JPH04114432U - Cell with nozzle tip - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] To accommodate and supply cells and nozzle chips at the same time. [Structure] The tip of the inverted conical nozzle tip 14 is spaced apart from the inner bottom surface of the test tube-shaped cell 11, and the holding step 14a provided on the outer periphery of the nozzle tip 14 comes into contact with the shoulder of the cell 11. As such, the nozzle tip 14
was housed and held in the cell 11.

Description

[Detailed explanation of the idea]

0001

[Industrial application field]

This invention is suitable for analyzing components in biological sample liquids such as blood coagulation test devices and immunoassay devices. This relates to a cell (reaction vessel) used in a device that uses

0002

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, in this type of apparatus, a transparent test tube-shaped cell is used as a reaction vessel. In addition, the tip of the nozzle that absorbs the sample or reagent and injects it into the cell has an inverted conical shape. A nozzle tip is attached. Such cells and nozzle tips If you reuse it as it is, or if it is not cleaned enough even if you wash it and use it, Contamination occurs, so it must be disposed of after use. For this reason, traditionally these A large number of cells and nozzle chips are prepared in cases, trays, etc., and supplied one by one to the equipment. They were then disposed of after each use.

0003

[Problem that the idea aims to solve]

However, since these cells and nozzle tips have different shapes, each It was necessary to supply it in a case or tray. For this reason, the value of trays etc. It takes twice as much to process the paper, which increases the cost, and also requires the installation location of the tray etc. in the equipment and the feeding machine. A separate system must be installed, making the equipment large and very expensive. Ta. This invention aims to solve these problems and accommodates cells and chips at the same time. The purpose is to provide a cell with a nozzle tip that can be made and supplied. It is something that

0004

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has an inverted conical nozzle tip with a test tube. A retainer spaced apart from the inner bottom surface of the shaped cell and provided on the outer periphery of the nozzle tip. The nozzle tip is housed in the cell so that the shoulder part of the cell is in contact with the shoulder part of the cell. This is what was held.

[0005]

[Effect]

Since the cell according to the present invention accommodates and retains the nozzle tip, the state of the cell is If you store it in a case or tray, you can also store the nozzle tip at the same time. Also, if you supply the cell in that state to the device, you can also supply the nozzle chip at the same time. Wear. On the other hand, when the nozzle is lowered toward the cell with the supplied sample chip, the nozzle The force that acts when the cell is press-fitted into the nozzle tip is transferred to the shoulder of the cell through its retaining step. The tip of the nozzle tip is spaced apart from the inner bottom surface of the cell. The tip of the nozzle tip will not be damaged. Rise after press-fitting the nozzle The nozzle tip will be attached to the nozzle.

[0006]

【Example】

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 2 shows an automatic blood coagulation test system using the cell with a nozzle tip according to the present invention. This device 1 includes a base 2, a reagent turntable 3, and a reaction turntable. a cable 4, an electromagnetic induction heating device 5, and a nozzle arm 7 having a nozzle 6 at its tip. have. On the reagent turntable 3, a plurality of reagent bottles 8 having a fan-shaped planar shape are arranged in an annular manner. They are placed in rows. Each reagent bottle 8 contains a different reagent for blood coagulation testing. Medicines are stored in each container and stored refrigerated at approximately 15 degrees Celsius. Also, the reagent turntable An annular incubator 9 having a plurality of insertion holes 9a is placed on the outer periphery of the bull 3. It is. This incubator 9 is maintained at about 37° C. by a heater.

[0007] The reaction turntable 4 has a plurality of cells that hold cells 11, which are test tube-like transparent containers. Several cell holders 12 are arranged in rows in the circumferential direction. In addition, the reaction turntable 4 On the left side, a reaction turn is shown along with the cell 11 and the sample nozzle chip 14 of FIG. 1, which will be described later. A cell supply device 20 for supplying cells to the table 4 is provided. This cell supply device 2 0 is a combination of the cell 11 and sample nozzle chip 14, as shown in FIG. A cell case 21 that holds the cell in a state, a cell push-up mechanism 22, and a cell gripping mechanism 23. It has become.

[0008] As shown in FIG. 1, the cell 11 has a first step 11a for gripping on the outer periphery near the mouth. , it has a second step portion 11b for holding below the first step portion 11a. Sample nozzle The tip 14 has a tapered inverted conical shape and has a holding step 14a on the outer periphery of the large diameter side. Ru. This nozzle tip 14 is inserted into the cell 11 from the tip, and the tip is inserted into the cell 11 from the tip. The holding step 14a is spaced apart from the inner bottom surface of the cell 11, and the holding step 14a is attached to the shoulder of the cell 11. It is held by abutting. A large number of cells holding sample nozzle tips 14 The cells 11 are respectively inserted into the holding holes 21a of the cell case 21, and the second stage The portion 11b is held vertically by coming into contact with the edge of the holding hole 21a, as shown in FIG. They are arranged close to each other in a grid pattern. Cell case 21 is on base 2 can be moved forward and backward.

[0009] The cell push-up mechanism 22 is provided below the cell case 21, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The cells 11 in the odd numbered row from the right in the same row are simultaneously scanned from below. Similarly, the fork-shaped first arm 24a that pushes up each even-numbered cell 11 A second arm 24b for pushing up is provided. These first and second arms 24a , 24b can be moved up and down by a drive device (not shown). Cell grip As shown in FIG. 3, the mechanism 23 is a finger-type mechanism that is opened and closed by a solenoid 25. It has a clutch 26, which can move up and down and move left and right. It is movable.

0010 In addition, in front of the reaction turntable 4, as shown in FIG. 0 is set. This sample dispensing device 30 moves up and down as shown in FIG. The sample nozzle 31 is provided with a sample nozzle 31 that is movable in the front and rear directions. After the sample nozzle tip 14 is attached to the sample nozzle tip 14, the sample held in the sample holder 32 The sample in the container 33 is transferred to the cell held in the cell holder 12 of the reaction turntable 4. It is designed to be dispensed within 11 minutes.

[0011] A chip disposal device 40 is provided below the sample dispensing device 30. This inspection As shown in FIG. 6, the body disposal device 40 includes a revolver 41 and a tip removal guide 4. 2, a chip conveyance guide 43, and a chip disposal box 44. revolver -41 has a cylindrical shape, has a plurality of retaining grooves 45 in the axial direction of the outer surface, and has an N groove on its upper end surface. A plurality of magnets 46 with exposed poles are buried in a circular shape. And this revolver -41 is located between the reaction turntable 4 and the sample holder 32 and is connected to the sample nozzle 3. At a position slightly to the left of the movement line 1, it is mounted on the base 2 so as to be rotatable around the shaft 41a. It is attached. Also, this revolver 41 has a different polarity from one of the magnets 46. Rotation is magnetically restrained by magnets 47 provided so as to face each other.

0012 The tip removal guide 42 is larger than the outer diameter of the sample nozzle 31 and The revolver 4 has a fork shape with a width smaller than the outer diameter of the large diameter end of the revolver tip 14. 1 and on the movement line of the sample nozzle 31. Chip conveyor The id 43 is a pitch circle connecting the centers of each holding groove 45 above the revolver 41. It is provided so as to intersect with P and face outward. The chip disposal box 44 is It is provided on the left side of the revolver 41, and the surface facing the revolver 41 is cut out. It is an entrance 44a. Then, the sample is placed at the entrance 44a of this chip disposal box 44. The nozzle chip 14 is guided by the chip conveyance guide 43. Ru. Note that if the area where the chip disposal box 44 is provided is narrow, the chip disposal device 4 As an alternative to 0, the reaction turntable 4 itself is shaped like a revolver, as shown in FIG. The nozzle tip 14 can be transported to a wide area on the left side of the optical measurement device 60 and disposed of. You may do so.

[0013] Between the cell supply device 20 and the sample dispensing device 30, as shown in FIG. Beads for introducing stirring beads (not shown) made of magnetic material into the supplied cell 11 A supply device 50 is provided. Note that 60 is an optical measurement unit for measuring blood coagulation. It is knit.

[0014] The electromagnetic induction heating device 5 includes the reagent turntable 3 and the reaction turntable 4. A nozzle 6 installed between the heating coils and inserted into the heating coil generates electricity by electromagnetic induction. It is designed to heat up. The nozzle arm 7 rotates around an axis 7a on the base 2. The nozzle at the tip can be moved up and down by the nozzle arm 7. 6 is the opening of the reagent bottle 8 of the reagent turntable 3, and the insertion of the incubator 9; In the hole 9a, in the cell 11 of the reaction turntable 4 and in the heating coil of the induction heating device 5. It is removed, the reagent in the reagent bottle 8 is aspirated and heated, and then the reagent is transferred to the cell 11. It can be injected inside.

[0015] In the automatic blood coagulation test device 1 having the above configuration, each part performs a predetermined operation. As such, it is controlled by a microcomputer. The operation will be explained below. In the cell supply device 20, as shown in FIG. 4a rises, and each odd-numbered cell 11 in a certain column in the cell case 21 is pushed up. It will be done. Next, the chuck 26 of the cell gripping mechanism 23 is placed on the pushed up cell 11. Grip the lower part of the first step portion 11a. At this time, cell 11 is pushed up It protrudes higher than the cells 11 on both sides, and the cells 11 on both sides are pushed up at the same time. Since there is a gap of one cell between the cell 11 and the cell 11, the movement of the chuck 26 is obstructed. There's nothing to lose. The gripped cell 11 is placed in a reaction turntable together with the nozzle tip 14. is supplied to the cell holder 12 of the cable 4. In this way, after the pushed up odd-numbered cells 11 are supplied, the second The beam 24b is raised and the cell supply operation for even-numbered cells 11 is performed in the same manner. When the feeding operation of this row of cells 11 is completed, the cell case 21 is moved forward. The cell 11 in the next row is positioned below the nozzle supply device 20, and in the same manner as described above. It will be supplied.

[0016] When the cells 11 are supplied, the reaction turntable 4 rotates at a predetermined angle counterclockwise in FIG. At this point, the sample is dispensed into the cell 11 by the sample dispensing device 30. This dispensing operation is indicated by A to H in FIG. In other words, the sample nozzle 31 has a reaction turn. Nozzle descending towards cell 11 of table 4 (A) and inserted into cell 11 Press fit into the chip 14. At this time, the force acting on the nozzle tip 14 is It can be received at the shoulder of the cell 11 via the stepped portion 14a. Also, the nozzle tip Since the tip of cell 14 is separated from the inner bottom surface of cell 11, it will not be damaged during press-fitting. do not have. By press-fitting the sample nozzle 31 into the nozzle tip 14 in this way, the sample nozzle The nozzle tip 14 is attached to the nozzle 31. Specimen with nozzle tip 14 attached The slurry 31 rises (B) and moves toward the specimen holder 32 (C), where it It descends and aspirates the specimen in the specimen container 33 (D). Then, the sample nozzle 31 is Go up (E), move towards cell 11 (F), then descend and enter cell 11. After injecting the specimen (G), it rises (H).

[0017] Subsequently, as shown by I to M in FIG. The nozzle tip 14 held in the handle 31 is discarded. That is, nozzle tip 1 The sample nozzle 31 holding 4 moves toward the revolver 41 (I), and here As shown in FIG. 6, it descends toward the holding groove 45 of the revolver 41 (J). move toward the pull-out guide 42 (K). As a result, the revolver 41 is It rotates around 41a. The sample nozzle 31 is connected to this chip removal guide 42. It will rise at the position (L). At this time, the nozzle tip 14 is lifted up by the guide 42. As a result, only the sample nozzle 31 rises, and as a result, the nozzle tip 14 is not detected. body nozzle 31. The removed nozzle tip is of revolver 41. It is held in the holding groove 45. The revolver 41 is rotated by the sample nozzle 31. Since the magnetic force is held by the magnet 47 and its own magnet 46, the holding groove The position of 45 will not shift. The nozzle chip 41 held in the holding groove 45 is When the sample nozzle 31 that has descended next moves in the 11 directions, the transport guide 4 3 in the horizontal direction from the holding groove 45 and into the chip disposal box 44. be included.

[0018] Conventionally, there was no revolver 41 like this embodiment, and the tip guide 42 The removed nozzle tip will fall straight into the disposal box provided below. It had been discarded. The nozzle tip has an inverted conical shape and can only roll in a circular manner. , they tend to pile up when they fall. For this reason, the pile of nozzle chips that has accumulated can be removed. There is a risk of hitting the outer guide 42 and hindering the removal operation, and each time the It was necessary to break it down. In this embodiment, as described above, the removed nozzle tip 14 is attached to the revolver 4. 1 and the transport guide 43 in the horizontal direction and pushed into the waste box 44. Therefore, there is no pile-up and the operation is performed smoothly.

[0019] By the way, as mentioned above, after the sample is dispensed into a certain cell 11, the reaction turn is The table 4 rotates clockwise by a predetermined angle and the bead supply device 50 feeds the cell 1 At the same time when beads (not shown) are introduced into the cell 11, a cell holder adjacent to the cell 11 is inserted. A new cell 11 is supplied to the router 12. By repeating this action, Cells 11 are sequentially supplied to the cell holder 12 of the reaction turntable 4, and the cells 1 The sample is dispensed into 1.

[0020] On the other hand, the nozzle 6 at the tip of the nozzle arm 7 is inserted into the insertion hole 9 of the incubator 9 in advance. a and heated to 37°C. When the device 1 starts, the nozzle 6 , the reagent refrigerated at 15°C in the reagent bottle 8 is required by the operation of the nozzle arm 7. The reagent is heated by the heat it retains, and at the same time is cooled by the reagent. The temperature decreases by α. After this, the nozzle 6 is activated by the movement of the nozzle arm 7. It is inserted into the heating coil of the conductive heating device 5 for a predetermined time and heated to 37°C together with the reagent. It will be done. Subsequently, by the operation of the nozzle arm 7, the reagent in the nozzle 6 is transferred to the reaction turn point. The reagent is injected into the cell 11 of the tube 4, and a precoagulation reaction between the reagent and the specimen is performed. Next, the nozzle 6 is inserted into the insertion hole 9a of the incubator 9 by the operation of the nozzle arm 7. It is returned and kept at 37°C. Cell 11 is provided on the side of the inserted beads and base 2. While the internal reaction solution is stirred by the action of a magnet (not shown), an appropriate magnet (not shown) is stirred. The sample is moved to the optical measuring device 60 by a suitable mechanism, and the coagulation time is measured.

[0021]

[Effect of the idea]

As is clear from the above explanation, according to the present invention, the cell and the nozzle tip can be held in a case or tray and fed simultaneously by the same feeding mechanism Therefore, the installation location and supply of equipment cases etc. in which this cell is used can be Mechanism space is reduced and the device is miniaturized. In addition, the nozzle housed in the cell Simply press-fit the nozzle into the nozzle tip in this state to prevent damage to the tip. The nozzle tip is attached to the nozzle without any need to remove it from the cell. There is no need to attach the tip to the nozzle after the tip is attached, which simplifies the tip attachment mechanism.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a cell with a nozzle tip according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an automatic blood coagulation ability testing device that uses a cell with a nozzle tip according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a nozzle tip-equipped cell supply device according to the present invention.

4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I in FIG. 3. FIG.

5 is a sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 2 showing the dispensing operation and nozzle tip discarding operation of the sample nozzle.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a nozzle tip disposal device.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11... Cell, 14... Nozzle chip, 14a... Holding step part.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. The inverted conical nozzle tip is spaced apart from the inner bottom surface of the test tube-shaped cell, and the holding step provided on the outer periphery of the nozzle tip is in contact with the shoulder of the cell, A cell with a nozzle chip, characterized in that the nozzle chip is accommodated and held within the cell.