JPH02147958A - Apparatus for storing liquid to be inspected - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify design of an apparatus by a method wherein a memory is provided to continuously read all identification marks on a storing means of liquid to be inspected while an identification mark reading means is placed in a position other than a suction position. CONSTITUTION:A sample cup 101 containing liquid to be inspected is past with a bar code label wherein a bar code carrying ID information such as a name of an object from whom liquid to be inspected has been sampled and items to be measured is entered before it is mounted to an apparatus 100 for storing liquid to be inspected. In the apparatus 100 for storing liquid to be inspected, this bar code is read before liquid to be inspected is taken out each sample cup 101. If a plurality of sample cups 101 are held by a holding means 102, the holding means 102 is rotated one turn in a direction of an arrow A so that the bar code on each of the sample cups 101 is read.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial Application Field) The present invention is directed to a method for storing a plurality of test liquid storage means each containing a test liquid and sequentially supplying the test liquid to a suction means. The present invention relates to a storage device, and particularly relates to a test liquid storage device equipped with a means for reading a barcode or the like displayed on the surface of a test liquid storage means.

(Prior Art) Qualitative or quantitative analysis of specific chemical components in a test liquid is a commonly performed operation in various industrial fields. In particular, quantitative analysis of chemical components or formed components in biological body fluids such as blood and urine is extremely important in the field of clinical biochemistry.

In recent years, dry type chemical analysis slides have been developed that can quantitatively analyze specific chemical components or formed components contained in a test liquid by simply applying small droplets of the test liquid ( Special Publication No. 53-21677, Japanese Patent Publication No. 55
-164358, etc.) has been put into practical use. Using these chemical analysis slides, it is possible to analyze sample liquids more easily and quickly than conventional wet analysis methods, so they are especially useful for medical institutions that need to analyze a large number of test liquids. This is preferable in research institutes, etc.

In order to analyze the chemical components in a test liquid using such a chemical analysis slide, the test liquid is placed on the chemical analysis slide in a measured amount and then placed in an incubator for a predetermined period of time. It is kept at constant temperature (incubation) to cause a color reaction (pigment formation reaction), and then a measurement irradiation light containing a wavelength selected in advance by the combination of the components in the test liquid and the reagent contained in the reagent layer of the chemical analysis slide is applied. The chemical analysis slide is irradiated with light and its reflected optical density is measured, thereby performing a quantitative analysis of the chemical components, etc.

In this case, in the above-mentioned analysis at the medical institution, research institute, etc., it is necessary to analyze a large number of test liquids, and it is desirable to be able to perform this analysis automatically and continuously. For this reason, various proposals have been made regarding chemical analyzers that can automatically and continuously analyze test liquids using the above-mentioned chemical analysis slides (for example, JP-A-56-77746). issue). It is also a means to automatically and continuously analyze the test liquid.
2, an apparatus has also been proposed in which a long tape-shaped test film containing a reagent is housed instead of the slide described above, and the test film is sequentially pulled out to perform spotting, incubation, and measurement in order (for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,526,480). In this way, a device that uses a long tape-shaped test film can reduce running costs compared to a device that uses chemical analysis slides.
PL determination can be performed continuously.

The test liquid used in the biochemical analysis described above is stored for each specimen in a sample cup, which is a test liquid storage means, and the sample cup is attached to the test liquid storage device in the biochemical analyzer. This test liquid storage device includes a holding means for integrally holding a plurality of the sample cups, and a holding means for moving the holding means along a predetermined movement path to suck the test liquid by a suction means. At the suction position,
and a moving means for arranging the sample cups one by one. In addition, on the circumferential surface of the sample cup,
Usually, a barcode label is attached that has a barcode that is an identification symbol indicating information (ID information) regarding the test liquid, such as the name of the test subject and the items to be measured. The above barcode is read by a barcode reader near the position in the sample cup where the test liquid is aspirated, just before the test liquid is aspirated. The read ID information is displayed on a display means usually provided in a chemical analyzer, and the suction means selects the long test film, chemical Make dots on the analysis slide.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, as described above, when the barcode reader is disposed near the suction position by the suction means, there is little empty space near the suction position, whereas the barcode reader is Since the device is relatively large, it is difficult to design the device. In addition, since the barcodes of each sample cup are read one by one each time the measurement of the test liquid sucked from the previous sample cup is completed, the barcodes of all sample cups in the test liquid storage device are read. The reading of the code is usually completed after the n1 constant of the test liquid in the sample cup is completed, and it takes a relatively long time to measure the test liquid (for example, 6 minutes per measurement). degree), it becomes difficult for the operator to stay with the device until all barcodes have been read. Therefore, if the barcode label on a certain sample cup is incorrectly affixed and cannot be read, the entire device may stop until the operator notices, which can greatly impair work efficiency. .

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it facilitates the design of the device by arranging the barcode reader in a place with a relatively large amount of empty space, and also prevents errors in reading identification means such as barcodes. It is an object of the present invention to provide a test liquid storage device that can quickly respond to the occurrence of a test liquid and efficiently supply the test liquid to a suction means.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In the test liquid storage device of the present invention, the identification symbol reading means such as the above-mentioned barcode reader is connected to the suction means on the moving path on which the test liquid storage means is moved by the moving means. The identification symbol reading means is arranged at a reading position different from the suction position by the moving means, and is moved by the moving means to successively read the identification symbol of each test liquid storage means that is sequentially generated at the reading position. The present invention is characterized in that a memory is provided which is connected to the identification symbol reading means and stores the identification symbol of each test liquid storage means read by the identification symbol reading means.

(Function) As in the past, in order to read the identification symbol of each test liquid storage means immediately before measuring the test liquid, the identification symbol reading means must be placed near the suction position of the test liquid. It needs to be placed in On the other hand, in this device, the identification symbols of all test liquid storage means are read continuously and the read information is temporarily stored in the memory, so that the identification symbol reading means is It can be placed at any position as long as it can face the test liquid storage means. Therefore, the identification symbol reading means can be disposed at a position away from the suction position where there is a relatively large amount of empty space, thereby facilitating the design of the device. In addition, if all the identification symbols are read at once before measuring the test liquid, the reading of the identification symbols itself will be completed in a short time, so it is possible for the operator to be present during the reading. Even if an error occurs, it is possible to immediately take measures such as re-applying the identification symbol, thereby eliminating inconveniences such as interruption of measurement.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a biochemical analyzer equipped with a test liquid storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The illustrated biochemical analyzer 1 is equipped with a transparent lid 2, and when the lid 2 is opened, the test liquid described below, a long test film 3 in the form of a long tape, etc. are inserted into the device 1. It is adapted to contain and retrieve. This device 1 includes
Holding means 1 that integrally holds sample cups 101 containing test liquids such as serum and urine arranged in an annular shape.
02 is provided, and the test liquid stored therein is suctioned by suction means 5 and deposited on the long test film 3, as will be described later. The long test film 3 is prepared in multiple types in accordance with MJ standard items, such as containing a reagent that exhibits a color reaction with only the specific chemical component or tangible component to be measured in the test liquid. ing. The unused portion of the long test film 3 is wound in a film supply cassette 18, and the portion used for the above measurement is wound in a film winding cassette 19. Further, as will be described later, a long test film 3 is placed in the center of each of the rolls 18a and 19a in the cassettes 18 and 19 in the apparatus 1.
In order to pull out this film 3 from the film supply cassette 18 and the film supply force cera) 1
a hole 18 that engages the rotating shaft of the motor for rewinding into the
b, 19b are provided. The long test film 3 is stored in the apparatus 1 while being wound around a cassette 18, 19. The film supply cassette 18 and the film take-up cassette 19 are separated as shown in this figure. The test film storage means 6 is constructed so that unused portions of a plurality of long test films 3 can be stored in parallel so that a plurality of items can be measured simultaneously using this device 1.

The suction means 5 has a suction nozzle 7 at its tip, is moved in the direction in which the rail 8 extends by a moving means 9 placed on the rail 8, and sucks the test liquid from the test liquid storage device lO opening, It is spotted onto the long test film 3 pulled out from the test film storage means 6 as will be described later.

Further, the moving means 9 is configured to move the suction means 5 in the vertical direction as well, and when the suction means 5 is moved in the left-right direction in which the rail 8 extends by this moving means 9, the suction means is raised. It is lowered when the liquid to be tested is taken out, deposited, and washed as described later.

After the suction nozzle 7 is deposited on the test film, it is cleaned by a nozzle cleaning section 10 disposed between the test film storage means 6 and the test liquid storage device 100 in close proximity to both, and then the suction nozzle 7 is used for the next deposition. reused.

The spotted test film is incubated in an incubator as described below, and measured by a photometric means.

Control of the overall operation of the device 1, processing of constant data, etc. are performed by a circuit section 11 and a computer 12 connected to this circuit section 11. The operation/display section 13 provided on the front side of the circuit section 11 is equipped with a power switch for the device 1, an ammeter for monitoring the current consumption in the device 1, and the like. The computer 12 includes a keyboard 14 for giving instructions to the device 1, a CRT display 15 for displaying auxiliary information for instructions, measurement results, etc., a printer 16 for printing out measurement results, and a computer for giving various instructions to the device 1. A floppy disk device I7 is provided that accommodates a floppy disk for storing commands, measurement result data, and the like.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the main parts of the biochemical analyzer 1 whose perspective view is shown in FIG.

The test film storage means 6 is configured such that the spotting positions 22 of all the test films pulled out from therein are arranged in a straight line, and furthermore, the nozzle cleaning section 10 and the test liquid storage device are located on this straight line. It is configured such that the suction positions P of the test liquid indicated by diagonal lines in 100 are arranged.

The test liquid storage device 100 is constructed by holding sample cups 101 containing a test liquid arranged in an annular shape by the holding means 102, and rotated by a predetermined angle in the direction of arrow A by the moving means described later. 101
are sequentially positioned at the suction position P. The suction means 5 is moved in the direction in which the rail extends by a moving means 9 mounted on the rail 8, sucks the liquid to be tested from the suction position P, and deposits it on the long test film at a spot position 22 suitable for the measurement item. Dot on.

FIG. 3 shows a main part of a cross section taken along line xx' in FIG. 2.

The long test film 3 is placed in a film supply cassette I.
8 and the film winding cassette 19,
loaded into the device. The film supply cassette 18 is housed in a cold storage 50 whose interior is temperature-controlled at, for example, 4° C., and the film winding cassette 19 is housed in a winding chamber 51. If the unused portion of the long test film 3 is stored in the film supply cassette 18 in this manner, the unused long test film 3 can be stored in the cold storage 50 without being touched. The cold storage 50 has a cold storage wall 50a using a heat insulating material.
On one side of this cold storage wall 50a, there is a cold storage 50
A cooling/dehumidifying device 58 is attached to keep the inside at a predetermined low temperature and low humidity, and a fan 60 circulates the air inside the cold storage 50.

When the film supply cassette I8 and the film winding cassette 19 are housed in the cold storage 50 and the winding chamber 51, respectively, as described above, the film inside the film winding cassette 19 is
A rotating shaft of a winding motor 53A, which is a conveyance means for the long test film 3 provided in this winding chamber 51, is engaged with a hole 19b provided in the center of the winding chamber 51.
3A, the long test film 3 is pulled out from the film supply cassette 18 via the drawer opening 50b of the cold storage 50, and wound into the film winding cassette 19. On the other hand, a rotation shaft of a motor 53B for rewinding the film engages with a hole tab provided in the center of the reel lla of the film supply cassette 18, as will be described later.

If the used portion of the long test film 3 is stored in the film winding cassette 19 as described above,
It is possible to take out the used film that has been soiled with the liquid to be tested and dispose of it without touching it. Regarding this disposal, instead of winding the used film in the film winding cassette 19, the film winding cassette 19 is eliminated, and the film can be freely installed and removed from the device 1 that stores the film in the winding chamber 51. A cutter for cutting the used film is placed near the entrance of the winding chamber 51, and the used film is cut and stored in the box. Remove the entire box from the device 1 without touching the film.
It may also be possible to dispose of this used film. In this case, the test film may be transported by providing transport rollers that grip and transport the test film.

Film supply cassette 18 and film winding cassette 19
An incubator 55 is arranged in the exposed part of the long test film 3 in between, and the long test film 3 and the liquid to be tested are placed inside the incubator 55, which can hold the film inside and allow it to pass through it one after another. An n+ light section 57 is arranged for measuring optical density due to a color reaction with the light source.

As described above, the long test film 3 is intermittently pulled out from the cold storage 50 by the rotation of the motor 53, and is intermittently fed to the left in the figure, and when the film 3 is fed, the top lid 55a of the incubator 55 is It rises in the direction of arrow A.

When the long test film 3 is moved, the upper lid 55a descends in the direction of arrow B and pushes the long test film 3. Next, the shutter 54 that had been blocking the nozzle insertion hole 55b of the upper lid 55a moves to the right in the figure, and then the suction nozzle 7 descends as shown in the figure and is applied onto the long test film 3 through the nozzle insertion hole 55b. Test liquid is applied. Furthermore, the shutter 54 moves to the left to open the nozzle insertion hole 5.
5b to prevent air from entering or exiting the incubator 55 to the outside, thereby maintaining the inside of the incubator at a predetermined temperature (for example, 37° C.). The part of the film on which the liquid to be tested has been spotted and developed (the part shown with diagonal lines in FIG. 3) is kept at a constant temperature in the incubator 55 for a predetermined period of time (for example, 4 minutes).

After or during the incubation, the side light section 57 measures the optical density of the portion of the long test film 3 where the spotting has been performed.

This concentration aPJ is determined by irradiating the film 3 with light containing a pre-selected wavelength emitted from the light irradiation means 57a,
This is done by detecting the reflected light from the film 3 with the photodetector 57b.

When the spotting, incubation, and measurement of one liquid to be tested are completed in this way, the next liquid to be tested can be spotted. The long test film 3 remains in the incubator even after the above-mentioned measurement is completed, so that the part of the film to be used for the next analysis is placed at the spotting position immediately before the spotting for the next analysis. will be transferred to.

By the way, the sample cup 1 containing the test liquid
01 is a bar that carries ID information such as the name of the subject from whom the test liquid was collected and items for API determination, etc. on its circumferential surface before being attached to the test liquid storage device 100. A barcode label with a code written on it is affixed to each sample cup 10 in the test liquid storage device lOO.
This barcode is read prior to taking out the liquid to be tested from 1. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, on the annular movement path of each sample cup 101, a position (
A barcode reader 105 is provided at the reading position), and a plurality of sample cups 101 are held in the holding means 102.
When held, the holding means 102 is rotated once in the direction of arrow A, and the bar code on each sample cup 101 is read. Next, reading of this barcode will be explained with reference to FIG.

A pulse motor 106, which is a moving means, is attached to the central axis 102A of the holding means 102, and by rotating the holding means 102 by a predetermined angle around the central axis 102A, the sample cups are transferred one by one to the above. It is arranged to be located at the reading position and the above-mentioned suction position P (see FIG. 2). sample cup 101
are each attached to the holding means 102 with the side on which the barcode label 104 is attached facing outward. Moreover, M2O3 is attached to this holding means 102 in order to prevent moisture from evaporating from the test liquid in the sample cup 101 and deteriorating the quality of the test liquid. The sample cup 101 can be removed only when the sample cup 101 is attached to and taken out from the holding means 102. Further, a hole for entering a suction nozzle (not shown) is formed in a portion that overlaps with the suction position of M2O3.

Multiple sample cups containing unmeasured test liquids
t is attached to the holding means 102, the pulse motor 10
6 rotates the holding means 102 by a predetermined angle, and the sample cups 101 are sequentially placed in a reading position facing the barcode reader 105, and the barcode 103 is read. The barcode reader 105 successively reads the barcodes 103 of all sample cups 101 held in the holding means 102 and stores the read information in the memory 108. memory 1
08 stores information carried by the barcode 103 of each sample cup in correspondence with the position of the sample cup 101 on the holding means 102.

When the reading of the barcode 103 is completed as described above and the test liquid is to be measured, the holding means 102 is rotated by the pulse motor 106, and each sample cup 101 is sequentially placed in the suction position. , the liquid to be tested is supplied to the suction means 5. Further, the barcode information corresponding to the sample cup in the suction position is called from the memory 108, and this is displayed on the CRT display 15 (see FIG. 1), and the control means for controlling the movement of the suction means 5. 110, and the liquid to be tested is dripped onto the long test film 3 according to the measurement item.

In this way, all sample cup barcodes are
If the barcode is read and stored in memory before aspirating the test liquid, the barcode reading will be completed in a short time, making it possible for the operator to be present while the barcode is being read. Become. Therefore, if the barcode label cannot be read because the barcode label is misplaced or the sample cup is attached to the holding means in the wrong direction, immediately remove the sample cup and read the barcode. Labels can be changed, sample cups can be reoriented, and the entire device does not remain inoperable for long periods of time. Furthermore, when reading barcodes all at once, the barcode reader can be placed at any position other than the suction position of the liquid to be tested, so the design of the apparatus can be made more convenient.

Note that the device of the present invention may be of any type as long as it can be moved along a predetermined movement path so that all the sample cups can be placed at the above-mentioned suction position and reading position, and the movement path may be circular. In addition to the annular shape, it may be linear or the like. Further, the identification symbol carrying information regarding the liquid to be tested is not limited to a bar code, but may be any symbol that can be read by a reading means from the outside.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, according to the test liquid storage device of the present invention, a memory is provided to read the identification symbols on all the test liquid storage means in succession, and the identification symbol reading means By arranging it at a position different from the suction position, it is possible to make the design of the apparatus compact and to realize efficient supply of the test liquid to the suction means.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a biochemical analyzer equipped with a test liquid storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view of essential parts of the biochemical analyzer, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the test liquid storage device. 1... Biochemical analyzer 3... Long test film 5... Suction means 100
...Test liquid storage device 101...Sample cup 102...Holding means 103...Barcode 104...Barcode label 105...Barcode reader 10B...Pulse motor 10g... Memory diagram diagram Xo

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A holding means for holding a plurality of test liquid storage means each containing a test liquid and provided with an identification symbol on the surface thereof for displaying information regarding the test liquid, Test liquid storage comprising a moving means that sequentially arranges the test liquid storage means one by one at predetermined suction positions on the movement path, and causes the test liquid to be sucked by a suction means. In the apparatus, each of the test liquids is opposed to each of the test liquid storage means at a reading position different from the suction position on the movement path, and is moved by the moving means and sequentially disposed at the reading position. It is characterized by comprising an identification symbol reading means for continuously reading the identification symbols of the storage means, and a memory connected to the identification symbol reading means and storing the identification symbol read by the identification symbol reading means. Test liquid storage device.