JP2009222453A - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a highly reliable automatic analyzer performing efficient agitation of reaction liquid and cleaning of a stirring rod, and simultaneously preventing stirring rod washing water from being carried into a reaction vessel, in the automatic analyzer. <P>SOLUTION: The stirring rod made of a shape memory alloy is used, and a temperature control means of the stirring rod is provided. Hereby, when agitating the reaction liquid, the shape of the stirring rod takes a shape suitable for agitation, and when cleaning the stirring rod, the shape of the stirring rod can be changed into a shape suitable for cleaning, to thereby provide efficient agitation of the reaction liquid and cleaning of the stirring rod. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that performs qualitative and quantitative analysis of biological samples such as blood and urine, and more particularly to an automatic analyzer that includes a stirring mechanism that stirs a liquid in a reaction vessel.

  Conventionally, as a chemical analyzer, for example, a chemical analyzer that performs chemical analysis by measuring the absorbance of a reaction solution obtained by mixing a desired reagent with a sample such as serum and reacting the sample is known. Yes. This type of chemical analyzer includes a mechanism for injecting the sample and reagent into the reaction vessel, a mechanism for stirring the sample and reagent in the reaction vessel, a mechanism for analyzing the physical properties of the sample during or after the reaction, etc. Configured.

  By the way, in the field of analyzers, the miniaturization of samples and reagents has become a major technical issue. That is, as the number of analysis items increases, analysis of a small amount of sample such as a small amount of sample that can be divided into single items and a blood test of an infant who cannot prepare a large amount of sample itself is performed. In addition, as the analysis content becomes more sophisticated, expensive reagents are generally used, and from the viewpoint of cost, there is a demand for a minute amount of reagents. Such miniaturization of samples and reagents promotes miniaturization of reaction containers, and miniaturization of reaction containers creates new technical problems. For example, in the specimen / reagent dispensing mechanism and the reaction liquid stirring mechanism, one of the problems is that the ratio of the amount of the reaction liquid and the cleaning liquid brought into the next specimen increases, and the analysis result is likely to be affected.

  A general stirring mechanism is performed by immersing a spatula-like stir bar in the liquid to be stirred and rotating it, but such a stir bar completely eliminates the introduction of the reaction liquid and the washing liquid into the next sample. Things are difficult. For this reason, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for irradiating an agitated liquid with ultrasonic waves and agitates, and Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for agitating by injecting air into the agitated liquid. In the method of stirring without physically contacting such a liquid to be stirred, in principle, the reaction liquid and the cleaning liquid can be brought into the next specimen through the stirring bar to zero.

JP 2001-242177 A JP 2004-340791 A

  Although a stirring method that does not use a stir bar has the above-mentioned advantages, there is a concern that the cost may be higher than stirring using a stir bar, and stirring of the automatic analyzer is possible if it is possible to suppress the introduction of reaction liquid and washing liquid into the next sample. There is still merit as a means.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer equipped with a stirring means capable of suppressing the introduction of a reaction liquid and a washing liquid into the next sample through the stirring bar while using a stirring means using a stirring bar that can be made inexpensive. Is to provide.

  The configuration of the present invention for achieving the above object is as follows.

  An automatic analyzer provided with a temperature varying means for varying a temperature of the stirring rod, wherein the stirring rod that is immersed in the stirred liquid and is mainly composed of a shape memory alloy is stirred. The present invention uses a shape memory alloy whose shape changes depending on the temperature, so that it becomes a stirring rod shape with good stirring efficiency during stirring, and a stirring rod shape with little remaining reaction liquid and washing water on the stirring rod during cleaning. It is characterized by having become. As long as it is a shape memory alloy that can be used for such purposes, any composition other than a general titanium-nickel alloy can be used. The means for changing the temperature includes means for bringing fluid such as hot air, cold air, hot water, and cold water into contact with the stirrer bar, as well as a heating element such as a nichrome wire or ceramic heating element. A method of bringing a cooling element such as a Peltier element into contact can also be used. When stirring, the shape of the stirring bar has a large apparent surface area so that kinetic energy can be efficiently transmitted to the liquid to be stirred. It is preferable that the liquid does not remain on the surface of the stirring bar.

  According to the present invention, the shape of the liquid stirring bar can be switched to a shape that is easy to wash when washing, and a shape that is suitable for stirring when stirring the reaction solution. As an effect of this, it is possible to improve the stirring efficiency and the stirring rod cleaning efficiency, and to prevent the stirring rod cleaning liquid from being brought into the reaction vessel, thereby reducing the amount of washing water, reducing the amount of waste equipment, and shortening the stirring and stirring time. is there.

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

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view around a stirring mechanism provided in the automatic analyzer shown in FIG. .

  As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic analyzer according to the present embodiment mainly includes a sample disk 2, a reagent disk 17, a reaction disk 6, a reaction tank 21, a sampling mechanism 3, a reagent pipetting mechanism 14, a stirring mechanism 7, and photometry. A mechanism 15 and a cleaning mechanism 4 are provided.

  In FIG. 1, a plurality of sample containers 1 in which collected samples are placed are arranged on a sample disk 2 in a fixed manner on the circumference of the sample disk 2. A drive mechanism composed of a shaft or the like rotates in the circumferential direction so as to be positioned.

  In FIG. 1, a plurality of reagent bottles 18 containing reagents for mixing and reacting with a sample are fixed and arranged on the circumference of the reagent disk 17. The surroundings are temperature controlled cold storage. Further, the reagent disk 17 is rotated in the circumferential direction so as to be positioned by a driving mechanism including a motor, a rotating shaft, and the like (not shown).

  In FIG. 1, a plurality of reaction containers 5 for containing samples and reagents are attached to the reaction disk 6, and the reaction containers 5 are intermittently transferred by repeating circumferential rotation and stopping in a constant cycle. .

  Moreover, in FIG. 1, the reaction tank 21 is installed along the movement locus | trajectory of the reaction container 5, and in order to accelerate | stimulate the chemical reaction of a sample and a reagent, for example, in the reaction container 5 with the temperature-controlled constant temperature water. It is a thermostatic bath that controls the reaction solution at a constant temperature. The reaction vessel 5 moves in the reaction vessel 21.

  In FIG. 1, the sampling mechanism 3 supplies the reaction container 5 with the sample in the sample container 1 that is transferred to a fixed position along with the rotation of the sample disk 2 in accordance with a predetermined sequence. Similarly, the reagent pipetting mechanism 14 supplies the reagent in the reagent bottle 18 that is transferred to a fixed position along with the rotation of the reagent disk 17 to the reaction container 5 in accordance with a predetermined sequence. Each of the sample container 1 and the reagent bottle 18 contains different types of samples and reagents, and a necessary amount is supplied to the reaction container 5.

  In FIG. 1, the stirring mechanism 7 stirs and mixes the sample and reagent in the reaction vessel 5 by rotating or vibrating the stirring rod 19 in the reaction vessel 5 that has been transferred to that position (stirring position). To do. After stirring inside a certain reaction vessel 5, the stirring mechanism 7 moves to the position of the stirring bar cleaning tank 8 and cleans the stirring bar 19 in the cleaning tank 8. The cleaning tank 8 is provided with a cleaning water discharge nozzle 21 for discharging the cleaning water toward the stirring rod, and the cleaning water discharge nozzle 31 is connected to the cleaning water tank 11 via a pipe. A water supply pump 10 and a heater 9 are provided in the middle of the piping, and the cleaning liquid heated to a high temperature is sent to the cleaning liquid discharge nozzle 31.

  Further, the cleaning tank 8 has an air discharge nozzle 32 above the cleaning water discharge nozzle 21 and is connected to the air compressor 20 via a pipe. Further, an electromagnetic valve 24 is provided in the middle of the pipe, and the compressed air of the compressor is sent to the air discharge nozzle 32 or stopped by opening and closing the electromagnetic valve.

  Next, the means and operation for switching the shape of the stirring bar 19, which is a feature of the present invention, in the apparatus configured as described above will be described.

  FIG. 2 shows a detailed view around the stirring mechanism. The stirring rod 19 at the tip of the stirring mechanism 7 is made of a shape memory alloy, and its shape changes depending on its temperature. The reaction vessel 5 is controlled by the constant temperature water supply device 13 so that the reaction between the reagent and the sample proceeds, and the stirring rod 19 is kept at that temperature when stirring in the reaction vessel 5. Exposed. In this temperature environment, the stirring bar 19 stores the shape so as to have a shape suitable for stirring. The shape suitable for stirring is, for example, a shape curved with respect to an axis as shown at 19 in FIG. 2, a shape with a large surface area as shown on the upper left in FIG. 3, or as shown on the lower left in FIG. There are shapes twisted around the center of the axis. However, such a shape can efficiently stir the reaction liquid, but it is difficult to uniformly and efficiently wash the washing liquid, or the washing liquid tends to remain on the stirring rod 19 and is then stirred. There is a concern that the remaining washing water will be brought into the water. Therefore, the stir bar 19 is suitable for cleaning by applying a cleaning liquid heated to a high temperature by the heater 9 to the shape memory alloy stir bar 19 in which the shape is memorized so as to change into a shape easy to clean when exposed to a high temperature in advance. Change to a different shape and perform cleaning. Here, the shape suitable for cleaning is a shape with little or no curvature or twist, such as the shape of the stirring bar 19 on the cleaning tank side in FIG. is there.

  After washing the stirring rod with high temperature washing water, air is blown from the air discharge nozzle disposed above the washing water discharge nozzle 31 to remove the residual water adhering to the stirring rod, and at the same time the stirring rod 19 Cool down. The temperature of the stirring rod 19 is lowered by cooling with air, and again returns to a shape suitable for stirring, and the next reaction vessel 5 is stirred.

  In Example 1, as the means for changing the shape of the stirring bar 19, the temperature of the washing water of the stirring bar 19 was controlled and applied to the stirring bar 19, but the following methods can be mentioned as other means.

(1) By controlling the temperature of the liquid in the reaction vessel 5 and touching the liquid, the temperature of the stirring bar 19 is changed and the shape is changed.
(2) The shape of the stirring rod 19 is changed by bringing the stirring rod into contact with a heat medium (liquid, air, solid) for controlling the temperature of the reaction vessel 5. In the example of FIG. 1, the stirring bar 19 is brought into contact with constant temperature water for keeping the temperature of the reaction vessel 21 constant.
(3) A heater (for example, a heating wire heater) for directly heating the stirring rod is provided in the apparatus, and the shape is changed by heating.

  In the automatic analyzer configured in this way, the stirring bar 19 can be switched between a shape suitable for washing and a shape suitable for stirring, so that efficient stirring and washing of the stirring bar 19 are possible. Bringing wash water into the reaction vessel will also drastically decrease. As a result, it is possible to provide a reliable and high-speed analyzer.

The perspective view which shows the structure of the automatic analyzer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view around the stirring mechanism with which the automatic analyzer which concerns on embodiment of this invention is equipped. Explanatory drawing which shows the example of a shape of the stirring rod which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sample container 2 Sample disk 3 Specimen sampling mechanism 4 Reaction container washing mechanism 5 Reaction container 6 Reaction disk 7 Stirring mechanism 8 Stirring rod washing tank 9 Heater 10 Water supply pump 11 Washing water bottle 12 Washing water 13 Constant temperature water supply apparatus 14 Reagent pipetting Mechanism 15 Photometer 16 Lamp 17 Reagent disk 19 Stir bar 20 Air compressor 23 Control unit 24 Solenoid valve 31 Washing water discharge nozzle 32 Air discharge nozzle

Claims (13)

  An automatic analysis characterized in that the stirring rod that is immersed in the liquid to be stirred to stir the liquid to be stirred is mainly composed of a shape memory alloy, and further includes a temperature variable means for changing the temperature of the stirring bar. apparatus. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein
The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the temperature variable means includes a fluid supply means for bringing a fluid into contact with at least the stirring rod. The automatic analyzer according to claim 2,
The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the fluid supply means is a cleaning liquid injection means for injecting a cleaning liquid for the stirring rod onto the stirring bar.   A stirring rod that is immersed in the liquid to be stirred to stir the liquid to be stirred is mainly composed of a shape memory alloy, and further a liquid for controlling the liquid temperature of the liquid to be stirred in the reaction vessel containing the liquid to be stirred. An automatic analyzer comprising temperature control means. The automatic analyzer according to claim 2,
An automatic analyzer, wherein the fluid supply means is an air nozzle that blows air onto a stirring rod. The automatic analyzer according to claim 5, wherein
The automatic analyzer is characterized in that the air is blown from the air nozzle after the stirring rod is washed. The automatic analyzer according to claim 6,
The automatic analyzer is characterized in that the air blowing range from the air nozzle is wider than the cleaning liquid blowing range. The automatic analyzer according to claim 6,
The automatic analyzer is characterized in that the air discharge direction from the air nozzle is from above to below or obliquely below. The automatic analyzer according to claim 8,
The automatic analyzer is characterized in that the air nozzle is arranged at a position higher than a nozzle for discharging a cleaning liquid.   The stirring rod that is immersed in the liquid to be stirred to stir the liquid to be stirred is mainly composed of a shape memory alloy, and the stirring bar is different in shape when the liquid to be stirred is stirred and when it is cleaned. An automatic analyzer comprising temperature variable means for varying the temperature of the apparatus. The automatic analyzer according to claim 10, wherein
The shape of the stirrer is an automatic analyzer having a larger apparent surface area when stirred than when washed. The automatic analyzer according to claim 10, wherein
The shape of the stirring bar is bent in the axial direction of the stirring bar when stirring, and the degree of the bending is reduced when washed. The automatic analyzer according to claim 10, wherein
The shape of the stirring bar is twisted around the axis of the stirring bar when stirring, and the degree of twisting is reduced when washed.

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