Specimen sampling device

Abstract

To reduce the time required for needle cleaning in a specimen sampling device.SOLUTION: Provided is a specimen sampling device comprising: a sampling needle 21 that is inserted into a specimen container 12 and samples a specimen liquid in the specimen container; a needle movement mechanism 23 that moves the sampling needle; a depth information acquisition unit 52 that acquires insertion depth information regarding the depth of insertion the sampling needle into the specimen container; a rinse liquid storage tank 30 that is open at the top; a needle rinse length setting unit 54 that sets a needle rinse length that represents the length of insertion of the sampling needle into the rinse liquid storage tank, on the basis of the insertion depth information; and a control unit 51 that controls the needle movement mechanism so that a range of the sampling needle over the entire needle rise length from the tip is inserted into the rinse liquid storage tank. The needle rinse length setting unit sets the needle rinse length to be progressively shorter, the smaller the insertion depth of the sampling needle into the specimen container.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sample collection device. [Background technology]

[0002] A sample collection device is a device that collects a liquid sample from a sample container and injects it into an analytical device or another container, and known examples of such devices include an autosampler or a liquid handler. Note that a liquid handler is a device used in conjunction with a liquid chromatograph, and combines the functions of an autosampler that introduces a sample liquid into a flow path leading to a column of the liquid chromatograph, and a fraction collector that collects the eluate from the column.

[0003] The sample collection device is provided with a needle for aspirating sample liquid, and the needle can be moved back and forth, left and right, and up and down by a predetermined drive mechanism. When collecting sample liquid with the needle, the drive mechanism first moves the needle back and forth and left and right to move it directly above the sample container. Next, the needle is lowered and inserted into the inside of the sample container, and the sample liquid is aspirated from the tip of the needle while the tip of the needle is positioned near the inner bottom of the sample container. The aspirated sample liquid is temporarily held in a sample loop connected to the base end of the needle, and then the sample loop is inserted into a flow path leading to an analysis device such as a liquid chromatograph by switching the flow path, thereby introducing the sample liquid into the analysis device. Alternatively, the needle after aspirating the sample is moved to a predetermined injection point (for example, a sample injection port or another container), and the sample liquid is injected into the injection point by discharging the sample liquid from the tip of the needle.

[0004] In such a sample collection device, a plurality of sample containers are usually set, and a single needle is used to collect sample liquid from each sample container in sequence. Therefore, in order to prevent cross-contamination between the sample containers, a step of cleaning the needle is performed every time a sample is collected from one sample container (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2009 / 041441 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the washing step, the needle is immersed in a rinse port that stores a predetermined rinse liquid in order to remove the sample liquid adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the needle. Specifically, the needle is moved to just above the rinse port by the predetermined drive mechanism, and then the needle is lowered so that a region over a certain length from the tip of the needle is immersed in the rinse liquid in the rinse port. However, as described above, a large number of sample containers are set in the sample collection device, and the needle is washed every time sample liquid is collected from each sample container, so the time required for washing the needle as described above is one of the factors that reduces the throughput of sample collection.

[0007] In the above-mentioned liquid handler, the eluate from the column may be collected into a container with a relatively large depth, such as a test tube, and then the eluate in the container may be collected as a sample and reintroduced into the column. Since such liquid handlers often use long needles compared to devices that use only sample containers with a relatively small depth, such as vials, the decrease in throughput due to the above-mentioned needle washing is particularly noticeable.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and an object of the present invention is to shorten the time required for washing a needle in a sample collecting device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, the sample collecting device according to the present invention is a sampling needle that is inserted into the sample container to sample the sample liquid in the sample container; a needle moving mechanism that moves the sampling needle; an information acquiring unit that acquires insertion depth information, which is information regarding the insertion depth of the sampling needle into the sample container; a rinse liquid storage tank having an open top; a needle rinse length setting unit that sets a needle rinse length, which is an insertion length of the sampling needle into the rinse liquid storage tank, based on the insertion depth information; a control unit that controls the needle moving mechanism so as to insert a region from the tip of the sampling needle to the needle rinse length into the rinse liquid storage tank; Equipped with The needle rinse length setting unit sets the needle rinse length to be shorter as the insertion depth of the needle into the sample container decreases. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the sample collecting device of the present invention having the above-mentioned configuration, the time required for washing the needle can be shortened. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a liquid handler according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for registering rack layout information in the liquid handler. [Diagram 3] 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure for setting a needle rinse length and the subsequent procedure from sample collection to sample injection in the liquid handler. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing how a sample is collected from a deep sample container in the liquid handler. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a step of washing a needle after a sample is taken from the sample container. [Figure 6]FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing how a sample is collected from a small sample container in the liquid handler. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a step of washing a needle after a sample is taken from the sample container. [Figure 8] FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a liquid handler according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of a liquid handler according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure for setting a needle rinse length and the subsequent procedures from sample collection to sample injection in a liquid handler according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] [Embodiment 1] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a liquid handler according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] The liquid handler according to this embodiment is attached to a liquid chromatograph (not shown) and functions as an autosampler that introduces a sample into a flow path leading to a column of the liquid chromatograph, and as a fraction collector that fractionates the eluate from the column. This liquid handler includes a rack housing section 10 that houses a container rack 11, a sampling needle (hereinafter simply referred to as a "needle") 21 for sampling a sample liquid from a sample container 12 such as a test tube or a vial mounted on the container rack 11, a nozzle 22 that ejects the eluate from the column (not shown) into a fractionation container (not shown) such as a test tube mounted on the container rack 11, a rinse port (corresponding to the "rinse liquid storage tank" in the present invention) 30 for cleaning the outer circumferential surface of the needle 21, an injection port 40 into which the sample sampled by the needle 21 is injected, and a control section 50.

[0014] The needle 21 (and the nozzle 22) can be moved horizontally, i.e., in the X-axis and Y-axis directions in FIG. 1, and vertically, i.e., in the Z-axis direction, by a drive mechanism 23 (corresponding to the "needle moving mechanism" in the present invention) equipped with a motor or the like, and can be moved above each of the sample containers 12 (or fraction collection containers), the rinse port 30, and the injection port 40 on the container rack 11 and inserted into them. A metering pump (not shown) is connected to the base end of the needle 21 via a piping (not shown), and the needle 21 can suck and discharge liquid by operating the metering pump. Note that the function of collecting the eluate from the column (i.e., the function as a fraction collector) is not directly related to the present invention, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted below.

[0015] The rinse port 30 has a cup-like shape with an open top, a rinse liquid inlet 31 provided at its bottom, and a rinse liquid outlet 32 ​​provided at the upper side of the rinse port 30. A rinse liquid (cleaning liquid) is supplied to the rinse liquid inlet 31 by a pump (not shown), and the rinse liquid introduced into the rinse port 30 from the rinse liquid inlet 31 is made to overflow from the rinse liquid outlet 32, thereby replacing the rinse liquid in the rinse port 30 and keeping the liquid level in the rinse port 30 at a constant level. As the rinse liquid, a liquid having the same composition as the mobile phase used in the above-mentioned liquid chromatograph is typically used, but is not limited thereto, and any appropriate liquid such as an organic solvent such as methanol or acetonitrile, water, or a mixture thereof can be used. Alternatively, the rinse port 30 may not be provided with the rinse liquid inlet 31 as described above, and the rinse liquid may be supplied into the rinse port 30 by using the needle 21 to collect rinse liquid stored in a specified rinse liquid container and discharging the collected rinse liquid into the rinse port 30.

[0016] The control unit 50 includes a drive mechanism control unit 51 (corresponding to the "control unit" in the present invention) that controls the operation of the drive mechanism 23, a depth information acquisition unit 52, a needle rinse length setting unit 54, and a display control unit 55 as functional blocks, and also includes a storage unit 56. The storage unit 56 is provided with a depth information storage unit 53. The control unit 50 is also connected to an input unit 61 consisting of a pointing device such as a mouse or a keyboard, and a display unit 62 consisting of a liquid crystal display or the like. These input unit 61 and display unit 62, and the above-mentioned display control unit 55 cooperate to function as the "rack identification information acquisition unit" in the present invention. The control unit 50 is embodied by a dedicated computer, a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer, or a combination thereof, and the functions of each of the functional blocks are realized in software by a CPU provided in the computer constituting the control unit 50 reading out a dedicated program installed in a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD) into the memory of the computer and executing it. The dedicated program does not necessarily have to be a stand-alone program, but may be, for example, a function incorporated into a program that controls a liquid chromatograph, and the form thereof is not particularly limited.

[0017] Various container racks 11 with different numbers and arrangements of sample containers 12 that can be mounted can be set in the rack storage unit 10. In addition, a container rack 11 capable of mounting a certain sample container 12 may be used to mount another sample container 12 having the same outer diameter as the sample container 12 but different length (depth). Therefore, in order to appropriately collect samples from each sample container 12 set in the container rack 11, information such as the number and arrangement of the sample containers 12 on the container rack 11 and the depth of the sample containers 12 set on the container rack 11 (hereinafter, these information will be referred to as "rack layout information") must be registered in advance in the control unit 50. The procedure for registering such rack layout information will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 2.

[0018] First, when a user performs a predetermined operation on the input unit 61, a predetermined input screen is displayed on the display unit 62 under the control of the display control unit 55. The input screen is configured to be capable of accepting input of rack layout information by the user, including information on the arrangement of the sample containers 12 on the container rack 11 (e.g., the number of sample containers 12 arranged in each of the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction) and information on the depth of the sample containers 12 (i.e., the distance from the top end of the sample container 12 to the inner bottom surface (length A in Figures 4 and 6)). Here, the information on the depth of the sample containers 12 (hereinafter referred to as "container depth information") corresponds to the "insertion depth information" in the present invention.

[0019] When the user inputs rack layout information on the input screen (step 101), further inputs a name to be given to the rack layout information (hereinafter referred to as a "rack layout name"), and then performs a predetermined operation on the input unit 61, the rack layout information is stored in the depth information storage unit 53 in a state associated with the rack layout name (step 102). Here, the rack layout name corresponds to the "rack identification information" in this invention.

[0020] In addition to having the user input the depth of the sample container 12 as a numerical value on the input screen, for example, the user may input identification information indicating the type of sample container 12 (for example, the name, model number, or any character string of the sample container 12, etc.), and the control unit 50 may specify the depth of the sample container 12 and store it in the depth information storage unit. In this case, the manufacturer or user of the liquid handler according to this embodiment may previously store in the storage unit 56 the identification information and container depth information for each of the multiple types of sample containers 12 used in the liquid handler, in association with each other.

[0021] In addition to the rack layout information described above, the storage unit 56 stores a batch table describing the order and amount of sample liquid to be collected from each sample container 12 on the container rack 11, and teaching information describing the X, Y, and Z coordinates of the center of the upper opening of a specific sample container 12 (or the drive amount of the drive mechanism 23 required to move the tip of the needle 21 from the initial position to the center of the upper opening) for a specific sample container 12 among the many sample containers 12 set on the container rack 11. These batch tables and teaching information are created in advance by the control unit 50 based on instructions from the user, but detailed explanations are omitted here as they are not directly related to the present invention.

[0022] In a liquid handler, generally, after sample liquid is collected from the sample container 12, the needle 21 is inserted into the rinse port 30 by a predetermined length (hereinafter referred to as the "needle rinse length") from its tip, to clean the outer circumferential surface of the needle 21. In a conventional liquid handler, a constant needle rinse length (for example, a length in which most of the needle 21 is immersed in the rinse liquid) is always applied to the same needle 21. In contrast, the liquid handler according to this embodiment applies different needle rinse lengths depending on the depth of the sample container 12. Hereinafter, the procedure for setting the needle rinse length in this embodiment and the procedure for executing the subsequent steps from sample collection to sample injection will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 3.

[0023] First, a user sets a plurality of sample containers 12, each containing a sample liquid, in a container rack 11, and stores the container rack 11 in the rack storage unit 10. Then, when the user performs a predetermined operation on the input unit 61, a list of rack layout names stored in the depth information storage unit 53 is displayed on the display unit 62 under the control of the display control unit 55. The user selects from the list a rack layout name corresponding to a combination of the container rack 11 and the sample container 12 to be used (i.e., a combination of the container rack 11 and the sample container 12 stored in the rack storage unit 10) (step 201). Then, the depth information acquisition unit 52 specifies the rack layout information stored in the depth information storage unit 53 in association with the rack layout name, and reads out the container depth information included in the rack layout information (step 202). Then, the needle rinse length setting unit 54 determines a needle rinse length based on the container depth information, and stores the value in the storage unit 56 (step 203).

[0024] In step 203, the needle rinse length is set to the minimum length necessary to remove the sample liquid adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the needle 21 due to insertion into the sample container 12. That is, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, when the depth A of the sample container 12 is relatively large, the needle rinse length B is made large accordingly, and as shown in Figures 6 and 7, when the depth A of the sample container 12 is relatively small, the needle rinse length B is made small accordingly.

[0025] Here, the needle rinse length B is set to, for example, a value equal to the depth A of the sample container 12. Usually, the distance from the upper end of the sample container 12 to the liquid level of the sample liquid contained in the sample container 12 (hereinafter referred to as "distance D1") is sufficiently larger than the distance from the upper end of the rinse port 30 to the liquid level of the rinse liquid in the rinse port 30 (hereinafter referred to as "distance D2"). Therefore, by making the needle rinse length B equal to the depth A of the sample container 12, the area of ​​the needle 21 to which the sample liquid may adhere can be reliably immersed in the rinse liquid. If the above-mentioned distance D1 is smaller than the distance D2, the needle rinse length B is set to a value obtained by adding the length equivalent to the difference between the two (i.e., the value of "distance D2-distance D1") to the depth A of the sample container 12. In addition, in order to perform more reliable needle washing, the needle rinse length B may be set to be larger than the depth A of the sample container 12 (or the value obtained by adding "distance D2-distance D1" to the depth A). In this case, the needle rinse length B is preferably set to a length of 110% or less of the depth A of the sample container 12 (or the depth A plus "distance D2-distance D1").

[0026] Thereafter, the user performs a predetermined operation on the input unit 61, whereby collection of sample liquid from the sample container 12 is executed under the control of the control unit 50 (step 204). Specifically, the drive mechanism control unit 51 controls the drive mechanism 23 based on the above-mentioned batch table, teaching information, and rack layout information read out in step 202, thereby moving the needle 21 directly above the sample container 12 specified in the batch table, and then lowers the needle 21 to enter the sample container 12. Then, with the tip of the needle 21 positioned near the inner bottom surface of the sample container 12 (FIG. 4), the above-mentioned metering pump is operated to suck the sample liquid in the sample container 12 into the needle 21 (and the piping connected to its base end side) by the amount specified in the batch table.

[0027] Next, in order to remove the sample liquid adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the needle 21, washing of the needle 21 is performed (step 205). Specifically, the drive mechanism control unit 51 controls the drive mechanism 23 to first move the needle 21 to immediately above the rinse port 30. Then, from a state in which the tip of the needle is positioned at the center of the upper opening of the rinse port 30, the needle 21 is lowered by the needle rinse length B set in step 203. As a result, the region of the needle 21 from its tip to the needle rinse length B is inserted into the rinse port 30 (FIG. 5).

[0028] Thereafter, when a predetermined time has elapsed, under the control of the control unit 50, sample injection into the injection port 40 is executed (step 206). Specifically, the driving mechanism 23 moves the needle 21 to directly above the injection port 40, and then lowers the needle 21 to insert the tip of the needle 21 into the injection port 40. Then, by the action of the above-mentioned metering pump, the sample liquid in the needle 21 (and the piping connected to its base end) is injected into the injection port 40. A sample introduction flow path 41 is connected to the injection port 40, and the sample liquid injected into the injection port 40 is led through this sample introduction flow path 41 to the analysis flow path (flow path leading to the column) of the liquid chromatograph.

[0029] Thereafter, the control unit 50 refers to the batch table and determines whether or not sampling has been completed from all sample containers 12 specified on the batch table (step 207). If the answer to step 207 is No, the process returns to step 204 and sampling is performed from the next sample container 12 specified on the batch table. Thereafter, steps 204 to 207 are repeated, and when step 207 becomes Yes, the series of operations by the liquid handler is terminated.

[0030] As described above, in the liquid handler according to this embodiment, the needle rinse length is automatically set to a value according to the depth of the sample container 12. Therefore, when the depth of the sample container 12 is relatively small, the time required to insert the needle 21 into the rinse port 30 and the time required to pull out the needle 21 from the rinse port 30 can be shortened compared to when the depth of the sample container 12 is relatively large. As a result, the throughput of sample collection can be improved compared to when most of the needle 21 is always immersed in the rinse liquid for cleaning regardless of the depth of the sample container 12.

[0031] In the above example, the user is made to input the depth of the sample container 12 in step 101. Alternatively, the user may be made to input information on the amount of descent of the tip of the needle 21 from the upper end position of the sample container 12 (i.e., the central coordinates of the upper opening) at the time of sample collection, and the needle rinse length may be set based on that value. In this case, the information on the "amount of descent of the tip of the needle 21 from the upper end position of the sample container 12" corresponds to the "insertion depth information" in the present invention. In this case, the needle rinse length is the minimum length required to remove the sample liquid attached to the outer circumferential surface of the needle 21, for example, 100% to 110% of the value of the "amount of descent of the tip of the needle 21 from the upper end position of the sample container 12". Instead of the "amount of descent of the tip of the needle 21 from the upper end position of the sample container 12", the user may be made to input the amount of descent of the needle 21 from a predetermined reference position. In this case, the value of the "amount of descent of the tip of the needle 21 from the upper end position of the sample container 12" can be calculated based on the value of the "amount of descent of the needle from a predetermined reference position" and the distance from the reference position to the upper end of the sample container 12.

[0032] [Embodiment 2] 8 is a schematic diagram of a liquid handler according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the same or corresponding components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by reference characters having the same last two digits, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0033] The liquid handler according to the present embodiment includes a rack information reading unit 271 (corresponding to a "rack identification information acquiring unit" in the present invention) for reading identification information attached to the container rack 211. The rack information reading unit 271 can be configured, for example, as a reader for reading information on a non-contact IC tag such as an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification). In this case, an IC tag 272 storing rack identification information, which is identification information of the container rack 211, is attached to the container rack 211 in advance. In addition, the depth information storage unit 253 stores, for each of a plurality of types of container racks 211 used in the liquid handler according to the present embodiment, the rack identification information stored in the IC tag 272 attached to the container rack 211 and the "insertion depth information" regarding the sample container 212 mounted on the container rack 211 in association with each other. Here, the rack identification information is information for identifying the type of container rack, and can be, for example, the name or model number of the container rack 211, or a character string arbitrarily set by the user or the manufacturer of the liquid handler. In this embodiment, the length (depth) of the sample container 212 mounted on the container rack 211 is uniquely determined depending on the type of the container rack 211. The information stored in the depth information storage unit 253 may be preset by the manufacturer of the liquid handler according to this embodiment, or may be input by the user via the input unit 261.

[0034] In the liquid handler according to this embodiment, when the container rack 211 is accommodated in the rack accommodation unit 210, or when the user inputs a predetermined instruction through the input unit 261, the rack information reading unit 271 reads information recorded in the IC tag 272 (i.e., rack identification information). Then, the depth information acquiring unit 252 reads out insertion depth information corresponding to the rack identification information from the depth information storage unit 253, and the needle rinse length setting unit 254 sets the needle rinse length based on the insertion depth information. The method of setting the needle rinse length at this time and the subsequent operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described in detail.

[0035] As described above, according to the liquid handler of this embodiment, the rack identification information is automatically read from the container rack 211 in the rack housing section 210, thereby eliminating the need for the user to input the rack identification information.

[0036] In the above example, the IC tag 272 is attached to the container rack 211 and read by the rack information reading unit 271 consisting of an IC tag reader. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the container rack 211 may have one or more parts having a three-dimensional shape representing rack identification information, and the rack identification information may be acquired by reading the parts with one or more photosensors (corresponding to the "rack identification information acquiring unit" in the present invention). Alternatively, a barcode may be attached to the container rack 211, and the rack identification information may be acquired by reading the barcode reader (corresponding to the "rack identification information acquiring unit" in the present invention). Furthermore, a two-dimensional code may be attached to the container rack 211, or an identifier such as numbers or letters representing the type of the container rack 211 may be directly attached to the container rack 211, and the rack identification information may be acquired by photographing the barcode with a camera (corresponding to the "rack identification information acquiring unit" in the present invention).

[0037] [Embodiment 3] 9 is a schematic diagram of a liquid handler according to a third embodiment of the present invention, in which the same or corresponding components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by reference characters having the same last two digits, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0038] The liquid handler according to this embodiment includes a liquid level detection unit 381 for detecting whether the tip of needle 321 has touched the liquid level of the sample liquid. Liquid level detection unit 381 detects the liquid level by utilizing a change in capacitance of an electric circuit including needle 321 caused by the tip of needle 321 coming into contact with the liquid level. However, liquid level detection unit 381 is not limited to such a capacitance type sensor, and may be, for example, an air pressure detection type sensor that detects the liquid level by utilizing a change in pressure inside needle 321 caused by the tip of needle 321 coming into contact with the liquid level.

[0039] Hereinafter, the procedure for setting the needle rinse length in this embodiment and the procedure for executing the process from sample collection to sample injection thereafter will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG.

[0040] First, the control unit 350 acquires rack identification information for the container rack 311 on which the sample container 312 to be sampled is mounted (step 401). Here, the rack identification information can be acquired, for example, by having a user input it as in the first embodiment, or by reading information attached to the container rack 311 as in the second embodiment. Then, the depth information acquisition unit 352 reads out, from the depth information storage unit 353, insertion depth information stored in the depth information storage unit 353 in association with the rack identification information acquired in step 401 (step 402).

[0041] Thereafter, while the container rack 311 is accommodated in the rack accommodation unit 310, the driving mechanism 23 lowers the needle 321. The needle rinse length setting unit 354 monitors the output signal from the liquid level detection unit 381 at this time, and when the output signal reaches a predetermined threshold value, it determines that the tip of the needle 321 has touched the liquid level of the sample liquid (i.e., the liquid level has been detected) (step 403). The needle rinse length setting unit 354 determines the height of the tip of the needle 321 at this time as the liquid level height of the sample liquid, and specifies the length of the region of the needle 321 immersed in the sample liquid (hereinafter referred to as the "sample liquid immersion length") based on the height and the insertion depth information acquired in step 402. Then, it sets the minimum length required to clean the region from the tip of the needle 321 to the sample liquid immersion length (for example, a length of 100 to 110% of the sample liquid immersion length) as the needle rinse length (step 404). The sample liquid immersion length can be calculated, for example, by determining the distance from the top end position of the sample container 312 to the liquid level height, and subtracting this value from the insertion depth information, which is the “value of the depth of the sample container” or the “value of the descent of the tip of the needle from the top end of the sample container.”

[0042] Next, as in the first embodiment, sample liquid is collected from the sample container 312 (step 405), and then the needle 321 is washed by inserting a region from the tip of the needle 321 over the needle rinse length into the rinse port 330 (step 406). Then, the needle 321 is inserted into the injection port 340 to inject the sample liquid (step 407). Thereafter, steps 403 to 407 are repeatedly executed until collection of sample liquid from all the preset sample containers 312 and injection of the sample liquid into the injection port 340 are completed (i.e., until Yes is returned in step 408 of FIG. 10).

[0043] As described above, the liquid handler according to this embodiment makes it possible to set the needle rinse length taking into consideration the height of the sample liquid surface in the sample container in addition to the insertion depth information. As a result, even if the sample container has the same depth, the needle rinse length is set shorter when the amount of liquid in the container is smaller (i.e., when the liquid surface height is lower), so that the throughput of sample collection can be further improved.

[0044] Although the present invention has been described above by giving specific examples of the mode for carrying out the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments 1 to 3, and appropriate modifications are permitted within the scope of the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the embodiments 1 to 3, the present invention is applied to a liquid handler having both the functions of an autosampler and a fraction collector, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and can be similarly applied to, for example, a normal autosampler.

[0045] In addition, in steps 201 and 202 in FIG. 3 (or steps 401 and 402 in FIG. 10), input of rack identification information is accepted from the user (or the rack identification information is read by the rack information reading unit 271), and insertion depth information corresponding to the rack identification information is read from the depth information storage unit 53, 353. Alternatively, however, input of container identification information (e.g., the name, model number, or any character string of the sample container 12, 312) indicating the type of the sample container 12, 312 may be accepted from the user, and insertion depth information corresponding to the container identification information may be read from the depth information storage unit 53, 353. In this case, the input unit 61, 361, the display unit 62, 362, and the display control unit 55, 355 cooperate to function as the "container identification information input accepting unit" in the present invention. In such a configuration, the manufacturer or user of the liquid handler of this embodiment will previously store in the depth information memory unit 53, 353 the container identification information and insertion depth information for each of the multiple types of sample containers 12, 312 used in the liquid handler, in association with each other.

[0046] [Aspects] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above-described exemplary embodiments are illustrative of the following aspects.

[0047] (Item 1) A sample collection device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a sampling needle that is inserted into the sample container to sample the sample liquid in the sample container; a needle moving mechanism that moves the sampling needle; a depth information acquiring unit that acquires insertion depth information, which is information regarding the insertion depth of the sampling needle into the sample container; a rinse liquid storage tank having an open top; a needle rinse length setting unit that sets a needle rinse length, which is an insertion length of the sampling needle into the rinse liquid storage tank, based on the insertion depth information; a control unit that controls the needle moving mechanism so as to insert a region from the tip of the sampling needle to the needle rinse length into the rinse liquid storage tank; Equipped with The needle rinse length setting unit sets the needle rinse length to be shorter as the insertion depth of the sampling needle into the sample container decreases.

[0048] According to the sample collecting device of the first aspect, when the insertion depth of the sampling needle into the sample container is relatively small, the time required to insert the sampling needle into the rinse liquid tank and the time required to pull out the sampling needle from the rinse liquid tank are shorter than when the insertion depth is relatively large. As a result, the throughput of sample collection can be improved compared to the case where most of the sampling needle is always inserted into the rinse liquid tank for cleaning regardless of the insertion depth of the sampling needle into the sample container.

[0049] (2) The sampling device according to paragraph 2 is the sampling device according to paragraph 1, The insertion depth information is a value of the depth of the sample container or a value of the amount of descent of the tip of the sampling needle from the upper end of the sample container.

[0050] (3) The sample collecting device according to the third paragraph is the sample collecting device according to the second paragraph, The needle rinse length setting unit sets the needle rinse length to a length between 100% and 110% of the depth of the sample container or the amount of descent of the tip of the sampling needle from the upper end of the sample container.

[0051] According to the sample collection device of paragraph 3, the needle rinse length can be set to the minimum length required to remove the sample liquid adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the sampling needle when collecting a sample from a sample container, and the time required to insert and remove the sampling needle from the rinse liquid storage tank can be minimized.

[0052] (4) The sample collecting device according to the 4th paragraph is a sample collecting device according to any one of the 1st to 3rd paragraphs, a depth information storage unit that stores, for each of the plurality of types of sample containers, container identification information, which is identification information of each sample container, and the insertion depth information for the sample container in association with each other; a container identification information input receiving unit that receives input of the container identification information from a user; and The depth information acquisition unit reads out, from the depth information storage unit, the insertion depth information corresponding to the container identification information accepted by the container identification information input acceptance unit.

[0053] (5) The sampling device according to 5 is a sampling device according to any one of 1 to 3, a rack accommodating section for accommodating a container rack carrying the sample containers; a depth information storage unit that stores, for each of a plurality of types of container racks, rack identification information that is identification information of the container rack and the insertion depth information of the sample containers to be loaded into the container rack in association with each other; a rack identification information acquisition unit that acquires the rack identification information regarding the container rack on which the sample container from which the sample liquid is to be collected by the sampling needle is mounted; and The sampling needle collects the sample liquid from the sample container mounted on the container rack in the rack housing section, The depth information acquisition unit reads out the insertion depth information corresponding to the rack identification information acquired by the rack identification information acquisition unit from the depth information storage unit.

[0054] (6) The sampling device according to paragraph 6 is the sampling device according to paragraph 5, The rack identification information acquisition section reads the rack identification information held by the container rack accommodated in the rack accommodation section.

[0055] According to the sampling device of the sixth aspect, the rack identification information is automatically read from the container rack in the rack housing section, thereby eliminating the need for the user to input the rack identification information.

[0056] (7) The sampling device according to 7 is a sampling device according to any one of 1 to 6, a liquid level detector that detects when the sampling needle touches the liquid level of the sample liquid; and The needle rinse length determination unit sets the needle rinse length based on the insertion depth information and an output signal from the liquid level detection unit.

[0057] According to the sample collecting device of the seventh aspect, the needle rinse length can be set more appropriately by taking into consideration the depth of the sample liquid in the sample container in addition to the insertion depth.

[0058] (8) The sampling device according to 8 is the sampling device according to 7, The needle rinse length setting unit determines a sample liquid immersion length, which is the length of the area of ​​the sampling needle that is immersed in the sample liquid, based on the insertion depth information and an output signal from the liquid level detection unit, and sets the needle rinse length to a length between 100% and 110% of the sample liquid immersion length.

[0059] According to the sample collection device of paragraph 8, the needle rinse length can be set to the minimum length required to remove the sample liquid adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the sampling needle when collecting a sample from a sample container, and the time required to insert and remove the sampling needle from the rinse liquid storage tank can be minimized.

[0060] (Item 9) The sampling device according to item 9 is a sampling device according to any one of items 1 to 8, The sample collection device is a liquid handler that combines the function of an autosampler that introduces a sample into a liquid chromatograph and the function of a fraction collector that collects a fraction of the eluate from the liquid chromatograph.

[0061] In a liquid handler, after the eluate from the column is fractionated into a container with a relatively large depth such as a test tube, the eluate in the container may be collected as a sample and reintroduced into the column, so a longer sampling needle is often used compared to devices that use only sample containers with a relatively small depth such as vials. According to the sample collecting device of paragraph 9, by applying the present invention to such a liquid handler, the time required to insert and remove the sampling needle can be effectively shortened. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 10...Rack storage section 11...Container rack 12...Sample container 21...Needle 23...Drive mechanism 30…Linsport 40…Injection port 50...Control unit 51...Drive mechanism control section 52…Depth information acquisition unit 53...Depth information storage unit 54...Needle rinse length setting section 55...Display control unit 61...Input section 62…Display section 271...Rack information reading unit 272...IC tag 381...Liquid level detector

Claims

1. a sampling needle that is inserted into the sample container to sample the sample liquid in the sample container; a needle moving mechanism that moves the sampling needle; a depth information acquiring unit that acquires insertion depth information, which is information regarding the insertion depth of the sampling needle into the sample container; a rinse liquid storage tank having an open top; a needle rinse length setting unit that sets a needle rinse length, which is an insertion length of the sampling needle into the rinse liquid storage tank, based on the insertion depth information; a control unit that controls the needle moving mechanism so as to insert a region from the tip of the sampling needle to the needle rinse length into the rinse liquid storage tank; Equipped with A sample collecting device, wherein the needle rinse length setting unit sets the needle rinse length to be shorter as the insertion depth of the sampling needle into the sample container is smaller.

2. 2. The sample collecting device according to claim 1, wherein the insertion depth information is a value of the depth of the sample container or a value of the amount of descent of the tip of the sampling needle from the upper end of the sample container.

3. The sample collection device according to claim 2, wherein the needle rinse length setting unit sets the needle rinse length to a length between 100% and 110% of the value of the depth of the sample container or the value of the descent amount of the tip of the sampling needle from the upper end of the sample container.

4. Furthermore, a depth information storage unit that stores, for each of the plurality of types of sample containers, container identification information, which is identification information of each sample container, and the insertion depth information for the sample container in association with each other; a container identification information input receiving unit that receives input of the container identification information from a user; having the depth information acquisition unit reads out, from the depth information storage unit, the insertion depth information corresponding to the container identification information accepted by the container identification information input acceptance unit. The sample collecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. Furthermore, a rack accommodating section for accommodating a container rack carrying the sample containers; a depth information storage unit that stores, for each of a plurality of types of container racks, rack identification information that is identification information of the container rack and the insertion depth information of the sample containers to be loaded into the container rack in association with each other; a rack identification information acquisition unit that acquires the rack identification information regarding the container rack on which the sample container from which the sample liquid is to be collected by the sampling needle is mounted; having The sampling needle collects the sample liquid from the sample container mounted on the container rack in the rack housing section, The depth information acquisition unit reads out the insertion depth information corresponding to the rack identification information acquired by the rack identification information acquisition unit from the depth information storage unit. The sample collecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The rack identification information acquisition unit reads the rack identification information held by the container rack accommodated in the rack accommodation unit.

6. The sampling device of claim 5.

7. Furthermore, a liquid level detector that detects when the sampling needle touches the liquid level of the sample liquid; having the needle rinse length setting unit sets the needle rinse length based on the insertion depth information and an output signal from the liquid level detection unit.

2. The sampling device of claim 1.

8. 8. The sample collecting device of claim 7, wherein the needle rinse length setting unit determines a sample liquid immersion length, which is the length of the area of ​​the sampling needle that is immersed in the sample liquid, based on the insertion depth information and an output signal from the liquid level detection unit, and sets the needle rinse length to a length of 100% to 110% of the sample liquid immersion length.

9. 2. The sample collecting device according to claim 1, wherein the sample collecting device is a liquid handler having both a function as an autosampler that introduces a sample into a liquid chromatograph and a function as a fraction collector that collects an eluate from the liquid chromatograph.

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