JP2911424B2 - Dispensing device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an immunoassay and DNA
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dispensing apparatus for automatically injecting a fixed amount of reagent into a container containing a sample in various analyzes such as analysis.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an immunoassay, for example, a liquid such as physiological saline is first injected into a sample in a container, and then a reagent is further injected to examine an immune reaction.
A dispensing apparatus as shown in FIG. 9 has conventionally been used for such an operation of injecting a liquid or a reagent (hereinafter, collectively referred to as a reagent). The dispensing device includes a dispensing table (90) for installing a reaction vessel (7), and a head driving device (9) is installed on the dispensing table (90), and a head driving device is provided. apparatus
A dispensing head (91) is attached to the output end of (9). The dispensing head (91) has a plunger mechanism (not shown)
Are linked. A pipette tip (92) for sucking and discharging a reagent is fitted downward at the tip of the dispensing head (91).

[0003] Each of the holes of the reaction container (7) is
When dispensing the reagent to (71), the control device (93) controls the head driving device (9) to move the dispensing head (91) to the reaction vessel.
The reagent in the pipette tip (92) is discharged to the hole (71) by approaching the hole (71) of (7). When diluting or mixing the reagent, another reagent (72) has already been injected into the hole (71), and the reagent to be dropped from the pipette tip (92) is added to the reagent (7) in the hole (71).
The reagent is discharged by contacting the liquid surface of 2) and releasing the surface tension.

In a dispensing apparatus, 0.5 μm is used.
In order to dispense 1 to 200 μl of reagent, a plurality of types of pipette tips having different capacities are used. And
A small-diameter dispensing head for attaching a small volume pipette tip of 0.5 μl to 10 μl;
A large-diameter dispensing head for attaching a large-capacity pipette tip is prepared, and these dispensing heads are exchanged according to the dispensed amount.

[0005]

However, in the conventional dispensing apparatus, since the dispensing head is fixed to the main body of the apparatus by using a fastening means such as a screw, the work of replacing the dispensing head is complicated. Not only that, the dispensing head has a small outer diameter of about 20 mm, so that there is a problem that the replacement operation is extremely difficult. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing apparatus capable of automatically and quickly exchanging dispensing heads.

[0006]

A dispensing apparatus according to the present invention comprises:
A container installation part for installing one or a plurality of containers to which reagents are to be sucked and discharged, a head storage device storing one or a plurality of dispensing heads for sucking and discharging a reagent,
A reciprocating drive for reciprocating the output end between the container installation section and the head storage device, a chuck for one dispensing head attached to the output end of the reciprocation drive and capable of releasing the dispensing head, and a head housing A chuck control mechanism installed near each head accommodating portion of the apparatus to control a chuck operation and a chuck release operation of the chuck mechanism. Here, the chuck mechanism (2) includes a plurality of chuck claws (23) (23) capable of holding the dispensing head (3) and a chuck mechanism (2) driven by the reciprocating drive (1). An opening and closing mechanism for opening and closing the plurality of chuck claws (23) with the reciprocation. The chuck mechanism (2) has a first detecting means for detecting a state where the dispensing head (3) is joined to the chuck mechanism (2), and the opening / closing mechanism has a plurality of chuck claws (23) (23). The second detecting means for detecting the closed state is linked. In a specific configuration, a notification unit that notifies each detection result is connected to the first detection unit and the second detection unit.

In the above dispensing apparatus, when exchanging the dispensing head, first, the dispensing head held by the chuck mechanism is moved to an empty head accommodating portion of the head accommodating device by driving the reciprocating drive device. In the process in which the dispensing head is housed in the head housing section, the chuck control mechanism operates, and the driving force of the reciprocating drive device is used as a driving force to open the plurality of chuck claws (23) (23) in the closed state. by this,
The dispensing head chuck is released, and the dispensing head is separated from the chuck mechanism. After that, the chuck mechanism is separated from the head accommodating portion by driving the reciprocating drive device.

Next, the chuck mechanism is moved to the head accommodating portion accommodating the dispensing head by driving the reciprocating drive device. In the process in which the chuck mechanism is joined to the dispensing head of the head storage unit, the chuck control mechanism operates, and the driving force of the reciprocating drive is used as a driving force, and the plurality of chuck claws (23) (23) in which the opening and closing mechanism is open Close. Thereby, the dispensing head is chucked by the chuck mechanism. Thereafter, the chuck mechanism is separated from the head accommodating section together with the dispensing head by driving the reciprocating drive device, and the operation shifts to a predetermined dispensing operation.

In the above-mentioned chucking operation by the chucking mechanism (2), when the dispensing head (3) is joined to the chucking mechanism (2), this state is detected by the first detecting means,
When the opening / closing mechanism closes the plurality of chuck claws (23), (23), this state is detected by the second detection means. Therefore, when these states are detected by both detecting means, it can be determined that the normal chucking operation has been performed. In this case, the operation shifts to a predetermined dispensing operation. If any abnormality occurs in the chucking operation and either or both of the two states are not detected by the detecting means, it is determined that the normal chucking operation has not been performed, and it is necessary to determine that the chucking operation has not been performed properly. An alarm is issued accordingly and the transition to the dispensing operation is stopped. Thereby, safety of the device is achieved.

[0010]

According to the dispensing apparatus of the present invention, the chuck mechanism is reciprocally driven by the reciprocating drive to move the chuck mechanism on which the dispensing head is chucked to the head accommodating portion of the head accommodating apparatus. The chucking operation is performed in conjunction with the operation of moving the chuck mechanism in which the dispensing head is not chucked to the head accommodating portion of the head accommodating device. Can be exchanged automatically and quickly.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. Overall Configuration In the dispensing apparatus according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, an X-axis drive mechanism (11) and a Y-axis drive mechanism
(12) and a reciprocating drive (1) comprising a Z-axis drive mechanism (13), and a chuck mechanism at an output end of the Z-axis drive mechanism (13).
(2) is attached. The dispensing head (3) is chucked to the chuck mechanism (2) as described later. As a result, a plunger mechanism (not shown) for sucking and discharging the reagent is connected to the dispensing head (3).
A disposable pipette tip (6) is detachably fitted to the lower end of the dispensing head (3). The operation of the reciprocating drive (1) and the plunger mechanism is controlled by the control circuit (14).
Is controlled by

A tip holder containing a plurality of disposable pipette tips (6) on a dispensing table (10).
(61), a head accommodating device (4) accommodating a plurality of dispensing heads (3), and a plurality of reaction vessels (7) are respectively installed at predetermined positions. A plurality of holes (71) are provided on the surface of each reaction vessel (7).
Is recessed. The head storage device (4) includes a plurality of head support members (41) according to the number of dispensing heads to be stored, and a chuck mechanism is provided on a side portion of each head support member (41).
The chuck of (2) and a chuck control mechanism (5) for controlling the release thereof are arranged.

[0013] As shown in diagram 2 of the chuck mechanism (2), the output end of the reciprocating drive apparatus (1) (15), the shaft member (21) having a central bore (20) is fixed, said shaft member ( twenty one)
A slide tube (22) is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the.
The slide cylinder (22) has an upper half (27) slidably fitted to the shaft member (21), a lower half (28) having a diameter larger than the upper half (27), and an upper half. (27) and the lower half (28).
6). A pressing spring (25) for pressing the slide cylinder (22) toward the shaft member (21) is attached to an upper portion of the shaft member (21). Further, a plurality of chuck claws (23) (23) for holding the head of the dispensing head (3) are pivotably supported on the lower part of the shaft member (21) so as to be openable and closable. Is urged in the opening direction by a tension spring (24).

Therefore, when the slide cylinder (22) is held at the rising end as shown, a plurality of chuck claws (23) (23)
Is opened by the urging of the tension springs (24) and (24) and is held at a position where it contacts the lower end of the slide cylinder (22). When the slide cylinder (22) descends from this state, the chuck claws (23) and (23) are pressed downward by the lower end of the slide cylinder (22),
It will be closed against the tension spring (24).

[0015] dispensing the head of the head configuration dispensing head body of the head (3) (3) (30), the connecting member having a chucked portion (32) and the flange portion (33) (34) is fixed The chucked portion (32) is provided with the plurality of chuck claws (23).
(23). Also, the head body (3
A nozzle (31) projects downward from the lower end of (0), and the above-mentioned pipette tip (6) is detachably fitted to the nozzle (31). When the dispensing head (3) is chucked by the chuck mechanism (2), the shaft member of the chuck mechanism (2)
(21) and the connecting member (34) of the dispensing head (3) are engaged with each other so that they are accurately aligned with each other.

In the structure shown in FIG. 2, the dispensing head (3) is in a state where the dispensing head (3) is chucked by the chuck mechanism (2).
The friction on the contact surface of the chuck mechanism (2) with the shaft member (21) and the chuck pawls (23) and (23) prevents free rotation about the vertical axis and maintains the rotation angle posture constant. In order to surely prevent the rotation of the dispensing head (3), it is effective to equip a detent mechanism shown in FIGS.
The connecting member (34) of the dispensing head (3) has a screw member (35) screwed into the center thereof. That is, the connecting member (34) is formed with an inner screw (34a), the screw member (35) is formed with an outer screw (35a), and the connecting member (34) is screwed with the screw member (35).
On the upper surface of the screw member (35), a pair of detent pins (37) (37) are vertically provided at opposing positions with respect to the axis.
A lock screw (36) is threaded through the side of the connecting member (34), and its tip is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the screw member (35) to lock the screw member (35). I have. On the other hand, the shaft member (21) of the chuck mechanism (2) has the pair of detent pins (3
At a position facing 7) and 37, a pair of pin holes 29 and 29 into which these pins can be fitted are vertically recessed.

Thereafter, in a state where the dispensing head (3) is chucked by the chuck mechanism (2) as shown in FIG. 8, the pair of detent pins (37) and (37) of the dispensing head (3) are connected to the chuck mechanism.
(2) is inserted into a pair of pin holes (29) and (29), and the dispensing head is
A detent is applied to (3). Therefore, the reciprocating drive (1)
Even if vibration or impact is applied to the dispensing head (3) or the chuck mechanism (2) in the process of moving the dispensing head (3) by the drive, there is no danger that the dispensing head (3) will rotate. Maintain the correct rotation angle posture. In particular, dosing head
When (3) has a structure in which a plurality of pipette tips can be mounted in a line, an error in the rotation angle posture of the dispensing head (3) causes a malfunction at the time of dispensing. With such a device, such a malfunction can be reliably avoided.

If the rotation angle posture of the dispensing head (3) is shifted for some reason, the lock screw (36) is loosened while the dispensing head (3) is chucked, and the connecting member for the screw member (35) is connected. By the relative rotation of (34), the rotation angle posture of the dispensing head (3) is corrected. At this time, the dispensing head (3) is moved to, for example, the position of the reaction vessel (7), and the rotation angle posture of the dispensing head (3) is determined based on the positions of the plurality of holes (71) of the reaction vessel. Can be modified. Thereafter, the lock screw (36) is screwed in to lock the connecting member (34) and the screw member (35) so that they cannot rotate relative to each other.

Configuration of Safety Confirmation Apparatus Further, the chuck mechanism (2) shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 has a shaft member (21) of the chuck mechanism (2) and a connecting member of the dispensing head (3).
(34) is detected, and a state where the slide cylinder (22) of the chuck mechanism (2) closes the chuck jaws (23) and (23) is detected.
A safety confirmation device for notifying the detection result is provided. That is, in the shaft member (21) of the chuck mechanism (2), a pair of horizontal holes (21a) (21a) extending in the horizontal direction are formed in the depth of the pair of pin holes (29) (29). . Also, shaft member (21)
A metal support piece (201) is fixed to each of the left and right sides via an insulating member (200), and a pin hole (21a) is formed in the lateral hole (21a) at the upper end of the metal support piece (201). A metal leaf spring (202) extending horizontally to a position above 29) is cantilevered. Further, a first sensor (203) for detecting an electric conduction state between the metal support piece (201) and the shaft member (21) is connected. In FIGS. 7 and 8, the first sensor connected to the right metal support piece (201) and the shaft member (21) is not shown.

A base end of a metal plate (301) is fixed to the upper surface of the shaft member (21) via insulating members (200) at left and right end portions, respectively. It extends to the position above 22). Then, the metal plate (301) and the slide cylinder (22) are provided with a second sensor (3
02) is connected. 7 and 8,
The second metal plate (301) connected to the right side metal plate (301) and the slide cylinder (22)
The sensor is not shown.

As shown in FIG. 7, the slide cylinder (22) of the chuck mechanism (2) is located at the rising end, the chuck claws (23) and (23) are opened, and the chuck of the dispensing head (3) is released. In this state, the upper end of the slide cylinder (22) hits the metal plate (301), and the state between the slide cylinder (22) and the metal plate (301) becomes conductive, and this state is detected by the second sensor (302). Is done. On the other hand, the metal support piece (201) and the leaf spring (202)
Electrical insulation between (21) and the metal support piece (201)
Between the shaft member (21) and the shaft member (21) is in a non-conductive state.
It is detected by the sensor (203).

Thereafter, as shown in FIG.
The shaft member (21) of (2) is joined to the connecting member (34) of the dispensing head (3), and the slide cylinder (22) of the chuck mechanism (2) moves to the lower end, and the chuck pawl ( 23) When the dispensing head (3) is chucked by (23), the slide cylinder (22)
As a result, the slide cylinder (22) and the metal plate (301) are separated from each other, and the two are brought into a non-conductive state, and this state is detected by the second sensor (302). Meanwhile, detent pin
(37) (37) is fitted into the pin holes (29) (29), so that the upper ends of the detent pins (37) (37) push up the distal end of the leaf spring (202), and the distal end is Make contact with (22). As a result, a conduction state is established between the metal support piece (201) and the shaft member (21), and this state is detected by the first sensor (203).

Therefore, when the first sensor (203) detects the non-conductive state and the second sensor (302) detects the conductive state in the chuck release state shown in FIG. It can be determined that the state is a state, and when any other detection is performed, it can be determined that an abnormality has occurred. On the other hand, in the chuck state shown in FIG. 8, when the conductive state is detected by the first sensor (203) and the non-conductive state is detected by the second sensor (302), it is determined that the chuck state is normal. If any other detection is performed, it can be determined that an abnormality has occurred. When it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, the operator is notified by, for example, an alarm lamp, and the subsequent operation of the reciprocating drive (1) is automatically stopped to ensure safety.

Structure of the head accommodating device (4) As shown in FIG. 2, a dispensing head (3) is mounted on a head mounting table (40).
A head support member (41) capable of housing and supporting the head is vertically movably engaged, and is elastically supported in a vertical direction by a plurality of springs (42). At the upper end of the head support member (41), a magnet holding piece (43) is connected and fixed, and the magnet holding piece (43) is fixed.
A first driving magnet piece (81) and a second driving magnet piece (82) are attached to the upper and lower portions of the first driving magnet piece. In addition, head storage device
In a state where the dispensing head (3) is accommodated in the head support member (41) of (4), the flange (33) of the connecting member (34) of the dispensing head (3).
However, as shown in the figure, the dispensing head (3) is received in contact with the end of the magnet holding piece (43).

Configuration of the chuck control mechanism (5) A rocking lever is provided along the side surface of the column (50) vertically erected.
(51) is swingably supported by the pivot (52). A control piece (54) to be engaged with the slide cylinder (22) of the chuck mechanism (2) protrudes from the upper end of the swing lever (51). or,
A driven magnet piece (8) is mounted above the pivot (52) of the swing lever (51). A stopper (53) for regulating the counterclockwise rotation end of the swing lever (51) is projected from the support (50), and the swing lever (51) as shown in the figure.
The swing lever (51) is held in a vertical posture with the upper end of the lever abutting on the stopper (53).

The first driving magnet piece (81) and the second driving magnet piece (82) of the magnet holding piece (43), and the driven magnet piece of the swing lever (51)
With (8), the orientation is defined so as to have a polarity relationship as shown in FIG. That is, the first driving magnet piece (81) and the second driving magnet piece (82) are mounted with the N pole facing the swing lever (51), and the driven magnet piece (8) is mounted on the magnet holding piece (43). ) Side. In addition, these magnet pieces (8) (8
1) The shape and relative positional relationship of (82) are represented by distances a,
b, c, d, and e are 3 mm, 2 mm, 1.2 mm, respectively.
It is specified to be 1.7 mm and 5.6 mm. or,
The surface magnetic flux densities of these magnet pieces (8), (81) and (82) are 12
00 Gauss.

First driving magnet piece (81), second driving magnet piece (82)
By arranging the driven magnet pieces (8) in the above positional relationship, the second driving magnet piece (82) comes very close to the driven magnet pieces (8) as shown in FIG. When the magnets are placed at different positions, the repulsion state in which the two magnets repel each other is more dominant than the attracted state in which the different poles of the two magnets attract each other. Occur. On the other hand, in a state where the second driving magnet piece (82) faces the driven magnet piece (8) at the same height in front of each other, the opposite magnetic poles of the two magnets strongly attract each other, and the attraction between the two magnets. Force will be generated. This phenomenon similarly occurs in the relationship between the first driving magnet piece (81) and the driven magnet piece (8).

Chuck operation of dispensing head As shown in FIG. 4, a chuck mechanism in which the dispensing head is not chucked by driving the reciprocating drive (1).
(2) is lowered toward the target dispensing head (3) accommodated in the head support member (41). At this time, the chuck mechanism
The slide cylinder (22) of (2) is slid to the rising end and held by the presser spring (25). With this, the chuck claws (23) and (23) are opened by the urging of the tension spring. Is held. Also, the head support member (41) is supported at the rising end by the bias of the spring, and accordingly,
The second driving magnet piece (82) is set at a position slightly higher than the driven magnet piece (8). This allows the driven magnet piece
As described above, a repulsive force is generated between (8) and the second driving magnet piece (82), and the repulsive force causes the swing lever (51) to be rotationally biased counterclockwise and hit the stopper (53).

As shown in FIG. 3, when the chuck mechanism (2) further descends, the second driving magnet piece (82) faces the driven magnet piece (8), and an attractive force is generated between the two magnet pieces. The rocking lever (51) is slightly rotated clockwise by the suction force. Then, as shown in the figure, when the chuck mechanism (2) further descends, the intermediate position between the first driving magnet piece (81) and the second driving magnet piece (82) faces the driven magnet piece (8), Drive magnet piece (81) (82)
A repulsive force is generated between the swing lever (51) and the driven magnet piece (8), and the repulsive force causes the swing lever (51) to return to the clockwise rotation end. Then, when the chuck mechanism (2) further descends,
As shown in the drawing, the first driving magnet piece (81) faces the driven magnet piece (8), and an attractive force is generated between the two magnet pieces, and the swinging lever (51) is again clockwise by the attractive force. To rotate. Due to the simultaneous swing of the swing lever (51) and the lowering operation of the chuck mechanism (2), the control piece (54) of the swing lever (51) moves the flange (26) of the slide cylinder (22). Get over it.

Next, as shown in FIG.
By driving (1), the chuck mechanism (2) is raised.
Along with this, the flange (26) of the slide cylinder (22) is
Abuts the control piece (54) of (51), and thereafter, the slide cylinder (22)
Of the slide cylinder (22) is lowered relative to the shaft member (21). Thereby, the slide cylinder (22) presses the chuck claws (23) and (23) downward, and the chuck claws (23) and (23) are closed against the tension spring. As a result, the chuck claws (23) and (23) hold the chucked portion (32) of the dispensing head (3), and the dispensing head (2) is attached to the chuck mechanism (2).
(3) is chucked. Thereafter, the chuck mechanism (2) is slightly lowered as shown in FIG.
6) is separated from the control piece (54) of the swing lever (51). At this time, the intermediate position between the first driving magnet piece (81) and the second driving magnet piece (82) faces the driven magnet piece (8), and receives the repulsive force of both magnet pieces, thereby causing the swing lever (51). Rotates counterclockwise.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG.
(2) is raised. In the process of raising the chuck mechanism (2), the second driving magnet piece (82) faces the driven magnet piece (8),
The swing lever (51) once rotates clockwise, at which time the control piece (54) has passed through the flange (26) of the slide cylinder (22), and has a lower half (28). Abut or oppose. Thereafter, when the chuck mechanism (2) is further raised, the second driving magnet piece (82)
As a result, a repulsive force is generated between the driven magnet piece 8 and the driven magnet piece 8, and the swing lever 51 returns to the counterclockwise rotating end as shown in the figure.

Then, as shown in FIG.
Is further lifted, whereby the dispensing head (3) chucked by the chuck mechanism (2) is pulled out from the head support member (41).

Chuck release operation of dispensing head As shown in FIG. 6, the chuck mechanism (2) in which the dispensing head (3) is chucked by the driving of the reciprocating drive (1).
Is lowered toward the empty head support member (41), and the dispensing head (3) is inserted into the head support member (41). And
By further lowering the dispensing head (3), the second driving magnet piece (82) faces the driven magnet piece (8) as shown in FIG. (Five
1) rotates clockwise, and the control piece (54) comes into contact with the lower end (28) of the slide cylinder (22).

When the chuck mechanism (2) is further lowered from this state, the control piece (54) comes into contact with the flange (26) of the slide cylinder (22), as shown in FIG. Block the descent of 22). As a result, the slide cylinder (22) is
Relative to the chuck jaws (23)
Release the pressing of (23). As a result, the chuck claws (23) (23)
Is opened by being urged by the tension spring, and releases the chuck of the dispensing head (3) with respect to the chucked portion (32).

Thereafter, as shown in FIG.
By raising (2), the chuck mechanism (2) is detached from the dispensing head (3), and the dispensing head (3) remains in the head support member (41). Further, as shown in the drawing, the revolving force is generated between the second driving magnet piece (82) and the driven magnet piece (8), and the swing lever (51) rotates counterclockwise. And comes into contact with the stopper (53) to return to the original posture.

When replacing the dispensing head (3), the chuck mechanism (2) to which the dispensing head (3) has been chucked is moved to the empty head support member (4).
6), and the chuck release operation shown in FIG. Thereafter, the chuck mechanism (2) is moved to a position above the head support member (41) in which the intended dispensing head (3) is accommodated, and FIGS.
Is performed.

After chucking the dispensing head (3) to the dispensing operation chuck mechanism (2),
By driving the reciprocating drive (1), the dispensing head (3) is moved onto the tip holder (61) shown in FIG. 1, and thereafter, the dispensing head (3) is directed toward one pipette tip (6). Pipette tip into dispensing head (3) by lowering
Attach (6). Then, the dispensing head (3) with the pipette tip (6) mounted thereon is moved onto a reagent container (not shown), and the reagent is sucked into the pipette tip (6). Move to the desired reaction vessel (7),
The reagent is discharged from the pipette tip (6) into a predetermined hole (71) of the reaction vessel (7).

As described above, according to the dispensing apparatus according to the present invention, the chucking operation of the dispensing head (3) is accompanied by the operation of moving the chuck mechanism (2) toward and away from the head accommodating device (4). And the chuck release operation is performed automatically,
It is not necessary to replace the dispensing head manually as in the related art, and the head can be quickly replaced. Dispensing head
In the chuck state (3), the shaft member (2) of the chuck mechanism (2)
1) and the connecting member (34) of the dispensing head (3) are brought into close contact with each other, and the chuck mechanism (2) and the dispensing head (3) are accurately aligned. Note operation is possible.

The description of the above embodiments is for the purpose of describing the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the invention described in the claims or reducing the scope thereof.
In addition, the configuration of each part of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made within the technical scope described in the claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a dispensing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially broken front view showing an enlarged main part of the dispensing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating polarities and positional relationships of a first driving magnet piece, a second driving magnet piece, and a driven magnet piece.

FIG. 4 is a process chart showing the first half of the chuck operation.

FIG. 5 is a process chart showing the latter half of the chuck operation.

FIG. 6 is a process chart showing a chuck release operation.

FIG. 7 is a partially broken front view showing a configuration of the safety confirmation device in a chuck released state.

FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway front view illustrating a configuration of the safety confirmation device in a chuck state.

FIG. 9 is a partially broken side view showing a schematic configuration of a conventional dispensing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (1) Reciprocating drive (2) Chuck mechanism (3) Dispensing head (4) Head storage device (5) Chuck control mechanism (6) Pipette tip (7) Reaction vessel (8) Follower magnet piece (81) First Drive magnet piece (82) 2nd drive magnet piece

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G01N 35/00-35/10 G01N 1/00 101 B01L 3/02 JICST file (JOIS)

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A container installation part for installing one or more containers to be inhaled and discharged of a reagent,
A head accommodating device accommodating one or a plurality of dispensing heads to be ejected, a reciprocating drive device for reciprocating an output end between a container installation portion and the head accommodating device, and a reciprocating drive device attached to the output end. It comprises a chuck mechanism capable of chucking and releasing one dispensing head, and a chuck control mechanism installed near each head accommodating portion of the head accommodating device and controlling the chucking operation and the chuck releasing operation of the chuck mechanism. , Chuck mechanism (2), dispensing head
(3) a plurality of chuck claws (23) and (23) capable of holding the same;
And an opening and closing mechanism for opening and closing the plurality of chuck claws (23) (23) with the reciprocating movement of the chuck mechanism (2) driven by the reciprocating drive (1). ,
First detecting means for detecting a state in which the dispensing head (3) is joined to the chuck mechanism (2);
(23) A dispensing apparatus characterized in that the dispensing device is linked to a second detection means for detecting a state in which (23) is closed. 2. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the first detecting means and the second detecting means are connected to notifying means for notifying the respective detection results.