JPS6322519Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] This invention relates to a biochemical analyzer using electrophoresis, and more specifically, an electric current is applied through paper to a support coated with serum to form an image of the serum. The present invention relates to a biochemical analyzer equipped with a migration chamber.

In the analysis method of serum proteins by electrophoresis,
A cellulose acetate membrane called a support is used. In other words, this support is impregnated with a buffer solution, a sample is applied onto it, and an electrophoretic image of the serum sample is formed on the support by applying electricity through the wet paper. Yes, but
In this case, since the support is a high-resistance material, there is a risk that its resistance value will change due to the generation of Joule heat, so it must be handled very carefully. Furthermore, if the buffer impregnated into the support evaporates during this operation, the conditions for electrophoretic development of the sample will be disturbed, resulting in unstable results. In addition, 20~
Considering the case where many samples are analyzed at the same time, the environment inside the electrophoresis chamber is uniform.
And it must be extremely stable.

This idea was devised in view of the above points, and its purpose was to use electrophoretic biochemistry to accurately form separate images of serum, etc. on a support in a uniform and extremely stable state. Our goal is to provide analytical equipment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of this invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, this biochemical analyzer includes an electrophoresis chamber 1.
A series of operations such as supplying a support, applying a sample to the support, and applying electricity are automatically performed within the system. That is, a pair of guide rails 2 extending parallel to each other above the electrophoresis chamber 1,
2 are arranged, and these guide rails 2,
For example, a self-propelled carrier 3 is slidably attached between the two. The carrier 3 includes a movable plate 4 that is driven in the vertical direction by a motor (not shown), and the movable plate 4 has a plurality of applicators, for example, as shown in FIG. Serum application heads 5 are arranged in one row. Further, below the guide rails 2, 2, there are a paper storage box 7 in which strips of paper 6 used for cleaning the serum application heads 5 are stacked, and a number of dispensing plates 8 corresponding to each serum application head 5. The dispensing sections 9 including the dispensing section 9 are arranged.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, the electrophoresis chamber 1 includes a base frame 11 and a box 12 placed thereon.
A support supply device 13 is arranged in parallel on the side of the box body 12. Box body 12
is an inlet 1 that receives a support 14 such as a cellulose acetate membrane supplied from a support supply device 13;
5, and an exit 16 opened in the opposite side wall,
Window 1 formed on the upper wall for inserting the serum application head
7, the window 17 of which is provided with a slidable lid 18. In this case, the lid 18 comes into contact with the carrier 3 moving along the guide rails 2, 2, and as the carrier 3 moves, the projection 1 opens the window 17.
9, which is normally biased by a spring 20 to seal the window 17. Inside the box body 12, there are a pair of left and right electrode tanks 22, 22 arranged in parallel with each other at a predetermined interval, and a string-shaped electrode is installed between them from the inlet 15 side to the outlet 16 side. A pair of conveyor belts 23, 23 are provided. A paper-wrapped plate 25 on which paper 24 is wound and an electrode 26 made of platinum wire or the like are attached to each electrode tank 22. In this case, the upper end of the paper-wrapped board 25 projects upward from inside the electrode tank 22. It is set up like this. In this invention, each electrode tank 22 is configured to selectively move up and down within the box body 12. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, each electrode tank 22 is placed on a pair of cam rollers 27, 27 that are pivotally supported on the base frame 11 side. can be selectively moved up and down by synchronously rotating them in 180 degree increments. In connection with this, an arm 28 having a shutter plate 30 for opening and closing the outlet 16 is pivotally attached to the base plate 11, and this arm 28 is attached by a spring 29 so as to press against the bottom of one of the cam rollers. It is being Therefore,
When the cam roller 27 is rotated, the shutter plate 30
moves up and down synchronously with the electrode tank 22. Note that reference numeral 31 in FIG. 4 is a driven roller provided at the bottom of the electrode tank 22 so as to correspond to the cam roller 27. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a pair of presser plates 33, 33 are provided on the conveyance path of the support body 14 by the conveyor belts 23, 23. Each of the presser plates 33 is slidably supported by springs 36, 36 at the ends of support rods 35, 35 with stoppers protruding from the inner wall of the box 12 in the width direction thereof. It is fitted,
And each of them has the above-mentioned paper wrapping board 2.
tapered surfaces 34, 34 which act in cooperation with 5 to hold the support 14 and provide tension thereto;
is provided. In this embodiment, support separation plates 40, 40 having auxiliary rollers 39 are attached to each presser plate 33 via a slide mechanism consisting of a pin 37 and an elongated hole 38 so as to be vertically movable. Also, inside the box body 12, the above-mentioned electrode tank 2 is provided.
2, 22, an elongated water tank 42 formed between these and along the lower part of the conveyor belts 23, 23, and a pair made of an elastic material such as a sponge provided near the inlet 15. In order to moisten the buffering rollers 44, 44, a water tank 45 is provided between the water tank 42 and the weir plate 43. On the other hand, a water tank 46 is also provided in the upper part of the box body 12, that is, around the window 17. On the other hand, a water tank 47 is also provided at the bottom of the box body 12. In this case, the water tank 46 communicates with each electrode tank 22, 22 via an overflow pipe 48, and also communicates with the water tank 45 via an overflow pipe 49.
Each electrode tank 22, 22 and water tank 42 are connected to a water tank 47 via overflow pipes 51, 52, respectively.
is connected to. In addition, this biochemical analyzer
A tank 54 for storing a buffer solution is provided. The buffer solution in this tank 54 is fed by a water pump 55.
The buffer solution stored in the electrode tanks 22, 22 is supplied to the water tank 46 via a water channel 56 containing a water pump 57, while the buffer solution stored in the electrode tanks 22, 22 is supplied to the tank 54 via a water channel 58 containing a water pump 57.
Furthermore, the buffer solution stored in the water tank 47 is also returned to the tank 54 via a water channel 60 that includes a pump 59 .

The support supply device 13 includes a support supply roll 62
While unwinding the support 14 from the entrance 1 of the box 12
Paper feed rollers 63, 63 for feeding in five directions
and a fixed-size cutter 64 for cutting the support body 14 into a fixed size. Note that a support detection sensor 65, a support sizing sensor 66, and a support fixed position sensor 67 are provided along the transport path of the support 14.

Next, the basic operation of this invention will be explained. Before starting the operation, the electrode vessels 22, 22 are lowered by their own weight as shown in the figure. First, the water channel 56 is drawn from the tank 54 by the pump 55.
A buffer solution is fed into the water tank 46 at the top of the box 12 through the buffer. The buffer solution filled in the water tank 46 is guided by overflow pipes 48, 48 and sent into the electrode tanks 22, 22, and is also sent into the water tank 45 through an overflow pipe 49, respectively. The water level in the electrode tanks 22, 22 is detected by a water level detector (not shown), and the pump 55 is stopped when the water level reaches a certain level. In this case, electrode tank 2
The excess buffer solution supplied into the tanks 2 and 22 flows down into the water tank 47 through the overflow pipes 51 and 51, and the buffer solution overflowing from the weir plate 43 of the water tank 45 flows into the water tank 42, where it is filled. The buffer solution is returned to the water tank 47 through the overflow pipe 52. The buffer solution stored in this water tank 47 is returned to the tank 54 via a water channel 60 by a water pump 59. In this way, the electrode tanks 22, 22
When a predetermined amount of buffer solution is stored inside, the sensor 65 of the support supply device 13 is activated. This sensor 6
5 confirms that the support 14 fed out from the support supply roll 62 is set at a predetermined position, the paper feed rollers 63, 63, buffering rollers 44, 44, and conveyor belt 23,
23 are actuated at the same time, and the support 14 is fed into the box 12 through the inlet 15. This support 14 is
The entrainment prevention guides 68, 69, support separation plates 40, 40, and presser plates 33, 33 are properly moistened by bufferizing rollers 44, 44.
With the support rollers 23, 23 and the auxiliary roller 39 as guides, the support body size sensors 66, 66 are fed. This sensor 66, 66
When the support body 14 is detected by the machine, all the above-mentioned feeding operations are stopped, and instead of this, the sizing cutter 64 is operated and the band-shaped support body 14 unwound from the roll 62 is cut to a constant size. . Next, the buffering rollers 44, 44 and the conveyor belts 23, 23 are operated again, and the support body 14, which has been cut to a certain size, is properly moistened as a whole, and the fixed position sensor 67,
It is sent to 67 and stopped. In this way, the support body 14 is sent to a predetermined position on the electrode vessels 22, 22, but in this case, the support body 14
is forcibly pulled in relation to the feeding speed of each roller 63, 44 and the conveyance speed of the conveyor belt 23 to be conveyed. That is, the feeding speed of the buffering roller 44 is set to be somewhat faster than the feeding speed of the supply roller 63, and the feeding speed of the conveying belt 23 is set to be faster than the feeding speed of the buffer roller 44. . As a result, the support 14 passes through each of the rollers 63 and 44 while slipping, and uneven feeding, curling, slack, etc. of the support 14 during the transfer process from the supply roller 63 to the conveyor belt 23 are corrected, and corrected. The posture is set. In this state, carrier 3 then operates. That is, the carrier 3 once moves above the dispensing section 9, moves the movable plate 4 downward there, causes each serum application head 5 to suck the serum sample dispensed into the dispensing tray 8, and moves the movable plate 4 downward. After pulling it upward, it moves toward the top of the electrophoresis chamber 1 again. carrier 3
When moving to a predetermined position in the electrophoresis chamber 1,
It comes into contact with each protrusion 19 and pushes the lid 18 open against the spring 20 via these. In this way, the window 17 is automatically opened as the carrier 3 moves.
Through this window 17, each serum application head 5 is lowered from the carrier 3 toward the application table 70 provided at the upper edge of the water tank 42, whereby a plurality of samples are deposited on the support 14 in a width of about 2 mm, for example. Applied in rows. Thereafter, each serum application head 5 is pulled up from the box 12, and the carrier 3 moves toward the dispensing section 9 again in order to proceed to the next cleaning step. The lid 18 is therefore released from the carrier 3 and returned by the tension of the spring 20 to seal the window 17 again. Next, the cam rollers 27, 27 are rotated 180 degrees from the illustrated state. As a result, each electrode tank 2
2 and 22 are connected to a guide groove 71 provided on the inner wall of the box body 12 via the driven rollers 31 and 31 provided on the bottom thereof (see FIG. 5).
guided and pushed upward. Further, the shutter plate 30 also rises in conjunction with the movement of the electrode bath, thereby closing the outlet 16. As the electrode vessels 22, 22 rise, the support body 14 is lifted from the conveyor belts 23, 23 by the paper wrapping plates 25, 25 attached to the electrode vessels 22, 22.
33. In this case, presser plate 3
3 and 33 are paper roll boards 2 rising from below.
Since tapered surfaces 34, 34 are formed to cooperate with the paper roll plates 25, 25, each presser plate 33, 33 is moved slightly left and right by the pressing force of the paper roll plates 25, 25 against the urging force of the springs 36, 36. be moved to expand. This applies tension to the support 14 and corrects its deflection. In addition,
The support separation plates 40, 40 and the auxiliary rollers 39, 39 attached thereto are also lifted to a predetermined height via the support 14. When the electrodes 26, 26 are energized in this state, the paper 2
4, 24 to the support 14, and a separate image for each sample is formed on the support 14. After a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the power to the electrodes 26, 26 is cut off, and the cam rollers 27, 27 further rotate by 180 degrees. As a result, each electrode tank 22, 22 and the shutter plate 30 are both lowered, and the support body 14 is pushed down onto the conveyor belts 23, 23 by the weight of the support separation plates 40, 40 and the auxiliary roller 39, and the exit 16 will be held. Then, the conveyor belts 23, 23 are driven again, and the support body 14 is reliably sent out from the outlet 16 while being pressed by the auxiliary rollers 39, 39, and sent to the next dyeing process. Note that, at the same time as the electricity supply to the electrode 26 ends, the water pump 57 starts to operate and pump the electrode tank 22,
The buffer solution with unequal ionic strength in the tank 22 is sucked up into the tank 54, and at the same time, the pump 59 also works and the buffer solution accumulated in the water tank 47 is sucked up into the tank 54. Next, the pump 55 operates and the tank 54
The buffer solution mixed therein is again pumped into the electrode tanks 22, 22 to a certain level to prepare for the next cycle.

As is clear from the description of the embodiments described above, according to this invention, buffering of the support, application of a sample to the support, and image formation by energization can be performed in series within the same box. The configuration of the electrophoresis analysis system can be made simpler and more compact.
In addition, a set of electrode tanks 22, 2 is provided within the box body 12.
By providing 2 independently, leakage current can be reduced. In addition to the electrode tanks 22 and 22, water tanks 42 and 46 are formed in the box body 12 in the electrophoresis chamber 1, so that the temperature inside the electrophoresis box increases and the support 14 can be suppressed as much as possible, and highly reliable images can be obtained. Furthermore, since the bufferizing rollers 44, 44 are provided inside the box 12, the support body 1 does not need to be prepared with a separate wetting machine.
4 can be kept moderately moist. In connection with this, the buffering rollers 44, 44 are connected to the box body 1.
Since it also serves as a shutter for the inlet 15 of 2, drying of the support 14 can be minimized. On the other hand, the inside of the electrophoresis box 12 is humid and the support 14 generates Joule heat as described above, so water droplets tend to accumulate on the inside of the lid 18. is noticeably exposed. Therefore, in this invention, the inner surface of the lid 18 is wiped with the peripheral edge 73 of the window 17 every time the lid 18 is opened and closed, and the peripheral edge 73
An inclined surface 72 for guiding water droplets is provided in series to prevent water droplets from dripping onto the support body 14. Note that if a guide groove is provided on this inclined surface 72, the water droplets described above can be more effectively guided along the inner wall of the box body 12. On the other hand, the support body 14 is
When forming a minute image on the support 14, the support 14 is held under tension by the paper wrappers 25, 25 and the presser plates 33, 33, so that the buffer solution impregnated in the support 14 is As a result, accurate images can be obtained. In addition, since the outlet 16 of the box 12 is opened and closed by a shutter plate 30 that moves in synchronization with the vertical movement of the electrode tanks 22, 22, the atmosphere inside the box 12 is uniform without being affected by the outside air. and maintained in a stable state. Furthermore, by setting the feeding speeds of the supply roller 63, buffering roller 44, and conveyance belt 23 to increase sequentially, uneven feeding, curling, slack, etc. of the support 14 during the transfer process can be corrected, and the support 14 can be carried to a predetermined position on the electrode tank 22 in the correct posture.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the biochemical analyzer according to this invention, Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the serum application head shown in Figure 1, and Figure 3 is the same as that shown in Figure 1. A vertical cross-sectional view of the electrophoresis chamber, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the - line in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along the - line in FIG. 3.
It is a sectional view along a line. In the figure, 1 is the electrophoresis chamber, 2 is the guide rail, and 3 is the electrophoresis chamber.
is the carrier, 5 is the serum application head, 11 is the base frame,
12 is a box, 13 is a support supply device, 14 is a support, 15 is an inlet, 16 is an outlet, 17 is a window, 18 is a lid, 19 is a protrusion, 20 is a spring, 22 is an electrode tank, 2
3 is a conveyor belt, 24 is paper, 25 is a paper roll board, 26 is an electrode, 27 is a cam roller, 30 is a shutter plate, 33 is a presser plate, 34 is a tapered surface, 42,
45, 46, 47 are water tanks, 44 is a buffering roller, 48, 49, 51, 52 are overflow pipes, 54 is a tank, 55, 56, 57 are pumps, 72 is an inclined surface, 73 is a peripheral part of a window. be.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] By applying a sample onto a support made of a cellulose acetate membrane or the like, and applying electricity to the support through a current-carrying filter paper moistened with a buffer solution,
In a biochemical analysis apparatus including an electrophoresis chamber for forming a partial image of the sample on the support, the electrophoresis chamber includes a box having an inlet and an outlet for the support provided on side walls facing each other. Inside the box, an electrode tank provided with the energizing filter paper is installed between the inlet and the outlet, and the support supplied from the inlet is placed at a predetermined position on the electrode tank. A support conveying means for conveying the support and a pair of buffering rollers disposed on the entrance side of the support conveying means are provided, and the support supplied from the entrance is supplied to the buffering rollers. After being appropriately moistened through the electrodes, the electrodes are transported onto the electrode bath via the transport means, and the
A biochemical analysis device using electrophoresis, characterized in that a pair of buffering rollers are arranged to substantially close the inlet.