JP2009198309A - Container and chamber for reagent - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a reagent container and a reagent chamber capable of preventing dew formation in the surfaces of identification code labels, using a simple method. <P>SOLUTION: The reagent container 14 has: an identification code label 21 provided with codes indicating information including the types of reagents used for the reagent chamber of an automatic analyzer; an identification code part for the identification code label 21 is extended over ribs 14e; and an air layer 14d as a heat-insulating part is provided between a reagent container body part 14b and the identification code label 21, to reduce heat conduction from the reagent container body part 14b to the identification code label 21 and prevents the occurrence of dew formation in the surface of the identification code label 21. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention dispenses a sample and a reagent into a reaction container, and information including a reagent type used in a reagent storage of an automatic analyzer that optically detects a reaction between the sample and the reagent in the reaction container. The present invention relates to a reagent container having an identification code label attached with a code representing, and a reagent storage for storing the reagent container.

  Conventionally, as an apparatus for automatically analyzing specimens such as blood and urine, an automatic analyzer that dispenses specimens and reagents into a reaction container and optically detects a reaction between the specimen and the reagent in the reaction container Is used. In such an automatic analyzer, the specimen and reagent to be used are stored in a specimen cooler or reagent cooler that can be kept at, for example, 10 ° C. or less, and the analysis accuracy is maintained by suppressing the denaturation of the specimen or reagent at room temperature. is doing. However, due to the temperature difference between the refrigerator and the outside air, moisture in the outside air has condensed on the reading window of the identification code label with a barcode such as the reagent type affixed to the reagent container. Since reading may occur, the prevention of condensation has been attempted by means of heating means and means for performing ultrasonic vibration on the reading window (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-8-211066

  However, since the air in the cool box is also changed as the reagent is put in and out, when outside air containing a large amount of moisture is introduced into the cool box, the outside air is kept cold, so that water droplets are generated in the cool box, and the reagent container In some cases, water droplets may adhere to the surface of the identification code label, and such water droplets may cause misreading or unreading of bar code data.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described drawbacks of the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide a reagent container and a reagent storage capable of preventing condensation on the surface of an identification code label by a simple method.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a reagent container according to the present invention has a reagent container having an identification code label with a code representing information including a reagent type used in a reagent container of an automatic analyzer. Then, a heat insulating part is provided between the reagent container main body part and the identification code part of the identification code label.

  In the reagent container according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the heat insulating part is a space formed of air.

  The reagent container according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, the reagent container has a rib for supporting the heat insulating portion, and the identification code portion of the identification code label is stretched over the rib.

  The reagent container according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, a reinforcing member stretched over the rib is provided, and an identification code portion of the identification code label is attached to a surface on which the reinforcing member is formed. And

  The reagent container according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, pores are formed in the reinforcing member.

  In addition, the reagent storage according to the present invention is provided with a condensation prevention means for preventing condensation on the reading window in the reading window for reading the identification code label of the reagent container accommodated from outside the reagent storage. The reagent container according to any one of the above inventions is accommodated.

  The reagent container according to the present invention provides a heat insulating portion between the reagent container main body in which the cooled reagent is accommodated and the identification code portion of the identification code label representing the reagent information. The identification code label having a small heat capacity quickly follows the ambient temperature around the identification code label while suppressing heat conduction with the cooled reagent container main body, so that dew condensation on the identification code portion of the identification code label Can be prevented.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a reagent container and a reagent container according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. In the description of the drawings, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an analyzer using the reagent container according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The analyzer 1 dispenses a sample and a reagent to be analyzed into the reaction vessel 8, respectively, and a measurement mechanism 2 that optically measures a reaction that occurs in the dispensed reaction vessel 8, and an analyzer that includes the measurement mechanism 2. 1 and a control mechanism 3 that performs overall control and analyzes a measurement result in the measurement mechanism 2. The analyzer 1 automatically analyzes a plurality of specimens by the cooperation of these two mechanisms.

  The sample table 4 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow by the driving means, and a plurality of storage chambers 4a are provided on the outer periphery at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. In each storage chamber 4a, a sample container 5 containing a sample is detachably stored.

  The sample dispensing mechanism 6 is means for dispensing a sample into a plurality of reaction containers 8 held on the reaction table 7, and dispenses a sample from the plurality of sample containers 5 on the sample table 4 to the reaction container 8 sequentially.

  The reaction table 7 is rotated in a direction indicated by an arrow by a driving means (not shown) different from the sample table 4, and a plurality of reaction container storage portions 7 a are provided at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. Yes. The reaction table 7 is formed with openings through which the measurement light passes on both radial sides of each recess 7a. In the vicinity of the outer periphery of the reaction table 7, a photometric device 10, a cleaning device 11, and a stirring device 20 are arranged.

  The reaction vessel 8 is made of a transparent material that transmits 80% or more of the light contained in the analysis light emitted from the light source of the photometric device 10, for example, glass including heat-resistant glass, synthetic resin such as cyclic olefin and polystyrene. .

  The photometric device 10 is arranged in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the reaction table 7 and splits the analysis light transmitted through the reaction vessel 8 holding the liquid and the light source that emits the analysis light for analyzing the liquid held in the reaction vessel 8. And a light receiver for receiving light. In the photometric device 10, the light source and the light receiver are disposed at positions facing each other in the radial direction with the recess 7 a of the reaction table 7 interposed therebetween.

  The cleaning device 11 includes a discharging unit that discharges the liquid and the cleaning liquid from the reaction vessel 8 and a cleaning liquid dispensing unit. The cleaning device 11 dispenses the cleaning liquid after discharging the liquid after the photometry from the reaction vessel 8 after the completion of the photometry. The cleaning device 11 cleans the inside of the reaction vessel 8 by repeating the dispensing and discharging operations of the cleaning liquid a plurality of times. The reaction vessel 8 washed in this way is used again for analysis of a new specimen.

  The stirring device 20 is a device for stirring the liquid held in the reaction vessel 8 and includes a pulse motor, an arm, a cam, a stirring plate, and the like.

  The reagent dispensing mechanism 12 is a means for dispensing a reagent into a plurality of reaction containers 8 held on the reaction table 7, and dispenses the reagent from a predetermined reagent container 14 in the reagent storage 13 to the reaction container 8 in order.

  In the reagent storage 13, a plurality of storage chambers 13a having a fan-shaped cross section are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction, and reagent containers 14 are detachably stored in the storage chambers 13a. . In the outer diameter direction of the reagent container 14, an identification code label 21 representing information about the contained reagent is affixed, and an air layer 14 d as a heat insulating part is provided between the reagent container 14 main body and the identification code portion of the identification code label 21. Is provided. Further, the reagent container 14 main body has a rib 14 e, and the rib 14 e supports the identification code label 21.

  A reading device 15 that reads information such as the reagent type, lot, and expiration date recorded on the identification code label 21 affixed to the reagent container 14 and outputs the information to the control unit 16 is installed on the outer periphery of the reagent container 13. Yes.

  The control unit 16 includes a sample table 4, a sample dispensing mechanism 6, a reaction table 7, a photometric device 10, a cleaning device 11, a reagent dispensing mechanism 12, a reagent storage 13, a reading device 15, an analysis unit 17, an input unit 18, and a display. For example, a microcomputer or the like that is connected to the unit 19 and the stirring device 20 and has a storage function for storing the analysis result is used. The control unit 16 controls the operation of each unit of the automatic analyzer 1, and based on the information read from the record on the identification code label 21 read by the reading device 15, the lot and expiration date of the reagent are set within a set range. In the case of outside, it has a function of controlling the analyzer 1 so as to stop the analysis work or issuing a warning to the operator.

  The analysis unit 17 is connected to the photometric device 10 via the control unit 16, analyzes the component concentration of the specimen from the absorbance of the liquid in the reaction container 8 based on the light quantity received by the light receiver, and analyzes the analysis result to the control unit 16. Output to. The input unit 18 is a part that performs an operation of inputting inspection items and the like to the control unit 16, and for example, a keyboard, a mouse, or the like is used. The display unit 19 displays analysis contents, alarms, and the like, and a display panel or the like is used. Note that the input unit 18 and the display unit 19 may be realized by a touch panel.

  In the analyzer 1 configured as described above, the reagent dispensing mechanism 12 sequentially dispenses the reagent from the reagent container 14 into the plurality of reaction containers 8 conveyed along the circumferential direction by the rotating reaction table 7. . The reaction container 8 into which the reagent has been dispensed is transported along the circumferential direction by the reaction table 7, and the specimens are sequentially dispensed from the plurality of specimen containers 5 held on the specimen table 4 by the specimen dispensing mechanism 6.

  Then, the reaction container 8 into which the sample has been dispensed is conveyed to the stirring device 20 by the reaction table 7, and the dispensed reagent and the sample are sequentially stirred and reacted. The reaction container 8 holding the reaction solution in which the sample and the reagent have reacted in this way passes through the photometric device 10 when the reaction table 7 rotates again, and transmits the luminous flux of the analysis light emitted from the light source. At this time, the light beam that has passed through the reaction solution is measured by the light receiving unit, and the component concentration and the like are analyzed by the analyzing unit 17 based on the light amount. Then, after the analysis is completed, the reaction vessel 8 is washed by the washing device 11 and then used again for analyzing the specimen.

  Next, the reagent storage 13 shown in FIG. 1 will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the reagent storage 13. As shown in FIG. 2, the reagent storage 13 includes a cylindrical main body 26 having an open top, and an openable / closable lid 23 that closes the opening and suppresses evaporation and denaturation of the reagent. The main body portion 26 is provided inside the side surface and the bottom portion, and includes a cold insulation container 26b that keeps the internal space cold, and a heat insulating container 26a that covers the cold insulation container 26b. The cold storage container 26 b is connected to an external cooler (not shown) to cool the internal space of the reagent storage 13. As described above, the reagent tray 9 has a plurality of reagent storage chambers 13a arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and a reagent container 14 is detachably stored in each storage chamber 13a. The reagent tray 9 is rotated in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 1 about a vertical line passing through the center of the reagent storage 13 by a driving means (not shown), and a desired reagent container 14 is dispensed by the reagent dispensing mechanism 12. To a predetermined position. Each reagent container 14 has a dispensing port 25 through which a dispensing probe provided at the arm tip of the reagent dispensing mechanism 12 is inserted and removed. The lid 23 has one hole into which the dispensing probe is inserted / removed corresponding to one of the dispensing ports 25.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the reagent container 14 shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, each reagent container 14 is filled with a predetermined reagent corresponding to the inspection item, and the reagent is aspirated through the dispensing port 25. Each reagent container 14 is affixed with an identification code label 21 with a barcode indicating information related to the contained reagent, for example, the type, lot, and expiration date of the reagent. The identification code on the identification code label 21 is provided on the side surface in the outer diameter direction so that the reading device 15 arranged outside can read through the reading window 22.

  Here, the air layer 14d is provided between the identification code portion of the identification code label 21 and the reagent container main body 14b as described above. The reagent container main body 14b has a rib 14e for holding the air layer 14d on the side surface in the outer diameter direction. The identification code portion of the identification code label 21 is stretched over the rib 14e along the outer circumferential direction. 14d is formed.

  By providing the air layer 14d between the identification code part of the identification code label 21 and the reagent container body 14b, heat conduction from the reagent container body 14b to the identification code part of the identification code label is suppressed. . Here, when the lid 23 is opened and closed for attaching / detaching the reagent container 14 to / from the reagent store 13, normal temperature air flows into the internal space of the reagent store 13, and the low-temperature air temperature kept in the internal space rises. In this case, since the reagent container body 14b has a large heat capacity and does not cause a rapid temperature rise, dew condensation occurs on the surface of the reagent container body 14b. However, the identification code portion of the identification code label 21 has a small heat capacity and is immediately inside. Since it becomes the same as the air temperature in the space, no condensation occurs in the identification code portion of the identification code label. As a result, since the information represented by the barcode of the identification code label 21 accompanying opening and closing of the lid 23 of the reagent storage 13 is not distorted by condensation, the occurrence of barcode reading errors can be prevented.

  In the first embodiment described above, the air layer 14d is formed as a heat insulating portion. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a member having a heat insulating function may be provided instead of the air layer 14d. In the above-described first embodiment, the barcode attached on the identification code label 21 is exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a two-dimensional code or the like may be attached on the identification code label 21. Good.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, an air layer 14 is provided as a heat insulating portion between the identification code portion on the identification code label 21 and the reagent container main body portion 14b to prevent condensation on the barcode portion. However, in addition to this, it is preferable to provide a heating means by Joule heat generation for raising the temperature of the reading window 22 or a heating means by ultrasonic vibration so as not to cause condensation in the reading window 22. By providing the reading window 22 with dew condensation prevention means by the heating means, it is possible to reliably prevent bar code reading errors by the reading device 15 via the reading window 22.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment described above, the identification code label 21 is stretched over the rib 14e. However, in the second embodiment, the reinforcing member 14c spanned between the ribs 14e is provided, and the surface of the reinforcing member 14c is provided. The identification code portion of the identification code label 21 is affixed to.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the reagent container 14f according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, in the second embodiment, in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 3, a reinforcing member 14 c that spans the rib 14 e is provided. And it affixes on the outer-diameter direction surface of this reinforcement member 14c so that the identification code part of the identification code label 21 may be located at least. In the second embodiment, the air layer 14d can be reliably defined and held by the reinforcing member 14c. The rib 14e and the reinforcing member 14c are preferably formed integrally.

  As shown in FIG. 5, pores 24 may be formed in the reinforcing member 14c. In this case, the identification code portion of the identification code label 21 has a portion that directly contacts the air inside the reagent storage 13, so that the temperature of the identification code portion approaches the temperature of the internal space more quickly, and the air layer 14 d is retained. The condensation of the identification code portion can be further suppressed while ensuring the above.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, a third embodiment will be described. In Embodiments 1 and 2 described above, both are fan-shaped reagent containers, but in Embodiment 3, a columnar reagent container having a circular cross section is targeted.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the reagent container 14i according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion to which the identification code label 21 of the reagent container 14i shown in FIG. It is. In this third embodiment, the reagent container 14i of this aspect has a columnar shape having a plane in which one side surface of a cylinder is cut out along the longitudinal direction. A rib 14e is formed in a part of the cut-out plane in the longitudinal direction where the cylindrical side surface and the cut-out plane contact each other. Then, when the identification code label 21 is stretched over the rib 14e, an air layer is formed between the identification code portion of the identification code bell 21 and the reagent container main body portion 14b.

  In the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the identification code portion of the identification code label 21 is in direct contact with the air, quickly follows the air temperature inside the reagent storage 13, and from the reagent container body 14b. Since the heat conduction is suppressed, condensation on the bar code portion can be prevented.

  In addition, it supplements about the schematic structure of the reagent storage 13b to which the reagent container 14i of Embodiment 3 is applied. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the operation of the reagent storage 13b to which the reagent container 14i is applied. As shown in FIG. 8, the plurality of reagent containers 14i are arranged on the reagent tray 9 in the reagent storage 13b, and are arranged in an annular shape on the concentric outer orbit L1 and inner orbit L2, respectively. The reagent container 14i on the internal track L2 is provided between the reagent containers 14i arranged on the external track L1, and is connected to the reagent container 14i on the adjacent external track L1 by a gear (not shown).

  When the reagent tray 9 rotates (revolves) counterclockwise, the reagent container 14i on the external track L1 revolves counterclockwise on the external track L1 and rotates counterclockwise. On the other hand, the reagent container 14i on the internal track L2 also revolves counterclockwise with the revolution of the reagent tray 9, but rotates clockwise using the rotation of the reagent container 14i on the external track L1 as a drive source. Thus, each reagent container 14i can stir a reagent by performing revolution and autorotation. Here, a space is provided between the reagent containers 14i on the external track L1 so that the barcode portion of the reagent containers 14i on the internal track L2 can face from the outside of the reagent storage 13b. When both the reagent container 14i on the external track L1 and the reagent container 14i on the internal track L2 approach the position near the reading window 22, the barcode portion faces the reading window 22 to read The apparatus 15 is adjusted and arranged so that the barcode portion can be read from the radial direction through the reading window 22.

It is a schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of the analyzer using the reagent container concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the reagent storage shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the reagent container shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the reagent container concerning Embodiment 2 of invention. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of the reagent container shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the reagent container concerning Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a cross-sectional view of the reagent container shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing explaining operation | movement of the reagent storage using the reagent container shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Analyzer 2 Measuring mechanism 3 Control mechanism 4 Sample table 4a, 13a Storage chamber 5 Sample container 6 Sample dispensing mechanism 7 Reaction table 7a Recess 8 Reaction container 9 Reagent tray 10 Photometric device 11 Washing device 12 Reagent dispensing mechanism 13, 13b Reagent storage 14, 14f, 14g, 14i Reagent container 14b Reagent container body 14c Reinforcing member 14d Air layer 14e Rib 15 Reading device 16 Control unit 17 Analysis unit 18 Input unit 19 Display unit 20 Stirring device 21 Identification code label 22 Reading window 23 Lid 24 Pore 25 Dispensing 26 Reagent Storage Body 26a Thermal Insulation Container 26b Cold Storage Container

Claims (6)

A reagent container having an identification code label with a code representing information including a reagent type used in a reagent storage of an automatic analyzer,
A reagent container, wherein a heat insulating part is provided between the reagent container main body part and the identification code part of the identification code label.   The reagent container according to claim 1, wherein the heat insulating portion is a space formed of air.   The reagent container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reagent container main body part has a rib for supporting the heat insulating part, and the identification code portion of the identification code label is stretched over the rib.   The reagent container according to claim 3, further comprising a reinforcing member that spans the rib, and an identification code portion of the identification code label is attached to a surface formed by the reinforcing member.   The reagent container according to claim 4, wherein pores are formed in the reinforcing member.   6. A dew condensation preventing means for preventing dew condensation on the reading window is provided in the reading window for reading the identification code portion of the identification code label of the reagent container accommodated from the outside of the reagent container. A reagent container which houses the reagent container according to claim 1.

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