JP2010002236A - Autoanalyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an autoanalyzer capable of obtaining an analyzing result of high precision by preventing the temperature change of a thermostatic cell. <P>SOLUTION: The autoanalyzer for analyzing a specimen, by dispensing the specimen and a reagent in the reaction container 20 held to a reaction tank 13 and measuring the absorbance of the reaction liquid L of the specimen and the reagent, is equipped with the thermostatic cell 33 provided in the reaction tank 13 to adjust the reaction liquid L to a predetermined temperature, the housing 4 covering at least the thermostatic cell 33 and cutting off the external and internal spaces of the autoanalyzer up to the position of the thermostatic cell 33, and a heat discharge means 21 for discharging the heat of the thermostatic cell 33 to the outside of the housing 4 while cutting off the internal and external spaces of the housing 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that analyzes a sample by dispensing a sample and a reagent into a reaction container, reacting a reaction solution at a predetermined temperature, and measuring the absorbance of the reaction solution.

  Conventionally, an automatic analyzer that analyzes a sample by reacting the sample with a reagent and measuring the absorbance of the reaction solution is known. This automatic analyzer includes a reaction vessel that holds and rotates a plurality of reaction vessels, and dispenses and reacts a sample and a reagent in the reaction vessel. This reaction vessel is provided with a thermostatic chamber around the reaction vessel so that the reaction between the specimen and the reagent in the reaction vessel is performed at a predetermined temperature. However, this thermostatic chamber is easily affected by the external environmental temperature, and it is difficult to keep the reaction liquid in the reaction vessel at a predetermined temperature only by controlling the temperature of the thermostatic bath, and there is a difference in the temperature of the reaction liquid in each reaction vessel. As a result, there is a problem that an analysis result with high accuracy cannot be obtained.

  To solve this problem, the heated washing water is dispensed into an empty reaction vessel that is not used during analysis, preventing temperature fluctuations in the thermostatic chamber due to the external environmental temperature and keeping the temperature of the reaction solution constant. There is known an automatic analyzer that keeps the temperature constant (see Patent Document 1).

JP-A-11-201975

  However, in the automatic analyzer described in Patent Document 1 described above, the temperature environment changes and external air flows in by an intake / exhaust fan provided for the purpose of cooling the heat generated by the equipment in the apparatus. Since the temperature is circulated, the temperature fluctuation of the thermostatic chamber becomes large, and the temperature control becomes difficult. For this reason, it is difficult to keep the reaction solution constant at a predetermined temperature, and there is a problem that a highly accurate analysis result cannot be obtained.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an automatic analyzer that can keep a reaction solution constant at a predetermined temperature and obtain a highly accurate analysis result by preventing temperature fluctuations in a thermostatic bath. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an automatic analyzer according to the present invention dispenses a sample and a reagent into a reaction vessel held by a reaction tank, and measures the absorbance of the reaction solution. In the automatic analyzer for analyzing the sample, a thermostat provided in the reaction tank and adjusting the reaction solution to a predetermined temperature, and covering at least the thermostat, up to the position of the thermostat, outside the automatic analyzer A housing that blocks the space and the internal space, and a heat exhausting unit that discharges heat from the thermostatic chamber to the outside of the housing while blocking the internal space of the housing and the external space of the housing; It is provided with.

  Moreover, the automatic analyzer according to the present invention includes a cleaning water tank provided in the casing and containing cleaning water in the above invention, and the exhaust heat means heats the internal space of the casing. The heat of the thermostatic bath is discharged into the washing water tank while being shut off.

  The automatic analyzer according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, a cooling means for cooling the exhaust heat section is provided in the exhaust heat section of the exhaust heat means provided outside the casing.

  Moreover, the automatic analyzer according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the exhaust heat means is a heat pipe.

  Moreover, the automatic analyzer according to the present invention is the above-described invention, comprising a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the thermostat, a heater power supply for supplying current to the heater of the thermostat, and a detection result of the temperature sensor. Temperature control means for controlling the heater power supply and / or the cooling means, the reaction tank is provided in the upper part of the casing, and the heater power supply and the temperature control means are provided in the lower part of the casing. The lower part of the housing has an opening to the outside.

  According to the present invention, at least the thermostat is covered, the external space and the internal space of the automatic analyzer are blocked by the casing up to the position of the thermostat, and the internal space of the casing and the external space of the casing are By discharging the heat of the thermostatic chamber to the outside of the housing while shutting off, it is possible to prevent temperature fluctuations of the thermostatic chamber and obtain a highly accurate analysis result with a simple configuration.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an automatic analyzer according to the 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 perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of the automatic analyzer according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic analyzer 1 dispenses a sample and a reagent into a reaction container 20 and a sample transfer mechanism 2 that supplies a sample to be analyzed, and reacts the reaction in the reaction container 20. And a measurement mechanism 3 for measuring the absorbance of the liquid. The automatic analyzer 1 automatically analyzes a plurality of samples by the cooperation of these two mechanisms.

  The sample transfer mechanism 2 holds a plurality of sample containers containing samples to be analyzed and sequentially transfers them to the sample aspirating position. The sample in the transferred sample container is dispensed by the sample dispensing mechanism 12 into the reaction container 20 arranged in the reaction tank 13.

  The measurement mechanism 3 includes a sample dispensing mechanism 12 that sucks a sample from the sample container and discharges the sample into the reaction container 20 for dispensing, and dispensing, stirring, photometry, and washing of the sample and the reagent into the reaction container 20 A reaction tank 13 for transferring the reaction container 20 to a predetermined position for carrying out the reaction, a reagent container 14 for storing a plurality of reagent containers containing reagents dispensed in the reaction container 20, and a reagent in the reagent container 14 A reagent dispensing mechanism 15 that sucks the reagent from the container and discharges the reagent into the reaction container 20 to dispense, a stirring mechanism 16 that stirs the liquid dispensed in the reaction container 20, and a dispensing to the reaction container 20. A photometric mechanism 17 for measuring the absorbance of the liquid, a cleaning mechanism 18 for cleaning the reaction vessel 20 that has been measured by the photometric mechanism 17, and an intrusion of outside air and internal air to the outside by covering the measurement mechanism 3 A lid 19 that prevents it from flowing out. Obtain.

  In the automatic analyzer 1, the sample dispensing mechanism 12 dispenses a sample from the sample container at the sample suction position to the plurality of reaction containers 20 that are sequentially transported to the sample dispensing position by the rotation of the reaction tank 13. Thereafter, the reagent dispensing mechanism 15 sucks the reagent from the reagent container of the reagent storage 14 and dispenses it to the reagent dispensing position of the reaction tank 13. Further, the photometric mechanism 17 measures the absorbance of the reaction solution in the reaction vessel 20 that has reacted the specimen and the reagent. The automatic analyzer 1 automatically performs component analysis of the specimen based on the measurement result. Thereafter, the cleaning mechanism 18 cleans the reaction container 20 that has finished measuring the absorbance, and reuses the reaction container 20. While reusing the reaction vessel 20, the above-described series of analysis operations are repeated.

  Here, the internal configuration of the automatic analyzer 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a cross section taken along line AA of the automatic analyzer 1 with the lid 19 closed. The automatic analyzer 1 has a housing 4 that covers the internal space of the automatic analyzer 1 by a side wall 4a, a bottom wall 4b, and a lid 19 that is provided at the top and can be freely opened and closed. The housing 4 has a structure that blocks the internal space of the automatic analyzer 1 from the external space.

  A reaction tank 13 is provided in the upper part of the housing 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the reaction tank 13 includes a reaction table 31 that accommodates and rotates a plurality of reaction containers 20, a drive mechanism 32 that rotationally drives the reaction table 31, and a temperature near the body temperature, for example. And a temperature sensor 34 that detects the temperature of the constant temperature liquid LT in the constant temperature tank 33, a heater 35 that is a heat source that raises the temperature of the constant temperature liquid LT, and the reaction tank 13. The cover 36 covers the side and the bottom of the reaction tank 13, and the lid 37 covers the top of the reaction tank 13.

  In the reaction table 31, a plurality of storage chambers are formed in an annular shape at equal intervals along the circumferential direction, and the reaction vessel 20 is detachably stored in each storage chamber. The drive mechanism 32 rotates the reaction table 31 around a vertical line passing through the center of the reaction vessel 13 under the control of a control unit (not shown), and transfers the reaction vessel 20 to a predetermined position. The constant temperature bath 33 is formed with a flow path in the circumferential direction, the constant temperature liquid LT is sealed in the flow path, and the constant temperature liquid LT is adjusted to the above-described body temperature by the heater 35. The constant temperature bath 33 applies the heat of the constant temperature liquid LT to the reaction liquid L, which is a liquid in the reaction vessel 20, via the reaction table 31, and adjusts the reaction liquid L to the temperature of the body temperature. As the constant temperature liquid LT, water or a liquid having a heat capacity close to water, for example, an ethylene glycol solution or the like is used. The heater 35 is provided on the lower bottom wall of the thermostatic chamber 33, and is supplied by a heater power supply 41 provided at the lower portion of the housing 4 under the control of a temperature control unit 40 provided at the lower portion of the housing 4. It is heated by an electric current to adjust the temperature of the constant temperature liquid LT. In addition, although the heater 35 is provided along the constant temperature bath 33 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, it may be provided over the entire circumference. The temperature sensor 34 is provided on the inner wall of the constant temperature bath 33, detects the temperature of the constant temperature liquid LT, and outputs the detection result to the temperature control unit 40 via a slip ring (not shown). The cover 36 is provided so as to integrally cover the inner peripheral side, the outer peripheral side, and the lower side of the reaction table 31 and prevent the entry of outside air into the internal space. The lid 37 is openable and closable, and is provided on the top of the reaction table 31 to prevent evaporation and denaturation of the reaction liquid L in the reaction vessel 20.

  Here, in this Embodiment 1, it has the exhaust heat means 21 implement | achieved by the heat pipe provided over the exterior and the inside of the housing | casing 4 near the reaction tank 13. FIG. The heat exhaust means 21 has a function of exhausting the heat of the reaction tank 13 in the housing 4 to the external space of the housing 4. The heat absorption side of the exhaust heat means 21 is provided in close contact with the lower part of the reaction tank 13, and the exhaust heat side of the exhaust heat means 21 is provided outside the side wall 4a. The heat removal means 21 is realized by a heat pipe as described above, and the heat absorption side is formed in a spiral shape at the lower part of the reaction tank 13 as shown in FIG. The heat pipe discharges heat on the heat absorption side to the outside of the side wall 4a by repeating evaporation and condensation of the working fluid in the pipe. By using this heat pipe, the heat of the thermostatic chamber 33 can be discharged to the external space while blocking the internal space in the housing 4 and the external space outside the housing 4. The working fluid in the heat pipe is a fluid that evaporates and condenses within a target temperature range.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the temperature control unit 40 is provided in the lower part of the housing 4 via a support base 40a provided on the bottom wall 4b. And the temperature control part 40 controls the electric current of the heater power supply 41 supplied to the heater 35 based on the detection result of the temperature sensor 34, and adjusts the thermostat LT to body temperature temperature.

  Similarly to the temperature control unit 40, the heater power supply 41 is provided in the lower part of the housing 4 via a support base 41a provided on the bottom wall 4b as shown in FIG. The heater power supply 41 adjusts the current supplied to the heater 35 based on a control instruction input via the temperature control unit 40.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the temperature control unit 40 acquires the temperature of the constant temperature liquid LT detected by the temperature sensor 34 (step S101), and determines whether or not the acquired temperature is equal to or lower than the target temperature. (Step S102). For example, it is determined whether or not the temperature of the constant temperature liquid LT is 37 degrees or less. When the acquired temperature is equal to or lower than the target temperature (step S102: Yes), control is performed to increase the amount of current supplied from the heater power supply 41 to the heater 35 (step S103), and the process proceeds to step S101. On the other hand, when the acquired temperature is not equal to or lower than the target temperature (step S102: No), the temperature control unit 40 stops the current supplied from the heater power supply 41 to the heater 35 and adjusts the temperature of the thermostatic chamber 33 only by the exhaust heat means 21. (Step S104), the process proceeds to Step S101, and the above-described processing is repeated.

  Here, in the case 4, the heater power supply 41 provided in the lower part of the case 4 rises with the analysis processing of the automatic analyzer 1, and the heat generated by this temperature rise is generated in the case 4. It moves to upper part, is transmitted to the thermostat 33 in the reaction tank 13 provided in the upper part in the housing | casing 4, and the thermostat 33 heats up. In this case, in the first embodiment, the heat removal means 21 discharges the heat of the thermostat 33 to the outside of the housing 4 while blocking the internal space in the housing 4 and the external space outside the housing 4. Therefore, the temperature of the thermostatic chamber 33 can be easily maintained at the body temperature temperature only by controlling the heater power supply 41 performed by the temperature control unit 40 based on the detection result of the temperature sensor 34.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In Embodiment 1 described above, the exhaust heat side of the exhaust heat means 21 is provided outside the housing 4 so as to exhaust heat to the external space. In Embodiment 2, however, the inside of the housing 4 is cleaned. Heat is discharged to the water tank.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section of the automatic analyzer according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, in the second embodiment, the cleaning water tank 50 filled with the cleaning water Wa used for the analysis processing of the automatic analyzer 1 is provided in the lower part of the housing 4, and the heat exhausting means 51 is provided. The exhaust heat destination is not connected to the outside of the housing 4 but connected to the cleaning water tank 50.

  In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the heat exhausting means 51 is realized by a heat pipe. Therefore, although the heat exhausting means 51 is disposed in the housing 4, it is a heat pipe, so that the heat absorbed on the heat absorbing side at the bottom of the reaction tank 13 is exhausted into the washing water tank 50. In the meantime, the heat can be exhausted only to the washing water tank 50 without being dissipated in the housing 4 and in a state where the heat is shut off. Here, the washing water Wa is used after being heated to the body temperature, but can be heated by effectively using the heat transferred by the exhaust heat means 51. Therefore, the heater capacity of a cleaning water heater (not shown) can be reduced, and there is no need to consider the influence of heat radiation on the outside of the housing.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In Embodiment 1 described above, the exhaust heat side of the exhaust heat means 21 is provided outside the housing 4 so as to dissipate heat naturally. However, in Embodiment 3, a cooling means is provided for forced cooling. ing.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 6, a cooling means 61 realized by a Peltier element is provided on the exhaust heat side of the exhaust heat means 21 provided outside the housing 4, and the cooling means 61 is controlled by the temperature control unit 40. I can do it.

Here, a temperature control processing procedure by the temperature control unit 40 will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, first, the temperature control unit 40 acquires the temperature of the constant temperature liquid LT detected by the temperature sensor 34 (step S201), and determines whether or not the acquired temperature is equal to or lower than the lower limit of the target temperature range ( Step S202). When the acquired temperature is equal to or lower than the lower limit of the target temperature range (step S202: Yes), the temperature control unit 40 increases the amount of current supplied to the heater 35 with respect to the heater power supply 41 in accordance with the acquired temperature. Control is performed to adjust the heating of the constant temperature liquid LT (step S203), and the process proceeds to step S201. On the other hand, when the acquired temperature is not lower than the lower limit of the target temperature range (step S202: No), it is further determined whether or not the acquired temperature is higher than or equal to the upper limit of the target temperature range (step S204). When the temperature is equal to or higher than the upper limit of the target temperature range (step S204: Yes), the temperature control unit 40 performs control to increase the current amount in the cooling direction by the cooling unit 61 in accordance with the acquired temperature (step S205). The process proceeds to step S201. By the cooling process of the cooling means 61, the amount of exhaust heat by the exhaust heat means 21 can be increased. On the other hand, when the temperature is not equal to or higher than the upper limit of the target temperature range (step S204: No), the temperature control unit 40 stops the current supply to the heater 35 with respect to the heater power supply 41, and Temperature adjustment is performed (step S206), the process proceeds to step S201, and the above-described processing is repeated.

  In the third embodiment, by providing the cooling means 61 on the exhaust heat side of the exhaust heat means 21, the amount of exhaust heat by the exhaust heat means 21 can be increased, so that the temperature control can be performed more quickly and accurately. The temperature fluctuation of the thermostatic chamber 33 can be reduced.

  In the first to third embodiments described above, an opening 4c may be provided on the bottom wall 4b with respect to the outside of the housing 4 as shown in FIG. By providing the opening 4c, the temperature control unit 40 and the heater power supply 41 can directly touch the outside air, the heat generated by the temperature control unit 40 and the heater power supply 41 can be reduced, and the temperature of the thermostatic chamber 33 can be reduced. Variation can be reduced.

1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an automatic analyzer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure which showed typically the AA sectional view of the automatic analyzer shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing the heat exhausting means according to the first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a temperature control processing procedure by the temperature control unit of the first embodiment. It is the figure which showed typically the cross section of the automatic analyzer concerning Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a cross section of an automatic analyzer according to a third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a temperature control processing procedure by a temperature control unit according to a third embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automatic analyzer 2 Specimen transfer mechanism 3 Measurement mechanism 4 Case 4a Side wall 4b Bottom wall 4c Opening part 12 Specimen dispensing mechanism 13 Reaction tank 14 Reagent tank 15 Reagent dispensing mechanism 16 Stirring mechanism 17 Photometric mechanism 18 Washing mechanism 19, 37 Lid 20 Reaction vessel 21, 51 Heat removal means 31 Reaction table 32 Drive mechanism 33 Constant temperature bath 34 Temperature sensor 35 Heater 36 Cover 40 Temperature control unit 40a, 41a Support base 41 Heater power supply 50 Washing water tank 61 Cooling means L Reaction liquid LT Constant temperature Liquid Wa Wash water

Claims (5)

In an automatic analyzer that dispenses a sample and a reagent into a reaction vessel held by a reaction tank and analyzes the sample by measuring the absorbance of the reaction solution,
A constant temperature bath provided in the reaction vessel to adjust the reaction solution to a predetermined temperature;
A housing that covers at least the thermostat and blocks the external space and the internal space of the automatic analyzer up to the position of the thermostat;
Heat exhausting means for discharging heat of the thermostatic chamber to the outside of the housing, while blocking the internal space of the housing and the external space of the housing;
An automatic analyzer characterized by comprising: A cleaning water tank is provided in the housing and contains cleaning water,
2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust heat unit exhausts heat of the thermostatic chamber to the washing water tank while thermally blocking the internal space of the housing.   The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein a cooling means for cooling the exhaust heat section is provided in an exhaust heat section of the exhaust heat means provided outside the casing.   The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust heat unit is a heat pipe. A temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the thermostat; and
A heater power supply for supplying current to the heater of the thermostat;
Temperature control means for controlling the heater power supply and / or the cooling means based on the detection result of the temperature sensor;
The reaction tank is provided in the upper part of the casing, the heater power source and the temperature control means are provided in the lower part of the casing, and the lower part of the casing has an opening to the outside. The automatic analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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