JP4094234B2 - incubator - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is used in a biochemical analyzer for spotting a specimen such as blood or urine on a dry analytical element and obtaining the concentration of a predetermined biochemical substance in the specimen, and the dry analytical element after spotting is prescribed. The present invention relates to an incubator that maintains a constant temperature and measures a change in optical density.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, dry analytical elements that can quantitatively analyze a specific chemical component or formed component contained in a specimen simply by spotting and feeding a small drop of the specimen have been developed and put into practical use. Biochemical analyzers using these dry analytical elements are suitable for use in medical institutions, laboratories and the like because they can easily and quickly analyze samples.
[0003]
In the colorimetric measurement method using a colorimetric type dry analytical element, after a sample is spotted on the dry analytical element, it is held at a constant temperature in an incubator for a color reaction (dye generation reaction), and then This dry analytical element is irradiated with measurement irradiation light containing a wavelength selected in advance by a combination of a predetermined biochemical substance in the sample and a reagent contained in the dry analytical element, and the optical density is measured. Thus, the concentration of the biochemical substance is obtained using a calibration curve representing the correspondence between the optical density obtained in advance and the substance concentration of the predetermined biochemical substance. Also, an electrolyte type dry analytical element capable of measuring ion activity has been put into practical use.
[0004]
In the above measurement, when measuring the reaction process by colorimetric photometry while incubating the dry analytical element, the photometric sensitivity by the photometric head is the peak value when the distance from the dry analytical element is at the optimum value. Since the sensitivity decreases as the incubator rotor rotates, the distance between the photometric head and the dry analytical element in each element chamber deviates from the optimal photometric distance. If it changes, a measurement error occurs. In order to accurately measure the substance concentration of the specimen, it is necessary to detect a slight color reaction, and high accuracy is required for colorimetric photometry. Therefore, maintaining the photometric distance at a predetermined value is important for ensuring the accuracy of the analyzer.
[0005]
From the above point, as shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-72976, the arrangement positional relationship of the optical components of the photometric head is set to the optimal positional relationship in which the photometric output reaches a peak, thereby preventing this change in distance. Those that reduce the influence of photometric sensitivity are known. However, in this device, when the number of storage of the dry analytical element is small and the outer diameter of the incubator rotor is small and the rotational deviation is small, the distance between the photometric head and the dry analytical element is small. The optical density change can be measured with high accuracy, but if the number of dry analytical elements stored increases and the outer diameter of the incubator rotor increases, the rotational deviation of the dry analytical element storage part also increases, and the photometric head and each The distance fluctuation with the dry analytical element exceeds the allowable range of the photometric head, and the measurement accuracy is lowered. If the rotational deviation of the incubator rotor is to be formed within an allowable range, there is a problem that the processing accuracy and assembly accuracy of the parts of the incubator rotor are required to be high, leading to an increase in manufacturing cost.
[0006]
Also, as seen in USP 5,037,613, the lower part of the outer periphery of the incubator rotor that houses and rotates the dry analytical element after spotting is supported by a sliding material to suppress the rotational displacement of the rotor, and on the circumference of the photometric head and the circumference A structure is known in which the distance from each dry analytical element is made constant. This device is effective in terms of ensuring measurement accuracy by suppressing rotational displacement even in large incubator rotors that contain a large number of dry analytical elements, but due to wear in order to slidably support the rotating incubator rotor. It has a problem that the service life is reduced and wear powder is generated. In addition, there is a possibility that the mechanism that rotationally drives the incubator rotor may become unstable due to uneven loads and vibrations.
[0007]
By the way, as seen in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-237386, a hole for discarding the dry analytical element after measurement is provided in the center of the incubator, and the dry analytical element after measurement is provided by a conveying member for inserting the dry analytical element into the element chamber. Further, a structure is known in which this dry analytical element is dropped into a central disposal hole and discarded. In this apparatus, the dry analytical element can be easily discarded by a simple transport mechanism.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case where the dry analytical element after measurement is discarded at the center of the incubator as described above, the outer diameter of the incubator rotor is increased to increase the number of element chambers, and the number of dry analytical elements to be stored is increased. When the processing efficiency is increased, the diameter of the central disposal hole must be increased in order to make the transport distance for dropping and discarding from each element chamber the same. When the diameter of the discard hole is increased, the diameter of the bearing member that supports the rotation of the incubator rotor is also increased, which causes a problem that the cost of the bearing member is increased. In other words, as described above, in the measurement by the photometric head, it is necessary to accurately maintain the photometric distance with respect to the dry analytical element stored in the element chamber of the rotating incubator rotor in the optimum position. The deviation in height with respect to the photometric head must be reduced, the bearing member is required to have high accuracy, and a large bearing member is expensive.
[0009]
From the above point, if the diameter of the disposal hole is reduced in order to reduce the diameter of the bearing member, the distance for transporting the dry analytical element after measurement becomes longer, the length of the transport member and the transport stroke are increased, and the apparatus is There is a problem of increasing the size, and a reduction in the weight of the apparatus is also required.
[0010]
In view of this point, the present invention provides an incubator that has high rotational accuracy, is lightweight, and can be easily discarded after measurement, even in the case of a large incubator rotor that can accommodate a large number of dry analysis elements. For the purpose.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An incubator according to the present invention includes a plurality of element chambers on the circumference of a rotating incubator rotor, and stores and incubates a dry analysis element on which a sample is spotted in the element chamber. The incubator includes an element chamber of the incubator rotor. A slope is provided from the inside toward the lower rotation center, a cylindrical rotary shaft is provided at a portion with a reduced diameter at the lower end portion of the slope , the rotary shaft is supported by a bearing member, and the slope and the inside of the rotary shaft are provided. It is characterized in that it is provided in the disposal hole of the dry analytical element after the measurement.
[0012]
The pre Kihasu surface, it is desirable 30 ° or more of the dry analysis element is provided in sliding possible angles relative to the horizontal plane.
[0013]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention as described above, the waste却穴dry analysis element after the measurement, narrower from inside the device chamber of the incubator rotor diameters at the lower end of the oblique surface and the oblique surface which will suited to the rotation center of the lower And a cylindrical rotating shaft provided in the part, and this rotating shaft is supported by a bearing member, so that the diameter of the bearing member can be reduced and the cost can be reduced, and dry analysis after measurement can be performed. Since the transport distance of the element is short and the length of the transport member and the length of the transport stroke are not increased, the dry analysis element can be easily discarded, and the apparatus can be reduced in size and weight.
[0014]
Moreover, the closer to the element chamber of the outer peripheral portion of the incubator rotor, by which the waste却穴structure and rotary shaft support structure having an oblique surface shape will suited to the rotation axis, the incubator rotor also ensure the rigidity lightweight Therefore, without using a sliding material, the rotational deviation with respect to the photometric head is small and the measurement accuracy can be improved, and the conveyance mechanism can be simplified and the apparatus can be reduced in size and weight.
[0015]
Also, providing an angle of more than 30 ° an oblique surface with respect to the horizontal plane of this, falling dry analytical element is ensured, I can coupled with the waste却穴from the vicinity of the element chamber is open, dry Analytical elements can be easily discarded.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic mechanism of a biochemical analyzer equipped with an example incubator, and FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the incubator with a cover removed.
[0017]
The biochemical analyzer 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a circular sampler tray 2 on one side (right side of the figure) of the front of the apparatus body 17 and a circular incubator 3 on the other side (left side of the figure). A spotting nozzle unit 5 that moves to the left and right is disposed at the top of the landing portion 4 (not shown in FIG. 1, refer to FIG. 2), and the dry analysis element 11 that is housed and held in the sample cartridge 7 of the sampler tray 2. Is transported to the spotting unit 4 to spot the sample, and is inserted and transported from the spotting unit 4 to the incubator 3. Further, a blood filtration unit 6 for separating plasma from blood is installed in the vicinity of the sampler tray 2.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 2, the incubator 3 includes an incubator rotor 30 that is rotationally driven. In the incubator rotor 30, an upper disk member 32 is disposed in parallel above the lower disk member 31, and a plurality of element chambers 33 for storing the dry analytical elements 11 are disposed at predetermined intervals on the outer peripheral portion between both the disk members 31 and 32. It is arranged. The height of the bottom surface of the element chamber 33 is the same as the height of the conveying surface of the spotting unit 4, and the dry analytical element 11 after spotting is inserted.
[0019]
The upper disk member 32 corresponding to each element chamber 33 is provided with a sliding hole 32a, and a holding member 34 is disposed in the sliding hole 32a. The bottom surface of the pressing member 34 presses the dry analysis element 11 inserted into the element chamber 33 from above, and the spotting portion 4 is sealed to prevent evaporation of the specimen. A corner portion of the lower end portion of the pressing member 34 is formed in a tapered shape, and has a shape that is pushed up in contact with the dry analysis element 11 inserted into the element chamber 33.
[0020]
The upper disk member 32 is provided with a heater 35 for heating the dry analytical element 11 in the element chamber 33 via the pressing member 34. The heater 35 is incubated at a predetermined temperature (maintained at a constant temperature) by adjusting the temperature of the heater 35.
[0021]
In addition, a photometric window 31a is opened on the bottom surface of each element chamber 33 of the lower disk member 31, and the central portion of the lower disk member 31 inside the element chamber 33 is opened in a circular shape, so that the upper opening 8a of the discard hole 8 is opened. Is provided. The discard hole 8 is constituted by a lower member 36 attached to the lower center of the lower disk member 31, and the incubator rotor 30 is rotatably supported by the lower member 36.
[0022]
The lower member 36 is provided with a cone-shaped inclined surface 36a whose inner diameter narrows conically toward the lower rotation center at the upper part, and a cylindrical rotating shaft 36b is formed at the narrowed portion at the lower end of the inclined surface 36a. Is provided. The upper end portion of the inclined surface 36 a is provided in a size that is continuous with the upper opening 8 a (opening edge is a tapered surface) opened in the lower disk member 31, and thereby, from the inside of the element chamber 33 of the incubator rotor 30. The inside of the inclined surface 36a and the rotating shaft 36b constitutes the disposal hole 8, the lower end portion of the rotating shaft 36b becomes the lower opening 8b, and the dry analytical element 11 after the measurement in the element chamber 33 is conveyed to be pushed out to the center side. Dropped into the discard hole 8 and discarded. The cone-shaped slope 36a is inclined at an angle at which the dry analytical element 11 can slide down at an angle of 30 ° or more with respect to the horizontal plane. A recovery box (not shown) for recovering the dry analytical element 11 after measurement is disposed below the lower opening 8b of the discard hole 8.
[0023]
Further, the outer periphery of the rotating shaft 36b of the lower member 36 is supported by the bearing member 37 so as to be rotatable in a horizontal state. In the support structure of the bearing member 37, the height position, the inclination of the rotation center axis, and the like are set with high accuracy, and the rotational deviation in the height direction at the outer peripheral portion of the incubator rotor 30 is reduced. . A timing belt 39 wound around the outer periphery of the rotary shaft 36b is hung on the drive gear 38a of the rotary drive motor 38, and the incubator rotor 30 is driven to rotate in the forward and reverse directions.
[0024]
Below the photometric window 31a of the incubator rotor 30, a photometric head 45 of the measuring means is disposed upward. A cover (not shown) is provided around the incubator rotor 30 to block the influence of the outside air temperature and shield the photometric head 45 from light.
[0025]
The incubator rotor 30 is driven to reciprocate, the element chamber 33 is sequentially stopped with respect to the photometric head 45 disposed below a predetermined rotational position, and the optical density of the color reaction of the dry analytical element 11 is measured. After a series of measurements, control is performed so as to perform reciprocating rotation within a predetermined angle range so as to reversely rotate and return to the reference position and perform the next measurement.
[0026]
The photometric head 45 is for measurement including a wavelength selected in advance by a combination of a predetermined biochemical substance in the specimen and a reagent contained in the dry analytical element 11 through the photometric window 31a opened at the bottom center of the element chamber 33. Irradiation light is irradiated onto the dry analytical element 11 from the bottom surface, and the reflection optical density is measured.
[0027]
In FIG. 1, the sampler tray 2 has a turntable 21 that is rotationally driven. Five sample cartridges 7 are loaded in an arc shape on the outer periphery of the turntable 21. Each sample cartridge 7 is detachable independently, and has a sample holding part 71 for holding one sample container 10 such as a blood collection tube containing the sample, and usually requires a plurality of types corresponding to the measurement items. An element holding unit 72 that holds the unused dry analytical elements 11 in a stacked state is provided.
[0028]
On the outer periphery of the turntable 21 other than the sample cartridge 7 loaded, there are a large number of nozzle chips 12, a mixing cup 13 (a molded product in which a large number of cup-shaped recesses are arranged), a diluent container 14 and a reference liquid container. Stores and holds 15 consumables. Consumables may be loaded in the same cartridge format as the sample cartridge 7 in addition to being placed directly on the sampler tray 2.
[0029]
The turntable 21 of the sampler tray 2 is rotationally driven in the normal rotation direction or the reverse rotation direction to the operation position of the spotting nozzle unit 5 by a rotation drive mechanism (not shown). By controlling the rotation position and the movement position of the spotting nozzle unit 5, the necessary nozzle tip 12 is taken out, the necessary specimen, dilution liquid, and reference liquid are aspirated and mixed as necessary. A predetermined operation is performed.
[0030]
In addition, a transport means 9 (see FIG. 2) for transporting the dry analytical element 11 is provided at the center of the sampler tray 2. The transport means 9 has a lever-shaped element transport member 91 disposed so as to be slidable in the radial direction of the sampler tray 2, and the dry analytical element 11 is moved at the tip by controlling the forward movement of the element transport member 91. It is pushed out and automatically taken out from the sample cartridge 7 and transported to the spotting unit 4, and the dry analytical element 11 after spotting is transported to the incubator 3. Then, the rotational position of the turntable 21 is controlled to sequentially stop the sample cartridge 7 at a position corresponding to the spotting unit 4, and the necessary dry analysis element 11 can be taken out from the sample cartridge 7. For a sample that requires plasma filtration, a holder 16 equipped with a filtration filter is attached to the upper end of the sample container 10 housed in the sample cartridge 7.
[0031]
The dry analysis element 11 is a colorimetric type, in which a reagent layer is disposed in a rectangular mount, a spotting hole is formed on the surface of the mount, and a specimen is spotted on the spotting hole. The electrolyte type has an electrode pair, and a specimen and a reference liquid are spotted on two liquid supply holes. On the back surface of the dry analytical element 11, a barcode on which information for specifying an inspection item or the like is recorded is attached.
[0032]
The spotting part 4 (FIG. 2) is for spotting a sample such as plasma, whole blood, serum, urine, etc. on the dry analysis element 11 and has a spotting opening 42a on the mounting table 41 for receiving the dry analysis element 11. An element presser 42 is installed, and a sample and possibly a reference liquid are spotted on the dry analysis element 11 by the spotting nozzle unit 5. Although not shown in the figure, a barcode reader for reading a barcode provided on the dry analysis element 11 is installed in the front part of the spotting unit 4. This bar code reader is provided to specify inspection items and the like, to control subsequent spotting and measurement, and to detect the transport direction (front and back, front and back) of the dry analytical element 11.
[0033]
The spotting nozzle unit 5 (FIG. 1) performs sampling of the specimen, and is provided with two vertical movement blocks 52, 52 that move up and down in a horizontal movement block 51 that horizontally moves in the horizontal direction. , 52 are fixed to two spotting nozzles 53, 53, respectively. The lateral movement block 51 and the two vertical movement blocks 52 and 52 are controlled to move laterally and vertically by driving means (not shown), and the two spotting nozzles 53 and 53 are laterally moved together and independently moved up and down. It is supposed to be. For example, one spotting nozzle 53 is for a specimen, and the other spotting nozzle 53 is for a diluting liquid and a reference liquid.
[0034]
Both the spotting nozzles 53, 53 are formed in a rod shape, an air passage extending in the axial direction is provided inside, and a pipette-like nozzle tip 12 is fitted in a sealed state at the lower end. An air tube connected to a syringe pump (not shown) is connected to each of the spotting nozzles 53, 53, and suction / discharge pressure is supplied. The nozzle tip 12 after use is removed at the tip extraction part and dropped and discarded.
[0035]
The plasma filtration unit 6 separates and sucks plasma from blood through a holder 16 having a filter made of glass fiber inserted into the sample container 10 held in the sampler tray 2 and attached to the upper end opening. The filtered plasma is held in the cup portion at the upper end. A suction cup portion 62 that sucks the holder 16 is provided on the lower side of the tip of the suction portion 61 that applies negative pressure, and the suction cup portion 62 is connected to a pump (not shown). The suction part 61 is supported by the support column 63 so as to move up and down by an unillustrated lifting mechanism. In order to separate the plasma from the blood, the suction unit 61 is lowered and brought into close contact with the holder 16 of the sample container 10. The pump is driven, the whole blood in the sample container 10 is sucked up and filtered by a filter, and plasma is supplied to the cup portion. Then, the suction part 61 is raised and moved to the original position, and the filtration is finished.
[0036]
FIG. 1 shows the appearance of the biochemical analyzer 1 in which the above-described mechanism is installed in the apparatus main body 17 (case), and an operation panel 18 is disposed on the incubator 3. The sampler tray 2 and the spotting nozzle unit 5 are covered with a transparent protective cover 19 that can be opened and closed.
[0037]
Next, the operation of the biochemical analyzer 1 will be described. First, before performing the analysis, the sample container 10 containing the sample and the dry analysis element 11 of a type corresponding to the measurement item are removed from the apparatus and taken out and loaded outside the apparatus. The sample cartridge 7 is loaded into the sampler tray 2 with the protective cover 19 removed. When there are a plurality of samples, a sample cartridge 7 corresponding to each sample is loaded. In addition, the nozzle tip 12, the mixing cup 13, the diluent container 14, and the reference liquid container 15 that are consumables are loaded into the sampler tray 2.
[0038]
Thereafter, the analysis process is started. In the case of the sample cartridge 7 containing the urgent sample, the measurement operation is temporarily stopped, the vacant part or the loaded sample cartridge 7 is removed, and the sample cartridge 7 for the urgent sample is loaded.
[0039]
First, the whole blood in the sample container 10 is filtered by the blood filtration unit 6 to obtain a plasma component. Next, the sample cartridge 7 of the sample to be measured by rotating the sampler tray 2 is stopped at a position corresponding to the spotting unit 4. The dry analytical element 11 is conveyed from the sample cartridge 7 to the spotting unit 4 by the element conveying member 91 of the conveying means 9. During the conveyance, the barcode provided on the dry analytical element 11 is read by the barcode reader, and the inspection items of the dry analytical element 11 are detected. Different processing is performed depending on the read inspection item is a dilution request item.
[0040]
When the read inspection item is colorimetric measurement, the sampler tray 2 is rotated to move the nozzle tip 12 below the spotting nozzle 53 and is attached to the spotting nozzle 53. Subsequently, the specimen container 10 is moved, the spotting nozzle 53 is lowered, the specimen is sucked into the nozzle tip 12, the spotting nozzle 53 is moved to the spotting part 4, and the specimen is spotted on the dry analysis element 11. .
[0041]
Then, the dry analysis element 11 on which the specimen is spotted is inserted into the element chamber 33 of the incubator 3 and is pressed and sealed by the pressing member 34 to prevent the specimen from evaporating and is heated and held at a predetermined temperature. When the dry analytical element 11 is inserted, the element chamber 33 of the incubator 3 is rotated, and the inserted dry analytical element 11 is sequentially moved to a position facing the photometric head 45. Then, after a predetermined time, a change in optical density of the dry analytical element 11 due to color development associated with the reaction between the specimen and the reagent layer is measured by the photometric head 45 of the measuring means. The concentration of the biochemical substance in the specimen is obtained from the photometric optical density using a calibration curve. After the measurement is completed, the element chamber 33 is returned to the insertion position, and the measured dry analytical element 11 is pushed out to the center side by the element transport member 91. The pushed dry analytical element 11 slides down the slope 36a from the upper opening 8a of the disposal hole 8, passes through the rotary shaft 36b, and is discarded from the lower opening 8b. The measurement result is output, the used nozzle tip 12 is removed from the spotting nozzle 53, and the process is terminated.
[0042]
Next, when the inspection item is a dilution request item, for example, when the blood concentration is too high to perform an accurate inspection, the nozzle tip 12 is attached to the spotting nozzle 53 and the sample is aspirated. After the aspirated specimen is dispensed into the mixing cup 13, the diluted liquid is sucked into the replaced nozzle chip 12 from the diluent container 14 and discharged to the mixing cup 13. Then, the nozzle tip 12 is inserted into the mixing cup 13 and agitation is performed by repeating suction and discharge. The diluted specimen is sucked into the nozzle chip 12, moved to the spotting unit 4, and spotted on the dry analysis element 11. Similarly, photometry, element discard, result output, and chip discard are performed, and the process is terminated.
[0043]
The ion activity measurement is different from spotting and potential difference measurement, but the movement of the dry analytical element 11 is the same as described above, and the dry analytical element 11 after measurement is dropped and discarded from the element chamber 33 to the disposal hole 8. The
[0044]
In the embodiment as described above, the dry analytical element 11 is pushed out of the cartridge 7 by the element conveying member 91, the sample is spotted by the spotting portion 4, inserted into the incubator 3, incubated and measured. After the measurement, the dry analytical element 11 is transported in the center direction, and is scraped off the scraping hole 8 in the inclined surface 36a of the lower member 36 and the rotary shaft 36b, and is discarded. Can be ensured at the same time, the diameter of the bearing member 37 can be reduced, and it can be constructed with high accuracy and low cost, and the upper opening 8a of the discard hole 8 is large, and the transport distance of the dry analytical element 11 after measurement is short and can be easily discarded. The device can be reduced in size and weight.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a biochemical analyzer equipped with an incubator according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an incubator with a cover removed.
1 Biochemical Analyzer 2 Sampler Tray 3 Incubator 4 Spotting Portion 5 Spotting Nozzle Unit 7 Sample Cartridge 8 Disposal Hole
8a Top opening
8b Bottom opening
11 Dry analytical element
30 Incubator rotor
31 Lower disk member
31a Metering window
32 Upper disk member
33 Element room
34 Presser foot
35 heater
36 Lower parts
36a slope
36b Rotation axis
37 Bearing material
38 motor
45 Metering head

Claims (2)

In an incubator in which a plurality of element chambers are provided on the circumference of a rotating incubator rotor, and a dry analysis element having a sample deposited therein is accommodated and incubated in the element chamber,
A slope is provided from the inside of the element chamber of the incubator rotor toward the center of rotation below, a cylindrical rotary shaft is provided at a narrowed portion at the lower end of the slope , the rotary shaft is supported by a bearing member, An incubator characterized in that the inside of a slope and a rotating shaft is provided in a disposal hole of a dry analytical element after measurement. Incubator of claim 1, before Kihasu surface and having an inclination of more than 30 ° with respect to the horizontal plane.

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