Preheating unit and clinical chemical analyzer

Abstract

A preheating unit and a clinical chemistry analyzer. The preheating unit (PH) (100) comprises a heater (101), a PH body (102), a tubular flow path (103), a heat conductor (104) and a cover (105). The PH body (102) is heated by a heater (101). A tubular flow path (103) is arranged in the groove (102a) and allows liquid flow. The groove (102a) is formed by extending in the axial direction with respect to the outer peripheral surface (102b). The heat conductor (104) comprises a metal member covering the outer peripheral surface (102b) and the tubular flow path (103). The cover includes an elastic member covering the heat conductor (104), and the elastic member has a lower thermal conductivity than the heat conductor (104).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a preheating unit and a clinical chemistry analyzer. Background Technology

[0002] Typically, in chemical analyzers (e.g., clinical chemistry analyzers) used for automated analysis of specific components present in samples (e.g., body fluids or human tissues), it is necessary to maintain the cuvette at a constant temperature (e.g., 37 degrees Celsius) during the reaction between the sample and the reagent in the cuvette. Therefore, to prevent the temperature of the cuvette from dropping during automated cleaning, a technique is employed to heat the cleaning liquid (e.g., detergent, cleaning agent, or water) to a constant temperature using a preheating unit (see, for example, JP 6 255272 B2).

[0003] JP 6 255272 B2 discloses a technique for fixing a tube with a resin cap to the outside of a tubular body with an embedded heater, through which liquid flows and adheres to the outer periphery of the tube. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Technical issues However, in the aforementioned existing technologies, the heating efficiency of the liquid cannot be considered high because the heat from the heater is carried away by the cap, and the liquid temperature becomes difficult to raise. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the effective heating of liquids.

[0005] Therefore, this invention proposes a preheating unit and a clinical chemistry analyzer capable of effectively heating liquids.

[0006] Solution to the problem To address the aforementioned problems, the preheating unit according to this disclosure includes a heater, a pH body, a tubular flow path, a heat conductor, and a cover. The pH body is heated by the heater. The tubular flow path is arranged in a groove and allows liquid flow. The groove is formed by extending axially relative to an outer peripheral surface. The heat conductor is constructed of a metal member covering the outer peripheral surface and the tubular flow path. The cover is constructed of an elastic member covering the heat conductor, and this elastic member has a lower thermal conductivity than the heat conductor. Therefore, the preheating unit can effectively heat the liquid.

[0007] According to this disclosure, the heat conductor is a separate component separated along the axial direction. Therefore, when the heat conductor is mounted on the body, the preheating unit can facilitate operation.

[0008] According to this disclosure, the heat conductor is a component having a slit formed along the axial direction. Therefore, the preheating unit can effectively heat the liquid.

[0009] Furthermore, according to this disclosure, the heat conductor is secured by pressing the tubular flow path against the bottom of the groove. Therefore, the preheating unit can effectively heat the liquid.

[0010] According to this disclosure, the cover is made of heat-shrink tubing and the heat conductor is fixed in a heat-shrink state. Therefore, the preheating unit can effectively heat the liquid.

[0011] Furthermore, according to this disclosure, the heat conductor has a smaller thermal shrinkage capacity than the cover. Therefore, the preheating unit can effectively heat the liquid.

[0012] Furthermore, according to this disclosure, the heat conductor has a smaller heat capacity than the pH body. Therefore, the preheating unit can effectively heat the liquid.

[0013] According to this disclosure, the heat conductor comprises at least an iron component. Therefore, the preheating unit can effectively heat the liquid.

[0014] The heat conductor according to this disclosure is composed of a first metal portion having a first heat capacity on its inner circumferential side and a second metal portion having a second heat capacity greater than the first heat capacity on its outer circumferential side. Therefore, the preheating unit can effectively heat the liquid.

[0015] The preheating unit according to this disclosure further includes a fuse for cutting off power to the heater when the temperature of the heat conductor exceeds a threshold. Therefore, the preheating unit can prevent the liquid temperature from becoming excessively high with high precision.

[0016] According to this disclosure, the analyzer is equipped with the preheating unit having the above-described configuration. Therefore, the analyzer can effectively heat the liquid. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a top view showing a schematic configuration of a clinical chemistry analyzer according to the implementation scheme.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the preheating unit.

[0019] Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of the preheating unit.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the preheating unit.

[0021] Figure 5 This is an end view of the preheating unit.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the heat conductor.

[0023] Figure 7 This is a diagram of another configuration of the heat conductor. Detailed Implementation

[0024] In the following description, illustrative embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and the drawings, elements similar to those described in the preceding drawings may be denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions may be omitted accordingly.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a top view showing a schematic configuration of a clinical chemistry analyzer 1 according to one embodiment. (See attached image.) Figure 1 As shown, the clinical chemistry analyzer 1 includes a sample container 2 and a culture reaction control unit 3. The sample container 2 reacts a sample, such as serum, plasma, or urine, with reagents to obtain a reaction liquid and measures the absorbance of the reaction liquid. The culture reaction control unit 3 determines the amount of components (such as cholesterol) in the sample based on the absorbance measured by the sample container 2. In other words, the clinical chemistry analyzer 1 analyzes the sample using a colorimetric analysis method. The clinical chemistry analyzer 1 is used, for example, to test various parameters on a sample, such as cholesterol levels. The clinical chemistry analyzer 1 is an example of an analyzer.

[0026] The culture reaction control unit 3 includes a control unit, a storage unit, a display unit, and an operation unit (all not shown). The control unit includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), and RAM (Random Access Memory). The culture reaction control unit 3 is communicatively connected to the sample container 2. The culture reaction control unit 3 can be configured as, for example, a personal computer.

[0027] Sample container 2 includes a chassis unit (CHS) 10, a sample container unit (ASP) 11, a reagent container unit (RCU) 12, an incubation reaction unit (IRU) 13, a sample pipette unit (SPT) 14, a reagent pipette unit (RPT) 15 and 16, a mixing unit (MIX) 17 and 18, a detector unit (DTR) 19, a cleaning unit (WU) 20, a control unit (CNU) 21, a pump unit (PP) 50, and a preheating unit (PH) 100.

[0028] The sample container unit (ASP) 11 has a generally circular rotating tray (rotary stage) 31 in the plan view. The rotating tray (rotary stage) 31 is supported by a chassis unit (CHS) 10 so that it can rotate about a central axis of rotation O1 along the vertical direction (height direction of the chassis unit (CHS) 10). The rotating tray (rotary stage) 31 rotates about the central axis of rotation O1 by a drive mechanism (not shown). The rotating tray (rotary stage) 31 can hold a plurality of sample tubes 32. The plurality of sample tubes 32 are arranged about the central axis of rotation O1 and mounted on the rotating tray (rotary stage) 31, and rotate integrally with the rotating tray (rotary stage) 31. Figure 1 A portion of a plurality of sample tubes 32 is shown. Furthermore, the sample container unit (ASP) 11 may have a plurality of rotatable support portions that are capable of rotating independently of each other about a rotational central axis O1.

[0029] Sample tube 32 contains a sample. A barcode (not shown) indicating identification information of sample tube 32 is attached to sample tube 32, and the barcode is read by a barcode reader (not shown) located at the sample tube 32 facing the sample container unit (ASP) 11.

[0030] The reagent container unit (RCU) 12 has a substantially circular rotating tray (rotary stage) 33 in the plan view. The rotating tray (rotary stage) 33 is supported by a chassis unit (CHS) 10 so that it can rotate about a central axis of rotation O2 along the vertical direction of the chassis unit (CHS) 10. The rotating tray (rotary stage) 33 is rotated about the central axis of rotation O2 by a drive mechanism (not shown). The rotating tray (rotary stage) 33 can hold a plurality of reagent bottles 34. The plurality of reagent bottles 34 are arranged about the central axis of rotation O2 and are mounted on the rotating tray (rotary stage) 33, and rotate integrally with the rotating tray (rotary stage) 33. Figure 1 A portion of a plurality of reagent bottles 34 is shown. Furthermore, the reagent container unit (RCU) 12 may have a plurality of rotating supports capable of rotating independently of each other about a central axis of rotation O2.

[0031] The reagent bottle 34 contains reagents. The reagent bottle 34 is provided with a barcode (not shown) indicating identification information of the reagent bottle 34, and the barcode is read by a barcode reader (not shown) located in the reagent container unit (RCU) 12 facing the reagent bottle 34.

[0032] In the plan view, the culture reaction unit (IRU) 13 has a generally circular rotating tray (rotary stage) 35. The rotating tray (rotary stage) 35 is supported by a chassis unit (CHS) 10, allowing it to rotate about a central axis of rotation O3 along the vertical direction of the chassis unit (CHS) 10. The rotating tray (rotary stage) 35 is rotated about the central axis of rotation O3 by a drive mechanism (not shown). The rotating tray (rotary stage) 35 is provided with a plurality of cuvettes 36 having optical transparency. The cuvettes 36 are arranged around the central axis of rotation O3 and rotate integrally with the rotating tray (rotary stage) 35. Figure 1 A portion of cuvette 36 is shown. Samples and reagents are dispensed into cuvette 36. The samples and reagents react in cuvette 36 to form a reaction liquid. The temperature in the incubation reaction unit (IRU) 13 is maintained at a temperature suitable for the reaction between the samples and reagents.

[0033] The Sample Pipette Unit (SPT) 14 has a pipette 37 and a drive mechanism 38. The pipette 37 rotates via the drive mechanism 38 about a central axis of rotation Ax4 along the vertical direction of the chassis unit (CHS) 10 between a position above the sample container unit (ASP) 11 (above the chassis unit (CHS) 10 in the height direction) and a position above the culture reaction unit (IRU) 13 (above the chassis unit (CHS) 10 in the height direction). The pipette 37 moves along the vertical direction of the chassis unit (CHS) 10 via the drive mechanism 38. The pipette 37 is connected to the pump unit (PP) 50 to perform sample aspiration and dispensing operations. After the sample in the sample tube 32 is aspirated by the pipette 37 inserted into the sample tube 32, the Sample Pipette Unit 14 can insert the pipette 37 into the cuvette 36 and dispense (dispense) the sample from the pipette 37 into the cuvette 36.

[0034] Reagent pipetting units (RPTs) 15 and 16 each have pipettes 39 and 40, and drive mechanisms 41 and 42, respectively. Pipettes 39 and 40 rotate, via drive mechanisms 41 and 42, along the vertical direction of chassis unit (CHS) 10 about rotational axes Ax5 and Ax6, between a position above reagent container unit (RCU) 12 (above chassis unit (CHS) 10 in the height direction) and a position above culture reaction unit (IRU) 13 (above chassis unit (CHS) 10 in the height direction). Pipettes 39 and 40 move along the vertical direction of chassis unit (CHS) 10 via drive mechanisms 41 and 42. Furthermore, several pump units (PPs) 50 for performing reagent aspiration and reagent dispensing operations are connected to pipettes 39 and 40, respectively. Reagent pipetting units (RPTs) 15 and 16 can draw reagents from reagent bottles 34 through pipettes 39 and 40 inserted into reagent bottles 34, respectively, insert pipettes 39 and 40 into cuvettes 36, and dispense (dispense) reagents from pipettes 39 and 40 into cuvettes 36.

[0035] The detector unit (DTR) 19 includes a lamp unit 45 and a light-receiving section (not shown). The lamp unit 45 is located outside the culture reaction unit (IRU) 13 and illuminates the cuvette 36 with light such as halogen light. The light-receiving section receives the light passing through the cuvette 36 and measures the intensity of the received light. The detector unit (DTR) 19 determines the absorbance of the reaction liquid in the cuvette 36 based on the intensity of the light measured by the light-receiving section. The lamp unit 45 is configured to switch the wavelength of the emitted light. Therefore, the detector unit (DTR) 19 can measure the absorbance of multiple lights with wavelengths different from each other.

[0036] Mixing units (MIX) 17 and 18 have stirring portions (not shown) that can be inserted into cuvette 36. Mixing units (MIX) 17 and 18 stir the sample or reagent dispensed into cuvette 36 by rotating the stirring portions inserted into cuvette 36.

[0037] The cleaning unit (WU) 200 removes (discards) the reaction liquid from cuvette 36 and cleans the interior of cuvette 36.

[0038] The control unit (CNU) 21 includes, for example, a CPU, ROM, and RAM. The control unit (CNU) 21 performs various operations and controls each part of the sample container 2.

[0039] Multiple pump units (PP) 50 are provided and connected to pipettes 37, 39, and 40. The pump units (PP) 50 are integrated, for example, into drive mechanisms 38, 41, and 42. The pump units (PP) 50 may be located inside the chassis unit (CHS) 10 and outside the drive mechanisms 38, 41, and 42.

[0040] In the pump unit (PP) 50, pipettes 37, 39 and 40 are connected to a pump (not shown), and the pressure used to aspirate and discharge pipettes 37, 39 and 40 is generated by the reciprocating motion of the pump.

[0041] The preheating unit (PH) 100 heats the cleaning liquid used to clean the cuvette 36 to a constant temperature (e.g., 37 degrees Celsius) and sends the heated cleaning liquid to the cleaning unit (WU) 200. The cleaning liquid is, for example, a cleaning agent (such as an acidic or alkaline cleaning agent), a cleaning liquid (such as sodium hypochlorite), and water (pure, etc.). Hereinafter, the cleaning liquid will be simply referred to as liquid. Therefore, when the cuvette 36 is cleaned with liquid, the temperature of the cuvette 36 can be lowered. This prevents the temperature of the reaction liquid dispensed into the cuvette 36 from dropping, and thus stabilizes the measurement results.

[0042] Next, we will refer to Figures 2 to 5 The configuration of the preheating unit (PH) 100 is described in detail. Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the preheating unit (PH) 100. Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of the preheating unit (PH) 100. Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the preheating unit (PH) 100. Figure 5 This is an end view of the preheating unit (PH) 100.

[0043] like Figures 2 to 5 As shown, the preheating unit (PH) 100 includes a heater 101, a PH body 102, a flow path 103, a heat conductor 104, a cover 105, and a temperature sensor 106. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The heater 101, flow path 103, cover 105 and temperature sensor 106 are not shown.

[0044] For heater 101, for example, a cylindrical heater with a structure in which a heating element with a nickel-chromium alloy wire wound around the outer peripheral surface of a ceramic cylindrical body is stored in a metal tube. Figure 5 As shown, heater 101 is inserted into a hole formed longitudinally at the center of one end face of PH body 102. The means for securing heater 101 to the hole can be a mechanical device such as a caulking screw or IMO screw, or a means such as securing it to PH body 102 via a flange provided on heater 101, or an adhesive means. The insertion length of heater 101 into PH body 102 is appropriately set according to the heat capacity of PH body 102 and the performance of heater 101. A thermally diffusing compound or similar substance can be inserted between heater 101 and the hole to improve thermal conductivity.

[0045] The PH body 102 is constructed from a cylindrical (e.g., cylindrical) metal component, including a heater 101. The PH body 102 is heated by the heater 101. The metal of the PH body 102 is a material with high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, copper, or copper alloy. A helical groove 102a is formed on the outer peripheral surface 102b of the PH body 102, extending axially in a helical shape, for example. Specifically, the helical groove 102a has a U-shaped or semi-circular cross-sectional shape, such that the flow path 103 is in close contact with the bottom of the helical groove 102a. Preferably, the depth of the helical groove 102a is such that a portion of the flow path 103 slightly protrudes from the outer peripheral surface 102b of the PH body 102, so that when the heat conductor 104 is attached, the flow path 103 is pressed against the bottom of the helical groove 102a. Multiple grooves 102a are formed, allowing multiple flow paths 103 to be arranged. The spacing between adjacent grooves 102a is appropriately set according to the size of the PH body 102 and the flow rate of the liquid flowing in the flow path 103.

[0046] Flow path 103 is arranged in a groove 102a of the pH body 102 and is a pipe through which the liquid flows. For example, materials with excellent heat and chemical resistance are used, such as fluoropolymers like Teflon (registered trademark) or rubber components like silicone rubber. Flow path 103 supplies liquid from an inlet drawn from one end side of the pH body 102 (heater 101 side) and discharges liquid from an outlet drawn from the other end side (temperature sensor 106 side). As the liquid flows from the inlet to the outlet of flow path 103, it is heated to the target temperature by the pH body 102 (heater 101 side) and supplied from the outlet to the cleaning unit (WU) 200.

[0047] The heat conductor 104 is a cylindrical metal component covering the outer peripheral surface 102b of the pH body 102 and the flow path 103. The metal of the heat conductor 104 is, for example, a metal material with a relatively small heat capacity, such as iron or copper. That is, the heat conductor 104 is arranged to sandwich the flow path 103 between the pH body 102 and the flow channel component. As a result, the heat conductor 104 is heated by the heat from the pH body 102, thereby enhancing the heat insulation effect of the space between the pH body 102 and the heat conductor 104. Consequently, the liquid flowing through the flow path 103 remains warm and heat is difficult to escape, thus suppressing a drop in liquid temperature. In other words, the liquid can be effectively heated using the heat conductor 104.

[0048] The heat conductor 104 is fixed in the state where the flow path 103 is pressed against the bottom of the spiral groove 102a. Specifically, as Figure 4As shown, the heat conductor 104 presses the flow path 103 with the flow path 103 slightly protruding from the spiral groove 102a of the PH body 102 and thus slightly separated from the outer peripheral surface 102b of the PH body 102. The heat conductor 104 is fixed by the cover 105. Specifically, the heat conductor 104 is fixed to the PH body 102 when the cover 105, as a heat-shrinkable member, is in a heat-shrinkable state. In this way, the heat conductor 104 can adhere the flow path 103 to the bottom of the spiral groove 102a by fixing it in the state where it is pressed to the bottom of the spiral groove 102a, so that heat exchange between the PH body 102 and the flow path 103 can be effectively performed. In addition, by pressing the flow path 103 with the heat conductor 104, the gap between the heat conductor 104 and the outer peripheral surface 102b of the PH body 102 can be minimized, so that the thermal insulation effect between the heat conductor 104 and the PH body 102 can be enhanced.

[0049] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the heat conductor 104 is a separating member divided into two along the axial direction. Figure 2 In the diagram, one of the two components into which the heat conductor 104 is divided is omitted. Specifically, the heat conductor 104 is cylindrical and divided such that the circumference of the outer peripheral surface in the cross-sectional view is 1 / 2. The method of dividing the heat conductor 104 is not limited to the case where the circumference of the outer peripheral surface is divided by 1 / 2 (i.e., exactly half), but can be divided such that the circumference of any component is longer than 1 / 2. The number of divisions of the heat conductor 104 is not limited to 2, but can be 3 or more.

[0050] Therefore, by configuring the heat conductor 104 as a separating member, operation can be facilitated when the heat conductor 104 is installed onto the PH body 102. When the heat conductor 104 is installed onto the PH body 102, the two separating members can be temporarily fixed with a heat-resistant cable or the like. Therefore, when the cover 105, described later, is fixed to the PH body 102 due to thermal shrinkage, displacement of the heat conductor 104 can be prevented.

[0051] Furthermore, the heat conductor 104 has a smaller heat capacity than the cap 105, which will be described later. That is, the heat conductor 104 is easier to heat and cool than the cap 105. As a result, the heat conductor 104 promotes heat exchange with the flow path 103 rather than the cap 105. Therefore, the liquid flowing through the flow path 103 can be heated effectively.

[0052] Furthermore, the heat conductor 104 has a smaller heat capacity than the pH body 102. That is, since the heat from the pH body 102 can be quickly absorbed and conducted to the flow path 103, the liquid flowing through the flow path 103 can be effectively heated.

[0053] The cover 105 covers the heat conductor 104 and is composed of an elastic member having a lower thermal conductivity than the heat conductor 104. The elastic member constituting the cover 105 is preferably a material with heat resistance and low thermal conductivity, such as a heat shrink tube made of a flexible material or rubber composition. Specifically, heat shrink tubes made of flexible materials such as polyolefins, fluoropolymers, thermoplastic elastomers, or silicone rubber, rubber compositions made of natural rubber and styrene-butadiene rubber or silicone rubber, or insulating materials made of foam plastics such as polyurethane foam, polyethylene foam, or polystyrene foam are preferred.

[0054] Temperature sensor 106 is disposed on the end face of the other end of pH body 102 (heater 101 side) and measures the temperature of pH body 102. Temperature measuring resistor, thermocouple or thermistor is used for temperature sensor 106.

[0055] The preheating unit (PH) 100 controls the flow rate of the liquid and the power supplied to the heater 101 so that the measurement value of the temperature sensor 106 is the preset target temperature.

[0056] In addition to the temperature sensor 106, the preheating unit (PH) 100 may include a fuse (not shown) in the heat conductor 104 to cut off the power supply to the heater 101. Specifically, the fuse is located on the outer or inner circumferential surface of the heat conductor 104 to cut off the power supply to the heater 101 when the temperature of the heat conductor 104 exceeds a threshold. That is, when the heat conductor 104 becomes overheated and the temperature of the liquid exceeds a specific value, the heater 101 is forcibly stopped. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the liquid temperature from becoming excessively high with high precision.

[0057] Although an example of a heat conductor 104 consisting of a single (1-layer) metal component has been described above, it is not limited to this and can be composed of multiple different metal components. (See reference...) Figure 6 Describe these points.

[0058] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing another configuration example of the heat conductor 104. (See diagram for example.) Figure 6 As shown, the heat conductor 104 comprises two layers: a first metal portion 104a disposed on the inner peripheral side and a second metal portion 104b disposed on the outer peripheral side. For example, the first metal portion 104a comprises iron, and the second metal portion 104b comprises aluminum. In other words, the second metal portion 104b comprises a metallic material having a higher heat capacity than the first metal portion 104a.

[0059] Therefore, the first metal portion 104a on the inner circumference side promotes heat exchange in the flow path 103, and the second metal portion 104b on the outer circumference side makes it difficult for the heat of the first metal portion 104a to escape to the outside. In other words, the liquid can be effectively heated.

[0060] As described above, according to embodiments of this disclosure, the preheating unit (PH) 100 includes a heater 101, a PH body 102, a flow path 103, a heat conductor 104, and a cover 105. The PH body 102 is the main body of the preheating unit (PH) 100 heated by the heater 101, and forms a spiral groove 102a extending axially relative to the outer peripheral surface 102b. The flow path 103 is arranged in the spiral groove 102a and is tubular for allowing liquid flow. The heat conductor 104 is constructed of a metal member covering the outer peripheral surface 102b and the flow path 103. The cover 105 is constructed of an elastic member covering the heat conductor 104 and having a lower thermal conductivity than the heat conductor 104. Therefore, the liquid can be effectively heated.

[0061] In the above embodiments, the analyzer is described as a clinical chemistry analyzer. However, the structure of this disclosure is not limited to this and can be applied to other types of analyzers, such as immunoassay analyzers.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the heat conductor 104 is a separating member separated along the axial direction, but it can also be as follows: Figure 7 The component shown has a slit formed along the axial direction. Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view showing another configuration example of the heat conductor 104. Figure 7 A cross-sectional view (dashed line) of the thermal conductor 104 and the PH body 102 is shown.

[0063] like Figure 7 As shown, the heat conductor 104 has a slit 104c disposed along the axial direction from one end to the other. That is, Figure 7 The heat conductor 104 shown is composed of a single component, rather than the separating component shown in the above embodiments. In this configuration, when the heat conductor 104 is mounted on the PH body 102, both ends of the slit 104c are bent in the direction in which the opening of the slit 104c is open. Therefore, the PH body 102 can be mounted by inserting the slit 104c from the outside to the inside.

[0064] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. For example, forms obtained by appropriately combining the above embodiments in a consistent field are also included within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0065] the term It should be understood that not all objectives or benefits can necessarily be achieved according to any particular embodiment described herein. Therefore, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that certain embodiments may be configured to operate in a manner that achieves or optimizes one or more of the advantages taught herein, without necessarily achieving other objectives or benefits as may be taught or suggested herein.

[0066] All the processes described herein can be embodied in software code modules executed by a computing system comprising one or more computers or processors, and can be fully automated via such software code modules. The code modules can be stored on any type of non-transitory computer-readable medium or other computer storage device. Some or all of the methods can be embodied in dedicated computer hardware.

[0067] Many other variations besides those described herein will be apparent from this disclosure. For example, depending on the implementation, certain actions, events, or functions of any algorithm described herein may be performed in a different order, may be added, combined, or omitted entirely (e.g., not all described actions or events are necessary for the practice of the algorithm). Furthermore, in some implementations, actions or events may be performed simultaneously rather than sequentially, for example, through multithreading, interrupt handling, or on multiple processors or processor cores or other parallel architectures. Moreover, different tasks or processes may be performed by different machines and / or computing systems that can run together.

[0068] The various illustrative logic blocks and modules described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented or executed by a machine such as a processor. The processor may be a microprocessor, but alternatively, it may be a controller, microcontroller, or state machine, a combination thereof, etc. The processor may include circuitry configured to process computer-executable instructions. In another embodiment, the processor includes an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable devices that perform logic operations without processing computer-executable instructions. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a digital signal processor (DSP) and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors combined with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. Although this document primarily describes digital technologies, the processor may also primarily include analog components. For example, some or all of the signal processing algorithms described herein may be implemented in analog circuitry or mixed analog and digital circuitry. The computing environment may include any type of computer system, including but not limited to microprocessor-based computer systems, mainframe computers, digital signal processors, portable computing devices, computing engines within device controllers or appliances, to name just a few.

[0069] Unless otherwise specified, conditional language such as “can,” “able,” “may,” or “may” is generally understood in context to convey that certain embodiments include certain features, elements, and / or steps that are not included in other embodiments. Therefore, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that one or more embodiments require features, elements, and / or steps in any way, or that one or more embodiments must include logic for determining, with or without user input or prompts, whether such features, elements, and / or steps are included in any particular embodiment or will be performed in any particular embodiment.

[0070] Unless otherwise specified, a disjunctive language such as at least one of the phrases “X, Y or Z” is understood in the context to generally indicate that an item, term, etc., can be X, Y or Z or any combination thereof (e.g., X, Y and / or Z). Therefore, such a disjunctive language is generally not intended and should not imply that some implementation requires at least one of X, at least one of Y, or at least one of Z to be present respectively.

[0071] Any process description, element, or block depicted in the flowcharts described herein and / or in the accompanying drawings should be understood as potentially representing a module, segment, or portion of code comprising one or more executable instructions for implementing a particular logical function or element in the process. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, alternative embodiments are included within the scope of the embodiments described herein, wherein elements or functions may be omitted, performed out of the order shown or discussed, including substantially simultaneously or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved.

[0072] Unless otherwise expressly stated, items such as “a” or “an” should generally be interpreted as including one or more of the described items. Therefore, phrases such as “configured to” are intended to include one or more of the described devices. Such one or more of the described devices can also be collectively configured to perform the descriptions. For example, a processor configured to perform descriptions A, B, and C may include a first processor configured to perform description A, which works in conjunction with a second processor configured to perform descriptions B and C. The same applies to the use of definite articles used to introduce embodiment descriptions. Furthermore, even when a specific number of introduced embodiment descriptions are explicitly described, those skilled in the art will recognize that such descriptions should generally be interpreted as meaning at least the number described (e.g., a bare description of “two descriptions” without other modifiers generally means at least two descriptions, or two or more descriptions).

[0073] Those skilled in the art will understand that, generally, the terms used herein are intended to be “open-ended” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to”, the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least”, the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to”, etc.).

[0074] For illustrative purposes, the term "horizontal" as used herein is defined as a plane parallel to the plane or surface of the floor of the area where the described system is used or the described method is performed, regardless of its orientation. The term "floor" may be used interchangeably with the terms "ground" or "water surface." The term "vertical" refers to a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane just defined. Terms such as "above," "below," "bottom," "top," "side," "higher," "lower," "above," and "below" are defined relative to the horizontal plane.

[0075] As used herein, unless otherwise stated, the terms “attachment,” “connection,” “fitting,” and other such relational terms should be interpreted as including removable, movable, fixed, adjustable, and / or releasable connections or attachments. Connections / attaches can include direct connections and / or connections with an intermediate structure between the two components in question.

[0076] As used herein, numbers preceded by terms such as “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” include the numbers and also indicate quantities close to the stated amount that still perform the desired function or achieve the desired result. For example, the terms “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” may refer to a quantity less than 10% of the stated amount. As used herein, features of embodiments disclosed herein are preceded by terms such as “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” to indicate features with some variability that still perform the desired function or achieve the desired result of the feature.

[0077] It should be emphasized that many changes and modifications can be made to the above embodiments, and its elements should be understood as existing in other acceptable examples. All such modifications and changes are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the appended claims.

[0078] Symbol Explanation 1. Clinical Chemistry Analyzer 2 Sample containers 3. Culture reaction control unit 10. Chassis Unit (CHS) 11 Sample Container Unit (ASP) 12. Reagent Container Unit (RCU) 13. Incubation Reaction Unit (IRU) 14. Sample Pipette Unit (SPT) 15, 16 Reagent Pipette Unit (RPT) 17, 18 Mixed Units (MIX) 19 Detector Units (DTR) 20 Cleaning Units (WU) 21. Control Unit (CNU) 31 Rotating tray (rotating table) 32 sample tubes 33 Rotary tray (rotary table) 34 Reagent Bottles 35 Rotary tray (rotary table) 36 cuvettes 37, 39, 40 Pipettes 38, 41, 42 drive mechanisms 45 lamp units 50 Pump Unit (PP) 100 Preheating Unit (PH) 101 Heater 102 pH main body 102a Spiral Groove 102b outer peripheral surface 103 Flow Path 104 Thermal Conductor 104a First Metal Part 104b Second Metal Part 104c slit 105 lids 106 Temperature Sensor

Claims

1. A preheating unit (PH)(100), comprising: The pH body (102) is heated by the heater (101); A tubular flow path (103) is arranged in a groove (102a); A heat conductor (104) comprising a metal component covering the outer peripheral surface (102b) and the tubular flow path (103); and The cover (105) includes an elastic member covering the thermal conductor (104). The groove (102a) is formed by extending in the axial direction relative to the outer peripheral surface (102b). The tubular flow path (103) described therein allows liquid flow. The cover (105) has a lower thermal conductivity than the thermal conductor (104).

2. The preheating unit (PH)(100) according to claim 1, wherein, The heat conductor (104) is a separate component that is separated along the axial direction.

3. The preheating unit (PH)(100) according to claim 1, wherein, The heat conductor (104) is a component having a slit (104c) formed along the axial direction.

4. The preheating unit (PH)(100) according to claim 1, wherein, The heat conductor (104) is secured by pressing the tubular flow path (103) against the bottom of the groove (102a).

5. The preheating unit (PH)(100) according to claim 1, wherein, The cover (105) is made of heat-shrinkable tubing and fixes the heat conductor (104) in a heat-shrinkable state.

6. The preheating unit (PH)(100) according to claim 1, wherein, The heat conductor (104) has a smaller heat capacity than the cover (105).

7. The preheating unit (PH)(100) according to claim 1, wherein, The heat conductor (104) has a smaller heat capacity than the PH body (102).

8. The preheating unit (PH) 100 according to claim 1, wherein, The heat conductor (104) includes at least an iron component.

9. The preheating unit (PH)(100) according to claim 1, wherein, The heat conductor (104) includes a first metal portion (104a) having a first heat capacity on the inner peripheral side and a second metal portion (104b) having a second heat capacity greater than the first heat capacity on the outer peripheral side.

10. The preheating unit (PH) (100) according to claim 9 further comprises: A fuse is used to cut off the power supply to the heater when the temperature of the heat conductor exceeds a threshold.

11. An analyzer comprising a preheating unit (PH) (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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