JPH0452412B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an analytical slide cartridge and an analytical slide supply method. More specifically, the present invention provides an analytical slide cartridge for use in a liquid sample analyzer, in which the analytical slide outlet and the analytical slide push lever insertion port are substantially the only openings, and the analytical slide cartridge. The present invention relates to a method for supplying analytical slides using a method for supplying analytical slides.

Methods for quickly measuring various components contained in body fluids such as blood and urine or other liquid samples using analysis slides are already known, and various liquid sample analyzers using this measurement method are also available. Are known. The analytical slide used in this measurement method generally consists of a multi-layer or single-layer sheet-like medium (called an analytical element, analytical element, etc.) containing analytical reagents, and the central part of the analytical element is exposed to the outside. It consists of a mount (frame) of gas-impermeable material, such as plastic, which is encased in a gas-impermeable material. One surface of the exposed part of the analytical element in the analytical slide is where the liquid sample is spotted (or attached), and the other surface is used to measure the reaction state of the analyte in the liquid sample, such as by reaction photometry. This is the part used when measuring with optical means. However, there are cases where the spotting surface and the measurement surface are the same.

Known liquid sample analyzers basically include a part that stores analysis slides, a part that spots (or adheres) a liquid sample to the analysis slide, and a part that incubates the analysis slide to which the liquid sample has been applied. , and a part for measuring the inked analysis slide by optical means.

In a typical liquid sample analyzer, the analytical slide is stored in a cartridge that functions as a storage container for the analytical slide and also as a device for ejecting the analytical slide and supplying it to an analytical operation site such as a liquid sample spotting site when the device is in operation. They are stored in stacks. As mentioned above, the analytical element in this analytical slide contains an analytical reagent, and since the analytical element has an exposed part that comes into direct contact with the outside, it is necessary to store the analytical reagent stably. The exposed parts of the analytical element should be shielded as much as possible from contact with atmospheric oxygen and moisture.

On the other hand, liquid sample analyzers are required to be automated as much as possible, and naturally the process of discharging and supplying analysis slides also needs to be automated. For this reason, in conventional cartridges, the analytical slides are ejected and supplied by, for example, pushing the analytical slides from behind using a plate-shaped push-out lever provided in the analyzer, and pushing them out through the slit-shaped discharge port. Automation is being done. Therefore, a typical cartridge is provided with an opening for ejecting an analysis slide and an opening for inserting an analysis slide push lever. These openings are usually provided at symmetrical positions on the front and rear (front and rear walls) near the bottom of the cartridge, and are slit-shaped so that the analysis slides can be smoothly ejected one by one. Therefore, it is thought that the amount of air flowing through these openings is not particularly large, but according to the inventor's study, analysis slides are actually stored and stored in cartridges with the above structure. It has been found that if left unused for a short period of time, the reagents contained in the analytical elements in the analytical slide will be affected, causing so-called "fogging", resulting in a clear decrease in analytical accuracy. It has also been found that this phenomenon is particularly noticeable in the summer when the humidity in the air is high and the room temperature is high.

In order to improve the above-mentioned drawbacks due to the structure of the analytical slide cartridge, it is possible to narrow the vertical width of the slit of the analytical slide outlet so that it approaches the thickness of the analytical slide.
In that case, the analysis slide tends to come into contact with the periphery of the discharge port, which poses a problem in that smooth ejection and supply of the analysis slide is hindered. on the other hand,
It is also possible to make the analysis slide ejection lever thinner and narrow the vertical width of the ejection lever insertion opening slit, but in this case, the ejection lever becomes more susceptible to deformation such as ``bending'' or ``distortion.'' Therefore, the smooth ejection and supply of analysis slides is likely to be hindered.

The present invention provides a novel analysis slide cartridge that improves the drawbacks caused by the structure of conventional cartridges for liquid sample analyzers as described above, and a method for supplying analysis slides using the cartridge.

The analytical slide cartridge of the present invention comprises an analytical element for use in analyzing a liquid sample and a mount made of a gas-impermeable material that houses the analytical element with its central portion exposed to the outside. An analysis slide cartridge for supplying an analysis slide to an analysis operation site, the cartridge has substantially only an analysis slide ejection port and an analysis slide push lever insertion port as openings, and an analysis slide provided at the bottom of the cartridge. At least one analytical slide push-out lever guide groove is provided on each side of the support base that supports the slide in surface contact at a position that does not come into contact with the analytical element exposed portion of the analytical slide supported thereon. The invention is characterized by having a configuration in which:

Further, the analytical slide feeding method of the present invention provides a method for supplying at least two analytical slides that are inserted through the push-out lever insertion opening and moved forward while being guided by the guide groove. This is a method for supplying an analysis slide to an analysis operation site, characterized in that the analysis slide is pushed out from an analysis slide outlet by pushing an analysis slide push-out lever equipped with a guide.

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1-a and FIG. 1-b are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 1-a, respectively, showing one embodiment of an analysis slide cartridge according to the present invention.

These figures show the process in which the analysis slide is ejected and fed from the cartridge by actuation of the analysis slide push lever.

As shown in FIGS. 1-a and 1-b, the analysis slide cartridge 10 is usually in the form of a prismatic container that is elongated in the height direction. A slit-shaped analysis slide ejection port 11 is provided on the front wall of the analysis slide cartridge 10 near the bottom, and a slit-like analysis slide ejection lever insertion port 12 is provided on the rear wall. 11 symmetrical positions.

A plurality of analysis slides 13 are stacked and housed inside the cartridge 10, and a weight 14 is placed on the top of the slide, or a plate-like object is biased from the lid of the cartridge by a spring or the like (not shown). The analysis slide 13 is lightly pressed toward the bottom surface to facilitate smooth ejection of the analysis slide 13. At the same time, since the gaps between the analysis slides are reduced, the flow of air (moisture and oxygen) into the analysis slides is prevented, which effectively prevents deterioration of the reagents contained in the analysis elements.

The analysis slide 13 contains analytical reagents, as shown in Figure 1-c (plan view) and Figure 1-d (cross-sectional view along line B-B in Figure 1-c). It is composed of a sheet-like medium (analytical element) 15 and a mount 17 made of plastic or the like that accommodates the analytical element 15 with its central portion 16 exposed to the outside.

A support stand 18 is provided at the bottom of the analysis slide cartridge 10 to support the analysis slide 13a placed on the lowest layer in surface contact. Analysis slide push lever guide grooves are provided on both sides of the support stand 18 in parallel with each other.

The support stand and the analytical slide ejecting lever guide groove are shown in Figure 1-e (a perspective view enlarging the bottom area of the analytical slide cartridge shown in Figure 1-a; however, in Figure 1-e, the analysis slide is shown enlarged (showing the analyzer slide eject lever in the retracted position). That is, one analysis slide push lever guide groove 18a is provided on each side of the support base 18 in parallel to each other. The upper surface of the support base 18 forms a flat surface.
The analysis slide push lever guide groove 18a has a position and shape so as to receive and guide two guides 19a provided on the lower surface of the analysis slide push lever 19.

The upper surface of the support stand 18 forms a flat surface as described above, and its position and size are such that it can cover the entire analysis element exposed area (analysis slide opening) 16 in the central portion of the analysis slide 13. It is set as follows. Therefore, the analysis slide push lever guide groove 18a does not come into contact with the analysis slide opening 16 of the analysis slide 13 supported thereon. For this reason, the analysis slide 13a supported in contact with the support stand 18 has its analysis slide opening 16 on the upper surface of the support stand 18 (the surface of the stand), so that the analysis element 15 is not in contact with the outside air. will be stored in a closed state. Furthermore, since the analysis slide opening on the upper side of the analysis slide 14a is in contact with the analysis slide 13b (Fig. 1-b) stacked above it, the analysis element 15 is also exposed to the outside air on this surface. is in a blocked state. Furthermore, analysis slide 13a
In order to effectively protect the analytical element exposed area 16 from contact with the outside air, it is preferable that the analytical slides 13 are stacked tightly. A method can be used in which the weight 14 is placed on the upper analysis slide 13z.

The analysis slide 13 is set (accommodated) by opening the top lid of the cartridge 10 and inserting it here.
It is made to be.

The analytical slide cartridge 10 is stored in a cartridge receptacle (not shown) inside the liquid sample analyzer. An analysis slide push-out lever for pushing out the analysis slide is provided on the wall portion of the cartridge receiving portion so as to be able to move forward and backward automatically.

In the method for supplying analytical slides using the analytical slide cartridge of the present invention, the analytical slide pushing lever 19 has, for example, two guides on the bottom surface, as shown in Figures 1-a and 1-e. Preferably, it is in the form of a provided lamina. The analysis slide pushing lever 19 having this shape has self-supporting properties, and the guide 19a is guided into the guide groove 18a at the bottom of the cartridge without substantially bending, distorting, or other large deformation. Then, a reciprocating movement of forward and backward movement is performed to push the analysis slide 13a out of the discharge port 11.
Therefore, the material of the analysis slide push-out lever is not particularly limited as long as it can operate as described above, and metals, hard plastics, and various composite materials can be used.

However, the analysis slide push lever 19 is not limited to the above shape as long as it is provided with a guide portion guided by the guide groove 18. For example, the tip of the analysis slide push lever 19 may have a U-shape. The fork-shaped analytical slide may be shaped like a push lever.

In addition, the guide for the analysis slide push lever is
The guide does not necessarily have to consist of two guides, but may have three or more guides, and the dimensions of each guide can be arbitrarily selected. However, if the analytical slide pushing lever is provided with two guides symmetrically on the left and right as shown in Figures 1-a and 1-e, the manufacturing of the analytical slide pushing lever becomes easier and This has the advantage that deformations such as distortion and deflection are reduced, and furthermore, the extrusion operation of the analysis slide becomes smoother. Therefore, when using the analytical slide cartridge of the present invention, an analytical slide ejecting lever of the above configuration (for example, the configuration shown in FIG. 1-a and FIG. 1-e) may be used. is preferred.

The analysis slide ejection port and the analysis slide push lever insertion port of the analysis slide cartridge of the present invention are both normally slit-shaped openings corresponding to the shapes of the analysis slide support and the analysis slide push lever guide groove. The shape has an opening corresponding to the guide groove added to the lower part of the guide groove (for example, the first
The shape shown in Fig. a and Fig. 1-e) is obtained.
However, regarding the analysis slide outlet, an opening corresponding to the guide groove described above is not necessarily required.
It may also be a simple slit-like opening.

In addition, if the entire tip of the analysis slide push lever is U-shaped (fork-shaped), the analysis slide push lever insertion port may function satisfactorily as long as the fork-shaped tip can be inserted smoothly. Therefore, the analysis slide push lever insertion port may consist of two or more independent openings provided at positions corresponding to the respective guide grooves.

In addition, in order to further ensure stable storage of analysis slides, it is necessary to use plastic at the opening of the analysis slide cartridge, that is, the analysis slide ejection port and/or the analysis slide push lever insertion port, especially the analysis slide ejection port. A thin plate-like lid made of a flexible material such as is attached so as to be opened and closed without interfering with ejection of the analysis slide under push pressure by the analysis slide push lever,
This allows the opening to be temporarily sealed.

The flexible sheet lid is preferably formed from a sheet of hard or soft plastic material (eg, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, polyvinyl chloride, silicone rubber, synthetic rubber, rubber, etc.). The sheet may be either transparent or opaque. However, the flexible thin plate lid has flexibility,
There is no particular limitation as long as it can block air circulation, for example, a laminate film made of metal foil, a plastic layer, or paper or cloth laminated with metal foil, or impregnated with waterproof materials such as plastic or wax. It may be a waterproof sheet made of coated paper or cloth, and any material such as an elastic material or a drape material may be used as appropriate.

For example, the flexible thin plate lid may be configured such that its upper side is fixed at a position above the analysis slide outlet. It consists of a combination of a flexible thin plate whose upper side is fixed and a flexible thin plate whose lower side is fixed at a position below the analysis slide outlet, and a flexible thin plate lid made of this combination is attached to the outlet. Temporary sealing may be performed.
Alternatively, an elastic flexible thin plate is fixed to one side of the analysis slide outlet to serve as a lid;
Various configurations can be taken, such as a configuration in which elastic flexible thin plates are fixed on each side of the analysis slide outlet to form a lid like a double door.

Various configurations and forms of analysis slide cartridges are known for use in liquid sample analyzers, and the cartridge that is the object of the present invention has substantially only an analysis slide ejection port and an analysis slide push lever insertion port. Any type of analytical slide cartridge may be used as long as it has an opening. For example, the cartridge may be a simple prismatic monolithic body, as illustrated in Figures 1-a and 1-b, or a cartridge may be configured to accommodate (set) analysis slides quickly and efficiently. The cartridge may be constructed of an outer box and an inner box with one side open, and the analysis slide may be placed in the inner box, and then the outer box is placed over the inner box. An example of such an aspect is shown in the second
This is shown in Figure 2-a and Figure 2-b.

Figures 2-a and 2-b respectively show an inner box and an outer box of the cartridge, and the inner box and outer box jointly function as an analysis slide cartridge.

In other words, the inner box 20 shown in FIG. 2-a has an open front surface, which facilitates the operation of storing analysis slides from this surface. An analysis slide push lever insertion opening 22 is provided. An analysis slide support stand 28 and an analysis slide push lever guide groove 28a are provided at the bottom of the inner box 20.

Figure 2-b shows the outer box 20a. The outer box 20a is open at the bottom, and the lower end portions of the front and rear surfaces are also open. The lower end 21a of the front wall of the outer box 20a is combined with the upper end of the support 28 of the inner box 20 to form an analysis slide outlet shaped as shown in FIG. 1-e. The opening near the lower end of the rear wall of the outer box 20a is connected to the inner box 20a.
The analysis slide push-out lever insertion opening 22 is provided so that it will not be closed by the rear wall of the outer box when it is overlapped with the outer box.

The cartridge consisting of the inner box 20 shown in FIG. 2-a and the outer box 20a shown in FIG. 2-b is used, for example, in the following manner. First, a plurality of analysis slides are housed in a stacked state in the inner box 20, and a weight (not shown) or the like is placed thereon as necessary. Next, the outer box 20a is fitted over the inner box 20 so as to cover it. In such a condition, the outer box 20
The top of the inner box 20 functions as a lid for the top of the inner box 20, and can substantially block air from entering from the top. When a cartridge consisting of an inner box and an outer box is used, it is practically advantageous because it becomes very easy to set analysis slides in the inner box in an orderly manner. In addition, 24 and 25 are the inner box 20 and outer box 20a, respectively.
These are hemispherical protrusions 24 and holes 25 that function to ensure reliable engagement.

Alternatively, the analysis slide cartridge may be constructed of an outer box and an inner box, and may have another embodiment in which the analysis slide is stored in the inner box and then the inner box is stored in the outer box. An example of such an embodiment is shown in Section 3-a.
and Fig. 3-b.

Figures 3-a and 3-b respectively show an inner box and an outer box of the cartridge, and the inner box and the outer box jointly function as an analysis slide cartridge.

That is, the inner box 30 in Fig. 3-a has the shape of a prism long in the height direction, similar to the cartridge 10 in Fig. 1-a. An opening 33 is provided. The analysis slide ejection port 31 and the analysis slide push lever insertion port 32 have the same shape as shown in FIGS. 1-a and 1-e, and are located at the bottom of the inner box 30. 1-a and 1-e are provided with an analysis slide support stand 38 and an analysis slide push lever guide groove 38a having the same shape as shown in FIGS. 1-a and 1-e.

FIG. 3-b shows an outer box 30a that is placed over the inner box 30. In this example, the vicinity of the lower end of the rear surface of the outer box 30a (the surface that overlaps with the surface with the analysis slide push lever insertion port 32 when covered with the inner box 30) is similar to that of the outer box in FIG. 2-b. It is left open for a specific purpose. Further, the lower part of the front surface of the outer box 30a (the surface that overlaps with the surface on which the analysis slide outlet 31 is located when the inner box 30 is covered) is left open. Note that 34 and 35 are hemispherical protrusions 3 that serve as a fit to ensure reliable engagement between the inner box 30 and the outer box 30a.
4 and hole 35.

The cartridge consisting of the inner box 30 shown in FIG. 3-a and the outer box 30a shown in FIG. 3-b is used, for example, in the following manner. First, a plurality of analysis slides are housed in the inner box 20 in an orderly stacked state while being controlled using the side opening 33, and a weight (not shown) or the like is placed thereon as necessary. Next, the outer box 30a is placed over the inner box 30.
In this state, the top of the inner box 30 is covered by the top of the outer box 30a, and it is possible to substantially block air from entering from the top. When a cartridge consisting of an inner box and an outer box is used, it is practically advantageous because it becomes very easy to set analysis slides in the inner box in an orderly manner.

Although the analytical slide cartridge of the present invention has a simple structure as described above, it can effectively prevent performance deterioration during storage of the analytical slides housed therein, so that it can be used in liquid sample analyzers. It is extremely useful in practice as an analysis slide cartridge. Further, by using the analysis slide cartridge and the analysis push lever of the previous stage, it is possible to prevent the performance of the analysis slide from deteriorating and to smoothly eject and supply the analysis slide.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIGS. 1-a to 1-e each illustrate an example of an analytical slide cartridge according to the present invention and its use. Of these, Figure 1-a is a perspective view of the analytical slide cartridge;
Figure b is the A-A of the cartridge shown in Figure 1-a.
It is a sectional view along a line. Figure 1-c is a plan view of an example of an analysis slide, and Figure 1-d is a plan view of an example of an analysis slide.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line BB of the analysis slide shown in FIG. Fig. 1-e is an enlarged perspective view of a portion near the bottom of the analytical slide cartridge shown in Fig. 1-a, but this figure shows a state in which no analytical slides are stored; It also shows a state in which the analysis slide push lever is in the retracted position. FIGS. 2-a and 2-b are perspective views showing a cartridge for analysis slides in an embodiment consisting of an inner box and an outer box. Figure 3-a and Figure 3-b
This figure is a perspective view showing yet another embodiment of an analytical slide cartridge consisting of an inner box and an outer box. 10: Analysis slide cartridge, 11: Analysis slide ejection port, 12: Analysis slide push lever insertion port, 13: Analysis slide, 14: Weight, 1
5: Analysis element, 16: Mount, 17: Analysis element exposed part (analysis slide opening), 18: Analysis slide support stand, 18a: Analysis slide push lever guide groove, 19: Analysis slide push lever, 2
0: Inner box, 20a: Outer box, 21a: Lower end of front wall of outer box, 22: Analysis slide push lever insertion port, 2
8: analysis slide support stand, 28a: analysis slide push lever guide groove, 30: inner box, 30a: outer box, 31: analysis slide outlet, 32: analysis slide push lever insertion port, 33: side opening, 3
8: Analysis slide support stand, 38a: Analysis slide push lever guide groove.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Analyzing an analytical slide consisting of an analytical element for use in analyzing a liquid sample and a mount made of a gas-impermeable material that houses the analytical element with its central portion exposed to the outside. An analysis slide cartridge to be supplied to an operation site, the cartridge has substantially only an analysis slide ejection port and an analysis slide push lever insertion port as openings, and the analysis slide provided at the bottom of the cartridge can be inserted into the analysis slide cartridge. At least one analysis slide push-out lever guide groove is provided on both sides of the support stand supported in surface contact at a position that does not come into contact with the exposed area of the analysis element of the analysis slide supported thereon. An analysis slide cartridge comprising: 2 Analysis slide push lever guide grooves are provided on each side of the analysis slide support base, and the analysis slide push lever insertion opening is inserted through a slit-shaped opening with an opening at a position corresponding to each guide groove. An analysis slide cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that: 3. The analytical slide outlet of the analytical slide cartridge is equipped with a flexible thin plate lid that opens and closes without interfering with the ejection of the analytical slide under push pressure by the analytical slide push lever, so that the slide outlet is temporarily closed. The analytical slide cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that the cartridge is sealed. 4 Analysis in which an analytical slide consisting of an analytical element for use in analyzing a liquid sample and a mount made of a gas-impermeable material that houses the analytical element with its central portion exposed to the outside is supplied to an analytical operation site. A slide cartridge, the cartridge having substantially only an analysis slide ejection port and an analysis slide push lever insertion port as openings, and supports an analysis slide provided at the bottom of the cartridge in surface contact. An analysis slide car having a structure in which at least one analysis slide push lever guide groove is provided on each side of the support stand at a position that does not come into contact with the analytical element exposed part of the analysis slide supported thereon. The analysis slide is moved by pushing the rear part of the analysis slide housed in the tray with an analysis slide ejection lever that is inserted through the ejection lever insertion port and is equipped with at least two guides that move forward guided by the guide groove. A method for supplying an analysis slide to an analysis operation site, the method comprising: pushing out an analysis slide from an analysis slide outlet. 5 A slit in which the analysis slide push lever guide grooves of the analysis slide cartridge are provided on each side of the analysis slide support, and the analysis slide push lever insertion openings are provided with openings at positions corresponding to the respective guide grooves. Consists of a shaped opening,
Further, the analytical slide pushing lever is made of a thin plate having two guides on the lower surface corresponding to the shape of the analytical slide pushing lever insertion opening. . 6. The analysis slide supply method according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of analysis slides are stored in the analysis slide cartridge, and a weight is placed on the topmost analysis slide. . 7 The analytical slide outlet of the analytical slide cartridge is equipped with a flexible thin plate lid that opens and closes without interfering with the ejection of the analytical slide under push pressure by the analytical slide push lever, so that the slide outlet is temporarily closed. 5. The method for supplying analysis slides according to claim 4, wherein the slides are sealed.