JPS6388462A - Method for feeding microplate of reagent - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To feed out and feed a microplate from a supply magazine according to the processing order without being limited by an arrangement direction, by holding the supply magazine microplates storing in a freely rising and falling manner in an up-and-down direction. CONSTITUTION:A culture apparatus 31 is constituted so that magazine supply side and discharge side elevation units 41, 42 are arranged on both sides of a stand unit 40 and conveyor units 43, 44 for allowing a microplate 1 to fall and rise are provided inside said units 41, 42 so as to be adjacent to each other. A loader unit 45 receives the microplate 1 from the magazine held to the unit 41 to supply the same to the unit 43. An unloader unit 46 receives the microplate 1 held to the unit 44 to store the same in the magazine held to the unit 42. A carrier unit 47 receives the microplate 1 fed to the lower end by the unit 43 to feed the same in the lower end part of the unit 44 according to the feed- out order from the unit 41 to store the same in the magazine.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a method for transporting a microplate on which reagents and the like in serology, bacteriology, etc. are solid-phased.

[Prior art] Conventionally, when reagents, etc. in serology, bacteriology, etc. are immobilized, a microplate with a plurality of wells arranged is used, and the required reagents, etc. are immobilized in each well of this microplate. If compatible, reagents and the like are dispensed into the wells, and the required processing steps such as culturing are completed to obtain a microplate as a commercial product.

Therefore, microplates may be transported between each process using a magazine that can accommodate a plurality of microplates, and the order in which each microplate is stored in the magazine is usually determined for each process. They are stored in order according to their processing and ranking.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, although it is possible to ensure that the microplates are stored in the magazine in the order of processing by automating the work, loading the magazine between each processing step,
When unloading Wli, it is not always guaranteed that the microplates in the magazine will be carried into the subsequent processing according to the storage order in the previous processing. On the other hand, even if they are stored in the order of coating, when each coated microplate stored in this magazine is taken out from the magazine for culture processing and carried into the culture processing process,
The microplate may be imported from a microplate in the opposite order to that in the dispensing and coating process, or
When the method of storing microplates in the magazine differs between each processing step, for example, when the storage order of each microplate in the magazine with respect to the arrangement direction of the storage section is completely reversed horizontally or vertically, etc. occurs.

Therefore, processing cannot be performed according to the storage order of microplates in the magazine between each processing step, and processing is performed in completely opposite order, etc., resulting in uneven quality between each microplate, resulting in poor quality. It had the disadvantage that stability could not be achieved.

Therefore, the present invention was invented to solve the disadvantages of transporting microplates in solid-phase processing of reagents, etc.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for transporting microplates that can transport microplates from magazines according to the processing order without being restricted by the arrangement direction of microplate storage sections in magazines between processing steps. It is something.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention stores microplates in each storage shelf of a magazine having a plurality of storage shelves in a manner that allows them to be carried out freely, and also allows a supply magazine storing microplates in each storage shelf to be vertically moved. The magazine is held such that it can be raised and lowered, and while the magazine is raised or lowered, the microplates stored in the top or bottom storage shelf of the magazine are sequentially carried out and transported in accordance with the order of carrying out, and further transferred to the supply magazine. An ejection magazine having storage shelves for corresponding microplates is held so as to be vertically movable, and while this ejection magazine is raised or lowered, the above-mentioned supply is carried out from the uppermost or lowermost storage shelf of the ejection magazine to each storage shelf. This is a method for transporting microplates such as reagents, characterized in that microplates carried out and transported from each storage shelf of a magazine are carried in and stored in accordance with the order of transport from each storage shelf of the supply magazine.

[Function] The present invention allows the supply magazine and the discharge magazine to be raised and lowered by selecting either the upward or downward movement, and the microplates stored in the uppermost or lowermost stage of the supply magazine are sequentially transported while being transported. - By storing, it is possible to carry out unloading, transportation, and storing in the discharge magazine according to each processing order.

[Example 1] A method for transporting a microplate according to the present invention will be described below along with a culture device for culturing reagents and the like.

First, as shown in FIG. 1, this culture bag fi31 has a magazine supply side elevation unit 41 provided on the left side of the pedestal unit 40, and a magazine supply side elevation unit 41 provided on the right side of the pedestal unit 40.
Magazine ejection side elevation unit 4 arranged opposite to the magazine supply side elevation unit 41
2. Conveyor units 43 and 44 for lowering and raising the microplate 1 are provided adjacent to the inside of both elevator units 41 and 42, respectively, and the above-mentioned supply unit is provided at the center of one side of the gantry unit 40. a loader unit 45 that receives a microplate 1 from a magazine held in a side elevation unit 41 and supplies it to the descending conveyor unit 43;
The microplate 1 held by the ascending conveyor unit 44 is removed, and the discharge side elevation 4 is
unloader unit 46. Also, the microplate 1 conveyed to the lower end by the descending conveyor unit 43, which is installed between the lower ends of the descending conveyor unit 43 and the ascending conveyor unit 44 at the lower side of the gantry unit 40, is received and transferred to the ascending conveyor unit 43. A carrier unit 47 that is carried into the lower end of the conveyor unit 44. Furthermore, the above-mentioned descending and ascending conveyor units are attached to the center of the pedestal 40)
43. A heater unit 48 that keeps each conveyance path of the carrier unit 47 connecting the lower ends of 44 at a predetermined temperature atmosphere using a forced hot air circulation ventilation method, and a mount unit 4
Control unit 49 of each of these units provided above 0
It is composed of.

The pedestal unit 40 includes a pedestal 50 as shown in FIG.
Against base 51. A top plate 52 is stretched, a top cover 53 is placed on the top plate 52, and side forces <-54, 55 are placed on both left and right sides of the pedestal 50.
A cover 56 and a rear cover 57 are removably attached to the front and back sides, respectively, to ensure heat retention inside the pedestal unit 40, and the base 5
1 is configured to have casters 58 attached thereto to make it movable, and an adjuster foot 59 attached thereto so that it can be fixed while adjusting the height position.

Further, the side cover 54.55 is provided with a see-through window 59a for confirming the presence or absence of the micro grates during incubation in the descending conveyor (1) 43, 44, and the magazine supply side. Rogue unit 4 from elevation unit 41
an inlet 60 for carrying in the microplate 1 to the descending conveyor unit 43 via the conveyor unit 5 for descending, and an outlet for carrying out the microplate 1 from the ascending conveyor unit 44 to the elevation unit 42 on the ejection side of the machine via the unloader unit 46. 61 are each opened.

The magazine supply side elevation unit 41 will be explained below with reference to FIG.
is attached to the left side of the base 51 of the gantry unit 40, support plates 71 and 72 are erected on both sides of this base 7o, and a base 73 is attached above both support plates 71 and 72 to form a mount for the elevation unit 41. 74 is provided. A slider support frame 76 with a slide plate 75 is erected above the base 73 of the mount 74, and a pair of journal assemblies 78. Further, a lift plate 81 is attached to the slider plate 77 via a support plate 80, and above the lift plate 81 there is an ID brake h82, 83, 84.8 of Macazine.
5 is fixed and a magazine lift 86 is provided.

Further, motors 87 and 88 for driving the magazine lift 86 are provided above the base 73 of the mount 74, and a lead screw 90 is connected to the motor 88 via a bearing 89 so as to be rotatable and movable up and down. The slider plate 7 of the magazine lift 86 is connected via a gear (not shown), and the upper end 90 a of the lead screw 90 is connected to the slider plate 7 of the magazine lift 86 via a series of connecting pieces 91.
7 and the lower end 90b is connected to the lower end 92a of the shutter 92 attached to the lower end of the slider plate 77 of the magazine lift 8G, thereby providing the drive section 93 of the magazine lift 86.

Note that 94 indicates a joint fitting between the lead screw 90 and the connecting piece 91, 95 indicates a bolt, and 96 indicates a shutter collar for attaching the shutter 92 to the lead screw 90.

Furthermore, the lift plate 81 of the magazine lift 86
A magazine detection hole 97 is opened in the center part of the magazine, and a micro switch 99 is installed at the lower center part via a mounting piece 98.
Attach it to the switch end of this microswitch 99,
By positioning the lower end of a detection bin 101 mounted in the detection hole 97 via a bushing 100 to provide a detection bin 101, a detection section for detecting the presence or absence of a magazine is provided in the magazine lift 86.

Further, a stopper 102 is attached to the upper end of the slider support plate 76, and a sensor 104 is attached via a sensor bracket 103 attached to the stopper 102 to detect the presence or absence of the microplate 1 in the magazine set on the magazine lift 86. Installation.

Additionally, magazine positioning bins 105 and 106 are provided upright on the lift plate 81 of the magazine lift 86, so that the setting direction of the magazine set above the lift plate 81 can be regulated.

The shutter 77 is provided with slots 7) 107 and 108 at predetermined intervals along its left and right edges, and a sensor angle 109 is provided below the base 73 of the mount 74.
, 110, there are provided photosensors 111, 112 having a pair of light emitting and light receiving elements for detecting the pickpockets 7) 107, 108.

The sensor 111 is connected to the slit 1 of the shutter 77.
07 and sensor 112 detects pickpocket 7) 10
8, the sensor 111 constitutes a detection unit for the upward pitch of the magazine lift 86, and the sensor 112 constitutes a detection unit for the transfer pitch of the magazine lift 86 relative to the rogue unit 45.

A shutter 113 is attached to the lower end 90b of the lead screw 90, and a photosensor 115 having a pair of light emitting and light receiving elements is provided on the base 73 of the mount 74 via a sensor angle 114, and on the upper side of the base 70, A photosensor 117 having a pair of light emitting and light receiving elements is provided via the sensor angle 116, and constitutes a detection section for the ascending end and descending end of the lead screw 90.

The structure of the magazine ejection side elevation unit 42 is shown in FIG. 4.

The magazine ejection side elevation unit 42 is such that the magazine supply side elevation unit 41 is connected to the pedestal 4.
It is arranged on the right side of the frame 40, whereas it was arranged on the left side of the magazine supply side elevation unit 41, and has the same configuration as the magazine supply side elevation unit 41, and the same components are designated by the same numbers. A detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

Next, the descending and ascending conveyor unit 43
．． 44 will be explained.

First, the descending conveyor unit 43 is disposed adjacent to the inside of the magazine supply side elevation unit 41 on the left side of the gantry unit 40, and specifically has the configuration shown in FIG.

Support frame 1 erected above the base 51 of the gantry unit 40
A pair of left and right support plates h121 are provided protruding from the upper part of 20 (see FIGS. 2 a and b), and both support plates 1
A pair of bearing plates 122, 123 (
(see Figure 2), and this bearing plate 122,1
23, timing pulleys 126 and 127 are mounted via rotating shafts 124 and 125.

Furthermore, a pair of bearing plates 128 and 129 are provided upright on the upper side of the base 50 of the gantry unit 40 at positions corresponding to the timing pulleys 126 and 127, respectively, and a rotating shaft 130 is mounted on each pair of bearing plates 128 and 129, respectively.
The timing pulleys 126, 127 via 131
A pair of timing pulleys 132 and 133 are pivotally mounted, and a conveyor bell) 1 is provided between the timing pulley 126 and the timing pulley 132, and between the timing pulley 127 and the timing pulley 133, respectively.
34,135 is installed.

Both conveyor bells) 134, 135 are shown in Figure 5a,
As is clear from c, engagement grooves 136 are disposed facing each other, and on the surfaces of both conveyor belts 134, 135, engagement grooves 136, which engage the left and right side edges of the micro play hi at predetermined intervals in the length direction, are provided. By arranging the microplates 137 in corresponding positions, a plurality of microplates 1 are held in 81 layers between the two conveyor bells 134 and 135, and conveyed in the vertical direction according to the rotation of the timing pulleys 126, 127, 132, and 133. This is how you get it.

Furthermore, both conveyor bells) 134 and 135 have 15
As shown in FIGS. 1ila and 1b, a tension roller 138 is provided.

This tension roller 138 is connected to the gantry unit 4.
Bearing plates 142, 143 on the upper side of the support plate 141 protrude through the plate 140 fixed to the support frame 120 of 0
It is pivotally mounted eccentrically through M144 in between.

145 is a bearing, 146 is a collar, and 147 is a reinforcing plate.

Further, the driving parts of the two conveyor bells) 134 and 135 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 5 c, d, e, and f. A timing pulley 152 for driving the conveyor belts 134 and 135 is connected to the timing pulley 152 via an intermediate timing pulley 153.

Both conveyor belts 13
4,135 timing pulleys 132, 133 are connected, and by driving the drive motor 150, both the timing pulleys 132, 133 are rotated, and both the conveyor bells 139, 135 can be driven in the vertical direction. It is configured.

Regarding the intermediate timing pulley 153, see FIG. 5d.
As shown in FIG.
A bearing plate 157 is set up on the upper side of the bearing plate 1, and both bearing plates 128, 15
7 through a rotating shaft 158.

In addition, in the same figure, 159 is the rotation & 1130 bearing, 1
60 is the rotation @ 15B bearing, 161 is the rotating shaft 12
4 bearings, 162, 163° 164 is the rotating shaft 12
4,130 colors are shown.

Further, the timing pulley 155 fixed to the rotating shaft 131 of the timing pulley 133 of the conveyor belt 135 is equipped with a forward/reverse rotation control device for the drive motor 150, as shown in FIG. 5e.

That is, at the end of the rotating shaft 131 to which the timing pulley 155 is fixed, there is a shutter 166 in which slits 165 are bored at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction as shown in FIG. 5f.
A sensor block 169. A photo sensor 172 is connected to a mask 171e consisting of light emitting and light receiving elements through the sensor angle 170.
! and located on the side of the shutter 166,
A photosensor 175 consisting of a light emitting and light receiving element is disposed via sensor plates 173 and 174.

In the figure, reference numeral 176 indicates an amplifier mounted on the upper side of the support frame 168 via an angle 177, and reference numeral 178 indicates a terminal block of this amplifier 176.

Furthermore, the configuration of the lifting conveyor unit 44 is as follows:
It has the same configuration as the descending conveyor unit 43 described above, and its specific illustration is omitted, and its configuration S part is schematically shown in FIG. The same reference numerals as the main components of the conveyor unit 43 will be used, and the explanation will be omitted.

The loader unit 45 has the configuration shown in FIG. 6, and has a 11! It is mounted on a suspended support plate 180.

On the outer periphery of the arm shaft 82 to which the transport plate 181 of the microplate 1 is attached at the tip thereof, a lead gear 184 which is screwed to a drive gear (not shown) of the drive gear pox 183 attached to the support plate 180 is attached to approximately the entire length. The lead gear 184 is screwed across the drive gear box 183, and is held so as to pass through the drive gear box 183 so as to be freely threadable in the front and rear directions.

Further, a drive motor 185 for driving the drive gear is installed in the gear box 183 for moving the G article, and is located on the left side of the support plate 180 at the rearward end of the arm shaft 182 of the conveyance plate 181 for reversing. A photosensor 186 for detecting an end is disposed, and a photosensor 187 for detecting a forward end is disposed in the center of the support plate 180 at the forward end of the arm shaft 182 of the conveying plate 181. A photosensor 188 is disposed on the right side of the plate 180 to detect the intermediate stop position of the arm shaft 182, and a shutter 189 for the photosensors 187 and 188 is provided at the rear end of the arm shaft 182. is installed.

In addition, each of the photo centers 186, 187° 188 is
Port 19 for fixing each sensor plate 186a, 187a, 188a so that its mounting position can be adjusted to 7AM.
0 bolt hole 190a is formed as a long hole.

Furthermore, the transport plate 181 of the microplate 1
Guide 191.192 to receive microplate 1
A photosensor 194 for detecting the presence or absence of the microplate 1 on the transport plate 181 is disposed on a block fitting 193 that fixes the transport plate 181 to the arm shaft 182.

The Rogue unit 45 also includes a lead gear 184 screwed onto the outer periphery of the arm shaft 182 to facilitate driving of the arm shaft 182 that supports the transport plate 181 of the micro play 1 so as to be movable in the front and back direction. A grease receiver is equipped with a device 195 to prevent the grease supplied from falling into the wells 2 of the microplate 1 held by the conveyor belts 134, 135M of the descending conveyor unit 43.

That is, this grease receiver device 195 is connected to the gantry unit 4.
The slide shaft 197 of the movable block 196 is suspended between the support frames 120 of 0, and the movable flock 196 is mounted on the slide shaft 197.
The movable block 196 is permanently biased toward the left side (toward the forward end) in FIG. be.

Furthermore, the movable block 196 is positioned at the upper and lower portions of the slide shaft 197, and is suspended between the support frame 120. A bearing 201 is interposed and guided. still.

Reference numerals 202 and 203 indicate holding plates of the bearing 201 attached to both the front and rear sides of the movable block 196, and 204 indicates a stopper of the movable block 196 attached to the slide shaft 197.

Furthermore, a pusher bar 205 is attached to the upper part 196a of the movable block 196 with a spacer 206 interposed therebetween, and via a connecting block 207 having a stopper 209 at the tip of the pusher bar 205,
A receiver for receiving grease applied to the outer periphery of the arm shaft 182 is constructed by attaching a plate 208.

Further, the structure of an unloader unit 46 which receives the microplate 1 held by the lifting conveyor unit 44 and stores it in a magazine held by the discharge side elevation 42 is shown in FIG. While the loader unit 45 is arranged on the left side of the gantry unit 40, each structure of the Rogue unit 45 is arranged on the right side of the mount unit 40, so that they have the same structure. The parts are indicated by the same numbers in FIG. 7, and detailed explanation will be omitted.

Next, the microplate 1 conveyed to the lower end by the descending conveyor unit 43 is removed,
The carrier unit 47 that carries this to the lower end of the lifting conveyor unit 44 will be explained with reference to FIG. 8.

A support frame 210 is erected above the base 51 of the gantry unit 40 at the left and right ends of the gantry unit 40, and a pole screw 21 is installed between the two support frames 210.
1 can be rotated freely.

, and attach the movable block 212 to this pole screw 211,
By screwing the threaded part 212a fixed to the movable block 212 to the threaded part 211a of the pole screw 211 (see FIG. 8d), the movable block 212 is attached so as to be freely threadable between the pole screws 211 in the length direction as the pole screws 211 rotate. The left and right side portions of the movable block 212 are attached to and guided by the guide shafts 213 on both sides of the pole screw 211, with linear motion bearings 214 interposed therebetween.

Furthermore, a carrier 216 is attached to the upper side of the movable block 212 via a spacer 215.

Guide plates 217 for the microplate 1 are attached to both front and rear ends of the carrier 216, and insertion holes 220 for fiber sensors 218 and 219 on the supply side and the output side are opened at symmetrical positions t of both guide plates 217. Reference numerals 221 and 222 indicate sensor plates for the fiber sensors 218 and 219, and both the sensors 218 and 219 are attached to the support frame 210 via the plates 221 and 222, respectively.

Further, a timing pulley 223 is fixed to the end 211b of the pole screw 211, and a timing belt 227 is connected to the timing pulley 226 fixed to the drive shaft 225 of the motor 224 attached to the support frame 210. are connected. In addition, 228 is a bearing interposed in each bearing part 229 provided on each support plate 210 of the pole screw 211, 230 is a collar fitted to both ends of the pole screw 211, 231 is a gear box of the motor 224, 2
Reference numeral 32 indicates reinforcing plates attached to each of the support plates 210, respectively.

The carrier 2 is placed above both reinforcing plates 232.
Photo sensors 233 and 234 are installed to detect the presence of the carrier 2 at both the left and right ends of the carrier 2.
Sixteen photosensors 235 for detection are arranged on the support frame 120, and shutters 236 (see FIG. 8d) of the photosensors 233 and 234 are attached to the movable block 212.

Note that 237 and 238 are the amplifiers installed on the front support plate 210, 239 and 240 are the amplifiers 237 and 238 installed at angles, and 241 and 242 are both amplifiers 237 and 238.
These terminal blocks are shown respectively.

Furthermore, the descending and ascending conveyor unit 4
The structure of the heater unit 48 which keeps each conveyance path of the carrier unit 47 connecting between the carrier unit 3.44 and both the conveyor units 43 and 44 at a predetermined temperature atmosphere using a forced hot air circulation ventilation system will be explained with reference to FIG.

Two wooden posts 251 are erected on the support plate 250 installed between the support frames 120 of the mount unit 40, and a heater mount 252 is attached above both branches 251, and a heater holder 253 is installed above the mount 252.
It is constructed by arranging a plurality of cartridge heaters 254 in a stacked manner via the cartridge heaters 254.

Further, a heat insulating plate 255 is disposed on the side of the cartridge holder 253, and each of the cartridge heaters 254 is connected to a power supply section (not shown) via a wiring terminal board 256 installed above the mounting base 252. It is electrically connected.

Further, front and rear covers 2 are provided before and after the heater portion 2670 consisting of each cartridge heater 254.
57, 258, and duct covers 259, 260 surrounding the descending and ascending conveyor belts 43 and 44, so that both conveyors are placed on both sides of the heater part consisting of each of the cartridge heaters 253. Upper and lower and intermediate flappers 261, 262, and 263 are provided on the tight covers 259 and 260, which constitute duct portions 265 and 266 surrounding the belts 43 and 44, respectively.
The rear cover 258 is provided with fans 268 and 269 for forcibly circulating hot air from the heater portions 267 of the cartridge heaters 253.

In addition, 270 and 271 are the heaters of the fans 268 and 269, 272 is a temperature control sensor attached to the heater part 267, and 273 is the heater part 26.
7 shows the abnormal heating detection sensor installed in the same section.

Note that the amount of reagent dispensed 30 shown in the first figure is the microplate 1 stored in the magazine 280 after being transported at a constant pitch and dispensing and coating the microplate 1 with the reagent solution. , a microplate transport mechanism section 120 for carrying and storing the reagent into an empty magazine 280 set on the discharge side, dispensing the reagent into each well 2 of the microplate 1, and dispensing the reagent into each well 2 after dispensing. a nozzle arm section 130 for checking the amount dispensed in the above, a reagent shelf section 140 for storing a reagent solution cooled to a constant temperature, and a dispensing nozzle in the nozzle arm section 130 (not shown in FIG. 1). A nozzle cleaning shelf 150 for cleaning the nozzle cleaning shelf 150, a cleaning shelf 160 for cleaning the electrode for checking the dispensed amount (not shown in FIG. The cleaning device 2i32 consists of a reagent dispensing unit section 170 that sucks a required amount of reagent solution to be dispensed from the reagent shelf section 140, and the cleaning device 2i32
Each well 2 of the microplate l stored in the magazine 280 after being dispensed and coated into each well 2 having the same configuration as the microplate transport mechanism section 120 in 0 and cultured in the culture device 31. A microplate transporting section 120 that transports the microplate for cleaning and stores it in a magazine 280 that is set on the discharge side after cleaning; a nozzle arm section 130 that includes a cleaning nozzle and a residual liquid detection nozzle; and a nozzle arm section 130 that stores the cleaning liquid. Cleaning liquid shelf 1
40, a cleaning shelf section 160 for cleaning the residual liquid detection nozzle, and a cleaning solution dispensing unit section 170 for sucking and supplying the cleaning solution from the cleaning solution shelf section 140 to the cleaning nozzle of the nozzle arm section 130, Dispensing amount fi
33 has the same configuration as the reagent dispensing amount 2130 (however, the reagent shelf section becomes the block solution shelf section 140 that stores the block solution), and the block solution culture device 2134 is the same as the reagent culture device ff131. The washing device 35 having the same structure and after dispensing and culturing the block solution has the same structure as the washing device 32, and is designated by the same number.

Now, after dispensing and coating the reagent solution 11 into each well 2 of the microplate 1 using the coating device 2130 shown in FIG. Each microplate 1 is carried into the culture device 31 via the supply side elevation 41, and conversely, each microplate 1 after culture is
is stored in an empty magazine set in the ejection-side elm version 42 while being ejected.

Thus, the magazine 280 shown in FIG. 10 is constructed so that ten microplays 1 can be sequentially stored in the magazine 280 from the upper stage to the lower stage.

Moreover, this magazine 280 is shown in FIGS. 10a and 10b.

As shown in c, d, and e, left and right side plates 283.284 are attached between the top plate 281 and the bottom plate 282, and the left and right side plates 283.284 are made of a hollow container with openings at the front and back.
On the inner surface of 84, there are stepped portions 285, 28 that lock and hold ten microplates 1 at a constant pitch from the upper side to the lower side.
6 are arranged opposite to each other, and at the front and rear ends of each of the step portions 285 and 286, there is an engagement groove 2 that engages the engagement edge of the microplate 1.
85a, 285b, 286a, 286b are provided, and an engagement groove 285a of each step 285 of one side plate 283,
285b is provided at an asymmetrical position shifted to one side from the center line of the left side plate 283 (see Fig. 10).
The longitudinal direction of the microplate l in each stage is regulated to be constant, and furthermore, for the engagement i+'4285 a of each engagement groove, the microplate 1
The other three engaging grooves 285b and 286a are formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the diagonal cut portion 10a provided at one corner of the four corners.

286b is the shape of other R part jobs, 10c and 10d.

(See FIG. 12) Each step 285, 28 for the magazine 280 of the microplate 1
Engagement groove 285a in 6.

The engagement directions of 285b, 286a, and 286b are kept constant, and the storage state of the microplate 1 in the magazine 280 is regulated to be constant between the respective step portions 285 and 286.

Furthermore, the side surface of one side plate 283 is colored to display the diagonally cut portion 10a side of the microplate 1, and display characters 28 corresponding to the display characters 9a of the microplate 1.
9a on the side edge of the top plate 281, micro play) 1
It is convenient for storage.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 10C, positioning holes 287 and 288 are provided in the bottom plate 282 of the magazine 280 at diagonal positions to accommodate the supply and discharge side elevation units 41 and 42.
The holes are made to correspond to the positioning pins 105 and 106 provided upright on the lift plate 81 of the magazine lift 86.

Then, the diameter of one hole 287 is made larger than the diameter of the other hole 288, and the lift plate 81 of the magazine lift 86 is
The direction of setting is restricted. Therefore, the outer diameters of the positioning pins 105 and 106 are also different.

Further, the side plate 283 is colored differently from the outer surface of the other side plate 284 to facilitate confirmation of the longitudinal direction of the magazine 280, and the supply side elevation 41 of the magazine 280. This makes it convenient for normal setting to the discharge side elevation 42. 289 is the top plate 2
81 is a handle rotatably attached to the upper side.

As mentioned above, the culture device W131 is equipped with a central heater unit 4 on the supply side and discharge side of the microplate 1.
The units are arranged symmetrically on both the left and right sides of 8, and the sensors of each unit are also arranged symmetrically, as shown in FIG.

Now, the magazine 280 in which a predetermined number (10 microplates) of each of the microplates l into which the reagents have been dispensed is stored is moved to the magazine lift 86 of the Macacin supply side elevation unit 41.
(Fig. 12, magazine set).

When placing the magazine 280 on the upper side of the lift plate 81, a 52-digit positioning hole 2 is formed in the bottom plate of the magazine 280.
87, 288 is the positioning pin 1 of the lift plate 81.
05, 106 and are fixed while being guided by each guide plate 82, 83, 84, 85.

Note that the magazine 280 is set with the magazine lift 86 positioned at the lower end in advance, and the setting position of the magazine 280 at the lower end of the magazine lift 86 is determined by the drive section of the magazine lift 86. Start the motor 87 of 93 and tighten the lead screw 9.
0 is lowered, the shutter 113 attached to the lower end 90b cuts off the photo sensor 117, and the detection signal of the sensor 117 is input to the control section of the control unit 49, and the motor 87 is stopped by the human power signal. .

Therefore, the lift plate 8 of the magazine lift 86
1 When the magazine is set on the upper side, the micro switch 99 is turned on by the detection pin 101 provided on the lift plate 81, and the detection signal is input to the control section, confirming that the magazine is set in the normal position with respect to the magazine lift 86. However, if the magazine is set in an abnormal position, an alarm prompting the user to set it in the normal position will be displayed.
Disseminated from the department. (Refer to Fig. 12) The detection signal of the magazine being set in the normal position by the microswitch 99 is input to the control σ1, and the motor 87 is started by the human power signal and the magazine lift lift is rotated while the lead screw 90 is being rotated. As the shutter 86 rises, the shutter 92 rises, and the slit) 107 is exposed to the sensor 1.
When the sensor 104 detects the microplate 1 and inputs the detection signal to the control unit, the sensor 104 detects the presence or absence of the microplate 1 stored in the top row of the magazine, and when the presence of the microplate 1 is confirmed, The detection signal is input to the control section, and the motor of the loader unit 45 is controlled by the input signal.

- 185 starts to move the arm shaft 182 forward, and as this arm shirt 182 moves forward, the conveyor plate 18 attached to the tip of the arm shaft 182
1 passes through the descending conveyor unit 43 and is stored in the top stage of the magazine 280 which is set in the magazine lift 86 of the elevation unit 41 via the loading port 60 opened in the side cover 54 of the gantry unit 40. 1, the arm shaft 182 stops at its forward end position t, and the carrier plate 181 is stored in the uppermost part of the magazine 280.The microplayer 1 is stored in the uppermost part. The microplate 1 is stopped at a lower position of the microplate 1 from which it can be taken (see Figures 16a and d and Figure 19).

Further, the shutter 189 of the arm shirt 182 shuts off the sensor 187, and in response to the detection signal from the sensor 187, the motor 87 of the magazine lift 86 is reversed to lower the magazine lift 86 one pitch. Due to the pitch lowering movement, the magazine 280
The microplate 1 that had been stored in the top row of the microplate 1 was transferred to the upper side of the transport plate 181 that had entered the lower side (see Fig. 2), and the sensor 112 was moved by the downward movement of the magazine lift 86 by one pitch. When the microplate 1 is placed between the guides 191 and 192 of the conveyance plate 181, the photo sensor 194 detects the detection signal, and this detection signal is input to the control unit to control the motor 183 of the arm shaft 182. The shutter 189 is started and moved backward, and in this backward movement, the shutter 189 reaches the sensor 188, which is connected to the sensor 1.
88 is detected, the detection signal is input to the motor 183 via the control section, the arm shaft 182 is stopped at the intermediate position, and at the same time the conveyance plate 181 is moved to the conveyor belts 134, 135 of the conveyor unit 43.
and each engagement groove 136 of both belts 134, 135
, 137 and facing both edges of the microplate l held by the belts 134.
．． The microplate 1 stops at a position where it can be engaged with the engagement grooves 136 and 137 of the microplate 135 (FIG. 19C and FIG. 20a). The mating edge 9 is inserted between the mating grooves 136 and 137, and has a spacing of about 31111 between the grooves.

Further, the detection signal of the sensor 188 is input to the motor 150 of the conveyor unit 43 via the control section, which starts the motor 150 and moves the conveyor bells 134 and 135 to 1.
The microplate 1, which has been raised pitchwise and whose both ends are engaged with the engagement grooves 136 and 137, is transported from the upper side of the plate 181 (see FIG. 20).

Conveyor belt 134 from above this conveyance plate lBl
, 135 (between both conveyor bells in the action of taking)
The 1-pitch rising operation of 134 and 135 is performed by motor 150.
By starting the pulleys 152, 153, 154, 15
5, the rotating shafts 130 and 131 are rotated, and both conveyor belts 134 and 135 begin to rise.As the rotating shaft 131 rotates, the shutter 166 fixed to the same shaft 131 rotates, and the slit of the shutter 166 rotates. 165, the photo sensor 173 can detect ONL, and the detection signal from the sensor 173 can detect the completion of one pitch and the raising operation.

The detection signal from the sensor 173 is inputted to the motor 185 of the rotor unit 45 via the control section to start it, and the arm shaft 182 starts to move backward from the intermediate position, and the sensor 186 for detecting the backward end of the arm shaft 182 starts the movement. When the block metal fitting 193 of the plate 181 is turned on, the detection signal causes the motor 185 to stop, the conveying plate 181 to be stopped at the backward end position, and the motor 150 of the conveyor unit 43 to be started to move the conveyor belt. 134, 135 are lowered by one pitch to connect the opposing engaging grooves 136 of both conveyor belts 134, 135.
, 137 (see FIG. 20), the transport of the microplate 1 into the culture chamber can be completed.

The downward movement of both the conveyor belts 134 and 135 is performed by the rotation of the shutter 166 fixed to the rotating shaft 131 as the shutter 166 rotates 134°135, and the sensor 172 is activated by the slit 165.
, the l pitch lowering operation can be confirmed by the detection signal of the sensor 172.

Thereafter, by repeating the same operation as above, a-
Elevation unit 4 via Goo unit 45
The microplates 1 in the magazine 280 set at 1 can be sequentially transferred to the conveyor unit 43.

In addition, as shown in m 12 rA, while the detection signal of the sensor 115 for detecting the rising end of the elevation unit 41 is not input to the control section, the detection signal from the sensor 115 is NO.
The sensor 104 detects the presence or absence of the microplate 1 in the magazine 280, and the conveyor unit 43
The loading of the microplates 1 into the storage device continues, but eventually the magazine 280 is raised and the shutter 113 is detected by the sensor 115. When the detection signal is input to the control unit, it is indicated that the magazine 280 is empty. ! 1
A report is given and the magazine 280 containing the microplate 1 is prompted to be set.

In this way, the microplates 1 are sequentially carried into the conveyor unit 43, and eventually, when a predetermined number of microplates 1 are carried into the conveyor unit 43, the conveyor unit 43 is moved down the supply side elevator. Loader unit 45 from 41
Of the microplates l carried between the conveyor belts 134 and 135 of the descending conveyor unit 43 via For the 47 side, when the receiver reaches the pick-up position, both conveyor units 134 of the microplate 1,
In connection with the lowering movement of the carrier 135, the receiver is placed between the guide plates 217 on the carrier 216 located at the take-up position (left end in FIG. 8a) (see FIG. 5).

In the carrier unit 47, as shown in FIG. 16, the fiber sensor 218 on the carrier 216 side detects the microplate l placed on the carrier 216 based on the detection signal from the sensor 172 that detects one pitch lowering of the conveyor unit 43. When its presence is detected by presence/absence detection, the detection signal is input to the motor 224 of the carrier 21B via the control unit, and when the motor 224 is started, the timing pulley 223.22
6, the pole screw 211 rotates, and the carrier 216
However, both the conveyor belts 134 and 135 of the ascending conveyor unit 44 move to the transfer position side (the right end in FIG. The receiver at the lower end enters the pick position, the receiver with the descending conveyor unit 43 is passed, and the receiver is now in the carrier 21 under the same condition as in FIG. 5a showing the pick operation.
6, the receiving of the microplate 1 with the ascending conveyor unit 44 has reached the transfer position, and the detection sensor 234 of the carrier unit 47 detects this.
detects that the receiver has reached the transfer position, and based on this detection signal, the receiver uses the fiber sensor 21 to confirm the presence of the microplate 1 above the carrier 216 at the transfer position.
9 works, and this detection signal is input to the control unit, which starts the motor 150 of the lifting conveyor unit 44, raises both conveyor belts 134 and 135 by one pitch, and furthermore, by the yI operation, the carrier 21
Both conveyor belts 134, 135i1i'l by 6
The microplate 1 carried into the receiving position is moved by both conveyor belts 134, 13 of the ascending conveyor unit 44 in the same way as the descending conveyor unit 43 described above
It is held between both conveyor belts 134 and 135 with its both ends engaged in the engagement grooves 136 and 137 of No. 5,
Both conveyor bells) 134 and 135 are conveyed upward by the rising pitch.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 15, the above-mentioned ascending conveyor.

- In connection with the lifting operation of both conveyor bells 134 and 135 of the unit 44, the fiber sensor 219 on the lifting conveyor unit 44 side of the carrier 216 at the transfer position is connected to the lifting conveyor unit 44.
The microplate 1 on the upper side of 16 is held between the two conveyor belts 134 and 135, and the receiver is removed and raised, and a detection signal that confirms the transfer of the receiver obtained by detecting the absence of the receiver is controlled. The signal is inputted to the motor 224 for driving the pole screw 211 through the section to start it, and the carrier 216 is again moved and returned to the receiving position with respect to the lowering conveyor unit 43.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 15, the conveyor belt 134.1
Carrier 21 by sensor 219 after the rising operation of 35
When the presence of the microplate 1 on the microplate 6 is confirmed and it is detected that the receiver is not handed over, this detection signal is input to the control section to issue an alarm report of the abnormality.

This return of the carrier 216 is carried out by the lowering conveyor unit 43 (ill sensor 233 of the carrier unit 47).
detects this, and this detection signal is sent to both conveyor bells 134 for the descending conveyor unit 43 via the control section.
, 135, and the motor 150 starts to drive both conveyor belts 134, 135.
The microplate 1, which is held between the two conveyor belts 134 and 135, is lowered in a pitch and is transferred to the upper side of the carrier 216, and the carrier 216, which has received the microplate 1, is transferred to the ascending conveyor unit 44 side. The microplate t is transferred to the transfer position between the two conveyor belts 134 and 135 of the same unit 44, and the microplate t is transferred to the transfer position between the two conveyor belts 134 and 135 of the same unit 44.
34. With the 1-pitch upward movement of 135, both conveyor belts 134, 1
The conveyance to the ascending conveyor unit 44 side is completed while being held between 35 and 35.

In this way, the ascending conveyor unit 44 is moved from the descending conveyor unit 43 side via the carrier unit 47.
The microplates 1 sequentially conveyed to both conveyor bells l-13 on the ascending conveyor unit 44 side
4,135 and rising by l pitch 50 times, on the lifting conveyor unit 44 side, both conveyor belts 13 of the lifting conveyor unit 44 are moved through the unloader unit 46.
4. The magazine 28 held in the ejection side elevation unit 42 holds the microplate 1 held between 135
0 between the stepped portions 285 and 286 while being discharged.

That is, as shown in FIG. 17, empty magazines a and n are set on the magazine lift 86 of the magazine discharge elevation unit 42, but in the set state of the magazines (or prior to setting), the magazine lift 86 is The motor 87 is started via the detection signal of the micro switch 99 which detects that the magazine is set at the upper end and the magazine is set in the missionary position, and the lowermost stage of the magazine 280 is lowered one pitch and set on the magazine lift 86. The microplate 1 is held in a horizontal position 1 where it can be received by the transport plate 181 of the unloader unit 46 on the storage shelf (similar to FIG. 21a).

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 16, the arm shirt 182 of the unloader unit 46 moves forward in conjunction with the one-pitch upward movement of both the conveyor belts 134 and 135 of the "-H conveyor unit 44, and moves the conveyor plate 181 between the two. The stop position, that is, the conveyor unit 44 for upper l.
The conveyor plate 181 is inserted under the microplate l which is engaged and held in the engagement grooves 136 and 137 of both the conveyor belts 134 and 135, and the carrier plate 181 stops at the position where it is taken. (Same as Figure 20).

The sensor 194 of the conveying plate 181 is actuated by the detection signal of the detection sensor 188 at this intermediate stop position.
When the presence of microplay (1) on the same plate 181 is detected, the detection signal is sent to both conveyor bells (134, 1) of the ascending conveyor unit 44 via the control section.
35, the drive motor 150 is started, and both conveyor belts 134, 135 are lowered by 2 inches.

This downward movement causes both conveyor belts 134.13
The microplayer 1 held between the plates 1 and 5 (same as in FIG. 20a) is transferred onto the transport plate 181 (same as in FIG. 20a).

When the conveyor belts 134 and 135 are lowered by one pitch, the microplate 1 is placed on the conveyor plate 181, and the sensor 194 detects this, and this detection signal causes the arm shaft 182 to advance to the forward end, and move to the discharge side. Magazine 28 of elevation unit 42
The shutter 189 turns on the sensor 187 as the arm shaft 182 moves forward to the forward end, and the detection signal from the sensor 187 causes the discharge side elevation unit 42 The magazine lift 86 of the magazine lift 86 rises by one pitch, and the aii! i magazine 28
It is engaged and held by the lowest step portions 285 and 286 of 0 and stored.

In addition, in response to the one-pitch raising operation signal of the magazine lift 86, the arm shaft 182 is actuated by a detection signal from the sensor 112 by the slit 108, and the arm shaft 182 is moved backward to the rearward end.

This return at the rear end of the transport plate 181 is the sensor 1
86, the motor 183 is stopped, and the detection signal from the sensor 186 starts the motor 87 of the ejection side elevation unit 42, which is turned on by the slit 107 of the shutter 92. The one-pitch lowering operation of the magazine lift 86 is confirmed by the signal.

The one-pitch lowering operation of the magazine lift 86 corresponds to the storage pitch of the microplates l in the magazine 280 (the pitch of the storage shelves), and this operation causes the next transport plate 181 to enter and the microplates to be placed on the storage shelves. The microplates 1 are held in a horizontal position where they can be taken, and the unloader unit 4G sequentially lifts the microplates 1 by the lifting conveyor unit 44 into the magazine 280 of the elevation unit 42 on the discharge side by the same operation as described above. Store it away.

Incidentally, as shown in FIG.
When storage of the microplate l into the magazine 280 is completed, the lowering end detection sensor 115 of the magazine lift 86 detects the shutter 113, and this detection signal is input to the control section to issue an alarm report indicating the completion of storage of the microplate l into the magazine 280.

Furthermore, the above equipment (11 elevation units 41
(7) The magazine is carried into the descending conveyor unit 43 via the low gear unit 45 and is also transferred to the ascending conveyor unit 44 via the carrier unit 47.
After being carried into the magazine, each microplate l discharged from the magazine of the discharge side elevation unit 42 is transferred to the heater unit described above during each conveyance process of the descending and ascending conveyor units 43, 44 and carrier unit 47. It is heated for a predetermined time by the temperature atmosphere constituted by 48, and the culture of the reagent coated in each well 2 of the microplate 1 can be completed.

That is, each cartridge heater 254 of the heater unit 48 is turned on, each cartridge heater 254 generates heat, the heater part 267 is heated, and the fans 268 and 269 are operated.
67 to the duct portions 265 and 266 while forcing the hot air to circulate through each conveyance path of the descending and ascending conveyor units 43 and 44 and the carrier unit 47,
The hot air is divided by the blades of the duct parts 285 and 266, eliminating variations in temperature in the conveyance path and keeping the conveyance path at a predetermined temperature.

The heater unit 48 keeps each conveyance path at a predetermined temperature by the descending and ascending conveyor units 43.4.
4 and the carrier unit 47, the microplate 1 is set at a temperature that can complete the cultivation of the reagent coated on each well 2, and the descending and ascending conveyor units 43, 44 and the carrier unit The set temperature in each of the conveyance paths 47 is controlled by a temperature controller (not shown) provided in each cartridge heater 253 detected by a control sensor 272 attached to the duct portion 265° 266 of the heater unit 48. While inputting a signal, the power supply of each cartridge 254 is turned on and off, and the respective transport paths are kept at a predetermined temperature.

In particular, through each blade of the duct) 265, 266,
When the hot air is forcedly circulated by the action of the fans 268 and 269, the loader and unloader units 145 and 14 opened in the side frames of the gantry unit 40
6 to carry in and take out the microplate 1, hot air flows out from the outlet 60.61, prevents the hot air from stagnating in the duct part 265. This eliminates the reduction in heat retention effect caused by hot air, and also prevents the generation of water vapor caused by the stagnation of hot air in the duct parts 265 and 266.
It is possible to prevent quality deterioration due to water vapor contamination of each well 2 of By preventing this, the rust prevention effect of the gantry unit 40 and other equipment can be measured.

Furthermore, if an abnormality occurs in the set temperature of each transport path, the sensor 273 detects this and the cartridge heaters 254
The power is set to 0FFL, and this is displayed and announced by a lamp, buzzer, etc.

In the above explanation, the cultivation of reagents in each well 2 of the microplate 1 has been described, but the dispensing device 33 for the block solution applied after culturing the reagents shown in FIG.
A similar method can be used for culturing with a blocking solution or other types of microplates.Although the microplate 1 is shown in which a module plate 4 with a plurality of wells 2 is removably attached, it is possible to simply attach a plurality of wells to the plate. Similar implementation is possible for arrayed microplates.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention, culturing of reagents and block solutions after coating each well of a module plate with reagents, etc. is performed during the transportation process of the module plate in an atmosphere at a required temperature, and human intervention during each process is performed. This type of commercial product, '21
We can provide a stable supply of quality.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 shows the layout of solid-phase packaging for reagents, and Figure 2a. Figures b and c are a partially cutaway front view, plan view, and side view of the pedestal unit in the culture device, and Figures 3a, b, and c are a side view, front view, and plane view of the magazine lift of the same supply side elevation unit. figure,
FIGS. 4a, b, and c are side views and front views of the ejection side elevation unit, and a top view of the magazine lift, and FIGS. 5a, b, c, and d. e and f are a schematic side view with a part omitted of the descending conveyor unit, a front view and a partial sectional view of the drive section, a front view of the shutter, and Fig. 6 a, b, and c are the same loader. - Front view, plan view and partial side view of the unit with some parts omitted, Figures 7a and b are the same unloader - Front view and top view of the unit with some parts omitted, Figures 8a, b, c
, d is a front view with a portion of the carrier unit omitted, a partial left and right side view, and a plan view showing the 121-shaped microplate, and Figures 9a and b are partially cutaway views of the heater unit. Front view and side view, Figure 10a, b
, c, d, and e are a perspective view with a part of the magazine omitted, a front view with a part of the side plate omitted, a plan view of the bottom plate, a plan view showing the engagement state of the microplate and the step, and storage of the microplate. A front view with some parts omitted to show the state, Fig. 11 is a schematic layout of the sensor, Fig. m12 is a flowchart of the supply side elevation unit, Fig. m13 is a flowchart of the loader unit, and Fig. 14 is a flowchart of the loader unit. ! Figure 15 is a flowchart of the conveyor unit for IL, Figure 15 is a flowchart of the elevator unit, Figure 16 is a flowchart of the carrier unit, Figure 17 is a flowchart of the unloader unit, and Figure 18 is the discharge side elevation unit. Flow chart diagram, No. 19
Figures a, b, c, d and Figure 20 a, b, c +t o
Figures 21a and 21b are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the lowering and raising conveyor units. l... Microplate 2... Well 31... Culture device 40... Frame unit 41... Supply M (III elevation unit/G) 42... Discharge side elevation unit 43... Bottom 1i1Jt1 Conveyor unit 44...Ascent conveyor unit 45...Rogue unit 46...Unloader unit 47...Carrier unit 48...Heater unit 49...Control unit Patent applicant Olympus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. Company agent Patent attorney Takedai Nara, 2 Figure (a) 4q Figure 2 (b) Figure 2 (c) LY 51 Figure 10 (
a) Figure 12 Figure 14 Figure 15 Figure 16 Figure 18

Claims (1)

[Claims] Microplates are stored in each storage shelf of a magazine having a plurality of storage shelves so that they can be taken out freely, and a supply magazine storing microplates is held in each storage shelf so that it can be raised and lowered in the vertical direction, and the magazine can be raised or lowered. While lowering the magazine, the microplates stored in the top or bottom storage shelf of the magazine are sequentially carried out and transported in accordance with the order of carrying out, and then the discharge magazine having the storage shelf for the microplates corresponding to the supply magazine is moved up and down. While holding the ejection magazine so that it can be raised and lowered in the direction, the ejection magazine is raised or lowered, and is carried out from each storage shelf of the supply magazine to each storage shelf from the uppermost or lowermost storage shelf of the ejection magazine. A method for transporting microplates such as reagents, characterized in that the microplates are transported and stored in accordance with the order of transport from each storage shelf of the supply magazine.