JP2009210354A - Liquid sample dispensing device and driving method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid sample dispensing device can dispense accurately a required amount of liquid sample into each reaction container. <P>SOLUTION: In this liquid sample dispensing device for dispensing the liquid sample held by a dispensing nozzle as much as each prescribed amount into a plurality of reaction containers, a control part of an actuator for dispensation is equipped with a discharge condition storage part, and the discharge condition storage part stores a discharge amount to a stroke of a plunger in a syringe connected to the actuator for dispensation, and the control part of the actuator for dispensation gives an operation instruction to a driving part of the actuator for dispensation based on the stroke of the plunger in the syringe connected to the actuator for dispensation which is stored beforehand, a liquid sample suction amount, a discharge amount to an air suction amount, the number of discharge times after liquid sample suction, and a suction-discharge operation pattern during a discharge time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to, for example, a liquid sample dispensing apparatus and a driving method for accurately dispensing a necessary amount of a liquid sample into a reaction container.

  The linear motor drive type dispensing mechanism of the conventional example 1 has a cylinder motor piston connected to the linear motor mover, eliminates the conventional coupling, ball screw, linear guide, etc. Since the lead error can be ignored, the piston can be positioned more accurately (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In FIG. 8, reference numeral 101 denotes a casing whose overall shape is substantially box-shaped, and a cylinder 103 having a nozzle 102 is attached to an end of the casing 101.

  The piston 104 on the longitudinal bar provided in the cylinder 103 protrudes from the cylinder 103 to the outside, and the piston 104 can slide through the through hole 121 of the guide 120 provided in the cylinder 103. Is provided. Inside the casing 101 is provided a linear motor 122 as an actuator having a known longitudinal shape, and a mover 123 of the actuator 122 is provided so as to be reciprocally movable along the direction of arrow A. The linear motor 122 and the piston 104 are arranged in parallel to each other.

  The piston 104 is connected to the mover 123 and is fixed to a predetermined length by a screw 124. Therefore, in the above-described configuration, by operating the actuator 122 and selectively reciprocating the mover 123 along the direction of the arrow A, the piston 104 reciprocates in the cylinder 103, and the nozzle 102 and the cylinder 103 Inhalation of the chemical liquid or the like into the liquid or injection of the chemical liquid from the nozzle 102 and the cylinder 103 to the outside can be performed.

  Thus, since the piston in the cylinder is directly connected to the mover of the actuator such as the linear motor provided in the case, the linear motor drive type dispensing mechanism of the prior art example 1 has a conventional coupling and ball screw. In addition, it is not necessary to use a linear guide, a moving body, or the like, the shape of the entire configuration can be reduced, the configuration can be simplified, and high accuracy can be achieved. In addition, a large analyzer that uses a large number of dispensing mechanisms can be greatly reduced in size.

  The electric fluid discharge device of Conventional Example 2 controls a linear motor 205 as a drive means for discharging a chemical liquid 202a into a casing 201, a battery 208 for supplying electric power to the linear motor 205, and a drive operation of the linear motor 205. The control part 209 is provided, and the drug 202a is discharged from the injection needle 210 by pressing the piston 202b through the plunger rod 207 by one end of the inner yoke 205a which is a movable part of the linear motor 205 (for example, Patent Document 2).

  In FIG. 9, 201 is a casing of the electric injection device main body, 202 is a chemical cartridge, 203 is a cartridge holder for holding the chemical cartridge, 204 is a fixing part for detachably connecting the chemical cartridge, 205 is a linear motor for driving means, 206 Is a support member for the linear motor movable part, 207 is a plunger rod, 208 is a battery as a power source, and 209 is a control part for controlling the drive of the linear motor to set the discharge amount.

  The casing 201 and the chemical cartridge 202 can be detachably fitted, and the cartridge holder 203 has a fixing portion 204 that is detachably connected to the casing 201 on the proximal end side. The cartridge holder 203 allows the chemical cartridge 202 to be attached to the casing 201. Secure to. Further, a chemical liquid 202a is sealed in the chemical liquid cartridge 202, a piston 202b is attached to the proximal end side, and a partition wall made of rubber is attached to the distal end side, and an injection needle 210 is attached to the partition wall for use.

  The casing 201 includes a linear motor 205 as a driving unit that discharges the chemical liquid 202a, a battery 208 that supplies power to the linear motor 205, and a control unit 209 that controls the driving operation of the linear motor 205. .

  Here, the linear motor 205 and its peripheral mechanism will be described. The linear motor 205 is wound around a cylindrical inner yoke 205a with a movable part including magnets 205b and 205c having a single outer peripheral surface and opposite polarities, and an inner peripheral surface of a cylindrical outer yoke 205d. It is roughly divided into a fixed part having fixed windings 205e and 205f, and is opposed to the peripheral surface with a certain gap, and both ends of the inner yoke 205a are slidably supported by support members 206a and 206b. ing.

  And the radial main magnetic flux which comes out from the outer peripheral surface N pole of the magnet 205b enters the outer yoke 205d opposed via the gap, and further passes through the outer yoke 205d to the outer peripheral surface S pole of the adjacent magnet 205c. On the other hand, the radial main magnetic flux emanating from the N-pole on the inner peripheral surface of the magnet 205c forms a closed magnetic circuit that passes through the inner yoke 205a and returns to the S-pole on the inner peripheral surface of the adjacent magnet 205b.

  Here, when currents in opposite directions are passed through the windings 205e and 205f in linkage with the main magnetic flux of the magnets 205b and 205c, the windings 205e and 205f generate thrust in the same direction.

  The drive stroke is determined by the dimensional difference in the moving direction of the winding and magnet, and the magnet is set longer, but the magnet 205b and the magnet 205c are placed close to each other, and the winding 205e and the winding 205f are approximately spaced by the stroke length. Place with a gap.

  Then, the drug 202a is discharged from the injection needle 210 by pressing the piston 202b through the plunger rod 207 with one end of the inner yoke 205a which is a movable part. Further, a linear sensor 213 is attached to the other end of the inner yoke 205a to control the operation speed and the operation position of the inner yoke 205a. Further, limit switches 211 and 212 are provided for detecting the movement limit of the inner yoke 205a of the movable part. When the piston 202b is at the tip position of the chemical cartridge 202, the limit switch 211 and the plunger rod 207 When the chemical cartridge 202 returns to the base end position, the limit switch 212 is activated to stop the power supply to the linear motor 205.

  Further, the outer surface of the casing 201 is provided with an operation panel unit 209a for setting the discharge amount of the electric injection device, a forward drive switch SW1, and a backward drive switch SW2 to constitute an operation unit (FIG. 10). The operation panel unit 209a is connected to the control unit 209, and can arbitrarily set the stroke and moving speed of the linear motor 205, and can set the discharge amount.

  Here, the operation of the electric injection device when a general patient himself injects insulin will be described. First, when the patient attaches the injection needle 210 to the tip of the chemical cartridge 202, attaches the chemical cartridge 202 filled with the insulin preparation to the casing 201, turns on the forward drive switch SW1 with the injection needle 210 facing upward, the linear motor 205 The piston 202b is pushed by the movable part in conjunction with the plunger rod 207, and excess air and the drug solution 202a are discharged from the injection needle 210.

  Here, when a little chemical solution 202a is discharged, the forward drive switch SW1 is turned off, and the stroke and drive speed for one time are initialized by the operation panel unit 209a. Next, when the forward drive switch SW1 is turned on, it is driven for one stroke. Thereafter, it can be used multiple times (or once) until the limit switch 211 is activated by a stroke.

  On the other hand, if the reverse drive switch SW2 is turned on while the forward drive switch SW1 is off, the mover of the linear motor 205 moves in the reverse direction. At this time, if the plunger rod 207 and the piston 202b are connected, the suction operation is performed. However, the chemical cartridge 202 is usually disposable, and the plunger rod 207 and the piston 202b are not connected. Further, in the case of a suction operation, it can be controlled at the moving speed set by the operation panel unit 209a as in the case of discharging, and moves until the limit switch 212 is activated.

  As described above, since the electric fluid discharge device of Conventional Example 2 directly drives the piston by the thrust of the linear motor, it does not require a conversion mechanism from the rotation operation to the linear operation, and the mechanism is simple and the device can be miniaturized. . In addition, an arbitrary discharge amount can be set by the operation unit.

  The trace liquid ejection apparatus of Conventional Example 3 is a trace liquid ejection method for a trace liquid ejection apparatus comprising a moving device provided with a syringe on one end side and a piston pusher on the other side. A pedestal is provided slightly away from the piston, and a small amount of liquid is discharged by controlling the moving device so that the amount of movement of the piston pedestal is the run-up distance + piston pushing amount (for example, see Patent Document 3).

  FIG. 11 is a schematic explanatory view showing an embodiment of a trace amount liquid ejection device of Conventional Example 3, FIG. 12 is a schematic explanatory view explaining the moving amount of a piston push stand, and FIG. 13 is a liquid from a nozzle. It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows the flight and jumping out.

  In the trace amount liquid ejection device 301 of Conventional Example 3, a syringe 302 is provided on one end side (lower end side) with the nozzle 303 facing outward, and a piston that pushes the end 304A of the piston 304 of the syringe 302 on the other side (upper end side). And a moving mechanism 306 provided with a push stand 305.

  The syringe 302 has a cylindrical shape, a syringe main body 307 provided with a syringe 303 provided with a nozzle 303 at the tip, a piston 304 that moves the syringe main body 307, and a syringe main body 307 to assist the movement of the piston 304. And a piston receiver 308 provided on the opening side.

  The piston pedestal 305 is positioned with a predetermined run-up distance (A) from the end 304A of the piston 304, and after increasing the speed using the run-up distance (A), the end 304A of the piston 304 is moved. Press. That is, the movement amount C of the piston push table 305 can be expressed by the approaching distance (A) + the piston pushing amount (B).

  The run-up distance (A) takes into account the elasticity of each member, the elasticity of the liquid filled in the syringe body 307, and eliminates the slow speed due to the characteristics of the movement start-up control. It is set to a distance suitable for pushing the piston 304 after high speed.

  The liquid ejected from the nozzle 303 is ejected by controlling the pushing speed of the piston 304 (herein, the flying liquid is a state in which the liquid is spherical and is ejected away from the nozzle 303). (Here, jumping out means that the liquid does not leave the nozzle 303, and when there is no material to be coated, the liquid remains at the tip of the nozzle 303).

  In addition, the shape, dimensions, surface treatment, material, and the like of the nozzle 303 are also important factors in the present invention, and it is essential to select an optimal one in accordance with the amount of liquid and the viscosity.

  The piston receiver 308 accurately holds the position of the piston 304 (so that the piston 304 moves constantly in the syringe body 307), and when the piston push plate 305 contacts the end 304A of the piston 304, The piston 304 is made of a rubber material and supported with a slight sliding resistance so that the piston 304 does not move more than the pushing amount (B) of the piston 304 due to the impact. It should be noted that the same effect as described above can be obtained by reducing the fitting clearance of the piston receiver 308 or providing a brake mechanism.

  Next, the application of liquid to the material to be applied using the trace liquid ejection device 301 of the above embodiment will be described.

  First, after filling the liquid to be applied to the syringe body 307 appropriately selected according to the amount and viscosity of the liquid to be filled, the tip of the nozzle 303 is maintained at a predetermined distance from the material to be coated. A micro liquid discharge device 301 is installed. Since the predetermined distance can be increased without requiring accuracy between the nozzle 303 and the material to be coated as in the prior art, the installation work does not require the skill level of the operator.

  Next, after controlling the running distance (A) + piston pushing amount (B), which is the moving amount (C) of the piston pushing table 305, the pushing speed of the piston pushing table 305 is controlled to control the liquid from the nozzle 303. Controls the discharge state (flying droplets or popping out).

  In this state, the piston push table 305 is moved at high speed through the moving device 306 in accordance with the control and moved to the end portion 304A of the piston 304 at high speed, and then the piston 304 is moved by the piston push amount (B). The liquid is discharged from the nozzle 303 by pressing. At this time, since the piston receiver 308 is provided on the opening side of the syringe body 307, the piston 304 does not move more than the pushing amount (B) due to the impact of the piston pushing table 305, so that a highly accurate amount can be ensured. It can be discharged from the nozzle 303. In addition, the liquid discharged from the nozzle 303 can be freely selected as flying droplets or ejection depending on the purpose.

  Then, when the piston push stand 305 pushes the piston 304 and then returns to the original position via the moving device 306, the position advanced by the piston push amount (B) (the piston push amount (B) forward from the initial position). When the next piston pedestal 305 moves, if the first piston pedestal 305 moves by the amount of movement (C), the running distance (A) becomes constant, and the end of the piston 304 is moved at the same speed. 304A can be pressed and the same liquid can be discharged. By repeating this step, the entire amount of the liquid in the syringe body 307 can be discharged intermittently. When the discharge amount from the nozzle 303 increases or decreases due to the remaining amount of liquid in the syringe body 307, a corrected movement is added to the moving device 306 to cope with it.

Thus, since the trace amount liquid ejection device of Conventional Example 3 can select the liquid ejection state (flying enemy or ejection) from the nozzle 303, the vertical movement of the nozzle 303 required for the conventional device is unnecessary, and the device The structure for moving up and down is unnecessary and can be configured easily, and it can be made large without requiring the accuracy of the gap between the nozzle 303 and the material to be coated. Can be improved. Even when recoating or the like is necessary, since the liquid discharge state is flying droplets or popping out, the previously applied liquid does not re-adhere, so the application of the trace liquid discharge device 301 is It will spread dramatically.
JP 2002-364526 A (page 3, FIG. 1) JP 2003-180828 A (5th page, FIGS. 1 and 2) JP 2006-312159 (page 6, FIGS. 1, 2 and 3)

  However, the conventional example has a structure in which a syringe and a nozzle are directly connected, and cannot be applied to a dispensing application in which a liquid sample is sucked and discharged through a nozzle and a tube. Further, the influence of the initial meniscus formed at the nozzle tip is not taken into consideration, and the dispensing actuator drive unit is controlled based on the relationship between the plunger stroke, the liquid sample suction amount, and the air suction amount when the liquid sample is discharged. Since the operation command is not commanded, there is a problem that the discharge accuracy (CV value, accuracy) is not improved. Furthermore, there is a problem that the discharge accuracy cannot be improved even if an extremely small amount of discharge in the vicinity of the sub-μL cannot be performed or an extremely small amount of discharge can be performed.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and is a maximum stroke speed in a plunger stroke, a liquid sample suction amount, an air suction amount, a discharge amount, and a suction-discharge operation pattern during discharge when the liquid sample is discharged. The difference in surface tension due to the viscosity of the liquid sample at the tip of the nozzle by commanding the operation command to the dispensing actuator drive unit based on the relationship between the suction acceleration / deceleration time, the maximum discharge speed, and the discharge acceleration / deceleration time Another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid sample dispensing apparatus that accurately discharges a very small amount of liquid sample regardless of the difference in initial meniscus after the liquid sample is sucked.

In order to solve the above problem, the present invention is configured as follows.
The invention according to claim 1 is a dispensing nozzle for sucking and holding a liquid sample, a syringe composed of a cylinder and a plunger for generating suction / discharge pressure of the liquid sample, a flexible tube for flowing the liquid sample, A dispensing actuator that performs suction and discharge of a liquid sample from the dispensing nozzle via the syringe and the flexible tube, a dispensing actuator driving unit that drives the dispensing actuator, and the dispensing In the liquid sample dispensing apparatus, comprising a dispensing actuator control unit for controlling the actuator driving unit, and dispensing a predetermined amount of the liquid sample held by the dispensing nozzle into a plurality of reaction containers. The actuator control unit includes a discharge condition storage unit.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dispensing nozzle for sucking and holding a liquid sample, a syringe composed of a cylinder and a plunger for generating a suction / discharge pressure of the liquid sample, a flexible tube for flowing the liquid sample, A dispensing actuator that performs suction and discharge of a liquid sample from the dispensing nozzle via the syringe and the flexible tube, a dispensing actuator driving unit that drives the dispensing actuator, and the dispensing In a method for driving a liquid sample dispensing apparatus, comprising a dispensing actuator control unit for controlling an actuator driving unit, and dispensing a predetermined amount of the liquid sample held by the dispensing nozzle into a plurality of reaction vessels, The dispensing actuator control unit includes the plunger drive parameter and the discharge amount stored in the discharge condition storage unit. Operation to the dispensing actuator drive unit based on the relationship between the number of discharges after body sample suction and the maximum suction speed, suction acceleration / deceleration time, maximum discharge speed, and discharge acceleration / deceleration time in the suction-discharge operation pattern during discharge Commands are issued.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the discharge parameters stored in the discharge condition storage unit include the stroke of the plunger, the liquid sample suction amount, the discharge amount, the number of discharges after the liquid sample is sucked, and the suction-discharge at the time of discharge. This is related to the maximum suction speed, suction acceleration / deceleration time, maximum discharge speed, and discharge acceleration / deceleration time in the operation pattern.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the discharge parameters stored in the discharge condition storage unit are the stroke of the plunger, the air intake amount, the discharge amount, the number of discharges after the liquid sample is sucked, and the suction-discharge operation at the time of discharge. This is related to the maximum suction speed, suction acceleration / deceleration time, maximum discharge speed, and discharge acceleration / deceleration time in the pattern.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the discharge parameter stored in the discharge condition storage unit includes the plunger stroke, the liquid sample suction amount, the air suction amount, the discharge amount, the number of discharges after the liquid sample suction, and the discharge. The relationship between the maximum suction speed, the suction acceleration / deceleration time, the maximum discharge speed, and the discharge acceleration / deceleration time in the suction-discharge operation pattern at this time.

  According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the dispensing actuator control unit includes a discharge condition storage unit, stores the plunger drive parameters and the discharge amount, and the dispensing actuator control unit drives the dispensing actuator. By giving a drive command to the unit, the liquid sample can be accurately discharged regardless of the difference in surface tension due to the viscosity of the liquid sample at the nozzle tip or the difference in initial meniscus after the liquid sample is sucked.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the discharge condition storage unit stores a discharge amount with respect to the liquid sample inhalation amount, and the dispensing actuator control unit operates based on the discharge operation pattern of the dispensing actuator. The plunger stroke and the discharge amount with respect to the liquid sample suction amount stored in advance in the command, the number of discharges after the liquid sample suction, the maximum suction speed, the suction acceleration / deceleration time, the maximum discharge speed and the discharge in the suction-discharge operation pattern at the time of discharge Since the acceleration / deceleration time can be used as an operation command to the dispensing actuator drive unit, the liquid sample can be used regardless of the difference in surface tension due to the viscosity of the liquid sample at the nozzle tip or the difference in initial meniscus after the liquid sample is sucked. Can discharge accurately.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the discharge condition storage unit stores a discharge amount with respect to an air intake amount, and the dispensing actuator control unit performs an operation command based on a discharge operation pattern of the dispensing actuator. The plunger stroke, air suction amount, discharge amount with respect to the number of discharges after the liquid sample suction, the number of discharges after the liquid sample suction, the maximum suction speed and the suction acceleration / deceleration time in the suction-discharge operation pattern at the time of discharge The maximum discharge speed and discharge acceleration / deceleration time can be used as the operation command to the dispensing actuator drive unit, so the difference in surface tension due to the viscosity of the liquid sample at the nozzle tip and the difference in the initial meniscus after the liquid sample is sucked Regardless of this, the liquid sample can be accurately discharged.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, the discharge condition storage unit stores the liquid sample inhalation amount and the discharge amount with respect to the air inhalation amount, and the dispensing actuator control unit displays the discharge operation pattern of the dispensing actuator. The plunger stroke, the liquid sample suction amount, the air suction amount, the discharge amount relative to the number of discharges after the liquid sample suction, the number of discharges after the liquid sample suction, and the suction-discharge operation at the time of discharge stored in advance in the operation command based on Since the maximum suction speed, suction acceleration / deceleration time, maximum discharge speed, and discharge acceleration / deceleration time in the pattern can be used as operation commands to the dispensing actuator drive unit, the difference in surface tension due to the viscosity of the liquid sample at the nozzle tip The liquid sample can be discharged with high accuracy regardless of the difference in the initial meniscus after the liquid sample is sucked.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a liquid sample dispensing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a liquid sample dispensing device, 2 is a dispensing nozzle for sucking and holding a liquid sample, 3 is a flexible tube made of a material such as urethane or fluorocarbon resin, and 4 is a syringe composed of a cylinder and a plunger. , 5 is a cylinder, 6 is a plunger that discharges and sucks a liquid sample in the syringe, 7 is a dispensing actuator (for example, a linear motor), 8 is a dispensing actuator drive unit that drives the dispensing actuator, and 9 is Dispensing actuator control unit for controlling the dispensing actuator drive unit, 10 is a CPU in the dispensing actuator control unit, 11 is a discharge amount for the stroke of the plunger 6 in the syringe 4 in the dispensing actuator control unit And a discharge condition storage unit for storing the number of discharges after the liquid sample is sucked, 12 is a liquid sample container for supplying the liquid sample, and 13 is for discharging the liquid sample. The reaction container 14 is a liquid sample.

  The dispensing nozzle 2 is hollow and is shaped so that the inner diameter becomes smaller toward the tip. The dispensing nozzle 2 is held in a posture perpendicular to the liquid sample 14, sucks the liquid sample 14 contained in the liquid sample container 12, and discharges the liquid sample 14 to the reaction container 13. Although not shown, the dispensing nozzle 2 sucks and discharges the cleaning water in the cleaning water container. Various general methods can be employed as a cleaning water supply method and a suction / discharge method.

  The cylinder 5 changes its volume in the syringe 4 as the plunger 6 moves. The cylinder 4 is connected to the dispensing nozzle 2 via the flexible tube 3. The plunger 6 moves upward on the surface of the syringe 4 so that the liquid sample 14 is sucked and the volume in the syringe 4 is increased, and the plunger 6 is discharged from the syringe 4 so that the volume in the syringe 4 is reduced by discharging the liquid sample 14. Move down the page. The plunger 6 is driven by a dispensing actuator 7 and is controlled by a dispensing actuator drive unit 8. The dispensing actuator drive unit 8 is connected to the dispensing actuator control unit 9 and drives the dispensing actuator 7 based on the operation command. The dispensing actuator control unit 9 includes a CPU 10 and a discharge condition storage unit 11, and commands an operation command to the dispensing actuator drive unit 8 to discharge a predetermined liquid sample 14. The CPU 10 inputs the required dispensing amount and dispensing order based on the number of samples read from the identification mark displayed on the liquid sample container 12 or the like and the desired analysis item, which is input by an operator in advance. The dispensing actuator drive unit 8 is commanded to correspond to the above. In addition, the discharge condition storage unit 11 includes a stroke, pressure, nozzle diameter, discharge speed, liquid sample inhalation amount, air inhalation amount, discharge amount, the number of discharges after the liquid sample is sucked, and a suction-discharge operation pattern at the time of discharge. The relationship between the maximum suction speed, the suction acceleration / deceleration time, the maximum discharge speed, and the discharge acceleration / deceleration time is stored.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a flow of the actuator control unit, and FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a suction state of the nozzle.

According to the procedure shown below, the liquid sample inhalation amount with respect to the discharge amount with good discharge accuracy is confirmed in advance by experiments. When the internal pressure is in a normal state where it does not decrease due to bubbles or the like, the fluid mass conservation law (inflow mass flow rate (density x flow velocity x cross-sectional area) and outflow flow rate (density x flow velocity x cross-sectional area) are equal) If it is established and the flow velocity at the tip of the nozzle is equal to or higher than the liquid running speed, the liquid can be discharged without causing a liquid pool. Therefore, when the internal pressure is kept in a normal state and the air suction amount is set to a constant value, the plunger stroke in the syringe, the liquid sample suction amount, the discharge amount, the number of discharges after sucking the liquid sample, and the suction-discharge operation during discharge The relationship between the maximum suction speed, the suction acceleration / deceleration time, the maximum discharge speed, and the discharge acceleration / deceleration time in the pattern is confirmed and summarized as shown in the table of FIG. FIG. 5 is an example of a suction-discharge operation pattern during discharge.
(1) First, the liquid sample inhalation amount is stored (F0).
The liquid sample suction amount with respect to the discharge amount measured in advance is stored in the discharge condition storage unit.
(2) Aspirate the washing water (F1).
When the plunger 6 in the syringe 4 is driven to be sucked by the actuator 7, the cleaning water 15 in a cleaning water container (not shown) is sucked from the nozzle 2. Alternatively, cleaning water may be supplied to the flexible tube and the nozzle 2 from a pump (not shown) via a valve (not shown) and another flexible tube (not shown).
(3) Suction air (F2).
The actuator 6 sucks and drives the plunger 6 in the syringe 4 and sucks a certain amount of air from the nozzle 2 into the syringe 4.
(4) Aspirate the liquid sample (F3).
The plunger 6 in the syringe 4 is sucked and driven by the actuator 7, and the liquid sample 14 in the liquid sample container 12 is sucked from the nozzle 2 based on the liquid sample suction amount stored in advance.
(5) Discharge the liquid sample (F4)
In order to eliminate the influence of the initial meniscus at the tip of the nozzle, the actuator 7 is driven to discharge from the plunger 6 in the syringe 4 by a position command to the actuator 7 based on the discharge operation pattern stored in advance, and the discharge not shown from the nozzle 2 is performed. The liquid sample 14 is discharged to the container or the liquid sample container 12 as many times as previously stored.
(6) Discharge the liquid sample (F5).
When a very small amount (for example, 0.1μL) is discharged, the liquid sample is not discharged from the nozzle tip simply by giving an operation command to the actuator with a high-speed / high acceleration / deceleration discharge operation pattern. . Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, a position command to the actuator 7 based on a discharge operation pattern of low speed / low acceleration at the time of suction and high speed / high acceleration / deceleration at the time of discharge, The liquid sample 14 is discharged from the nozzle 6 to the reaction vessel 13 by being driven to discharge from the plunger 6. For example, after aspiration of 0.3 μL stroke, maximum speed 20 mm / s, maximum acceleration 20 m / s ² , continuous 0.4 μL stroke, maximum speed 50 mm / s, maximum acceleration 50 m / s ² conditions By driving the plunger with the operation pattern of discharging, an extremely small amount of 0.1 μL can be discharged.
(7) Repeat (2) to (6) for each discharge.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the liquid sample inhalation amount relative to the discharge amount, the number of discharges after the liquid sample is sucked, the maximum suction speed, the suction acceleration / deceleration time, the maximum discharge speed, and the discharge acceleration / deceleration time in the suction-discharge operation pattern during discharge Is stored in advance and a liquid sample is discharged, so that a very small amount of discharge is possible, and both the CV value and accuracy can be discharged with high accuracy.

  In addition, it is assumed that the operator prepares the liquid sample container 12 and the reaction container 13 under the nozzle 2, but the control unit 9 synchronizes with the actuator 7 to the nozzle 2 or the liquid sample container 12 and the reaction container (not shown). A liquid sample may be automatically sucked and discharged by controlling a table or the like on which 13 is mounted.

  The present invention is different from Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, and Patent Document 3 in that the liquid sample inhalation amount, the air inhalation amount, the discharge amount, the number of ejections after the liquid sample is aspirated, and the aspiration during ejection- Considering the relationship between the maximum suction speed, suction acceleration / deceleration time, maximum discharge speed, and discharge acceleration / deceleration time in the discharge operation pattern, the viscosity of the liquid sample at the tip of the nozzle is set as an operation command to the dispensing actuator drive unit. It is an object to provide a liquid sample dispensing apparatus that accurately discharges a very small amount of a liquid sample regardless of the difference in surface tension or initial meniscus.

Since the configuration of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.
In accordance with the procedure shown below, the air intake amount with respect to the discharge amount with good discharge accuracy is confirmed in advance by experiments. When the internal pressure is maintained in a normal state and the liquid sample inhalation amount is set to a constant value, the plunger stroke in the syringe, the air inhalation amount, the discharge amount, the number of discharges after the liquid sample is aspirated, and the suction-discharge operation pattern during discharge The relationship between the maximum suction speed, the suction acceleration / deceleration time, the maximum discharge speed, and the discharge acceleration / deceleration time is confirmed and summarized as shown in the table of FIG.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
(1) First, the air intake amount is stored (F0).
The air intake amount with respect to the discharge amount measured in advance is stored in the discharge condition storage unit.
(2) The washing water suction (F1) is the same as in Example 1.
(3) Suction air (F2).
The actuator 6 sucks and drives the plunger 6 in the syringe 4 and sucks air from the nozzle 2 into the syringe 4 based on the air intake amount stored in advance.
(4) Liquid sample suction (F3), (5) Liquid sample discharge (F4), and (6) Liquid sample discharge (F5) are the same as in the first embodiment.
(7) Repeat (2) to (6) for each discharge.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the air suction amount with respect to the discharge amount, the number of discharges after sucking the liquid sample, the maximum suction speed, the suction acceleration / deceleration time, the maximum discharge speed, and the discharge acceleration / deceleration time in the suction-discharge operation pattern during discharge are set. Since the liquid sample is stored in advance and discharged, an extremely small amount can be discharged, and both the CV value and accuracy can be discharged with high accuracy.

Since the configuration of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.
According to the procedure shown below, the liquid sample inhalation amount and the air inhalation amount with respect to the ejection amount, which have good ejection accuracy, are confirmed in advance by experiments. Keep the internal pressure in a normal state, the stroke of the plunger in the syringe, the amount of liquid sample inhalation, the amount of air inhalation, the amount of discharge, the number of discharges after suction of the liquid sample, the maximum suction speed in the suction-discharge operation pattern, and suction The relationship between the deceleration time, the maximum discharge speed, and the discharge acceleration / deceleration time is confirmed and summarized as shown in the table of FIG.
(1) First, the liquid sample inhalation amount and air inhalation amount are stored (F0).
The liquid sample inhalation amount and the air inhalation amount with respect to the discharge amount measured in advance are stored in the discharge condition storage unit.
(2) The washing water suction (F1) is the same as in Example 1.
(3) Suction air (F2).
The actuator 6 sucks and drives the plunger 6 in the syringe 4 and sucks air from the nozzle 2 into the syringe 4 based on the air intake amount stored in advance.
(4) Liquid sample suction (F3), (5) Liquid sample discharge (F4), and (6) Liquid sample discharge (F5) are the same as in the first embodiment.
(7) Repeat (2) to (6) for each discharge.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the liquid sample inhalation amount with respect to the discharge amount, the air inhalation amount, the number of discharges after the liquid sample is sucked, the maximum suction speed in the suction-discharge operation pattern at the time of discharge, the suction acceleration / deceleration time, the maximum discharge speed, and Since the discharge acceleration / deceleration time is stored in advance and the liquid sample is discharged, an extremely small amount of discharge can be performed, and both the CV value and the accuracy can be discharged accurately.

  In addition, because the liquid sample can be discharged accurately regardless of the difference in surface tension due to the viscosity of the liquid sample at the tip of the nozzle or the difference in the initial meniscus after suctioning the liquid sample, bio-related and medical-related devices that require suction and discharge Applicable to.

The figure which shows the structure of the liquid sample dispensing apparatus of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the control part in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing which shows the suction state of the nozzle of FIG. The plunger stroke, the liquid sample suction amount, the discharge amount, the number of discharges after the liquid sample suction, the maximum suction speed in the suction-discharge operation pattern at the time of discharge, and the suction acceleration / deceleration time in the syringe of the first embodiment of the present invention , Table showing the relationship between maximum discharge speed and discharge acceleration / deceleration time The figure which shows an example of the suction-discharge operation pattern at the time of discharge The plunger stroke in the syringe of the second embodiment of the present invention, the air suction amount, the discharge amount, the number of discharges after sucking the liquid sample, the maximum suction speed in the suction-discharge operation pattern during discharge, the suction acceleration / deceleration time, Table showing the relationship between maximum discharge speed and discharge acceleration / deceleration time The stroke of the plunger in the syringe of the third embodiment of the present invention, the liquid sample inhalation amount, the air inhalation amount, the discharge amount, the number of discharges after the liquid sample is sucked, the maximum suction speed in the suction-discharge operation pattern at the time of discharge, Table showing the relationship between suction acceleration / deceleration time, maximum discharge speed, and discharge acceleration / deceleration time Sectional block diagram which shows the linear motor drive type dispensing mechanism of Embodiment of the prior art example 1 Sectional drawing of the electric injection apparatus of Embodiment of the prior art example 2 External appearance perspective view of electric injection device of embodiment of conventional example 2 Schematic explanatory drawing which shows one Example of the trace amount liquid discharge apparatus of Embodiment of the prior art example 3 Schematic explanatory drawing explaining the moving amount | distance of the piston pushing stand of embodiment of the prior art example 3 Schematic explanatory diagram showing the droplets of liquid ejected from the nozzle of the embodiment of Conventional Example 3

Explanation of symbols

1 Liquid sample dispenser
2 Dispensing nozzle
3 Flexible tube
4 syringe
5 cylinders
6 Plunger
7 Dispensing actuator
8 Actuator actuator for dispensing
9 Dispensing actuator controller
10 CPU
11 Discharge condition storage
12 Liquid sample container
13 Reaction vessel
14 Liquid sample
15 Wash water
16 air
101 casing
102 nozzles
103 cylinders
104 piston
120 Guide
121 Through hole
122 Actuator (Linear motor)
123 Mover
124 screw
201 Casing of the electric injection device body
202 chemical cartridge
202a Chemical
202b piston
203 Cartridge holder
204 Fixed part
205 linear motor
205a Inner yoke
205b, 205c Magnet
205d outer yoke
205e, 205f winding
206, 206a, 206b Support member
207 Plunger rod
208 batteries
209 Control unit
209a Operation panel
210 Injection needle
211, 212 Limit switch
213 Linear sensor
301 Trace liquid dispenser
302 syringe
303 nozzles
304 piston
304A end
305 Piston stand
306 Movement mechanism
307 Syringe body
308 Piston holder

Claims (5)

A dispensing nozzle for sucking and holding a liquid sample, a syringe composed of a cylinder and a plunger for generating a suction and discharge pressure for the liquid sample, a flexible tube for flowing the liquid sample, and the syringe for sucking and discharging the liquid sample And a dispensing actuator to be implemented from the dispensing nozzle through the flexible tube, a dispensing actuator driving unit for driving the dispensing actuator, and a dispensing actuator for controlling the dispensing actuator driving unit In a liquid sample dispensing apparatus that includes an actuator control unit, and dispenses the liquid sample held by the dispensing nozzle into a plurality of reaction containers by a predetermined amount,
A liquid sample dispensing apparatus, wherein the dispensing actuator control section includes a discharge condition storage section. A dispensing nozzle for sucking and holding a liquid sample, a syringe composed of a cylinder and a plunger for generating a suction and discharge pressure for the liquid sample, a flexible tube for flowing the liquid sample, and the syringe for sucking and discharging the liquid sample And a dispensing actuator to be implemented from the dispensing nozzle through the flexible tube, a dispensing actuator driving unit for driving the dispensing actuator, and a dispensing actuator for controlling the dispensing actuator driving unit In a driving method of a liquid sample dispensing apparatus that includes an actuator control unit and dispenses the liquid sample held by the dispensing nozzle into a plurality of reaction containers by a predetermined amount,
The dispensing actuator control unit includes the plunger drive parameters stored in the discharge condition storage unit, the discharge amount, the number of discharges after suction of the liquid sample, the maximum suction speed in the suction-discharge operation pattern during discharge, and the suction acceleration / deceleration An operation command to the dispensing actuator driving unit is commanded based on the relationship between time, maximum discharge speed, and discharge acceleration / deceleration time.   The discharge parameters stored in the discharge condition storage unit include the plunger stroke, the liquid sample suction amount, the discharge amount, the number of discharges after suction of the liquid sample, the maximum suction speed in the suction-discharge operation pattern during discharge, The driving method of the liquid sample dispensing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the relationship is a deceleration time, a maximum discharge speed, and a discharge acceleration / deceleration time.   The discharge parameters stored in the discharge condition storage unit are the stroke of the plunger, the air suction amount, the discharge amount, the number of discharges after sucking the liquid sample, the maximum suction speed in the suction-discharge operation pattern during discharge, and the suction acceleration / deceleration 3. The method of driving a liquid sample dispensing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the relationship is a relationship between time, maximum discharge speed, and discharge acceleration / deceleration time.   The discharge parameters stored in the discharge condition storage unit are the plunger stroke, the liquid sample intake amount, the air intake amount, the discharge amount, the number of discharges after the liquid sample is sucked, and the suction in the suction-discharge operation pattern at the time of discharge. 3. The method of driving a liquid sample dispensing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the relationship is a maximum speed, a suction acceleration / deceleration time, a maximum discharge speed, and a discharge acceleration / deceleration time.

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