Sample transport device, sample analysis system, and sample transport method

Abstract

In a conveyance tile 120, one of coils 706, 706B, 706C, 706D, 706E, 706F, 706G and coil shafts 705, 705A, 705C, 705D, 705E, 705F, 705G differ in specification in the electrodes 707A, 707B, 707C, 707E, 707G that are directly under positions where a container holder 100 does not stop, and in the electrodes 707, 707D, 707G that are directly under positions where the container holder 100 does stop. By this means, a specimen conveyance device, specimen analysis system and specimen conveyance method are provided which enable stable conveyance while reducing power consumption.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sample transport device used in a sample analysis system that analyzes biological samples (hereinafter referred to as samples) such as blood, plasma, serum, urine, and other body fluids, and a sample pretreatment system that performs pretreatment required for analysis, as well as a sample analysis system and a sample transport method. [Background technology]

[0002] As an example of a laboratory sample delivery system and corresponding operating method that is highly flexible and provides high transport performance, Patent Document 1 describes a system comprising several container carriers, each of which is equipped with at least one magnetically active device, preferably at least one permanent magnet, and adapted to transport sample containers, a transport plane adapted to transport the container carriers, and several electromagnetic actuators stationary arranged below the transport plane, the electromagnetic actuators adapted to move the container carriers above the transport plane by applying a magnetic force to the container carriers. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-77971 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a specimen analysis system for clinical testing, specified analysis items are tested on biological samples (hereinafter referred to as "specimens") such as blood, plasma, serum, urine, and other bodily fluids. In this specimen analysis system, devices with multiple functions are connected and each process is automatically performed. In other words, to streamline the work in the laboratory, an analysis section (analysis process) that performs multiple analyses such as biochemistry and immunology, and a pre-processing section (pre-processing process) that performs multiple pre-processing required for this analysis are connected by a conveying line and used as a single specimen analysis system.

[0005] In recent years, the importance of sample analysis has increased due to the advancement of medical care and the aging of patients. Therefore, in order to improve the analytical processing capacity of sample analysis systems, there is a demand for high-speed sample transport, large-volume transport, simultaneous transport, and transport in multiple directions.

[0006] The technology described in Patent Document 1 is a background technology of this technical field. In the technology described in Patent Document 1, the holder is driven by electromagnetic force generated by applying a current to a coil. This method is expected to consume more power than the motor, pulley, and belt method. Therefore, a transport system that drives the holder while suppressing power consumption has been proposed.

[0007] However, the electromagnetic force serves not only to drive the holder but also to detect the holder position, so there is a trade-off between increasing the precision of position detection, decreasing the driving force, and increasing the driving force, decreasing the precision of position detection. For this reason, it is difficult to satisfy both, and improvements are awaited.

[0008] The present invention provides a sample transport device that is capable of stable transport while reducing power consumption, a sample analysis system, and a sample transport method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention includes a number of means for solving the above problems. One example is a specimen transport device for transporting a specimen container containing a specimen, the device comprising: a holder having a magnetic material for holding the specimen container; and a transport tile having a coil shaft and a number of magnetic poles having a coil wound around the outer periphery of the coil shaft, the specifications of either the coil or the coil shaft being different between the magnetic pole directly below a position where the holder does not stop within the transport tile and the magnetic pole directly below a position where the holder stops. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize stable transportation while suppressing power consumption. Problems, configurations and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of a sample analysis system including a sample transport device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a top view showing an example of the configuration of a sample transport device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA' of FIG. [Figure 4] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between the coil shaft diameter and thrust force in electromagnetic transportation. [Diagram 5] 11 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the coil shaft diameter and the inductance change rate related to detection in electromagnetic transportation. FIG. [Figure 6] 3 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the sample transportation device according to the embodiment, the diagram corresponding to the AA' cross section of FIG. 2. [Figure 7] 10 is a view showing still another example of the configuration of the sample transport device according to the embodiment, the view corresponding to the AA' cross section in FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is a view showing still another example of the configuration of the sample transport device according to the embodiment, the view corresponding to the AA' cross section in FIG. [Figure 9]FIG. 11 is a top view showing still another example of the configuration of the sample transport device according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB' of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Examples of the sample transport device, sample analysis system, and sample transport method of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 10. In the drawings used in this specification, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals, and repeated explanations of these components may be omitted.

[0013] First, the overall configuration of the sample analysis system will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of a sample analysis system including a sample transport device according to this embodiment.

[0014] The sample analyzing system 1000 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is a system equipped with an analyzer for automatically analyzing components of samples such as blood and urine.

[0015] The main components of the sample analysis system 1000 are a plurality of transport devices 700 (12 in FIG. 1) that transport container holders 100 (see FIG. 3) carrying sample containers 150 (see FIG. 3, etc.) containing samples, or empty container holders 100 with no sample containers 150 loaded thereon, to a predetermined destination, a plurality of analytical devices 800 (4 in FIG. 1), and a control computer 900 that provides integrated management of the sample analysis system 1000.

[0016] The analyzer 800 is a unit that performs qualitative and quantitative analysis of the components of the sample transported by the transport device 700. The analysis items in this unit are not particularly limited, and the configuration of a known automatic analyzer that analyzes biochemical items and immune items can be adopted. Furthermore, when multiple analyzers are provided, they may be of the same specification or different specifications, and are not particularly limited.

[0017] Each transport device 700 is a device that transports a specimen container 150 containing a specimen mounted on the container holder 100 to a destination (such as an analysis device 800 or an outlet port) by sliding the specimen container 150 on a transport path due to the interaction between a magnetic pole 707 (see FIG. 3) and a magnetic body 105 (see FIG. 3) provided on the container holder 100. The details will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2 and subsequent figures.

[0018] The control computer 900 controls the operation of the entire system including the transport device 700 and the analysis device 800, and is composed of a computer having a display device such as a liquid crystal display, an input device, a storage device, a CPU, a memory, etc. The control computer 900 controls the operation of each device based on various programs recorded in the storage device.

[0019] The control processes for the operations executed by the control computer 900 may be integrated into one program, or may be divided into multiple programs, or may be a combination of these. Also, some or all of the programs may be realized by dedicated hardware, or may be modularized.

[0020] 1, the case where four analysis devices 800 are provided is described, but the number of analysis devices 800 is not particularly limited and may be one or more. Similarly, the number of transport devices 700 is not particularly limited and may be one or more.

[0021] Furthermore, various specimen pre-treatment / post-treatment sections that perform pre-treatment and post-treatment of specimens can be provided in the specimen analysis system 1000. The detailed configuration of the specimen pre-treatment / post-treatment section is not particularly limited, and the configuration of a known pre-treatment device can be adopted.

[0022] Next, the configuration of the transport device 700 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 10. Figure 2 is a top view showing an example of the configuration of the sample transport device, and Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A' in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a diagram explaining the relationship between the coil shaft diameter and thrust force in electromagnetic transport, and Figure 5 is a diagram explaining the relationship between the coil shaft diameter and the inductance change rate related to detection in electromagnetic transport. Figures 6 to 8 are diagrams corresponding to the A-A' cross-section in Figure 2, showing another example of the configuration of the sample transport device. Figure 9 is a top view showing yet another example of the configuration of the sample transport device, and Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view along the line B-B' in Figure 9.

[0023] 2 and 3, a specimen to be tested in the specimen analysis system 1000 is handled in a state in which it is collected and contained in a specimen container 150. The specimen container 150 is inserted into the container holder 100 manually by an operator or by an automatic insertion unit, and is transported within the system where various processes such as pre-processing and analysis are carried out.

[0024] One or more container holders 100 on which sample containers 150 containing samples are mounted are provided in the transport device 700, and each of them has a magnetic body 105 and a gripping portion 101 that supports the sample container 150.

[0025] The magnetic body 105 is provided near the bottom surface of each of the plurality of container holders 100 , and the container holders 100 are transported by the electromagnetic force acting on the magnetic body 105 .

[0026] The magnetic body 105 is made of a permanent magnet such as neodymium or ferrite, but may be made of other magnets or magnetic bodies, or may be an appropriate combination of these.

[0027] The container holder 100 having the magnetic body 105 slides on the transport tile 120. In order to generate the transport force, a plurality of magnetic poles 707, 707A are provided on the lower part of the transport tile 120, each of which is made up of a cylindrical coil shaft 705, 705A and a coil 706 wound around the outer periphery of the coil shaft 705, 705A. The magnetic poles 707, 707A constitute a plurality of detection points for detecting the position of the magnetic body 105. A plurality of transport paths are provided above the magnetic pole 707 so as to cover it. The coil shafts 705, 705A and the coil 706 will be described in detail later.

[0028] The transport tile 120 is constructed with a flat surface with low friction, and the container holder 100 slides on the upper surface thereof.

[0029] In the transport device 700 of this embodiment, a plurality of magnetic poles 707 provided inside the device are responsible for detecting the position of the magnetic body 105 and transporting the magnetic body 105, that is, transporting the specimen.

[0030] A driving unit 708 is connected to the magnetic pole 707, which applies a predetermined voltage to the magnetic pole 707 to cause a predetermined current to flow through the coil 706. The magnetic pole 707 to which a voltage is applied by the driving unit 708 acts as an electromagnet and attracts the magnetic material 105 of the container holder 100 on the transport tile 120. After the container holder 100 is attracted by the magnetic pole 707, the application of voltage to the magnetic pole 707 by the driving unit 708 is stopped, and a voltage is applied from the driving unit 708 to a different magnetic pole 707 adjacent to the magnetic pole 707 in the same manner as described above, thereby attracting the magnetic material 105 of the container holder 100 to the adjacent magnetic pole 707.

[0031] This procedure is repeated for all magnetic poles 707 constituting the transport path, thereby transporting the sample contained in the sample container 150 mounted on the container holder 100 provided with the magnetic body 105 to the destination.

[0032] The calculation unit 709 uses various information such as position information, speed information, and weight information of the container holder 100 to calculate a current to be passed through each coil 706, and outputs a command signal to each drive unit 708. The drive unit 708 applies a voltage to the corresponding coil 706 based on the command signal.

[0033] The detection unit 710 detects the current flowing through the coil 706 of the magnetic pole 707 and the manner in which it flows to determine the position of the magnetic body 105, thereby indirectly determining the position of the sample container 150. The principle is as follows.

[0034] Coil shaft 705 is made of a magnetic material, and has the property that the stronger the magnetic flux is, the harder it is to pass through coil shaft 705. When a voltage is applied to coil 706 to pass a current, a magnetic flux caused by the current is generated in coil shaft 705. Therefore, in coil shaft 705, magnetic flux caused by magnetic material 105 and magnetic flux caused by the current passed through coil 706 are generated.

[0035] Generally, when a current flows through the coil 706, a magnetic field is generated around it, and the magnetic flux that is generated is proportional to the value of the current that flows. This proportionality constant is called inductance. However, in a circuit that has a magnetic body such as the coil shaft 705, the saturation characteristics of the coil shaft 705 cause the inductance (L=μ·N 2 ·S / l, L: inductance, μ: magnetic permeability, N: number of turns of coil 706, S: cross-sectional area of ​​coil shaft 705, coil 706, l: length of coil 706) changes.

[0036] Furthermore, when saturation occurs in the coil shaft 705, the inductance changes depending on the magnitude of the magnetic flux generated in the coil shaft 705. In other words, the inductance of the coil 706 changes depending on the magnitude of the magnetic flux of the magnetic body 105. This means that the inductance of the coil 706 changes depending on the position of the magnetic body 105.

[0037] The voltage V generated in the coil 706 is as follows: V = -dφ / dt (1) Here, φ is the magnetic flux and t is time. Voltage V is expressed as the amount of change in magnetic flux per unit time.

[0038] In addition, if the current is I and the inductance is L, then dI / dt=(1 / L)×(dφ / dt) (2) From these equations (1) and (2), dI / dt=-V / L (3) A relationship is established between them.

[0039] In other words, when a constant voltage is applied to the coil 706, the time derivative of the supplied current I changes depending on the magnitude of the inductance L, as shown in equation (3). This means that the way the supplied current rises when a voltage is applied differs.

[0040] Therefore, when a voltage is applied to the coil 706, the inductance L can be calculated by detecting the current flowing through the coil 706 and the way it flows. In other words, by detecting the inductance L of the coil 706, which changes depending on the position of the magnetic body 105, the position of the magnetic body 105 that affects the inductance L can be found.

[0041] Next, the configuration of the magnetic pole 707 in the transport device 700 of the present invention will be described.

[0042] As described above, in the electromagnetic transport method, in order to enable the transport of the container holder 100 over short distances of a few meters to long distances of several tens of meters, at least one transport tile 120, each of which is a group of several tens of magnetic poles 707, is arranged vertically and horizontally, and preferably multiple transport tiles 120 are arranged.

[0043] In the conveying device 700, magnetic poles 707 are arranged in a lattice pattern, and electromagnetic force is generated by applying current to the coils 706 of the arranged magnetic poles 707, and the container holder 100 is conveyed by the force of the magnetic material 105 in the container holder 100 attracting the electromagnetic force. However, the characteristics required of the multiple magnetic poles in the conveying device 700 differ depending on their placement position within the conveying device 700.

[0044] In general, the static friction coefficient acting at the moment an object starts to move is greater than the dynamic friction coefficient acting while the object is moving. In other words, the magnetic pole immediately below the position where the container holder 100 does not stop, i.e., the magnetic pole that generates the driving force for the container holder 100 to start moving from the stopped position, requires a driving force greater than that of the magnetic pole immediately below the position where the container holder 100 stops.

[0045] On the other hand, the magnetic pole immediately below the position where the container holder 100 stops requires high accuracy in the stopping position of the container holder 100 to prevent interference with the adjacent container holder 100 and to ensure robustness when the container holder 100 moves next.

[0046] Note that the "position where the container holder 100 stops" refers to the position where it is required to change the transport direction of the container holder 100, and in Figure 2 etc., this corresponds to the central position of the cross-shaped portion within the transport tile 120.

[0047] In addition, the "position where the container holder 100 does not stop" is a position where it is not necessary to change the transport direction of the container holder 100, and in Figure 2 etc., this corresponds to a position adjacent to the center of the cross-shaped arrangement within the transport tile 120, and is a position where a large thrust is required to start moving the container holder 100 that is stopped in the stop position.

[0048] In the transport device 700 of this embodiment, the transport magnetic poles drive the container holder 100 and also detect the position of the container holder 100. However, there is a trade-off between the driving force and the position detection accuracy.

[0049] 4(a) shows a case where the diameter of coil shaft 705 is large. Since a large amount of magnetic flux enters coil shaft 705, the electromagnetic force, i.e., thrust, on magnetic body 105 on container holder 100 side can be large. Also, in FIG. 4(b) shows a case where the diameter of coil shaft 705 is small, and since a small amount of magnetic flux enters coil shaft 705, the thrust is small.

[0050] 5(a) shows the case where the diameter of the coil shaft 705 is small, and the rate of change in inductance is large because the magnetic flux of the coil shaft 705 is easily saturated. In FIG. 5(b) shows the case where the diameter of the coil shaft 705 is large, and the rate of change in inductance is small because the magnetic flux of the coil shaft 705 is not easily saturated.

[0051] Thus, it is difficult to ensure both the driving force and the position detection accuracy with magnetic poles of the same specifications. In response to this, the inventors of the present invention have come up with the idea of ​​making the specifications of either coil 706 or coil shafts 705, 705A different for magnetic pole 707 immediately below the position where container holder 100 does not stop and magnetic pole 707A immediately below the position where container holder 100 does stop.

[0052] 2 and 3, only the coil shafts 705 and 705A have two different specifications.

[0053] More specifically, the specifications are such that the magnetic permeability μ of the coil shafts 705 and 705A is changed. The magnetic permeability μ is the ease with which a material is magnetized, and is a numerical representation of how easily a material is magnetized.

[0054] At the stopping position, high detection sensitivity is required, which requires that the rate of change of inductance L be small. Conversely, at the non-stop position, which requires high thrust, it is desirable that the rate of change of inductance L be large.

[0055] Here, as mentioned above, the inductance L is L=μ N 2 Since there is a relationship of ·S / l, the higher the magnetic permeability μ of coil shaft 705, the smaller the rate of inductance change.

[0056] Therefore, the magnetic permeability of coil shaft 705 of magnetic pole 707 at the stopped position is made smaller than the magnetic permeability of coil shaft 705A of magnetic pole 707A at the non-stop position.

[0057] Although the coil 706 of the magnetic pole 707 at the stopping position and the coil 706 of the magnetic pole 707A at the non-stop position have the same specifications, they do not have to be the same and various specifications such as the material, number of turns N, length l, etc. may be different.

[0058] Materials with different magnetic permeabilities μ that are preferably selected for the coil shafts 705, 705A include iron and aluminum, which has a smaller magnetic permeability μ than iron. Iron can also contain more or less carbon (magnetic permeability > low).

[0059] However, while it is often better to have a higher inductance when designing a transformer, making it higher than necessary increases the magnetic flux density, which can lead to magnetic saturation or magnetic noise, so it is desirable to keep the inductance in the optimal range to avoid this.

[0060] The specification of making the magnetic pole 707 immediately below the position where the container holder 100 does not stop different from the magnetic pole 707 immediately below the position where the container holder 100 stops is not limited to the magnetic permeability μ of the coil shafts 705, 705A as shown in Figures 2 and 3. Hereinafter, examples of other embodiments will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 8.

[0061] For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the number of turns N of coils 706, 706B can be changed as specifications between a magnetic pole 707 immediately below a position where the container holder 100 does not stop and a magnetic pole 707B immediately below a position where the container holder 100 stops.

[0062] Since the inductance L is proportional to the square of the total number of turns N of the coil 706, the rate of change in inductance decreases as the number of turns N of the coil 706 increases.

[0063] Therefore, in the transport device 700A shown in FIG. 6, the number of turns of the coil 706 of the magnetic pole 707 at the stopping position is made smaller than the number of turns of the coil 706B of the magnetic pole 707B at the non-stop position.

[0064] Although the coil shaft 705 of the magnetic pole 707 in the stopped position and the coil shaft 705 of the magnetic pole 707B in the non-stop position are of the same specifications, they do not have to be the same, and the magnetic permeability may be different as shown in Figure 2, or one or more of the various specifications such as the material, cross-sectional area, and length may be different.

[0065] Also, like a transport device 700B shown in FIG. 7, the cross-sectional areas S of the coils 706 and 706C can be made different.

[0066] The cross-sectional area S of the coil 706 is proportional to the square of the diameter (S=PI×D 2 Here, since the coils 706 and 706C are wound around the outer periphery of the coil shafts 705 and 705C, the inner diameters of the coils 706 and 706C are the same as the outer diameters of the coil shafts 705 and 705C.

[0067] For this reason, if the material of coil shafts 705, 705C is the same, when the diameter of the coil shaft is large, the magnetic resistance is small and the amount of magnetic flux that enters is large. On the other hand, when the diameter of the coil shaft is small, the magnetic resistance is large and the amount of magnetic flux that enters is small. In other words, the larger the cross-sectional area S of coil 706, the smaller the inductance change rate.

[0068] Therefore, the cross-sectional area of ​​the coil shaft 705 and the coil 706 of the magnetic pole 707 at the stopped position is made narrower than the cross-sectional area of ​​the coil shaft 705C and the coil 706C of the magnetic pole 707C at the non-stop position.

[0069] Instead of the number of turns N of coils 706 and 706C, the thickness of the wire that constitutes coil 706 can also be changed. When the diameter of the wire is made thicker, the resistance R in the resistance formula I[A]=V / R becomes smaller, and I[A] becomes larger. In other words, since thrust can be secured, a coil made of thick wire can be used as a magnetic pole at a position where it is not stopped, and a coil made of relatively thin wire can be used as a magnetic pole at a position where it is stopped.

[0070] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8, the length 1 of the coils 706D, 706E and the coil shafts 705D, 705E can be changed as a specification.

[0071] Since the inductance L is inversely proportional to the length l of the coil 706, the shorter the length l of the coil, the smaller the rate of change in inductance.

[0072] Therefore, in the transport device 700C shown in FIG. 8, the length of the coil shaft 705E and the coil 706E constituting the magnetic pole 707E at the non-stop position is made shorter than the length of the coil shaft 705D and the coil 706D of the magnetic pole 707D at the stop position.

[0073] However, the longer the length, the higher the magnetic resistance becomes and the less magnetic flux can enter, so it is desirable to set the length appropriately.

[0074] 3, 5, 6, and 7, respectively, show examples of configurations using magnetic poles with two types of any one of the specifications of "magnetic permeability μ of coil shaft 705, winding N of coil 706, cross-sectional area S of coil 706, and length l of coil 706." This is because the fewer the specifications, the easier the manufacturing process is, the less the manufacturing costs increase, and the less the power consumption increase, and is a configuration suitable for implementation, but it is possible to change three or more specifications.

[0075] Also, by changing "the magnetic permeability μ of the coil shaft 705 and the winding number N of the coil 706," it is possible to mix Figures 3, 5, 6, and 7 as appropriate, and it is also possible to change three or more specifications.

[0076] A configuration with three or more different specifications has the advantage that magnetic poles that are more specialized for position detection and magnetic poles that are suitable for driving can be arranged in suitable locations.

[0077] Next, an example of a suitable magnetic pole arrangement when the transport devices 700 are adjacent to each other will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0078] The thrust force at the end of the transport tile 120 is preferably weakened due to the yoke shape provided at the end of the coil shaft 705 opposite the transport tile 120 side.

[0079] Therefore, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, when multiple transport tiles 120 are provided, it is desirable to designate the end of the transport tile 120 that comes into contact with other transport tiles 120 as a position where the container holder 100 does not stop, and to designate the magnetic pole 707F at the end, next to which a transport tile 120 of another transport device 700 is located, as a position where the container holder 100 does not stop, with an emphasis on driving force compared to the magnetic pole 707G at the position where the container holder 100 does stop.

[0080] The specifications of magnetic pole 707F in the non-stop position may be one or more of the following: the magnetic permeability of coil shaft 705F is made larger than that of coil shaft 705G of magnetic pole 707G in the stop position; the number of turns of coil 706F is made greater than the number of turns of coil 706G of magnetic pole 707 in the stop position; the cross-sectional area of ​​coil shaft 705F and coil 706F is made wider or narrower than the cross-sectional area of ​​coil shaft 705G and coil 706G; or coil shaft 705F and coil 706F are made shorter than coil shaft 705G and coil 706G; and other specifications may be different, and are not particularly limited.

[0081] In addition, Figures 9 and 10 show a configuration in which the position adjacent to the center of the cross-shaped portion within the transport tile 120, which is shown in Figure 2 etc. as the "position where the container holder 100 does not stop," is also shown as the "position where the container holder 100 stops." However, as in Figure 2 etc., a position adjacent to the center of the cross-shaped portion within the transport tile 120 can be shown as the "position where the container holder 100 does not stop," and magnetic poles of the same specifications as those at the ends, or even different specifications, can be arranged.

[0082] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0083] In the transport device 700 provided in the sample analysis system 1000 of this embodiment described above, the specifications of either the coils 706, 706B, 706C, 706D, 706E, 706F, 706G or the coil shafts 705, 705A, 705C, 705D, 705E, 705F, 705G are different between the magnetic poles 707A, 707B, 707C, 707E, 707G directly below the position where the container holder 100 does not stop within the transport tile 120 and the magnetic poles 707, 707D, 707G directly below the position where the container holder 100 stops.

[0084] This makes it possible to provide magnetic poles 707A, 707B, 707C, 707D, 707E, 707F, 707G that are suitable for either "driving the container holder 100" or "detecting the position of the container holder 100" depending on the role of the positions of the magnetic poles 707A, 707B, 707C, 707D, 707E, 707F, 707G within the transport tile 120 of the transport device 700, thereby enabling stable transport to be achieved while reducing power consumption.

[0085] In addition, the specifications are changed by varying the magnetic permeability μ of coil shafts 705, 705A, the number of turns N of coils 706, 706B, the cross-sectional area S of coils 706, 706C, or the length l of coils 706D, 706E, so that different specifications can be easily achieved without changing many specifications, thereby ensuring both stable transportation and suppression of increases in power consumption.

[0086] Furthermore, when multiple transport tiles 120 are provided, by positioning the end of the transport tile 120 that contacts other transport tiles 120 at a position where the container holder 100 will not stop, a magnetic pole 707F with a large thrust can be placed at the end where the thrust is expected to be low, thereby enabling the container holder 100 to be transported stably and quickly.

[0087] <Other> The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications and applications are possible. The above-mentioned embodiment has been described in detail to explain the present invention in an easily understandable manner, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to having all of the described configurations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 100…Container holder 101...Gripping part 105...Magnetic material 120...Transport tile 150…Sample container 700, 700A, 700B, 700C...Transportation equipment 705, 705A, 705C, 705D, 705E, 705F, 705G... Coil shaft 706, 706B, 706C, 706D, 706E, 706F, 706G... Coils 707,707A,707B,707C,707D,707E,707F,707G...Magnetic pole 708...Drive unit 709...Arithmetic section 710…Detection section 800…Analyzer 900…Control computer 1000...Sample analysis system

Claims

1. A specimen transport device that transports a specimen container containing a specimen, a holder having a magnetic body and configured to hold the sample container; A conveying tile having a coil shaft and a plurality of magnetic poles each having a coil wound around an outer periphery of the coil shaft; The magnetic pole immediately below a position where the holder does not stop in the transport tile and the magnetic pole immediately below a position where the holder stops have different specifications of either the coil or the coil shaft. A specimen transport device comprising:

2. The specimen transport device according to claim 1, As one of the specifications, the magnetic permeability of the coil shaft is changed. A specimen transport device comprising:

3. The specimen transport device according to claim 1, The number of turns of the coil is changed as a specification. A specimen transport device comprising:

4. The specimen transport device according to claim 1, The specifications are such that the cross-sectional areas of the coil and the coil shaft are changed. A specimen transport device comprising:

5. The specimen transport device according to claim 1, The length of the coil is changed as a specification. A specimen transport device comprising:

6. The specimen transport device according to claim 1, When a plurality of the transport tiles are provided, the end of the transport tile that contacts the other transport tiles is set as a position where the holder does not stop, and one or more of the other positions are set as a position where the holder stops. A specimen transport device comprising:

7. A sample transport device according to claim 1 is provided. A sample analysis system comprising:

8. A method for transporting a specimen contained in a specimen container held in a holder having a magnetic body, comprising: one or more conveying tiles each having a coil shaft and a plurality of magnetic poles each having a coil wound around an outer periphery of the coil shaft are arranged; When transporting the specimen by sliding the holder on the transport tile by the interaction between the magnetic body and the magnetic pole, The magnetic pole immediately below a position where the holder does not stop and the magnetic pole immediately below a position where the holder stops have different specifications of either the coil or the coil shaft. A method for transporting a specimen.

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