JPH10332706A - Dilution device of automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To disperse with setting and detaching works of vessels, avoid a carry-out phenomenon, and automatically reuse the vessels, by providing a plurality of dilution vessels on a dilution stage, and intermittently executing respective means of dispensation of specimen and dilution liquid, waste liquid disposal of used specimen and the like, and washing and drying of the vessels while circulatingly moving them. SOLUTION: A dispensing means 1 dispenses a specimen and dilution liquid into a dilution vessel 2 (2a) set on a dilution stage ST, and after completing the various inspections of the specimen, a moving holder 3 is rotated by 90 deg. for example by a rotary transfer means to intermittently circulatingly transfer the vessels 2 (2a-2d) and the used vessel 2a is transferred to a washing means 5 and the new vessel 2d is set on the stage ST. The vessel 2a is processed to be washed by washing liquid, and the transferred vessel 2b is processed to be recovered by a waste liquid processing means 4. Similarly remaining washing liquid in the vessel 2c is processed to be drained. Further the transferred vessel 2d is processed to be dried by a drying means 6. In this way the vessels 2 can be automatically used while saving a manual work and a carry-over can be avoided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a physicochemical analysis,
The present invention relates to a diluting device used for diluting a sample in an automatic analyzer for performing biochemical analysis, immunological analysis and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, taking an immunological analysis as an example, RIA has recently been used as a trace component analysis in clinical examinations.
Method, EIA method and latex agglutination method are known. As an automatic analyzer using these methods, a liquid sample in a sample cup with a sample pipette or a diluted sample diluted with a diluent in a dilution cup is used. After aspirating a predetermined amount and dispensing the sample into the reaction cell, dispensing a predetermined reagent into the reaction cell, stirring the sample and the reagent with a stirrer, and then reacting the sample with the reagent. The optical analysis of has already been provided.

[0003] As a conventional dilution apparatus used in such an automatic analyzer, a predetermined number of sample cups and dilution cups are concentrically held around a disk-shaped sample table, and a sample pipette is used to hold a sample in the sample cup. And a diluent is dispensed into a corresponding dilution cup to generate a diluted specimen.

[0004]

However, in this type of conventional diluting apparatus, the same number of diluting cups as the number of sample cups are manually set on the sample table in advance.
At the end of a series of tests for each sample on the sample table, each dilution cup is removed, washed in the washing tank and reused, so each time a series of tests is performed, the number of samples is Not only is it necessary to set and remove the dilution cup on the sample table and remove the dilute sample when transferring the removed dilution cup to the washing tank. Therefore, there is a concern that the surrounding environment will be polluted. In addition, such a technical problem is a physicochemical analysis,
This also occurs in a dilution device used in an automatic analyzer such as a biochemical analysis.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, and eliminates the troublesome work of setting and removing a dilution container, and effectively eliminates a carry-over phenomenon in which another person's sample enters. It is an object of the present invention to provide a diluting device in an automatic analyzer that can automatically reuse a diluting container while avoiding it.

[0006]

That is, the present invention provides:
As shown in FIG. 1, in a diluting device that dispenses a specimen and a diluent by a dispensing unit 1 into a diluting container 2 set on a diluting stage ST, a plurality of diluting containers 2 (for example, 2a to 2a)
d) are provided at predetermined intervals, and the movable holder 3 in which each dilution vessel 2 is intermittently circulated and transported with respect to the dilution stage ST.
And a waste liquid treatment means 4 for disposing of the diluted sample and other waste liquid in the used dilution container 2 transferred from the dilution stage ST by the moving holder 3, and a used dilution container 2 for discarding the diluted sample. And a drying unit 6 for drying the diluted container 2 after the cleaning process by the cleaning unit 5.

In such technical means, the specific form and number of the dilution containers 2 may be appropriately selected. Regarding the method of mounting the dilution containers 2 on the movable holder 3, the dilution containers 2 are fixed to the movable holder 3 in advance. Alternatively, the dilution container 2 may be formed integrally with the moving holder 3,
From the viewpoint of facilitating maintenance, it is preferable that the dilution container 2 be detachably attached to the movable holder 3.

The movable holder 3 may be appropriately selected from a rotary type as long as it can intermittently transfer the dilution container 2 to the dilution stage ST. Here, for example, taking an example in which the movable holder 3 is a rotary holder, the arrangement posture of the rotary holder may be one having a rotation axis in the vertical direction or rotating in the horizontal direction. It may have an axis, or may have an axis having a rotation axis in an oblique direction, and may be appropriately selected. From the viewpoint of facilitating disposal of the diluted specimen in the dilution container 2, A dilution container 2 that opens radially outward is provided around a rotary holder having a rotation axis in the horizontal direction, and the diluted sample in the dilution container 2 is naturally spilled with the rotational movement of the rotary holder. Is preferable. However, even if the dilution container 2 has a rotation axis in the horizontal direction, the holding posture of the dilution container 2 with respect to the movable holder 3 can be made variable, and the dilution sample in the dilution container 2 can be turned upside down. Spill.

Further, the waste liquid treatment means 4 may be appropriately selected as long as the waste liquid such as the diluted sample in the dilution container 2 or the washing liquid of the washing means 5 is disposed in a predetermined waste liquid tank. It is necessary to design so as not to jump outside. At this time, for example, if the diluted sample in the used dilution container 2 is naturally spilled due to the movement of the movable holder 3, a means for spilling the diluted sample in the dilution container 2 (dilution container) It is not necessary to separately provide a means for changing the holding posture of (2).

Further, the washing means 5 may be a means for simultaneously starting washing while discarding the diluted sample in the used dilution container 2, or discarding the diluted sample in the used dilution container 2. Cleaning may be performed later, and the cleaning unit 5 may be installed at one location or at multiple locations. As a mode of the cleaning means 5, a method of performing a cleaning step using a detergent solution and a cleaning step using pure water is usually employed from the viewpoint of ensuring cleaning performance. However, if the discharge pressure is increased, pure water is used. The cleaning step alone may be performed, or the cleaning step using pure water and the cleaning step using air (such as spraying with a nozzle) may be performed at the same time.

The drying means 6 includes a cleaning means 5.
The purpose of this is to remove water droplets adhering to the inside of the dilution container 2 by heating. The drying may be performed by heating, but from the viewpoint of reliably removing the water droplets in the dilution container 2, air is used. It is preferable that water droplets be blown off by the jetting.

Next, the operation of the above technical means will be described. In FIG. 1, the dispensing means 1 is a dilution stage S
A sample and a diluting solution are dispensed into a dilution container 2 (2a in the figure) set in T, and when various tests are completed on the diluted sample, for example, the rotary movable holder 3 is rotated by 90 °. The dilution container 2 (2a to 2d) is intermittently circulated and transferred, the used dilution container 2 is transferred from the dilution stage ST in the direction of the arrow, and a new dilution container 2 (2d in the figure) is used as a dilution stage for the next inspection. Set to ST. In addition, for the used dilution container 2 (2b in the figure) which has been transferred by 90 ° from the dilution stage ST, the cleaning means 5
Performs a cleaning process using a cleaning liquid (detergent liquid or pure water). At this time, the diluted sample in the dilution container 2b is spilled together with the cleaning liquid, and is collected by the waste liquid processing means 4. Further, with respect to the used dilution container 2 (2c in the figure) which has been moved by 180 ° from the dilution stage ST, in this example, since the opening of the dilution container 2c is completely downward, the dilution container 2c The cleaning liquid remaining in the cleaning liquid is drained and collected by the waste liquid processing means 4. Further, the drying means 6 performs a drying process on the used dilution container 2 (2d in the figure) which has been transferred by 270 ° from the dilution stage ST, and adheres to the inside of the dilution container 2d. Remove water drops.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail based on an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings. First Embodiment FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an entire system of an automatic analyzer incorporating a first embodiment of a dilution apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The automatic analyzer according to the present embodiment is configured for immunological analysis using a latex agglutination reaction method, a table for various sample sets, a dilution device for various sample dilution, and an auxiliary for sampling. A sampler 11 equipped with equipment, a sample pipette mechanism 12 for sampling various samples on the sampler 11 or a diluted sample diluted by a diluting device, and a sample or diluted sample sampled by the sample pipette mechanism 12 An analyzer 13 for analyzing various test items by dispensing a predetermined reagent, and the sampler 1
1, a controller 14 for controlling the sample pipette mechanism 12 and the analyzer 13 according to a series of test sequences. Reference numeral 15 denotes an external transport system for sequentially transporting test tubes containing various samples arranged on a line, and in the present embodiment, in addition to the sample test mode set on the sampler 11, When the inspection mode is selected, the sample in the test tube transported by the external transport system can be directly sampled and analyzed.

In the present embodiment, the sampler 11
Has a circular sample table 21 as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, and has a predetermined number (for example, 60) of test tube stands on its outer periphery and two rows of the same number of test tube stands on its inner periphery. A cup holder is provided in a loop shape, and a test tube 22 and sample cups 23 and 24 each containing a specimen are set, respectively.
The sample test tube 22 corresponding to the sample position and its sample cups 23 and 24 are intermittently driven to rotate at every pitch. In the present embodiment, the sample cup 23 set in the outer cup holder is used for calibration, and the sample cup 24 set in the inner cup holder is used as a spare. Reference numeral 25 indicates a sample suction position (transfer line suction position) of the external transfer system 15.

Reference numeral 26 denotes a diluting device for diluting a specimen to be tested, which will be described in detail later. Further, code 2
Reference numeral 7 denotes a cold storage for a buffer, which is a diluent, which can be taken out via a lid (buffer suction position) 28 which can be opened and closed.

Further, on the sampler 11, a disposable chip holder 29 and a disposable chip disposal box 30 are provided. Here, the disposable tip is a disposable pipette that is detachably attached to the tip of the pipette of the sample pipette mechanism 12, and in order to prevent erroneous analysis due to the influence of a previously sampled sample called carry-over. used. The disposable tip holder 29 comprises a tip holder for holding the disposable tip, and the disposable tip is mounted by pressing the pipette of the sample pipette mechanism 12 from above. The disposable chip disposal box 30 is a box for disposing of disposable chips, and a disposable chip removing mechanism is provided at the disposal entrance.

Furthermore, the sample pipette mechanism 12
A sample table and a sample pipette 32 for aspirating and dispensing a buffer are attached to a movable table 31 movable in XYZ directions. Further, the analyzer 13 includes a reaction table 3 in which a predetermined number of reaction cells are held in a loop at predetermined pitch intervals and rotated and moved according to a predetermined operation sequence.
5, a reagent table 36 on which a predetermined reagent is provided in a loop, a reagent pipette mechanism 37 for discharging a predetermined reagent of the reagent table 36 to a predetermined reaction cell of the reaction table 35 at a reaction cell discharge position 38, A washing tank 39 for washing the pipette of the pipette mechanism 37 or the pipette of the sample pipette mechanism 12, an optical measuring device (not shown) for optically measuring the reaction between the sample and the reagent at a predetermined test stage of the reaction table 35; It has. The reaction cell discharge position 38 is also the discharge position of the sample or the diluted sample by the sample pipette mechanism 12.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the dilution device 2
6 automatically sets a small number of dilution cups so that they can be reused, and details thereof are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In the figure, a diluting device 26 has a rotating shaft 51 extending in the horizontal direction.
a has a circular dilution cup holder 51 which is rotatably supported by a bearing 50, and a cup holder is provided at an outer peripheral portion of the dilution cup holder 51 at every 90 degrees. Dilution cup 52 (specifically, 52
a to 52d) are removably mounted such that their openings face radially outward of the dilution cup holder 51.
At 3, the dilution cup holder 51 is intermittently rotated every 90 degrees. Further, the dilution cup holder 51 and the dilution cup 52 are covered with a cylindrical cover 55, and the cover 55 is a cover body 55 having an open side.
a and a cover lid 55b for closing the opening of the cover body 55a via a sealing member 56 such as an O-ring. Reference numeral 57 in the drawing denotes a ring-shaped seal rubber for sealing between the cover main body 55a and the dilution cup holder 51 to prevent waste liquid and the like from entering the bearing 50, and 58 denotes a bearing attached to the cover main body 55a. 50 is a bearing cover that holds 50.

At the uppermost position of the cover 55, an insertion opening (dilution work opening) 59 as a dilution stage ST into which the pipette of the sample pipette mechanism 12 is inserted is opened, and the lowermost portion of the cover 55 is opened. A waste liquid duct 60 communicating with the waste liquid tank 61 is provided at the position. Furthermore, the central concave portion of the dilution cup holder 51 and the cover lid 55b
A brake core 62 is disposed between the brake core and the brake core 62. The brake core 62 applies a brake braking force to the dilution cup holder 51 every time the dilution cup holder 51 rotates by 90 degrees.
The dilution cup is positioned and fixed. Reference numeral 63 denotes an urging spring for separating the dilution cup holder 51 and the brake core 62 when the brake force of the brake core 62 is released.

At the lowermost part of the cover 55, a cleaning nozzle 70 from which a cleaning liquid is jetted upward is provided. The cleaning nozzle 70 is connected to a cleaning pump 71, and the cleaning pump 71 is connected to a first cleaning tank 7 in which a detergent solution is stored via a first opening / closing valve 72.
3 and connected via a second opening / closing valve 74 to a second cleaning tank 75 storing pure water. In the present embodiment, the first on-off valve 72
Is opened for a predetermined time and then closed, and then the second opening / closing valve 74 is opened for a predetermined time.

Further, an air nozzle 80 having an air outlet directed to the left is provided at the rightmost portion of the cover 55 in FIG. 4, and the air nozzle 80 is provided with an air valve 8 such as a solenoid valve.
1, and is connected to a compressor 82 so that the air valve 81 is opened for a predetermined time every time the dilution cup holder 51 rotates 90 degrees so that air is blown out from the blowout port.

Next, the operation of the dilution device according to the present embodiment will be described. Now, it is assumed that the dilution cup 52a is set on the dilution stage ST as shown in FIG.
At this time, the sample pipette mechanism 12 (see FIG. 2)
A sample and a diluent (buffer) are dispensed into the dilution cup 52a, and the diluted sample M is set as a test target on the analyzer 13 side.

Further, since the dilution cup 52b transferred 90 degrees from the dilution stage ST changes to a horizontal position, the diluted sample M in the dilution cup 52b used in the previous test is used.
Spills naturally, and the waste liquid duct 6
It reaches 0 and is collected in the waste liquid tank 61.

Further, the diluting cup 52c transferred by 180 degrees from the diluting stage ST changes to a downward posture facing the waste liquid duct 60. At this time, first, the detergent liquid is ejected from the cleaning nozzle 70 into the dilution cup 52c for a predetermined time, and then pure water is discharged for a predetermined time in the dilution cup 52c.
It is ejected toward c. Therefore, the dilution cup 52
The inside of c is completely washed with a cleaning liquid W composed of a detergent liquid and pure water, and the cleaning waste liquid is collected in a waste liquid tank 61 via a waste liquid duct 60.

Further, the dilution cup 52d transferred by 270 degrees from the dilution stage ST changes to the right sideways posture. At this time, the air A is blown out from the air nozzle 80 for a predetermined time, the water droplets adhering in the dilution cup 52d are blown off, and the dilution cup 52d is completely dried.

When the test items for the diluted sample M are completed, the dilution cup holder 51 rotates by 90 degrees in the direction of the arrow, and the used dilution cup 5 is moved from the dilution stage ST.
2a is transferred, and a new dilution cup 52d, which has been washed and dried, is set on the dilution stage ST, and dilution processing for the next sample is performed.

Second Embodiment FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of a diluting apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The diluting device 26 according to the present embodiment is similar to the diluting device according to the first embodiment.
However, unlike the first embodiment,
Dilution cup 52 transferred 90 degrees from dilution stage ST
b, a first cleaning nozzle 70a
And a second cleaning nozzle 70b is provided in a portion of the cover 55 facing the dilution cup 52c transferred by 180 degrees from the dilution stage ST.
0a is a first cleaning pump 71a, a first opening / closing valve 72
The second cleaning nozzle 70b is connected to the first cleaning tank 73 storing the detergent liquid through the second cleaning pump 71b and the second opening / closing valve 74 to store pure water. The second washing tank 75 is connected to the second washing tank 75. Note that components similar to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted here.

Therefore, the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the cleaning process. That is, the dilution stage S
Since the dilution cup 52b transported 90 degrees from T changes to the horizontal orientation, the dilution cup 5 used in the previous inspection is used.
In addition to the spontaneous spilling of the diluted sample M in 2b, the detergent liquid W1 is spouted from the first washing nozzle 70a into the dilution cup 52b for a predetermined time, and the inside of the dilution cup 52b is washed with the washing liquid W1 composed of the detergent solution. Then, the diluted sample M and the washing waste liquid (detergent liquid W1) reach the waste liquid duct 60 through the inner wall of the cover 55 and are collected in the waste liquid tank 61.

Further, the dilution cup 52c transported 180 degrees from the dilution stage ST changes to a downward position facing the waste liquid duct 60. At this time, the second cleaning nozzle 70
From b, pure water W2 is jetted into the dilution cup 52c for a predetermined time. For this reason, the inside of the dilution cup 52c is completely washed with the washing liquid composed of the pure water W2, and the washing waste liquid is collected in the waste liquid tank 61 through the waste liquid duct 60.

Third Embodiment FIG. 8 shows a third embodiment of a diluting apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The diluting device 26 according to the present embodiment is similar to the diluting device according to the first embodiment.
However, unlike the first embodiment,
The circular dilution cup holder 51 has three dilution cups 52 (52a to 52c) detachably provided at every 120 degrees, and a cover 55 portion facing the dilution cup 52b transferred 102 degrees from the dilution stage ST. Is provided with a washing nozzle 70, and an air nozzle 80 is provided on a portion of the cover 55 facing the dilution cup 52c transferred 240 degrees from the dilution stage ST. Note that components similar to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted here.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the dilution cup 52a is now set on the dilution stage ST, and the sample to be tested and the diluent (buffer) are dispensed into the dilution cup 52a. Suppose

At this time, since the dilution cup 52b transported 120 degrees from the dilution stage ST changes to a diagonally downward leftward posture, the dilution cup 52 used in the previous inspection is used.
The diluted sample M in b is naturally spilled, reaches the waste liquid duct 60 through the inner wall of the cover 55, and is collected in the waste liquid tank 61.
Further, from the cleaning nozzle 70, first, the detergent liquid is jetted into the dilution cup 52b for a predetermined time, and then pure water is jetted into the dilution cup 52b for a predetermined time.
For this reason, the inside of the dilution cup 52b is completely washed with the cleaning liquid W composed of the detergent liquid and pure water, and the cleaning waste liquid
0 and is collected in the waste liquid tank 61.

Further, the dilution cup 52c transferred 240 degrees from the dilution stage ST changes to a diagonally downward rightward posture. At this time, the air A is blown out from the air nozzle 80 for a predetermined time, water drops adhering in the dilution cup 52c are blown off, and the dilution cup 52c is completely dried.

When the test items for the diluted sample M are completed, the dilution cup holder 51 rotates by 120 degrees in the direction of the arrow, and the used dilution cup 52a is transferred from the dilution stage ST. A new dilution cup 52c that has been washed and dried is set, and a dilution process is performed on the next sample.

[0035]

As described above, according to the present invention, a small number of dilution containers are circulated and transferred to the dilution stage by the movable holder, and the diluted sample of the used dilution container not set in the dilution stage is used. After the washing, the dilution container is washed and dried, a new dilution container can be automatically reset to the dilution stage, so that the dilution container can be reused repeatedly. For this reason, it is not necessary to set or remove the same number of dilution vessels as the number of specimens on the sample table or the like as in the past, and when removing the dilution vessels and moving to the washing process. It is possible to completely avoid a contamination accident in which a diluted sample is spilled into the sample.

In particular, in the present invention, the maintenance of the movable holder and the dilution container can be easily performed if the dilution container is detachably provided on the movable holder. Further, in the present invention, a diluting container that opens radially outward is provided around a rotary holder having a rotation axis in the horizontal direction, and the diluted sample in the diluting container is rotated with the rotational movement operation of the rotary holder. By spilling the diluted sample naturally, it is not necessary to change the posture of the dilution container with respect to the moving holder in order to discard the diluted sample, and the disposability of the diluted sample in the dilution container can be made easier. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a dilution device in an automatic analyzer according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an automatic analyzer in which the dilution device according to the first embodiment is incorporated.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory plan view of a sampler and an analyzer of the automatic analyzer of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory front view of the dilution device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation state of the dilution device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory front view of a dilution device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory front view of a dilution device according to a third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Dispensing means, 2 (2a-2d) ... Dilution container, 3 ... Moving holder, 4 ... Waste liquid treatment means, 5 ... Cleaning means, 6 ... Drying means, 11 ... Sampler, 12 ... Sample pipette mechanism,
26: dilution apparatus, 51: dilution cup holder, 52 (52
a to 52d) ... dilution cup, 53 ... drive motor, 55 ...
Cover, 60: waste liquid duct, 61: waste liquid tank, 70, 70
a, 70b: cleaning nozzle, 80: air nozzle

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A diluting device for dispensing a specimen and a diluent by a dispensing means (1) into a diluting container (2) set on a diluting stage (ST), comprising a plurality of diluting containers (2: 2a to 2). 2d) are provided at predetermined intervals, and a moving holder (3) in which each dilution container (2) is intermittently circulated and transferred to the dilution stage (ST); The waste liquid treatment means (4) in which the diluted sample and other waste liquid in the used dilution container (2) transferred from the ST) are discarded, and the used dilution container (2) in which the diluted sample is discarded are washed. Cleaning means (5); and a dilution container (2) after the cleaning treatment by the cleaning means (5).
And a drying unit (6) for drying the sample. 2. The diluting device according to claim 1, wherein the movable holder (3) holds the diluting container (2) in a detachable manner. 3. The dilution container according to claim 1, wherein the movable holder comprises a rotary holder having a rotation axis in a horizontal direction, and a diluting container opened radially outward around the rotary holder. 2) A diluting device in an automatic analyzer, wherein the diluting device is provided at predetermined intervals.