JP3026858B2 - Sample dispensing method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dispensing method for performing a predetermined test by sucking and discharging a sample such as blood or urine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this kind of dispensing method, first and second methods described below are known.

[0003] As a first method, a method of dispensing a plurality of samples using a single probe is known. That is,
This is a method in which one probe is immersed in a fixed amount in a sample, a predetermined sample is sucked, and then the sucked sample is discharged. This method includes a method of detecting the position of the sample surface and a method of detecting the position of the sample surface without detecting the position. As a second method, a method of dispensing a plurality of samples using a plurality of probes is known. As this method, the following two methods are known. One method is a method in which a plurality of probes attached to a single holding unit are respectively immersed in different samples by a certain amount, and then simultaneously sucked.

[0004] Another method is to attach a plurality of holders one by one to a plurality of holders, each of which is a dispenser (eg, a syringe).
In this method, a pipette is operated and a sample is sucked into the probe in the order in which the probe connected to the sampler is used and the sample surface is detected.

[0005]

However, in the first method, since dispensing is performed for each sample, it takes time to dispense a plurality of samples.

In the second method, it is difficult to maintain the amount of the probe immersed in the sample at a constant level, and the contamination of the probe or the sample to be sucked next increases. is there.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to maintain a constant amount of immersion of a probe in a sample, and to achieve high accuracy in a short time. Another object of the present invention is to provide a sample dispensing method capable of performing a sample dispensing process.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a sample dispensing method for aspirating and discharging a sample, comprising a plurality of dispensers controlled by a single control unit. A plurality of connected probes, respectively, a step of inserting into a plurality of different sample containers, a detecting step of detecting a sample surface accommodated in the plurality of sample containers, and an order in which the detecting step is completed, A step of stopping the probe, and after all of the detection steps are completed, the plurality of probes,
Respectively, simultaneously aspirating a plurality of corresponding samples.

[0009]

A plurality of probes are simultaneously inserted into a plurality of sample containers. During this insertion, the sample surface is detected. The movement of the probe is stopped in the order in which the detection of the sample surface is completed. After the detection of the sample surface is completed, the sample is simultaneously sucked by the stopped probe.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A sample dispensing method according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 1 and 2 show the configuration of a sample dispensing apparatus used in the sample dispensing method of the present embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a sample dispensing apparatus includes a plurality of (first to third in this embodiment) probes 2a, 2b, and 2c, and these probes 2a, 2a, and 2c.
(b) first to third connection tubes 4a, 4b, 4c extending from upper ends of the connection tubes 4a, 4b, 4c;
b, 4c, the first to third syringes 6a, 6b, 6c.

The first to third probes 2a, 2b, 2
“c” is supported by three ball screws 10 provided on one holding portion 8, respectively. These ball screws 1
0 is configured to be controllable by first to third drive mechanisms 12a, 12b, 12c provided at the upper end, respectively. These first to third drive mechanisms 12a, 12b,
By driving 12c, the first to third probes 2a, 2b, 2c are configured to be movable in the Z direction in the drawing along the ball screw 10, respectively.

The first to third probes 2a, 2b, 2
c to first to third connection tubes 4a extending from
The pressurizing chambers 16a, 16b, 1c of the first to third syringes 6a, 6b, 6c are connected via valve mechanisms 14 to 4b, 4c.
6c and a filling container 18 containing incompressible extrusion water 20 (for example, ion-exchanged water).
Such first to third connection tubes 4a, 4b,
4c includes first to third probes 2a and 2a, respectively.
Extrusion water 20 is filled in advance so as to reach the tops of b and 2c.

First to third syringes 6a, 6b, 6
One motor 24 is connected to the pistons 22a, 22b, 22c of FIG. The motor 24 is configured to move the pistons 22a, 22b, 22c up and down.

As a result, the pistons 22a, 22b, 22
The pressurizing and depressurizing actions of the first to third syringes 6a, 6b, 6c generated by moving c up and down are as follows:
It acts directly on the distal ends of the first to third probes 2a, 2b, 2c via the pushing water 20. Hereinafter, the operation of the sample dispensing apparatus having such a configuration will be described.

First, the first mechanism is moved by a moving mechanism (not shown).
The sample storage unit 26 holding the third to third sample containers 28, 30, and 32 is attached to the first to third probes 2a and 2a.
b, move directly below 2c.

Next, the first to third drive mechanisms 12a,
By operating the ball screw 10 via 12b and 12c,
The first to third probes 2a, 2b, 2c are respectively
The first to third sample containers 28, 30, 32 are lowered inward.

In this embodiment, first, the first sample container 2
The sample surface of the first sample 34 in 8 is detected. And
When the distal end of the first probe 2a lowered into the first sample container 28 is immersed in the first sample 34 by a predetermined amount, the first drive mechanism 12a operates and the first drive mechanism 12a operates. The lowering of the probe 2a is stopped.

The second and third probes 2b and 2c are further
Then, it is lowered. Next, the third sample container 32
The sample surface of the sample 38 is detected. And this third trial
Tip of the third probe 2c lowered into the charge container 32
Is immersed in the third sample 38 by a predetermined amount,
Of the third probe 2c is activated.
Stop descending.

The remaining second probe 2b further descends
Is done. Next, the second sample 36 in the second sample container 30 is
Is detected. Then, the second sample container 3
0, the tip of the second probe 2b lowered into
When a predetermined amount is immersed in the sample 36, the second driving device
The structure 12b operates to stop the lowering of the second probe 2b
Let it.

In the above example, the first to third programs are used.
Detection of sample surface while lowering lobes 2a, 2b, 2c
The height of the sample surface was adjusted in advance by a predetermined method.
After the detection, the sample may be dispensed.

When the above steps are completed, the first to third probes 2a, 2b, 2c are immersed in the first to third samples 34, 36, 38 by an optimum amount. At this time, the motor 24 is operated and the pistons 22a, 22c of the first to third syringes 6a, 6b, 6c are operated.
b and 22c are driven. As a result, the pressurizing chambers 16a, 1
6b and 16c are decompressed, and this decompression action acts on the distal ends of the first to third probes 2a, 2b and 2c via the first to third connection tubes 4a, 4b and 4c. Therefore, the first to third probes 2a, 2b, 2
From the tip of c, the first to third samples 34,
36 and 38 are sucked.

The sample dispensing method of this embodiment is as follows.
A plurality of probes (in the present embodiment, the first to third probes 2a, 2b, 2c) are used for the sample (in the present embodiment, the first probe 2a, 2b, 2c).
Or the amount inserted into the third sample 34, 36, 38) can be controlled to an optimum state. At the same time, a plurality of dispensers (in this embodiment, first to third syringes 6a,
6b, 6c) can be controlled by one control unit (motor 24 in this embodiment). As a result, the amount of the probe immersed in the sample can be kept constant, and the sample can be dispensed in a short time and with high accuracy.

[0024]

As described above, the amount of the probe immersed in the sample can be kept constant, and the sample can be dispensed in a short time and with high accuracy. As a result, contamination of the probe can be minimized. Also, 1
Dispensing and dispensing volume of multiple samples can be controlled by one controller.
Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the apparatus is reduced, and the dispensing process is speeded up. It also has a plasma layer and a blood cell layer.
Aspirate plasma from the sample to be processed (centrifuged whole blood sample)
Even if the sample surface of each sample is not uniform
However, each probe should be stopped according to the plasma level.
The blood cells are accidentally aspirated.
Mistakes can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a probe portion provided in a sample dispensing apparatus used in a sample dispensing method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a sample dispensing apparatus used in a sample dispensing method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

2a, 2b, 2c ... first to third probes, 4a,
4b, 4c ... first to third connection tubes, 6a, 6
b, 6c: first to third syringes, 14: valve mechanism,
16a, 16b, 16c: pressurized chamber, 20: extruded water,
22a, 22b, 22c ... piston, 24 ... motor.

Continuation of front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G01N 35/00-35/10

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] In a sample dispensing method for aspirating and discharging a sample, a plurality of probes connected to a plurality of dispensers controlled by a single control unit are respectively inserted into a plurality of different sample containers. Performing a detection step of detecting a sample surface accommodated in the plurality of sample containers; stopping the probe in the order in which the detection steps are completed; and And simultaneously aspirating a plurality of corresponding samples with each of the probes (1) to (4).