JP2013108995A - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic analyzer capable of efficiently cleaning an inner wall of a reaction vessel.SOLUTION: In a first step, a cleaning unit permits aspiration from an aspiration port and then moves at least an inner-inner tube into an inner space by a moving mechanism. In a second step, the cleaning unit stops movement of at least the inner-inner tube by the moving mechanism in response to an arrival of a tip of the inner-inner tube to a first specific position in the inner space. In a third step, the cleaning unit permits aspiration from the aspiration port and supply of cleaning solution into a supply flow passage and then moves an outer tube and an inner tube in a direction inserting into or pulling out of the inner space by the moving mechanism while stopping the inner-inner tube, and in a fourth step, stops the supply of the cleaning solution in response to an arrival of tips of the outer tube and the inner tube to a second specific position and then moving the outer tube, the inner tube and the inner-inner tube in the direction pulling out of the inner space by the moving mechanism.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an automatic analyzer that analyzes a test sample by measuring the degree of reaction between the test sample and a reagent in a reaction vessel.

  In this type of automatic analyzer, the reaction vessel is used over and over again. For this purpose, the reaction vessel is washed after the measurement is completed.

  A conventional automatic analyzer includes a cleaning unit that injects a cleaning solution into the reaction container from above and cleans the reaction container by sucking the cleaning agent from below in the reaction container.

JP-A-5-297006

  However, in the above-described cleaning unit, the inner wall of the reaction vessel is cleaned with a cleaning solution that flows down the wall surface or a cleaning solution that has accumulated in the reaction solution. For this reason, the inner wall of the reaction vessel is cleaned mainly by scientific action, and if the reaction liquid to be cleaned has a high viscosity or a low affinity with the cleaning liquid, it is sufficient. There was a fear that it could not be washed out.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer capable of efficiently washing the inner wall of a reaction vessel.

  An automatic analyzer according to an aspect of the present invention includes a reaction container having an internal space for containing a reaction liquid between a test sample and a reagent, and a degree of reaction between the test sample and the reagent in the reaction container. And a cleaning unit for cleaning the reaction container after the measurement by the measuring unit is completed by directly spraying a cleaning liquid onto a region to be cleaned in the inner wall. The cleaning unit further includes a nozzle, a moving mechanism, and a control unit. The nozzle includes an outer cylinder having a first inner space extending along the first direction, an inner cylinder having a second inner space extending along the first direction and disposed in the first inner space, And an inner cylinder having a third inner space extending along the first direction and a suction port communicating with the third inner space and disposed in the second inner space, the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder Between the end of the outer cylinder and the end of the inner cylinder, and a slit in the second direction intersecting the first direction is formed between the end of the outer cylinder and the end of the inner cylinder. The moving mechanism moves the outer cylinder, the inner cylinder, and the inner inner cylinder individually in the first direction. As a first step, the control unit makes the reaction liquid and the cleaning liquid suckable from the suction port, and then moves them by a moving mechanism so as to insert at least the inner inner cylinder into the inner space. As a third step, at least the movement of the inner inner cylinder by the moving mechanism is stopped in response to the tip of the inner inner cylinder reaching the first predetermined position in the inner space, and as a third step, the reaction liquid and the cleaning liquid are discharged from the suction port. In a state in which suction can be performed and the cleaning liquid is supplied to the supply flow path, the moving mechanism moves in a direction in which the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder are inserted into the inner space or in a direction in which the inner cylinder is pulled out while the inner inner cylinder is stationary. As a fourth step, the supply of the cleaning liquid to the supply channel is stopped in response to the tips of the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder reaching the second predetermined position, and then the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder And the inner and inner cylinder Moved by the moving mechanism in a direction to pull out from the part space.

The block diagram which showed the structure of the automatic analyzer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the structure of the sample part in FIG. 1, a reagent part, and the reaction part. The perspective view which shows the structure of a part of washing | cleaning unit in FIG. 1 in 1st Embodiment. The figure which fractures | ruptures and shows the structure in 1st Embodiment of the washing | cleaning nozzle in FIG. 3 along the longitudinal direction. The figure which fractures | ruptures and shows the structure in 1st Embodiment of a washing nozzle along the horizontal direction in the AA position in FIG. The figure which shows 1 process of the washing | cleaning operation | movement in 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows 1 process of the washing | cleaning operation | movement in 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows 1 process of the washing | cleaning operation | movement in 1st Embodiment. The figure which fractures | ruptures and shows the structure in 2nd Embodiment of the washing | cleaning nozzle in FIG. The figure which fractures | ruptures and shows the structure in 2nd Embodiment of a washing nozzle along the horizontal direction in the BB position in FIG. The figure which shows 1 process of the washing | cleaning operation | movement in 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows 1 process of the washing | cleaning operation | movement in 2nd Embodiment. The figure which fractures | ruptures and shows the structure in 3rd Embodiment of the washing nozzle in FIG. The top view which shows the external appearance in 3rd Embodiment of the washing nozzle in FIG. The figure which fractures | ruptures and shows the structure in 3rd Embodiment of a washing nozzle along the horizontal direction in CC position in FIG. The figure which fractures | ruptures and shows the structure in the 1st modification of the washing nozzle in FIG. 3 along the longitudinal direction. The top view which shows the external appearance in the 1st modification of the washing nozzle in FIG. The top view which shows the external appearance in the 2nd modification of the washing nozzle in FIG. The top view which shows the external appearance in the 3rd modification of the washing nozzle in FIG. The figure which shows the external appearance in the 4th modification of the washing nozzle in FIG. The figure which shows the external appearance in the 5th modification of the washing nozzle in FIG. The figure which fractures | ruptures and shows the structure in the 6th modification of the washing nozzle in FIG. 3 along the longitudinal direction. The figure which shows the structure in the 6th modification of a washing | cleaning nozzle fractured | ruptured along the horizontal direction in the DD position in FIG. The figure which shows the structure in the 7th modification of a washing nozzle fractured | ruptured along a horizontal direction in the position corresponded to DD position in FIG.

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

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an automatic analyzer 100 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic analyzer 100 includes a measurement unit 110, an analysis control unit 120, an analysis data processing unit 130, an output unit 140, an operation unit 150, and a system control unit 160.

  The measurement unit 110 further includes a sample unit 111, a reagent unit 112, and a reaction unit 113. The sample unit 111 manages a calibrator for each measurement item and a test sample (sample) collected from the subject. The reagent unit 112 manages a reagent for causing a chemical reaction with a sample component corresponding to the measurement item. The reaction unit 113 performs measurement according to the measurement item regarding the reaction liquid of the sample and the reagent. The reaction unit 113 outputs a calibrator signal and an analysis signal representing measurement results for the calibrator and the test sample to the analysis data processing unit 130, respectively.

  Analysis control unit 120 further includes a mechanism unit 121 and a mechanism control unit 122. The mechanism unit 121 drives various movable elements described later included in the measurement unit 110. The mechanism control unit 122 controls the operation of the mechanism unit 121.

  The analysis data processing unit 130 further includes a calculation unit 131 and a storage unit 132. The calculation unit 131 creates a calibration table for each measurement item based on the calibrator signal output from the measurement unit 110. The calculation unit 131 calculates analysis data for each measurement item based on the analysis signal output from the measurement unit 110 and the calibration table. The storage unit 132 includes a hard disk and stores a calibration table, analysis data, and the like. The computing unit 131 outputs the calibration table and analysis data to the output unit 140 as necessary.

  The output unit 140 further includes a printing unit 141, a display unit 142, and an online unit 143. The printing unit 141 includes a printer or the like, and prints the calibration table and analysis data output from the calculation unit 131 on printer paper or the like in a preset format. The display unit 142 includes a CRT (cathode-ray tube), an LCD (liquid crystal display), and the like, and displays the calibration table and analysis data output from the calculation unit 131. The display unit 142 selects and sets a subject information input screen for inputting the ID and name of the subject, an analysis condition setting screen for setting analysis conditions for each measurement item, and a measurement item for each test sample. A measurement item setting screen for the purpose is displayed under the control of the system control unit 160. The online unit 143 transmits the calibration table and analysis data output from the calculation unit 131 to other devices via the network.

  The operation unit 150 includes an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, a button, or a touch key panel. The operation unit 150 sets analysis conditions for each measurement item, inputs subject information such as the subject ID and subject name of the subject, selects and inputs measurement items for each subject sample, calibrates each measurement item, It is operated by an operator for measuring a test sample. The operation unit 150 outputs a command signal representing the content of the operation by the operator to the system control unit 160.

  The system control unit 160 includes a CPU and a storage circuit, and controls each unit of the automatic analyzer 100 in an integrated manner. Specifically, the system control unit 160 determines the analysis conditions of the measurement items, the subject information, the measurement items for each test sample, and the like based on the command signal supplied from the operation unit 150, and stores these information. Keep it. Based on these pieces of information, the system control unit 160 controls the operation of the measurement unit 110 so as to perform measurement in a predetermined sequence in a certain cycle. The system control unit 160 controls the analysis data processing unit 130 so as to create a required calibration table and calculate required analysis data. Furthermore, the system control unit 160 controls the output unit 140 so as to output the calibration table and analysis data in a required form.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the sample unit 111, the reagent unit 112, and the reaction unit 113.

  The sample unit 111 includes sample containers 11a and 11b, samplers 12a and 12b, a rack 13, an arm 14, a sample probe 15, a pump 16, a cleaning unit 17, a flow path forming unit 18, and a pump 19.

  The sample containers 11a and 11b accommodate samples such as a calibrator, a quality control sample, or a test sample. The sample container 11b accommodates a small amount of test sample collected from a child or the like so that it can be aspirated. That is, the sample container 11b has a smaller horizontal cross section than the sample container 11a, and can make the water surface of a small amount of the sample to be tested higher than the sample container 11a.

  The sampler 12a can be set by arranging a large number of sample containers 11a in two circumferential rows. The sampler 12a rotates to move the set sample container 11a along the circumference. Each position where the sample container 11a is set in the sampler 12a is assigned in advance to a set position for a calibrator or a set position for a quality control sample. The sample container 11a containing the calibrator is set at the former setting position, and the sample container 11a containing the quality control sample is set at the latter setting position.

  The sampler 12b can set a large number of racks 13. The rack 13 can be set by arranging a plurality of sample containers 11a and 11b in a straight line. The rack 13 is arranged along a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the sample containers 11a and 11b. The sampler 12b moves the rack 13 in the arrangement direction. The sampler 12b also moves the rack 13 in the direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction at the sample suction position. Each position where the sample containers 11a and 11b are set in the rack 13 is assigned in advance to the set position of the test sample, and the sample containers 11a and 11b containing the test sample are set at the set position.

  The arm 14 is supported at one end so that it can rotate. A sample probe 15 is attached to the other end of the arm 14. The arm 14 is movable in the vertical direction in order to move the sample probe 15 in the vertical direction. Thus, the arm 14 moves or moves the sample probe 15 along the arcuate path.

  The sample probe 15 has a thin cavity inside, and a pump 16 is connected to the cavity via the internal space of the arm 14 and a tube. The sample probe 15 sucks the sample by making the inside of the cavity have a negative pressure by the pump 16. The sample probe 15 discharges the sample held in the cavity when the negative pressure in the cavity is eliminated by the pump 16. A sensor for detecting the liquid level of the sample is provided at the tip of the sample probe 15 so that the liquid level is detected when the tip of the sample probe 15 enters a predetermined depth from the liquid level of the sample. It has become.

  The pump 16 draws a pressure transmission medium such as water to make a negative pressure in the cavity of the sample probe 15 and discharges the pressure transmission medium to release the negative pressure in the cavity of the sample probe 15.

  The reagent part 112 includes a reagent bottle 21, reagent racks 22a and 22b, arms 23a, 23b, 24a and 24b, legs 25a, 25b, 26a and 26b, and reagent probes 27a, 27b, 28a and 28b.

  The reagent bottle 21 contains a reagent that selectively reacts with the sample.

  Each of the reagent racks 22a and 22b stores a plurality of reagent bottles 21. Each of the reagent racks 22a and 22b is a substantially cylindrical container having an upper surface opened. Each of the reagent racks 22a and 22b can accommodate a plurality of reagent bottles 21 arranged in two rows in a circumferential shape. The reagent racks 22a and 22b are rotated by a rotation mechanism (not shown in FIG. 1) described later.

  One end of each of the arms 23a, 23b, 24a, and 24b is supported by the leg portions 25a, 25b, 26a, and 26b. Reagent probes 27a, 27b, 28a, and 28b are attached to the other ends of the arms 23a, 23b, 24a, and 24b, respectively.

  The leg portions 25a, 25b, 26a, and 26b are respectively rotated by a rotation mechanism having a known structure that is not shown in FIG. 1, thereby rotating the arms 23a, 23b, 24a, and 24b, respectively. The legs 25a, 25b, 26a, 26b are only partially shown in FIG. 1, and are actually longer than shown. The legs 25a, 25b, 26a, and 26b are linearly moved in the vertical direction by a known linear movement mechanism that is not shown in FIG.

  The reagent probes 27a, 27b, 28a, 28b are moved or moved up and down along the arc-shaped trajectories by the arms 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b and the leg portions 25a, 25b, 26a, 26b, respectively. The reagent probes 27a, 27b, 28a, 28b have thin cavities inside, and pumps (not shown) are respectively inserted into the cavities via arms 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b and legs 25a, 25b, 26a, 26b. It is connected to the. The reagent probes 27a, 27b, 28a, and 28b suck and discharge the reagent by the same operation as that of the sample probe 15.

  The reaction unit 113 includes a reaction vessel 31, a disk 32, stirring units 33 a and 33 b, a photometric unit 34, and a cleaning unit 35.

  A large number of reaction vessels 31 are arranged circumferentially. The reaction container 31 contains a reaction solution of a sample and a reagent.

  The disk 32 holds the reaction vessel 31 rotatably. The disk 32 rotates counterclockwise at a constant angle during 4 analysis cycles. One analysis cycle is, for example, 4.5 seconds. The disk 32 may be rotated clockwise.

  The stirring unit 33a includes two stirring bars. The stirring unit 33a can move two stirring bars between two stirring positions corresponding to the upper part of the reaction vessel 31 and two different cleaning positions. The stirring unit 33a can move the two stirring bars in the vertical direction. The stirring unit 33a has a function of cleaning two stirring bars at two cleaning positions. The stirring unit 33a is used for stirring the sample dispensed in the reaction vessel 31 and the first reagent.

  The stirring unit 33b includes two stirring bars. The stirring unit 33b can move two stirring bars between two half days respectively corresponding to the upper side of the reaction vessel 31 and two different cleaning positions. The stirring unit 33b can move the two stirring bars in the vertical direction. The stirring unit 33b has a function of cleaning two stirring bars at two cleaning positions. The stirring unit 33b is used for stirring the sample dispensed in the reaction vessel 31, the first reagent, and the second reagent.

  The photometric unit 34 emits light when the reaction vessel 31 passes through the photometric position, and measures the absorbance of the set wavelength from the transmitted light. Then, the photometry unit 34 generates an analysis signal as a signal representing the measured absorbance.

  The cleaning unit 35 includes a cleaning nozzle and a drying nozzle. The cleaning unit 35 sucks and cleans the reaction solution in the reaction vessel 31 by the cleaning nozzle. The washing unit 35 dries the inside of the reaction vessel 31 after washing with a drying nozzle. The reaction vessel 31 washed and dried by the washing unit 35 is used again for measurement.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a part of the structure of the cleaning unit 35 in the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 3, the cleaning nozzle of the cleaning unit 35 is denoted by reference numeral 1. The cleaning nozzle 1 has an elongated cylindrical shape, and is disposed above the disk 32 in a posture in which the longitudinal direction is substantially vertical. The cleaning nozzle 1 is disposed so as to penetrate the holding unit 2. The upper end of the cleaning nozzle 1 is attached to the guide part 3.

  The holding part 2 is fixed to the base part 4 of the cleaning unit 35. The holding unit 2 holds the cleaning nozzle 1 so that it can reciprocate in the longitudinal direction. A known linear motion mechanism such as a rack and pinion is disposed inside the holding unit 2. This linear motion mechanism reciprocates the cleaning nozzle 1 along its longitudinal direction. This linear motion mechanism belongs to the mechanism unit 121.

  The guide portion 3 moves while being guided by a guide groove 4a formed in the base portion 4 along a substantially vertical direction. By this movement, the guide unit 3 guides the cleaning nozzle 1 to move in a substantially vertical direction.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the structure of the cleaning nozzle 1 according to the first embodiment, broken along the longitudinal direction. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the structure of the cleaning nozzle 1 according to the first embodiment, broken along the horizontal direction at the position AA in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cleaning nozzle 1 in the first embodiment includes an outer cylinder 1a and an inner cylinder 1b. The outer cylinder 1a has an internal space extending over almost the entire length in the longitudinal direction. The inner cylinder 1b is disposed in the inner space of the outer cylinder 1a. The longitudinal directions of the outer cylinder 1a and the inner cylinder 1b are substantially the same. And as for the outer cylinder 1a and the inner cylinder 1b, it is desirable for each central axis to mutually correspond substantially. The inner cylinder 1b has an internal space extending over almost the entire length in the longitudinal direction.

  The outer surface at the tip of the inner cylinder 1b protrudes toward the outer side of the inner cylinder 1b. And this protrusion amount is so large that it approaches the front-end | tip of the inner cylinder 1b. The outer cylinder 1a and the inner cylinder 1b are fixed to each other or to the guide portion 3 in a positional relationship in which the tip of the inner cylinder 1b protrudes downward from the tip of the outer cylinder 1a. Thus, a slit 1e oriented in the lateral direction is formed at the tip of the cleaning nozzle 1.

  Thus, the cleaning nozzle 1 has the first space 1c having the outer cylinder 1a as the outer wall, the inner cylinder 1b as the inner wall, and the second space 1d inside the inner cylinder 1b. A cleaning liquid is supplied to the first space 1 c by a pump (not shown) from above the cleaning nozzle 1 through the inside of the guide portion 3. The cleaning liquid supplied to the first space 1c flows downward in the first space 1c by its supply pressure and its own weight. The cleaning liquid is discharged to the outside of the cleaning nozzle 1 through the slit 1e. That is, the first space 1c serves as a supply channel for the cleaning agent. The second space 1d is decompressed as necessary by a pump (not shown). At this time, if liquid (reaction liquid and cleaning liquid) exists near the tip of the inner cylinder 1b, the liquid is sucked into the second space 1d by negative pressure. That is, the second space 1d is a recovery path for the reaction liquid and the cleaning liquid.

  Next, the cleaning process of the reaction vessel 31 using the cleaning nozzle 1 configured as described above will be described.

  First, the disk 32 is stopped in a state in which the reaction container 31 containing the reaction solution to be cleaned is positioned below the cleaning nozzle 1. In this state, the mechanism control unit 122 operates the linear movement mechanism disposed inside the holding unit 2 to lower the cleaning nozzle 1. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 6, the cleaning nozzle 1 is moved as indicated by an arrow MA and inserted into the reaction vessel 31. At this time, the mechanism control unit 122 operates a pump (not shown) to decompress the second space 1d. For this reason, when the tip of the cleaning nozzle 1 reaches the reaction liquid L1, the reaction liquid L1 is sucked into the second space 1d as indicated by an arrow A1. When the tip of the cleaning nozzle 1 reaches the vicinity of the bottom of the reaction vessel 31, the reaction liquid L <b> 1 stored in the reaction vessel 31 is discharged from the reaction vessel 31. Therefore, when this state is reached, the mechanism control unit 122 stops the descent of the cleaning nozzle 1.

  Subsequently, the mechanism control unit 122 operates a pump (not shown) to start supplying the cleaning liquid to the first space 1c. Then, the cleaning liquid flows in the first space 1c as shown by an arrow A2 in FIG. 7, and is discharged from the slit 1e as shown by an arrow A3. At this time, since the slit 1 e is formed toward the side of the cleaning nozzle 1, the cleaning liquid discharged from the cleaning nozzle 1 is directly sprayed onto the inner wall of the reaction vessel 31. In this state, the mechanism control unit 122 operates the linear movement mechanism disposed inside the holding unit 2 to raise the cleaning nozzle 1. As a result, the cleaning nozzle 1 is moved as shown by the arrow MB as shown in FIG. 7, and the spray position of the cleaning liquid with respect to the inner wall of the reaction vessel 31 changes. When the cleaning liquid has been sprayed into the predetermined cleaning range, the mechanism control unit 122 stops the cleaning nozzle 1 from rising.

  Subsequently, the mechanism control unit 122 lowers the cleaning nozzle 1 and depressurizes the second space 1d. As a result, the cleaning liquid L2 accumulated in the reaction vessel 31 is sucked into the second space 1d as indicated by an arrow A4 in FIG. When the tip of the cleaning nozzle 1 reaches the vicinity of the bottom of the reaction vessel 31, the cleaning liquid L <b> 2 accumulated in the reaction vessel 31 is discharged from the reaction vessel 31. Therefore, when this state is reached, the mechanism control unit 122 stops the descent of the cleaning nozzle 1.

  Finally, the mechanism control unit 122 raises the cleaning nozzle 1 until the cleaning nozzle 1 is completely removed from the reaction vessel 31.

  Thus, according to the first embodiment, the inner wall of the reaction vessel 31 can be cleaned while spraying the cleaning agent directly, and efficient cleaning is achieved.

  In addition, it is preferable to form the slit 1e so that the discharge direction of the cleaning liquid is in the direction of 1 to 89 degrees when the horizontal direction is 0 degrees and the downward direction in the vertical direction is 90 degrees. This is because if the discharge direction of the cleaning liquid is 0 ° or less, the reaction liquid cleaned by the cleaning liquid may jump up and adhere to the cleaning nozzle 1. When the reaction liquid adheres to the cleaning nozzle 1 in this manner, the reaction liquid that has adhered to the cleaning nozzle 1 may adhere to the reaction container 31 when another reaction container 31 is cleaned. Moreover, it is because it becomes difficult to inject a cleaning agent directly on the inner wall of the reaction container 31 when the discharge direction of the cleaning liquid is 90 degrees or more.

  According to the second embodiment, the cleaning nozzle 1 has both a function for discharging the cleaning liquid and a function for suctioning the reaction liquid and the cleaning liquid. For this reason, an efficient cleaning operation as described above is possible.

(Second Embodiment)
The structure shown in FIG. 3 is also common in the second embodiment.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the structure of the cleaning nozzle 1 according to the second embodiment, broken along the longitudinal direction. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the structure of the cleaning nozzle 1 according to the second embodiment, broken along the horizontal direction at the BB position in FIG. 9. 9 and 10, the same parts as those shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the cleaning nozzle 1 according to the second embodiment includes an inner and inner cylinder 1f in addition to the outer cylinder 1a and the inner cylinder 1b. The inner / inner cylinder 1f is arranged in the inner space of the inner cylinder 1b with a play that can change the relative position of the inner cylinder 1b with respect to the inner cylinder 1b. The longitudinal direction of the inner / inner cylinder 1f substantially coincides with the longitudinal directions of the outer cylinder 1a and the inner cylinder 1b. In the present embodiment, the outer diameter of the inner inner cylinder 1f is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the inner cylinder 1b. Therefore, the posture of the inner cylinder 1f is defined by the inner cylinder 1b. However, the outer diameter of the inner / inner cylinder 1f may be such that a space is formed between the inner / inner cylinder 1f and the inner cylinder 1b. The inner / inner cylinder 1f has an internal space extending over substantially the entire length in the longitudinal direction.

  With the configuration as described above, the inner space of the inner inner cylinder 1f functions as the second space 1d.

  Now, the linear movement mechanism disposed inside the holding portion 2 has a known structure such as including at least two sets of racks and pinions or combining clutches with the racks and pinions, and the outer cylinder 1a and the inner cylinder 1b. And the inner and inner cylinders 1f are individually moved.

  Note that the inner and inner cylinders 1f have chemical resistance, rigidity, small deterioration over time such as rust, and −20 in order to send cleaning liquid and reaction liquid by pressure in the space formed by them. It is desirable to use a material whose shape is stable in a temperature range of about ˜60 ° C. As a material meeting such conditions, for example, stainless steel is conceivable.

  Next, the cleaning process of the reaction vessel 31 using the cleaning nozzle 1 configured as described above will be described.

  First, the disk 32 is stopped in a state in which the reaction container 31 containing the reaction solution to be cleaned is positioned below the cleaning nozzle 1. In this state, the mechanism control unit 122 operates the linear movement mechanism disposed inside the holding unit 2 to move the outer cylinder 1a, the inner cylinder 1b, and the inner inner cylinder 1f to the inner cylinder 1a, the inner cylinder 1b, and the inner cylinder. The position is lowered while maintaining the positional relationship with the tube 1f as shown in FIG. As a result, the cleaning nozzle 1 is moved as shown by an arrow MD and inserted into the reaction vessel 31 as shown in FIG. At this time, the mechanism control unit 122 operates a pump (not shown) to decompress the second space 1d. For this reason, when the tip of the cleaning nozzle 1 reaches the reaction liquid L1, the reaction liquid L1 is sucked into the second space 1d as indicated by an arrow A5. When the tip of the cleaning nozzle 1 reaches the vicinity of the bottom of the reaction vessel 31, the reaction liquid L <b> 1 stored in the reaction vessel 31 is discharged from the reaction vessel 31. Therefore, when this state is reached, the mechanism control unit 122 stops the descent of the cleaning nozzle 1.

  Subsequently, the mechanism control unit 122 operates a pump (not shown) to start supplying the cleaning liquid to the first space 1c. Then, the cleaning liquid flows through the first space 1c as shown by an arrow A6 in FIG. 12, and is discharged from the slit 1e as shown by an arrow A7. At this time, since the slit 1 e is formed toward the side of the cleaning nozzle 1, the cleaning liquid discharged from the cleaning nozzle 1 is directly sprayed onto the inner wall of the reaction vessel 31. In this state, the mechanism control unit 122 operates the linear movement mechanism disposed inside the holding unit 2 to raise the outer cylinder 1a and the inner cylinder 1b while keeping the inner inner cylinder 1f stationary. Thereby, the outer cylinder 1a and the inner cylinder 1b are moved as shown by an arrow ME while changing the positional relationship with the inner inner cylinder 1f as shown in FIG. 12, and the injection position of the cleaning liquid with respect to the inner wall of the reaction vessel 31 is changed. To do. When the cleaning liquid has been sprayed into the predetermined cleaning range, the supply of the cleaning liquid is stopped. Moreover, the mechanism control part 122 stops raising the outer cylinder 1a and the inner cylinder 1b.

  In parallel with the spraying of the cleaning liquid as described above or after the stop of the spraying of the cleaning liquid as described above, the second space 1d is decompressed. As a result, the cleaning liquid sprayed into the reaction vessel 31 is sucked into the second space 1d as indicated by an arrow A8 in FIG. It is discharged from the reaction vessel 31.

  Finally, the mechanism control unit 122 raises the cleaning nozzle 1 until the cleaning nozzle 1 is completely removed from the reaction vessel 31.

  Thus, according to the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, efficient cleaning is achieved.

  Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, the cleaning liquid accumulated in the reaction vessel 31 can be quickly discharged. For this reason, it is no longer possible to prevent the cleaning liquid accumulated in the reaction container 31 from being ejected onto the wall surface of the reaction container 31 afterward. And since the washing | cleaning liquid which accumulates in the reaction container 31 immediately after the start of washing | cleaning contains a reaction liquid in high concentration, keeping this in the reaction container 31 brings about the fall of washing | cleaning efficiency, but as mentioned above, reaction container 31 This can be avoided by quickly discharging the cleaning liquid accumulated in the water.

  According to the second embodiment, the cleaning nozzle 1 has both a function for discharging the cleaning liquid and a function for suctioning the reaction liquid and the cleaning liquid. For this reason, an efficient cleaning operation as described above is possible. In particular, in the second embodiment, the outer cylinder 1a and the inner cylinder 1b that form the first space and the inner and inner cylinder 1f that forms the second space are individually movable, so the first embodiment Then, the cleaning nozzle 1 has to be reciprocated twice, whereas in the second embodiment, the cleaning nozzle 1 has only to be reciprocated once, and further efficiency is achieved.

  The tip of the inner inner cylinder 1f is first lowered to the vicinity of the bottom surface of the reaction vessel 31, and the outer cylinder 1a and the inner cylinder 1b are lowered while spraying the cleaning liquid while the inner inner cylinder 1f is stationary. May be.

(Third embodiment)
The structure shown in FIG. 3 is common also in the third embodiment.

  However, in the third embodiment, a known rotation mechanism such as a motor is disposed inside the guide portion 3. As will be described later, this rotating mechanism rotates a part of the cleaning nozzle 1 around a rotation axis along the longitudinal direction thereof. This rotation mechanism belongs to the mechanism unit 121.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the structure of the cleaning nozzle 1 according to the third embodiment, broken along the longitudinal direction. FIG. 14 is a plan view showing the appearance of the cleaning nozzle 1 in the third embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the structure of the cleaning nozzle 1 according to the third embodiment, broken along the horizontal direction at the CC position in FIG. 13 to 15, the same parts as those shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 9, and 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, the cleaning nozzle 1 in the third embodiment includes an inner cylinder 1b, an inner inner cylinder 1f, and an outer cylinder 1g. That is, the cleaning nozzle 1 in the third embodiment includes an outer cylinder 1g instead of the outer cylinder 1a in the second embodiment. Two elongate slits 1h extending along the longitudinal direction of the outer cylinder 1g are formed in the outer cylinder 1g near the lower end. The height of the slit 1h is about the same as the height of the cleaning range. Although the relative positional relationship between the two slits 1h may be arbitrary, for example, as shown in FIG. 15, the relative positional relationship is set with respect to the axis along the longitudinal direction of the outer cylinder 1g. Note that only one slit 1h may be provided.

  With the configuration as described above, the space between the inner cylinder 1b and the outer cylinder 1g functions as the first space 1c.

  Now, the rotation mechanism disposed inside the holding portion 2 rotates at least the outer cylinder 1g as indicated by an arrow RA in FIG. 15 with the axis along the longitudinal direction as a rotation axis. The rotating mechanism may rotate only the outer cylinder 1g, but may rotate either or both of the inner cylinder 1b and the inner inner cylinder 1f at the same time.

  In addition, the outer cylinder 1g has chemical resistance, rigidity, small deterioration over time such as rust, and the like, since the cleaning liquid and the reaction liquid are fed by the pressure in the space formed by the outer cylinder, and further −20 to 20 It is desirable to use a material whose shape is stable in a temperature range of about 60 ° C. As a material meeting such conditions, for example, stainless steel is conceivable.

  Next, the cleaning process of the reaction vessel 31 using the cleaning nozzle 1 configured as described above will be described.

  First, the disk 32 is stopped in a state in which the reaction container 31 containing the reaction solution to be cleaned is positioned below the cleaning nozzle 1. In this state, the mechanism control unit 122 operates the linear movement mechanism disposed inside the holding unit 2 to lower the cleaning nozzle 1. At this time, the mechanism control unit 122 operates a pump (not shown) to decompress the second space 1d. For this reason, when the tip of the washing nozzle 1 reaches the reaction solution, the reaction solution is sucked into the second space 1d. When the tip of the cleaning nozzle 1 reaches the vicinity of the bottom of the reaction vessel 31, the reaction liquid stored in the reaction vessel 31 is discharged from the reaction vessel 31. Therefore, when this state is reached, the mechanism control unit 122 stops the descent of the cleaning nozzle 1.

  Subsequently, the mechanism control unit 122 operates a pump (not shown) to start supplying the cleaning liquid to the first space 1c. Then, the cleaning liquid flows through the first space 1c and is discharged from the slit 1h as shown by an arrow A8 in FIG. At this time, since the slit 1 h is formed toward the side of the cleaning nozzle 1, the cleaning liquid discharged from the cleaning nozzle 1 is directly sprayed onto the inner wall of the reaction vessel 31. Since the height of the slit 1h is about the same as the cleaning range, the cleaning liquid discharged from the slit 1h is sprayed to almost the entire cleaning range in the height direction. However, since the slit 1h has a small width in the horizontal direction, the cleaning liquid can be discharged only in a narrow range in the circumferential direction of the cleaning nozzle 1. Therefore, the outer cylinder 1g is rotated by the rotation mechanism. Thereby, the direction of the slit 1h is changed in the circumferential direction of the cleaning nozzle 1, and the cleaning liquid can be sprayed to almost the entire cleaning range.

  In parallel with the spraying of the cleaning liquid as described above or after the stop of the spraying of the cleaning liquid as described above, the second space 1d is decompressed. As a result, the cleaning liquid sprayed into the reaction vessel 31 is sucked into the second space 1d. It is discharged from the reaction vessel 31.

  Finally, the mechanism control unit 122 raises the cleaning nozzle 1 until the cleaning nozzle 1 is completely removed from the reaction vessel 31.

  Thus, according to the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, efficient cleaning is achieved.

  According to the third embodiment, the cleaning nozzle 1 has both a function for discharging the cleaning liquid and a function for suctioning the reaction liquid and the cleaning liquid. For this reason, an efficient cleaning operation as described above is possible. In particular, in the third embodiment, since the cleaning liquid injection position is changed by rotating the outer cylinder 1g, the cleaning nozzle 1 must be reciprocated twice in the first embodiment. In the embodiment, the cleaning nozzle 1 may be reciprocated once, and further efficiency is achieved.

(First modification)
The first modification is a modification of the third embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the structure of the cleaning nozzle 1 according to the first modified example, broken along the longitudinal direction. FIG. 17 is a plan view showing the appearance of the cleaning nozzle 1 in the first modification. 16 and 17, the same parts as those shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 9, 10, and 13 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the cleaning nozzle 1 in the first modification includes an inner cylinder 1b, an inner inner cylinder 1f, and an outer cylinder 1i. That is, the cleaning nozzle 1 in the first modification includes an outer cylinder 1i instead of the outer cylinder 1g in the third embodiment. In the outer cylinder 1i, a row of a plurality of openings 1j equivalent to that formed by closing a part of the slit 1h formed in the outer cylinder 1g is formed.

  Even if the cleaning nozzle 1 having the above structure is used, the reaction vessel 31 can be cleaned by the same operation as in the third embodiment.

(Second modification)
The second modification is a modification of the third embodiment. FIG. 18 is a plan view showing the appearance of the cleaning nozzle 1 in the second modification.

  The cleaning nozzle 1 in the second modified example includes an outer cylinder 1k instead of the outer cylinder 1g in the third embodiment. The outer cylinder 1k has a structure in which a slit 1m is formed instead of the slit 1h formed in the outer cylinder 1g. The slit 1m is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the outer cylinder 1k.

  Even if the cleaning nozzle 1 having the above structure is used, the reaction vessel 31 can be cleaned by the same operation as in the third embodiment.

  Further, it may be further modified to form a row of openings 1j shown in FIG. 17 instead of the slit 1m.

(Third Modification)
The third modification is a modification of the third embodiment. FIG. 19 is a plan view showing the appearance of the cleaning nozzle 1 in the third modification.

  The cleaning nozzle 1 in the third modification includes an outer cylinder 1n instead of the outer cylinder 1g in the third embodiment. The outer cylinder 1n has a structure in which the number of slits 1h formed in the outer cylinder 1g is increased. In the outer cylinder 1n, three or more slits 1h are formed in a state of being arranged substantially parallel to the circumferential direction of the outer cylinder 1n.

  Even if the cleaning nozzle 1 having the above structure is used, the reaction vessel 31 can be cleaned by the same operation as in the third embodiment. If the number of slits 1h is sufficiently increased, the rotation of the cleaning nozzle 1 can be omitted.

(Fourth modification)
The fourth modification is a further modification of the first modification. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an appearance of the cleaning nozzle 1 in the fourth modified example.

  The cleaning nozzle 1 in the fourth modified example includes an outer cylinder 1o instead of the outer cylinder 1i in the first modified example. The outer cylinder 1o has a structure in which the number of rows of openings 1j is increased. The outer cylinder 1o is formed in a state where three or more rows of openings 1j are arranged substantially parallel to the circumferential direction of the outer cylinder 1o.

  Even if the cleaning nozzle 1 having the above structure is used, the reaction vessel 31 can be cleaned by the same operation as in the third embodiment. If the number of rows of the openings 1j is sufficiently increased, the rotation of the cleaning nozzle 1 can be omitted.

(Fifth modification)
The fifth modification is a modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of the cleaning nozzle 1 in the fifth modification.

  The cleaning nozzle 1 in the fifth modification includes an outer cylinder 1p instead of the outer cylinder 1a in the first embodiment. The outer cylinder 1p has a structure in which the number of slits 1e formed in the outer cylinder 1a is increased. In the outer cylinder 1p, three or more slits 1e are formed in a state of being arranged substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the outer cylinder 1p.

  Even when the cleaning nozzle 1 having the above structure is used, the reaction vessel 31 can be cleaned by the same operation as in the first embodiment. Furthermore, in the fifth modification, the amount of movement of the cleaning nozzle 1 while spraying the cleaning liquid can be reduced as compared with the first embodiment. If the number of slits 1e is sufficiently increased, the movement of the cleaning nozzle 1 while spraying the cleaning liquid can be omitted.

(Sixth Modification)
The sixth modification is a modification of the third embodiment. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing the structure of the sixth modified example of the cleaning nozzle 1 by cutting along the longitudinal direction thereof. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing the structure of the sixth modification of the cleaning nozzle 1 by cutting along the horizontal direction at the DD position in FIG. 22 and 23, the same parts as those shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 9 and 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The cleaning nozzle 1 in the sixth modified example includes an elongated pipe 1q in place of the inner cylinder 1b and the outer cylinder 1g in the third embodiment. The pipe 1q is arranged close to the inner inner cylinder 1f in a state where the longitudinal direction thereof is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the inner inner cylinder 1f. The internal space of the pipe 1q extends over almost the entire length in the longitudinal direction of the pipe 1q. This internal space functions as the first space 1c. The pipe 1q is formed with a slit 1h that communicates the internal space with the outside of the pipe 1q. The longitudinal direction of the slit 1h substantially coincides with the longitudinal direction of the pipe 1q.

  Even if the cleaning nozzle 1 having the above structure is used, the reaction vessel 31 can be cleaned by the same operation as in the third embodiment.

(Seventh Modification)
The seventh modification is a further modification of the sixth modification. FIG. 24 is a diagram showing the structure of the seventh modification of the cleaning nozzle 1 by breaking it along the horizontal direction at a position corresponding to the DD position in FIG. 24, the same parts as those in FIGS. 22 and 23 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The cleaning nozzle 1 in the seventh modified example includes one more pipe 1q in addition to the cleaning nozzle 1 in the sixth modified example.

  Even if the cleaning nozzle 1 having the above structure is used, the reaction vessel 31 can be cleaned by the same operation as in the third embodiment.

  In the cleaning nozzle 1 in the seventh modified example, the wall surface of the reaction vessel 31 can be cleaned only in one specific direction by spraying the cleaning liquid without rotating. This is applicable, for example, when sufficient measurement accuracy can be obtained by cleaning the wall surface of the reaction vessel 31 only in the portion that becomes the optical path in the photometry unit 34.

(Other variations)
By discharging the cleaning liquid through the second space 1d, the cleaning liquid may also be directly sprayed onto the bottom surface of the reaction vessel 31.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Cleaning nozzle, 1a, 1g, 1i, 1k, 1n, 1o, 1p ... Outer cylinder, 1b ... Inner cylinder, 1e, 1h, 1m ... Slit, 1j ... Opening, 1f ... Inner cylinder, 1q ... Pipe, 2 ... holding part, 3 ... guide part, 4 ... base part, 4a ... guide groove, 11a, 11b ... sample container, 12a, 12b ... sampler, 13 ... rack, 14 ... arm, 15 ... sample probe, 16 ... pump, 17 ... Cleaning unit, 18 ... Flow path forming unit, 19 ... Pump, 21 ... Reagent bottle, 22a, 22b ... Reagent rack, 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b ... Arm, 25a, 25b, 26a, 26b ... Leg, 27a, 27b, 28a, 28b ... reagent probe, 31 ... reaction vessel, 32 ... disc, 33a, 33b ... stirring unit, 34 ... photometric unit, 35 ... washing unit, 100 ... automatic analyzer 110 ... Measurement unit 111 ... Sample unit 112 ... Reagent unit 113 ... Reaction unit 120 ... Analysis control unit 121 ... Mechanism unit 122 ... Mechanism control unit 130 ... Analysis data processing unit 131 ... Calculation unit 132 ... storage unit, 140 ... output unit, 141 ... printing unit, 142 ... display unit, 143 ... online unit, 150 ... operation unit, 160 ... system control unit.

Claims (3)

A reaction container having an internal space for containing a reaction solution of a test sample and a reagent;
A measurement unit for measuring the degree of reaction between the test sample and the reagent in the reaction container;
A cleaning unit for cleaning the reaction container after the measurement by the measurement unit is completed by directly spraying a cleaning liquid onto a region to be cleaned of the inner wall;
The washing unit is
An outer cylinder having a first inner space extending along the first direction, an inner cylinder having a second inner space extending along the first direction and disposed in the first inner space; and An inner cylinder having a third inner space extending along the first direction and a suction port communicating with the third inner space and disposed in the second inner space; A slit that faces the second direction intersecting the first direction between the end portion of the outer cylinder and the end portion of the inner cylinder, forming a supply channel for the cleaning liquid between the inner cylinder and the inner cylinder Forming a nozzle, and
A moving mechanism for individually moving the outer cylinder, the inner cylinder, and the inner inner cylinder in the first direction;
As a first step, the reaction liquid and the cleaning liquid can be sucked from the suction port, and at least the inner inner cylinder is moved by the moving mechanism so as to be inserted into the inner space. As a third step, at least the movement of the inner inner cylinder by the moving mechanism is stopped in response to the tip of the inner inner cylinder reaching the first predetermined position of the inner space, and as the third step, the suction is performed. The reaction liquid and the cleaning liquid can be sucked from the mouth, and the cleaning liquid is supplied to the supply flow path, and the outer and inner cylinders are kept in the inner cylinder while the inner and inner cylinders are kept stationary. As a fourth step, the distal ends of the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder reach a second predetermined position by being moved by the moving mechanism in the direction of insertion into the space or the direction of extraction from the inner space. And a controller that moves the outer cylinder, the inner cylinder, and the inner inner cylinder by the moving mechanism in a direction in which the outer cylinder, the inner cylinder, and the inner inner cylinder are pulled out from the inner space after stopping the supply of the cleaning liquid to the supply flow path. An automatic analyzer characterized by comprising:   The control unit moves the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder together with the inner inner cylinder by the moving mechanism in the first step, and moves the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder in the inner space in the third step. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the automatic analyzer is moved by the moving mechanism in a direction in which the automatic analyzer is pulled out.   The control unit moves only the inner and inner cylinders by the moving mechanism in the first step, and moves the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder in the direction of inserting the inner cylinder into the inner space in the third step. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the automatic analyzer is moved by a mechanism.

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