JPS6035626B2 - Multi-sample multi-item automatic chemical analyzer - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention: A chemical analysis device for adding a reagent to a sample liquid such as serum collected from each subject of the present invention and measuring the reaction results;
In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus that dispenses a large number of specimen samples into a large number of reaction containers, adds reagents to each of these, and automatically performs chemical analysis of multiple samples and multiple items.

When performing chemical analysis of multiple samples and multiple items, speedy processing is particularly required.

The present invention aims to provide a multi-analyte, multi-item automatic chemical analyzer that satisfies this requirement. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of one embodiment of the present invention. A flat transparent sheet 2 formed by integrally molding concave portions arranged in a grid pattern is laminated in a sheet feeding device 1. The sheets 2 are stored one by one in the right direction in the figure by the transport means 3.

This conveying means 3 is composed of two rollers 3', a chain 3'' wound between the rollers, and a driving means for these (not shown). Both ends are loaded and transported. As shown in the perspective view for explaining the reaction sheet in FIG. 2, the sheet 2 to be transferred has approximately 3 solid concave portions 4 arranged in rows in the conveying direction in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction (arrow). This is a sheet of transparent material such as vinyl chloride material, and transport perforations 5 in which claws on a chain join together are provided at both ends of this sheet in the direction of travel. This concave portion constitutes a reaction container having a shape as shown in FIG. 3, and the container has a capacity of about 700 to 1300 microliters. Each sample solution 4' is dispensed into each reaction container 4, and the same sample is dispensed into one row perpendicular to the direction of movement of the sheet 2 (arrow direction). In FIG. 1, a sample liquid is drawn up from a sample container 7 in a sample rack 6 taken from a subject by a suction nozzle 8, and is dispensed through a cock-type sample dispenser 9. In this case, the suction nozzle 8 is operated by the air cylinder 10.
The sample is inserted into a sample container and sucked up by a suction bottle 12 which is brought to negative pressure by a vacuum pump 11 via a cock-type dispenser 9, and then passed through a dispensing nozzle 9 of a fractionator 9.
’ is measured and dispensed. Note that this dispensing/zure 9' is arranged corresponding to about 3 hard concave portions in a direction perpendicular to the sheet transport direction. 13 is a reagent tank, 14 is a reagent dispenser, and the reagent in this dispenser 14 is also dispensed into the reaction container 4 from the dispensing nozzle 9' of the dispenser 9 described above.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a constant temperature water circulation device which supplies hot water at a predetermined temperature through a pipe 15' to a heater installed near the bottom of the reaction sheet 2 being transferred by the transfer means 3 and along the transfer direction. , the temperature of the sample in each reaction vessel 4 is maintained at a predetermined constant temperature.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a thermostatic chamber, which is composed of a frame section 16' and a cover 16'' that can be opened and closed on the frame section 16'.

As is clear from the figure, this cover 16'' almost entirely surrounds the reaction sheet 2, the separator 9, the heater holder, the transfer means 3, etc. that are being transferred, and the inside is covered by the electric heater 17 and the blower 18. The warm air circulates and quickly raises the temperature of the sample along with the heater, promoting the reaction, and has the function of maintaining the entire temperature at a uniform temperature. The sheet is configured to be able to pass through closing portions 19 and 20 provided between the cover 16'' and the cover 16''. Reference numeral 21 denotes a second reagent which is added to the reaction solution via the dispenser 22 and its nozzle 22' when necessary, such as in the rate method.

Reference numeral 23 denotes a side light means, and 24 denotes its light source, which illuminates each concave portion of the sheet (
It has an optical path that corresponds to the passage of movement of the reaction vessel (reaction vessel) and crosses the passage below the passage, and as shown in FIG. It is refracted horizontally, passes through the reaction container 4 in the movement path of the concave striped portion, returns downward again, and returns to the half mirror 2.
6 toward the photocell 27, and the transmittance of the reaction liquid 4' is measured spectroscopically using light of different wavelengths by color filters 28 disposed in front of each.

The output of each photocell is separately processed and output, but the explanation here will be omitted. In this case, the reaction sheet
Since the cell 2 is transparent, the reaction vessel 4 can be used as it is as a side light cell. 29 is the base of these optical systems.

The reaction sheet 2 measured by these optical systems is further transferred to the right in the figure, and is sent to an external storage device 31 and discharged from the discharge port 20 of the cover 16''.

For convenience of explanation, the cover 16'' is shown as being disposed outside the cover 16'' in FIG. A blower 18 is provided which surrounds almost the entirety of the container 3 and makes the air inside it uniform vertically. In addition, in the heating block placed below the sheet 2, a groove having a cross-sectional shape similar to the cross section of the reaction liquid container in the direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the reaction liquid container is arranged parallel to the transport direction of the sheet 2. Therefore, the heat transfer to the reaction liquid container is improved, and the temperature of the reaction liquid is quickly raised, and the effect is further enhanced by the function of the blower. Reference numeral 33 is an air source used to drive the air cylinder 10 or the dispensers 14 and 22, and further to separate sheets into individual sheets, but detailed operations will be omitted here. Next, a moving object in the apparatus configured as described above will be briefly explained.

When the sample to be analyzed is introduced into the sample container 7 in the sample rack 6, the nozzle 8 is inserted into the sample container 7 by the operation of the air cylinder 10, and the sample is passed through the vacuum pump 11, suction bottle 12, etc. It gets sucked in. On the other hand, from a large number of sheets stacked and stored in the sheet feeding device 1, only the lowest sheet 2 is separated from the others, and the conveying means 3
The water is transferred from the entrance part 19 of the thermostatic oven to the lower part of the water separator 9. Then, when the rows of reaction vessels arranged perpendicularly to the sheet transport direction come directly under the nozzle of the dispenser 9, the cock-type dispenser 9 operates and, for example, each of the three reaction vessels 4 is Samples are simultaneously dispensed from nozzle 9'. Around this time, if necessary, the reagent from the reagent tank 13 is also dispensed from the nozzle 9' via the reagent dispenser 14. These separation operations are performed each time the reaction vessel row perpendicular to the sheet transport direction is positioned below the nozzle 9', that is, while the sheet is positioned intermittently. Although this analyzer is equipped with a control device including a computer, these control devices are not the gist of the present application, and therefore their description will be omitted here.

The sheets into which reagents and the like have been dispensed as described above are transferred one after another (on the other hand, another new sheet is being supplied from the closing section 19), and during this process, the sheets are heated from below by a heater. The temperature of the sample in the reaction vessel is maintained at a predetermined constant temperature from the time of transfer within the constant temperature bath.

In addition, if necessary, replace the derailer 22 and nozzle 22' during this process.
A second reagent is added via.

In addition, the nozzle 22'' is an air nozzle used for sufficiently mixing samples, reagents, etc. in the reaction vessels.As described above, the samples, reagents, etc. are dispensed into each reaction vessel and kept at a constant temperature. is maintained.

When the sheet is transferred, the degree of reaction of the sample etc. is optically measured by the light attenuation means 23. The side light means 23 are arranged along the transfer path of each reaction container by the number of reaction containers arranged in the direction perpendicular to the sheet transport direction (for example, 30). The degree of reaction of the sample is immediately measured by passing the reaction container over the spotlight means and outputted by a separate means.

The sheet measured by the storage light means described above is discharged from the discharge port 20 of the thermostatic oven and stored in the storage device 31.

As described above, this proposal uses a transparent sheet with a large number of recesses (reaction containers) arranged in a grid pattern, and the sheet is sequentially transferred to dispense samples and reagents into each reaction container. It is a mechanism in which the dispensing is carried out sequentially, the sample is heated and reacted while maintaining a constant salt content, and the reaction state is optically measured through the transparent sheet itself, so it can be applied to a large number of samples. Since one sample is divided and dispensed into, for example, 3M solid reaction vessels, the processing capacity of the present apparatus is extremely large.

The above is the general configuration and operation of the entire device, and the present application particularly relates to the configuration of the storage device 31 in the above configuration, the details of which are shown in FIG. 5.

In Figure 5, the type that is being sent out from the thermostatic chamber in the direction of the arrow. The fixed seat 2 is temporarily supported and held by levers 36, 36' (holding means) attached to the shaft of a rotary solenoid 35 provided on a support arm 34. 37
3 is a support means (pin) disposed below the holding means, which supports a part of the seat and tilts the seat when the lever of the holding means rotates to release the seat;
Reference numeral 8 is an inverter disposed below the support means, which moves by placing the end of the inclined sheet, inverts the sheet in cooperation with a pin, and transports the sheet to the sheet storage section. The belt means consists of two rollers 38' and two belts 38'' stretched between them.

In addition, numeral 39 is a drain tank provided below this belt means, and 40' is a sheet storage section. FIG. 6 is a partial plan view of the holding means, FIG. 7 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the reversing belt means and the sheet, and FIG. 8 is a state in which the sheet is reversed in cooperation with the pin and the reversing belt. FIG.

In these figures, after the sheet 2 fed out is held and supported on the levers 36, 36' of the holding means,
When the solenoid 35 operates, the lever rotates as shown by the arrow.
The sheet will fall. However, as a part of the sheet is supported by the pin 37 during the fall, the sheet tilts around this pin as a fulcrum, and as shown in Fig. 8, one end of the sheet rests on the belt (like an ``a'') and then the sheet is placed on the belt. As the means moves, the sheet is reversed by the cooperation of the pin 37 and the belt means 38 in the following order: "a" → "i" → "u" → "work". As a result, the sheet 2 is placed upside down (inverted) on the reversing belt means 38 as shown in FIG. It will be discharged to.

This sheet is then sent to and stored in the sheet storage section 40. Note that 41 is the released reaction liquid. In the above explanation of the operation, a pin was used to reverse the sheet, but it is also possible to rotate one of the levers that hold the sheet, for example, the lever 36, and drop one end of the sheet onto the belt without using the pin. Remaining lever 36'
It is also possible to invert the sheet between the belt and the belt.

In this case, the lever serves both as a holding means and a supporting means. As described above, according to the present invention, the reaction liquid and the sheet can be automatically separated and stored separately, so that when processing the reaction liquid and reusing the sheet later,
This reduces the amount of work involved and increases the efficiency of using this event mobilization device. As described in detail above, the present invention stacks and stores sheets in which reaction containers for dispensing sample liquid such as serum obtained from a large number of specimens are stacked, and quickly separates and supplies the sample liquid. We also provide a multi-analyte, multi-item automatic chemical analyzer that quickly and orderly processes the operations of dispensing reagents, quickly bringing them to a predetermined reaction temperature, maintaining them, measuring them in a spectroscopic solution, and then discharging the used sheet. It is possible.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory side view of one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a reaction sheet, FIG. 3 is an explanatory perspective view of a reaction liquid container, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of a measuring section. FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8 are schematic illustrations of the seat storage device according to the present application. 1... Reaction sheet supply device, 2... Reaction sheet, 3...
... Transfer means, 4... Reaction container, 9...
...Distributor, 14...Reagent dispenser, 16...
Constant temperature chamber, 20... Side light means, 31...
Storage device, 35... Arm, 36, 36'...
...Holding lever, 37... ．．・Support pin, 381・
... Reversing belt means, 39 ... Drainage tank, 4
0...Sheet storage section. Min・／ Figure O 3 Figure Sai 4 Figure Sai 2 Figure O 5 Figure Spear 5 Figure Fang 77 Figure Spear 8 Figure

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A sheet of transparent material with a large number of concave cavities arranged in a grid pattern is transported in the horizontal direction within the constant temperature chamber using a transfer means, and samples and reagents are dispensed into the concave cavities of this sheet. death,
Next, the absorbance of the reaction liquid (mixed reaction liquid with sample/reagent) in each concave portion is measured, and the holding means for the measured sheet sent out from the transfer means and the holding means for holding the sheet are When the holding is released, a support means for supporting a part of the sheet and tilting the sheet, and below the support means, the end of the tilted sheet is placed and moved;
It has a reversing belt means for reversing and transporting the sheet in cooperation with the supporting means, a drain tank disposed below the belt means, and a sheet storage section provided in the transporting direction of the reversing belt. A multi-analyte, multi-item automatic chemical analyzer featuring: