JPH0245763A - Automatic dispensing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To hold the tip of a nozzle clean with a small amount of cleaning liquid and to take a high-accuracy analysis by separating a 1st and a 2nd cleaning tank from each other. CONSTITUTION:The 1st cleaning tank 1 which is detachable is provided in the 2nd cleaning tank 2. When the cleaning liquid is discharged from a sampling nozzle 3 inserted into the 1st cleaning tank 1, the cleaning liquid is stored in the cleaning tank 1 by the effect of the contraction part 13 at the tip part of the cleaning tank 1. Consequently, a sample or reagent sticking atop of the nozzle 3 is washed away. Further, the contraction part 13 is clogged, the cleaning liquid 15 overflows from the cleaning tank 1, but it flows out into the 2nd cleaning tank 2 through a relief hole 14 and never enters the device. Further, the 1st cleaning tank 1 where the contraction part 13 is clogged with a solid body can be extracted from the 2nd cleaning tank 2 and the clogging is easily removed. Consequently, the nozzle tip is held clean with a small amount of cleaning liquid and a high-accuracy analysis is capable.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an automatic dispensing device, and more particularly to an automatic dispensing device equipped with a cleaning tank suitable for cleaning the sampling nozzle of an automated automatic blood analyzer. It is related to.

[Conventional technology]

As described in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 62-84758, conventional blood automatic analyzers discharge a cleaning liquid from the nozzles in order to wash off the sample (serum) and reaction reagents adhering to the sampling and dispensing nozzles. .

Cleaning was performed by immersing the nozzle tip in the discharged liquid.

FIG. 5 shows a conventionally used glass cleaning tank. The flow of the cleaning liquid discharged from the sampling nozzle 3 is restricted by a constriction part 13 provided at the tip of the glass cleaning tank 17, and the tip of the nozzle 3 is cleaned by the cleaning liquid accumulated in the cleaning tank 17. After cleaning, the cleaning liquid gradually flows from the throttle part 13 and is discharged before the next nozzle cleaning. This method has the advantage of being able to clean the inside and outside of the contaminated part at the nozzle tip with a small amount of cleaning liquid. In other words, since there is no need for tap water piping or pumps to discharge cleaning liquid, the device has advantages such as being easy to use, simple, low cost, and free from water leakage problems, and has been highly evaluated by customers. Furthermore, the advantage of not requiring large-capacity containers or drainage piping equipment for waste liquid treatment cannot be overlooked. Specifically estimating the total amount of collapsing liquid using this method, the required amount of cleaning liquid is 1 m Q per test.
.

Even assuming that the reaction sample liquid is approximately 1 mA per test (this assumed liquid volume is the maximum amount used in the current operation), 1
000 test, it is about 2a, and the effect of resource saving is extremely large.

This is because the conventional cleaning tank 17 is made of glass as described above, and has advantages such as chemical resistance and easy determination of dirt and clogging from the outside.

However, glass has drawbacks such as being easily broken, difficult to process, and expensive. Therefore, despite the above-mentioned advantages, this type of nozzle cleaning method is not generally adopted.

Conventionally, a method widely adopted in automatic analyzers is a cleaning method using an independent cleaning liquid discharge method. This method consumes a large amount of water and washes away contaminants through a wide channel.The cleaning effect is guaranteed, and there are no problems such as clogging of the channel. Efforts have been made to clean the nozzle by immersing it in a water fountain. In addition, in order to avoid the consumption of a large amount of cleaning fluid, which is a disadvantage of this method, we have taken measures to reduce the amount of cleaning fluid, such as using a valve to discharge cleaning fluid intermittently for short periods of time, or using an independent pump to discharge the minimum necessary amount of cleaning fluid. has also been done. However, the use of such auxiliary means inevitably increases the size and complexity of the device and increases its cost, which is a fatal drawback.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

The purpose of the above conventional technology is to prevent samples and reagents from adhering to the dispensing nozzle in an automatic blood analyzer, contaminating the sample, and reducing measurement accuracy.
The present invention aims to provide a means for more effectively cleaning the dispensing nozzle for this purpose. Here, the device is made smaller and
Due to the constraint of low cost, it is important to adopt methods that consume less after cleaning. Therefore, a self-cleaning cleaning tank is required that can easily remove coagulated substances generated by blood and reagents used. There is a need to improve the conventional, labor-intensive method of inserting a thin wire into the squeezing part of a cleaning tank and pushing out foreign matter.

The purpose of the present invention is to create a structure that allows easy removal of the nozzle cleaning tank, which is prone to clogging, and to use a small cleaning tank to keep the nozzle tip clean with a small amount of cleaning liquid, allowing for automatic dispensing that enables highly accurate analysis. The goal is to provide equipment.

[Means to solve the problem]

The above purpose is to provide a nozzle cleaning tank with a first cleaning tank in which a nozzle for quantitatively dispensing samples and reagents is directly immersed, and a flow path from the first cleaning tank to a first cleaning tank in which the first cleaning tank is removably held. and a second cleaning tank that stores the cleaning liquid discharged through the washing tank and the cleaning liquid discharged as an overflow from the first cleaning tank, and the first cleaning tank and the second cleaning tank are separable, This is achieved by cleaning the tip of the nozzle with the liquid discharged from the nozzle.

[Effect]

a first cleaning tank in which the nozzle is immersed for cleaning;
The cleaning tank can be separated into a second cleaning tank that collects the discharged liquid from the cleaning tank, and if the squeeze part becomes clogged due to this,
Since the first cleaning tank can be removed, clogging can be easily removed.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an automatic dispensing device of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a sample in a sample cup 5 set on a sample table 10 is inhaled through a sampling nozzle 3 at the tip of a sample arm 4 and dispensed into a reaction cup 6 set on a reaction table 11. Next, the sampling nozzle 3 is moved to the position of the first cleaning tank 1, inserted into the first cleaning tank 1, and the sampling nozzle 3
The sample adhering to the nozzle is washed away with the cleaning liquid discharged from the nozzle. Next, the reaction reagent in the reaction reagent cup 7 of the sample table 10 is inhaled, and after being discharged into the reaction cup 6,
Measurement is performed by the measuring section 12.

Next, the reaction reagent adhering to the nozzle 3 is washed in the same manner as the sample washing.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of the cleaning tank of the automatic dispensing device of the present invention.6 Inside the second cleaning tank 2, there is a first cleaning tank 1 which is removable from this, When cleaning liquid is discharged from the sampling nozzle 3 inserted into the first cleaning tank 1, the cleaning liquid accumulates in the cleaning tank 1 due to the effect of the squeeze part 13 at the tip of the cleaning tank 1, and therefore adheres to the tip of the nozzle 3. sample or reagent that has been washed away. If the squeeze portion 13 becomes clogged, the cleaning liquid 15 is transferred to the cleaning tank 1.
Although it overflows more, it is from the relief hole 14 to the second cleaning tank 2.
There is no flow into the device. Further, the first cleaning tank 1 whose squeeze portion 13 is clogged with solid matter can be pulled out from the second cleaning tank 2, and the blockage can be easily removed. 8 is a drain pipe connected to the lower part of the second cleaning tank 2, and the drain is discharged to the drain tank at the lower part of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another embodiment of the cleaning tank. In FIG. 3, three first cleaning tanks are installed in one second cleaning tank 2.
A cleaning tank 1 is removably inserted so that three sampling nozzles 3 can be cleaned at the same time. The waste liquid after washing is collected in the second washing 41!2 and discharged, and the other operations are the same as in FIG. 2.

Next, details of the design of the 5 cleaning tanks will be explained.

During dispensing, samples and reaction reagents are transferred to the sampling nozzle 3.
Since it adheres up to about 15 mm from the tip, it is necessary to improve measurement accuracy by cleaning this area. Due to limitations of the dispensing mechanism of the apparatus to which this embodiment is applied, the amount of cleaning liquid discharged is 600 μQ. In order to complete the nozzle cleaning with this amount of liquid, the nozzle 3 is placed in the first cleaning tank 1 for 30 minutes.
mmg is inserted and 600 μQ of cleaning liquid is discharged, the inner diameter is 6
Under the conditions of the first cleaning tank 1 of mm, the liquid level is calculated to rise to a height of 21 mm from the bottom, but in reality, the draining speed of the cleaning liquid is controlled by the squeeze part 13 (approximately 0.5 to 0.8 mm in diameter). Since the discharge amount is limited to 25 μQ/sec. Since it takes 4 seconds to discharge 600 μQ, 100 μQ will flow by the time the discharge ends, and 500 μQ of cleaning liquid will accumulate in the first cleaning tank 1. Therefore, the cleaning liquid level height is 17 mm, and it is 1711 I from the tip of nozzle 4.
Since +1 cleaning can be performed, the purpose of cleaning 15 mm from the tip of the nozzle 4 can be achieved.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing still another embodiment of the cleaning tank. In FIG. 4, the squeeze part 16 of the first cleaning tank 1 is
has a siphon flow path configuration.

In this case, the diameter of the discharge passage can be made larger than in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, and the probability of clogging due to foreign matter can be reduced.

However, since the discharge flow path becomes long, care must be taken to avoid clogging due to mold or the like if left unused, and it is desirable to replace it with a clean one that has been washed every time it is used.

Moreover, the first cleaning tank 1 according to the present embodiment is free from mold.

If it is made of a material that can prevent the generation of microorganisms, it is effective because it can reliably reduce the occurrence of clogging of the squeeze section.

Furthermore, the configuration of the first cleaning tank 1 of this embodiment makes it possible to install a blockage monitor in the discharge flow path, so that when a blockage condition occurs, an alarm is issued and prompt response can be taken. Therefore, since emergency measures can be taken in addition to regular maintenance, highly reliable analytical data can be guaranteed.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, 1. Since the first cleaning tank for cleaning the sampling nozzle can be easily removed, clogging can be easily removed and the cleaning function can be maintained sufficiently at all times.

2. Due to the simple structure, no mechanical troubles occur.
Moreover, inexpensive materials can be used.

3. Contaminated nozzles can be cleaned with a small amount of cleaning fluid.

4. The waste liquid tank may be small, and the device can be made compact and easy to use.

5. Since the dispensing function can always be maintained with a clean nozzle, highly accurate analytical data can be obtained.

There are effects such as

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the automatic dispensing device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an embodiment of the cleaning tank of FIG. 1,
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another embodiment of the cleaning tank, FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing still another embodiment of the cleaning tank, and FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a conventional cleaning tank. 1...First cleaning tank, 2...Second cleaning tank, 3...
・Sampling nozzle, 4...Sample arm, 5・
... Sample cup, 6... Reaction cup, 7... Reaction reagent cup, 8... Drain pipe, 9... Drainage tank, 10... Sample table, 11... Reaction table, 12 ... Measuring section, 13... Squeezing section, 1
4... Relief hole, 15... Cleaning liquid, 16... Siphon type squeeze part. Prefecture Figure 1 Figure 2 Nakawanari Liquid Figure 3 Jar 14V-Liquid.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In an automatic analyzer comprising a sampler in which test samples are arranged, a row of reaction vessels for reaction processing, and a nozzle for dispensing quantitatively the samples and reagents, the nozzle cleaning tank is connected to the nozzle. a first cleaning tank for direct immersion; and a second cleaning tank that removably holds the first cleaning tank and stores cleaning liquid discharged from the cleaning tank through a flow path and cleaning liquid discharged as overflow from the cleaning tank. 1. An automatic dispensing device comprising: a cleaning tank, and a distal end portion of the nozzle is cleaned with liquid discharged from the nozzle. 2. The automatic dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the first cleaning tank is provided with a pore at the bottom for discharging the cleaning liquid into the second cleaning tank. 3. The automatic dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the first cleaning tank and the second cleaning tank are connected by a siphon, and the nozzle discharge liquid is stored in the first cleaning tank. Note device. 4. A plurality of the first cleaning tanks are connected, and the second cleaning tank is
The automatic dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein each of the automatic dispensing devices is detachably held in a cleaning tank. 5. The automatic dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the first cleaning tank is made of a material that prevents the generation of mold and microorganisms. 6. The automatic dispensing device according to claim 1, further comprising a monitor for detecting clogging in the cleaning liquid discharge channel of the first cleaning tank.