JP2021007353A - Dilution device - Google Patents

Abstract

To improve the performance of a dilution device which performs dilution processing automatically.SOLUTION: A dilution device DA1 comprises: a test tube rack transport mechanism unit 20; a test tube transport mechanism unit 30 for transporting a plurality of test tubes to be processed to a processing unit 40; and a processing unit 40 comprising a plurality of housing parts for housing a part of each of the plurality of test tubes to be processed respectively. The dilution device DA1 also comprises, in the processing unit 40, a specimen fluid dispensing mechanism unit 60 for sucking a specimen fluid from each of the plurality of test tubes to be processed containing the specimen fluid to be diluted among the plurality of test tubes to be processed, and dispensing the specimen fluid to each of the plurality of test tubes to be processed into which a diluent has been dispensed. The dilution device DA1 further comprises, in the processing unit 40, a stirring mechanism unit 7 for vibrating each of the plurality of test tubes to be processed containing the specimen fluid and stirring the specimen fluid.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a diluting device that automatically dilutes a sample, which is one step of pretreatment for performing a microbiological test.

Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-135293) describes an apparatus that automates the dilution operation of a sample as a part of the viable cell count inspection apparatus. Patent Document 2 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-155456) describes a diluting device that prepares a plurality of diluted samples obtained by diluting a sample stock solution in a plurality of steps in an empty test tube as a part of a food biopsy system. Has been done.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-135293 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-155456

Microbial tests include various tests, such as a test for examining the presence or absence or number of a specific bacterial group such as coliform bacteria, or a test for measuring the number of general bacteria. In the pretreatment for performing these tests, it is necessary to perform a dilution treatment in which the stock solution of the sample to be tested is diluted stepwise in a plurality of steps. There is room for performance improvement in the diluting device that automatically performs the dilution treatment, for example, from the viewpoint of improving the dilution accuracy or the processing efficiency.

An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for improving the performance of a diluting device that automatically performs a dilution process.

The diluting device according to one embodiment can hold a test tube rack transport mechanism unit having a mechanism for transporting a test tube rack capable of holding a plurality of test tubes arranged in a matrix and a test tube. A test tube transport mechanism unit that is provided with a holding unit and a transport unit that transports the holding portion, and that transports a plurality of test tubes to be processed to the processing unit, and a plurality of test tubes that accommodate a part of each of the plurality of test tubes to be processed. In the processing unit and the processing unit, the sample liquid is sucked from each of the plurality of test tubes to be treated containing the sample liquid to be diluted among the plurality of test tubes to be treated. In addition, the sample solution dispensing mechanism unit having a mechanism for dispensing the sample solution into each of the plurality of test tubes to be treated containing the diluted solution containing no sample, and the sample solution in the processing unit. Each of the plurality of test tubes to be treated is shaken to have a stirring mechanism unit provided with a mechanism for stirring the sample liquid.

According to a typical embodiment of the present invention, the performance of the diluting device can be improved.

It is a flow chart which shows typically the outline of the processing flow performed by the microbiological examination system including the dilution apparatus which is one Embodiment. It is a flow chart which shows the detailed process which further subdivided the dilution process shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the appearance of the dilution apparatus which performs the dilution process shown in FIG. 1 automatically. It is a top view which shows an example of the layout on the gantry of the dilution apparatus shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the test tube rack supplied to the test tube rack transfer mechanism part shown in FIG. 4 in the rack supply process shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the test tube transport mechanism part shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows the processing part shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a side view schematically showing an operation of accommodating a test tube in the processing unit shown in FIG. 7. It is a side view which shows typically the operation of removing the cap attached to the test tube held in the processing part shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the nozzle part for the diluent of the diluent liquid dispensing mechanism part shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a side view showing a state in which the diluent discharge nozzle shown in FIG. 10 is arranged above the test tube of the accommodating portion shown in FIG. It is a side view which shows the structure of the stirring mechanism part which shakes the test tube containing the sample liquid in the sample liquid stirring step shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a plan view of the accommodating portion and the shaking drive portion shown in FIG. 12 as viewed from below. It is a perspective view which shows the sample liquid dispensing mechanism part shown in FIG. It is a side view which shows the state which the plurality of chips shown in FIG. 14 are arranged above the test tube of the storage part containing the sample liquid. It is a side view which shows the state which each of the plurality of chips is arranged above the test tube of the accommodating part containing the diluent. It is a perspective view which shows the example of the rack which is carried out to the outside of the dilution processing chamber which is carried out in the rack carrying-out process shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the structural example of the discharge amount measuring mechanism part.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the liquid containing the sample is referred to as a sample liquid. The solution for diluting the sample solution is called a diluent. In a microbial test using a liquid medium, such as a test for coliform bacteria using a BGLB medium (brilliant green lactose bouillon medium), the liquid medium may be dispensed into the sample stock solution. The "diluted solution" includes a liquid medium such as a BGLB medium as well as a liquid whose main purpose is to dilute the sample solution, for example, physiological saline. Further, among the sample solutions, the sample solution before the dilution process using the diluting device may be referred to as a sample stock solution. Also, of the sample liquid, diluted specimen solution sample solution after the dilution process, or, n times diluted specimen solution-headed dilution (e.g. 10-fold diluted specimen solution and 10 ^two-fold diluted specimen solution and the like) May be called.

<Overview of Microbial Testing System>
FIG. 1 is a flow chart schematically showing an outline of a processing flow performed by a microbiological examination system including the diluent of the present embodiment. FIG. 1 shows a processing flow for inspecting a general bacterial count (sometimes referred to as a general bacterial count) as an example of a microbiological test. Microbial testing includes testing for the number of common bacteria, as well as for the presence or absence of specific bacterial groups or bacteria, such as coliforms or coliforms, Staphylococcus aureus, or lactic acid bacteria, or testing for these numbers. .. In the present embodiment, the dilution step shown in FIG. 1 will be described in particular detail, but the dilution step is a step included in many microbiological examinations. Therefore, the technique related to the dilution step described below can be applied to various tests other than the test of the general bacterial count.

In the general bacterial count test illustrated in FIG. 1, first, as a sample stock solution preparation step, a sample is collected from a sample to be tested (for example, food or an instrument that comes into contact with food such as a food manufacturing device or tableware) and then weighed. To do. The weighed sample is pulverized and homogenized using a device called a stomacher. The sample stock solution, which is a liquid, is obtained by the sample stock solution preparation step regardless of the type of sample. Depending on the type of sample, it may be difficult to liquefy the sample alone. In this case, a diluent is added as needed to obtain a liquid sample stock solution. As the diluent, for example, sterile physiological saline can be used. The amount of diluent is predetermined.

In addition, during the sample stock solution preparation step, information such as the time, place, and type of sample at which the sample was collected is recorded together with the identification number. These pieces of information, including the identification number, are entered and registered in, for example, the computer COM1. In addition, the computer COM1 generates an identification code associated with the identification number, and this identification code is also registered. If the result of the bacterial count measurement step shown in FIG. 1 is input to the computer COM1 together with the identification number, information such as the time and place where the sample was collected, the type of sample, and the data of the test result are linked. Further, although not shown in FIG. 1, a database of pass / fail judgment criteria for each type of sample is prepared in advance, and if the computer COM1 compares the test result with the pass / fail judgment criteria, the computer COM1 will perform the pass / fail judgment. Can be done.

Next, the dilution step shown in FIG. 1 is performed. Details will be described later, but in the dilution step, a plurality of diluted samples are prepared by diluting the sample stock solution in a plurality of steps. For example, the sample stock solution, 10-fold diluted specimen solution diluted specimen stock solution 10-fold, and 10-fold diluted specimen solution further 10 ^two-fold diluted specimen solution diluted to 10-fold, more 10 times 10 ^2-fold diluted specimen solution Prepare four types of diluted 10- and ^3- fold diluted sample solutions. The dilution ratio of each diluted sample solution and the number of types of dilution ratios of the sample solution are not limited to the above examples, and various modified examples can be applied.

Next, the sample liquid dispensing step shown in FIG. 1 is performed. In the sample solution dispensing step, each of the plurality of sample solutions prepared in the dilution step is dispensed into, for example, a petri dish (not shown). Further, in order to grasp the information about the sample liquid dispensed into the petri dish, the petri dish is given an identification code generated by the above-mentioned computer COM1. As the identification code given to the petri dish, in addition to the above-mentioned sample identification number, a different identification code is generated for each type of dilution ratio. Further, as a method of giving the identification code to the petri dish, for example, a method of printing directly on the petri dish, a method of attaching a sticker on which the identification code is printed to the petri dish, and the like can be exemplified.

Next, the medium dispensing step shown in FIG. 1 is performed. In the medium dispensing step, a medium dissolved in advance by heating or sterilization treatment is dispensed into a petri dish into which the sample solution has been dispensed, and then the sample solution and the medium are mixed. As the medium, for example, an agar medium can be exemplified. When the petri dish is gently left after the sample solution and the medium are mixed, the agar solidifies and the mixture of the sample solution and the medium solidifies.

Next, the culture step shown in FIG. 1 is performed. In the culturing step, the petri dish containing the solidified mixed solution is stored in an incubator and left for several tens of hours to cultivate the bacteria contained in the mixed solution. There are various methods for setting the temperature of the incubator, the culture time, and the method of arranging in the incubator. For example, the temperature was set to 35 ± 1 ° C. by inverted culture in which the lid of the petri dish and the vessel were inverted. Incubate in an incubator for about 48 ± 3 hours.

Next, the bacterial count measurement step shown in FIG. 1 is performed. In the bacterial count measurement step, the number of colonies is measured in each petri dish after the culture step. If the sample solution contains a large number of bacteria, it may contain petri dishes for which the number of settlements cannot be measured. In this case, the number of villages is measured in a petri dish in which the diluted sample solution diluted with the same sample solution is dispensed. When a 10 ^n- fold diluted sample solution is prepared in a plurality of steps, the number of colonies can be measured in a petri dish in which a sample solution having any dilution ratio is dispensed by increasing the number of indexes n. When a plurality of petri dishes prepared under the same conditions are prepared one by one, the measurement results of the number of colonies in each of the plurality of petri dishes are averaged, and this average value is regarded as the number of bacteria. The number of bacteria contained in a predetermined amount (for example, 1 mL) of the sample stock solution can be calculated by multiplying the estimated number of bacteria by the dilution ratio of the dilution detection solution dispensed into the petri dish. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the measurement result in the bacterial count measurement step is input to the computer COM1. At this time, each measurement result is input together with the identification code described in the sample liquid dispensing step described above. Therefore, information such as the time and place where the sample was collected, the type of sample, and the data of the test result are linked. The measurement result may be input to another computer different from the computer COM1. In this case, the data is collated between the computer COM1 and another computer on the data management server.

<Dilution step>
Next, the details of the dilution step shown in FIG. 1 and the dilution apparatus for performing the dilution step will be described. FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a detailed process in which the dilution process shown in FIG. 1 is further subdivided. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the dilution apparatus that automatically performs the dilution step shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an example of the layout of the diluting device shown in FIG. 3 on the gantry. In each of the figures described below, the X, Y, and Z directions are described as needed. The X, Y, and Z directions are orthogonal to each other. Therefore, the Z direction is the normal direction with respect to the XY plane, the X direction is the normal direction with respect to the YY plane, and the Y direction is the normal direction with respect to the XY plane.

As shown in FIG. 2, the dilution method of the present embodiment includes a rack supply step, a pretreatment test tube transfer step, a dilution solution dispensing step, a sample solution stirring step, a sample solution dispensing step, and a post-treatment test tube transfer step. , And a rack unloading process. Each step from the pre-treatment test tube transfer step to the post-treatment test tube transfer step is repeated according to the necessity of the number of steps of the dilution ratio of the diluted sample solution. Each step shown in FIG. 2 is automatically executed by the diluting device DA1 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

As shown in FIG. 3, the diluting device DA1 of the present embodiment has a dilution processing chamber 2 in which a plurality of types of devices (mechanical units) shown in FIG. 4 are arranged, and a storage chamber 3 below the dilution processing chamber 2. And. The dilution treatment chamber 2 is surrounded by a plurality of upper doors 4A and side walls 4B. Further, a fan filter unit 5 is attached to the ceiling of the dilution processing chamber 2. The fan filter unit 5 is a space purifying device that purifies so as to reduce the number of fine particles suspended in the space of the dilution processing chamber 2. The fan filter unit 5 has functions such as creating a laminar flow in which air flows from the upper part to the lower part, reducing cross-contamination between specimens, and blocking the inflow of external air. The filter of the fan filter unit 5 is a filter called a HEPA filter (High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter). When the diluting device DA1 is installed in the clean room, the fan filter unit 5 may not be installed.

The periphery of the containment chamber 3 is surrounded by a plurality of lower doors 6A and side walls 6B. The storage chamber 3 accommodates equipment such as a diluent used when performing the dilution step, or a part of an apparatus for performing each treatment included in the dilution step. As an example of a part of the device accommodated in the storage chamber 3, for example, a drive motor for driving the device, a power supply unit, a compressed air supply facility, and the like can be exemplified.

As shown in FIG. 4, a gantry 7 is provided at the boundary between the dilution processing chamber 2 and the storage chamber 3. A device (mechanical unit) for automatically performing each process shown in FIG. 2 is provided on the gantry 7. The diluting device DA1 shown in FIG. 4 is agitated with a test tube rack transport mechanism unit 20, a test tube transport mechanism unit 30, a processing unit 40, a diluent liquid dispensing mechanism unit 50, a sample liquid dispensing mechanism unit 60, and the like. It has a mechanism unit 70 and. In the case of this embodiment, each of the diluted solution dispensing process, the sample solution dispensing process, and the stirring process is performed by the stirring mechanism unit 70. In other words, in the case of the present embodiment, the stirring mechanism unit 70 also functions as the processing unit 40.

Details of each step shown in FIG. 2 will be described later, but according to the dilution method of the present embodiment, each of the diluted solution dispensing step, the sample solution stirring step, and the sample solution dispensing step shown in FIG. 2 is the same. It is carried out at a place (processing unit 40 shown in FIG. 4). In this case, it is not necessary to move the test tube between the diluted solution dispensing step, the sample liquid stirring step, and the sample liquid dispensing step. Therefore, the time between each step can be shortened as compared with the case where each step is carried out at a different place. Further, according to the dilution method of the present embodiment, each step (for example, a sample liquid stirring step, a sample liquid dispensing step, etc.) is collectively performed in units of a plurality of test tubes. Therefore, the processing efficiency can be improved as compared with the case where each step is sequentially carried out for each test tube. Hereinafter, the details of each step shown in FIG. 2 will be described together with the details of the operation of each mechanical unit shown in FIG.

<Rack supply process>
First, in the rack supply step shown in FIG. 2, the rack 21 shown in FIG. 5 is supplied to the test tube rack transfer mechanism unit 20 of the diluting device shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a test tube rack supplied to the test tube rack transport mechanism portion shown in FIG. 4 in the rack supply process shown in FIG. The rack (sometimes referred to as a test tube rack, pallet) 21 comprises a plurality of openings arranged in a matrix. The plurality of test tubes 10 are inserted into each of the plurality of openings formed in the rack 21 and held in the rack 21. In the example of this embodiment, the plurality of test tubes 10 are arranged in 8 rows × 4 columns. A test tube 10A containing the sample stock solution 12 is placed in the first row of each column. Each of the test tubes 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F, 10G, and 10H arranged in the second to eighth rows of each column is still an empty test tube 10 at the stage of this step. ..

In the case of the method of arranging the test tubes 10 shown in FIG. 5, four types of sample stock solutions 12 are arranged in the first row, and diluted sample solutions diluted at seven dilution ratios in the second to eighth rows. Can be arranged. For example, by a rack unloading step shown in FIG. 2, it is held in a rack 21 carried out of the diluter DA1 shown in FIG. 4, 10-fold diluted specimen solution in the test tube 10B is, in a test tube 10C 10 ^2-fold dilutions specimen liquid, the test tube 10D 10 ³ fold diluted specimen solution, 10 ⁴ fold diluted specimen solution in a test tube 10E is, the test tube 10F is ^105-fold diluted specimen solution, the test tube 10G 10 ⁶ fold diluted specimen solution, the test tube 10H 10 ^7-fold diluted specimen solution, containing respectively.

However, there are various modifications in the method of arranging the test tubes 10 on the rack 21. For example, the number of rows and columns is not limited to the above, and the number of test tubes 10 held by one rack 21 may be other than 32.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, each of the plurality of test tubes 10 is held in the rack 21 with the opening covered with the cap 11. As described with reference to FIG. 3, the dilution device DA1 includes a fan filter unit 5 that reduces the number of fine particles suspended in the space of the dilution processing chamber 2. However, when the test tube 10 (see FIG. 5) with the opening exposed is transported in the dilution processing chamber 2, the sample solution is contaminated with environmental substances even if the fan filter unit 5 is provided. (Contamination) may occur. In the case of the present embodiment, since the opening of the test tube 10 is held by the rack 21 in a state of being covered with the cap 11, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of contamination in the dilution treatment chamber 2. However, the diluted solution dispensing step and the sample solution dispensing step shown in FIG. 2 are carried out with the cap 11 removed. Details will be described later.

The rack 21 shown in FIG. 5 is supplied into the dilution processing chamber 2 from the pass box 8A shown in FIG. The pass box 8A is a room provided with a door 8d that serves as an entrance / exit to the outside and a partition 8p arranged on the opposite side of the door 8d. The partition 8p is movable in the vertical direction (Z direction shown in FIG. 3). When the door 8d of the pass box 8A is open, the inside of the pass box 8A is separated from the other space of the dilution processing chamber 2 by the partition 8p. When the door 8d of the pass box 8A is closed, the inside of the pass box 8A and the other space of the dilution processing chamber 2 communicate with each other. In this way, by providing the pass box 8A at a position that serves as an interface between the dilution treatment chamber 2 and the external environment, air pollution in the dilution treatment chamber 2 can be suppressed. In other words, the pass box 8A functions as an anterior chamber for suppressing contamination in the dilution processing chamber 2 when the equipment is brought into the dilution treatment chamber 2 from the outside. As shown in FIG. 4, the diluting device DA1 has a pass box 8B in addition to the pass box 8A. The pass box 8B is a pass box used to supply the chip rack 81 for holding a plurality of chips used in the sample liquid dispensing mechanism unit 60 to the chip rack transport mechanism unit 80. Since the configurations and functions of the pass box 80B and the pass box 80A are the same, duplicate description will be omitted.

In the dilution processing chamber 2, each of the plurality of test tubes 10 (see FIG. 5) is conveyed while being held in the rack 21. The test tube rack transport mechanism unit 20 includes a mechanism for transporting a plurality of racks 21 along guide rails while the test tube 10 is held. The rack 21 is conveyed by the test tube rack transfer mechanism unit 20 from a position overlapping the pass box 8A to a position overlapping the test tube transfer mechanism unit 30.

<Pre-treatment test tube transfer process>
In the pretreatment test tube transfer step shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of test tubes to be processed are transferred from the rack 21 shown in FIG. 5 to the processing unit 40 shown in FIG. The test tube to be treated refers to a test tube to which the dilution dispensing step, the sample liquid stirring step, and the sample liquid dispensing step shown in FIG. 2 are carried out. For example, in the first cycle after starting the dilution step, among the plurality of test tubes 10 shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of test tubes 10A containing the sample stock solution 12 and a plurality of empty test tubes 10B are treated. Transported to 40. Further, for example, in the second cycle, the test tube 10B containing the 10-fold diluted sample is maintained as it is in the processing unit 40, and a plurality of empty test tubes 10C are newly transported to the processing unit 40 as test tubes to be processed. Will be done. Before entering the second cycle, in the post-treatment test tube transfer step shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of test tubes 10A after sucking a part of the sample stock solution 12 are returned to the rack 21. In this way, after each step of the dilution dispensing step, the sample liquid stirring step, and the sample liquid dispensing step shown in FIG. 2 is completed, the plurality of test tubes 10 after the treatment returned to the rack 21 are tested. Not included in the tube. Further, at the time of the second cycle, each of the plurality of test tubes 10D to 10H is the test tube 10 before the treatment. However, since each of these test tubes 10D to 10H is not included in the test tube 10 to be processed in the second cycle, it is not included in the test tube to be processed in the second cycle.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the test tube transport mechanism portion shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the test tube transport mechanism unit 30 includes a holding unit 31 capable of holding the test tube 10 (see FIG. 5) and a transport unit 32 for transporting the holding unit 31. The transport unit 32 transports the unit including the transport unit 32A that transports the holding unit 31 in the vertical direction (Z direction shown in FIG. 6), and the holding unit 31 and the transport unit 32 along the Y direction shown in FIG. Containing a transport unit 32B and the like.

The holding portion 31 includes a plurality of pins (bar members) 33 extending in the Z direction. In the case of the present embodiment, the test tube 10 is held by sandwiching one test tube 10 (see FIG. 5) between the four pins 33. Further, the holding portion 31 has four sets including four pins. Therefore, the holding unit 31 can hold the four test tubes 10 at the same time. The four sets of four pins are arranged in one row along the X direction. Therefore, in the rack 21 shown in FIG. 5, for example, the plurality of test tubes 10A arranged in the first row are collectively held by the holding unit 31. The same applies to the second and subsequent lines. Although not shown, there is a case where the number of pins 33 holding one test tube 10 is other than four as a modification to the present embodiment. For example, the test tube 10 can be held even if the number of pins 33 is 2, 3, or 5 or more.

Each of the plurality of pins 33 is provided with a grip portion 33t at the lower end. Each of the pins 33 holding the one test tube 10 is arranged so that a quadrangle having each of the pins 33 as an apex is formed in a plan view of the plurality of pins 33 viewed from below. The grip portion 33t is formed so as to project in the diagonal direction of the quadrangle formed by the four pins 33. The holding portion 31 grips the test tube 10 by bringing a part of the grip portion 33t included in each of the four pins 33 into contact with the test tube 10 (see FIG. 5).

Further, the holding unit 31 includes an opening / closing drive unit 34 that drives the opening / closing operation of the pin 33. The plurality of pins 33 operate in a direction in which the separation distances of the pins 33 adjacent to each other along the Y direction are separated and approached, for example. When the pins 33 adjacent to each other are separated from each other along the Y direction (open state), each of the four gripping portions 33t is separated from the test tube 10 (see FIG. 5), and the test tube 10 is pinned. It will not be gripped by 33. On the other hand, when the distance between the pins 33 adjacent to each other along the Y direction is close (closed state), each of the four gripping portions 33t comes into contact with the test tube 10 (see FIG. 5), and the test tube 10 is in a state of being gripped by the pin 33. The power source of the opening / closing drive unit 34 is, for example, compressed air. The opening / closing drive unit 34 includes a plurality of solenoid valves, and controls the opening / closing state of the plurality of pins 33 by controlling the on / off operation of the solenoid valves. The opening / closing operation of the plurality of pins 33 may be performed by the driving force of the motor. When driven by a motor, the pin 33 can be driven without going through the plurality of solenoid valves described above.

Each of the transport units 32A and 32B shown in FIG. 4 is a robot that reciprocates along a linearly extending axial direction. The transport unit 32A operates in the Z direction shown in FIG. 6, and the transport unit 32B operates in the Y direction shown in FIG. The transport unit 32 functions as a transport robot capable of transporting the holding unit 31 along two axes by combining the transport units 32A and 32B. Although not shown in FIG. 6, a test tube dropout detection sensor for detecting whether or not a set of four pins 33 holds the test tube 10 and the cap 11 (see FIG. 5) is provided. Is preferable. For example, by providing the test tube dropout detection sensor, it is possible to prevent the inside of the dilution processing chamber 2 (see FIG. 4) from being contaminated due to the dropout of the test tube 10. Further, even if a part of the sample liquid is spilled, the work of the dilution step can be immediately stopped based on the signal output from the test tube dropout detection sensor, so that the spread of contamination can be suppressed. In addition, the test tube dropout detection sensor can be used to confirm whether or not the cap 11 is held when the cap 11 is removed (details will be described later).

FIG. 7 is a top view showing the processing unit shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a side view schematically showing an operation of accommodating a test tube in the processing unit shown in FIG. 7. As described above, in the case of the present embodiment, the processing unit 40 is also used as the stirring mechanism unit 70. Therefore, in the following, a part of the portion included in the stirring mechanism unit 70 will be described as a part of the processing unit 40. As shown in FIG. 7, the processing unit 40 includes a plurality of accommodating units 41 for accommodating a part (bottom portion) of each of the plurality of test tubes to be processed. In the case of the present embodiment, the processing unit 40 includes eight accommodating units 41. Specifically, the plurality of accommodating portions 41 are arranged in the Y direction which is arranged along the X direction and intersects the X direction (orthogonal in FIG. 7) with the plurality of accommodating portions 41A arranged along the X direction. A plurality of accommodating portions 41B adjacent to each of the plurality of accommodating portions 41A are included.

In the pretreatment test tube transfer step, the test tube transfer mechanism unit 30 shown in FIG. 6 holds four test tubes 10 by the holding unit 31, and the rack 21 (see FIG. 4) shows FIGS. 7 and 8. The test tube 10 is conveyed to the plurality of accommodating units 41 of the processing unit 40 shown. As shown in FIG. 8, a part (bottom portion) of the test tube 10 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 41.

By the way, the stirring mechanism unit 70 which is also used as the processing unit 40 is located above the plurality of accommodating units 41, and when the accommodating unit 41 is shaken in the sample liquid stirring step described later, the plurality of accommodating units 41 It has a support portion 71 that supports a part of the test tube 10 housed in each of the above. The support portion 71 has a base material 71B extending in the X direction, and a plurality of (four in FIG. 7) openings 71H provided in the base material 71B and having an opening diameter into which the test tube 10 can be inserted. Further, the support portion 71 has a plurality of rollers 72 (four in FIG. 7) attached to the upper surface of the base material 71B and arranged along the edge of the opening 71H. The support portion 71 is provided on each of the plurality of accommodating portions 41A and the plurality of accommodating portions 41B. Further, the support portion 71 is attached above the plurality of accommodating portions 41 in a state in which the support portion 71 can be raised and lowered in the vertical direction and the Z direction shown in FIG.

In the sample liquid stirring step described later, in order to obtain a good stirring state, it is preferable to perform a shaking operation with the upper part of the test tube 10 as a fulcrum. On the other hand, in the pretreatment test tube transfer step, if the support portion 71 is above the test tube 10, there is a concern that the plurality of pins 33 shown in FIG. 8 and the support portion 71 may interfere with each other. In particular, when the cap 11 is attached to the opening at the top of the test tube 10, the grip portion 33t of the pin 33 needs to grip the portion exposed from the cap 11 of the test tube 10. Therefore, the possibility that the pin 33 and the support portion 71 interfere with each other increases.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown schematically as arrow 71d in FIG. 8, the support portion 71 of the stirring mechanism portion 70 is attached in a state in which it can move up and down. Further, in the test tube transfer step, as shown in FIG. 8, the pin 33 of the test tube transfer mechanism portion 30 (see FIG. 6) is in the first position (FIG. 6) in which the support portion 71 is relatively lowered downward. The test tube 10 is arranged in each of the plurality of accommodating portions 41 in a state of being lowered to the position shown in 8). As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, it is possible to prevent the pin 33 holding the test tube 10 from interfering with the support portion 71.

After the bottoms of the plurality of test tubes 10B are housed in the housing section 41, each of the plurality of pins 33 is separated from the test tube 10 along the Y direction, as schematically shown by arrow 33d in FIG. It operates in the open state. As a result, each of the four test tubes 10 shown in FIG. 7 is separated from the test tube transport mechanism unit 30 (see FIG. 6) and held in the accommodating unit 41. At this time, a part of the peripheral edge portion of the plurality of rollers 72 attached to the base material 71B of the support portion 71 comes into contact with the test tube 10. For example, among the plurality of test tubes 10 arranged in the rack 21 shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of empty test tubes 10B arranged in the second row are accommodated by the test tube transport mechanism unit 30 in the processing unit 40. It is conveyed to and detached from each of the portions 41B.

After detaching the four test tubes 10, the test tube transport mechanism unit 30 returns to the position of the rack 21 shown in FIG. 4, and accommodates the other four test tubes 10 for the remaining four of the processing unit 40. It is conveyed to the section 41 and these are separated. For example, among the plurality of test tubes 10 arranged in the rack 21 shown in FIG. 5, the plurality of test tubes 10A containing the sample stock solution 12 arranged in the first row are processed by the test tube transport mechanism unit 30. It is transported to and detached from each of the 40 plurality of accommodating portions 41A. By the above processing, as shown in FIG. 7, the test tube 10 is accommodated in each of the eight accommodating portions 41 of the processing portion 40. Further, each of the plurality of accommodating portions 41A and each of the plurality of accommodating portions 41B are arranged in one row along the X direction. Therefore, each of the test tubes to be processed is housed in the housing section 41 while maintaining the arrangement order in the rack 21 shown in FIG.

That is, when a plurality of empty test tubes 10 (see FIG. 5) are transported to any one of the plurality of accommodating portions 41A and the plurality of accommodating portions 41B, the plurality of accommodating portions (first accommodating portions) 41A and the plurality of accommodating portions 41A. A plurality of test tubes to be treated containing a liquid containing a sample liquid are arranged on the other side of the storage portion (second storage portion) 41B. For example, in the first cycle after starting the dilution step, an empty test tube 10B (see FIG. 5) is placed in the container 41B as described above, and the sample stock solution 12 (see FIG. 5) is placed in the container 41A. A test tube 10A (see FIG. 5) containing the above is arranged. Further, in the second cycle, the test tube 10B containing the diluted sample solution to which the sample solution was dispensed remains in the accommodating portion 41B as it is, and a new empty test tube 10C is left in the accommodating portion 41A (FIG. 5) is arranged. After that, by repeating this cycle in sequence, a plurality of test tubes 10 containing the diluted sample solution diluted at a plurality of dilution ratios can be obtained.

As in the present embodiment, a plurality of types of sample stock solutions 12 (see FIG. 5) contained in the rack 21 (see FIG. 5) arranged on the test tube rack transport mechanism unit 20 (see FIG. 4) are contained. When the arrangement direction of the test tube 10A (see FIG. 5) matches the arrangement direction of each of the plurality of storage portions 41A and the plurality of storage portions 41B, a plurality of types (4 types in the case of the present embodiment) of samples Since the liquid can be processed all at once, the processing efficiency can be improved. A description of parts other than the above of the stirring mechanism unit 70 will be described later.

<Diluted solution dispensing process>
Next, in the diluent dispensing step shown in FIG. 2, the treatment unit 40 dispenses the diluent into each of the plurality of empty test tubes 10 among the plurality of test tubes to be treated. However, in the case of the present embodiment, the cap 11 is attached to the opening of each of the plurality of test tubes 10. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, before dispensing the diluent, the cap 11 of the empty test tube 10 (test tube 10B in the example of FIG. 9) from which the diluent is dispensed is removed from the plurality of test tubes. Remove from test tube 10. The operation of attaching and detaching the cap 11 is performed by the test tube transport mechanism unit 30 shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a side view schematically showing an operation of removing the cap attached to the test tube held by the processing unit shown in FIG.

First, as shown in FIG. 9, the cap attachment / detachment operation is preferably performed at a position where the cap 11 and the support portion 71 do not interfere with each other. Therefore, the operation of attaching and detaching the cap 11 from each of the plurality of test tubes 10 is performed in a state where the support portion 71 is lowered below the position where the sample liquid stirring step described later is performed (for example, the position shown in FIG. 9). Will be In the example shown in FIG. 9, the position of the support portion 71 is the same as that in the pretreatment test tube transfer step shown in FIG. 8, which is the first position. However, in this step, since the cap 11 and the support portion 71 do not interfere with each other, the position may be higher than the position shown in FIG. 9 as long as the cap 11 and the support portion 71 do not interfere with each other. ..

Further, in the removal operation of the cap 11, each of the four gripping portions 33t at the tips of the four pins 33 of the holding portion 31 shown in FIG. 6 is located around the test tube 10B as shown in FIG. The position and height of the holding portion 31 (see FIG. 6) are controlled so as to be performed. As shown in FIG. 9, when the distance between the plurality of grip portions 33t is brought close to each other, each of the grip portions 33t comes into contact with the cap 11, and the cap 11 is gripped by the grip portions 33t. This makes it possible to lift the cap 11 in the direction schematically shown by the arrow 11d in FIG.

At this time, if the cap 11 is lifted, the test tube 10 may be lifted together with the cap 11. As shown in FIG. 9, since the roller 72 is in contact with the test tube 10, only the cap 11 can be selectively lifted when the attachment strength of the cap 11 to the test tube 10 is loose. However, depending on the degree of close contact between the cap 11 and the test tube 10, the resistance force of the roller 72 may not be enough to separate the cap 11 from the test tube 10.

Therefore, the processing unit 40 of the present embodiment has the following structure in order to surely separate the cap 11 and the test tube 10. That is, the processing section 40 includes a holding section 42 that holds the test tube 10 in the accommodating section by holding a part of the test tube 10 when the cap 11 is removed from the test tube 10. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the pressing portion 42 is attached to a position below the upper surface of the base material 71B of the supporting portion 71. As schematically shown with an arrow 42d in FIG. 9, the pressing portion 42 can operate in the direction toward the test tube 10 or in the direction away from the test tube 10 along the Y direction. A member made of a material such as resin is attached to the tip of the pressing portion 42, and when the tip of the pressing portion 42 comes into contact with the test tube 10, the pressing portion 42 presses the test tube 10 in the opposite direction of the pressing portion 42. The 42 pressed by the pressing portion 42 is pressed and fixed by, for example, the roller 72 or the accommodating portion 41. If the cap 11 is pulled up in the direction of the arrow 11d in this state, the cap 11 and the test tube 10 can be separated.

FIG. 9 shows an example of removing the cap 11 from one test tube 10, but the operation of removing the cap 11 is, for example, four accommodations in each of the four accommodation portions 41B shown in FIG. It is performed collectively for each of the test tubes 10B. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, a total of eight pressing portions 42 are attached to the processing portion 40. In the diluted solution dispensing step, the test tube 10A (see FIG. 9) containing the sample solution is not treated. Therefore, when the cap 11 of the test tube 10B is removed, the cap 11 is attached to the test tube 10A. In the case of the present embodiment, the removed cap 11 is held by the holding portion 31 of the test tube transport mechanism portion 30 shown in FIG. 6 until the dispensing process of the diluent is completed. However, as will be described later as a modification, if the cap 11 has a cap storage unit that can be stored in a clean state, the cap 11 may be stored in the cap storage unit.

After removing the cap 11 of the empty test tube 10B, the diluted solution is dispensed into each of the plurality of test tubes 10 from which the cap 11 has been removed in the processing unit 40. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a diluent nozzle portion of the diluent liquid dispensing mechanism portion shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a side view showing a state in which the diluent discharge nozzle shown in FIG. 10 is arranged above the test tube of the accommodating portion shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the diluting device DA1 includes a diluent dispensing mechanism unit 50 having a mechanism for dispensing the diluent into each of a plurality of empty test tubes. The diluent dispensing mechanism 50 sucks up the diluent nozzle 51 including the diluent discharge nozzle 53 (see FIG. 10) for discharging the diluent and the diluent from the tank 54 (see FIG. 3), and discharges the diluent. A pump unit 52 that supplies up to the nozzle 53 (see FIG. 10) is provided.

The diluent nozzle section 51 includes a transfer section 55A that conveys the diluent discharge nozzle 53 along the X direction, and a transfer section 55B that conveys the units of the diluent discharge nozzle 53 and the transfer section 55A along the Y direction. Be prepared. By combining the transport units 55A and 55B, it functions as a transport robot capable of transporting the diluent discharge nozzle 53 along two axes. In the state shown in FIG. 4, the diluent nozzle section 51 is arranged at a position away from the processing section 40. The diluent nozzle section 51 operates the transfer sections 55A and 55B shown in FIG. 10 along the X and Y directions, so that the diluent discharge nozzles 53 are made into a plurality of processing sections 40 as shown in FIG. It can be moved to a position above the test tube 10 held in the accommodating portion 41 of the above. Therefore, the diluted solution can be dispensed into the test tube 10 held in the processing unit 40 without moving the position of the processing unit 40. As a result, since the frequency of transporting the test tube 10 held in the processing unit 40 can be reduced, the entire processing time of the dilution step shown in FIG. 1 can be shortened, and the dilution process can be made more efficient. Various modifications can be applied to the amount of the diluent to be dispensed into one test tube 10, and for example, 9 ml (milliliter) of the diluent is dispensed.

By the way, in the case of the present embodiment, the diluent dispensing mechanism unit 50 includes two diluent discharge nozzles 53. In the diluent dispensing step, as shown schematically as arrow 55d in FIG. 11, the diluent discharge nozzle is intermittently moved along the X direction, and the diluent is sequentially dispensed into each of the four test tubes 10. Dispense. The diluent may be discharged from the two diluent discharge nozzles 53, respectively, or the diluent may be discharged from one of the two diluent discharge nozzles 53. In the case of this embodiment, the diluent is dispensed into an empty test tube 10. Therefore, even if the diluent is dispensed from the same diluent discharge nozzle 53 into a plurality of test tubes 10, the possibility that the diluent discharge nozzle 53 is contaminated is extremely low. Further, since the diluent is not injected into the four test tubes 10 at the same time, the number of the diluent discharge nozzles 53 can be reduced. In this case, the supply path of the diluent from the tank 54 (see FIG. 3) to the diluent nozzle 51 via the pump section 52 (see FIG. 4) can be simplified.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the case of the present embodiment, since the test tube rack transfer mechanism unit 20 is arranged between the pump unit 52 and the diluent nozzle unit 51, the pump unit 52 and the diluent liquid are diluted. The separation distance from the nozzle portion 51 is large. In order to shorten the distance between the pump unit 52 and the tank 54 (see FIG. 3), it is preferable to arrange the pump unit 52 near the upper door 4A (see FIG. 3). Further, in order to reduce the distance between the diluent nozzle portion 51 and the processing unit 40, the diluent nozzle portion 51 is arranged at a position away from the upper door 4A. As a result, the separation distance between the pump portion 52 and the diluting liquid nozzle portion 51 becomes large. Therefore, it is particularly preferable to simplify the supply path of the diluent from the tank 54 to the diluent nozzle 51 via the pump section 52.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the pump unit 52 of the present embodiment includes two pumps 56 as well as the number of diluent discharge nozzles 53. In this way, when the same number of pumps 56 as the diluent discharge nozzles 53 are provided, the pumps 56 and the diluent discharge nozzles 53 can be connected one-to-one. Thereby, the supply amount of the diluent supplied to the diluent discharge nozzle 53 can be stabilized. Further, when a plurality of pumps 56 and a plurality of diluent discharge nozzles 53 are provided, different liquids can be discharged from each of the plurality of diluent discharge nozzles 53. For example, the sterilized physiological saline solution can be discharged from one of the two diluent discharge nozzles 53, and the medium solution can be discharged from the other. In this case, the type of diluent can be immediately switched and used according to the purpose of analysis.

The pump 56 is, for example, a syringe pump. When a syringe pump is used, the accuracy of the dispensing amount can be improved as compared with, for example, a perista pump. The flow path of the diluent from the pump 56 to the diluent discharge nozzle 53 can be maintained in a sterilized state by cleaning by flowing a cleaning solution such as sterilized water or ethanol. Therefore, the possibility that the diluent dispensing mechanism portion 50 is contaminated can be reduced.

When the diluent is dispensed into the plurality of test tubes 10, the diluent nozzle 51 of the diluent dispensing mechanism 50 shown in FIG. 4 is shown in FIG. 4 from the position above the processing section 40 shown in FIG. It moves away from the processing unit 40 toward the indicated position. The holding portion 31 of the test tube transport mechanism portion 30 shown in FIG. 4 moves toward the upper position of the processing portion 40 in place of the diluting liquid nozzle portion 51 while holding the cap 11 (see FIG. 9). To do.

After the diluent is dispensed into each of the plurality of test tubes 10B shown in FIG. 7, a cap 11 is attached to each of the plurality of test tubes 10B. In the case of the present embodiment, the test tube 10B is carried out in contact with the holding portion 42 shown in FIG. 9 from the step of removing the cap 11 to the step of dispensing the diluent using FIG. Also in the step of attaching the cap 11, the pressing portion 42 shown in FIG. 9 is pressed against the test tube 10 to fix the test tube 10. Thereby, the alignment between the cap 11 and the test tube 10 can be easily performed. However, the test tube 10 is supported by the support portion 71 in the processing portion 40 even when it is not in contact with the pressing portion 42. Therefore, after the removal of the cap 11 is completed, the pressing portion 42 shown in FIG. 9 may be operated in the direction away from the test tube 10 along the Y direction. In the case of this modification, it is preferable to operate the holding portion 42 again when the cap 11 is attached. As described above, except that the operation of the holding portion 42 is different, the operation of attaching the cap to the test tube 10 is the reverse operation of the operation of removing the cap 11 described with reference to FIG. Therefore, since it can be carried out with reference to the operation of removing the cap 11 described with reference to FIG. 9, the duplicate description will be omitted.

<Sample solution stirring process>
Next, in the sample liquid stirring step shown in FIG. 2, the processing unit 40 shown in FIG. 4 shakes each of a plurality of test tubes to be treated containing the liquid containing the sample liquid to be diluted, and the sample to be diluted. Stir the liquid containing the liquid. However, the step of stirring the sample liquid is preferably performed immediately before sucking the sample liquid in the sample liquid dispensing step shown in FIG. If the time from stirring the sample solution to dispensing the sample solution is short, the sample solution in a good stirred state can be sucked. In this case, since the dispersed state of the bacteria existing in the sucked sample liquid can be homogenized, the error for each sample can be reduced. Therefore, before performing the stirring process, some pretreatments described below are performed. Further, in the case of the present embodiment, among the steps shown in FIG. 2, the content of the pretreatment is different between the first cycle after starting the dilution step and the second and subsequent cycles. Hereinafter, the content of the pretreatment of the sample liquid stirring step will be described in order, and then the method of stirring treatment will be described. FIG. 12 is a side view showing the structure of the stirring mechanism unit that shakes the test tube containing the sample liquid in the sample liquid stirring step shown in FIG. FIG. 12 shows a shaking drive unit 76 arranged below the plurality of accommodating units 41.

First, in order to shorten the time from the stirring of the sample solution in the sample solution stirring step to the suction of the stirred sample solution, the test tube 10 containing the sample solution (for example, the test tube 10A shown in FIG. 9) is used. Cap 11 is removed before stirring the sample solution. The method of removing the cap 11 from the test tube 10 containing the sample solution can be applied by replacing the portion described as the empty test tube 10B with the test tube 10A containing the sample solution in the method described with reference to FIG. Therefore, duplicate explanations will be omitted.

Further, in the case of the first cycle after starting the dilution step, the test tube 10 containing the sample solution is the test tube 10A containing the sample stock solution 12 shown in FIG. In this case, after removing the cap 11, another process is performed. That is, a liquid level detection process is performed in which the height of the sample stock solution 12 in the test tube 10A is measured. As a method of dispensing the liquid into the test tube 10, when dispensing using a dispensing device such as the diluted liquid dispensing mechanism unit 50 and the sample liquid dispensing mechanism unit 60 shown in FIG. 4, the dispensing amount is adjusted. It can be aligned with a certain degree of accuracy. Even when the sample stock solution 12 is dispensed into the test tube 10A, variations in the dispensing amount can be suppressed by dispensing using the same apparatus. However, in the case of the present embodiment, the means used when dispensing the sample stock solution 12 into the test tube 10A is not particularly limited, and for example, the case where the sample stock solution 12 is manually dispensed is also included.

When dispensing manually, the amount of dispensing may vary widely depending on the skill level and skill of the dispensing worker. As shown in FIG. 15 described later, when the sample stock solution 12 is sucked in a state where the dispensing amount of the sample stock solution 12 contained in the test tube 10A varies widely, the sample stock solution 12 sucked depends on the degree of the dispensing amount. The amount of suction may vary. In the dilution step shown in FIG. 1, depending on the type of test, the number of bacteria is evaluated by diluting to an index of 10 times. Therefore, if an error occurs in the suction amount of the sample stock solution 12, the error of the diluted sample solution becomes large. Easy to make. Therefore, in the case of the present embodiment, the liquid level of the sample stock solution 12 dispensed into the test tube 10A is measured before sucking the sample stock solution 12. Although details will be described later, the height of the tip of the tip 82 (see FIG. 15 described later) is controlled when the sample stock solution 12 is sucked by the sample liquid dispensing mechanism unit 60 based on the measurement result of the liquid level. Then, control is performed so as to reduce an error with a preset suction amount. In this case, even if the amount of the sample stock solution 12 dispensed into the plurality of test tubes 10A varies widely, the error in the number of bacteria in the diluted sample solution can be reduced.

The liquid level detection process described above is effective when the amount of liquid contained in the test tube 10 varies widely. Therefore, in the second and subsequent cycles in which the diluted sample liquid dispensed by using the diluted liquid dispensing mechanism unit 50 and the sample liquid dispensing mechanism unit 60 shown in FIG. 4 is sucked, the liquid level detection process is omitted. be able to. Compared with the first cycle, the effect of reducing the error is smaller by performing the liquid level detection process, but as a modification, the liquid level detection process may also be performed in the second and subsequent cycles. From the viewpoint of improving the overall work efficiency of the dilution step, it is preferable not to perform the second and subsequent liquid level detection treatments.

The liquid level detection process is performed by, for example, detecting the liquid level height of the liquid in the test tube 10A with a sensor (sensor 61 shown in FIG. 14 described later). As described above, it is preferable to shorten the time from stirring the sample liquid to sucking the sample liquid. Therefore, when stirring the sample liquid, the sample liquid dispensing mechanism unit 60 is above the processing unit 40. It is preferable that the state is arranged in. Therefore, if the sensor 61 is attached to the sample liquid dispensing mechanism unit 60, it is possible to calculate the appropriate height of the chip at the same time as measuring the liquid level. The step of calculating the appropriate height of the chip based on the measurement result of the liquid level is performed by a computer (not shown) connected to the sensor. A sensor 57 is also attached to the diluent dispensing mechanism 50. By using the two sensors, the liquid level can be detected more accurately.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12, each of the plurality of accommodating portions 41 of the processing portion 40 is in a state where the support portion 71 is raised to a position (second position) above the position (first position) shown in FIG. Shake. Therefore, before performing the stirring process, the support portion 71 is raised along the Z direction as shown by the arrow 71d in FIG. A shaft 73 extending in the Z direction is fixed to the support portion 71, and the shaft 73 is connected to the air cylinder 74. Further, the support portion 71 is engaged with the guide rail 75 extending in the Z direction. When the shaft 73 is pushed upward by the driving force of the air cylinder 74, the support portion 71 rises along the guide rail 75. Although the details will be described later, in order to obtain a good stirring state, the position of the roller 72 as a fulcrum is preferably a position higher than 2/3 from the bottom of the test tube 10 and 3 from the bottom when the shaking operation is performed. A position of 4/4 or more is particularly preferable.

In the sample liquid stirring step, the above treatment is performed as a pretreatment before the shaking operation is started. The order of each of the above processes can be changed. For example, when the liquid level detection process is performed by a sensor arranged above the test tube 10, it is necessary to perform the liquid level detection process after removing the cap 11, but the liquid level height is measured from the side surface of the test tube 10. In this case, the liquid level can be measured even when the cap 11 is attached. Further, for example, the process of raising the position of the support portion 71 may be performed after the liquid level detection process. However, if the cap 11 shown in FIG. 9 is to be removed while the support portion 71 is raised, the pin 33 shown in FIG. 9 and the support portion 71 interfere with each other. Therefore, before raising the support portion 71, it is necessary to complete the process of removing the cap 11.

After the above treatment is completed, the test tube 10 containing the sample liquid is shaken to stir the liquid inside. FIG. 13 is a plan view of the accommodating portion and the shaking drive portion shown in FIG. 12 as viewed from below. In FIG. 13, the outline of the test tube 10 viewed from below is shown by a dotted line, and the rotation direction of the eccentric rotating plate 77 is shown by a two-dot chain line. Further, in FIG. 13, the rotating shaft of the shaft 73 and the centers of the test tube 10, the accommodating portion 41, and the eccentric rotating plate 77 are indicated by black dots. As shown in FIG. 12, the stirring mechanism unit 70 has a shaking driving unit 76 that drives each of the plurality of accommodating units 41 to perform a shaking operation. Although not shown, the shaking drive unit 76 includes, for example, a drive motor, pulleys connected to each of the plurality of accommodating units 41, and a drive belt that connects each of the plurality of pulleys to the drive motor. Each of the plurality of pulleys is connected to an eccentric rotating plate 77 arranged directly below the accommodating portion 41 via a shaft.

The driving force of the drive motor is transmitted to the pulley and the shaft via the drive belt. The pulley and the shaft make a circular motion with the axis RA1 shown in FIG. 13 as a rotation axis. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, in a plan view, the center 10c of the circular test tube 10, the center 41c of the accommodating portion 41, and the center 77c of the eccentric rotating plate 77 each overlap each other. On the other hand, the axis RA1 does not overlap with the centers 10c, 41c and the center 77c. Therefore, as shown by the two-point chain line in FIG. 13, when the shaft 76D rotates around the shaft RA1, the eccentric rotating plate 77 connected to the shaft 76D undergoes an eccentric rotating motion. Further, the accommodating portion 41 is fixed to the eccentric rotating plate 77, and the test tube 10 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 41. As a result, the bottom portion of the test tube 10 undergoes an eccentric rotational motion as the shaft 76D rotates. This eccentric rotary motion shakes the test tube 10 and agitates the liquid inside. Therefore, this eccentric rotary motion is called a shaking motion.

When the bottom portion of the test tube 10 undergoes an eccentric rotational motion, the upper portion of the test tube 10 is supported by a plurality of rollers 72, as shown in FIG. In other words, the portion of the test tube 10 supported by the plurality of rollers 72 serves as a fulcrum for the shaking operation. In the stirring mechanism unit 70 shown in FIG. 12, the center-to-center distance P1 of the adjacent test tubes 10 is the same as the center-to-center distance of the plurality of chips accommodated in the chip rack 81 shown in FIG. It is the same as the center-to-center distance P2 of the plurality of test tubes 10 housed in the rack 21 shown.

Therefore, in the case of the present embodiment, the support portion 71 shown in FIG. 12 can be moved up and down so that the position of the fulcrum during the shaking operation is provided above the test tube 10. By providing the position of the fulcrum during the shaking operation above the test tube 10, even if the operating range of the bottom is small, the liquid inside can easily crawl up along the inner wall of the test tube 10 in a spiral shape. As a result, the entire liquid inside is agitated, and a good agitated state is obtained. As described above, when the shaking operation is performed, the position of the roller 72 as a fulcrum is preferably a position higher than 2/3 from the bottom of the test tube 10, and particularly preferably a position of 3/4 or more from the bottom. As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the support portion 71 is configured to be able to move up and down, each step other than the sample liquid stirring step shown in FIG. 2 can be performed with the support portion 71 lowered. it can. Further, when performing the shaking operation, it is not necessary to consider the interference between the support portion 71 and other mechanical portions, so that the position of the support portion 71 can be raised to a preferable position. As a result, in the processing unit 40, the stirring process can be performed without increasing the distance between the centers of the adjacent test tubes 10. Even if the position of the fulcrum during the shaking operation is provided below the test tube 10, the liquid inside the test tube 10 crawls up to the inner wall of the test tube 10 if the shaking operation is performed slowly over time. It can be suppressed. However, in this case, since the stirring time becomes long and the entire processing time becomes long, the position of the fulcrum during the shaking operation is preferably provided above the test tube 10.

In the processing unit 40, when the distance between the centers of the adjacent test tubes 10 and the distance between the centers of the plurality of test tubes 10 accommodated in the rack 21 shown in FIG. 5 are the same, the plurality of test tubes 10 are collectively combined. It is not necessary to adjust the positional relationship between the adjacent test tubes 10 when transporting the test tubes. As a result, the time required for the transfer work of the test tube 10 can be reduced. Further, since a general-purpose rack 21 can be used, it is not necessary to specially prepare a rack 21 having a wide center-to-center distance in order to secure an interval for easy stirring.

As shown in FIG. 12, each of the plurality of accommodating portions 41 (plurality of accommodating portions 41A) arranged in one row along the X direction is driven by a common drive motor, although not shown. Similarly, each of the plurality of accommodating portions 41 (plurality of accommodating portions 41B) in the other row shown in FIG. 7 arranged in one row along the X direction is also driven by a common drive motor. Therefore, it is possible to reduce variations in the operation of the plurality of accommodating portions 41.

Therefore, the first accommodating portion group composed of the plurality of accommodating portions 41A and the second accommodating portion group composed of the plurality of accommodating portions 41B shown in FIG. 7 can independently perform the shaking operation. .. Further, the support portion 71 shown in FIG. 7 is independently attached above the first accommodating portion group composed of the plurality of accommodating portions 41A and above the second accommodating portion group composed of the plurality of accommodating portions 41B. There is. In the first cycle after the dilution step is started, the first accommodating unit group consisting of a plurality of accommodating units 41A performs a shaking operation, and the second accommodating unit group consisting of a plurality of accommodating units 41B performs a shaking operation. Not performed. In the second cycle, empty test tubes 10C (see FIG. 5) are arranged in the plurality of storage units 41A, and test tubes 10B containing the diluted sample solution are arranged in the plurality of storage units 41B. Therefore, the first accommodating unit group composed of the plurality of accommodating units 41A does not perform the shaking operation, and the second accommodating unit group composed of the plurality of accommodating units 41B performs the shaking operation. In the third cycle, empty test tubes 10D (see FIG. 5) are arranged in the plurality of storage units 41B, and test tubes 10C containing the diluted sample solution are arranged in the plurality of storage units 41A. Therefore, the first accommodating unit group composed of the plurality of accommodating units 41A performs the shaking operation, and the second accommodating unit group composed of the plurality of accommodating units 41B does not perform the shaking operation. Hereinafter, in each cycle, the first accommodating portion group and the second accommodating portion group alternately repeat the shaking operation.

<Sample solution dispensing process>
Next, in the sample liquid stirring step shown in FIG. 2, in the processing unit 40 shown in FIG. 4, the sample liquid is sucked from each of the plurality of test tubes containing the sample liquid, and the diluted liquid is dispensed. The sample solution is dispensed into each of the plurality of test tubes to be treated. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the sample liquid dispensing mechanism unit 60 shown in FIG. In FIG. 14, the chip 82 is attached to only one of the four chip attachment portions 66 for the sake of easy viewing of the device. However, the sample liquid dispensing step is carried out with the chips 82 attached to each of the four chip attachment portions 66. In this embodiment, an embodiment in a state where four chips 82 are attached will be described, but there are cases where the embodiment is carried out in a state where one, two, or three chips 82 are attached.

In the processing unit 40 (see FIG. 4), the sample liquid dispensing mechanism unit 60 shown in FIG. 14 is a sample from each of the plurality of test tubes to be treated containing the sample liquid to be diluted among the plurality of test tubes to be treated. It is provided with a mechanism for sucking the liquid and dispensing the sample liquid into each of a plurality of test tubes to be treated after the diluted liquid has been dispensed. The sample liquid dispensing mechanism unit 60 includes a pump unit 62 that sucks and discharges the sample liquid, and a pump transport unit 63 that moves the pump unit 62 up and down along the Z direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the sample liquid dispensing mechanism unit 60 extends in the Y direction and is supported by two guide rails 64 arranged so as to sandwich the plurality of pump units 62 (see FIG. 14). The sample liquid dispensing mechanism 60 is configured to be movable along the extending direction of the guide rail 64 by the driving force of the motor 65 (see FIG. 14).

The pump unit 62 has a tip mounting portion 66 for attaching a tip 82 that comes into contact with the sample liquid and holds the sucked sample liquid, an intake operation for sucking the sample liquid to the tip 82, and the tip 82 holds the tip 82. It has a pump 67 that performs an exhaust operation for discharging the sample liquid to the outside. The chip 82 is attached so as to surround the periphery of the chip mounting portion 66, and is held by the chip mounting portion 66. The pump portion 62 and the tip 82 function as a pipette for sucking and dispensing a small amount of liquid.

The chip 82 is housed in the chip rack 81 shown in FIG. 4 and is carried into the dilution processing chamber 2 from the pass box 8B. The chip rack 81 is conveyed to the area between the two guide rails 64. In the region between the two guide rails 64, the sample liquid dispensing mechanism unit 60 shown in FIG. 14 moves each of the plurality of chip mounting portions 66 to a position facing the unused chip 82. When the pump portion 62 is lowered in this state, each of the plurality of chip mounting portions 66 is inserted into the tip 82, and the tip 82 is fixed. Since the chip 82 comes into contact with the sample liquid, it is used disposable to avoid contamination. The chip 82 from which the sample liquid has been discharged is removed from the chip mounting portion 66 and put into a collection box (not shown). The method of removing the chip 82 from the chip mounting portion 66 is, for example, to press a part of the tip 82 on the tip side against the inner wall of the collection box. As a result, an external force is applied to the connection portion between the chip mounting portion 66 and the chip 82, and the chip 82 can be removed. The chip mounting portion 66 from which the chip 82 has been removed moves to a position overlapping the chip 82 in the chip rack 81 (see FIG. 4) in order to perform the sample liquid dispensing step in the next cycle.

In this step, first, as shown in FIG. 15, each of the plurality of chips 82 moves to a position facing the test tube 10 containing the sample liquid. FIG. 15 is a side view showing a state in which the plurality of chips shown in FIG. 14 are arranged above the test tube of the storage portion containing the sample liquid. In FIG. 15, a test tube 10A containing the sample stock solution 12 is illustrated as an example of the test tube 10 containing the sample solution. However, the dilution ratio of the sample solution contained in the test tube 10 sucked by the tip 82 varies depending on the number of cycles after the start of the dilution step. For example, in the second cycle, the diluted sample solution is sucked from the test tube 10B (see FIG. 5) containing the 10-fold diluted solution.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, the sample stock solution (sample solution) 12 contained in each of the plurality of test tubes 10A may have different liquid level heights. When sucking the sample stock solution 12, the pump unit 62 is lowered so that the tip 82 comes into contact with the sample stock solution 12, and while the tip 82 is in contact with the sample stock solution 12, the inside of the tip 82 is sucked and the sample stock solution is sucked. Suck up twelve. At this time, if the liquid level of the sample stock solution 12 varies, the amount of the sample stock solution 12 sucked may vary.

Therefore, in the case of the present embodiment, as already described, the liquid level height of the sample stock solution 12 is measured before stirring the sample stock solution 12. Further, as shown in FIG. 14, a pump transport unit 63 is connected to each of the pump units 62. Each of the plurality of pump transport units 63 is, for example, an electric actuator that can be operated independently of each other. Therefore, in the case of the present embodiment, the positions of the four chips 82 in the Z direction can be controlled independently. In other words, the pump transport unit 63 is connected to each of the plurality of pump units 62 in a state in which they can move up and down independently of each other. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 15, since the tip 82 descends to a low position in the test tube 10A having a low liquid level of the sample stock solution 12, the tip 82 and the sample stock solution 12 can be reliably brought into contact with each other. it can. On the other hand, in the case of the test tube 10A having a high liquid level of the sample stock solution 12, the chip 82 stops at a relatively high position as compared with the other chips 82. In this case, by immersing the tip 82 deeply in the sample stock solution, it is possible to prevent the sample stock solution 12 from overflowing or excessively sucking the sample stock solution 12 when sucking.

As described above, the heights of the sample liquids can be made uniform after the second cycle. Therefore, the height at which each of the plurality of chips 82 comes into contact with the sample liquid is also substantially constant. The sample stock solution 12 has a higher concentration of bacteria contained in the diluted sample solution than the diluted sample solution. Therefore, in the step of dispensing the sample stock solution 12, the accuracy of the number of bacteria contained in the final diluted sample solution, in other words, the accuracy of the dilution step, is improved by suppressing the variation in the dispensing amount. be able to. Various modifications can be applied to the suction amount of the sample stock solution 12 sucked into one chip 82, and for example, 1 ml (milliliter) of the sample stock solution is sucked.

The sample stock solution 12 sucked into the plurality of chips 12 is dispensed into the test tube 10B containing the diluted solution 13 shown in FIG. 16, but before that, the cap 11 (see FIG. 9) of the test tube 10B is again removed. It needs to be removed from the test tube 10B. At the stage of this step, since the holding portion 31 of the test tube transport mechanism portion 30 shown in FIG. 6 holds the cap 11 attached to the test tube 10A shown in FIG. 15, first, the cap 11 is attached to the test tube 10A. After attaching, the cap 11 is removed from the test tube 10B. Since the operation of attaching and detaching the cap 11 has already been described, duplicate description will be omitted.

Next, as shown in FIG. 16, each of the plurality of chips 82 moves to a position facing the test tube 10 containing the diluent 13. FIG. 16 is a side view showing a state in which each of the plurality of chips is arranged above the test tube of the accommodating portion containing the diluent. In FIG. 15, a test tube 10B containing the diluent 13 is illustrated as an example of the test tube 10 containing the diluent 13. As shown in FIG. 16, each of the plurality of chips 82 holding the sample stock solution 12 is arranged above the plurality of test tubes 10 containing the diluent 13. In this state, or with the tip of the tip 82 inserted into the opening of the test tube 10B, the pump section 62 pressurizes the inside of the tip 82 and discharges the sample stock solution 12. As a result, the sample stock solution 12 held in the chip 82 is dispensed into each of the plurality of test tubes 10B.

The test tube 10B containing the diluent 13 and the sample stock solution 12 is treated as the test tube 10 containing the sample solution in the second cycle. However, in the second cycle, it is necessary to perform the second diluted solution dispensing step before stirring the sample solution. Therefore, after this step, each of the plurality of test tubes 10B has a cap 11 (See FIG. 9) is attached. Further, as described above, each of the plurality of chips 82 is used as a disposable item. Therefore, each of the plurality of chips 82 after dispensing the sample stock solution 12 is removed from the chip mounting portion 66 and put into a collection box (not shown). The chips 82 collected in the collection box are taken out by opening the upper door 4A located near the sample liquid dispensing mechanism 60 among the plurality of upper doors 4A shown in FIG. 4, and are discarded. When the upper door 4A is opened, it is easy to temporarily stop the dilution process, for example, when all the test tubes 10 (see FIG. 5) housed in one rack 21 have been processed test tubes 10. It is preferable to stop at the timing.

<Post-treatment test tube transfer process>
The plurality of test tubes 10A to which the caps 11 are attached are conveyed as the processed test tubes 10 to the first row of the rack 21 shown in FIG. 5 via the test tube transfer mechanism section 30. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, after the post-treatment test tube transfer step in the first cycle is completed, a plurality of empty test tubes to be treated (for example, shown in FIG. 5) are newly released from the rack 21 shown in FIG. The test tube 10C) is conveyed to the processing unit 40 shown in FIG. After that, each step from the pre-treatment test tube transfer step to the post-treatment test tube transfer step shown in FIG. 2 is repeated a plurality of times. As shown in FIG. 17, a rack 21 containing a plurality of types of sample liquids 15 including diluted sample liquids 14 diluted in a plurality of steps is obtained. The rack 21 shown in FIG. 17 is obtained when each step from the pre-treatment test tube transfer step shown in FIG. 2 to the post-treatment test tube transfer step is repeated. FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing an example of a rack carried out to the outside of the dilution processing chamber carried out in the rack carrying-out step shown in FIG.

<Rack unloading process>
In the rack unloading step shown in FIG. 2, for example, the rack 21 holding the processed test tube 10 shown in FIG. 17 is unloaded from the dilution processing chamber 2 shown in FIG. The rack 21 carried out to the outside is subjected to, for example, the sample liquid dispensing step shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 4, a pass box for carrying out the rack 21 (see FIG. 17) is not provided on the opposite side of the pass box 8A. Therefore, for example, a part of the plurality of upper doors 4A is opened and manually taken out. When opening the upper door 4A, it is preferable to temporarily stop the dilution step as described above.

The diluting device DA1 shown in FIG. 4 has a structure in which the rack 21 is manually taken out from the viewpoint of reducing the occupied area. However, as a modification, the rack 21 shown in FIG. 17 may be carried out via the pass box 8A. For example, the rack transfer mechanism unit 20 that conveys the rack 21 that holds the test tube 10 before processing shown in FIG. 5, and the rack transfer mechanism unit 20 that conveys the rack 21 that holds the test tube 10 after processing shown in FIG. Can be arranged in the dilution treatment chamber 2 shown in FIG. In this case, the rack 21 shown in FIG. 17 can be carried out via the pass box 8A. Further, as another modification, another pass box (not shown) may be arranged on the opposite side of the pass box 8A in the X direction shown in FIG. In this case, the rack 21 shown in FIG. 17 is carried out via a pass box (not shown). In the case of the above modification, the occupied area of the diluting device DA1 becomes large, but the rack 21 can be carried in and out through the pass box. Further, as another modification, there is a method in which the atmospheric pressure in the dilution processing chamber 2 is set to a positive pressure state higher than the external atmospheric pressure by the fan filter unit 5 shown in FIG. In this case, even when the upper door 4A is temporarily opened, the inflow of gas from the outside can be suppressed.

<Modification example 1>
Various modifications can be applied to the above-mentioned diluting device and diluting method. A typical modification will be described below. As shown in FIG. 6, the holding portion 31 of the test tube transport mechanism portion 30 of the present embodiment has a structure capable of holding four test tubes 10 (see FIG. 5) at the same time. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, the number of test tubes to be processed held in the processing unit 40 is eight. Therefore, as described with reference to FIG. 9, when the work of removing the cap 11 from the test tube 10 is performed by using the test tube transport mechanism unit 30, the removed cap 11 is held by the grip portion 33t. , The test tube transfer mechanism unit 30 cannot be used for other purposes (for example, removal of the cap 11 attached to the other test tube 10, or transfer of the other test tube 10). Therefore, in the dilution processing chamber 2 shown in FIG. 4, it is preferable that a cap holding portion for holding the cap 11 is provided at a position where the transport portion 32B of the test tube transport mechanism portion 30 can move.

As the cap holding portion, for example, a flat plate material or a vessel-shaped member can be used. Alternatively, a container provided with four recesses capable of accommodating the lower end of the cap 11 can be used. In order to maintain the cleanliness of the inside of the cap 11 that comes into direct contact with the opening of the test tube 10, it is desirable that the cap holding portion has a shape that avoids contact with the inside of the cap 11 as much as possible. When the diluting device DA1 has a cap holding portion as described above, the test tube transport mechanism portion 30 performs other work by removing the cap of the test tube 10 and then placing the removed cap on the cap holding portion. be able to. According to this method, the number of operations for removing and attaching the cap 11 can be reduced, so that the work efficiency of the dilution step can be reduced. Further, as another modification, the holding portion 31 of the test tube transport mechanism section 30 may have a structure capable of holding eight test tubes 10 or caps 11. In this case, the number of operations for removing and attaching the cap 11 can be reduced without providing the cap holding portion.

<Modification 2>
Further, as another modification, in the sample liquid dispensing step shown in FIG. 2 above, the accuracy of suction and discharge by the pump unit 62 shown in FIG. 14 is measured, and the pre-start inspection and calibration are adjusted based on the measurement results. Processing may be performed. In the case of this modification, for example, the measurement mechanism unit 90 shown in FIG. 18 is provided between the processing unit 40 shown in FIG. 4 and the chip rack transport mechanism unit 80. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the discharge amount measuring mechanism unit.

The measuring mechanism 90 shown in FIG. 18 has containers 91A and 91B capable of containing the liquid 16. Further, the measuring mechanism unit 90 has a measuring machine (balance) 92A for measuring the weight of the container 91A and a measuring machine (balance) 92B for measuring the weight of the container 91B. Each of the weighing machine 92A and the measuring machine 92B is connected to the computer COM2. Further, the computer COM2 is connected to the pump unit 62 of the sample liquid dispensing mechanism unit 60 (see FIG. 14), and can control the suction operation and the discharge operation of the pump unit 62. In the second embodiment, the measuring instruments 92A and 92B are managed by the computer COM2, but they can also be managed by the computer COM1 shown in FIG.

For example, when performing the calibration process, the tip 82 connected to the pump unit 62 to be calibrated is brought into contact with the liquid 16 in the container 91A, and a preset amount of the liquid 16 is sucked. The weighing machine 92A measures the weight of the container 91A before and after this suction operation. The suction amount can be calculated from the change in the weight measurement result before and after the suction operation. For example, the weight measurement result before and after the suction operation is transmitted to the computer COM2 as an electric signal. The computer COM2 can determine the necessity of calibration by comparing the preset suction amount with the suction amount calculated from the measurement result.

Further, as schematically shown by an arrow 82d in FIG. 18, the position of the tip 82 is moved to a position facing the empty container 91B, and then the liquid 16 held by the tip 82 is discharged into the container 91B. The weighing machine 92B measures the weight of the container 91B before and after this discharge operation. The discharge amount can be calculated from the change in the weight measurement result before and after the discharge operation. For example, the weight measurement result before and after the discharge operation is transmitted to the computer COM2 as an electric signal. The computer COM2 can determine the necessity of calibration by comparing the preset discharge amount with the discharge amount calculated from the measurement result.

In the case of a mechanism that sucks and discharges the liquid 16 by intake and disposal by the pump unit 62, the error of the suction amount and the error of the discharge amount are substantially the same. Therefore, if either one of the measuring machines 92A and 92B shown in FIG. 18 is prepared, the necessity of calibration can be determined. As the liquid 16, for example, physiological saline or sterilized water can be used.

In the case of the present modification 2, since the diluting device DA1 (see FIG. 4) includes the measuring mechanism unit 90, the suction amount and the discharge amount can be calibrated by the pump unit 62 with high frequency. For example, if calibration is performed at the start of daily work, the sample liquid dispensing mechanism unit 60 can maintain suction and discharge with high accuracy.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and examples, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist thereof. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 2, each of the diluent liquid dispensing step, the sample liquid stirring step, and the sample liquid dispensing step is carried out in the diluting apparatus shown in FIG. However, as a modification, a test tube in which the diluent has already been dispensed (that is, the plurality of test tubes containing the diluent containing no sample) is supplied to the diluting device, and the sample solution is stirred in the diluting device. The process and the sample solution dispensing process may be repeated. In this case, among the various mechanical parts shown in FIG. 4, the diluted liquid dispensing mechanism part 50 can be omitted. Further, for example, in the example shown in FIG. 5, each of the plurality of test tubes 10 is supplied to the diluting device with the cap 11 attached. However, as a modification, each step shown in FIG. 2 may be carried out without the cap 11 attached. In this case, each step such as removal and attachment of the cap 11 described with reference to FIG. 9 and the like can be omitted. Further, in this case, a clean environment at a high level is required in the dilution treatment chamber 2 shown in FIG.

Further, if the technical idea of the electronic device and the manufacturing method thereof described in the above embodiment is extracted, it can be expressed as follows.

[Appendix 1]
(A) A step of supplying a test tube rack in which a plurality of test tubes are arranged in a matrix, including a plurality of empty test tubes and a plurality of test tubes containing a sample solution, to a test tube rack transport mechanism unit.
(B) A step of transporting a first plurality of test tubes to be treated containing a sample solution to be diluted and a second plurality of empty test tubes to be treated from the test tube rack to a processing unit.
(C) In the processing unit, a step of dispensing a diluted solution into each of the second plurality of test tubes to be processed, and
(D) After the step (c), in the processing unit, each of the first plurality of test tubes to be processed is shaken to stir the sample solution, and
(E) After the step (d), in the processing unit, the sample liquid is sucked from each of the first plurality of test tubes to be treated, and each of the second plurality of test tubes to be treated. And the process of dispensing the sample solution into
(F) After the step (e), a step of transporting the first plurality of test tubes to be processed after the sample liquid is sucked to the test tube rack, and
(G) After the step (f), a step of newly transporting a plurality of empty third test tubes to be processed from the test tube rack to the processing unit, and
Dilution method, including.

[Appendix 2]
(A) A step of supplying a test tube rack in which a plurality of test tubes are arranged in a matrix, including a plurality of test tubes containing a diluent and a plurality of test tubes containing a sample solution, to a test tube rack transfer mechanism unit. When,
(B) A step of transporting a plurality of fourth test tubes to be treated containing the sample solution to be diluted and a plurality of fifth test tubes to be treated containing the diluent to the processing unit from the test tube rack.
(C) In the processing unit, each of the fourth plurality of test tubes to be processed is shaken to stir the sample solution, and
(D) After the step (c), in the processing unit, the sample solution is sucked from each of the fourth plurality of test tubes to be processed, and the fifth plurality of test tubes to be processed are sucked. The step of dispensing the sample solution into each and
(E) After the step (d), a step of transporting the fourth plurality of test tubes to be processed after the sample liquid is sucked to the test tube rack, and
(F) After the step (e), a step of transporting a plurality of sixth test tubes newly containing a diluent from the test tube rack to the processing unit.
Dilution method, including.

The present invention can be used as a diluting device for diluting a sample solution in a system for performing a microbiological test.

2 Dilution processing room 3 Storage room 4A Upper door 4B Side wall 5 Fan filter unit 6A Lower door 6B Side wall 7 Stand 8A, 8B Pass box 8B Pass box 8d Door 8p Partition 10,10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F, 10G , 10H Test tube 10c, 41c, 77c Center 11 Cap 11d, 33d, 42d, 55d, 71d, 82d Arrow 12 Specimen stock solution (sample solution)
13 Diluted liquid 14 Diluted sample liquid 15 Specimen liquid 16 Liquid 20 Test tube rack Transport mechanism 21 rack (test tube rack)
30 Test tube transport mechanism 31 Holding section 32, 32A, 32B Transport section 33 Pin 33t Gripping section 34 Opening / closing drive section 40 Processing section 41, 41A, 41B Housing section 42 Holding section 50 Diluting liquid dispensing mechanism section 51 Diluting liquid nozzle Part 52 Pump part 53 Diluting liquid discharge nozzle 54 Tank 55A, 55B Transport part 56 Pump 57 Sensor 60 Specimen liquid dispensing mechanism 61 Sensor 62 Pump part 63 Pump transport part 64 Guide rail 65 Motor 66 Chip mounting part 67 Exhaust operation Pump 70 Stirring mechanism 71 Support 71B Base material 71H Opening 72 Roller 73 Shaft 74 Air cylinder 75 Guide rail 76 Shaking drive 76D Shaft 77 Eccentric rotating plate 80 Chip rack Conveying mechanism 80A, 80B Pass box 81 Chip rack 82 Chip 90 Measuring mechanism 91A, 91B Container 92A, 92B Weighing machine (balance)
COM1, COM2 Computer DA1 Diluter P1, P2 Center-to-center distance RA1 axis

Claims (9)

A test tube rack transport mechanism unit having a mechanism for transporting a test tube rack capable of holding a plurality of test tubes arranged in a matrix, and a test tube rack transport mechanism unit.
A test tube transport mechanism unit that includes a holding unit that can hold a test tube and a transport unit that transports the holding unit, and transports a plurality of test tubes to be processed to the processing unit.
The processing unit including a plurality of storage units for accommodating a part of each of the plurality of test tubes to be processed, and the processing unit.
In the processing unit, among the plurality of test tubes to be treated, the sample solution is sucked from each of the plurality of test tubes to be treated containing the sample solution to be diluted, and the diluted solution containing no sample is contained. A sample liquid dispensing mechanism unit having a mechanism for dispensing the sample liquid into each of the plurality of test tubes to be treated.
In the processing unit, a stirring mechanism unit provided with a mechanism for shaking each of the plurality of test tubes to be processed containing the sample liquid and stirring the sample liquid, and
Having a diluting device. In the diluting device according to claim 1,
In the processing unit, a diluent dispensing mechanism unit having a mechanism for dispensing a diluent to each of a plurality of empty test tubes among the plurality of test tubes to be treated.
Further having a diluting device. In the diluting device according to claim 1 or 2.
The stirring mechanism unit
A shaking drive unit that drives each of the plurality of accommodating units to perform a shaking operation,
A support portion located above the plurality of accommodating portions and supporting a part of a test tube housed in each of the plurality of accommodating portions during the shaking operation.
With
The support portion is attached above the plurality of accommodating portions so as to be able to move up and down.
In the test tube transport mechanism section, the test tubes to be processed are arranged in the plurality of accommodating sections in a state where the support section is lowered to the first position.
Each of the plurality of accommodating portions is a diluting device that performs the shaking operation in a state where the support portion is raised to a second position above the first position. In the diluting device according to claim 3,
Each of the plurality of test tubes is held in the test tube rack with the opening covered with a cap.
The cap is detached by the test tube transport mechanism unit when each of the plurality of test tubes is arranged in the plurality of accommodating units of the processing unit.
The operation of attaching and detaching the cap from each of the plurality of test tubes is carried out in a state where the support portion is lowered below the second position. In the diluting device according to claim 4.
The processing unit
Dilution comprising a holding portion for holding each of the plurality of test tubes in the accommodating portion by holding a portion of each of the plurality of test tubes when the cap is detached from each of the plurality of test tubes. apparatus. In claim 3,
Of the plurality of test tubes to be processed accommodated in each of the plurality of accommodating portions, the distance between the centers of the test tubes to be processed adjacent to each other is the same as the distance between the centers of the plurality of test tubes accommodated in the rack. Is a diluting device. In the diluting device according to claim 1,
The plurality of accommodating portions of the stirring mechanism portion
A plurality of first housings arranged along the first direction,
A plurality of second accommodating portions arranged along the first direction and adjacent to each of the plurality of first accommodating portions in a second direction intersecting the first direction.
Including
When a test tube to be treated containing a diluent containing no sample is arranged in any one of the plurality of first storage portions and the plurality of second storage portions, the plurality of first storage portions and the said A diluting device in which a plurality of test tubes to be treated containing a liquid containing the sample liquid are arranged on the other side of the plurality of second storage portions. In the diluting device according to claim 1,
The sample liquid dispensing mechanism unit includes a plurality of liquid level detection sensors that detect the liquid level of each of the sample liquids in the plurality of test tubes to be processed held in the processing unit.
A plurality of pump units for sucking the sample solution and dispensing the sample solution,
A pump transport unit that raises and lowers the plurality of pump units, and
Have,
A diluting device in which the pump transport unit is connected to each of the plurality of pump units in a state in which they can move up and down independently of each other. In the diluting device according to claim 8.
A diluting device further comprising a measuring mechanism unit that measures at least one of a liquid suction amount and a liquid discharge amount by the pump unit of the sample liquid dispensing mechanism unit.

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