JP2008298692A - Sample-agitating device and specimen analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mechanism for easily agitating magnetic particles without carry-overs, and to miniaturize and silence a specimen analyzer (immunoassay apparatus). <P>SOLUTION: This agitating mechanism does not agitate a sample stored in a sample container, using a spatula, but rather uses fixes one end of a longitudinal member (a first link 11) rotatably to a base and provides the other end with a container holding part 16. The sample container 20 is moved vertically on a circular track with a length of the link 11 as a radius, using a rotatable fixed end as a fulcrum to agitate the liquid sample in the container. Furthermore, the angle of the sample container 20 and first link 11 can be changed in the container-holding part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sample agitating device and a sample analyzer including the same.

  In a sample analyzer (immunoanalyzer) that performs immunoassay or the like, a sandwich assay is generally used as a method for detecting an antigen contained in a sample. In the sandwich assay, a primary antibody and a secondary antibody that specifically bind to an antigen are used.

  In the sandwich assay, first, a primary antibody is immobilized on magnetic particles in advance. The magnetic particles on which the primary antibody is immobilized are mixed with the specimen, and the antigen contained in the specimen is bound to the primary antibody. The reaction vessel is washed while holding the magnetic particles in a state where the antigen and the primary antibody are bound with a magnet.

  Next, a reagent containing a secondary antibody labeled with an enzyme such as luciferase or alkaline phosphatase is added to the reaction vessel and mixed with magnetic particles. As a result, the secondary antibody binds to the antigen bound to the primary antibody on the magnetic particle, and the antigen is sandwiched between the primary antibody and the secondary antibody. The reaction vessel is washed while holding the magnetic particles with the antigen sandwiched between the antibodies with a magnet.

  Further, a sufficient amount of the enzyme substrate is added to the reaction container, and the antigen is mixed with magnetic particles sandwiched between antibodies. As a result, the substrate reacts with the enzyme labeled on the secondary antibody, and light emission occurs.

  The luminescence intensity increases or decreases depending on the amount of the enzyme, that is, the amount of the secondary antibody, since there is a sufficient amount of the substrate. Since the amount of the secondary antibody depends on the amount of the antigen captured on the magnetic particles, the amount of the antigen can be quantified as the luminescence intensity.

  Conventional immunoanalyzers generally have a reaction / detection unit that performs antigen-antibody reaction and detection, a sample / reagent dispensing cleaning mechanism that dispenses and cleans samples and reagents, a sample storage unit that stores samples, and a reagent store A reagent storage unit for storing the container, a container storage unit for storing the container, a container unloading mechanism for unloading the container to the reaction / detection unit, a control unit for controlling each part, acquiring / processing / recording data, and the like.

  In the above immunoassay apparatus, the magnetic particles on which the primary antibody is immobilized and the specimen are mixed, and the target substance contained in the specimen is bound to the primary antibody on the magnetic particles. In order to advance this reaction efficiently, the reagent containing magnetic particles is constantly stirred so that the magnetic particles are suspended in the reagent. The reagent containing magnetic particles is dispensed in the required amount by stopping stirring only just before dispensing. When dispensing is complete, the magnetic particles are stirred again to keep them suspended. As a stirring method, a propeller-like or screw-like spatula is put in the reagent container and rotated, or the reagent container itself is vibrated using a mixer (such as a vortex mixer) to suspend the magnetic particles. There is a method to make it.

  In addition to the immunoanalyzer, examples of a method for stirring a liquid reagent or a liquid sample in a container include those described in Patent Documents 1 to 3. Of these, Patent Document 1 relates to a stirring method by reciprocating a part of a horizontal arc without moving in the vertical direction, and Patent Document 2 describes a grinding motion that rotates the lower part of the container by an eccentrically connected cam ( It relates to a stirring method by conical rotation. Further, Patent Document 3 relates to an agitation method in which a container is set and then laid in the horizontal direction and reciprocated in the horizontal direction.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-28030 JP-A-7-260794 JP 2002-1137 A

  However, the above stirring method has the following problems. For example, in a method in which a spatula is placed in a reagent container and rotated, the spatula directly contacts a reagent containing magnetic particles, so that contamination due to carry-over may occur when stirring different types of magnetic particles. Further, in the method of vibrating the reagent container itself with a vortex mixer or the method shown in Patent Documents 1 to 3, the stirring efficiency is low because the vibration for stirring is either a horizontal or vertical reciprocating motion. In order to increase the efficiency, it is necessary to set a large number of rotations of the motor or the like, and as a result, there is a problem that the noise generated by the vibration and vibration of the entire apparatus becomes large. In other words, there is a problem that a sufficient stirring effect cannot be obtained unless the rotation speed of the motor is set large.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and provides a mechanism for stirring magnetic particles easily and without carryover, and also realizes downsizing and quieting of a sample analyzer (immunoanalyzer). Is.

  As a mechanism for stirring the reagent containing magnetic particles, the inventors are supported by a motor, a second link connected to the motor and swiveling, and supported by a rotatable fulcrum, and the power point of the second link swiveling. A stirring mechanism composed of a first link that can follow the movement of the first link has been devised, and a mounted system has been invented.

  In this stirring mechanism, the motor is first rotated, and the second link connected to the motor is turned. A slider serving as a power point is attached to the second link, and the slider turns by the rotation of the motor. The first link supported at one fulcrum is provided with a guide in which the slider can move in the longitudinal direction of the first link, and the reagent container is installed with the side not supported by the fulcrum as the action point. . By the rotation of the motor, the first link supported by the fulcrum is swung, and the reagent containing magnetic particles can be stirred by swinging the reagent bottle installed on the first link. In order to make the swing range of the first link variable, the slider is attached to the second link via the position adjustment unit so that the position of the slider attached to the second link can be adjusted.

  When the first link is moved up and down in parallel along a guide that can move up and down without supporting only one of the first links as a fulcrum, the movement of the slider caused by the rotation of the motor is a reagent as a vertical movement. Transmitted to the container. In this case, the reagent inside the reagent container often moves together with the reagent container, and the stirring efficiency becomes low. However, by supporting only one fulcrum and turning the first link, the reagent container moves not only in the vertical direction but also in a rotational movement around the fulcrum. That is, it becomes complicated to move simultaneously in the vertical direction and the rotational direction. In this case, the reagent inside the reagent container is easily separated from the wall surface of the reagent container due to inertia, and the stirring effect is enhanced by coming into contact with the wall surface again. In addition, by changing the position of the slider attached to the second link by the position adjusting unit, it is possible to change the magnitude of the slider movement (rotation radius) due to the rotation of the motor. Thereby, the intensity of stirring can be adjusted.

  Further, by changing the angle of the reagent container by the angle adjustment part of the container holding part with respect to the first link, the reagent inside the reagent container moves away from the wall surface of the reagent container when the container holding part moves in an arc shape. It can be easily and easily collided (or vice versa, making it a flow that is difficult to separate and collide), and vigorous stirring is possible even at the same motor speed. That is, (1) an arc-shaped motion in which the vertical motion is combined with the rotational motion, and (2) a motor rotation with less vigorous stirring due to the generation of a flow due to the difference in angle between the arc-shaped motion direction and the wall surface of the reagent container. The system can be made smaller and quieter.

  That is, the sample stirring device according to the present invention includes a longitudinal member, a sample container moving mechanism, and an angle adjusting mechanism. The longitudinal member is fixed to the base so that the first end thereof is rotatable, and has a container holding portion for holding a sample container in which a liquid sample is accommodated at the second end. The sample container movement mechanism reciprocates the sample container held by the container holding part up and down on the circular arc track with a predetermined amplitude. Furthermore, the angle adjusting mechanism is provided in the longitudinal member, and makes the angle formed by the container holding portion and the longitudinal member variable. And the liquid sample accommodated in the sample container is stirred by setting the angle between the longitudinal member and the container holding part to a desired angle.

  Moreover, the sample stirring apparatus according to the present invention includes first and second links, a rotation control unit, and a base. The first link has a fulcrum in the vicinity of one end thereof, has a container holding part at the other end, and is substantially parallel to a line connecting the fulcrum and the container holding part between the fulcrum and the container holding part; It has a guide composed of guide surfaces arranged in parallel. The second link includes a slider rotation fixing portion having a rotation center in the vicinity of one end portion thereof, and a slider rotation fixing portion that rotatably fixes the slider movable along the guide of the first link to the other end portion. ing. The rotation control unit rotates a rotation center axis that passes through the rotation center of the second link and is parallel to the rotation center axis of the slider rotation fixing unit. And the bearing and the rotation control part which hold | maintain the said fulcrum of a 1st link are fixed to a base.

  The present invention also provides a sample analyzer including the sample agitation device having the above-described configuration and a dispensing mechanism that takes out the agitated sample contained in the sample container and dispenses it into the sample.

  Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the best mode for carrying out the present invention and the accompanying drawings.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to stir magnetic particles easily and without carryover, and it is possible to reduce the size and quietness of a sample analyzer (immunoanalyzer).

  The present invention relates to a sample (liquid) agitation of a luminescence detection immunoassay device that uses an antigen-antibody reaction to detect the presence or absence of proteins, nucleic acids, etc. and measures the amount of luminescence in immunoassay. .

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be noted that this embodiment is merely an example for realizing the present invention and does not limit the present invention. In each drawing, the same reference numerals are assigned to common components.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an immune analyzer 100 having a stirring mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a view of the immune analyzer 100 having the stirring mechanism 110 and the dispensing mechanism 120 as viewed from above, and FIG. 1B is a view of the device as viewed from the front.

  In the stirring mechanism 110, a motor 3 that can be rotationally controlled via a motor fixing portion 2 is attached to the base 1. One end of the second link 5 is attached to the motor 3 at a right angle to the motor shaft, and the second link 5 is turned by the rotation of the motor 3. A slider 6 is attached to the other end of the second link 5. The slider 6 is attached to the second link 5 so that the distance from the motor shaft can be adjusted by the position adjusting unit 7 and is rotatable. The slider 6 is installed so as to be inserted into a guide 12 provided on the first link 11 supported by the fulcrum 10. The guide 12 has a guide surface that moves the first link 11 as the slider 6 moves. The guide surface is disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first link 11. The first link 11 is supported so that one end of the first link 11 can be turned by the fulcrum 10, that is, the arc movement about the fulcrum 10 is possible. The other end of the first link 11 holds the container holding portion 16 via the angle adjustment mechanism 15. The angle adjustment mechanism 15 can adjust the angle between the first link 11 and the container holding portion 16.

  The reagent container 20 is installed in the container holding part 16 and the stirring mechanism 110 is operated. The operations of the stirring mechanism 110 and the dispensing mechanism 120 are executed by a control unit (not shown) such as a CPU or MPU according to an algorithm (see, for example, FIG. 2) indicated by a program stored in a memory (not shown). .

  The second link 5 and the slider 6 are turned by the rotation of the motor 3. Since the slider 6 is inserted into the guide 12 provided on the first link 11, the guide 12 performs a movement that follows the movement of the slider 6. Since one end of the first link 11 having the guide 12 is supported by the fulcrum 10, the movement of the first link 11 is an arc motion around the fulcrum 10. Accordingly, when the guide 12 moves so as to follow the movement of the slider 6, the first link 11 performs a movement of sweeping a sector centered on the fulcrum 10 in a range that covers the turning range of the slider 6. The range of motion is determined by the turning range of the slider 6 and the length of the first link 11 from the fulcrum 10. Further, since the container holding portion 16 is provided at the other end of the first link 11, the reagent container 20 installed in the container holding portion 16 performs an arc motion around the fulcrum 10. The movement of the reagent container 20 is a movement in which the movement in the vertical direction and the movement in the rotation direction are combined. By this combination, the stirring can be intense. This is because if the container 20 is nearly vertical (the reagent contact area is small), due to the inertia of the liquid, it is difficult to give the liquid movement for that degree even if the stirring operation is executed.

  Further, the first link 11 and the container holding part 16 are connected via an angle adjusting mechanism 15. By changing the angle between the first link 11 and the container holding portion by the angle adjustment mechanism 15, the contact area of the reagent 21 (liquid) that contacts the inner wall of the reagent container 20 can be controlled. Then, by changing the contact area of the reagent 21 with respect to the inner wall of the container, the reagent 21 in the container 20 can be moved, and the intensity of stirring can be changed.

  When agitation is stopped, the nozzle portion of the reagent dispensing unit 25 is moved and inserted into the reagent container 20, the necessary amount of reagent is aspirated, moved again, and dispensed into a container used for sample analysis. . The reagent dispensing unit 25 stands by at a position where stirring is not hindered during stirring, and accesses the reagent container 20 only during reagent dispensing. The reagent container 20 is covered with a septum so that the nozzle of the reagent dispensing unit 25 can be inserted.

  The reagent dispensing unit 25 is for dispensing a reagent 21 containing magnetic particles in which a primary antibody, which is contained in a reagent container 20, is immobilized, into a specimen. The required amount of liquid reagent is aspirated into the reagent dispensing unit, the reagent is aspirated and moved to the position of the container used for sample analysis, and the aspirated reagent is discharged into the container. This is the same function as the analyzer. Until the stirring mechanism 110 stops stirring, the reagent dispensing unit 25 moves to a standby position where it does not become an obstacle when the stirring mechanism 110 operates and stands by. When the stirring is stopped, the reagent dispensing unit 25 is moved to the upper part of the reagent container 20 by the operation of an XY stage (not shown), and the nozzle portion of the reagent dispensing unit 25 is moved to the upper part of the reagent container 20 by the operation of the Z stage. Move inside and insert. A necessary amount of reagent is sucked into the reagent dispensing unit 25 and moved to a container used for sample analysis by an operation of an XYZ stage or the like while being sucked. The reagent is discharged into the container and moved again to the standby position. After the reagent is discharged to all the containers used for sample analysis, the stirring operation is restarted. These operations are performed by the above-described control unit (CPU, MPU, etc.).

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the immune analyzer 100. Unless otherwise specified in the description of FIG. 2, the subject of the operation of each step is the above-described control unit.

  After the power of the immunological analyzer is turned on in step S201, it is detected by a sensor (not shown) that the container 20 in which the reagent containing magnetic particles is placed in the container holding unit 16 is detected by the user in step S202, and stirring is performed. Ready for action. In step S203, the control unit determines whether the reagent dispensing unit 25 is in the standby position based on the detection result of a sensor (not shown). If it is not in the standby position, the dispensing mechanism 120 is moved to a position that does not become an obstacle when the stirring mechanism 110 operates in step S204. If there is no obstacle for the stirring mechanism 110 to operate, stirring of the reagent 21 containing magnetic particles is started in step S205.

  In step S206, it is determined whether there is a sample waiting for analysis. If there is no sample, the process proceeds to step S211. If there is a sample waiting for analysis, the stirring is stopped in step S207, the reagent dispensing unit 25 moves from the standby position to the dispensing position, and the necessary amount of the reagent 21 in the reagent container 20 is aspirated, and step S208. Dispense into containers used for sample analysis. Then, the process proceeds to step S209.

  In step S209, it is determined whether there is a sample for which reagent dispensing has not been completed. If there is an uncompleted sample, the process returns to step S208, and the reagent dispensing unit 25 dispenses the reagent to the sample. . If there is no incomplete sample, the process proceeds to step S210, and the reagent dispensing unit 25 is moved to the standby position. Subsequently, the reagent 21 is stirred in step S211.

  Further, in step S212, it is determined whether there is no sample waiting for analysis or whether there is no re-input of the sample (that is, whether a sample waiting for analysis has newly occurred). If there is a sample waiting for analysis, the process returns to step S207, the stirring is stopped, and the reagent dispensing unit 25 dispenses the reagent. If there is no sample waiting for analysis, the process proceeds to step S213, the apparatus is turned off, and the analysis is terminated.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a range in which the first link 11 moves in the stirring operation. In FIG. 3, the portion indicated by the dotted line indicates the moment when the first link 11 reaches the bottom ending point (the point where the slider 6 is at the lowest position), and the portion indicated by the solid line indicates that the first link 11 is the upper point. The moment when the solstice (the point where the slider 6 is at the highest position) is reached, or the common part is shown. In FIG. 3, the motor 3 rotates the second link 5 and the slider 6 attached to the second link 5. As shown by a solid line in FIG. 3, the first link 11 reaches the uppermost point at the moment when the first link 11 and the second link 5 become a right angle. On the other hand, as shown by a dotted line in FIG. 3, the first link 11 reaches the bottom point at the moment when the first link 11 and the second link 5 become a right angle. Note that the difference in height between the top and bottom points of the first link 11 is variable. Specifically, when the position of the slider 6 with respect to the second link 5 is changed, the diameter of the circle around which the slider 6 turns changes. The magnitude of the arc motion of the container holding part 16 can be changed. That is, when the position of the slider 6 with respect to the second link 5 is changed, the amplitude (strength of stirring) of the reagent container 20 can be easily changed.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a range in which the first link 11 moves when the position of the slider 6 is changed. In FIG. 4, as in FIG. 3, the portion indicated by the dotted line indicates the moment when the first link 11 has reached the bottom point, and the portion indicated by the solid line has the first link 11 has reached the top point. It shows the moment or common part. Compared to the case of FIG. 3, the position of the slider 6 is set by the position adjusting unit 7 so that the turning radius of the slider 6 becomes smaller. Although it is not easy to change the length of the second link 5, by providing the position adjusting unit 7, the position of the slider 6 on the second link 5 can be easily changed, and the movement range of the first link 11, In other words, the setting of the intensity of stirring can be changed.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the difference in stirring when the rotation of the motor 3 is clockwise and counterclockwise. FIG. 5A shows a case where the rotation of the motor 3 is set clockwise toward the paper surface, and FIG. 5B shows a case where the rotation is set counterclockwise. In FIG. 5A, when the position of the slider 6 moves from A to B on the circumference indicated by the dotted line in FIG. And the reagent container 20 descends. Furthermore, when moving from B to A, the container holding part 16 and the reagent container 20 rise. On the contrary, in FIG. 5B, when the position of the slider 6 moves from A to B on the circumference indicated by the dotted line in FIG. And the reagent container 20 descends. Furthermore, when it moves from B to A, the container holding | maintenance part 16 and the reagent container 20 raise. As apparent from FIG. 5, the distance for the slider 6 to move from the top to the bottom point differs between the clockwise and counterclockwise directions, so even if the rotation speed of the motor 3 is the same. It can be seen that the time to move from the top solstice to the bottom solstice is different. When the motor 3 is clockwise, the container holding part 16 and the reagent container 20 descend quickly and are agitated by a slowly moving arc motion. On the contrary, when the motor 3 is counterclockwise, the container holding part 16 and the reagent container 20 are quickly agitated and agitated by a slowly descending arc motion. As described above, according to the stirring mechanism 110, it is possible to change the stirring mode by switching the rotation direction of the motor 3, and the liquid in the reagent container 20 separates from the bottom in the reagent container 20 due to inertia when descending. It creates movement and allows more effective agitation.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a relationship among the first link 11, the angle adjustment mechanism 15, and the container holding unit 16. 6A shows that the container holding portion 16 is displaced upward with respect to the first link 11, and FIG. 6B shows that the first link 11 and the container holding portion 16 are in a straight line. (C) has shown the state which changed the angle using the angle adjustment mechanism 15 so that the container holding | maintenance part 16 may shift | deviate with respect to the 1st link 11, respectively. By changing the angle, the contact area of the reagent 21 (liquid) that contacts the inner wall of the reagent container 20 during stirring can be changed. That is, by changing the contact area of the reagent 21 with respect to the inner wall of the container, the reagent 21 in the container 20 can be moved, and thus the intensity of stirring can be changed. Although not shown, a plurality of reagent containers can be installed in the container holding part, and a plurality of reagents can be stirred at the same time. In this case, the intensity of stirring can be changed by adjusting the angle adjusting mechanism for all reagent containers or for a specific reagent container.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the stirring mechanism 130 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The stirring mechanism 130 has a configuration in which the first link 11 and the second link 5 are connected by the third link 8. The third link 8 corresponds to the slider 6 of the previous embodiment. When the third link 8 is used, the first link 11 and the third link 8 are connected by a fulcrum 31, and the second link 5 and the third link 8 are connected by a fulcrum 32, respectively. Similarly to the first embodiment, the turning range of the second link 5 can be varied by the position adjusting unit 7 and the intensity of stirring can be changed.
Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

<Example>
FIG. 8 is a graph showing the results of stirring the reagent containing magnetic particles and examining the effect of stirring using the immunoassay apparatus according to the present invention. In the graph shown in FIG. 8, the abscissa represents the stirring time, and the ordinate represents the absorbance at a wavelength of 600 nm (actually light attenuation due to scattering), that is, turbidity. In the graph, the square plot is data obtained by measuring the turbidity by diluting magnetic particles stirred using the present invention 20 times with distilled water. On the other hand, the circled plots in the graph are data obtained by measuring turbidity by diluting magnetic particles stirred using a conventional stirring device 20 times with distilled water. Here, the conventional stirring apparatus has a mechanism that does not move in the vertical direction and stirs by rotating in the horizontal direction (horizontal direction).

  First, 6 mL of a reagent containing magnetic particles was put in a reagent container, and sufficiently set with a vortex mixer before being set in the stirring mechanism of the present invention or a conventional stirring device, and turbidity measurement was performed. The results were plotted with a stirring time of 0 minutes. Since the round plot and the square plot overlap, only the round plot is shown, but actually the turbidity before setting to both stirring mechanisms showed the same value.

The sufficiently stirred reagent was set in a stirring mechanism, and the number of rotations of both motors was adjusted to 120 rpm to perform stirring. The turbidity of each reagent was measured 60 minutes, 120 minutes, and 180 minutes after the start of stirring. As a result, when the stirring mechanism according to the present invention is used from 60 minutes to 180 minutes, the turbidity is approximately A ₆₀₀ = 0.4 (an index indicating how much light of 600 nm is transmitted, and the smaller the value, the smaller the value). The suspension of the reagent containing magnetic particles remained maintained (if the suspension was maintained, dispense a reagent at a uniform concentration and add it to the sample) Can do).

On the other hand, when a conventional stirring device was used, the turbidity gradually decreased to about A ₆₀₀ = 0.2 by the end of 180 minutes, and the magnetic particles were gradually precipitated. From this result, it became clear that the reagent dispensing mechanism for an immunoanalyzer according to the present invention can stir a reagent containing magnetic particles with high stirring efficiency at the same motor rotation speed.

<Summary>
In the stirring mechanism according to this embodiment, the sample housed in the sample container is not stirred using a spatula, but one end of the longitudinal member (first link 11) is fixed to the base so as to be rotatable. A container holding part 16 is provided at one end. Then, the sample container 20 is moved up and down on the circular arc track having the radius of the length of the link 11 with the rotatable fixed end as a fulcrum, and the liquid sample inside the container is stirred. As described above, since the vertical movement is performed on the circular arc trajectory, the sample container can be simultaneously moved in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction (rotation direction), and the sample can be efficiently stirred without using a spatula. . Since stirring is possible without putting a spatula in the reagent container, that is, without direct contact of the spatula with the reagent, stirring without causing contamination due to carryover can be realized.

  Further, in this stirring mechanism, the angle between the sample container 20 and the first link 11 can be changed in the container holding portion. As a result, the area where the sample in the container is in contact with the inner wall of the container can be increased, and the influence of the inertia of the liquid can be reduced. That is, since the reagent can be easily separated from the container wall surface and can easily collide with the container, the stirring can be made more intense. In other words, vigorous agitation can be generated with a small number of motor revolutions due to the generation of a flow due to the difference in the angle of the arc-shaped motion direction and the wall surface of the reagent container. The system can be made smaller and quieter.

  More specifically, the mechanism for moving the sample container up and down is realized by the motor, and the second link 5 that connects the first link and the motor. First, the motor is rotated, and the second link connected to the motor is turned. A slider serving as a power point is attached to the second link, and the slider turns by the rotation of the motor. The first link supported at one fulcrum is provided with a guide in which the slider can move in the longitudinal direction of the first link, and the reagent container is installed with the side not supported by the fulcrum as the action point. . By the rotation of the motor, the first link supported by the fulcrum is swung, and the reagent containing magnetic particles can be stirred by swinging the reagent bottle installed on the first link. In order to make the swing range of the first link variable, the slider is attached to the second link via the position adjustment unit so that the position of the slider attached to the second link can be adjusted. In this way, the sample container can be moved up and down on the circular arc trajectory. In addition, it becomes possible to change the magnitude | size (rotation radius) of the movement of a slider by rotation of a motor by changing the position of the slider with which a 2nd link is mounted | worn by a position adjustment part. Thereby, the intensity of stirring can be adjusted.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is possible to set a plurality of reagent containers in the container holding part even when a plurality of reagent containers are agitated, and vigorous agitation is achieved by the arc-shaped movement and the angle adjustment function of the container holding part. This can be achieved with a small number of motor revolutions. As a result, it is possible to increase the stirring efficiency of the reagent stirring mechanism of the conventional immunoanalyzer, and to reduce the size and quietness of the device.

1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an immune analyzer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the stirring mechanism of this invention. It is a figure explaining the moment of the maximum width in which a 1st link moves with the stirring mechanism of this invention. It is a figure explaining the magnitude | size of stirring motion changing by changing the position of a slider by a position adjustment part. It is a figure explaining that the speed of the reciprocating motion of a circular arc changes with rotation directions of a motor. It is a figure explaining the mechanism in which the angle of a container holding part is changed with respect to a 1st link by an angle adjustment mechanism. It is a figure which shows the structure using a 3rd link by schematic structure of the stirring mechanism by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a graph which shows the stirring effect of the reagent by the stirring mechanism used for the immunoanalyzer by this invention, and the conventional stirring mechanism.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Base 2 ... Motor fixing part 3 ... Motor 5 ... 2nd link 6 ... Slider 7 ... Position adjustment part 10 ... Supporting point 11 ... 1st link 12 ... Guide 15 ... Angle adjustment mechanism 16 ... Container holding part 20 ... Reagent container 21 ... Reagent 25 ... Reagent dispensing unit 31 ... fulcrum 32 ... fulcrum 100 ... immunological analyzer 110 ... stirring mechanism 120 ... dispensing mechanism 130 ... stirring mechanism

Claims (16)

A longitudinal member having a container holding part for holding a sample container in which a liquid sample is stored in a second end part, which is fixed to the base so that the first end part is rotatable;
A sample container movement mechanism for reciprocating the sample container held in the container holding part up and down with a predetermined amplitude,
The longitudinal member is provided with an angle adjusting mechanism that makes the angle formed by the container holding portion and the longitudinal member variable,
A sample agitating apparatus, wherein the liquid sample contained in the sample container is agitated with the angle set to a desired angle. The sample container movement mechanism includes a motor and a connector member that connects the motor and the longitudinal member,
When the motor rotates the connector member, the longitudinal member rotates about the first end portion, whereby the sample container held by the container holding portion moves up and down with the predetermined amplitude. The sample stirring apparatus according to claim 1. The longitudinal member has a guide portion in the longitudinal direction,
The connector member has a slider part that reciprocates the guide part,
The sample agitating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the motor rotates the connector member, the slide portion reciprocates in the guide portion.   The sample stirring device according to claim 3, further comprising a position changing mechanism capable of changing a position of the slider portion in the connector member. The connector member includes a first link member having one end connected to the motor, and a second link member that articulates the other end portion of the first link member and the fixing position of the longitudinal member,
When the motor rotates the first link member, the longitudinal member pivots at the first end, so that the sample container held by the container holding part moves up and down with the predetermined amplitude. The sample stirring apparatus according to claim 2, wherein   The sample agitating apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a position changing mechanism capable of changing a joint position of the first link member with the second link member. The container holding part has a plurality of holding parts for holding a plurality of sample containers,
The sample agitation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the angle adjustment mechanism is provided in each of the plurality of holding units. A first link having a fulcrum in the vicinity of one end, a container holding portion at the other end, and a guide configured by a guide surface disposed between the fulcrum and the container holding portion;
A second link having a rotation center in the vicinity of one end, and having a slider rotation fixing portion that rotatably fixes the slider movable along the guide of the first link to the other end;
A rotation control unit that rotates the rotation center axis that passes through the rotation center of the second link and is parallel to the rotation center axis of the slider rotation fixing unit;
A bearing for holding the fulcrum of the first link and a base for fixing the rotation control unit;
A sample agitating device comprising:   The sample stirring device according to claim 8, wherein the container holding unit includes an angle adjusting unit that changes an angle with respect to the first link.   The sample agitating apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the slider includes an adjustment unit that changes a position with respect to the second link.   The sample stirring device according to claim 8, wherein the container holding part moves on an arc centered on the fulcrum. The container holding part has a plurality of holding parts for holding a plurality of sample containers,
The sample stirring apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the angle adjustment unit is provided in each of the plurality of holding units. A longitudinal member having a container holding part for holding a sample container in which a liquid sample is stored in a second end part, which is fixed to the base so that the first end part is rotatable;
A sample container movement mechanism for reciprocating the sample container held in the container holding part up and down on an arc orbit with a predetermined amplitude,
A sample agitating apparatus, wherein the liquid sample contained in the sample container is agitated by simultaneously moving the sample container in a vertical direction and a rotating direction. A sample analyzer for dispensing a sample into a sample and reacting the sample and the sample for analysis,
A sample agitator according to claim 1;
A dispensing mechanism for taking out and stirring the sample contained in the sample container and dispensing the sample,
A sample analyzer for analyzing a reaction between the sample and the sample. A sample analyzer for dispensing a sample into a sample and reacting the sample and the sample for analysis,
A sample agitator according to claim 8;
A dispensing mechanism for taking out and stirring the sample contained in the sample container and dispensing the sample,
A sample analyzer for analyzing a reaction between the sample and the sample. A sample analyzer for dispensing a sample into a sample and reacting the sample and the sample for analysis,
A sample agitator according to claim 13;
A dispensing mechanism for taking out and stirring the sample contained in the sample container and dispensing the sample,
A sample analyzer for analyzing a reaction between the sample and the sample.

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