JPS62157553A - Biochemical analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To close an opening of an element surely, by engaging a conical lid with an element holding section to close the opening of a measuring element with a small-diameter section thereof. CONSTITUTION:A disc rotatably pivotted disc 33 is provided on a shaft 32 on a thermostatic disc 31 heated and kept at a fixed temperature. An element holding section 331 comprising an engaging groove is provided in the periphery of the disc 33. A lid 332 for airtightness is engaged loosely with the opening 331a on the top thereof. A large diameter section 332b of the lid 332 is engaged loosely with a concave of the inner surface of the opening 331a and the small- dia. section 332a presses a measuring element 2 set on the disc 31 under its one gravity to close a through hole of the element 2. Thus, the evaporation of a reagent and a drip sample from the element 2 can be avoided thereby enabling measurement at a high accuracy.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Industrial Application Field] The present invention involves dropping a biochemical liquid sample such as blood, serum, or urine onto a measuring element impregnated with a reaction reagent, and causing the blood, etc. to react with the reagent. This invention relates to a biochemical analyzer for analyzing liquid samples.

[Prior art]

This type of biochemical analysis involves promoting a reaction using a liquid sample of reaction reagents under specific temperature conditions, and measuring the progress and results of the reaction by observing changes in color concentration due to the reaction. It analyzes the presence or absence of components and their content.

By the way, in such an analytical device, when incubating the measuring element (heating, keeping it warm, and transferring it to promote the reaction), in order to prevent the impregnated reaction reagent or the dropped liquid sample from blowing up, A configuration is adopted in which the top opening of the measuring element is closed.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing this configuration, and (a) shows a plate spring 201 that cantilever supports the droplet opening 22a of the measuring element 2.
(bl is a lid 203 whose movement in the direction of gravity is guided by a guide rod 202.
The opening 22a of the measuring element 2 is closed by its own weight, and the opening 22a of the measuring element 2 (C) is closed by the incubation means 204 itself.
It is something.

However, in the case shown in (al), as shown in FIG. 12 [a], due to an error in the shape and mounting of the leaf spring 201, a part of the plate spring 201 does not come into close contact and a gap G is created, resulting in the opening 22a of the element 2.
may lead to the outside, and as shown in Fig. 12(b), the gap G may be caused by variations or deformation of the element 2 itself.
In some cases, this is possible. Also, in the case of the one shown in FIG. 11 (bl), a gap G may be formed in the same way as shown in FIG.
In the case shown in FIG. 1 (C1), a gap G may be formed due to deformation of the element 2 as shown in FIG. 12 (d+).

As described above, in the conventional configuration, gaps are likely to be formed in the opening of the measuring element due to variations and deformation of the measuring element itself, variations in the position of the pressing member, and inclination, etc., making it difficult to close completely and reliably. However, a considerable amount of evaporation of reagents and dropped samples occurred, which adversely affected the analysis results.

[Purpose of the invention]

An object of the present invention is to provide a biochemical analysis method configured to completely and reliably seal the opening of a measurement element.

[Structure of the invention]

For this purpose, the present invention includes an incubation means for keeping the measuring element warm and transferring it, and for the element holding part provided with the means C4, a small diameter part, a large diameter part, and the small diameter part and the large diameter part. The large-diameter portion of the conical sealing means having a conical side surface between the two is engaged with play, and the small-diameter portion of the sealing means closes the opening of the measuring element.

〔Example〕

Examples of the present invention will be described below. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the external appearance of an analyzer for carrying out the method of one embodiment, Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a measuring element, Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a disk as a conveying means, and Fig. 4 is IV-I in Figure 3.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a cross section along the V line, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a lid that makes the measurement element airtight.

In the figure, l is the main body of the analyzer. As shown in FIG. 2, the measuring element 2 described above includes a mount base 21 having a through hole 21a for photometry and a through hole 22 for dropping a liquid sample.
A film 23 impregnated with a certain reagent is sandwiched between the mount cover 22 and the mount cover 22 having a reagent. It is displayed in 5 bits.

The measuring element 2 is inserted into the device body 1 through the element insertion opening 11 provided on the front surface thereof, and is moved by a pair of upper and lower rollers 41 for carrying the element installed inside the main body 1, as shown in FIG. It is held and carried into the incubation means 3. This roller 41 also has a heat-retaining function that isolates the incubation means 3 from the insertion port 11.

The incubation means 3 has the function of holding the measuring element 2 at a set temperature and conveying it in the circumferential direction, and is rotatably supported by a shaft 32 on a constant temperature plate 31 that is heated and held at a constant temperature. A disk 33 is provided, and a heat-retaining cover 34 is provided above the disk 33 so as to surround it with a gap therebetween.

This disk 33 is fitted around its periphery at equal angular intervals.
(formed in the radial direction and open at the outer periphery).
The opening 331a on the top surface has an airtight M3 as a sealing means.
32 are engaged with play.

As shown in FIG. 5, this M2B5 has a small diameter portion 332a.
, a large-diameter portion 332b and a conical side surface 332C between the two have a truncated cone shape, and the large-diameter portion 332b has a flange shape. Then, this large-diameter portion 332b is connected to a recess 331a on the inner circumference of the opening 331a of the element holding portion 331 (see FIG. 7(a)).
) is attached to the element holding portion 331 by engaging with the element holding portion 331 with play.

Therefore, when pushing the measuring element 2 into the element holding part 331, as shown in FIG.
The trajectory of the sliding contact portion on this slope becomes a straight line in the upper limit direction. ) The M2B5 is in a state of being submerged below, and a part of the M2B5 is pushed upward, and the measuring element 2 smoothly enters. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, M2B5 is also pushed inward, but the contact portion S with the recess 331a is only partial.

The measuring element 2 set in the element holding part 331 is in the state shown in FIG.
2a is completely closed by the lid 332.

As a result, the film 23 of the measuring element 2 is kept airtight from the outside, and the reagent impregnated into the film 23 is prevented from evaporating.

Note that even if the shape of the measuring element 2 is deformed, the large-diameter portion 332b of the lid 322 is engaged with the recess 331a+ with play, so that the measuring element 2 can be It is possible to completely cope with deformation of the measuring element 2 and variations in dimensions, and the opening 22a of the measuring element 2 can be completely and reliably sealed.

On the other hand, when the measuring element 2 is set in one element holding part 331 of the disk 33, the next neighboring element holding part 33
1 rotates to a position corresponding to the insertion opening 11, and the next measuring element 2 can be inserted.

As a driving means for the disk 33, in this embodiment, grooves 333 are formed radially on the peripheral edge of the disk 33 to define element holding portions 331 (see FIG. 3). and,
The driving force of the motor 35 is received through gears 341 and 334 and transmitted to the rotary disk 335, and a pin 336 provided at an eccentric position of the rotary disk 335 is engaged with the groove 333 to intermittently rotate the disk 33. It's rotating. 337 is a click mechanism for stabilizing the stopping position of the disk 33.

The measuring element 2 inserted into the element holding part 331 is placed on the thermostatic plate 3
1, the disk 33 is rotated intermittently in the clockwise direction so as to come close to the lower part of the liquid dripping hole 12.

The liquid dripping hole 12 is arranged on the outside of the disk 33, and an element reciprocating means 5 is configured to position the measuring element 2 with respect to the dripping hole 12.

This element reciprocating means 5 has locking pins 51a at the rear end and front part.
, 51b (see FIG. 7 (dl),
A lever 52 connected to the moving plate 51, the lever 51
The lever 52 is rotatable around a shaft 54, so that when the solenoid 53 is activated and its piston is attracted, the moving plate 5
1 moves in the direction of the arrow a, and the measuring element 2 located on the moving plate 51 is brought directly below the droplet hole 12 as shown in FIG. 7 (d+, (e)), and the solenoid 53 stops operating. Then, it returns to the direction opposite to the direction of arrow a and returns the measuring element 2 to the original element holding part 331. Note that the moving plate 51 is the constant temperature plate 3.
The measuring element 2 is disposed so as to be movable within a groove 31a formed on the upper surface of the measuring element 2, and the groove 31a has a width that does not hinder the movement of the measuring element 2 (movement in a direction intersecting the groove 31a).

6 is a photometry section, which includes a light source 61 such as a halogen lamp;
A switchable filter 62 and a light receiving element 6 that detects the light emitted from the light source 61 and reflected by the film 23 of the measuring element 2.
3, and a lens 64 for condensing reflected light onto a light receiving element 63. The information obtained by the light receiving element 63 is sent to a concentration measuring device (not shown), where the optical concentration is detected and biochemical analysis of the liquid is performed.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a discharge section, which is composed of a discharge plate 71, a lever 72 connected to the discharge plate 71, and a solenoid 73 that drives the lever 72. The lever 72 is rotatable about a shaft 74, and thus By driving the solenoid 73, the discharge plate 71 moves in the direction of the arrow, and the measuring element 2 is discharged to the outside from the discharge port 14. Note that a curtain 42 for heat retention is provided at the back of the discharge port 14.

Now, when measuring, power switch 15 of main body 1
Turn on. As a result, if any measurement elements remain in the disk 33, they are ejected, and then the disk 33 is set at its original reference position.

Next, press the mode setting button 16 to select the measurement mode.
This is done by Here, either or both of the modes of the end point method and the rate point method can be selected. The end point method is a mode in which a liquid sample is dropped and colorimetric measurement is performed after a certain period of time has elapsed.When this mode is selected, the filter 62 of the photometry section 6 is switched to a predetermined spectral filter, and the rate point method This mode measures concentration changes over time, and the selected filter 62 is switched to another spectral filter.

Next, the numeric keys 17 are operated to input the sample number. Inputting this sample number is necessary for distinguishing between multiple people who have collected the sample.

After the above preparatory work, the measuring element 2 whose film 23 is pre-impregnated with a reagent is inserted through the element insertion opening 11. As a result, the first measuring element is placed in the element holding portion 3 of the disk 33.
When inserted and held in 31, it becomes a sensor (not shown).
Since the disk 33 is moved one pitch clockwise, the measuring elements are inserted one after another.

The disk 33 rotates clockwise each time an element is inserted, and is preheated when the insertion of the last measuring element is completed. After this preheating, each measuring element approaches the vicinity of the dropping hole 12 and is positioned directly below the dropping hole 12 by the element reciprocating means 5. Here, display 18
The sample number located directly below the dropping hole 12 is displayed at the top, so after checking this display, collect the necessary liquid sample to be measured with the pipette P, and insert it into the measuring element 2 from the dropping hole 12. (Fig. 7(d))
, (see el.).

After this, when the dropping end button 13 is pressed, the moving plate 51 of the element reciprocating means 5 returns to its original position, and the measuring element 2 is returned to the element holding part 331 of the disk 33.

After the dropping of the liquid sample has been completed for all of the measurement elements in each element holding part 331, when the dropping end button 13 is pressed again, the timer is activated and incubation is performed, and the reaction reagent and liquid are Reaction with the sample is promoted. - When this timer time has elapsed, each of the measuring elements 2 is sequentially conveyed to the measuring section 6, where photometry is performed, and the results are displayed on the display 18, as well as printed on the printing section 19.
will be printed out on recording paper along with the sample number.

When the photometry for all the set measuring elements is completed, the measuring elements are transported to a position where the element ejecting means 7 is provided, and are sequentially ejected to the outside from the ejecting port 14.

When one analysis operation is completed in this way, the disk 33 is moved and set at the reference position for the second analysis operation. The above process is shown in a flow chart in FIG.

As described above, biochemical analysis is performed through the process of inserting the measuring element (all at once) - Breincubation (all at once) - Dropping liquid sample by once removing the measuring element (all at once) - Incubation (all at once) - Photometry (all at once) - Discharge (all at once) However, as mentioned above, in this embodiment, disk 3
The measurement element 2 is held in the element holding portion 331 of No. 3 in such a manner that the liquid (reaction reagent and liquid sample) that has permeated the film 23 in the element is difficult to evaporate.

As a result, compared to conventional incubation without using a lid, as shown in FIG. 9, the color density changes significantly in a short time, making it possible to shorten the analysis processing time.

Note that the lid 332 described in the above embodiments is
As shown in FIG. 0(a), an outwardly curved protrusion 332a may be formed on the small diameter portion 332a, and in this way, the through hole 22a of the measuring element 2 can be more completely sealed. Further, as shown in FIG. 10(b), the small diameter portion 332
If the concave portion 332az is provided in a, the sealed space of the through hole 22a of the measuring element 2 can be enlarged, which is suitable for reactions that require a large amount of oxygen. FIG. 10(C) shows a ring 332a3 formed in the small diameter portion 332a to similarly widen the sealed space. FIG. 10+d
) is an elastic piece (spring) 332 at the collar part of the large diameter part 332b.
According to the example shown in (d+), the lid 332 is formed integrally with the recess 311 of the element holding portion 311.
a, and can elastically close its through hole 22a with respect to the measuring element 2. FIG. 10(e) shows a case in which a bent ring-shaped leaf spring 332c is mounted on the flange portion of the lid 332, which has the same effect as the case of FIG. 10(d).

〔Effect of the invention〕

From the above, according to the present invention, the sealing means is formed into a conical shape having a small diameter part, a large diameter part, and a conical side surface between the small diameter part and the large diameter part, and the large diameter part is provided with play in the incubation means. Since the measuring element is engaged with the element holding portion, even if the measuring element is deformed, the opening can be reliably closed and evaporation can be completely prevented. Moreover, the sealing means does not interfere with the insertion of the measuring element, and no problem arises in the insertion operation.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of an analysis device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the measuring element used in this example, Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the disk as a transport means in the analyzer and its vicinity, and Fig. 4 is taken along the line IV-IV in Fig. 3. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a lid that makes the measuring element airtight, FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of movement of the lid, and FIGS. 7(a) to (e)
) is an explanatory diagram of the cent/liquid dropping process of the measuring element, No. 8.
The figure is a flowchart of the entire process, Figure 9 is a color development characteristic diagram with and without a lid, Figures 10 (al to (e) are explanatory diagrams of other embodiments of the lid, and Figures 11 (a) to (e) are illustrations of other embodiments of the lid. C) is a diagram showing a conventional sealing method, and FIGS. 12A to 12C are diagrams showing problems caused by the sealing method shown in FIG.
1... Biochemical analyzer, 2... Measuring element, 3...
- Incubation means, 3゛32... Lid as a sealing means, 5... Element reciprocating means, 6... Photometry section,
7...Element ejection means. Agent Patent Attorney Tsuneaki Nagao Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 9 Figure 32a
c) (d)3321
)l 332 (e) 22a2 Fig. 12 2a2

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A biochemical analyzer that measures the characteristics of a liquid to be analyzed by dropping a liquid to be analyzed from an opening into a measuring element impregnated with a reagent, which is equipped with incubation means for keeping the measuring element warm and transferring it. , the large diameter part of the conical sealing means having a small diameter part, a large diameter part, and a conical side surface between the small diameter part and the large diameter part is played with respect to the element holding part provided on the means. A biochemical analyzer characterized in that the opening of the measuring element is closed by the small diameter portion of the sealing means.