JP2009047647A - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the contamination between specimens and to miniaturize the whole apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: This automatic analyzer includes a specimen vessel holder for holding a plurality of specimen vessels along the circumference of a first circle, a reagent vessel holder for holding a plurality of reagent vessels along the circumference of a second circle that is concentric to the first circle and has a diameter different from that of the first circle, a reaction vessel holder that is located under the specimen vessel holder and the reagent vessel holder, and holds a plurality of reaction vessels along the circumference of a third circle crossing the first and second circle when they are projected to a predetermined plane, a specimen dispensing means that has a plurality of delivery mechanisms for specimens disposed correspondingly to each specimen vessel and delivers the specimen stored in the specimen vessel directly under which one of the plurality of reaction vessels is located from the corresponding delivery mechanisms for the specimen, and a reagent dispensing means that has a plurality of delivery mechanisms for a reagent disposed correspondingly to each reaction vessel and delivers the reagent stored in the reagent vessel directly under which one of the plurality of reaction vessels is located from the corresponding delivery mechanisms for the reagent. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that analyzes a component of a specimen by reacting a specimen with a reagent and optically measuring the result of the reaction.

  Conventionally, in an automatic analyzer that analyzes a sample component by reacting a sample with a reagent and optically measuring the result of the reaction, the transfer locus of the reagent container holder that holds the reagent container containing the reagent is determined. In addition, a technique is disclosed in which a reagent is directly dispensed from a reagent container to a reaction container by intersecting with a transfer trajectory of a reaction container holder that holds a reaction container that reacts a specimen and a reagent (for example, see Patent Document 1). reference). According to this prior art, since dispensing is performed with a separate nozzle for each reagent, an effect of preventing contamination between reagents can be obtained.

JP 63-131066 A

  However, in the case of the above-described conventional technology, since the dispensing of the sample into the reaction container is performed using a conventional dispensing mechanism using a nozzle, the contamination between the samples is more important than the contamination between the reagents. The suppression effect over the prior art could not be obtained. Further, there is a problem that it is difficult to reduce the size of the entire apparatus by using a conventional dispensing mechanism.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide an automatic analyzer capable of preventing contamination between samples and reducing the size of the entire apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an automatic analyzer according to the present invention reacts a sample with a reagent and analyzes the components of the sample by optically measuring the result of the reaction. An automatic analyzer that includes a plurality of sample containers each holding a sample, a sample container holder that holds a plurality of sample containers side by side along a circumference of a first circle that forms a transfer locus of the sample container, and a plurality that each stores a reagent A reagent container holder that is concentrically different from the first circle and has a diameter different from each other, and holds the reagent containers side by side along a circumference of a second circle that forms a transfer locus of the reagent container, the sample container holder, and the reagent When projecting a plurality of reaction containers located below the container holder and reacting with each of the specimen and the reagent onto a predetermined plane including the first and second circles, the first and second circles Intersection, said anti A reaction container holder arranged and held along the circumference of a third circle forming a container transfer locus, and a plurality of specimen ejection mechanisms provided corresponding to each of the plurality of specimen containers and having tips directed downward A sample contained in a sample container in which any one of the plurality of reaction containers among the plurality of sample containers is discharged from the sample discharge mechanism corresponding to the sample container. A plurality of reagent discharge mechanisms provided corresponding to each of the plurality of reagent containers, the tips of which are directed downward, and any one of the plurality of reaction containers among the plurality of reagent containers. Reagent dispensing means for discharging a reagent contained in a reagent container located immediately below from the reagent discharge mechanism corresponding to the reagent container.

  Moreover, the automatic analyzer according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, the sample dispensing means and the reagent dispensing means simultaneously perform a discharge operation.

  Further, in the automatic analyzer according to the present invention, the positional relationship between the sample container holder and the reaction container holder and the positional relationship between the reagent container holder and the reaction container holder have predetermined transfer trajectories. It is possible to change within a range that intersects when projected onto the plane.

  In the automatic analyzer according to the present invention, in the above invention, a plurality of second reagent containers each containing a reagent are concentrically different from the first and second circles and have different diameters. A second reagent container holder that crosses the third circle when projected onto a predetermined plane, and holds it side by side along the circumference of a fourth circle forming a transfer locus of the second reagent container; A plurality of second reagent discharge mechanisms provided corresponding to each of the plurality of second reagent containers and having tips directed downward, wherein the plurality of reaction containers out of the plurality of second reagent containers; A second reagent dispensing means for discharging the reagent contained in the second reagent container located at any one of the second reagent container from the second reagent discharging mechanism corresponding to the second reagent container; Is further provided.

  In the automatic analyzer according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the sample dispensing means, the reagent dispensing means, and the second reagent dispensing means simultaneously perform a discharge operation.

  The automatic analyzer according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the diameter of the first circle is larger than the diameter of the second circle and the diameter of the third circle.

  In the automatic analyzer according to the present invention, the positional relationship between the specimen container holder and the reaction container holder, the positional relationship between the reagent container holder and the reaction container holder, and the second reagent container holder in the above invention. The positional relationship between the reaction container holder and the reaction vessel holder can be changed within a range that intersects each other when the transfer trajectories are projected onto a predetermined plane.

  According to the automatic analyzer according to the present invention, the specimen container holder and the reagent container holder whose transfer trajectories are concentric with each other, the specimen container holder and the reagent container holder are located below the specimen container holder and the reagent container holder. A reaction container holder whose transfer locus is a circle intersecting with each transfer locus when projected onto a predetermined plane including each transfer locus, and a plurality of specimen containers provided corresponding to each of the plurality of sample containers, the tips of which are directed downward. The specimen contained in the specimen container in which any one of the plurality of reaction containers is located immediately below is ejected from the specimen ejection mechanism corresponding to the specimen container. A plurality of reagent dispensing mechanisms are provided corresponding to each of the sample dispensing means and the plurality of reagent containers, and the tips thereof are directed downward. And a reagent dispensing means for discharging the reagent contained in the reagent container located in the reagent container from the reagent discharging mechanism corresponding to the reagent container. Dispensing using a common nozzle between containers is not necessary, and contamination between reagents as well as contamination between reagents can be prevented. In addition, since the specimen container holder and the reagent container holder are transferred on a concentric circle and no conventional dispensing mechanism is required, space can be saved and the entire apparatus can be downsized.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “embodiment”) will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the drawings referred to in the following description are merely schematic, and when the same object is shown in different drawings, dimensions, scales, and the like may be different.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a main part of the automatic analyzer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The automatic analyzer 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a measurement unit 101 that optically measures a reaction result of a sample (sample) such as blood or body fluid and a reagent corresponding to a test item of the sample, and the measurement unit 101. A data processing unit 201 that controls the automatic analyzer 1 and analyzes a measurement result in the measurement unit 101. The two units cooperate to automatically perform biochemical analysis of a plurality of specimens. It is a continuous device. The “liquid” here includes a liquid containing a small amount of a solid component.

  The measurement unit 101 includes a specimen container holder 11 that holds a plurality of specimen containers 61 that contain specimens, a reagent container holder 12 that holds a plurality of reagent containers 62 each containing various reagents according to test items, a specimen, A reaction container holder 13 for holding a plurality of reaction containers 63 for reacting reagents, a cool box 14 for keeping a plurality of reagent containers 62 held by the reagent container holder 12 at a constant temperature, and a liquid inside the reaction container 63 The reaction vessel 63 is irradiated with light, and the photometry unit 16 that optically measures the light transmitted through the reaction vessel 63 out of the emitted light, and the reaction vessel 63 on the reaction vessel holder 13. And a reaction vessel cleaning unit 17 that performs the above cleaning.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing each configuration of the specimen container holder 11, the reagent container holder 12, and the reaction container holder 13 and their positional relationship. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of the specimen container holder 11, the reagent container holder 12, the reaction container holder 13, and the cool box 14. The partial cross-sectional view along the line AA in FIG. It is the figure which added the mechanism which dispenses a reagent.

  The sample container holder 11 is rotatable about the fixed shaft 19, and a plurality of holding portions 111 for holding the sample container 61 are provided along the circumference of the first circle C <b> 1 that forms the transfer locus of the sample container 61. Prepare. The holding unit 111 includes a large-diameter portion 112 having a cylindrical shape, and a small-diameter portion 113 having a cylindrical shape having a smaller bottom area and a lower height than the large-diameter portion 112.

  A bearing 20 is provided between the outer peripheral surface of the sample container holder 11 and the main body of the automatic analyzer 1, and a gear 21 is provided on the bottom surface of the sample container holder 11. For the gear 21, the holder driving unit 22 transmits the driving force. The holder driving unit 22 is realized using, for example, a motor and a gear that transmits a driving force of the motor and can mesh with the gear 21.

  The sample container 61 held by the holding unit 111 has a bottomed hollow cylindrical shape for storing the sample Sp, a protruding portion 612 protruding from the bottom surface of the main body 611, and a sample stored in the main body 611. A piston 613 that generates a discharge pressure with respect to Sp and a small-sized nozzle 614 that is attached so as to penetrate from the bottom surface of the main body 611 to the protruding portion 612 and that is exposed to the outside with its tip directed downwards (specimen discharge Mechanism). The main body portion 611 has a shape that can be fitted to the large diameter portion 112 of the holding portion 111, and the protruding portion 612 has a shape that can be fitted to the small diameter portion 113 of the holding portion 111.

  The piston 613 moves forward and backward by driving the piston driving unit 23. The movement amount of the piston 613 is controlled by the control unit 34 included in the data processing unit 201. When the piston 613 moves downward by a predetermined amount, the specimen Sp corresponding to the movement amount is discharged through the nozzle 614 to the reaction vessel 63 located immediately below. As described above, in the first embodiment, the piston 613, the nozzle 614, and the piston drive unit 23 form at least a part of the sample dispensing means for dispensing the sample.

  The reagent container holder 12 has a plurality of reagent containers 62 concentric with the first circle C1 and smaller in diameter than the first circle C1, and along the circumference of the second circle C2 forming the transfer path of the reagent container 62. A container mounting part 121 that is held side by side, a disk-shaped table 122 that supports the container mounting part 121, and a cylindrical part 123 that is provided at the center of the table 122 and is rotatable about the fixed shaft 19 as a rotation center. Have. A bearing 24 is provided between the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 123 and the outer peripheral surface of the fixed shaft 19, and a gear 25 is provided on the bottom surface of the cylindrical portion 123. The holder driving unit 26 transmits a driving force to the gear 25. The holder driving unit 26 is realized using a motor and a gear that transmits the driving force of the motor and can mesh with the gear 25, similarly to the holder driving unit 22 described above.

  The container mounting part 121 of the reagent container holder 12 includes a plurality of holding parts 124 that hold the reagent containers 62 along the circumferential direction of the second circle C2. The holding part 124 includes a large diameter part 125 having a prism shape, and a small diameter part 126 having a prism shape or a cylindrical shape having a bottom area smaller than that of the large diameter part 125 and having a low height.

  The reagent container 62 held by the holding part 124 has a bottomed hollow prismatic shape, accommodates the reagent Rg, protrudes from the bottom surface of the main body part 621, and has a main body part 621 that can be fitted to the large diameter part 125. The protrusion 622 has a shape that can be fitted to the small-diameter portion 126 of the reagent container holder 12, the piston 623 generates discharge pressure with respect to the reagent Rg stored in the main body 621, and the protrusion from the bottom surface of the main body 621. And a small-diameter nozzle 624 (reagent discharge mechanism) which is attached so as to penetrate to 622 and whose tip is directed downward and exposed to the outside. The height of the lower end of the nozzle 624 is preferably substantially the same as the height of the lower end of the nozzle 614 included in the sample container 61.

  The piston 623 moves forward and backward by driving the piston drive unit 27. The movement amount of the piston 623 is controlled by the control unit 34. When the piston 623 moves downward by a predetermined amount, the reagent Rg corresponding to the movement amount is discharged through the nozzle 624 to the reaction vessel 63 located immediately below. As described above, in the first embodiment, the piston 623, the nozzle 624, and the piston driving unit 27 have at least a partial function of the reagent dispensing means for dispensing the reagent.

  In the first embodiment, the reagent container holder 12 is provided on the inner peripheral side with respect to the sample container holder 11. For this reason, the sample container 61 having a higher replacement frequency than the reagent container 62 is positioned on the outer peripheral side, and is easily exchanged, and there is no possibility of causing contamination between the sample and the reagent. In addition, since the reagent container holder 12 is located on the inner peripheral side, it is easy to install the cool box 14 that keeps the reagent container 62 cold. The sample container holder 11 can be kept cold together with the reagent container holder 12. In this case, the sample container holder 11 may be disposed on the inner peripheral side of the reagent container holder 12.

  The reaction vessel holder 13 projects the first circle C1 when the holding portion 131 that holds the reaction vessel 63 is projected onto a predetermined plane (for example, the surface of FIG. 1) including the first circle C1 and the second circle C2. And a plurality of the second circles C2 and the second circle C2 are provided along the circumference of the third circle C3 that forms the transfer locus of the reaction vessel 63. The reaction vessel holder 13 can be rotated in the circumferential direction of the third circle C3 by driving the holder driving unit 28. The holding part 131 is formed in a prismatic shape in accordance with the reaction vessel 63 having a bottomed hollow prismatic shape. Windows 132 and 133 are provided on the outer peripheral surface and inner peripheral surface of the reaction vessel holder 13 for transmitting the light emitted from the photometry unit 16 to the reaction vessel 63, respectively. Moreover, the reaction container holder 13 has a thermostat (not shown) for keeping the temperature inside the reaction container 63 held by the holding part 131 at about 37 ° C.

  The reaction vessel 63 held by the holding unit 131 is realized by using a transparent material because the photometric unit 16 performs optical measurement of the liquid inside.

  At the intersections P1 and P4 between the third circle C3 and the first circle C1 in FIG. 1, the opening of the reaction vessel 63 is located immediately below the nozzle 614 of the sample vessel 61. In this sense, the two intersections P1 and P4 are sample dispensing positions for discharging the sample accommodated in the sample container 61 to the reaction container 63 located immediately below.

  Similarly, at the intersections P2 and P3 of the third circle C3 and the second circle C2 in FIG. 1, the opening of the reaction vessel 63 is positioned immediately below the nozzle 624 of the reagent vessel 62, respectively. In this sense, the two intersections P2 and P3 are reagent dispensing positions for discharging the reagent accommodated in the reagent container 62 to the reaction container 63 located immediately below.

  The interval between the sample dispensing position P1 and the reagent dispensing position P2, and the interval between the reagent dispensing position P2 and the reagent dispensing position P3 are determined according to the reaction time between the sample and the reagent, the dispensing interval, and the like. .

  The cool box 14 is provided so as to surround the reagent container 62 and keeps the temperature of the reagent container 62 constant, and is opened and closed above the holder accommodating part 141 and a holder accommodating part 141 that accommodates the reagent container holder 12. It has a lid part 142 that can be provided, a cooler 143 that cools the inner region surrounded by the holder housing part 141 and the lid part 142, and a temperature sensor 144 that measures the temperature inside the cold storage 14. The temperature inside the cool box 14 is kept at a temperature lower than room temperature in order to suppress deterioration and denaturation of the reagent in the reagent container 62 held by the reagent container holder 12.

  The holder accommodating portion 141 has an opening in the center, and is disposed on the outer periphery of the first member 141a and an annular first member 141a through which the fixed shaft 19 and the cylindrical portion 123 of the reagent container holder 12 pass. And a second member 141b surrounding the outer edge of the reagent container holder 12 from the bottom surface to the side surface. The boundary between the first member 141a and the second member 141b has a narrow circular gap for exposing the nozzle 624 to the outside.

  The lid 142 has an opening 142a for the piston drive unit 27 to drive the piston 623 at a position corresponding to the reagent dispensing position P2. The opening 142a is provided only at the reagent dispensing positions P2 and P3. Therefore, the piston drive unit 27 can drive only the piston 623 of the reagent container 62 located immediately below the opening 142a.

  The photometry unit 16 includes a light source 16a that emits white light, a spectral optical system 16b that splits white light that has passed through the reaction vessel 63 out of the white light that is emitted by the light source 16a, and light that is spectrally separated by the spectral optical system 16b. And a light receiving element 16c that receives each component and converts it into an electrical signal.

  The reaction container cleaning unit 17 sequentially performs each process of suctioning the reaction liquid, discharging the cleaning liquid, stirring the cleaning liquid, sucking the cleaning liquid, and drying the single reaction container 63. The cleaning liquid used by the reaction container cleaning unit 17 is, for example, ion exchange water.

  Next, the configuration of the data processing unit 201 will be described. The data processing unit 201 is realized by a computer having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The data processing unit 201 includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like. The data processing unit 201 receives an input of information necessary for analyzing a sample, information including an operation instruction signal of the automatic analyzer 1, a display device such as a liquid crystal display, An output unit 32 that has a printer and outputs information related to sample analysis, a data generation unit 33 that generates sample analysis data based on the measurement results in the measurement unit 101, and a control that controls the automatic analyzer 1. And a storage unit 35 that stores various types of information including calculation results based on the measurement results of the measurement unit 101.

  The data generation unit 33 performs an analysis operation on the measurement result received from the photometry unit 16 of the measurement unit 101. In this analytical calculation, the absorbance of the liquid inside the reaction vessel 63 is calculated based on the measurement result sent from the photometry unit 16, or the reaction is performed using the absorbance calculation result and various information such as a calibration curve and analysis parameters. Analytical data for each specimen is generated by quantitatively determining the components of the liquid inside the container 63.

  The storage unit 35 includes analysis items, sample information, reagent types, sample and reagent dispensing amounts, sample and reagent expiration dates, calibration curve information used for analysis, calibration curve expiration dates, and reference to each analysis item. Parameters necessary for analysis such as values and allowable values, analysis data generated by the data generation unit 33, and the like are stored.

  In FIG. 1, the main components of the measurement unit 101 are schematically shown, and therefore the positional relationship among the components, particularly the positions of the stirring unit 15, the photometric unit 16, and the reaction vessel cleaning unit 17 are as follows. Not necessarily accurate. The exact positional relationship between the components of the measurement unit 101 is determined according to various conditions such as the number of reagent container holders 12 and the rotation mode of the reaction container holder 13 during the dispensing operation interval.

  Here, an example of a measurement sequence in the measurement unit 101 will be described. When the reaction container 63 reaches the specimen dispensing position P1, the specimen container 61 located above dispenses the specimen Sp through the nozzle 614. The dispensing of the sample Sp into the reaction vessel 63 is continuously performed. For this reason, the reaction container holder 13 repeats, for example, one rotation + 1 position rotation operation during the dispensing interval while the sample Sp is being dispensed.

  When the reaction container 63 reaches the reagent dispensing position P2, the reagent container 62 located above dispenses the reagent Rg via the nozzle 624. The reaction vessel 63 into which the reagent Rg has been dispensed is transferred to the stirring unit 15. The agitation unit 15 agitates the mixed solution stored in the reaction vessel 63.

  Thereafter, when the second reagent needs to be dispensed, when the reaction container 63 reaches the reagent dispensing position P3, the reagent container 62 located above dispenses the second reagent via the nozzle 624. . The mixed solution after dispensing the second reagent is also stirred by the stirring unit 15.

  After the measurement in the photometry unit 16 is completed after a predetermined reaction time, the reaction vessel cleaning unit 17 cleans the reaction vessel 63. Thereby, one measurement sequence for one reaction vessel 63 is completed.

  In the measurement sequence, it is also possible to control so that the sample dispensing at the sample dispensing positions P1 and P4 and the reagent dispensing at the reagent dispensing positions P2 and P3 are performed simultaneously. In this case, an efficient dispensing operation can be realized and the analysis time can be shortened.

  The measurement result in the measurement unit 101 is sent to the data processing unit 201. In the data processing unit 201 that has received the measurement result of the measurement unit 101, the data generation unit 33 performs an analysis operation based on the received measurement result, and the output unit 32 outputs the result of the analysis operation, and the storage unit 35. Remember.

  According to the automatic analyzer according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above, the specimen container holder and the reagent container holder whose transfer trajectories are concentric circles are positioned below the specimen container holder and the reagent container holder, A reaction container holder having a circle that intersects each transfer locus when projected onto a predetermined plane including each transfer locus of the sample container holder and the reagent container holder, and a plurality of sample containers are provided correspondingly. A sample container that has a plurality of sample discharge mechanisms whose front ends are directed downward, and that accommodates a sample container in which any one of a plurality of reaction containers is located directly below, corresponds to the sample container. A sample dispensing means for discharging from the sample discharge mechanism and a plurality of reagent discharge mechanisms provided corresponding to each of the plurality of reagent containers, the tips of which are directed downward. And a reagent dispensing means for discharging the reagent contained in the reagent container located immediately below one of the reaction containers from the reagent discharge mechanism corresponding to the reagent container. Thus, it is not necessary to perform dispensing using a common nozzle between the sample containers and between the reagent containers, and it is possible to prevent not only contamination between reagents but also contamination between samples. In addition, since the specimen container holder and the reagent container holder are transferred on a concentric circle and no conventional dispensing mechanism is required, space can be saved and the entire apparatus can be downsized.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, the sample container holder and the reagent container holder are arranged so as to be concentric with each other, and the reaction container holder is positioned in a three-dimensional position (downward with respect to the sample container holder and the reagent container holder). ), It is not necessary to move the arm as in the conventional dispensing means having an arm with a nozzle, and the dispensing operation can be performed efficiently. In addition, since samples or reagents can be dispensed at a plurality of sample dispensing positions or reagent dispensing positions at the same time, the time required for sample analysis can be shortened.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the operation of the automatic analyzer according to a modification of the first embodiment. In this modification, the relative positional relationship between the specimen container holder 11 and the reagent container holder 12 and the reaction container holder 13 can be changed. In FIG. 4, the sample container holder 11 and the reagent container holder 12 are moved in a direction away from the reaction container holder 13 (left direction in the figure). In this case, the sample dispensing positions P1 and P4 change to P1 'and P4', respectively, and the reagent dispensing positions P2 and P3 change to P2 'and P3', respectively. As a result, the mutual distance between the dispensing positions P1 'to P4' also changes. Therefore, when the reaction vessel holder 13 performs the same operation as in the first embodiment, the dispensing timing changes.

  In this modification, the region in which the positional relationship between the specimen container holder 11 and the reagent container holder 12 and the reaction container holder 13 can be changed is the transfer of the reaction container 63 when the transfer locus of each holder is projected onto a predetermined plane. An image obtained by projecting the trajectory is a range in which an image obtained by projecting the transfer trajectory of the specimen container 61 and the transport trajectory of the reagent container 62 are intersected.

  According to the modification of the first embodiment described above, the relative positional relationship between the specimen container holder 11 and the reagent container holder 12 and the reaction container holder 13 can be changed, so that the reagent can be dispensed from the specimen dispensing. The time until dispensing can be changed, and analysis processing according to various conditions can be performed.

  In FIG. 4, the specimen container holder 11 and the reagent container holder 12 may be moved automatically based on the control of the control unit 34 or manually by the user. It is good also as such a structure.

  In this modification, the specimen container holder 11 and the reagent container holder 12 are moved. However, the reaction container holder 13 may be moved. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which moves all the holders.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the main part of the measurement unit of the automatic analyzer according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 6 is a diagram showing each configuration of the sample container holder, the reagent container holder, and the reaction container holder included in the automatic analyzer according to the second embodiment, and is a partial cross section taken along line BB in FIG. It is the figure which added the mechanism which dispenses a specimen and a reagent to a figure. The automatic analyzer 2 shown in these drawings controls the measurement unit 301 that optically measures the reaction result between the sample and the reagent corresponding to the test item of the sample, and the control of the automatic analyzer 2 including the measurement unit 301. And a data processing unit 201 that performs analysis of measurement results in the measurement unit 301, and automatically and continuously performs biochemical analysis of a plurality of specimens.

  The measurement unit 301 includes a specimen container holder 41 that holds a plurality of specimen containers 61 that contain specimens, a reagent container holder 42 that holds a plurality of reagent containers 62 each containing various reagents, and an inner periphery of the reagent container holder 42. A reagent container holder 43 (second reagent container holder) that holds a plurality of reagent containers 64 (second reagent containers) that are located on the side and each holds various reagents, and a plurality of reactions that cause a sample and a reagent to react with each other A reaction container holder 13 that holds the container 63, a cold storage 44 that keeps the temperature of each of the plurality of reagent containers 62 and 64 held by the reagent container holders 42 and 43 at a constant temperature lower than room temperature, and the inside of the reaction container 63 A stirring unit 15 that stirs the liquid, a light measuring unit 16 that irradiates the reaction vessel 63 with light, and optically measures light that has passed through the reaction vessel 63 out of the irradiated light, and a reaction vessel Includes 3 washed reaction container washing unit 17 for the, the.

  The sample container holder 41 is rotatable about the fixed shaft 45, and a plurality of holding portions 411 that hold the sample container 61 are arranged along the circumference of the first circle C4 that forms the transfer locus of the sample container 61. Prepare. The holding portion 411 includes a large-diameter portion 412 having a cylindrical shape, and a small-diameter portion 413 having a cylindrical shape having a bottom area smaller than that of the large-diameter portion 412 and a lower height.

  A bearing 46 is provided between the outer peripheral surface of the sample container holder 41 and the main body of the automatic analyzer 2, and a gear 47 is provided on the bottom surface of the sample container holder 41. A holder driving unit 48 transmits a driving force to the gear 47. The holder driving unit 48 is realized using, for example, a motor and a gear that transmits the driving force of the motor and can mesh with the gear 47.

  The reagent container holder 42 is rotatable about the fixed shaft 45, and the holding portion 421 that holds the reagent container 62 is concentric with the first circle C4 and has a smaller diameter than the first circle C4. A plurality of second circles C5 are provided along the circumference of the second circle C5 having 62 transfer trajectories. The holding portion 421 includes a large-diameter portion 422 having a prismatic shape, and a small-diameter portion 423 having a prismatic shape or a cylindrical shape having a bottom area smaller than that of the large-diameter portion 422 and having a low height.

  A bearing 49 is provided between the outer peripheral surface of the reagent container holder 42 and the cool box 44, and a gear 50 is provided on the bottom surface of the sample container holder 41. For the gear 50, the holder driving unit 51 transmits the driving force. The holder driving unit 51 is realized by using a motor and a gear that transmits the driving force of the motor and can mesh with the gear 50, like the holder driving unit 48 described above.

  The reagent container holder 43 has a plurality of reagent containers 64 concentric with the second circle C5, has a diameter smaller than that of the second circle C5, and includes a predetermined plane (for example, FIG. 5). The container mounting portion 431 that crosses the third circle C3 when projected onto the surface) and holds the container mounting portion 431 side by side along the circumference of the fourth circle C6 that forms the transfer locus of the reagent container 64, and supports the container mounting portion 431. A disk-shaped table 432 and a cylindrical portion 433 which is provided at the center of the table 432 and is rotatable about the fixed shaft 45 as a rotation center. A bearing 52 is provided between the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 433 and the outer peripheral surface of the fixed shaft 45, and a gear 53 is provided on the bottom surface of the cylindrical portion 433. The holder driving unit 54 transmits a driving force to the gear 53. The holder driving unit 54 is realized by using a motor and a gear that transmits the driving force of the motor and can mesh with the gear 53, similarly to the holder driving unit 48 described above.

  The container mounting portion 431 of the reagent container holder 43 includes a plurality of holding portions 434 that hold the reagent containers 64 along the circumference of the fourth circle C6. The holding portion 434 includes a large-diameter portion 435 having a prismatic shape, and a small-diameter portion 436 having a prismatic shape or a cylindrical shape having a bottom area smaller than that of the large-diameter portion 435 and having a low height.

  The reagent container 64 held by the holding part 434 has a bottomed hollow prismatic shape, accommodates the reagent Rg, and has a main body part 641 that can be fitted to the large diameter part 435 of the holding part 434, and a main body part 641. Projecting part 642 that projects from the bottom surface of the reagent container holder 43 and fits into the small diameter part 436 of the reagent container holder 43, a piston 643 that generates a discharge pressure with respect to the reagent Rg accommodated in the main body part 641, and the main body part 641 It has a small-diameter nozzle 644 (second reagent discharge mechanism) that is attached so as to penetrate from the bottom surface to the protruding portion 642 and whose tip is directed downward and exposed to the outside. It is desirable that the height of the lower end of the nozzle 644 is substantially the same as the height of the lower end of the nozzle 614 included in the sample container 61 and the height of the lower end of the nozzle 624 included in the reagent container 62. Depending on the shape of the reagent container holder 43, the reagent container 62 can be applied as the second reagent container.

  The piston 643 moves back and forth by driving the piston driving unit 55. The movement amount of the piston 643 is controlled by the control unit 34. When the piston 643 moves downward by a predetermined amount, the reagent Rg corresponding to the movement amount is discharged through the nozzle 644 to the reaction vessel 63 located immediately below. As described above, in the second embodiment, the piston 643, the nozzle 644, and the piston driving unit 55 have at least a part of the function of the second reagent dispensing means for dispensing the reagent.

  In the intersections P5 and P10 between the first circle C4 and the third circle C3 in FIG. 5, the opening of the reaction vessel 63 is positioned immediately below the nozzle 614 of the sample vessel 61, respectively. In this sense, the two intersections P5 and P10 are sample dispensing positions for discharging the sample accommodated in the sample container 61 to the reaction container 63 positioned immediately below.

  In addition, at the intersections P6 and P9 of the second circle C5 and the third circle C3 in FIG. 5, the opening of the reaction vessel 63 is located immediately below the nozzle 624 of the reagent vessel 62, respectively. In this sense, the two intersections P6 and P9 are reagent dispensing positions for discharging the reagent accommodated in the reagent container 62 stationary at that position to the reaction container 63 located immediately below. Similarly, intersections P7 and P8 of the fourth circle C6 and the third circle C3 are reagent dispensing positions for discharging the reagent stored in the reagent container 64 to the reaction container 63 located immediately below.

  Since the automatic analyzer 2 includes the two reagent container holders 42 and 43 as described above, the reagent container holder 42 is used for storing the first reagent, while the reagent container holder 42 is used for storing the second reagent. It can also be used for storage.

  The cool box 44 is provided so as to surround the reagent containers 62 and 64, holds the temperature of each of the reagent containers 62 and 64 constant, and includes a holder accommodating portion 441 that accommodates the reagent container holders 42 and 43, and a holder The lid 442 provided to be openable and closable above the housing part 441, the cooler 443 for cooling the internal area surrounded by the holder housing part 441 and the lid part 442, and the temperature of the internal area of the cool box 44 are measured. And a temperature sensor 444. The temperature inside the cool box 44 is kept low.

  The holder accommodating portion 441 has an opening at the center, and a third member 441a through which the fixed shaft 45 and the cylindrical portion 433 of the reagent container holder 43 pass, and an annular shape disposed on the outer periphery of the third member 441a. 4th member 441b and the 5th member 441c which are arrange | positioned on the outer periphery of the 4th member 441b, and surround the outer edge part of the reagent container holder 42 from a bottom face to a side surface are provided. The boundary between the third member 441a and the fourth member 441b has a narrow circular gap for exposing the nozzle 644 to the outside. The boundary between the fourth member 441b and the fifth member 441c also has a narrow circular gap for exposing the nozzle 624 to the outside.

  An opening 442a for the piston driving unit 27 to drive the piston 623 is formed at a position corresponding to the reagent dispensing positions P6 and P9 of the lid 442. In addition, an opening 442b for the piston driving unit 55 to drive the piston 643 is formed at a position corresponding to the reagent dispensing positions P7 and P8 of the lid 442. The opening 442a is provided only at the reagent dispensing positions P6 and P9, while the opening 442b is provided only at the reagent dispensing positions P7 and P8. Therefore, the piston drive unit 27 can drive only the piston 623 of the reagent container 62 located immediately below the opening 442a, and the piston drive unit 55 can drive only the piston 643 of the reagent container 64 located directly below the opening 442b. Can be driven.

  Here, an example of a measurement sequence in the measurement unit 301 will be described. When the reaction container 63 reaches the specimen dispensing position P5, the specimen container 61 located above dispenses the specimen Sp through the nozzle 614. Thereafter, the reaction vessel holder 13 repeatedly performs a rotation operation (for example, one rotation + 1 position rotation).

  When the reaction container 63 reaches the reagent dispensing position P6, the reagent container 62 located above dispenses the reagent Rg (first reagent) via the nozzle 624. The reaction vessel 63 into which the reagent Rg has been dispensed is transferred to the stirring unit 15. The agitation unit 15 agitates the mixed solution stored in the reaction vessel 63.

  The subsequent dispensing of the second reagent may be performed at the reagent dispensing position P7 or may be performed at the reagent dispensing position P8. For example, when the reaction container holder 13 continues the same rotation operation, the reagent dispensing position P6 where the first reagent has been dispensed and the reagent dispensing position P7 are located close to each other, so that the reaction between the first reagent and the sample is performed. I can't earn enough time. In such a case, the second reagent is dispensed at the reagent dispensing position P8.

  The subsequent measurement sequence is the same as the measurement sequence described in the first embodiment.

  Also in the second embodiment, it may be controlled to simultaneously perform the sample dispensing at the sample dispensing positions P5 and P10 and the reagent dispensing at the reagent dispensing positions P6 to P9.

  According to Embodiment 2 of the present invention described above, as in Embodiment 1 described above, an automatic analyzer that can prevent contamination between samples and can reduce the size of the entire apparatus is provided. can do.

  Further, according to the second embodiment, the sample container holder and the two reagent container holders are arranged so as to be concentric with each other, and the reaction container holder is arranged three-dimensionally, so that the conventional automatic analyzer Compared to the case where the sample container holder and the two reagent container holders are separately provided as described above, it is possible to realize a significant space saving.

  Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to simultaneously dispense samples or reagents at a plurality of sample dispensing positions and reagent dispensing positions, so that the time required for sample analysis can be shortened. it can.

  In the second embodiment, the case of a measurement unit including a sample container holder and two reagent container holders that are concentric with each other has been described. More generally, a plurality of holders have concentricity and are arranged in the radial direction. On the other hand, it is also possible to have a configuration in which multiple layers are overlapped.

  Also in the second embodiment, it is possible to change the relative positional relationship between the specimen container holder and the two reagent container holders and the reaction container holder. In this case, the region in which the positional relationship can be changed is such that when the transfer locus of each holder is projected onto a predetermined plane, the image obtained by projecting the transfer locus of the reaction container is the transfer locus of the sample container, the transfer locus of the reagent container, and the This is a range that intersects the projected images of the transfer trajectories of the two reagent containers.

(Other embodiments)
So far, the first and second embodiments have been described in detail as the best mode for carrying out the present invention, but the present invention should not be limited by these embodiments. For example, the configuration of the sample dispensing means and the reagent dispensing means is not limited to those described above, and the sample or reagent may be ejected by a piezoelectric effect using a piezo element, or the sample or reagent may be discharged by air pressure. May be discharged.

  Moreover, it is good also as a structure which attaches directly the nozzle which dispenses a specimen and a reagent to a specimen container holder or a reagent container holder.

  Further, a mechanism for moving the sample container holder and the reagent container holder up and down relative to the measurement unit may be provided. In this case, it is possible to provide a cleaning unit for cleaning the nozzles provided in the sample container holder and the reagent container holder in the course of the movement trajectory of each holder.

  The automatic analyzer according to the present invention can be applied not only to the biochemical analysis of a specimen but also to the case of performing an immunological analysis of a specimen or the case of performing a genetic analysis of a specimen. it can.

  Thus, the present invention can include various embodiments and the like not described herein, and various design changes and the like can be made without departing from the technical idea specified by the claims. It is possible to apply.

It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the principal part of the automatic analyzer which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the mutual positional relationship of the sample container holder which the automatic analyzer which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention has, a reagent container holder, and a reaction container holder. FIG. 3 is a diagram in which a mechanism for dispensing a specimen and a reagent is added to each configuration of a specimen container holder, a reagent container holder, and a reaction container holder included in the automatic analyzer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows typically the effect | action of the automatic analyzer which concerns on the modification of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the measurement unit principal part of the automatic analyzer which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is the figure which added the mechanism which dispenses a sample and a reagent to each structure of the sample container holder which the automatic analyzer which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention has, a reagent container holder, and a reaction container holder.

Explanation of symbols

1, 2 Automatic analyzer 11, 41 Specimen container holder 12, 42, 43 Reagent container holder 13 Reaction container holder 14, 44 Cold storage 15 Stirring section 16 Photometric section 17 Reaction container washing section 19, 45 Fixed shaft 20, 24, 46 , 49, 52 Bearing 21, 25, 47, 50, 53 Gear 22, 26, 28, 48, 51, 54 Holder drive unit 23, 27, 55 Piston drive unit 31 Input unit 32 Output unit 33 Data generation unit 34 Control unit 35 Storage part 61 Sample container 62, 64 Reagent container 63 Reaction container 101, 301 Measurement unit 111, 124, 131, 411, 421, 434 Holding part 112, 125, 412, 422, 435 Large diameter part 113, 126, 413, 423, 436 Small diameter part 121, 431 Container placement part 122, 432 Table 123, 433 Cylindrical part 132, 133 Window 141, 441 Holder accommodating portion 141a First member 141b Second member 142, 442 Lid 142a, 442a, 442b Opening 143, 443 Cooler 144, 444 Temperature sensor 201 Data processing unit 441a Third member 441b First 4 member 441c 5th member 611, 621, 641 Main body part 612, 622, 642 Protrusion part 613, 623, 643 Piston 614, 624, 644 Nozzle Rg Reagent Sp Sample

Claims (7)

An automatic analyzer that analyzes a component of the specimen by reacting the specimen with a reagent and optically measuring a result of the reaction,
A sample container holder for holding and holding a plurality of sample containers each containing a sample along a circumference of a first circle forming a transfer locus of the sample container;
A reagent container holder for holding a plurality of reagent containers, each of which is concentrically different from the first circle and having a diameter different from each other, and arranged side by side along a circumference of a second circle forming a transfer locus of the reagent container;
When a plurality of reaction containers located below the sample container holder and the reagent container holder and reacting the sample and the reagent are projected onto a predetermined plane including the first and second circles, the first container A reaction vessel holder that crosses the first and second circles and holds them side by side along the circumference of a third circle that forms the transfer locus of the reaction vessel;
A plurality of sample discharge mechanisms provided corresponding to each of the plurality of sample containers and having tips directed downward; one of the plurality of reaction containers among the plurality of sample containers is located immediately below; A sample dispensing means for discharging a sample contained in the sample container from the sample discharge mechanism corresponding to the sample container;
Each of the plurality of reagent containers is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of reagent containers, and has a plurality of reagent discharge mechanisms whose front ends are directed downward, and one of the plurality of reaction containers is positioned directly below the plurality of reagent containers. Reagent dispensing means for discharging the reagent contained in the reagent container from the reagent discharge mechanism corresponding to the reagent container;
An automatic analyzer characterized by comprising:   The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the sample dispensing unit and the reagent dispensing unit perform ejection operations simultaneously.   The positional relationship between the specimen container holder and the reaction container holder and the positional relationship between the reagent container holder and the reaction container holder can be changed within a range that intersects when the transfer trajectories are projected onto a predetermined plane. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 or 2. When a plurality of second reagent containers respectively containing reagents are concentrically different from the first and second circles and have different diameters and projected onto a predetermined plane including the third circle, the third circle and A second reagent container holder crossed and held side by side along a circumference of a fourth circle forming a transfer locus of the second reagent container;
A plurality of second reagent ejection mechanisms provided corresponding to each of the plurality of second reagent containers, the tips of which are directed downward, and the plurality of reactions among the plurality of second reagent containers. A second reagent dispensing means for discharging the reagent contained in the second reagent container in which one of the containers is located directly from the second reagent discharge mechanism corresponding to the second reagent container; ,
The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, further comprising:   The automatic analyzer according to claim 4, wherein the specimen dispensing unit, the reagent dispensing unit, and the second reagent dispensing unit perform a discharging operation simultaneously.   The automatic analyzer according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the diameter of the first circle is larger than the diameter of the second circle and the diameter of the third circle.   The positional relationship between the specimen container holder and the reaction container holder, the positional relationship between the reagent container holder and the reaction container holder, and the positional relationship between the second reagent container holder and the reaction container holder are the transfer trajectories of each other. 7. The automatic analyzer according to claim 5, wherein the automatic analyzer can be changed within a range that intersects when projected onto a predetermined plane.

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