JPS59168336A - Apparatus for automatic sample collection and distribution - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain specified pressure uniformly all the time, by commonly constituting a pressure system with respect to a plurality of nozzle means, and providing a pressure detecting means, which detects the positive pressure and the negative pressure of the pressure system. CONSTITUTION:An air tank 28 is connected to a water draining trap 48 by pipes 130 and 132. A plurality of connecting pipes 50 are provided at the top part of the water draining trap 48. Nozzle tips 54 are connected to the connecting pipes 50 by nozzle tubes 52. An air pump 10 is operated as a positive pressure source and a negative pressure source. An air pump 12 is operated only as a negative pressure source. A pressure sensor 40 is connected to a comparator 70, and its output voltage is inputted to the comparator 70. Thus, the specified pressure is always uniformly supplied.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Technical Field] The present invention relates to automatic sample separation that automatically separates a sample such as serum contained in a sample tube, etc., and dispenses it into a predetermined sample tube, etc. The present invention relates to a dispensing device, and particularly to improvements in the pressure system of the automatic sample separating and dispensing device.

[Prior art]

In Vc2 fields such as biochemical analysis, there is work to separate a specimen or part of a sample to be analyzed and dispense a specified amount of the collected sample into an appropriate sample tube. There is an automatic sample separation/dispensing device as a device that does this automatically.

In recent years, in biochemical analysis performed in hospitals, clinics, etc., the number of specimens has increased significantly, and there is a demand for streamlining the analysis work.

In order to meet such demands, in conventional automatic sample separation and dispensing devices, multiple nozzle means are arranged in parallel at the suction outlet of the material, and the work of separating and dispensing multiple samples is performed simultaneously. Ta.

In such conventional automatic sample separation and dispensing devices, a pressure system is provided for each nozzle means, that is, for each channel, because it is necessary to maintain the suction pressure at a predetermined value in each nozzle means, especially during sample separation work. was.

[Problems with conventional technology]

Therefore, if there are 10 nozzle means, that is, 10 channels, 10 pressure systems such as pumps are required.
This causes high costs and also requires a large installation space.

In addition, it is necessary to individually adjust the pressure for multiple pressure systems, and if the pressure between channels is not uniform due to inappropriate adjustment or failure, the amount of sample dispensed between each channel will be reduced. This is an inconvenience due to variations.

■Purpose of the Invention The present invention has been developed in view of the above circumstances, and is an automatic sample preparation/dispensing system fffi (
t- Something whose purpose is to provide.

That is, in the present invention, the pressure system is configured in common to a plurality of nozzle means, and includes a pressure detection means for detecting positive pressure and depressurization of the pressure system, and a pressure detection means for detecting the positive pressure based on the detection result of the detection means. The present invention attempts to achieve all of the above objects by means of a pressure control means for maintaining a predetermined set value corresponding to all negative pressures and an automatic sample dispensing and dispensing device.

More specifically, in the present invention, a pressure system is provided with a buffer means for alleviating pressure fluctuations and an adjustment means for adjusting set values of positive pressure and depressurization, and the pressure detection means is provided with a buffer means for alleviating pressure fluctuations. The control means detects the pressure in the means, and the control means includes a pulp means provided between the buffer means and the outside, and a control circuit that fully controls opening and closing of the valve means based on the detection result of the pressure detection means. It is an automatic sample collection and dispensing device that
This aims to achieve the above objective.

■Detailed Description of the Invention The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 and 2 show a pressure system of the automatic sample separation/dispensing apparatus according to the present invention. Figure 1 shows
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pressure system, and is a diagram in which the constituent elements of the pressure system shown in FIG. 2 are arranged in a plane.

1 and 2, two air pumps are provided, of which the air pump 10 acts as a positive pressure source and a pressure relief source, and the air pump 12 acts only as a pressure relief source. . Note that the air pump 12 is not necessarily required. 2. In Figures 1 and 2, the positive pressure side of the air discharge 11411 is marked with the symbol "■".
The air suction side, ie, the depressurizing side, is designated by the symbol B. Air filters 14, 16 are connected to the positive pressure side of the air pumps 10, 12 by conduits 100, 102, respectively, in order to remove all the dust from the inhaled air.

The air filters 14 are each connected to a solenoid valve 10.20 by a conduit 104 with branches. On the other hand, the depressurizing side of the air pump 10 is connected to solenoid valves 22, 24 by conduits 106 having branches. Also,
A solenoid valve 26 is connected to the depressurizing side of the air pump 12 through a conduit 108 . In addition, solenoid valves 18, 22rr
i, each leading to the outside.

The solenoid valve 20 , 24 is connected to the air tank 28 by a line 110 with a branch, and the solenoid valve 26 is connected to the air tank 28 by a line 112 .

That is, the pressure inside the air tank 2B is adjusted to positive pressure or negative pressure by the action of the air bongs 10, 12 and the solenoid valves 18120922.24.26.

Solenoid valves 30, 32, 34 are connected to the air tank 28 by conduits 114, 116° 118, respectively.

Furthermore, needle pulps 36,38 are connected to the solenoid valves 30,32 by lines 120,122, respectively. The needle pulp 36 is for setting all the positive pressure values in the air tank 28. The needle pulp 38 is for setting the depressurization value in the air tank 28. Both of them are connected to the outside. . The solenoid valve 34 has a conduit 124
The pressure sensor 40 is connected by. This pressure sensor 40 is connected to a VC so that the pressure inside the air tank 28 is applied when the electromagnetic valve 34 is opened, and this pressure is detected and outputted to a pressure control circuit to be described later.

The air tank 28id is provided to completely alleviate the effects of pressure fluctuations caused by pressure fluctuations during suction or discharge of the specimen or fluctuations in the operation of the air tank 10.degree. 12. A pressure valve 42 and a pressure control solenoid valve 44 are connected to the air tank 28 through pipes 126 and 128, respectively. The pressure switch 42 is always connected to the top.
If the pressure inside the tank 28 is not fully applied, for example, the air tank 2 may be used when cleaning or drying a nozzle tip, etc., which will be described later.
When the value of the pressure relief in 8 is below a certain required pressure (400 yrunng in this embodiment), this is detected and an alarm is issued.

The electromagnetic valve 44 communicates with the outside, and the pressure in the air tank 28 is maintained at a predetermined value by opening and closing the valve based on the output of a pressure control circuit to be described later.

Of the above solenoid valves, the solenoid valve 18°20.22
．． 24 operates so as to be "closed" when energized, and the other electromagnetic valves 26, 30, 32, 34, 44 operate so as to be "open" when energized. Therefore, for example, in the event of a power outage, the solenoid valves 18, 20, 22, 24 are "open" and the pressure in the air tank 28 returns to atmospheric pressure. This prevents the inconvenience of the sample entering the inside of the apparatus deeply through the nozzle nap, which will be described later.

Note that the solenoid valve 34 is provided for protection of the pressure sensor 40 in the third non-embodiment. That is, in this embodiment, since a pressure of approximately +30°rwnHg is applied to the pressure sensor 40, a highly sensitive seven-point sensor is used that allows the pressure d111 to be determined within this range. Therefore, if a pressure outside this range, for example, atmospheric pressure, is applied, the pressure sensor 40 will be damaged, so a solenoid valve 34 is provided for protection.

However, depending on the type of pressure sensor 40, the solenoid valve 3
4 must be provided (no bolts).

A drain pulp 46 is provided at the bottom of the air tank 28 via a conduit.

This drain pulp 46 is used to completely remove water and the like that accumulates inside the air tank 28.

Furthermore, the second tank 28 is connected to the pipe line 13o.

132 to drain trap 48. A plurality of connecting pipes 50 are provided at the upper part of this drain trap 48, and this connecting pipe 50 has a nozzle tube 5.
2, the nozzle chips 54 are connected to each other. Further, the nozzle tube 52 includes an inflow air detection means 60, 62 consisting of an electrode that detects when air flows into the tube after sample collection, and an inflow air detection means 60, 62 that seals the nozzle tube 52 in conjunction with the inflow air detection means 60, 62. A stopper 64 is provided.

A drain valve 56 is connected to the bottom of the drain trap 48 by a conduit 134, and the drain valve 56 is provided with a drain pad 58. The drain trap 48 is used to temporarily store cleaning water sucked in from the nozzle tip 54, and this cleaning water is discharged to the drain pad 58 and further to the outside by a drain valve 56. ing.

Note that a plurality of connecting pipes 50, nozzle tips 54, etc. may be provided as necessary. Further, the nozzle tube 52 is made of a bendable and removable material, such as silicone rubber, in order to perform tasks such as sample separation and dispensing with good operability.

Next, based on the detection output of the pressure sensor 4o mentioned above,
A pressure control circuit that controls the opening and closing operations of the solenoid valve 44 will be described with reference to FIG.

In this embodiment, by the operation of this pressure control circuit, the voltage value in the air tank 28 is maintained at -120 mmHg when a sample is inhaled, and when the sample is discharged, the voltage value in the air tank 28 is maintained at -120 mmHg. The value of positive pressure within 28 is maintained at +80+nmHg.

In FIG. 3, the pressure sensor 4o is connected to the comparator 70.
The output voltage of the pressure sensor 40 is connected to the comparator 4o as an input source. Either one of the reference voltage "Ref" and VRef2 is fully input to the comparator 70 via the switching device 72.
4D, and the output of the comparator 70 is input to the drive section 44D. A control section 74 is connected to the drive section 44D, and a control signal is connected to the drive section 7 so that it can be input to the drive section 44D. This control signal is output to the drive section 44D when control of the opening/closing operation of the electromagnetic valve 44, which will be described later, is required, and the drive section 44D is brought into operation based on this signal.

The output of the drive unit +4D is inputted to the pulp 44V of the solenoid valve 44, and the opening/closing operation of the pulp 44V is controlled.

Next, the operation of this control circuit will be explained. During the detection operation, a voltage corresponding to the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor 40 is input to the comparator 70 .

When a sample is inhaled, the reference voltage VRef is input to the comparator 70 by the switching device 72. This reference voltage VRef is output from the pressure sensor 40 when the pressure inside the air tank 28 is -120 mmHg.
This corresponds to the value of '1 pressure.

When discharging the sample, the switching device 72 inputs the reference voltage VRef2 to the comparator 70 . This reference voltage VRef, , coincides with the value of the voltage output from the pressure sensor 40 when the pressure inside the air tank 28 is +80 mmHg.

In the comparator 70, the reference voltage VRef or VR
Either one of ef2 and the output voltage of the pressure sensor 40 are compared. The output 'direct pressure of the pressure sensor 40, that is, the pressure inside the air tank 28, is the reference voltage vRe f, or V
When higher than the pressure specified by Ref2,
Drive unit 44D so that pulp 44v'fcr closes.
A signal is output from the comparator 70.

The pressure inside the air tank 28 is the reference voltage vRef or ■R
When the pressure specified by e12 is also lower, a signal is output from the comparator 7° to the drive unit 44D so as to open the pulp 44V-il-. In other words, the pulp 44V is controlled to the pressure specified by the pressure, quasi-voltage VRef, or VRef2.

(2) Specific Effects of the Invention Next, the specific effects of the present invention will be explained with reference to the above-mentioned Figs. 1 to 3 as well as Figs. 4) to CD) Th. Note that FIGS. 4(A) to 4(D) show the operating states of each part in each process of washing/drying, drainage, sample suction, and sample discharge.

The cleaning and drying steps for the nozzle tube 52 and nozzle tip 54 will be explained.

In this case, both air pumps 10, 12 are activated. The state of this operation is shown in Figure 4 (arrow F as in N).
Symbolically indicated by A. The same applies hereafter. In this case,
While the drain valve 56 is closed, the solenoid valve 18
, 24°26 are in the "open" state, and all other solenoid valves are in the "closed" state. Therefore, the air inside the air tank 28 is exhausted as shown by the arrow F1 shown in FIG. 4(A), and the inside of the air tank 28 becomes pressure-proof.
Furthermore, the inside of the drain trap 48 is also pressure-proof. Therefore, since pressure is also applied to the nozzle tube 52, the nozzle tip 54
When it is immersed in cleaning water (not shown), the cleaning water is sucked in as shown by arrow F2, and the nozzle tip 54 and nozzle tube 52
is washed. Furthermore, after this cleaning, the nozzle tip 54
Drying occurs when air is drawn in from the 2. In this operation, the inflow air detection means 60, 62 and the stopper 64 provided in the nozzle tube 52 are not operated. The washing water used for washing is contained in the drain trap 48.

During this process, the pressure inside the air tank 28 is, for example, -4
The pressure is maintained at around 0.00 Hg.

The depressurization inside the air tank 28 becomes low, for example -3
When the pressure is about 80 mHg, the flow rate of the cleaning water and air passing through the nozzle tube 52 or nozzle tip 54 becomes slow, and cleaning and drying cannot be performed sufficiently. Therefore, when the pressure inside the air tank 28 decreases from -40 OnddHg, the pressure switch 42 is activated and an alarm is issued.

Next, the drainage process will be explained. In this case, the fourth
As shown in Figure (B), air pumps 10,1
2 does not work at all.

In this process, water cannot be drained if the inside of the drain trap 48 remains pressure-proof, so the solenoid valves 18, 20, 22, 2
4 and n are set to the "open" state, the inside of the air tank 28 and eventually the drain trap 48 is returned to atmospheric pressure. Next, when the drain valve 56 is in the "open" state,
The cleaning water in the drain trap 48 is discharged in the direction of the drain pad 58 as indicated by the arrow F3, and eventually to the outside.

Next, the specimen analogy is the serum fraction Mj! Or the inhalation process will be explained. In this case, only the airbot 10 operates, as shown in FIG. 4(C). Then, the solenoid valves 18.24°32.34 are in the "open" state. As a result, the air inside the air tank 28 is exhausted and the inside of the air tank 2B becomes pressure-proof, as shown by arrow F4.
Furthermore, the inside of the drain trap 48 is also pressure-proof. The pressure-proof value at this time is an appropriate value because the needle pulp 38 can introduce an appropriate amount of air from the outside into the air tank 28 as shown by the arrow F5, so that the serum separation work at the nozzle tip 54 is good. For example, -120m
It is set to mHH.

On the other hand, the pressure inside the air tank 28 is applied to the pressure sensor 40 via the solenoid valve 34.

For this reason, the air tank 28 is
The internal pressure is detected, and the opening/closing state of the solenoid valve 44 can be controlled by the pressure control circuit.

Since the interior of the drain trap 8 is pressure-proof, when the nozzle tip 54 is immersed in serum, a designated amount of serum is taken out, ie, sucked in, as shown by arrow F6. This work is performed simultaneously on multiple specimens. In this operation, when the inflow of air is detected by the inflow air detection means 60 , 62 , the detected nozzle tube 52 is sealed by the stopper 64 .

The timing of the start of suction is not necessarily the same for each nozzle tip 54.

Since the amount of serum in each sample is different, the amount of air sucked from the nozzle tube 52 into the drain trap 48 as shown by arrow F7 changes uncontrollably, causing the pressure in the drain trap 48 and the barrier in the air tank 28 to change. Pressure changes. This variation in pressure protection is detected by the pressure sensor 40, and the detection signal is input to the pressure control circuit, and furthermore, the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 44 is controlled by the output signal of the pressure control circuit. The open state of the electromagnetic valve 44 varies depending on pressure fluctuations in the air tank 28, but the more nozzle tubes 52 in which serum is being collected, the more continuous the state becomes, and the less the number of nozzle tubes 52, the more intermittent the state becomes. . By this opening operation of the solenoid valve 44, air is sucked into the air tank 28 as indicated by arrow F8.

In other words, the evidence of air being inhaled as shown by this arrow F8,
The solenoid valve 44 is controlled so that the sum of the amounts of air sucked from the nozzle tube 52 side as indicated by arrow F7 is always constant, and thereby the pressure inside the air tank 28, that is, the suction pressure of serum is kept constant. Ru. Note that the pressure sensor 4
Control of the solenoid valve 44 by a detection output of 0 is symbolically shown by an arrow F2. The same applies below.

Next, the step of dispensing or discharging serum will be explained.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 4 (D+), only the air pump 10 operates.
2, 30, and 34 are in the "open" state. As a result, air is pumped into the air tank 28 as shown by arrow F9, creating a positive pressure inside the air tank 28, and furthermore, the drain trap 4
8 will also have positive pressure. At this time, the positive pressure value is determined by the needle pulp 36 as shown by the arrow Fl'0 in the air tank 2.
By discharging an appropriate amount of air from 8 to the outside,
It is set to an appropriate value, that is, a value that allows the serum dispensing operation at the nozzle tip 54 to be performed satisfactorily, for example, +80 Hg.

On the other hand, the positive pressure in the air tank 28 is applied to the pressure sensor 40 via the electromagnetic valve 34 as in the suction process. Therefore, the pressure inside the air tank 28 is detected by the pressure sensor 40, and the pressure control circuit also detects the pressure in the solenoid valve 4.
4 is controlled.

In the process described above, serum is sucked into the nozzle tube 52. Therefore, the inside of the drain trap 48 becomes positive pressure, and the stopper 64 serving as the nozzle tube sealing means
When the is opened, a designated amount of serum for each sample is dispensed or discharged as indicated by the arrow Fll. This operation is performed simultaneously for multiple samples, but the timing of the start of dispensing may depend on the inner diameter of the nozzle tube 52, the difference in viscosity between the samples, excess or deficiency of sample amount, etc. #, so they are not necessarily the same. For this reason, the drain trap 48
The amount of air discharged into the nozzle tube 52 changes irregularly as shown by the arrow F12, and the positive pressure in the drain trap 48 and thus the positive pressure in the air tank 28 changes. This change in positive pressure is detected by the pressure sensor 40, and the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 44 is controlled. The open state of this solenoid valve 44 changes as described above. Arrow F13 from solenoid valve 44
The air in the air tank 28 is discharged as shown in FIG. That is, the solenoid valve 4 is controlled so that the sum of the amount of air discharged as indicated by arrow F13 and the amount of air discharged toward the nozzle tube 52 as indicated by arrow F12 is always constant.
As a result, the pressure within the air tank 28, ie, the serum discharge pressure, is maintained constant.

In addition, although the said Example demonstrated the case where the specimen was serum as an example, this invention is not limited to this at all, Other specimens may be used.

As mentioned above, the air tank 26 is affected by pressure fluctuations.
If the volume of the air pump 1o is too small, its role will be reduced, and if the volume is too large, the air pump 1o will have a role as a buffer for alleviating the air.

Since it takes a lot of time to control the positive pressure and the positive pressure by 12, it is preferable to set it to an appropriate volume. In addition, an air filter, a trap, etc. may be used.

Further, when two or more control solenoid valves 44 are connected in parallel or in series and parallel, the range or accuracy of pressure control can be further improved.

Historically, air pump 10,
These discharge or suction pressures may be changed by means such as changing the total number of revolutions of the engine.

The opening/closing control of each electromagnetic valve may be performed using a computer or the like, and the same applies to the control of needle pulp. %, the values of the suction and discharge pressures may be changed depending on the line type of the sample to be worked on. In addition to needle pulp, motor pulp and other pulps may also be used.

The same applies to the pressure sensor 40, which is a pressure detection means, and may be configured with a pressure switch, other pressure transducer, or the like.

■Specific Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the automatic sample separation/dispensing device according to the present invention, the sample separation/dispensing work in multiple channels can be performed using a single pressure system. , it is possible to reduce the overall cost of the device, the installation space occupied, the number of parts, and the number of assembly steps, and also simplify maintenance and inspection, improving reliability.

In addition, since the pressure is adjusted in common for each channel, it is possible to eliminate the hassle of adjusting it for each channel, and also to eliminate the need for a series of tasks such as separating and dispensing the sample or cleaning and drying the nozzle means. The effect of being able to perform the process continuously and successfully is that it is effective.

Furthermore, the plurality of channels are characterized in that even if some nozzle means are repeatedly opened and closed in a discontinuous manner, a uniform predetermined pressure can usually be obtained.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the pressure system of the automatic sample aliquoting and dispensing device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the connection of each part of the device in FIG. The figure is a circuit diagram showing an example of the configuration of the pressure control circuit, and FIGS. 4(A) to 4(I)) are explanatory diagrams showing the operating state. 10.12...Air pump, 28...Air tank 36.38...Needle pulp 40...Pressure sensor 44...Solenoid valve 52...Nozzle tube 54...Nozzle tip 70... ·comparator

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In an automatic sample dispensing device for separating and dispensing multiple samples using a nozzle means using both positive pressure and negative pressure generated by a pressure system, the pressure system includes a plurality of A pressure detection means for detecting the positive pressure of the pressure system and a predetermined corresponding pressure detection means for detecting the positive pressure based on the detection result of the detection means. and pressure control means for maintaining the pressure at a set value. 2. In the apparatus according to claim 1, the pressure system includes a buffer means for detecting pressure fluctuations, and an adjustment means for adjusting a positive pressure and a set value of the positive pressure, and the pressure detection means is , the control means detects the pressure in the buffer means, and the control means includes a pulp means provided between the buffer means and the outside, and a control circuit that fully controls opening and closing of the valve means based on the detection result of the pressure detection means. An automatic sample separating and dispensing device comprising: