JPS62138735A - Duplex pipette device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily draw, spot and supply a sample liquid and reference liquid by making a pair of pipettes freely movable in a horizontal direction to vary the distance therebetween and making the pipettes vertically movable when the spacing therebetween is smaller than the prescribed spacing. CONSTITUTION:A disk 50 is rotated to move both pipettes 1, 3 from a tight contact position to an open position. The spacing between dropping tips 6, 6 increases and the suction of the sample or reference liquid contained in a reagent bottle, etc. by immersing only the one tip 6 into the reagent bottle is made easy in the stage of sucking the sample or reference liquid. A push rod 21 and piston rod 23 are moved upward by the energizing force of upper and lower coil springs 25, 26 when the bottom end of the tip 6 is lower coil springs 25, 26 when the bottom end of the tip 6 is immersed into the liquid in the reagent bottle and the hand is released from the rod 21 after the rod 21 is pushed down to move the rod 23 downward. The liquid is then sucked into the tip 6. The prescribed liquid is similarly sucked into the other tip 6 as well. The disk 50 is then rotated to move the pipettes 1, 3 to the tight contact position. The sample liquid and reference liquid are simultaneously spotted and supplied when the bottom ends of the tips 6, 6 are disposed to face each of a pair of the liquid spotting holes and the two push rods 21, 41 are simultaneously pushed down.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial Field) The present invention relates to a dual pipette device, that is, a dual pipette device capable of inhaling and discharging two types of liquids, and more particularly, to a dual pipette device capable of inhaling and discharging two types of liquids. This article relates to a dual pipette device used to drop sample and reference solutions to an ion activity measuring device.

(Conventional technology) Aqueous liquid samples, e.g. alcoholic beverages, beverages, tap water.

In particular, biological matter 812 (blood, taste, saliva, etc.) is dot-supplied to activate specific ions contained therein Φ (or 2!!).
An ion analysis device for quantitatively analyzing ti) by potentiometry is published in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 58-211648.

Japanese Patent Application No. 59-30055@, Patent Application No. 59-11744
Disclosed in the issue etc.

In order to help, such an ion activity measurement device is equipped with at least one pair of ion-selective electrodes having an ion-jπ-selective layer in the outermost layer that selectively responds to specific ions,
This ion selection electrode pair is supported between an upper frame and a lower support frame. The upper frame is provided with a pair of liquid spotting holes corresponding to one set of the pair of ion-selective electrodes, and the sample liquid spotted and supplied to one of the pair of liquid spotting holes and the other. A polygonal bridge (a preferred example is a strand of fibers) is usually provided on the upper frame to establish electrical continuity (liquid junction) with the reference liquid dispensed onto the upper frame. There is.

In addition, when the ion-selective electrode pairs are required in several pairs,
- A pair of porous liquid distribution members are disposed between the upper frame and the ion-selective electrode pairs, which in turn communicate the ion-selective electrode pairs with the pair of spotting holes.

In the ion activity measuring instrument configured in this way, for example, if three ion-selective electrode pairs are provided, each of which responds to NaΦ, ■, and c9Jθ,
When a reference liquid whose ion activity is known is placed on one of a pair of liquid spotting holes, and a sample liquid whose ion activity is unknown is placed on the other, both liquids are substantially Both liquids (preferably applied at the same time) each penetrate the porous liquid distribution member and reach the three corresponding ions. The interface between the two liquids comes into contact (liquid junction) near the center of the porous bridge, establishing electrical continuity. As a result, a potential difference corresponding to the difference in activity of each ion between the sample solution and the reference solution is generated in the electric constant of each ion-selective electrode pair. The activities of Na, Φ, and Czθ ions in the sample solution can be measured simultaneously, sequentially, or at any time using a parsimony line (the principle is based on Nernst's equation) determined in advance from the ion activity.

This type of ion activity measurement device can easily measure the ion activity m by simply checking a small amount of the sample solution and reference solution once, so it is useful for the analysis of aqueous liquid samples, especially blood collected from the human body. When spotting the sample solution and reference solution on such an ion activity measuring instrument, it is preferable that both solutions be spotted at substantially the same time, so the spotting operation is extremely useful in clinical analysis of samples obtained. There has been a demand for a spot-feeding means suitable for this purpose. Particularly when performing a simple measurement of ion activity, it is convenient to use a single pipette as a spot supply means, as it can aspirate and discharge both the sample solution and reference solution without mixing. Demeru.

The double pipette has a pair of tip parts, and the sample liquid and the reference liquid are simultaneously dripped and supplied from the pair of tip parts to the pair of liquid spotting holes of the ion activity measuring instrument. It is preferable to have such a configuration.

That is, when supplying liquid by spotting, it is preferable that the distance between the pair of tips of the dual pipettes 1 to 1 is approximately the same as the distance between the pair of liquid spotting holes of the ion activity measuring instrument.

However, the distance between the centers of the pair of liquid spotting holes of the ion activity measurement device is usually very narrow, less than about 10#, and the pair of tips of the dual pipette have such a narrow spacing. In such a case, it is extremely difficult to aspirate sample liquid and reference liquid from blood collection tubes, reagent bottles, etc. into the distal tip of the dual pipette using these tips.

Particularly when measuring ion activity using a biological body fluid as a sample liquid, it is preferable to drop and supply the body fluid collected from the biological body onto the ion activity measuring instrument as quickly as possible without exposing it to the outside air. In other words, the dual pipette may have a structure that allows it to directly aspirate a sample liquid from within an organism, etc., and simultaneously supply this sample liquid together with a separately aspirated reference liquid to a pair of spotting holes in the ion-activating device. desirable. However, a dual pipette having such a structure has not been known to date.

(Object of the Invention) In view of the current situation, the present invention aims to provide a dual pipette device suitable for measuring ion activity using the slide type ion activity measuring instrument as described above. Demeru.

(Structure of the Invention) The dual pipette device of the present invention has a pair of pipettes extending vertically and disposed in parallel to each other in a holding case. A pair of piston members arranged so as to be able to slide up and down inside this syringe are held by the pipette 1~, and a dripping tip attachment part communicating with each cylinder is roughly provided at the lower end of each syringe. The pair of pipettes are disposed in a holding case so as to be movable in the lateral direction, so that the distance between the two pipettes can be changed, and the pair of piston members are provided with a A locking member is attached that locks both piston members to each other when the distance between these screws becomes less than a predetermined distance. The members must be characterized in that they slide integrally.

By the way, in the present invention, 1-dropping tip refers to a tip for dropping an appropriate amount (usually several tens of micrometers) of sample solution and reference solution for measuring ion activity using a slide-type ion activity measurement device. It means a tip with a cut-out hole.

This dripping tip (hereinafter referred to simply as the tip)
It is preferable that the shape is such that it can be attached to the connecting member in a comfortable manner.

In particular, since it is essential to apply a clean tip to each sample for the tip that sucks and holds the sample liquid, it is preferable that the tip applied to the sample liquid side has a shape that does not allow it to be freely attached to the IJ connecting member.

The means for operating the piston member may be manual or automatic, for example pneumatic, ? ! b Pressure, electromagnetic force (solenoid,
It is possible to use a known vertical motive mechanism using an electric motor or the like.

(Actual Mode) Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

1 and 2 are a schematic diagram and a sectional view showing an example of a double pipette according to the present invention, and this double pipette has a pair of pipettes 1 to 1°3 in a holding case 5. The pipette 1. is configured to extend vertically and are arranged parallel to each other.
31; It is movable in the t4M direction (arrow B direction). Below, this double pipette is shown in Figures 1 and 2.
This will be explained with reference to the figures.

The pipettes 1 and 3 are provided with piston members 20 and 40 extending vertically within the housing 10.30, respectively.
and a cylinder 11 provided at the bottom of each cylinder.
．． 31. This housing 10.
At the lower end of 30, there is a slot that communicates with each cylinder 11.31.
1 through hole 11a, 31a, and a dripping tip 6
．． 6 is 1]f'2 A dripping tip mounting portion 12.32 is formed which can be freely mounted. This housing 10.3
A piston member 20.4 extending vertically within the
0 is a bushing rod 2141 located at the upper end and protruding upward from the upper surface of the housings 10 and 30, respectively, and a piston rod located at the lower end and fitted with the cylinder 11.31 so as to be able to slide up and down within the cylinder 1131. 343
, and the connecting rod 2?4? which connects the push rod w21.41 and the screws 1 to 23.43. are biased upwardly against the housing 10.30 by upper coil springs 2545 and lower coil springs 26.46, respectively. By the way, this biasing force is applied to the stepped portion 21a41a of the bushing rod 21.41 and the housing 1.
The receiver is stopped by contact with the contact portions 13 and 33 of 0.30.

Further, at the lower end of the housing 10.30, a housing 10.30 is provided so as to surround the dripping tip mounting portion 12.32.
A chip ejector 14° 34 is disposed 89 and is movable up and down inside. This chip ejector-14, 34
are respectively connected to the ejector knobs 7 attached to the external side of the housing 10.30, and by operating the ejector knobs 78 downward, the tip ejectors 14, 34 are pushed down, and the dripping tip mounting portion 12.
The dripping tip 6°6 attached to 32 can be removed. This makes it possible to remove the dispensing tip from the pipette without touching it with your hands after dropping the sample solution or G reference solution. There is a locking groove 2 on the inner surface of 21.
1b is formed, and a locking member 8 is attached to the inner surface of the second bushing rod 41, so that when the pair of pipettes 1 and 3 are in close contact with each other on their sides as shown in FIG. (Hereinafter, this position will be referred to as the close contact position), the locking member 8 is in the locking groove. 1b and both bushing rods 21.41 are locked together. Therefore, in the close contact position, both push rods H-:21.41 move up and down only integrally.

On the other hand, if the pipettes 1.3 are moved laterally and away from each other and placed in the separated state as shown in Figure 1, the pipettes 8 (
(Hereinafter, this position will be referred to as the open position), the locking member 8 is released from the locking member 21b, and the locks 21 and 41 can each move up and down independently. .

In this case, in order to move both pipettes] and 3 in the lateral direction, they are attached to the front surface of the holding case 5 so as to be rotatable about a center point 53. 50 has a pair of cam grooves 5152 that extend spirally from the vicinity of the center point 53 toward the middle, and within these cam grooves 51.52, the cam shafts 1a, 3a fixed to the housing 10°30 are inserted. are protrudingly engaged.

Therefore, when the actuating disk 50 is rotated around the central axis 53, the cam shafts 1a and 3a are moved left and right along the cam grooves 51 and 52, thereby moving the pipettes 1 and 3 laterally (in the direction of arrow B). will be moved to.

Note that a protrusion 5a that protrudes laterally is formed at the upper end of the holding case 5.
When pushing down the push rod 21.41, your hand comes into contact with this protrusion 5a (iqt) to receive the lowering force and push down the push rod 2L41. Ru.

The operations d3 and 1 downward movement of the double pipette that were completed as described above will be explained.

When using this dual pipette, first attach the dropping tip 6.6 to each dropping tip attachment part 123 for sucking and holding the sample liquid or reference liquid. Attach to. Next, disk 5
When moving the pipette I-1.3 from the closed position to the open position, the two pipettes 1.3 will separate as shown in FIG.
The spacing between the dripping tips 6.6 installed at the lower end of the tip 3 has also been increased, so that, for example, when inhaling a sample liquid or a reference liquid contained in a reagent bottle, it is possible to immerse only one dripping tip 6 into the reagent bottle. This makes it easier to inhale. Also, in the open position each bushing rod 21.41 can be operated independently, so that the bushing rod on the side to be inhaled, for example the bushing rod? Push down 1 and piston rod? 38, the lower end of the dropping tip 6 is immersed in the sample liquid or reference liquid in the reagent bottle, and then when the bushing rod 21 is released, the bushing rod 21 is moved downward by the biasing force of the upper and lower coil springs 25 and 26. 1 and piston rod 23
In the same manner as above, the sample liquid or the reference liquid is sucked into the dropping tip 6 by moving the tip upward, and the specified liquid is sucked into the other dropping tip 6, and then the disc 50 is rotated. Both pipettes 1 and 3 are moved to a close contact position.

The distance between the two piston rods 20 and 40, which are placed in close contact with each other, corresponds to the distance between the pair of liquid spotting holes in the slide-type ion activity measurement device.
When the lower ends of the dripping tips 6.6 attached to the lower ends of , 3 are opposed to each of the pair of liquid spotting holes, and both bushings 2141 are simultaneously pushed down, the dripping tips 6.6 are placed in each of these liquid spotting holes. Liquid and reference waves can be applied simultaneously. In addition, this bushing rod 21.41 has a locking member 8 and a locking groove. Since the bushing rods 2L41□ are locked together so that they can only move in one piece, if at least one of the bushing rods 2L41□ is pressed, both bushing rods 2L41□ will move downward at the same time, and will arrive at the same time.

In the above, we have explained the case where the sample solution and the reference solution are spotted at the same time, but it is of course possible to spot both solutions separately if the dual pipette is used in the open position.86 . By the way, if you want to apply both solutions separately, for example, what about a pair of ion-selective electrodes? ! ! In some ion activity measurement instruments, when the viscosity of the sample liquid is high and the diffusion speed in the liquid distribution member is slow, it is difficult to apply the sample liquid quickly.In the dual pipette of the present invention, Both pipettes 1,
It is desirable to provide a locking mechanism such as a detent IHM using a spring or the like that does not allow pipette 3 to be fixedly held in the close position and open position, so that the pipette can be fixedly held in both positions.

4 to 6 show different examples of mechanisms for laterally moving the pair of pivots 1 to 1°3, which are held movably in the lateral direction in the holding case 5. I can buy things.

In FIG. 4, the rotating shafts 61a to 64 of each pair of upper and lower gears 6163 and 6?64 mesh with each other.
At a position eccentric from a, the pipettes 1 and 3 are held by these gears 61 to 64 as shown in the figure, and a drive gear 65 that meshes with the lower gear 64 is arranged, and the drive gear 65 is rotated. The pipettes 1 and 3, which are eccentrically held by the gears 61 to 64, are moved laterally by being driven to rotate each gear. This is a movement along an arc due to the rotations of 61 to 64.

In the imitation structure shown in FIG. 5, a threaded member 7L72 that is threadedly engaged with a threaded member 73 that extends in the horizontal direction and is attached to the holding case 5 is fixed to the housing 10°30, and this screw Since the threaded member 73 is rotated to move the threaded members 71 and 72 to move the pipettes 1 and 3 laterally, the threaded member 73 is provided with reverse threads on the left and right sides of the center portion 73a. The threads of the threaded member 7172 are also opposite threads to each other.

The mechanism shown in Fig. 6 uses two cam plates 80 and 85 to move the cylinder in one direction by 1,38φ. A first cam having a cam vortex 86 to 898, which has a cam vortex 86 to 898, is superimposed on the cam shaft, which is fixed to both pipettes 1 and 3. 1b, lc,
3b and 3c are configured to protrude and engage with the cam grooves of both temporary cams 8085. The first cam 80 allows the pipette 1.3 to move only laterally, so that the second
When the temporary cam 85 is moved in the vertical direction (in the direction of arrow C), the cams (Qlb, lc, 3b, 3c or lateral direction , the pipettes 1 and 3 move laterally.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, according to the present invention, a pair of cylinders are housed in a pair of housings arranged in a holding case so as to be movable laterally and to change the distance between the housings. At the same time, a piston member is provided which slides on the upper ball inside the cylinder, and when the interval between the piston members becomes narrower as the housing moves, the locking member locks both screw-on members. Since it constitutes a continuous pipette, when collecting and inhaling a sample solution or a reference solution with this pipette, move the housing to the open position to widen the gap between both piston members, and remove blood from blood collection tubes, reagent bottles, etc. The suction operation can be easily carried out, and since each piston 81 and head 4 can be operated independently in the open position, it is not necessary to suction and collect the sample liquid and reference liquid separately for each piston member. Furthermore, when dispensing, the housing is moved to the close contact position and both piston members are locked, so both piston members are not operated at once, making it easy to apply both liquids at the same time. Yes, and at this time, if the interval between the dripping dips attached to the lower end of the housing is the same as the interval between the pair of liquid spotting holes of the sliding type ion activity measurement device, the cough liquid spotting holes can be accessed at the same time @ It's not easy to do.

As described above, the dual pipette according to the present invention is not only particularly suitable for measuring ion utilization using a slide-type ion activity measuring instrument, but also suitable for sliding-type dry liquid colorimetric analysis instruments other than ion activity measurement. It is suitable for applying standard solutions to colorimetric test paper, colorimetric test pieces, etc., and its utility value is extremely high.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the double pipette of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the double pipette of the present invention along the arrows -A +; 3; 6 to 6 are perspective views each showing an example of a mechanism for moving the pipette in the lateral direction in the dual pipette according to the present invention. 1.3... Pipette 5... Holding case 6...
-Dripping tip 8...locking member 10, . 30・
・・Housing 1131・・Cylinder 1/1.3
4... Depth ejector? 040... Piston member 2141... Bushing rod 23, 43... Piston rod 50... Operating disk Fig. 4 Fig. 5 Fig. 6

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) Consisting of a holding case and a pair of pipettes extending vertically within the holding case and disposed parallel to each other;
The pair of pipettes includes a pair of cylinders, a pair of piston members each having a lower end slidable vertically within the cylinder and extending vertically, and a lower end of each of the cylinders is provided so as to communicate with each cylinder. The pair of pipettes are arranged so as to be movable laterally within the holding case to change the distance between the two pipettes, and by the lateral movement, Said 1
A locking member is attached to both piston members, which locks both piston members to each other and causes both piston members to integrally slide up and down when the distance between the pair of piston members becomes less than a predetermined distance. Dual pipette device.