JPH11304810A - Specimen processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a specimen processing system, in which the height and depth of cases of plural kinds of processing units constituting the system are unified to constitute an inspection room with a fine view and a good work environment and to enable an operator to see the moving part of a knife from the outside. SOLUTION: This specimen processing system is constituted by linearly arranging specimen processing units such as a conveyance line unit 1, a buffer unit 2, a centrifuge unit 3, an unplugging unit 4, an on-line dispensation unit 5, a bar code labeler 6, an unplugging unit 7, a classification unit 8, an off-line dispensation unit 9, and an analysis unit. The maximum height, the height to a top board, and the width of all the processing units are respectively constituted the same, and the width is made to be an integral multiple of the prescribed size.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sample processing system, and more particularly, to a sample processing system capable of automatically testing a sample such as blood in a clinical test field.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A sample processing system according to the prior art includes a plurality of various processing units having a built-in rack transport unit, for example, a centrifugal separation unit, an opening unit, a dispensing unit, a barcode labeling unit, a closing unit, and the like. Including a classification unit, an analysis unit, and a transport line connecting these processing units, a processing unit and a processing unit, a transport line and a processing unit, or
In general, a transport line and a transport line are connected in series.

[0003]

In the above-described sample processing system according to the prior art, each of a plurality of types of processing units constituting the system is separately designed for each processing unit, and the width and height of each housing are different. , Depth and the like are different for each housing. For this reason, the sample processing system according to the prior art, which is configured by arranging these processing units in series, impairs the landscape of the test room in which the sample processing system is installed due to the uneven height and uneven depth, deteriorating the environmental condition. There is a problem in that.

[0004] That is, irregularities in height dimensions cause problems that the view is spoiled and that when the inspector performs work in each processing unit, the work posture must be changed for each unit. In addition, the unevenness of the depth dimension means that, when a plurality of processing units are arranged with the back side of each processing unit aligned, the operation side on the front side becomes uneven, and the flow line of the operator becomes complicated, which poses a danger to the operator. Create a problem. Furthermore, the unevenness of the depth dimension is caused by the fact that, when a plurality of processing units are arranged with the front side of each processing unit aligned, the front of the other unit is aligned with the unit with the largest depth dimension, so that a unit with a small depth dimension is This causes a problem that a space is wasted on the back side and the installation efficiency of the entire processing system is reduced. For this reason, the entire space due to the installation space of the processing system and the walking space of the operator who performs the inspection and the like becomes large, causing a problem that the floor area of the inspection room becomes large.

In the conventional sample processing system, when a plurality of processing units are arranged such that the front sides of the processing units are aligned, when a certain processing unit is replaced, the depth dimension of the replaced new unit becomes smaller than the existing processing unit. If it is larger than the depth of the unit, there arises a problem that all the processing units constituting the sample processing system must be rearranged.

Further, the sample processing system according to the prior art includes a unit having a moving part in each processing unit,
For example, many are configured so that the operations performed in the opening unit, dispensing unit, barcode labeler unit, and closing unit cannot be seen from outside, and the inspector can check the work status from outside the unit. Since it cannot be confirmed, there is a problem that the user feels uneasy.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, to unify the height and depth dimensions of a plurality of types of processing units constituting a sample processing system by unifying them, It is an object of the present invention to provide a sample processing system capable of configuring an examination room having a good working environment.

Another object of the present invention is to configure each processing unit so that a moving part of the processing unit is visible to an operator from the outside, so that a working operator can easily confirm the operation state of the unit. Another object of the present invention is to provide a sample processing system capable of obtaining necessary information and preventing an operator from feeling tired.

[0009]

According to the present invention, the above object is achieved by providing a plurality of types of sample processing units for processing a sample linearly along a sample transport line for transporting a sample rack holding a sample, or In a sample processing system configured to be arranged in an L-shape, this is achieved by configuring the sample processing units to have the same depth dimension, height dimension to the top plate, and maximum height dimension.

[0010] Each of the sample processing units has a depth of about 760 mm, a height up to the top surface of the top plate of about 930 mm, and a height of 1360 mm or less. Further, the object is that the width dimension of each of the sample processing units is set to an integral multiple of a predetermined dimension, and each processing unit is used in common with the member having the predetermined dimension as a unit. This is achieved by configuring each processing unit with a member that can be shared with each other.

[0011] Further, the object is that a plurality of types of sample processing units for processing a sample include a buffer unit, a centrifugal separation unit, an opening unit, an online dispensing unit, a bar code labeler unit, a closing unit, a classification unit, and an offline unit. This is achieved by being a note unit and an analysis unit.

[0012] Further, the object is that the plugging unit is constituted by exposing a hopper into which the plug is inserted, and the hopper is provided with a transparent window through which the inserted plug can be seen. In addition, by providing a transparent window through which a hole for discarding the stopper is visible, the barcode labeler unit further comprises a transparent window through which the operation of a robot performing a rotary motion of grasping and sticking the barcode label is visible. This is achieved by providing the online dispensing unit and the offline dispensing unit with a transparent window through which the moving range of the dispensing nozzle can be seen.

In the sample processing system of the present invention, the height dimensions of a plurality of processing units constituting the sample processing system are
Since the eye height of a Japanese woman with a small height of 1500 mm is unified to about 1360 mm or less, an examination room with a good view can be provided. In addition, since the sample processing system of the present invention has the same height of the top plate of the plurality of processing units constituting the sample processing system, the sample processing system has good cleaning properties and can quickly remove scattered samples and reagents. It can be kept clean with good workability.

Further, in the sample processing system of the present invention, since the plurality of processing units constituting the sample processing system have the same depth dimension, a system in which the units can be easily installed and which has no irregularities can be constructed. , A good environment can be created, and the operator can concentrate on the work. Furthermore, the sample processing system of the present invention prevents the operator from feeling tired because the operator can easily confirm the operation state of each processing unit and obtain necessary information. can do.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a sample processing system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the appearance of a sample processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the movement of a sample rack 10 as viewed from the top in FIG. 1, and FIG.
FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating functions of main parts of the sample processing system. 1 to 3, 1 is a transport line unit,
1a is a sample input unit, 1b is a transport line, 1c is a sample rack storage unit, 2 is a buffer unit, 3 is a centrifugal separation unit, 4 is an opening unit, 5 is an online dispensing unit,
6 is a bar code labeler unit, 7 is a closure unit, 8
Is a classification unit, 9 is an offline dispensing unit, 10 is a sample rack, 11 is a general sample erection unit, 12 is an emergency sample erection unit, 13 is a priority sample erection unit, 14 is a default buffer unit, 15 is a reading unit, and 16 is a reading unit. Rack unloading buffer unit, 17 is a central control unit, 18a and 18b are input ports, 19
Is a sample rack with an empty test tube or empty cup.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sample processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a transport line unit 1, a buffer unit 2, a centrifugal separation unit 3, an opening unit 4, an online dispensing unit 5, a bar code A sample processing unit such as a labeler unit 6, a stopper unit 7, a classification unit 8, an off-line dispensing unit 9, and an analysis unit (not shown) is linearly arranged. This arrangement may be an arrangement that is not a straight line but an L-shaped partway along the way, depending on the size of the examination room and the like. The analysis unit not shown in the figure is the off-line dispensing unit 9
It may be installed between the sample buffer storage unit 1c and the default buffer unit 14, or may be installed at a position following the sample rack storage unit 1c in a straight line or at right angles in an L-shape.

The detailed shape and the like of each processing unit in the above-described sample processing system will be described later.
The characteristic point of the sample processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in the following is that the maximum height dimension of all the processing units, the height dimension to the top plate and the depth dimension are the same, and the width dimension is The point is that it is configured to be an integral multiple of a predetermined dimension.

That is, the maximum height is 1360 mm or less, which is slightly lower than the eye height when the average height of a Japanese woman is 1530 mm, and the height to the top is lower than the arm. The height of the elbow at the time is set to about 930 mm. As a result, even a person with a height of 1500 mm can fully see the other side of the processing system,
Further, work on the top plate and cleaning on the top plate can be easily performed. In addition, the depth dimension is set to 760 mm, which is a distance sufficiently reaching the back side when reaching in a forward leaning posture. Further, the width dimension is set as an integral multiple of 150 mm. As a result, the front part and the side part have a width of
It is possible to configure by combining 0 mm members, and it is possible to share many members. In addition,
If a member having a width of 300 mm is also prepared and used in combination with a member having a width of 150 mm, the number of members increases, but the number of assembly steps can be reduced.

Next, the function of each processing unit constituting the system and the outline of the entire processing operation will be described with reference to FIGS. A sample to be processed, for example, blood or the like is placed in a test tube or the like, placed on a sample rack 10 capable of holding a plurality of test tubes, and carried into the illustrated system. In the following description, a sample placed in a test tube or the like is referred to as a sample including the test tube. The processing operation and the operation of the transport line in each processing unit are controlled by the central control unit shown in FIG.

First, the general sample erection unit 1 of the sample input unit 1a
After setting the sample rack 10 on which the sample has been loaded (held) or the sample rack 10 on which the emergency sample has been loaded (held) in the emergency sample erection unit 12, the system starts processing. The processing is performed by transporting the sample rack 10 transported from the emergency sample installation section 12 with priority over the sample rack 10 transported from the general sample installation section 11.

The sample racks 10 are sequentially conveyed and sent to the reading unit 15, where the rack type (rack I
D) and sample recognition (identification) number (sample number, sample ID)
Is read, communicated, and registered in the central control unit 17 that controls the transport line 1. The sample rack 10 in which the reading error has occurred is taken out to the rack take-out buffer unit 16. The sample rack 10 taken out to the buffer unit 16 can be loaded again from the general sample erection unit 11. The sample rack in which the rack information has been registered in the central control unit 17 is transported to the next transport line 1b.

The sample rack 10 to be stopped at the centrifugal separation unit 3 is first stored in the buffer unit 2, and the buffer unit 2 is filled with eight racks or a preset timeout time. With one of the above, one rack is continuously transported to the next transport line 1b. When the sample rack 10 is transported to an arbitrary position on the transport line 1 b connected to the centrifugal separation unit 3, the sample rack 10 is carried into the centrifuge unit 3 one by one by handling of the centrifuge unit 3, and Is centrifuged for a preset centrifugation time, and is carried out one rack at a time on the carrying line 1b at an arbitrary position where the centrifugation is carried in.

The sample rack 10 that does not stop at the centrifuge unit 3 is transported to the transport line 1b connected to the centrifuge unit 3 without stopping at the buffer unit 2. The buffer unit 2 is provided to increase the processing speed by suspending the sample rack 10 in which the processing by the reading unit 15 of the sample rack 10 to be centrifuged next is completed during the centrifugal processing to improve the processing speed. May not be provided.

In the next process, the sample rack 10 to be stopped at the opening unit 4 is transported to the transport line 1b connected to the opening unit 4, and is loaded into the opening unit 4. After opening the test tube of the sample on the sample rack 10, the opening unit 4 connects the sample rack 10 to the opening unit 4 and unloads the sample rack 10 to the transport line 1 b connected to the unit for performing the next processing. . The sample rack 10 that does not stop at the opening unit 4 is transported from the transport line 1b connected to the opening unit 4 to the next unit. The centrifugal separation unit 3 carries out loading and unloading continuously to centrifuge up to eight racks at a time. For this reason, a buffer unit may be provided between the centrifugal separation unit 3 and the plug opening unit 4 so that the transport line 1b does not stagnate when the sample rack 10 is unloaded from the centrifuge unit 3.

Next, if there is no sample rack 10 on the transport line 1b connected to the online dispensing unit 5, the sample rack 10 to be stopped at the online dispensing unit 5 is transported to the online dispensing unit 5. It is conveyed to the line 1b and carried into the online dispensing unit 5. In the online dispensing unit 5, a sample rack 19 in which an empty test tube or an empty cup for aspirating the serum of the centrifuged sample and discharging the aspirated serum is placed (held) is set in the input port 18. And is made to stand by in advance at the discharge position. In this state, the transport line 1b
In the sample rack 10 that has dropped into the online dispensing unit 5, only the requested sample is dispensed according to an instruction from the central control unit 17. After dispensing, the sample rack 10 is carried out to the transport line 1b connected to the online dispensing unit 5. Further, the child sample rack 19 made by dispensing is also carried out. The sample rack 10 that does not stop at the online dispensing unit 5 is connected to the online dispensing unit 5 and transported to the transport line 1b connected to the next unit.

Thereafter, the sample racks 10 and 19 are transported together on the transport line, but in the following description, the mixed racks will be described as the sample rack 10 without distinction. I do.

Next, the sample rack 19 to be stopped at the bar code labeler unit 6 is transported to the transport line 1b connected to the bar code labeler unit 6, and is loaded into the bar code labeler unit 6. A sample identification number associated with the parent sample dispensed or a different sample identification number is attached to each test tube of the loaded sample rack 19, and after the reading is confirmed, the transport is connected to the barcode labeler unit 6. It is carried out to the line 1b. The sample rack 10 that does not stop at the barcode labeler unit 6 is connected to the barcode labeler unit 6, and is transported to the transport line 1b connected to the next unit.

Next, the sample racks 10 and 19 to be stopped at the stopper unit 7 are transported to the transport line 1b connected to the stopper unit 7, and are carried into the stopper unit 7.
The plugging unit 7 plugs the test tube of the sample on each of the loaded sample racks, and is carried out to the transport line 1b connected to the plugging unit 7. The sample racks 10 and 19 that do not stop at the stopper unit 7 are connected to the stopper unit 7 and are transported to the transport line 1b connected to the next unit.

Next, the sample rack 10 to be stopped at the sorting unit 8 is transported to the transport line 1b connected to the sorting unit 8, and is loaded into the sorting unit 8. Of the test tubes of the loaded sample rack 10, only the test tubes for which an online test is requested are transferred to the designated position, and after the transfer is completed, the transfer line 1b connected to the classification unit 8
And transported to an analysis unit (not shown). The sample rack 10 that does not stop at the sorting unit 8 is transported to the transport line 1b connected to the sorting unit 8, and is transported to the transport line 1b connected to the next unit.

Next, the sample rack 10 to be stopped at the off-line dispensing unit 9 is transported to the transport line 1b connected to the off-line dispensing unit 9, and only the sample requested to be inspected is dispensed into a designated container. After the end of the injection, it is transported to the transport line 1b connected to the offline dispensing unit 9. The sample rack 10 that does not stop at the offline dispensing unit 9 is carried out to the next transport line 1b. Also, a sample rack 10 that stops at an analysis unit (not shown)
Is carried into the transport line 1b connected to the analysis unit, and in the analysis unit (not shown), only the requested sample is dispensed into a designated container and analyzed, and after the completion, the sample is transferred to the transport line 1b connected to the analysis unit. It is transported and returned.

Sample rack 1 that does not stop at the analysis unit
0 is carried out to the next transport line 1b and carried out to the next sample rack storage unit 1c. Sample rack 1 output to default buffer unit 14 due to reset processing and opening error
0 can be reset in the priority sample erection unit 13 to continue the processing. That is, the priority sample erection unit 13
Is transported to the transport line 1b, transported to the emergency sample erection unit 12, and thereafter processed according to the same procedure as described above.

Next, the configuration of each processing unit constituting the sample processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Although the inside of the housing of each unit is not shown, a mechanism for moving the unit, a circuit board for control, a power supply, an unnecessary lid, etc. are provided inside the housing of each unit. There is a waste box for stocking. Since these mechanisms and the like are not directly related to the present invention, their description is omitted.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the shape of the sample rack input section 1a. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 41 denotes a sample rack inlet, 42 denotes an error rack outlet, 43 denotes a liquid crystal display unit, 44 denotes an emergency sample inlet, 45 denotes a side panel, 46 denotes a front panel, 47 denotes a top panel, and 48 denotes a transparent cover. It is.

The sample rack input section 1a includes a front panel 46.
A sample rack input port 41 and a rack removal buffer unit 16 (not shown in FIG. 4) are provided at the upper part of a box-shaped housing formed by the box and the side plate 45. , An emergency sample inlet 44 and a barcode reading unit 15 are provided. As shown in FIG. 4A, an error rack take-out port 42 for taking out a sample rack from the rack take-out buffer section 16 and various information in this unit are displayed on the rack take-out buffer section 16, A top plate 47 having a touch panel type liquid crystal display unit 43 for instructing necessary operation information is provided. Then, as shown in FIG. 4B, a transparent cover 48 is provided on the error rack take-out port 42 and the sample rack input port 41 so that the operator can see the state of the internal sample rack. ing.

In the illustrated sample rack loading section 1a, the front panel 46 is formed of two members having a different length and a width of 150 mm, or one member having a different length and a width of 300 mm. The total width is 600 mm. The two types of members constituting the front panel 46 are common to other units to be described later. The height of the transparent cover 48 up to the upper surface is the top plate 47.
Is the same as the height dimension up to the upper surface of.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the shape of the centrifugal separation unit 3. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 51 denotes a rack gripper;
Is a front panel, 53 is a side plate, 54 is a cover, 55 is a transparent window, and 56 is a top plate.

As shown in FIG. 5 (a), the centrifugal separator 3 is housed in a box-shaped housing formed by a front panel 52 and a side plate 53. The sample rack 10 is inserted through the notch hole of the top plate 56
Is set in a centrifuge, or a rack gripper 51 for taking out the centrifuged sample rack 10 from the centrifuge is provided. The rack holder 51 is covered with a cover 54, and a transparent window 55 is provided on a part of the cover 54 as shown in FIG. ing.

The front panel 52 of the centrifugal separation unit 3 in the illustrated example is composed of five 150 mm wide members, and has a total width of 750 mm. As the members constituting the front panel 52, the same members as the longer members constituting the front panel 46 of the sample rack input section 1a are used. The height dimension of the above-mentioned cover 54 is a height at which the sample rack 10 on which test tubes are placed can be carried therein.
It is about 5 mm.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the shape of the plug opening unit 4. In FIG. 6, 61 is a cap disposal port, 62 is a front panel, 63 is a side panel, 64 is a cover, 65 is a transparent window, 66 is a top panel, 67 is a cover front panel, 68 is a front member, and 69 is an operation switch. is there.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the opening unit 4 includes a box-shaped housing formed by a front panel 62 and a side plate 63, and a top plate 56 provided on an upper portion of the housing. Is provided with a cap disposal port 61 in the notch hole, and a robot arm (not shown) for removing the cap of the test tube loaded on the sample rack 10 and loaded inside the cover 64 provided on the top plate. Is done. Sample rack 10
Is carried into the cover 64, the cap is removed from the test tube, and the cap is removed from the cap disposal port 61.
Is thrown away into a waste box (not shown) provided inside the housing. Cover 64 provided on top plate 66
6B is constituted by a transparent window 65, two cover front plates 67, and a front member 68, as shown in FIG.
The inside can be seen through the transparent window 65. An operation switch 69 is provided at the front end of the top board 66. A removable ring-shaped member is provided around the entrance of the above-mentioned cap disposal port 61. Even when the ring-shaped member is contaminated by a sample attached to the cap, the ring-shaped member can be removed and washed. .

The front panel 62 of the plug opening unit 4 in the illustrated example has three members each having a width of 150 mm or a width of 1 member.
It is composed of two members of 50 mm and 300 mm in width, and has a total width of 450 mm. As the members constituting the front panel 62, the same members as the longer members constituting the front panel 46 of the sample rack input section 1a are used. The height of the cover 64 is set to about 125 mm, which is a height at which the sample rack 10 on which the test tube is placed can be carried therein.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the shape of the online dispensing unit 5. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 71 denotes a dispensing head,
72 is a front panel, 73 is a side plate, 74 is a dispensing robot, 75 is a liquid crystal display, 76 is a transparent window, 77 is a transparent cover, and 78 is a transparent plate.

FIG. 7A shows the online dispensing unit 5.
As shown in FIG. 7, a dispensing robot 74 having two dispensing heads 71 for separating a part of a sample from a sample into an empty test tube on a box-shaped housing formed by a front panel 72 and a side plate 73. And a portion provided with input ports 18a and 18b into which a sample rack in which an empty test tube or an empty cup is placed is placed on the housing. The dispensing robot 74 is provided at the height position of the top plate of each unit in the housing up to the above. A liquid crystal display section 75 is provided at a position substantially equal to the height of the work surface at the corner of the front end of the front panel 72 in a shape protruding from the front panel. Although not shown, the display screen of the liquid crystal display unit 75 displays the positional relationship between the dispensing robot 74, the sample, and the empty test tube, and also provides a touch-type instruction for instructing the dispensing robot 74 to perform an operation. A button appears. As shown in FIG. 7B, a transparent window 76 is provided on a side surface of the dispensing robot 74, and an openable / closable transparent cover 7 is provided on an upper portion thereof.
7 is provided, and a transparent plate 78 is provided on the input ports 18a and 18b. These transparent windows, covers, and transparent plates are for enabling the operator to see the inside.

The maximum height dimension of the on-line dispensing unit 5 in the illustrated example is about 1360 mm, and the transparent cover 77 which can be opened and closed by a hinge or the like from this position can be easily used even by a person with a height of about 1500 mm. It is possible to open upward. Further, the liquid crystal display unit 75 is oriented in the direction of the work surface and is provided at a height of about 900 mm. Suitable and
It is possible to reduce the occurrence of erroneous operations by reducing the viewpoint movement of the operator.

The front panel 72 of the dispensing unit 5 in the illustrated example is made up of eight 150 mm wide members or four 300 mm wide members having a total width of 1200 m.
m. The members at the positions of the input ports 18a and 18b of the members forming the front panel 72 and the members at the position of the display unit 75 are the shorter members forming the front panel 46 of the sample rack input unit 1a. The same components are used, and the other members are the front panel 4 of the sample rack input section 1a.
The same members as those having the larger length constituting 6 are used. The height of the transparent plate 78 up to the upper surface is the same as the height of the other units up to the upper surface of the top plate.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the shape of the bar code labeler unit 6. 8, 81 is a bar code labeler robot, 82 is a front panel, 83 is a side plate, 8
4 is a cover, 85 is a transparent window, 86 is a top plate, 87 is a cover front plate, 88 is a cover side plate, and 89 is an operation switch.

The bar code labeler unit 6 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (a), the housing comprises a box-shaped housing formed by a front panel 82 and a side plate 83, and a bar code labeler robot 81 provided above a top plate 86 provided above the housing. Is done. The bar code labeler unit 6 provided on the top plate 86 is covered by a cover 84. When the sample rack 10 is carried into the cover 84, the bar code label is grasped from a printer (not shown) and the test is performed. Perform the operation of sticking it at the position where the pipe is located. The robot 81 is provided on the cover 84 to perform the above-described operation with a rotational movement, and a transparent window 85 for viewing the inside state is provided as shown in FIG.
It is formed in a cylindrical shape and can be opened and closed while rotating. A cover front plate 87 and a cover side plate 88 are provided on both sides of the transparent window 85.
The cover front plate 87 and the cover side plate 88 have the same shape as the cover front plate 67 described with reference to FIG. An operation switch 89 is provided at a front end of the top plate 86.

The front panel 82 of the bar code labeler unit 6 in the illustrated example has three 150 mm wide members,
Alternatively, it is composed of two members having a width of 150 mm and a width of 300 mm, and has a total width of 450 mm. As a member constituting the front panel 82, the same member as the longer member constituting the front panel 46 of the sample rack input section 1a is used. Also, the height dimension of the cover 64 described above is
The height is set to about 125 mm, which is a height at which the sample rack 10 on which test tubes are loaded can be carried inside.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the shape of the plugging unit 7. 9, 91 is a hopper, 92 is a front panel, 93 is a side plate, 94 is a cover, 95 is a transparent window, 9
6 is a top plate, 97 is a cover front plate, 98 is a lid, and 99 is an operation switch.

The plugging unit 7 has basically the same shape as the plugging unit 4 and is configured as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, a box-shaped housing formed by a front panel 92 and a side plate 93, and a top plate 5 provided on an upper portion of the housing
A stopper robot (not shown) for capping the test tube loaded with the sample rack 10 loaded inside the cover 94 provided on the top plate 96 on the top plate 96 is provided.
When the sample rack 10 is carried inside the cover 64,
The capping robot performs an operation of attaching the cap put in the hopper 91 to the test tube.

As shown in FIG. 9B, the hopper 91 has a transparent window 95 on the front surface thereof, a lid 98 that opens when the cap is inserted, and a hopper 91 at the top. A part of the housing is configured as shown in c). A cover front plate 97 is provided on both sides of the cover 94 in contact with the transparent window 95 of the hopper 91. The cover front plate 97 has the same shape as the cover front plate 67 described with reference to FIG. Is done. An operation switch 99 is provided at the front end of the top plate 96.

The front panel 92 of the stopper unit 7 in the illustrated example has three 150 mm wide members or
It is composed of two members of 50 mm and 300 mm in width, and has a total width of 450 mm. As the members constituting the front panel 92, the same members as the longer members constituting the front panel 46 of the sample rack input section 1a are used. The height of the cover 64 is set to about 125 mm, which is a height at which the sample rack 10 having a test tube placed therein can be carried.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the shapes of the off-line dispensing unit 9 and the sorting unit 8. In FIG. 10, 101 is a dispensing head, 102 is a chuck, 103 is a transparent window, and 104 is a transparent cover.

The off-line dispensing unit 9 and the classification unit 8 are basically configured in the same manner as the portion of the on-line dispensing unit 5 described with reference to FIG. That is, the offline dispensing unit 9
As shown in FIG. 10A, a dispensing head 101 that divides a part of a sample from a sample into an empty test tube, an empty cup, or the like on a box-shaped housing formed by a front panel and a side plate.
Is provided and provided. The off-line dispensing robot of the off-line dispensing unit 9 differs from the on-line dispensing unit 5 only in that only one dispensing head 101 is provided. It is configured. Further, as shown in FIG. 10B, the classification unit 8 is a robot having a chuck 102 for grasping a test tube and moving to a predetermined position according to the classification instead of the dispensing head 101 of the dispensing robot. Thus, it is configured similarly to the dispensing unit. As shown in FIG. 10C, a transparent window 103 is provided on a side surface of the robot portion of the off-line dispensing unit 9 and the classification unit 8, and a transparent cover 104 which can be opened and closed is provided on an upper portion thereof.

The front panel of the off-line dispensing unit 9 and the classification unit 8 in the illustrated example is constituted by four members having a width of 150 mm or two members having a width of 300 mm, and has a total width of 600 mm. As the members constituting the front panel, the same two members as the longer and shorter members constituting the front panel 46 of the sample rack input section 1a are used.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the shape of the sample rack storage section 1c. 11, reference numeral 111 denotes a sample rack storage line, 112 denotes a front panel, 113 denotes a side plate, 1
14 is a transparent plate.

As shown in FIG. 11A, the sample rack storage unit 1c stores the processed sample rack in a box-shaped housing formed by the front panel 112 and the side plate 113. A plurality of sample rack storage lines 111 are provided. A transparent plate 114 is provided on the sample rack storage line 111 so as to be removable.

The front panel 112 of the sample rack storage section 1c in the illustrated example is composed of four 150 mm wide members or two 300 mm wide members, and has a total width of 600 mm.
It is. As the members constituting the front panel, the same members as the longer members constituting the front panel 46 of the sample rack input section 1a are used. Also, the transparent plate 114
Is the same as the height of the other units to the top surface of the top plate.

Although the above-described sample processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention is described as including one online dispensing unit and one offline dispensing unit, the present invention provides a plurality of these dispensing units. It can also be provided.

[0061]

As described above, according to the present invention, the heights and depths of the housings of a plurality of types of processing units constituting the sample processing system are unified and uniform, so that the view and operation can be performed. An environment-friendly examination room can be configured.

Further, according to the present invention, since each processing unit is configured so that a moving part of the unit can be seen from outside by an operator, the operator during work can easily change the operation state of the unit. It is possible to confirm and obtain necessary information, and it is possible to prevent the operator from feeling tired.

Further, according to the present invention, since the height of the top plate of each unit and the height of the display unit are unified, it is not necessary for the operator to change the working posture for each unit, and the work can be performed for a long time. Even if the operation is performed, it is possible to prevent the operator from getting tired.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a sample processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state of movement of a sample rack viewed from the upper surface of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating functions of main parts of the sample processing system.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a shape of a sample rack input section.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a shape of a centrifugal separation unit.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the shape of the plug opening unit.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a shape of a dispensing unit.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the shape of a barcode labeler unit.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the shape of the plugging unit.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the shapes of an off-line dispensing unit and a classification unit.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a shape of a sample rack storage unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Transport line unit 1a Sample input part 1b Transport line 1c Sample rack storage part 2 Buffer unit 3 Centrifuge unit 4 Opening unit 5 Online dispensing unit 6 Barcode labeler unit 7 Closing unit 8 Classification unit 9 Offline dispensing unit 10 Samples Rack 11 General sample erection unit 12 Emergency sample erection unit 13 Priority sample erection unit 14 Default buffer unit 15 Reading unit 16 Rack unloading buffer unit 17 Central control units 18a, 18b Input port 19 Sample rack with empty test tubes or empty cups 41 Sample rack inlet 42 Error rack outlet 43, 75 Liquid crystal display 44 Emergency sample inlet 45, 53, 63, 73, 83, 93, 113 Side plate 46, 52, 62, 72, 82, 92, 112 Front panel 47, 56, 6 , 86, 96 Top plate 48, 77, 104 Transparent cover 51 Rack gripper 54, 64, 84, 94 Cover 55, 65, 76, 85, 95, 103 Transparent window 61 Cap disposal port 67, 87, 97 Cover front plate 68 Front member 69, 89, 99 Operation switch 71, 101 Dispensing head 74 Dispensing robot 78, 114 Transparent plate 81 Barcode labeler robot 88 Cover side plate 91 Hopper 98 Lid 102 Chuck 111 Sample rack storage line

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Yoshiaki Igarashi 882 Ma, Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Pref. Hitachi, Ltd.

Claims (11)

[Claims] A plurality of types of sample processing units for processing a sample are arranged linearly or L-shaped or U-shaped along a sample transport line that transports a sample rack holding a sample. In the sample processing system configured as described above, each of the sample processing units is configured to have the same depth dimension. 2. The sample processing system according to claim 1, wherein each of the sample processing units has the same height dimension up to an upper surface of the top plate. 3. The sample processing system according to claim 1, wherein each of the sample processing units has the same maximum height dimension. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the sample processing units has a depth dimension of about 760 mm, a height dimension to a top surface of the top plate of about 930 mm, and a height dimension of 1360 mm or less. Or the sample processing system according to 3. 5. A width of each of the sample processing units is set to an integral multiple of a predetermined size, and each of the sample processing units uses the member in common with a member having the predetermined size as a unit. The sample processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sample processing system is configured as follows. 6. The sample processing system according to claim 1, wherein each of the sample processing units is formed of a member that can be shared with each other. 7. A plurality of types of sample processing units for processing a sample include a buffer unit, a centrifugal separation unit, an opening unit, an online dispensing unit, a barcode labeler unit, a closing unit, a classification unit, and an offline dispensing unit. The sample processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein 8. The sample processing system according to claim 7, wherein a hopper into which the stopper is inserted is exposed in the stopper unit. 9. The sample processing system according to claim 8, wherein the hopper has a transparent window through which the inserted stopper can be seen. 10. The sample processing system according to claim 7, wherein the opening unit includes a transparent window through which a hole for discarding the stopper is visible. 11. The bar code labeler unit,
8. The sample processing system according to claim 7, further comprising a transparent window in which an operation of a robot performing a rotary motion for grasping and sticking the barcode label can be seen.