Container handling device and medical analyzer comprising same

Abstract

The invention relates to a container handling device of a medical analyzer. The container handling device comprises: a frame; a container pick-up part fixed to the frame and having an elastic gripping part for gripping a container; the push rod is slidably arranged relative to the container picking part and is configured to be used for pushing the container to release the container from the elastic clamping part; and an electromagnetic release portion having a release lever and a solenoid, the release lever moving toward the push rod when the solenoid is energized and applying a thrust force to the push rod to release the container. In addition, the invention further provides a medical analyzer comprising the container control device. According to the container control device and the medical analyzer, the structure can be simplified, the cost is reduced, the reliability and the stability are improved, and the compatibility is provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a container manipulation device for gripping and releasing a container (e.g., a reaction cup), and a medical analyzer (e.g., an immunoassay analyzer) including the container manipulation device. Background Art

[0002] The content of this section only provides background information related to the present disclosure, which does not necessarily constitute prior art.

[0003] A medical analyzer can be used to detect and analyze a certain vital chemical substance in body fluids (e.g., blood), providing information basis for the immunity, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis of diseases and the health status in clinical practice. A medical analyzer generally includes a container manipulation device, which is used to hold, transport or place a container (or can be called a "reaction cup" or "test tube") containing a detection substance or reagent inside, so that the container is in an appropriate position.

[0004] During the process of manipulating the container, it is not desirable for the fluid inside the container to splash out, resulting in problems such as contamination. For this reason, existing container manipulation devices include a pneumatic system. The pneumatic system can adjust the pressure so that the force pushing the container is gentle and uniform. When it is necessary to release the container from the container pickup part of the container manipulation device. The pneumatic system generates a desired pressure and applies the desired pressure to the container, thereby gently pushing the container out of the container pickup part. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Technical Problem

[0006] The pneumatic system for releasing or placing a container in the above-mentioned container manipulation device often has problems of air leakage and pressure regulation. This reduces the stability and reliability of the pneumatic system.

[0007] The pneumatic system includes various pipelines, valves, regulating devices, sensors, etc., with a complex structure and high cost. In addition, due to the complex structure, the compatibility of the pneumatic system with other devices, equipment or instruments will become worse.

[0008] In view of at least one of the above problems of the pneumatic system, a container manipulation solution is proposed, which uses electromagnetic effects to release or place the container, thereby replacing the complex pneumatic system.

[0009] Technical Solution

[0010] According to one aspect of the present application, there is provided a container manipulation device for a medical analyzer. The container manipulation device includes: a frame; a container picking part fixed to the frame and having an elastic clamping part for clamping a container; a push rod slidably disposed relative to the container picking part and configured to push the container to release the container from the elastic clamping part; and an electromagnetic release part having a release rod and a solenoid, the release rod moving towards the push rod when the solenoid is energized and applying a thrust to the push rod to release the container.

[0011] In some embodiments according to the present application, the release rod is arranged in such a way that under the action of the gravity of the release rod, the release rod abuts against the push rod.

[0012] In some embodiments according to the present application, a buffer is provided at an end of the release rod adjacent to the push rod, and the buffer is capable of buffering the impact of the release rod on the push rod.

[0013] In some embodiments according to the present application, the release rod is connected to the push rod.

[0014] In some embodiments according to the present application, the release rod is threadedly connected to the push rod.

[0015] In some embodiments according to the present application, the container manipulation device further includes a locking member configured to lock the release rod relative to the push rod.

[0016] In some embodiments according to the present application, the release rod and the push rod are formed as an integral part.

[0017] In some embodiments according to the present application, the container manipulation device further includes a frame, and the frame is coupled to the frame in such a way that it can move in at least one direction relative to the frame.

[0018] In some embodiments according to the present application, the elastic clamping part includes a plurality of claws arranged in a circumferential direction.

[0019] In another aspect of the present application, there is provided a medical analyzer including the above container manipulation device.

[0020] In some embodiments according to the present application, the medical analyzer is an immunoassay analyzer.

[0021] Technical effects

[0022] According to the container manipulation device and the medical analyzer of the present application, the electromagnetic release part is used to replace the pneumatic system in the prior art, thereby significantly simplifying the structure, reducing the cost, improving the reliability and stability, providing compatibility, etc.

[0023] The release rod of the electromagnetic release part can always be in contact with or integrated with the push rod that pushes the container, so that the impact or shock on the push rod by the release rod can be avoided, making the process of releasing or placing the container smoother. Thus, the sloshing amplitude of the fluid (e.g., reaction liquid) in the container is significantly reduced, effectively avoiding the spilling of the fluid in the container onto external components (e.g., the push rod) and the resulting contamination.

[0024] A buffer can be provided at the end of the release rod to further reduce the impact or shock and also reduce the noise caused by the impact or shock.

[0025] The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand additional other effects not described above from the description of the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 is a perspective schematic view of a container manipulation device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a perspective schematic view of the container picking and releasing unit of the container manipulation device of

[0028] Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional schematic view of the container picking and releasing unit according to the first embodiment of the present application, where the container picking and releasing unit is in a state of grasping and holding the container;

[0029] Figure 4 is similar to Figure 3 a longitudinal sectional schematic view of the container picking and releasing unit of

[0030] Figure 5 is Figure 3 and Figure 4 a disassembled perspective schematic view of the container picking and releasing unit of

[0031] Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional schematic view of the container picking and releasing unit according to the second embodiment of the present application, where the container picking and releasing unit is in a state of grasping and holding the container; and

[0032] Figure 7 is Figure 6 a sectional schematic view of the release rod and the push rod of the container picking and releasing unit of DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0033] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art can easily implement these embodiments. The following detailed description of the present disclosure is for illustrative purposes only and is in no way a limitation on the present disclosure and its application or use. The embodiments described in this specification are not exhaustive and are only some of the many possible embodiments. Exemplary embodiments can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. In some exemplary embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies may not be described in detail.

[0034] Parts not relevant to the description will be omitted to clearly describe the present disclosure, and throughout the specification, the same reference numerals denote the same elements.

[0035] In addition, in the drawings, the size and thickness of each element are arbitrarily illustrated for ease of description, and the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to those illustrated in the drawings. In the drawings, the thicknesses of layers, regions, etc. are exaggerated for clarity. In the drawings, the thicknesses of some layers and regions are exaggerated for ease of description.

[0036] In addition, it should be understood that when an element such as a layer, film, region, or plate is referred to as being "on" or "above" another element, the element can be directly on the other element or there can also be an intermediate element. Conversely, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" another element, this means that there are no other intermediate elements. Furthermore, the words "on" or "above" mean being disposed on or below the reference part and do not necessarily mean being disposed on the upper end of the reference part in the opposite direction of gravity.

[0037] The following will be described with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2 a container manipulation device according to the present application. It should be understood that the container manipulation device of the present application should not be limited to the specific examples shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 but can be modified as long as it can achieve the functions described herein. The container manipulation device of the present application can be applied to various types of medical analyzers, for example, immunoassays.

[0038] Figure 1 is a perspective schematic view of a container manipulation device 10 according to an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 1 shown, the container manipulation device 10 includes a frame 11, a moving part 13, and a container picking and releasing unit 15.

[0039] The frame 11 is fixed and is used to provide support or installation for other components. The structure of the frame 11 should not be limited in the present application as long as it can achieve its function.

[0040] The moving part 13 is used to move the container picking and releasing unit 15 relative to the rack 11 in at least one direction, thereby conveying the container, that is, moving the container from one point to another point. In Figure 1 In the illustrated example, the moving part 13 includes a horizontal moving unit for translating the container picking and releasing unit 15 in the horizontal direction and a vertical moving unit for translating the container picking and releasing unit 15 in the vertical direction. It should be understood that the structure of the moving part 13 should not be limited in this application as long as it can meet the requirements and achieve its functions.

[0041] The container picking and releasing unit 15 is used to pick up the container 20, hold the container 20, and release the container 20. The container 20 is used to store reaction liquid, test reagent, analysis fluid, etc., depending on the type of instrument to which the container picking and releasing unit is applied. The structure of the container 20 should not be limited in this application but can have any suitable structure. For example, the container 20 can have a long tubular or cup shape.

[0042] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a three-dimensional schematic view of the container picking and releasing unit 15 of the container handling device 10. Refer to Figure 2 , the container picking and releasing unit 15 includes a frame 15a, a container picking part 15b, and an electromagnetic releasing part 15c. The frame 15a is coupled to the rack 11 via the moving part 13 in a manner that can move relative to the rack 11 in at least one direction. The container picking part 15b is fixed to the frame 15a and is used to grasp and hold the container 20, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown. The electromagnetic releasing part 15c is fixed to the frame 15a and is used to push the container 20 away from the container picking part 15b under the electromagnetic effect, thereby releasing or placing the container 20.

[0043] The container picking and releasing unit according to the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0044] Figures 3 to 5 The container picking and releasing unit 100 according to the first embodiment of the present application is shown. Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional schematic view of the container picking and releasing unit 100 according to the first embodiment of the present application, wherein the container picking and releasing unit 100 is in a state of grasping and holding the container; Figure 4 is similar to Figure 3 a longitudinal sectional schematic view of the container picking and releasing unit 100 in a state where the container has been released; Figure 5 is Figure 3 and Figure 4 an exploded three-dimensional schematic view of the container picking and releasing unit 100.

[0045] See Figures 3 to 5 , the container picking and releasing unit 100 includes a frame 110, a container picking part 130, a push rod 150, and an electromagnetic releasing part 170.

[0046] The frame 110 is used to support or mount the container picking part 130 and the electromagnetic releasing part 170. The structure of the frame 110 should not be limited in this application as long as its function can be achieved.

[0047] The container picking part 130 includes a base 131 and an elastic clamping part 133 extending from the base 131. In the example shown in the figure, the elastic clamping part 133 includes a plurality of claws arranged in a circumferential direction. The plurality of claws can be spaced equidistantly in the circumferential direction to provide a uniform clamping force on the container. The number of claws is at least 2. The base 131 is fixed to the frame 110. When the frame 110 moves downward towards the container 20 under the drive of the moving part 13, the container picking part 130 moves downward together with the frame 110, so that the elastic clamping part 133 contacts the container 20 and expands and deforms to receive the container 20 until the container 20 reaches a predetermined clamping position. Then, the frame 110 moves upward with the container picking part 130, and the container 20 is clamped in the elastic clamping part 133.

[0048] In the example shown in the figure, the base 131 has a hollow cylindrical shape. The elastic clamping part 133 is in the form of an elongated arm. The elastic clamping part 133 extends from the base 131 in an axial direction. When the elastic clamping part 133 is not deformed, it can define a reduced mouth to ensure sufficient clamping force or clamping area. The free end of the elastic clamping part 133 for forming the mouth can have an outwardly expanding inclined surface 133a to receive the container 20.

[0049] It should be understood that the structure of the container picking part 130 should not be limited to the specific example shown in the figure, but can be changed as long as it can achieve the functions described herein. In addition, the structure of the elastic clamping part 133 should not be limited to the specific example shown in the figure, but can be changed as long as it can achieve the functions described herein.

[0050] The push rod 150 is slidably received in the container picking part 130. The push rod 150 can have a cylindrical rod part 153 and a head 151 located at one end (the upper end in the figure) of the rod part 153. The head 151 has a larger size than the rod part 153, for example, diameter, and thus can serve as a stopper for the push rod 150. When the push rod 150 moves downward relative to the container picking part 130, the head 151 can abut against the elastic clamping part 133 of the container picking part 130, thereby preventing the push rod 150 from moving downward any further.

[0051] When the container picking part 130 moves downward to pick up the container 20, as the container 20 gradually enters the elastic clamping part 133, the container 20 pushes the push rod 150 in the vertically upward direction until it moves to the desired clamping position (as Figure 3 shown). When the push rod 150 is subjected to a downward thrust, the push rod 150 pushes the container 20 to move downward along the elastic clamping part 133 until the container 20 is pushed out of the container picking part 130 (as Figure 4 shown), that is, the container 20 is released or placed in place.

[0052] When the push rod 150 pushes the container 20 out of the container picking part 130, the end of the rod part 153 is flush with the end of the elastic clamping part 133, or slightly exceeds the end of the elastic clamping part 133, to ensure that the container 20 can be completely released.

[0053] It should be understood that the structure of the push rod 150 should not be limited to the specific examples shown in the figure, but can be changed as long as it can achieve the functions described herein.

[0054] The electromagnetic release part 170 includes a solenoid 171 and a release rod 173 disposed within the solenoid 171. The solenoid 171 can be fixed to the frame 110. Alternatively, the solenoid 171 can be fixed to the base 131 of the container picking part 130. When the solenoid 171 is energized, the electromagnetic effect causes the release rod 173 to move downward to drive the push rod 150 to also move downward, thereby releasing the container 20.

[0055] In the present application, a solenoid is used to provide thrust, which has a compact and small structure, a small number of components, and a small overall inertia, making it easier to drive the push rod or the container, and can improve reliability and reduce costs.

[0056] The release rod 173 can include a large-diameter section 173a and a small-diameter section 173b, whereby a stop structure for restricting the maximum displacement of the release rod 173 is formed at the transition section between the large-diameter section 173a and the small-diameter section 173b. The stop structure will not be described in detail herein as long as it can achieve the functions described herein.

[0057] A buffer member 175 is provided at the end (the lower end in the figure) of the release rod 173 adjacent to the push rod 150. The buffer member 175 can be made of rubber or an elastomeric material and can buffer the impact of the release rod 173 on the push rod 150.

[0058] It should be understood that the structure and material of the buffer member should not be limited to the specific examples described herein or shown in the figure, but can be changed as long as it can achieve the functions described herein.

[0059] The release lever 173 can be arranged to be slidable under its own gravity so as to always abut against the push rod 150. That is, before the container 20 is released (as Figure 3 shown), the release lever 173 is in contact with the push rod 150 with no gap therebetween. In this way, when it is necessary to release the container 20, the solenoid 171 is energized, the release lever 173 directly pushes the push rod 150, and the push rod 150 directly pushes the container 20, so that the impact or collision on the container 20 can be significantly reduced. Therefore, the process of releasing or placing the container 20 becomes smooth, the sloshing amplitude of the fluid in the container 20 is significantly reduced, thereby effectively avoiding the fluid in the container 20 from splashing onto external components (for example, the push rod 150), and avoiding the resulting contamination and thus affecting the accuracy of the detection result.

[0060] Next, the container picking and releasing unit 200 according to the second embodiment of the present application will be described with reference to Figure 6 and Figure 7 . Figure 6 FIG. is a longitudinal sectional schematic view of the container picking and releasing unit 200 according to the second embodiment of the present application; Figure 7 FIG. is Figure 6 a sectional schematic view of the release lever and the push rod of the container picking and releasing unit 200 of

[0061] Referring to Figure 6 and Figure 7 , the difference between the container picking and releasing unit 200 and the container picking and releasing unit 100 is that: the release lever and the push rod are connected together. The differences between the container picking and releasing unit 200 and the container picking and releasing unit 100 will be described in detail below. The similarities between the container picking and releasing unit 200 and the container picking and releasing unit 100 will not be described again.

[0062] As Figure 6 and Figure 7 shown, the container picking and releasing unit 200 includes a release lever 273 and a push rod 250. A groove 252 for receiving the end 272 of the release lever 273 is provided on the end face of the push rod 250. The groove 252 of the push rod 250 can be provided with internal threads, and the end 272 of the release lever 273 can be provided with external threads, thereby thread-connecting the release lever 273 and the push rod 250 together.

[0063] A locking member 276 can also be provided. The locking member 276 is configured to lock the release lever 273 relative to the push rod 250. For example, the locking member 276 can be in the form of a locking nut.

[0064] It should be understood that the connection manner of the release lever and the push rod should not be limited to the specific examples shown in the figures, but can be changed as long as it can achieve the functions described herein. For example, the connection manner of a pin and a hole can be used. For example, a fixing manner such as welding can also be used.

[0065] In addition, a sensing device 254 can be provided on the push rod 250 to sense the position of the push rod 250, thereby determining the position of the container 20. The type of the sensing device 254 can be selected according to needs. The position of the sensing device 254 is schematic and can be changed according to needs. For example, in the case where the release lever 273 is connected to the push rod 250, the sensing device can also be provided on the release lever 273.

[0066] Although reference has been made to Figures 3 to 7 two examples of the container picking and releasing unit according to the present application have been described, it should be understood that the container picking and releasing unit of the present application should not be limited to the specific examples shown in the figures, but can be changed. For example, the release lever and the push rod can be formed as an integral part. In this case, the size of the container picking and releasing unit in the vertical direction can be further reduced.

[0067] According to another aspect of the present application, a medical analyzer is provided, which includes the above-mentioned container manipulation device. The medical analyzer can have similar technical effects to the container manipulation device, such as simplifying the structure, reducing the cost, improving the reliability and stability, reducing the noise, and so on.

[0068] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments detailed and illustrated herein. Without departing from the scope defined by the claims, those skilled in the art can make various changes to the exemplary embodiments. The features in the various embodiments can be combined with each other without contradiction. Or, a certain feature in the embodiment can also be omitted.

Claims

1. A container manipulation device for a medical analyzer, comprising: a frame; a container picking part fixed to the frame and having an elastic clamping part for clamping a container; a push rod slidably disposed relative to the container picking part and configured to push the container to release the container from the elastic clamping part; and an electromagnetic release part having a release rod and a solenoid, the release rod moving towards the push rod when the solenoid is energized and applying a thrust to the push rod to release the container.

2. The container manipulation device according to claim 1, wherein the release rod is arranged in such a way that under the action of the gravity of the release rod, the release rod abuts against the push rod.

3. The container manipulation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a buffer is provided at an end of the release rod adjacent to the push rod, and the buffer is capable of buffering the impact of the release rod on the push rod.

4. The container manipulation device according to claim 1, wherein the release rod is connected to the push rod.

5. The container manipulation device according to claim 4, wherein the release rod is threadedly connected to the push rod.

6. The container manipulation device according to claim 5, wherein a locking member is further included, and the locking member is configured to lock the release rod relative to the push rod.

7. The container manipulation device according to claim 1, wherein the release rod and the push rod are formed as an integral piece.

8. The container manipulation device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4 to 7, wherein a frame is further included, and the frame is coupled to the frame in such a way that it can move in at least one direction relative to the frame.

9. The container manipulation device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4 to 7, wherein the elastic clamping part includes a plurality of claws arranged in a circumferential direction.

10. A medical analyzer comprising the container manipulation device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The medical analyzer according to claim 10, wherein the medical analyzer is an immunoassay analyzer.

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