JPH0894634A - Enzyme immunoreaction measurement device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To reduce time of a previous process in the measurement by a constitution wherein a dispensing mechanism is provided perpendicular to a guiding mechanism, a reagent/analyte tray-conveying mechanism is provided and a reagent stacker region that detachably stores a stacker having a plurality of reagents and an analyte stacker region that stores an analyte stacker that is constituted so as to house a plurality of analytes, are provided. CONSTITUTION: A reagent/analyte tray 1 and a belt conveyer mechanism 4 that guides a micro plate 2 having a recessed section for reaction to an immuno- reaction measurement position 100 are provided. A vibration-applying mechanism 5 and a micro plate-washing mechanism 6 are provided along the mechanism 4. A reagent/analyte dispensing mechanisms 8 is provided perpendicular to a micro plate-guiding mechanism 3. A reagent/analyte tray-conveying mechanism that conveys the tray 1 in parallel to the mechanism 4 is provided. A plurality of reagent stackers 11, 12 containing a plurality of reagents different from each other corresponding to inspection methods and an analyte stacker 14 housing a plurality of analytes are detachably provided.

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 device, and more particularly, to the reaction status after performing pretreatment for enzyme immunoassay measurement such as dispensing, shaking, temperature control, washing, etc. The present invention relates to an enzyme immunoassay measuring device for measuring.

[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 this enzyme immunoreaction, conventionally, as a pre-process, a sample and a reagent are dispensed, vibration and temperature control for accelerating the reaction, and a next reagent dispensing process are performed. Washing (The reaction part of the reagent to the sample is
Remains on the wall surface even after washing) etc. is performed repeatedly by changing various reagents.

[0004]

In the above-mentioned conventional example, the dispensing of the specimen and the reagent, the vibration and temperature control for promoting the reaction, and the washing for entering the next dispensing step of the reagent, etc. Each of these was done by different equipment by different workers. That is, the sample and reagent are dispensed by a dispenser,
The vibration, temperature control, and cleaning were separately performed by the vibrator, temperature controller, and cleaning device.

For this reason, since human power is involved in the movement of the sample and the reagent, the waiting time of each sample is increased in the process of reaction measurement, and sometimes the sample is placed in a wrong position. However, the measurement of the enzyme immunoreaction is time-consuming, and at the same time, it is always accompanied by the inconvenience of requiring a lot of mental work for the worker. Further, in the above-mentioned conventional example, it is impossible to adapt all methods with a single device because the immunoreaction measuring method differs depending on each reagent manufacturer, and it has been left unattended.

[0006]

It is an object of the present invention to improve the disadvantages of the prior art, and particularly to perform the pre-process for measuring the enzyme immunoreaction without the work such as the loading and unloading and transferring of the sample by the worker on the way. It is an object of the present invention to provide an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay device which can be continuously and in a short time and can effectively cope with a plurality of immunoreaction assay methods of different systems.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there are provided one or more reagents and reagents in which the arrangement positions of specimens are specified in advance.
A sample tray and a microplate guide mechanism that is attached to this reagent / sample tray and that guides a microplate equipped with a plurality of reaction recesses to an immunoreaction measurement site, and a microplate guide mechanism that is attached to this microplate guide mechanism and predetermined on the microplate. And a microplate transfer mechanism for energizing the traveling force of the.

Further, along with the microplate guide mechanism, the immune reaction measurement point, the vibration mechanism for vibrating the microplate in which the reagent and the sample are injected, and the reaction recesses of the microplate are completed. A microplate washing mechanism for individually washing later is provided.

Further, a reagent / sample which has a dispensing nozzle part for sucking a predetermined amount of the sample or reagent, and which transports and injects the sample or reagent sucked by the dispensing nozzle part to a predetermined reaction recess of the microplate The dispensing mechanism is arranged on the microplate guide mechanism so as to be orthogonal to the microplate guide mechanism.

A reagent / sample tray transfer mechanism for supporting the reagent / sample tray and transferring the reagent / sample tray in a direction substantially orthogonal to the moving direction of the aforementioned dispensing nozzle of the reagent / sample dispensing mechanism. To have.

And, in the above-mentioned reagent / sample tray,
A reagent stocker area that detachably accommodates one or more reagent stockers equipped with a plurality of different reagents depending on the inspection method, and a specimen stocker area that accommodates a specimen stocker configured to accommodate a plurality of specimens are provided. Etc. are adopted.

This is intended to achieve the above-mentioned object.

[0013]

[Operation] An example of performing an immune reaction measurement will be described.

First, a predetermined reagent is applied in advance to each reaction recess 2A of the microplate 2, and this is placed on the belt conveyor mechanism 4, and the belt conveyor mechanism 4 is actuated to separate reagents and specimens. It is transported to a position where the reagent and the sample can be dispensed by the injection mechanism 8. 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, and vibrates the microplate 2 to accelerate the reaction,
After that, the microplate 2 is carried into the thermostat 9 and the temperature is adjusted to further accelerate the reaction. When the reaction accelerating process in the constant temperature bath 9 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 inside of each reaction recess 2A is cleaned. .

When this washing 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 thermostat 9 and its temperature is adjusted. After the completion of the reaction in the constant temperature bath 9, the reaction recesses 2A of the microplate 2 are washed again.

When the steps of dispensing, reacting, and washing the enzyme-labeled antibody reagent are completed, next, 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 9 and the temperature thereof is adjusted, and then the microplate 2 is washed.

When the steps of dispensing, reacting, and washing the chromogenic reagent are completed, the stop solution reagent is selected from the reagent stocker 11 (or 12) and the microplate 2 is then selected.
Is dispensed into each reaction recess 2A. Then, after this stop solution reagent is dispensed, the microplate 2 is transported to the immune reaction measurement site 100, where the above-described immune reaction measurement is performed. During this time, the microplate 2 is attached to the case body 10
Never taken out of.

In this procedure, even when another reagent stocker 11 (or 12) of a different system is installed, corresponding steps such as dispensing, shaking, reaction, and washing are carried out.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

Here, FIGS. 1 and 2 are block diagrams of the entire apparatus. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a reagent / sample tray 1 in which the arrangement positions of one or more reagents and samples are specified in advance, and a plurality of reaction recesses provided alongside the reagent / sample tray 1. Microplate 2 with 2A
And a belt conveyer mechanism 4 as a microplate transfer mechanism that is installed in the microplate guide mechanism 3 and applies a predetermined traveling force to the microplate 2. ing. In this belt conveyor mechanism 4, a stepped belt is used.

Further, along the microplate guide mechanism 3, the above-mentioned immune reaction measuring portion 100, the vibrating mechanism 5 for vibrating the microplate 2 into which the reagent and the sample are injected, and each reaction of the microplate 2 Microplate cleaning mechanism 6 for individually cleaning the recess 2A after completion of the immune reaction
And are provided.

Further, a reagent which has a dispensing nozzle portion 7 for sucking a predetermined amount of the sample or reagent and which conveys the sample or reagent sucked by the dispensing nozzle portion 7 to a predetermined concave portion 2A of the microplate 2 and injects it The sample dispensing mechanism 8 is arranged on the microplate guide mechanism 3 and the reagent / sample tray 1 so as to be orthogonal to the microplate guide mechanism 3.

At one end of the microplate guide mechanism 3 (upper part in FIG. 1), a constant temperature bath 9 for maintaining the microplate 2 into which the reagent and the sample are injected at a predetermined reaction temperature for a certain time is arranged. It is set up. Reference numeral 10 indicates a main body case.

More specifically, 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.

Identification means 11A, 12A for setting identification information corresponding to the inspection method in each reagent stocker 11, 12
Is equipped. In the present embodiment, the identifying means 11A and 12A have four circular ultrasonic reflecting surfaces 11A ₁ and 11A ₂ with different heights, which are set in a line at the left end of the drawing, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. 11A ₃ , 11A ₄ , 12A ₁ ,
12A ₂ , 12A ₃ , 12A ₄ (see FIG. 5). This difference in height is detected by the ultrasonic sensor 10A attached to the above-mentioned dispensing nozzle unit 7 and identified by the control means (not shown) so that each unit described later operates in accordance with the predetermined inspection method. It has become.

6 to 7, one reagent stocker 11 is shown.
2 is a perspective view and a partially omitted exploded perspective view.

Further, each reagent stocker 11, 12 is equipped with a plurality of reagents for achieving the inspection method specified for each reagent stocker 11, 12. In FIGS. 1 to 5, six reagent storage portions 11e and 12e having different sizes are provided in the central portion.
e and 12e, reagent bottles 11E and 1 as reagent storage containers
2E is stored. Further, five reagent storage portions 11f and 12f having the same size are provided on the right side of the figure, and reagent bottles 11F and 12F are stored in the reagent storage portions 11f and 12f.

Here, the reagent bottles 11E, 11F, 12E and 12F housed in the reagent stockers 11 and 12, respectively.
Are arranged in a horizontal plane whose positions are substantially the same in the opening. Thereby, each reagent bottle 11E to 11F, 1
It is possible to easily detect the remaining amount of the reagent in 2E to 12F. Further, even if the positions of the reagent stockers 11 and 12 are changed by this, the reagent bottles 11E to 11E
Since F and 12E to 12F are always the same height and there is no particular protruding height, the above-mentioned dispensing nozzle portion 7
Is effectively prevented in advance from colliding with the reagent bottles 11E to 11F and 12E to 12F.

The detection of the remaining amount of the reagent is actually detected by the ultrasonic sensor 10A provided side by side with the above-mentioned dispensing nozzle section 7, and when the reagent is insufficient, the case (even when the amount of the sample is insufficient is detected. ), That effect is externally displayed by a display means (not shown). In addition, since the remaining amount of this reagent is captured as liquid level data,
Based on such information, the control means described above can adjust the descending amount of the dispensing nozzle portion 7.

Furthermore, FIG. 3 on each reagent stocker 11, 12 is shown.
In the lower area of the
Plural kinds of liquid suction auxiliary pipes 7E, 7F having different thicknesses for the dispensing nozzle portion 7 described above are arranged corresponding to the size of the opening of each reagent bottle accommodated in 12. . In FIG. 3, six relatively thick liquid suction auxiliary pipes 7E are prepared for each of the reagent bottles 11E and 12E described above, and a relatively thin liquid suction auxiliary pipe 7F is provided for the reagent bottle 1 described above.
Ten reagent stockers 11 and 12 are prepared for 1F and 12F and for inhaling a sample. As a result, the reagent and the sample can be smoothly and efficiently dispensed into the above-described microplate 2 according to the amount of the reagent used.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8 to 10, the reagent / sample tray 1 supports the reagent / sample tray 1 and dispenses the reagent / sample tray 1 as described above. A reagent / sample tray transfer mechanism 16 for transferring in a direction substantially orthogonal to the moving direction of the dispensing nozzle portion 7 of the mechanism 8 is provided.

Here, the reagent / sample tray 1 in FIG.
Is rotated by 90 ° counterclockwise as compared with that of FIG. Further, FIG. 8A shows a state in which the reagent / sample tray 1 is projected from the main body case 10.
(B) shows an example of a state in which the reagent / sample tray 1 is almost housed in the main body case 10.

Further, FIG. 9 shows a case where the reagent / sample tray 1 is arranged in a deep portion inside the main body case 10, and FIG. 10 shows a right side view of FIG. 8B described above.

The reagent / sample tray transfer mechanism 21
It is provided on the lower surface side of the sample tray 1 so that each reagent and each reagent on the sample tray 1 and the sample can be smoothly taken in and out. This reagent / sample tray transfer mechanism 21
In FIG. 1, it has a Y-axis direction transfer function for transferring the reagent / sample tray 1 in the vertical direction, and also has a function for transferring the dispensing nozzle unit 7 in the horizontal direction in FIG. 1 by the reagent / sample dispensing mechanism 8 described above. That is, it has an X-axis direction transfer function, whereby each reagent or sample on the reagent / sample tray 1 can be freely dispensed from any position to the aforementioned microplate 2. .

Then, the reagent / sample tray transfer mechanism 2
Reference numeral 1 denotes a guide frame 21A that supports the above-described reagent / sample tray 1 and guides the reagent / sample tray 1 in the vertical movement of FIG. 1, and is arranged along the guide frame 21A. A ball screw mechanism portion 21B that applies a moving force to the reagent / sample tray 1, and the ball screw mechanism portion 21.
And a tray drive motor 21C that rotationally drives the screw shaft of B. Reference numeral 21D indicates a belt mechanism portion that transmits the rotational force of the tray drive motor 21C to the ball screw mechanism portion 21B.

Further, reference numeral 21a indicates a linear guide mounted on the reagent / sample tray 1 corresponding to the guide frame 21A, and reference numeral 21Ba is driven to be driven by the screw shaft of the ball screw mechanism portion 21B. A member is shown. The driven member 21Ba is attached to the back surface of the reagent / sample tray 1, and thereby the reagent / sample tray 1 is driven to travel in the Y-axis direction as described above, and each reagent or sample for the microplate 2 is moved as described above. Of the reagent stockers 11 and 12 and the sample stocker 14 described above can be projected from the main body case 10 as shown in FIG. 8 (A). Also, the loading / unloading work of the sample stocker 14 can be smoothly performed.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 11, the microplate guide mechanism 3 is arranged in parallel with the moving direction of the reagent / sample tray 1 described above, and has a U-shaped cross section with its upper side open (see FIG. 15). Are used.

In this microplate guide mechanism 3,
A pair of belt conveyor mechanisms 4 and 4 as a microplate transfer mechanism for urging a predetermined traveling force to the above-mentioned microplate 2 along the left and right side wall surfaces thereof are provided. Belt supporting members 4A and 4A are respectively arranged between the pulleys of the belt conveyor mechanism 4 to effectively prevent the height position of the microplate 2 from changing during its traveling process.

The microplate 2 is actually placed on the above-mentioned pair of belt conveyor mechanisms 4 via the microplate holder 24. Further, the belt of each belt conveyor mechanism 4 is provided with plate holding body locking projections for locking the microplate holding body 24 at a plurality of positions, whereby the microplate holding body 24 is engaged and the belt concerned. The conveyor mechanism 4 and the conveyor mechanism 4 are integrally driven. In this case, the belt conveyor mechanism 4 itself has the operation of the microplate guide mechanism 3.

The microplate holder 24 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 13, a frame-shaped microplate holding plate 24 that directly supports the above-described microplate 2 around it.
A and a holder base portion 24C that supports the microplate holding plate 24A at four locations around a pillar member 24B made of an elastic member having a narrow central portion.

In the microplate holding plate 24A, a plurality of through holes 24Aa functioning as locking holes for vibration and positioning holes to be described later are arranged in a row at the left end of FIG. 11 at equal intervals. Is formed in. In this embodiment,
As shown in FIG. 11, fifteen through holes 24Aa are provided. The through holes 24Aa are formed in the microplate holding plate 24A at the same intervals as the intervals between the plurality of reaction recesses 2A on the microplate 2 described above.

As a result, the microplate holder 2
Even if the stop position of 4 changes significantly, the above-mentioned vibration mechanism 5
The microplate positioning mechanism, which will be described later, can easily engage the microplate holder 24 to vibrate the microplate 2, or perform positioning with high accuracy during reaction measurement.

The vibrating mechanism 5 includes a swing base 25 having a plurality of engaging pins 25A that engage with the above-mentioned microplate holder 24, and a swing that drives the swing base 25 to swing in a horizontal plane. The base drive unit 26 and the swing base engaging / disengaging mechanism unit 27 that engages or disengages the swing base 25 with the microplate holder 24. In this embodiment, the engaging pins 25A are mounted on the swing base 25 at intervals with five through holes 24Aa of the microplate holding plate 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. Therefore, the entire oscillating base 25 is urged by the driving 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 motion of the rubbing motion is transmitted to the microplate holding plate 24A through the plurality of engaging pins 25A described above, whereby the microplate holding plate 24A and the microplate 2 are arranged in the XY plane. The rotational displacement operation is repeated inside, and the microplate 2 is effectively vibrated. During this time, the rocking base engaging / disengaging mechanism portion 27 maintains the state in which the rocking base 25 is engaged with the microplate holder 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 upward in FIG. The base 25 is also integrally lifted. As a result, the engagement state between the through hole 24Aa of the microplate holding plate 24A and the engagement pin 25A of the swing base 25 is released, and the vibration operation of the microplate 2 is stopped.

The microplate guide mechanism 3 described above is equipped with a microplate positioning mechanism 30 for temporarily fixing the microplate 2 when the microplate 2 is carried into the immune reaction measurement site 100.

This microplate positioning mechanism 30
As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the microplate holding plate 24A and the microplate 2 are temporarily fixed to the measurement point by utilizing the through hole 24Aa of the microplate holding plate 24A described above. In the present embodiment, the locking pins 30A arranged at intervals with four through holes 24Aa described above, the locking pin fixing plate 30B holding the locking pins 30A, and the locking pin fixing plate. A support plate 30C that supports 30B and urges the vertical movement thereof, and a positioning motor 30 that vertically moves the support plate 30C via an eccentric cam portion 30D.
It is composed of M and.

Here, the support plate 30C is arranged on the outer wall side of the above-mentioned microplate guide mechanism 3 in a state where only vertical movement is allowed by guide means (not shown), and is supported by the eccentric cam portion 30D. For this reason,
The positioning motor 30M operates to set the eccentric cam portion 30D to 1
When rotated by 80 °, the support plate 30C is lifted upward in FIG. As a result, as shown in FIG. 13, the engagement state between the through hole 24Aa of the microplate holding plate 24A and the locking pin 30A of the locking pin fixing plate 30B is released, and the fixing operation of the microplate 2 is released.

Next, the microplate cleaning mechanism 6 will be described.

15 to 16 show an example thereof. The microplate cleaning mechanism 6 shown in FIGS. 15 to 16 operates when the immune reaction of the sample and the reagent injected into the reaction recesses 2A of the microplate 2 is completed, and the reaction recesses 2A are individually separated. Each reaction recess 2
Two sets of cleaning nozzles 6a and 6b are provided for each A for one set of two rows (12 sets for six sets in this embodiment).

Of the cleaning nozzles 6a and 6b, the shorter one of the cleaning nozzles constitutes the cleaning water discharge nozzle 6a, and the other longer cleaning nozzle constitutes the cleaning water suction nozzle 6b. As a result, the cleaning water discharged into each reaction recess 2A is effectively sucked by the cleaning water suction nozzle 6b.

Twelve cleaning nozzles 6a and 6b for these six groups
Discharges and sucks the cleaning water from each cleaning nozzle 6a,
As shown in FIGS. 15 to 16, the operation of 6 b is individually drive-controlled for each reaction recess 2 A and a nozzle operation control unit 33 that suspends and supports the twelve cleaning nozzles 6 a and 6 b and the microplate 2 is provided. The cleaning nozzle support member 34 that supports the nozzle operation control unit 33 that is arranged to project, the pair of guide pieces 35A and 35B that guides the cleaning nozzle support member 34 to move up and down, and the cleaning nozzle support member 34 Tension spring 36 that urges in the direction, and this tension spring 36
And a cleaning position setting motor 38 for urging the operation of the gear mechanism 37 by operating the cleaning nozzle strut member 34 to set the cleaning nozzles 6a and 6b to the optimum cleaning position. ing.

The gear mechanism 37 includes the cleaning nozzle support member 3
4 and a pinion 37B that meshes with the rack 37A and is driven by the cleaning position setting motor 38 described above.

Therefore, by operating the cleaning position setting motor 38, the vertical movement of the cleaning nozzle support member 34 is controlled corresponding to the movement stop operation of the microplate 2, and during that time,
Each reaction recess 2A of the microplate 2 is sequentially and effectively washed.

In this case, the washing water can be continuously discharged and sucked from the washing nozzles 6a and 6b, so that the reagents and the like remaining in the reaction recesses 2A except the reacted film are removed. Is diluted and the components are effectively discharged. As a result, it is not necessary to move the microplate 2 to a washing device at another place for washing, and therefore, it is possible to quickly shift to the next reagent reaction step, and immunity to a plurality of reagents in this respect can be achieved. It has the advantage that the results of the reaction can be obtained efficiently and quickly.

At one end of the microplate guide mechanism 3 (upper part in FIG. 1), a constant temperature for maintaining the microplate 2 in which the reagent and the sample are injected at a predetermined reaction temperature for a certain time as described above. A tank 9 is provided. A microplate loading / unloading mechanism 40 for feeding the microplate 2 in which the reagent and the sample are injected into the constant temperature bath 9 is provided at one end of the belt conveyor mechanism 4 (upward in FIG. 1).

The microplate loading / unloading mechanism 40 also has a function of operating as necessary to pull out the microplate 2 from the constant temperature bath 9 and place it on the belt conveyor mechanism 4. For this reason, it is possible to automate the work of taking in and out the microplate 2 into and from the constant temperature bath 9, and it is possible to significantly reduce the time and labor waste that has conventionally occurred for that purpose, and at the same time to speed up the work. It has the advantage of being able to.

Next, the reagent / sample dispensing mechanism 8 will be described.

This is shown in FIGS. 17 to 18. This Figure 1
The reagent / sample dispensing mechanism 8 shown in FIGS. 7 to 18 includes a nozzle portion transfer support 41 provided so as to straddle the microplate guide mechanism 3 and the reagent / sample tray 1, and the nozzle portion transfer support 41. Dispensing nozzle part 7 supported and equipped so as to be movable along the nozzle part transfer frame 41.
And the nozzle portion X that applies a running force to the dispensing nozzle portion 7.
And a shaft transfer means 43.

The dispensing nozzle section 7 includes two dispensing nozzles 7A and 7B which are vertically movable, and the dispensing nozzle 7
The vertical movement of A and 7B is guided, and the dispensing nozzle 7
Ball screw mechanisms 44A and 44B for individually biasing the vertical movements of A and 7B, and the ball screw mechanisms 44.
Dispensing nozzle lowering drive motors 45A and 45B for individually driving and controlling A and 44B are provided. Reference numerals 45a, 4
Reference numeral 5b denotes a joint made of an elastic member that transmits the rotational force of the dispensing nozzle portion lowering drive motors 45A and 45B to the above-described ball screw mechanisms 44A and 44B. Further, reference numeral 46 indicates a nozzle portion frame. In the dispensing nozzles 7A and 7B shown in FIGS. 17 to 18, one dispensing nozzle 7A is equipped with a relatively thick liquid suction auxiliary pipe 7E, and the other dispensing nozzle 7B is relatively thin liquid suction auxiliary pipe 7F. Are equipped with.

As a result, in this embodiment, as described above, the size of the reagent bottles 11E, 11F, 12E, 12F or the difference in the amount of the reagent to be used is dealt with.
It is adapted to meet various different conditions.

Further, the nozzle part X-axis transfer means 43 is a ball screw mechanism 43A for transferring the nozzle part frame 46 equipped with the dispensing nozzle part 7 along the nozzle part transfer frame 41, and this ball screw mechanism 43A. Nozzle unit X that urges the movement of
And a shaft transfer motor 43B. Reference numeral 43C indicates a belt mechanism portion that transmits the rotational force of the nozzle portion X-axis transfer motor 43B to the ball screw mechanism 43A.

Therefore, the reagent / sample dispensing mechanism 8 cooperates with the above-mentioned reagent / sample tray transfer mechanism 16 so that each of the plurality of reagents and the sample on the reagent / sample tray 1 is connected to the microplate 2 described above. It is possible to perform reagent dispensing and sample dispensing freely, rapidly and with high accuracy in each reaction recess 2A.

Next, an example of the case where the immune reaction is measured according to the above-mentioned embodiment will be described.

First, a predetermined reagent is applied in advance to each reaction recess 2 A of the microplate 2 and placed on the belt conveyor mechanism 4. 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 / specimen dispensing mechanism 8 is operated to dispense the specimen in the specimen stocker 14 into each reaction recess 2A of the microplate 2. In the meantime, the reagent / sample dispensing mechanism 8 transfers the dispensing nozzle part 7 to the sample stocker 14 part and controls the descending to suck a predetermined sample, and then ascends again to be transferred to the microplate 2 side. Further, the microplate 2 side is controlled to be lowered to complete the sample dispensing operation.

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 time to promote the reaction, and thereafter the microplate 2 is carried into the constant temperature bath 9 to adjust the temperature to further promote the reaction. . When the reaction accelerating process in the constant temperature bath 9 is completed, the belt conveyor mechanism 4 is operated again to convey the microplate 2 to the position of the microplate cleaning mechanism 6, and the reaction concave portion 2A in each reaction recess 2A is moved by the above-described operation. Cleaning is performed.

When the washing by the microplate washing mechanism 6 is completed, the enzyme-labeled antibody reagent is selected and dispensed from the above-mentioned reagent stocker 11 (or 12) 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 thermostat 9 and the temperature is adjusted to promote the reaction. After the completion of the reaction in the constant temperature bath 9, the reaction recesses 2A of the microplate 2 are again cleaned by the microplate cleaning mechanism 6.

When the steps of dispensing, reacting, and washing the enzyme-labeled antibody reagent are completed, next, 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 9 and its temperature is adjusted to promote the reaction. After the completion of the reaction in the constant temperature bath 9, the reaction recesses 2A of the microplate 2 are again cleaned by the microplate cleaning mechanism 6.

When the steps of dispensing, reacting and washing the chromogenic reagent are completed, the stop solution reagent is then selected from the reagent stocker 11 (or 12) and the microplate 2
Is dispensed into each reaction recess 2A. Then, after the stop solution reagent is dispensed, the microplate 2 is transported to the immune reaction measurement site 100, where the above-described immune reaction measurement is performed, and a predetermined amount is determined based on the measurement result at the immune reaction measurement site 100. An analysis is performed and the result is judged.

As described above, according to the above-mentioned embodiment, in the measurement of the enzyme immunoreaction, the steps of dispensing, reaction, and washing are often repeated, which makes automation possible, which has been difficult in the past. Therefore, there is an advantage that the enzyme immunoassay can be measured quickly and with high accuracy, and various items different for each reagent manufacturer can be tested by one device.

In the above embodiment, the belt conveyor mechanism 4 is used as the microplate transfer mechanism, but any mechanism other than the belt conveyor mechanism may be used as long as it functions as the microplate transfer mechanism. May be.

The case where the reagent / sample tray transfer mechanism 16 is mounted on the reagent / sample tray 1 has been exemplified.
By using the sample tray 1 in a row along the reagent / sample dispensing mechanism 8 described above, the reagent / sample tray transfer mechanism 16 does not need to be particularly equipped. Further, the reagent / sample dispensing mechanism 8 may be configured to be movable in the Y-axis direction.

[0078]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION Since the present invention is constructed and functions as described above, according to this, it is possible to rapidly and repeatedly perform the repeated steps of dispensing, reaction, and washing, which are the pre-steps performed in measuring an enzyme immunoreaction. It becomes possible to perform with high precision, and automation, which has been difficult to achieve in the past, becomes possible.
The enzyme immunoassay can be measured quickly and with high accuracy, and various items that differ depending on the reagent manufacturer can be tested with a single device. In this respect, the reliability of the measurement results is significantly improved. In addition, a reagent stocker capable of performing all of at least one inspection method is detachably equipped, and a plurality of dispensing nozzles are provided in advance corresponding to this, so it is possible to respond to changes in the inspection method. It is possible to provide an unprecedented excellent enzyme immunoassay measuring device that can sufficiently cope with the above.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially omitted plan view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a positional relationship between the respective constituent members disclosed in FIG.

3 is a detailed explanatory view showing the reagent / sample tray portion disclosed in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a front view of FIG.

5 is a left side view of FIG. 4. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of the reagent stocker disclosed in FIG.

7 is an exploded perspective view of the reagent stocker shown in FIG. 6 with a part thereof omitted.

8 is a diagram showing the relationship between the reagent / sample tray disclosed in FIG. 1 and its driving mechanism (Y-axis direction). FIG. 8A shows the reagent / sample tray portion in FIG. 1 in a counterclockwise direction. FIG. 8 (B) is a plan view showing a state rotated by 180 ° in FIG.
It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of (A).

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a right side view of FIG.

11 is a partially omitted plan view showing the relationship between the belt conveyor mechanism, the vibration mechanism, and the microplate positioning mechanism disclosed in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a main part of the vibration mechanism disclosed in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a main part of the microplate positioning mechanism disclosed in FIG. 11;

14 is a partially omitted explanatory view showing the positional relationship between the belt conveyor mechanism, the vibration mechanism, and the microplate positioning mechanism as viewed from the direction of arrow A in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a partially omitted front view showing an example of the cleaning mechanism disclosed in FIG. 1.

16 is a right side view with a part of FIG. 15 omitted.

FIG. 17 is a partially omitted front view showing an example of the reagent / sample dispensing mechanism disclosed in FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is a right side view with a part of FIG. 17 omitted.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Reagent / Sample Tray 2 Microplate 2A Recess for Reaction 3 Microplate Guide Mechanism 4 Belt Conveyor Mechanism as a Microplate Transfer Mechanism 5 Vibration Mechanism 6 Microplate Cleaning Mechanism 7 Dispensing Nozzle 7E, 7F Liquid Intake Auxiliary Pipe 8 Reagent Sample dispensing mechanism 10 Main body case 11, 12 Reagent stocker 11A, 12A Identification means 11E, 11F, 12E, 12F Reagent container as reagent storage container 13 Reagent stocker area 14 Sample stocker area 21 Reagent / sample tray transfer means 100 Immune reaction measurement location

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Fujiko Kikuchi 2-1, Sakura Namiki, Midori-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Suzuki Research Institute

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An immunoreaction measurement of a reagent / sample tray in which one or more reagents and specimens are arranged in advance and a microplate provided with the reagent / sample tray and provided with a plurality of reaction recesses. A microplate guide mechanism for guiding to a location, and a microplate transfer mechanism that is attached to this microplate guide mechanism and applies a predetermined traveling force to the microplate, and the immune reaction along the microplate guide mechanism. A measurement location, a vibrating mechanism that vibrates the microplate in which the reagent and the sample are injected, and a microplate cleaning mechanism that individually cleans each reaction recess of the microplate after completion of the immune reaction, It has a dispensing nozzle part for sucking a predetermined amount of the sample or reagent, and the sample or reagent sucked by the dispensing nozzle part A reagent / sample dispensing mechanism that conveys and injects into a predetermined reaction recess of the black plate is arranged on the microplate guide mechanism so as to be orthogonal to the microplate guide mechanism, and supports the reagent / sample tray. And a reagent / sample tray transfer mechanism for transferring the reagent / sample tray in a direction substantially orthogonal to the moving direction of the dispensing nozzle portion of the reagent / sample dispensing mechanism, wherein the reagent / sample tray has an inspection A reagent stocker area for removably storing one or more reagent stockers equipped with a plurality of different reagents depending on the method, and a sample stocker area for storing a sample stocker configured to store a plurality of samples are provided. An enzyme immunoassay measuring device characterized by: 2. The enzyme immunoassay measurement according to claim 1, wherein the reagent stocker placed in the reagent stocker area is equipped with identification means for setting identification information corresponding to an inspection method. apparatus. 3. The enzyme-immunoassay assay according to claim 1, wherein the reagent storage containers stored in the reagent stocker are arranged so that their openings are located on substantially the same horizontal plane. apparatus. 4. The reagent stocker includes a plurality of types of liquid suction auxiliary tubes having different thicknesses for the dispensing nozzle section, which correspond to the sizes of the openings of the reagent storage sections stored in the reagent stocker. The enzyme immunoassay measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the enzyme immunoassay measuring device is equipped with.