JP2008145306A - Container with stirring mechanism and autoanalyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a container with a stirring mechanism constituted so that the container and a sonic wave emitting means are fixed for use and capable of separating the container and the sonic wave producing means if necessary, and to provide an autoanalyzer. <P>SOLUTION: The container with the stirring mechanism used in the autoanalyzer for analyzing the physiological sample held at every container and the autoanalyzer are disclosed. The container with the stirring mechanism includes a container main body 7 for holding a liquid containing a physiological sample, a surface elastic wave element 8 for irradiating the container main body 7 with a liquid stirring sonic wave and a cuvet wheel 6 for fixing the container main body and the surface elastic wave element in a freely detachable manner. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a container with a stirring mechanism and an automatic analyzer.

  Conventionally, as a stirrer that stirs a liquid held in a container by sound waves, a reaction container for an analysis device in which sound wave generating means is integrally provided with an adhesive that also serves as an acoustic matching layer is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-90791 A

  By the way, when the sound wave generating means is provided integrally with the container, the sound wave generating means and the container hardly break or break down at the same time. For this reason, for example, when one of the sound wave generating means or the container is broken, there is a problem in that both must be discarded even though the other can be used, which is economically wasteful.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and in use, a container with a stirring mechanism in which the container and the sound wave generating means are fixed, and the container and the sound wave generating means can be separated as necessary. And it aims at providing an automatic analyzer.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the container with a stirring mechanism according to claim 1 is a container with a stirring mechanism used in an automatic analyzer that analyzes a biological sample held for each container, A container main body for holding the liquid containing the biological sample; a sound wave generating means for irradiating the container main body with a sound wave that stirs the liquid; and a fixing means for detachably fixing the container main body and the sound wave generating means. And.

  Further, in the container with a stirring mechanism according to claim 2, in the above invention, a first interposed member that is in close contact with the container main body and the sound wave generating means is disposed between the container main body and the sound wave generating means. It is characterized by being.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the container with a stirring mechanism according to the second aspect, wherein the second means for biasing the sound wave generating means toward the container body is provided between the sound wave generating means and the fixing means. The member is arranged.

  A container with a stirring mechanism according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the first interposed member is a thermally deformable member whose viscoelasticity changes when heat is applied.

  The container with a stirring mechanism according to claim 5 is characterized in that, in the above invention, the first interposed member is a non-volatile liquid.

  The container with a stirring mechanism according to claim 6 is characterized in that, in the above invention, the non-volatile liquid is formed in a film shape on a surface where the container main body is in contact with the sound wave generating means.

  The container with a stirring mechanism according to claim 7 is characterized in that, in the above invention, the second interposed member is an elastic member.

  The container with a stirring mechanism according to claim 8 is the above invention, wherein the fixing means dispenses a holding part that holds the container main body and the sound wave generating means, and a liquid held in the container main body. And a cover plate in which an opening is formed, and a screw for fastening the holding portion and the cover plate.

  In the container with a stirring mechanism according to claim 9, in the above invention, the fixing means dispenses a substrate holding the container main body and the sound wave generating means, and a liquid held in the container main body. A lid having an opening and a screw or a rivet for fastening the substrate and the lid are provided.

  Moreover, the container with a stirring mechanism according to claim 10 is the above invention, wherein the fixing means is configured such that the container main body and the sound wave generating means that are detachably fixed are detached from the automatic analyzer. The container body and the sound wave generating means can be freely fixed or released.

  The container with a stirring mechanism according to claim 11 is the above invention, wherein the fixing means fixes the container body and the sound wave generating means while the container with the stirring mechanism is used in the automatic analyzer. It is characterized by maintaining.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the automatic analyzer according to claim 12 measures the optical characteristics of the reaction liquid by stirring and reacting the liquid sample containing the specimen and the reagent. The analyzer for analyzing the sample is characterized by comprising the container with the stirring mechanism.

  In the container with a stirring mechanism of the present invention, the container main body and the sound wave generating means are detachably fixed by a fixing means, and the automatic analyzer of the present invention includes the container with the stirring mechanism, so that it is fixed in use. The container body and the sound wave generating means are fixed by the means, and when necessary for maintenance etc., the container and the sound wave generating means can be easily separated by releasing the fixing of the container and the sound wave generating means by the fixing means. There is an effect that can be done.

(Embodiment 1)
EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Below, Embodiment 1 concerning the container with a stirring mechanism and automatic analyzer of this invention is demonstrated in detail with reference to drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating the automatic analyzer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the container with a stirring mechanism of the first embodiment by cutting a cuvette wheel used in the automatic analyzer of FIG. 1 along the circumferential direction. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a cover plate and screws that are part of the fixing means of the container with a stirring mechanism of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an arrangement of a container main body, an elastic member, and a surface acoustic wave element included in the container with a stirring mechanism according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic analyzer 1 includes a sample table 3, a sample dispensing mechanism 5, a cuvette wheel 6, a photometric device 20, a cleaning device 21, a reagent dispensing mechanism 22, and a reagent table 23 on a work table 2. A stirrer 30 is provided.

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

  The sample dispensing mechanism 5 is means for dispensing a sample to a plurality of container bodies 7 held by a cuvette wheel 6, and sequentially collects samples from a plurality of sample containers 4 on the sample table 3 as shown in FIG. Dispense into the main body 7.

  The cuvette wheel 6 is a fixing means for detachably fixing the container body 7 and the surface acoustic wave element 8, and is rotated in a direction indicated by an arrow in FIG. 1 by a driving means different from the sample table 3. The cuvette wheel 6 is formed in a ring shape from a metal such as aluminum having excellent thermal conductivity and a small specific gravity, and forms a container with a stirring mechanism together with the container body 7 and the surface acoustic wave element 8. As shown in FIG. 2, the cuvette wheel 6 has a wheel portion 6a that is a holding portion for holding the container body 7 and the surface acoustic wave element 8, and a lid plate 6d. The cuvette wheel 6 detachably fixes the container body 7 and the surface acoustic wave element 8 by assembling the wheel portion 6a and the cover plate 6d with a plurality of screws 6h.

  The wheel portion 6a has a plurality of recesses 6b (see FIG. 2) in which the container body 7 and the surface acoustic wave element 8 are arranged along the circumferential direction. As shown in FIG. 2, each recess 6 b is formed with a step portion 6 c in which the transmission substrate 31 is arranged at the center of the bottom wall. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cover plate 6d is formed with openings 6e at positions corresponding to the container body 7, screw holes 6f are provided on both sides in the circumferential direction of the openings 6e, and chemical resistance is provided on the lower surface. An elastic member 6g made of silicone rubber, fluorine rubber or the like having excellent properties is integrally attached. The cover plate 6d is detachably fixed to the upper surface of the wheel portion 6a by screws 6h inserted through the screw holes 6f. Here, the cover plate 6d may be a single member, or may be divided into a plurality of parts by being divided at a plurality of locations along the circumferential direction.

  The cuvette wheel 6 has openings through which the measurement light passes on both radial sides of the respective recesses 6b. The cuvette wheel 6 is rotated clockwise by one cycle (one reaction-1 reaction vessel) / 4 in one cycle, and rotated counterclockwise by one in the container main body 7 in four cycles. The liquid held in the container body 7 is photometrically measured. As shown in FIG. 1, the cuvette wheel 6 has a cleaning device 21 disposed on one side of the photometric device 20, and a stirring device 30 disposed on the other lower portion.

  The container body 7 holds a liquid containing a biological sample, and is a transparent material that transmits 80% or more of the light contained in the analysis light (340 to 800 nm) emitted from the light source of the photometric device 20, for example, heat resistant glass. Synthetic resins such as glass, cyclic olefin and polystyrene are used. As shown in FIG. 2, the container body 7 has openings 7a and 7b at both upper and lower ends, and a liquid that holds a small amount of liquid L of several nL to several tens of μL including the reagent and the specimen between the openings 7a and 7b. It is a member consisting of a square cylinder in which the holding part 7c is formed.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the container body 7 is disposed in the recess 6 b from the bottom in the order of the elastic member 10, the surface acoustic wave element 8, the elastic member 9 serving as the first interposed member, and the container body 7. Then, the cover plate 6d covered from above is fixed to the upper surface of the wheel portion 6a by a plurality of screws 6h (see FIG. 3). As a result, the container body 7 is pressed downward and the elastic members 9 and 10 are compressed and deformed, and the container body 7 is integrated with the elastic member 9 and the surface acoustic wave element 8. At this time, the elastic members 9 and 10 are formed into a flat rectangular tube shape from silicone rubber, fluorine rubber, or the like, and have openings 9a and 10a having the same size as the opening 7b. For this reason, the elastic member 9 is in close contact with the container main body 7 and the surface acoustic wave element 8, so that the container main body 7 forms a container together with the surface acoustic wave element 8 and the elastic member 9, and the liquid L is liquid-tight. Can be held. However, if the container body 7 can be liquid-tightly integrated with the surface acoustic wave element 8, the elastic member 9 may be omitted. Also, the screw may be a rivet. In particular, if the push rivet is used, the assembly of the cuvette wheel 6 becomes easy.

  The surface acoustic wave element 8 is a sound wave generating means for irradiating the container main body 7 with a sound wave that stirs the liquid. As shown in FIG. 5, the surface acoustic wave element 8 includes a vibrator 8b made of comb-like electrodes (IDT) and an antenna 8c on a piezoelectric substrate 8a made of lithium niobate (LiNbO3) or the like. The surface acoustic wave element 8 is disposed below the opening 7b with the vibrator 8b facing the liquid L side. For this reason, the surface acoustic wave element 8 covers the vibrator 8b and the antenna 8c with a thin film such as silicon dioxide (SiO 2) to protect it from a short circuit caused by contact with the liquid L.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the photometric device 20 is disposed near the outer periphery of the cuvette wheel 6, and emits analysis light (340 to 800 nm) for analyzing the liquid held in the container body 7 and transmits the liquid. And a light receiver that splits and receives the analysis light. In the photometric device 20, the light source and the light receiver are disposed at positions facing each other in the radial direction with the concave portion 6 b of the cuvette wheel 6 interposed therebetween.

  The cleaning device 21 has a discharge means for discharging the liquid and the cleaning liquid from the container body 7 and a cleaning liquid dispensing means. The cleaning device 21 dispenses the cleaning liquid after discharging the liquid after photometry from the container body 7 after photometry. The cleaning device 21 cleans the inside of the container body 7 together with the surface acoustic wave element 8 by repeating the dispensing and discharging operations of the cleaning liquid a plurality of times. The container body 7 cleaned in this way is used again for analysis of a new specimen.

  The reagent dispensing mechanism 22 is means for dispensing a reagent to a plurality of container main bodies 7 held by the cuvette wheel 6, and as shown in FIG. Dispense into the main body 7.

  The reagent table 23 is rotated in a direction indicated by an arrow in FIG. 1 by driving means different from the sample table 3 and the cuvette wheel 6, and a plurality of storage chambers 23 a formed in a fan shape are provided along the circumferential direction. In each storage chamber 23a, the reagent container 24 is detachably stored. Each of the plurality of reagent containers 24 is filled with a predetermined reagent corresponding to the inspection item, and an information recording medium (not shown) for displaying information on the stored reagent is attached to the outer surface.

  Here, on the outer periphery of the reagent table 23, as shown in FIG. 1, reagent information such as the type, lot, and expiration date of the reagent recorded on the information recording medium attached to the reagent container 24 is read, and the control unit 26 Is provided.

  The control unit 26 includes a sample table 3, a sample dispensing mechanism 5, a cuvette wheel 6, a photometric device 20, a cleaning device 21, a reagent dispensing mechanism 22, a reagent table 23, a reading device 25, an analysis unit 27, an input unit 28, and a display. For example, a microcomputer or the like that is connected to the unit 29 and the stirring device 30 and has a storage function for storing the analysis result is used. The control unit 26 controls the operation of each unit of the automatic analyzer 1 and stops the analysis work when the reagent lot or expiration date is out of the installation range based on the reagent information read from the record of the information recording medium. The automatic analyzer 1 is controlled as described above, or a warning is issued to the operator.

  The analysis unit 27 is connected to the photometry device 20 via the control unit 26, analyzes the component concentration of the specimen from the light absorbance of the liquid in the container body 7 based on the amount of light received by the light receiver, and analyzes the analysis result to the control unit 26. Output to. The input unit 28 is a part that performs an operation of inputting an inspection item or the like to the control unit 26. For example, a keyboard or a mouse is used. The display unit 29 displays analysis contents, alarms, and the like, and a display panel or the like is used.

  The stirrer 30 is a device that stirs the liquid held in the container body 7 by sound waves emitted by the surface acoustic wave element 8, and includes a transmission substrate 31 and a drive control unit 32 as shown in FIG. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the transmission board 31 is disposed on the step portion 6 c of the cuvette wheel 6. As shown in FIG. 6, the transmission board 31 has an RF transmission antenna 31 b formed on the upper surface of the board 31 a, and the RF transmission antenna 31 b is driven by the antenna 8 c of the surface acoustic wave element 8 by the power transmitted from the drive control unit 32. Transmit signal (power).

  The drive control unit 32 controls power transmitted to the transmission board 31, and includes a drive circuit 32a and a control circuit 32b as shown in FIG. The drive circuit 32a has an oscillation circuit capable of changing the oscillation frequency based on a control signal from the control circuit 32b, and outputs a high-frequency oscillation signal of about several tens to several hundreds of MHz to the RF transmission antenna 31b. . The control circuit 32b controls the operation of the drive circuit 32a. For example, the characteristics (frequency, intensity, phase, wave characteristics) and waveform (sine wave, triangular wave, rectangular wave, burst wave) generated by the surface acoustic wave element 8 are controlled. Etc.) or modulation (amplitude modulation, frequency modulation) or the like. In addition, the control circuit 32b can switch the frequency of the oscillation signal oscillated by the drive circuit 32a in accordance with a built-in timer.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the transmission board 31 and the drive control unit 32 are connected via the contact electrode E so that electric power is transmitted even when the cuvette wheel 6 rotates. With the rotation of 6, the transmission boards 31 to which power is supplied are sequentially switched.

  In the automatic analyzer 1 configured as described above, the reagent dispensing mechanism 22 sequentially dispenses the reagent from the reagent container 24 to the plurality of container bodies 7 conveyed along the circumferential direction by the rotating cuvette wheel 6. . The container body 7 into which the reagent has been dispensed is transported along the circumferential direction by the cuvette wheel 6, and the specimens are sequentially dispensed from the plurality of specimen containers 4 held on the specimen table 3 by the specimen dispensing mechanism 5. The container body 7 into which the sample has been dispensed is sequentially conveyed to the position of the stirring device 30 by the cuvette wheel 6, and as shown in FIG. 2, the liquid L containing the dispensed reagent and the sample is subjected to surface acoustic waves. The elements are sequentially stirred and reacted by the surface acoustic wave Wa generated by the element 8. The reaction solution in which the sample and the reagent have reacted in this way passes through the photometric device 20 when the cuvette wheel 6 rotates again, and the analysis light emitted from the light source is transmitted. At this time, the reaction solution of the reagent and the sample in the container body 7 is measured by the light receiving unit, and the component concentration and the like are analyzed by the control unit 26. After the analysis, the container body 7 is washed by the washing device 21 and then used again for analyzing the specimen.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, the automatic analyzer 1 according to the first embodiment uses the cuvette wheel 6 which is a fixing means of the container with a stirring mechanism to use the elastic body 9 and the surface acoustic wave element. 8 and integrated. When the automatic analyzer 1 is not in use, for example, when the surface acoustic wave element 8 is damaged, when the container body 7 is specially cleaned due to dirt, or when maintenance is required. The container body 7 can be easily separated from the elastic member 9 and the surface acoustic wave element 8 by loosening the plurality of screws 6h and removing the cover plate 6d.

  In this case, since the surface acoustic wave element 8 is a flat plate having almost no irregularities, cleaning is easy. However, since the container body 7 is a square tube, dirt is likely to remain at the portion where adjacent side walls intersect with each other, and special cleaning may occur. For this reason, since the container body 7 is inexpensive when a synthetic resin such as cyclic olefin or polystyrene is used as a constituent material, if it is discarded together with the elastic member 9, special cleaning maintenance that takes time and cost may be avoided. it can.

  2, the container body 7 is integrated with the elastic member 9 and the surface acoustic wave element 8 by the cuvette wheel 6 which is a fixing means, as shown in FIG. 8 is in contact with the liquid L held in the container body 7. For this reason, the automatic analyzer 1 according to the first embodiment suppresses the spread and attenuation of the sound wave generated by the surface acoustic wave element 8 because there is no unnecessary sound attenuation medium on the sound wave propagation path with respect to the stirring device 30. Then, the liquid L can be efficiently stirred by irradiating the liquid L held in the container body 7. Moreover, in the automatic analyzer 1 according to the first embodiment, variations in the stirrer performance of the stirrer 30 are suppressed regardless of the drive frequency of the surface acoustic wave element 8, so that there is a variation in the stir performance of each automatic analyzer 1. It is suppressed and stable stirring performance can be secured.

  In the container with a stirring mechanism of the first embodiment, the surface acoustic wave element 8 may be disposed below the opening 7b of the container body 7 with the vibrator 8b facing downward as shown in FIG. When the surface acoustic wave element 8 is arranged in this way, the container with a stirring mechanism can stir the liquid L containing the dispensed reagent and the specimen by the bulk wave Wb. Moreover, the container main body 7 does not need the elastic member 9 as long as it can be liquid-tightly integrated with the surface acoustic wave element 8 as described above. Here, in the container with a stirring mechanism described below, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  Further, the container with a stirring mechanism of the first embodiment uses the same material as the container main body 7 and forms an opening 11e on the side wall 11d in addition to the upper opening 11a as in the container main body 11 shown in FIG. May be. Then, the cuvette wheel 6 is provided with the elastic member 12 serving as the second interposed member at two locations on the side surface of the recess 6b. For this reason, in the container with a stirring mechanism shown in FIG. 8, the surface acoustic wave element 8 is disposed on the side wall 11d of the container body 11 with the vibrator 8b facing outward via the elastic member 9 disposed around the opening 11e. After these are set in the recess 6b, the wheel portion 6a and the cover plate 6d are assembled by a plurality of screws 6h.

  8, the surface acoustic wave element 8 is urged toward the container main body 11 by the elastic members 12 provided at two locations on the upper and lower sides, and the container main body 11 and the surface acoustic wave element 8 are provided. Are held in an integrated state. As a result, the container with a stirring mechanism shown in FIG. 8 stirs the liquid L containing the dispensed reagent and the specimen by the bulk wave Wb generated by the surface acoustic wave element 8 while the liquid L is kept in a liquid-tight state. can do. The container body 11 can be easily separated from the elastic member 9 and the surface acoustic wave element 8 by loosening the plurality of screws 6 h and removing the cover plate 6 d and pulling it upward together with the surface acoustic wave element 8.

  Further, as in the container with a stirring mechanism shown in FIG. 9, the surface acoustic wave element 8 is arranged on the side wall 11d of the container body 11 with the vibrator 8b facing the liquid L side, and the dispensed reagent and specimen are included. The liquid L may be stirred by the surface acoustic wave Wa. However, in this case, the surface acoustic wave element 8 covers the vibrator 8b and the antenna 8c with a thin film such as silicon dioxide (SiO2), and protects against a short circuit caused by contact with the liquid L.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 10, the elastic member 12 may be provided at a position corresponding to the gap between the surface acoustic wave element 8 and the transmission substrate 31 of the elastic member 6 g and the recess 6 b of the cover plate 6 d. Good. However, the elastic member 6g integrally forms a protruding wedge 6i corresponding to the shape of the elastic member 12 at a position where the elastic member 12 is provided. In this way, the container with a stirring mechanism shown in FIG. 10 fixes the cover plate 6d to the upper surface of the wheel portion 6a with a plurality of screws 6h (see FIG. 3), and thus the protruding wedge 6i, the elastic member 12, and the like. Enters the gap between the surface acoustic wave element 8 and the transmission substrate 31 from above and below. As a result, the surface acoustic wave element 8 is pressed against the container body 11 via the elastic member 9, and the container body 11 is integrated with the elastic member 9 and the surface acoustic wave element 8.

  In this case, the container body 11 shown in FIG. 10 can be easily separated from the elastic member 9 and the surface acoustic wave element 8 by loosening the plurality of screws 6h and removing the cover plate 6d. Further, in the container with a stirring mechanism shown in FIG. 10, when the surface acoustic wave element 8 is arranged on the side wall 11d with the vibrator 8b facing the liquid L side, the liquid L containing the dispensed reagent and specimen is surface acoustic wave. It can be stirred by Wa. The container main body 11 may be omitted from the elastic member 9 as long as it can be liquid-tightly integrated with the surface acoustic wave element 8.

  Further, the container with a stirring mechanism of the first embodiment may be a cuvette wheel 13 shown in FIG. 11 instead of the cuvette wheel 6. Like the cuvette wheel 6, the cuvette wheel 13 is made of a metal such as aluminum having excellent thermal conductivity and low specific gravity, and includes a substrate 13a and a lid 13c. The cuvette wheel 13 sandwiches an elastic member 14 continuously formed in the circumferential direction as a first interposed member between the container body 7 and the surface acoustic wave element 8, and the substrate 13a and the lid 13c are connected by a plurality of screws 13i. By assembling, the container body 7 and the surface acoustic wave element 8 are detachably fixed and integrated. When such an elastic member 14 is used, the container with a stirring mechanism can reduce cost and simplify handling during maintenance by reducing the number of components. Furthermore, if the container body 7 can be liquid-tightly integrated with the surface acoustic wave element 8, the elastic member 14 may be omitted.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 11, the substrate 13a has an opening 13b formed at the center in the width direction of the ring-shaped member, and the transmission substrate 31 is installed in the opening 13b. The overall shape of the lid 13c is formed in a ring shape corresponding to the substrate 13a, and the container body 7 and the surface acoustic wave element 8 are disposed between the flanges 13d adjacent in the circumferential direction by the upper wall 13e and the side wall 13f. A recess 13g is formed. In the lid 13c, a dispensing opening 13h is formed at the center of the upper wall 13e, and a photometric hole is formed in the side wall 13f facing in the radial direction. The lid 13c is detachably fixed to the substrate 13a by screws 13i at the flange 13d.

  At this time, the surface acoustic wave element 8 covers the vibrator 8b and the antenna 8c with a thin film such as silicon dioxide (SiO 2) to protect it from a short circuit caused by contact with the liquid L. Moreover, the board | substrate 13a and the cover body 13c are divided | segmented in the several places along the circumferential direction, may be a several part, and the elastic member 14 may be individual, and is good also as what was continued in the circumferential direction.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the surface acoustic wave element 8 may be disposed below the opening 7b of the container body 7 with the vibrator 8b facing downward. At this time, each container body 7 has an elastic member 9 disposed between the surface acoustic wave element 8 instead of the continuously formed elastic member 14.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the container with a stirring mechanism of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the container with a stirring mechanism according to the second embodiment. Although the container with the stirring mechanism of the first embodiment uses an elastic member as the interposition member, the container with the stirring mechanism of the second embodiment uses a heat deformation member that changes in viscoelasticity when heat is applied as the interposition member. ing. Here, in Embodiments 2 and 3, since the automatic analyzer is the same as the automatic analyzer 1 of Embodiment 1 except for the container with a stirring mechanism, the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the container with a stirring mechanism of the second embodiment has an elastic member 19, a surface acoustic wave element 8, and a first interposition member from below in each recess 6 b formed in the wheel portion 6 a of the cuvette wheel 6. The thermal deformation member 15 and the container body 16 are arranged in this order. Then, the cover plate 6d covered from above is fixed to the upper surface of the wheel portion 6a by a plurality of screws 6h. Thereby, the container main body 16 is pressed downward, and the container main body 16 is integrated with the surface acoustic wave element 8 via the thermal deformation member 15. For this reason, the container with a stirring mechanism shown in FIG. 13 can stir the liquid L containing the reagent and the sample in the container main body 16 by the surface acoustic wave Wa.

  At this time, the heat-deformable member 15 can be made of a synthetic resin whose viscoelasticity changes when heat is applied, for example, a thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, and fluororesin. The container main body 16 uses the same material as the container main body 7, has an opening 16a only at the upper end, and contains a small amount of liquid L of several nL to several tens of μL including the reagent and the specimen by the bottom wall and the side wall 16b. This is a rectangular tube-shaped cuvette in which a liquid holding part 16c for holding the liquid is formed.

  In the container with a stirring mechanism according to the second embodiment, the container main body 16 is integrated with the thermal deformation member 15 and the surface acoustic wave element 8 by the cuvette wheel 6 which is a fixing means when the automatic analyzer 1 is used. When the automatic analyzer 1 is not used, for example, when the surface acoustic wave element 8 is damaged, when only the container main body 16 is specially cleaned due to dirt, or when maintenance is required. The container body 16 can be easily separated from the thermal deformation member 15 and the surface acoustic wave element 8 by loosening the plurality of screws 6h and removing the cover plate 6d.

  At this time, the container with a stirring mechanism of the second embodiment uses the thermal deformation member 15 as the first interposed member. The thermal deformation member 15 is in close contact with the container body 16 and the surface acoustic wave element 8 due to its own viscoelasticity at room temperature, but the viscoelasticity changes due to the temperature rise of the surface acoustic wave element 8 by driving the surface acoustic wave element 8. And become soft. For this reason, the heat deformable member 15 further improves the adhesion with the container body 16 and the surface acoustic wave element 8 when the liquid L to be radiated with sound waves is stirred. In the container with a stirring mechanism shown in FIG. 13, the surface acoustic wave element 8 may be disposed below the container body 16 with the vibrator 8 b facing downward.

  Further, in the container with a stirring mechanism of the second embodiment, the surface acoustic wave element 8 may be disposed on the side wall 16b via the heat deformation member 15, as shown in FIG. At this time, the container with the stirring mechanism urges the surface acoustic wave element 8 toward the container body 16 by the elastic member 12 which is the second interposed member provided in the concave portion 6b of the cuvette wheel 6, and the thermal deformation member 15 is moved. The piezoelectric substrate 8a is closely attached to the side wall 16b. Thereby, the container with a stirring mechanism shown in FIG. 14 can stir the liquid L containing the dispensed reagent and the specimen by the bulk wave Wb generated by the surface acoustic wave element 8.

  In the container with a stirring mechanism shown in FIG. 14, if the plurality of screws 6 h are loosened to remove the cover plate 6 d and pulled upward together with the surface acoustic wave element 8, the container body 16 can be used as the thermal deformation member 15 or the surface acoustic wave element. 8 can be easily separated. In the container with the stirring mechanism, the surface acoustic wave element 8 may be disposed with the vibrator 8b facing the heat deformable member 15 side. Furthermore, if the container body 16 can be integrated with the surface acoustic wave element 8, the elastic member 15 may be omitted.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, a third embodiment of the container with a stirring mechanism of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the container with a stirring mechanism according to the third embodiment. Although the container with a stirring mechanism of the first embodiment uses an elastic member as an interposed member, the container with a stirring mechanism of the third embodiment uses a non-volatile liquid as the interposed member.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the container with a stirring mechanism of the third embodiment is provided with elastic members 19, surface acoustic wave elements 8, and first interposition members from below in each recess 6 b formed in the wheel portion 6 a of the cuvette wheel 6. The non-volatile liquid 17 and the container body 16 are arranged in this order. Then, the cover plate 6d covered from above is fixed to the upper surface of the wheel portion 6a by a plurality of screws 6h. Thereby, the container main body 16 is pressed downward, and the container main body 16 is integrated with the surface acoustic wave element 8 via the non-volatile liquid 17 serving as a first interposition member. For this reason, the container with a stirring mechanism shown in FIG. 15 can stir the liquid L containing the reagent and the sample in the container body 16 by the surface acoustic wave Wa.

  At this time, the non-volatile liquid 17 is excellent in electrical insulation and thermal conductivity, does not dissolve in various solvents regardless of high or low temperature, has a small surface tension of 2 to 18 dynes / cm, 25 ° C., and has excellent permeability. It is possible to use, for example, a fluorine-based inert liquid that has nonflammability, non-toxicity, and odorless properties, and that can be used as a cleaning liquid because it does not attack metals, rubber, synthetic resins, and the like.

  The container with a stirring mechanism according to the third embodiment is used together with the non-volatile liquid 17 and the surface acoustic wave element 8 in which the container main body 16 serves as the first interposed member by the cuvette wheel 6 which is a fixing means when the automatic analyzer 1 is used. It is integrated. When the automatic analyzer 1 is not used, for example, when the surface acoustic wave element 8 is damaged, when only the container main body 16 is specially cleaned due to dirt, or when maintenance is required. The container body 16 can be easily separated from the surface acoustic wave element 8 by loosening the plurality of screws 6h and removing the cover plate 6d. In this case, in the container with the stirring mechanism of the third embodiment, since the first interposed member is the non-volatile liquid 17, the container body 16 and the surface elasticity are higher than those of the container with the stirring mechanism of the second embodiment using the heat deformation member 15. Separation from the wave element 8 is easy.

  Here, the container with a stirring mechanism of Embodiment 3 uses the non-volatile liquid 17 as the first interposed member. Since the non-volatile liquid 17 is a liquid, it has excellent adhesion between the container body 16 and the surface acoustic wave element 8, and the container body 16 is formed into a film on the surface in contact with the surface acoustic wave element 8. Is possible. In addition, since the non-volatile liquid 17 hardly volatilizes, it can be used for a long time compared to the case of using other liquids. In the container with a stirring mechanism shown in FIG. 15, the surface acoustic wave element 8 may be disposed below the container body 16 with the vibrator 8 b facing downward.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the container with a stirring mechanism according to the third embodiment has an elastic member 10, a surface acoustic wave element 8, a first elastic member 10 from below in each recess 6 b formed in the wheel portion 6 a of the cuvette wheel 6. The non-volatile liquid 17 serving as the first interposing member is disposed in the order of the elastic member 9 serving as the interposition member and the container main body 16, and the opening 9 a of the elastic member 9 disposed between the surface acoustic wave element 8 and the container main body 16. May be arranged.

  When the container with the stirring mechanism is configured as shown in FIG. 16, when the cover plate 6d covered from above is fixed to the upper surface of the wheel portion 6a by a plurality of screws 6h, in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. The liquid 17 can be completely sealed by the surface acoustic wave element 8, the elastic member 9 and the bottom wall of the container body 16. For this reason, the container with the stirring mechanism shown in FIG. 16 can use the non-volatile liquid 17 for a long period of time more than the container with the stirring mechanism shown in FIG. 15, and can reduce the replacement frequency of the non-volatile liquid 17. it can. In the container with a stirring mechanism shown in FIG. 16, the surface acoustic wave element 8 may be disposed below the container body 16 with the vibrator 8b facing downward.

  Although the automatic analyzer 1 has been described with respect to a single sample table, a plurality of sample tables may be provided.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an automatic analyzer according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a container with a stirring mechanism according to a first embodiment by cutting a cuvette wheel used in the automatic analyzer of FIG. 1 along the circumferential direction. It is a perspective view which shows the cover plate and screw which are a part of fixing means which the container with a stirring mechanism of Embodiment 1 has. 3 is a perspective view showing an arrangement of a container main body, an elastic member, and a surface acoustic wave element included in the container with a stirring mechanism according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a top view which expands and shows the surface acoustic wave element shown in FIG. It is a top view which expands and shows the transmission board | substrate of the stirring apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a first modification of the container with a stirring mechanism according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a second modification of the container with a stirring mechanism in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a third modification of the container with a stirring mechanism in the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a fourth modification of the container with a stirring mechanism in the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a fifth modification of the container with a stirring mechanism in the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a sixth modification of the container with a stirring mechanism according to the first embodiment. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a container with a stirring mechanism according to Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the container with a stirring mechanism according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a container with a stirring mechanism according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a modification of the container with a stirring mechanism according to the third embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automatic analyzer 2 Work table 3 Specimen table 4 Specimen container 5 Specimen dispensing mechanism 6 Cuvette wheel 7 Container body 8 Surface acoustic wave element 9, 10, 19 Elastic member 11 Container body 12 Elastic member 13 Cuvette wheel 14 Elastic member 15 Heat Deformable member 16 Container body 17 Non-volatile liquid 20 Photometric device 21 Cleaning device 22 Reagent dispensing mechanism 23 Reagent table 24 Reagent container 25 Reading device 26 Control unit 27 Analysis unit 28 Input unit 29 Display unit 30 Stirring device 31 Transmission substrate 32 Drive control Part L Liquid Wa Surface acoustic wave Wb Bulk wave

Claims (12)

A container with a stirring mechanism used in an automatic analyzer for analyzing a biological sample held for each container,
A container body for holding a liquid containing the biological sample;
A sound wave generating means for irradiating the container main body with a sound wave for stirring the liquid;
Fixing means for detachably fixing the container body and the sound wave generating means;
A container with a stirring mechanism characterized by comprising:   The container with a stirring mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a first interposition member that is in close contact with the container body and the sound wave generating means is disposed between the container body and the sound wave generating means.   The stirring mechanism according to claim 2, wherein a second interposition member that urges the sound wave generating means toward the container body is disposed between the sound wave generating means and the fixing means. With container.   The container with a stirring mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the first interposition member is a heat deformation member whose viscoelasticity changes when heat is applied.   The container with a stirring mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the first interposed member is a non-volatile liquid.   6. The container with a stirring mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the non-volatile liquid is formed in a film shape on a surface where the container main body is in contact with the sound wave generating means.   The container with a stirring mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the second interposed member is an elastic member.   The fixing means includes: a holding portion that holds the container body and the sound wave generating means; a lid plate in which an opening that dispenses liquid held in the container body is formed; and the holding portion and the lid plate The container with a stirring mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a screw for fastening the screw.   The fixing means fastens the substrate holding the container main body and the sound wave generating means, a lid formed with an opening for dispensing the liquid held in the container main body, and the substrate and the lid. The container with a stirring mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising: a screw or a rivet to be used.   The fixing means allows the container main body and the sound wave generating means to be freely fixed or released after the container main body and the sound wave generating means fixed detachably are removed from the automatic analyzer. The container with a stirring mechanism according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the container is a thing.   The stirring mechanism according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the fixing means maintains fixing of the container main body and the sound wave generating means while the container with the stirring mechanism is used in the automatic analyzer. With container.   A liquid sample containing a sample and a reagent is agitated and reacted, and an analyzer for analyzing the sample by measuring an optical characteristic of the reaction solution, the agitation according to any one of claims 1 to 11. An automatic analyzer comprising a container with a mechanism.

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