Sample analysis device and cartridge

Abstract

To provide a sample analysis device and a cartridge capable of increasing efficiency of work for setting a cartridge for housing a reagent to a cartridge holder with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A sample analysis device 1 has a cartridge 30 for housing a reagent used for reaction of a reactant, a cartridge holder 25 having a housing hole 250 for housing the cartridge 30, an engagement shaft 251 disposed in one of the cartridge 30 and the cartridge holder 25, and an engagement groove 33 disposed in the other in which the engagement shaft 251 is not disposed from among the cartridge 30 and the cartridge holder 25, and is configured such that the position of a bearing section 333 that is an end of the engagement groove 33 on which the engagement shaft 251 abuts deviates from the position of the center of gravity of the cartridge 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sample analyzer and a cartridge.

Background Art

[0002] Techniques for analyzing a specimen using a reactant that reacts with a component contained in the specimen are known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes this type of technique.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Since a plurality of types of reagents are required to react a component contained in a specimen with a reactant, a plurality of types of reagents are housed in a cartridge, and the cartridge is set in a cartridge holder of a sample analyzer for analysis of the specimen. However, a mechanical mechanism or an electric lock for fixing the cartridge is required, and the apparatus configuration and the operation for setting the cartridge are complicated.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a sample analyzer and a cartridge that can realize simplification of the operation of setting a cartridge for housing reagents in a cartridge holder with a simple configuration.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention is a sample analyzer including a cartridge for accommodating a reagent used for the reaction of reactants, a cartridge holder having an accommodation hole for accommodating the cartridge, an engagement shaft disposed on either one of the cartridge and the cartridge holder, and an engagement groove disposed on the other of the cartridge and the cartridge holder where the engagement shaft is not disposed, wherein a position of an end of the engagement groove with which the engagement shaft abuts is configured to be deviated from a center-of-gravity position of the cartridge.

[0007] Also, one aspect of the present invention is a cartridge for accommodating a reagent used for the reaction of reactants, including a reagent accommodation part for accommodating the reagent, and an engagement groove for engaging with an engagement shaft disposed on a side of a cartridge holder for accommodating the cartridge, wherein a position of an end of the engagement groove with which the engagement shaft abuts is configured to be deviated from a center-of-gravity position of the cartridge.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sample analyzer and a cartridge that can realize the efficiency improvement of the setting operation of a cartridge for accommodating a reagent to a cartridge holder with a simple configuration.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8A

Figure 8B

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Figure 18

Figure 19

Figure 20

Figure 21

Figure 22

Figure 23

Figure 24

Figure 25

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the sample analyzer 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sample analyzer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the sample analyzer 1 of this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the test kit 2 of this embodiment.

[0012] The sample analyzer 1 is an immunoluminescence measurement device that performs allergy tests and the like by utilizing the antigen-antibody reaction between the components contained in the specimen and the reactant. The sample analyzer 1 performs tests by measuring the luminescence state, for example, by the CLEIA method, the FEIA method, the FIA method, or the like.

[0013] In addition, the sample analyzer 1 performs allergy tests using the test kit 2. The test kit 2 is composed of, for example, an analysis chip 10 on which the reactant is immobilized, and a cartridge 30 that houses a plurality of types of reagents and the like used for the reaction with the components contained in the specimen. The reagents are used for the antigen-antibody reaction.

[0014] <Overall Configuration of the Sample Analyzer> First, the overall configuration of the sample analyzer 1 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sample analyzer 1 of this embodiment includes a touch panel 21, a chip holder rotation unit 22, a measurement unit 23, a dispensing unit 24, a cartridge holder 25, a code reader 26, and a control unit 50.

[0015] The touch panel 21 is a display device that also serves as the operation device of the sample analyzer 1. The touch panel 21 accepts various settings and operations, and also displays measurement results, analysis results, etc.

[0016] The chip holder rotation unit 22 is a chip rotation device that rotates the analysis chip 10. In the present embodiment, the injection assist operation when injecting liquid (specimen and reagent) into the flow path of the analysis chip 10 and the drainage treatment operation for draining the injected liquid are performed by utilizing the rotation of the analysis chip 10 by the chip holder rotation unit 22. The detailed configuration of the analysis chip 10 will be described later.

[0017] The measurement unit 23 is an imaging device that captures an image including light reception information for confirming the light emission state on the analysis chip 10 based on the reaction between the components contained in the specimen and the reactant. The measurement unit 23 acquires image information of the light emission state by capturing the light emission on the analysis chip 10. The measurement unit 23 has a dark box 231 that forms a dark room, and can capture the light emission on the analysis chip 10 inside the dark box 231.

[0018] The dispensing unit 24 dispenses liquid to the analysis chip 10 set in the chip holder rotation unit 22. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the dispensing unit 24 and the cartridge holder 25 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the dispensing unit 24 has a dispensing nozzle 241 for attaching the pipette tip 40. The dispensing unit 24 sucks and discharges liquid through the pipette tip 40. The pipette tip 40 of the present embodiment is a disposable tapered tip that can be replaced for each classification of the liquid to be dispensed. The detailed configuration of the dispensing unit 24 will be described later.

[0019] The cartridge holder 25 houses the cartridge 30. The cartridge 30 houses various liquids and the like necessary for causing antigen-antibody reactions and luminescence reactions. The detailed configuration of the cartridge 30 will be described later.

[0020] The code reader 26 is a device that reads the identification codes assigned to the analysis chip 10 and the cartridge 30 (see FIG. 1). The identification code is, for example, a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark). Note that the identification code is not limited to two-dimensional codes. Other types of identification codes such as barcodes can also be used.

[0021] The control unit 50 shown in FIG. 2 is a computer composed of a processor such as a CPU and a memory as a storage unit. The touch panel 21, the chip holder rotation unit 22, the measurement unit 23, the dispensing unit 24, the code reader 26, etc. are electrically connected to the control unit 50. The control unit 50 controls various operations such as, for example, the reading control of the code reader 26, the rotation of the chip holder rotation unit 22, the movement of the chip holder rotation unit 22, the movement and dispensing process of the dispensing unit 24, and the imaging by the measurement unit 23. In addition, the control unit 50 also performs image processing, setting of inspection conditions, storage, and output of analysis data, etc.

[0022] <Analysis chip> Next, the analysis chip 10 will be described. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the analysis chip 10 of the present embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the analysis chip 10 of the present embodiment.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the analysis chip 10 includes a first substrate 11, a second substrate 12, an absorber 13, and an air communication port 14.

[0024] The first substrate 11 is formed in a disk shape. A frustum-shaped pedestal 111 is formed at the center of the first substrate 11. In addition, a wall portion 112 surrounding the pedestal 111 is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the first substrate 11. Note that a circular index M1 and a triangular index M2 as marker portions are formed on the pedestal 111.

[0025] On the upper surface of the base portion 111, a plurality of types of reactants A (such as antigens) are formed. The plurality of types of reactants are arranged at intervals from each other. The plurality of types of reactants include a first reactant group composed of a plurality of types of reactants for performing a specific IgE (immunoglobulin E) test, and a second reactant for performing a non-specific IgE test.

[0026] The first reactant group is, for example, food-based such as eggs, grains, tubers, beans, seeds, fruits and vegetables, meats, fish, etc., inhalation-based such as house dust, insects, tree pollen, weed pollen, mold, fungi, animals, etc., anisakis, etc., and is used for identifying allergens. The first reactant group includes, for example, 45 items (45 types) of reactants.

[0027] The second reactant is an anti-human IgE antibody for measuring the concentration of IgE in the body, reacts to bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, hay fever, parasitic infections, acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, primary liver cancer, collagen diseases, multiple myeloma, etc., and is used for testing allergic constitutions.

[0028] By the way, compared with a specific IgE test that measures the concentration of IgE that specifically reacts with each of a plurality of types of reactants, the non-specific IgE test that measures the concentration of IgE itself has a larger measurement range. For example, in a test method measured by imaging the luminescent state, if the measurement ranges are too different, there is a risk that the light reception information cannot be appropriately analyzed from the same image captured by the measurement unit 23. Therefore, the first reactant group for specific IgE testing and the second reactant for non-specific IgE testing immobilized on the analysis chip 10 are prepared so that the degree of luminescence is generally within 10 times. As described above, since the non-specific IgE test has a large measurement range, the reactant is relatively largely diluted and immobilized compared to the specific IgE test.

[0029] In this example, there are two classifications: the first reactant group for specific IgE testing and the second reactant for non-specific IgE testing. However, it may be configured such that the number of classifications can be freely changed, not limited to the test items, such as being classified according to characteristics.

[0030] The second substrate 12 is formed in a disc shape from a light-transmissive material and is joined to the upper part of the first substrate 11. A circular injection port 121 into which various liquids are injected is formed at the center of the second substrate 12. The injection port 121 is formed with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the pedestal 111. Therefore, the injection port 121 is located inside the pedestal 111 in a plan view.

[0031] A gap G through which the liquid injected from the injection port 121 is introduced using capillary action is formed between the upper surface of the pedestal 111 of the first substrate 11 and the lower surface of the second substrate 12. This gap G is formed over the entire outer periphery of the injection port 121. This gap G serves as the flow path of the analysis chip 10.

[0032] The absorber 13 is composed of a water-retaining member and is formed in a ring shape larger than the diameter of the pedestal 111. The absorber 13 is disposed in the liquid replenishment space between the pedestal 111 and the wall portion 112. Due to the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the analysis chip 10, the liquid discharged from the flow path is absorbed by the absorber 13 in the liquid capture space.

[0033] A plurality of air communication ports 14 are formed outside the pedestal 111 in a plan view. Through these air communication ports 14, the inside and outside of the analysis chip 10 communicate with each other, and the air inside the analysis chip 10 is discharged to the outside during liquid injection. The air communication ports 14 are arranged at three locations (a plurality) on the second substrate 12 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0034] In FIG. 6, only one air communication port 14 is shown due to the sectional position relationship. As shown in FIG. 6, the air communication port 14 is inclined so as to approach the rotation axis center of the analysis chip 10 from bottom to top in the thickness direction of the second substrate 12. By forming the air communication port 14 to be inclined toward the rotation axis side, the occurrence of a situation where liquid leaks to the outside of the analysis chip 10 during centrifugation is prevented.

[0035] <Cartridge> FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cartridge 30 of the present embodiment. FIG. 8A is a side view of the cartridge 30 of the present embodiment. FIG. 8B is a side view of the cartridge of the present embodiment in a tilted state. FIG. 9 is a front view of the cartridge 30 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the cartridge 30 of the present embodiment is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped block shape as a whole.

[0036] The cartridge 30 has a reagent storage unit 31 that stores various reagents necessary for causing an antigen-antibody reaction and a luminescence reaction, a chip storage unit 32 that stores three (a plurality of) pipette tips 40, an engagement groove 33 for setting in the cartridge holder 25, and a recess 34.

[0037] The reagent storage unit 31 has a specimen diluent storage unit 311, a labeled antibody storage unit 312, a hydrogen peroxide solution storage unit 313, a luminescence substrate storage unit 314, a cleaning solution storage unit 315, and a sealing member 316. The specimen diluent storage unit 311, the labeled antibody storage unit 312, the hydrogen peroxide solution storage unit 313, the luminescence substrate storage unit 314, and the cleaning solution storage unit 315 are all sealed at the upper openings by the sealing member 316. The sealing member 316 is formed of, for example, a sheet mainly composed of aluminum.

[0038] The specimen diluent storage unit 311 stores the specimen diluent and is also a specimen addition part where the specimen is dispensed. The labeled antibody storage unit 312 stores the labeled antibody, the hydrogen peroxide solution storage unit 313 stores the hydrogen peroxide solution, and the luminescence substrate storage unit 314 stores the luminescence substrate. The cleaning solution storage unit 315 stores the cleaning solution. Liquid suction during each dispensing is performed after a piercing operation of passing through the sealing member with the pipette tip 40 attached to the dispensing nozzle 241 of the dispensing unit 24 without removing the sealing member 316 from the cartridge 30.

[0039] The chip storage unit 32 is configured to be able to store three pipette tips 40 used for each of the specimen, the labeled antibody, and the luminescence substrate in order to prevent contamination.

[0040] The engaging groove 33 is formed on each of the two side surfaces of the cartridge 30. The engaging groove 33 of the present embodiment has an inlet portion 331, a straight portion 332, and a bearing portion 333.

[0041] The inlet portion 331 is a portion that serves as an inlet for receiving the engaging shaft 251 of the cartridge holder 25 described later, and the opposite side of the inlet is connected to the straight portion 332. The inlet portion 331 is formed in a tapered shape in which the width gradually narrows as it approaches the straight portion 332 from the inlet side.

[0042] The straight portion 332 is a narrow groove extending in the vertical direction of the cartridge 30. The extending direction of the straight portion 332 is the insertion direction into the cartridge holder 25. One end of the straight portion 332 in its longitudinal direction is connected to the inlet portion 331, and the other end is connected to the bearing portion 333. The straight portion 332 functions as a guide groove for guiding the engaging shaft 251 of the cartridge holder 25 to the bearing portion 333.

[0043] The bearing portion 333 is a portion that abuts against the engaging shaft 251 of the cartridge holder 25 in a state where the cartridge holder 25 is set. The bearing portion 333 is set at a position deviated from the position of the center of gravity G of the cartridge 30. As shown by the dashed line in FIG. 8A, the bearing portion 333 is set at a position shifted to one side from a virtual vertical line (vertical line) G1 passing through the center of gravity G in a side view of the cartridge 30 (axial view of the engaging shaft 251).

[0044] Further, when the cartridge 30 is tilted at an angle that allows the protrusion of the regulating portion 253 described later to escape and within the allowable range during installation, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 8B, the bearing portion 333 is, in a side view of the cartridge 30 (axial view of the engaging shaft 251), set at a position shifted to one side from a virtual vertical line (vertical line) G2 passing through the center of gravity G.

[0045] Further, the bearing portion 333 is formed in a tapered shape whose width gradually narrows as it moves away from the straight portion 332. The bearing portion 333 of the present embodiment has a triangular shape with an apex angle at the top, and the engaging shaft 251 of the cartridge holder 25 abuts against portions corresponding to two sides of the triangle, whereby the position of the cartridge 30 is held in a stable state.

[0046] The recesses 34 are formed at two positions on the front side of the cartridge 30. The recesses 34 are portions into which a regulation portion 253, which will be described later, enters when the cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge holder 25. In the present embodiment, the recesses 34 are formed at two positions corresponding to the number of regulation portions 253. Note that the recesses 34 may have any shape as long as the regulation portion 253 can enter, and the shape is not particularly limited.

[0047] <Cartridge Holder> Next, the configuration of the cartridge holder 25 will be described. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the cartridge holder 25 with the cartridge 30 mounted according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the cartridge holder 25 is formed in a box shape having a housing hole 250 for housing the cartridge 30. The housing hole 250 is formed to be larger than the cartridge 30, and allows movement (rotational movement) to change the orientation of the cartridge 30 to the set position within the housing hole 250.

[0048] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the cartridge holder 25 with the cartridge 30 removed according to the present embodiment. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge holder 25 with the cartridge 30 removed according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the cartridge holder 25 includes an engaging shaft 251, a guide portion 252, a regulation portion 253, and a rotation regulation portion 254.

[0049] The coaxial engagement shaft 251 is a shaft portion that engages with the engagement groove 33 of the cartridge 30. The coaxial engagement shaft 251 is a round bar protruding from the inside of the accommodation hole 250, and two are arranged inside the accommodation hole 250. The two coaxial engagement shafts 251 are arranged on the inner wall 256 facing the side surface of the cartridge 30 in the set state. The two coaxial engagement shafts 251 arranged on each side of the cartridge 30 in the set state are in a facing positional relationship.

[0050] The guide portion 252 is an inclined portion that guides the insertion of the cartridge 30. The guide portion 252 protrudes from the inner wall 255 facing the front side of the cartridge 30 that forms the accommodation hole 250, and is inclined so that the protruding amount increases as it progresses from top to bottom. The guide portion 252 is formed at two locations (a plurality). The two guide portions 252 are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction at positions facing the front side of the cartridge 30 in the set state.

[0051] The inner wall 255 facing the front side of the cartridge 30 of the present embodiment is formed with an inclined surface 255a that inclines outward as it progresses upward in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 12 at its upper part. The inclined surface 255a is continuous with the inclination of the guide portion 252, enabling smooth guiding of the cartridge 30. The restricting portion 253 is formed at the lower part of the guide portion 252. Therefore, the restricting portion 253 is formed at two locations according to the number of the guide portions 252. In the set state, the two restricting portions 253 enter the inside of the recess 34 of the cartridge 30. The bottom surface of the restricting portion 253 in the set state is in a positional relationship facing the lower surface (bottom surface) of the recess 34 of the cartridge 30. Thus, even if the cartridge 30 in the set state attempts to move vertically upward from the accommodation hole 250, the movement is restricted by the restricting portion 253. In this way, in the set state, when the holder engaging portion (restricting portion 253) constituted by a part of the cartridge holder 25 and the cartridge engaging portion (recess 34) constituted by a part of the cartridge 30 engage with each other, even if the cartridge 30 in the set state attempts to move vertically upward from the accommodation hole 250, the movement is restricted by the holder engaging portion and the cartridge engaging portion.

[0052] The rotation restricting portion 254 is formed on the inner wall 255 side of the restricting portion 253. Accordingly, two rotation restricting portions 254 are formed corresponding to the number of the restricting portions 253. In the set state, the two rotation restricting portions 254 are in a state where the lower portion of the cartridge 30 is engaged. Thus, even if the cartridge 30 in the set state attempts to rotate and move, its movement is restricted by the rotation restricting portion 254. In this way, in the set state, the holder engaging portion (rotation restricting portion 254) constituted by a part of the cartridge holder 25 and the cartridge engaging portion by the lower portion of the cartridge 30 are engaged, so that even if the cartridge 30 in the set state attempts to rotate and move, its movement is restricted by the holder engaging portion and the cartridge engaging portion.

[0053] Next, with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15, the operation of setting the cartridge 30 in the cartridge holder 25 will be described.

[0054] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a state where the insertion of the cartridge 30 into the cartridge holder 25 of the present embodiment is started. As shown in FIG. 13, with the cartridge 30 inclined, the position of the engaging shaft 251 of the cartridge holder 25 is aligned with the position of the engaging groove 33 of the cartridge 30. Then, the engaging shaft 251 is inserted from the inlet portion 331 of the engaging groove 33 of the cartridge 30. The cartridge 30 moves obliquely downward while being supported by the engaging shafts 251 on both sides. In this oblique downward movement, the engaging shaft 251 is guided by the straight portion 332 of the engaging groove 33, and the lower end portion of the cartridge 30 is guided from the inclined surface 255a of the inner wall 255 to the guide portion 252.

[0055] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a state in which the cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge holder 25 of the present embodiment. FIG. 14 shows a state in which the cartridge 30 has moved obliquely downward while being guided by the engagement shaft 251 and the guide portion 252 from the state shown in FIG. 13, and the engagement shaft 251 is in contact with the bearing portion 333 of the engagement groove 33. In this state, the upper part of the cartridge 30 is inclined toward the inner wall 255 side. The inclination angle of the cartridge 30 when centered on the engagement shaft 251 in this state is in the range exceeding the angle for the protrusion of the regulating portion 253 to escape and up to the angle at which the moment M described later acts.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 14, in a state where the engagement shaft 251 is in contact with the bearing portion 333 of the engagement groove 33, the center of gravity G of the cartridge 30 is at a position farther from the inner wall 255 of the accommodation hole 250 than the engagement shaft 251. Therefore, due to the self-weight of the cartridge 30, the lower part of the cartridge 30 rotates toward the inner wall 255 side of the accommodation hole 250 with the engagement shaft 251 as the rotation center and engages with the rotation restricting portion 254. That is, the moment M of the force that rotates the lower part of the cartridge 30 toward the inner wall 255 side with the engagement shaft 251 as the rotation center acts, thereby realizing the movement of the cartridge 30 to the set position by utilizing the self-weight of the cartridge 30. Here, when the engagement shaft 251 comes into contact with the bearing portion 333 of the engagement groove 33 in a state where the upper part of the cartridge 30 is inclined toward the inner wall 255 side, the configuration of the cartridge 30 in which the lower part of the cartridge 30 rotates toward the inner wall 255 side with the engagement shaft 251 as the center can be said to be a configuration in which the position of the bearing portion 333 (engagement shaft 251) of the engagement groove 33 is deviated from the center of gravity position of the cartridge 30.

[0057] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a state where the cartridge 30 is completely inserted into the cartridge holder 25 of the present embodiment. In FIG. 15, a set state is shown in which the cartridge 30 rotates about the engagement shaft 251 as the center of rotation from the state shown in FIG. 14 and the insertion into the cartridge holder 25 is completed. In this set state, the regulating portions 232 enter into the two recesses 34 of the cartridge 30, and the lower portion of the cartridge 30 engages with the rotation regulating portion 254. Through the above operations, the insertion operation of the cartridge 30 into the cartridge holder 25 is completed.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the engagement shaft 251 is disposed on the cartridge holder 25 and the engagement groove 33 is disposed on the cartridge 30, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the engagement shaft is disposed on the cartridge and the engagement groove is formed on the cartridge holder 25.

[0059] As described above, the sample analysis apparatus 1 of the present embodiment has the following effects. The sample analysis apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a cartridge 30 that stores a reagent used for the reaction of a reactant, a cartridge holder 25 that has a storage hole 250 for storing the cartridge 30, an engagement shaft 251 disposed on either one of the cartridge 30 and the cartridge holder 25, and an engagement groove 33 disposed on the other one of the cartridge 30 and the cartridge holder 25 where the engagement shaft 251 is not disposed. The position of the bearing portion 333, which is the end portion of the engagement groove 33 with which the engagement shaft 251 abuts, is configured to deviate from the center-of-gravity position of the cartridge 30. That is, the engagement groove 33 has a bearing portion 333 as an end portion that abuts against the engagement shaft 251, and the position of the bearing portion 333 of the engagement groove 33 when the engagement shaft 251 abuts is configured to deviate from the center-of-gravity position of the cartridge 30.

[0060] By engaging the engagement shaft 251 with the engagement groove 33, the cartridge 30 automatically moves to the set position due to its own weight. Since the engagement of the engagement shaft 251 with the engagement groove 33 enables the completion of the setting operation of the cartridge 30, an operation for fixing the cartridge 30 such as a locking mechanism is not required, and high operability can be achieved. In addition, since a complicated mechanism is not required, the occurrence of failures can be avoided as in the locking mechanism of the prior art, and the manufacturing cost can also be reduced.

[0061] Further, in the present embodiment, when the engagement shaft 251 engages with the engagement groove 33 and the upper portion of the cartridge 30 is inclined with respect to the inner wall 255 on one side of the accommodation hole 250, the center of gravity is located at a position separated from the inner wall 255 by more than the engagement groove 33.

[0062] As a result, a moment M of the force for rotating the lower portion of the cartridge 30 toward the inner wall 255 about the rotation center of the engagement shaft 251 acts, and the movement of the cartridge 30 to the set position using its own weight can be made more reliable.

[0063] Further, in the present embodiment, the position of the bearing portion 333 of the engagement groove 33 is set so as to be shifted to one side from the center of gravity G on the surface on which the bearing portion 333 is formed.

[0064] As a result, since the rotation center is shifted to one side from the center of gravity position not limited to the possible inclination angle of the cartridge 30, the force for rotating the lower portion of the cartridge 30 toward the inner wall 255 about the engagement shaft 251 acts strongly, and the rotational movement of the lower portion of the cartridge 30 toward the inner wall 255 can be made smoother.

[0065] Further, in the present embodiment, it further has a dispensing nozzle 241 for applying an external force to the cartridge 30, and the position of the bearing portion 333 of the engagement groove 33 is set so as to be shifted to one side from the axis O1 (see FIG. 24) of the dispensing nozzle 241 in the width direction of the surface on which the bearing portion 333 is formed.

[0066] During the operation of attaching the pipette tip 40 to the dispensing nozzle 241, the piercing operation, and the detachment operation (retreat operation) by the dispensing nozzle 241, the cartridge 30 receives a force along the axis of the dispensing nozzle 241 as an external force. Even when receiving such a force, since the position of the bearing portion 333 of the engagement groove 33 is set to be offset to one side from the axis O1 of the dispensing nozzle 241, the position of the cartridge 30 is more firmly fixed, and a stable operation of the dispensing nozzle 241 can be realized. In addition, detachment of the cartridge 30 from the cartridge holder 25 during the operation of the dispensing nozzle 241 can be more reliably prevented. Details of the dispensing nozzle 241 will be described later.

[0067] Further, in the present embodiment, the cartridge holder 25 has a restricting portion 253 that protrudes in a direction intersecting the vertical direction from the inner wall 255 facing the cartridge 30 in the accommodation hole 250, and the cartridge 30 has a recess 34 into which the restricting portion 253 enters on the side facing the inner wall 255. Thereby, in the set state, the restricting portion 253 as a holder engaging portion constituted by a part of the cartridge holder 25 and the recess 34 as a cartridge engaging portion constituted by a part of the cartridge 30 are engaged. In addition, the rotation restricting portion 254 as a holder engaging portion and the lower portion of the cartridge 30 as a cartridge engaging portion are engaged.

[0068] During the piercing operation and the like described later, the cartridge 30 may float from the accommodation hole 250 of the cartridge holder 25 due to the friction between the sealing member 316 and the pipette tip 40 (weight of the cartridge 30 < frictional force of the sealing member 316). In this regard, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, even if the cartridge 30 tries to float, the restricting portion 253 that enters the recess 34 of the cartridge 30 can surely prevent the upward movement of the cartridge 30.

[0069] Further, in the present embodiment, the engagement groove 33 is formed such that the entrance portion 331 as the entrance side where the engagement shaft 251 enters is wider than the back side.

[0070] This enables the engagement shaft 251 to be smoothly introduced into the engagement groove 33, and further improves the operability of the cartridge 30 during the setting operation.

[0071] In addition, the engagement shaft 251 of the present embodiment is disposed in the accommodation hole 250 of the cartridge holder 25, the engagement groove 33 is disposed in the cartridge 30, and has a linear portion 332 that extends linearly along the insertion direction of the cartridge 30.

[0072] This enables the cartridge 30 to be smoothly moved to the set position through the linear portion 332 of the engagement groove 33 formed on the cartridge 30 side, and further improves the operability.

[0073] Further, the cartridge 30 that houses the reagent used for the reaction of the reactant in the present embodiment includes a reagent housing portion 31 that houses the reagent, and an engagement groove 33 that engages with the engagement shaft 251 disposed on the cartridge holder 25 side that houses the cartridge 30. The position of the bearing portion 333 as the end of the engagement groove 33 with which the engagement shaft 251 abuts is configured to deviate from the center of gravity position of the cartridge 30.

[0074] <Dispensing unit> Next, the configuration of the dispensing unit 24 will be described. FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the dispensing unit 24 of the present embodiment. FIG. 16 shows the dispensing nozzle 241 before the pipette tip 40 is attached. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a part inside the dispensing unit 24 of the present embodiment from the front side. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a part inside the dispensing unit 24 of the present embodiment from the back side.

[0075] As shown in FIGS. 16 to 18, the dispensing unit 24 is a dispensing device including a casing 240, a dispensing nozzle 241, a buffer mechanism 242, a cylinder mechanism 243, an extrusion mechanism 244, a shaft drive mechanism 245, and a unit movement mechanism 246. In FIGS. 17 and 18, for convenience of explanation, the casing 240 and the pressing portion 346 described later are shown in cross-sectional views. The same applies to FIGS. 21 and 22 described later.

[0076] The casing 240 is a housing that accommodates a configuration for sending and sucking air (fluid) of the dispensing unit 24, a configuration for removing the pipette tip 40, and the like. The casing 240 of the present embodiment has a three-dimensional L-shaped configuration in plan view.

[0077] The dispensing nozzle 241 is configured such that the pipette tip 40 can be detachably attached to its tip. Inside the dispensing nozzle 241, a flow path (not shown) for sending and sucking air to the pipette tip 40 is formed. The dispensing nozzle 241 has a narrow-diameter portion 241A where the elastic member 242A is disposed, a large-diameter portion 241B located on the lower surface side of the narrow-diameter portion 241A, and a flange portion 241C located on the upper surface side of the narrow-diameter portion 241A. The lower surface of the flange portion 241C abuts on the upper surface of the upper surface wall of the casing 240, thereby defining the lowermost position of the dispensing nozzle 241.

[0078] The buffer mechanism 242 is a mechanism that is connected to the dispensing nozzle 241 and releases the force applied when the pipette tip 40 is attached to the dispensing nozzle 241. The buffer mechanism 242 is disposed inside the casing 240. In the buffer mechanism 242, the elastic member 242A is disposed in the narrow-diameter portion 241A of the dispensing nozzle 241. The lower surface of the elastic member 242A abuts on the stepped surface between the large-diameter portion 241B and the narrow-diameter portion 241A. The upper surface of the elastic member 242A abuts on the inner upper surface wall of the casing 240. The elastic member 242A is composed of a member such as a spring that contracts in the axial direction of the dispensing nozzle 241 and has a restoring force to return to its original shape. The spring can be appropriately selected according to the structure, such as a coil spring or a leaf spring. The dispensing nozzle 241 of the present embodiment is held by the casing 240 via the elastic member 242A. Note that the arrangement location of the elastic member 242A is not limited to the inside of the casing 240 and may be arranged outside the casing 240. The dispensing nozzle 241 is connected to a cylinder mechanism 243, which will be described later, by a flexible tube 342 so as not to affect the sending and sucking of air.

[0079] The cylinder mechanism 243 is a mechanical cylinder mechanism that delivers and sucks air as a fluid to and from the dispensing nozzle 241. The cylinder mechanism 243 is disposed inside the casing 240. The cylinder mechanism 243 includes a casing 240 that also serves as a cylinder, a piston shaft 341 as an operating shaft, and a sealing member 243A between the cylinder and the piston shaft 341. The sealing member 243A is composed of an elastic member such as an O-ring.

[0080] The base end portion of the piston shaft 341 protrudes from the upper surface of the casing 240, and the tip end portion functions as a piston inside the cylinder mechanism 243. A cylinder-side receiving portion 343 that receives the operating force from the shaft drive mechanism 245 described later is disposed at the base end portion of the piston shaft 341.

[0081] One end of the flexible tube 342 is connected to the cylinder mechanism 243 inside the casing 240, and the other end is connected to the base end portion of the dispensing nozzle 241 that protrudes outside the casing 240. The flexible tube 342 is formed of a flexible material that can be bent, and delivers and sucks air to the dispensing nozzle 241 via the inside and outside of the casing 240 while being bent.

[0082] The extrusion mechanism 244 is a device for removing the pipette tip 40 attached to the dispensing nozzle 241 from the dispensing nozzle 241. The extrusion mechanism 244 includes an extrusion shaft 345, a pressing portion 346, and an elastic member 348.

[0083] The extrusion shaft 345 is supported by the casing 240 so as to be movable in the axial direction of the dispensing nozzle 241. The base end side of the extrusion shaft 345 protrudes from the upper surface of the casing 240, and the tip end side protrudes from the lower surface of the casing 240 and is connected to the pressing portion 346. A columnar extrusion-side receiving portion 347 that receives the pressing of the shaft drive mechanism 245 is disposed at the base end portion of the extrusion shaft 345. The extrusion shaft 345 has a large-diameter portion 345B where the elastic member 348 is disposed and is located on the upper surface side of the extrusion shaft 345.

[0084] The elastic member 348 is a mechanism for returning the pressing part 346 to the standby position. At least a part of the elastic member 348 is disposed inside the casing 240. The elastic member 348 is disposed on the extrusion shaft 345. The lower surface of the elastic member 348 abuts against the inner lower surface wall of the casing 240. The upper surface of the elastic member 348 abuts against the large-diameter part 345B. The elastic member 348 is configured by a member such as a spring that contracts in the axial direction of the extrusion shaft 345 and has a restoring force that tries to return to its original shape. The spring can be appropriately selected according to the structure, such as a coil spring or a leaf spring. The extrusion shaft 345 of the present embodiment is held by the casing 240 via the elastic member 348. Note that the arrangement location of the elastic member 348 is not limited to the inside of the casing 240 and may be arranged outside the casing 240.

[0085] The pressing part 346 is disposed below the casing 240. The pressing part 346 is formed in a block shape. The pressing part 346 is positioned so as to overlap the end surface on the proximal end side of the pipette tip 40 in the axial direction view of the dispensing nozzle 241 so that it can contact the proximal end part of the pipette tip 40. The pressing part 346 moves from a standby position where it does not contact the pipette tip 40 to an extrusion position where it extrudes the pipette tip 40 from the dispensing nozzle 241 as the extrusion shaft 345 moves.

[0086] Next, the shaft drive mechanism 245 will be described. The shaft drive mechanism 245 operates both the piston shaft 341 and the extrusion shaft 345. The shaft drive mechanism 245 includes an operating part 445 that moves up and down by an actuator (not shown) and a transmission part 446 attached to the tip side of the operating part 445. The transmission part 446 is formed in a flat plate shape with a flat surface portion facing in the vertical direction and operates integrally with the up and down movement of the operating part 445. The transmission part 446 is moved by the actuator to a standby position, a position above the standby position, and a position below the standby position. The region above the standby position is used when aspirating and discharging the reagent. The region below the standby position is used during the release operation of the pipette tip 40 described later.

[0087] FIG. 19 is an enlarged side view showing the positional relationship among the transmission portion 446, the cylinder-side receiving portion 343, and the extrusion-side receiving portion 347 of the dispensing unit 24 of the present embodiment. FIG. 20 is an enlarged plan view showing the positional relationship between the transmission portion 446 and the piston shaft 341 of the dispensing unit 24 of the present embodiment.

[0088] First, the relationship between the transmission portion 446 and the cylinder-side receiving portion 343 will be described. The transmission portion 446 operates the piston shaft 341 by contacting the cylinder-side receiving portion 343.

[0089] As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, a notch portion 446a is formed in the transmission portion 446 as an insertion portion for inserting the piston shaft 341. The cylinder-side receiving portion 343 includes a first contact portion 343a fixed to the piston shaft 341, a second contact portion 343b, and a connecting portion 343c. Both the first contact portion 343a and the second contact portion 343b are flange-shaped portions configured in a columnar shape, and are arranged to sandwich the transmission portion 446 in the vertical direction with the piston shaft 341 inserted through the notch portion 446a. The connecting portion 343c is formed in a columnar shape with a smaller diameter than the first contact portion 343a and the second contact portion 343b, and connects the first contact portion 343a and the second contact portion 343b in a state of passing through the inside of the notch portion 446a.

[0090] A gap is formed in the axial direction of the piston shaft 341 between the transmission portion 446 and the cylinder-side receiving portion 343. In the present embodiment, the vertical interval between the first contact portion 343a and the second contact portion 343b is formed to be slightly larger than the thickness of the transmission portion 446. Thereby, a vertical gap d1 is formed between the cylinder-side receiving portion 343 (the first contact portion 343a) and the transmission portion 446. In the example of FIG. 19, a gap d1 is formed between the lower surface of the first contact portion 343a and the upper surface of the transmission portion 446, but the position of the gap d1 changes depending on the vertical position of the operating portion 445. The position of the gap may be between the upper surface of the second contact portion 343b and the lower surface of the transmission portion 446. Also, gaps may occur both between the lower surface of the first contact portion 343a and the upper surface of the transmission portion 446 and between the upper surface of the second contact portion 343b and the lower surface of the transmission portion 446.

[0091] Also, as shown in FIG. 20, the size of the notch portion 446a is set so as not to contact the connecting portion 343c including the piston shaft 341 in a state where the piston shaft 341 is inserted therethrough. That is, a gap is formed in the radial direction centered on the piston shaft 341 in the axial view of the piston shaft 341 between the cylinder-side receiving portion 343 and the notch portion 446a.

[0092] Next, the relationship between the transmission portion 446 and the extrusion-side receiving portion 347 will be described. The transmission portion 446 operates the extrusion shaft 345 by contacting the extrusion-side receiving portion 347. As shown in FIG. 19, a vertical gap d2 is formed between the extrusion-side receiving portion 347 located at the base end portion of the extrusion shaft 345 and the transmission portion 446 in the standby position of the pressing portion 346. The gap d2 between the extrusion-side receiving portion 347 and the transmission portion 446 is set to be at least 0 mm or more in the downward direction from the standby position of the transmission portion 446.

[0093] When the transmission portion 446 moves downward by a distance equal to or more than the gap d2, it contacts the extrusion-side receiving portion 347 and moves the extrusion shaft 345 downward. That is, until the distance corresponding to the gap d2 is reached, the extrusion shaft 345 does not move, and only the piston shaft 341 moves downward.

[0094] The air suction operation will be described. In the air suction operation, first, the operation portion 445 holding the transmission portion 446 starts to move upward. Since the cylinder-side receiving portion 343 of the piston shaft 341 does not contact the transmission portion 446 until the transmission portion 446 reaches a distance equal to the gap d1, it does not move. When the transmission portion 446 moves upward by a distance equal to the gap d1, the upper surface of the transmission portion 446 abuts against the lower surface of the first contact portion 343a of the cylinder-side receiving portion 343. When the transmission portion 446 further moves upward from this state, the piston shaft 341 moves upward and air is sucked from the dispensing nozzle 241.

[0095] The air delivery operation will be described. In the air delivery operation, the operation unit 445 that holds the transmission unit 446 starts to move downward from the state where it is positioned upward. As the operation unit 445 moves, the upper surface of the transmission unit 446 contacts the upper surface of the second contact portion 343b and pushes it upward, causing the piston shaft 341 to move downward and air to be delivered to the dispensing nozzle 241.

[0096] Next, with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22, the release operation for releasing the pipette tip 40 from the dispensing nozzle 241 will be described. FIG. 21 is a front view showing the standby position of the pressing portion 346 of the dispensing unit 24 of the present embodiment. FIG. 22 is a front view showing the contact position of the pressing portion 346 of the dispensing unit 24 of the present embodiment.

[0097] In the release operation of the pipette tip 40, the operation unit 445 that holds the transmission unit 446 starts to move downward. In the present embodiment, until the transmission unit 446 reaches a distance of the gap d2, the extrusion-side receiving portion 347 does not contact the transmission unit 446, so the extrusion shaft 345 does not move. When the transmission unit 446 moves downward by a distance of the gap d2, the lower surface of the transmission unit 446 abuts on the upper surface of the extrusion-side receiving portion 347. From this state, as the transmission unit 446 moves further downward, the pressing portion 346 moves from the standby position to the contact position where it contacts the pipette tip 40. As the transmission unit 446 moves further downward from the contact position where the pressing portion 346 contacts the pipette tip 40, the pipette tip 40 is pushed downward from the dispensing nozzle 241, and the mounted state is released. Thereafter, as the transmission unit 446 returns upward, the extrusion shaft 345 is biased upward by the elastic member 348, and the pressing portion 346 returns to the standby position.

[0098] Note that the release operation of the pipette tip 40 is basically not performed when sucking and discharging liquid to / from the pipette tip 40.

[0099] The shaft drive mechanism 245 is operationally controlled by the control unit 50. In the present embodiment, both the cylinder mechanism 243 and the extrusion mechanism 244 can be operated by software installed in the control unit 50.

[0100] Next, the unit moving mechanism 246 will be described. The unit moving mechanism 246 vertically moves the dispensing unit 24 by an actuator (not shown). The unit moving mechanism 246 vertically moves the dispensing unit 24 to the mounting height of the pipette tip 40, the liquid suction height for sucking the reagent from the cartridge 30, the dispensing height for dispensing to the analysis chip 10, and the like. The unit moving mechanism 246 may be provided with an actuator at a horizontal position, not limited to vertical movement only.

[0101] The unit moving mechanism 246 is operationally controlled by the control unit 50. In the present embodiment, the vertical position adjustment of the dispensing unit 24 can be performed by software installed in the control unit 50.

[0102] As described above, the dispensing unit 24 as the dispensing device of the present embodiment has the following effects. The dispensing unit 24 of the present embodiment includes a dispensing nozzle 241 to which the pipette tip 40 is attached, a cylinder mechanism 243 that delivers and sucks fluid to the dispensing nozzle 241 by the movement of the piston shaft 341, an extrusion mechanism 244 that releases the mounted state by extruding the pipette tip 40 from the dispensing nozzle 241 by the movement of the extrusion shaft 345, and a shaft drive mechanism 245 that moves to a predetermined position, transmits a force in the direction in which the fluid is delivered by moving integrally with the piston shaft 341, and starts moving integrally with the piston shaft 341 and then moves in a predetermined direction to move integrally with the extrusion shaft 345 to extrude the pipette tip 40. More specifically, the shaft drive mechanism 245 moves in a predetermined direction to transmit a force in the direction in which the fluid is delivered by contacting the piston shaft 341, and when it moves in a predetermined direction after contacting the piston shaft 341, it contacts the extrusion shaft 345 and moves integrally with the extrusion shaft 345 to extrude the pipette tip 40.

[0103] Accordingly, by adjusting the amount of movement in a predetermined direction, it is possible to selectively perform the operation of sending fluid to the dispensing nozzle 241 and the operation of releasing the attachment of the pipette tip 40. The cylinder mechanism 243 responsible for sending and sucking fluid and the extrusion mechanism 244 responsible for releasing the attachment of the pipette tip 40 can be operated by the same axial drive mechanism 245, and the dispensing unit 24 can be realized with a simple device configuration.

[0104] In addition, the dispensing unit 24 of the present embodiment includes a buffer mechanism 242 connected to the dispensing nozzle 241 and capable of contracting in the axial direction of the dispensing nozzle 241, and a casing 240 that houses at least a part of the dispensing nozzle 241 via the buffer mechanism 242.

[0105] Accordingly, since the force applied when the pipette tip 40 is attached to the dispensing nozzle 241 can be absorbed by the elastic force of the elastic member 242A, damage to the dispensing nozzle 241 and the pipette tip 40 can be effectively prevented. In addition, due to the elastic force of the elastic member 242A, the force during attachment of the pipette tip 40 becomes constant, so the attachment state of the pipette tip 40 also becomes stable.

[0106] In the present embodiment, the cylinder mechanism 243 and the dispensing nozzle 241 are arranged at positions that do not overlap on the same axis, and the cylinder mechanism 243 and the dispensing nozzle 241 are connected via a flexible tube 342 that serves as a fluid flow path.

[0107] Accordingly, by using the flexible tube 342, the cylinder mechanism 243 and the dispensing nozzle 241 can be arranged offset from the same straight line, so that the degree of freedom in the layout of the device configuration can be improved. This also facilitates securing space for realizing the buffer mechanism 242 that arranges the elastic member 242A to absorb the force during attachment.

[0108] In addition, in the present embodiment, the shaft drive mechanism 245 has a transmission part 446 that moves in a predetermined direction. The cylinder mechanism 243 is arranged on the piston shaft 341 and has a cylinder-side receiving part 343 that contacts the transmission part 446 and moves in the predetermined direction. The extrusion mechanism 244 is arranged on the extrusion shaft 345. When the transmission part 446 contacts the cylinder-side receiving part 343, it is located at a standby position spaced apart from the transmission part 446, and after the transmission part 446 advances a predetermined distance in the predetermined direction, it has an extrusion-side receiving part 347 that contacts the transmission part 446 and starts moving in the predetermined direction.

[0109] Thus, with a simple configuration of providing a gap between the extrusion shaft 345 at the standby position and the transmission part 446, the shaft drive mechanism 245 whose operation changes according to the amount of movement can be realized.

[0110] In addition, in the present embodiment, the transmission part 446 has a notch part 446a as an insertion part through which the piston shaft 341 is inserted. The cylinder-side receiving part 343 has a first contact part 343a located on one side of the transmission part 446 with the piston shaft 341 inserted through the notch part 446a, and a second contact part 343b located on the other side of the transmission part 446 with the piston shaft 341 inserted through the notch part 446a. The interval in the axial direction of the piston shaft 341 between the first contact part 343a and the second contact part 343b is formed to be larger than the thickness in the axial direction of the piston shaft 341 in the transmission part 446.

[0111] Thus, the force for not only sending out but also sucking the fluid can be transmitted from the transmission part 446 to the piston shaft 341 by the first contact part 343a and the second contact part 343b arranged so as to sandwich the transmission part 446. Further, when the piston shaft 341 and the transmission part 446 are connected and fixed, the work for adjusting the position of the dispensing nozzle 241 becomes complicated. In particular, since the piston shaft 341 is a mechanism for sending out and sucking the fluid, if the axial position thereof is not appropriate, it may affect the sending out and sucking of the fluid. In this regard, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the axial position adjustment of the dispensing nozzle 241 can be precisely and easily performed by using the gap d1 formed between the cylinder side receiving part 343 (the first contact part 343a and the second contact part 343b) and the transmission part 446. Further, the positional deviation and the operation deviation between the shaft driving mechanism 245 and the unit moving mechanism 246 can also be absorbed.

[0112] Further, in the present embodiment, a gap is formed in the radial direction of the piston shaft 341 between the cylinder side receiving part 343 and the notch part 446a.

[0113] Thereby, the generation of wear due to the axial movement of the piston shaft 341 between the cylinder side receiving part 343 and the transmission part 446 can be prevented, and the load on the cylinder mechanism 243 can be effectively reduced. Further, by using the radial gap between the cylinder side receiving part 343 and the notch part 446a, the position adjustment can be precisely and easily performed not only in the axial direction but also in the radial direction of the piston shaft 341. Further, the positional deviation and the operation deviation between the shaft driving mechanism 245 and the unit moving mechanism 246 can also be absorbed.

[0114] Further, the sample analyzer 1 of the present embodiment includes a dispensing nozzle 241 to which a pipette tip 40 is attached, a cylinder mechanism 243 that delivers and sucks fluid to and from the dispensing nozzle 241 by moving a piston shaft 341, an extrusion mechanism 244 that ejects the pipette tip 40 from the dispensing nozzle 241 by moving an extrusion shaft 345 to release the attached state, and a shaft drive mechanism 245 that moves in a predetermined direction to transmit a force in the direction in which fluid is delivered while moving integrally with the piston shaft 341, and that moves integrally with the extrusion shaft 345 to eject the pipette tip 40 when it moves further in the predetermined direction after starting to move integrally with the piston shaft 341.

[0115] <Liquid suction operation by the dispensing unit> Next, the liquid suction operation by the dispensing unit 24 will be described. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an example of the liquid suction process of the dispensing unit 24 of the present embodiment.

[0116] In step S11, the control unit 50 controls the unit movement mechanism 246 to move the dispensing nozzle 241 to the mounting height of the pipette tip 40 directly above the pipette tip 40 accommodated in the cartridge 30 and attach the pipette tip 40 to the tip of the dispensing nozzle 241. As described above, the force applied to the pipette tip 40 during attachment is relaxed by the buffer mechanism 242, and the pipette tip 40 is attached to the dispensing nozzle 241 with a constant force.

[0117] In step S12, the control unit 50 controls the unit movement mechanism 246 to move the dispensing nozzle 241 to the preparation height for the piercing operation directly above the reagent storage section 31 accommodated in the cartridge 30. This preparation height is the upper position of the reagent for which liquid suction will be performed next in the reagent storage section 31.

[0118] In step S13, the control unit 50 controls the unit moving mechanism 246 and the cylinder mechanism 243 to start sucking by the dispensing nozzle 241 simultaneously with the piercing operation. FIG. 24 is a side view showing the piercing operation of the dispensing unit 24 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 24, in the piercing operation, the pipette tip 40 is pushed downward in accordance with the position of the liquid suction target of the reagent storage unit 31 covered by the sealing member 316, and the sealing member 316 is penetrated by the pipette tip 40. Since the cylinder mechanism 243 sucks the dispensing nozzle 241 in this series of operations, the reagent adhering to the inside of the sealing member 316 from the tip of the pipette tip 40 is also sucked. Further, the inside of the reagent storage unit 31 to be liquid-sucked also becomes negative pressure by suction without becoming positive pressure, and scattering of the reagent to the outside of the cartridge 30 due to the pushing-in of the pipette tip 40 is also suppressed.

[0119] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, in the piercing operation, even when a force to penetrate the sealing member 316 is applied by the pipette tip 40, the moment M of the cartridge 30 generated by its own weight about the engagement shaft 251 further increases, and the lower part of the cartridge 30 is pressed against the rotation restricting portion 254. As a result, the position of the cartridge 30 is more firmly fixed, and a stable piercing operation becomes possible.

[0120] In step S14, the control unit 50 controls the unit moving mechanism 246 to move the dispensing nozzle 241 to the upper retracted position after the piercing operation. FIG. 25 is a side view showing the retracted position after the piercing operation of the dispensing unit 24 of the present embodiment. By moving to this retracted position, a possible liquid film generated during the piercing operation is broken. Thereafter, control is executed to move the dispensing nozzle 241 downward to the position where the reagent is sucked, and the suction operation of the reagent is performed. By these series of processes, the liquid suction process is completed. The sucked reagent is injected into the analysis chip 10.

[0121] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, even if a force that lifts the cartridge 30 acts due to friction between the pipette tip 40 of the dispensing nozzle 241 and the sealing member 316 of the cartridge 30 during the retraction operation after the piercing operation, the cartridge 30 is not lifted by the restricting portion 253.

[0122] In addition, similar to the mechanism described in the piercing operation of step S13 above, even when the pipette tip 40 is attached, the moment M of the cartridge 30 generated by its own weight around the engagement shaft 251 further increases, and the lower part of the cartridge 30 is pressed against the rotation restricting portion 254. As a result, the position of the cartridge 30 is fixed more firmly, and the pipette tip 40 can be stably attached.

[0123] As described above, the sample analysis apparatus 1 of the present embodiment has the following effects. The sample analysis apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a pipette tip 40 as a tapered tip portion, a dispensing nozzle 241 that sucks a reagent from the pipette tip 40, a cylinder mechanism 243 that delivers and sucks fluid to and from the dispensing nozzle 241, a unit moving mechanism 246 that performs a piercing operation of passing the pipette tip 40 through a sealing member 316 that covers an opening of a reagent storage portion 31 in which a reagent is stored by moving the dispensing nozzle 241, and a control unit 50 as a control device that executes control to suck fluid with respect to the dispensing nozzle 241 by the cylinder mechanism 243 during the piercing operation.

[0124] As a result, since the piercing operation and the suction operation of the dispensing nozzle 241 are performed simultaneously, the positive pressure inside the reagent storage portion 31 is suppressed, and the liquid attached to the sealing member 316, which is a sealing sheet, is also sucked. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the phenomenon that the liquid attached to the sealing member 316 leaks outside during the piercing operation inside the container of the cartridge 30.

[0125] Also, in the present embodiment, the control unit 50 executes control to move the pipette tip 40 upward once after the piercing operation and then move it downward to a position where the reagent is sucked.

[0126] Thus, by performing an operation to return to the position before piercing once before the liquid suction operation after the piercing operation, the liquid film formed in the gap of the reagent storage unit 31 during the piercing operation can be cut. As a result, it is possible to suppress the outflow of bubbles to the outside when the pipette tip 40 of the dispensing nozzle 241 is moved downward in a state where the liquid film is formed.

[0127] In addition, the sample analyzer 1 of the present embodiment further includes a cartridge 30 having a reagent storage unit 31 and a cartridge holder 25 having a storage hole 250 for storing the cartridge 30. The cartridge holder 25 has a restricting portion 253 protruding in a direction intersecting the vertical direction from the inner wall 255 facing the cartridge 30 in the storage hole 250. The cartridge 30 has a recess 34 into which the restricting portion 253 enters on the side facing the inner wall 255. Thus, in the set state, the restricting portion 253 as a holder engaging portion constituted by a part of the cartridge holder 25 and the recess 34 as a cartridge engaging portion constituted by a part of the cartridge 30 are engaged with each other.

[0128] Thereby, it is possible to surely prevent the cartridge 30 from floating due to the friction between the sealing member 316 and the pipette tip 40 after the piercing operation by the restricting portion 253 that enters the recess 34 of the cartridge 30.

[0129] The sample analyzer 1 of the present embodiment further includes an engaging shaft 251 disposed on either one of the cartridge 30 and the cartridge holder 25, and an engaging groove 33 disposed on the other of the cartridge 30 and the cartridge holder 25 where the engaging shaft 251 is not disposed. The axis O1 of the dispensing nozzle 241 is offset from the axis O2 of the engaging shaft 251.

[0130] Thereby, even when a force for piercing the sealing member 316 by the pipette tip 40 is applied during the piercing operation, the position of the cartridge 30 is more firmly fixed, and a stable piercing operation can be performed.

[0131] Also, thereby, even when a force is applied to penetrate the sealing member 316 by the pipette tip 40 during the piercing operation, the engagement between the engagement shaft 251 and the engagement groove 33 becomes more difficult to be released compared to the configuration where the axis O1 of the dispensing nozzle 241 is on the axis O2 of the engagement shaft 251. The detachment of the regulating portion 253 from the concave portion 34 also becomes difficult, the position of the cartridge 30 is fixed more firmly, and the detachment of the cartridge 30 from the cartridge holder 25 during the piercing operation can be more reliably prevented.

[0132] As described above, the preferred embodiment and modification example of the sample analysis apparatus 1 of the present invention have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the individual forms shown in these embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications based on the idea of the present invention are possible.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0133] 1 Sample analysis apparatus 10 Analysis chip 24 Dispensing unit (dispensing device) 25 Cartridge holder 30 Cartridge 33 Engagement groove 40 Pipette tip (tip portion) 50 Control unit (control device) 241 Dispensing nozzle 243 Cylinder mechanism 244 Extrusion mechanism 245 Axis drive mechanism 246 Unit moving mechanism 250 Accommodation hole 251 Engagement shaft 333 Bearing portion (end portion of engagement groove) 341 Piston shaft 345 Extrusion shaft

Claims

1. A cartridge for accommodating a reagent used in the reaction of reactants, a cartridge holder having an accommodation hole for accommodating the cartridge, an engagement shaft disposed on either one of the cartridge and the cartridge holder, an engagement groove disposed on the other of the cartridge and the cartridge holder where the engagement shaft is not disposed, comprising: the position of the end of the engagement groove with which the engagement shaft abuts is configured to deviate from the center of gravity position of the cartridge, a sample analyzer.

2. When the engagement shaft and the engagement groove are engaged and the upper part of the cartridge is inclined to the inner wall on one side of the accommodation hole, the center of gravity position is at a position separated from the inner wall more than the engagement groove, The sample analyzer according to claim 1.

3. further comprising a dispensing nozzle for applying an external force to the cartridge, the position of the end of the engagement groove, is set to be displaced to one side of the axis of the dispensing nozzle in the width direction of the surface on which the end is formed, The sample analyzer according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The cartridge holder, has a restricting portion protruding in a direction intersecting the vertical direction from the inner wall facing the cartridge in the accommodation hole, the cartridge, has a recess into which the restricting portion enters on the side facing the inner wall, The sample analyzer according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The engagement groove, is formed such that the entrance side where the engagement shaft enters is wider than the back side, The sample analyzer according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The engagement shaft is disposed in the accommodation hole of the cartridge holder, the engagement groove is disposed in the cartridge and has a straight portion extending linearly along the insertion direction of the cartridge, The sample analyzer according to claim 1 or 2.

7. A cartridge for accommodating a reagent used in the reaction of reactants, a reagent accommodating portion for accommodating the reagent, an engagement groove for engaging with an engagement shaft disposed on the side of the cartridge holder for accommodating the cartridge, comprising: the position of the end of the engagement groove with which the engagement shaft abuts is configured to deviate from the center of gravity position of the cartridge, a cartridge.

Images