JPH1138014A - Reaction tube transferring device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a reaction tube transferring device capable of improving an efficiency of transfer operation and omitting an extra structural strength of the reaction tube. SOLUTION: This device has a horizontal moving base 43 moving freely in the horizontal direction, a reaction tube holding means 58 attached to the horizontal moving base 43 so as to move freely in the vertical direction, and a holding part 22a installed at the bottom part of the reaction tube holding means 58 and always energized to be a close state to hold a reaction tube by an energizing means. When the reaction tube holding means 58 descends, an anti-energizing force is transiently added to the holding part 22a from the opposite direction of the energizing force to make the holding part 22a temporarily turn to an open state and then return to a closed state, so that if the holding part 22a is empty the reaction tube can be hold, and if the holding part 22a has already held the reaction tube the tube will be freed. When the reaction tube holding means 58 ascends, the anti-energizing force is not added to the holding part 22a, so that the holding part 22a can go up while holding the reaction tube.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer for automatically transferring a reaction tube (also referred to as a reaction vessel) used in an automatic analyzer such as an automatic immunoassay apparatus. Related to the device.

[0002]

2. Related Art Conventionally, a non-competitive sandwich method and a competitive method using a one-step method and a two-step method have been known as immunoassays utilizing an antigen-antibody reaction.

A method of measuring the amount of antigen contained in a sample such as blood collected from a patient by a one-step non-competitive sandwich method will be described. For example, an antibody (solid phase antibody) bound to an insoluble simple substance (solid phase) such as an inner wall or a particle (particle) made of a synthetic resin, and an antibody (labeled) bound to a labeling substance such as a radioactive substance, a fluorescent substance, or oxygen (Antibody) is added in advance to the reaction tube to which the sample to be measured is added.

Thus, in the reaction tube, the antigen contained in the sample reacts with the solid-phase antibody by an antigen-antibody reaction (immune reaction) to form an antigen-antibody complex, and at the same time, the antigen-antibody complex is labeled. The antibody is also conjugated to form a conjugate in which the three components of solid phase antibody-antigen-labeled antibody are sandwiched. In this way, the label of the labeled antibody is bound to the solid phase using the antigen in the sample as a mediator.

[0005] Next, an extra labeled antibody other than the label bound to the solid phase and not bound to the antigen added to the reaction tube, an antibody component not involved in the immune reaction, and the like are removed. The separation (B / F separation) operation is performed, and finally, the amount of the label, which is proportional to the amount of the antigen bound to the solid phase, is quantitatively measured by a physical or chemical method utilizing the properties of the label. Determine the antigen concentration in the medium.

[0006] On the other hand, in the non-competitive sandwich method of the two-step method, first, a sample is added to a reaction tube to which only a solid-phase antibody has been previously added to cause a first reaction, and then a labeled antigen is added. This is a method in which a second reaction is performed to perform measurement.

[0007] In addition to the non-competitive sandwich method, a competitive method for competitively reacting the solid phase antibody with an antigen (labeled antigen) previously labeled with a labeling substance and an antigen in a specimen is called a competitive method. There are also known methods.

As an apparatus for automatically performing the measurement in such an immunoassay, an automatic analyzer such as an automatic immunoassay is known. In this automatic analyzer,
A reaction tube transfer device is used that transfers a reaction tube from a reaction tube rack to a reaction tube holder and transfers a reaction tube held in the reaction tube holder to another reaction tube holder. .

In a conventional reaction tube transfer apparatus, a rod-shaped grasping means is pressed into an upper opening of the reaction tube to grasp the reaction tube, and a rod-shaped detaching means is provided in a thick portion of the opening of the reaction tube. The rod-shaped grasping means has been detached from the reaction tube by pressing.

When the reaction tube is transferred using such a rod-shaped grasping means, there is a lack of reliability in the measurement data due to foreign matter entering the inside of the reaction tube, and the rod-shaped grasping means is pressed into and removed from the reaction tube. However, there have been problems such as the necessity of an excessively large motor (increase in cost) due to the necessity of a large amount of force to perform the operation and the increase in the strength of the reaction tube itself (increase in weight).

In addition, in this type of transfer apparatus, it is necessary for operation management to detect whether or not the reaction tube holding means is holding the reaction tube. In the conventional reaction tube gripping detection method, the reaction tube is directly detected using a sensor. In general, a reaction tube was a small cylindrical and transparent body, and it was usual to detect using a reflection type sensor. This reflective sensor is expensive and requires precise adjustment of sensitivity and position, it takes a lot of time to assemble, and there is a large variation in the measurement, and the reliability due to such detection must be reduced. there were.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and can prevent foreign substances from being mixed into the inside of a reaction tube, and requires an excessively large motor. In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a reaction tube transfer device which can improve the efficiency of the transfer operation and can omit extra strength due to the structure of the reaction tube.

Another object of the present invention is to detect the presence or absence of the reaction tube gripping by the reaction tube gripping means, which can reduce the cost of the sensor and provide a reaction system having a novel sensor system which does not require sensitivity adjustment. An object of the present invention is to provide a tube transfer device.

[0014]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, a first aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for performing an automatic analysis using a large number of reaction tubes, in which the reaction tubes are transferred to a predetermined position. There is a horizontal moving table movable in the horizontal direction, a reaction tube gripping means movably mounted in the horizontal moving table in a vertical direction, and a reaction tube provided at the lower end of the reaction tube gripping means and constantly gripping the reaction tube. A grip portion urged by an urging means so as to be in a closed state, and when the reaction tube gripping means descends, temporarily applies a counter- urging force from a direction opposite to the urging direction of the urging means. When the grip is temporarily opened by operating it and then closed again, when the grip is empty, the reaction tube can be gripped, and the grip has already closed the reaction tube. When grasping, the reaction tube can be released, while When elevated 応管 gripping means is characterized in that to be able to rise while holding the reaction tube without exerting anti biasing force to the grip portion.

A second aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for transferring a reaction tube to a predetermined position in an apparatus for performing an automatic analysis using a large number of reaction tubes. A vertical moving table attached to the horizontal moving table in a vertically movable manner, and a reaction tube gripping means provided on the vertical moving table, wherein the reaction tube gripping means can always grip the reaction tube; A grip portion that is urged by the urging means so as to be formed by a pressing protruding portion that can apply a counter- urging force from a direction opposite to the urging direction of the urging means when pressed, When the reaction tube gripping means is lowered, the pressing projection can be temporarily pressed to apply a counter-biasing force to the urging means temporarily, and when the reaction tube gripping means is raised, the pressing projection is pressed. Abutment means that operates without pressing The holding means is fixed to the horizontal moving table and provided on a mounting plate adjacent to the vertical moving table, and when the reaction tube gripping means is lowered, the gripping portion is temporarily opened and then closed again, whereby the gripping is performed. When the part is empty, the reaction tube can be gripped, and when the grip part has already gripped the reaction tube, the reaction tube can be released. It is characterized in that it can be lifted while holding the tube.

A third aspect of the present invention is a device for transferring a reaction tube to a predetermined position in a device for performing automatic analysis using a large number of reaction tubes, comprising: a horizontal movable table movable in a horizontal direction; A vertical moving table attached to the horizontal moving table so as to be vertically movable; and a reaction tube gripping means provided on the vertical moving table, wherein the reaction tube gripping means is fixed to the vertical moving table. A pair of upper lever members whose upper ends are rotatably connected to each other via an upper support shaft attached to the plate so as to be vertically movable, and the upper ends of the pair of upper lever members are rotatable. A pair of lower lever members connected by a pin connection and forming a fulcrum at the lower end thereof and each fulcrum connected by a pin connection via a lower support shaft protruding from the vertical moving table;
A pair of gripping members respectively connected to lower ends of the pair of lower lever members, a biasing unit attached to the reaction tube gripping unit such that the pair of gripping members are normally closed, and the lower lever A pressing projection projecting outward from the outer surface of the member, and being in contact with the pressing projection, being rotatable upward and not rotatable downward. A means is provided on a mounting plate fixed to the horizontal moving table and adjacent to the vertical moving table, and when the reaction tube gripping means is lowered, the pressing projection comes into contact with the contacting means so as to resist the urging means. When the pair of gripping members are temporarily opened and then closed again, the reaction tube can be gripped when the gripping members are empty. The reaction tube can be released when holding the tube. On the other hand, when the reaction tube gripping means is raised, even if the pressing protrusion contacts the corresponding contacting means, the contacting means rotates upward and the gripping member can be lifted while holding the reaction tube. It is characterized by.

The fulcrum portion of the lower lever member is a fulcrum bent portion, and the lower end portion of the lower lever member is bent outward through the fulcrum bent portion to form a bent lower end portion. It is preferable that the curved portion is configured to be pin-connected.

A sensor plate which is displaced in accordance with the reaction tube holding means by the reaction tube holding means is provided on the reaction tube holding means, and a sensor for detecting a displacement state of the sensor plate corresponds to the sensor plate. With this arrangement, it is possible to easily know whether or not the gripper is gripping the reaction tube.

One end of a plate-like sensor plate is rotatably mounted on the mounting plate, and the central portion of the sensor plate is mounted on the upper support shaft, so that the sensor plate can grip or hold the reaction tube of the grip portion. It is configured to be displaced according to the state of non-gripping, and a sensor is provided at a position corresponding to the other end of the sensor plate, and by detecting the displacement of the sensor plate, it is possible to know whether or not the reaction tube is gripped by the gripping portion. In this case, the grasping state of the reaction tube can be known using a transmission type sensor, and the cost can be significantly reduced as compared with a conventional reflection type sensor.

An upper sensor and a lower sensor are used as the sensors, a sensor plate at the highest position of the reaction tube holding means is detected by the upper sensor, and the sensor plate at the lowest position of the reaction tube holding means is detected by the lower sensor. If the detection is performed, there is an advantage that the presence or absence of grasping of the reaction tube at the highest position and the lowest position of the reaction tube holding means can be accurately known.

[0021]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a top view showing one embodiment of an automatic immunoassay apparatus provided with a reaction tube transfer apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of FIG. FIG. 3 is a front elevational view showing a reaction tube transfer device according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a side view of FIG. 3 with a part cut away. FIG. 5 is a pinched side view of the reaction tube gripping means. FIG. 6 is an exploded side view of the reaction tube gripping means. FIG. 7 is an exploded front view of the lower lever member.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the contact means. FIG.
(A)-(d) is front explanatory drawing which shows the reaction tube holding | grip operation | movement of the reaction tube holding | gripping means. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a mounting state of the sensor plate and the sensor. FIGS. 11A and 11B
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a mode of detecting an operating state of the reaction tube gripping means when the sensor is raised by a sensor. FIGS. 12A and 12B
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a mode of detecting an operation state of the reaction tube gripping means when the sensor is lowered by a sensor. FIG. 13 is a front view showing another example of the reaction tube holding means.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 12 denotes an automatic analyzer, specifically, an automatic immunoassay device, which has a reaction tube turret 14 which rotates intermittently at a predetermined speed. At the periphery of the upper surface of the reaction tube turret 14, there is formed a reaction tube holding portion 18 in which a plurality of reaction tube holders 16 are arranged in two rows, an inner row and an outer row.

The number of the reaction tube holders 16 provided on the upper surface of the reaction tube turret 14 may be appropriately set according to the mode of the reaction. In the example shown in FIG. An example in which 60 reaction tube holders 16 are installed is shown.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a reaction tube rack, which includes a number of receiving portions 21.
(In the example of FIG. 1, a case where two reaction tube racks are installed is shown). Reference numeral 22 denotes a reaction tube transfer device, which has a reaction tube gripping member 22a at a lower portion, and transfers the reaction tube held in the receiving portion 21 of the reaction tube rack 20 to the reaction tube holder 16, and Reaction tube holder 16
The desired number of reaction tube holders 16 are skipped and transferred to another reaction tube holder 16.

In this case, the reaction tubes held in the inner or outer rows of the reaction tube holders 16 can be transferred to the same circumference of the reaction tube holders 16, or the other circumference of the reaction tube holders 16 can be transferred. Can also be transferred to The reaction tube transfer device 22 performs a reaction tube supply operation of supplying a reaction tube to the reaction tube holding unit 18 and a reaction tube disposal operation of taking out a measured reaction tube from the reaction tube holding unit 18 and discarding it.

Reference numeral 26 denotes particle supply means for supplying particles to the reaction tube, and a particle nozzle 26a is provided below the particle supply means. Reference numeral 28 denotes a reagent dispensing means for dispensing a labeling reagent into the reaction tube, and a reagent nozzle 28a is provided at a lower portion thereof. Reference numeral 30 denotes a cleaning unit for performing B / F separation. Reference numeral 32 denotes a measuring reagent dispensing means for dispensing the measuring reagent into the reaction tube. Reference numeral 34 denotes a measuring means for measuring the amount of the label in the reaction solution after the reaction in the reaction tube.

Reference numeral 36 denotes a reagent table mechanism having a reagent table 37. The reagent table 37 has a mounting hole 3
7a and 37a are drilled, and the mounting holes 37a and 37a are
Reagent holders 38, 38 are detachably attached via a. A particle bin 40 and a labeled reagent bin 42 are detachably attached to the reagent holders 38, 38, respectively.

The reaction tube transfer device 22, which is the object of the present invention, will be described in more detail. In FIG. 3, the reaction tube transfer device 22 has a base 35. A horizontal guide shaft 39 is fixedly provided on the base 35 in the horizontal direction, and a square shaft 41 is provided rotatably in parallel below the horizontal guide shaft 39.

Reference numeral 43 denotes a horizontal moving table, which includes a horizontal guide shaft 39 and a square shaft 41 via a bearing 44 and a square bearing 46.
Are mounted slidably in the horizontal direction, and a gear 48 is mounted on the angular bearing 46. Reference numeral 50 denotes a linear shaft provided in the vertical direction of the horizontal moving table 43.

Reference numeral 52 denotes a vertical moving table, and the linear shaft 5
0 to the horizontal moving table 43 so as to be vertically movable. Reference numeral 54 denotes a rack provided on the back surface of the vertical moving table 52 so as to extend vertically. The rack 54 meshes with the gear 48 described above, and
By rotating the vertical moving table 52, the vertical moving table 52 can move in the vertical direction.

Numeral 58 denotes a reaction tube holding means attached to the vertical moving table 52. The reaction tube gripping means 58 has a pair of upper lever members 60a and 60b. The pair of upper lever members 60a, 60b has an upper support shaft 62 whose upper end protrudes from the upper end of one upper lever member 60a.
Are inserted into a shaft hole 62a drilled at the upper end of the other upper lever member 60b to be pin-coupled to each other.

A support plate 64 is fixed to the vertical moving table 52. The support plate 64 includes a fixing portion 64a fixed to the surface of the vertical moving table 52 by a screw, and a fixing portion 6a.
An extension 64b extending forward from the lower end of 4a and a hanging part 64c hanging from the tip of the extending part 64b. A notch 64d that opens downward is formed in the center of the hanging portion 64c (FIG. 10).

Reference numeral 65 denotes a sensor plate, one end of which is a fixed shaft 6.
5a rotatably attached to the support plate 64 by 5a,
The other end is free. A long hole 65b is formed in the center of the sensor plate 65 in the longitudinal direction. The upper support shaft 62 is formed through the notch 64d and the long hole 65b.
a so that the sensor plate 6
5 and the upper lever members 60a, 60b
It can be mounted up and down.

Therefore, when the upper support shaft 62 moves up and down, the other end of the sensor plate 65 moves up and down similarly. In addition, E3 and E4 are respectively fixed to the distal ends of the upper support shaft 62 and the fixed shaft 65a, and the sensor plate 6
5 is an E-ring that prevents the 5 from falling off.

Reference numerals 66a and 66b denote a pair of lower lever members, the upper ends of which are pin-connected to the lower ends of the upper lever members 62a and 62b by pins 68 and 68.
67 is a lever spring member, and the lower lever members 66a, 66
The lower lever members 66a and 66b act so that a force acts in a direction in which the lower lever members 66a and 66b are separated from each other, that is, outward.

69a and 69b are lower lever members 66a and
The projections are provided at the upper end of the projection 66b so as to project outward. The lower lever members 66a, 66b
Each lower end portion is bent outward via the fulcrum bending portions 70, 70 to form bent lower end portions 72, 72. The fulcrum bent portions 70 are rotatably pin-connected to each other by pins 74. 22a, 22a are gripping members connected to the lower ends of the lower lever members 66a, 66b.

Reference numeral 78 denotes a mounting plate which is mounted on a side end of the horizontal moving table 43 and is provided adjacent to the vertical moving table 52. A fixing plate 79 is fixed to the mounting plate 78 with screws B (FIG. 8). A mounting shaft 80 is erected at the lower end of the fixing plate 79, and a roller mounting member 82 is rotatably mounted on the mounting shaft 80. EI is an E-ring for preventing the roller mounting portion 82 from falling off from the mounting shaft 80.

Reference numeral 84 denotes an extension plate extending to the side of the roller mounting member 82, and a roller shaft 86 is erected on the extension plate 84. A roller 88 serving as an abutting member is rotatably attached to the roller shaft 86. E2 is an E-ring for preventing the roller 88 from falling off the roller shaft 86.

A roller spring member 90 is attached so as to connect the upper end of the fixed plate 79 and the upper surface of the roller mounting member 82. Reference numerals 92a and 92b denote an upper sensor and a lower sensor provided corresponding to the highest position and the lowest position of the reaction tube holding means 52, respectively. The upper sensor 92a and the lower sensor 92b each include a light emitting unit 93a.
And the light receiving unit 93b are installed to face each other with a gap D therebetween, and if the sensor plate 65 is located in the gap D, the light emitting unit 9
Since the light from 3a does not reach the light receiving section 93b,
No light is received at 3b.

In this case, the sensor plate 65 is in a horizontal state, and it is determined that the holding parts 22a, 22a are holding the reaction tube T. On the other hand, when the sensor plate 65 does not exist in the gap D, the light from the light emitting unit 93a is received by the light receiving unit 93b. In this case, the sensor plate 65 is in an inclined state, and it is determined that the gripping members 22a, 22a are not gripping the reaction tube T.

As described above, by using the sensor plate 65 as a detection target, an inexpensive transmission sensor that does not require sensitivity adjustment can be used as the sensors 92a and 92b.
There is an advantage that it is not necessary to use a reflection type sensor which requires a large assembling time due to the need for expensive and sensitivity adjustment and position adjustment used in the conventional method of directly detecting the reaction tube.

Reference numeral 94 denotes a stopper member attached to the lower end of the fixing plate 79, which has a function of stopping the roller 88 from rotating downward. In FIG. 3, P1 and P1 are horizontal pulleys for moving the horizontal moving table 43 in the horizontal direction, and are rotated by a horizontal drive motor (not shown). P2 is a vertical pulley for vertically moving the vertical moving table 52, and is attached to the end of the square shaft 41. The vertical pulley P2 transmits the driving force of a vertical drive motor (not shown) to the square shaft 41, and
Is performed in the vertical direction.

The operation of the above configuration will be described.
FIGS. 9A to 9D are schematic explanatory views showing the gripping operation of the reaction tube T by the reaction tube transfer device 22 of the present invention.

First, the reaction tube gripping means 58 is positioned above the reaction tube T to be gripped. In this state, the upper end portions of the lower lever members 66a, 66b are separated by the outward biasing force of the lever spring member 67, while the lower end portions of the lower lever members 66a, 66b and the grip members 22a, 22a approach each other. [FIG. 9A].

Next, the reaction tube gripping means 58 is lowered. During this descent, the projection 69a provided on the side of the lower lever member 66a collides with the roller 88 from above. Since the roller 88 cannot be rotated downward by the stopper member 92, the pressing force due to the collision acts on the lower lever member 66a, and a force is applied from a direction opposite to the outward urging force of the spring 67. And the upper end portions of the lower lever members 66a and 66b approach each other,
On the contrary, the lower end portions of the lower lever members 66a, 66b and the gripping members 22a, 22a operate so as to be separated from each other (FIG. 9B).

When the protrusion 69a reaches the lowermost position after passing through the roller 88, there is no pressing by the roller 88,
The upper ends of the lower lever members 66a and 66b are
7 are again separated by the outward urging force, and at the same time, the lower end portions of the lower lever members 66a and 66b and the grip member 22
a and 22a approach each other and grip the upper end of the reaction tube T [FIG. 9 (c)].

When the reaction tube gripping means 58 is lifted while holding the reaction tube T, the projection 69a provided on the side of the lower lever member 66a collides with the roller 88 from below during the ascent. I do. Since the roller 88 can rotate upward, the roller 88 is pushed upward by the projection 69a and rotates upward, and the lower lever members 66a, 66
The upper end of b is separated and the gripping members 22a, 22a rise while holding the reaction tube, reaching the highest position [FIG. 9 (d)].

The operations shown in FIGS. 9A to 9D are procedures when the empty gripping members 22a, 22a grip the reaction tube T. Conversely, when the holding members 22a, 22a holding the reaction tube T position the reaction tube T at predetermined positions, the reaction tube T is transferred by the reaction tube holding means 58 that holds the reaction tube T. It is moved above a predetermined position. Next, the reaction tube gripping means 58 is lowered.

During the lowering, the lower lever member 66a
Of the lower lever members 66a, 66b approach each other, the grip members 22a, 22a separate from each other, and at the same time, the reaction tube T gripped. Is the gripping member 22
a, 22a, falls downward, reaches a predetermined position, and the transfer is completed.

By detecting whether or not the sensor plate 65 is tilted by an upper sensor 92a and a lower sensor 92b provided corresponding to the highest position and the lowest position of the reaction tube holding means 52, the holding members 22a, 22
It is possible to obtain information on whether or not a is holding the reaction tube T.

As shown in FIG. 11A, the gripping member 2
2a and 22a do not grip the reaction tube T, the upper lever members 60a and 60b and the lower lever members 66
Since the degree of separation between a and 66b is large, the support shaft 62 is displaced downward, and the sensor plate 65 is rotated downward about the fixed shaft 65a as a fulcrum, and comes out of the detection position of the upper sensor 92a. If the sensor plate 65 is tilted and is not detected by the upper sensor 92a, it is determined that the gripping members 22a, 22a are not gripping the reaction tube T.

On the contrary, as shown in FIG. 11B, when the gripping members 22a, 22a grip the reaction tube T, the upper lever members 60a, 60b and the lower lever members 66a, 66b are separated. Is not large, and the support shaft 62
Is maintained at the same height as the fixed shaft 65a, so that the sensor plate 65 exists at a position that can be detected by the upper sensor 92a while maintaining the horizontal position. If the sensor plate 65 is in a horizontal state and detected by the upper sensor 92a, the gripping member 2
It is determined that 2a and 22a are holding the reaction tube T.

As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the lower sensor 92b similarly detects whether the sensor plate 65 of the reaction tube gripping means 58 at the lowest position is horizontal or inclined. Gripping members 22a, 22
It can be determined whether or not the reaction tube T is gripped by a.

In the above embodiment, the upper lever member 60
The so-called pantograph type reaction tube gripping means 52 in which the lower lever members 66a and 66b are connected to the a and 60b has been described.

The point of the present invention is that the lower lever members 66a and 66b are separated from each other and the gripping members 22a and 22a are close to each other at the highest position, but from the outside when the reaction tube gripping means 52 is lowered. Is temporarily applied to the lower lever members 66a, 66b to cause the lower lever members 66a, 66b to approach each other. At the same time, the gripping members 22a, 22a are temporarily separated from each other. Then, the gripping members 22a and 22a come close to each other and can grip the reaction tube T. On the other hand, when the reaction tube gripping means 52 is raised, no pressing force is applied from outside, and the gripping member 22a Means that it is possible to ascend while holding the reaction tube T.

Accordingly, other than the above-described embodiment, a configuration capable of implementing the concept of the present invention is conceivable. For example, an example shown in FIG. 13 can be given. In FIG. 13, the lower lever members 66a and 66b and the grip member 22
a and 22a are provided in the same manner, but the point that the upper lever member does not exist is mainly different from the examples of FIGS. Further, the pin 68 is connected to the above-described vertical moving table 5.
2 and the pin 68 is attached to the lower lever member 66.
The lower lever members 66a and 66b are movable along the elongated holes 96 by loosely inserting into elongated holes 96 formed in the upper portions of the upper and lower holes 66a and 66b. With the opening and closing of the upper portions of the lower lever members 66a, 66b, the gripping members 22a, 22a can release or grip the reaction tube T.

Also in the configuration of FIG. 13, when the reaction tube gripping means 52 descends, the projection 69a provided on the lower lever member 66a collides from above with a roller 88 which can rotate only upward. Then, since the roller 88 cannot rotate downward, a force is temporarily exerted on the lower lever member 66 from the outside, and the upper end portions of the lower lever members 66a and 66b are temporally close to each other and at the same time, the grip member 22a,
22a are separated from each other. Therefore, the reaction tube T can be gripped in the same manner as in FIG.

When the reaction tube gripping means 52 rises, even if the projection 69a collides with the roller 88, the roller 88
Can rotate upward while holding the reaction tube T as in the case of FIGS. 9C and 9D.

As shown in FIG. 13, even when the upper lever members 60a and 60b are not provided, the holding and releasing of the reaction tube T by the holding members 22a and 22a are performed as shown in FIGS.
This can be performed in the same manner as in (d). In FIG. 13, as a preferred example, the lower lever member 66b of FIG.
Although the case where the second roller 88a and the second stopper member 92a are provided corresponding to the projection 69b of the above is shown, the installation of these rollers 88a and the stopper member 92a can be omitted.

[0062]

As described above, the reaction tube transfer device of the present invention can prevent foreign substances from entering the inside of the reaction tube, eliminate the need for installing an excessive motor, and improve the transfer operation efficiency. The effect is that the extra strength can be omitted due to the structure of the reaction tube. Further, the reaction tube transfer device with a sensor according to the present invention has an advantage that the sensor cost can be reduced and the sensitivity adjustment of the sensor can be made unnecessary.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a top view showing an example of an automatic analyzer to which a reaction tube transfer device of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic front view showing one embodiment of the reaction tube transfer device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of FIG. 3 with a part cut away.

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view showing a state in which the reaction tube gripping means is attached to a vertical moving table.

FIG. 6 is an exploded side view showing each member of the reaction tube gripping unit in an exploded manner.

FIG. 7 is a pinch front view showing the lower lever member pinched;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing an attached state of a roller and a stopper member.

9A and 9B are explanatory diagrams of the operation of gripping and releasing the reaction tube by the reaction tube gripping means, wherein FIG. 9A shows a state in which the empty reaction tube gripping means is at the highest position and the gripping member is closed, and FIG. A state where the member is open, a state where (c) the gripping member is closed and the reaction tube is gripped, and a state where the gripping member is returned to the highest position while holding the reaction tube are shown.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a mounting state of the sensor plate and the sensor.

11A and 11B are explanatory diagrams illustrating a state in which the degree of inclination of a sensor plate is detected by a sensor when a reaction tube gripping unit is at a highest position, and FIG. 11A illustrates a state in which a gripping member does not grip a reaction tube; (B) shows a state in which the sensor plate is inclined and (b) shows a state in which the gripping member is gripping the reaction tube and the sensor plate is not inclined, respectively.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the degree of inclination of the sensor plate is detected by a sensor when the reaction tube gripping means is at the lowest position, and FIG. 12A illustrates a state in which the gripping member does not grip the reaction tube. (B) shows a state in which the sensor plate is inclined and (b) shows a state in which the gripping member is gripping the reaction tube and the sensor plate is not inclined, respectively.

FIG. 13 is a schematic front view showing another embodiment of the reaction tube gripping means.

[Description of Signs] 12 automatic analyzer, 14 reaction tube turret, 16
Reaction tube holder, 18 Reaction tube holding part, 20 Reaction tube rack, 21 Receiving part, 22 Reaction tube transfer device, 22a
Reaction tube gripping member, 26 Particle supply means, 26a
Particle nozzle, 28 reagent dispensing means, 28a
Reagent nozzle, 30 washing means, 32 reagent dispensing means for measurement, 34 measuring means, 35 base, 36 reagent table mechanism, 37 reagent table, 37a mounting hole, 38 reagent holder, 39 horizontal guide axis, 40 particle bin, 41 square shaft, 43 horizontal carriage, 44
Bearing, 46 square bearing, 48 gear, 50 linear shaft, 52 vertical moving table, 54 rack, 58 reaction tube gripping means, 60a, 60b upper lever member, 62 upper support shaft, 62a shaft hole, 64 support plate, 64a fixing portion ,
64b extension, 64c hanging part, 64d notch, 6
5 sensor plate, 65a fixed shaft, 66a, 66b lower lever member, 67 lever spring member, 68, 74 pin, 69a, 69b protrusion, 70 fulcrum bent portion, 72
Bent lower end, 78 mounting plate, 79 fixing plate, 80 mounting shaft, 82 roller mounting member, 84 extension plate, 86 roller shaft, 88 roller, 90 roller spring member, 92a upper sensor, 92b lower sensor, 94 stopper plate, 9
6 long hole, B screw, E1, E2, E3, E4 E ring, T reaction tube, P1 horizontal pulley, P2 vertical pulley

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] July 16, 1998

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0003

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

A method of measuring the amount of antigen contained in a sample such as blood collected from a patient by a one-step non-competitive sandwich method will be described. For example, synthetic resin container inner wall and grain (the particles) single-insoluble, such as antibodies bound to the (solid phase) (solid phase antibodies), radioactive substances, fluorescent substances, antibody conjugated with a labeling substance enzyme arsenide ( (Labeled antibody) is added to the reaction tube to which the sample to be measured is added in advance.

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0006

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0006] On the other hand, in the non-competitive sandwich method of the two-step method, first, a sample is added to a reaction tube to which only a solid-phase antibody has been added in advance, and then the first reaction is performed. This is a method in which a second reaction is performed by adding a substance to perform measurement.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yuzaburo Namba, Koshiro ES672-250, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture (72) Inventor Shuji Takahashi 2-12-12 Kikari, Inzai City, Chiba Prefecture

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus for performing automatic analysis using a large number of reaction tubes, wherein the reaction tubes are transferred to a predetermined position. The horizontal movement table is movable in a horizontal direction. It has a reaction tube gripping means freely attached, and a gripping part provided at the lower end of the reaction tube gripping means and urged by the urging means so as to be always in a closed state in which the reaction tube can be gripped. Then, when the reaction tube gripping means is lowered, the gripping portion is temporarily opened and then closed again by applying a counter-biasing force from the opposite direction to the biasing direction of the biasing means. Thereby, when the grip is empty,
The reaction tube can be gripped, and when the grip portion has already gripped the reaction tube, the reaction tube can be released.On the other hand, when the reaction tube gripping means is raised, a counter-biasing force is applied to the grip portion. A reaction tube transfer device characterized in that the reaction tube can be raised while holding the reaction tube without acting. 2. An apparatus for performing automatic analysis using a large number of reaction tubes, wherein the reaction tubes are transferred to a predetermined position. The horizontal movement table is movable in a horizontal direction, and the horizontal movement table is moved vertically in the horizontal movement table. It has a vertically movable table freely mounted, and a reaction tube gripping means provided on the vertical movable table, and a biasing means so that the reaction tube gripping means is always in a closed state in which the reaction tube can be gripped. It is constituted by a gripping portion being urged, and a pressing protrusion capable of applying a counter- urging force from the opposite direction to the urging direction of the urging means by being pressed,
When the reaction tube gripping means is lowered, the pressing projection can be temporarily pressed to apply a counter-biasing force to the urging means temporarily, and when the reaction tube gripping means is raised, the pressing projection is pressed. An abutting means operating without being pressed is fixed to the horizontal moving table and provided on a mounting plate adjacent to the vertical moving table, and when the reaction tube gripping means is lowered, the gripping portion is temporarily opened. Then, by closing again, the reaction tube can be gripped when the grip portion is empty, and the reaction tube can be released when the grip portion has already gripped the reaction tube. A reaction tube transfer device characterized in that when the reaction tube holding means is raised, the reaction tube can be lifted while holding the reaction tube. 3. An apparatus for performing automatic analysis using a large number of reaction tubes, wherein the reaction tubes are transferred to a predetermined position. The horizontal movement table is movable in a horizontal direction. It has a vertically movable table freely mounted, and a reaction tube gripping means provided on the vertical movable table, and the reaction tube gripping means is vertically movably mounted on a support plate fixed to the vertical movable table. A pair of upper lever members whose upper end portions are rotatably connected to each other via an upper support shaft, and each upper end portion is rotatably connected to the pair of upper lever members by a pin connection, and A pair of lower lever members, each having a fulcrum portion formed at the lower end portion thereof and connected to each fulcrum portion by pin coupling via a lower support shaft protruding from the vertical moving table, and a pair of lower lever members. Each at the bottom A pair of gripping members connected thereto, an urging means attached to the reaction tube gripping means so that the pair of gripping members are always closed, and a projection protruding outward on an outer surface of the lower lever member. And a contacting means which is configured to be capable of contacting the pressing protrusion and being rotatable upward and non-rotatable downward is fixed to the horizontal moving table, and It is provided on a mounting plate adjacent to the vertical moving table, and when the reaction tube gripping means is lowered, a force against the urging means is applied by the pressing projection coming into contact with the contacting means, thereby temporarily holding the pair of gripping members. When the gripping member is empty, the reaction tube can be gripped by bringing the reaction tube into a closed state again after it is opened, and the reaction tube can be gripped when the gripping member has already gripped the reaction tube. Can be released, while the pressure is raised when the reaction tube gripping means is raised. Parts are abutting contact also abutment means means the reaction tube transfer device being characterized in that as the pivot and the grip member upwards can be increased while holding the reaction tube. 4. The fulcrum of the lower lever member is a fulcrum bent portion, and the lower end of the lower lever member is bent outward through the fulcrum bent portion to become a bent lower end portion. 4. The reaction tube transfer device according to claim 3, wherein the bent portion is connected with a pin. 5. A sensor plate which is displaced in response to gripping or non-gripping of a reaction tube by said reaction tube gripping means is provided on said reaction tube holding means, and a sensor for detecting a displacement state of said sensor plate is provided on said sensor plate. The reaction tube transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the reaction tube transfer device is provided correspondingly. 6. An end portion of a plate-shaped sensor plate is rotatably mounted on said mounting plate, and a central portion of said sensor plate is mounted on said upper support shaft, so that said sensor plate becomes a reaction tube of said grip portion. It is configured to be displaced according to the state of gripping or non-gripping, and a sensor is provided at a position corresponding to the other end of the sensor plate, and by detecting the displacement of the sensor plate, the presence or absence of gripping of the reaction tube by the gripping portion is determined. The reaction tube transfer device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the device can be known. 7. An upper sensor and a lower sensor are used as the sensors, the sensor plate at the highest position of the reaction tube holding means is detected by the upper sensor, and the sensor plate at the lowest position of the reaction tube holding means is detected. 7. The reaction tube transfer device according to claim 5, wherein the detection is performed by a lower sensor.