JPH0634687Y2 - Chemical analyzer - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial field of application] The present invention relates to a chemical analyzer with improved sample distribution accuracy.

[Prior Art] A biochemical analyzer is usually configured so that a plurality of items can be analyzed for one sample. In such a biochemical analyzer for multi-item analysis, a pipette is inserted into the sample container, the sample is sucked, the sample is sent to the reaction system of each of the prepared channels, and the sample is fed to each reaction system. We are analyzing the given items.

FIG. 2 shows an example of such a biochemical analyzer for multi-item analysis.

In the figure, 1 is a sample dispensing valve, which is composed of a stator 2 and a rotor 3. As shown in FIG. 3, on the same radius of the upper surface of the stator 2, nine openings a, b ₁ , b ₂ , c ₁ , c ₂ , d ₁ ,
d ₂ , e ₁ , e ₂ , 5 on the same radius of the surface in contact with the rotor
The openings a ', b', c ', d', e'are opened, the openings a and a'are connected by a conduit A, and the conduits B ₁ and b _{2 of the} opening b ₁ are connected.
'In, conduit C ₂ conduit C ₁ and c ₂ of the opening c ₁ opening c' of the conduit B ₂ are openings b, the conduit D of the opening d _{1 1} and d ₂ of the conduit D ₂ opening d '
In conduit E ₁ a conduit E ₂ of e ₂ of the opening e ₁ intersect each with opening e '. An opening f ′ is formed on the same radius as the above-described radius of the surface of the rotor 3 in contact with the stator 2, and an opening f is formed on the other surface. These openings are connected by a conduit F.
A pipette 5 is connected to the opening a via a flexible tube T ₁ and a pipette drive mechanism 4 for moving the pipette vertically and horizontally. Reference numeral 6 is a sample container, which originally has many sample containers, but only one is shown for convenience. 7 is a waste liquid tank. The pipette drive mechanism 4 operates according to a command from the control device 8. A pump 9 is connected to the opening f via a flexible tube T ₂ . 10 is the flow path s
Is switched so that the opening p connected to the pump and the opening q connected to the cleaning container 11 are connected, or the opening p and the opening r are connected.
It is a flow path switching device that switches so as to connect. Pump 9 above
Is a pump drive mechanism that operates according to a command from the controller 8.
Works with 12. The openings b ₁ and b ₂ , c ₁ and c ₂ , d ₁ and d ₂ ,
e ₁ and e ₂ are respectively paired, and their respective openings b ₁ , c ₁ ,
The reagent delivery mechanisms 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e are connected to d ₁ and e ₁ , and the reaction mechanisms for 1 channel 14b and 2 channels are connected to the openings b ₂ , c ₂ , d ₂ and e ₂ , respectively. The mechanism 14c, the reaction mechanism 14d for 3 channels, and the reaction mechanism 14e for 4 channels are connected. Each reagent delivery mechanism selects an appropriate one from a plurality of prepared reagents and delivers it to the reagent delivery channel. The reagent delivery channels of these reagent delivery mechanisms are the channel selectors 15b, 15c, 15d, 15
It is connected to the openings g ₁ , g ₂ , g ₃ , g ₄ of e. These flow path selectors have openings k ₁ , k ₂ , k ₃ , k _{4 respectively} with openings g ₁ , g ₂ ,
g _3, g ₄ and closed _{r 1, r 2, r 3} , or switched as connecting r _4, opening _{g 1, g 2, g 3} , g 4 and the washing liquid feeding mechanism 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e
Or switch to connect the openings h ₁ , h ₂ , h ₃ , h ₄ connected to
The openings g ₁ , g ₂ , g ₃ , g ₄ and the air supply mechanisms 17b, 17c, 17d, 17
The openings i ₁ , i ₂ , i ₃ , i ₄ connected to e are switched so as to be connected, or the openings g ₁ , g ₂ , g ₃ , g ₄ are connected to the atmosphere
Switch to connect j ₁ , j ₂ , j ₃ , j ₄ .

In such an apparatus, first, as shown in FIG. 2, the flow passage s of the flow passage switching device 10 is switched so as to connect the opening p and the closed opening r as shown by the solid line, and the openings a'and f '. The rotor 3 of the sample dispensing valve 1 is rotated so that the two overlap. In this state, the control device 8 sends a command to the pipette drive mechanism 4 to insert the pipette 5 into the sample in the sample container 6.
Then, according to the command from the control device, the pump drive mechanism 12
With the operation of the pump 9, the total sample amount from the first item to the fourth item is stored in the conduit F, and the pipette holding volume is
5. Aspirate so that it is accommodated in the tube T ₁ and the conduit A.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), the rotor 3 is rotated so that f'is overlapped with the opening b '. Then, due to the discharge action of the pump 9, the sample required for the first item is supplied to the conduits B ₁ and B ₂
Discharge into. After the revision, in the same way as in Fig. 4 (b),
As shown in (c) and (d), f'is the opening c ', d',
Rotor 3 is rotated so as to overlap with e '. Then, the discharge action of the pump 9 discharges the required amount of sample for the second, third, and fourth items into the conduits C ₁ and C ₂ , D ₁ , D ₂ , and E ₁ , E ₂ . .

Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the rotor 3 is rotated so that the opening f ′ overlaps with a ′. At this time, the flow path s of the flow path switching device 10
Are switched so as to connect the openings p and q. The pipette 5 is inserted in the waste liquid tank 7. In this state,
By the operation of the pump 9, the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid container 11 is sucked and discharged, and the sample lines of the tube T ₂ , the conduits F, A and the tube T ₁ are cleaned. Then, as described above, the pipette drive mechanism 4 inserts the pipette 5 into the sample of the sample container different from the above by the command of the control device 8, and the pump drive mechanism 12
With the operation of the pump 9, the total sample amount from the first item to the fourth item is stored in the conduit F, and the pipette holding volume is
5. Aspirate so that it is accommodated in the tube T ₁ and the conduit A.
Also, during this time, in the flow path switchers 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e,
The respective flow paths k ₁ , k ₂ , k ₃ , k ₄ are closed with openings g ₁ , g ₂ , g ₃ , g ₄
The respective flow paths are switched so as to connect r ₁ , r ₂ , r ₃ and r ₄ . In this state, the reagent is sent from the reagent sending mechanism 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e to each flow path, and the conduits B ₁ , B ₂ , C ₁ , C ₂ , D ₁ , D ₂ , E ₁ , E ₂
It is sent to the reaction mechanism for 1 channel 14b, the reaction mechanism for 2 channels 14c, the reaction mechanism for 3 channels 14d, and the reaction mechanism for 4 channels 14e together with the sample inside, and the first to fourth items are analyzed by each reaction mechanism. . Then, in each of the flow path switches 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, the respective flow paths k ₁ , k ₂ ,
The respective flow paths are switched so that k ₃ , k ₄ connect the openings g ₁ , g ₂ , g ₃ , g ₄ and the openings h ₁ , h ₂ , h ₃ , h ₄ . By this switching, the washing liquid flows from the washing liquid sending mechanism 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e to the line from each reagent sending channel to each reaction mechanism, and the line connecting the reaction mechanism from each reagent sending mechanism is washed. It Next, in each of the flow path switching devices 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, each flow path k
₁ , k ₂ , k ₃ , k ₄ have openings g ₁ , g ₂ , g ₃ , g ₄ and openings i ₁ , i ₂ ,
The respective flow paths are switched so as to connect i ₃ and i ₄ . By this switching, air is sent from each of the air supply mechanisms 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e to the line from the reagent delivery channel to each of the reaction mechanisms, and in the line connecting the reaction mechanisms from each reagent delivery mechanism. The cleaning liquid remaining in is discharged to the outside.

Next, in each of the flow path switching devices 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, the respective flow paths k ₁ , k ₂ , k ₃ , k ₄ have openings g ₁ , g ₂ , g ₃ , g ₄ and openings.
The respective flow paths are switched so as to connect j ₁ , j ₂ , j ₃ , j ₄ . By this switching, the flow path of each reagent sending mechanism is opened to the atmosphere,
The line connecting the reagent feeding mechanism and the reaction mechanism is at atmospheric pressure. Then, in this atmospheric pressure state, as described above, as shown in FIG. 4A, the rotor 3 is rotated so that f ′ overlaps the opening b ′, and the discharge action of the pump 9 causes
The sample required for the first item is discharged into the conduits B ₁ and B ₂ . Thereafter, similarly, as shown in FIGS. 4 (b), 4 (c) and 4 (d), the rotor 3 is rotated so that f ′ is successively overlapped with the openings c ′, d ′ and e ′, and the pump 9 is rotated. Due to the discharge action,
3, the amount of sample required for the 4th item is placed in conduits C ₁ and C ₂ , D ₁ , D ₂
Discharge into E ₁ and E ₂ . After that, a series of operations similar to those described above is repeated.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] As described above, in such a device, the cleaning liquid remaining in the line connecting the reagent feeding mechanism to the reaction mechanism is blown to the outside by air. Since the air supply mechanism is arranged farther from the reagent delivery mechanism as seen from the line, the air flush distance becomes significantly longer, and therefore, the air flush in the line cannot be performed sufficiently and the air flush mechanism is not used anywhere in the line. Part of the cleaning liquid remains in the. Therefore, if the air feed pressure is made so strong that the cleaning liquid is completely blown to the outside, the tube or the like forming the flow path will be destroyed.

In this way, if a part of the washing solution remains in the line connecting each reagent sending mechanism to the reaction mechanism, even if this line is opened to the atmosphere in the next step, the pair of conduits B to which the sample is distributed is distributed. ₁
And B ₂ inside, C ₁ and C ₂ inside, D ₁ and D ₂ inside, E ₁ and E ₂ inside,
Atmospheric pressure does not occur in these conduits. Since the pressures remaining in these conduits are different, the sample cannot be dispensed accurately by a predetermined amount. In addition, the smaller the amount of sample to be distributed, the lower the accuracy of distribution.

The present invention is intended to solve such a problem.

[Means for Solving the Problems] Therefore, the present invention introduces an appropriate amount of a sample into a conduit provided in one member of a valve including at least one rotating member and a fixed member, and A mechanism for appropriately distributing the amount of the sample into each preparative pipe of the other member connected to the pipe by rotation, and a reagent for feeding the sample in each distributed preparatory pipe into each reaction system together with a reagent. In a device equipped with a liquid feeding mechanism, a mechanism for pouring a cleaning liquid into each reagent feeding mechanism or a line of a reaction system, and a mechanism for supplying a gas to the line, in a line from the reagent feeding mechanism to the preparative pipe or A switching valve provided in a line from the preparative conduit to the reaction tube and a second gas supply mechanism connected to the switching valve are provided, and the preparatory conduit is switched from the preparative conduit by switching the switching valve. Line leading to the reaction system Was connected to the second gas supply mechanism and the line was flushed with gas.

[Embodiment] FIG. 1 (a) shows an example of a valve 19 newly added as a part of the chemical analyzer of the present invention.

The valve consists of a stator 20 and a rotor 21,
The openings l ₁ , l ₂ ,
_{l 3, l 4, l 5} , l 6, l 7, l 8 is a conduit M ₁ and these openings on the _{side, M 2, M 3, M} 4, M 5, M 6, M 7, M 8 Opening n ₁ connected by
_{n 2, n 3, n 4} , n 5, n 6, n 7, n 8 are opened. Of _{opening, n 2, n 4, n} 6, the n ₈ are connected common tube T ₃ the other end is open to the atmosphere, the other end of the tube is located within the waste liquid tank 22 ing. Also, the stator of the rotor 21
Openings o ₁ , o ₂ , o ₃ , o ₄ , on the same radius on the contact surface with 20
_{o 5, o 6, o 7} , o 8 is, on the side of the openings and conduits U _1,
Apertures t ₁ , t ₂ , connected by U ₂ , U ₃ , U ₄ , U ₅ , U ₆ , U ₇ , U ₈ .
_{t 3, t 4, t 5} , t 6, t 7, t 8 are opened. The mechanism x of the flow path switching device 23 is connected to t ₂ , t ₄ , t ₆ , and t ₈ of the openings via a common tube T ₄ . The flow path switcher switches the flow path α so as to connect the opening x and the opening y connected to the air supply mechanism 24, or the opening x and the opening z opened to the atmosphere.
Switch to tie. Such a valve is shown in FIG.
Delete between _{V 1 W 1, V 2 W} 2, V 3 W 3, V 4 W 4, disposed therebetween.

That is, the openings t ₁ , t ₃ , t ₅ , t _{7 of the} rotor 21 are respectively connected to the terminals W ₁ and W ₁ on the reagent delivery mechanism side of the biochemical analyzer of FIG.
It is connected to W ₂ , W ₃ , and W ₄ . On the other hand, the openings n ₁ , n ₃ , n ₅ , n ₇ of the stator 20 are connected to the terminals V ₁ , V ₂ , V ₃ , V ₄ . The terminals V ₁ , V ₂ , V ₃ , V ₄ are connected to the openings b ₁ , c ₁ , d ₁ , e ₁ , respectively, and are located in the vicinity of the openings.

Thus, in the biochemical analyzer as shown in FIG. 2, as shown in FIG. 1 (a), the openings o ₁ , o ₂ , o ₃ , o ₄ ,
o ₅ , o ₆ , o ₇ , and o ₈ are openings l ₁ , l ₂ , l ₃ , l ₄ , l ₅ , l ₆ , respectively.
as it is leading to l _7, l ₈ allowed to rotate the rotor 21. Then, in this state, a process of sending the sample distributed in each conduit of the stator 2 of each sample dispensing valve 1 to each reaction mechanism, and a cleaning process of a line connecting each reagent feeding mechanism and the reaction mechanism are performed. . Next, as shown in Fig. 1 (b), the opening o ₈ of the rotor _{21, o 1, o 2,} o 3, o 4, o 5, o 6, o 7 stator
Opening l ₁ of _{20, l 2, l 3,} l 4, l 5, l 6, l 7, allowed to rotate the rotor 21 as leading to l _8, in this state, the air supply mechanism 17b, 17c, 17d , 17e for each reagent delivery mechanism 13b, 13
Air flush the line connecting c, 13d, 13e and the valve 19. At the same time, the flow path α of the flow path switching unit 23 is connected to the air supply mechanism 24 side, and the air supply mechanism 24 performs an air flush of the line connecting the valve 19, the sample dispensing valve 1 and each reaction mechanism. Then, the flow path switching device
The flow path α of 23 is connected to the opening z opened to the atmosphere, and the line is opened to the atmosphere. At the same time, the line connecting the air-flushed reagent delivery mechanisms 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e and the valve 19 is opened to the atmosphere through the other end of the common tube T ₃ . Thereafter, the sample sucked into the conduit F of the rotor 3 is introduced into each pair of conduits B ₁ and B ₂ of the stator 2 as shown in FIGS. 4 (a), (b), (c) and (d). , In C ₁ and C ₂ ,
Dispense (distribute) a predetermined amount into D ₁ and D ₂ and into E ₁ and E ₂ .

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the valve 19 is arranged between the line connected to the reagent feeding mechanism and the pipe for collecting, but the valve for distributing reagent to the reaction system connecting line and pipe for collecting. It may be arranged between and.

Although the line is air-flushed, a specific gas may be supplied instead of air.

[Advantages of the Invention] The present invention relates to a switching valve provided in a line from a reagent delivery mechanism to the preparative conduit or in a line from the preparative conduit to the reaction tube, and is connected to the switching valve. The second air supply mechanism is provided, and the line from the preparative pipe to the reaction system is connected to the second air supply mechanism by switching the switching valve to perform an air flush. Compared with this, the air flush distance can be significantly shortened. Therefore, the air can be sufficiently flushed in the reagent feeding mechanism and the reaction system line, and the amount of the cleaning liquid remaining in the line is extremely small. Therefore, a given amount of sample is dispensed in each of the conduits very accurately.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b) show an example of a valve which is a partial component of the chemical analyzer of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a biochemical analyzer. , Fig. 3 is a partial detailed view of this device,
FIGS. 4 (a), (b), (c), and (d) are diagrams for supplementing the explanation of the operation of the device. 1: Sample dispensing valve, 2: Stator, 3: Rotor 3, a,
b ₁ , b ₂ , c ₁ , c ₂ , d ₁ , d ₂ , e ₁ , e ₂ , a ', b', c ', d',
e ′, f ′, f, p, r: aperture, A, B ₁ , B ₂ , C ₁ , C ₂ , D ₁ , D ₂ , E ₁ ,
E ₂ F: Conduit, T ₁ , T ₂ : Tube, 4: Pipette drive mechanism, 5:
Pipette, 6: Sample container, 7: Waste liquid tank, 8: Control device, 9: Pump, 10: Flow path switcher, s: Flow path, 11: Wash container, 12: Pump control mechanism, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e: reagent delivery mechanism, 14a, 14b, 14
c, 14d ,: reaction mechanism, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e: flow path changer, 16b, 1
6c, 16d, 16e: Cleaning liquid sending mechanism, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e: Air supply mechanism, 19: Valve, 20: Stator, 21: Rotor, 22: Waste liquid tank, 23: Flow path changer, 24: Air Supply mechanism

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-61-140867 (JP, A) JP-A-58-85167 (JP, A)

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. An appropriate amount of sample is introduced into a conduit provided in one member of a valve composed of at least one rotating member and a fixed member, and the other member connected to the conduit by rotation of the rotating member. A mechanism for distributing an appropriate amount of the sample into each preparative pipe of the member, a reagent feeding mechanism for feeding the distributed sample in each preparatory pipe together with a reagent into each reaction system, and each reagent liquid feeding mechanism Or a mechanism for pouring the cleaning solution into the reaction system line,
In an apparatus equipped with a mechanism for supplying gas to the line,
A switching valve provided in a line from the reagent sending mechanism to the sorting pipe or in a line from the sorting pipe to the reaction pipe, and a second gas supply mechanism connected to the switching valve. And a line that connects the preparative pipe to the reaction system by switching the switching valve, is connected to the second gas supply mechanism, and the line is flushed with gas. Analysis equipment.