JP5995605B2 - Reagent container - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a reagent container for containing a reagent used in an automatic analyzer, and in particular, a reagent erection part for erection of a reagent container, and a reagent for aspirating a reagent from a reagent container installed in the reagent erection part The present invention relates to a reagent container used in an automatic analyzer that is equipped with a pipette, stirs a reagent in a reagent container by moving a reagent erection unit, and sucks the stirred reagent with a pipette to use for analysis.

  Conventionally, a reagent container for an automatic analyzer is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Patent Document 1 discloses a reagent container that is mounted and used in an automatic analyzer that analyzes a clinical sample. The reagent container is a cylindrical glass bottle having a flat bottom and has an opening at the upper end. The reagent container contains a liquid reagent containing fine particles. For this reason, when dispensing a reagent for analysis, it is necessary to stir the reagent to disperse the fine particles and to make the concentration uniform. The apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is configured to stir minute particles in a reagent container by placing the reagent container on a turntable (reagent erection unit) and rotating the turntable. Moreover, in an automatic analyzer using such a reagent, an apparatus configured to suck and dispense a reagent in a reagent container using a pipette (suction tube) having a liquid level detection function is widely used. It has been.

JP 2007-147658 A

  However, in Patent Document 1, when the apparatus stirs the reagent in the reagent container, the reagent liquid rises along the inner surface of the container by stirring, and as a result of the reagent reaching the container opening, the liquid may stretch a film at the opening. There is a problem that there is. If a film is stretched in the opening, there is a possibility that the film may be erroneously detected as the liquid level when a pipette (suction tube) having a liquid level detection function is inserted. Misdetection of the liquid level leads to failure of reagent dispensing and a shortage of dispensing amount, which hinders automatic analysis. Therefore, it is desired to suppress the arrival of the reagent solution at the container opening.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a reagent container capable of suppressing the arrival of the reagent at the container opening when the reagent is stirred. Is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, a reagent container according to a first aspect of the present invention is a reagent container for storing a reagent used in an automatic analyzer, and has a neck portion having an opening provided in an upper part of the reagent container. And a reagent storage section that stores the reagent, and an intermediate section that connects the neck section and the reagent storage section. The reagent storage section is a first enlargement in which the width between the inner surfaces increases from the inner bottom toward the upper side. It includes a part, the reduction unit and the including substantially spherical inner surface shape in which the width between the inner surfaces upward from the first enlarged portion is reduced, the middle portion, between the inner surfaces of the upper end of the reduced portion upward width larger second enlarged portion including Mutotomoni of, than the second enlarged portion is formed such that the horizontal cross-sectional area toward the neck portion is reduced from the upper position, the reduced portion and the boundary between the second enlarged portion The narrow part located in the shape that extends around the inner surface of the container It is. In the present invention, the phrase “extends circumferentially” is not limited to the case where the narrow portion extends circumferentially around the entire inner surface of the container, and both ends of the loop formed by the narrow portion may be interrupted. (For example, even if both ends of the narrow portion do not cross each other, the configuration may be different in the vertical direction). Moreover, in this invention, it is not restricted to the case where the narrow part extended in the periphery is formed continuously, The structure formed so that a narrow part may extend in the periphery intermittently is also included.

In the reagent container according to the first aspect of the present invention, as described above, the narrow part located at the boundary between the reduced part and the second enlarged part is formed so as to extend circumferentially on the inner surface of the container. The moving direction of the reagent rising along the inner surface can be directed toward the center of the container in the circumferential narrow portion. In addition, since the second enlarged portion is provided upward from the narrow portion, the moving direction of the reagent is directed toward the center side in the narrow portion, whereas the inner surface of the container is expanded toward the outer side of the container. become. As a result, the reagent that attempts to get over the narrow part along the inner surface of the container is separated from the inner surface of the container while the moving direction is directed toward the center of the container at the narrow part, and is returned to the reagent container. Thereby, even when the reagent rises along the inner surface of the container with stirring, it is possible to suppress the reagent from rising beyond the narrow portion, so that the neck (container opening) when stirring the reagent It is possible to suppress the arrival of the reagent. Thereby, it is avoided that the film is stretched on the opening by the liquid reaching the container opening. In addition, according to the above configuration, since the liquid is less likely to move upward from the reagent storage unit, it is possible to limit a drop when the liquid moves upward and falls, and bubbles are generated in the reagent storage unit due to stirring. It also leads to deterrence. Further, since no step or corner is formed in the reagent container, it is possible to prevent the particles from being concentrated and accumulated locally (at the step or corner). Further, even when the amount of reagent decreases with use, the reagent collects on the inner bottom surface of the spherical reagent container, so that the amount of reagent that cannot be aspirated with a pipette (so-called dead volume) can be reduced. Moreover, in the structure which provides a 2nd expansion part, it can suppress that a container enlarges.

  Conventionally, in order to prevent the liquid from reaching the opening, measures have been taken such as reducing the amount of reagent accommodated in the reagent accommodating portion and lowering the liquid surface height. Even if the surface is raised, the liquid can be effectively prevented from reaching the opening, so that the amount of reagent that can be accommodated in the reagent accommodating portion can be increased as compared with the conventional case. Therefore, the replacement frequency of the reagent container can be reduced, and the amount of waste of the container can be reduced, thereby contributing to the reduction of the environmental load.

  In the reagent container according to the first aspect, preferably, the narrow portion is provided substantially horizontally. With this configuration, for example, when the narrow portion is inclined obliquely, the reagent may rise obliquely upward along the inclination, while the substantially horizontal narrow portion causes the container inner surface to The moving direction of the reagent rising along the center can be reliably directed toward the center of the container. Thereby, it can suppress more effectively that a reagent goes up beyond a narrow part.

  In the reagent container according to the first aspect, preferably, the inner surface from the inner bottom portion of the reagent storage portion to the narrow portion of the connection portion is formed by a smoothly continuous curved surface. If configured in this way, angular steps or corners or the like are not formed in the reagent storage unit. For example, when the reagent contains fine particles, the particles are locally concentrated (at the step or corner) in the reagent storage unit. Accumulation can be suppressed. Thereby, the reagent in the reagent container can be more uniformly stirred during stirring.

In the reagent container according to the first aspect, preferably, at least a part of the intermediate portion has a substantially polygonal inner surface in the horizontal cross section. With this configuration, when the reagent rises while rotating along the inner surface of the container during stirring, even if a part of the reagent climbs over the narrow part and reaches the intermediate part, the polygonal shape of the intermediate part The inner surface of the reagent can prevent the reagent from rotating along the inner surface of the container. Thereby, even when a part of the reagent gets over the narrow part, the reagent can be prevented from reaching the neck.

  In the configuration in which the intermediate portion has a substantially polygonal inner surface in the horizontal cross section, the substantially polygonal inner surface of the intermediate portion preferably has a rounded corner. With this configuration, even when a substantially polygonal inner surface is formed in the intermediate portion, the corner portion does not become acute. For example, when the reagent contains fine particles, particles accumulate in the corner portion of the intermediate portion. Can be suppressed.

  In the configuration in which the intermediate portion has a substantially polygonal inner surface in the horizontal cross section, the polygonal shape is preferably a triangular shape. If comprised in this way, since the polygonal shape of the inner surface in a horizontal cross section can change the moving direction of a reagent when a reagent rotates along a container inner surface, so that there are few corners (vertices), it is triangular shape. By this inner surface, rotation of the reagent along the inner surface of the container can be effectively suppressed.

  In the reagent container according to the first aspect, preferably, the horizontal section of the narrow portion has a larger cross-sectional area than the horizontal section of the neck portion. If configured in this way, if the horizontal cross-sectional area of the narrow portion is too small, a reagent film may be formed in the narrow portion as with the neck (opening). By making the cross-sectional area larger than the horizontal cross section of the neck, it is possible to prevent the reagent from stretching the membrane in the narrow part.

  In the reagent container according to the first aspect, preferably, the reagent storage portion and the narrow portion have a circular horizontal cross section, and the first radius r1 at the upper end where the horizontal cross section of the first enlarged portion is the maximum, and the width The second radius r2 in the narrow portion is formed so that r2 / r1 is 0.50 or more and 0.95 or less. Here, as r2 / r1 is smaller, the moving direction of the reagent rising in the narrow portion can be directed toward the center of the container, and the arrival of the reagent at the neck (opening) can be effectively suppressed, If r2 / r1 is too small, the inner diameter of the narrow portion becomes too small and the reagent may stretch the membrane in the narrow portion. Therefore, by configuring so that r2 / r1 is 0.50 or more and 0.95 or less as in the present invention, the reagent reaches the neck (opening) without stretching the membrane in the narrow part. An appropriate container shape that can be effectively suppressed can be obtained.

  The reagent container according to the first aspect preferably further includes a container main body including a neck portion, a reagent storage portion, and an intermediate portion, and a support base that supports the container main body in an upright state. Here, for example, when the inner surface of the reagent container is formed in a spherical shape, if the thickness of the inner wall of the container is constant, the outer surface of the reagent container is also spherical, so that the container body alone maintains an upright state. Becomes difficult. Also in this case, by providing a support base that supports the container body in an upright state, the container body can be stably supported in an upright state, so that automatic reagent dispensing by an analyzer can be easily performed. Can do.

  In the reagent container according to the first aspect, the reagent preferably includes a solvent and an insoluble component. A reagent containing a solvent and an insoluble component needs to be uniformly dispersed in the solvent at the time of dispensing, so that stirring is required at the time of use. According to the present invention, since the reagent can be prevented from reaching the neck (container opening) when stirring the reagent, a reagent container suitable for containing a reagent containing a solvent and an insoluble component is provided. be able to.

  In this case, the insoluble component may be magnetic particles.

  In the reagent container according to the first aspect, preferably, the reagent container is used by being installed on a movable reagent erection part, and the reagent in the reagent container is agitated by the movement operation of the reagent erection part. ing. With this configuration, even when the reagent container is moved and stirred together with the reagent erection part, the reagent can be prevented from reaching the neck (container opening) when stirring the reagent. The container can be suitably used for an automatic analyzer equipped with such a reagent erection part.

  In this case, preferably, the reagent is agitated by the movement operation in the circumferential direction around the axis of the reagent erection part capable of laying a plurality of reagent containers along the circumference around the axis. It is comprised so that. If comprised in this way, even when it installs in the reagent installation part which stirs several reagent containers collectively, the arrival of the reagent to the neck part (container opening) at the time of stirring a reagent can be suppressed.

  In the reagent container according to the first aspect, it is preferable that the reagent container can be inserted through an opening of a pipette of an automatic analyzer capable of detecting a liquid level based on a change in capacitance of a pipette made of a conductive material. It is configured. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the reagent from reaching the neck (container opening) when stirring the reagent, and it is possible to avoid a film from being stretched on the opening by the reagent reaching the container opening. Even when a pipette (suction tube) having a detection function is inserted into the reagent container, it is possible to suppress erroneous detection of the liquid level due to the film formed by the reagent reaching the opening.

A reagent container according to a second aspect of the present invention is a reagent container for storing a reagent used in an automatic analyzer, and includes a neck portion having an opening provided in an upper portion of the reagent container, and a reagent storing the reagent. A reagent storage section, and the reagent storage section has a vertical section, and the reagent storage section has a width after the inner walls on both the left and right sides increase upward from the inner bottom section in the vertical section. with the left and right sides of the inner wall toward the junction between the intermediate portion is closed a shape that converges towards the inside and, have a substantially spherical inner surface shape, an intermediate portion, than the convergence portion of the reagent storage section The horizontal cross-section has a portion with a large cross-sectional area, and the horizontal cross-sectional area decreases from the portion with the large cross-sectional area toward the neck .

  In the reagent container according to the second aspect of the present invention, as described above, the reagent container has a shape in which the inner walls on both the left and right sides converge toward the inside in the vertical cross section toward the joint between the reagent container and the intermediate part. By providing the portion in the reagent container, the moving direction of the reagent rising along the inner surface of the container can be directed toward the center of the container at the convergence portion. In addition, by providing the reagent container with an intermediate portion having a portion having a larger cross-sectional area in the horizontal cross section than the converging portion, the inner surface of the container expands toward the outside of the container at the intermediate portion (the horizontal cross section becomes larger). Become. As a result, the reagent rising from the converging portion toward the intermediate portion along the inner surface of the container leaves the inner surface of the container while the direction of movement is directed toward the center of the container at the joint, and is returned to the reagent storage portion. Thereby, even when the reagent rises along the inner surface of the container with stirring, it is possible to prevent the reagent from rising beyond the joint portion, so that the neck (container opening) when stirring the reagent can be suppressed. The arrival of the reagent can be suppressed. Thereby, it is avoided that the film is stretched on the opening by the liquid reaching the container opening. In addition, according to the above configuration, since the liquid is less likely to move upward from the reagent storage unit, it is possible to limit a drop when the liquid moves upward and falls, and bubbles are generated in the reagent storage unit due to stirring. It also leads to deterrence.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the reagent container which can suppress the arrival of the reagent to the container opening at the time of stirring a reagent can be provided.

It is the perspective view which showed the external appearance of the reagent container by one Embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view which showed the container main body of the reagent container by one Embodiment shown in FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view for demonstrating the structure of the container main body shown in FIG. It is a typical top view for demonstrating the structure of the container main body shown in FIG. It is the longitudinal cross-sectional view which showed typically the usage aspect to the analyzer of the reagent container by one Embodiment of this invention. It is the plane schematic diagram which showed an example of the analyzer which uses the reagent container by one Embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view which showed an example of the reagent installation part of the analyzer shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the stirring operation | movement of R2 reagent in the reagent installation part shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the motion of the reagent in the narrow part in the stirring operation of R2 reagent. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the motion of the reagent in the taper part in stirring operation of R2 reagent. It is the longitudinal cross-sectional view which showed typically the modification of the reagent container by one Embodiment of this invention. It is the horizontal cross-section schematic diagram of the narrow part which showed the modification of the reagent container by one Embodiment of this invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  First, with reference to FIGS. 1-5, the whole structure of the reagent container 1 by one Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a reagent container 1 that contains a reagent for an automatic analyzer for measuring an antigen, an antibody, or the like contained in a specimen (blood sample such as serum) such as blood to be measured. The case will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the reagent container 1 according to the present embodiment includes a container body 2 (see FIG. 2), a cover 3 for housing the container body 2, and a support base 4. The reagent container 1 is configured so that the container main body 2 is supported by the support base 4 and can be set in the analyzer as a cartridge type reagent container in the state shown in FIG. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the container body 2 is formed by integrating a neck portion 10 arranged at the upper portion of the container body 2, a lower reagent storage portion 20, and an intermediate portion 30 that connects the neck portion 10 and the reagent storage portion 20. Have. The container main body 2 is made of resin, and the container main body 2 has a substantially constant thickness t in the reagent storage unit 20 and the intermediate unit 30 as shown in FIG. The container main body 2 stores the reagent RS inside the reagent storage unit 20. The reagent RS of the container body 2 is, for example, a sample analysis reagent containing a solvent and an insoluble component. As an example of such an analysis reagent, a reagent in which magnetic particles sensitized with an antibody are dispersed in a buffer solution. (R2 reagent described later).

  The neck 10 has an opening 11 provided in the upper part of the container body 2. The neck 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and has a radius (inner diameter) R1 at the opening 11 and a radius R2 at the lower end of the neck 10. The container body 2 is formed so that the inside of the container communicates in the vertical direction from the opening 11 of the neck 10 to the inner bottom surface of the reagent storage unit 20. The container body 2 is configured to insert a pipette (see pipette 113a in FIG. 5), which will be described later, of the analyzer from the opening 11 and suck the reagent RS in the reagent storage unit 20 with the pipette that has passed through the neck 10 and the intermediate part 30. Is configured to be possible. A step-like engagement portion 12 having an outer diameter smaller than that of the upper portion is formed at the lower portion of the neck portion 10, and this engagement portion 12 engages with an engagement claw 4 b (see FIG. 5) described later of the support base 4. It is formed as possible.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the reagent container 20 includes a first enlarged portion 21 in which the width between the inner surfaces increases from the inner bottom surface upward, and a width between the inner surfaces in the upward direction from the first enlarged portion 21. The reduction part 22 which becomes is integrated. In this manner, the reagent storage unit 20 has a shape in which the inner walls on the left and right sides converge toward the inside toward the joint between the reagent storage unit 20 and the intermediate unit 30 in the vertical cross section. The reagent storage unit 20 has a substantially spherical inner surface shape composed of a first enlarged portion 21 and a reduced portion 22, and extends from the inner bottom surface to a boundary (a narrow portion 40 described later) with the intermediate portion 30. The entire inner surface is formed by a smoothly continuous curved surface having no corners or steps. Therefore, the horizontal cross section of the reagent storage unit 20 is circular, and in the present embodiment, the width between the inner surfaces of the first enlarged portion 21 and the reduced portion 22 corresponds to the inner diameter of the container at each site.

  The 1st expansion part 21 is comprised from the hemispherical inner surface part of radius R3. In the horizontal cross section, the inner diameter of the first enlarged portion 21 is the maximum radius R3 at the height position H1 from the inner bottom surface, which is the upper end of the first enlarged portion 21 (the lower end of the reduced portion 22). The radius R3 at the height position H1 is a radius at which the horizontal sectional area of the reagent storage unit 20 is maximized. The radius R3 corresponds to the “first radius r1” in the claims.

  The reduction part 22 is a spherical inner surface part at a height position H1 or more in the reagent storage part 20. In the horizontal cross section, the minimum radius R4 is obtained at the height position H2 at the upper end of the reduced portion 22. The radius R4 at the height position H2 is a radius at which the horizontal sectional area of the reagent storage unit 20 is minimized. The radius R4 corresponds to the “second radius r2” in the claims.

  The intermediate portion 30 has a second enlarged portion 31 whose width increases upward from the upper end of the reducing portion 22 (the upper end of the reagent storage portion 20), and a cylinder extending upward from the upper end of the second enlarged portion 31 with a substantially constant inner diameter. The cylindrical portion 32 and the tapered portion 33 that gradually decreases from the upper end of the cylindrical portion 32 toward the neck portion 10 are integrally included. Comparing the height (length in the vertical direction) between the intermediate part 30 and the reagent container 20, the height Hb of the intermediate part 30> the height Ha of the reagent container 20 is satisfied.

  The second enlarged portion 31 has a circular cross section, and is formed so that the width between the inner surfaces increases toward the upper side by increasing the radius toward the upper side. In the longitudinal cross section shown in FIG. 3, the second enlarged portion 31 is formed in a smooth curved inner surface shape so as to be continuous with the reduced portion 22 having a spherical inner surface. In the horizontal section, the maximum radius R5 is obtained at the height position H3 at the upper end of the second enlarged portion 31.

  Here, in this embodiment, the narrow part 40 in which the inner diameter of the container is locally narrowed is formed by the upper end of the reduction part 22 and the lower end of the second enlargement part 31. The narrow portion 40 is disposed at the boundary (height position H2) between the reduction portion 22 (reagent storage portion 20) and the second enlargement portion 31 (intermediate portion 30). Moreover, as shown in FIG. 4, the narrow part 40 is formed so that the container inner surface may be extended in the circumferential shape. In the present embodiment, since both the reduced portion 22 and the second enlarged portion 31 have a circular horizontal cross section, the narrow portion 40 is formed in an annular shape so as to be continuous over the entire circumference of the container. Yes.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 3, the narrow part 40 is formed so that the container inner surface may be extended horizontally. The narrow portion 40 is disposed at a position above the liquid level of the reagent RS by being provided at the upper end portion of the reagent storage unit 20 (the upper end of the reduction unit 22). As will be described later, when the reagent RS rises along the inner surface of the container body 2 as the reagent RS is agitated, the narrow portion 40 indicates the movement direction of the reagent RS when passing through the narrow portion 40. By directing toward the center side, the reagent RS is controlled so as not to reach the neck 10 beyond the intermediate portion 30.

Here, with respect to the radius R3 (maximum radius of the first enlarged portion 21) at which the horizontal sectional area of the reagent storage unit 20 is maximized and the radius R4 of the narrow portion 40 (minimum radius of the reduced portion 22), R4 / R3. R3 and R4 are set so that is in the range of 0.50 to 0.95. Further, the horizontal cross section of the narrow portion 40 is formed so that the cross sectional area is larger than the horizontal cross section of the neck portion 10. In this embodiment, since both the narrow portion 40 and the neck portion 10 have a circular cross section, the horizontal sectional area is determined by the size of the radius, and the radius R4 of the narrow portion 40 (horizontal sectional area = π × R4 ² ). > Radius R2 of the neck portion 10 (horizontal cross-sectional area = π × R2 ² ). As an example of these dimensional relationships, R3 = about 13 mm, R4 = about 11.5 mm, and R4 / R3 = about 0.89 in the container body 2 that accommodates 200 test reagents. R2 = about 5 mm.

  Note that R4> R5 is established between the radius R4 of the narrow portion 40 (the upper end of the reduced portion 22) and the maximum radius R5 of the second enlarged portion 31. Therefore, the intermediate portion 30 has a second enlarged portion 31 having a larger cross-sectional area in the horizontal cross section than the reduced portion 22.

  The tapered portion 33 connects the upper end of the cylindrical portion 32 and the lower end of the neck portion 10. In the horizontal section, the taper portion 33 has a circular inner surface at the lower end (boundary with the cylindrical portion 32), and a polygonal inner surface at the upper end (boundary with the neck portion 10) as shown in FIG. 33a is formed. In the present embodiment, the tapered portion 33 is formed so that the horizontal cross section of the inner surface 33a at the upper end portion has a triangular shape. Accordingly, the tapered portion 33 is formed so that the circular lower end and the triangular upper end are smoothly continuous. Further, the triangular cross section of the tapered portion 33 has a rounded corner (vertex). As shown in FIG. 3, the lower end portion of the taper portion 33 has a radius R5, the width of the upper end portion (the length of one side of the triangle) is L1 (see FIG. 4), and L1 <the diameter of the lower end portion (R5 × 2). It has become. That is, the taper portion 33 has a gradually decreasing horizontal sectional area from the lower end portion toward the upper end portion.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the cover 3 has a box-like shape with an open bottom, and is configured to cover the container body 2 together with the support base 4. The upper surface of the cover 3 is provided with a cylindrical portion 3a (see FIG. 5) inserted into the opening 11 of the reagent container 1, and a slide-type opening / closing lid 3b for opening and closing the cylindrical portion 3a. The opening 11 of the reagent container 1 can be opened or closed by opening and closing 3b (opening and closing of the cylindrical portion 3a).

  As shown in FIG. 5, the support base 4 is a pedestal including a support portion 4 a having an engagement claw 4 b that engages with an engagement portion 12 formed on the neck portion 10 of the container body 2, and a bottom portion 4 c. When the support portion 4a supports the neck portion 10 of the container body 2, the container body 2 having a spherical outer bottom surface is supported by the support base 4 in an upright state. The bottom portion 4 c is formed in a shape corresponding to the open bottom surface of the cover 3, and the container body 2 is stored in a state where the periphery is covered by the cover 3 and the support base 4.

  Next, a usage example for the analyzer of the reagent container 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  First, an outline of an example of an analyzer using the reagent container 1 will be described. An analyzer 100 shown in FIG. 6 is an automatic analyzer for measuring antigens and antibodies contained in a sample (blood sample such as serum) that is a measurement target. The analyzer 100 disperses a specimen (serum) in a buffer solution (R1 reagent), and binds magnetic particles (R2 reagent) to the antigen contained in the dispersed specimen by an antigen-antibody reaction. Next, a complex of bound antigen, capture antibody, and magnetic particles is collected by magnetism, and unreacted (Free) antibody is removed (ie, BF separation). Then, after the labeled antibody (R3 reagent) is bound to the complex, the analyzer 100 collects the bound magnetic particle, antigen and labeled antibody complex by magnetism, and also does not react (Free). The R3 reagent containing the labeled antibody is removed (ie, BF separation). Further, after adding the dispersion (R4 reagent) and the luminescent substrate (R5 reagent) that emits light during the reaction with the labeled antibody, the analyzer 100 measures the amount of luminescence generated by the reaction between the labeled antibody and the luminescent substrate. To do. The analyzer 100 is configured to quantitatively measure the antigen contained in the specimen that binds to the labeled antibody through such steps, and to analyze the specimen corresponding to a plurality of different analysis items. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the analyzer 100 includes a measurement mechanism unit 101, a sample transport unit (sampler) 102, and a control device 103 including a PC (personal computer) electrically connected to the measurement mechanism unit 101. It has. The control device 103 includes a main body (not shown), a display unit 103a, an input unit (keyboard) 103b, and the like, and has a function of controlling the analysis device 100 according to an analysis program and analyzing the obtained measurement data.

  The measurement mechanism unit 101 includes a sample dispensing arm 111, an R1 reagent dispensing arm 112, an R2 reagent dispensing arm 113, an R3 reagent dispensing arm 114, a reaction unit 115, a cuvette supply unit 116, and a primary. The BF separation unit 117, the secondary BF separation unit 118, the detection unit 119, the R4 / R5 reagent supply unit 120, and the reagent installation unit 121 are mainly configured.

  The sample transport unit 102 is configured to be capable of transporting a rack on which a plurality of test tubes containing samples are placed, and transports the test tubes containing samples to the sample aspirating position 100 a by the sample dispensing arm 111. The specimen in the test tube is sucked by the specimen dispensing arm 111 at the suction position 100a.

  The cuvette supply unit 116 supplies the cuvette to the specimen discharge position 100b. The R1 reagent dispensing arm 112 includes a pipette 112a for aspirating and discharging the R1 reagent. The R1 reagent dispensing arm 112 aspirates the R1 reagent installed in the reagent installing unit 121 and dispenses the R1 reagent into the cuvette. The sample sucked by the sample dispensing arm 111 is dispensed (discharged) into the cuvette at the sample discharge position 100b and mixed with the R1 reagent. In addition, the R1 reagent dispensing arm 112 transfers the cuvette placed at the sample discharge position 100b to the reaction unit 115 by a catcher (not shown).

  The reaction unit 115 is formed in an annular shape and is configured to be able to install a plurality of cuvettes. In the reaction unit 115, the reaction between the specimen and the reagent is promoted by heating the sample in the cuvette to a predetermined temperature. Further, the reaction unit 115 is configured to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow C1, and the cuvette set in the reaction unit 115 is moved to various processing positions.

  The R2 reagent dispensing arm 113 includes a pipette 113a for aspirating and discharging the R2 reagent, aspirates the R2 reagent installed in the reagent installing unit 121, and dispenses the R2 reagent into the cuvette containing the R1 reagent and the sample. Note (discharge).

  The primary BF separation unit 117 takes in the cuvette containing the specimen, the R1 reagent, and the R2 reagent by a catcher (not shown), and separates the unreacted R1 reagent (unnecessary component) and magnetic particles from the sample in the cuvette (B / F To separate.

  The R3 reagent dispensing arm 114 includes a pipette 114a for aspirating and discharging the R3 reagent. The R3 reagent dispensing arm 114 sucks the R3 reagent installed in the reagent installing unit 121 and puts the R3 reagent into a cuvette that stores the B / F separated sample returned from the primary BF separating unit 117 to the reaction unit 115. Dispense (discharge) the reagent.

  The pipettes 112a, 113a, and 114a of the R1 reagent dispensing arm 112, R2 reagent dispensing arm 113, and R3 reagent dispensing arm 114 are made of stainless steel having conductivity, and a detection circuit 130 (FIG. 5)). Thereby, these reagent dispensing arms 112, 113, and 114 detect a change in capacitance due to contact with the reagent liquid surface. The control device 103 has a liquid level detection function for automatically detecting the liquid level when the pipette is lowered based on the detection result by the detection circuit 130.

  The secondary BF separation unit 118 takes in the sample after the B / F separation by the primary BF separation unit 117 and the cuvette containing the R3 reagent from the reaction unit 115 by a catcher (not shown), and unreacted R3 reagent from the sample in the cuvette. (Unnecessary component) and magnetic particles are separated.

  The R4 / R5 reagent supply unit 120 sequentially dispenses the R4 reagent and the R5 reagent into a cuvette containing the sample after the B / F separation by the secondary BF separation unit 118 by a tube (not shown).

  The detection unit 119 obtains light generated in the reaction process between the labeled antibody that binds to the antigen of the specimen subjected to the above-described various treatments and the luminescent substrate with a photomultiplier tube (Photo Multiplier Tube). The amount of antigen contained is measured.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the reagent installing unit 121 has an R1 reagent container (not shown) that contains an R1 reagent containing a buffer solution, and a reagent container 1 that contains an R2 reagent containing magnetic particles (see FIG. 1). ) And an R3 reagent container (not shown) in which an R3 reagent containing a labeled antibody is accommodated.

  Next, an example of the apparatus configuration of the reagent installing unit 121 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the reagent installing unit 121 is configured to be rotatable about the central axis 131a, the central axis 131a, the reagent holding unit 131 that holds the reagent containers 1 in an annular shape, and the reagent holding unit 131. And a lid portion 132 that covers the upper surface of the lid so as to be opened and closed. The lid 132 has a pipette insertion hole 132b provided with an opening / closing mechanism 132a capable of opening / closing the opening / closing lid 3b of the cover 3 of the reagent container 1, and a reagent setting hole 132c for setting the reagent container 1 in the reagent holding part 131. And are provided.

  The reagent holding unit 131 is configured to be rotatable by a motor 133 and includes a plurality of holding units 134 for holding the reagent container 1. The plurality of holding portions 134 are arranged in an annular shape along the circumference around the central axis 131a. A mounting table 135 that can be moved up and down is provided at a position corresponding to the reagent setting hole 132 c of the lid portion 132. By raising and lowering the mounting table 135, the reagent container 1 can be set and taken out through the reagent setting hole 132c with the lid 132 closed. Except for reagent replacement, the mounting table 135 is disposed at a lowered position (below the reagent holding unit 131) that does not hinder the rotation of the reagent holding unit 131.

  As shown in FIG. 5, at the time of dispensing a reagent (for example, R2 reagent), the reagent container 1 to be dispensed is positioned directly below the opening / closing mechanism 132 a of the lid 132 by the rotation of the reagent holding unit 131. The opening / closing lid 3b is opened. Then, the pipette 113 a of the R2 reagent dispensing arm 113 is lowered through the pipette insertion hole 132 b of the lid portion 132 and reaches the reagent storage portion 20 through the opening 11 and the neck portion 10 of the container body 2. When the tip of the pipette 113a contacts the liquid level of the reagent, the detection circuit 130 detects a change in the capacitance of the pipette 113a, transmits a signal to the control device 103, and the control device 103 detects the liquid level. The controller 103 lowers the pipette 113a by a predetermined amount from the position of the pipette at the time when the signal is received, and then executes a reagent suction operation.

  Here, the R2 reagent containing magnetic particles needs to be stirred in order to uniformly disperse the magnetic particles in the reagent. For this reason, the reagent holding part 131 has a function of rotating (turning) while stirring the R2 reagent accommodated in the reagent container 1.

  Next, an example of the stirring operation of the R2 reagent by the reagent installing unit 121 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the stirring operation of the R2 reagent RS in the reagent container 1 (container body 2) is intermittent in one direction (arrow A1 direction) while the reagent holding unit 131 is periodically switched between acceleration and deceleration. It is an operation to rotate. This agitation operation is performed before reagent aspiration and between reagent aspiration and reagent aspiration (timing at which automatic analyzer 100 does not aspirate the reagent). First, it is assumed that the reagent holding unit 131 is in a stopped state as an initial state, and the liquid level of the reagent RS in the container body 2 is also in a substantially horizontal state. From this state, the reagent holding unit 131 is intermittently driven in the direction of arrow A, whereby a stirring operation is performed.

  As the reagent holding part 131 accelerates, the container body 2 also moves in the direction of the arrow A1, while the R2 reagent RS in the container body 2 tends to stay in place due to inertia. As a result, the R2 reagent RS in the container main body 2 moves (flows) in the reverse direction (arrow A2 direction) when accelerating in the arrow A1 direction, and conversely relative to the container main body 2 during deceleration. Move (flow) toward the A1 direction. Therefore, the R2 reagent RS in the container main body 2 is swung in the container main body 2 between the arrow A1 direction side and the arrow A2 direction side by the periodic acceleration / deceleration of the reagent holding unit 131. As a result of repeating the cyclic acceleration / deceleration in the circumferential direction (A1 direction), the R2 reagent RS in the container body 2 flows along the inner surface of the container body 2 while the reagent RS rotates (turns) in the circumferential direction. . As a result, the magnetic particles contained in the R2 reagent RS in the container main body 2 are stirred and uniformly dispersed.

  At the time of the above stirring operation, as shown in FIG. 9, a part of the R2 reagent RS swung in the container body 2 may rise along the inner surface of the container body 2 and try to jump out of the reagent storage unit 20. . In the present embodiment, since the narrow portion 40 is formed at the upper end (boundary with the second enlarged portion 31) of the reduced portion 22, the reagent RS rising along the inner surface of the container has a radius of the first enlarged portion 21. The moving direction can be changed to the radial center side of the container body 2 by an amount corresponding to the difference dr between R3 and the radius R4 of the narrow portion 40. Further, a second enlarged portion 31 is formed above the narrow portion 40 so that the inner surface of the container expands again toward the outer side of the container. For this reason, the reagent RS rising along the inner surface of the container is directed toward the center side in the radial direction opposite to the expansion direction (radially outer side) of the inner surface of the container by the second expansion unit 31 at the position of the narrow portion 40. Will move. As a result, the reagent RS leaves the inner surface of the container at the narrow portion 40 and returns to the reagent storage unit 20.

  Also, when a part of the reagent RS reaches the intermediate portion 30 beyond the narrow portion 40, as shown in FIG. 10, the taper portion 33 of the intermediate portion 30 has a horizontal cross section of the inner surface as it goes upward. The shape changes from a circular shape to a triangular shape. For this reason, the reagent RS that has swirled around the circular inner surface of the container main body 2 is changed in the moving direction at a steep angle by the triangular inner surface 33a in the upper portion of the tapered portion 33, and the swirling is blocked. To slow down. Thereby, even when a part of the reagent RS reaches the intermediate portion 30 beyond the narrow portion 40, the taper portion 33 of the intermediate portion 30 prevents further increase of the reagent RS. As a result, the increase in the reagent RS accompanying the stirring operation is suppressed, and the reagent RS is prevented from stretching the membrane at the neck 10.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the narrow portion 40 located at the boundary between the reduced portion 22 and the second enlarged portion 31 is formed so as to extend circumferentially on the inner surface of the container, thereby along the inner surface of the container. The reagent RS that is about to get over the narrow portion 40 leaves the inner surface of the container while the direction of movement is directed toward the center of the container at the narrow portion 40 and is returned to the reagent storage unit 20. Accordingly, even when the reagent RS rises along the inner surface of the container with stirring, it is possible to prevent the reagent from rising beyond the narrow portion 40, and thus the neck portion 10 when stirring the reagent RS. Reagent arrival at (opening 11) can be suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the reagent storage unit 20 (the first expansion unit 21 and the reduction unit 22) is formed to have a substantially spherical inner surface shape. As a result, it is possible to prevent the particles from being concentrated and accumulated locally (at a step or corner) and to reduce the dead volume.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the tapered inner surface 33a of the intermediate portion 30 is formed with the triangular inner surface 33a having round corners in the horizontal section. Thereby, rotation along the container inner surface of the reagent RS can be prevented by the inner surface 33a, the reagent RS can be prevented from reaching the neck portion 10, and the magnetic particles can be prevented from accumulating at the corner portions. can do.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the horizontal cross-sectional area of the narrow portion 40 is made larger than the horizontal cross-sectional area of the neck portion 10 so that R4 / R3 is 0.50 or more and 0.95 or less. By doing so, the reagent RS can be effectively prevented from reaching the neck portion 10 (opening 11) without the reagent RS stretching the membrane in the narrow portion 40.

  The embodiment and each example disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the embodiments and examples but by the scope of claims for patent, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims for patent.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example of a reagent container that stores a reagent (R2 reagent) used in a blood sample analyzer has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention may be applied to a reagent container that accommodates any reagent.

  Moreover, although the example which accommodates the reagent which disperse | distributed the magnetic particle (insoluble component) in the buffer solution (solvent) was shown in the said embodiment, this invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the reagent contained in the reagent container may be a mixed reagent of a plurality of liquid components. For example, when a reagent that requires agitation and a reagent that does not require agitation are set in the same reagent installation section and the agitation operation is performed, even if the reagent does not require agitation, There is a possibility of filming. For this reason, you may apply this invention to the reagent container which accommodates the reagent which does not require stirring.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example of a cartridge-type reagent container including a container main body, a cover, and a support base is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, a reagent container consisting only of a container body may be used. In this case, the used container main body may be removed from the cover and the support base as adapters when set in the analyzer, and replaced with a new container main body (reagent container) for use. In addition, the container body (reagent container) may be formed so that it can be set directly on the reagent installation part of the analyzer.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the example which has arrange | positioned the 2nd expansion part in the intermediate part was shown, this invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the second enlarged portion may be provided in the reagent storage portion. That is, in the above embodiment, the narrow portion is arranged at the boundary between the reagent storage unit and the intermediate portion by providing the narrow portion at the boundary between the reduction portion and the second enlargement portion. May be arranged in the reagent storage part.

  In the above embodiment, an example (see FIG. 3) in which the wall thickness t in the reagent container of the container body is made substantially constant and the outer surface of the container body reflects the inner surface shape has been shown. Is not limited to this. In the present invention, the shape of the outer surface of the container body is not particularly limited. Specifically, the narrow portion 240 (the reduced portion 222 and the second enlarged portion 231) may be formed by changing the thickness of the container body as in the modification shown in FIG. . Similarly, the inner surface shape of the first enlarged portion of the reagent storage portion and the taper portion of the intermediate portion may be formed by changing the wall thickness of the container body.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the example which formed the smooth curved-form narrow part without an angle | corner by the reduced part which has a spherical inner surface shape, and the 2nd enlarged part smoothly continued from the reduced part was shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, as in the modification shown in FIG. 11B, the reduction part 322 and the second enlargement part 331 are formed into a linear shape with corners, and the corner of the boundary between the reduction part 322 and the second enlargement part 331 is formed. The narrow portion 340 may be formed by the portion.

  In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the spherical reduced portion is formed so that the inner diameter gradually decreases upward, and the second enlarged portion is formed so that the inner diameter gradually increases upward. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention also includes a configuration in which the inner diameter (the width between the inner surfaces) of the reduced portion and the second enlarged portion changes in a step shape at a predetermined position. Specifically, as in the modification shown in FIG. 11C, a step-shaped reduced portion 422 and a step-shaped second enlarged portion 431 are formed, and the reduced portion 422 and the second enlarged portion 431 You may form the narrow part 440 which protruded in flange shape inside the container.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, by forming both the reduction | decrease part 22 and the 2nd expansion part 31 so that it may have a circular horizontal cross section, the cyclic | annular narrow part 40 (FIG. 4 of FIG. 4) which continues a container inner surface over a perimeter. Although an example in which a one-dot chain line is formed) is shown, the present invention is not limited to this. The narrow portion may not be formed over the entire circumference of the inner surface of the container. For example, as in the modification shown in FIG. 12A, the narrow portion 540 may be formed to extend in a circumferential shape over about two-thirds of the circumference.

  Moreover, although the example which formed the continuous cyclic | annular narrow part was shown in the said embodiment, this invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, as in the modification shown in FIG. 12B, the narrow portion 640 may be formed so as to extend discontinuously in a circumferential shape.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the inner diameter (radius) R4 in the narrow portion is made constant over the entire circumference by the spherical reduced portion is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. . In the present invention, the inner diameter (the width between the inner surfaces) in the narrow portion may change along the circumferential direction.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the example used as R4 = about 11.5 mm was shown as an example of internal diameter (radius) R4 in a narrow part, this invention is not limited to this. From the viewpoint of preventing the reagent from stretching the membrane in the narrow portion, the inner diameter (radius) R4 in the narrow portion is preferably about 10 mm or more. Even when the narrow portion does not have a circular cross section, it may be formed so as to have the same degree or more in terms of cross-sectional area.

  Moreover, although the example which formed the reagent accommodating part (a 1st expansion part and a reduction | decrease part) so that it might have a spherical inner surface shape was shown in the said embodiment, this invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the reagent container may be formed to have an inner surface shape other than a spherical shape. For example, the reagent storage portion may be formed so that the horizontal cross section of the inner surface has a polygonal shape.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the example formed so that the inner surface of a taper part might become a triangular horizontal cross section was shown, this invention is not limited to this. The horizontal cross section of the tapered portion may be a polygonal shape such as a square or a hexagon other than the triangular shape.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Reagent container 2 Container main body 4 Support stand 10 Neck part 11 Opening 20 Reagent storage part 21 1st expansion part 22 Reduction part (convergence part)
30 Intermediate part 31 Second enlarged part 40 Narrow part (joint part)
100 Analyzer 113a Pipette R3 radius (first radius r1)
R4 radius (second radius r2)
RS reagent

Claims (15)

A reagent container for storing a reagent used in an automatic analyzer,
A neck portion having an opening provided in an upper portion of the reagent container;
A reagent storage section for storing the reagent;
An intermediate part for connecting the neck part and the reagent storage part,
The reagent storage section includes a first enlarged portion in which the width between the inner surfaces increases from the inner bottom upwards, reduction unit and the including substantially the width between the inner surfaces from the first enlarged portion decreases upward It has a spherical inner surface shape ,
Said intermediate portion, the second enlarged portion including Mutotomoni width between the inner surfaces from the upper end of the reduced portion upwardly increases, the horizontal cross sectional area toward the neck portion from a position above said second enlarged portion It is formed to be small ,
A reagent container, wherein a narrow part located at a boundary between the reduced part and the second enlarged part is formed so as to extend circumferentially on the inner surface of the container.   The reagent container according to claim 1, wherein the narrow portion is provided substantially horizontally.   The reagent container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an inner surface from an inner bottom portion of the reagent storage portion to a narrow portion of the connection portion is formed by a smoothly continuous curved surface. The reagent container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least a part of the intermediate portion has a substantially polygonal inner surface in a horizontal cross section. The reagent container according to claim 4 , wherein the substantially polygonal inner surface of the intermediate portion has rounded corners. The reagent container according to claim 4 or 5 , wherein the polygonal shape is a triangular shape. The reagent container according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the horizontal section of the narrow portion has a larger cross-sectional area than the horizontal section of the neck. The reagent container and the narrow portion have a circular horizontal cross section,
The first radius r1 at the upper end where the horizontal cross section of the first enlarged portion is maximum and the second radius r2 at the narrow portion are:
The reagent container according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein r2 / r1 is formed to be 0.50 or more and 0.95 or less. A container body including the neck, the reagent container, and the intermediate part;
The reagent container according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , further comprising a support base that supports the container body in an upright state. The reagent container according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , wherein the reagent includes a solvent and an insoluble component. The reagent container according to claim 10 , wherein the insoluble component is a magnetic particle. The reagent container is laid in the reagent installing portion movable in use, the reagent of the reagent container by the movement of the reagent installing portion is configured to be agitated, any claim 1 to 11 The reagent container according to claim 1. The reagent container is agitated by a movement operation in a circumferential direction around the axis of the reagent erection part capable of laying a plurality of reagent containers along a circumference around the axis. The reagent container according to claim 12 , which is configured. The said reagent container is comprised so that insertion of the said pipette of the said automatic analyzer which can detect a liquid level based on the change of the electrostatic capacitance of the pipette which consists of an electroconductive material from the said opening is possible. 14. The reagent container according to any one of items 13 . A reagent container for storing a reagent used in an automatic analyzer,
A neck portion having an opening provided in an upper portion of the reagent container;
A reagent storage section for storing the reagent;
An intermediate part for connecting the neck part and the reagent storage part,
In the vertical section, the width of the inner walls on both the left and right sides increases from the inner bottom to the upper side, and the inner walls on both the left and right sides are directed inward toward the joint between the reagent containing portion and the intermediate portion. as well as it has a shape that headed converge, have a substantially spherical inner surface shape,
The intermediate portion has a portion in which the cross-sectional area in the horizontal cross section is formed larger than the converged portion of the reagent storage portion, and the horizontal cross-sectional area decreases from the portion in which the cross-sectional area is formed toward the neck portion. A reagent container that is formed as follows .

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