JPH023462B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

The present invention relates to an apparatus for quantifying the concentration of an antigenic substance such as plasma protein or blood drug by measuring the concentration of an antigenic antibody reaction product by the intensity of scattered light by a laser beam, and particularly relates to a device for quantifying the concentration of an antigenic substance such as plasma protein or blood drug. This invention relates to a device that automates measurement by automatically supplying and discharging liquid to a sample measurement chamber of the main body of the measurement device. In recent years, along with the development of compact laser light sources, research on the scattering phenomenon of laser light by fine particles has progressed, and as a result, a laser-type antigen source that detects the concentration of antigen-antibody reaction products caused by plasma proteins, blood drugs, etc. has been developed. A device for quantifying antibody reaction products has come into practical use. In such a device, for example, if a so-called in-solution immunoprecipitation reaction occurs, in which a plasma protein as an antigen source binds with its corresponding antibody to produce an antigen-antibody reaction product, the reaction product is produced by light scattering. Therefore, since the laser light scattering intensity of the reaction product is proportional to the plasma protein concentration in the antibody excess region, the plasma protein concentration can be measured. In addition, in the case of drugs, when combined with the corresponding antibody, an antigen-antibody reaction product is generated that is non-sedimentable and does not show light scattering. The source antibody reaction product is precipitated and exhibits light scattering, so if a drug coexists in the latter reaction system, the drug and polyhapten will compete with the antibody, inhibiting the immunoprecipitation reaction, and the ratio of coexistence will increase. Since it is proportional to the drug concentration, the drug concentration can be determined by the laser scattering intensity. By the way, in the laser-type antigen source antibody reaction product quantification device as described above, a sample liquid is placed in a sample measurement chamber between a laser light source that generates laser light and a light receiving detection section that receives scattered light and detects its intensity. It must be introduced and discharged after measurement. However, in conventional laser-based antigen-antibody reaction product quantification devices, it is necessary to manually introduce and discharge the sample liquid into the sample measurement chamber, which requires considerable labor and time for measurement work. What was important was the reality. By the way, in general, as a method for automating the supply and discharge of sample liquid to and from the measurement chamber, the sample liquid is poured into the sample measurement chamber from an external sample container via a suction pipe,
A so-called flow method is known in which the sample is returned to the sample container via a discharge pipe or discarded after measurement. However, with this method, the sample measurement chamber and pipes are contaminated with sample liquid after each measurement, so in order to perform accurate measurements, it is necessary to clean them after each measurement. In addition, the equipment becomes complicated and expensive, and even after cleaning as mentioned above, contamination gradually accumulates.Especially when measuring the intensity of scattered light, the window of the sample measurement chamber becomes dirty and the scattered light increases. There is a problem that the accuracy of intensity measurement decreases, and therefore this type of flow method is not suitable for applying to a laser type antigen-antibody reaction product quantification device and measuring a large number of samples one after another. Ta. In addition, in other analytical devices other than the laser-type antigen antibody reaction product quantification device, such as absorption spectrometers, a large number of cells containing sample liquids are lined up in a rack, and the racks are moved. An apparatus is known in which cells are sequentially led to a sample measurement chamber. However, it is difficult to apply this type of device to a laser type device for quantifying antigen-antibody reaction products based on the scattered light intensity measurement method for the following reasons. In other words, in a laser type antigen-antibody reaction product quantification device, the antigen, antibody, and diluent (buffer) are mixed for a certain period of time (usually 30 or 60 minutes).
The laser light scattering intensity of the sample solution is measured after the immunoprecipitation reaction has sufficiently progressed.
In this case, in order to accurately quantify the reaction product concentration, it is desirable to measure the laser light scattering intensity of the sample liquid immediately after mixing, in a state where the precipitation reaction has not yet proceeded, as a blank value. However, with the above-mentioned rack moving method, the rack is moved to the sample measurement chamber in its entirety, making it difficult to perform rack measurements immediately after mixing the sample solution. In order to perform measurements on the same sample liquid, the easy method requires an extremely large-scale apparatus, resulting in high costs. In addition, in a laser type antigen source antibody reaction product quantification device that detects scattering holes, unlike in the case of absorption measurement, in order to accurately measure scattered light, external light must be almost completely blocked. However, in the above-mentioned rack moving method, it is extremely difficult to isolate only the cell to be measured from the others, and this poses the problem of complicating the apparatus. Furthermore, in a laser type antigen-antibody reaction product quantification device that detects scattered light, in addition to measuring the scattered light on the opposite side to the laser light incident on the cell, it is also necessary to measure the scattered light on the opposite side to the laser light incident on the cell. Scattered light may also be measured. That is, if the angle of the detection direction with respect to the incident light differs, different information can be obtained accordingly. For example, if scattered light in two directions is measured simultaneously, a scattered light intensity distribution pattern can be obtained. However, in the above-mentioned rack movement method, since the cells are moved horizontally in a fixed direction in their racks, it is difficult to detect scattered light in two directions that are almost perpendicular in the horizontal plane, and the information that can be obtained is therefore limited. There is a problem with it. On the other hand, as an apparatus for analyzing antigen-antibody reaction products by measuring transmitted light rather than measuring the intensity of scattered light, transparent Using a sample container (a so-called microplate) in which a large number of recesses for storing samples are formed in a matrix on the top surface of a single plate made of material, each recess for storing samples can be sequentially analyzed by moving the microplate. A microplate type device is known that allows the light to reach the device (light transmission position). However, even with this microplate method, it was difficult to apply it to a laser type antigen-antibody reaction product quantification device that detects the intensity of scattered light, similar to the rack movement method described above. In other words, in the microplate method, since there are recesses containing a large number of samples on the same plate, it is difficult to perform a blank measurement immediately after mixing the samples, and since each sample storage recess is not vertical, External light tends to leak during measurement,
Accurate measurements cannot be expected because it is difficult to block external light sufficiently to a nearly complete state, and in addition, scattered light in two different directions in the horizontal plane is measured for each sample holding recess. There was nothing I could do. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is possible to automate the supply and discharge of a sample liquid cell to a sample measurement chamber in a device for quantifying antigen-antibody reaction products using laser light scattering using a simple and inexpensive configuration. The object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that can automate the quantification of antigen-antibody reaction products and that can accurately measure them without causing the problems described above. That is, in the present invention, a laser light source and a scattering hole intensity detection means are provided in a measuring device main body in which a sample measuring chamber with an open top surface is formed, and a cell containing a sample liquid is inserted into the sample measuring chamber from above to detect the laser beam. A laser-type antigen-antibody reaction that allows light to enter the sample solution in a cell and detects the intensity of scattered light from the antigen-antibody reaction product in the cell to quantify the concentration of the antigen-antibody reaction product. A product quantitative device includes a rack in which a plurality of storage parts for accommodating a plurality of cells in an upright state are formed in a matrix along two orthogonal directions in a horizontal plane, and the rack is removable. A rack table configured to be placed on the cell and disposed on the side of the measuring device main body, a rack moving means for linearly moving the rack table in the front and back direction, and a hanger for hoisting the cell. , comprising a hanger elevating means for elevating and lowering the hanger, and a hanger horizontal moving means for moving the hanger in a horizontal straight line between a position above the rack and a position above the sample measurement chamber, The hanger has a structure in which protrusions are formed on the upper ends of both its front and rear surfaces, while the hanger is made in a cross-sectional shape, and protrusions that protrude inward are formed on the lower ends of the inner surfaces of both side walls. and the projecting piece of the cell is configured to engage with the upper surface of the projecting portion of the hanger, and the hanger is oriented such that both side walls of the hanger are parallel to the direction of movement by the horizontal hanger moving means. It is characterized by a fixed gender. With this configuration, cells containing sample liquid can be lifted one by one and automatically transferred from the rack to the sample measurement chamber, and from the sample measurement chamber to the rack. This makes it possible to automate the quantification of antigen-antibody reaction products based on laser light scattering intensity without causing the problems described above. In particular, the hanger is made in a cross-sectional shape, and protrusions that protrude inward are formed on the lower ends of the inner surfaces of both side walls, so that the protrusions engage with the protrusions on the upper ends of the cells. It is composed of
Moreover, since the orientation of the hanger is determined so that both side walls of the hanger are parallel to the direction of horizontal linear movement of the hanger, it is possible to move the cell from inside the rack or from the sample measurement chamber by simply raising and lowering the hanger and moving it horizontally linearly. It is possible to lift a cell into a rack or insert a cell into a sample measurement chamber.Furthermore, the cell to be lifted in the rack can be indexed by simply moving the hanger horizontally and linearly moving the rack table back and forth. can. Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, in which the upper end of a sample measurement chamber 3 that accommodates a cell 2 (to be described later) is opened on the front upper surface of the measuring device main body 1, and the inside of the measuring device main body 1 is opened. includes a laser light source (not shown) for making laser light incident on the sample liquid in the cell 2 in the sample measurement chamber 3, and a laser light source (not shown) for receiving the scattered light from the sample liquid in the cell 2 and detecting the intensity of the scattered light. A scattered light intensity detecting means (not shown) and a processing means for processing a signal of the scattered light intensity detected by the detecting means are built-in. The specific structure inside the measuring device main body 1 may be the same as the known one, for example, the one described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 56-94245, and therefore will not be described in detail here. A CRT display device 1A is placed on the top surface of the measuring device main body 1 for displaying measured data and a calibration curve, which will be described later. A sample liquid cell automatic supply/discharge device 4, which is a feature of the present invention, for supplying/discharging the cell 2 to/from the sample measurement chamber 3 is disposed at a position side by side of the measuring device main body 1. This automatic supply/discharge device 4 basically includes a rack 5 capable of accommodating a predetermined number of cells 2, for example, 60 cells 2 in a matrix shape in the front, back, left, and right, and a rack 5 on which the rack 5 is removably placed. A rack table 6 that is movable in the front-rear direction, a rack table moving means 7 for moving the rack table 6 in the front-rear direction in a horizontal plane, and a cell 2 in the rack 5 or the sample measurement chamber 3 is lifted up and placed therein. A hanger 8 for transferring the cell 2 between the rack 5 and the sample measurement chamber 3, a hanger lifting means 9 for vertically raising and lowering the hanger 8, and a hanger 8 for moving the hanger 8 in the lateral direction (left and right direction), that is, the rack 5 and a horizontal moving means 10 for moving the hanger in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the hanger 5 and the vertical direction. Note that a control section 4A containing a control system to be described later for controlling automatic supply/discharge is disposed behind the rack table 6. The cell 2 is made of a transparent material such as a transparent resin, for example, in the shape of a cylinder with a bottom and a rectangular horizontal cross section as shown in FIG. The pieces 2a and 2a' are integrally formed. On the other hand, the rack 5 is
A rack table 6 includes a plurality of (for example, 10) storage sections 5a for accommodating cells 2 separately.
They are formed in series at intervals along a direction perpendicular to the movable front-rear direction (Z direction), that is, a direction parallel to the horizontal movement direction (X direction) of the hanger 8, and A plurality of rows (for example, 6 rows) are formed at intervals in the front-rear direction, that is, the moving direction (Z direction) of the rack table 6, and thereby a large number of storage portions 5a are formed in a matrix shape in the front, back, left, and right directions. ing. As shown in detail in FIG. 4, each accommodating part 5a is arranged so that its protrusions 2a, 2a' are located above the opening end (upper surface) of the accommodating part when the cell 2 is accommodated.
That is, they are made so that a predetermined distance G exists between the lower surfaces of the projecting pieces 2a and 2a' and the open end of the housing part,
Further, the cell 2 is configured to be housed in such a direction that the protrusions 2a and 2a' thereof are located on both sides in the front-rear direction, that is, in the Z direction. Furthermore, easy 5
is removably placed at a fixed position on the rack table 6. As shown in FIG. 2, rollers 13 and 13' are provided on the lower surface of the rack table 6, and these rollers 13 and 13' are connected to the rail 1 provided on the base plate 14 along the front and back direction.
5 and 15', thereby making the rack table 6 movable in the front-back direction. The rack moving means 7 includes, for example, an endless annular wire 7b that spans pulleys 7a and 7a' provided at front and back positions on the substrate 14, and this wire 7.
A pulse motor 7c is connected to one of the pulleys 7' to move the motor 7b. For example, as shown in the figure, the hanger horizontal moving means 10 includes pulleys 10b and 10b' provided at both left and right ends of a horizontal guide rail 10a for guiding and supporting the hanger 8 in a horizontally movable manner. An endless ring-shaped wire 10
c may be wound around the pulley 10b, and the drive shaft of the pulse motor 10d may be connected to one of the pulleys 10b.
Further, the hanger elevating means 9 includes pulleys 9b and 9 at both upper and lower ends of the vertical guide rail 9a for guiding and supporting the elevating of the horizontal guide rail 10a.
b', an endless annular wire 9c is wound around the pulleys 9b, 9b', and a drive shaft of a pulse motor 9d is connected to one of the pulleys 9b'. Therefore, in this embodiment, the hanger 8
is guided by the vertical guide rail 9a by the rotation of the pulse motor 9d and moves up and down together with the horizontal guide rail 10a (in the Y direction), and is guided by the horizontal guide rail 10a by the rotation of the pulse motor 10d in the lateral direction (in the X direction). I will have to move. On the other hand, the hanger 8 basically has a pair of parallel vertical side walls 8 as shown in FIGS.
The upper ends of the side walls 8a and 8b' are integrally connected by a connecting part 8b to form a substantially gate-like shape, and a horizontal protrusion 8c is formed on the inner surface of the lower end of the side walls 8a and 8a'. , 8c', and these protrusions 8c, 8c' are formed.
The structure may be such that the projecting pieces 2a, 2a' of the cell 2 are hooked onto c'. However, in this case, the side walls 8a, 8
a' along a vertical plane parallel to the horizontal movement direction (X direction) of the hanger 8, and open the inner space of the hanger 8 (inside the side walls 8a, 8a') to the left and right in the horizontal movement direction of the hanger 8. put. Further, the distance W between the inner surfaces of the side walls 8a and 8a' of the hanger 8 is set larger than the distance between the tips of the front and rear protrusions 2a and 2a' of the cell 2, and The distance W' between the tips is set to a value smaller than the distance L between the tips of the projecting pieces 2a, 2a' of the cell 2 and larger than the thickness of the main body of the cell 2 in the front-rear direction. With this configuration, for example, as shown in FIG. 7A, the upper surfaces of the protrusions 8c and 8c' of the hanger 8 are located slightly below the lower surfaces of the protrusions 2a and 2a' of the cell 2. The hanger 8 is moved horizontally (in the X direction) from the side of the cell 2 toward the cell 2, and as shown in FIG.
When the hanger 8 is located between the side walls 8a and 8a' of the cell 2, the horizontal movement is stopped and the hanger 8 is raised as shown in FIG.
The cell 2 is lifted upward by being engaged with the protrusions 8c and 8c' on the inner surface of the lower end. In this case, if grooves 8d and 8d' corresponding to the protrusions 2a and 2a' of the cell 2 are formed on the upper surface of the central part of the protruding stripes 8c and 8c' of the hanger 8 as shown in the figure, the hanger 8 When raising the cell 2, the protrusions 2a, 2a' of the cell 2 move into the grooves 8d,
8d', it is possible to prevent the cell 2 from slipping, and in particular, the end surfaces 8e, 8e' of the grooves 8d, 8d' can be formed into smooth arc shapes as shown in the figure. For example, even if cell 2 and hanger 8 are slightly misaligned, cell 2 can be correctly connected to hanger 8.
It can be lifted at the center of the Note that the hanger 8 is connected to the horizontal guide rail 10a.
Although the structure of the part suspended from the horizontal guide rail 10a is arbitrary, for example, as shown in FIG. The piece 22 is configured so that it can run smoothly in the horizontal direction within the horizontal guide rail 10a, and the horizontally running piece 2
2 is engaged with the wire 10c, and the hanger 8 is suspended from the horizontally running piece 22 via the connecting rod 24. In addition, the hanger 8 more reliably prevents the lifted cell 2 from falling, and also serves as a light-shielding upper cover during measurement of the sample measurement chamber 3 in the measuring device main body 1. A configuration including a presser plate 20 may also be used. This cell holding plate 20 is arranged horizontally between the side walls 8a and 8a', and has both ends 20a and 20 in the left and right direction.
a' protrudes from the main body of the hanger 8, and the lower surfaces of both ends 20a, 20a' are formed into a smooth arc shape, and the width in the front and rear direction is
The spacing between the tips of the protrusions 8c and 8c' is set to be smaller than the spacing between the tips of the protrusions 8c and 8c'. The cell holding plate 20 is supported so as to be movable up and down relative to the main body of the hanger 8, and is always urged downward by a spring 21. Cell holding plate 2 like this
0, the upper surface of the protrusions 8c, 8c' of the hanger 8 is located slightly lower than the lower surface of the protruding pieces 2a, 2a' of the cell 2, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B. If the hanger 8 is moved horizontally from the side of the cell 2 toward the cell 2 in this state, the lower surface of the tip 20a of the cell presser plate 20 will come into contact with the upper end of the cell 2, and the cell presser plate 20 will move upward. Then, as shown in FIGS. 10C and 10D, if the hanger 8 is raised with the upper end of the cell 2 positioned between the side walls 8a and 8a' of the hanger 8, the cell 2 is are pressed relatively downward, so that the protrusions 2a, 2a' of the cell 2 are smoothly fitted into the recesses 8d, 8d' of the hanger 8, and are prevented from coming off from the recesses 8d, 8d'. be done.
Furthermore, since the cell holding plate 20 covers the top surface of the cell 2, when the cell 2 is accommodated in the sample measurement chamber 3 and measured, as will be described later, external light is prevented from entering from the top surface side of the cell 2. By preventing this, the laser light scattering intensity can be measured more accurately. Although not particularly shown in FIG. 1, the horizontal guide rail 10a is equipped with position sensors SX O , SX _S such as a photoelectric detector, a micro switch, and a proximity switch for detecting a specific position of the hanger 8 in the horizontal _direction. ，
The vertical guide rail _9c is provided with position sensors SY _O and SY _E similar to those described above for detecting a specific position of the horizontal guide rail 10a, that is, a specific position of the hanger 8 in the vertical direction. Position sensors SZ _O and SZ _E for detecting a specific position of the rack table 6 are provided on the rack table 14 . The specific positions of these position sensors will be explained later with reference to FIG. 11. Furthermore, a mixing diluter (not shown) is normally provided on the side of the sample liquid cell automatic supply device 4 as described above. This mixing diluter mainly mixes the specimen to be measured or standard specimen containing an antigen source and the corresponding antibody, dilutes it with a diluent to create a sample solution, and transfers the sample solution to cell 2. The device is for injection, and its specific configuration is arbitrary, but for example, the patent application proposed by the present inventors
As in the device of No. 56-47368, by sucking a set amount of each liquid into a piston-cylinder type suction and discharge device and then discharging it into the cell 2, mixing, dilution, and injection into the cell 2 can be performed quickly. It is desirable to use a mixing diluter that allows for high precision. This mixing diluter is equipped with an internal timer to measure the elapsed time from the creation time of each sample solution, and also to keep track of the number of mixing/dilution operations, that is, the number of times the sample solution was created (the number of times the sample solution was It is desirable to provide a counter for counting the number of cells 2 created. Furthermore, the mixing diluter is provided with a repetition timer so that the mixing/diluting operation, that is, the sample liquid preparation operation can be repeated at fixed time intervals, for example, 30 second intervals, and the mixing and diluting machine is provided with a repetition timer so as to be able to repeat the mixing and diluting operation, that is, the sample liquid preparation operation, at fixed time intervals, for example, at intervals of 30 seconds. A numerical input means such as a digital switch is provided to set the number of accommodated cells 2 to be created, and the mixing/dilution operation, that is, the operation of creating sample liquid storage cells, is automatically performed at the time interval by the set number. It is desirable to configure Further, in this case, it is desirable that the time interval is also adjustable from the outside. Next, the control system of the device as described above will be explained. However, in the following explanation, the horizontal movement direction (lateral direction) of the hanger 8 is the X direction, and the hanger 8 is also referred to as the X direction.
Let the vertical movement direction of the rack table 6 be the Y direction, and the horizontal movement direction (back and forth direction) of the rack table 6 be the Z direction. FIG. 11 shows a control system for controlling the movement of the hanger 8 in the X direction. The microcomputer CPU automatically supplies and drains according to the specified mode as described later, and according to signals from the diluter or dispenser for preparing the sample liquid and the measuring device main body 1 as described later. It is for outputting signals for controlling the movement of the device 4 in each direction, and only the X-direction movement control output section 30 and the X-direction movement control input section 31 are shown here. Of course, this microcomputer CPU also has the function of controlling the measuring device main body 1 using signals from the automatic supply/discharge device 4 itself. The X-direction movement control output unit 30 outputs a movement direction command signal Sd for instructing whether to move the hanger 8 to the left or right in the X direction, and a start command signal for starting the movement of the hanger 8 in the X direction. Str, and movement amount data D for specifying the movement amount in the X direction as well.
A counter load signal Sl for causing the counter 32 to latch the movement amount data D is output. The movement amount data D represents the number of movement pulses of the pulse motor 10d corresponding to the distance to which the hanger 8 should be moved in the X direction as parallel data. In this control system, first, a counter load signal Sl is output. Then, the movement amount data D is latched in the counter 32. Next, when the start command signal Str is output, the flip-flop 33 is preset by the signal, the gate 34 is opened by the output of the flip-flop 33, and the clock pulse from the pulse motor drive clock oscillator 35 is transmitted to the pulse motor control IC 36. The pulse motor drive circuit 37 operates, the pulse motor 10d starts rotating, and the hanger 8 starts moving in the X direction. The direction of rotation of the pulse motor 10d, that is, the direction in which the hanger 8 moves, is determined by applying the movement direction command signal Sd to the U/input terminal of the pulse motor control IC 36. On the other hand, the clock pulse from the pulse motor driving clock oscillator 35 is input to the subtraction input terminal DN of the counter 32, and the numerical value of the counter 32 is sequentially subtracted. and counter 3
If the value of 2 exceeds zero, that is, if the number of clock pulses exceeds the number initially set in the counter 32, a signal is output from the borrow terminal BW of the counter 32, and the signal is passed through the OR gate 38 to the clear input of the flip-flop 33. joins terminal CL,
As a result, the gate 34 is output from the flip-flop 33.
Since the signal to open gate 3 is no longer output,
4 is closed and the clock pulse is for pulse motor control.
No longer participates in IC36, pulse motor 10d
rotation stops, and the movement of the hanger 8 in the X direction stops. Furthermore, as will be described later, the movement of the hanger 8 may be stopped when the position sensor SX _O , SX _S , SX _E such as a photoelectric detector, micro switch, or proximity switch detects the position of the hanger 8 in the X direction. In this case, the position detection signals of the position sensors SX _O , SX _E , SX _S are read into the X direction movement control input section 31 of the microcomputer CPU, and the output section 30
Outputs the stop command signal Stp from
is applied to the flip-flop clear input terminal CL via the OR gate 38, and the pulse motor 1 is connected to the flip-flop clear input terminal CL as before.
Stop the rotation of 0d. Although FIG. 11 shows the movement control system of the hanger 8 in the X direction, the movement control system of the hanger 8 in the Y direction and the movement control system of the rack table 6 in the Z direction also use a common microcomputer.
Of course, it can be constructed in the same manner as shown in FIG. 11 using a CPU. Furthermore, the X-direction movement control output section 30 and the pulse motor control IC 3 in FIG.
The signal processing performed by a circuit such as the counter 32 between the microcomputer 6 and the microcomputer 32 may be performed within the microcomputer CPU. In this case, the microcomputer CPU sends a signal instructing the movement direction to the U/input terminal of the pulse motor control IC 36, and the microcomputer CPU sends serial data corresponding to the number of clock pulses corresponding to the distance to be moved. It is sufficient to directly input the clock input terminal CK from the pulse motor control IC 36 to the clock input terminal CK. In addition, in order to stop the movement of the hanger 8 using the position sensor, the signal from the position sensor is read into the microcomputer CPU,
It is sufficient to stop the serial data output. The preparation operation and basic operation of the apparatus configured as described above will be explained with reference to FIG. 12. In FIG. 12, the X axis is the moving position of the hanger 8 in the X direction (lateral direction), the Y axis is the moving position of the hanger 8 in the Y direction (vertical direction), and the Z axis is the moving position of the rack table 6 in the Z direction (back and forth direction). Indicates the moving position. Also _, point O _in FIG _.
The position indicates the movement preparation position. This movement preparation position O corresponds to the state in which the hanger 8 is located above the right side of the rack 5 when viewed from the front in FIG. 1, and the rack table 6 is located at the frontmost side.
In order to detect that the hanger 8 and the rack table 6 are located at this movement preparation position, position sensors SX _O and SY _O and rack table 6 are used to detect the X _O position and Y _O position of the hanger 8, respectively.
Position sensor SZ _O such as a photoelectric detector that detects Z _O position
is provided. On the other hand, P regarding hanger 8
The point or (X _S , Y _O ) position indicates the standby position.
This standby position is an upper position midway between the sample measurement chamber 3 and the rack 5 of the measuring device 1, and a position sensor SX _S is provided to detect a position on the X-axis corresponding to this position. Furthermore, _Q about hanger 8
That is, the (X _E , Y _O ) position indicates the left end position on the X axis, that is, the position above the center of the sample measurement chamber 3 of the measuring device main body 1. In addition, the Y _E position on the Y axis of the hanger 8, that is, the Q _Y point is the lowermost position of the hanger 8, that is, the upper surface of the protrusions 8c, 8c' on the inner side of the front and rear side walls 8a, 8a' of the hanger 8. This corresponds to the position of the hanger 8 in the Y-axis direction when it is located slightly below the lower surface of the front and rear projections 2a, 2a' of the cell 2 housed in the rack 5 or sample measurement chamber 3. Furthermore, the Z _E position on the Z axis for the rack table 6, that is, the Q _Z point, is the most retracted position of the rack table 6, that is, the position of the hanger 8 in the vertical plane passing through the center of each cell 2 in the front row in the rack 5. Corresponds to the state in which it is located. Position sensors SX _E , SY _E , and SZ _E are provided to detect the terminal positions P _X , PY , and P _Z of these axes as positions X _E , Y _{E ,} and Z _E on each axis, respectively. There is. In FIG. 11, if the hanger 8 and the rack table 6 are not located at the movement preparation position O when the power to the device is turned on, that is, the hanger 8 is located at the (X _O , Y _O ) point. If there is no rack table 6 or if the rack table 6 is not located at the Z _O point, first the hanger 8 and/or the rack table 6 are brought to the ready position. In this case, the hanger 8 is first moved in the Y-axis direction to reach the Y _O point, and then moved in the X-axis direction to reach the X _O point. In this case, each pulse motor 10d, 9
d and 7c are rotated until the position sensors SX _O , SY _O , and SZ _O generate detection signals. After once reaching the movement preparation position O in this way, the hanger 8 is moved to the left in the X-axis direction,
It reaches the standby position P point (X _S , Y _O ). At this time,
Since the rack table 6 is at the frontmost position _ZO , the rack 5 is placed on the rack table 6 in this state. However, at this time, whether cells 2 containing sample liquids are arranged in the rack 5 or not depends on the measurement mode, as will be described later. After placing rack 5, start command starts rack table 6.
Move backward to reach Z _E position. In other words, the cell 2 in the front row of the rack 5 or the cell storage section 5
The center of a is located within the XY vertical plane in which the hanger 8 moves. As described above, after the hanger 8 is located at point P (X _S , Y _O ) and the rack table 8 is located at point Z _E , that is, after it is in the standby state,
Start the operation according to each measurement mode. Next, basic operations common to each measurement mode will be explained by dividing them into the following (a) to (f). (b) When picking up the cell 2 housed in the sample measurement chamber 3 of the measuring device main body 1 from the state where the empty hanger is located at the above-mentioned standby position P and transferring it to the standby position P, first move the hanger to the standby position P. 8 to the left on the X axis by a distance l _x1 , and hanger 8.
Position it at position X _I , which is slightly to the right of point X _E.
Subsequently, the hanger 8 is moved downward on the Y axis by a distance _ly1 . In other words, hanger 8 (X _I , Y _E )
bring it to a point. In this state, the hanger 8 is attached to the cell 2 in the sample measurement chamber 3 as shown in FIG. 7A or 10.
The state shown in Figure A is reached. Next, hanger 8
Move the axis to the left by a distance l _x2 to reach (X _E , Y _E ). In this state, the hanger 8 is attached to the sample measurement chamber 3.
Figure 7B or Figure 10C for cell 2 in
The state shown in is reached. After that, move the hanger 8 upward on the Y axis to lift the cell 2 from the sample measurement chamber 3 and bring it to the (X _E , Y _O ) point, and then move it further to the right on the X axis to lift the cell 2. The lowered hanger 8 reaches the standby position P (X _S , Y _O ). (b) The cell 2 is suspended by the hanger 8 at the standby position P (X _S , Y _O ), and from that state the cell 2 is transferred to the sample measurement chamber 3 and returned to the standby position P after measurement.
To return to (X _S , Y _O ), first move the hanger 8 to the left of the X axis by a distance (l _x1 + l _x2 ) and then return to (X _E , Y _O ).
If the hanger 8 is brought to the point (X E , Y E ) and then lowered by a distance l _y1 downward on the Y axis, the hanger 8 will reach the point (X _E , Y _E ),
A cell 2 is housed within a sample measurement chamber 3. After measuring in this state, move it upward on the Y axis to the point (X _E , Y _O ) in the same way as in (a) above, then move it to the right on the X axis to reach the standby position P (X _S , _YO )
Return to (C) In each row in the rack 5, when at least the n-th and subsequent storage sections 5a from the left are empty, the cell 2 is suspended from the standby position P. When storing in the n-th storage section 5a. In this case, first, the hanger 8 is moved from the standby position P (X _S , Y _O ) to the right on the X axis by a distance {l _x3 +(n-1) l _p }.
However, the distance l _x3 is the distance in the X direction from the standby position to the center position of the leftmost accommodating part 5a in the rack 5 (or the center position of the cell accommodated in that accommodating part), and l _p is the distance in the Separately
It represents the distance in the X direction between the centers of accommodating parts (or cells) that are adjacent in the direction. Next is hanger 8
is lowered by a distance l _y1 in the Y-axis direction. In this way, the cell 2 that was hanging on the hanger 8
is stored in the n-th storage section from the left. This state is the same as the state shown in FIG. 7B or FIG. 10C. Next, if the hanger 8 is moved to the right _in the distance) to the right, then raise the hanger 8 upward on the Y axis to the Y _O position,
Subsequently, by moving to the left on the X axis, the empty hanger 8 returns to the standby position P (X _S , Y _O ). Regarding the Z-axis direction regarding the rack table 6, when storing the cell 2 in the first row of the rack 5,
It is sufficient to do this at the Z _E position, and the
In the case of rows, if the distance between the centers of the storage portions 5a in each row in the Z-axis direction is _lq , the rack table 5 is moved forward from the _ZE position by a distance (m-1)· _lq in advance. Just leave it there. However, since cells 2 are normally accommodated in order from the first row in front, when the cells 2 are accommodated in one row, the rack table 5 is moved forward by a distance _lq , and then the cells 2 are accommodated in the next row. All you have to do is start. Note that the rack table 5 is moved with the lower end of the hanger 8 being at least above the upper surface of the cell 2. (d) Among the respective accommodating sections 5a in a certain row in the rack 5, the n-th accommodating section from the left is empty, and at least the (n+1)-th accommodating section 5 is empty.
If cell 2 is accommodated in a (except for the case where the (n+1)th accommodating section 5a does not exist in one column, n is 1 if there are 10 cells in one column)
~9), another cell 2 is placed in the standby position.
The cell 2 is returned to the n-th storage section 5a from the suspended state, and then the cell 2 is placed in the (n+
1) When the cells 2 in the th storage section are transferred from the rack 5 to the standby position. In this case, first, the above (c)
Similarly, the hanger 8 is moved from the standby position P (X _S , Y _O ) to the right of the X axis by a distance {l _x3 + (n-1) l _p }. Subsequently, the hanger 8 is lowered in the Y-axis direction by a distance _ly1 . In this way, the cell 2 suspended from the hanger 8 is accommodated in the nth accommodation chamber 5a. Next, by moving the hanger 8 to the right in the X-axis direction by a distance l _p , the hanger 8 is removed from the cell 2 and the (n+
1) A state is reached in which the cell 2 in the second housing section can be lifted (the state shown in FIG. 7B or FIG. 10C).
Subsequently, when the hanger 8 is raised upward on the Y axis, the new cell 2 is lifted up. After the Y-axis coordinate becomes Y _O , the new cell 2 reaches the standby position by moving to the left on the X-axis to the X _S point. Regarding the position of the rack table 6 in the Z direction, as in the case (c) above, the first
The rack table 5 may be moved forward from the _ZE position by a distance (m-1)· _lq in advance for the _ZE position for the second row and for the mth row after the second row. However, in the case of (d), normally after returning the cell 2 to the rightmost accommodating part 5a of each row, a new cell 2 is subsequently lifted from the leftmost accommodating part 5a of the next row. , in this operation process, the rack table 5 changes the distance as described in the next (e).
l is forced to move by _p . (E) When the rightmost storage section 5a of a certain row in the rack 5 is empty and the cell 2 is stored in at least the leftmost storage section 5a of the row adjacent to it, the standby position Return this cell 2 from the hanging state to the rightmost storage section 5a, and then move the new cell 2 from the leftmost storage section 5a of the next row from the rack 5 to the standby position. When transporting. In this case, if there are 10 pieces in one row, move the hanger 8 from the standby position P (X _S , Y _O ) to
Move the cell 2 to the right on the axis by a distance (l _x3 + 9l _p ), then lower it downward in the Y-axis direction by a distance l _y1 , place the cell 2 in the rightmost storage section 5a, and then move the hanger 8 to the right on the X-axis. Distance from cell 2 to position outside cell 2
After that, the hanger 8 is moved upward on the Y axis to a position where its lower surface is at least above the upper surface of each cell 2 in the rack 5, and in this state, the rack table 6 is moved forward the distance l _q. At the same time or after that, move the hanger 8.
After moving the hanger 8 by a distance (10l _p +l _x3 ) in the X-axis direction, the hanger 8 is lowered to the Y _E position on the Y-axis. At this time, the hanger 8 is located to the left of the leftmost cell 2 in the next row by a distance l _p . Therefore, after this, move hanger 8 to
Cell 2 can be lifted by moving it a distance l _p to the right of the axis and then moving it upward.
After the Y-axis direction position reaches Y _O , the cell 2 is moved to the left side of the X-axis to move the cell 2 to the standby position P.
can be achieved. (F) When transferring the cells 2 housed in the leftmost housing section of each row in the rack 5 to the standby position P. In this case, the hanger 8 is first moved from the standby position P to the right on the X axis by a distance l _x4 . The distance l _x4 is such that the right side of the hanger 8 is located to the left of the left side of the leftmost cell 2. From this position, move the hanger 8 down the Y-axis by a distance of l _y1 , and then move the hanger 8 to the right of the X-axis (until the distance from X _S becomes l _x3 ). Figure 7B or Figure 10 for cell 2
The state shown in Figure C is reached. Therefore, by raising the hanger 8 from this position and moving it further to the left on the X axis, the leftmost cell 2 is moved to the standby position P.
can be achieved. In addition, in the above explanation, each movement amount in the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction is the X _S position, Y _E position,
Starting from the _ZE position, the direction away from these positions is controlled by the number of drive pulses of the pulse motor, and conversely, the direction approaching each position is usually controlled by detection by each position detector. Note that each of the above positions X _S ,
Position detectors are also installed at terminals in the direction away from Y _E and Z _E.
SX _E , SY _E , and SZ _O are installed, but their movement is controlled by the number of pulses, and when they are supposed to reach their position, an error may occur if each detector does not operate. It can be determined that the temperature is hot. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 13, the hanger 8 (or the detected part 40 of the rack table 6) for each position sensor (SX _E is shown as a representative) is located at a pair of detection points separated by a short distance lm in the direction of movement. 40a and 40a'.For example, when stopping movement by detection of the position sensor, the first detection point 40a' decelerates the pulse motor, and the next detection point 40a decelerates the pulse motor. , while in the case of starting the movement from the position of its detection sensor, the pulse motor can be started at low speed initially and then increased to normal speed by the next detection point 40a'; Furthermore, the automatic supply/discharge device 4 is not integrated with the measuring device main body 1, but is separated from the main body 1 (of course, it is electrically connected). ) The device may be sold separately from the main body 1, in which case the measuring device main body 1 includes the location of the sample measurement chamber 3, etc., and the moving means such as the hanger 8 according to the program pre-installed in the automatic supply/discharge device 4. It is also expected that the wires of each moving means may become loose and the programmed movement positions may gradually become misaligned with the main body ₁ side. It is desirable to set an offset amount (average movement amount) above _{the E} position and before the Z _E position, and configure it so that these offset amounts can be adjusted externally using a digital switch, etc. By setting a manually adjustable travel amount (offset amount) in addition to the programmed travel amount, the travel amount can be easily adjusted without the trouble of changing the programmed travel amount. Next, each measurement mode when measuring using the device of the present invention will be explained.As a basic measurement mode, the first one is
There is a mode and a second mode, a somewhat exceptional mode is a no-blank mode, and an even more unique mode is a LALLS mode. These modes can be specified and switched arbitrarily by the operator as needed, and these modes can be used to determine whether or not to use a calibration curve, whether to perform blank measurements, or the blank measurement method when performing blank measurements, as described later. are different. In other words, the laser-type antigen-antibody reaction product measuring device directly measures the intensity of scattered light by laser light of the antigen-antibody reaction product (immune reaction product) in the sample solution in the cell 2. Therefore, in order to know the concentration of the antigen antibody reaction product and, ultimately, the concentration of the antigen source in the sample, it is necessary to measure the scattered light intensity of a standard sample whose concentration is known in advance, and to correlate the scattered light intensity with the concentration. It is necessary to create a calibration curve in advance, refer to the scattered light intensity value obtained by measuring the specimen sample, and convert the scattered light intensity into concentration. Such a conversion processing function is normally provided in the measuring device main body 1. However, when testing the measurement accuracy of the apparatus itself, there are cases where it is not necessary or necessary to convert the scattered light intensity into concentration. In such a case, the Lars mode is specified, and in this mode, a calibration curve is not created using standard samples, and even if a calibration curve has been created in advance, it is not used, and the scattered light intensity value is not used. Output or display as is without converting it to concentration. In each mode other than Lars mode (first mode, second mode, and no-blank mode), the scattered light intensity of the specimen sample is converted into concentration using the calibration curve created with the standard sample and output or displayed. . However, in each mode that uses these calibration curves, it is usual to create a calibration curve by measuring multiple (usually 6 or 12) standard samples immediately before measuring a series of specimen samples. This case is hereinafter referred to as the last-minute calibration curve creation method), but the calibration curve is not created by measuring standard samples immediately before the measurement of a series of specimen samples, and the calibration curve is created previously and stored in the device. The concentration of the specimen sample may be converted using a calibration curve. This latter method will be referred to as a prior calibration curve use method. This method of using a preliminary calibration curve can be carried out in particularly stable cases, that is, when it is expected that there will be little variation in measured values, or when the sample itself is stable, and in that case, it can save the effort of preparing and measuring standard samples. Can be done. On the other hand, in order to accurately quantify the antigen-antibody reaction product, it is necessary to exclude the influence of factors below the light scattering intensity caused by the antigen-antibody reaction product, and therefore blank measurements are usually performed. That is, as in the first mode described in detail later, the specimen sample is measured before the reaction progresses, or as in the second mode, a blank measurement sample prepared separately from the main measurement sample is left for the same reaction time as the main measurement sample. However, in cases where the blank value is expected to be negligibly small, or when the blank value is known, or when rough measurements are acceptable, use the blank measurement as described above. without doing it,
In some cases, the main measurement may be performed only after a certain period of time (reaction time) has elapsed after diluting and mixing the sample. A mode in which blank measurements are not performed in this manner is the aforementioned no-blank mode. Furthermore, as is clear from the above description, both the first mode and the second mode use a calibration curve and perform blank measurements, but the difference between the two modes lies in the blank measurement method. In other words, in the first mode, a blank measurement is performed on a sample solution in which an antigen source and an antibody are mixed and diluted with a diluent immediately after the mixed dilution, that is, before the reaction proceeds, and after a certain reaction time has elapsed (usually 30 or 60 minutes). ), perform the main measurement on the same sample solution, and use the difference between the blank measurement and the main measurement value as the true value. On the other hand, depending on the type of antigenic substance or sample containing it, it may be considerably denatured over time when diluted with a diluting solution, and in this case, the true blank value at the time of this measurement may differ considerably from the blank value before the start of the reaction, and as a result, truly accurate quantification may not be possible. The second mode is applied in such a case. That is, in this second mode, a sample solution for main measurement is prepared by mixing and diluting an antigen source and an antibody, and a blank sample solution for measurement is separately prepared by diluting the antigen source without mixing the antibody. The sample solution for this measurement is measured when a certain reaction time has elapsed after its mixed dilution, and the blank measurement sample solution is also measured after its dilution and when the same time as the reaction time has elapsed, and the difference between the two measured values is measured. This is the true measurement value. In the following description, the blank measurement method in the first mode will be referred to as normal blank measurement, and the blank measurement in the second mode will be referred to as separate blank measurement. In addition, in the case of the above-mentioned Lars mode,
Blank measurement may or may not be performed, and even if it is performed, it may be performed by the above-mentioned normal blank measurement or by separate blank measurement. Further, in both the first mode and the second mode, it is necessary to perform a blank measurement in the same manner as when measuring a specimen sample when creating a calibration curve, that is, when measuring a standard sample. The characteristics of each mode as described above are summarized in Table 1 below.

【table】

[Table] In addition to the above-mentioned mode classification, there is a fixed interval mode. In this mode, the sample solution is mixed and diluted at regular time intervals, and the measurements in each of the above modes (including blank measurements) are performed at regular time intervals. It will also be explained inside. Next, specific operations in each mode as described above will be explained in order from the most general mode, the first mode. In the following description of the operation of each mode, it is assumed that the hanger 8 and the rack table 6 have already undergone preparatory operations to reach the standby position. That is, assume that the hanger 8 is empty and at point P (X _S , Y _O ), and the rack table 6 is at position Z _E. (a) 1st mode In the 1st mode, the rack table 6 is
Prepare an empty rack 5 on top. Then, using the aforementioned mixer diluter (not shown), a sample containing an antigen source and an antibody corresponding thereto are mixed and diluted with a diluent to prepare a sample solution, and the sample solution is injected into the cell 2. In addition, in this mixing diluter, the elapsed time from the time of mixing and dilution and injection, that is, the time of creation of each sample liquid, is measured, and the number of sample liquid cells created is counted and memorized. The sample liquid cell 2 prepared as described above is inserted into the sample measurement chamber 3 of the measuring device main body 1 immediately after its preparation. When this insertion is detected by a detection means (not shown) provided in the sample liquid measuring chamber 3, the hanger 8 is moved from the standby position P (X _S , Y _O ) to the above-mentioned basic operation by the detection signal, that is, the cell set signal. As explained in (b), the sample measurement chamber 3 is moved to the cell 2 position, and the state is as shown in FIG. 7B or FIG. 10C. When the hanger 8 reaches such a position, a signal indicating this, for example, a signal output from the counter when the number of pulses for moving the hanger 8 reaches a set value, or a signal from the position sensors SX _E and SY _E is sent. AND signal of detection signal or sample measurement chamber 3
Scattered light intensity measurement using a laser beam in the measuring device main body 1 is started by a detection signal from another detection means (not shown) provided directly at the position. Note that this measurement corresponds to the above-mentioned blank measurement (normal blank measurement). Here, if the hanger 8 shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. Therefore, external light is prevented from entering the cell 2 from above and reducing measurement accuracy as much as possible. When the blank measurement is completed in this way, the hanger 8 starts moving again in response to a measurement end signal from the measuring device main body 1. That is, by the second half of the basic operation (a), the cell 2 is lifted from the sample measurement chamber 3 and reaches the waiting position P (X _S , Y _O ). Then, after passing through this standby position P, the cell 2 is accommodated in the empty accommodating portion 5a of the rack 5 according to the basic operation (c), and the hanger 8 is returned to the standby position P (X _S , Y _O ).
Return to That is, since the first cell 2 corresponds to the case where n=1 in the basic operation (c),
Cell 2 is the first cell from the left in the first column of rack 5.
It is accommodated in the second accommodating section 5a. Next, the mixed and diluted sample liquid is injected into the second cell 2 by the mixing diluter, and when that cell 2 is inserted into the sample measurement chamber 3, a blank measurement is automatically performed in the same manner as described above, and the measurement is completed. After completion, the cell 2 is stored in the second storage section 5a of the first row of the rack 5. Thereafter, a blank measurement is sequentially performed on each sample liquid in the same manner, and the sample liquids are stored in the storage section 5a of the rack 5 one after another. In this embodiment, 10 cells 2 are accommodated in one row of the rack 5, so after the 10nth cell 2 (n=1 to 5) is accommodated, the rack table 6 moves forward a distance l. After moving by _q , a new cell 2 can be accepted in the next column. When a predetermined number (up to 60 cells in this embodiment) of blank-measured cells 2 are accommodated in the rack 5 in this way, the rack 5 is ready for the actual measurement. If the time measuring means in the mixing diluter detects that the sample solution in the first cell 2 has passed a predetermined reaction time (usually 30 minutes or 60 minutes) from the mixing dilution time, then The main measurement is started by the signal.
In other words, the hanger 8 in the standby position P (X _S , Y _O ) moves to the first position of the rack 5 due to the basic operation (f).
The cell 2 in the storage section 5a at the leftmost end of the row is lifted up and brought to the standby position P (X _S , Y _O ), and then the cell 2 is lifted up by the first half of the basic operation (b). is inserted into the sample measurement chamber 3. Then, as in the case of the blank measurement described above, the main measurement is started by the cell set signal, and the second half of the basic operation in (b) above is started by the measurement end signal, and the cell 2 for which the main measurement has been completed is It returns to the waiting position P (X _S , Y _O ) again. Subsequently, by the basic operation (d), the cell 2 returns to its original position in the rack 5, that is, the leftmost position in the first column.
Subsequently, the cell 2 in the second storage section 5a from the left in the first row is lifted up to the standby position
(X _S , Y _O ). If the mixing diluter detects that the elapsed time from the sample preparation time has reached the reaction time for the sample liquid in the second cell 2, the signal causes the sample liquid in the second cell 2 to From the standby position P (X _S , Y _O ), the hanger 8 suspending the
The main measurement of the sample liquid in the second cell is performed. Thereafter, the main measurement is performed for each cell 2 in the first column in the rack 5 in the same manner. Then, when the main measurement of the rightmost cell 2 in the first row is completed and that cell 2 returns from the sample measurement chamber 3 to the standby position P, the cell 2 is moved to the rack 5 in the basic operation (e). While being returned to the storage section 5a at the right end of the first row, the cells 2 at the left end of the second row are then lifted up and transferred to the standby position P. In this way, the main measurements of the cells in each column are sequentially performed. Note that in this first mode, a calibration curve is used. Therefore, in the case of the advance calibration curve use method, the sample to be measured can be stored from the first cell, but in the case of the last-minute calibration curve creation method, the first 6 or 12 cells are Store standard samples. In addition, in the case of this last-minute calibration curve creation method, it is desirable to generate an audio alarm signal such as an alarm buzzer for a certain period of time after the measurement of the standard sample is completed. (displayed on the CRT display device) can be easily learned by the operator and the created dose line can be confirmed. That is, it is possible to check whether the curve is close to a known calibration curve for the target antigen-antibody reaction. In addition, if it deviates from the known calibration curve, it is only necessary to measure the standard sample again at the point that deviates from the known calibration curve. In the above description of the first mode, it is assumed that the reaction time is measured from the mixing dilution time, that is, the sample liquid preparation time, in the mixing diluter, but in some cases, a cell may be installed in the sample measurement chamber 3 for blank measurement. The time may be counted from the inserted time.
That is, in this case, time measurement may be started using the cell set signal described above, and the main measurement for that cell may be performed when the reaction time determined by the clock has elapsed. In this case as well, the reaction time is normally measured for each cell. (b) 2nd mode When carrying out the 2nd mode, for the same specimen (antigen source), a blank measurement sample solution that is simply diluted without mixing the antibody, and a diluted sample solution that is mixed with the antibody. Prepare the sample solution for this measurement using a mixing diluter. Therefore, for example, if the number of samples is 20
If so, the number of cells for the specimen is 40, excluding the standard sample. In this case, it is also necessary to use a calibration curve prepared separately from the blank. Therefore, in the case of the immediate calibration curve preparation method, for example, if the number of standard samples is 6, 6 cells of the standard sample solution for the main measurement should be used. Six cells containing standard sample solutions for standard and blank measurements will be used. Here, if the total number of cells is 60 or less, they can be accommodated in one rack, so cells for blank measurement and samples for actual measurement can be accommodated in the same rack. On the other hand, if the total number of cells exceeds 60, cells for blank measurement sample liquid and cells for main measurement sample liquid are housed in separate racks. First, we will explain the case where the blank measurement sample solution cell and the main measurement sample solution cell are housed in the same rack as described above.In this case, the blank measurement sample solution is first mixed with a mixing diluter. A required number of cells are created one after another, and the cells 2 are arranged in sequence starting from the first position of the rack 5 (the left end of the first column). Next, prepare the same number of main measurement sample liquids in the same order as the corresponding blank measurement sample liquids using a mixing diluter, and sequentially prepare the cells 2 from the position next to the last blank measurement sample liquid cell in rack 5. I'll line it up. In addition, in the mixing diluter, the elapsed time from the preparation time of each sample liquid is measured, and the number of samples prepared, that is, the number of cells prepared, is counted. After the preparation of all the sample liquids is completed and all the cells 2 are stored in the rack 5, the rack 5 is placed in the rack 5 before the elapsed time from the preparation time of the sample liquid of the first cell passes the preset reaction time. is placed on the rack table 6. Each time the elapsed time for the sample liquid in each cell 2 reaches the reaction time, that cell 2 is transferred to the sample measurement chamber 3 for measurement, and the next cell 2 is placed on standby at a standby position. At this time, the hanger 8, each cell 2 and the rack table 6
The operation is the same as in the main measurement in the first mode. However, in the second mode, since the first half of the cell contains a sample liquid for blank measurement, blank measurement is inevitably performed, and the second half of the cell is used for main measurement. If the total number of samples is 2N, then the n-th (where n≦N) blank measurement sample corresponds to the (n+N)-th actual measurement sample, so the difference in the measured values between the two corresponds. gives the true measurement value for the analyte. Note that the value of N can be obtained by dividing the measured value (2N) of the number of sample liquid preparations in the mixing diluter by 2. On the other hand, when storing the blank measurement sample liquid cell and the main measurement sample liquid cell in separate racks,
First, prepare the required number of blank measurement sample solutions using a mixing diluter, arrange each cell 2 sequentially from the first position of the first rack, and then prepare the main measurement sample solution using a mixing diluter. Prepare the sample solution for blank measurement in the same order as the sample solution for blank measurement, and line up each cell sequentially starting from the first position of the second rack. First, the first rack is placed on the rack table 6, and each cell's reaction time is measured in the same manner as described above.Then, the rack on the rack table 6 is replaced with the second rack, and the same procedure is performed. Measure. In this case, since the blank measurement sample solution of the n-th cell in the first rack corresponds to the main measurement sample of the n-th cell in the second rack, the true measurement is determined by the difference between the measured values of the two. value is obtained. In the above explanation of the second mode, the reaction time is managed by starting time measurement from each time each sample solution is prepared using the mixing diluter. The mode may be applied to a second mode. That is, each sample solution is prepared one by one using a mixing diluter at preset time intervals, for example, every 30 seconds, and is stored in the rack 5. Then, when the preparation of all sample solutions is completed and the elapsed time from the preparation time of the first sample solution approaches the preset reaction time, the rack 5 is placed on the rack tail 6, and the time elapsed from the preparation time of the first sample solution is placed on the rack tail 6. When the elapsed time reaches the reaction time, measurement at the time interval is started. In such a system, there is no need to input a signal from the mixing diluter to the automatic supply/discharge device 4 every time the elapsed time of each sample liquid reaches the reaction time. In other words, if the time interval in the mixing diluter and the measurement time interval are set to be the same, it is only necessary to install a timer to measure the elapsed time of the first sample solution in either one, and therefore, the mixing cloth dilution It is possible to use a device that is electrically disconnected from the automatic supply/discharge device. In other words, since the sample can be prepared using a mixing diluter that is different from the mixing diluter attached to the quantification device of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the effect of increasing the utilization efficiency of the equipment. (C) No-blank mode Since this mode does not perform any blank measurement, a predetermined number of sample solutions are sequentially prepared using a mixing diluter and each cell is sequentially accommodated in a rack. Then, the sample solution for the first cell is placed on the rack table 6 before the elapsed time after preparation reaches the reaction time, and each time the elapsed time of the sample solution for each cell reaches the reaction time, the first mode is activated. Measure in the same manner as this measurement. In this case, the reaction time may be managed by measuring the elapsed time from the preparation time of each sample solution in the mixing diluter and outputting a signal each time the reaction time is reached, as in the case of the first mode. Normally, it is desirable to apply the above-mentioned constant interval mode. (D) Lars mode This mode is characterized only by not using a calibration curve, and any of the above-mentioned modes can be applied as the measurement operation. As is clear from the above description, the device of the present invention stores a sample solution in a cell for quantifying the antigen-antibody reaction product by the scattered light intensity of laser light, and lifts the cell from the rack to expose the top surface. It is designed to be inserted into an open sample measurement chamber, which not only makes it extremely easy to automate measurements and saves labor, but also allows the cell containing the sample liquid to be placed in an arc in the sample measurement chamber. Because it is vertically positioned, there is less risk of measurement accuracy being degraded by the influence of other light, and the intensity of scattered light can be detected in two directions approximately perpendicular to the horizontal plane with respect to the cell. The information that can be accessed is enriched, etc.
It exhibits excellent quantitative effects using scattered light intensity measurement of laser light, and furthermore, since each cell is transferred between the rack and the sample measurement room, the device is simple and low cost. Various effects can be obtained. Furthermore, in the device of the present invention, a protrusion protruding inward is formed at the lower end of the inner surface of both side walls of the cross-sectional portion of the hanger, and the protrusion protrudes from the protrusion at the upper end of the cell. The hanger is configured to engage with the hanger to lift the cells, and since the directionality of the hanger is determined so that the both side walls of the hanger are parallel to the horizontal linear movement direction of the hanger, a large number of cells can be lifted up. When lifting a cell from a rack or sample measurement chamber containing a cell or inserting a cell from a hanger into a rack or sample measurement chamber, it is sufficient to move the hanger horizontally in a straight line and raise and lower it. This is not necessary, and the movement of selecting cells to be lifted from within the rack (indexing movement) requires only a linear movement of the rack table in the longitudinal direction and a linear movement of the hanger in the horizontal direction. Therefore, it is possible to measure a large number of cells. Despite the fact that the strap has fewer movable parts and fewer driving means, the device structure is simple and inexpensive, and there is less risk of failure.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a laser type antigen-antibody reaction product quantification device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a device used in the device of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of essential parts showing an example of a rack and rack table used in the device of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of a hanger used in the device of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a side view of the hanger shown in Fig. 5;
7A to 7C are schematic illustrations showing stepwise the relative positional relationship between the hanger and the cell during movement of the hanger in FIG. 5, and FIG. 8 shows another example of the hanger used in the device of the present invention. Vertical front view, Figure 9 is the 8th
10A to 10D are side views of the hanger shown in FIG.
The figure is a wiring diagram showing an example of the control system in the X-axis direction used in the device of this invention, FIG. 12 is a coordinate diagram for explaining the movement of the hanger and rack table, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a front view showing an example of a detected part for the position sensor used. 1... Measuring device main body, 2... Cell, 2a, 2
a'... protrusion, 3... sample measurement chamber, 5... rack,
6... Rack table, 7... Rack table moving means, 8... Hanger, 8a, 8a'... Side wall,
8c, 8c'...Protrusion portion, 9...Hanger elevating means, 10...Hanger horizontal moving means.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A laser light source and a scattered light intensity detection means are provided in a measuring device main body in which a sample measurement chamber with an open top surface is formed, and a cell containing a sample liquid is inserted into the sample measurement chamber from above. The laser beam is inserted into the sample liquid in the cell, and the intensity of scattered light caused by the antigen-antibody reaction product in the sample liquid in the cell is detected to quantify the concentration of the antigen-antibody reaction product. In the laser-type antigen antibody reaction product quantification device, a rack and a rack are provided in which a plurality of accommodating portions for accommodating a plurality of cells in an upright state are formed in a matrix along two orthogonal directions in a horizontal plane. , a rack table configured to allow the rack to be placed in a removable manner and disposed on the side of the measuring device main body; a rack moving means for linearly moving the rack table in the front-rear direction; a hanger for hoisting a cell; a hanger elevating means for elevating and lowering the hanger; and a hanger horizontal moving means for moving the hanger in a horizontal straight line between a position above the rack and a position above the sample measurement chamber. The cell has a structure in which protrusions are formed on the upper ends of both its front and rear surfaces, while the hanger is formed in a cross-sectional shape and has a protrusion protruding inwardly at the lower end of the inner surface of both side walls. The projecting piece of the cell is configured to be engaged with the upper surface of the projecting part of the hanger, and both side wall parts of the hanger are arranged in a direction in which the hanger is moved by the horizontal moving means. A laser type antigen-antibody reaction product quantification device characterized in that the hanger is oriented in parallel.