JP2008026038A - Liquid inspecting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance the accuracy for inspecting a liquid accommodated within a vessel. <P>SOLUTION: A sensor 10 linearly moves in the longitudinal direction of the vessel 20, transmits and receives microwave, and detects an interface as the quantity of a state of the liquid within the vessel 20 based on results of received microwave obtained in each position and the longitudinal direction. A pressing mechanism 14 is a mechanism for pressing the vessel 20 toward the sensor 10. Fixing rods 12 are provided at both ends of the vessel 20 in the longitudinal direction. One end of the vessel 20 is pressed to one fixing rod 12. The other end of the vessel 20 is pressed to the other fixing rod 12. When the sensor 10 linearly moves in the longitudinal direction of the vessel 20, a predetermined distance between a side wall of the vessel 20 and the sensor 10 is maintained in each moving position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for examining a liquid such as a specimen or a reagent housed in a container such as a blood collection tube.

  A technique for inspecting a liquid such as a specimen or a reagent contained in a container such as a blood collection tube or a tube (test tube) is known. For example, a technique is known in which blood collected from a subject is placed in a blood collection tube, blood is centrifuged into serum and clot in the blood collection tube, and the amount of separated serum is measured from outside the blood collection tube. .

  The inventors of the present application have proposed the technique described in Patent Document 1 as a technique for measuring the amount of liquid contained in a container such as a blood collection tube. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for detecting an interface of a liquid contained in a container using a microwave, and in particular, when measuring a plurality of containers with a plurality of sensor units, the sensor unit A technique for suppressing microwave crosstalk between each other is shown.

JP 2005-345374 A

  With the technique described in Patent Document 1, for example, it is possible to accurately detect the interface positions of a plurality of blood collection tubes.

  The inventors of the present application have continued research and development on a new inspection technique that is a further improvement of the epoch-making technique described in Patent Document 1.

  The present invention has been made in such a background, and the object thereof is to further improve the accuracy of the test when testing a liquid such as a specimen or a reagent contained in a container such as a blood collection tube. It is in.

  In order to achieve the above object, a specimen testing apparatus according to a preferred aspect of the present invention is a liquid testing apparatus for testing a liquid contained in a container, and detects a state quantity of the liquid from the outside of the container. It has a sensor, a positioning member that keeps the distance between the container and the sensor at a predetermined value by pressing both ends in the longitudinal direction of the container formed in a tubular shape, and a pressing mechanism that presses the container against the positioning member. And

  According to this configuration, the distance between the container and the sensor is maintained at a predetermined value, and the detection accuracy of the liquid state quantity by the sensor is enhanced. Thereby, when inspecting a liquid, the precision of the inspection is further improved.

  In a preferred aspect, the positioning member is provided outside a rack that accommodates a plurality of containers, and the pressing mechanism presses the plurality of containers accommodated in the rack against a positioning member provided outside the rack. And

  In a preferred aspect, the positioning member includes two fixing rods, one end of a plurality of containers is pressed against one fixing rod, and the other end of the plurality of containers is pressed against the other fixing rod. And

  In a preferred aspect, the two fixing rods are provided on a side where a sensor is disposed, and the sensor moves between two fixing rods against which a plurality of containers are pressed along the longitudinal direction of each container. It is characterized by doing.

  In order to achieve the above object, a rack according to a preferred aspect of the present invention is a rack used in the liquid inspection apparatus, and includes a plurality of storage portions in which each of a plurality of containers is stored, Each accommodating portion is provided with a sensor opening on a side where the sensor is disposed, and an insertion opening into which a pressing projection of the pressing mechanism is inserted is provided on a side facing the sensor opening.

  In a desirable mode, each container accommodated in each accommodation part is pushed out toward the sensor opening side by a pressing projection inserted from the insertion opening, and the wall surface of each container protrudes from the sensor opening to the outside of the rack. It is characterized by being pressed against two fixing rods of the positioning member.

  According to the present invention, when the liquid contained in the container is inspected, the accuracy of the inspection can be further increased.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a liquid inspection apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a sensor function portion of the liquid inspection apparatus. The liquid inspection apparatus according to the present embodiment has a function of inspecting a liquid such as a specimen or a reagent stored in a container 20 such as a blood collection tube or a tube (test tube).

  The sensor 10 detects the state quantity of the liquid stored in the container 20 from the outside of the container 20. For example, the sensor 10 detects the state quantity of the liquid by transmitting and receiving radio waves such as microwaves and millimeter waves. That is, a microwave is transmitted from the sensor 10 to the container 20, the microwave is reflected by the liquid in the container 20, and the reflected microwave is received by the sensor 10.

  The sensor 10 transmits and receives microwaves while moving linearly along the longitudinal direction of the container 20 (the Z-axis direction shown in FIG. 1), and the reception results at each position obtained along the longitudinal direction. Based on the above, an interface or the like is detected as a state quantity of the liquid in the container 20. For example, blood is stored in the container 20 in a state where the blood is centrifuged into serum and blood clot, and by detecting the serum interface with the sensor 10, the amount of blood serum can be determined from the position of the interface. measure. In addition to the serum volume, the plasma volume or the like may be measured, or the serum status (for example, acne or hemolysis) may be examined.

  Further, the sensor 10 may perform transmission and reception of microwaves or the like separately. For example, a microwave is transmitted from the sensor 10 shown in FIG. 1, and the microwave passes through the wall of the container 20 and the liquid in the container 20, and is transmitted by a receiving sensor (not shown) disposed on the pressing mechanism 14 side. May be configured to receive the signal.

  The fixing rod 12 functions as a positioning member that keeps the distance between the container 20 and the sensor 10 at a predetermined value. The pressing mechanism 14 is a mechanism that presses the container 20 toward the sensor 10 (in the positive direction of the Y axis in FIG. 1).

  The fixing rod 12 is provided on both ends of the container 20 in the longitudinal direction. One end of the container 20 is pressed against one fixing rod 12 and the other end of the container 20 is pressed against the other fixing rod 12. Thereby, for example, when the sensor 10 moves linearly along the longitudinal direction of the container 20, the distance between the side wall surface of the container 20 and the sensor 10 is set to a predetermined value at each moving position. Can keep.

  The reflection intensity of microwaves or the like transmitted from the sensor 10 and reflected by the liquid in the container 20 is accompanied by a change in the distance between the sensor 10 and the liquid, that is, the distance between the sensor 10 and the container 20. Fluctuate. Such a change in the reflection intensity accompanying a change in the distance between the sensor 10 and the container 20 may affect the reproducibility of the measurement result.

  Therefore, the liquid inspection apparatus according to the present embodiment keeps the distance between the side wall surface of the container 20 and the sensor 10 at a predetermined value by pressing the container 20 against the fixed rod 12. For this reason, the liquid inspection apparatus of the present embodiment, for example, suppresses fluctuations in reflection intensity, improves the reproducibility of measurement results, and increases the accuracy of inspection when inspecting liquid.

  In addition, the container 20 may be formed in a columnar shape as shown in FIG. 1, or the container 20 may have a side wall formed in a tapered shape.

  FIG. 2 is a view for explaining the positioning of the container 20 whose side wall is formed in a tapered shape. FIG. 2A shows a state before the tapered container 20 is pressed against the fixing rod 12. In this state, the tapered side wall of the container 20 is inclined with respect to the Z axis.

  On the other hand, FIG. 2B shows a state in which the tapered container 20 is pressed against the fixed rod 12 by the pressing mechanism 14. In the state shown in FIG. 2B, as a result of the tapered side wall of the container 20 being pressed against the two fixing rods 12, the side wall pressed against the fixing rod 12 is substantially parallel to the Z axis. It has become.

  Therefore, in the state shown in FIG. 2B, by moving the sensor (reference numeral 10 in FIG. 1) linearly along the Z-axis direction on the fixed rod 12 side, the sensor and the side wall of the container 20 are moved. The distance can be kept at a predetermined value.

  There are various modes for the shape of the fixing rod 12. FIG. 3 is a view for explaining the shape of the fixing rod 12. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the fixing rod 12 may have a shape in which a contact surface with the container 20 is recessed in an arc shape, or as shown in FIG. The contact surface may be formed flat.

  Moreover, the liquid test | inspection apparatus of this embodiment can position the container 20 in the state which stored the container 20 in the rack 30, as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the container 20 and the fixing rod 12 housed in the rack 30. FIG. 4 shows the rack 30 as viewed from the positive direction side of the Z axis in FIG. ing.

  The rack 30 is provided with a plurality of accommodation spaces that are slightly larger than the container 20 and are penetrated into a cylindrical shape. And by accommodating the container 20 one by one in each accommodation space, the rack 30 has accommodated the several container 20 in a line along the X-axis direction of FIG.

  Each storage space is provided with an opening on the positive side of the Y axis, and the side wall of the container 20 appears outside the rack 30 from the opening. The state quantity of the liquid in the container 20 is detected from the opening side of each storage space by a sensor (reference numeral 10 in FIG. 1).

  When inspecting the liquid in the container 20, the rack 30 is transported along the X-axis direction by a rack transport mechanism or the like in a state where a plurality of containers 20 are accommodated. And the rack 30 is conveyed to the position facing the fixed rod 12, and the liquid in the container 20 is inspected at that position.

  FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a state in which the container 20 housed in the rack 30 is pressed against the fixed rod 12. FIG. 5A shows a state immediately after the rack 30 is transported to a position facing the fixed rod 12, and the container 20 is accommodated near the center in the cylindrical accommodation space. On the other hand, FIG. 5B shows a state where the container 20 is pressed against the fixed rod 12. That is, the container 20 in the rack 30 is pushed out toward the fixed bar 12 by the pressing mechanism (reference numeral 14 in FIG. 1), and the container 20 is pressed against the fixed bar 12.

  In the state shown in FIG. 5 (B), the container 20 protrudes from the opening provided in the cylindrical accommodation space to the fixed rod 12 side, and the side wall of the container 20 is pressed against the fixed rod 12. Therefore, the width of the opening provided in each storage space is formed to a size that allows the container 20 to protrude and contact the fixed rod 12. It is desirable that the width of the opening be formed such that the container 20 does not fall off the rack 30.

  FIG. 6 is a view for explaining a specific example 1 of the rack 30 according to the present invention. The rack 30 shown in FIG. 6 includes ten accommodation spaces 32 arranged in a line. That is, the rack 30 shown in FIG. 6 is a 10-series rack 30 that can accommodate 10 containers. It should be noted that the rack 30 according to the present invention may be a triple, a five, a seven, or the like. And in each accommodation space 32 penetrated cylindrically, the opening 34 for sensors and the insertion opening 36 are provided in the position which mutually opposes.

  FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the rack 30 as viewed from the sensor opening 34 side. The sensor opening 34 is an opening facing the sensor (reference numeral 10 in FIG. 1) when the state quantity of the liquid in the container stored in the rack 30 is detected. That is, the sensor detects the state quantity of the liquid in the container from the sensor opening 34. Therefore, the sensor opening 34 is formed so as to avoid mechanical interference with the sensor. For example, as shown in FIG. 6 (A), the side wall of the rack 30 is entirely removed along the axial direction of each cylindrical storage space 32 for each storage space 32 to form a sensor opening 34. Is done.

  Further, the sensor opening 34 has a function of protruding the side wall of the container to the fixed bar side when the container is pressed against the fixed bar (see FIG. 5). Therefore, the width of the sensor opening 34 is formed such that the container protrudes and contacts the fixing rod. Since the rack 30 plays a role of holding the container, the width of the sensor opening 34 is formed such that the container does not fall off the rack 30.

  FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the rack 30 as viewed from the insertion opening 36 side. The insertion opening 36 is provided on the side facing the sensor opening 34 for each storage space 32. Then, the pressing protrusion of the pressing mechanism (reference numeral 14 in FIG. 1) is inserted from the insertion opening 36, the container is pushed out toward the sensor opening 34 by the inserted pressing protrusion, and the wall surface of each container is used for the sensor. It protrudes from the opening 34 to the outside of the rack 30 and is pressed against two fixing rods (reference numeral 12 in FIG. 1).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6B, the insertion opening 36 is formed by partially removing the side wall of the rack 30 along the axial direction of each cylindrical accommodation space 32 for each accommodation space 32. The

  FIG. 7 is a view for explaining a specific example 2 of the rack 30 according to the present invention. The rack 30 shown in FIG. 7 includes ten accommodation spaces 32 arranged in a line. That is, similarly to the rack 30 shown in FIG. 6, the rack 30 shown in FIG. 7 is a 10-series rack 30 that can accommodate ten containers. And in each accommodation space 32 penetrated cylindrically, the opening 34 for sensors and the insertion opening 36 are provided in the position which mutually opposes.

  FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the rack 30 viewed from the sensor opening 34 side. The function and shape of the sensor opening 34 are substantially the same as those of the sensor opening 34 shown in FIG. That is, the sensor opening 34 shown in FIG. 7A is an opening facing the sensor (reference numeral 10 in FIG. 1) when the state quantity of the liquid in the container stored in the rack 30 is detected. Further, as shown in FIG. 7A, for each storage space 32, the side wall of the rack 30 is entirely removed along the axial direction of each cylindrical storage space 32 to form a sensor opening 34. Is done.

  FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the rack 30 as viewed from the insertion opening 36 side. The function of the insertion opening 36 is almost the same as that of the insertion opening 36 shown in FIG. That is, the insertion opening 36 shown in FIG. 7B is provided on the side facing the sensor opening 34 for each storage space 32, and a pressing mechanism (reference numeral 14 in FIG. 1) is provided from the insertion opening 36. The pressing protrusions are inserted, the containers are pushed out toward the sensor opening 34 by the inserted pressing protrusions, and the wall surface of each container protrudes from the sensor opening 34 to the outside of the rack 30 and two fixing rods (FIG. 1).

  In FIG. 7B, the insertion opening 36 is formed by removing the side wall of the rack 30 along the axial direction of each cylindrical storage space 32 for each storage space 32.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the liquid inspection apparatus described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. The liquid inspection apparatus 100 of the present embodiment has a function of inspecting a liquid such as a specimen or a reagent accommodated in the container 20, and from the outside of the container 20 by a sensor (not shown) provided in the sensor function part 110. The state quantity of the liquid stored in the container 20 is detected.

  The container 20 is housed in a rack 30, and the rack 30 housing the container 20 is moved along the X-axis direction by the rack transport mechanism 120 and transported to the sensor function part 110. The rack transport mechanism 120 is moved along the rail 130 by a driving mechanism using the belt 140.

  The container 20 accommodated in the rack 30 conveyed to the position of the sensor function portion 110 is pushed out to the positive side of the Y axis by the pressing mechanism 14 and pressed against the fixed rod. The pressing mechanism 14 is driven by a driving unit 150 configured by a spring, an arm, or the like.

  FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the sensor function portion 110 shown in FIG. The rack 30 shown in FIG. 9 is a 10-series rack 30 that houses ten containers 20. For example, a rack 30 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is used.

  The pressing mechanism 14 includes pressing protrusions 15 corresponding to five of the ten containers 20 accommodated in the rack 30. That is, the pressing protrusions 15 corresponding to a total of five containers 20 out of every ten containers 20 arranged in a line are provided. Then, when the pressing mechanism 14 moves to the positive direction side of the Y axis, each pressing projection 15 presses the corresponding container 20 against the two fixing rods 12u and 12d.

  The two fixing rods 12u and 12d are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction (Z-axis direction) of the container 20, the opening side of the container 20 is pressed against one fixing rod 12u, and the container is pressed against the other fixing rod 12d. The bottom side of 20 is pressed.

  FIG. 10 is a top view of the sensor function portion 110 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, a total of five containers 20 out of every ten containers 20 arranged in a row are arranged at positions facing the pressing protrusions 15. FIG. 10 shows a state immediately after the container 20 is transported to a position facing the fixing rod 12, and from this state, the five containers 20 at the position facing the pressing protrusion 15 are pressed by the pressing protrusion 15. It is pressed against the fixing rod 12. In addition, by shifting the container 20 by one rack in the negative direction of the X axis by one rack and replacing the five containers 20 facing the pressing projections 15, ten containers 20 arranged in a row are arranged five by five. It is pressed against the fixing rod 12.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the pressing operation of the container 20 by the pressing mechanism 14. FIG. 11A shows a state immediately after the container 20 is transported to a position facing the fixing rods 12u and 12d, that is, the container 20 is not pressed against the fixing rods 12u and 12d by the pressing protrusion 15 of the pressing mechanism 14. Indicates the state. In the state shown in FIG. 11A, the bottom side of the container 20 is completely contained in the rack 30.

  On the other hand, FIG. 11B shows a state in which the container 20 is pressed against the fixing rods 12 u and 12 d by the pressing protrusion 15 of the pressing mechanism 14. That is, from the state shown in FIG. 11A, the pressing mechanism 14 is pushed into the fixing rods 12u and 12d by the drive unit (reference numeral 150 in FIG. 8), and the pressing projection 15 causes the container 20 to move toward the fixing rods 12u and 12d. By sliding, the state shown in FIG.

  The pressing protrusion 15 corresponding to the bottom side of the container 20 is inserted into the rack 30 to slide the container 20. The pressing protrusion 15 is inserted into the rack 30 through an insertion opening (reference numeral 36 in FIGS. 6 and 7) provided in the rack 30. Further, in the state shown in FIG. 11B, the bottom side of the container 20 protrudes from the rack 30 to the fixed rods 12u and 12d side. The container 20 protrudes from a sensor opening (reference numeral 34 in FIGS. 6 and 7) provided in the rack 30.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11B, the state quantity of the liquid stored in the container 20 by the sensor (reference numeral 10 in FIG. 1) in a state where the container 20 is pressed against the fixing rods 12u and 12d. Is detected. Therefore, the distance between the side wall surface of the container 20 and the sensor is kept at a predetermined value, for example, the fluctuation of the reflection intensity due to the change in the distance is suppressed, and the reproducibility of the measurement result is improved. The accuracy of the inspection when inspecting the liquid is increased. In the present embodiment, the distance between the side wall surface of the container 20 and the sensor can be kept at a predetermined value while the container 20 is stored in the rack 30.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described, embodiment mentioned above is only a mere illustration in all the points, and does not limit the scope of the present invention. The present invention includes various modifications without departing from the essence thereof.

It is a schematic diagram of the sensor function part of the liquid test | inspection apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating positioning of the container in which the side wall was formed in the taper shape. It is a figure for demonstrating the shape of a fixing rod. It is a figure for demonstrating the arrangement | positioning relationship between the container accommodated in the rack, and a fixing rod. It is a figure for demonstrating a mode that the container accommodated in the rack is pressed on a fixing rod. It is a figure for demonstrating the specific example 1 of the rack which concerns on this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the specific example 2 of the rack which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of the liquid test | inspection apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is an expansion perspective view of a sensor function part. It is a top view of a sensor function part. It is a figure for demonstrating the pressing operation of the container by a pressing mechanism.

Explanation of symbols

  10 sensors, 12 fixed bars, 14 pressing mechanisms, 20 containers, 30 racks.

Claims (6)

A liquid inspection apparatus for inspecting a liquid contained in a container,
A sensor for detecting the state quantity of the liquid from the outside of the container;
A positioning member that keeps the distance between the container and the sensor at a predetermined value by pressing both ends in the longitudinal direction of the container formed in a tubular shape;
A pressing mechanism for pressing the container against the positioning member;
Having
A liquid inspection apparatus. The liquid inspection apparatus according to claim 1,
The positioning member is provided outside a rack that accommodates a plurality of containers,
The pressing mechanism presses a plurality of containers accommodated in a rack against a positioning member provided outside the rack;
A liquid inspection apparatus. The liquid inspection apparatus according to claim 2,
The positioning member includes two fixing bars, one end of a plurality of containers is pressed against one fixing bar, and the other end of the plurality of containers is pressed against the other fixing bar.
A liquid inspection apparatus. The liquid inspection apparatus according to claim 3.
The two fixing rods are provided on the side where the sensor is arranged,
The sensor moves along the longitudinal direction of each container between two fixed bars pressed against a plurality of containers.
A liquid inspection apparatus. A rack used for the liquid inspection apparatus according to claim 4,
Comprising a plurality of accommodating portions each accommodating a plurality of containers;
Each accommodating portion is provided with a sensor opening on the side where the sensor is disposed, and an insertion opening into which the pressing protrusion of the pressing mechanism is inserted on the side facing the sensor opening.
Rack characterized by that. The rack according to claim 5, wherein
Each container housed in each housing portion is pushed out toward the sensor opening side by a pressing projection inserted from the insertion opening, and the wall surface of each container protrudes from the sensor opening to the outside of the rack, so that two of the positioning members. Pressed against the fixed rod of the book,
Rack characterized by that.

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