JP3832282B2 - Ultrasonic stirring device and automatic analyzer using the same - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a fluid stirring device using ultrasonic waves, and more particularly to a stirring mechanism suitable for mixing reagents and reaction solutions injected into a container in the fields of biochemistry and immunity.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The stirring mechanism that mixes the objects to be stirred by sonic irradiation can perform efficient mixing without causing carry-over between the objects to be stirred as compared with the conventional stirring by rotating the spatula.
[0003]
As this kind of agitation mechanism, for example, an invention disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-146986 is known. This invention irradiates sound waves from a sound source attached to a reaction vessel to a reaction vessel in a state in which a reaction vessel in which an object to be stirred is poured into a reaction vessel filled with constant temperature water, and mixes the object to be stirred. Is.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Since the stirring mechanism described in the above publication is directly installed in the reaction vessel, it restricts the position of sound wave irradiation to the object to be stirred in the reaction vessel, and it may be difficult to deal with manufacturing errors and assembly errors. There is sex.
[0005]
Further, in maintenance work such as washing of the reaction tank and the stirring mechanism, it is necessary to remove the stirring mechanism, and it is necessary to take measures against the discharge of constant temperature water and leakage by removing the stirring mechanism, which may hinder rapid work.
[0006]
In the biochemistry and immunity fields, it is required to reduce the amount of reagents and specimens and reduce the size of testing equipment. As a result, the amount of agitated materials mixed and the agitation mounted on miniaturized testing equipment are reduced. The mechanism is similarly required to be downsized. In particular, in an automatic analyzer for biochemistry or immunoassay, the reaction tank is a major factor that determines the size of the apparatus, and therefore there is a demand for downsizing not only the reaction tank but also the mechanism around the reaction tank.
[0007]
An object of the present invention is to improve attachment and detachment and positioning of a stirring mechanism and improve maintainability in a stirring mechanism using ultrasonic waves.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The configuration of the present invention for achieving the above object is as follows.
[0009]
(1) An ultrasonic wave generating element that generates ultrasonic waves, a drive circuit that supplies electric power to the ultrasonic wave generating elements and generates ultrasonic waves in the ultrasonic wave generating elements, and irradiates ultrasonic waves generated from the ultrasonic wave generating elements An ultrasonic container comprising: a reaction container that contains an object to be stirred that is a target object; and a container that contains an ultrasonic transmission medium for transmitting ultrasonic waves between the reaction container and the ultrasonic wave generating element. A stirring device, wherein the ultrasonic wave generating element having a plurality of sets of electrodes includes an ultrasonic wave irradiation unit sealed in a waterproof structure, and at least a part of the ultrasonic wave irradiation unit is the ultrasonic wave An ultrasonic stirring device provided to be immersed in a transmission medium.
[0010]
(2) In the ultrasonic agitator according to (1), the ultrasonic wave irradiation unit includes a wiring connection unit that enables power supply to each of the plurality of sets of ultrasonic wave generating element electrodes independently. .
[0011]
(3) In the ultrasonic agitating device according to (2), the wiring connecting means includes a flexible substrate having flexibility by patterning a wiring having the same number of contacts as the number of electrodes of the ultrasonic generating element, each electrode, A metal sphere that electrically connects the contact of the flexible board, a spring that presses each contact of the flexible board to each electrode together with the metal sphere, and a fine movement in the pressing direction of the spring holding the metal sphere. An ultrasonic agitation device comprising a secured holding member.
[0012]
(4) In the ultrasonic stirring device according to any one of (1) to (3), an ultrasonic wave provided with means capable of arbitrarily changing which of the plurality of sets of ultrasonic wave generating element electrodes is supplied with power. Stirring device.
[0013]
(5) In the ultrasonic agitator according to (4), the ultrasonic agitator provided with control means for determining which of the plurality of sets of ultrasonic generating element electrodes is supplied with power according to the amount of the object to be agitated. .
[0014]
(6) The ultrasonic stirring apparatus according to (1), wherein the ultrasonic irradiation unit is integrated with a reflector that reflects at least a part of the irradiated sound wave.
[0015]
(7) A reagent installing unit for mounting a reagent container for storing a reagent, a sample installing unit for mounting a sample container for storing a sample, and a reaction unit for mounting a reaction container for mixing and reacting the reagent and the sample A measuring unit for measuring the reaction between the reagent and the sample, a reagent dispensing device for dispensing the reagent from the reagent container to the reaction container, and a sample dispensing device for dispensing the sample from the sample container to the reaction container In the automatic analyzer comprising: the automatic analyzer, wherein the stirring device for stirring the mixture of the reagent and the sample in the reaction vessel is the ultrasonic stirring device according to any one of (1) to (6) .
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an automatic analyzer to which a stirring mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view around the stirring mechanism applied to the automatic analyzer shown in FIG. is there.
[0018]
The automatic analyzer shown in FIG. 1 mainly includes a sample disk 1, a reagent disk 2, a reaction disk 3, a reaction tank 4, a sampling mechanism 5, a pipetting mechanism 6, a stirring mechanism 7, and a photometric mechanism 8. A cleaning mechanism 9, a display unit 10, an input unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a control unit 13.
[0019]
In FIG. 1, a plurality of sample containers 16 in which collected samples are placed are fixed on the circumference of a circular disk 17 in the sample disk 1. The circular disk 17 can be rotated in the circumferential direction and stopped at a predetermined position by a drive mechanism including a motor, a rotating shaft, and the like (not shown).
[0020]
In FIG. 1, a plurality of reagent bottles 18 containing reagents for mixing and reacting with a sample are fixed on the circumference of a circular disk 19 in the reagent disk 2. The periphery of the reagent bottle 18 is a temperature-controlled cool box 20.
[0021]
The circular disk 19 is rotated in the circumferential direction so as to be positioned by a drive mechanism including a motor, a rotating shaft, and the like (not shown).
[0022]
In FIG. 1, a plurality of reaction container holders 22 holding reaction containers 21 for containing samples and reagents are attached to the reaction disk 3, and circumferential rotation and stop are performed by a drive mechanism 23 at a constant cycle. And the reaction vessel 21 is intermittently transferred.
[0023]
Moreover, in FIG. 1, the reaction tank 4 is installed along the movement locus | trajectory of the reaction container 21, and in order to accelerate | stimulate the chemical reaction of a sample and a reagent, for example in the reaction container 21 by temperature-controlled constant temperature water. This is a thermostatic bath that controls the reaction solution at a constant temperature. The reaction vessel 21 moves in the reaction vessel 4.
[0024]
In FIG. 1, the sampling mechanism 5 includes a probe 24, an arm 26 attached to the support shaft 25, and a drive mechanism that enables reciprocation between the sample disk 1 and the reaction disk 3 about the support shaft 25. And.
[0025]
The sampling mechanism 5 then supplies the sample in the sample container 16 that is transferred to a fixed position along with the rotation of the sample disk 1 to the reaction container 21 in accordance with a predetermined sequence.
[0026]
Similar to the sampling mechanism 5 described above, the pipetting mechanism 6 can reciprocate between the reagent disk 2 and the reaction disk 3 around the probe 27, the arm 29 attached to the support shaft 28, and the support shaft 28 as a rotation center. Drive mechanism.
[0027]
Then, the pipetting mechanism 6 supplies the reagent in the reagent bottle 18 that is transferred to a fixed position with the rotation of the reagent disk 2 into the reaction container 21 according to a predetermined sequence.
[0028]
Note that different types of samples and reagents are placed in each of the sample container 16 and the reagent bottle 18, and a necessary amount is supplied to the reaction container 21.
[0029]
In FIG. 1, the stirring mechanism 7 according to the present invention irradiates sound waves from the side surface and the bottom surface of the reaction container 21 that has been transferred to the position (stirring position), thereby removing the sample and the reagent in the reaction container 21. This is a non-contact stirring mechanism for stirring and mixing.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 2, the stirring mechanism 7 according to this embodiment includes a sound wave irradiation unit 35 and a sound source driving unit 36.
[0031]
The sound wave irradiation unit 35 includes a piezoelectric element 30 serving as a sound source. The piezoelectric element 30 has a plurality of electrodes 32, and is vibrated at a predetermined applied voltage and frequency by the sound source driving unit 36, and the sound wave irradiation position can be changed by the vibrated electrode 32. ing.
[0032]
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the sound wave irradiation unit 35 has the same number of contacts as the number of electrodes of the piezoelectric element 30 in addition to the piezoelectric element 30, and is flexible by patterning wiring that transmits the applied voltage to each electrode 32 of the piezoelectric element 30. Flexible substrate 31, the number of metal spheres 40 equal to the number of electrodes that establish conduction between each electrode 32 and the contact of flexible substrate 31, and the contact of each electrode 32 and flexible substrate 31 via metal sphere 40, respectively. A spring 41 that presses the flexible substrate 31 in order to conduct independently, a holding member 42 that holds the metal ball 40 and ensures fine movement in the pressing direction of the spring 41, and a rubber material provided along the edge of the piezoelectric element 30. A packing 43, a reflection plate 37 that reflects a part of sound waves emitted from the piezoelectric element 30, and a casing 38 that holds these and forms a waterproof structure. The electrodes on the piezoelectric element are configured as shown in FIG. 3 when viewed from the front.
[0033]
The sound source driving unit 36 includes a power source 14, a driving circuit unit 15 that generates a voltage waveform to be applied to the piezoelectric element 30, and a relay circuit 39 that selects an electrode 32 to which a voltage is applied.
[0034]
Moreover, as shown in FIG. 2, the stirring mechanism 7 is immersed in the constant temperature water of the reaction tank 4, and is attached so that attachment or detachment is possible.
[0035]
In FIG. 2, a reaction vessel 21 into which a sample and a reagent have been injected is fixed to the reaction disk 3 by a reaction vessel holder 22, and is immersed in a reaction tank 4 containing constant temperature water as the reaction disk 3 rotates in the circumferential direction. Move with.
[0036]
When the reaction vessel 21 is transferred to the stirring position and stopped, the piezoelectric element 30 is vibrated at a predetermined applied voltage and frequency by the sound source driving unit 36. At this time, the applied voltage is supplied to the electrode 32 selected by the relay circuit 39 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 13, and a position corresponding to the electrode position is vibrated. The vibration generated when the piezoelectric element 30 is vibrated propagates as a sound wave in the constant temperature water of the reaction vessel 4 and is reflected by the side surface of the reaction vessel 21 and the reflection plate 37 to the bottom surface of the reaction vessel 21. To reach.
[0037]
These sound waves pass through the wall surface of the reaction vessel 21 and act on the sample and reagent, which are the objects to be stirred, to cause a swirling flow. This swirl flow promotes the movement of the sample, and the sample and the reagent are agitated.
[0038]
Returning to FIG. 1, the photometric mechanism 8 includes a light source, a photometer, a lens, and a photometric signal processing unit (not shown). The photometric mechanism 8 measures the physical properties of the sample with light, such as measuring the absorbance of the reaction solution in the reaction vessel 21.
[0039]
The cleaning mechanism 9 includes a plurality of nozzles 33 and a vertical drive mechanism 34 for sucking the reaction liquid in the reaction vessel 21, discharging the cleaning liquid, and transferring it to that position (cleaning position). The reaction vessel 21 is washed.
[0040]
In FIG. 1, the display unit 10 displays various screens such as analysis items and analysis results. The input unit 11 inputs various information such as analysis items. The storage unit 12 stores various information such as a predetermined sequence (program) and analysis items for controlling each mechanism.
[0041]
The automatic analyzer to which the stirring mechanism 7 according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied has a syringe, a pump, and the like as constituent elements in addition to the above, and all the sequences including them are stored in the storage unit 12. Is controlled by the control unit 13.
[0042]
Next, the analysis operation of the automatic analyzer will be described below.
[0043]
First, when the reaction container 21 cleaned by the cleaning mechanism 9 is transferred to the sample injection position by driving the reaction disk 3, the sample disk 1 rotates, and the sample container 21 containing the sample is transferred to the sampling position. . Similarly, the reagent disk 2 also transfers the desired reagent bottle 18 to the pipetting position.
[0044]
Subsequently, the sampling mechanism 5 operates, and the sample is injected from the sample container 16 transferred to the sampling position into the reaction container 21 transferred to the sample injection position using the probe 24.
[0045]
The reaction container 21 into which the sample has been injected is transferred to the reagent injection position, and is transferred from the reagent bottle 18 that has been transferred to the pipetting position on the reagent disk 2 to the reagent injection position by the operation of the pipetting mechanism 6. The reagent is injected into the reaction container 21.
[0046]
Thereafter, the reaction vessel 21 is transferred to the stirring position, and the sample and the reagent are stirred by the stirring mechanism 7.
[0047]
When the reaction vessel 21 passes between the light source and the photometer, the absorbance of the reaction solution after the stirring is completed is measured by the photometric mechanism 8. This measurement is performed for several cycles, and the reaction vessel 21 that has been measured is washed by the washing mechanism 9.
[0048]
Such a series of operations is executed for each reaction vessel 21, and analysis is performed by an automatic analyzer to which the stirring mechanism 7 according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied.
[0049]
Now, points that are characteristic in adopting the stirring mechanism 7 according to the present embodiment will be described.
[0050]
The agitation mechanism 7 according to the present embodiment makes it possible to adjust the position of the reaction vessel 21 with respect to the stop position because the sound wave irradiation unit 35 having a waterproof structure is independently attached to the reaction tank 4. In the automatic analyzer of the present embodiment, the stirring position is one, but in the automatic analyzer in which two or more stirring positions are set, the stop positions of the reaction vessels at a plurality of stirring positions are manufacturing errors and assembly. This is more effective because it may vary depending on errors. Further, by integrating the reflecting plate 37 into the housing 38, it is possible to simultaneously adjust the sound wave irradiation positions on the side surface and the bottom surface of the reaction vessel 21.
[0051]
Further, the stirring mechanism 7 according to the present embodiment can be mounted from the upper surface of the reaction tank 4, so that it is not necessary to provide a hole for attaching the stirring mechanism on the wall surface of the reaction tank 4, and the reaction tank 4 Therefore, it is possible to improve the efficiency of maintenance work such as cleaning of the reaction tank 4 and the stirring mechanism 7.
[0052]
In addition, since the agitation mechanism 7 according to the present embodiment is miniaturized by reducing the number of wires and simplifying the structure by adopting the metal spheres 40 and the flexible substrate 31, the reaction tank 4 except for the vicinity of the photometric position. It can be installed at almost any position in the interior, greatly increasing the degree of freedom in designing the layout of the automatic analyzer, and making the apparatus compact. The simplification of the structure also contributes to the improvement of manufacturing efficiency.
[0053]
In this embodiment, the coil spring is used to press the flexible substrate 31 in the sound wave irradiation unit 35 of the stirring mechanism 7. However, the number of components can be further reduced by using an integrally formed leaf spring. Further, the voltage supply to the electrode 32 is not limited to this embodiment, and any wiring connecting means that enables voltage supply to each electrode independently may be used.
[0054]
In the present embodiment, the reaction tank 4 constitutes a thermostatic tank with constant temperature water, but the stirring mechanism 7 according to the present embodiment is a medium that does not significantly impair the propagation of sound waves emitted from the sound wave irradiation unit 35. It can be used not only for constant temperature water.
[0055]
Further, the stirring mechanism 7 according to the present embodiment is not limited to the stirring mechanism of the automatic analyzer, but can be applied to a configuration in which the stirring target in the container is mixed in a medium that propagates sound waves such as water. .
[0056]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the position adjustment of the sound source with respect to the object to be stirred and the attachment / detachment to / from the attachment target are facilitated, and the efficiency of the maintenance work can be improved. In addition, it is possible to provide an agitation mechanism that increases the degree of freedom in layout and enables downsizing of the apparatus.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an automatic analyzer to which a stirring mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view around a stirring mechanism according to a first embodiment.
3 is a diagram showing a piezoelectric element electrode structure of a stirring mechanism according to Embodiment 1. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Sample disk, 2 ... Reagent disk, 3 ... Reaction disk, 4 ... Reaction tank, 5 ... Sampling mechanism, 6 ... Pipetting mechanism, 7 ... Agitation mechanism, 8 ... Photometry mechanism, 9 ... Cleaning mechanism, 10 ... Display part DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Input part, 12 ... Memory | storage part, 13 ... Control part, 14 ... Power supply, 15 ... Drive circuit part, 16 ... Sample container, 17 ... Circular disk, 18 ... Reagent bottle, 19 ... Circular disk, 20 ... Cold storage 21 ... Reaction vessel, 22 ... Reaction vessel holder, 23 ... Drive mechanism, 24, 27 ... Probe, 25, 28 ... Bearing shaft, 26, 29 ... Arm, 30 ... Piezoelectric element, 31 ... Flexible substrate, 32 ... Electrode, 33 ... Nozzle, 34 ... Vertical drive mechanism, 35 ... Sound wave irradiation unit, 36 ... Sound source drive unit, 37 ... Reflector plate, 38 ... Housing, 39 ... Relay circuit, 40 ... Metal ball, 41 ... Spring, 42 ... Holding member 43 ... Down.

Claims (3)

An ultrasonic wave generating element for generating ultrasonic waves;
A drive circuit for supplying power to the ultrasonic generator;
A reaction container for containing an object to be stirred for irradiating ultrasonic waves generated from the ultrasonic wave generating element;
An ultrasonic stirrer comprising: a container containing an ultrasonic transmission medium for transmitting ultrasonic waves between the reaction vessel and the ultrasonic wave generating element;
The ultrasonic generating element includes an ultrasonic irradiation unit sealed in a waterproof structure, and the ultrasonic irradiation unit is detachably attached to a container housing the ultrasonic transmission medium. ,
The ultrasonic generation element includes a plurality of sets of ultrasonic generation element electrodes, a flexible substrate having flexibility in patterning a wiring having the same number of contacts as the number of electrodes of the ultrasonic generation element, each electrode, and the flexible substrate A metal sphere that electrically connects the contact of each of the contacts, a spring that presses each contact of the flexible substrate independently to each electrode together with the metal sphere, and the metal sphere is held to ensure fine movement in the pressing direction of the spring. An ultrasonic agitating device comprising a wiring connecting means comprising a holding member . The ultrasonic stirring apparatus according to claim 1 ,
The ultrasonic stirring device, wherein the ultrasonic irradiation unit includes a reflecting plate that reflects at least a part of the irradiated sound wave. A reaction section on which a reaction vessel for mixing and reacting a reagent and a sample is placed;
A measuring unit for measuring the reaction between the reagent and the sample in the reaction vessel;
In an automatic analyzer equipped with
The automatic analyzer, wherein the stirring device for stirring the mixture of the reagent and the sample in the reaction vessel is the ultrasonic stirring device according to claim 1 or 2 .

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