JP2002090374A - Specimen pre-treatment device and specimen carrying method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a specimen pre-treatment device capable of efficiently conducting a pre-treatment process of a specimen, and sending a specimen vessel to various kinds of analytical devices corresponding to analytical items. SOLUTION: Based on a recognition result of specimen information with a specimen information recognition means 140, a specimen vessel rack 100 (101) containing a specimen vessel unnecessary for centrifugal separation pre- treatment and a specimen vessel necessary for centrifugal separation pre- treatment sorts the specimen vessel necessary for centrifugal separation pre- treatment before centrifugal separation treatment with a pre-treatment means 201 (202) from the specimen vessel unnecessary for centrifugal separation pre- treatment with a sorting means 405, and a specimen vessel rack 100 (101) housing and holding only the specimen vessel unnecessary for pre-treatment directly transfers the specimen vessel unnecessary for pre-treatment from a carrying part 130 to a carrying means 20 send to the corresponding analytical device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sample pre-processing device for pre-processing a biological sample prior to analysis in a biological sample analysis system in a clinical test, and a sample transport method in an analysis system including the pre-processing device. It is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a biological sample analysis system in the field of clinical testing, a biological sample may be pre-processed prior to analysis depending on the type of biological sample and analysis items.

[0003] For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2656567 discloses a method of performing such a pretreatment. A sample container rack holding a plurality of sample containers is conveyed to a centrifugal separator and centrifuged by a rack unit. The centrifuged sample container rack is transported to the dispenser, the serum sample in the sample container is dispensed to the serum sample container, and the serum sample container into which the serum sample has been dispensed is transported to the analyzer. Such an automatic analysis system is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-142232 discloses that each of a plurality of sample containers held in a sample container rack is automatically sorted into a sample sorting rack accommodating section corresponding to a test type. A sample sorting system is disclosed.

[0005]

However, in the automatic analysis system disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent No. 2,656,567, centrifugation is performed in rack units by a centrifugal separator. It is necessary to hold a sample container that does not require centrifugation, or a sample container that contains whole blood with anticoagulant added, It is impossible to cope with a case where a sample container containing whole blood is held and centrifugal conditions (centrifugal acceleration, rotation speed) are changed to obtain a plasma material and a serum material. In addition, since it is necessary to avoid mixing of whole blood material for purposes such as blood count (blood cell count), the operation is very complicated and requires manual intervention.

In the sample sorting system disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-142232, all the sample containers held in the sample container racks are transferred by sorting, so that one sample container rack is used. Even if a plurality of sample containers held in the same sample have the same attribute and there is an instruction to execute the same analysis item, all sample storage will be relocated, wasting work and time. In addition, since empty sample container racks accumulate in the collection device as many as the number of sample container racks put into the apparatus, the frequency of manual collection of empty sample container racks increases.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention made in view of such a point is to provide a sample container which does not require pretreatment for centrifugation regardless of the sample material in the sample container held in the sample container rack to be charged. An object of the present invention is to provide a sample pre-processing apparatus and a sample transport method for efficiently performing a sample pre-processing step by performing sorting processing and sending sample containers to various analyzers corresponding to analysis items.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sample pretreatment apparatus for transporting a sample container rack for accommodating a plurality of sample containers. A sample container rack supply unit that sets a plurality of racks and sequentially sends the rack to the transport unit; a sample information recognition unit that recognizes sample information of a sample container rack and / or a sample container transported by the transport unit; A transport unit coupled to the transport unit and selectively transporting the sample container rack transported by the transport unit to a corresponding analyzer.
A pre-processing unit including a centrifugal separation processing unit that selectively performs pre-processing on a sample container of the sample container rack supplied to the transport unit, and a sample container of the sample container rack supplied to the transport unit. Having sorting means for selectively sorting, based on the recognition result of the sample information in the sample information recognition means,
A sample container rack including a sample container that does not require centrifugation pretreatment and a sample container that requires centrifugation pretreatment, before the centrifugation is performed on the sample container that requires the centrifugation pretreatment by the preprocessing means, The sample container unnecessary for the centrifugation pre-treatment is sorted by the sorting means, and the sample container rack for storing and holding only the sample container not requiring the pre-treatment is configured to be directly transferred from the transfer section to the transfer means. It is characterized by the following.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the sample pre-processing device according to the first aspect, the pre-processing means includes an opening processing section for opening a plug of the sample container and / or an internal opening of the sample container. The method includes a subdivision dispensing processing unit that subdivides and dispenses a sample.

[0010] The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2.
The sample pre-processing device described in the above, further comprising a sample container for which the sample information is not recognized by the sample information recognizing means, a sample container for which the sample information gives inappropriate pre-processing execution information, etc. The sample container having the error described above is configured to be sorted into the error sample storage section by the sorting means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of sample containers are stored and held in a plurality of sample container racks and transported, and a rack unit or a sample unit is provided based on identification information provided in the rack or the sample container. Determines whether preprocessing is required for each sample container, and based on the result of the determination, transports only the corresponding sample container to the inside of the preprocessing device and sorts the sample containers after preprocessing. For the samples that do not require pre-processing based on the determination result, only the corresponding sample containers are directly transferred to the sorting device without passing through the pre-processing device, and the sample containers that reach the sorting device are recognized. It is characterized in that sorting is performed for each sorting destination based on the information, and the sorting is selectively carried to the corresponding sorting destination.

According to the sample pretreatment apparatus of the present invention, various kinds of samples (whole blood with anticoagulant, whole blood with separating agent, urine, serum, plasma, The sample container rack, which arbitrarily stores and holds whole blood, etc., is transported by a transport unit such as a belt conveyor, and its sample information (judgment of the presence or absence of various preprocessing of the sample and necessary analysis items) is recognized as sample information. The preprocessing operation is controlled based on the recognized sample information.

In other words, when the sample container rack holds a sample container that does not require pre-centrifugation and a sample container that requires pre-centrifugation, the sample container that does not require pre-centrifugation is sorted. Then, the sample container rack in which only the sample containers requiring the pretreatment for centrifugation are centrifuged by the preprocessing means. After the centrifugal separation process is completed, the sample container rack is moved again to the transporting unit, and is sorted by the sorting unit based on the sample information, or is transferred to the transporting unit such as a transporting line conveyor, and the corresponding analysis is performed. After being directly conveyed to the apparatus, or subjected to other pretreatments such as opening, dispensing and dispensing as necessary, the liquid is sorted as described above or directly conveyed to the corresponding analyzer.

On the other hand, when the sample container rack stores and holds only sample containers that do not require pretreatment such as centrifugation, opening, dispensing and dispensing, the sample container rack is transferred from the sample pretreatment device to the transport means. And transferred directly to the corresponding analyzer. In the pre-processing step, the inappropriate sample container is sorted into the error sample container.

Further, according to the sample transporting method of the present invention, it is determined whether or not preprocessing is necessary based on the recognition information provided on the rack or the sample container, and the sample container requiring preprocessing is sent to the preprocessing device. After being transported and pre-processed, it is transported to the sorting device, and the sample containers that do not require pre-processing are directly transported to the sorting device, and the sorting device sorts the sample containers for each sorting destination based on the recognition information and performs corresponding sorting. Since the sample containers are selectively transported first, a plurality of sample containers can be efficiently transported to a desired sorting destination, and the analysis efficiency can be improved.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the structure of the main part of the sample pretreatment apparatus, FIG. 2 is a front view showing the structure of the main part of the rack handling robot shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a front view showing the configuration of the main part of the container handling robot. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the connection between the sample pretreatment device and the analyzer shown in FIG. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of an analyzed analysis system.

The sample pretreatment device 10 shown in FIG. 1 has a sample container rack supply unit 1000. The sample container rack supply unit 1000 includes a sample container rack 100.
A sample container rack supply function having two rows of lanes: a lane for arranging a plurality of sample containers in the Y direction and sequentially sending them out, and a lane for similarly arranging a plurality of sample container racks 101 in the Y direction and sequentially sending the lanes. It is provided and is controlled by an operation method set in advance.

For example, by setting so that the sending of the next lane is started after the sending of one lane is completed in order, the setting of the sample container racks 100 and 101 can be facilitated, or the normal lane can be set. By setting it to be used separately for emergency and urgent sample lanes, it is possible to respond to urgent and urgent samples, and it is possible to extend the walk away time by setting it to alternately send out two lane sample racks. It is like that. Further, by setting each lane to be operated according to the material type such as a serum lane or a plasma lane, more efficient operation can be performed.

Each of the sample container racks 100 and 101 is provided with five holes, and sample containers 110 and 111 are inserted and held in the holes. These sample container racks 100 and 101 are sent to a main transport unit 130 having a belt conveyor and the like by pushers 120 and 121 provided reciprocally in a Y direction orthogonal to the sample container arrangement direction (X direction).

While the sample container rack sent to the main transport section 130 is pitch-fed in the X direction by a pitch feed mechanism (not shown), a bar code (sample information) affixed to the sample container or the sample container rack is displayed on the bar. The sample is read by the code reader 140, and based on the read sample information, processes of centrifugation, opening, dispensing and dispensing, and sorting are performed on each sample container as described later.

Further, the type of the sample container held in the sample container rack, that is, a normal sample, a standard sample,
In order to identify the urgent sample, a sample container type identification unit (not shown) composed of a combination of, for example, magnet arrangement positions is provided. The sample container type identification unit is provided in the sample container rack supply unit 1000. Reading is performed by a sample container rack type sensor (not shown) (see JP-A-59-16046 and JP-A-1-26159). Each piece of information read by the barcode reader 140 and the sample container rack identification sensor is centrally managed by an attached CPU.

In the vicinity of the main transport section 130, two centrifugal processing sections 201 and 202 are arranged along the transport direction, and based on the sample information read by the bar code reader 140, a sample container is stored. The sample container held in the rack for use is set on either side of the centrifugal separation processing unit and centrifuged as required. Further, by individually setting the centrifugation conditions (centrifugal acceleration and rotation speed) as necessary, urine, serum, and plasma materials (test solutions) can be efficiently obtained.

A rack handling robot 305 having an X axis 300, a Y axis 310, and a Z axis 320 is disposed above the centrifugal separation units 201 and 202. This rack handling robot 305 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, a chuck hand 321 is attached to the Z-axis 320 and can be opened and closed with respect to a sample container rack using a motor or air (not shown) as power. Further, a shaft 324 is joined to the upper part of the Z axis 320 so as to extend in the Z direction, and a stopper 325 is provided on the upper part of the shaft 324. The shaft 324 is slidable with respect to the housing 329 in the Z direction.
The housing 329 is moved by a Y-axis 310
Is attached to a slider 328 that can move in the Z direction.

The housing 329 is provided with a stay 32.
6 and an insertion detection sensor 322 is attached to the lower end of the stay 326.
The collision detection sensor 3 is provided above the insertion detection sensor 322.
23 are attached. Each of these sensors is constituted by a photoelectric sensor or the like.

This rack handling robot 305
Accordingly, when the sample container rack grasped by the chuck hand 321 is moved from the main transport unit 130 to the bucket 211 or 212 in the centrifugal separation processing unit, or when the sample container rack is returned from the bucket to the main transport unit 130, the X-axis 300 and the After positioning the sample container rack on a desired bucket or main transport unit 130 by the Y axis 310, the Z axis 320 is lowered by the slider 328.

This lowering causes the sample container rack to come into contact with the bottom surface of the bucket or the bottom surface of the main transport unit 130,
When the Z-axis 320 is further lowered, the spring 330 wound around the shaft 324 between the Z-axis 320 and the housing 329 contracts, and the dock 327 provided on the Z-axis 320 shields the insertion detection sensor 322 from light. It is detected that the container rack has landed on the bottom of the bucket or the bottom of the main transport unit.

If there is any obstacle or the position of the bucket is shifted, if the Z-axis 320 attempts to descend by a specified amount, the sample container is located at a position higher than the bottom of the bucket or the bottom of the main transport unit. The bottom surface of the rack comes into contact with the obstacle, and the dock 327 passes through the insertion detection sensor 322 and shields the collision detection sensor 323 from light.
Thus, before a large accident such as breakage of the sample container occurs, a process such as stopping the apparatus by a signal from the collision detection sensor 323 can be performed.

On the other hand, a sample container rack for holding sample containers that need to be opened or divided and dispensed is provided with a first conveyor having a belt conveyor and the like from the main transport unit 130 by a transfer device 131 which can reciprocate in the Y direction. It is delivered to the sub-transport section 136, where X is opposite to the transport direction in the main transport section 130.
After being conveyed in the Y direction, it is further transferred to a second sub-transport unit 134 having a belt conveyor or the like by a transfer device 132 which can reciprocate in the Y direction, where the main transfer unit 130
The plug at the upper part of the sample container that needs to be opened is opened by the opening processing unit 160 while being pitch-fed in the same X direction as the transport direction of the sample container.

The sample container rack, which has been opened in the second sub-transport section 134, is transferred to a third sub-transport section 135 having a belt conveyor and the like by a pusher 137 which can reciprocate in the Y direction. Then, while being pitch-fed in the X direction which is the same as the transport direction in the main transport unit 130, the child-dispensable amount measuring unit 705 measures the child-dispensable amount.

As shown in FIG. 3, the subdivision dispensable amount measuring unit 705 lifts one by one the CCD camera 700 and the sample containers of the sample container rack fed by the third sub-transport unit 135 at a pitch. Up-down rotation mechanism 71
0. The vertical rotation mechanism 710 includes a chuck hand 716 for grasping the sample container, a driving unit 711 thereof, a slider 717 for moving the chuck hand 716 and the driving unit 711 in the vertical direction, and a chuck hand 7.
And a pulley 7 connected to the upper part of the drive unit 711
12, a motor 715 for rotating the chuck hand 716, a pulley 713 coupled to an output shaft of the motor 715, and a belt 714 extending between the pulleys 712 and 713. CCD camera 700
An image of the sample container lifted from the sample container rack by the vertical rotation mechanism 710 is taken, the diameter of the sample container and the test solution level are measured based on the imaged data, and the subdivision dispensable amount is calculated.

The vertical rotation mechanism 710 is used when the bar code label 112 affixed to the sample container is located on the camera imaging surface side when the CCD camera 700 takes an image of the sample container, and the image of the sample surface cannot be taken. Is a CCD camera 70
The motor 715 is driven based on the presence or absence of a test solution obtained from the imaging data at 0, and the chuck hand 71 is driven via the pulley 713, the belt 714, and the pulley 712.
Rotate the sample container together with the bar code label 1
Twelve gaps are located on the camera imaging surface side.

The sample container whose measurement has been completed by the subdivision dispensable amount measuring unit 705 is returned to the original hole, and thereafter, the sample container rack is pitch-fed and the same processing is performed for the next sample container. Is executed.

The sample pre-processing apparatus 10 is provided with an empty container storage case set section 505, in which an empty container storage case 500 for storing a plurality of empty child sample containers 510 arranged in a matrix. Are detachably set, and are moved in the Y direction by a drive mechanism (not shown). An X-axis drive system 520 and a Z-axis drive system 530 are provided in the empty container storage case set section 505. By operating these drive systems, empty child specimen containers 510 are bar-coded one by one. Printer 56
0 is inserted into the insertion hole 561.

In the bar code printer 560, the CP
Under the control of U, a barcode label on which the designated number is printed is created and attached to the child sample container 510 transferred to the insertion hole 561. The X-axis drive system 520 and the Z-axis drive system 530 transport the child sample container 510 to which the barcode label is affixed to the insertion position 541 of the turntable 540 and insert and hold it on the turntable 540.

A plurality of holding holes for accommodating and holding the child sample containers are formed at equal intervals on the same circumference on the rotating disk 540, and a chip disk 550 is provided inside the rotation hole. A plurality of disposable tips 551 are set at equal intervals in the centripetal direction and the circumferential direction. In addition, the rotating disk 540 and the chip disk 550 can rotate independently. The empty child sample container 510 inserted and held in the turntable 540 is
Is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, and is transferred to the dispensing position 542 by the child dispensing / dispensing processing unit 555.

The subdivision dispensing processing section 555 includes the dispensing nozzle 5
81, a Z-axis drive mechanism 580 that supports the dispensing nozzle 581 and drives in the Z direction, and a Y-axis drive mechanism 570 that drives the Z-axis drive mechanism 580 in the Y direction.
The dispensing nozzle 581 first moves to the chip mounting position 552 on the chip disk 550, mounts the disposable chip 551 on the tip thereof, and then moves to the suction position 544 on the third sub-transport unit 135. Then, the test solution is sucked from the sample container of the parent sample located there, and the sucked test solution is emptied into the empty child sample container 5 located at the dispensing position 542 on the turntable 540.
Dispense into 10. When seeding and dispensing are performed, the rotating plate 540 is rotated by one pitch, and the test solution is discharged to the next empty child sample container. After dispensing the test solution,
The dispensing nozzle 581 is moved to the tip disposal position 591, and the used disposable tip is discarded in the disposal box 590.

The above dispensing operation is performed by the third
When the dispensing operation for all the sample containers is completed for each of the sample containers of the sample container rack which is pitch-fed on the sampler 5, the sample container rack is reciprocally movable in the Y direction. The third sub-transport unit 135
To the sorting position 151. In addition, the turntable 54
When the dispensing of the test solution is completed, the child sample container 510 held at 0 is transferred to the sorting position 543 by the rotation of the turntable 540.

Further, the sample pre-processing apparatus 10 includes a sorting unit 8000, an error sample storage unit 7000, and a collection unit 6.
000 is provided, and a container handling robot 405 is provided so as to be movable to the sorting unit 8000 and the error sample storage unit 7000. Sorting unit 8
000 is an empty sample container rack 600 for sorting,
A plurality of 610s can be arranged and set in the Y direction, and a plurality of empty sample container racks 620 for storing the error sample containers can also be set in the error sample storage section 7000 in the Y direction. It has become. The sample container racks 600, 610, 62
Reference numeral 0 is configured similarly to the sample racks 100 and 101 described above.

The container handling robot 405 is configured similarly to the rack handling robot 305 for the sample container rack described above. That is, the container handling robot 405 includes an X axis 400, a Y axis 410, and a Z axis 420 as shown in FIG.
A chuck hand 421 that can be opened and closed, a shaft 424 that extends and is joined to the upper part of the Z axis 320 in the Z direction, and a shaft 424.
A housing 429 slidably engaged with a shaft 424;
9, a slider 428 provided to be movable in the Z direction with respect to the Y axis 410, a stay 426 and a dock 427 provided to the housing 429, and an insertion detection sensor 422 and a collision detection sensor 423 attached to the stay 426. And a spring 430 wound around a shaft 424 between the Z-axis 420 and the housing 429.

Each sample container of the sample container rack transferred to the sorting position 151, the child sample container transferred to the sorting position 543, and the sample container transferred to the sorting position 138 described later by the container handling robot 405. Is the sorting unit 8000 or the error sample storage unit 7
Sample container racks 600, 610 set to 000
Alternatively, it is sorted into 620. The sample containers or the child sample containers are connected to the sample container racks 600, 610, and 620.
The operation of the container handling robot 405 at the time of insertion into the rack is the same as that of the rack handling robot 305 described above. That is, when the bottom surface of the sample container or the child sample container comes into contact with the bottom surface of the sample container rack, the descent continues, and when the insertion detection sensor 422 is shielded from light by the dock 427,
When the insertion operation is completed, the operation proceeds to the next operation.
If any obstacle such as a displacement of the insertion position occurs and the collision detection sensor 423 is shielded from light by the dock 427, the movement of the chuck hand 421 is stopped.

The sample container racks that have been sorted at the sorting position 151 are moved to the main transfer unit 130 by the pusher 133 and transferred to the main transfer unit 130. The pusher 632 or 642 is provided at the position opposite the collection unit 6000 so as to be reciprocally movable. It is sent to the collection unit 6000 and collected. When the sample container rack is transferred to the collection unit 6000, the barcode attached to the sample container rack is read by the barcode reader 602 or 612, whereby the sample container rack is collected.
The analysis device, which is a subsequent process, recognizes that the data has been sent to the CPU through the CPU.

In the sorting section 8000, the first sample container rack 600 or 6 on the main transport section 130 side.
When the sorted sample containers or child sample containers are inserted from 10 and the sorting for the foremost sample container rack is completed, the sample container rack is pushed out onto the main transport unit 130 by the reciprocally movable pushers 603 and 613. Then, the sample is sent from the sample pre-processing device 10 to a corresponding analyzer that automatically analyzes necessary analysis items via a transport device 20 having a conveyor or the like connected to the main transport unit 130.

In the above-described processing, for example, the bar code of the sample container rack or the sample container cannot be read, the opening operation fails, the amount of the sample liquid is small, or a predetermined amount determined in advance due to some trouble. The sample containers for which the subdivision dispensing operation cannot be performed are managed by the CPU and sorted into the error sample container 7000. In the sample pretreatment device 10 according to the present embodiment, the position to be sorted in advance is determined by the CPU in accordance with the content of the error (for example, insufficient liquid volume for subdivision dispensing, failure to recognize sample information, etc.). In addition to being able to recognize it, it is possible to collect the sample container in which the error has occurred in the sample container rack without sorting it into the error sample storage unit 7000, if necessary, without collecting it in the sample container rack 7000. Is also possible. As described above, by selectively using the collection destination of the sample container in which the error has occurred, it is possible to smoothly perform the retest processing and the like.

FIG. 5 shows the sample pretreatment apparatus 10 shown in FIG.
1 shows an example of an analysis system in which an analyzer and an analyzer are combined. This analysis system manages test items of the test solution in each sample container held in the sample container rack sent out from the main transport unit 130 of the sample pretreatment device 10 by the CPU from the sample information of the sample container rack. Then, the sample containers were selectively transported to different types of analyzers 50 and / or 51 (eg, biochemical analyzers and / or electrophoresis devices) for processing, and the processed sample containers were inserted into sample container racks. In this state, it is conveyed to the collection device 40 and collected.

For this reason, the outlet of the transport device 20 connected to the main transport section 130 of the sample pretreatment device 10 and the sample container rack supply port of the analyzer 50 are selectively connected to the sample container rack 90. In addition, the outlet of the sample container rack of the analyzer 50 and the transfer device 21 having a conveyor belt and the like are selectively connected to each other through the rotating device 30 for rotating the sample container rack 90. The coupling is performed via a rotation device 31 that rotates by degrees. In this manner, among the sample container racks transported by the transport device 20, the sample container racks to be analyzed by the analyzer 50 are rotated by 90 degrees by the rotating device 30 to the analyzer 50. The analyzer 5
With respect to the sample container rack discharged after the analysis at 0, the direction of the sample container
Then, it is rotated by 90 degrees and transferred to the transfer device 21. Note that, of the sample container racks transported by the transport device 20, the sample container racks that are not analyzed by the analyzer 50 are transferred to the transport device 21 through the rotating devices 30 and 31.

The outlet of the transfer device 21 and the analyzer 51
The transport device 22 having the sample container rack supply port, the conveyor belt, and the like is connected via the rotating device 32 that selectively rotates the direction of the sample container rack by 90 degrees, and the sample container of the analyzer 51 is The outlet of the storage rack, the outlet of the transfer device 22, and the inlet of the collection device 40 are similarly connected via a rotation device 33 that selectively rotates the orientation of the sample container rack by 90 degrees. In this manner, among the sample container racks conveyed by the conveyance device 21, the sample container racks to be analyzed by the analyzer 51 are rotated by 90 degrees by the rotating device 32, and For the sample container rack which is to be carried in and discharged after the analysis by the analyzer 51, the direction is rotated by 90 degrees by the rotating device 33 in a state where the sample container is stored, and the sample container is transferred to the collection device 40 and collected. I do. Among the sample container racks transported by the transport device 21, the sample container racks that are not analyzed by the analyzer 51 are passed through the rotating device 32 and transferred to the transport device 22.
To the collection device 4
Transfer to 0 and collect.

Next, the operation of the sample pretreatment device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. In the sample pretreatment device 10 described above, it can be read from the sample information that all the sample containers in the sample container rack do not require preprocessing (centrifugation, opening, dispensing and dispensing, sorting). The sample container rack is moved from the main transport unit 130 to the transport device 20.
Directly to the corresponding analyzer.

On the other hand, if it can be read from the sample information that some of the sample containers in the sample container rack require preprocessing such as centrifugation, the sample container rack is The transport unit 130 causes the centrifugal separation processing unit 202
Is transferred to a downstream position, and sent to the sorting position 138 by the pusher 133. Here, the sample containers that do not require processing such as centrifugation, opening, dispensing and dispensing are sorted into empty sample container racks set in the sorting section 8000 by the container handling robot 405.

In general, in such a sample pretreatment step, samples that do not require centrifugation do not require opening and dispensing. This is the whole blood sample to be subjected to a hematology test such as blood count, but the above-mentioned automatic analyzer used for blood count and other hematology tests inserts the sample into the sample container without a stopper and aspirates it. This is because a device having a note function is generally used. A urine sample to be subjected to a biochemical test also corresponds to this, but in general, a sample container containing a urine sample is not plugged and does not require dispensing.

The sample containers requiring centrifugal separation are transported from the sorting position 138 to the bucket 211 or 212 by the rack handling robot 305 for each rack, and subjected to centrifugal separation. , Taken out of the bucket 211 or 212 by the rack handling robot 305, and
It is carried to the set position 150 sandwiched by 1.

In general, the sample subjected to the centrifugation treatment as described above is used for serum, plasma sample, urine dust test used for various kinds, biochemistry, electrophoresis, drug test, hormone, marker test and the like. This is a (plasma + blood cell) sample used for a urine sample, a blood agglutination reaction, and the like. These are opened, dispensed and dispensed as required through the first, second, and third sub-transport sections 136, 134, and 135.
The sample is sent to a sorting position 151 by 33, where it is sorted by a container handling robot 405 into empty sample container racks set in a sorting unit 8000 as necessary. After that, it is again sent to the main transfer unit 130 by the pusher 133 and sent to the analyzer or the like by the transfer device 20, or collected by the collection unit 6000.

As described above, in the sample pretreatment step, samples that do not generally require centrifugation do not require opening and dispensing, but if centrifugation is not necessary, Specimens that need to be opened, opened, and divided and dispensed are separated at the above-described sorting position 151 without being subjected to the first centrifugal separation process, then transferred again to the sorting position 138 by the pusher 133, and only the centrifugal separation process is performed. The sample container rack in which the sample container requiring the sample is left is transported to the bucket 211 or 212 by the rack handling robot 305 to perform centrifugal separation. When the centrifugation process is completed,
Once again, the rack is transferred to the sorting position 138 by the handling robot 305 and, if necessary, sorted.
The pusher 140 feeds the toner into the main transport unit 130.

On the other hand, if it is read from the sample information that all the sample containers in the sample container rack do not require centrifugation, the sample container rack is supplied from the sample container rack supply unit 1000. It is extruded and transported by the main transport unit 130, held by the delivery unit 131 which has been moved on the main transport unit 130 in advance, and delivered to the first sub-transport unit 136. Opening, dispensing and dispensing, and sorting are performed.

If the sample containers in the sample container rack are instructed to sort only, the sample container rack is first moved to the sorting position 138, and there is an instruction to sort only. After the sample containers have been sorted,
Delivery device 13 by rack handling robot 305
It is carried to the set position 150 sandwiched by 1. After that,
Similarly to the above, processes such as opening, dispensing and dispensing, and sorting are performed as necessary.

According to the sample pretreatment apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, sample containers that do not require pretreatment for centrifugation are first sorted regardless of the sample material held in the sample container rack to be charged. As a result, it is possible to efficiently perform the sample pre-processing step and reliably execute processing such as sending the sample to various analyzers corresponding to the analysis items via the transport line. In addition, the transport line of the main transport unit 130 is linearly configured by a transport device such as a belt conveyor that connects the analyzer and the like, so that a sample that does not require pretreatment is more quickly transferred to the analyzer 50 or 51. Since the transfer can be performed, the analysis efficiency can be improved. Furthermore, since the sorting before centrifugation and the sorting after centrifugation are performed using the same container handling robot 405, the whole apparatus can be configured relatively inexpensively and small in size. it can.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified or changed. For example, in the above embodiment, the barcode reader 1
Although the sample information is recognized by using the CCD 40, the sample container can be imaged with a CCD camera or the like, and the sample information can be recognized from the shape of the sample container or the stopper shape.
It is also possible to use a line sensor instead of a CD camera or the like to similarly recognize the specimen information.

In the above-described embodiment, two centrifugal separation processing units 211 and 212 are provided, and the centrifugal separation processing unit on the side that matches the centrifugation conditions (centrifugal acceleration and rotation speed) based on the specimen information read in advance. Is selected and used. However, a single centrifugal separation processing unit may be used, and the centrifugation processing may be performed by changing the centrifugation conditions based on the read sample information.

Further, in the above embodiment, the sorting unit 8
In this case, two rows of empty sample container racks for sorting can be set to 000, and sorting is performed from the rack (front row) on the side of the main transport unit 130 and sent out to the main transport unit 130. As a sorting position for an analyzer not connected to the transport device, sorting is performed to the rear rack without sending it to the main transport unit 130, and then manually carried to the corresponding analyzer. Can also.

Additional Items 1. 2. The sample pretreatment device according to claim 1, wherein the sample container rack supply units are arranged substantially in parallel, and have at least two lanes each of which is capable of setting a plurality of sample container racks side by side and sequentially sending out. A sample container rack configured to be controlled to send out the sample container racks from these lanes by a preset operation method.

With this configuration, for example, by setting the sending from the next lane to be started after the sending from one lane is completed, the setting of the sample container rack becomes easy. In addition, by setting a normal lane and an urgent / urgent sample lane separately and using them separately, it is possible to easily cope with an urgent / urgent sample. Furthermore, for example, by alternately sending out between two lanes, the walk away time can be extended. In addition, by dividing a plurality of lanes according to a material type such as a serum lane and a plasma lane, efficient operation becomes possible.

Additional Item 2. 2. The sample pretreatment device according to claim 1, wherein the sample information recognizing means has an imaging camera such as a CCD camera or a line sensor, and is configured to recognize sample information from a shape or a plug shape of the sample container. A sample pretreatment device characterized by the above-mentioned. Appendix 3. The sample pretreatment device according to claim 1,
A sample pretreatment apparatus, wherein the sorting means is configured to sort both a sample container before centrifugation and a sample container after centrifugation. Appendix 4. The sample pretreatment device according to claim 1,
The sorting means includes a chuck hand for detachably holding the sample container, a slidable support for the chuck hand in an elevating direction, an elevating member for elevating the chuck hand, and a member between the chuck hand and the elevating member. A sample pretreatment apparatus, comprising: an elastic member disposed on the chuck hand; and a controller configured to control a lowering operation of the sample container held by the chuck hand based on a relative position between the chuck hand and the elevating member. . Appendix 5 The sample pretreatment device according to claim 1,
The preprocessing means has at least two centrifugal separation processing units, and based on the sample information recognized by the sample information recognition means, sets the sample container rack on the side that matches the centrifugation conditions (centrifugal acceleration, rotation speed). A sample pretreatment device, wherein a centrifugation process is performed by a centrifugation unit. Appendix 6. The sample pretreatment device according to claim 1,
Centrifugation conditions (centrifugal acceleration, rotation speed)
Is changed based on the sample information recognized by the sample information recognition means. Appendix 7 The sample pretreatment device according to claim 2,
The subdivision dispensing unit selectively lifts and lowers the sample container while holding the sample container up and down, and a vertical rotation function of selectively rotating the sample container in a raised state, and imaging the sample container in the raised state. A sample pretreatment device having an imaging function of detecting the liquid level. Appendix 8. The sample pretreatment device according to claim 3,
A sample pre-processing device, wherein the error sample container is configured to be sorted and stored in the error sample storage unit by the sorting unit according to the content of the error.

[0063]

As described above, according to the present invention, the manual insertion of the sample container into the sample container rack does not require any care, and the plurality of sample containers stored and held in the sample container rack are not required. Of these, sample containers that do not require pretreatment such as centrifugation can be subjected to sample pretreatment at first, so that sample pretreatment steps can be performed efficiently, and transported to various analyzers corresponding to analysis items via transport means. It is possible to surely carry out processing such as feeding in, thereby saving labor. In addition, by combining the main transport unit with a transport means such as a belt conveyor connected to the analyzer, etc., a sample that does not require pretreatment or the like can be sent to the analyzer as it is. Can contribute.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a configuration of a main part of an embodiment of a sample pretreatment device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a configuration of a main part of the rack handling robot shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a main part of a subdivision dispensable amount measuring unit.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a configuration of a main part of the container handling robot.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an example of an analysis system in which the sample pretreatment device and the analyzer shown in FIG. 1 are connected.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 sample pretreatment device 20, 21, 22 transfer device 30, 31, 32, 33 rotating device 40 recovery device 50, 51 analyzer 100, 101 sample container rack 110, 111 sample container 130 main transfer portion 138, 151, 543 Sorting position 140 Bar code reader 160 Opening processing unit 201, 202 Centrifugal separation processing unit 305 Rack handling robot 405 Container handling robot 500 Empty container storage case 505 Empty container storage case set unit 510 Child specimen container 555 Child dispensing processing Unit 600,610,620 Sample container rack 705 Subdivision dispensable amount measuring unit 1000 Sample container rack supply unit 6000 Recovery unit 7000 Error sample storage unit 8000 Sorting unit

Claims (4)

[Claims] A transport unit that transports a sample container rack that stores and holds a plurality of sample containers; a sample container rack supply unit that sets a plurality of the sample container racks and sequentially sends the sample container rack to the transport unit; A sample container rack transported by the transport unit and / or
Alternatively, sample information recognizing means for recognizing sample information of a sample container, transport means coupled to the transport section, and selectively transporting a sample container rack transported by the transport section to a corresponding analyzer, A pre-processing unit including a centrifugal separation processing unit for selectively performing pre-processing on the sample containers of the sample container rack supplied to the transport unit; and a sample container of the sample container rack supplied to the transport unit. And a sample container including a sample container not requiring centrifugation pre-processing and a sample container requiring centrifugation pre-processing based on the recognition result of the sample information by the sample information recognition means. The rack sorts the sample containers that require the pre-centrifugation pre-treatment by the pre-processing means before the centrifugation treatment, sorts the sample containers that do not require the centrifugation pre-treatment by the sorting means, and the sample containers that do not require the pre-treatment. of A sample container rack for storing and holding only the sample container, wherein the sample container rack is directly transferred from the transfer section to the transfer means. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pre-processing means includes an opening processing section for opening a plug of the sample container and / or a child dispensing processing section for child dispensing of a sample in the sample container. The sample pretreatment device according to claim 1, wherein 3. An erroneous sample such as a sample container having an error sample storage unit, wherein the sample information is not recognized by the sample information recognizing means, or a sample container for which the sample information gives inappropriate preprocessing execution information. The sample pretreatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the container is configured to be sorted into the error sample storage unit by the sorting unit. 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of sample containers are stored and held in a plurality of sample container racks, transported, and whether pre-processing is necessary for each rack or for each sample container based on identification information provided for said rack or sample container. For the sample requiring pre-processing based on the determination result, only the corresponding sample container is transported to the inside of the pre-processing device, and the sample container after the pre-processing is transported to the sorting device. For samples that do not require processing, only the corresponding sample containers are directly conveyed to the sorting device without passing through the pre-processing device, and the sample containers arriving by the sorting device are sorted for each sorting destination based on the recognition information. And selectively transporting the sample to a corresponding sorting destination.