JP2017058302A - Autoanalyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an autoanalyzer which has high analysis speed and furthermore comprises a pipette capable of reliably preventing scattering of liquid.SOLUTION: The autoanalyzer has a dispensing burette 100 comprising a pipette 101, a pump 103 connected to the pipette 101 and a drive member 105 holding the pipette 101 and vertically moving the same. The pipette 101 has a horizontal flow path pipe 101a extending in a horizontal direction, a nozzle 101b arranged to hang down from one end side of the horizontal flow path pipe 101a and having an opening at the tip thereof and a connection pipe 101c arranged to hang down from the other end side of the horizontal flow path pipe 101a and connecting the horizontal flow path pipe 101a with the pump 103. The connection pipe 101c has an accumulation part S formed by enlarging the inner diameter of the connection pipe 101c.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer, and more particularly to an automatic analyzer having a dispenser equipped with a pipette.

  As an automatic analyzer, a biochemical analyzer that analyzes a biological component contained in a specimen such as blood or urine is known. Such an automatic analyzer is equipped with various pipetting pipettes such as a sampling pipette for collecting a sample and a reagent pipette for collecting a reagent for analysis. It has a function to prevent splashing.

  As an example of such a scattering prevention function, the tip of the sampling nozzle at the end of the pipette is raised to a position where it does not touch the reaction reagent and does not come out of the mouth of the reaction test tube, and the dispenser is operated at this position, and the sampling nozzle A method for creating an air zone at the tip of a tube is disclosed. According to such a method, scattering of the reaction reagent from the tip of the sampling nozzle due to an impact when stopping the movement of the sampling nozzle is prevented without complicating the apparatus configuration (see Patent Document 1 below). .

JP 09-292399 A

  However, in the above-described method, it is necessary to temporarily stop raising the sampling nozzle every time the tip of the sampling nozzle is pulled up from the test tube. For this reason, when it is applied to an automatic analyzer that continuously analyzes a large amount of samples, it becomes a factor that hinders an increase in analysis speed.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer equipped with a pipette that can reliably prevent the scattering of liquid while increasing the analysis speed.

  In order to achieve such an object, an automatic analyzer of the present invention includes a pipette, a pump connected to the pipette, and a dispenser that holds the pipette and moves it up and down. The pipette includes a horizontal channel pipe extending in the horizontal direction, a nozzle that is suspended from one end side of the horizontal channel pipe and has an opening at the tip, and the horizontal channel pipe And a connecting pipe that is arranged to hang from the end side and connects between the horizontal flow path pipe and the pump, and the connecting pipe includes a storage portion formed by enlarging the inner diameter of the connecting pipe. It is characterized by having.

  The automatic analyzer having such a configuration is provided with a storage portion formed by enlarging the inner diameter of the connecting pipe opposite to the pipette nozzle, so that the length of the connecting pipe can be kept compact and the pipette can be driven. Without obstruction, the mass of the liquid filled in the nozzle and the mass of the liquid filled in the connecting pipe can be balanced. As a result, when the pipette filled with liquid is raised, the same inertial force acts on the liquid in the nozzle and the liquid in the connecting pipe, and without adding a special driving procedure, the tip of the nozzle Spattering of liquid from is prevented.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the liquid from being scattered from the tip of the nozzle accompanying the movement of the pipette without adding a special driving procedure. However, it is possible to reliably prevent the liquid from scattering.

It is a block diagram of the dispensing device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the drive of the dispenser which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the dispenser which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the drive of the dispenser which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the dispensing device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the drive of the dispenser which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the automatic analyzer which concerns on embodiment.

  Hereinafter, each embodiment of the dispenser provided in the automatic analyzer of the present invention and the configuration of the automatic analyzer of the present invention provided with the dispenser of each embodiment will be described in this order based on the drawings.

<< First Embodiment >>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a dispenser according to the first embodiment. A dispenser 100 shown in this figure is provided in an automatic analyzer, and has a tubular pipette 101, a pump 103 connected to one end of the pipette 101, and a drive that moves the pipette 101 up and down. A member 105 is provided. In particular, the dispenser 100 is characterized in that the pipette 101 is provided with a reservoir S. Details of each of these components will be described below.

<Pipette 101>
The pipette 101 includes a horizontal channel pipe 101a that extends in the horizontal direction, a nozzle 101b that is suspended from one end of the horizontal channel pipe 101a, and a pipe that is suspended from the other end of the horizontal channel pipe 101a. The connecting pipe 101c is arranged.

  Of these, the horizontal channel tube 101a has a length suitable for installation in an automatic analyzer described later, and extends in the horizontal direction.

  The nozzle 101b is connected in communication with one end of the horizontal flow channel pipe 101a, and its tip is configured as an open end M that discharges or sucks the liquid L. The tip of the nozzle 101b may have a shape in which the opening diameter is gradually reduced toward the opening end M. In addition, the nozzle 101b is configured to have a certain length in order to allow the opening end M to be inserted into the deep portion of the container into which the liquid L (not shown) is dispensed. Such a nozzle 101b is the entire tube portion having an angle downward with respect to the horizontal flow channel tube 101a on one end side of the horizontal flow channel tube 101a.

  The connection pipe 101 c is connected to the other end side of the horizontal flow path pipe 101 a and is connected to the pump 103 at its end. Such a connecting pipe 101c is the entire tube portion having an inclination angle downward with respect to the horizontal flow path pipe 101a on the other end side of the horizontal flow path pipe 101a.

  Further, the connecting pipe 101c as described above is characterized by having a storage portion S formed by enlarging its inner diameter. The storage portion S is disposed along a rotation shaft 105a described below, and has an opening shape in which the inner diameter of the connection pipe 101c is enlarged over the entire circumference as illustrated, for example, but is limited to such a shape. The shape may be such that the inner diameter of the connecting pipe 101c is expanded only in a predetermined direction, and further, the inner diameter of the connecting pipe 101c is gradually expanded. Moreover, the storage part S may be provided in the front-end | tip part of the connecting pipe 101c as shown in figure, and may be an intermediate part of the connecting pipe 101c.

  The storage part S as described above is for balancing the mass of the liquid L filled in the connecting pipe 101c including the storage part S with respect to the mass of the liquid L filled in the nozzle 101b. Here, it is assumed that the entire area from the tip of the nozzle 101b to the end of the connection pipe 101c is filled with the liquid L without any gap, and the volume [vc] of the connection pipe 101c including the storage part S is the same as that of the nozzle 101b. It is almost equal to the volume [vb], and [vc] ≈ [vb]. “Substantially equal” means that when the pipette 101 is raised by the driving member 105 described below, the inertial force acting on the liquid L in the connecting pipe 101c including the storage portion S and the liquid L in the nozzle 101b are acted on. The allowable range is such that the inertial force is about the same and the liquid L in the nozzle 101b is not scattered from the opening end M of the nozzle 101b.

  Further, when the pipette 101 is lifted by the driving member 105 described below, the volume [vc] of the connecting pipe 101c including the storage portion S can be obtained if air can be accumulated on the opening end M side of the nozzle 101b. ] May be [vc] ≧ [vb] with respect to the volume [vb] of the nozzle 101b. In this case, the inertial force acting on the liquid L in the connecting pipe 101c including the storage portion S is larger than the inertial force acting on the liquid L in the nozzle 101b. For this reason, when the pipette 101 is raised, the liquid L in the connection pipe 101c is less likely to follow the pipette 101 as compared with the liquid L in the nozzle 101b. The air is trapped at the open end M of the nozzle 101b. However, the volume [vc] of the connecting pipe 101c including the storage portion S should be suppressed to such an extent that the air pool formed on the open end M side of the nozzle 101b does not become too large when the pipette 101 is raised. And

  The connection pipe 101c as described above is provided with a connection end Mc for connecting a pump 103 described later. This connection end Mc may be provided in the storage part S as illustrated, or may be provided in a tube part of the connection pipe 101c other than the storage part S. In order to facilitate connection with the pump 103, the connection end Mc may be a tube protruding from any position of the connection pipe 101c. Although illustration is omitted here, the connection end Mc may have an aperture diameter narrowed down by providing an orifice. In this case, the volume up to the position where the opening diameter is narrowed by the orifice may be the volume [vc] of the connecting pipe 101c.

<Pump 103>
The pump 103 has a pump body 103a having suction and discharge functions, and a flexible tube 103b extending from the pump body 103a, and is connected to the connection end Mc of the connection pipe 101c via the flexible tube 103b. . The pump body 103a is driven by freely switching the suction and discharge functions under the control of the control unit. Further, the pump 103 has a configuration in which the pump body 103a is connected to the connection end Mc of the connection pipe 101c by the flexible tube 103b, so that the flexible tube 103b follows the vertical movement of the pipette 101 by the drive member 105. As a result, the pump body 103a is arranged at a fixed position.

  Although illustration is omitted here, a valve may be provided between the connecting pipe 101c and the pump 103, for example, the flexible tube 103b. In this case, the control unit provided in the valve opens and closes the valve in accordance with the operation timing of the pump 103, that is, the valve is opened at the timing when the pump 103 performs the suction or discharge operation, and otherwise the valve is closed. It is. In this case, the volume up to the position where the valve is provided may be the volume [vc] of the connecting pipe 101c.

  The flexible tube 103b connected to the connection pipe 101c communicates with the connection pipe 101c. For this reason, the flexible tube 103b may be regarded as a part of the connection pipe 101c, and the volume thereof may be added to the volume [vc] of the connection pipe 101c.

<Drive member 105>
The drive member 105 holds the pipette 101 and moves it up and down. The drive member 105 includes a rotary shaft 105a that can expand and contract in the vertical direction, a holding arm 105b fixed to the rotary shaft 105a, and fixed blocks 105c and 105d fixed to the holding arm 105b.

  Among these, the rotating shaft 105a is freely expanded and contracted in the extending direction of the shaft, and is arranged to stand in the vertical direction. The rotary shaft 105a includes a rotation driving motor (not shown here) and a drive mechanism for extending and contracting the rotary shaft 105a in the axial direction. It can be freely rotated in any direction.

  The holding arm 105b is a member fixed to the tip of the rotating shaft 105a in a state of extending horizontally from the tip of the rotating shaft 105a. The holding arm 105b extends from the tip of the rotating shaft 105a with a length slightly shorter than the horizontal flow channel pipe 101a of the pipette 101.

  The fixing blocks 105c and 105d are fixed to the upper part of the holding arm 105b, and are for fixing the horizontal flow pipe 101a of the pipette 101 to the holding arm 105b. These fixed blocks 105c and 105d have through holes for gripping the horizontal flow channel pipe 101a, and are arranged at both upper ends of the holding arm 105b.

  By the drive member 105 as described above, the horizontal flow path pipe 101a is held horizontally on the rotary shaft 105a, and the nozzle 101b and the connecting pipe 101c are connected to the rotary shaft 105a from both ends of the horizontal flow path pipe 101a held horizontally. The pipette 101 is held in a state where it is suspended along Thereby, when the rotating shaft 105a is expanded and contracted, the pipette 101 moves up and down while keeping the horizontal flow path pipe 101a horizontal. Further, when the rotary shaft 105a is rotated, a portion of the horizontal flow channel pipe 101a that is located on the extension of the rotary shaft 105a is a support portion φ, and the horizontal flow channel tube 101a is horizontally disposed around the support portion φ. Keeping the pipette 101 swivel.

<Driving device 100 drive>
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the driving of the dispenser 100 according to the first embodiment configured as described above. Next, based on FIG. 2, the procedure of the dispensing operation of the liquid L into the container P by driving the pump main body 103a and the rotating shaft 105a will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 2A, the dispenser 100 is used in a state where the liquid L is filled in the pipette 101. Here, it is assumed that all the regions of the connecting pipe 101c including the horizontal flow path pipe 101a, the nozzle 101b, and the storage part S are continuously filled with the liquid L. The flexible tube 103b connected to the pump 103 is also continuously filled with the liquid L. The liquid L is, for example, a cleaning liquid or a diluting liquid.

  In this state, the driving member 105 contracts the rotating shaft 105a and moves the pipette 101 downward. Thereby, the open end M of the nozzle 101b is inserted into the container P. Next, the pump 103 pressurizes the inside of the pipette 101 by performing a discharging operation, and discharges a predetermined amount of liquid L from the open end M of the nozzle 101 b into the container P.

  2B, the driving member 105 extends the rotating shaft 105a, moves the pipette 101 upward, and pulls up the open end M of the nozzle 101b from the inside of the container P. Thereby, the dispensing operation of the liquid L into the container P is terminated.

<Effects of First Embodiment>
The dispenser 100 of 1st Embodiment is the structure which provided the storage part S in the connection pipe | tube 101c connected to the horizontal flow path pipe | tube 101a. Such a connecting pipe 101c has a compact length with respect to the nozzle 101b having a certain length, but reliably secures a volume [vc] comparable to the volume [vb] of the nozzle 101b. Is possible. Further, since the connecting pipe 101c including the storage part S is suppressed to a compact length, the driving of the entire pipette 101 is not limited.

  Here, in the dispenser 100 of the first embodiment, the volume [vc] of the connecting pipe 101c including the storage portion S and the volume [vb] of the nozzle 101b are [vc] ≈ [vb] or [vc]. ≧ [vb]. And all the areas in the pipette 101 are filled with the liquid L and used. For this reason, the mass [mb] of the liquid L in the nozzle 101b and the mass [mc] of the liquid L in the connecting pipe 101c including the reservoir S are [mc] ≈ [mb] or [mc] ≧ [ mb].

  Therefore, as described with reference to FIG. 2B, even if the pipette 101 is moved upward, does the liquid L in the nozzle 101b balance with the liquid L in the connection pipe 101c including the storage portion S? Slightly follows the movement of the pipette 101 while being pulled toward the connecting pipe 10c. For this reason, as shown by a broken line in FIG. 2, it is possible to prevent the liquid L filled up to the opening end M of the nozzle 101b from being pulled and leaked to the opening end M side of the nozzle 101b.

  As a result, according to the dispenser 100 of the first embodiment, it is possible to prevent the liquid L from being scattered with the drive of the pipette 101 without adding a special procedure to the drive of the dispenser 100. Thereby, speeding up of the dispensing operation | movement provided with the scattering function of the liquid L can be achieved.

<< Second Embodiment >>
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a dispenser according to the second embodiment. The dispenser 200 shown in this figure is different from the dispenser of the first embodiment in the driving procedure of the pump main body 103a and the rotary shaft 105a by the control unit, and other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. . For this reason, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to each component and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The dispenser 200 is used by filling a different liquid L, liquid L1, and liquid L2 in the nozzle 101b in a state of being divided into a plurality through the air reservoir A. Here, as an example, the liquid L, the liquid L1, and the liquid L2 are filled through the two air reservoirs A.

<Drive of dispenser 200>
FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the driving of the dispenser 200 according to the second embodiment. Next, based on FIG. 4, the procedure of the dispensing operation for collecting the liquid L2 from the container P by driving the pump body 103a and the rotating shaft 105a will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 4A, the dispenser 200 is used in a state in which the liquid L and the liquid L1 are separated through the air reservoir A and filled in the pipette 101. Here, all the regions in the pipette 101 except the tip of the nozzle 101b are continuously filled with the liquid L, and the flexible tube 103b connected to the pump 103 is also continuously filled with the liquid L. I will do it. The tip side of the nozzle 101b is filled with the liquid L1 through the air reservoir A, and further, the air reservoir A is formed at the tip portion of the nozzle 101b. The liquid L is, for example, a cleaning liquid or a diluting liquid. The liquid L1 is, for example, a specimen, a reagent, or a diluted specimen.

  In this state, the driving member 105 contracts the rotating shaft 105a and moves the pipette 101 downward. Thereby, the open end M of the nozzle 101b is inserted into the container P.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4B, the pump 103 performs the suction operation to suck the pipette 101 through the flexible tube 103b. Thereby, the liquid L2 in the container P is sucked by a predetermined amount from the open end M of the nozzle 101b. The liquid L2 is, for example, a specimen, a reagent, or a diluted specimen.

  After the above, as shown in FIG. 4C, the driving member 105 extends the rotating shaft 105a, moves the pipette 101 filled with the liquid L2 to the opening end M of the nozzle 101b, and moves the opening end of the nozzle 101b. Pull M out of container P. Thus, the dispensing operation for collecting the liquid L2 from the container P into the nozzle 101b is terminated. The above operation is the same even when the liquid L1 is collected in the nozzle 101b.

  The dispenser 200 according to the second embodiment is configured to form an air reservoir A inside the nozzle 101b in the suction operation of the liquids L1 and L2. For this reason, when the volume [vc] of the connecting pipe 101c including the storage portion S is set in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the pipette 101 is raised due to the influence of the air reservoir A that has already been formed. The liquids L, L1, L2 in the nozzle 101b are easily pulled in the direction of the connecting pipe 101c, and the air pool A is likely to be generated at the opening end Mc of the pipette 101.

  Therefore, when the liquid L2 collected in the nozzle 101b is discharged into another container and dispensed, the liquid L2 collected in consideration of the air reservoir A is discharged to the open end Mc of the pipette 101. As such, the drive of the pump body 103a may be controlled.

<Effects of Second Embodiment>
Even in the dispenser 200 of the second embodiment as described above, the shape of the connecting pipe 101c including the storage portion S is not added, as in the case of the dispenser of the first embodiment. Since the pipette 101 is not limited, the driving of the pipette 101 is not limited, and the liquid L2 can be prevented from being scattered when the pipette 101 is driven. In particular, since the leakage of the liquid L2 sucked to the tip of the nozzle 101b can be prevented, the dispensing accuracy of the collected liquid L2 is maintained, and it is possible to perform dispensing with high accuracy.

«Third embodiment»
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a dispenser according to the third embodiment. The dispenser 300 shown in this figure is different from the dispenser of the first embodiment in that the pipette 101 is supported by the drive member 105, and other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. For this reason, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to each component and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The drive member 105 has the same configuration as that of the drive member 105 of the first embodiment, and moves the pipette 101 up and down while keeping the horizontal flow channel pipe 101a horizontal, so that the rotation shaft in the horizontal flow pipe 101a The pipette 101 is swiveled around the support portion φ located on the extension of 105a while keeping the horizontal flow channel pipe 101a horizontal.

  In particular, in the dispenser 300 of the third embodiment, the moment of inertia [Ic] on the pipette 101 from the rotating shaft 105a to the connecting tube 101c is balanced with the moment of inertia [Ib] on the nozzle 101b side from the rotating shaft 105a. ing.

  Here, in the pipette 101, the distance [rb] from the rotating shaft 105a to the end on the nozzle 101b side is set as a size suitable for the dispensing operation in the automatic analyzer in which the dispensing device 300 is arranged. The connecting pipe 101c has the storage part S as described in the first embodiment, and the volume [vc] of the connecting pipe 101c including the storing part S is set to be approximately equal to the volume [vb] of the nozzle 101b. Suppose that

  In this case, the distance [rc] from the rotation shaft 105a to the end on the connection tube 101c side is adjusted by the length of the horizontal flow channel tube 101a on the connection tube 101c side from the rotation shaft 105a, and thereby [Ic] = [Ib ].

<Driving device 300 drive>
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the driving of the dispenser 300 according to the third embodiment. For example, the dispensing operation using the dispenser 300 is performed as follows. First, as shown in FIG. 6A, the liquid L is dispensed into the container P by driving the pump body 103a and the rotating shaft 105a, and the pipette 101 is raised. This dispensing is performed in the same manner as the driving procedure described in the first embodiment.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6B, the pipette 101 is rotated by driving the rotating shaft 105a, and the tip of the nozzle 101b is arranged on the upper part of another container P '. Thereafter, the liquid L is dispensed into another container P ′ by the driving procedure described in the first embodiment.

<Effect of the third embodiment>
In the dispenser 300 according to the third embodiment as described above, the opening of the nozzle 101b is obtained by balancing the inertia moment [Ib] on the nozzle 101b side and the inertia moment [Ic] on the connecting pipe 101c side. Even when the pipette 101 is swung in a state where the liquid L protrudes from the end M, the protruding liquid L follows the swiveling of the pipette 101. For this reason, without adding a special procedure for driving the dispenser 300, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 6B, the liquid L is swung off and scattered from the opening end M of the nozzle 101b by turning the pipette 101. Can be prevented. Thereby, similarly to 1st Embodiment, the speeding-up of dispensing operation | movement provided with the scattering function of the liquid L in turning of the pipette 101 can be achieved.

  In addition, by combining the configuration of the third embodiment with the configuration for performing the driving procedure described in the second embodiment, the accuracy of dispensing the collected liquid L2 can be maintained even in the driving with the turning of the pipette 101, and the accuracy can be improved. High dispensing can be carried out.

≪Overall configuration of automatic analyzer≫
FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of the automatic analyzer according to the embodiment of the present invention. An automatic analyzer 1 shown in this figure is a biochemical analyzer that analyzes biological components contained in a specimen such as blood and urine, and includes a dispenser having the configuration described in each embodiment.

  This automatic analyzer 1 includes a sample turntable 2, a dilution turntable 3, a first reagent turntable 4, a first reagent turntable 4, which are formed in a substantially cylindrical container having one axial end (upper side in FIG. 1) opened. A two-reagent turntable 5 and a reaction turntable 6 are provided. The automatic analyzer 1 further includes a dilution stirring device 11, a dilution cleaning device 12, a first reaction stirring device 13, a second reaction stirring device 14, a multiwavelength photometer 15, and a reaction vessel cleaning device 16.

  The automatic analyzer 1 further includes a sample dilution pipette 21, a sampling pipette 22, a first reagent pipette 23, and a second reagent pipette 24. As these pipettes, any of the dispensers of the above-described embodiments or a dispenser in which these configurations are combined is applied.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of each of these members will be described.

<Sample turntable 2>
The sample turntable 2 has a configuration in which a plurality of sample containers P2 are held in a plurality of rows along the periphery, and the held dilution containers P3 are conveyed in both directions of the circumference. Each sample container P2 held on the sample turntable 2 stores a measurement sample to be measured and a control sample (quality control sample) for quality control. The sample turntable 2 is configured to hold these various types of specimens to be measured at predetermined positions. In addition to the sample container P2, the sample turntable 2 may contain a diluent container in which a diluent is stored.

<Dilution turntable 3>
The dilution turntable 3 is configured to hold a plurality of dilution containers P3 along the peripheral edge thereof and convey the held dilution containers P3 in both directions of the circumference. A specimen to be measured (hereinafter referred to as “diluted specimen”) that has been aspirated and diluted from the specimen container P2 disposed on the sample turntable 2 is injected into the dilution container P3 held on the dilution turntable 3.

<First Reagent Turntable 4 and Second Reagent Turntable 5>
The first reagent turntable 4 and the second reagent turntable 5 hold a plurality of first reagent containers P4 and P5 along the respective peripheral edges, and each of the held first reagent containers P4 and second reagent containers P5 has a circumference. It is the structure which conveys in both directions. The first reagent is dispensed from the reagent bottle into the plurality of first reagent containers P4 held on the first reagent turntable 4. The second reagent is dispensed from the reagent bottle into the second reagent container P5 held on the second reagent turntable 5.

<Reaction turntable 6>
The reaction turntable 6 is disposed between the dilution turntable 3, the first reagent turntable 4, and the second reagent turntable 5. The reaction turntable 6 is configured to hold a plurality of reaction vessels P6 along the peripheral edge thereof and convey the held reaction vessels P6 in both directions of the circumference. The reaction container P6 held on the reaction turntable 6 includes a diluted sample sampled from the dilution container P3 of the dilution turntable 3, a first reagent sampled from the first reagent container P4 of the first reagent turntable 4, and a first reagent. The sampled second reagent is injected from the second reagent container P5 of the two-reagent turntable 5. In the reaction container P6, the diluted specimen, the first reagent, and the second reagent are agitated to perform the reaction.

  The reaction turntable 6 is configured to always keep the temperature of the reaction vessel P6 constant by a thermostat not shown.

<Dilution stirring device 11>
The dilution stirring device 11 is disposed around the dilution turntable 3. The dilution stirring device 11 inserts a stirring bar (not shown) into the dilution container P3, and stirs the sample to be measured and the diluted solution.

<Dilution cleaning device 12>
The dilution cleaning device 12 is disposed around the dilution turntable 3. The dilution cleaning device 12 is a device for cleaning the dilution container P3 after the diluted specimen is aspirated by the sampling pipette 22 described below.

<First reaction stirrer 13 and second reaction stirrer 14>
The first reaction stirrer 13 and the second reaction stirrer 14 are arranged around the reaction turntable 6. The first reaction stirrer 13 and the second reaction stirrer 14 insert a stirrer (not shown) into the reaction vessel P6 held on the reaction turntable 6 and stir the contents of the reaction vessel P6.

<Multi-wavelength photometer 15>
The multiwavelength photometer 15 is a measuring unit, and is arranged so as to face the outer wall of the reaction turntable 6 around the reaction turntable 6. The multi-wavelength photometer 15 performs optical measurement on the diluted sample that has reacted with the first chemical solution and the second chemical solution in the reaction vessel P6, and outputs the amounts of various components in the sample as numerical data called “absorbance”. Thus, the reaction state of the diluted specimen is detected.

<Reaction vessel cleaning device 16>
The reaction vessel cleaning device 16 is a device that cleans the inside of the reaction vessel P6 that has been inspected. The reaction container cleaning device 16 has a plurality of reaction container cleaning nozzles. The plurality of reaction container cleaning nozzles are connected to a waste liquid pump (not shown) and a detergent pump (not shown), similarly to the dilution container cleaning nozzle.

<Sample dilution pipette 21>
The sample dilution pipette 21 is disposed around the sample turntable 2 and the dilution turntable 3. The sample dilution pipette 21 is supported by a dilution pipette drive mechanism (not shown) so as to be movable in the axial direction (for example, the vertical direction) of the sample turntable 2 and the dilution turntable 3. The sample dilution pipette 21 is supported by a dilution pipette driving mechanism so as to be rotatable along a horizontal direction substantially parallel to the openings of the sample turntable 2 and the dilution turntable 3. The sample dilution pipette 21 reciprocates between the sample turntable 2 and the dilution turntable 3 by rotating along the horizontal direction. When the sample dilution pipette 21 moves between the sample turntable 2 and the dilution turntable 3, the sample dilution pipette 21 passes through a cleaning device (not shown).

  The sample dilution pipette 21 inserts a tip portion into the sample container P2 of the sample turntable 2, and sucks a predetermined amount of the sample to be measured from the tip of the pipette filled with the diluent via an air reservoir. The sample dilution pipette 21 has a tip inserted into the dilution container P3 of the dilution turntable 3, and a sample to be measured and a predetermined amount of diluent (for example, physiological saline) supplied from the sample dilution pipette 21 itself. Water) is discharged into the dilution container P3. As a result, the sample to be measured is diluted to a predetermined multiple concentration in the dilution container P3. Thereafter, the sample dilution pipette 21 is washed by a washing device.

<Sampling pipette 22>
The sampling pipette 22 is disposed between the dilution turntable 3 and the reaction turntable 6. Similar to the sample dilution pipette 21, the sampling pipette 22 is movable in the axial direction (vertical direction) of the dilution turntable 3 and supported by being rotatable in the horizontal direction by a sampling pipette drive mechanism (not shown). Yes. The sampling pipette 22 reciprocates between the dilution turntable 3 and the reaction turntable 6.

  This sampling pipette 22 inserts a tip portion into the dilution container P3 of the dilution turntable 3, and sucks a predetermined amount of diluted specimen from the tip of the pipette filled with the diluent via an air reservoir. Then, the sampling pipette 22 discharges the diluted diluted sample into the reaction container P6 of the reaction turntable 6, and injects the diluted sample into the reaction container P6.

<First reagent pipette 23>
The first reagent pipette 23 is disposed between the reaction turntable 6 and the first reagent turntable 4. The first reagent pipette 23 can be moved in the axial direction (vertical direction) of the reaction turntable 6 and supported so as to be rotatable in the horizontal direction by a first reagent pipette drive mechanism (not shown). The first reagent pipette 23 reciprocates between the first reagent turntable 4 and the reaction turntable 6.

  The first reagent pipette 23 has a tip inserted into the first reagent container P4 of the first reagent turntable 4, and from the tip of the pipette filled with the diluent, a predetermined amount of the first reagent is passed through an air reservoir. Aspirate. Then, the first reagent pipette 23 discharges the sucked first reagent into the reaction container P6 of the reaction turntable 6.

<Second reagent pipette 24>
The second reagent pipette 24 is disposed between the reaction turntable 6 and the second reagent turntable 5. Similarly to the first reagent pipette 23, the second reagent pipette 24 can be moved in the axial direction (vertical direction) and horizontal direction of the reaction turntable 6 and rotated by a second reagent pipette drive mechanism (not shown). Supported as possible. The second reagent pipette 24 reciprocates between the second reagent turntable 5 and the reaction turntable 6.

  The second reagent pipette 24 has a tip inserted into the second reagent container P5 of the second reagent turntable 5, and a predetermined amount of second reagent is introduced from the tip of the pipette filled with the diluent via an air reservoir. Aspirate. Then, the second reagent pipette 24 discharges the sucked second reagent into the reaction container P6 of the reaction turntable 6.

<Effect of automatic analyzer 1>
The automatic analyzer 1 configured as described above includes the dispenser of the second embodiment described above, or the second reagent pipette 21, sampling pipette 22, first reagent pipette 23, and second reagent pipette 24. A dispenser in which the configuration of the third embodiment is combined with the configuration of the embodiment is applied. As a result, the specimen to be measured, the diluted specimen, and the first reagent and the second reagent in the automatic analyzer 1 can be prevented from being scattered, and contamination in the apparatus can be prevented. Therefore, it is possible to improve the analysis accuracy. Moreover, it is possible to increase the analysis speed by using the dispenser of the embodiment capable of preventing scattering without adding a special procedure.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Automatic analyzer 100, 200, 300 ... Dispenser 101 ... Pipette 101a ... Horizontal flow pipe 101b ... Nozzle
vb ... Volume
M ... Open end 101c ... Connection pipe
A ... Reservoir
vc ... Volume 103 ... Pump 103a ... Pump body 103b ... Flexible tube 105 ... Drive member 105a ... Rotary shaft
φ ... Supporting part

Claims (5)

A dispenser comprising a pipette, a pump connected to the pipette, and a drive member that holds the pipette and moves it up and down;
The pipette is
A horizontal flow pipe extending in the horizontal direction;
A nozzle that hangs from one end side of the horizontal flow pipe and has an opening at the tip;
It is arranged to hang from the other end side of the horizontal flow pipe, and has a connection pipe that connects between the horizontal flow pipe and the pump,
The connection pipe has a storage part formed by enlarging the inner diameter of the connection pipe. 2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the storage section is for balancing the mass of the liquid filled in the connection pipe including the storage section with respect to the mass of the liquid filled in the nozzle. . The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein a volume of the connection pipe including the storage unit is equal to or greater than a volume of the nozzle. The driving member has a telescopic rotating shaft extending in the vertical direction, and supports the horizontal channel tube on the axis of the rotating shaft to keep the horizontal channel tube horizontal, so that the pipette Is a swivel,
The state in which the pipette is filled with liquid, the moment of inertia of the pipette from the rotating shaft to the connecting pipe is balanced with the moment of inertia from the rotating shaft to the nozzle. Automatic analyzer. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the connection pipe is connected to the pump in the storage unit.

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