JPH055474Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Field of industrial application] The present invention relates to a sample reaction device in a sample analysis device that is capable of performing a sample reaction in a constant temperature state regardless of the ambient temperature state. .

[Conventional technology]

In the process of mixing a sample diluted with a diluent and a reaction solution in a reaction tank to perform a predetermined reaction,
It has been well known that the reaction is promoted or inhibited depending on the temperature of the diluent, the reaction solution, and the reaction tank. If these liquids and reaction vessels are not equipped with a means to prevent them from being affected by the ambient temperature, the reaction may be over-reacted or incomplete due to the influence of the ambient temperature, so correct analysis cannot be carried out. I can't get any results.

Therefore, in order to always produce the desired reaction stably and improve analysis accuracy regardless of the ambient temperature, it is necessary to (a) individually control the temperature of the diluent solution, reaction solution, and reaction tank to maintain a constant temperature state; Alternatively, (b) covering the entire area with a constant temperature device to maintain a constant temperature has traditionally been done.

[Problem that the invention attempts to solve]

However, in case (a), the sample diluting device and the reaction tank are separated, so even if the constant-temperature diluent is supplied to the sample dilution device, the diluent is transferred to the reaction tank along with the sample. During this time, the reaction deviates from the constant temperature state due to the influence of the ambient temperature, making it impossible to perform a stable reaction.

In the case of (b), the equipment is large and expensive;
There is a problem.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a small-sized sample reaction device with a simple configuration, which can always carry out the reaction process of a sample in a constant temperature state regardless of the ambient temperature.

[Means for solving problems]

The sample reaction device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It includes a constant temperature section main body 10 whose temperature is controlled to a predetermined temperature, and a constant temperature section main body 10 that is closely connected to the constant temperature section main body in order to bring the diluted liquid to a predetermined temperature. A diluent constant temperature section 30 is attached to the diluent constant temperature section 30, a sample metering valve 40 is attached closely to the constant temperature section main body in order to aspirate, quantify, dilute and transfer the sample, and a sample metering valve 40 is attached to the main body of the constant temperature section to bring the cleaning liquid to a predetermined temperature. includes a cleaning liquid constant temperature section 20 that is closely attached to the constant temperature section main body, and the constant temperature section main body 10 has a diluent passage Q ₁ that communicates the reaction tank 12, the diluted liquid constant temperature section 30, and the sample metering valve 40. , a sample passage Q ₂ that connects the sample metering valve 40 and the reaction tank 12 , a reaction liquid passage Q ₃ and a discharge passage Q ₅ that connect the outside of the constant temperature section main body 10 and the reaction tank 12 , and a cleaning liquid constant temperature section 20 and the reaction tank. The diluent constant temperature section 30 has a recess 32 communicating with the diluent passage _Q1 , and a cleaning liquid passage _Q4 that communicates with the diluent constant temperature section 30 and the recess 3.
The cleaning liquid constant temperature section 20 has a diluent inlet 34 that communicates with the cleaning liquid passage Q ₄ , and a recess 22 that communicates with the cleaning liquid passage Q 4 .
The sample metering valve 40 has two fixed elements 42, 56 that are always in a stationary state, one movable element 48 that can be moved by a fixed amount with respect to the fixed element, and a cleaning liquid inlet 24 that communicates with the fixed element 2. A fixing member 66 for fixing the element, a holding member 62 for arranging and holding the fixed element and the movable element at predetermined positions, and an adhesion member 64 for bringing the fixed element and the movable element into close contact. , a drive source 6 that is connected to the movable element and moves the movable element by a certain amount.
8, and one fixed element 56 that is in close contact with the constant temperature section main body 10.
is provided with a diluent supply passage P ₁₀ and a sample transfer passage P ₁₃ at positions that can be connected to the dilution passage Q ₁ and the sample passage Q ₂ , respectively. A passage P ₁ is provided,
One fixed element 56 or the other fixed element 42 is provided with a sample suction passage _P5 , and the movable element 48 is provided with a sample quantitative passage _P2 , and the surfaces of the fixed element and the movable element that are in surface contact with each other are polished with high precision. The sample metering valve 40 has a movable element that is moved by a certain amount by the drive source 68, thereby opening the sample suction passage.
P ₁ , the sample quantification passage P ₂ , and the sample suction passage P ₅ are in communication, and the diluent supply passage P ₁₀ , the sample quantification passage P ₂ , and the sample transfer passage P ₁₃ are in communication. It is formed as follows.

[Effect]

When the sample metering valve 40 is in the first state, the sample suction source A ₁ connected to the sample suction passage P ₅ operates, so that the sample is suctioned from the sample suction passage P ₁ toward the sample suction passage P ₅ . sample quantitative passage P ₂
is quantified by satisfying .

Next, when the drive source 68 operates, the movable element 48 moves by a predetermined amount with respect to the fixed elements 42 and 56, and enters the second state. When the diluent supply source A ₃ connected to the diluent inlet 34 of the diluent constant temperature section 30 is operated, a predetermined amount of diluent is supplied to the recess 32 . The constant temperature diluent in the recess 34 is pushed out by the supplied diluent and is supplied to the diluent supply passage P 10 of the sample metering valve ₄₀ through the diluent passage Q ₁ of the constant temperature section main body 10. . The sample previously quantified in the sample quantification passage P ₂ is pushed out from the sample transfer passage P ₁₃ together with its diluent, passes through the sample passage Q ₂ of the constant temperature section main body 10, and is transferred to the reaction tank 1 in a constant temperature state.
Transferred to 2. Further, by operating the reaction liquid supply source _A4 , a predetermined amount of the reaction liquid is supplied to the reaction tank 12 in a constant temperature state. The diluent, sample, and reaction solution are mixed in a constant temperature reaction tank 12 and reacted for a predetermined period of time. When the predetermined reaction is completed, these samples are transferred from the discharge path _Q5 to the measuring section and measured. After that, when the cleaning liquid supply source A ₅ connected to the cleaning liquid inlet 24 of the cleaning liquid constant temperature section 20 is activated,
A predetermined amount of cleaning liquid is supplied to the recess 22 . Recess 2
The constant-temperature cleaning liquid in the chamber 2 is pushed out by the supplied cleaning liquid, passes through the cleaning liquid passage _Q4 , is supplied to the reaction tank 12 in a constant-temperature state, and cleans the inside of the reaction tank 12.

Further, when the drive source 68 of the sample metering valve 40 returns to its original state, the movable element 48 also moves backward by a predetermined amount and returns to the first state. Cleaning liquid supply source A ₂ is activated and
By supplying a predetermined amount of cleaning liquid from the sample suction passage _P5 , cleaning is performed by flushing the sample remaining in each passage and piping of the sample metering valve 40 to the sample suction passage _P1 .

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, unless otherwise specifically stated, the materials, shapes, relative positions, etc. of the components described in this example are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, but are merely illustrative. Just an example.

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of the sample reaction device, and FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the same. 10 is a constant temperature section main body made of stainless steel or the like. A heater 80 and a temperature sensor 82 are embedded in the constant temperature unit main body 10 and are controlled by a temperature control unit 84 to maintain a constant temperature state. Of course, it is also possible to use only a cooler or a combination of a heater and a cooler.

The constant temperature section main body 10 includes a diluent constant temperature section 30 for keeping the diluent in a constant temperature state, and a diluent constant temperature section 30 for aspirating the sample, measuring a predetermined amount, and transferring it together with a predetermined amount of the diluent. The sample metering valve 40 for transferring and the cleaning liquid constant temperature section 20 for keeping the cleaning liquid in a constant temperature state are connected to the sealing material 38,
They are closely attached via sealants 14, 16 and a sealant 26.

The constant temperature unit body 10 includes a reaction tank 12 in which a diluent, a sample, and a reaction liquid are mixed and a predetermined reaction is performed, and a diluent passage Q for supplying the diluted liquid from the diluent constant temperature unit 30 to the sample metering valve 40. ₁ , a sample passage Q ₂ for transferring the diluent and sample from the sample metering valve 40 to the reaction tank 12, a reaction liquid passage Q ₃ for supplying the reaction liquid to the reaction tank 12, and a cleaning liquid constant temperature section for transferring the cleaning liquid. A cleaning liquid passage Q ₄ is provided for supplying the liquid from the reaction tank 20 to the reaction tank 12, and a discharge passage Q ₅ is provided for transferring the sample that has undergone a predetermined reaction in the reaction tank 12 to the measuring section.

The diluted liquid constant temperature section 30 is made of resin, for example, and includes a recess 32 for temporarily storing the diluted liquid, a diluted liquid inlet 34 for supplying the diluted liquid from the outside of the diluted liquid constant temperature section to the recess 32, A bubble outlet 36 is provided for discharging the bubbles existing in the recess 32 to the outside of the diluent constant temperature section. The diluent passage Q ₁ communicates with the recess 32 .

The cleaning liquid constant temperature section 20 is made of resin, for example, and is provided with a recess 22 for temporarily storing the cleaning liquid and a cleaning liquid inlet 24 for supplying the cleaning liquid to the recess 22 from outside the cleaning liquid constant temperature section. The cleaning liquid passage Q ₄ communicates with the recess 22 .

The sample metering valve 40 includes two fixed elements 42 and 56 that are always stationary, and one movable element 48 that can be rotated at a fixed angle relative to the fixed element.
, a fixing member 66 for fixing the fixed elements 42 and 56, the fixed elements 42 and 56, and the movable element 4.
8 in a predetermined position; a contact member 64 for bringing the fixed elements 42, 56 and the movable element 48 into moderate contact; element 42,
Drive source 6 for rotating at a constant angle with respect to 56
Consists of 8.

Examples of the fixed element 42, movable element 48, and fixed element 56 are shown in FIGS. 3 to 11, respectively.

The fixing elements 42 and 56 each have a notch 4.
6, 60 are provided and fixed by being fitted into a fixing member 66 attached to the constant temperature section main body 10, and the three elements are fixed element 56, movable element 4
8. After passing through the holding member 62 attached to the constant temperature section main body 10 through the holes 58, 50, and 44 provided in the central part of the fixing element 42 in this order, the fixing element 42 is screwed with the sealing member 64. As a result, the polished surfaces 48a and 48b of the movable element are respectively attached to the fixed element 4.
The polishing surfaces 42a and 56a of No. 2 and 56 are disposed facing each other in close contact with each other. Further, the fixing element 56 is attached closely to the constant temperature section main body 10.

A hole 52 is provided in a part of the circumference of the movable element 48, and a connecting member 54 having a spherical portion 54a at the tip is joined. Fixed disks 72, 74 are fixed to a drive source 68 capable of reciprocating linear movement, for example, a shaft 70 of an air cylinder.
The spherical portion 54a of the connecting member 54 is held between the two. As the driving source 68 moves back and forth in a straight line, the ball portion 54a is pushed against the surface of the fixed disk 72 or 74, and the movable element 48 is moved against the holding member 6.
2 is used as an axis for forward and reverse rotational movement.

The fixed element 42 is provided with a sample suction passage P ₁ and a sample suction passage P ₅ passing through the element, and a groove-shaped passage P ₁₂ on the surface on the polishing surface 42a side, and the movable element 48 is provided with a groove-shaped passage P 12 passing through the element. A sample quantification passage P ₂ and passages P ₄ , P ₁₁ are provided which are machined with high precision to quantify the sample, and the fixing element 56 is provided with a diluent supply passage P ₁₀ and a sample transfer passage P ₁₃ that pass through the element. and the polished surface 56
A groove-shaped passage _P3 is provided on the surface of the a side.
The diluent supply passage P ₁₀ and the sample transfer passage P ₁₃ are connected to the dilution liquid passage Q ₁ and the sample passage Q ₂ of the constant temperature section main body via sealing materials 14 and 16, respectively.

The sample metering valve 40 can take two states, a first state and a second state, depending on the stop position of the movable element 48.

FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 are explanatory diagrams showing the first state and the second state, respectively. In the first state, the paths P ₁ and P ₂ , P ₂ and P ₃ , P ₃ and P ₄ , P ₄ and P ₅ , P ₁₁ and P ₁₂ ,
P ₁₁ and P ₁₃ lead respectively, and in the second state the passage
P ₁₀ and P ₁₁ , P ₁₁ and P ₁₂ , P ₁₂ and P ₂ , and P ₂ and P ₁₃ are connected, respectively. The first state is the state when the sample is aspirated and quantified, and the second state is the state when the sample is diluted and transferred.

When the sample metering valve 40 is in the first state, the sample suction source A ₁ connected to the passage P ₅ of the fixing element 42 through the pipes T _1a and T ₁ is operated, so that the pipe T connected to the passage P ₁ is operated. The sample can be aspirated from ₇ . The samples are pipe T ₇ , passages P ₁ , P ₂ , P ₃ , P ₄ ,
P ₅ and pipe T _1a are sucked in this order, and the amount is determined by filling the passage P ₂ .

Next, when the drive source 68 operates, the movable element 48 rotates by a predetermined angle with respect to the fixed elements 42 and 56, and enters the second state. When the diluent supply source A ₃ operates, a predetermined amount of diluent is supplied to the recess 32 from the inlet 34 of the diluent constant temperature section 30 through the pipe T ₃ . The diluent 33 in the recess 32 is in close contact with the constant temperature section main body 10 made of a material with high thermal conductivity, and is shielded from the outside by a material with low thermal conductivity, so it is not affected by the ambient temperature and is well maintained. A constant temperature condition is maintained. Since the amount of diluent in the recess is larger than the amount of diluted liquid to be supplied and the diluted liquid inlet 34 is distant from the diluted liquid passage _Q1 , even if the diluted liquid is supplied at a temperature that deviates from the constant temperature state. However, the diluent reaches a constant temperature state by the time it is pushed out from the diluent passage _Q1 . The diluent passage Q ₁ and the sample passage Q ₂ are provided in the constant temperature section main body 10, and the sample metering valve 40 is in close contact with the constant temperature section main body 10, so the diluent in a constant temperature state is passed through the constant temperature diluent passage Q. ₁ , passage P ₁₀ ,
P ₁₁ , P ₁₂ , P ₂ , P ₁₃ , passage P ₂ through sample passage Q ₂
While pushing out the sample quantified in
Transferred to 2. In addition, the reaction liquid is also a reaction liquid supply source.
A predetermined amount is supplied from A ₄ to pipe T ₃ and reaction liquid passage Q ₃ . When the amount of reaction liquid to be supplied is small, there is no need to provide a constant temperature section for the reaction liquid, and the reaction liquid passage _Q3 provided in the constant temperature section main body 10 can also be used as the constant temperature section for the reaction liquid. Reaction liquid passage Q ₃ is constant temperature section main body 1
0, the reaction liquid in the reaction liquid passage _Q3 is in a constant temperature state. Since the amount of reaction liquid in reaction liquid passage _Q3 is greater than the amount of reaction liquid supplied,
A reaction solution in a constant temperature state is supplied to the reaction tank 12. Since the reaction tank 12 is provided in the constant temperature section main body 10, it is in a constant temperature state.

In this way, the liquid involved in the reaction is kept at a constant temperature and passes through a constant temperature passage into the constant temperature reaction tank 1.
2, the reaction carried out in the reaction tank 12 does not deviate from a constant temperature state, and a stable reaction is always carried out regardless of the ambient temperature. The sample that has completed the specified reaction is discharged through the discharge passage _Q5 .
From there, it is transferred to the measuring section through pipe _T8 , where it is immediately measured.

Thereafter, when the cleaning liquid supply source A ₅ operates, a predetermined amount of cleaning liquid passes through the pipe T ₅ to the cleaning liquid constant temperature section 20.
The cleaning liquid is supplied to the recess 22 from the cleaning liquid inlet 24 .
The cleaning liquid 23 in the recess 22 is maintained at a constant temperature, and the constant temperature cleaning liquid is supplied to the reaction tank 12 through the constant temperature cleaning liquid passage, so cleaning can be performed without changing the temperature of the reaction tank 12. I can do it.

The sample metering valve 40 is operated by the drive source 68 after transferring the sample.
By returning to the initial position, the movable element 48 reversely rotates by a predetermined angle with respect to the fixed elements 42 and 56, and returns to the first state. The cleaning liquid supply source A ₂ operates, and a predetermined amount of cleaning liquid is supplied to the pipes T ₂ , T _1a , the passages P ₅ , P ₄ , P ₃ , P ₂ ,
Each passage is supplied in the order of P ₁ and piping T ₇ ,
Rinse and clean the sample remaining in the piping.

In addition, since the diluent constant temperature section 30 is provided with a bubble outlet 36, the bubbles accumulated in the upper part of the recess 32 can be discharged to the bubble recovery section _A6 via the pipe _T6 at a timely manner. The accuracy of the supply amount can be further improved.

The diluent newly supplied to the recess 32 and the recess 2
The cleaning liquid supplied to Q2 and the reaction liquid supplied to reaction liquid passage _Q3 can easily reach a constant temperature state while the sample is being measured.
When diluting samples and performing reaction treatments, the temperature of each liquid and each part is kept constant.

In the above embodiment, the sample suction passage _P5 is provided in the other fixing element 42, but as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the sample suction passage _P5 is provided in one of the fixing elements 56. It is also possible to configure it so that it is provided. Figures 14 and 15
The figures are explanatory diagrams showing a first state and a second state of the sample metering valve 40 according to other embodiments, respectively.

[Effect of idea]

Since the sample reaction device of the present invention has the above configuration, it has the following effects.

(a) Since the diluent constant temperature section, sample metering valve, and washing liquid constant temperature section are attached closely to the constant temperature section, the functions of sample dilution, reaction, and washing can be simply configured, making it compact. be able to.

(b) The liquids, passages, and reaction vessels involved in sample dilution, reaction, and cleaning are kept at a constant temperature, so the sample can be reacted at a constant temperature regardless of the ambient temperature. Therefore, the stability of the reaction is good and the measurement accuracy is improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a sample reaction device showing one embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of the same, and Fig. 3
The figure is a left side view showing an example of the fixed element 42 of the sample metering valve, FIG. 5 is a right side view of the same, FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. A left side view showing an example of the element 48, FIG. 8 is a right side view thereof, and FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 6.
FIG. 9 is a left side view showing an example of the fixing element 56 of the sample metering valve, FIG. 11 is a right side view of the same, FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 9, and FIG. 12 is a sample metering valve. 13 is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram showing the first state of the sample metering valve, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing a first state according to another embodiment of the sample metering valve, and FIG. 15 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing a second state. 10... constant temperature section main body, 12... reaction tank, 14,
16...Sealing material, 20...Cleaning liquid constant temperature section, 22
... recess, 23 ... cleaning liquid, 24 ... cleaning liquid inlet, 26 ... sealing material, 30 ... diluent constant temperature section,
32... Recess, 33... Diluent, 34... Diluent inlet, 36... Air bubble outlet, 38... Seal material, 40... Sample metering valve, 42, 56... Fixed element, 42a, 48a , 48b, 56a... Polished surface, 44, 50, 58... Hole, 46, 60... Notch, 48... Movable element, 52... Hole, 54...
...Connecting member, 54a... Ball portion, 62... Holding member, 64... Close contact member, 66... Fixing member, 68... Drive source, 70... Shaft, 72, 74...
...Fixed disk, 80...Heater, 82...Temperature sensor, _Q1 ...Diluent passage, _Q2 ...Sample passage, _Q3 ...
…Reaction liquid passage, Q ₄ …Cleaning liquid passage, Q ₅ …Discharge passage, P ₁ …Sample suction passage, P ₂ …Sample quantitative passage, P ₅ …Sample suction passage, P ₁₀ …Dilution liquid supply Passageway, P ₁₃ ... Sample transfer path, P ₃ , P ₄ , P ₁₁ , P ₁₂ ...
...Aisle, _A1 ...Sample suction source, _A2 ...Washing liquid supply source, _A3 ...Dilution liquid supply source, _A4 ...Reaction liquid supply source,
A ₅ ... Cleaning liquid supply source, A ₆ ... Air bubble collection section, T ₁ ,
T ₂ , T _1a , T ₃ , T ₄ , T ₅ , T ₆ , T ₇ , T ₈ ... Piping,
_T9 , _T10 ...Wiring.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claim for Utility Model Registration] A constant temperature section main body whose temperature is controlled to a predetermined temperature, and a diluent constant temperature section attached closely to the constant temperature section main body to maintain the diluted liquid at a predetermined temperature. , a sample metering valve attached closely to the constant temperature section body in order to aspirate, quantify, dilute, and transfer the sample, and a sample metering valve attached closely to the constant temperature section body to bring the cleaning liquid to a predetermined temperature. The constant temperature section main body includes a reaction tank, a diluent passageway that communicates the diluent constant temperature section with the sample metering valve, a sample passageway that connects the sample metering valve with the reaction tank, and an external section of the constant temperature section main body. and a reaction liquid passage and a discharge passage that communicate with the reaction tank, and a cleaning liquid passage that communicates the cleaning liquid constant temperature section with the reaction tank, and the diluent constant temperature section has a recess that communicates with the dilution liquid passage,
The diluent constant temperature section has a diluted liquid inlet that communicates with the outside of the diluted liquid constant temperature section and this recess, and the cleaning liquid constant temperature section has a recessed section that communicates with the cleaning liquid passage;
The sample metering valve has a cleaning liquid inlet that communicates the outside of the cleaning liquid constant temperature section with this recess, and the sample metering valve includes two fixed elements that are always in a stationary state, one movable element that can be moved by a fixed amount with respect to the fixed element, and a fixed A fixing member for fixing the element, a holding member for arranging and holding the fixed element and the movable element at predetermined positions, a contacting member for bringing the fixed element and the movable element into close contact, and a movable element. and a drive source to move the movable element by a certain amount, and one fixed element that is in close contact with the constant temperature section main body has a diluent supply passage and a sample passage connected to the diluent passage and the sample passage, respectively. A transfer passage is provided, a sample suction passage is provided in one of the fixed elements or the other fixed element, a sample suction passage is provided in one of the fixed elements or the other fixed element, a sample quantification passage is provided in the movable element, The surfaces of the fixed element and the movable element that are in surface contact with each other are precisely ground and placed in close contact with each other, and the sample metering valve has a sample suction passage, a sample metering passage, A sample reaction device characterized by having a first state in which a sample suction passage is in communication, and a second state in which a diluent supply passage, a sample quantification passage, and a sample transfer passage are in communication.