JP2009074801A - Excessive liquid suction mechanism and chemical analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an excessive liquid suction mechanism enhanced in the absorption efficiency of an excessive liquid, and to provide a chemical analyzer with the same. <P>SOLUTION: An excessive urine suction mechanism has a table 200 on which test paper 2 is placed, a push bar 300 having the suction ports 310 formed on the surface opposed to the test paper 2 and the internal space 320 communicating with the suction ports 310 and pushing the test paper 2 placed on the table 200 in its width direction to slidably moving the same, and a suction pump 500 for sucking excessive urine in the internal space 320 of the push bar 300. The table 200 has a plurality of the rails 210 protruded from the main surface of the table 200 to extend in the slide moving direction of the test paper 2. Protrusions are formed to the rails 210 and move the test paper 2 during slide movement up and down, incline the test paper 2 during slide movement in the width direction of the test paper 2 and push the test paper 2 during slide movement toward the push bar 300. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a surplus liquid suction mechanism and a chemical analysis apparatus, and more particularly to a surplus liquid suction mechanism for sucking a surplus liquid (excess sample) adhering to a strip-shaped test paper and a chemical analysis apparatus including the suction mechanism. .

  For example, as a method of inspecting a liquid sample such as urine, a strip-shaped test paper in which a plurality of reagent pads are arranged in the longitudinal direction is immersed in the liquid sample, and the degree of coloration of the reagent pad is optically detected. Thus, a plurality of items are conventionally inspected.

  When performing an inspection as described above, if an excessive amount of liquid sample is supplied to each reagent pad, the reagent elutes from the reagent pad and the degree of coloration decreases, or the reagents between adjacent reagent pads May be mixed, and accurate inspection may not be possible. Therefore, it is desirable to remove an excessive liquid sample (referred to as “excess liquid” in the present specification) adhering to the test paper.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-177203 (Patent Document 1), Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-258413 (Patent Document 2) and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-258413 are devices for removing excess liquid developed from the above viewpoint. -315224 (Patent Document 3) and the like.
JP 2004-177203 A JP 2000-258413 A JP 2003-315224 A

  As a mechanism for sucking the surplus liquid adhering to the test paper, a mechanism for sucking the surplus liquid while pushing the test paper in the width direction and sliding it can be considered. In this case, a hole is provided in the slide mechanism that pushes the test paper, and excess liquid is allowed to flow into the hole.

  However, since the test paper is relatively thin, warping is likely to occur, and therefore the height of each reagent pad tends to be unstable. In addition, the height may be different for each reagent pad. Therefore, the reagent pad may not necessarily be positioned at a height suitable for allowing excess liquid adhering to each reagent pad to flow into the hole of the slide mechanism. As a result, there is a concern that the suction efficiency of the excess liquid is reduced.

  Patent Documents 1 to 3 do not describe a configuration that can solve the above-described problem. In the mechanism that sucks the excess liquid while sliding the test paper in the width direction and sliding the test paper, The problem of a decrease in suction efficiency caused by the difference in the heights of the reagent pads is not solved by the inventions described in Patent Documents 1 to 3.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a surplus liquid suction mechanism having a high surplus liquid suction efficiency and a chemical analysis apparatus including the suction mechanism. is there.

  The surplus liquid suction mechanism according to the present invention is a surplus liquid suction mechanism for sucking surplus liquid adhering to a strip-shaped test paper in which a plurality of reagent pads are arranged in the longitudinal direction, and a table on which the test paper is placed. And a slide that has a hole formed in a surface facing the test paper and an internal space that communicates with the hole, and slides the test paper placed on the table in the width direction of the test paper A mechanism and a suction device for sucking excess liquid in the internal space of the slide mechanism. Here, at least one of the convex portion, the concave portion, and the step portion is formed on the table.

  In one aspect, the convex portion, the concave portion, and the stepped portion can move the test paper that is being slid up and down.

  According to the above configuration, even when there is a warp of the test paper or a difference in height for each reagent pad, the excess liquid adhered to the reagent pad flows into the hole of the slide mechanism. The test paper that is being slid can be moved up and down so as to pass through a height suitable for the above. As a result, excess liquid adhering to each reagent pad is easily sucked.

  In another aspect, the projecting portion, the recessed portion, and the stepped portion can tilt the test paper being slid in the width direction of the test paper.

  According to the above configuration, even when there is a warp of the test paper or a difference in height of each reagent pad, the portion of each reagent pad facing the hole of the slide mechanism adheres to the reagent pad. The test paper being slid can be tilted so that it passes through a height suitable for flowing the liquid into the hole. As a result, excess liquid adhering to each reagent pad is easily sucked.

  In still another aspect, the projecting portion, the recessed portion, and the stepped portion can press the test paper being slid toward the slide mechanism.

  According to the above configuration, when the test paper being moved is pressed against the slide mechanism, the reagent pad to which the excess liquid adheres and the hole of the slide mechanism are brought into close contact with each other, and the excess liquid adhered to each reagent pad. Is easily sucked. Further, an effect of absorbing a deviation (positional deviation) in the direction of the test paper can be expected.

  Preferably, in the surplus liquid suction mechanism, a plurality of rails are formed so as to protrude from the main surface of the table and extend in the slide movement direction of the test paper, and the convex portion, the concave portion or the step portion is formed on the rail. .

  According to the above configuration, since the test paper slides on the rail, the slide resistance of the test paper decreases. Moreover, since the excess liquid which does not flow into a hole flows down between rails, the said excess liquid does not touch another test paper. Then, by forming the above-mentioned convex part, concave part or step part on the rail, it is possible to obtain an effect that the excess liquid attached to each reagent pad is easily sucked by a simple structure.

  A chemical analysis apparatus according to the present invention is a chemical analysis apparatus that performs chemical analysis based on the degree of coloration of a reagent pad on a test paper, and includes the above-described excess liquid suction mechanism.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the suction efficiency of the excess liquid in the excess liquid suction mechanism by facilitating the flow of the excess liquid attached to each reagent pad into the hole.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Note that the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof may not be repeated.

  Note that in the embodiments described below, when referring to the number, amount, and the like, the scope of the present invention is not necessarily limited to the number, amount, and the like unless otherwise specified. In the following embodiments, each component is not necessarily essential for the present invention unless otherwise specified. In addition, when there are a plurality of embodiments below, it is planned from the beginning to appropriately combine the configurations of the embodiments unless otherwise specified.

  FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a chemical analyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the chemical analyzer according to the present embodiment is a urine chemical analyzer for testing a predetermined item using urine as a specimen. The urine chemistry analyzer 1 includes a main body 100, a table 200 that is detachably attached to the main body 100, a push bar 300 that is attached to the table 200, and a waste tray 400 that is inserted into the main body 100 so as to be adjacent to the table 200. It is comprised including.

  The main body 100 includes a touch screen 110, a printer 120, and a measurement unit 130. Operation buttons and the like are displayed on the touch screen 110 as the “operation / display unit”. The user of the urine chemistry analyzer 1 performs operations such as starting and ending the analysis by pressing the touch screen 110. The printer 120 as the “output unit” outputs the test result of each test item for each sample urine. The measurement unit 130 is a reflection optical system measurement device including a light source (for example, a white LED or a cathode fluorescent lamp) and a detector (for example, a photodiode). When a urine test is performed by the urine chemistry analyzer 1, first, the measurer absorbs the sample urine on a test sheet for urine test described later and places it on the table 200. The test paper placed on the table 200 is slid by the push bar 300 and then moved directly below the measuring unit 130 by a transport mechanism described later. The measuring unit 130 measures the degree of coloration of each reagent pad provided on the test paper, thereby measuring various chemical components in the sample urine. Thereafter, the test paper further moves on the table 200 and is dropped from the table 200 into the waste tray 400. Thus, the chemical component of the sample urine can be measured automatically and continuously by simply placing the test paper immersed in the sample urine at a predetermined position on the table 200.

  The transport mechanism is set so that a predetermined time (for example, about 30 seconds to 120 seconds) is required until the test paper is transported directly below the measurement unit 130. Thereby, the reaction time between the sample urine and the reagent is secured.

  Examples of examination items by the urine chemistry analyzer 1 include urobilinogen concentration, nitrite concentration, bilirubin concentration, ketone body concentration, protein concentration, glucose concentration, pH, occult blood, and leukocyte concentration.

  FIG. 2 is a top view showing the periphery of the table 200 in the urine chemistry analyzer 1. Referring to FIG. 2, table 200 has a plurality of rails 210 extending in the moving direction of push bar 300 (the direction of arrow DR1). The rail 210 is formed so as to protrude upward from the upper surface of the table 200 (front side of the paper surface in FIG. 2). The table 200 also includes a lifting plate 220 that conveys the test paper supplied by the push bar 300 toward the measurement unit 130. Further, the table 200 has a guide portion 230 formed so as to protrude upward from the upper surface of the table 200, similarly to the rail 210. The protruding height of the guide part 230 is higher than the protruding height of the rail 210.

  The test paper that has absorbed the sample urine is placed on the placement portion 200 </ b> A of the table 200. The test paper is placed so that the tip of the test paper is in contact with the guide portion 230 on the back side (upper side in FIG. 2). In this way, the test paper can be positioned in the direction of the arrow DR2.

  When it is detected that the test paper is placed on the placement unit 200A, the push bar 300 moves in the direction of the arrow DR1, the test paper slides in the direction of the arrow DR1, and reaches the lifting plate 220. The push bar 300 is set to operate every predetermined time (for example, every 6 seconds). Accordingly, the test paper is supplied on the lifting plate 220 at a predetermined interval.

  Like the push bar 300, the lifting plate 220 serving as the “conveying mechanism” described above, while lifting the test paper every predetermined time (for example, every 6 seconds), directs the test paper directly below the measuring unit 130 to a predetermined amount. Just move. In this manner, the test papers that have passed a predetermined time after reaching the lifting plate 220 are sequentially conveyed directly below the measuring unit 130. The measurement unit 130 measures the degree of coloration of each reagent pad. Thereby, the test | inspection of several sample urine can be continuously performed for every predetermined time (for example, every 6 seconds). The measurement result by the measurement unit 130 can be output from the printer 120. The test paper after inspection that has passed through the measurement unit 130 is dropped onto the waste tray 400 from the table 200 by the lifting plate 220.

  When performing an examination using the urine chemistry analyzer 1, if an excessive amount of sample urine is supplied to each reagent pad, the reagent is eluted from the reagent pad and the degree of coloration is reduced. In some cases, reagents may be mixed with each other and accurate testing cannot be performed. Therefore, it is desirable to remove excess sample urine (excess urine) adhering to the test paper as much as possible. In the urine chemical analyzer 1 according to the present embodiment, a surplus urine suction mechanism for aspirating the surplus urine is provided.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the surplus urine suction mechanism included in the urine chemistry analyzer 1. Referring to FIG. 3, the surplus urine suction mechanism according to the present embodiment includes a suction port 310 formed in push bar 300 and an internal space 320 of push bar 300 communicating with suction port 310. The

  As shown in FIG. 3 (and FIG. 4), the suction port 310 is provided at a position corresponding to the plurality of reagent pads 2A provided on the strip-shaped test paper 2. Excess urine flowing into the internal space 320 of the push bar 300 from the suction port 310 is sucked by the suction pump 500. The suction of excess urine by the push bar 300 is performed when the test paper 2 is pushed in the arrow DR1 direction by the push bar 300. Push bar 300 is driven in the direction of arrow DR1 by drive mechanism 600. The drive mechanism 600 includes a motor 610 and a ball screw 620. The rotational force of the motor 610 is converted into a force in the straight direction by the ball screw 620, and the straight force is transmitted to the push bar 300.

  5 and 6 are views of the excess urine suction mechanism shown in FIG. 3 as viewed from the directions of arrows V and VI, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the test paper 2 is slid by being pushed by the push bar 300 while being supported by the rail 210.

  Since the test paper 2 is a relatively thin member, it tends to be warped by being supported by the rail 210 as described above, and the height of each reagent pad 2A tends to be unstable. In addition, the plurality of reagent pads 2A on the test paper 2 may have different heights. Therefore, there is a concern that each reagent pad 2A may not be positioned at a height corresponding to the suction port 310 of the push bar 300.

  In view of the problems as described above, in the urine chemical analyzer according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. The convex portions 211 are typically provided on the plurality of rails 210 so as to be aligned in the longitudinal direction of the test paper 2 (the direction of the arrow DR2).

  Next, the behavior of the test paper 2 passing over the convex portion 211 will be described with reference to FIG. When the test paper 2 is positioned in front of the convex portion 211, as shown in FIG. 7A, the test paper 2 is positioned at a relatively low height. Next, when the test paper 2 reaches the convex portion 211, first, as shown in FIG. 7B, the test paper 2 is lowered so that the side near the push bar 300 is lowered (the side far from the push bar 300 is raised). To) tilt. Next, when the test paper 2 climbs up the convex portion 211, as shown in FIG. 7C, the test paper 2 is positioned at a relatively high height with respect to the state of FIG. When the test paper 2 is about to leave the convex portion 211, the test paper 2 is inclined so that the side closer to the push bar 300 is raised (the side far from the push bar 300 is lowered). As described above, when the test paper 2 pushed by the push bar 300 passes through the convex portion 211, the test paper 2 moves up and down while being inclined in the width direction. As a result, the height of the portion of the test paper 2 facing the suction port 310 varies, and the positional relationship (height relationship) between the reagent pad 2A and the suction port 310 suitable for the suction of excess urine can be reliably obtained. it can.

  The shape of the convex portion 211 can be changed as appropriate. Typically, the height of the rail 210 is about 1 mm to 2 mm, for example, whereas the height of the convex portion 211 is about 0.5 mm, for example. It is. That is, the ratio of the height of the convex portion 211 to the height of the rail 210 is, for example, about 25% to 50%. Moreover, although the convex part 211 is formed in trapezoid shape, the inclination | tilt angle of the hypotenuse of this trapezoid is about 30 degrees-45 degrees, for example. In addition, the shape of the convex part 211 is not limited to trapezoid shape, For example, you may form in a semicircle shape.

  Next, the configuration of the push bar 300 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a view showing a state in which the push bar 300 is viewed from the test paper 2 side. FIG. 9 (corresponding to the IX-IX cross-sectional view in FIG. It is a figure explaining. FIGS. 10 and 11 are an XX sectional view and an XI-XI sectional view in FIGS. 8 and 10, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the push bar 300 has a plurality of suction ports 310 at positions corresponding to the reagent pads 2A. Note that excess urine may be sucked not only from the suction port 310 but also from the entire longitudinal direction of the push bar 300 (left and right direction in FIG. 8).

  The push bar 300 includes a first member 330, a second member 340, and a third member 350. The first to third members 330, 340, and 350 are resin members. An extrusion member 360 is attached to the third member 350. As shown in FIG. 9, the pushing member 360 is attached to the third member 350 via a pin 361 and a spring 362. When the push bar 300 pushes the test paper 2 toward the lifting plate 220, the push member 360 is located slightly behind the first member 330 and the second member 340 and is not in contact with the test paper 2. Yes (FIG. 9A). On the other hand, when the push bar 300 reaches the vicinity of the lifting plate 220, the push member 360 comes into contact with the release bar 370 fixed to the main body 100 and rotates in the direction of the arrow DR 360 around the pin 361. As a result, the pushing member 360 protrudes more forward than the first member 330 and the second member 340, and pushes the test paper 2 toward the lifting plate 220 (FIG. 9B). Thus, the push bar 300 is prevented from returning to the original position (position away from the lifting plate 220) while the test paper 2 is attached to the first member 330 and the second member 340. Can be reliably moved onto the lifting plate 220. When the push bar 300 is separated from the release bar 370, the pushing member 360 returns to the state shown in FIG. 9A again by the biasing force of the spring 362.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the internal space of the push bar 300 is constituted by a main pipe 321 and a plurality of sub-pipes 322 branched from the main pipe 321. The main pipe 321 is formed by providing a hole in the longitudinal direction in the first member 330. The auxiliary pipe 322 is formed by providing a groove on the side surface of the first member 330 and attaching the second member 340 so as to cover the groove. A seal member 341 is provided between the first and second members 330 and 340. As shown in FIG. 11, the push bar 300 is provided with a groove portion 300 </ b> A for receiving the rail 210.

  The above contents are summarized as follows. That is, the surplus liquid suction mechanism according to the present embodiment sucks surplus urine as “surplus liquid” attached to the strip-shaped test paper 2 in which a plurality of reagent pads 2A are arranged in the longitudinal direction (arrow DR2 direction). This is a surplus urine suction mechanism. The surplus urine suction mechanism includes a table 200 on which the test paper 2 is placed, a suction port 310 as a “hole” formed on a surface facing the test paper 2, and an internal space 320 that communicates with the suction port 310. A push bar 300 as a “slide mechanism” that slides and moves the test paper 2 placed on the table 200 in the width direction (arrow DR1 direction), and excess urine in the internal space 320 of the push bar 300 And a suction pump 500 as a “suction device”.

  The table 200 has a plurality of rails 210 that protrude from the main surface of the table 200 and that extend in the sliding movement direction of the test paper 2. A convex portion 211 is formed on the rail 210. The convex portion 211 moves the test paper 2 in the slide movement up and down, tilts the test paper 2 in the slide movement in the width direction of the test paper 2, and directs the test paper 2 in the slide movement toward the push bar 300. It is possible to press.

  According to the surplus urine suction mechanism according to the present embodiment, each reagent pad 2A passes through a height suitable for allowing surplus urine adhering to the reagent pad 2A to flow into the suction port 310 of the push bar 300. In addition, the test paper 2 that is being slid can be moved vertically or inclined. Further, by pressing the test paper 2 being moved toward the push bar 300, the reagent pad 2A to which the excess urine has adhered and the suction port 310 of the push bar 300 can be brought into close contact with each other. As a result, even when there is a warp of the test paper 2 or a height difference for each reagent pad 2A, it is possible to easily suck the excess urine adhering to each reagent pad 2A. Further, by causing the test paper 2 to be in close contact with the push bar 300, it is possible to correct a deviation (positional deviation) in the direction of the test paper 2.

  Further, according to the surplus urine suction mechanism according to the present embodiment, the slide resistance of the test paper 2 is reduced because the test paper 2 slides on the rail 210. Moreover, since the excess urine that does not flow into the suction port 310 flows down between the rails 210, the excess urine does not touch the other test paper 2. Therefore, it is possible to accurately inspect each item.

  In the above example, the example in which the convex portion 211 is provided on the rail 210 has been described. However, the position at which the convex portion 211 is provided is not limited to the rail 210. For example, the convex portion is formed between two rails. 211 may protrude. Further, for example, a concave portion 212 as shown in FIG. 12 may be provided instead of the convex portion 211, or a step portion 213 as shown in FIG. 13 may be provided instead of the convex portion 211. Good.

  In the above example, the push bar 300 is described as pushing the test paper 2 in the direction from the right side to the left side (arrow DR1 direction) when viewed from the front of the urine chemistry analyzer 1, but the urine chemistry analyzer 1 The push bar 300 may be configured to push the test paper 2 in a direction opposite to the above example (that is, a direction from the left side to the right side when viewed from the front of the urine chemistry analyzer 1).

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of the chemical analyzer which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the periphery of the table in the chemical analyzer shown by FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the surplus urine suction mechanism in the chemical analyzer shown by FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the positional relationship of the reagent pad and suction port in the surplus urine suction mechanism shown by FIG. FIG. 4 is a view of the surplus urine suction mechanism shown in FIG. It is the figure which looked at the surplus urine suction mechanism shown by FIG. 3 from the direction of arrow VI. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the behavior when the test paper passes through the convex portion in the surplus urine suction mechanism shown in FIGS. It is a figure which shows the push bar contained in the surplus urine suction mechanism shown by FIGS. It is a figure explaining the extrusion function of the test paper by the push bar shown in FIG. It is XX sectional drawing in FIG. It is XI-XI sectional drawing in FIG. It is a figure explaining one modification of the rail shape contained in a surplus urine suction mechanism. It is a figure explaining the other modification of the rail shape contained in a surplus urine suction mechanism.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Urine chemistry analyzer, 2 Test paper, 2A Reagent pad, 100 Main body, 110 Touch screen, 120 Printer, 130 Measuring part, 200 Table, 200A mounting part, 210 Rail, 211 Convex part, 212 Concave part, 213 Step part, 220 Lifting plate, 230 guide part, 300 push bar, 300A groove part, 310 suction port, 320 internal space, 321 main pipe, 322 sub pipe, 330 first member, 340 second member, 341 seal member, 350 third member, 360 Extrusion member, 361 pin, 362 spring, 370 release rod, 400 waste tray, 500 suction pump, 600 drive mechanism, 610 motor, 620 ball screw.

Claims (5)

A surplus liquid suction mechanism that sucks surplus liquid adhering to a strip-shaped test paper in which a plurality of reagent pads are arranged in the longitudinal direction,
A table on which the test paper is placed;
It has a hole formed on the surface facing the test paper and an internal space communicating with the hole, and the test paper placed on the table is pushed and slid in the width direction of the test paper A sliding mechanism;
A suction device for sucking the excess liquid in the internal space in the slide mechanism;
The surplus liquid suction mechanism in which at least one of a convex part, a concave part, and a step part capable of moving the test paper being moved up and down is formed on the table. A surplus liquid suction mechanism that sucks surplus liquid adhering to a strip-shaped test paper in which a plurality of reagent pads are arranged in the longitudinal direction,
A table on which the test paper is placed;
It has a hole formed on the surface facing the test paper and an internal space communicating with the hole, and the test paper placed on the table is pushed and slid in the width direction of the test paper A sliding mechanism;
A suction device for sucking the excess liquid in the internal space in the slide mechanism;
An excess liquid suction mechanism in which at least one of a convex part, a concave part, and a step part capable of inclining the test paper during the sliding movement in the width direction of the test paper is formed on the table. A surplus liquid suction mechanism that sucks surplus liquid adhering to a strip-shaped test paper in which a plurality of reagent pads are arranged in the longitudinal direction,
A table on which the test paper is placed;
It has a hole formed on the surface facing the test paper and an internal space communicating with the hole, and the test paper placed on the table is pushed and slid in the width direction of the test paper A sliding mechanism;
A suction device for sucking the excess liquid in the internal space in the slide mechanism;
The surplus liquid suction mechanism, wherein at least one of a convex portion, a concave portion, and a step portion capable of pressing the test paper being moved toward the slide mechanism is formed on the table. A plurality of rails are formed so as to protrude from the main surface of the table and extend in the slide movement direction of the test paper,
The excess liquid suction mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the convex portion, the concave portion, or the stepped portion is formed on the rail. A chemical analyzer for performing chemical analysis based on the degree of coloration of the reagent pad in the test paper,
A chemical analyzer comprising the surplus liquid suction mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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