JP6542617B2 - Urine analyzer and urine conveyance device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a urine analyzer and a urine carrier.

  There is known a sample analyzer provided with a support that supports a sample container containing a sample to be measured prior to a normal sample at a suction position different from the normal sample suction position. The support portion is covered with a protective cover in order to prevent the user's contact with the sample container. Therefore, at the time of installation or removal of the sample container on the support portion, the support portion needs to come out of the protective cover.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a structure in which a support portion pivots and comes out of a protective cover. In the case of the apparatus of Patent Document 1, the posture of the sample container supported by the support changes as the support rotates.

Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 103513044

  When the posture of the sample container changes, if a large amount of sample is stored in the sample container, the sample in the sample container may spill out of the container opening. There is no problem even if the posture of the sample container changes as long as the container opening is closed with a lid like the sample container described in Patent Document 1, but the container opening is closed with a lid like a sample container containing a urine sample. If the sample container is installed in the support portion of Patent Document 1 if it is not, the sample may be dropped from the sample container due to the change in posture of the sample container.

  Therefore, even if the sample container does not have a lid, it is desirable to reduce the risk of the sample spilling from the sample container.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, a transport unit for transporting a first sample container containing a urine sample and having an open upper end to a first sample suction position, and a second sample suction position different from the first sample suction position A protective cover which is positioned, has a passage opening through which a second sample container containing a urine sample and having an open upper end can pass, and a support which is provided in the protective cover and supports the second sample container at a second sample aspiration position The second sample container is inserted through the opening of the first sample container into the first sample container at the first sample suction position for urine sample suction, and the second sample container is at the second sample suction position for urine sample suction. When the urine sample is aspirated, the nozzle inserted through the opening of the second sample container, the detection unit for detecting the component in the urine sample sucked by the nozzle, and the posture of the second sample container supported by the support unit Inside the protective cover while maintaining the posture of It is closed and a moving mechanism for moving the passage port when the support portion in the protection cover, a urine analyzer and a passage open mouth cover when the support portion moves to the outside of the protective cover.

  Another aspect of the present invention relates to a transport unit for transporting a first sample container containing a urine sample and having an open upper end to a first sample suction position by a nozzle, and a second sample by the nozzle different from the first sample suction position An aspirating position is located inside, a protective cover having a passage opening through which a second sample container containing a urine sample and having an upper end opened is provided, and provided in the protective cover, the second sample aspirating position being the second A support portion for supporting a sample container, a moving mechanism for moving the support portion in and out of the protective cover while maintaining the posture of the second sample container supported by the support portion in the posture at the time of sample suction, the support portion And the opening / closing cover which closes the passage opening when inside the protection cover and opens the passage opening when the support part moves out of the protection cover.

  According to the present invention, when the support portion moves in and out of the protective cover, the posture of the second sample container is maintained in the posture at the time of sample suction, so that the risk of the sample spilling is reduced even if the sample container is not covered it can.

It is a perspective view of the urine analyzer in the state where an opening-and-closing cover was opened. It is a perspective view of the urine analyzer in the state where the opening / closing cover is closed. It is a top view which shows schematic structure of the urine analyzer. It is an internal side view which shows a nozzle drive part. It is an inside side view showing the inside of a protection cover in the state where an opening-and-closing cover closed. It is an inside side view showing the inside of a protection cover in the state where an opening-and-closing cover opened. It is an AA arrow line view of FIG. It is a side view showing a modification of interlocking mechanism. It is explanatory drawing of a 1st sensor and a 2nd sensor. It is explanatory drawing of a 1st sensor and a 2nd sensor. It is a flowchart of nozzle control.

[1. Urine Analyzer]
The urine analyzer analyzes urine samples. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the urine analyzer 10 includes a measurement unit 20 and a transport device 30. The measurement unit 20 performs a process related to measurement of a urine sample. Processing relating to measurement of a urine sample includes dispensing of the urine sample, sample preparation from the urine sample, detection of components in the urine sample, and the like. The measurement unit 20 has a nozzle 111 for suctioning a urine sample from the sample container, a processing chamber 231, and a detection unit 260. The measuring unit 20 has a housing 21. In the housing 21, the nozzle 111, the processing chamber 231, and the detection unit 260 are accommodated.

  The nozzle 111 is provided movably in the housing 21 in the front-rear direction shown as the Y direction in FIGS. 1 to 3. The transport device 30 and the measurement unit 20 are juxtaposed in the front-rear direction, which is the movement direction of the nozzle 111. The transport device 30 transports the first sample container 61. The first sample container 61 is transported while being held by the rack 60. The rack 60 can hold a plurality of first sample containers 61. The first sample container 61 has a bottomed cylindrical shape with an upper opening. The upper opening of the first sample container 61 is held by the rack 60 in the open state without being closed by the lid. When a urine sample is analyzed, the urine sample of the subject is collected in a urine collection cup, and a fixed amount of urine sample is collected in the sample container from the urine collection cup and set as it is in the urine analyzer. The opening is not closed by the lid.

  The urine analyzer 10 is provided with a control unit 40. The control unit 40 controls the measurement unit 20 and the transport device 30. The control unit 40 is configured by a computer, and has a CPU 41 and a storage device 42. The control unit 40 performs processing when the computer program stored in the storage device 42 is executed by the CPU 41. The control unit 40 may be provided in the measurement unit 20 or may be provided in the transport device 30.

  The urine analyzer 10 comprises a processor 50. The processing device 50 performs processing including analysis processing of the output of the detection unit 260. The processing device 50 is configured by a computer, and includes a CPU 51, a display unit 52, an input unit 53, a storage device 54, and the like. The processing device 50 performs processing when the computer program stored in the storage device 54 is executed by the CPU 51. The display unit 52 is, for example, a screen display, and displays, for example, an analysis result. The display unit 52 also performs screen display for receiving an input. The input unit 53 is, for example, a keyboard or a mouse.

[2. Measurement unit]
As shown in FIG. 4, the measurement unit 20 includes a drive unit 112 that moves the nozzle 111. The drive unit 112 is housed in the housing 21. The nozzle 111 has a suction port 111a formed at the lower end. The nozzle 111 aspirates a urine sample from the aspiration port 111a, and discharges the aspirated urine sample from the aspiration port 111a. The suction and discharge of the urine sample by the nozzle 111 is controlled by the control unit 40. The drive unit 112 is also controlled by the control unit 40. The nozzle 111 is moved by the drive unit 112 from the initial position 74 to a first sample suction position 71, a second sample suction position 72, or a third sample suction position 73 for suctioning a urine sample. The sample suction positions 71, 72, 73 are positions where the tip 111a of the nozzle 111 should be positioned at the time of urine sample suction.

  The nozzle 111 is from the first sample container 61 located at the first sample suction position 71, the second sample container 62 located at the second sample suction position 72, or the third sample container 63 located at the third sample suction position Aspirate a urine sample. The second sample container 62 and the third sample container 63 are containers in which an emergency (STAT) sample is stored. The urgent sample is a sample to be measured prior to the normal sample stored in the first sample container 61 held in the rack 50. The second sample container 62 has, for example, the same shape as the first sample container 62, and has an upper opening. The third sample container 63 is, for example, a container smaller than the second sample container 62, and has an upper opening. The third sample container 63 is used, for example, when the amount of the sample is small. Similar to the upper opening of the first sample container 61, the upper openings of the second sample container 62 and the third sample container 63 are not closed by the lid but are opened.

  The second sample suction position 72 and the third sample suction position 73 are located in front of the first sample suction position 71. The second sample aspiration position 72 and the third sample aspiration position 73 are at the same position in plan view as shown in FIG. 3, but the vertical position is different as shown in FIG. The third sample suction position 73 is located above the second sample suction position 72.

  The sample suction positions 71, 72, 73 are set on the transport device 30 and located outside the housing 21 of the measurement unit 20. The housing 21 of the measurement unit 20 provided behind the transport device 30 is located above the transport device 30 so that the nozzle 111 can move in the housing 21 to the upper side of the sample suction positions 71, 72, 73 on the transport device 30. It is formed to project forward so as to be located at

  As shown in FIG. 4, the drive unit 112 includes a first horizontal movement mechanism 113 for moving the nozzle 111 in the horizontal direction, and a first vertical movement mechanism 114 for moving the nozzle 111 in the vertical direction. The first horizontal movement mechanism 113 has an endless belt 113b wound around a pair of pulleys 113a. The first vertical movement mechanism 114 is attached to the endless belt 113 b via the attachment 115. The first vertical movement mechanism 114 is provided with a nozzle 111. The pulley 113a is rotationally driven by a motor 113c. The motor 113 c is controlled by the control unit 40. When the pulley 113a is rotationally driven, the endless belt 113b rotates, and the first vertical movement mechanism 114 and the nozzle 111 move in the Y1 direction or the Y2 direction which is the first horizontal direction.

  The first vertical movement mechanism 114 has an endless belt 114b wound around a pair of pulleys 114a. A nozzle holding portion 117 for holding the nozzles 111 is attached to the endless belt 114 b via the attachment portion 116. The pulley 114a is rotationally driven by a motor 114c. The motor 114 c is controlled by the control unit 40. When the pulley 114a is rotationally driven, the endless belt 114b rotates, and the nozzle 111 held by the nozzle holder 117 moves in the Z1 direction or the Z2 direction which is the vertical direction.

  The nozzle 111 is horizontally moved by the first horizontal movement mechanism 113 along a linear movement path 75 connecting the initial position 74, the upper side of the first sample suction position 71, and the upper side of the second sample suction position 72. Vertical movement from the horizontal movement path 75 of the nozzle 111 to the sample suction positions 71, 72, 73 is performed by the first vertical movement mechanism 114. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the housing 21 is formed with openings 21 a and 21 b through which the nozzle 111 in the housing 21 moves to the sample suction positions 71, 72 and 73 outside the housing 21. The nozzle 111 moves downward to the sample suction positions 71, 72, 73 outside the housing 21 through the openings 21a, 21b.

  The urine sample aspirated by the nozzle 111 is dispensed into the processing chamber 231. In the processing chamber 231, the urine sample and the reagent are mixed to prepare a measurement sample. The measurement sample is supplied to the detection unit 260. The detection unit 260 detects tangible components in the measurement sample. The detection unit 260 is configured of, for example, an optical detector that performs optical detection on a urine sample. The optical detector has a flow cell into which the measurement sample is introduced. The optical detector irradiates light such as laser light to the flow of the measurement sample in the flow cell, and detects the light emitted from the component in the measurement sample based on the irradiated light. The light detected by the optical detector includes, for example, forward scattered light, side scattered light, and fluorescence.

  The detection unit 260 converts the detected light into an electrical signal. The detection unit 260 performs processing such as amplification and AD conversion on the electric signal. The signal processing circuit of the detection unit 260 extracts feature parameters from the signal after AD conversion. The characteristic parameter is a parameter used for analysis processing of a urine sample. The characteristic parameters include, for example, forward scattered light intensity, forward scattered light pulse width, side scattered light intensity, fluorescence intensity, fluorescence pulse width, and fluorescence pulse area. The characteristic parameter is transmitted to the processing device 50 that performs analysis processing of the component in the sample via the control unit 40. The processing device 50 analyzes the components of the urine sample based on the received feature parameters.

[3. Transport device]
The transport device 30 is configured to be capable of transporting the rack 60 in which the first sample container 61 is held. As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the transport apparatus 30 includes the first placement area 31, the second placement area 32, the transport unit 33, and the placement sections of the second sample container 62 and the third sample container 63. And 34. As shown in FIG. 3, the first placement area 31 supplies the rack 60 placed thereon to the rack receiving position 33 a of the transport unit 33. The rack 60 discharged from the rack discharge position 33 b of the transport unit 33 is placed in the second placement area 32. The transport unit 33 has a transport path connecting between the rack receiving position 33a and the rack discharging position 33b. The rack 60 is placed on the transport path, and the transport unit 33 transports the rack 60 along the transport path. The transport unit 33 can move the rack 60 to any position on the transport path.

  The first placement area 31 is formed so that the plurality of racks 60 can be placed side by side in the Y direction, which is the front-rear direction. The first placement area 31 has a feed mechanism (not shown), and the feed mechanism transports the rack 60 in the Y2 direction, which is the rear. The feed mechanism of the first placement area 31 supplies the rack 60 to the rack receiving position 33a.

  The transport unit 33 has a transport mechanism 300 for moving the rack 60 supplied to the rack receiving position 33a along the transport path. The transport mechanism 300 is disposed below the mounting plate 370 that forms the transport path of the transport unit 33. The transport mechanism 300 has two engagement units 331 engaged with the bottom surface of the rack 60, and is configured to move these engagement units 331 in the X direction, which is the lateral direction. The two engagement units 331 can be engaged with different racks 60, respectively. Therefore, the transport unit 33 according to the embodiment can transport the two racks 60. The movement of the rack 60 by the transport unit 33 is controlled by the control unit 40.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the engagement unit 331 has an engagement claw 336 engaged with the bottom of the rack 60. The engagement claws 336 engage with the bottom of the rack 60 on the mounting plate 370 through the grooves 370 a formed in the mounting plate 370 of the transport unit 333. The groove 370 a is formed long along the X direction which is the conveyance path direction of the conveyance unit 33. The two grooves 370 a are juxtaposed in the front-rear direction, and the engagement claws 336 of one engagement unit 331 of the two engagement units 331 project upward from the one groove 370 a and the bottom of the rack 60 Engage in The engagement claws 336 of the other engagement unit 331 also project upward from the other groove 370 a and engage with the bottom of the rack 60.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the second placement area 32 is formed such that the plurality of racks 60 can be placed side by side in the Y direction which is the front-rear direction. The second placement area 32 has a feed mechanism (not shown), and the feed mechanism transports the rack 60 in the Y1 direction, which is the front. The feed mechanism of the second placement area 32 ejects the rack 60 at the rack ejection position 33 b of the transport unit 33 to the second placement area 32.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, a first sample suction position 71 by the nozzle 111 is set on the transport path of the transport unit 33. The first sample suction position 71 is set between the rack receiving position 33a and the rack discharging position 33b. The transport unit 33 transports the rack 60 such that the plurality of first sample containers 61 held by the rack 60 placed at the rack receiving position 33 a sequentially come to the first sample suction position 71. Therefore, the first sample container 61 held by the rack 60 is sequentially transported to the first sample suction position 71. The urine sample of the first sample container 61 transported to the first sample aspiration position 71 by the transport unit 33 is aspirated by the nozzle 111 moved to the first sample aspiration position 71.

  The installation unit 34 is for installing the second sample container 62 or the third sample container 63 in which the emergency (STAT) sample is stored. The installation unit 34 is provided in front of the transport unit 33. The installation unit 34 includes a protective cover 360 and a support unit 350 that supports the second sample container 62. The protective cover 360 is formed to project upward between the first placement area 31 and the second placement area 32. The protective cover 360 has, at its front side, a passage port 361 through which the support portion 350 enters and exits. The installation unit 34 has an open / close cover 362 for opening and closing the passage port 361 of the protective cover 360. The second sample suction position 72 and the third sample suction position 73 are positioned inside the protective cover 360. The protective cover 360 has an opening 367 at its top for the nozzle 111 to enter into the protective cover 360. The nozzle in the housing 21 moves to the second sample suction position 72 or the third sample suction position 73 through the opening 21 a formed in the housing 21 and the opening 367 formed in the protective cover 360.

  The support portion 350 supports the second sample container 62 or the third sample container 63 in a posture during sample suction in the protective cover 360. The posture of the second sample container 62 or the third sample container 63 at the time of sample suction is, for example, an upright posture in which the container opening is directed upward. The posture of the second sample container 62 or the third sample container 63 during sample suction may be a posture slightly inclined from the upright posture.

  The support portion 350 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape having an opening serving as a storage hole 350 a for storing the second sample container 62 from above. The depth of the inner space of the support portion 350 is smaller than the height of the second sample container 62. Therefore, the second sample container 62 supported by the support portion 350 protrudes upward beyond the storage hole 350a.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the support portion 350 is usually housed in a protective cover 360. When the support portion 350 is in the protective cover 360, the passage port 361 of the protective cover 360 is closed by the open / close cover 362. The support portion 350 is movable in the Y direction, which is the front-rear direction. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the support 350 can move forward and out of the protective cover 360 through the front passage 361 of the protective cover 360. The passage port 361 of the protective cover 360 has a height through which the second sample container 62 supported to project upward with respect to the support portion 350 and the support portion 350 can pass. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the open / close cover 362 opens the passage port 361 to allow the support portion 350 to move out of the protective cover 360.

  The support portion 350 can move rearward and return from outside the protective cover 360 through the passage 361 into the protective cover 360. When the support portion 350 returns inside the protective cover 360, the openable cover 362 closes the passage opening 361 again.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the installation unit 35 includes a moving mechanism 380 for moving the support unit 350. The moving mechanism 380 moves the second sample container 62 or the third sample container 63 supported by the support portion 350 while maintaining the posture during sample suction, for example, an upright posture. The moving mechanism 380 is provided in the protective cover 360. The moving mechanism 380 includes a plate-like fixed base 381, a guide member 382 attached to the fixed base 381, and a moving base 383 attached slidably to the guide member 382. .

  The guide member 382 is horizontally provided in the front-rear direction, which is the movement direction of the support portion 350. The movement base portion 383 linearly moves horizontally in the front-rear direction along the guide member 382. Thus, the moving mechanism according to the embodiment is a linear moving mechanism. The support portion 350 is attached to the movement base portion 383, and the support portion 350 also moves horizontally by the horizontal movement of the movement base 383. The guide member 382 has a longitudinal length for moving the support portion 350 from the second sample suction position 72 shown in FIG. 5 to a position outside the protective cover 360 shown in FIG. The support portion 350 linearly moves horizontally inside and outside of the protective cover 360, thereby protecting the second sample container 62 or the third sample container 63 supported by the support portion 350 while maintaining the posture at the time of sample suction. It can move inside and outside the cover 360. By maintaining the postures of the sample containers 62, 63, even if the upper openings of the sample containers 62, 63 are open, it is possible to prevent the urine sample in the sample containers 62, 63 from being spilled during movement.

  Note that if the posture of the second sample container 62 or the third sample container 63 supported by the support portion 350 is maintained while maintaining the posture during sample suction, the movement of the support portion 350 is not horizontal movement. The movement may be a movement including a Z direction component which is the vertical direction, or may be a curved movement.

  The moving mechanism 380 includes a driving unit 384 that drives the moving base unit 383 and the support unit 350. The drive unit 384 of the embodiment 384 moves the movement base unit 383 forward. Although the backward movement of the movement base portion 383 and the support portion 350 is performed manually, this point will be described later. The drive unit 384 is configured to have a spiral spring 384a. The spiral spring 384 a is wound around a cylindrical spring holding portion 384 c attached to a front portion of the fixed base portion 381 via an attaching portion 384 b. As shown in FIG. 7, one end of the spiral spring 384a is pulled out from the spring holding portion 384c to the right in FIG. 7 which is the rear, and is attached to a support piece 383a provided on the moving base portion 383. The spiral spring 384a generates a force to move the moving base portion 383 forward. The moving base portion 383 and the support portion 350 are urged forward by the spiral spring 384a.

  The spiral spring 384 a is pulled backward along the surface opposite to the side on which the movable base portion 383 is provided, and the support piece 383 a is formed from the movable base portion 383 to the fixed base 381. It extends to the spiral spring 384 a through the through hole 386. The through holes 386 are formed long in the front-rear direction, and do not inhibit the movement of the movement base portion 383.

  The moving mechanism 380 is provided with a stopper mechanism 385 for blocking the forward movement of the moving base portion 383 biased forward by the drive portion 384 and allowing the forward movement as needed. The stopper mechanism 385 is provided with a first contact portion 385a provided so as to project forward from the moving base portion 383 and a second contact portion 385b provided rotatably with respect to the fixed base portion 381. There is. The second contact portion 384 b is rotatably mounted around a support shaft 385 d in the left-right direction with respect to a support piece 385 c provided on the fixed base portion 381. The second contact portion 385 b is provided to project rearward from the support shaft 385 d. The rear end of the second contact portion 385b contacts the front end of the first contact portion 385a. As shown in FIG. 5, when the first contact portion 385a and the second contact portion 385b are in contact with each other, the forward movement of the movable base portion 383 is blocked, and the support portion 350 is shown in FIG. At the second sample aspiration position 72.

  The second contact portion 385b is provided with an operation piece 385e extending downward from the front thereof. The operation piece 385e is for rotating the second contact portion 385b downward around the support shaft 385d to release the contact with the first contact portion 385a. When the contact between the first contact portion 385a and the second contact portion 385b is released, the forward movement of the movement base portion 383 is permitted. As shown in FIG. 6, when the movable base portion 383 moves forward, the support portion 350 also moves forward, and the support portion 350 exits the protective cover 360 through the passage port 361.

  The operation piece 385e is biased rearward via a coil spring 385i attached to the fixed base portion 381, and as shown in FIG. 5, the second contact portion 385b is brought into contact with the first contact portion 385a. Hold in contact position. The rotation of the second contact portion 385 b is restricted so as not to rotate upward from the position shown in FIG. 5.

  The moving mechanism 380 includes an electromagnetic cylinder 385f as an operation drive unit for operating the operation piece 385e. The electromagnetic cylinder 385 f is controlled by the control unit 40. The electromagnetic cylinder 385f moves the cylinder rod 385g, which is directed in the front-rear direction, back and forth. A head 385h is provided at the front end of the cylinder rod 385g, and when the cylinder rod 385g moves forward, the head 385h pushes the operation piece 385e forward. When the operation piece 385e is pushed forward, the second contact portion 385b rotates downward around the support shaft 385d against the coil spring 385i and enters the lower side of the first contact portion 385a, and the first The movement restriction of the movement base portion 383 by the abutting portion 385a is released. Thereby, the support part 350 moves forward to the position shown in FIG.

  When the moving base portion 383 moved forward as shown in FIG. 6 returns to the position shown in FIG. 5, the second contact portion 385b is pivoted upward by the biasing force of the coil spring 385i and is moved to the first contact portion 385a. Again, forward movement of the movement base portion 383 is blocked. The cylinder rod 385 momentarily reciprocates back and forth when the movement restriction of the movement base portion 383 is released. That is, the cylinder rod 385 immediately returns to the rear after moving forward. Therefore, the head 385 h is located rearward of the operation piece 385 e except when the movement restriction of the movement base portion 383 is released, and does not inhibit the rotation of the operation piece 385 e and the second contact portion 385 b.

  The moving mechanism 380 has a moving base portion 383 moved forward by the drive portion 384 and a damper 387 which suppresses the moving speed of the support portion 350. The damper 387 is provided below the moving base portion 383. The damper 387 includes, for example, a gear 387a and a housing 387b having oil inside. The damper 387 is configured such that the rotation of the gear 387a is suppressed by the viscosity of the oil in the housing 387b. The gear 387 a is provided to mesh with a rack 389 provided to the fixed base portion 381. When the moving base portion 383 is moved by the driving portion 384, the gear 387a meshing with the rack 389 is rotated, but the rotation is suppressed by the damper 387, so the moving speed of the moving base portion 383 and the support portion 350 is Be suppressed. Therefore, even if the biasing force of the spiral spring 384a is large, the moving base portion 383 and the support portion 350 can be moved smoothly.

  The open / close cover 362 is rotatably provided around the rotation shaft 364. The pivot shaft 364 is supported by a cover mounting portion 401 provided on the fixed base portion 381. The pivot shaft 364 is directed in the X direction in which the axial direction is the left and right direction. The rear portion of the open / close cover 362 and the pivot shaft 364 are connected by a connecting portion 365. The opening / closing cover 362 opens the passage opening 361 as shown in FIG. 6 by turning counterclockwise around the rotation shaft 364 from the state in which the passage opening 361 is closed as shown in FIG. Can. Further, the opening / closing cover 362 is closed clockwise as shown in FIG. 5 by turning clockwise about the turning shaft 364 from the state where the passage opening 361 is opened as shown in FIG. Can.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the installation unit 34 includes an interlocking mechanism 400 that interlocks the movement of the support unit 350 by the moving mechanism 380 and the operation of the opening / closing cover 362. The interlocking mechanism 400 interlocks the forward movement of the support portion 350 out of the protective cover 360 and the opening operation of the openable cover 362. Further, the interlocking mechanism 400 interlocks the backward movement of the support portion 350 into the protective cover 360 and the closing operation of the openable cover 362. The interlocking mechanism 400 has an elongated hole 366 formed in the connection portion 365 and a roller 355 attached to the support portion 350. The roller 355 is provided midway in the vertical direction of the support portion 350. The roller 355 is rotatably and slidably inserted into an elongated hole 366 formed in the connecting portion 365. As shown in FIG. 6, when the support portion 350 moves forward, the roller 355 rotates the connecting portion 365 counterclockwise around the rotation shaft 364 while moving in the longitudinal direction of the long hole 366. Therefore, at the same time as the support portion 350 moves forward, the open / close cover 362 moves downward, and the passage port 361 is opened.

  When opening the passage port 361, the open / close cover 362 moves downward relative to the storage hole 350a of the support portion 350 by rotating counterclockwise in FIG. Thus, the second sample container 62 or the third sample container 63 can be easily stored in the support portion 350 from the storage hole 350 a.

  Here, the passage port 361 needs to be sufficiently higher than the storage hole 350 a in the upper portion of the support portion 350 so that the second sample container 62 protruding upward from the support portion 350 can pass therethrough. The open / close cover 362 has a height projecting upward from the storage hole 350 a of the support portion 350 in order to securely close the passage port 361 having such a height. If the opening / closing cover 362 having such a height moves horizontally forward similarly to the support portion 350 and opens the passage opening 361, even if the opening / closing cover 362 opens the passage opening 361, the opening / closing cover 362 The positional relationship between the and the support portion 350 is maintained in the state shown in FIG. For this reason, the upper end 362 a of the open / close cover 362 protrudes above the support portion 350 on the front side of the support portion 350 which has come out of the protective cover 360. In this case, it is necessary to insert the second sample container 62 or the third sample container 63 into the support portion 350 from the narrow gap between the protective cover 360 and the opening / closing cover 362. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the opening / closing cover 362 opens the passage port 361 while moving downward to the same height as the height of the storage hole 350 a at the top of the support portion 350. Therefore, the insertion of the sample containers 62 and 63 into the support portion 350 is less likely to be inhibited by the open / close cover 362 and becomes easy.

  In addition, the rotational movement of the opening / closing cover 362 for opening the passage port 361 includes not only the downward movement of the opening / closing cover upper end 362 a but also the forward movement. In the rotation operation of the opening and closing cover 362 of the embodiment, the amount of forward movement of the opening and closing cover upper end 362 a is larger than the amount of forward movement of the support portion 350. Therefore, when the opening / closing cover 362 opens the passage port 361, the distance between the opening / closing cover upper end 362a and the support portion 350 widens in the front-rear direction which is the movement direction of the support portion 350. As the distance between the open / close cover upper end 362 a and the support portion 350 is expanded and separated, the insertion of the sample containers 62 and 63 into the support portion 350 is not easily inhibited by the open / close cover 362 and becomes easy.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the passage opening 361 is opened, the open / close cover 362 is moved downward by counterclockwise rotation, and the lower end 362 b side of the open / close cover enters the protective cover 360. When the passage port 361 is opened, the entire open / close cover 362 does not project out of the protective cover 360, and the number of projecting portions can be reduced. However, the open / close cover upper end 362 a is located outside the protective cover 360 when the passage port 361 is opened. The open / close cover upper end 362 a located outside the protective cover 360 serves as an operation unit for the operator to push backward in order to close the open / close cover 362 as described later.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the support portion 350 includes a wall portion 500 provided on the rear side so as to project upward from the support portion 350. The wall portion 500 closes a range above the storage hole 350 a among the passage openings 361 opened by the open / close cover 362. As described above, by closing the opened passage port 361 with the wall portion 500, it is possible to prevent the sample containers 62 and 63 or foreign matter from entering from the opened passage port 361. The wall 500 does not have to completely close the passage port 361. For example, even if it is opened by the open / close cover 362, the sample container 62, 63 is closed from the passage port 361 so as not to enter the protective cover 360. If it is, there may be some gaps.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the support portion 350 that has come out of the protective cover 360 can support the second sample container 62 in which the urgent sample is stored. The third sample container 63 can be supported by the support portion 350, which will be described later.

  After the second sample container 62 or the third sample container 63 is supported by the support portion 350, when the operator pushes the open / close cover upper end 362a backward, the open / close cover 362 rotates clockwise about the pivot shaft 364 Move to close passage 361. That is, the open / close cover 362 closes the passage port 361 while moving upward relative to the storage hole 350 a of the support portion 350. In addition, the open / close cover 362 closes the passage opening 361 so that the distance between the upper end 362 a and the support portion 350 becomes smaller.

  The interlocking mechanism 400 converts the pivoting movement of the open / close cover 362 into backward movement of the support portion 350. That is, when the open / close cover 362 rotates clockwise, the elongated hole 366 pushes the roller 355 backward, and the support portion 350 moves backward while the roller 355 returns in the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole 366. Thereby, in conjunction with the closing operation of the open / close cover 362, the support portion 350 moves backward and returns to the position of FIG.

  The interlocking mechanism 400 may be omitted. When the interlocking mechanism 400 is omitted, it is preferable to separately provide a drive unit responsible for the opening and closing operation of the opening and closing cover 362 and a drive unit responsible for the back and forth movement of the support unit 350. When driving the open / close cover 362 and the support unit 350 by different drive units, in order to simultaneously perform the opening / closing operation of the open / close cover 362 and the back and forth movement of the support unit 350, the respective drive units may be operated simultaneously.

  The interlocking mechanism 400 is not limited to those shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and may be, for example, a mechanism shown in FIG. The interlocking mechanism 400 shown in FIG. 8 includes a gear 410 that rotates integrally with the pivot shaft 364, a pinion 420 that meshes with the gear 410, and a rack 430 that meshes with the pinion 420. The rack 430 is attached to the support 350 and can move back and forth integrally with the support 350. When the support portion 350 moves forward, the rack 430 moves forward, and the open / close cover 362 pivots counterclockwise around the pivot shaft 364 via the pinion 420 and the gear 410. Also, when the open / close cover 362 is manually rotated clockwise, the rack 430 moves rearward via the gear 410 and the pinion 420.

[4. Sample container detection]
In the protective cover 360, a first sensor 620, a second sensor 610, and a third sensor 630 are provided. The first sensor 620 and the second sensor 610 are for detecting the second sample container 62 at the second sample suction position 72. As shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 9, the first sensor 620 and the second sensor 610 are attached to a columnar sensor support 600 disposed in the protective cover 360. The sensor support 600 is provided on the fixed base 381.

  Each of the first sensor 620 and the second sensor 610 is configured to have a U-shaped photo interrupter having a light emitting element and a light receiving element. As shown in FIG. 9, each of the first sensor 620 and the second sensor 610 has contacts 612 and 622 for contacting the sample container. The contactors 612 and 622 are rod-like members rotatably attached around the pivot shaft 614 whose axial direction is directed in the Z direction, which is the vertical direction, to the photo interrupter. As shown in FIG. 9B, the contacts 612 and 622 are provided such that one end portions 612a and 622a thereof are positioned in the U-shaped photo interrupter to block the light of the light emitting element. As shown in FIG. 9C, when the second sample container 62 is positioned at the second sample suction position 72, the second sample container 62 pushes the contacts 612 and 622 backward and rotates around the rotation shaft 614. Let Thus, the end portions 612a and 622a of the contacts 612 and 622 are located outside the U-shaped photo interrupter, and the light of the light emitting element is detected by the light receiving element. When the state shown in FIG. 9C is reached, the second sample container 62 is detected by the sensors 620 and 610. The contacts 612 and 622 are biased by coil springs (not shown) so as to assume the position shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 9A and 10A, the first sensor 620 detects the second sample container 62 halfway in the vertical direction of the support portion 350. The support portion 350 has a first defect portion 351 which allows the second sample container 62 housed in the support portion 350 to come into contact with the contact 622 at a midway position in the vertical direction of the support portion 350. The first defect portion 351 is formed by partially cutting the outer periphery of the support portion 350, and exposes the second sample container 62 accommodated in the support portion 350 to the outside.

  As shown in FIGS. 9A and 10A, the second sensor 610 detects the second sample container 62 above the storage hole 350a. The wall portion 500 of the support portion 350 has a second defect portion 510 which allows the contact between the second sample container 62 and the contactor 612. The second defect portion 510 is formed by cutting out a part of the wall portion 500, and allows the contactor 612 to pass through the wall portion 500.

  As shown in FIG. 10, inside the support portion 350, a first support surface 352 which is an inverted conical bottom surface for supporting the lower end of the second sample container 62, and a position above the first support surface 352 The second support surface 353 is formed. Inside the support portion 350, the space below the second support surface 353 is a space having a smaller diameter than the upper side of the second support surface 353, and above the second support surface 353, the internal space of the support portion 350 is Expanding diameter.

  As shown in FIG. 10B, the second support surface 353 supports the lower end of the adapter 700 attached to the third sample container 63. The adapter 700 is for supporting the third sample container 63, which is shorter than the second sample container 62, on the support portion 350, and the third sample container 63 is inserted so as to project upward. The third sample container 63 supported by the support portion 350 via the adapter 700 is projected upward with respect to the support portion 350 like the second sample container 62, but like the second sample container 62, 1 is not supported by the support surface 352. Therefore, even if the third sample container 63 is supported by the support portion 350, the third sample container 63 is not located between the first support surface 352 and the second support surface 353.

  Since the first sensor 620 is disposed below the second support surface 353, that is, between the first support surface 352 and the second support surface 353, the second sample container supported by the support portion 350 62 can be detected, but the third sample container 63 is not detected even if it is supported by the support portion 350. Since the second sensor 620 is disposed above the second support surface 353, it is possible to detect the second sample container 62 and the third sample container 63 supported by the support portion 350.

  The third sensor 630 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) detects whether or not the support 350 is in the protective cover 360, that is, whether or not the support 350 is in the back end position in the movement range in the front-rear direction. Do. The third sensor 630 is provided on the fixed base portion 381. The third sensor 630 is configured to have a U-shaped photo interrupter having a light emitting element and a light receiving element. When the support portion 350 moves to the rear end position in the movement range in the front-rear direction, the rear portion of the movement base portion 383 is positioned in the U-shaped photo interrupter to block the light of the light emitting element. Thus, the third sensor 630 detects that the support 350 is in the protective cover 360.

  In the protective cover 360, another sensor, for example, a sensor that detects that the rack 60 is placed in the first placement area 31, and the fact that the rack 60 is positioned in the transport unit 33 A sensor to detect can be arranged.

[5. Nozzle control]
The nozzle control by the control unit 40 is performed as shown in FIG. For the nozzle control, the control unit 40 performs the determination of step S11. Step S11 is a judgment as to whether a normal sample measurement is to be made. The normal sample measurement is a measurement of a normal sample of the first sample container 61 held in the rack 60. If it is not a normal sample measurement, it is a measurement of the urgent sample of the 2nd sample container 62 or the 3rd sample container 63 installed in installation part 34. The selection of the normal sample measurement and the urgent sample measurement is executed by selecting the first instructing unit 52a or the second instructing unit 52b, which is a selection button displayed on the display unit 52 of the processing device 50. The first instructing unit 52a is for selecting a normal sample measurement. The second instructing unit 52b is for selecting an emergency sample measurement. When the instruction units 52a and 52b are selected by the operation of the input unit 53, the selected measurement mode is set.

  When it is determined in step S11 that the measurement mode is the normal sample measurement, in step S12, the control unit 40 controls the transport unit 33 to aspirate the first sample container 61 where the urine sample should be aspirated. Transport to the position. Furthermore, the control unit 40 moves the nozzle 111 to the first sample suction position 71 so as to suction the urine sample from the first sample container 61 on the transport unit 33. In this case, the nozzle 111 goes out of the housing 21 from the initial position 74 through the opening 21 b formed in the housing 21, moves to the first sample suction position 71 on the transport unit 33, and suctions the sample. .

  When it is determined in step S11 that the measurement mode is the urgent sample measurement, the control unit 40 controls the electromagnetic cylinder 385f which is the operation drive unit included in the movement mechanism 380, and releases the movement restriction of the movement base unit 383. The cover 530 is opened out of the protective cover 360 while the open / close cover 362 is opened. When the operator causes the second sample container 62 or the third sample container 63 to be supported by the support portion 350 and pushes the open / close cover 362 to close the open / close cover and position the support portion 350 in the protective cover 360, the support portion is It is detected by the third sensor 630 that the 350 is in the protective cover 360.

  In step S14, when the second sensor 610 detects a sample container, the control unit 40 determines that the second sample container 62 or the third sample container 63 is supported by the support unit 350. Furthermore, in step S15, when the first sensor 620 detects a sample container, the control unit 40 determines that the second sample container 62 is supported by the support unit 350. In this case, the control unit 40 moves the nozzle to the second sample aspiration position 72 in step S16. When the first sensor 620 does not detect the sample container, the control unit 40 determines that the third sample container 63 is supported by the support unit 350. In this case, in step S17, the control unit 40 moves the nozzle to the third sample suction position 73.

  When the nozzle 111 moves to the second sample suction position 72 or the third sample suction position 73, the nozzle 111 passes out of the housing 21 from the initial position 74 through the opening 21a formed in the housing 21 and is protected. It enters into the protective cover from the upper opening 367 of the cover 360, moves to the second sample aspiration position 72 or the third sample aspiration position 73, and aspirates a urine sample. Since the third sample suction position 73 for the third sample container 63 is set above the third sample suction position for the second sample container 62, the third sample container 63 is supported by the support portion 350. If it is set, the nozzle 111 sucks the urine sample above the second sample suction position.

10 urine analyzer 30 transport device 33 transport unit 34 installation unit 40 control unit 61 first sample container 62 second sample container 63 third sample container 71 first sample suction position 72 second sample suction position 73 third sample suction position 111 First nozzle 260 detection unit 350 support unit 350 a storage hole 351 first defective portion 352 first support surface 353 second support surface 355 roller 360 protective cover 362 open / close cover 364 pivot shaft 365 connection portion 366 elongated hole 380 movement mechanism 387 damper 400 interlocking mechanism 500 wall 510 second defective portion 620 first sensor 622 contactor 610 second sensor 612 contactor 700 adapter

Claims (16)

A transport unit configured to transport a first sample container containing a urine sample and having an open upper end to a first sample suction position;
A second sample suction position different from the first sample suction position is positioned inside, a protective cover having a passage opening through which a second sample container containing a urine sample and having an upper end opened can pass;
A support portion provided in the protective cover and supporting the second sample container at the second sample suction position;
The second sample inserted in the first sample container at the first sample suctioning position for urine sample suctioning via the opening of the first sample container, and at the second sample suctioning position for urine sample suctioning A nozzle inserted into the container through the opening of the second sample container;
A detection unit that detects a component in a urine sample aspirated by the nozzle;
A movement mechanism for moving the support part in and out of the protective cover while maintaining the posture of the second sample container supported by the support part in the posture at the time of urine sample suction;
An open / close cover which closes the passage when the support is in the protective cover, and which opens the passage when the support moves outside the protective cover;
Urine analyzer equipped with The movement of the supporting portion to the outside of the protective cover and the operation of the open / close cover opening the passage opening are interlocked, and the movement of the support portion into the protective cover and the operation of the open / close cover closing the passage opening The urine analyzer according to claim 1, further comprising an interlocking mechanism that interlocks with each other. A rotating shaft,
A connecting portion for connecting the opening / closing cover to the pivot shaft so as to be pivotable about the pivot shaft;
And further
The opening and closing cover is configured to open and close the passage by rotation around the rotation axis.
The interlocking mechanism is
A long hole formed in the connecting portion;
A roller attached to the support and inserted into the elongated hole so as to move in the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole by interlocking movement of the support and the operation of the opening / closing cover;
The urine analyzer according to claim 2, comprising: The support portion includes a storage hole for storing the second sample container in a state in which the second sample container protrudes upward from the support portion,
The opening / closing cover is configured to open the passage opening while moving downward relative to the storage hole, and close the passage opening while moving upward relative to the storage hole. The urine analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The urine analyzer according to claim 4, wherein the opening / closing cover is configured to open the passage while moving so as to increase a distance between the upper end of the opening / closing cover and the support in the moving direction of the support. . The said opening / closing cover is provided so that the lower end side of the said opening / closing cover may enter in the said protective cover via the said passage opening, when the said passage opening is opened. Urine analyzer. The urine analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the posture at the time of urine sample suction is a posture in which the second sample container is upright. The urine analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the movement mechanism is a linear movement mechanism for horizontally moving the support portion. The urine analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the moving mechanism has a damper that suppresses the moving speed of the support portion. The support portion is a storage hole for storing the second sample container in a state where the second sample container protrudes upward from the support portion;
The wall portion provided so as to project above the storage hole so as to close a range above at least the storage hole among the passage openings opened by the opening and closing cover. The urine analyzer according to any one of the preceding claims. A first sensor for detecting the second sample container supported by the support portion;
A second sensor that detects the second sample container or the third sample container supported by the support portion;
And further
The support portion is
A first support surface for supporting the lower end of the second sample container;
A second support surface provided above the first support surface and supporting a lower end of an adapter mounted on a third sample container different in size from the second sample container;
Have
The first sensor is disposed below the second support surface,
The urine analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the second sensor is disposed above the second support surface. The first sensor has a contact that contacts the second sample container at the second sample suction position,
The urine analyzer according to claim 11, wherein the support portion has a first defect portion which allows the second sample container moved to the second sample suction position to contact the contact. The second sensor has a contactor contacting the second sample container or the third sample container at the second sample suction position,
The support portion has a second defect portion that allows the second sample container or the third sample container moved to the second sample suction position to contact the contact. The urine analyzer according to 12. When the second sensor detects the second sample container or the third sample container, and the first sensor detects the second sample container, the nozzle is moved to the second sample suction position.
When the second sensor detects the second sample container or the third sample container, and the first sensor does not detect the second sample container, the nozzle is positioned further than the second sample suction position. The urine analyzer according to any one of claims 11 to 13, further comprising: a control unit for moving to the upper third sample aspiration position. The urine analysis according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising: a control unit that controls transport of the first sample container by the transport unit, movement of the nozzle, and movement of the support unit by the movement mechanism. apparatus. A transport unit configured to transport a first sample container containing a urine sample and having an open upper end to a first sample suction position by a nozzle;
A second sample suction position by the nozzle different from the first sample suction position is positioned inside, a protective cover having a passage opening through which a second sample container containing a urine sample and having an open upper end can pass;
A support portion provided in the protective cover and supporting the second sample container at the second sample suction position;
A movement mechanism for moving the support part in and out of the protective cover while maintaining the posture of the second sample container supported by the support part in the posture at the time of urine sample suction;
An open / close cover which closes the passage when the support is in the protective cover, and which opens the passage when the support moves outside the protective cover;
Urine delivery device comprising:

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