Specimen Transport Device, Specimen Analysis System Equipped with the Specimen Transport Device, and Specimen Pretreatment Device Equipped with the Specimen Transport Device

Abstract

To improve inductance characteristics of a connection area of a magnetic circuit part.SOLUTION: A conveyance apparatus 1 includes multiple magnetic circuit parts 2 having multiple electromagnetic actuators disposed along a side X1, multiple electromagnetic actuators disposed along a side X2 that opposes the side X1, multiple electromagnetic actuators disposed along a side Y1, and multiple electromagnetic actuators disposed along a side Y2 that opposes the side Y1. The number of electromagnetic actuators disposed along the side X1 is larger than the number of electromagnetic actuators disposed along the side X2, and the number of electromagnetic actuators disposed along the side Y1 is larger than the number of electromagnetic actuators disposed along the side Y2. The multiple magnetic circuit parts 2 are connected such that the side X1 or Y1 having a large number of electromagnetic actuators is adjacent to a side X2 or Y2 having a small number of electromagnetic actuators.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a transport device suitable for a specimen analysis system for analyzing a biological specimen (hereinafter referred to as a specimen) such as blood or urine, or a specimen pretreatment device for performing pretreatment necessary for analysis, a specimen analysis system equipped with the transport device, and a specimen pretreatment device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a delivery system that transports a plurality of container carriers on a transport plane. Under the transport plane, a plurality of electromagnetic actuators are arranged, and a control device drives the electromagnetic actuators so that the container carriers are transported in a desired direction on the transport plane.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a specimen analysis system for clinical examinations, tests for designated analysis items are performed on specimens such as blood, plasma, serum, urine, and other body fluids. In the specimen analysis system, devices with multiple functions can be connected and each process can be automatically processed. That is, for the purpose of streamlining the operations of a laboratory, analysis units in multiple analysis fields such as biochemistry and immunology and a pretreatment unit for performing pretreatment necessary for analysis are connected by a transport line and operated as one system.

[0005] The conveyance lines used in conventional specimen analysis systems mainly employ a belt drive system. In such a belt drive system, if the conveyance stops due to some abnormality during conveyance, there is a problem that specimens cannot be supplied to the devices on the downstream side. For this reason, it was necessary to pay sufficient attention to the wear of the belt.

[0006] Due to the advancement of medical care and the progress of an aging society, the importance of specimen processing has been increasing. Therefore, in order to improve the analysis processing ability of the specimen analysis system, high-speed conveyance, mass simultaneous conveyance, and conveyance in multiple directions of specimens are desired. As an example of a technology for realizing such conveyance, there is a technology (see Patent Document 1) for conveying an object to be conveyed using magnetic force.

[0007] As shown in FIG. 2 of Patent Document 1, the electromagnetic actuators of Patent Document 1 are arranged in a lattice pattern. On the left side and the lower side of the lower plane in FIG. 2, the electromagnetic actuators are arranged at a pitch of g2. On the other hand, on the right side and the upper side of the conveyance plane in FIG. 2, the electromagnetic actuators are arranged at a pitch of g1 (= g2 / 2).

[0008] Patent Document 1 discloses that a plurality of lower planes are combined to form a conveyance plane, but it does not disclose how to connect the lower planes to each other. If the lower planes are connected such that the dense portions of the electromagnetic actuators in the lower planes are adjacent, or if the lower planes are connected such that the sparse portions of the electromagnetic actuators in the lower planes are adjacent, the inductance characteristics of the connection region will be different from those of other portions. As a result, there are problems such that the thrust applied to the object to be conveyed varies and the estimation accuracy of the position of the object to be conveyed deteriorates, and the object to be conveyed cannot be stably conveyed.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0009] The present invention includes a plurality of means for solving the above problems. For example, it is a conveying device in which a plurality of magnetic circuit parts, each having a tooth made of a magnetic material and a winding wound around the tooth, are connected in a lattice pattern. Each of the substantially quadrilateral magnetic circuit parts includes a plurality of first electromagnetic actuators arranged along one of the opposing sides, a plurality of second electromagnetic actuators arranged along the other of the opposing sides, a plurality of third electromagnetic actuators arranged along one of the other opposing sides, and a plurality of fourth electromagnetic actuators arranged along the other of the other opposing sides. The number of the first electromagnetic actuators is larger than the number of the second electromagnetic actuators, and the number of the third electromagnetic actuators is larger than the number of the fourth electromagnetic actuators. A plurality of magnetic circuit parts are connected such that a side with a larger number of electromagnetic actuators and a side with a smaller number of electromagnetic actuators are adjacent to each other.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, by connecting a plurality of magnetic circuit parts such that a side with a larger number of electromagnetic actuators and a side with a smaller number of electromagnetic actuators are adjacent to each other, it is possible to suppress the inductance characteristics in the connection region from being different from the inductance characteristics in other locations. As a result, in the connection region, it is possible to suppress variations in the thrust applied to the object to be conveyed and deterioration in the estimation accuracy of the position of the object to be conveyed, and the object to be conveyed can be stably conveyed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the transport device of the present invention, and a specimen analysis system and a specimen pretreatment apparatus equipped with the same will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] <Example 1> The transport device of Example 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the transport device of Example 1. The transport device 1 is a transport device that transports the object to be transported 10 in the X direction and the Y direction. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the magnetic circuit portion of the transport device of Example 1. When transporting over a long distance, a plurality of the transport devices 1 shown in FIG. 1 are connected in the X direction and / or the Y direction to realize the long-distance transport of the object to be transported 10. A transport surface 15 is installed on the magnetic circuit portion 2, and a permanent magnet 11 (see FIG. 8) of a magnetic body embedded in the object to be transported 10 moves on the transport surface 15. The magnetic circuit portion 2 shown in FIG. 2(a) has three transport lines for transporting the object to be transported 10 in the X direction and three transport lines for transporting the object to be transported 10 in the Y direction. A winding 30 is wound around each of a plurality of cylindrical teeth 20 of the magnetic body. Note that the teeth 20 are a general term for teeth 20a to d. The plurality of teeth 20 are magnetically coupled by a magnetic yoke 40 on the side opposite to the transport surface 15 (-Z side). The teeth 20 around which the windings are wound are called electromagnetic actuators 70. The plurality of electromagnetic actuators 70 are arranged in a grid pattern.

[0014] The yoke 40 is formed corresponding to three transport lines formed along the X direction and three transport lines formed along the Y direction, and is in a grid pattern. The yoke 40 is made of a magnetic body and is magnetically coupled to a plurality of teeth. The yoke 40 supports the plurality of teeth 20 so that the plurality of teeth 20 extend in the Z direction.

[0015] The teeth 20 include teeth 20a with one adjacent tooth, teeth 20b with two adjacent teeth, teeth 20c with three adjacent teeth, and teeth 20d with four adjacent teeth. The teeth 20a are the teeth arranged on the outermost side. The teeth 20a are adjacent to teeth only on one side in the X direction or the Y direction. The teeth 20b are adjacent to teeth on both sides in the X direction or the Y direction. The teeth 20c are adjacent to teeth on both sides in the X direction or the Y direction and on one side in the Y direction or the X direction. The teeth 20c are adjacent to teeth on both sides in the X direction and on both sides in the Y direction.

[0016] The above-mentioned teeth 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d have magnetically different characteristics. Due to the difference in the number of adjacent teeth, the inductance characteristics of each tooth are different. For example, the teeth 20a have fewer adjacent teeth compared to the teeth 20b to 20d. Therefore, the amount of magnetic flux generated when a constant current flows through the winding 30 is less than that of the teeth 20b to 20d. For this reason, the thrust acting on the conveyed body 10 in the teeth 20a becomes smaller. Also, the current values when a constant voltage is applied are different between the winding 30 of the teeth 20a and the windings 30 of the teeth 20b to 20d, so the degree of magnetic saturation also changes. For this reason, there also arises a problem that the accuracy of position detection of the conveyed body utilizing magnetic saturation deteriorates.

[0017] The magnetic circuit portion 2 is substantially quadrilateral, with sides X1 and X2 that make up the substantially quadrilateral facing each other, and sides Y1 and Y2 that make up the substantially quadrilateral facing each other. The number of a plurality of electromagnetic actuators 70 arranged along one side X1 (six in Example 1) is greater than the number of a plurality of electromagnetic actuators 70 arranged along the other side X2 (three in Example 1). Also, the number of a plurality of electromagnetic actuators 70 arranged along one side Y1 (six in Example 1) is greater than the number of a plurality of electromagnetic actuators 70 arranged along the other side Y2 (three in Example 1).

[0018] A plurality of electromagnetic actuators 70 arranged along side X1 are arranged adjacent to each other. Also, a plurality of electromagnetic actuators 70 arranged along side X2 are arranged at intervals. That is, the pitch between the plurality of electromagnetic actuators 70 arranged along side X1 is smaller than the pitch between the plurality of electromagnetic actuators 70 arranged along side X2. Similarly, a plurality of electromagnetic actuators 70 arranged along side Y1 are arranged adjacent to each other. Also, a plurality of electromagnetic actuators 70 arranged along side Y2 are arranged at intervals. That is, the pitch between the plurality of electromagnetic actuators 70 arranged along side Y1 is smaller than the pitch between the plurality of electromagnetic actuators 70 arranged along side Y2.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing connection examples of the magnetic circuit portions of the conventional and first embodiment transfer devices. FIG. 3(a) is a diagram showing a connection example of the magnetic circuit portion of the conventional transfer device. FIG. 3(b) is a diagram showing a connection example of the magnetic circuit portion of the transfer device of the first embodiment.

[0020] The conventional transfer device 1000 in FIG. 3(a) includes three magnetic circuit portions 2000. The three magnetic circuit portions 2000 are connected in an L shape. When the conventional magnetic circuit portion 2000 is formed into a desired shape, the density of the electromagnetic actuators 70 becomes sparse in the connection region 4000 between the magnetic circuit portions 2000. For this reason, in the connection region 4000 of the conventional transfer device 1000, the thrust applied to the object to be transferred 10 varies, or the estimation accuracy of the position of the object to be transferred 10 deteriorates. As a result, during the transfer of the object to be transferred 10, the object to be transferred 10 sways, deviates from the transfer surface of the transfer device 1000, or damages the transfer surface.

[0021] The transfer device 1 of Example 1 includes the three magnetic circuit parts 2 described with reference to FIG. 2. The three magnetic circuit parts 2 are connected in an L shape. When forming the magnetic circuit part 2 into a desired shape, the magnetic circuit parts 2 are connected such that a portion where the electromagnetic actuator 70 of the magnetic circuit part 2 is dense and a portion where the electromagnetic actuator 70 of the magnetic circuit part 2 is sparse are adjacent to each other. By configuring in this way, along the X direction and the Y direction, the density of the electromagnetic actuator 70 alternately repeats as dense, sparse, dense, and sparse. As a result, it is possible to suppress variations in the thrust applied to the object to be transferred 10 in the connection region 4 of the magnetic circuit part 2, and it is also possible to reduce deterioration in the estimation accuracy of the position of the object to be transferred 10. As a result, it is possible to suppress the object to be transferred 10 from swaying, deviating from the transfer surface of the transfer device 1000, or damaging the transfer surface during the transfer of the object to be transferred 10.

[0022] <Example 2> The transfer device of Example 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. Description of parts similar to those of Example 1 will be omitted. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a connection example of the magnetic circuit parts of the transfer device of Example 2. The three magnetic circuit parts 2 are connected linearly along the Y direction. When forming the magnetic circuit part 2 into a desired shape, the magnetic circuit parts 2 are connected such that a portion where the electromagnetic actuator 70 of the magnetic circuit part 2 is dense and a portion where the electromagnetic actuator 70 of the magnetic circuit part 2 is sparse are adjacent to each other. By configuring in this way, along the Y direction, the density of the electromagnetic actuator 70 alternately repeats as dense, sparse, dense, and sparse. As a result, it is possible to suppress variations in the thrust applied to the object to be transferred 10 in the connection region 4 of the magnetic circuit part 2, and it is also possible to reduce deterioration in the estimation accuracy of the position of the object to be transferred 10. As a result, it is possible to suppress the object to be transferred 10 from swaying, deviating from the transfer surface of the transfer device 1000, or damaging the transfer surface during the transfer of the object to be transferred 10.

[0023] In Example 2, the specimen loading device 35 is arranged adjacent to the left side of the lowermost magnetic circuit portion 2 in FIG. 4, that is, in region a where the number of electromagnetic actuators 70 is small. That is, region a where the number of electromagnetic actuators 70 is small serves as the loading port of the object to be conveyed 10. In this region a, the pitch between the electromagnetic actuators 70 is large. The object to be conveyed 10 having a permanent magnet is attracted by the electromagnetic actuators 70 constituting the conveyance line. That is, the range B within which the object to be conveyed 10 can be stably loaded is widened. For this reason, even when the loading position is displaced during the loading of the object to be conveyed 10, the object to be conveyed 10 can be attracted to the target position by the attracting force of the electromagnetic actuator 70, so that the object to be conveyed 10 can be stably loaded.

[0024] In Example 2, the specimen analysis device 36 is arranged adjacent to the left side of the uppermost magnetic circuit portion 2 in FIG. 4, that is, in region c where the number of electromagnetic actuators 70 is small. That is, region c where the number of electromagnetic actuators 70 is small serves as the unloading port of the object to be conveyed 10. In this region c, the pitch between the electromagnetic actuators 70 is large. The object to be conveyed 10 having a permanent magnet is hardly affected by the electromagnetic actuators 70 constituting the other conveyance line, so that the object to be conveyed 10 can be stably unloaded.

[0025] When the object to be conveyed 10 is conveyed from the specimen loading device 35 to the specimen analysis device 36, the conveyance line on the left side in FIG. 4 becomes the shortest path. That is, this left-side conveyance line becomes the most efficient path when the object to be conveyed 10 is conveyed from the specimen loading device 35 to the specimen analysis device 36. Therefore, this left-side conveyance line is made into a high-speed conveyance line, and a configuration is adopted in which the object to be conveyed 10 is conveyed at high speed from the specimen loading device 35 to the specimen analysis device 36.

[0026] In Example 2, the dispensing device 37 is arranged adjacent to the right side of the magnetic circuit unit 2 in FIG. 4, that is, in the region b where the number of electromagnetic actuators 70 is large. In the region b where the electromagnetic actuators 70 are densely arranged, the pitch of the electromagnetic actuators 70 in the Y direction is narrow, and the position of the object to be conveyed 10 can be finely controlled. Therefore, it is possible to arrange the object to be conveyed 10 in accordance with the dispensing position by the dispensing device 37.

[0027] Also, in the region b, when the object to be conveyed 10 is conveyed along the Y direction, the number of electromagnetic actuators 70 is different in the left-right direction (±X direction) with respect to the position of the region b. That is, there are electromagnetic actuators 70 on the left side of the region b, but there are no electromagnetic actuators 70 on the right side of the region b. For this reason, when the object to be conveyed 10 is conveyed in the Y direction in the region b, a thrust acts on the object to be conveyed 10 in the left direction for each pitch of the electromagnetic actuators 70, and a speed pulsation occurs during the conveyance of the object to be conveyed 10.

[0028] Therefore, in Example 2, the region b where the electromagnetic actuators 70 are dense is set as the residence region of the object to be conveyed 10 instead of the conveyance line. Or, the region b where the electromagnetic actuators 70 are dense is set as a low-speed conveyance line. Thereby, it is possible to suppress an increase in the residence amount of the object to be conveyed 10 and a speed pulsation during the conveyance of the object to be conveyed 10.

[0029] <Conveying system> FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a conveying system for conveying the object to be conveyed 10. The permanent magnet 11 of the object to be conveyed 10 is conveyed on the conveying surface 15 provided on the magnetic circuit unit 2. The conveying system shown in FIG. 5 is a system for estimating the location on the conveying surface of the object to be conveyed 10 from the relationship between the voltage applied to the winding and the current flowing through the winding. In this system, a current detection unit 55 is connected to each of the windings 30, and the position of the object to be conveyed 10 is estimated based on information from the plurality of current detection units 55. The drive circuit 50 applies a voltage to the coil to generate a thrust applied to the object to be conveyed 10. The calculation unit 53 controls the drive circuit 50 based on the detected current value.

[0030] For the permanent magnet 11, for example, a permanent magnet 11 such as neodymium or ferrite is used. Instead of the permanent magnet 11, other magnets or soft magnetic materials may be used. Also, instead of the permanent magnet 11, a combination of the permanent magnet 11 and a soft magnetic material may be used. Here, the "magnetic material" shall mean the permanent magnet 11, other magnets or soft magnetic materials, or a combination of the permanent magnet 11 and a soft magnetic material. Here, as an example of the magnetic material, the permanent magnet 11 is used.

[0031] In the conveying system, relative position information between the object to be conveyed 10 and the winding 30 is required. This is to efficiently apply the electromagnetic force generated in the teeth 20 by passing an electric current through the winding 30 to the object to be conveyed 10, and also to move the object to be conveyed 10 in the desired direction. For example, assume that the object to be conveyed 10 is above (directly above) one of the two windings 30. Even if a voltage is applied to the winding 30 directly below the object to be conveyed 10, no force (thrust) in the conveying direction is generated on the object to be conveyed 10. On the other hand, when a voltage is applied to a winding 30 that is not above (not directly below) the object to be conveyed 10, a force that attracts the object to be conveyed 10 to that winding 30 is generated, and a force (thrust) in the conveying direction is generated. That is, by applying a voltage to the desired winding 30, a force in the conveying direction can be efficiently generated on the object to be conveyed 10. And by selecting the winding 30 to which the voltage is applied, the direction of the force in the conveying direction can be controlled.

[0032] <Principle of Position Detection of Conveying Container> The position detection of the object to be conveyed 10 will be described. When the object to be conveyed 10 is on the winding 30 on the front side of FIG. 5, the magnetic field created by the permanent magnet 11 acts on the winding 30. Here, the magnitude of the magnetic field acting on the winding 30 is different between the winding 30 on the side closer to the object to be conveyed 10 and the winding 30 on the farther side. That is, the magnitude of the magnetic field acting on the winding 30 changes depending on the relative position between the object to be conveyed 10 and the winding 30.

[0033] The teeth 20 are made of a magnetic material, and the magnetic flux passing through the teeth 20 has the property that it becomes more difficult to pass through as the magnetic flux increases. Here, when a voltage is applied to the winding 30 to pass an electric current, a magnetic flux (magnetic field) generated by the electric current is generated in the teeth 20. Therefore, in the teeth 20, a magnetic flux (magnetic field) by the permanent magnet 11 and a magnetic flux (magnetic field) generated by the electric current flowing through the winding 30 are generated. Generally, when an electric current flows through the winding 30, a magnetic field is generated around it, and the generated magnetic flux is proportional to the value of the electric current passed. This proportionality constant is called inductance. When there is a magnetic field from the permanent magnet 11, magnetic saturation occurs in the winding 30 and the magnetic permeability becomes small, so a change occurs in the electric current flowing through the winding 30.

[0034] When a voltage is applied to the winding 30, the inductance L can be obtained by calculation by detecting the electric current flowing through the winding 30 and the way it flows. That is, if the inductance L of the winding 30 that changes according to the position of the permanent magnet 11 is detected, the position of the permanent magnet 11 that affects the inductance L can be obtained. Therefore, a drive circuit 50 is connected to the winding 30, and a current detection unit 55 (for example, a resistor is arranged) for detecting the value of the electric current flowing through the winding 30 is provided. Then, a voltage is applied to the winding 30 by the drive circuit 50, the value of the electric current generated by the voltage is detected by the current detection unit 55, and the value is read by the arithmetic unit 53.

[0035] The inductance characteristics of the electromagnetic actuator 70 are different between the dense region and the sparse region, which affects the estimation of the position of the permanent magnet 11 and the generation of thrust. That is, it affects the stable conveyance of the object to be conveyed 10 and the operation requirements necessary for conveyance (for example, conveyance speed, unevenness of conveyance speed, acceleration / deceleration characteristics, etc.). Therefore, in the above-described embodiment, the arrangement and connection method of the electromagnetic actuator 70 of the magnetic circuit unit 2 were devised. In the conveyance system, reducing the difference in inductance characteristics and thrust characteristics of each tooth is an important point for realizing stable conveyance. Therefore, devising the arrangement and connection method of the electromagnetic actuator 70 of the magnetic circuit unit 2 leads to the realization of a high-performance conveyance device.

[0036] <Specimen Analysis System and Specimen Pretreatment Device> The overall configuration of the specimen analysis system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of the specimen analysis system 100.

[0037] In FIG. 6, the specimen analysis system 100 is a device that dispenses a specimen and a reagent into a reaction vessel respectively for reaction, and measures the reacted liquid. The specimen analysis system 100 includes a loading unit 101, an emergency rack inlet 113, a transport line 102, a buffer 104, an analysis unit 105, a storage unit 103, a display unit 118, and a control unit 120.

[0038] The loading unit 101 is a place where a specimen rack 111 storing a plurality of specimen containers 122 containing biological specimens such as blood and urine is installed. The emergency rack inlet 113 is a place for loading into the device a specimen rack 111 storing a specimen container 122 containing a specimen rack (calibration rack) loaded with a standard solution or a specimen that requires urgent analysis.

[0039] The buffer 104 holds a plurality of specimen racks 111 conveyed by the transport line 102 so that the dispensing order of the specimens in the specimen rack 111 can be changed. The analysis unit 105 analyzes the specimen conveyed from the buffer 104 via the conveyor line 106. The storage unit 103 holds a specimen rack 111 storing a specimen container 122 that houses the specimen whose analysis has been completed in the analysis unit 105. The transport line 102 is a line for transporting the specimen rack 111 installed in the loading unit 101, and has the same configuration as any of the transport devices described in the above-described first and second embodiments. In the specimen analysis system, the permanent magnet 11 is provided on the back side of the specimen rack 111. That is, the specimen rack 111 is the object to be conveyed 10.

[0040] The analysis unit 105 includes a conveyor line 106, a reaction disk 108, a sample dispensing nozzle 107, a reagent disk 110, a reagent dispensing nozzle 109, a cleaning mechanism 112, a reagent tray 114, a reagent ID reader 115, a reagent loader 116, and a spectrophotometer 121. The conveyor line 106 is a line for transporting the sample rack 111 in the buffer 104 into the analysis unit 105.

[0041] The reaction disk 108 is provided with a plurality of reaction vessels. The sample dispensing nozzle 107 dispenses the sample from the sample container 122 into the reaction vessels of the reaction disk 108 by rotational driving and vertical driving. The reagent disk 110 holds a plurality of reagent bottles. The reagent dispensing nozzle 109 dispenses the reagent from the reagent bottles in the reagent disk 110 into the reaction vessels of the reaction disk 108. The cleaning mechanism 112 cleans the reaction vessels of the reaction disk 108. The spectrophotometer 121 measures the absorbance of the reaction solution by measuring the transmitted light obtained from a light source (not shown) through the reaction solution in the reaction vessel.

[0042] The reagent tray 114 is a member for installing the reagent when registering the reagent into the specimen analysis system 100. The reagent ID reader 115 is a device for acquiring reagent information by reading the reagent ID attached to the reagent installed on the reagent tray 114. The reagent loader 116 is a device for transporting the reagent into the reagent disk 110.

[0043] The display unit 118 is a display device for displaying the analysis results of the concentration of a predetermined component in a liquid sample such as blood or urine. The control unit 120 is a computer having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a storage, etc., and controls the operations of each mechanism in the specimen analysis system 100. The control unit 120 performs arithmetic processing to obtain the concentration of a predetermined component in a specimen such as blood or urine.

[0044] The analysis process of the sample by the sample analysis system 100 is as follows. First, the sample rack 111 is installed at the loading unit 101 or the emergency rack inlet 113, and is carried into the buffer 104 where random access is possible by the transport line 102. The sample analysis system 100 carries the sample rack 111 with the highest priority among the racks stored in the buffer 104 to the analysis unit 105 by the conveyor line 106 according to the priority rule.

[0045] The sample rack 111 that arrives at the analysis unit 105 is transferred by the conveyor line 106 to the sample dispensing position near the reaction disk 108. The sample dispensing nozzle 107 dispenses the sample from the sample container 122 of the sample rack 111 into the reaction container of the reaction disk 108. The sample dispensing nozzle 107 performs sample dispensing the required number of times according to the analysis items requested for the sample. The sample dispensing nozzle 107 dispenses the sample from all the sample containers 122 mounted on the sample rack 111. The sample rack 111 for which the dispensing process for all the sample containers 122 has been completed is transferred to the buffer 104. Furthermore, the sample rack 111 for which all the sample dispensing processes, including automatic re - inspection, have been completed is transferred to the storage unit 103 by the conveyor line 106 and the transport line 102.

[0046] Also, the reagent used for the analysis is dispensed from the reagent bottle on the reagent disk 110 by the reagent dispensing nozzle 109. Then, the dispensed reagent is dispensed into the reaction container into which the sample has been previously dispensed. Subsequently, a stirring mechanism (not shown) stirs the mixture of the sample and the reagent in the reaction container. The light generated from the light source passes through the reaction container containing the stirred mixture, and the light intensity of the transmitted light is measured by the spectrophotometer 121. The light intensity measured by the spectrophotometer 121 is transmitted to the control unit 120 via the A / D converter and the interface. Then, the control unit 120 performs calculations to obtain the concentration of a predetermined component in a liquid sample such as blood or urine, and displays the result on the display unit 118 etc. or stores it in a storage unit (not shown).

[0047] Note that the sample analysis system 100 does not necessarily need to include all the configurations shown in FIG. 6, and units for pretreatment can be added as appropriate, or some units or some configurations can be deleted. Further, the analysis unit 105 is not limited to biochemical analysis and may be for immunoassay. Moreover, it is not necessary to have only one, and two or more can be provided.

[0048] Next, the overall configuration of the sample pretreatment apparatus 150 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the sample pretreatment apparatus 150. In FIG. 7, the sample pretreatment apparatus 150 is an apparatus that performs various pretreatments necessary for the analysis of a sample. The sample pretreatment apparatus 150 includes a closing unit 152, a sample storage unit 153, an empty holder stacker 154, a sample injection unit 155, a centrifugal separation unit 156, a liquid volume measurement unit 157, an opening unit 158, a sub-sample container preparation unit 159, a dispensing unit 160, and a transfer unit 161, and an operation unit PC163 that controls the operations of these multiple units.

[0049] A specimen analysis system 100 for performing qualitative and quantitative analysis of the components of a specimen is connected to the specimen pretreatment apparatus 150 as the transfer destination of the specimen processed by the specimen pretreatment apparatus 150. The specimen loading unit 155 is a unit for loading a specimen container 122 containing a specimen into the specimen pretreatment apparatus 150. The centrifugation unit 156 is a unit for centrifuging the loaded specimen container 122. The liquid volume measurement unit 157 is a unit for measuring the liquid volume of the specimen contained in the specimen container 122. The cap opening unit 158 is a unit for opening the cap of the loaded specimen container 122. The sub-specimen container preparation unit 159 is a unit for performing the preparations necessary for dispensing the specimen contained in the loaded specimen container 122 in the next dispensing unit 160. The dispensing unit 160 is a unit for aliquoting the centrifuged specimen for analysis by a specimen analysis system or the like, and for attaching a barcode or the like to the aliquoted specimen container 122 (hereinafter, the aliquoted specimen container 122 is referred to as a sub-specimen container 122). The transfer unit 161 is a unit for classifying the dispensed sub-specimen containers 122 and preparing for transfer to the specimen analysis system 100. The cap closing unit 152 is a unit for closing the caps of the specimen container 122 and the sub-specimen container 122. The specimen storage unit 153 is a unit for storing the closed specimen container 122.

[0050] As a mechanism for transporting a specimen holder or a specimen rack that holds the specimen container 122 between these units or between the specimen pretreatment apparatus 150 and the specimen analysis system 100, any of the transport devices of Example 1 and Example 2 can be used. Note that the specimen pretreatment apparatus 150 does not necessarily need to include all of the above-described configurations, and some units or some configurations can be deleted. Further, the specimen pretreatment apparatus 150 may include units other than the above-described units.

[0051] Alternatively, the specimen analysis system of this embodiment may be a specimen analysis system 200 including a specimen pretreatment device 150 and a specimen analysis system 100 as shown in FIG. 7. In this case, not only within each system, but also between the specimen analysis system 200 and the specimen analysis system 200, they may be connected by the transfer device 1 of the above-described Example 1 and Example 2.

[0052] In addition, in the above-described examples, the case where the specimen rack 111 that holds five specimen containers 122 containing specimens is conveyed as the object to be conveyed was exemplified. In addition to the specimen rack 111 that holds five specimen containers 122, a specimen holder that holds two specimen containers 122 can be conveyed as the object to be conveyed.

[0053] The specimen analysis systems 100 and 200 and the specimen pretreatment device 150 are provided with the transfer device 1 of Example 1 and Example 2. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the dependence of the magnitude of the thrust when the specimen rack 111 or the specimen holder is being conveyed and stopped on the position of the specimen rack 111 or the specimen holder. Also, it is possible to provide a transfer device 1 in which the detected value and the change value of the current required for detecting the position of the specimen rack 111 or the specimen holder are stable. That is, it is possible to realize a transfer device 1 with high controllability of the specimen rack 111 and the specimen holder and high estimated position accuracy of the specimen rack 111 and the specimen holder.

[0054] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes various modifications. The above-described embodiments have been described in detail for the purpose of easily explaining the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described.

[0055] Also, it is possible to replace a part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Also, for a part of the configuration of each embodiment, it is possible to add, delete, or replace with other configurations.

[0056] For example, in Example 1 and Example 2, the case where the object to be conveyed by the conveying device is the specimen rack 111 or the specimen holder was described. The object to be conveyed is not limited to a rack or a holder that holds the specimen container 122, and various objects that are required to be conveyed on a large scale can be the objects to be conveyed.

Explanation of Signs

[0057] 1…Conveying device 2…Magnetic circuit section 4…Connection area 10…Object to be conveyed 11…Permanent magnet 15…Conveying surface 20, 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d…Teeth 30…Coil 35…Specimen input device 36…Specimen analysis device 37…Dispensing device 40…Yoke 100…Specimen analysis system 101…Loading section 102…Conveying line 103…Storage section 104…Buffer 105…Analysis section 106…Conveyor line 107…Specimen dispensing nozzle 108…Reaction disk 109…Reagent dispensing nozzle 110…Reagent disk 111…Specimen rack 112…Washing mechanism 113…Emergency rack input port 114…Reagent tray 115…Reagent ID reader 116…Reagent loader 118…Display section 120…Control section 121…Spectrophotometer 122…Specimen container, sub-specimen container 150…Specimen pretreatment device 152…Closing unit 153…Specimen storage unit 154... Holder Stacker 155... Specimen Loading Unit 156... Centrifugation Unit 157... Liquid Volume Measurement Unit 158... Stopper Opening Unit 159... Sub-Specimen Container Preparation Unit 160... Dispensing Unit 161... Transfer Unit 163... Operation Panel PC 200... Specimen Analysis System

Claims

1. A conveying device in which a plurality of magnetic circuit parts, each having teeth made of a magnetic material and windings wound around the teeth, are connected in a lattice pattern, wherein each of the substantially quadrilateral magnetic circuit parts has a plurality of first electromagnetic actuators arranged along one side of the opposing sides, a plurality of second electromagnetic actuators arranged along the other side of the opposing sides, a plurality of third electromagnetic actuators arranged along one side of the other opposing sides, a plurality of fourth electromagnetic actuators arranged along the other side of the other opposing sides, and the number of the first electromagnetic actuators is larger than the number of the second electromagnetic actuators, the number of the third electromagnetic actuators is larger than the number of the fourth electromagnetic actuators, the plurality of magnetic circuit parts are connected such that the side with a larger number of the electromagnetic actuators and the side with a smaller number of the electromagnetic actuators are adjacent to each other, and a dispensing device for dispensing a sample collected from a sample container or for dispensing a collected sample is arranged adjacent to the side with a larger number of the electromagnetic actuators. A conveying device

2. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein an inlet for an object to be conveyed is provided adjacent to the side with a smaller number of the electromagnetic actuators. A conveying device

3. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein an outlet for an object to be conveyed is provided adjacent to the side with a smaller number of the electromagnetic actuators. A conveying device

4. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein an inlet for an object to be conveyed is provided adjacent to the side with a smaller number of the electromagnetic actuators of the magnetic circuit part, and an outlet for the object to be conveyed is provided adjacent to the side with a smaller number of the electromagnetic actuators of a magnetic circuit part different from the magnetic circuit part. A conveying device

5. The conveying device according to claim 4, wherein the side with a smaller number of the electromagnetic actuators is a high-speed conveying line for the object to be conveyed, and the side with a larger number of the electromagnetic actuators is a low-speed conveying line or a retention area for the object to be conveyed. A conveying device

6. A sample analysis system comprising the conveying device according to claim 2 and a sample input device arranged adjacent to the side with a smaller number of the electromagnetic actuators

7. A sample analysis system comprising the conveying device according to claim 3 and a sample analysis device arranged adjacent to the side with a smaller number of the electromagnetic actuators

8. A specimen analysis system comprising the transport device according to claim 1 and the dispensing device arranged so as to be adjacent to the side where the number of the electromagnetic actuators is large.

9. A specimen pretreatment device comprising the transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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