JP5093140B2 - Sample transport system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sample transport system that is incorporated in an automatic analyzer that performs biochemical analysis and immunoassay in the field of clinical testing and research, and transports a container containing a sample to a position for sampling. .

  In addition to the analysis unit that analyzes the sample, the automatic analyzer includes a reagent dispensing mechanism that dispenses the reagent to the analysis unit, a sampling unit that sucks the sample from the sample container that contains the collected sample, and injects it into the analysis unit. A sample transport system that transports the sample container to a position where sampling is performed by the sampling unit is provided. As a general sample transport system, a sample rack installed in a predetermined installation section is moved onto a transport mechanism such as a transport belt and transported to a sampling position using the transport mechanism (for example, (See Patent Document 1). A sample rack accommodates a plurality of sample containers.

JP 2008-209338 A

  In the conventional sample transport system as described above, it is not possible to install a new sample rack in the installation section during the operation of the sample transport system. It is impossible to place the stored sample rack (emergency sample rack) on the transport line with priority over other sample racks. For this reason, an emergency sample rack installation unit is provided separately from the normal sample rack installation unit, and transported to the sampling position by a route different from the normal sample rack.

  However, when the installation section for the emergency sample rack is provided, there is a problem that the size of the entire automatic analyzer is increased and a mechanism for transporting the emergency sample rack to the sampling position is also provided, which increases the cost.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides a sample transport system capable of transporting an emergency sample rack to a sampling position in preference to a normal sample rack without providing a transport path different from a transport path for a normal sample rack. It is intended.

  The sample transport system according to the present invention is provided with a sample rack for arranging a plurality of sample racks that accommodate a plurality of sample containers in a row in the transport direction so that the rows of the sample containers are perpendicular to the transport direction. A first transport mechanism that transports from the front stage to the rear stage with the sample rack installed on the upper surface of the sample rack installed on the upper surface of the sample rack and the sample rack installed in the sample rack And a second transport mechanism that individually transports each sample rack to a sampling position for sampling the sample, and the first transport mechanism transports the sample rack at a predetermined position between the front and rear stages of the first transport mechanism. A transport mechanism that transports the first sample rack to the second transport mechanism, and the first sample rack that has reached a predetermined position of the first transport mechanism is pushed back by the first transport mechanism to be transported by the first transport mechanism. A retraction mechanism for providing a new sample rack installation space for retracting the entire sample rack to the front stage side and installing a new sample rack in front of the retreated head sample rack It is.

As an example of the second transport mechanism, a plurality of sample rack holding units that individually hold the sample racks are provided, and these sample rack holding units are arranged in the circumferential direction on the upper surface of the rotary table, and by rotating the rotary table An example is one in which the sample rack is continuously transported to the sampling position.
In this case, it is preferable that one of the sample rack holding units is a sample rack holding unit dedicated to an emergency sample rack that does not hold a sample rack other than the emergency sample rack. Since there is no sample rack holding unit that can hold the emergency sample rack when all the sample rack holding units of the second transport mechanism hold normal sample racks, the sample rack from any of the sample rack holding units of the second transport mechanism Therefore, it is difficult to quickly transport the emergency sample rack to the sampling position. Therefore, by providing a sample rack holder dedicated to the emergency sample rack in the second transport mechanism, the emergency sample rack can be quickly transported to the sampling position.

  A concave portion or a convex portion is provided on a side surface parallel to the transport direction by the first transport mechanism of the sample rack, and the sample rack is overturned by engaging the concave portion or the convex portion of the sample rack on the side of the first transport mechanism. It is preferable that an overturn prevention guide for preventing the above is provided. Since the sample rack accommodates a plurality of sample containers in a row, the planar shape is elongated. Since this sample rack is placed perpendicular to the transport direction on the first transport mechanism, there is a risk of falling over in the transport direction. If a fall prevention guide that engages with a concave portion or a convex portion provided on a side surface parallel to the conveyance direction of the sample rack by the first conveyance mechanism is provided, the sample rack can be prevented from falling.

  Further, an installable sensor that detects whether the number of sample racks installed in the sample rack installation unit reaches the installable number may be further provided in the front stage of the transport line. Then, the analyst can easily grasp the sample rack installation status of the sample rack installation unit.

Most conventional automatic analyzers have a structure in which the sample rack cannot be taken out until the sampling of all the installed sample racks is completed. Therefore, the transfer mechanism also has a function of returning the sample rack whose sampling has been completed from the second transport mechanism to the first transport mechanism so that the sample rack whose sampling has been completed can be taken out at any time. An end sample rack storage section that stores the sample rack returned by the transfer mechanism may be provided in the section, and a portion of the cover that covers the end sample rack storage section may be an openable / closable section. Since the transfer mechanism and the first transport mechanism can also be used as a mechanism for transporting the sample rack after sampling, it is not necessary to newly provide a mechanism for taking out the sample rack after sampling. Since the cover of the portion that covers the end sample rack housing portion is an openable / closable portion, the sample rack that has been sampled can be taken out at any time by opening the cover.
In this case, a full sensor for detecting the number of sample racks stored in the end sample rack storage unit may be further provided. If it does so, the sample rack accommodation condition of the completion | finish sample rack accommodation part can be grasped | ascertained easily.

  According to the sample transport system of the present invention, the first sample rack transport mechanism is a mechanism that transports the sample rack with the sample rack placed on the upper surface, and the first sample rack that is transported on the first sample rack transport mechanism by the retreat mechanism. Is pushed back to move the entire sample rack back to the front side, so that a new sample rack installation space for installing a new sample rack can be provided in front of the first sample rack. The emergency sample rack can be interrupted at the top of the sample rack that is transporting the sample rack. As a result, the emergency sample rack can be inserted into the normal sample rack transport route without providing a dedicated transport route for the emergency sample rack, and sampling of the sample in the sample container accommodated in the emergency sample rack is given priority. Can be done.

It is a top view which shows the structure of one Example of the sample conveyance system in an automatic analyzer with a part of analysis part. It is sectional drawing in the direction perpendicular | vertical to the conveyance direction of the conveyance belt which shows the structure of the conveyance belt periphery of the Example. It is a top view which shows the operation state of the sample conveyance system of the Example. It is a top view which shows the operation state of the sample conveyance system of the Example. It is a top view which shows the operation state of the sample conveyance system of the Example. It is a top view which shows the operation state of the sample conveyance system of the Example. It is a top view which shows the operation state of the sample conveyance system of the Example. It is a top view which shows the operation state of the sample conveyance system of the Example. It is a perspective view which shows a sample rack holder.

An example will be described below. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a configuration of an embodiment of a sample transport system in an automatic analyzer together with a part of an analyzer, and FIG. 2 shows a structure around the transport belt of the same embodiment, perpendicular to the transport direction of the transport belt. It is sectional drawing in an arbitrary direction.
A sample to be analyzed by the automatic analyzer of this embodiment is placed in a sample container 4, and a plurality of sample containers 4 are conveyed to a predetermined sampling position in a state of being stored in a row in the sample rack 2, and at the sampling position. It is sampled by the nozzle 22 constituting the sampler and injected into the well 20 a of the analysis unit 20. Although not shown, a reagent injection mechanism for injecting a reagent into the well 20a into which the specimen has been injected is provided in the vicinity of the analysis unit 20.

The sample transport system for transporting the sample rack 2 to the sampling position includes a transport belt 6 (first transport mechanism), a transfer mechanism 8, a transport table 12 (second transport mechanism), and a retreat mechanism 10.
The transport belt 6 is configured to place the sample rack 2 on the upper surface and transport it from the front stage side (right side in the figure) to the rear stage side (left side in the figure). A sample rack installation section 6 a for installing a plurality of sample racks 2 in a state where they are arranged in parallel with each other in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction is provided at the front stage of the conveyance belt 6.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a cover 28 that can be opened and closed is provided in the sample rack installation section 6a. To install the sample rack 2, the cover 28 is opened, and the analyst places the sample rack 2 on the transport belt 6 from the side of the sample rack installation unit 6a (the lower side in FIG. 1 and the right side in FIG. 2) and slides it back. Is placed on the conveyor belt 6. Since the sample rack 2 accommodates the sample containers 4 in a row, the planar shape is an elongated shape, and since the sample rack 2 is placed in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the transport belt 6, stability is poor. There is a risk of falling. Therefore, in this embodiment, the overturn prevention guides 30 and 31 for preventing the sample rack 2 from overturning during transportation are provided on both sides of the transportation belt 6. The overturn prevention guides 30 and 31 enter the recesses 2a provided on both end surfaces of the sample rack 2 to prevent the sample rack 2 from overturning.

  The fall prevention guide 30 is made of a detachable metal member having an L-shaped cross section, for example, so that it does not become an obstacle when the sample rack is placed on the transport belt 6. It is a member that can be mounted and fixed in a state of supporting the sample rack. On the other hand, the overturn prevention guide 31 is a projection on a flat plate provided on the housing 26 side, and when the sample rack 2 is installed, the sample rack 2 is slid to the back so that the dent on the back side of the sample rack 2 as viewed from the analyst. 2a is inserted.

  An open / close sensor 33 that detects the open / closed state of the cover 28 and the fall prevention guide 30 is provided below the fall prevention guide 30. The open / close sensor 33 is, for example, an optical sensor. A protrusion 28 a is provided at a position corresponding to the open / close sensor 33 on the end face of the cover 28, and a hole or a notch is provided at a position corresponding to the protrusion 28 a of the fall prevention guide 30. Thereby, when the fall prevention guide 30 is attached and the cover 28 is properly closed, the projection 28 a operates the open / close sensor 33, and a signal is generated from the open / close sensor 33. As an example using the signal from the open / close sensor 33, an example in which the conveyor belt 6 and the conveyor table 12 are configured to start the operation upon receiving the signal from the open / close sensor 33 can be given. In this example, since the sample rack 2 is not transported when the cover 28 is not properly closed and the open / close sensor 33 is not operated, the state during the installation of the sample rack 2 and the fall prevention are prevented. The conveyance in the incomplete state where the guide 30 is not attached is prevented.

  The sample rack installation unit 6a is provided with an installable sensor 16 that detects whether or not the number of sample racks has reached the installable number. The installable sensor 16 is an optical sensor, for example, and detects whether or not the sample rack 2 is present at the position of the most upstream part of the sample rack installation unit 6a.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the description will be continued. A stopper 18 is provided at the rear stage of the transport belt 6 (left side in FIG. 1), and constitutes an end sample rack storage section 6b for storing the sample rack 2 after sampling. Although not shown, the end sample rack accommodating portion 6b is provided with an openable / closable cover similar to the cover 28 of the sample rack installing portion 6a, and the same fall prevention guides as the fall prevention guides 30 and 31 are provided. Is provided. Similar to the fall prevention guide 30, one of the fall prevention guides is detachable, and the sample rack 2 that has been sampled can be taken out by opening the cover and removing the fall prevention guide. The end sample rack housing 6b is provided with a full sensor 19 for detecting the presence of the sample rack 2 in the most upstream part of the end sample rack housing 6b. The full sensor 19 detects whether or not the number of sample racks 2 accommodated in the end sample rack accommodating portion 6b has reached the accommodable number. When the full sensor 19 continues to detect the sample rack 2 for a predetermined time or more, a signal is issued that the end sample rack housing 6b is full, and this is displayed on, for example, a monitor connected to the apparatus. The

  The transport table 12 includes a plurality of sample rack holders 14 on a rotary table. The sample rack holding unit 14 holds the sample rack 2 individually and is equally arranged in the circumferential direction of the transport table 12. Each sample rack holding unit 14 is arranged at a certain angle from the radial direction of the rotary table. This is for facilitating the placement of each sample container held in the sample rack 2 on the movement trajectory of the nozzle 22 described later. The arrangement of the sample rack holding unit 14 is not limited to this, and can be changed as appropriate depending on the method of moving the sampling nozzle. In this example, ten sample rack holding units 14 are provided, but one place is vacant without holding the normal sample rack 2 in order to hold the emergency sample rack.

  The transfer mechanism 8 includes a drive unit 8b that moves along a guide rail 8a that is disposed in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction (arrow direction) of the conveyance belt 6. The drive unit 8b holds the first sample rack 2 conveyed by the conveyance belt 6 at a position X between the sample rack installation unit 6a and the end rack storage unit 6b on the conveyance path of the conveyance belt 6, and The function of moving to the position of the sample rack holding unit 14 and installing the sample rack in the sample rack holding unit 14, and removing the sample rack 2 installed in the sample rack holding unit 14 from the sample rack holding unit 14 and X on the transport belt 6 And a function to return to the position of. Although not shown, the drive unit 8b has a claw on the sample rack holding surface, and holds the sample rack 2 by engaging the claw with a plurality of holes 2b provided in the lower part of the sample rack 2. It is like that.

  As a means for causing each sample rack 2 to be recognized by the apparatus, a method of attaching a barcode having individual identification information to the sample rack 2 can be mentioned. In that case, a barcode reader that reads the barcode may be mounted on the drive unit 8 of the transfer mechanism 8. Then, when the sample rack 2 is transferred from the transport belt 6 to the transport table 12, the identification information of the sample rack 2 can be read and recognized at the same time.

  An arrival sensor 17 that detects the presence of the sample rack 2 at the position X on the transport belt 6 is provided at a position X on the side of the transport belt 6. When the sample rack 2 is transported from the sample rack 2 on the transport belt 6 to the transport table 12, the transfer mechanism 8 determines that the sample rack 2 has arrived at the position X on the transport belt 6 based on a signal from the arrival sensor 17. And the operation of holding the sample rack 2 is performed.

  The retraction mechanism 10 includes a guide rail 10a disposed in parallel to the transport belt 6, and a parallel moving portion 10b that can move in the direction parallel to the transport belt 6 (left and right in FIG. 1) on the transport belt 6 by the guide rail 10a. I have. The translation unit 10b has a length that blocks the conveyance path of the conveyance belt 6. The main function of the retraction mechanism 10 is to push the head sample rack 2 transported to the position X that can be held by the drive of the transfer mechanism 8 back to the sample rack installation section 6a, thereby moving the head sample rack 2 in the transport direction. There is a function of providing a space for inserting a new sample rack in front. The translation unit 10b is set to a height that contacts the upper part of the sample rack 2 and does not interfere with the drive unit 8b that holds the lower part of the sample rack 2.

  The sampler for sampling the sample in the sample container 4 accommodated in the sample rack 2 is configured by an arm 21 that rotates between the transport table 12 and the analysis unit 20 and a nozzle 22 provided at the tip of the arm 21. The nozzle 22 has a function of sucking a sample from the sample container 4 of the sample rack 2 on the transport table 12 and injecting the sample into a predetermined well 20 a of the analysis unit 20. The analysis unit 20 is a rotary table having a plurality of wells 20a on the circumference, and each well 20a can be moved to a predetermined position by rotating.

The operation of the sample transport system will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, illustration of the arrival sensor 17 and the full sensor 19 is abbreviate | omitted in FIGS.
The analyst opens the cover 28 of the sample rack installation unit 6a, installs the sample rack 2 in the sample rack installation unit 6a, attaches the fall prevention guide 30, and then closes the cover 28. The transport belt 6 operates so as to transport from the sample rack installation unit 6a to the end sample rack storage unit 6b.

  The drive unit 8 b of the transfer mechanism 8 stands by at a position between the conveyance belt 6 and the conveyance table 12, and the parallel movement unit 10 b of the retreat mechanism 10 stands by at a position X on the conveyance belt 6. When the sample rack 2 on the transport belt 6 is transported on the transport belt 6 and reaches the position X, the sample rack 2 is stopped by the parallel moving unit 10b, and the arrival sensor 17 detects the sample rack 2.

  When the arrival sensor 17 detects the sample rack 2, the drive unit 8b moves to a position on the transport belt 6 and holds the sample rack 2 as shown in FIG. When a barcode reader is mounted on the drive unit 8b, the barcode of the sample rack 2 held before holding the sample rack 2 or when holding the sample rack 2 is read. Thereafter, the drive unit 8 b moves to the transport table 12 side, and the sample rack 2 is installed in the sample rack holding unit 14.

  After the sample rack 2 is installed in the sample rack holding unit 14, the transport table 12 rotates, for example, clockwise by a predetermined angle, and each time the sample rack 2 is installed in the sample rack holding unit 14 by the transfer mechanism 8. Done.

  When the sample rack 2 previously installed in the sample rack holding unit 14 reaches the sampling position for sampling by the nozzle 22 by the rotation of the transport table 12, the sampling for the sample rack 2 is performed. During sampling, alignment is performed so that each sample container 4 of the sample rack 2 is on the locus of the rotational movement of the nozzle 22 while the transport table 12 is rotated clockwise and counterclockwise.

After the sampling, the sample rack 2 is removed from the sample rack holding unit 14 by the drive unit 8b of the transfer mechanism 8 (see FIG. 5) and returned to the transport belt 6 (see FIG. 6). . At this time, the parallel moving unit 10b of the retreat mechanism 10 has moved to the sample rack setting unit 6a side from the position X where the sample rack 2 after the completion of sampling is returned. It is pushed back to the rack installation part 6a side.
After the sample rack 2 is returned onto the transport belt 6, the driving unit 8b moves to a position between the transport belt 6 and the transport table 12, and the parallel moving unit 10b of the retraction mechanism 10 is moved with the transport belt 6 stopped. By moving in the direction of the end sample rack housing 6b, the sample rack 2 returned onto the transport belt 6 is transported to the end sample rack housing 6b (see FIG. 7).

  Further, when there is an emergency sample rack 2X to be analyzed with priority over the sample rack 2 currently installed in the sample rack installation unit 6a, the operator inputs the installation of the emergency sample rack, whereby the transport belt 6 Is stopped, the parallel moving part 10b of the retreat mechanism 10 pushes the head sample rack 2 on the transport belt 6 back to the rear of the front part of the sample rack setting part 6a, and the emergency sample rack is located in front of the head sample rack 2. Secure a new sample rack installation space where 2X can be installed. Thereafter, the translation unit 10b returns to the position X (see FIG. 8). When the emergency sample rack 2X is installed in the new sample rack installation space and the cover 28 is normally closed, the transport belt 6 operates to transport the emergency sample rack 2X to the position X side. The emergency sample rack 2X is stopped at the position X by the translation unit 10b and detected by the arrival sensor 17. In response to a signal from the arrival sensor 17, the drive unit 8b moves onto the conveyance belt 6, holds the emergency sample rack 2X, and moves toward the conveyance table 12. At this time, the transport table 12 rotates so that the sample rack holding unit 14 vacated for the emergency sample rack 2X comes to a position for receiving the emergency sample rack 2X from the transfer mechanism 8, and the sample rack for the emergency sample rack The holding part 14 holds the emergency sample rack 2X.

  When installing a plurality of sample racks 2 in the sample rack installation section 6a, as shown in FIG. 9, a sample rack holder 32 that can hold a plurality of sample racks 2 together can be used. The efficiency of the installation work of the sample rack 2 can be achieved.

2 Sample rack 2X Emergency sample rack 4 Sample container 6 Transport belt 6a Sample rack installation unit 6b End rack storage unit 8 Transfer mechanism 10 Retraction mechanism 12 Transport table 14 Sample rack holding unit 16 Installable sensor 20 Analysis unit 22 Nozzle 26 Case 28 Cover 30, 31 Fall prevention guide

Claims (7)

A sample rack installation unit for arranging a plurality of sample racks that accommodate a plurality of sample containers in a row in the transport direction so that the row of the sample containers is in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction is provided in the front stage, A first transport mechanism for transporting the sample rack installed in the sample rack installation section from the front stage section to the rear stage section in a state where the sample rack is placed on the upper surface;
A second transport mechanism for individually transporting each sample rack to a sampling position for sampling a sample in a sample container accommodated in the sample rack;
The first sample rack transported by the first transport mechanism is transferred to the second transport mechanism at a predetermined position between the front and rear stages of the first transport mechanism, and the sample of the second transport mechanism A transfer mechanism for returning a rack to the predetermined position of the first transport mechanism ;
A retraction mechanism including a parallel movement unit that moves in the transport direction of the first transport mechanism and in the opposite direction;
The retraction mechanism pushes the first sample rack that has reached the predetermined position of the first transport mechanism back to the front stage side by the parallel moving unit, thereby moving the entire sample rack transported by the first transport mechanism to the front stage. A new sample rack installation space for installing a new sample rack is provided in front of the first sample rack that has been retracted to the front side, and the parallel movement unit is closer to the front side than the predetermined position. A sample transport system for transporting a sample rack returned to the predetermined position at a certain time to the rear stage side by the parallel movement unit .   The second transport mechanism includes a plurality of sample rack holding units that individually hold the sample racks, and the sample rack holding units are arranged circumferentially on the upper surface of the rotary table, The sample transport system according to claim 1, wherein the sample rack is continuously transported to the sampling position by rotation.   The sample transport system according to claim 2, wherein one of the sample rack holding units is a sample rack holding unit dedicated to an emergency sample rack that does not hold a sample rack other than the emergency sample rack. A concave portion or a convex portion is provided on a side surface of the sample rack parallel to the transport direction by the first transport mechanism;
The fall prevention guide which engages with the said recessed part or convex part of the said sample rack and prevents the fall of the said sample rack is provided in the side of the said 1st conveyance mechanism. The sample transport system according to 1.   The sample according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an installable sensor that detects whether the number of sample racks installed in the sample rack installation unit has reached the installable number in the upstream part of the transport line. Conveying system. The transfer mechanism also has a function of returning the sample rack that has been sampled from the second transport mechanism to the middle stage of the first transport mechanism,
6. The end sample rack housing portion that houses the sample rack returned to the middle stage portion by the transfer mechanism is provided at the rear stage portion of the first transport mechanism. 6. Specimen transport system.   The sample transport system according to claim 6, further comprising a full sensor that detects whether or not the number of sample racks stored in the end sample rack storage unit has reached the number that can be stored in the rear stage of the transport line.

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