JP6549962B2 - Test specimen carrier, transport unit and test specimen analyzer - Google Patents

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a test piece carrier, a transport unit, and a test piece analyzer.

In order to analyze a biological sample (in particular, urine), a test strip having an elongated plate-like substrate and a reagent layer formed on one surface of the substrate can be used. In analysis using a test piece, a liquid sample such as urine is brought into contact with the reagent layer, and the presence or absence and concentration of components of the sample are grasped from the degree of coloration of the reagent layer.
As an apparatus that performs such analysis, there is an analyzer including a transport unit that transports a test strip, and an imaging device that captures an image of the test strip transported by the transport unit (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
As a flow of clinical examination in recent years, a so-called point of care test (POCT), in which a sample collected from a subject is inspected on the spot, and the inspection result is immediately returned, is spreading. The urine analyzer described in Patent Document 1 is one example.
In this device, when a test piece is immersed in a urine sample collected in a urine collection cup and this test piece is placed on the test piece placement body of the transport unit of the device, the test piece is sent to the measurement unit inside the device and the imaging device The image is taken by The image obtained by the imaging device is analyzed, and the concentration of components (protein, occult blood, sugar, specific gravity, white blood cells, etc.) contained in the urine, pH and the like are determined from the degree of coloration of each reagent layer. The test piece for which measurement has been completed is automatically discharged from the outlet on the side of the device.

JP 2005-098937 A

However, the test piece carrier used in the analyzer has the following problems.
In the test piece, a part of the sample (the urine sample) remains on the surface, so the test piece may stick to the test piece mounting body and may not be discharged from the outlet on the side of the device after analysis.
In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a test piece placement body, a transport unit, and a test piece analysis device capable of preventing sticking of a test piece in a test piece placement body on which a test piece is placed in an analyzer. The purpose is to

One aspect of the present invention is a transport unit for transporting a test strip from a first position to a second position, a drive unit for driving the transport unit, and imaging for imaging the test strip at the second position. A test strip carrier used in a test strip analyzer comprising a unit; a bottom plate on which the test strip can be placed, and a first plate of the bottom plate extending from both side edges of the bottom plate to a length direction of the bottom plate A test piece placement body is provided, comprising: a pair of side plates that project in the direction of one side; and a plurality of bottom plate projections capable of supporting the test piece are formed on the first surface of the bottom plate.
It is preferable that the plurality of bottom plate protrusions extend in a direction crossing the length direction of the bottom plate and be spaced apart in the length direction of the bottom plate.
It is preferable that the bottom plate projection be shaped so as to narrow in width in the projecting direction, and that the top can support the test piece.
The space in which the test piece can be disposed on the first surface side of the bottom plate is preferably such that the distance in the width direction of the bottom plate is larger than the width of the test piece.
It is preferable that the side plate protrusion which can contact | abut the said test piece supported by the said baseplate protrusion is formed in the inner surface of the said side plate.
It is preferable to further comprise an extending plate extending outward from the protruding edge of the side plate.
The surface of the extension plate on the protrusion direction side of the side plate is formed with one or more extension plate projections that extend in a direction intersecting the length direction of the bottom plate and can support the test piece. Is preferred.
It is preferable that the projecting end surface of the side plate is an inclined surface which is directed in the opposite direction to the projecting direction as it goes inward.

  One aspect of the present invention provides a transfer unit having the test piece placing body and a transfer mechanism for transferring the test piece placing body.

  One aspect of the present invention provides a test strip analyzer including the transport unit, the imaging unit, and the drive unit.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, since the bottom plate protrusion capable of supporting the test piece is formed on the first surface of the bottom plate, the contact area between the bottom plate and the test piece can be reduced. Therefore, even when a liquid sample such as urine adheres to the bottom plate, sticking of the test piece to the bottom plate can be made less likely to occur. Therefore, it is possible to prevent in advance the occurrence of trouble in the operation of the analyzer due to the sticking of the test piece.

It is a perspective view which shows the analyzer which used the test piece mounting body which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the internal structure of the analyzer shown in FIG. It is a side view which shows typically the internal structure of the analyzer shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows a part of conveyance unit of the analyzer shown in FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows a part of conveyance unit of the analyzer shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the test-piece mounting body of the analyzer shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the test-piece mounting body of the analyzer shown in FIG. It is a front view which shows the test-piece mounting body and conveyance mechanism of an analyzer shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the test-piece mounting body and endless belt of an analyzer shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows a part of conveyance unit of the analyzer shown in FIG. (A) It is a top view of the test-piece mounting body of the analyzer shown in FIG. (B) It is I-I 'sectional drawing shown to (A). (C) It is the figure which expanded (B). (A) It is a side view of the test-piece mounting body of the analyzer shown in FIG. (B) It is II-II 'sectional drawing shown to (A). (A) It is a top view of the test-piece mounting body of the analyzer shown in FIG. (B) It is III-III 'sectional drawing shown to (A). (C) It is the figure which expanded (B). (A) It is a side view of the test-piece mounting body of the analyzer shown in FIG. (B) It is IV-IV 'sectional drawing shown to (A). It is a perspective view which shows the state which pulled out the conveyance unit of the analyzer shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the cross-sectional shape of the 1st modification of the rib-shaped protrusion of the analyzer shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the cross-sectional shape of the 2nd modification of the rib-shaped protrusion of the analyzer shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the cross-sectional shape of the 3rd modification of the rib-shaped protrusion of the analyzer shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the cross-sectional shape of the 4th modification of the rib-shaped protrusion of the analyzer shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the cross-sectional shape of the 5th modification of the rib-shaped protrusion of the analyzer shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows an example of a test piece.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings.
[Analysis equipment]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a test strip analyzer 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as an analyzer 10) using a test strip carrier 12 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the analyzer 10. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a side view schematically showing the internal structure of the analyzer 10. As shown in FIG.
In the following description, an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system is set. The X direction is the length direction of the endless belt for transporting the test piece mounting body on which the test piece is mounted, and is the left-right direction in FIG. The Y direction is a width direction of an endless belt for transporting a test piece mounting body on which a test piece is placed, and is a direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. The Z direction is a direction orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction, and is the vertical direction in FIG. The upper side is also referred to as the height direction.

  The side of the test piece placement body on which the test piece is placed is the upper side. The up and down direction coincides with the Z direction. The direction in which the test piece mounting body on which the test piece is mounted is transported is called the front, and the opposite direction is called the back. In FIG. 3, the front is the right direction and the rear is the left direction. The longitudinal direction coincides with the X direction.

  FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a test strip 11 which is an example of the test strip. The test strip 11 has an elongated plate-like base 61 and a plurality of reagent layers 62 formed on one surface 61 a of the base 61. When the reagent layer 62 is brought into contact with a liquid sample (such as urine) to be analyzed, the reagent layer 62 is colored in accordance with the presence or absence of the components of the liquid sample.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the analyzer 10 drives the transport unit 1 for placing and transporting the test strip 11, the imaging unit 2 for imaging the test strip 11, and the transport unit 2. The display unit 5 includes a drive unit 3, a case 4 for accommodating these components, a display unit 5, and a control unit 6.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the transport unit 1 includes a plurality of test strip mounts 12 on which the test strips 11 are mounted, and a transport mechanism 13 for transporting the test strip mounts 12. Have.

As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 12, the test piece placement body 12 is, for example, a rectangular bottom plate 21 in plan view and side plates 22 and 22 erected on the side edges 21c and 21c of the bottom plate 21, and side plates, And 22, extending plates 23 and 23 (blades) extending outward from upper edges 22b (projecting end edges) of the plates 22 and 22, respectively.
The upper surface 21a of the bottom plate 21 is a first surface, and the lower surface 21b is a second surface.

The side plates 22, 22 project upward from the side edges 21c, 21c (in the direction of the upper surface 21a, that is, in the direction of the first surface of the bottom plate 21). The side plates 22, 22 project along the YZ plane.
The upper edge surfaces 22c, 22c (projecting end edge surfaces) of the side plates 22, 22 are inclined surfaces directed downward as they go inward. Since the upper edge surfaces 22c, 22c are inclined surfaces, it is possible to prevent the side plates 22, 22 from blocking the light irradiated from the light sources 42, 42 (see FIG. 3) of the imaging unit 2 to the test piece 11. Here, the inward direction is a direction approaching the other side plate 22 as viewed from the one side plate 22.

The extension plates 23 are provided, for example, for the purpose of adjusting the distance in the X direction between the main body portions (the bottom plate 21 and the side plates 22) of the test piece placement bodies 12 adjacent to each other. Further, by providing the extension plate 23, it is possible to prevent the disturbance of the posture of the test piece placement body 12. For example, it is possible to restrict the test piece placement body 12 from tilting in the Y direction in the XY plane.
The extending direction of the extending plates 23, 23 is a direction along the XY plane. In addition, the outer side which is the extending direction of the extending plate 23 is a direction which leaves the other extending plate 23 as viewed from the one extending plate 23.

  FIG. 11A is a plan view of the test piece placement body 12. FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view taken along a line I-I 'shown in FIG. FIG. 11 (C) is an enlarged view of FIG. 11 (B). FIG. 12A is a side view (viewed from the Y direction) of the test piece placement body 12. FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II 'shown in FIG. FIG. 13A is a plan view of the test piece placement body 12. FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III 'shown in FIG. FIG. 13 (C) is an enlarged view of FIG. 13 (B). FIG. 14A is a side view (viewed from the Y direction) of the test piece placement body 12. FIG. 14 (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV 'shown in FIG. 14 (A).

  As shown in FIGS. 11 to 14, the test piece placement body 12 is formed with a pair of first rib-shaped projections 24, 24 and a pair of second rib-shaped projections 25, 25.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the pair of first rib-shaped protrusions 24, 24 are formed at intervals in the length direction (Y direction) of the test piece placement body 12.
The first rib-like protrusion 24 is a second rib-like protrusion from a bottom plate protrusion 24 a formed on the upper surface 21 a of the bottom plate 21, a side plate protrusion 24 b formed on the inner side surface 22 a of the side plate 22, and an upper edge surface 22 c of the side plate 22. It has an intermediate projection 24g formed to the inner surface 25a of 25 and an extension plate projection 24c formed on the upper surface 23a of the extension plate 23.

As shown in FIG. 11, the bottom plate protrusion 24 a is formed on the upper surface 21 a of the bottom plate 21 so as to protrude upward. The bottom plate protrusion 24 a extends along the width direction (X direction) of the bottom plate 21 over the entire width of the top surface 21 a. It is preferable that the protrusion height of the bottom plate protrusion 24a from the upper surface 21a be constant in the length direction (X direction).
It is preferable that the protruding heights of the pair of bottom plate protrusions 24a, 24a be equal to each other. Thereby, the test piece 11 can be supported in parallel to the upper surface 21a.
The bottom plate projections 24 a, 24 a are formed at intervals in the length direction (Y direction) of the test piece placement body 12. The number of bottom plate projections 24a is not limited to two and may be three or more.

  As shown in FIG. 11C, since the bottom plate protrusion 24a is formed on the upper surface 21a of the bottom plate 21, the test piece 11 placed on the bottom plate 21 is supported by the bottom plate protrusion 24a. Since the pair of bottom plate projections 24a, 24a are formed at intervals in the length direction of the test piece placement body 12, the test piece 11 is stably supported at two positions separated in the length direction.

  Since the test piece 11 is supported by the bottom plate protrusion 24 a, the contact area between the bottom plate 21 and the test piece 11 can be reduced. Therefore, even when a liquid sample such as urine adheres to the bottom plate 21, sticking of the test piece 11 to the bottom plate 21 is unlikely to occur.

The cross-sectional shape of the bottom plate protrusion 24a (the shape of the cross section orthogonal to the length direction of the bottom plate protrusion 24a) is a shape such as a triangle whose width gradually narrows in the projecting direction (upward). The bottom plate protrusion 24a can support the test strip 11 at the top 24d which is the top.
Since the bottom plate protrusion 24 a contacts the test piece 11 linearly at the top 24 d (apex), the contact area with the test piece 11 is reduced. Therefore, sticking of the test piece 11 to the bottom plate 21 can be further prevented.

As shown in FIG. 12, the side plate protrusion 24 b is formed on the inner side surface 22 a of the side plate 22 so as to protrude inward. The side plate protrusion 24b extends from one end and the other end of the bottom plate protrusion 24a along the width direction (Z direction) of the side plate 22 over the entire height of the inner side surface 22a. It is preferable that the protrusion height of the side plate protrusion 24b from the inner side surface 22a be constant in the length direction (Z direction). Here, the inward direction is a direction approaching the other side plate 22 as viewed from the one side plate 22.
The side plate protrusion 24 b is formed at a position where the test piece 11 supported by the bottom plate protrusion 24 a can be brought into contact depending on the mounting position.
The side plate protrusions 24 b are formed at intervals in the length direction (Y direction) of the test piece placement body 12. The number of side plate protrusions 24 b (per one side plate 22) is not limited to two and may be three or more.

  The protruding height of the side plate protrusion 24 b is set so as not to block the light emitted from the light sources 42 and 42 (see FIG. 3) of the imaging unit 2 to the test piece 11. It is preferable that the protrusion height of the side plate protrusion 24 b be as low as possible so as not to block the irradiation light while holding the test piece 11 on the test piece placement body 12.

  As shown in FIG. 12B, since the side plate protrusion 24b is formed on the inner side surface 22a, the test piece 11 is disposed apart from the inner side surface 22a even when it is close to the side plate 22. Therefore, the contact area between the side plate 22 and the test piece 11 can be reduced. Therefore, even when a liquid sample such as urine adheres to the side plate 22, the sticking of the test piece 11 to the side plate 22 hardly occurs.

  Since the test strip 11 is disposed apart from the inner side surface 22 a of the side plate 22, when the test strip 11 is imaged by the imaging unit 2 at the imaging position P 2, the shadow of the side plate 22 causes the reagent layer 62 in the image. It can avoid that the color is adversely affected.

The cross-sectional shape of the side plate protrusion 24b (the shape of the cross section orthogonal to the length direction of the side plate protrusion 24b) is a shape such as a triangle whose width gradually narrows in the projecting direction (inward direction). The side plate protrusion 24b can contact the test piece 11 at the top 24e (apex).
Therefore, the contact area between the side plate protrusion 24 b and the test piece 11 when the test piece 11 contacts the side plate protrusion 24 b can be reduced. Therefore, sticking of the test piece 11 to the side plate 22 can be further prevented.

As shown in FIG. 14, the middle protrusion 24 g is formed on the upper edge surface 22 c of the side plate 22 and the inner side surface 25 a of the second rib-like protrusion 25 so as to protrude in the direction away from the surface. The middle protrusion 24g is formed from the upper edge of the side plate protrusion 24b to the top 25c of the second rib-like protrusion 25 over the entire width of the upper edge surface 22c and the inner surface 25a.
The protruding height of the middle projection 24g from the upper edge surface 22c and the inner side surface 25a becomes lower toward the top 25c of the second rib-shaped projection 25 and becomes zero at the upper end. As shown in FIG. 14A, the height position (the position in the Z direction) of the upper end of the middle projection 24g can be made the same as the height position of the top 25c of the second rib-shaped projection 25.
The intermediate protrusions 24g, 24g are formed at intervals in the length direction (Y direction) of the test piece placement body 12. The number of intermediate protrusions 24g is not limited to two and may be three or more.

  The cross-sectional shape of the middle projection 24g (the shape of the cross section orthogonal to the lengthwise direction of the middle projection 24g) is triangular at the lower end, but as shown in FIG. 14B, at the position between the lower end and the upper end A trapezoidal shape (trapezoid having an upper surface 24 h) whose width gradually narrows in the projecting direction can be used.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the extension plate protrusion 24 c is formed to project upward on the upper surface 23 a (a surface on the side of the side plate 22 in the protrusion direction) of the extension plate 23. The extending plate protrusion 24 c extends along substantially the entire width of the upper surface 23 a along the width direction (X direction) of the extending plate 23. The extending plate protrusion 24 c extends from the outer side surface 25 b of the second rib-like protrusion 25 and reaches the outer edge 23 b of the extending plate 23. It is preferable that the protrusion height of the extension plate protrusion 24c from the upper surface 23a is constant in the length direction (X direction).

As shown in FIG. 13C, since the extension plate projection 24c is formed on the upper surface 23a of the extension plate 23, even when the test piece 11 is placed on the extension plate 23, the test piece 11 is not It is supported by the extending plate projection 24c. Therefore, the contact area between the test piece 11 and the extension plate 23 can be reduced. Therefore, even when a liquid sample such as urine adheres to the extension plate 23, the sticking of the test piece 11 to the extension plate 23 hardly occurs, and the test piece 11 is easily discarded.
The extension plate protrusions 24 c and 24 c are formed at intervals in the length direction (Y direction) of the test piece placement body 12. The number of extension plate protrusions 24c (per one extension plate 23) is not limited to two and may be three or more.

  The cross-sectional shape (the shape of the cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the extension plate protrusion 24c) of the extension plate protrusion 24c is a shape, for example, a triangle whose width gradually narrows in the projecting direction (upward). Even when the test piece 11 is placed on the extending plate 23, the extending plate projection 24c linearly contacts the test piece 11 at the top 24f (apex), so the contact area with the test piece 11 can be reduced. Therefore, the sticking of the test piece 11 to the extension plate 23 can be further prevented. The projection height of the extension plate projection 24c is preferably as low as possible so as not to block the irradiation light.

  The second rib-shaped protrusions 25, 25 are respectively formed on the upper surfaces 23 a, 23 a of the extending plates 23, 23. The second rib-like protrusions 25, 25 can be formed to reach the upper edge surfaces 22 c, 22 c of the side plates 22, 22. The inner side surface 25a of the second rib-like protrusion 25 can be flush with the upper edge surface 22c.

The second rib-like projection 25 is formed on the upper surface 23 a of the extension plate 23 so as to protrude upward. The second rib-shaped protrusions 25 extend along the length direction (Y direction) of the extension plate 23 over the entire length of the upper surface 23 a. It is preferable that the protrusion height of the 2nd rib-shaped projection 25 from the upper surface 23a is constant in the length direction (Y direction).
The protruding height of the second rib-shaped projection 25 is set so as not to block the light emitted from the light sources 42 and 42 (see FIG. 3) of the imaging unit 2 to the test piece 11. The protruding height of the second rib-like projections 25 is preferably as low as possible so as not to block the irradiation light.

  Since the second rib-shaped projection 25 is formed on the upper surface 23 a of the extension plate 23, the test piece 11 is supported by the second rib-shaped protrusion 25 even when the test piece 11 is placed on the extension plate 23. Be done. Therefore, the contact area between the test piece 11 and the extension plate 23 can be reduced. Therefore, even when a liquid sample such as urine adheres to the extension plate 23, sticking of the test piece 11 to the extension plate 23 is unlikely to occur, and the test strip 11 can be easily discarded.

  The cross-sectional shape of the second rib-like protrusion 25 (the shape of the cross-section orthogonal to the length direction of the second rib-like protrusion 25) is a shape such as a triangle whose width gradually narrows in the projecting direction (upward) . Even when the test piece 11 is placed on the extension plate 23, the second rib-like protrusion 25 linearly contacts the test piece 11 at the top 25c (apex), so the contact area with the test piece 11 can be reduced. . Therefore, the sticking of the test piece 11 to the extension plate 23 can be further prevented.

  The height position (the position in the Z direction) of the apex 25 c of the second rib-like protrusion 25 can be constant over the entire length. Therefore, the intensity of the light emitted from the light sources 42 and 42 (see FIG. 3) of the imaging unit 2 to the test piece 11 can be made uniform in the length direction of the test piece placement body 12. Therefore, a drop in analysis accuracy can be prevented.

As shown in FIG. 12, the distance W1 (the distance in the X direction) between the facing side plate protrusions 24b of the side plates 22 and 22 (the distance in the X direction) is larger than the width W2 of the test piece 11 (the dimension in the lateral direction of the test piece 11). Is preferred.
When the distance W1 is larger than the width W2 of the test piece 11, restrictions on the position on the bottom plate 21 and the posture of the test piece 11 are reduced. For example, the mounting position of the test piece 11 may be at a side position rather than the center of the bottom plate 21 in the width direction (X direction), and as shown in FIG. You may incline with respect to the length direction (Y direction) of the single-piece mounting body 12. As shown in FIG. Therefore, the operation of placing the test piece 11 on the test piece placement body 12 can be facilitated. Moreover, since the mechanism for aligning the test piece 11 is unnecessary, cost suppression is possible.

The width W2 of the test piece 11 is, for example, 4 to 6 mm, and the distance W1 is larger than this, for example, 5 to 12 mm.
Preferably, the distance W1 does not exceed twice the width of the test strip 11. By setting the distance W1 to twice or less of the width of the test piece 11, an erroneous operation at the time of placing the test piece 11 on the test piece mounting body 12 is less likely to occur.

  The distance W1 is the distance between the apexes 24e and 24e of the side plate projections 24b and 24b facing each other. The distance W1 is the width direction (X direction) of the space in the test piece mounting body 12 in which the test piece 11 can be disposed in the internal space (the space on the upper surface 21a side) formed by the bottom plate 21 and the side plates 22 and 22. ) Distance. In the test piece mounting body having a configuration without side plate projections, the distance in the width direction (X direction) of the space in the test piece mounting body in which the test piece 11 can be placed is the distance between the inner side surfaces of the pair of side plates It is.

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, a pair of shaft support portions 27 and 27 is formed on the lower surface 21 b of the bottom plate 21 at intervals in the length direction (Y direction) of the bottom plate 21.
As shown in FIG. 7, the shaft support portions 27, 27 are projections with a semi-elliptical cross section extending in the length direction (Y direction) of the bottom plate 21, and the insertion holes 27 a, 27 a into which the support bars 28 are inserted. Is formed. The insertion holes 27 a, 27 a are formed through the shaft support portions 27, 27 along the length direction (Y direction) of the bottom plate 21.

  It is preferable that the distance between the shaft support portions 27 and 27 be approximately the same as or slightly larger than the width of the endless belt 14. In the space 29 between the shaft support portions 27, 27, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, an endless belt 14 is disposed.

As shown in FIG. 9, one end and the other end of the support bar 28 are respectively inserted into the insertion holes 27a and 27a.
The support bar 28 is shaped so that at least a part thereof can enter and hold the holding recess 31 of the endless belt 14. The support bar 28 may be, for example, a rod having a circular cross section.
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the endless belt 14 is disposed in the space 29 between the shaft support portions 27 and 27, and the support bar 28 is engaged with the holding recess 31 and fitted in the insertion holes 27a and 27a. Thus, the test piece mount 12 can be attached to the outer surface 14 b side of the endless belt 14.

  It is preferable that the test piece placement body 12 attached to the endless belt 14 be in a state in which the lower surface 21 b abuts (or approaches) the outer surface 14 b of the endless belt 14. As a result, the test piece placing body 12 located on the upper side of the guide plate 15 is supported by the endless belt 14 over the entire width of the lower surface 21 b, so that the upper surface 21 a of the bottom plate 21 is kept horizontal.

  As shown in FIG. 7, at least one (preferably both) of the side edges 21b1 and 21b1, which are one end and the other end of the bottom surface 21b of the bottom plate 21 in the width direction (X direction), is fixed to the endless belt 14. Preferably not.

The mounting structure consisting of the shaft support portion and the support bar can be provided at two or more places where the positions in the width direction of the lower surface of the test piece mounting body are different, but as shown in FIG. It is preferable to provide at only one place of the lower surface 21 b of the mounting body 12. According to this configuration, the test piece placement body 12 can turn around the axis about the support bar 28 along the Y direction as a pivot, so that the movement of the test piece placement body 12 can be secured sufficiently and sufficiently. Can.
Therefore, when the endless belt 14 has a curved shape in the pulleys 16 and 17, the test piece mount 12 operates smoothly with the side edges 21b1 and 21b1 separated from the endless belt 14, and the endless belt 14 is endless. The force applied to the belt 14 can be reduced. In addition, when the endless belt 14 is in a linear form between the front pulley 16 and the rear pulley 17, the posture of the test piece placement body 12 can be kept horizontal.

As shown in FIGS. 7-9, on the lower surface 21b of the bottom plate 21, a pair of positioning projections 30, 30 (30A, 30A) are located downward at a position closer to one end of the bottom plate 21 than the shaft support portions 27, 27. It is formed to protrude. The positioning projections 30, 30 (30A, 30A) are formed side by side in the width direction (X direction) of the bottom plate 21.
A pair of positioning projections 30, 30 (30B, 30B) are formed on the lower surface 21b of the bottom plate 21 so as to project downward at a position closer to the other end of the bottom plate 21 more than the shaft support portions 27, 27. The pair of positioning projections 30, 30 (30B, 30B) are formed side by side in the width direction (X direction) of the bottom plate 21.
The positioning projection 30 is in the form of a semi-elliptical plate perpendicular to the length direction (Y direction) of the bottom plate 21.

  The plurality of test strip mounts 12 are attached to the endless belt 14 independently of each other. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 and 10, one edge 12a of the test piece placement body 12 and the other edge 12b of the test piece placement body 12 adjacent to the test piece placement body 12 Can be in close proximity to one another or can be spaced apart from one another.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when the test piece placement body 12 is at a position corresponding to the upper edge 15 d and the lower edge 15 e of the guide plate 15, one edge 12 a of the test piece placement body 12 The other edge 12 b of the test piece placement body 12 adjacent to the test piece placement body 12 is close to each other.
On the other hand, when the test piece placement body 12 is at a position corresponding to the end edges 15 f and 15 g of the guide plate 15 and the pulleys 16 and 17, one edge 12 a of the test piece placement body 12 and the test piece placement body 12 The other edge 12 b of the test piece mount 12 adjacent to the mount 12 is far away.
When the specimen support 12 is at a position corresponding to the edges 15 f and 15 g of the guide plate 15 and the pulleys 16 and 17, compared with when it is at a position corresponding to the upper edge 15 d and the lower edge 15 e The edge 12 a and the other edge 12 b increase in the distance from the endless belt 14.

  The plurality of test strip mounts 12 are attached side by side in the longitudinal direction of the endless belt 14. As a result, since the plurality of test pieces 11 can be continuously provided for analysis, the work can be made more efficient.

  As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, it is preferable that the plurality of test strip mounts 12 be attached to the endless belt 14 so that the gap between the adjacent test strip mounts 12 is as small as possible. As a result, the plurality of test pieces 11 can be subjected to analysis at short time intervals, and work can be made more efficient.

  As shown in FIG. 4, it is preferable that the installation pitch L1 of the test piece mounts 12 aligned in the length direction of the endless belt 14 be equal to or slightly larger than the width of the test piece mount 12 . The installation pitch L1 is, for example, the distance in the X direction between the one edge 12a of the test piece placement body 12 and the one edge 12a of the test piece placement body 12 adjacent thereto.

  The color of the test piece placement body 12 is preferably dark (eg, black). When performing processing such as extracting the image of the test piece 11 from the image obtained by the imaging unit 2 if the color of the test piece mounting body 12 is dark, the test piece 11 and the test piece mounting body 12 The contrast of the image processing can be enhanced to increase the reliability of the image processing.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 10, the transport mechanism 13 includes an endless belt 14 to which the test piece mount 12 is attached, and guide plates 15 and 15 provided on one side and the other side of the endless belt 14 ( A guide portion, a front pulley 16, a rear pulley 17 (rotary body), a front shaft 18 provided on the front pulley 16, and a rear shaft 19 provided on the rear pulley 17.

The endless belt 14 is formed of a belt-like body (or a belt-like body) and is formed in an annular shape. As shown in FIG. 9, the endless belt 14 is preferably a toothed belt because it is necessary to accurately transport the test piece mount 12 and to clean the removable transport unit 1. .
As a material of a toothed belt, synthetic rubber, polyurethane, etc. are used, for example. The toothed belt can suppress elongation by embedding a core wire such as a steel wire, glass fiber, aramid fiber or the like therein.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the front pulley 16 and the rear pulley 17 are provided at an interval in the front-rear direction. A toothed pulley can be used as the front pulley 16 and the rear pulley 17. The front pulley 16 which is a toothed pulley is called a front toothed pulley 16, and the rear pulley 17 which is a toothed pulley is called a rear toothed pulley 17.

As the front toothed pulley 16 and the rear toothed pulley 17, those whose teeth appropriately mesh with the teeth of the toothed belt (endless belt 14) are used.
In addition to the teeth that mesh with the teeth of the toothed belt (endless belt 14), the outer peripheral edge of the toothed pulleys 16, 17 is a support bar 28 provided for fixing the test piece mount 12 to the toothed belt. Notches 16a and 17a are formed intermittently for the purpose of passing through. The formation interval of the notches 16a and 17a is set, for example, in accordance with the installation pitch L1 (see FIG. 4) of the test piece installation body 12.
Also, when the toothed belt is circulated, the toothed belt and the toothed pulley 16, so that the positions of the notches 16a and 17a on the outer peripheral edge of the toothed pulleys 16 and 17 and the support bar 28 always coincide with each other. It is preferable to select the number of teeth of 17 appropriately.

The shaft 18 extends from the pulley 16 along one central axis of the pulley 16 to one side and the other side of the pulley 16. The shaft portion 19 extends from the pulley 17 to one side and the other side of the pulley 17 along the central axis of the pulley 17. The front shaft portion 18 and the rear shaft portion 19 are fixed to the pulleys 16 and 17.
The front shaft portion 18 and the rear shaft portion 19 are rotatably supported by the guide plates 15, 15 by fitting the bearings 15 a, 15 a of the guide plates 15, 15 at one end and the other end.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the extension shaft 20, which is a portion on one end side of the rear shaft portion 19, penetrates the bearing 15a of the guide plate 15 and extends outward (Y direction) from the outer surface 15b of the guide plate 15. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the guide plate 15 has an oval shape in a plan view. The outer peripheral edge 15c of the guide plate 15 has, for example, straight upper and lower edges 15d and 15e parallel to each other, a semicircular front end edge 15f formed at the front end of the upper and lower edges 15d and 15e, and an upper edge 15d. And a semicircular rear end edge 15g formed at the rear end of the lower edge 15e. In addition, oval shape means the shape which consists of a pair of mutually parallel straight line, and the curve convex-shaped curve formed in the one end and other end of these straight lines.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 10, the pair of guide plates 15, 15 are provided at intervals from the endless belt 14 on one side and the other side of the endless belt 14 in the width direction (Y direction).
As shown in FIG. 8, the inner surfaces 15 h, 15 h of the guide plates 15, 15 are located close to the outer surfaces 30 a, 30 a of the positioning projections 30, 30 of the test piece mount 12 attached to the endless belt 14. Therefore, the guide plates 15, 15 restrict movement of the test piece placement body 12 in the length direction (Y direction), and restrict positional deviation of the test piece placement body 12 from the track of the endless belt 14. it can.

  The upper edge 15 d of the guide plate 15 is in a position close to the lower surface 21 b of the bottom plate 21 of the test piece mount 12 attached to the endless belt 14. Therefore, the guide plates 15 can restrict the tilting of the test piece placement body 12 and keep the posture of the test piece placement body 12 horizontal.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 10, bearings 15a, 15a are formed at one end and the other end of the guide plates 15, 15 in which the front end portions of the front shaft portion 18 and the rear shaft portion 19 are rotatably fitted. It is done.

As shown in FIG. 3, a mounting position P1 (first position) at which the test piece 11 is mounted on the test piece mounting body 12, and an imaging position P2 at which the test piece 11 is imaged by the imaging unit 2 (second The position is separated in the front and back direction.
The mounting position P1 is, for example, a position close to the front pulley 16. The imaging position P2 is, for example, a position close to the rear pulley 17.

The transport unit 1 is preferably washable as described later. Therefore, each component of the transport unit 1 is preferably water resistant. A rotating shaft (shafts 18 and 19); a support bar 28 for fixing the test piece mount 12 to the endless belt 14; and a screw for fixing each component are made of, for example, stainless steel.
The guide plate 15 is made of, for example, polyacetal resin having excellent sliding characteristics. Other parts can also be selected from synthetic resins such as polyethylene terephthalate, poly (methyl methacrylate), polystyrene, polycarbonate, and ABS, and used appropriately.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the imaging unit 2 includes an imaging element 41 for imaging the test piece 11, a pair of light sources 42 and 42 for irradiating the test piece 11 with light, an imaging element 41 and And a support 43 for supporting the light sources 42, 42.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the support 43 includes an upper frame 44, a front frame 45, and a rear frame 46 provided behind the front frame 45. The front frame 45 is inclined to descend toward the front. The rear frame 46 is inclined to descend downward.

As the imaging device 41, a two-dimensional RGB color image sensor can be used. The imaging device 41 may be a two-dimensional monochrome image sensor combined with an RGB filter.
The imaging element 41 is provided on the lower surface of the upper frame 44 of the support 43.

As the light source 42, for example, a light emitting diode (LED), an incandescent lamp (halogen lamp, tungsten lamp or the like), a fluorescent lamp, a xenon lamp or the like can be used. Among these, LEDs are particularly preferred.
The light sources 42 and 42 (42A and 42B) are provided on the inner surface 45a of the front frame 45 of the support 43 and the inner surface 46a of the rear frame 46, respectively. Since the front frame 45 extends obliquely downward, the light source 42 (42A) provided on the front frame 45 emits light obliquely downward and backward. Since the rear frame 46 extends obliquely downward, the light source 42 (42B) provided on the rear frame 46 emits light obliquely downward and forward.

The position of the imaging unit 2 in the X direction is determined so as to be able to image the test strip 11 placed on the test strip mounting body 12 at the imaging position P2.
Specifically, the light sources 42 and 42 are installed at positions where the test piece placement body 12 at the imaging position P2 can be irradiated with light from diagonally upper front and oblique upper rear, respectively. The imaging element 41 is disposed above the test piece placement body 12 at the imaging position P2, and can pick up an image of the test piece 11 placed on the test piece placement body 12 from above.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 10, the drive unit 3 is, for example, a motor, and is detachably connected to the extension shaft 20 (see FIG. 10) of the shaft unit 19 of the transport mechanism 13. Can be driven to rotate. The drive unit 3 can rotate the rear pulley 17 by rotationally driving the shaft 19 around its axis, thereby circulating the endless belt 14.
It is preferable that the drive unit 3 can intermittently rotate the shaft 19 and thereby intermittently move the test piece mount 12 attached to the endless belt 14.

  The connection portion between the drive unit 3 and the extension shaft 20 can reliably transmit the rotational force of the drive unit 3 to the extension shaft 20 in a state where the drive unit 3 and the extension shaft 20 are connected, and The shape and mechanism are not particularly limited as long as they are detachable. The connection portion can disconnect the drive portion 3 and the extension shaft 20. A known connection mechanism can be used for the connection.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 15, the housing 4 has an exterior portion 48 (main portion of the enclosure) and a lead-out portion 49 that is separate from the exterior portion 48.
The structure including the imaging unit 2, the drive unit 3, and the exterior unit 48 may be referred to as “analyzer main body”.

  The exterior portion 48 can accommodate the transport unit 1, the top plate portion 2, and the drive portion 3 in an internal space 56 between the upper plate 51 and the lower plate 52. At the side of the exterior portion 48, an outlet 53 for extracting the transport unit 1 is formed.

A mounting port 50, which is an opening for exposing at least a part of the test piece mounting body 12 at the mounting position P1, is formed on the upper plate 51 of the exterior portion 48. The placement port 50 can be in the form of a slit formed along the Y direction.
The placement port 50 is formed to expose at least a part of the upper surface 21a (see FIG. 6) of the bottom plate 21 of the test piece placement body 12 at the placement position P1.

  The width (dimension in the X direction) of the placement opening 50 is preferably larger than the width of the test piece 11, and preferably does not exceed the distance W1 shown in FIG. By making the width of the placement opening 50 larger than the width of the test piece 11, even when the direction of the test piece 11 is inclined to the Y direction in plan view (see FIG. 4), the test piece 11 is placed on the test piece It can be placed on the holder 12. Therefore, the operation of placing the test piece 11 on the test piece placement body 12 can be facilitated.

  A butting wall 58 can be provided at the deepest portion of the placement port 50 at a position where the test piece 11 placed on the test piece placement body 12 can abut. The abutment wall 58 is formed, for example, along the XZ plane. The position of the test strip 11 in the Y direction can be restricted by the abutment wall 58, so that the test strip 11 can be prevented from coming off the position where imaging by the imaging unit 2 is possible.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the exterior portion 48 is formed with a discharge port 60 for discharging the test piece 11 dropped from the test piece mounting body 12. The discharge port 60 is an opening formed in the lower part of the exterior portion 48 of the housing 4.

As shown in FIG. 15, the lead-out portion 49 includes an outer plate portion 54 which covers substantially the entire opening 53, and a support plate portion 55 which extends from the lower portion of the outer plate portion 54 to the inner side of the exterior portion 48. Have.
The support plate portion 55 is formed along the XY plane and supports the transport unit 1 installed on the upper surface 55 a, and is housed inside the exterior portion 48 in a state where the transport unit 1 is housed in the exterior portion 48. Ru.

  Since the lead-out portion 49 is separate from the exterior portion 48, if the transport unit 1 is not connected to the drive portion 3, it can be pulled out from the exterior portion 48 in the Y direction with the transport unit 1 mounted thereon. . The drawer portion 49 and the transport unit 1 can be freely inserted into and removed from the exterior portion 48, and the transport unit 1 and the support plate portion 55 can be accommodated again in the exterior portion 48.

  The lead-out portion 49 is preferably configured to be detachably coupled to the transport unit 1 via a coupling tool (coupling means) such as a fixing clip (not shown). With this configuration, the transport unit 1 can be removed from the drawer 49 and cleaned.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the display unit 5 can display the analysis result of the operation guide and / or the test strip.

The control unit 6 can control the data processing of the captured image and the operation of the apparatus.
For example, the control unit 6 can perform processing such as extracting an image of the test strip 11 from the image data obtained by the imaging unit 2.
In addition, the control unit 6 can integrally control the operation of the analyzer 1. For example, the transport unit 1 can be driven by controlling the drive unit 3. Moreover, while controlling light emission and non-light emission of the light sources 42 and 42 of the imaging unit 2, the image pick-up element 41 can be operated and the test piece 11 can be imaged.
Based on the image obtained by the imaging device 41, the control unit 6 determines the presence / absence, concentration, etc. of the components of the liquid sample based on the degree of coloration of the reagent layer 62 (see FIG. 21) of the test piece 11 brought into contact with the liquid sample. The liquid sample can be analyzed by calculating it by calculation.

[How to use Analyzer]
Next, how to use the analysis device 10 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, the analyzer 10 is installed so that the upper surface 21 a of the bottom plate 21 of the test piece placement body 12 located above the guide plate 15 is horizontal.
The test piece 11 is mounted on the bottom plate 21 of the test piece mounting body 12 at the mounting position P1, and the extension shaft 20 is rotated about the axis by the drive unit 3 to rotate the rear pulley 17 about the axis Rotate. The rotational direction of the rear pulley 17 is clockwise as shown by the arrow in FIG. The test strip 11 is in a posture in which the reagent layer 62 (see FIG. 21) is directed upward.

The drive unit 3 is preferably driven intermittently. As a result, since the rear pulley 17 and the endless belt 14 are also intermittently driven, the test piece placing body 12 on which the test piece 11 is mounted is moved backward by a predetermined distance, and the operation of temporarily stopping is repeated. It is preferable that the moving distance of the endless belt 14 in one operation be equal to the installation pitch L1 (see FIG. 4) of the specimen mounting body 12.
It is preferable that the endless belt 14 travels so that the test piece placement body 12 is temporarily stopped at the placement position P1.

  As shown in FIG. 10, since the locking projections 34, 34... Of the rear pulley 17 can be locked to the holding recesses 31, 31... Of the endless belt 14, the rotation of the rear pulley 17 The endless belt 14 circulates in the clockwise direction in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 9, since the support bar 28 provided on the test piece mount 12 can be engaged with the holding recesses 31, 31... Of the endless belt 14, the endless belt 14 travels in circulation. The test piece mount 12 also circulates.
As shown in FIG. 3, the test strip mount 12 positioned on the upper side of the transport mechanism 13, that is, on the upper edges 15 d and 15 d of the guide plates 15 and 15, moves backward as the endless belt 14 travels. Move to the right in 3).

When the test piece mounting body 12 on which the test piece 11 is mounted reaches the imaging position P2, the test piece mounting body 12 is irradiated with light from the obliquely upper front and the obliquely upper back by the light sources 42 and 42 of the imaging unit 2, respectively. Therefore, the test strip 11 on the test strip carrier 12 is given sufficient brightness. In this state, the test piece 11 is imaged by the imaging device 41.
It is preferable that the endless belt 14 travels so that the test piece placement body 12 is temporarily stopped at the imaging position P2.

  During the time from the test piece mounting body 12 to the imaging position P2 from the mounting position P1, the components of the liquid sample and the reagent layer 62 of the test piece 11 react with each other without excess or deficiency, and the reagent layer 62 is appropriately colored Is set to

Based on the image obtained by the imaging device 41, the control unit 6 calculates the presence or absence, the concentration, and the like of the component of the sample from the degree of coloration of the reagent layer 62 (see FIG. 21) of the test piece 11. By this, an analysis result of the liquid sample is obtained.
As shown in FIG. 1, the analysis result is preferably displayed on the display unit 5.

When the endless belt 14 is further circulated, the specimen mounting body 12 on which the specimen 11 is mounted reaches the rear end edge 15g, and the bottom plate 21 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. The test piece 11 thereby falls from the test piece placement body 12.
As shown in FIG. 3, the test piece 11 dropped from the test piece placement body 12 is discharged to the outside through the discharge port 60 and discarded as a used test piece 11.

As shown in FIG. 15, after completion of the measurement, the drawer portion 49 and the transport unit 1 can be pulled out from the exterior portion 48, and the transport unit 1 can be washed with cleaning water or the like. By this, even when the liquid sample adheres to the test piece placement body 12 at the time of measurement, the deposit can be washed away and the test piece placement body 12 can be cleaned.
The cleaned transport unit 1 can be returned to the inside of the exterior portion 48 by the reverse operation to the above-described pull-out operation.

Since the test piece mounting body 12 has the bottom plate protrusion 24 a on the upper surface 21 a of the bottom plate 21, the test piece 11 is supported by the bottom plate protrusion 24 a. Therefore, the contact area between the bottom plate 21 and the test piece 11 can be reduced. Therefore, even when a liquid sample such as urine adheres to the bottom plate 21, the sticking of the test piece 11 to the bottom plate 21 hardly occurs.
Therefore, it is possible to prevent in advance the occurrence of any trouble in the operation of the analyzer 10 due to the sticking of the test strip 11.

  The transport unit 1 has a structure in which the test piece mounts 12 are attached to the endless belt 14 independently of each other. Therefore, the diameter of the front pulley 16 and the rear pulley 17 can be reduced as compared with the transport unit having a structure in which adjacent test piece mounts are connected to each other. Therefore, the length (size in the X direction) and the height (size in the Z direction) of the transport unit 1 can be reduced, and the analyzer 10 can be miniaturized.

The pulleys 16, 17 can be reduced in diameter because the test piece mounts 12, 12,... Are not connected to each other but are attached to the endless belt 14 independently.
In the analyzer 10, as shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 5 and FIG. 10, since the test piece mounts 12, 12,... Are not connected to each other, one edge 12a of the test piece mount 12 The other edge 12 b of the test piece placement body 12 adjacent to the test piece placement body 12 can be arranged to be separated from each other. Therefore, even when the pulleys 16 and 17 are reduced in diameter, the test piece placement body 12 can be moved along the pulleys 16 and 17 regardless of the width dimension of the test piece placement body 12.
On the other hand, in the structure in which the test piece mounts are connected to each other, it is difficult to move the test piece mount along the pulleys when the diameter of the pulley is reduced.

  Since the test piece mounting body 12 is provided with the attachment structure consisting of the shaft support portion 27 and the support bar 28 only at one place of the lower surface 21 b of the test piece mounting body 12, the endless belt 14 can be pulleys 16 and 17. Side edge portions 21b1 and 21b1 are separated from the endless belt 14 to operate smoothly, and the endless belt 14 becomes a linear form between the front pulley 16 and the rear pulley 17 Sometimes you can keep your posture horizontal.

In the analysis device 10, since the limitation of the width dimension of the test piece placement body 12 is small, the width dimension of the test piece placement body 12 can be made sufficiently large. The operation of placing the test piece 11 on the test piece mounting body 12 can be facilitated by enlarging the width dimension of the test piece mounting body 12.
Therefore, in the analysis device 10, the device can be miniaturized without reducing the operability.

In the analyzer 10, since the transport unit 1 is freely inserted into and removed from the exterior portion 48, the transport unit 1 after use can be removed from the exterior portion 48 and cleaned.
It is unpreferable in terms of hygiene that the liquid sample adhering to the test piece 11 adheres to the test piece mounting body 12 as a residue.
In the analyzer 10, since the transport unit 1 can be easily cleaned, there is no problem with hygiene.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be appropriately modified without departing from the scope of the invention.
As illustrated in FIG. 11 and the like, as a cross-sectional shape of the first rib-shaped projection 24 and the second rib-shaped projection 25, a triangle whose width is gradually narrowed in the projecting direction is illustrated. The cross-sectional shape of the rib-like protrusion is not particularly limited. 16-20 is a figure which shows the modification of a 1st rib-shaped protrusion.

  The first rib-like protrusion 24A shown in FIG. 16 is a first modified example of the first rib-like protrusion 24. The first rib-like projections 24A are semicircular in cross section, and are formed to project upward from the upper surface 21a of the bottom plate 21. The first rib-like protrusion 24A can support the test strip 11 at the top 24A1 which is the top.

  The first rib-like protrusion 24B shown in FIG. 17 is a second modification of the first rib-like protrusion 24. As shown in FIG. The first rib-shaped projections 24B are rectangular in cross section and formed to project upward from the upper surface 21a of the bottom plate 21. The first rib-like protrusion 24B can support the test strip 11 at the top 24B1 (top surface) which is the top.

  The first rib-like protrusion 24C shown in FIG. 18 is a third modification of the first rib-like protrusion 24. As shown in FIG. The first rib-like protrusion 24C has a side surface 24C2 that is a curved concave surface having a substantially elliptical arc shape in cross section. The side surface 24C2 is inclined to rise from the outer edge toward the top 24C1. The first rib-shaped projection 24C is shaped such that its width gradually narrows in the direction of protrusion (upward) to the sharp top 24C1, and is formed to project upward from the upper surface 21a of the bottom plate 21. The first rib-like protrusion 24C can support the test strip 11 at the top 24C1 which is the top.

  The first rib-like protrusion 24D shown in FIG. 19 is a fourth modification of the first rib-like protrusion 24. As shown in FIG. The first rib-like protrusion 24D is shaped to have a lower side surface 24Da perpendicular to the upper surface 21a of the bottom plate 21 and an upper side surface 24Db inclined to rise from the outer edge toward the top 24D1. It protrudes upward from 21a. The first rib-like protrusion 24D can support the test strip 11 at the top 24D1 which is the top.

The first rib-like protrusion 24E shown in FIG. 20 is a fifth modification of the first rib-like protrusion 24. As shown in FIG. The first rib-like protrusion 24E has a shape having a side surface 24E2 inclined to rise from the outer edge toward the top 24E1, and a top 24E1 parallel to the top surface 21a, and protrudes upward from the top surface 21a of the bottom plate 21 It is formed. The first rib-like protrusion 24E can support the test strip 11 at the top 24E1 which is the top.
The shape of the first rib-like protrusion 24 shown in FIGS. 16 to 20 can be applied to the second rib-like protrusion 25 as well.

As shown in FIG. 11 and the like, in the test piece placement body 12, the extending direction of the bottom plate protrusion 24a is perpendicular to the length direction (Y direction) of the bottom plate 21, but the extending direction of the bottom plate protrusion is limited thereto. Instead, it may be a direction intersecting the length direction of the bottom plate 21. This direction may be, for example, a direction inclined at an angle of more than 0 ° and less than 90 ° with respect to the Y direction in the XY plane.
The extending direction of the side plate protrusion 24b is perpendicular to the length direction (Y direction) of the side plate 22, but the extending direction of the side plate protrusion is not limited thereto, and it is a direction intersecting the length direction of the side plate 22. Good. This direction may be, for example, a direction inclined at an angle of more than 0 ° and less than 90 ° with respect to the Y direction in the YZ plane.
The extending direction of the intermediate projection is not limited to the illustrated example, and may be a direction intersecting the Y direction in plan view. This direction may be, for example, a direction inclined at an angle of more than 0 ° and less than 90 ° with respect to the Y direction.
The extending direction of the extending plate protrusion 24 c is perpendicular to the length direction (Y direction) of the extending plate 23, but the extending direction of the extending plate protrusion is not limited thereto, and the length direction of the extending plate 23 It is sufficient if it is in the direction intersecting with. This direction may be, for example, a direction inclined at an angle of more than 0 ° and less than 90 ° with respect to the Y direction in the XY plane.
The extending direction of the second rib-shaped projection 25 is perpendicular to the width direction (X direction) of the extending plate 23, but the extending direction of the second rib-shaped protrusion is not limited thereto. The width direction of the extending plate 23 It is sufficient if it is in the direction intersecting with. This direction may be, for example, a direction inclined at an angle of more than 0 ° and less than 90 ° with respect to the X direction in the XY plane.

As shown in FIG. 11 and the like, in the test piece mounting body 12, the bottom plate protrusion 24a is formed over the entire width of the top surface 21a, but one or both of one end and the other end of the bottom plate protrusion are on the top surface 21a of the bottom plate 21. It does not have to reach the side edge.
Although the side plate protrusion 24b is formed over the entire height of the inner side surface 22a, one or both of the lower end and the upper end of the side plate protrusion may not reach the lower edge and the upper edge of the inner side surface 22a, respectively.
The middle projection 24g is formed over the entire width of the upper edge surface 22c and the inner side surface 25a, but the lower end of the middle projection may not reach the lower edge of the upper edge surface 22c, and the upper end of the middle projection is the inner side surface 25a. It does not have to reach the upper edge of the
Although the extending plate protrusion 24c is formed over substantially the entire width of the upper surface 23a, one end of the extending plate protrusion does not have to reach the outer side surface 25b of the second rib-like protrusion 25; The end may not reach the outer edge 23 b of the extension plate 23.

Although the test piece placement body 12 shown in FIG. 11 and the like has the first rib-like protrusions 24 and 24 and the second rib-like protrusions 25 and 25, in the present invention, the test piece placement body is the second rib The configuration may be such that there is no projection.
Further, in the test piece mounting body 12, the first rib-like protrusion 24 has the bottom plate protrusion 24a, the side plate protrusion 24b, the intermediate protrusion 24g, and the extension plate protrusion 24c, but the first rib-like protrusion is at least the bottom plate protrusion. As long as you have That is, the first rib-like protrusion may be configured only by the bottom plate protrusion, or may be configured to include the bottom plate protrusion and the side plate protrusion, or be configured to include the bottom plate protrusion, the side plate protrusion, and the extension plate protrusion. May be

In the test piece mounting body 12 shown in FIG. 11 and the like, the side plate projections 24b are formed on the pair of side plates 22 and 22, but the side plate projections 24b may be formed on only one side plate 22. Good.
Similarly, the intermediate protrusion 24g may be formed on only one of the pair of upper edge surfaces 22c (and the inner surface 25a). The extension plate protrusion 24 c may be formed on only one of the pair of extension plates 23 and 23. The second rib-shaped protrusions 25 may be formed on only one of the pair of extension plates 23 and 23.

Although the test piece mounting body 12 shown in FIG. 6 etc. has a pair of first rib-like protrusions 24, 24 and a pair of second rib-like protrusions 25, 25, the number of first rib-like protrusions is three or more It may be The number of second rib-like protrusions may also be three or more. Even in such a case, it is preferable that the first rib-shaped projection and the second rib-shaped projection be formed at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the test piece placement body.
The test piece placement body 12 has the bottom plate 21, the side plates 22 and 22, and the extension plates 23 and 23, but the test piece placement body may be configured without the extension plate.

In the test piece mounting body 12, the bottom plate protrusion 24a is in the form of a rib extending in a direction intersecting the length direction (Y direction) of the bottom plate 21, but the shape of the bottom plate protrusion is not limited thereto. For example, they may be point-like (conical, pyramidal, hemispherical, etc.).
The plurality of point-like bottom plate projections can be formed side by side along one or more straight lines, for example. As a structure of a dotted | punctate base plate protrusion, the structure which consists of a 1st and 2nd protrusion group can be illustrated. The first and second projection groups each include a plurality of point-like bottom plate protrusions arranged along a straight line intersecting the length direction of the bottom plate. The first and second projection groups can be formed spaced apart in the length direction of the bottom plate.

  In the analyzer 10, the test piece mount 12 is attached to the endless belt 14 by the support bar 28 engaging with the holding recess 31 of the inner surface 14a of the endless belt 14, but the test piece mount on the endless belt The attachment structure is not limited to this, and another structure may be adopted. For example, the test piece mount may be attached to the endless belt via an attachment member having a recess fitted to the projection on the inner surface of the endless belt.

1: Transport unit 2: Imaging unit 3: Drive unit 10: Analyzer (test strip analyzer)
11 ... Test piece 12 ... Test piece mounting body 13 ... Transport mechanism 21 ... Bottom plate,
21a ... (the bottom plate) upper surface (first surface)
22 · · · Side plate 22b · · · (of the side plate) upper edge (protruding edge)
22c ··· (Side plate) upper edge surface (protruding edge surface)
23: Extension plate 23a: Upper surface (surface on the side in which the side plate protrudes)
24: First rib-like protrusion 24a: bottom plate protrusion 24b: side plate protrusion 24c: extension plate protrusion 24d, 24A1, 24B1, 24C1, 24D1, 24E1 (of bottom plate protrusion): top 24e ... Top 24f (of the side plate protrusion) ... Top 25 (of the extension plate protrusion) ... Second rib-like protrusion 25c ... (of the second rib-like protrusion) Top 62 ... Reagent layer P1 ... Mounting position (first position)
P2: Imaging position (second position)

Claims (10)

A test including a transport unit for transporting a test piece from a first position to a second position, a drive unit for driving the transport unit, and an imaging unit for imaging the test piece at the second position A test piece carrier used in a piece analyzer,
A bottom plate on which the test piece can be placed; and a pair of side plates projecting in the direction of the first surface side of the bottom plate from both side edges of the bottom plate along the length direction of the bottom plate;
A plurality of bottom plate protrusions capable of supporting the test piece are formed on the first surface of the bottom plate.   The test according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of bottom plate projections extend in a direction intersecting the length direction of the bottom plate and are spaced apart in the length direction of the bottom plate. Single carrier.   The test-plate mounting body according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bottom plate projection is shaped so as to narrow in width in a projecting direction, and can support the test strip at its top.   The space in which the test strip can be disposed on the first surface side of the bottom plate is characterized in that the distance in the width direction of the bottom plate is larger than the width of the test strip. The specimen mounting body as described in a term.   The side plate protrusion which can contact the said test piece supported by the said bottom plate protrusion is formed in the inner surface of the said side plate, The any one of the Claims 1-4 characterized by the above-mentioned. Specimen holder.   The test piece placement body according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising an extension plate extending outward from the protruding edge of the side plate.   The surface of the extension plate on the protrusion direction side of the side plate is formed with one or more extension plate projections that extend in a direction intersecting the length direction of the bottom plate and can support the test piece. The test-piece mounting body of Claim 6 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The test strip according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the projecting end surface of the side plate is an inclined surface directed in a direction opposite to the projecting direction toward the inside. Mounting body.   A conveyance unit comprising: the test piece placement body according to any one of claims 1 to 8; and a conveyance mechanism for conveying the test piece placement body.   A test strip analyzer comprising the transport unit according to claim 9, the imaging unit, and the drive unit.

Images