JP2010078483A - Test tube holder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To clamp each test tube having each different outer diameter with a proper holding power on a test tube holder. <P>SOLUTION: This test tube holder 1 is constituted of a rack 2 on which bottomed 21a fitting holes 21 are opened at prescribed pitches P, and a sleeve 3 fitted into the fitting holes 21 detachably. Two facing plate springs 31 extending in the fitting direction are formed on the side face of the sleeve 3, and the first projection 31b projecting to the center direction is formed close to the chip 31a, and the second projection 31c projecting furthermore is formed closer to the chip 31a. The first test tube T1 having a prescribed outer diameter and a prescribed length among each inserted test tube T is pressed and clamped by the facing first projection 31b. The second test tube T2 having a narrower outer diameter and a longer shape than the first test tube T1 is pressed and clamped by the facing second projection 31c. The third test tube T3 having a narrower outer diameter and a longer shape than the second test tube T2 is inserted and held on the bottom 21a of the fitting hole 21. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a test tube holder in which a test tube used in an automatic analyzer for analyzing a sample such as blood is loaded. More specifically, the present invention relates to a test tube holder that can be loaded with test tubes having different outer diameters.

  In recent years, in the fields of chemistry, biotechnology, and the like, automatic analyzers using microchips in which micro-sized circuits (so-called microchannels) are formed on a substrate by applying microfabrication technology have been developed.

  In the microchip, a sample and a reagent are injected into the microchannel by a probe, and then a high voltage is applied. By applying a high voltage, each component of the sample in the flow path is electrophoresed, and the substance to be measured in the sample is separated by the difference in the migration degree. The separated measurement target substance is identified and detected by the reagent. In this way, on the microchip, extraction of the analysis target component from the sample (extraction process), analysis of the analysis target component using chemical / biochemical reaction (analysis process), separation (separation process) and detection (detection process) ) And the like are integrated.

  The sample is accommodated in a test tube or a blood collection tube, and the test tube or the like is loaded in a test tube holder and supplied to an automatic analyzer. The shape of the test tube or the like is not standardized, and the shape varies depending on the manufacturer. Moreover, the sample accommodated in a test tube etc. tends to decrease in quantity, and the specific amount of a sample is about 20 ml with a test tube and 20-200 microliters with a blood collection tube, for example. Therefore, a test tube with a large outer diameter is short, and a test tube with a small outer diameter is long.

  Conventionally, there are racks with insertion holes designed to accommodate the outer diameter of test tubes as test tube holders, which have insertion holes for accommodating and holding test tubes, and this rack is prepared for each different test tube. It was.

  Patent Document 1 proposes a test tube holder composed of a holder body having a cylindrical hollow portion and a test tube adapter attached to the hollow portion in order to adapt to test tubes having different outer diameters. . The test tube adapter has a plurality of leaf springs formed in a funnel shape as a whole, and contact portions are formed on each leaf spring, and when the test tube is inserted, the contact portions are formed on the test tube. A test tube is clamped by contacting the outer periphery.

  However, in the technique proposed in Patent Document 1, since the test tubes having different outer diameters are clamped according to the bending amount of the leaf springs using a common contact portion, the holding force is based on the test tubes having a small outer diameter. If the outer diameter of the test tube is large, the holding force of the test tube becomes too strong. On the other hand, if the holding force is determined based on a test tube having a large outer diameter, there is a possibility that the test tube having a small outer diameter cannot be clamped with a sufficient holding force. In addition, as described above, in the technique proposed in Patent Document 1, the contact portion is common, and in order to correspond this contact portion to a test tube having a thin outer diameter, the shape of the contact portion becomes small. There is also a problem that it becomes difficult to load a test tube having a large outer diameter.

In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a test tube holder that can be clamped with an appropriate holding force even if the test tubes have different outer diameters.
JP 2003-211006 A

  In order to solve the above problems, a test tube holder of the present invention is a test tube holder for holding a plurality of test tubes having different outer diameters, and a rack with bottomed insertion holes opened at a predetermined pitch, It consists of a sleeve that is removably inserted into the insertion hole, and two opposing leaf springs extending in the insertion direction are formed on the side surface of the sleeve, and this leaf spring is located near the tip of the leaf spring, A test tube inserted into the sleeve having a first projection protruding toward the center of the sleeve and a second projection closer to the tip than the first projection and protruding further, and having a predetermined outer diameter and A first test tube having a predetermined length is sandwiched between first protrusions that are pressed against and opposed to a leaf spring, and a second test tube that has a smaller outer diameter than the first test tube and that is longer than the first test tube serves as a leaf spring. Pressed and held between the opposing second projections, the outer diameter is larger than the second test tube Ku, and a long third tube is characterized in that it is held at the bottom of the insertion hole fitting is inserted through the sleeve.

  Here, the “test tube” broadly means a container for storing a sample such as blood, and includes a blood collection tube and the like. The “center of the sleeve” means the center of the sleeve in a cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction.

  Further, the rack may have a through hole between adjacent fitting insertion holes, and a leaf spring bent by pressing may be bent toward the inside of the through hole.

  Here, “bend toward the inside of the through hole” means that the tip of the leaf spring is bent so as to be inclined into the through hole.

  In the test tube holder of the present invention, the predetermined pitch of the insertion holes is 17.5 mm or more and less than 20 mm, the diameter of the insertion holes is 16 mm or more and less than 18 mm, and the bending amount of the leaf spring is 0. .75 mm or more and less than 1 mm.

  In the test tube holder of the present invention, the rack has an engagement hole opened in the wall surface of the insertion hole in a direction perpendicular to the pitch direction, the sleeve has an engagement claw on the side surface, Sometimes the engaging claw may engage with the engaging hole.

  Here, the “engagement hole” may be a hole with which the engagement claw is engaged, and may be one that penetrates the wall surface or one that does not penetrate.

  The test tube holder of the present invention configured as described above has the largest outer diameter of the test tubes inserted into the sleeve and the short first test tube close to the base end of the leaf spring. Therefore, the amount of bending of the tip of the leaf spring is suppressed, and the first test tube can be held with an appropriate holding force.

  In addition, the test tube holder of the present invention has an outer diameter smaller than that of the first test tube and holds a long second test tube with a second protrusion having a large protruding amount close to the tip. The amount of flexure increases and the second test tube can be clamped with an appropriate holding force and with an appropriate holding force.

  Furthermore, the test tube holder of the present invention has an outer diameter smaller than that of the second test tube and can be held at the bottom of the rack by inserting a long third test tube through the sleeve.

  Thereby, the test tube holder of the present invention can be held with an appropriate holding force even if the test tubes have different outer diameters.

  Note that the test tube holder can be downsized by having a through hole between adjacent insertion holes in the rack and allowing the leaf spring bent by pressing to bend into the through hole.

  An embodiment of a test tube holder of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a part of the embodiment of the test tube holder, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the embodiment of the test tube holder.

  The test tube holder 1 is mainly composed of a rack 2 and a sleeve 3 as shown in FIG. The test tube T is loaded into the test tube holder 1 by inserting the sleeve 3 into the rack 2 and then inserting the test tube T into the inserted sleeve 3. Further, a barcode ID is affixed to the test tube T in order to identify the sample to be accommodated. Hereinafter, the rack 2, the sleeve 3, and the test tube T will be described.

  The shape of the rack 2 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the rack 2, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the rack 2 as seen from the XX cross section shown in FIG.

  As shown in the figure, the rack 2 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The upper surface 2a has ten circular insertion holes 21 at a predetermined pitch P in the longitudinal direction and a step portion 22 so as to be lowered by one step from the upper surface 2a. Is formed. Further, the rack 2 is formed with a through hole 23 that penetrates the wall surface 21d of the adjacent insertion hole 21 so as to be orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.

  Each fitting insertion hole 21 has a bottom 21a, a cutout portion 21b partially cut away from the top surface 2a in the fitting insertion direction of the fitting insertion hole 21, and an engagement hole opened at a position facing the cutout portion 21b. 21c.

  The shape of the sleeve 3 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the sleeve 3, FIG. 6 is a perspective sectional view of the sleeve 3, and FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the sleeve 3. 6 is a perspective cross-sectional view seen from the XX cross section orthogonal to the center line CL shown in FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view seen from the YY cross section orthogonal to the center line CL of the sleeve 3. 5-7, the arrow A shows the insertion direction.

  As shown in the figure, the sleeve 3 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and has two leaf springs 31 extending on the side surface thereof and arranged so as to face each other. In the vicinity of the tip 31a of the leaf spring 31, there is a first projection 31b projecting in the center direction from the inner peripheral surface 3a of the sleeve 3, and closer to the tip 31a than the first projection 31b and projecting more in the center direction. A second protrusion 31c is formed.

  The sleeve 3 has a flange 32 that protrudes outward at a position facing the outer peripheral surface 3b, and an opening 33 that opens widely on the side surface. Further, the sleeve 3 has a leaf spring-like engaging portion 34 on its side surface, and an engaging claw 34 a is formed at the tip of the engaging portion 34.

  The assembly of the sleeve 3 to the rack 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 again. As described above, the sleeve 3 is inserted into the insertion hole 21 of the rack 2. When inserting, the sleeve 3 is fitted so that the notch 21 b of the insertion hole 21 communicates with the opening 33 of the sleeve 3 and the flange 32 of the sleeve 3 is held by the step 22 of the rack 2. Fit into the insertion hole 21. As a result, the sleeve 3 is inserted to a predetermined position of the rack 2. At the time of insertion, the engaging portion 34 of the sleeve 3 bends, and the engaging claw 34a engages with the engaging hole 21c of the fitting insertion hole 21 at a position where the sleeve 3 is inserted into the rack 2 by a predetermined amount. 3 from the rack 2 is prevented.

  Further, after the insertion, the upper surface 2a of the rack 2 and the upper surface 3c of the sleeve 3 are in the same plane. As described above, since the notch 21b communicates with the opening 33 after the insertion, as shown in FIG. 1, the barcode ID attached to the test tube T can be read even in the loaded state.

  The test tube T loaded in the test tube holder 1 will be described. FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the test tube T. As shown in FIG. As described above, the volume of a sample such as blood tends to be small, and is about 20 ml as an example. Further, the shape of the test tube is not standardized, and the shape varies depending on the manufacturer.

  FIG. 8 shows the first test tube T1 (leftmost figure) having the thickest outer diameter D1 and the shortest length L1, the outer diameter D2 thinner than the first test tube T1, and the first test tube T1. A second test tube T2 having a long length L2 (center 2 figure) and a thinnest outer diameter D3 and a third test tube T3 having a longest length L3 (rightmost figure) are shown.

  The first test tube T1 and the second test tube T2 have flanges F1 and F2. When the test tube holder 1 is loaded, the flanges F1 and F2 come into contact with the upper surface 2a of the rack 2 and have a predetermined insertion. It is inserted to the position. Further, the third test tube T3 will be described as having no flange and having an adapter T3a for adjusting the amount of sample.

  The operation of the test tube holder 1 will be described. When the first test tube T1 is inserted into the sleeve 3, the flange F1 of the first test tube T1 contacts the upper surface 2a of the rack 2 and is held at a predetermined insertion position. In this insertion position, the first test tube T1 is pressed and clamped by the leaf spring 31 only by the first protrusion 31b.

  When the second test tube T2 is inserted into the sleeve 3, the flange F2 comes into contact with the upper surface 2a and is held at a predetermined insertion position as in the first test tube T1. At this insertion position, the second test tube T2 is pressed and clamped by the leaf spring 31 only by the second protrusion 31c.

  The third test tube T3 passes through the sleeve 3 and is held at the bottom 21a of the fitting insertion hole 21 of the rack 2. Further, by inserting the first test tube T1, the second test tube T2, and the third test tube T3, each leaf spring 31 has its tip 31a bent toward the through hole 23.

  Next, main dimensions of the rack 2 and the sleeve 3 corresponding to the outer diameter D and the length L of the test tube T will be described.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that each test tube T is within the following size range. The dimension range of the first test tube T1 is such that the outer diameter D1 is 13.5 mm or more and the length L1 is 20.8 mm or less. Similarly, the dimension range of the second test tube T1 is such that the outer diameter D2 is 11.4 mm or more and less than 13.5 mm, and the length L2 is more than 20.8 mm and 28.4 mm or less. Similarly, the dimension range of the third test tube T3 is such that the outer diameter D3 is less than 11.4 mm and the length L3 is greater than 28 mm. The flange F1 and the flange F2 are positioned so that the length in the depth direction from the flange F1 of the first test tube T1 is shorter than the depth direction from the flange F2 in the second test tube T2. To do. Specifically, each flange is at a position about 5 mm in the depth direction from the opening of each test tube, and the length in the depth direction from the flange F1 of the first test tube T1 is 15.8 mm or less, The length of the second test tube T2 in the depth direction from the flange F2 is more than 15.8 mm and not more than 23.4 mm. In addition, the said dimension range is an example and is not specifically limited.

  Based on this dimensional range, as an example, the first test tube T1, the outer diameter D1 is 13.5 mm, the length L1 is 20.8 mm, the product name 0.5 ml cup, model number 43-000005, second Product name: Hitachi microcup (model number 25-729102) having an outer diameter D2 of 12 mm and a length L2 of the test tube T2, or an outer diameter D2 of 11.4 mm and a length L2 of 28.4 mm Product name: Hitachi sample cup (model number 43-000230) and third test tube T3 will be described as having an outer shape D3 of 11 mm and a length L3 of 75 mm. In addition, each said test tube is an example, It does not specifically limit.

  The main dimensions of the sleeve 3 corresponding to each test tube will be described. The inner diameter of the sleeve 3 is not particularly limited as long as each test tube T described above can be inserted. Further, as will be described later, the outer diameter of the sleeve 3 is not particularly limited as long as the leaf spring 31 has a thickness that allows each test tube T to have an appropriate holding force. In the present embodiment, for example, the sleeve 3 has an inner diameter of about 14 mm and an outer diameter of about 16 mm. Also,

  In addition, the position and the amount of protrusion of the first protrusion 31b and the second protrusion 31c of the sleeve 3 are determined when the first test tube T1, the second test tube T2, and the third test tube are inserted into the sleeve 3. Each test tube is clamped by the leaf spring 31 with an appropriate holding force, the first test tube T1 is clamped only by the first projection 31b, and the second test tube T2 is clamped by the second projection 31c. Decide to be pinched only.

  In addition, the amount of outward deflection at the tip 31a of the leaf spring 31 when each test tube T is loaded is designed to be less than 1 mm from the outer peripheral surface 3b in consideration of the strength of the leaf spring 31 and the like. As an example, the first protrusion 31b is formed so as to protrude about 0.5 mm from the inner peripheral surface 3a in the range of about 18.3 mm to 21.7 mm in the insertion direction from the upper surface 3c, and the second protrusion 31c is formed on the upper surface 3c. Further, it is formed so as to protrude about 1.5 mm from the inner peripheral surface 3a in a range of about 22.6 mm to 24.7 mm. In this case, the bending amount of the tip 31a of the leaf spring 31 when each test tube T is loaded is 0.75 mm or less from the outer peripheral surface 3b. In addition, the said dimension of the sleeve 3 is only an example, and is not specifically limited.

  The main dimensions of the rack 2 will be described. Here, the test tubes T are generally loaded in a test tube holder at a pitch of 20 mm.

  The outer diameter of the insertion hole 21 is designed based on the outer diameter of the sleeve 3 and is not particularly limited. That is, the outer diameter of the sleeve 3 can be made less than 18 mm in consideration of the amount of bending of the tip 31a of the leaf spring 31 described above. Further, as described above, the test tube holder 1 has the first test tube T1 sandwiched by the first projection 31b and the second test tube T2 sandwiched by the second projection 31c. The bending amount of the leaf spring 31 is adjusted according to the outer diameter of T, and the tip 31a is bent toward the through hole 23. Therefore, the thickness of the portion of the wall surface 21d adjacent to the fitting insertion hole 21 is set to 2 of this bending amount. It should be more than double. Thereby, the predetermined pitch P of the insertion hole 21 can be made less than 20 mm, and the test tube holder 1 can be downsized. Specifically, in this embodiment, the outer diameter of the insertion hole 21 can be 16 mm, and the predetermined pitch P can be reduced to 17.5 mm. Moreover, each flange 32 shall protrude about 0.5 mm from the outer peripheral surface 3b as an example. Moreover, the rack 2 can also hold | maintain the test tube T with a thick outer diameter, without inserting the sleeve 3, as shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2. In addition, the said dimension of the rack 2 is only an example, and is not specifically limited.

  Therefore, the test tube holder 1 holds the first test tube T1 by the first projection 31b close to the base end of the leaf spring 31, and the second test tube T2 is closer to the tip 31a than the first projection 31b. The third test tube T3 is inserted into the sleeve 3 and held by the bottom 21a. Thereby, the test tube holder 1 differs in the part which clamps the test tube T of the leaf | plate spring 31 according to the outer diameter of the test tube T, and adjusts a position and the protrusion amount of the leaf | plate spring 31 according to an outer diameter. In order to adjust the amount of deflection, each test tube T having a different outer diameter can be loaded with an appropriate holding force.

  Moreover, since each leaf | plate spring 31 bends toward the inside of the through-hole 21 which penetrates each fitting insertion hole 21 which the front-end | tip 31a adjoins, when designing a predetermined pitch, 21d of the wall surface 21d of the fitting fitting hole 21 which adjoins. The thickness may be set to be twice or more the deflection amount, and the predetermined pitch P becomes small, and the test tube holder 1 can be downsized.

A perspective view showing a part of an embodiment of a test tube holder Sectional drawing which shows a part of embodiment of a test tube holder Rack perspective view Rack cross section Perspective view of sleeve Perspective cross-sectional view of the sleeve Cross section of sleeve Cross section of each test tube

Explanation of symbols

D1 outer diameter of the first test tube D2 outer diameter of the second test tube D3 outer diameter of the third test tube P pitch T test tube T1 first test tube T2 second test tube T3 third test tube DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Test tube holder 2 Rack 3 Sleeve 21 Insertion hole 21a Bottom 21c Engagement hole 21d Wall surface 23 Through-hole 31 Leaf spring 31a Tip 31b 1st protrusion 31c 2nd protrusion 34a Engagement claw

Claims (4)

A test tube holder for holding a plurality of test tubes having different outer diameters,
A rack with bottomed insertion holes opened at a predetermined pitch;
It consists of a sleeve that is removably inserted into the insertion hole,
Two opposing leaf springs extending in the insertion direction are formed on the side surface of the sleeve,
The leaf spring has, in the vicinity of the distal end of the leaf spring, a first projection that projects in the center direction of the sleeve and a second projection that is closer to the distal end than the first projection and projects more.
Of the test tubes inserted into the sleeve,
A first test tube having a predetermined outer diameter and a predetermined length is pressed by the leaf spring and sandwiched between the opposing first protrusions;
A second test tube having an outer diameter smaller than that of the first test tube and a longer length is pressed by the leaf spring and sandwiched between the opposing second protrusions,
3. A test tube holder, wherein a third test tube having an outer diameter smaller than that of the second test tube and having a longer length is inserted through the sleeve and held at the bottom of the fitting insertion hole.   The test tube holder according to claim 1, wherein the rack has a through hole between the adjacent fitting insertion holes, and the leaf spring bent by the pressing is bent toward the through hole. .   The predetermined pitch of the insertion holes is 17.5 mm or more and less than 20 mm, the diameter of the insertion holes is 16 mm or more and less than 18 mm, and the bending amount of the leaf spring is 0.75 mm or more, 1 mm. The test tube holder according to claim 2, wherein the test tube holder is less. The rack has an engagement hole that opens in a wall surface of the fitting insertion hole in a direction perpendicular to the pitch direction;
The sleeve has an engaging claw on a side surface;
The test tube holder according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the engaging claw engages with the engaging hole during the insertion.

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