JP2010085125A - Stirring apparatus and analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a stirring device capable of stirring a sample and a reagent contained in a reaction container with a simple mechanism.
A container formed in a block 13 in a stirring device including a motor 11, a gear 12 connected to the upper part of the motor 11 and rotated by driving the motor 11, and a block 13 disposed on a side surface of the motor 11. By accommodating the reaction vessel 2 provided with the transmission unit 21 in the holding unit 15, the rotation of the gear 12 due to the drive of the motor 11 is transmitted to the transmission unit 21, and the power is transmitted from the transmission unit 21 to the adjacent reaction vessel 2. As a result, the plurality of reaction containers 2 rotate, and the specimen and the reagent accommodated in the reaction container 2 are agitated.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a stirrer and an analyzer for performing an immunological agglutination reaction.

  Conventionally, a blood analysis method is used in which a specimen and a reagent are dispensed into a reaction container, and a specimen is analyzed by observing a blood agglutination reaction occurring in the reaction container. In this blood analysis method, a sample and a reagent are dispensed into a reaction container, and then incubated and reacted, and the sample is analyzed by confirming the blood aggregation pattern after the reaction.

  By the way, in an analysis method in which a sample and a reagent are reacted and analyzed, the accuracy of the reaction between the sample and the reagent is important. As a conventional reaction promotion method, for example, a turntable on which a reaction vessel is placed is revolved, and each reaction vessel rotates by rotating a rotation gear connected to the turntable, and the reaction liquid in the vessel is stirred. A stirring method is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-196006 A

  However, in the stirring method shown in Patent Document 1, the rotation of the turntable to be revolved must be transmitted to the rotation gear of each reaction vessel, and the connecting mechanism of the tube between the turntable and each reaction vessel becomes complicated and large. As a result, there is a problem that the apparatus becomes complicated and large.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a stirring device that can stir a specimen and a reagent accommodated in a reaction container with a simple configuration.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a stirrer for promoting a blood agglutination reaction between a sample dispensed in a reaction container and a reagent, and the reaction container or the reaction container is accommodated in the stirring apparatus. The container holder is formed on the outer peripheral side surface with one or more transmission parts for receiving and transmitting power for rotationally driving the reaction container or the container holder at the axial center of the reaction container or the container holder, A drive mechanism for transmitting power to one of the transmission units is provided.

  The stirring device according to the present invention, in the above invention, further includes a holding unit that holds the transmission unit in a position where the transmission unit is coupled and rotated between each adjacent reaction vessel or each container holder, and the drive mechanism includes: The power is transmitted through a transmission part of at least one reaction vessel or vessel holder, and each reaction vessel is rotated.

  In the stirring device according to the present invention, the reaction vessel and the container holder are detachable from each other.

  In the stirring device according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the reaction vessel is characterized in that a convex portion that forms irregularities at least in the direction around the rotation axis is formed on the inner side surface.

  The stirring device according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the reaction vessel has a prismatic inner space.

  In the stirring device according to the present invention, in the above invention, the reaction vessel includes a reaction liquid storage unit that stores and reacts the sample and the reagent, and a sample analysis unit that analyzes the reaction. It is characterized by that.

  Moreover, the stirring device according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the sample analysis unit contains a carrier whose mobility is changed depending on the size of a reaction product obtained by reacting the sample and the reagent. .

  The stirring device according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-described invention, the reaction liquid storage portion is provided with a convex portion that forms irregularities at least in the direction around the rotation axis on the inner side surface.

  Moreover, the stirring device according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the reaction liquid storage section has a prismatic shape in the internal space.

  Moreover, the analyzer according to the present invention, in the above invention, is acquired by the image acquisition means for acquiring an image of the upper surface or the side surface of the reaction container according to any one of claims 1 to 9, and the image acquisition means. Image processing means for analyzing the processed image.

  According to the present invention, since a plurality of reaction containers are rotated and stirred only by rotating one reaction container with one drive mechanism, it is possible to efficiently stir the specimen and the reagent with a simple structure. There is an effect.

  Hereinafter, an agitation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. In the description of the drawings, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a stirring device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The stirring device 1 includes a motor 11, a gear 12 that is connected to the upper portion of the motor 11 and rotates by the rotational drive of the motor 11, and a block 13 disposed on a side surface of the motor 11. The block 13 is formed with a container holding part 15 that holds the reaction container 2 at a predetermined pitch along the longitudinal direction.

  The gear 12 is formed in a cylindrical shape, is connected to the motor 11 on the axis of the cylinder, and rotates by driving the motor 11. Further, a tooth portion is formed on the side surface of the gear 12. The block 13 is extended in a prismatic shape from the upper end of the side surface of the motor 11, and a container holding portion 15 is formed penetrating from the top of the block 13 in a vertical column shape. The reaction vessel 2 is supported by the bearing 14 so that the rotational power of the reaction vessel 2 is not transmitted to the block 13.

  The reaction vessel 2 is formed of a synthetic resin such as acrylic and has a reaction liquid storage unit 20 that stores the reaction liquid. The reaction liquid storage section 20 has an arbitrary cross section (transverse section) in a direction parallel to the opening surface, and the diameter of the circle formed by each cross section has a tapered shape that decreases from the opening surface toward the bottom. Eggplant. In particular, since the bottom of the reaction solution storage unit 20 serves as a liquid storage tank during dispensing, it has a substantially conical shape with a convex bottom side, and this inclined portion increases the surface area to perform antigen-antibody reaction. In order to easily precipitate the agglomerated reaction product, it is preferable to have a stepped shape (not shown) whose diameter slightly changes stepwise. Moreover, the reaction liquid storage part 20 is provided with a transmission part 21 formed in a cylindrical shape from the opening surface on the upper outer peripheral side surface. The transmission portion 21 is formed with tooth portions at the same interval as the gear 12. The adjacent tooth portions mesh with each other, and the tooth portion of the transmission portion 21 adjacent to the gear 12 meshes with the tooth portion of the gear 12.

  Here, the diameter of the container holding part 15 is smaller than the diameter of the transmission part 21, and when the reaction container 2 is stored in the container holding part 15, the transmission part 21 is supported by the bearing 14. The diameter of the container holding part 15 is made slightly smaller than the diameter of the reaction liquid storage part 20 located at the bottom of the transmission part 21 so that a slight space is formed between the block 13 and the transmission part 21. The container 2 may be supported. The formation interval of the container holding part 15 is such that when the reaction container 2 is stored in the container holding part 15, the tooth part between the transmission part 21 and the transmission part 21 of the motor 11 or the adjacent reaction container 2 meshes. Thus, each reaction vessel 2 is formed at a rotatable interval.

  In the stirring device 1, when the motor 11 is driven after the reaction vessel 2 is stored in the vessel holding unit 15, the gear 12 rotates and the power is transmitted to the transmission unit 21 of the adjacent reaction vessel 2, so that the reaction vessel 2 is Rotate. Here, the rotation of the reaction vessel 2 causes the adjacent motor 11 or reaction vessel 2 to rotate in opposite directions. In FIG. 1, when the rotation direction of the motor 11 is the direction indicated by the arrow, the reaction vessel 2 arranged side by side in the block 13 rotates in the opposite direction to the adjacent reaction vessel 2 as indicated by the arrow.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the reaction container 2 has the convex part 22 which accelerates | stimulates stirring like the schematic diagram shown to FIG. FIG. 2 is a side view of the reaction vessel 2, and FIG. 3 is a plan view of the reaction vessel 2 as viewed from above. The convex portions 22 are formed in the reaction solution storage portion 20 at relative positions passing through the axis. The convex portion 22 is also rotated by the rotation of the reaction vessel 2, and the convex portion 22 is rotated, whereby a stirring flow occurs, and stirring of the specimen and the reagent stored in the reaction liquid storage portion 20 can be promoted.

  The analysis result can be confirmed by acquiring an image using the analysis apparatus shown in FIG. The analyzer shown in FIG. 4 includes an imaging device 16 above the reaction vessel 2 of the stirring device 1, a light source 17 provided below the block 13 and arranged vertically below the imaging device 16, and an image processing unit 31. The imaging device 16 images the aggregation pattern in the reaction container 2 and outputs the obtained image to the image processing unit 31. Based on the input image, the analysis unit 32 analyzes the aggregation reaction result in each reaction container 2 and outputs the analysis result to the output unit 33. The output unit 33 outputs the analysis result input from the analysis unit 32.

  Further, the container holding portion 15 may be two-dimensionally arranged by extending the short direction of the block 13. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the stirring device 1 in which the container holding unit 15 is two-dimensionally viewed from above. As in the stirring apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, each reaction vessel 2 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow by driving the motor 11, and each reaction vessel 2 rotates in the opposite direction to the rotation of the adjacent motor 11 or reaction vessel 2. . By arranging the container holding part 15 two-dimensionally, more reaction containers can be agitated at the same time, and an image can be obtained by the imaging mechanism shown in FIG. 4, thereby reducing the time required for analyzing a plurality of specimens. .

  Here, the reaction container which is the modification 1 of the reaction container 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a side view of the reaction vessel 2, and FIG. 7 is a plan view of the reaction vessel 2 as viewed from above. The reaction container 2 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is formed of a synthetic resin such as polystyrene, and includes a reaction liquid storage unit 20 that stores a reaction liquid and a sample analysis unit 23 that analyzes a sample. The reaction liquid storage unit 20 has a columnar shape, and the bottom is formed in a substantially conical shape with a convex bottom. Further, the sample analysis unit 23 has an upper end that is coaxial with the bottom of the reaction solution storage unit 20 and has a diameter of a circle formed by an arbitrary cross section (transverse cross section) in a direction parallel to the opening surface. As it goes to, it becomes smaller and the bottom is formed in a substantially conical shape. In addition, the carrier S is accommodated in the sample analyzer 23, and the position of the reactant in the carrier S after the centrifugal treatment differs depending on the degree of the agglutination reaction in which the sample and the reagent are reacted. Analyze the sample according to the position of the reactant. Moreover, it is preferable that the reaction liquid storage part 20 is provided with a transmission part 21 formed in a cylindrical shape from the opening surface on the upper outer peripheral side surface, and has a convex part 22 that promotes stirring on the inner side surface.

  The carrier S accommodated inside the sample analyzer 23 may be gel particles, or glass beads or plastic beads. The carrier S accommodated depending on the specimen and reagent to be used can be arbitrarily selected. When gel particles are used for the carrier S, the carrier S and a solution for preventing the carrier S from being dried are accommodated in the sample analyzer 23. Furthermore, in order to prevent leakage of the contained carrier S and the solution, it is preferable to cover the opening surface of the reaction solution containing unit 20 with a sealing material or the like.

  When imaging and analyzing the reaction container 2 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, an image of the reactant position in the carrier S is required. Therefore, in the analyzer shown in FIG. 8, the imaging device 16 includes the sample analyzer 23. It is arranged on the side. An image obtained by imaging is output to the image processing unit 31. Based on the input image, the analysis unit 32 analyzes the aggregation reaction result in each reaction container 2 and outputs the analysis result to the output unit 33. The output unit 33 outputs the analysis result input from the analysis unit 32.

  Moreover, the reaction container which is the modification 2 of the reaction container 2 is demonstrated with reference to FIG. The reaction vessel 2 shown in FIG. 9 is formed in a prismatic shape inside the reaction solution storage unit 20. When the reaction vessel 2 is rotated by the stirring device 1, a stirring flow occurs due to the prismatic shape inside the reaction solution storage unit 20. Therefore, there is no need for convex portions, and stirring can be promoted. Moreover, when confirming a blood agglutination reaction, it is preferable to form the bottom part inside the reaction liquid storage part 20 in a substantially conical shape so that the presence or absence of aggregation can be easily confirmed. In addition, it is also possible to provide a convex part as needed, such as the degree of stirring.

  In the first embodiment, it is possible to stir the specimen and the reagent by rotating a plurality of reaction containers only by providing a transmission unit in the reaction container and rotating one reaction container by one drive mechanism. With this stirring device, it is possible to efficiently stir a plurality of reaction vessels with a simple mechanism and to improve the accuracy of reactivity. In addition, since the container holding part is provided through the block, the sample can be analyzed using the imaging device and the light source.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, the stirring apparatus concerning Embodiment 2 of this invention is demonstrated. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the agitation device 1 according to the second embodiment. The agitation device 1 shown in FIG. 10 includes a motor 11, a gear 12 connected to the upper portion of the motor 11 and provided with a tooth portion that rotates by driving of the motor 11, and a block 13 disposed on the side surface of the motor 11. A container holder 19 is supported on the block 13 by a shaft 191 held by a container holding part 15 that is a cylindrical space. The container holder 19 has a space inside, and the inner side wall has a circular arbitrary cross section (cross section) in a direction parallel to the opening surface, and the diameter of the circle formed by each cross section goes from the opening surface to the bottom. It becomes small according to. Further, a transmission portion 18 having teeth formed on the outer periphery of the container holder 19 is provided, and the rotation of the gear 12 is transmitted to the transmission portion 18 by the drive of the motor 11 so that the container holder 19 rotates. Further, a bearing 14 is disposed on the outer periphery of the container holding portion 15 so that the rotational power of the container holder 19 is not transmitted from the shaft 191 to the block 13.

  The reaction vessel 4 includes a reaction liquid storage unit 40 and a flange 41. The reaction liquid storage section 40 has an arbitrary cross section (transverse section) in a direction parallel to the opening face, and the diameter of the circle formed by each cross section decreases from the opening face to the bottom. Further, the outer peripheral side surface of the reaction liquid storage unit 40 is tapered, and the reaction vessel 4 rotates according to the rotation of the transmission unit 18 without slipping in the vessel holder 19 due to the taper shape even when the vessel holder 19 rotates. To do. Further, a convex portion may be provided on the inner side surface of the reaction solution storage unit 40 to promote stirring of the specimen and the reagent by rotation, and the shape inside the reaction solution storage unit 40 may be formed as a prism.

  The diameter of the container holder 19 is an equivalent diameter corresponding to the outer periphery of the reaction liquid storage unit 40, and the diameter of the flange 41 is larger than the opening surface of the reaction liquid storage unit 40 and smaller than the outer periphery of the transmission unit 18. The diameter is preferred. In addition, the interval between the container holding portions 15 is arranged such that each of the container holders can rotate by meshing the teeth of the motor or the transmission unit adjacent to the transmission unit 18.

  Here, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the stirring device 1 may extend the block and arrange the transmission unit two-dimensionally. Further, the taper may be attached to the bottom surface of the flange portion 41 so that the rotation of the transmission portion 18 is transmitted from the upper end plane of the transmission portion 18 to the flange portion 41.

  When the reaction vessel 2 shown in FIG. 6 is used, an internal space may be formed on the shaft 191 and the sample analyzer 23 may be accommodated in this internal space. You may process and hold | maintain so that the shape of 2 may be fitted. When the sample analyzer 23 passes through the shaft 191 and protrudes to the lower part of the block 13, it is possible to take an image using the analyzer shown in FIG.

  In the second embodiment, it is possible to rotate and stir a reaction vessel that does not have a transmission unit. Further, because of stirring by rotation of the container holder, the reaction container itself does not wear due to friction or the like, and is particularly useful in analysis for reusing the reaction container.

  Note that the shapes of the gears and the teeth of the transmission portion of the first and second embodiments described above may be any shape as long as they can mesh with each other and rotate.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described first and second embodiments, and may include various embodiments and the like not described herein, and within a scope that does not depart from the technical idea specified by the claims. Various design changes and the like can be made.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the stirring apparatus concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a side view of the reaction container concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a top view of the reaction container concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the analyzer concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a top view of the stirring apparatus concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a side view of the reaction container concerning the modification 1 of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a top view of the reaction container concerning the modification 1 of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the analyzer concerning the modification 1 of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a side view of the reaction container concerning the modification 2 of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the stirring apparatus concerning Embodiment 2 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Stirring device 2,4 Reaction container 11 Motor 12 Gear 13 Block 14 Bearing 15 Container holding part 16 Imaging device 17 Light source 18, 21 Transmission part 19 Container holder 191 Axis 20, 40 Reaction liquid storage part 22 Convex part 23 Sample analysis part 41 Buttock S carrier

Claims (10)

In a stirrer that promotes the blood agglutination reaction between the sample dispensed in the reaction vessel and the reagent,
The reaction container or a container holder that accommodates the reaction container is transmitted to the outer peripheral side surface by receiving the power for rotationally driving the reaction container or the container holder about the axial center of the reaction container or the container holder. The above transmission part is formed,
An agitation device comprising a drive mechanism for transmitting the power to one of the transmission units. A holding unit that holds the transmission unit coupled between each reaction vessel or each vessel holder that is adjacent to and can rotate.
The stirring device according to claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism transmits the power through at least one reaction container or a transmission part of a container holder to rotate each reaction container.   The stirring apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reaction container and the container holder are detachable from each other.   The stirring apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the reaction vessel is provided with a convex portion that forms irregularities at least in the direction around the rotation axis on the inner side surface.   The stirring apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the reaction container has a prismatic inner space. The reaction vessel is
A reaction liquid storage unit for storing and reacting the specimen and the reagent;
A sample analyzer for analyzing the reaction;
The stirrer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:   The stirring device according to claim 6, wherein the sample analysis unit accommodates a carrier whose mobility is changed according to the size of a reaction product obtained by reacting the sample and the reagent.   8. The stirring device according to claim 6, wherein the reaction liquid storage unit is provided with a convex portion that forms irregularities at least in a direction around a rotation axis on an inner side surface. 9.   The stirrer according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the reaction liquid storage section has a prismatic inner space. Image acquisition means for acquiring an image of the upper surface or side surface of the reaction container according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
Image processing means for analyzing the image acquired by the image acquisition means;
An analyzer characterized by comprising:

Images