JP2008096223A - Analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an analyzer of simple structure, effectively stirring a reagent stored in reagents storing device. <P>SOLUTION: This immunological analyzer 1 comprises a specimen dispensing arm 5 for sucking a specimen, a rack 600 for annularly holding a plurality of reagent storing devices 300 whose inner bottom surfaces are formed in a smooth recessed shape, a reagent dispensing arm 9 for sucking the reagent from the reagent storing devices 300 held in the rack 600, a controller 4 for analyzing a sample for analysis prepared using the specimen sucked by the specimen dispensing arm 5 and the reagent sucked by the reagent dispensing arm 9, and a driving section for reciprocating and rotating the rack 600 about the center of the annulus in order to stir the reagents stored in the plurality of reagent storing tools 300. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an analyzer, and more particularly to an analyzer provided with a mechanism for stirring a reagent.

  Conventionally, an analyzer equipped with a mechanism for stirring a reagent is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  The analyzer described in Patent Document 1 revolves the reagent container around the rotation center of the turntable by rotating the turntable on which the reagent container is placed, and rotates the reagent container itself on the turntable. A stirring mechanism that uniformly disperses the fine particles contained in the reagent. Patent Document 1 also describes that the turntable is temporarily stopped at the second rotation of the three rotations of the turntable and the turntable is rotated in the reverse direction.

JP 2002-196006 A

  However, the stirring mechanism described in Patent Document 1 requires a structure for rotating the reagent container, and thus has a problem that the structure of the apparatus becomes complicated.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one object of the present invention is to simplify the structure of the apparatus and to effectively stir the reagent contained in the reagent container. It is an object of the present invention to provide an analysis device that can be performed.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

  The analyzer according to the first aspect of the present invention is held by the holding tool holding portion for holding a plurality of reagent holding tools formed in a concave shape with a smooth inner bottom surface, and a holding tool holding portion. In order to agitate the reagents stored in a plurality of reagent containers, a reagent aspirating part that aspirates a reagent from the reagent container, an analysis part that analyzes an analysis sample prepared using the specimen and the reagent, A drive unit that reciprocates the reagent container held in an annular shape by the container holding part around the center of the ring.

  In the analyzer according to the first aspect, as described above, a container holding unit for holding a plurality of reagent containers formed in a concave shape with a smooth inner bottom surface in an annular shape, and a plurality of reagent containers In order to stir the reagent contained in the container, a drive part for reciprocating the container holding part around the center of the ring is provided, so that the reagent can be stirred only by reciprocating the container holding part by the drive part. Can be done. Thereby, the structure of the apparatus can be simplified. That is, when the direction of movement of the reagent container is changed, the direction of the force acting on the reagent changes and the reagent flows, so that the inner bottom surface of the reagent container is formed in a smooth concave shape. Flow becomes easy and stirring is performed effectively. Thereby, even when heavy particles such as magnetic particles are included in the reagent, the reagent can be stirred without inserting a stirrer.

  In the analyzer according to the first aspect described above, preferably, the reagent container is formed such that a lower part from a predetermined position has a circular internal horizontal cross section and a substantially spherical inner bottom surface. Yes. If comprised in this way, since a reagent will move more easily in a reagent container, agitation of a reagent can be performed more effectively.

  In the analyzer according to the first aspect described above, preferably, the reagent container includes a tapered portion formed in an upper portion so that a cross-sectional area of an internal horizontal section becomes narrower upward. If comprised in this way, when a reagent flows with the movement of the reagent container by a drive part, the movement of the reagent of the liquid surface vicinity is suppressed from the top by a taper-shaped part. Thereby, since the reagent in the vicinity of the liquid surface is suppressed from undulating, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of bubbling of the reagent.

  In this case, the reagent is preferably stored in the reagent container so that the liquid level is lower than the lower end of the tapered portion. If comprised in this way, since it will become easy to flow a reagent because the liquid level of a reagent becomes shallow, stirring can be performed effectively and generation | occurrence | production of foaming by a taper-shaped part can be suppressed. .

  In the analyzer according to the first aspect, preferably, the container holder is configured such that the container holder does not move relative to the container holder during the reciprocating movement of the reagent container. With this configuration, it is not necessary to provide a mechanism for moving the reagent container itself relative to the container holder, so that the configuration of the apparatus can be simplified. In addition, since it is not necessary to provide a mechanism for moving the reagent container itself relative to the container holder, when the reagent container itself is moved, the shape of the cross section of the reagent container is not circular. Even if it exists, it is not necessary to provide an extra space (gap) for preventing interference between adjacent reagent containers in the container holder. For this reason, the container holder can be made smaller by the amount of the space (gap).

  In the analyzer according to the first aspect, preferably, when the reagent suction by the reagent suction part is necessary, the reciprocating movement of the reagent container by the drive part is interrupted, and the reagent container containing the reagent to be sucked is provided. The reagent container is moved by the drive unit until it is arranged at a predetermined suction position, and after the reagent is aspirated by the reagent suction part from the reagent container arranged at the suction position, the reagent container is reciprocated by the drive unit. Resume. If comprised in this way, since a drive part performs both the reciprocating motion for stirring of a reagent, and the movement for arrange | positioning a reagent container to a suction position, the moving mechanism for performing each operation | movement separately There is no need to provide it. Thereby, the apparatus can be simplified. Further, since the reciprocating motion for stirring the reagent is performed immediately before the reagent suction operation is started, the reagent can be sucked in a state where the reagent is stirred (a state suitable for suction).

  In the analyzer according to the first aspect described above, the drive unit preferably places the reagent container around the center of the ring for stirring the reagents stored in the plurality of reagent containers when the analyzer is on standby. Reciprocate. With this configuration, the reagent can be stirred even when the analyzer is on standby. Thereby, even when the standby time of the analyzer is long, the reagent can be kept in a stirred state, so that the analysis operation immediately after the standby can be performed without spending time for stirring the reagent. Thereby, the analysis time immediately after standby can be shortened.

  In the analyzer according to the first aspect, preferably, the drive unit reciprocates the reagent container held in an annular shape by the container holding part within a range of 5 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less around the center of the ring. Let If comprised in this way, since the force for flowing a reagent can fully be made to act on a reagent by making the range of the reciprocating motion of a reagent container into 5 degree | times or more, stirring is performed effectively. Further, by setting the range of the reciprocating motion of the reagent container to 90 degrees or less, the movement of the reagent container is closer to the amplitude motion than the rotational motion, so that stirring is effectively performed. Furthermore, by setting the range of reciprocation of the reagent container to 90 degrees or less, the moving direction of the reagent container can be frequently switched, so that stirring is effectively performed.

  In the analyzer according to the first aspect described above, preferably, the drive unit has a reagent container held in an annular shape by the container holding part at a rate of not less than 45 degrees / second and not more than 270 degrees / second centering on the center of the ring. At an angular velocity, reciprocate on a circular arc around the center of the ring. If comprised in this way, the force for making a reagent flow can fully be made to act on a reagent by making the angular velocity which makes a reagent container reciprocate centering around the center of an annular ring 45 degrees / second or more. Stirring is performed effectively. Moreover, it is possible to prevent bubbles from being generated in the reagent by setting the angular velocity at which the reagent container is reciprocated around the center of the ring to 270 degrees / second or less.

  In the analyzer according to the first aspect, preferably, the reagent accommodated in the reagent container includes magnetic particles. Thus, even when the reagent contains magnetic particles that are heavy and easily precipitate, the reagent can be effectively stirred by using the analyzer according to the above aspect.

  The analyzer according to the second aspect of the present invention includes a container holder for holding a plurality of reagent containers in an annular shape, and a reagent aspirator for aspirating a reagent from the reagent container held in the container holder And an analysis unit for analyzing an analysis sample prepared using a specimen and a reagent, and the container held in an annular shape in the container holding unit for stirring the reagents contained in the plurality of reagent containers And a drive unit for reciprocating the reagent container around the center of the ring, the reagent container having a circular portion in the horizontal section inside and a substantially lower inner bottom surface from a predetermined position. It is formed in a spherical shape.

  In the analyzer according to the second aspect, as described above, a container holding unit for holding a plurality of reagent containers formed in a concave shape with a smooth inner bottom surface in an annular shape, and a plurality of reagent containers In order to stir the reagent contained in the container, a drive part for reciprocating the container holding part around the center of the ring is provided, so that the reagent can be stirred only by reciprocating the container holding part by the drive part. Can be done. Thereby, the structure of the apparatus can be simplified. That is, when the direction of movement of the reagent container is changed, the direction of the force acting on the reagent changes and the reagent flows, so that the inner bottom surface of the reagent container is formed in a smooth concave shape. Flow becomes easy and stirring is performed effectively. Thereby, even when heavy particles such as magnetic particles are included in the reagent, the reagent can be stirred without inserting a stirrer. In addition, the reagent container has a lower portion from a predetermined position, the inner horizontal section is circular, and the inner bottom surface is formed in a substantially spherical shape. Since it becomes easy to move, the reagent can be stirred more effectively.

  An analyzer according to a third aspect of the present invention includes a container holder for holding a plurality of reagent containers in an annular shape, and a reagent aspirator for aspirating a reagent from the reagent container held in the container holder And an analysis unit for analyzing an analysis sample prepared using a specimen and a reagent, and the container held in an annular shape in the container holding unit for stirring the reagents contained in the plurality of reagent containers And a drive unit that reciprocates the reagent container in the range of 5 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less around the center of the ring.

  In the analyzer according to the third aspect, as described above, the reagent container held in the annular shape by the container holding part is used to stir the reagents contained in the plurality of reagent containers. By providing the drive unit that reciprocates around the center, the reagent can be stirred only by reciprocating the container holder by the drive unit. Thereby, the structure of the apparatus can be simplified. Moreover, since the force for causing the reagent to flow can be sufficiently applied to the reagent by setting the range of the reciprocating motion of the reagent container to 5 degrees or more, the stirring is effectively performed. Further, by setting the range of the reciprocating motion of the reagent container to 90 degrees or less, the movement of the reagent container is closer to the amplitude motion than the rotational motion, so that stirring is effectively performed. Furthermore, by setting the range of reciprocation of the reagent container to 90 degrees or less, the moving direction of the reagent container can be frequently switched, so that stirring is effectively performed.

  An analyzer according to a fourth aspect of the present invention includes a container holder for holding a plurality of reagent containers in an annular shape, and a reagent suction unit for aspirating a reagent from the reagent container held by the container holder And an analysis unit for analyzing an analysis sample prepared using a specimen and a reagent, and the container held in an annular shape in the container holding unit for stirring the reagents contained in the plurality of reagent containers A drive unit that reciprocates the reagent container on an arc of a circle centered on the center of the ring at an angular velocity of 45 degrees / second or more and 270 degrees / second or less around the center of the ring.

  In the analyzer according to the fourth aspect, as described above, the reagent container held in an annular shape by the container holding part is arranged in the center of the ring for stirring the reagents contained in the plurality of reagent containers. By providing the drive unit that reciprocates around the center, the reagent can be stirred only by reciprocating the container holder by the drive unit. Thereby, the structure of the apparatus can be simplified. Moreover, since the force for causing the reagent to flow can be sufficiently applied to the reagent by setting the angular velocity at which the reagent container is reciprocated around the center of the ring to 45 degrees / second or more, stirring is effective. To be done. Moreover, it is possible to prevent bubbles from being generated in the reagent by setting the angular velocity at which the reagent container is reciprocated around the center of the ring to 270 degrees / second or less.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  First, with reference to FIGS. 1-6, the whole structure of the immune analyzer 1 by one Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.

  The immunoassay apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for examining various items such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, tumor marker, and thyroid hormone using a specimen such as blood. In this immunoassay apparatus 1, after binding magnetic particles (R2 reagent) to a capture antibody (R1 reagent) bound to an antigen contained in a sample such as blood to be measured, the bound antigen and the capture antibody Then, the R1 reagent containing the unreacted (Free) capture antibody is removed by attracting the magnetic particles to a magnet (not shown) of a BF (Bound Free) separation unit 14 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Then, after binding the antigen to which the magnetic particles are bound and the labeled antibody (R3 reagent), the bound magnetic particles, the antigen and the labeled antibody are attracted to the magnet of the BF separation unit 14, thereby causing unreacted (Free). The R3 reagent containing the labeled antibody is removed. Further, after adding a luminescent substrate (R5 reagent) that emits light during the reaction with the labeled antibody, the amount of luminescence generated by the reaction between the labeled antibody and the luminescent substrate is measured. Through such a process, the antigen or antibody contained in the specimen that binds to the labeled antibody is quantitatively measured.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the immune analyzer 1 is electrically connected to the measurement mechanism unit 2, the sample transport unit (sampler) 3 disposed on the front side of the measurement mechanism unit 2, and the measurement mechanism unit 2. And a control device 4 composed of a PC (personal computer) connected to the PC. The measurement mechanism unit 2 includes a sample dispensing arm 5, reagent installing units 6 and 7, reagent dispensing arms 8, 9 and 10, a primary reaction unit 11 and a secondary reaction unit 12, and a cuvette supply unit. 13, a BF separator 14, and a detector 15. As shown in FIG. 3, each mechanism (various dispensing arms, reagent installing unit 7, etc.) in the measurement mechanism unit 2 is controlled by a control unit 2 a provided in the measurement mechanism unit 2. Specifically, the control unit 2a receives signals from various sensors (such as the origin detection sensor 30d) provided in the reagent installing unit 7, and various driving sources (stepping motor 23, 33 and drive unit 43) are controlled. The transport mechanism unit 3 is also controlled by the control unit 2a. Various dispensing arms, various sensors, and various driving sources will be described later in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 2a mainly includes a CPU 2b, a ROM 2c, a RAM 2d, and a communication interface 2e.

  The CPU 2b can execute the computer program stored in the ROM 2c and the computer program read out to the RAM 2d. The ROM 2c stores a computer program to be executed by the CPU 2b and data used for executing the computer program. The RAM 2d is used for reading a computer program stored in the ROM 2c. Further, when these computer programs are executed, they are used as a work area of the CPU 2b.

  The communication interface 2e is connected to the control device 4 and transmits optical information of the specimen (data on the amount of luminescence generated by the reaction between the labeled antibody and the luminescent substrate) to the control device 4, and the control of the control device 4 It fulfills the function for receiving the signal from the unit 4a. The communication interface 2e has a function for transmitting a command from the CPU 2b for driving each part of the transport mechanism unit 3 and the measurement mechanism unit 2.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sample transport unit 3 corresponds to a rack 101 on which a plurality of test tubes 100 containing samples are placed, corresponding to a suction position 1a where the sample dispensing arm 5 sucks the sample. It is configured to transport to a position. The sample transport unit 3 includes a rack setting unit 3a for setting a rack 101 on which a test tube 100 containing an unprocessed sample is placed, and a test tube 100 containing a dispensed sample. And a rack storage section 3b for storing the rack 101. Then, by transporting the test tube 100 containing the unprocessed sample to a position corresponding to the suction position 1a of the sample dispensing arm 5, the sample dispensing arm 5 sucks the sample such as blood in the test tube 100. After that, the rack 101 on which the test tube 100 is placed is configured to be stored in the rack storage unit 3b.

  The control device 4 (see FIG. 1) includes a personal computer (PC) and the like, and includes a control unit 4a including a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like, a display unit 4b, and a keyboard 4c. The display unit 4b is provided to display analysis results obtained by analyzing the digital signal data transmitted from the detection unit 15.

  Next, the configuration of the control device 4 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the control device 4 includes a computer 401 mainly composed of a control unit 4a, a display unit 4b, and a keyboard 4c. The control unit 4a mainly includes a CPU 401a, a ROM 401b, a RAM 401c, a hard disk 401d, a reading device 401e, an input / output interface 401f, a communication interface 401g, and an image output interface 401h. The CPU 401a, ROM 401b, RAM 401c, hard disk 401d, reading device 401e, input / output interface 401f, communication interface 401g, and image output interface 401h are connected by a bus 401i.

  The CPU 401a can execute computer programs stored in the ROM 401b and computer programs loaded in the RAM 401c. The computer 401 functions as the control device 4 when the CPU 401a executes an application program 404a as will be described later.

  The ROM 401b is configured by a mask ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, or the like, in which computer programs executed by the CPU 401a and data used for the same are recorded.

  The RAM 401c is configured by SRAM, DRAM, or the like. The RAM 401c is used to read out computer programs recorded in the ROM 401b and the hard disk 401d. Further, when these computer programs are executed, they are used as a work area of the CPU 401a.

  The hard disc 401d is installed with various computer programs to be executed by the CPU 401a, such as an operating system and application programs, and data used for executing the computer programs. An application program 404a for immune analysis according to the present embodiment is also installed in the hard disk 401d.

  The reading device 401e is configured by a flexible disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, a DVD-ROM drive, or the like, and can read a computer program or data recorded on the portable recording medium 404. The portable recording medium 404 stores an application program 404a for immunity analysis. The computer 401 reads the application program 404a from the portable recording medium 404 and installs the application program 404a on the hard disk 401d. Is possible.

  Note that the application program 404a is not only provided by the portable recording medium 404, but also from an external device communicatively connected to the computer 401 by an electric communication line (whether wired or wireless). It is also possible to provide through. For example, the application program 404a is stored in a hard disk of a server computer on the Internet, and the computer 401 can access the server computer to download the application program 404a and install it on the hard disk 401d. It is.

  In addition, an operating system that provides a graphical user interface environment such as Windows (registered trademark) manufactured and sold by US Microsoft Corporation is installed in the hard disc 401d. In the following description, it is assumed that the application program 404a according to the present embodiment operates on the operating system.

  The input / output interface 401f includes, for example, a serial interface such as USB, IEEE 1394, and RS-232C, a parallel interface such as SCSI, IDE, and IEEE1284, and an analog interface including a D / A converter and an A / D converter. Has been. A keyboard 4c is connected to the input / output interface 401f, and the user can input data to the computer 401 by using the keyboard 4c.

  The communication interface 401g is, for example, an Ethernet (registered trademark) interface. The computer 401 can transmit and receive data to and from the measurement mechanism unit 2 using a predetermined communication protocol through the communication interface 401g.

  The image output interface 401h is connected to a display unit 4b configured by an LCD or a CRT, and outputs a video signal corresponding to image data given from the CPU 401a to the display unit 4b. The display unit 4b displays an image (screen) according to the input video signal.

  The application program 404a for immunological analysis installed on the hard disk 401d of the control unit 4a uses the light emission amount (digital signal data) of the measurement sample transmitted from the detection unit 15 of the measurement mechanism unit 2 to perform measurement. The amount of antigen in the sample for use is measured.

  The sample dispensing arm 5 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) holds the sample in the test tube 100 transported to the suction position 1a by the sample transport unit 3 and a holding unit of the rotary table unit 11a of the primary reaction unit 11 described later. It has a function of dispensing in the cuvette 150 held by 11b. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sample dispensing arm 5 includes a motor 5a, a drive transmission unit 5b connected to the motor 5a, and an arm unit 5d attached to the drive transmission unit 5b via a shaft 5c. Is included. The drive transmission portion 5b is configured to be able to rotate the arm portion 5d about the shaft 5c and move in the vertical direction (Z direction) by the driving force from the motor 5a. A pipette 5e for aspirating and discharging the sample is provided at the distal end of the arm 5d.

  The reagent installing unit 6 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) includes a reagent container (not shown) that holds a reagent container in which an R1 reagent including a capture antibody is stored and a reagent container in which an R3 reagent including a labeled antibody is stored. Is provided to install. The R1 reagent is aspirated by a reagent dispensing arm 8 described later through the hole 6a. The R3 reagent is aspirated by the reagent dispensing arm 10 described later through the hole 6b. The reagent installing unit 6 is provided with a hole 6 c for exchanging a reagent container (not shown) installed in the reagent installing unit 6.

  The reagent installing unit 7 (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) is provided for installing a reagent container 300 (see FIG. 6) that holds a reagent container 310 that stores an R2 reagent containing magnetic particles. The structure of the reagent installing unit 7 will be described in detail later.

  The reagent dispensing arm 8 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) sucks the R1 reagent in the reagent container 200 installed in the reagent installing unit 6, and the sample of the primary reaction unit 11 uses the sucked R1 reagent. It has a function for dispensing into the dispensed cuvette 150. The reagent dispensing arm 8 includes a motor 8a, a drive transmission unit 8b connected to the motor 8a, and an arm unit 8d attached to the drive transmission unit 8b via a shaft 8c. The drive transmission portion 8b is configured to be able to move the arm portion 8d around the shaft 8c by a driving force from the motor 8a and to move the arm portion 8d in the vertical direction. A pipette 8e (see FIG. 1) for aspirating and discharging the R1 reagent in the reagent container 200 is attached to the tip of the arm 8d. That is, the pipette 8e aspirates the R1 reagent in the reagent container 200 installed in the reagent installing unit 6, and then dispenses the aspirated R1 reagent into the cuvette 150 into which the sample of the primary reaction unit 11 has been dispensed. Is configured to do.

  The reagent dispensing arm 9 (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) is arranged in the cuvette 150 in which the R2 reagent in the reagent container 300 installed in the reagent installing unit 7 is dispensed with the sample of the primary reaction unit 11 and the R1 reagent. It has a function to dispense into The reagent dispensing arm 9 includes a motor 9a, a drive transmission unit 9b connected to the motor 9a, and an arm unit 9d attached to the drive transmission unit 9b via a shaft 9c. The drive transmission portion 9b is configured to be able to move the arm portion 9d about the shaft 9c and move in the vertical direction by the driving force from the motor 9a. Further, a pipette 9e (see FIG. 1) for aspirating and discharging the R2 reagent in the reagent container 300 is attached to the distal end portion of the arm portion 9d. Therefore, the pipette 9e sucks the R2 reagent in the reagent container 300 of the reagent installing unit 7, and then dispenses the sucked R2 reagent into the cuvette 150 in which the sample of the primary reaction unit 11 and the R1 reagent are dispensed. Is configured to do.

  The reagent dispensing arm 10 (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) sucks the R3 reagent in the reagent container 200 installed in the reagent installing unit 6 and uses the sucked R3 reagent to the sample in the secondary reaction unit 12. , R1 reagent and R2 reagent have a function for dispensing into the cuvette 150 into which the reagent has been dispensed. The reagent dispensing arm 10 includes a motor 10a, a drive transmission unit 10b connected to the motor 10a, and an arm unit 10d attached to the drive transmission unit 10b via a shaft 10c. The drive transmission portion 10b is configured to be able to move the arm portion 10d about the shaft 10c and move in the vertical direction by the driving force from the motor 10a. A pipette 10e (see FIG. 1) for aspirating and discharging the R3 reagent in the reagent container 200 is attached to the tip of the arm 10d. That is, the pipette 10e sucks the R3 reagent in the reagent container 200 of the reagent installing unit 6 and then the sucked R3 reagent in the cuvette 150 into which the sample of the secondary reaction unit 12, the R1 reagent and the R2 reagent are dispensed. To be dispensed.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the primary reaction unit 11 holds the cuvette 150 held by the holding unit 11b of the rotary table unit 11a by a predetermined angle every predetermined period (18 seconds in this embodiment). While rotating and transferring, it is provided to stir the specimen, R1 reagent, and R2 reagent in the cuvette 150. That is, the primary reaction unit 11 is provided for reacting the R2 reagent having magnetic particles with the antigen in the sample in the cuvette 150. The primary reaction unit 11 agitates the sample, the R1 reagent, and the R2 reagent in the cuvette 150, and the rotary table unit 11a for transporting the cuvette 150 that accommodates the sample, the R1 reagent, and the R2 reagent in the rotation direction. In addition, the container includes a container transport section 11c that transports the stirred sample, the cuvette 150 containing the R1 reagent and the R2 reagent to the BF separation section 14 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) described later.

  The rotary table unit 11a is configured to rotate and transfer the cuvette 150 held by the holding unit 11b by a predetermined angle every 18 seconds. Therefore, the various devices (sample dispensing arm 5, reagent dispensing arms 8 and 9, etc.) of the immunoanalyzer 1 are transferred to the predetermined position by the rotary table unit 11a, and are transferred to the predetermined position of the cuvette. 150 is controlled to operate.

  Moreover, the container conveyance part 11c is rotatably installed in the center part of the turntable part 11a. The container transport unit 11c has a function of holding the cuvette 150 held by the holding unit 11b of the rotary table unit 11a and stirring the sample in the cuvette 150. Further, the container transport unit 11c also has a function of transporting the cuvette 150 containing the sample, the sample obtained by stirring and incubating the R1 reagent and R2 reagent, to the BF separation unit 14 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

  The secondary reaction unit 12 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) has a configuration similar to that of the primary reaction unit 11, and holds the cuvette 150 held by the holding unit 12b of the rotary table unit 12a for a predetermined period (main book). In the embodiment, it is provided for agitating the specimen, the R1 reagent, the R2 reagent, the R3 reagent, and the R5 reagent in the cuvette 150 while rotating and transferring by a predetermined angle every 18 seconds). That is, the secondary reaction unit 12 is provided in the cuvette 150 to react the R3 reagent having the labeled antibody with the antigen in the sample, and to react the R5 reagent having the luminescent substrate and the labeled antibody of the R3 reagent. ing. The R5 reagent is a cuvette in which the specimen of the secondary reaction unit 12, the R1, R2, and R3 reagents are accommodated by an R5 reagent dispensing arm (not shown) provided in the vicinity of the secondary reaction unit 12. 150 to be dispensed. The secondary reaction unit 12 includes a rotary table unit 12a for transporting the cuvette 150 containing the sample, R1 reagent, R2 reagent, R3 reagent, and R5 reagent in the rotation direction, and the sample in the cuvette 150, the R1 reagent, The container transport unit 12c is configured to stir the R2 reagent, the R3 reagent, and the R5 reagent and to transport the cuvette 150 containing the stirred specimen and the like to the BF separation unit 14. Furthermore, the container transport unit 12c has a function of transporting the cuvette 150 processed by the BF separation unit 14 again to the holding unit 12b of the rotary table unit 12a. In addition, since the detailed structure of the secondary reaction part 12 is the same as that of the primary reaction part 11, the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The cuvette supply unit 13 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) is configured to be able to sequentially supply a plurality of cuvettes 150 to the holding unit 11b of the rotary table unit 11a of the primary reaction unit 11.

  The BF separation unit 14 has a function of separating unreacted R1 reagent (unnecessary component) and magnetic particles from the sample in the cuvette 150 conveyed by the container conveyance unit 11c of the primary reaction unit 11, and the secondary reaction unit 12. 1 has a function of separating unreacted R3 reagent (unnecessary component) and magnetic particles from the sample in the cuvette 150 (see FIG. 1) transported by the container transport unit 12c.

  The detection unit 15 (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) acquires light generated in the reaction process between the labeled antibody that binds to the antigen of the specimen subjected to the predetermined processing and the luminescent substrate with a photomultiplier tube. Is provided to measure the amount of antigen contained in the specimen.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 6 to 13, the structure of the reagent installing unit 7 and the reagent container 300 installed in the reagent installing unit 7 of the immune analyzer 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the reagent installing unit 7 includes a cylindrical reagent holding unit 20 that holds the reagent containers 300 in an annular shape, a lid 30 that is attached to the reagent holding unit 20 so as to be openable and closable, and a cylinder. And an elevating part 40 attached to the side surface (outer wall part 21) of the shaped reagent holding part 20. Further, a Peltier element (not shown) is attached to the bottom of the reagent installing unit 7, and the inside of the reagent installing unit 7 is kept at about 15 ° C.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the reagent holding unit 20 includes a cylindrical outer wall portion 21, a rotatable rotating shaft 22 provided at the center, a stepping motor 23 for rotating the rotating shaft 22, and a stepping The belt 24 (refer FIG. 8) for transmitting the driving force of the motor 23 to the rotating shaft 22 is included. A heat insulating material (not shown) is attached to the entire inner surface of the outer wall 21 to keep the temperature inside the reagent holding unit 20 at a low temperature (about 15 ° C.). Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the driving force of the stepping motor 23 is such that the pulley 23a rotated by the stepping motor 23 and the pulley 22a fixed coaxially with the rotating shaft 22 are coupled to the rotating shaft 22 via the belt 24. It is comprised so that it may be transmitted. By this stepping motor 23, the rotating shaft 22 is rotated in the direction of arrow A and arrow B.

  A rack 600 for holding a plurality of reagent containers 300 in an annular shape is fixedly attached to the rotating shaft 22. By rotating the rotary shaft 22 with the reagent container 300 held in the rack 600, the rack 600 holding the reagent container 300 is rotated, so that the reagent container that holds the reagent to be aspirated or replaced is stored. It is possible to move the tool 300 below the hole 30b and the inlet / outlet hole 30c of the lid part 30 described later. As shown in FIG. 9, the rack 600 is provided at the center of the rack 600, and is formed in an annular shape around the insertion portion 601 and the insertion portion 601 into which the rotary shaft 22 is inserted, and holds the reagent container 300. And a plurality of holding portions 602 and an origin detection piece 603 provided so as to protrude above the insertion portion 601. The holding part 602 includes a partition plate 602a and a support part 602b. A plurality of partition plates 602a are provided at predetermined angular intervals so as to extend radially from the insertion portion 601 in the radial direction. The support portion 602b is provided so as to protrude inward at a lower portion of the partition plate 602a opposite to each other and a lower portion of the insertion portion 601. Each reagent container 300 is disposed in a space between the pair of partition plates 602a so that the peripheral edge of the bottom 326 (see FIG. 10) is supported by the support 602b. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the mounting table 41 and the arm 42 of the elevating unit 40 for elevating and lowering the reagent container 300 are formed by using the upper and lower portions of the holding unit 602 and the radially outer side as open ends. The rack 600 can be moved up and down without contacting the holding portion 602 of the rack 600.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the rotation shaft 22 is configured to be capable of reciprocating rotation in the arrow A direction and the arrow B direction by driving the stepping motor 23. That is, in order to stir the R2 reagent (magnetic particles) installed in the reagent installation unit 7, the rack 600 holding the reagent container 310 (reagent container 300) that stores the R2 reagent is moved in the directions of the arrow A and the arrow B. The R2 reagent is stirred by reciprocating rotation, and precipitation of the R2 reagent (magnetic particle), which is a particle having a weight larger than that of general particles, is suppressed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the rack 600 is reciprocated in an angular range of a constant angle α (for example, about 27 degrees) at a constant angular velocity (for example, 1 rotation / 4 seconds). That is, for example, the rotation direction is reversed every 0.3 seconds in an angle range of about 27 degrees. It should be noted that the rotation angle in the direction of arrow A and the rotation angle in the direction of arrow B during stirring are set substantially equal. The rotational speed in the direction of arrow A and the rotational speed in the direction of arrow B are also set to be substantially equal. The angular velocity is preferably 45 degrees / second or more and 270 degrees / second or less. Since the force for causing the reagent to flow can be sufficiently applied to the reagent by setting the angular velocity to 45 degrees / second or more, stirring is effectively performed. Moreover, it can prevent that a bubble generate | occur | produces in a reagent by making angular velocity into 270 degrees / second or less. In particular, since the R2 reagent of the present embodiment contains a surfactant, bubbles are likely to be generated, but if the angular velocity is 270 degrees / second or less, the generation of bubbles can be prevented.

  Furthermore, the angle range is preferably 5 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less. Since the force for causing the reagent to flow can be sufficiently applied to the reagent by setting the angle range to 5 degrees or more, stirring is effectively performed. Further, by setting the angle range to 90 degrees or less, the movement of the reagent container 300 becomes closer to the amplitude movement than the rotation movement, so that the stirring is effectively performed. Further, by setting the angle range to 90 degrees or less, the moving direction of the reagent container 300 can be frequently switched, so that stirring is effectively performed.

  The rack 600 is configured so that the reagent is agitated by always reciprocatingly rotating except during the reagent aspirating operation and when the reagent container 300 is replaced (added or removed). In addition, the rack 600 is configured to reciprocate even when the immune analyzer 1 is in a standby state (a state in which it waits for an analysis instruction and a sample is not being measured). These operations are controlled by the control unit 2a.

  Moreover, the cover part 30 is attached to the reagent holding | maintenance part 20 through the hinge part 30a so that opening and closing is possible, as shown in FIG. The lid part 30 blocks outside air so that the temperature in the reagent installing part 7 is kept at a low temperature (15 ° C.), can suck the reagent in the reagent installing part 7 from the outside, and is a reagent container. 300 is configured to be able to be taken in and out of the reagent installing unit 7. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 6, the lid 30 is used to pipette the reagent dispensing arm 9 when aspirating the reagent from the reagent container 310 (see FIG. 10) of the reagent container 300. The hole 30b into which 9e is inserted, and the entrance / exit hole 30c for withdrawing / inserting the reagent container 300 from the reagent installation part 7 by the raising / lowering part 40 are included. The lid 30 also has an opening / closing member 31 that can open and close a slide lid 330 (see FIG. 10) of the reagent container 300 disposed below the hole 30b, and slides the opening / closing member 31 in the directions of arrows C and D. It includes a linear motion guide 32 that supports it and a stepping motor 33 that reciprocates the opening / closing member 31. The lid 30 is provided with a transmissive origin detection sensor 30 d for detecting the origin position of the rack 600. The transmission-type origin detection sensor 30d has a function of detecting the origin position of the rotating rack 600 by detecting the origin detection piece 603 provided in the rack 600.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the opening / closing member 31 has a bifurcated engagement piece 31a. Further, when the reagent container 300 is disposed below the hole 30b with the slide lid 330 (see FIG. 10) closed, the engagement piece 333 of the slide lid 330 of the reagent container 300 (see FIG. 10). Is configured to be positioned between the bifurcated engagement pieces 31 a of the opening / closing member 31. When the engagement piece 333 of the slide lid 330 is positioned between the bifurcated engagement portions 31a, the opening / closing member 31 slides in the directions of arrows C and D, thereby opening and closing the slide lid 330 of the reagent container 300. It is possible.

  The lifting / lowering unit 40 is provided to put the reagent container 300 in and out of the reagent installing unit 7. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the elevating unit 40 includes a mounting table 41 on which the reagent container 300 is mounted, an arm 42 that supports the mounting table 41, and a driving unit 43 that slides the arm 42 in the vertical direction. Including. The mounting table 41 is provided with a groove 41 a that can be engaged with a rib 326 a provided on the bottom 326 of the case 320 of the reagent container 300. Further, the arm 42 moves the mounting table 41 in the vertical direction by the driving force of the driving unit 43 provided outside the reagent holding unit 20 via a hole (not shown) provided in the outer wall portion 21 extending in the vertical direction. It has the function to move to. The elevating unit 40 can hold the reagent container 300 on the rack 600 by lowering the mounting table 41 with the reagent container 300 mounted on the mounting table 41. Further, by moving the mounting table 41 from the lower side to the upper side of the reagent container 300 held in the rack 600, the reagent container 300 held in the rack 600 is lifted and the reagent is stored from the inlet / outlet hole 30 c of the lid 30. It is comprised so that the tool 300 can be taken out.

  Next, the structure of the reagent container 300 used in the immune analyzer 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIGS. 10, 11, and 13, the reagent container 300 includes a reagent container 310 that stores the R2 reagent, and a case 320 that stores the reagent container 310. As shown in FIG. 12, the reagent container 310 includes a head 311 having an opening 311a, a bottom 312 formed in a smooth concave shape, a middle portion 313 formed in a cylindrical shape, and an upper end from the upper end of the middle portion 313. And a tapered portion 314 formed so that the cross-sectional area of the horizontal cross section gradually becomes narrower. The horizontal cross section of the bottom 312 is formed in a circular shape, and the internal shape including the tip 312a is substantially spherical. In addition, a stepped portion 312 b that protrudes inward is provided on the inner surface of the bottom portion 312. The R2 reagent is stored in the reagent container 310 so that the liquid level is lower than the lower end 314a of the tapered portion 314.

  In addition, the upper surface 321 of the case 320 reflects light emitted from the cylindrical part 322 inserted into the opening 311a of the reagent container 310 and a reflective sensor (not shown) provided in the lid part 30. The reflecting portion 323, a slide rail 324 for sliding a slide lid 330, which will be described later, and a recess 325 for restricting the position of the slide lid 330, respectively. A slide lid 330 capable of sealing the cylindrical portion 322 is attached to the upper surface 321 of the case 320. A rib 326 a that engages with the groove 41 a of the mounting table 41 of the elevating unit 40 is provided on the bottom surface 326 of the case 320.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, the cylindrical portion 322 is formed so that the upper opening end surface 322 a is an inclined surface inclined by a predetermined angle from the horizontal plane. The concave portion 325 has a function of restricting the movement of the slide lid 330 by abutting with a protrusion 332 of the slide lid 330 described later, and suppressing the slide lid 330 from falling off the case 320. The concave portion 325 is provided with a convex rib 325 a that engages with the protruding portion 332 of the slide lid 330 when the slide lid 330 is in a position to close the upper opening end surface 322 a of the cylindrical portion 322. Thereby, the slide lid 330 can be fixed in a state where the slide lid 330 seals the cylindrical portion 322.

  Further, the slide lid 330 is configured to open and close the cylindrical portion 322 by sliding with respect to the case 320. The slide lid 330 includes an engaging portion 331 (see FIG. 10) that engages with the slide rail 324, a protruding portion 332 (see FIG. 13) that is fitted into the concave portion 325 of the upper surface 321, and an opening / closing member 31 ( It includes an engagement piece 333 that engages with the engagement piece 31a), and an abutting portion 334 (see FIG. 13) that is formed to have an inclined surface inclined at a predetermined angle. As shown in FIG. 13, a plate-like silicon sheet 334 a that is in close contact with the upper open end surface 322 a of the cylindrical portion 322 when the slide lid 330 seals the cylindrical portion 322 is attached to the contact portion 334.

  Further, the inclination angle of the opening end surface 322 a on the upper side of the cylindrical portion 322 and the inclination angle of the contact portion 334 of the slide lid 330 are formed to be substantially equal. When the slide lid 330 slides in the direction from the lower side to the higher side of the opening end surface 322a of the cylindrical portion 322, the opening end surface 322a and the silicon sheet 334a are brought into close contact with each other and the reagent stored in the reagent container 310 is in a sealed state. It is comprised so that.

  Next, the agitation operation of the R2 reagent in the reagent installing unit 7 of the immune analyzer 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  The rack 600 holding the reagent container 300 including the R2 reagent is reciprocally rotated in the directions of the arrow A and the arrow B by the driving of the stepping motor 23 to stir the R2 reagent during the analysis operation of the immune analyzer 1. Yes. When the reagent is aspirated, first, the reciprocating rotation operation of the rack 600 is interrupted. Then, the rack 600 is rotated by driving the stepping motor 23, and the reagent container 300 including the reagent to be aspirated is moved below the hole 30 b of the lid 30. Then, after the reagent is aspirated by the pipette 9e of the reagent dispensing arm 9, the reciprocating rotation of the rack 600 is resumed by driving the stepping motor 23.

  The reciprocating rotation of the rack 600 is also interrupted when the reagent container 300 is replaced, added, or removed by the elevating unit 40. The reciprocating rotation of the rack 600 is resumed after the exchange operation (addition and removal operation) performed by the mounting table 41 moving up and down through the holding portion 602 of the rack 600 is completed.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the movement of the reagent container 300 to the suction position (below the hole 30b) and the stirring of the reagent during the suction of the reagent are performed by one stepping motor 23.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 8, FIG. 14 to FIG. 16, a suction operation for sucking a reagent from the reagent container 300 according to the present embodiment by the pipette 9e of the reagent dispensing arm 9 will be described.

  First, the rotation axis 22 (see FIG. 8) of the reagent holder 20 rotates the rack 600 that holds the reagent container 300, so that the reagent container 300 including the reagent container 310 that stores the reagent to be aspirated is a lid. It is moved below the 30 holes 30b. When the reagent container 300 moves below the hole 60b of the lid portion 30, the engagement piece 333 of the slide lid 330 is located between the forked engagement portions 31a of the opening / closing member 31 of the lid portion 30 as shown in FIG. Placed in.

  In this state, when the opening / closing member 31 is slid in the direction of arrow C by the stepping motor 33, the engagement piece 333 of the slide lid 330 slides in the direction of arrow C together with the bifurcated engagement portion 31a as shown in FIG. Thus, the slide lid 330 is opened. Thereby, the pipette 9e of the reagent dispensing arm 9 can be inserted into the reagent container 310. The pipette 9e is moved above the hole 30b of the lid portion 30 by the rotation of the motor 9a and the drive transmission portion 9b, and the pipette 9e is lowered when the slide lid 330 is opened, so that the pipette 9e becomes the hole 60b. And the reagent is aspirated.

  And the pipette 9e which attracted | sucked the reagent raises and rotates by the motor 9a and the drive transmission part 9b, and is moved above the primary reaction part 11 (refer FIG. 1). Then, the reagent sucked from the reagent container 310 is dispensed into the cuvette 150 of the primary reaction unit 11.

  After the reagent is aspirated, the opening / closing member 31 is moved in the direction of arrow D by the stepping motor 33, whereby the engagement piece 333 of the slide lid 330 is slid in the direction of arrow D together with the bifurcated engagement portion 31a. The As a result, the slide lid 330 is closed and the reagent is sealed. Thereby, the sealed state of the reagent is maintained also when the rack 600 is rotated and the reagent container 300 is moved.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the rack 600 that holds the plurality of reagent containers 310 having the bottom portion 312 formed in a smooth concave shape in an annular shape is reciprocally rotated around the rotation shaft 22, so that the rack 600 is The reagent can be stirred only by reciprocating rotation. Thereby, the structure of the apparatus can be simplified. In addition, when the rack 600 is reciprocally rotated, the reagent stored in the reagent container 310 is easily flown by the bottom 312 formed in a smooth concave surface, so that stirring of the reagent stored in the reagent container 310 is effective. Can be done. Thereby, even when heavy particles such as magnetic particles are included in the reagent, the reagent can be stirred without inserting a stirrer.

  That is, in the present embodiment, since the bottom 312 is formed in a smooth concave shape, there are no protrusions that hinder the flow of reagents and corners that cause retention. Therefore, when the force acts on the reagent by the rotation, the reagent moves along the slope of the smooth concave surface, and when the force in the opposite direction acts on the reagent by reversing the rotation direction, the reagent flows smoothly. Effective stirring is possible.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the bottom 312 is formed so that the horizontal cross section has a circular shape and the inner surface is substantially spherical, so that the reagent moves more in the reagent container 310. Therefore, the reagent can be stirred more effectively.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the rack 600 is provided by providing the reagent container 310 with the tapered portion 314 formed so that the cross-sectional area of the horizontal section becomes narrower upward from the upper end of the middle portion 313. When the reagent in the reagent container 310 flows along with the rotation, the movement of the reagent in the vicinity of the liquid surface is suppressed from above by the tapered portion 314. Thereby, since the reagent in the vicinity of the liquid surface is suppressed from undulating, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of bubbling of the reagent.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, since the reagent is accommodated in the reagent container 310 so that the liquid level is lower than the tapered portion 314, the reagent becomes easy to flow because the reagent becomes shallow. Stirring can be performed effectively, and the occurrence of foaming can be suppressed by the tapered portion 314.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the rack 600 is rotated back and forth for stirring the reagent, and the rack 600 is rotated to move the reagent container 310 to the suction position (below the hole 30b of the lid 30). Both are performed by the driving force of the stepping motor 23, so that it is not necessary to separately provide a rotation mechanism for performing each rotation operation. Thereby, the apparatus can be simplified. Further, since the reciprocating rotation for stirring the reagent is performed until immediately before the reagent suction operation is started, the reagent can be sucked in a state where the reagent is stirred (a state suitable for suction).

  In the present embodiment, as described above, when the immune analyzer 1 waits for a long time by reciprocatingly rotating the rack 600 to stir the reagent during the standby of the immune analyzer 1. However, since the reagent can be kept in a stirred state, the analysis operation immediately after standby can be performed without spending time for stirring the reagent. Thereby, the analysis time immediately after standby can be shortened.

  In this embodiment, as described above, the reagent can be stirred more effectively by providing the step 312b projecting inwardly at the bottom 312 of the reagent container 310.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the embodiment but by the scope of claims for patent, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims for patent.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which the present invention is applied to the immune analyzer 1 which is an example of the analyzer has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other biochemical analyzers, blood coagulation measuring devices, etc. You may apply to an analyzer.

  In the above embodiment, when the rack 600 is reciprocally rotated to stir the reagent, an example in which the rotation angle in the arrow A direction and the rotation angle in the arrow B direction are set equal to each other is shown. However, the rotation angle in the direction of arrow A and the rotation angle in the direction of arrow B may be set differently.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the rotational speed in the direction of arrow A and the rotational speed in the direction of arrow B are set equal when the rack 600 is reciprocated to stir the reagent is shown. Not limited to this, the rotational speed in the direction of arrow A and the rotational speed in the direction of arrow B may be set differently.

  In the above embodiment, the reagent container 300 has the reagent container 310 stored in the case 320 and the R2 reagent stored in the reagent container 310. However, the reagent container 310 does not need to be stored in the case 320. The reagent container 310 itself may be used as a reagent container.

  In the above embodiment, the reagent container having no protrusions or depressions at the bottom 312 is shown, but the molding protrusions or depressions generated when the reagent is manufactured may be small.

1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of an immune analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view of the immune analyzer shown in FIG. It is a block diagram including the control part of the measurement mechanism part of the immune analyzer by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control part of the measurement mechanism part shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the control apparatus of the immune analyzer by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of the reagent installation part shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the reagent holding | maintenance part of the reagent installation part shown in FIG. It is a top view of the reagent holding | maintenance part of the reagent installation part shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the rack for hold | maintaining the reagent container used for the immune analyzer by one Embodiment of this invention. It is an external view of the reagent container used for the immunoassay apparatus by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the upper surface of the reagent container used for the immune analyzer by one Embodiment. It is sectional drawing in alignment with the 100-100 line of the reagent container of the reagent container shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing along the 100-100 line of the reagent container shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the attraction | suction operation | movement of the immune analyzer by one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the attraction | suction operation | movement of the immune analyzer by one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the attraction | suction operation | movement of the immune analyzer by one Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Immune analyzer (analyzer)
4 Control device (analysis unit)
9 Reagent dispensing arm (reagent suction part)
300 Reagent container 310 Reagent container 314 Taper-shaped part 314a Lower end 600 Rack (Container holding part)

Claims (13)

A container holding unit for holding a plurality of reagent containers formed in a concave shape with a smooth inner bottom surface in an annular shape;
A reagent aspirating part for aspirating a reagent from the reagent container held in the container holding part;
An analysis unit for analyzing a sample and an analytical sample prepared using the reagent;
A drive unit that reciprocally moves the reagent container held in an annular shape in the container holding part around the center of the ring for stirring the reagents stored in the plurality of reagent containers; ,Analysis equipment.   2. The analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the reagent container has a lower portion from a predetermined position, the inner horizontal section is circular and the inner bottom is substantially spherical.   The analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the reagent container includes a tapered portion formed at an upper portion so that a cross-sectional area of an internal horizontal section becomes narrower upward.   The analyzer according to claim 3, wherein the reagent is stored in the reagent container such that a liquid level is lower than a lower end of the tapered portion.   The said container holding | maintenance part is comprised so that the said reagent container may not move with respect to the said container holding | maintenance part during the reciprocation of the said reagent container. Analysis equipment.   When the reagent suction by the reagent suction part is necessary, the reciprocating motion of the reagent container by the drive part is interrupted, and the reagent container containing the reagent to be aspirated is placed at a predetermined suction position. The reagent container is moved by the driving unit, and after the reagent is aspirated by the reagent aspirating unit from the reagent container arranged at the suction position, the reciprocating motion of the reagent container by the driving unit is resumed. The analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 5.   The drive unit reciprocates the reagent container around the center of the annular ring for stirring the reagents stored in the plurality of reagent containers when the analyzer is on standby. 6. The analyzer according to any one of items 6.   8. The drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the drive unit reciprocates the reagent container held in an annular shape by the container holding part within a range of 5 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less around the center of the ring. 2. The analyzer according to claim 1.   The drive unit reciprocates the reagent container held in an annular shape by the container holding part at an angular velocity of not less than 45 degrees / second and not more than 270 degrees / second around the center of the ring. The analyzer of any one of -8.   The analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the reagent stored in the reagent container includes magnetic particles. A container holder for holding a plurality of reagent containers in an annular shape;
A reagent aspirating part for aspirating a reagent from the reagent container held in the container holding part;
An analysis unit for analyzing a sample and an analytical sample prepared using the reagent;
A drive unit configured to reciprocate the reagent container, which is held in an annular shape in the container holding part, around the center of the ring, in order to stir the reagents stored in the plurality of reagent containers; ,
The reagent container is an analyzer in which a portion below a predetermined position is formed such that an inner horizontal cross section is circular and an inner bottom surface is substantially spherical. A container holder for holding a plurality of reagent containers in an annular shape;
A reagent aspirating part for aspirating a reagent from the reagent container held in the container holding part;
An analysis unit for analyzing a sample and an analytical sample prepared using the reagent;
In order to stir the reagents stored in the plurality of reagent containers, the reagent container held in an annular shape in the container holder is in a range of 5 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less around the center of the ring And a drive unit that reciprocates with the analyzer. A container holder for holding a plurality of reagent containers in an annular shape;
A reagent aspirating part for aspirating a reagent from the reagent container held in the container holding part;
An analysis unit for analyzing a sample and an analytical sample prepared using the reagent;
In order to stir the reagents stored in the plurality of reagent containers, the reagent container held in an annular shape in the container holder is 45 degrees / second or more and 270 degrees / second around the center of the ring. And a drive unit that reciprocates on an arc of a circle centered on the center of the ring at an angular velocity of less than a second.

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