JP5474146B2 - Sampler for analyzer and analyzer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an analyzer sampler used for transferring a sample rack to a predetermined position of an analyzer for analyzing blood, urine, and the like, and an analyzer provided with the sampler.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an analyzer for analyzing a sample such as blood is a combination of a sampler (transfer device) for transferring a sample rack along a fixed path to an analyzer main body capable of analyzing a sample. is there. According to such a configuration, it is possible to automate the operation of sequentially transferring a plurality of sample racks to a predetermined location of the analyzer main body, thereby facilitating and speeding up the sample analysis process.

  On the other hand, instead of being used alone, the analyzer may be used by being connected to other analyzers and transferring sample racks between these analyzers (for example, (See Patent Documents 1 and 2). According to such a configuration, analysis processing of a plurality of items can be performed continuously, so that analysis processing efficiency is good.

  However, in the prior art, there are points to be improved as described below.

  In other words, as described above, the analyzer is not only used alone, but may be used in combination with other analyzers, so that the latter case can be suitably dealt with. It is requested. In order to meet such demands accurately, a sampler provided in an analyzer can be easily connected to a sampler of another analyzer, and a sample rack is appropriately transferred between these samplers. It is necessary to do so.

  On the other hand, in the past, the actual situation is that no sampler for an analyzer that can accurately meet the above-mentioned demand has been proposed. In other words, the analyzer sampler has a configuration in which a frame portion is provided around the transfer path of the sample rack. When the sample rack is transferred, the sample rack is guided by the frame portion or on the transfer path of the sample rack. In general, the frame portion prevents other articles and the like from entering carelessly. However, in the sampler having such a configuration, when the sampler is connected to another sampler, the above-described frame portion becomes an obstacle, and it is difficult to appropriately execute the transfer of the sample rack between the two samplers. For this reason, conventionally, it has not been possible to easily realize the use of an analyzer that has been used alone in combination with other analyzers and the like, resulting in inconvenience.

Japanese Patent No. 3616744 JP-A-7-92171

  The present invention has been conceived under the circumstances as described above. When the sample rack is used by connecting it to another apparatus for delivery of the sample rack, the connection is performed. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sampler for an analyzer that can be suitably handled regardless of whether it is used without any problem, and an analyzer equipped with the sampler.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention takes the following technical means.

  An analyzer sampler provided by the first aspect of the present invention includes a transfer path capable of transferring a sample rack along a fixed path, and a frame portion positioned around the transfer path. The sampler can be separated and removed from the frame part and can be provided in a state where a notch is opened in the frame part by being separated and removed from the frame part. A separate separation / removable portion is provided, and when the cutout portion is provided in the frame portion, the sample rack is transferred from the outside of the frame portion through the cutout portion. It is possible to enter on the road, or to discharge from the transfer path to the outside of the frame portion, the start end region of the transfer path is located near one end in the width direction of the frame portion, and the end of the transfer path The region is closer to the other end in the width direction of the frame portion. The separation / removable portion is provided at each of both ends in the width direction of the frame portion, so that the sample rack is placed at one end in the width direction of the frame portion on one side outside the frame portion. A first notch that allows entry into the start end region from one side can be formed, and at the other end in the width direction of the frame portion, the sample rack is moved from the end region to the other side of the frame portion. A second cutout portion that can be discharged can be formed, the frame portion can be connected to another sampler for an analyzer, and the first cutout portion or the second cutout can be connected at the time of the connection. A connection member having a transfer path capable of guiding the transfer of the sample rack that passes through the notch, and a movable member that can reciprocate in the width direction of the frame portion in the vicinity of the end region, and is transferred to the end region. The sample rack Thus, the connection member can be moved toward the second cutout portion, and the connection member is connected to the frame portion so as to transfer and guide the sample rack passing through the second cutout portion. In this case, the movable member is configured to be able to travel from the vicinity of the terminal region to the transfer path of the connecting member.

  According to such a configuration, when the analyzer sampler according to the present invention is used by being connected to another analyzer sampler or the like, the separation / removable portion is separated and removed from the frame portion, By providing the notch in an open state, it is possible to cope with it suitably. When delivering the sample rack, it is only necessary to pass the sample rack through the notch, and the frame portion can be appropriately prevented from interfering with the delivery of the sample rack. On the other hand, when the analyzer sampler according to the present invention is used without being connected to another analyzer sampler or the like, a notch portion is opened in the frame portion by not separating and removing the separable portion. It can be set as the structure which is not provided in the state. With such a configuration, for example, articles other than the sample rack can be prevented from inadvertently entering the sample rack transfer path through the notch, and the appearance can be prevented. Good. As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to use the present invention preferably regardless of whether it is used by being connected to another sampler for an analyzer or the like.

  In addition, according to such a configuration, it is possible to connect a desired device such as another analyzer sampler to either the upstream side or the downstream side of the analyzer sampler. That is, from other devices connected to the upstream side, the first rack is used to receive the sample rack in the start end region of the transfer path, and for the sample rack that has reached the end region of the transfer path, It is possible to deliver the specimen to the other apparatus connected to the terminal using the second notch.

  In addition, according to such a configuration, the sampler for analyzer according to the present invention is appropriately connected to the other sampler for analyzer using the connection member, and the samplers are relatively positioned so as not to be misaligned. Positioning can be achieved. In addition, since the sample rack is guided by the connecting member, stable delivery of the sample rack is also realized.

  Further, according to such a configuration, the operation of discharging the sample rack from the terminal region of the transfer path to the outside can be suitably performed using the movable member and the second notch.

  Further, according to such a configuration, when the sample rack is discharged to the outside of the frame portion by the movable member, the movable member can be advanced into the transfer path of the connection member, and the stroke can be increased. For this reason, the distance that the sample rack is positively moved by the movable member is also increased, and for example, the delivery operation of the sample rack to other downstream devices is ensured.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the frame portion is provided with a pair of slits extending in the vertical direction and spaced apart in the horizontal direction. The sandwiched portion is a fragile portion, and this fragile portion is the separation / removable portion.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to easily perform the work of separating and removing the separable / removable portion from the frame portion. Moreover, since it is not necessary to use a separate member when forming the separable / removable portion, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a closing member separate from the frame part is detachably attached to the frame part so as to close a notch part provided in advance in the frame part. The closing member is the separable part.

  According to such a configuration, when the separable / removable part is separated and removed from the frame part, it is not necessary to break a part of the frame part, and the work of providing the notch part in the open state in the frame part can be accurately performed. Can be done.

  The analyzer provided by the second aspect of the present invention includes the analyzer sampler provided by the first aspect of the present invention.

  According to such a configuration, the same effect as described for the sampler for analyzer provided by the first aspect of the present invention can be obtained, and only when the analyzer to which the present invention is applied is used alone. In addition, the present invention can be suitably dealt with even when used in connection with other analysis devices or other devices.

It is a schematic perspective view which shows an example of the analyzer with which this invention was applied. It is a disassembled perspective view of the analyzer shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. It is a schematic perspective view which shows an example of the analysis system using the analyzer shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of FIG. 4. It is a principal part top view which shows an example of the operation state of the analysis system shown in FIG. It is VII-VII sectional drawing of FIG. (A), (b) is a principal part perspective view which shows the other example of this invention.

  Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an analyzer to which the present invention is applied. The analyzer A1 of the present embodiment has an analyzer main body 1 and a sampler 2 connected to the lower front portion of the analyzer main body 1.

  The analyzer main body 1 has a device (not shown) capable of measuring the concentration of glycohemoglobin such as hemoglobin A1c in blood, for example, and a blood collection tube 30 is arranged in a region immediately below the suction nozzle 10 that can be raised and lowered. Thus, the blood in the blood collection tube 30 can be sampled by the suction nozzle 10 and the measurement process of the glycated hemoglobin concentration described above can be executed.

  The sampler 2 is for transferring the sample rack 3 for standing and holding a plurality of blood collection tubes 30 along a fixed path. The transfer path 20A is divided into two transfer paths 20A and 20B partitioned by a partition 23. , 20B and a frame portion 21 surrounding three sides on both sides. The transfer paths 20A and 20B can transfer the sample rack 3 by arranging one or a plurality of drive belts 22a and 22b on the upper surfaces thereof. As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the drive belt 22a is wound around a pair of rotatable pulleys 29, and can be driven to circulate along a fixed path. The drive belt 22b has the same configuration as this.

  In the sampler 2, when the sample rack 3 is supplied to the foremost end region Sa on the foremost side of the transfer path 20A, the sample rack 3 can be transferred along a path indicated by arrows N1 to N3. More specifically, the sample rack 3 is transferred from the start end region Sa in the direction of arrow N1 and transferred to the inner part of the transfer path 20A, and then is moved in the direction of arrow N2 by the pusher 28 shown in FIGS. In this transfer process, sampling is performed by the suction nozzle 10. Thereafter, the sample rack 3 is transferred along the transfer path 20B in the direction of the arrow N3, and reaches the end region Ea on the most front side of the transfer path 20B.

  The frame portion 21 is made of synthetic resin, and is connected to the front wall portion 21c located on the front side of the transfer paths 20A and 20B and both ends of the front wall portion 21c in the left-right width direction, and is lateral to the transfer paths 20A and 20B. Side wall portions 21a and 21b positioned at the same position. The upper surface portions of the side wall portions 21a and 21b and the front wall portion 21c are higher than the upper surfaces (transfer surfaces) of the transfer paths 20A and 20B. Each of the side wall portions 21a and 21b is provided with a pair of slits 240, and portions sandwiched between the pair of slits 240 are fragile portions 24A and 24B. The lower parts of these weak parts 24A and 24B are connected to other parts of the frame part 21, but the weak parts 24A and 24B can be separated and removed from the frame part 21 by breaking this part. These weak parts 24A and 24B correspond to an example of the separable / removable part in the present invention, and are parts for forming the notches 25A and 25B, as will be described later. The notches 25A and 25B correspond to examples of the first and second notches referred to in the present invention. A sensor 90 is attached to the fragile portion 24A to detect, for example, optical means when the sample rack 3 is supplied to the starting end region Sa.

  The sampler 2 is also provided with a pusher 26. As will be described later, the pusher 26 is used to discharge the sample rack 3 located in the terminal end region Ea to the outside of the sampler 2 when the notch 25B is formed by separating and removing the fragile portion 24B. . The pusher 26 can reciprocate in the direction of arrow N10 along the front wall portion 21c. During this reciprocating operation, it is possible to move the tip end portion (left end side in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the pusher 26 to a position where it protrudes to one side in the width direction of the front wall portion 21c. As will be described later, this is useful for increasing the stroke when pushing the sample rack 3 and causing the sample rack 3 to be discharged accurately. As shown in FIG. 3, the base portion of the pusher 26 is disposed in the internal space of the front wall portion 21c, and is connected to a drive mechanism (not shown) for reciprocating the pusher 26. On the other hand, the tip of the pusher 26 passes through the slit 210 provided in the front wall 21c and is exposed to the outside of the front wall 21c.

  The analyzer main body 1 includes a control unit 4 that performs operation control and data processing control necessary for the blood analysis processing described above, and also controls the operation of the sampler 2. The control unit 4 includes a CPU and various memories, and also includes a signal input / output unit 40 for performing data communication with other analyzers using the communication line L. Yes. When the analyzer A1 is connected to another analyzer, the control unit 4 can execute control for appropriately transferring the sample rack 3 to and from the analyzer.

  Next, the operation of the analyzer A1 will be described.

  First, this analyzer A1 can of course be used alone, but can also be used in combination with other analyzers. When this analyzer A1 is used alone, the fragile portions 24A and 24B are left on the frame portion 21 as shown in FIG. In this state, since the three sides of the transfer paths 20A and 20B are appropriately surrounded by the frame portion 21, the appearance is good, and articles other than the sample rack 3 enter the transfer paths 20A and 20B inadvertently. This is also suppressed appropriately.

  Next, as an example of the case where the analysis apparatus A1 is used in combination with another analysis apparatus, for example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the analysis system AS can be constructed in combination with the analysis apparatus A2. Here, the analyzer A2 can measure, for example, the glucose concentration in the blood, and the analysis content is different from that of the analyzer A1, but the analyzer A2 is also one to which the present invention is applied. The configuration is the same as that of the analyzer A1 except for the configuration directly related to the blood analysis process. In the analyzer A2, the reference numerals of the elements that are the same as or similar to those of the analyzer A1 are the same as those of the analyzer A1, and a description thereof is omitted.

  The analysis system AS can be constructed as follows.

  First, notches 25A, 25B, 25A 'and 25B' for allowing the sample rack 3 to pass through are formed in the samplers 2 and 2 'of the analyzers A1 and A2. The notches 25A and 25B can be easily formed by separating and removing the fragile portions 24A and 24B shown in FIGS. The sampler 2 ′ is preliminarily provided with fragile portions similar to the fragile portions 24A and 24B of the sampler 2. By removing this portion, the notches 25A ′ and 25B ′ can be easily formed. .

  When the fragile portion 24A is removed from the frame portion 21, the sensor 90 is removed from the fragile portion 24A, and the sensor 90 is attached to the upper portion of the partition table 23 using, for example, an appropriate bracket, and the sample is placed in the start region Sa. It is reused for detecting whether or not the rack 3 exists. Preferably, the partition 23 is preliminarily provided with appropriate processing (for example, screw holes for screwing) for attaching the sensor 90 or a bracket that supports the sensor 90, so that the sensor 90 can be easily attached. It can be done. The same applies to the sensor 90 'of the sampler 2'.

  The samplers 2 and 2 ′ are connected using the connection member 5. As shown by the phantom lines in FIG. 4, the connecting member 5 has a groove-shaped transfer path 50 in the upper portion, and both ends of the connecting member 5 are attached to the samplers 2 and 2 ′ with screwing means or the like. Use to connect. In this connection, the openings on the left and right ends of the transfer path 50 coincide with the notches 25B and 25A ′, and a step is generated between the upward bottom surface of the transfer path 50 and the top surfaces of the transfer paths 20B and 20A ′. Set to not. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the connecting member 5 is configured to allow the distal end portion of the pusher 26 to advance into the transfer path 50. As shown in FIG. 7, this is realized by forming a slit 51 on the inner wall that defines the transfer path 50 of the connecting member 5 and allowing the tip of the pusher 26 to enter the slit 51. The slit 51 is provided so as to be connected to the slit 210 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, an auxiliary sampler 8A is connected to the sampler 2 as means for sequentially supplying a plurality of sample racks 3 toward the start end region Sa via the notch 25A. When a plurality of sample racks 3 are sequentially loaded on the upper surface of the auxiliary sampler 8A, the auxiliary sampler 8A moves them in the direction of the arrow N20 and waits for them so that the sample rack 3 does not exist in the start end region Sa. Then, the sample rack 3 is supplied toward the starting end region Sa as indicated by an arrow N21.

  An auxiliary sampler 8B for sequentially receiving a plurality of sample racks 3 discharged to the outside of the sampler 2 'via the notch 25B' is connected to the sampler 2 '. The auxiliary sampler 8B is configured to immediately transfer the sample rack 3 in the direction of the arrow N23 upon receipt of the sample rack 3, and a plurality of sample racks 3 can be stocked.

  In the analysis system AS described above, the sample rack 3 is transferred as follows. First, when the sample rack 3 is supplied from the auxiliary sampler 8A to the starting end region Sa, the fact is detected using the sensor 90, and thereafter, as described above, the sample is taken along the route indicated by the arrows N1 to N3. The rack 3 is transferred and reaches the terminal area Ea. Thereafter, the sample rack 3 is pushed by the pusher 26 in the direction indicated by the arrow N4, passes through the notch 25B, the transfer path 50 of the connecting member 5, and the notch 25A ′, and starts the analyzer A2. It is supplied to the region Sa ′. At this time, since the sample rack 3 is guided by the connection member 5, the delivery of the sample rack 3 between the analyzers A1 and A2 can be stabilized. Further, as described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the pusher 26 pushes the sample rack 3 toward the start end region Sa ′ with a large stroke in order to advance into the transfer path 50 of the connection member 5. Thus, the sample rack 3 can be appropriately supplied to the start end region Sa ′. FIG. 6 shows a configuration in which an auxiliary tool 26a is attached to the distal end portion of the pusher 26 and the sample rack 3 is pushed using the auxiliary tool 26a. Proper supply of the rack 3 to the start end region Sa ′ is ensured by simple means.

  In the analyzer A2, the sample rack 3 supplied to the start end region Sa ′ is sequentially transferred along the path indicated by arrows N5 to N7 to reach the end region Ea ′. By the operation of ', the auxiliary sampler 8B can be appropriately supplied from the notch 25B'.

  As described above, the analyzer A1 can be suitably used by itself, and the fragile portions 24A and 24B are separated and removed to form the cutout portions 25A and 25B, whereby another analyzer A2 and an auxiliary sampler are formed. In combination with 8A, it is possible to appropriately transfer the sample rack 3 between them. Therefore, it is excellent in flexibility when using the analyzer A1, and when the analyzer A1 is used in combination with another device, it is not necessary to replace the sampler 2 with a sampler having another configuration.

  FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5A, a notch 25C is formed in advance in the side wall 21a of the frame 21 of the sampler 2. However, as shown in FIG. 2B, the notch 25C is closed by the closing member 7. The closing member 7 corresponds to another example of the separable / removable portion in the present invention, and is attached to the frame portion 21 using, for example, a screw body 79. Preferably, the closing member 7 has a fitting portion 70 that fits into the cutout portion 25A, and is configured so as to be able to close the cutout portion 25C with good appearance.

  According to the present embodiment, when the sampler 2 is not connected to another device, the notch 25C is closed by the closing member 7 as shown in FIG. On the other hand, when this sampler 2 is connected to another device, as shown in FIG. 5A, the closing member 7 is removed to open the notch 25C, and the sample rack is passed through this portion. . Therefore, the object intended by the present invention can be appropriately achieved as in the above embodiment.

  The present invention is not limited to the contents of the above-described embodiment. The specific configuration of each part of the analyzer sampler and the analyzer according to the present invention can be varied in design in various ways.

  In the present invention, the separable / removable part has a slit formed in the frame part, so that a part of the frame part is replaced with a fragile part, for example, a part of the frame part is made thin or the material is changed. For example, a part of the frame portion can be easily broken. The size and specific position of the separation / removable portion can be variously changed according to the specific configuration of the sampler transfer path. In the present invention, it is preferable to provide at least two separation / removable portions so that the sample rack can be delivered by connecting other devices to the upstream side and the downstream side of the sampler. After all, it is not limited to this. Even in the case where only one separation / removable portion is provided, for example, it is included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The analyzer to which the present invention is applied is not limited to a device that measures the concentration of a specific component of blood. For example, the concentration of a specific component of urine can be measured. The specific content of the process is not limited.

A1, A2 Analyzer Sa Start end area Ea End area 1 Analyzer main body 2 Sampler 3 Sample rack 5 Connecting member 7 Closing member (separable part)
20A, 20B Transfer path 21 Frame portion 24A, 24B Fragile portion (separable and removable portion)
25A, 25B notch (first and second notch)
25C Notch 26 Pusher (movable member)
40 Signal input / output unit 50 Transfer path (of connecting member)

Claims (4)

A transfer path through which the sample rack can be transferred by a fixed path;
A frame located around the transfer path;
An analyzer sampler comprising:
The frame portion has a separation / removable portion that can be separated and removed from the frame portion and can be provided in a state where a notch portion is opened in the frame portion by being separated and removed from the frame portion. Provided,
When the frame portion is provided with the notch opened, the sample rack is caused to enter the transfer path from the outside of the frame via the notch, or from the transfer path. It can be discharged outside the frame,
The start end region of the transfer path is located near one end in the width direction of the frame portion, and the end region of the transfer path is located near the other end in the width direction of the frame portion,
The separation / removable portion is provided at each of both ends in the width direction of the frame portion, so that the sample rack is placed at one end in the width direction of the frame portion from the outer side of the frame portion to the start end region. A first notch that allows entry into the frame, and a sample rack that can be discharged from the end region to the other side of the frame at the other end in the width direction of the frame. 2 cutouts can be formed,
A connecting member having a transfer path capable of connecting the frame portion to another sampler for an analyzer and capable of guiding a sample rack passing through the first notch portion or the second notch portion at the time of connection. Further comprising
In the vicinity of the terminal area, comprising a movable member capable of reciprocating in the width direction of the frame portion,
The sample rack that has been transferred to the end region can be moved toward the second notch by the movable member,
When the connecting member is connected to the frame so as to guide the sample rack passing through the second notch, the movable member moves from the vicinity of the termination region to the transfer path of the connecting member. A sampler for an analyzer, which is configured to be able to proceed. The frame portion is provided with a pair of slits extending in the vertical direction and spaced apart in the horizontal direction, so that a portion of the frame portion sandwiched between the pair of slits is a fragile portion. And
The analyzer sampler according to claim 1, wherein the fragile portion is the separation / removable portion. A closing member separate from the frame portion is detachably attached to the frame portion so as to close a notch portion provided in advance in the frame portion,
The analyzer sampler according to claim 1, wherein the closing member is the separable part. Characterized in that it comprises an analysis device for sampler according to any one of claims 1 to 3, analyzer.

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