JP2935973B2 - Blood and other testing equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement of an apparatus for testing blood and the like using a microplate formed by forming a large number of holes in a plate by arranging the holes vertically and horizontally. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a test of blood or the like, a test in which a sample or a reagent is dispensed into a test tube using a test tube is avoided due to an increased amount of the sample or reagent dispensed into the test tube. The testing means has been switched to a testing means using a microplate which requires a small amount of a specimen / reagent.

[0003] A microplate P is usually provided on the upper surface of a plate formed of a transparent synthetic resin material into a flat plate shape.
This is a form in which a large number of holes p such as 6 or 120 holes are arranged vertically and horizontally.

[0004] Inspections performed using this microplate P are usually carried out at right and left positions at the bottom of a working section 1a formed on the front side of a box-shaped body 1 as shown in FIGS. A long worktable a is provided, a shooter b of the microplate P is provided at one end thereof, and a mounting table c for mounting and fixing the supplied microplate P is provided at a position adjacent to the shooter b. At the adjacent position, a sample tank d for injecting a sample sample and a reagent tank e for storing a reagent are provided side by side, and a tip rack f is provided at the other end of the adjacent side. A dispensing head 2 having a large number of dispensing nozzles 20 on the lower surface side is vertically movable.
The dispensing head 2 is slidably mounted on the front side of the body 1. The dispensing head 2 controls the lifting and lowering operation and the left and right sliding operation on the front side thereof. Using an inspection device A configured by providing an operation panel g for controlling the operation, a reagent is dispensed into each hole p of the microplate P supplied thereto, and then a sample is dispensed. -The reaction is performed by stirring and reacting.

In this test, as the number of test items increases, the dispensing of reagents, specimens, and the like to each hole p of the microplate P first requires the buffer solution, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. Dispensing is performed in a number of steps such as dispensing, then dispensing of sample sampling, then dispensing diluent, then dispensing the main reagent, and then dispensing the auxiliary reagent. And also
Even after dispensing, a stirring step by vibration and an incubation step have been incorporated.

[0006] From this, the inspection apparatus is also shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, a transfer table 3 on which an endless conveyor belt rotates endlessly is provided at the bottom of the working section on the front of the machine body, and a micro plate is provided above the transfer table 3 from the starting end side in the conveying direction. Rack R of P, first dispensing head 2-1 and second dispensing head 2-2 for dispensing buffer solution, third dispensing head 2-3 for sample sampling, dispensing diluent A fourth dispensing head 2-4 for dispensing, a dispensing head 2-5 for dispensing reagents and the like for the next process, and the like are arranged in parallel in the transport direction, and one piece from the rack 4 is provided. The supplied microplates P are sequentially moved to respective lower positions of the parallel dispensing heads 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4,... By controlling the operation of the transfer table 3, At each position, it has been configured to receive dispensing.

[0007]

The means for testing blood and the like performed by using the above-mentioned microplates P and setting them in a testing apparatus is the same as the means shown in FIG. Then, the microplate P is set on the fuselage 1, and when the inspection process of the item is completed, the
Since the operation for setting a new microplate P is performed by removing the microplate P, the time required for the operation of mounting and dismounting the microplate P increases when the number of inspection items increases, and the speed of the inspection process is reduced. There is a problem.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the microplate P is sequentially moved in one direction using a transfer table 3 composed of an endless conveyor belt that rotates endlessly, and the specimen is displaced by the movement. When the reagents and the like are respectively dispensed, depending on the test items, for example, the buffer solution dispensed by the first dispensing head 2-1 may be dispensed by the fourth dispensing head 2-4. May be required after dispensing the diluent, and such measures cannot be performed within the body of one inspection device. -1 ・ 2-2
・ There is a problem that it is necessary to separately prepare an inspection device in which the installation position of 2-3 is changed.

When dispensing samples, reagents, etc., to a plurality of dispensing heads 2 arranged in parallel with respect to the sequentially transferred microplates P, the specimens and reagents are dispensed for each microplate. By repeatedly dispensing different liquids such as reagents, it takes time to perform inspection processing on one microplate P, and much time is required when inspecting many microplates P. There's a problem.

[0010] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the conventional means, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a single test apparatus for testing a sample / reagent for a plurality of holes in which a supplied microplate P is aligned. And so on can be performed according to the order of selection and setting as desired,
A new means for allowing one microplate P to be postponed to another microplate while performing one dispensing operation on one microplate P so that another dispensing operation can be performed first. The purpose is to provide.

[0011]

According to the present invention, as a means for achieving the above-mentioned object, a transfer mechanism in which a microplate P is supported and transferred in the left-right direction to a work section on the front side of the body 1. A table 3 is provided, and a plurality of dispensing heads 2 for dispensing reagents, specimens, diluents, and the like into each hole p on the upper surface of the microplate P above the transfer path of the table 3.
Are mounted side by side on the transfer table 3. The transfer table 3 is provided with a plate support table which is moved up and down with respect to the transfer path of the transfer table 3 at a position below the dispensing heads 2. The plate support 6 is provided with a through hole 61 for passing the microplate P transferred through the transfer path to a portion of the transfer table 3 which crosses the transfer path at the time of lowering. 6 through the passage hole 6
1 is formed into a support base that lifts the microplate P, and the plate support base 6... Is moved along the transfer path of the transfer base 3 when it is raised. An examination device for blood or the like, characterized in that a passage 60 allowing free passage of P is formed on the lower surface side, and at the same time, a working unit on the front side of the body 1
A transfer table 3 that supports the microplate P and transfers the microplate P in the left-right direction is provided, and reagents, specimens, diluents, and the like are distributed to the respective holes p on the upper surface of the microplate P above the transfer path. In a testing device for blood or the like, in which a plurality of dispensing heads 2 to be poured are arranged side by side on the left and right,
The microplate P to be transferred is divided into a plurality of blocks for performing different dispensing operations by the dispensing heads 2 and 2 ′ arranged side by side, and transferred to the transfer path of the transfer table 3 in these blocks.
The plate supports 6... That form a passage 60 through which another microplate P passes by supporting and lifting the microplate P are provided so as to be able to move up and down respectively, and transfer of the microplate P of the transfer table 3 in each block. It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for testing blood or the like which can be switched between forward and reverse operations.

[0012]

According to the means of the present invention constructed as described above, the transfer table 3 provided at the bottom of the working section 1a of the body 1 of the inspection apparatus A is provided.
A dispensing head 2 suspended from the upper part of the working unit 1a so that the microplate P is mounted on the work unit 1a and the transfer operation of the transfer table 3 is performed so that the microplate P is parallelly arranged in multiple directions along the transfer direction of the transfer table 3.
… And sequentially transferred to each lower position, dispensing samples / reagents, etc.
If it is desired to change the sample / reagent etc. in the dispensing order due to the difference in the test item or the type of the sample when performing in the predetermined order, it is arranged below each dispensing head 2. 3
The desired support 6 selected from the vertically movable plate supports 6 provided so as to cross the upper and lower surfaces is moved upward to pass the microplate P as it is, thereby making it possible to pass the next and next successive plates. When the predetermined dispensing operation by the dispensing heads 2 has been completed, the transfer operation of the transfer table 3 is reversed, and the plate support table 6 that has passed the microplate P by the above-described raising operation is lowered. The microplate P is returned to that position, where the dispensing operation is performed, and the raising and lowering operation of each plate support table 6 and the transfer operation of the transfer table 3 are performed so that the transfer operation of the transfer table 3 is returned to the outward path again. By setting the control by the control device by operating the operation panel, dispensing can be performed in a desired order.

The dispensing operation for the microplate P transferred by the transfer operation of the transfer table 3 is performed with the microplate P supported by the plate supports 6. Microplate P
Is advanced through the passage 60 below the microplate P where the dispensing operation is being performed, so that other dispensing operations can be performed in advance, so that the overall operation time can be reduced. Will be able to

[0014]

Next, an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used for components having the same effects as those of the conventional means.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view in which a part of a main part of an apparatus A for testing blood or the like for embodying the present invention is cut away to expose the inside. In FIG. Aircraft 1
The work unit 10 formed on the front side of the work unit 1 is a plate supply unit for supplying the microplates P provided on the left and right ends of the work unit 1a, and the inspection unit 11 is provided on the other end of the work unit 1a. A plate collection unit 3 for collecting microplates P..., 3 is a transfer table provided between the plate supply unit 10 and the plate collection unit 11 at the front end of the working unit 1, and 4 is a support for the sample tubes 40. A sample rack supply unit for accommodating the sample rack 41; 42, a rack transport belt for transporting the sample rack 41; and 5, sample sampling at the other end of the working unit 1a symmetrical to the sample rack supply unit 4. A sample rack collecting unit 6 for collecting the sample racks 41.
6 ′ · 6 ″ is a vertically movable plate support provided in the middle of the transfer path of the transfer table 3 so as to cross the transfer path, and 2 is a plate support of the plate support 6 ・ 6 ′ ・ 6 ″. The first dispensing head 2-2 is movably supported up and down and back and forth above the first plate support 6 located on the plate supply unit 10 side.
A second dispensing head 7 supported movably up and down, front and rear, and left and right above second and third plate supports 6 'and 6 "of 6'.6" is the first dispensing head. A liquid tank provided behind the plate support 6 for storing a buffer solution, 8 is a tip rack provided behind the third plate support 6, and 9 is an operation of each dispensing head 2. And the transfer operation of the transfer table 3 and the plate support 6 ...
2 shows an operation panel of a control device that controls the elevating operation of the vehicle.

The plate supply unit 10 includes a gantry 100 for supporting the microplates P in a multi-tiered state,
A feeding mechanism for lowering the microplates P to be supported on it one by one, and a microplate P ...
And a delivery mechanism for sending out to the start end of the transfer path of the transfer table 3.

The transfer table 3 has a configuration in which a belt-like transport belt supporting the microplate P is stretched so as to rotate endlessly. In this example,
The transport belt is not continuous, and is divided into four parts, a plate supply unit 30, a buffer dispensing unit 31, a sample dispensing unit 32, and a plate storage unit 33, and independent endless transport is performed in each of the parts. The belt is rotated independently by each of the drive motors M1, M2, M3, and M4, so that the microplate P sent to the upper surface of the plate supply unit 30 is moved to the end of the belt. From to the beginning of the buffer dispensing section 31, from there,
The sample dispensing unit 32 and the upper surface of the plate storage unit 33 are sequentially shifted.

The rotation direction of the transport belt of each of these four portions is switched between forward and reverse, whereby the micro-transported to the end side of the transfer table 3 divided into four portions. The plate P can be moved backward toward the start end of the transfer table 3.

The sample rack supply section 4 holds a plurality of sample racks 41 for supporting a plurality of sample tubes 40 for storing samples in a state of being arranged in the left-right direction in a front-to-back direction. Reference numeral 41 denotes a storage unit, on the floor surface of which is provided a feed mechanism for sequentially feeding the sample racks 41 in parallel rearward.

The rack transport belt 42 for transferring the sample racks 41 is the sample rack 41 sent out to the last row among the sample racks 41 arranged in parallel with the sample rack supply unit 4.
Is an endless transport belt that rotates endlessly so as to be transported toward the sample rack collection unit 5 on the left end side in the figure. This transport belt is also divided into a first half 42a and a second half 42b in the transport direction. Thus, they are individually driven by separate drive motors M5 and M6, and rotate in forward and reverse directions.

The sample rack collection unit 5 is a pool in which the sample racks 41 conveyed by the rack conveyance belt 42 from the sample rack supply unit 4 are arranged in parallel, and the sample rack supply unit 4 is provided on the floor surface. Sample rack 4 as in 4
There is provided a feed mechanism for moving 1...

The plate supports 6, 6'6 "provided in the middle of the transfer path of the microplate P by the transfer table 3 so as to cross the transfer path are provided as described above for each part of the transfer table 3 divided into a plurality. The first plate support 6 is provided at a position crossing the transfer path of the buffer dispensing section 31,
A second plate support 6 ′ and a third plate support 6 ″ are arranged in parallel at a position crossing the transfer path of the sample dispensing section 32.

These plate supports 6, 6 ', 6 "
The microplate P, which rises and is transported so as to straddle the transfer path of the transfer table 3, passes through the passage 60 formed on the lower surface side of the support table 6. In this state, the moving microplate P descends so as to overlap with the transfer path, and fits into the tunnel-shaped passage hole 61 provided on the plate support base 6, 6 ', 6 "and opened up and down. It is supported on the body 1 so as to be able to ascend and descend so as to be switched to a state of moving.

The tunnel-shaped through holes 61 which are provided on the plate support bases 6, 6 ', 6 "and open up and down are provided at the front and rear side edges thereof with the microplates P which are moved by the transfer base 3. A guide groove 62 that fits into the left and right side edges in the movement direction and guides the passage of the plate P.
62 and locking step portions 63 for locking the microplate P by stopping the transfer of the microplate P and ascending the microplate P to the plate support 6.
The lower surface side is opened so that the upper surface of the transfer path of the transfer table 3 becomes the floor surface as it is, and the upper surface side is provided with the locking step portions 63.6.
The upper surface of the microplate P in which the left and right side edges are fitted to 3 and in which a large number of holes p are formed is formed so as to be opened so as to be exposed upward as it is. And, by this, these plate supports 6 ・ 6 ′ ・ 6 ″
In the state of being lowered by the operation of the lifting / lowering operation mechanism 6a, the microplate P transferred on the transfer table 3 passes through the tunnel-shaped passage hole 61, and the microplate P is By performing the lifting operation in the state corresponding to the locking step portions 63, 63, the microplate P is supported in a state where the microplate P is supported.
, A passage 60 through which another microplate P passes is formed.

The dispensing heads 2 are provided with a buffer dispensing section 31 in each of the four parts of the transfer table 3 divided into four parts.
And the sample dispensing section 32 and the first plate support 6 provided on the body 1 so as to cross these transfer paths.
And the second and third plate supports 6 ′ and 6 ″.

The buffer dispensing section 31 of the transfer table 3
The dispensing head 2 corresponding to the plate support 6 provided at
It is attached to the distal end of an arm 20 that is supported so that it can freely move in and out of the machine body 1 and move up and down.
In addition, the dispensing head 2 ′ corresponding to the second and third plate supports 6 ′ and 6 ″ provided in parallel with the sample dispensing section 32 is provided with an enclosure frame on the ceiling of the working section 1 a of the body 1. The movable arm 21 in the left-right direction, which is mounted on the supporting machine frame 21 assembled in a shape and is slidably moved back and forth between the pair of front-back frames 210, 210 facing left and right.
1 is supported by a guide rail that can slide freely to the left and right, and is assembled to move up and down with respect to the movable arm 211.
When the sample tube 11 is moved rearward, it corresponds to the sample tubes 40 supported in parallel on the sample rack 41 transferred to the upper surface of the rear half 42b in the transfer direction of the rack transfer belt 42 located below the movable arm 211. When the movable arm 211 is moved forward, the plate support 6 ′
The microplate PP supported by 6 ″ and raised, or supported by the sample dispensing unit 32, and the plate support 6 ′
• The microplates P are located in the 6 ″ passage holes 61.

The operation panel 9 includes the dispensing heads 2
And a control device including a personal computer incorporated in the body so as to control the operation of each block of the transfer table 3 and the lifting operation of the plate support tables 6. , A personal computer P with a display connected to the aircraft 1 by a cord
The control operation of C is set, and is provided at the right end of the front of the body 1. By selecting and operating switches 91... Provided on the panel 90, the dispensing operation is set to be performed in a desired pattern.

FIG. 8 shows another embodiment. This embodiment is an example in which the transfer table 3 is formed by a rail 3a provided fixed to the body 1 and a feed claw 3c provided on a rope or wire 3b that rotates endlessly along the rail 3a. Except for this point, other configurations are the same as those of the above-described embodiment.

Thus, also in this embodiment, the transfer table 3 is divided into four blocks of a plate supply unit 30, a buffer dispensing unit 31, a sample dispensing unit 32, and a plate storage unit 33. Each part has a rail 3a
And endless rope or wire 3b and feed claw 3c
And each drive motor M1, M2, M3, M4
Thus, the rope or the wire 3b is turned in the reverse direction.

[0030]

As described above, the blood test apparatus according to the present invention has the microplates P mounted on the transfer table 3 provided on the work section 1a on the front of the machine body 1 and arranged side by side. When a predetermined dispensing operation is performed by being positioned below the dispensing heads 2..., A plate support arranged below the dispensing heads 2. By moving the tables 6 up and down, the order of the dispensing operations by the dispensing heads 2 arranged in parallel can be changed as desired.

The dispensing operation is performed in a state where the microplate P is supported by the plate supports 6 and is raised, so that the microplate P is formed below the microplate P on which the dispensing operation is being performed. Bypass passageway 60
Makes it possible to advance or return another microplate P, so that dispensing operations of different liquids by the dispensing heads 2 in parallel can be performed in parallel.
It is possible to reduce the overall working time when inspecting a large number of microplates.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a conventional blood or other test apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the inspection device.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the inspection device.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of steps in a conventional test for blood and the like.

FIG. 5 is a schematic front view of a main part of another conventional apparatus for testing blood or the like.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which a part of an apparatus for testing blood or the like for embodying the present invention is cut away to show the inside;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a part of the device.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which a part of another embodiment of the above device is cut away to show the inside.

[Explanation of symbols]

A: inspection device, P: microplate, R: rack, P
C: personal computer, a: work table, b: shooter, c: mounting table, d: sample tank, e: reagent tank, f: chip rack,
g: operation panel, p: hall, M1-M6: drive motor,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... body, 1a ... working part, 10 ... plate supply part, 11
... Plate collection unit, 100 ... Stand, 2.2 ', 2-1 ~ 2-5
... dispensing head, 20 ... arm, 21 ... support machine frame, 210
... Frame, 211 ... Movable arm, 3 ... Transfer table, 3a ...
Rail 3b Wire 3c Feeding claw 30 Plate supply unit 31 Buffer dispensing unit 32 Sample dispensing unit 33 Plate storage unit 4 Sample rack supply unit 4
0: sample tube, 41: sample rack, 42: rack transport belt, 42a: first half side, 42b: second half side, 5: sample rack collection unit, 6.6 '/ 6 ": plate support, 6a
... Elevating mechanism, 60 ... Passage path, 61 ... Pass hole, 62 ...
Guide groove, 63. ... Locking step, 7 liquid tank, 8 tip rack, 9 operation panel, 90 panel, 91 switch.

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A transfer table 3 for supporting a microplate P and transferring the microplate P in the left-right direction is provided in a work section on the front side of the body 1, and each of the upper surfaces of the microplate P is provided above the transfer path. In a blood and other test apparatus in which a plurality of dispensing heads 2 for dispensing reagents, specimens, diluents, etc. are arranged in parallel on the left and right with respect to the holes p. At the lower position of the heads 2, a plate support 6 that moves up and down with respect to the transfer path of the transfer table 3 is provided, and the plate support 6 crosses the transfer path of the transfer table 3 when descending. The passage holes 61 through which the microplates P transferred through the transfer path pass are formed into a support base shape that lifts the microplates P fitted in the passage holes 61 by raising the plate support bases 6. And the plate supports 6 ... An apparatus for testing blood or the like, characterized in that a passage 60 for allowing free passage of the microplate P conveyed through the transfer path of the transfer table 3 at the time of ascending is formed on the lower surface side. 2. A transfer table 3 for supporting the microplate P and transferring the microplate P in the left-right direction is provided in a work section on the front side of the body 1 and each of the upper surfaces of the microplate P is provided above the transfer path. A plurality of dispensing heads 2... For dispensing reagents, specimens, diluents, etc. to the holes p. It is divided into a plurality of blocks for performing different dispensing operations by the injection heads 2 and 2 ', and the microplate P to be transferred is supported and lifted on the transfer path of the transfer table 3 in these blocks, so that another is provided on the lower surface side. A plate support 6 forming a passage 60 through which the microplate P passes,
The transfer table 3 is provided in each block so as to be able to move up and down.
A blood and other test apparatus that allows the transfer operation of the microplate P to be freely switched between forward and reverse.