Sample container holding device

Abstract

To provide a sample container holding device with which it is possible to identify the placement state of a sample container, and to maintain the state of the sample container when it is placed in an appropriate placement state.SOLUTION: There is provided a sample container holding device comprising a first sensor for detecting the presence of a sample container on a first detection line, a second sensor for detecting the presence of the sample container on a second detection line, a third sensor for detecting the presence of the sample container on a third detection line, and a fourth sensor for detecting the presence of the sample container on a fourth detection line. In a proper placement state, a first restraint part faces a first side edge in the left direction, a second restraint part faces a second side edge rearward, a third restraint part faces a third side edge in the right direction, a fourth restraint part faces a fourth side edge forward. The first detection line crosses the front and rear surfaces of the first side edge, the second detection line crosses the left and right surfaces of the second side edge, the third detection line crosses the front and rear surfaces of the third side edge, and the fourth detection line crosses the left and right surfaces of the fourth side edge.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sample container holding device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Sample container holding devices for holding sample containers are known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 6). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-222634 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2019-116336 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2015-99256 A [Patent Document 4] JP 2009-192763 A [Patent Document 5] JP 2006-98286 A [Patent Document 6] JP 2011-180411 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a sample container holding device that can determine the placement state of a sample container and, if a sample container is placed in a proper placement state, can maintain that state. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure is as follows.

[0006] [1] A sample container holding device for holding a rectangular sample container having a first peripheral portion, a second peripheral portion, a third peripheral portion, and a fourth peripheral portion in this order clockwise in a top view, The sample container has a placement portion, a first restriction portion, a second restriction portion, a third restriction portion, a fourth restriction portion, a first sensor that detects the presence of the sample container on a linear first detection line, a second sensor that detects the presence of the sample container on a linear second detection line, a third sensor that detects the presence of the sample container on a linear third detection line, and a fourth sensor that detects the presence of the sample container on a linear fourth detection line, In a proper placement state in which the sample container is placed on the placement section without being placed on any of the first restriction section, the second restriction section, the third restriction section, and the fourth restriction section, the first regulating portion faces the first edge portion in the left direction so as to regulate, by contact, movement of the first edge portion in the left direction from the third edge portion toward the first edge portion along the second edge portion in the top view; the second regulating portion faces the second edge portion rearward to regulate, by contact, movement of the second edge portion rearward from the fourth edge portion toward the second edge portion along the first edge portion in the top view; the third restricting portion faces the third edge portion in the right direction so as to restrict the movement of the third edge portion in the right direction by contact therewith; the fourth restriction portion faces the fourth edge portion in the forward direction so as to restrict forward movement of the fourth edge portion by contact therewith; the first regulating portion, the second regulating portion, the third regulating portion, and the fourth regulating portion regulate the rotation of the sample container relative to the sample container holding device in the top view, the first detection line intersects the front and rear surfaces of the first edge portion; the second detection line intersects with the left and right surfaces of the second edge portion; the third detection line intersects the front and rear surfaces of the third edge portion; The sample container holder, wherein the fourth detection line intersects with a left side and a right side of the fourth edge portion.

[0007] [2] a fifth sensor for detecting the presence of the sample container on a fifth linear detection line; The sample container holding device according to [1], wherein the fifth detection line intersects with the upper and lower surfaces of the sample container in the proper placement state.

[0008] [3] the first sensor, the second sensor, the third sensor, and the fourth sensor are each a reflective sensor, The sample container holding device described in [1] or [2], wherein in the properly placed state, the first sensor, the second sensor, the third sensor and the fourth sensor are positioned in this order clockwise or counterclockwise when viewed from above so as to face the four corner portions of the sample container.

[0009] [4] A sample analyzer comprising the sample container holding device according to any one of [1] to [3].

[0010] [5] The sample analyzer according to [4], further comprising a moving unit that moves the sample container holding device with the sample container placed thereon.

[0011] [6] an analysis unit that analyzes the sample contained in the sample container; The sample analyzer according to [5], wherein the moving unit transports the sample container holding device with the sample container placed thereon to the analysis unit.

[0012] [7] a discrimination unit for discriminating a placement state of the sample container in the sample container holding device, The sample analysis device described in any one of [4] to [6], wherein the discrimination unit determines that the sample container is in the proper placement state when all of the first sensor, the second sensor, the third sensor, and the fourth sensor detect the presence of the sample container, and determines that the sample container is in an improper tilted placement state in which the sample container is placed on at least one of the first regulating unit, the second regulating unit, the third regulating unit, and the fourth regulating unit in an inclined position inclined with respect to a horizontal plane when one to three of the first sensor, the second sensor, the third sensor, and the fourth sensor detect the presence of the sample container.

[0013] [8] the sample container holder has a fifth sensor for detecting the presence of the sample container on a fifth linear detection line; In the proper placement state, the fifth detection line intersects with the upper and lower surfaces of the sample container, The sample analysis device described in [7], wherein when none of the first sensor, the second sensor, the third sensor, the fourth sensor, and the fifth sensor detect the presence of the sample container, the discrimination unit discriminates that the sample container is in an unplaced state in which it is not placed on any of the first restriction unit, the second restriction unit, the third restriction unit, the fourth restriction unit, and the placement unit; and when none of the first sensor, the second sensor, the third sensor, and the fourth sensor detect the presence of the sample container and the fifth sensor detects the presence of the sample container, the discrimination unit discriminates that the sample container is in an improper horizontal placement state in which it is placed on at least one of the first restriction unit, the second restriction unit, the third restriction unit, and the fourth restriction unit in a horizontal position parallel to the horizontal plane. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a sample container holding device that can determine the placement state of a sample container and, if a sample container is placed in a proper placement state, can maintain that state. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a top view showing a state in which a sample container is placed in a proper placement state on a sample container holding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a partially sectional front view of the state shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a right side view, partially in section, of the state shown in FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a top view of the sample container holding device shown in FIG. 1 before the sample container is placed thereon. FIG. [Diagram 5] 2 is a partially sectional front view of the sample container holding device shown in FIG. 1 before the sample container is placed thereon. FIG. [Figure 6]2 is a right side view, partially in section, of the sample container holding device shown in FIG. 1 before the sample container is placed thereon. FIG. [Figure 7] 2 is a top view showing a state in which a sample container is placed in an improperly inclined position in the sample container holding device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a partially sectional front view of the state shown in FIG. [Figure 9] 8 is a right side view, partially in section, of the state shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 10] 2 is a top view showing a state in which a sample container is placed in an improper horizontal position on the sample container holding device shown in FIG. 1; FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a partially sectional front view of the state shown in FIG. [Figure 12] 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a method for determining the placement state of a sample container in the sample container holding device shown in FIG. 1; FIG. [Figure 13] 1 is a block diagram of a sample analyzer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0017] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the sample container holding device 1 holds a rectangular sample container 2 having a first edge portion 2a, a second edge portion 2b, a third edge portion 2c, and a fourth edge portion 2d in this order clockwise in a top view, and includes a mounting portion 3, a first restricting portion 4, a second restricting portion 5, a third restricting portion 6, a fourth restricting portion 7, a first sensor 8 that detects the presence of the sample container 2 on a linear first detection line 8a, a second sensor 9 that detects the presence of the sample container 2 on a linear second detection line 9a, a linear third detection line 10, a linear fourth detection line 11, a linear fourth detection line 12, a linear fifth detection line 13, a linear fifth detection line 14, a linear fifth detection line 15, a linear fifth detection line 16, a linear fifth detection line 17, a linear fifth detection line 18, a linear fifth detection line 19, a linear fifth detection line 20, a linear fifth detection line 21, a linear fifth detection line 22, a linear fifth detection line 23, a linear fifth detection line 24, a linear fifth detection line 25, a linear fifth detection line 26, a linear fifth detection line 27, a linear fifth detection line 28, a linear fifth detection line 29, a linear fifth detection line 30, a linear fifth detection line 31, a linear fifth detection line 32, a linear fifth detection line 33, a linear fifth detection line 34, a linear fifth detection line 35, a linear fifth detection line 36, a linear fifth detection line 37, a linear fifth detection line 38, a linear fifth detection line 39 ... 1 to 3), in which the sample container 2 is placed on the placement section 3 without being placed on any of the first restricting section 4, the second restricting section 5, the third restricting section 6, and the fourth restricting section 7, the sensor 10 is adapted to contact the first peripheral section 2a in a leftward direction (leftward direction in FIG. 1) from the third peripheral section 2c toward the first peripheral section 2a along the second peripheral section 2b in a top view. The first restricting portion 4 faces the second peripheral portion 2b so as to restrict, by contact, the movement of the second peripheral portion 2b backward (upward in FIG. 1 ) from the fourth peripheral portion 2d toward the second peripheral portion 2b along the first peripheral portion 2a in a top view, the third restricting portion 6 faces in the right direction relative to the third peripheral portion 2c so as to restrict, by contact, the movement of the third peripheral portion 2c in the right direction, and the fourth restricting portion 7 faces in the front direction relative to the fourth peripheral portion 2d so as to restrict, by contact, the movement of the fourth peripheral portion 2d forward. The third regulating portion 6 and the fourth regulating portion 7 regulate the rotation of the sample container 2 relative to the sample container holding device 1 when viewed from above, and the first detection line 8a intersects with the front and rear surfaces of the first edge portion 2a (perpendicular in top view in this embodiment), the second detection line 9a intersects with the left and right surfaces of the second edge portion 2b (perpendicular in top view in this embodiment), the third detection line 10a intersects with the front and rear surfaces of the third edge portion 2c (perpendicular in top view in this embodiment), and the fourth detection line 11a intersects with the left and right surfaces of the fourth edge portion 2d (perpendicular in top view in this embodiment).

[0018] According to the above configuration, when the sample container 2 is placed on the sample container holding device 1 in the proper placement state, the first restricting part 4, the second restricting part 5, the third restricting part 6 and the fourth restricting part 7 can maintain the sample container 2 in the proper placement state. In addition, the placement state of the sample container 2 on the sample container holding device 1 can be determined by the first sensor 8, the second sensor 9, the third sensor 10 and the fourth sensor 11. When all of the first sensor 8, the second sensor 9, the third sensor 10 and the fourth sensor 11 detect the presence of the sample container 2, it is found that the sample container 2 is in the proper placement state, that is, placed on the placement part 3 without being placed on any of the first restricting part 4, the second restricting part 5, the third restricting part 6 and the fourth restricting part 7 (see FIG. 12). When one to three of the first sensor 8, second sensor 9, third sensor 10 and fourth sensor 11 detect the presence of a sample container 2, it is determined that the sample container 2 is in an improper inclined placement state (for example, the state shown in Figures 7 to 9) in which the sample container 2 is placed on at least one of the first regulating section 4, second regulating section 5, third regulating section 6 and fourth regulating section 7 in an inclined position inclined relative to the horizontal plane (see Figure 12). When none of the first sensor 8, the second sensor 9, the third sensor 10, and the fourth sensor 11 detects the presence of the sample container 2, it is determined that the sample container 2 is in an improper tilted placement state, an improper horizontal placement state (e.g., the state shown in Figs. 10 and 11) in which the sample container 2 is placed on at least one of the first restricting portion 4, the second restricting portion 5, the third restricting portion 6, and the fourth restricting portion 7 in a horizontal position parallel to the horizontal plane, or a non-placed state (not shown) in which the sample container 2 is not placed on any of the first restricting portion 4, the second restricting portion 5, the third restricting portion 6, and the fourth restricting portion 7 and the placement portion 3 (see Fig. 12). Therefore, it is possible to realize a sample container holding device 1 that can determine the placement state of the sample container 2 and can maintain the state when the sample container 2 is placed in the proper placement state.

[0019] In the properly placed state, the first restricting portion 4, the second restricting portion 5, the third restricting portion 6 and the fourth restricting portion 7 restrict the rotation of the sample container 2 relative to the sample container holding device 1 in a top view, and the configuration is not particularly limited. For example, the first restricting portion 4 has a first restricting front portion 4a facing a front portion of the first peripheral portion 2a in the properly placed state and a first restricting rear portion 4b facing a rear portion of the first peripheral portion 2a in the properly placed state, or the second restricting portion 5 has a second restricting left portion 5a facing a left portion of the second peripheral portion 2b in the properly placed state and a second restricting left portion 5b facing a left portion of the second peripheral portion 2b in the properly placed state. the third regulating portion 6 may have a third regulating front portion 6a facing the front portion of the third edge portion 2c in the proper placement state and a third regulating rear portion 6b facing the rear portion of the third edge portion 2c in the proper placement state; or the fourth regulating portion 7 may have a fourth regulating left portion 7a facing the left portion of the fourth edge portion 2d in the proper placement state and a fourth regulating right portion 7b facing the right portion of the fourth edge portion 2d in the proper placement state.

[0020] The sample container holding device 1 has a fifth sensor 12 that detects the presence of the sample container 2 on a straight fifth detection line 12a, and in the proper placement state, the fifth detection line 12a crosses the upper and lower surfaces of the sample container 2 (in this embodiment, it is perpendicular when viewed from the front and the right side). According to the above configuration, when none of the first sensor 8, the second sensor 9, the third sensor 10, the fourth sensor 11, and the fifth sensor 12 detect the presence of the sample container 2, it is found that the sample container 2 is not placed (see FIG. 12). Also, when none of the first sensor 8, the second sensor 9, the third sensor 10, and the fourth sensor 11 detect the presence of the sample container 2 and the fifth sensor 12 detects the presence of the sample container 2, it is found that the sample container 2 is in an improper horizontal placement state (see FIG. 12).

[0021] The first sensor 8, the second sensor 9, the third sensor 10, and the fourth sensor 11 are each a reflective sensor, and in a properly placed state, the first sensor 8, the second sensor 9, the third sensor 10, and the fourth sensor 11 are positioned in this order clockwise or counterclockwise in a top view so as to face the four corner portions 2e of the sample container 2. According to the above configuration, a reflective sensor (e.g., a photoelectric sensor) is disposed adjacent to each of the four corner portions 2e, thereby improving the detection accuracy.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 13, in this embodiment, the sample analyzer 13 has a sample container holding device 1. According to the above configuration, it is possible to realize a sample analyzer 13 that can determine the placement state of the sample container 2 on the sample container holding device 1 and can maintain the state when the sample container 2 is placed in the appropriate placement state. Furthermore, by determining the placement state, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of abnormalities in the sample analyzer 13 due to an inappropriate placement state or an abnormality in the sample container 2 itself that prevents the appropriate placement state (for example, damage to the outer periphery, adhesion of dirt, etc.). The sample analyzer 13 can be suitably used as, for example, a drug discovery support device.

[0023] If the placement state is determined to be inappropriate, the sample analyzer 13 may be stopped so as not to proceed to the next operation. With the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an abnormality in the next operation (e.g., damage to the sample analyzer 13) due to an inappropriate placement state. If the placement state is determined to be inappropriate, the sample analyzer 13 may be notified of the abnormality (e.g., an alarm is issued) to an operator such as a human or robot (e.g., the placing entity).

[0024] The sample analyzer 13 has a moving unit 14 that moves the sample container holding device 1 with the sample container 2 placed thereon. With the above configuration, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of abnormalities during movement due to an inappropriate placement state or an abnormality in the sample container itself that prevents it from being placed in an appropriate state.

[0025] The sample analyzer 13 has an analysis section 15 that analyzes the sample 16 contained in the sample container 2, and the moving section 14 transports the sample container holding device 1 with the sample container 2 placed thereon to the analysis section 15. With the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of abnormalities during operations such as transport and analysis due to an improper placement state. In addition to transporting to the analysis section 15, the moving section 14 may be configured to move the sample container holding device 1 with the sample container 2 placed thereon in order to move the sample container 2 during analysis in the analysis section 15. Alternatively, the moving section 14 may be configured to move the sample container holding device 1 with the sample container 2 placed thereon in order to move the sample container 2 during analysis in the analysis section 15 without transporting to the analysis section 15.

[0026] The sample analyzer 13 has a discrimination unit that discriminates the placement state of the sample container 2 in the sample container holding device 1, and the discrimination unit discriminates that the sample container 2 is in a properly placed state when all of the first sensor 8, the second sensor 9, the third sensor 10, and the fourth sensor 11 detect the presence of the sample container 2, and discriminates that the sample container 2 is in an improperly tilted placement state when one to three of the first sensor 8, the second sensor 9, the third sensor 10, and the fourth sensor 11 detect the presence of the sample container 2. With the above configuration, the discrimination unit can easily discriminate the placement state of the sample container 2. The discrimination unit can be configured by a computer.

[0027] The sample container holding device 1 has a fifth sensor 12 that detects the presence of the sample container 2 on a straight fifth detection line 12a, and in the proper placement state, the fifth detection line 12a intersects with the upper and lower surfaces of the sample container 2, and the discrimination unit determines that the sample container 2 is in an unplaced state when none of the first sensor 8, the second sensor 9, the third sensor 10, the fourth sensor 11, and the fifth sensor 12 detects the presence of the sample container 2, and determines that the sample container 2 is in an improper horizontal placement state when none of the first sensor 8, the second sensor 9, the third sensor 10, and the fourth sensor 11 detects the presence of the sample container 2 and the fifth sensor 12 detects the presence of the sample container 2. According to the above configuration, the discrimination unit can easily discriminate the placement state of the sample container 2, including the unplaced state and the improper horizontal placement state.

[0028] The sample 16 is, for example, a cell, a tissue, etc. The sample container 2 is, but is not limited to, a microplate. The microplate is not particularly limited, but preferably has an outer dimension recommended by the SBS standard. The analysis unit 15 has, but is not limited to, an optical system that irradiates the sample 16 with light (e.g., excitation light) and detects light from the sample 16 (e.g., light emitted by the sample 16 excited by the excitation light). The optical system may be configured to have a microscope. The sample analysis device 13 may be configured to have a processing unit (computer) that generates an image based on the detection result by the optical system. The moving unit 14 transports the sample container holding device 1 to the analysis unit 15 while keeping the sample container 2 in a horizontal position, but is not limited to this. The moving unit 14 can be, for example, a linear motion mechanism, a rotation mechanism, or a combination of these. The moving path is not particularly limited, and may have a horizontal path, a vertical path, or both. The sample analyzer 13 may be configured to have a robot arm that places the sample container 2 on the sample container holding device 1, or may be configured to be placed by a human being.

[0029] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the above-described embodiments can be modified in various ways without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0030] 1. Sample container holding device 2. Sample container 2a First margin 2b Second margin 2c Third margin 2d Fourth margin 2e Corner part 3. Placement section 4. First Regulatory Section 4a First regulation front side part 4b First regulation rear part 5. Second Regulatory Department 5a Second regulation left side 5b Second regulation right side 6. Third Regulatory Department 6a 3rd regulation front side part 6b Third regulation rear part 7 Fourth Regulatory Department 7a 4th regulation left side 7b 4th regulation right side 8 First Sensor 8a First detection line 9 Second Sensor 9a Second detection line 10 3rd Sensor 10a 3rd detection line 11 4th Sensor 11a 4th detection line 12 5th Sensor 12a 5th detection line 13 Sample analysis equipment 14 Mobile section 15 Analysis Department 16 Samples

Claims

1. A sample container holding device for holding a rectangular sample container having a first peripheral portion, a second peripheral portion, a third peripheral portion, and a fourth peripheral portion in this order clockwise in a top view, The sample container has a placement portion, a first restricting portion, a second restricting portion, a third restricting portion, a fourth restricting portion, a first sensor that detects the presence of the sample container on a linear first detection line, a second sensor that detects the presence of the sample container on a linear second detection line, a third sensor that detects the presence of the sample container on a linear third detection line, and a fourth sensor that detects the presence of the sample container on a linear fourth detection line, In a proper placement state in which the sample container is placed on the placement section without being placed on any of the first restriction section, the second restriction section, the third restriction section, and the fourth restriction section, the first restricting portion faces the first edge portion in the left direction so as to restrict, by contact, movement of the first edge portion in the left direction from the third edge portion toward the first edge portion along the second edge portion in the top view; the second regulating portion faces the second edge portion rearward to regulate, by contact, movement of the second edge portion rearward from the fourth edge portion toward the second edge portion along the first edge portion in the top view; the third restricting portion faces the third edge portion in the right direction so as to restrict the movement of the third edge portion in the right direction by contact therewith; the fourth restricting portion faces the fourth edge portion in the forward direction so as to restrict forward movement of the fourth edge portion by contact therewith; the first regulating portion, the second regulating portion, the third regulating portion, and the fourth regulating portion regulate the rotation of the sample container relative to the sample container holding device in the top view, the first detection line intersects the front and rear surfaces of the first edge portion; the second detection line intersects with the left and right surfaces of the second edge portion; the third detection line intersects the front and rear surfaces of the third edge portion; A sample container holder, wherein the fourth detection line intersects a left side and a right side of the fourth edge.

2. a fifth sensor for detecting the presence of the sample container on a fifth linear detection line; 2. The sample container holding device according to claim 1, wherein the fifth detection line intersects with an upper surface and a lower surface of the sample container in the properly placed state.

3. the first sensor, the second sensor, the third sensor, and the fourth sensor are each a reflective sensor, The sample container holding device of claim 1, wherein in the properly placed state, the first sensor, the second sensor, the third sensor and the fourth sensor are positioned in this order clockwise or counterclockwise when viewed from above so as to face the four corner portions of the sample container.

4. A sample analyzer comprising the sample container holder according to claim 1.

5. The sample analyzer according to claim 4, further comprising a moving section for moving the sample container holding device with the sample container placed thereon.

6. an analysis unit that analyzes the sample contained in the sample container; The sample analyzer according to claim 5 , wherein the moving section transports the sample container holding device with the sample container placed thereon to the analysis section.

7. a discrimination unit for discriminating a placement state of the sample container in the sample container holding device, The sample analysis device of claim 4, wherein the discrimination unit discriminates that the sample container is in the proper placement state when all of the first sensor, the second sensor, the third sensor, and the fourth sensor detect the presence of the sample container, and discriminates that the sample container is in an improper tilted placement state in which the sample container is placed on at least one of the first regulating section, the second regulating section, the third regulating section, and the fourth regulating section in an inclined position inclined relative to a horizontal plane when one to three of the first sensor, the second sensor, the third sensor, and the fourth sensor detect the presence of the sample container.

8. the sample container holder includes a fifth sensor for detecting the presence of the sample container on a fifth linear detection line; In the proper placement state, the fifth detection line intersects with the upper and lower surfaces of the sample container, The sample analysis device of claim 7, wherein when none of the first sensor, the second sensor, the third sensor, the fourth sensor, and the fifth sensor detect the presence of the sample container, the discrimination unit determines that the sample container is in an unplaced state, not placed on any of the first restriction portion, the second restriction portion, the third restriction portion, the fourth restriction portion, and the placement portion; and when none of the first sensor, the second sensor, the third sensor, and the fourth sensor detect the presence of the sample container and the fifth sensor detects the presence of the sample container, the discrimination unit determines that the sample container is in an improper horizontal placement state, in which the sample container is placed on at least one of the first restriction portion, the second restriction portion, the third restriction portion, and the fourth restriction portion in a horizontal position parallel to the horizontal plane.

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