JPH0375827B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that performs biochemical analysis and immunological analysis, and particularly to an automatic analyzer that speeds up the analysis processing time in this type of automatic analysis. The present invention also relates to an improvement of an automatic analyzer that can dramatically improve the reliability of measurement accuracy and significantly reduce the size of the entire device.

[Prior art and its problems] Various types of automatic analyzers have been proposed in the past, and in recent years, a system in which reaction containers are held in a loop shape and reagent containers are also arranged in the first reagent container row has been proposed. A system in which the first reagent or the second reagent is dispensed at a predetermined position using two pipette devices that are rotated by a drive device. has become the mainstream. This method has the following advantages: the reaction solution can be measured over a long period of time, resulting in high measurement accuracy, the time course of the reaction, and the ability to obtain cell blanks and sample blanks. This is because it has

However, in conventional automatic analyzers of this type, a first reaction container row and a second reagent container row are arranged at separate positions, and a reciprocating pipetting device is disposed between them. As a result, the overall size of the device becomes large, and reagents corresponding to measurement items are aspirated and dispensed using a pipette device separate from the reagent container, resulting in carryover of reagents and cross-contamination. In addition to the problem of
This method has had many problems, such as the pipetting device having a very complicated structure and high cost.

[Means and actions for solving problems]

This invention was devised in view of the current situation, and its purpose is to reliably prevent carryover of reagents and cross-contamination, and to simplify the configuration of the entire device. The purpose is to provide an inexpensive automatic analyzer that can be significantly downsized.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has a transfer locus of a reaction container holder holding a required number of reaction containers in a loop shape, and a required number of first and second reagent containers held in a loop shape. The transfer locus with the reagent container holder held by a chamber in which a reagent is housed in the first and second reagent containers for dispensing at a certain position; a pump unit that is formed integrally with the chamber and aspirates and dispenses a required amount of the reagent in the chamber; a pipette detachably connected to the reagent discharge port of the pump section; The device is characterized in that it is configured to engage with each other to directly dispense a required amount of reagent from the reagent container to the reaction container.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic analyzer A according to this embodiment includes a plurality of sample containers 1 containing samples to be measured (serum), and sample cassettes each holding 10 sample containers 1. 2 and
A drive device (not shown) that transfers the sample container 1 to the sample suction position a, and a drive device (not shown) that aspirates the required amount of sample from the sample container 1 that has been transferred to the sample suction position a and dispenses it into the reaction container 5. a sampling pipette device 4; a reaction container holder 6 that holds a required number of reaction containers 5 in a loop shape;
A first reagent container 7 containing a first reagent corresponding to a measurement item, a second reagent container 8 containing a second reagent corresponding to a measurement item, and each of these reagent containers 7 and 8 are arranged in a loop. Reagent container holder 9 to hold
and an optical measurement device 1 that performs colorimetric measurement of the reacted sample (liquid in which the sample reacts with each reagent and develops color).
0, and a cleaning device 11 that cleans the reaction vessel 5 after optical measurement work has been completed.

The sample container 1 is made of a material such as synthetic resin and is shaped like a cylinder with a bottom.

The sample cassette 2, as shown in FIG.
The above-mentioned required number of ten sample containers 1 is held, and the sample containers 1 are intermittently transferred to the sample suction position a via the drive device.

The sampling pipette device 4 has four arms 4b extending radially from a shaft 4a, and a pipette 4c is disposed at the other end of each arm 4b, and each pipette 4c further holds a sample. A sampling pump that aspirates the required amount of sample at the position a in Figure 1 and discharges it at the position b is connected in communication, and each pipette 4c moves from the sample suction position a to the sample dispensing position b and furthermore to the washing position c. The rotation is controlled at a predetermined timing around the axis 4a. This sample measurement method involves filling the suction system with water, separating the sample and water via air, and then suctioning and measuring the sample. Only the sample is then discharged. After this, washing water is passed from inside the system to each sample. Wash the inside of the pipette 4c.

Note that this pipette 4c is equipped with a suction amount confirmation device (not shown) having a known configuration for checking the amount of sample, etc. sucked up, and detects the absolute amount of sample, etc. each time sampling is performed. , if the sample amount is insufficient, this is automatically corrected.

The reaction container 5 is made of a material such as a transparent synthetic resin and is shaped like a square cylinder with a bottom.

The reaction container holder 6 is formed into a ring shape, and is provided with 50 bottomed holding holes 12 into which the reaction containers 5 are fitted and held at predetermined intervals.

The reaction container holder 6 configured in this way is moved clockwise 51 in FIG. 1 via a drive device (not shown).
The reaction vessel 5 is rotated in steps of 360 degrees + 1 vessel, and effectively the reaction vessel 5 is intermittently transferred clockwise in FIG. Of course, the reaction vessel 5 is moved counterclockwise 49 in FIG. 1 via a drive device (not shown).
The container is rotated in steps of 352.8 degrees,
As a result, it may be configured to intermittently transfer one pitch (one container) at a time clockwise in FIG. 1, which is opposite to the direction of transfer of the reaction container 5.

The holding holes 12 are formed to have substantially the same external shape as the reaction vessel 5, and a hole is provided on the inner and outer peripheral walls of each holding hole 12 so as to be concentric with the optical axis of the optical measuring device 10. A light hole (not shown) is opened.

As shown in FIG. 1, each reagent container 7, 8 containing a first or second reagent corresponding to a measurement item is held in a loop shape in a reagent container holder 9. The transfer trajectory x is arranged so as to overlap the transfer trajectory y of the reaction container holder 6, and the intersections of both x and y are two points,
In other words, the first reagent dispensing position d and the second reagent dispensing position e
is formed.

The first or second reagent R ₁ corresponding to the measurement item,
As shown in FIGS _{. 2} and 3, each reagent container 7, 8 containing R 2 has a chamber 70, 80 containing reagent R ₁ , R ₂ , and a chamber 70, 80 containing the reagent R 1, R 2. a pump section 7 that aspirates and dispenses the required amount of each reagent R ₁ and R ₂ ;
1 and 81 are integrally formed, and the chamber part 7
A liquid inlet is formed in the upper part of 0,80, and a cap C is detachably attached to the liquid inlet. Note that reference numerals 72 and 82 in the figure are air holes formed through the cap C.

The pump parts 71 and 81 have a single channel groove 7.
Piston rod 7 with vertical holes 3 and 83
A bottomed cylindrical valve chamber 75, 85 in which the valve chambers 4, 84 can be moved forward and backward and fitted in a fluid-tight manner;
One end of the liquid suction channel 76, 86 is connected in communication with the chamber parts 70, 80, and the other end is connected in communication with the pipette P. Single liquid dispensing channel 7
7, 87 and piston rod drive devices B ₁ , B ₂ disposed on the piston rods 74, 84.
4 is rotated every 180 degrees at a predetermined timing via each piston rod drive device B ₁ , B ₂ , one liquid suction flow path 76 , 86 and the flow path groove 7
3 and 83 are in communication, the liquid dispensing channel 7
7, 87 are the circumferential surfaces 74 of the piston rods 74, 84
a, 84a, and when the liquid dispensing channels 77, 87 and the channel grooves 73, 83 are in communication, the liquid suction channels 76, 86 close to the circumferential surface 74a of the piston rods 74, 84. , 84a are configured to be liquid-tightly closed.

Further, the pipette P has the pump parts 71 and 8.
It is removably screwed onto the lower end of the pipette P, and when installed, the flow path of the pipette P and the liquid dispensing flow path 7 are connected to each other.
7 and 87 are connected for communication.

The piston rod drive device B includes an upper gear 90 disposed at the upper end of the piston rods 74, 84.
, a lower gear 91 disposed below the upper gear 90 at a predetermined interval, and the piston rod 7
4 and 84, and a piston rod pressing member 94 is configured to engage with an engagement groove 93 of the pressing member 92 at a predetermined position. . Also, both gears 90, 91 disposed on the piston rods 74, 84
is the spur gear 9 of the motor 95 disposed at a predetermined position.
6 at a predetermined position.
The spacing between these gears 90 and 91 is determined by the relative relationship with the amount of liquid to be dispensed.

By using the reagent containers 7 and 8 configured as described above, the required amount of reagent R ₁ ,
The case where R ₂ is dispensed at each reagent dispensing position d and e will be explained.

First, from the state shown in FIG.
is raised via each piston rod drive B ₁ , B ₂ . At this time, 95 spur gears 9 of the motor
6 is engaged with the lower gear 91, and the liquid suction channels 76, 86 communicate with the channel grooves 73, 83, while the liquid dispensing channels 77, 87 are connected to the circumference of the piston rods 74, 84. Since the surfaces 74a and 84a are liquid-tightly closed, the reagents R ₁ and R ₂ in the chambers 70 and 80 are discharged from the liquid suction channels 76 and 86 as the piston rods 74 and 84 rise. Groove 7
3 and 83 and into the valve chambers 75 and 85.
In this way, the piston rods 74, 84 are
When raised to the position shown in the figure, the valve chambers 75, 85
A certain amount of reagents R ₁ and R ₂ are filled inside, and the spur gear 96 of the motor 95 and the upper gear 90 mesh with each other.

From the above state, when the motor 95 is driven to rotate and the piston rods 74, 84 are rotated 180 degrees as shown in FIG.
7 and the channel grooves 73, 83 communicate with each other. in this case,
The lower gear 91 is engaged with the spur gear 16 of the motor 15, while the liquid suction channels 76, 86 are connected to the peripheral surfaces 74a, 84a of the piston rods 74, 84.
After that, when the piston rods 74, 84 are pressed down by the piston rod pusher 14, the reagents in the valve chambers 75, 85 are released.
R ₁ and R ₂ are connected to the liquid dispensing channel 7 from the channel grooves 73 and 83.
7 and 87, and is dispensed from the pipette P into the reaction vessel 5 which has been transferred to each position d and e.

Note that the first reagent _R1 is always kept cool at 8°C to 10°C in a first reagent refrigerator (not shown), and the second reagent
_R2 is kept at 8℃ at all times by a second reagent cooler not shown.
It is kept cold at ~10℃.

Each reagent container 7, 8 set in this way is
The reagents R ₁ and R ₂ corresponding to the measurement item are transferred at high speed to the reagent dispensing position d or e by controlling forward and reverse rotation based on commands from a control unit (not shown). Incidentally, each of the first and second reagent containers 7, 8 to be set is set at a predetermined position and memorized in the control device.

In addition, the pipette P is equipped with a suction amount confirmation device (not shown) having a known configuration for checking the amount of reagent sucked up, and detects the absolute amount of reagent every time a reagent is aspirated. However, if the amount of reagent is insufficient, this will be automatically corrected.

As shown in FIG. 1, the optical measuring device 10 forming a detection section or observation point is held in a reaction container holder 6 at a predetermined position and kept at a constant temperature (approximately 37° C.
℃), and uses a light source 100 and measurement light irradiated from the light source 100, similar to the structure of a known diffraction grating type optical measuring device. It is composed of an optical system 101 that collects light, a light dispersion element 102, and a light receiving element 103 that receives the amount of light after the measurement light passes through the reaction vessel 5 for each predetermined wavelength. 51 or more in one step rotation operation
Forty-nine reaction vessels 5 will be measured, and each reaction vessel 5 will be optically measured multiple times at regular intervals to obtain the time course of the reaction.

The amount of light of the wavelength corresponding to the measurement item received by the light-receiving element 103 is converted into voltage and processed by a control unit (not shown) having a known configuration that processes the analysis value, and a storage unit that stores the measurement results. (not shown)
and an operation unit that performs all operations of automatic analyzer A/
Arithmetic processing is performed by a data processing device consisting of a display (not shown) and a printer (not shown), and the results are printed out by the printer. The control unit controls each operation of the automatic analyzer A, calculates measurement signals, and makes judgments thereof.

The cleaning device 11 cleans the interior of the reaction vessel 5 after the optical measurement has been completed in multiple steps. After the sample is sucked and discarded, the cleaning water injection and disposal operations are repeated a required number of times. Note that the above-mentioned disposal of the sample and the injection and disposal of the cleaning liquid and cleaning water are carried out by a cleaning pipe of a cleaning drive section (not shown), and the cleaning liquid and cleaning water are sent from the reaction vessel cleaning pump.

Next, the operation of the automatic analyzer A according to this embodiment will be explained.

When you turn on the start switch (not shown),
Sample container 1 held in sample cassette 2
The sample in the sample container 1 is transferred to the sample suction position a, and after the required amount of sample in the sample container 1 is aspirated via the sampling pipette device 4 at the sample suction position a, the sample is transferred to the reaction container holder 6 at the sample dispensing position b.
The sample is dispensed into the reaction vessel 5 held in the chamber.

The reaction container 5 into which the sample has been dispensed in this way is intermittently transferred one pitch at a time to the first reagent dispensing position d, and at the same position d, the first reagent R ₁ corresponding to the measurement item is transferred to the first reagent container 7. The required amount is dispensed from within.

Thereafter, the reaction container 5 into which the first reagent R ₁ has been dispensed is held in the reaction container holder 6 and the second reagent R 1 is dispensed.
The reagent is intermittently transferred to the reagent dispensing position e, and at the same second reagent dispensing position, a required amount of the second reagent R ₂ corresponding to the measurement item is dispensed from the second reagent container 8 into the reaction container 5. .

Thereafter, the absorbance of the sample in the reaction container 5 is measured by the optical measurement device 10, and the reaction container 5 after the optical measurement is transferred to the cleaning device 11 and its interior is cleaned.

After this cleaning, the reaction container 5 is transported again to the sample dispensing position b, and is transported again in the same manner as described above.

Since the automatic analyzer A according to the illustrated embodiment is configured as described above, the transfer locus y of the reagent containers 7 and 8 is set to the transfer locus x of the reaction container 5 within a range that does not intersect with the cleaning device 11. Since they can be arranged in an overlapping manner, the width of the automatic analyzer A can be significantly reduced, and the first and second reagents R ₁ and R ₂ can be directly removed from the reagent containers 7 and 8. Since the reagents can be dispensed into the reaction container 5, there is no risk of cross-contamination between reagents, and there is no wastage of reagents.

In the above embodiment, the transfer path of the reaction container 5 is formed in a loop shape, and the transfer paths of the reagent containers 7 and 8 are formed in a row in a loop shape, and the cases are explained in which these are overlapped. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, two or more reaction container transfer paths formed in a loop shape may be divided into two or more, and each of these reaction container transfer paths may be divided into one reagent container transfer path. It can also be configured to overlap with the road.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, in this invention, the automatic analyzer is configured so that the transfer trajectory of the reagent container overlaps the transfer trajectory of the reaction container at at least two positions, so that the automatic analyzer can be significantly miniaturized. Moreover, since the first and second reagents can be dispensed directly from each reagent container into the reaction container, there is no risk of cross-contamination between the reagents, and It has many excellent effects such as no waste.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the configuration of a reagent container, and FIG. 3 is a reagent suction operation of the reagent container. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the reagent discharge operation state of the reagent container. [Explanation of code], A... Automatic analyzer, a...
Sample suction position, b...Sample dispensing position, d
...First reagent dispensing position, e...Second reagent dispensing position, x...Transfer trajectory of reaction container, y...Transfer trajectory of reagent container, 1...Sample container, 5...Reaction container, 7 ...first reagent container, 8...second reagent container.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A transfer trajectory of a reaction container holder that holds a required number of reaction containers in a loop shape, and a transfer trajectory of a reagent container holder that holds a required number of first and second reagent containers in a loop shape. The first and second reagent containers are overlapped at at least two positions, and these intersecting positions are used as a first reagent dispensing position and a second reagent dispensing position, and the first and second reagent containers are dispensed at the reagent dispensing positions. , a chamber in which a reagent is accommodated, a pump section that is formed integrally with the chamber and aspirates and dispenses a required amount of the reagent in the chamber, and a pipette that is detachably connected to the reagent discharge port of the pump section. The piston rod of the pump section engages with a piston rod pusher disposed at each reagent dispensing position to directly pump the required amount of reagent from the reagent container to the reaction container. An automatic analyzer characterized in that it is configured to dispense into