JPS59153173A - Distributor for specimen sampling - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To check for clogging of foreign matters in a distribution nozzle with a simple mechanism by identifying the state of waveform of a pulse signal from a pulse motor. CONSTITUTION:This distributor is provided with a waveform discriminator circuit 17 to identify the hunting state of waveform of a pulse signal transmitted from a pulse motor 14 and detects possible clogging of a distribution nozzle. In other words, the level of the load of the pulse motor 14 during the suction of a test piece is judged with a waveform discriminator circuit 17. When the waveform at the point is as shown by A, a light load exists, meaning no clogging of foreign matters i.e. normal. When the hunting of the waveform is limited as shown by B, a high load exists, meaning that foreign matters have clogged the distribution nozzle 11.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

(a) Industrial Application Field The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer, particularly a sample collecting and dispensing device used in an automatic biochemical analyzer for serum and the like.

[Explanation] In the conventional biochemical automatic analyzer, a sample, such as serum, is taken into a reaction tube, diluted with a diluent, and then a reagent is added thereto and mixed and reacted. The most commonly used method is to suck this reaction solution into a flow cell in the measuring section and measure the absorbance. By the way, in this automatic analysis, when collecting serum etc. from the sample tank, foreign substances are found in the sample. For example, if fibrin generated in serum is present, these foreign substances will be sucked in as the sample is collected, and the dispensing nozzle will become clogged. If the dispensing nozzle becomes clogged, the amount of sample dispensed will fluctuate and the analysis operation will have to be interrupted. However, as a means of detecting the suction of foreign matter, a pressure sensor is inserted into the liquid flow path, and the pressure There is a way to detect anomalies in values. However, the use of pressure sensors increases costs and complicates the flow path configuration, which adversely affects dispensing accuracy. (/~ Purpose This invention was made with the aim of solving the above-mentioned problems and providing a new means for detecting whether or not a dispensing nozzle is clogged with foreign matter using a simple mechanism. The structure of the invention will be explained. The sample collection/dispensing device according to the present invention uses a pulse motor to drive the pump when sucking and discharging the sample with the dispensing nozzle. A circuit is constructed to discriminate the waveform of the pulse signal sent from the 6-9-, and the hunting state of the waveform is determined. In other words, the present invention provides a dispensing nozzle for aspirating and dispensing a sample contained in a sample container and discharging and injecting the sample into nine reaction tubes, and each of the dispensing nozzle and the pure water container. A sample collecting/dispensing device comprising a pump ζ which is selectively connected to the 9 dispensing nozzles in a flow path and through a three-way switching valve to suck and discharge the sample and suck and send out pure water. The present invention is characterized in that a pulse motor for driving the pump, a drive circuit and control circuit thereof, and a pulse signal waveform discrimination circuit are provided. Embodiments will be described. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the outline of the configuration of a sample collection/dispensing device which is an embodiment of the present invention. This sample collection/dispensing device has nine dispensing nozzles fil+, a three-way switching valve +]21, a pump Q31, a pulse motor +141 that drives the pump Q31, a drive circuit for the pulse motor (]51, and a control circuit fl[ il
It consists of a waveform discrimination circuit (1η, etc.) for the pulse signal output from the pulse motor (14).The operation will be briefly explained.Set the mass dispensing nozzle fib at the position indicated by the solid line, and Dispensing nozzle [
11 and pump 03 are connected in the flow path, the pulse motor (141, spur gear (181, 4-cut rod (1 m)
, the horizontal rod ■ transmits power and lowers the vertical rod ). As a result, the sample stored in the sample container (2'A) is suctioned into the dispensing nozzle (ill).Next, move the dispensing nozzle (111) to the position indicated by the two-dot chain line, and switch to the three-way switch. Dispensing nozzle leaf and pump f1 via valve (121:
While keeping the pulse motor (! and
141 is rotated in the opposite direction and the power is transferred to the vertical rod c! Transfer to D and raise it. This allows the dispensing nozzle α1
The t samples collected in step 1 are discharged and injected into a reaction tube. After this, switch the three-way switching valve (121) and turn on the pure water container (25).
) and the pump side in flow path communication. In this state, by driving the pulse motor (141 and lowering the vertical rod port), pure water α) is sucked into the pump (131).Next, the three-way switching valve σ2 is switched again, and the 9-dispensing nozzle 11 and the pump With the flow path connected to Q31.
Drive the pulse motor [+41z- and vertical rod c!
Raise 11. This allows pure water to be dispensed into the nozzle [
The dispensing nozzle 011 is then moved to the position indicated by the solid line again to return to the initial operation. This dispenser is equipped with a waveform discrimination circuit αη, This determines the hunting state of the waveform of the pulse signal sent out from the pulse motor (141) and detects the presence or absence of clogging in one dispensing nozzle. In other words, the pulse motor (14) during sample aspiration is detected.
The magnitude of the load is judged by the waveform discrimination circuit (171).At this time, if the waveform at point (a) is as shown in FIG. On the other hand, if there is little hunting in the waveform at point (a) as shown in Figure 2 (B), it means that the load is high and the 9 dispensing nozzle (111) is clogged with foreign matter. ) The alternating current may be amplified only in the section. The presence or absence of a blockage may be determined by detecting that the output is smaller than the normal state. Because it has the above configuration, it can be manufactured at a lower cost than a dispenser that uses a pressure sensor, and because there is no need to insert a pressure sensor into the liquid flow path, the flow path configuration is simple. There is no adverse effect on dispensing accuracy.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the outline of the configuration of a sample collection/dispensing device which is an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 shows the waveform of the pulse signal output from the pulse motor and the presence or absence of clogging. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the relationship.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A dispensing nozzle that aspirates and separates the sample contained in a sample container and discharges and injects it into one reaction tube, and a three-way switching valve that connects the dispensing nozzle and the pure water container to each other in a flow path and selective manner. 9. A sample collection/dispensing device comprising a pump for suctioning and discharging the specimen with a dispensing nozzle and suctioning and discharging pure water, the pulse motor driving the pump; A sample collection/dispensing device characterized by being provided with a circuit, a control circuit, and a pulse signal waveform discrimination circuit.