JPH08271532A - Enzyme immunological reaction assaying system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To carry out the temperature regulation process in a short time by interposing a microplate transfer means, provided with a ratchet mechanism and a ratchet transfer mechanism, between a thermostat bath mechanism and a microplate guide mechanism. CONSTITUTION: A thermostat bath mechanism 9 for containing a microplate 2 injected with a reagent or a specimen and sustaining the microplate 2 at a specified reaction temperature for a predetermined time is disposed at one end part of a microplate guide mechanism. A microplate feeding/receiving mechanism 40 is interposed between the thermostat bath mechanism 9 and the microplate guide mechanism. The feeding/receiving mechanism 40 comprises a ratchet mechanism 41 for stopping or separating one end part of the microplate 2, and a ratchet transfer mechanism for reciprocating the ratchet mechanism 41 along a belt conveyor mechanism 4. Upon elapse of a predetermined time in temperature regulation process, a plate tray 24 is drawn out from a thermostat bath 53A by means of the feeding/receiving mechanism 40.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an enzyme immunoassay measuring apparatus, and more particularly, to measuring reaction after performing pretreatment of enzyme immunoassay measuring such as dispensing, shaking, temperature control, washing and the like. The present invention relates to an enzyme immunoassay measuring device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Regarding enzyme immunoreactions in clinical tests, reagent makers have been developing various techniques and various reagents used therefor as techniques for accurately grasping the immunological reactions. .

In the measurement of the enzyme immunoreaction, a sample and a reagent are dispensed into each well portion of a microplate having a plurality of wells (dispensing portions) for dispensing as a prior step, and the reaction is carried out. Various processes such as shaking and temperature control for acceleration, and washing to enter the next reagent dispensing step (the reaction part of the reagent with respect to the sample remains on the wall even if washed) change the reagent. It is supposed to be repeated.

[0004]

In the above-mentioned conventional example, dispensing of a sample or reagent to each well portion of a microplate, vibration and temperature control for accelerating the reaction, and
Cleaning to perform the next reagent dispensing step was performed by different workers depending on the equipment. That is, the specimen or the reagent is dispensed by a dispenser, the vibration for accelerating the reaction is made by a shaker, and the washing is made by a washing device separately.

Further, the temperature controller for temperature control for accelerating the reaction is equipped with a thermostatic chamber mechanism equipped with a plurality of temperature controllers in advance for the purpose of improving work efficiency, and each temperature controller is described above. The microplates were individually loaded or unloaded.

For this reason, since human power is involved in the movement of the sample and the reagent, and further the movement of the microplate, the waiting time of each sample increases in the process of reaction measurement, and sometimes the location of the sample is It is easy to make a mistake,
Therefore, it takes a lot of time to measure the enzyme immunoreaction,
At the same time, it was always accompanied by the inconvenience of requiring a lot of labor for workers.

[0007]

It is an object of the present invention to improve the disadvantages of the conventional example, and in particular, the temperature control step for accelerating the reaction, which is a part of the previous step of the enzyme immunoassay measurement, is carried in by a worker during the course of the temperature control step. It is an object of the present invention to provide an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay device that can be performed continuously and in a short time without carrying out work such as unloading and transfer, and thereby shortening the overall measurement time of the enzyme-mediated immune reaction. To do.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a microplate guide mechanism for guiding a microplate having a plurality of reaction recesses to an immune reaction measurement site.
This microplate guide mechanism is provided in parallel with the microplate transfer mechanism that applies a predetermined traveling force to the microplate.

Corresponding to one end of the microplate guiding mechanism, a thermostatic chamber mechanism for accommodating the microplate in which the reagent and the sample are injected and maintaining the reaction temperature at a predetermined temperature for a certain period of time is provided. Further, a microplate loading / unloading means for loading / unloading the microplate to / from the above-mentioned constant temperature tank is provided between the constant temperature tank and the microplate guide mechanism.

The microplate loading / unloading means is provided with a rotary pawl mechanism for locking or separating one end of the microplate and a pawl for reciprocating the rotary pawl mechanism along the microplate transfer mechanism described above. It is configured by a part transfer mechanism.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the above-described rotary pawl mechanism, a rotary pawl portion that locks or separates one end portion of the microplate and a main portion of the rotary pawl portion are allowed to move up and down. A technique is adopted in which a holding member for holding the holding member and a solenoid which is provided in the holding member for holding the holding member and which biases the oscillating motion at a predetermined timing are provided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the claw portion transfer mechanism described above guides the claw portion holding member to reciprocate along the microplate guide mechanism, and a claw portion guide rail. The claw member transfer belt mechanism that is arranged along the guide rail and urges the claw portion holding member to reciprocate at a predetermined timing is adopted. This aims to achieve the above-mentioned object.

[0013]

[Operation] The operation of the microplate loading / unloading mechanism (microplate loading / unloading means) 40, which is the main part of the present invention, will be described. First, the microplate 2 is carried by the belt conveyor mechanism (microplate transfer mechanism) 4 to the location where the constant temperature bath mechanism 9 is installed. In this case, the rotation pawl mechanism 42 is set in a state where its tip (rotation end) is lowered. As a result, the plate tray 24 is smoothly transferred on the rotating pawl mechanism 41 toward the constant temperature bath 53A.

Next, when the plate tray 24 passes over the rotary pawl mechanism 41, the tip of the rotary pawl mechanism 41 is set to the pressing position against the microplate 2, and subsequently the pawl portion transfer mechanism 46 operates. And presses the plate tray 24, which causes the plate tray 24 to move in the constant temperature bath 53.
It is stored in the deepest part of A.

After a lapse of a predetermined time in the temperature adjusting process by the constant temperature bath 53A, the plate tray 24 is pulled out from the constant temperature bath 53A by the microplate loading / unloading mechanism 40. In this case, first, the tip of the rotary pawl mechanism 41 rotates counterclockwise, and then the claw portion transfer mechanism 46 operates to insert the tip of the rotary pawl mechanism 41 into the lower side of the plate tray 24. To do.

Next, the claw portion transfer mechanism 46 is operated to transfer the plate tray 24 locked by the rotary pawl mechanism 41 in the direction in which it is pulled out from the constant temperature bath 53A. In this case, the transfer speed of the rotary pawl mechanism 41 is the same as that of the belt conveyor mechanism 4 described above.
It is set to be equivalent to the transfer speed of. Then, the constant temperature bath 5
When the plate tray 24 is pulled out from 3A and the leading end thereof comes into contact with the positioning member 4B of the belt conveyor mechanism 4, the belt conveyor mechanism 4 is activated by being detected by the detection means (not shown). As a result, the plate tray 24 is smoothly pulled out from the constant temperature bath 53A.

On the other hand, along with this series of operations (traveling movement of the belt 4A of the belt conveyor mechanism 4), the plate tray locking projection 4a rotates clockwise and rises. The plate tray locking projection 4a engages with the notch 24Ck formed in the plate tray 24 in advance. Therefore, the plate tray 24 is securely locked to the belt 4A by the positioning member 4B on the belt 4A and the plate tray locking protrusion 4a, and is reliably transferred to a predetermined position as the belt 4A travels. .

When the plate tray 24 pulled out from the constant temperature bath 53A is held on the belt 4A, the tip end portion of the above-mentioned rotary pawl mechanism 41 rotates in the direction away from the plate tray 24 and, at the same time, the claw portion. The operation of the transfer mechanism 46 is stopped. As a result, the microplate loading / unloading mechanism 4
A series of operations of 0 is completed. After that, the plate tray 24
Is transferred to the immune reaction measurement site 100 or the like by the belt 4A of the belt conveyor mechanism 4.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The enzyme immunoassay measuring apparatus according to the present embodiment,
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 4, a microplate guide mechanism 3 that guides the microplate 2 having a plurality of reaction recesses 2A to the immune reaction measurement site 100, and a microplate 2 attached to the microplate guide mechanism 3 side by side. And a belt conveyor mechanism 4 as a microplate transfer mechanism that applies a predetermined traveling force.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 4, the microplate 2 into which the reagent and the sample are injected is accommodated at one end of the microplate guide mechanism 3 and is kept at a predetermined reaction temperature for a predetermined time. A constant temperature bath mechanism 9 for maintaining is provided. Further, a microplate loading / unloading mechanism 40 as a loading / unloading means for a microplate for loading / unloading the microplate 2 to / from the above-described thermostatic bath mechanism is provided between the thermostatic bath mechanism 9 and the microplate guide mechanism 3. There is.

The microplate loading / unloading mechanism (microplate loading / unloading means) 40, as shown in FIG. 1, is a rotary pawl mechanism 41 for locking or separating one end of the microplate 2, and this rotary pawl mechanism. It is configured by a claw portion transfer mechanism 41 that reciprocally transfers 41 along the belt conveyor mechanism (microplate transfer mechanism) 4 described above.

This will be described in more detail below. First, FIG. 1 shows an example of a microplate loading / unloading means (microplate loading / unloading mechanism) 40, which is a main part of this embodiment.
Shows the relationship between the microplate loading / unloading means (microplate loading / unloading mechanism) 40 and the constant temperature bath mechanism 9, and FIG.
4 to 4 show configuration diagrams of the entire apparatus including the respective components shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 described above.

First, the entire apparatus disclosed in FIGS. 3 to 4 will be described in detail. The enzyme immunoassay measuring device shown in FIGS. 3 to 4 has a reagent / sample tray 1 in which the positions of arrangement of one or more reagents and samples are specified in advance, and the reagent / sample tray 1.
A microplate guide mechanism 3 that is provided alongside the sample tray 1 and that guides the microplate 2 having a plurality of reaction recesses 2A to the immune reaction measurement site 100; It is provided with a belt conveyor mechanism 4 as a microplate transfer mechanism for energizing the running force. In this belt conveyor mechanism 4, a stepped belt is used.

FIGS. 5 to 6 show a microplate 2 made of transparent plastic and provided with a plurality of reaction recesses 2A. As shown in FIG. 3, two microplates 2 are prepared in this embodiment, one microplate 2 is placed on the microplate guide mechanism 3 and the reagent and the sample are individually injected, and the other is Microplate 2
Is previously arranged on the reagent / sample tray 1 for diluting the liquid.

The microplate guide mechanism 3 described above is also used.
A vibration mechanism 5 for vibrating the immune reaction measurement point 100 and the microplate 2 in which the reagent and the sample are injected along
And a microplate washing mechanism 6 for individually washing each reaction recess 2A of the microplate 2 after the completion of the immune reaction.

Further, a reagent / sample dispensing mechanism 8 having a plurality of dispensing nozzles 7 for sucking a predetermined amount of a sample or a reagent,
It is arranged above the microplate guide mechanism 3 so as to straddle the microplate guide mechanism 3 and the reagent / sample tray 1. The reagent / specimen dispensing mechanism 8 has a function of transporting and injecting the specimen or the reagent sucked by the dispensing nozzle portion 7 to the predetermined concave portion 2A of the one microplate 2 described above.

At one end of the microplate guide mechanism 3 (upper side in FIG. 3), the thermostat bath mechanism 9 for maintaining the microplate 2 into which the reagent and the sample are injected at a predetermined reaction temperature for a certain period of time. Is provided. Reference numeral 10 indicates a main body case.

[Regarding Reagent / Sample Tray] The reagent / sample tray 1 includes a reagent stocker area 13 that detachably accommodates one or more reagent stockers 11 and 12 equipped with a plurality of different reagents depending on the inspection method, and a plurality of reagent stocker areas 13. And a sample stocker area 15 for storing the sample stocker 14 having a plurality of sample storage sections 14A for individually storing the respective samples.

Since each reagent stocker 11, 12 requires a different reagent stocker 11, 12 depending on the inspection method, it is equipped with identification means 11A, 12A for setting identification information corresponding to the inspection method. There is. In this embodiment, the identification means 11A and 12A are used as the reagent stockers 1 respectively.
It is constituted by four circular ultrasonic reflection surfaces having different heights which are set in a line at the left end portion of FIGS. This height difference is due to the reagent / sample dispensing mechanism 8 described above.
Are sequentially detected by an ultrasonic sensor (not shown) mounted on the dispensing nozzle unit 7 and identified by a predetermined main control unit. Then, the main control unit causes each component described later to operate in accordance with the predetermined inspection method.

[Regarding Reagent / Sample Tray Transfer Mechanism] The reagent / sample tray 1 described above is mounted on the reagent / sample tray transfer mechanism 21, as shown in FIGS. The reagent / sample tray transfer mechanism 21 supports the reagent / sample tray 1 and moves the reagent / sample tray 1 in the moving direction of the dispensing nozzle portion 7 of the reagent / sample dispensing mechanism 8 (arrow in FIG. 3). It functions to transfer in a direction (direction of arrow y in FIG. 3) substantially orthogonal to x direction).

Further, this reagent / sample tray transfer mechanism 21
Is mounted on the bottom side of the reagent / sample tray 1 so that each reagent or sample on the reagent / sample tray 1 can be smoothly taken in and out. The reagent / sample tray transfer mechanism 21 has a Y-axis direction transfer function for transferring the reagent / sample tray 1 in the vertical direction in FIG. In addition, the above-described reagent / sample dispensing mechanism 8 has a function of moving the dispensing nozzle portion 7 in the left-right direction of FIG.
It has the X-axis direction transfer function. This allows reagents and
Each reagent or sample on the sample tray 1 can be freely and quickly dispensed from any position to the above-mentioned one microplate 2 (and also to the other microplate 2 if necessary). ing.

The reagent / sample tray transfer mechanism 21 supports the above-mentioned reagent / sample tray 1 and guides the guide frame 21A for guiding the reagent / sample tray 1 to move in the vertical direction in FIG. A ball screw mechanism portion 21B arranged along the guide frame 21A for urging a moving force to the reagent / sample tray 1, and a tray drive motor (not shown) for rotationally driving the screw shaft of the ball screw mechanism portion 21B. It has and.

As a result, the reagent / specimen tray 1 is shown in FIG.
As it is driven in the Y-axis direction inside, the dispensing operation of each reagent or sample to the microplate 2 becomes possible as described above, and at the same time, the above-mentioned reagent stockers 11, 12 and sample stocker 14 are removed from the main body case 10 ( It can be projected (to the lower side in FIG. 3). Therefore, the loading and unloading operations of the reagent stockers 11 and 12 and the sample stocker 14 can be performed smoothly and quickly.

[Regarding Micro Plate Guide Mechanism and Transfer Mechanism] As shown in FIG. 3, the micro plate guide mechanism 3 is arranged parallel to the moving direction of the reagent / sample tray 1 described above in this embodiment, and the upper side is opened. It has a U-shaped cross section.

In the microplate guide mechanism 3,
A pair of belt conveyor mechanisms 4 and 4 (see FIGS. 3 and 7) as a microplate transfer mechanism that applies a predetermined traveling force to the above-described microplate 2 along the left and right side wall surfaces thereof are equipped. As shown in FIG. 7, belt supporting members 4C and 4C are respectively arranged between the pulleys of each belt conveyor mechanism 4 so that the height position of the microplate 2 changes during its traveling process. Effectively prevented.

The microplate 2 is actually a microplate holder (hereinafter referred to as a plate tray) 24.
It is placed on the above-described pair of belt conveyor mechanisms 4 via. In addition, the belt 4 of each belt conveyor mechanism 4
A is provided with plate tray locking projections 4a (see FIG. 2) for locking the plate tray 24 at a plurality of positions thereof.

The belt 4A of the belt conveyor mechanism 4 is equipped with a positioning member 4B for the plate tray 24. Then, the belt 4A of the belt conveyor mechanism 4 described by the microplate 2 is formed by the positioning member 4B and the plate tray locking projection 4a described above.
It is positioned above and is driven to travel integrally with the belt 4A.

[Plate Tray] As shown in FIGS. 10 to 15, the plate tray 24 includes a frame-shaped microplate holding frame 24A that directly supports the above-mentioned microplate 2 around the microplate 2, and the microplate holding frame 24A. And a holding frame base portion 24C that supports the above-mentioned structure at four locations around the support member 24B made of an elastic member. 10 to 15 show a state in which the microplate 2 is equipped.

10 is a plan view of the plate tray 24, FIG. 11 is a front view of FIG. 10, and FIG. 12 is FIG.
13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.
Sectional views along the line C-C in FIG. 14 shows a left side view of FIG. 10, and FIG. 15 shows FIG.
3 is a sectional view taken along line D-D of FIG. The pillar member 2 described above
As shown in FIGS. 13 and 15, 4B has a thin central portion, so that the microplate holding frame 24A can be effectively vibrated, as will be described later.

In the microplate holding frame 24A, a plurality of through holes 24Aa functioning as locking holes for vibration described later and as locking holes for positioning are formed in a row at equal intervals at the upper end of FIG. Has been formed. In this embodiment, FIG.
16 through holes 24Aa are provided as shown in FIG. The through holes 24Aa are formed in the microplate holding frame 24A at the same intervals as the intervals between the plurality of reaction recesses 2A on the microplate 2 described above.

The holding frame base portion 24C includes a base member 24Ca formed in substantially the same shape as the microplate holding frame 24A described above, and front plates 24Ce mounted on both ends of the base member 24Ca in the longitudinal direction. The rear plate 24Cf is provided.

The front plate 24Ce and the rear plate 24Cf are
As shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, the lower central portion is cut off. Further, as shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, the base member 24Ca is provided with cutout portions 24Ck for engaging with the plate tray engaging projections 4a of the belt 4A described above at two positions on both sides. . And this notch 2
As described above, the holding frame base portion 24C is engaged with the belt 4A via the 4Ck.

[Vibration Mechanism] The vibration mechanism 5 promotes the reaction of the sample with respect to the reagent injected into the reaction recesses 2A of the microplate 2, and as shown in FIG. It is arranged along the plate guide mechanism 3.

The vibrating mechanism 5 includes a swing base 25 having a plurality of engaging pins 25A that engage with the plate tray 24 described above, and a swing base 25 that swings the swing base 25 in a horizontal plane. The drive unit 26 and the swing base 25 described above
And the engaging / disengaging mechanism portion 27 for the swing base that engages or disengages with the plate tray 24. Here, in this embodiment, the engagement pins 25A are mounted on the swing base 25 at intervals of five through holes 24Aa of the microplate holding frame 24A described above.

Of these, the swing drive unit 26 is the swing base 2
5 for supporting 5 at four points via an eccentric rotation shaft 26A, and for vibrating to rotate and drive one of the above-mentioned eccentric rotation shafts 26A equipped on this swing base support plate 26B. And a motor 28.

Therefore, when the vibrating motor 28 is operated, the eccentric rotary shaft 26 connected to the vibrating motor 28 is connected.
A first rotates, and then the other driven eccentric rotary shaft 26A simultaneously performs eccentric rotary motion via the swing base 25. For this reason, the entire oscillating base 25 is urged by one eccentric rotation shaft 26A, and the eccentric operation is repeated while being supported by each eccentric rotation shaft 26A in the same plane.

The eccentric movement in the form of a curb is performed by the microplate holding frame 2 through the plurality of engaging pins 25A described above.
4A, whereby the microplate holding frame 24A repeats the rotational displacement operation in the XY plane together with the microplate 2, and the microplate 2 is effectively vibrated. During this time, the swing base engaging / disengaging mechanism portion 27 maintains the state in which the swing base 25 is engaged with the plate tray 24.

On the other hand, the above-mentioned swing base engaging / disengaging mechanism portion 2
7 is a vibration motor 28 and a swing base support plate 26B.
Is provided with an eccentric cam portion 27A for vertically moving the whole and a cam drive motor 27B for rotationally driving the eccentric cam portion 27A. Here, the swing base support plate 26
B is arranged on the outer wall side of the above-mentioned microplate guide mechanism 3 with only vertical movement allowed by a guide means (not shown). The eccentric cam portion 27A is engaged with the elongated hole 26Ba formed in the swing base support plate 26B described above, and the eccentric cam portion 27A is inserted through the elongated hole 26Ba.
Supported by.

Therefore, when the cam drive motor 27B operates to rotate the eccentric cam portion 27A by 180 °, the swing base support plate 26B is lifted in the upward direction of FIG. The base 25 is also integrally lifted upward (FIG. 8 shows this lifted state). As a result, the microplate holding frame 2
4A through hole 24Aa and the engaging pin 25 of the swing base 25
The engagement state with A is released, and the vibration operation of the microplate 2 is stopped.

By vibrating the microplate 2, the reaction of the sample with respect to the reagent injected into each reaction recess 2A in the microplate 2 is significantly promoted.

At one end (upper part in FIG. 3) of the microplate guide mechanism 3, as described above, the microplate 2 in which the reagent and the sample are injected is maintained at a predetermined reaction temperature for a certain period of time. 9 are provided. Also,
A microplate loading / unloading mechanism 4 for feeding the microplate 2 in which the reagent and the sample are injected into the constant temperature bath mechanism 9.
0 is equipped at one end of the belt conveyor mechanism 4 (upward in FIG. 3).

In this case, the microplate 2 is always held by the plate tray 24 and is locked to the belt conveyer mechanism 4 integrally with the plate tray 24 so that the thermostatic chamber mechanism 9 is held.
It is designed to be carried in and out.

[Regarding Constant Temperature Chamber Mechanism] FIG. 16 shows the constant temperature chamber mechanism 9. The constant temperature bath mechanism 9 shown in FIG.
0, the front plate 51 installed upright on the above-mentioned belt conveyor mechanism 4 and the front plate 51.
A constant temperature bath support plate 52 extending from one side end toward the rear, and a plurality of (two in this embodiment) constant temperature baths 53A, 53 arranged on the back side of the constant temperature bath support plate 52.
B and.

The temperature chamber support plate 52 is provided with a temperature chamber bath belt mechanism 54 and a belt drive mechanism 55 in the vertical direction along the outer wall of the temperature chamber support plate 52, and an engaging long hole 52A is provided along the temperature chamber bath plate mechanism 54. It is provided. The two constant temperature baths 53A and 53B described above are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction with a predetermined interval therebetween, and are arranged in parallel with each other, and the elongated slot 5 for engagement described above is used.
It is held by the constant temperature bath belt mechanism 54 via 2A. Therefore, the belt mechanism 54 for the constant temperature bath is driven to freely move in the vertical direction and is stopped.

The belt mechanism 54 for the constant temperature bath is provided with the elongated slot 5 for engagement.
One pulley 54A mounted on the upper side of 2A, and the other pulley 54B mounted on the lower side of the engaging slot 52A,
A support belt 54C stretched between the pulleys 54A and 54B is provided. Reference numeral 54Ca indicates a constant temperature tank connecting portion that connects and fixes the above constant temperature tanks 53A and 53B to the support belt 54C.

Here, the two constant temperature baths 53A and 53B are
Actually, it is integrally fixed through one thermostat holding plate 53C, and this thermostat holding plate 53C is fixed to the thermostat connecting portion 54C.
It is connected to the above-mentioned support belt 54C through a. The constant temperature bath holding plate 53C is provided on the back side of the front plate 51 in the up-down direction.
Guided by A, it can move up and down smoothly. Reference numerals 51B and 51C denote slide members which are engaged with the guide rails 51A and which fix and support the above-mentioned constant temperature bath holding plate 53C.

The belt drive mechanism 55 further includes a belt drive motor 55A, a holding plate 55B for fixing and holding the belt drive motor 55A with the drive shaft facing downward, and a rotational force of the belt drive motor 55A to be reduced. The connecting mechanism 55C and the reduction gear mechanism 55D that transmit to the constant temperature chamber belt mechanism 54 described above are provided. Of these, the connection mechanism 55
C is a rubber member, and the reduction gear mechanism 55D is composed of a worm 55Da and a worm wheel 55Db.
4 is driven smoothly.

Further, the front plate 51 described above is provided with an opening 51C having the same size as the plate insertion openings 53Aa and 53Ba formed in the constant temperature baths 53A and 53B in advance. The surfaces of the constant temperature baths 53A and 53B on the side where the plate insertion openings 53Aa and 53Ba are provided are arranged close to the rear surface of the front plate 51.

For this reason, the belt drive mechanism 55 is driven at a predetermined timing to stop the control so that each of the constant temperature baths 5 can be controlled.
3A, 53B plate insertion port 53Aa, 53Ba,
One of the constant temperature baths 5 is closed at the same time with the front plate 51 described above, or depending on the attachment or withdrawal of the plate 2.
3A (53B) plate insertion port 53Aa (53Ba)
Can be stopped and controlled according to the opening 51C described above. Therefore, even if each of the constant temperature baths 53A and 53B is not equipped with a lid on the plate insertion openings 53Aa and 53Ba, the plate insertion openings 53Aa and 53Ba are almost covered with the front plate 51 due to the shielding action. An equivalent effect can be obtained.

[Regarding Micro Plate Inlet / Out Mechanism] This is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The microplate loading / unloading mechanism (microplate loading / unloading means) 40 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 loads the microplate 2 into the constant temperature bath 53A (or 53B) or the constant temperature bath 53A as described above.
(Or 53B) by pulling out from inside the belt conveyor mechanism 4
It also has the function of being placed on top.

The microplate loading / unloading mechanism 40 includes a rotary pawl mechanism 41 that locks or separates one end of the plate tray 24 on which the microplate 2 is mounted, and a pair of the rotary pawl mechanism 41 described above. It is configured by a claw portion transfer mechanism 46 that reciprocates along belt conveyor mechanisms (microplate transfer mechanisms) 4 and 4.

The rotary pawl mechanism 41 is used for the micro plate 2
Of the plate tray 24 equipped with a claw part 43 that locks or separates one end part of the plate tray 24, a claw part holding member 44 that pivotally supports the main part of the claw part 43 so as to move up and down, and this claw. A solenoid 45 which is provided in the part holding member 44 and biases the above-mentioned rotary pawl part 43 in an undulating motion at a predetermined timing.
It is configured with and. The solenoid 45 is fixed to the claw holding member 44 via a solenoid fixing piece 45A.

Further, in the above-mentioned rotary pawl portion 43, a downwardly projecting piece 43A is provided at a portion pivotally supported by the claw portion holding member 44 as shown in FIG.
A rising locking portion 43 a for locking the plate train 24 is provided at the rotating end portion of 3. Furthermore, a tension spring 45B is provided between the above-mentioned protruding piece 43A and the above-mentioned solenoid fixing piece 45A. Then, against the tension spring 45B, the plunger 45a of the solenoid 45 presses the projecting piece 43A of the rotary pawl portion 43, so that the rotary pawl portion 43 is normally set to the horizontal position at all times. Has become. 2A and 2B show a state in which the rotary pawl portion 43 is set in the horizontal position.

Further, the claw portion transfer mechanism 46 includes a claw portion guide rail 47 for guiding the above-mentioned claw portion holding member 44 to reciprocate along the microplate guide mechanism (belt conveyor mechanism 4), and this claw portion. A claw member transfer belt mechanism 48 that is arranged along the section guide rail 47 and that urges the claw part holding member 44 to reciprocate at a predetermined timing. The claw member transfer belt mechanism 48 is provided with a belt drive unit 49 that drives the claw member transfer belt mechanism 48. The belt drive unit 49 is a drive motor 49A.
And a power side belt mechanism 49B for transmitting the rotational force of the drive motor 49A to the claw member transfer belt mechanism 48 described above.

Then, the rotary pawl mechanism 41 and the claw portion transfer mechanism 46 are operated at a predetermined timing by a main controller (not shown), and the above-mentioned microplate 2 is placed in the constant temperature bath 53A (53B) together with the plate tray 24. Bring in,
Or you can carry it out. FIG. 2 (A)
Shows the case where the plate tray 24 equipped with the microplate 2 is carried into the constant temperature bath 53A, and FIG. 2B shows the case where the plate tray 24 equipped with the microplate 2 is carried out from the constant temperature bath 53A.

[Operation During Immune Response Measurement] Next, an example of the operation when performing immune response measurement according to the above-described embodiment will be described.

First, a predetermined reagent is applied to each reaction recess 2 A of the microplate 2 in advance, and this is placed on the belt conveyor mechanism 4. In this case, the microplate 2 may be one in which each reaction recess 2A is coated with a predetermined reagent in advance. Next, the belt conveyor mechanism 4 is operated to convey the microplate 2 to a position where the reagent / sample dispensing mechanism 8 can dispense the reagent and the sample.

At this position, the reagent / sample dispensing mechanism 8 is operated to dispense the sample in the sample stocker 14 into each reaction recess 2A of the microplate 2.

When the dispensing operation is completed, the belt conveyor mechanism 4 transfers the microplate 2 to the vibrating mechanism 5. Then, the vibrating mechanism 5 is operated to vibrate the microplate 2 for a predetermined period of time to accelerate the reaction, and thereafter, the microplate 2 is moved to the constant temperature bath 5 in the constant temperature bath mechanism 9.
It is carried into 3A (53B) and the temperature is adjusted to further promote the reaction. The loading and unloading of the constant temperature bath 53A (53B) is carried out by the microplate loading / unloading mechanism 40. When the reaction accelerating step in the constant temperature bath 53A (53B) is completed, the belt conveyor mechanism 4 is operated again to convey the microplate 2 to the position of the microplate cleaning mechanism 6, where the reaction plate 2A in each reaction recess 2A is moved. Cleaning is performed.

When the cleaning by the microplate cleaning mechanism 6 is completed, the enzyme-labeled antibody reagent is selected and dispensed from the reagent stocker 11 (or 12) described above into each reaction recess 2A of the microplate 2. . After the dispensing of the enzyme-labeled antibody reagent, the microplate 2 is again carried into the constant temperature bath 53A (53B), where the temperature is adjusted to promote the reaction. After completion of the reaction in the constant temperature bath 53A (53B), each reaction recess 2 of the microplate 2
A is washed again by the microplate washing mechanism 6.

When the steps of dispensing the enzyme-labeled antibody reagent, the reaction, and the washing are completed, then the chromogenic reagent is selected from the reagent stocker 11 (or 12), and the reaction recesses of the microplate 2 are selected. Dispensed in 2A. After this dispensing,
The microplate 2 is again carried into the constant temperature bath 53A (53B) and the temperature thereof is adjusted to promote the reaction.

When the steps of dispensing and reacting the color-developing reagent are completed, the stop solution reagent is added to the reagent stocker 11 next.
(Or 12) and is dispensed into each reaction recess 2A of the microplate 2. After the stop solution reagent is dispensed, the microplate 2 is placed at the immunoreaction measurement site 10
The above-mentioned immune reaction measurement is carried out, the predetermined analysis is performed based on the measurement result at this immune reaction measurement point 100, and the result is judged.

[Operation of Microplate In / Out Mechanism] Here, the operation of the microplate in / out mechanism 40 described above will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 17 to 21. The microplate 2 that has undergone the above-described vibration process is carried by the belt conveyor mechanism 4 together with the plate tray 24 to the installation location of the constant temperature bath mechanism 9. This is shown in FIGS. 17 (A) and (B).
FIG. 17A shows a state in which the leading end of the microplate 2 is partially carried into the constant temperature bath 53A. Also, FIG.
7 (B) shows a state in which the microplate 2 is loaded into the constant temperature bath 53A with its rear end exposed. In this case, the belt conveyor mechanism 4 is controlled so that its operation is stopped in the state of FIG. 17 (B). During such a series of operations, the solenoid 45 is controlled so that its plunger 45a is retracted, so that the rotary pawl mechanism 41 is
Is set in a state where its tip (rotating end) is lowered. As a result, the plate tray 24 is moved to the rotation pawl mechanism 4
The upper part is smoothly transferred to the constant temperature bath 53A.

FIG. 18 shows the pressing operation of the microplate 2 by the rotary pawl mechanism 41. In this case, the solenoid 45 operates in a state in which the plunger 45a is pushed out, whereby the tip end portion of the rotary pawl mechanism 41 rotates clockwise and is held in a substantially horizontal position. FIG. 18 (A)
Shows this state. Then, the claw portion transfer mechanism 46 operates to press the plate tray 24, and thereby the plate tray 24 is stored in the deepest portion in the constant temperature bath 53A. This state is shown in FIG. Next, the rotation pawl mechanism 41
Moves backwards. Then, the solenoid 45 is turned off,
As a result, the tip of the rotary pawl mechanism 41 is lowered.
After that, the constant temperature bath 53A is transferred upward or downward and the loading / unloading port is set in the closed state as described above. Then, after that, the inside of the constant temperature bath 53A is set to a predetermined temperature and subjected to so-called temperature adjustment (temperature adjustment step). This accelerates the reaction.

When the predetermined time in the temperature adjusting step has passed,
The plate tray 24 is pulled out from the constant temperature bath 53A by the microplate loading / unloading mechanism 40. This is shown in FIGS. In FIG. 19, first, the solenoid 45
Is actuated to retract the plunger 45a, whereby the tip end portion of the rotary pawl mechanism 41 is rotated counterclockwise. Then, the claw portion transfer mechanism 46 is operated to insert the tip of the rotary pawl mechanism 41 into the lower side of the plate tray 24.
This is shown in FIG. Next, the solenoid 45 is operated so as to push out the plunger 45. As a result, the tip of the rotating pawl mechanism 41 locks the plate tray 24. This state is shown in FIG.

Next, the claw portion transfer mechanism 46 is operated to transfer the rotary pawl mechanism 41 to the right in FIG. 20 (the direction in which the plate tray 24 is pulled out from the constant temperature bath 53A). In this case, the transfer speed of the rotary pawl mechanism 41 is set to be equal to the transfer speed of the belt conveyor mechanism 4 described above. Subsequently, when the plate tray 24 is pulled out from the constant temperature bath 53A and its tip portion first comes into contact with the positioning member 4B of the belt conveyor mechanism 4 as shown in FIG. 20 (A), it is detected by a detection means (not shown). The belt conveyor mechanism 4 starts to operate. As a result, the plate tray 24
Is smoothly drawn out from the constant temperature bath 53A and is conveyed rightward in the figure as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, the plate tray 24 is shown in FIG.
When the belt tray 4 is pulled out to the position shown in FIG. 5, the plate tray locking projection 4a rotates clockwise and rises as the belt 4A of the belt conveyor mechanism 4 moves. The plate tray locking projection 4a engages with the notch 24Ck formed in the plate tray 24 in advance as described above.

Therefore, the plate tray 24 is provided with the positioning member 4B on the belt 4A of the belt conveyor mechanism 4 and the plate tray locking projection 4a so that the belt 4A can be held.
The belt 4A is securely locked to the predetermined position, and is reliably transferred to a predetermined position as the belt 4A travels. FIG. 20B shows a state in which the plate tray 24 is locked by the positioning member 4B on the belt 4A and the plate tray locking protrusion 4a.

The belt 4A pulled out from the constant temperature bath 53A
When the plate tray 24 is held by the solenoid 45 of the rotating pawl mechanism 42, the plunger 45a is retracted. At the same time, the operation of the claw portion transfer mechanism 46 is stopped. As a result, the tip end portion of the rotating pawl mechanism 41 rotates counterclockwise to release the engagement with the plate tray 24, and the moving operation of the rotating pawl mechanism 41 is stopped. This state is shown in FIG. After that, plate tray 2
The belt 4A of the belt conveyor mechanism 4 transfers the sheet 4 to the immune reaction measuring point 100 and the like.

For this reason, it is possible to automate the work of taking in and out the microplate 2 in and from the constant temperature bath mechanism 9, and it is possible to significantly reduce the time and labor waste that has been caused conventionally, and at the same time, the work can be performed. It has an advantage that it can be speeded up.

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, when measuring the enzyme immunoreaction, it has been difficult to measure the enzyme immunoreaction measurement apparatus because the steps of dispensing, reaction and washing are often repeated. Fully automated, which enables rapid and highly accurate measurement of enzyme immunoreactions, and the advantage that a single device can perform tests for various items that differ for each reagent manufacturer. There is.

[0082]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION Since the present invention is constructed and functions as described above, according to the present invention, among the steps of dispensing, reaction, and washing, which are the pre-steps to be carried out when measuring the enzyme immunoreaction, particularly in a constant temperature bath. The reaction acceleration (temperature control process) can be continuously and quickly and accurately performed without the work such as the loading and unloading and transfer of the sample by the worker, and the temperature control process can be repeated under the same conditions. It is possible to perform the measurement quickly, and therefore, the enzyme immunoreaction can be measured quickly and highly accurately, and in this respect, the reliability of the measurement result can be remarkably improved. It is possible to provide an enzyme immunoassay measuring device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially omitted perspective view showing a microplate loading / unloading mechanism (microplate loading / unloading means) which constitutes a part of an enzyme immunoassay measuring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a relationship between the microplate loading / unloading mechanism shown in FIG. 1 and a thermostatic bath for temperature control, and FIG. 2A shows a state immediately after storing the microplate together with a plate tray in the thermostat. FIG. 2 (B) is an explanatory view showing a state in which the microplate is carried out from the thermostat together with the plate tray.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an enzyme immunoassay measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG.

5 is a plan view showing an example of the microplate disclosed in FIG. 2. FIG.

6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a partially omitted plan view showing the relationship between the belt conveyor mechanism and the vibration mechanism disclosed in FIG. 3 and the microplate.

8 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the vibration mechanism and the microplate disclosed in FIG. 7. FIG.

9 is an explanatory diagram of the operation seen from the direction of arrow A in FIG.

10 is a plan view showing an example of the plate tray disclosed in FIG. 2. FIG.

11 is a front view of FIG.

12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG.

13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a left side view of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG.

16 is a perspective view showing an example of the constant temperature oven mechanism disclosed in FIG. 3. FIG.

FIG. 17 is a view showing the operation of the microplate loading / unloading mechanism disclosed in FIG. 1, and FIG. 17 (A) is a state in which a plate tray on which microplates are loaded is being carried into a constant temperature tank by the belt conveyor mechanism and the microplate loading / unloading FIG. 17B is an explanatory diagram showing the operating state of the mechanism, and FIG. 17B is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the plate tray on which the microplate is placed is brought into the constant temperature bath by the belt conveyor mechanism and the operating state of the plate tray at this time. .

FIG. 18 is a view showing the operation of the microplate loading / unloading mechanism disclosed in FIG. 1, and FIG. 18 (A) shows the state immediately before the microplate loading / unloading mechanism press-loads the plate tray on which the microplate is placed into the constant temperature bath. Explanatory diagram showing FIG.
FIG. 8B is an explanatory view showing a state immediately after the microplate loading / unloading mechanism presses and carries in the plate tray on which the microplate is mounted to the deepest part in the constant temperature bath.

FIG. 19 is a view showing the operation of the microplate loading / unloading mechanism disclosed in FIG. 1, and FIG. 19 (A) is an explanatory view showing a state immediately before the microplate loading / unloading mechanism is engaged with the plate tray in the constant temperature bath; 19 (B) is an explanatory view showing a state immediately after the microplate loading / unloading mechanism is engaged with the plate tray in the constant temperature bath.

20 is a view showing the operation of the microplate loading / unloading mechanism disclosed in FIG. 1, and FIG. 20 (A) is an explanatory view showing a state where the plate tray in the constant temperature bath is being pulled out by the microplate loading / unloading mechanism; (B) is an explanatory diagram showing a state immediately after being pulled out by a microplate loading / unloading mechanism to a plate tray in a constant temperature bath and then locked by a positioning member on the belt 4 of the belt conveyor mechanism and a plate tray locking projection. is there.

FIG. 21 is a view showing the operation of the microplate loading / unloading mechanism disclosed in FIG. 1, and FIG. 21 (A) is an explanatory view showing a state in which the microplate loading / unloading mechanism is separated from the plate tray pulled out from the constant temperature bath; 21 (B) is an explanatory view showing a state in which the plate tray pulled out from the constant temperature bath is conveyed to a predetermined position where the belt conveyor mechanism is locked, and the operating state of the microplate loading / unloading mechanism at this time.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Reagent / Sample Tray 2 Microplate 2A Reaction Recess 3 Microplate Guide Mechanism 4 Belt Conveyor Mechanism as a Microplate Transfer Mechanism 6 Microplate Washing Mechanism 8 Reagent / Sample Dispensing Mechanism 9 Constant Temperature Chamber Mechanism 30 Microplate Positioning Mechanism 40 Micro plate loading / unloading mechanism as micro plate loading / unloading means 41 Rotating pawl mechanism 43 Rotating pawl portion 44 Claw portion holding member 45 Solenoid 46 Claw portion transfer mechanism 47 Claw portion guide rail 48 Claw member transfer belt mechanism 100 Immune reaction measurement location

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A microplate guide mechanism for guiding a microplate having a plurality of reaction recesses to an immune reaction measurement site, and a microplate attached to the microplate guide mechanism for urging a predetermined running force on the microplate. A plate transfer mechanism is provided, and a thermostatic chamber mechanism is provided corresponding to one end of the microplate guide mechanism for accommodating the microplate in which the reagent and the sample have been injected and maintaining a predetermined reaction temperature for a certain period of time. Then, a microplate loading / unloading means for loading / unloading the microplate to / from the thermostatic bath mechanism is provided between the thermostatic bath mechanism and the microplate guiding mechanism. A rotating pawl mechanism that locks or separates one end of the plate,
An enzyme immunoassay measuring device characterized in that the rotating pawl mechanism is constituted by a claw portion transfer mechanism that reciprocally transfers along the microplate transfer mechanism. 2. A rotating pawl portion that locks or separates one end portion of the microplate from the rotating pawl mechanism, and a claw portion holding member that holds a core portion of the rotating pawl portion so as to be capable of undulating. 2. The enzyme immunological reaction measuring device according to claim 1, further comprising: a solenoid that is mounted on the claw portion holding member and that biases the oscillating movement of the rotary pawl portion at a predetermined timing. 3. A claw part guide rail for guiding the claw part holding member to reciprocate along the microplate guide mechanism, and a claw part transfer mechanism arranged along the claw part guide rail. The enzyme immunological reaction measuring device according to claim 2, wherein the claw member holding belt member is provided with a claw member transfer belt mechanism for urging reciprocating movement at a predetermined timing.