JPH0231165A - Automatic analyser - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the scattering and diffusion of a sample from a probe, in the distribution work of various samples, by sucking mist like gas generated at the time of the emission of a liquid before diffusion. CONSTITUTION:The sample received in a sample container 5 is separated into plasma 9 and a blood curpuscle by centrifugal separation. Only the plasma 9 to be examined is taken out from the sample by a sampling probe 1 and the probe 1 is moved to a diluent cup 6 to emit the plasma 9 along with the liquid diluent from a diluent probe 2 and a diluted sample 10 of a predetermined dilution rate is prepared. The prepared sample 10 is distributed to the wells of a reaction container 7 by a predetermined amount by moving a diluted sample probe 3 to the reaction container 7. In this case, a preliminarily coated reagent 12 is received in the wells 11 to be reacted with the diluted sample. The reaction result is subjected to photometric examination to perform the analysis of the sample.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer for performing biochemical analysis, immunoassay, etc. This is what I did.

[Conventional technology]

Automatic analyzers such as devices that collect and analyze human blood, biochemical analyzers, and blood test devices that utilize immune function are basically operated as follows. Different samples stored in multiple sample containers are dispensed into the wells of a microplate, which is a reaction container, using a probe, and the liquid in the wells is irradiated with a photometric light beam from a light source, and the light receiving section receives the transmitted light and performs photometry. This is the method.

There are various configurations of sample dispensing means in this case, but the process of dispensing the sample with a probe, moving the probe to the dispensing position, and discharging the sample from the tip of the probe toward the well is repeated. It is supposed to be done.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, in the conventional sample dispensing operation, various samples are vigorously ejected from the tip of the probe, so it is unavoidable that the liquid sample is scattered around in the form of mist during ejection.

Some of the samples are harmful to the human body, and there is a risk of secondary infection of the operator. In addition, it is necessary to avoid adhesion to peripheral components of the device, which poses a problem.

For this reason, the method to prevent the sample from scattering from the probe is to slow down the sample discharge speed from the probe.
Alternatively, a method has been adopted in which vibrations applied to the probe are minimized by slowing down the speed at which the probe moves, thereby preventing scattering due to vibrations and the like.

However, these methods not only prolong sample discharge time and reduce the efficiency of dispensing work, but also make it difficult to compensate for dispensing accuracy due to so-called liquid draining. Furthermore, there remains the fundamental problem that the scattering of the sample cannot be sufficiently prevented.

The present invention (well, it is proposed to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic analyzer that prevents scattering and diffusion of a sample from a probe.

[Means and effects for solving the problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention dispenses a liquid such as a sample or a reagent from a predetermined location to another predetermined location using a dispensing means, and automatically analyzes it using an analysis means. In an automatic analyzer, a gas suction means having a gas purification means is provided near the dispensing means at a liquid discharge position.

As a result, the atomized sample at the time of sample dispensing is scattered around and sucked before being diffused.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the sample stored in the sample container 5 is human blood, and by centrifugation, plasma 9 and blood cells 8 are separated.
(Fig. 1A).

From this sample, only the plasma 9 to be tested is collected using the sample probe 1, and the probe 1 is moved to the diluent cup 6, where the plasma 9 is discharged together with the diluent from the diluent probe 2 to a predetermined amount. A diluted sample 10 is prepared at a dilution ratio of (FIG. 1B). The diluted sample 10 thus prepared is dispensed in predetermined amounts into the wells 11 of the reaction container 7 by moving the diluted sample probe 3 to the reaction container 7. In this case, there is a pre-coated reagent 12 in the well 11, which reacts with the diluent (FIG. 1C). The reaction results are measured photometrically and the sample is analyzed. In this case, the liquid in each container such as the sample container, diluent cup, and reaction container is kept at a predetermined temperature via a thermostat (not shown) etc. so that analysis and testing can be performed properly. It's Nishide.

Automatic sample analysis is performed through this series of operations, and there is a stage during this series of operations where liquid becomes suspended in the air. First, there is the step shown in FIG. 1B, in which a diluted sample 10 is prepared, and then the step shown in FIG. 1C, in which the sample is dispensed into the well 11 of the reaction container 7. This is because the liquid sample, diluted solution, and diluted sample are vigorously discharged from the probe into the cup or well, causing them to scatter in the form of mist and become suspended in the air. For this reason, it may be inhaled by a worker who operates the automatic analyzer, or it may adhere to other components of the apparatus, causing trouble with the apparatus itself. Furthermore, if different diluted samples are dispensed into a plurality of wells 11 provided in a reaction container and analyzed simultaneously, other diluted samples may be mixed in, which may impede proper analysis.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C, a duct 4 serving as a gas suction means is provided near where the probe discharges the liquid. The suction port of the duct 4 is located slightly away from the liquid discharge port of the probe and so that the atomized gas can be sucked from diagonally above in the discharge direction. This is because this is the location where the atomized gas is most generated and the location where the atomized gas remains just before it diffuses.

FIG. 2 shows means for purifying the aspirated gas. This is provided continuously with the suction port of the duct 4 via the suction path. After the gas is suctioned from the suction port of the duct 4 by the suction pump 13, contaminants in the gas are removed by passing it through the filter 14, and the purified gas is sent in the direction of the arrow. The filter 14 in this case has a mesh structure and must be used depending on the type of substance mixed in the gas, and it also needs to be detachable.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, in which an automatic analyzer 17 is used to analyze blood, etc., as in the first embodiment. The sample tube 21 set on the sample carrier 19 is moved together with the sample carrier 19 onto the sample carrier holder 18 to a predetermined position. A diluted sample preparation cup 20 is disposed near this, and the sample probe 2 held by the sample probe transfer device 23
2 is transferred, a sample is taken out from the sample tube 21 and dispensed into a cup 32 for preparing a diluted sample.

The diluent is also dispensed from the diluent cup 20 into the diluted sample preparation cup 32 using a diluent probe (not shown). The thus diluted sample sample 1 is dispensed into the wells of the reaction container 26 by the diluted sample probe 24 held by the diluted sample probe transfer tool 25. Thereafter, the test liquid in the well is photometered, and during this series of operations, when the liquid is discharged from the sample probe 22 and the diluted sample probe 24, a mist of gas floats around it. It is similar to

In this embodiment, an outer cover 16 is provided over the area where the probe performs the work of discharging liquid, to isolate it from the outside air. This outer cover 16 can be opened and closed via a hinge 33, and is shown in the open state in the drawing. The outer cover 16 is lowered to shut it off from the outside air, and the suction duct 28
The atomized sample gas is sucked from the purification filter 2.
Air is sent through 9.

30 is a suction motor, and 31 is a suction path. In this way, the atomized sample gas can be prevented from being diffused to the outside primarily by the outer cover and secondarily efficiently by the suction duct. In addition, 27 is a reaction container storage part.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, in the dispensing work of various samples, by suctioning the atomized gas generated when discharging liquid before dispersing it, it is possible to ensure the safety of workers, ensure proper dispensing, and protect the equipment. can.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention, in which A is a sample separation state, B is a diluted sample preparation state, C is a side view showing a diluted sample dispensing state, and FIG. 2 is a side view of the suction duct. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the present invention. 1... Probe for sample 2... Probe for diluted liquid 3... Probe for diluted sample 4... Duct 13... Suction pump 14
...Filter Figure 1 Patent applicant Olympus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. Figure 2

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In an automatic analyzer that dispenses a liquid such as a sample or a reagent from a predetermined location to another predetermined location using a dispensing means and automatically analyzes the same using an analysis means, the dispensing means is located at a liquid discharge position. An automatic analyzer characterized in that a gas suction means having a gas purification means is provided in the vicinity. 2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, further comprising a cover that isolates at least a scanning range of the dispensing means from the outside, and gas inside the cover is sucked by a gas suction means.