Dispensing method, specimen measuring device and dispensing device

Abstract

To provide a dispensing method, a specimen measuring device and a dispensing device with which, while reducing the device size, it is possible to efficiently suck in and discharge a specimen or a reagent.SOLUTION: A dispensing method includes: a step for locating a tip part 210 of a pipette 200 at a suction position C1 where a sample below a pair of holing members 220 is sucked in via between a pair of holding members 220; a step for sucking in the sample by the pipette 200 with its tip part 210 located at the suction position C1; a step for locating the tip part 210 at a position above the pair of holding members 220; a step for moving a container holding part 201 so as to hold a container 70 by the pair of holding members 220; a step for locating the tip part 210 at a discharge position C2 where the sample is discharged to the container 70 that is held by the pair of holding members 220; and a step for discharging the sample into the container 70 by the pipette 200 with its tip part 210 located at the discharge position C2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a dispensing method, a specimen measuring device, and a dispensing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a sample analyzer that includes a catcher unit that holds and transports a cuvette, and a dispensing unit that uses a pipette to aspirate and dispense samples and reagents. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-191114 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The sample analyzers described above use separate catcher and dispensing units to aspirate and dispense samples and reagents, making them unsuitable for small devices, which require efficient aspirating and dispensing of samples and reagents.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of these points, and its object is to provide a dispensing method, a specimen measuring device, and a dispensing device that are capable of efficiently aspirating and dispensing specimens and reagents while miniaturizing the device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] As shown in FIGS. 4, 10 and 13, the dispensing method according to the present invention is a method for dispensing a sample containing at least one of a specimen and a reagent into a container (70) using a dispensing device (140) having a container holder (201) and a pipette (200) that hold the container (70) between at least a pair of spaced apart holding members (220), the method comprising the steps of: positioning a tip end (210) of the pipette (200) at an aspirating position (C1) where the tip end (210) aspirates a sample below the pair of holding members (220) through the space between the pair of holding members (220) by moving the container holder (201) and the pipette (200) relative to each other in the vertical direction without the holding members (220) holding the container (70); the step of aspirating a sample using the pipette (200); the step of positioning the tip portion (210) above the pair of holding members (220) by moving the container holding portion (201) and the pipette (200) relative to each other in the vertical direction; the step of holding the container (70) with the pair of holding members (220) by moving the container holding portion (201); the step of positioning the tip portion (210) at a discharge position (C2) where the sample is discharged into the container (70) held by the pair of holding members (220) by moving the container holding portion (201) and the pipette (200) relative to each other in the vertical direction; and the step of discharging the sample into the container (70) using the pipette (200) with the tip portion (210) positioned at the discharge position (C2).

[0007] The dispensing method according to the present invention includes the steps of: positioning the tip (210) of the pipette (200) at an aspiration position (C1) where a sample below the pair of holding members (220) is aspirated through the space between the pair of holding members (220) by relatively moving the container holding portion (220) and the pipette (200) in the vertical direction, without the holding member (220) holding the container (70); and positioning the tip (210) at a discharge position (C2) where a sample is discharged into the container (70) held by the pair of holding members (220) by relatively moving the container holding portion (201) and the pipette (200) in the vertical direction, thereby enabling the device to be miniaturized while efficiently aspirating and dispensing specimens and reagents.

[0008] As shown in Figures 4, 10 and 13, the specimen measurement device according to the present invention comprises a pipette (200) that aspirates and dispenses a sample containing at least one of a specimen and a reagent, a container holding section (201) that can hold a container (70) containing the sample between at least a pair of spaced apart holding members (220), a moving mechanism (202) that moves the pipette (200) and the container holding section (201) relative to each other in the vertical direction, and a measurement section (34) that measures the sample, and the moving mechanism (202) is configured to move the pipette (200) between an aspirating position (C1) where the tip (210) of the pipette (200) is located below the pair of holding members (220) and aspirates the sample through the pair of holding members (220), and a discharging position (C2) where the tip (210) dispenses the sample into the container (70) held by the pair of holding members (220).

[0009] In the specimen measurement device according to the present invention, the moving mechanism (202) is configured to move the pipette (200) between an aspirating position (C1) where the tip (210) of the pipette (200) is located below the pair of holding members (220) and aspirates a sample between the pair of holding members (220), and a discharging position (C2) where the tip (210) discharges the sample into the container (70) held by the pair of holding members (220). This allows the device to be made compact while efficiently aspirating and discharging specimens and reagents.

[0010] As shown in Figures 4, 10 and 13, the dispensing device according to the present invention includes a pipette (200) that aspirates and dispenses a sample containing at least one of a specimen and a reagent, a container holding section (201) that can hold a container (70) containing the sample between at least a pair of spaced apart holding members (220), and a moving mechanism (202) that moves the pipette (200) and the container holding section (201) relative to each other in the vertical direction. The moving mechanism (202) is configured to move the pipette (200) between an aspirating position (C1) where the tip (210) of the pipette (200) is located below the pair of holding members (220) and aspirates the sample through the pair of holding members (220), and a dispensing position (C2) where the tip (210) of the pipette (200) dispenses the sample into the container (70) held by the pair of holding members (220).

[0011] According to the dispensing device of the present invention, the moving mechanism (202) is configured to move the pipette (200) between an aspirating position (C1) where the tip (210) of the pipette (200) is located below the pair of holding members (220) and aspirates a sample between the pair of holding members (220), and a dispensing position (C2) where the tip (210) of the pipette (200) dispenses a sample into the container (70) held by the pair of holding members (220). This allows the device to be compact and allows for efficient aspirating and dispensing of specimens and reagents. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a dispensing method, a specimen measuring device, and a dispensing device that are capable of efficiently aspirating and dispensing specimens and reagents while miniaturizing the device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the specimen measurement device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the internal configuration of the specimen measurement device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the reaction vessel. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the dispensing device. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the transfer device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a holding member holding a reaction vessel. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the control device. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of the sample measurement method. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of the reaction vessel transfer process. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the dispensing device when the pipette and container holder are in a first position. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the dispensing device when the pipette and container holder are in the second position. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flow diagram of the sample dispensing process. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the pipetting device when the pipette is in a third position. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a flow diagram of the reagent dispensing process. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a flow diagram of the reaction vessel recovery and disposal process. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a dispensing device when a ball screw is used in the interlocking section. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a dispensing device having a locking portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of a specimen measurement device, a dispensing device, and a dispensing method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0015] <Sample measurement device> 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a specimen measurement apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. The specimen measurement apparatus 1 is a blood coagulation measurement apparatus that analyzes the activity of coagulation factors in a specimen (blood specimen).

[0016] The specimen measurement device 1 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped main body 10. The main body 10 has a cover 20 on its front that can be opened and closed, allowing the user to access the inside of the main body 10 by opening the cover 20. The main body 10 has a monitor 21 on the right side of its front, and a printer 22 below the monitor 21. A barcode reader 23 is also connected to the side of the main body 10. In this specification, "top" refers to the top side of the specimen measurement device 1 in Figure 1, and "bottom" refers to the bottom side of the specimen measurement device 1. The "front" and "rear" of the specimen measurement device 1 refer to the side of the cover 20 as the "front" and the side opposite the cover 20 as the "rear." The "left" and "right" of the specimen measurement device 1 are based on the direction when the cover 20 is viewed from the front.

[0017] The cover 20 can be rotated in the vertical direction Z or the left-right direction X to open and close the front of the device body 10 .

[0018] The monitor 21 is a touch panel display, which can input and display various information required for sample measurement, and can also display information on the results of sample measurement.

[0019] The printer 22 can print the result information of the analyte measurement.

[0020] The barcode reader 23 can read various information such as the specimen number and reagent information required for specimen measurement.

[0021] 2 is a plan view showing an example of the internal configuration of specimen measurement device 1. Inside device main body 10, specimen measurement device 1 is provided with specimen storage section 30, reagent storage section 31, two container storage sections 32, two heating sections 33, measurement section 34 sandwiched between two heating sections 33, liquid storage section 35, cleaning section 36, disposal section 37, dispensing device 140, and transport device 141 that transports dispensing device 140 in left-right direction X and front-back direction Y within device main body 10.

[0022] The sample storage section 30 is provided on the front side of the device main body 10. The sample storage section 30 has a rack installation section 52 on which a sample rack 51 is installed.

[0023] The sample rack 51 can hold a plurality of sample containers 50 containing samples arranged in a line. One sample rack 51 can be positioned and installed in the rack installation section 52. The sample rack 51 may also hold a plurality of sample containers 50 arranged in multiple lines, in which case multiple sample racks 51 can be positioned and installed in the rack installation section 52.

[0024] The reagent storage section 31 is provided on the rear side of the specimen storage section 30 of the device main body 10. The reagent storage section 31 is provided adjacent to the specimen storage section 30. The reagent storage section 31 has a rack installation section 62 on which a reagent rack 61 is installed.

[0025] The reagent rack 61 can hold a plurality of reagent containers 60 containing reagents arranged in two rows. One reagent rack 61 can be positioned and installed in the rack installation section 62. The reagent rack 61 may also hold a plurality of reagent containers 60 arranged in one row or three or more rows.

[0026] The container storage section 32 is provided on the rear side of the device main body 10. The container storage section 32 is provided behind the reagent storage section 31. The container storage section 32 has a rack installation section 72 on which a container rack 71 for holding reaction containers 70 as containers is installed.

[0027] 3, the reaction vessel 70 has a generally cylindrical shape with an open upper end and a closed lower end. The reaction vessel 70 has a body portion 70a in which a liquid is contained, and a flange portion 70b provided at the upper end of the body portion 70a and protruding radially outward.

[0028] 2, the vessel rack 71 can hold a plurality of reaction vessels 70 arranged in multiple rows and columns. The vessel rack 71 has a plurality of holding holes 73 in which the reaction vessels 70 are placed and held.

[0029] In the rack installation section 72, one or more container racks 71 can be positioned and installed.

[0030] The heating unit 33 is provided on the rear side of a rail 420 (described below) in the center of the device main body 10 in the Y direction. The heating unit 33 is provided on the right side of the container storage unit 32. The heating unit 33 has a plurality of holding holes 80 in which the reaction containers 70 are placed and held. The plurality of holding holes 80 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction X. Furthermore, each holding hole 80 is arranged in a line. The heating unit 33 can heat the reaction containers 70 held in the holding holes 80. For example, six holding holes 80 are provided.

[0031] The measurement unit 34 has a plurality of holding holes 100 in which the reaction vessels 70 are placed and held. The plurality of holding holes 100 are arranged together in an area sandwiched between the plurality of holding holes 80 of the heating unit 33. The measurement unit 34 is provided with six pairs of an irradiation unit and a light receiving unit corresponding to each holding hole 100.

[0032] The liquid storage section 35 is provided on the front side of the device main body 10. The liquid storage section 35 is provided adjacent to the right side of the reagent storage section 31. The liquid storage section 35 has a plurality of containers 110 that store diluents and cleaning solutions.

[0033] The washing unit 36 ​​is provided adjacent to the right side of the liquid storage unit 35. The washing unit 36 ​​has a washing tank 120 that washes the pipette 200 described below. The washing tank 120 stores a washing liquid.

[0034] The disposal unit 37 is provided near the cleaning unit 36. The disposal unit 37 is provided with a disposal port 130 for disposing of the reaction vessel 70.

[0035] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the specimen measurement device 1 includes a dispensing device 140 for dispensing various liquids such as specimens and reagents into a reaction container 70, and a transport device 141 for transporting the dispensing device 140 in the left-right direction X and the front-back direction Y within the device main body 10.

[0036] <Dispenser> 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the dispensing device 140. The dispensing device 140 includes a pipette 200, a container holding unit 201, a moving mechanism 202, and the like.

[0037] The pipette 200 is a long, thin tube extending in the vertical direction Z, and is capable of holding a predetermined amount of liquid therein. The pipette 200 is configured to be able to aspirate liquid from a tip 210 and to discharge the aspirated liquid. As shown in FIG. 6 , the tip 210 of the pipette 200 is bent in the vertical direction Z and configured to abut against the inner wall surface of the reaction vessel 70 held by the vessel holder 201.

[0038] The container holding unit 201 has two (a pair of) holding members 220 extending parallel to each other. The pair of holding members 220 are spaced apart from each other to form a gap A. The dimension of the gap A between the pair of holding members 220 is formed to be approximately the same as the outer diameter of the body portion 70a of the reaction container 70. The holding members 220 are oriented forward in the front-rear direction Y and can approach the reaction container 70 from the rear side, sandwich the body portion 70a of the reaction container 70, and support the flange portion 70b from below to hold the reaction container 70. The holding members 220 can also hold the reaction container 70 by sandwiching the flange portion 70b of the reaction container 70 from above and below. Whether or not the reaction container 70 is being held by the holding members 220 of the container holding unit 201 can be detected by an optical sensor 222 provided near a holding position B1, which will be described later.

[0039] The holding member 220 of the container holding part 201 is disposed below the pipette 200 and can hold the reaction container 70 at a holding position B1 on the same axis in the vertical direction Z of the pipette 200. The pipette 200 is narrower than the distance A between the two holding members 220 of the container holding part 201 and can be inserted between the two holding members 220 in the vertical direction Z.

[0040] 4 relatively moves the pipette 200 and the container holding part 201 in the vertical direction Z while maintaining the holding position B1 of the holding member 220 and the pipette 200 coaxially. The moving mechanism 202 is configured to move the pipette 200 between an aspirating position where the tip 210 of the pipette 200 is located below the holding position B1 of the holding member 220 and is used to aspirate at least one of a sample and a reagent, and a discharging position where the tip 210 of the pipette 200 is located at the holding position B1 of the holding member 220 and is used to discharge at least one of a sample and a reagent into a reaction container 70. The moving mechanism 202 is also configured to move the container holding member 220 to an access position where the tip 210 of the pipette 200 is located below the holding position B1 of the holding member 220 and is used to access the reaction container 70.

[0041] The moving mechanism 202 has a mechanical mechanism configured so that when one of the pipette 200 and the container holding part 201 rises, the other descends in conjunction with the pipette 200. The moving mechanism 202 also has a mechanical mechanism configured so that when the pipette 200 descends, the container holding part 201 ascends in conjunction with the pipette 200, and the movement of the pipette 200 is released when the container holding part 201 reaches a predetermined position. The positions of the pipette 200 and the container holding part 201 at which the ascending of the container holding part 201 is released in conjunction with the descending of the pipette 200 are the respective positions of the pipette 200 and the container holding part 201 when the second lifting member 300 abuts against the stopper 302 and the second lifting member 300 has ascended to a position where the pressing member 303 no longer presses the second lifting member 300 downward. An example of such a mechanical mechanism will be described below.

[0042] The moving mechanism 202 has a first moving unit 250 for moving the pipette 200 in the vertical direction Z, a second moving unit 251 for moving the container holding unit 201 in the vertical direction Z, a linking unit 252 for linking the first moving unit 250 and the second moving unit 251, and a driving source 253 for driving the linking unit 252.

[0043] The movement mechanism 202 has a substantially rectangular plate-shaped member 260. The plate-shaped member 260 is erected so that its plate surface faces the left-right direction X. The first movement unit 250, the second movement unit 251, and the interlocking unit 252 are provided on a first plate surface 260a on the right side of the plate-shaped member 260 in the left-right direction X (the front side in FIG. 4). The drive source 253 is provided on a second plate surface 260b on the left side of the plate-shaped member 260 in the left-right direction X (the back side in FIG. 4).

[0044] The first moving part 250 has a pipette holding member 270 that holds the pipette 200, and a first lifting member 271 to which the pipette holding member 270 is fixed and which moves up and down by an interlocking part 252. The moving mechanism 202 also has a first guide rail 272 that guides the first lifting member 271 in the vertical direction Z.

[0045] The pipette holding member 270 has a cylindrical shape with its axis facing the vertical direction Z. The pipette holding member 270 is connected to the upper part of the pipette 200 coaxially with the pipette 200. The pipette holding member 270 has a diameter larger than that of the pipette 200 and is thicker than the distance A between the two holding members 220 of the container holding part 201. A pipe 280 is connected to the upper part of the pipette holding member 270 for supplying air to and suctioning air from the inside of the pipette 200. The pipe 280 is connected to a pump device.

[0046] The first elevating member 271 has a plate shape. The pipette holding member 270 is fixed to the plate surface on the right side of the first elevating member 271 (the front side in FIG. 4).

[0047] The first lifting member 271 is movably attached to a first guide rail 272. The first guide rail 272 extends in the vertical direction Z of the first plate surface 260a of the plate-shaped member 260, and is formed from near the upper end to near the lower end of the plate-shaped member 260. The first lifting member 271 is capable of moving up and down along the first guide rail 272. The first lifting member 271 is attached to a belt 322, which will be described later.

[0048] The second moving unit 251 has a second lifting member 300 to which the container holding unit 201 is fixed and which can be raised and lowered freely, a biasing member 301 which biases the second lifting member 300 upward, a stopper 302 which stops the second lifting member 300 from rising, and a pressing member 303 which is raised and lowered by the interlocking unit 252 and can press the second lifting member 300 downward. The moving mechanism 202 also has a second guide rail 304 which guides the second lifting member 300 in the vertical direction Z.

[0049] The second lifting member 300 includes a main body 310 and an arm 311 that connects the main body 310 to the container holder 201. The main body 310 is disposed on the rear side of the pipette 200 and the container holder 201 in the front-to-rear direction Y. The main body 310 has a rectangular plate shape. The arm 311 has a generally L-shape that extends upward in the vertical direction Z from the container holder 201 and then extends rearward in the front-to-rear direction Y.

[0050] The second lifting member 300 is movably attached to a second guide rail 304. The second guide rail 304 extends in the vertical direction Z of the first plate surface 260a of the plate-shaped member 260. The second lifting member 300 is capable of moving up and down freely along the second guide rail 304.

[0051] The biasing member 301 is a spring and is oriented in the vertical direction Z. The upper end of the biasing member 301 is fixed to a position above the second lifting member 300 of the plate-shaped member 260, and the lower end is fixed to the upper part of the second lifting member 300. The biasing member 301 biases the second lifting member 300 upward.

[0052] The stopper 302 has a plate shape. The stopper 302 is provided at a position above the second lifting member 300 of the plate-shaped member 260. The stopper 302 is provided so as to come into contact with an upper portion of the second lifting member 300 and stop the lifting of the second lifting member 300 when the second lifting member 300 rises to a predetermined upper limit position, a predetermined position where the pipette 200 is inserted into the reaction vessel 70 held by the holding member 220 of the vessel holding part 201 (a position where the vessel holding part 201 (holding member 220) becomes a first position P1-1, which will be described later).

[0053] The pressing member 303 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The pressing member 303 is provided at a position above the second lifting member 300. The pressing member 303 is attached to a belt 322 (described later) and can be freely raised and lowered by the belt 322. When the pressing member 303 is lowered, it can press the second lifting member 300 downward, and can also be raised above the upper limit position of the second lifting member 300.

[0054] The second moving part 251 is configured such that, when the container holding part 201 is lowered, the interlocking part 252 causes the pressing member 303 to descend and press the second lifting member 300 downward against the biasing force of the biasing member 301, and when the container holding part 201 is raised, the interlocking part 252 causes the pressing member 303 to rise and the second lifting member 300 rises due to the biasing force of the biasing member 301, and when the container holding part 201 has risen to a predetermined position, the stopper 302 stops the second lifting member 300 from rising.

[0055] The interlocking portion 252 has a pair of pulleys 320 and 321 arranged in the vertical direction Z, and a circular belt 322 wound around the pair of pulleys 320 and 321.

[0056] The pair of pulleys 320, 321 are arranged above and below the plate-shaped member 260. The pair of pulleys 320, 321 are provided between the first guide rail 272 of the first moving part 250 and the second guide rail 304 of the second moving part 251 in the front-rear direction Y. The pulley 320 is provided near the upper part of the plate-shaped member 260, and the pulley 321 is provided near the lower part of the plate-shaped member 260.

[0057] The belt 322 is looped around a pair of pulleys 320 and 321, and belt portions 330 and 331 that face each other in the front-rear direction Y are raised and lowered in opposite directions via the pulleys 320 and 321.

[0058] The first moving part 250 is driven by the belt part 330. That is, the first lifting member 271 is attached to the belt part 330, and as the belt part 330 moves up and down, the first lifting member 271, the pipette holding member 270, and the pipette 200 move up and down.

[0059] The second moving unit 251 is driven by the belt portion 331. That is, the pressing member 303 is attached to the belt portion 331, and the pressing member 303 rises and falls as the belt portion 331 rises and falls. As the pressing member 303 rises and falls, the second lifting member 300 and the container holding unit 201 can rise and fall.

[0060] With this configuration, the interlocking part 252 can interlock the first moving part 250 and the second moving part 251.

[0061] The driving source 253 is a single motor and is connected to the pulley 320. The driving source 253 is fixed to the second plate surface 260b on the left side in the left-right direction X of the plate-shaped member 260. The driving source 253 can switch between forward and reverse rotation, and can rotate the belt 322 clockwise and counterclockwise via the pulley 320.

[0062] The moving mechanism 202 has a vibration member 350 that vibrates the reaction vessel 70 held by the vessel holding part 201. The vibration member 350 is a vibration element that vibrates when power is supplied, and is provided on the arm part 311 of the second lifting member 300.

[0063] The moving mechanism 202 has a heating unit 360 that heats the sample or reagent in the pipette 200. The heating unit 360 is a heat generating element that generates heat when power is supplied, and is provided on the pipette holding member 270.

[0064] 5 is a perspective view showing an example of the transfer device 141. The transfer device 141 transfers the dispensing device 140 to any position in the left-right direction X and the front-back direction Y within the device main body 10. The transfer device 141 has a first transfer section 400 that transfers the dispensing device 140 in the front-back direction Y, and a second transfer section 401 that transfers the dispensing device 140 in the left-right direction X.

[0065] The first transport section 400 includes a rail 410 extending in the front-rear direction Y and having the dispensing device 140 movably attached thereto, and a drive belt 412 to which the dispensing device 140 is attached and which is moved in the front-rear direction Y by a drive source 411. This allows the dispensing device 140 to move to any position in the front-rear direction Y within the device body 10.

[0066] The second transport section 401 extends in the left-right direction X and includes two rails 420 to which the dispensing device 140 and the first transport section 400 are movably attached, and a drive belt 422 to which the dispensing device 140 is attached and which is moved in the left-right direction X by a drive source 421. This allows the dispensing device 140 to move to any position in the left-right direction X within the device body 10.

[0067] The specimen measurement device 1 has a control device 430 (shown in Figure 1). As shown in Figure 7, the control device 430 has an input section 500 for various information, a display section 501 for various information, an analysis section and control section 502 for specimen measurement, a communication section 503, an I / O board 504, etc. The control device 430 is a computer having a memory and a CPU, and the CPU executes a program stored in the memory to control various operations of the drive systems of the heating section 33, measurement section 34, dispensing device 140, transport device 141, etc., and the power supply, etc. of the specimen measurement device 1, thereby enabling specimen measurement to be performed.

[0068] <Sample measurement method> Next, an example of sample measurement using the sample measurement device 1 configured as above will be described. Figure 8 shows an example of the overall process flow of sample measurement.

[0069] The sample measurement by the sample measurement device 1 mainly involves a reaction container transfer step S1, a sample dispensing step S2, a reagent dispensing step S3, a measurement step S4, and a reaction container recovery and disposal step S5, which are carried out in this order. Each of these processes is executed by the control device 430.

[0070] After the start of sample measurement, a reaction container transfer step S1 is first performed. Figure 9 shows an example of the process flow for reaction container transfer step S1. Figures 10 and 11 are schematic diagrams of dispensing device 140 for explaining the operation of pipette 200 and container holder 201.

[0071] In the reaction vessel transfer step S1, first, the dispensing device 140 is moved by the transfer device 141 to above the vessel rack 71 of the vessel storage unit 32 shown in FIG. 2 (step S1-1). At this time, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 10, the second lifting member 300 has been raised to a predetermined position where it is stopped by the stopper 302, and the vessel holding unit 201 (holding member 220) is located at a first position P1-1. The pipette 200 is located at a first position P1-2. Note that the first position P1-1 of the vessel holding unit 201 and the second position P1-2 of the pipette 200 are positions where the tip 210 of the pipette 200 is inserted into the reaction vessel 70 held by the holding member 220 of the vessel holding unit 201, and the pipette 200 can dispense a reagent into the reaction vessel 70, as shown in FIGS. 4, 6, and 10.

[0072] Next, the holding member 220 of the container holder 201 descends to an access position where it can access the reaction containers 70 in the container rack 71 (step S1-2). At this time, as shown in FIG. 11 , the drive source 253 rotates the pulleys 320 and 321, causing the belt 322 to rotate clockwise, and the pressing member 303 descends. As a result, the pressing member 303 presses the second lifting member 300 downward against the biasing force of the biasing member 301, and the holding member 220 descends to a second position P2-1. Meanwhile, the pipette 200, interlocked with the container holder 201, is elevated by the belt 322 to a second position P2-2 where the tip 210 is separated from the holding member 220. As a result, the holding member 220 moves to an access position C3 below the pipette 200 and where it can access the reaction containers 70 in the container rack 71.

[0073] Next, the holding member 220 of the vessel holding section 201 is moved forward by the transfer device 141 to hold the reaction vessel 70 on the vessel rack 71 as shown in FIG. 6 (step S1-3).

[0074] Next, the holding member 220 of the container holding unit 201 rises above the container rack 71 of the container storage unit 32 (step S1-4). At this time, as shown in FIG. 10, the drive source 253 rotates the pulleys 320 and 321, the belt 322 rotates counterclockwise, and the pressing member 303 rises. At this time, the second lifting member 300 rises due to the biasing force of the biasing member 301 until it is stopped by the stopper 302, and the holding member 220 rises to its original first position P1-1. Meanwhile, the pipette 200, interlocked with the container holding unit 201, is lowered by the belt 322 to its original first position P1-2 where the tip 210 is located near the holding member 220.

[0075] Next, the dispensing device 140 is moved by the transfer device 141 to above the heating unit 33 shown in FIG. 2 (step S1-5).

[0076] Next, the holding member 220 of the container holding unit 201 descends toward the holding hole 80 of the heating unit 33 (step S1-6). At this time, as shown in FIG. 11, the drive source 253 rotates the pulleys 320 and 321, the belt 322 rotates clockwise, and the pressing member 303 descends. As a result, the pressing member 303 presses the second lifting member 300 downward against the biasing force of the biasing member 301, and the holding member 220 descends to the second position P2-1. Meanwhile, the pipette 200, interlocked with the container holding unit 201, is elevated by the belt 322 to the second position P2-2 where the tip 210 separates from the holding member 220.

[0077] Next, the holding member 220 of the container holding section 201 is moved back by the transfer device 141, and the reaction container 70 is placed and held in the holding hole 80 of the heating section 33 (step S1-7).

[0078] Finally, holding member 220 of container holding unit 201 rises above heating unit 33 (step S1-8). At this time, as shown in FIG. 10, pulleys 320 and 321 are rotated by drive source 253, belt 322 rotates counterclockwise, and pressing member 303 rises. At this time, second lifting member 300 rises due to the biasing force of biasing member 301 until it is stopped by stopper 302, and holding member 220 rises to first position P1-1. Meanwhile, pipette 200, interlocked with container holding unit 201, is lowered by belt 322 to first position P1-2 where tip 210 is located near holding member 220. Note that container holding unit 201 cannot rise any further due to stopper 302, but pipette 200 can descend. Therefore, the interlocking between container holding unit 201 and pipette 200 is released.

[0079] Next, the sample dispensing step S2 is performed. Figure 12 shows an example of the process flow of the sample dispensing step S2.

[0080] In the sample dispensing step S2, first, the dispensing device 140 is moved by the transport device 141 to above the sample rack 51 of the sample storage section 30 shown in FIG. 2 (step S2-1).

[0081] Next, the pipette 200 descends to an aspirating position where it can access a sample container 50 in the sample rack 51 and aspirate the sample (step S2-2). At this time, as shown in FIG. 13, the drive source 253 rotates the pulleys 320 and 321, causing the belt 322 to rotate counterclockwise, and the pipette 200 descends to the third position P3-2 via the first elevating member 271 and the pipette holding member 270. Meanwhile, because the second elevating member 300 is stopped by the stopper 302, the pressing member 303 ascends away from the second elevating member 300 due to the belt 322. Therefore, the container holding unit 201 is disengaged from the pipette 200, and the holding member 220 is maintained at the first position P1-1. In this way, the pipette 200 moves to the aspirating position C1 where the tip 210 is positioned below the holding position B1 of the holding member 220 and the sample in the sample container 50 is aspirated.

[0082] Next, the pipette 200 aspirates the sample from the sample container 50 by suction through the piping 280 (step S2-3).

[0083] Next, the pipette 200 rises above the sample rack 51 of the sample storage unit 30 (step S2-4). At this time, from the state shown in Fig. 13, the pulleys 320 and 321 are rotated by the drive source 253, the belt 322 is rotated clockwise, and the pipette 200 shown in Fig. 10 rises to the first position P1-2. The pressing member 303 descends to a predetermined position where the second lifting member 300 is stopped by the stopper 302, and does not press down the second lifting member 300, so that the holding member 220 is maintained at the first position P1-1.

[0084] Next, the dispensing device 140 is moved to above the heating unit 33 by the transfer device 141 (step S2-5).

[0085] Next, the pipette 200 descends toward the reaction vessel 70 of the heating unit 33 (step S2-6). At this time, as shown in Fig. 13, the drive source 253 rotates the pulleys 320 and 321, causing the belt 322 to rotate counterclockwise, and the pipette 200 descends to a third position P3-2 below the holding member 220, and the tip 210 is inserted into the reaction vessel 70 of the heating unit 33. Meanwhile, the vessel holding unit 201 is disengaged from the pipette 200, and the holding member 220 is maintained at the first position P1-1.

[0086] Next, the pipette 200 injects the sample in the pipette 200 into the reaction vessel 70 in the heating unit 33 by air supply through the piping 280 (step S2-7).

[0087] Next, the pipette 200 is raised above the heating unit 33 (step S2-8). At this time, the pipette 200 is raised to the first position P1-2 as shown in Fig. 10, and the holding member 220 is maintained at the first position P1-1.

[0088] Next, the dispensing device 140 is moved to above the washing unit 36 ​​by the transfer device 141 (step S2-9).

[0089] Next, the pipette 200 descends toward the cleaning tank 120 of the cleaning unit 36 ​​(step S2-10). At this time, as shown in Fig. 13, the pipette 200 descends to a third position P3-2 below the holding member 220, and the tip 210 is inserted into the cleaning tank 120 of the cleaning unit 36. Meanwhile, the container holding unit 201 is disengaged from the pipette 200, and the holding member 220 is maintained at the first position P1-1.

[0090] Next, the pipette 200 is washed with the washing liquid in the washing tank 120 (step S2-11).

[0091] Finally, the pipette 200 is raised above the cleaning unit 36 ​​(step S2-12). At this time, the pipette 200 is raised to the first position P1-2 as shown in Fig. 10, and the holding member 220 is maintained at the first position P1-1.

[0092] In the above-described sample dispensing step S2, the pipette 200 may aspirate the diluent from the container 110 in the liquid storage section 35 before aspirating the sample from the sample container 50 in the sample storage section 30, and then subsequently aspirate the sample from the sample container 50 in the sample storage section 30. In such a case, the pipette 200 descends to the third position P3-2 (aspirating position C1) in the liquid storage section 35, the tip 210 is inserted into the container 110, the diluent is aspirated, and then the pipette 200 rises above the liquid storage section 35, as described above.

[0093] Next, the reagent dispensing step S3 is performed. Figure 14 shows an example of the process flow of the reagent dispensing step S3.

[0094] First, the dispensing device 140 is moved by the transfer device 141 to above the reagent rack 61 of the reagent storage section 31 shown in FIG. 2 (step S3-1).

[0095] Next, the pipette 200 descends to an aspirating position C1 where it can access the reagent container 60 in the reagent rack 61 and aspirate the reagent (step S3-2). At this time, as shown in FIG. 13, the belt 322 rotates counterclockwise, the pipette 200 descends to a third position P3-2, and the tip 210 is inserted into the reagent container 60. Meanwhile, the container holder 201 is disengaged from the pipette 200, and the holding member 220 is maintained at the first position P1-1. In this way, the pipette 200 moves to an aspirating position C1 where the tip 210 is positioned below the holding position B1 of the holding member 220 and where the reagent in the reagent container 60 is aspirated.

[0096] Next, the pipette 200 sucks the reagent from the reagent container 60 by suction through the piping 280 (step S3-3).

[0097] Next, the pipette 200 rises above the reagent rack 61 of the reagent containing section 31 (step S3-4). At this time, the pipette 200 rises to the first position P1-2 as shown in Fig. 10, and the holding member 220 is maintained at the first position P1-1.

[0098] Next, the reagent in the pipette 200 is heated by the heating unit 360 (step S3-5).

[0099] While the reagent in the pipette 200 is being heated, the dispensing device 140 is moved by the transport device 141 to above the heating unit 33 (step S3-6).

[0100] Next, the holding member 220 of the container holding unit 201 descends toward the reaction container 70 in the heating unit 33 (step S3-7). At this time, as shown in FIG. 11 , the belt 322 rotates clockwise, the pressing member 303 presses the second lifting member 300 downward, and the holding member 220 descends to a second position P2-1. Meanwhile, the pipette 200, linked to the container holding unit 201, is elevated by the belt 322 to a second position P2-2 where the tip 210 is separated from the holding member 220. As a result, the holding member 220 moves to an access position C3 below the pipette 200 and at which the reaction container 70 in the heating unit 33 is accessible.

[0101] Next, the holding member 220 is moved forward by the transfer device 141 to hold the reaction vessel 70 in the heating section 33 (step S3-8).

[0102] Next, the holding member 220 of the container holding unit 201 rises above the heating unit 33, and the pipette 200 descends and is inserted into the reaction container 70 (step S3-9). At this time, as shown in FIG. 10, the belt 322 rotates counterclockwise, the pressing member 303 rises, the second lifting member 300 rises to a predetermined position where it is stopped by the stopper 302, and the holding member 220 rises to the first position P1-1. The pipette 200 is then lowered by the belt 322 to the first position P1-2. In this way, the tip 210 of the pipette 200 is inserted into the reaction container 70 of the holding member 220, and the pipette 200 moves to the dispensing position C2 where the reagent is dispensed into the reaction container 70 at the holding position B1 of the holding member 220.

[0103] Next, the pipette 200 injects the reagent of the pipette 200 into the reaction vessel 70 of the holding member 220 by supplying air through the piping 280 (step S3-10).

[0104] Next, the reaction vessel 70 of the holding member 220 is vibrated by the vibrating member 350, and the sample and the reagent are agitated (step S3-11).

[0105] Next, the dispensing device 140 is moved to above the measurement unit 34 by the transfer device 141 (step S3-12).

[0106] Next, the holding member 220 of the container holding unit 201 descends toward the holding hole 100 of the measurement unit 34 (step S3-13). At this time, as shown in Fig. 11, the belt 322 rotates clockwise, the pressing member 303 presses the second lifting member 300 downward, and the holding member 220 descends to the second position P2-1. Meanwhile, the pipette 200, interlocked with the container holding unit 201, is elevated by the belt 322 to the second position P2-2 where the tip 210 is separated from the holding member 220.

[0107] Next, the holding member 220 is moved backward by the transfer device 141, and the reaction vessel 70 is placed and held in the holding hole 100 of the measurement section 34 (step S3-14).

[0108] Finally, the holding member 220 of the container holding unit 201 rises above the measurement unit 34 (step S3-15). At this time, as shown in Fig. 10, the pressing member 303 rises by the belt 322, the second lifting member 300 rises until it is stopped by the stopper 302, and the holding member 220 rises to the first position P1-1. The pipette 200 is lowered by the belt 322 to the first position P1-2.

[0109] Next, the measurement step S4 is carried out. In the measurement unit 34, a blood coagulation measurement is carried out to analyze the activity of the coagulation factors in the blood sample.

[0110] Finally, a reaction vessel recovery and disposal step S5 is performed. Figure 15 shows an example of a process flow of the reaction vessel recovery and disposal step S5.

[0111] First, the dispensing device 140 is moved by the transport device 141 to above the measurement unit 34 shown in FIG. 2 (step S5-1).

[0112] Next, holding member 220 of container holding unit 201 descends to access position C3, which allows access to reaction container 70 of measurement unit 34 (step S5-2). At this time, as shown in FIG. 11 , pressing member 303 presses second lifting member 300 downward by belt 332, and holding member 220 descends to second position P2-1. Pipette 200, in conjunction with container holding unit 201, is elevated by belt 322 to second position P2-2, where tip 210 is separated from holding member 220. As a result, holding member 220 moves to access position C3, which is a position below pipette 200 and allows access to reaction container 70 of measurement unit 34.

[0113] Next, the holding member 220 of the container holding section 201 is moved forward by the transfer device 141 to hold the reaction container 70 of the measurement section 34 (step S5-3).

[0114] Next, the holding member 220 of the container holding part 201 rises above the measurement part 34 (step S5-4). At this time, as shown in FIG. 10, the holding member 220 rises to the first position P1-1, and the pipette 200 descends to the first position P1-2.

[0115] Next, the dispensing device 140 is moved by the transfer device 141 to above the disposal unit 37 shown in FIG. 2 (step S5-5).

[0116] Next, the holding member 220 of the container holding part 201 descends toward the disposal port 130 of the disposal part 37 (step S5-6). At this time, as shown in FIG. 11, the holding member 220 descends to the second position P2-1, and the pipette 200 ascends to the second position P2-2.

[0117] Next, the reaction vessel 70 of the holding member 220 is discarded in the disposal section 37 (step S5-7).

[0118] Finally, the holding member 220 rises above the disposal unit 37 (step S5-8). At this time, as shown in FIG. 10, the holding member 220 rises to the first position P1-1, and the pipette 200 descends to the first position P1-2.

[0119] According to this embodiment, the specimen measurement device 1 and the dispensing device 140 include a pipette 200, a container holding unit 201 capable of holding a reaction container 70 between at least a pair of spaced-apart holding members 220, and a moving mechanism 202 that moves the pipette 200 and the container holding unit 201 relatively in the vertical direction. The moving mechanism 202 is configured to move the pipette 200 between an aspirating position C1 where the tip 210 of the pipette 200 is located below the pair of holding members 220 and aspirates the sample through the gap A between the pair of holding members 220, and a dispensing position C2 where the tip 210 dispenses the sample into the reaction container 70 held by the pair of holding members 220. With this configuration, the moving mechanism 202 can move the pipette 200 and the container holding portion 201 relative to each other in the vertical direction Z, and move the pipette 200 to the suction position C1 and the discharge position C2, thereby simplifying the configuration of the sample measurement device 1 and making the sample measurement device 1 smaller while efficiently aspirating and discharging samples and reagents.

[0120] Movement mechanism 202 is configured to relatively move pipette 200 and container holding part 201 in the vertical direction while maintaining pipette 200 and pair of holding members 220 coaxially. This simplifies the configuration of specimen measurement device 1, making specimen measurement device 1 more compact, while enabling specimens and reagents to be efficiently aspirated and discharged.

[0121] Movement mechanism 202 is configured to move holding member 220 to a position (access position C3) below pipette 200 that is accessible to reaction vessel 70. This further simplifies the configuration of specimen measurement device 1, making specimen measurement device 1 more compact, while allowing specimens and reagents to be efficiently aspirated and discharged.

[0122] Movement mechanism 202 has a mechanism configured so that when one of pipette 200 and container holding part 201 (holding member 220) rises, the other descends in conjunction with it. This allows the configuration of movement mechanism 202 to be simplified and made smaller, thereby further simplifying the configuration of specimen measurement device 1 and making specimen measurement device 1 more compact, while still allowing specimens and reagents to be efficiently aspirated and discharged.

[0123] The moving mechanism 202 has a mechanism configured such that the pipette 200 descends, the container holding part 201 ascends in conjunction with the descending of the pipette 200, the interlock is released when the container holding part 201 has ascended to a predetermined position, and the pipette 200 descends in a state where the ascending of the container holding part 201 has stopped (a state where the interlock is released). With this configuration, the pipette 200 can be descended without interlocking with the container holding part 201, so the amount of descent of the pipette 200 can be secured, and as a result, the pipette 200 can be easily moved to the suction position C1, the discharge position C2, etc.

[0124] The movement mechanism 202 has a first movement unit 250 for moving the pipette 200 in the vertical direction Z, a second movement unit 251 for moving the container holding unit 201 in the vertical direction Z, an interlocking unit 252 for interlocking the first movement unit 250 and the second movement unit 251, and a drive source 253 for driving the interlocking unit 252. This allows the pipette 200 and the container holding unit 201 to be interlocked appropriately.

[0125] The first moving part 250 has a pipette holding member 270 that holds the pipette 200, and a first lifting member 271 to which the pipette holding member 270 is fixed and which is lifted and lowered by an interlocking part 252. This allows the pipette 200 to be held and lifted and lowered in an appropriate manner.

[0126] The movement mechanism 202 further includes the first guide rail 272 that guides the first lifting member 271 in the vertical direction Z, so that the first lifting member 271 can be lifted and lowered stably with a simple configuration.

[0127] The second moving section 251 has a second lifting member 300 to which the container holding section 201 is fixed and which can be raised and lowered freely, a biasing member 301 which biases the second lifting member 300 upward, a stopper 302 which stops the second lifting member 300 from rising, and a pressing member 303 which is raised and lowered by the interlocking section 252 and can press the second lifting member 300 downward. When second moving unit 251 lowers container holding unit 201, interlocking unit 252 lowers pressing member 303, which presses second lifting member 300 downward against the biasing force of biasing member 301. When second moving unit 251 raises container holding unit 201, interlocking unit 252 raises pressing member 303, which raises second lifting member 300 due to the biasing force of biasing member 301. When container holding unit 201 rises to a predetermined position, stopper 302 stops the lifting of second lifting member 300. This configuration allows container holding unit 201 to be raised and lowered in an appropriate manner. Furthermore, the pipette 200 and container holding unit 201 can be interlocked and released with a simple configuration.

[0128] The movement mechanism 202 further includes the second guide rail 304 that guides the second lifting member 300 in the vertical direction Z, so that the second lifting member 300 can be lifted and lowered stably and appropriately.

[0129] The interlocking unit 252 has a pair of pulleys 320, 321 arranged in the vertical direction Z and a circular belt 322 looped around the pair of pulleys 320, 321, and the first moving unit 250 and the second moving unit 251 are driven by belt portions 330, 331 of the belt 322 that move in opposite vertical directions Z. This configuration allows the pipette 200 and the container holding unit 201 to be interlocked appropriately with a simple configuration.

[0130] The moving mechanism 202 has a plate-shaped member 260, and the first moving part 250, the second moving part 251 and the interlocking part 252 are provided on a first plate surface 260a of the plate-shaped member 260. This makes the moving mechanism 202 more compact, and the specimen measurement device 1 can be made smaller.

[0131] The pipette 200 has a tip 210 that is bent relative to the vertical Z axis, so that the tip 210 can be brought into contact with or close to the inner wall surface of the reaction vessel 70, thereby allowing the sample or reagent to be injected properly from the pipette 200 into the reaction vessel 70 without splashing.

[0132] The moving mechanism 202 has a vibration member 350 that vibrates the reaction vessel 70 held by the holding member 220, and therefore can agitate the liquid in the reaction vessel 70 while holding the reaction vessel 70.

[0133] The moving mechanism 202 has a heating unit 360 that heats the specimen or reagent in the pipette 200, so that the specimen or reagent can be heated while being transferred by the pipette 200.

[0134] The specimen measurement method in the above embodiment includes the steps of positioning tip 210 of pipette 200 at aspiration position C1 where a sample below pair of holding members 220 is aspirated through the space between pair of holding members 220 by relatively moving container holding part 201 and pipette 200 in the vertical direction without holding a container with holding member 220; aspirating the sample by pipette 200 with tip 210 positioned at aspiration position C1; and relatively moving container holding part 201 and pipette 200 in the vertical direction. the step of positioning tip portion 210 above pair of holding members 220 by moving container holding portion 201, the step of holding the container with pair of holding members 220 by moving container holding portion 201 relative to one another in the vertical direction to position tip portion 210 at discharge position C2 where the sample is discharged into the container held by pair of holding members 220, and the step of discharging the sample into the container by pipette 200 with tip portion 210 positioned at discharge position C2. This simplifies the configuration of specimen measurement device 1 that performs this specimen measurement method, and specimen measurement device 1 can be made smaller while efficiently aspirating and discharging specimens and reagents.

[0135] In the sample dispensing step S2 of the above embodiment, the pipette 200 may dispense the sample into the reaction vessel 70 held at holding position B1 of the holding member 220. In this case, after the holding member 220 holds the reaction vessel 70 at holding position B1 as shown in FIG. 11 , the pressing member 303 is raised by the belt 322, the second lifting member 300 is raised to a predetermined position where it is stopped by the stopper 302, and the holding member 220 is raised to the first position P1-1 as shown in FIG. 10 . The pipette 200 is lowered to the first position P1-2 by the belt 322. In this way, the tip 210 of the pipette 200 is inserted into the reaction vessel 70 of the holding member 220, and the pipette 200 moves to a dispensing position C2 where the pipette 200 dispenses the sample into the reaction vessel 70 held at holding position B1 of the holding member 220.

[0136] In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16 , the interlocking unit 252 may have two ball screws 500, 501 extending in the vertical direction Z and arranged side by side in the horizontal direction, and gears 502, 503 that rotate the two ball screws 500, 501 in opposite directions, and the first moving unit 250 and the second moving unit 251 may be driven by different ball screws of the two ball screws 500, 501.

[0137] In this case, first lifting member 271 of first moving unit 250 is attached to ball screw 500, and pressing member 303 of second moving unit 251 is attached to ball screw 501. Two gears 502, 503 are rotated in opposite directions by drive source 253, and ball screws 500, 501 rotate in opposite directions. As a result, when first lifting member 271 rises and pipette 200 rises, pressing member 303 descends in conjunction with this, and container holding unit 201 descends via second lifting member 300. Furthermore, when pressing member 303 rises and container holding unit 201 rises, first lifting member 271 descends in conjunction with this, and pipette 200 descends. According to this example, pipette 200 and container holding unit 201 can be appropriately interlocked with each other with a simple configuration.

[0138] In the above-described embodiments, the dispensing device 140 of the sample measurement device 1 may further have a locking portion that locks the components on the pipette 200 side and the container holding portion 201 side together when the pipette 200 descends, and presses down the position of the container holding portion 201.

[0139] 17, the first lifting and lowering member 271 is provided with a protrusion 530 that protrudes toward the second lifting and lowering member 300 (rear side), and the second lifting and lowering member 300 is provided with a protrusion 531 that protrudes toward the first lifting and lowering member 271 (front side). When the first lifting and lowering member 271 and the second lifting and lowering member 300 move up and down, the protrusions 530 and 531 engage with each other.

[0140] 13 relative to the holding member 220 of the container holding unit 201, the protrusion 530 of the first lifting member 271 shown in FIG. 17 engages with the protrusion 531 of the second lifting member 300, pushing down the second lifting member 300. This maintains the distance between the holding member 220 of the container holding unit 201 and the pipette holding member 270, preventing them from interfering with each other. As a result, the pipette 200 can be lowered to a lower position relative to the holding member 220, ensuring a sufficient amount of descent of the pipette 200. As a result, the pipette 200 can be easily moved to the aspiration position C1, the discharge position C2, etc. In addition, the protrusion 530 is not limited to the first lifting member 271, but may be provided on the pipette holding member 270, the pipette 200, etc., and the protrusion 531 is not limited to the second lifting member 300, but may be provided on the container holding portion 201.

[0141] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear that those skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications and alterations within the scope of the ideas described in the claims, and it is understood that these modifications and alterations also fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0142] The specimen measurement device 1 described in the above embodiment may have a different configuration. The pipette 200, container holding unit 201, moving mechanism 202, etc. of the dispensing device 140 may also have a different configuration.

[0143] The specimen measurement device of the present invention can also be applied to specimen measurements other than blood coagulation measurements, such as blood immunoanalysis, blood cell count measurement, biochemical analysis, and urine analysis. [Industrial Applicability]

[0144] The present invention is useful in providing a dispensing method, a specimen measuring device, and a dispensing device that can efficiently aspirate and discharge specimens and reagents while miniaturizing the device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0145] 1. Sample measurement device 70 reaction vessels 140 Dispensing Device 200 pipettes 201 Container holding part 202 Moving mechanism 210 Tip 220 Retaining member 250 First Mobile Unit 251 Second Mobile Unit 252 Interlocking part 253 Power Source 270 Pipette holding member 271 first lifting member 272 First Guide Rail 300 Second lifting member 301 biasing member 302 Stopper 303 Pressing member 304 Second guide rail 320, 321 pulleys 322 Belt

Claims

1. A dispensing method for dispensing a sample containing at least one of a specimen and a reagent into a container using a dispensing device having a container holding unit that holds a container between at least a pair of spaced-apart holding members and a pipette, the method comprising: a step of positioning the tip of the pipette at an aspirating position where the sample is aspirated below the pair of holding members through the space between the pair of holding members by moving the container holding unit and the pipette relatively in a vertical direction without the holding members holding the container; aspirating the sample with the pipette whose tip is positioned at the aspirating position; a step of positioning the tip portion above the pair of holding members by moving the container holding portion and the pipette relatively in a vertical direction; a step of holding the container with the pair of holding members by moving the container holding portion; a step of positioning the tip of the pipette at a dispensing position where the sample is dispensed into the container held by the pair of holding members by relatively moving the container holding unit and the pipette in a vertical direction; and discharging the sample into the container using the pipette with the tip positioned at the dispensing position.

2. 2. The dispensing method according to claim 1, wherein in the aspirating step, at least one of the specimen contained in a specimen container and the reagent contained in a reagent container is aspirated by the pipette with the tip positioned at the aspirating position.

3. In the step of positioning the tip portion at the aspiration position, the pair of holding members and the pipette are maintained coaxially, and the container holding portion and the pipette are relatively moved in a vertical direction; In the step of holding the container with the pair of holding members, the pair of holding members and the pipette are maintained coaxially, and the container holding unit and the pipette are relatively moved in a vertical direction; The dispensing method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the step of positioning the tip at the discharge position, the container holding part and the pipette are moved relative to each other in the vertical direction while the pair of holding members and the pipette are maintained coaxially.

4. The dispensing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising the step of positioning the pair of holding members below the tip portion at a position where the container can be accessed.

5. The relative movement of the container holder and the pipette in the vertical direction is The dispensing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a step of lowering one of the container holder and the pipette in conjunction with raising the other.

6. The relative movement of the container holder and the pipette in the vertical direction is 6. The dispensing method according to claim 5, further comprising a step of lowering the pipette and raising the pair of holding members in conjunction with the lowering of the pipette, releasing the linkage when the pair of holding members have risen to a predetermined position, and lowering the pipette with the pair of holding members no longer rising.

7. moving the container holder and the pipette in a horizontal direction; The dispensing method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising the step of discharging the sample into the container by moving the container holder and the pipette horizontally, followed by the step of moving the container onto a measurement unit.

8. a pipette for aspirating and discharging a sample containing at least one of a specimen and a reagent; a container holding portion capable of holding a container containing the sample between at least a pair of spaced apart holding members; a moving mechanism that moves the pipette and the container holder relative to each other in a vertical direction; a measurement unit for measuring the sample, The moving mechanism is configured to move the pipette to an aspirating position where the tip of the pipette is located below the pair of holding members and aspirates the sample through the pair of holding members, and to a discharging position where the tip of the pipette discharges the sample into the container held by the pair of holding members.

9. The sample measurement device according to claim 8, wherein the pipette is configured to aspirate at least one of the sample contained in a sample container and the reagent contained in a reagent container using the tip positioned at the aspirating position.

10. The specimen measurement device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the moving mechanism is configured to move the pipette and the container holding portion relative to each other in the vertical direction while maintaining the pipette and the pair of holding members coaxially.

11. A specimen measurement device as described in any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the moving mechanism is configured to move the pair of holding members to a position below the pipette and accessible to the container.

12. The specimen measurement device according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the moving mechanism has a mechanism configured such that when one of the pipette and the container holding part rises, the other falls in conjunction with it.

13. The specimen measurement device of claim 12, wherein the moving mechanism is configured such that the pipette descends and the pair of holding members rise in conjunction with the descending of the pipette, and when the pair of holding members rise to a predetermined position, the interlocking is released, and the pipette descends with the pair of holding members no longer rising.

14. The moving mechanism includes: a first moving unit for moving the pipette in a vertical direction; a second moving unit for moving the container holding unit in a vertical direction; an interlocking unit for interlocking the first moving unit and the second moving unit; The specimen measurement device according to claim 13 , further comprising: a drive source that drives the interlocking portion.

15. The first moving unit includes: a pipette holding member for holding the pipette; The specimen measurement device according to claim 14 , further comprising: a first lifting member to which the pipette holding member is fixed and which is lifted and lowered by the interlocking portion.

16. The specimen measurement device according to claim 15, further comprising a first guide rail that guides the first lifting member in the vertical direction.

17. The second moving unit includes: a second lifting member to which the container holding portion is fixed and which can be raised and lowered; a biasing member that biases the second lifting member upward; a stopper that stops the second lifting member from rising; a pressing member that is raised and lowered by the interlocking portion and that can press the second lifting member downward; and When the container holding part is lowered, the pressing member is lowered by the interlocking part, and the second lifting member is pressed downward against the biasing force of the biasing member, A specimen measurement device as described in any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein when the container holding portion is raised, the pressing member is raised by the interlocking portion, the second lifting member is raised by the biasing force of the biasing member, and when the container holding portion is raised to the predetermined position, the rise of the second lifting member is stopped by the stopper.

18. The specimen measurement device according to claim 17 , further comprising a second guide rail that guides the second lifting member in the vertical direction.

19. The interlocking portion is A pair of pulleys arranged in a vertical direction; a circular belt wound around the pair of pulleys, The specimen measurement device according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the first moving part and the second moving part are driven by belt parts of the belt that move in opposite vertical directions.

20. the moving mechanism has a plate-like member, A specimen measurement device as described in any one of claims 14 to 19, wherein the first moving part, the second moving part and the interlocking part are provided on a first plate surface of the plate-shaped member.

21. A specimen measurement device as described in any one of claims 8 to 20, further comprising a locking portion that locks the pipette side member and the container holding portion side member to each other when the pipette is lowered, and presses down the position of the container holding portion.

22. The specimen measurement device according to any one of claims 8 to 21, wherein the pipette has a tip that is bent relative to a vertical axis.

23. The specimen measurement device according to any one of claims 8 to 22, wherein the movement mechanism has a vibration member that vibrates the container held by the holding member.

24. The specimen measurement device according to any one of claims 8 to 23, wherein the moving mechanism has a heating unit that heats the sample aspirated by the pipette.

25. a transfer device that moves the container holder and the pipette in a horizontal direction; A specimen measurement device as described in any one of claims 8 to 24, wherein the transfer device is configured to move the container onto the measurement unit by moving the container holding unit and the pipette horizontally.

26. a pipette for aspirating and discharging a sample containing at least one of a specimen and a reagent; a container holding portion capable of holding a container containing the sample between at least a pair of spaced apart holding members; a moving mechanism that moves the pipette and the container holder relative to each other in a vertical direction, The moving mechanism is configured to move the pipette to an aspirating position where the tip of the pipette is located below the pair of holding members and aspirates the sample between the pair of holding members, and to a dispensing position where the tip of the pipette dispenses the sample into the container held by the pair of holding members.

Images