JPH06324058A - Dispensing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a dispenser apparatus which can dispense an analysis liquid better. CONSTITUTION:This apparatus is a sample dispensing mechanism for dispensing a sample into a reaction container 13. The apparatus is provided with a sample nozzle 25 which enters the reaction container 13 and discharges the sample, a syringe 26 for detecting the height of the liquid surface in the reaction container 13 based on the discharging amount of the sample, and a theta.Z driving mechanism 21 for driving the sample nozzle 25 upward in accordance with the rise of the liquid surface of the sample on the basis of a detecting signal from the syringe 26.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing a reagent diluent in an apparatus for automatically analyzing blood or urine components.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a discrete type automatic analyzer is provided with a plurality of reaction vessels, a sample vessel and a reagent vessel, and a sample dispensing mechanism and a reagent dispensing mechanism react a predetermined amount of sample and reagent. After dispensing in a container and carrying out a mixing reaction, the components contained in the sample are quantitatively analyzed by measuring the absorbance of the liquid in the reaction container.

The above sample dispensing mechanism and reagent dispensing mechanism are
The sample container and the reagent container are respectively provided with a nozzle for collecting and dispensing the sample and the reagent into the reaction container.

When the sample and the reagent are dispensed into the reaction vessel, as shown in FIG.
In order to prevent the sample or reagent dispensed inside from contacting and becoming dirty, the nozzle 1 is connected to the reaction container 2
Above or in the upper part of the reaction vessel 2.

By the way, as the reagent 4, there are a high-concentration reagent and a general reagent. The high-concentration reagent has a predetermined concentration by adding a diluent, and the general reagent has a predetermined concentration without dilution.

When a high-concentration reagent is used as the reagent 4, the nozzle 1 is filled with the diluent 3 as a working fluid and connected to the nozzle 1 as shown in the figure. The diluent 3 by a syringe not shown
The reagent 4 is sucked and discharged by the pressurizing and depressurizing operations.

Further, an air layer 5 is interposed between the reagent 4 sucked into the nozzle 1 and the diluting liquid 3 as the working fluid to prevent their mixture. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, when the reagent 4 is discharged from the nozzle 1,
The reagent 4 may be in a bubble-shaped liquid-air mixed state and may pop off and adhere to the inner wall of the reaction container 2. Such a situation can occur even when a sample is dispensed into the reaction container 2.

When the above-mentioned situation occurs, the measured value may be inaccurate because the reagent 4 and the sample do not come into contact with each other and become unreacted. The same situation may occur in the case of a highly viscous reagent having a low dilution rate, such as blood.

Even when the sample or reagent to be used is not at a high concentration, when the air layer 5 is blown out, the sample or reagent may be scattered and adhere to the inner wall of the reaction container 2. .

On the other hand, in order to reduce the running cost per test, there is a great demand for reducing the amount of sample or reagent dispensed into the reaction container 2, and therefore the reaction container 2 must be downsized. It is possible to do it. However, as described above, since the discharge position of the nozzle 1 is set high, it becomes more difficult to discharge the sample and the like in the correct direction when the reaction container 2 is downsized, and the sample is still difficult to discharge. In some cases, the above substances may adhere to the inner wall of the reaction container 2.

[0011]

As described above, the conventional inspection apparatus cannot perform accurate dispensing because the discharge state of the sample or the reagent from the nozzle is not stable, and considerably. Since the sample or the reagent was discharged from a high position, it may be difficult to accurately discharge the sample or the reagent to the target position, and it may be difficult to dispense well. The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing device that can dispense an analysis liquid more favorably.

[0012]

The first means of the present invention is, in a dispensing apparatus for dispensing an analysis liquid into a container, a nozzle for penetrating into the container and discharging the analysis liquid, and the inside of the container. Liquid level calculation means for calculating the liquid level height of the analysis liquid based on the planned discharge amount and the container inner diameter, and based on the calculation result from this calculation means, the nozzle is set to the liquid level of the analysis liquid. Drive means for driving upward movement according to the rise of the.

The second means is, in a dispensing apparatus for dispensing an analysis liquid into a container, a nozzle for penetrating into the container and discharging the analysis liquid, and a height of the liquid level of the analysis liquid in the container. Liquid level detecting means for detecting the liquid level, and drive means for raising and driving the nozzle as the liquid level of the analysis liquid rises based on a detection signal from the detecting means. is there.

[0014]

By such means, the analysis liquid can be discharged from the vicinity of the liquid surface of the analysis liquid in the container. The analytical liquid referred to in the present invention means a liquid to be dispensed, which is directly involved in the reaction amount of various biochemical or immunological reactions, that is, a sample, a reagent, a diluent or the like.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the first embodiment will be described. Figure 3
Shows the automatic analyzer of this example.

In the figure, 10 is a base. The upper surface of the base 10 is a work surface 10a. A reaction disk 11 is provided at the center of the work surface 10a. The reaction disk 11 is intermittently driven to rotate at a predetermined feed pitch by an intermittent rotation drive mechanism (not shown).

The outer edge of the reaction disk 11 is a reaction container holding portion 12, and the reaction disk 11
A plurality of reaction vessels 13 (containers) whose inner diameters are known are held at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction.

A stirring mechanism 14 is provided on the working surface 10a outside the reaction disk 11. The stirring mechanism 14 includes a stirring rod 15, and the reaction container 13 stopped at a position corresponding to the stirring mechanism 14.
The sample inside is agitated.

A concave portion 16 is defined at a corner of the work surface 10a, and a sample disk 17 is provided in the concave portion 16. This sample disk 17 is
A holder chain (not shown) that holds a plurality of sample containers 18 upright at predetermined intervals is intermittently fed and driven.

A sample dispensing mechanism 19 (dispensing device of the present invention) is provided between the sample disk 17 and the reaction disk 11. The structure of the sample dispensing mechanism 19 will be described with reference to FIG.

Reference numeral 20 in the drawing denotes a work surface 10a of the base 10.
It is a spindle that is erected substantially vertically from. This support shaft 20
It is held by a θ / Z drive mechanism 21 (driving means) provided in the base 10 so as to be rotatable around its axis and vertically movable.

The θ / Z drive mechanism 21 serves as a Z-direction (vertical direction) drive means, and a pulse motor 22 for vertically positioning and adjusting the speed of the support shaft 20 and a θ-direction (rotational direction). As the driving means, the spindle 20 and the pulse motor 22 are provided with a .theta.

An end of a substantially horizontal arm 24 is fixed to the upper end of the support shaft 20. On the lower surface of the other end of the arm 24, a sample nozzle 25 (nozzle) is provided so as to project downward with its axis substantially vertical.

The sample nozzle 25 is connected to a syringe shown in FIG. 26 through a tube (not shown) provided in the arm 24 and the support shaft 20, and the syringe 2
By the pressurizing and depressurizing operations of 6, the sample is aspirated and ejected.

The syringe 26 and the pulse motor 22 are connected to a computer 39 (liquid level calculation / detection means) described later. Therefore, the sample dispensing mechanism 19 includes the θ / Z drive mechanism 21 and the syringe 2
6 is operated, the arm 24 is oscillated and the sample nozzle 25 is reciprocated between the sample container 18 held on the sample disc 17 and the reaction disc 11, and the reaction disc 11 is moved. The sample is dispensed into the reaction container 13 held by.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, first and second reagent disks 28, 2 are provided on the side of the reaction disk 11.
9 is provided. The first and second reagent discs 2
Each of 8 and 29 is intermittently driven to rotate at a predetermined feed pitch by an intermittent rotation drive mechanism (not shown).

The above-mentioned first and second reagent disks 28,
29 includes a first and second reagent container holding chambers 30,
31 is provided, and a plurality of reagent containers 32 ... Retaining reagents necessary for a desired analysis item are detachably accommodated in the first and second reagent container storages 30, 31.

Further, between the first reagent disk 28 and the reaction disk 11 and the second reagent disk 31.
Between the reaction disk 11 and the reaction disk 11, the reagent in the reagent container 32 is dispensed into the reaction container 13, respectively.
Second reagent dispensing mechanisms 34 and 35 (dispensing devices) are provided.

These first and second reagent dispensing mechanisms 34, 3
5 includes first and second reagent nozzles 36 and 37 (nozzles), respectively, but the other components are
Since it is the same as the sample dispensing mechanism 19, the same reference numerals are given and the description thereof is omitted.

Therefore, the first and second reagent dispensing mechanisms 34 and 35 respectively rotate and vertically move the first and second reagent nozzles 36 and 37 in the same operation as the sample dispensing mechanism 19. By doing so, the first and second reagent nozzles 3
6 and 37 are moved between the first and second reagent disks 28 and 29 and the reaction disk 11 to dispense the reagent into the reaction container 13.

On the other hand, reference numeral 39 in the figure is a computer. The computer 39 comprises a keyboard 40 and a CRT 41. That is, the analysis item and the analysis item for each sample are input by the keyboard 40, and the input information and analysis data by the keyboard 40 are the same as those in the C.
It is displayed on the RT41. Then, each mechanism is operated by an instruction of the computer 39 based on the items thus input.

In particular, the dispensing device of the present invention controls the θ / Z drive mechanism 21 according to the discharge of the sample or reagent,
The nozzle 25 can be driven to rise according to the rise of the liquid level of the sample or the reagent in the sample container 13.

Next, the operation of this device will be described.
This apparatus intermittently rotationally drives the reaction disk 11 to sequentially stop the reaction container 13 at a sample dispensing position A, a reagent dispensing position B, and a stirring position C shown in FIG. ing.

First of all, this apparatus uses the sample disk 17 described above.
Is operated to stop the predetermined sample container 18 at a position facing the sample dispensing mechanism 19. Then, the sample dispensing mechanism 19 drives the sample nozzle 25 to dispense a sample from the sample container 18.

Then, the sample dispensing mechanism 19 transfers the sample nozzle 25 to the reaction disk 11, and
Then, as shown in FIG. 2A, it is positioned facing above the reaction container 13 stopped at the sample dispensing position A.

Next, the sample dispensing mechanism 19 drives the nozzle 25 downward so that the lower end of the nozzle 25 is located near the bottom surface of the reaction vessel 13 as shown in FIG. 2 (b). Then, the sample dispensing mechanism 19 starts discharging the sample in this state.

When the ejection of the sample is started, the sample dispensing mechanism 19 drives the nozzle 25 upward as the liquid level rises due to the ejection of the sample, as shown in FIG. . Then, the tip of the nozzle 25 is controlled so as not to come into contact with the sample.

Specifically, in the computer 39, based on the discharge speed of the sample sent from the syringe 26 and the inner diameter of the reaction container 13, the reaction container 1
Calculate the rising speed of the liquid level in 3. Then, the computer 39 issues a drive command for the nozzle 25 to the θ / Z drive mechanism 21 of the sample dispensing mechanism 19 based on the calculation result. As a result, the nozzle 25 is driven to rise at a speed substantially the same as the rising speed of the liquid level in the reaction container 13 by the operation of the pulse motor 22 while discharging the sample.

The distance between the lower end of the nozzle 25 and the liquid surface in the reaction vessel 13 is kept such that the tip of the nozzle 25 does not become dirty. When the sample is dispensed into the reaction container 13 in this manner, the reaction container 1
3 is transferred to the reagent dispensing position B (shown in FIG. 3) by the operation of the reaction disk 11. Then, a predetermined reagent is dispensed into the reaction container 13 by the first or second reagent dispensing mechanism 34, 35.

The reagents to be dispensed are the above-mentioned computer 39.
It is collected from a predetermined reagent container 32 selected in accordance with the predetermined inspection item input to. In addition, the first and second reagent dispensing mechanisms 34 and 35 are the same as the sample dispensing mechanism 19 described above.
This reagent is dispensed by an operation substantially similar to.

That is, the above-mentioned first and second reagent nozzles 3
6 and 37 are located near the liquid surface of the reagent already dispensed in the reaction container 13 and start discharging the reagent. The height of the liquid surface of the first sample is determined based on the signal from the syringe 26 of the sample dispensing mechanism 19.

Then, the first and second reagent dispensing mechanisms 3
Reference numerals 4 and 35 operate the θ / Z drive mechanism 21 based on a command from the computer 39, and the first and second liquids are driven according to the rising speed of the liquid surface accompanying the ejection of the reagent. The reagent nozzles 36 and 37 are driven to rise.

If the reagent is dispensed in this way,
The reaction disk 11 is activated again and its reaction container 13
Is transferred to the stirring position C. Then, the stirring mechanism 14 uses the stirring rod 15 to stir the sample and the reagent in the reaction container 13. By such an operation, the sample in the reaction container 13 and the reagent react with each other to cause, for example, an agglutination reaction.

The reaction with such a sample, if necessary,
After binding and reacting an appropriate tracer (for example, enzyme, isotope, fluorescent substance, luminescent substance), a measuring means (not shown) provided in the base 10 such as an image processing system or a multi-wavelength photometric system. And the contained components are analyzed by the absorbance.

According to this structure, the following effects can be obtained. First, the first and second reagent nozzles 3
Even if the air layer is present between the diluting liquid as the working fluid and the reagent in the cells 6 and 37 (see FIG. 6) and the reagent is ejected to form soap bubbles, the first layer , Second
Since the liquid surface of the sample exists immediately below the reagent nozzles 36 and 37, the adhesion to the wall surface of the reaction container 13 is reduced.

Further, even when this reagent adheres to the inner wall surface of the reaction container 13, the liquid level immediately rises to the height, so that there is an effect that the decrease of the mixed reagent amount due to such adhesion can be prevented.

This effect can be obtained in the same manner even when air bubbles are mixed in the reagent. Due to these, the dispensing accuracy is improved and a better dispensing can be performed.

Secondly, even when the reaction container 13 is downsized, the sample nozzle 25 and the first and second reagent nozzles 36 and 37 can be brought close to the liquid surface (target position), so that the accurate position can be achieved. Samples and reagents can be dispensed into. Therefore, the reaction container 13 can be downsized, and the amount of the sample and the amount of the reagent can be reduced, so that the running cost per analysis can be reduced.

Thirdly, since the dispenser never touches the liquid in the reaction vessels 13, there is no fear of causing conduction between the reaction vessels 13 and an always reliable analysis result can be obtained. There is.

Next, the second embodiment will be described. The same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. The second embodiment relates to changes of the sample dispensing mechanism 19 and the first and second reagent dispensing mechanisms 34 and 35 of the first embodiment. Since the sample dispensing mechanism 19 and the first and second reagent dispensing mechanisms 34 and 35 have the same configuration, only the configuration of the sample dispensing mechanism 19 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 4, on the outside in the radial direction of the sample nozzle 25 of the second embodiment, there are first and
The second electrodes 45 and 46 are provided in parallel with the sample nozzle 25. Then, the first and second electrodes 45,
The lower end of 46 (liquid level detecting means) is provided so as to extend downward from the lower end of the sample nozzle 25 by a predetermined dimension.

Further, the first and second electrodes 45, 46
Is connected to a power source indicated by 47 in FIG. 4, and this power source 47 is connected to the computer 39. When the lower ends of the first and second electrodes 45 and 46 come into contact with the liquid in the reaction vessel 13, they become conductive, and the height of the liquid surface is detected from the height of the sample nozzle 25 at that time. can do. Such a detection signal is sent from the power source 47 to the computer 39.

Next, the dispensing operation of this apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. First, the sample nozzle 25 is positioned in opposition to the upper portion of the reaction vessel 13 as shown in FIG. 5A by the same operation as in the first embodiment.

Next, the sample dispensing mechanism 19 drives the sample nozzle 25 and the first and second electrodes 45 and 46 to descend as shown in FIG. Position it in the vicinity. The descending distance at this time may be set in advance regardless of the type of the reaction container 13, and it is not necessary to dare to detect the bottom surface of the reaction container 13. Then, the sample dispensing mechanism 19
In this state, the sample ejection from the sample nozzle 25 is started.

When the liquid surface of the sample comes into contact with the lower ends of the first and second electrodes 45 and 46 as shown in FIG. 7C, this is detected, so that the computer is
The motor 39 is the θ / Z drive mechanism 21 (pulse motor 2
2), and the height L of the sample nozzle 25 is increased at a speed faster than the rising speed of the liquid surface as shown in FIG.
Only drive up.

The height L is set to at least such a distance that the tip portion of the nozzle 25 is hard to get dirty. And
The sample dispensing mechanism 19 repeats such an operation several times as the liquid level rises. Then, when the ejection of the sample is completed, as shown in FIG.

Such an operation is similarly performed in the first and second reagent dispensing mechanisms 34 and 35, and the reagent is dispensed to the sample in the reaction container 13. According to this structure, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.
There are also effects described below.

That is, in the first embodiment, the rising speed of the liquid level in the reaction container 13 was calculated from the inner diameter of the reaction container 13 and the discharge amount of the sample. As shown in FIG. 3, when the inner diameter of the reaction container 13 is not constant, or when a sample is sucked and removed or a cleaning liquid is added for cleaning during the analysis, a calculation involving liquid level fluctuation is performed. Becomes very complicated.

However, in the second embodiment, such calculation is not performed, and the liquid surface detecting means constituted by the first and second electrodes 45 and 46 directly detects the liquid surface. Since the sample nozzle 25 is driven to rise based on this, good dispensing can be performed even in the case of the reaction container 13 having a complicated shape or when the liquid level changes during the analysis. You can

The present invention is not limited to the first and second embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, although the reaction container 13, the sample container 18 and the reagent container 32 are arranged as shown in FIG. 3 in the above-mentioned embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. The point is that the sample container and the reagent can be dispensed into the reaction container 13.

Further, in the first and second embodiments, as means for driving the sample nozzle 25 and the first and second reagent nozzles 36 and 37, the arm 24 is swung.
Although the Z drive mechanism 21 is adopted, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the sample nozzle 25 and the first and second reagent nozzles 36 and 37 may be driven by an XYZ table.

The present invention can also be applied to an apparatus for diluting a sample. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, as the liquid level detecting means, the first and second electrodes 45,
Although 46 is used, other means such as an optical element may be used.

[0063]

As described above, the first configuration of the present invention is, in a dispensing apparatus for dispensing an analysis liquid into a container, a nozzle for penetrating into the container and discharging the analysis liquid, The liquid level height of the analysis liquid in the container, liquid level calculation means for calculating based on the planned discharge amount and the container inner diameter, based on the calculation result from this calculation means, the nozzle of the analysis liquid And a driving unit that drives the liquid to rise as the liquid level rises.

The second configuration is, in a dispensing apparatus for dispensing an analysis liquid into a container, a nozzle that enters the container and discharges the analysis liquid, and a height of the liquid level of the analysis liquid in the container. Liquid level detection means for detecting the liquid level, and drive means for driving the nozzle upward as the liquid level of the analysis liquid rises based on a detection signal from the detection means. According to such a configuration, there is an effect that the analysis liquid can be dispensed more favorably.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is likewise a process drawing.

FIG. 3 is likewise an overall perspective view.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an overall perspective view of the same.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

13 ... Reaction container (container), 19 ... Sample dispensing mechanism (dispensing device), 25 ... Sample nozzle (nozzle), 26 ... Syringe,
21 ... θ / Z drive mechanism (driving means), 34 ... First reagent dispensing mechanism (dispensing device), 35 ... Second reagent dispensing mechanism (dispensing device), 36 ... First reagent nozzle ( Nozzle), 37 ...
Second reagent nozzle (nozzle), 39 ... Computer (liquid level calculation / detection means), 45 ... First electrode (liquid level detection means), 46 ... Second electrode (liquid level detection means).

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A dispensing device for dispensing an analytical liquid into a container, wherein a nozzle for intruding the analytical liquid into the container and a liquid level of the analytical liquid in the container are planned. A liquid level calculating means for calculating based on the discharged amount and the inner diameter of the container; and a driving means for driving the nozzle upward as the liquid level of the analysis liquid rises based on the calculation result from the calculating means. Dispensing device characterized by the above. 2. A dispenser for dispensing an analytical liquid into a container, which detects a nozzle that intrudes into the container and discharges the analytical liquid, and detects the height of the liquid level of the analytical liquid in the container. A dispenser comprising: a liquid level detection means; and a drive means for driving the nozzle upward as the liquid level of the analysis liquid rises based on a detection signal from the detection means.