JPH0725669Y2 - Air bubble mixture prevention device in one tank type sample processing device - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (Industrial field of application) The bubble mixing prevention device in the one-tank type sample processing device according to the present invention is a one-tank type sample processing device used when making a microscope sample of biological tissue. In order to prevent the inclusion of air bubbles in the processing tank containing the sample (hereinafter referred to as the sample) for the sample to be embedded or stained, the above sample is treated. Is performed well.

(Prior art) To make a specimen for microscopic observation, if the specimen is solid, embed the specimen in paraffin and then slice into thin pieces, and then attach the sliced specimen to a specimen glass to remove paraffin. If the sample is liquid, smear the liquid sample on the sample glass before pretreatment, dip these pretreated samples in the staining solution and stain, and then attach the cover glass. I wear it and finish it into a microscope sample.

In order to immerse a sample in a processing solution in this way, before, a plurality of processing solution tanks were placed side by side, and the cages containing the samples were successively immersed in the processing solution tank, pulled up, and transferred to the adjacent processing solution tank. A multi-tank type sample processing device was used, but recently,
A one-tank type sample processing apparatus as schematically shown is used.

The one-tank type sample processing apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. 4. The bottom of the processing tank 2 having the airtight lid 1 communicates with a rotary valve 5 via a pump 4 which can be reversed by a pipe 3. Rotary valve 5
Pumps the processing liquid in the plurality of processing liquid tanks 6, 7, and 8 into the processing tank 2 through the pipe 3 by the pump 4, or switches the rotary valve 5 to transfer the processed liquid in the processing tank 2 to the pump 4. It has the role of reversing and discharging to the drainage tank 10 through the pipe 9, and circulating the liquid in the processing bath 2 through the pipes 3 and 11. The inside of the processing tank 2 is communicated with a vacuum pump by a pipe 12. As a result, the sample 13 placed in the basket and inserted into the processing tank 2 can be sequentially immersed in the processing liquid for processing.

The processing solution is fed into the processing tank 2 by depressurizing the processing tank 2, or the used processing solution in the processing tank 2 is removed by pressurizing the processing tank 2. There is also a device configured to be discharged to the outside.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, in the one-tank type sample processing apparatus configured and operated as described above, the following inconvenience occurs.

That is, when the treatment liquid in the treatment liquid tanks 6, 7, and 8 is introduced into the treatment tank 2 through the pipe 3, it is unavoidable that bubbles are mixed in the liquid fed by the pump 4. If the bubbles 14 are left as they are, the bubbles float inside the processing tank 2 and adhere to the sample 13. At the place where the air bubbles 14 adhere, paraffin penetration becomes poor or stains occur, making it impossible to obtain a good specimen.

In order to eliminate such inconvenience, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 63-168861 discloses that a double wall is provided from the lower part of the processing tank to the upper side along the outer surface of the processing wall so that A device in which a bubble separation chamber is formed is disclosed.

That is, in the device for preventing air bubble mixture in the one-tank type sample processing apparatus according to this prior invention, a double wall 15 is provided on a part of the outer surface of the vessel wall 2a of the processing tank 2, as schematically shown in FIG. Thus, a bubble separation chamber 16 that is shielded from the outside air is formed, and the upper and lower sides of the chamber 16 are communicated with the processing tank 2 through openings 17 and 18 provided above and below the vessel wall 2a. The bottom of the separation chamber 16 is in the same horizontal plane as the bottom of the processing tank 2,
A tube 3 is opened on this bottom surface.

When the bubble separation chamber 16 is formed in this manner, the processing liquid sent through the pipe 3 first enters the separation chamber 16 and then flows laterally into the processing tank 2 through the opening 18 at the lower part, and the processing liquid is processed. The liquid levels in the tank 2 and the separation chamber 16 rise simultaneously.

When air is sucked into the pipe 3, the air becomes bubbles 14 and enters the separation chamber 16 together with the processing liquid, but since this floats upward, it cannot enter the lower opening 18 and enters the separation chamber 16. The existing air enters the processing tank 2 through the upper opening 17 and is further discharged from the pipe 12 together with the air existing in the processing tank 2. Therefore, the bubbles 14 are not mixed into the processing tank 2 in the liquid, and the bubbles 14 do not adhere to the sample 13 to cause stains.

However, in the air bubble mixture prevention device according to this prior invention, although the effect of preventing air bubbles from mixing and adhering to the sample 13 is great, it is troublesome to clean the processing tank 2 after the sample processing is completed. This is inevitable.

That is, after the sample processing is completed, it is necessary to wash off the processing liquid adhering to the inside of the processing tank 2 etc. in preparation for the next sample processing. In the prior invention shown in FIG. Double wall 15
Due to the structure provided with the processing tank 2 and the bubble separation chamber 16, it is difficult to perform the cleaning work.

The bubble mixing prevention device in the one-tank type sample processing device of the present invention is designed to solve the above-mentioned problems.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The bubble mixing prevention device in the one-tank type sample processing device of the present invention is an upper end of a connecting pipe for supplying and discharging a processing liquid for embedding or dyeing on the bottom surface. And open this bottom,
This is to prevent air bubbles from being mixed in with the supply of the processing liquid into the processing tank of the one-tank type sample processing device that is inclined as it goes downward toward the opening. A screw part that can be screwed into a female screw engraved on the peripheral surface and that has a passage through which the processing liquid flows, and is continuous with this screw part,
A shaft loosely fitted to the connecting pipe, and provided on the upper end of the shaft,
It is composed of a shade-shaped shield plate covering the opening of the connecting pipe.

The screw portion is screwed into the connecting pipe to form a gap between the edge of the shielding plate and the bottom surface of the processing bath, and the inner surface of the shielding plate and the bottom surface of the processing bath. Spaces for accumulating air are formed between each.

(Operation) The operation of the bubble entrainment prevention device in the one-tank type sample processing apparatus of the present invention configured as described above is as follows.

That is, when air is mixed into the processing liquid and bubbles are formed as the processing liquid is supplied into the processing tank, the bubbles rise toward the shielding plate and reach the lower side of the shielding plate. Although it collects in the formed space, the processing liquid is sent into the processing tank from the connecting pipe, and further reaches the position where the sample exists from the gap formed between the edge of the shielding plate and the bottom surface of the processing tank. .

As a result, the specimen can be processed without bubbles attached.

When the processing tank is cleaned after the sample processing such as embedding and staining is completed, the screw part is removed from the connecting pipe by rotating the screw part, and the screw part, shaft and shield plate that are integrally connected to each other are processed. By taking it out of the bath, the inside of the treatment bath can be easily cleaned.

(Embodiment) The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the illustrated embodiment.

1 to 3 schematically show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 3, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG.
The figure is a plan view.

Since the basic configuration of the single-tank type sample processing apparatus provided with the bubble inclusion preventing device of the present invention is the same as that of the conventional single-tank type sample processing apparatus shown in FIG. 4, redundant description will be omitted. The device for preventing bubble inclusion, which is a feature of the invention, will be described.

The processing tank 2 constituting the one-tank type sample processing apparatus provided with the device for preventing bubble inclusion according to the present invention is in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped with an open top, and various processing solutions are supplied to and discharged from the central position of the bottom surface 2b of the processing tank 2. The upper end of the connecting pipe 19 for opening is opened. Also, this bottom
2b has a funnel shape that is inclined downward toward the opening 19a of the connecting pipe 19.

A female screw is engraved on the inner peripheral surface of the upper end opening of the short tubular connecting pipe 19, and the lower end of the connecting pipe 19 communicates with the processing liquid tanks 6 to 8 via the pump 4, the rotary valve 5, and the like. The upper end of the pipe 3
Screw parts 20 are respectively screwed onto the upper ends of the connecting pipes 19.

The screw portion 20 has a short cylindrical shape, and a male screw screwed into the female screw is engraved on the outer surface, and the screw portion 20 is screwed into the connecting pipe 19 to rotate the screw portion 20. It is freely supported in the connecting pipe 19.

Further, a shaft 21 loosely fitted to the connecting pipe 19 extends upward from the center of the upper surface of the screw portion 20, and the screw portion 20 has
A plurality of through holes 22 penetrating from the upper surface to the lower surface of the screw portion 20,
22 are provided. The through holes 22 and 22 are formed from the pipe 3 to the connecting pipe 19.
The various treatment liquids sent to the inside of the treatment tank 2,
On the contrary, the processing liquid sent out from the processing tank 2 is directed toward the pipe 3 and circulated therein.

At the upper end of the shaft 21 located at the center of the bottom of the processing tank 2, there is provided a shield plate 23 having a shade and a plane slightly smaller than the bottom surface of the basket 26 and similar to the bottom surface. The shielding plate 23 covers the upper part of the opening 19a of the connecting pipe 19.

Since the shield plate 23, the shaft 21, and the screw portion 20 are connected to each other so that they can be handled integrally, the screw portion 20 is rotated in the connecting pipe 19 by operating the upper end portion of the shaft 21. If
The shielding plate 23 also moves in the vertical direction. Normally, the shielding plate 23 is
A part of the edge contacts a part of the bottom surface 2b of the processing tank 2 (third part)
As shown in the figure, two points of the edges a and b contact the bottom surface 2b. ), The height position is adjusted. Therefore, gaps 24, 24 are formed between the edge of the shielding plate 23 and the bottom surface 2b of the processing bath 2 so that the processing liquid can flow therethrough. Further, since the shielding plate 23 is formed in the shape of a shade, a space 25 for accumulating air is formed between the lower surface of the shielding plate 23 and the bottom surface 2b of the processing tank 2.

The operation of the bubble mixing prevention device in the one-tank type sample processing apparatus of the present invention constructed as described above is as follows.

In order to embed or stain the specimen stored in the treatment tank 2 in the basket 26, the treatment liquid tanks 6 to 8 are connected to the pipe 3 and the connecting pipe 19
When various processing liquids are sent through the liquid, the liquid level in the processing tank 2 rises to reach the positions of the gaps 24, 24 between the edge of the shield plate 23 and the bottom surface 2b of the processing bath 2, and further this gap. After 24 and 24, it reaches an intermediate portion of the processing tank 2 on which a basket 26 containing a sample is placed.
At this time, since the shielding plate 23 is in the shape of a shade, the space below the shielding plate 23 and above the gaps 24, 24 is the space in which the treatment liquid does not exist.
25 is formed, but since the volume of air in this space 25 is compressed when the processing liquid is sent to the upper part of the processing tank 2, even if bubbles rise later, it is sufficient. You can collect this.

Therefore, even if air is mixed in the treatment liquid and bubbles are generated in the treatment tank 2, the bubbles rise in the treatment liquid and the space 25
It is possible to prevent bubbles from accumulating on the specimen and causing troubles such as stain spots. Further, even if the air bubbles come out from the space 25 to the side and rise in the processing tank 2, the air bubbles do not adhere to the sample stored in the central portion of the processing tank 2.

When cleaning the inside of the processing tank 2 after finishing the sample processing,
Rotate the screw part 20 by operating the upper end of the shaft 21,
The screw portion 20 is pulled out from the connecting pipe 19, and the screw portion 20, the shaft 21, and the shield plate 23 integrally connected to each other are taken out from the processing tank 2.
Therefore, the inside of the processing tank 2 can be easily cleaned.

In this embodiment, the treatment tank 2 has a rectangular planar shape, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the planar shape may be circular.

Further, the planar shape of the shielding plate 23 is slightly smaller than the bottom surface of the basket 26 and is similar to this bottom surface. However, when the bottom surface shape of this basket 26 is not a rectangle such as a circle, the planar shape of the shielding plate 23 is also the basket 26. The shape is a little smaller than the bottom surface of.

(Effect of the Invention) Since the bubble mixing prevention device in the one-tank type sample processing device of the present invention is configured and operates as described above, air bubbles are generated in the specimen stored in the processing tank despite the simple structure. Adhesion can be prevented, and the inside of this processing tank can be easily cleaned.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 to 3 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 3, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 3, FIG. 3 is a plan view, and FIG. Is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a conventional single-tank sample processing apparatus, and FIG. 5 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a bubble mixing prevention device of the single-tank sample processing apparatus according to the prior invention. 1: airtight lid, 2: treatment tank, 2a: vessel wall, 2b: bottom, 3: pipe, 4: pump, 5: rotary valve, 6, 7, 8: treatment liquid tank, 9: pipe, 10: drainage Tank, 11, 12: Tube, 13: Sample, 14: Bubble, 15: Double wall, 16:
Bubble separation chamber, 17, 18: Opening, 19: Connecting pipe, 19a: Opening, 20:
Screw part, 21: shaft, 22: through hole, 23: shielding plate, 24: gap, 25: space, 26: basket.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A one-tank type sample processing apparatus in which an upper end of a connecting pipe for supplying and discharging a processing liquid is opened on a bottom face, and the bottom face is an inclined surface which is inclined downward toward an upper end opening of the connecting pipe. It is a bubble mixing prevention device in a one-tank type sample processing device that prevents bubbles from mixing with the supply of the processing liquid into the processing tank of 1. A screw part that is freely screwed into the provided female screw and that has a passage through which the processing liquid flows, a shaft that is continuous above the screw part and that is loosely fitted to the connecting pipe, and that is provided at the upper end of this shaft. It consists of a cap-shaped shielding plate that covers the opening of the connecting pipe, and by screwing the screw part into the connecting pipe, a gap through which the processing liquid can freely flow between the edge of the shielding plate and the bottom of the processing tank, In a one-tank type sample processing device in which a space for accumulating air is formed between the lower surface of the shielding plate and the bottom surface of the processing tank. Bubble mixing prevention device.