JPH09159584A - Sampling device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sampling device by which change of blood-collecting tubes different in the size and interrupting processing can be performed at any time and even agitating efficiency of a sample can be improved while simplifying a mechanism of agitation of the blood-collecting tubes and cap piercing or the like and also attaining size reduction. SOLUTION: This device is composed of a blood-collecting tube block forming means 2 to hold plural blood-collecting tubes 1, a rotary support mechanism 3 to rotatably support this block forming means 2 and a sample sucking tool to suck sample blood in the blood-collecting tubes 1 in a blood sucking position. In this case, the blood-collecting tube block forming means 2 is provided with blood-collecting tube holding blocks 5 to respectively and collectively hold the plural blood-collecting tubes 1 so as to be freely mountable and demountable and a blood-collecting tube holding block base 6 which holds respectively the plural blocks 5 so as to be mountable and demountable and is rotatably supported with the rotary support mechanism 3.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sample sampling device generally used in clinical tests such as blood tests.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In clinical tests such as hematology, biochemistry, and immunology, when a sample (blood) is sampled from a blood collection tube containing blood, a single row for holding a plurality of blood collection tubes in a row. In many cases, a transport system using a sample container of either a rack of multiple types or a carousel 90 that holds a plurality of blood collection tubes 91 in an annular shape as shown in FIG. 7 is used.

At the blood suction position, the blood collection needle is inserted into the blood collection tube at a predetermined timing to sample the blood. For example, in FIG. 7, the blood collection tube 91 is provided with a cap 92, and at the blood suction position, the blood collection needle 93 penetrates the cap 92 and is inserted into the blood collection tube 91 (cap piercing) to sample blood. It

[0004]

In the case of using a single-row multi-rack type rack, a 5- or 10-tube type holding 5 or 10 blood collection tubes is often used. In this case, continuous processing is easy and interrupt processing is relatively easy, but on the other hand, since the blood collection tubes are arranged in one row, the mechanism such as stirring and cap piercing becomes more complicated. is there.

On the other hand, when the carousel is used, there is an advantage that the mechanism such as stirring and cap piercing is simpler than that of a rack, but since the setting is usually performed by batch processing, the size of the carousel is different. There are drawbacks that the replacement of blood vessels and interrupt processing are troublesome, and the carousel becomes large when a large amount of processing is performed. Therefore, the present invention has been made focusing on such problems,
An object of the present invention is to provide a sample sampling device that simplifies and compacts a mechanism such as stirring of a blood collection tube and cap piercing, and at the same time enables exchange of blood collection tubes of different sizes and interrupt processing, and also improves sample stirring efficiency. And

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a sample sampling apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises:
A blood collection tube holder for holding a large number of blood collection tubes, a rotation support mechanism for rotatably supporting the blood collection tube holder, and a sample suction for sucking and sampling the sample in the blood collection tube at the sample (blood) suction position The blood collection tube holder is a blood collection tube blocking means that attaches a plurality of blood collection tubes and attaches them in a removable manner.

According to this sample sampling apparatus, since the blood collection tube blocking means can attach and remove a plurality of blood collection tubes collectively (for each block), the blood collection tubes of different sizes can be replaced or interrupted at any time. Specifically, as described in claim 2, the blood collection tube blocking means includes a blood collection tube holding block that detachably holds a plurality of blood collection tubes, and a plurality of blood collection tube holding blocks. And a blood collection tube holding block base rotatably supported by the rotation support mechanism.

According to this blood collection tube blocking means, since a plurality of blood collection tubes can be collectively attached to and detached from the blood collection tube holding block base by the blood collection tube holding block, a plurality of blood collection tubes are collectively set for each block at the time of setting. it can. Then, for example, a plurality of blood collection tubes for which processing such as sampling has been completed can be collectively removed from the base for each block, and a block provided with a plurality of different new blood collection tubes can be attached to the base. Therefore, when interrupt processing occurs, the appropriate block already set is
By exchanging with a block provided with a blood collection tube required for interrupt processing, and even when using a blood collection tube with a different size, by exchanging it with a block provided with a blood collection tube of a different size, respectively. It becomes possible to respond.

Further, the blood collection tube holding block holds the blood collection tube in a tilted state (claim 3), or the blood collection tube holding block base holds the blood collection tube holding block in a tilted state (claim 4). As a result, since the blood collection tube is rotated and stirred while being held at an angle inclined to the rotation surface, not only efficient rotation stirring is possible, but also a mechanism such as stirring and cap piercing is simple and simple. Can be made compact.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below based on embodiments. FIG. 1 shows the overall schematic configuration of the sample sampling apparatus according to the embodiment. This apparatus includes a blood collection tube blocking means 2 as a blood collection tube holder for holding a plurality of blood collection tubes 1 together, a rotation support mechanism 3 rotatably supporting the blood collection tube blocking means 2, and a blood suction. A sample suction tool (only the cap piercing needle 4 is shown) for sucking and sampling the sample (blood) in the blood collection tube 1 at a position (the point where the blood collection tube 1 is located at the bottom).

The blood collection tube blocking means 2 detachably holds a plurality of blood collection tubes 1 in a detachable manner, and a plurality of blood collection tube holding blocks 5 is detachably held. , And a blood collection tube holding block base 6 rotatably supported by the rotation support mechanism 3. The rotation support mechanism 3 has a rotating shaft 7 having one end fitted and fixed to the center of the blood collection tube holding block base 6, a bearing 8 for rotatably supporting the rotating shaft 7, and the other end of the rotating shaft 7. A gear 9 fixed to the motor 9 and a motor 1 for rotating the gear 9.
0.

The device composed of the blood collection tube blocking means 2, the rotation support mechanism 3, the sample suction tool, etc. is a housing fixed on an appropriate base for preventing explosion and contamination of blood etc. as a sample. It is housed in 11. In this embodiment, the blood collection tube blocking means 2 has a structure as shown in FIG. 2, for example. The blood collection tube holding block base 6 is
A total of 6 blood collection tube holding blocks 5 that have a regular hexagonal shape
Can be attached and detached. The blood collection tube holding block 5 is a five-tube type capable of holding five blood collection tubes 1.

The blood collection tube holding block 5 is, as shown in FIG. 3, a base 20 fixed to a blood collection tube holding block base 6.
In addition, a support member 21 having a triangular cross section is attached with a screw 22, a blood collection tube receiver 23 is attached with a screw 24 to a support piece 25, and a support piece 25 is attached with a screw 26 to a base 20. A blood collection tube retainer 27 having a hole 27a through which the cap piercing needle is inserted is attached to a shaft 28 that is displaceably inserted into the support member 21, and a coil spring 29 is inserted into the shaft 28. Therefore, the blood collection tube retainer 27 can advance and retreat in the direction of the blood collection tube 1, and is normally urged by the coil spring 29 in the direction of pressing the blood collection tube 1.

To set the blood collection tube 1 on the blood collection tube holding block 5, the blood collection tube retainer 27 is moved against the force of the coil spring 29, and the cap 1a applied to the blood collection tube 1 is applied to the blood collection tube retainer 27. , The bottom of blood collection tube 1 receives blood collection tube 2
It should be applied to 3. When the setting of the blood collection tube 1 is completed, the blood collection tube 1 is not separated from the block 5 by the blood collection tube retainer 27 due to the restoring force of the coil spring 29. To remove the blood collection tube 1 from the block 5,
Should be pushed in the direction of the blood collection tube retainer 27.

2 and 4, a circular hole 40 into which the rotary shaft 7 is fitted and fixed is formed in the blood collection tube holding block base 6 and the circumference of the circular hole 40 is
Six blood collection tube holding block retainers 41 are attached by screws 42 at equal angular intervals. The blood collection tube holding block retainer 41 is provided with a spring 43.
Thus, the pressing piece portion 41a can be moved back and forth in the direction of the blood collection tube 1. On the other hand, six blood collection tube holding block stoppers 44 are attached to the outer peripheral edge of the base 6 at equal angular intervals.

A positioning pin 45 is provided on the base 6 so as to project close to the blood collection tube holding block retainer 41. Corresponding to the positioning pin 45, a positioning pin is provided on the inner edge of the blood collection tube holding block 5. Notch 3 for inserting 45
0 is formed (see FIG. 5). Further, a notch 31 for engaging the pressing piece 41a is formed on the inner edge of the blood collection tube holding block 5 corresponding to the blood collection tube holding block holder 41 of the base 6 (see FIG. 5).

To set the blood collection tube holding block 5 on the blood collection tube holding block base 6, the notch 30 of the block 5 is set.
The pin 45 of the base 6 is inserted into the base 6, and while positioning the block 5 with respect to the base 6, the outer peripheral edge of the block 5 is engaged with the pair of blood collection tube holding block stoppers 44. Accordingly, the pressing piece 41a of the base 6 is engaged with the notch 31 of the block 5, and the block 5 is clamped by the pair of stoppers 44, the pin 45, and the pressing piece 41a by the bias of the spring 43. It This ensures that the block 5 is set at the predetermined position on the base 6. When removing the block 5 from the base 6, the pressing piece portion 41 a may be moved in the direction of the circular hole 40.

Since the blood collection tube holding block 5 holds a plurality of (here, five) blood collection tubes 1 in a lump, even blood collection tubes of different sizes can have different sizes in advance. It is only necessary to prepare several types of blocks corresponding to blood collection tubes. For example, the block 5 shown in FIG. 5 has a capacity of 7 m.
1 for the blood collection tube 1'of FIG.
It is for a blood collection tube 1 "with a volume of 5 ml. These blocks 5 are structurally as described above.
In the case of a blood collection tube having a volume other than 1 and 7 ml, the block 5 may be configured to match it.

In the sample sampling apparatus configured as described above, in FIG. 1, when the motor 10 operates, its rotation is transmitted to the base 6 via the gear 9 and the rotary shaft 7,
The base 6 rotates in a tilted state. Since the blood collection tube 1 continues to rotate in an inclined state, the blood in the blood collection tube 1 is efficiently agitated and becomes a uniform state. After the blood is sufficiently stirred, when the blood collection tube 1 is located at the blood suction position, the cap piercing needle 4 of the sample suction tool penetrates the cap 1a and is inserted into the blood collection tube 1 at a predetermined timing. A predetermined amount of blood in the inside is sampled and blood is sampled.

When this series of operations is continued, the conventional carousel cannot replace the blood collection tubes until all the blood collection tubes have been sorted, but in this embodiment, the blood collection tubes can be replaced for each block 5. It is possible to easily deal with the case of performing interrupt processing or sampling from blood collection tubes of different sizes. In the above embodiment, five blood collection tubes 1 can be set in the blood collection tube holding block 5, but a number smaller or larger than five blood collection tubes may be set. In that case, it goes without saying that the shape and structure of the blood collection tube holding block base is appropriately changed according to the blood collection tube holding block. Further, the attachment / detachment mechanism of the blood collection tube to / from the blood collection tube holding block and the attachment / detachment mechanism of the blood collection tube to / from the base are not limited to those disclosed in the above embodiment.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the blood collection tube is held in an inclined state, but the blood in the blood collection tube may be agitated by supporting and rotating the base in an inclined state, or collecting blood. The blood in the blood collection tube may be agitated by holding the blood vessel horizontally in the block and vertically supporting and rotating the base on which the block is set.

[0022]

As described above, in the sample sampling apparatus of the present invention (claim 1), since the blood collection tube blocking means can attach / detach a plurality of blood collection tubes (in blocks) collectively, they are processed. It is possible to sequentially replace each block from each other, and it is possible to set blood collection tubes of different sizes for each block. Further, even when interrupt processing is required, it is possible to easily cope with the situation by interrupting the blood collection tube in block units without stopping the processing up to that point.

Further, with the structure according to claim 3 or 4, since the blood collection tube is rotated and agitated while being held in a state of being inclined with respect to the rotation surface, efficient rotation is achieved. Not only is it possible to stir, but the mechanism for stirring and cap piercing can be made simple and compact.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a sample sampling apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a blood collection tube blocking unit of the sample sampling apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts showing a blood collection tube holding block in the blood collection tube blocking means of the sample sampling apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a partial side view showing a state in which a blood collection tube holding block in the blood collection tube blocking means of the sample sampling apparatus according to the embodiment is attached to a blood collection tube holding block base.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an example of a blood collection tube holding block that holds blood collection tubes having different capacities.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing another example of a blood collection tube holding block for holding blood collection tubes having different capacities.

FIG. 7 is a partial view of a batch type carousel-type sample sampling device according to a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Blood Collection Tube 1a Cap 2 Blood Collection Tube Blocking Means 3 Rotation Supporting Mechanism 4 Cap Piercing Needle 5 Blood Collection Tube Holding Block 6 Blood Collection Tube Holding Block Base

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI Technical display location G01N 35/04 G01N 1/28 Y 35/10 35/06 J K

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A blood collection tube holder that holds a large number of blood collection tubes, a rotation support mechanism that rotatably supports the blood collection tube holder, and a sample in the blood collection tube is sucked at a sample (blood) suction position. A sample sampling device including a sample suction device for sampling by using the sample sampling device, wherein the blood collection tube holding device is a blood collection tube blocking unit that detachably attaches a plurality of blood collection tubes. 2. The blood collection tube blocking means retains a plurality of blood collection tubes for detachably holding a plurality of blood collection tubes, and a plurality of blood collection tube holding blocks for attachment and detachment, respectively. The sample sampling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a blood collection tube holding block base rotatably supported by the rotation support mechanism. 3. The sample sampling apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the blood collection tube holding block holds the blood collection tube in an inclined state. 4. The sample sampling apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the blood collection tube holding block base holds the blood collection tube holding block in an inclined state.