JP2014001926A - Cap opening/closing device and sample handling device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cap opening/closing device that prevents mist, which arises at the time of uncapping a sample container, from scattering around, or to provide a sample handling device that prevents mist, which arises when a sample is poured into one container, from scattering to any other container.SOLUTION: In a cap opening/closing device provided with a container holding mechanism that holds a container containing liquid inside and closed with a cap having a curvature, a cap opening/closing mechanism that removes the cap from the container or closes the container with the cap, and a control mechanism for controlling any shift of liquid or mist having sprung out of the container when the cap is opened or removed by the cap opening/closing mechanism, the control mechanism comprises a suction sub-mechanism that sucks gas and a first discharging sub-mechanism that discharges gas in a swirling flow.

Description

  The present invention relates to a stopper opening / closing device for opening / closing a stopper of a sample container, and a sample processing apparatus including the stopper opening / closing device.

  As a background art in this technical field, there is JP 2008-279128 A (Patent Document 1). In this publication, a blood collection tube clamping mechanism that clamps a vacuum blood collection tube in an upright state at an opening position, a chuck mechanism that is provided at the opening position and holds the plug of the vacuum blood collection tube, and the chuck mechanism When the plug of the vacuum blood collection tube is held, the periphery of the opening of the vacuum blood collection tube including the plug is sealed, and the sealed region is made approximately the same pressure as the internal pressure of the vacuum blood collection tube. A sealing pressure reducing means for reducing the pressure, and an elevating mechanism for raising the chuck mechanism from the stopper holding position and opening the stopper of the vacuum blood collection tube are provided.

  Further, in JP-A-6-18530 (Patent Document 2), a cylindrical suction duct for sucking gas from a peripheral portion is arranged in the central portion of a reaction disk having a disc shape and a hollow central portion. Is done. Infectious aerosol generated around the analysis unit is sucked from multiple directions (360-degree direction) by an aerosol suction duct, removed through a prefilter and a HEPA filter, and then discharged to the outside. Further, the prefilter can be easily taken out from the suction duct and can be easily replaced. Therefore, an automatic analyzer that can prevent the secondary infection of an operator and ensure safety with a simple configuration is described.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-31165 (Patent Document 3) discloses that in the dispensing operation of various samples, a mist-like gas generated at the time of liquid ejection is sucked before diffusion, so that the operator can perform safe and appropriate dispensing. An invention that can protect the apparatus is described.

JP 2008-279128 A JP-A-6-18530 JP-A-2-31165

  In the opening device described in Patent Document 1, the vacuum blood collection tube is covered with a covering member, and the space between the covering member and the vacuum blood collection tube is decompressed by vacuum suction with a vacuum pump, and is substantially the same as the inside of the vacuum blood collection tube. The stopper of the vacuum blood collection tube is removed at the same pressure. In this plug-opening device, after the plug is removed, there is no air flow in the space between the covering member and the vacuum blood collection tube, so that mist-like blood jumps out of the vacuum blood collection tube into the space. In some cases, blood remains in the space in a floating state, and may scatter around when the covering member is opened. There are situations where blood may spill out of the vacuum blood collection tube, such as when a small amount of blood mist is generated in the vacuum blood collection tube during transportation or during the centrifugation process, or when blood has adhered to the stopper. In some cases, it may be scattered by removing it in a wet state.

  In the automatic analyzer described in Patent Document 2, aerosol generated in the vicinity of the reaction disk is sucked into the central part of the reaction disk and prevented from scattering to the outer peripheral side of the reaction disk, but a large number of reaction containers are provided. No particular consideration is given to the circumferential direction of the reaction disk, that is, the mist scattering to the adjacent reaction vessel. For example, when mist is scattered when dispensing a sample into a reaction vessel, no particular countermeasure is taken against the possibility of mixing into the adjacent reaction vessel.

  In the automatic analyzer described in Patent Document 3, a mist gas generated from the probe outlet can be sucked by providing a duct as a gas suction means in the vicinity of the probe discharging liquid. However, with suction from only one direction, there is a possibility of scattering to the adjacent well depending on the size of the generated mist and the moving direction.

  The present invention provides a stopper opening / closing device that prevents mist generated when opening a sample container from being scattered around. Or this invention provides the sample processing apparatus which the mist generated when dispensing a sample into a container does not scatter to another container.

  In order to achieve the above object, the stopper opening and closing device of the present invention is as follows.

  That is, an opening device provided with a container having an opening and containing a liquid therein, a stopper removably attached to the opening, and an opening means for removing the stopper from the container opening The opening means further includes a movement control means for relatively moving the container and the stopper, and an air flow swirled from a position higher than the opening of the container toward a lower position. A swirl flow generating means for controlling the movement of the liquid mist at the time is provided.

  According to the present invention, by controlling the movement of the mist, it is possible to prevent the mist from scattering and spreading even when the mist floating in the sealed container may be scattered and diffused to the surroundings during the opening process. Thus, contamination between samples can be prevented.

  In addition, the airflow is controlled between the dispensing mechanism and the sample container to prevent mist generated when dispensing the sample from the container from scattering and diffusing to another container and causing contamination between samples. it can.

  Even mist that floats in the space near the container can be efficiently removed.

  Further, when mist is generated in the above-described various processes such as during transportation, centrifugation, dispensing, and liquid discharge by a probe, the mist can be prevented from being scattered and diffused around.

It is a block diagram of a stopper opening / closing apparatus. It is detail drawing of the stopper opening / closing apparatus of a 1st Example. It is detail drawing of the discharge part of the plug opening discharge mechanism of a 1st Example. It is detail drawing of the swirl | vortex flow formed in a 1st Example. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the stopper opening / closing apparatus of a 1st Example. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the stopper opening / closing apparatus of a 1st Example. It is detail drawing of the stopper opening / closing apparatus of a 2nd Example. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the stopper opening / closing apparatus of a 2nd Example. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the stopper opening / closing apparatus of a 2nd Example. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the stopper opening / closing apparatus of a 2nd Example. It is an example of the block diagram of a sample processing apparatus. It is detail drawing of a sample processing part. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of a sample process part. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of a sample process part. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of a sample process part. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of a sample process part.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the following examples. In addition, this invention is not limited to the form of the following Example.

  In this embodiment, a first example of a stopper opening / closing device that opens a cylindrical container stopper from a cylindrical container body will be described.

  FIG. 1 shows details of a plug opening and closing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a configuration diagram of the plug opening and closing device. 1A is a top view of the opening and discharge mechanism 101 and the partition plate 113, FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the opening and discharge mechanism 101, the container holding suction mechanism 107, and the partition plate 113, and FIG. The cylindrical expansion surface which cut | disconnected the part 202 along the BB line is shown. Moreover, Fig.2 (a) is a top view of a stopper opening / closing apparatus, (b) is a side view.

  The plug opening / discharging mechanism 101 can be opened and closed by a plug opening / discharging mechanism opening / closing motor 102, and can be moved up and down by a plug opening / discharging mechanism up / down motor 103. When the plug opening discharge mechanism discharge valve 105 is opened while the discharge fan 104 is operating, the gas outside the apparatus is sucked from the discharge duct 106. The sucked gas outside the apparatus is discharged from the opening and discharge mechanism 101.

  The container holding suction mechanism 107 can be opened and closed by a container holding suction mechanism opening / closing motor 108. When the container holding / suction mechanism suction valve 110 is opened while the exhaust fan 109 is operating, gas is sucked from the container holding / suction mechanism 107. The sucked gas passes through the exhaust filter 111 and is exhausted from the exhaust duct 112 to the outside of the apparatus.

  The partition plate 113 is provided around the opening and discharge mechanism 101 and the container holding and suction mechanism 107. The partition plate 113 can be opened and closed by a partition plate opening / closing motor 114. When the partition plate suction valve 115 is opened while the exhaust fan 109 is operating, gas is sucked from the partition plate 113. The gas sucked from the partition plate 113 passes through the exhaust filter 111 and is exhausted from the exhaust duct 112 to the outside of the apparatus.

  The opening and discharge mechanism 101 is provided so as to face the container holding and suction mechanism 107 in the vertical direction, and includes a discharge unit 202 that discharges a swirling flow and a container plug holding unit 203 that holds the container plug. The discharge unit 202 includes a blade 207, and the blade 207 has a structure for generating a swirling flow.

  The container holding / suction mechanism 107 includes a suction unit 201 and a container body holding unit 211. The suction unit 201 has a structure for sucking a swirling flow.

  The partition plate 113 includes a partition plate suction unit 210. The partition plate suction unit 210 has a structure for sucking a swirling flow. In the present embodiment, the discharge unit 202, the container stopper holding unit 203, and the partition plate 113 have a structure that functions as a pair, but is not limited to two. As such, a structure that functions as a set may be used.

  FIG. 3 is a detail of the discharge unit 202 of the opening and discharge mechanism 101, and FIG. 3A is a top view of the discharge unit 202. In the present embodiment, the plug opening / discharging mechanism 101 has a configuration in which members having a shape obtained by dividing a cylinder having a different diameter into two equal parts are arranged in duplicate. A swirling flow is discharged from a space formed by the outer diameter side wall, that is, the discharge portion outer wall 208 and the inner diameter side wall, that is, the discharge portion inner wall 209. As a configuration for generating the swirl flow, the blade 207 is provided so as to contact the discharge portion outer wall 208 and the discharge portion inner wall 209. As with the partition plate, the opening and discharge mechanism is expressed as a pair of structures in the present embodiment, but a configuration in which three or more sets are combined may be used.

  FIG. 3B shows a single blade 207 in the cross section cut by a surface in contact with the blade on the outer wall of the discharge section in FIG. A contact point with the discharge portion inner wall 209 is indicated by a dotted line. The blade 207 is bent at an angle θo at the contact surface with the discharge portion outer wall 208 and at an angle θi at the contact surface with the discharge portion inner wall 209. In other words, the angle θo is made larger than the angle θi in order to generate a swirling flow that wraps around the side surface of the container stopper. The blades 207 have a structure that is bent linearly at one place, but may have a structure that is curved at a plurality of places or curved.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the swirl flow formed by operating the opening and discharge mechanism 101 and the container holding and suction mechanism 107 by arrows.

  The side view of the opening and discharge mechanism 101 and the container holding and suction mechanism 107 is shown in the figure, and the suction part 201, the discharge part 202, the container stopper holding part 203, and the container main body holding part 211 of FIG. 2 are omitted. The swirl flow 204 is generated by the opening and discharge mechanism 101 from a position higher than the side surface 206 of the container stopper, flows so as to wrap around the side surface 206 of the container stopper, and is sucked by the container holding and suction mechanism 107. Here, the side surface 206 of the container stopper refers to the surface of the container stopper that is in contact with the container body when the container body is sealed with the container stopper.

  FIGS. 5A and 5B show the operation of the stopper opening / closing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The stopper opening / closing device shows a side view of the opening / discharging mechanism 101, the container holding / suction mechanism 107, the partition plate 113, the container stopper 205, and the container body 501, and the suction part 201, the discharge part 202, the container stopper of FIG. The holding part 203 and the container main body holding part 211 are omitted.

  FIG. 5A shows an initial arrangement, in which the opening and discharge mechanism 101 and the container holding and suction mechanism 107 are set in an open state, and the container body 501 is set in a state in which it is closed by the container stopper 205. .

  Next, the opening / discharging mechanism 101 is lowered to the height of the container stopper 205 and stopped by the opening / discharging mechanism up / down motor 103 shown in FIG. 1 (FIG. 5B).

  The opening / discharging mechanism opening / closing motor 102 and the container holding / suction mechanism opening / closing motor 108 shown in FIG. 1 are operated, and the opening / discharging mechanism 101 and the container holding / suction mechanism 107 are closed to hold the container plug 205 and the container body 501 (FIG. 1). 5-1 (c)).

  The partition plate opening / closing motor 114 shown in FIG. 1 operates, and the opened partition plate 113 is closed and installed around the opening and discharge mechanism 101 and the container holding and suction mechanism 107 (FIG. 5-1 (d)).

  The opening and discharge mechanism discharge valve 105 and the container holding and suction mechanism suction valve 110 shown in FIG. 1 are opened, the swirling flow 204 is discharged from the opening and discharge mechanism 101, and the container holding and suction mechanism 107 and the partition plate 113 are sucking the gas. (Arrow in FIG. 5-2 (e)), the opening / discharging mechanism up / down motor 103 is operated to raise the opening / discharging mechanism 101 and open the container stopper 205 (FIG. 5-2 (f)). At this time, in order to suck all the discharged gas, it is desirable to match the timing of the start and end of discharge and suction. More preferably, the amount of discharge gas is set to be equal to or less than the amount of suction gas. Further, since the airflow is generated for the purpose of preventing the mist from scattering, the airflow may be generated before the mist is generated. Therefore, the start of airflow discharge and suction may be performed at the timing prior to holding the plug body (FIG. 5-1 (c)) or installing the partition plate (FIG. 5-1 (d)).

  Once the stopper is lifted by a height high enough to dispense the sample from the container, the stopper discharge mechanism discharge valve 105, the container holding suction mechanism suction valve 110 and the partition plate suction valve 115 shown in FIG. The suction and discharge operations from the stopper discharge mechanism 101, the container holding / suction mechanism 107, and the partition plate 113 are stopped to stop the air flow, and the liquid is dispensed from the container body (not shown).

  Thereafter, the opening and discharge mechanism discharge valve 105, the container holding and suction mechanism suction valve 110, and the partition plate suction valve 115 are opened again, and suction and discharge operations from the opening and discharge mechanism 101, the container holding and suction mechanism 107, and the partition plate 113 are performed. 5 is started (FIG. 5-2 (f)), the opening / discharging mechanism 101 is lowered by operating the opening / discharging mechanism up / down motor 103 shown in FIG. 1, and the container body 501 is closed by the container stopper 205 (FIG. 5). -2 (g)).

  After closing, the discharge of gas by the opening and discharge mechanism 101 and the suction of gas by the container holding suction mechanism 107 and the partition plate 113 are finished (FIG. 5-2 (h)).

  The opening / discharging mechanism 101, the container holding / suction mechanism 107, and the partition plate 113 are opened, and the opening / discharging mechanism 101 is raised to return to the initial state. If necessary, the next container is processed in the same manner (FIG. 5-1 (a)).

  If the vicinity of the boundary between the container body 501 and the container stopper 205 is wet with serum before opening, a ring-shaped liquid film exists between the container body 501 and the container stopper 205 immediately after opening, and the container stopper 205 rises. As a result, the liquid film breaks at one place, and immediately after that, the liquid film tends to aggregate due to surface tension. The aggregation of the liquid film is completed in a short time, the momentum is accumulated in the aggregated liquid, and it is scattered as a mist by inertial force. According to the present embodiment, the mist generated in this manner has a swirl flow formed between the opening and discharge mechanism 101 and the container holding / suction mechanism 107, so that the container holding / suction mechanism does not scatter around. Since suction is performed from the suction unit 201 of 107, the occurrence of contamination due to contamination in the surroundings and mixing into other containers is prevented.

  In the swirl flow, there is a phenomenon called the Coanda effect, where a fluid with a curved surface comes into contact with a fluid such as gas or liquid, and the fluid flows along the surface. As a familiar example, there is a phenomenon in which water flows out as if it wraps around the spoon when the convex surface of the spoon is brought into contact with water flowing up and down. Due to this Coanda effect, the swirl flows so as to wrap around the container body 501 and the container stopper 205, so that not only the scattered mist that jumps out of the container and scatters but also stagnates and floats in the vicinity of the container stopper 205 and the container body 501. The mist that gradually moves to the periphery is also controlled by the swirling flow and is sucked from the suction unit 201. Therefore, it is possible to prevent all types of mist from scattering and diffusing to the surroundings.

  More desirably, the container stopper 205 is initially suspended in the space between the container body 501 and the container stopper 205, but the container stopper 205 is opened for floating mist that moves to the surroundings over time. After (FIG. 5-2 (f)), it may be lowered once. Due to the swirl flow 204 from below the container stopper to the suction part, the mist floating between the container body 501 and the container stopper 205 is pushed out and sucked from the suction part 201. As a result, even floating mist that is difficult to be positively removed can be removed and diffusion to the surroundings can be prevented.

  Further, the swirling flow can be easily brought close to the concave portion of the step of the container stopper 205 by the Coanda effect. Therefore, even if there is a floating mist stagnating in the recess and floating, and gradually scatters to the surroundings, the swirl flow reaches the recess in the step of the container stopper 205 to control the floating mist. Thus, suction can be performed from the suction unit 201.

  Further, the timing of the start and end of swirl flow discharge and suction may be matched.

  More desirably, the amount of gas discharged as a swirling flow is the same as or less than the amount of sucked gas, so that all the discharged gas can be sucked by the suction portion. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the mist from being scattered to the surroundings without scattering excessive gas to the surroundings.

  Moreover, by installing the partition plate 113 between the container to be processed and another adjacent container, it is possible to prevent the mist from colliding with the partition plate 113 and being scattered and contaminated in other areas. . Further, by providing the partition plate 113 with suction means for sucking gas, it is possible to efficiently suck from the partition plate 113 mist that is biased to the outside of the airflow by the centrifugal force of the swirling flow.

  In this embodiment, a second example of a stopper opening / closing device for opening a cylindrical container stopper from a cylindrical container body will be described. In this embodiment, in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, a second discharge mechanism, a second discharge mechanism discharge valve, and a second discharge mechanism up / down motor are provided (these are not shown in FIG. 1).

FIG. 6 shows details of the stopper opening and closing device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a top view of the opening and discharge mechanism 101, the partition plate 113, and the second discharge mechanism 601, and (b) is the bottom of the opening and discharge mechanism 101, the container holding suction mechanism 107, the partition plate 113, and the second discharge mechanism 601. Is a side view in the direction of arrow BB, and (c) is a bottom view of the container holding suction mechanism 107 and the partition plate 113.
The 2nd discharge mechanism 601 has the 2nd discharge part 602 which discharges gas. The second discharge part 602 has a needle-like tip so that it can penetrate the container stopper, and the inside is hollow so that gas can be introduced.

  In the initial state of the opening operation, the second discharge part 602 is set above the opening and discharge mechanism 101. After opening the container stopper 205 by the opening / discharging mechanism 101, the second discharge mechanism 602 descends so as to penetrate the container stopper 205 from above. Thereafter, the second discharge unit 602 discharges the gas and creates an air flow from the bottom of the container stopper 205 toward the suction unit 201 of the container holding suction mechanism 107.

  FIGS. 7-1 to 7-3 show the operation of the stopper opening and closing device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The side view of the opening and discharge mechanism 101, the container holding suction mechanism 107, the partition plate 113, the container stopper 205, the container main body 501, and the second discharge mechanism 601 is shown, and the suction part 201 and the discharge part 202 of FIG. The container stopper holding part 203, the container main body holding part 211, the partition plate suction part 210, and the second discharge mechanism discharge part 602 in FIG. 6 are omitted.

  FIG. 7A shows an initial state, in which the opening and discharge mechanism 101 and the container holding and suction mechanism 107 are opened, and the container body 501 is sealed by the container stopper 205. The second discharge mechanism 601 is set on the 205 in a stationary state.

  The opening and discharge mechanism 101 descends to the height of the container stopper 205 and stops (FIG. 7-1 (b)).

  The opening and discharge mechanism 101 and the container holding / suction mechanism 107 are closed, and the container stopper 205 and the container body 501 are respectively held (FIG. 7-1 (c)).

  The opened partition plate 113 is closed and installed around the opening and discharge mechanism 101 and the container holding and suction mechanism 107 (FIG. 7-1 (d)).

  The swirling flow 204 is discharged from the opening and discharge mechanism 101, and the opening and discharge mechanism 101 is raised while sucking the gas by the container holding suction mechanism 107 and the partition plate 113 (arrow in FIG. 7-2 (e)). 205 is opened (FIG. 7-2 (f)).

  Thereafter, the second discharge mechanism 601 moves down through the container plug 205 to a position where the discharge port of the second discharge mechanism is installed between the container plug 205 and the container body 501 (FIG. 7-2 (g)). .

  Gas is also discharged from the second discharge mechanism 601 while discharging the gas from the opening and discharge mechanism 101 and sucking the gas by the container holding suction mechanism 107 and the partition plate 113 (arrow in FIG. 7-2 (h)). At this time, in order to suck all the discharged gas, the amount of the discharged gas is desirably made equal to or less than the amount of the sucked gas. The second discharge mechanism 601 may be a second suction mechanism that performs gas suction.

  The suction and discharge operations from the opening and discharge mechanism 101, the container holding suction mechanism 107, the partition plate 113, and the second discharge mechanism 601 are once stopped to stop the airflow (FIG. 7-3 (i)).

  Thereafter, the second discharge mechanism 601 is raised to the initial position (FIG. 7-3 (j)).

  After performing operations such as dispensing of liquid from the container body (not shown), suction and discharge operations from the opening and discharge mechanism 101, the container holding and suction mechanism 107, and the partition plate 113 are started again (FIG. 7-). 3 (k)), the opening and discharge mechanism 101 is lowered, and the container body 501 is closed with the container stopper 205. After the closing, the gas discharge by the opening and discharge mechanism 101 and the gas suction by the container holding and suction mechanism 107 and the partition plate 113 are ended (FIG. 7-3 (l)).

  Thereafter, the opening / discharging mechanism 101, the container holding / suction mechanism 107, and the partition plate 113 are opened, and the opening / discharging mechanism 101 is raised to return to the initial position. The next container is processed as needed (FIG. 7-1 (a)).

  In this embodiment, in addition to the effects described in the first embodiment, even a floating mist stagnating in the space between the container body 501 and the container stopper 205 and gradually diffusing to the surroundings while floating over time. The second discharge mechanism discharge unit 602 discharges / sucks gas from between the container main body 501 and the container plug 205 to create an air flow that controls mist from under the container plug, and the mist is pushed toward the suction unit by the air flow. Can be sucked from the suction part 201. Thereby, it is possible to efficiently prevent the floating mist from diffusing around the container.

  In this embodiment, an example of a sample processing apparatus including the stopper opening / closing device described in Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2 will be described in order to open the sample container or the analysis container and dispense it into the analysis container.

  FIG. 8 is a top view of the sample processing apparatus in the present embodiment. The sample container 801 is loaded into the sample container loading unit 802, conveyed by the sample container conveyance unit 803, passed through the sample processing unit 804, and stored in the sample container storage unit 805.

  As a method of transporting the sample container 801, not only a method of directly transporting the sample container 801 but also a method of transporting the rack or holder in which one or a plurality of sample containers 801 are mounted may be used. Further, not only the linear method (linearly moving method) shown in FIG. 8 but also a disk method (moving method by rotating operation) or the like, and the method for transporting the container is not limited to this embodiment.

  Similarly, in this embodiment, the analysis container 806 is loaded into the analysis container loading unit 807, transported by the analysis container transport unit 808, passes through the sample processing unit 804, and stored in the analysis container storage unit 809. However, it may be conveyed for each rack or holder, or may be conveyed by a disk method.

  In the sample processing unit 804, the sample in the sample container 801 is dispensed into one or more analysis containers 806 by the dispenser 1001 (FIG. 10). The dispenser 1001 moves along a dispenser guide 810 by a dispenser horizontal motor 811 and can move up and down by a dispenser vertical motor 812.

  The dispensing tip 813 is held by the dispensing tip holder 814 and moved by the dispensing tip holder horizontal motor 816 along the dispensing tip holder guide 815. The driving method of the dispenser 1001 is not limited to this method, and the sample may be dispensed from the sample container 801 to the analysis container 806 by rotating around the axis.

  9 is a detailed view of the sample processing unit 804, FIG. 9A is a top view, and FIG. 9B is a side view.

  The sample processing unit 804 is provided with two plug opening / closing devices according to the first or second embodiment in parallel. Although the present embodiment shows an example in which two plug opening / closing devices of the first embodiment are used, two plug opening / closing devices of the second embodiment may be used. Or you may use the stopper opening / closing apparatus of Example 1 and the stopper opening / closing apparatus of Example 2 one by one. Moreover, these plug opening / closing devices may be arranged in series.

  The first opening / discharging mechanism 901 can be opened / closed by a first opening / discharging mechanism opening / closing motor 902, and can be moved up and down by a first opening / discharging mechanism up / down motor 903. The opening and discharge mechanism horizontal motor 905 can move in the horizontal direction.

  The second plug opening / discharging mechanism 906 can be opened / closed by a second plug opening / discharging mechanism opening / closing motor 907, and can be moved up / down by a second plug opening / discharging mechanism up / down motor 908, along the discharge mechanism guide 904. It can be moved in the horizontal direction by a horizontal opening motor 910.

  The dispensing and discharging mechanism 911 can be moved in the horizontal direction by the dispensing and discharging mechanism horizontal motor 913 along the discharging mechanism guide 904.

  The sample container holding / suction mechanism 914 can be opened / closed by a sample container holding / suction mechanism opening / closing motor 915.

  The analysis container holding / suction mechanism 918 can be opened and closed by an analysis container holding / suction mechanism opening / closing motor 919.

  The first partition plate 932 is provided around the first opening and discharge mechanism 901 and the sample container holding and suction mechanism 914. The first partition plate 932 can be opened and closed by a first partition plate opening / closing motor 933. When the first partition plate suction valve 934 is opened while the exhaust fan 109 is operating, gas is sucked from the first partition plate 932. The gas sucked from the first partition plate 932 passes through the exhaust filter 111 and is discharged from the exhaust duct 112 to the outside of the apparatus. The first partition plate 932 is a member for preventing mist generated from the target sample container from scattering and diffusing into another adjacent sample container or an analysis container located nearby. Therefore, it is desirable that the partition plate can be positioned at least between the target container and other containers in the vicinity.

  The second partition plate 935 is provided around the second opening and discharging mechanism 906 and the analysis container holding and sucking mechanism 918. The second partition plate 935 can be opened and closed by a second partition plate opening / closing motor 936. When the second partition plate suction valve 937 is opened while the exhaust fan 109 is operating, gas is sucked from the second partition plate 935. The gas sucked from the second partition plate 935 passes through the exhaust filter 111 and is discharged from the exhaust duct 112 to the outside of the apparatus. The second partition plate 935 is a member for preventing mist generated from the target analysis container from scattering and diffusing into another adjacent analysis container or a sample container located nearby. Therefore, it is desirable that the partition plate be positioned at least between the target container and other containers in the vicinity.

  10A to 10D show the operation of the sample processing unit 804 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Each drawing shows a side view of the sample processing unit 804, and each discharge mechanism, a valve of a suction mechanism, a motor, air piping, a guide, and the like are omitted. In the present embodiment, the case where the first partition plate 932 and the second partition plate 935 do not operate is shown, but either one or both may be operated. In this embodiment, both the sample container main body 1002 and the analysis container 1004 are closed at the initial position, but either one or both may be opened.

  First, the step of sucking the sample held in the sample container will be described.

  FIG. 10A shows an initial state, in which the first opening / discharging mechanism 901, the sample container holding / suction mechanism 914, the second opening / discharging mechanism 906, and the analysis container holding / suction mechanism 918 are opened. It is. The sample container main body 1002 is closed with a sample container stopper 1003, and the analysis container 1004 is closed with an analysis container stopper 1005. A dispensing discharge mechanism 911 is located above the dispensing tip waste suction mechanism 922, and a dispensing tip waste container 929 is provided below the dispensing tip waste suction mechanism 922. The dispenser 1001 stands by beside the dispensing tip waste suction mechanism 922, and below it is the dispensing tip 813.

  The first opening / discharging mechanism 901 moves down by the first opening / discharging mechanism up / down motor 903 shown in FIG. 9 and stops at the height of the sample container stopper 1003 (FIG. 10-1 (b)).

  The first opening / discharging mechanism opening / closing motor 902 and the sample container holding / suction mechanism opening / closing motor 915 shown in FIG. 9 operate, the first opening / discharging mechanism 901 and the sample container holding / suction mechanism 914 are closed, and the sample container plug 1003 and the sample container are closed. Each of the main bodies 1002 is held (FIG. 10-1 (c)).

  The first opening / discharging mechanism discharge valve 930 and the sample container holding / suction mechanism suction valve 925 shown in FIG. 9 are opened, and the swirling flow is discharged from the discharge part of the first opening / discharging mechanism 901, and the sample container holding / suction mechanism 914 is aspirated. The first opening / discharging mechanism up / down motor 903 is operated to raise the first opening / discharging mechanism 901 and open the sample container stopper 1003 while sucking the swirling flow at the section (arrow in FIG. 10-2 (d)). . At this time, since all the discharged gas is sucked, it is desirable to match the timing of the start and end of discharge and suction. More preferably, the amount of discharge gas is set to be equal to or less than the amount of suction gas. Alternatively, an air flow may be generated before the start of the opening operation that may cause mist.

  Therefore, the start of airflow discharge and suction (FIG. 10-2 (d)) may be performed at the timing before the sample stopper main body holding (FIG. 10-1 (c)). At the same time, the dispenser up / down motor 812 (FIG. 8) is operated to lower the dispenser 1001 and attach the dispensing tip 813 to the dispenser 1001 (FIG. 10-1 (d)).

  Next, the first opening / discharging mechanism discharge valve 930 and the sample container holding / suction mechanism suction valve 925 shown in FIG. 9 are once closed, and the air flow between the first opening / discharging mechanism 901 and the sample container holding / suction mechanism 914 is stopped. (Not shown).

  By operating the first opening / discharging mechanism horizontal motor 905 and the dispensing / discharging mechanism horizontal motor 913 shown in FIG. 9, the first opening / discharging mechanism 901 and the dispensing / discharging mechanism 911 are moved along the discharging mechanism guide 904. The dispensing / discharging mechanism 911 is stopped immediately above the sample container holding / suction mechanism 914, that is, just above the opened sample container main body 1002. The dispensing / discharge mechanism discharge valve 926 and the sample container holding / suction mechanism suction valve 925 shown in FIG. 9 are opened to generate a swirling flow from the dispensing / discharge mechanism 911 to the sample container holding / suction mechanism 914 (FIG. 10-2 (e ), The dispenser 1001 is inserted into the sample container main body 1002, and the sample is sucked (FIG. 10-2 (e)).

  When the suction of the sample is completed, the dispenser 1001 is raised and the airflow is temporarily stopped (not shown). By operating the first opening / discharging mechanism horizontal motor 905 and the dispensing / discharging mechanism horizontal motor 913 shown in FIG. 9, the first opening / discharging mechanism 901 and the dispensing / discharging mechanism 911 are moved along the discharging mechanism guide 904. Then, the dispensing / discharging mechanism 911 is moved right above the dispensing tip waste suction mechanism 922, and the first opening / discharging mechanism 901 is moved right above the sample container holding / suction mechanism 914. The first opening and discharge mechanism discharge valve 930 and the sample container holding and suction mechanism suction valve 925 shown in FIG. 9 are opened, and the first opening and discharge mechanism 901 discharges gas and the sample container holding and suction mechanism 914 sucks air. The first opening / discharging mechanism up / down motor 903 is operated to lower the first opening / discharging mechanism 901, and the sample container main body 1002 is closed by the sample container plug 1003 (FIG. 10-2 (f)).

  The first opening / discharging mechanism 901 and the sample container holding / suction mechanism 914 are opened by operating the first opening / discharging mechanism opening / closing motor 902 and the sample container holding / suction mechanism opening / closing motor 915 shown in FIG. The first opening / discharging mechanism up / down motor 903 is operated to raise the first opening / discharging mechanism 901 (FIG. 10-3 (g)). The sample container main body 1002 closed with the sample container stopper 1003 is transferred to the sample container storage unit 805 by the sample container transfer unit 803 shown in FIG. 9 (not shown).

  Next, a process of dispensing the sucked sample into the analysis container 1004 will be described.

  The second opening / discharging mechanism up / down motor 908 shown in FIG. 9 is operated to lower the second opening / discharging mechanism 906 (not shown), and the second opening / discharging mechanism opening / closing motor 907 and the analysis container holding / suction mechanism opening / closing motor are operated. 919 is operated to close the second opening / discharging mechanism 906 and the analysis container holding / suction mechanism 918 to hold the analysis container 1004 and the analysis container plug 1005 (not shown). The second opening / discharging mechanism up / down motor 908 shown in FIG. 9 is operated to raise the second opening / discharging mechanism 906 to open the analysis container plug 1005 (FIG. 10-3 (h)).

  The second opening and discharging mechanism horizontal motor 910 and the dispensing and discharging mechanism horizontal motor 913 shown in FIG. 9 are operated to move the second opening and discharging mechanism 906 and the dispensing and discharging mechanism 911 along the discharging mechanism guide 904. The dispensing / discharging mechanism 911 is stopped immediately above the analysis container holding / suction mechanism 918, that is, just above the opened analysis container 1004. The dispensing discharge mechanism discharge valve 926 and the analysis container holding suction mechanism suction valve 927 shown in FIG. 9 are opened to generate a swirling flow from the dispensing discharge mechanism 911 to the analysis container holding suction mechanism 918 (FIG. 10-3 (i ), The dispenser 1001 is inserted into the analysis container 1004, and the sample is discharged (FIG. 10-3 (i)).

  When the discharge of the sample is completed, the dispenser 1001 is raised and the airflow is temporarily stopped (not shown). The second opening and discharging mechanism horizontal motor 910 and the dispensing and discharging mechanism horizontal motor 913 shown in FIG. 9 are operated to move the second opening and discharging mechanism 906 and the dispensing and discharging mechanism 911 along the discharging mechanism guide 904. Then, the dispensing / discharging mechanism 911 is moved right above the dispensing tip waste suction mechanism 922, and the second stopper opening / discharging mechanism 906 is moved directly above the analysis container holding / suction mechanism 918.

  The second opening / discharging mechanism discharge valve 931 and the analysis container holding / suction mechanism suction valve 927 shown in FIG. 9 are opened, and the swirling flow is discharged by the second opening / discharging mechanism 906 and the gas is sucked by the analysis container holding / suction mechanism 918. Then, the second opening / discharging mechanism up / down motor 908 is operated to lower the second opening / discharging mechanism 906, and the analysis container 1004 is closed by the analysis container plug 1005. At the same time, the dispensing discharge mechanism discharge valve 926 and the dispensing tip waste suction mechanism suction valve 928 shown in FIG. 9 are opened, air is discharged by the dispensing discharge mechanism 911, and air is sucked by the dispensing tip waste suction mechanism 922, The dispenser 1001 discards the dispensing tip 813 into the dispensing tip disposal container 929 (FIG. 10-4 (j)).

  All the airflows are stopped, and the second opening / discharging mechanism 906 and the analysis container holding / suction mechanism 918 are opened by operating the second opening / discharging mechanism opening / closing motor 907 and the analysis container holding / suction mechanism opening / closing motor 919 shown in FIG. Then, the second plug opening / discharging mechanism 906 is raised (not shown). The analysis container 1004 is transported to the analysis container storage unit 809 by the analysis container transport unit 808. Next, the dispenser 1001 moves up and returns to the initial position. The second opening / discharging mechanism 906 and the dispensing / discharging mechanism 911 are also returned to the initial positions, and the next sample container is processed by the same process as necessary (FIG. 10-1 (a)).

  This embodiment has the following effects.

  The airflow control may be performed not only at the timing described in the present embodiment but also at an arbitrary timing. For example, as shown in FIG. 10-2 (f), airflow control is performed from the dispensing discharge mechanism 911 to the dispensing tip waste suction mechanism 922 at a timing when the dispensing machine 1001 is directly above the dispensing tip waste suction mechanism 922. Then, since the controlled air flow is sucked from the suction part of the dispensing tip waste suction mechanism, even if mist is generated from the sample sucked into the dispensing machine 1001 and the dispensing tip 813, it is scattered around.・ Never spread.

  In this embodiment, the sample container body 1002 is opened (FIG. 10-2 (d)) and closed (FIG. 10-2 (f)), and the sample is sucked from the sample container body 1002 (FIG. 10-2). (E)), when the sample is discharged into the analysis container 1004 (FIG. 10-3 (i)), when the analysis container 1004 is closed, and when the dispensing tip 813 is discarded into the dispensing tip disposal container 929 of the dispenser 1001 Airflow control is performed in (FIG. 10-4 (j)). By doing so, even if sample mist occurs at various timings, it can be prevented from scattering and diffusing around by the swirling flow formed between the discharge mechanism and the suction mechanism. Because it is sucked from the part, there is no worry of contamination and contamination by mist.

  Further, due to the Coanda effect, the swirling flow flows so as to wrap around the sample container main body 1002, the sample container plug 1003, and the dispenser 1001, so that not only the scattered mist scattered to the surroundings but also the sample container main body 1002 and the sample container plug initially. The floating mist stagnating in the vicinity of 1003 and the dispenser 1001 and diffusing to the surroundings while floating over time is also controlled by the swirl flow and sucked from the suction portion.

  Further, as a countermeasure against floating mist, an operation of lowering the sample container stopper 1003 or the analysis container stopper 1005 again after the opening operation may be performed. By this operation, the gas under the container stopper 1003 or the analysis container stopper 1005 is pushed out by the stopper, and an air flow toward the suction part is generated. Due to this air flow, the floating mist floating between the sample container main body 1002 and the sample container stopper 1003 or between the analysis container 1004 and the analysis container stopper 1005 is pushed out toward the suction part and sucked from the suction part.

  Further, the swirl flow can be easily brought close to the stepped concave portion of the sample container stopper 1003 by the Coanda effect, and even if there is a floating mist in the stepped concave portion of the sample container stopper 1003, the mist is controlled and sucked from the suction portion. can do.

  Further, the start and end timings of the mist control airflow discharge and airflow suction may be matched.

  More preferably, the amount of gas discharged for mist control may be smaller than the amount of gas sucked. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent mist from being scattered to the surroundings without scattering the gas to the surroundings.

  In the above embodiments, the mist control when the sample container is opened has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in a sample processing apparatus equipped with a reagent container stopper opening / closing device or a reagent container stopper opening / closing device, the same mist may be generated when the reagent is opened / closed. In such a case, by performing the control as described above when the reagent is opened and closed, it is possible to prevent surrounding contamination and to prevent the occurrence of contamination between reagents.

  In the above embodiments, the apparatus for performing both the opening and closing operation of the container stopper has been described. However, the opening and closing may be performed by separate mechanisms.

101 Opening / discharging mechanism 102 Opening / discharging mechanism opening / closing motor 103 Opening / discharging mechanism upper / lower motor 104 Discharge fan 105 Opening / discharging mechanism discharge valve 106 Discharge duct 107 Container holding / suction mechanism 108 Container holding / suction mechanism opening / closing motor 109 Exhaust fan 110 Container holding Suction mechanism suction valve 111 Exhaust filter 112 Exhaust duct 113 Partition plate 114 Partition plate opening / closing motor 115 Partition plate suction valve 201 Suction part 202 Discharge part 203 Container stopper holding part 204 Swirling flow 205 Container stopper 206 Side surface 207 of container stopper Blade 208 Discharge part Outer wall 209 Discharge part inner wall 210 Partition plate suction part 211 Container body holding part 501 Container body 502 Air flow 601 from the bottom of the container toward the suction part Second discharge mechanism 801 Sample container 802 Sample container input part 803 Sample container transport part 804 Sample processing Part 805 Sample container storage unit 806 Analysis container 807 Analysis container input unit 808 Analysis container transport unit 809 Analysis container storage unit 810 Dispenser guide 811 Dispenser horizontal motor 812 Dispenser vertical motor 813 Dispensing tip 814 Dispensing tip holder 815 Dispensing tip holder guide 816 Dispensing tip holder horizontal motor 901 First plug discharge mechanism 902 First plug discharge mechanism opening / closing motor 903 First plug discharge mechanism vertical motor 904 Discharge mechanism guide 905 First plug discharge mechanism Horizontal motor 906 Second opening and discharging mechanism 907 Second opening and discharging mechanism opening / closing motor 908 Second opening and discharging mechanism vertical motor 910 Second opening and discharging mechanism horizontal motor 911 Dispensing and discharging mechanism 913 Dispensing and discharging mechanism Horizontal motor 914 Sample Container holding suction mechanism 915 Sample container holding suction mechanism opening / closing motor 918 Analysis container holding suction mechanism 919 Analysis Holding device opening / closing motor 922 Dispensing tip discard suction mechanism 925 Sample container holding suction mechanism suction valve 926 Dispensing discharge mechanism discharge valve 927 Analyzing vessel holding suction mechanism suction valve 928 Dispensing tip waste suction mechanism suction valve 929 Dispensing tip disposal Container 930 First opening / discharging mechanism discharge valve 931 Second opening / discharging mechanism discharge valve 932 First partition plate 933 First partition plate opening / closing motor 934 First partition plate suction valve 935 Second partition plate 936 Second partition plate opening / closing motor 937 Second partition plate suction valve 1001 Dispenser 1002 Sample container body 1003 Sample container plug 1004 Analysis container 1005 Analysis container plug

Claims (12)

A container having an opening and containing a liquid therein;
A stopper removably attached to the opening;
In the opening device provided with the opening means for removing the stopper from the container opening,
The opening means further includes
Movement control means for relatively moving the container and the stopper;
An opening device provided with a swirling flow generating means for generating an air flow swirling from a position higher than the opening of the container toward a lower position and controlling the movement of the liquid mist at the time of opening. The opening device according to claim 1,
The swirl flow generating means is a swirl flow discharge mechanism that discharges an air flow swung downward provided at a position higher than the opening;
An opening device provided with a suction mechanism for sucking a swirling flow discharged by the discharge mechanism. The opening device according to claim 2,
The discharge mechanism is
The inner wall,
An outer wall disposed at a predetermined interval from the inner wall and provided outside the inner wall;
An opening device having a plurality of wings disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall, wherein the angle θo of the contact surface with the outer wall is larger than the angle θi of the contact surface with the inner wall. The opening device according to claim 2,
An opening device provided with a partition plate provided around the swirl flow generating means. The opening device according to claim 4,
The suction mechanism is an opening device provided integrally with the partition plate. The opening device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
It has a direct current gas discharge mechanism that discharges direct current gas,
An opening mechanism that controls movement of a floating liquid mist floating between the stopper and the container opening by the DC gas discharge mechanism. The opening device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
Perform the closing operation to attach the stopper removed at the time of opening again to the container,
An opening device that controls movement of the liquid mist at the time of closing by the swirling flow generating means.   A sample processing apparatus comprising at least one plug-opening device according to claim 1. In a method for removing a stopper from a container having an opening and containing a liquid therein,
A swirl flow mist control step for generating a swirl flow that generates a swirl flow that generates a swirl flow from a position higher than the opening of the container toward a lower position and controls movement of the liquid mist generated by the liquid contained in the container. Having a method. The method of claim 9, wherein
A method of performing the swirl flow mist control step in at least one of an opening step of removing the stopper from the opening of the container or a closing step of mounting the stopper on the opening of the container. The method of claim 9, wherein
Having a probe for sucking or discharging the liquid contained in the container;
A method of executing the swirl flow mist control step in at least one of a step of sucking a liquid from the inside of the container and a step of discharging a liquid into the vessel. The method of claim 9, wherein
In the swirl flow mist control step, the swirl flow is generated by discharging an air flow swirled from a position higher than the opening of the container and sucking the air flow at a position lower than the opening of the container.
A control method in which the suction amount is not smaller than the discharge amount of the air flow for generating the swirl flow.