JP2009153389A - Cell-washing centrifuge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cell-washing centrifuge which can uniformly drain the supernatants of washing liquids in all test tubes in a supernatant-draining process to enhance the effect of cell washing and obtain a highly reliable cell examination result. <P>SOLUTION: This cell-washing centrifuge including a motor of driving source, a rotor 6 rotated and driven with the motor, a plurality of test tube holders 7 rotatably mounted on the rotor 6, a washing liquid dispersion element for supplying a washing liquid into a plurality of test tubes 8 held in the test tube holders 7, and magnetic elements (holding means) 9 for holding the test tube holders 7 is characterized by disposing a plurality of protruded portions 11, 12 as positioning means for fitting and holding the test tube holders 7 on the outer periphery of the magnetic element 9 (upper magnet member 9a and lower magnetic member 9b). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a cell washing centrifuge for washing biological cells such as red blood cells using centrifugal force.

  Conventionally, cell washing centrifuges have been used to wash erythrocytes in blood with a washing solution such as physiological saline in antiglobulin tests, cross-match tests, irregular antibody screenings, etc. at the time of blood transfusion testing. Is used to remove.

  This type of cell washing centrifuge includes a motor that is a drive source, a rotor that is rotationally driven by the motor, a plurality of test tube holders that are rotatably mounted on the rotor, and a cleaning solution that is mounted on the rotor. A distribution element and a magnetic element for attracting and holding the test tube holder at a vertical angle or a near vertical angle by a magnetic attraction generated by energizing the magnetic coil are provided.

  Here, the test tube holder is a magnetic member that holds the test tube, rotates together with the rotor and rotates outwardly by centrifugal force, and abuts the bottom of the test tube holder with a bowl rotating with the rotor. Thus, the test tube is rotated while being held at a predetermined angle. The cleaning liquid distribution element rotates with the rotor and supplies the cleaning liquid to the inside of the test tube held by the test tube holder.

  By the way, Patent Document 1 discloses a cleaning liquid distribution element of a cleaning centrifuge, and this cleaning liquid distribution element has nozzles that are radially installed from the outer periphery of the bottom surface of a conical container. By rotating together with the rotor, the cleaning liquid injected from the center is equally divided, and the cleaning liquid is supplied from the nozzle into the plurality of test tubes held in the test tube holder.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration in which a hole is formed in the cleaning liquid distribution element that rotates together with the rotor, and the cleaning liquid is supplied from the hole into each test tube held by the test tube holder. Further, Patent Document 2 also discloses a configuration in which a test tube holder is held by a rotor using a magnetic element.

  Further, in Patent Documents 3 and 4, the test tube holder is rotated and driven at a low speed while holding the test tube holder at a small angle with respect to the vertical direction using a rim or a rotating member. Discharging technology is disclosed.

  Further, in Patent Document 5, the test tube holder is held on the rotor by a magnetic element in a state inclined at a smaller angle than the vertical direction, and the cleaning liquid is removed from the test tube held in the test tube holder while rotating the rotor at a low speed. A technique for discharging the supernatant liquid is disclosed.

  On the other hand, as a cell washing centrifuge, an automatic blood cell washing centrifuge that automatically executes a washing process including a washing liquid injection process, a centrifugation process, a supernatant discharge process, and a rocking process in order is known. For example, as shown in Non-Patent Document 1, an automatic blood cell washing centrifuge sold by the applicant under the product name “himacMC450” is well known.

In such an automatic blood cell washing centrifuge, the rotation speed of the rotor driving motor for performing a washing process for performing a blood transfusion test and the like, the operation of the pump of the washing liquid distribution element, and the coil of the magnetic element for fixing the test tube holder FIG. 3 is a time chart showing the energization of the battery. A washing process using a conventional automatic blood cell washing centrifuge will be described below with reference to FIG.
(1) Cleaning liquid injection process:
First, in the washing liquid injection step executed at time (1) shown in FIG. 3, after opening the door of the automatic blood cell washing centrifuge and setting the test tube containing biological cells such as blood cells in the test tube holder of the rotor close the door. Then, the motor that drives the rotor is accelerated and rotated, and the test tube holder that rotates together with the rotor is rotated so that the lower portion thereof is moved outward by centrifugal force, and the test tube held by the test tube holder is moved vertically. To be rotated together with the rotor while being inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the central axis of the rotor. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, by turning the pump operation on (time when power is supplied to the pump) at time (1), the cleaning liquid is supplied to the test tube via the cleaning liquid distributor rotating with the rotor. inject. Then, the blood cells are agitated and washed by the momentum of the washing liquid injection.
(2) Centrifugal process:
Next, in the centrifugation step executed at time (2) shown in FIG. 3, for example, the rotor (motor) is centrifuged at a rotational speed of 3000 rpm for 45 seconds. As a result, blood cells settle to the bottom of the test tube, and unnecessary substances such as serum remain in the test tube in a supernatant state.
(3) Supernatant discharge process:
Further, in the supernatant discharge process executed at time (3) shown in FIG. 3, the magnetic element operation is turned on by turning on the magnetic coil as shown in FIG. The test tube holder is adsorbed and fixed in a substantially vertical state or opened upward at a small angle by the attractive force generated in the magnetic element. In this state, when the rotor is rotated again at a low speed of, for example, 400 rpm, the upper part of the test tube is opened at a small angle or in a vertical state. Discharged. When the rotation of the rotor is stopped immediately, only the precipitated blood cells remain in the test tube.
(4) Oscillation process:
Next, in the swinging step executed at time (4) shown in FIG. 8, the rotor is mounted on the rotor by alternately repeating rotation and stop of the rotor in small increments or alternately repeating normal rotation and reverse rotation in small increments. The test tube in the test tube holder is shaken, and the blood cells settled and fixed on the bottom of the test tube are released.

The above four steps are regarded as one cycle of the cleaning process, and the cleaning is usually performed by repeating this cycle 3 to 4 times.
JP 50-022693 A Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2-081640 Japanese Patent Publication No. 48-027267 JP 60-150857 A Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 54-167860 Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd. website “Hitachi Automatic Blood Cell Washing Machine himac MC450”, Internet <URL: http: // www. hitachi-koki. co. jp / himac / products / centrifuges />

  However, in the cell washing centrifuge equipped with the conventional cell washing rotor, there is a problem that the amount of the supernatant remaining in each test tube varies due to the supernatant discharging process. This will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  10 is a perspective view of the rotor showing the structure of the test tube holder and the magnetic element, FIG. 11 is a plan view of the rotor, and FIGS. 12A to 12C are relationships between the rotation axis of the test tube holder and the magnetic element. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, since the magnetic element 109 (upper magnetic member 109a, lower magnetic member 109b) has a circular outer shape, the test tube holder 107 is held by the attractive force generated in the magnetic element 109. The angle could not be determined uniquely. That is, since the test tube holder 107 is attached to the rotor 106 with some backlash by the rotating portion 107c so that the test tube holder 107 can be swung by centrifugal force, the test tube holder 107 is rotated between the rotor and the test tube holder. In some cases, the moving part may be tilted by the backlash. In some cases, the inclination angle of the test tube holder 107 is almost equal to 0 ° (vertical state) as shown in FIG. 10 (a), or as shown in FIG. 10 (b), + θ ° or as shown in FIG. 10 (c). As shown, it may be −θ °, and θ is not a constant angle. Due to the variation in the inclination of the test tube holder 107, the amount of the supernatant liquid discharged in the supernatant liquid discharging process varies, and as a result, the amount of the supernatant liquid in each test tube 108 varies. . In FIG. 12, 106 a is the central axis of the rotor 106, and 108 a is the central axis of the test tube 108.

  In order to perform a good blood transfusion test or the like with a centrifuge for the purpose of automating cell washing, it is desirable that the supernatant is discharged from the test tube in a large number of test tubes in the supernatant discharge step. . This is because the washing process needs to be repeated several times, and if the amount of supernatant discharged varies from one test tube to another, especially when the supernatant is not sufficiently discharged, This is because the washing solution overflows from the test tube when injected, and even the cells necessary for the test flow out, causing the problem.

  In addition, if the processing time of the supernatant discharge process is lengthened based on the one with a small amount of supernatant discharge, or if the number of revolutions of the supernatant discharge process is increased, In some cases, the separated cells are also discharged, and a valuable cell sample is lost.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its objective is to enhance the cell washing effect by uniformly discharging the supernatant of the washing solution for all test tubes in the supernatant discharging step. An object of the present invention is to provide a cell washing centrifuge capable of obtaining a highly reliable cell test result.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a motor as a drive source, a rotor driven to rotate by the motor, and a plurality of test tube holders rotatably mounted on the rotor. In a cell washing centrifuge comprising a cleaning liquid distribution element for supplying a cleaning liquid into a plurality of test tubes held by the test tube holder, and a holding means for holding the test tube holder, the test tube is disposed on an outer periphery of the holding means. A holder positioning means is provided.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a convex portion or a concave portion is provided as the positioning means.

  The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 2, the contact surface of the convex portion or the concave portion with the test tube holder has an arc surface shape along the outer shape of the test tube holder. To do.

  The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 2 or 3, the convex portion or the concave portion is penetrated in the vertical direction, and the test tube holder is held vertically by the convex portion or the concave portion. To do.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the second or third aspect of the invention, the convex portion or the concave portion is provided obliquely with respect to the vertical direction, and the convex tube or the concave portion causes the test tube holder to be perpendicular to the vertical line. And held at a predetermined angle.

  A sixth aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the fifth aspect of the invention, the test tube holder is tilted in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the rotor by the convex portion or the concave portion.

  According to the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, since all the test tube holders are maintained at predetermined positions by the convex portions or the concave portions which are positioning means, the amount of cleaning liquid discharged in the supernatant discharge step is reduced to all the test tubes. Can be uniform. Accordingly, there is no variation in the amount of the supernatant remaining in the washing liquid of each test tube by the supernatant discharging process, and a highly reliable cell test result can be obtained.

  According to the inventions of claims 5 and 6, if the test tube holder and the test tube held by the test tube holder are inclined in the opposite direction to the rotation direction of the rotor in the supernatant discharge process, centrifugal force and inertial force are obtained. The opening of the test tube is inclined in the direction of the resultant force. For this reason, the supernatant liquid reaches the opening through the shortest path on the wall surface of the test tube, and is discharged to the outside in the shortest time, and the remaining amount of the supernatant liquid in all the test tubes can be reduced. In addition, the processing time of the supernatant discharge process can be shortened to increase the processing efficiency.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of a cell washing centrifuge according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the main part showing the operating state of a test tube holder in each washing process of the cell washing centrifuge, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the rotor showing the structure of the test tube holder and the magnetic element, and FIG. 5 is the same as the time chart showing the rotational speed of the motor, the pump operation, and the magnetic element operation (energization timing) in the washing process of the cell washing centrifuge. FIG. 6 is a front view showing the relationship between the test tube holder and the magnetic element, and FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the relationship between the test tube holder and the test tube in the supernatant discharge process.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the cell washing centrifuge 1 according to the present invention includes a rectangular box-shaped casing (frame) 2 and a door 3 that opens and closes the upper portion of the casing 2. A motor 5 having a driving shaft (rotating shaft) 4 and a rotor 6 that is connected to the driving shaft 4 of the motor 5 and is driven to rotate are incorporated. A plurality of (for example, 24) test tube holders 7 are arranged in a circular row on the rotor 6 in a plan view, and each test tube holder 7 can be rotated up and down on the outer periphery of the rotor 6. It is installed.

  The test tube holder 7 is made of a magnetic material such as stainless steel (SUS430), and as shown in FIG. 4, a holding insertion portion 7 a for inserting the test tube 8 and a holding bottom portion 7 b for supporting the bottom portion of the test tube 8. And the rotation part 7c is provided. Each test tube holder 7 holds a test tube 8 in which a suitable amount of living cells such as red blood cells are stored in advance.

  The cell washing centrifuge 1 includes a magnetic element 9 for attracting and holding the test tube holder 7 to the rotor 6. This magnetic element 9 is for attracting and holding the test tube holder 7 by a magnetic force at a vertical or small angle close to vertical as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the magnetic element 9 is installed so as to be sandwiched between a disk-shaped upper magnetic member 9a and lower magnetic member 9b, and these upper magnetic member 9a and lower magnetic member 9b. And a ring-shaped magnetic coil 9c made of insulated insulated wires. These magnetic members 9 a and 9 b and the magnetic coil 9 c are fixed to the drive shaft 4 of the motor 5 and rotate together with the rotor 6.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 1, the cell washing centrifuge 1 is provided with a control device 10, and this control device 10 supplies a current to a rotating magnetic coil 9c of the magnetic element 9 via a pair of slip rings 9d and 9e. To control the magnetic force generated in the upper magnetic member 9a and the lower magnetic member 9b. When a current is supplied to the magnetic coil 9c by the control device 10, a magnetic field is generated. For example, the test tube holder 7 made of a magnetic material such as SUS430 forms a magnetic circuit together with the upper magnetic member 9a and the lower magnetic member 9b. The upper magnetic member 9a and the lower magnetic member 9b (magnetic element 9) are strongly adsorbed. That is, by supplying a current to the magnetic coil 9c, the magnetic element 9 (magnetic members 9a and 9b) acts as one magnet and attracts the test tube holder 7 made of a magnetic material. In this embodiment, since the outer diameter of the upper magnetic member 9a is set larger than the outer diameter of the lower magnetic member 9b, the attracting surfaces of the magnetic members 9a and 9b (magnetic element 9) are: The test tube holder 7 can be adsorbed so that the upper portion of the test tube holder 7 is opened about 8 ° on the outer periphery with respect to the central axis 6a of the rotor 6 (FIG. 2 (3), (Refer to (4)).

  Thus, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the convex portions for holding the test tube holders 7 on the outer circumferences of the upper magnetic body portion 9 a and the lower magnetic body member 9 b of the magnetic element 9. 11 and 12 are formed in plural. Here, the tip of each convex part 11 and 12 has comprised the circular arc curved surface which follows the external shape of the test tube holder 7, and in the form shown in FIG.4 and FIG.5, these convex parts 11 and 12 are perpendicular | vertical. It is penetrating.

  As described above, by forming a plurality of convex portions 11 and 12 for holding each test tube holder 7 on the outer periphery of the upper magnetic member 9a and the lower magnetic member 9b of the magnetic element 9, a current is supplied to the magnetic coil 9c. When energized, the upper portion of the test tube holder 7 is attracted to the convex portion 11 of the upper magnetic member 9a of the magnetic element 9, and the lower portion of the test tube holder 7 is attracted to the convex portion 12 of the lower magnetic member 9b of the magnetic element 9. The angle at which the test tube holder 7 is held can be uniquely determined. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the center axis 8a of the test tube 8 inserted in the test tube holder 7 is made to coincide with the rotation axis 6a of the rotor 6 to hold the test tube holder 7 and the test tube 8 in a vertical state. And there is no misalignment between them. In this case, since each convex part 11 and 12 was made into the circular-arc curved surface shape which followed the external shape of the test tube holder 7, each test tube holder 7 is correctly fitted and hold | maintained at the convex parts 11 and 12, and is maintained in a perpendicular state. .

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the holding angles of the plurality of test tubes 8 in the supernatant discharge process are uniform (in the illustrated example, the test tubes 8 are held vertically (holding angle = 0). °)), it is possible to discharge the supernatant liquid of all the test tubes 8 evenly. Further, on the outer periphery of the upper magnetic member 9a and the lower magnetic member 9b of the magnetic element 9 as the holding means, a convex portion 11 projecting radially outward between the adjacent concave portions 11a, 11a and 12a, 12a. , 12 are formed, the magnetic flux of the magnetic circuit is concentrated on the tips of the convex portions 11, 12, and the test tube holder 7 is more strongly and reliably held by suction.

  Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 8 is a front view showing the relationship between the test tube holder and the magnetic element, and FIG. 9 is a partial plan view showing the relationship between the test tube holder and the test tube in the supernatant discharging process. The protrusions 11 and 12 formed on the outer periphery of the upper magnetic member 9a and the lower magnetic member 9b of the element 9 are opposite to the direction of rotation of the rotor 6 (the arrow direction in FIGS. 8 and 9) with respect to the vertical line. It is characterized in that it is inclined by the angle θ shown in FIG. More specifically, the test tube holder 7 is moved from the vertical state to the angle θ shown in the drawing so that the upper end of the test tube 8 is retracted from the lower end with respect to the rotation direction of the rotor 6 in the supernatant discharge process. The convex portions 11 and 12 of the upper magnetic member 9a and the lower magnetic member 9b are inclined at the same angle θ with respect to the vertical line so that the convex portions 11 and the convex portions 11 12 positions are shifted in the circumferential direction.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the center axis 8a of the test tube 8 is inclined in the opposite direction by the angle θ shown in the drawing with respect to the rotation direction of the rotor 6 in the supernatant discharge process. When the rotational speed of the rotor 6 is increased to about 400 rpm, the supernatant liquid in the test tube 8 receives a force in the direction of the resultant force of centrifugal force and inertial force due to the rotation of 400 rpm, as shown in FIG. Ascend the inner wall. Here, since the center axis 8a of the test tube 8 is inclined with respect to the rotor 6 rotation axis 6a so that the upper portion of the test tube 8 is retracted from the lower portion, the resultant direction of the centrifugal force and the inertial force Therefore, the opening of the test tube 8 is inclined. As a result, the supernatant can reach the opening through the shortest path on the wall surface of the test tube 8 and is discharged to the outside in the shortest time, and living cells such as erythrocytes at the bottom of the test tube 8. Only remains at the bottom. For this reason, while being able to reduce the supernatant remaining amount in all the test tubes 8, the processing time of a supernatant discharge process (3) can be shortened remarkably compared with the past. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to evenly discharge the supernatant of the cleaning liquid for all the test tubes 8 to reduce the remaining amount of the cleaning liquid after cleaning, and the supernatant discharging process (3). Processing time can be shortened and processing efficiency can be improved. In the present embodiment, the positioning means has a convex shape, but the same effect can be obtained even if the positioning means has a concave shape.

  By the way, the test tube holder 7 receives a centrifugal force due to the high-speed rotation of the rotor 6 in a state where the operation of the magnetic element 9 is turned off by the control device 10 and the attracting force is released in the centrifugal process of the cleaning process described later. Rotates horizontally. As a result, the test tube holder 7 holding the test tube 8 rotates in the radial horizontal direction of the circumference of the rotor 6, tilts until the lower portion of the test tube holder 7 contacts the bowl 13, and blood cells in the test tube 8 or the like Centrifuge the sample. For example, when the operation of the magnetic element 9 is turned off and the attractive force is released, the rotation speed of the motor 5 is set to 3000 rpm, and when the lower end of the test tube holder 7 comes into contact with the bowl 13, the test tube 8 and the vertical line The angle formed by is about 40 °. In addition, the motor 5 is comprised by the induction motor, for example, The rotation speed (rotation speed) is controlled by the control apparatus 10. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the cell washing centrifuge 1 includes a washing liquid distribution element 14 that supplies the washing liquid into a plurality of test tubes 8 arranged in a circular row. The cleaning liquid distribution element 14 is configured on the rotor 6 so as to rotate integrally with the rotor 6 on which the circular tube test tube holders 7 are mounted. The cleaning liquid distribution element 14 and the rotor 6 are integrated with a so-called cell cleaning rotor. 15 is constituted.

  Further, the cell washing centrifuge 1 is provided with a cleaning liquid supply path 16 for supplying a cleaning liquid to the cleaning liquid distribution element 14, and a pump 17 is coupled to the cleaning liquid supply path 16. Then, when the operation power of the pump 17 is turned on by the control device 10, the cleaning liquid from an external cleaning liquid tank (not shown) passes through the cleaning liquid supply path 16 to the nozzle 16 a disposed at the upper part of the cell cleaning centrifuge 1. Supplied. In the cleaning liquid injection process described later, the cleaning liquid 14 a ejected downward from the nozzle 16 a enters the central portion of the cleaning liquid distribution element 14 that rotates at a high speed integrally with the rotor 6, and is divided into the outer periphery by centrifugal force in the cleaning liquid distribution element 14. Then, the same number of channels (24) as the test tubes 8 held by the test tube holder 7 are branched into the respective flow paths, and are vigorously injected into the test tubes 8 from the outer peripheral inlet 14b of the cleaning liquid distribution element 14.

Next, a blood cell washing process for performing, for example, a blood transfusion test or the like by the cell washing centrifuge 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
(1) Cleaning liquid injection process:
First, in the washing liquid injection step, as shown at time (1) in FIG. 2 (1) and FIG. 3, 24 test tubes holding 24 test tubes 8 in which a suitable amount of living cells such as red blood cells are stored in advance. The holder 7 is accelerated and rotated so that the maximum rotational speed (rotational speed) of the motor 5 (rotor 6) reaches 3000 rpm, and centrifugal force is applied. Then, since the cleaning liquid (for example, physiological saline) 14a is given kinetic energy by centrifugal force, the cleaning liquid 14a is started by starting the operation of the pump 17 in the middle of acceleration when the rotation speed of the motor 5 becomes about 1000 rpm. Is injected into the cleaning liquid distribution element 14. Then, the cleaning liquid 14 a is diverted to the outer periphery by centrifugal force, branched into the same number (24) of channels as the test tubes 8 held in the test tube holder 7, and flows out vigorously from the outer periphery of the cleaning liquid distribution element 14. .

  The cleaning liquid 14 a injected from the cleaning liquid distribution element 14 into the test tube 8 hits the inner wall of each test tube 8 located outside the cleaning liquid distribution element 14, travels along the wall surface, and floats the cells at the bottom of the test tube 8. Create a turbid state. When an appropriate amount of the cleaning liquid 14 a enters the test tube 8, the operation of the pump 17 is stopped by the control device 10.

When an appropriate amount of the cleaning liquid 14a is injected into the test tube 8 by the above process, the operation of the pump 17 is stopped by the control device 10, and the cleaning liquid injection process (1) is completed.
(2) Centrifugal process:
In the subsequent centrifugation step, as shown in FIG. 2 (2) and time (2) in FIG. 3, floating biological cells settle on the bottom of the test tube 8, while unnecessary substances such as serum are removed from the supernatant. The centrifugal separation is continued under the condition of high speed rotation (for example, high speed rotation at 3000 rpm for 35 seconds). And rotation of the motor 5 is stopped after centrifugation.
(3) Supernatant discharge process:
Next, in the supernatant discharge process, as shown in FIG. 2 (3) and time (3) in FIG. 3, the control device 10 energizes the magnetic coil 9 c of the magnetic element 9 to turn on the operation of the magnetic element 9. Put it in a state. Thereby, the magnetic element 9 attracts and holds the test tube holder 7 made of a magnetic material. As described above, since the outer diameter of the upper magnetic member 9a of the magnetic element 9 is set to be slightly larger than that of the lower magnetic member 9b, the test tube holder 7 is opened upward in the radial direction by about 8 °. It rotates while being held in a nearly vertical state.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the number of rotations of the rotor 6 in the supernatant discharge process is increased to about 400 rpm, the supernatant in the test tube 8 is subjected to a resultant direction of centrifugal force and inertial force due to the rotation of 400 rpm. As a result, the inner wall surface of the test tube 8 is raised.
(4) Oscillation process:
When the supernatant discharge process is completed, in the next swinging process, the motor 5 repeatedly rotates and stops in small increments as shown in FIG. 2 (4) and time (4) in FIG. As a result, the test tube holder 7 is swung in the outer peripheral direction by centrifugal force due to rotation, and is given a swing by colliding with the magnetic element 9 when stopped, and the cell mass that has settled and settled on the bottom of the test tube 8 is removed. It fulfills the function of understanding.

  The above-described steps (1) washing step to (4) rocking step are set as one washing cycle, and this cycle is repeated 3 to 4 times to wash biological cells such as red blood cells in the test tube 8, Foreign substances can be separated and removed more completely.

  As apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, since the plurality of convex portions 11 and 12 are provided on the outer periphery of the upper magnetic member 9a and the lower magnetic member 9b of the magnetic element 9 as the holding means, respectively, All the test tube holders 7 are held at predetermined positions by the convex portions 11 and 12 as shown in FIG. For this reason, the discharge amount of the cleaning liquid in the supernatant discharge process can be made uniform for all the test tubes 8, and the amount of the supernatant remaining in the cleaning liquid of each test tube 8 varies due to the supernatant discharge process. It does not occur and a highly reliable cytological test result can be obtained.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, if the test tube holder 7 and the test tube 8 held by the test tube holder 7 are inclined in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the rotor 6 in the supernatant discharge process, the centrifugal force The opening of the test tube 8 is inclined in the direction of the resultant inertial force. Therefore, the supernatant reaches the opening through the shortest path on the wall surface of the test tube 8 and is discharged to the outside in the shortest time, thereby reducing the remaining amount of the supernatant in all the test tubes 8. In addition, the processing time of the supernatant discharge process can be shortened to increase the processing efficiency.

  Furthermore, since the amount of cleaning liquid used can be reduced and the number of cleaning cycles can be reduced, it is possible to save resources, save energy, and shorten the inspection time.

It is sectional drawing which shows the whole structure of the cell washing centrifuge which concerns on this invention. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the operation state of the test tube holder in each washing process process of the cell washing centrifuge which concerns on this invention. It is a time chart which shows the rotational speed of a motor, pump operation | movement, and magnetic element operation | movement (energization timing) in the washing | cleaning process of the cell washing centrifuge which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view of the rotor which shows the structure of the test tube holder and magnetic element in the cell washing centrifuge which concerns on this invention. It is a top view of the rotor which shows the structure of the test tube holder and magnetic element in the cell washing centrifuge which concerns on this invention. It is a front view which shows the relationship between the test tube holder and magnetic element in the cell washing centrifuge which concerns on this invention. It is a top view which shows the relationship between the test tube holder and a test tube in the supernatant liquid discharge process of the cell washing centrifuge which concerns on this invention. It is a front view which shows the relationship between the test tube holder and magnetic element in the cell washing centrifuge which concerns on this invention. It is a partial top view which shows the relationship between the test tube holder and a test tube in the supernatant liquid discharge process of the cell washing centrifuge which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view of the rotor which shows the structure of the test tube holder and magnetic element in the conventional cell washing centrifuge. It is a top view of the rotor which shows the structure of the test tube holder and magnetic element in the conventional cell washing centrifuge. (A)-(c) is a front view which shows the relationship between the rotating shaft of a test tube holder in a conventional cell washing centrifuge, and a magnetic element.

Explanation of symbols

1 Cell washing centrifuge 2 Case (frame)
3 Door 4 Drive shaft 5 Motor 6 Rotor 6a Rotor center shaft 7 Test tube holder 7a Test tube holder insertion portion 7b Test tube holder holding bottom portion 7c Test tube holder rotating portion 8 Test tube 8a Test tube center shaft 9 Magnetic element (holding means)
9a Upper magnetic member of magnetic element 9b Lower magnetic member of magnetic element 9c Magnetic coil of magnetic element 9d, 9e Slip ring of magnetic element 10 Controller 11, 12 Convex part 11a, 12a Concave part 13 Bowl 14 Cleaning liquid distribution element 14a Cleaning liquid 14b Peripheral inlet of the cleaning liquid distributor 15 Cell cleaning rotor 16 Cleaning liquid supply path 16a Nozzle 17 Pump

Claims (6)

A motor as a driving source, a rotor rotated by the motor, a plurality of test tube holders rotatably mounted on the rotor, and a cleaning liquid in a plurality of test tubes held by the test tube holder In a cell washing centrifuge comprising a washing liquid distribution element to be supplied and holding means for holding the test tube holder,
A cell washing centrifuge characterized in that positioning means for the test tube holder is provided on the outer periphery of the holding means.   The cell washing centrifuge according to claim 1, wherein a convex portion or a concave portion is provided as the positioning means.   The cell washing centrifuge according to claim 2, wherein a contact surface of the convex portion or the concave portion with the test tube holder has an arc surface shape along an outer shape of the test tube holder.   The cell washing centrifuge according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the convex portion or the concave portion is penetrated in the vertical direction, and the test tube holder is held vertically by the convex portion or the concave portion.   The said convex part or recessed part is penetrated diagonally with respect to a perpendicular direction, The said test tube holder is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a vertical line by this convex part or recessed part, and it hold | maintains, Cell washing centrifuge.   6. The cell washing centrifuge according to claim 5, wherein the test tube holder is held by the convex portion or the concave portion in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the rotor.

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