JP2007322244A - Dispensing volume detector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a dispensing volume detector for measuring the dispensing volume of a later dispensed sample without being affected by the liquid level of a reagent earlier dispensed to containers, and performing the dispensation of a later drop in such a form that the end of a dispensing nozzle is brought as close as possible to the liquid level of an earlier drop. <P>SOLUTION: The liquid level of an earlier dispensed reagent is detected to move a light projecting/receiving part 10 to a position higher than the liquid level, making it possible to detect the sample at the higher position and measure its dispensing volume even if the earlier dispensed reagent is deposited on an inner wall of a reaction vessel C or the liquid level of the reagent is unstable. Further, the projecting/receiving part 10 is moved to a position for detecting the liquid level of a reagent earlier dispensed to the reaction vessel C, and then, the projecting/receiving part 10 is moved to a position which is higher than the detected liquid level of the reagent and which is lower than an end of a probe 1 to be put into an opening in the reaction vessel C, making it possible to perform dispensation with the end of the probe 1 brought as close as possible to the liquid level of the reagent without contacting therewith based on the position of the projecting/receiving part 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a dispensed amount detection device used in an analyzer for analyzing a reaction solution obtained by reacting a sample such as dispensed blood or urine with a reagent.

  Conventionally, a light beam is applied so as to intersect the droplets ejected from the dispensing nozzle, and the time during which the luminous flux changes when the droplet intersects the light beam is measured by a photodetector that receives this light beam. There is a dispensing amount detection device that measures with a circuit and detects the volume of a discharged droplet based on the measured time. With this dispensing volume detection device, the volume of the reagent, liquid sample, and other droplets actually ejected from the dispensing nozzle can be measured, and even when the droplets were ejected continuously, they were ejected. The volume of the droplet is accurately measured (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-5-223830

  In the conventional dispensing amount detection device, a droplet is ejected from above the opening of the container, and the light beam is received at a position above the opening of the container.

  By the way, when ejecting droplets from the dispensing nozzle, if the dispensing nozzle is spaced upward from the opening of the reaction vessel, the droplets may be scattered outside the reaction vessel and contaminate the outside of the reaction vessel. That is, when discharging droplets from the dispensing nozzle, it is preferable to put the tip of the dispensing nozzle into the reaction vessel through the opening. Therefore, it is desired to receive light by applying a light beam in a form in which the reaction container is sandwiched using a translucent reaction container.

  Here, in the analysis, for example, a reagent is first dispensed into a reaction vessel, and then a sample is dispensed into the reaction vessel. For this reason, if the reagent put in advance scatters and adheres to the inner wall of the reaction vessel, it becomes difficult to measure the amount of the sample liquid because the light flux is disturbed.

  Further, in order to prevent scattering in the reaction container, it is preferable to bring the tip of the dispensing nozzle close to the liquid surface of the reagent. However, when the reagent previously placed is scattered as described above, the reagent becomes foamy. Since the liquid level becomes unstable, it is difficult to bring the tip of the dispensing nozzle close to the liquid level of the reagent.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and can measure the dispensing amount of a drop to be dispensed later without being affected by the liquid level of the drop dispensed in the container. An object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing amount detection device capable of dispensing a subsequent drop in a form in which the tip of a dispensing nozzle is as close as possible to the liquid surface of the drop.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a dispensing amount detection device according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a light flux generating means for generating a light flux that intersects a droplet ejected from a dispensing nozzle, and the light flux. In a dispensing amount detection device, comprising: a light projecting / receiving unit comprising a light detecting means for receiving light; and a volume detecting means for detecting a volume of a droplet based on a change time of the light beam when the droplet intersects the light beam. The light projecting / receiving unit is arranged in such a manner that the light beam transmitted through the container is received while projecting the light beam to a translucent container that receives the droplet discharged from the nozzle. A moving means for moving in the vertical direction is provided.

  The dispensing amount detection device according to claim 2 of the present invention is the dispensing level detection device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid projecting / receiving unit is moved to a position for detecting the liquid level of the droplet previously received in the container, and then the detected liquid level is detected. The light projecting / receiving unit is moved to a position above the tip of the dispensing nozzle to be inserted into the opening of the container.

  A dispensing amount detection device according to claim 3 of the present invention is the above-described dispensing amount detection device according to claim 1, wherein the drop, bubble, or container attached to the wall surface of the container is above the liquid level of the droplet previously received in the container. After moving the light projecting / receiving unit to a position for detecting dirt adhering to the wall surface, the light projecting / receiving unit is positioned above the detected position and below the tip of the dispensing nozzle to be inserted into the opening of the container. It is made to move.

  The dispensing amount detection device according to the present invention is a mode in which the luminous flux transmitted through the container is received while projecting the luminous flux on the translucent container that receives the droplets ejected from the dispensing nozzle. The light projecting / receiving unit is disposed, and moving means for moving the light projecting / receiving unit in the vertical direction is provided. As a result, by detecting the liquid level of the droplet dispensed first with respect to the container and moving the light projecting / receiving unit to a position above the liquid level, at a position above the previously dispensed liquid level. A later drop can be detected and the amount dispensed can be measured.

  In addition, after moving the light projecting / receiving unit to a position where the liquid level of the droplet received in the container is detected first, from the tip of the dispensing nozzle that is located above the detected liquid level and is inserted into the opening of the container Also, by moving the light projecting / receiving unit to a lower position, the tip of the dispensing nozzle can be dispensed as close as possible to the liquid level without contacting the liquid level of the reagent based on the position of the light projecting / receiving unit. Can do.

  In addition, after moving the light projecting / receiving unit to a position where the drops, bubbles, or dirt attached to the wall of the container are detected above the liquid level of the drops received in the container first, By moving the light projecting / receiving unit to a position above the detected position and below the tip of the dispensing nozzle to be inserted into the opening of the container, the previously dispensed droplets are scattered to the inner wall of the container. Even if it is attached, or if the liquid level of the previously dispensed droplet is unstable due to bubbles, or if the container wall is dirty, A later drop can be detected and the amount dispensed can be measured. Furthermore, based on the position of the light projecting / receiving unit, the tip of the dispensing nozzle can be dispensed as close as possible to the liquid surface without contacting the liquid surface of the reagent.

  Exemplary embodiments of a dispensing amount detection device according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a dispensing amount detection device according to the present invention. The dispensing amount detection device is used in connection with a dispensing device applied to an analysis device that analyzes a reaction solution obtained by mixing a sample such as blood or urine and a reagent and reacting them. The dispenser includes a sample dispenser for dispensing a predetermined amount of sample from a sample container (not shown) into the reaction container C, and a predetermined amount of reagent from the reagent container (not shown) into the reaction container C. There is a reagent dispenser to pour. Since each dispenser has the same configuration, the sample dispenser will be described here. In the sample dispenser, a probe (dispensing nozzle) 1 and a dispensing pump 2 are mainly connected by a pipe line 3. The reaction container C is a bottomed rectangular tube-shaped container having an open top, and a material (for example, including heat-resistant glass) that transmits 80% or more of the light included in the analysis light for analyzing the reaction liquid in the analyzer. Glass, synthetic resin such as cyclic olefin and polystyrene) and the like.

  The probe 1 is cleaned by the probe driving means 1a with a sample suction position with a sample container (not shown) containing a sample, a sample discharge position with a reaction container C for reacting the sample, and a cleaning tank (not shown). It is provided at a position or the like so as to be horizontally movable, and further, can be moved up and down at each position by the probe driving means 1a. The dispensing pump 2 is composed of, for example, a syringe, and performs a suction / discharge operation by the dispensing pump driving means 2a. The conduit 3 is made of a flexible tube that does not hinder the movement of the probe 1. The inside of the pipe line 3 is filled with washing water including the probe 1 and the dispensing pump 2. As the washing water, deaerated water from which air has been removed is used. The washing water filled in the pipe line 3 is accommodated in the tank 4. The tank 4 is connected to the dispensing pump 2 by a pipe line 5. The pipe 5 is a tube similar to the pipe 3. The pipe 5 is provided with a pump 6 and an electromagnetic valve 7. That is, the wash water stored in the tank 4 is filled into the dispensing pump 2, the pipe line 3 and the probe 1 through the pipe line 5 by opening the electromagnetic valve 7 and driving the pump 6.

  The sample dispenser configured as described above controls the probe driving means 1a to move the probe 1 in the dispensing operation, and further controls the dispensing pump driving means 2a to cause the dispensing pump 2 to perform suction and discharge operations. As a result, the sample dispenser sucks the sample from the sample container (not shown) with the probe 1 and discharges it to the reaction container C. Further, the sample dispenser controls the probe driving means 1a to move the probe 1 in the cleaning operation, and further controls the dispensing pump driving means 2a to cause the dispensing pump 2 to perform suction and discharge operations. Thereby, the sample dispenser discharges the sample sucked by the probe 1 to a cleaning tank (not shown) and cleans the probe 1.

  The dispensing amount detection device used in connection with the above-described sample dispenser has a light projecting / receiving unit 10 and a light projecting / receiving unit moving means 11. The light projecting / receiving unit 10 includes a light beam generation means 10A and a light detection means 10B. The light beam generating means 10A generates a light beam that intersects the sample droplet discharged from the probe 1. Although not clearly shown in the drawing, the light beam generation means 10A converts the light emitted from the light source into parallel light by a lens and converts it into a light beam (beam) through a slit. The light detection means 10B receives the light beam emitted by the light beam generation means 10A. Then, the light detection unit 10B outputs the amount of received light. The light projecting / receiving unit 10 is arranged in such a manner that the reaction vessel C is sandwiched between the light beam generation unit 10A and the light detection unit 10B, and the light is transmitted through the reaction vessel C having translucency. .

  The light projecting / receiving unit moving means 11 moves the light projecting / receiving unit 10 in the vertical direction along the reaction container C opening upward. The light projecting / receiving unit moving unit 11 holds the light beam generation unit 10A and the light detection unit 10B integrally, and moves them up and down by a moving mechanism (not shown). As the moving mechanism, for example, there is a mechanism for moving up and down a holding portion that holds the light beam generation means 10A and the light detection means 10B integrally by driving a motor (for example, a stepping motor).

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of the dispensing amount detection device. As shown in FIG. 2, the dispensing amount detection apparatus has a dispensing amount detection control unit 12. The dispensed amount detection control unit 12 is connected to the light beam generation unit 10A and the light detection unit 10B, which are the light projecting / receiving unit 10, the light projecting / receiving unit moving unit 11, the volume detecting unit 13, and the determining unit 14. . In addition, the dispensing amount detection control unit 12 is connected to a dispensing control unit (not shown) that controls the operation of the dispensing device in the present embodiment.

  The volume detection means 13 includes a time measurement unit 13A and a time-dispensing amount conversion calculation unit 13B. The time measurement unit 13A receives the received light amount signal from the light detection means 10B. The time measuring unit 13A inputs a change in the amount of received light (High level → Low level) when the droplet discharged from the probe 1 intersects the light beam for the first time after driving the dispensing pump 2 as shown in FIG. Then, after the driving of the dispensing pump 2 is stopped from here, the droplet discharge time until the change in the amount of received light (Low level → High level) where the droplet has crossed the light flux is input is measured. The time-dispensing amount conversion calculation unit 13B inputs the time signal from the time measurement unit 13A. The time-dispensing amount conversion calculation unit 13B compares the discharge time with the discharge amount from the probe 1 per time to determine the droplet dispensing amount (volume). The droplets discharged from the probe 1 preferably have a constant droplet discharge amount per time by making the operation of the dispensing pump driving means 2a for driving the dispensing pump 2 constant. Variations occur. For this reason, the time-dispensing amount conversion calculation unit 13B corrects the excess / deficiency by appropriately applying a correction coefficient to the converted droplet dispensing amount. Moreover, the determination means 14 is the set dispensing amount obtained from the dispensing control unit (not shown) of the dispenser via the dispensing amount detection control unit 12 and the actual dispensing amount obtained from the volume detection unit 13. To determine whether the dispensed amount discharged from the probe 1 is appropriate. The determination result is output to the dispensing control unit (not shown) of the dispensing device via the dispensing amount detection control unit 12.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the operation of the dispensing amount detection device. Here, an operation for detecting a dispensing amount related to dispensing by a dispenser used for analysis by the analyzer will be described. In the analyzer, the reagent is dispensed into the reaction vessel C as a previous drop, and then the sample is dispensed into the reaction vessel C as a later drop. That is, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), the dispensing amount detection control unit 12 first throws it to a position where the liquid level of the reagent received in the reaction container C is detected by the light projecting / receiving unit moving means 11 in order to detect the reagent. The light receiving unit 10 is moved. In addition, since the discharge amount of the reagent is set in advance, the approximate position of the liquid level can be predicted. Next, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), the dispensing amount detection control unit 12 detects the liquid level of the reagent by the light projecting / receiving unit 10, and the position above the liquid level of the reagent by the light projecting / receiving unit moving unit 11. Then, the light projecting / receiving unit 10 is moved to a position below the tip of the probe 1 to be inserted into the opening of the reaction container C. Based on the position of the light projecting / receiving unit 10, the probe 1 is controlled by a dispensing control unit (not shown) at the height of the tip inserted into the opening of the reaction vessel C. In this state, the dispensing amount detection control unit 12 detects the droplet of the sample discharged from the probe 1 by the light projecting / receiving unit 10 and measures the dispensing amount. The liquid level of the reagent previously dispensed into the reaction container C is concave as shown in FIG. 4A, but here, a light projecting / receiving unit comprising a light beam generating means 10A and a light detecting means 10B. Since the liquid level is detected by 10, the uppermost position of the concave shape is necessarily detected as the liquid level as shown in FIG.

  Further, since the liquid level is detected by the light projecting / receiving unit 10 including the light beam generation means 10A and the light detection means 10B, the previously dispensed droplets are scattered and adhered to the inner wall of the reaction vessel C, or first Even when bubbles are present on the liquid level of the dispensed droplets and are unstable, or even when dirt is attached to the wall surface of the reaction vessel C, these can be detected. In the dispensing amount detection device, the probe 1 is placed above the position of the droplet, bubble, or dirt attached to the wall of the reaction vessel C and the opening of the reaction vessel C. The light projecting / receiving unit 10 is moved to a position below the front end. Based on the position of the light projecting / receiving unit 10, the probe 1 is controlled by a dispensing control unit (not shown) at the height of the tip inserted into the opening of the reaction vessel C. In this state, the dispensing amount detection control unit 12 detects the droplet of the sample discharged from the probe 1 by the light projecting / receiving unit 10 and measures the dispensing amount.

  As described above, the dispensing amount detection apparatus described above projects the light beam onto the reaction container C having translucency for receiving the droplet (sample / reagent) discharged from the probe 1, while the reaction container C The light projecting / receiving unit 10 is arranged in such a manner as to receive the light flux that has passed through the light, and moving means for moving the light projecting / receiving unit 10 in the vertical direction is provided. As a result, when the sample is dispensed, the liquid level of the reagent dispensed first is detected, and the light projecting / receiving unit 10 is moved to a position above the liquid level, thereby dispensing the liquid level previously dispensed. It becomes possible to detect the subsequent drop at a position above the position and measure the amount dispensed.

  Further, after the light projecting / receiving unit 10 is moved by the light projecting / receiving unit moving means 11 to a position where the liquid level of the reagent previously dispensed into the reaction container C is detected, the light projecting / receiving unit 10 is moved to a position above the liquid level of the detected reagent. Then, the light projecting / receiving unit 10 is moved to a position below the tip of the probe 1 to be inserted into the opening of the reaction container C. As a result, based on the position of the light projecting / receiving unit 10, the tip of the probe 1 can be dispensed as close to the liquid surface as possible without contacting the liquid surface of the reagent.

  In addition, by the light projecting / receiving unit moving means 11, droplets, bubbles, or dirt adhering to the wall surface of the reaction container C above the liquid level of the reagent previously dispensed into the reaction container C. Then, the light projecting / receiving unit 10 is moved to a position above the detected position and below the tip of the probe 1 to be inserted into the opening of the reaction container C. Move. As a result, if the previously dispensed droplets are scattered and adhered to the inner wall of the container, or if the liquid level of the previously dispensed droplet is unstable due to bubbles, or the wall surface of the container Even if dirt is attached to the surface, it is possible to detect a subsequent drop at a position above it and measure the amount dispensed. Further, based on the position of the light projecting / receiving unit 10, it is possible to dispense the tip of the probe 1 as close as possible to the liquid surface without contacting the liquid surface of the reagent.

  In addition, the dispensing detection apparatus mentioned above can measure not only the liquid level of the reagent dispensed first but also the dispensing amount of the reagent. In addition, if there is a second reagent to be dispensed after dispensing the sample as the first reagent, the liquid level of the sample is detected along with the measurement of the dispensed amount of the sample, It is possible to detect the dispensing amount of the second reagent by defining the height position of the tip of the probe when dispensing the second reagent.

It is the schematic which shows the dispensing amount detection apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the control system of a dispensing amount detection apparatus. It is a figure which shows the change of the light reception amount corresponding to dispensing operation | movement. It is the schematic which shows operation | movement of a dispensing amount detection apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Probe 1a Probe drive means 2 Dispensing pump 2a Dispensing pump drive means 3 Pipe line 4 Tank 5 Pipe line 6 Pump 7 Electromagnetic valve 10 Light emitting / receiving part 10A Light beam generating means 10B Light detecting means 11 Light emitting / receiving part moving means 12 Dispensing Volume detection control unit 13 Volume detection means 13A Time measurement unit 13B Time-dispensing amount conversion calculation unit

Claims (3)

A light projecting / receiving unit comprising a light beam generating means for generating a light beam crossing the droplet discharged from the dispensing nozzle and a light detecting means for receiving the light beam, and a drop based on the change time of the light beam when the drop crosses the light beam In a dispensing amount detection device having a volume detection means for detecting the volume of
The light projecting / receiving unit is arranged in such a manner that the light beam transmitted through the container is received while projecting the light beam to the translucent container that receives the droplet discharged from the dispensing nozzle. A dispensing amount detection device comprising a moving means for moving the part in the vertical direction.   After moving the light projecting / receiving unit to a position to detect the liquid level of the droplet received in the container first, the position is higher than the detected liquid level and below the tip of the dispensing nozzle to be inserted into the opening of the container The dispensing amount detection device according to claim 1, wherein the light projecting / receiving unit is moved to a position where   The detection is performed after the light projecting / receiving unit is moved to a position where the drops, bubbles, or dirt adhering to the wall of the container are detected above the liquid level of the droplet received in the container first. 2. The dispensing amount detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light projecting / receiving unit is moved to a position above the position where the light emitting section is located and below the tip of the dispensing nozzle to be inserted into the opening of the container.

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