Centrifuge and rotor for centrifuge

Abstract

A centrifuge and a rotor for the centrifuge are provided, which reduce the deviation of the amount of washing liquid supplied into a plurality of test tubes in a washing liquid injection process of a centrifuge for washing biological cells such as blood cells. A washing liquid distribution element installed at an upper side portion of a rotor main body includes an upper side distribution element and a lower side distribution element. In rotation of the rotor, washing liquid is supplied from a washing liquid guide inlet and enters a concave inner side portion of the lower side distribution element. The washing liquid that enters the inner side portion moves by centrifugal force in a manner of climbing an inclined portion from the vicinity of a rotation center toward the radial outside. A lower side circular ring portion at a front end of the inclined portion is formed with a plurality of washing liquid passages in a radial pattern. Washing liquid is discharged from radial outside from a spout of the washing liquid passage. By forming the inclined portion, the washing liquid can be equally distributed into each test tube.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a centrifuge that automatically performs washing of biological cells such as red blood cells using centrifugal force, and particularly to a centrifuge that is suitable for improving the reliability of washing and has a large washing effect, and a rotor for the centrifuge. BACKGROUND

[0002] From the past, there have been sold cell washing centrifuges (red blood cell washing centrifuges) that are used in an antiglobulin test, a cross-match test, an irregular antibody screening, and the like at the time of a blood transfusion examination, and that wash red blood cells using a washing liquid such as physiological saline to remove excess antibodies and the like in the suspension. As such a cell washing centrifuge, for example, the technology of Patent Literature 1 is known. The well-known cell washing centrifuge as shown in Patent Literature 1 includes a motor having a drive shaft, a rotor coupled to the drive shaft of the motor and rotated by the motor, a plurality of test tube holders rotatably fitted to the rotor in a circular array and rotated in a horizontal direction outside the circular array by centrifugal force caused by rotation of the rotor, a washing liquid dispensing element (dispenser) fitted to the rotor, rotated together with the rotor, and supplying a washing liquid into a plurality of test tubes held by the plurality of test tube holders, and a magnetic element (holding unit) that adsorbs the test tube holders at a vertical or nearly vertical angle by magnetic attraction force generated based on energization to a magnetic coil.

[0003] In the cell washing centrifuge, a washing process including a washing liquid (physiological saline) injection process, a centrifugation process, a supernatant discharge process, and a shaking process is automatically performed in sequence. In the supernatant discharge process, the test tube holders are adsorbed by a magnetic device, and the rotor is rotated in a state in which the test tubes are held in a substantially vertical direction, and the supernatant in the test tubes is discharged by centrifugal force. The washing liquid dispensing element in Patent Literature 1 has nozzles (washing liquid introduction ports) provided radially from the outer periphery of the bottom surface of a container having a conical shape on the inner surface, and the washing liquid supplied to the washing liquid dispensing element that rotates together with the rotor is injected from the nozzles by centrifugal force, and simultaneously supplied into the plurality of test tubes.

[0004] Figure 10(A) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the structure of the rotor 130 for cell washing in a previous centrifuge. In the cell washing centrifuge, the rotor 130 includes: a rotor body 31 with a test tube holder 36 mounted on its outer periphery; and a washing solution distribution element 150 mounted on the upper part of the rotor body 31. When the rotor 130 rotates, the washing solution distribution element 150 mounted on the upper surface of the rotor body 31 also rotates, and washing solution is supplied into the internal space 155 from the washing solution inlet 154 of the rotating washing solution distribution element 150. The washing solution distribution element 150 has a washing solution inlet 154 formed on the upper distribution element 151, and the lower part of the washing solution inlet 154 has a conical inner wall 151a. On the other hand, the conical surface 162 of the lower distribution element 161, which is fixed in a manner facing the upper distribution element 151, is formed in a mountain shape. The inclination of the inner wall 151a is greater than that of the conical surface 162, thereby creating an internal space 155 between the upper distribution element 151 and the lower distribution element 161 for the flow of cleaning fluid introduced from the cleaning fluid inlet 154. The internal space 155 expands in an umbrella shape, and grooves 167 that serve as passageways for the cleaning fluid are formed radially outward from near the outer edge.

[0005] Figure 10 (B) means Figure 10 A perspective view of the shape of the lower dispensing element 161 of (A). The lower dispensing element 161 has a conical surface 162 formed in a mountain shape, a generally annular cleaning fluid receiving portion 163 connected radially outward from the outer edge of the conical surface 162, and a lower annular portion 164 disposed around the cleaning fluid receiving portion 163. A planar contact surface 164a is formed on the upper surface of the lower annular portion 164 to contact the upper dispensing element 151. The upper side of the conical surface 162 forms a space for liquid to move radially outward. The annular cleaning fluid receiving portion 163 is connected to the radially outward side of the conical surface 162 and is connected to a groove 167 that narrows in a spire-like shape from the cleaning fluid receiving portion 163. Near the radially outer edge of the lower dispensing element 161, multiple protrusions 166 protruding radially outward are formed at equal intervals circumferentially (e.g., 24 locations). A groove 167 is disposed in the circumferential center of the protrusion 166, and the outer front end of the groove 167 serves as an injection port 167b for injecting cleaning fluid into the test tube 80. Threaded holes 168 with internal threads are respectively provided on multiple contact surfaces 164a. A cylindrical portion 169 is formed further down than the lower annular portion 164 of the lower dispensing element 161.

[0006] Existing technical documents

[0007] Patent documents

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-2777 Summary of the Invention

[0009] Problem to be solved by the invention

[0010] In Figure 10 In the previous rotor 130 described in the above, the cleaning liquid supplied to the internal space 155 of the cleaning liquid distribution member 150 descends along the slope of the conical surface 162 due to the gravity while being subjected to the centrifugal force, flows through the annular cleaning liquid receiving portion 163 formed near the bottom surface of the conical surface 162, and flows through the groove portion 167 serving as a cleaning liquid passage, which is provided radially from the flow inlet 167a of the outer periphery of the cleaning liquid receiving portion 163, thereby being discharged from the nozzle portion to the inside of each test tube 80. In a cell washing centrifuge using the cleaning liquid distribution member 150, since an operation intended to cause the cleaning liquid to overflow from the test tube is performed, a problem caused by a deviation in the distribution amount to each test tube does not occur, but it is desirable that the distribution precision of distribution using the cleaning liquid distribution member be high. In particular, in the final cell washing process, it is necessary to adjust the liquid amount in the test tube, and as to the method, the rotor is rotated in a state in which the test tube is held at a nearly vertical angle, and the excess supernatant is discharged by the centrifugal force. In the discharge process, it is necessary to perform a complicated control using a motor, but it is difficult to improve the precision of the residual amount in the test tube to the present or more only by the rotation control of the motor.

[0011] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described background, and aims to provide a centrifuge using a cleaning liquid distribution member, which can achieve an improved distribution precision of cleaning liquid and can distribute the cleaning liquid equally to test tubes, and a rotor for a centrifuge.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a centrifuge and a rotor for a centrifuge, in which the distribution precision of cleaning liquid is improved only by changing the shape of a cleaning liquid distribution member without changing the rotation control of a motor for a previous centrifuge or the structure of a rotor main body.

[0013] Technical means for solving the problem

[0014] If the features of the invention disclosed in the present application are described, they are as follows.

[0015] According to the present application, a centrifuge includes a motor having a drive shaft, a rotor body coupled to the drive shaft of the motor and rotated by the motor, a plurality of test tube holders arranged in a circular array on an outer circumferential side of the rotor body and supported to be able to rotate in a horizontal direction on an outer side of the circular array by a centrifugal force, a cleaning solution dispensing element arranged on the rotor body and configured to supply a cleaning solution into a plurality of test tubes respectively held by the plurality of test tube holders by spraying the cleaning solution in a radial direction from a rotation center toward an outer circumference, and a control device configured to control the motor. The cleaning solution dispensing element is configured in a manner that an upper side dispensing element and a lower side dispensing element are combined, a cleaning solution introduction portion having a cleaning solution introduction port in a central portion and an upper side circular ring portion continuous with a periphery of the cleaning solution introduction portion are formed in the upper side dispensing element, a concave portion recessed in a direction away from a position where the upper side dispensing element is located and a lower side circular ring portion disposed on a radial outer side of the concave portion and at a position facing the upper side circular ring portion are formed in the lower side dispensing element. A plurality of groove portions are formed in one of a lower surface of the upper side circular ring portion or an upper surface of the lower side circular ring portion in a radial direction, and a flow path through which the cleaning solution is discharged from the cleaning solution dispensing element is formed by engaging the groove portion with the facing circular ring portion. An inclined portion that rises like a slope as it approaches radially outward from a rotation center axis is formed in a peripheral portion of the concave portion of the lower side dispensing element, and the supplied cleaning solution flows into the flow path in a manner of climbing (rising) along the inclined portion of the concave portion by a centrifugal force when the rotor is rotated.

[0016] According to another feature of the present application, the concave portion includes an inclined portion occupying more than half of a radial direction in the concave portion and a shaft center portion formed on an inner side of the inclined portion, and the shaft center portion is formed of a flat surface, a curved surface, or a gentle surface having a different inclination from the inclined portion. In addition, the cleaning solution introduction portion includes a neck portion connected to an inner peripheral portion of the upper side circular ring portion and a circular ring portion protruding from an upper edge portion of the neck portion toward an inner radial direction and / or an outer radial direction, and the cleaning solution introduction port is formed by the circular ring portion. Furthermore, the cleaning solution introduction port is positioned at a position higher than a division surface of the upper side dispensing element and the lower side dispensing element, and the shaft center portion is positioned at a position lower than the division surface. Here, a flange portion can be formed in a peripheral portion of the cleaning solution introduction port, and a diameter of the flange portion is configured to be 80 mm or less.

[0017] According to a further feature of the present application, the flow paths formed by the engagement of the upper and lower distribution members are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and the lower surface of the upper distribution member is in close contact with the upper surface of the lower distribution member in a portion other than the groove portion when viewed in the circumferential direction, thereby preventing the passage of the cleaning liquid. Threaded portions are provided on the surfaces of the upper and lower distribution members that are in close contact with each other, and the upper and lower distribution members are fixed by screws. In addition, the width (length in the circumferential direction) of the groove portion that forms the flow path is formed to be wide on the inner peripheral side of the lower distribution member and to narrow as it approaches the radial outer side, thereby narrowing the cross section of the flow path. The inclined surface of the inclined portion is formed to have a linear vertical cross-sectional shape and an inclination of 10 to 45 degrees, and particularly preferably 25 to 35 degrees, with respect to the horizontal plane. In addition, the vertical cross-sectional shape of the inclined portion can also be formed to be a circular arc shape that is convex upward or downward. The cleaning liquid distribution member is detachably fixed to the main body portion of the rotor by screws, and the inner diameter of the circular ring portion can be set to 60 mm or more and 80 mm or less, so that the outer diameter of the flange portion can be easily gripped with one hand.

[0018] Effects of the Invention

[0019] With the structure of the present application, the cleaning liquid supplied to the internal space of the cleaning liquid distribution member is injected into the space (lower space) defined by the concave portion, and the cleaning liquid is uniformly raised along the inclined surface by the centrifugal force in the internal space of the concave portion, reaches the inlet of the groove portion for distribution, flows through the groove portion, and is discharged to the test tubes, so that the same amount of cleaning liquid can be accurately supplied to a plurality of test tubes at the same time. In addition, depending on the type of the pump that delivers the cleaning liquid, pulsating flow can occur, so that the flow rate can slightly vary, but with the structure of the present application, the cleaning liquid can be uniformly distributed to the test tubes regardless of whether the supply of the cleaning liquid is continuous or intermittent. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the overall structure of a centrifuge 1 according to the present application.

[0021] Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a rotor 30 of Figure 1

[0022] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a cleaning liquid distribution member 50 of Figure 2

[0023] Figure 4 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a rotor main body 31 of Figure 1 Figure 4 (A) of is a state in which the swinging of a test tube holder 36 is restricted, Figure 4 (B) of is a state in which the swinging of the test tube holder 36 is permitted and swings in the direction of an arrow 37.​​​

[0024] Figure 5 (A) is a partial plan view of the test tube rack 36 in a state where the test tube 80 is fitted, Figure 5 (B) is a partial side view of the test tube rack 36 in a state where the test tube 80 is fitted (rest state).

[0025] Figure 6 is a timing chart showing an example of the rotation speed control of the rotor 30 in the cleaning cycle.

[0026] Figure 7 is a chart showing the process and the state of the test tube 80 in the cleaning cycle.

[0027] Figure 8 is a chart showing Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the detailed shape of the cleaning liquid distribution element 50 of

[0028] Figure 9 (A) is a sectional view showing the flow of the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid distribution element 50, Figure 9 (B) of Figure 9 (C) is a sectional view of the cleaning liquid distribution element of the first and second modified examples.

[0029] Figure 10 (A) is a longitudinal sectional view showing a rotor 130 for cell cleaning of a prior centrifuge, Figure 10 (B) is a perspective view of the lower distribution element 161.

[0030] Explanation of symbols

[0031] 1: (cell cleaning) centrifuge

[0032] 2: frame (housing)

[0033] 2a: base portion (of the frame)

[0034] 3: chamber

[0035] 4: rotor chamber

[0036] 5: foot portion

[0037] 6: door

[0038] 6a: hinge

[0039] 7: drain pipe

[0040] 7a: discharge port

[0041] 8: motor

[0042] 9: drive shaft

[0043] 10: control device

[0044] 12: operating display panel

[0045] 13: support

[0046] 14: rubber damper

[0047] 15: bearing

[0048] 17: cleaning liquid

[0049] 17a: supernatant

[0050] 18: cleaning liquid supply tube

[0051] 19: nozzle

[0052] 30: rotor

[0053] 31: rotor body

[0054] 32a: flange portion

[0055] 32b: main shaft portion

[0056] 32c: mounting portion

[0057] 34: circular holding portion

[0058] 35: rotation axis

[0059] 36: test tube holder

[0060] 36a, 36b: holding insertion portion

[0061] 36c: holding bottom portion

[0062] 36d: stopper

[0063] 37: swinging direction

[0064] 41: bottom surface portion

[0065] 42: stopper

[0066] 43: holding unit

[0067] 44: upper magnetic body member

[0068] 44a: adsorption portion

[0069] 45: lower magnetic body member

[0070] 45a: adsorption portion

[0071] 45b: labyrinth portion

[0072] 46: annular coil (magnetic coil)

[0073] 50, 50A, 50B: cleaning liquid dispensing member

[0074] 51: upper side dispensing member

[0075] 52: upper side annular portion

[0076] 53: cleaning liquid introduction portion

[0077] 53a: flange portion

[0078] 53b: neck portion

[0079] 54: cleaning liquid introduction port

[0080] 55: inner space

[0081] 56: threaded hole

[0082] 61, 61A, 61B: lower side dispensing member

[0083] 62: lower side annular portion

[0084] 62a: flat surface

[0085] 63: concave portion

[0086] 64, 64A, 64B: inclined portion (bevel)

[0087] 64b: bottom portion

[0088] 65: shaft portion

[0089] 66: inner space

[0090] 67: groove portion (cleaning liquid passage)

[0091] 67a: inflow port

[0092] 67b: outflow port

[0093] 68: threaded groove

[0094] 69: mounting portion

[0095] 80: test tube

[0096] 80a: opening portion

[0097] 90: cleaning liquid recovery cover

[0098] 90a: discharge portion

[0099] 99: pump

[0100] 130: rotor

[0101] 150: cleaning liquid dispensing member

[0102] 151: upper side dispensing member

[0103] 151a: inner wall

[0104] 154: cleaning liquid introduction port

[0105] 155: internal space

[0106] 161: lower side dispensing member

[0107] 162: conical surface

[0108] 163: cleaning liquid receiving portion

[0109] 164: lower side annular portion

[0110] 164a: contact surface

[0111] 166: protruding portion

[0112] 167: groove portion

[0113] 167a: inflow port

[0114] 167b: injection port

[0115] 168: threaded hole

[0116] 169: cylindrical portion

[0117] A1: rotation axis (of the rotor)

[0118] B1: central axis (of the test tube) DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0119] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present application will be described in detail based on the drawings. Furthermore, in all the drawings used to describe the embodiments, the same symbols are assigned to members having the same functions, and repeated description thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, in the description in the present specification, the description of "parallel", "perpendicular" and the like also includes a state including a machining tolerance or an assembly tolerance and the like.

[0120] Figure 1is a longitudinal sectional view showing the overall structure of the centrifuge 1 of the present application. The centrifuge for cell washing (cell washing centrifuge) 1 includes a frame (housing) 2 having a quadrangular cross-sectional shape in plan view, a door 6 that opens and closes the upper portion of the frame 2, and a chamber 3 disposed inside the frame 2, in the interior of which a rotor 30 is rotated. The frame 2 has a plurality of leg portions 5 provided to the ground or the like. The door 6 is a swing type that can swing in the up-and-down direction about a hinge 6a provided to the rear side. A motor 8 is disposed to the base portion 2a of the frame 2, and a drive shaft 9 of the motor 8 extends to the interior space of the rotor chamber 4 through a through hole of the bottom of the chamber 3. The motor 8 is mounted to a support (metallic) 13 via a rubber damper 14 for reducing vibration, and the support 13 is fixed to the base portion 2a of the frame 2. The rotor 30 is fitted to the upper end of the drive shaft 9. The motor 8 is, for example, a brushless direct current (DC) motor, the rotation of which is driven by an inverter circuit not shown, and the rotational speed of the motor 8 is controlled by a control device 10. An operation display panel 12 (touch type liquid crystal display or the like) is provided to the front side surface of the frame 2. The operation display panel 12 is an input unit of information from a user, and is a display unit of information from the control device 10.

[0121] The rotor 30 is a centrifuge rotor for cell washing, and has a plurality of (24 in this case) test tube holders 36 arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction in plan view. The test tube holders 36 are held so as to be swingable (rotatable) in the centrifugal direction (radial direction) by being supported on the inner peripheral side surface by a circular holding portion 34 of the rotor 30. The test tube holders 36 include a magnetic member, and test tubes 80 (refer to FIG. 2) are inserted from the upper to lower direction. A sample (liquid) in which biological cells such as red blood cells are added is preliminarily put in the interior of each test tube 80 not shown, and before the start of the centrifugal separation operation, the test tubes 80 in which the sample is added are respectively set to the test tube holders 36 by hand of a user. Figure 2

[0122] The rotor 30 includes a holding unit 43 for holding the lengthwise central axis of the test tube holder 36 at a small swing angle that is vertical or nearly vertical. The holding unit 43 rotates integrally with the rotor 30, and maintains a state in which the test tube holder 36 cannot swing by attracting the metallic test tube holder 36 by magnetic force. The holding unit 43 uses a magnetic element formed by an electromagnet, and electrically switches the attraction state (fixed state or state in which swing is not possible) and the release state (state in which swing is possible) of the test tube holder 36 by control of the control device 10. When the test tube holder 36 is in the attraction state, it functions as a so-called angle rotor having a negative swing angle, and when the test tube holder 36 is in the release state, it functions as an angle rotor having a positive swing angle. The swing angle θ1 of the test tube in the release state is about 40°.​

[0123] The rotor 30 for cell washing is detachable with respect to the drive shaft 9. Therefore, a general angle rotor or a swing rotor, which cannot supply the washing liquid during rotation, can also be assembled to the drive shaft 9. The rotor 30 for cell washing is provided with the washing liquid distribution element 50 at the upper portion of the rotor main body 31 that holds a plurality of test tubes 80, and supplies a liquid such as a washing liquid into the test tubes 80 using the washing liquid supply tube 18 provided in the door 6 while the rotor 30 is rotating (swinging). The washing liquid distribution element 50 is fixed to the rotor main body 31 by a plurality of screws and rotates integrally with the rotor main body 31 on which the test tube holder 36 of the circular array is mounted.

[0124] A pump not shown is connected to the end portion of the washing liquid supply tube 18 outside the washing liquid supply tube 18 that supplies the washing liquid to the washing liquid distribution element 50. By turning on the operation of the pump 99 by the control device 10, the washing liquid 17 is sucked from a washing liquid tank not shown outside, and is discharged from the nozzle 19 provided at the upper portion of the centrifuge 1 via the washing liquid supply tube 18. In Figure 6 、 Figure 7 In the "washing liquid injection process" described later, the washing liquid discharged from the nozzle 19 to the washing liquid distribution element 50 is introduced into the internal space of the washing liquid distribution element 50 from the washing liquid introduction port 54 of the central portion of the washing liquid distribution element 50 that rotates at high speed integrally with the rotor main body 31.

[0125] A bowl-shaped bottom surface portion 41 is formed at the lower portion of the rotor main body 31. The bottom surface portion 41 is a member that functions as a stopper for limiting the swing angle of the test tube holder 36. The test tube holder 36 rotates in the radial horizontal direction along the circumference of the rotor main body 31, and is tilted until the lower portion of the test tube holder 36 (the holding bottom portion 36c described later in Figure 2 the case) contacts the wall surface of the bottom surface portion 41, and in this state, the sample such as a blood cell in the test tube 80 is subjected to centrifugal separation.

[0126] The washing liquid is injected while the rotor 30 is rotating, and the remaining washing liquid is discharged from the inside of the test tube 80, and therefore the overflowed washing liquid is sometimes accumulated on the bottom surface of the chamber 3. Therefore, a drain pipe 7 is connected to a part of the bottom surface of the chamber 3, and a drain outlet 7a that reaches the outside of the frame 2 is provided at the front end of this drain pipe 7. The user uses a hose or the like at the front end of the drain outlet 7a to recover or discard the remaining washing liquid (waste liquid). Furthermore, most of the discharged washing liquid falls down from the drain portion 90a to the lower portion through the space of the washing liquid recovery cover 90, flows into the drain pipe 7, and is discharged to a drain pipe or the like not shown via the drain outlet 7a.

[0127] Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the rotor 30. In Figure 2The test tube 80 is fitted to the test tube holder 36 and rotates at a predetermined rotational speed or more (a state in which the test tube 80 swings) as shown in FIG. 6. Here, the illustration of the holding unit 43 (refer to FIG. 4) included in the rotor 30 is omitted. The rotor main body 31 includes the main shaft portion 32b fitted to the drive shaft 9, the flange portion 32a formed in the upper end portion of the main shaft portion 32b in a circular plate shape, and the mounting portion 32c formed in the lower end portion of the main shaft portion 32b. The rotor main body 31 can be made of metal or synthetic resin, and the flange portion 32a and the circular holding portion 34 can be manufactured by integral molding. The flange portion 32a is a fixing portion for fastening the circular holding portion 34 and the cleaning liquid distribution element 50. Figure 1

[0128] The cleaning liquid distribution element 50 includes the upper side distribution element 51 and the lower side distribution element 61, and an internal space (55, 66) and a plurality of groove portions 67 that become flow paths are formed by joining the upper side distribution element 51 and the lower side distribution element 61. The cleaning liquid inlet 54 for receiving the cleaning liquid discharged from the nozzle 19 (refer to FIG. 3) disposed on the rotational axis Al is formed in the upper portion of the upper side distribution element 51. A plurality of groove portions 67 that radiate are formed in the upper surface of the lower side annular portion 62, and the flow path of the cleaning liquid is formed by the groove portions 67 by joining the lower side annular portion 62 and the upper side annular portion 52 having a flat bottom surface. The radial outer peripheral end portion of the groove portion 67 is opened as the ejection port 67b. Figure 1

[0129] The test tube holder 36 is a member that holds the test tube 80 made of glass or synthetic resin so as not to fall at the time of stop and at the time of centrifugal separation operation. Each test tube holder 36 is held in the outer peripheral edge of the circular holding portion 34 in a state of being able to swing by the rotation shaft 35. When the test tube holder 36 swings to the state shown in FIG. 6, the position of the opening portion 80a of the test tube 80 moves, and the ejection port 67b approaches the opening portion 80a of the test tube 80. In the state shown in FIG. 6, the cleaning liquid is supplied from the cleaning liquid inlet 54 to the internal space (55, 66), and the cleaning liquid is moved in the radial direction in the internal space 66 and the groove portion 67 by the centrifugal force, and is injected into the inside of the test tube 80 from the ejection port 67b. If the timing of supplying the cleaning liquid is set to be when the rotational speed of the rotor 30 is a predetermined rotational speed or more and the test tube holder 36 swings and the opening portion 80a of the test tube 80 approaches the ejection port 67b as shown in FIG. 6, the supplied cleaning liquid does not leak to the outside of the test tube 80 but is supplied to the inside of the test tube 80 from the opening portion 80a. In addition, the stopper 36d formed in the test tube holder 36 is provided so as not to excessively incline in the direction of the rotational axis Al when the rotor 30 is detached from the centrifuge 1. Figure 2 Figure 2 Figure 2

[0130] Figure 3 ​​​​​is an exploded perspective view of the cleaning liquid dispensing member 50. The cleaning liquid dispensing member 50 includes two parts, an upper side dispensing member 51 and a lower side dispensing member 61, which are fixed by causing screws, not shown, to be screwed into the plurality of threaded holes 56 and threaded grooves 68 formed therein, respectively. The upper side dispensing member 51 is integrally manufactured by injection molding of synthetic resin, and is formed by a cleaning liquid introduction portion 53 and an upper side annular portion 52 formed at a radially outer side of the cleaning liquid introduction portion 53. The cleaning liquid introduction portion 53 is formed by a neck portion 53b and a flange portion 53a connected to an upper end of the neck portion 53b. The flange portion 53a is an annular member extending radially outward and inward from the upper end of the neck portion 53b, and the inner side of the flange portion 53a becomes a cleaning liquid introduction port 54. The diameter of the cleaning liquid introduction port 54 of the cleaning liquid dispensing member 50 is formed relatively large in the present embodiment, and the diameter (= outer diameter) of the flange portion 53a is set to about 70 mm, so that the user can hold the outer edge of the flange portion 53a when holding the entire rotor 30. In addition, the user can put 3 to 4 fingers of one hand into the inner side of the flange portion 53a to hold the flange portion 53a. That is, with respect to the flange portion 53a, not only the outer side but also the inner side can be used as a part of the holding portion. As described above, in the case where the cleaning liquid introduction port 54 is used as a holding portion of the user, it is desirable to be made in a diameter (outer diameter) of about 60 mm to 80 mm, which is a range in which the flange portion 53a can be easily grabbed with one hand.

[0131] The upper side annular portion 52 of the upper side dispensing member 51 is formed with 24 threaded holes 56 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. In the threaded holes 56, the vicinity of the opening is formed in a conical shape so as to mount a countersunk head screw having a cross hole and a head portion seat surface side cut away, and an internally threaded portion is formed at a lower portion of the conical portion. The threaded portion of the countersunk head screw, not shown, is screwed into the 24 threaded grooves 68 formed on the lower side dispensing member 61 side. By using the countersunk head screw, the head portion of the threaded hole 56 and the upper side annular portion 52 can be made substantially the same plane. In the present embodiment, the threaded holes 56 are formed in the upper side annular portion 52 so as to be arranged in a circle having a diameter of about 60 mm, and the diameter of the upper side annular portion 52 is set to about 70 mm. Figure 3 The lower surface shape of the upper side annular portion 52 is not observed in the cross-sectional view, but the lower surface is formed by a flat horizontal surface except for the threaded hole 56 portion, and is in close contact with the flat surface (contact surface) 62a of the lower side annular portion 62.

[0132] The lower side dispensing member 61 is integrally manufactured by injection molding of synthetic resin, and is formed as a concave portion 63 recessed downward from the rotational axis Al in a radial direction. In addition, a shaft center portion 65 formed in a hill shape is formed at the rotational axis Al of the concave portion 63. The shaft center portion 65 is a portion formed so as to correspond to the upper end portion of the rotor main body 31 protruding in a semispherical shape. The lower side dispensing member 61 is fixed to the rotor main body 31 by a screw, not shown, inserted from the lower side toward the upper side. The internal space 66 (symbolic reference Figure 2). In the recessed portion 63, a slope (inclined portion 64) that rises as it moves away from the rotation axis is formed, and a lower circular ring portion 62 is formed at a position further radially outward than the outer periphery of the slope. In the lower circular ring portion 62, a plurality of groove portions 67 that extend from the radially inner side toward the radially outer side are formed, and flat surfaces 62a are provided between adjacent groove portions 67, and a plurality of screw grooves 68 are formed in the substantially center of each flat surface 62a.

[0133] The cleaning liquid that moves radially outward along the slope of the recessed portion 63 by centrifugal force when the rotor 30 rotates reaches the vicinity of the boundary with the lower circular ring portion 62 and flows into any of the interiors of the groove portions 67. The width of the groove portions 67, as viewed in the circumferential direction, is formed in a tapered shape that is wide on the inner periphery side of the lower distribution element and narrows in cross-sectional area as it moves radially outward, with the inner periphery side being an inflow port 67a and the outer periphery side end being an outflow port 67b. The depth (width in the vertical direction) of the groove portions 67 is constant, but the depth of the groove portions 67 can be arbitrary, and can be formed so that the groove portions 67 on the inner periphery side are deeper and the groove portions 67 become shallower as they move radially outward, further narrowing the cross-sectional area of the flow path. Here, in order to easily cause an equal amount of cleaning liquid to flow into the 24 groove portions 67 that are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, the shape is such that the circumferential width of the inflow side is a prescribed width and narrows as it moves radially outward, and at the outflow port 67b, the circumferential width is made smaller in order to accurately inject the cleaning liquid into the opening portion 80a of the test tube 80.

[0134] In the lower circular ring portion 62, the portions other than the groove portions 67 and the screw grooves 68 are flat surfaces 62a that are in good contact with the lower surface of the upper circular ring portion 52. As described above, both the upper distribution element 51 and the lower distribution element 61 are manufactured by integral molding of synthetic resin, and the flow path for the cleaning liquid is formed by covering the upper surfaces of the groove portions 67 formed in the lower distribution element 61 with the groove portions 67, so it is easy to manufacture, and the desired flow path shape can be achieved. Furthermore, Figure 3 The cleaning liquid distribution element 50 shown is configured so that the groove portions 67 are formed on the lower distribution element 61 side, and the groove portions 67 are closed by the lower surface (flat surface) of the upper distribution element 51, but they can be reversed so that the groove portions are formed on the upper distribution element 51 side, and the groove portions are closed by the upper surface (flat surface) of the lower distribution element 61. Also, the groove portions can be formed in both the upper distribution element 51 and the lower distribution element 61, and the upper grooves and the lower grooves can be combined to form the flow path. Furthermore, the upper distribution element 51 and the lower distribution element 61 can be manufactured by integral molding without being configured as separate elements, or can be implemented in a multi-partition form other than a two-partition form. Furthermore, the groove portions (cleaning liquid passages) 67 can be formed so that the width (cross-sectional area is substantially constant) is constant on the radially outer side.

[0135] Figure 4 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the rotor 30, Figure 4 (A) of FIG. 8 is a state in which the swing of the test tube rack 36 is restricted by the holding unit 43, Figure 4 (B) of FIG. 8 is a state in which the swing of the test tube rack 36 is allowed. Here, unlike Figure 1 , a state in which the test tube 80 is fitted to the test tube rack 36 is illustrated. Figure 4 (A) of FIG. 9, Figure 4 (B) of FIG. 9 each show a state in which the rotor 30 is rotating, but Figure 4 (A) of FIG. 9, the suction force (magnetic force) generated by the holding unit 43 is stronger than the centrifugal force applied to the test tube rack 36, and thus the test tube rack 36 is maintained in a substantially vertical state. On the other hand, Figure 4 (B) of FIG. 9, since there is no suction force (magnetic force) generated by the holding unit 43, the test tube rack 36 swings in the direction of the arrow (swing direction) 37 by the centrifugal force.

[0136] The test tube rack 36 is made of a magnetic material, for example, a stainless steel alloy based on Steel Use Stainless (SUS) 430 material that is attracted by a magnet, and a holding insertion portion 36a, a holding insertion portion 36b are formed in the middle of the length direction thereof, and a holding bottom portion 36c that supports the bottom of the test tube 80 is formed at the lower end portion in the length direction. The holding insertion portion 36a, the holding insertion portion 36b are portions in which a part of a metal plate is bent in a ring shape, and the holding bottom portion 36c is a portion that holds the bottom of the test tube 80 by bending a part of the metal plate cut by press working to the outside in the radial direction. Each test tube rack 36 is held in a swingable state to the outer periphery of the circular holding portion 34 by the rotation shaft 35. When no external force caused by the centrifugal force is applied to the test tube rack 36, the test tube rack 36 is stopped at a position attracted to the direction of the holding unit 43 as shown in (A) of FIG. 8. Figure 4

[0137] ​The holding unit 43 is configured by a magnetic element (electromagnet) that generates a magnetic field by electric power. The holding unit 43 includes a disc-shaped upper magnetic body member 44 and a lower magnetic body member 45, and further includes a ring-shaped coil (magnetic coil) 46 of an insulated wire that is sandwiched by the upper magnetic body member 44 and the lower magnetic body member 45. The holding unit 43 is fixed to the rotor 30, and thus rotates together with the rotor 30. In addition, when the rotor 30 is detached from the drive shaft 9, the holding unit 43 is also detached. With regard to the wiring of the holding unit 43 to the magnetic coil 46, the wiring is performed from the bottom surface side of the chamber 3 through a slip ring not shown, and thus the magnetic coil 46 can be supplied with electric current not only when the rotor 30 is stopped but also when the rotor 30 is rotating. The wiring structure is a known structure, and thus the description thereof is omitted here. The on or off of the supply of electric current to the magnetic coil 46 is controlled by the control device 10 having a microcomputer. When electric current is supplied to the magnetic coil 46, a strong magnetic force that penetrates the upper magnetic body member 44 and the lower magnetic body member 45 is generated. The test tube holder 36 includes a magnetic body, and thus forms a magnetic circuit together with the upper magnetic body member 44 and the lower magnetic body member 45.

[0138] The outer diameter of the adsorption portion 44a (portion in contact with the test tube holder 36) of the upper magnetic body member 44 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the adsorption portion 45a (portion in contact with the test tube holder 36) of the lower magnetic body member 45. Due to this, the adsorption portions 44a and 45a of the upper magnetic body member 44 and the lower magnetic body member 45 can hold the test tube holder 36 in a state in which the test tube 80 is slightly inclined to the inner side of the bottom with respect to the vertical line (parallel to the rotor rotation axis Al), in other words, in a state in which the upper opening is slightly inclined to the radial outer side (swing angle θ1 = -6° or so). A labyrinth portion 45b is formed on the bottom surface of the lower magnetic body member 45, and the flow of air or water between the bearing 15 and the rotor chamber 4 is restricted.

[0139] Figure 4 (B) is a state in which the rotor 30 is rotating at a high rotation speed, and in the state, the test tube holder 36 that holds the test tube 80 is swung in the direction of the arrow 37 (radial direction) about the rotation axis 35 by a centrifugal force. The maximum value of the swing angle θ1 is limited by the abutment of the holding bottom 36c of the test tube holder 36 and the outer peripheral portion of the cup-shaped bottom portion 41. That is, the outer edge wall of the bottom portion 41 functions as a stopper for the swing state of the test tube holder 36. The swing is performed when no electric current is supplied to the ring-shaped coil 46. Like Figure 4 If the test tube holder 36 is greatly swung as in (B), the holding bottom 36c of the test tube holder 36 abuts against the stopper 42 for strength enhancement (for example, metal such as stainless steel). Here, the swing angle θ1 is about 40°, and in the state, a centrifugal separation operation is performed.

[0140] When the cleaning liquid injection process is performed using such a swingable rotor 30, the test tube rack 36 is rotated in the horizontal direction on the outer side of the circular array by the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the rotor 30. In the state of rotation as in Figure 4 (B), the opening portion 80a of the test tube 80 faces the rotation axis Al side, and thus the cleaning liquid can be injected into the test tube 80 from the spray outlets 67b (see Figure 2 ) of the cleaning liquid distribution element 50. In the supernatant discharge process after the cleaning liquid injection process, the test tube rack 36 is fixed to the substantially vertical state by the holding unit 43 and the rotor 30 is rotated as in Figure 4 (A), and thus the remaining supernatant 17a can be discharged to the outside from the test tube 80.

[0141] Figure 5 (A) is a partial plan view of the test tube rack 36 in the state where the test tubes 80 are fitted, and Figure 5 (B) is a partial side view of the test tube rack 36 in the state where the test tubes 80 are fitted, and shows the rotation at the time of rest of the rotor 30 or in the state where the swing of the test tube rack 36 is stopped. As in Figure 5 (A), the test tube rack 36 is arranged at equal intervals in the rotation direction. The test tube rack 36 is fitted with test tubes 80 made of glass or synthetic resin. In the state where the swing of the test tube rack 36 is stopped, that is, in the state where the test tube rack 36 is adsorbed by the holding unit 43, the opening portion 80a of the test tube 80 is set to a state where it is slightly inclined to the outside with respect to the rotation axis Al side and the vertical plane of the rotor 30. The cleaning liquid distribution element 50 (only the lower distribution element 61 is illustrated in the drawing) is provided at the inner circumferential side of the opening portion 80a of the test tube 80, and a passage from the groove portion 67 to the plurality of spray outlets 67b as a passage of the cleaning liquid is formed. The spray outlets 67b are arranged in correspondence with the test tubes 80. The spray outlets 67b are arranged at a distance from the opening portion 80a of the test tube 80 in the radial direction, and the reason for this is that a positional relationship is formed such that the cleaning liquid discharged from the spray outlets 67b at the time of rotation of the rotor 30 is injected into the opening portion 80a of the test tube 80 by the centrifugal force.

[0142] Figure 5(B) is a side view of a test tube 80 and a test tube holder 36. The test tube holder 36 uses a retaining bottom 36c to fix the bottom of the held test tube 80, preventing the test tube 80 from falling off during centrifugation. An annular retaining insertion portion 36a is formed slightly above the approximate center of the test tube 80 along its axial direction, and an annular retaining insertion portion 36b is formed between the annular retaining insertion portion 36a and the retaining bottom 36c. The retaining insertion portions 36a, 36b, and 36c are formed as a single piece of magnetic metal. Here, the central axis B1 is held so that, in side view, it is aligned with the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis A1 of the rotor 30.

[0143] Next, use Figure 6 and Figure 7 This will illustrate the execution process of the cleaning cycle. Figure 6 This is a timing diagram illustrating an example of the rotational speed control of rotor 30 in a cleaning cycle. Figure 7 This diagram illustrates the various processes and states of test tube 80 during the cleaning cycle. Initially, motor 8 is started between time 0 and time t1, accelerating rotor 30 to centrifugal separation rotation speed R3. At this time, the swing of test tube support 36 is achievable, i.e., without utilizing holding unit 43 (see reference). Figure 4 The test tube holder 36 is in an adsorption state. During the acceleration of the rotor 30, at the point indicated by arrow 38, the swing of the test tube holder 36 reaches its maximum, causing the cleaning fluid to fall downwards from the nozzle 19, and injection begins from the cleaning fluid inlet 54 into the cleaning fluid distribution element 50. The cleaning fluid entering the cleaning fluid distribution element 50 is supplied to the interior of each test tube 80 through the trough 67 and the nozzle 67b from the opening 80a on the upper side of the swinging test tube 80. The acceleration range ((1)) during which the cleaning fluid is supplied is... Figure 7 The cleaning fluid injection process (WASH) shown in (1) is carried out until a specified amount of cleaning fluid is supplied. Specifically, in the cleaning fluid injection process (WASH) of (1), when the rotational speed of rotor 30 reaches 1200 rpm, the fluid is injected by pump 99 (refer to...). Figure 1 A certain amount of cleaning solution (e.g., physiological saline) is fed into the cleaning solution distribution element (distributor) 50. The rotor 30 is set (runs at a constant speed) after time t1 (there is also a case where liquid delivery is completed before setting). Physiological saline is forcefully injected from the cleaning solution distribution element 50 into each test tube 80 by centrifugal force. At this time, the blood cells in the test tubes 80 are fully suspended by the physiological saline.

[0144] The injection of cleaning solution is stopped midway through the acceleration phase. At time t1, after the rotational speed of rotor 30 reaches the set rotational speed R3 (e.g., 3000 rpm) for centrifugal separation, the centrifugal separation operation continues for the set time (centrifugal separation operation time = t2 - t1). Here, the remaining cleaning solution injected into the test tube 80 is like... Figure 7 As shown in the (2) centrifugation process section, the liquid leaks out from the upper opening of test tube 80 because the liquid surface is facing vertically. Additionally, the sample moves to the bottom in the cleaning solution. Figure 6 (2) In the centrifugal separation process, after time t2 is reached, the motor 8 is decelerated to stop the rotation of the rotor 30.

[0145] exist Figure 6 At time t3, after the rotation of rotor 30 stops, the (3) supernatant discharge process is performed. In the discharge process, by adjusting the holding unit 43 (refer to...) Figure 2 The annular coil 46 is energized to attract the test tube holder 36. At this time, the test tube 80 is in a state similar to... Figure 7 In the (3) supernatant discharge process (decant), the opening 80a is tilted slightly outward with a slightly negative shaking angle. In this state, the rotor 30 is accelerated to the set speed R2, set for a certain time, and then the rotor 30 is decelerated. As described above, by setting the shaking angle of the test tube 80 to a slightly negative state and rotating the rotor 30, the supernatant rises along the wall of the test tube 80 by centrifugal force and is discharged to the outside. Therefore, most of the supernatant is discharged to the outside of the test tube 80.

[0146] At time t4, after rotor 30 stops, the next step is to perform the shaking process (4). The shaking process (4) is a process of stirring the remaining cleaning solution and sample by shaking the test tube holder multiple times in a short period of time. Here, the rotational speed of rotor 30 is accelerated to R1, set for a short time and then immediately decelerated, and the rotation and stopping operation is repeated multiple times (5 times in this case) in the unit of acceleration-setting-stop. The cleaning cycle (1) to (4) is repeated multiple times, for example, about 3 to 4 times. After the shaking process (4) of the last cleaning cycle, the additional centrifugation process (5) ("centrifugation separation 2") is performed and the process ends. In the process (5), rotor 30 is rotated for about a few seconds.

[0147] As described above, in the present embodiment, the concave portion 63 for storing the cleaning solution injected into the lower-side dispensing member 61 is formed, and the portion of the concave portion 63 particularly connected to the groove portion 67 of the outer peripheral portion is formed by a slope rising as it approaches from the inner side to the outer side, so that the cleaning solution is caused to climb up the slope by the centrifugal force and supplied to the outer peripheral side of the concave portion 63, is branched by each flow path (groove portion 67) in the same number (24) as the test tubes 80 held in the test tube rack 36, and is forcibly injected into each test tube 80 from the injection port 67b of the cleaning solution dispensing member 50. At this time, the movement of the cleaning solution in the concave portion 63 to the outer peripheral side is caused by the centrifugal force, so that the cleaning solution can be substantially equally distributed to the plurality of groove portions 67, and thus the deviation in the supply amount of the cleaning solution supplied to each test tube 80 can be reduced.

[0148] Figure 8 Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the detailed shape of the cleaning solution dispensing member 50 of the present embodiment. The upper-side dispensing member 51 is formed of the cleaning solution introduction portion 53 located at the inner peripheral side and the upper-side annular portion 52 located at the outer peripheral side. The lower surface (the portion facing the groove portion 67) of the upper-side annular portion 52 is formed flat. The cleaning solution introduction portion 53 is a portion raised upward in a cylindrical shape, and is formed of the neck portion 53b raised upward and the flange portion 53a formed above the neck portion 53b, and the inner space 55 is formed at the inner side thereof. The inner space 55 is a space for preventing overflow in the case where the flow from the pump is more than expected or the discharge amount from the injection port 67b is less than expected.

[0149] The lower-side dispensing member 61 is formed of the concave portion 63 located at the inner peripheral side and the lower-side annular portion 62 located at the outer peripheral side. The concave portion 63 is formed of the shaft portion 65 formed in a mountain shape and the inclined portion 64 formed between the shaft portion 65 and the lower-side annular portion 62. The inclined portion 64 is a conical surface formed at an inclination angle θ with respect to the horizontal plane when viewed in a vertical sectional view. The concave portion 63 is formed with the inner space 66 of a predetermined size at a lower side of the division surface of the upper-side dispensing member 51 and the lower-side dispensing member 61, so that the cleaning solution introduced from the cleaning solution introduction port 54 into the inside can be stored at the bottom of the concave portion 63. The flow inlet 67a of the groove portion 67 is connected to the outer peripheral edge of the inclined portion 64. The groove portion 67 extends from the inner peripheral edge to the outer peripheral edge of the lower-side annular portion 62, and discharges the cleaning solution at the injection port 67b. The shaft portion 65 is formed of a flat surface or a curved surface having a different inclination from the inclined portion 64, and the mounting portion 69 is formed below the shaft portion 65. The mounting portion 69 is a portion for being fixed to the flange portion 32a of the rotor main body 31, and the threaded projections (not shown) are formed at the mounting portion 69, and the cleaning solution dispensing member 50 is fixed to the rotor main body 31 by a plurality of screws (not shown).

[0150] Figure 9(A) is a view showing a case where the cleaning solution 17 is injected to the cleaning solution dispensing member 50. Here, the rotor 30 is rotated at 1200 rpm (constant speed rotation), and the cleaning solution 17 is discharged from the nozzle 19 to fall to the concave portion 63 as indicated by the arrow. Here, the cleaning solution 17 is caused to fall to the shaft portion 65 slightly deviated from the rotation axis Al as indicated by the arrow 20a. The falling position indicated by the arrow 20a is not strictly determined, and it is sufficient to select the vicinity of the inner periphery of the shaft portion 65 or the inclined portion 64. The cleaning solution 17 falling to the concave portion 63 is accumulated in the lowest bottom portion of the concave portion 63, and then climbs up the slope by the centrifugal force in the vicinity indicated by the arrow 20b. Immediately after the supply of the cleaning solution, since the amount of the cleaning solution supplied from the nozzle 19 is larger than the cleaning solution climbing up the inclined portion 64 by the centrifugal force, the cleaning solution is temporarily accumulated in the lower side of the face (so-called bottom portion 64b).

[0151] The cleaning solution climbing up the slope of the inclined portion 64 as indicated by the arrow 20b is stagnated in the vicinity of the outer edge of the slope, that is, in the vicinity of the inlet of the groove portion 67 (the vicinity of the flow inlet 67a) as indicated by the arrow 20c. Since the cleaning solution uniformly climbs up the slope by the centrifugal force, the centrifugal force applied to the stagnated cleaning solution also becomes uniform. Further, since the amount of the stagnated cleaning solution becomes uniform at all of the 24 portions, as a result, the amount of the cleaning solution 17 flowing into the groove portion 67 from the vicinity of the arrow 20d and discharged from the discharge port 67b as indicated by the arrow 20e becomes uniform at the plurality of discharge ports 67b. As described above, it is possible to configure such that the hydraulic pressure applied to the cleaning solution 17 discharged from the cleaning solution dispensing member 50 is kept constant by making good use of the centrifugal force, and thus it is possible to equally distribute the amount of the cleaning solution discharged from the discharge port 67b to the plurality of test tubes, thereby making the deviation small.

[0152] The inclination angle θ of the inclined portion 64 of the present embodiment is set to 25° with respect to the rotation axis Al. If the angle of the slope of the inclined portion 64 is increased, there is a disadvantage that not only the rotor 30 needs to be rotated at a high speed in order to supply the cleaning solution from the discharge port 67b to the test tube 80, but also the size of the cleaning solution dispensing member 50 becomes large in the up-and-down direction. On the contrary, if the angle of the inclination is decreased, although there is an advantage that the size of the cleaning solution dispensing member 50 is small in the up-and-down direction and can be manufactured compactly, there is a concern that the effect of the centrifugal force when the cleaning solution moves to the outer peripheral side becomes weak, and the amount of the cleaning solution branched by the plurality of flow paths (groove portions 67) can be deviated. Therefore, in order to improve the strength of the rotor 30 as a whole, prevent the time to reach the centrifugal step from becoming long, and prevent the time of one cycle from becoming long, it is possible to set the angle of the slope of the inclined portion 64 to a range of 15° to 45°, and it is particularly preferable that the range of 25° to 35° is appropriate.

[0153] As indicated in (A) of FIG. 20, the cleaning solution 17 is discharged from the nozzle 19 (refer to FIG. 18) to fall to the concave portion 63 as indicated by the arrow. Here, the cleaning solution 17 is caused to fall to the shaft portion 65 slightly deviated from the rotation axis Al as indicated by the arrow 20a. The falling position indicated by the arrow 20a is not strictly determined, and it is sufficient to select the vicinity of the inner periphery of the shaft portion 65 or the inclined portion 64. Figure 9 As indicated in (A) of FIG. 20, the cleaning solution 17 is discharged from the nozzle 19 (refer to FIG. 18) to fall to the concave portion 63 as indicated by the arrow. Here, the cleaning solution 17 is caused to fall to the shaft portion 65 slightly deviated from the rotation axis Al as indicated by the arrow 20a. The falling position indicated by the arrow 20a is not strictly determined, and it is sufficient to select the vicinity of the inner periphery of the shaft portion 65 or the inclined portion 64. Figure 1The cleaning fluid 17 supplied is delivered through nozzle 19 (see reference). Figure 1 The impact force and the kinetic energy generated by gravity cause the cleaning fluid to descend along the inclined plane of the axis 65 and accumulate near the lowest point of the inclined portion 64 (near arrow 64b). Then, through centrifugal force, it rises along the inclined plane and reaches the inlet 67a of the tank portion 67. As described above, when utilizing the principle of the cleaning fluid rising along the inclined plane through centrifugal force, the longitudinal section shape of the axis of rotation A1 penetrating the inclined plane of the inclined portion 64 does not necessarily have to be straight. For example, it can also be like... Figure 9 (B) can be formed by a downward-curving inclined surface 64A, or by an upward-curving inclined surface 64B. Furthermore, when the volume of the concave portion 63 is relatively large relative to the injected cleaning fluid, the inclination can be provided only near the outer periphery of the concave portion 63, while the inner periphery can be a horizontal or approximately horizontal bottom surface. Even if the shape of the lower dispensing element... Figure 9 (A) Figure 9 Any shape of (C) or a different shape thereof, as long as it can be configured such that the cleaning liquid rises along the inclined plane by centrifugal force and then flows into the tank 67 in a uniform amount under uniform pressure, can achieve the effects of the present invention. In the present invention, since the cleaning liquid 17 is supplied to the test tube 80 by centrifugal force, the same effect as including a centrifugal pump in the cleaning liquid distribution element 50 can be obtained.

[0154] The present invention has been described above based on embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments and various modifications can be made without departing from its spirit. For example, the cleaning fluid distribution element 50 is made of synthetic resin, but the material of the cleaning fluid distribution element 50 is arbitrary and can also be made of metal or other materials. Furthermore, the groove 67 can also be formed by machining rather than by injection molding of synthetic resin. Furthermore, the cleaning fluid distribution element 50 and the rotor body 31 can also be configured to be detachable with one click. Furthermore, the groove 67 can also be provided on both the upper and lower distribution elements.

Claims

1. A centrifuge, comprising: A motor, having a drive shaft; The rotor body is connected to the drive shaft of the motor and rotates by the motor; Multiple test tube supports are assembled in a circular array on the outer periphery of the rotor body and are supported so that they can rotate horizontally along the outer side of the circular array by centrifugal force. A cleaning fluid distribution element, assembled in the rotor body, supplies the cleaning fluid to multiple test tubes held by the multiple test tube supports by spraying the cleaning fluid radially from the center of rotation toward the outer periphery; and The centrifuge is characterized by having a control device that controls the motor. The cleaning fluid distribution element includes an upper distribution element and a lower distribution element. The upper distribution element has a cleaning fluid inlet portion with a cleaning fluid inlet in the center and an upper annular portion continuous around the cleaning fluid inlet portion. The lower dispensing element has a recessed portion that is recessed in a direction away from the position of the upper dispensing element, and a lower annular portion disposed radially outward of the recessed portion and facing the upper annular portion. A plurality of radial grooves are formed on one side of the lower surface of the upper annular portion or on one side of the upper surface of the lower annular portion. These grooves engage with opposing annular portions to form a flow path for the cleaning fluid to be discharged from the cleaning fluid distribution element. An inclined portion is formed at the outer edge of the concave portion, which rises as it approaches the radially outward side from the rotation center, so that the cleaning fluid is supplied to the flow path by centrifugal force.

2. The centrifuge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The concave portion includes the inclined portion and the axial portion formed on its inner side. The inclined portion occupies more than half of the radial direction in the concave portion. The central portion is formed by a plane or curved surface having a different inclination than the inclined portion.

3. The centrifuge according to claim 2, characterized in that, The cleaning fluid inlet portion has a neck that connects to the inner peripheral edge of the upper annular portion, and an annular portion that protrudes from the upper edge of the neck toward one or both of radially inward and radially outward. The cleaning fluid inlet is formed by the annular portion.

4. The centrifuge according to claim 3, characterized in that, The cleaning fluid inlet is located above the dividing surface between the upper and lower dispensing elements. The central portion is positioned below the dividing surface between the upper and lower distribution elements.

5. The centrifuge according to claim 1, characterized in that, A flange is provided on the outer periphery of the cleaning fluid inlet, and the diameter of the flange is less than 80 mm.

6. The centrifuge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flow path formed by the engagement of the upper and lower distribution elements is arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. When viewed in the circumferential direction, in the portion other than the groove, the close contact portion of the lower surface of the upper distribution element and the upper surface of the lower distribution element is fixed by screws, thereby fixing the upper and lower distribution elements.

7. The centrifuge according to claim 6, characterized in that, The width of the flow path, when viewed in the circumferential direction, is wider on the inner periphery side of the lower distribution element and narrows in profile as it moves radially outward.

8. The centrifuge according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The vertical cross-sectional shape of the inclined portion is straight, and it has an inclination of 10 to 45 degrees relative to the horizontal plane.

9. The centrifuge according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The vertical cross-sectional shape of the inclined portion is straight, and it has an inclination of 25 to 35 degrees relative to the horizontal plane.

10. The centrifuge according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The vertical cross-sectional shape of the inclined section is arc-shaped.

11. The centrifuge according to claim 10, characterized in that, The cleaning fluid distribution element is fixed to the rotor body by screws.

12. The centrifuge according to claim 3, characterized in that, The inner diameter of the annular portion is 60 mm or more and 80 mm or less.

13. A rotor for a centrifuge, characterized in that, The device comprises a rotor body as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, a plurality of test tube supports assembled in a circular array on the rotor body, and a cleaning fluid dispensing element assembled on the rotor body. The rotor body has an assembly portion that is fitted onto the drive shaft of the centrifuge, and is configured to be detachable from the drive shaft.

14. The centrifuge rotor according to claim 13, characterized in that, It has a holding unit that holds the test tube at a vertical or near-vertical angle by preventing the test tube holder from rotating.

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