JPH076919B2 - Chemical analyzer - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial field of application) The present invention allows a substance to be measured to act on a chemical analysis slide having one or more reagent layers, which is kept at a constant temperature (incubation) for a predetermined period of time, and then the presentation thereof is performed. The present invention relates to a chemical analyzer that optically measures and analyzes the degree of color (the degree of pigment formation).

(Prior Art) Qualitatively or quantitatively analyzing a specific chemical component in a liquid sample is an operation generally performed in various industrial fields. Particularly, quantitative analysis of chemical components or formed components in biological fluids such as blood and urine is extremely important in the fields of biochemistry and clinical practice.

In recent years, a dry-type chemical analysis slide has been developed which can quantitatively analyze a specific chemical component or a formed component contained in the sample solution simply by supplying a small drop of the sample solution. 53-21677, JP-A-55-164356, etc.)
It has been put to practical use. The use of these chemical analysis slides enables simple and quick analysis of sample liquids as compared with conventional wet analysis methods, so its use is particularly necessary for medical institutions and laboratories that need to analyze a large number of samples. Etc. are preferable.

In order to analyze chemical components in a sample solution using such a chemical analysis slide, after the sample solution is weighed and adhered to the chemical analysis slide, it is kept at a constant temperature for a predetermined time in an incubator (incubator). Incubation) to cause a color reaction (dye formation reaction), and then the chemical analysis slide is irradiated with irradiation light for measurement containing a wavelength preselected by the combination of the sample component and the reagent contained in the reagent layer of the chemical analysis slide. Then, the reflection optical density is measured,
As a result, quantitative analysis of the above chemical components and the like is performed.

In this case, it is necessary to analyze a large number of samples in the above-mentioned analysis at medical institutions, laboratories, etc. It is desirable that this analysis can be performed automatically and continuously. For this reason, various proposals have been made for a chemical analyzer that can automatically and continuously analyze a sample using the chemical analysis slide.

For example, as disclosed in JP-A-56-77746,
A chemical analysis slide is sandwiched between two rotatable discs at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and a heater for holding a constant temperature is provided on the two discs so that the constant temperature can be maintained by this heater. The chemical analysis slide, which has been kept at a constant temperature for a certain period of time, is positioned by the rotation of the disc so as to face the reading head located below the disc, and the reading head irradiates the chemical analysis slide with an irradiation light through the opening on the lower face of the disc. There is a chemical analysis device which is adapted to perform the irradiation of and the measurement of its reflection optical density. By using this device, a plurality of chemical analysis slides can be arranged in the circumferential direction between two disks, so that efficient and quick analysis can be performed. The control system tends to be complicated, and there are some problems in terms of downsizing and cost reduction of the device.

Further, as disclosed in JP-A-58-21566, for example, a "U" -shaped conveying path is formed in the incubator,
A plurality of chemical analysis slides held by a carrier of a predetermined shape are sequentially fed into this transport path so as to be transported along this transport path, and a reading head provided in the middle of this transport path There has also been proposed a chemical analysis device that irradiates a chemical analysis slide that has been kept at a constant temperature in a transport path for a predetermined time with irradiation light and measures its reflection optical density. This device also enables efficient and rapid analysis using a plurality of chemical analysis slides, but requires a mechanism for conveying the carrier holding the chemical analysis slides along the conveyance path. There are some problems in downsizing and cost reduction of the device. Further, when the reflection optical density is measured, it is also possible to measure the change rate (rate) of the reflection optical density by performing the measurement a plurality of times at predetermined time intervals on the same chemical analysis slide. There is a problem that it is not very suitable for rate measurement.

Further, as another example of the chemical analysis device, chemical analysis slides are sequentially stacked and inserted in an incubator, and after a predetermined time has passed, the stacked slides are sequentially taken out from the bottommost one and the reflection optical density is measured. There is something like this. By doing so, the chemical analysis slides are placed in the incubator in a stacked manner, so that there is an advantage that the incubator can be easily kept at a constant temperature and the incubator can be downsized. The gas generated by the color reaction with the sample attached to the sample affects the color reaction on other chemical analysis slides.
There is a problem that the accuracy of analysis is reduced. Further, in this device, the chemical analysis slides are sequentially taken out and measured after a lapse of a predetermined time. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to carry out the measurement during the keeping of the constant temperature and it is not suitable for the rate measurement.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) From the above, the present applicant has used an incubator equipped with a plurality of storage chambers for storing a plurality of chemical analysis slides arranged side by side in the same plane. A reading head that is slidable along the lower surface and faces the reagent layer of the chemical analysis slide in the storage chamber to measure this reflection optical density. Before storing the chemical analysis slide in the storage chamber, place the substance to be measured in the reagent layer. A small unit that is integrated with a spotting device that supplies drops, a slide loading unit that holds the unused chemical analysis slide before this drop supply, and a transport / insertion means that transports and inserts from the chemical analysis slide into the incubator via the spotting unit.・ Proposed a compact chemical analyzer. When performing chemical analysis using such an apparatus, it is desirable to perform fog measurement in which the reflection optical density of an unused chemical analysis slide is measured in advance in order to improve the measurement accuracy. For this reason,
A read head for fog measurement is required.In this case, if the read head for the reflection optical density measurement of the chemical analysis slide that has undergone the color reaction in the incubator can also be used for the fog measurement, It can be said that it is preferable in terms of downsizing and cost reduction. Further, in order to efficiently perform such a chemical analysis operation, it is necessary to sufficiently consider the mechanism and shape of the above-mentioned carrying / inserting means. In particular, from the viewpoint of efficiently performing the operation of inserting and ejecting the chemical analysis slide into and from the storage chamber, the operations of inserting and ejecting the slide into and from the storage chamber can be simultaneously performed by one operation of the above-mentioned transfer / insertion means. The mechanism and shape should be such.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In view of the above circumstances, the present invention performs fog measurement of a chemical analysis slide and reflection optical density measurement after a color reaction with a single reading head, and at the same time, an incubator storage chamber of the chemical analysis slide. It is an object of the present invention to provide a chemical analysis device capable of performing quick and highly accurate chemical analysis, which is relatively small and compact, has a simple structure, and is capable of performing insertion and discharge operations at the same time. is there.

The chemical analysis device of the present invention stores and holds the chemical analysis slides in the slide loading unit, takes out the chemical analysis slides one by one, conveys them to the spotting unit, and attaches the chemical analysis slides to the reagent layer by a spotting device. A predetermined amount of the liquid to be measured is appropriately supplied, and then this chemical analysis slide is inserted into one of a plurality of storage chambers formed side by side on the same plane in the incubator and slid in the above horizontal direction. Irradiation light is irradiated to the chemical analysis slide by a reading head that is movable and is arranged so as to be able to face the chemical analysis slide stored in the storage chamber through reading openings formed in the plurality of storage chambers. Then, the reflection optical density is measured, and the chemical analysis slide is transported from the slide loading section to the spotting section and the slide after the spotting is transported to the incubator storage chamber. Insertion and discharge are performed by a carrying / inserting means, and the carrying / inserting means is insertable into the storage chamber, and has a slide holding part on which the chemical analysis slide is placed, and a front part of the holding part. And a slide discharge protrusion for abutting the rear end of the chemical analysis slide housed in the storage chamber and pushing the chemical analysis slide to the opposite side of the inlet opening and discharging the slide when positioned and inserted into the storage chamber. Not provided, a fog photometric unit for measuring reflection optical density of an unused chemical analysis slide is provided on the lateral side of the incubator, and the reading head slidable in the lateral direction is slid in the lateral direction. It is not possible to slide to the position facing the fog metering unit by the movement, and the chemical analysis slide conveyed from the slide loading section to the spotting section by the conveying / inserting means moves the fog metering section. It is characterized in that the reading head can perform fog photometry in the fog photometry section so as to pass the light.

(Embodiment) An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the chemical analyzer of the present invention.
This apparatus is provided with a cartridge loading section 11, incubators 20, 27, a spotting device 30, and a conveying / inserting means 40 on a main body 10. These are seen from above in a plan view of FIG. A front view of FIG. 3 is a front view of the apparatus taken along the arrow II-II in this figure. As shown in FIG. 1, the present apparatus is provided with a display section 14 for displaying measurement data during measurement, operation keys 15 for operating this display, and a magnetic disk insertion section 13 for recording. However, these are omitted in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The cartridge 2 accommodates a plurality of unused chemical analysis slides 1 in a stack, and the chemical analysis slide 1 loaded in the loading section 11 has a frame 1a having a circular hole for dropping a liquid sample as shown in FIG. A dry multi-layer film 1b is formed by laminating a support, a reagent layer, and a spreading layer in this order, and a predetermined amount of a sample (substance to be measured) such as urine and blood is dropped on the film, and a constant temperature is applied. It is retained (incubated) for color reaction. The chemical analysis slides 1 are pushed out one by one from the lowest stage in the cartridge 2 to the fog measuring section 16 by the pushing lever 12. The fog measuring unit 16 measures the reflection density (fog density) of the film 1b of the slide 1 before the substance to be measured is spotted,
A frame body 16a and a frame body are provided to determine the quality of the slide 1 and to correct the density measurement value of the slide 1 after the color reaction according to the fog density, and the measurement opening 16b is provided below the frame body 16a. Holding member 1 urged by spring 16c in 16a
A storage chamber 16e, which is made of 6d, is formed between the lower inner surface of the frame 16a and the pressing member 16d, and the slide 1 is stored in the storage chamber 16e. A bar code reading means 18 for reading a bar code (not shown) attached to the slide 1 is provided on the slide insertion side of the storage chamber 16e. A reference white board 17w and a reference blackboard 17b for correcting an error in the reflection density measurement value of the slide 1 are arranged on the right side of the fog measuring section 16.
Further, a first incubator 20 is located on the right side, and the chemical analysis slides 1 are accommodated and held in the first incubator 20 on the same plane as the chemical analysis slides 1 in the fog measuring unit 16 and on the right side. A plurality of storage chambers 21, 21, ... 21 are formed. In front of this first incubator 20, a tray for receiving used slides discharged from the storage chamber 21.
29 will be arranged. Below the first incubator 20, as shown in FIG. 3, a read head 50 facing the lower surface of the first incubator 20 and slidable in the lateral direction (direction of arrow C).
Are arranged. The sliding is performed by driving a rail 51 extending laterally below the first incubator 20 by, for example, a linear motor, and the rail 51 extends to the lower surface of the fog measuring unit 16. The reading head 50 can slide to the fog measuring unit 16 and can face the chemical analysis slide 1 of the fog measuring unit 16.

The first incubator 10 has a built-in heater (not shown) so that the chemical analysis slides 1 in the storage chambers 21, 21, ... 21 can be kept at a constant temperature (incubation).

On the right side of the first incubator 20, there is provided a storage chamber 28 for storing the chemical analysis slides 1 ′, which is arranged in a horizontal direction on the same plane as the storage chambers 21, 21, ... 21 of the incubator 20.
An incubator 27 is arranged, and the first and second incubators 20, 27 are fixedly mounted on the main body 10. In this way, by disposing the incubator separately,
The slides can be held at different temperatures.

The fog measuring unit 16, the first incubator 20, and the first incubator 20 and the second incubator 27 are arranged so as to be thermally insulated.

In the present embodiment, the chemical analysis slide 1 housed in the first incubator 20 has a reading opening formed on the lower surface of the storage chamber 21 for the color reaction between the sample and the reagent dropped on the film. By the read head 50 via 21a,
Optically measured, the second incubator 27
The chemical analysis slide 1'stored therein measures the potential difference generated in proportion to the logarithm of the ion activity of the specific ion in the sample, and measures this ion activity (electrolyte slide). Therefore, the chemical analysis slide 1 ′ housed in the second incubator 27 has at least a pair of solid electrodes having an ion selective layer as the outermost layer and a porous bridge capable of acting as a capillary between the pair of ion selective layers. A slide having the arranged basic structure, wherein a reference liquid is applied on one ion selective layer of the electrode pair of this slide, and a sample liquid (substance to be measured) is applied on the other ion selective layer, respectively. The potential difference between the electrodes is measured by an electrode head attached to the lower surface of the second incubator 27 to measure a predetermined ion activity in the sample solution. First incubator 20
Requires that each chemical analysis slide 1 be maintained at a temperature (37 ° C.) substantially the same as the body temperature in order to cause a color reaction of a sample such as urine and blood. However, the second incubator 27 requires such a requirement. Instead, for example, the temperature may be maintained at about 30 ° C., and the incubators 20, 27 are separately arranged, which is convenient in such a case.

On the other hand, at the rear of the first and second incubators 20, 27, a conveying / inserting means 40 which is slidable in the lateral direction (arrow A direction) facing the inlet openings 21a, 28a of the storage chambers 20, 28. Are arranged. This sliding is performed by the conveying / inserting means 40 placed on the rail 49 extending in the lateral direction being driven by, for example, a linear motor or the like, and not only the first and second incubators 20, 27 but also the fog It is slidable up to a position (a position indicated by a chain line X in FIG. 2) facing the measuring section 16. Therefore, the chemical analysis slide 1 or 1'extruded from the fog measurement unit 16 by the extrusion lever 12 is attached to the chain line X
It can be received by the conveying / inserting means 40 slid to the position.

A spotting device 30 is arranged behind the carrying / inserting means.
The spotting device 30 is slidable in the lateral direction (direction of arrow A) on the base 31 and arranged in two rows in the lateral direction so that the sample cups 36, 36, ...
A sample pipe 34 on which the 36 and the chips 35, 35, ... 35 are placed, and a pipette 32 that is movable up and down (direction of arrow D) and forward and backward (direction of arrow B) with respect to the base 31 is a vertical and forward and backward direction. To the tip of the sample cup 36, a predetermined amount of the substance to be measured in the sample cup 36 is sucked into the tip 35, and then the film 1b of the chemical analysis slide 1 on the transport / insertion means 40 is transferred to the spotting part 19. It is designed to be dropped and supplied. At this time, the tip is replaced for each sample cup so that the substance to be measured in the sample cup 36 is not mixed. In the case of the chemical analysis slide 1'stored in the second incubator 28, it is necessary to drop the reference liquid. In this case, the reference liquid is sucked from the reference liquid cup 33 and dropped as shown in FIG. Supplied.

In this way, the chemical analysis slides 1, 1 ′ to which the substance to be measured is dripping supplied are inserted into the predetermined storage chamber by the transfer / insertion means 40. The structure of the transfer / insertion means 40 and the incubator 20. Will be described with reference to the sectional view taken along the arrow VV in FIG. 2 shown in FIG. 4A.

The carrying / inserting means 40 is arranged below the cover plate 18, and has a support block 41a that is slidable in a lateral direction (arrow A direction) on a rail 49, and a support plate 41 placed on the support block 41a. FIG. 4B is made up of, and is shown in detail when viewed from above. The support plate 41 includes a loading portion 45 on which the chemical analysis slide 1 is placed, step portions 43, 43 formed at both ends of the loading portion 45, and a pair of pointed forward portions formed at the tips of the step portions. Wedge-shaped insertion portions 43a, 43a, a slide discharge protrusion 42 formed at the tip of the loading portion 45, and a pair of rearward-side portions of the rear end surface of the chemical analysis slide 1 held by the loading portion 45. It has concave portions 44, 44.
When the carrying / inserting means 40 slides laterally on the rail 49 and is located at the position shown in FIG. 4A, the film 1b of the chemical analysis slide 1 held in the loading section 45 is opened at the opening 19a of the spotting section 19.
The pipette 32 of the spotting device 30 through this opening 19a.
The substance to be measured is dripped and supplied onto the film 1b.
Then, the transport / insertion means 40 moves again on the rail 49,
Storage room 21 for storing and holding the chemical analysis slide 1 or
Stop at the position facing 28. The support plate 41 is slidable back and forth (in the direction of arrow E) on the support block 41a, and the chemical analysis slide 1 held by the support plate 41 by this sliding is placed in the storage chamber 21 or 28 of the incubator 21 or 27. Is inserted.

The incubator 20 includes a support member 24 that supports the inserted chemical analysis slide 1 and has a reading opening 21a, a pressing member 22 that faces the support member 24 and can be moved up and down, and the pressing member 22 is attached below. Biasing spring 23, pressing member 22
It is composed of a main body member 25 for movably supporting and a leaf spring 26 for a stopper attached to the entrance opening 21a portion of the storage chamber 21, and the insertion of the chemical analysis slide into the storage chamber 21 by the transfer / insertion means 40. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 6A to 6D.

Here, the chemical analysis slide 1 which has already been read by the reading head 50 through the reading opening 21a is stored and held in the storage chamber 21, and this is used as a new chemical analysis slide 1 on the carrying / inserting means 40. The case of replacement will be described. The chemical analysis slide 1 in the storage chamber 21 is a spring
Since the support plate 41 is held between the support member 24 and the pressing member 22 by the urging force of 23, when the support plate 41 moves forward (direction of arrow E1), first, as shown in FIG. 6B, the wedge-shaped insertion portion 43.
a enters between the members 22 and 24, pushes the pressing member 22 upward, and releases the chemical analysis slide 1 from being held. Then, the slide discharge protrusion 42 contacts the rear end of the chemical analysis slide 1 in the storage chamber 21, pushes the chemical analysis slide 1 in the direction of the forward arrow E1, and finally moves the chemical analysis slide 1 out of the storage chamber 21. Push it out and discharge it into the tray 29 (6C
Figure). At this time, the new chemical analysis slide 1 held by the loading section 45 of the support plate 41 is located at a predetermined position in the storage chamber 21, and a pair of chemical analysis slides 1 is formed on the rear side of the rear end surface of the chemical analysis slide 1. Leaf spring 26 for stopper is placed in the recess 44,44.
Goes in. The leaf spring 26 has a bifurcated shape or a bisection shape so that the tip of the leaf spring 26 is inserted into the pair of recesses 44, 44. Then, the support plate 41 is moved backward (arrow
When it is pulled back in the E2 direction), the stopper leaf spring 26 comes into contact with the rear end surface of the chemical analysis slide 1 to prevent the chemical analysis slide 1 from moving, so that only the support plate 41 returns, and as a result, the chemical analysis slide 1 is stored. It is held between the support member 24 and the pressing member 22 in the chamber 21.

In addition, when the support plate 41 is inserted into the storage chamber 21 of the incubator 20, the carrying / inserting means 40 is provided.
In order to prevent the temperature of (2) from changing (heat shock), it is desirable to preheat with a heater or the like.

When the transport / insertion means 40 as described above is used, when there is no chemical analysis slide 1 in the storage chamber 21, work to insert a new chemical analysis slide 1 or discharge the chemical analysis slide 1 in the storage chamber 21. The above operation can be performed by operating the support plate 41 in exactly the same manner as described above.

The operation of the chemical analyzer configured as described above will be described step by step.

First, the chemical analysis slide 1 at the bottom of the chemical analysis slides 1 that are stacked and housed with the cartridges 2 loaded in the cartridge loading unit 11 is pushed out by the pushing lever and stored in the storage chamber 16e of the fog measurement unit 16. It At this time, the chemical analysis slide 1 is read by the barcode reading means 18.
The barcode of is scanned. Then read head 50
Is moved to a position facing the measurement opening 16b of the fog measuring section 16 and the fog of the slide 1 before the substance to be measured is spotted is measured. When the read head 50 is moving,
The photometric error is corrected by facing the reference white board 17w and the reference blackboard 17b. When the fog measurement is performed, the chemical analysis slide 1 is pushed out by the push-out lever 12 onto the loading section 45 of the conveying / inserting means 40 moved to the position shown by the chain line X in FIG.

When the slide is the electrolyte slide 1'by reading the bar code, the fog measurement is not performed and the pushing lever 12 is used as it is, and the loading section 45 of the conveying / inserting means 40 is used.
Pushed out.

After that, the transporting / inserting means 40 moves to the right on the rail 49 and moves to a position (position indicated by a solid line Y) facing the pipette 32 of the spotting device 30. Here, the pipette 32 moves up and down and back and forth to attach the tip 35 to the tip thereof and suck a predetermined amount of the substance to be measured in the sample cup 36 into the tip 35, and the substance to be measured is conveyed and inserted into the conveying / inserting means 40. The chemical analysis slide 1 or 1 ′ thus held is dropped and supplied onto the film 1 b.

After that, the transporting / inserting means 40 moves in the lateral direction (direction of arrow A) on the rail 49, and stores the first or second incubator 20 or 27 in a predetermined manner according to the code read by the bar code reading means 16. Facing room 21 or 28,
As described above, the chemical analysis slide 1 is inserted into the storage chamber 21 or 28 by the operation shown in FIGS. 6A to 6D. In the chemical analysis slide 1 which is kept at a constant temperature (incubation) in the first incubator 20, the irradiation of irradiation light and its reflection optical density are measured by the reading head 50 that has moved below the storage chamber 21 through the reading opening 21a. On the other hand, in the second incubator 27, the potential difference between the electrodes of the chemical analysis slide 1'is measured. And
When these measurements are completed, the chemical analysis slide 1 or 1'is stored in the storage chamber 21 or 28 by the transfer / insertion means 40.
Is discharged from the tray 29 into the tray 29. Hereinafter, by repeating the above operation, it is possible to automatically and continuously carry out chemical analysis using a large number of chemical analysis slides. In addition,
In the above embodiment, the substance to be measured is automatically spotted on the spotting portion 19 by the spotting device 30, but it is possible to manually spot the substance to be measured on the spotting portion 19 using a micropipette or the like. You may

Further, the second incubator 27 does not necessarily have to be provided, and may be added later by a separate option.

Next, a different example of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of another example of the chemical analysis apparatus of the present invention, in which an incubator, slide transfer means, slide insertion means, etc. are arranged inside the main body 110, and a cover 111.
Be covered by. Outside the chemical analyzer,
An insertion opening 112 for inserting a magnetic disk used for recording or the like, a display unit 1 for displaying measurement data, etc.
13. Operation keys 114 for operating the display and the like are provided. Further, a slide guide 115 for holding unused chemical analysis slides is formed on the upper surface of the right side portion, and the unused chemical analysis slides loaded from the outside by this slide guide 115 are held one by one or in a stack. . It should be noted that a cartridge in which a plurality of chemical analysis slides are stacked and accommodated may be attached to the slide guide 115. Behind the slide guide 115, a spotting means 120 for spotting and supplying a predetermined sample solution onto the film 1b of the chemical analysis slide is arranged. The spotting means 120 includes a spotting arm 121 that protrudes forward and is rotatable up and down about a rear end, a spotting pipette 122 that extends downward from a front end of the spotting arm 121, and a vertical direction of the spotting arm 121. And an operation button 123 for aspirating and discharging the sample liquid to the moving and spotting pipette 122. This spotting means 120
When spotting is performed by operating the operation button 123, the spotting arm 121 is rotated upward to move the spotting pipette 122.
, The sample solution placed in the container is brought into contact with the tip of the spotting pipette 122, the sample solution is sucked into the spotting pipette 122 to a predetermined amount, and then the spotting arm 121 is rotated downward again. A predetermined amount of the sample liquid is ejected from the pipette 122 onto the film 1b of the chemical analysis slide located below the pipette 122.

FIG. 8 shows the inside of the chemical analysis apparatus as seen from above, and FIG. 9 shows the inside as sectioned along the arrow IX-IX. The internal structure of the chemical analysis device will be described below with reference to both drawings. Inside the chemical analysis device, an incubator 130 for maintaining a constant temperature of the chemical analysis slide to which the sample solution is spotted and supplied by the spotting means 120 is provided.
An optical reading means 140 for optically detecting the degree of coloration of the chemical analysis slide kept at a constant temperature, the chemical analysis slide is conveyed to the incubator 130, and the conveyed chemical analysis slide is stored in the incubator 130. It has a transport / insertion means 150 for inserting into. In addition to the above means, a power supply 116, a control circuit printed wiring board 117, a light source 118a for the optical reading means 140, a magnetic disk drive mechanism 118b, and the like are arranged.
Detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the following description, the direction indicated by arrow F is referred to as the front, the direction indicated by arrow R is referred to as the rear, and the right and left sides in FIG. 8 are referred to as the right and left sides, respectively.

The incubator 130 is arranged so as to extend in the left-right direction, and a plurality of storage chambers 133 are formed inside the incubator 130 side by side in the left-right direction. Each of these storage chambers 133 has an inlet and an outlet opening, the inlet openings are formed side by side along the lower rear end surface 130a of the incubator 130, and the outlet openings are arranged side by side along the front end surface 130b of the incubator 130. Has been formed. Therefore, the chemical analysis slide 1 is inserted into the storage chamber 133 through the inlet opening and discharged through the outlet opening, and the chemical analysis slide 1 discharged through the outlet opening is arranged in front of the incubator 130. It is discharged into the discharged discharge box 180. Further, the storage chamber 133 has a lower member 132 on which the chemical analysis slide 1 is placed and an upper member 131 which holds the chemical analysis slide 1 placed on the lower member 132 from above, and the chemical analysis is performed by both members 131 and 132. The slide is kept at a constant temperature.

The optical reading means 140 is disposed below the incubator 130, and has two guide rods 140a, 1 extending vertically and horizontally.
43b, a drive rod 144 extending left and right between the guide rods 143a and 143b and having a thread formed on the outer periphery, a drive motor 145 for rotating the drive rod 144, and a guide rod 143.
a holder 143 that is slidable on a and 143b and screwed with the drive rod 144; and a read head attached to the holder 142.
It is composed of 141 and. The holding base 142, together with the read head 141, is movable left and right on the guide rods 143a and 143b by the rotation of the drive rod 144 by the drive motor 145.
The read head 141 faces the lower surface of the lower member 132 of the incubator 130, and the lower member 133 is provided in each storage chamber 133.
Irradiating the measuring light onto the film 1b of the chemical analysis slide 1 housed and held in the housing chamber 133 through the measuring hole formed in
The reflection optical density is measured. Therefore, the reading head 141 that moves in the left-right direction together with the holding table 142 can face the measurement hole of each storage chamber 133 by this movement, and can measure the coloration degree of the chemical analysis slide 1 in any storage chamber 133. Is. The irradiation light at this time is the light source.
Light from 118a is read by a reading head 141 by an optical fiber 141a.
I am getting to go to. Further, the reading head 141 can be opposed to the measurement holes of all the storage chambers 133 by moving in the left-right direction, and as described later, the chemical analysis carried from the slide guide 115 onto the carrying / inserting means 150. It is also possible to face the lower surface of the transfer chamber 119 through which the slide 1 passes, whereby fogging measurement can be performed.

Further, behind the incubator 130, the chemical analysis slide 1 on which the sample solution has been spotted by the spotting means 120 is transported to a position facing the inlet opening of each storage chamber 133 and stored in the storage chamber 1.
Conveying / inserting means 150 for inserting into 33 is provided.
This transporting / inserting means 150 includes two guide rods 156a, 156b arranged vertically extending in the left-right direction and guide rods 156a, 15
A conveying rod 157 which extends in the middle of 6b to the left and right and has a screw formed on the outer periphery, a conveying motor 158 for rotationally driving the conveying rod 157, and the conveying rod 157 slidable on the guide rods 156a and 156b. And a slide receiving base 152 fixedly mounted on the transfer base 151. The transfer table 151 can be moved left and right on the guide rods 156a and 156b by the rotational movement of the transfer rod 157 by the transfer motor 158 together with the slide receiving table 152, and the position behind the slide guide 115 in FIG. The position (shown by solid line) and the position (shown by the solid line) facing the leftmost storage chamber 133 of the incubator 130 can be moved. The slide pedestal 152 is provided so that its front end faces the inlet opening of each storage chamber 133 according to the movement in the left-right direction, and the front surface of the front part of the slide pedestal 152 is for holding the chemical analysis slide 1. A pair of guides 152a, 152b are formed, and can be moved back and forth with respect to the carrier table 151, like the support plate 41 shown in FIG. 4A. Therefore, when the slide pedestal 152 is moved to a position behind the slide guide 115 as shown by a chain double-dashed line in FIG. 8, one chemical analysis slide 1 held by the slide guide 115 and one push lever are pushed out. The sheet is conveyed onto the slide pedestal 152 by a conveyor belt or the like, guided by the guides 152a and 152b, and placed on the slide pedestal 152. Note that the barcode of the chemical analysis slide 1 is read by the barcode sensor 125 at the time of this transportation, and when it passes through the transportation chamber 119 formed side by side on the same plane as the storage chamber 133, the transportation chamber 119 is transferred. The reflection optical density measurement (fogging measurement) of the chemical analysis slide 1 before the spotting of the sample liquid is performed by the reading head 141 moved to the position facing the lower surface of the. The slide cradle 152 is conveyed in this way
In the chemical analysis slide 1 placed on the sample solution, the sample solution is spot-supplied on the reagent layer by the spotting means 120 at this position.
After that, the slide receiving table 152 is moved to the left together with the transfer table 151, and the chemical analysis slide 1 placed on the slide receiving table 152 is transferred to a position facing the entrance opening of the predetermined storage chamber 133. It

Next, the slide receiving table 152 moves upward on the transfer table 151, and the chemical analysis slide is inserted into the storage chamber 133. This operation is the same as the operation shown in FIGS. 6A to 6D. Therefore, its explanation is omitted.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, according to the chemical analysis apparatus of the present invention, the tip of the carrying / inserting means is inserted into the storage chamber of the incubator while placing an unmeasured chemical analysis slide on the slide holder. Further, the transport / insertion means is further advanced to bring the slide discharge projection into contact with the measured slide rear end in the storage chamber, and finally, the forward slide operation of the transport / insertion means discharges the measured slide to the outside of the storage chamber. At the same time, slides for final measurement can be carried into this storage chamber. Of course, when the slide is not placed on this slide holder, the slide can be discharged only by the forward operation, and when the measured slide is not placed in the storage chamber, the slide can be moved by the forward operation. Can only be carried in. In addition, the slide loading section,
A spotting unit, an incubator, a reading head, etc. are incorporated into one device so that the chemical analysis slides can be automatically conveyed between them by the conveying / inserting means, and the reading can be performed laterally to the side of the incubator. A fog metering unit that moves the head to perform fog photometry on the chemical analysis slide is provided, and the chemical analysis slide to be conveyed from the slide loading section to the spotting section by the conveying / inserting means is passed through this fog metering section. Since the photometry is performed, it is possible to perform the fog photometry and the reflection optical density measurement after the color reaction by using one reading head, and it is possible to make the device relatively compact, compact and simple in structure. Therefore, rapid and highly accurate chemical analysis can be performed automatically and continuously.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the chemical analysis device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the device, FIG. 3 is a front view of the device taken along the arrow II-II, and FIG. 4A. Is a cross-sectional view showing the device of FIG. 2 along the arrow VV, FIG. 4B is a plan view of the carrying / inserting means used in the above device, and FIG. 5 is an example of a chemical analysis slide used in the above device. 6A to 6D are sectional views showing the operation of inserting the chemical analysis slide into the storage chamber of the incubator by the conveying / inserting means, and FIG. 7 is equipped with the chemical analysis slide insertion / ejection device according to the present invention. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the chemical analysis device, FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the chemical analysis device, and FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the chemical analysis device taken along arrow III-III in FIG. 1,1 '…… Chemical analysis slide 11 …… Cartridge, 12 …… Extrusion lever 20,27 …… Incubator 21,28 …… Storage chamber, 24 …… Supporting member 25 …… Pressing member, 30 …… Spotting device 32 …… Bippette, 40 …… Transport / insertion means 114 …… Operating keys, 120 …… Spotting means 130 …… Incubator, 133 …… Storage chamber 140 …… Optical reading means, 150 …… Transport / insertion means 152… … Slide cradle, 180 …… Discharge box

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yuzo Iwata 3-1146 Izumi, Asaka-shi, Saitama Prefecture Fuji Shashin Film Co., Ltd. (56) Reference JP-A 61-11642 (JP, A) Showa 60-152936 (JP, A) Showa 60-1412 (JP, Y2)

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A slide loading section for holding a chemical analysis slide, a spotting section for appropriately supplying a predetermined amount of a liquid to be measured to the chemical analysis slide, and a plurality of the chemical analysis slides on the same plane. An incubator having a plurality of storage chambers arranged side by side in the lateral direction, and the chemistry that is slidable in the lateral direction and stored in the storage chambers through reading openings formed in the plurality of storage chambers. A reading head, which is arranged so as to be able to face the analysis slide, irradiates the chemical analysis slide with irradiation light and measures the reflection optical density thereof, and conveys the chemical analysis slide held in the slide loading section to the spotting section. After the liquid to be measured is appropriately supplied to the reagent layer, the chemical analysis slide is conveyed to a position facing the inlet opening of the storage chamber and inserted into the storage chamber from the inlet opening, And a conveying / inserting means for discharging, wherein the conveying / inserting means is insertable into the storage chamber, and has a slide holding part on which the chemical analysis slide is mounted, and a position in front of the holding part. And a slide discharge protrusion that, when inserted into the storage chamber, contacts the rear end of the chemical analysis slide stored in the storage chamber and pushes out the chemical analysis slide to the side opposite to the inlet opening and discharges the slide. Then, on the lateral side of the incubator, a fog measurement unit for measuring the reflection optical density of the chemical analysis slide before the liquid to be measured is supplied dropwise is provided, and the reading head is slid in the lateral direction. The chemical analysis slide is moved so as to be able to face the fog measuring section, and the chemical analysis slide conveyed from the slide loading section to the spotting section by the conveying / inserting means passes through the fog measuring section. Unishi Te, chemical analysis apparatus is characterized in that to be able to perform the fog measured by the read head in the fog measuring section. 2. The spotting part supplies a predetermined amount of the liquid to be measured onto the upper surface of the chemical analysis slide, and the reading head faces the lower surface of the chemical analysis slide to measure the reflection optical density. The chemical analysis device according to claim 1, which is characterized.