JPH0776772B2 - Biochemical analyzer reaction line device - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a biochemical analyzer capable of multi-item inspection belonging to the technical field of medical devices for diagnosis, and more specifically, blood, serum or urine. The present invention relates to a biochemical analyzer capable of performing multi-item inspections on test samples (hereinafter simply referred to as “sample”).

[Technical Background of the Invention and Problems Thereof] Analysis of components in body fluids such as blood, serum or urine provides important data on the discovery, diagnosis and prognosis of a disease in a subject. Is. The measurement items selected to obtain such data generally range from a few items to a dozen or more items that are effective for the expected disease or the disease determined by diagnosis.

Therefore, conventionally, a biochemical analyzer capable of simultaneously performing the above-described multi-item analysis on the same sample has been desired, and various multi-item component biochemical analyzers have been provided.

An example of this conventional multi-item biochemical analyzer will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a reaction line configured to intermittently move and circulate in an endless orbit in an arrow x direction in the figure with respect to the analyzer body (not shown). A plurality of reaction vessels 1a in which a large number of reaction vessels 1a are arranged in one row in the y direction in the figure are juxtaposed in the x direction (time series) in the figure. Reference numeral 2 denotes a thermostatic bath having a thermostatic medium maintained at 37 ° C., for example, by immersing the intermittently moving group of reaction vessels 1a in the thermostatic medium to keep the reaction in the reaction vessel at a constant temperature. It is designed to proceed with. Three
Reference numeral denotes a sample dispensing nozzle, which horizontally reciprocates in the y direction over the row of reaction vessels 1a located in front of the constant temperature bath 2 and the sample vessel 18a placed on the sample table 18 to collect a sample. A predetermined amount of the sample in the sample container 18a is sucked by the pump 4 (for example, a syringe pump) and a predetermined amount of the sample can be dispensed into each reaction container in the row. Reference numeral 17 is a nozzle moving device for moving the sample dispensing nozzle 3.

23 is a reaction line 1 for a liquid such as a reagent (hereinafter referred to as a reagent)
As in the case of the sample dispensing nozzle 3, it is a reagent dispensing nozzle for dispensing to the upper reaction container 1a group, and at least y'- with respect to the reaction line 1 intermittently moving in the x direction.
Like the sample table 18 and the sample container 18a, it is configured to be movable in the y'direction, and a container for reagents etc. on a reagent mounting table (not shown) installed on the side of the reaction line 1 A predetermined amount of reagent or the like is sucked from inside (not shown) by a syringe pump 24, and appropriately dispensed into a specific reaction container in the reaction container 1a row located in the thermostat 2. It is preconfigured by means.

The reagent dispensing nozzle 23 is also movable in the x'direction in the drawing as necessary so that a specific reaction vessel in the group of several reaction vessels 1a can be freely selected. The nozzle 23 may be provided so as to be movable in a plane (x ′ direction and y ′ direction) with respect to the plurality of rows of the reaction vessels 1a. Reference numeral 27 denotes a nozzle moving device for moving the reagent dispensing nozzle 23 in the y ′ direction or the x′-y ′ direction in the above-described manner, and like the moving device for the sample dispensing nozzle 3, it is an appropriate device. It is configured by means. And
The nozzle 23, the pump 24, and the nozzle moving device 27 form a reagent dispensing device.

Denoted at 5 is a colorimeter suction nozzle, and a nozzle is arranged for each reaction vessel 1a arranged in the y direction, and suctions the reaction liquid in each reaction vessel 1a that has passed through the constant temperature bath 2. It is constructed so that it can be sucked by the pump 9. Reference numeral 6 is a flow cell provided by the number of the colorimetric suction nozzles 5, and a flow passage (not shown) through which the reaction liquid sucked by the colorimetric suction nozzles 5 passes.
By disposing the colorimetric light source lamp 7 and the photodetector 8 facing each other in this flow passage, the suction degree of the reaction liquid passing through the flow passage can be measured. ing. Incidentally, 10 is a discharge pipe for discharging the reaction solution after the measurement is completed, and 13 is a cleaning / drying apparatus for cleaning and drying the reaction container 1a after discharging the reaction solution.

Then, in performing the analysis work (multi-item analysis work) for which the purpose is different for each sample, as shown in FIG. 2, the samples were arranged in the y-direction (the analysis items are determined for each a to w). After dispensing the sample A into a specific reaction vessel 11 (shown by hatching) among a plurality of reaction vessels, a constant temperature bath 2
A predetermined amount of reagent is dispensed into the specific reaction container 11 that has moved in by the reagent dispensing device 23, 24, 27, and the reaction between the sample and the reagent is performed in the constant temperature bath 2. Then, after completely passing through the constant temperature bath 2, the reaction liquid obtained in these reaction vessels is sucked by the colorimetric suction nozzle 5 and sent to the flow cell 6, and is irradiated with light by the colorimetric light source lamp 7. Then, the light having passed through the reaction solution is detected by the photodetector 8 to perform a predetermined absorbance measurement.

In the conventional discrete-type biochemical analyzer having the above-described structure, the following problems often occur.

That is, in this type of apparatus, the sample, the reagent, and in some cases, the liquid such as the washing water, which are dispensed into the reaction vessel group arranged in a line, are all ejected from the nozzle moving in the space above the reaction vessel 1a. As a result, the liquid surface remains at the tip of the nozzle immediately after jetting due to the surface tension of the liquid, which drops naturally due to its own weight or drops due to the vibration of the device, etc., into another (unintended) reaction container. An accident of mixing will occur. In this case, if the same type of liquid is contained in the reaction vessel of the drop destination, the damage due to dripping can be relatively small, but if it falls into the reaction vessel in which a different liquid is dispensed, This causes serious problems such as deterioration of dispensing accuracy, reagent interference, and dilution of reaction solution.

[Object of the Invention] An object of the present invention is to provide a reaction line device of a biochemical analyzer with good accuracy, excluding this drawback.

[Outline of the Invention] An outline of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned object is to install a lid member that can be opened and closed on a reaction line that performs intermittent motion in a certain direction, and keep the lid member closed during the intermittent motion of the reaction line. , So that this lid member can be opened only when the reaction line is stopped,
It is characterized in that the operation of the reaction line and the lid opening / closing operation are synchronized or interlocked with each other.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on the embodiment shown in the first drawing. However, with respect to the portion described in the above-mentioned "Technical Background of the Invention and Problems Thereof", there will be duplication. Therefore, detailed description of the configuration will be omitted.

1 is a reaction line equipped with a large number of reaction vessels 1a, 2 is a thermostatic chamber, 3 is a sample dispensing nozzle, and a sample collection pump 4,
The relationship between the sample dispensing nozzle moving device 17, the sample table 18, and the sample container 18a is as described above.

Reference numeral 23 is a reagent or the like dispensing nozzle, and the relationship with the syringe pump 24, the nozzle moving device 27, the reagent mounting table, and the reagent container (all not shown) is as described above.

5 is a colorimetric suction nozzle, 6 is a flow cell, 7 is a colorimetric light source lamp, 8 is a photodetector, 9 is a suction pump, 10 is a discharge pipe, 11 is a specific reaction container, 13 is a washing / drying device, respectively. Show.

A device denoted by 50 in its entirety is the opening / closing lid device according to the present invention, and the device 50 is provided at a position corresponding to the installation position of the reagent etc. dispensing nozzle 23 described above. Is installed in such a manner that it can be moved two-dimensionally in the x'-y 'direction, the opening / closing lid device 50 has the character of being provided over a range capable of covering the entire moving range of the dispensing nozzle 23. It is a thing.

Reference numeral 51 denotes an operation rack member provided on both sides of the reaction line on a biochemical analyzer fixing portion (hereinafter, simply referred to as “analyzer fixing portion”) 50a so as to reciprocate in the arrow arrow direction. Rack gear parts 51a, 51b are formed. Five
Reference numeral 2 is a forward / reverse rotation motor for reciprocating the rack member 51 by a predetermined amount via a pinion 53 that meshes with the first rack gear portion 51a of the operation rack member 51.

An appropriate method is used to reciprocate the operation rack member 51 by a predetermined amount.

For example, the moving range limiting units 54a, 5 are previously attached to the analyzer fixing unit 50a.
4b is fixed, and a friction clutch (not shown) is provided between the drive shaft of the motor 52 and the pinion 53.
When the operation rack member 51 moves during forward / reverse rotation of 52, the end of the rack member 51 hits either of the movement range limiting parts 54a or 54b to force the rack member 51 to its position. So that the frictional clutch can cause a slip between the motor 51 and the pinion 53 to eliminate the mechanical interference caused by the forced stop of the operation rack member 51. In this case, the purpose of reciprocating the operation rack member 51 by a predetermined amount can be achieved.

Further, the forward / reverse rotation amount of the motor 52 may be set in advance by a rotation amount control means (not shown) such as an encoder, and this rotation amount control may be utilized to achieve the purpose of the predetermined amount of reciprocation.

55a to 55e are opening / closing gear groups that mesh with the second rack gear portion 51b of the operation rack member 51, and the axial spacing (pitch) of each opening / closing gear is the same as that of the reaction vessel 1a row group on the reaction line 1. It is determined according to the row spacing. 56a ~ 5
6e is a support shaft provided so as to rotate integrally with the opening / closing gear group 55a-55e, and 57 is a pair of bearing members (however, on the opening / closing gear side) for rotatably supporting the support shafts 56a-56e. Are omitted for convenience of illustration), and all of them are provided on the above-mentioned analyzer fixing portion 50a. Reference numerals 58a to 58e denote lid members attached to the support shafts 56a to 56e, respectively, and their length and width are the same as those of the reaction vessel 1a on the reaction line 1.
The length and width are set so as to cover the mouths of all the reaction vessels in each row. And the above-mentioned operation rack member
The predetermined amount of reciprocating movement of 51 and the number of teeth of the rack gears 51a, 51b and the opening / closing gear groups 55a to 55e are the same as those of the opening / closing gear 55.
Set a to 55e so that it can be rotated in the forward and reverse directions within the 90 ° angle range.

Reference numeral 59 is a control circuit of the motor 52, which keeps the lid members 58a to 58e closed while the reaction line 1 is moving,
When the reaction line 1 is stopped, the opening / closing gears 55a to 55e
The lid member group can be rotated through 90 ° through the opening to open the mouths of the reaction vessels 1a in each row.

For example, after some delay time from the signal that the reagent dispensing nozzle 23 has finished the predetermined dispensing work and returned to the fixed position (start position), the motor 52 is reversely operated to rotate the lid members 58a to 58e.
Is closed, the rotation of the motor 52 is stopped by detecting this closing completion signal, and the movement of the reaction line 1 is started.
After moving the reaction line 1 by a predetermined amount, it is stopped. Then, after some delay time from the stop of the reaction line 1, the motor 52 is normally rotated to open the lid members 58a to 58e. The lid opening completion signal is detected and the dispensing operation of the dispensing nozzle 23 is restarted. This control purpose can be achieved if the operation sequence is determined and the circuit is configured to realize this sequence.

With the above-described configuration, the lid members 58a to 58e maintain the upright open state (the first illustrated state) during the dispensing work of the reagents and the like when the reaction line 1 is stopped, so that the dispensing work itself Can be performed in the same manner as in the conventional device. Then, when the predetermined dispensing work is completed, the motor 52 is reversely operated to close the lid members 58a to 58e via the second rack gear 51b and the opening / closing gear groups 55a to 55e,
After that, if the reaction line 1 is moved, even if the fixed position (start position) of the reagent dispensing pipe 23 is located above the reaction line 1, the accidental dropping liquid from the pipetting nozzle 23 is dropped. Will not enter the other reaction container 1a.

In the illustrated embodiment, one opening / closing lid device 50 is provided for one reaction line, and the lid members 58a to 58e are provided in five rows, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is not limited to the above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, in the case of a biochemical analyzer that has several types of reagent dispensing nozzles, an opening / closing lid device is provided for each dispensing nozzle, or it is provided for purposes other than reagent dispensing. Even with the dispensing nozzle, the opening / closing lid device according to the present invention can be applied even when the damage caused by the dropped liquid from the nozzle to another reaction container occurs.
Further, in the case of an apparatus in which the reagent dispensing nozzle is two-dimensionally (planarly) displaceable, it is possible to cover not only the displacement range of the nozzle but also the reaction vessel array in a range larger than that. It goes without saying that it is also within the scope of the gist of the present invention to provide the lid member with a different number of rows.

Further, in the illustrated embodiment, one row of reaction vessels is configured to be covered with one lid member, but this may be configured to be covered with several lid members, if necessary. Further, the type and direction of movement of the lid member itself and the type and direction of movement for driving the lid member are not particularly limited to the illustrated embodiment.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, when the present invention is used, even if there is an accidental dropping liquid from the dispensing nozzle during the movement of the reaction line, it is possible to prevent the infiltration of the liquid into the reaction container. Therefore, it is possible to expect an accurate measurement result.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining its operation, and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining a conventional device. 1 ... Reaction line, 1a ... Reaction container, 2 ... Constant temperature bath, 3 ... Sample dispensing nozzle, 5 ... Colorimeter suction nozzle, 17 ... Sample nozzle moving device, 18 ... Sample stage, 23 ...... Reagent dispensing nozzle, 27 …… Reagent dispensing nozzle moving device, 50 …… Opening / closing lid device, 51 …… Operation rack member, 52 …… Forward / reverse motor, 55a ～ e …… Opening / closing gear group, 58a-e ... Lid member group.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A reaction line device of a biochemical analyzer for supplying a liquid from above a reaction container to a plurality of reaction container rows arranged in parallel on a reaction line which intermittently moves in a certain direction by a dispensing nozzle. In the position of the dispensing nozzle or an opening / closing lid or a group of opening / closing lids that can cover the mouth of the single or a plurality of the reaction vessels located within the moving range of the nozzle, and in synchronization with or in conjunction with the operation of the reaction line. A lid opening / closing means for driving the opening / closing lid or the group of opening / closing lids so as to be closed during movement of the reaction line and openable when the reaction line is stopped; Line equipment. 2. An opening / closing lid corresponding to one reaction vessel row is one lid having a shape capable of covering the ports of all reaction vessels arranged in the corresponding reaction vessel row. 1
A reaction line device of the biochemical analysis device according to the above item. 3. The dispensing nozzle according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the dispensing nozzles are provided, and the opening / closing lid and the lid opening / closing means are provided corresponding to the plurality of nozzles. The reaction line device of the biochemical analyzer according to item 1.