JPH03175362A - Automatic cell treatment apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automate the pretreatment of flow cytophotometry by appropriately rotating a sample disc holding specimen tubes to perform a predetermined treatment process. CONSTITUTION:A predetermined reagent such as fluorescent dye is dripped in the specimen tube 2 advancing under a distribution nozzle 12 with the rotation of a sample disc 1 from the nozzle 12 and, subsequently, the disc 1 is rotated around a vertical shaft 3 at high speed to perform the centrifugal separation of the specimen in the tube 1. Next, the tube 2 is allowed to advance under the nozzle 12 and the specimen in the tube 2 is sucked in a taking in and out container 14 or returned to the tube 2 by the nozzle 12 to stirr the specimen and the reagent. Further, a washing solution is supplied to the tube 2 and discharged therefrom by the nozzle 12 to perform treatments such as the removal of the impurity unsuitable for flow cytophotometry in the specimen, the discharge of the supernatant solution of the specimen or the like. The treated tube 2 is moved to the first temp. control tank 15 with the rotation of the disc to be held to predetermined temp.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (Industrial Application Field) The automatic cell processing device according to the present invention performs pretreatment for flow cytometry to measure cell size and relative DNA content. Use it to do it automatically.

(Prior art) In fields such as cell biology, cell immunology, and cancer cell diagnosis, flow cytometry is used to classify cells according to their size, morphology, content of intracellular substances, etc. In some cases, a measurement method called

Flow cytometry measures cells stained with fluorescent dyes.
The cells are released one by one and passed through a thin tube, and a laser beam is applied to the cells to generate fluorescence.By measuring the intensity of this fluorescence, the size of the cells and relative DNA can be determined.
This is to measure the amount of A.

When carrying out a measurement operation using such flow cytometry, it is necessary to perform a pretreatment operation such as staining the cells to be measured with a fluorescent dye prior to the measurement operation.

Such preprocessing work consists of many steps as shown in Figure 's22, for example, and these steps must be performed in a predetermined order.

(Problem to be solved by the invention) Conventionally, the pre-processing work, which has a complicated process as described above, was carried out manually, but it took a lot of time to complete the work, and the workers were tied up during that time. Not only that, but there are also variations in the work done by workers, so automation was desired to save labor and stabilize the process.

However, it is difficult to automate the entire pre-processing process, and no practical automatic processing equipment has been known so far.

The automatic cell processing device of the present invention was conceived in view of these circumstances.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The automatic cell processing device of the present invention includes a sample disk that rotates around a vertical axis while supporting a sample tube containing a liquid sample containing cells to be processed; A dispensing nozzle is provided above the sample disk and is capable of freely dropping a reagent into the sample tube. A dispensing nozzle is provided above the sample disk and is movable up and down, and is capable of freely supplying and discharging liquid into the sample tube supported by the sample disk. a loading/unloading nozzle, a loading/unloading container that can be freely connected to the loading/unloading nozzle, and a temperature-controlled tank that is provided below the sample disk so as to be able to rise and fall freely, and into which the lower part of the sample tube supported by the sample disk can be freely inserted when rising. It is configured.

(Function) When carrying out cell processing operations such as pretreatment for flow cytometry using the automatic cell processing apparatus of the present invention configured as described above, a liquid sample containing cells to be processed is placed. The sample tube is supported on a sample disk, and the sample disk is appropriately rotated about a vertical axis to sequentially perform predetermined processing steps.

That is, first, as the sample disk rotates, the sample tube enters below the dispensing nozzle, and a predetermined reagent such as a fluorescent dye is dropped from the dispensing nozzle into the sample tube.

Next, the sample contained in the sample tube is centrifuged by rotating the sample disk at high speed around the vertical axis.

Also, before and after this centrifugation work, the sample tube is introduced below the loading/unloading nozzle, and by moving the loading/unloading nozzle up and down appropriately, the sample in this sample tube is transferred to the loading/unloading container connected to the loading/unloading nozzle. By aspirating or returning the sample aspirated into the loading/unloading container to the sample tube through the loading/unloading nozzle, the sample and reagent can be stirred, or the cleaning liquid can be added into the sample tube through the loading/unloading nozzle. By supplying and discharging the sample, it is possible to clean the inside of the sample tube and the inlet/outlet nozzle, filter impurities that cannot be passed through flow cytometry such as cell clusters mixed in the sample, and even remove the supernatant liquid of the sample. Carry out necessary work such as discharging water.

Furthermore, as the sample disk rotates, the sample tube containing the sample subjected to these treatments is moved above the temperature-controlled tank by the loading/unloading nozzle, and as the temperature-controlled tank rises, It is inserted into a temperature controlled tank and maintained at a predetermined temperature.

These steps are performed sequentially by rotating the sample disk in an appropriate direction and at an appropriate angle, and the sample placed in the sample tube is subjected to a predetermined pretreatment.

The sample tube containing the pretreated sample is removed from the sample disk, and the sample is transferred to an apparatus for flow cytometry.

(Example) Next, the present invention will be explained in more detail while explaining the illustrated embodiment.

1 to 4 show the configuration of the automatic cell processing device of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a side view showing the basic configuration, and FIG. A in the diagram
-A parent diagram, Figure 3 shows the arrangement of the temperature control tank and waste liquid boat, B-B homeland in Figure 1, Figure 4 shows the sample disk, CC parent diagram in Figure 1. be. Also, 5th to 7th
The figures show the loading and unloading nozzles. Figure 5 shows the nozzle in the lowest position, Figure 6 shows the nozzle in the lowered position, and Figure 6 shows the nozzle in the lowered position.
The figures each show the highest raised state.

The circular sample disk 1 is rotatable about a vertical shaft 3 while supporting a sample tube 2.2 containing a liquid sample containing cells to be processed. This vertical shaft 3 can be selectively connected to a first motor 4 for centrifugal separation and a second motor 5 for positioning through an electromagnetic clutch (not shown) to rotate the sample disk 1 at high speed. , or by rotating at a relatively low speed, the holder 6 holding the sample tube 2.2 or the through hole 7 formed near the outer periphery can be moved to a predetermined position. However, if the sample disk 1 is formed into an oval shape by removing the outside of the button line in FIG. 4, the through hole 7 becomes unnecessary.

The holder 6 is formed with a plurality of support holes 8.8 opening on the upper surface in order to hold a plurality of sample tubes 2.2, and has a notch 1 formed on the outer periphery of the sample disk 1.
It is supported inside the 0 by pivoting the upper portions of both ends thereof by a horizontal shaft 9.9. For this reason, the holder 6 is
When the sample disk 1 is stopped, the sample tube 2.2 is held in an upright state, but when the sample disk 1 is rotated at high speed by the first motor 4, the lower part of the holder 6 is rotated due to centrifugal force. Centrifugation of the sample is carried out while swinging outward to prevent the sample contained in the sample tube 2.2 from overflowing. A balancer 11 is supported on the outer periphery of the sample disk 1 at a position opposite to the holder 6 to maintain balance when the sample disk 1 is rotated at high speed.

Above the sample disk 1 as described above, there are a plurality of (number of reagents to be used) into which suitable reagents can be freely dropped into the sample tubes 2.2 held in the holder 6 supported by the sample disk 1. There are provided the same number of dispensing nozzles 12.12, and one inlet/outlet nozzle 13 which can be raised and lowered to supply and discharge liquid into and out of the sample tube 2.2.

The loading/unloading nozzle 13 includes a loading/unloading container 14 for temporarily storing the sample contained in the sample tube 2.2 (see FIG. 9 and subsequent figures showing the piping system, which will be described later).
can be freely connected.

Moreover, this loading/unloading nozzle 13 has a worm nut mechanism,
It can be raised and lowered by a known lifting mechanism such as a linear motor, and there are two positions: the lowest position (Z2 position) shown in Figure 5 and the sixth position.
The intermediate position (Z1 position) shown in the figure and the uppermost position (ZO position) shown in the '$7 figure are freely selectable.

This loading/unloading nozzle 13 is provided with an air flow path 22 for feeding compressed air into the sample tube 2 and a liquid flow path 23 for feeding liquids such as the sample and washing liquid into and out of the sample tube 2. ing. An outward flange-shaped i part 21 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate portion of the loading/unloading nozzle 13, and when the loading/unloading nozzle 13 is lowered to its lowest position, this lid portion 21 closes the opening of the sample tube 2. I'm doing it like that.

Further, below the sample disk 1, second and third temperature control tanks 15, 16, and 17 are provided so as to be movable up and down, respectively.

On the top surface of each temperature control tank 15, 16, 17,
At the same pitch as the support holes 8.8 formed in the holder 6,
A concave hole 18.18 is formed, and when the holder 6 is moved above a predetermined temperature-controlled tank and this temperature-controlled tank is raised, the lower part of the sample tube 2.2 held in the holder 6 is enters into the recessed hole 18.18 of the temperature controlled tank.

Of the first, second and third temperature control tanks 15, 16 and 17, the first temperature control tank 15 is heated to, for example, 4°C, the second temperature control tank 16 is set to, for example, 40°C, and the third temperature control tank is heated to, for example, 40°C. The temperature control tanks 17 are each maintained at, for example, 30°C. Each temperature control tank 1
5. In order to maintain the '16.17 at a predetermined temperature, for example, each temperature control tank 15.16.17 is made of an aluminum block, and a thermo module is attached to this aluminum block. In addition, a slit is provided in the holder 6, and hot or cold air is blown onto the sample tubes 2.2 inside the holder 6 through the slit.
It is also possible to improve the efficiency of heating and cooling of reagents, etc. inside.

When performing cell processing operations such as pretreatment for flow cytometry using the automatic cell processing apparatus of the present invention configured as described above, a sample tube containing a liquid sample containing cells to be processed is used. 2 is inserted from above into the support hole 8.8 of the holder 6 provided on the sample disk 1, so that the sample tube 2.2 is supported on the peripheral edge of the sample disk 1, and the first motor 4 or By energizing the second motor 5,
The sample disk 1 is appropriately rotated about the vertical shaft 3, and predetermined processing steps are sequentially performed.

This processing step will be explained in detail with reference to the flowchart and piping system diagram shown in FIG. 8 and subsequent figures.

First, when the sample tube 2.2 held in the holder 6 enters below the dispensing nozzle 12.12 as the sample disk 1 rotates based on the energization of the second motor 5, A predetermined reagent such as a fluorescent dye is dropped into the sample tube 2.2 from a predetermined dispensing nozzle 12. The operation at this time is as shown in the flowchart shown in FIG.

After dispensing the prescribed reagent, the sample and reagent are stirred,
And clean the inside of the sample tube 2.2, etc.

When stirring, first, the sample tube 2 containing the sample and reagent to be stirred is moved below the loading/unloading nozzle 13, and the loading/unloading nozzle 13 is lowered to the z2 position (FIG. 5).

Next, as shown in FIG. 9, compressed air for pushing out the sample is sent into the sample tube 2 via the first switching valve 19 and the air passage 22 attached to the inlet/outlet nozzle 13. The sample and reagent stored therein are sent into the loading/unloading container 14 via the liquid flow path 23 provided in the loading/unloading nozzle 13 and the second switching valve 20. Completion of feeding the sample and reagent into the loading/unloading container 14 is detected by a sensor (not shown), and immediately after the feeding is completed, the first switching valve 1 is opened.
Close 9.

After the specimen and reagent are fed into the container 14 in this way, compressed air is introduced into the container 14 as shown in FIG.
The sample and reagent are fed into the loading/unloading container 14 via the third to sixth switching valves 24 to 27, and the sample and reagent in the loading/unloading container 14 are returned to the sample tube 2. At this time, the first switching valve 19 is switched to a state in which the upper part of the sample tube 2 is communicated with the atmosphere. The sample and reagent are stirred by repeating the movement between the sample tube 2 and the loading/unloading container 14 a predetermined number of times as described above.

Note that depending on the pretreatment method, it may be necessary to mechanically stir the sample and reagent in the sample tubes 2. In this case, there is a It is also possible to provide a mushroom valve-shaped stirring rod with a large diameter at the lower end so that it can move up and down, and as the stirring rod moves up and down, the sample and reagent can be stirred.

Once the sample and reagent have been stirred, the loading/unloading nozzle 13 and loading/unloading container 1 are opened in preparation for the next specimen processing operation.
4. Clean the parts that came into contact with the sample or reagent during the stirring process, such as the inside of 4.

When performing this cleaning work, first, the sample and reagent are placed in the container after passing through the state shown in Figure 9.
4, and then the first to sixth switching valves 19.20
．． 24 to 27 are switched to the state shown in FIG.
send it towards.

The cleaning liquid sent out from the cleaning liquid container 28 is provided in parallel with the fourth switching valve 25, the fifth switching valve 26, the sixth switching valve 27, and the loading/unloading container 14 that temporarily stores the specimen and reagent. The liquid is sent to the inlet/outlet nozzle 13 via the bypass tube 29 and the second switching valve 20, and is injected into the sample tube 2 from the liquid flow path 23 of the inlet/outlet nozzle 13.

Once the cleaning solution is injected into the sample tube 2 in this way,
Next, the first to sixth switching valves 19, 20, 24 to 27 are switched to the state shown in FIG. The liquid is discharged into the waste liquid tank 30 through the thirteen liquid flow paths 23, the second switching valve 20, the bypass tube 29, and the sixth and fifth switching valves 27 and 26.

As a result, the preliminary cleaning of the loading/unloading nozzle 13 is completed, and then the first to sixth switching valves 19, 20, 24 to 27
is switched to the state shown in FIG. 10, and the loading/unloading container 14
Compressed air is sent into the sample tube 2 to return the sample and reagent in the container 14 to the sample tube 2.

Next, the loading/unloading nozzle 13 is raised to the 20 position (FIG. 7), and the sample disk 1 is rotated based on the energization of the second motor 5, thereby returning the sample disk 1 to the original position.

Based on the return of the sample disk 1 to the origin, the through hole 7 of the sample disk 1 is inserted between the loading/unloading nozzle 13 and the waste liquid boat 31 (FIG. 3) provided directly below the loading/unloading nozzle 13. move.

Therefore, the inlet/outlet nozzle 13 is lowered to the 21 position (Fig. 6), and the first to sixth switching valves 19.20124 to 27
is switched to the state shown in FIG. 13, and the cleaning liquid tank 28 is
By sending compressed air into the cleaning liquid tank 28, the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank 28 is transferred through the fourth to sixth switching valves 25 to 27, the loading/unloading container 14, the second switching valve 20, and the waste liquid port 31.
It is discharged into the waste liquid tank 30.

As a result, parts that come into contact with the sample or reagent, such as the inside of the loading/unloading nozzle 13 and loading/unloading container 14, are cleaned.
Cleaning work is completed. Therefore, the loading and unloading nozzle 13 is
Raise it to the 0 position and complete stirring of the sample and reagent as well as internal cleaning work. A flowchart of these operations is shown in FIG. 14.

After completing the stirring of the sample and reagent as well as the internal cleaning work through the steps described above, the electromagnetic clutch attached to the vertical shaft 3 is switched and the first motor 4 is energized to remove the sample disk. 1 is rotated at high speed around a vertical shaft 3, and a sample contained in a sample tube 2.2 supported by a holder 6 is centrifuged.

After centrifugation, the supernatant liquid of the specimen is discharged as appropriate using the loading/unloading nozzle 13, and the specimen tube 2.2 is maintained at an appropriate temperature through the steps shown in the flowchart of FIG. Process the specimens in .2.

Furthermore, after performing these series of processing operations, a filtration operation is performed to filter out impurities that are not suitable for flow cytometry, such as cell clusters mixed in the specimen.

When performing this filtration work, in the same way as when performing the above-mentioned stirring work, first, the sample in the sample tube 2 is transferred between the sample tube 2 and the second switching valve 20 in the piping state shown in FIG. A filter (not shown) provided between the containers 14 and 14
Move inside. Next, with the piping in the state shown in FIG. 11, the cleaning liquid is sent from the cleaning liquid container 28 to the filter, and the impurities adhering to this filter are sent into the sample tube 2 together with the cleaning liquid, and then, as shown in FIG. By setting the piping in such a manner, the cleaning liquid containing the above-mentioned impurities is discharged to the waste liquid tank 30. Thereafter, by setting the piping as shown in FIG. 10, the sample temporarily stored in the container 14 is returned to the sample tube 2.

After completing such a filtration operation, the inside of the loading/unloading nozzle 13 and the loading/unloading container 14, etc. are cleaned by the same steps as after the stirring operation described above (see FIG. 13). These filtering operations and cleaning operations are performed as shown in the flowchart shown in FIG.

These steps are sequentially performed for each of the plurality of sample tubes 2.2 while rotating the sample disk 1 in an appropriate direction by an appropriate angle by the second motor 5.
．． Specimen stored in 2 is subjected to predetermined pretreatment.

The sample tube 2.2 containing the pretreated sample is taken out from the holder 6 of the sample disk 1, and the sample tube 2.2 is
Change B to a device for flow cytometry.

Note that when a plurality of sample tubes 2.2 are set on the sample disk 1 and a single dispensing nozzle 12 is used to dispense the reagent into the sample tubes 2.2, the sample tubes 2.2. Due to the difference in the dispensing timing due to 2.2, the reaction time will differ for each sample tube 2.2, but if it is necessary to strictly control the reaction time, the number of sample tubes 2.2 may vary. In addition, if a plurality of dispensing nozzles 12 are provided, the plurality of sample tubes 2.
By performing the dispensing work to the sample tubes 2.2 at the same time, it is possible to prevent the reaction time from being different for each sample tube 2.2.

Similarly, by providing a plurality of inlet/outlet nozzles 13 and a plurality of inlet/outlet containers 14 that can be freely connected in series to each inlet/outlet nozzle 13 according to the number of sample tubes 2.2, a plurality of sample tubes can be stored. It is also possible to perform the work of putting liquid in and out of 2.2 at the same time.

Furthermore, some of the reagents dispensed into each sample tube 2.2 must be kept at 4°C.
There are some reagents that need to be stored at relatively low temperatures, but if reagents stored at such low temperatures are dispensed as they are into the sample tube 2.2, the reaction time will be shorter due to the lower temperature. may become too long.

Therefore, in such a case, a small amount of reagent to be used for the next dispensing is stored in the pipe connecting the dispensing nozzle 12 and a storage container (not shown) in which the reagent is stored at a low temperature. If a flexible temporary storage section (not shown) is provided in series with the above-mentioned piping, the reagent taken out from the storage container can be heated to about room temperature while remaining in the above-mentioned temporary storage section. The liquid is now sent to the dispensing nozzle 12, thereby preventing the reaction time from becoming prolonged.

Next, FIGS. 17 to 21 show separate piping systems of the automatic cell processing apparatus of the present invention.

That is, in the piping system shown in Figures 9 to 13 above, reagents, etc. were taken in and out depending on which part the compressed air was sent into, whereas
In the case of the piping system shown in FIG. 21, a pressure pump 32 and a suction pump 33 are provided, and automatic cell processing is performed depending on which pump 32 or 33 is connected to which part. Note that the pressurizing pump 32 and the suction pump 33 can also be used as a discharge port and a suction port of a single compressor.

First, when dispensing a reagent into the sample tube 2 (see FIGS. 9 to 13), each part is switched to the state shown by the thick line in FIG. The reagent is pushed out toward the dispensing nozzle 12.

When stirring the reagent and sample, after switching each part to the state shown by the thick solid line in FIG. 18 and operating the suction pump 33, switch each part to the state shown by the thick broken line in the same figure to apply pressure. The operation of operating the pump 32 is repeated.

Further, when discharging the supernatant liquid, each part is switched to the state shown by the thick line in FIG. 19, the suction pump 33 is operated, and the supernatant liquid is discharged into the waste liquid bottle 35.

In addition, when performing cleaning work, each part is switched to the state shown by the thick line in the N20 diagram, the pressurizing pump 32 is operated, and the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid container 28 is pumped through the loading/unloading container 14 and the bypass tube 29. Send it to the pouring nozzle 13,
It is discharged from the waste liquid port 31 (FIG. 3). Also, at this time,
The above-mentioned inlet/outlet nozzle 1 is connected through another pipe (not shown).
Spray the cleaning liquid on the outer surface of Nozzle 3 as well, and
Also clean the outer surface of step 3. The cleaning liquid used for cleaning the outer surface of the loading/unloading nozzle 13 is discarded into a waste liquid bottle 35 via a waste liquid tray and piping (not shown).

Furthermore, when performing filtration work to filter impurities,
Each part is switched to the state shown by the thick broken line in FIG. 21, the suction pump 33 is operated, and the sample in the sample tube 2 is taken out and put into the container 14. At this time, the lumps of impurities mixed in the sample are collected by the filter 36 provided between the inlet/outlet nozzle 13 and the second switching valve 20. (Figure 3) After moving up six times, each part is switched to the state shown by the thick solid line in the same figure, the pressurizing pump 32 is operated, and the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid container 28 is sent to the inlet/outlet nozzle 13 through the filter 36.

As a result, the 4° impurities collected in the filter 36 are separated from the filter 36 and transferred to the inlet/outlet nozzle
, and is discharged through the waste liquid boat 31. After that, after moving the loading/unloading nozzle 13 upwards (returning) the sample tube 2, the third, fourth, and sixth switching valves 24, 25, and 27, the loading/unloading container 14, and the pressure pump 32 are Cleaning liquid container 28
The state is switched to a state where direct communication is established without going through the tube, and the sample in the loading/unloading container 14 is discharged (returned) to the specimen tube 2.

(Effects of the Invention) Since the automatic cell processing device of the present invention is configured and operates as described above, it is possible to automatically perform complicated preprocessing work for flow cytometry, and at the same time, it can save labor. Since stable processing can be performed at all times, the reliability of pathological diagnosis by flow cytometry performed after pretreatment is improved.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figures 1 to 4 show the configuration of the automatic thinning device of the present invention, with Figure 1 being a side view showing the basic configuration, and Figure 2 being a side view showing the arrangement of the dispensing nozzle and the loading/unloading nozzle. 1
Figure 3 shows the arrangement of the temperature control tank and waste liquid boat, B-B diagram in Figure 1, Figure 4 shows the sample disk, C- in Figure 1. This is the parent diagram of C. In addition, Figures 5 to 7 show the nozzle in and out. Figure 5 shows the lowered state, Figure 6 shows the state lowered by half, and Figure 7 shows the lowered state. represents. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the reagent dispensing operation. FIGS. 9 to 13 are piping diagrams showing the valve switching states in the piping when stirring and cleaning the inside of the apparatus, respectively, and FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the steps of stirring and cleaning. FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the operation of inserting a sample tube containing a sample into a temperature-controlled tank. FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the work of filtering the sample and cleaning the inside of the apparatus. FIGS. 17-21 are views similar to FIGS. 9-13, showing separate piping for stirring and cleaning the inside of the apparatus. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing one example of pretreatment work performed by the automatic cell processing apparatus of the present invention. 1: Sample disk, 2: Sample tube, 3: Vertical shaft, 4: First motor, 5: Second motor, 6: Holder, 7: Through hole, 8: Support hole, 9: Horizontal shaft, 1° : Notch, 11; Balancer, 12: Dispensing nozzle, 13: Loading/unloading nozzle, 1
4: Loading/unloading container, 15: First temperature control tank, 16: Second temperature control tank, 17: Third temperature control tank, 18: Recessed hole, 19: First switching valve, 20: Second temperature control tank Switching valve, 21: Lid, 22: Air flow path, 23: Liquid flow path, 24: Third switching valve, 25: Fourth switching valve, 26: Fifth switching valve, 27
: 346 switching valve, 28: Cleaning liquid container, 29: Bypass tube, 30: Waste liquid tank, 31: Waste liquid port, 3
2: Pressure pump, 33: Suction pump, 34: Reagent bottle, 35: Waste liquid bottle, 36: Filter. Figure 8 Figure 6 Figure 9 Figure 1 O Figure f Figure Rattan 2 Figure 3 Figure 14 Figure 17 Figure 1 υ Figure 17 Figure 20 Figure 21 Figure ? .

Claims (5)

[Claims] (1) A sample disk that rotates around a vertical axis while supporting a sample tube containing a liquid sample containing cells to be processed; and a sample disk provided above the sample disk;
a dispensing nozzle that can freely drop a reagent into the sample tube; an in/out nozzle that is provided above the sample disk so as to be movable up and down and that can freely supply and drain liquid into and out of the sample tube supported by the sample disk; and this in/out nozzle. An automatic cell processing device comprising a storage container that can be freely connected to and removed from the sample disk, and a temperature-controlled tank that is movable up and down below the sample disk and into which the lower part of the sample tube supported by the sample disk can be inserted when the sample disk is raised. (2) The automatic cell processing device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of dispensing nozzles are provided in accordance with the number of sample tubes, so that dispensing to a plurality of sample tubes can be performed simultaneously. (3) By providing a plurality of loading/unloading nozzles according to the number of sample tubes and a plurality of loading/unloading containers that can be freely connected in series to each loading/unloading nozzle, it is possible to simultaneously load and unload liquid into multiple sample tubes. Claim 1
2. The automatic cell processing device according to any one of 2 to 2. (4) By providing a temporary storage section that can freely store a small amount of reagent in the middle of the piping connecting the storage container storing the reagent at a temperature other than the reaction temperature and the dispensing nozzle in series with the piping,
Claims 1 to 3, wherein the reagent taken out from the storage container is sent to the dispensing nozzle after it approaches the reaction temperature.
The automatic cell processing device according to any one of the above. (5) Claims 1 to 4, wherein a stirring rod is provided at a position that can be inserted into the sample tube to stir the liquid in the sample tube as it moves up and down.
The automatic cell processing device according to any one of the above.