JPH0894637A - Biochemistry analysis device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To quickly convey a great amount of nozzle tips to nozzle tip loading positions and to execute the positioning of them with high accuracy. CONSTITUTION: The title device comprises a positioning side wall face 106 whereby a tip rack 79 is positioned such that a side wall section of the tip rack 79 is brought thereinto when the tip rack 79 containing a non-used nozzle tip 78 is conveyed to a rack-setting position A, B by an operator, and a rack- holding/conveying member 121 that conveys the tip rack 79 by mating the side wall section thereof with the side wall face 106 toward a tip-loading section and a rack disposal preparation position A, B.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dry analytical element having a reagent layer which causes a change in optical density due to a chemical reaction, a biochemical reaction or an immunological reaction with a predetermined biochemical substance contained in a sample such as blood or urine. Or, it relates to a biochemical analyzer that performs biochemical analysis using a dry analytical element for electrolyte measurement for quantitatively analyzing the activity (or concentration) of a specific ion contained in a sample by potentiometry. More specifically, the present invention relates to a biochemical analyzer having a carrier system for carrying a nozzle tip mounted on the tip of a spotting nozzle for sucking and discharging a sample to a mounting position of the nozzle tip.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a dry-type dry analytical element capable of quantitatively analyzing a specific chemical component or a formed component contained in a specimen by simply spotting and supplying a small droplet of the specimen (Japanese Patent Publication No. 53-21677 (US Pat. No. 3,992,158), JP-A-55-164356 (US Pat. No. 4,292,272)
Specification) and a dry ion selective electrode film (Japanese Patent Publication No. 58-4981 (US Pat. No. 4,053,381)) have been disclosed and put to practical use. The use of this dry analysis element or dry ion-selective electrode makes it possible to analyze a sample simply and quickly as compared with the conventional wet analysis method, and therefore its use is particularly important for medical treatments requiring analysis of a large number of samples. It is preferable in institutions, laboratories and the like.

In order to quantitatively analyze chemical components and the like in a sample using such a dry analysis element, there are two known methods, a colorimetric measurement method and a potentiometric measurement method using a dry ion selective electrode. Has been. First, the device for this colorimetric method
After the sample is spotted on the dry analytical element, it is kept at a constant temperature (incubation) for a predetermined time in an incubator (incubator) to cause a color reaction (pigment formation reaction), and then with a predetermined biochemical substance in the sample. The optical density was measured by irradiating the dry analytical element with irradiation light for measurement containing a wavelength preselected by the combination with the reagent contained in the dry analytical element, and the optical density determined in advance from this optical density. And the concentration of the predetermined biochemical substance in the sample using the calibration curve that shows the correspondence between the substance concentration of the predetermined biochemical substance, and then remove the used dry analytical element from the incubator and discard it. A biochemical analyzer configured for disposal in a box is used. Further, as an apparatus for the potentiometric method, instead of the optical density measuring method, the activity of a specific ion contained in a sample spotted on an electrode pair consisting of two dry ion selective electrodes of the same kind is used. It is configured to obtain the substance concentration by quantitatively analyzing by using potentiometry.

In any of the devices using any of the above methods, the sample is contained in a sampling cup, then aspirated by a predetermined amount into a nozzle tip attached to a spotting nozzle, and discharged into a dilution cup. After this, the nozzle tip attached to the spotting nozzle will suck the diluent, but replace the nozzle tip with a new one so that the sample adhering to the tip does not mix in the container containing the diluent. The diluted solution sucked by the newly mounted nozzle tip is discharged to the dilution cup. next,
In the dilution cup, suction and discharge of the liquid are alternately repeated to uniformly mix the sample and the diluting liquid. After that, the diluted sample uniformly mixed is sucked into the nozzle tip by a predetermined amount by the suction operation of the spotting nozzle. The diluted sample sucked into the nozzle tip is spotted on the dry analytical element at the spotting position. In this way, the spotting nozzle moves to the predetermined positions one after another during the sampling operation for one spotting. In order to make the movement between the respective positions in such a sampling operation smooth, the applicant of the present application has already disclosed a technique relating to a rotating spot wear nozzle (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-66818).
No. That is, this spotting nozzle is attached downward near the tip of the spotting arm, and is adapted to rotate in accordance with the rotation of the spotting arm,
A nozzle tip, a sampling cup, a spotting part, etc. are arranged under the circular locus of the spotting nozzle, and each time the spotting nozzle rotates to a predetermined position, the spotting nozzle descends to a predetermined position. The above process is performed.

[0005]

By the way, as described above, two nozzle tips are consumed for one spotting, and the spotting operation to the dry analytical element is also performed one after another. Therefore, it is necessary to supply a large number of nozzle chips to the mounting position of the nozzle chips quickly.

Moreover, since the nozzle tip needs to be attached to the spotting nozzle by the descending operation of the spotting nozzle, new nozzle tips are set one after another at predetermined descending positions of the spotting nozzle with high accuracy. Therefore, it is important to easily and surely position the nozzle tip at the tip mounting position.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a first object thereof is to convey a large number of nozzle chips to a predetermined nozzle chip mounting position quickly, and to position them with high accuracy. The object is to provide a biochemical analysis device that can be used.

Further, in the above-mentioned dilution cup, at least one cup is consumed for one sample, and it is necessary to easily and surely supply a new dilution cup to a predetermined lowered position of the spotting nozzle. Further, it is desired to efficiently carry out the operation of conveying the dilution cup to the position.

Therefore, a second object of the present invention is to make it possible to efficiently carry out the operation of transporting the diluting cup to the liquid discharge position and to simply and surely position the diluting cup at that position. It is to provide a biochemical analyzer capable of performing the above.

[0010]

A first biochemical analyzer of the present invention comprises a nozzle tip fitted to the tip of a spotting nozzle for spotting a sample on a dry analysis element, the spotting nozzle. In a biochemical analyzer having a mechanism for transporting the nozzle tip to a fitting position of the nozzle tip, a tip rack having a plurality of the nozzle tips mounted thereon is loaded.
Of the tip rack and the tip rack of the tip rack nozzle is located just below the locus of movement of the point belt nozzle drawn by the movement of the arm projecting downward. A tip rack transporting means for transporting the tip rack to and from a second position fitted to the nozzle tip mounted on the tip rack, and the tip rack between the first position and the second position. When carrying, the chip rack is allowed to be positioned along the side wall surface of the chip rack in a direction perpendicular to the carrying direction.
It is characterized by comprising a positioning wall portion extending in the carrying direction.

The second biochemical analyzer of the present invention is the above-mentioned first biochemical analyzer, in which the tip rack carrying means mounts and supports a diluting cup for diluting the sample. The tip rack is configured so as to be interlocked with the tip rack.

Further, in the above-mentioned first or second biochemical analyzer, the chip rack transporting means holds the chip rack at the first position, and the chip rack at a position different from the first position. It is also possible to provide a tip rack gripper that opens the rack.

[0013]

According to the first biochemical analyzer of the present invention, a chip rack on which a plurality of nozzle chips are mounted can be transported, and the nozzle chips can be placed at a predetermined nozzle chip mounting position. It can be transported in large quantities and quickly.

Further, when the tip rack is conveyed between the first position where the tip rack is carried into the apparatus and the second position where the nozzle tip is fitted into the spotting nozzle, the tip rack is conveyed. Since the side wall surface of the nozzle rack is moved along the positioning wall portion, it becomes easy to position the nozzle tip on the tip rack in the state of being transported to the second position. Particularly, since the spotting nozzle draws a circular locus, when the nozzle chips are mounted vertically and horizontally on the chip rack, for example, finely move the chip rack in the carrying direction according to the mounting of a new nozzle chip. Although it is necessary to adjust the position of the nozzle tip, according to the apparatus of the present invention, the tip rack is positioned in the direction orthogonal to the carrying direction, and it is sufficient to control only the moving distance in the carrying direction. Positioning becomes extremely easy.

Further, according to the second biochemical analyzer of the present invention, the tip rack carrying means for carrying the tip rack is configured to hold the dilution cup holder on which the dilution cup is placed simultaneously with the tip rack. As a result, the tip rack can be transported / positioned and the dilution cup can be transported / positioned by one transport means, which is extremely efficient. Since it is not necessary to perform the positioning of the tip rack and the positioning of the dilution cup at the same time, there is no inconvenience in positioning two different members by one carrying means.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a biochemical analyzer as one embodiment of the present invention.

The biochemical analyzer 10 has a general measuring system
A main storage box 11 for storing a cartridge 3 containing a dry analytical element 1 made of a dry analytical film piece as shown in FIG.
And an incubator 12 arranged beside the main storage 11 for keeping the dry analysis element 1 at a constant temperature for a predetermined time, and an element transfer means 13 for taking out and transferring the dry analysis element 1 from the main storage 11 to the incubator 12. And a sample holding means for holding a sample container 77 containing a plurality of samples such as serum and urine
14 and the sample of the sample holding means 14 are transported to the incubator 12 by the element transporting means 13 before the dry analytical element 1
It is provided with a first spotting means 15 for spotting and a measuring means 16 arranged below the incubator 12.

Further, as a potential difference measuring system, an electrolyte storage cabinet 21 for storing an electrolyte cartridge 4 accommodating a dry analysis element 2 by an electrolyte slide incorporating a dry ion selective electrode pair, and an electrolyte cartridge in the electrolyte storage cabinet 21. 4 for transporting the electrolyte dry analysis element 2 to the spotting position, and the sample holding means 14 for the electrolyte dry analysis element 2
Second spotting means 23 for spotting the sample from the reference liquid container 97
Similarly, a third spotting means 24 for spotting the reference solution onto the electrolyte dry analysis element 2 and a potential difference measuring means 25 installed in front of the electrolyte spotting position are provided.

A data reading means 27 is provided in the biochemical analysis device 10 as described above, and the data reading means 27 is provided.
A control unit (not shown) is installed as a control means for operating the various means in accordance with the cartridge information read in.

On the other hand, the first and second spotting means 15, 23
A tip supply means 26 for holding a nozzle tip 78 mounted on the tip of the spotting nozzles 83, 93 is installed in the vicinity of.

The tip supply means 26 is a characteristic part of the present invention, and includes a tip rack 79 in which nozzle tips 78 mounted at the tips of spotting nozzles 83 and 93, which will be described later, are housed in a vertical and horizontal arrangement. This is to slide the dilution cup holder 131, and the position of the nozzle tip 78 or the dilution cup holder 131 is sequentially rotated.
Movement is controlled so that it is located below 3,93. Details of the operation of the chip supply means 26 will be described later.

To explain the general measurement system in more detail, the main storage 11 is a cartridge 3 (see FIG. 4) in which an unused substantially square or rectangular dry analysis element 1 (dry analysis film piece) is stored. ) Is stored,
A suction cup 60 for taking out the dry analytical element 1 from the cartridge 3 in the main storage 11 is installed as a part of the conveying means 13 below the conveying means 13.

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 is developed thereon. 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 above-mentioned reagent layer contains a hydrophilic polymer binder such as gelatin or a porous layer containing a detection reagent (chemical analysis reagent or immunoassay reagent) which selectively reacts with the analyte and reagent components necessary for color 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 regulation member (not shown) for holding the contained 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 formation length is different, which allows the cartridge 3 to be stored in the main storage
It is locked and held in the cartridge accommodating portion A of the frame 41 of 11, and misidentification of the cartridge insertion direction is prevented. On the side of the box 31, the dry analytical element 1 stored
A bar code data recording section 32 having cartridge information representing data and the like is additionally provided.

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

Next, in the incubator 12 shown in FIG. 1, a disk-shaped main body 70 is rotatably supported by a rotary 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 positions where the cells 71 are formed, 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 conveying means 13 for conveying the dry analytical element 1 from the main storage 11 to the incubator 12 is held by the ejecting suction cup 60 for taking out the dry analytical element 1 from the cartridge 3 and the ejecting suction cup 60. A horseshoe-shaped transfer member 73 for holding and receiving the dry analytical element 1 from below while keeping the reagent layer on the upper surface and inserting it into the cell 71 of the incubator 12 from the side opening, and the incubator 12
The cell 71 includes a holding suction cup (not shown) that holds and holds the dry analytical element 1 held by the transfer member 73 from below the cell 71.

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

The sample holding means 14 is provided with a sample table 76 that is rotated, and a plurality of sample containers 77 containing samples are set on the inner and outer peripheral parts of the sample table 76, and the sample containers 77 are rotated by the rotation. It is sequentially moved to the supply position.

The first spotting means 15 for spotting the sample from the sample container 77 onto the dry analytical element 1 is sucked onto the tip of a sampler arm 82 provided on the base 81 so as to be rotatable and movable up and down. It has a spotting nozzle 83 for discharging, and the pipette-shaped nozzle tip 78 is attached to the tip of the spotting nozzle 83, and sucks and moves a sample from a sample container 77 of a sample table 76 to move the transfer member. The dry analytical element 1 held on 73 is spotted. A diluent storage container 84 is arranged adjacent to the sample table 76.

The spotted dry analytical element 1 is incubated in an incubator 12 and measured by a 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) is incident on 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 analysis 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, the mechanism of the potential difference measuring system will be explained.
The electrolyte dry analysis element 2 (electrolyte slide) is for examining the electrolyte of a sample by an electrical change, and the outer part is covered with a frame member made of plastic, and the sample spot and the reference liquid spot are provided on the upper surface thereof. And a bridge connecting both spot-attached portions, and three types of multilayer film-like dry ion selective electrode pairs (Na, K, Cl measuring electrode pairs) are installed inside and contact the electrodes. A distribution member is installed, and the sample and the reference liquid are spotted at substantially the same time, and the potential difference between them is detected.

The electrolyte storage 21 shown in FIG. 3 for accommodating the electrolyte cartridge 4 for accommodating and accommodating the electrolyte dry analysis element 2 is rotatably driven, and two cartridge accommodating portions are formed on both sides of the rotation center. Storage 21
Is driven to rotate by the select motor 86, and one of the cartridges 4 is moved to the take-out position.

The transport means 22 for taking out and transporting the electrolyte dry analysis element 2 from the electrolyte cartridge 4 has a slide member 90 for pushing out the electrolyte dry analysis element 2 on the uppermost part of the electrolyte cartridge 4 and transporting it to the spotting position. A mechanism for driving the slide member 90 is installed, and the electrolyte dry analysis element 2 is taken out from the electrolyte dry analysis element 2 and transported to a spotting position, and then transported to a measurement position by the potential difference measuring means 25. Is.

The sampler arm 91 of the second spotting means 23 is
Similar to the first sampler arm 82, the base 92 is provided so as to be pivotable and vertically movable, and has a spotting nozzle 93 for sucking and discharging a sample at the tip, and the tip of the spotting nozzle 93 has a pipette-like shape. The nozzle tip 78 is mounted and the sample table 76
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.

Similarly, the reference liquid arm 94 of the third spotting means 24 is also rotatably and vertically movable on the base portion 95, has a spotting nozzle 96 at the tip, and sucks the reference liquid from the reference liquid container 97. Then, the electrolyte dry analysis element 2 is spotted, and the measuring means 25 measures the potential difference. Electrolyte dry analysis element 2 after use
And the chip 78 is disposed of in the disposal box 98.

Explaining the spotting action and the measuring action by the biochemical analyzer 10, first, as a preparatory operation, the measurement items of the sample are designated from a keyboard (not shown), and the sample container 77 containing the sample is placed in the sample table. The tip rack 79 on which the nozzle tip 78 is mounted and the dilution cup holder 131 are set at the respective processing positions of the tip supply means 26. When the start command is issued, in the case of the main measurement system, the main storage 11
The dry analytical element 1 stored at a predetermined humidity is taken out from the cartridge 3 corresponding to the measurement item. The dry analytical element 1 held by the extraction suction cup 60 is transferred to the transfer member 73 and moved to the spotting position, and the sample is spotted on the reagent layer.

In this spotting, after the nozzle tip 78 is attached to the tip of the spotting nozzle 83 of the first spotting means 15, the nozzle tip 78 is moved onto the predetermined specimen container 77 of the specimen table 76.
The tip of the is immersed in the sample, and a predetermined amount of sample is sucked into the nozzle tip 78. After that, the spotting nozzle 83 is moved onto the dilution cup member 80a held by the dilution cup holder 131, and the spotting nozzle 83 is moved downward to move the nozzle tip 78.
A predetermined amount of the sample is discharged from this to an unused dilution cup.
Next, the nozzle tip 78 is rotated to the position of the tip removing portion 69, and the nozzle tip 78 is hooked on the tip removing portion 69 and removed from the spotting nozzle 83. Next, the spotting nozzle 83 is rotated to the position of the tip rack 79 and moved downward to fit a new nozzle tip 78. After this, the spotting nozzle 83 is rotated to the position of the diluent storage container 84, the spotting nozzle 83 is moved downward to suck the diluent into the nozzle tip 78, and then the spotting nozzle 83 It is rotated to the position of the contained diluting cup and moved downward to discharge the diluting liquid into the diluting cup. The nozzle tip 78 is dipped in this mixed liquid while the sample and the diluted liquid are contained in this dilution cup, and the two liquids are uniformly mixed by sucking and discharging air from the spotting nozzle 83. Then, the diluted sample is sucked into the nozzle tip 78 by a predetermined amount. And this point wearing nozzle 83
Is moved to the center of the dry analytical element 1 on the transfer member 73,
Next, the spotting nozzle 83 is moved downward to deposit a predetermined amount of the sample on the reagent layer of the dry analytical element 1 from the nozzle tip 78. The spotted sample is spread and diffused and mixed with the reagent.
After this, the nozzle tip 78 is discarded in the waste box 74 by the above-mentioned operation.

After the spotting, the dry analysis element 1 is inserted into the cell 71 of the incubator 12 by the transfer member 73, and when the dry analysis element 1 is sealed and heated to a predetermined temperature by a predetermined incubation. The reagent layer causes a color reaction (dye formation reaction). Then, the optical density of the dye generated by this color reaction is measured by the photometric head 72 of the measuring means 16 at every predetermined time or after a predetermined time elapses during the color reaction.

Similarly, when measuring the electrolyte of the sample, the electrolyte dry analysis element 2 is pushed out by the slide member 90 from the electrolyte cartridge 4 in the electrolyte storage 21,
Transport to the spotting position. After that, the nozzle tip 78 is attached to the spotting nozzle 93 in the sampler arm 91 of the second spotting means 23.
And the sample is sucked and spotted on the electrolyte dry analytical element 2, and the reference liquid arm 94 of the third spotting means 24 sucks the reference liquid from the reference liquid container 97 and spotted it on the electrolyte dry analytical element 2. Then, the electrolyte dry analysis element 2 after spotting is conveyed to the measurement position and the potential difference measuring means 25 measures the potential difference change.

After the measurement, the nozzle tip 78 attached to the spot-wearing nozzle 93 is hooked on the tip removing portion 75, is removed, and is discarded in the disposal box 98.

The chip rack transporting means, which is a characteristic part of the present invention, will be described below by using the chip feeding means 26 of the above-described apparatus. FIG. 1 is a plan view of the chip supply means 26, and FIG. 2 is a front view of the chip supply means 26. However, the apparatus states depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 are partially different.

This tip supply means 26 is provided with a nozzle tip 78.
Is arranged with the nozzle fitting side facing upward in 8 rows and 10 rows, and a mechanism for transporting the dilution cup members 80a to 80d to predetermined processing positions.

That is, when a tip rack 79 having unused nozzle tips 78 mounted thereon is carried into the rack set positions A and B by the operator, the side walls of the rectangular tip rack 79 come into contact with each other. The positioning side wall surface 106 for positioning the chip rack 79 and the chip rack 79 with the side wall portion of the chip rack 79 along the side wall surface 106 are mounted at the chip mounting position and further at the rack disposal preparation positions A and B. A rack gripping and conveying member 121 for conveying in a direction is provided.

The rack gripping and conveying member 121 is composed of a first member 121a and a second member 121b for holding the chip rack 79. Further, the rack gripping and conveying member 121 is directly connected to a motor and is rotationally driven. It is attached to a part of the belt suspended between the drive belt wheel 122 and the belt wheel 123, and the rack gripping and conveying member 121 is attached according to the movement of the belt 124.
Moves in the belt suspension direction.

Further, two parallel slit rails 125a and 125b are bored in the rack mounting surface 105 in the belt suspension direction, and the first member 121a and the second member 121b of the rack holding and conveying member 121 are formed. When the rack is gripped, each of the claws protrudes upward from the rack mounting surface 105 so that the chip rack 79 can be gripped.

Further, a rack pressing and conveying member 111 for conveying the chip rack 79a arranged at the rack setting position A to the rack setting position B is arranged. The rack pressing / conveying member 111 is attached to a part of a belt 114 suspended between a belt wheel 112 and a belt wheel 113, which is directly connected to a motor (not shown) and rotationally driven, and the rack pressing / transporting member 111 is pressed according to the movement of the belt 114. The transport member 111 moves in the moving direction of the belt 114.

Further, two parallel slit rails 115a and 115b are bored in the suspension direction of the belt 114, and when the chip rack 79a is moved, a rack pressing and conveying member.
The claw portion 111 projects upward from the slit rails 115a, 115b and contacts the side wall portion of the chip rack 79a. Then, the chip rack 79 is moved by the movement of the rack pressing and conveying member 111.
The side wall portion a is pressed, and the side wall portion of the tip rack 79b facing the side wall portion comes into contact with the side wall surface 106 to position the tip rack 79b at the rack setting position B. At the rack setting position A, the tip rack 79a
Is determined based on the detection result of the reflective optical sensor 116a, and whether the chip rack 79b is set at the rack setting position B is determined by the reflective optical sensor.
This is based on the detection result of 116b.

When the chip rack 79 is to be arranged (carried in by an operator) at a position adjacent to the chip mounting position of the rack set position B, the reflection type optical sensor 116c is also used.
The presence or absence of the set is detected by.

When all the nozzle tips 78 mounted on the tip rack 79 are consumed at the tip mounting position,
The chip rack 79 is set to the rack disposal preparation positions A and B by the rack gripping and conveying member 121. A reflective optical sensor 116d for detecting whether or not the chip rack 79c is set at the rack disposal preparation position A is arranged. Similarly, a reflection type optical sensor (not shown) for determining the presence or absence of a rack is arranged corresponding to the rack disposal preparation position B.

The chip racks 79c arranged at the rack disposal positions A and B are transported to the rack disposal positions A and B by the rack suspension transport members 142a to 142d.

The claws of the rack suspension transfer members 142a to 142d are hooked on the inner walls of the chip rack 79c set at the rack disposal preparation positions A and B to transfer the chip rack 79c to the rack disposal positions A and B. To do. This rack suspension transport member 14
2a to d are belt wheels 13 that are directly connected to the motor and driven to rotate.
2 and a part of a belt 134 suspended between the belt wheel 133, and moves according to the movement of the belt 134.The slit rails 135a are formed in parallel with each other on the rack mounting surface. The claws projecting from ~ d are brought into contact with the inner wall of the tip rack 79. In addition, with the rack set at the disposal positions A and B,
The side walls of the tip racks 79d, e that come into contact with the rack suspension transfer members 142a-d ride over the reverse claws 141a-d and are locked by the reverse claws 141a-d. Also,
Positioning of the chip racks 79d, e at the rack disposal positions A, B is performed by the reflection type optical sensors 116e, f.

The tip racks 79d and e are not set in both rack discard positions A and B at the same time, and after the tip rack 79d is placed in the rack discard position A, the tip rack 79e is set. Will be disposed at the rack disposal position B. Therefore, after the chip rack 79d is arranged at the rack disposal position A, the next rack rack carrying member 142c, d is arranged at the rack disposal preparation position B.
When picking up 79, and further when returning to the disposal preparation position B, the rack suspension transfer members 142a and 142b that move integrally with the rack suspension transfer members 142c and d are the side wall surfaces of the tip rack 79d.
It is necessary to go under the side wall on the 106 side, but since this chip rack 79d is locked by the reverse claws 141a, b, the rack suspension transfer members (claws) 142a, b are When it comes into contact with the side wall portion, the claw portion is once sunk below the rack mounting surface 105 as it moves in the same direction.
It is possible to go through this side wall.

The tip rack 79 in which all the nozzle tips 78 have been consumed is once set to the rack open position shown in FIG. 2, and the holding by the rack gripping and conveying member 121 is released at this position. The chip rack 79 is moved from the rack open position to the rack disposal preparation position B by a pressing operation of the rack holding and conveying member 121 only by the first member 121a. As shown in FIG. 1, a dilution cup holder 131, which holds four dilution cup members 80a to 80d each having 10 dilution cups in parallel, is attached to the first member 121a of the rack holding and conveying member 121. Has been. In addition,
As shown in FIG. 2, the dilution cup holder 131 is formed in a paper scissor shape, and has an elastic claw portion 131a and a support portion 13a.
The dilution cup members 80a to 80d are held between 1b.

Next, a procedure for transporting the tip rack 79 will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, as shown in FIG. 5A, an operator sets three unused chip racks (A, B, C) at respective rack set positions. At this time, the rack gripping conveyance member 121 is located at the rack disposal preparation position A.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5B, the rack gripping and conveying member 121 moves in the arrow direction to hold the chip rack.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5C, the chip rack A is mounted on the rack gripping and conveying member 121.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5D, the chip rack A is moved to the chip mounting position in accordance with the movement of the rack gripping and conveying member 121, and is slightly moved to the left and right at this position, so that the unused nozzle is always used. Nozzle 8 for tip 78
It is operated so that it can be located directly under 3,93.

After that, as shown in FIG. 5E, when all the nozzle tips 78 of the chip rack A are consumed, the rack gripping and conveying member 121 moves to the rack open position and opens the chip rack A.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6A, the chip rack A is transported from the rack disposal preparation position A to the rack disposal position A by the rack suspension transfer members 142a to 142d.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, the rack gripping and conveying member 121 moves in the arrow direction to hold the chip rack B.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6C, the chip rack B is mounted on the rack gripping and conveying member 121.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6 (D), the chip rack B is moved to the chip mounting position according to the movement of the rack gripping and conveying member 121, and is slightly moved to the left and right at this position so that it is always unused. Nozzle tip 78 or a predetermined dilution cup is operated so as to be positioned directly below the spotting nozzles 83, 93.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6 (E), when all the nozzle chips 78 of the chip rack B are consumed, the rack gripping and conveying member 121 moves to the rack open position and opens the chip rack B.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7A, the chip rack B released from the rack holding and conveying member 121 is pressed and conveyed to the rack disposal preparation position B by the rack holding and conveying member 121.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, the chip rack B is transported from the rack disposal preparation position B to the rack disposal position B by the rack suspension transfer members 142a to 142d.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7C, the rack gripping and conveying member 121 moves in the direction of the arrow to hold the chip rack C.

Further, as shown in FIG. The chip rack C is mounted on the rack holding and conveying member 121.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7 (E), the chip rack C is moved to the chip mounting position in accordance with the movement of the rack gripping and conveying member 121, and is slightly moved to the left and right at this position so that it is always unused. Nozzle tip 78 or a predetermined dilution cup is operated so as to be positioned directly below the spotting nozzles 83, 93.

After this, as shown in FIG. 7F, when all the nozzle chips 78 of the chip rack C are consumed, the rack gripping and conveying member 121 moves to the rack open position and opens the chip rack C.

Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the operator removes the used tip racks A, B, and C from the inside of the tip supply means 26, and the next new tip rack A,
Wait until B and C are loaded.

In the above description, the three chip racks A, B and C are carried into the chip supply means 26 at the same time. However, by increasing or decreasing the number of rack set positions and rack discard positions, The number of chip racks that can be loaded at the same time can be increased or decreased.

Next, the operation of the mechanism constituting the rack gripping and conveying member 121 corresponding to the conveying procedure shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 will be described with reference to FIGS.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the rack gripping and conveying member 121 is the first member 121a integrated with the dilution cup holder 131 for holding the dilution cup member 80.
And the first member 121a is urged toward the first member 121a.
A second member 121b for sandwiching the side wall portion of the tip rack 79 with the 121a is provided. The first member 121a has a U-shaped cross-section member 151 having a central wall portion provided with protruding claw portions 151a,
This member 151 has a roll-shaped bearing portion 153 rotatably supported at the center of a shaft portion 152 extending between both side wall portions. A part of the roll surface of the bearing portion 153 is exposed to the second member 121b side from the cutout portion of the central wall portion.

On the other hand, the second member 121b has a central wall portion in which a claw portion 161a is provided in a protruding manner, and is provided with a U-shaped cross-section member 161 axially supported by a base portion 163 by a shaft portion 162.

The base 163 of the second member 121b is
A through hole 166 is formed which extends in the arrangement direction of the members 121a and 121b and penetrates a shaft portion 171 for biasing the second member 121b toward the first member 121a.
One end of the shaft portion 171 inserted therein is fixed to a wall portion of the first member 121a on the second member 121b side, and the other end is a coil spring 173.
Is interposed between the wall portion of the second member 121b and the base portion 163 of the second member 121b and the U-shaped section member 161 of the second member 121b is biased toward the first member 121a by the elastic force of the coil spring 173. It will be.

Further, the shaft portion 15 protrudingly provided on the side wall portion of each of the U-shaped members 151 and 161 in section of the first member 121a and the second member 121b.
There is a helical spring 165 between 4,164,
Due to the elastic force of the spiral spring 165, the claw portions of the two U-shaped members 151 and 161 having a cross section are arranged to be close to each other.

FIG. 9 shows the state of the rack gripping and conveying member 121 at the position shown in FIG. 5 (A). That is, the upright portion 181 is arranged near the rack open position, and the stopper portion 182 is provided to project laterally from the wall surface of the upright portion 181.

Claws of the U-shaped section member 161 of the second member 121b
161a is pushed down by the stopper portion 182, and the shaft portions 154,
It is kept horizontal against the biasing force of the helical spring 165 between the two. As a result, the claw portions 151a, 161a of the U-shaped members 151, 161 on both sides are separated from each other, and the chip rack 79 can be opened.

Next, FIG. 11 shows the state of the rack gripping and conveying member 121 at the position shown in FIG. 5 (B). That is, the rack gripping and conveying member 121 is a chip rack.
It moves in the rack set position direction to hold 79, and along with this movement, the claw portion 161a of the second member 121b.
Is disengaged from the stopper portion 182, and the U-shaped cross-section member 161 rotates in the arrow direction about the shaft portion 162 by the urging force of the helical spring 165. In this state, the first member 121a and the second member 121b are substantially in contact with each other by the biasing force of the coil spring 173, and the lower end of the claw portion 161a of the second member 121b is the roll of the bearing 153 of the first member 121a. When it abuts the surface, further pivoting movement is blocked.

Similarly to FIG. 11, FIG. 12 also shows the rack gripping and conveying member 12
1 shows a state in the middle of moving in the rack set position direction, and shows a state closer to the rack set position than the state shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 shows a state in which the rack gripping and conveying member 121 has reached the rack setting position. That is, the claw portion 151a of the first member 121a comes into contact with the side wall of the tip rack 79 and its movement is blocked (the tip rack 79 comes into contact with the wall portion 191 of the tip supply means 26), while the above-mentioned belt is used. The second member 121b, which is directly coupled to 124 (not shown in FIGS. 9-17), further moves a predetermined distance against the bias of the coil spring 173. As a result, the first member 121a and the second member 121b are separated from each other, and the second member 121b
The U-shaped cross-section member 161 is rotated by the biasing force of the coil spring 165 until the claw portion 161a stands up. It should be noted that this rotating operation is performed while the lower end of the claw portion 161a rotates the bearing of the first member 121a. In addition, the second member 121b
As shown in FIG. 13, the U-shaped member 161 has a stopper (not shown) formed at a predetermined position of the second member 121b so as to stop the rotation operation of the claw portion 161a in the upright state. As a result, the claw portion 161a of the second member 121b protrudes above the rack mounting surface 105 through the slit rails 125a and 125b described above, and is arranged in parallel with the claw portion 151a of the first member 121a.

Next, FIG. 14 shows the state of the rack gripping and conveying member 121 at the position shown in FIG. 5 (C). That is, from the state shown in FIG. 13, the belt 124 moves in the opposite direction, and in response thereto, only the second member 121b moves in the chip mounting position direction, and the claw portion 161a of the second member 121b and the first member 121a. The side wall portion of the tip rack 79 is sandwiched between the side wall portion and the claw portion 151a.

Next, FIG. 15 shows a state of the rack gripping and conveying member 121 at the position shown in FIG. 5D. The rack gripping and conveying member 121 moves to the chip mounting position while gripping the chip rack 79. The state is shown. At this tip mounting position, for the spotting nozzles 83, 93,
Since the nozzle tip 78 and the predetermined diluting cup member 80 to be mounted need to be positioned immediately below them at a predetermined timing, the rack gripping and conveying member 121 is provided with the tip rack 79 and the dilution cup holder 13 at a predetermined timing.
It means moving 1 to the left and right by a small distance. In addition,
At this time, since the side wall portion of the tip rack 79 moves along the side wall surface 106 of the tip supply means 26, the nozzle tip 78 on the tip rack 79 and the dilution cup member 80 on the dilution cup holder 131, which are required to have positional accuracy, are provided. Positioning accuracy becomes easy.

FIG. 16 shows the nozzle tip on the tip rack 79.
The state where the rack gripping and conveying member 121 is in the process of moving to the rack open position after all 78 have been consumed is shown. In addition,
The arrangement position of the tip rack in FIG. 16 corresponds to the rack disposal preparation position A. In this position, the second member 121b
The claw portion 161a of the abutment is brought into contact with the stopper portion 182 of the upright portion 181,
The U-shaped cross-section member 161 of the second member 121b is tilted against the biasing force of the coil spring 165 according to the movement of the rack gripping and conveying member 121. As a result, opening of the tip rack 79 is started.

Further, as shown in FIG. 17, when the rack gripping and conveying member 121 moves to the rack open position, its claw portion 16
1a becomes horizontal, and the chip rack 79 is completely released from the gripped state by the rack gripping and conveying member 121 and is separated from the rack gripping and conveying member 121.

Thereafter, the chip rack 79 is transported to the rack disposal position A by the rack suspension transport members 142a-d.

The biochemical analyzer of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications can be made.

For example, the shape of the chip rack to be transported is not limited to the rectangular parallelepiped shape, and may be any side wall surface that can be positioned along the positioning wall portion.

Further, it is desirable that the moving locus of the moving arm projecting the spotting nozzle is a circular locus, but it is also possible to use a linear locus or the like.

Further, various mechanisms can be adopted as the chip rack transporting means. For example, after gripping the side wall of the chip rack, the chip rack is rotated in this state toward the positioning wall. The side wall surface of the lever rack may be configured to be surely brought into contact with the positioning wall portion.

As a mode of holding the tip rack, it is of course possible to adopt a construction using a suction suction cup or the like.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing in detail a chip supply means shown in FIG.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing in detail the chip supply means shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a biochemical analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing in detail the dry analytical film piece cartridge shown in FIG.

5 is a schematic diagram showing a procedure (part 1) of transporting a chip rack by the chip supply means shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a chip rack transport procedure (part 2) by the chip supply means shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a procedure (part 3) of transporting a chip rack by the chip supply means shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a procedure (part 4) for transporting a chip rack by the chip supply means shown in FIG.

9 is a schematic diagram showing an operation procedure (No. 1) of the rack gripping and conveying member shown in FIG.

10 is a plan view showing the rack gripping and conveying member shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an operation procedure (No. 2) of the rack gripping and conveying member shown in FIG.

12 is a schematic diagram showing an operation procedure (part 3) of the rack gripping and conveying member shown in FIG.

13 is a schematic diagram showing an operation procedure (No. 4) of the rack gripping and conveying member shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing an operation procedure (5) of the rack gripping and conveying member shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing an operation procedure (6) of the rack gripping and conveying member shown in FIG.

16 is a schematic diagram showing an operation procedure (7) of the rack gripping and conveying member shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing an operation procedure (8) of the rack gripping and conveying member shown in FIG. 1.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 2 Dry analytical element 3, 4 Cartridge 10 Biochemical analyzer 11 Main storage 11a, 11b Storage room 12 Incubator 15, 23, 24 Pointing means 21 Electrolyte storage (storage room) 26 Tip supply means 78 Nozzle tip 79 , A, B, C Chip rack 80, 80a-d Dilution cup member 83, 93, 96-point wearing nozzle 111 Rack pressing conveying member 115a, b, 125a, b, 135a-d Slit rail 116a-f Reflective optical sensor 121 Rack holding and conveying means 121a First member 121b Second member 124 Belt 131 Dilution cup holder 151,161 Sectional U-shaped member 151a, 161b Claw part

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A raw material having a mechanism for transporting a nozzle tip fitted to a tip of a spotting nozzle for spotting a sample to a dry analysis element to a fitting position between the spotting nozzle and the nozzle tip. In the chemical analysis device, a first position at which a tip rack having a plurality of the nozzle tips mounted and held therein is carried in, and a movement of an arm projecting the spotting nozzle downward is described. The tip rack is transported to a second position which is located immediately below the movement locus and where the tip of the spotting nozzle is fitted to the nozzle tip mounted on the tip rack by the descending of the spotting nozzle. Chip rack transporting means for transporting the chip rack between the first position and the second position, and the transport direction of the chip rack along the side wall surface of the chip rack. Biochemical analysis apparatus characterized in that it comprises allows for positioning of the perpendicular direction, the positioning wall portions extending in the conveying direction. 2. The tip rack transporting means is configured to hold a dilution cup holder for mounting and supporting a dilution cup for diluting the sample so as to be interlockable with the tip rack. 1. The biochemical analyzer according to 1. 3. The chip rack carrying means comprises the first rack
3. The chip rack gripping part for gripping the chip rack at the position of 1 and opening the chip rack at a position different from the first position.
The biochemical analyzer described.