JP5913071B2 - Opening device, sample processing device and container opening method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an opening device, a sample processing device, and a container opening method for opening a stopper of a container in which a sample and a reagent are sealed.

  As an opening device for removing a stopper of a container enclosing a sample or a reagent, a blood collection tube clamping mechanism for clamping the vacuum blood collection tube to an upright state at the opening position, and provided at the opening position, A chuck mechanism for holding the plug body, and when the plug body of the vacuum blood collection tube is held in the chuck mechanism, the periphery of the opening of the vacuum blood collection tube including the plug body is sealed, and this sealing A sealing pressure reducing means for reducing the area to approximately the same pressure as the internal pressure of the vacuum blood collection tube, and an elevating mechanism for raising the chuck mechanism from the stopper holding position and opening the plug of the vacuum blood collection tube (See Patent Document 1).

JP 2008-279128 A

  When removing a stopper that closes the upper opening of a container containing a sample such as blood or a reagent for testing, when the container is opened, the mist of the sample or reagent contained in the container is opened at the upper opening of the container. There is a possibility of scattering from the outside to the outside.

  In the plug-opening device described in Patent Document 1, since there is no air flow in the space between the vacuum blood collection tube and the covering member surrounding the periphery of the opening of the vacuum blood collection tube, the plug is removed from the vacuum blood collection tube. When the blood is mist-like from the inside of the vacuum blood collection tube and jumps into the space, the mist-like blood remains in the space and can be prevented from further scattering. However, when the covering member is opened, the mist-like blood cannot be prevented from scattering around.

In addition, the plug body has a head and a sealed portion located in the center of the lower surface of the head, and this sealed portion is generally formed with a recess in the center of the lower surface. When such a plug is used, out of the mist-like blood scattered by opening the plug, it rises due to the air flow generated by the opening operation, and the inner wall portion of the depression in contact with the container body in the plug, that is, the plug There is a mist floating in the recess. With respect to the mist in the recess of the plug body, in the plugging device described in Patent Document 1, there is no air flow in the recess of the plug body while the cover member is closed. It is possible to stop and prevent the scattering.
However, when the cover member is opened, air flow occurs in the recess of the plug body, so that floating mist may jump out of the recess of the plug body and scatter to the adjacent sample container, reagent container, and analysis container. There is a problem that there is a risk of contamination in the apparatus or liquid mixture between samples and reagents.

  The present invention relates to an opening device, a sample processing device, and a container that can prevent the mist floating in the concave portion of the container stopper from being scattered around when opening the stopper of the container in which a sample, a reagent, or the like is sealed. The opening method of this is provided.

  In order to solve the above problems, for example, the configuration described in the claims is adopted.

The present invention includes a plurality of means for solving the above-described problems. To give an example, the opening device for opening the stopper of the container is a liquid stopper by a container stopper having a recess in the sealed portion. A container holding mechanism for holding the container in which the upper opening of the container containing the container is sealed, an opening mechanism for lifting and removing the container stopper from the container held by the container holding mechanism, and the opening mechanism A control mechanism for generating a removal air flow for removing liquid mist stagnating in the recess of the container stopper during the opening process of the container stopper, and the container holding mechanism includes a suction part for sucking a gas, The control mechanism controls the opening mechanism to lift the container plug while reciprocating in the vertical direction, thereby generating an air flow toward the concave portion of the container plug, and sucking the air flow from the suction unit. Yo It is characterized in that for generating the removed stream by controlling the container holding mechanism.

  According to the present invention, when opening a stopper of a container enclosing a sample, a reagent or the like, the movement of the mist is controlled by an air flow that removes the mist floating in the recess of the stopper of the container so that the mist is scattered and diffused. Can be prevented. Therefore, contamination in the apparatus and contamination between adjacent samples, reagents, and reaction solutions can be prevented, and the reliability of sample analysis accuracy can be ensured.

It is the schematic of a container, (a) is a top view of a container, (b) is the longitudinal cross-sectional view which looked at the container shown to (a) from the AA arrow, (c) is the bottom view of a container. It is the schematic of a container stopper, (a) is a top view of a container stopper, (b) is the longitudinal cross-sectional view which looked at the container stopper shown to (a) from the AA arrow, (c) is the lower surface of a container stopper FIG. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of 1st Embodiment of the plug opening apparatus of this invention, (a) is a top view, (b) is a side view. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the outline of the airflow which generate | occur | produces in the recessed part of the container stopper of 1st Embodiment of the opening device of this invention, (a) is at the time of raising operation of a container stopper, (b) is the downward movement of a container stopper. It is during operation. It is a functional block diagram of a 1st embodiment of an opening device of the present invention. It is a timing chart figure of control of a 1st embodiment of a stopper device of the present invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in the BB arrow of FIG. 3 (a) explaining the outline | summary of operation | movement of 1st Embodiment of the opening device of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in the BB arrow of FIG. 3 (a) explaining the outline | summary of operation | movement of 1st Embodiment of the opening device of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in the BB arrow of FIG. 3 (a) explaining the outline | summary of operation | movement of 1st Embodiment of the opening device of this invention. It is a figure which shows the outline of the partial structure of 2nd Embodiment of the stopper apparatus of this invention, (a) is a top view, (b) shows the stopper apparatus shown to (a) from CC arrow. FIG. It is a figure which shows the outline of the one part structure of 2nd Embodiment of the stopper apparatus of this invention, (c) is a bottom view, (d) is DD arrow of the stopper apparatus shown to FIG. 8A (b). The bottom view seen from the view, (e) is the top view which looked at the opening device shown to FIG. 8A (b) from the EE arrow. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in CC arrow of FIG. 8A which shows the outline | summary of operation | movement of 2nd Embodiment of the stopper apparatus of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in CC arrow of FIG. 8A which shows the outline | summary of operation | movement of 2nd Embodiment of the stopper apparatus of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in CC arrow of FIG. 8A which shows the outline | summary of operation | movement of 2nd Embodiment of the stopper apparatus of this invention. It is a figure which shows the upper surface explaining the outline of operation | movement of 3rd Embodiment of the stopper apparatus of this invention, and the longitudinal cross-section in the BB arrow of FIG. It is a figure which shows the upper surface explaining the outline of operation | movement of 3rd Embodiment of the stopper apparatus of this invention, and the longitudinal cross-section in the BB arrow of FIG. It is a figure which shows the upper surface explaining the outline of operation | movement of 3rd Embodiment of the stopper apparatus of this invention, and the longitudinal cross-section in the BB arrow of FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in the BB arrow line of FIG. 3 which shows the outline | summary of operation | movement of 4th Embodiment of the plug opening apparatus of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in the BB arrow line of FIG. 3 which shows the outline | summary of operation | movement of 4th Embodiment of the plug opening apparatus of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in the BB arrow line of FIG. 3 which shows the outline | summary of operation | movement of 4th Embodiment of the plug opening apparatus of this invention. It is a top view which shows schematic structure of 5th Embodiment of the sample processing apparatus of this invention. It is a figure which shows the detail of the sample processing part of 5th Embodiment of the sample processing apparatus of this invention shown in FIG. 12, (a) is a top view, (b) is a side view. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in the FF arrow line of FIG. 13 which shows the outline of operation | movement of 5th Embodiment of the sample processing apparatus of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in the FF arrow line of FIG. 13 which shows the outline of operation | movement of 5th Embodiment of the sample processing apparatus of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in the FF arrow line of FIG. 13 which shows the outline of operation | movement of 5th Embodiment of the sample processing apparatus of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in the FF arrow line of FIG. 13 which shows the outline of operation | movement of 5th Embodiment of the sample processing apparatus of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of 5th Embodiment of the sample processing apparatus of this invention. It is a timing chart of control of a 5th embodiment of a sample processing device of the present invention. It is a timing chart of control of a 5th embodiment of a sample processing device of the present invention. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the opening device provided with the closing mechanism.

  Embodiments of an opening device, a sample processing device, and a container opening method of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
A first embodiment of the opening device and the container opening method of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7C.

1A and 1B are schematic views of a container, wherein FIG. 1A is a top view of the container, FIG. 1B is a longitudinal sectional view of the container shown in FIG. FIG.
2A and 2B are schematic views of the container stopper, wherein FIG. 2A is a top view of the container stopper, FIG. 2B is a longitudinal sectional view of the container stopper shown in FIG. It is a bottom view of a container.
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the first embodiment of the opening device of the present invention, (a) is a top view of the opening device, and (b) is a side view.
4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an outline of the air flow generated in the concave portion of the container stopper as viewed from the direction of arrows BB in FIG. 3 (a). (A) is when the container stopper is raised, and (b) is lowered. It is sectional drawing of the opening mechanism 101, the container holding | maintenance suction mechanism 102, the partition plate 103, the container stopper 104, the container main body 105, and the recessed part 106 of a container stopper at the time.
FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram.
FIG. 6 is a timing chart.
7A to 7C are cross-sectional views showing the operation of the opening device as viewed in the direction of arrows BB in FIG.

  First, the outline of the container and the container stopper used in the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C, the container is composed of a container body 105 having an upper opening.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, the container stopper 104 has a cylindrical shape, a cylindrical container stopper projection (sealing part) 119 that contacts the container body 105, and an upper part of the container body 105. And a head 104a covering the head. The container stopper projection 119 has a concentric recess, that is, a container stopper recess 106.

  Next, the opening device of this embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 (a)-(b), the opening device includes an opening mechanism 101, a container holding / suction mechanism 102, a partition plate 103, an opening mechanism guide 111, an exhaust fan 114, and a container. A holding suction mechanism suction valve 115, an exhaust filter 116, an exhaust duct 117, and a container stopper waste container 118 are roughly provided.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the opening mechanism 101 is a semicircular mechanism that lifts and removes the container plug 104 from the container main body 105 held by the container holding suction mechanism 102, and holds the container plug 104. A container stopper holding portion 101a is provided. The opening mechanism 101 is provided so as to face the container holding suction mechanism 102 vertically.
The opening mechanism 101 can be opened and closed by an opening mechanism opening / closing motor 109. Further, the opening mechanism 101 can be moved up and down by an opening mechanism vertical motor 110 and can be moved in the horizontal direction along the opening mechanism guide 111 by an opening mechanism horizontal motor 112. Furthermore, the opening mechanism 101 can be rotated by the opening mechanism rotating motor 126 about the central axis of the cylindrical container stopper 104 as a rotation axis.

  The container holding / suction mechanism (container holding mechanism) 102 is a mechanism for holding the container body 105 closed by the container stopper 104 having the recess 106 of the container stopper, as shown in FIGS. A suction part 102a for sucking gas and a container body holding part 102b for holding the container body 105 are provided. The container holding / suction mechanism 102 can be opened / closed by a container holding / suction mechanism opening / closing motor 113. In the container holding / suction mechanism 102, when the container holding / suction mechanism suction valve 115 is opened during the operation of the exhaust fan 114, gas is sucked from the suction part 102a. The sucked gas passes through the exhaust filter 116 and is exhausted from the exhaust duct 117 to the outside of the opening device.

  The partition plate 103 is provided around the container holding and suction mechanism 102 as shown in FIG.

  The container stopper discarding container 118 is a container in which the container stopper 104 after opening that is held by the opening mechanism 101 is discarded.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the opening device operates so that the opening mechanism 101 lifts the container plug 104 while reciprocating the container plug 104 during the opening process of the container plug 104, and holds the container. The opening mechanism opening / closing motor 109, the opening mechanism up / down motor 110, the opening mechanism horizontal motor 112, the opening mechanism rotating motor 126, and the container holding / suction mechanism so that the suction mechanism 102 operates to suck gas from the suction portion 102a. A controller (control mechanism) 201 that controls the operation of the opening / closing motor 113, the exhaust fan 114, and the container holding / suction mechanism suction valve 115 is provided. Furthermore, a PC 202 for inputting and instructing the details of the control to the controller 201 is provided.

  Next, the operation of the first embodiment of the opening device and the container opening method of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7A to 7C. 7 shows the opening mechanism 101, the container holding and suction mechanism 102, the partition plate 103, the container plug 104, the container main body 105, and the container plug recess 106, and the container plug disposal container 118 and the like are omitted for convenience of illustration. It is.

  FIG. 7A (a) shows an initial arrangement, in which the opening mechanism 101 and the container holding / suction mechanism 102 are opened, and the container body 105 is set in a state of being closed by the container stopper 104.

  First, the controller 201 outputs a drive signal to the opening / closing mechanism up / down motor 110, operates the opening / closing mechanism up / down motor 110, lowers the opening mechanism 101 to the height of the container plug 104, and stops (FIG. 7A (b)). ).

Next, the controller 201 outputs drive signals to the opening mechanism opening / closing motor 109 and the container holding / suction mechanism opening / closing motor 113. As a result, the opening mechanism opening / closing motor 109 is operated, the opening mechanism 101 is closed, and the container stopper 104 is held by the opening mechanism 101. Further, the container holding / suction mechanism opening / closing motor 113 is operated, the container holding / suction mechanism 102 and the partition plate 103 are closed, and the container main body 105 is held by the container holding / suction mechanism 102 (FIG. 7A (c)).
At this time, the controller 201 outputs a drive signal to the exhaust fan 114, and keeps that state so that the exhaust fan 114 is operated.

  Next, the controller 201 outputs an open signal to the container holding suction mechanism suction valve 115. Thereby, the container holding / suction mechanism suction valve 115 is opened, and the suction of gas is started from the suction part 102a of the container holding / suction mechanism 102 (FIG. 7B (d)).

Next, the controller 201 outputs drive signals to the opening mechanism up / down motor 110 and the opening mechanism rotation motor 126. As a result, the opening mechanism up / down motor 110 and the opening mechanism rotation motor 126 are operated to rotate the opening mechanism 101 while being lifted to open the container stopper 104 (FIG. 7B (e)). At this time, gas flows from the periphery of the opening mechanism 101 and the partition plate 103, and when the container stopper 104 is raised, an airflow 107 toward the recess 106 of the container stopper is generated, and an airflow 129 is induced in the recess 106. Further, since the gas is sucked from the suction portion 102a of the container holding suction mechanism 102, an air flow 108 that flows from the concave portion 106 of the container stopper 104 toward the suction portion 102a is generated. The mist staying in the recess 106 of the container stopper is removed by the airflow (removed airflow) composed of the airflow 107, the airflow 108, and the airflow 129 .

  Next, the controller 201 outputs a drive signal to the opening / closing mechanism up / down motor 110. As a result, the opening / closing mechanism up / down motor 110 is operated to lower the opening mechanism 101 and to lower the container stopper 104 (FIG. 7B (f)). The descending amount at this time should be such that the container stopper 104 does not contact the container body 105.

Further, the controller 201 outputs a drive signal to the opening / closing mechanism up / down motor 110. As a result, the opening / closing mechanism up / down motor 110 is operated to raise the opening mechanism 101 and raise the container stopper 104 again (FIG. 7C (g)). At this time, the airflow 107 toward the concave portion 106 of the container stopper when the container stopper 104 is raised, the airflow 129 induced in the concave portion 106, and the airflow toward the suction portion 102 a of the container holding suction mechanism 102 from the concave portion 106 of the container stopper An air flow (removed air flow) consisting of 108 is generated.

Next, the controller 201 outputs a close signal to the container holding suction mechanism suction valve 115. As a result, the container holding / suction mechanism suction valve 115 is closed, and suction from the container holding / suction mechanism 102 is stopped (FIG. 7C (h)).
At this time, the controller 201 stops the output of the drive signal output to the exhaust fan 114, and stops the exhaust fan 114.

  Next, the controller 201 outputs a drive signal to the opening mechanism horizontal motor 112. As a result, the opening mechanism horizontal motor 112 is operated, and the opening mechanism 101 holding the container stopper 104 is moved horizontally above the container stopper waste container 118 along the opening mechanism guide 111 (FIG. 7C (i)). ).

  Thereafter, the controller 201 outputs a drive signal to the opening mechanism opening / closing motor 109 to operate the opening mechanism opening / closing motor 109. As a result, the opening mechanism 101 is opened, and the container stopper 104 is discarded in the container stopper disposal container 118.

Next, the controller 201 outputs drive signals to the opening mechanism rotating motor 126 and the opening mechanism horizontal motor 112 to return the opening mechanism 101 to the initial angle and to the initial position.
The controller 201 also outputs a drive signal to the container holding / suction mechanism opening / closing motor 113 to release the container main body 105 (returns to the state of FIG. 7A (a)).
Thereafter, the next container is opened as necessary.

In the first embodiment of the opening device and the container opening method of the present invention described above, when the opening mechanism 101 performs the opening operation to open the container main body 105, the container stopper 104 is lifted (see FIG. 7B (e), FIG. 7C (g)) and the lowering operation of the container stopper 104 (FIG. 7B (f)).
In general, mist is generated when a blood collection tube or the like is opened, and part of the mist flows into the recess 106 of the container stopper, stays in the recess 106 of the container stopper, floats, and becomes a contamination source.
However, according to the opening device and the container opening method of the present embodiment, the mist floating in the recess 106 of the container stopper causes the airflow flowing toward the recess 106 of the container stopper when the container stopper 104 rises. 107 is sucked into the suction portion 102a by an airflow (removed airflow) composed of the airflow 129 induced in the recess 106 and the airflow 108 flowing toward the suction portion 102a of the container holding suction mechanism 102.
Therefore, the mist floating in the concave portion 106 of the container stopper can be sucked and collected, the movement of the mist is controlled, and it is possible to prevent the mist from being scattered and diffused to the surroundings. Therefore, contamination of adjacent samples, reagents, and reaction liquids can be prevented, and thus the cleanliness of specimens, reagents, and reaction liquids can be ensured high, and the reliability of analysis accuracy can be ensured.
A stopper opening / closing member having an operation part for opening and closing the stopper; and a moving means for moving the stopper opening / closing member relative to the stopper; the operation part of the stopper opening / closing member includes a sample scattered around the stopper In a conventional stopper opening / closing device provided with a blocking portion for blocking the mist, when the mist that does not adhere to the blocking portion and floats in the recess of the container plug causes an air flow in the recess of the container plug, the container plug Jumps out of the concave portion and scatters into the adjacent sample container.
However, according to the present embodiment, since the movement of the mist floating in the concave portion of the container stopper can be controlled, it is possible to prevent the mist from scattering and diffusing, and it has been difficult to prevent contamination between samples. Prevention becomes possible.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the container stopper descending operation (FIG. 7B (f)) is performed once is described. However, the descending operation is not limited to one operation, and the container stopper descending operation (FIG. The cycle of f)) and the raising operation of the container stopper (FIG. 7C (g)) can be repeated a plurality of times. By performing the descending operation a plurality of times, the number of ascending operations associated with the descending operation is increased, and a large amount of removed airflow generated during the ascending operation can be generated. As a result, the amount of mist that is floating in the recess 106 of the container stopper is pushed out and the mist removal effect is further enhanced, so that it is possible to more reliably prevent the mist from scattering to the surroundings.

  In this embodiment, the opening mechanism 101, the partition plate 103, and the container holding / suction mechanism 102 have a structure that functions as a pair. However, the structure is not limited to two. It can also be set as the structure which functions in multiple sets, such as a set.

Further, the opening device and the opening method of the container according to the present embodiment are not limited to this form, and when the mist removal of the recess 106 of the container plug is unnecessary, the lowering operation of the container plug 104 shown in FIG. And the raising operation | movement of the container stopper 104 shown to FIG. 7C (g) can be abbreviate | omitted, without implementing. In other words, the plug-opening device is configured to select a “mist removal mode” that prioritizes contamination prevention and a “mist removal unnecessary mode” that prioritizes processing speed. In other words, the opening device of this embodiment is intended for high-sensitivity analysis in which contamination by mist becomes a problem. If mist contamination does not affect the analysis, the “mist removal unnecessary mode” can be selected. Good.
In this case, when the person who operates the plug-opening device selects the “mist removal mode”, the plug lowering operation (FIG. 7B (f)) and the plug lifting operation (FIG. 7C (g)) are performed. On the other hand, when the “mist removal unnecessary mode” is selected, the plug lowering operation (FIG. 7B (f)) and the plug lifting operation (FIG. 7C (g)) are not performed and are omitted.

Further, in order to remove the mist from the concave portion 106 of the container stopper, it is only necessary to generate an air flow in the lower portion of the concave portion 106 of the container stopper. Therefore, when suctioning from the suction portion 102a of the container holding suction mechanism 102, there are two suction mechanisms. Only one of 102 may be activated. In this way, an asymmetric airflow can be generated in the circumferential direction of the container stopper 104.
For example, if the suction is performed only by the suction portion 102a of the container holding suction mechanism 102 located on the right half periphery of the container main body 105 in FIG. 4A, the downward airflow from the right half periphery of the container plug 104 in FIG. In addition, air also flows from the left half of the container stopper 104 in FIG. 4A, and a part of the airflow passes through the lower part of the recess 106 of the container stopper. For this reason, an air flow is generated in the recess 106 of the container stopper, and the mist in the recess 106 of the container stopper is removed.
Thus, by suctioning only one of the container holding and suction mechanisms 102, mist staying in the recess 106 of the container stopper can be removed without performing the ascending and lowering actions of the container stopper 104.

<Second Embodiment>
A second embodiment of the opening device and the container opening method of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 8A to 9C.
FIG. 8A is a view showing the opening mechanism 101, the container holding and suction mechanism 102, the partition plate 103, the container stopper 104, and the container body 105 in the opening device of the present embodiment, (a) is a top view, (b) is sectional drawing in CC arrow of (a).
FIG. 8B is a view showing the opening mechanism 101, the container holding and suction mechanism 102, the partition plate 103, the container stopper 104, and the container body 105 in the opening device of the present embodiment, (c) is a bottom view, FIG. 8D is a bottom view in the direction of arrows DD in FIG. 8A (b), and FIG. 9E is a top view in the direction of arrows EE in FIG. 8A (b).
FIG. 9A thru | or FIG. 9C are sectional drawings in CC arrow of FIG. 8A (a) which shows operation | movement of the stopper apparatus of this embodiment.

  The opening device in the second embodiment has a configuration in which the opening mechanism 101 of the opening mechanism 101, the container holding suction mechanism 102, and the partition plate 103 has a gas discharge function.

As shown in FIGS. 8A (a), (b), and FIG. 8B (d), the opening mechanism 101 is directed toward the opening chuck portion 120 that holds the container stopper 104 and the suction portion 102a of the container holding suction mechanism 102. It is comprised from the discharge part 121 which discharges gas. In this example, both the opening chuck part 120 and the discharge part 121 function as a set of three, but the present invention is not limited to this. Furthermore, the opening mechanism 101 includes a discharge fan, an opening mechanism discharge valve, and a discharge duct. As shown in FIG. 8A (a), the discharge unit 121 includes two discharge slit forming components 124, and discharges gas from between the two discharge slit forming components 124.
In the opening mechanism 101, when the opening mechanism discharge valve is opened during operation of the discharge fan, the gas outside the apparatus is sucked from the discharge duct. The sucked gas outside the apparatus is discharged from the discharge unit 121.

  As shown in FIGS. 8A (b) and 8B (e), the container holding / suction mechanism 102 includes a container body holding part 122 that holds the container body 105 and a suction part 123 that sucks gas. In this example, both the container body holding part 122 and the suction part 123 function as a pair, but the invention is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 8A (b), the suction part 123 is composed of two suction slit forming parts 125, and sucks gas from between the two suction slit forming parts 125. A partition plate 103 is provided around the suction unit 123. This partition plate 103 also functions in pairs, but of course it is not limited to this.

The controller 201, when removing the cap removal mechanism 101 is a container closure 104 from the container body 105, so as to discharge the gas from the discharge portion 1 2 1 unplugging mechanism 101, the discharge fan, unplugging mechanism discharge valve, the discharge duct Control. Other controls are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Next, the operation of the second embodiment of the opening device and the container opening method of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9A to 9C. In addition, the opening mechanism 101, the container holding and suction mechanism 102, the partition plate 103, the container plug 104, the container body 105, and the concave portion 106 of the container plug are shown, and the container plug disposal container 118 and the like are omitted for convenience of illustration. .

  FIG. 9A (a) shows an initial state, in which the opening mechanism 101 and the container holding / suction mechanism 102 are opened, and the container body 105 is set in a state of being sealed with the container stopper 104.

  First, the controller 201 outputs a drive signal to the opening / closing mechanism up / down motor 110. As a result, the opening mechanism up / down motor 110 is actuated, and the opening mechanism 101 is lowered to the height of the container stopper 104 and stopped (FIG. 9A (b)).

  Next, the controller 201 outputs drive signals to the opening mechanism opening / closing motor 109 and the container holding / suction mechanism opening / closing motor 113. As a result, the opening mechanism opening / closing motor 109 is operated, the opening mechanism 101 is closed, and the container stopper 104 is held by the opening mechanism 101. Further, the container holding / suction mechanism opening / closing motor 113 is operated, the container holding / suction mechanism 102 and the partition plate 103 are closed, and the container body 105 is held by the container holding / suction mechanism 102 (FIG. 9A (c)).

  Next, the controller 201 outputs an opening signal to the opening mechanism discharge valve (not shown) and the container holding suction mechanism suction valve 115. As a result, the opening mechanism discharge valve and the container holding suction mechanism suction valve 115 are opened, gas is discharged from the discharge portion 121 of the opening mechanism 101, and suction of gas is started from the suction portion 123 of the container holding suction mechanism 102 ( FIG. 9B (d)).

  Next, the controller 201 outputs a drive signal to the opening / closing mechanism up / down motor 110. As a result, the opening mechanism up / down motor 110 is actuated to raise the opening mechanism 101 and open the container stopper 104 (FIG. 9B (e)).

  Next, the controller 201 outputs a closing signal to the opening mechanism discharge valve and the container holding suction mechanism suction valve 115. As a result, the opening mechanism discharge valve and the container holding suction mechanism suction valve 115 are closed, and the operation of discharging gas from the opening mechanism 101 and sucking gas from the container holding suction mechanism 102 is stopped (FIG. 9B (f)).

  Next, the controller 201 outputs a drive signal to the opening mechanism horizontal motor 112. As a result, the opening mechanism horizontal motor 112 is operated, and the opening mechanism 101 holding the container stopper 104 is moved horizontally above the container stopper waste container 118 along the opening mechanism guide 111 (FIG. 9C (g)). .

  Thereafter, the controller 201 outputs a drive signal to the opening mechanism opening / closing motor 109 to operate the opening mechanism opening / closing motor 109. As a result, the opening mechanism 101 is opened, and the container stopper 104 is discarded in the container stopper disposal container 118.

Finally, the controller 201 outputs drive signals to the opening mechanism rotating motor 126 and the opening mechanism horizontal motor 112 to return the opening mechanism 101 to the initial angle and to the initial position.
The controller 201 also outputs a drive signal to the container holding / suction mechanism opening / closing motor 113 to release the container body 105 (returns to the state of FIG. 9A (a)).
Thereafter, the next container is opened as necessary.

  As in the second embodiment of the plug-opening device of the present invention, by adding a gas discharge function to the plug-opening mechanism 101, in addition to the effects obtained in the first embodiment, gas discharge and suction As a result, the pop-out mist can also be controlled by the vertical airflow formed by the above.

  In FIG. 9B (e), since all the gas discharged from the discharge unit 121 is sucked by the suction unit 123, the start and end timings of discharge and suction are preferably matched. More preferably, the amount of discharge gas is set to be equal to or less than the amount of suction gas. Further, since the airflow is generated for the purpose of preventing the mist from scattering, the airflow may be generated before the mist is generated. Therefore, the start of airflow discharge and suction (FIG. 9B (d)) can also be performed at a timing before the stopper main body holding (FIG. 9A (c)).

Further, the controller 201 can control the flow rate of the gas discharged from the opening mechanism 101 or the flow rate of the gas sucked by the container holding and suction mechanism 102 to be asymmetric in the circumferential direction of the container plug 104.
For example, only one or two of the three-part opening mechanism 101 discharges air current, or only one of the two container holding suction mechanisms 102 sucks air current, or both In addition, the airflow can be generated in the lower part of the concave portion 106 of the container stopper by a method such as stopping or starting the discharge or suction of the airflow among a plurality of units during the opening operation.
This further improves the effect of removing mist staying in the recess 106 of the container stopper.

  Furthermore, in order to more reliably remove the mist in the recess 106 of the container plug, the air flow is generated at the lower portion of the container plug 104 by raising and lowering the container plug 104 at least once as in the first embodiment. Mist can be removed by generating and inducing an air flow toward the concave portion 106 of the container stopper and sucking and removing the air flow.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, when it is not necessary to remove the mist in the concave portion of the container stopper, the gas discharge operation from the discharge section 121 of the opening mechanism 101 in FIG. 9B (d) is not performed. It can be omitted. In other words, the opening device may be configured to select a “mist removal mode” and a “mist removal unnecessary mode”.

<Third Embodiment>
A third embodiment of the opening device and the container opening method of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 10A to 10C.
10A to 10C are a top view showing the operation of the third embodiment of the opening device of the present invention and a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 3A.

In the third embodiment, the opening device is used to remove the mist floating in the concave portion 106 of the container plug from the container plug 104 when the controller 201 raises and lowers the container plug 104. Except for controlling the opening mechanism rotation motor 126 so as to apply a rotational movement, it is substantially the same as the opening apparatus of the first embodiment that controls to perform the raising and lowering operations of the container stopper 104, and the details are omitted. .

  Next, the operation of the third embodiment of the opening device and the container opening method of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 10A to 10C. In addition, the opening mechanism 101, the container holding and suction mechanism 102, the partition plate 103, the container plug 104, the container body 105, and the concave portion 106 of the container plug are shown, and the container plug disposal container 118 and the like are omitted for convenience of illustration. .

  FIG. 10A (a) shows an initial arrangement, in which the opening mechanism 101 and the container holding / suction mechanism 102 are opened, and the container body 105 is set in a state of being closed by the container stopper 104.

  First, the controller 201 outputs a drive signal to the opening / closing mechanism up / down motor 110. As a result, the opening mechanism up / down motor 110 is actuated, and the opening mechanism 101 is lowered to the height of the container stopper 104 and stopped (FIG. 10A (b)).

  Next, the controller 201 outputs drive signals to the opening mechanism opening / closing motor 109 and the container holding / suction mechanism opening / closing motor 113. As a result, the opening mechanism opening / closing motor 109 is operated, the opening mechanism 101 is closed, and the container stopper 104 is held. Further, the container holding / suction mechanism opening / closing motor 113 is operated, the container holding / suction mechanism 102 and the partition plate 103 are closed, and the container body 105 is held (FIG. 10A (c)).

  Next, the controller 201 outputs an open signal to the container holding suction mechanism suction valve 115. Thereby, the container holding / suction mechanism suction valve 115 is opened, and the suction of gas by the container holding / suction mechanism 102 is started (FIG. 10B (d)).

  Next, the controller 201 outputs drive signals to the opening mechanism up / down motor 110 and the opening mechanism rotation motor 126. As a result, the opening mechanism up / down motor 110 and the opening mechanism rotation motor 126 are operated to rotate the opening mechanism 101 while being raised (the arrow in the top view of FIG. 10B (e)) to open the container stopper 104 (FIG. 10B (e)). At this time, gas flows from the surroundings, and an airflow (removed airflow) is generated which includes an airflow 107 directed toward the concave portion 106 of the container stopper when the container stopper 104 is raised and an airflow 108 directed toward the suction portion 102a of the container holding suction mechanism 102 To do.

  Next, the controller 201 outputs drive signals to the opening mechanism up / down motor 110 and the opening mechanism rotation motor 126. As a result, the opening mechanism up / down motor 110 and the opening mechanism rotation motor 126 are operated to lower the container stopper 104 while rotating the container stopper 104 (an arrow in the top view of FIG. 10B (f)) (FIG. 10B (f)).

  Further, the controller 201 outputs a drive signal to the opening mechanism up / down motor 110 and the opening mechanism rotation motor 126. As a result, the opening / closing mechanism up / down motor 110 and the opening mechanism rotating motor 126 operate to raise the container stopper 104 while rotating it (the arrow in the top view of FIG. 10C (g)) (FIG. 10C (g)). When the container plug 104 is raised, an airflow (removed airflow, a side view of FIG. 10C (g)) is formed of an airflow 107 toward the concave portion 106 of the container plug and an airflow 108 toward the suction portion 102a of the container holding suction mechanism 102. Arrow) occurs.

  Next, the controller 201 outputs a close signal to the container holding suction mechanism suction valve 115. As a result, the container holding / suction mechanism suction valve 115 is closed, and the suction operation from the container holding / suction mechanism 102 is stopped (FIG. 10C (h)).

  Next, the controller 201 outputs a drive signal to the opening mechanism horizontal motor 112. As a result, the opening mechanism horizontal motor 112 is operated, and the opening mechanism 101 holding the container stopper 104 is moved horizontally above the container stopper waste container 118 along the opening mechanism guide 111 (FIG. 10C (i)). .

  Thereafter, the controller 201 outputs a drive signal to the opening mechanism opening / closing motor 109 to operate the opening mechanism opening / closing motor 109. As a result, the opening mechanism 101 is opened, and the container stopper 104 is discarded in the container stopper disposal container 118.

Finally, the controller 201 outputs drive signals to the opening mechanism rotating motor 126 and the opening mechanism horizontal motor 112 to return the opening mechanism 101 to the initial angle and to the initial position.
The controller 201 also outputs a drive signal to the container holding / suction mechanism opening / closing motor 113 to release the container main body 105 (returns to the state of FIG. 10A (a)).
Thereafter, the next container is opened as necessary.

Also in the third embodiment of the opening device and the container opening method of the present invention, substantially the same effect as the first embodiment of the opening device and the container opening method described above can be obtained.
In addition, in the present embodiment, the container cap recess 106 is moved by the container cap rotation raising operation (FIGS. 10B (e) and 10C (g)) and the container plug 104 rotation lowering operation (FIG. 10B (f)). Centrifugal force acts, and the pressure on the wall side of the concave portion 106 of the container stopper increases and the pressure in the central portion decreases. Therefore, the gas flows in from the center and flows out from the wall side, and an air flow (arrows in FIGS. 10B (f) and 10C (g)) is induced in the recess 106 of the container stopper. Therefore, the mist floating in the concave portion 106 of the container stopper is moved and pushed out, and is sucked from the suction portion 102 a of the container holding suction mechanism 102.
Therefore, the control of the mist that floats in the concave portion 106 of the container stopper and gradually moves to the periphery becomes stronger, and it is possible to more reliably prevent the mist from being scattered and diffused.

  The opening device and the container opening method of the present embodiment are not limited to this embodiment, and the rotation and lowering of the container plug 104 (FIG. 10B (f)) and the rotation and rise of the container plug 104 (FIG. 10C (g)) Can be omitted. Even if this rotation and lowering of the container plug 104 (FIG. 10B (f)) and the rotation increase of the container plug 104 (FIG. 10C (g)) are omitted, as described above, centrifugal force is applied during the lifting operation in FIG. 10B (e). As a result, a mist can be removed from the concave portion 106 of the container stopper. Alternatively, by continuing the rotation operation of the container plug 104 after the ascending operation in FIG. 10B (e), it is possible to induce an air flow by centrifugal force in the recess 106 and remove the mist in the recess 106. However, the rotation of the container stopper 104 (FIG. 10B (f)) and the rotation of the container stopper 104 (FIG. 10C (g)) are repeated a plurality of times to induce the airflow in the recess due to the rise and the recess due to the centrifugal force. The induction of the internal airflow is added, and the amount of mist floating in the concave portion 106 of the container stopper is increased, so that it is possible to more strongly prevent the mist from scattering to the surroundings.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, when the mist removal of the concave portion of the container plug is not necessary, the operation of the opening mechanism rotation motor 126 (the rotation raising operation of the container plug 104) in FIG. 10B (e) is performed. Can be omitted without. In other words, the opening device may be configured to select a “mist removal mode” and a “mist removal unnecessary mode”.

<Fourth Embodiment>
A fourth embodiment of the opening device and the container opening method of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 11A to 11C.
11A to 11C are cross-sectional views taken along the line BB in FIG. 3A showing the operation of the fourth embodiment of the opening device of the present invention.

In addition to the configuration of the first embodiment of the opening device, the opening device in the fourth embodiment includes a nozzle (discharge probe) 501, a nozzle discharge valve (not shown), and a nozzle up / down motor (not shown). It has. In addition, the controller 201 controls the mist floating in the concave portion 106 of the container stopper using the nozzle 501.
The configuration other than this is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, and the details are omitted.

  The nozzle 501 has a connection port 501a and discharges gas from the connection port 501a. The nozzle 501 has a needle-like tip so that it can penetrate the container stopper 104, and the inside of the nozzle 501 is hollow so that gas can be introduced.

  The controller 201 controls the nozzle discharge valve and the nozzle up / down motor so that gas is discharged from the connection port 501a of the nozzle 501 when the container stopper 104 is opened by the opening mechanism 101.

  Next, the operation of the fourth embodiment of the opening device and the container opening method of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 11A to 11C. In addition, an opening mechanism 101, a container holding / suction mechanism 102, a partition plate 103, a container plug 104, a container body 105, a container plug recess 106, and a nozzle 501 are shown. Omitted for convenience.

  FIG. 11A (a) shows an initial state in which the opening mechanism 101 and the container holding / suction mechanism 102 are opened, the container body 105 is closed by the container stopper 104, and the nozzle 501 is stationary on the container stopper 104. It is set with.

  First, the controller 201 outputs a drive signal to the opening mechanism up / down motor 110, whereby the opening mechanism up / down motor 110 lowers the opening mechanism 101 to the height of the container stopper 104 and stops (FIG. 11A (b)). ).

  Next, the controller 201 outputs drive signals to the opening mechanism opening / closing motor 109 and the container holding / suction mechanism opening / closing motor 113. As a result, the opening mechanism opening / closing motor 109 is operated, the opening mechanism 101 is closed, and the container stopper 104 is held by the opening mechanism 101. Further, the container holding / suction mechanism opening / closing motor 113 is operated, the container holding / suction mechanism 102 and the partition plate 103 are closed, and the container body 105 is held by the container holding / suction mechanism 102 (FIG. 11A (c)).

  Next, the controller 201 outputs an open signal to the container holding suction mechanism suction valve 115. As a result, the container holding / suction mechanism suction valve 115 is opened, and gas suction is started by the container holding / suction mechanism 102 (FIG. 11B (d)).

  Next, the controller 201 outputs a drive signal to the nozzle vertical motor. Accordingly, the nozzle up / down motor is operated to lower the nozzle 501 until the connection port 501a of the nozzle 501 is positioned in the recess 106 of the container stopper. At this time, the nozzle 501 is punctured and penetrates the container stopper 104 (FIG. 11B (e)).

  Next, the controller 201 outputs a drive signal to the opening / closing mechanism up / down motor 110 and outputs an open signal to the nozzle discharge valve. As a result, the opening / closing mechanism up / down motor 110 is operated, the nozzle discharge valve is opened, the opening mechanism 101 is raised while gas is discharged from the nozzle 501, and the container plug 104 is opened (FIG. 11B (f)).

  Next, the controller 201 outputs a close signal to the nozzle discharge valve and the container holding suction mechanism suction valve 115. As a result, the nozzle discharge valve and the container holding / suction mechanism suction valve 115 are closed, the operation of discharging from the nozzle 501 and the suction from the container holding / suction mechanism 102 are stopped, and the air flow is stopped (FIG. 11C (g)).

  Thereafter, the controller 201 outputs a drive signal to the nozzle vertical motor. Accordingly, the nozzle up / down motor is operated to raise the discharge nozzle 501 to the initial position (FIG. 11C (h)).

  Next, the controller 201 outputs a drive signal to the opening mechanism horizontal motor 112. Thus, the opening mechanism horizontal motor 112 is operated to horizontally move the opening mechanism 101 holding the container stopper 104 to the container stopper disposal container 118 along the opening mechanism guide 111 (FIG. 11C (i)).

  Thereafter, the controller 201 outputs a drive signal to the opening mechanism opening / closing motor 109 to operate the opening mechanism opening / closing motor 109. As a result, the opening mechanism 101 is opened, and the container stopper 104 is discarded in the container stopper disposal container 118. Further, the nozzle 501 is cleaned as necessary.

Finally, the controller 201 outputs drive signals to the opening mechanism rotating motor 126 and the opening mechanism horizontal motor 112 to return the opening mechanism 101 to the initial angle and to the initial position.
The controller 201 also outputs a drive signal to the container holding / suction mechanism opening / closing motor 113 to release the container body 105 (returns to the state of FIG. 11A (a)).
Thereafter, the next container is opened as necessary.

  In the fourth embodiment of the opening device and the container opening method of the present invention, substantially the same effect as the first embodiment of the opening device and the container opening method described above can be obtained. That is, an air flow (removed air flow) from the container stopper recess 106 to the container holding suction mechanism 102 is generated by the gas suction operation of the container holding suction mechanism 102 and the gas discharge operation from the nozzle 501 (FIG. 11B (f)). The mist floating in the recess 106 of the container stopper is moved and pushed out, and is sucked from the suction part 102a of the container holding suction mechanism 102. Therefore, the mist that floats in the concave portion 106 of the container stopper and gradually moves to the surroundings can be controlled, and can be prevented from scattering and diffusing to the surroundings.

The opening device and the container opening method of the present embodiment are not limited to this embodiment, and the gas in the container stopper recess 106 and the container body 105 is sucked from the connection port 501a of the nozzle 501 pierced into the container stopper 104. (Nozzle 501 is used as a suction probe).

In this case, the controller 201 causes the nozzle 501 to pierce the container plug 104 to a position where the connection port 501a of the nozzle 501 is installed inside the container main body 105 and above the liquid contained in the container main body 105, and the container plug 104 is inserted into the container plug 104. Go through and lower.
Next, the controller 201 controls the container stopper 104 to be opened by raising the stopper mechanism 101 and the nozzle 501 while sucking the gas in the container stopper recess 106 and the container body 105 from the connection port 501 a of the nozzle 501. Thereafter, the connection port 501a is raised to a position where the connection port 501a is installed in the recess 106 of the container stopper.
In the present embodiment, suction by the container holding suction mechanism 102 may not be performed, and only gas suction at the connection port 501a of the nozzle 501 may be performed.

  Thus, when the connection port 501a is lowered through the container plug 104 to the position where it is installed inside the container main body 105 and opened while sucking the gas in the concave portion 106 of the container plug or the container main body 105, the container plug In addition to the mist that floats in the recess 106 and gradually moves to the surroundings, the mist that floats in the container body 105 and gradually moves to the surroundings is sucked from the connection port 501a to prevent scattering to the surroundings. be able to.

Further, when it is not necessary to remove the mist from the recess 106 of the container stopper, the operation of the nozzle 501 from the lowering of the nozzle 501 shown in FIG. 11B (e) to the raising of the nozzle 501 shown in FIG. 11C (h) is not performed. Can be omitted. That is, as described in the first embodiment, the opening device is configured to be able to select the “mist removal mode” and the “mist removal unnecessary mode”.
When the person who operates the plug-opening device selects the “mist removal mode”, the nozzle as shown in the nozzle 501 descending operation (FIG. 11B (e)) to the nozzle 501 ascending operation (FIG. 11C (h)). A series of operations 501 are performed. On the other hand, when the “mist removal unnecessary mode” is selected, a series of operations of the nozzle 501 shown in the nozzle 501 ascending operation (FIG. 11C (h)) is performed from the nozzle 501 descending operation (FIG. 11B (e)). It can be configured to be omitted.

<Fifth Embodiment>
A fifth embodiment of the sample processing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 12 is a top view of the fifth embodiment of the sample processing apparatus of the present invention.
13A and 13B are detailed views of the sample processing unit 604 according to the fifth embodiment of the sample processing apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 13A is a top view and FIG. 13B is a side view.
14A to 14D are cross-sectional views taken along the line FF in FIG. 13 (a) showing the operation of the sample processing unit 604, the dispensing machine 805, and the dispensing tip 806, including a partition plate, a suction mechanism valve, Motors, air piping, guides, etc. are omitted.
FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram.
FIG. 16 is a timing chart in the step of sucking the sample held in the sample container.
FIG. 17 is a timing chart in the step of dispensing the aspirated sample into the analysis container.

  In the fifth embodiment of the sample processing apparatus of the present invention, in order to open the sample container or the analysis container and dispense it into the analysis container, the fifth embodiment of the plug opening apparatus of the present invention other than the controller is used. Two opening devices having the same configuration as the configuration are provided.

As shown in FIGS. 12, 13, and 14A to 14D, the sample processing apparatus includes a sample container loading unit 602, a sample container transport unit 603, a sample processing unit 604, a sample container storage unit 605, an analysis container loading unit 607, Analysis container transport unit 608, analysis container storage unit 609, dispenser 805, dispenser guide 707, dispenser rail 610, dispenser horizontal motor 611, dispenser up / down motor 612, dispenser tip holder 614, dispensing tip holder guide 615, dispensing tip holder horizontal motor 616 or the like are provided schematic.

  The sample processing unit 604 includes two opening mechanisms 701 and 706 in parallel with the structure other than the controller in the opening device of the first embodiment.

  Among these, the first opening mechanism 701 is provided so as to face the sample container holding / suction mechanism 705 in the vertical direction, and has a sample container plug holding part 701 a for holding the sample container plug 803. The first opening mechanism 701 is opened / closed by a first opening mechanism opening / closing motor 702, and moved up / down by a first opening mechanism lifting / lowering motor 703, and the first opening mechanism horizontal motor 704 is moved along the opening mechanism guide 111. The horizontal movement is configured so that the first opening mechanism rotation motor 722 can rotate.

  The second opening mechanism 706 is provided so as to face the analysis container holding / suction mechanism 711 in the vertical direction, and includes an analysis container stopper holding unit that holds the analysis container stopper 804. The second opening mechanism 706 is opened and closed by a second opening mechanism opening / closing motor 708, and moved vertically by a second opening mechanism opening / closing motor 709, and is moved along the opening mechanism guide 111 by a second opening mechanism horizontal motor 710. Thus, the movement in the horizontal direction can be rotated by the second opening mechanism rotation motor 723.

The dispenser 805 (see FIG. 14A (a), etc.) can be moved horizontally by the dispenser horizontal motor 611 along the dispenser rail 610, and can be moved vertically by the dispenser vertical motor 612. It is.
The dispenser guide 707 is a mechanism that controls the air flow by surrounding the periphery of the dispenser 805 during the dispensing operation by the dispenser 805 and enhances the effect of suppressing mist scattering. Can be moved in the horizontal direction by a dispenser guide horizontal motor 721.

  The sample container holding / suction mechanism 705 includes a suction part 705a for sucking gas and a container body holding part 705b for holding the sample container body 801. The sample container holding / suction mechanism 705 can be opened / closed by a sample container holding / suction mechanism opening / closing motor 712. When the sample container holding / suction mechanism suction valve 714 is opened while the exhaust fan 114 is in operation, gas is sucked from the suction part 705a (see FIG. 14A (a)) of the sample container holding / suction mechanism 705. The sucked gas passes through the exhaust filter 116 and is exhausted from the exhaust duct 117 to the outside of the apparatus.

  The analysis container holding / suction mechanism 711 includes a suction part 711a for sucking gas and a container body holding part 711b for holding the analysis container body 802. The analysis container holding / suction mechanism 711 can be opened / closed by an analysis container holding / suction mechanism opening / closing motor 715. When the analysis container holding / suction mechanism suction valve 716 is opened while the exhaust fan 114 is operating, gas is sucked from the suction part 711a (see FIG. 14A (a)) of the analysis container holding / suction mechanism 711. The sucked gas passes through the exhaust filter 116 and is exhausted from the exhaust duct 117 to the outside of the apparatus.

  The first partition plate 717 is provided around the first opening mechanism 701 and the sample container holding / suction mechanism 705. The first partition plate 717 opens or closes another sample container 601 adjacent to or adjacent to the sample container 601 generated when the sample container 601 to be processed is opened or the sample is sucked. It is a member for preventing contamination from occurring due to scattering and diffusion. Therefore, the first partition plate 717 is located between the sample container 601 to be processed and another container in the vicinity.

  The second partition plate 718 is provided around the second opening mechanism 706 and the analysis container holding suction mechanism 711. When the sample is dispensed into the analysis container 606 to be processed, the second partition plate 718 scatters the mist generated from the analysis container 606 to be processed into another adjacent analysis container 606 or a sample container 601 located nearby. -It is a member to prevent contamination by diffusion. Therefore, the second partition plate 718 is located between the analysis container 606 to be processed and other containers in the vicinity.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the sample processing apparatus includes a first opening mechanism 701, a second opening mechanism 706, a dispenser 805, a dispenser guide 707, a sample container holding / suction mechanism 705, and an analysis container holding / suction. In order to control the operation of the mechanism 711, a first opening mechanism opening / closing motor 702, a first opening mechanism up / down motor 703, a first opening mechanism horizontal motor 704, a first opening mechanism rotating motor 722, a second opening valve Mechanism opening / closing motor 708, second opening mechanism up / down motor 709, second opening mechanism horizontal motor 710, second opening mechanism rotating motor 723, dispenser horizontal motor 611, dispenser up / down motor 612, dispenser guide Horizontal motor 721, sample container holding suction mechanism opening / closing motor 712, sample container holding suction mechanism suction valve 714, analysis container holding suction mechanism opening / closing motor 715, analysis container holding suction mechanism suction valve 716, discharge And a controller (control mechanism) 301 for controlling the operation of the fan 114. Further, a PC 302 for inputting and instructing the details of the control to the controller 301 is provided.

  Next, the operation of the fifth embodiment of the sample processing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

When the sample container 601 is loaded into the sample container loading section 602, the sample container 601 is transported by the sample container transport section 603, passes through the sample processing section 604, and is stored in the sample container storage section 605.
The method of transporting the sample container 601 is not limited to a method of directly transporting the sample container 601 but may be a method of transporting the rack or holder in which one or a plurality of sample containers 601 are mounted. Further, not only the linear method (linearly moving method) as shown in FIG. 12 but also a disk method (moving method by a rotating operation) or the like, and the container transport method is not limited to this embodiment. .

Similarly, when the analysis container 606 is loaded into the analysis container loading section 607, the analysis container 606 is transported by the analysis container transport section 608, passes through the sample processing section 604, and is stored in the analysis container storage section 609.
Similar to the sample container 601, the method for transporting the analysis container 606 can be transported for each rack or holder, and can also be transported in a disk manner.

  In the sample processing unit 604, the sample in the sample container 601 is dispensed into one or more analysis containers 606 by the dispenser 805. The dispensing tip 613 is held by the dispensing tip holder 614 and is moved in the horizontal direction by the dispensing tip holder horizontal motor 616 along the dispensing tip holder guide 615. The driving method of the dispenser 805 is not limited to this method, and the sample can be dispensed from the sample container 601 to the analysis container 606 by rotating around the axis.

  Next, the operation of the sample processing unit 604 in the fifth embodiment of the sample processing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 14A to 14D, FIG. 16 and FIG.

  First, the step of sucking the sample held in the sample container by the sample processing apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C, and 16. FIG.

  FIG. 14A (a) shows an initial state, in which the first opening mechanism 701, the sample container holding / suction mechanism 705, the second opening mechanism 706, and the analysis container holding / suction mechanism 711 are open. The sample container main body 801 is closed with a sample container plug 803, and the analysis container main body 802 is closed with an analysis container plug 804. The dispenser guide 707 is located on the dispensing tip waste container 719. The dispensing machine 805 stands by beside the dispensing tip waste container 719, and the dispensing tip 806 is below it. The container stopper waste container 118 stands by beside the sample container holding / suction mechanism 705.

  First, the controller 301 outputs a drive signal to the first opening mechanism up / down motor 703. As a result, the first opening mechanism up / down motor 703 is operated, the first opening mechanism 701 is lowered, and stopped at the height of the sample container stopper 803 (FIG. 14A (b)).

Next, the controller 301 outputs drive signals to the first opening mechanism opening / closing motor 702 and the sample container holding / suction mechanism opening / closing motor 712. Accordingly, the first opening mechanism opening / closing motor 702 is operated to close the first opening mechanism 701 to hold the sample container plug 803, and the sample container holding / suction mechanism opening / closing motor 712 is operated to operate the sample container holding / suction mechanism 705. Is closed to hold the sample container main body 801 (FIG. 14A (c)).
At this time, the controller 301 outputs a drive signal to the exhaust fan 114, and keeps that state to keep the exhaust fan 114 operated.

  Next, the controller 301 outputs an open signal to the sample container holding suction mechanism suction valve 714. As a result, the sample container holding / suction mechanism suction valve 714 is opened, and gas suction is started from the suction part 705a of the sample container holding / suction mechanism 705.

Next, the controller 301 outputs a drive signal to the first opening mechanism up / down motor 703 and the first opening mechanism rotation motor 722. As a result, the first opening mechanism up / down motor 703 and the first opening mechanism rotation motor 722 are operated, and the first opening mechanism 701 is rotated while being raised to open the sample container stopper 803 (FIG. 14B (d)). . When the sample container plug 803 is raised, the air flow 808 flowing toward the concave portion 807 of the sample container plug, the air flow 808 a induced in the concave portion 807 by the air flow 808, and the sample container holding and suction mechanism 705 from the concave portion 807 of the sample container plug An airflow (removed airflow) composed of the airflow 809 toward the suction unit 705a is generated.
Further, the controller 301 outputs a drive signal to the dispenser up / down motor 612, operates the dispenser up / down motor 612 to lower the dispenser 805, and attaches the dispensing tip 806 to the dispenser 805. (FIG. 14B (d)).

  Next, the controller 301 outputs a drive signal to the first opening mechanism up / down motor 703. Thereby, the first opening mechanism up / down motor 703 is operated to lower the first opening mechanism 701 and lower the sample container stopper 803 (FIG. 14B (e)).

Further, the controller 301 outputs a drive signal to the first opening mechanism up / down motor 703. Thereby, the first opening mechanism up / down motor 703 is operated to raise the first opening mechanism 701 and raise the sample container stopper 803 (the same as FIG. 14B (d) in the drawing). An airflow 808 directed toward the concave portion 807 of the sample container stopper 803 when the sample container stopper 803 is raised, an airflow 808a induced in the concave portion 807 by the airflow 808, and an airflow 809 directed toward the suction portion 705a of the sample container holding and suction mechanism 705 An airflow consisting of (removed airflow) is generated.
Further, the controller 301 outputs a drive signal to the dispenser up / down motor 612 and operates the dispenser up / down motor 612 to raise the dispenser 805, and the dispenser 805 with the dispenser tip 806 attached thereto. Prepare to move.

  Next, the controller 301 once outputs a close signal to the sample container holding suction mechanism suction valve 714. As a result, the sample container holding suction mechanism suction valve 714 is closed, and the suction of the gas is stopped.

Next, the controller 301 outputs a drive signal to the first opening mechanism horizontal motor 704. Accordingly, the first opening mechanism horizontal motor 704 is operated to move the first opening mechanism 701 along the opening mechanism guide 111, and the first opening mechanism 701 holding the sample container stopper 803 is moved to the container stopper waste container. After moving horizontally to 118, stop.
Further, the controller 301 outputs drive signals to the dispenser horizontal motor 611 and the dispenser guide horizontal motor 721. As a result, the dispenser horizontal motor 611 is operated, the dispenser 805 is moved along the dispenser rail 610, and the dispenser 805 equipped with the dispenser tip 806 is placed directly above the sample container holding and suction mechanism 705. That is, the sample container main body 801 that has been opened is horizontally moved immediately above and stopped. At the same time, the dispenser guide horizontal motor 721 is operated, the dispenser guide 707 is moved along the opening mechanism guide 111, and the dispenser guide 707 is horizontally moved directly above the opened sample container main body 801. To stop.
At this time, the controller 301 also causes the second opening mechanism horizontal motor 710 to horizontally move the dispenser guide 707 that cannot overtake the second opening mechanism 706 directly above the sample container holding and suction mechanism 705. A drive signal is output, the 2nd opening mechanism horizontal motor 710 is operated, and the 2nd opening mechanism 706 is also moved horizontally.

Next, the controller 301 outputs a drive signal to the dispenser up / down motor 612 and also outputs an open signal to the sample container holding / suction mechanism suction valve 714. As a result, the sample container holding / suction mechanism suction valve 714 is opened, and the dispenser up / down motor 612 is operated while suctioning gas from the suction part 705a of the sample container holding / suction mechanism 705 (arrow in FIG. 14B (f)). The injection machine 805 is inserted into the sample container main body 801, and the sample is sucked (FIG. 14B (f)).
Further, the controller 301 outputs a drive signal to the first opening mechanism opening / closing motor 702. Accordingly, the first opening mechanism opening / closing motor 702 is operated to open the first opening mechanism 701, and the sample container stopper 803 is discarded in the container stopper disposal container 118.

When the suction of the sample is completed, the controller 301 outputs a drive signal to the dispenser vertical motor 612 and the first opening mechanism rotation motor 722. As a result, the dispenser up / down motor 612 is actuated to raise the dispenser 805, and the first opening mechanism rotating motor 722 is actuated to rotate during the opening operation shown in FIG. 14B (d). The stopper mechanism 701 is rotated in the reverse direction to return to the original position.
Further, the controller 301 outputs a close signal to the sample container holding / suction mechanism suction valve 714. Thereby, the sample container holding suction mechanism suction valve 714 is closed, and the suction of the gas from the suction portion 705a of the sample container holding suction mechanism 705 is temporarily stopped.

  Next, the controller 301 outputs a drive signal to the first opening mechanism horizontal motor 704. Thus, by operating the first opening mechanism horizontal motor 704, the first opening mechanism 701 is moved along the opening mechanism guide 111, and the first opening mechanism 701 is directly above the sample container holding / suction mechanism 705. Move to.

Further, the controller 301 outputs a drive signal to the second opening mechanism horizontal motor 710. Thus, by operating the second opening mechanism horizontal motor 710, the second opening mechanism 706 is moved along the opening mechanism guide 111, and the second opening mechanism 706 is directly above the analysis container holding and suction mechanism 711. Move to.
The controller 301 also outputs drive signals to the dispenser horizontal motor 611 and the dispenser guide horizontal motor 721. Thus, by operating the dispenser horizontal motor 611 and the dispenser guide horizontal motor 721, the dispenser 805 is along the dispenser rail 610 and the dispenser guide 707 is along the opening mechanism guide 111. Are moved at the same time, and moved right above the dispensing tip waste container 719 (FIG. 14C (g)).

  Next, a process of dispensing the sample sucked by the sample processing apparatus into the analysis container will be described with reference to FIGS. 14C, 14D, and 17.

First, the controller 301 outputs a drive signal to the second opening mechanism up / down motor 709. Accordingly, the second opening mechanism up / down motor 709 is operated to lower the second opening mechanism 706.
The controller 301 also outputs drive signals to the second opening mechanism opening / closing motor 708 and the analysis container holding / suction mechanism opening / closing motor 715. As a result, the second opening mechanism opening / closing motor 708 is operated to close the second opening mechanism 706 and hold the analysis container stopper 804. At the same time, the analysis container holding / suction mechanism opening / closing motor 715 is operated to close the analysis container holding / suction mechanism 711 to hold the analysis container main body 802.

  Next, the controller 301 outputs a drive signal to the second opening mechanism up / down motor 709 and the second opening mechanism rotation motor 723. As a result, the second opening mechanism up / down motor 709 and the second opening mechanism rotation motor 723 are operated, and the second opening mechanism 706 is rotated while being lifted to open the analysis container stopper 804 (FIG. 14C (h )).

Next, the controller 301 outputs a drive signal to the second opening mechanism horizontal motor 710. Accordingly, the second opening mechanism horizontal motor 710 is operated, the second opening mechanism 706 is moved along the opening mechanism guide 111, and the second opening mechanism 706 holding the analysis container stopper 804 is moved to the container stopper waste container. Move horizontally just above 118 and stop.
The controller 301 also outputs drive signals to the dispenser horizontal motor 611 and the dispenser guide horizontal motor 721. Thus, by operating the dispenser horizontal motor 611 and the dispenser guide horizontal motor 721, the dispenser 805 is along the dispenser rail 610 and the dispenser guide 707 is along the opening mechanism guide 111. Are simultaneously moved to move onto the analysis container main body 802.
At this time, the controller 301 also causes the first opening mechanism horizontal motor 704 to horizontally move the second opening mechanism 706, which cannot overtake the first opening mechanism 701, directly above the container stopper waste container 118. A drive signal is output, the 1st opening mechanism horizontal motor 704 is operated, and the 1st opening mechanism 701 is also moved horizontally.

  Next, the controller 301 outputs a drive signal to the dispenser vertical motor 612 and outputs an open signal to the analysis container holding suction mechanism suction valve 716. Thus, the analysis container holding / suction mechanism suction valve 716 is opened, and the dispenser up / down motor 612 is operated while suctioning gas from the suction part 711a of the analysis container holding / suction mechanism 711 (arrow in FIG. 14D (i)). The injection machine 805 is inserted into the analysis container main body 802, and the sample is discharged (FIG. 14D (i)).

At this time, the controller 301 also outputs a drive signal to the second opening mechanism up-and-down motor 709 to operate the second opening mechanism up-and-down motor 709 so that the analysis container stopper 804 is brought close to the container stopper disposal container 118 and prepared for disposal. I do.
Subsequently, the controller 301 outputs a drive signal to the second opening mechanism opening / closing motor 708. As a result, the second opening mechanism opening / closing motor 708 is actuated to open the second opening mechanism 706, and the analysis container plug 804 is discarded in the container plug disposal container 118.

When the discharge of the sample is completed, the controller 301 outputs a drive signal to the dispenser vertical motor 612 and the second opening mechanism vertical motor 709 and also outputs a close signal to the analysis container holding suction mechanism suction valve 716. As a result, the dispenser up / down motor 612 and the second opening mechanism up / down motor 709 are operated to raise the dispenser 805 and the second opening mechanism 706, and the gas from the suction part 711 a of the analysis container holding / suction mechanism 711. Stop suction.
At this time, the controller 301 stops the output of the drive signal output to the exhaust fan 114, and stops the exhaust fan 114.

Next, the controller 301 outputs a drive signal to the second opening mechanism horizontal motor 710. As a result, the second opening mechanism horizontal motor 710 is operated, and the second opening mechanism 706 is moved horizontally along the opening mechanism guide 111 directly above the analysis container holding / suction mechanism 711 and stopped.
The controller 301 also outputs drive signals to the dispenser horizontal motor 611 and the dispenser guide horizontal motor 721. Thus, by operating the dispenser horizontal motor 611 and the dispenser guide horizontal motor 721, the dispenser 805 is along the dispenser rail 610 and the dispenser guide 707 is along the opening mechanism guide 111. Are moved at the same time, horizontally moved just above the dispensing tip waste container 719, and stopped.
At this time, the controller 301 also outputs a drive signal to the first opening mechanism horizontal motor 704 to operate the first opening mechanism horizontal motor 704, and also horizontally moves the first opening mechanism 701 (FIG. 14D (j )).

Next, the controller 301 outputs a drive signal to the dispenser vertical motor 612. As a result, the dispenser up / down motor 612 is operated to remove the dispensing tip 806 from the dispensing device 805 and discard the dispensing tip 806 into the dispensing tip disposal container 719.
The controller 301 also outputs a drive signal to the analysis container holding / suction mechanism opening / closing motor 715 to release the analysis container main body 802.

Thereafter, the controller 301 outputs a drive signal to the dispenser vertical motor 612 to operate the dispenser vertical motor 612 to raise the dispenser 805.
Further, the controller 301 outputs a drive signal to the second opening mechanism rotation motor 723 to return the second opening mechanism 706 to the initial angle.

Next, the controller 301 outputs a drive signal to the dispenser horizontal motor 611 to return the dispenser 805 to the initial position (state shown in FIG. 14A (a)).
During this time, the controller 301 outputs a drive signal to the analysis container transport section 608 to operate the analysis container transport section 608 and transport the analysis container main body 802 to the analysis container storage section 609.

  Thereafter, if necessary, the next sample container is processed by the same steps as those in FIGS. 14A to 14D described above.

In the fifth embodiment of the sample processing apparatus of the present invention, when the sample container body 801 is opened, the ascending operation of the sample container plug 803 (FIG. 14B (d)) and the descending operation of the sample container plug 803 (FIG. 14B (e)). ). Therefore, as in the first embodiment of the opening device described above, the mist floating in the concave portion 807 of the sample container plug causes the airflow flowing toward the concave portion 807 of the container plug when the sample container plug 803 rises. The sample container is held and sucked by an air stream (removed air current) 808, an air stream 808 a induced in the recess 807 by the air stream 808, and an air stream 809 that flows toward the suction unit 705 a of the sample container holding and suction mechanism 705. Suction is performed from the suction unit 705 a of the mechanism 705. As a result, the mist that floats in the concave portion 807 of the sample container stopper and gradually moves to the periphery is controlled, and can be prevented from scattering and diffusing to the periphery.

  Gas suction is also performed when the sample is sucked from the sample container main body 801 (FIG. 14B (f)) and when the sample is discharged to the analysis container main body 802 (FIG. 14D (i)). As a result, the mist that pops out when the dispenser 805 is inserted into the sample container main body 801 and the mist that pops out when the sample is discharged to the analysis container main body 802 are also controlled. Can be prevented, and contamination can be prevented.

Note that the sample processing apparatus is not limited to this embodiment, and when the mist removal of the concave portion 807 of the container plug is unnecessary, the lowering operation of the sample container plug 803 and the subsequent sample container plug 803 shown in FIG. The ascending operation can be omitted without performing it. That is, the sample processing apparatus is configured to be able to select the “mist removal mode” and the “mist removal unnecessary mode” as in the first embodiment of the opening device.
In addition, when the person who operates the sample processing apparatus selects the “mist removal unnecessary mode”, the lowering operation (FIG. 14B (e)) of the sample container plug 803 and the subsequent raising operation are not performed and are omitted. On the other hand, when the “mist removal mode” is selected, the sample container stopper 803 can be configured to perform the descending operation (FIG. 14B (e)) and the subsequent ascending operation.

In order to remove the mist from the concave portion 807 of the container stopper, an air flow may be generated in the lower portion of the concave portion 807 of the container stopper. Therefore, when suctioning from the sample container holding suction mechanism 705, Only one of them may be activated. In this way, an asymmetric airflow can be generated in the circumferential direction of the container stopper 104.
For example, if suction is performed only with the suction portion 705a of the sample container holding suction mechanism 705 located on the right half periphery of the sample container main body 801, not only the downward airflow from the right half periphery of the sample container plug 803 but also the sample container plug 803 Air also flows from the left half of the periphery, and part of the air flows through the lower part of the recess of the container stopper. For this reason, an air flow is generated in the recess 807 of the container stopper, and the mist in the recess 807 of the container stopper is removed.
In this way, by sucking with only one of the sample container holding and suction mechanisms 705, the mist staying in the recess 807 of the container plug can be removed without raising the sample container plug 803.

Further, the opening device installed in the sample processing unit 604 is not limited to the first embodiment of the opening device, and the opening device shown in the second embodiment and the third embodiment are shown. Two of the opening devices and the opening devices shown in the fourth embodiment can be installed.
In addition, any one of the first embodiment, the second embodiment, the third embodiment, and the fourth embodiment of the opening device can be installed in combination one by one.
Furthermore, these opening devices can be arranged in series instead of in parallel.

<Others>
In addition, this invention is not restricted to said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation and application are possible.

For example, as shown in FIG. 18, the opening device may include an opening mechanism 101, a closing mechanism 901, a container holding / suction mechanism 102, and a partition plate 103. Similarly, the sample processing apparatus may be provided with a capping device.
By providing the capping mechanism 901, the capping can be performed after dispensing a necessary amount, and contamination of foreign matters can be prevented when the container is moved, and contamination concerns can be further reduced.
As shown in FIG. 18, not only the plug-opening mechanism is provided separately from the plug-opening mechanism but also the plug-opening mechanism can be configured to perform the plug-closing operation.

In the above-described embodiments, the mist control at the time of opening the sample container has been described. However, the object to be opened is not limited to the sample container in which the sample is sealed.
For example, in a sample processing apparatus equipped with a reagent container opening device or a reagent container opening device, the same mist may be generated when the reagent is opened. In such a case, by performing the above-described control when the reagent is opened, it is possible to prevent the surrounding contamination and to prevent the occurrence of contamination between reagents.

  Moreover, although the above-mentioned embodiment demonstrated the form provided with the partition plates 103,717,718, the partition plate does not necessarily need to be provided. However, by providing the partition plates 103, 717, and 718, contamination to adjacent reaction containers and analysis containers can be prevented, and mist can be prevented from scattering around the containers. And the effect is obtained.

101 ... Opening mechanism,
102 ... Container holding suction mechanism,
103 ... partition plate,
104: Container stopper,
105 ... container body,
106 ... a recess in the container stopper,
107, 108 ... Airflow,
109 ... Opening mechanism opening / closing motor,
110 ... Opening / lowering mechanism up / down motor
111 ... Opening mechanism guide,
112 ... Opening mechanism horizontal motor,
113 ... Container holding / suction mechanism opening / closing motor,
114 ... exhaust fan,
115 ... Container holding suction mechanism suction valve,
116: exhaust filter,
117 ... exhaust duct,
118: Container stopper waste container,
119 ... container stopper projection,
120 ... Opening chuck part,
121 ... discharge part,
122 ... Container body holding part,
123 ... suction part,
124 ... discharge slit forming parts,
125 ... suction slit forming parts,
126 ... Opening mechanism rotation motor,
501 ... Nozzle,
601 ... Sample container,
602... Sample container input section,
603 ... Sample container transport section,
604 ... Sample processing unit,
605 ... Sample container storage unit,
606 ... analysis container,
607 ... Analysis container input part,
608 ... Analysis container transport section,
609 ... Analysis container storage unit,
610 ... dispenser rail,
611: Dispenser horizontal motor,
612 ... Dispenser vertical motor,
613 ... dispensing tips,
614 ... dispensing tip holder,
615: Dispensing tip holder guide,
616: Dispensing tip holder horizontal motor,
701 ... First opening mechanism,
702 ... First opening mechanism opening / closing motor,
703 ... First opening mechanism up / down motor,
704 ... first opening mechanism horizontal motor,
705 ... Sample container holding / suction mechanism,
706 ... second opening mechanism,
707 ... dispenser guide,
708 ... Second opening mechanism opening / closing motor,
709 ... Second opening mechanism up / down motor,
710 ... Second opening mechanism horizontal motor,
711 ... Analysis container holding suction mechanism,
712 ... Sample container holding / suction mechanism opening / closing motor,
714 ... Sample container holding suction mechanism suction valve,
715 ... Analysis container holding / suction mechanism opening / closing motor,
716 ... Analysis container holding suction mechanism suction valve,
717 ... first partition,
718 ... the second divider,
719: Dispensing tip disposal container,
721 ... Dispenser guide horizontal motor,
722 ... First opening mechanism rotation motor,
723 ... Second opening mechanism rotation motor,
801 ... Sample container body,
802 ... analysis container body,
803 ... Sample container stopper,
804 ... analysis container stopper,
805 ... dispenser,
806: Dispensing tip,
807 ... concave portion of the sample container stopper,
808, 809 ... Airflow,
901: A capping mechanism.

Claims (10)

An opening device for opening a container stopper,
A container holding mechanism for holding the container in which the upper opening of the container containing the liquid is sealed by a container stopper having a recess in the sealed part;
An opening mechanism that lifts and removes the container stopper from the container held by the container holding mechanism;
A control mechanism for generating a removal air flow for removing liquid mist stagnating in the recess of the container stopper at the time of opening the container stopper by the opening mechanism ;
The container holding mechanism includes a suction unit that sucks gas,
The control mechanism controls the opening mechanism to lift the container plug while reciprocating in the vertical direction, thereby generating an air flow toward the concave portion of the container plug, and sucking the air flow from the suction unit. The opening device is characterized in that the removed airflow is generated by controlling the container holding mechanism . The opening device according to claim 1,
Before KiHirakisen mechanism further includes a discharge portion for discharging gas toward the suction section of said container holding mechanism,
Wherein the control mechanism further unplugging and wherein said that that Gyosu so that system to discharge the gas from the discharge portion of the unplugging mechanism when removing the container closure from the container. The opening device according to claim 1,
Wherein the control mechanism further cap removal device, characterized in that to lift while rotating that controls the unplugging mechanism after the container closure removed is raised from the container. The opening device according to claim 1,
Before KiHirakisen mechanism further includes a discharge portion for discharging gas toward the suction section of said container holding mechanism,
The control mechanism varies at least one of a flow rate of gas discharged from the discharge portion of the opening mechanism and a flow rate of gas sucked from the suction portion of the container holding mechanism in the circumferential direction of the container stopper. cap removal device, characterized in that that. The opening device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
An opening device further comprising a partition plate provided around the container holding mechanism. The opening device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
An opening device, further comprising a closing mechanism for attaching the container stopper to the container held by the container holding mechanism.   The opening device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
  The control mechanism can select a mist removal mode that generates the removed airflow and a mist removal unnecessary mode that does not generate the removed airflow.
  An opening device characterized by that. A sample processing apparatus comprising at least one stopper device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 . An opening method for opening a container stopper,
A holding step for holding the container, which contains liquid therein and is closed with a container stopper having a recess;
A step of opening and removing the container plug from the container held in the holding step while generating a removal air flow that removes the liquid mist stagnating in the recess of the container plug; and
In the opening step, the removal air flow is generated by generating an air flow directed into the concave portion of the container plug and an air flow sucking the air flow by lifting the container plug while reciprocating in the vertical direction. A method for opening a container, characterized in that: The container opening method according to claim 9 ,
Wherein the cap removal step, the cap removal process of the container, characterized in that the container closure Ru lift while rotating the container closure after removal is raised from the container.

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