JPH0894629A - Sampling device for dry analysis element - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a compact sampling device for dry analysis element capable of reducing a cycle time of sampling and superior in efficiency of sampling. CONSTITUTION: Rotary and lift type sampling arms 82, 91 are adopted for executing colorimetry and differential voltage measurement so that inertia thereof is reduced. Under tracks of dripping nozzles 83, 93 that are made by rotation of the arms 82, 91, a movable tip rack 79 on which a plurality of nozzle tips 78 are loaded, a movable analyte table 76 on which a plurality of analyte vessels 77 are loaded, a dripping position (a point) and a tip-disposal position (b point) are provided. Operations of fitting a predetermined tip 78 to the respective nozzles 83, 93 and allowing the tip 78 to suck an analyte in the predetermined analyte vessel 77 by moving the rack 79 and table 76 as occasion of demands are automated. Thereby, a series of sampling operations are automated.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sampling device for a dry analysis element used in a biochemical analysis device for performing biochemical analysis using the dry analysis element.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, it has been possible to quantitatively analyze the content of a specific chemical component contained in the sample or its activity value, or the content of a tangible component, simply by spotting and supplying a small droplet of the sample. A dry-type integrated multi-layer analytical element (also referred to as a multi-layer analytical element or a multi-layer analytical film) or at least one pair of ion-selective electrodes having an ion-selective layer as an outermost layer that selectively responds to specific ions. A dry-type electrolyte analysis element equipped with it has been developed and put into practical use.

In a biochemical analysis device for performing biochemical analysis and the like using such a dry analysis device, the following sampling device for dry analysis device is used. That is, this sampling device is provided with a spotting nozzle, a sample is sucked into the nozzle tip with the nozzle tip fitted to the tip of the spotting nozzle, and the sucked sample is used as a dry analysis element. Is configured to be spotted.

When performing biochemical analysis or the like using a dry analysis element, it is desirable to use a disposable tip that does not require cleaning as the nozzle tip in order to shorten the sampling cycle time.

As a sampling procedure in the case of using the disposable chip, at least the following procedure is required. That is, first, a nozzle tip (disposable tip) is fitted to the tip portion of the spotting nozzle at a predetermined position, and then the spotting nozzle is moved to a position where the sample container is arranged to remove the sample from the sample container to the nozzle tip. A predetermined amount is sucked in, then the spotting nozzle is moved to the spotting position to spot the sample in the nozzle tip on the dry analysis element, and finally the nozzle tip is removed from the tip of the spotting nozzle and discarded. Procedures are needed.

Furthermore, when attempting the spotting after diluting the sample to some extent, it is necessary to intervene the following series of operations between the sample suction operation and the spotting operation. That is, after aspirating the sample, the spotting nozzle is moved to the dilution container, the sample is once transferred to the dilution container, the nozzle tip is removed from the tip of the spotting nozzle, a new nozzle tip is attached, and then the spotting nozzle is attached. To the diluent holder containing the diluent, suck the diluent into the nozzle tip, move the spotting nozzle to the dilution container again, add the diluent to the dilution container, and mix and dilute in the dilution container. It is necessary to perform a number of operations such as sucking the sample that has been collected.

The spotting nozzle is generally provided on a sampling arm, and movement of the sampling arm causes movement between predetermined positions.

[0008]

In the conventional sampling device for a dry analytical element, the sampling arm is configured to perform a linear motion for moving the spotting nozzle between predetermined positions. There is a problem.
That is, the spotting nozzle needs to move up and down when aspirating and spotting the sample, but since the mechanical component for performing this up and down movement moves together with the spotting nozzle during the linear movement, the sampling arm The inertia of will increase. Therefore, there is a problem that it is not possible to effectively reduce the sampling cycle time.

In particular, when a disposable tip is used as the nozzle tip, it is necessary to make the spot-applying nozzle and the mechanical parts sturdy in order to fit the tip with the spot-applying nozzle firmly. Since the weight of the sampling arm becomes heavier than that in the case of using a chip, and the inertia increases due to this, it is important to minimize the amount of inertia increase due to mechanical parts.

The above-mentioned problem is caused when the sampling device for a dry analytical element is provided with the above-mentioned dilution function.
Since the moving distance of the sampling arm becomes very long, it becomes more remarkable.

Further, in the conventional sampling device for the dry analytical element, since the work of supplying the nozzle chips is manually performed one by one, there is a problem that the sampling efficiency is poor.

When not only the colorimetric measurement but also the potentiometric measurement is to be performed by the sampling device for the dry analytical element, each sampling is performed by the colorimetric measuring sampling unit and the potentiometric measuring sampling unit. However, in this case, the sampling frequency in the total of both sampling units becomes high, and therefore it is further desired to solve the above problem. Also, in this case,
Due to the demand for making the sampling device for dry analytical elements compact, it is desirable to simplify the structure of both sampling units as much as possible.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is compact in that it is possible to effectively reduce the sampling cycle time when performing colorimetric measurement and potential difference measurement, and is excellent in sampling efficiency. Another object of the present invention is to provide a sampling device for a dry analytical element.

[0014]

According to the invention of the present application, the inertia is reduced by adopting a rotary lifting type sampling arm as the sampling arm of each sampling unit, and at the same time, a spotting nozzle is provided by the rotation of each sampling arm. By arranging the tip rack, sample table, spotting position, and tip discarding position under the traced path, the sampling is automated, and the chip rack and the sample table are shared to simplify the structure. The above-mentioned object is achieved.

That is, according to the present invention, as described in claim 1, the spotting nozzle is provided, and the specimen is sucked into the nozzle tip with the nozzle tip fitted to the tip portion of the spotting nozzle. A sampling device for a dry analysis element configured to spot the sucked sample on the dry analysis element, wherein the sampling device for the dry analysis element is a colorimetric sampling unit for performing colorimetric measurement, and a potential difference measurement And a spotting nozzle of each of the sampling units is provided in a sampling arm that can be rotated and moved up and down, and the rotation of each of the sampling arms is performed. The movable tip rack on which the nozzle tip is placed and the sample container containing the specimen are placed under the locus drawn by the spotting nozzle. A possible sample table, a spotting position for performing the spotting, and a nozzle tip discarding position for discarding the nozzle tip that has completed the spotting are arranged, and the tip rack and the specimen The table is shared between the two sampling units.

[0016]

As described above, according to the present invention, since each spot wear nozzle for colorimetric measurement and potential difference measurement is provided on the sampling arm which can be rotated and raised, respectively. A mechanical component for performing vertical movement of the spotting nozzle during suction and spotting can be provided at the center of rotation of each sampling arm, whereby the mechanical component moves with the rotational movement of each sampling arm. You can prevent it. For this reason,
The inertia of each sampling arm can be minimized, and the sampling cycle time can be effectively shortened.

Further, in the present invention, a movable tip rack on which nozzle tips are mounted and a movable sample table on which a sample container is mounted are provided under the locus drawn by the spotting nozzle by the rotation of each sampling arm. Since a spotting position for spotting and a tip discarding position for discarding the nozzle tips that have been spotted are arranged, by appropriately moving the tip rack and the sample table, It is possible to automatically perform the operation of fitting the nozzle tip to the spotting nozzle and the operation of sucking the specimen in the predetermined specimen container into the nozzle tip. Therefore, a series of sampling operations can be automated, which can improve the sampling efficiency.

Moreover, in the present invention, since the chip rack and the sample table are shared by both sampling units, the required space can be greatly reduced as compared with the case where these are provided for each sampling unit. Therefore, the sampling device for the dry analytical element can be made compact by that much.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to effectively reduce the sampling cycle time in the case of performing colorimetric measurement and potential difference measurement, improve sampling efficiency, and make the apparatus compact. You can

The nozzle tip mounted on the tip rack and the sample container mounted on the sample table may each be singular or plural. However, as described in claim 2, if both of them are plural, sampling efficiency is increased. Can be further improved.

In this case, the arrangement of the plurality of sample containers on the sample table is not particularly limited, but as described in claim 3, these are arranged on at least two concentric circles on the sample table. With the configuration including the routine sample container and the emergency sample container that are respectively arranged, it is possible to perform sampling without error according to the degree of urgency, and it is possible to easily respond to an emergency inspection and the like.

Further, as described in claim 4, a diluting liquid holder for accommodating a diluting liquid and a sample for temporarily holding the sample are provided under the locus drawn by the spotting nozzle by the rotation of each sampling arm. By disposing the dilution container, it is possible to effectively reduce the sampling cycle time and improve the sampling efficiency even when each sampling unit has a dilution function.

In this case, as described in claim 5, if the dilution container is configured to interlock with the tip rack,
It is possible to arrange a predetermined position on the dilution container under the spotting nozzle locus by using the mechanism for moving the tip rack, and it is possible to automate the dilution operation without providing a new drive mechanism.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, a biochemical analyzer incorporating a sampling device for a dry analytical element according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of a biochemical analyzer.

The biochemical analyzer 10 has a main storage 11 for storing a cartridge 3 in which a dry analytical element 1 made of a dry analytical film piece as shown in FIG. 5 is stored, as a colorimetric measuring system (general measuring system), An incubator 12 arranged beside the main storage 11 for keeping the dry analytical element 1 at a constant temperature for a predetermined time.
An element carrying means 13 for taking out and carrying the dry analytical element 1 from the main storage 11 to the incubator 12, and a sample holding means 14 for holding a sample container 77 containing a plurality of samples such as serum and urine, A first spotting means 15 for spotting on the dry analytical element 1 until the specimen of the specimen holding means 14 is conveyed to the incubator 12 by the element conveying means 13, and a measuring means 16 arranged below the incubator 12. It has and.

Further, as an electric potential difference measuring system, an electrolyte storage 2 for storing an electrolyte cartridge 4 in which a dry analytical element 2 with an electrolyte slide as shown in FIG. 6 is also stored.
1 and a transport means 22 for transporting the electrolyte dry analysis element 2 from the electrolyte cartridge 4 in the electrolyte storage 21 to the spotting position.
A second spotting means 23 for spotting a sample from the specimen holding means 14 on the electrolyte dry analysis element 2, and a third spotting means for similarly depositing a reference liquid from the reference liquid container 97 on the electrolyte dry analysis element 2. It is provided with a spotting means 24 and a potential difference measuring means 25 which is installed in front of the electrolyte spotting position and which keeps the electrolyte dry analytical element 2 at a constant temperature for a predetermined time and measures the potential difference. on the other hand,
In the vicinity of the first and second spotting means 15 and 23, a tip supplying means 26 for holding a tip rack 79 in which nozzle tips 78 to be mounted on the tips of the spotting nozzles 83 and 93 are arranged and stored is installed. Has been done.

First, the colorimetric measuring system will be described. The main storage 11 includes a cartridge 3 (FIG. 5) in which an unused substantially square or rectangular dry analysis element 1 (dry analysis film piece) is stored. (Refer to FIG. 4), and below it, as a part of the transport means 13, an element extraction means by an extraction suction cup 60 for extracting the dry analysis element 1 from the cartridge 3 in the main storage 11 is installed. .

The dry analytical element 1 is provided by coating or adhering a reagent layer on a light-transmissive support made of a plastic sheet such as an organic polymer sheet such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polystyrene, and then developed on this. It is a film piece (chip) in which layers are laminated by a laminating method or the like and does not have a mount corresponding to a mount in a conventional chemical analysis slide.

The reagent layer contains a hydrophilic polymer binder such as gelatin or a porous reagent containing a detection reagent (chemical analysis reagent or immunoassay reagent) which selectively reacts with the analyte and a reagent component necessary for color development reaction. It is composed of at least one layer. Further, the spreading layer is made of a material resistant to abrasion with the outside, for example, a woven fabric or a knitted fabric made of synthetic fibers such as polyester, a woven fabric made of a blend of natural fibers and synthetic fibers, a knitted fabric, a non-woven fabric, or paper. Thus, the sample is spread so as to function as a protective layer and the sample spotted on the spreading layer can be uniformly supplied onto the reagent layer.

The dry analytical element 1 is housed in the cartridge 3 for each measurement item.
Is a rectangular box-shaped divided box body 31, and a first opening 3a through which only one dry analytical element 1 can pass is formed near the bottom of one side surface of the box body 31, and the bottom surface is formed on the bottom surface. A substantially U-shaped second opening 3b into which a suction cup 60 (suction cup) for sucking and holding the element 1 enters is formed. Further, a holding mechanism (not shown) for holding the housed dry analytical element 1 in the direction of the opening 3b is provided inside.

Further, vertical ribs 3c are provided on the side surface of the box body 31 on which the first opening 3a is formed and the side surface opposite to the side surface. The vertical ribs 3c are formed on both side surfaces at intervals. The formation length is different, which allows the cartridge 3 to be stored in the main storage
The frame 41 of FIG. 11 is locked and held in the cartridge storage portion, and misidentification of the cartridge insertion direction is prevented. On the side surface of the box body 31, a bar code data recording section 32 having cartridge information representing data and the like regarding the stored dry analysis element 1 is attached.

The cartridge 3 accommodates a large number of dry analytical elements 1 in a stacked state according to measurement items,
It is loaded in a double ring shape in the cartridge storage portion in the inner or outer storage chambers 11a and 11b arranged on the disk-shaped frame 41 in the main storage 11.

The main storage 11 includes a case main body 42 having a bottom wall and a peripheral wall, and a lid 43 for closing the upper surface of the case main body 42.
And a frame 41 is rotatably supported on the bottom of the case body 42. The rotation stop position of this frame 41 is drive-controlled by a frame motor (not shown).

Although not shown on the bottom surface of the main storage 11, an element outlet selectively opened by the lower shutter is provided on the inner wall of the bottom wall of the case main body 42 at the element outlet position. Each is provided on the outer peripheral side.
Further, the lid 43 at the element extraction position is provided with cartridge insertion ports 48a, 48b for inserting and ejecting the cartridge 3 on the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side, respectively, and the inner and outer cartridge inserting ports 48a, 48b are disc-shaped. The upper shutter 49 is selectively opened.

Further, a partition member 55 is arranged between the inside and outside of the cartridge accommodating portion of the frame 41, and the main storage 11
The inside of the container is divided into the inner and outer storage chambers 11a and 11b. A humidity control agent 57 is stored in the center of the inner storage chamber 11a, and a dehumidifying agent 58 is stored in the case body 42 of the outer storage chamber 11b.

The take-out suction cup 60 is held so as to be able to move up and down, and is configured to move up and down by driving an up-and-down motor. The suction cup 60 for taking out rises and adheres to the dry analytical element 1 in the lowermost layer of the cartridge 3 to adsorb it under reduced pressure, and then the adsorbed dry analytical element 1 is slightly lowered downward to form a curved shape. While sliding it toward the center side, it is taken out from the first opening 3a of the cartridge 3 as shown in FIG. After that, the take-out suction cup 60 is moved downward and conveyed to the outside from the element take-out port.

Next, in the incubator 12 shown in FIG. 1, a disk-shaped main body 70 is rotatably supported by a rotation drive mechanism (not shown), and the dry analytical elements 1 are housed on the circumference of the main body 70 at predetermined intervals. A plurality of cells 71 are arranged, and the dry analytical element 1 is incubated in the cells 71. The main body 70 of the incubator 12 has a lower disk and an upper disk made of metal, a cell 71 is formed between the both disks, and a heater is built in so that the dry analytical element 1 is heated to a predetermined temperature (for example, 37 ° C.). Heated and held.

Although not shown, photometric windows are opened at predetermined intervals in the lower disk corresponding to the formation positions of the cells 71, and the dry analytical element 1 inserted in the cells 71 is set at a predetermined position. An element holder to be fixed is provided, and a photometric head 72 of the measuring means 16 is provided below the main body 70 at the measurement position.

The transfer means 13 for transferring the dry analytical element 1 from the main storage 11 to the incubator 12 is the suction cup for extraction.
A dry analysis element 1 held by 60 is held and received from below with the reagent layer being on the upper surface, and a horseshoe-shaped transfer member 73 is inserted into the cell 71 of the incubator 12 from the side opening. In the cell 71 of the incubator 12, the dry analytical element 1 held by the transfer member 73 is
A holding suction cup (not shown) that is projected and retracted from below 71 is provided.

At the element ejection position of the incubator 12, the dry analysis element 1 after measurement is taken out from the cell 71 of the incubator 12 by an ejection mechanism (not shown) and is disposed in the disposal box 74.

The sample holding means 14 is provided with a sample table 76 which is rotated, and a plurality of sample containers 77 containing samples are set on the inner and outer peripheral portions of the sample table 76, and the sample containers 77 are rotated by the rotation. It is sequentially moved to the supply position. The sample container 77 set on the inner side of the sample table 76
Is for emergency measurement.

The tip supply means 26 on the back of the first and second spotting means 15, 23 are provided with spotting nozzles 83, 93 which will be described later.
In addition to the tip rack 79 in which the nozzle tips 78 mounted at the tip of are arranged and stored, the dilution container 80 having cup-shaped recesses arranged in parallel is slid laterally, and the nozzle tips 78 or The movement of the dilution container 80 is controlled so as to be located below the rotating spotting nozzles 83 and 93, and the dilution container 80 has a standby position and a discharge position for holding the tip rack 79 that has been preliminarily and completely supplied. There is.

The first spotting means 15 for spotting the sample from the sample container 77 onto the dry analytical element 1 is provided at the tip of a sampling arm 82 provided on the support base 81 so as to be rotatable and vertically movable. It has a spotting nozzle 83 for performing suction and discharge, and the pipette-shaped nozzle tip 78 is attached to the tip of the spotting nozzle 83, sucks and moves the sample from the sample container 77 of the sample table 76, and transfers the sample. The dry analytical element 1 held on the member 73 is spotted. A diluent holder 84 is disposed adjacent to the sample table 76. Depending on the measurement item, after diluting the sample in the dilution container 80, the dry analytical element 1 is used.
It is something to be spotted on. The specific structure of the lifting and rotating mechanism of the sampling arm 82 will be described later.

The nozzle tip 78 after spotting is discarded every time the sample changes, and the nozzle tip 78 is attached to the upper end.
A tip waste tube 69 is provided for hooking the upper end of the tip waste nozzle 83 to remove it from the tip of the spotting nozzle 83, and a nozzle tip 78 falling from the tip waste tube 69 is discarded in the waste box 74.

The spotted dry analytical element 1 is incubated in the incubator 12 and measured by the measuring means 16 arranged below the incubator 12. The measuring means 16 has the photometric head 72 for measuring the optical density due to the color reaction between the dry analytical element 1 and the analyte in the sample. The photometric head 72 irradiates the reagent layer with the irradiation light for measurement containing light of a predetermined wavelength through the light-transmissive support, and detects the reflected light by the photodetector, which is not shown. Light from a light source (lamp) enters the photometric head 72 through an interference filter, and the photometric head 72 irradiates the reagent layer with the light.

The reflected light from the reagent layer of the dry analytical element 1 carries optical information (specifically, the amount of light) according to the amount of dye produced in the reagent layer, and this optical information is carried. The reflected light is incident on the photo-detecting element of the photometric head 72, is photoelectrically converted, and is sent to the determination unit via the amplifier. In the judgment section,
The optical density of the dye formed in the reagent layer is determined based on the level of the input electric signal, and the concentration (content) or activity value of the predetermined biochemical substance in the sample is calculated by the colorimetric principle. .

On the other hand, explaining the mechanism of the potentiometric measuring system,
As shown in FIG. 6, the electrolyte dry analysis element 2 (electrolyte slide) is for examining the electrolyte of the sample by an electrical change, and the outer part is covered with the frame member 2a made of plastic, and the sample point is on the upper surface. An adhering portion 2b, a reference liquid spotting portion 2c, and a bridge 2d connecting the spotting portions are provided, and three types of multilayer film-like dry ion selective electrode pairs (Na, K, Cl measuring electrode pairs) are provided inside. ) Is installed and a distribution member in contact with the electrode is installed, and the sample and the reference liquid are spotted at substantially the same time to detect the potential difference between them.

The electrolyte cartridge 4 for accommodating the electrolyte dry analysis element 2 as described above is formed into one rectangular tube by engaging the box body 34 formed as two separate left and right half casings at the center. An outlet 4a for taking out the dry analysis slide 1 is provided at the top of the box 34 formed. The outlet 4a has a slit-like opening on one side surface so that one electrolyte dry analysis element 2 can be inserted therethrough, and an opening 4b into which a blade member 90 described later enters is formed on the opposite side surface. Two vertical ribs 4c extending in the vertical direction are provided on both side surfaces of the box body 34, vertical grooves 4d are formed between the vertical ribs 4c, and ratchet teeth 35 are formed on the inner surface. ing.

The electrolyte cartridge 4 has a holding member 36 for holding the contained electrolyte dry analysis element 2 on the outlet 4a side.
The holding member 36 is provided with a locking claw 36 for locking the holding position.
a is provided. The holding member 36 is moved upward in response to the removal of the electrolyte dry analysis element 2, and a protrusion 36b for that purpose is provided so as to protrude from the vertical groove 4d, and the locking claw 36a is provided with the ratchet teeth 35. Lock on.

On the outer surface of the box body of the electrolyte cartridge 4, a data recording section 32 by a bar code having cartridge information showing data regarding the stored electrolyte dry analysis element 2 is attached similarly to the cartridge 3. ing.

FIG. 1 for accommodating the electrolyte cartridge 4
The electrolyte storage 21 is provided in a rotary drive type, and two cartridge storage portions are formed on both sides of the rotation center. The electrolyte storage 21 is rotationally driven by the select motor 86, and one cartridge 4 is at the take-out position. Be moved. At this time, the other cartridge 4 is capable of ejecting the cartridge 4 and inserting a new cartridge 4 from above when the electrolyte measuring unit cover (not shown) is opened. Further, the electrolyte storage 21 is installed in a separate room, and a desiccant 87 is installed therein.

The transport means 22 for taking out and transporting the electrolyte dry analysis element 2 from the electrolyte cartridge 4 has a blade member 90 for pushing out the electrolyte dry analysis element 2 on the uppermost part of the electrolyte cartridge 4, and drives the blade member 90. A mechanism is installed, and after the electrolyte dry analysis element 2 taken out from the cartridge 4 is transported to the spotting position and spotted, it is transported to the measurement position by the constant temperature holding and potential difference measuring means 25, and further discarded. It is provided with a transport mechanism by another slide member (not shown) for transporting to a position.

Sampling arm 91 of second spotting means 23
Is similar to the first sampling arm 82, but the support base 92
Is provided so as to be rotatable and movable up and down, and has a point-wearing nozzle 93 for sucking and discharging a sample at the tip, and the pipette-shaped nozzle tip 78 is attached to the tip of the point-wearing nozzle 93, The sample is sucked from the sample container 77, moved, and spotted on the electrolyte dry analysis element 2 which is transported to the spotting position. The nozzle tip 78 after spotting is discarded,
A tip waste tube 75 that hooks the upper end of the nozzle tip 78 on the upper end to remove it from the tip of the spotting nozzle 93 is disposed, and the nozzle tip 78 that falls from the tip waste tube 75 is discarded in a waste box 98. .

Similarly, the reference liquid arm 94 of the third spotting means 24 is also rotatably and vertically movable on the support base 95, has a spotting nozzle 96 at its tip, and supplies the reference liquid from the reference liquid container 97. It is sucked and spotted on the electrolyte dry analysis element 2, and the potential difference is measured by the measuring means 25. This reference liquid arm 94
In the above, a nozzle tip (not shown) is attached, but it is not necessary to replace it for each spotting, and it is provided in a structure that suppresses evaporation by covering the reference liquid container 97 at the time other than spotting. There is. The used electrolyte dry analysis element 2 is discarded in the disposal box 98.

In the data recording section 32 attached to the cartridge 3 containing the dry analysis element 1 and the electrolyte cartridge 4 containing the electrolyte dry analysis element 2, information on the dry analysis elements 1 and 2, for example, Amount of spotted liquid, measurement wavelength, data processing method, basic calibration curve, quantitative range,
The display range, the number of display digits, the lot number, the item code, the item name, the correction coefficient, and other information, such as the number of the dry analysis elements and the storage room No., are recorded. A data reading means 27 such as a bar code reader for reading the cartridge information is installed, and the information is input to the control computer of the control unit to perform various controls.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lifting / rotating mechanism of the sampling arm 82 of the first spotting means 15 is such that the sampling arm 82 has a spotting nozzle 83 fixed downwardly at the tip thereof. A nozzle port for sucking and discharging is opened at the tip of the spotting nozzle 83, and a nozzle tip 78 is attached to this tip portion every time a sample is sucked.
An upper end portion of a shaft member 62 is vertically connected to a central side portion of the sampling arm 82, and the shaft member 62 is supported by a support base portion 81 supported by a base member 50 so as to be vertically movable and rotatable, and a lower end thereof. A block 63 is connected to the part.
The block 63 is a guide bar arranged in parallel with the shaft member 62.
It is supported to move up and down along 51. Further, on the side of the shaft member 62, a part of the lifting belt 53 hung on the upper and lower pulleys 52a and 52b is fixed to the block 63,
The upper pulley 52a is fixed to the drive shaft 54a of the lifting motor 54, and the lifting belt 54 runs by the driving of the lifting motor 54, and the shaft member 62, that is, the sampling arm 82 is driven up and down. The lifting position is controlled by the number of operating steps of the lifting motor 54.

On the other hand, below the support base 81, a belt gear 64 is provided on the lower surface of the base member 50.
The shaft member 62 is slidably pierced at the center, but is linked so as to rotate integrally with the shaft member 62. A rotation motor 65 is attached to the base member 50, and a rotation belt 67 is hung between a drive belt gear 66 provided on the drive shaft 65a and the belt gear 64 of the shaft member 62 to rotate the rotation belt 67. The shaft member 62, that is, the sampling arm 82 is configured to rotate by driving the motion motor 65.

Regarding the operation of the sampling arm 82, the position of the tip discarding cylinder 69 is the home position, and with this as a reference, when the sample is spotted, first of all, it is pivotally moved to the tip rack 79 side and lowered, A nozzle tip 78 is fitted and lifted from the tip rack 79 and rotated to the sample table 76 side, stopped on the sample container 77 and then lowered, and after sucking a predetermined amount of the sample, a dry type at the spotting position. It rotates on the analysis element 1 and spots a predetermined amount of the sample on the spotting position. After that, the nozzle tip 78 is moved to the disposal position and lowered, and the upper end of the nozzle tip 78 is hooked and moved upward to remove the nozzle tip 78 from the spotting nozzle 83.

The rotation position of the sampling arm 82 of the first spotting means 15 is controlled by the number of operation steps of the rotation motor 65, and as shown in FIG. 3, the home position (chip discarding position) is set. A reference position sensor 37 that detects that the lens has rotated is provided, while an area sensor 38 that detects a predetermined rotation range S is installed.
The rotation area S of the chip supply means 26 on the chip rack 79 side is detected by 38. Further, a tip sensor 39 for detecting whether or not the nozzle tip 78 is attached to the spotting nozzle 83 is installed between the tip supply means 26 and the diluent holder 84.

In the rotation of the sampling arm 82 of the first spotting means 15, the point b is the home position where the tip disposing cylinder 69 is aligned, and the point a is the transfer member.
73 is the spotting position for spotting the sample on the dry analytical element 1, point c is the emergency sampling position for sucking the emergency sample from the sample container 77 on the inner peripheral side of the sample table 76, and point d is the sample table. The sampling position for sucking the sample from the sample container 77 on the outer peripheral side of the 76, the point e is the diluting liquid suction position for sucking the diluting liquid from the diluting liquid container 85 of the diluting liquid holder 84, and the plurality of f points are the tips. It is a tip fitting position for fitting and holding the nozzle tips 78 arranged on the rack 79, and this point f also corresponds to a position for injecting and sucking the sample or the diluent into each concave portion of the dilution container 80.

On the other hand, the structure of the sampling arm 91 of the second spotting means 23, the raising and lowering and rotating mechanism are the same as the mechanism of the first spotting means 15 shown in FIG. Is also shared. Then, in FIG. 3, the second sampling arm 91 is driven up and down by an elevator motor (not shown), and the rotational movement is similarly driven by the belt motor 64 from the drive belt gear 66 to the belt 67 via the belt 67. . Then, the chip disposal position of the chip disposal cylinder 75 is similarly set to the home position, and the reference position sensor 37 for detecting this position is arranged, while the chip rack is arranged.
An area sensor 38 for detecting a predetermined rotation range S on the 79 side is also installed.

Sample container 77 on the sample table 76
Are arranged so as to form a double concentric circle,
Of the two concentric circles on the sample table 76, the routine sample container is arranged on the outer circle and the emergency sample container is arranged on the inner circle.

In the rotation of the sampling arm 91 of the second spotting means 23, the point h is the home position where it coincides with the chip disposal tube 75, and the point g is the sample point of the electrolyte dry analysis element 2. The spotting position for spotting the sample on the landing portion 2b is a point j, the emergency sampling position for sucking the emergency sample from the sample container 77 on the inner peripheral side of the sample table 76, and the same point d is the sample table. A sampling position for sucking the sample from the sample container 77 on the outer peripheral side of the 76, a point k is a diluting liquid suction position for sucking the diluting liquid from the diluting liquid container 85 of the diluting liquid holder 84 as necessary, and a plurality of lines are arranged. The m point is the tip fitting position where the nozzle tips 78 arranged in the tip rack 79 are fitted and held, and the m point is the dilution container 80 as necessary.
It also corresponds to a position for injecting and sucking the sample or the diluent into each of the recesses.

Further, the first and second spotting means 1
In the rotation of the sampling arms 82 and 91 at points a to f or g to m in 5, 23, the turning height between the respective operating points is based on the detection by the area sensor 38, and the tip sensor 39
Rotation range S on the tip rack 79 side behind from the detection position in
In the range from the detection position of the chip sensor 39 to the front spotting position a point or g point.

Specifically, the height is set as shown in FIG. Before explaining FIG. 4, although not shown in FIG. 1 in the overall structure of the biochemical analyzer 10 as described above, the incubator 12, the upper part of the element transfer means 13, the sample holding means 14 and the diluent holder are provided. The upper part of the periphery of 84 and the upper part of the potentiometric system are the lids above the main storage 11, respectively.
Covered by an upper wall member arranged at the same height as 43,
Although this height is the operation surface, the spotting nozzles 83, 93 (nozzle tips) of the sampling arms 82, 91 are provided at the spotting position portion of the transfer member 73 and the tip disposal tubes 69, 75.
78) has an opening that allows insertion. As will be described later, the sample table 76 has a sample suction position (the above c, d, j
Evaporation prevention cover with through holes at the positions corresponding to
It is covered with 104 (see FIGS. 4 and 7). The diluent holder 84 is also covered with an evaporation prevention cover 89 (see FIG. 4) having a through hole at a position corresponding to the diluent suction position (points e and k).

Then, in FIG. 4, the evaporation preventing cover is shown.
104 is installed at the same height of the operation surface A as the lid 43. On the other hand, the spotting surface B on which the dry analysis element 1 on the transfer member 73 is almost in contact with to discharge and deposit the sample is installed at a considerably low position. Further, the upper end portion of the chip disposal cylinder 69, that is, the chip extraction surface C is set to a position slightly lower than the operation surface A, and the sampling arm 82 is not used when the apparatus is stopped in the chip disposal cylinder 69 which is the home position. At the time of stop, the lower end portion of the spotting nozzle 83 from which the nozzle tip 78 is pulled out is inserted into the tip discarding cylinder 69 at the same position as the tip withdrawing position and is stored. The storage position K is lower than the operation surface A.

Further, with respect to the height for sucking the sample from the sample container 77, the upper end position of the sample container 77 becomes the upper limit sampling surface D, and similarly, the diluting liquid suction surface E from the diluting liquid container 85 is also the diluting liquid container. The upper end position of 85 is the upper limit, and each position is lower than the operation surface A. Also, both containers
The sampling arm 82 can descend while performing liquid level detection until the tip of the nozzle tip 78 reaches the bottom of the container so that the sample or diluent can be sucked from the bottom of the 77, 85. When the nozzle tip 78 is rotated in the above range, the lower end position F of the nozzle tip 78 is set above the operation surface A within a height range of about 10 mm or less. The height of the lower end position F is preferably set to a height at which the operator's finger or the like cannot enter, for example, about 5 mm.

On the other hand, when the rotation range S behind the detection position of the tip sensor 39 is reached, the lower end position G of the nozzle tip 78 becomes higher, and this height is the upper end of the nozzle tip 78 held by the tip rack 79. It is set at a position higher than the chip fitting surface H of. In this example, the chip fitting surface H
Is set higher than the operation surface A, and the tip rack
The 79 and dilution container 80 can be easily set and discarded.

Although FIG. 4 shows the vertical movement of the sampling arm 82 in the first spotting means 15, the vertical movement of the sampling arm 91 in the second spotting means 23 is set in substantially the same manner. Therefore, the description thereof is omitted. However, the spotting position of the electrolyte dry analysis element 2 is set higher than the spotting position of the dry color analysis element 1 of the colorimetric measurement system, but is lower than the operation surface A.

Next, the structure of the sampling device for a dry analytical element according to this embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 3, the sampling device 100 for a dry analytical element comprises a colorimetric measurement sampling unit 101 for performing colorimetric measurement and a potentiometric measuring sampling unit 102 for performing potentiometric measurement. The sampling unit is composed of the following constituent elements of the biochemical analyzer 10. That is, the colorimetric measurement sampling unit 101 includes the sample holding means 14 including the sample table 76, and the first arm including the sampling arm 82.
Tip supplying means 15 and tip supplying means including a tip rack 79
26, a diluent holder 84, and a dilution container 80. The sampling unit 102 for measuring a potential difference includes the sample holding means 14, the second spotting means 23 including a sampling arm 91, and the tip. It comprises a supply means 26, the diluent holder 84, and the dilution container 80.

Sampling unit 101 for colorimetric measurement
In the above, the spotting nozzle 83 is provided on the rotatable sampling arm 82, and a plurality of spotting nozzles 83 are provided below the locus drawn by the spotting nozzle 83 by the rotation of the sampling arm 82 (indicated by a dashed line in the figure). A tip rack 79 on which a nozzle tip 78 is placed, a dilution container 80 in which a plurality of recesses for temporarily holding a sample sucked in the nozzle tip 78 are formed, and a plurality of dilution liquid containers 85 in which a diluent is stored A diluent holder 84 on which is mounted a sample table 76 on which a plurality of sample containers 77 are mounted,
A spotting position (point a) for performing spotting and a tip discarding position (b) for discarding the nozzle tip 78 for which spotting has been completed.
Points) and are arranged. The tip rack 79 is provided so as to be capable of reciprocating in the direction of the arrow in the figure, and is rotated under the trajectory drawn by the spotting nozzle 83 by the rotation of the sampling arm 82 (any one of the tip fitting position f points). The reciprocating motion of the nozzle tip 78 is controlled so that the predetermined nozzle tip 78 on the nozzle 79 is arranged. The dilution container 80 is adapted to reciprocate in conjunction with the tip rack 79. Further, the sample table 76 is provided so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow in the figure, and is rotated under the locus drawn by the spotting nozzle 83 (sampling position d by the rotation of the sampling arm 82).
The rotation control is performed so that a predetermined sample container 77 on the sample table 76 is placed at a point or an emergency sampling position c). Further, the diluent holder 84 is provided so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow in the figure, and the diluent is placed below the locus drawn by the spotting nozzle 83 by the rotation of the sampling arm 82 (the diluent suction position e). The rotation of the holder 84 is controlled so that a predetermined diluent container 85 is placed on the holder 84.

Sampling unit 10 for measuring the potential difference
In 2 as well, similar to the sampling unit 101, the spotting nozzle 93 is provided on the rotatable sampling arm 91, and the trajectory drawn by the spotting nozzle 93 by the rotation of the sampling arm 91 (indicated by a dashed line in the figure). Below), the tip rack 79, the sample table 76, the dilution container 80, the diluent holder 84, and the spotting position (point g).
And a chip disposal position (point h). In the tip rack 79, a predetermined nozzle tip 78 on the tip rack 79 is arranged under the locus drawn by the spotting nozzle 93 by the rotation of the sampling arm 91 (at any of the tip fitting positions m). So that the reciprocating movement is controlled. Further, in the sample table 76, a predetermined sample container 77 on the sample table 76 is arranged under the locus drawn by the spotting nozzle 93 by the rotation of the sampling arm 91 (sampling position d point or emergency sampling position j point). As described above, the rotation control is performed. The diluent holder 84 is a sampling arm.
The rotation of 91 is controlled so that the predetermined diluent container 85 on the diluent holder 84 is arranged below the locus drawn by the spotting nozzle 93 (dilution solution suction position k) by the rotation of 91. It has become.

In this way, both sampling units are
The tip rack 79, the sample table 76, the dilution container 80, and the diluent holder 84 are shared between 101 and 102.

As described above in detail, in the present embodiment, since the spotting nozzles 83, 93 are provided on the rotatable sampling arms 82, 91, the spotting at the time of sample suction and spotting is performed. A mechanical component for moving the nozzles 83, 93 up and down can be provided at the center of rotation of the sampling arms 82, 91, so that the mechanical components do not move together with the rotational movement of the sampling arms 82, 91. You can Therefore, the inertia of the sampling arms 82 and 91 can be minimized, and the sampling cycle time can be effectively shortened.

Further, in this embodiment, a reciprocating tip rack 79 having a plurality of nozzle tips 78 placed under the locus drawn by the spotting nozzles 83, 93 by the rotation of the sampling arms 82, 91, and a plurality of tip racks 79. And a rotatable sample table 76 on which the sample container 77 is placed, and a spotting position (point a,
g point) and the tip discarding positions (points b and h) for discarding the nozzle tips 78 that have been spotted, so that the tip rack 79 and the sample table 76 should be moved appropriately. By using the predetermined nozzle tip 78,
It is possible to automatically perform the operation of fitting the 83, 93 and the operation of sucking the sample in the predetermined sample container 78 into the nozzle tip 78. Therefore, a series of sampling operations can be automated, which can improve the sampling efficiency.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the sampling cycle time can be effectively shortened,
In addition, the sampling efficiency can be improved.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, the routine sample container is arranged on the outer circle of the two concentric circles on the sample table 76, and the emergency sample container is arranged on the inner circle. Therefore, it is possible to perform sampling without error, and it is possible to easily respond to an emergency inspection and the like.

Further, in the present embodiment, the diluent holder in which the diluent container 85 containing the diluent is further placed under the locus drawn by the spotting nozzles 83, 93 by the rotation of the sampling arms 82, 91. Since the 84 and the dilution container 80 for temporarily holding the aspirated sample in the nozzle tip 78 are arranged, even when each sampling unit 101, 102 is provided with a dilution function, the sampling cycle time The shortening can be effectively achieved, and the sampling efficiency can be improved.

In this embodiment, the chip rack 79 and the sample table 7 are provided between the colorimetric measurement sampling unit 101 and the potential difference measurement sampling unit 102.
6. Since the dilution container rack 80 and the diluent holder 84 are shared, the required sampling can be performed without increasing the size of the dry analytical element sampling device.

In the present embodiment, the sampling unit 101, 102 is configured to perform the dilution operation, but the sampling arm 82 or 91, which has the smaller load, of the sampling units 101, 102 is used. You may make it dilute operation. By adopting such a configuration, the sampling efficiency of the entire apparatus can be maintained sufficiently high even when the dilution operation is required.

In this embodiment, the following evaporation preventing cover structure is further provided.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the device main body 110 is provided with first, second and third spotting means 15, 23 ,.
A body cover 111 for covering the locus area of each sampling arm 82, 91, 94 in 24 is provided, thereby ensuring the safety of the operator. The main body cover 111 is provided so as to cover approximately half of the sample table 76. The device body 110 also includes a sample table 76 for preventing the sample on the sample table 76 from evaporating.
A substantially circular evaporation preventing cover 104 for covering the above is provided.
Therefore, approximately half of the evaporation prevention cover 104 is covered with the main body cover 111.

The evaporation prevention cover 104 is the main body cover 11
The semi-circular portion 104A which is not covered by 1 and the semi-circular portion 104B which is covered by the main body cover 111 are formed separately. And thereby, the semi-circular portion 104
A can be detached (or opened) from the apparatus main body 110 without opening the main body cover 111.

Through holes 105 to 107 for inserting the spotting nozzle are opened at five places on the upper surface of the semicircular portion 104B. These through-holes 105, 106, 107 are formed by d, j, and
It is provided at a position corresponding to the position of the point c, which makes it possible to perform sample suction from a predetermined sample container 77 without removing the semicircular portion 104B. In addition, in the central portion of each semicircular portion 104A, 104B,
Handle portions 104 Aa and 104 Ba are formed respectively.

By adopting such an evaporation prevention cover structure, the following effects can be obtained. That is, instead of attaching an evaporation prevention cap to each sample container 77 as in the conventional case, by covering the sample table 76 with the evaporation prevention cover 104, evaporation of the samples contained in each sample container 77 is collectively prevented. can do. Also, even if the main body cover 111 is not opened, the evaporation prevention cover 104
Since half of the can be removed, a new sample container 77
Can be easily supplied onto the sample table 76.

In this embodiment, the routine sample container and the emergency sample container are arranged on the two concentric circles on the sample table 76, but the number is not limited to the two concentric circles, and the routine sample container is not limited to the routine sample container. If the emergency sample containers can be arranged separately on different concentric circles, the application is possible even if there are two or more.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a biochemical analyzer incorporating a sampling device for a dry analytical element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing the first spotting means of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the main part of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the height of each operating point of the sampling arm in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the dry analytical element is taken out from the cartridge in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of the electrolyte cartridge of the above embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an evaporation prevention cover structure of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG.

9 is a sectional view taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 7.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 2 Dry analysis element 3, 4 Cartridge 10 Biochemical analyzer 11 Main storage 12 Incubator 14 Sample holding means 15, 23, 24 Pointing means 21 Electrolyte storage 26 Chip supply means 27 Data reading means 28 Control unit 76 samples Table 77 Sample container 78 Nozzle tip 79 Tip rack 80 Diluting container 82, 91, 94 Sampling arm 83, 93, 96-point wearing nozzle 84 Diluting liquid holder 85 Diluting liquid container 100 Sampling device for dry analytical element 101 Sampling unit for colorimetric measurement 102 Sampling unit for measuring potential difference 104 Evaporation prevention cover 104 A, 104 B Semi-circular part 104 Aa, 104 Ba Handle part 105-107 Through hole 110 Device body 111 Body cover a, g Pointing position b, h Home position (chip abolished) Rejection position) f, m Tip fitting position, Diluent injection / suction position d Sampling position c, j Emergency sample Position e, k diluent aspirating position

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A spotting nozzle is provided, and a specimen is sucked into the nozzle tip with the nozzle tip fitted to the tip of the spotting nozzle, and the sucked specimen is spotted on a dry analytical element. In the sampling device for dry analysis element configured as described above, the sampling device for dry analysis element is composed of a colorimetric measurement sampling unit for performing colorimetric measurement, and a potentiometric measurement sampling unit for performing potentiometric measurement. The sampling nozzle of each of the sampling units is provided in a sampling arm that can be rotated and moved up and down, and a nozzle tip is provided under a locus drawn by the sampling nozzle by the rotation of each sampling arm. A movable chip rack on which a sample is placed, a movable sample table on which a sample container containing a sample is placed, and points for performing the spotting. A landing position and a nozzle tip discarding position for discarding the nozzle tip that has been spotted are arranged, and the tip rack and the sample table are shared between the both sampling units, A sampling device for a dry analytical element, which is characterized in that 2. The sampling device for a dry analytical element according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of nozzle chips are mounted on the chip rack, and a plurality of sample containers are mounted on the sample table. 3. The dry method according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of sample containers include a routine sample container and an emergency sample container which are respectively arranged on at least two concentric circles on the sample table. Sampling device for analytical element. 4. A diluent holder containing a diluent and a diluent container for temporarily holding a sample are arranged under the locus drawn by the spotting nozzle by the rotation of each sampling arm. The sampling device for a dry analytical element according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the dilution liquid holder and the dilution container are shared between the both sampling units. 5. The sampling device for a dry analytical element according to claim 4, wherein the dilution container is configured to interlock with the tip rack.