Automated analysis device

Abstract

Provided is an automatic analysis device that can maintain the analysis accuracy of a sample even in the case where liquid is spilled on a consumable housing that houses a consumable. An automatic analysis device includes an analysis section that analyzes a sample; a consumable housing that houses a consumable including a dispensing probe for dispensing the sample and a reaction unit for a reaction of the sample with a reagent; a consumable conveying section that conveys the consumable from the consumable housing; and a main body cover that covers the analysis section, the consumable housing, and the consumable conveying section. The automatic analysis device is characterized in that the consumable housing has a tray in which the consumable is arranged and a consumable cover that covers the tray and is provided with an open portion through which the consumable conveying section passes on a side surface, and the consumable cover has a barrier portion that protrudes upward at an end portion on the open portion side.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an automatic analysis device. Background Technology

[0002] Automated analytical devices are used in hospitals and testing facilities to analyze specific components contained in samples such as blood and urine provided by patients. The dispensing pipette tips used for sample dispensing and the reaction units used in the reaction between the sample and reagents are treated as disposable consumables and stored in consumable housings to prevent foreign matter contamination.

[0003] Patent document 1 discloses a suction head storage housing having: a suction head holding plate for holding a plurality of dispensing suction heads; a main body that is a quadrilateral box having an opening at the top for the suction head holding plate to be inserted; and a cover that is an openable and closable rectangular box having an opening at the bottom for the main body to be inserted.

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-221200 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0008] However, in Patent Document 1, the cap needs to be opened to remove the dispensing tip. To automate the removal of consumables such as dispensing tips, at least one of the four sides of the cap must be open. Sometimes, on the upper surface of the cap, where at least one of the four sides is open, containers for changing consumables during automatic analysis or containers containing cleaning solution during maintenance are placed. Sometimes, liquids spill out due to the tipping of these containers. If the spilled liquid reaches the dispensing tip or reaction unit inside the consumable housing, it will affect the analytical accuracy of the sample.

[0009] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analysis device that can maintain the analytical accuracy of the sample even when liquid is spilled on the consumable housing containing the consumable.

[0010] Solution for solving the problem

[0011] To achieve the above objectives, the automatic analysis apparatus of the present invention comprises: an analysis unit for analyzing a sample; a consumable housing for storing consumables, the consumables including a dispensing pipette tip for dispensing the sample and a reaction unit for reacting the sample with a reagent; a delivery unit for delivering the consumables; and a main cover covering the analysis unit, the consumable housing, and the consumable delivery unit. The automatic analysis apparatus is characterized in that the consumable housing has: a tray on which the consumables are arranged; and a consumable cover covering the tray, and an opening on the side through which the consumable delivery unit passes, and an upwardly protruding barrier portion at the end of the consumable cover on the opening side.

[0012] Invention Effects

[0013] According to the present invention, an automatic analysis device can be provided that can maintain the analytical accuracy of the sample even when liquid is spilled on the consumable casing containing the consumable. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a top view showing an example of the overall structure of an automatic analysis device.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of an automatic analysis device.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a side view showing an example of the shape of a consumable cap.

[0017] Figure 4A yes Figure 3 AA sectional view.

[0018] Figure 4B yes Figure 4A Enlarged view of the area within the dashed lines.

[0019] Figure 5A This is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the shape of the rim of a consumable cover.

[0020] Figure 5B This is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the shape of the enclosure of a consumable casing.

[0021] Figure 5C This is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the shape of a consumable cap. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the automatic analysis apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, in the following description and the accompanying drawings, structural elements having the same functional structure are labeled with the same reference numerals, thereby omitting repeated descriptions.

[0023] Example 1

[0024] use Figure 1 and Figure 2 This describes an example of the overall structure of the automated analysis device 1. Furthermore, the left-right direction of the automated analysis device 1 is designated as the X-axis, the front-back direction as the Y-axis, the up-down direction as the Z-axis, and the right, back, and up directions as the positive directions of each axis. The automated analysis device 1 is a device for analyzing specific components contained in samples such as blood and urine provided by patients. In immunoassay methods utilizing immune reactions, specific components bind to labeled substances through antigen-antibody reactions, and quantitative or qualitative analysis of the specific components is performed based on signals such as luminescence and absorbance obtained from the labeled substances.

[0025] The automatic analysis device 1 includes a sample transport path 5, a consumable housing 100, a reagent tray 2, an incubator 9, a sample dispensing section 6, a reagent dispensing section 15, a stirring section 16, a B / F separation section 30, a detection section 31, a main body cover 4, and a control section 200. Each part will be described below.

[0026] The sample transport path 5 transports the sample rack 5a, which carries multiple sample containers, to a location accessible by the sample dispensing unit 6. The samples contained in the sample containers are then dispensed by the sample dispensing unit 6 into the reaction unit 14, which is held in the incubator 9.

[0027] The reaction unit 14 and dispensing tip 10, which are consumables, are housed in the consumable casing 100, arranged on the tray 7. Figure 1 The illustration shows a configuration where reaction units 14 are arranged on the left half of tray 7 and dispensing pipette tips 10 are arranged on the right half. The tray 7, with its reaction units 14 and dispensing pipette tips 10, is inserted by the operator through the consumable supply port 27. The dispensing pipette tips 10 are held by the consumable delivery unit 8 and transferred from tray 7 to the tip buffer 11, where they are installed at the tip of the nozzle of the sample dispensing unit 6 for sample dispensing. To prevent foreign matter contamination, the dispensing pipette tips 10 are replaced each time a sample is dispensed from the sample dispensing unit 6, and used dispensing pipette tips 10 are discarded into the tip discard hole 12. The reaction units 14 are held by the consumable delivery unit 8 and transferred from tray 7 to the incubator 9 for containing the mixture of sample and reagent. The reaction units 14 are also replaced each time a reaction of the sample and reagent is performed and after the reaction analysis. Regarding the consumable housing 100, [further details are needed]. Figure 3 and Figure 4A , Figure 4B To be described later.

[0028] Multiple reagent containers 3 containing reagents are stored in reagent tray 2. To mitigate reagent deterioration, the interior of reagent tray 2 is maintained at a temperature lower than room temperature. Furthermore, reagent tray 2 is covered by reagent tray cover 21. Figure 1In this illustration, to show an example of the configuration of reagent container 3, a portion of reagent tray cover 21 is removed. Additionally, reagent tray cover 21 is provided with a reagent container filling port 20 for loading and unloading reagent container 3. The reagent contained in reagent container 3 is dispensed into reaction unit 14 containing the sample via reagent dispensing section 15. After dispensing the reagent, reagent dispensing section 15 is cleaned by reagent nozzle cleaning section 19. Furthermore, if the reagent contained in reagent container 3 contains magnetic beads, the reagent is stirred by stirring section 16 with a stirring paddle 17 at its front end before dispensing the reagent. After stirring the reagent, stirring section 16 is cleaned by paddle cleaning section 18.

[0029] Furthermore, the incubator 9 holds multiple reaction units 14 containing a mixture of sample and reagents, and maintains them within a temperature range, i.e., a target temperature, for reacting the mixture. The mixture reacts within the target temperature range for a predetermined time while the reaction units 14 are held in the incubator 9, thus becoming a reaction solution for analysis. The shape of the incubator 9 is... Figure 1 In the case of the illustrated circular shape, the reaction unit 14 is arranged along the outer periphery of the edge of the incubator 9 and is moved to a position accessible to the sample dispensing section 6 or the reagent dispensing section 15 by the rotation of the incubator 9.

[0030] The B / F separation unit 30 includes a transport unit 37, a magnetic collecting unit 34, a probe 33, a cleaning unit 35, and a redispersing unit 36, which separates the reaction solution into reaction products (Bound) and unreacted (Free) substances. The transport unit 37 transports the reaction unit 14 from the incubator 9 to the B / F separation unit 30, or from the B / F separation unit 30 to the detection unit 31. The magnetic collecting unit 34 magnetizes magnetic beads contained in the reaction solution, separating the reaction products attached to the magnetic beads from the unreacted substances. The probe 33 attracts the unreacted substances separated from the reaction products or discharges the buffer solution used for redispersing the reaction products. The cleaning unit 35 cleans the probe 33. The redispersing unit 36 ​​redisperses the magnetized magnetic beads. The reaction unit 14, containing the solution that redisperses the magnetic beads with attached reaction products, is transported from the transport unit 37 to the detection unit 31, and after being processed by the detection unit 31, it is discarded into the unit waste hole 38.

[0031] The detection unit 31 is equipped with a light source, a spectrometer, a photomultiplier tube, and a photodiode to measure the luminescence and absorbance of the solution contained in the reaction unit 14 and delivered from the B / F separation unit 30. Additionally, it may have a temperature control function to maintain the solution at a predetermined temperature. The detection unit 31, along with the B / F separation unit 30 and a portion of the incubator 9, is covered by a detection unit cover 32.

[0032] The main body cover 4 houses the sample transport path 5, consumable housing 100, reagent tray 2, incubator 9, sample dispensing section 6, reagent dispensing section 15, stirring section 16, B / F separation section 30, detection section 31, etc., to prevent dust and other contaminants from entering or from contact with the operator.

[0033] The control unit 200 controls the overall operation of the automatic analysis device 1. The control unit 200 can be dedicated hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or it can be an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit) executing software. Input / output devices are connected to the control unit 200, allowing data required for analysis to be input via input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, or touch panel, or analysis results to be output via output devices such as a liquid crystal display or touch panel.

[0034] use Figure 3 and Figure 4A , Figure 4B An example of a consumable housing 100 will be described below. The consumable housing 100 has the aforementioned tray 7, consumable cover 25, and surround 26. The reaction unit 14 and dispensing nozzle 10, which are consumables, are arranged on the tray 7.

[0035] The consumable cover 25 covers the tray 7 and has an opening on the side through which the consumable delivery section 8 passes. In this embodiment, the opening is provided on the rear side, through which the consumable delivery section 8 delivers the reaction unit 14 and the dispensing pipette tip 10 from the tray 7 to the incubator 9 and the pipette tip buffer 11. To allow the operator to visually confirm the remaining amount of consumables on the tray 7, the consumable cover 25 can also be made of a transparent material, such as acrylic resin. The control unit 200 can also manage the remaining amount of the reaction unit 14 and the dispensing pipette tip 10, which are consumables, based on the moment the operator places the tray 7.

[0036] The enclosure 26 is a box that houses the tray 7, and the consumable delivery section 8 has an opening at the top for accessing consumables on the tray 7. Similar to the consumable cover 25, the enclosure 26 may also have an opening on the side through which the consumable delivery section 8 passes. In this embodiment, the opening is provided on the rear side. Furthermore, as... Figure 4AAs shown, the surrounding portion 26 is not necessarily symmetrical; for example, it could be shaped such that one side of the drive unit of the consumable delivery unit 8 is larger. Alternatively, a horizontally protruding fitting portion 105 can be provided behind the surrounding portion 26. The fitting portion 105 is fitted into the main body of the automatic analysis device 1. By providing the fitting portion 105, the number of screws used for fixing can be reduced when the surrounding portion 26 is mounted to the main body of the automatic analysis device 1.

[0037] like Figure 3 As shown, an inclined surface 104, higher than the open portion side, is provided on the upper surface of the consumable cover 25. An incubator 9, a pipette tip buffer 11, and a sample dispensing section 6 are arranged on the rear side of the consumable cover 25. The rear side of the consumable cover 25 is also referred to as the direction inwards from the open portion side. The angle SA formed by the inclined surface 104 and the horizontal plane can be set according to constraints such as the upper limit of the height of the consumable casing 100, for example, it can be set to 2 degrees. By providing the inclined surface 104, even if the reagent container 3, placed on the upper surface of the consumable cover 25, tipps during maintenance and reagents spill out, the spilled reagent will not flow towards the open portion side. Furthermore, the inclined surface 104 is tilted in such a way that reagents do not spill towards the direction where the incubator 9, pipette tip buffer 11, and sample dispensing section 6 are located. As a result, the analytical accuracy of the sample can be maintained.

[0038] like Figure 3 As shown, a barrier portion 101 protruding upwards can also be provided at the end of the consumable cap 25 on the open side. By providing the barrier portion 101, even if the tilt angle SA is small, liquid spilled on the consumable cap 25 towards the open side is blocked by the barrier portion 101.

[0039] like Figure 3 , Figure 4A , Figure 4B As shown, a horizontally protruding lip 107 may also be provided at the lower end of the side of the consumable cover 25 where the opening is not provided. By providing the lip 107, the mechanical strength of the consumable cover 25 can be improved. The lip 107 can also be fixed around the opening of the enclosure 26 by screws 102.

[0040] Alternatively, a protrusion 103 with a face opposite to the eaves 107 may be provided around a portion of the opening of the enclosure 26. The protrusion 103 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the enclosure 26, and the step between the two is represented by HA. When the protrusion 103 is provided, the eaves 107 preferably protrudes more horizontally than the protrusion 103. By making the horizontal length LA of the eaves 107 longer than the horizontal width of the protrusion 103, the sprayed liquid, such as Figure 4BAs shown by the dashed arrow, the flow is controlled to prevent liquid from seeping into the consumable housing 100 through the gap between the eaves 107 and the protrusion 103. Alternatively, an R-shaped corner 106 can be provided at the base of the eaves 107 and the protrusion 103 for easy cleaning.

[0041] use Figure 5A A modified example of the eaves 107 will be explained. Figure 5A The diagram shows an eaves 107 with an upwardly projecting barrier portion 101 on its outer periphery. By providing a barrier portion 101 of height HB on the outer periphery of the eaves 107, even if liquid spilled from the consumable cap 25 reaches the eaves 107, it will be blocked by the barrier portion 101. Additionally, an R-shaped corner portion 106 can be provided at the base of the barrier portion 101 for easy cleaning. By making the corner portion 106 R-shaped, stress concentration can be mitigated, and the mechanical strength of the barrier portion 101 can be improved.

[0042] use Figure 5B A modified example of the surrounding portion 26 will be described. Figure 5B The diagram shows a surrounding portion 26 with an upwardly protruding barrier portion 101 around the opening. By providing a barrier portion 101 of height HC around the opening of the surrounding portion 26, even if liquid spilled from the consumable cap 25 reaches the upper surface of the surrounding portion 26 via the eaves 107, it is blocked by the barrier portion 101. Alternatively, an R-shaped corner portion 106 can be provided at the base of the barrier portion 101 for easy cleaning. Furthermore, it is preferable to provide a gap between the barrier portion 101 and the inner surface of the consumable cap 25 that is small enough to prevent capillary action. By providing such a gap, the penetration of liquid into the consumable housing 100 can be suppressed.

[0043] use Figure 5C A modified example of the consumable cover 25 will be explained. Figure 5C The image shows a consumable cap 25 with an upwardly protruding barrier portion 101 provided on the outer periphery of its upper surface. By providing the barrier portion 101 of height HD on the outer periphery of the upper surface of the consumable cap 25, liquid spilled on the consumable cap 25 is blocked by the barrier portion 101 and remains on the upper surface of the consumable cap 25. Alternatively, an R-shaped corner portion 106 can be provided at the base of the barrier portion 101 for easy cleaning.

[0044] A recess 108 for inserting a reagent container 3 may also be provided on the upper surface of the consumable cap 25. By inserting the reagent container 3 into the recess 108, the reagent container 3 is stably placed on the upper surface of the consumable cap 25, thus preventing the reagent container 3 from tipping over. Furthermore, the length of the recess 108 is preferably perpendicular to the side with the open portion; in this modified example, the length in the front-to-back direction is shorter than the length of the long side of the reagent container 3. By making the recess 108 of this size, the reagent container 3 inserted into the recess 108 is placed with the side with the open portion parallel to the long side of the reagent container 3, thus restricting the direction of tipping over.

[0045] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and modifications can be made to the constituent elements without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the multiple constituent elements disclosed in the above embodiments can be appropriately combined. Moreover, several constituent elements can be deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the above embodiments.

[0046] Symbol Explanation

[0047] 1: Automated analysis device; 2: Reagent tray; 3: Reagent container; 4: Main body cover; 5: Specimen delivery path; 5a: Specimen rack; 6: Specimen dispensing section; 7: Tray; 8: Consumables delivery section; 9: Incubator; 10: Dispensing pipette tip; 11: Pipette tip buffer; 12: Pipette tip waste port; 14: Reaction unit; 15: Reagent dispensing section; 16: Stirring section; 17: Stirring paddle; 18: Paddle cleaning section; 19: Reagent nozzle cleaning section; 20: Reagent container filling port; 21: Reagent tray cover; 25 100: Consumable cover; 26: Enclosing part; 27: Consumable supply port; 30: B / F separation part; 31: Detection part; 32: Detection part cover; 33: Probe; 34: Magnetizing part; 35: Cleaning part; 36: Redispersing part; 37: Conveying part; 38: Unit waste hole; 100: Consumable housing; 101: Barrier part; 102: Screw; 103: Protrusion; 104: Inclined surface; 105: Fitting part; 106: Corner; 107: Eaves; 108: Recess; 200: Control part.

Claims

1. An automatic analysis device, comprising: The analysis department analyzes the samples; A consumable housing for storing consumables, the consumables including a dispensing pipette tip for dispensing the sample and a reaction unit for reacting the sample with a reagent; Consumable delivery unit, which delivers the consumable from the consumable housing; and The main cover covers the analysis unit, the consumable housing, and the consumable delivery unit. The automatic analysis device is characterized in that... The consumable housing has: A tray, on which the aforementioned consumables are arranged; and A consumable cover that covers the tray and has an opening on the side through which the consumable conveying section passes. The consumable cover has an upwardly protruding barrier portion at the end on the open side.

2. The automatic analysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper surface of the consumable cover is provided with an inclined surface that is higher than the opening.

3. The automatic analysis device according to claim 2, characterized in that, At least one of the following is provided in the direction inward from the open portion: an incubator, a pipette tip buffer, and a sample dispensing section.

4. The automatic analysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that, An eave that protrudes horizontally is provided at the lower end of the side of the consumable cover where the opening is not located.

5. The automatic analysis device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The consumable casing also has a surrounding portion that houses the tray and has an opening at the top. A protrusion is provided around the opening, the protrusion having a surface opposite to the lower surface of the eaves. The eaves protrude horizontally more than the protrusion.

6. The automatic analysis device according to claim 4, characterized in that, A screen portion protruding upwards is provided on the outer periphery of the eaves.

7. The automatic analysis device according to claim 6, characterized in that, An R-shaped corner is provided at the base of the eaves or the base of the barrier.

8. The automatic analysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The consumable casing also has a surrounding portion that houses the tray and has an opening at the top. A barrier portion protruding upwards is provided around the opening.

9. The automatic analysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The consumable cover also has the barrier portion at the end of the side where the opening portion is not provided.

10. The automatic analysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The consumable cap has a recess on its upper surface into which a reagent container holding the reagent is inserted.

11. The automatic analysis device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The length of the recess in the direction orthogonal to the side where the open portion is located is shorter than the length of the long side of the reagent container.

12. The automatic analysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reaction unit is delivered to the outside of the consumable casing on the open side.

13. An automatic analysis device, comprising: The analysis department analyzes the samples; A consumable housing for storing consumables, the consumables including a dispensing pipette tip for dispensing the sample and a reaction unit for reacting the sample with a reagent; Consumable delivery unit, which delivers the consumable from the consumable housing; and The main cover covers the analysis unit, the consumable housing, and the consumable delivery unit. The automatic analysis device is characterized in that... The consumable housing has: A tray, on which the aforementioned consumables are arranged; and A consumable cover that covers the tray and has an opening on the side through which the consumable conveying section passes. An eave that protrudes horizontally is provided at the lower end of the side of the consumable cover where the opening is not located.

14. The automatic analysis device according to claim 13, characterized in that, The upper surface of the consumable cover is provided with an inclined surface that is higher than the opening.

15. The automatic analysis device according to claim 14, characterized in that, At least one of the following is provided in the direction inward from the open portion: an incubator, a pipette tip buffer, and a sample dispensing section.

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