JPH05281240A - Equipment and emthod for selective distribution of liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain equipment and a method for selective distribution of a liquid which make it possible to use discrete distribution forms selectively for each of a plurality of nozzles while driving a plurality of syringes by the same driving system. CONSTITUTION:Circulation channels 6, 11, 12 and 15 for a diluted solution are connected to flow passages 3 and 8 connected to distribution nozzles 1 and 2. The distribution nozzles 1 and 2 are made usable selectively, while distribution forms such as pipetting distribution, dilution distribution, etc., are made settable freely for each of the distribution nozzles 1 and 2, and a driving system for driving a plurality of syringes 5, 10, 14 and 17 is provided simultaneously.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sample dispensing device for use in an automatic chemical analyzer for aspirating and discharging a sample such as blood or urine to perform a predetermined test.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a sample or reagent dispensing method, there is pipetting in which a predetermined amount of a sample or a reagent is sucked from a nozzle and a predetermined amount is discharged from the sucked nozzle to another container such as a reaction container. Further, when a predetermined amount of a sample or a reagent is dispensed, there is a dilution dispenser in which a diluent or the like is sucked from a tank or the like from another syringe connected to a nozzle and the diluent is dispensed at the same time as the sample is discharged.

Generally, as a method for dispensing a sample or a reagent, there is (1) a method in which a dispenser is separately provided for each dispensing system and the dispensing system is controlled separately. For example,
FIG. 3 shows a case where the nozzle 50 is one, the sample and the container are arranged in a row, and the samples are dispensed one by one via the syringes 51 and 52. Reference numeral 53 is a diluent container. Further, FIG. 4 shows a case where there are a plurality of nozzles 50 and 54, and the reagents and the containers are arranged in a row and the syringes 51 and 5 are respectively arranged.
The case where a plurality of reagents are simultaneously dispensed via 2, 55 and 56 is shown.

(2) Further, as shown in FIG. 5, all the nozzles 50, 54 are controlled by controlling the syringes 51, 55 connected to the respective nozzles 50, 54 and the syringes 52, 56 with the same drive system. Is a method in which a plurality of reagents are simultaneously dispensed as in the case of FIG. The above-mentioned two methods are generally limited in their use such as only diluting and dispensing for each nozzle, or only pipetting, and are configured with separate dispensing systems according to the dispensing form of each nozzle. ing.

(3) Further, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-760, one reagent metering syringe is connected to a plurality of nozzles through a flow path switching device, and any one of them is connected. There is a method of selectively switching and using the above nozzles.

[0006]

However, the conventional example shown in FIG. 4 is limited in its use such that generally only diluting and dispensing for each nozzle, or only pipetting is performed, and each of them is used. Dispensing is carried out by separate dispensing systems according to the dispensing form of the nozzle, and it is merely one in which a plurality of dispensing systems shown in FIG. 3 are provided. Therefore, as many drive systems as the number of syringes are required, which causes a problem that power consumption becomes large when configuring the device and the device becomes large. Further, a plurality of drive systems must be controlled simultaneously and individually, which makes the control complicated.

Further, in the apparatus shown in FIG. 5, it is not necessary to provide a drive system for each syringe, but there is a problem that all reagent nozzles can only dispense simultaneously in the same dispensing mode. Further, in the one described in (3), an appropriate number of nozzles can be selectively used among a plurality of nozzles, but only the same predetermined amount of reagent can be dispensed at all times and cannot be used in separate dispensing forms. There is a problem. Further, the load applied to the common syringe is changed every time the number of selected nozzles is changed, and the durability of the pump and the syringe is deteriorated.

The present invention is proposed to solve the above-mentioned problems, and a desired number of nozzles can be selected from a plurality of nozzles while driving a plurality of syringes by the same drive system, and / or nozzles. It is an object of the present invention to provide a selective liquid dispensing device and a selective liquid dispensing method which can be selectively used in different dispensing modes.

[0009]

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a plurality of syringes for sucking and discharging liquid, a common driving means for driving the syringes at the same time, and the syringe and the dispenser. A first flow path connecting the nozzles, a plurality of branch flow paths connecting the first flow path and the syringe via a three-way valve, and the first flow path for each of the plurality of syringes. The selective liquid dispensing device is provided with a control means for selectively switching the three-way valve so as to be connected to either the flow path side or the branch flow path side. Further, the dispensing liquid is a selective liquid dispensing device in which the number of dispensing nozzles is smaller than the number of syringes and at least two syringes are connected to a common nozzle. Further, at least two of the syringes are selective liquid dispensing devices having different suction and discharge capacities. The selective liquid dispensing device had a branch flow passage communicating with a diluent tank. Further, using a selective liquid dispensing device having a plurality of liquid suction and discharge syringes, a common driving means for simultaneously driving the syringes, and a first flow path connecting the syringes and the dispensing nozzle, The selective liquid dispensing method is to change the combination of syringes that operate with respect to the dispensing nozzle by transmitting the suction and discharge pressure by the syringe to a flow path different from the dispensing nozzle. In addition, a selective liquid dispensing method is used in which at least one syringe is selected from those having different suction and discharge capacities.

[0010]

[Function] In this way, a circulation channel (return channel) is provided in the dispensing system.
Since a driving system for driving a plurality of syringes at the same time is provided, it becomes possible to selectively use the nozzles or to use the respective nozzles in different dispensing modes.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a selective liquid dispensing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Dispensing nozzle 1,
The number 2 is two in this embodiment, but can be arbitrarily set according to the reaction item. Of these, the flow path 3 connected to the dispensing nozzle 1
Is connected to the syringe 5 via the three-way valve 4,
It is connected to the diluent container 7 via a three-way valve 4 and a pipe 6. Further, the flow path 8 connected to the dispensing nozzle 2 is connected to the syringe 10 via the three-way valve 9 and the three-way valve 9
Also, it is connected to the diluent container 7 via a pipe 11.

The flow path 12 connected to the syringe 5 is
It is connected to the syringe 14 and the diluent container 7 via the three-way valve 13. In addition, the flow path 15 connected to the syringe 10
Is a three-way valve 16 via a syringe 17 and a diluent container 7.
Connected to. The syringes 5 and 10 are driven by a drive motor 18, and the syringes 14 and 17 are driven by a drive motor 19. The drive motors 18 and 19 may be connected to a control means (not shown) to drive them individually or simultaneously. The syringes 5 and 10 are for small volume pipetting, and the syringes 14 and 17 are for large volume dilute dispensing. The pipes 6 and 11 are circulation waterways (return waterways). Also, 3
For the one-way valves 4 and 9, the nozzles 1 and 2 are normally closed (NC), the syringes 5 and 10 are common (C.),
The pipes 6 and 11 are normally open (NO). Furthermore, the three-way valves 13 and 16 are used for the syringes 5 and 10.
Side is normally closed (NC), syringe 14, 1
The side 7 is common (C.), and the side of the diluent container 7 is normally open (NO). Also the individual 3-way valve 4,
The valve actuating portion 31 provided with 9, 13, 16 has a structure of a solenoid valve or a torsion type cock, and by the valve opening / closing control portion 32,
It can be switched electrically or mechanically. The valve opening / closing control unit 32 acts on the valve operating unit 31 to cause the operating unit 3 to operate.
1 is a combination according to the command signal of the valve opening / closing control unit 32,
The three-way valves 4, 9, 13, 16 are opened and closed.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. First, the container row (not shown) containing the test liquid to be suctioned is moved to below the dispensing nozzles 1 or 2, or the dispensing nozzles 1 and 2 are moved to the position of the container row. .. Next, the dispensing nozzles 1 and 2 or the container are lowered or raised to insert the dispensing nozzles 1 and 2 into the test liquid in the container. In this case, when it is desired to aspirate the test solution only with the dispensing nozzle 1, the N.V. C. May be switched to open to operate the drive motor 18.
At that time, the driving motor 18 also operates the syringe 10, so that the diluent is sucked into the syringe 10 from the pipe 11 side.

After sucking the test liquid by the dispensing nozzle 1 in this way, the dispensing nozzles 1 and 2 are raised or the container is lowered to separate the dispensing nozzles 1 and 2 from the testing liquid and perform the dispensing. The dispensing nozzles 1 and 2 are moved to the desired container, or the container to be dispensed is moved to the lower part of the dispensing nozzles 1 and 2 to be ready for dispensing. Next, the drive motor 19 is operated to suck the diluent into the syringes 14 and 17. After sucking the diluting liquid, the N.V. C.
Is opened to operate the driving motors 18 and 19 to dispense the test liquid and the diluting liquid from the dispensing nozzle 1.

Even if the test liquid is sucked, it does not reach each syringe. That is, since it does not reach the three-way valves 4 and 9, it does not reach the syringes and the diluent container 7, and is not contaminated by the test liquid. In addition, in the state before the sample (reagent) is aspirated, a diluting liquid such as water, physiological saline, or a buffer solution is used between the three-way valves 4 and 9 and each syringe and the diluting liquid container 7. It is full and uses a method that improves the dispensing accuracy rather than using air pressure.

The diluting liquid sucked into the syringe 10 returns to the diluting liquid container 7 through the pipe 11, and the diluting liquid sucked into the syringe 17 is the N.V. O. Return to the diluent container 7 through the side pipe. In this way, while controlling a plurality of syringes by the same drive motor, it is possible to selectively use the dispensing nozzle to perform dilution dispensing.
It is also possible to operate one dispensing nozzle for a sample and the other for a reagent such that a series of dispensing performed in the analysis process is performed by a common drive system.

When a sample of another type or a reagent for each item or a reaction solution for measurement (mixture of reagents) is continuously dispensed or when the apparatus is suspended, the diluent in the diluent container is used. From the dispensing nozzle, or by injecting the dispensing nozzle into a separately prepared cleaning cup and sucking and discharging it, the dispensing nozzle and the pipe (at least the sample It is normal to wash (including the suction area). As described above, the sample dispensing has been described in the present embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to this, and is applicable to, for example, reagent dispensing and dispensing of a reaction liquid to be transferred to a measurement cell (see the following examples. The same).

Needless to say, in the present embodiment, by similarly increasing the number of dispensing nozzles to three or more, dispensing can be performed in a large number of combinations. In that case, in addition to simply increasing the number of syringes (small volume, large volume) corresponding to the number of dispensing nozzles, for example, diluting liquid is discharged stepwise in large quantities, and conversely, a small amount of sample is absorbed and discharged in reverse. The size and number of syringes can be changed for each injection nozzle. At this time, a stepwise dilution column can be dispensed from each nozzle in equal amounts, which is an effective method for various activity tests.

Next, an explanation will be given of the case where pipetting and diluting and dispensing are selectively used for each dispensing nozzle. First, similarly to the above, the dispensing nozzles 1 and 2 are inserted into the test liquid in the container. In this case, both of the three-way valves 4 and 9 are N.V. C. Is switched to open, and the drive motor 18 is operated to suck the test liquid with the dispensing nozzles 1 and 2. Next, the dispensing nozzle is moved relatively to the container to be dispensed to make it ready for dispensing, and the drive motor 19 is driven to suck the diluent into the syringes 14 and 17 from the diluent container 7. After the diluent is sucked, the drive motor 18 is operated to discharge the test liquid from the dispensing nozzle.
If it is desired to perform the dilute dispensing only from the dispensing nozzle 2, the N.V. C.
Is switched to open, and the drive motor 19 is operated to dispense the diluent.

In this case, the three-way valve 13 relating to the dispensing nozzle 1 which does not need to be diluted is N.V. C. The dilution liquid sucked into the syringe 14 is not switched to the open state because the N.V. O. It is returned to the diluent container 7 through the side pipe. In this way, pipetting or diluting and dispensing can be performed simultaneously and selectively by a plurality of dispensing nozzles. Therefore, among the plurality of dispensing nozzles, it is possible to arbitrarily perform the diluting dispensing only for the specific dispensing nozzle and the pipetting for the other dispensing nozzles.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a selective liquid dispensing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Dispensing nozzle 20 is channel 2
1 and the syringe 23 via the three-way valve 22 and the syringe 25 and the diluent container 26 via the three-way valves 22 and 24. 3 above
Among the three-way valves, the three-way valve 22 has a common (C.) on the dispensing nozzle 20 side, a normally open (NO.) On the side connected to the syringe 23, and a normally closed (NC) on the side connected to the three-way valve 24. .). The side of the three-way valve 24 connected to the three-way valve 22 is normally closed (N.
C. ), The side connected to the syringe 25 is common (C.),
The side connected to the diluent container 26 is normally open (N.
O. ).

Of the above-mentioned syringes, the syringe 23 is a small-capacity syringe, and one is the N.V. O.
On the other hand, the other is connected to the two-way valve 28 through a circulation water pipe (return water pipe) 27. The syringe 25 is a large capacity syringe, and these syringes 23 and 25 are driven by a drive motor 29. Also,
The two-way valve 28 is closed in a normal state, and is connected to the circulation water channel (return channel) pipes 27 and 30, and is also connected to the diluent container 26.

The operation of this embodiment configured as described above will be described. First, the dispensing nozzle 20 is moved to above the container containing the test liquid, or the container is moved to move to the dispensing nozzle 2
0 makes the test solution aspirable. Next, the dispensing nozzle 2
0 is lowered or the container containing the test solution is raised to insert the dispensing nozzle 20 into the test solution, and the driving motor 29 is driven to cause the syringe 23 to dispense the dispensing nozzle 20.
Aspirate a predetermined amount of the test solution.

In this case, the syringe 25 also performs the suction operation by the operation of the drive motor 29, but since the three-way valve 24 is not switched in the syringe 25, the N.V. O. Only the diluent is sucked from the side, and there is no influence on the suction of the sample. Next, when the diluent is sucked into the syringe 25, the N.V. O. Is closed (NC is opened), the two-way valve 28 is also switched (open) in the same manner, and the drive motor 29 is driven to push out the liquid in the syringe.

In this case, the diluent in the syringe 23 is
Diluent container 2 through pipe 27, 2-way valve 28, and pipe 30
Returned to 6. When the syringe returns to the upper point, the driving motor 29 is driven again to suck a predetermined amount of the diluent into the syringe 25. Then, the diluent is also sucked into the syringe 23 through the pipe 30, the two-way valve 28, and the pipe 27. During or after such an operation, the dispensing nozzle 20 is moved to a container on which a sample is to be discharged, for example, a reaction container or the like, or the reaction container or the like is moved to below the dispensing nozzle 20. After that, the dispensing nozzle 20 is ready to be discharged.

Also in this embodiment, the sample does not reach each syringe even if aspirated. That is, since the sample does not reach the three-way valve 22 by either of the syringes 23 and 25, the syringe and the diluent container 26 are not contaminated. In the state before the sample (reagent) is aspirated, the space between the three-way valve 22 and the inside of each syringe and the diluent container 26 is filled with a diluent such as water, physiological saline, or a buffer solution. Therefore, the dispensing accuracy is improved rather than using air pressure. Next, the N.V. C. Open, and N. O. The side is closed and the drive motor 29 is driven to eject the diluted liquid in the syringe 25 from the sample in the dispensing nozzle 20 to simultaneously push and dispense the sample. As described above, the diluted dispensing can be performed arbitrarily.

Next, in the second embodiment, the case where the amount of sample aspirated is large and the dilution ratio is small, that is, the amount of diluent is small will be described. First, the dispensing nozzle 20 is moved onto the sample or the sample is moved so that the sample can be sucked by the dispensing nozzle 20. Next, the dispensing nozzle 20 is lowered or the sample is raised, and the dispensing nozzle 20
Is inserted into the sample. Also, the three-way valve 22 and the three-way valve 24
N. C. On the other side, the two-way valve 28 is switched to open, and the drive motor 29 is driven to suck the sample from the syringe 25 into the dispensing nozzle 20.

In this case, the syringe 23 operates at the same time, but the syringe 23 has a pipe 27, a two-way valve 28, and a pipe 30.
The diluent is only aspirated through the sample and the sample is not aspirated. In this way, after suctioning the sample, the dispensing nozzle 2
The sample can be dispensed from the dispensing nozzle 20 by moving 0 or moving the container to be dispensed. next,
The driving motor 29 is driven to eject the sample from the dispensing nozzle 20. At this time, the syringe 23 operates at the same time, but the diluent from the syringe 23 is simply returned to the diluent container 26 through the pipe 27, the two-way valve 28, and the pipe 30, and does not affect the ejection of the sample. do not do.

After discharging the sample, the three-way valve 24 is brought into the normal state, that is, the N.V. C. The side is closed again, and the drive motor 29 is operated to suck a predetermined amount of the diluent into the syringe 23. At this time, the syringe 25 also operates simultaneously, but only the diluent is sucked from the diluent container 26 here. When the diluent is sucked, the three-way valve 22 is brought into the normal state, that is, the N.V. C. Closed side, N. O. To open. Then, the driving motor 29 is operated to discharge the diluting liquid in the syringe 23 from the dispensing nozzle 20. At this time, the diluent drawn into the syringe 25 is returned to the diluent container 26 again. As described above, it is possible to arbitrarily perform the diluted dispensing when the dilution ratio is small.

The technique of selectively changing the dispensed amount by the selective liquid dispensing apparatus according to the second embodiment is also possible in the first embodiment, and the selective liquid according to the second embodiment is also possible. If a plurality of dispensing devices are prepared and only the drive system is connected in common, it is possible to selectively change the dispensing nozzle and the dispensing amount as in the first embodiment.

[0031]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the circulating water channel (return channel) and the drive system for simultaneously driving a plurality of syringes are provided, a plurality of syringes corresponding to the dispensing nozzles can be driven by the same drive system. While controlling, selectively for each dispensing nozzle,
In addition, it is possible to perform arbitrary dispensing in different dispensing modes. In addition, since the syringe that is not used is always liquid-transferred by the return channel, even when changing various dispensing modes such as the number of nozzles used, the common pump and the load for each syringe are equalized, and the durability of the device is improved. improves.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a dispensing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a dispensing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a dispensing device according to a conventional example.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a dispensing device according to a conventional example.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a dispensing device according to a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 2 dispensing nozzle 3, 8 flow path 4, 9, 13, 16 3-way valve 5, 10, 14, 17 syringe 6, 11, 12, 15 pipe 7 diluent container 18, 19 drive motor

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of liquid suction / drainage syringes, a common drive means for simultaneously driving the syringes, a first flow path connecting the syringe and the dispensing nozzle, and the first flow path. And a plurality of branch flow passages connected to each of the syringes via a three-way valve, and selectively connecting each of the plurality of syringes to either the first flow passage side or the branch flow passage side. A selective liquid dispensing device comprising a control means for switching the three-way valve. 2. The selective liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing nozzle has a number smaller than the number of syringes and at least two syringes are connected to a common nozzle. 3. The selective liquid dispensing device of claim 1, wherein at least two of the syringes have different suction and discharge capacities. 4. The selective liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the branch flow path is in communication with the diluent tank. 5. A selective liquid dispensing device comprising a plurality of liquid suction and discharge syringes, a common driving means for driving the syringes at the same time, and a first flow path connecting the syringe and the dispensing nozzle. Is used to transmit the suction / exhaust pressure by the syringe to a flow path different from that of the dispensing nozzle, thereby changing the combination of syringes operating with respect to the dispensing nozzle. 6. The selective liquid dispensing method according to claim 5, wherein at least one syringe is selected from syringes having different suction and discharge capacities.