WO2023145194A1 - Dispositif d'analyse automatisé - Google Patents

Dispositif d'analyse automatisé Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2023145194A1
WO2023145194A1 PCT/JP2022/041892 JP2022041892W WO2023145194A1 WO 2023145194 A1 WO2023145194 A1 WO 2023145194A1 JP 2022041892 W JP2022041892 W JP 2022041892W WO 2023145194 A1 WO2023145194 A1 WO 2023145194A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
nozzle
automatic analyzer
probe
sleeve
support member
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PCT/JP2022/041892
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English (en)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
郁人 北川
好洋 嘉部
拓也 高橋
昌史 深谷
康博 小原
Original Assignee
株式会社日立ハイテク
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Publication of WO2023145194A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023145194A1/fr

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/10—Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an automatic analyzer.
  • Patent document 1 discloses that in an automatic analyzer that moves the probe position at high speed, if the probe is suddenly braked at the start and end of the movement of the dispensing probe, the reagent attached to the tip of the probe may scatter due to vibration, resulting in abnormal analysis results.
  • the dispensing probe in an automatic analyzer equipped with a liquid container for containing liquid and a dispensing probe for dispensing the liquid to the outside through the opening of the container, the dispensing probe has a nozzle for sucking the liquid. , a probe guide that holds the nozzle from the outside, and a member that fits with the probe guide and holds the tip of the probe that can move up and down.
  • Automated analyzers are equipped with reagents that react with specific components in biological samples such as blood and urine (hereinafter referred to as specimens) to change their optical properties, or labels that specifically react with specific components in specimens.
  • specimens biological samples
  • labels that specifically react with specific components in specimens.
  • the qualitative/quantitative analysis of the sample is automated by measuring the change in the optical properties of the reaction solution between the reagent and the sample, or by counting the number of labels.
  • Such automatic analyzers have many advantages such as reproducibility of analysis results and high processing speed, so they have become indispensable for diagnosis in recent years.
  • the specimen and reagent are mixed in the reaction container, so it is necessary to move the probe position at high speed and transport the target specimen and reagent from the container containing the target specimen and reagent to the reaction container for dispensing.
  • Dispensing uses a pressure change mechanism such as a syringe or diaphragm to make the pressure inside the dispensing nozzle negative to suck the liquid into the nozzle. eject the liquid.
  • a pressure change mechanism such as a syringe or diaphragm to make the pressure inside the dispensing nozzle negative to suck the liquid into the nozzle. eject the liquid.
  • Patent Document 1 describes a technique for preventing sample scattering due to vibration in an automatic analyzer.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer capable of suppressing the vibration of the probe and preventing liquid scattering while suppressing the influence on the abnormal descent detection sensor of the probe.
  • the present invention includes a plurality of means for solving the above problems.
  • One example of this is automatic analysis in which a specimen and a reagent are dispensed into a reaction vessel and reacted, and the physical properties of the reacted liquid are measured.
  • the apparatus comprises a pipetting mechanism for pipetting the specimen or the reagent, the pipetting mechanism comprising a nozzle, an arm, a support member covering a part of the nozzle, and an abnormal descent of the nozzle. and a drive unit for moving the arm. It is characterized by being narrower than the interval.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of the overall configuration of the automatic analyzer of Example 1.
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a specimen dispensing mechanism of the automatic analyzer of Example 1.
  • FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing verification results of the effect of suppressing the maximum amplitude of vibration by the sleeve in the automatic analyzer of Example 1;
  • FIG. 10 is a diagram showing verification results of the effect of suppressing the maximum acceleration width of vibration by the sleeve in the automatic analyzer of Example 1.
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the state of the specimen dispensing mechanism during an abnormal down operation in the automatic analyzer of the first embodiment; 4 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a modification of the sleeve in the specimen dispensing mechanism of the automatic analyzer of Example 1.
  • FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a sleeve in the specimen dispensing mechanism of the automatic analyzer of Example 2;
  • FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the specimen dispensing mechanism of the automatic analyzer of Example 2;
  • FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a sleeve in a specimen dispensing mechanism of the automatic analyzer of Example 3;
  • FIG. 12 is a top view of the sleeve of FIG. 11;
  • FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a modified example of the sleeve in the specimen dispensing mechanism of the automatic analyzer of Example 3;
  • FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a sleeve in a specimen dispensing mechanism of the automatic analyzer of Example 4;
  • FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a modified example of the sleeve in the specimen dispensing mechanism of the automatic analyzer of Example 4;
  • FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a sleeve in a specimen dispensing mechanism of an automatic analyzer of Example 5;
  • FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the specimen dispensing mechanism of the automatic analyzer of Example 5;
  • FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a modified example of the sleeve in the specimen dispensing mechanism of the automatic analyzer of Example 5;
  • Automated analyzers are required to minimize the amount of specimens in order to reduce the burden on patients.
  • sample containers are increasing, and in order to accommodate a wide variety of sample containers, sample probes are required to have a more elongated structure than conventional ones.
  • the automatic analyzer it is necessary to move the probe at high speed in order to improve processing capacity, which causes vibration due to inertia.
  • vibration occurs, there is a possibility that the sample and cleaning water adhering to the outside of the probe will scatter. If the sample or washing water scatters on the reaction vessel and gets mixed in the reaction vessel, there is a risk of causing an abnormality in the analysis result.
  • the sample may be mixed in, which may cause an abnormality in the patient's measurement data.
  • the sample pipetting mechanism has an abnormal descent detection sensor in the sample pipetting arm. , determine the contact between the probe and the object.
  • the inventors came up with the idea of adding a new support member to the probe for the purpose of suppressing vibration at the tip by providing the starting point of vibration at the tip of the probe.
  • the contact area between the nozzle and the support member can be reduced by making the distance between the upper part of the nozzle and the support member that constitutes the probe larger than the distance between the lower part of the nozzle and the support member.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the automatic analyzer of this embodiment.
  • the automatic analyzer 100 shown in FIG. 1 is an apparatus for dispensing a specimen and a reagent into a reaction container 105 to cause them to react, and measuring physical properties of the reacted liquid.
  • 102 specimen dispensing mechanism 103, reaction disk 104, reagent dispensing mechanism 106, reagent disk 108, stirring mechanism 109, photometry mechanism 110, probe cleaning mechanisms 111 and 111A, reaction container cleaning mechanism 112, and control unit 113.
  • Concentrically arranged reaction containers 105 are arranged on the circumference of the reaction disk 104 .
  • a transport line 102 is installed near the reaction disk 104 to move a rack 121 carrying a specimen container 120 composed of a blood collection tube or the like.
  • a sample is held in a sample container 120 , placed on a rack 121 and transported by a transport line 102 .
  • a specimen dispensing mechanism 103 capable of horizontal movement, vertical movement, and rotational movement is installed, and has a probe 202 (see FIG. 2, etc.). .
  • a syringe 207 (see FIG. 2) is connected to the probe 202 .
  • the probe 202 moves while drawing a circular arc around the rotation axis to dispense the sample from the sample container 120 to the reaction container 105 .
  • the reagent disk 108 has a structure in which a plurality of reagent bottles 107 containing reagents can be stored on the circumference. This reagent disk 108 is kept cool and covered with a cover provided with a suction port (not shown).
  • a reagent pipetting mechanism 106 that can rotate and move vertically is installed, each equipped with a reagent pipetting probe. is the same as The reagent dispensing probe moves in an arc about the rotation axis to access the inside of the reagent disk 108 and dispense the reagent from the reagent bottle 107 to the reaction container 105 .
  • Photometric mechanism 110 includes light source 114 and detector 115 .
  • a probe cleaning mechanism 111 and a probe cleaning mechanism 111A are installed above the operating range of the specimen dispensing mechanism 103 and the reagent dispensing mechanism 106, respectively.
  • a cleaning tank (not shown) is installed within the motion locus of the stirring mechanism 109 .
  • the control unit 113 is composed of a computer or the like, and is connected to each mechanism in the automatic analyzer including the specimen dispensing mechanism 103, controls its operation, and obtains the concentration of a predetermined component in the specimen. Perform arithmetic processing.
  • This control unit 113 is obtained by an input unit 116 for the user to input measurement items and measurement conditions using a keyboard, voice, etc., a control circuit 117 for controlling the operation of the apparatus according to the input, and the photometry mechanism 110.
  • GUI graphical user interface
  • control of the operation of each device by the control unit 113 is executed based on various programs recorded in the storage device.
  • the control processing of the operation executed by the control unit 113 may be integrated into one program, may be divided into a plurality of programs, or may be a combination thereof. Also, part or all of the program may be realized by dedicated hardware, or may be modularized.
  • the configuration of the automatic analyzer 100 is not limited to the biochemical analyzer for executing analysis of biochemical analysis items as shown in FIG. It can be an analysis device that executes analysis of analysis items of. Also, the biochemical analysis apparatus is not limited to the form shown in FIG. 1, and may be one in which an analysis device for measuring other analysis items, such as electrolytes, is separately mounted.
  • the automatic analyzer 100 is not limited to the single analysis module configuration as shown in FIG. can be configured to connect two or more.
  • the sample analysis process by the automatic analyzer 100 as described above is generally executed in the following order.
  • a user stores a rack 121 in which a sample container 120 containing a sample such as blood to be used for analysis can be vertically stored in the sample loading port 101 .
  • a command signal is output from the control unit 113 according to an instruction input by the user, and the rack 121 stored in the sample inlet 101 is transported to the sample aspiration position near the reaction disk 104 via the belt on the transport line 102. .
  • the motor of the drive unit of the sample dispensing mechanism 103 rotates according to an instruction from the control unit 113 to move the probe 202 of the mechanism from the probe cleaning mechanism 111 to the sample aspirating position.
  • the specimen dispensing mechanism 103 that has moved to the specimen aspirating position starts a downward movement, and when it comes into contact with the specimen in the specimen container 120 that has been transported in advance, the downward movement is stopped by electrical control. After contact with the sample, the sample dispensing mechanism 103 aspirates the required amount of sample for analysis and moves up vertically while holding the sample within the probe 202 .
  • the sample dispensing mechanism 103 moves from the position of the probe cleaning mechanism 111 to the top of the reaction container 105 for chemical reaction, descends to the bottom of the reaction container 105, and then discharges the sample. After discharging into the reaction container 105, the sample pipetting mechanism 103 vertically rises and moves to the probe cleaning mechanism 111 by the rotation of the motor, thereby completing the pipetting operation.
  • the reaction container 105 containing the sample is moved to the reagent dispensing position by rotating the reaction disk 104 .
  • a reagent dispensing mechanism 106 aspirates a reagent corresponding to an item used in analysis from a reagent bottle 107 and discharges the reagent into a reaction container 105 containing a specimen.
  • the reaction liquid composed of the sample and the reagent dispensed into the reaction container 105 by the above operation is stirred by the stirring mechanism 109, chemical reaction is caused, and optical characteristics such as absorbance are changed.
  • the optical properties of the reaction liquid are measured by detecting light from the light source 114 by the detector 115 when the reaction vessel 105 passes through the photometric mechanism 110 as the reaction disk 104 rotates.
  • the obtained data is sent to the control unit 113 , the concentration of the analysis item contained in the sample is calculated by the calculation unit 118 of the control unit 113 , and the result is output to the output unit 119 .
  • the used reaction container 105, the nozzle 211 of the specimen pipetting mechanism 103, and the nozzle of the reagent pipetting mechanism 106 are washed with washing liquid by the reaction container washing mechanism 112 and the probe washing mechanisms 111 and 111A, thereby improving the pipetting accuracy. While maintaining, it is repeatedly used for the next analysis.
  • the structure of the present invention is applied to the sample pipetting mechanism 103
  • the object to which the structure of the present invention is applied is the sample pipetting mechanism 103. It is not limited and can be suitably applied to the reagent dispensing mechanism 106 as well.
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the sample pipetting mechanism 103
  • FIG. 3 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of FIG. 2, showing the inside of the sample pipetting arm.
  • the sample dispensing mechanism 103 shown in FIG. 1 The sample dispensing mechanism 103 shown in FIG.
  • the probe 202 is connected to a syringe installed inside the housing of the automatic analyzer 100 via a tube 206, and is connected to the tip of the nozzle 211 through a connection hole 203 of a sleeve 205 fixed inside the specimen dispensing arm 201. part is exposed.
  • the flow path inside the probe 202 is filled with water, and by changing the water pressure by operating the syringe 207, the sample can be sucked and discharged.
  • the sample dispensing arm 201 houses an abnormal descent detection sensor 204, a sleeve 205, and a tube 206 connecting the nozzle 211 of the probe 202 and the syringe 207.
  • the probe 202 is mainly composed of a nozzle 211 and a detection plate 212 integrated with the nozzle 211 . is connected to the tube 206 at any point.
  • the nozzle 211 has an elongated cylindrical shape for aspirating the sample from the openings of the sample container 120 of various shapes and discharging it into the reaction container 105.
  • the nozzle 211 has a cylindrical structure with an outer diameter of 2 mm or less.
  • the detection plate 212 rises to the monitoring area of the abnormal descent detection sensor 204 .
  • the abnormal descent detection sensor 204 determines that the detection plate 212 has entered the monitoring area, and detects the abnormal descent of the nozzle 211 by detecting the rise of the probe 202 due to contact with an object.
  • the sleeve 205 is a member in which cylindrical members having different outer diameters are integrated in a multi-stage structure. It fits with the arm 201 and is fixed.
  • the sleeve 205 has a connecting hole 203 with a predetermined diameter that allows the nozzle 211 of the probe 202 to be inserted in the center from the top to the bottom.
  • the drive unit includes a horizontal drive motor 208 that horizontally moves the sample dispensing arm 201 , a vertical drive motor 209 that vertically moves the sample dispensing arm 201 , and a rotary drive motor 210 that rotates the sample dispensing arm 201 .
  • the dispensing operation by the specimen dispensing mechanism 103 is mainly performed as follows.
  • the specimen pipetting mechanism 103 is driven to position the probe 202 on the probe cleaning mechanism 111 by the reset operation before starting the pipetting operation, and prepares for analysis by cleaning the tip of the nozzle 211 with the probe cleaning mechanism 111. I do.
  • the specimen dispensing mechanism 103 moves the tip of the nozzle 211 from above the probe washing mechanism 111 to above the specimen container 120 transferred to the specimen aspirating position by the horizontal drive motor 208 or the rotary drive motor 210 .
  • the vertically driving motor 209 inserts the nozzle 211 from the opening of the specimen container 120 and descends to the specimen liquid surface. Contact between the tip of the nozzle 211 and the liquid surface of the specimen is detected by an electrical signal, and the descent is stopped.
  • the probe 202 rises within the specimen dispensing arm 201, and the detection plate 212 enters the detection area of the abnormal descent detection sensor 204. As a result, the abnormal descent detection sensor 204 is activated and the dispensing operation is stopped. This reduces the risk of injury or breakage of the probe 202 .
  • the syringe connected to the probe 202 is used to reduce the pressure inside the probe 202 to negative pressure, thereby aspirating an amount of the sample defined by the analysis item from the sample liquid surface.
  • the sample dispensing mechanism 103 After aspirating the sample, the sample dispensing mechanism 103 raises the probe 202 to the top of the sample container 120 and moves the probe 202 onto the probe cleaning mechanism 111 . The sample dispensing mechanism 103 cleans excess samples adhering to the outside of the tip of the nozzle 211 with the probe cleaning mechanism 111 .
  • the pressure inside the probe 202 is made positive by the syringe operation, thereby discharging the sample in the amount specified by the analysis item.
  • the sample dispensing mechanism 103 raises the probe 202 to the top of the reaction container 105, moves the probe 202 onto the probe cleaning mechanism 111, and stays on the probe cleaning mechanism 111 until the next analysis operation starts. stand by.
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the sleeve 205, and shows how the sleeve 205 that supports the probe 202 and suppresses vibration is mounted on the specimen dispensing mechanism 103.
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the sleeve 205, and shows how the sleeve 205 that supports the probe 202 and suppresses vibration is mounted on the specimen dispensing mechanism 103.
  • the sleeve 205 is made of a material with excellent wear resistance and a small coefficient of friction, such as polyacetal.
  • the sleeve 205 is composed of one part in which cylindrical members having different outer diameters are integrated in a multistage structure, and at least part of it is stored in the specimen dispensing arm 201, and the multistage part of the sleeve 205 is the specimen It fits into a hole provided in the dispensing arm 201 .
  • the starting point of vibration is moved to the tip side of the nozzle 211 by being fixed to the sample dispensing arm 201, and the vibration generated at the tip of the nozzle 211 is suppressed.
  • the sample dispensing arm 201 has an extension 213 extending vertically downward so as to fix the horizontal position of the sleeve 205 , and a portion of the sleeve 205 extends from the extension 213 of the sample dispensing arm 201 . It is exposed toward the tip of the nozzle 211 .
  • the detection plate 212 of the probe 202 is in contact with the upper surface of the sleeve 205, and the sleeve 205 serves as a base for preventing the probe 202 from falling. In addition, it serves as a guide for suppressing horizontal movement within the specimen dispensing arm 201 when the probe 202 is lifted due to contact with an object.
  • the distance between the sleeve 205 and the nozzle 211 always satisfies X>Y, where X is the distance between the sleeve 205 and the nozzle 211 on the upper end side in the vertical direction, and Y is the distance 203B on the lower end side of the nozzle 211 in the vertical direction.
  • a space 203B on the lower end side of the nozzle 211 in the vertical direction is narrower than a space 203A on the upper end side of the nozzle 211 in the vertical direction. This suppresses the friction between the sleeve 205 and the nozzle 211 and enables smooth vertical movement of the probe 202 .
  • the space 203A on the upper end side of the nozzle 211 in the vertical direction serves as a pedestal for the probe 202, it is possible to secure a margin of space within a range in which the probe 202 does not fall.
  • the probe 202 may be moved by the sample dispensing arm due to the impact of spotting when the sample is discharged onto the bottom of the sample container 120.
  • the violent motion inside 201 can create unexpected convection inside the probe 202, adversely affecting the accuracy of sample dispensing. Therefore, the interval 203A on the vertical upper end side of the nozzles 211 should not be too large, and is preferably 0.3 mm or less.
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the verification result of the effect of suppressing the maximum amplitude of vibration by the sleeve 205, and shows the relationship between the support range of the probe 202 by the sleeve 205 and the maximum amplitude of the tip of the probe 202.
  • the total length of the nozzle 211 from the contact surface between the nozzle 211 and the upper end surface of the sleeve 205 to the tip of the nozzle 211 is defined as a, and the range occupied by the upper end side and the lower end side of the sleeve 205 in the total length of the nozzle 211 is defined as b.
  • the support rate defined by b/a was measured under conditions of 33% and 54%.
  • the distance between the sleeve 205 and the nozzle 211 was about 0.1 mm on the upper side of the sleeve 205 and about 0.05 mm on the lower side.
  • the sleeve for comparison supported about 15% of the total length of the nozzle 211, and the distance between the sleeve and the nozzle 211 was the same at about 0.02 mm both above and below.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the results of verification of the suppression effect of the maximum acceleration width of vibration by the sleeve 205, showing the support range of the probe 202 by the sleeve 205 and the maximum acceleration width of the tip of the probe 202.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the results of verification of the suppression effect of the maximum acceleration width of vibration by the sleeve 205, showing the support range of the probe 202 by the sleeve 205 and the maximum acceleration width of the tip of the probe 202.
  • the range of the nozzle 211 supported by the sleeve 205 occupies 15% or more of the total length of the nozzle 211 so as not to impair the vertical movement of the probe 202 due to friction.
  • the horizontal position of the sleeve 205 is fixed in order to increase the rigidity of the sleeve 205, which is made up of a single component, and to extend the holding range of the sample dispensing arm 201 to the front side of the sleeve 205. It can have an extension part 213 extending downward in the vertical direction.
  • the length of the extension 213 in the vertical direction is preferably 10% or more of the length of the sleeve 205, but the longer the extension 213, the larger the outer diameter of the nozzle 211. Therefore, it is desirable that the extension 213 supports the sleeve 205 over the entire length of the sleeve 205 .
  • the shape of the inner diameter side of the sleeve 205 is a portion that continuously decreases from the top to the bottom of the sleeve 205, for example, as shown in FIG. It can have a tapered shape (a mortar-shaped inclined surface) as shown in FIG.
  • the inner diameter side of the sleeve 205 does not have to be tapered, and can be reduced quadratically.
  • the sleeve 205 comes into contact with the probe 202, it must be made of a material with excellent slidability and abrasion resistance.
  • the sleeve 205 and the sample pipetting arm 201 can be integrally molded.
  • FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the state inside the specimen dispensing arm 201 when an abnormal descent occurs during the dispensing operation.
  • the probe 202 descends at an abnormal point due to stop deviation of the specimen container 120 or the reaction container 105 or contact with the finger of the user, as shown in FIG.
  • the probe 202 rises inside the specimen dispensing arm 201 in response to the collision with the .
  • the detection plate 212 of the probe 202 enters the detection area of the abnormal descent detection sensor 204 provided in the sample dispensing arm 201, the collision between the tip of the probe 202 and the object is detected, and the amount of descent at that time is the set value. If it is different from , it is determined to be an abnormal descent, and the operation is promptly stopped according to an instruction from the control unit 113 .
  • FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a modified example of the sleeve 305.
  • the nozzle 311 has a main body made of a metal tube with a small diameter and a reinforcing portion 311A covered with SUS, an insulating film, a PVC tube, or the like.
  • the inner diameter of the sleeve 305 is optimized along the outer diameter of the nozzle 311 so that the inner diameter of the sleeve 305 is equal to the upper portion of the sleeve 305. It is desirable to have a portion that gradually decreases from the bottom to the bottom.
  • the distance between the nozzle 311 and the sleeve 305 is such that the distance 303B on the lower end side of the nozzle 311 in the vertical direction is narrower than the distance 303A on the upper end side of the nozzle 311 in the vertical direction. It is still desirable that the interval 303B on the lower end side in the vertical direction of the nozzles 211 is 0.1 mm or less, and the interval 303A on the upper end side in the vertical direction of the nozzles 211 is preferably 0.3 mm or less.
  • the holding range of the specimen dispensing arm 301 it is desirable to extend the holding range of the specimen dispensing arm 301 to the front side of the sleeve 305 by providing an extension portion 313 in the same manner as the sleeve 205 shown in FIG.
  • the range of the nozzle 211 supported by the sleeve 305 occupies 15% or more of the total length of the nozzle 211, and the nozzle 211 is exposed from the sleeve 305 in the range from the tip of the nozzle 211 to the height of the sample container 120.
  • the automatic analyzer 100 is an apparatus for dispensing a sample and a reagent into a reaction container 105 and reacting them, and measuring physical properties of the reacted liquid.
  • a pipetting mechanism 103 is provided, and the specimen pipetting mechanism 103 includes nozzles 211 and 311, specimen pipetting arms 201 and 301, sleeves 205 and 305 that cover part of the nozzles 211 and 311, and an abnormality of the nozzles 211 and 311. It has an abnormal descent detection sensor 204 that detects descent and a drive unit that moves the specimen dispensing arms 201 and 301.
  • the intervals 203B, 303B on the lower end side are narrower than the intervals 203A, 303A on the upper end side of the nozzles 211, 311 in the vertical direction.
  • the sleeves 205 and 305 move the starting point of vibration to the tip of the nozzles 211 and 311, thereby suppressing the vibration at the tip of the nozzles 211 and 311 and suppressing the vibration at the tip of the nozzles 211 and 311. , and the vertical movement of the probe 202 can be facilitated. Therefore, it is possible to detect abnormal descent by the abnormal descent detection sensor 204 and to suppress liquid scattering.
  • the sleeves 205 and 305 are composed of one part, and at least part of it is housed inside the specimen dispensing arms 201 and 301, the nozzles 211 and 311 are firmly held by the sleeves 205 and 305. In addition, since the nozzles 211 and 311 can be easily removed from the sleeves 205 and 305, the replacement work is facilitated.
  • the shape of the inner diameter side of the sleeve 305 has a portion that gradually decreases from the top to the bottom of the sleeve 305, it is possible to cope with the case where the outer diameter of the nozzle 311 changes.
  • the shape of the inner diameter side of the sleeve 205 has a portion that continuously decreases from the top to the bottom of the sleeve 205, particularly the shape of the inner diameter side of the sleeve 205 is a tapered shape, the user can easily use the probe 202. It is possible to guide the tip of the probe 202 along the inclined surface to the hole on the lower side of the sleeve 205 when exchanging the .
  • the specimen dispensing arms 201 and 301 have extensions 213 and 313 extending downward in the vertical direction so as to fix the horizontal position of the sleeves 205 and 305.
  • the range can be extended to the sleeve 205, 305 leading side, and the rigidity of the sleeve 205, 305 can be strengthened. Therefore, the effect of suppressing vibration of the nozzles 211 and 311 can be further enhanced.
  • the range of the nozzles 211, 311 supported by the sleeves 205, 305 occupies 15% or more of the total length of the nozzles 211, 311, the effect of increasing the rigidity of the sleeves 205, 305 can be reliably obtained. .
  • the nozzles 211, 311 are exposed from the sleeves 205, 305 in the range from the tip of the nozzles 211, 311 to the height of the sample container 120, the sample container 120 or the reaction container 105 collides with the sample container 120 during dispensing. It is possible to further suppress the danger diameter that occurs.
  • the interval 203B, 303B on the lower end side of the nozzles 211, 311 in the vertical direction is 0.1 mm or less, the interval 203B, 303B at the starting point of vibration can be reduced, and the occurrence of friction is not excessively increased. can range.
  • the gaps 203A, 303A on the upper end side of the nozzles 211, 311 in the vertical direction are 0.3 mm or less, it is possible to prevent the effect of holding the nozzles 211, 311 from being reduced.
  • FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the sleeve of the second embodiment
  • FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the specimen dispensing mechanism provided with the sleeve of FIG.
  • This embodiment has the same configuration and operation as the automatic analyzer 100 of the first embodiment except for the sleeve.
  • At least two sleeves are provided.
  • a sleeve that supports the root side of the probe 202 is an upper sleeve 705A
  • a sleeve that supports the tip side is a lower sleeve 705B.
  • Both the upper sleeve 705A and the lower sleeve 705B are housed within the specimen dispensing arm 701. As shown in FIG. 9, for the purpose of suppressing vibration, at least two sleeves are provided.
  • a sleeve that supports the root side of the probe 202 is an upper sleeve 705A
  • a sleeve that supports the tip side is a lower sleeve 705B.
  • Both the upper sleeve 705A and the lower sleeve 705B are housed within the specimen dispensing arm 701. As shown in FIG.
  • the upper sleeve 705A and the lower sleeve 705B each have a shape in which cylindrical members having different outer diameters are integrated in a multi-stage structure, and connection holes 703A and 703B into which the probe 202 can be inserted are formed in the center. have.
  • the distance between the sleeve and the nozzle 211 is the lower sleeve 705B on the lower end side of the nozzle 211 in the vertical direction, where X is the distance 703A1 from the upper sleeve 705A, and Y is the distance 703B1 from the lower sleeve 705B. is narrower than the interval 703A1 between the upper end of the nozzle 211 and the upper sleeve 705A, and X>Y is always established.
  • FIG. 10 is an internal view of the specimen pipetting arm 701 in the specimen pipetting mechanism 103 equipped with sleeves, showing the upper sleeve 705A, the lower sleeve 705B, the nozzle 211, and the abnormal descent detection sensor 204. .
  • the specimen dispensing arm 701 has an extension 713 extending a predetermined length toward the distal end of the nozzle 211 in order to internally support the upper sleeve 705A and the lower sleeve 705B. have.
  • the specimen dispensing arm 701 has holes in the extension 713 that can support the upper sleeve 705A and the lower sleeve 705B in the vertical direction upper and lower parts, and the multi-stepped parts of the upper sleeve 705A and the lower sleeve 705B are fitted to each other.
  • the upper sleeve 705A is fixed to the upper part in the sample pipetting arm 701
  • the lower sleeve 705B is fixed to the tip side of the probe 202 in the sample pipetting arm 701.
  • the probe 202 is inserted from the upper sleeve 705A to the lower sleeve 705B housed inside the specimen dispensing arm 701 .
  • the upper sleeve 705A also serves as a pedestal for the probe 202, and when there is no contact between the probe 202 and the object during the analysis operation, the detection plate 212 of the probe 202 contacts the upper sleeve 705A, preventing the probe 202 from falling. To prevent.
  • the detection plate 212 enters the detection area of the abnormal descent detection sensor 204 fixed to the specimen dispensing arm 701, and the abnormal descent detection sensor 204 is detected, the device determines contact between the object and the probe 202 .
  • the probe 202 can be held at two points, the upper sleeve 705A and the lower sleeve 705B. is supported and the starting point of vibration is lowered to the lower sleeve 705B, vibration of the distal end portion of the probe 202 can be suppressed, and sample scattering can be prevented. Also, the weight of the sleeve can be reduced.
  • the sleeve in order to support the probe 202 more firmly, can be made up of three or more parts.
  • the sleeve and sample dispensing arm 701 can be integrally molded to reduce the number of parts.
  • contact with the probe 202 occurs, it is necessary to have excellent slidability and wear resistance, and it is desirable to assemble it as a separate part.
  • this embodiment can also be preferably applied when using a nozzle 311 whose outer diameter changes as shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the sleeve of Example 3
  • FIG. 12 is a top view of the sleeve of FIG. 11
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a modification of the sleeve.
  • This embodiment also has the same configuration and operation as the automatic analyzer 100 of the first embodiment except for the sleeve.
  • the upper part of the sleeve 805 which is the contact surface of the probe 202 with the detection plate 212, is housed inside the specimen dispensing arm 201 and is less susceptible to air resistance, so it is more desirable to make this part hollow.
  • the nozzle 211 side surface of the sleeve 805A which is the passage hole for the nozzle 211, has an uneven structure 804.
  • the distance between the nozzle 211 and the convex portion of the uneven structure 804 is such that the distance on the upper side in the vertical direction>the distance on the lower side.
  • the sleeve 805 has a hollow portion 802 inside, so that weight reduction and improved slidability can be achieved.
  • the contact surface with the nozzle 211 is reduced, thereby suppressing friction and further improving the slidability of the probe 202.
  • this embodiment can also be preferably applied when using a nozzle 311 whose outer diameter changes as shown in FIG.
  • Example 4 An automatic analyzer of Example 4 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15.
  • FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the sleeve of the fourth embodiment
  • FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a modified example of the sleeve.
  • the probe 202 of the automatic analyzer 100 needs to be replaced periodically due to contamination or damage. Exchange operation is mainly performed by the user according to the following procedure.
  • the user removes the upper part of the specimen dispensing arm 201 and disconnects the probe 202 and the tube 206 . After that, the probe 202 is pulled out, a new probe 202 is inserted from above the specimen dispensing arm 201, and the tube 206 is connected.
  • the hole in the lower sleeve 705B for inserting the nozzle 211 is obscured by the upper sleeve 705A. Since there is a risk of contact with the lower sleeve 705B during replacement, and there is a risk of damage to the nozzle 211, there is room for further improvement.
  • the upper sleeve 905A and the lower sleeve 905B are composed of two or more parts, and are housed in the specimen dispensing arm 901, as in the second embodiment.
  • upper sleeve 905A and lower sleeve 905B are connected by nozzle guide 905C to fill the space created by upper sleeve 905A and lower sleeve 905B.
  • the shape of the inner diameter side of the nozzle guide 905C can be, for example, a tapered shape with an inclination. may be continuously decreasing from the upper sleeve 905A to the lower sleeve 905B.
  • the tip of the nozzle 211 is guided to the hole of the lower sleeve 905B along the inner surface of the nozzle guide 905C, and can be inserted to the hole of the lower sleeve 905B simply by passing the tip of the nozzle 211 through the upper sleeve 905A. becomes.
  • the extended portion of the specimen dispensing arm 901A can be divided into two parts, an upper divided member 913A and a lower divided member 913B, and connected by a screw structure or the like.
  • the tip of the nozzle 211 is first inserted into the hole of the upper split member 913A. After that, the lower split member 913B is passed from the tip of the nozzle 211 and connected with a screw.
  • the probe 202 can be replaced while visually checking the hole and tip of the lower split member 913B. Contact between the tip and fingers can be eliminated. These countermeasures can improve the usability when replacing the probe 202 and the risk of accidents due to contact with the probe 202 .
  • the upper sleeve 905A and the lower sleeve 905B are connected by a nozzle guide 905C, it is expected to serve as a guide for assisting the insertion of the nozzle 211, and the nozzle 211 is damaged when the probe 202 is replaced. Risk can be further reduced.
  • the sleeve can be made up of three or more parts.
  • the sleeve and sample dispensing arm 901 can be integrally molded to reduce the number of parts.
  • this embodiment can be suitably applied when using a nozzle 311 whose outer diameter changes as shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the sleeve of Example 5
  • FIG. 17 is a top sectional view of the sleeve of FIG. 16
  • FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a modification of the sleeve.
  • the sample pipetting mechanism covers the nozzle 211, the sample pipetting arm 1001, and part of the nozzle 211, and the upper end of the nozzle 211 in the vertical direction.
  • a sleeve composed of a first support portion 1005A that supports the side, and circular parts 1005B and 1005B1 that are rotatable about axes that contact and support the nozzle 211 in the horizontal direction at locations other than the upper end side of the nozzle 211 in the vertical direction.
  • an abnormal descent detection sensor 204 for detecting an abnormal descent of the nozzle 211
  • a drive section for moving the specimen dispensing arm 1001.
  • two circular parts 1005B having grooves corresponding to the shape of the nozzle 211 on the lower end of the extended part 1013 of the sample pipetting arm 1001 are used to hold the probe 202. It is a form of contact support.
  • the circular part 1005B has an axis 1015 at its center, and the probe 202 can rotate vertically around this axis 1015.
  • the axis 1015 of the circular part 1005B is fixed to the specimen dispensing arm 1001 in a direction perpendicular to the probe 202, and the circular part 1005B sandwiches the probe 202 from both directions and supports the probe 202 along the groove.
  • Circular part 1005B rotates as probe 202 moves up and down, thereby reducing friction with probe 202 and allowing probe 202 to move up and down.
  • first support portion 1005A has substantially the same structure as the upper sleeve 705A in FIG. 9 and the like, details thereof will be omitted.
  • the second form is a form using a circular part 1005B1 without grooves, as shown in FIG.
  • a circular part 1005B1 having a form shown in FIG. 18 is used in place of the circular part 1005B shown in FIG. By sandwiching the shaft 1015, the circular part 1005B1 is supported.
  • the probe 202 In order to stably support the probe 202, the probe 202 is sandwiched between at least three circular parts 1005B1. Circular part 1005B1, which does not have a groove unlike the form shown in FIG. , in addition to suppressing vibration of the probe 202, there is an effect of improving slidability.
  • the probe 202 is fixed by pressing the circular part 1005B1 against the probe 202 using an elastic body 1011 such as a spring.
  • the bottom surface of the plate-like member 1016 that holds the circular part 1005B1 comes into contact with the plate-like member 1014 having a hole larger than the outer diameter of the probe 202 installed at the tip of the sleeve. are doing.
  • the horizontal support of the nozzle 211 by the circular parts 1005B and 1005B1 is not limited to contact support. It is possible to adopt a configuration in which the interval is narrower than that of the second and fourth embodiments, or the like.
  • this embodiment can be suitably applied when using a nozzle 311 whose outer diameter changes as shown in FIG.
  • the dispensing mechanism moves in the XY axis direction, that is, in two directions parallel to the housing of the automatic analyzer.
  • the XY axis direction is not limited to the XY axis direction, and a dispensing mechanism having a structure having an R- ⁇ arm, that is, an arm that rotates and expands and contracts around a certain point can be employed.
  • Operation unit 119 Output unit 120 Specimen container 121 Racks 201, 301, 701, 901, 901A, 1001 Specimen dispensing arm 202 Probe 203 Connection holes 203A, 203B, 303A, 303B, 703A1, 703B1 Interval 204 ... Abnormal descent detection sensor 205, 305, 805, 805A ... Sleeve (supporting member) 206... Tube 207... Syringe 208... Horizontal driving motor (driving unit) 209... Vertical driving motor (driving unit) 210...

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
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  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
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Abstract

L'invention concerne un mécanisme de distribution d'échantillons (103) d'un dispositif d'analyse automatisé (100) comprenant une buse (211), un bras de distribution d'échantillons (201), un manchon (205) couvrant une partie de la buse (211), un capteur de détection de descente anormale (204) pour détecter une descente anormale de la buse (211), et une unité d'entraînement pour entraîner le bras de distribution d'échantillons (201), un espace entre la buse (211) et le manchon (205) étant configuré de telle sorte qu'un espace (203B) sur le côté inférieur de la buse (211) dans une direction verticale est plus étroit qu'un espace (203A) sur le côté supérieur de la buse (211) dans la direction verticale. La présente invention fournit donc un dispositif d'analyse automatisé avec lequel il est possible d'éviter les éclaboussures de liquide en supprimant les vibrations d'une sonde, tout en éliminant les effets de la sonde sur le capteur de détection de descente anormale.
PCT/JP2022/041892 2022-01-31 2022-11-10 Dispositif d'analyse automatisé WO2023145194A1 (fr)

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JP2022-012984 2022-01-31
JP2022012984 2022-01-31

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WO2023145194A1 true WO2023145194A1 (fr) 2023-08-03

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Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH08254269A (ja) * 1995-03-17 1996-10-01 Koyo Seiko Co Ltd 変速器の変速操作装置
JP2006084368A (ja) * 2004-09-17 2006-03-30 Hitachi High-Technologies Corp 自動分析装置
JP2008298493A (ja) * 2007-05-30 2008-12-11 Hitachi High-Technologies Corp 自動分析装置
JP2008304334A (ja) * 2007-06-07 2008-12-18 Olympus Corp 分注装置及び自動分析装置
JP2013156089A (ja) * 2012-01-27 2013-08-15 Hitachi High-Technologies Corp 液体分注装置

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH08254269A (ja) * 1995-03-17 1996-10-01 Koyo Seiko Co Ltd 変速器の変速操作装置
JP2006084368A (ja) * 2004-09-17 2006-03-30 Hitachi High-Technologies Corp 自動分析装置
JP2008298493A (ja) * 2007-05-30 2008-12-11 Hitachi High-Technologies Corp 自動分析装置
JP2008304334A (ja) * 2007-06-07 2008-12-18 Olympus Corp 分注装置及び自動分析装置
JP2013156089A (ja) * 2012-01-27 2013-08-15 Hitachi High-Technologies Corp 液体分注装置

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