JPH0439036B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a spectrophotometric analyzer, and more particularly to a spectrophotometric analyzer having such a dilution cup.

Most spectrophotometric analyzers use a turntable drive mechanism having an inner ring of sample (or serum) cups and a row of spaced reaction (or reagent) cups outside the inner ring. In operation, blood, for example, is drawn into the reaction cup of the corresponding outer ring, mixed with appropriate reagents and then analyzed. In the analysis of some physiological fluids, it is desirable, and often forced, for the liquid in each inner ring cup to first be automatically diluted with a suitable diluent before being drawn into the corresponding outer reaction cup. be done.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a spectrophotometric analyzer having an automatic device for diluting the liquid in the inner ring sample cup before being drawn into the corresponding outer ring reaction cup.

Another object of the invention is to have an intermediate ring consisting of dilution cups disposed between an inner ring consisting of sample cups and an outer ring consisting of reaction cups.
The object of the present invention is to provide an analyzer of the type described above, which makes it possible to dilute the liquid coming from the sample cup before it is drawn into the reaction cup of the corresponding outer ring.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dilution cup of the above-mentioned type formed by a one-piece arcuate unit consisting of a plurality of multiple cups with a stabilizing device for releasably fixing the arcuate unit to an outer ring of reaction cups. The purpose is to provide an intermediate ring.

Another object of the invention is to provide dilution cups each made of a highly abrasive material, each having a concave bottom surface that centers the trace amount of liquid in the cup and allows thorough mixing of the formulation. The object of the present invention is to provide an arcuate unit consisting of a number of cups of the above-mentioned type.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel internal geometry for each reaction cup that prevents incomplete mixing caused by splashing of liquid sample injected into the reaction cup.

In summary, the above objects are achieved by supplying a plurality of indivisible, one-piece, interstitial (disposable) dilution cups to a drive on a spectrophotometric analyzer. The cups are arranged in arcs, preferably five cups per arc, and are formed together as a one-piece multi-cup unit. Each one-piece arc unit of five cups is mounted on the drive unit by a pair of spaced apart radial arms that are positionable in the space between adjacent reaction cups and extend radially from the outside of the arc unit. can be removably secured to a radial outer row of reaction cups. An arcuate unit of five dilution cups is removably ``linked'' to the reaction cups by forming a vertical rod at the outer end of each arm that is wider than the spacing between the reaction cups. Each dilution cup is formed from a highly abrasive material and each cup has a concave bottom surface, allowing a small amount of liquid to be fairly centered on the bottom surface, achieving thorough mixing of the formulation. . In a more preferred form, the bottom of each dilution cup is formed by four flat, downwardly sloping bottom portions that combine to form a concave surface.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

For clarity, a portion of the operation of the spectrophotometric analyzer S shown in FIG. 1 will first be briefly described.

The analyzer S has a turntable drive mechanism T,
Above this are arranged three rings of cups: an inner ring A consisting of sample cups _{, an intermediate ring B 1 consisting} of dilution cups, and an outer ring C consisting of reaction cups. A physiological solution, for example serum, is transferred or aspirated by the supply probe 10 from the sample cups in the inner ring consisting of sample cup group A and moves radially outwards into the middle ring consisting of dilution cup group B. After reaching the corresponding dilution cup and being diluted with a suitable diluent, it moves radially outward and reaches the corresponding reaction cup in the outer ring consisting of cup group C, where the reagent reacts with the diluted serum. Prepared for analysis. Next, the turntable drive mechanism T is rotated in a predetermined order so that the cups in the outer ring C stop one by one in front of the reading point R, and spectrophotometric analysis is performed.

The invention particularly features an intermediate ring B consisting of a dilution cup, such a ring B comprising a plurality of
A partial arc unit consisting of a number of indivisible cups, for example (FIG. 2), formed by 12, 14 and 16, is arranged between an inner ring A and an outer ring C of cups, and is Each of the arcuate units 12, 14, 16, etc., is provided with a stabilizing device (described later) for removably fixing the arcuate unit to the outer ring C, which is a reaction cup.

As shown in FIGS. 4-8, each reaction cup, such as cup 18, has a horizontal flange 2 surrounding its outer surface and spaced from the top of the cup.
It has 0. The aforementioned stabilizing device includes a space extending radially outwardly from the outside 26 of each arcuate unit of a number of cups and located in each space between corresponding reaction cups in the outer ring C, such as spaces 28 and 29. A pair of radiation arms 22, 2 arranged at
4 is included. Each arm 22, 24 has a vertical rod 32, 34 at its outer end, respectively, the width of which is equal to the spacing 28, 2 between adjacent reaction cups.
9, the arcuate unit of multiple cups rests its lower outer end 36 (FIG. 5) on the reaction cup flange 20, with the bottom surface of the dilution cup approximately flush with the bottom surface of the reaction cup flange. It becomes possible to removably connect to the outer ring C consisting of the reaction cup while maintaining the reaction cup.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a plurality of indivisible, one-piece, interstitial (disposable) dilution cups for the turntable drive mechanism T on the spectrophotometric analyzer S. Cup 41, 42, 43, 44, 45
are formed together in a one-piece multi-cup unit in the form of an arc, preferably five cups per arc. Each one-piece arcuate unit of five cups has a set of spaced apart radial arms 22 extending outwardly from its outside and capable of being located in the space between adjacent reaction cups. 24, it is removably fixed to the radial outer ring C consisting of the reaction cup on the drive mechanism T. Each of the aforementioned arms 22, 24 has a respective vertical rod 32, 34, the width of which is greater than the spacing between the reaction cups, so that the arcuate unit of five dilution cups can be attached to and removed from the reaction cups. It becomes possible to be “connected”.

As shown in FIG. 5, each dilution cup 41 is formed of (for example) a highly abrasive material, and each cup has a concave bottom surface 50, so that a small amount of liquid can be fairly centered on the bottom surface. Thus, complete mixing of the formulation is achieved. In a preferred form of the invention, for example (FIG. 2), the cup 41 is formed by four downwardly sloped flat interlocking base portions 61, 62, 63, 64 which combine to form a concave base.

Further, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second
The cross section of each dilution cup is oblong as best seen in the Figures and FIG.

The present invention also provides a plurality of cavities 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 arranged in parallel relationship forming a partial arc unit of multiple cavities in one piece for the spectrophotometric analyzer turntable drive mechanism T.
includes an indivisible structure of a dilution cup containing. As mentioned above, such structures are formed of highly abrasive material, and each arcuate unit preferably has five cavities, each cavity having a concave bottom surface. The bottom surface of each cavity may also be formed by four downwardly inclined flat combined bottom portions 61, 62, 63, 64 which combine to form a concave bottom surface, and the cross section of the cavity may be oval. .

It will also be appreciated that, as shown in FIG. 4, the intermediate ring consisting of dilution cup B and the outer ring consisting of reaction cup C can be formed or molded as a single, indivisible, one-piece unit.

The terms and expressions used are for descriptive purposes only and are not intended to be limiting and are not intended to exclude equivalents to the illustrated and described features or parts thereof. Various modifications are possible within the range.

Next, FIG. 9 shows the new structure of the reaction cup. FIG. 10, which follows FIG. 9, is for comparative and illustrative purposes and is similar to the reaction cup shown in FIG. 5 and is therefore given the same number 18 as the latter.

Also, with particular reference to FIG. 9, numeral 180 designates a modified type of reaction cup, including the integrated horizontal flange 20 previously described. The numeral 70 designates one of a set of scored lines or grooves located oppositely on each side of the horizontal flange 20 to facilitate removal of each reaction cup whenever necessary. Number 72 indicates the vertically extending wall of reaction cup 180, and the top of the vertical wall is indicated by number 74. Number 76 indicates the top of the interior surface of reaction cup 180, while number 78 indicates the bottom major interior surface of the reaction cup. The numeral 80 designates the sloping sides of the lower part of the reaction cup, while the numeral 82 designates the central planar portion whose outer edge is integrally joined to the sloping bottom 80. The top of the slope 80 is the lower part 7 of the wall
2 and its inner surface 78.

No. 90 has a typical inner diameter of about 0.69 mm (0.027 inch) and can be used to store reagents and serum in reaction cups 18.
The hollow needle tube of the syringe is shown for feeding into the syringe. In accordance with practice in the art, the syringe needle tube is first partially filled with the reagent designated by number 92, and then the tip of the tube is immersed in a substantial amount of serum 94 and the syringe is withdrawn slightly more. 2 as shown in the drawing inside
Layered reagents - yield serum. It will be appreciated that similar syringes can be used in the reaction cup 18 shown in FIGS. 5 and 10. In operation, reagents and serum are delivered from tube 90 at a relatively high viscosity by pushing a syringe plunger and stirring the resulting solution during filling of reaction cup 180, effectively mixing the serum with the reagents. Ru. The viscosity of the reagent-serum liquid assembly in tube 90 during syringe plunger operation is typically 1.2 m/sec, or a flow rate of 450 microliters/sec. It is also possible to previously contain a third liquid in the reaction cup. This technique is known and need not be detailed.

In FIG. 9, numeral 96 indicates a typical trajectory of particles of the reagent-serum mixture supplied from tube 90. The trajectory is indicated by a continuous arrow. Orbit 9
6, the supplied liquid descends to the bottom of the cup 180, impinges on the inclined surface section 80, passes through the central flat section 82, ascends the opposite wall section 80, and then rotates to the rear. All motion occurs below the liquid fill line marked in the reaction cup.

To more fully understand the trajectory 96 of FIG. 9, reference is made to the corresponding trajectory 98 of FIG. 10, which is the trajectory followed by serum or reagent particles in a conventionally shaped reaction cup 18. Trajectory 98 typically begins in a nearly vertical direction like trajectory 96, and upon collision with the lower inclined surface of the reaction cup, exhibits a similar initial curve, then passes through the central curved section and continues along the opposite inclined section. Very often it rises and crosses the indicated fill line. Particles or droplets of liquid that rise above the marked fill line often adhere to the interior surfaces of the reaction cup. Some of this liquid falls into the fill line, but some of it usually adheres to the side of the reaction cup above the fill line. Now orbit 96
and 98 will be better understood. The former is used in the embodiment of the present invention. In a trajectory such as 96, all liquid supplied from tube 90 remains below the fill line and is therefore intimately mixed with the liquid in the reaction cup. Small differences in the amount of serum or reagents can be significant in the close reaction action at the bottom of the reaction cup, and losses caused by any of these liquids adhering to the sides above the fill line are subsequently carried out. May lead to errors in spectrophotometric analysis. The overall height of reaction cup 180 is approximately 28 mm, and its smallest internal diameter is approximately 8 mm. Depending on the chemistry involved, reaction cup 180 is typically filled to a height of between about 11 mm and 18 mm.

The difference between trajectories 96 and 98 is explained as follows. As shown in FIG. 10, the angle between the sloped portion of the bottom of the reaction cup and the horizontal plane is approximately 52°.
This is a typical prior art angle. This angle causes the flow or trajectory 98 that follows the contour of the cup to rise up the opposite cup wall. The momentum in the configuration shown in FIGS. 5 and 10 is sufficient to raise the flow to approximately the top of the cup wall. Upon falling, a significant amount of droplets usually remain on the wall above the fill line and are therefore not mixed. Serum 94 is the component that is first expelled from needle 90 and deposits on the inside sides of the reaction cup. These unmixed droplets that remain on the inner surface of the reaction cup above the fill line are referred to in the art as droplets (this is the meaning of the term droplets as used in the present claims). The amount of droplets can reach up to 20% of the total amount of serum delivered. Such amounts of unmixed serum can cause as much as 20% error in the analysis.

In the structure shown in FIG.
Reduce the angle of 0, for example as shown in Figure 9.
The 35° angle causes the particles of liquid in trajectory 96 to be redirected towards the center of the cup after an initial upward movement. The diverted stream is agitated and thoroughly mixed with the incoming stream. A small plateau 82 in the center of the reaction cup 180 serves to distribute the flow momentum. Its size shall be relatively small, and it may be used alone or with a tapered portion 80.
In conjunction with this, it is possible to prevent the initial portion of the supplied liquid from moving to the end remote from the stirring action. A preferred trajectory 96, contrary to typical prior art trajectories 98 with splash effects, can be obtained by making the angle of 80 with respect to the horizontal plane less than 45°. In reality, the angle is changed as shown in Figure 9.
Optimum results can be obtained by setting the angle to 35°.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a spectrophotometric analyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an outer ring and an intermediate ring consisting of a cup shown on the turntable drive mechanism of the spectrophotometric analyzer of FIG. 3 is a front view taken along line 3--3 in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of a portion of the two rings of the cup shown in FIG. 2; FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan view of one of the arcuate units forming the intermediate cyclodilution cup group shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 8 is a view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a reaction cup used in an embodiment of the present invention, showing a conventional feed tube. This shows the operation when used. FIG. 10 is similar to FIG. 9 and illustrates a typical prior art filling operation. A...Inner ring, B...Middle ring, C...Outer ring, 1
2, 14, 16... arcuate unit, 18,180
...Reaction katsupu.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A spectrophotometric analyzer with a turntable having an outer ring consisting of spaced reaction cups and an inner ring consisting of spaced sample cups, wherein the inner ring and the outer ring A spectrophotometric analyzer characterized in that it has, as an intermediate ring, a dilution cup formed by a plurality of one-piece arcuate units consisting of a number of indivisible containers. 2. The spectrophotometric analyzer according to claim 1, wherein each of the arcuate units has a stabilizing device that removably fixes the arcuate unit to the outer ring. 3. A spectrophotometric analyzer according to claim 2, wherein said intermediate ring and said outer ring are formed as a single, indivisible, one-piece unit. 4. Each of said reaction cups has a horizontal flange surrounding its outer surface and spaced from the top of each reaction cup, and said stabilizing device has a horizontal flange surrounding its outer surface and spaced from the top of each reaction cup; a pair of spaced apart radial arms extending radially outwardly to be located in each space between corresponding reaction cups in the annulus, each arm having an outer end thereof; It has a vertical rod that is wider than the spacing between adjacent reaction cups, and an arcuate unit consisting of a large number of cups can be attached to and removed from the outer ring of the reaction cup while the lower part of its outer end is supported by the reaction cup plunger. 3. The spectrophotometric analyzer according to claim 2, wherein the spectrophotometric analyzer is adapted to be connected. 5. Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the dilution cup has a concave bottom surface that allows a minute amount of liquid to be located in the cup in a substantially concentrated manner at the bottom. The spectrophotometric analyzer according to any one of the items. 6. The spectrophotometric analyzer of claim 5, wherein said dilution cup is formed from highly polished metal. 7. A spectrophotometric analyzer as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the bottom surface of the dilution cup is formed by four combined downwardly sloped flat bottom portions that combine to form a concave surface. 8. Claim 1, characterized in that said dilution cups are of an indivisible structure with a plurality of cavities arranged in parallel and forming in one piece a partially arcuate unit of multiple cavities.
The spectrophotometric analyzer according to any one of Items 1 to 4. 9. A spectrophotometric analyzer as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that said dilution cup is formed of a highly abrasive material that allows all liquid in the cavity to drain substantially downwardly. 10. The spectrophotometric analyzer according to claim 8, wherein each of said arcuate units has five cavities. 11. The spectrophotometric analyzer according to claim 8, wherein the bottom of each of the cavities is concave. 12. The spectrophotometric analyzer of claim 11, wherein the bottom surface of each of the cavities is formed by four downwardly sloped interlocking flat bottom sections that are interlocking concave surfaces. 13. The spectrophotometric analyzer according to claim 8, wherein the cavity has a substantially oval cross section. 14. The reaction cup is adapted to receive a downwardly directed flow of liquid containing two or more chemically different components to be mixed in the reaction cup and has a vertically extending circumferential circumference of approximately continuous annular circumference. It includes an upright wall, is open at the top, has a flat part at the center of the inside of the bottom, and the flat part joins the lower part of the wall at an inclined part, and the angle of the inclined part with respect to the horizontal plane is about 45°. less than
A spectrophotometric analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it is arranged vertically. 15. The spectrophotometric analyzer according to claim 14, wherein the angle of the inclined portion is approximately 35°.