JP7052435B6 - Dilution / Dispensing Nozzle Cleaning Container, Dispensing / Diluting System, and Automatic Analyzer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a container or the like used for dilution and cleaning of a dispensing nozzle. More specifically, the present invention relates to a diluting / dispensing nozzle cleaning container used in an automated analyzer, a dispensing / diluting system containing the same, an automated analyzer having them, and the like.

Conventionally, an automatic analyzer that analyzes a biological sample such as blood, urine, and various body fluids dispenses a liquid sample such as a sample or a reagent into a reaction vessel by using a dispensing means such as a pipetting mechanism.
Such an automated analyzer usually has a means for diluting a sample, a reagent, or the like. For example, one using a dedicated mechanism such as a dilution turntable (Patent Document 1), one using a dispensing probe connected to a dispensing pipe filled with purified water (Patent Documents 2 and 3), and a dedicated dilution turn. Examples thereof include those that are diluted in a reaction cell without using a table or the like (Patent Document 4).

JP 2013-242238 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-210483 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-304334 JP-A-2011-117755

In the background technique, a dilution means using a dedicated mechanism such as a dilution turntable requires a space for the dedicated mechanism, so that the size of the automatic analyzer equipped with the space is increased.
Further, in the automatic analyzer, if the number of mechanisms other than the mechanism related to the original analysis such as the dilution turntable increases, the man-hours for dilution increases, so that the throughput of the automatic analysis decreases.
Further, depending on the installation location of the dedicated mechanism in the automatic analyzer, the moving distance of the sample, the reagent, etc. and the moving distance of the liquid, etc. required for dilution increase, so that the throughput of the automatic analysis decreases.

In the background technique, the diluting means using a dispensing probe connected to a dispensing pipe filled with purified water, physiological saline, or the like can dilute the concentrated reagent or the like with purified water or the like, and does not reduce the throughput. Although it has merits, it is not possible to mix the reagent with a solution other than purified water or saline because it contaminates the dispensing pipe of the probe.

In the above background technique, the diluting means that dilutes in the reaction cell without using a dedicated dilution turntable or the like does not require a space for a dedicated mechanism, but it is also possible to dilute the mechanism such as the cell or probe used for the reaction. Because it occupies, the throughput of automatic analysis decreases.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a diluting / dispensing nozzle cleaning container or the like, which is smaller in size and does not reduce the throughput even when applied to an automatic analyzer.

The outline of the present invention is as follows in order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object.
[Item 1] A container in which a dilution cup and a cup for cleaning the dispensing nozzle are integrated.
[Item 2] The item 1 has a structure suitable for diluting a sample selected from the group consisting of a reagent, a substrate, and a sample, and suitable for cleaning a nozzle for dispensing the sample. container.
[Item 3] The container according to Item 1 or 2, further having a common cleaning mechanism for cleaning the dilution cup and the dispensing nozzle cleaning cup.
[Item 4] The container according to Item 3, wherein the common cleaning mechanism has a common liquid supply pump and / or a liquid suction / discharge pump.
[Item 5] A sample dispensing / diluting system selected from the group consisting of reagents, substrates, and samples, further comprising a dispensing nozzle in the container according to any one of Items 1 to 4.
[Item 6] An automated analyzer having the dispensing / dilution system of Item 5.
[Item 7] A reagent, which is arranged so that the dilution cup and the nozzle cleaning cup are close to each other, has a common cleaning mechanism for cleaning the dilution cup and the nozzle cleaning cup, and further has a dispensing nozzle. An automatic analyzer equipped with a sample dispensing / diluting system selected from the group consisting of substrates and samples.

Since the dilution / dispensing nozzle cleaning container of the present invention has a structure in which a dilution cup and a dispensing nozzle cleaning cup are integrated, it requires almost no space to occupy, and the reagent dispensing / diluting system on which it is mounted can be used. The automatic analyzer can be miniaturized.
Further, since the container of the present invention having a common cleaning mechanism for cleaning the dilution cup and the dispensing nozzle cleaning cup uses only the minimum necessary dedicated mechanism, most of the space occupied by the dedicated mechanism is required. It is possible to reduce the size of the automatic analyzer on which it is mounted.
Further, a dispensing / dilution system or an automatic analyzer having a dispensing nozzle in the container can also use the dispensing nozzle for dilution, and can realize a small space. Further, the number of times the dispensing nozzle (dispensing probe) moves can be reduced, the moving (rotation) distance of the probe can be shortened, and / or the number of times of suction and ejection of the probe can be reduced. As a result, the man-hours and time for diluting and / or cleaning the dispensing nozzle can be reduced, and the throughput of automatic analysis can be improved.
Further, it can be expected that the above-mentioned effect can be exhibited by making the structure in which the dilution cup and the dispensing nozzle cleaning cup are close to each other.

The appearance of Embodiment 1 of this invention is shown. It is a figure which looked at Embodiment 1 of this invention from one direction. FIG. 1 is a view of Embodiment 1 of the present invention as viewed from another direction orthogonal to the direction seen in FIG. The reference line 1 and the reference line 2 are lines provided for convenience in this figure in order to grasp the relative positions of each part. It is sectional drawing which cut the Embodiment 1 of this invention by the straight line connecting the center of the dilution cup 7 of FIG. 3 and the center of a nozzle cleaning cup 9. The reference line 3 is a line provided for convenience in this figure in order to grasp the relative position of each part. It is a figure which simplifies the arrangement of the piping of the dilution cup 7, and the flow in the dilution cup 7 of the liquid discharged from the piping. It is a figure which simplifies the arrangement of the piping of the nozzle cleaning cup 9 and the flow of the liquid discharged from the piping in the nozzle cleaning cup 9. It is a figure which shows an example of the automatic analyzer of this invention. It is sectional drawing of Embodiment 2 of this invention (when the drain of a dilution cup and the drain of a nozzle cleaning cup are joined). This cross section corresponds to a cross-sectional view when cut on the same plane as the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4 for the first embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of Embodiment 3 of this invention (when the dilution cup and the dispensing nozzle cleaning cup are arranged close to each other). This cross section corresponds to a cross-sectional view when cut on the same plane as the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4 for the first embodiment of the present invention.

One of the embodiments of the present invention is a container in which a dilution cup and a dispensing nozzle cleaning cup are integrated.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the container of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the appearance of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a view of the first embodiment as viewed from one direction (hereinafter, also referred to as a “side view” or a “side view”). FIG. 3 is a view of the first embodiment viewed from another direction orthogonal to the direction viewed in FIG. 2 (hereinafter, also referred to as a “top view” or a “top view”). FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment cut by a straight line connecting the center of the dilution cup 7 and the center of the nozzle cleaning cup 9 of FIG.
Hereinafter, the embodiments described in FIGS. 1 to 4 will be mainly described, but the present invention is not limited to this aspect.

In Embodiment 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the container 100 includes pipes 1 to 6, a dilution cup 7 and its drain 8, a nozzle cleaning cup 9 and its drain 10.

(Diluted cup)
The lower part of the dilution cup 7 is connected to the drain 8 to allow liquid to pass through. The dilution cup 7 may have a structure in which the upper surface is always open when the dilution operation is used, and may have a structure in which the upper surface is always open or a structure provided with a member such as a lid which can be opened and closed during use. good. Preferably, the upper surface of the dilution cup 7 is open from the viewpoint that a simple structure can be obtained without requiring a special device or control for opening and closing a member such as a lid.
It is preferable that the connection portion between the dilution cup 7 and the drain 8 is provided with measures so that the liquid does not enter the drain 8 when the dilution is performed by the dilution cup 7. The means is not particularly limited, but the following methods can be exemplified.
(1) Provide a valve that can be opened and closed at the connection part.
(2) By adjusting the hole diameter area of the connection part with the drain 8, the liquid is held in the dilution cup 7 by surface tension even if there is no lid at the time of dilution, and a pump or the like is connected to the drain 8 in advance. When the liquid is discharged, the pump is operated to suck the liquid accumulated in the dilution cup 7.

The above (2) is preferable in that it is not necessary to set a valve. In the case of the form (2) as described above, the pore diameter of the connection portion between the dilution cup 7 and the drain 8 is about 0.5 to 3.0 mm so that the liquid can be held in the dilution cup 7 by surface tension at the time of dilution. It is preferably about 0.5 to 1.5 mm.
The dilution cup 7 of the diluting container of the present invention has such a structure and is provided with a mechanism for sucking and discharging the remaining reagent and the like solution after mixing, so that the discharge of the solution such as the reagent is sucked and discharged by the probe. It is possible to do it quickly without using. Further, even after the dilution cup 7 is washed with a cleaning liquid such as water, the liquid can be discharged quickly and without any liquid residue.
If a member such as a lid or valve is installed at the suction port of the container, special equipment is required to open and close the lid or valve, and carryover may occur through the member. In the container of the present invention in an aspect that does not use such a member, it is not necessary to consider such a point.

The dilution cup 7 is connected to the pipes 1 and 2, respectively, and a diluting liquid such as water can be supplied to the dilution cup from each pipe. The mode of piping is not restricted as long as a diluting liquid such as water can be supplied to the dilution cup 7.
For example, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 is an example of the embodiment of the present invention, in which the number of pipes, the connection position with the dilution cup 7 of each pipe, and the liquid is discharged to the dilution cup 7 of each pipe. The embodiment is not restricted as long as a diluting liquid such as water can be supplied to the dilution cup 7.
The method of supplying a diluting liquid such as water via a pipe is not particularly limited. For example, a pump or the like may be connected to each pipe in advance, and when supplying a diluting liquid such as water, the pump may be operated to supply the diluting liquid such as water to the dilution cup 7.

The shape of the dilution cup 7 is not particularly limited, but in that the liquid flows smoothly in the container during dilution and is easily mixed, for example, when viewed from above (from the viewpoint of FIG. 3), the shape is closed only by a curved surface. Is preferable. More preferably, it is oval or circular. More preferably, it is circular. When viewed three-dimensionally, a shape in which the upper part of the cylinder is connected to the lower part of a hemisphere or a cone (preferably a hemisphere) is preferable.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the number of pipes connected to the dilution cup 7 is two, and the liquid discharge ports are arranged point-symmetrically when viewed from above (from the viewpoint of FIG. 3). ..
The number of pipes is not particularly limited, but if there are multiple pipes, the efficiency of liquid supply and cleaning will be improved, but if there are too many pipes, the structure will be complicated. ) Degree is preferable. Further, the interval between the discharge ports of the liquid in the pipe is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the intervals are equal because the cleaning can be performed uniformly.
Further, the direction in which the liquid is discharged from the pipe is not particularly limited, but in the modes shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the directions in which the liquid is discharged from the two pipes do not face each other and are slightly deviated as shown in FIG. It is set in the same direction. Preferably, the position of the pipe may be set so that the liquid is discharged from the two pipes in symmetrical directions. As a result, the liquid flows in the diluting cup 7 so as to convection along the wall surface of the cup, so that the efficiency of cleaning is further improved.
Further, the positions of the two pipes may be the same in the vertical direction or may be different in height.

The dilution cup 7 of the container of the present invention has a powerful cleaning mechanism by having the above-mentioned structure. Therefore, carryover can be suppressed even when various samples are diluted.
Further, the dilution cup 7 of the dilution container of the present invention has the above-mentioned structure so that a sample such as a reagent can be sufficiently mixed by suction stirring of the probe. Therefore, the variation in measurement can be reduced.

(Nozzle cleaning cup)
The nozzle cleaning cup is for cleaning the nozzle used for dispensing a sample selected from the group consisting of reagents, substrates, and samples.
The nozzle cleaning cup 9 is connected to the drain 10 at the lower part to allow liquid to pass through. The nozzle cleaning cup 9 may have a structure in which the upper surface is always open when the nozzle cleaning operation is used, and may have a structure in which the upper surface is always open, or a structure provided with a member such as a lid which can be opened and closed during use. You may. Preferably, the upper surface of the nozzle cleaning cup 9 is open from the viewpoint that a simple structure can be obtained without requiring a special device or control for opening and closing a member such as a lid.
It is preferable that the connection portion between the nozzle cleaning cup 9 and the drain 10 is open, and the liquid flowing into the nozzle cleaning cup 9 is naturally discharged from the drain 10 by gravity, but the connection mode is particularly good. Not limited. As an example, the hole diameter of the connection portion between the nozzle cleaning cup 9 and the drain 10 is about 1 to 20 mm, preferably about 3 to 10 mm.

The nozzle cleaning cup 9 is connected to each of the pipes 3 to 6, and can supply a cleaning liquid such as water to the cleaning cup from each pipe, and / or sucks and discharges air to the cleaning cup through the pipe. be able to. The piping mode is not restricted as long as a liquid such as water or air can be supplied to the nozzle cleaning cup 9.
For example, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 is an example of the embodiment of the present invention, in which the number of pipes, the connection position of each pipe with the nozzle cleaning cup 9, and the nozzle cleaning cup 9 of each pipe are filled with liquid. The mode, such as the discharge angle, is not restricted as long as water can be supplied to the nozzle cleaning cup 9.
The method of supplying a liquid such as water via a pipe is not particularly limited. For example, a pump or the like can be connected to each pipe in advance, and when supplying a liquid such as water, the pump can be operated to supply the liquid such as water to the nozzle cleaning cup 9.
Alternatively, for example, pipes 3 to 6 can be used as pipes (air pipes) for sucking and discharging air. The means for sucking and discharging air through the piping is not particularly limited. For example, a pump may be used. A pump for supplying a liquid such as water can also be used as an air suction / discharge means.
By using air, water droplets adhering to the nozzle after cleaning the nozzle can be blown off and removed by the air discharged from any of the pipes 3 to 6 to improve drainage.

The shape of the nozzle cleaning cup 9 is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of efficiently and reliably cleaning the nozzle, it is preferable that the nozzle cleaning cup 9 has a length that completely includes the portion including the tip of the nozzle. Generally, it is about 0.5 to 20 cm, but is not limited to this.
Further, it is preferable that the thickness is suitable for the nozzle. For example, the thickness may be set to be twice or more, preferably three times or more, and more preferably four times or more the diameter of the cross section of the nozzle.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the number of pipes connected to the nozzle cleaning cup 9 is four. The number of pipes is not particularly limited, but the number of pipes is not particularly limited, but the efficiency of liquid supply and cleaning is improved by using a plurality of pipes, but the structure becomes complicated if the number of pipes is too large, so about 2 to 4 pipes are preferable.
Alternatively, a pipe for distributing liquid such as water (water distribution pipe) and a pipe for sucking and discharging air (air pipe) can be separately set and combined. The setting of the number of water pipes and air pipes is not particularly limited, but the number is preferably the same. By using air, water droplets adhering to the nozzle after cleaning the nozzle can be blown off and removed by the air discharged from the pipe to improve drainage.
The positions of the four pipes are not particularly limited. The height may be the same in the vertical direction, or the height may be different. In the form shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, two pipes connected to the nozzle cleaning cup 9 are set at different heights in the vertical direction, and the liquid discharge ports of the two pipes are set from above. They are arranged point-symmetrically when viewed (from the viewpoint of FIG. 3). The distance between the liquid discharge ports of the pipe is not particularly limited, but it is preferably point-symmetrical (or evenly spaced) because it can be washed uniformly.
Further, the direction in which the liquid is discharged from the pipes is not particularly limited, but in the modes shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the directions in which the liquid is discharged from each of the two pipes do not face each other, and FIG. It is set in a slightly deviated direction like. Preferably, the position of the pipe may be set so that the liquid is discharged from the two pipes in symmetrical directions. As a result, the liquid flows in the nozzle cleaning cup 9 so as to convection along the wall surface of the cup, so that the cleaning efficiency is further improved.
Further, in the modes shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the directions in which the liquids are discharged from the four pipes do not face each other and are set in directions slightly deviated from each other as shown in FIG. Preferably, the positions of the pipes may be set so that the liquid is discharged from the four pipes in symmetrical directions. As a result, the liquid flows in the nozzle cleaning cup 9 so as to convection along the wall surface of the cup, so that the cleaning efficiency is further improved.
The height and orientation of the pipes arranged point-symmetrically are not particularly limited. Piping arranged point-symmetrically may have the same height and / or orientation, but they may be installed at different heights to discharge water from different heights, or they may be installed at different angles. By discharging the water at an angle, the liquid flows in the nozzle cleaning cup 9 so as to convection along the wall surface of the cup, so that the cleaning efficiency is further improved.
These embodiments are suitable for efficiently and reliably cleaning long areas of the nozzle.

The nozzle cleaning cup 9 of the container of the present invention has a powerful cleaning mechanism by having the above-mentioned structure. Therefore, carryover can be suppressed even when various samples are diluted.

(Position relationship between dilution cup and nozzle cleaning cup in container, etc.)
In one embodiment, in the dilution container 100 of the present invention, the dilution cup 7 and the dispensing nozzle cleaning cup 9 are integrated. In the present specification, "integration" means that a dilution cup and a dispensing nozzle cleaning cup are incorporated in one container, so that both cups are put together so as to be adjacent to each other. Refers to the configured state.
As long as the form of the container 100 can be integrally held with the dilution cup 7 and the dispensing nozzle cleaning cup 9, and the dilution cup 7 and the dispensing nozzle cleaning cup 9 can be installed in a substantially vertical direction at the time of use. There are no particular restrictions. Preferably, the dilution cup 7 and the dispensing nozzle cleaning cup 9 are both installed in the vertical direction in the container 100. Examples of the shape of the container 100 include a cylinder, an elliptical pillar, a pillar such as a regular polygonal right-angled pillar, and the like. It is preferably a cylinder or an elliptical pillar, and more preferably a cylinder. For the purpose of stabilizing the structure, it may be further connected to a support or a base.
In the container 100, the drain 8 coupled to the dilution cup 7 is preferably installed so as to be substantially vertical during use, but this is not the case when the liquid from the dilution cup 7 is drained by the suction / discharge mechanism. .. Similarly, the drain 10 coupled to the nozzle cleaning cup 9 is preferably installed so as to be substantially in the vertical direction at the time of use, and more preferably in the vertical direction at the time of use, but the drain 10 is not limited thereto.
Further, the drain 8 coupled to the dilution cup 7 and the drain 10 coupled to the nozzle cleaning cup 9 can be joined and combined into one drain. A cross-sectional view of the case where the drain 8 and the drain 10 are joined to form one drain is shown in FIG. 8 as the second embodiment of the present invention. When joining in this way to form one drain, at least one of the drain 8 and the drain 10 may be joined by inclining the drain 8 and the drain 10 with a gradient from a substantially vertical direction below.
The shape and size of the dilution cup 7 and the nozzle cleaning cup 9 do not have to be the same, but in the container 100, for example, from the viewpoint of ease of forming the container and less likely to be an obstacle during probe operation. It is preferable that the heights of the openings are the same (for example, FIG. 4).

The material of the container 100 is not particularly limited, but PS (polystyrene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), AS (acrylonitrile / styrene), vinyl chloride, PFA (perfluoroalkoxy fluororesin), PCT. (Polycyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate), PCTA and the like can be used.
Since the container 100 of the present invention integrates the dilution cup 7 and the dispensing nozzle cleaning cup 9, the sample selected from the group consisting of the reagent, the substrate, and the sample is diluted and the sample is dispensed. Both nozzle cleaning can be done in one container. Therefore, the container 100 of the present invention has a structure suitable for diluting a sample selected from the group consisting of a reagent, a substrate, and a sample, and suitable for cleaning a nozzle for dispensing the sample. As an example, the container 100 of the present invention can be used to dilute the substrate and to clean the nozzles that dispense the substrate. As another example, the container 100 of the present invention is used for diluting a sample and can also be used for cleaning a nozzle for dispensing a reagent. As a further example, the container 100 of the present invention is used to dilute the first reagent and to clean a nozzle that dispenses a second reagent different from the first reagent. You may use it.

As yet another embodiment, the present invention can also arrange the dilution cup and the nozzle cleaning cup so as to be close to each other without being integrated. FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the case where the dilution cup and the nozzle cleaning cup are arranged so as to be close to each other without being integrated with each other as the third embodiment of the present invention.
Here, "close" means that the distance between the side surface of the inner wall of the dilution cup and the side surface of the inner wall of the nozzle cleaning cup is about 0.1 to 10 cm, preferably about 0.1 to 5 cm. It means arranging both cups. By arranging the dilution cup and the nozzle cleaning cup close to each other in this way, the space can be reduced, the moving (rotation) distance of the dispensing nozzle can be shortened, and the throughput of the automatic analyzer can be shortened. Can be improved.

One of the embodiments of the present invention is the container, which further has a common cleaning mechanism for cleaning the dilution cup and the dispensing nozzle cleaning cup.
As yet another embodiment, a common cleaning mechanism may be provided for cleaning the diluted cups and the dispensing nozzle cleaning cups arranged in close proximity to each other.

(Common cleaning mechanism)
The cleaning step of the dilution cup includes the introduction of a cleaning liquid such as water from the piping into the dilution cup 7 and the suction and discharge of the cleaning liquid from the drain 8. Therefore, the cleaning mechanism is not particularly limited, but for example, the introduction of water is not restricted as long as water can be supplied to the dilution cup from each pipe as described above. Examples thereof include supply pumps such as shot pumps and syringe pumps. Further, for example, a suction pump or the like may be used for suction and discharge of the cleaning liquid.
The cleaning step of the nozzle cleaning cup includes introduction of a cleaning liquid such as water from a pipe into the nozzle cleaning cup 9 and discharge of the cleaning liquid from the drain 10. For example, for the introduction of water, a supply pump used for supplying a cleaning liquid such as water in the above-mentioned washing step of the diluted cup can be used in common with the washing of the diluted cup. No external force is required to discharge the cleaning liquid from the nozzle cleaning cup, but suction and discharge may be performed using a suction pump or the like in common as in the case of cleaning the diluted cup.
As an example of the case of having a common cleaning mechanism, FIGS. 8 and 9 show cross-sectional views of the case where the suction pump 11 which is one of the configurations of the common cleaning mechanism is provided in the second and third embodiments of the present invention. ..

In one embodiment of the present invention, by integrating the dilution cup and the nozzle cleaning cup into one container, it becomes possible to standardize the liquid supply pump to both cups as described above. At the same time, it is possible to bring the drains from the respective cups close to each other and bundle or combine them into one, and there is an advantage that the suction pump used for suction and discharge of the cleaning liquid from each cup can be shared. In this way, by sharing the liquid supply pump and / or the liquid suction / discharge pump in the diluting cup and the nozzle cleaning cup, the space occupied by these structures can be reduced and the space can be saved. The analyzer can be made smaller. Further, since the number of parts can be reduced by sharing the pump and the like, it is possible to reduce the cost at the time of manufacturing.
In yet another embodiment, the dilution cup and the nozzle cleaning cup are arranged close to each other, and a common cleaning mechanism for cleaning the dilution cup and the nozzle cleaning cup is provided. However, since the space can be reduced, it is possible to reduce the size of the analyzer equipped with the space.
In the present invention, as described above, the dilution cup and the nozzle cleaning cup may be integrated into one container or may be arranged close to each other, but the space can be further reduced. From the viewpoint of being able to reduce the number of parts at the time of manufacturing and facilitating manufacturing, the embodiment in which the dilution cup and the nozzle cleaning cup are integrated into one container is particularly preferable.

One of the embodiments of the present invention is a dispensing / dilution system having a dispensing nozzle in the container.
As yet another embodiment, the dilution / dilution system may be provided in which the dilution cup and the dispensing nozzle cleaning cup are arranged close to each other and the dispensing nozzle is provided.

(Dispensing nozzle)
The mode of the dispensing nozzle used in the system of the present invention for dispensing a sample selected from the group consisting of a reagent, a substrate, and a sample is not particularly limited. For example, the same ones used in various commercially available automated analyzers can be used. As an example, an example in which the arm can be raised and lowered in the vertical vertical direction and is connected in the vertical downward direction from the vicinity of the tip of the arm that can rotate clockwise and counterclockwise in the horizontal plane can be exemplified. In addition, in this specification, a dispensing nozzle is also referred to as a dispensing probe, or simply a probe or a nozzle.

The dispensing nozzle is connected to a suction / discharging pump and a water supply pump, respectively, through a pipe set via the arm, and a sample selected from the group consisting of reagents, substrates, and samples is dispensed and / / Alternatively, a dispensing / diluting system for diluting may be formed. By using the suction / discharge pump, for example, the reagent can be discharged to a target place by moving the reagent dispensing nozzle while sucking the reagent into the dispensing nozzle. Further, by using the water supply pump, for example, water for diluting the sample can be supplied, or water can be passed through the reagent dispensing nozzle to clean the inside of the nozzle. The connection between the suction / discharge pump and the water supply pump and the reagent dispensing nozzle can be switched by appropriately setting a valve or the like.

One of the embodiments of the present invention is an automated analyzer having the above-mentioned dispensing / dilution system.

(Automatic analyzer)
The automatic analyzer of the present invention to which the above-mentioned dispensing / dilution system is applied is not particularly limited.
An outline of an example of the automatic analyzer of the present invention is shown in FIG. The automated analyzer 200 of FIG. 7 is supposed to be used in a method of detecting a measurement target in a sample by utilizing an immune reaction on a reaction material provided with a solid phase.
The main configuration of the automatic analyzer 200 of FIG. 7 is the installation unit 201 of the sample rack for waiting the sample (and the mechanism 201a for supplying the sample to the reaction material on the reaction table), and the supply of the reaction material used for the measurement. Part 202 (and the mechanism 202a for supplying the reaction material onto the reaction table), the reagent table 203 (and the mechanism 203a for supplying the reagent to the reaction material on the reaction table) on which the reagent used for the measurement is arranged). Storage 204 (and mechanism 204a for supplying the substrate, substrate diluent, etc. to the reaction material on the reaction table) in which the substrate used for measurement and the substrate diluent, etc. for diluting the substrate are placed, if necessary). It comprises a reaction table 205 in which a reaction between a sample and a reaction material / reagent is performed, a detection unit 206 for detecting a physicochemical change caused by the reaction, and the like. The form of 201a, 203a and 204a is not particularly limited, and for example, the above-mentioned dispensing nozzle can be taken.
In the above example, the dispensing / diluting system of the present invention is applicable when 201a, 203a and / or 204a are used as dispensing nozzles.
In the example of FIG. 7, 203a and / or 204a take the form of the dispensing nozzle described above. Four storages 204 are installed along the flow line in which the tip of the arm of the dispensing nozzle of 204a rotates, and the container 100 of the present invention is installed in front of the reaction table 205 at the tip of the flow line. Can be done. Further, the container 100 of the present invention can be installed between the reagent table 203 and the reaction table 205 along a flow line in which the tip of the arm of the reagent dispensing nozzle of 203a rotates.

As one of the embodiments in which the effect of the dispensing / diluting system of the present invention is more exerted, there is a case where a reagent that needs to be diluted or mixed immediately before being supplied to the reaction material is used.
Such an embodiment is not particularly limited, but for example, a reagent that is not stable under conditions suitable for the reaction is stored under stable conditions and mixed with other reagents immediately before use to be suitable for the reaction. For example, when adjusting to the conditions.
As a specific example, when reacting a color-developing substrate or a luminescent substrate with an antibody-labeled peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase, or other phosphatase, in order to improve the reactivity, the color-developing substrate or the luminescent substrate is used as a chromogenic substrate immediately before use. Examples thereof include a method of diluting with a diluted solution or a luminescent substrate diluted solution to change the pH to adjust the reaction to the optimum pH of the enzyme, and a method of diluting and adjusting the concentration of the color-developing substrate and the luminescent substrate to the optimum concentration.

The automatic analyzer of the present invention may further include a control unit, an input unit, a display unit, and the like. For example, a microcomputer or the like is used as the control unit, and the control unit is connected to the automatic analyzer 200 to control the operation of each component of the automatic analyzer 200 and to the value of the physicochemical change detected by the detection unit 206. Based on this, the component concentration of the sample is analyzed. Further, the control unit executes an analysis operation while controlling the operation of each component of the automatic analyzer 200 based on an analysis command input from an input unit such as a keyboard, and also performs analysis results and warning information. , Various information based on the display command input from the input unit is displayed on the display unit such as the display panel. Further, the control unit controls the discharge amount of the reagent and water by controlling the drive of the suction / discharge pump and the water supply pump, for example.

In the above, the automated analyzer of the present invention has been described by exemplifying an automated analyzer used in a method of detecting by utilizing an immune reaction, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the present invention may be applied to an automatic analyzer for biochemical tests, a urinary qualitative device for general tests, and an automatic analyzer for urine sedimentation. Further, the automatic analyzer of the present invention may be provided with a plurality of units as one automatic analyzer.

(Explanation of Operation of Diluting Container, etc. of the Present Invention)
In the automated analyzer 200, two types of reagents, a luminescent substrate reagent and a luminescent substrate diluted solution, are stored in the storage 204 in which the substrate is arranged, and an example of mixing both reagents at the time of use will be described. Here, the operation of the dispensing nozzle will be described by taking as an example the operation of the mechanism 204a for supplying the substrate and its diluted solution to the reaction material on the reaction table.

The dispensing nozzle (one aspect of 204a, hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as "nozzle") is rotated to move it onto the luminescent substrate reagent stored in the storage 204, and then descends so that the tip of the nozzle touches the reagent. The reagent is sucked, and after suction, the nozzle is moved up and down and rotated so that the vicinity of the tip of the nozzle enters the nozzle cleaning cup 9 and is stopped. With the nozzle stopped, water for cleaning is discharged from pipes 5 and 6 of the nozzle cleaning cup 9 to clean the outer wall near the tip of the nozzle, and then air is discharged from pipes 3 and 4 of the nozzle cleaning cup 9 to eject the nozzle. Remove water droplets adhering to the vicinity of the tip. The drainage of the nozzle cleaning cup 9 is drained from the drain 10.
Next, the nozzle is moved up and down and rotated to suck the luminescent substrate diluent stored in the storage 204, and after suction, the nozzle is diluted near the tip of the nozzle by a combination of up and down movement and rotation. Move it into the container 7 and stop it. Here, the previously aspirated reagent and the luminescent substrate diluent are combined and discharged into the dilution cup 7. The throughput can be improved by sucking the two reagents with the same probe.

In the above operation, a small amount (appropriate amount) of air is sucked before sucking the luminescent substrate diluent to prevent the luminescent substrate from being mixed in the container holding the luminescent substrate diluent stored in the storage 204. You can also do it.
Further, in the above step, the luminescent substrate reagent is discharged into the dilution cup 7 before the luminescent substrate diluent is sucked, and the luminescent substrate diluent is sucked into the diluted cup 7 after cleaning the nozzle. And the emission of the luminescent substrate diluting reagent may be performed separately.

After discharging the reagent and the light-emitting substrate diluted solution into the dilution cup 7, the reagent discharged into the dilution cup 7 is mixed by suction stirring using a nozzle. A predetermined amount of the mixed reagent is sucked by the nozzle, and the nozzle is moved up and down and rotated so that the tip of the nozzle comes onto the reaction vessel set on the reaction table 205 and is stopped. Here, the previously sucked mixed reagent is discharged into the reaction vessel set in the reaction table 205.

After that, the nozzle is washed with the nozzle washing cup 9 in the same manner as described above, and air blown. Further, in the cleaning of the dilution cup 7, water is discharged from the pipes 1 and 2 into the dilution cup 7 to clean the container, and then the drainage liquid is discharged from the drain 8. After that, these operations are repeated in the next measurement.

The means for supplying and dispensing reagents and the like in the automated analyzer described in the present invention (for example, the mechanisms such as 201a, 202a, 203a and 204a in FIG. 7) are not necessarily separated from other mechanisms and are modules. It does not have to be a modified product, and it does not matter if several mechanisms are configured so that they can be diluted in cooperation.

The present invention is applicable to an automatic analyzer that analyzes biological samples such as blood, urine, and various body fluids.

1-6 Piping 7 Diluting cup 8 Diluting cup drain 9 Nozzle cleaning cup 10 Nozzle cleaning cup drain 11 Suction pump 100 Container 200 Automatic analyzer 201 Specimen rack installation section 201a To supply the sample to the reaction material on the reaction table Mechanism of 202a Reaction material supply unit 202a Mechanism for supplying the reaction material onto the reaction table 203 Reagent table 203a Mechanism for supplying the reagent to the reaction material on the reaction table 204 Storage for placing the substrate and its diluent 204a Mechanism for supplying the substrate and its diluted solution to the reaction material on the reaction table 205 Reaction table 206 Detector

Claims (8)

It is a container in which a dilution cup and a dispensing nozzle cleaning cup are integrated, and the dilution cup is in a state where the lower part is connected to the drain to allow liquid to pass through, where the connection portion between the dilution cup and the drain is possible. The pore size area is adjusted to hold the liquid by surface tension, and two or four pipes are connected to the dilution cup in a point-symmetrical arrangement, where they are arranged point-symmetrically. The pipes provided are connected so that the directions in which the liquid is discharged from the pipes do not face each other . The container according to claim 1, which has a structure suitable for diluting a sample selected from the group consisting of a reagent, a substrate, and a sample, and suitable for cleaning a nozzle for dispensing the sample. The container according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a common cleaning mechanism for cleaning the dilution cup and the dispensing nozzle cleaning cup. The container according to claim 3, wherein the common cleaning mechanism has a common liquid supply pump and / or a liquid suction / discharge pump. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pore diameter area adjusted so that the liquid can be held by surface tension at the connection portion between the dilution cup and the drain is 0.5 to 3.0 mm. A sample dispensing / diluting system selected from the group consisting of a reagent, a substrate, and a sample, further comprising a dispensing nozzle in the container according to any one of claims 1 to 5 . An automated analyzer having the dispensing / diluting system of claim 6 . The dilution cup and the nozzle cleaning cup are placed close to each other, and the dilution cup is connected to the drain at the bottom so that liquid can pass through. Here, the connection portion between the dilution cup and the drain has a surface tension. The pore size area is adjusted so that the liquid can be retained, and two or four pipes are connected to the dilution cup in a point-symmetrical arrangement, and the pipes arranged point-symmetrically here are connected. , It is connected so that the directions of liquid discharge from the pipe do not face each other, and it has a common cleaning mechanism for cleaning the dilution cup and the nozzle cleaning cup, and further has a dispensing nozzle. An automatic analyzer equipped with a sample dispensing / dilution system selected from the group consisting of liquids, reagents, substrates, and samples.

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