Analytical device and control method of analytical device

Abstract

The present invention provides an analysis device capable of increasing the storage capacity of a storage section for storing cuvettes and suppressing the enlargement of the device. The analysis device (1) of the present invention comprises: a first storage section (131) capable of storing cuvettes (B) and having a discharge port (150) capable of discharging the cuvettes (B) by dropping; a second storage section (132) capable of storing cuvettes (B) discharged from the discharge port (150) of the first storage section (131); a transport section (133) for transporting the cuvettes (B) stored in the second storage section (132) from the second storage section (132); and a vibration imparting mechanism (165) capable of controlling the discharge of the cuvettes (B) from the discharge port (150) of the first storage section (131).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an analyzing device and a control method of the analyzing device. Background Art

[0002] Blood analysis such as blood coagulation analysis and immune serum analysis is usually performed using an analyzer. In general, the analyzer injects a sample from a sample container into a container used for analysis, injects a reagent into the container and mixes it with the sample, heats the container, and then transports it to an analysis unit for sample analysis.

[0003] The containers used in the above-mentioned analysis device are stored in advance in the analysis device. Therefore, the analysis device includes a storage unit for storing a plurality of empty containers and a transport unit for transporting the containers in the storage unit to a sample injection unit or the like.

[0004] For example, Fig.19 As shown, the analysis device described in Patent Document 1 includes a supply mechanism 500 for supplying cuvettes as containers, and the supply mechanism 500 includes a storage section 501 for storing a plurality of cuvettes and a removal section 502 for removing the cuvettes from the storage section 501. Fig. 20 As shown, the removal unit 502 places the cuvette 504 on a rocking rail 503 provided at the bottom of the storage unit 501 , and rocking the rocking rail 503 to carry out the cuvette 504 from the storage unit 501 .

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-194349. Summary of the invention

[0007] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0008] However, in the analysis device, when the containers in the storage section are used up, the user needs to add empty containers to the storage section. Therefore, from the perspective of reducing the workload of the user, the larger the storage capacity of the storage section, the better. In this regard, it is conceivable to simply increase the volume of the storage section, but in this case, a part of the transport section such as the above-mentioned rocking track 503 that transports the containers out of the storage section will be buried by a large number of containers, and the containers may not be properly taken out.

[0009] Therefore, it is conceivable that two storage sections are provided adjacent to each other in the analysis device, the container is first stored in the first storage section, the container in the first storage section is appropriately transported to the second storage section, and the container in the second storage section is transported out by the transport section. With the relevant analysis device, the two storage sections are provided to increase the overall storage capacity, and the storage amount of the container in the second storage section can be relatively reduced, so that a part of the transport section such as the rocking track 503 can be prevented from being buried by the container.

[0010] However, in the above case, a new transport unit is required for transporting the containers in the first storage unit to the second storage unit. In order to prevent a portion of the transport unit such as the swing rail 503 in the second storage unit from being buried by the containers, the new transport unit needs to have a function of adjusting the amount of containers transported from the first storage unit to the second storage unit. Therefore, the new transport unit is complicated and large, which leads to an increase in the size of the analysis device.

[0011] The present invention has been made in view of the related points, and one object of the present invention is to provide an analysis device and a control method of the analysis device that can increase the storage capacity of a storage portion for storing containers capable of storing samples and suppress the enlargement of the device.

[0012] Technical means to solve technical problems

[0013] An analysis device (1) involved in a part of the present invention includes: an analysis unit (24) for analyzing a sample; a first storage unit (131) capable of storing a container (B) capable of storing a sample and having a discharge port (150) capable of discharging the container (B); a second storage unit (132) capable of storing a container (B) discharged from the discharge port (150) of the first storage unit (131); a transport unit (133) for transporting the container (B) stored in the second storage unit (132) out of the second storage unit (132); and a discharge control unit (165, 300, 310) capable of controlling the discharge of the container (B) from the discharge port (150) of the first storage unit (131).

[0014] According to this section, the analysis device (1) includes two storage sections, namely a first storage section (131) and a second storage section (132), so the total volume of the storage sections can be increased. In addition, the container (B) stored in the first storage section (131) can be discharged from the discharge port (150) at the bottom of the first storage section (131) and stored in the second storage section (132), and the amount of the container (B) stored in the second storage section (132) can be adjusted by controlling the discharge of the container (B) from the discharge port (150) by the discharge control section. As a result, there is no need to separately provide a new transport section for transporting the container (B) from the first storage section (131) to the second storage section (132), and the size of the analysis device (1) can be suppressed. The "container (B) capable of storing a sample" also includes a container for mixing a substance other than a sample with the sample.

[0015] The technical solution may be as follows: the second storage section (132) is capable of storing the container (B) dropped from the discharge outlet (150) of the first storage section (131), and the discharge control section (165, 300, 310) is capable of controlling the dropping of the container (B) from the discharge outlet (150) of the first storage section (131).

[0016] According to this part, the container can be discharged from the first storage section (131) by dropping and the discharge of the container can be controlled, so the structure of the analysis device (1) can be simplified. "Falling" can be any falling due to gravity, and includes not only the case where the container (B) falls directly from the discharge port (150) to the second storage section (132), but also the case where the container (B) falls via the transport path provided between the discharge port 150 of the first storage section (131) and the second storage section (132).

[0017] The following technical solution may be adopted: the discharge control unit includes a vibration imparting mechanism (165) for imparting vibration to the container (B) stored in the first storage unit (131).

[0018] According to this part, when a plurality of containers (B) are stored in the first storage section (131) and the containers (B) are stagnant due to the natural friction between the containers (B), the plurality of containers (B) stored in the first storage section are vibrated by the vibration imparting mechanism (165), and the containers (B) can be made to fall from the discharge port (150) of the first storage section (131) by the vibration. Therefore, the falling of the containers (B) from the discharge port (150) of the first storage section (131) can be well controlled.

[0019] The technical solution may be as follows: the vibration imparting mechanism (165) imparts vibration upward to the first storage portion (131).

[0020] According to this part, the container (B) stored in the first storage section (131) can be vibrated in the direction opposite to gravity. As a result, the container (B) stagnant in the first storage section (131) can be easily moved, and the falling of the container (B) from the discharge port (150) of the first storage section (131) can be well controlled.

[0021] The technical solution may be as follows: the vibration imparting mechanism (165) comprises a vibration plate (153) provided near the discharge port (150) of the first storage portion (131), and a vibration component (160) for vibrating the vibration plate (153).

[0022] According to this section, vibration is imparted from the plate-shaped vibration plate (153) to the container (B) near the discharge outlet (150) of the first storage section (131), so that the vibration can be effectively transmitted and the falling of the container (B) from the discharge outlet (150) of the first storage section (131) can be well controlled.

[0023] The technical solution may be as follows: the vibration plate (153) constitutes at least a part of the bottom of the first storage portion (131).

[0024] According to this part, the bottom that the container (B) stored in the first storage part (131) contacts vibrates, so the vibration of the vibration plate (153) is directly transmitted to the container (B), which can well control the fall of the container (B) from the discharge port (150).

[0025] The technical solution may be as follows: the vibration plate (153) constitutes at least a portion of the edge of the discharge port (150).

[0026] According to this part, at least a portion of the edge of the discharge port (150) vibrates, so that the vibration is directly transmitted to the container (B) near the discharge port (150), which can well control the fall of the container (B) from the discharge port (150).

[0027] The technical solution may be as follows: the vibration plate (153) has an upper side surface (153c) facing the interior of the first storage portion (131) and a side surface (153d) facing the discharge outlet (150); at the upper end of the edge of the discharge outlet (150), the upper side surface (153c) and the side surface (153d) are smoothly connected.

[0028] When the container (B) falls from the discharge outlet (150), it may collide with the upper end of the edge of the discharge outlet (150) of the vibration plate (153). According to this part, the upper side surface (153c) and the side surface (153d) at the upper end of the edge of the discharge outlet (150) are smoothly connected, thereby preventing the container (B) from being damaged by colliding with the upper end of the edge of the discharge outlet (150).

[0029] The technical solution may be as follows: the vibration component (160) is arranged on the back side of the vibration plate (153) that does not face the inside of the first storage portion (131).

[0030] According to this part, the container (B) will not come into contact with the vibration component (160), and the vibration component (160) is protected, thereby preventing the container (B) and the vibration component (160) from being damaged.

[0031] The technical solution may be as follows: the discharge control unit has a rotating mechanism (300) which is arranged near the discharge port (150) of the first storage unit (131) and is driven to rotate.

[0032] According to this part, when a plurality of containers (B) are stored in the first storage section (131), and the containers (B) are stagnant due to the natural friction between the containers (B), the rotating mechanism (300) rotates, thereby applying vibration or direct force to the plurality of containers (B) stored in the first storage section (131), and the containers (B) can be discharged from the discharge port (150) of the first storage section (131) by the external force such as vibration. Therefore, the discharge of the containers (B) from the discharge port (150) of the first storage section (131) can be well controlled.

[0033] The technical solution may be as follows: the size of the discharge port (150) satisfies the relationship L<D<2×L when the maximum size of the container (B) is L and the maximum diameter of the discharge port (150) is D.

[0034] According to this part, the container (B) tends to stay near the discharge port (150), so the container (B) can be appropriately prevented from falling, thereby appropriately limiting the amount of the container (B) discharged to the second storage portion (132).

[0035] The technical solution may be as follows: the first storage section (131) can store more containers (B) than the second storage section (132).

[0036] According to this part, the storage capacity of the second storage section (132) is relatively small, so it is possible to prevent the conveying section (133) of the second storage section (132) from being buried by the container (B) and unable to be conveyed. On the other hand, the storage capacity of the first storage section (131) is relatively large, so the total volume of the two storage sections can be increased.

[0037] The technical solution may be as follows: the analysis device (1) further includes a housing covering the main body of the analysis device, and the housing is provided with a door (171) capable of entering the second storage portion (132).

[0038] According to this part, if an excess amount of containers (B) is stored in the second storage section (132), the door (171) can be opened to take out the excess containers (B) in the second storage section (132) to the outside of the housing, thereby simplifying maintenance work.

[0039] The technical solution may be as follows: the analyzing device (1) further comprises a sensor (260) capable of detecting the transport status of the container (B) by the transport unit (133), and a control unit (26) for controlling the operation of the discharge control unit based on the detection result of the transport status of the container (B) by the sensor (260).

[0040] According to this part, the conveying state of the container (B) from the second storage section (132) by the conveying section (133) can be detected using a sensor, and the operation of the discharge control section can be controlled based on the conveying state to adjust the discharge of the container (B) from the discharge port (150) of the first storage section (131) to the second storage section (132). Therefore, the amount of the container (B) stored in the second storage section (132) can be more strictly controlled.

[0041] The technical solution may be as follows: the analysis device (1) further comprises an input portion (130) for inputting the container (B) into the first storage portion (131).

[0042] According to this part, the container (B) can be put into the first storage part (131) in a good manner.

[0043] An analysis device (1) involved in a part of the present invention includes: an analysis unit (24) configured to analyze a sample stored in a sample container; a first storage unit (131) having an internal space for storing a plurality of sample containers, a hole being formed on a portion of a bottom of the first storage unit (131); a second storage unit (132) having an internal space smaller than the internal space of the first storage unit (131), the second storage unit (132) being arranged below the hole of the first storage unit (131) and an opening being formed on an upper portion of the second storage unit (132); a transport unit (133) configured to transport the sample container stored in the second storage unit (132) out of the second storage unit (132); and a vibration member (160) configured to vibrate the bottom of the first storage unit (131).

[0044] A control method for an analysis device (1) involved in a part of the present invention includes the following steps: a step of discharging a container (B) from a first storage section (131) storing containers (B) capable of storing samples; a step of storing the container (B) discharged from the first storage section (131) in a second storage section (132); and a discharge control step of controlling the discharge of the container (B) from the first storage section (131).

[0045] According to this part, the containers (B) are stored in two storage sections, namely the first storage section (131) and the second storage section (132), so that the total volume of the storage section can be increased. In addition, the containers (B) stored in the first storage section (131) can be discharged from the discharge port (150) at the bottom of the first storage section (131) and stored in the second storage section (132), and the amount of the containers (B) stored in the second storage section (132) can be adjusted by controlling the discharge of the containers (B) from the discharge port (150) through a discharge control step. As a result, there is no need to separately provide a new transport section for transporting the containers (B) from the first storage section (131) to the second storage section (132), and the size of the analysis device (1) can be suppressed.

[0046] The following technical solution may be adopted: the discharge control step is performed by applying vibration to the container (B) stored in the first storage section (131).

[0047] According to this part, vibration can be applied to the plurality of containers (B) stored in the first storage section, and the containers (B) can be discharged from the discharge port (150) of the first storage section (131) by the vibration. Therefore, the discharge of the containers (B) from the discharge port (150) of the first storage section (131) can be well controlled.

[0048] The following technical solution may be adopted: the discharge control step is performed by applying vibration upward to the first storage portion (131).

[0049] According to this section, the container (B) stored in the first storage section (131) can be vibrated in a direction opposite to gravity, thereby making it easy to move the container (B) remaining in the first storage section (131), and the discharge of the container (B) from the discharge port (150) of the first storage section (131) can be well controlled.

[0050] The technical solution may be as follows: the discharge control step is performed by rotationally driving the rotating mechanism (300).

[0051] According to this part, the rotating mechanism (300) rotates, thereby applying vibration or direct force to the plurality of containers (B) stored in the first storage section (131), and the containers (B) can be discharged from the discharge port (150) of the first storage section (131) by the external force such as vibration. Therefore, the discharge of the containers (B) from the discharge port (150) of the first storage section (131) can be well controlled.

[0052] The technical solution may be as follows: the discharge control step is performed based on the transport state of the container (B).

[0053] According to this part, the amount of the containers (B) stored in the second storage section (132) can be controlled more accurately.

[0054] Effects of the Invention

[0055] According to the present invention, the storage capacity of a storage section for storing a container capable of storing a sample can be increased while suppressing an increase in the size of the device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example of the structure of an analysis device;

[0057] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional illustration of the internal structure of the analysis device;

[0058] Figure 3 This is an oblique view of an example of a reaction cup;

[0059] Figure 4 is a perspective view of an example of the appearance of a cuvette supply device;

[0060] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram of the upper side of the analysis device;

[0061] Figure 6 This is an explanatory diagram of a longitudinal section showing an example of the internal structure of the input portion of the cuvette supply device;

[0062] Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram of a cross section of an example of the internal structure of the first storage section of the cuvette supply device;

[0063] Figure 8 This is an explanatory diagram of a longitudinal section of an example of the internal structure of the first storage section and the second storage section as viewed from the rear side;

[0064] Fig. 9 This is an explanatory diagram of a longitudinal section of an example of the internal structure of the first storage section and the second storage section as viewed from the left side;

[0065] Fig.10 It is an explanatory diagram of an example of the internal structure of the second storage unit and the transport unit;

[0066] Fig.11 is an explanatory diagram of a door for entering the second storage portion of the housing;

[0067] Fig.12 It is an explanatory diagram of an example of the internal structure of the second storage unit and the transport unit;

[0068] Fig.13 It is an explanatory diagram of the structure of the transport path;

[0069] Fig.14 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where cuvettes are stored in the first storage section and the second storage section;

[0070] Fig.15 It is a flow chart of the main operating steps of the vibration imparting mechanism;

[0071] Fig.16 This is an explanatory diagram when the discharge control unit is provided with a rotation mechanism;

[0072] Fig.17 This is an explanatory diagram when the discharge control unit is provided with an opening and closing mechanism;

[0073] Fig.18 It is an explanatory diagram when the second storage unit is equipped with a vibration member;

[0074] Fig.19 It is a schematic diagram for explaining the structure involved in the related art;

[0075] Fig. 20 It is a schematic diagram for explaining the structure involved in the related art. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0076] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same elements are assigned the same numbers and repeated descriptions are omitted. The positional relationships such as up, down, left, and right are based on the positional relationships shown in the drawings when there are no special restrictions. The dimensional ratios of the drawings are not limited to the illustrated ratios. The following embodiments are examples for illustrating the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

[0077] <Analysis device structure>

[0078] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of an example of the appearance of the analysis device 1 according to the present embodiment. Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the internal structure of the analysis device 1.

[0079] The analysis device 1 automatically analyzes samples such as blood. Figure 1 As shown, the analysis device 1 includes a housing 10 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing 10 includes, for example, a front side wall 10a, a side wall 10b on the right side as viewed from the front side (front), a side wall 10c on the left side as viewed from the front side, a top wall 10d, and a rear side wall 10e.

[0080] like Figure 2 As shown, the analysis device 1 includes, inside the housing 10, a sample container carrying section 20 for carrying in the sample container A; a first table 21 for placing a plurality of reaction cups B as containers capable of storing samples arranged in a ring; a second table 22 for placing a plurality of reagent containers C storing reagents for mixing with the sample; a heating section 23 for placing and heating the reaction cups B; an analysis section 24 for placing the reaction cups B and analyzing the analysis sample (a mixture of the sample and the reagent) of the reaction cups B; a discharge section 25 for discharging the reaction cups B for which the analysis has been completed; a control section 26, etc.

[0081] In addition, the analysis device 1 includes devices for injecting liquid into the reaction cup B: a sample injection arm 27 for injecting the sample of the sample container A transported into the sample container transport unit 20 into the reaction cup B of the first station 21; and two reagent injection devices 28 and 29 for injecting the reagent of the reagent container C of the second station 22 into the reaction cup B.

[0082] In addition, the devices for transporting the cuvette B in the analysis device 1 include: a cuvette supply device 30 for supplying the cuvette B to the device body; a first transport arm 31 for transporting the cuvette B supplied by the cuvette supply device 30 to the first stage 21; a second transport arm 32 for transporting the cuvette B of the first stage 21 to the first reagent injection device 28 or the heating section 23; a third transport arm 33 for transporting the cuvette B of the heating section 23 to the second reagent injection device 29 or the analysis section 24 or the discharge section 25, etc.

[0083] In the top view, the sample container carrying unit 20 is arranged on the front side of the housing 10, and the first stage 21 and the second stage 22 are arranged near the center of the housing 10. The heating unit 23 is arranged on the right side of the housing 10, and the analysis unit 24 is arranged on the rear side (back side). The discharge unit 25 is arranged between the heating unit 23 and the analysis unit 24. The cuvette supply device 30 is arranged on the left side of the housing 10 between the analysis unit 24 and the first stage 21.

[0084] The sample container carrying-in unit 20 includes: a rack carrying-in unit 40 for carrying in a rack R storing a plurality of sample containers A; a sample aspirating unit 41 for allowing the sample injection arm 27 to enter and aspirate samples from the sample containers A in the rack R; a rack carrying-out unit 42 for carrying out the rack R from which the sample containers A have been aspirated; and a transport device 43 for transporting the rack R to the rack carrying-in unit 40, the sample aspirating unit 41, and the rack carrying-out unit 42 in this order. The transport device 43 transports the rack R using, for example, a conveyor belt.

[0085] The first stage 21 is annular and can be rotated by a driving unit (not shown). The first stage 21 includes a plurality of cuvette holders 50 for holding cuvettes B. The cuvette holders 50 are arranged at equal intervals over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction.

[0086] like Figure 3 As shown, the cuvette B comprises a body b1 for storing liquid and a flange b2 provided near the inlet of the body b1. The flange b2 protrudes radially outward from the upper part of the body b1, and its outer diameter is larger than that of the body b1. The cuvette B has a longitudinal dimension of about 30 mm, an outer peripheral diameter D1 of the body b1 is about 8 mm, and an outer peripheral diameter D2 of the flange b2 is about 10 mm. Figure 2 The cuvette placement portion 50 has a hole that is larger than the outer diameter D1 of the body b1 of the cuvette B and smaller than the outer diameter D2 of the flange b2 , and the body b1 of the cuvette B can be received in the hole to place the cuvette B.

[0087] The second stage 22 is arranged inside the first stage 21. The second stage 22 is in the shape of a disk and can be rotated by a driving unit (not shown). The second stage 22 includes a plurality of reagent container placement parts 60 for placing reagent containers C. The reagent container placement parts 60 are arranged, for example, in a plurality of concentric circles. The reagent container placement parts 60 are arranged, for example, at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0088] The heating unit 23 has a circular heating plate 70. The heating plate 70 has a plurality of cuvette receiving portions 71 for receiving cuvettes B. The cuvette receiving portions 71 are arranged at equal intervals over the entire circumference of the heating plate 70 near the outermost circumference. The heating plate 70 has a heat source (not shown) and can heat the liquid in the cuvette B received in the receiving portion 71 to a certain temperature.

[0089] The analysis unit 24 has a rectangular analysis sheet 80. The analysis sheet 80 has a plurality of cuvette receiving portions 81 for receiving cuvettes B. The cuvette receiving portions 81 are arranged, for example, in a plurality of rows along the longitudinal direction of the analysis sheet 80. The analysis unit 24 has an irradiation unit and a light receiving unit (not shown), and can irradiate light from the irradiation unit to the cuvette receiving portion 81, receive light transmitted through the analysis liquid of the cuvette B at the light receiving unit, and analyze the sample based on the light reception result.

[0090] The discharge unit 25 includes a discharge hole 82 for discharging the cuvette B. The discharge hole 82 communicates with a cuvette recovery unit (not shown) provided at the lower portion of the housing 10 .

[0091] In a plan view, the sample injection arm 27 is disposed between the sample aspirating section 41 of the sample container carrying section 20 and the first stage 21 in the housing 10. The sample injection arm 27 includes a driving section 90 for driving the sample injection arm 27 and a nozzle 91 for injecting and aspirating the sample.

[0092] The driving unit 90 includes, for example, a rotation driving unit that rotates the sample injection arm 27 in a planar direction between the sample aspirating unit 41 and the first stage 21, and a lifting driving unit that moves the sample injection arm 27 up and down. The nozzle 91 is provided at the front end of the sample injection arm 27, and can aspirate or inject the sample by a pump (not shown). With the relevant structure, the sample injection arm 27 can enter the sample container A of the sample aspirating unit 41 to aspirate the sample, move to the first stage 21, and inject the sample into the reaction cup B of the first stage 21.

[0093] In the plan view, the reagent injection devices 28 and 29 have an elongated arm 100, and a nozzle 101 is provided at the lower part thereof. The arm 100 of the first reagent injection device 28 extends from the second stage 22 to the vicinity of the heating unit 23. The arm 100 of the second reagent injection device 29 extends from the second stage 22 to the vicinity of the analysis unit 24. The arm 100 is fixed to the top surface of the housing 10, for example.

[0094] The nozzle 101 can be freely moved in the longitudinal direction and the up-down direction relative to the arm 100 by a driving unit not shown in the figure. The nozzle 101 of the first reagent injection device 28 can be freely moved along the arm 100 from the second stage 22 to the vicinity of the heating stage 70 of the heating unit 23. The nozzle 101 of the second reagent injection device 29 can be freely moved along the arm 100 from the second stage 22 to the vicinity of the analysis sheet 80 of the analysis unit 24. The nozzle 101 can aspirate or inject the reagent by a pump not shown in the figure. The nozzle 101 also has a heat source, which can heat the aspirated reagent to a certain temperature. Through the relevant structure, the nozzle 101 of the first reagent injection device 28 can enter the reagent container C of the second stage 22, aspirate the reagent, move to the vicinity of the heating stage 70, and inject the reagent into the reaction cup B placed on the second arm 32 near the heating stage 70. The nozzle 101 of the second reagent injector 29 can enter the reagent container C of the second stage 22 , aspirate the reagent, move to the vicinity of the analysis chip 80 , and inject the reagent into the cuvette B placed on the third arm 33 near the analysis chip 80 .

[0095] The cuvette supply device 30 stores empty cuvettes B introduced from the outside, and sequentially supplies the cuvettes B to a cuvette carrying-out unit 182 described later. The structure of the cuvette supply device 30 will be described later in detail.

[0096] In the top view, Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the first arm 31 is disposed, for example, between a conveying path 181 (described later) of the cuvette supply device 30 and the first table 21. The first arm 31 includes a driving unit 110 that drives the first arm 31 and a cuvette placement unit 111 that places the cuvette B. The driving unit 110 includes, for example, a rotation driving unit that rotates the first arm 31 in a planar direction between the cuvette delivery unit 182 of the cuvette supply device 30 and the first table 21, and a lifting driving unit that moves the first arm 31 up and down. The cuvette placement unit 111 is provided at the front end of the first arm 31, and is, for example, in a U shape, and can place the cuvette B by hanging the brim b2 of the cuvette B from below. With the related structure, the first arm 31 can place the cuvette B of the cuvette delivery unit 182 of the cuvette supply device 30, move the cuvette B onto the first table 21, and place it on the cuvette placement unit 50 of the first table 21.

[0097] The second arm 32 is disposed, for example, on the heating plate 70 of the heating unit 23. The second arm 32 includes a driving unit 115 for driving the second arm 32 and a cuvette placement unit 116 for placing the cuvette B. The driving unit 115 includes, for example, a rotation driving unit for rotating the second arm 32 in a planar direction between the first stage 21 and the heating stage 70, a lifting driving unit for moving the second arm 32 up and down, and a telescopic driving unit for extending and retracting the second arm 32 in a horizontal direction. The cuvette placement unit 116 is provided at the front end of the second arm 32 and is, for example, in a U-shape, and can place the cuvette B from the brim b2 from which the cuvette B is hung. With this structure, the second arm 32 can place the cuvette B in the cuvette placement unit 50 of the first stage 21, move the cuvette B to the lower side of the nozzle 101 of the first reagent injection device 28, or move the cuvette to the cuvette placement unit 71 of the heating stage 70.

[0098] In the top view, the third arm 33 is arranged on the rear side of the analysis unit 24 in the housing 10. The third arm 33 includes a driving unit 120 for driving the third arm 33 and a cuvette placement unit 121 for placing the cuvette B. The driving unit 120 includes a driving mechanism for moving the third arm 33 in the left-right direction, the front-back direction, and the up-down direction. The cuvette placement unit 121 is provided at the front end of the third arm 33 and is, for example, in a U-shape, and can place the cuvette B by hanging the brim b2 of the cuvette B from below. With the relevant structure, the third arm 33 can place the cuvette B in the cuvette placement unit 71 of the heating table 70 and move the cuvette B to the bottom of the nozzle 101 of the second reagent injection device 29 or to the cuvette placement unit 81 of the analysis unit 24. The third arm 33 can transport the cuvette B after the analysis to the discharge unit 25.

[0099] <Structure of cuvette supply device>

[0100] Figure 4This is a schematic perspective view of the structure of the cuvette supply device 30. The cuvette supply device 30 includes, for example, an input portion 130 for inputting empty cuvettes B, a first storage portion 131 for storing cuvettes B input from the input portion 130, a second storage portion 132 for storing cuvettes B discharged from the first storage portion 131, and a transport portion 133 for transporting cuvettes B from the second storage portion 132.

[0101] The input section 130 includes, for example, a square input port 140 and a conveying path 141 connected from the input port 140 to the first storage section 131. Figure 5 As shown, the input port 140 is opened to the upper side of the housing 10 by opening a door 142 provided on the top wall 10d of the housing 10. The conveying path 141 extends from the front side of the housing 10 toward the rear side. The conveying path 141 has a substantially square cross-sectional shape in a vertical section perpendicular to the extending direction. Figure 6 As shown, the conveying path 141 has a bottom surface 143 , and the bottom surface 143 is inclined so as to gradually decrease from the input port 140 toward the first storage section 131 .

[0102] like Figure 4 As shown, the first storage section 131 has a rectangular shape, for example, including a side wall 131a on the right side as viewed from the front side, a side wall 131b on the left side as viewed from the front side, a top wall 131c, and a rear side wall 131d. The front side of the first storage section 131 is open and connected to the conveying path 141. Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the first storage portion 131 further has a bottom portion 131 e. Figure 7 It is an explanatory diagram of a cross section of the internal structure of the first storage section 131 . Figure 8 This is an explanatory diagram of a longitudinal section of the internal structure of the first storage section 131 and the second storage section 132 as viewed from the rear side of the housing 10 . Fig. 9 This is an explanatory diagram of a longitudinal section of the internal structure of the first storage section 131 and the second storage section 132 as viewed from the left side of the housing 10 .

[0103] like Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 1 , the bottom portion 131 e has a rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction in a plan view. The bottom portion 131 e includes, for example, a discharge port 150 , a first inclined plate 151 , a second inclined plate 152 , and a vibration plate 153 .

[0104] The discharge port 150 is, for example, square and opens toward the second storage portion 132 below. The discharge port 150 is adjacent to the rear side wall 131d and is disposed closer to the right side wall 131a than the center in the left-right direction. Figure 3When the dimension in the longitudinal direction (as shown) is L and the maximum dimension of the discharge port (diagonal dimension) is D, the dimension of the discharge port 150 satisfies the following relationship: L<D<3×L, preferably L<D<2×L.

[0105] like Figures 7 to 9 As shown, the first inclined plate 151 is provided on the front side of the first storage portion 131 and is smoothly connected to the bottom surface 143 of the conveying path 141. Figure 7 and Fig. 9 As shown, the first inclined plate 151 is inclined so as to be lowered toward the discharge port 150 on the right side relative to the center in the left-right direction.

[0106] like Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the second inclined plate 152 is provided on the left side wall 131b side of the first storage portion 131, and the second inclined plate 152 is inclined so as to be gradually lowered from the left side wall 131b toward the discharge port 150. In order to facilitate the sliding of the cuvette B, the first inclined plate 151 and the second inclined plate 152 are made of a resin with low friction (e.g., polyacetal).

[0107] like Figure 7 As shown, the vibration plate 153 is, for example, rectangular and constitutes a part of the bottom 131e. The vibration plate 153 extends horizontally from the right side wall 131a toward the discharge port 150. The vibration plate 153 has a structure that is easier to vibrate than other surrounding parts, for example, a thin plate shape, a material with a high elastic modulus, etc.

[0108] like Figure 8 As shown, the vibration plate 153 is, for example, in an L-shaped shape, and includes a horizontal portion 153a extending from the right side wall 131a toward the discharge port 150 side, and a vertical portion 153b extending downward from the front end of the horizontal portion 153a. The vertical portion 153b faces the discharge port 150 and constitutes a part of the edge of the discharge port 150. The upper side surface 153c of the horizontal portion 153a becomes the upper side surface facing the inside of the first storage portion 131, and the outer side surface 153d of the vertical portion 153b becomes the side surface facing the discharge port 150. The upper side surface 153c of the horizontal portion 153a and the outer side surface 153d of the vertical portion 153b are smoothly connected at the upper edge of the edge of the discharge port 150.

[0109] A vibrating member 160 that vibrates in the up-down direction is provided on the back of the vibrating plate 153. The vibrating member 160 is, for example, a vibration driver that vibrates by supplying electricity. The vibration of the vibrating member 160 can be controlled by the control unit 26. The vibrating member 160 can vibrate the vibrating plate 153 to allow the cuvette B accumulated in the first storage unit 131 to fall from the discharge port 150 to the second storage unit 132. In this embodiment, the vibrating plate 153 and the vibrating member 160 constitute a vibration imparting mechanism 165, which constitutes a discharge control unit that controls the drop of the cuvette B from the first storage unit 131 to the second storage unit 132.

[0110] like Figure 4 , Figure 8 and Fig. 9 As shown, the second storage portion 132 is provided directly below the first storage portion 131. The second storage portion 132 has a storage capacity smaller than that of the first storage portion 131.

[0111] like Figure 4 As shown, the second storage portion 132 includes a front side wall 132a, a right side wall 132b as viewed from the front side, a left side wall 132c as viewed from the front side, a rear side wall 132d, and a bottom wall 132e.

[0112] like Fig.10 As shown, the bottom wall 132e has an inclined surface in an inverted cone shape (mortar shape) which is lowest near the center.

[0113] The upper side surface of the second storage portion 132 is open and exposed to the bottom 131e of the first storage portion 131. Figure 8 As shown, the second inclined plate 152 is exposed from the upper side of the left side of the second storage section 132 as seen from the rear side thereof to the bottom 131e, and a gap 170 is formed directly below the second inclined plate 152 so that the second storage section 132 can be entered from the outside. The side wall 10c on the left side of the housing 10 corresponding to the gap 170 on the left side of the second storage section 132 is provided with a Figure 1 The door 171 can be opened and closed freely. Fig.11 As shown, the second storage portion 132 can be accessed from the outside of the housing 10 by opening the door 171 .

[0114] Figure 4 The transporting unit 133 is used to take out the cuvettes B from the second storage unit 132 and transport the cuvettes B to the cuvette transporting unit 182 in sequence.

[0115] The transport unit 133 includes, for example, a take-out mechanism 180 for taking out the cuvette B from the second storage unit 132 , a transport path 181 for transporting the cuvette B taken out by the take-out mechanism 180 , and a cuvette carrying-out unit 182 for storing the cuvette B transported by the transport path 181 .

[0116] like Fig.10 and Fig.12 As shown, the taking-out mechanism 180 includes, for example: a vertical plate 190 with the plate surface facing the front side, a rotating shaft 191 fixed to the plate surface of the vertical plate 190, a picking member 192 that is shaken up and down around the rotating shaft 191 to pick up the reaction cup B in the second storage section 132, and a shaking mechanism 193 that shakes the picking member 192 up and down.

[0117] A slit 132f is formed along the left-right direction on the bottom wall 132e of the second storage section 132, and the vertical plate 190 is disposed in the slit 132f. The pick-up member 192 is, for example, substantially fan-shaped, and is mounted on the rotating shaft 191 with the fan-shaped side facing upward. The pick-up member 192 includes a groove-shaped placement portion 200, and the placement portion 200 can place the cuvette B in a state (in a lying state) with its longitudinal direction facing the transport direction in the left-right direction on the upper side.

[0118] The swing mechanism 193 is a link mechanism that allows the picking member 192 to rotate about the rotation axis 191 and can swing between a first position where the placing section 200 is located at the bottom of the bottom wall 132e of the second storage section 132 and a second position where the placing section 200 is tilted and the carrying direction side (right side) is lowered.

[0119] The transport path 181 stands up the cuvette B that has slid and fallen from the inclined placement portion 200 toward the carrying-out direction with the brim portion b2 facing upward, and transports the cuvette B to the cuvette carrying-out portion 182 in this state.

[0120] Specifically, the transport path 181 has two linear rails 230 arranged in parallel, and the rails 230 are connected to the inclined loading portion 200 and extend toward the cuvette transporting portion 182. The rails 230 are inclined and become lower toward the cuvette transporting portion 182. A slit 231 is formed between the two rails 230. The width of the slit 231 is larger than the outer diameter D1 of the body b1 of the cuvette B and smaller than the outer diameter D2 of the brim b2. As a result, the body b1 of the cuvette B enters the slit 231 in the transport path 181, and the brim b2 is hung on the rails 230, and the cuvette B stands up in a manner that the brim b2 is on top. In addition, the cuvette B slides and falls along the rails 230 and the slit 231 in this standing state.

[0121] like Fig.13As shown, the cuvette conveying unit 182 has a substantially rectangular shape. The cuvette conveying unit 182 includes, for example, a rotating unit 250 that is rotated by a driving unit (not shown). The rotating unit 250 is cylindrical and includes a plurality of, for example, three, receiving holes 251 on the outer peripheral surface. The receiving hole 251 is substantially cylindrical and can receive and release the cuvette B from the outer peripheral surface of the rotating unit 250. The cuvette B dropped on the conveying path 181 is received and placed in the receiving hole 251 when the rotating unit 250 rotates and the receiving hole 251 is matched with the slit 231 of the track 230. When the receiving hole 251 is not matched with the slit 231 of the track 230, the cuvette B stays on the track 230. Normally, the amount of cuvettes B dropped in the transport path 181 is set to be greater than the number of cuvettes B placed in the cuvette carrying-out portion 182, so that a number of cuvettes B are accumulated in the transport path 181 (waiting for their turn) up to the upper part of the rail 230. A certain number of cuvettes B, for example, 10 cuvettes B, can be accumulated in the transport path 181 according to its length.

[0122] The cuvette supply device 30 is provided with a sensor capable of detecting the transport state of the cuvette B by the transport unit 133. Specifically, a first sensor 260 provided at the uppermost portion of the track 230 and capable of detecting the presence or absence of the cuvette B and the passage of the cuvette B, and a second sensor 261 provided at the lowermost portion of the track 230 and capable of detecting the presence or absence of the cuvette B are provided in the transport path 181. The first sensor 260 and the second sensor 261 are, for example, non-contact optical sensors having a light irradiation unit and a light receiving unit, and the light receiving unit detects the presence or absence of the cuvette B, etc., according to whether the light irradiated from the irradiation unit is received. The detection results of the first sensor 260 and the second sensor 261 are output to the control unit 26.

[0123] The control unit 26 is, for example, a computer, and performs sample analysis processing by controlling the driving of various driving units such as the sample injection arm 27, the reagent injection devices 28 and 29, the first arm 31, the second arm 32, the third arm 33, the sample container carrying unit 20, the first stage 21, the second stage 22, the heating unit 23, the analysis unit 24, and the cuvette supply device 30 by the CPU executing a program stored in the memory. In particular, the control unit 26 can control the operation of the vibration applying mechanism 165 based on the detection results of the transport state of the cuvette B by the sensors 260 and 261 during the analysis processing.

[0124] <Analytical equipment operation>

[0125] Next, the operation (control) of the analyzing device 1 configured as above will be described.

[0126] First, before starting the analysis of a sample such as blood, the user puts a plurality of empty cuvettes B into the cuvette supply device 30. At this time, the user opens the Figure 5The door 142 of the top wall 10d of the housing 10 is used to insert a plurality of empty cuvettes B from the insert port 140. The inserted cuvettes B are supplied to the first storage section 131 through the transport path 141. Fig.14 As shown, a portion of the cuvettes B supplied to the first storage section 131 falls to the second storage section 132 through the discharge port 150, and the remaining cuvettes B stagnate due to the natural friction between the cuvettes B and are stored in the first storage section 131. At this time, the second storage section 132 stores approximately a fixed amount of cuvettes B, which is not too much relative to the storage capacity of the second storage section 132.

[0127] Next, after the conveying unit 133 is driven, the picking member 192 is shaken up and down at a predetermined speed. Fig.12 As shown in FIG. 1 , the picking member 192 is first at the first position at the bottom of the second storage section 132, and then the picking member 192 rotates upward around the rotation axis 191. The picking member 192 picks up a cuvette B and places it on the loading section 200 and swings upward to the second position, where the loading section 200 is tilted and the side in the transport direction is lower. The cuvette B slides and falls toward the transport path 181 in the transport direction, and moves onto the track 230 of the transport path 181. At this time, as shown in FIG. Fig.13 As shown, the cuvette B stands up, its body b1 falls toward the slit 231, and the brim b2 is placed on the rail 230. In this state, the cuvette B falls along the inclination of the transport path 181, and stops when it hits the rotating part 250 of the cuvette carrying unit 182. The above operation is repeated, and the cuvettes B are gradually accumulated in order from the bottom on the transport path 181, and finally a certain number of cuvettes B are accumulated at the top of the transport path 181.

[0128] The rotating unit 250 rotates at a certain time point, and when the positions of the storage hole 251 and the slit 231 coincide, the cuvette B enters the storage hole 251. Figure 4 As shown, the first arm 31 conveys the cuvette to the first stage 21 and stores it in the cuvette placement portion 50. The above operation is repeated to arrange the empty cuvettes B in the first stage 21 in the circumferential direction.

[0129] Next, when the sample analysis process is started, first, the rack R containing a plurality of sample containers A is transported to the rack transport section 40 of the sample container transport section 20. The rack R is transported to the sample aspirating section 41 by the transport device 43. Then, the sample in the sample container A of the rack R is aspirated by the sample injection arm 27 and injected into the empty cuvette B of the first stage 21. Then, the cuvette B is placed by the second arm 32 and moved to the bottom of the first reagent injection device 28.

[0130] Next, the reagent in the reagent container C of the second stage 22 is aspirated by the nozzle 101 of the first reagent injecting device 28, heated to a certain temperature, and injected into the cuvette B placed on the second arm 32. Thus, the sample and the reagent in the cuvette B are mixed.

[0131] Next, the cuvette B is transported to the heating plate 70 of the heating unit 23 by the second arm 32. Here, the mixed solution of the sample and the reagent in the cuvette B is heated to a certain temperature.

[0132] Next, the cuvette B is placed by the third arm 33 and moved, for example, below the second reagent injector 29. Next, the reagent in the reagent container C of the second stage 22 is aspirated by the nozzle 101 of the second reagent injector 29 and injected into the cuvette B placed on the third arm 33. Thus, the sample and the reagent in the cuvette B are mixed to form an analysis sample.

[0133] Next, the cuvette B is transported to the analysis sheet 80 of the analysis unit 24 by the third arm 33 . In some cases, the reagent may not be injected by the second reagent injector 29 . In this case, the cuvette B in the heating unit 23 is directly transported to the analysis unit 24 by the third arm 33 .

[0134] The analysis reagent in the cuvette B is analyzed in the analysis unit 24. After the analysis is completed, the cuvette B is transported to the discharge unit 25 by the third arm 33 and discharged.

[0135] In the above analysis process, empty cuvettes B are supplied from the second storage section 132 to the cuvette delivery section 182, and are replenished from the cuvette delivery section 182 to the first stage 21, so the number of cuvettes B in the second storage section 132 gradually decreases. Therefore, it is also necessary to replenish the cuvettes B in the second storage section 132. The operation of supplying cuvettes B to the second storage section 132 is performed by operating the vibration imparting mechanism 165 and allowing a plurality of cuvettes B in the first storage section 131 to fall from the discharge port 150. When the vibration imparting mechanism 165 is operated, the vibration member 160 vibrates, and the vibration plate 153 vibrates to impart vibration to the cuvettes B around them, and some of the cuvettes B fall due to the vibration. At this time, the amount of cuvettes B that fall (the amount of supply) depends on the intensity and time of the vibration.

[0136] Next, the operation control of the vibration applying mechanism 165 when the cuvette B is replenished in the second storage section 132 will be described. Fig.15 This is a flowchart of the main operation control flow of the vibration applying mechanism 165.

[0137] First, the control unit 26 grasps the transport state in the transport path 181, for example, the number N of cuvettes B. The operation of grasping the number N of cuvettes B is performed using the first sensor 260, the second sensor 261, the control signal of the control unit 26 itself, and the like. For example, the first sensor 260 counts the number of cuvettes B passing through the uppermost portion of the transport path 181. The control unit 26 counts the control command for conveying the cuvettes B from the cuvette conveying unit 182, which is given to the first arm 31. Then, the number N of cuvettes B is grasped as follows: for example, the number n1 of cuvettes B counted by the first sensor 260 is subtracted from the number n2 of cuvettes B conveyed from the cuvette conveying unit 182. The number n2 of cuvettes B may be counted by providing a sensor in the cuvette conveying unit 182, or the number of cuvettes B conveyed from the transport path 181 to the cuvette conveying unit 182 may be counted by using the second sensor 261.

[0138] The control unit 26 controls the operation of the vibration applying mechanism 165 based on the number N of cuvettes B in the transport path 181 .

[0139] For example, when it is determined that the number N of cuvettes B in the transport path 181 is greater than a certain threshold value H, for example, 7 or more out of the maximum number of 10, the vibration imparting mechanism 165 is not vibrated. On the other hand, when the number N of cuvettes B in the transport path 181 is less than the certain threshold value H, which is 6 or less, the vibration imparting mechanism 165 is vibrated.

[0140] Then, when the vibration imparting mechanism 165 is vibrated, the degree of vibration may be changed according to the number N of cuvettes B. For example, when the number N of cuvettes B is 3 or more and 6 or less, the vibration is intermittent for a certain time. Also, when the number N of cuvettes B is 0 or more and 2 or less, the vibration is continuous for a certain time.

[0141] Furthermore, when the number N of cuvettes B is 0 and the state of 0 continues for a certain time or longer, for example, 30 seconds or longer, there may be no cuvettes B in both the first storage section 131 and the second storage section 132, so the vibration is stopped. The time for which the state of 0 continues can be detected by the second sensor 261.

[0142] According to the present embodiment, the analysis device 1 includes two storage sections, namely the first storage section 131 and the second storage section 132, so the total volume of the storage section can be increased. In addition, the cuvette B stored in the first storage section 131 can be dropped from the discharge port 150 at the bottom 131e of the first storage section 131 and stored in the second storage section 132, and the drop of the cuvette B from the discharge port 150 can be controlled by the vibration imparting mechanism 165 to adjust the amount of the cuvette B stored in the second storage section 132. Thus, it is not necessary to separately provide a new transport section for transporting the cuvette B to the second storage section 132, and it is possible to suppress the increase in size of the analysis device.

[0143] The vibration imparting mechanism 165 imparts vibration to the cuvettes B in the first storage section 131. Therefore, when the cuvettes B in the first storage section 131 are stagnant due to the natural friction between the cuvettes B, the vibration can be imparted to the plurality of cuvettes B in the first storage section 131, and the cuvettes B can be dropped from the discharge port 150 of the first storage section 131 by the vibration. Therefore, the drop of the cuvettes B from the discharge port 150 of the first storage section 131 can be well controlled.

[0144] The vibration imparting mechanism 165 is used to impart vibration upward from the discharge port 150 side of the first storage section 131, so that vibration can be imparted in the direction opposite to gravity to the cuvette B stored in the first storage section 131. This makes it easy to move the cuvette B that is stagnant in the first storage section 131, and the drop of the cuvette B from the discharge port 150 of the first storage section 131 can be well controlled.

[0145] The vibration imparting mechanism 165 includes a vibration plate 153 disposed near the discharge port 150 of the first storage section 131, and a vibration member 160 for vibrating the vibration plate 153. Thus, vibration is imparted from the plate-shaped vibration plate 153 to the cuvette B near the discharge port 150 of the first storage section 131, so that the vibration can be effectively transmitted and the drop of the cuvette B from the discharge port 150 of the first storage section 131 can be well controlled. "Near the discharge port 150" includes within 20 cm from the discharge port 150, preferably includes within 15 cm, and more preferably includes within 5 cm.

[0146] The vibration plate 153 constitutes a part of the bottom 131e of the first storage part 131, so the bottom of the cuvette B stored in the first storage part 131 vibrates. Therefore, the vibration of the vibration plate 153 is directly transmitted to the cuvette B, and the drop of the cuvette B from the discharge port 150 can be well controlled.

[0147] The vibration plate 153 constitutes at least a portion of the edge of the discharge port 150, and a portion of the edge of the discharge port 150 vibrates. Therefore, the vibration is directly transmitted to the cuvette B near the discharge port 150, and the drop of the cuvette B from the discharge port 150 can be well controlled.

[0148] The vibration plate 153 has an upper side surface 153c facing the inside of the first storage section 131 and an outer side surface 153d facing the discharge port 150, and the upper side surface 153c and the outer side surface 153d are smoothly connected at the upper end of the edge of the discharge port 150. This can prevent the cuvette B from colliding with the upper end of the edge of the discharge port 150 and being damaged.

[0149] The vibration member 160 is provided on the back side of the vibration plate 153 that does not face the inside of the first storage section 131 , so the cuvette B does not hit the vibration member 160 , and the cuvette (B) and the vibration member 160 are protected. This prevents the vibration member 160 from being damaged.

[0150] When the maximum size of the cuvette B is L and the maximum diameter of the outlet 150 is D, the size of the outlet 150 satisfies the relationship of L<D<2×L, so the cuvette B is easy to stay near the outlet 150, so the drop of the cuvette B can be appropriately stopped, thereby appropriately limiting the amount of the cuvette B falling into the second storage part 132. When D≦L, the cuvette B may be blocked in the outlet 150, and when 2×L≦D, the cuvette B may drop excessively from the outlet 150.

[0151] The first storage section 131 can store more cuvettes B than the second storage section 132. As a result, the storage capacity of the second storage section 132 is relatively small, so it is possible to prevent the transport section 133 of the second storage section 132 from being buried by the cuvettes B and unable to transport them. On the other hand, the storage capacity of the first storage section 131 is relatively large, so the total volume of the two storage sections can be increased.

[0152] The analyzer 1 includes a housing 10 covering the main body of the analyzer, and the housing 10 is provided with a door 171 that allows access to the second storage section 132. Therefore, if an excessive amount of cuvettes B enter the second storage section 132, the door 171 can be opened to take out the excess cuvettes B in the second storage section 132 to the outside of the housing 10. Therefore, maintenance work becomes simple.

[0153] The analysis device 1 includes sensors 260 and 261 capable of detecting the transport state of the cuvette B by the transport unit 133, and a control unit 26 that controls the operation of the vibration imparting mechanism 165 based on the detection result of the transport state of the cuvette B by the sensors 260 and 261. Thus, the transport state of the cuvette B from the second storage unit 132 by the transport unit 133 can be detected using the sensors 260 and 261, and the operation of the vibration imparting mechanism 165 can be controlled based on the transport state to adjust the drop of the cuvette B from the discharge port 150 of the first storage unit 131 to the second storage unit 132. Therefore, the amount of the cuvette B stored in the second storage unit 132 can be more strictly controlled. The operation of grasping the transport state of the cuvette B may use either one of the sensors 260 and 261, or may use other sensors other than the sensors 260 and 261, control signals, and the like.

[0154] Since the analyzer 1 includes the loading section 130 for loading the cuvette B into the first storage section 131 , the cuvette B can be loaded into the first storage section 131 in a favorable manner.

[0155] <Other forms of discharge control unit>

[0156] In the above embodiment, the discharge control unit capable of controlling the drop of the cuvette B from the discharge port 150 of the first storage unit 131 includes the vibration imparting mechanism 165 , but may include other mechanisms.

[0157] For example, Fig.16 As shown, the discharge control unit may include a rotating mechanism 300 that is provided near the discharge port 150 and is driven to rotate. The rotating mechanism 300 includes, for example, a rotating body 301 provided near the discharge port 150 and a motor 302 that drives the rotating body 301. The driving of the motor 302 is controlled by the control unit 26. In this case, the rotating mechanism 300 is controlled to rotate and drive in accordance with the number N of cuvettes B in the transport path 181, similarly to the case of the vibration imparting mechanism 165 described above. For example, when the number N of cuvettes B is less than a certain threshold value H, the rotating body 301 of the rotating mechanism 300 is rotated, and when the number N is greater than the certain threshold value H, the rotating body 301 of the rotating mechanism 300 is not rotated. When the rotating body 301 of the rotating mechanism 300 is rotated, vibration or direct force is applied to the plurality of cuvettes B stored in the first storage unit 131, and the cuvettes B fall from the discharge port 150 of the first storage unit 131 due to the external force such as the vibration and are stored in the second storage unit 132. On the other hand, after the rotation of the rotating body 301 of the rotating mechanism 300 stops, the cuvette B does not fall from the discharge port 150 of the first storing section 131 , and the cuvette B is not replenished to the second storing section 132 .

[0158] In this embodiment as well, the drop of the cuvette B from the discharge port 150 of the first storage unit 131 can be well controlled.

[0159] Another other form is: Fig.17 As shown, the discharge control unit includes an opening and closing mechanism 310 for opening and closing the discharge port 150. The opening and closing mechanism 310 includes, for example, an opening and closing plate 311 provided at the discharge port 150 and a motor 312 for driving the opening and closing plate 311. The driving of the motor 312 is controlled by the control unit 26. In the related case, regarding the opening and closing mechanism 310, the opening and closing drive is controlled according to the number N of cuvettes B in the transport path 181, similarly to the case of the vibration imparting mechanism 165 described above. For example, when the number N of cuvettes B is less than a certain threshold value H, the opening and closing plate 311 of the opening and closing mechanism 310 is opened, and the discharge port 150 is opened. When the number N is greater than the certain threshold value H, the opening and closing plate 311 of the opening and closing mechanism 310 is closed, and the discharge port 150 is closed. After the discharge port 150 is opened, the cuvette B falls from the discharge port 150 of the first storage unit 131 and is stored in the second storage unit 132. On the other hand, after the discharge port 150 is closed, the cuvette B does not fall from the discharge port 150 of the first storage section 131 , and the cuvette B is not replenished to the second storage section 132 .

[0160] According to this embodiment, the drop of the cuvette B from the discharge port 150 of the first storage unit 131 can be well controlled.

[0161] In the above implementation, if Fig.18 As shown, the second storage section 132 may include a vibration member 320. The vibration member 320 is provided, for example, at the upper portion of the front side wall 132a of the second storage section 132. The vibration member 320 is a vibration actuator. The driving of the vibration member 320 is controlled by the control section 26. The control section 26 controls the driving of the vibration member 320 based on, for example, the presence or absence of the cuvette B at the uppermost portion of the transport path 181 determined by the first sensor 260.

[0162] Specifically, when the first sensor 260 does not detect the cuvette B for a certain period of time, for example, 15 seconds or more, the vibration member 320 is vibrated. As a result, the cuvette B, for example, stuck in the upper part of the second storage unit 132, falls to the bottom and is transported by the transport unit 133. Therefore, the cuvette B can be appropriately transported out of the second storage unit 132.

[0163] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the related examples. Those skilled in the art can think of various changes or modifications within the scope of the technical ideas described in the claims, which of course also belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

[0164] For example, the vibration imparting mechanism 165 in the above embodiment has a vibration plate 153 and a vibration member 160, but the present invention is not limited thereto and may have other structures. The shapes, installation positions, and installation quantities of the vibration plate 153 and the vibration member 160 may also be in other forms. In particular, the vibration plate 153 is not limited to being installed at the bottom 131e of the first storage portion 131, and may be installed at a side wall close to the discharge port 150, for example.

[0165] The analysis device 1 has Figure 2The first stage 21, the second stage 22, the heating section 23, the analyzing section 24 and other structures shown in the figure are not limited to these, and may also have other structures. The analyzing device of the present invention is not limited to blood coagulation analysis, and can also be applied to other blood analyses such as blood immunoassay, and analysis of samples other than blood. The structure of the reaction cup supply device 30 is also not limited to the structure in the above-mentioned embodiment, and may also have other structures. The structures of the first storage section 131, the second storage section 132, the transport section 133 and the like are also not limited to the structures in the above-mentioned embodiment. The discharge control section may also be a structure other than the vibration imparting mechanism 165, the rotating mechanism 300, and the opening and closing mechanism 310. The shape and structure of the reaction cup B are not limited to the shape and structure in the above-mentioned embodiment, and may also be other containers. In the above embodiment, the reaction cup B falls directly from the discharge port 150 of the first storage section 131 to the second storage section 132, but for example, it may also be a structure as follows: there is a transportation path for the reaction cup B between the discharge port 150 of the first storage section 131 and the second storage section 132, and the reaction cup B falls from the discharge port 150 of the first storage section 131 to the second storage section 132 through the transportation path due to gravity.

[0166] Practicality

[0167] The present invention is useful for providing an analysis device capable of increasing the storage capacity of a storage portion for storing a container capable of storing a sample while suppressing an increase in the size of the device.

[0168] Number Description:

[0169] 1 Analysis device

[0170] 30 Reaction cup supply device

[0171] 131 Storage Section 1

[0172] 132 Second Storage Section

[0173] 133 Transportation Department

[0174] 150 Exhaust

[0175] 153 Vibration Plate

[0176] 160 Vibrating components

[0177] 165 Vibration imparting mechanism

[0178] B reaction cup

Claims

1. An analysis device comprising: The analytical department is used to analyze samples; a first storage portion, which can be used to store a cuvette capable of containing the sample, the first storage portion having a bottom, the bottom being formed with a discharge port maintained in an open state, and the cuvette can be stored in the discharge port maintained in an open state; A second storage part, which can be used to store the cuvettes discharged from the discharge port of the first storage part, the second storage part is located below the first storage part, and can store cuvettes less than the storage capacity of the first storage part on the bottom wall of the second storage part; a transporting unit located below the second storage unit, and transporting the cuvette stored in the second storage unit out of the second storage unit by contacting the bottom wall of the second storage unit; A discharge control unit is provided in the internal space between the first storage unit and the second storage unit, and the discharge port located at the bottom of the first storage unit is limited by at least a portion of the discharge control unit. The discharge control unit can move the reaction cup stored in the first storage unit and the reaction cup stays near the discharge port, so that the reaction cup is discharged from the discharge port to the second storage unit.

2. The analysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second storage part can store the cuvette dropped from the discharge port of the first storage part. The discharge control unit can control the drop of the cuvette from the discharge port of the first storage unit.

3. The analysis device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The discharge control unit includes a vibration imparting mechanism that imparts vibration to the cuvette stored in the first storage unit.

4. The analysis device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The vibration imparting mechanism imparts vibration upward to the first storage section.

5. The analysis device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: The vibration imparting mechanism includes a vibration plate provided near a discharge port of the first storage portion, and a vibration member that vibrates the vibration plate.

6. The analysis device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The vibration plate constitutes at least a part of the bottom of the first storage section.

7. The analysis device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The vibration plate constitutes at least a portion of an edge of the discharge port.

8. The analysis device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The vibration plate has an upper side surface facing the interior of the first storage portion and a side surface facing the discharge port, and the upper side surface and the side surface are smoothly connected at an upper end of an edge of the discharge port.

9. The analysis device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The vibration member is provided on a back surface of the vibration plate that does not face the interior of the first storage portion.

10. The analysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The discharge control unit includes a rotation mechanism that is provided near a discharge port of the first storage unit and is rotationally driven.

11. The analysis device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: When the maximum size of the cuvette is L and the maximum diameter of the discharge port is D, the size of the discharge port satisfies the relationship of L<D<2×L.

12. The analysis device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: Also includes a housing covering the main body of the analysis device, The housing is provided with a door that enables access to the second storage section.

13. The analysis device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: Also includes: a sensor capable of detecting a transport status of the cuvette by the transport unit; A control unit controls the operation of the discharge control unit based on a detection result of the transport state of the cuvette by the sensor.

14. The analysis device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The device further includes an input portion for inputting the cuvette into the first storage portion.

15. An analysis device comprising: An analysis unit configured to analyze a sample contained in the sample reaction cup; A first storage portion having an internal space for storing a plurality of sample cuvettes, wherein a portion of a bottom of the first storage portion has a discharge port maintained in an open state; a second storage part having an inner space smaller than the inner space of the first storage part and a bottom wall, the second storage part being arranged below the discharge port of the first storage part, and having an opening formed at an upper portion of the second storage part, and cuvettes less than the storage capacity of the first storage part being stored on the bottom wall of the second storage part; a transporting section, the transporting section being located below the second storing section and configured to transport the sample cuvette stored in the second storing section out of the second storing section by contacting the bottom wall of the second storing section; and A vibration component is arranged in the internal space between the first storage part and the second storage part, and the discharge port located at the bottom of the first storage part is limited by at least a part of the vibration component. The vibration component can move the reaction cup stored in the first storage part and the reaction cup stays near the discharge port, so that the reaction cup is discharged from the discharge port to the second storage part.

16. A method for controlling an analysis device, comprising the following steps: A step of discharging the cuvette from a discharge port provided at a portion of a bottom of a first storage portion storing a cuvette capable of storing a sample and maintained in an open state; The step of storing the cuvette discharged from the first storage section in a second storage section located below the first storage section and capable of storing cuvettes less than the storage capacity of the first storage section; a step of carrying out the cuvette stored in the second storage section from the second storage section by a transport section located below the second storage section; A discharge control step of controlling a discharge control unit provided in the inner space between the first storage unit and the second storage unit to move the cuvettes stored in the first storage unit and staying near the discharge port, so that the cuvettes are discharged from the discharge port to the second storage unit; At least a portion of the discharge control unit defines the discharge port at the bottom of the first storage unit, and in the step of transporting the cuvette out, the transport unit transports the cuvette stored in the second storage unit by contacting the bottom wall of the second storage unit.

17. The control method of the analysis device according to claim 16, characterized in that: The discharge control step is performed by applying vibration to the cuvette stored in the first storage unit.

18. The control method of the analysis device according to claim 17, characterized in that: The discharge control step is performed by applying vibration upward to the first storage portion.

19. The control method of the analysis device according to claim 16, characterized in that: The discharge control step is performed by rotationally driving the rotating mechanism.

20. The control method of the analysis device according to any one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that: The discharge control step is performed based on the transport state of the cuvette.

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