JP2017167038A - Specimen conveyance system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sample transport system capable of transporting a sample container between devices having different heights of transport / carry-out positions while suppressing a decrease in processing speed of the transport process. A transport line for accommodating a sample and transporting a sample container erected on a holding member, the first transport line and the second transport line having different heights, and a sample erected on the holding member. A transport line for transporting containers, which is an inclined transport line that connects the first transport line and the second transport line in a linearly inclined manner, and the first transport line, the second transport line, and the tilted transport line. It is an adapter member used for transporting the sample container in the above, and can be equipped with a holding member for erection of the sample container. It includes an adapter member that conveys the holding member while holding the container vertically. [Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a sample transport processing system for transporting a sample such as blood or urine to be processed in an analyzer or a pretreatment device.

  In an analysis system that performs quantitative and qualitative analysis of a specific component contained in a specimen by using a biological sample such as blood or urine (hereinafter referred to as a specimen) and a reagent, a pretreatment for making the specimen ready for analysis is performed. It is necessary to transport a sample container containing a sample between a plurality of pretreatment modules and a plurality of analyzers that perform sample analysis processing.

  In addition, there is a similar requirement for a reaction container that contains a reaction liquid in which a sample and a reagent are mixed. As a technique related to the transportation of such a reaction container, for example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-77669). In addition, an endless belt body that holds a plurality of reaction containers at predetermined intervals, a belt drive device that sequentially and intermittently transfers the reaction container from the sample dispensing position to the optical measurement position through the reagent dispensing position, and the sample dispensing A sample dispensing device that dispenses a required amount of sample at a dispensing position; a reagent dispensing device that is disposed above the transfer path and dispenses a reagent corresponding to a measurement item at a predetermined reagent dispensing position; and An automatic analyzer that includes an optical measuring device that optically measures a reaction solution in a reaction vessel is disclosed (see claims).

JP-A-4-77669

  By the way, in the sample pretreatment apparatus, a sample container containing a sample is sequentially processed by a plurality of pretreatment modules having different processing contents such as sample reception processing, centrifugation processing, opening processing, and subdivision processing. Therefore, it is necessary to take into account the transportation of the sample container containing the sample in the opened state. In addition, there are requests for connection to various types of analyzers in the pretreatment apparatus, and in these analyzers, the height of the loading / unloading position of the sample container is often not uniform. In other words, in order to connect the pretreatment device and various analysis devices online, a sample container transport function capable of corresponding to loading / unloading positions having different heights is required.

  On the other hand, for example, in a transport function using an elevator system that transports a mounted sample container in the vertical direction and changes its height, the process of changing the height of the sample container becomes a batch process, so There is a feature that the processing speed decreases, and there is a problem that the processing speed of the entire system decreases as the number of online connections of different types of analyzers increases.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and provides a sample transport system capable of transporting a sample container between apparatuses having different transport carry-out positions while suppressing a decrease in processing speed of the transport process. The purpose is to do.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a transport line for transporting a sample container that contains a sample and is installed on a holding member, and has a first transport line and a second transport line that are different in height. A transport line for transporting the sample container erected on the holding member, wherein the first transport line and the second transport line are linearly inclined and connected, and the first transport line. An adapter member used for transporting the sample container in the transport line, the second transport line, and the inclined transport line, and can be equipped with a holding member for laying the sample container, the first transport line, In the transport of the sample container in the two transport lines and the inclined transport line, an adapter member that transports the holding member while keeping the sample container vertical is provided.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to transport a sample container between apparatuses having different transport and unloading positions while suppressing a decrease in the processing speed of the transport process.

1 is a diagram schematically showing an overall configuration of a sample test system to which a sample transport system according to a first embodiment is applied. It is a side view which shows roughly the raising / lowering mechanism used for conveyance of the sample container in a conveyance line. It is a top view which shows roughly the raising / lowering mechanism used for conveyance of the sample container in a conveyance line. It is a front view which shows roughly the raising / lowering mechanism used for conveyance of the sample container in a conveyance line. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of an raising / lowering mechanism guide. It is sectional drawing which shows the other example of a raising / lowering mechanism guide. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the raising / lowering mechanism in the case of conveying a conveyance line, and an raising / lowering mechanism guide. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the raising / lowering mechanism in the case of conveying a conveyance line, and an raising / lowering mechanism guide. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the raising / lowering mechanism in the case of conveying a conveyance line, and an raising / lowering mechanism guide. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of a gradient change mechanism. It is a figure which illustrates roughly the function of a gradient change mechanism. It is a figure which shows roughly a mode that the sample conveyance system of the 1st Example was seen from upper direction. It is a figure which shows roughly a mode that the sample conveyance system of the 2nd Example was seen from upper direction. It is a figure which shows typically the concept of the conveyance of the sample container in the sample conveyance system of a 3rd Example. It is a figure which shows roughly a mode that the sample conveyance system of the 3rd Example was seen from upper direction. It is a figure which shows typically the concept of the conveyance of the sample container in the sample conveyance system of a 4th Example. It is a figure which shows schematically a mode that the sample conveyance system of the 4th Example was seen from upper direction. It is a figure which shows typically the concept of the conveyance of the sample container in the sample conveyance system of a 5th Example. It is a figure which shows roughly a mode that the sample conveyance system of the 5th Example was seen from upper direction. It is a figure which shows typically the concept of the conveyance of the sample container in the sample conveyance system of a 6th Example. It is a figure which shows roughly a mode that the sample conveyance system of the 6th Example was seen from upper direction. It is a figure which shows roughly a mode that the sample conveyance system of the modification of 1st Example was seen from upper direction. It is a figure which shows roughly a mode that the sample conveyance system of the other modification of the 1st Example was seen from upper direction. It is a figure which shows schematically a mode that the sample conveyance system of the further another modification of the 1st Example was seen from upper direction.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an overall configuration of a sample test system to which the sample transport system according to the present embodiment is applied.

  In FIG. 1, the sample testing system includes samples stored in sample containers 109a, 109b, and 109c (hereinafter collectively referred to as sample containers 109, unless each sample container needs to be distinguished). 107c (hereinafter referred to as the analyzer 107, unless the analyzers need to be distinguished), the preprocessor 100 that performs the pretreatment process for processing in a state where analysis processing is possible, and the preprocessor 100 A plurality of (for example, three) analyzers 107 a, 107 b, 107 c that perform analysis processing on the sample contained in the sample container 109 transported by the applied sample transport system 200, and a predetermined process including analysis processing by the analyzer 107 The storage module 113 that stores the sample container 109 that has been transferred by the sample transfer system 200 after the processing is completed is schematically configured. That.

  The pretreatment apparatus 100 is composed of a plurality of processing modules responsible for any one of a plurality of steps constituting the pretreatment step. In this embodiment, the specimen container 109 put into the specimen testing system is used as a specimen holder ( The holding module 119 mounted on the holding module 119 for receiving processing, the barcode applying module 104 for applying a barcode as an identifier to the sample container 109 loaded in the loading module 102, and the sample container 109 temporarily. The storage module 101 for storing, the opening module 103 for performing the opening process of the sample container 109, and the sample stored in the sample container 109 to other sample containers (not distinguished from the sample container 109 here) as necessary. A case where a dispensing module 105 for dispensing is provided is illustrated.

  The analyzers 107a, 107b, and 107c in the present embodiment exemplify cases where the heights of the sample loading / unloading positions at which the sample container 109 is transferred are different. For example, the analyzer 107a illustrates the case where the sample loading / unloading position is at the same height as the height at which the sample container 109 is unloaded from the pretreatment apparatus 100. Note that the sample carry-in / carry-out position may be a position where other processing (sample aspiration, etc.) of the analyzer 107 is performed on the sample in the sample container 109. Further, the analyzer 107b is disposed on a step structure (for example, a structure such as a protective stand for protecting wiring, piping, and the like disposed on the floor surface). In this example, the specimen loading / unloading position is located at a position higher than the height at which the container is unloaded. Further, the analyzer 107c is different in structure from the analyzer 107a, so that the analyzer 107c is at a position higher than the height at which the sample container 109 is unloaded from the pretreatment apparatus 100, and from the sample loading / unloading position of the analyzer 107b. In this example, the specimen loading / unloading position is located at a lower position.

  The sample transport system 200 uses the transport lines 106a, 106b, and 106c (hereinafter referred to as the transport lines 106, unless the transport lines 106a, 106b, and 106c need to be distinguished from each other). To the analyzer 107 arranged along the transfer line 106a, the short portion on the upstream side of the sample container 109 in the transfer direction is connected to the transfer line 106a connected to the pretreatment device 100, and the short portion on the downstream side of the transfer line 106a. The connected conveyance line 106b and the conveyance line 106c connected to the downstream short part of the conveyance line 106b are provided. A gradient changing mechanism is provided between the transfer lines 106b and 106c to change the corresponding gradient of the lifting mechanism 108 described later. A storage module 113 is connected to the short part on the downstream side of the transfer line 106c.

  The transport line 106a is installed in the horizontal direction, and transports the sample container 109 from the preprocessing apparatus 100 in the horizontal direction. An analyzer 107a is installed in the transport line 106a, and the sample loading / unloading position of the analyzer 107a is provided at the height of the transport line 106a.

  The transport line 106b is connected to the short part on the downstream side of the transport line 106a so as to be linearly inclined upward, and transports the sample container 109 obliquely upward. In other words, the conveyance line 106b is an inclined conveyance line. An analyzer 107b is installed in the transfer line (inclined transfer line) 106b, and the sample loading / unloading position of the analyzer 107b is provided in the middle of the transfer line 106b.

  The transfer line 106c is connected to the short portion on the downstream side of the transfer line 106b so as to be linearly inclined downward, and conveys the sample container 109 obliquely downward. In other words, the conveyance line 106c is an inclined conveyance line. An analyzer 107c is installed in the transfer line (inclined transfer line) 106c, and the sample loading / unloading position of the analyzer 107c is provided in the middle of the transfer line 106c.

  In the transport line 106, the sample holder 119 on which the sample container 109 is installed is placed on the lifting mechanism 108 and transported. The elevating mechanism 108 is arranged along the conveying line 106 and is conveyed by an elevating mechanism driving belt 111 driven by a driving device (not shown). Further, the elevating mechanism 108 is stably conveyed by being supported by the elevating mechanism guide 110.

  2 to 4 are diagrams schematically showing an elevating mechanism used for transporting the sample container in the transport line. 2 is a side view of the lifting mechanism, FIG. 3 is a top view, and FIG. 4 is a front view. 2 to 4, the conveying direction of the lifting mechanism 108 will be described as the front (front direction). For the sake of simplicity, only the sample holder 119 is shown, and the sample container 109 is not shown.

  The elevating mechanism 108 can be equipped with a sample holder 119 for mounting the sample container 109, and is an adapter member that conveys the holding member 119 while keeping the sample container 109 vertical in the conveyance of the sample container 109 on the conveyance line 106. is there.

  The elevating mechanism 108 is provided so as to extend in the horizontal direction, and the upper horizontal member 1 arranged in parallel in the vertical direction, the lower horizontal member 2 in which the elevating mechanism driving belt connecting portion 10 is integrated, and the vertical direction And two vertical members 3 and 4 arranged in parallel in the front-rear direction in the transport direction of the specimen container 109 and a base member 5 on which the specimen holder 119 is placed.

  The upper horizontal member 1 and the vertical members 3 and 4 are connected so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction in the rotating portions 1a and 1b. Further, the lower horizontal member 2 and the vertical members 3 and 4 are connected so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction in the rotating portions 2a and 2b. The upper horizontal member 1 and the lower horizontal member 2, and the vertical member 3 and the vertical member 4 are provided in parallel to each other, and the squares can be deformed with the rotation portions 1 a, 1 b, 2 a, 2 b as apexes. Form a shape (including a square). Moreover, in rotation part 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, it is comprised so that the positional relationship of each member 1-4 may be fixed by frictional force, for example, by applying the force exceeding frictional force, it is mentioned above. It is possible to modify the square quadrilateral. In other words, when the force exceeding the frictional force is not applied, the above-described square quadrilateral is retained.

  Connected to the rotating portions 1a and 1b of the lower horizontal member 2 are horizontal shafts 6a and 6b arranged so as to protrude horizontally in the horizontal direction. Further, support members 7a and 7b provided so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) with respect to the horizontal shafts 6a and 6b are arranged around the horizontal shafts 6a and 6b. The base member 5 is relatively fixed to the upper portions of the support members 7a and 7b, and the support member 7a and 7b slides with respect to the horizontal shafts 6a and 6b, whereby the base member 5 is attached to the lifting mechanism 108. On the other hand, relative movement in the horizontal direction is possible.

  Guided members 8 a and 8 b configured to be movable along the elevating mechanism guide 110 are disposed at both front and rear ends of the upper horizontal member 1. Similarly, guided members 9 a and 9 b configured to be movable along the lifting mechanism guide 110 are disposed at both front and rear ends of the lower horizontal member 2. The guided members 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b have, for example, a spherical shape.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an elevating mechanism guide.

  The elevating mechanism guide 110 guides movement in the conveying direction while restricting movement of the guided members 8a, 8b, 9a, and 9b in the up and down direction and the left and right direction in the conveying direction of the elevating mechanism 108. The cylindrical shape has a substantially cylindrical shape with a part of the circumferential direction missing. When the elevating mechanism 108 is driven by the elevating mechanism drive belt 111, the elevating mechanism 108 is conveyed along the conveying line 106 by the guided members 8 a, 8 b, 9 a, 9 b moving inside the elevating mechanism guide 110. The

  The lifting mechanism guide is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. For example, in another example of the lifting mechanism guide (elevating mechanism guide 110A) shown in FIG. 6, similarly to the lifting mechanism guide 110, guided members 8a, 8b, What is necessary is just to guide the movement to a conveyance direction, restrict | limiting the movement of 9a, 9b, for example, it may have a semi-cylindrical shape. Also in this case, when the elevating mechanism 108 is driven by the elevating mechanism driving belt 111, the elevating mechanism 108 is moved along the conveying line 106 by moving the guided members 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b inside the elevating mechanism guide 110A. It is conveyed along.

  7-9 is a figure which shows the relationship between the raising / lowering mechanism and raising / lowering mechanism guide in the case of conveying along a conveyance line. 7 to 9, for the sake of explanation, only the contact portions between the lifting mechanism guide 110 and the guided members 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b are extracted and schematically shown.

  FIG. 7 shows a case where the lifting mechanism 108 is transported along the lifting mechanism guide 110 of the transport line 106 (inclined transport line 106b). The lifting mechanism 108 is transported from the lower left side to the upper right side in the drawing. Shows the case. In this case, the lifting mechanism 108 is deformed so that the guided members 8a and 9a are along one (upper) lifting mechanism guide 110 and the guided members 8b and 9b are along the other (lower) lifting mechanism guide 110. The The distance between the one and the other lifting mechanism guide 110 is set to a width that allows the base member 5 of the lifting mechanism 108 to be horizontal in the front-rear direction. Moreover, since the movement of the guided members 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b in the left-right direction is restricted by the lifting mechanism guide 110, the horizontal shafts 6a, 6b, the supporting members 7a, 7b, and the base member 5 are also laterally moved. Kept horizontal. In this way, the base member 5 is kept horizontal, so that the specimen holder 119 and the specimen container 109 are transported in a state of being kept horizontal.

  FIG. 8 shows a case where the lifting mechanism 108 is transported along the lifting mechanism guide 110 of the transport line 106 (transport line 106a), and the case where the lifting mechanism 108 is transported from the left side to the right side in the drawing. Show. In this case, the elevating mechanism 108 is deformed so that the guided members 8a and 8b are along one (upper) elevating mechanism guide 110 and the guided members 9a and 9b are along the other (lower) elevating mechanism guide 110. The The distance between the one and the other lifting mechanism guide 110 is set to the distance between the guided members 8a and 8b and the guided members 9a and 9b. The lower elevating mechanism guide 110 restricts the downward movement of the guided members 9a, 9b, and the elevating mechanism guide 110 restricts the movement of the guided members 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b in the left-right direction. Therefore, the horizontal axes 6a and 6b, the support members 7a and 7b, and the base member 5 are kept horizontal.

  FIG. 9 shows a case where the lifting mechanism 108 is transported along the lifting mechanism guide 110 of the transport line 106 (inclined transport line 106c). The lifting mechanism 108 is transported from the upper left side to the lower right side in the drawing. Shows the case. In this case, the lifting mechanism 108 is deformed so that the guided members 8a and 9a are along one (lower) lifting mechanism guide 110 and the guided members 8b and 9b are along the other (upper) lifting mechanism guide 110. The The distance between the one and the other lifting mechanism guide 110 is set to a width that allows the base member 5 of the lifting mechanism 108 to be horizontal in the front-rear direction. Moreover, since the movement of the guided members 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b in the left-right direction is restricted by the lifting mechanism guide 110, the horizontal shafts 6a, 6b, the supporting members 7a, 7b, and the base member 5 are also laterally moved. Kept horizontal.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the gradient changing mechanism. FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating the function of the gradient changing mechanism.

  10 and 11, the gradient changing mechanism 112 is generally configured by a lifting mechanism guide 117, a lifting mechanism fixing mechanism 116, and a gradient changing arm 115. The elevating mechanism guide 117 keeps the elevating mechanism 108 horizontal in the front-rear direction by guiding the guided members 9a and 9b of the elevating mechanism 108, and the elevating mechanism fixing mechanism 116 supports the elevating mechanism 108 from below. And fix it. The gradient changing arm 15 is driven by a drive mechanism (not shown), and pushes the lifting mechanism 108 fixed by the lifting mechanism fixing mechanism 116 from one side to the other side in the front-rear direction, thereby allowing the lifting mechanism 108 to cope with the gradient ( The corresponding gradient) is changed to the gradient of the transfer line 106 (in other words, the gradient of the lifting mechanism guide 110). The gradient changing mechanism 112 is disposed at a change position of the inclination of the conveyance line 106 (for example, a switching position between the inclined conveyance line 106b on the upward slope and the inclined conveyance line 106c on the downward slope. Thereby, the height of the specimen loading / unloading position is set. It is possible to process samples continuously by arranging different analyzers 107 in parallel.

  The effect of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.

  In the sample pretreatment device, the sample container containing the sample is sequentially processed by a plurality of pretreatment modules having different processing contents such as sample reception processing, centrifugation processing, opening processing, and subdivision dispensing processing. It is necessary to take into account the transportation of the specimen container containing the container in the opened state. In addition, there are requests for connection to various types of analyzers in the pretreatment apparatus, and in these analyzers, the height of the loading / unloading position of the sample container is often not uniform. In other words, in order to connect the pretreatment device and various analysis devices online, a sample container transport function capable of corresponding to loading / unloading positions having different heights is required. On the other hand, for example, in a transport function using an elevator system that transports a mounted sample container in the vertical direction and changes its height, the process of changing the height of the sample container becomes a batch process, so There is a feature that the processing speed decreases, and there is a problem that the processing speed of the entire system decreases as the number of online connections of different types of analyzers increases.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the transport line for transporting the sample container 109 that accommodates the sample and is installed on the sample holder 119, and the inclined transport lines 106b and 106c that are linearly inclined, A lifting mechanism 108 used for transporting the 106 sample containers 109 on the transport line can be equipped with a sample holder 119 on which the sample containers 109 are installed, and in transporting the sample containers 109 on the inclined transport lines 106b and 106c, Since it is configured to include the lifting mechanism 108 that transports the sample holder 119 while keeping the container 109 vertical, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the processing speed of the transport process between apparatuses having different transport carry-out positions. Can also transport specimen containers.

<First embodiment>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  This embodiment shows a case where the sample transport system according to the first embodiment is incorporated in a belt line type sample transport system.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically showing a state of the sample transport system according to the present embodiment as viewed from above. In the figure, the same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 12, the sample transport system includes a rotation mechanism 204 disposed at a position where the sample container 109 (sample holder 119) transported by the carry-in belt line 201 is placed on the lifting mechanism 108, and the sample container 109 of the lifting mechanism 108. A rotation mechanism 203 disposed at a position where the (sample holder 119) is to be transferred to the carry-out belt line 202, and an upward inclined conveyance line 206 on the feed side for carrying the sample container 109 from the carry-in belt line 201 side to the carry-out belt line 202 side. And the downward inclined conveying line 207, the return-side upward inclined conveying line 206 and the downward inclined conveying line 207 for conveying the sample container 109 from the carry-out belt line 202 side to the carrying-in belt line 201 side, and the upward inclined conveying line. Gradient installed between 206 and descending inclined conveyance line 207 A further mechanism 112, is schematically configured from the abnormal elevation mechanism discharge line 205.. In addition, in the ascending inclined conveying line 206 and the descending inclined conveying line 207, the analyzer 107 having a different height of the sample loading / unloading position from the loading belt line 201 and the unloading belt line 202 is arranged. .

  The rotating mechanisms 203 and 204 change the transport direction of the lifting mechanism 108 by rotating in the horizontal direction while holding the lifting mechanism 108. In the rotation mechanism 204, the sample container 109 is transferred from the carry-in belt line 201 to the lifting mechanism 108. Further, in the rotation mechanism 203, the sample container 109 is transferred from the lifting mechanism 108 to the carry-out belt line 202. When the rotation mechanisms 203 and 204 are rotated (and transported), the base member 5 of the elevating mechanism 108 is retracted to avoid contact with other components (such as the carry-in belt line 201 and the carry-out belt line 202). When the sample container 109 is replaced, the base member 5 of the elevating mechanism 108 is moved to the replacement position by extending horizontally and moving horizontally.

  The elevating mechanism 108 on which the sample container 109 is placed is conveyed by an upward inclined conveying line 206, passes through the analyzer 107, and then sent to the gradient changing mechanism 112. The elevating mechanism 108 whose gradient has been changed by the gradient changing mechanism 112 is conveyed by the downward inclined conveying line 207, passed through the analyzer 107, then sent to the rotating mechanism 203, and the specimen is transferred from the elevating mechanism 108 to the carry-out belt line 202. The container 109 is replaced.

  The elevating mechanism 108 that has transported the sample container 109 to the carry-out belt line 202 in the rotation mechanism 203 is sent by the rotation mechanism 203 to the upward inclined conveying line 206 on the return side, and the gradient changing mechanism 112 and the downward inclined conveying line 207 are passed through. Via the rotation mechanism 204. The gradient changing mechanism 112 has a function of detecting an abnormality by monitoring the state of the gradient change of the elevating mechanism 108. The elevating mechanism 108 in which the abnormality is detected is inclined by the rotating mechanism 204 on the feeding side. It is not sent to the line 206 but sent to the abnormal lifting mechanism discharge line 205.

  In addition, it is also possible to transport to the analyzer 107 again by transporting the elevating mechanism 108 on which the sample container 109 is placed on the return-side inclined transport lines 206 and 207 as necessary.

<Second embodiment>
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  This embodiment shows a case where the sample transport system according to the first embodiment is incorporated into a sample transport system having a return type belt line.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state of the sample transport system according to the present embodiment as viewed from above. In the figure, members similar to those in the first embodiment and other examples are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 13, the sample transport system transfers the sample container 109 (sample holder 119) transported by the carry-in belt line 301 to the lifting mechanism 108 and also loads the sample container 109 of the lift mechanism 108 to the carry-out belt line 306. A rotating mechanism 302 disposed at a position, an ascending inclined conveying line 303 for conveying the elevating mechanism 108 from the rotating mechanism 302, and a returning descending inclined conveying line for conveying the elevating mechanism 108 to the rotating mechanism 302 side. 305 and a rotating mechanism 304 that changes the transport direction of the lifting mechanism 108 transported by the inclined transport line 303 and sends it to the tilted transport line 305. In addition, in the ascending and descending inclined conveying line 303 and the descending inclined conveying line 305, the analyzer 107 having a different sample loading / unloading position from the loading belt line 301 and the unloading belt line 306 is disposed. . The rotating mechanism 304 has a mechanism for changing the gradient of the elevating mechanism 108.

  The sample container 109 transported by the carry-in belt line 301 is transferred to the elevating mechanism 108 by the rotating mechanism 302, transported via the analyzer 107 by the inclined transport line 303, and then tilted by the rotating mechanism 304. Then, it is transported via the analyzer 107, transferred onto the carry-out belt line 306 by the rotating mechanism 302, and carried out.

  If necessary, the elevating mechanism 108 on which the sample container 109 transported by the return side inclined transport line 305 is sent to the sending side inclined transport line 303 by the rotating mechanism 302, so that the analyzer 107 again. It is also possible to transport it.

<Third embodiment>
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The present embodiment shows a case where the sample transport system according to the first embodiment is incorporated in a sample transport system having an overtaking function.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically illustrating the concept of transport of a sample container in the sample transport system of the present embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically showing a state of the sample transport system according to the present embodiment as viewed from above. In the figure, members similar to those in the first embodiment and other examples are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  14 and 15, the sample transport system includes a transport line 401 on the carry-in side, an upward inclined transport line 403 (general line) that transports the lifting mechanism 108 transported by the transport line 401 to the downstream side, and a tilted transport. The up-and-down inclined conveying line 404 (passing line) that is arranged in parallel with the line 403 and conveys the lifting mechanism 108 conveyed by the conveying line 401 to the downstream side separately from the inclined conveying line 403 and the conveying line 401 A branching mechanism 402 for switching whether the transport destination of the elevating mechanism 108 is transported to an inclined transport line 403 (general line) or an inclined transport line 404 (passing line), an inclined transport line 403 (general line), and an inclined transport line 404 Downstream side by joining the lifting mechanism 108 sent by (passing line) The merging mechanism 405 for sending out, the gradient changing mechanism 112 for changing the gradient of the raising / lowering mechanism 108 sent out from the merging mechanism 405 and sending it to the downward inclined conveying line 406, and the raising / lowering mechanism 108 conveyed on the inclined conveying line 406 on the downstream side And a conveyance line 407 that conveys the ink.

  The branching mechanism 402 has an elevating mechanism guide 402a provided so as to be movable laterally in the conveying direction by the moving mechanism 402b, and moves while holding the elevating mechanism 108 to position the inclined conveying lines 404 and 405. By moving to, it is possible to selectively switch the transport line that transports the lifting mechanism 108.

  The merging mechanism 405 has the same configuration as that of the branching mechanism 402. In other words, the merging mechanism 405 has a lifting mechanism guide 405a provided so as to be movable in the lateral direction in the transport direction by the moving mechanism 405b, and moves to the positions of the inclined transport lines 404 and 405 to receive the lifting mechanism 108. Thus, the elevating mechanism 108 can be merged.

  The elevating mechanism 108 transported by the transport line 401 is branched to the inclined transport line 403 (general line) or the inclined transport line 404 (passing line) by the branch mechanism 402 according to the priority of the sample container 109 being placed. The The elevating mechanism 108 sent to the inclined conveying line 404 (passing line) is conveyed preferentially by overtaking the elevating mechanism 108 of the inclined conveying line 403 (general line), merged by the merging mechanism 405, and the gradient changing mechanism 112. The gradient is changed at, and sent to the conveyance line 407 via the inclined conveyance line 406. Also, the lifting mechanism 108 sent to the inclined conveyance line 403 (general line) is merged by the merging mechanism 405 after the conveyance of the lifting mechanism 108 of the inclined conveyance line 404 (passing line), and the gradient changing mechanism 112 changes the gradient. And sent to the conveyance line 407 via the inclined conveyance line 406.

  In this way, the elevating mechanism 108 is branched to the inclined transfer line 403 (general line) or the inclined transfer line 404 (passing line) according to the priority of the processing of the sample stored in the sample container 109 by the branching mechanism 402. It is possible to quickly transport a sample with high priority. Note that when the lifting mechanism 108 is transported by the inclined transport line 404 (passing line), the lifting mechanism 108 is temporarily stopped on the tilted transport line 403 (general line). Line) also has a function as a buffer for storing the specimen container 109.

<Fourth embodiment>
A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  This embodiment shows a case where the sample transport system according to the first embodiment is incorporated into a sample transport system having a transport line branching function.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram schematically illustrating the concept of transport of a sample container in the sample transport system of the present embodiment. FIG. 17 is a diagram schematically showing a state of the sample transport system according to the present embodiment as viewed from above. In the figure, members similar to those in the first embodiment and other examples are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  16 and 17, the sample transport system includes a transport line 401 on the carry-in side, an upward inclined transport line 501 that transports the lifting mechanism 108 transported by the transport line 401 to the downstream side, and a middle of the tilted transport line 501. The transfer line 502 that transports the lifting mechanism 108 loaded with the sample container 109 that requires a different processing step from the processing step of the sample container 109 placed on the lifting mechanism 108 that is branched from the inclined transport line 501. And a branching mechanism 402 that switches between the inclined conveying line 501 and the conveying line 502 and the elevating mechanism conveyed on the inclined conveying line 501 and the elevating mechanism conveyed on each of the inclined conveying line 501 and the conveying line 502. Gradient change mechanism 1 that changes the gradient of the mechanism 108 and sends it to the downward inclined conveyance line 503. 2, a merging mechanism 405 for joining the lifting mechanism 108 transported by the transport line 502 to the inclined transport line 503, and a transport line 407 for transporting the lifting mechanism 108 transported by the tilted transport line 503 to the downstream side. Has been. Although not shown in the present embodiment, different processing steps are arranged in the inclined conveyance line 501 and the conveyance line 502. The different processing steps are, for example, a case where analyzers that perform different analysis processes are arranged, or a case where the presence or absence of a predetermined process is different.

  The elevating mechanism 108 transported by the transport line 401 and the tilted transport line 501 is branched to the tilted transport line 501 or the transport line 502 by the branching mechanism 402 according to the processing content of the sample container 109 placed thereon. Different processing steps are applied to the sample container 109 transported along the inclined transport line 501 and the sample container 109 transported along the transport line 502, the gradient is changed by the gradient changing mechanism 112, and merged by the merging mechanism 405 and downstream. Conveyed to the side.

  Thus, by branching the transport line, it is possible to efficiently process samples having different processing steps.

<Fifth embodiment>
A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  This embodiment shows a case where the sample transport system according to the first embodiment is incorporated into a sample transport system having a transport line branching function.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram schematically illustrating the concept of transport of a sample container in the sample transport system of the present embodiment. FIG. 19 is a diagram schematically showing a state of the sample transport system according to the present embodiment as viewed from above. In the figure, members similar to those in the first embodiment and other examples are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  18 and 19, the sample transport system transports a transport line 401 on the carry-in side, an upward inclined transport line 601 that transports the lifting mechanism 108 transported by the transport line 401 downstream, and a tilted transport line 601. Of the lifting / lowering mechanism 108 transported by the transporting line 401 and a transport line 602 for transporting the lifting / lowering mechanism 108 on which the sample container 109 that requires a processing step different from the processing step of the specimen container 109 placed on the lifting / lowering mechanism 108 is performed. A branching mechanism 402 that switches whether the transport destination is transported to the inclined transport line 601 or the transport line 602, a transport line 604 that transports the lifting mechanism 108 transported by the transport line 401 to the transport line 602 side, and a transport line 601 The transport destination of the elevating mechanism 108 transported by the inclined transport line 603 A branching mechanism 402A for switching to which one of the feeding lines 604 is transported, a merging mechanism 405 for joining the lifting mechanism 108 transported along the transporting line 604 to the middle of the transporting line 602, a slanting transporting line 603, and a transporting line 602. This is generally composed of a joining mechanism 405 that joins the lift mechanism 108 that has been sent and sends it to the transport line 405. The branch mechanism 402A has the same function as the branch mechanism 402 and also has a mechanism for changing the gradient of the elevating mechanism 108.

  In the present example configured as described above, similarly to the fourth example, it is possible to efficiently process samples having different processing steps by branching the transport line.

<Sixth embodiment>
A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The present embodiment shows a case where the sample transport system according to the first embodiment is incorporated in a sample transport system having a return line.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram schematically illustrating the concept of transport of the sample container in the sample transport system of the present embodiment. FIG. 21 is a diagram schematically showing a state of the sample transport system according to the present embodiment as viewed from above. In the figure, members similar to those in the first embodiment and other examples are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  20 and 21, the sample transport system includes a transport line 401 on the carry-in side, an inclined transport line 701 on the feed side that transports the lifting mechanism 108 transported by the transport line 401 to the downstream side, and a tilted transport line. 701, and a lower inclined conveying line 702 on the return side that returns the lifting mechanism 108 conveyed by the conveying line 701 to the upstream side of the conveying line 701, and the lifting mechanism 108 and the returning side conveyed by the conveying line 401. A merging mechanism 405 that joins the lifting mechanism 108 conveyed by the inclined conveying line 702 and sends it to the inclined conveying line 701, a gradient changing mechanism 112 that changes the gradient of the lifting mechanism 108 conveyed by the inclined conveying line 701, and Inclined conveying line on the return side as the conveying destination of the lifting mechanism 108 via the gradient changing mechanism 112 02 and a branching mechanism 402 for switching to a lower inclined conveying line 704 on the sending side, and a conveying line 407 for conveying the lifting mechanism 108 conveyed on the inclined conveying line 704 to the downstream side. Yes.

  In the present embodiment configured as described above, the same processing steps can be passed again by returning the specimen container 109 as necessary.

<Modification of the first embodiment>
A modification of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  This modification shows a case where three analyzers are arranged in series in the sample transport system of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram schematically showing a state of the sample transport system according to the present modification as viewed from above. In the figure, the same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 22, the elevating mechanism 108 passes through the inclined conveyance line 801, changes the conveyance angle by the rotation mechanism 802, conveys the conveyance line 803, stops at the sample loading / unloading position 803 a, and moves the sample container 109 (or the sample container 109 (or Sample). Thereafter, the rotation angle is changed by the rotation mechanism 802, the gradient of the elevating mechanism 108 is changed by the gradient changing mechanism 112, the transfer line 804 is transferred, stopped at the sample loading / unloading position 804a, and the sample container 109 (or Sample). To change. Thereafter, the conveyance angle is changed by the rotation mechanism 802, the conveyance line 805 is conveyed, stopped at the sample loading / unloading position 805a, and the sample container 109 (or sample) is taken into the analyzer 107. Thereafter, the conveyance angle is changed by the rotation mechanism 802, and the sheet is conveyed downstream by the conveyance line 806.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram schematically showing a state of the sample transport system of another modification as viewed from above. This modification shows a case where the loop processing is performed by two analyzers in the sample transport system of the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 23, the elevating mechanism 108 passes through the inclined conveyance line 901, is conveyed by the inclined conveyance line 902 via the rotation mechanism 802, and stops at the sample loading / unloading position 902a, and the sample container 109 (or sample) is loaded into the analyzer 107. take in. Thereafter, the rotation angle is changed by the rotation mechanism 802, the gradient of the elevating mechanism 108 is changed by the gradient changing mechanism 112, the inclined conveyance line 804 is conveyed, the conveyance angle is changed by the rotation mechanism 802, and the inclined conveyance line 903. The sample container 109 (or sample) is taken into the analyzer 107 by stopping at the sample loading / unloading position 903a. Thereafter, when reprocessing is necessary, the conveyance angle is changed by the rotation mechanism 802, and the conveyance mechanism 802 is conveyed to the rotation mechanism 802 by the inclined conveyance line 905 on the return side, and loop processing is performed. Further, when reprocessing is not necessary, the sheet is conveyed downstream by the inclined conveyance line 904 via the rotation mechanism 802.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram schematically showing a state of the sample transport system of still another modification as viewed from above. The present modification shows a case where three analyzers are used and branch processing is performed in the sample transport system of the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 24, the lifting mechanism 108 passes through the inclined transport line 1001, the transport direction is changed by the rotating mechanism 802, then transported by the tilted transport line 1002, stopped at the sample loading / unloading position 1002 a, and sent to the analyzer 107. 109 (or specimen) is captured. Thereafter, the elevating mechanism 108 is changed in gradient by the gradient changing mechanism 112, and sent by changing the conveyance angle in either the inclined conveyance line 1003 or the inclined conveyance line 1005 by the rotation mechanism 802. In the inclined conveyance line 1003, the sample container 109 (or sample) is taken into the analyzer 107 by stopping at the sample loading / unloading position 1003 a, and the conveyance angle is changed by the rotation mechanism 802 and conveyed to the conveyance line 1004. Further, the inclined conveyance line 1005 is stopped at the sample loading / unloading position 1005a, the sample container 109 (or sample) is taken into the analyzer 107, the conveyance angle is changed by the rotation mechanism 802, and the sample is conveyed to the conveyance line 1006.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to above-described embodiment and each Example, Various modifications and combinations are included. That is, the above-described embodiment has been described in detail for easy understanding of the present invention, and is not necessarily limited to one having all the configurations described. That is, a desired sample transport system can be configured by appropriately combining a branching mechanism, a merging mechanism, a rotating mechanism, and the like with an inclined transport line.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Upper horizontal member 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b Rotating part 2 Lower horizontal member 3, 4 Vertical member 5 Base member 6a, 6b Horizontal shaft 7a, 7b Support member 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b Guided member 10 Lifting mechanism drive Belt connecting section 15 Gradient change arm 100 Preprocessing device 101 Storage module 102 Loading module 103 Opening module 104 Barcode attaching module 105 Dispensing module 106 Transport line 108 Lifting mechanism 109 Sample container 110, 110A Lifting mechanism guide 111 Lifting mechanism drive belt 112 Gradient change mechanism 113 Storage module 115 Gradient change arm 116 Elevating mechanism fixing mechanism 117 Elevating mechanism guide 119 Specimen holder (holding member)
200 Sample transport system 203, 204, 302, 304 Rotating mechanism 205 Abnormal lifting mechanism discharge line 402, 402A Branch mechanism 402a Lifting mechanism guide 402b Moving mechanism 405 Junction mechanism 405a Lifting mechanism guide 405b Moving mechanism 802 Rotating mechanism

Claims (8)

A transport line for transporting a sample container placed in a holding member and containing a sample, the first transport line and the second transport line having different heights;
A transport line for transporting the sample container erected on the holding member, and an inclined transport line that connects the first transport line and the second transport line in a linearly inclined manner;
An adapter member used for transporting the sample container in the first transport line, the second transport line, and the inclined transport line, and a holding member for laying the sample container can be mounted thereon, and the first transport A sample transport system comprising: an adapter member configured to transport the holding member in a state where the sample container is kept vertical in transporting the sample container in the line, the second transport line, and the inclined transport line . The sample transport system according to claim 1,
A branching mechanism that branches from one of the first transport line, the second transport line, and the inclined transport line to another transport line;
A sample transport system comprising: a merging mechanism that exchanges current with any one of the first transport line, the second transport line, and the inclined transport line. The sample transport system according to claim 1,
The specimen transport system characterized in that the slope of the inclined transport line can be arbitrarily set within a predetermined range, and the transport angle of the adapter member can be adjusted according to the slope of the tilted transport line. The sample transport system according to claim 1,
Another inclined conveyance line that runs in parallel with the inclined conveyance line, the overtaking conveyance line that conveys in advance the adapter member on which a sample container having a higher priority than the adapter member that is conveyed on the inclined conveyance line is loaded. A specimen transport system comprising: The sample transport system according to claim 1,
The sample transport system according to claim 1, wherein the adapter member includes a position adjustment mechanism that adjusts a position of the holding member on a side in a transport direction. The sample transport system according to claim 1,
The sample transport system, wherein the transport angle of the adapter member can be adjusted to the guide member disposed along the tilt transport line according to the gradient of the tilt transport line. The specimen transport system according to claim 6, wherein
A sample transport system comprising an abnormality detection function for detecting an abnormality in the transport angle of the adapter member. The sample transport system according to claim 1,
A sample transport system comprising a rotation mechanism that rotates in a horizontal direction to change the transport direction of the adapter member.

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