JPH10232236A - Dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a dispenser in which the dispensation head can be replaced automatically and quickly. SOLUTION: A reciprocal driver 1 is fixed, at the output end thereof, with a mechanism 2 for chucking a dispensation head 3. A mechanism for controlling the chucking/releasing operation of the chucking mechanism 2 is disposed on the side part of a container for container a dispenser head 3 to be replaced. The chucking mechanism 2 comprises a plurality of chuck claws 23 for clamping the base end part of the dispenser head 3 from the periphery thereof and a mechanism for locking the dispenser head 3 chucked to the chucking mechanism 2 is provided at the joint of the chucking mechanism 2 and the dispenser head 3. The locking mechanism is provided with a mechanism for adjusting the rotational angle under a state where the dispenser head 3 chucked to the chucking mechanism 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an immunoassay and DNA
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dispensing apparatus for automatically injecting a fixed amount of reagent into a container containing a sample in various analyzes such as analysis.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an immunoassay, for example, a liquid such as physiological saline is first injected into a sample in a container, and then a reagent is further injected to examine an immune reaction.
A dispensing apparatus as shown in FIG. 9 has conventionally been used for such an operation of injecting a liquid or a reagent (hereinafter, collectively referred to as a reagent). The dispensing device includes a dispensing table (90) for installing a reaction vessel (7), and a head driving device (9) is installed on the dispensing table (90), and a head driving device is provided. apparatus
A dispensing head (91) is attached to the output end of (9). The dispensing head (91) has a plunger mechanism (not shown)
Are linked. A pipette tip (92) for sucking and discharging a reagent is fitted downward at the tip of the dispensing head (91).

[0003] Each of the holes of the reaction container (7) is
When dispensing the reagent to (71), the control device (93) controls the head driving device (9) to move the dispensing head (91) to the reaction vessel.
The reagent in the pipette tip (92) is discharged to the hole (71) by approaching the hole (71) of (7). When diluting or mixing the reagent, another reagent (72) has already been injected into the hole (71), and the reagent to be dropped from the pipette tip (92) is added to the reagent (7) in the hole (71).
The reagent is discharged by contacting the liquid surface of 2) and releasing the surface tension.

In a dispensing apparatus, 0.5 μm is used.
In order to dispense 1 to 200 μl of reagent, a plurality of types of pipette tips having different capacities are used. And
A small-diameter dispensing head for attaching a small volume pipette tip of 0.5 μl to 10 μl;
A large-diameter dispensing head for attaching a large-capacity pipette tip is prepared, and these dispensing heads are exchanged according to the dispensed amount.

[0005]

However, in the conventional dispensing apparatus, since the dispensing head is fixed to the main body of the apparatus by using a fastening means such as a screw, the work of replacing the dispensing head is complicated. Not only that, the dispensing head has a small outer diameter of about 20 mm, so that there is a problem that the replacement operation is extremely difficult. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing apparatus capable of automatically and quickly exchanging dispensing heads.

[0006]

A dispensing apparatus according to the present invention comprises:
A container installation part for installing one or a plurality of containers to which reagents are to be sucked and discharged, a head storage device storing one or a plurality of dispensing heads for sucking and discharging a reagent,
A reciprocating drive for reciprocating the output end between the container installation section and the head storage device, a chuck for one dispensing head attached to the output end of the reciprocation drive and capable of releasing the dispensing head, and a head housing A chuck control mechanism installed near each head accommodating portion of the apparatus to control a chuck operation and a chuck release operation of the chuck mechanism. Here, the chuck mechanism (2) includes a plurality of chuck claws (23) and (23) that should clamp the base end of the dispensing head (3) from the surroundings.
A dispensing head (3) chucked by the chuck mechanism (2) is provided at a joint between the chuck mechanism (2) and the dispensing head (3).
It is equipped with a detent mechanism for detenting. or,
In a specific configuration, the detent mechanism includes a chuck mechanism.
An adjusting mechanism for adjusting the rotation angle of the dispensing head (3) in the chuck state with respect to (2) is provided.

In the above dispensing apparatus, when exchanging the dispensing head, first, the dispensing head held by the chuck mechanism is moved to an empty head accommodating portion of the head accommodating device by driving the reciprocating drive device. During the process in which the dispensing head is housed in the head housing section, the chuck control mechanism operates to cause the chuck mechanism to perform a chuck release operation. Thereby, the dispensing head is separated from the chuck mechanism.
After that, the chuck mechanism is separated from the head accommodating portion by driving the reciprocating drive device.

Next, the chuck mechanism is moved to the head accommodating portion accommodating the dispensing head by driving the reciprocating drive device. During the process in which the chuck mechanism is joined to the dispensing head of the head storage unit, the chuck control mechanism operates to cause the chuck mechanism to perform a chucking operation. Thereby, the dispensing head is chucked by the chuck mechanism. Here, the dispensing head (3) is provided with a plurality of chuck claws of the chuck mechanism (2).
(23) The dispensing head (3) and the chuck mechanism (2) are held together from the periphery by (23), and are joined to each other. In this state, the dispensing head (3) is prevented from rotating with respect to the chuck mechanism (2) by the rotation preventing mechanism. Thereafter, the chuck mechanism is separated from the head accommodating section together with the dispensing head by driving the reciprocating drive device, and the operation shifts to a predetermined dispensing operation.

As described above, since the dispensing head (3) is detented while the dispensing head (3) is chucked by the chuck mechanism (2), a predetermined rotation angle attitude is maintained. And no deviation occurs. Therefore, in the dispensing operation,
The dispensing head (3) can be made to approach the reaction vessel (7) at a predetermined rotation angle posture. In particular, in the case of a dispensing head in which a plurality of pipette tips are mounted in a line, an error in the rotation angle posture leads to a malfunction of the dispensing, but according to the present invention, there is no fear of such a malfunction. Further, in the configuration in which the rotation preventing mechanism is provided with the rotation angle adjusting mechanism, it is possible to adjust the rotation angle posture of the dispensing head (3) while the dispensing head (3) is chucked by the chuck mechanism (2). Since it is possible, even if the rotation angle posture is shifted, it can be corrected.

[0010]

According to the dispensing apparatus of the present invention, the chuck mechanism is reciprocally driven by the reciprocating drive to move the chuck mechanism on which the dispensing head is chucked to the head accommodating portion of the head accommodating apparatus. The chucking operation is performed in conjunction with the operation of moving the chuck mechanism in which the dispensing head is not chucked to the head accommodating portion of the head accommodating device. Can be exchanged automatically and quickly.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. Overall Configuration In the dispensing apparatus according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, an X-axis driving mechanism (11) and a Y-axis driving mechanism are provided on a dispensing table (10).
(12) and a reciprocating drive (1) comprising a Z-axis drive mechanism (13), and a chuck mechanism at an output end of the Z-axis drive mechanism (13).
(2) is attached. The dispensing head (3) is chucked to the chuck mechanism (2) as described later. As a result, a plunger mechanism (not shown) for sucking and discharging the reagent is connected to the dispensing head (3).
A disposable pipette tip (6) is detachably fitted to the lower end of the dispensing head (3). The operation of the reciprocating drive (1) and the plunger mechanism is controlled by the control circuit (14).
Is controlled by

A tip holder containing a plurality of disposable pipette tips (6) on a dispensing table (10).
(61), a head accommodating device (4) accommodating a plurality of dispensing heads (3), and a plurality of reaction vessels (7) are respectively installed at predetermined positions. A plurality of holes (71) are provided on the surface of each reaction vessel (7).
Is recessed. The head storage device (4) includes a plurality of head support members (41) according to the number of dispensing heads to be stored, and a chuck mechanism is provided on a side portion of each head support member (41).
The chuck of (2) and a chuck control mechanism (5) for controlling the release thereof are arranged.

[0013] As shown in diagram 2 of the chuck mechanism (2), the output end of the reciprocating drive apparatus (1) (15), the shaft member (21) having a central bore (20) is fixed, said shaft member ( twenty one)
A slide tube (22) is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the.
The slide cylinder (22) has an upper half (27) slidably fitted to the shaft member (21), a lower half (28) having a diameter larger than the upper half (27), and an upper half. (27) and the lower half (28).
6). A pressing spring (25) for pressing the slide cylinder (22) toward the shaft member (21) is attached to an upper portion of the shaft member (21). In addition, a plurality of chuck claws (23) for holding the head of the dispensing head (3) are pivotably supported at the lower part of the shaft member (21) so as to be openable and closable. Is urged in the opening direction by a tension spring (24).

Therefore, when the slide cylinder (22) is held at the rising end as shown, a plurality of chuck claws (23) (23)
Is opened by the urging of the tension springs (24) and (24) and is held at a position where it contacts the lower end of the slide cylinder (22). When the slide cylinder (22) descends from this state, the chuck claws (23) and (23) are pressed downward by the lower end of the slide cylinder (22),
It will be closed against the tension spring (24).

[0015] dispensing the head of the head configuration dispensing head body of the head (3) (3) (30), the connecting member having a chucked portion (32) and the flange portion (33) (34) is fixed The chucked portion (32) is provided with the plurality of chuck claws (23).
(23). Also, the head body (3
A nozzle (31) projects downward from the lower end of (0), and the above-mentioned pipette tip (6) is detachably fitted to the nozzle (31). When the dispensing head (3) is chucked by the chuck mechanism (2), the shaft member of the chuck mechanism (2)
(21) and the connecting member (34) of the dispensing head (3) are engaged with each other so that they are accurately aligned with each other.

In the structure shown in FIG. 2, the dispensing head (3) is in a state where the dispensing head (3) is chucked by the chuck mechanism (2).
The friction on the contact surface of the chuck mechanism (2) with the shaft member (21) and the chuck pawls (23) and (23) prevents free rotation about the vertical axis and maintains the rotation angle posture constant. In order to surely prevent the rotation of the dispensing head (3), it is effective to equip a detent mechanism shown in FIGS.
The connecting member (34) of the dispensing head (3) has a screw member (35) screwed into the center thereof. That is, the connecting member (34) is formed with an inner screw (34a), the screw member (35) is formed with an outer screw (35a), and the connecting member (34) is screwed with the screw member (35).
On the upper surface of the screw member (35), a pair of detent pins (37) (37) are vertically provided at opposing positions with respect to the axis.
A lock screw (36) is screwed through the side of the connecting member (34), and its tip is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the screw member (35) to lock the screw member (35). I have. On the other hand, the shaft member (21) of the chuck mechanism (2) has the pair of detent pins (3
At a position facing 7) and 37, a pair of pin holes 29 and 29 into which these pins can be fitted are vertically recessed.

Thereafter, in a state where the dispensing head (3) is chucked by the chuck mechanism (2) as shown in FIG. 8, the pair of detent pins (37) and (37) of the dispensing head (3) are connected to the chuck mechanism.
(2) is inserted into a pair of pin holes (29) and (29), and the dispensing head is
A detent is applied to (3). Therefore, the reciprocating drive (1)
Even if vibration or impact is applied to the dispensing head (3) or the chuck mechanism (2) in the process of moving the dispensing head (3) by the drive, there is no danger that the dispensing head (3) will rotate. Maintain the correct rotation angle posture. In particular, dosing head
When (3) has a structure in which a plurality of pipette tips can be mounted in a line, an error in the rotation angle posture of the dispensing head (3) causes a malfunction at the time of dispensing. With such a device, such a malfunction can be reliably avoided.

If the rotation angle posture of the dispensing head (3) is shifted for some reason, the lock screw (36) is loosened while the dispensing head (3) is chucked, and the connecting member for the screw member (35) is connected. By the relative rotation of (34), the rotation angle posture of the dispensing head (3) is corrected. At this time, the dispensing head (3) is moved to, for example, the position of the reaction vessel (7), and the rotation angle posture of the dispensing head (3) is determined based on the positions of the plurality of holes (71) of the reaction vessel. Can be modified. Thereafter, the lock screw (36) is screwed in to lock the connecting member (34) and the screw member (35) so that they cannot rotate relative to each other.

[0019] As shown in diagram 2 of the head receiving device (4), the head mounting base (40), the dispensing head (3)
A head support member (41) capable of housing and supporting the head is vertically movably engaged, and is elastically supported in a vertical direction by a plurality of springs (42). At the upper end of the head support member (41), a magnet holding piece (43) is connected and fixed, and the magnet holding piece (43) is fixed.
A first driving magnet piece (81) and a second driving magnet piece (82) are attached to the upper and lower portions of the first driving magnet piece. In addition, head storage device
In a state where the dispensing head (3) is accommodated in the head support member (41) of (4), the flange (33) of the connecting member (34) of the dispensing head (3).
However, as shown in the figure, the dispensing head (3) is received in contact with the end of the magnet holding piece (43).

Configuration of the chuck control mechanism (5) A rocking lever is provided along the side surface of the vertical support (50).
(51) is swingably supported by the pivot (52). A control piece (54) to be engaged with the slide cylinder (22) of the chuck mechanism (2) protrudes from the upper end of the swing lever (51). or,
A driven magnet piece (8) is mounted above the pivot (52) of the swing lever (51). A stopper (53) for regulating the counterclockwise rotation end of the swing lever (51) is projected from the support (50), and the swing lever (51) as shown in the figure.
The swing lever (51) is held in a vertical posture with the upper end of the lever abutting on the stopper (53).

The first driving magnet piece (81) and the second driving magnet piece (82) of the magnet holding piece (43), and the driven magnet piece of the swing lever (51)
With (8), the orientation is defined so as to have a polarity relationship as shown in FIG. That is, the first driving magnet piece (81) and the second driving magnet piece (82) are mounted with the N pole facing the swing lever (51), and the driven magnet piece (8) is mounted on the magnet holding piece (43). ) Side. In addition, these magnet pieces (8) (8
1) The shape and relative positional relationship of (82) are represented by distances a,
b, c, d, and e are 3 mm, 2 mm, 1.2 mm, respectively.
It is specified to be 1.7 mm and 5.6 mm. or,
The surface magnetic flux densities of these magnet pieces (8), (81) and (82) are 12
00 Gauss.

The first driving magnet piece (81) and the second driving magnet piece (82)
By arranging the driven magnet pieces (8) in the above positional relationship, the second driving magnet piece (82) comes very close to the driven magnet pieces (8) as shown in FIG. When the magnets are placed at different positions, the repulsion state in which the two magnets repel each other is more dominant than the attracted state in which the different poles of the two magnets attract each other. Occur. On the other hand, in a state where the second driving magnet piece (82) faces the driven magnet piece (8) at the same height in front of each other, the opposite magnetic poles of the two magnets strongly attract each other, and the attraction between the two magnets. Force will be generated. This phenomenon similarly occurs in the relationship between the first driving magnet piece (81) and the driven magnet piece (8).

Chuck operation of dispensing head As shown in FIG. 4, a chuck mechanism in which the dispensing head is not chucked by driving the reciprocating drive (1).
(2) is lowered toward the target dispensing head (3) accommodated in the head support member (41). At this time, the chuck mechanism
The slide cylinder (22) of (2) is slid to the rising end and held by the presser spring (25). With this, the chuck claws (23) and (23) are opened by the urging of the tension spring. Is held. Also, the head support member (41) is supported at the rising end by the bias of the spring, and accordingly,
The second driving magnet piece (82) is set at a position slightly higher than the driven magnet piece (8). This allows the driven magnet piece
As described above, a repulsive force is generated between (8) and the second driving magnet piece (82), and the repulsive force causes the swing lever (51) to be rotationally biased counterclockwise and hit the stopper (53).

As shown in FIG. 2, when the chuck mechanism (2) further descends, the second driving magnet piece (82) faces the driven magnet piece (8), and an attractive force is generated between the two magnet pieces. The rocking lever (51) is slightly rotated clockwise by the suction force. Then, as shown in the figure, when the chuck mechanism (2) further descends, the intermediate position between the first driving magnet piece (81) and the second driving magnet piece (82) faces the driven magnet piece (8), Drive magnet piece (81) (82)
A repulsive force is generated between the swing lever (51) and the driven magnet piece (8), and the repulsive force causes the swing lever (51) to return to the clockwise rotation end. Then, when the chuck mechanism (2) further descends,
As shown in the drawing, the first driving magnet piece (81) faces the driven magnet piece (8), and an attractive force is generated between the two magnet pieces, and the swinging lever (51) is again clockwise by the attractive force. To rotate. Due to the simultaneous swing of the swing lever (51) and the lowering operation of the chuck mechanism (2), the control piece (54) of the swing lever (51) moves the flange (26) of the slide cylinder (22). Get over it.

Next, as shown in FIG.
By driving (1), the chuck mechanism (2) is raised.
Along with this, the flange (26) of the slide cylinder (22) is
Abuts the control piece (54) of (51), and thereafter, the slide cylinder (22)
Of the slide cylinder (22) is lowered relative to the shaft member (21). Thereby, the slide cylinder (22) presses the chuck claws (23) and (23) downward, and the chuck claws (23) and (23) are closed against the tension spring. As a result, the chuck claws (23) and (23) hold the chucked portion (32) of the dispensing head (3), and the dispensing head (2) is attached to the chuck mechanism (2).
(3) is chucked. Thereafter, the chuck mechanism (2) is slightly lowered as shown in FIG.
6) is separated from the control piece (54) of the swing lever (51). At this time, the intermediate position between the first driving magnet piece (81) and the second driving magnet piece (82) faces the driven magnet piece (8), and receives the repulsive force of both magnet pieces, thereby causing the swing lever (51). Rotates counterclockwise.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG.
(2) is raised. In the process of raising the chuck mechanism (2), the second driving magnet piece (82) faces the driven magnet piece (8),
The swing lever (51) once rotates clockwise, at which time the control piece (54) has passed through the flange (26) of the slide cylinder (22), and has a lower half (28). Abut or oppose. Thereafter, when the chuck mechanism (2) is further raised, the second driving magnet piece (82)
As a result, a repulsive force is generated between the driven magnet piece 8 and the driven magnet piece 8, and the swing lever 51 returns to the counterclockwise rotating end as shown in the figure.

Then, as shown in FIG.
Is further lifted, whereby the dispensing head (3) chucked by the chuck mechanism (2) is pulled out from the head support member (41).

Dechucking operation of dispensing head As shown in FIG. 6, chuck mechanism (2) in which dispensing head (3) is chucked by driving reciprocating drive (1).
Is lowered toward the empty head support member (41), and the dispensing head (3) is inserted into the head support member (41). And
By further lowering the dispensing head (3), the second driving magnet piece (82) faces the driven magnet piece (8) as shown in FIG. (Five
1) rotates clockwise, and the control piece (54) comes into contact with the lower end (28) of the slide cylinder (22).

When the chuck mechanism (2) is further lowered from this state, the control piece (54) comes into contact with the flange (26) of the slide cylinder (22) as shown in FIG. Block the descent of 22). As a result, the slide cylinder (22) is
Relative to the chuck jaws (23)
Release the pressing of (23). As a result, the chuck claws (23) (23)
Is opened by being urged by the tension spring, and releases the chuck of the dispensing head (3) with respect to the chucked portion (32).

Thereafter, as shown in FIG.
By raising (2), the chuck mechanism (2) is detached from the dispensing head (3), and the dispensing head (3) remains in the head support member (41). Further, as shown in the drawing, the revolving force is generated between the second driving magnet piece (82) and the driven magnet piece (8), and the swing lever (51) rotates counterclockwise. And comes into contact with the stopper (53) to return to the original posture.

When replacing the dispensing head (3), the chuck mechanism (2) to which the dispensing head (3) has been chucked is moved to the empty head supporting member (4).
6), and the chuck release operation shown in FIG. Thereafter, the chuck mechanism (2) is moved to a position above the head support member (41) in which the intended dispensing head (3) is accommodated, and FIGS.
Is performed.

After the dispensing head (3) is chucked by the dispensing operation chuck mechanism (2),
By driving the reciprocating drive (1), the dispensing head (3) is moved onto the tip holder (61) shown in FIG. 1, and thereafter, the dispensing head (3) is directed toward one pipette tip (6). Pipette tip into dispensing head (3) by lowering
Attach (6). Then, the dispensing head (3) with the pipette tip (6) mounted thereon is moved onto a reagent container (not shown), and the reagent is sucked into the pipette tip (6). Move to the desired reaction vessel (7),
The reagent is discharged from the pipette tip (6) into a predetermined hole (71) of the reaction vessel (7).

As described above, according to the dispensing apparatus according to the present invention, the chucking operation of the dispensing head (3) is accompanied by the operation of moving the chuck mechanism (2) toward and away from the head accommodating device (4). And the chuck release operation is performed automatically,
It is not necessary to replace the dispensing head manually as in the related art, and the head can be quickly replaced. Dispensing head
In the chuck state (3), the shaft member (2) of the chuck mechanism (2)
1) and the connecting member (34) of the dispensing head (3) are brought into close contact with each other, and the chuck mechanism (2) and the dispensing head (3) are accurately aligned. Note operation is possible.

The description of the above embodiments is for the purpose of describing the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the invention described in the claims or reducing the scope thereof.
In addition, the configuration of each part of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made within the technical scope described in the claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a dispensing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially broken front view showing an enlarged main part of the dispensing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating polarities and positional relationships of a first driving magnet piece, a second driving magnet piece, and a driven magnet piece.

FIG. 4 is a process chart showing the first half of the chuck operation.

FIG. 5 is a process chart showing the latter half of the chuck operation.

FIG. 6 is a process chart showing a chuck release operation.

FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway front view illustrating a configuration of a rotation preventing mechanism in a chuck released state.

FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway front view illustrating a configuration of a rotation preventing mechanism in a chuck state.

FIG. 9 is a partially broken side view showing a schematic configuration of a conventional dispensing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (1) Reciprocating drive (2) Chuck mechanism (3) Dispensing head (4) Head storage device (5) Chuck control mechanism (6) Pipette tip (7) Reaction vessel (8) Follower magnet piece (81) First Drive magnet piece (82) 2nd drive magnet piece

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A container installation part for installing one or more containers to be inhaled and discharged of a reagent,
A head accommodating device accommodating one or a plurality of dispensing heads to be ejected, a reciprocating drive device for reciprocating an output end between a container installation portion and the head accommodating device, and a reciprocating drive device attached to the output end. It comprises a chuck mechanism capable of chucking and releasing one dispensing head, and a chuck control mechanism installed near each head accommodating portion of the head accommodating device and controlling the chucking operation and the chuck releasing operation of the chuck mechanism. , Chuck mechanism (2), dispensing head
A plurality of chuck claws (2
3) At the joint between the chuck mechanism (2) and the dispensing head (3), which includes (23), a detent mechanism that detents the dispensing head (3) chucked by the chuck mechanism (2). A dispensing head, which is provided. 2. The dispensing head according to claim 1, wherein the rotation preventing mechanism is provided with an adjusting mechanism for adjusting a rotation angle of the dispensing head (3) in a chucking state with respect to the chuck mechanism (2). .