JP3425913B2 - Dispensing device - 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 device, and more particularly to dispensing a sample between tubes (test tubes) by a nozzle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When dispensing a sample in a test tube, proper dispensing cannot be expected unless the sample is homogeneous. Therefore, the sample is agitated in order to uniformly mix the sample and to make the sample concentration uniform.

In this case, it is inefficient to manually agitate the sample in the test tube, and it is necessary to move the test tube periodically to perform the agitation with a special mechanism therefor. There are problems such as scattering of the sample from the test tube.

A method has also been proposed in which the entire sample is sucked into the nozzle from the test tube, discharged into the same test tube as it is, and the sample is mixed by repeating this as necessary, to mix the sample.

[0005]

However, although the above-mentioned stirring method using a nozzle can effectively use the existing mechanism, a sufficient effect cannot be expected when the amount of the sample is larger than the inner volume of the nozzle.

For example, there is a method of mixing a plurality of blood samples and performing various virus tests on the mixed samples. In this method, a large number of blood samples are collectively tested, and only when a positive result is determined, the blood samples are retrospectively tested in predetermined units or individually. However, if the blood sample is not completely mixed, non-uniformity occurs between the dispensed samples after dispensing the mixed sample.

Further, it is necessary to completely prevent contamination between samples when dispensing such a mixed sample. That is, even if the drop of the droplet from the nozzle chip or the drop of the chip itself at the time of moving the nozzle is taken, a measure for completely preventing contamination is desired.

The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional problems, and an object thereof is to efficiently stir a sample (particularly, a relatively large amount of sample).

Another object of the present invention is to provide a highly reliable dispensing device which prevents the occurrence of contamination.

[0010]

(1) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a first tube containing a sample, a second tube, the first tube and the second tube. And a dispensing mechanism for performing a stepwise sample transfer process between the first tube and the second tube in each of the unit dispensing steps. Of the tubes, the sample in one of the tubes is sucked by a predetermined amount from the liquid surface thereof and discharged into the other tube, and the stepwise sample transfer step is performed at least once to stir the sample. Characterize.

According to the above construction, a predetermined amount of sample is sucked from one tube and discharged to the other tube. By repeating this, the entire amount of the sample in one tube is finally transferred to the other tube. Sufficient mixing may not always be obtained if the whole amount is transferred by one-time dispensing, but the mixing rate can be increased by performing multiple small-scale dispensing. According to the invention, in particular:
Even when the amount of the sample to be mixed is larger than the nozzle volume, the sample can be sufficiently stirred.

Preferably, the first tube and the second tube
The stepwise sample transfer to and from the tube is performed once for each round trip. In this case, the second tube is temporarily used, and the mixed sample can be stored in the original tube.

Preferably, the first tube is subjected to a predetermined process in a state where the sample in the first tube is transferred to the second tube by the stepwise sample transfer. Here, it is desirable that the predetermined processing is label sticking. When carrying a tube for labeling, if the sample is contained in the tube,
There is a risk of contamination such as sample scattering. According to the present invention, a label can be attached to a tube in an empty state. After that, the mixed sample can be stored.

(2) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a transport path for transporting a first rack in which first tubes containing samples are aligned and held in the X direction, and a predetermined stop position on the transport path. An empty area as a tube non-existing area set on one side in the Y direction of the stopped rack and a second tube set on at least one side in the X direction of the empty area and to which a sample is dispensed are held in alignment. A rack mounting area on which a second rack is mounted, a nozzle for dispensing a sample between the first tube and the second tube, and the nozzle so that the nozzle passes over the empty area. Control the movement of the nozzle and dispense by the nozzle
Anda controller for controlling, the control of the control unit
Between the first tube and the second tube
The stepwise sample transfer process is performed, and
The unit dispensing is performed multiple times, and in each unit dispensing,
One of the first tube and the second tube
The sample in the tube is aspirated from the liquid surface by a predetermined amount,
It is discharged to the other tube and the stepwise sample transfer is performed.
The step is performed at least once to stir the sample .

According to the above construction, the substantial movement path of the nozzle is set on the vacant area, and even if a drop of liquid drops from the nozzle should occur, contamination can be prevented.

Preferably, the width of the empty area in the X direction is equal to or larger than the length of the first rack in the X direction. Desirably, the width of the empty area in the Y direction is equal to or greater than the length to the far end of both ends of the second rack in the Y direction when viewed from the transport path.

Preferably, among the plurality of second tubes on the second rack, the second tubes closer to the empty area are sequentially used. According to this configuration, the second tube is sequentially used from the front side of the empty area. Therefore, when performing suction or discharge to the tube on the back side, the nozzle passes above the tube on the front side, but since the tube on the front side is always a used tube, The drop does not pose a contamination problem.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the dispensing apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall structure thereof.

The nozzle 10 is composed of a nozzle base portion 14 and a disposable tip (hereinafter referred to as a tip) 12 attached to the nozzle base portion 14. Here, the nozzle base 14 is
The chip 12 is made of resin, and the chip 12 is made of resin. The chip 12 is exchanged for each sample (specimen).

A dispensing pump 16 is connected to the nozzle 10 via a pipe 18. The dispensing pump 16 is composed of, for example, a syringe and a piston, and the pressure inside the nozzle 10 can be controlled by the dispensing pump 16. With this, the sample is sucked and discharged by the nozzle 10. A pressure sensor 20 is provided on the pipe 18, and the detection value of the pressure sensor 20 is output to the control unit 24 and used for control.

The nozzle 10 is held by a nozzle transfer mechanism 22, and the nozzle transfer mechanism 22 controls the controller 24.
The nozzle 10 is freely conveyed in the three-dimensional direction by the control.

A tube transport mechanism 26 and a label sticker 28 are connected to the controller 24. The tube transport mechanism 26 is a means for grabbing and transporting a tube (test tube), and the label sticker 28 is a device for sticking a label such as a barcode label to the tube transported by the tube transport mechanism 26. .

The control unit 24 according to this embodiment has a function of stirring the sample by the stepwise sample transfer. Specifically, in a state in which the sample in the original tube 30 is divided into a plurality of parts, the transfer to the temporary tube 32 is executed stepwise for each part, and further, all the samples are transferred to the temporary tube 32, The sample is again divided into a plurality of parts, and the process of transferring each part to the original tube 30 in order is executed. Thus, by performing the stepwise sample transfer at least once, it is possible to agitate the entire sample, in particular
There is an advantage that the stirring can be efficiently performed even when the sample in the tube is large in quantity as compared with the capacity of the tip 12. At least 1 for sample agitation
Two stepwise sample transfers are performed, preferably one for each round trip.
Step-by-step sample transfer is performed once. Of course, further stepwise sample transfer may be performed in order to enhance the stirring efficiency. Incidentally, in FIG. 1, the amounts of the sample transferred in each unit dispensing in the stepwise sample transfer process are shown by A to E and E ′ to A ′.

When performing such a stepwise sample transfer, the nozzle 10 is lowered while ejecting a small amount of air from the tip of the nozzle 10, and the tip opening of the nozzle 10 is blocked by the liquid surface of the sample. The pressure sensor 20 detects a pressure increase in the pipe due to the above, and thereby positions the tip opening of the nozzle 10 at a position of, for example, 2 mm below the liquid surface. When the sample is sucked in this state, the liquid surface is lowered, so that the position of the nozzle 10 is lowered downward following the lowering. Then, when a certain amount (for example, the portion A in FIG. 1) is sucked, the suction is stopped,
The nozzle 10 is conveyed and positioned on the temporary tube 32, and the sample sucked in this state is discharged. Then, for example, as indicated by reference numeral A ′ in FIG.
A fixed amount of sample is transferred from the liquid surface of the original tube 30 into the inside. When this is repeated, each part constituting the total amount of the sample in the original tube 30 is transferred stepwise into the temporary tube 32. Then, after the entire amount of the original tube 30 is transferred into the temporary tube 32, the temporary tube 3
The same method is applied to the sample in 2 and finally the entire amount of the sample is transferred back from the temporary tube 32 to the original tube 30. In the process of such steps, the sample is effectively mixed and the concentration of the whole sample is made uniform. That is, a stirring action can be obtained.

FIG. 2 shows the dispensing operation described above as a flowchart. First, in S101, a predetermined amount of sample is sucked from the original tube 30 shown in FIG. 1, and in S102, the predetermined amount of sample is discharged to the temporary tube 32. Then, in S103, it is determined whether or not the entire amount of the sample has been transferred from the original tube 30 to the temporary tube 32, and if the entire amount has not been transferred, the steps from S101 are repeatedly executed, and finally the original tube 30. All of the sample inside will be divided and transferred to the temporary tube 32.

In S104, when the original tube 30 is empty, the original tube 30 is picked up by the tube transport mechanism 26, and the original tube 30 is transferred to the label sticker 28. Then, the label sticker 28 sticks a predetermined barcode label to the original tube 30. After that, the original tube 3 with the label attached by the action of the tube transport mechanism 26
0 is returned to the original position again.

In S105, in the state where the entire amount of the sample has been transferred into the temporary tube 32, a predetermined amount of the sample is also sucked in this S105 and discharged back to the original tube 30 in the same manner as in S101 described above ( S10
6). Then, this process is repeatedly executed until all the sample in the temporary tube 32 is exhausted, and when the entire amount of the sample is transferred to the original tube 30, the process from S107 to S1.
In step S108, it is determined whether or not the same sample is subjected to the stepwise sample transfer again to further enhance the stirring action. When the repetition is determined in S108, the steps from S101 above are repeatedly executed.

On the other hand, in S109, it is judged whether or not the stirring similar to the above is performed on the other sample, and if such another sample (specimen) is present, the sample is changed in S110, and it is temporarily changed. The tube is also changed, and the same steps as above are repeatedly executed.

According to the above dispensing process, the sample can be agitated by effectively utilizing the nozzle, and in particular, the original tube 30 can be used.
Since the label can be attached to the original tube 30 in the empty state, it is possible to prevent problems such as scattering of the sample during the tube transfer and effectively eliminate contamination. There are advantages.

FIG. 3 conceptually shows a top view of the dispensing apparatus according to this embodiment. The dispensing device has a transport path 42
Is formed, and the rack 40 is transported by the transport path 42. The rack 40 holds a plurality of tubes 44 upright.

FIG. 3 shows a state in which the rack 40 is stopped at a predetermined stop position. An empty area 60 is set on one side in the Y direction of the rack 40 stopped at this stop position. This empty area 60 functions as a transport area for the nozzles, and there are no tubes in the empty area 60. A temporary tube rack 50 is provided on the Y direction side of the empty area 60, and a plurality of temporary tubes 46 are erected and held on the temporary tube rack 50.

The sample in each tube 44 of the rack 40 is mixed by using the temporary tube 46 by the method shown in FIG. In this case, reference numeral 100 to
As indicated by reference numeral 103, the movement path of the nozzle is set so as to substantially pass above the empty area 60, and even if a drop of a droplet should occur in such a passage path, it is called contamination. Problems can be prevented in advance. Incidentally, in the temporary tube rack 50, the temporary tube 46 used is, as shown in FIG.
The temporary tube 46 on the front side as viewed from the vacant area 60 side is preferentially used from the empty area 60 side, and the temporary tube 46 on the rear side is sequentially used from there. Is used. With such a use, it is possible to effectively prevent the problem of contamination due to the drop of liquid droplets and the like as described above.

Another rack 52 is provided on the other side of the empty area 60 in the X direction, and a plurality of tubes 54 are erected and held in the rack 52. Even when the tube 44 is dispensed to such a tube 54, the movement path of the nozzle is substantially set above the empty area 60.

Incidentally, the vacant area 60 has a length 201 in the X direction that is equal to or greater than the length in the X direction of the rack 40 at the predetermined stop position, and the length in the Y direction of the vacant area 60 is the transport distance. The length 202 is set to be equal to or more than the distance from the path 42 to the far side end 50A of the two end sides 50A and 50B in the Y direction of the temporary tube rack 50.

In the conventional pipetting apparatus, racks and the like are arranged at high density on the pipetting table, but in the present embodiment, the empty area 60 is intentionally set to take a thorough countermeasure against contamination. It becomes possible.

[0037]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to efficiently stir the sample, and particularly to effectively stir the sample in a larger amount than the volume of the nozzle. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of contamination and to configure a highly reliable dispensing device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a dispensing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the dispensing device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an empty area in the dispensing device.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 nozzles, 12 nozzle tips, 14 nozzle bases, 16 dispensing pumps, 18 pipes, 20 pressure sensors, 22 nozzle transfer mechanism, 24 control unit, 26 tube transfer mechanism, 28 label sticker, 30-element tube,
32 Temporary tube.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Katsuhiro Suzuki 6-22-1, Mure, Mitaka City, Tokyo Aloka Co., Ltd. (56) References JP 3-25368 (JP, A) JP 3 -65654 (JP, A) JP-A-4-161856 (JP, A) Actual development 4-85149 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G01N 35/02 G01N 1/00 101 G01N 35/10 JISST file (JOIS)

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A first tube containing a sample, a second tube, and a dispensing mechanism for performing a stepwise sample transfer process between the first tube and the second tube, wherein: In the stepwise sample transfer process, a plurality of unit dispensings are performed, and in each unit dispensing, the sample in one of the first tube and the second tube is a predetermined amount from its liquid surface. A dispenser, which is sucked and discharged into the other tube, and the stepwise sample transfer step is performed at least once to stir the sample. 2. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the stepwise sample transfer is performed once for each reciprocation between the first tube and the second tube. 3. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the sample in the first tube is transferred to the second tube by the stepwise sample transfer, and a predetermined treatment is performed on the first tube. Dispensing device characterized by performing. 4. The dispensing device according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined process is label sticking. 5. A transport path for transporting a first rack in which the first tubes containing the samples are aligned and held in the X direction, and one side in the Y direction of the rack stopped at a predetermined stop position on the transport path. An empty area as a tube-free area, and a second tube which is set on at least one side in the X direction of the empty area and in which a sample is dispensed is aligned and held.
A rack mounting area on which a rack is mounted, a nozzle that dispenses a sample between the first tube and the second tube, and a nozzle that allows the nozzle to pass above the empty area. controls the movement, minute by the nozzle
A control unit for controlling pouring , wherein the first tube and the second tube are controlled by the control unit.
A stepwise sample transfer process is performed between the tube and the tube, and a plurality of unit aliquots are performed in the stepwise sample transfer process.
In each unit dispensing, the first tube and the second tube are
Inside the tube, the sample in one of the tubes
A predetermined amount is aspirated and discharged into the other tube.
And performing the stepwise sample transfer process at least once
Dispensing device characterized by stirring . 6. The dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the width of the empty area in the X direction is greater than or equal to the length of the first rack in the X direction. 7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the width of the empty area in the Y direction is greater than or equal to the distance to the far end of both ends of the second rack in the Y direction when viewed from the transport path. Dispensing device characterized by the above. 8. The dispenser according to claim 5, wherein among the plurality of second tubes on the second rack, the second tubes closer to the empty area are sequentially used. apparatus.