JPH06213907A - Dispensing device capable of cleaning with detergent and cleaning method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] To improve the cleaning effect of a probe by detergent cleaning in a dispenser equipped with an automatic analyzer without cross-contamination between the reagent or sample and the detergent. To do. [Structure] After a probe 112 sucks and discharges a reagent or a sample, a detergent is injected into a connecting pipe 10 from a branching portion 1 by a detergent injecting syringe 4, and a washing pump 13 is used to wash water into the probe 112 through the connecting pipe 10. Is supplied.
As a result, the detergent is mixed with the wash water to wash the probe 112. After the predetermined time t has elapsed and the probe 112 is sufficiently washed, the detergent is injected from the branch portion 1 by the detergent injection syringe 4. As a result, the detergent is evacuated, and thereafter the detergent is prevented from being diffused and mixed into the cleaning water, and cross contamination between the reagent and the detergent is prevented.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dispensing device provided in, for example, an automatic analyzer for analyzing components such as blood and urine, and in particular, it is capable of washing a probe for sucking and discharging a sample or a reagent with a detergent. The present invention relates to a dispensing device and a cleaning method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional technique for washing a dispensing device of an automatic analyzer with a detergent is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-16767. According to this conventional technique, the detergent is mixed with pure water according to the change in the flow rate and the pressure, and the inside of the probe for sucking and discharging the reagent and the sample is washed with this mixed liquid.
By washing the probe with a detergent in this manner, it is possible to prevent cross contamination that occurs when a large number of reagents or samples are dispensed.

Further, in the conventional technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-279864, a detergent container is connected via a three-way valve in the middle of a flow path for supplying washing water to a probe, and the three-way valve is operated. As a result, the detergent is mixed into the washing water, and the inside of the probe is washed with the detergent. Also according to this conventional technique, cross contamination that occurs when a large number of reagents or samples are dispensed can be prevented.

[0004]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-16767
In the method described in the publication, since the inside of the probe is cleaned with a mixed solution of pure water and a detergent, when the next reagent or sample is dispensed after cleaning, it is dispensed with the reagent or sample aspirated by the probe. The flow path system between the syringes is not filled with pure water but always filled with a mixed liquid of pure water and detergent. Therefore, the detergent is mixed in the reagent or the sample, which causes contamination and causes a large error in the analysis data.

In the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-279864, the three-way valve is operated after the cleaning of the detergent to stop the supply of the detergent. It seems that it is possible to prevent the detergent from being mixed in. However, from a micro perspective, even if the detergent container side of the three-way valve is closed, a small amount of detergent is present between the main flow path that supplies the washing water to the probe and the spool (valve element) of the three-way valve. Remain, and this detergent mixes in the wash water, so that the detergent also mixes in the reagents and samples. Although the amount of this detergent is extremely small, the amount of components to be analyzed is often very small, which affects the analysis data and makes it impossible to perform highly accurate measurement.

An object of the present invention is to provide a washable dispensing device and a washing method thereof which can enhance the washing effect of a probe by washing with a detergent without causing cross-contamination of a detergent with a reagent or sample. Is.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a probe for sucking and discharging a reagent or sample, and a dispensing syringe connected to the probe through a connecting pipe, In a dispensing device including a cleaning pump that supplies cleaning water to the probe via the connection pipe, the pipe is provided between the probe connection position in the connection pipe and the cleaning water supply position from the cleaning pump. A branch portion, a detergent injecting and sucking means that communicates with the branch portion and injects a detergent into the connecting pipe and sucks a detergent from the connecting pipe, and the branch after the probe sucks and discharges a reagent or sample. Detergent is injected into the connecting pipe from the section,
Wash water is supplied to the probe through the connecting pipe,
Control means for controlling the detergent injecting and sucking means and the cleaning pump so that the detergent between the branch portion and the detergent injecting and sucking means is sucked after the probe has been washed for a predetermined time. Disclosed is a dispenser device which can be washed with a detergent.

Preferably, the detergent injecting / sucking means has a syringe for discharging and sucking detergent by a lifting operation of a piston, a first valve provided between the syringe and the branch portion, and A first detergent container for accommodating a detergent to be supplied to the syringe, and a second valve provided between the syringe and the first detergent container are provided, and the control means controls the piston of the syringe. Lifting operation, the first
The opening / closing operation of the valve and the opening / closing operation of the second valve are controlled.

Further, preferably, the detergent injecting / suctioning means has a squeezing pump capable of transferring the detergent in both the discharge direction and the suction direction, and the control means controls the discharge / suction operation of the squeezing pump.

Further, preferably, the detergent injecting / sucking means connects a second detergent container installed at a position higher than the branch portion and containing the detergent, and the second detergent container and the branch portion. A detergent line, a third valve provided in the detergent line, a drain for branching off the detergent line to discharge excess detergent, and a fourth valve provided in the drain. The control means controls the opening / closing operation of the third valve and the opening / closing operation of the fourth valve.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a probe for sucking and discharging a reagent or sample by a dispensing syringe, and a washing pump for supplying washing water to the probe via a connecting pipe. In a cleaning method of cleaning a dispensing device comprising and, after the probe sucks and discharges a reagent or a sample, injects a detergent into the connecting pipe,
Washing water is supplied to the probe through the connecting pipe by the washing pump, the washing water is mixed with a detergent to wash the probe, and after a lapse of a predetermined time, the detergent is sucked to escape from the washing water flow. Thus, a method for cleaning a dispensing device is provided, characterized in that only cleaning water is supplied to the probe.

[0012]

In the present invention constructed as described above, after the reagent or sample is sucked and discharged by the probe, the detergent is injected into the connecting pipe from the branch portion by the detergent injection and suction means.
In addition, the washing water is supplied to the probe through the connecting pipe by the washing pump. As a result, the detergent is mixed and diluted in the wash water to effectively wash the probe, and cross contamination between reagents and samples is prevented. The operations of the detergent injecting and sucking means and the washing pump are controlled by the control means.

However, even if a large amount of washing water is flown by stopping the injection of the detergent into the connecting pipe by the detergent injecting and sucking means after the washing with the detergent has been sufficiently performed for a predetermined time, the detergent from the branching portion is removed. Is mixed into the wash water due to diffusion,
This causes cross-contamination between the reagent or sample and the detergent. In the present invention, in order to prevent this, the detergent injecting / sucking means sucks the detergent from the branching portion, so that the detergent is withdrawn from the branching portion to the detergent injecting / sucking means side. The detergent does not diffuse into the cleaning water supplied by the pump. Therefore, when the next reagent or sample is aspirated by the probe, the flow path system between the reagent or sample and the dispensing syringe is filled with only washing water, and contamination by the detergent is prevented. The operation of the detergent injecting and sucking means is also controlled by the control means.

Further, a syringe, first and second valves,
In a detergent pouring and suction means having a first detergent container,
Detergent is supplied to the syringe from the first detergent container by opening the second valve and lowering the piston of the syringe. Then, when injecting the detergent, the second valve is closed and the first valve is closed.
The detergent in the syringe is injected into the branch by opening the valve of the syringe and raising the piston of the syringe.When the detergent is aspirated, the detergent is dropped from the branch into the syringe by lowering the piston of the syringe. Sucked. The lifting / lowering operation of the piston of the syringe and the opening / closing operation of the first and second valves are controlled by the control means.

When a squeezing pump capable of transferring the detergent in both the suction direction and the discharge direction is used, the detergent is injected and sucked by the transfer pressure of the squeezing pump. The discharge suction operation of this ironing pump is also controlled by the control means.

Further, in the construction of the detergent injecting and sucking means having the second detergent container, the detergent conduit, the third and fourth valves, and the drain, the third valve is opened when the detergent is infused. As a result, the detergent is injected into the branch portion from the detergent container installed at a position higher than the branch portion through the detergent conduit, and when the detergent is sucked, the third valve is closed and the fourth valve is opened. As a result, the detergent is discharged from the drain branching from the middle of the detergent pipe, and the discharge pressure sucks the detergent from the branch portion. The opening / closing operations of the third and fourth valves are also controlled by the control means.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a detergent-cleanable dispensing apparatus and a cleaning method therefor according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, an example of an automatic analyzer equipped with the dispensing apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of an automatic analyzer that analyzes components such as blood and urine. In FIG. 8, 101 is a reaction disk, and this reaction disk 101 is a rotary drive mechanism 101A.
Is driven to rotate. A large number of reaction vessels 102 are arranged on the outer periphery of the reaction disk 101.
02 is kept at a predetermined temperature by the reaction tank 103 and the constant temperature tank 104. Reference numeral 105 denotes a sample sample disk mechanism that is rotationally driven by the rotational drive mechanism 105A,
A large number of sample cups 106 are arranged in a circle in this mechanism 105. The sample in the sample cup 106 is appropriately extracted by the suction / discharge operation of the probe 108 of the sample pipetting mechanism 107, and is injected into a predetermined reaction container 102. Reference numeral 109 is a reagent disk mechanism provided with a large number of reagent bottles 110, and is rotationally driven by a rotary drive mechanism 109A like the sample-sample disk mechanism 105.

A reagent pipetting mechanism 111 is arranged near the reagent disk mechanism 109, and this reagent pipetting mechanism 111 is provided with a probe 112 for sucking and discharging the reagent. The sample pipetting mechanism 10
7 and the reagent pipetting mechanism 111 are capable of rotating or raising and lowering the respective probes 108 and 112 so that the dispensing operation can be performed, and these constitute the dispensing apparatus of the present embodiment, It has a flow path configuration (see FIGS. 1 to 6) as described later.

Further, the reagent barcode reader 113 is arranged close to the reagent disk mechanism 109, and the reagent bin 1
Read the ID code displayed on 10. Reaction tank 103
In the vicinity of the reagent disk mechanism 109, a stirring mechanism 114 for mixing the reagent and the sample in the reaction container 102 is arranged. Further, a multi-wavelength photometer 115 is installed close to the reaction disc 101.
A reaction container 102 for accommodating a photometric target is located between the light source 5 and a light source (not shown). The reaction container 102 whose measurement has been completed by the multi-wavelength photometer 115 has a cleaning mechanism 116 arranged in proximity to the reaction disk 101.
Washed by.

Further, as a control system and a signal processing system of the automatic analyzer, a sample dispensing mechanism 120 for controlling the sample pipetting mechanism 107 and its probe 108, a reagent dispensing system for controlling the reagent pipetting mechanism 111 and its probe 112. A / D which digitizes and Log-converts the signal based on the measurement result by the cleaning mechanism 121, the cleaning water pump 122 that supplies the cleaning water to the cleaning mechanism 116, and the multi-wavelength photometer 115.
A converter 123, a microcomputer 124 for controlling the operation of each device and arithmetically processing the measurement result, a CRT 125 for displaying the measurement result and the condition of each device, a printer 126 for printing out the measurement result, a predetermined command by an operator, A keyboard 127 for inputting analysis conditions, a floppy disk 128 for reading the system and collectively storing analysis data, an interface 12 for exchanging signals with each device, the microcomputer 124, terminals and the like.
9 is provided. The microcomputer 12
4, the interface 129, the sample dispensing mechanism 120, and the reagent dispensing mechanism 121 constitute a control unit that controls a detergent injection / suction unit and a cleaning pump described later.

Next, the basic operation of the automatic analyzer having the above structure will be described.

First, the microcomputer 124 controls the rotation operation of the sample-sample disk 105 via the interface 129 and the rotation drive mechanism 105A, and the required sample cup 106 moves to a position below the sample-dispensing probe 108. . Then, the probe 10
The sample in the sample cup 106 is sucked by the dispensing syringe (see FIG. 1) of the sample dispensing mechanism 120 to which 8 is connected, and a predetermined amount is dispensed into the reaction container 102. Then, the reaction disk 101 is rotatably driven by the microcomputer 124 via the interface 129 and the rotation driving mechanism 101A, whereby the temperature of the reaction vessel 102 into which the sample is dispensed is maintained by the reaction vessel 103 communicating with the constant temperature vessel 104. In this state, it is moved to the first reagent addition position.

Next, the reagent in the reagent bottle 110 arranged on the reagent disk 109 by the dispensing syringe of the reagent dispensing mechanism 121 (see FIG. 1) is transferred to the reagent dispensing probe 11a.
Reaction vessel 1 that has been sucked into and moved to the first reagent addition position
A predetermined amount is dispensed into 02. At this time, the reagent disk mechanism 1
The microcomputer 09 is rotationally driven by the microcomputer 124 via the interface 129 and the rotational driving mechanism 101A, and is controlled so that the appropriate reagent bottle 110 comes to the dispensing position.

Next, the reaction vessel 1 is operated by the stirring mechanism 114.
The reagent in 02 and the sample are mixed. After adding the first reagent,
The second reagent is similarly added and stirred, and after about 10 minutes, the reaction container 102 is rotationally moved to the measurement position, the light flux emitted from the light source passes through, and the optical physical quantity at that time is detected by the multi-wavelength photometer 115. .

The signal relating to the detected optical physical quantity is
Digitized and Log converted by the A / D converter 123,
It is input to the computer 124 via the interface 129. Then, based on the signal input to the computer 124, analysis data such as the concentration of the measurement target in the measurement sample is calculated. The calculated analysis data is printed out by the printer 126 via the interface 129 or displayed on the screen of the CRT 125.
After the measurement, the reaction container 102 is rotationally moved to the position of the cleaning mechanism 116, where the internal sample is discharged by the cleaning water pump 122 and then cleaned with cleaning water.

Next, the flow passage configuration of the dispensing device of this embodiment, that is, the sample pipetting mechanism 107 and the reagent pipetting mechanism 111 provided in the above-described automatic analyzer will be described with reference to FIG. The sample pipetting mechanism 10
7 and the reagent pipetting mechanism 111 have the same flow channel configuration, only the flow channel configuration of the reagent pipetting mechanism 111 will be described below. Further, in FIG. 1, the detergent is shown by spots and the reagent is shown by diagonal lines (the same applies to FIGS. 2 to 6 and 9 below).

As shown in FIG. 1, a dispensing syringe 11 is connected to the probe 112 via a connecting pipe 10, and a side surface of the dispensing syringe 11 is cleaned via a solenoid valve 12 for cleaning. The pump 13 is connected. Further, the cleaning pump 13 is connected to the cleaning water tank 14,
This cleaning water is supplied to the flow path. A branch portion 1 is provided in the middle of the connecting pipe 10, and a branch pipe 2 is provided in the branch portion 1.
Further, a detergent injection syringe 4 is connected to the branch pipe 2 via an electromagnetic valve 3. A detergent container 6 is connected to the side surface of the detergent injection syringe 4 via an electromagnetic valve 5. The detergent injection syringe 4, the electromagnetic valve 5, and the detergent container 6 constitute detergent injection and suction means. Also,
The probe 112 can be moved to the cleaning tank 16 in addition to the reagent bottle 110 and the reaction container 102, and cleaning water, detergent, etc. are discharged to the cleaning tank 16. Moving operation of the probe 112, opening / closing operation of the solenoid valves 3, 5, 12;
The up-and-down operation of the pistons of the dispensing syringe 11 and the detergent injecting syringe 4 and the operation of the cleaning pump 13 are controlled by the microcomputer 124 via the interface 129 and the reagent dispensing mechanism 121. As the detergent injecting and sucking means, an ironing pump capable of transferring the detergent in both the suction direction and the discharge direction may be used instead of the detergent injecting syringe described above.

Next, the dispensing operation of the reagent and the washing operation of the probe in the dispensing apparatus of the present embodiment having the above-described flow channel configuration will be described with reference to the flow channel configuration diagrams shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 and the flow chart shown in FIG. Will be described. However, the flowchart of FIG. 7 is stored in the microcomputer 129. In the following description, the reagent pipetting mechanism 11 will also be used.
Only operation No. 1 will be described.

First, in step 50 of FIG. 7, the electromagnetic valve 12 is opened to start the operation of the cleaning pump 13 to fill the flow path system, that is, the probe 112 and the connecting pipe 10 with cleaning water (pure water). At 51, the solenoid valve 12 is closed to stop the operation of the cleaning pump 13 to stop the supply of cleaning water. This is the preparation operation. It should be noted that this is a state where the cleaning after the preceding dispensing operation is completed, and at this time, the detergent is in a state of being withdrawn to the side of the branch pipe 2 in the branch portion 1. The detergent injection syringe 4 is already filled with detergent.

Next, as shown in step 60 of FIGS. 1 and 7, the tip of the probe 112 is inserted into the reagent bottle 110, and in step 61 of FIG. 7, the piston 11a of the dispensing syringe 11 is lowered. Then, the reagent is sucked into the probe 112. At this time, an air layer 15 is formed at the boundary between the reagent and the filled cleaning water (pure water), and the mixture of the reagent and pure water is prevented. Next, in step 62 of FIG. 7, the probe 112 is moved to above the reaction container 102, and the piston 11a of the dispensing syringe 11 is raised as shown in step 63 of FIGS. To discharge. The above steps 60 to 63 are the suction / ejection operation of the sample.

Next, the probe cleaning operation is started. First,
In step 70 of FIG. 7, the probe 112 is replaced with the cleaning tank 1.
6 above, open the solenoid valve 3 in step 71,
In step 72, the piston 4a of the detergent injecting syringe 4 is raised to inject the detergent from the detergent injecting syringe 4 into the connecting pipe 10 through the branch pipe 2 as shown in FIG. The detergent injected into the connecting pipe 10 diffuses and mixes into the mainstream washing water.

Next, in step 73 of FIG. 7, the solenoid valve 3 is closed, and in step 74 the solenoid valve 12 is opened to start the operation of the cleaning pump 13. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 4, the cleaning water sent by the cleaning pump 13 is
A main stream flows through the dispensing syringe 11 and the connecting pipe 10 and is supplied to the probe 112. At the same time, as shown in FIG. 3, the detergent injected from the branch portion 1 is pushed toward the probe 112 by the main stream of the wash water to be fed, and the reagent remaining on the inner wall of the probe 112 due to being mixed with the wash water and diluted. Washed off. Therefore, the cleaning effect of the probe 112 is dramatically enhanced. Then, the state is maintained for a sufficient time (predetermined time) t for cleaning. That is, as shown in step 75 of FIG.
Is determined, and if it is determined that the predetermined time t has elapsed, the process proceeds to the next step.

As shown in FIG. 4, the detergent diffuses from the branch portion 1 into the main stream of the connecting pipe 10 in a tail-drawing manner and mixes in. However, in this state, the detergent remains in the probe 112 forever. It will remain and will not be replaced by cleaning water (pure water). When the next reagent is sucked and dispensed while the detergent remains, the reagent and the remaining detergent cause cross contamination. When cross-contamination occurs, it greatly affects the reaction of the sample in the reaction container 102 and causes a large error in the analysis data. In this embodiment, in order to avoid this, the following operation has a great effect.

That is, in step 76 of FIG. 7, the solenoid valve 3 is opened, and then in step 77, the detergent injection syringe 4 is opened.
The piston 4a is lowered. Then, as shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B which is an enlarged view of the portion B of FIG. 5A, the detergent mixed in the main stream is sucked from the branch portion 1 toward the branch pipe 2. The washing water slightly enters the branch pipe 2 from the branch portion 1 and the detergent is in a state of withdrawing from the main stream. When the wash water flows in the dispensing syringe 11 and the connecting pipe 10 in such a state, the phenomenon that the detergent as shown in FIG. , It will be completely replaced with cleaning water (pure water). If the inside of the probe 112 is washing water (pure water), cross contamination due to the reagent and the detergent does not occur.

Next, in step 78 of FIG. 7, the solenoid valve 12 is closed to stop the operation of the cleaning pump 13 to stop the supply of cleaning water. This completes the cleaning of the probe 112. When the flow of washing water is stopped, the detergent withdrawn in the branch pipe 2 is prevented from mixing into the connecting pipe 10 from the branch portion 1.
Close. The above steps 70 to 79 are the probe cleaning operation. At this time, the probe 112
Since the inside of the chamber is completely replaced with cleaning water (pure water), when the next reagent is dispensed, the steps 50 and 51 are performed.
There is no need to perform the preparatory action of.

After the above operation, the suction operation of the detergent used for cleaning the probe 112 after the next reagent dispensing (suction / ejection) operation is performed. First, in step 80 of FIG. 7, the solenoid valve 5 is opened, and in the next step 81, the piston 4a of the detergent injecting syringe 4 is lowered as shown in FIG. 6, so that the detergent is injected from the detergent container 6 into the detergent injecting syringe 4. Suction. When the suction of the detergent is completed, the solenoid valve 5 is closed in step 81 of FIG. Steps 80 to 82 above
Up to the detergent suction operation.

With the above, the first reagent dispensing and cleaning operation is completed, and it is determined in step 90 of FIG. 7 whether or not the next reagent is to be dispensed. When the next reagent is to be dispensed, the process proceeds to step 60, where the next reagent is dispensed and the washing operation is performed as described above. On the other hand, if the next reagent is not dispensed, all the reagent dispensing and washing operations are completed.

A three-way valve is used in place of the solenoid valve 12, the bypass flow path is connected to the wash water tank 14 from the three-way valve, and the wash pump 13 is kept in a constantly operating state to wash the wash water. The three-way valve may be opened to the dispensing syringe 11 side when supplying to the flow channel system, and the three-way valve may be opened to the bypass flow channel side to circulate the cleaning water when stopping the supply of cleaning water.

The cleaning effect of the detergent according to this embodiment depends to some extent on the type of the reagent or the detergent, but according to the experiment, the amount of the reagent remaining in the probe is 1/50 to 1 / compared with the conventional one.
It can be improved to about 100. In addition, according to an experiment on cross-contamination of a reagent and a detergent, when the same pure water is used as the washing water, the amount of the remaining detergent is 1/40 when the detergent is evacuated as compared with the case where the detergent is not evacuated. To be improved.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the detergent is mixed with the washing water by the dispensing syringe 11, and the probe 1
12 is washed, and after a lapse of a predetermined time t, the detergent is sucked from the branch portion 1 by the detergent injecting syringe 4, so that the detergent can be evacuated to the detergent injecting syringe 4 side. Can be prevented from being diffused and mixed. Therefore, the probe 112 can be effectively washed without accompanying cross-contamination between the reagent and the detergent, and cross-contamination between the reagents can also be prevented.

Although the configuration and operation of the reagent pipetting mechanism 111 have been described in the above embodiments, the sample pipetting mechanism 107 can also provide similar effects with the same configuration and operation. Further, since cross-contamination among reagents, samples and detergents can be prevented, it is possible to dispense various reagents and samples with one probe.

Another embodiment of the washable dispensing apparatus and the washing method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The present embodiment is different only in the configuration of the detergent injecting / sucking means and the control method of the control means for operating the detergent injecting / sucking means, and the other configurations and operations are the same as those in the above-described embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a flow path configuration diagram of this embodiment, which corresponds to the state of FIG. 1 of the above-described embodiment. The configuration of the detergent injection / suction unit of this embodiment will be described below. In FIG. 9, a detergent injection branch 2 a is provided below the branch pipe 2, and one end of the detergent injection branch 2 a is placed at a position higher than the branch 1 via the detergent pipe 20. It is connected to the container 22. Further, an electromagnetic valve 21 for opening and closing the detergent pipe 20 is attached to the detergent pipe 20. The other end of the detergent injecting branch portion 2a is connected to the drain 2 via the solenoid valve 23.
It communicates with 4. The drain 24 is open to the waste liquid tank 25. In this configuration, the solenoid valve 21 and the solenoid valve 23 are closed when the detergent injection and suction operations are not performed.

Next, a basic detergent injection and suction operation by the detergent injection and suction means will be described. When injecting the detergent, the solenoid valve 21 is opened, so that the detergent in the detergent container 22 is dropped from the branch portion 1 and the detergent pipe 20.
Through the branch portion 2a for injecting the detergent and the branch pipe 2 and mixed into the wash water which is the main stream of the connecting pipe 10 from the branch portion 1. When inhaling the detergent, the solenoid valve 21 is closed, the detergent supply is stopped, and the solenoid valve 23 is opened. Then,
The detergent moves from the drain 24 due to the drop with the branch 1, and the detergent is sucked from the branch 1. However, the solenoid valve 23
If is left open, not only the detergent but also the cleaning water is sucked, so when the detergent is retracted from the branch portion 1, the solenoid valve 23 is closed and the suction of the detergent is stopped. The microcomputer 124 has an interface 129.
And the solenoid valve 21 and the solenoid valve 23 via the sample dispensing mechanism 120 or the reagent dispensing mechanism 121. As a result, the same operation as in the case of using the detergent injection syringe 4, the solenoid valve 5 and the detergent container 6 of the above-described embodiment can be performed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the same effect as that of the above-described embodiments can be obtained by the structure of the simple detergent injection / suction means which does not use a syringe or the like.

[0047]

According to the present invention, when the probe is washed after the dispensing operation of the reagent or sample, the detergent is mixed in the washing water to wash the probe, and after the washing is sufficiently performed, the detergent injection / suction means. Since the detergent is sucked by the above, the detergent can be withdrawn from the washing water to prevent its diffusion and mixing. Therefore, the probe can be effectively washed without causing cross-contamination between the sample and the detergent.

Since cross-contamination among reagents, samples, and detergents can be prevented, a single probe can dispense various reagents and samples.

Further, according to the present invention, the above effects can be obtained even with a simple structure which does not use a syringe or the like.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flow path configuration diagram of a dispensing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which a reagent is sucked into a probe.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a reagent is discharged into a reaction container, following FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which detergent is injected into the connecting pipe from a branch portion, following FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view showing a state in which washing water is flowed subsequently to FIG. 3, the detergent is diffused and mixed into the washing water, and the probe is washed.

5A is a diagram showing a state where the detergent is retracted from the branch portion by sucking the detergent from the state of FIG. 4, and FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of a B portion of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a detergent suction operation performed by a detergent injection syringe after the probe is washed.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the reagent dispensing and probe cleaning operation shown in FIGS. 1 to 6;

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing an example of an automatic analyzer equipped with a dispensing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flow path configuration diagram of a dispensing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which a reagent has been sucked into a probe.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Branch 3 Solenoid Valve 4 Detergent Injection Syringe 4a Piston 5 Solenoid Valve 6 Detergent Container 10 Connecting Pipe 11 Dispensing Syringe 11a Piston 12 Solenoid Valve 13 Cleaning Pump 14 Cleaning Water Tank 16 Cleaning Tank 20 Detergent Pipeline 21 Electromagnetic Valve 22 Detergent Container 23 Solenoid Valve 24 Drain 107 Sample Pipetting Mechanism 108 Probe 110 Reagent Bin 111 Reagent Pipetting Mechanism 112 Probe 120 Sample Dispensing Mechanism 121 Reagent Dispensing Mechanism 124 Microcomputer 129 Interface

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A probe for sucking and discharging a reagent or sample, a dispensing syringe connected to the probe through a connecting pipe, and a washing pump for supplying washing water to the probe through the connecting pipe. In a dispensing device comprising: a branch portion provided between the probe connection position in the connection pipe and a wash water supply position from the cleaning pump; and a detergent for connecting to the connection pipe to the connection pipe. Detergent injecting and aspirating means for injecting and injecting detergent from the connecting pipe, and after the probe sucks and discharges the reagent or sample, the detergent is injected into the connecting pipe from the branching portion, and then via the connecting pipe. Cleaning water is supplied to the probe, so that the detergent between the branch portion and the detergent injecting and sucking means is sucked after the probe has been washed for a predetermined time,
A dispenser capable of detergent cleaning, comprising: the detergent injection / suction means and a control means for controlling the cleaning pump. 2. The detergent injecting / sucking means supplies a syringe that discharges and aspirates detergent by a lifting operation of a piston, a first valve provided between the syringe and the branch portion, and the syringe. A first detergent container for accommodating a detergent, and a second valve provided between the syringe and the first detergent container. Opening and closing operation of the first valve,
And a detergent-cleanable dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the opening / closing operation of the second valve is controlled. 3. The detergent injecting / sucking means has a squeezing pump capable of transferring the detergent in both a discharge direction and a suction direction, and the control means controls a discharge / suction operation of the squeezing pump. Item 1. A dispenser capable of washing with a detergent according to item 1. 4. The detergent injecting / sucking means is provided at a position higher than the branch portion, and holds a second detergent container for storing detergent, and a detergent conduit for connecting the second detergent container and the branch portion. And a third valve provided in the detergent conduit, a drain for branching off the detergent from the middle of the detergent conduit to discharge excess detergent, and a fourth valve provided in the drain. The detergent-washable dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means controls the opening / closing operation of the third valve and the opening / closing operation of the fourth valve. 5. A cleaning method for cleaning a dispensing device comprising a probe for sucking and discharging a reagent or sample with a dispensing syringe and a cleaning pump for supplying cleaning water to the probe through a connecting pipe, After the probe sucks and discharges the reagent or the sample, the detergent is injected into the connecting pipe, the washing water is supplied to the probe through the connecting pipe by the washing pump, and the detergent is mixed with the washing water. A method for cleaning a dispensing device, comprising: cleaning a probe, sucking the detergent after a predetermined time elapses, retracting from the flow of cleaning water, and supplying only cleaning water to the probe.