JPS63148144A - Photometric device for biochemical analytic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To process a very small amount of sample at a high speed by using an optical member where a recessed part for containing the sample for reaction, a measurement path, and a heating path for the sample are constituted in one body. CONSTITUTION:The optical member O.F. consists of an optical fiber group composed of a core piece 1 and an external cylinder part piece 2, the injection recessed part 3 where the sample S and a reagent are injected is formed at the upper end, and the reflecting surfaces 2b and 2c of a right-angled prism are provided across the recessed part. When inspection is performed, the sample S is dispensed in the recessed part 3 and a temperature control part 5 is operated to inject the reagent while holding the recessed part at constant temperature. Then a light source 6 is turned on to irradiate the sample S and transmitted light is guided by the optical fibers and analyzed spectrally by a detection part 7. Thus, the sample storage part is reduced in size, so an extremely small amount of sample can be analyzed, temperature raising and cleaning are performed in a short time, and fast processing is possible.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to an improvement of a photometric device in a biochemical analyzer used in the field of medical testing.

(Prior art) In recent medical diagnosis, testing of body fluids such as blood and urine is one of the essential elements. A reaction sample to be tested (hereinafter referred to as sample) is placed in reaction tube B, which is moved over a predetermined period of time in reaction tank A maintained at a constant temperature.
A method in which the reaction is carried out for a predetermined period of time by dispensing the reaction solution and adding a reagent thereto, and then measuring the absorbance of the transmitted light of the reaction solution using a photometric means consisting of a light source C and a detector. was used.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) In this case, the conventional device consists of each part of the measurement system: a part that accommodates the sample (reaction tube), a part that maintains the sample at constant temperature (reaction tank), and a part that holds the sample at a constant temperature (reaction tank). The part that measures the absorbance of the light (photometric system) is completely independent.
In addition, since the volume of the sample storage part is large, ranging from several hundred centimeters to several CC, during high-speed processing, it not only takes time to raise the temperature of the liquid in the reaction tube, but also requires a considerable amount of time to clean the reaction tube after measurement. There was also the inconvenience that it took time.

The present invention has been made in view of this situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a photometric device for a biochemical analyzer that enables high-speed processing of trace amounts of samples.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) The structure of the present invention for achieving this object includes, in a photometry device of a biochemical analyzer, a recess for accommodating a sample;
An optical member that integrally includes a photometric system path for guiding light transmitted through the reaction sample in the recess to a detection means and a heating system path for heating the reaction sample in the recess. It's all about being prepared.

(Function) The function of the present invention based on this configuration includes a recess for accommodating a sample, a photometric system path for guiding the light transmitted through the reaction sample in the recess to a detection means, and a reaction sample in the recess. The purpose of this invention is to replace the conventional reaction tube with an optical member that is integrated with a heating system for heating the sample.

(Example) Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on an example shown in the drawings. 1st
The figure is a sectional view of the main components of an example of a photometric device of a biochemical analyzer to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is an observation view from above.

In the figure, the L-shaped members indicated as O and F as a whole are optical members constituting the characteristic parts of the present invention. It is constructed as an optical fiber having a composite structure with an outer cylinder piece 2 made of a pipe-shaped optical fiber. Then, this optical member 0. The end surface 1a of the core piece 1 near the upper end of F is set lower than the upper end surface of the outer cylinder piece 2, and is preferably formed into a concave spherical shape. The four portions 3 formed by the concave spherical surface 1a and the inner circumferential surface 2a of the outer cylinder piece 2 serve as injection recesses into which the sample S and reagent (hereinafter referred to as sample, etc.) are injected during measurement. Further, two portions 2b and 2C on the upper end surface of the outer cylinder piece 2 facing each other with the injection recess 3 in between constitute the reflecting surfaces of the optical right-angle prism, so that the optical member 0. The optical member 0.F is formed as a 45-degree shoulder surface facing inward with respect to the central axis of the optical member 0.F. F
, Q, the other end surface 4 that has passed through the downward bending portion is connected to the optical member 0. F, is formed as an entrance/exit surface perpendicular to the central axis after bending.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a temperature control unit provided facing the end face of the core piece l on the entrance/exit surface 4, and controls the temperature inside the injection recess 3 through the core piece 1 using a method such as infrared irradiation, for example. It supplies a predetermined amount of heat to the sample S and the like. Reference numeral 6 denotes a measurement light source installed facing the end face of the outer cylinder piece 2 on the input/output surface 4, and is set at a position where its projected light beam is directed toward the one reflective slope 2b. Similarly to 6, a detection section 7 is installed facing the end surface of the outer cylinder piece 2 on the entrance/exit surface 4, and is located at a position where the reflected light beam from the other reflective slope 2C can enter itself. Set.

Note that the optical member 0. Regarding the material of F, is it necessary for the outer cylinder piece 2 to be made of a transparent fiber material? For the core piece 1, it does not matter whether it is transparent or non-transparent as long as it is made of a fiber material with excellent thermal conductivity. . Further, whether or not to form a coating layer to increase reflection efficiency on the outer surfaces of the two reflective slopes 2b and 2c is determined depending on the purpose, materials used, circumstances, etc. at the time of design.

Next, the photometric action of the biochemical analyzer having this configuration will be explained.

When testing blood serum, etc., first, the optical member 0. F
, a small amount of sample S is dispensed into the upper end injection recess 3 by an appropriate method, and the temperature control section 5 is operated to pour the sample S into the upper end injection recess 3.
While maintaining the inside at a constant temperature, a predetermined reagent is mixed in to promote the reaction.

[In the case of one-time measurement after a predetermined time reaction] After a predetermined time has elapsed, the light source 6 is turned on, and the irradiation light flux is made to enter from the entrance/exit surface 4. This light beam travels on the irradiation optical axis 8 in the outer cylinder piece 2, is reflected at right angles from one of the reflective slopes 2b, enters the injection recess 3 from its circumferential surface, and is directed toward the reaction liquid present inside. and reaches the other reflective slope 2C. This transmitted light is reflected by the reflective slope 2c, passes through the measurement optical axis 9, enters the detection section 7 from the entrance/exit surface 4, and undergoes a predetermined spectroscopic measurement to obtain desired inspection data.

[In the case of sequential measurement of reaction state] When measuring the reaction state several times sequentially at predetermined intervals, the lighting timing of the light source 6 should be adjusted to the above-mentioned predetermined intervals, or the light source 6 should be turned on from the beginning of the measurement operation. Then, when necessary, the detection unit 7 is activated to check the reaction liquid permeability at each time.

In either case, after the measurement, the optical members 0, F,
The cleaning work can be completed by simply cleaning the upper end injection recess 3.

As described above, the photometric device of the biochemical analyzer according to the present invention uses an optical member, in particular an optical fiber with a small diameter, which integrally configures the sample storage part, constant temperature holding part, irradiation and measurement optical path, and the sample storage part Since the volume is small, it is possible to process trace amounts of samples at low cost. Moreover, during the cleaning process, it is sufficient to simply wash the sample storage part with water and dry it without aspirating the reaction solution, which not only makes the process easier but also takes less time compared to conventional cleaning processes. This can also contribute to increasing the overall processing speed.

Although one embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and within the scope of not changing the gist thereof,
It is possible to implement various modifications. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, one
Although the configuration has been described as having a plurality of optical members, it is also possible to have a configuration in which a plurality of optical members are arranged for one set of these devices. It is also possible to construct a reaction line by arranging the optical members in a manner such that each optical member is movable so as to be able to sequentially face these devices.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, when the present invention is used, it becomes possible to realize a photometric device for a biochemical analyzer that enables high-speed processing of trace amounts of samples.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of the main components to show an example of a photometric device of a biochemical analyzer to which the present invention is applied, Fig. 2 is an observation view from above, and Fig. 3 is to explain a conventional photometric device. FIG. 0, F, - Optical member S - Sample 1 - Core piece
2-Outer cylinder piece 3-Injection recess 5-Temperature control part 6-Light source
7-Detection unit 8-Irradiation optical axis 9-Measurement optical axis Representative Patent attorney Nori Chika Ken Yudo Daigo Norifu 6 Mitsuhiro Figure 1

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) a recess for accommodating a reaction sample; a photometric system path for guiding light transmitted through the reaction sample in the recess to a detection means;
A photometric device for a biochemical analyzer, characterized in that it comprises an optical member integrally configured with a heating system path for heating a reaction sample in the recess. (2) A photometric device for a biochemical analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the optical member is an optical fiber. (3) A photometric device for a biochemical analyzer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of the optical members are provided for a common light source and detection means.