It is characterized by being washed.

  The stirring device according to claim 7 is characterized in that, in the above invention, the sound wave generating means is a surface acoustic wave element having a comb-shaped electrode and generating surface acoustic waves.

  The stirring device according to claim 8 is characterized in that, in the above invention, the area of the comb-shaped electrode is smaller than the area of the one opening covered by the sound wave generating means.

  The stirring device according to claim 9 is characterized in that, in the above invention, the liquid introduced into the liquid holding part is dispensed onto the sound wave generating means.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the above invention, the sound wave generating means has a portion having affinity for the liquid and a portion having non-affinity for the liquid, and is introduced into the liquid holding portion. The liquid to be applied is a liquid dispensed in a portion having affinity for the sound wave generating means.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an analyzer according to claim 11 is an analyzer for analyzing a reaction liquid by stirring and reacting a plurality of different liquids. And a plurality of different liquids are stirred and reacted to analyze the reaction liquid.

  The reaction container of the present invention includes at least two openings and a liquid holding unit that is connected to the two openings and holds a liquid, and the stirring device of the present invention is relative to the reaction container. The sound wave generating means having a sound generating part that comes into close contact with the liquid held by the liquid holding part and irradiates the liquid with sound waves, and one of the reaction container or the sound wave generating means is spaced apart from the other. , The separating / contacting means to be approached, so that the sound wave generated by the sound wave generating means can be emitted into the liquid without leaking, and the analyzer of the present invention uses the stirring device to provide the plurality of different liquids. Since the reaction liquid is analyzed by stirring, the sound wave generated by the sound wave generating means can be emitted into the liquid without leaking.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, embodiments of the reaction vessel, the stirring device, and the analysis device of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating the automatic analyzer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the reaction container of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the reaction vessel. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the reaction wheel of the automatic analyzer shown in FIG. 1 together with the schematic configuration of the stirring device. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a sound wave generating means of the stirring device. FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing a part A of the sound wave generating means of FIG. Here, the sound wave generating means has a configuration in which a plurality of surface acoustic wave elements 21 are arranged in a ring shape on a thin flat plate.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic analyzer 1 is provided with a sample table 3, a reaction wheel 6 and a reagent table 13 on a work table 2 so as to be spaced apart from each other and rotated in the circumferential direction, and positioned freely. A stirrer 20 is provided. In the automatic analyzer 1, a sample dispensing mechanism 5 is provided between the sample table 3 and the reaction wheel 6, and a reagent dispensing mechanism 12 is provided between the reaction wheel 6 and the reagent table 13. .

  As shown in FIG. 1, the sample table 3 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow by the driving means, and a plurality of storage chambers 3 a are provided on the outer periphery at regular intervals along the circumferential direction. In each storage chamber 3a, a sample container 4 storing a sample is detachably stored.

  The sample dispensing mechanism 5 is means for dispensing a sample, and sequentially dispenses samples from a plurality of sample containers 4 of the sample table 3 into the container holes 6a of the reaction wheel 6 as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the reaction wheel 6 is rotated in a direction indicated by an arrow by a driving means different from the sample table 3, and a plurality of container holes 6 a arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction are provided on the outer periphery. ing. In the reaction wheel 6, openings are formed in each container hole 6a so that light can be transmitted on both sides in the radial direction. A reaction container 7 for reacting a specimen with a reagent is detachably inserted into each container hole 6 a by an insertion mechanism 23. The reaction wheel 6 rotates clockwise (1 turn-1 reaction vessel) / 4 minutes in one cycle, and rotates one container hole 6a counterclockwise in four cycles. The reaction wheel 6 is provided with a light source 8 and a discharge device 11.

  The light source 8 emits analysis light (340 to 800 nm) for analyzing the liquid in the reaction container 7 in which the reagent and the sample have reacted. The light beam for analysis emitted from the light source 8 passes through the liquid in the reaction vessel 7 and is received by the light receiving element 9 provided at a position facing the light source 8. On the other hand, the discharge device 11 includes a discharge nozzle, and sucks the liquid after completion of the reaction from the reaction container 7 by the discharge nozzle and discharges it to a discharge container (not shown). Here, the reaction container 7 that has passed through the discharge device 11 is transferred to a cleaning device (not shown) and washed, and then used again for analysis of a new specimen.

The reaction container 7 is a very small container having a capacity of several nL to several tens of μL, and is a material that transmits 80% or more of the light contained in the analysis light (340 to 800 nm) emitted from the light source 8, such as heat-resistant glass. Synthetic resins such as glass, cyclic olefin and polystyrene are used. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the reaction vessel 7 is formed with a holding portion 7c for holding a liquid by a parallel wall 7a parallel to each other and an inclined wall 7b extending upward adjacent to the parallel wall 7a. ing. The reaction vessel 7 is a bottomless vessel in which an upper opening 7d is formed in the upper part of the holding part 7c and a lower opening 7e is formed in the lower part. In the reaction vessel 7, the upper opening 7d and the lower opening 7e are formed to have a size of about 0.1 to ²⁰ mm ² so that at least part of the liquid is introduced into the holding portion 7c by capillary force, and the area of the lower opening 7e. Is smaller than the area of the upper opening 7d, and the inner surfaces of the parallel wall 7a and the inclined wall 7b are subjected to affinity processing for a liquid such as a specimen or a reagent. The reaction vessel 7 is used as a window 7f (see FIG. 3) through which the lower side of the parallel wall 7a transmits the analysis light. The reaction vessel 7 is inserted into the vessel hole 6a of the reaction wheel 6 with the parallel wall 7a facing in the radial direction.

  The reagent dispensing mechanism 12 is means for dispensing a reagent, and sequentially dispenses the reagent from a predetermined reagent container 14 of the reagent table 13 to the container hole 6a of the reaction wheel 6 as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the reagent table 13 is rotated in a direction indicated by an arrow by a driving means different from the sample table 3 and the reaction wheel 6, and a plurality of fan-shaped storage chambers 13 a are provided along the circumferential direction. ing. In each storage chamber 13a, the reagent container 14 is detachably stored. Each of the plurality of reagent containers 14 is filled with a predetermined reagent corresponding to the inspection item, and a barcode label (not shown) for displaying information on the stored reagent is attached to the outer surface.

  Here, on the outer periphery of the reagent table 13, a reading device 15 that reads information such as the reagent type, lot, and expiration date recorded on the barcode label attached to the reagent container 14 and outputs the information to the control unit 16 is installed. Has been. The control unit 16 is connected to the light receiving element 9, the ejection device 11, the reading device 15, the analysis unit 17, the input unit 18, the display unit 19, and the stirring device 20, for example, a microcomputer having a storage function for storing analysis results. Etc. are used. The control unit 16 controls the operation of each unit of the automatic analyzer 1 and regulates the analysis work when the reagent lot or expiration date is out of the installation range based on the information read from the barcode label record. Thus, the automatic analyzer 1 is controlled or a warning is issued to the operator.

  The analysis unit 17 is connected to the light receiving element 9 via the control unit 16, analyzes the component concentration of the specimen from the absorbance of the liquid in the reaction container 7 based on the amount of light received by the light receiving element 9, and the analysis result is controlled by the control unit 16 is output. The input unit 18 is a part that performs an operation of inputting inspection items and the like to the control unit 16, and for example, a keyboard, a mouse, or the like is used. The display unit 19 displays analysis contents, alarms, and the like, and a display panel or the like is used.

  The stirrer 20 stirs the liquid held in the reaction vessel 7 with sound waves. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, sound wave generating means, a drive device 22 and an insertion mechanism comprising a plurality of surface acoustic wave elements 21. 23.

  The surface acoustic wave element 21 is disposed below the reaction wheel 6 and rotates together with the reaction wheel 6 with the vibrator 21b aligned with the container hole 6a. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the surface acoustic wave element 21 includes a vibrator (sound generator) 21 b and an antenna 21 c made of comb-shaped electrodes (IDT) on a piezoelectric substrate 21 a such as lithium niobate (LiNbO 3). The vibrator 21b and the antenna 21c are protected by a coating 21d made of silicon dioxide (SiO2) or the like. Here, on the surface of the coating 21d, the upper portion of the vibrator 21b is subjected to affinity processing for a liquid such as a specimen and a reagent, and the portion other than the upper portion of the vibrator 21b is subjected to non-affinity processing. The plane area of the vibrator 21b and the antenna 21c is made smaller than the area of the lower opening 7e so as to be accommodated in the lower opening 7e of the reaction vessel 7. Such a surface acoustic wave element 21 is formed on the thin flat plate 27 that can transmit power wirelessly along the circumferential direction at intervals corresponding to the plurality of container holes 6a, and is formed into a ring shape to generate sound waves. It becomes a means.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the driving device 22 is driving means for transmitting power to the surface acoustic wave element 21 and driving it, and includes an RF transmission antenna 22a, a signal generator 22b, and a drive control circuit 22c. The RF transmission antenna 22a is disposed below the surface acoustic wave element 21 so as to face the transducer 21b and the antenna 21c. The RF transmission antenna 22a transmits high-frequency power of several MHz to several hundred MHz supplied from the signal generator 22b to each antenna 21c of the surface acoustic wave element 21 that rotates together with the reaction wheel 6, and transmits to each transducer 21b. Oscillates sound waves. The signal generator 22b has an oscillation circuit whose oscillation frequency can be changed based on a control signal from the drive control circuit 22c, and a high-frequency oscillation signal of about several tens to several hundreds of MHz is supplied to the RF transmission antenna 22a. Output. The drive control circuit 22c uses electronic control means (ECU) incorporating a memory and a timer, and controls the drive signal of the surface acoustic wave element 21. The drive control circuit 22c controls the operation of the signal generator 22b. For example, the characteristics of the sound wave (frequency, intensity, phase, wave characteristic) generated by the surface acoustic wave element 21 and the waveform (sine wave, triangular wave, rectangular wave, (Burst wave etc.) or modulation (amplitude modulation, frequency modulation) etc. are controlled. The drive control circuit 22c can switch the frequency of the oscillation signal oscillated by the signal generator 22b in accordance with a built-in timer.

  The insertion mechanism 23 holds the reaction vessel 7 disposed at a predetermined position under the control of the control unit 16 and inserts the reaction vessel 7 into each vessel hole 6 a provided in the reaction wheel 6, thereby inserting the reaction vessel 7 into the surface acoustic wave element 21. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a chuck 23b for holding the reaction vessel 7 is provided on an arm 23a that can move up and down and rotate in the horizontal direction.

  The automatic analyzer 1 configured as described above has a reagent dispensing mechanism in each container hole 6a that moves along the circumferential direction by the rotation of the reaction wheel 6 and the sound wave generating means under the control of the control unit 16. The 12 nozzles 12a sequentially dispense the reagent Lr from the predetermined reagent container 14 of the reagent table 13 (see FIGS. 4 and 8). Thereby, the reagent Lr dispensed into the container hole 6a is dropped on the surface acoustic wave element 21 as shown in FIG. At this time, in the surface acoustic wave element 21, the upper portion of the vibrator 21b is subjected to affinity processing for a liquid such as a specimen or a reagent, and the other portions are subjected to non-affinity processing. For this reason, the reagent dropped on the surface acoustic wave element 21 forms a hemispherical droplet. When the reagent is dispensed, the reaction wheel 6 rotates together with the surface acoustic wave element 21 of the sound wave generation means, and the container hole 6a into which the reagent has been dispensed moves to the vicinity of the sample dispensing mechanism 5 to thereby dispense the sample. The mechanism 5 dispenses the sample from the predetermined sample container 4 into the container hole 6a. At this time, the hemispherical liquid L in which the specimen is dispensed on the reagent exists on the surface acoustic wave element 21 (see FIG. 9).

  Thus, the container hole 6a into which the reagent and the sample are dispensed is moved to the vicinity of the insertion mechanism 23 by the rotation of the reaction wheel 6 and the sound wave generating means. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the insertion mechanism 23 inserts the grasped reaction container 7 into the container hole 6a into which the reagent and the sample are dispensed from above. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the lower opening 7 e of the reaction container 7 abuts on the upper part of the hemispherical liquid L. Then, since the area of the lower opening 7e is small in the reaction vessel 7, a part of the liquid L is introduced from the lower opening 7e to the holding portion 7c by capillary force as shown in FIG.

  The automatic analyzer 1 drives the surface acoustic wave element 21 by the drive device 22 after inserting the reaction vessel 7 into the vessel hole 6 a by the insertion mechanism 23. At this time, in the agitation device 20, the surface acoustic wave element 21 has the vibrator 21b and the antenna 21c having a flat area smaller than the area of the lower opening 7e of the reaction vessel 7, so 7e. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 11, in the reaction vessel 7, the sound wave Wa generated by the vibrator 21b of each surface acoustic wave element 21 leaks into the liquid L, and the liquid L is discharged by the leaked sound wave Wa. Stir.

  At this time, when the surface acoustic wave element 21 controls the signal generator 22b by the drive control circuit 22c of the drive device 22 and changes the frequency for driving the vibrator 21b between the resonance frequency and the anti-resonance frequency, The interval between the sound waves incident on the liquid changes at the bottom surface of 6a. For example, when the vibrator 21b is driven at a center frequency f0 {= (fr + fa) / 2} between the resonance frequency fr and the anti-resonance frequency fa, as shown in FIG. The interval is the widest. Then, as the distance from the center frequency f0 increases, the interval between the sound waves becomes narrower. For example, when the vibrator 21b is driven at frequencies f1, f2 (f1 <f0 <f2, | f0−f1 | <| f2−f0 |), As shown in the figure, the interval between the sound waves incident on the liquid is the narrowest when the vibrator 21b is driven at the frequency f2.

  Therefore, the stirring device 20 determines the size of the vibrator 21b and the antenna 21c of the surface acoustic wave element 21 according to the area of the lower opening 7e of the reaction vessel 7, but the liquid L can be changed by changing the drive frequency of the vibrator 21b. It is possible to adjust the interval between sound waves incident on the inside. For this reason, the stirring device 20 can emit the sound wave generated by the surface acoustic wave element 21 into the liquid L without leaking.

  Then, the liquid L introduced into the holding portion 7c by the sound wave Wa is measured by a light beam BL emitted from the light source 8, as shown in FIG.

  After the photometry is completed, the reaction container 7 is extracted from the container hole 6a by the insertion mechanism 23 and conveyed to the waste liquid position. As shown in FIG. The liquid L inside is discharged by the pressurized air. The reaction container 7 from which the liquid L has been discharged in this manner is washed by a washing device (not shown) and then used again for analyzing the specimen.

  Here, since the reaction container 7 has a very small internal volume, it takes time to discharge the liquid L. For this reason, the reaction vessel 7 may be disposable. In this case, the reaction container 7 is extracted from the container hole 6a by the insertion mechanism 23 and discarded at a predetermined disposal position.

  Here, in the reaction container of Embodiment 1, an upper wall 7g is provided on the upper part of the parallel wall 7a and the inclined wall 7b as in the reaction container 7A shown in FIG. 14, and an upper opening 7d is formed at the center of the upper wall 7g. May be. Further, as in the reaction vessel 7B shown in FIG. 15, the inclined wall 7b is formed so as to be narrowed upward, and a flange 7h protruding radially inward is provided at the lower part of the parallel wall 7a and the inclined wall 7b. A lower opening 7e may be formed at the center of 7h. Further, as shown in a reaction vessel 7C shown in FIG. 16, the holding portion 7c that holds the liquid may be formed into a square column by using parallel walls 7j that are parallel to each other instead of the inclined wall 7b. Thus, if the holding | maintenance part 7c is shape | molded into a square pole, manufacture of the reaction container 7C will become easy.

  As described above, the stirrer 20 according to the first embodiment includes the vibrator 21b in which the surface acoustic wave element 21 is in contact with the liquid held by the holding unit 7c and emits sound waves to the liquid. Can be emitted into the liquid in the reaction vessel 7 without leaking. Therefore, the automatic analyzer 1 equipped with the stirring device 20 also does not leak the sound wave generated by the surface acoustic wave element 21 into the liquid in the reaction vessel 7. It can be emitted inside.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the reaction container, the stirring device, and the analysis device of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Although the reaction container of Embodiment 1 is a single container without a bottom wall, the reaction container of Embodiment 2 is a reaction container in which a reaction wheel also serves as a reaction container and does not have a bottom wall. FIG. 17 is a schematic configuration diagram of an automatic analyzer that performs analysis using the reaction container of the second embodiment. 18 is an enlarged plan view showing a part of the reaction wheel of the automatic analyzer shown in FIG. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the reaction wheel shown in FIG. 18 taken along line C2-C2. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the surface acoustic wave element 21 is lowered and separated from the reaction wheel. Here, since the automatic analyzer of the second embodiment has the same basic configuration as the automatic analyzer of the first embodiment, the same components are described with the same reference numerals.

  The automatic analyzer 40 includes an elevating mechanism 25 in place of the insertion mechanism 23 used as the separation / contact means in the stirring device 20.

  The elevating mechanism 25 is a uniaxial stage that is arranged to face the diameter direction of the reaction wheel 6 and moves the reaction wheel 6 in the vertical direction with respect to the surface acoustic wave element 21. The elevating mechanism 25 moves the reaction wheel 6 up and down to separate and approach the surface acoustic wave element 21. Here, FIG. 19 shows a state in which the elevating mechanism 25 lowers the reaction wheel 6 and contacts the lower surface of the reaction wheel 6. On the other hand, FIG. 20 shows a state in which the elevating mechanism 25 raises the reaction wheel 6 and separates it from the surface acoustic wave element 21. Therefore, when the lifting mechanism 25 lowers the reaction wheel 6, the sample dispensing mechanism 5 and the reagent dispensing mechanism 12 dispense the sample or reagent into each holding hole 6 b of the reaction wheel 6, and the lifting mechanism 25. When the reaction wheel 6 is raised, the reagent dispensing mechanism 12 a enters the space between the reaction wheel 6 and the surface acoustic wave element 21 and dispenses it onto the upper surface of the surface acoustic wave element 21.

  On the other hand, the reaction wheel 6 is formed of a transparent material, and as shown in FIG. 17, a plurality of holding holes 6b serving as liquid holding portions are provided at equal intervals along the circumferential direction instead of the container holes 6a. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, each holding hole 6 b is inclined such that the side walls facing the radial direction of the reaction wheel 6 are parallel and the side walls facing the circumferential direction approach toward the bottom. . Here, the plurality of holding holes 6b are formed at the same intervals as the plurality of vibrators 21b provided in the surface acoustic wave element 21, and are formed to a size that allows liquid to be introduced by surface tension. Further, as shown in FIG. 18, each holding hole 6b is formed to be somewhat larger than the plane area of the vibrator 21b and the antenna 21c so that the vibrator 21b and the antenna 21c are accommodated in the lower opening.

  Furthermore, the stirring device 20 according to the second embodiment is provided with a constant temperature plate 26 called a dry bath on the lower surface of the surface acoustic wave element 21. The thermostatic plate 26 holds the liquid held in the holding hole 6 b of the reaction wheel 6 through the surface acoustic wave element 21 at a temperature of about 37 ° C.

  In the automatic analyzer 40 configured as described above, under the control of the control unit 16, the lifting mechanism 25 raises the reaction wheel 6 to separate the reaction wheel 6 from the upper surface of the surface acoustic wave element 21. In this state, the reaction wheel 6 and the surface acoustic wave element 21 are rotated, and the nozzle 12a of the reagent dispensing mechanism 12 is located at a position corresponding to each transducer 21b of the surface acoustic wave element 21 under the control of the control unit 16. First reagents Lr1A to Lr1F are sequentially dispensed from a predetermined reagent container 14 of the reagent table 13 (see FIG. 21). At this time, in the surface acoustic wave element 21, the upper portion of the vibrator 21b is subjected to affinity processing for a liquid such as a specimen or a reagent, and the other portions are subjected to non-affinity processing. Therefore, the dispensed first reagents Lr1A to Lr1F form hemispherical droplets on the surface acoustic wave device 21, as shown in FIG.

  When the first reagents Lr1A to Lr1F are dispensed in this way, the automatic analyzer 40 moves down the reaction wheel 6 by the elevating mechanism 25 under the control of the control unit 16, and on the upper surface of the surface acoustic wave device 21. The reaction wheel 6 is brought into contact. At this time, as the reaction wheel 6 is lowered, the first reagents Lr1A to Lr1F come into contact with the lower portions of the corresponding holding holes 6b in accordance with the amounts thereof, and as shown in FIG. It will be introduced sequentially into 6b.

  When the lowering of the reaction wheel 6 by the elevating mechanism 25 is completed, as shown in FIG. 23, the reaction wheel 6 comes into contact with the upper surface of the surface acoustic wave element 21, and the first reagents Lr1A to Lr1F are held in the holding holes 6b. Is done. In this state, under the control of the control unit 16, the reaction wheel 6 rotates together with the surface acoustic wave element 21, and the first reagents Lr1A to Lr1F in the holding holes 6b are emitted from the light source 8 as shown in FIG. The light is sequentially measured by the luminous flux BL.

  Next, when the reaction wheel 6 rotates together with the surface acoustic wave element 21 and each holding hole 6b moves to the vicinity of the sample dispensing mechanism 5 under the control of the control unit 16, the automatic analyzer 40 moves the sample dispensing mechanism. 5 dispenses the samples S1 to S6 from the predetermined sample container 4 into the holding holes 6b (see FIG. 25). At this time, since the surface acoustic wave element 21 has the thermostat 26, the first reagents Lr1A to Lr1F and the specimens S1 to S6 are held at about 37 ° C., and the reaction is moderately accelerated. Next, the automatic analyzer 40 drives the surface acoustic wave element 21 by the driving device 22 under the control of the control unit 16. At this time, in the surface acoustic wave element 21, the plane area of the vibrator 21b and the antenna 21c is set smaller than the area of the opening below the holding hole 6b. For this reason, all the sound waves generated by the vibrators 21b of the surface acoustic wave elements 21 leak into the liquid in which the reagent and the sample held in the holding hole 6b are mixed, and the reagent and the sample are efficiently stirred. It becomes reaction liquid L1-L6 (refer FIG. 26).

  At this time, as described in the first embodiment, the surface acoustic wave element 21 controls the signal generator 22b by the drive control circuit 22c of the drive device 22, and sets the frequency for driving the vibrator 21b to be anti-resonant with the resonance frequency. When the frequency is changed between the frequencies, the stirring device 20 can emit the sound wave generated by the surface acoustic wave element 21 into the liquid without leaking, and the stirring efficiency can be improved.

  After stirring in this manner, the automatic analyzer 40 causes the reaction wheel 6 to rotate with the surface acoustic wave element 21 under the control of the control unit 16, and the reaction solution in each holding hole 6b as shown in FIG. L1 to L6 are sequentially measured by the light beam BL emitted from the light source 8.

  Thereafter, the automatic analyzer 40 rotates the reaction wheel 6 and the surface acoustic wave element 21, and under the control of the control unit 16, the reagent is divided into the reaction liquids L 1, L 3, L 4, L 6 held in the predetermined holding holes 6 b The nozzle 12a of the injection mechanism 12 sequentially dispenses the second reagents Lr2A, Lr2C, Lr2D, and Lr2F from a predetermined reagent container 14 of the reagent table 13 (see FIG. 28). After the dispensing, the automatic analyzer 40 drives the surface acoustic wave element 21 by the driving device 22 under the control of the control unit 16, and the reaction liquids L1 to L6 and the second reagent Lr2A held in the holding holes 6b. Lr2C, Lr2D, and Lr2F are reacted with stirring to obtain reaction liquids LR1 to LR6 (see FIG. 29).

  Next, the automatic analyzer 40 rotates the reaction wheel 6 together with the surface acoustic wave element 21 under the control of the control unit 16, and as shown in FIG. 30, the reaction liquids LR1 to LR6 in the holding holes 6b are light sources. The light is measured sequentially with the light beam BL emitted from the light beam 8. Next, the automatic analyzer 40 raises the reaction wheel 6 by the lifting mechanism 25 under the control of the control unit 16, and separates the reaction wheel 6 from the surface acoustic wave element 21 as shown in FIG. 31.

  Thereafter, under the control of the control unit 16, the automatic analyzer 40 introduces the cleaning solution Fc from above the holding holes 6b as shown by the arrows by a cleaning device (not shown) as shown in FIG. The hole 6 b is cleaned together with the surface of the surface acoustic wave element 21. The cleaning liquid after cleaning is discharged from each holding hole 6 b by injecting pressurized air from the upper part of the reaction wheel 6. After washing the plurality of holding holes 6b in this manner, the automatic analyzer 40 causes the elevating mechanism 25 to descend the reaction wheel 6 under the control of the control unit 16, so that the reaction wheel 6 is placed on the upper surface of the surface acoustic wave element 21. Is used for analysis of the specimen again.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 33, the automatic analyzer 40 introduces the cleaning liquid Fc from above the holding holes 6b as indicated by arrows in a state where the reaction wheel 6 is in contact with the surface acoustic wave element 21. The plurality of holding holes 6 b may be cleaned together with the surface of the surface acoustic wave element 21.

  The automatic analyzer 40 also reverses the arrangement of the reaction wheel 6 and the surface acoustic wave element 21, arranges the reaction wheel 6 on the lower side, and arranges the surface acoustic wave element 21 on the upper side. The surface acoustic wave element 21 may be moved up and down. In such an arrangement, the automatic analyzer 40 causes the surface acoustic wave element 21 to be lifted and separated from the reaction wheel 6 by the elevating mechanism 25 under the control of the control unit 16, and as shown in FIG. LrA to LrF are sequentially dispensed from below to above.

  Next, under the control of the control unit 16, the automatic analyzer 40 lowers the surface acoustic wave element 21 by the elevating mechanism 25 and applies the surface acoustic wave element 21 to the upper surface of the reaction wheel 6 as shown in FIG. Make contact. At this time, as the surface acoustic wave element 21 is lowered, the reagents LrA to LrF come into contact with the lower part of the corresponding holding hole 6b according to the amount thereof, and as shown in FIG. It will be introduced sequentially into 6b.

  When the descent of the surface acoustic wave element 21 by the elevating mechanism 25 is completed, as shown in FIG. 36, the surface acoustic wave element 21 comes into contact with the upper surface of the reaction wheel 6 and the reagents LrA to LrF are held in the holding holes 6b. Is done. Hereinafter, the automatic analyzer 40 performs the analysis of the sample in the same manner by performing dispensing of the sample, stirring of the reagent and the sample, photometry of the reaction solution, washing of the reaction solution, and the like under the control of the control unit 16. be able to.

  As described above, since the sound wave generated by the vibrator 21b leaks all into the liquid in which the reagent and the sample are mixed, the stirring device 20 according to the second embodiment can efficiently stir the liquid, and thus stir. The automatic analyzer 40 including the device 20 can also emit the sound wave generated by the surface acoustic wave element 21 into the liquid held in each holding hole 6b without leaking.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an automatic analyzer according to a first embodiment. 2 is a perspective view of a reaction container according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing of a reaction container. It is a figure which expands the reaction wheel of the automatic analyzer shown in FIG. 1, and shows with schematic structure of a stirring apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the sound wave generation means of a stirring apparatus. It is a perspective view which expands and shows the A section of the sound wave generation means of FIG. It is sectional drawing along the C1-C1 line | wire of FIG. It is a side view which shows the reagent dripped on a surface acoustic wave element. It is sectional drawing of the reaction container which shows the state which a lower opening contact | abuts to a liquid. It is sectional drawing of the reaction container which shows the state by which a liquid is introduce | transduced into a holding | maintenance part from a lower opening by capillary action. It is sectional drawing of the reaction container explaining the change of the space | interval of the sound wave which injects into a liquid when the drive frequency of a surface acoustic wave element is changed. It is sectional drawing of the reaction container which shows the state which measures the liquid introduce | transduced into the holding | maintenance part with a light beam. It is sectional drawing of the reaction container which shows the state which discharges | emits a liquid from a holding part after completion | finish of photometry. It is sectional drawing which shows the 1st modification of reaction container. It is sectional drawing which shows the 2nd modification of reaction container. It is sectional drawing which shows the 3rd modification of reaction container. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of an automatic analyzer that performs analysis using the reaction container of the second embodiment. It is a top view which expands and shows a part of reaction wheel of the automatic analyzer shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing along the C2-C2 line of the reaction wheel shown in FIG. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 19 illustrating a state in which the surface acoustic wave element is lowered and separated from the reaction wheel. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 19 illustrating a state in which the first reagent is sequentially dispensed at a position corresponding to each transducer on the upper surface of the surface acoustic wave device. FIG. 19 shows the shape of the first reagent dispensed on the surface of the surface acoustic wave element and the state in which the first reagent is sequentially introduced into the corresponding holding hole according to the amount by lowering the reaction wheel. FIG. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 19 illustrating a state in which the reaction wheel is lowered and is in contact with the upper surface of the surface acoustic wave device. It is sectional drawing corresponding to FIG. 19 which shows a mode that the 1st reagent in each holding hole of a reaction wheel is photometrically measured. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 19 illustrating a state in which a specimen is dispensed into each holding hole of the reaction wheel. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 19 showing a reaction liquid in which a reagent and a specimen are stirred by sound waves generated by a vibrator. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 19 illustrating a state in which the reaction solution of the first reagent and the specimen is measured. Furthermore, it is sectional drawing corresponding to FIG. 19 which shows a mode that a 2nd reagent is dispensed. It is sectional drawing corresponding to FIG. 19 which shows the reaction liquid after 2nd reagent dispensing. It is sectional drawing corresponding to FIG. 19 which shows a mode that the reaction liquid after 2nd reagent dispensing is photometrically measured. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 19 illustrating a state in which the reaction wheel is separated from the surface acoustic wave device after the photometry of the reaction liquid is completed. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 19 illustrating a state in which the plurality of holding holes are cleaned together with the surface of the surface acoustic wave element by the cleaning liquid. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification which wash | cleans a some holding hole with a washing | cleaning liquid with the surface of a surface acoustic wave element. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a surface acoustic wave element, showing a modification of the automatic analyzer according to the second embodiment, and showing how reagents are sequentially dispensed at positions corresponding to each transducer on the upper surface of the surface acoustic wave element. FIG. 19 shows a modification of the automatic analyzer according to the second embodiment, corresponding to FIG. 19 showing a state in which the reagent is sequentially introduced into the corresponding holding hole according to the amount by lowering the surface acoustic wave element. FIG. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 19 showing a state in which the surface acoustic wave element is lowered and is in contact with the upper surface of the reaction wheel.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automatic analyzer 2 Work table 3 Sample table 4 Sample container 5 Sample dispensing mechanism 6 Reaction wheel 6a Container hole 6b Holding hole 7 Reaction container 7a Parallel wall 7b Inclined wall 7c Holding part 7d Upper opening 7e Lower opening 7f Window 7A, 7B , 7C Reaction vessel 8 Light source 9 Light receiving element 11 Discharge device 12 Reagent dispensing mechanism 13 Reagent table 14 Reagent container 15 Reading device 16 Control unit 17 Analysis unit 18 Input unit 19 Display unit 20 Stirring device 21 Surface acoustic wave device 22 Drive device 23 Insertion mechanism 25 Lifting mechanism 26 Constant temperature plate 40 Automatic analyzer Wa sound wave

Claims (11)

A reaction vessel in which a liquid is agitated and reacted by sonic waves,
A reaction container comprising a liquid holding part having at least two openings and holding the liquid in a space formed between the openings.   The reaction container according to claim 1, wherein the liquid holding unit introduces at least a part of the liquid from the one opening by capillary force.   The reaction container according to claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the liquid holding part has affinity for the liquid. In a stirrer that stirs a liquid by irradiating sound waves,
It has a sound generation part which irradiates a sound wave in contact with the liquid held relatively to the reaction container according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and in contact with the liquid held in the liquid holding part. Sound wave generating means;
Separation means for separating and approaching one of the reaction vessel or the sound wave generation means to the other;
A stirrer comprising:   The separation / contact means changes between a first position where the sound wave generation means and the reaction vessel are in contact with each other to cover the one opening, and a second position in which the two openings are opened apart from each other. The stirrer according to claim 4, wherein   5. The stirring device according to claim 4, wherein the liquid holding unit and the sound wave generation unit are cleaned in a state where the reaction container and the sound wave generation unit are separated from each other and the two openings are opened. .   The stirring device according to claim 4, wherein the sound wave generating means is a surface acoustic wave element that has a comb-shaped electrode and generates a surface acoustic wave.   The stirring device according to claim 7, wherein an area of the comb-shaped electrode is smaller than an area of the one opening covered by the sound wave generating means.   The stirring device according to claim 4, wherein the liquid introduced into the liquid holding unit is dispensed onto the sound wave generation unit. The sound wave generating means has a portion having affinity for the liquid and a portion having non-affinity,
The stirring device according to claim 9, wherein the liquid introduced into the liquid holding unit is a liquid dispensed in a portion having affinity for the sound wave generation unit.   An analysis device for agitating and reacting a plurality of different liquids and analyzing the reaction solution, wherein the agitation devices according to any one of claims 4 to 10 are used to agitate and react the plurality of different liquids. And analyzing the reaction solution.

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