Pretreatment device and control method thereof

Abstract

A preprocessing device 12 comprises a tip attachment / removal part 48b that a tip 40 can be attached to and removed from. After drawing into the tip 40 a liquid to be used in the preprocessing, the preprocessing device 12 carries out a dispensing operation by discharging the liquid to a discharging destination. A dispensing processing unit 302 causes the liquid that has been drawn into the tip 40 to be discharged to the discharging destination. After the liquid has been discharged to the discharging destination by the dispensing processing unit 302, a tip insertion processing unit 304 inserts a distal end part of the tip 40 into the liquid at the discharging destination by moving the tip attachment / removal part 48b downward.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pretreatment device and a control method thereof. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in a genetic analyzer such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, liquid is dispensed by moving a nozzle having a dispensing tip attached to the tip. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-175004 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned configuration in which dispensing is performed by moving the nozzle, some of the liquid aspirated into the tip may fall as droplets from the tip tip during the nozzle movement and may scatter inside the device. Also, if the nozzle moves while some of the liquid discharged from the tip remains as droplets at the tip tip, the droplets may fall from the tip tip during the nozzle movement and may scatter inside the device.

[0005] Furthermore, if the liquid aspirated into the tip is highly viscous, such as saliva, the liquid may form a string from the tip when the nozzle is moved after aspirating or discharging the liquid. In this case, if the nozzle is moved while the liquid is still forming a string, the string may break midway, causing the liquid to splash.

[0006] Thus, in the conventional configuration, there is a risk of contamination due to liquid splashing from the tip end into the device after aspirating or dispensing liquid during dispensing.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned situation, and aims to provide a pretreatment device and a control method thereof that can prevent liquid from splashing into the device from the tip of the tip after aspirating or dispensing liquid during dispensing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A first aspect of the present invention is a pretreatment device that includes a tip attachment / detachment part that can attach and detach a tip, and performs a dispensing operation by aspirating a liquid used in pretreatment into the tip and then discharging it to a destination, and includes a dispensing processing part and a tip insertion processing part. The dispensing processing part discharges the liquid aspirated into the tip to the destination. After the liquid is discharged to the destination by the dispensing processing part, the tip insertion processing part displaces the tip attachment / detachment part downward to insert the tip into the liquid at the destination.

[0009] A second aspect of the present invention is a method for controlling a pretreatment device that has a tip attachment / detachment part that can attach and detach a tip, and performs a dispensing operation by aspirating a liquid used in pretreatment into the tip and then discharging it to a destination, the method including a dispensing step and a tip insertion step. In the dispensing step, the liquid aspirated into the tip is discharged to the destination. In the tip insertion step, after the liquid is discharged to the destination by the dispensing step, the tip attachment / detachment part is displaced downward to insert the tip into the liquid at the destination. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent liquid from splashing from the tip end into the device after the liquid is aspirated or discharged during dispensing. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a pretreatment system according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a part of an example of the configuration of a pretreatment device according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing an example of a configuration of a table according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the pretreatment device of the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5A] 13 is a schematic plan view for explaining a displacement route of the tip attachment / detachment part. FIG. [Figure 5B] 13 is a schematic plan view for explaining a displacement route of the tip attachment / detachment part. FIG. [Figure 5C] 13 is a schematic plan view for explaining a displacement route of the tip attachment / detachment part. FIG. [Figure 5D] 13 is a schematic plan view for explaining a displacement route of the tip attachment / detachment part. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a standby process during suction. [Figure 7A] 11A and 11B are schematic diagrams for explaining an example of a tip insertion process during ejection. [Figure 7B] 13A and 13B are schematic diagrams for explaining another example of the tip insertion process during ejection. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of an electrical configuration of the pretreatment device of the present embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a memory map of a RAM according to the present embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a block diagram specifically showing the electrical configuration of the pretreatment device of the present embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the overall processing of a CPU according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] 1. Peripheral configuration of pretreatment device 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a preprocessing system 10 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the preprocessing system 10 includes a preprocessing device 12 and a user terminal 14.

[0013] The pretreatment device 12 is a device for pretreating a liquid by aspirating and dispensing the liquid to perform a dispensing operation. In this embodiment, a series of dispensing processes is performed by performing the dispensing operation at least once. Examples of the liquid used for the pretreatment include a liquid sample or a liquid reagent. The pretreatment device 12 in this embodiment is capable of aspirating and dispensing the liquid via a tip 40 (see FIG. 3).

[0014] The user terminal 14 is a device including at least a CPU, a communication unit for communicating with the outside, a non-volatile memory, and the like, and is a desktop PC, a notebook (laptop) PC, a tablet PC, or the like.

[0015] The preprocessing device 12 and the user terminal 14 are connected via a network 16. The network 16 here may be a LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet, etc. The preprocessing device 12 and the user terminal 14 may also be directly connected.

[0016] 2. Overall configuration of pretreatment device 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a portion of an example of the configuration of the pre-treatment device 12 of this embodiment. The pre-treatment device 12 includes a main body 20 and a table 21. The main body 20 is configured as a hollow housing. The table 21 includes a container holding section 22 and a first tip holding section 24. The table 21 is configured so that the container holding section 22 and the first tip holding section 24 are integrated together.

[0017] Furthermore, the pretreatment device 12 includes a second chip holding unit 26. In Fig. 2, the second chip holding unit 26 is illustrated in a state where it is separated from the table 21, but this second chip holding unit 26 is used in a state where it is accommodated in the space 28 of the table 21.

[0018] 2, the table 21 is shown in a state separated from the main body 20, but the table 21 is built into the space 30 of the main body 20. Furthermore, an opening 32 is provided in the wall that defines the space 30.

[0019] The second tip holding part 26 can be removed from and attached to the table 21 through the opening 32. In addition, as described above, the table 21 is built into the main body 20, and therefore it can also be said that the second tip holding part 26 can be removed from and attached to the main body 20.

[0020] Fig. 3 is a schematic plan view showing an example of the configuration of the table 21 of this embodiment. Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the pretreatment device 12 of this embodiment. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the container holding unit 22 holds a plurality of containers that contain liquids used in the pretreatment. In addition, the container holding unit 22 includes a sample container holding unit 22a and a mixing container holding unit 22b.

[0021] The sample container holder 22a holds a plurality of sample containers 34 for containing liquid samples. The liquid samples are specimen samples collected from a living body, and examples of such liquid samples include saliva and blood. The mixing container holder 22b holds a plurality of mixing containers 36 for mixing liquid samples dispensed from the plurality of sample containers 34. The first tip holder 24 holds a plurality of tips 40. During a dispensing operation, the tip 40 held by the first tip holder 24 is attached to the tip attachment / detachment part 48b. The mixing container 36 is an example of a destination for discharging the liquid aspirated into the tip 40.

[0022] In addition, a cover member 42 is provided on the table 21. This cover member 42 is a thin plate-like member, and covers the space 28 within the table 21. In other words, when the second tip holding portion 26 is attached to the table 21, the cover member 42 covers the second tip holding portion 26.

[0023] The cover member 42 has a through hole 42a. A plurality of hook portions 42b for hooking the tip 40 passing through the through hole 42a are formed on the cover member 42. The width of the hook portions 42b in the Y direction is larger than the outer diameter of the lower end of the tip detachment portion 48b and smaller than the outer diameter of the upper end of the tip 40.

[0024] A tip (used tip) 40 after being used in a dispensing operation can be removed from tip detachment part 48b and held in second tip holding part 26 by displacing tip detachment part 48b so that its upper end surface is hooked onto hook part 42b (tip storage process). A new tip 40 is attached to tip detachment part 48b from first tip holding part 24 every time a dispensing operation is performed, and after use it is held in second tip holding part 26. Second tip holding part 26 can hold multiple used tips 40.

[0025] In this embodiment, the sample container holding section 22a can hold a total of 20 sample containers 34 in four columns in the X direction and five rows in the Y direction. Each sample container 34 contains a sample collected from a different living organism. The first tip holding section 24 can hold the same number of tips 40 as the sample containers 34 (a total of 20 tips, four columns in the X direction and five rows in the Y direction). The mixing container holding section 22b can hold four mixing containers 36 lined up in the X direction. However, the numbers of sample containers 34, mixing containers 36, and tips 40 are not limited to the above numbers.

[0026] Each mixing container 36 corresponds to five sample containers 34 and five tips 40 arranged in the same row in the X direction. Liquid samples in the sample containers 34 arranged in the same row are dispensed into each mixing container 36 using the tips 40 arranged in the same row. This allows the liquid samples in the multiple sample containers 34 arranged in the same row to be mixed in each mixing container 36.

[0027] Specifically, when mixing liquid samples in each sample container 34 in the mixing container 36 in the first row in the X direction, first, the tip 40 held in the first row of the first column in the first tip holder 24 is attached to the tip detachment part 48b. Then, the liquid sample in the sample container 34 held in the first row of the first column in the sample container holder 22a is aspirated into the tip 40, and then the liquid sample in the tip 40 is discharged into the mixing container 36 held in the first row in the mixing container holder 22b. After the liquid sample is discharged, the used tip 40 is removed and held in the second tip holder 26.

[0028] Next, the tip 40 held in the second row of the first column in the first tip holder 24 is attached to the tip attachment / detachment section 48b. Then, after the liquid sample in the sample container 34 held in the second row of the first column in the sample container holder 22a is aspirated into the tip 40, the liquid sample in the tip 40 is discharged into the mixing container 36 held in the first column in the mixing container holder 22b. This allows the liquid sample already contained in the mixing container 36 to be mixed with the liquid sample discharged from the tip 40. After the liquid sample is discharged, the used tip 40 is removed and held in the second tip holder 26.

[0029] Thereafter, similarly, the tips 40 held in each row of the first column in the first tip holder 24 are attached to the tip attachment / detachment unit 48b, and the liquid samples in the sample containers 34 held in each row of the first column in the sample container holder 22a are sequentially aspirated into the tips 40, and then discharged into the mixing containers 36 held in the first column in the mixing container holder 22b. By repeating such an operation, the liquid samples in the sample containers 34 held in each row of the first column in the sample container holder 22a are collected and mixed in the mixing containers 36 in the first column in the mixing container holder 22b. By performing the dispensing operation in the same manner for the other columns (second to fourth columns), the liquid samples dispensed from the multiple sample containers 34 in each column can be mixed in the mixing containers 36.

[0030] This dispensing method is used in a test called the pool test. In the pool test, a PCR test is performed on the liquid sample mixed in the mixing container 36, and if the result is negative, it is possible to confirm at once that all the liquid samples in the mixed sample containers 34 are negative. This makes it possible to improve the efficiency of the test and reduce the cost of the test.

[0031] In this embodiment, the multiple mixing containers 36 held in the mixing container holding section 22b are held together using a mixing container rack (not shown). This allows the multiple mixing containers 36 to be brought into the PCR testing device at once by removing the mixing container rack from the mixing container holding section 22b. Similarly, the multiple sample containers 34 held in the sample container holding section 22a can be inserted and removed together by row using a sample container rack (not shown), and all the sample containers 34 can be inserted and removed at once.

[0032] 4, the pretreatment device 12 includes an electrically controllable dispensing mechanism 48. The dispensing mechanism 48 is a mechanism for aspirating and dispensing liquid, and includes a syringe 48a, a tip detachment part 48b, and a plunger 48c. The syringe 48a is a cylindrical member, into which the plunger 48c is slidably inserted.

[0033] The tip detachment part 48b is a cylindrical member having a smaller diameter than the syringe 48a, and allows the tip 40 to be detached. For example, a thin and long cylindrical nozzle communicating with the inside of the syringe 48a is used as the tip detachment part 48b. The tip 40 is formed in a thin and long cylindrical shape that gradually tapers toward the lower end, and the lower end of the tip detachment part 48b is pressed into the upper end of the tip detachment part 48b, thereby attaching the tip 40 to the tip detachment part 48b.

[0034] Although not shown, the dispensing mechanism 48 includes an actuator such as a motor, a connecting member connected to the plunger 48c, and a transmission mechanism that transmits the driving force of the actuator to the connecting member as a movement in the Z direction.

[0035] The dispensing mechanism 48 can aspirate and discharge an amount of liquid according to the stroke amount of the plunger 48c. Using the dispensing mechanism 48, dispensing operation can be performed by aspirating and discharging liquid in a container (sample container 34) held in the container holding unit 22. Note that the above-mentioned dispensing mechanism 48 is merely an example, and the configuration of the dispensing mechanism 48 is not particularly limited as long as it is equipped with the tip detachment unit 48b and can aspirate and discharge liquid.

[0036] 4, the pretreatment device 12 includes an electrically controllable support mechanism 50. The support mechanism 50 is a mechanism for displaceably supporting the dispensing mechanism 48, and includes an actuator such as a motor, a support member 50a for supporting components constituting the dispensing mechanism 48, and a transmission mechanism for transmitting the driving force of the actuator to the support member 50a as a movement in the Z direction.

[0037] The support mechanism 50 can support the dispensing mechanism 48 and displace it in the Z direction. That is, the support mechanism 50 can support the tip attachment / detachment part 48b and displace it in the Z direction. Note that the above-mentioned support mechanism 50 is merely an example, and the configuration of the support mechanism 50 is not particularly limited as long as it can support the tip attachment / detachment part 48b and the like and displace it in the Z direction. The support mechanism 50 may also be configured to displace the dispensing mechanism 48 in the horizontal direction (XY direction).

[0038] 4, the pre-processing device 12 further includes an electrically controllable holding mechanism 52. The holding mechanism 52 is a mechanism for displaceably holding the table 21, and includes an actuator such as a motor, a holding member for holding the table 21, etc. The holding mechanism 52 also includes a transmission mechanism for transmitting the driving force of the actuator to the holding member as movement in the X and Y directions.

[0039] The holding mechanism 52 can hold the table 21 and displace it in the horizontal direction. That is, the holding mechanism 52 can hold the container holding part 22 and displace the container holding part 22 in the horizontal direction to perform alignment with the dispensing mechanism 48. This makes it possible to align the tip 40 held by the first tip holding part 24 below the tip detachment part 48b, or to align the sample container 34 held by the sample container holding part 22a or the mixing container 36 held by the mixing container holding part 22b below the tip 40 attached to the tip detachment part 48b.

[0040] The above-described holding mechanism 52 is merely an example, and the configuration of the table 21 is not particularly limited as long as the table 21 can be displaced in the horizontal direction while being held. The holding mechanism 52 may be configured to displace the table 21 in the Z direction as well.

[0041] 3. Displacement route of tip attachment / detachment part Figures 5A to 5D are schematic plan views for explaining the displacement route of tip detachment part 48b. Figures 5A and 5C show an example of the displacement route of tip detachment part 48b during a dispensing operation, and Figures 5B and 5D show an example of the displacement route of tip detachment part 48b during a tip storage process.

[0042] When the tip 40, sample container 34, and mixing container 36 held on the table 21 are displaced relative to the tip detachment part 48b by displacing the holding mechanism 52, it is preferable to displace them along the shortest route from the viewpoint of shortening the processing time. However, if the tip detachment part 48b is relatively displaced along the shortest route after a liquid sample is aspirated into the tip 40 or after a liquid sample in the tip 40 is discharged into the mixing container 36, the liquid sample may fall as droplets from the tip 40 during the displacement and may get mixed into the sample container 34 or the mixing container 36.

[0043] Therefore, in this embodiment, the relative displacement route of the tip detachment part 48b with respect to the table 21 is controlled to include both the shortest route and the detour route. That is, for an operation in which the possibility of the liquid sample being mixed into the sample container 34 or the mixing container 36 is low, the tip detachment part 48b is relatively moved along the shortest route, and for an operation in which the possibility of the liquid sample being mixed into the sample container 34 or the mixing container 36 is high, the tip detachment part 48b is relatively moved along the detour route. In reality, the table 21 is displaced in the XY directions with respect to the tip detachment part 48b, but in the following, for the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that the tip detachment part 48b is displaced with respect to the table 21.

[0044] In Fig. 5A to Fig. 5D, the shortest route is indicated by a solid arrow, and the detour route is indicated by a dashed arrow. In the shortest route, the containers 34, 36 pass below the tip detachment part 48b, whereas in the detour route, the containers 34, 36 do not pass below the tip detachment part 48b. However, even in the detour route, the tip detachment part 48b may pass above the containers 34, 36 that are the targets of aspirating or discharging the liquid sample, but the tip detachment part 48b does not pass above the other containers 34, 36. Even in the shortest route, depending on the arrangement of the containers 34, 36, the containers 34, 36 may not pass below the tip detachment part 48b at least in a part of the route.

[0045] 5A, the tip 40 held in the first row of the first column in the first tip holding section 24 is attached to the tip detachment section 48b, and then the tip detachment section 48b is displaced via the shortest route to the sample container 34 held in the first row of the first column in the sample container holding section 22a. Then, after the liquid sample in the sample container 34 is aspirated into the tip 40, the tip detachment section 48b is displaced via a detour route to the mixing container 36 held in the first row in the mixing container holding section 22b.

[0046] In this example, the area A1 between the rows in which the containers 34, 36 and the tip 40 are held is set as a detour route. That is, in the detour route when the tip detachment part 48b moves from the sample container holding part 22a to the mixing container holding part 22b, the tip 40 attached to the tip detachment part 48b moves above the adjacent area A1. However, the detour route when the tip detachment part 48b moves from the sample container holding part 22a to the mixing container holding part 22b is not limited to the above-mentioned area A1, and may be set to another area.

[0047] Since no other containers 34, 36 are held between the sample container 34 held in the first row of the first column in the sample container holding portion 22a and the mixing container 36 held in the first column in the mixing container holding portion 22b, the tip detachment portion 48b may be displaced via the shortest route rather than via a detour route as shown in Figure 5A.

[0048] After the liquid sample in the tip 40 is discharged into the mixing container 36 held in the first row in the mixing container holding section 22b, the tip detachment section 48b is displaced via a detour route to the second tip holding section 26, as shown in Fig. 5B. Then, after the tip 40 is removed from the tip detachment section 48b and held in the second tip holding section 26, the tip detachment section 48b is displaced via the shortest route to the tip 40 held in the second row of the first column in the first tip holding section 24.

[0049] In this example, the area A2 on the opposite side of the sample container holding section 22a side with respect to the mixing container 36 held in the mixing container holding section 22b is set as the detour route. That is, in the detour route when the tip detachment section 48b moves from the mixing container holding section 22b to the second tip holding section 26, the tip 40 attached to the tip detachment section 48b moves above the area A2. However, the detour route when the tip detachment section 48b moves from the mixing container holding section 22b to the second tip holding section 26 is not limited to the above-mentioned area A2, and may be set to another area. For example, the area between the sample container holding section 22a and the mixing container holding section 22b may be set as the detour route.

[0050] 5C, after the tip 40 held in the second row of the first column in the first tip holding section 24 is attached to the tip detachment section 48b, the tip detachment section 48b moves to the sample container 34 held in the second row of the first column in the sample container holding section 22a via the shortest route. Then, after the liquid sample in the sample container 34 is aspirated into the tip 40, the tip detachment section 48b moves to the mixing container 36 held in the first column in the mixing container holding section 22b via a detour route.

[0051] After the liquid sample in the tip 40 is discharged into the mixing container 36 held in the first row in the mixing container holding section 22b, the tip detachment section 48b is displaced via a detour route to the second tip holding section 26, as shown in Fig. 5D. Then, after the tip 40 is removed from the tip detachment section 48b and held in the second tip holding section 26, the tip detachment section 48b is displaced via the shortest route to the tip 40 held in the third row of the first column in the first tip holding section 24.

[0052] Thereafter, similarly, the tip detachment unit 48b is controlled to be displaced along a displacement route including the shortest route and a detour route, so that the liquid samples in the sample containers 34 held in each row of the first column in the sample container holding unit 22a are collected and mixed in the mixing containers 36 in the first column in the mixing container holding unit 22b. Similarly, for the other columns (second to fourth columns), the tip detachment unit 48b is controlled to be displaced along a displacement route including the shortest route and a detour route.

[0053] In this way, after the liquid sample in the sample container 34 is aspirated into the tip 40, the tip detachment part 48b is displaced so that at least one of the sample container 34 and the mixing container 36 does not pass below the tip 40 attached to the tip detachment part 48b until the tip detachment part 48b moves toward the mixing container 36, as shown by the dashed arrow (detour route) in Figures 5A and 5C. Also, after the liquid sample is discharged into the mixing container 36, the tip detachment part 48b is displaced so that at least one of the sample container 34 and the mixing container 36 does not pass below the tip 40 attached to the tip detachment part 48b until the tip detachment part 48b moves toward the second tip holder 26, as shown by the dashed arrow (detour route) in Figures 5B and 5D.

[0054] 4. Standby processing during suction 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a waiting process during aspiration. When a liquid sample in the sample container 34 is aspirated into the tip 40, the tip detachment part 48b is displaced upward after aspiration to separate the tip 40 from the liquid surface. At this time, when a highly viscous liquid sample such as saliva is aspirated, the liquid sample may form strings between the tip of the tip 40 and the liquid surface in the sample container 34. In order to prevent the tip 40 from being displaced to the mixing container 36 in such a state, in this embodiment, a waiting process during aspiration as exemplified in FIG. 6 is performed.

[0055] When aspirating a liquid sample, first, as shown in Fig. 6(a), the tip of the tip 40 is inserted into the liquid sample 1 in the sample container 34. By performing an aspirating operation in this state, a part of the liquid sample 1 in the sample container 34 is aspirated into the tip 40, as shown in Fig. 6(b).

[0056] Thereafter, the tip detachment part 48b is displaced upward, so that the tip of the tip 40 is separated from the liquid surface of the liquid sample 1, as shown in Fig. 6(c). At this time, depending on the viscosity of the liquid sample 1, the liquid sample 1 may form a string 3 between the tip of the tip 40 and the liquid surface in the sample container 34, as shown in Fig. 6(c).

[0057] Therefore, in this embodiment, the state shown in Fig. 6(c) is kept in a standby state until a predetermined time has elapsed. The predetermined time is a time sufficient for the liquid sample 1 to break the thread 3 when the liquid sample 1 is pulled in a string 3, and is, for example, 3 seconds or more, 5 seconds or more, or 7 seconds or more. However, since the longer the predetermined time is, the longer the time required for the dispensing process, it is preferable to set the predetermined time to an appropriate length according to the viscosity of the liquid sample 1. The predetermined time may be a fixed time, or may be arbitrarily set by the user.

[0058] 6(c), the distance between the tip of the tip 40 and the liquid surface of the liquid sample 1 is a distance sufficient for breaking the thread 3 when the liquid sample 1 pulls the thread 3, for example, 1 cm or more, 3 cm or more, or 5 cm or more. However, if the distance is large, the tip of the tip 40 may be exposed outside the sample container 34, and when the thread 3 is broken, the liquid sample forming the thread 3 may scatter. Therefore, the distance is preferably such that the tip of the tip 40 is not exposed outside the sample container 34.

[0059] If the predetermined time and the distance are appropriately set, when the predetermined time has elapsed, the thread 3 between the end of the tip 40 and the liquid surface in the sample container 34 will be cut, as shown in Fig. 6(d). In this way, by waiting until the predetermined time has elapsed and then directing the tip detachment part 48b toward the mixing container 36, it is possible to prevent the tip 40 from leaving the sample container 34 with the thread 3 still pulled.

[0060] 5. Tip insertion process when discharging 7A is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of tip insertion processing during discharging. When discharging a liquid sample aspirated from the sample container 34 into the tip 40 into the mixing container 36, a part of the discharged liquid sample may remain as a droplet at the tip of the tip 40. In order to prevent the tip 40 from leaving the mixing container 36 in such a state, in this embodiment, a tip insertion processing during discharging as exemplified in FIG. 7A is performed.

[0061] In this example, as shown in Fig. 7A(a), a case will be described where a liquid sample 1 has already been dispensed from another sample container 34 into the mixing container 36. When dispensing a liquid sample, first, as shown in Fig. 7A(b), the tip of the tip 40 is inserted into the liquid sample 1 in the mixing container 36. By performing a dispensing operation in this state, as shown in Fig. 7A(c), the liquid sample 1 in the tip 40 is dispensed into the mixing container 36.

[0062] Thereafter, as shown by the arrow in Fig. 7A(c), the tip detachment part 48b is displaced upward, so that the tip of the tip 40 moves away from the liquid surface of the liquid sample 1. At this time, as shown in Fig. 7A(d), a part of the discharged liquid sample may remain as a droplet 5 at the tip of the tip 40.

[0063] In this example, the tip detachment part 48b, which has been displaced upward after discharging the liquid sample 1, is displaced downward again as shown in Fig. 7A(e), thereby inserting the tip of the tip 40 into the liquid sample 1 in the mixing container 36. Thereafter, the tip detachment part 48b is displaced upward, and when the tip of the tip 40 moves away from the liquid surface of the liquid sample 1 as shown in Fig. 7A(f), the droplet 5 is removed from the tip of the tip 40.

[0064] Fig. 7B is a schematic diagram for explaining another example of the tip insertion process during dispensing. In the example of Fig. 7A, a case was explained in which the dispensing operation is performed with the tip of the tip 40 inserted in the liquid sample 1 in the mixing container 36 (see Figs. 7A(b) and (c)). In contrast, in the example of Fig. 7B, the dispensing operation is performed with the tip of the tip 40 not inserted in the liquid sample 1 in the mixing container 36.

[0065] First, as shown in Fig. 7B(a), when liquid sample 1 has already been dispensed from another sample container 34 into mixing container 36, as shown in Fig. 7(b), tip detachment section 48b is displaced so that the tip of tip 40 is positioned above the liquid surface of liquid sample 1 in mixing container 36. By performing a dispensing operation in this state, liquid sample 1 in tip 40 is dispensed into mixing container 36 as shown in Fig. 7B(c).

[0066] At this time, as shown in Fig. 7B(c), a part of the discharged liquid sample may remain as a droplet 5 at the tip of the tip 40. Therefore, in this example, after the liquid sample 1 is discharged into the mixing container 36, the tip detachment part 48b is displaced downward to insert the tip of the tip 40 into the liquid sample 1 in the mixing container 36 as shown in Fig. 7B(d). Thereafter, the tip detachment part 48b is displaced upward to separate the tip of the tip 40 from the liquid surface of the liquid sample 1 as shown in Fig. 7B(e), and the droplet 5 is removed from the tip of the tip 40.

[0067] 7A(d) and 7B(c), the distance between the tip of the tip 40 and the liquid surface of the liquid sample 1 is not particularly limited, but is preferably such a distance that, if a droplet 5 remains at the tip of the tip 40, the droplet 5 is separated from the liquid surface in the mixing vessel 36. Also, the insertion amount of the tip of the tip 40 inserted into the liquid sample in the mixing vessel 36 in the states of Figures 7A(e) and 7B(d) is not particularly limited, but if the insertion amount is too large, the liquid sample 1 is likely to remain on the outer surface of the tip 40, so that the insertion amount is preferably the minimum, for example, within 10 mm, within 7 mm, or within 5 mm.

[0068] 7A(d) or 7B(c), an operation of discharging air from the tip 40 may be performed to completely discharge the liquid sample in the tip 40. In this case, since the droplet 5 is likely to remain at the tip of the tip 40, the droplet 5 can be reliably removed by performing the tip insertion process at the time of discharge as described above.

[0069] 6. Electrical configuration of pretreatment device Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the pretreatment device 12 of this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 8, the pretreatment device 12 includes a control unit 100, an operation control circuit 110, and a communication unit 112 in addition to a dispensing mechanism 48, a support mechanism 50, a holding mechanism 52, etc.

[0070] The control unit 100, the operation control circuit 110, and the communication unit 112 are electrically connected to each other via wiring 108 such as a bus. The operation control circuit 110 is also electrically connected to the dispensing mechanism 48, the support mechanism 50, and the holding mechanism 52.

[0071] The control unit 100 is responsible for overall control of the preprocessing device 12. The control unit 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 102. The control unit 100 also includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) 104 and a storage unit 106 that the CPU 102 can directly access.

[0072] The CPU 102 controls each component of the preprocessing device 12. The RAM 104 is used as a work area and a buffer area of ​​the CPU 102. The storage unit 106 is a non-volatile memory, and for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD) is used as the storage unit 106.

[0073] The storage unit 106 stores a control program for controlling each component of the preprocessing device 12, data required for executing the control program (execution data), etc. The storage unit 106 may be configured to include the RAM 104.

[0074] The operation control circuit 110 generates voltages for driving the dispensing mechanism 48, the support mechanism 50, the holding mechanism 52, etc., and applies the voltages to these mechanisms appropriately.

[0075] The communication unit 112 is a means for communicating with the outside world. In this embodiment, the communication unit 112 is connected to the user terminal 14 via the network 16 so as to be able to communicate with the user terminal 14.

[0076] 7. Memory Map 9 is a diagram showing an example of a memory map 200 of the RAM 104 of this embodiment. As shown in FIG.

[0077] The program area 201 stores control programs that have been read out in advance from the storage unit 106. In the example shown in Fig. 9, the control programs include an operation program 201a and a communication program 201e.

[0078] Moreover, the operation program 201a includes a dispensing program 201b, a tip insertion program 201c, a tip accommodation program 201d, etc. The operation program 201a is a program for controlling the operation of the pretreatment device 12.

[0079] The dispensing program 201b is a program corresponding to the dispensing operation as exemplified in Figures 5A and 5C. That is, the dispensing program 201b is a program for carrying out the dispensing operation of aspirating and discharging the liquid sample in the sample container 34. In a series of dispensing processes, the dispensing operation is carried out one or more times.

[0080] The tip insertion program 201c is a program corresponding to the tip insertion process. That is, the tip insertion program 201c is a program for inserting the tip 40 into the liquid sample 1 in the mixing container 36 by displacing the tip detachment part 48b downward during the dispensing operation.

[0081] The chip accommodating program 201d is a program corresponding to the chip accommodating process as exemplified in Fig. 5B and Fig. 5D. That is, the chip accommodating program 201d is a program for removing the chip 40 attached to the chip detaching part 48b and accommodating it in the second chip holding part 26.

[0082] The communication program 201e is a program for controlling the communication unit 112 and communicating with the user terminal 14.

[0083] Although not shown, the program area 201 also stores control programs other than the operation program 201a and the like.

[0084] The data area 202 stores execution data that has been read out in advance from the storage unit 106. In the example shown in Fig. 9, the data area 202 stores control data 202a, displacement route data 202b, standby time data 202c, and the like.

[0085] The control data 202 a is various data necessary for controlling the operation of the preprocessing device 12 .

[0086] The displacement route data 202b is data on the displacement route of the tip attachment / detachment unit 48b as exemplified in Figures 5A to 5D. The displacement route data 202b includes data on the shortest route as indicated by the solid arrows in Figures 5A to 5D, and data on the detour route as indicated by the dashed arrows. However, the displacement route data 202b is not limited to data on the shortest route and the detour route, and may include data on other routes.

[0087] The waiting time data 202c is data on the waiting time (predetermined time) from when the liquid sample in the sample container 34 is aspirated into the tip 40 and the tip detachment part 48b is displaced upward during the waiting process during aspiration performed during a dispensing operation until the tip detachment part 48b is directed toward the mixing container 36.

[0088] Other execution data may be stored in the data area 202. Furthermore, the data area 202 may be provided with a timer (counter) and a register required for executing the control program.

[0089] 8. Specific electrical configuration of pretreatment device 10 is a block diagram specifically showing the electrical configuration of the pre-processing device 12 of this embodiment. In the control unit 100 including the CPU 102, the CPU 102 executes an operation program 201a, whereby the control unit 100 functions as an operation processing unit 300 that controls the operation of the pre-processing device 12. The operation processing unit 300 performs processing using control data 202a stored in the RAM 104.

[0090] Specifically, the CPU 102 executes the dispensing program 201b, causing the control unit 100 to function as a dispensing processing unit 302. As shown in Figures 5A and 5C, the dispensing processing unit 302 performs a dispensing operation of aspirating and discharging liquid via the tip 40. This dispensing operation includes an operation of displacing the table 21 in the XY directions and an operation of displacing the tip attachment / detachment unit 48b in the Z direction.

[0091] During a dispensing operation, the dispensing processing unit 302 displaces the table 21 in the XY directions based on the displacement route data 202b. In addition, during a standby process during aspiration performed during a dispensing operation, the dispensing processing unit 302 displaces the tip detachment part 48b upward after aspiration, and waits until a predetermined time has elapsed based on the standby time data 202c, and then directs the tip detachment part 48b toward the mixing container 36.

[0092] Furthermore, the CPU 102 executes the tip insertion program 201c, whereby the control unit 100 functions as a tip insertion processing unit 304. The tip insertion processing unit 304 displaces the tip detachment unit 48b downward during the dispensing operation, thereby inserting the tip of the tip 40 into the liquid sample 1 in the mixing container 36, as shown in Fig. 7A or 7B.

[0093] Furthermore, the CPU 102 executes the chip accommodation program 201d, whereby the control unit 100 functions as a chip accommodation processing unit 306. As shown in Fig. 5B and Fig. 5D, the chip accommodation processing unit 306 performs the chip accommodation process by removing the chip 40 attached to the chip attachment / detachment unit 48b and accommodating it in the second chip holding unit 26. This chip accommodation process includes an operation of displacing the table 21 in the XY directions and an operation of displacing the chip attachment / detachment unit 48b in the Z direction. During the chip accommodation process, the chip accommodation processing unit 306 displaces the table 21 in the XY directions based on the displacement route data 202b.

[0094] Furthermore, the CPU 102 executes the communication program 201e, causing the control unit 100 to function as a communication processing unit 308. The communication processing unit 308 communicates with the user terminal 14 using the communication unit 112.

[0095] 9. Flow 11 is a flow chart showing an example of the overall processing of the CPU 102 of this embodiment. The overall processing is started, for example, when the preprocessing device 12 receives a command from the user terminal 14 instructing the execution of a dispensing process.

[0096] When the dispensing process is started, first, the tip 40 held by the first tip holder 24 is attached to the tip attachment / detachment part 48b (step S1). Then, as shown by the solid arrow in Fig. 5A, the tip attachment / detachment part 48b is displaced to the sample container 34 via the shortest route (step S2).

[0097] Thereafter, the liquid sample in the sample container 34 is sucked into the tip 40 (step S3), and the tip detachment part 48b is displaced upward, so that the tip of the tip 40 is separated from the liquid surface of the liquid sample 1 (step S4), as shown in Fig. 6(c). After waiting in this state until a predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step S5), the tip detachment part 48b is displaced to the mixing container 36 via a detour route, as shown by the dashed arrow in Fig. 5A (step S6).

[0098] The liquid sample aspirated into the tip 40 is discharged into the mixing container 36 (step S7). After the liquid sample is discharged, the tip detachment part 48b is displaced upward, so that the tip of the tip 40 is separated from the liquid surface of the liquid sample 1, but then, by performing a tip insertion process, the tip detachment part 48b is displaced downward again as shown in Figures 7A(e) and 7B(d), so that the tip of the tip 40 is inserted into the liquid sample in the mixing container 36 (step S8).

[0099] After the tip insertion process, as shown by the dashed arrow in Fig. 5B, tip detachment part 48b is displaced to second tip holder 26 via a detour route, thereby performing a tip accommodation process (step S9). At this point, since dispensing of all liquid samples is not completed (NO in step S10), tip detachment part 48b is displaced to first tip holder 24 via the shortest route, as shown by the solid arrow in Fig. 5B, and the next tip 40 is attached to tip detachment part 48b (step S1).

[0100] Thereafter, the processes of steps S1 to S10 are repeated as illustrated in Figures 5C and 5D. Then, when the dispensing process of all the liquid samples is completed (YES in step S10), the process by the control unit 100 ends.

[0101] 10. Variations In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the liquid sample aspirated from the sample container 34 is discharged into the mixing container 36 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. That is, the liquid aspirated into the tip 40 is not limited to the liquid sample, and may be other liquids such as a reagent. Furthermore, the destination of the discharge of the liquid aspirated into the tip 40 is not limited to the mixing container 36, and may be a reagent container containing a reagent, or another container such as a reaction container for reacting the reagent with the liquid sample.

[0102] The relative displacement of the tip detachment part 48b with respect to the containers 34, 36 is not limited to a configuration in which the container holding part 22 is displaced in the XY direction, but may be a configuration in which, for example, the tip detachment part 48b is displaced not only in the Z direction but also in the XY direction.

[0103] It is also possible to perform other processes, such as moving the tip detachment part 48b back and forth in the Z direction to apply vibration in order to cut the thread 3 extending from the tip of the tip 40 or to cause the droplet 5 remaining at the tip of the tip 40 to fall.

[0104] 11. Aspects It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the exemplary embodiments described above are examples of the following aspects.

[0105] (Item 1) A pretreatment device according to one aspect comprises: A pretreatment device that includes a tip attachment / detachment unit that can attach and detach a tip, and that performs a dispensing operation by aspirating a liquid used in pretreatment into the tip and then discharging it to a destination, A dispensing unit that discharges the liquid aspirated into the tip to the discharge destination; The liquid ejection device may further include a tip insertion processing unit that inserts the tip of the tip into the liquid at the destination by displacing the tip detachment unit downward after the liquid has been ejected to the destination by the dispensing processing unit.

[0106] According to the pretreatment device described in paragraph 1, even if some of the liquid remains as droplets at the tip of the tip after the liquid is discharged to the discharge destination, the droplets can be removed from the tip of the tip by displacing the tip detachment part downward and inserting the tip of the tip into the liquid at the discharge destination. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the liquid from splashing from the tip of the tip into the device after discharging the liquid during dispensing.

[0107] (2) In the pretreatment device according to (1), After discharging the liquid to the discharge destination, the dispensing processing unit displaces the tip detachment unit upward, The tip insertion processing unit may insert the tip of the tip into the liquid at the discharge destination by displacing the tip detachment unit downward again, the tip detachment unit having been displaced upward by the dispensing processing unit.

[0108] According to the pre-treatment device described in paragraph 2, even if the tip of the tip is separated from the liquid surface due to the tip detachment part being displaced upward after liquid is ejected to the destination, the droplets can be removed from the tip of the tip by displacing the tip detachment part downward again and inserting the tip of the tip into the liquid at the destination.

[0109] (Item 3) In the pretreatment device according to item 1 or 2, a sample container holder for holding a plurality of sample containers each containing a liquid sample; a mixing container holding unit that holds a plurality of mixing containers for mixing the liquid samples dispensed by the dispensing processing unit from the plurality of sample containers, The tip insertion processing unit may insert the tip of the tip into the liquid sample in the mixing container by displacing the tip detachment unit downward after the liquid sample has been ejected into the mixing container by the dispensing processing unit.

[0110] According to the pretreatment device described in paragraph 3, even if a portion of the liquid sample remains as a droplet at the tip of the tip after the liquid sample has been ejected into the mixing container, the droplet can be removed from the tip of the tip by displacing the tip detachment part downward and inserting the tip of the tip into the liquid sample in the mixing container.

[0111] (4) In the pretreatment device according to the third aspect, The dispensing processing unit may relatively displace the tip detachment part so that at least one of the sample container and the mixing container does not pass below the tip attached to the tip detachment part before the tip detachment part moves toward the mixing container after the liquid sample in the sample container is aspirated into the tip.

[0112] According to the pretreatment device described in paragraph 4, after the liquid sample in the sample container is aspirated into the tip, at least one of the sample container and the mixing container does not pass under the tip until the tip attachment / detachment part moves toward the mixing container, so that even if the liquid sample falls as droplets from the tip end, the droplets will not get mixed into the sample container or the mixing container. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the liquid from splashing into the device from the tip end after aspirating the liquid during dispensing.

[0113] (5) In the pretreatment device according to the third or fourth aspect, a first chip holding unit that holds a plurality of chips; a second tip holding section that holds a plurality of used tips, which are the tips that have been attached to the tip attachment / detachment section and used in a dispensing operation; a chip accommodation processing section for removing the chip attached to the chip removal section and accommodating the chip in the second chip holding section, The tip receiving and processing unit may relatively displace the tip detachment part so that at least one of the sample container and the mixing container does not pass below the tip attached to the tip detachment part before the tip detachment part moves toward the second tip holding unit after the liquid sample is ejected into the mixing container.

[0114] According to the pretreatment device described in paragraph 5, after the liquid sample in the tip is discharged into the mixing container, at least one of the sample container and the mixing container does not pass under the tip until the tip attachment / detachment part moves toward the second tip holder, so that even if the liquid sample falls as droplets from the tip end, the droplets will not get mixed into the sample container or the mixing container. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the liquid from splashing from the tip end into the device after dispensing the liquid during dispensing.

[0115] (Item 6) In the pretreatment device according to any one of items 3 to 5, After the liquid sample in the sample container is aspirated into the tip, the dispensing processing unit may displace the tip detachment part upward, wait until a predetermined time has elapsed, and then move the tip detachment part toward the mixing container.

[0116] According to the pretreatment device described in item 6, even if the liquid sample forms a string between the tip of the tip and the liquid surface in the sample container when the liquid sample in the sample container is aspirated into the tip and the tip detachment part is displaced upward, the tip can be prevented from moving away from the sample container while still forming a string by waiting for a predetermined time to elapse and then directing the tip detachment part toward the mixing container. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the liquid from splashing into the device from the tip of the tip after dispensing the liquid.

[0117] (Item 7) A method for controlling a pretreatment device according to one aspect includes the steps of: A method for controlling a pretreatment device that is provided with a tip attachment / detachment unit that can attach and detach a tip, and that performs a dispensing operation by aspirating a liquid used in pretreatment into the tip and then discharging it to a discharge destination, comprising: A dispensing step of discharging the liquid aspirated into the tip to the discharge destination; The method may include a tip insertion step of inserting the tip of the tip into the liquid at the destination by displacing the tip detachment part downward after the liquid has been ejected to the destination by the dispensing step.

[0118] According to the control method for the pretreatment device described in paragraph 7, even if some of the liquid remains as droplets at the tip of the tip after the liquid has been discharged to the destination, the droplets can be removed from the tip of the tip by displacing the tip detachment part downward and inserting the tip of the tip into the liquid at the destination. This makes it possible to prevent the liquid from splashing from the tip of the tip into the device after dispensing the liquid during dispensing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0119] 1. Liquid sample 3. Thread 5 droplets 12 Pretreatment device 22 Container holding part 22a Sample container holder 22b Mixing container holder 24 First tip holder 26 Second chip holder 34 Sample Container 36 Mixing container 40 Chip 48b Tip attachment / detachment part 48 Dispensing mechanism 302 Dispensing processing section 304 Chip insertion processing section 306 Chip storage processing section

Claims

1. A pretreatment device that includes a tip attachment / detachment unit that can attach and detach a tip, and that performs a dispensing operation by aspirating a liquid used in pretreatment into the tip and then discharging it to a destination, A dispensing unit that discharges the liquid aspirated into the tip to the discharge destination; a tip insertion processing unit that inserts the tip of the tip into the liquid at the destination by displacing the tip detachment unit downward after the liquid has been ejected to the destination by the dispensing processing unit without suctioning the liquid into the tip.

2. A pretreatment device having a tip attachment / detachment section that allows attachment and detachment of a tip, and performing a dispensing operation by aspirating a liquid used for pretreatment into the tip and then discharging it to a discharge destination, A dispensing unit that discharges the liquid aspirated into the tip to the discharge destination; a tip insertion processing unit that inserts a tip end of the tip into the liquid at the discharge destination by displacing the tip detachment unit downward after the liquid is discharged to the discharge destination by the dispensing processing unit, After discharging the liquid to the discharge destination, the dispensing processing unit displaces the tip detachment unit upward, The tip insertion processing unit is a pretreatment unit that inserts the tip of the tip into the liquid at the discharge destination by displacing the tip detachment unit downward again after being displaced upward by the dispensing processing unit.

3. a sample container holder for holding a plurality of sample containers each containing a liquid sample; a mixing container holding unit that holds a plurality of mixing containers for mixing the liquid samples dispensed by the dispensing processing unit from the plurality of sample containers, 2. The pretreatment device according to claim 1, wherein the tip insertion processing unit inserts the tip of the tip into the liquid sample in the mixing container by displacing the tip detachment unit downward after the liquid sample is discharged into the mixing container by the dispensing processing unit.

4. The pretreatment device according to claim 3, wherein the dispensing processing unit relatively displaces the tip attachment / detachment unit so that at least one of the sample container and the mixing container does not pass below the tip attached to the tip attachment / detachment unit until the tip attachment / detachment unit moves toward the mixing container after the liquid sample in the sample container is aspirated into the tip.

5. a first tip holder that holds a plurality of tips; a second tip holding section that holds a plurality of used tips, which are the tips that have been attached to the tip attachment / detachment section and used in a dispensing operation; a chip accommodation processing section for removing the chip attached to the chip removal section and accommodating the chip in the second chip holding section, 4. The pretreatment device according to claim 3, wherein the tip accommodation processing section relatively displaces the tip attachment / detachment section so that at least one of the sample container and the mixing container does not pass below the tip attached to the tip attachment / detachment section until the tip attachment / detachment section moves toward the second tip holding section after the liquid sample is ejected into the mixing container.

6. 4. The pretreatment device according to claim 3, wherein the dispensing processing unit displaces the tip detachment unit upward after the liquid sample in the sample container is aspirated into the tip, and waits until a predetermined time has elapsed before directing the tip detachment unit toward the mixing container.

7. A method for controlling a pretreatment device that is provided with a tip attachment / detachment unit that can attach and detach a tip, and that performs a dispensing operation by aspirating a liquid used in pretreatment into the tip and then discharging it to a discharge destination, comprising: A dispensing step of discharging the liquid aspirated into the tip to the discharge destination; a tip insertion step of inserting the tip of the tip into the liquid at the destination by displacing the tip detachment part downward without suctioning the liquid into the tip after the liquid has been ejected to the destination by the dispensing step.

8. A method for controlling a pretreatment device that has a tip attachment / detachment unit that can attach and detach a tip, and performs a dispensing operation by aspirating a liquid used in pretreatment into the tip and then discharging it to a discharge destination, comprising: A dispensing step of discharging the liquid aspirated into the tip to the discharge destination; a tip insertion step of inserting a tip end of the tip into the liquid at the discharge destination by displacing the tip detachment part downward after the liquid is discharged to the discharge destination by the dispensing step, In the dispensing step, after discharging the liquid to the discharge destination, the tip detachment part is displaced upward; A method for controlling a pretreatment device, wherein in the tip insertion step, the tip detachment part displaced upward in the dispensing step is displaced downward again to insert the tip of the tip into the liquid at the discharge destination.

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