JP5321324B2 - Automatic analyzer capable of switching reaction vessel supply means - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that analyzes trace components contained in a sample. In particular, the present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that is relatively small and can flexibly improve processing capability.

Clinical testing of biological samples such as serum, plasma, and urine is generally performed using an automated analyzer that can eliminate the effects of operator skill on test results and can process many samples in a short time. Is. In general, automatic analyzers used for biochemical examination of biological samples are:
Means for preparing a plurality of sample containers for storing biological samples to be examined;
Means for preparing a reagent to be reacted with the biological sample;
Means for preparing a reaction vessel for reacting the biological sample with the reagent;
Means for dispensing a predetermined amount of the biological sample and reagent into the reaction vessel;
Means for reacting the biological sample and the reagent by maintaining a reaction container in which the biological sample and the reagent are dispensed under predetermined conditions;
Means for measuring the solution in the reaction vessel after the reaction;
It is comprised from the means to transfer the sample container and / or reaction container between these means. As described above, since many means are required for an automatic analyzer, attempts to respond to performance improvements such as processing speed lead to an increase in the size of the apparatus itself, and the configuration and operability of each means tend to be complicated. .

  On the other hand, in a facility with a relatively small number of inspections, there is a demand for a reduction in apparatus installation area and a simplification of the configuration / operability of each means rather than the improvement in the processing speed described above. An automatic immunoanalyzer that automatically performs an immunoassay on a biological sample will be described as an example. Conventionally, a sample container that contains a biological sample and a reaction container that contains a reagent that reacts with the biological sample, There is disclosed a desktop type automatic immunoanalyzer that automatically installs each of different supply means and then outputs a measurement result (Patent Document 1). In the apparatus of Patent Document 1, the means for supplying the sample container and the reaction container are both constituted by an annular conveyor type snake chain. And the partial area | region of the means to supply a sample container and the means to supply a reaction container is controlled so that both means may intermittently move in parallel, synchronizing. Further, the supply means is common to the sample container and the reaction container, and there is an apparatus (Patent Document 2) that supplies the sample container and the reaction container in a mixed state. The apparatus is compared with the apparatus of Patent Document 1 In addition, the configuration / operability of each unit is simplified and the installation area is reduced.

  By the way, the automatic analyzer is not always required to be monitored by the operator during operation, and if there is no problem, the measurer can leave the apparatus and engage in other work. On the other hand, in the automatic analyzer, since it is difficult to clean the biological sample and the reaction container attached to the container in a short time, the reaction container once used is usually discarded without being reused. Therefore, in the apparatuses of Patent Documents 1 and 2, when there is no operator, the total number of sample containers and reaction containers initially installed in the supply means (maximum number of installations) is the upper limit of the processing number, and the measurement exceeds the maximum number of installations. In order to perform the process, it is necessary to take out the treated container outside the apparatus and install a new container on the transport means before the processing of the sample container and the reaction container that are initially placed on the supply means is completed. was there. Also, if the maximum number of installations is increased in order to extend the time during which the measurer can engage in other work, the supply means also becomes larger, so that there is a problem that the entire automatic analyzer becomes larger.

Japanese Patent No. 2884604 Japanese Patent No. 399495

  In a facility that conducts a clinical test of a biological sample, the number of biological samples to be tested and the number of measurements for each test item vary depending on the time, so the required processing capacity varies depending on the time. In addition, the contents of examinations vary widely, such as when quickly measuring a large number of biological samples and when measuring a small number of biological samples in detail. An object of the present invention is to flexibly adapt to variations in the number of samples to be inspected, the number of measurements of each inspection item, and the variety of inspection contents without increasing the size of the entire apparatus in an automatic analyzer that performs clinical inspection of biological samples. It is to provide an automatic analyzer that can be used.

  The present invention made in view of the above problems includes the following inventions.

The first invention is
A first supply means for supplying the reaction vessel;
A second supply means for supplying only the sample container or for supplying the sample container and the reaction container;
Conveying means for receiving and arranging the reaction vessel arranged in the first supply means and / or the second supply means;
A reaction means for receiving a reaction vessel arranged in the conveying means and maintaining it at a predetermined temperature;
First transfer means for transferring the reaction vessel arranged in the first supply means to the transport means;
Dispensing for sucking the sample in the sample container arranged in the second supply means and dispensing the reaction container arranged in the conveyance means to the reaction container arranged in the conveyance means. means,
In an automatic analyzer having
When the second supply means is a means for supplying only the sample container, the reaction container is transferred from the first transfer means to the transfer means,
When the second supply means is a means for supplying the sample container and the reaction container, the second transfer means for transferring the reaction container arranged in the second supply means to the transport means, or the first transfer means and the second transfer It is the said apparatus which transfers the reaction container to a conveyance means from a means.

The second invention is
The second supply means is a means capable of supplying only the sample container or the sample container and the reaction container to the points A and B sequentially,
The transport means is a means capable of transporting the reaction vessel between the points C, D and G;
The reaction means is a means capable of accepting a reaction vessel arranged in the transport means at a point E,
The first transfer means is a means capable of transferring a reaction vessel arranged in the first supply means to a point G;
The second transfer means is a means capable of transferring a reaction vessel disposed at a point A on the second supply means to a point C;
The third transfer means is a means capable of transferring a reaction vessel disposed at a point C on the transfer means to a point E;
The first dispensing means is a means for sucking a sample in a sample container arranged in the first supply means at a point B and dispensing the sample into a reaction container arranged at a point D on the conveying means. A device according to the invention.

The third invention is
The sample container between point A and point B in the second supply means, or the supply path of the sample container and the reaction container;
It is an apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, in which the transport path between the point C, the point D, and the point G in the transport means is straight and parallel to each other.

The fourth invention is
(1) The transfer path of the reaction vessel from the point A to the point C by the second transfer means,
(2) The transfer path of the reaction vessel from the point C to the point E by the third transfer means,
(3) Transfer route from point B to point D by the dispensing means,
Are both straight lines,
(1) and (2) have the same transfer path direction,
The transfer path of (1) and (2) and the transfer path of (3) are parallel to each other, and the apparatus according to the second or third invention.

  In the fifth invention, the reaction means can move the reaction container received at the point E to the point F, and a reagent is inserted between the point B and the point D and / or between the point D and the point F. It is an apparatus as described in 2nd-4th invention by which the reagent container is arrange | positioned.

  A sixth invention is the apparatus according to the fifth invention, wherein the dispensing means is capable of sucking the reagent in the reagent container and dispensing it into the reaction container moved to the point F.

  In a seventh aspect of the invention, the first supply means comprises a reaction container arrangement means for arranging a plurality of reaction containers in the XY-axis direction, and includes a pickup transport head that can move freely in the XY-axis and the vertical Z-axis direction. The apparatus according to the second to sixth inventions, wherein the first transfer means transfers the reaction container arranged in the reaction container arrangement means to the point G.

  The automatic analyzer of the present invention reacts with two supply means (a first supply means for supplying a reaction container, a second supply means for supplying only a sample container or a sample container and a reaction container), and a conveying means. A transfer means for transferring the container, and when the second supply means is a means for supplying only the sample container, the reaction container is transferred from the first transfer means for transferring the reaction container arranged in the first supply means to the transfer means. In the case where the second supply means is a means for supplying the sample container and the reaction container, the second supply means for transferring the reaction container arranged in the second supply means to the transfer means, or the first supply means The reaction container is transferred to the transfer means by the transfer means and the second transfer means. Therefore, the automatic analyzer of the present invention can flexibly cope with fluctuations in the number of samples to be inspected and the number of measurements of each measurement item.

  For example, when the number of samples to be inspected is small and / or when the number of measurements for one sample is small, a sample container and a reaction container are installed in the second supply means, and the transfer of the reaction container to the transport means is performed by the second transport means. You can do more. In addition, when performing the above-described operation, if additional measurement or different measurement is to be performed on the sample to be inspected, the reaction container is transferred from the second transfer means to the transfer means after the reaction container is installed in the first supply means. This can be done by switching to the first transfer means. If the number of samples to be inspected is small and the number of measurements for one sample is large or the number of measurements varies greatly from sample to sample, install a reaction container in the first supply means and install a sample container and reaction container in the second supply means. Thus, the transfer of the reaction container to the transfer means may be performed by the first transfer means and the second transfer means. When there are many samples to be inspected and / or when the number of measurements for one sample is large, only the sample container may be installed in the second supply means, and the reaction container may be transferred to the transfer means from the first transfer means. .

  The automatic analyzer according to the present invention can measure without increasing the size of the transport means and the reaction means even when there are many samples to be inspected and / or when the number of measurements on one sample is large. The installation space can be reduced compared to

The schematic diagram explaining an example of the fundamental whole structure of the automatic analyzer of this invention. Explanatory drawing of conveyance and dispensing operation at the time of using the 2nd supply means 10 as a reaction container supply means, when supplying a reaction container to a reaction means with the automatic analyzer of FIG. Explanatory drawing of conveyance and dispensing operation at the time of using the 2nd supply means 10 as a reaction container supply means, when supplying a reaction container to a reaction means with the automatic analyzer of FIG. Explanatory drawing of conveyance and dispensing operation at the time of using the 2nd supply means 10 as a reaction container supply means, when supplying a reaction container to a reaction means with the automatic analyzer of FIG. Explanatory drawing of conveyance and dispensing operation at the time of using the 2nd supply means 10 as a reaction container supply means, when supplying a reaction container to a reaction means with the automatic analyzer of FIG. Explanatory drawing of conveyance and dispensing operation when using the 1st supply means 70 as a reaction container supply means, when supplying a reaction container to a reaction means with the automatic analyzer of FIG. Explanatory drawing of conveyance and dispensing operation when using the 1st supply means 70 as a reaction container supply means, when supplying a reaction container to a reaction means with the automatic analyzer of FIG. Explanatory drawing of conveyance and dispensing operation when using the 1st supply means 70 as a reaction container supply means, when supplying a reaction container to a reaction means with the automatic analyzer of FIG.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail by taking an automatic immune analyzer for immunoassay as an example.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a basic overall configuration of an automatic analyzer according to the present invention.

  The second supply means 10 has an annular track 11 (hereinafter referred to as an endless track) constituted by a drive device that can be easily controlled, such as a stepping motor, and both the sample container 12 and the reaction container 13 are mixed. After being arranged in a state, it is supplied in the direction of the arrow (clockwise) and supplied sequentially to points A and B on the endless track 11 for each container. In the reaction container 13 in the apparatus of FIG. 1, a solid-phased antibody and an enzyme-labeled antibody corresponding to the analysis item are sealed in a freeze-dried state in advance. Further, the sample container 12 in the apparatus of FIG. 1 accommodates a biological sample such as blood, serum, plasma, urine, a standard sample for quantifying the biological sample, or a sample for quality control of the analyzer. As described above, when the reagent is sealed in the reaction vessel 13 in advance, the second supply unit 10 supplies the reaction vessel 13 to the point A on the endless track 11 or the second transfer unit. 21, after the reaction vessel 13 is transferred from the point A on the endless track 11 to the point C on the transport unit 40 and before the sample is dispensed at the point D on the transport unit 40, A means (not shown in FIG. 1) for breaking is installed.

  The second supply means 10 in FIG. 1 is configured to move a commercially available container rack 14 that holds a sample container 12 and a reaction container 13, but a snake having a recess in which the sample container 12 or the reaction container 13 can be installed is snaked. An endless track 11 is formed by connecting the ring with a chain, and a belt conveyor is installed at the bottom of the groove-shaped endless track 11 having a width enough to pass the tray one by one, or a means for driving the track with a sprocket. Known means such as means for moving the provided trays one by one can also be adopted.

  In FIG. 1, the endless track 11 is a substantially rectangular track, but may be a circular, polygonal, or irregular track. Further, the container rack 14 is moved so that the long side direction of the container rack 14 is orthogonal to the short side direction of the endless track 11 at the short side portion (vertical portion in FIG. 1) of the endless track 11. The long side portion of FIG. 1 (the horizontal portion in FIG. 1) is moved so that the long side direction of the container rack 14 and the long side direction of the endless track 11 coincide with each other. Can be improved.

  The second supply means 10 of FIG. 1 further includes a sensor 15 for acquiring information related to the sample container 12 and / or the reaction container 13 installed on the endless track 11. As a function of the sensor 15, information on whether or not the container is installed in the container rack 14 and information on the type (sample container 12 or reaction container 13) when the container is installed are read. The function can be exemplified. When a part or all of the reagent for a predetermined reaction is sealed in the reaction container 13 in advance, a label corresponding to the reaction type is attached to the reaction container 13 in advance and the sensor 15 reads the label. The amount of sample dispensed by the dispensing means 30 described later can be changed according to the reaction type. The sensor 15 is preferably installed at a point before reaching the point A on the endless track 11 (a point on the left side of the point A in FIG. 1). Of course, with respect to the type of the container supplied by the second supply means 10, for example, the sample container 12 is always installed at the head of the independent container rack 14 in the moving direction (the position on the rightmost side of the container rack 14 in FIG. 1). If there is an agreement, there is no need to install a sensor 15 for reading the type of container.

  The second supply means 10 for supplying the container is preferably present on one plane in terms of simplification of equipment, etc., but further means for moving the container in the height direction (Z-axis direction) during the movement is further installed. Alternatively, by installing the means, the container can be moved in two or more parallel planes, so that the maximum number of installations in the second supply means 10 can be further improved.

  The reaction container 13 installed in the second supply means 10 is recognized as the reaction container 13 by the sensor 15 in the second supply means 10 and reaches the point A on the endless track 11, and then the second transfer means 21 described later. Is transferred to a point C in the conveying means 40. In the case of FIG. 1, five reaction containers 13 are installed following the sample container 12, and each of the five reaction containers is supplied to the point A on the endless track 11 by the second supply means 10. In step, the second transfer means 21 transfers the transfer means 40 to the transfer means 40. The transport means 40 receives the reaction container 13 at the point C and transports the received reaction container 13 to the point D. At the point D, a predetermined amount of sample sucked from the sample container 12 supplied to the point B is dispensed by the dispensing means 30 described later.

  Regarding the maximum number of containers installed from point A to point B on the endless track 11, the number of analyzes scheduled to be performed for one sample, that is, the number of reaction containers 13 consumed for one sample (for example, the same for one sample) In the case where the analysis is performed X times or different X times of analysis, a method of determining in consideration of X) can be exemplified. As another example, it may be determined based on the number of containers that can be installed in a commercially available container rack 14. In the apparatus of FIG. 1, a maximum of six containers can be installed between point A and point B on the endless track 11 based on the number (6) of containers that can be installed in the container rack 14. Therefore, when all the reaction containers 13 contain the same reagent, the same analysis can be performed five times, and when all the reaction containers 13 contain reagents corresponding to different analyses, the same sample is analyzed five times differently. be able to. In the case where more containers are arranged between the point A and the point B, the endless track 11 from the point A to the point B may be changed to a different one from that in FIG.

  The transport means 40 is a means for transporting the reaction vessel 13 received by the second transport means 21 or the first transport means 80 described later between the point C and the point D or between the point C and the point G. Therefore, rather than a means having an annular endless track such as the second supply means 10, a means for holding a predetermined number of reaction vessels 13 as shown in FIG. This is preferable in that the device configuration can be simplified. When the transport unit 40 is configured to hold a predetermined number of reaction vessels 13, the predetermined number is the number of containers that can be installed between point A and point B on the endless track 11 in the second supply unit 10. Is preferably the same. The second supply means 10 to the transport means 40 perform the dispensing operation of the sample sucked from the sample container 12 installed in the second supply means 10 in addition to the transfer of the reaction container 13, so that they are on the same plane. It is preferable to install. However, when a means capable of transferring the reaction vessel 13 in the height direction (Z-axis direction) is adopted as the second transfer means 21 described later, the plane to which the endless track 11 belongs by the second supply means 10 and the height direction. The reaction vessel 13 may be reciprocated on a plane parallel to the surface. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, in the second supply means 10 and the transport means 40, the interval between adjacent containers when the containers are installed is made substantially the same, and the second supply means 10 and the transport are carried by the interval. It is particularly preferable to intermittently move the container installed in the means 40 in terms of controlling the apparatus. There is no particular limitation on the speed of the intermittent movement, and an example is a method of moving by the interval every 10 to 100 seconds. However, it is not always necessary to move at the same speed / interval. For example, when the sample container 12 is supplied to the point B on the endless track 11, it is necessary to reliably perform the dispensing operation by the dispensing means 30. For example, time and supply (movement) are stopped.

  The transport means 40 preferably further includes a stirring means for mixing the sample dispensed into the reaction vessel 13 with a reagent for analysis and homogenizing it. Examples of stirring means include paddle means for stirring by inserting a stirring paddle into the reaction container 13 from the upper part of the reaction container, cam means for attaching an eccentric cam to the lower part of the conveying means 40 and applying vibration by rotation of the cam, Known means such as means for attaching a vibration transmission plate connected to a motor via a guide member for vibration in a horizontal plane to the conveying means 40 can be mentioned, but means using a stirring method that does not contact the reaction liquid is particularly preferable. .

  The reaction unit 50 receives the reaction vessel 13 transferred from the transfer unit 40 by a third transfer unit 22 described later at a point E on the concentric circular orbit 51, maintains the reaction vessel 13 at a predetermined temperature, and maintains a predetermined constant temperature condition. It promotes a predetermined reaction such as an immune reaction below. The reaction means 50 in FIG. 1 is composed of a disc provided with a hole for holding a reaction vessel on a concentric circular orbit 51 that is rotationally driven by a drive means such as a stepping motor (not shown in FIG. 1). However, the structure of the reaction means 50 is not limited to this, and may be a structure composed of an annular endless track like the second supply means 10. In the apparatus of FIG. 1 configured as an immunoassay apparatus, an apparatus for so-called B / F separation, an apparatus for dispensing an enzyme substrate that changes to a fluorescent substance under the action of a labeling enzyme, and an agitation for promoting the reaction Along with the apparatus (both not shown in FIG. 1) and the like, the measurement means 52 performs B / F separation, substrate dispensing, and measurement on the reaction vessel 13 positioned on the concentric circular orbit 51 of the reaction means 50, respectively. Arranged to be able to.

  As an example of a temperature control device for maintaining the reaction vessel 13 at a predetermined temperature in the reaction means 50, for example, the reaction is performed except for the device for maintaining the disk itself at a predetermined temperature, the receiving point E of the reaction vessel 13, and the like. A device that covers the entire means 50 with a casing and adjusts the internal temperature of the casing with a heater or the like can be mentioned. Further, if necessary, the reaction means 50 can be added with a stirring device for promoting the reaction. As an example of the agitation device, a minute magnetic substance is put in the reaction vessel 13 in advance, and the magnetic substance installed in the reaction means 50 is moved to move and stir the magnetic substance in the reaction vessel 13. Equipment.

  The number of reaction vessels 13 in which the reaction means 50 can be installed is the transfer capacity of the second supply means 10, the supply capacity of the first supply means 70 described later, the dispensing processing capacity of the dispensing means 30, and the reaction container 50. In addition to the processing capability of the measuring means 52, an appropriate number may be determined in consideration of the reaction time required for analysis. If the number of reaction vessels 13 to be installed is reduced, the reaction means 50 itself can be reduced in size. When it is necessary to increase the space for the reaction means 50 in order to increase the number of reaction vessels 13 installed, the reaction means 50 is a plane on which the second supply means 10, the transport means 40, and the first supply means 70 are installed. It should be installed on a plane parallel to the height direction. By adopting the above-described configuration, the apparatus can be downsized and the installation area can be reduced even when the number of reaction vessels 13 to be installed needs to be increased.

  The transfer of the reaction vessel 13 from the point A on the endless track 11 of the second supply means 10 to the point C in the transfer means 40 is performed by the second transfer means 21 from the point C in the transfer means 40 to the concentric circular orbit of the reaction means 50. The transfer of the reaction vessel 13 to the point E on 51 is performed by the third transfer means 22. The reaction container 13 transferred by the second transfer means 21 is a container before the sample is dispensed, whereas the reaction container 13 transferred by the third transfer means 22 is a container after sample dispensing. Therefore, it is preferable that the third transfer means 22 is a means capable of transferring the container with higher accuracy than the second transfer means 21. In addition, when using a means capable of transferring the container with high accuracy, the second transfer means 21 and the third transfer means 22 may be used as a single transfer means. It can be simplified. Specific examples of the means capable of transferring the container with high accuracy include a holding means such as a flange in the reaction vessel 13 and a holding part (chuck head) for gripping, and a known means for moving the holding means.

  The transfer of the reaction vessel 13 by the second transfer means 21 is a one-way transfer from the second supply means 10 to the transport means 40. On the other hand, the transfer of the reaction vessel 13 by the third transfer unit 22 is performed in addition to the transfer from the transfer unit 40 to the reaction unit 50 and, in some cases, the transfer from the reaction unit 50 to the transfer unit 40. As an example in which the reaction container is transferred from the reaction means 50 to the transport means 40, a sample is dispensed into the reaction container 13, the first reaction is performed under a predetermined temperature condition, and then a reagent is further dispensed. An example in which the second reaction is performed under a predetermined temperature condition after stirring by a stirring unit included in the transport unit 40 described later. Here, the first and second reactions may be reactions corresponding to each stage of a multistage immune reaction. Further, as an example, after the treatment for lysing the whole blood sample or alkali denaturing the protein in the serum sample is performed on the transport means 40, the reaction vessel 13 is transferred to the reaction means 50 and heated at a constant temperature for a certain time. The step can be regarded as the first reaction, and the step of returning the reaction vessel 13 to the conveying means 40 after the step and dispensing the neutralizing agent to perform the neutralization process with the stirring operation can be regarded as the second reaction.

  Whether the second transfer means 21 and the third transfer means 22 are used as a single means or configured as different means, the transfer path is preferably a straight line. In particular, it is preferable that the transfer route from the point A to the point C and the transfer route from the point C to the point E are both straight lines and the directions of the two transfer routes are the same.

  The sample in the sample container 12 installed in the second supply means 10 is dispensed by the dispensing means 30 to the reaction container 13 that is transferred to the transport means 40 and installed. When it is necessary to dilute the sample, a configuration in which the diluent is supplied is adopted, and the dispensing means 30 sucks the diluent at the point B on the endless track 11 before or after the sample is sucked. Also good. The dispensing means 30 itself is a device that moves from a nozzle shaft connected to a pump and a point D on the conveying means 40 that dispenses the sample from a point B on the endless track 11 that sucks the sample to the nozzle shaft. Although it is configured, a known device can be adopted as the device. In order to avoid contamination between samples during analysis, it is preferable to use a different nozzle tip for each sample, and the apparatus of FIG. 1 also uses a different nozzle tip for each sample. When a different nozzle tip is used for each sample, the replacement nozzle 61 is provided in the middle of the point D from the point B where the dispensing unit 30 moves in order to supply the replacement nozzle tip to the dispensing unit 30. A configuration in which a means for conveying is added and a disposal box (not shown in FIG. 1) for discarding the used nozzle tip is disposed in the movement path of the dispensing means 30 can be exemplified. In the case of adopting the above configuration, it is preferable that the dispensing means 30 is provided with a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the nozzle tip so that the dispensing operation does not occur in a state where the nozzle tip is not mounted. Regarding the movement of the dispensing means 30, after the sample was sucked at the point B on the endless track 11, it was attached to the outside of the tip of the nozzle tip when moved to the point D in the conveying means 40 to be dispensed. In preparation for the possibility of sample dripping, a method of retracting the nozzle tip from directly under the transfer path of the dispensing means 30 can be exemplified.

  If necessary, the dispensing means 30 may be configured so that the reagent can be dispensed to the reaction vessel 13 received by the reaction means 50 at a point F on the concentric orbit 51 of the reaction means 50. it can. As an example, after the initial reaction is performed in a state where a part of the reagent necessary for analysis is dispensed in the reaction vessel 13 under the adjusted temperature, it is necessary to dispense the remaining reagent additionally. In some cases (for example, when an immune reaction is performed in two stages, a labeling reagent is additionally dispensed). In the above case, in order to aspirate the reagent to be additionally dispensed, it is on the transfer path of the dispensing means 30 between the point B on the endless track 11 and the point D on the conveying means 40 or concentric from the point D. A method of arranging a container 62 for holding a reagent to be additionally dispensed between points F on the track 51 or adding means for transporting the container 62 for holding a reagent to the position can be exemplified. In addition, although the apparatus of FIG. 1 illustrates the configuration in which the replacement nozzle tip 61 and the container 62 holding the additional reagent are integrally moved and supplied, these may be moved separately.

  The above-described means for additionally dispensing the reagent at the point F on the concentric circular orbit 51 is provided with a dispensing means separate from the dispensing means for dispensing at the point D in the transport means 40. May be. However, the configuration in which the dispensing means 30 is moved to the point F is preferable in terms of improving the convenience of maintenance of the device, simplifying the device configuration, and simplifying by eliminating unnecessary drive systems.

  The position at which the additional reagent is dispensed is not limited to the dispensing position F on the reaction table, but the sample in the sample container 12 is dispensed to the reaction container 13 and then transferred to the reaction means 50. An embodiment in which an additional reagent is dispensed by returning the reaction vessel 13 to the dispensing position D from the point E on the concentric circular orbit 51 through the point C on the transport means 40 after the reaction for a predetermined time can be exemplified. In the above embodiment, since the reaction vessel 13 can be sufficiently stirred by the vibration means installed in the conveying means 40, the reaction vessel 13 does not contain a magnetic substance for stirring, or is based on a magnetic substance. This is particularly preferable when stirring is insufficient.

  The movement path from the point B on the endless track 11 of the dispensing means 30 to the point D in the transport means 40 is preferably a straight line in order to simplify the apparatus configuration. In addition, when the dispensing means 30 is moved from the point D to the point F on the concentric circular orbit 51 as necessary, the movement route is a straight line on the extension line of the movement route from the point B to the point D. Such a configuration is preferable in terms of simplifying the device configuration.

  Further, the apparatus of FIG. 1 has a first supply means 70 and a first transfer means 80 for supplying the reaction vessel 13 to the transport means 40. The first supply unit 70 is not particularly limited as long as the reaction vessel 13 can be easily arranged and can transfer the reaction vessel 13 to a point G on the path of the transport unit 40, but the size of the device can be reduced. The supply means which consists of the container arrangement | positioning means which arrange | positions several reaction containers to an XY-axis direction is preferable at the point which can arrange | position the reaction container 13 in large quantities, maintaining. The first transfer means 80 may be any means that transfers the reaction vessels 13 arranged in the first supply means 70 one by one to the point G on the transfer path of the transfer means 40. Further, the container inventory mapping means for specifying and storing the arrangement position of the reaction container 13 arranged in the first supply means 70, and the inspection items instructed by the work list in which the inspection items to be analyzed for each sample are associated. If the first supply means 70 has a means for retrieving the reaction container 13 from the mapping means and determining the reaction container 13 to be transferred by the first transfer means 80, the first supply means without worrying about the arrangement location. It is more preferable in that the reaction vessel 13 can be installed at 70 vacant locations. In the case of the apparatus of FIG. 1, the first supply means 70 has a configuration in which 11 trays for arranging reaction vessels in 5 × 4 rows are arranged in a plane. The first transfer means 80 is a pickup transport that can freely move and position an XYZ axis composed of an X axis, a Y axis, and a vertical Z axis that are orthogonal to each other in a horizontal plane that covers the entire first supply means 70. It has a head. Similar to the second transfer means 21 and the third transfer means 22, the pickup transfer head has a known transfer mechanism such as a suction transfer mechanism, a clamping mechanism, and other chuck mechanisms. The pickup transport head includes a sensor (not shown in FIG. 1) for optically reading inspection item identification information attached to the edge of the tray and a reaction container presence / absence detection sensor (not shown in FIG. 1). And a part of container inventory mapping means (not shown in FIG. 1) for specifying and storing the arrangement position of the reaction container.

The apparatus of FIG. 1 has a method for supplying a sample container and a reaction container and a method for transferring the reaction container depending on the number of samples to be inspected, the number of measurements for each inspection item, and the contents of the inspection.
(1) The reaction container 13 is arranged in the first supply means 70 to supply the reaction container 13, only the sample container 12 is arranged in the second supply means 10, and the sample container 12 is supplied to the first supply means 70. A method of transferring the arranged reaction vessel 13 to the transfer means 40 by the first transfer means 80;
(2) The reaction container 13 is arranged in the first supply means 70 to supply the reaction container 13, and the sample container 12 and the reaction container 13 are arranged in the second supply means 10 to supply the sample container 12 and the reaction container 13. A method of transferring the reaction container 13 arranged in the first supply means 70 to the conveying means 40 by the first transfer means 80 and the reaction container 13 arranged in the second supply means 10 by the second transfer means 21, respectively.
(3) The sample container 12 and the reaction container 13 are arranged on the second supply means 10 to supply the sample container 12 and the reaction container 13, and the reaction container 13 arranged on the second supply means 10 is conveyed by the second transfer means 21. A method of transferring to means 40;
You can choose either. With this configuration, it is possible to flexibly cope with variations in the number of samples, the number of measurements, and the contents of inspection while maintaining a small apparatus. When the second supply means 10 is used as the supply means for the reaction vessel 13 (methods (2) and (3) above), the transport means 40 moves from the point A on the endless track 11 of the second supply means 10 to the second. The transfer vessel 21 receives the reaction vessel 13 at a point C in the transfer device 40. On the other hand, when the first supply means 70 is used as the supply means for the reaction container 13 (the methods (1) and (2)), the transport means 40 first transfers the reaction container 13 in the first supply means 70. By means 80, the reaction vessel 13 is received at a point G on the transport path of the transport means 40. Thereafter, the operation mode of the transport means 40 differs depending on which one is used as the supply means of the reaction vessel 13. Although details will be described later, in any case, the received reaction container 13 is transported to a point D in the transport means 40 in order to dispense the sample in the sample container 12.

  Next, a method for supplying the reaction vessel 13 to the reaction means 50 in the automatic analyzer of FIG. 1 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The container rack 14 on the endless track 11 is a container capable of accommodating ten reagent containers 12 or reaction containers 13, and the transport means 40 is a container capable of accommodating six reaction containers 13.

  When the second supply means 10 is used as the reaction container supply means, first, as shown in FIG. 2, a sample container 12 (illustrated by black circles in the following drawings) and reaction containers (13a to 13e, hereinafter) are placed in a container rack 14. Are arranged in the reverse order (from right to left) in the direction of travel of the endless track 11 (from left to right). In the following drawings, the container holding portions in the container rack 14 and the transport means 40 are illustrated by white squares. At the time of FIG. 2, the sample container 12 in the container rack 14 is at a point A that intersects the track 23 of the second transfer means 21. Further, the reaction container holding portion located at the right end of the transport means 40 is at a point C where the reaction container 13 is received.

FIG. 3 shows a state in which the container rack 14 is moved in the advancing direction (right direction) of the second supply means 10 by one container holding part from FIG. In the state of FIG. 3, the reaction vessel 13 a is located at the point A, and is transferred to the point C of the transfer means 40 by the second transfer means 21. Or later,
(1) The container rack 14 and the transport means 40 are moved in the traveling direction (right direction) of the second supply means 10 by one container holding portion.
(2) The reaction vessel 13 located at the point A is transferred to the point C of the transfer means 40 by the second transfer means 21.
The operation is repeated four times, and finally, the transport means 40 reaches the point B where the container holding portion (that is, the place where the sample container 12 is disposed) on the rightmost side of the container rack 14 intersects the track 31 of the dispensing means 30. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the rightmost container holding part (that is, the place where the reaction container 13a is disposed) has moved to a point D where it intersects the track 31 of the dispensing means 30. In the state of FIG. 4, the sample is aspirated and moved from the sample container 12 at the point B by the dispensing means 30, and the sample is dispensed into the reaction container 13 a at the point D. In the following figures, the reaction vessel into which the sample has been dispensed is illustrated by a double circle.

  The reaction container 13a into which the sample has been dispensed is transported to the position of the point C intersecting with the track 24 of the third transfer means 22 (FIG. 5), and then the point on the concentric circular track 51 of the reaction means 50 by the third transfer means 22. To E. The reaction unit 50 performs a reaction (for example, an antigen-antibody reaction) for a predetermined time under a predetermined temperature condition. After the B / F separation, the detection unit 52 performs detection and outputs an analysis result. When the reaction containers (13a to 13e) all contain the same reagent by the operations shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the measurement can be repeated five times, and the reaction containers (13a to 13e) have different test items. When the corresponding reagent is accommodated, five different inspection items can be performed on the same sample.

  On the other hand, when the first supply means 70 is used as the reaction container supply means, a considerable number of reaction containers 13 can be arranged in the first supply means 70. Only the sample container 12 may be arranged in the container rack 14 installed in the above. Hereinafter, a method of supplying the reaction vessel 13 to the reaction means 50 when the second supply means 10 supplies only the sample container 12 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings (FIGS. 6 to 8 show the sample containers 12 in the order of measurement). 12a, 12b, 12c... First, in order to receive the reaction container 13, the container holding part on the rightmost side of the transport means 40 moves to the position of the receiving point (point G) by the first transfer means 80 (FIG. 6).

  After receiving the reaction container 13 at the point G, the reaction container 13 is conveyed by the conveying means 40 to the position of the point D that intersects the track 31 of the dispensing means 30 (FIG. 7). Among the sample containers 12 installed on the container rack 14, the sample container 12a containing the sample to be measured first is located at a point B intersecting the track 31 of the dispensing means 30, and the sample in the sample container 12a is separated. The sample is moved after being sucked by the pouring means 30, and the sample is dispensed into the reaction vessel 13 at the point D.

  After the sample is dispensed into the reaction vessel 13, the reaction vessel 13 is conveyed by the conveying means 40 to the position of the point C that intersects the track 24 of the third transfer means 22 (FIG. 8). The transfer means 22 transfers to a point E on the concentric circular orbit 51 of the reaction means 50. The reaction unit 50 performs a reaction (for example, an antigen-antibody reaction) for a predetermined time under a predetermined temperature condition. After the B / F separation, the detection unit 52 performs detection and outputs an analysis result. 6 to 8, in principle, the reaction vessel can be installed without limitation, and many test items and many repeated measurements can be performed on each sample according to the work list.

  As described above, it can be seen that the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is an automatic analyzer that can flexibly cope with variations in the number of samples to be inspected, the number of measurements of each inspection item, and the variety of inspection contents. In addition, since it is not necessary to increase the size of the second supply means 10 and the reaction means 50 in FIG. 1, the installation space can be reduced as compared with a conventional automatic analyzer that processes a large amount of samples.

10 Second supply means 11 Circular orbit (infinite orbit)
12 Sample container 13 Reaction container 14 Container rack 15 Sensor 21 Second transfer means 22 Third transfer means 23 Orbit of second transfer means 24 Orbit of third transfer means 30 Dispensing means 31 Orbit of dispensing means 40 Conveying means 50 Reaction Means 51 Concentric orbit 52 Detection means 61 Replacement nozzle 62 Additional dispensing reagent 70 First supply means 80 First transfer means

Claims (6)

A first supply means for supplying the reaction vessel;
A second supply means for supplying only the sample container or for supplying the sample container and the reaction container;
Conveying means for receiving and arranging the reaction vessel arranged in the first supply means and / or the second supply means;
A reaction means for receiving a reaction vessel arranged in the conveying means and maintaining it at a predetermined temperature;
First transfer means for transferring the reaction vessel arranged in the first supply means to the transport means;
Dispensing for sucking the sample in the sample container arranged in the second supply means and dispensing the reaction container arranged in the conveyance means to the reaction container arranged in the conveyance means. means,
In an automatic analyzer having
When the second supply means is a means for supplying only the sample container, the reaction container is transferred from the first transfer means to the transfer means,
When the second supply means is a means for supplying the sample container and the reaction container, the second transfer means for transferring the reaction container arranged in the second supply means to the transport means, or the first transfer means and the second transfer Means to transfer the reaction vessel to the conveying means , and
The second supply means is means capable of supplying the reaction container to the point A which is a transfer point to the transfer means by the second transfer means and the sample container to the point B which is a sample suction point by the dispensing means. ,
The first transfer means is means capable of transferring the reaction vessel arranged in the first supply means to a point G that is a receiving point of the transfer means,
The second transfer means is a means capable of transferring the reaction vessel supplied to the point A by the second supply means to the point C which is a receiving point of the transfer means,
The transfer means receives the reaction container transferred by the first transfer means at the point G, receives the reaction container transferred by the second transfer means at the point C, and is supplied to the point B by the second supply means. A means capable of transporting between the point D, the point G, and the point C, which are points where the sample sucked from the sample container is dispensed,
The third transfer means is a means capable of transferring the reaction vessel transferred to the point C by the transfer means to the point E which is the receiving position of the reaction means,
The reaction means is a means capable of receiving the reaction container transferred by the third transfer means at the point E,
The dispensing means is means capable of sucking the sample in the sample container supplied to the point B by the second supply means and dispensing the sucked sample into the reaction container transported to the point D by the transport means. ,
Said device. The sample container between point A and point B in the second supply means, or the supply path of the sample container and the reaction container;
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a point C, a point D, and a transfer path between the points G in the transfer unit are all linear and parallel to each other. (1) The transfer path of the reaction vessel from the point A to the point C by the second transfer means,
(2) The transfer path of the reaction vessel from the point C to the point E by the third transfer means,
(3) Transfer route from point B to point D by the dispensing means,
Are both straight lines,
(1) and (2) have the same transfer path direction,
The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the transfer paths (1) and (2) and the transfer path (3) are parallel to each other. The reaction container received by the reaction means at the point E can be moved to the point F which is the reagent dispensing point by the dispensing means , and between the point B and the point D and / or between the point D and the point F. the reagent of containing reagent containers are arranged, according to any of claims 1 to 3. The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the dispensing means is capable of sucking the reagent in the reagent container and dispensing the reagent into the reaction container moved to the point F. The first feeding means comprises reaction container arranging means for arranging a plurality of reaction containers in the XY-axis direction, and includes a pickup transport head that can move freely in the XY-axis and vertical Z-axis directions. Accordingly, transferring a reaction vessel that is disposed on the reaction vessel array means to the point G, apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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