JP3733431B2 - Automatic dispensing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a dispensing device that sucks and discharges (dispenses) a predetermined amount of liquid after mounting a disposable chip (hereinafter simply referred to as a chip), and confirms whether there is a chip to be mounted. The present invention relates to an automatic dispensing device equipped with a sensor.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When dispensing biological samples such as serum and urine from a test tube or cup to other containers using a conventional dispensing device that uses a tip, first, insert multiple tips into the tip opening (the opening in which the nozzle should be inserted). ) Is placed on the chip stand so that it faces upward, and the nozzle at the initial position (so-called home position) is controlled and moved in the X and Y directions (horizontal direction) to adjust the positional relationship with the chip, and then the Z direction ( The nozzle is lowered in the vertical direction) and inserted into the chip. Thereafter, an actual dispensing operation (aspiration of the sample and discharge of the aspirated sample into the container) is performed.
[0003]
For the purpose of avoiding contamination between samples, a new chip is usually used for each dispensing operation unless the same sample is dispensed. For example, an immunochemical analysis is used. Since an apparatus or the like analyzes a large amount of sample (specimen), the dispensing apparatus consumes a large amount of chips.
[0004]
For this reason, for example, in an immunochemical analyzer that dispenses a large amount of sample, a space for arranging a plurality of chip stands is secured, and a chip stand loaded with a large number of chips is arranged and dealt with. However, when the sample (sample amount) is large, the prepared tip is consumed during the dispensing operation, and the dispensing device stops unless the operator notices this. There is a fear. Since the normal dispensing device does not suck the sample unless the tip is attached to the nozzle, in such a case, the operation is stopped to avoid calculating an incorrect analysis result. Because it is.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In a conventional dispensing device, the number of chips prepared in advance in the control device configured with a computer or the like is manually input, and the number is counted each time the dispensing device uses a new tip. A device that manages the remaining number of chips by subtracting from the input value is used. Also, instead of manually inputting the number of chips, the chip standing is scanned with a sensor at the initial stage of the dispensing operation, and the chip management as described above is performed after automatically detecting and storing the number of loaded chips. Devices have also been proposed.
[0006]
However, in a device that manually inputs the number of tips, it is necessary to correct the remaining number of tips based on the number of tips added, particularly when replenishing tips to eliminate the shortage of tips during operation of the dispensing device. There is a problem. Also, if you accidentally enter a value that exceeds the actual number of tips at the initial stage or during tip replenishment, the dispensing operation will continue even if there are no tips, and the dispensing device will stop. There is a problem that an erroneous analysis result is calculated.
[0007]
Even if it is placed in a device that automatically detects the number of chips by scanning with a sensor, the same applies if a value exceeding the actual number is detected for some reason during scanning. In addition, when the tip is replenished during the operation of the dispensing device, it is necessary to scan the sensor again to correct the remaining number of tips, and there is a problem that the dispensing operation must be stopped during this time.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present inventors have intensively studied to complete the present invention. That is, the present invention is an automatic dispensing apparatus for sucking and discharging a liquid, and is equipped with a nozzle having a liquid suction / discharge mechanism capable of mounting a tip at the tip, and reciprocating the nozzle in a horizontal direction. A first moving mechanism for moving up and down, a second moving mechanism for moving the nozzle up and down in a vertical direction, a chip having an opening that can be fitted to the nozzle tip, and holding the chip opening upward. A tip stand to be obtained, a third moving mechanism for moving the tip stand in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal reciprocating direction of the nozzle by the first moving mechanism, and introducing the tip stand directly below the reciprocating path; A device for detecting whether or not a chip is present, and a control device for controlling at least the third movement mechanism based on the presence / absence information of the chip by the sensor. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail.
[0009]
The nozzle can be exemplified by, for example, a rod-like one that can be mounted with a tip at its tip. And the said rod-shaped nozzle is provided with the hollow part connected with the mechanism which consists of a pump means for attracting | sucking and discharging a liquid. Examples of the pump means include a syringe pump, but are not particularly limited thereto, and a conventionally known nozzle body and a liquid suction / discharge mechanism can be used. On the other hand, there is no particular limitation as long as the tip portion that can be attached to the tip and connected to the hollow portion has a shape that can be inserted into the opening of the tip and fit into the opening of the tip. For example, a tapered shape can be exemplified.
[0010]
It is preferable that the nozzle has a mechanism for automatically removing the mounted chip in order to automatically perform chip replacement.
[0011]
The first moving mechanism reciprocates the nozzle in the horizontal direction (X direction). The mechanism can include, for example, a moving path configured by a driving unit configured by a stepping motor, a timing belt, and the like, a traveling groove extending linearly in the horizontal direction, and the like. The drive unit is configured to reciprocate the nozzle in accordance with a control command from a control device described later. The second moving mechanism moves the nozzle up and down in the vertical direction (Z direction). The mechanism can be configured similarly to the first moving mechanism.
[0012]
As the chip, for example, a semi-transparent chip colored in pink, blue, yellow or the like and a non-colored transparent disposable chip manufactured using polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate or the like can be used. Chips as exemplified are commercially available, and commercially available chips can be used in the present invention. Needless to say, the dispensing apparatus of the present invention can be used not only for exchanging tips for each sample but also for operations for dispensing a plurality of samples with one tip. It can also be used when the used chip is reused after chemical or physical treatment.
[0013]
As the chip, a commercially available disposable chip or the like as described above can be used. Usually, the tip has a tapered shape with a tapered tip, and has an opening that can be mated with the nozzle. In the present invention, a chip stand that can hold such a chip with the opening facing upward is used. Thereby, a chip | tip can be mounted | worn with a nozzle only by dropping a nozzle from upper direction. The second drive mechanism is provided with a damper mechanism that absorbs an impact generated when the tip of the nozzle contacts the opening of the tip, or while the nozzle is moved down by contact between the tip of the nozzle and the tip of the tip. You may provide the mechanism which rotates simultaneously. The chip stand is not particularly limited as long as one or more chips can be stacked and held. Therefore, the chip stand only needs to be able to load and hold chips in m × n columns (m and n are positive integers). However, since a large amount of chips are usually consumed, it is preferable that chips can be loaded and held in m × n columns (m and n are positive integers, one of which is an integer of 2 or more). . As an example of such a chip stand, a rectangular commercial product that can load and hold 96 chips in 12 × 8 rows can be exemplified. In addition, the use of a plurality of such chip stands can be exemplified, but in this case, the long sides (or short sides) are used so as to be aligned. The tip stand is moved in the direction (Y direction) perpendicular to the horizontal reciprocating direction of the nozzle by the third moving mechanism. The movement of the chip stand by the third moving mechanism is sufficient if it moves in one direction, and it is not always necessary to reciprocate. However, it is preferable to be able to reciprocate in order to realize ease of maintenance. . In addition, as will be described in detail later with reference to the drawings, when the apparatus is configured to operate the third moving mechanism prior to dispensing and check whether a chip is present on the chip stand in advance, The three moving mechanism is preferably configured to be capable of reciprocating.
[0014]
The third moving mechanism can be configured similarly to the first moving mechanism and the like. The third moving mechanism can fill a new chip stand on the moving path during the operation of the dispensing device, or the empty chip holder can be used when the held chip is used for the dispensing operation and becomes empty. It is preferable that it is comprised so that can be taken out from a movement path | route.
[0015]
When using a chip stand that can load and hold two or more chips in m or n (m and n are positive integers, one of which is 2 or more) as a chip stand, m or n Any one of the columns is configured to move in a state parallel to the horizontal reciprocating direction of the nozzle. That is, by moving the chip stand in this way, among the chips stacked and held in the m or n rows, m or n chips can be simultaneously moved directly under the nozzle movement path. is there.
[0016]
The automatic dispensing apparatus of the present invention has a sensor for detecting whether or not a chip is loaded on the chip stand. As a result, when a tip stand having no tip is introduced immediately below the reciprocating path of the nozzle by the first moving mechanism, it is possible to quickly introduce the next tip stand by omitting the tip mounting operation. If the chip stand is capable of holding the chips in m × n columns, the next column can be quickly introduced by skipping the column where no chip is present.
[0017]
For example, the sensor can be installed at a location along the chip standing movement path by the third movement mechanism. In this case, the position where all the chips held on the chip stand can cross the sensor detection side is selected. That is, for example, holding a plurality of chips The length of the tip stand in the moving direction When using the chip stand of a, it can be exemplified that the sensor is installed at a position a or more away from one end of the third moving mechanism. If it is closer to the edge than the position, all the chips held on the chip stand may not cross the front of the sensor. In this case, it will not be possible to detect the presence of the chip. It is.
[0018]
The sensor is installed, for example, at the position where the nozzle is lowered by the second moving mechanism and the tip is mounted, that is, upstream of the intersection with the horizontal reciprocating path of the nozzle by the first moving mechanism (the side where the tip stand is introduced). For example, as the chip stand is moved by the third movement mechanism, the presence or absence of the chip can be detected before the chip mounting operation. Further, for example, as will be described in detail later with reference to the drawings, the third moving mechanism is driven to move the tip stand in front of the sensor and cross it before starting the dispensing operation to detect the presence / absence of the tip in advance. You may do it. In this case, it is also possible to install the sensor at a position downstream of the intersection of the movement path of the third movement mechanism with the horizontal reciprocation path of the nozzle by the first movement mechanism (side from which the chip stand is discharged). .
[0019]
Specifically, a photoelectric sensor that detects the presence / absence of a chip by a change in light amount, a microswitch that detects the presence / absence of a chip by directly contacting the chip, and the like can be used as the sensor. Various sensors such as transmission type, regressive reflection type, diffuse reflection type, and limited reflection type are known as photoelectric sensors, but can be used without any particular limitation. Various microswitches such as a hinge lever type and a leaf spring type are known depending on the type of actuator, but can be used without any particular limitation.
[0020]
When the chip stand is loading / holding m × n rows of chips and the sensor is installed at a position along the movement path of the chip stand by the third moving mechanism, the sensor is in the m or n rows. Of which, the moving direction of the chip stand vertical It is possible to detect whether or not one or more chips are present in a row in any direction. That is, for example, in a configuration that will be described in detail later with reference to the drawings, chips are filled in a chip stand that can stack and hold chips in 12 × 8 rows, and 12 (row) chips are moved vertically to the nozzle movement path. In other words, when 8 chips are moved in parallel at the same time (in other words, 8 chips are moved in parallel with the movement path of the nozzles), the sensors installed at positions along the movement path are 1 in each of the 8 lines. It is detected whether more than one chip is loaded or one chip is not loaded. Such a detection result can be implemented by using a transmission type or reflection type sensor having a long detection distance (which can detect a chip located far away). In particular, when a reflective sensor with a short detection distance is used, among the chips carried in m × n rows, in the above example, eight rows are located closest to the sensor in the row moved in parallel with the nozzle movement path. Only the presence or absence of a chip may be detected.
[0021]
In the present invention, particularly when a chip stand having a constant shape and size is not used, it is detected whether or not the chip loaded and held on the chip stand has been moved directly below the nozzle movement path by the first moving mechanism. Preferably, a second sensor is provided. This sensor can also be used as a sensor for detecting whether a chip is present on the chip stand. That is, by installing the sensor at the intersection (intersection line) between the horizontal reciprocation path of the nozzle and the tip standing movement path at a position along the tip standing movement path by the third moving mechanism, This is because, when the presence or absence of the tip is detected and the tip is present, it is possible to detect that the tip is located immediately below the horizontal reciprocating path of the nozzle. If the chip stand to be used always has a certain shape, size, etc., for example, if the chip is detected by a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the chip, the chip stand by the third moving mechanism is used thereafter. By controlling the movement distance, it is possible to introduce the tip directly under the horizontal reciprocating path of the nozzle. For example, the third moving mechanism is operated prior to the dispensing operation, and the tip holder is moved for the dispensing operation after detecting beforehand whether or not the chip is present on the tip holder. Further, when the chip stand to be used has a certain shape, size, etc., the second sensor is a predetermined position on the upstream side of the movement path (the side where the chip stand is introduced), for example. It is also possible to use a sensor that detects that the sensor is located in the position. This is because if the chip stand having a fixed shape can be positioned at a predetermined position in this way, the distance of movement of the chip stand by the third moving mechanism can be controlled thereafter.
[0022]
The apparatus of the present invention is preferably provided with positioning means for chip stands. The positioning device may be operated, for example, via a control device, and may be configured to position and hold the tip stand so that it does not move further after the tip is positioned directly below the horizontal reciprocating path of the nozzle. More specifically, for example, a configuration in which the side surface of the chip stand is sandwiched and pressed from both sides of the chip stand moving path of the third moving mechanism can be exemplified. The control device is a mechanism that controls each mechanism and manages the dispensing operation. An example of storing the amount of sample to be aspirated in the control device is also possible. For example, in immunochemical analysis, the amount of sample used may vary depending on the antigenic substance to be measured. Therefore, if parameters related to the sample amount are stored in the control device in advance, control can be performed according to the analysis target. The operation of inputting parameters to the apparatus can be omitted. For example, when a chip stand that can hold chips of m × n rows is used, it is possible to exemplify controlling each moving mechanism by the control device as follows.
[0023]
(1) If the sensor cannot detect that chips are stacked in a column (eight columns in the above example) in a direction perpendicular to the moving path of the third moving mechanism, the column in which the chips are stacked is Control is performed so that the third moving mechanism is operated until it moves directly below the nozzle movement path. Here, for example, when a reflective sensor with a short detection distance is used, if there are no chips on the side closest to the sensor in the eight rows from the detection distance, for example, there are chips in the remaining eleven rows. However, in order to output the result that there is no chip, the column is skipped, and the next column in which the chip is present closest to the sensor sensor is introduced. In order to avoid this, for example, a transmissive sensor or a reflective sensor having a long detection distance may be used. (2) When the row in which it is detected that the chips are loaded moves immediately below the nozzle movement path, the third movement mechanism is stopped, and the first movement mechanism and the second movement mechanism are operated to perform the chip mounting operation. I do. If the tip is attached, the dispensing operation is subsequently performed. (3) If the chip is not mounted even after performing the chip mounting operation, the first moving mechanism is operated to move the nozzles by the nozzle separation distance on the chip stand (separation distance in the direction parallel to the nozzle movement path). Move and repeat the chip mounting operation. Whether or not the tip is mounted may be detected by detecting a reaction force generated by inserting the nozzle tip into the tip opening, for example. Further, in order to realize a quick dispensing operation, for example, if the chip is not mounted even once, the chip holder can be moved by the third moving mechanism and the next row can be introduced. . (4) After the chip mounting operation is repeated several times in a row in the direction parallel to the movement path of the chip stand (12 in the above example), the third moving mechanism is operated to move the nozzle separation distance (tip stand movement on the chip stand). The same operation is repeated by moving the distance by a distance in the direction parallel to the path. If the sensor detects that there is no chip in this row, the third moving mechanism is further operated to move the chip stand by the distance. In addition to the above example, for example, a chip stand is first operated by first operating the third moving mechanism to cross the front of the sensor to detect whether there is a chip on it, and information on the presence / absence of this chip Is stored in the control device or a storage device attached thereto, and then the third moving mechanism is operated again so that the detected tip is moved to a position immediately below the horizontal reciprocating path of the nozzle by the first moving mechanism. Also good.
[0024]
As described above, in the present invention, when the sensor is installed at a position along the movement path of the chip stand by the third movement mechanism and the chip stand can hold the chips in m × n rows, It is detected whether one or more chips are present in the m or n columns. Therefore, in this case, as described in (3) above, a situation may occur in which the chip is not mounted even if the chip mounting operation is performed. Therefore, the same number of sensors as the number of rows parallel to the single or chip standing movement path is further provided, and the chip is loaded at which position in the row located directly below the nozzle movement path, and the chip is loaded at which position. It is preferable to detect whether it is not. When using a chip stand having a different shape, size, etc., it is preferable to install a sensor that can move in parallel with the horizontal reciprocation path of the nozzle on the side facing the opening of the chip (that is, above the chip movement path). However, when a fixed chip stand is used, such a moving mechanism can be omitted by installing the same number of sensors as the number of m or n at a location corresponding to the row as described above. However, for example, if this sensor is configured to move in association with the nozzle, the moving mechanism becomes unnecessary (also used as the first moving mechanism). In this case, the number of sensors is reduced and the moving mechanism is omitted. However, it is possible to deal with chip stands having different shapes and dimensions. In addition, in this case, if the tip directly under the nozzle is detected, the exact position of the tip can also be detected.
[0025]
According to the above preferred configuration of the present invention, in addition to the presence / absence of a chip, it is also possible to detect the position of an existing chip. Therefore, the control device more accurately controls the first moving mechanism to ensure the nozzle. It becomes possible to attach a chip to. That is, (1) First, the control device moves the chip stand by controlling the third moving mechanism. In advance or during this movement, the sensor detects whether a chip is present on the chip stand and outputs it to the control device. (2) When the tip moves to a position where the tip can be mounted by the lowering of the nozzle by the second moving mechanism, that is, a position just below the horizontal reciprocating path of the nozzle by the first moving mechanism, or based on the calculated value The control device stops the third stand and stops the chip stand by controlling the positioning device along with the detection of the presence or absence or the output from the added sensor. (3) Next, the first moving mechanism is controlled to move the nozzle in the horizontal direction to the top of the chip. When a sensor is added, the first moving mechanism is controlled based on the output. When the position of the chip is accurately detected by the added sensor, the second moving mechanism is operated at a position where the axis of the chip substantially coincides with the axis of the nozzle, the nozzle is lowered, and the chip is inserted into the chip opening. Installing.
[0026]
After the tip is attached to the nozzle in this way, the second, first, and second moving mechanisms are operated in order to insert the tip of the tip attached to the nozzle into the container that holds the sample. Here, the liquid suction / discharge mechanism is controlled to suck a predetermined amount of sample. It is preferable that the apparatus of the present invention further includes a sample transfer mechanism for transferring a sample container holding the sample immediately below the horizontal reciprocating path of the nozzle by the first moving mechanism. As the sample transfer mechanism, for example, a mechanism constituted by a disk capable of holding one or more sample containers in the circumferential direction and a driving means for rotating the disk, or movement of a chip stand by a third movement mechanism A mechanism for transferring the sample container in a direction parallel to the direction can be exemplified. If the operation of the sample transfer mechanism is controlled by a control device by providing the same sensor as described above, samples to be sequentially dispensed can be introduced directly under the movement path of the nozzle. In addition, if a label is attached to the container that holds the sample and an optical device that reads the label is provided in the transfer path of the sample moving mechanism, the sample container from which the sample after the dispensed sample comes from It is also possible to manage whether it is.
[0027]
Subsequently, the control device again operates the second, first, and second moving mechanisms in order, and inserts the tip of the tip mounted on the nozzle into the container to which the sample is to be discharged, and here again the liquid suction / discharge mechanism Is controlled to discharge the sample held on the chip. Here, it is preferable that the apparatus of the present invention further includes a container transfer mechanism for transferring a container to which a sample is to be discharged immediately below the horizontal reciprocation path of the nozzle by the first moving mechanism. As the container transfer mechanism, for example, a mechanism constituted by a disk capable of holding one or more containers in the circumferential direction and a driving means for rotating the disk, or a moving direction of the chip stand by the third moving mechanism And a mechanism for moving the container in a parallel direction. If this transfer mechanism is also provided with the same sensor as described above and the operation is controlled by the control device, it is possible to sequentially introduce containers into which the sample is to be discharged directly under the movement path of the nozzle.
[0028]
When the same sample is dispensed into different containers after the sample is discharged into the container as described above, the control device operates only the transfer mechanism for transferring the container to which the sample is to be discharged, and then the same Repeat the operation. When dispensing a new sample, first, the tip already mounted on the nozzle is removed and discarded at a tip disposal place provided immediately below the nozzle movement path. Then, after operating the third transfer mechanism, the sample transfer mechanism, and the container transfer mechanism, the same control as described above is performed. Note that when the chip stand holds and holds a plurality of chips, the operation of the third moving mechanism is not necessarily required, and the nozzle moving distance by the first moving mechanism is simply changed, or the second sensor is After the first moving mechanism is operated to the position where the chip is detected, it is possible to cope only by repeating the same operation as described above.
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, it is possible to automatically detect whether the nozzles are stacked and held on the nozzle stand, and therefore manually input the number of chips prepared in advance in a control device configured with a computer or the like. The operation of doing can be omitted. Further, the control device does not need to manage the remaining number of chips by counting the number of new chips each time a new chip is used and subtracting it from the input value. In the present invention, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of the tip when the sensor is fixedly arranged and the tip stand is simply moved for the dispensing operation by the third moving mechanism. It takes no time to detect and memorize the number of chips loaded by scanning the chip stand with a sensor in the initial stage.
[0030]
In particular, in the present invention, even if a chip stand loaded with chips is added to the third movement path during the operation of the dispensing device, the position is more than the sensor installation position. Upstream If it is the side, the dispensing operation can be continued as it is.
[0031]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings showing a case where the apparatus is applied to an immunochemical analyzer, but the present invention is not limited to the apparatuses described in these drawings. FIG. 1 shows an apparatus of the present invention configured as an automatic dispensing apparatus of an immunological analysis apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a view showing the apparatus viewed from above. 1 shows a case where the tip stand is located on the near side, and FIG. 2 shows a case where the tip stand is located on the far side. Note that the size of each mechanism or the like on the drawing does not completely reflect the size of the actual device.
[0032]
A biological fluid sample represented by blood or serum (hereinafter referred to as a specimen) is held in a suitable specimen container 1 and is transported by a specimen transport mechanism 3 in a state of being carried on a carrier 2 capable of carrying a plurality of specimen containers. Is done. This transfer path is configured to be parallel to a chip stand, which will be described later, that is, to intersect the nozzle movement path at a horizontal right angle.
[0033]
The chips 4 are held on a chip stand 5 that can load and hold chips in 8 × 12 rows, and the third moving mechanism 6 simultaneously moves 12 chips directly below the nozzle movement path by the first moving mechanism. This movement is performed by a stepping motor 7 which is a drive source of the third movement mechanism, but the operation of 7 is controlled by a control device (not shown).
[0034]
In the apparatus of this example, the reaction container 9 from which the specimen is to be discharged is also transferred by the container transfer mechanism. This transfer path is also configured to be parallel to the chip stand, that is, to intersect the nozzle movement path at a right angle. In the container, an antibody bound to a water-insoluble carrier for an antigenic substance to be measured in a specimen and an antibody bound to an enzyme for the antigenic substance are encapsulated in advance.
[0035]
The nozzle 12 can be reciprocated in a direction perpendicular to the movement paths of the sample transfer mechanism, the container transfer mechanism, and the third moving mechanism by the stepping motor 10. Further, it can be moved up and down by the second moving mechanism at any location on the reciprocating path. The second moving mechanism is driven by the stepping motor 11.
[0036]
In the apparatus of this example, a used tip disposal port 8 is provided in order to discard the tip after the sample dispensing operation. The exhaust port 8 is located immediately below the reciprocating path of the nozzle by the first moving mechanism.
[0037]
The nozzle 12 is controlled to be positioned at the home position A shown in FIG. 2 before the start of the dispensing operation. In the dispensing operation, the nozzle is moved from the position A to the chip mounting position B, the chip is mounted, the sample is aspirated at C, and the sample is discharged to the container at the position D. When dispensing of the sample is completed, the nozzle is moved above the nozzle disposal port 8 to discard the used chip and return to the home position.
[0038]
In the apparatus of this example, the mounting position of the chip stand is set on the downstream side (discharge side) X as viewed from the horizontal reciprocation path of the nozzle (the back side in the figure). The sensor 13 for detecting whether or not there is a chip on the chip stand is also located along the movement path of the chip stand by the third moving mechanism, and the tip stand is on the downstream side when viewed from the horizontal reciprocation path of the nozzle. It is installed on the (exhaust side). When the tip stand is placed on the X side, the control device controls the third moving mechanism and sees this from the horizontal reciprocating path of the nozzle, and the tip stand on the upstream side (the side where the tip stand is introduced) Y is provided. Move to the initial position. At this time, all the chips on all the chip stands (three in the figure) cross the front of the sensor 13, and the installation location of the sensor is examined from the size of the chip stands and the moving path length of the third moving path. Yes. When the chip stand passes in front of the sensor, in this example, it is possible to detect whether or not chips are stacked for eight rows.
[0039]
An additional sensor 14 is installed at the initial position (Y side) of the chip stand in order to detect the end of the tip stand (the front side in the figure). Since the apparatus of this example uses a chip stand having a constant shape and size, all of which hold the chips at an equal distance, among the three consecutive chip stands, the initial of the chip stand located at the end By controlling the position, it is possible to introduce 8 chips at a time directly below the horizontal reciprocating path of the nozzle by controlling the third moving mechanism and performing a constant pitch feed thereafter.
[0040]
In the apparatus of this example, a reflection type sensor with a short detection distance is used as the sensor 13, and it is detected whether or not the chip is present at the position closest to the chip among the chips arranged in 12 rows. . Therefore, B is set so that chip mounting is started from the sensor-side chip.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a dispensing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 observed from above.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Sample container
2 Sample container carrier
3 Sample transfer mechanism
4 chips
5 Chip holder
6 Third moving mechanism
7 Stepping motor (for third moving mechanism)
8 Used chip disposal port
9 containers
10 Stepping motor (for first moving mechanism)
11 Stepping motor (for second moving mechanism)
12 nozzles
13 Sensor (reflection type)
14 Sensor for detecting that the chip stand is located at a predetermined position

Claims (10)

An automatic dispensing device for sucking and discharging liquids,
A nozzle equipped with a liquid suction / discharge mechanism capable of mounting a tip at the tip;
A first moving mechanism for reciprocating the nozzle in the horizontal direction;
A second moving mechanism for raising and lowering the nozzle in the vertical direction;
A chip having an opening that can be fitted to the nozzle tip;
Chips that can hold a plurality of chips in m × n rows (m and n are positive integers of 2 or more, and m rows are rows perpendicular to the moving direction of the chip stand) with the chip openings facing upward. Stand and
A third moving mechanism for moving the tip stand in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the horizontal reciprocating direction of the nozzle by the first moving mechanism and introducing it directly below the reciprocating path;
A sensor for detecting whether a chip is loaded on the chip stand;
In the automatic dispensing device for chromatic and a control device for controlling at least a third moving mechanism based on the presence information of the chip by the sensor,
The third moving mechanism moves the chips held in the m rows in a state parallel to the horizontal reciprocating direction of the nozzle,
The sensor is installed at a position along the movement path of the chip stand by the third movement mechanism,
The sensor detects whether or not one or more chips are stacked in the m column of chip stands, or detects whether or not one or more chips are available in the m rows of chip stands. To do,
An automatic dispensing device characterized by that. The sensor is installed at a position along the movement path of the chip stand by the third movement mechanism, and all the chips held by the chip stand moved by the third movement mechanism pass through the detection side of the sensor. The automatic dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein The sensor is located along the movement path of the chip stand by the third movement mechanism, and is located upstream (on the side where the chip stand is introduced) immediately below the reciprocation path of the nozzle by the first movement path. The automatic dispensing device according to claim 2 , wherein: The sensor is located along the movement path of the tip stand by the third movement mechanism and in the vicinity of the intersection of the tip movement path of the third movement mechanism and the horizontal reciprocation path of the nozzle by the first movement mechanism. The automatic dispensing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein it detects whether or not there is one or more chips at the intersection. The automatic dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor that is movable along with the nozzle and that detects whether or not a tip exists directly under the nozzle. The automatic dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a sample transfer mechanism for transferring a sample container holding the sample immediately below the horizontal reciprocating path of the nozzle by the first moving mechanism. 7. The automatic dispensing apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the sample transfer mechanism is constituted by a disc capable of holding the sample container in the circumferential direction and a driving means for rotating the disc. The automatic dispensing apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the sample transfer mechanism transfers the sample container in a direction parallel to the moving direction of the chip stand by the third moving mechanism. The automatic dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a container transfer mechanism for transferring a container to which the sample is to be discharged immediately below the horizontal reciprocating path of the nozzle by the first moving mechanism. The automatic dispensing apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the container transfer mechanism transfers the container in a direction parallel to the moving direction of the chip stand by the third moving mechanism.

Images