JPS5939637Y2 - Liquid quantitative device in particle counting device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for quantifying a particle suspension in an apparatus for counting minute particles such as blood cells.

Conventionally, in order to count microparticles such as blood cells suspended in a suspension, the suspended particles are passed through a micropore formed so narrow that two or more particles cannot pass through at the same time, and the particles pass through the micropore. The changes that occur are detected and counted as electrical signals, while the suspension passing through the micropores is quantified using a liquid quantification device using a mercury U-tube and converted into the number of particles per unit volume. was displayed.

However, in liquid metering devices that use mercury, the height of the mercury in the U-shaped tube is unbalanced in advance, and when the mercury is restored to a balanced state, a suspension of particles is sucked through the micropores.

Since mercury itself is a conductive substance, it can be used as an electrical contact and the device can be constructed relatively easily, but mercury has the disadvantage of being a polluting substance. .

Therefore, instead of using mercury, the U-shaped tube is filled with physiological saline, etc., which is a blood diluent, and the U-tube is
A method is used to detect the liquid level in the tube.

However, in this method, the inside of the U-shaped tube is directly connected to the inside of the particle detector, so the particle suspension that passes through the micropores and is sucked into the detector diffuses and flows into the U-shaped tube. ,
Particularly when used in a hospital laboratory or the like where white blood cell counts are frequently performed, the metering device is likely to become contaminated, leading to a risk of erroneously detecting the liquid level.

The present invention has been devised in view of the above-mentioned drawbacks, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a metering device that does not cause stains on the metering device and that allows easy replacement of liquid in the metering device.

The present invention will be explained below based on the embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway sectional view showing the configuration of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, there is a bead 2 that accommodates a suspension 1 of particles, a detector 4 having micropores 3 below the surface of the suspension 1, and detection electrodes 5 provided inside and outside the detector 4. , 6. In a particle counting device comprising a joint 1 for fixing a detector 4 and an electrode 6, a pressure transmission chamber 8, a valve 9, a liquid quantification device 10, etc., the liquid quantification device 10 is made of a transparent material such as glass. A U-shaped tube 11 formed of
6, a pressure transmission check valve 17, etc.

The pressure transmission check valve 17 provided at one end of the U-shaped pipe 11 is
Made of rubber or synthetic resin with a valve body at the tip, pressure transmission chamber 8
The valve body at the tip opens only when the liquid pressure in the liquid pressure transmission chamber 8 in the liquid metering device 10 is exceeded, and normally does not open easily.

The operation of this device is such that when the valve 15 is switched so that the liquid in the external tank 18 can flow and the valve 9 is opened, liquid is sucked from the external tank 18 and fills the inside of the U-shaped pipe 11, and the pressure transmission check valve 17 However, Figures 2 and 3.

Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the valve body opens and the pressure transmission chamber 8 and the detector 4 are filled with liquid.

After that, when the valve 15 is switched and a passage is formed between the U-shaped pipe 11 and the valve 16, and the atmosphere is introduced from the valve 16, the U-shaped pipe 11
The liquid inside moves towards the valve 9, creating a liquid-air interface.

When the optical liquid level detecting means 14 detects this interface, the valve 9 is closed, and then the valve 16 is switched. Suction pressure is transmitted to the inside of the detector 4 .

Therefore, the particle suspension 1 is sucked into the detector 4 through the fine holes 3, and the liquid level inside the U-shaped tube gradually rises.

At this time, since the valve body at the tip of the pressure transmission check valve 17 is in the closed state as shown in Figures 4 and 5, or Figures 10 and 11, the rise of the liquid in the U-shaped pipe is caused by the pressure transmission being reversed. This is done only by moving the liquid from the inside of the stop valve 17 toward the U-shaped tube, and the particle suspension sucked into the detector 4 does not flow into the U-shaped tube 11.

As a result, the pressure transmission check valve 17 contracts as shown in FIGS. 6, 7, or 12 and 13.

When the liquid level rises and passes the liquid level detection means 13, a counting start signal is issued, and when it passes the liquid level detection means 12, a counting end signal is issued, and at the same time, the valve 16 is switched to open to the atmosphere, The liquid level in the U-shaped tube stops rising.

At the time of the next measurement, the valve 9 is opened to lower the liquid level to the position of the liquid level detection means 14, the valve 9 is closed in the same way as the previous time, and suction pressure is applied to the inside of the U-shaped tube 11 via the valve 16. , again the particle suspension 1 is aspirated.

In the second and subsequent measurements, the rise and fall of the liquid level in the U-shaped tube is due to the movement of liquid from inside the pressure transmission check valve 17 to the inside of the U-shaped tube 11 or from the inside of the U-shaped tube 11 to the inside of the pressure transmission check valve 1.
7, and the liquid does not flow through the valve body at the tip of the pressure transmission check valve 17.

Normally, the volume regulated by the liquid level detection means 12 and 14 in the U-shaped tube 11 is around 0.25 cc - 0.1 cc, but if the liquid inside the detector 4 and the U-shaped tube 11 is If the flow is not interrupted, U will be measured after several cycles.
This completely prevents the suspension from diffusing into the tube.

An embodiment of the pressure transmission check valve 17 and explanatory diagrams of its operation are shown in FIG. 2 and below.

FIGS. 2 to γ show examples in which the valve body is formed of a flat, thick elastic body, and FIGS. 8 to 13 show examples in which the valve body is formed with grooves.

Figures 3.5, 7, 9, and 11.13 are respectively 2.4 and 11.13.
FIG. 6, 8, 10.12 is a side view of FIG.

Figures 4, 5, 10, and 11 show the U-shaped tube 1.
1 is at the position of the liquid level detection means 14, and the valve body is closed, blocking the flow of liquid.

Figures 6, 7, 12, and 13 show the U-shaped tube 11.
This is a case in which the liquid level inside the valve body is at the position of the liquid level detection means 12, and the liquid inside the valve element moves to the U-shaped tube 11 due to suction pressure being applied to the U-shaped tube 11, and is contracted. There is.

The liquid is filled from the external tank 18 when the detector 4 is used up, when the fine holes 3 of the detector 4 become clogged and the detector is removed to remove the clog, or when the detector 4 is left unused for a long time. This occurs when the liquid in the pipe becomes insufficient due to evaporation, etc. Even in such a case, there is no need to remove the pipe from the device, and the liquid can be easily replenished. Also, when moving the device, it is easy to replenish the liquid inside. The liquid can be drawn out without spilling during movement, and it is easy to fill the liquid, and as described above, according to the present invention, the inflow of the suspension into the liquid metering part can be avoided. It has many advantages, such as completely preventing quantitative errors due to dirt.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 to 13 are explanatory diagrams of an embodiment and operation of a pressure transmission check valve. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Suspension, 4... Detector, 5, 6... Detection electrode, 11... U-shaped tube, 12, 13, 14... Liquid level detection means, 9.15.16 ...Valve, 17...Pressure transmission check valve.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] a detector having micropores below the surface of a particle suspension; a plurality of electrodes provided inside and outside the detector; a pressure transmission chamber communicating with the interior of the detector; and an interior of the pressure transmission chamber. A pressure transmitting check valve made of soft rubber or synthetic resin and having a valve body at the tip, and the pressure transmitting check valve is provided at one end, and a plurality of optical liquids are disposed on the side forming the liquid surface. and a U-shaped tube for liquid metering provided with surface detection means, and when filling liquid into the U-shaped tube, the detector, and the pressure transmission chamber, the valve at the tip of the pressure transmission check valve is inserted from the U-shaped tube side. The liquid is introduced through the body, and when measuring the liquid, suction pressure is applied from the U-shaped tube side.
A liquid metering device in a particle counting device, characterized in that the pressure transmission check valve is contracted.