JP3951864B2 - Automatic centrifuge - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the field of medicine, agriculture, pharmacy, science, etc., the present invention uses a so-called microplate to centrifuge separation of useful substances such as cells and nucleic acids, and easily handles and centrifuges regardless of the thickness of the microplate. The present invention relates to an automatic centrifuge that enables the above.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For automatic biochemical analysis of blood, the container loaded with the sample is loaded into a centrifugal bucket and the bucket is suspended in order to save labor for sample processing, quick response of test results, and prevention of infection by contact processing with the sample. rotating the rotor to lower and after completing the centrifugation step, automatic centrifuge process before unloading the container from the bucket have been developed.
[0003]
In the biochemical field, the shape of the sample container is constant in combination with an analytical instrument, and is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of JP-A-10-277435 and FIG. 7 of JP-A-11-276933. As described above, the container is positioned by a method in which the container on which the sample is mounted is moved on the line and stopped at a specific position, and the sample is a tube containing blood, and the container is disclosed in JP-A-11 As shown in FIG. 3 of -276933, there was a certain length in the vertical direction, and the upper part was gripped and directly carried into the bucket in the centrifuge.
[0004]
On the other hand, in order to separate and extract genetic materials such as DNA, there is an operation of repeating a chemical reaction process by injecting various reagents and a centrifugal separation process. It is necessary to connect to the machine. In addition, a specimen container called a microplate is used for separating the genetic material, and after setting the specimen container at a specific location from the automatic dispenser side, as shown in FIG. 1 of JP-A-2000-176317, an automatic centrifugal separator side of the handling mechanism, loading of the direct specimen container, performs back out of the sample container after centrifugation operation.
[0005]
In many cases, genetic material separation / extraction work is at the research level, and there are few cases where a single company is configured as a whole system, and it is inevitable to connect with automatic dispensing machines of each company. Also, there are well things (hole put sample) shallow and deep ones of the sample container to be used (microplate), due to differences in height, the loading into a bucket of a centrifuge from above gripped directly That is difficult. In order to maintain the positional accuracy in the bucket for various sample containers (microplates), it is necessary to reduce the dimensional difference between the bottom of the bucket and the bottom of the sample container. Since the operation amount of the mechanism is limited, it is difficult to grip and carry various sample containers directly from above.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, the handling mechanism needs to process the sample container regardless of the thickness of the sample container (microplate). It is necessary to carry in the sample container with high accuracy without directly handling and supporting the sample container by the handling mechanism. Furthermore, it is necessary to normally determine whether or not the specimen container has been correctly exchanged between the apparatuses.
[0007]
To address this, rather than gripping the specimen container directly mounted specimen container holding container like are attached like the hook top as easy transport means is supported by supporting the holding vessel, centrifuged The method of carrying in the separator was examined. However, when the sample container is directly transported from the automatic dispenser side to the holding container, the handling mechanism of the automatic centrifuge device may collide with the holding container, which may make accurate transport difficult.
[0008]
On the other hand, regarding exchange of the sample container with the automatic dispenser, it is important as a system to check whether the sample container is set correctly. Whether the sample container is correctly set in the horizontal direction in the sample container transfer unit can be detected by using either a single reflection type or transmission type. However, when the sample container is set to fall to the holding container delivery / reception unit side, when a reflective sensor is used, the reflection angle of the reflected signal is different, so it can be determined that there is no sample container and an alarm can be generated. . However, when the sample container exists in an abnormal state from the very beginning, there is a possibility that the next sample container is placed without the sample container. When a transmissive sensor is used, there is a possibility that it is erroneously determined that the signal is set correctly because the signal is cut off in both a normal state and a falling state.
[0009]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic centrifuge having excellent operability so that it can be accurately conveyed regardless of the size of a sample container and can accurately detect and determine the presence / absence and set state of a sample container. It is.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The above-described object is achieved by providing the container port with a sample container exchanging unit for exchanging the sample container and a holding container exchanging unit for exchanging the holding container, and providing the sample container exchanging unit above the holding container exchanging unit.
[0011]
In addition, this is achieved by installing a two-stage transmission type sensor in the sample container delivery section of the container port so that the presence or absence of the sample container and the normal or abnormal state of the sample container can be detected.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the automatic centrifugal separator 1, and FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the automatic centrifugal separator 1.
The automatic centrifuge 1 includes a centrifuge 4, a holding container 10, a conveying means 5, a door 7, a container port 8, a refrigerator 25, a rotating body chamber 27 having a loading / unloading port 26, and the like. It is controlled by the control unit 6.
[0013]
The centrifuge 4 separates the sample to be separated in the sample container 22 by rotating a rotor as shown in FIG. 4 by a motor (not shown).
The transport means 5 transports the holding container 10 between the container port 8 and the bucket 13 in the centrifuge 4. The conveying means 5 opens and closes the door 7 and fixes the door 7 during the centrifugal separation operation . Refrigerator 25 is performing the temperature control of the sample to be centrifuged by ON · OFF control from the operation / control section 6.
Although not shown in detail, the automatic centrifuge 1 is connected to the automatic dispenser so that it can be controlled by a communication line.
[0014]
Figure 2 shows the container port 8. Container port 8 has a role as a delivery location for the sample container 22 of the automatic dispenser, the sample container transfer section 2 that the sample container 22 is Ru is set, the holding container 10 is set in Ru holding vessel transfer unit 3, the specimen the first transmission type sensor -9 detects a set of container 22, and a second transmission type sensor - 2 3 for detecting a set of holding vessel 10. The specimen container exchanging unit 2 is provided above the holding container exchanging unit 3.
[0015]
3 shows the holding vessel 10. The holding container 10 has a role of mounting the sample container 22, and is provided with a hook 24 having a side hole part 11, a groove part 12, and a bottom convex part 20 shown in FIG. The side hole 11 is provided to reduce bending stress due to wind pressure generated in the rotating body chamber 27 by the centrifugal separation operation . Further, the bottom surface convex portion 20 has a role of reducing the surface tension generated due to the liquid accumulated in the bucket 13 when the holding container 10 is carried out by reducing the contact area with the bucket 13. Hook 24 is a site where the finger 18 supports the holding container 10.
[0016]
Figure 4 shows the rotor in the centrifuge 4. The rotor includes a rotating body 15 and a bucket 13. The bucket 13 is supported by a pin 16 fixed to the rotating body 15 so as to be able to swing, and is driven by a motor (not shown ). The rotating body 15 rotates by driving the motor, and the bucket 13 swings in the outer peripheral direction around the pin 16 by centrifugal force. The bucket 13 is provided with a through hole portion 14. The through-hole portion 14 is provided for discharging condensed water due to cooling of the refrigerator 25 and the liquid in the bucket 13 that has been spilled from the sample container 22 during transportation to the outside by the centrifugal force from the bucket 13.
[0017]
Figure 5 shows the conveyance means 5. The conveying means 5 moves in the front-rear and up-down directions by driving the two motors 50 and 51 shown in FIG. Further, the motor 18 is driven to open and close the finger 18 having the protrusion 19 to support and release the holding container 10.
The holding container 10 is unloaded by first holding and releasing the holding container 10 in the centrifuge 4 and the container port 8 with the fingers 18 opened so that the conveying means 5 does not collide with the hook 24 of the holding container 10. Move to position . Then move on to the closing direction fingers 18, fins 18 Ru lift the holding vessel 10 supports a hook 24. Projection 19 of the case finger 18 snaps into the groove 12 of the hold container 10. Moreover, the carrying-in method of the holding container 10 is performed in the reverse procedure of the carrying-out method of the holding container 10. Fitting the projection 19 and the groove 12, thereby suppressing movement of the holding vessel 10 by the inertial force accompanying the longitudinal movement of the conveying means 5.
[0018]
FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of the door 7. A convex portion 21 is provided on the bottom of the door 7. The convex portion 21 is accommodated in the loading / unloading port 26 of the rotating body chamber 27 when the door 7 is closed, and has a shape in which the concave portion is as small and smooth as possible with respect to the rotating body chamber 27. This is to reduce the generation of frictional heat accompanying the stirring of the air generated in the rotating body chamber 27 during the centrifugal separation operation .
[0019]
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the sample container 22.
Figure 9 is a height person direction long sample container 22a and shows a conveying state of the holding vessel 10 equipped with a height direction of short specimen container 22b. Despite the difference in the height dimension of the sample container 22 that has become possible conveyed in the same conditions (sample container 22 has various kinds, but height and width are substantially the same, in the height direction dimensions are 54mm and the wide range of from 14mm).
[0020]
Next, a specific operation example of the apparatus will be described.
First, the holding container 10 is previously placed on the bucket 13 before operation.
Are automatic dispenser side (hereinafter automatic dispenser side) than the first directive not shown is issued, automatic centrifuge device 1 moves the conveying means 5, by sliding the door 7 by fingers 18 The loading / unloading port 26 is opened. Next, after the transport unit 5 transports the holding container 10 in the centrifuge 4 to the holding container transfer unit 3, the transport unit 5 stands by at a position where it does not collide with a transport unit (not shown) on the automatic dispenser side. After transport, the set of holding vessel 10 by the signal of the second transmission sensor - 2 3 confirmed, sends a command completion to an automatic dispenser. On the automatic dispenser side, the sample container 22 is set in the sample container transfer section 2 by the conveying means on the dispenser side , and the second command 2 is transmitted. Automatic centrifuge apparatus 1 confirms the set of the sample container 22 by the first transmission sensor -9. If it is set correctly, the holding container 10 is transferred to the bucket 13 in the centrifuge 4 using the transfer means 5. At this time, since the sample container 22 of the sample container exchanging unit 2 is mounted on the holding container 10, the sample container 22 is also transported at the same time . After the conveyance, the conveyance means 5 moves to a position where the centrifuge 4 and the door 7 do not interfere, and transmits the completion of the second command. The operation in accordance with the first command and the second command, that is, the holding container 10 is carried in an even number of times, and the balance in the centrifuge 4 is maintained.
[0021]
When automatic dispenser side or al third directive is issued, the automatic centrifugal separator 1 moves the conveying means 5, closing the loading / unloading port 26 by sliding the door 7 by fingers 18. After closing, the conveying means 5 moves to a position where the bottom surface of the finger 18 contacts the center of the upper surface of the door 7 and presses the door 7. The door 7 pressing operation plays a role of preventing the door 7 from being lifted by the wind pressure generated in the rotating chamber 27 by the centrifugal separation operation and preventing the conveyance means 5 from vibrating when the rotating body 15 is driven. Then the operating conditions of the third directive that is already generated from the automatic dispenser (rotational speed, the centrifugal speed, set temperature) in accordance with, starts centrifuging operation. When the centrifugal separation operation is finished, the automatic centrifugal separator 1 moves the conveying means 5, slides the door 7 with the finger 18, opens the loading / unloading port 26, and transmits the completion of the third command.
[0022]
When the fourth command automatic dispenser side or we is issued, the automatic centrifuge device 1 uses the conveying means 5, conveys the holding vessel 10 in the holding container transfer section 3 from the bucket 13 in the centrifuge 4 . In the middle, the sample container 22 mounted on the holding container 10 is set in the sample container transfer unit 2.
Thereafter, the conveying means 5 stands by at a position where it does not interfere with the automatic dispenser, and transmits a fourth command completion to the automatic dispenser.
On the automatic dispenser side, the sample container 22 is unloaded from the sample container exchanging unit 2 by the transport means , and a fifth command is transmitted.
[0023]
The automatic centrifuge 1 uses the transfer means 5 to transfer the holding container 10 from the holding container delivery / reception unit 3 to the bucket 13 in the centrifuge 4 and transmits the completion of the fifth command.
Performed an even number of times the fourth and fifth commands unloading the whole hand of the specimen container 22 of the automatic centrifugal separator 1 side.
[0024]
And regarding the one of the detection determining whether the sample container 22 is set correctly be described below. The sample container transfer section 2 first transmission sensor -9 configured in two stages are provided. First transmission sensor -9 of the upper is in a position where light is emitted to the side surface portion of the sample container 22 when the sample container 22 is in the normal position, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of the sample container 22. First transmission sensor -9 of the lower light is emitted under direction from the normal position when the sample container 22 is in the normal position, when the sample container 22 is in the normal position is adapted to transmit. However, no sample container 22 is set correctly in the abnormal operation of the oscillation or automatic dispenser side, when a falling state to the holding container transfer unit 3 side, the light of the first transmission sensor -9 in the lower part is cut off The
[0025]
Therefore, blocking the first transmission sensor -9 of the upper, normally in the first transmission sensor -9 lower the transmission, regardless of the first transmission sensor -9 of the upper, lower first transmission sensor -9 There is the case of blocking abnormal, when the first transmission sensor -9 both transmission of the upper and lower can be determined that there is no sample container 22, the detection signal of the first transmission sensor -9 of upper and lower stages, the sample container and confirmation of the presence or absence of 22, whether you to verify has been set to the normal position, with respect to an error time, accurately it is possible to emit an alarm.
[0026]
According to the above embodiment, if the holding container 10 is set in the holding container transfer section 3 of the container port 8, the sample container 22 is automatically set in the sample container transfer section 2 above the holding container transfer section 3. This makes it easy to carry out the sample container 22 on the automatic dispenser side. If the sample container 22 is set in the sample container transfer section 2 on the automatic dispenser side, the sample container 22 is also loaded simultaneously when the holding container 10 is loaded on the centrifuge side. Loading and unloading of different specimen containers 22 can be performed reliably and easily.
[0027]
In addition, since the presence / absence of the sample container 22 and normality / abnormality of the set state are detected by the first transmission type sensor 9 provided in two stages, it becomes possible to perform the subsequent centrifugal operation and dispensing work smoothly. As a result, it is possible to provide an automatic centrifuge having good operability.
[0028]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the specimen container can be reliably transported regardless of the dimensions of the specimen container, and the presence or absence of the specimen container and the abnormality in the set state of the specimen container can be reliably detected. Dispensing work can be performed without hindrance, and as a result, an automatic centrifuge with good operability can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an automatic centrifuge of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a container port 8 which is a set part of a specimen container and a specimen holding container.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a holding container.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a rotor portion of a centrifuge.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a conveying unit.
FIG. 6 is a side view of a holding container.
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a door.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an example of a sample container.
FIG. 9 is a side view showing a state of a holding container on which a sample container is mounted.
FIG. 10 is a cross- sectional view showing an embodiment of the automatic centrifuge of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
In the figure, 1 is an automatic centrifuge, 2 is a specimen container exchanging section, 3 is a holding container exchanging section, 4 is a centrifuge, 5 is a transport means, 6 is an operation / control section, 7 is a door, and 8 is a container port. first transmission sensor over 9, the holding container 10, 11 holding vessel side hole, 12 holding vessel hook groove 13 bucket, 14 buckets penetrating hole section, 15 the rotating body, pin 16, 17 is a motor, 18 is a finger, 19 is a finger projection, 20 is a holding container bottom projection, 21 is a door projection, 22 is a sample container, 22a is a thick sample container, 22b is a thin sample container, and 23 is a second transmission plate. type sensor, 24 holding the container hook, 25 refrigerators, loading / unloading opening of the rotating body chamber 26, 27 is a rotating body chamber. 50 and 51 are motors .

Claims (2)

Conveying a centrifuge, and the sample container of matches to be centrifuged test body to be separated by the centrifugal separator, a holding vessel that holds a specimen container, the specimen container through the holding container to container port in automatic centrifugal separator having a conveying means,
An automatic centrifuge characterized in that a sample container exchanging unit for exchanging the sample container in a container port and a holding container exchanging unit for exchanging the holding container are provided , and the sample container exchanging unit is provided above the holding container exchanging unit. Equipment . Automatic centrifuge device according to claim 1, comprising the transmission type sensor provided in two stages in the sample container transfer portion of the container port.

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