JPH07311204A - Washing apparatus for medical analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a washing apparatus, in which whether or not a distributing injection nozzle is washed completely can be judged and which can prevent secondary trouble such as heat generation, ignition, etc., when the washing apparatus gets trouble or is deteriorated and inform an analyzer body or a host controller of its trouble, for the medical analyzer. CONSTITUTION:An ultrasonic vibrator 4 applying ultrasonic vibrations to a dispensation nozzle dispensing a reagent and a specimen, a piezoelectric element 3 for driving exciting ultrasonic vibrations to the ultrasonic vibrator 4 by applying alternating voltage, a driver circuit 1 driving the piezoelectric element 3 for driving, and a vibration detector detecting ultrasonic vibrations excited by the ultrasonic vibrator 4 are provided. A comparison discriminator 6 comparing a value output from the vibration detector and a preset reference value and an output device 10 outputting the trouble of a washing apparatus to an analyzer body or a host controller with the output of the comparison discriminator 6 are provided.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cleaning apparatus for a medical analyzer having a dispensing nozzle for sucking and holding a sample or a reagent in a nozzle for transfer and then discharging the sample or reagent.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a technique relating to the above cleaning apparatus, a proposal as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 60-107744 has been proposed. The device described in the above publication is designed such that a certain amount of a sample is sucked and collected through a dispensing nozzle and discharged into a sample tube or a reaction container, after which the dispensing nozzle is washed and then the next sample is dispensed. As shown in FIG. 11, the ultrasonic vibrator 41 is fixed to an arm 40 connected to a transfer device (not shown). A horn 42 is coupled to the ultrasonic oscillator 41, and a dispensing nozzle 44 is attached to the tip of the horn 42 via a nozzle fixing base 43. The dispensing nozzle 44 has a nozzle fixing base 43 near the upper end thereof.
A tube 45 connected to a sample pump (not shown) and a washing pump (not shown) via a three-way valve (not shown) is connected to the upper end of the dispensing nozzle 44.

According to the above construction, the dispensing nozzle 44 and the ultrasonic transducer 41 can be integrally connected, and the dispensing nozzle 4 can be arranged between the sample collecting position, the sample discharging position and the nozzle cleaning position.
4 and the ultrasonic transducer 41 can be integrally transferred. Further, since the ultrasonic transducer 41 is connected to the dispensing nozzle 44 via the horn 42 and the nozzle fixing base 43,
The ultrasonic vibration energy generated from the ultrasonic vibrator 41 is transmitted to the dispensing nozzle 44 via the horn 42. Terminals 41a and 41b are formed on the ultrasonic transducer 41 and connected to a drive circuit (not shown), and ultrasonic vibration energy required for the dispensing nozzle 44 is determined according to the operation of the dispenser and the characteristics of the sample to be dispensed. To supply.

[0004]

According to the above-mentioned prior art, since the dispensing nozzle can be cleaned by utilizing the cleaning effect of ultrasonic vibration energy, the cleaning effect can be improved and the dispensing nozzle can be used in a short time. It has the effect of enabling cleaning, shortening the dispensing time and further improving the dispensing accuracy of the sample.However, if the ultrasonic transducer fails or deteriorates, the ultrasonic vibration energy It may decrease and cause poor cleaning. Continuing to dispense with poor cleaning will continue to give erroneous analysis results, and impair the reliability of the analyzer itself. further,
Continuing to vibrate the ultrasonic vibrator in a state where the ultrasonic vibrator has failed or deteriorated may cause a secondary failure such as heat generation and ignition.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. It is possible to judge whether or not the dispensing nozzle is completely cleaned, and at the same time, when the cleaning device is broken or deteriorated, It is an object of the present invention to provide a cleaning device for a medical analyzer, which can prevent a secondary failure such as heat generation and ignition, and can notify the failure of the cleaning device to the analyzer main body or the host controller.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention of claim 1 relates to a dispensing nozzle for dispensing a reagent / specimen, and an ultrasonic transducer for applying ultrasonic vibration to the dispensing nozzle. In a cleaning device for a medical analyzer, which comprises a cleaning tank in which the dispensing nozzle is cleaned with cleaning water, a driving piezoelectric element for exciting ultrasonic vibration in the ultrasonic vibrator by applying an alternating voltage. A drive circuit for driving the drive piezoelectric element, a vibration detector for detecting ultrasonic vibrations excited by the ultrasonic vibrator, a value output from the vibration detector, and a preset reference value And the output device that outputs a failure of the cleaning device to the analyzer main body or the host controller in accordance with the output of the comparison and determination device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a dispensing nozzle for dispensing a reagent / specimen, an ultrasonic vibrator for applying ultrasonic vibration to the dispensing nozzle, and a cleaning in which the dispensing nozzle is cleaned with cleaning water. In a cleaning device for a medical analyzer including a tank, a driving piezoelectric element that excites ultrasonic vibrations in the ultrasonic vibrator by applying an alternating voltage, a driving circuit that drives the driving piezoelectric element, and A vibration detector that detects ultrasonic vibrations excited by an ultrasonic transducer, a comparison determiner that compares a value output from the vibration detector with a preset reference value, and an output of the comparison determiner Accordingly, a breaker that cuts off the alternating voltage applied to the driving piezoelectric element, and an output device that outputs a failure of the cleaning device to the analyzer main body or the host controller in accordance with the output of the comparison / determination device. Configured with

The invention of claim 3 relates to claim 1 or claim 2.
The vibration detector in is constituted by a mechanical-electrical energy conversion element for detecting ultrasonic vibration excited by the ultrasonic vibrator or a current detector for detecting a current flowing into the driving piezoelectric element.

The invention of claim 4 is claim 1 or claim 2.
In the comparison / determination device, the voltage output from the mechanical-electrical energy conversion element that detects the ultrasonic vibration excited by the ultrasonic transducer or the current detector voltage that detects the current flowing into the driving piezoelectric element is integrated. The integrator and the comparator for comparing the value output from the integrator with a preset reference value.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the integrator according to the fourth aspect is configured so that the voltage value of the mechanical-electrical energy conversion element or the current detector is changed only during the application time when the alternating voltage is applied to the driving piezoelectric element. The current value is integrated.

[0011]

According to the structure of the invention of claim 1, the driving piezoelectric element functions to excite the ultrasonic vibrator and vibrate the dispensing nozzle attached to the ultrasonic vibrator to perform cleaning.
The drive circuit acts to apply an alternating voltage to the drive piezoelectric element such that the drive piezoelectric element vibrates. The vibration detector works to detect the vibration state of the ultrasonic transducer. The comparison / determination device functions to compare the output value of the vibration detector with a preset value. The output device works to output the failure of the cleaning device to the analyzer main body or the host controller in accordance with the output of the comparison / determination device.

According to the structure of the invention of claim 2, the driving piezoelectric element functions to excite the ultrasonic oscillator and to vibrate the dispensing nozzle attached to the ultrasonic oscillator for cleaning. The drive circuit acts to apply an alternating voltage to the drive piezoelectric element such that the drive piezoelectric element vibrates. The vibration detector works to detect the vibration state of the ultrasonic transducer.
The comparison / determination device functions to compare the output value of the vibration detector with a preset value. The breaker applies voltage to the driving piezoelectric element according to the output from the comparison / determination device so as to prevent secondary damage such as heat generation and ignition when the ultrasonic transducer is broken or deteriorated. It works to shut off the alternating voltage. The output device works to output the failure of the cleaning device to the analyzer main body or the host controller in accordance with the output of the comparison / determination device.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the vibration detector functions to detect the current flowing into the driving piezoelectric element.

According to the configuration of the invention of claim 4, the comparison / determination device has an integrator for integrating the value output from the vibration detector, and the output value of the integrator and the preset reference value are set. Work to compare.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the integrator is configured such that the voltage value of the mechanical-electrical energy conversion element or the current value from the current detector is applied only during the application time when the alternating voltage is applied to the driving piezoelectric element. Works to integrate.

[0016]

First Embodiment FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a block diagram for driving an ultrasonic transducer in a cleaning apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the cleaning apparatus. .
In this embodiment, a mechanical-electrical energy conversion element is used for the vibration detector, which will be described below. The two driving piezoelectric elements 3a and 3b (the two driving piezoelectric elements are collectively referred to as the driving piezoelectric element 3) are formed in a donut shape, are polarized in the thickness direction, and have silver on both end surfaces. It is vapor-deposited. Each driving piezoelectric element 3a, 3 on which silver is vapor-deposited
On the end face of b, an electrode plate 8 made of phosphor bronze having a substantially same shape
a, 8b, and 8c are installed, and two driving piezoelectric elements 3 are provided.
a and 3b are installed so that the polarization directions are opposed to each other with the phosphor bronze electrode plate 8b sandwiched therebetween, and the drive circuit 1 shown in FIG. Sine wave voltage can be supplied. The drive circuit 1 uses a power circuit composed of an element such as an FET or a power transistor that can flow a large current such as a voltage obtained by stepping up or down a commercial power source to a required voltage by a transformer and rectifying the voltage. An alternating voltage such as a sine wave or a rectangular wave near the resonance frequency is generated, and the alternating voltage is applied to the driving piezoelectric element directly or via a transformer.

A vibration detecting piezoelectric element 5 as a mechanical-electrical energy converting element having the same shape as the driving piezoelectric element 3 is provided on one end face side (driving piezoelectric element 3a side) of the vibration generating section A having the above-mentioned structure. Has been. Vibration detection piezoelectric element 5
Is a thin plate phosphor bronze electrode plate 8 having substantially the same shape on both end surfaces.
It is sandwiched by d and 8e and is electrically insulated from the driving piezoelectric element 3a and the resonator 12b by the thin alumina ceramics 11a and 11b arranged outside the phosphor bronze electrode plates 8d and 8e, respectively. The detection unit B is configured. Thin Alumina Ceramic 1
1a and 11b are formed in the same shape as the driving piezoelectric element 3.

The ultrasonic oscillator 4 has the vibration generating portion A.
And the vibration detector B from both sides of the resonator 12a and the resonator 12b.
The resonator 12b is sandwiched between the resonator 12a and the resonator 12b from the resonator 12a side at the center by the vibrator pressure-bonding member 13 to form the Langevin type ultrasonic vibrator 4.

The resonator 12a is made of stainless steel, aluminum alloy, duralumin, phosphor bronze, or the like, which is a material excellent in vibration transmission. In this embodiment, stainless steel having good corrosion resistance is used. The resonator 12a is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape having the same outer diameter as the driving piezoelectric element 3, and the electrode plate 8a.
The contact surface with is finished to have a surface roughness of Rmax 1 μm or less. In addition, a hole through which the vibrator crimping member 13 penetrates is formed in the center of the resonator 12a, and a step portion with which the head of the vibrator crimping member 13 is locked is provided on the opening side of this hole. Has been.

The resonator 12b is made of the same material as the resonator 12a and has a two-step substantially cylindrical shape, and the contact surface with the alumina ceramic 11a is finished to have a surface roughness of Rmax 1 μm or less. A female screw for screwing the tip portion of the vibrator crimping member 13 is screwed on the center of the resonator 12b. In addition, the resonator 12b is formed such that the two cylindrical shapes thereof have a horn effect, and the length of each cylinder substantially matches a quarter wavelength of the driving frequency. A hole for penetrating the dispensing nozzle 14 is formed at the tip of the horn of the resonator 12b so as to be orthogonal to the axial direction of the ultrasonic transducer 4, and a fixing member 15 for fixing the dispensing nozzle 14 is screwed. A female screw for doing so is threaded from the tip surface of the horn to the through hole.

The dispensing nozzle 14 is made of stainless steel having excellent corrosion resistance.
It is fixed in a state of being inserted through the through hole by the fixing member 15 at a position of a predetermined length. The tip of the dispensing nozzle 14 is
The discharge port 14a is formed in a tapered shape by drawing. Further, at the end opposite to the discharge port 14a,
A connection pipe 16 connected to a reversible reciprocating pump (not shown) is attached. Saline or water is contained in the inside of the connection pipe 16 and the inside of the reciprocating pump, and the reciprocating pump causes the dispensing nozzle 14 to suck and discharge the sample or the reagent, and to serve as washing water. Dispense saline or water.

Below the dispensing nozzle 14, a washing tank 17 filled with washing water 18 is installed. The cleaning tank 17 is provided with a supply port 17a for supplying cleaning water 18 from a pump (not shown) at the bottom thereof, and an outlet 17 for discharging the cleaning water 18 by overflow near the surface of the cleaning water 18.
b is formed.

Next, an example of the operation of sucking / discharging and washing the reagent by each of the above components will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The dispensing nozzle 14 swivels and descends above a reagent case (not shown). Then, when the tip of the discharge port 14a of the dispensing nozzle 14 slightly contacts the liquid surface of the washing water, the descending is stopped, and the dispensing nozzle 14
Aspirate the reagent inside. Then, the dispensing nozzle 14 moves up and is again arranged above the reagent case.

Next, the dispensing nozzle 14 swivels above a reaction cell (not shown) containing the sample, and a predetermined amount of reagent is discharged from the dispensing nozzle 14 into the reaction cell.

Next, the dispensing nozzle 14 swivels above the cleaning tank 17, and then descends to immerse the tip of the discharge port 14a of the dispensing nozzle 14 in the cleaning tank 17 for a predetermined length. At the same time as the dispensing nozzle 14 comes into contact with the washing water 18 in the washing tank 17, physiological saline or water is made to flow into the inside of the dispensing nozzle 14 from the reciprocating pump as washing water. Cleaning water is made to flow from 17a, and a sine wave voltage is applied to the ultrasonic transducer 4 from the drive circuit 1,
The vibration 19 is transmitted to the dispensing nozzle 14. At this time, a sine wave voltage corresponding to the ultrasonic vibration is generated in the vibration detecting piezoelectric element 5 and is output to the comparison / determination unit 6.

With the above operation, the dispensing nozzle 14 is cleaned, and the contamination of the dispensing nozzle 14 is discharged from the discharge port 17b of the cleaning tank 17.
More discharged to the outside.

When the cleaning of the dispensing nozzle 14 is completed, the supply of the cleaning water and the vibration are stopped. Then, the dispensing nozzle 14 rises and is pulled out of the cleaning tank 17.

During the above operation, the sine wave voltage from the vibration detecting piezoelectric element 5 as the mechanical-electrical energy converting element which is output in response to the ultrasonic vibration of the ultrasonic vibrator 4 is a reference voltage value set in advance. Is determined by the comparison and determination device 6. When the comparison and determination unit 6 determines that the sine wave voltage is lower than the reference voltage, the output unit 10 outputs a failure of the cleaning device to the analyzer main body or the host controller.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. An electrode plate 8a installed on the end faces of the driving piezoelectric elements 3a, 3b,
When 8c is grounded and a high voltage sine wave voltage (alternating voltage) supplied from the drive circuit 1 is applied to the electrode plate 8b, the dispensing nozzle 14 mounted perpendicularly to the vibration direction of the ultrasonic transducer 4 is A high-order bending vibration 19 as indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 2 is excited.

Due to the strong acceleration of the bending vibration 19, stains remaining on the sample / reagent attached to the dispensing nozzle 14 are peeled off from the surface of the dispensing nozzle 14 and discharged to the outside by the flow of the washing water 18. Further, since the dispensing nozzle 14 itself vibrates, ultrasonic vibrations are radiated from the inner surface of the dispensing nozzle 14 to the cleaning water inside, causing strong cavitation, and at the node position of the bending vibration 19 of the dispensing nozzle 14. Also, a good cleaning effect can be obtained.

As described above, there is a close relationship between the cleaning effect and the vibration force of the ultrasonic vibrator 4, and unless strong ultrasonic vibration is generated from the ultrasonic vibrator 4, a good cleaning effect cannot be obtained. This causes cleaning failure of the injection nozzle 14. The ultrasonic oscillator 4 can generate strong ultrasonic vibrations in the initial use state, but due to the high voltage applied to the driving piezoelectric element 3, polarization of the driving piezoelectric element 3 is delayed. Along with that, it gradually becomes negative. The deterioration of the driving piezoelectric element 3 can be monitored by the sine wave voltage output from the electrode plates 8d (detection signal) and 8e (ground) installed at both ends of the vibration detection piezoelectric element 5 installed in the vicinity. , The sine wave voltage value becomes smaller due to vibration damping due to deterioration.

Therefore, when the comparison and determination device 6 determines that the sine wave voltage output from the vibration detecting piezoelectric element 5 has not reached the preset voltage value, the output device 1
When 0, a failure of the cleaning device is transmitted to the analyzer main unit or the host controller, and the analysis operation of the analyzer is stopped.

Here, the configuration of the comparison / determination device 6 may be analog or digital, and the reference voltage to be set is the initial ultrasonic transducer 4 (before the piezoelectric element is deteriorated).
Is about 1/2 to 2/3 of the output voltage value output from the vibration detecting piezoelectric element 5 when the ultrasonic vibration is generated, and the driving piezoelectric element 3 is driven before the cleaning effect is affected. It is a value to detect deterioration.

Further, since the sine wave voltage from the vibration detecting piezoelectric element 5 becomes small even when the driving piezoelectric element 3 or the ultrasonic transducer is damaged by some external action on the ultrasonic transducer 4, comparison is made. The output device 10 detects by the judging device 6 and, according to the output value of the comparison judging device 6, the output device 10 tells the analyzer main unit or the host controller, for example, an electrical or visual signal such as a TTL signal or an open collector output signal, an LED or a lamp. The failure of the cleaning device is output as the important information.

According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. It is possible to judge whether or not the dispensing nozzle 14 is reliably cleaned, and the analysis operation is not carried out with poor cleaning, so that the reliability of the analyzer is improved. In addition, it is possible to prevent secondary failure such as heat generation and ignition due to failure / deterioration of the cleaning device, and it is possible to improve safety. Further, the ultrasonic vibration itself means the cleaning effect, and since the ultrasonic vibration is directly detected, the cleaning effect can be reliably managed. Further, since the failure of the cleaning device becomes clear in the analysis main body or the host controller, maintenance becomes easy.

As a mechanical-electrical energy conversion element for detecting vibration, there are strain gauges, polymer piezoelectric films, etc. in addition to the above-mentioned vibration detecting piezoelectric element 5, and these members 9 are used as shown in FIG. Even if it is fixedly bonded to the side surface of the resonator 12b, a sinusoidal voltage corresponding to the ultrasonic vibration can be obtained and can be judged by the comparison and judgment device 6, and the failure / deterioration of the ultrasonic vibrator 4 can be detected.

[0037]

Second Embodiment FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention and is a block diagram for driving an ultrasonic transducer. In this embodiment, a current detector is used as the vibration detector, and the points different from the above-described first embodiment will be described below. Ultrasonic transducer 4
A sine wave voltage (alternating voltage) is applied from the drive circuit 1 to
When ultrasonic vibration is transmitted to the dispensing nozzle 14, the current flowing through the driving piezoelectric element 3 becomes a substantially sinusoidal wave whose peak value increases in proportion to the ultrasonic vibration. When the driving piezoelectric element 3 is deteriorated, ultrasonic vibration is reduced, and accordingly, the current flowing through the driving piezoelectric element 3 is reduced. Also,
When the driving piezoelectric element 3 is destroyed, the current flowing through the driving piezoelectric element 3 becomes extremely large. This current value is converted into a voltage value by a current detector 7 such as a resistor, a current transformer, a Hall element. A voltage value corresponding to the value of the current flowing through the driving piezoelectric element 3 is output from the current detector 7 and is compared with a preset reference voltage value by the comparison / determination unit 6. When the comparison and determination unit 6 determines that the sine wave voltage is lower or higher than the reference voltage, the output unit 10 outputs a failure of the cleaning device to the analyzer body or the host controller.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The current flowing through the driving piezoelectric element 3 becomes a sine wave whose peak value increases in proportion to ultrasonic vibration. When the driving piezoelectric element 3 is deteriorated, the ultrasonic vibration that influences the cleaning effect is reduced, and accordingly, the current flowing through the driving piezoelectric element 3 is also reduced and the cleaning effect is weakened. In addition, when the driving piezoelectric element 3 is broken due to an external impact, a life, or the like, or when the terminals of the driving piezoelectric element 3 are short-circuited due to a wiring mistake, the mixing of iron powder, or the like, driving is performed. The current flowing through the piezoelectric element 3 for use becomes extremely large. This current value is analyzed by the output device 10 when the substantially sine wave voltage output from the current detector 7 such as a resistor, a current transformer or a hall element is not within the preset voltage range by the comparison / determination device 6. The failure of the cleaning device is notified to the main body of the machine or the host controller and the analysis operation of the analyzer is stopped.

Here, the current detector 7 and the comparison / determination device 6 may be analog or digital, and the reference voltage to be set is the ultrasonic transducer 4 at the initial stage (before the piezoelectric element is deteriorated). About 1/2 of the voltage value corresponding to the current value obtained from the current detector 7 when the vibration is generated
The lower limit is ⅔ and the upper limit is about 2 to 3 times, which is a value for detecting the deterioration of the driving piezoelectric element 3 before the cleaning effect is affected or the secondary damage of the cleaning device occurs.

In this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. The cleaning effect can be indirectly controlled by the current value of the current output from the current detector 7, and it is possible to confirm not only the drive piezoelectric element 3 but also the drive circuit 1 and the connection cable wiring error. . Further, since the current detector 7 can be installed in the drive circuit 1, it is not necessary to attach a sensor or wire. It should be noted that the current detector 7 for detecting vibration may be located anywhere between the drive circuit 1 and the drive piezoelectric element 3.

[0041]

[Embodiment 3] FIGS. 5 and 6 show Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram for driving an ultrasonic vibrator using a mechanical-electrical energy conversion element for vibration detection, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram for driving an ultrasonic transducer using a current detector for detection. In the present embodiment, a mechanical-electrical energy conversion element or a current detector is used as the vibration detector, and the points different from the above-mentioned first and second embodiments will be described below.

An output voltage value of a mechanical-electrical energy converting element 5a such as a vibration detecting piezoelectric element, a strain gauge, a polymer piezoelectric element film or an output voltage value of a current detector 7 for detecting a current flowing through the driving piezoelectric element 3, A circuit breaker 2 installed between the drive circuit 1 and the ultrasonic transducer 4 or between the current detector 7 and the ultrasonic transducer 4 according to the output of the comparison determiner 6 for comparing and comparing the reference voltage value. Interrupts the application of the sinusoidal voltage applied to the driving piezoelectric element 3. Simultaneously with the interruption by the interruption device 2, the output device 10 outputs a failure of the cleaning device to the analyzer main body or the host controller.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The output voltage of the mechanical-electrical energy conversion element 5a for vibration detection or the output voltage value of the current detector 7 for detecting the current flowing through the driving piezoelectric element 3 and the reference voltage value are compared and output by the comparison / determination device 6. Accordingly, the breaking device 2 such as a relay, an FET, or a power transistor installed between the drive circuit 1 and the ultrasonic transducer 4 or between the current detector 7 and the ultrasonic transducer 4 is provided with the driving piezoelectric element 3. The application of the sinusoidal voltage applied to is cut off.

In this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. When the cleaning device fails, the voltage application to the driving piezoelectric element 3 can be cut off without going through the analyzer main body or the host controller, so that the cleaning device can reliably generate heat and fire due to failure or deterioration. Secondary failure can be prevented.

[0045]

Fourth Embodiment FIG. 7 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention and is a block diagram for driving an ultrasonic transducer. The present embodiment is characterized by the drive circuit, and the points different from the third embodiment will be described below. The drive circuit 1 for driving the drive piezoelectric element 3 has a rectifier circuit 20 for rectifying and rectifying a commercial power supply to a required voltage by a transformer, and a voltage output from the rectifier circuit 20 such as a sine wave or a rectangular wave. A power circuit 21 composed of an element capable of flowing a large current such as an FET or a power transistor for converting into an alternating voltage
And an oscillator 22 that generates a frequency near the resonance point of the ultrasonic transducer 4, and a transformer 23 that is used when impedance matching between the power circuit 21 and the driving piezoelectric element 3 cannot be achieved. In addition, the rectifier circuit 20
An output cutoff circuit 24 using a switching element is installed between the power circuit 21 and the power circuit 21, and cuts off the connection between the rectifier circuit 20 and the power circuit 21 in accordance with the output of the comparison / determination unit 6.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The rectifier circuit 20 boosts or lowers the commercial power supply by a transformer as needed, and rectifies it. The power circuit 21 uses the frequency near the resonance point of the ultrasonic oscillator 4 generated by the oscillator 22 as the power source, and the voltage output from the rectifier circuit 20 as the power source.
Converts to alternating voltage of high frequency high voltage such as sine wave or rectangular wave. The converted alternating voltage is applied to the driving piezoelectric element 3
The ultrasonic transducer 4 is ultrasonically vibrated. At this time, the output cutoff circuit 24 cuts off the power supply to the power circuit 21 in accordance with the output determined by the comparison / determination device 6 when the driving piezoelectric element 3 fails or deteriorates, and the output of the drive circuit 1 is output. To stop.

According to this embodiment, the connection between the power supply generated by the rectifier circuit 20 and the power circuit 21 is connected to the output cutoff circuit 2.
Since it is cut off by 4, it is possible to prevent not only the driving piezoelectric element 3 but also the power circuit 21 from being broken. The output cutoff circuit 24 cuts off the output of the oscillator 22 as shown in FIG. 8 to obtain the same effect as that of the present embodiment.

[0048]

Fifth Embodiment FIGS. 9 and 10 show a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a block diagram for driving an ultrasonic transducer using a mechanical-electrical energy conversion element for vibration detection, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram for driving an ultrasonic transducer using a current detector for detection. In this embodiment, a mechanical-electrical energy conversion element or a current detector is used as the vibration detector, and the points different from the above-mentioned first, second and third embodiments will be described below.

The comparison / determination unit 6 integrates the voltage output from the mechanical / electrical energy conversion element 5a or the voltage value output from the current detector for a certain period of time while the alternating voltage is applied to the driving piezoelectric element. Integrator 30 and integrator 30
It is composed of a comparator 31 for comparing an output value output from the device with a preset reference value.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The output voltage of the mechanical-electrical energy conversion element 5a for vibration detection is a very small voltage, and in general, high-frequency noise is often superimposed due to switching noise of the FET of the drive circuit, noise from peripheral circuits, and the like. Further, the current flowing through the driving piezoelectric element is often a current containing a noise component due to transient current due to switching of the FET of the driving circuit, impedance mismatch, and the like. Therefore, the vibration state of the ultrasonic transducer detected by the mechanical-electrical energy conversion element 5a and the current detector 7 includes a high-frequency noise component and is output from the mechanical-electrical energy conversion element 5a or the current detector 7. If the comparison / determination device 6 compares the detected voltage value as it is with the reference voltage, it may cause a malfunction.

Therefore, while the alternating voltage is applied to the driving piezoelectric element, the integrator 30 integrates the voltage value corresponding to the output voltage of the mechanical-electrical energy conversion element 5a or the current value output from the current detector 7. The comparator 31 compares the output integrated value with a preset reference range.
If the comparison value is not within the reference range, the output device 10 informs the analyzer main unit or the host controller of the failure of the cleaning device, and the analysis operation of the analyzer is stopped.

Here, the configuration of the integrator 30 and the comparator 31 may be analog or digital, and the reference voltage to be set is obtained from the initial ultrasonic transducer (before the piezoelectric element is deteriorated). 1/2 of the integrated value of the output voltage value
The lower limit is ⅔ and the upper limit is about 2 to 3 times, which is a value for detecting the deterioration of the piezoelectric element before the cleaning effect is affected or the secondary destruction of the cleaning device occurs.

According to the present embodiment, since the integrator 30 can virtually eliminate the noise of the high frequency component, the malfunction due to the high frequency noise is eliminated.

[0054]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to judge whether or not the dispensing nozzle can be completely cleaned, and at the same time, when the cleaning device is broken or deteriorated, It is possible to prevent secondary failure such as heat generation and ignition, and to notify the analyzer main unit or host controller of failure of the cleaning device, so obtain a cleaning device for medical analyzer with improved reliability. be able to. According to the inventions of claims 2 and 3, in addition to the effects of the claims, heat generation due to failure / deterioration of the cleaning device is ensured,
Secondary failure such as ignition can be prevented. According to the inventions of claims 4 and 5, it is possible to apparently eliminate the noise of the high frequency component superposed on the output value output from the vibration detector, so that the malfunction due to the high frequency noise is eliminated.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for driving an ultrasonic transducer in a cleaning apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the cleaning device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing a cleaning device in a modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for driving an ultrasonic transducer in a cleaning apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram for driving an ultrasonic vibrator in a cleaning apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram for driving another ultrasonic transducer in the cleaning apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram for driving an ultrasonic transducer in a cleaning apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram for driving another ultrasonic transducer in the cleaning apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram for driving an ultrasonic transducer in a cleaning apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram for driving another ultrasonic transducer in the cleaning apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Drive circuit 2 Breaker device 3 Piezoelectric element for driving 4 Ultrasonic vibrator 5 Piezoelectric element for vibration detection 5a Mechanical-electrical energy conversion element 6 Comparative judgment device 7 Current detector 10 Output device 15 Dispensing nozzle 30 Integrator

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A dispensing nozzle for dispensing a reagent / sample, an ultrasonic vibrator for applying ultrasonic vibration to the dispensing nozzle, and a washing tank for washing the dispensing nozzle with washing water. In a cleaning device for a medical analyzer, a driving piezoelectric element for exciting ultrasonic vibration in the ultrasonic vibrator by applying an alternating voltage, a driving circuit for driving the driving piezoelectric element, and the ultrasonic vibrator A vibration detector that detects the ultrasonic vibrations to be excited, a comparison and determination device that compares the value output from the vibration detector with a preset reference value, and the output of the comparison and determination device is analyzed. A cleaning device for a medical analyzer, comprising: an output device for outputting a failure of the cleaning device to a main body of the machine or a host controller. 2. A dispensing nozzle for dispensing a reagent / sample, an ultrasonic vibrator for applying ultrasonic vibration to the dispensing nozzle, and a washing tank for washing the dispensing nozzle with washing water. In a cleaning device for a medical analyzer, a driving piezoelectric element for exciting ultrasonic vibration in the ultrasonic vibrator by applying an alternating voltage, a driving circuit for driving the driving piezoelectric element, and the ultrasonic vibrator A vibration detector that detects the ultrasonic vibration to be excited, a comparison determiner that compares the value output from the vibration detector with a preset reference value, and the output of the comparison determiner, A breaking device for breaking an alternating voltage applied to the driving piezoelectric element, and an output device for outputting a failure of the cleaning device to the analyzer main body or the host controller in accordance with the output of the comparison / determination device. Medical analysis Machine cleaning equipment. 3. The vibration detector is a mechanical-electrical energy conversion element that detects ultrasonic vibrations excited by the ultrasonic vibrator or a current detector that detects a current flowing into the driving piezoelectric element. The cleaning device for a medical analyzer according to claim 1 or 2. 4. The current detector that detects the voltage output from a mechanical-electrical energy conversion element that detects ultrasonic vibration excited by the ultrasonic vibrator or the current that flows into the driving piezoelectric element. 3. The medical analyzer according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: an integrator that integrates a device voltage and a comparator that compares a value output from the integrator with a preset reference value. Cleaning device. 5. The integrator integrates the voltage value of the mechanical-electrical energy conversion element or the current value from the current detector only during an application time when an alternating voltage is applied to the driving piezoelectric element. The cleaning apparatus for a medical analyzer according to claim 4, which is characterized in that.