JP2010078335A - Autoanalyzer and transfer unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an autoanalyzer capable of avoiding the occurrence of a biological disaster at the time of discarding a container such as a cuvet or the like to a predetermined discarding position by a user, and a transfer unit. <P>SOLUTION: The cuvet discarding unit 240 of the autoanalyzer 1 is constituted so as to suck the waste solution LC in the cuvet 351 from the waste solution sucking nozzle 246-1 provided to a cuvet holding part 243 for holding the cuvet C when it is transferred to the predetermined cuvet discarding position 244 to separate the cuvet C and the waste solution LC. Since a reaction solution sucking nozzle 276-1 is protruded from the region under the fitting part 273-1a of a cuvet holding part 273, the leading end part 276-1a is inserted in the cuvet 351 when it is fitted to the fitting part 273-1a and the reaction solution 351b in the cuvet 351 is discharged. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer and a transfer unit, for example, an automatic analyzer capable of discarding a used reaction container and a transfer unit thereof.

  Conventional analyzers that automatically analyze multiple items by reacting a liquid sample with a liquid reagent dispense the sample and reagent into reaction containers called cuvettes, stir them, and then generate The measured reaction solution was optically measured (for example, see Patent Document 1 or 2 shown below).

JP 2000-32286 A JP-A-8-146010

  However, in the above-described conventional technology, a container containing a waste solution such as a reaction solution or a reagent after measurement is directly discarded in a waste bag set in a discard box. For this reason, the user must take out the waste bag containing the waste liquid flowing out of the container from the analyzer and transport it to a specific disposal location. There has been a problem that the user may suffer a biological hazard (biohazard) due to the possibility of scattering.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and can automatically reduce the possibility of a biological disaster occurring when a user discards a container such as a cuvette to a predetermined disposal position. An object is to provide an analyzer and a transfer unit.

  In order to achieve this object, an automatic analyzer according to the present invention includes a container transfer means for transferring a predetermined container to a predetermined disposal position, and from when the container transfer means starts the transfer operation of the predetermined container to completion. And a suction means for sucking the liquid in the predetermined container.

  In the above-described automatic analyzer according to the present invention, the container transfer unit includes a holding unit that detachably holds the predetermined container, and a moving mechanism that moves the holding unit to a predetermined position, and the suction unit includes: A suction pipe held by the holding part, and a suction pump connected to the suction pipe, wherein the suction pipe has a tip part in the predetermined container when the holding part holds the predetermined container. It is characterized by being inserted.

  The above-described automatic analyzer according to the present invention is characterized in that the suction pump starts suction before the holding unit holds the predetermined container.

  The above-described automatic analyzer according to the present invention is characterized by comprising a tip position adjusting means for adjusting the position of the tip of the suction tube with respect to the holding portion.

  In the above-described automatic analyzer according to the present invention, the tip position adjusting means includes a spring that biases the tip of the suction tube downward, and the suction tube is vertically moved in a state of being biased downward by the spring. The suction portion is held by the holding portion so as to be slidable in a direction, and the tip portion of the suction tube is in contact with the bottom portion of the predetermined container in a state where the holding portion holds the predetermined container.

  In the above-described automatic analyzer according to the present invention, the predetermined container has an opening at the top, and the holding portion includes a fitting portion that holds the predetermined container by being fitted into the opening of the predetermined container. The tip portion of the suction tube protrudes from the bottom of the fitting portion.

  The above-described automatic analyzer according to the present invention is characterized in that the fitting portion has a cross-sectional shape different from the opening shape of the predetermined container.

  In the above-described automatic analyzer according to the present invention, the predetermined container has claws on both sides, the holding portion has two hook portions formed with holes that can be hooked with the claws of the predetermined container, A connecting portion that connects the hanging portion so as to be openable and closable; a guide portion that is fixed to the connecting portion; and a slide portion that is slidably held in the vertical direction by the guide portion. A portion is held by the slide portion so as to protrude from the bottom portion of the slide portion.

  The above-described automatic analyzer according to the present invention is characterized by including a discarding unit for discarding the predetermined container transferred by the container transfer means.

  The above-described automatic analyzer according to the present invention is characterized by including a waste liquid tank for storing the liquid sucked by the suction means.

  The above-described automatic analyzer according to the present invention includes a container stock unit that stocks one or more predetermined containers, and the container transfer means acquires a predetermined container from the container stock unit and sets the acquired predetermined container at a predetermined position. It is characterized by doing.

  The transfer unit according to the present invention is a transfer unit for transferring a predetermined container to a predetermined disposal position, and sucks the liquid in the predetermined container from the start to the completion of the transfer operation of the predetermined container. It is characterized by having a suction means to perform.

  The transfer unit according to the present invention includes a holding unit that detachably holds the predetermined container, the suction means includes a suction tube held by the holding unit, and the suction tube includes the holding unit. When the predetermined container is held, the distal end portion is inserted into the predetermined container.

  The transfer unit according to the present invention described above includes a tip position adjusting means for adjusting the position of the tip portion of the suction tube with respect to the holding portion.

  In the transfer unit according to the present invention described above, the tip position adjusting means includes a spring that biases the tip portion of the suction tube downward, and the suction tube is biased downward by the spring in the vertical direction. The suction portion is slidably held by the holding portion, and the tip end portion of the suction tube abuts on the bottom portion of the predetermined container while the holding portion holds the predetermined container.

  In the transfer unit according to the present invention described above, the predetermined container has an opening at the top, and the holding portion includes a fitting portion that holds the predetermined container by being inserted into the opening of the predetermined container. A tip portion of the suction tube protrudes from the bottom of the fitting portion.

  The transfer unit according to the present invention described above is characterized in that the fitting portion has a cross-sectional shape different from the opening shape of the predetermined container.

  In the transfer unit according to the present invention described above, the predetermined container has claws on both sides, the holding portion has two hook portions formed with holes that can be hooked with the claws of the predetermined container, and the hooks. A connecting portion that connects the holding portion so as to be openable and closable; a guide portion that is fixed to the connecting portion; and a slide portion that is slidably held in the vertical direction by the guide portion. Is held by the slide part so as to protrude from the bottom part of the slide part.

  According to the present invention, since the waste liquid such as the reaction liquid and the reagent is sucked from a predetermined container such as a cuvette, the waste liquid and the predetermined container can be separated at the time of disposal. As a result, it is possible to prevent waste liquid from accumulating in the disposer for the specified container or the waste bag set in the container, and the occurrence of harmful effects such as leakage of the liquid in the waste bag during transportation or scattering of the leaked liquid. Can be avoided. Thereby, it is possible to realize an automatic analyzer and a transfer unit that can reduce the possibility of a user suffering a biological hazard (biohazard).

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by the following embodiment. Moreover, in the following description, each figure has shown only the shape, the magnitude | size, and positional relationship so that the content of this invention can be understood, Therefore, this invention was illustrated in each figure. It is not limited to only the shape, size, and positional relationship. Furthermore, in each figure, a part of hatching in the cross section is omitted for the sake of clarifying the configuration.

<Embodiment 1>
Hereinafter, an automatic analyzer 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The automatic analyzer 1 exemplified in the present embodiment is an analyzer for measuring items related to immunity, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, an automatic analysis for analyzing items related to biochemistry. The present embodiment can be applied to various analysis apparatuses such as an apparatus.

(Automatic analyzer)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an automatic analyzer 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic analyzer 1 includes a main unit 100 and a control terminal 400 connected to the main unit 100. The main unit 100 is a device for measuring the amount of luminescence of the luminescent substrate due to the action of the reaction product generated by reacting the specimen and the reagent. The control terminal 400 is a device for executing control of the main unit 100, analysis of results measured by the main unit 100, and the like. The automatic analyzer 1 automatically performs immunological analysis of a plurality of specimens by cooperation of these two devices.

  Here, first, the main unit 100 will be described. The main unit 100 is roughly divided into a BF (Bound-Free) processing tank 110, a cuvette supply unit 120, a sample supply unit 130, a sample dispensing unit 140, a first cuvette transfer unit 150, and an immune reaction tank 160. A first reagent dispensing unit 170, a first reagent cold box 180, a second reagent dispensing unit 190, a second reagent cold box 200, a second cuvette transfer unit 210, an enzyme reaction tank 220, A photometric unit 230 and a cuvette disposal unit 240 are provided.

  The BF treatment tank 110 is a tank for performing a so-called BF cleaning process for separating unreacted specimens and / or reagents (hereinafter simply referred to as unreacted substances) from a mixed liquid obtained by mixing the specimen and the reagent. The BF treatment tank 110 has a rotary table 111 that rotates around a center 112 by a driving mechanism (not shown). The rotary table 111 includes a first reaction line 113 in which a plurality of cuvette holders (not shown) are arranged along the inner periphery of the turntable, and a plurality of cuvette holders (not shown) along the inner side of the first reaction line 113. A second reaction line 114. A cuvette C is appropriately set in each cuvette holder. Therefore, when the rotary table 111 is rotated about the center 112, the target cuvette holder or the cuvette C set on the target cuvette holder is set at a predetermined position (the cuvette desorption position 113a, the sample dispensing position 113b, the first reagent distribution). (Pouring position 113c, first cuvette loading / unloading position 113d, second cuvette loading / unloading position 114a or second reagent dispensing position 114b). The first reaction line 113 is provided with a stirring unit (not shown) for stirring the mixed liquid in the cuvette C. The second reaction line 114 is provided with a stirring unit (not shown) for stirring the mixed solution in the cuvette C and a BF processing unit 115 for performing BF processing on the mixed solution in the cuvette C. The BF processing unit 115 includes a magnetism collecting mechanism that collects magnetic particles contained in the first reagent, which will be described later, and uses this to separate the reactants and unreacted substances. In the present embodiment, the specimen is blood or urine collected from a subject, for example.

  The cuvette supply unit 120 is a mechanism for supplying the cuvette C stocked in the cuvette stock unit 124 to the BF treatment tank 110. The cuvette supply unit 120 includes an arm part 122 having one end pivotally supported by a rod-like member (not shown) that functions as a pivot 121 that can project into the upper surface of the main unit 100, and the other end of the arm part 122. And a cuvette holding portion 123 provided in the. The arm portion 122 pivots around the pivot 121 by rotating the rod-shaped member by a driving mechanism (not shown), and moves up and down by protruding the rod-shaped member by a driving mechanism (not shown). Further, the cuvette holding part 123 holds the tip by fitting the top opening of the cuvette C and pushes the upper opening end of the cuvette C to detach it. By using this configuration, the cuvette supply unit 120 holds the cuvette C arranged in the cuvette fitting 125 of the cuvette stock portion 124 by the cuvette holding portion 123, and also holds the held cuvette C at the cuvette release position. It is set in the cuvette holder of the turntable 111 arranged at 113a.

  The sample supply unit 130 includes a sample storage unit 131 that stores one or more sample racks 133 that can hold one or more sample containers 134 each storing a sample to be analyzed, and a transport rail 132 that transports the sample rack 133. And having. The sample rack 133 stored in the sample storage unit 131 is transported on the first transport path 135 or the second transport path 136 of the transport rail 132 by a transport mechanism (not shown). Further, the sample rack 133 transported on the first transport path 135 temporarily stops at the first sample sorting position 135a, and the sample in the sample container 134 held by the sample rack 134 is appropriately transferred by the sample dispensing unit 140 described later. Sorted. Similarly, the sample rack 133 transported on the second transport path 136 temporarily stops at the second sample sorting position 136a, and the sample in the sample container 134 held by the sample rack 133 is appropriately separated by the sample dispensing unit 140. Taken. The sample rack 133 transported on the first / second transport path 135/136 is returned to the sample storage unit 131 by a transport mechanism (not shown) or sent to a storage unit (not shown).

  The sample dispensing unit 140 is a mechanism for dispensing the sample dispensed at the first sample dispensing position 135a or the second sample dispensing position 136a into a predetermined cuvette C in the BF processing tank 110. The sample dispensing unit 140 includes an arm part 142 having one end pivotally supported by a rod-like member (not shown) that functions as a pivot 141 that can project into the upper surface of the main unit 100, and the other of the arm parts 142. A dispensing tip holding part 143 provided at the end. The arm part 142 pivots around the pivot 141 by rotating the rod-like member by a drive mechanism (not shown), and moves up and down by the rod-like member protruding by a drive mechanism (not shown). In addition, a disposable dispensing tip 146 is attached to the dispensing tip holding unit 143 and is connected to a suction pump (not shown). By driving this suction pump, the sample is sucked and the sucked sample is discharged. Is possible. By using this configuration, the sample dispensing unit 140 allows the sample dispensed at the first or second sample dispensing position 135a or 136a to be placed in the cuvette C disposed at the sample dispensing position 113b of the BF processing tank 110. Dispense inside. The sample dispensing unit 140 discards the dispensing tip 146 in the hole provided at the dispensing tip discarding position 147 every time the sample is dispensed, and the dispensing tip fitting position 145 of the dispensing tip stock unit 144 is disposed. Then, a new dispensing tip 146 is attached to the dispensing tip holder 143. Further, the dispensing tip 146 discarded at the dispensing tip discarding position 147 is accommodated in a disposer (not shown), and then discarded to the outside by the user.

  The first cuvette transfer unit 150 is a mechanism for transferring the cuvette C between the BF treatment tank 110, the immune reaction tank 160, and an enzyme reaction tank 220 described later. Similar to the cuvette supply unit 120, the first cuvette transfer unit 150 is an arm portion having one end pivotally supported by a rod-like member (not shown) that functions as a pivot 151 that can project and enter the upper surface of the main unit 100. 152 and a cuvette holding part 153 provided at the other end of the arm part 152. By using this configuration, the first cuvette transfer unit 150 takes out the target cuvette C from the first cuvette entry / exit position 113d of the BF treatment tank 110, and extracts it from the cuvette entry / exit positions 163a, 164a of the immune reaction layer 160 described later. And 165a are set in a cuvette holder (not shown). The first cuvette transfer unit 150 takes out the cuvette C processed in the immune reaction tank 160 at the cuvette entry / exit position 163a, 164a or 165a, and removes the cuvette C at the second cuvette entry / exit position 114a of the BF treatment tank 110. Set in a holder (not shown). Furthermore, the first cuvette transfer unit 150 takes out the cuvette C processed in the BF treatment tank 110 from the second cuvette entry / exit position 114a, and removes the cuvette C from the cuvette entry / exit position 223a of the enzyme reaction tank 220 (not shown). ).

  The immune reaction tank 160 is a mechanism for performing a predetermined pretreatment or the like on the specimen injected into the cuvette C, or for promoting the reaction between the specimen and the reagent. The immune reaction tank 160 has a rotary table 161 that rotates around a center 162 by a driving mechanism (not shown). The turntable 161 is positioned on the outermost periphery, and is positioned on the inner side of the outer peripheral line 163 for pretreatment and predilution, and promotes the immune reaction between the specimen and the solid phase carrier reagent as the first reagent. And an inner peripheral line 165 that is located on the innermost periphery and promotes an immune reaction between the specimen and the labeled antibody that is one of the second reagents. In each line (163, 164, 165), a plurality of cuvette holders (not shown) are arranged, and a cuvette C is appropriately set therein. Therefore, when the rotary table 161 rotates about the center 162, the target cuvette holder or the cuvette C set on the target cuvette holder is arranged at a predetermined cuvette entry / exit position 163a, 164a or 165a. Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the triple of the outer peripheral line 163, the intermediate peripheral line 164, and the inner peripheral line 165, and can be changed as appropriate.

  The first reagent dispensing unit 170 includes a solid phase carrier reagent (first reagent) stored in a first reagent cool box 180 described later or a labeled antibody stored in the second reagent cool box 200. This is a mechanism for separating a reagent (hereinafter referred to as a labeling reagent) and dispensing it into a predetermined cuvette C in the BF treatment tank 110. Similar to the sample dispensing unit 140, the first reagent dispensing unit 170 has one end pivotally supported by a rod-like member (not shown) that functions as a pivot 171 that can protrude into the upper surface of the main unit 100. It has an arm part 172 and a first reagent dispensing probe 173 provided at the other end of the arm part 172 and connected to a suction pump (not shown). By using this configuration, the first reagent dispensing unit 170 dispenses the solid-phase carrier reagent (first reagent) from the first reagent cool box 180 at the first reagent dispensing position 183, and dispenses the solid solution. The phase carrier reagent (first reagent) is dispensed into the target cuvette C at the first reagent dispensing position 113c. In addition, the first reagent dispensing unit 170 dispenses the labeled reagent (second reagent) from the second reagent cool box 200 at the second reagent dispensing position 203a, and the dispensed labeled reagent (second reagent) is secondly collected. Dispensing into the target cuvette C at one reagent dispensing position 113c. Note that the first reagent dispensing probe 173 may not be disposable. Instead, the first reagent dispensing unit 170 includes a washing unit 174 for washing the first reagent dispensing probe 173, and in the washing unit 174 every time the solid phase carrier reagent (first reagent) is dispensed. The first reagent dispensing probe 173 is washed.

  The first reagent refrigerating box 180 is a solid phase carrier reagent (also referred to as a BF solution) including magnetic particles that are insoluble carriers in which a reactant that specifically binds to an antigen or antibody in a sample to be analyzed is solid-phased. This is a mechanism for storing the first reagent under temperature control. The first reagent cooler 180 has a turntable 181 that rotates about a center 182 by a drive mechanism (not shown). A plurality of first reagent containers 184 are arranged on the turntable 181 along the inner periphery. Therefore, when the rotary table 181 rotates about the center 182, the first reagent container 184 that stores the target solid phase carrier reagent (first reagent) is disposed at the first reagent sorting position 183. The first reagent cooler 180 is provided with a barcode reader (not shown), which reads the barcode attached to the side surface of the first reagent container 184. Further, based on the read contents, the solid phase carrier reagent (first reagent) stored in the first reagent cold storage 180 is managed.

  The second reagent dispensing unit 190 dispenses a substrate solution that is a second reagent stored in a second reagent cooler 200 described later, and dispenses it into a predetermined cuvette C in the BF treatment tank 110. Mechanism. Similar to the first reagent dispensing unit 170, the second reagent dispensing unit 190 has one end pivotally supported by a rod-shaped member (not shown) that functions as a pivot 191 that can protrude into the upper surface of the main unit 100. Arm 172 and a second reagent dispensing probe 193 provided at the other end of the arm 172 and connected to a suction pump (not shown). By using this configuration, the second reagent dispensing unit 190 dispenses the substrate liquid (second reagent) from the second reagent cool box 200 at the second reagent dispensing position 203b, and the separated substrate liquid ( The second reagent) is dispensed into the target cuvette C at the second reagent dispensing position 114b. Note that the second reagent dispensing probe 193 may not be disposable. Instead, the second reagent dispensing unit 190 includes a washing unit 194 for washing the second reagent dispensing probe 193, and each time the substrate solution (second reagent) is dispensed, the second reagent dispensing unit 190 includes the second reagent dispensing unit 190 in the washing unit 194. The reagent dispensing probe 193 is washed.

  A second reagent refrigerating chamber 200, a labeling reagent (second reagent) containing a labeled antibody (for example, an enzyme) that specifically binds to an antigen or antibody bound to magnetic particles, and a substrate solution (second reagent) containing a substrate; , Is a mechanism for storing under temperature control. Similar to the first reagent cooler 180, the second reagent cooler 200 has a rotary table 201 that is rotated around a center 202 by a drive mechanism (not shown). A plurality of second reagent containers 204 are arranged on the turntable 201 along the inner periphery. Therefore, when the rotary table 201 rotates around the center 202, the target second reagent (labeling reagent or substrate liquid) is arranged at the second reagent sorting position 203a or 203b. The second reagent cool box 200 is provided with a barcode reader (not shown), and reads the barcode attached to the side surface of the second reagent container 204 using the barcode reader. Further, the second reagent (labeling reagent or substrate solution) stored in the second reagent cool box 200 is managed based on the read contents.

  The second cuvette transfer unit 210 is a mechanism for transferring the cuvette C from the enzyme reaction tank 220 described later to the photometric unit 230. Similar to the first cuvette transfer unit 150, the second cuvette transfer unit 210 has one end pivotally supported by a rod-like member (not shown) that functions as a pivot 211 that can protrude into the upper surface of the main unit 100. It has an arm part 212 and a cuvette holding part 213 provided at the other end of the arm part 212. By using this configuration, the second cuvette transfer unit 210 takes out the target cuvette C from the cuvette take-out position 223b of the enzyme reaction tank 220, and removes the target cuvette C from the cuvette holder (233) of the photometry unit 230. Set (not shown).

  The enzyme reaction tank 220 is a tank for accelerating an enzyme reaction in which the temperament in the substrate liquid (second reagent) injected into the cuvette can emit light. Similar to the immune reaction layer 160, the enzyme reaction tank 220 includes a rotary table 221 that is rotated about a center 222 by a driving mechanism (not shown). The turntable 221 includes an enzyme reaction line 223 in which a plurality of cuvette holders (not shown) are arranged along the inner periphery. A cuvette C is appropriately set in each cuvette holder. Therefore, when the rotary table 221 rotates about the center 222, the target cuvette holder or the cuvette C set on the target cuvette holder is arranged at predetermined positions (the cuvette entry / exit position 223a and the cuvette removal position 223b).

  The photometry unit 230 is a mechanism for measuring weak light generated by a chemical reaction in the cuvette C, for example. The photometric unit 230 includes a light receiving unit 232 including a photomultiplier tube for converting light output from the reaction solution in the cuvette C or light transmitted through the reaction solution in the cuvette C into an amplified electric signal. including. The photometric unit 230 may include a light source unit 231 that irradiates light to the cuvette C. The cuvette holder provided in the photometric unit 230 includes one or more optical windows (not shown), and light can be incident and extracted through the optical windows.

  The cuvette discarding unit 240 is a mechanism for discarding the cuvette C containing a reaction liquid (hereinafter referred to as a waste liquid) that has been measured. Similar to the first cuvette transfer unit 150, the cuvette disposal unit 240 is an arm portion having one end pivotally supported by a rod-like member (not shown) that functions as a pivot 241 that can project into the upper surface of the main unit 100. 242 and a cuvette holding part 243 provided at the other end of the arm part 242. By using this configuration, the cuvette disposal unit 240 takes out the cuvette C after completion of measurement from the cuvette entry / exit position 233 of the photometry unit 230 and disposes it from the hole provided at the cuvette disposal position 244. Dispose of (not shown). Further, the cuvette disposal unit 240 serves as a means for separating the waste liquid in the cuvette C from the cuvette C when the cuvette C is discarded, in addition to the container transport means for transporting the cuvette as a predetermined container to a predetermined disposal position. A suction means is provided. The details of the cuvette disposal unit 240 will be described later in detail.

  Further, each of the above components operates under the control of the control terminal 400 connected to the outside via an interface (not shown) provided in the main unit 100, for example. The control terminal 400 includes, for example, an interface (I / F) 410 that is connected to the interface of the main unit 100 via a predetermined line 420, an analysis unit 402 that analyzes an input measurement result, and a user receives various instructions and commands. An input unit 403 for inputting information, a display unit 404 for displaying various measurement / analysis results, sample status, measurement / analysis progress, etc. to the user, various control programs, input measurement results, and generated analysis results And a control unit 401 that controls the above-described units and controls each unit in the main unit 100 and the subunit 300.

(Cuvette disposal unit)
Next, the configuration and operation of the cuvette disposal unit 240 in the automatic analyzer 1 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The cuvette disposal unit 240 is one of transfer units for transferring the cuvette C.

  Here, an example of the cuvette C used in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. 2A is a perspective view showing a schematic shape of a cuvette C used in the present embodiment, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view showing a schematic shape of a cuvette C2 which is a modified example of the cuvette C. FIG. As shown in FIG. 2A, the cuvette C used in the present embodiment is, for example, a cylindrical container in which an opening CA is formed. Such a cuvette C is formed using a transparent material such as hard glass, plastic, or quartz. In addition, the cuvette C2 according to the modification of the present embodiment has a substantially quadrangular prism shape having a substantially square shape with slightly rounded corners of the opening CA2 formed in the upper portion as shown in FIG. 2B, for example. Container. However, the present invention is not limited to these shapes, and any shape can be used as long as the container has a shape that can be held by a cuvette holding portion 243 described later.

  The cuvette disposal unit 240 according to the present embodiment is a container transport unit for transporting the cuvette C, which is a predetermined container, to the cuvette disposal position 244, which is a predetermined disposal position. Have. One end of the arm portion 242 is fixed to a pivot member 241 </ b> A that is a rod-shaped member that functions as the pivot 241. The pivot member 241A can project into the upper surface of the main unit 100 by a drive mechanism 247 described later. Thereby, the vertical position of the arm unit 242 with respect to the upper surface of the main unit 100 is configured to be displaceable. The pivot member 241A can be rotated by a drive mechanism 247. Thus, the arm portion 242 is configured to be pivotable about the pivot 241. Further, the cuvette holding portion 243 is provided at the other end of the arm portion 242 as described above. The cuvette holding part 243 holds the cuvette C, for example, by fitting with the opening CA (see FIG. 2A) of the cuvette C. Here, a more detailed configuration of the cuvette disposal unit 240 is shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D and FIG.

  3A is a top view illustrating a schematic configuration of the cuvette disposal unit 240, FIG. 3B is a side view illustrating a schematic configuration of the cuvette disposal unit 240, and FIG. 3C illustrates the cuvette disposal unit 240 in the B direction in FIG. 3B. FIG. 3D is a schematic diagram showing a schematic structure of a CC ′ cross section in FIG. 3C. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a schematic structure of the A-A ′ cross section in FIG. 3A of the cuvette disposal unit 240 according to the present embodiment.

  First, as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4, the arm portion 242 of the cuvette discarding unit 240 can slide up and down the first member 242-1 fixed to the pivot member 241A and the cuvette holding portion 243. A second member 242-2 held by the second member 242-2, and a third member 242-2 connecting the first member 242-1 and the second member 242-2. Further, a holding member 242-5 for holding a drain pipe 246-2, which will be described later, and a holding member 242-5 are fixed to, for example, the first member 242-1 in the arm portion 242. And a fixing member 242-6.

  As shown in FIGS. 3B and 4, the cuvette holding portion 243 attached to one end side of the arm portion 242 is a holding member 243-1 (for example, a holding portion) for holding the cuvette C in a detachable manner. A spring shaft member 243-4 serving as a receiving shaft for the spring 242-4 for urging the holding member 243-1 downward, and a holding for holding the drain tube 246-2 on the cuvette holding portion 243 Member 243-5. The holding member 243-1 includes a fitting portion 243-1a for fitting the cuvette C in the lower portion, and a tapered portion 243-1d spreading in a conical shape in the upper portion. The spring shaft member 243-4 has a cylindrical shape in which a through hole for inserting the drain tube 246-2 is formed at the center, and is fitted and fixed to the upper end of the holding member 243-1. The holding member 243-5 is fixed to the spring shaft member 243-4 in order to hold the drain tube 246-2 extending from the spring shaft member 243-4.

  The upper end of the holding member 243-1 including the spring shaft member 243-4 and the tapered portion 243-1d is slidably fitted into a cylindrical cavity 242-2a provided inside the second member 242-2 in the arm portion 242. Inserted. At the bottom of the cavity 242-2a, there is provided a throttle portion 242-2b for preventing the holding member 243-1 from falling off the second member 242-2 by coming into contact with the taper portion 243-1d. Further, a through hole 242-2c that penetrates to the upper surface of the second member 242-2 is provided on the upper surface of the cavity 242-2a, and the upper end of the spring shaft member 243-4 protrudes from the through hole 242-2c. To do. The above-described holding member 243-5 for holding the drain pipe 246-2 is attached to the upper end of the protruding spring shaft member 243-4.

  Around the spring shaft member 243-4, a spring 242-4 is provided as a tip position adjusting means for adjusting the position of the tip portion 246-1a of the waste liquid suction nozzle 246-1 with respect to the cuvette holding portion 243. One end of the spring 242-4 contacts the upper surface of the holding member 243-1, and the other end contacts the upper surface of the cavity 242-2a. Therefore, the holding member 243-1 is attached to the second member 242-2 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction while being biased downward. The cavity 242-2a in the second member 242-2 is provided with a stepped portion 242-2d that contacts the upper surface of the holding member 243-1.

  A cylindrical cavity 243-1e is provided inside the holding member 243-1, and a distal end portion 246-2a that is one end portion of the drain pipe 246-2 is inserted into the cavity 243-1e. A waste liquid suction nozzle 246-1 is slidably inserted in the cavity 243-1e. The bottom surface 243-1f of the cavity 243-1e is provided with a through hole 243-1g that penetrates to the front end of the fitting portion 243-1a, and the front end portion 246-1a of the waste liquid suction nozzle 246-1 is formed in the through hole 243-. Project from 1g. The waste liquid suction nozzle 246-1 is provided with a hooking portion 246-1b that engages with the bottom surface 243-1f of the cavity 243-1e at the upper end thereof, whereby the waste liquid suction nozzle 246-1 is held by the holding member 243-1. It is latched so that it may not fall out from the through hole 243-1g.

  The distal end portion 246-2a of the drain pipe 246-2 is slidably inserted into the upper end portion of the waste liquid suction nozzle 246-1 in the cavity 243-1e. Accordingly, the drain pipe 246-2 and the waste liquid suction nozzle 246-1 are connected to be extendable and contractible. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and any configuration can be used as long as the tip (lower end) position of the waste liquid suction nozzle 246-1 can be displaced in the vertical direction with respect to the fitting portion 243-1a of the holding member 243-1. May also be modified.

  A spring 246-3 is provided around the drain tube 246-2 in the cavity 243-1e of the holding member 243-1. One end of the spring 246-3 contacts the upper surface of the cavity 243-1e, and the other end contacts the upper surface of the waste liquid suction nozzle 246-1. Therefore, the waste liquid suction nozzle 246-1 is slidably attached to the holding member 243-1 while being biased downward.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3B, 3C, and 4, a pushing member 243 for detaching the cuvette C from the fitting portion 243-1a is provided around the body of the substantially cylindrical holding member 243-1. -3 is slidably provided. A convex part 243-2 is provided on the body part of the holding member 243-1. The convex portion 243-2 is fitted into an opening rail 243-3a provided on the pushing member 243-3. Therefore, the pushing member 243-3 is slidable along the opening rail 243-3a extending in the vertical direction with respect to the holding member 243-1. The pushing member 243-3 slides with respect to the holding member 243-1 by being pushed by the second member 242-2 of the arm portion 242 with the holding member 243-1 being hooked. Thereby, the cuvette C is detached from the fitting portion 243-1a.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3B to 3D, the fitting portion 243-1a is provided with a sensor 243-1h for detecting whether or not the cuvette C is fitted. The sensor 243-1h is composed of, for example, a photodiode or a piezoelectric sensor. The result detected by the sensor 243-1h is sent to the control terminal 400 connected to the outside of the main unit 100 via a wiring (not shown).

  Moreover, as shown to FIG. 3D, it is set as the cross-sectional shape different from the shape of opening CA of the cuvette C by providing the groove | channel 243-1b in the horizontal cross section of the fitting part 243-1a. The groove 243-1b is a groove for forming a gap that functions as an air hole between the edge of the opening CA and the fitting portion 243-1a. Since the groove 243-1b can prevent the cuvette C in the fitted state from being sealed, the waste liquid LC inside the cuvette C is sucked from the waste liquid suction nozzle 246-1 even when the cuvette C is fitted. It becomes possible.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 4, the pivot member 241 </ b> A is connected to a drive mechanism 247 (for example, a moving mechanism) disposed below the upper surface of the main unit 100, for example. The drive mechanism 247 includes, for example, a motor for rotating the pivot member 241A and a motor for moving the pivot member 241A in the vertical direction. Under the control of the control terminal 400 shown in FIG. The member 241A is rotated or moved up and down. By this rotation and vertical movement, the arm part 242 pivots or moves up and down around the pivot member 241A, whereby the position of the cuvette holding part 243 is controlled.

  Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 4, the rear end portion 246-2b, which is the other end portion of the drain tube 246-2, is, for example, a through hole 241c formed from the upper surface 241a to the lower surface 241b of the pivot member 241A. For example, the suction pump 248 is disposed below the upper surface of the main unit 100. As described above, in the present embodiment, as a suction means for sucking the waste liquid LC inside the cuvette C to be discarded, the suction pipe including the waste liquid suction nozzle 246-1 and the drain pipe 246-2, and the suction pipe are connected to the suction pipe. A configuration including a suction pump 248 is provided. Any pump can be applied to the suction pump 248 as long as it is a pump capable of sucking and discharging liquid, such as a volumetric pump and a non-volumetric pump. In addition, for example, an existing syringe or the like provided in the main unit 100 may be used as the suction pump 248. Such a suction pump 248 starts or stops suction under the control of the control terminal 400 shown in FIG.

  The waste liquid in the cuvette C is sucked from the waste liquid suction nozzle 246-1 through the drain pipe 246-2 to the suction pump 248. Further, a drain pipe 246-2c as an extension of the drain pipe 246-2 is connected to the suction pump 248. Therefore, the waste liquid sucked into the suction pump 248 is discharged to the waste liquid tank 249 through the drain pipe 246-2c. For this reason, the user only has to discard the waste liquid LC stored in the waste liquid tank 249. Note that the waste liquid LC in the present embodiment refers to a liquid in the cuvette C that is not required in the subsequent analysis, such as a mixed liquid or a reaction liquid that has been measured. Further, as the waste liquid tank 249, for example, the same tank as that for storing other waste liquid generated in the analysis process may be used. Furthermore, in the present invention, the waste liquid may not be stored in the waste liquid tank 249 but may be directly discharged to an external waste path.

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 4, the tip end portion 246-1a of the waste liquid suction nozzle 246-1 is thinner than the main body portion of the waste liquid suction nozzle 246-1, for example. This is to prevent the waste liquid remaining in the waste liquid suction nozzle 246-1 from dripping using the capillary phenomenon. However, if the waste liquid suction nozzle 246-1 itself is a sufficiently thin tube, the tapered shape as described above may not be used.

-Cuvette Discarding Operation Next, the cuvette discarding operation according to the present embodiment (hereinafter referred to as a cuvette discarding operation) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the cuvette discarding operation according to the present embodiment, and FIGS. 6A to 7C are cross-sectional views for assisting the explanation of the cuvette discarding operation according to the present embodiment. .

  In the cuvette discarding operation according to the present embodiment, first, the control unit 401 of the control terminal 400 determines whether or not there is a cuvette C that has been measured by the photometric unit 230, that is, a cuvette C to be discarded (step S101). ). When there is a cuvette C to be discarded (Yes in step S101), the control unit 401 starts a transfer operation for transferring the cuvette C to the cuvette disposal position 244. Therefore, the control unit 401 first controls the drive mechanism 247 to move the arm unit 242 fixed to the pivot member 241A up and down and / or pivot, thereby discarding the cuvette as shown in FIG. The cuvette holder 243 in the unit 240 is moved onto the cuvette entry / exit position 233 (step S102). In addition, the control part 401 repeats determination of step S101, when the cuvette C of discard object does not exist (No of step S101).

  Further, in the cuvette discarding operation according to the present embodiment, the control unit 401 operates the suction pump 248 so that the waste liquid suction nozzle 246-1 via the drain pipe 246-2 is used as shown in FIG. Is started (step S103). Note that this suction operation may be started before the operation shown in step S102 is completed.

  Next, the control unit 401 lowers the cuvette holding unit 243 by controlling the driving mechanism 247 to lower the arm unit 242 fixed to the pivot member 241A. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 6B, the fitting portion 243-1a in the cuvette holding portion 243 is inserted into the cuvette holder 234 in the photometry unit 230 from the opening provided in the cuvette entry / exit position 233. The cuvette C is inserted into the opening CA, and the cuvette C is inserted into the fitting portion 243-1a (step S104). At this time, the cuvette C is lowered to such an extent that the spring 242-4 biasing the holding member 243-1 is compressed, so that the cuvette C is securely fitted to the fitting portion 243-1a. Configure.

  Further, in this operation, when the distal end portion 246-1a of the waste liquid suction nozzle 246-1 is brought into contact with the bottom portion in the cuvette C, the waste liquid suction nozzle 246-1 is urged downward as shown in FIG. The spring 246-3 that has been pressed is compressed, and the position of the distal end portion 246-1a is displaced upward with respect to the fitting portion 243-1a. With this configuration, the tip portion 246-1a of the waste liquid suction nozzle 246-1 can be brought into contact with the bottom portion of the cuvette C so that all the waste liquid inside the cuvette C can be sucked, and the waste liquid suction nozzle 246-1 can be The cuvette holding part 243 can be lowered even after it comes into contact with the bottom part in the cuvette C.

  Further, in step S104 described above, since the suction from the waste liquid suction nozzle 246-1 is continuously performed, the waste liquid LC in the cuvette C is sucked from the waste liquid suction nozzle 246-1 through the drain pipe 246-2. After being sucked into the pump 248, it is discharged to the waste liquid tank 249 via the drain pipe 246-2c (see, for example, FIG. 6B). At this time, since the inside of the cuvette C is not sealed by the groove 243-1b provided in the fitting portion 243-1a, the inside of the cuvette C is continuously sucked even after the fitting portion 243-1a is fitted. It is possible.

  Next, the control unit 401 detects whether or not the cuvette C is fitted to the fitting part 243-1a (step S105). This is realized, for example, by determining whether or not the cuvette C is detected by the sensor 243-1h of the fitting portion 243-1a when the cuvette holding portion 243 is raised by controlling the drive mechanism 247. be able to. As a result of detection in this step, when the cuvette C is not fitted to the fitting portion 243-1a (No in step S105), the control unit 401 returns to step S104 and controls the drive mechanism 247 again. By raising and lowering the cuvette holding part 243, the cuvette C is fitted to the fitting part 243-1a. However, even when the operation shown in step S104 is repeated a plurality of times, if the insertion of the cuvette C is not detected, an error message may be displayed on the display unit 404, and the operation may be interrupted or terminated.

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S105, when the cuvette C is fitted to the fitting portion 243-1a (Yes in step S105), the control unit 401 controls the drive mechanism 247 to be fixed to the pivot member 241A. As shown in FIG. 6C, the cuvette C fitted to the fitting part 243-1a of the cuvette holding part 243 is moved from the cuvette entry / exit position 233 to the upper surface of the main unit 100 by raising the arm part 242. (Step S106). Subsequently, the control unit 401 controls the drive mechanism 247 to pivot the arm unit 242 fixed to the pivot member 241A, thereby holding the cuvette C as shown in FIG. 243 is moved to the cuvette disposal position 244 (step S107).

  Next, the control unit 401 controls the drive mechanism 247 to lower the arm part 242 fixed to the pivot member 241A, thereby detaching the cuvette C from the fitting part 243-1a of the cuvette holding part 243 ( Step S108). Thereby, the transfer operation of the cuvette C is completed.

  More specifically, first, as shown in FIG. 7B, the cuvette holding portion 243 is lowered to dispose the cuvette C and the cuvette holding portion 243 that are fitted on the upper surface of the main unit 100. Insert into the opening provided at position 244. At this time, the convex portion 243-2 provided on the holding member 243-1 of the cuvette holding portion 243 is configured to contact the upper surface of the main unit 100.

  Subsequently, the driving mechanism 247 is controlled to further lower the arm portion 242 fixed to the pivot member 241A. At this time, since the convex portion 243-2 is in contact with the upper surface of the main unit 100, the cuvette holding portion 243 is locked to the upper surface of the main unit 100. Accordingly, the spring 242-4 urging the holding member 243-1 of the cuvette holding portion 243 downward is pressed and contracted by further lowering of the arm portion 242, and the lower surface 242 of the second member 242-2 in the arm portion 242. -2e contacts the upper end 243-3b of the pushing member 243-3. Here, the pushing member 243-3 provided in the holding member 243-1 is slidable along the opening rail 243-3a. Accordingly, as the arm portion 242 is further lowered, as shown in FIG. 7C, the pushing member 243-3 pushes downward along the opening rail 243-3a and is fitted to the fitting portion 243-1a. The cuvette C being pushed is pushed downward. As a result, the cuvette C fitted to the fitting part 243-1a is detached from the fitting part 243-1a and discarded in the disposer 244a provided below. Here, for example, by setting the disposal bag in the disposer 244a, the cuvette C is discarded in the disposal bag. Therefore, the user may simply discard the disposal bag to a predetermined disposal location.

  The control unit 401 detects whether or not the cuvette C is detached from the fitting portion 243-1a (step S109), and repeats the operation described in step S108 until it is reliably detached (No in step S109). And step S108). The detection in step S109 can be realized, for example, by determining whether or not the cuvette C is detected by the sensor 243-1h of the fitting portion 243-1a. However, even when the operation shown in step S108 is repeated a plurality of times, if the detachment of the cuvette C is not detected, an error message may be displayed on the display unit 404, and the operation may be interrupted or terminated.

  When it is detected that the cuvette C is detached from the fitting portion 243-1a (Yes in Step S109), the control unit 401 then stops the suction pump 248 (Step S110). Thus, in the present embodiment, the cuvette disposal unit 240 serving as the container transfer means is configured to suck the liquid in the cuvette C from the start to the completion of the cuvette C transfer operation. Note that the suction of the liquid in the cuvette C between the start and the completion of the transfer operation does not mean that the suction operation is performed throughout the period from the start to the completion of the transfer operation. This means that the operation of sucking the liquid in the cuvette C to be discarded is executed for at least a part of the period until the completion. Therefore, in the present embodiment, even when the suction of the waste liquid LC in the cuvette C is finished by suction by the suction pump 248 before the cuvette C is fitted to the fitting part 43-1a, the cuvette C is placed in the cuvette disposal position. The process may be terminated after desorption at 244.

  Next, the control unit 401 controls the drive mechanism 247 to pivot and / or move the arm unit 242 fixed to the pivot member 241A to move the waste liquid suction nozzle 246-1 in the cuvette holding unit 243 to the waste liquid. The nozzle is moved to a position above the nozzle cleaning position 245a (see FIG. 1) in the suction nozzle cleaning unit 245. Subsequently, the waste liquid suction nozzle 246-1 is cleaned by controlling the suction pump 248 connected to the waste liquid suction nozzle cleaning unit 245 and the waste liquid suction nozzle 246-1 of the cuvette disposal unit 240 (step S111). The cleaning of the waste liquid suction nozzle 246-1 can be realized, for example, by performing suction and discharge of predetermined cleaning water or pure water discharged from the waste liquid suction nozzle cleaning unit 245 at least once. Further, the cleaning of the waste liquid suction nozzle 246-1 may be performed after discarding the plurality of cuvettes C or after completing a series of analysis processes.

  Next, the control unit 401 determines whether or not a series of analysis processes has been completed (step S112). If the analysis process has not been completed, that is, there is an unmeasured cuvette C in the series of analysis processes. In the case (No in Step S112), the process returns to Step S101, and the above-described series of operations (Step S101 to Step S111) is performed again. On the other hand, when the analysis process is completed (Yes in step S112), the control unit 401 ends the process.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the cuvette C is discarded, the reaction liquid as the waste liquid and the cuvette C are separated, so that it reacts with the disposer 244a for the cuvette C or the waste bag set in the cuvette C. It can prevent waste liquid such as liquid from accumulating. This makes it possible to avoid liquid leakage during transportation by the user, scattering of the leaked liquid, and the like, and prevent the user from suffering a biological disaster.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, since the reaction liquid as the waste liquid and the cuvette C are separated when the cuvette C is discarded, there is also an effect that the reuse of the used cuvette C becomes easy.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the cuvette C is discarded, the waste liquid LC in the cuvette C is simultaneously sucked and discharged, so that it is possible to avoid an increase in time required for disposal.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the waste liquid LC sucked from the cuvette C at the time of disposal can be discharged to the same waste liquid tank 249 as other waste liquid generated in the analysis process, the configuration of the apparatus is complicated and the waste liquid work by the user can be performed. It becomes possible to avoid complication.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the waste liquid separating means (for example, the reaction liquid suction nozzle 246-1 and the drain pipe 246-2) that discharges the waste liquid LC in the cuvette C to the cuvette disposal unit 240 and separates the cuvette C from the waste liquid. And the suction pump 248), the size of the automatic analyzer 1 can be avoided as much as possible.

<Embodiment 2>
Next, the automatic analyzer 2 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The automatic analyzer 2 exemplified in the present embodiment is an analyzer for measuring items related to immunity, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, an automatic analysis for analyzing items related to biochemistry The present embodiment can be applied to various analysis apparatuses such as an apparatus.

(Automatic analyzer)
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the automatic analyzer 2 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the automatic analyzer 2 includes a main unit 500 and a control terminal 400 connected to the main unit 500. As with the main unit 100, the main unit 500 is a device for reacting a specimen and a reagent and measuring the amount of light emitted from the luminescent substrate due to the action of the reaction product generated thereby. The control terminal 400 is a device for controlling the main unit 500, analyzing the results measured by the main unit 500, and the like, as in the embodiment of the present invention.

  Here, first, the main unit 500 will be described. The main unit 500 includes, for example, a rack set unit 510, a rack collection unit 520, a cartridge stock unit 530, a cartridge transfer unit 540, a rotation / vertical drive mechanism 551, an X direction moving mechanism 552, and a Y direction transfer mechanism 553-1. And 553-2, a dispensing unit 560, a dispensing unit transporting mechanism 570, a dispensing tip stock unit 580, a dispensing tip disposer 590, a stirring unit 600, a light source lamp set 610, and A light receiving unit 611, a cartridge disposer 620, and a suction nozzle cleaning unit 650 are provided.

  In the above, the cartridge stock portion 530 can stock one or more cartridges 531 having the configuration shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, the cartridge 531 used in the present embodiment includes a first reagent container 531a in which the first reagent is placed, a second reagent container 531b in which the second reagent is placed, the sample, and the first A reaction vessel 531c in which a reaction liquid using the reagent and / or the second reagent is generated is integrally formed. Further, hooking claws 531d used at the time of transfer are provided at both ends of the cartridge 531.

  The cartridge 531 having the above configuration is transferred from the cartridge supply position 532 using a cartridge transfer mechanism described later, and is set at a predetermined cartridge setting position 640. The used cartridge 531 is separated into a waste liquid (first reagent, second reagent and / or reaction liquid) and a container part (cartridge 531). The waste liquid is discharged to a later-described waste liquid tank 548, and the cartridge 531 which is a container portion is transferred using a cartridge transfer mechanism described later and discarded to the cartridge disposer 620.

  For separation of the waste liquid and the cartridge 531, for example, a drain pipe 546 and a suction pump 547 described later are used. The suction nozzle cleaning unit 650 is configured to clean the suction nozzle that is the tip portion of the drain pipe 546. The cleaning of the suction nozzle portion can be realized, for example, by performing suction and discharge of predetermined cleaning water or pure water discharged from the suction nozzle cleaning unit 650 at least once.

  The cartridge transfer mechanism is a container transfer means for holding the cartridge 531 as a predetermined container and transferring it to the cartridge disposer 620 at a predetermined disposal position. As described above, the cartridge transfer mechanism rotates and moves up and down with the cartridge transfer unit 540. The driving mechanism 551, the X-direction moving mechanism 552, and the Y-direction moving mechanisms 553-1 and 553-2 are included. The cartridge transfer unit 540 is configured to hold a predetermined container in a detachable manner. The rotation / vertical drive mechanism 551 is configured to rotate the cartridge transfer unit 540 in the horizontal direction, and includes, for example, a motor for rotating the rotation shaft member 541. The X direction moving mechanism 552 is configured to move the cartridge transfer unit 540 in the X direction (lateral direction in FIG. 8) by moving along the X direction rail 552a. For example, the X direction moving mechanism 552 travels on the X direction rail 552a. Including motors and wheels for. The Y-direction moving mechanisms 553-1 and 553-2 move along the Y-direction rails 553a and 553b to move the transfer unit 540 horizontally along the X-direction rail 552a in the Y direction (vertical direction in FIG. 8). Each of which includes, for example, a motor and wheels for traveling on the Y-direction rail 553a or 553b. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the moving mechanism including the rotation / vertical driving mechanism 551, the X-direction moving mechanism 552, and the Y-direction moving mechanisms 553-1 and 553-2 places the cartridge transfer unit 540 including the holding portion at a predetermined position. Move to. The cartridge transfer unit 540 will be described in detail later.

  In addition, the rack set unit 510 can store one or more sample racks 511 that can hold one or more sample containers 512 in which liquid samples are placed. The sample rack 511 stored in the rack set unit 510 is transported on the transport path 630 shown in FIG. 8 by an automatic transport mechanism (not shown), and then stored in the rack collection unit 520. At this time, the sample rack 511 temporarily stops at the sample suction position 631 on the transport path 630, and the sample is sucked from the sample container 512 appropriately held using the dispensing unit 560.

  The dispensing unit 560 is attached to a dispensing unit transfer mechanism 570 capable of self-propelling along the rail 570a, and appropriately moves on the moving line 560a as the dispensing unit transfer mechanism 570 moves. Therefore, the dispensing unit 560 injects the sample aspirated at the sample aspirating position 631 into a reaction container 531c in a cartridge 531 set in the cartridge setting position 640 (hereinafter simply referred to as a set cartridge). In addition, the dispensing unit 560 appropriately aspirates the first reagent and / or the second reagent from the first reagent container 531a and / or the second reagent container 531b in the set cartridge 531 and puts them into the reaction container 531c in the cartridge 531. inject. As a result, a reaction liquid corresponding to one or more measurement items is generated in the reaction vessel 531c.

  Note that the dispensing unit 560 includes a dispensing tip 581 that is used to aspirate and discharge the sample and the first or second reagent. This dispensing tip 581 is replaced, for example, for each dispensing. At the time of replacement, the dispensing unit 560 moves onto the dispensing tip disposer 590, and the dispensing tip 581 is detached at this position. Thereafter, the dispensing unit 560 moves onto the dispensing tip stock portion 580 where one or more dispensing tips 581 are stocked, and a new dispensing tip 581 is fitted and set at this position.

  The reaction liquid generated in the reaction vessel 531c of the cartridge 531 is measured for each item using the light source lamp set 610 and the light receiving unit 611 after being stirred by the stirring unit 600, for example. The obtained measurement result is output to the control terminal 400 connected to the outside of the main unit 500, and is analyzed as appropriate by the control terminal 400.

  In addition, each said component is driven under the control from the control terminal 400 connected externally, for example via the interface (not shown) provided in the main unit 500 similarly to Embodiment 1 of this invention. The Since the control terminal 400 is the same as that of Embodiment 1 of the present invention, detailed description is omitted here.

(Cartridge holding unit)
Next, the configuration and operation of the cartridge transfer unit 540 in the automatic analyzer 2 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 10A is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of the cartridge transfer unit 540 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 10B is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic cross-sectional structure between DD ′ in FIG. 10A.

  As shown in FIG. 10A, the cartridge transfer unit 540 includes a rotary shaft member 541 serving as a rotary shaft whose upper part is connected to the drive mechanism 551, a cartridge holding unit 540-1 attached to the lower part of the rotary shaft member 541, A waste liquid section 540-2 for waste liquid (first / second reagent and reaction liquid) in each container of the cartridge 531.

  The cartridge holding portion 540-1 is a holding portion for holding the cartridge 531 in a detachable manner, and as shown in FIG. 10B, a horizontal member 542 (for example, a connecting portion) fixed to the rotating shaft member 541 and a horizontal member. Arm members 543-1 and 543-2 (for example, hooking portions) provided at both ends of 542. One end of the arm member 543-1 is fixed to the arm member 543-1, and the other end is connected to the horizontal member 542 by a connecting member 543-1a that is fitted in and inserted into a side surface of the horizontal member 542. The Similarly, one end of the arm member 543-2 is fixed to the arm member 543-2, and the other end is connected to the side surface of the horizontal member 542 so that the connecting member 543-2a can be inserted into and removed from the horizontal member 542. Concatenated with

  Inside the horizontal member 542, a gear 543-3 that rotates under the control of the control terminal 400 is provided. In addition, a tooth 543-1b that engages with the gear 543-3 is provided in a portion of the connecting member 543-1a that is inserted into the horizontal member 542. Similarly, teeth 543-2b that engage with the gear 543-3 are provided in a portion of the connecting member 543-2a that is inserted into the horizontal member 542. Therefore, when the gear 543-3 rotates, the distance between the arm members 543-1 and 543-2 is increased or decreased.

  As shown in FIG. 10B, for example, the arm member 543-2 is provided with a sensor 543-4 for detecting whether or not the cartridge 531 is held. The sensor 543-4 is configured by, for example, a photodiode piezoelectric sensor. The result detected by the sensor 543-4 is sent to the control terminal 400 connected to the outside via a wiring (not shown).

  A hole 543-1c is provided in the lower part of the arm member 543-1. Similarly, a hole 543-2c is provided below the arm member 543-2. When the cartridge 531 is held, claws 531d provided at both ends of the cartridge 531 are inserted into the holes 543-1c and 543-2c. Therefore, the cartridge holding unit 540-1 holds the cartridge 531 by using the engagement between the holes 543-1c and 543-2c and the claw 531d of the cartridge 531.

  The waste liquid unit 540-2 is a suction unit for sucking the liquid in the containers (531a, 531b, and 531c) of the cartridge 531 when the cartridge 531 is transferred to the cartridge disposer 620 which is the disposal position. 10B, it is provided in the lower part of the horizontal member 542, and is disposed between the guide members 545-1 and 545-2 fixed to the horizontal member 542 and the guide members 545-1 and 545-2. And a slide member 544.

  A concave portion 544-4 extending in the vertical sliding direction is provided on the side surface of the slide member 544 on the guide member 545-1 side, and a control terminal is provided on the side surface of the slide member 544 on the guide member 545-2 side. A gear 544-5 that rotates under control from 400 is provided. The guide member 545-1 is provided with a convex portion 545-1a that is slidably combined with the concave portion 544-4 of the slide member 544. On the other hand, the guide member 545-2 is provided with teeth 545-2a that engage with the gear 544-5. With this configuration, the rotation of the gear 544-5 is used to move the slide member 544 up and down in a space sandwiched between the two guide members 545-1 and 545-2.

  As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the slide member 544 receives waste liquid (first reagent, second reagent, and reaction liquid) contained in each container (531a, 531b, and 531c) of the set cartridge 531. A drain pipe 546 is provided as a suction pipe for suction. The drain tube 546 is provided for each container in the cartridge 531, for example. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a drain pipe 546-1 for discharging the first reagent remaining in the first reagent container 531a and a drain for discharging the second reagent remaining in the second reagent container 531b. A tube 546-2 and a drain tube 546-3 for discharging the reaction solution contained in the reaction vessel 531c are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 10B, the drain pipe 546-1 for discharging the first reagent is inserted into a through hole provided in the slide member 544. The distal end portion of the drain pipe 546-1 functions as the suction nozzle 546-1a. The suction nozzle 546-1a protrudes below the slide member 544. Therefore, at the time of suction, the suction nozzle 546-1a portion of the drain tube 546-1 is inserted to the bottom of the first reagent container 531a while suction is being performed by the suction pump 547 shown in FIG. 10A.

  Further, for example, a cylindrical cavity 544-1 is provided inside the slide member 544. The drain pipe 546-1 is inserted from the through hole formed in the upper part of the cavity 544-1 through the cavity 544-1 to the through hole formed in the lower part of the cavity 544-1. . Further, the drain pipe 546-1 is provided with a locking portion 546-1b having a diameter larger than that of the drain pipe 546-1. The locking portion 546-1b contacts the bottom surface of the cavity 544-1. With this configuration, the drain pipe 546-1 is prevented from protruding too much below the slide member 544.

  Further, a tip position adjusting means for adjusting the position of the suction nozzle 546-1a of the drain tube 546-1 with respect to the cartridge holding portion 540-1 around the drain tube 546-1 inside the cavity 544-1 of the slide member 544. As a spring 546-1c. One end of the spring 546-1c contacts the upper surface of the cavity 544-1. The other end is in contact with the locking portion 546-1b of the drain pipe 546-1. Accordingly, the drain pipe 546-1 is inserted into the slide member 544 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction while being biased downward by the spring 546-1c.

  The above configuration is the same for the drain pipe 546-2 for discharging the second reagent and the drain pipe 546-3 for discharging the reaction liquid. That is, the drain pipe 546-2 includes a suction nozzle 546-2a and a locking part 546-2b, and slides on the slide member 544 through a cavity 544-2 and biased downward by a spring 546-2c. Inserted as possible. Similarly, the drain pipe 546-3 includes a suction nozzle 546-3a and a locking portion 546-3b, and is urged downward by a spring 546-3c through the cavity 544-3 to the slide member 544. Inserted slidably.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the drain pipe 546 composed of the drain pipes 546-1, 546-2 and 546-3 is connected to the suction pump 547 as shown in FIG. 10A. In the present embodiment, any pump can be used as the suction pump 547 as long as it is capable of sucking and discharging a liquid, such as a volumetric pump and a non-volumetric pump, as in the first embodiment of the present invention. it can. In addition, for example, an existing syringe or the like provided in the main unit 500 may be used as the suction pump 547. Such a suction pump 547 starts or stops suction under the control of the control terminal 400. Accordingly, the first reagent in the first reagent container 531a, the second reagent in the second reagent container 531b, and the reaction liquid in the reaction container 531c in the cartridge 531 are sucked into the suction pump 547 through the drain pipe 546, respectively. The A drain pipe 546 a as an extension of the drain pipe 546 is connected to the suction pump 547. Therefore, the first and second reagents and reaction liquid sucked into the suction pump 547 are discharged to the waste liquid tank 548 through the drain pipe 546a. Therefore, the user only has to discard the waste liquid stored in the waste liquid tank 548. Note that the waste liquid tank 548 also stores, for example, other waste liquid generated in the measurement process. The waste liquid tank 548 also stores other waste liquids generated in the analysis process, for example. However, in the present invention, the waste liquid may not be stored in the waste liquid tank 548 but may be directly discharged to an external waste path.

Cartridge Discarding Operation Next, an operation at the time of discarding a set cartridge according to the present embodiment (hereinafter referred to as a cartridge discarding operation) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the cartridge discarding operation according to the present embodiment, and FIGS. 12A to 12C are cross-sectional views for assisting the description of the cartridge discarding operation according to the present embodiment. .

  When the cartridge discarding operation according to the present embodiment is started, first, the control unit 401 of the control terminal 400 starts a transfer operation of transferring the cartridge 531 to the cartridge disposer 620 that is the cartridge discarding position. Therefore, the control unit 401 controls the X-direction moving mechanism 552, the Y-direction moving mechanisms 553-1 and 553-2, and the drive mechanism 551, so that the cartridge transfer unit 540 is moved to the cartridge as shown in FIG. It is moved onto the cartridge 531 set at the set position 640 (for example, see FIG. 8) (step S301).

  Further, in the cartridge discarding operation according to the present embodiment, the control unit 401 rotates the gear 543-3 so that the arm member 543-1 and the cartridge holding unit 540-1 in the cartridge holding unit 540-1 are rotated as shown in FIG. The cartridge holding unit 540-1 is opened by widening the distance between 543-2 (step S302). At this time, the arm members 543-1 and 543 are set such that the distance between the arm members 543-1 and 543-2 is larger than the distance from the tip of one claw 531d of the cartridge 531 to the tip of the other claw 531d. -2 to widen. This operation may be performed in parallel with the operation shown in step S301.

  In the cartridge discarding operation according to the present embodiment, the control unit 401 starts the suction from the drain pipes 546-1, 546-2, and 546-3 by operating the suction pump 547 (step S303). Note that this suction operation may be started before the operation shown in step S302 is completed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 12B, the control unit 401 controls the drive mechanism 551 to lower the cartridge transfer unit 540, and then rotates the gear 543-3 to rotate the arm members 543-1 and 543. -2 is closed to hold the cartridge 531 in the cartridge holding part 540-1, and the waste liquid part 540-2 is lowered by rotating the gear 544-5 so that each container (531a, 531b and 531c), the waste liquid (first reagent, second reagent and / or reaction liquid) is aspirated (step S304). At this time, the holes 53-1c and 543-2c in the arm members 543-1 and 543-2 of the cartridge holding unit 540-1 are engaged with the claws 531d of the cartridge 531, respectively, so that the cartridge 531 is moved to the cartridge holding unit 540-1. Retained. In this step, since the suction through the drain pipes 546-1, 546-2 and 546-3 is continuously performed, the waste liquid contained in each container (531a, 531b and 531c) of the cartridge 531. Are respectively sent from the suction nozzles 546-1a, 546-2a and 546-3a to the suction pump 547 via the drain pipe 546 (546-1, 546-2 and 546-3) and then via the drain pipe 546a. And discharged to the waste liquid tank 548 (see FIG. 10A).

  In this operation, the tips of the suction nozzles 546-1a, 546-2a and 546-3a of the drain pipes 546-1, 546-2 and 546-3 are the ends of the containers (531a, 531b and 531c) of the cartridge 531. When contacting each bottom, as shown in FIG. 12 (b), springs 546-1c, 546-2c and 546- urging the drain tubes 546-1, 546-2 and 546-3 downward respectively. 3c is compressed and the tip positions of the suction nozzles 546-1a, 546-2a, and 546-3a are displaced upward independently of the slide member 544. With this configuration, the slide member 544 is lowered even after any of the suction nozzles 546-1a, 546-2a, and 546-3a comes into contact with the bottom of each container (531a, 531b, and 531c) of the cartridge 531. The tips of all the suction nozzles 546-1a, 546-2a and 546-3a can be brought into contact with the bottom of each container (531a, 531b and 531c) of the cartridge 531, and each container (531a 531b and 531c) can be reliably discharged.

  Next, the control unit 401 detects whether or not the cartridge transfer unit 540 holds the cartridge 531 (step S305). For example, this is realized by determining whether or not the cartridge 531 is detected by the sensor 543-4 of the cartridge holding unit 540-1 when the drive mechanism 551 is controlled to raise the cartridge transfer unit 540. be able to. As a result of the detection in this step, when the cartridge holding unit 540-1 does not hold the cartridge 531 (No in step S305), the control unit 401 returns to step S304, and again the drive mechanism 551 and the gear 543-3. Are controlled to raise and lower the cartridge transfer unit 540 and open and close the arm members 543-1 and 543-2, thereby holding the cartridge 531 in the cartridge holding portion 540-1. However, even when the operation shown in step S304 is repeated a plurality of times, if holding of the cartridge 531 is not detected, an error message may be displayed on the display unit 404, and the operation may be interrupted or terminated.

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S305, when the cartridge holding unit 540-1 holds the cartridge 531 (Yes in step S305), the control unit 401 determines that the X-direction moving mechanism 552, the Y-direction moving mechanism 553-1, and By controlling 553-2 and the drive mechanism 551, the cartridge transfer unit 540 is moved onto the cartridge disposer 620 as shown in FIG. 12C (step S306).

  Next, the control unit 401 rotates the gear 543-3 to increase the distance between the arm members 543-1 and 543-2 in the cartridge holding unit 540-1, as shown in FIG. The cartridge 531 held in the cartridge holding unit 540-1 is released (step S307). As a result, the claw 531d of the cartridge 531 is detached from the holes 543-1c and 543-2c of the arm members 543-1 and 543-2, respectively, and the cartridge 531 is dropped and discarded in the cartridge disposer 620. Here, for example, by setting a disposal bag in the cartridge disposer 620, the cartridge 531 is discarded in the disposal bag. Therefore, the user may simply discard the disposal bag to a predetermined disposal location.

  The control unit 401 detects whether or not the cartridge 531 has been released from the cartridge holding unit 540-1 (step S308), and repeats the operation described in step S307 until it is reliably released (in step S308). No and step S307). The detection in step S308 can be realized by determining whether or not the cartridge 531 is detected by the sensor 543-4 attached to the arm member 543-2 of the cartridge holding unit 540-1, for example. However, even when the operation shown in step S307 is repeated a plurality of times, if the release of the cartridge 531 is not detected, an error message may be displayed on the display unit 404, and the operation may be interrupted or terminated.

  When it is detected that the cartridge 531 has been released from the cartridge holding unit 540-1 (Yes in step S308), the control unit 401 stops the suction pump 547 (step S309). However, the suction by the suction pump 547 may be terminated when the waste liquid in each container (531a, 531b, and 531c) of the cartridge 531 is sufficiently discharged, for example.

  Next, the control unit 401 controls the X-direction moving mechanism 552, the Y-direction moving mechanisms 553-1 and 553-2, and the drive mechanism 551, so that the cartridge transfer unit 540 is sucked into the suction nozzle cleaning unit 650 (see FIG. 8). And the suction nozzles 546-1a, 546-2a, and 546-3a of the drain pipes 546-1, 546-2, and 546-3 in the cartridge transfer unit 540 are cleaned (step S310), and then the process is terminated. To do. The suction nozzles 546-1a, 546-2a, and 546-3a are cleaned by, for example, performing suction and discharge of predetermined cleaning water or pure water discharged from the suction nozzle cleaning unit 650 at least once. be able to.

Cartridge supply operation Next, an operation at the time of cartridge supply according to the present embodiment (hereinafter referred to as a cartridge supply operation) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the cartridge supply operation according to this embodiment.

  In the cartridge supply operation according to this embodiment, first, the control unit 401 controls the X-direction moving mechanism 552, the Y-direction moving mechanisms 553-1 and 553-2, and the drive mechanism 551, so that the cartridge transfer unit 540 is moved to the cartridge. It moves on the supply position 532 (step S401).

  Further, in the cartridge supply operation according to the present embodiment, the control unit 401 rotates the gear 543-3, so that the arm member 543 in the cartridge holding unit 540-1 is similar to the operation shown in step S302 in FIG. −1 and 543-2 are widened to open them (step S402). This operation may be performed in parallel with the operation shown in step S401.

  Next, the control unit 401 controls the drive mechanism 551 to lower the cartridge transfer unit 540 in the same manner as the operation of the cartridge holding unit 540-1 in the operation shown in step S304 in FIG. 3 is rotated to close between the arm members 543-1 and 543-2, and the cartridge 531 is held by the cartridge holding portion 540-1 (step S403).

  Next, the control unit 401 detects whether or not the cartridge transfer unit 540 holds the cartridge 531 in the same manner as the operation shown in step S305 in FIG. 11 (step S404). As a result of the detection in this step, when the cartridge holding unit 540-1 does not hold the cartridge 531 (No in step S404), the control unit 401 returns to step S403, and again drives the drive mechanism 551 and the gear 543-3. Are controlled to raise and lower the cartridge transfer unit 540 and open and close the arm members 543-1 and 543-2, thereby holding the cartridge 531 in the cartridge holding portion 540-1. However, even when the operation shown in step S403 is repeated a plurality of times, if holding of the cartridge 531 is not detected, an error message may be displayed on the display unit 404, and the operation may be interrupted or terminated.

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S404, when the cartridge holding unit 540-1 holds the cartridge 531 (Yes in step S404), the control unit 401 determines that the X direction moving mechanism 552, the Y direction moving mechanism 553-1, and By controlling 553-2 and the drive mechanism 551, the cartridge transfer unit 540 is moved onto the cartridge setting position 640 (step S405).

  Next, the control unit 401 controls the drive mechanism 551 to lower the cartridge transfer unit 540, and then rotates the gear 543-3 to open the arm members 543-1 and 543-2, thereby setting the cartridge set. The cartridge 531 is set at the position 640 (step S406).

  The control unit 401 detects whether or not the cartridge 531 is set at the cartridge setting position 640 (step S407), and repeats the operation described in step S406 until it is set (No in step S407 and step S406). . The detection in step S407 is performed by detecting whether or not the cartridge 531 is released from the cartridge holding unit 540-1 by a sensor 543-4 attached to the arm member 543-2 of the cartridge holding unit 540-1, for example. Can be realized. However, even when the operation shown in step S406 is repeated a plurality of times, if the release of the cartridge 531 is not detected, an error message may be displayed on the display unit 404 to interrupt or end the operation. If it is detected that the cartridge 531 is set (Yes in step S407), the control unit 401 ends the process.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the cartridge 531 is separated from the first / second reagent and the reaction liquid as the waste liquid when the cartridge 531 is discarded, the cartridge disposer 620 and the disposal set in the cartridge 531 It is possible to prevent the waste liquid such as the reaction liquid from being accumulated in the bag. This makes it possible to avoid liquid leakage during transportation by the user, scattering of the leaked liquid, and the like, and prevent the user from suffering a biological disaster.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, since the cartridge 531 is separated from the waste liquid such as the first / second reagent and the reaction liquid when the cartridge 531 is discarded, the used cartridge 531 can be easily reused. The effect of becoming is also obtained.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the cartridge 531 is discarded, the waste liquid in the cartridge 531 is also sucked and discharged at the same time, so that it is possible to avoid an increase in time required for disposal.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the waste liquid sucked from the cartridge 531 at the time of disposal can be discharged to the same waste liquid tank 548 as other waste liquid generated in the analysis process, the apparatus configuration is complicated and the waste liquid work by the user is complicated. Can be avoided.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the cartridge transfer unit 540 is provided with means for discharging the waste liquid in the cartridge 531 (for example, the waste liquid part 540-2), the automatic analyzer 2 is avoided as much as possible. be able to.

  Further, the above embodiment is merely an example for carrying out the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications according to specifications and the like are within the scope of the present invention. It is obvious from the above description that various other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the automatic analyzer by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of the cuvette used in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of the modification of the cuvette used in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a top view which shows schematic structure of the cuvette disposal unit by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a side view which shows schematic structure of the cuvette disposal unit by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a front view which shows schematic structure at the time of seeing the cuvette disposal unit by Embodiment 1 of this invention from the B direction in FIG. 3B. FIG. 3C is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic structure of a C-C ′ cross section in FIG. 3C. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the schematic structure of the A-A 'cross section in FIG. 3A of the cuvette disposal unit by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the cuvette discard operation | movement by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing for assisting description of the cuvette disposal operation | movement by Embodiment 1 of this invention (the 1). It is sectional drawing for assisting description of the cuvette disposal operation | movement by Embodiment 1 of this invention (the 2). It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the automatic analyzer by Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of the cartridge used in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of the cartridge transfer unit by Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of D-D 'cross section of the cartridge transfer unit shown to FIG. 10A. It is a flowchart which shows the cartridge discard operation | movement by Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is sectional drawing for assisting description of cartridge discard operation | movement by Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the cartridge supply operation | movement by Embodiment 2 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2 Automatic analyzer 100 Main unit 230 Photometry unit 233 Cuvette entry / exit position 234 Cuvette holder 240 Cuvette disposal unit 241 Axis 241A Axis member 241a Upper surface 241b, 242-2e Lower surface 241c, 242-2c, 243-1g Through hole 242 Arm part 242-1 First member 242-2 Second member 242-2a, 243-1e Cavity 242-2b Restriction portion 242-2d Stepped portion 242-3 Third member 242-4, 246-3 Spring 242-5, 243 5 Holding member 242-6 Fixing member 243 Cuvette holding part 243-1 Holding member 243-1a Fitting part 243-1b Groove 243-1d Tapered part 243-1f Bottom face 243-1h Sensor 243-3 Protruding part 243-3 Pushing Advance member 243-3a Open rail 43-3b Upper end 243-4 Spring shaft member 244 Cuvette disposal position 244a Disposer 245 Waste liquid suction nozzle cleaning unit 245a Nozzle cleaning position 246-1 Waste liquid suction nozzles 246-1a, 246-2a Tip portion 246-1b Engagement portion 246-2 Drain Pipe 246-2b Rear end part 246-2c Drain pipe 247 Drive mechanism 248 Suction pump 249 Waste liquid tank C, C2 Cuvette CA, CA2 Open LC Waste liquid 400 Control terminal 401 Control part 402 Analysis part 403 Input part 404 Display part 405 Storage part 410 Interface (I / F)
420 Line 500 Main unit 531 Cartridge 531a First reagent container 531b Second reagent container 531c Reaction container 531d Claw 532 Cartridge supply position 540 Cartridge transfer unit 540-1 Cartridge holding part 540-2 Waste liquid part 541 Rotating shaft member 542 Horizontal member 543- 1, 543-2 Arm member 543-1a, 543-2a Connecting member 543-1b, 543-2b, 545-2a Teeth 543-1c, 543-2c Hole 543-3, 544-5 Gear 543-4 Sensor 544 Slide Member 544-1, 544-2, 544-3 Cavity 544-4 Concave portion 545-1, 545-2 Guide member 545-1a Convex portion 546, 546a, 546-1, 546-2, 546-3 Drain pipe 546- 1a, 546-2a, 5 6-3a Suction nozzle 546-1b, 546-2b, 546-3b Locking portion 546-1c, 546-2c, 546-3c Spring 547 Suction pump 548 Waste liquid tank 551 Drive mechanism 552 X direction moving mechanism 553-1, 553 -2 Y-direction moving mechanism 620 Cartridge disposer 640 Cartridge set position 650 Suction nozzle cleaning unit

Claims (18)

Container transfer means for transferring a predetermined container to a predetermined disposal position;
A suction means for sucking the liquid in the predetermined container between the start of the transfer operation of the predetermined container and the completion of the transfer of the predetermined container;
An automatic analyzer characterized by comprising: The container transfer means includes a holding part that detachably holds the predetermined container, and a moving mechanism that moves the holding part to a predetermined position,
The suction means includes a suction pipe held by the holding unit, and a suction pump connected to the suction pipe,
2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein a tip of the suction tube is inserted into the predetermined container when the holding unit holds the predetermined container.   The automatic analyzer according to claim 2, wherein the suction pump starts suction before the holding unit holds the predetermined container.   The automatic analyzer according to claim 2, further comprising a tip position adjusting unit that adjusts a position of the tip of the suction tube with respect to the holding unit. The tip position adjusting means includes a spring that biases the tip of the suction pipe downward,
The suction pipe is held by the holding portion so as to be slidable in the vertical direction while being urged downward by the spring.
The automatic analyzer according to claim 4, wherein the tip of the suction tube is in contact with a bottom of the predetermined container in a state where the holding unit holds the predetermined container. The predetermined container has an upper opening,
The holding portion includes a fitting portion that holds the predetermined container by being inserted into the opening of the predetermined container;
The automatic analyzer according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein a tip portion of the suction tube protrudes from a bottom portion of the fitting portion.   The automatic analyzer according to claim 6, wherein the fitting portion has a cross-sectional shape different from the opening shape of the predetermined container. The predetermined container has claws on both sides,
The holding portion includes two holding portions in which holes that can be engaged with the claws of the predetermined container are formed, a connecting portion that connects the hanging portions so as to be openable and closable, and a guide portion that is fixed to the connecting portion. And a slide part that is slidably held in the vertical direction by the guide part,
The automatic analyzer according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the suction tube is held by the slide portion so that a tip portion protrudes from the bottom portion of the slide portion.   The automatic analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a discard unit that discards the predetermined container transferred by the container transfer unit.   The automatic analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a waste liquid tank that stores the liquid sucked by the suction means. A container stock section for stocking one or more predetermined containers;
The automatic analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the container transfer unit acquires a predetermined container from the container stock unit, and sets the acquired predetermined container at a predetermined position. A transfer unit for transferring a predetermined container to a predetermined disposal position,
A transfer unit comprising: suction means for sucking the liquid in the predetermined container from the start to the completion of the transfer operation of the predetermined container. A holding unit for detachably holding the predetermined container;
The suction means includes a suction tube held by the holding unit,
The transfer unit according to claim 12, wherein the suction tube has a distal end inserted into the predetermined container when the holding unit holds the predetermined container.   14. The transfer unit according to claim 13, further comprising tip position adjusting means for adjusting the position of the tip portion of the suction tube with respect to the holding portion. The tip position adjusting means includes a spring that biases the tip of the suction pipe downward,
The suction pipe is held by the holding portion so as to be slidable in the vertical direction while being urged downward by the spring.
The transfer unit according to claim 14, wherein the tip of the suction tube abuts on the bottom of the predetermined container in a state where the holding unit holds the predetermined container. The predetermined container has an upper opening,
The holding portion includes a fitting portion that holds the predetermined container by being inserted into the opening of the predetermined container;
The transfer unit according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein a distal end portion of the suction pipe protrudes from a bottom portion of the fitting portion.   The transfer unit according to claim 16, wherein the fitting portion has a cross-sectional shape different from the opening shape of the predetermined container. The predetermined container has claws on both sides,
The holding portion includes two holding portions in which holes that can be engaged with the claws of the predetermined container are formed, a connecting portion that connects the hanging portions so as to be openable and closable, and a guide portion that is fixed to the connecting portion. And a slide part that is slidably held in the vertical direction by the guide part,
The transfer unit according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the suction tube is held by the slide portion such that a tip portion protrudes from the bottom portion of the slide portion.

Images