JP5836850B2 - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer, and more particularly to a technique that is effective when applied to a refrigerator that keeps a reagent cold.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an automatic analyzer that analyzes a sample (sample) such as blood or urine biochemically or immunologically is known. The analysis is generally performed by reacting a specimen and a reagent, and a reaction occurring between the reagent and the specimen is detected optically and electrically.

  In such an automatic analyzer, a reagent used for the reaction is put in a container for each reagent, and this container is arranged in a reagent installation section in a reagent cold storage (hereinafter also simply referred to as a cold storage). Further, the inside of the reagent cooler is kept at a temperature of, for example, about 5 to 12 ° C. in order to prevent the deterioration of the reagent.

  In addition, the reagent cooler of the automatic analyzer often has a double wall structure, and there are cases where a cooled fluid is circulated inside the double wall. In this method, the cooled fluid cools the wall surface of the reagent cool box and lowers the temperature of the air in the cool box. On the other hand, there is a case where air cooled outside the cold storage is directly introduced into the cold storage.

  The following Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-270857) describes an automatic analyzer that installs a cold air blowing hole in a reagent cold box, connects a blower pipe, and sends cold air into the cold container. Yes. Patent Document 2 below (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-84366) describes an automatic analyzer having a structure in which cold air is blown out from a reagent outlet in a reagent cold box.

JP 2009-270857 A JP 2006-84366 A

  In the automatic analyzer, in order to suck the reagent from the reagent container installed in the reagent cool box, the reagent cool box is provided with a through hole for sucking the reagent. When high temperature and high humidity outside air enters into the cool box through this through-hole, there arises a problem that the temperature in the reagent cool box rises and the outside air that flows in is cooled below the dew point to cause condensation in the cool box. There is a risk that the temperature rise in the cool box will accelerate the deterioration of the reagent, and the dew condensation generated in the reagent cool box may change the state of the reagent due to the penetration of condensed water into the reagent container.

  In addition, a reagent discrimination tag may be attached to the reagent container, which causes problems such as damage to the tag due to condensed water adhering to the tag.

  To solve these problems, as described above, there is provided an automatic analyzer characterized by including a cold air blowing means for feeding cold air adjusted to a set temperature by a temperature controller in a reagent cold storage having a reagent outlet. It has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

  In the configuration of the automatic analyzer of Patent Document 1, cold air blows out from the reagent take-out port to prevent outside air from entering the reagent cooler, however, the path from the temperature controller to the cold air blowing hole. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the temperature rise of the cold air. At that time, in order to suppress the temperature rise of the cold air, it is necessary to shorten the distance between the temperature controller and the cold air ventilation hole and to provide a heat insulating structure in the blower pipe. Receiving is a challenge.

  In other words, the temperature controller that cools the amount of air that continues to fill the cool box tends to increase in proportion to the size of the reagent cool box.

  Also, Patent Document 2 uses a method in which cold air is blown out from the reagent outlet as in Patent Document 1, but it is necessary to arrange a large-sized cold air circulator directly under the reagent cooler, and similarly the apparatus configuration It is a problem to be subject to large restrictions.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a technique that makes it difficult to receive restrictions on the device configuration of an automatic analyzer and can suppress condensation in a reagent refrigerator.

  The above and other objects and novel features of the present invention will be apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

  Of the inventions disclosed in this application, the outline of typical ones will be briefly described as follows.

  An automatic analyzer according to the present invention analyzes a component in a specimen by reacting the specimen with a reagent, and includes a reagent placement section in which a reagent container that contains the reagent is disposed, and includes the reagent placement section And a cold storage. Further, the cool box is formed with a through-hole through which a nozzle for sucking the reagent from the reagent container can pass, and the cool box has an interior surrounded by a triple wall structure, and the triple wall structure is A first space and a second space partitioned by respective walls are provided. Furthermore, the first space includes a first air introduction path used as a path for forming cooling air to be introduced into the cool box, and the second space includes an inner wall of the cool box and the first air introduction path. A cooling fluid path that is used as a path through which a fluid that cools the wall that forms the wall passes, and the first air introduction path communicates with a first cold air introduction path that is connected to the inside of the cool box, and the first air The air in the introduction path is cooled by the wall surface of the cooling fluid path, and is sent into the cool box through the first cold air introduction path.

  In addition, it is preferable that a member that partitions the first space and the second space is made of a material having good heat conductivity (for example, a metal material).

  Moreover, the said cool box of the automatic analyzer of this invention has the cold air introduction path | route which introduce | transduces cooling air in a cold storage box in the arbitrary positions of the said 1st air introduction path | route. The cold air introduction path is preferably disposed at a position separated from the air inlet port of the first air introduction path by a predetermined distance or more in order to introduce sufficiently cooled cold air.

  In addition, it is easy to lengthen the path length through which the air flows by providing a partition in the first space in the first air introduction path.

  In addition, the shape of the cool box is arbitrary, but by arranging the reagent containers in a circular shape in a radial pattern and making the reagent cool box cylindrical, the distance from the wall of the cool box is made uniform. It is desirable to cool all the reagent containers uniformly.

  In addition, the cool box has a lid member for installing and removing the reagent container, but has a cooling air path inside the lid member, and a structure in which cold air is blown out from above the cool box. You may have.

  In addition, since the outside air taken into the first air introduction path is cooled, dew condensation may occur in the path, and therefore the first air introduction path may have a dew condensation discharge path (drain pipe).

  Further, since cold air is blown out from the dew condensation discharge path, a valve may be provided as necessary.

  Further, the automatic analyzer according to the present invention is to analyze a component in the specimen by reacting the specimen with a reagent, and a reagent installing section in which a reagent container for storing the reagent is disposed; and the reagent installing section And a cold storage room containing the. Further, the cool box is formed with a through-hole through which a nozzle for sucking the reagent from the reagent container can pass, and the cool box has an interior surrounded by a multi-wall structure, A first space and a second space partitioned by any one of the walls are provided. Furthermore, the first space includes a first air introduction path used as a path for forming cooling air to be introduced into the cool box, and the second space includes an inner wall of the cool box and the first air introduction path. A cooling fluid path that is used as a path through which a fluid that cools the wall that forms the wall passes, and the first air introduction path communicates with a first cold air introduction path that is connected to the inside of the cool box, and the first air The air in the introduction path is cooled by the wall surface of the cooling fluid path, and is sent into the cool box through the first cold air introduction path.

  Of the inventions disclosed in the present application, effects obtained by typical ones will be briefly described as follows.

  It is possible to prevent the outside air from flowing from the through hole of the reagent cooler of the automatic analyzer, and to suppress the occurrence of condensation in the reagent cooler. In addition, since the cooling air introduced into the reagent cooler from the cold air introduction path is cooled to substantially the same temperature as the air inside the reagent cooler, condensation does not occur due to the introduced air. The temperature can be made uniform.

  In addition, the path of the cooling air introduced into the reagent cooler is integrated with the reagent cooler, so that the mechanism related to the reagent cooler can be compactly integrated due to the apparatus configuration.

  In addition, when increasing the capacity of the reagent cooler of the automatic analyzer, the air introduction path and the cooling fluid path can be easily extended along with the increase in the size of the reagent cooler. Can be realized. That is, it is possible to realize an automatic analyzer that is less susceptible to restrictions on the apparatus configuration and that can suppress condensation in the reagent cooler.

It is a top view which shows an example of the whole structure of the automatic analyzer of Embodiment 1 of this invention partially fractured | ruptured. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the reagent cold storage of the automatic analyzer shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows typically an example of the structure cut | disconnected by the AA line of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the modification of the structure cut | disconnected by the AA line of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the reagent cold storage in the automatic analyzer of Embodiment 2 of this invention.

  In the following embodiments, the description of the same or similar parts will not be repeated in principle unless particularly necessary.

  Further, in the following embodiment, when it is necessary for the sake of convenience, the description will be divided into a plurality of sections or embodiments, but they are not irrelevant to each other unless otherwise specified. The other part or all of the modifications, details, supplementary explanations, and the like are related.

  Also, in the following embodiments, when referring to the number of elements (including the number, numerical value, quantity, range, etc.), particularly when clearly indicated and when clearly limited to a specific number in principle, etc. Except, it is not limited to the specific number, and it may be more or less than the specific number.

  Further, in the following embodiments, the constituent elements (including element steps) are not necessarily indispensable unless otherwise specified and clearly considered essential in principle. Needless to say.

  Further, in the following embodiments, regarding constituent elements and the like, when “consisting of A”, “consisting of A”, “having A”, and “including A” are specifically indicated that only those elements are included. It goes without saying that other elements are not excluded except in the case of such cases. Similarly, in the following embodiments, when referring to the shapes, positional relationships, etc. of the components, etc., the shapes are substantially the same unless otherwise specified, or otherwise apparent in principle. And the like are included. The same applies to the above numerical values and ranges.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same function are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout the drawings for describing the embodiments, and the repetitive description thereof will be omitted. Further, even a plan view may be hatched for easy understanding of the drawing.

(Embodiment 1)
1 is a partially cutaway plan view showing an example of the entire configuration of an automatic analyzer according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a reagent cooler of the automatic analyzer shown in FIG. It is.

  The automatic analyzer 100 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is for analyzing a specific component in a specimen by reacting a specimen (hereinafter also referred to as a sample) with a reagent. A reagent container installation unit (reagent installation unit) 111 in which a reagent container 118 for storing the reagent is disposed, a reagent cold storage (cold storage) 119 containing the reagent container installation unit 111, and a sample container 102 for holding a sample (specimen) And a rack transport line 117 which is a transport line of the rack 101 on which is installed.

  Further, the automatic analyzer 100 includes a disc-shaped incubator disk 104 on which a plurality of reaction vessels 105 can be installed, a sample dispensing nozzle 103 that is a nozzle for dispensing a sample, and a reagent dispensing that is a nozzle for dispensing a reagent. A nozzle 114, a reaction container transport mechanism 115 that is a mechanism for transporting the reaction container 105, and the like are provided.

  In addition, a plurality of reaction vessels 105 can be installed on the disc-shaped incubator disc 104 as described above, and each of the reaction vessels 105 installed in the circumferential direction can be rotated to move to a predetermined position. Thus, the incubator disc 104 is attached.

  In the automatic analyzer 100, the rack 101 is provided with the sample container 102 for holding the sample as described above, and the sample is delivered to the sample dispensing position 120 near the sample dispensing nozzle 103 by the rack transport line 117. The container 102 is moved.

  Further, in the vicinity of the incubator disk 104, a sample dispensing tip / reaction container transport mechanism 106 is installed so as to be movable in three directions of the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis. The sample dispensing tip / reaction vessel transport mechanism 106 includes a sample dispensing tip / reaction vessel holding member 107, a reaction vessel stirring mechanism 108, a sample dispensing tip / reaction vessel disposal hole 109, a sample dispensing tip mounting position 110, an incubator. A predetermined range of the disk 104 is attached so as to be movable, whereby the sample dispensing tip and the reaction vessel 105 are transported.

  The sample dispensing tip / reaction vessel holding member 107 is provided with a plurality of unused reaction vessels 105 and sample dispensing tips. Therefore, the sample dispensing tip / reaction vessel transport mechanism 106 moves above the sample dispensing tip / reaction vessel holding member 107, and then descends to grip the unused reaction vessel 105, and then lifts after gripping. . Thereafter, the incubator disk 104 moves above a predetermined position and descends to install an unused reaction vessel 105 on the incubator disk 104.

  Further, the sample dispensing tip / reaction container transport mechanism 106 moves above the sample dispensing tip / reaction container holding member 107, and then descends to grip an unused sample dispensing tip, and rises after the gripping. . Furthermore, it moves above the sample dispensing tip mounting position 110 and descends there to place the sample dispensing tip at the sample dispensing tip mounting position 110.

  Further, the sample dispensing nozzle 103 is installed so as to be able to rotate and move up and down. After the sample dispensing tip 103 rotates and moves above the sample dispensing tip mounting position 110, the sample dispensing nozzle 103 descends and the sample is dispensed at the tip of the sample dispensing nozzle 103. Press-fit the dispensing tip. Thereafter, the sample dispensing nozzle 103 equipped with the sample dispensing tip moves down above the sample container 102 placed on the rack 101 and then descends to suck a predetermined amount of the sample held in the sample container 102. .

  Further, the sample dispensing nozzle 103 that has sucked the sample moves down above the incubator disk 104 and then descends to discharge the sample into an unused reaction container 105 held on the incubator disk 104. When the discharge of the sample is completed, the sample dispensing nozzle 103 moves above the sample dispensing tip / reaction container disposal hole 109, and the used sample dispensing chip is removed from the sample dispensing chip / reaction container disposal hole 109. Discard.

  In addition, a plurality of reagent containers 118 are installed in the reagent container installation unit 111 disposed inside the reagent cool box 119. Furthermore, a lid (lid member) 112 of the reagent cold storage 119 is provided at the upper part of the reagent container installation unit 111, and the inside of the reagent cold storage 119 can be kept at a predetermined temperature.

  A part of the lid 112 is provided with a reagent suction hole 113 which is a through hole for reagent suction. The reagent dispensing nozzle 114 is mounted so as to be able to rotate and move up and down. The reagent dispensing nozzle 114 is moved downward above the reagent suction hole 113 provided in the lid 112 of the reagent cool box 119 and then lowered to suck the reagent. Passes through the hole 113. Thereafter, the tip of the reagent dispensing nozzle 114 that has passed through the reagent suction hole 113 is inserted into a reagent in a predetermined reagent container 118 to suck a predetermined amount of reagent. Thereafter, after the reagent dispensing nozzle 114 is lifted, the reagent dispensing nozzle 114 rotates and moves above a predetermined position of the incubator disk 104 to discharge the reagent into the reaction vessel 105 installed on the incubator disk 104.

  The reaction container 105 from which the sample and the reagent have been discharged moves to a predetermined position by the rotation of the incubator disk 104, and is further transported to the reaction container stirring mechanism 108 by the sample dispensing tip / reaction container transport mechanism 106. The reaction vessel stirring mechanism 108 agitates and mixes the sample and the reagent in the reaction vessel 105 by applying a rotational motion to the reaction vessel 105. Note that the reaction vessel 105 that has been stirred is returned to a predetermined position of the incubator disk 104 by the sample dispensing tip / reaction vessel transport mechanism 106.

  Further, the reaction container transport mechanism 115 is attached so as to be able to rotate and move up and down, and the dispensing and stirring of the sample and the reagent are finished, and the reaction container 105 whose reaction time has passed in the incubator disk 104 has been completed. It moves upward and descends to hold the reaction vessel 105. Thereafter, the reaction container 105 is transported to the detection unit 116 by the rotational movement of the reaction container transport mechanism 115, and the analysis result of the specific component in the sample is shown in the detection unit 116.

  In addition, about the drive and drive timing of the above each structural member, it is controlled by the control apparatus (for example, computer) of the automatic analyzer 100 which is not illustrated.

  Next, the reagent cool box 119 shown in FIG. 2 will be described in detail.

  In the reagent cooler 119 of the automatic analyzer 100 of FIG. 1, a reagent container installation unit 111 is disposed therein, and a plurality of reagent containers 118 are installed in the reagent container installation unit 111. Although the shape of the reagent cooler 119 is arbitrary, it is formed in a cylindrical shape so that the distance from the inner wall (wall surface 122c) of the reagent container 118 on the same circle is uniform. In addition, the reagent container installation unit 111 is formed so as to have a circular shape in plan view, and the reagent containers 118 are arranged in a circular shape inside the cylindrical reagent cool box 119 so as to draw a circle. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, when the motor 126 provided outside the reagent cool box 119 rotates, the reagent container setting unit 111 rotates inside the reagent cool box 119.

  As a result, the predetermined reagent container 118 disposed on the reagent container setting unit 111 is carried to the position immediately below the reagent suction hole 113, and the reagent dispensing nozzle 114 shown in FIG. 1 passes through the reagent suction hole 113 in this state. Aspirate the reagent from the reagent container 118. As shown in FIG. 2, the reagent suction hole 113 is formed in the lid 112, and the outside air and the inside of the reagent cooler 119 communicate with each other through the reagent suction hole 113. That is, the lid 112 is formed with a reagent suction hole 113 through which the reagent dispensing nozzle 114 that sucks the reagent from the reagent container 118 can pass, and the inside and outside of the reagent cool box 119 are connected to the reagent suction hole. 113 is communicated.

  In addition, in the inside of the reagent cooler 119, the wall 122c inside the reagent cooler 119 is basically cooled by the cooling water 122d flowing inside the cooling fluid path 122a, whereby the inside of the reagent cooler 119 is cooled. This is done by cooling the air.

  Here, the reagent cooler 119 of the first embodiment includes an interior surrounded by a triple wall structure. That is, the reagent cooler 119 has an interior surrounded by the triple wall structure and a lid 112 that covers the upper part of the interior and is joined to the triple wall structure. Therefore, the inside of the reagent cooler 119 is a space surrounded by the triple wall structure and the upper lid 112. Further, a reagent suction hole 113 is formed in the lid 112.

  The triple wall structure of the reagent cooler 119 includes a first space 121 and a second space 122 that are partitioned by the respective walls 122b. That is, the triple wall structure forms two spaces partitioned by the three walls 122b. Out of the two spaces in the triple wall structure, the outer space is the first space 121, and this first space 121 is used as a path for forming the cooling air 121b to be introduced into the reagent cooler 119. A path (first air introduction path) 121a is provided.

  On the other hand, of the two spaces in the triple wall structure, the inner space is the second space 122, and this second space 122 connects the inner wall (inner wall 122 b) of the reagent cool box 119 and the air introduction path 121 a. A cooling fluid path 122a used as a path through which cooling water (fluid) 122d for cooling the wall 122b to be formed passes is provided.

  Further, the air introduction path 121a communicates with a cold air introduction path (first cold air introduction path) 125 connected to the inside of the reagent cool box 119, whereby the reagent cool box 119 of the automatic analyzer 100 according to the first embodiment. Then, the air in the air introduction path 121a is cooled by the wall surface 122c of the cooling fluid path 122a, and the cooling air 121b is sent into the reagent cooler 119 through the cold air introduction path 125.

  That is, in the automatic analyzer 100 of the first embodiment, the wall surrounding the inside of the reagent cooler 119 has a triple wall structure, and the first space 121 and the second space 122 formed in the triple wall structure Then, the cooling air 121b cooled by performing heat exchange is sent into the reagent cooler 119 via the cold air introduction path 125. That is, a method of circulating the fluid cooled in the triple wall structure (cooling water 122d) and a method of directly introducing the air cooled by the fluid (cooling air 121b) into the reagent cooler 119 are used. ing.

  In the second space 122 inside the triple wall structure, the cooling fluid path 122 a is connected to the chilled water circulator 123 to form a closed flow path, and the cooling water 122 d is circulated in the second space 122. Further, in the first space 121 outside the triple wall structure, an air introducer 124 is connected to the air introduction path 121a, and air is continuously sent into the air introduction path 121a from the air introduction unit 124. .

  Here, the wall surface 122c that partitions the cooling fluid path 122a (second space 122) and the air introduction path 121a (first space 121) is the cooling water 122d flowing inside the cooling fluid path 122a and the air inside the air introduction path 121a. It is desirable to use a material that can sufficiently exchange heat (for example, a metal material such as an aluminum alloy). Therefore, the three walls 122b having the triple wall structure are preferably formed of a metal material having high thermal conductivity.

  Air sufficiently cooled by this heat exchange (cooling air 121b) is introduced from the cold air introduction path 125 into the inside of the reagent cooler 119. In the reagent cooler 119 of the first embodiment, the sufficiently cooled cooling air 121b is reliably introduced into the reagent cooler 119 while being cooled, and air is ejected from the reagent suction hole 113. Thus, it is possible to prevent the outside air from entering the reagent cooler 119.

  The arrangement of the cold air introduction path 125 is not particularly limited as long as air can be ejected from the reagent suction hole 113, but if it has a structure in which a temperature gradient is generated in the reagent cool box 119, You may arrange | position so that a temperature gradient can be eliminated with the cooling air 121b.

  The outside of the air introduction path 121a is preferably covered with a heat insulating material 129. Thereby, the temperature change by the external temperature of the air introduction path | route 121a is suppressed.

  In addition, a case where high-temperature and high-humidity air is introduced into the air introduction path 121a is assumed, and condensation within this path is also assumed. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a drain outlet for this condensation. That is, it is desirable that a drain pipe (condensation discharge path) 130 for draining dew condensation generated in the air introduction path 121a and a valve 131 provided in the drain pipe 130 are attached to the air introduction path 121a. At that time, since cold air is also ejected from the drainage port (condensation discharge path) of the drainage pipe 130, it is not desirable to increase the diameter of the drainage port. Therefore, in order to use cold air efficiently, a valve 131 is provided in the drain pipe 130 communicating with the drain port, and a predetermined interval (for example, 10 seconds open for every hour) is provided by a control unit (not shown). The condensed water may be drained by opening the valve 131.

  In the reagent cooler 119 of the first embodiment, a cold air introduction path 125 for introducing the cooling air 121b into the reagent cooler 119 is formed at an arbitrary position of the air introduction path 121a. In the structure shown in FIG. 2, a cold air introduction path 125 is connected to the side surface of the inner wall (inner wall surface 122 c) inside the reagent cool box 119. The cold air introduction path 125 is located at a position away from the air introducer port 124a by a certain distance or more in the air introduction path 121a so that the sufficiently cooled cold air (cooling air 121b) can be introduced into the reagent cooler 119. It is desirable that this is disposed (this will be described in the following description of the structure of the air introduction path 121a).

  Next, the structure of the air introduction path 121a in the first space 121 outside the two spaces in the triple wall structure of the reagent cooler 119 will be described.

  3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of the structure cut along the line AA of the reagent cold storage shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a modification of the structure cut along the line AA in FIG. It is sectional drawing shown. 3 and 4 are views of the AA cross section of the reagent cooler 119 as viewed from the upper surface side.

  As shown in FIG. 3, it is desirable that a partition plate (partition member) 132 that forms an air introduction path 121a is provided in the first space 121, and a plurality of partition plates 132 are provided in the first space 121 to provide air. By forming the introduction path 121a, the length of the path through which the air in the air introduction path 121a flows can be increased.

  That is, in the first space 121, the air introduction path 121a needs to be prepared long enough in contact with the wall surface 122c of the cooling fluid path 122a in order to create sufficiently cooled air. Since the air introduction path 121a is formed by being partitioned by the plurality of partition plates 132, the traveling direction (path) of the air introduced from the air inlet port 124a is determined by the plurality of partition plates 132. The route drawn with a dotted line is a path R1 through which air passes.

  Thus, by increasing the number of the partition plates 132 that form the air introduction path 121a in the first space 121, it becomes possible to create a sufficiently long path for forming the path R1 through which the air passes. It becomes possible to cool reliably. For example, in the air introduction path 121a, the cold air introduction path 125 of FIG. 2 is disposed at a position away from the air introducer port 124a by a certain distance (as an example, the diameter L of the circular bottom of the cylindrical reagent cooler 119) or more. Thus, the path length through which the air flows in the air introduction path 121a can be made sufficiently long. As a result, the heat exchange of the air is sufficiently performed, and the air taken into the reagent cooler 119 through the cold air introduction path 125 is obtained. It can be cooled sufficiently.

  FIG. 4 is a modified example in which the number of partition plates 132 is further increased in the first space 121, and a path R2 through which air passes is formed longer. If the air introduction path 121a shown in FIG. 4 is used, the path R2 through which the air passes becomes longer than the path R1, thereby further reliably cooling the air.

  According to the first embodiment, a method of circulating a fluid (cooling water 122d) cooled inside the triple wall structure and a reagent cold box 119 that directly cools the air (cooling air 121b) cooled by the cooling water 122d. By using the automatic analyzer 100 capable of using the system introduced into the system, it has the advantages of both systems, and efficient cooling can be performed.

  Therefore, by setting the reagent cool box 119 to atmospheric pressure or higher with cooled air (cooling air 121b), cold air is ejected from the reagent suction hole 113 which is a reagent suction through hole. Inflow of outside air from 113 can be reduced or prevented.

  As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of condensation in the reagent cooler 119.

  In the reagent cooler 119, the inside of the reagent cooler 119 and the first space are cooled by the cooling water 122d circulating in the cooling fluid path 122a in the second space 122 inside the two spaces in the triple wall structure. Both of the air and the air in the air introduction path 121a in 121 are cooled.

  Therefore, since the cooled air introduced into the reagent cooler 119 from the cold air introduction path 125 is cooled to substantially the same temperature as the air inside the reagent cooler 119, no dew condensation is caused by the introduced air. The temperature inside the reagent cooler 119 can be made uniform.

  In addition, the reagent cooler 119 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the reagent containers 118 are arranged in a circular pattern inside the reagent cooler 119, whereby each reagent container 118 and the inner wall of the reagent cooler 119 ( The distance to the inner wall surface 122c) can be made uniform, and all the reagent containers 118 can be cooled uniformly.

  In addition, a path of the cooling air 121b (air introduction path 121a) to be introduced into the reagent cool box 119 is formed in a triple wall structure that is an outer peripheral wall of the reagent cool box 119, and is integrated with the reagent cool box 119. As a result, on the device configuration of the automatic analyzer 100, the mechanism relating to the reagent cooler 119 can be compactly gathered.

  Further, since the air introduction path 121a and the cooling fluid path 122a are formed and integrated in the triple wall structure of the reagent cool box 119, the capacity of the reagent cool box 119 of the automatic analyzer 100 is increased. At this time, it is possible to easily increase the length of the air introduction path 121a and the cooling fluid path 122a due to the increase in the size of the reagent cool box 119, and it is possible to realize a cooling system that does not depend on the size of the apparatus. That is, it is possible to realize the automatic analyzer 100 that is less susceptible to restrictions on the device configuration and that can suppress dew condensation in the reagent cooler 119.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a reagent cooler in the automatic analyzer according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In the second embodiment, the reagent cool box 119 is provided with an air introduction path (second air introduction path) 127 and a cold air introduction path (second cold air introduction path) 128 inside the lid 112. Will be explained. Therefore, only the parts different from the reagent cooler 119 of the first embodiment will be described here, and the description of the overlapping parts will be omitted.

  The reagent cool box 119 of the second embodiment also has an air introduction path 127 and a cold air introduction path 128 inside the upper lid 112. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, an air introduction path 127 and a cold air introduction path 128 that communicates with the air introduction path 127 and is connected to the inside of the reagent cold storage box 119 are provided inside the lid 112 of the reagent cool box 119. Then, the cooling air (cold air) 121b in the air introduction path 127 is sent into the reagent cooler 119 via the cold air introduction path 128.

  Note that the air introduction path 127 on the lid 112 side communicates with the air introduction path 121a on the triple wall structure side via the connecting portion 133. Therefore, the air sent by the air introducer 124 becomes the cooling air 121b by passing through the air introduction path 121a while being cooled by the inner cooling fluid path 122a, and further, the air introduction path on the lid 112 side via the connecting portion 133. After flowing to 127, it is fed into the reagent cooler 119 via the cold air introduction path 128 on the lid 112 side.

  In the reagent cooler 119 of the second embodiment, the cold air introduction path (first cold air introduction path) 125 on the triple wall structure side is formed at the positions of the lower part and the side part of the reagent container installation part 111. That is, in the reagent cooler 119 of the second embodiment, the cool air introduction path 125 that is the first cool air introduction path is formed at the bottom and side positions of the inner wall (inner wall 122b) of the reagent cooler 119. The cold air introduction path 128 that is the second cold air introduction path is formed on the upper surface (lid 112) of the reagent cool box 119.

  Thereby, compared with the reagent cooler 119 of Embodiment 1, the number of the ejection openings of the cooling air (cold air) 121b in the reagent cooler 119 can be increased.

  According to the automatic analyzer 100 of the second embodiment, the ejection port for the cooling air 121b is formed on the upper surface, the side surface, and the bottom surface in the reagent cool box 119, and thus the wall 122c on the inner wall of the reagent cool box 119 is quickly formed. It can be cooled sufficiently. As a result, it is possible to shorten the time required for the temperature inside the reagent cooler 119 to reach a predetermined temperature. That is, the initial cooling rate in the reagent cooler 119 can be improved.

  This is a great advantage in improving the initial cooling rate in the reagent cooler 119 because a large amount of outside air exists in the reagent cooler 119 when the automatic analyzer 100 is started up or when the reagent container 118 is replaced. Therefore, the structure of the reagent refrigerator 119 of the second embodiment is very effective.

  The other structure of the automatic analyzer 100 according to the second embodiment and the other effects obtained by the other structure are the same as those of the automatic analyzer 100 according to the first embodiment, and therefore redundant description thereof will be given. Is omitted.

  As mentioned above, the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiments of the invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments of the invention, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It goes without saying that it is possible.

  For example, in the first and second embodiments, the case where the outer peripheral wall surrounding the inside of the reagent cooler 119 has a triple wall structure has been described. However, the outer peripheral wall structure in the reagent cooler 119 of the automatic analyzer 100 is described. Is not limited to a triple structure, and may be a multiple wall structure of triple or more as long as heat exchange can be performed. For example, as a quadruple wall structure, it has three spaces partitioned by four walls, a first cold air introduction path and a first air introduction path are formed in order from the inner space, and a heat insulating material is provided in the outermost space. It may be an arranged structure.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be widely used in analyzers that perform analysis by reacting a specimen and a reagent.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Automatic analyzer 101 Rack 102 Sample container 103 Sample dispensing nozzle 104 Incubator disk 105 Reaction container 106 Sample dispensing tip / reaction container conveyance mechanism 107 Sample dispensing chip / reaction container holding member 108 Reaction container stirring mechanism 109 Sample dispensing tip / Reaction container disposal hole 110 Sample dispensing tip mounting position 111 Reagent container installation part (reagent installation part)
112 Lid (lid member)
113 Reagent suction hole (through hole)
114 Reagent dispensing nozzle (nozzle)
115 Reaction Container Transport Mechanism 116 Detection Unit 117 Rack Transport Line 118 Reagent Container 119 Reagent Cold Storage (Cold Storage)
120 Sample dispensing position 121 First space 121a Air introduction path (first air introduction path)
121b Cooling air (cold air)
122 2nd space 122a Cooling fluid path 122b Wall 122c Wall surface 122d Cooling water (fluid)
123 Chilled water circulator 124 Air introducer 124a Air inlet port 125 Cold air introduction path (first cold air introduction path)
126 Motor 127 Air introduction path (second air introduction path)
128 Cold air introduction route (second cold air introduction route)
129 Heat insulating material 130 Drain pipe 131 Valve 132 Partition plate (partition member)
133 connecting part

Claims (11)

An automatic analyzer that analyzes a component in the sample by reacting the sample with a reagent,
A reagent installing unit in which a reagent container for containing the reagent is disposed;
A cold storage box containing the reagent installing section;
Have
In the cold storage, a through-hole through which a nozzle for sucking the reagent from the reagent container can pass is formed,
The cool box includes an interior surrounded by a triple wall structure, and the triple wall structure includes a first space and a second space partitioned by respective walls,
The first space includes a first air introduction path used as a path for forming cooling air to be introduced into the cool box.
The second space includes a cooling fluid path used as a path through which a fluid that cools an inner wall of the cool box and a wall that forms the first air introduction path passes.
The first air introduction path communicates with a first cold air introduction path that is connected to the inside of the cool box,
An automatic analyzer, wherein air in the first air introduction path is cooled by a wall surface of the cooling fluid path, and is sent into the cold storage through the first cold air introduction path. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein
An automatic analyzer comprising: a drain pipe for draining dew condensation generated in the first air introduction path; and a valve provided in the drain pipe. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein
The cool box has a lid member that covers an upper portion of the inside and is joined to the triple wall structure;
The lid member includes a second air introduction path that communicates with the first air introduction path and a second cold air introduction path that communicates with the second air introduction path and that is connected to the inside of the cold storage chamber.
An automatic analyzer characterized in that cold air is fed into the cool box from the second air introduction path through the second cold air introduction path. The automatic analyzer according to claim 3,
The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the through hole is formed in the lid member. The automatic analyzer according to claim 3,
The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the first cold air introduction path is formed in a lower part and a side part of the reagent installing part. The automatic analyzer according to claim 3,
The first cold air introduction path is formed on a bottom surface and a side surface of an inner wall of the cool box,
The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the second cold air introduction path is formed on an upper surface of the cool box. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein
The automatic analyzer is characterized in that each wall of the triple wall structure is made of a metal material. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein
An automatic analyzer, wherein a partition member that forms the first air introduction path is provided in the first space. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein
The reagent installing unit arranges the reagent containers in a circular pattern,
The said cold storage is formed in the cylindrical shape, The automatic analyzer characterized by the above-mentioned. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein
The outside of the first air introduction path is covered with a heat insulating material. An automatic analyzer that analyzes a component in the sample by reacting the sample with a reagent,
A reagent installing unit in which a reagent container for containing the reagent is disposed;
A cold storage box containing the reagent installing section;
Have
In the cold storage, a through-hole through which a nozzle for sucking the reagent from the reagent container can pass is formed,
The cool box includes an interior surrounded by a multiple wall structure, and includes a first space and a second space partitioned by any one of the multiple wall structures,
The first space includes a first air introduction path used as a path for forming cooling air to be introduced into the cool box.
The second space includes a cooling fluid path used as a path through which a fluid that cools an inner wall of the cool box and a wall that forms the first air introduction path passes.
The first air introduction path communicates with a first cold air introduction path that is connected to the inside of the cool box,
An automatic analyzer, wherein air in the first air introduction path is cooled by a wall surface of the cooling fluid path, and is sent into the cold storage through the first cold air introduction path.

Images