Analysis device

Abstract

To provide an analysis device capable of preventing a nozzle from contacting with a foreign substance with a small configuration.SOLUTION: An analysis device includes: a device main body; a holding member that holds a test tube to be movable between an approach position, which is close to the device main body, and a separation position, which is horizontally separated from the device main body; a nozzle that is supported at a front side of the device main body to be movable between a collection position, where the nozzle enters the test tube at the approach position from above to collect a specimen inside the test tube, and a retraction position, where the nozzle retracts above the test tube; a cover that covers the nozzle, which is at the retraction position, at the front side; and a support member that is provided at the holding member to be positionally adjustable in a vertical direction and supports the test tube.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an analytical device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a safety device for an apparatus having a nozzle that moves vertically and enters a test tube, a holding unit that holds the test tube, and a transport mechanism that moves the test tube held by the holding unit at a holding position from the holding position to an entry position where the test tube enters the nozzle. This safety device includes a rotor having a first portion and a second portion. When the test tube moves to the entry position, the first portion abuts against the test tube and rotates, and the second portion rotates following this. This configuration allows the safety device to cover at least a portion of the area defined by the height from the top of the test tube at the entry position to the bottom of the nozzle and the width of the top of the test tube. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-105542 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The technology described in Patent Document 1 prevents fingers or other objects from getting in between the upper end of the test tube and the lower end of the nozzle from the horizontal direction when the test tube is moving toward the nozzle's lowering position. In other words, the nozzle is prevented from coming into contact with foreign objects such as fingers.

[0005] However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, the safety device includes a rotating body having a first portion and a second portion, which leads to an increase in the size of the device.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an analytical device that has a small configuration and can prevent the nozzle from coming into contact with foreign matter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The technology disclosed herein comprises an apparatus main body, a holding member that holds a test tube movably between an approach position close to the apparatus main body and a remote position horizontally separated from the apparatus main body, a nozzle supported on the front side of the apparatus main body movably between a collection position where it enters the test tube in the approach position from above to collect a sample inside the test tube and a retracted position where it retracts above the test tube, a cover that covers the nozzle on the front side when in the retracted position, and a support member that is vertically positionably attached to the holding member and supports the test tube. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The technology disclosed herein provides an analyzer that has a compact configuration and can prevent the nozzle from coming into contact with foreign matter. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the analysis device of the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing three types of test tubes with different outer heights that can be used in the analyzer of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the holding member and its vicinity in the analyzer of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the inside of the holding member of the analyzer of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the holding member, the nozzle, and the vicinity thereof of the analyzer of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the holding member, nozzle, and their vicinity of the analyzer of the first embodiment in a state where the height position of the sample container is being adjusted. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the holding member, nozzle, and their vicinity of the analyzer of the first embodiment with the specimen container in the separated position. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the holding member, nozzle, and vicinity thereof of the analyzer of the first embodiment with the specimen container at the approach position. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the holding member, the nozzle, and the vicinity thereof of the analyzer of the first embodiment, with the nozzle in the sampling position. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the holding member, nozzle, and vicinity thereof of the analyzer of the first embodiment with the specimen container at the approach position. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the holding member, nozzle, and their vicinity of the analyzer of the first embodiment with the specimen container at the approach position. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the holding member, the nozzle, and the vicinity thereof of the analyzer of the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the holding member, the nozzle, and the vicinity thereof of the analyzer of the comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An example of an embodiment of the technology of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that components and processes that perform the same operations, actions, and functions are given the same reference numerals throughout the drawings, and duplicated descriptions may be omitted as appropriate. Each drawing is merely a schematic illustration to allow a sufficient understanding of the technology of the present disclosure. Therefore, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to the illustrated examples. Furthermore, in this embodiment, descriptions of configurations that are not directly related to the present disclosure or well-known configurations may be omitted.

[0011] 1 shows an analysis device 12 of the first embodiment. In the drawing, the width direction, depth direction, and height direction of the analysis device 12 are indicated by arrows W, D, and H, respectively. The analysis device 12 is used in an orientation in which the width direction and depth direction are horizontal.

[0012] The analyzer 12 is a device that aspirates a sample liquid (e.g., urine) contained in a sample container 14 using a nozzle 20 (described later) and analyzes the sample liquid. In the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the sample container 14 is generally cylindrical, but the diameter gradually decreases in a conical manner from the middle to the bottom. A sample container of this shape is sometimes called a Spitz tube. The sample container of the disclosed technology is not limited to a Spitz tube. For example, it may be a container that is generally cylindrical with a hemispherical bottom (a so-called round-bottom test tube), or a container that is generally cylindrical with a circular bottom (a so-called flat-bottom test tube).

[0013] In the disclosed technology, there are multiple types of sample containers 14 that can be used with the analyzer 12, each with a different external height H1, as shown in Figure 2. In Figure 2, among the multiple types of sample containers 14 that have different external heights H1, there are three types: sample container 14M with a medium external height H1, sample container 14H with a relatively high external height H1, and sample container 14L with a relatively low external height H1.

[0014] The analyzer 12 includes an apparatus main body 16, a holding member 18, and a nozzle 20 (see FIGS. 3 and 5). The apparatus main body 16 is equipped with various devices and members for analyzing the sample liquid.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 1, a stage 22 is provided on the front side of the device main body 16. The stage 22 extends in the width direction of the device main body 16. A frame member 24 is attached on top of the stage 22. A slide recess 26 is formed in the frame member 24. When viewed from above, the slide recess 26 is located in the center of the frame member 24 in the width direction and has a rectangular shape extending in the depth direction.

[0016] The slide recess 26 accommodates the holding member 18. The holding member 18 is a hollow, substantially box-shaped member. A holding tube 28 is formed on the holding member 18. The holding tube 28 can hold the specimen container 14 from the periphery.

[0017] The outer depth Y2 of the holding member 18 is shorter than the inner depth Y1 of the slide recess 26. Therefore, the holding member 18 can move (slide) in the depth direction, i.e., horizontally, while remaining housed in the slide recess 26 on the stage 22. This movement of the holding member 18 causes the sample container 14 to move between a close position NP (see FIG. 8) and a remote position RP (see FIG. 7). At the close position NP, the sample container 14 is relatively close to the device body 16, and at the remote position RP, the sample container 14 is relatively remote from the device body 16 in the horizontal direction.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 6, at least a portion of the front side of the holding member 18 is detachable from the other portions. As an example, Fig. 6 shows a configuration in which approximately half of the front side of the holding member 18 is detachable from the rear side. By detaching the front side portion of the holding member 18 from the other portions of the holding member 18 in this manner, an operator can access the fixing member 52, which will be described later, from the front side. Note that the fixing member 52 may be exposed by removing not only the front side portion of the holding member but the entire holding member from the slide recess 26.

[0019] A nozzle 20 is disposed in the device body 16. As shown in Fig. 5, the nozzle 20 is supported at a front position inside the device body 16 by an elevating mechanism 30 so that the nozzle 20 can be raised and lowered.

[0020] 9, the position where the lower end 20B of the nozzle 20 enters from above into the sample container 14 at the approach position NP is the collection position CP of the nozzle 20. When the nozzle 20 is at the collection position CP, it is possible to collect the sample inside the sample container 14.

[0021] 8, the position where the lower end 20B of the nozzle 20 does not enter the sample container 14 from above but is retracted upward is the retracted position EP of the nozzle 20. When the nozzle 20 is in the retracted position EP, the sample container 14 and the nozzle 20 do not come into contact with each other even if the sample container 14 moves in the depth direction.

[0022] An extension plate 32 is provided on the front side of the device body 16. The extension plate 32 extends downward from the center in the width direction of the device body 16. The extension plate 32 covers, on the front side, the nozzle 20 which is in the retracted position EP.

[0023] A pair of side walls 36 extend downward from the extension plate 32. The pair of side walls 36 are arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart in the width direction. The space between the side walls 36 is open to the front and bottom.

[0024] A block 40 is fixed between the side walls 36. The block 40 is a rectangular parallelepiped member having a predetermined thickness. In a plan view, the block 40 has a through-hole 42 that penetrates in the vertical direction. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the center line CL-1 of the sample container 14 at the approach position NP and the center line CL-2 of the through-hole 42 approximately coincide with each other.

[0025] The portion of the block 40 that is located closer to the front than the nozzle 20 is the front portion 40F. The front portion 40F covers the nozzle 20 at the retracted position EP on the front side. In other words, the extension plate 32 and the front portion 40F of the block 40 cover the nozzle 20 at the retracted position EP on the front side, and form the cover 50 of the disclosed technology.

[0026] The portion inside the holding member 18, below the holding tube 28, is an accommodating recess 44. A support member 46 is accommodated in the accommodating recess 44. The support member 46 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The height H2 (external dimension) of the support member 46 is shorter than the height H1 (internal dimension) of the accommodating recess 44. Therefore, the support member 46 can move up and down while accommodated in the accommodating recess 44.

[0027] The upper surface of the support member 46 is a support surface 48. The support surface 48 supports the sample container 14 held by the holding member 18 from below. In the analyzer 12 of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the support surface 48 is inclined downward toward the center. The support surface 48 can also be said to have an inverted cone shape.

[0028] A fixing member 52 is provided inside the holding member 18, closer to the front than the accommodating recess 44. The fixing member 52 has a fixing plate 54 and a fixing screw 56. The fixing plate 54 has an elongated hole 58 that extends in the vertical direction. The hole width W1 of the elongated hole 58 is shorter than the diameter of the screw head 56A of the fixing screw 56 and longer than the diameter of the male thread 56B. The fixing screw 56 is inserted into the elongated hole 58 from the front side. The position of the fixing screw 56 can be changed in the vertical direction within the range of the elongated hole 58.

[0029] An internal thread 46B corresponding to the external thread 56B of the fixing screw 56 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the support member 46. By screwing the external thread 56B of the fixing screw 56 into the internal thread 46B of the support member 46, the support member 46 can be pushed toward the rear.

[0030] A clamping wall 34 is formed on the rear side of the accommodating recess 44. As shown in FIG. 7 , the clamping wall 34 forms part of the holding member 18. By threading the male threads 56B of the fixing screw 56 into the female threads 46B of the support member 46, the support member 46 is pushed toward the rear and pressed against the clamping wall 34. The fixing screw 56 then clamps the support member 46 between itself and the clamping wall 34. In other words, the support member 46 is fixed to the holding member 18 at a predetermined height. The position of the fixing screw 56 can be changed in the vertical direction within the range of the elongated hole 58, so the support member 46 can be fixed at any position within this range.

[0031] 6, by loosening the fixing screw 56, the support member 46 is no longer pushed inward. The support member 46 is no longer pressed against the clamping wall 34, and is no longer clamped between the fixing screw 56 and the clamping wall 34. In this state, the support member 46 can be moved up and down.

[0032] In this way, even when the fixing screw 56 is loosened, the male thread 56B of the fixing screw 56 remains inserted in the elongated hole 58 of the fixing plate 54. Therefore, the fixing screw 56 and the support member 46 will not accidentally fall off the fixing plate 54. In this state, by moving the fixing screw 56 in the vertical direction, the support member 46 can be moved up and down along the elongated hole 58. In other words, the elongated hole 58 and the fixing screw 56 form a guide member 60 that guides the support member 46 in the vertical direction relative to the holding member 18.

[0033] A collar 62 is disposed between the fixed plate 54 and the support member 46. The collar 62 is a cylindrical member that is attached to the male thread 56B. The collar 62 enables the fixed plate 54 and the support member 46 to maintain a certain distance or more.

[0034] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0035] 2, the analyzer 12 of this embodiment can accommodate a plurality of types of sample containers 14 having different external heights H1, regardless of the external height H1 of the sample container 14. First, an example of accommodating a sample container 14M having a medium height will be described below.

[0036] The analyzer 12 of this embodiment has a holding member 18 and a support member 46. As shown in FIG. 6, the holding member 18 is moved toward the front, and the fixing screw 56 is loosened to move the support member 46 up and down to adjust its height. This height is adjusted to match the outer height H1 of the sample container 14 to be held by the holding member 18, so that the vertical gap GP between the underside 50B of the cover 50 (the front portion of the block 40) and the upper end 14T of the sample container 14M is within a predetermined range. This predetermined range is set, for example, to be small enough to prevent foreign matter from entering the gap GP.

[0037] When adjusting the vertical position of the support member 46, the holding member 18 moves to the front side. Because the support member 46 also moves to the front side, the task of adjusting the vertical position of the support member 46 is easier than in a configuration in which the support member 46 is located at the back side.

[0038] With the height position of the support member 46 adjusted in this way, the sample container 14M can be set in the holding member 18, as shown in Figure 7. The sample container 14M is in the remote position RP, is held from the side by the holding member 18, and is supported from below by the support member 46. In this state, the nozzle 20 is in the retracted position EP.

[0039] In this state, as shown in Figure 8, the holding member 18 can be pushed toward the rear to move the sample container 14M to the approach position NP. Then, as shown in Figure 9, the nozzle 20 can be lowered toward the sample container 14M at the approach position NP. The lowered nozzle 20 enters the sample container 14M from above. When the nozzle 20 is at the collection position CP, the nozzle 20 can collect the sample inside the sample container 14M.

[0040] In the analysis device 12 of this embodiment, when the specimen container 14M is moved from the remote position RP to the approach position NP (i.e., the holding member 18 is pushed toward the rear), and when the specimen container 14M is in the approach position NP, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering between the lower end 20B of the nozzle 20 and the upper end 14T of the specimen container 14M.

[0041] Specifically, the height position of the support member 46 is adjusted to correspond to the height H1 of the sample container 14M, and the vertical gap GP between the lower surface 50B of the cover 50 and the upper end 14T of the sample container 14M is set within a predetermined range. The support member 46 is fixed to the holding member 18 at this height position.

[0042] In this state, the holding member 18 is pushed inward to move the sample container 14M from the distant position RP to the approach position NP. The height position of the sample container 14M is such that a predetermined gap GP is created in the vertical direction between the lower surface 50B of the cover 50 and the upper end of the sample container 14, so the sample container 14M moves to the approach position NP without coming into contact with the block 40. Furthermore, while the sample container 14 is moving, foreign matter is prevented from entering between the lower end 20B of the nozzle 20 and the upper end 14T of the sample container 14M.

[0043] The front side of the nozzle 20 is covered with a cover 50. Therefore, when the sample container 14M is in the approach position NP, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering between the lower end 20B of the nozzle 20 and the upper end 14T of the sample container 14M from the front side. Since there is no need to provide a safety device or the like in the device main body 16 to prevent the entry of foreign matter, the analyzer 12 can be configured compactly.

[0044] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the analytical device 12 of the disclosed technology can realize a structure that can prevent foreign matter from entering between the lower end 20B of the nozzle 20 and the upper end 14T of the specimen container 14, regardless of the external height H1 of the specimen container 14.

[0045] 10 corresponds to a sample container 14H whose outer height H1 is higher than that of the sample container 14M. When the sample container 14H is set in the holding member 18, the support member 46 is fixed at a lower position than in the case of the sample container 14M described above. More specifically, the position of the support member 46 is such that the vertical gap GP between the lower surface 50B of the cover 50 and the upper end 14T of the sample container 14 is within a predetermined range, as described above.

[0046] 11 corresponds to a sample container 14L whose outer height H1 is lower than that of the sample container 14M. When the sample container 14L is set in the holding member 18, the support member 46 is fixed at a higher position than in the case of the sample container 14M described above. More specifically, the position of the support member 46 is such that the vertical gap GP between the lower surface 50B of the cover 50 and the upper end 14T of the sample container 14 is within a predetermined range, as described above.

[0047] In this way, even for sample containers 14 with different outer height dimensions H1, the gap GP can be kept within a predetermined range when the sample container 14 is moved from the separated position RP to the approach position NP, and when the sample container 14M is in the approach position NP. This prevents foreign matter from entering between the lower end 20B of the nozzle 20 and the upper end 14T of the sample container 14. Since foreign matter is prevented from contacting the nozzle 20, the influence of foreign matter on the operation of the analyzer 12 is also prevented. Furthermore, since there is no need to provide a safety device or the like in the device main body 16 to prevent foreign matter from entering, the analyzer 12 can be made compact. Furthermore, since there is no need to provide a safety device or the like in the device main body 16 to prevent foreign matter from entering, the overall appearance of the analyzer 12 is not affected.

[0048] 13 shows the holding member, nozzle and their vicinity in an analyzer 92 of a comparative example. In FIG. 13, the same elements as those in the analyzer 12 of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals.

[0049] In the comparative analyzer 92, the support member 46 is not provided inside the holding member 18, but a support plate 94 is provided instead. The support plate 94 is fixed to the holding member 18, and its height position cannot be adjusted. Therefore, in the comparative analyzer, depending on the external height H1 of the sample container 14, the vertical gap GP between the lower surface 50B of the cover 50 and the upper end 14T of the sample container 14 becomes wider than in the analyzer 12 of the first embodiment.

[0050] Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the same elements, members, etc. as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, since the overall configuration of the analyzer of the second embodiment is the same as that of the analyzer 12 of the first embodiment, illustration thereof will be omitted.

[0051] In the analyzer 72 of the second embodiment, as shown in Fig. 12, a spring 74 is disposed between the bottom plate 18B of the holding member 18 and the support member 46. The spring 74 biases the support member 46 upward. However, the biasing force of the spring 74 is set to a degree that does not move the support member 46 excessively upward, but rather assists the upward movement when an operator adjusts the height position of the support member 46.

[0052] Therefore, in the analyzer 72 of the second embodiment, the operator can easily adjust the height position of the support member 46.

[0053] The analytical device of each of the above embodiments has a fixing member 52. The fixing member 52 allows the support member 46 to be fixed in a predetermined vertical position. The analytical device of the disclosed technology may, for example, not have the fixing member 52 and simply have the support member 46 supported by another support stand, but in this case, since the support member 46 is not fixed, there is a risk of it wobbling up and down on the support stand. By having the fixing member 52 as in this embodiment, the support member 46 can be fixed to the holding member 18, eliminating wobbling in the vertical direction.

[0054] The fixing member 52 of the analyzer 12 in each embodiment includes a male screw 56B and a clamping wall 34. Therefore, by simply screwing the male screw 56B into the female screw 46B of the support member 46, the support member 46 can be pressed against the clamping wall 34 and fixed at a predetermined vertical position relative to the holding member 18.

[0055] The analyzer 12 of each embodiment has a guide member 60. The guide member 60 includes an elongated hole 58 and a male screw 56B. This guide member 60 smoothly guides the support member 46 in the vertical direction, allowing the vertical position to be changed. Furthermore, the vertical position of the support member 46 can be set within the continuous range over which the male screw 56B moves within the elongated hole 58.

[0056] In the analyzer 12 of each embodiment, the support member 46 has a support surface 48. The support surface 48 is inclined downward toward the center when viewed from above. On the support surface 48, the sample container 14 moves toward the center due to gravity. In other words, a structure can be realized in which the sample container 14 is supported at the center of the support surface 48.

[0057] In the technology of the present disclosure, the gap GP (vertical length) can be set to match the size of foreign matter that is expected to enter between the lower end 20B of the nozzle 20 and the upper end 14T of the sample container 14. For example, by setting this gap to 3 mm, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering between the lower end 20B of the nozzle 20 and the upper end 14T of the sample container 14 and to easily adjust the vertical position of the sample container 14. By setting this gap narrower, for example, to 1 mm, it is possible to prevent smaller foreign matter from entering compared to when this gap is set to 3 mm. Furthermore, by setting this gap wider, for example, to 5 mm, it is possible to lessen the precision of the vertical position adjustment of the sample container 14 compared to when this gap is set to 3 mm.

[0058] Furthermore, the following notes are disclosed: (Appendix 1) A device body, a holding member that holds the test tube movably between a close position where the test tube is close to the device body and a distant position where the test tube is horizontally distant from the device body; a nozzle supported on the front side of the device body so as to be movable between a sampling position where the nozzle enters the test tube from above at the approach position to sample the specimen inside the test tube, and a retracted position where the nozzle retracts above the test tube; a cover that covers the nozzle at the retracted position on the front side; a support member that is vertically positionably disposed on the holding member and supports the test tube; An analytical device having: (Appendix 2) 10. The analytical device according to claim 1, further comprising a fixing member for fixing the support member at a predetermined vertical position. (Appendix 3) 3. The analyzer according to claim 1, further comprising a guide member that guides the support member in a vertical direction relative to the holding member. (Appendix 4) The guide member has a long hole formed in the holding member along the vertical direction, a male screw inserted through the elongated hole and screwed into the support member; 4. The analytical device of claim 3, comprising: (Appendix 5) The fixing member is a male screw threaded into the support member; a clamping wall that forms a part of the holding member and clamps the support member between the holding member and the male screw; 3. The analytical device of claim 2, comprising: (Appendix 6) 6. The analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the support member supports the test tube and has a support surface that is inclined downward toward the center. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 12 Analyzer 14 Sample container 14T Top of sample container 16 Device body 18 Retaining member 20 nozzles 20B Bottom end of nozzle 28 Holding tube 30 Lifting mechanism 32 Extension plate (example of cover) 34 Sandwiching wall 40 blocks Front part of 40F block (example of cover) 46 Support member 46B female thread 48 Support surface 50 Cover 50B Bottom 52 Fixing member 54 Fixing plate 56 Fixing screw 56A screw head 56B male thread 58 long hole 60 case materials 72 Analytical apparatus

Claims

1. A device body, a holding member that holds the test tube movably between a close position where the test tube is close to the device body and a distant position where the test tube is horizontally distant from the device body; a nozzle supported on the front side of the device body so as to be movable between a sampling position where the nozzle enters the test tube from above at the approach position to sample the specimen inside the test tube, and a retracted position where the nozzle retracts above the test tube; a cover that covers the nozzle at the retracted position on the front side; a support member that is vertically positionably disposed on the holding member and supports the test tube; An analytical device having:

2. The analyzer according to claim 1 , further comprising a fixing member for fixing the support member at a predetermined vertical position.

3. 3. The analyzer according to claim 1, further comprising a guide member that guides the support member in a vertical direction relative to the holding member.

4. The guide member has a long hole formed in the holding member along the vertical direction, a male screw inserted through the elongated hole and screwed into the support member; The analytical device of claim 3 .

5. The fixing member is a male screw threaded into the support member; a clamping wall that forms a part of the holding member and clamps the support member between the holding member and the male screw; The analytical device of claim 2 , further comprising:

6. The analytical device according to claim 1 , wherein the support member supports the test tube and has a support surface that is inclined downward toward the center.

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