JP5217332B2 - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that analyzes a trace component contained in a biological sample (specimen) such as blood or serum.

  In fields such as clinical diagnosis, automatic analyzers are widely used to analyze the presence and concentration of a specific component contained in a sample collected from a subject and to diagnose a plague from the result. These automatic analyzers generally employ a measurement protocol in which a specimen and a small amount of dilution water are injected into a reaction container containing reagents, then the reaction process on the incubator table is performed, and then the detection process is performed. It is.

  However, since there is a limit on the size of the reaction container used in the automatic analyzer, it may be necessary to dilute the sample to some extent in advance. In addition, in order to obtain a correct measurement result, the sample may need to be chemically treated with a special pretreatment reagent.

  When diluting a sample, after injecting the sample and diluent into an empty dilution container, the diluted mixture in the dilution container is regarded as a new sample and injected into the reagent-containing reaction container according to the measurement protocol. . When sample pretreatment is required, after injecting the sample and pretreatment reagent into an empty pretreatment container, the pretreatment container is transported to a pretreatment reaction table having a conveyor function and a temperature control function. The mixed solution is preferably subjected to a chemical reaction for a certain time. The pretreated specimen thus obtained is regarded as a new specimen and injected into a reagent-containing reaction container according to the measurement protocol.

  When diluting a specimen, it is necessary to agitate and homogenize the diluted mixture before injecting the specimen and diluent into an empty dilution container and then into the reagent-containing reaction container. It is preferable to increase Also, when the sample is pretreated, the sample and the pretreatment reagent are injected into an empty pretreatment container and then the pretreatment container is transported to the pretreatment reaction table or the pretreated mixture is used as a reagent. It is preferable to stir and homogenize the mixed solution in the pretreatment container before injecting it into the reaction container in order to improve measurement reproducibility and accuracy.

  As this type of stirring means, first to third methods are known. The first method is a method in which the liquid mixture in the reaction vessel is sucked and discharged by a dispensing nozzle, and the liquid mixture is stirred. The second method is a method in which the liquid mixture in the reaction vessel is stirred by holding the flange portion provided at the upper end of the reaction vessel with a holding mechanism and swinging the holding mechanism. The third method is a method in which a mixed solution is stirred by inserting a stirring member (for example, a stirring fin) into the reaction vessel and rotating the stirring member.

In this specification, the reaction container means a container that contains a reaction solution such as an immune reaction or biochemical reaction used for chemical analysis in a narrow sense, but in a broad sense, it is used for pretreatment or dilution of a specimen. It is also used to mean including containers.
Japanese Patent No. 3733431

  However, in the first method, in order to suck and discharge the liquid mixture in the reaction container, the reaction container transport operation and the dispensing nozzle operation must be stopped, which may reduce the processing speed of the automatic analyzer. is there.

  In the second method, since the posture of the reaction container is not stabilized only by gripping the gripping mechanism, the reagent solution flows out of the reaction container when the gripping mechanism is swung, or the reaction container is removed from the gripping mechanism. There is a risk of falling off. In addition, since the gripping mechanism must be accurately positioned on the flange portion of the reaction vessel, positioning control may be complicated.

  Furthermore, in the third method, since the stirring member retracted from the reaction vessel must be cleaned before being put into the next reaction vessel, there is a possibility of causing a large time loss. Further, when the stirring member is pulled out from the reaction vessel, there is a possibility that the mixed solution is scattered around.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer having a function of quickly homogenizing a mixture of a specimen and a diluent, a specimen and a pretreatment reagent. It is another object of the present invention to provide an automatic analyzer equipped with a means for stirring the mixture while preventing the mixture from flowing out and scattering during stirring.

In order to solve the above-described problems, an automatic analyzer according to the present invention includes a placement position for transporting and placing a reagent-filled or empty container from a storage source, and at least a sample and a necessary container in the reagent-filled or empty container. Dispensing position for performing the dispensing process for injecting the pretreatment reagent or diluent, and delivery to the transport unit that transports the container after the dispensing process to the pretreatment reaction table when pretreatment is required A transport unit provided with a container mounting port capable of mounting the container, and a vibration means for applying vibration to the container mounting port, provided in the transport unit. And the vibration means that can move together with the transport unit .

  Here, the vibration means may apply vibration to the transfer unit at the dispensing position, or may apply vibration to the transfer unit during transfer of the container to the container delivery position.

  According to this invention, the liquid mixture in a container can be stirred in the arbitrary places on the conveyance path which connects the pre-process and post-process of a dispensing process. Since it is not necessary to introduce and position an additional member for stirring, the number of parts can be saved, the control mechanism can be simplified, and the stirring process can be speeded up. It is possible to prevent the mixed solution from flowing out and scattering during stirring.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a plan view of the automatic analyzer. However, portions that are less relevant to the present invention are not shown. FIG. 2 is a functional block of the automatic analyzer. The dispensing position of the main lane on the STC lane 1 corresponds to the dispensing position described in claim 1. Here, the STC lane means a dilution / pretreatment container transport lane.

  Of the STC lane 1 and the RTC lane 2 arranged in parallel in the Y-axis direction, the former is provided with a container transport unit 3 so as to be movable in the X-axis direction, and placed on the hybrid lane from a transport arm (not shown). The container A conveyed to the position is moved to the dispensing position on the main lane. A pulse motor is incorporated in the STC lane drive motor unit 51 that moves the container transport unit 3 along the STC lane 1 in the X-axis direction, and the CPU 70 is electrically connected to the STC lane drive motor unit 51. The drive of the pulse motor is controlled on the basis of the drive signal output from.

  A pulse motor is incorporated in the RTC lane drive motor unit 52 for transporting the reaction container containing the reagent, and a drive signal output from the CPU 70 electrically connected to the RTC lane drive motor unit 52 is used. Based on this, the driving of the pulse motor is controlled. Here, the RTC lane means a container transport lane.

  The container transport unit 3 receives a driving force from a pulse motor incorporated in the container transport motor unit 53 and moves in the X-axis direction along the STC lane 1. The container transport motor unit 53 is electrically connected to the CPU 70, and the drive of the pulse motor is controlled based on the drive signal output from the CPU 70.

  The hybrid arm 4 is equipped with a dispensing nozzle 4a and a cup transfer 4b. The hybrid arm 4 receives a driving force from a pulse motor incorporated in the hybrid arm drive motor unit 54 and is driven in the Y-axis direction (that is, a hybrid lane indicated by a chain line). And move in the Z-axis direction. The hybrid arm drive motor unit 54 is electrically connected to the CPU 70, and the drive of the pulse motor is controlled based on the drive signal output from the CPU 70.

  Dispensing nozzle 4a has various reagents necessary for analysis from a reagent carousel (not shown), for example, a neutralizing agent and an immune reaction reagent used after sample pretreatment in container A transported to the mounting position on STC lane 1. It has a function to dispense a kind. The cup transfer 4 b has a function of transporting the container A to the incubator table 6.

  The main arm 5 is equipped with a dispensing nozzle 5a (there is no conveying means corresponding to the cup transfer 4b), and receives a driving force from a pulse motor incorporated in the main arm driving motor unit 55 in the Y-axis direction ( That is, it moves along the main lane indicated by the one-dot chain line) and moves in the Z-axis direction. The main arm drive motor unit 55 is electrically connected to the CPU 70, and the drive of the pulse motor is controlled based on the drive signal output from the CPU 70.

  The dispensing nozzle 5a sucks and collects the specimen from the sample area, and dispenses it into the dilution / pretreatment container A located on the STC lane 1 or into the reaction container containing the reagent located on the RTC lane 2, respectively. Has the function of pouring. Also, a sample diluent or pretreatment reagent is aspirated from a reagent carousel (not shown) and dispensed into a dilution / pretreatment container A located on STC lane 1 or a pretreated sample is placed. When the container A is transported to the dispensing position, it has a function of sucking and collecting the pre-processed sample in the container A and dispensing it to the container waiting on the RTC lane 2. When the sample is pre-processed, the container A is vibrated (stirred) by the vibration motor unit 8 as will be described later, and then is moved to the container delivery position located downstream of the STC lane 1 by the container transport unit 3. Be transported.

  The container A transported to the container delivery position is transported to the pretreatment reaction table 7 by a not-shown cup transfer (corresponding to the transport unit described in claim 1).

  After being swung on the pretreatment reaction table 7 for a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes), the container A is transported to the mounting position intersecting with the hybrid lane through the container delivery position and the dispensing position of the main lane on the STC lane 1. The neutralizing agent is added to the container A by the dispensing nozzle 4a as described above. Thereafter, the liquid mixture in the container A is immediately stirred by the vibrating means of the container transport unit 3, and the container A is transported again to the main lane dispensing position on the STC lane 1.

  The dispensing nozzle 5a sucks the mixed solution in the container A transported from the pretreatment reaction table 7 to the dispensing position of the main lane on the STC lane 1, and draws it into the main lane on the RTC lane 2. Inject into the container A waiting at the dispensing position.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the structure of the container conveyance unit 3 and the vibration motor unit 8 is demonstrated in detail. Here, FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the container transport unit 3, where (a) is a plan view and (b) is a side view. The internal structure necessary for the explanation is projected and shown by a one-dot chain line.

  A container mounting port 31 is provided at one end of the first vibration transmission plate 32 in the X-axis direction. The container mounting port 31 has two recesses 31a for mounting the container A in the X-axis direction. It is installed side by side.

  The other end portion in the X-axis direction of the first vibration transmission plate 32 is fixed to one end portion in the X-axis direction of the second vibration transmission plate 33 via a connecting pin 35. Two connecting pins 35 are provided side by side in the Y-axis direction.

  In FIG. 3B, the motor output shaft 81 of the vibration motor unit 8 is indicated by a dotted line, and a cover member 82 having a circular XY cross section is assembled to the outer periphery of the motor output shaft 81. The cover member 82 rotates integrally with the motor output shaft 81.

  A U-shaped notch (not shown) for avoiding interference with the cover member 82 is formed at the other end in the X-axis direction of the second vibration transmission plate 33.

  An eccentric shaft member 83 that is eccentric with respect to the output shaft 81 of the motor is provided at one end portion in the Z-axis direction of the cover member 82 (the end portion far from the motor body). The member 83 rotates eccentrically around the motor output shaft 81 in accordance with the rotation operation of the motor output shaft 81.

  Connection pins 36 are provided at the four corners of the third vibration transmission plate 34, and the second vibration transmission plate 33 and the third vibration transmission plate 34 are connected via these connection pins 36.

  A circular rotation opening 34 a is formed at the center of the third vibration transmission plate 34 in plan view (Z-axis direction view), and the central axis of the rotation opening 34 a is the motor of the vibration motor unit 8. It is set coaxially with the output shaft 81.

  The eccentric shaft member 83 of the vibration motor unit 8 is in contact with a part of the inner diameter portion of the rotation opening 34a, and the axis of the eccentric shaft member 83 is deviated from the central axis of the rotation opening 34a. It is cored.

  The guide member 38 has a guide member (for example, LM Guide (registered trademark)) extending in the Y-axis direction and the X-axis direction, and the guided member 39 is engaged with the guide member 38, thereby Guided in the direction and the X-axis direction. The X-axis direction guide member 38 is fixed to a fixed plate 37. The fixed plate 37 moves linearly on the X axis along the STC lane 1 by a guide (not shown).

  In the above configuration, when the vibration motor unit 8 is driven to rotate the motor output shaft 81, the eccentric shaft member 83 is eccentric about the axis of the motor output shaft 81 while abutting the inner diameter portion of the rotation opening 34a. As a result, the third vibration transmission plate 34 vibrates. The vibration of the third vibration transmission plate 34 is transmitted in the order of the connection pin 36 → the second vibration transmission plate 33 → the connection pin 35 → the first vibration transmission plate 32, and finally the container mounting port 31 may be vibrated. it can. Thereby, the liquid mixture accommodated in the container A can be stirred.

  In addition, since the liquid mixture is agitated with the container A mounted in the container mounting port 31, the posture of the container A is more stable than the second method described above (the method of gripping the container with the gripping mechanism). Problems such as leakage can be eliminated. Further, when the container transport unit 3 is vibrated, only one small vibration motor unit is required, so that the cost and weight can be reduced.

  Still further, due to the engaging action of the guide member 38 and the guided member 39, the container mounting port 31, the first vibration transmission plate 32, the second vibration transmission plate 33, and the third vibration transmission plate 34 are one rigid body. Independently of the movement of the fixed plate 37 that is restricted only by linear movement along the STC lane 1, it makes a small turn without changing its orientation in the horizontal plane (in the plane including the X and Y axes). It becomes. In other words, it is a translational movement through a horizontal circular orbit. There are many parameters such as the control of the rotational speed of the vibration motor unit 8, the design of the eccentricity of the eccentric shaft member, the shape and size of the container to be placed, the amount and viscosity of the liquid put into the container A, According to the present invention, a highly reproducible vibration state in which the posture of the container A is stable can be realized. Therefore, by controlling the parameters, it is possible to accurately prevent the liquid mixture from flowing out and scattering during stirring.

  Next, the operation of the automatic analyzer will be described by taking as an example a case where sample pretreatment is performed. First, a container A for dilution / pretreatment and a reaction container containing reagents placed in a matrix on a container rack (not shown) and a reaction container containing reagents are respectively connected to the container mounting port 31 and the RTC lane in the STC lane 1 by a transfer arm (not shown). 2 is mounted.

  The container A mounted on the mounting port 31 is transported to the dispensing position of the main lane by the container transport unit 3. Next, the main arm 5 moves in the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction, and the sample and the pretreatment reagent are injected into the container A attached to the attachment port 31 by the dispensing nozzle 5a.

  Next, the vibration motor unit 8 is driven to vibrate the container mounting port 31. Thereby, the container A attached to the container attachment port 31 vibrates, and the mixed liquid in the container A can be stirred. In addition, since the stop time of the container A can be made shorter than the first method (method of sucking and discharging the mixed liquid with a nozzle and stirring) and the third method (method of stirring with a stirring member), automatic analysis is possible. The processing speed of the apparatus can be increased.

  When the excitation to the container mounting port 31 is completed, the container transport unit 3 is transported downstream of the STC lane 1, and the container A mounted to the container mounting port 31 is transported to the pretreatment reaction table 7.

  The container A transported to the pretreatment reaction table 7 is rotated for about 10 minutes and is transported to the container delivery position and the main lane on the STC lane 1 by the container transport unit 3 waiting downstream of the STC lane 1 in the transport direction. After passing through the dispensing position, the sheet is transported to a mounting position intersecting with the hybrid lane, and a neutralizing agent is added to the container A by the dispensing nozzle 4a. Thereafter, the liquid mixture in the container A is immediately stirred by the vibration means of the container transport unit 3, and the container A is transported again to the dispensing position of the main lane on the STC lane 1.

  Next, the main arm 5 is moved to the dispensing position of the STC lane 1, the mixed solution in the container A conveyed from the pretreatment reaction table 7 is sucked by the dispensing nozzle 5a, and this mixed solution is drawn into the RTC lane 2 Is poured into another reaction vessel A waiting at the dispensing position on the main lane.

Then, the RTC lane 2 is moved upstream in the conveyance direction, the reaction vessel A is moved to the dispensing position on the hybrid lane, and is conveyed to the incubator table 6 by the cup transfer 4 b of the hybrid arm 4.
(Other examples)
In the above-described embodiment, the container A is vibrated with the conveyance operation of the container conveyance unit 3 stopped. However, the container A may be vibrated while the container conveyance unit 3 is conveyed downstream of the STC lane 1. Thereby, the processing speed of the automatic analyzer can be further improved.

  The above-described embodiment is an automatic analyzer having transport means for transporting a container between a first position and a second position according to claim 4, wherein the transport unit is transportable, and the transport unit It also embodies an "automatic analyzer characterized by having a vibration means for applying vibration to the".

  Here, the first position may be a position where the liquid is dispensed or a position where the container into which the liquid has been dispensed is transferred. The second position may be a position where a liquid is dispensed, a position where some optical measurement is performed, or a position where a container is transferred to another apparatus.

  Further, the container may be: That is, two or more kinds of liquids may be dispensed into an empty container, or one kind of liquid may be dispensed into a container in which a reagent previously powdered by lyophilization is placed. Further, the liquid to be dispensed does not necessarily need to be a specimen, and may be a simple buffer solution, or may be a container containing, for example, two types of reagents in powder form.

It is a top view of an automatic analyzer. It is a functional block diagram of an automatic analyzer. It is the schematic of a container conveyance unit, (a) is a top view, (b) is a side view.

Explanation of symbols

1 STC lane (dilution / pretreatment container transport lane)
2 RTC lane (reaction container transfer lane)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Container conveyance unit 4 Hybrid arm 4a Dispensing nozzle 4b Cup transfer 5 Main arm 5a Dispensing nozzle 6 Incubator table 7 Pretreatment reaction table 8 Vibration motor unit 31 Container mounting port 32 First vibration transmission plate 33 Second vibration Transmission plate 34 Third vibration transmission plate 34a Rotating opening 35 36 Connecting pin 37 Fixed plate 38 Guide member 39 Guided member 51 STC lane drive motor unit 52 RTC lane drive motor unit 53 Container transport motor unit 54 Hybrid arm drive motor Unit 55 Main arm drive motor unit 70 CPU
81 Output shaft 82 Cover member 83 Eccentric shaft member

Claims (4)

A placement position for transporting and placing a reagent-filled or empty container from a storage source, and a dispensing process for injecting at least a sample and a necessary pretreatment reagent or diluent into the reagent-filled or empty container It is possible to mount the container, which is movable between a dispensing position and a delivery position to a transport unit that transports the container after the dispensing process to a pretreatment reaction table when pretreatment is necessary. A transport unit provided with a container mounting port;
Vibration means for applying vibration to the container mounting port, the vibration means being movable with the transport unit by being provided in the transport unit ;
The automatic analyzer characterized by having.   The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, further comprising a guide member for vibrating a container mounting port provided in the transport unit in a horizontal plane.   The transport unit includes a vibration transmission plate that transmits vibration to the container mounted on the mounting port, and the vibration transmission plate is eccentric with respect to an output rotation shaft of the vibration means. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein an engagement hole for engaging the shaft member is formed.   4. The automatic analyzer according to claim 3, wherein a central axis of the engagement hole portion is positioned on the same axis as the output rotation shaft of the vibration means. 5.

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