JP2017009299A - Automatic analysis device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rinse water discharge port that meets the need to adjust a range of rinse water pressure in which the occurrence of droplet scattering from a rinse water discharge port can be suppressed when washing the outer wall of a dispensation probe, as well as to heighten rinse water discharge pressure in order to suppress carryover, thus making it possible to improve rise water pressure and reduce carryover without raising the frequency of droplet scattering.SOLUTION: The tip of first-third cleaning solution discharge port is constructed to be open to the rinse water outlet side in a washing tank, so that the occurrence frequency of droplet scattering from the tip of the cleaning solution discharge port does not increase before and after the start and end of discharge even when the pressure of the cleaning solution discharge port on the outer wall surface of a dispensation probe is raised in order to improve washing efficiency. In other words, it is possible to suppress droplet scattering and improve washing efficiency using a simple structure without introducing a scattering prevention cover, a vacuum suction unit, etc.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer equipped with a dispensing probe for dispensing a sample or a reagent, and more particularly to a method for cleaning the dispensing probe.

  In the medical field, the biotechnology field, and the like, an automatic analyzer that reacts a sample such as blood, serum, or urine with a reagent to detect a specific biological component or chemical substance contained in the sample is used.

  In such an automatic analyzer, the analysis accuracy is further improved in order to realize a highly reliable test. For example, if the dispensing probe that dispenses a sample or reagent is insufficiently washed during a series of analysis-related steps, the adsorbed material remaining on the dispensing probe is released when dispensing the next sample, etc. There is a concern of mixing into the sample. This is generally called carryover. Carryover affects measurement results.

  If the child or the elderly is a patient, only a small sample can be collected. Further, in order to reduce the burden on the patient and reduce the amount of reagent used, the amount of samples and reagents may be further reduced in the future.

  By reducing the total volume of the reagent and the sample, the concentration of the adsorbed substance is relatively increased, and the influence of carryover on the measurement result becomes stronger. Therefore, suppression of carry-over is more important in the sample and reagent dispensing process than ever. Various methods for cleaning the dispensing probe have been proposed.

  In the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a dispensing probe into which a sample or a reagent has been dispensed is moved to a washing tank, and the remaining liquid inside the dispensing probe and the washing water are discharged. Thereafter, the outer wall surface of the dispensing probe is washed by applying the dispensing probe to the washing water coming out from the washing water discharge port provided in the washing tank.

International Publication No. 2012/105398 (US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0037503)

  The cleaning efficiency of the inner and outer wall surfaces of the dispensing probe depends on the discharge pressure of the cleaning water. By increasing the discharge pressure, the cleaning efficiency can be improved. Therefore, it is effective to increase the discharge pressure of the washing water in order to suppress the carry-over described above.

  In the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, it is assumed that the cleaning water discharge pressure needs to be increased when the cleaning efficiency is insufficient and the cleaning cannot be performed sufficiently within the allowable cleaning time. However, by increasing the cleaning water discharge pressure, there is a possibility that droplets may scatter from the front end of the discharge port before and after the start and end of discharge. In such a case, the droplets are scattered in various directions from the cleaning liquid discharge port. In particular, liquid droplets scattered outside the washing tank may adhere to the dispensing probe, mix into the reaction solution, or dilute. Therefore, in order to avoid this scattering, it is necessary to find and adjust a range in which carryover does not occur and droplet scattering does not occur. In some cases, a scattering prevention cover and a vacuum suction unit are introduced.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning liquid discharge port that can improve the cleaning water discharge pressure and can further reduce carryover without increasing the possibility of droplets being scattered.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as follows.

  An automatic analyzer according to the present invention is provided with a dispensing probe for dispensing a sample or a reagent, a cleaning liquid discharge nozzle having a cleaning liquid discharge port for discharging a cleaning liquid for cleaning the dispensing probe, and a lower part of the cleaning liquid discharge port. A cleaning tank having a cleaning liquid discharge port for discharging the cleaning liquid, and the cleaning liquid discharge port has an opening at a front end of the cleaning water discharge port facing the cleaning tank discharge port or a side wall of the cleaning tank. The shape is open.

  According to the present invention, the shape of the cleaning liquid discharge port is open to the cleaning water discharge port side, so that the direction of liquid droplets scattered from the cleaning liquid discharge port can be limited to the cleaning water discharge port side, thereby improving the cleaning efficiency. Therefore, even if the discharge pressure is increased, there is no possibility that the droplets are scattered from the front end of the discharge port before and after the start and end of the discharge. As a result, there is no possibility of causing droplets scattered outside the washing tank to adhere to the dispensing probe, to be mixed into the reaction solution, or to be diluted. In other words, it is possible to suppress the scattering of droplets with a simple structure and improve the cleaning efficiency without introducing a scattering prevention cover and a vacuum suction unit.

It is a whole block diagram of an automatic analyzer. It is the figure which represented the reagent dispensing apparatus and the nozzle washing | cleaning apparatus typically. It is a flowchart showing the washing | cleaning procedure of the dispensing nozzle. It is a figure explaining the splashing principle of a droplet. It is explanatory drawing of the wash water discharge port shape by a 1st Example. It is explanatory drawing of the wash water discharge port shape by a 2nd Example.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1. Automatic Analyzer FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an example of an automatic analyzer to which the present invention is applied. Hereinafter, although an automatic analyzer will be described as an example, the present invention is generally applicable to any apparatus having a cleaning liquid discharge port. As described above, in the automatic analyzer, it is essential to prevent carryover, and higher throughput is required. Therefore, it is preferable to apply the cleaning nozzle according to the present invention to the automatic analyzer.

  In FIG. 1, an automatic analyzer 100 includes a rack transport line 117 for transporting a rack 101, an incubator disk (reaction disk) 104 for installing a reaction container 105, a transport mechanism 106 for transporting a sample dispensing chip and a reaction container 105, and a sample. A holding member 107 for holding a dispensing tip and a reaction vessel 105, a reaction vessel stirring mechanism 108 for stirring a sample in the reaction vessel 105, a sample dispensing device (sample dispensing mechanism) 103 for dispensing and discharging a sample, a reagent vessel Reagent disc 111 provided with 118, reagent dispensing device (reagent dispensing mechanism) 114 for dispensing and discharging reagents, reaction vessel transport mechanism 115 for transferring reaction vessel 105 between incubator disc 104 and detection unit 116, reaction Detection unit 116 for detecting a specific biological component or chemical substance contained in the reaction liquid in the container 105 And a control unit 120 for controlling the operation of the reagent dispensing probe washing apparatus 119 and the apparatus for cleaning the reagent dispensing probe 122 of the reagent dispensing device 114 (shown in FIG. 2).

  The rack transport line 117 transports the rack 101 to a sample dispensing position that is a predetermined place on the rack transport line 117. The sample dispensing position is a position where the sample can be dispensed by the sample dispensing apparatus 103. A plurality of sample containers 102 for holding samples can be installed on the rack 101. In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the sample is conveyed in the line is exemplified in this way, but a disk-shaped object that rotates and conveys the sample may be provided.

  The incubator disk 104 has a container installation part for installing a plurality of reaction containers 105 in an annular shape. The incubator disk 104 is rotationally driven by a driving device (not shown), and can move an arbitrary reaction vessel 105 to each predetermined position including a dispensing position by the sample dispensing device 103.

  The transport mechanism 106 is movable in the three axial directions of XYZ, and the sample between the holding member 107, the reaction vessel stirring mechanism 108 and the incubator disk 104, and the container discard hole 109 and the sample dispensing tip mounting position 110. Transport dispensing tips and reaction vessels.

  The holding member 107 is provided with a plurality of unused reaction vessels 105 and sample dispensing tips. The transport mechanism 106 moves above the holding member 107, descends and grips and raises an unused reaction vessel 105, moves above a predetermined position of the incubator disk 104, and descends to the incubator disk 104. A reaction vessel 105 is installed.

  In addition, the transport mechanism 106 moves above the holding member 107, descends, grips and lifts an unused sample dispensing tip, moves above the sample dispensing tip mounting position 110, and descends to sample. A sample dispensing tip is installed at the dispensing tip mounting position 110.

  The sample dispensing device 103 rotates and moves a dispensing probe (not shown) in the vertical direction. The dispensing probe is rotated and moved down above the sample dispensing tip mounting position 110, and the sample dispensing tip is press-fitted and attached to the tip of the dispensing probe.

  The dispensing probe equipped with the sample dispensing tip moves and descends above the sample container 102 placed on the rack 101 and sucks a predetermined amount of the sample held in the sample container 102. The dispensing probe that has aspirated the sample moves above the incubator disk 104 and descends, and discharges the sample into an unused reaction container 105 held by the incubator disk 104. When the sample discharge is completed, the dispensing probe moves above the container discard hole 109 and discards the used sample dispensing tip from the container discard hole 109.

  The reagent disk 111 has a reagent container installation section in which a plurality of reagent containers 118 are installed. A reagent disk cover 112 (FIG. 1 is a partially broken view of the left portion) is provided on the upper part of the reagent disk 111, and the inside of the reagent disk 111 is kept at a predetermined temperature. The reagent disk cover 112 is provided with a reagent disk cover opening 113 at a portion on the incubator disk 104 side.

  The reagent dispensing device 114 has a configuration in which the reagent dispensing probe 122 (shown in FIG. 2) is moved in the horizontal direction. In this embodiment, the reagent dispensing probe 122 is rotated in the same direction as the sample dispensing device 103. And the structure moved to an up-down direction may be sufficient. The reagent dispensing apparatus 114 rotates and moves the reagent dispensing probe 122 above the opening 113 of the reagent disk cover 112 and inserts the tip of the reagent dispensing probe 122 into a predetermined reagent container 118 to a predetermined amount. Aspirate the reagent. At that time, in the reagent disk 111, the reagent to be sucked by the reagent dispensing probe 122 is moved in advance to a position below the reagent disk cover opening 113.

  In addition, the reagent dispensing device 114 is provided with a liquid level detector 121 (shown in FIG. 2) using electrostatic capacity. The liquid level sensor 121 is also referred to as a liquid level detector. The liquid level sensor 121 controls the descending amount of the reagent dispensing probe 122 so that the immersion portion of the reagent dispensing probe 122 with respect to the reagent is minimized (for example, the immersion amount that allows the reagent to be aspirated by a necessary amount). Is done.

  After the reagent is aspirated, the reagent dispensing probe 122 rises and rotates above a predetermined position of the incubator disc 104 to discharge the reagent into the reaction vessel 105. Thereafter, before moving to the next reagent aspirating step, the reagent dispensing probe 122 is washed by rotating and moving above the washing tank.

  The reaction container 105 from which the sample and the reagent have been discharged moves to a predetermined position by the rotation of the incubator disk 104 and is transported to the reaction container stirring mechanism 108 by the transport mechanism 106. The reaction vessel stirring mechanism 108 agitates and mixes the sample and the reagent in the reaction vessel 105 by applying a rotational motion to the reaction vessel 105. After the stirring, the reaction vessel 105 is returned to a predetermined position on the incubator disk 104 by the transport mechanism 106.

  The transport mechanism 115 can rotate and move up and down like the sample dispensing device 103. The transport mechanism 115 finishes dispensing and agitation of the sample and the reagent, returns to the incubator disk 104, moves to the upper side of the reaction vessel 105 after a predetermined reaction time has passed, and moves up and lowers the reaction vessel 105. The reaction container 105 is transported to the detection unit 116 by rotational movement.

  In the present embodiment, two detection units 116 and two transport mechanisms 115 are provided to double the analysis processing efficiency by parallel analysis.

  The process by each apparatus described above and the reagent dispensing probe cleaning operation described below are executed by the control apparatus 120. The control device 120 may be configured as hardware by a dedicated circuit board, or may be configured by software executed by a computer connected to the automatic analyzer. When configured by hardware, it can be realized by integrating a plurality of arithmetic units for executing processing on a wiring board or in a semiconductor chip or package. When configured by software, it can be realized by mounting a high-speed general-purpose CPU on a computer and executing a program for executing desired arithmetic processing. It is also possible to upgrade an existing apparatus with a recording medium in which this program is recorded. These devices, circuits, and computers are connected by a wired or wireless network, and data is transmitted and received as appropriate.

2. Configuration of Reagent Dispensing Probe Washing Tank FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the reagent dispensing device 114 and the reagent dispensing probe washing device 119.

  In FIG. 2, the reagent dispensing device 114 includes a reagent dispensing probe 122, a moving device 123, a dispensing syringe 200, and a liquid level detector 121. The moving device 123 includes an arm whose one end is connected to a vertical shaft, and a reagent dispensing probe 122 that is suspended from the other end of the arm by rotating the arm by a driving device (not shown) around the shaft. While rotating, the reagent dispensing probe 122 is moved up and down by moving the arm up and down by another driving device (not shown).

  The dispensing syringe 200 is connected to the reagent dispensing probe 122, and sucks the reagent into the reagent dispensing probe 122 and discharges the reagent from the reagent dispensing probe 122. A pre-pressure solution is sucked into the pipette connecting the pipetting syringe 200 and the pipetting syringe 200 and the reagent pipetting probe 122.

  The liquid level detector 121 is connected to the reagent dispensing probe 122. The liquid level detector 121 detects the presence of the reagent and the cleaning liquid through the reagent dispensing probe 122 based on the capacitance. For example, when the reagent dispensing probe 122 touches the reagent or the cleaning liquid, the liquid level detector 121 detects the presence of the reagent or the cleaning liquid. Although not specifically described, the sample dispensing apparatus 103 has basically the same configuration as the reagent dispensing apparatus 114. Accordingly, the nozzle cleaning device 119 in the following description can be used when cleaning either the reagent dispensing probe or the sample dispensing probe.

  FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the reagent dispensing probe cleaning device 119 shown in FIG. The first third discharge nozzle 201 in FIG. 2 is in a state where the dispensing probe 122 has moved to the cleaning position. The nozzle cleaning device 119 includes a cleaning tank 124, a first third cleaning liquid discharge port 201, a second cleaning liquid storage tank 202, a first third cleaning liquid supply device (cleaning liquid supply mechanism) 125, and a second cleaning liquid supply device 126. .

  The cleaning tank 124 is arranged on the track of the reagent dispensing probe 122 of the reagent dispensing device 114 between the incubator disk 104 and the reagent disk 111. The washing tank 124 is a container for performing a first washing step, a second washing step, and a third washing step described later on the reagent dispensing probe 122.

  The first third cleaning liquid discharge port 201 is provided at the first third cleaning position in the cleaning tank 124, and the second cleaning liquid storage tank 202 is provided at the second cleaning position. A cleaning liquid for cleaning the dispensing probe is discharged through the first third cleaning liquid discharge port 201. A discharge port 204 is provided substantially at the center (below the dispensing probe 122, that is, below the first third cleaning liquid discharge port 201). The cleaning liquid discharged from the dispensing probe 122 is discharged to the discharge port 204 and is discharged from the cleaning tank through the discharge port 204. The washing water discharge port 204 may be provided at a plurality of locations other than the illustrated location.

  The first and third cleaning positions are arranged in this arrangement from the reagent dispensing position of the incubator disk 104 toward the reagent suction position of the reagent disk 111 on the orbit of the reagent dispensing probe 122. In FIG. 2, the position where the reagent dispensing probe 122 is represented by a broken line is the second washing position, and the position where the reagent dispensing probe 122 is represented by the solid line on the left side of the second washing position is the first third washing position. .

  The first and third cleaning positions of the reagent dispensing probe 122 indicate the same position, but the first and third cleaning steps are executed at the first and third cleaning positions. It is defined as the cleaning position.

  The first third cleaning position is a position where the first and third cleaning liquids discharged from the first third cleaning liquid discharge port 201 are applied to the outer wall surface of the reagent dispensing probe 122 at the first third cleaning position. In the present embodiment, the first third cleaning liquid discharge port 201 is provided at a position that does not hinder the movement of the reagent dispensing probe 122.

  A second cleaning liquid supply device 126 that supplies the second cleaning liquid to the second cleaning liquid storage tank 202 is connected to the second cleaning liquid storage tank 202. The second cleaning liquid supply device 126 includes a tank 206 that stores the second cleaning liquid, a liquid feeding syringe 207, a flow path switching valve 208, and an electromagnetic valve 205. The liquid feeding syringe 207 is connected to the tank 206 via a conduit. A pipe line connecting the tank 206 and the liquid feeding syringe 207 is branched and connected to the second cleaning liquid storage tank 202. The flow path switching valve 208 is provided at a branch portion of the pipeline, and the electromagnetic valve 205 is provided in a pipeline connecting the flow path switching valve 208 and the second cleaning liquid storage tank 202. The flow path switching valve 208 switches the connection partner of the liquid feeding syringe 207 to either the tank 206 or the second cleaning liquid storage tank 202.

  The liquid feeding syringe 207 sucks the second cleaning liquid while being connected to the tank 206 via the flow path switching valve 208, and the connection destination of the liquid feeding syringe 207 is switched to the second cleaning liquid storage tank 202 by the flow path switching valve 208. Then, the second cleaning liquid is supplied to the second cleaning liquid storage tank 202 by discharging the second cleaning liquid from the liquid feeding syringe 207. The electromagnetic valve 205, the flow path switching valve 208, and the liquid feeding syringe 207 operate according to signals from the control device 120.

  The first and third cleaning liquid discharge ports 201 are connected to a first and third cleaning liquid supply device 125 that supplies the first and third cleaning liquids. The first third cleaning liquid discharge device 125 has the same configuration as the second cleaning liquid supply device 126. For this reason, while simplifying illustration, description is abbreviate | omitted about the structure.

3. Cleaning Procedure FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the cleaning procedure of the reagent dispensing probe by the control device 120.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the reagent dispensing probe cleaning process includes three steps of a first cleaning step S1, a second cleaning step S2, and a third cleaning step S3. The control device 120 controls the reagent dispensing device 114 and the reagent dispensing probe cleaning device 119 to execute the first, second, and third cleaning steps. Hereinafter, the first, second, and third cleaning steps will be described.

(1) First Washing Step In the first washing step, the control device 120 controls the operation of the reagent dispensing device 114 to discharge the reagent into the reaction container 105 on the incubator disk 104 and then moves the moving device 123 to the moving device 123. A signal is output to move the reagent dispensing probe 122 to the first cleaning position (first third cleaning position) and to the first cleaning position near the first third cleaning liquid outlet 201. And the control apparatus 120 outputs a signal to the dispensing syringe 200 and the 1st 3rd washing liquid supply apparatus 125, and while discharging a pre-pressure liquid from the reagent dispensing probe 122, it dispenses a reagent from the 1st 3rd washing liquid outlet 201. A first cleaning liquid is applied to the outer wall surface of the probe 122. That is, the inner wall surface of the reagent dispensing probe 122 is washed by discharging the preload liquid from the reagent dispensing probe 122, and the first washing liquid is applied to the outer wall surface of the reagent dispensing probe 122 to thereby remove the reagent dispensing probe 122. Clean the outer wall.

  Either the cleaning of the inner wall surface and the cleaning of the outer wall surface of the reagent dispensing probe 122 in the first cleaning step may be performed first or simultaneously. The first cleaning liquid applied to the outer wall surface of the reagent dispensing probe 122 at the first cleaning position is discharged from the cleaning tank 124 to a drain tank (not shown) through the cleaning water discharge port 204.

(2) Second Washing Step After the first washing step, when the procedure is shifted to the second washing step, the control device 120 outputs a signal to the moving device 123 to move the reagent dispensing probe 122 at the second washing position. It moves to the 2 washing | cleaning liquid storage tank 202, and the front-end | tip of the reagent dispensing probe 122 is immersed in a 2nd washing | cleaning liquid.

  When the reagent dispensing probe 122 is moved to the second washing position in this way, the control device 120 outputs a signal to the dispensing syringe 200 and sucks the second washing liquid into the reagent dispensing probe 122, whereby the reagent dispensing probe. The inner wall surface of 122 is cleaned.

  At this time, according to the decrease of the second cleaning liquid in the second cleaning liquid storage tank 202 accompanying the execution of the second cleaning step, the control device 120 outputs a signal to the second cleaning liquid supply apparatus 126 to output the second cleaning liquid storage tank 202. Replenish the second cleaning solution. That is, the second cleaning liquid storage tank 202 is replenished with an amount of cleaning liquid equal to or larger than the amount of cleaning liquid sucked by the dispensing probe 122.

(3) Third washing step After the second washing step, when the procedure is shifted to the third washing step, the control device 120 outputs a signal to the moving device 123 to move the reagent dispensing probe 122 to the third washing position (first washing step). 1st 3rd washing position) to the 1st 3rd washing liquid discharge mouth 201, a signal is outputted to dispensing syringe 200 and the 3rd washing liquid supply device 125, the 2nd washing liquid is discharged from reagent dispensing probe 122, and a reagent While cleaning the inner wall surface of the dispensing probe 122, a third cleaning liquid is applied to the outer wall surface of the reagent dispensing probe 122 to clean the outer wall surface of the reagent dispensing probe 122.

  The discharge of the second cleaning liquid and the operation of the third cleaning liquid in the third cleaning step are the same as the discharge of the preload liquid and the operation of the first cleaning liquid in the first cleaning step. Either the cleaning of the inner wall surface or the outer wall surface of the reagent dispensing probe 122 in the third cleaning step may be performed first or simultaneously. The third cleaning liquid applied to the outer wall surface of the reagent dispensing probe 122 at the third cleaning position is discharged from the cleaning tank 124 to the drain tank (not shown) through the cleaning water discharge port 204.

  Specifically, for example, the moving speed from the second cleaning position to the third cleaning position is delayed, the timing at which the second cleaning liquid is discharged after reaching the third cleaning position is delayed, the second cleaning position after sucking the second cleaning liquid Can be executed by at least one of operations such as delaying the timing of moving to the third cleaning position.

  In at least one of the first to third cleaning steps, it is possible to determine that the discharge state or the storage state of the cleaning liquid is normal by detecting the cleaning liquid using the liquid level detector 121. For example, based on a signal input from the liquid level detector 121, the controller 120 confirms that the cleaning liquid is touching the reagent dispensing probe 122. If the control device 120 does not confirm that all of the first to third cleaning steps are normally executed, a signal for notifying the cleaning step that has not been normally executed is a display device, a sound device, a printing device, or the like. It is possible to output from the control device 120 to the output device. Further, if necessary, a signal notifying that the first to third cleaning steps are normally executed is output from the control device 120 to an output device such as a display device, an audio device, or a printing device. You can also.

4). Cleaning Liquid Discharge Port (1) Droplet Scattering Mechanism from Cleaning Liquid Discharge Port FIG. 4 shows a mechanism of droplet scattering from the cleaning liquid discharge port. The reagent discharge probe cleans the flow path in the probe and the outer surface in the cleaning tank (FIG. 4A). When the water flow is stopped, a part of the cleaning water jumps out from the front end of the cleaning liquid discharge port due to inertia, and air enters instead (FIG. 4B). The cleaning water in the discharge port vibrates for a while in the flow path on the cleaning liquid discharge port side and the cleaning water supply side. During this vibration, part of the cleaning water may jump out of the cleaning liquid discharge port and scatter out of the cleaning tank (FIG. 4C). When the cleaning liquid discharge pressure is high, the vibration speed of the cleaning water when the cleaning liquid discharge is stopped increases and the amplitude also increases. As a result, the volume of the cleaning water that temporarily jumps out of the cleaning liquid discharge port is increased and the speed is increased, so that the frequency of occurrence of droplet scattering from the cleaning liquid discharge port is increased. When the vibration speed of the liquid level is high, air may enter the liquid level of the cleaning water in the cleaning liquid discharge port. As a result, an air layer is formed in a region filled with the cleaning water inside the cleaning liquid discharge port tip. Alternatively, the liquid film remaining on the inner wall of the discharge port after the vibration is stopped gathers due to surface tension, and a new washing water layer is formed (FIG. 4D). Then, when the cleaning water is newly discharged in the next operation cycle, the newly formed cleaning water layer is pushed out from the tip of the cleaning liquid discharge port, and then the air layer is discharged. When the cleaning water layer is discharged, a liquid film is newly formed between the air layer and the inner wall of the cleaning liquid discharge port due to the movement of the cleaning water layer. When the discharge of the cleaning water layer is completed and the air layer is discharged, the liquid film may become bubbles at the front end of the cleaning liquid discharge port. When the bubbles burst, droplets scatter around. Alternatively, the liquid film remaining in the air layer becomes small droplets due to the surface tension and is discharged together with the air layer. At this time, a small droplet may fly in a direction different from the direction in which the cleaning water is discharged due to the balance between the surface tension with the inner wall of the cleaning liquid discharge port and the force with which the air layer is pushed out (FIG. 4 (e)). )). When the cleaning liquid discharge pressure is high, the discharge speed of the air layer is also increased, so that the frequency of occurrence of bubbles at the time of bursting bubbles and small droplets is increased.

(2) Spattering prevention by first cleaning liquid discharge port configuration Next, a first cleaning liquid discharge port configuration in the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of the shape and effect of the cleaning liquid discharge port provided in the automatic analyzer according to the present embodiment.

  In the example of FIG. 5, the opening surface of the cleaning liquid discharge port is opened so as to face the cleaning water discharge port side. Specifically, when viewed from the side surface of the cleaning tank, the tip of the cleaning liquid discharge port has a shape that is horizontal with respect to the cleaning tank drain or inclined toward the side wall of the cleaning tank. That is, the cleaning water discharge port is open so that the tip of the cleaning water discharge port faces the cleaning tank drain port or the side wall of the cleaning tank. Further, the front end of the cleaning liquid discharge port is a perfect circle when viewed from the front (axial direction of the cleaning water discharge nozzle), and is elliptical when viewed from the vertical direction with respect to the opening surface of the front end. (FIG. 5 (a)). When the cleaning liquid discharge is performed using the cleaning liquid discharge port shown in the example of FIG. 5, the tip structure is open to the cleaning water discharge port side, so that a part of the cleaning liquid discharge port jumps out due to vibration when the cleaning liquid discharge is stopped The cleaning water is directed to the cleaning water discharge side. As a result, the direction in which the droplets scatter is limited to the cleaning water discharge port side, and scattering outside the cleaning tank is suppressed (FIG. 5B). Similarly, scattering when discharging the air layer is also limited to the cleaning water discharge port side, and scattering outside the cleaning tank is suppressed (FIG. 5D). According to an example, the cleaning water is discharged at a flow rate of 350 to 450 (mm / sec) from a cleaning liquid discharge port having an inner diameter of 2 to 4 mm. In particular, when the cleaning water oscillates after the cleaning liquid discharge is stopped and the water pressure is adjusted within a range where the cleaning water jumps out from the front end of the discharge port and does not adhere to the outside of the front end of the discharge port, the scattering prevention effect is maximized.

(3) Scattering prevention by second cleaning water discharge port configuration Next, a second cleaning water discharge port configuration in the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the shape and effect of the cleaning liquid discharge port provided in the automatic analyzer according to the second embodiment.

  The example of FIG. 6 is different from the example of FIG. 5 in that the tip portion of the cleaning liquid discharge port has a brim-like structure. Specifically, when viewed from the front (axial direction of the cleaning water discharge nozzle), the contour of the cleaning liquid discharge port is a perfect circle and is at least from one side surface (the direction perpendicular to the axis of the cleaning water discharge nozzle). The contour of the nozzle tip is non-linear when viewed, for example, in the example of Fig. 6, the contour of the nozzle tip is L-shaped when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the axis of the cleaning water discharge nozzle. In addition, the contour line may be a curved line or a shape having two or more steps.In the example of FIG. In other words, the length of the cleaning liquid discharge port is longer on the outer side of the cleaning tank than on the cleaning tank discharge port side at the outer periphery of the tip as viewed from the nozzle axial direction. This long part is called the brim part. The length is, for example, 3 to 5 mm, and the brim portion preferably has a structure that occupies 120 ° or more of the outer periphery of the tip of the cleaning liquid discharge port, and the inner wall portion of the tip structure including the cross-sectional area of the cylindrical portion and the brim portion. The surface area ratio is 1: 3 to 4.3 (FIG. 6A) The tip structure of the cleaning liquid discharge port may be processed by cutting a part of the cleaning liquid discharge port tip, It may be formed integrally with the cleaning liquid discharge port, or may be formed so as to cover the cylindrical portion of the cleaning liquid discharge port with the above-described brim-like structure.

  When the cleaning liquid is discharged using the cleaning liquid discharge port shown in the second embodiment, the tip of the tip has a brim-like structure, so that the cleaning water jumping out from the discharge port after stopping the discharge is the inner wall on the outlet long side It is exposed to the cleaning water discharge port side while adhering to the surface. In other words, when viewed from the outside of the cleaning tank, the tip of the cleaning liquid discharge port is in a state of concealing the protruding cleaning water. For this reason, of the splatters generated when the cleaning liquid discharge is stopped, splattering toward the outer side of the cleaning tank does not occur, and the cleaning water discharge port side is limited. In other words, since the cleaning water jumps out only to the cleaning water discharge port side, scattering to the outside of the cleaning tank is suppressed (FIG. 6B).

  In addition, an air layer may remain at the nozzle tip as described above (FIG. 6C). According to the cleaning liquid discharge port having the shape shown in FIG. 6, when the air layer is spattered, bubbles generated during the air layer discharge expand and burst toward the cleaning water discharge port. Is suppressed. The droplets in the air layer that accompany the first cleaning water layer movement are scattered along with the discharge of the air layer when it is on the short side of the cleaning liquid discharge port. It is done. On the other hand, when the droplet is attached to the long side of the cleaning liquid discharge port, it is pushed out to the brim portion as the air layer is discharged. However, since the short side which is the opposite direction is open, the force pushed out at the brim portion is weakened and does not scatter. Such droplets are discharged together with the main-stream cleaning water discharged after the air layer is discharged, and are not scattered outside the cleaning tank (FIG. 6D).

  In the example of FIG. 6, as in the example of FIG. 5, for example, cleaning water is discharged at a flow rate of 350 to 450 (mm / sec) from a cleaning liquid discharge port having an inner diameter of 2 to 4 mm. In particular, in the range in which the cleaning water that jumps out from the tip of the discharge port when the cleaning liquid vibrates after stopping the discharge of the cleaning liquid does not jump out from the flange portion, the maximum scattering prevention effect is shown.

(4) Prevention of adhering and mixing of droplets and improvement of cleaning efficiency according to this embodiment When cleaning water pressure is increased to improve cleaning efficiency, cleaning water scattering from the first third cleaning liquid discharge port 201 also increases. There is a possibility that the washing water adheres to the reagent dispensing probe 122 or is mixed into the reaction container or diluted. However, according to the cleaning nozzle described in the present embodiment, it is possible to increase the cleaning water pressure without increasing the frequency of generation of the cleaning water splatter, and the cleaning efficiency of the reagent dispensing probe 122 can be improved.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Automatic analyzer, 101 ... Rack, 102 ... Sample container, 103 ... Sample dispensing device, 104 ... Incubator disk (reaction disk), 105 ... Reaction container, 106. ··········································································································································· Reagent disc cover, 113: Reagent disc cover opening, 114 ... Reagent dispensing device, 115 ... Container transport mechanism, 116 ... Detection unit (detection unit), 117 ... Rack transport line 118 ... Reagent container, 119 ... Reagent dispensing probe cleaning device, 120 ... Control device, 121 ... Liquid level detector, 122 ... Reagent dispensing probe, 123 ... Transfer Device: 124 ... Washing tank, 125 ... First third wash water supply device, 126 ... Second wash water supply device, 200 ... Dispensing syringe, 201 ... First third wash solution Discharge port, 202 ... second cleaning liquid storage tank, 204 ... washing water discharge port, 205, 208, ... solenoid valve, 206 ... tank, 207 ... liquid feeding syringe

Claims (9)

A dispensing probe for dispensing a sample or reagent; and
A cleaning liquid discharge port having a cleaning liquid discharge port for discharging a cleaning liquid for cleaning the dispensing probe;
A cleaning tank provided below the cleaning liquid discharge port and having a cleaning tank discharge port for discharging the cleaning liquid;
The cleaning liquid discharge port is an automatic analyzer having a shape that is open such that the opening at the tip of the cleaning water discharge port faces the cleaning tank discharge port or the side wall of the cleaning tank. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1,
The tip of the cleaning liquid discharge port has a brim-like structure,
The brim-like structure, when viewed from the axial direction of the cleaning liquid discharge port, has a perfect circular outline, and is perpendicular to the axis of the cleaning liquid discharge port and from the side surface of the cleaning liquid discharge port. An automatic analyzer that has a non-linear outline when viewed. The automatic analyzer according to claim 2,
The automatic analysis apparatus, wherein the brim-like structure is in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the cleaning liquid discharge port and has an L-shaped outline when viewed from the side surface of the cleaning liquid discharge port. The automatic analyzer according to claim 2,
The collar-like structure is an automatic analyzer formed by cutting a part of the cleaning liquid discharge port or integrally formed with the cleaning liquid discharge port. The automatic analyzer according to claim 2,
The brim-like structure is an automatic analyzer formed by attaching a member having the brim-like structure to the cleaning liquid discharge port. The automatic analyzer according to claim 2,
The collar-shaped structure is such that the length of the cleaning liquid discharge port is longer on the outer side of the cleaning tank than on the cleaning tank discharge port side at the outer periphery of the cleaning liquid discharge port as viewed from the axial direction of the cleaning liquid discharge port. Automatic analyzer with long shape. The automatic analyzer according to claim 6,
The brim-like structure is such that the length of the cleaning liquid discharge port is longer than the cleaning tank discharge port side at a portion occupying 120 ° or more of the outer periphery of the front end of the cleaning liquid discharge port as viewed from the axial direction of the cleaning water discharge port. An automatic analyzer in which the outside of the washing tank has a longer shape. The automatic analyzer according to claim 2,
An automatic analyzer in which a ratio of a cross-sectional area of a cylindrical portion of the cleaning water discharge nozzle to a surface area of an inner wall portion opened by the cleaning liquid discharge port in the brim-like structure is 1: 3 to 4.3. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1,
The cleaning liquid discharge port has an inner diameter of 2 mm to 4 mm,
An automatic analyzer in which a flow rate of the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid discharge port is 350 mm / sec or more and 450 mm / sec or less.

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