JP3964289B2 - Analytical instrument - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a small analytical instrument that can perform fecal occult blood analysis and the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, large analyzers that automatically perform fecal occult blood analysis from samples collected by mass screening or the like are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0003]
In this large analyzer, a large amount of cuvettes (mixing containers) that are disposable or washed and reused are set, and while the cuvette is linearly transferred, the sample liquid from the sample collection container and the liquid from the reagent bottle are transferred to an empty cuvette. Each reagent is dispensed, and photometric measurement of the degree of coloration is performed.
[0004]
The sample collection container is a stool sample collected on a stick-shaped collection rod soaked in a preservative solution in the container for dissolution and storage. The sample liquid is cut into the cuvette and the sample liquid is injected.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-8-35969 [0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The conventional automatic analyzers as described above are large and suitable for analyzing a large amount of samples. When the number of samples is small and the frequency of analysis is low, they are expensive and unsuitable, as well as operation and management. Has the problem of being complicated.
[0007]
For example, the above-mentioned reagent changes its analytical characteristics due to the influence of its storage conditions, and it is necessary to store it in a refrigerator, etc. If the amount of the reagent bottle is small and the usage period of one reagent bottle is long, the characteristics deteriorate, the management of the reagent becomes complicated, and it is difficult to design a small analytical instrument for a small number of samples.
[0008]
Further, when the reagent characteristics deteriorate, calibration for correcting the analysis characteristics to maintain the analysis accuracy is required, which makes the operation and management complicated and becomes an obstacle to simplify the operation.
[0009]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a small analytical instrument that can perform automatic analysis with a simple operation even when the number of analyzes is small.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An analytical instrument of the present invention is an analytical instrument that analyzes a sample component by mixing a reagent and a specimen liquid in a disposable cuvette, and measuring the color change thereof, and a specimen container containing the specimen liquid, A circular sample tray on which the cuvette and the disposable nozzle chip, in which the reagent is preliminarily sealed and the opening is sealed, are mounted according to the number of samples, respectively , and the nozzle chip are attached to the tip, A dispenser having a suction nozzle that sucks a sample liquid from the sample container and dispenses and mixes the sample liquid in the cuvette , and is installed inside the sample tray, and transmits and measures the color change of the reagent and the sample liquid in the cuvette a photometry unit for a light-shielding cover for covering the sample tray of the upper portion of the metering unit, is installed in the light shielding cover, opening pin for piercing opening a seal of the cuvette And a opening mechanism having, opening pin of the opening mechanism is characterized in being opened operated in the depressing operation suction nozzle of the dispenser.
[0011]
Before KiHiraki sealing mechanism is preferably those having a opening pin tip is provided on the polygonal tapered.
[0012]
It is preferable to further include a cuvette presser that restricts the upward movement of the cuvette during the opening operation by the opening mechanism .
[0013]
The cuvette may have a dry reagent inserted therein, and may be equipped with a solution bottle containing a solution for dissolving the reagent. The solution from the solution bottle is transferred to the cuvette by the dispenser. It is preferable to dispense.
[0014]
The sample tray having a turntable on which a plurality of sample containers can be mounted is suitable for downsizing.
[0015]
The reagent to be inserted into the cuvette is preferably lyophilized, dried, such as powder, granule or tablet, but a liquid reagent can also be inserted.
[0018]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention as described above, the sample tray, the sample tray on which the cuvette and the nozzle tip are mounted, the dispenser having the suction nozzle, and the photometric unit that transmits and measures the color change in the cuvette are provided. By mounting cuvettes with reagents inserted in the tray according to the number of samples, reagent management is simple, operation is simplified, efficient measurement is possible, and suitable for analysis with a small number of samples. Miniaturization can be achieved.
[0019]
In other words, the cuvette containing the reagent corresponding to the number of specimens can be taken out from the storage and set in the sample tray, the deterioration of the reagent can be suppressed, and the characteristics of the reagent are stable. Operation can be simplified.
[0020]
Further, by providing the opening mechanism for opening the seal of the cuvette, analytical immediately before sealing can be opened, for example, alteration of the hygroscopic reagents can be prevented, becomes constant time from the opening up to the metering, The analysis can be performed well and the operation can be simplified. Furthermore, since the opening operation of the opening pin is performed by the pushing-down operation of the suction nozzle of the dispenser, the mechanism can be simplified.
[0021]
It intended to drill open the seal by opening pins polygonal tapered shape can reduce the opening force of the seal, can be done reliably unsealed by small force, that is suitable for miniaturization.
[0022]
In the case of having the cuvette presser, the cuvette is not detached from the mounting portion or the position is not shifted at the time of opening, and the operation reliability can be improved.
[0023]
Inserting a reagent in a dry state into a cuvette and dispensing and dissolving a lysis solution stabilizes the properties and characteristics of the reagent, which is advantageous for maintaining analysis accuracy.
[0024]
Further, if the sample tray has a rotary table on which a plurality of sample containers can be mounted, it is advantageous for downsizing.
[0025]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic mechanism of an example of an automatic analyzer, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sample tray, FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a sample tray in an analysis state, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cuvette, a specimen container, and a nozzle tip. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the cuvette opening operation by the opening mechanism.
[0026]
This automatic analyzer 1 includes a disposable cuvette 11 as a mixing container in which a dry reagent R is enclosed as shown in FIG. 4A, a sample container 12 containing a sample liquid as shown in FIG. A disposable nozzle tip 13 attached to the tip of a later-described suction nozzle 41 for sucking and discharging the liquid as shown in (c) is used as a consumable item.
[0027]
The cuvette 11 is formed into a substantially rectangular tube shape with a translucent resin, and is configured as a measurement unit 11a that has a particularly transparent lower wall surface and allows measurement light to pass therethrough. In the case of fecal occult blood analysis, a lyophilized reagent R made of a colloidal gold reagent is accommodated, and a seal 11c made of metal foil is welded to the upper end opening to enclose the reagent R therein. The reagent R is dissolved by injecting a lysis solution at the time of analysis. Further, the sample container 12 includes a collar portion 12a that protrudes outward on the outer periphery of the upper portion and engages with the mounting hole, into which a sample solution in which a fecal sample collected from a sample collection container (not shown) is dissolved and stored is injected. The In addition, the nozzle tip 13 is formed in a pipette shape, and the tip of the suction nozzle 41 is fitted to the upper end opening, and a liquid is sucked and accommodated by introducing suction pressure, and discharged to the cuvette 11 by introducing discharge pressure. To do.
[0028]
The automatic analyzer 1 includes a circular sample tray 3 that can mount a plurality (for example, 10 sets) of the cuvette 11, the sample container 12, and the nozzle chip 13 on the front flat portion of the apparatus main body 2, and the vertical movement and swivel movement. A dispenser 4 having an aspirating nozzle 41, a photometric unit 5 (see FIG. 3) by an LED which is installed inside the sample tray 3 and transmits and measures the color change of the reagent R and the sample liquid in the cuvette 11; A light shielding cover 6 that covers the sample tray 3 above the photometric unit 5, an unsealing mechanism 7 (see FIG. 5) that is installed in the light shielding cover 6 and that opens and seals the seal 11 c of the cuvette 11, and in the vicinity of the sample tray 3 The chip discarding unit 8 is disposed, and a bottle mounting unit 9 on which a solution bottle 14 containing a solution of the reagent R is mounted.
[0029]
The apparatus main body 2 includes an operation unit 21 installed at the upper part, a front cover 22 that covers the analysis mechanism such as the sample tray 3 and the dispenser 4, and a chip disposal box 23 installed at the lower part so as to be able to be pulled out. .
[0030]
The basic operation of fecal occult blood analysis is as follows. First, the seal 11c of the cuvette 11 is opened, and then the solution is dispensed from the solution bottle 14 by the dispenser 4 to dissolve the reagent R, and then the sample container A predetermined amount of sample liquid is dispensed from 12 to the cuvette 11 and stirred. Next, every time the measurement position is passed, the change in color is measured by the photometry unit 5, and fecal occult blood is obtained from the initial value and the degree of coloration after a predetermined time.
[0031]
Next, the structure of each part will be specifically described. First, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sample tray 3 includes a disk-shaped rotary table 31 that is rotationally driven in the forward direction and the reverse direction, a temperature control block 32 that does not rotate below, and a heat shield cover. 33.
[0032]
The rotary table 31 has a plurality of circular mounting holes 34 concentrically holding the sample container 12 on the outer peripheral side, a plurality of rectangular mounting holes 35 concentrically holding the cuvette 11 on the inner peripheral side, and a circular mounting hole 34. Ten cylindrical mounting portions 36 that are adjacent to each other and hold the nozzle tip 13 on the outer peripheral side are equally divided into the circumference. A support shaft 37 is provided at the center of the lower surface of the rotary table 31 and is pivotably supported through the central portion of the temperature control block 32. A gear 38 is fixed to the lower end portion of the support shaft 37, and a timing belt (not shown) is hung and is rotated by a drive motor.
[0033]
The temperature control block 32 is made of a metal such as aluminum and has a large and large heat capacity. A heater 39 is installed at the bottom to adjust the heating to a predetermined temperature, and the lower part of the cuvette 11 mounted on the rotary table 31 moves on the upper surface. An annular recess 32a is provided, and the cuvette 11 is heated to a predetermined temperature by heating the air in the recess 32a. The bottom surface and the outer periphery of the temperature control block 32 are covered with a heat insulating cover 33 made of resin to obtain the heat retaining effect of the temperature control block 32, and the sample container 12 and the nozzle chip 13 are placed in the annular space 33a formed in the outer periphery. The lower part passes along with the rotation of the rotary table 31.
[0034]
Further, the photometric unit 5 is installed inside the temperature control block 32. The photometric unit 5 includes a light emitting element 51 of an LED installed on one side and an opposite side opposite to the measuring unit 11a of the cuvette 11 moving in the concave portion 32a between the inner and outer circumferences of the concave portion 32a. The light receiving element 52 is provided. Photometry of a predetermined wavelength (color) by the light emitting element 51 is emitted toward the light receiving element 52, and a signal corresponding to the amount of received light is output. In the fecal occult blood analysis, two wavelengths of the main wavelength and the sub wavelength are measured, and two sets of the light emitting element 51 and the light receiving element 52 are provided. The LEDs of the two sets of light emitting elements 51 have different emission wavelengths, and are installed in accordance with the pitch of the mounting interval of the cuvettes 11 of the rotary table 31 (the opening interval of the rectangular mounting holes 35). It is located between the light-emitting element 51 and the light-receiving element 52 and can perform photometry, and the coloration degree is sequentially measured each time.
[0035]
The light-shielding cover 6 that covers the light metering unit 5 and blocks the influence of external light is installed on the upper portion of the sample tray 3 in a range where the light metering unit 5 is installed so as to be undulated. The outer peripheral side portion is rotatably supported by a horizontal shaft, and a portion covering the center portion of the sample tray 3 is lifted.
[0036]
The unsealing mechanism 7 installed in the light shielding cover 6 includes an unsealing pin 71 that is arranged so as to be movable up and down at the intersection of the rotational movement locus of the cuvette 11 and the turning locus of the suction nozzle 41. Is installed in a pin installation portion 61 arranged in a protruding manner on the light shielding cover 6 as shown in FIG. The opening pin 71 perforates and opens the seal 11c of the cuvette 11 by the operation described later as shown in FIGS. 5 (a) to 5 (c). The opening pin 71 has a round bar shape in the shaft portion, but the tip portion 71a is formed in a multi-sided taper shape, for example, a four-sided pyramid shape, and the tip is pressed against the sheet-like seal 11c to make a hole in the seal 11c. When opening, the seal 11c is provided with a cut so as to reduce the force required for opening. Further, the unsealing pin 71 is biased upward by a spring 72, and the unsealing operation is performed by pushing down the suction nozzle 41 of the dispenser 4.
[0037]
Further, the lower surface of the light shielding cover 6 is provided with a cuvette presser 62 (scraping member) at the time of opening for preventing the opening pin 71 after opening from engaging with the opening hole of the seal 11c and lifting the cuvette 11. The side portion of the light shielding cover 6 is provided with a cuvette presser 63 (see FIG. 2) during stirring. The cuvette presser 62 at the time of opening is constituted by a tip of a cylindrical portion through which the unsealing pin 71 is inserted at the lower portion of the pin installation portion 61, and a lower end portion thereof can be brought into contact with an upper surface edge portion of the cuvette 11. Also serves as a guide for the opening pin 71. The cuvette presser 63 at the time of stirring is for preventing the tip of the nozzle tip 13 from being inserted deeply into the cuvette 11 from the opening hole and engaging the opening hole of the seal 11c to lift the cuvette 11, and the light shielding cover 6 is formed so as to protrude in a plate shape above the edge of the cuvette 11 at the dispensing position. The cuvette presser 63 restricts the upward movement of the cuvette 11 even when the nozzle tip 13 inserted into the cuvette 11 is pulled out for stirring, so that the stored liquid does not spill.
[0038]
The opening operation will be described with reference to FIGS. In the state before opening (a), the opening pin 71 is lifted by the urging force of the spring 72, and the cuvette 11 with the seal 11 c not opened is moved to the lower position by the rotation operation of the rotary table 31. Next, as shown in (b), the suction nozzle 41 is lowered, the tip of the suction nozzle 41 abuts on the upper end of the opening pin 71 and is pushed downward, and the pointed tip 71a is pressed against the seal 11c. Open the opening hole. Next, as shown in (c), when the suction nozzle 41 is lifted to release the pressing force, the unsealing pin 71 is moved upward by the spring 72. At that time, the unsealing hole is engaged with the unsealing pin 71. Although the cuvette 11 is lifted together, the lower end of the cuvette presser 62 at the time of opening is locked to the upper edge of the cuvette 11, and the cuvette 11 is scraped off from the opening pin 71 and the cuvette 11 is further moved upward. regulate.
[0039]
The dispenser 4 (FIG. 1) is provided with a rod-like suction nozzle 41 extending downward at the lower end of the swivel arm 42, and dispenses the sample liquid and the dissolved liquid and stirs and mixes both liquids. The swivel arm 42 is supported so as to be vertically movable along a guide rod (not shown), and a rotary plate holding the guide rod is rotationally driven by a timing belt hung from a drive motor. As a result, the turning arm 42 is driven to turn, and a feed screw (not shown) installed at the turning center is screwed to the turning arm 42, and the turning arm 42 is moved up and down by the rotational drive of the feed screw. Yes.
[0040]
The tip of the suction nozzle 41 is mounted with the pipette-shaped nozzle tip 13 as described above by the downward movement of the swivel arm 42, and the sample liquid and the lysate are sucked into the nozzle tip 13 and discharged. After use, the swivel arm 42 is moved upward with the upper end of the nozzle tip 13 engaged with the engaging groove of the tip discarding portion 8 to be disengaged and dropped into the lower disposal box 23 To dispose of it. The tip discarding unit 8 is disposed on the turning locus of the suction nozzle 41.
[0041]
The suction nozzle 41 has an air passage (not shown) that opens at the tip, and an air pipe from a syringe pump (not shown) installed in the apparatus main body 2 is connected to the air passage. The syringe pump is an air pump having a syringe-like piston, and a negative pressure or a positive pressure (suction / discharge pressure) generated by driving the syringe is introduced into the suction nozzle 41.
[0042]
In addition, the automatic analyzer 1 includes a control unit (not shown) linked to the operation unit 21 in the apparatus main body 2. This control unit controls the operation of the sample tray 3 and the dispenser 4 and calculates the analysis result based on the photometry of the photometry unit 5.
[0043]
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. First, before the analysis, the sample container 12 containing each sample solution is mounted on the sample tray 3, and the cuvette 11 and the nozzle chip 13 are mounted at the set position, and the solution bottle 14 is further attached. Set and prepare for measurement.
[0044]
Thereafter, the start button of the operation unit 21 is operated to start the analysis process. At the initial time, the rotary table 31 of the sample tray 3 is rotated once, the cuvette 11 is detected by the photometric unit 5, and the sample analysis of the mounted positions is started in order.
[0045]
Next, the cuvette 11 corresponding to the sample container 12 to be analyzed is rotated by rotating the rotary table 31 and the opening pin 71 is pushed down by the suction nozzle 41 to open the seal 11c. Next, the rotary table 31 is rotated to move the nozzle tip 13 below the swiveling position of the suction nozzle 41 and is attached to the suction nozzle 41. Subsequently, the cuvette 11 is positioned below the swiveling position of the suction nozzle 41 and the suction nozzle 41 is swung to the position of the dissolving liquid bottle 14 to suck a predetermined amount of the dissolving liquid into the nozzle tip 13. It moves up and inject | pours a solution into cuvette 11 from an opening hole, and reagent R is dissolved.
[0046]
Next, the rotary table 31 is rotated to move the sample container 12 below the swiveling position of the suction nozzle 41 to suck a predetermined amount of sample liquid into the nozzle tip 13 and then move onto the cuvette 11 to move into the cuvette 11. The sample liquid is dispensed, and the nozzle tip 13 is further inserted into the cuvette 11, and the liquid in the cuvette 11 is repeatedly aspirated and discharged into the nozzle tip 13 to stir and mix the reagent liquid and the sample liquid. . The used nozzle tip 13 is removed from the suction nozzle 41 by the tip discarding unit 8 and dropped and discarded downward.
[0047]
Then, the cuvette 11 in which the reagent solution and the sample solution are mixed is adjusted to a predetermined temperature by the temperature adjustment block 32, and is sequentially moved to the photometry unit 5 by the rotation of the rotary table 31, and the photometry of the transmission optical density is performed each time. Done. While continuing the above measurement, a series of analysis operations following the opening of the next cuvette 11 are performed simultaneously. The analysis result based on the photometry is output, and the process is terminated.
[0048]
In the embodiment as described above, by installing the required number of cuvettes 11 in which the reagent R is encapsulated in the sample tray 3 in advance according to the number of samples, the management of the reagent is simple and the characteristics are stable, Precision management is unnecessary and the operation can be simplified, and a series of operations are automated from the opening of the seal of the cuvette 11 to realize a miniaturization suitable for analysis with a small number of samples.
[0049]
In the above embodiment, the aspect of fecal occult blood analysis has been described. However, the design can be changed to analyze urine components (for example, urine protein) by changing specifications. In this case, the reagent c is not inserted into the cuvette 11 and the empty cuvette 11 is mounted on the sample tray 3, and the reagent bottle is mounted on the bottle mounting portion 9 instead of the solution bottle 14. Then, the sample container 12 containing the sample liquid (urine) is mounted on the sample tray 3 together with the empty cuvette 11 and the nozzle tip 13, and the nozzle tip 13 is first attached to the suction nozzle 41 of the dispenser 4. Thereafter, a predetermined amount of reagent solution is aspirated from the reagent bottle and dispensed into the cuvette 11, and then the sample solution is dispensed from the sample container 12 into the cuvette 11 and mixed and stirred. Thereafter, the degree of coloration is similarly measured by the photometric unit 5. In that case, since the light-emitting element 51 (LED) of the photometry unit 5 has a photometric wavelength different from that of fecal occult blood analysis, an LED having a light emission characteristic of a predetermined wavelength is installed. In the case of a dual-purpose measuring device so that both fecal occult blood analysis and urine component analysis can be performed, it is necessary to install a plurality of LEDs corresponding to the number of wavelengths necessary for each analysis. For example, when the wavelengths are common, one LED may also be used.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sample tray in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a sample tray in an analysis state. 4] Perspective view of cuvette, specimen container and nozzle tip [FIG. 5] Cross-sectional view showing cuvette opening operation by opening mechanism [Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automatic analyzer 2 Apparatus main body 3 Sample tray 4 Dispenser 5 Photometry part 6 Shading cover 7 Unsealing mechanism 8 Chip discard part 9 Bottle mounting part
11 Cuvette R Reagent
12 Sample container
13 Nozzle tip
14 Solution bottle
21 Operation unit
31 Rotating table
41 Suction nozzle
42 Swivel arm
51 Light Emitting Element (LED)
52 Photo detector
71 Opening pin
62,63 Cuvette presser

Claims (6)

An analytical instrument that analyzes a sample component by mixing a reagent and a sample liquid in a disposable cuvette, and measuring the color change thereof,
A sample container containing the sample liquid, a circular sample tray on which the cuvette and the disposable nozzle chip, each of which is pre-sealed with a reagent and sealed according to the number of samples,
A dispenser having a suction nozzle that attaches the nozzle tip to the tip, sucks a sample liquid from the sample container into the nozzle tip, and dispenses and mixes the sample liquid in the cuvette;
A photometric unit that is installed inside the sample tray and transmits and measures the color change of the reagent and the sample liquid in the cuvette;
A light-shielding cover that covers the sample tray above the photometric unit ;
An opening mechanism provided on the light shielding cover and provided with an opening pin for perforating and opening the seal of the cuvette ;
The opening device of the opening mechanism is opened by a push-down operation of the suction nozzle of the dispenser . The sample tray includes a rotary table on which the sample container, cuvette, and nozzle chip are mounted, and a non-rotating temperature control block installed at a lower portion of the rotary table, and the photometry unit is installed in the temperature control block The analytical instrument according to claim 1. Analysis device according to claim 1 wherein the opening pin opening mechanism, tip, wherein the provided et Retako multifaceted tapered. The analytical instrument according to claim 1 or 3 , wherein the opening pin is arranged to be movable up and down at a crossing position between a rotational movement locus of the cuvette and a turning locus of the suction nozzle . The analytical instrument according to claim 1 , further comprising a cuvette presser that regulates the upward movement of the cuvette during the opening operation by the opening mechanism.   The analytical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the cuvette is inserted with a dry reagent, and a solution bottle containing a solution for dissolving the reagent is mounted on the cuvette.

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