Analytical device

Abstract

To provide a technique for suppressing mixing of air bubbles into a nozzle for sucking a liquid from a container, when replacing the container.SOLUTION: A suction nozzle includes: a nozzle part which has a suction port inserted in a container for storing a liquid, and for delivering the liquid to a measurement unit of an analyzer; and a cup-like member which has a recess part for storing the liquid around the suction port and a liquid inflow port for introducing the liquid to the recess part, and which is connected to the nozzle part. The nozzle part and the cup-like member are mounted on the container in such a manner that the liquid inflow port of the cup-like member is positioned vertically above the suction port of the nozzle part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, a technique for replacing external reagent containers that store reagents outside of a reagent refrigerator in an automatic analyzer has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1). In this technique, a reagent storage flow path is provided that is switchable, so that external reagent containers can be replaced during analysis.

[0003] Furthermore, an automatic analyzer that can replenish detergent without interrupting the measurement operation has also been proposed (for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2018 / 173560 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-133784 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When replacing a container that holds a liquid such as a cleaning solution in an analyzer, there is a risk of air bubbles getting into the suction nozzle when the nozzle is replaced with a new container. Operating the analyzer with air bubbles in the nozzle can result in insufficient volume of liquid being used. Furthermore, if air bubbles get into the nozzle, the liquid in the piping can be replaced by priming the nozzle with a new container, but this requires the analyzer to pause processing. Thus, air bubbles getting into the nozzle can reduce the device's processing capacity per hour, require the user to operate the device, and result in the waste of liquid during priming.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for preventing air bubbles from entering a nozzle that sucks liquid from a container when the container is replaced. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The suction nozzle of the present invention has an inlet that is inserted into a container that holds a liquid, a nozzle portion for sending the liquid to a measurement unit of an analytical device, a recess for storing the liquid around the inlet, and a liquid inlet for introducing the liquid into the recess, and is equipped with a cup-shaped member connected to the nozzle portion, and the nozzle portion and cup-shaped member are attached to the container so that the liquid inlet of the cup-shaped member is positioned vertically above the suction port of the nozzle portion.

[0008] As described above, since the liquid inlet of the cup-shaped member is located vertically above the suction port of the nozzle, the suction port of the nozzle is located in the liquid stored in the cup-shaped member, which prevents air bubbles from entering the nozzle that sucks the liquid from the container when replacing the container.

[0009] Furthermore, when the nozzle portion and the cup-shaped member are attached to the container, the opening of the recess, which is the liquid inlet, may face vertically upward. For example, a cup-shaped member having a recess that opens upward may be used.

[0010] The side wall forming the recess has an inner shape including a connecting portion corresponding to the outer shape of the suction nozzle and a separating portion forming a space for storing liquid around the suction nozzle. The connecting portion may be welded to the suction nozzle, which makes it difficult for the cup-shaped member to come off inside the container.

[0011] The analyzer according to the present invention also includes a pump, a selector valve for switching a flow path for delivering liquid to the pump, and the above-mentioned suction nozzle connected to the selector valve, and the suction nozzle is connected to the selector valve. In this way, the suction nozzle attached to a container with a low remaining amount can be put into an unused state by the selector valve, and the suction nozzle can be replaced with a new container without interrupting the operation of the analyzer.

[0012] The contents of the means for solving the problem can be combined as much as possible without departing from the problem and technical idea of ​​the present invention. The contents of the means for solving the problem can be provided as a device such as a computer or a system including multiple devices, a method executed by a computer, or a program executed by a computer. The program can also be executed over a network. A recording medium storing the program may also be provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] It is possible to provide a technique for suppressing the intrusion of air bubbles into a nozzle that sucks liquid from a container when the container is replaced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of an analysis device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the bottle and the suction nozzle. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of the structure of the cup and a manufacturing method thereof. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a cross-sectional view of the tip of the cup and the nozzle portion cut along another cutting plane. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the replacement of the bottle. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a part of the configuration of the analyzer. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a process flow diagram showing an example of the exchange process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The analyzer according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0016] <Device configuration> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the external appearance of an analytical device 1000. The analytical device 1000 is an analytical device that performs a plurality of types of analysis using different measurement techniques, such as biochemical analysis and immunological analysis. The analytical device 1000 is, for example, an analytical device that performs a method using an LPIA (Latex Photometric Immunoassay) method. The analyzer 1000 can perform measurements such as chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay (near-infrared turbidimetry), chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay, and blood coagulation time measurement. The analyzer 1000 includes a measurement unit housing 1, a bottle housing 2, a monitor 3, and a status output unit 4. The measurement unit housing 1 houses a plurality of measurement units according to the embodiment. The bottle housing 2 houses containers (hereinafter referred to as "bottles") 21 for storing pure water, cleaning solution, and wastewater, a waste box for collecting cuvettes to be discarded, and a computer for controlling the processes performed by the measurement units housed in the measurement unit housing 1. The monitor 3 is connected to the computer and outputs the progress and results of the measurement. The monitor 3 may also be an input / output device, such as a touch panel, that can be operated by an operator. The status output unit 4 is connected to the computer and flashes or lights up a warning light to notify the operator if an abnormality occurs in the process performed by the measurement unit housing 1.

[0017] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the bottle and the suction nozzle. The bottle 21 is a container made of resin, such as polyvinyl chloride. The bottle 21 contains a predetermined cleaning liquid or the like, and supplies the contained liquid to the measurement unit via the suction nozzle 22. The contained liquid is, for example, but is not limited to, a strong alkaline cleaning liquid used to clean the sample nozzle that dispenses the specimen, or a BF cleaning liquid used to clean the inside of a cuvette in the B / F (bound / free) separation step in immunoassay.

[0018] The suction nozzle 22 is also made of a resin such as polyvinyl chloride. The suction nozzle 22 is connected to the end of a pipe that delivers liquid to be supplied to the measurement unit of the analyzer 1000. The suction nozzle 22 is housed in the bottle 21 and attached to the opening of the bottle 21 with a cap 23. The suction nozzle 22 includes a linear nozzle portion 221 and a cup-shaped member (hereinafter referred to as a "cup") 222 connected to the tip of the nozzle. The cup 222 is a concave member that can accommodate the tip of the nozzle portion 221 and can store the liquid in the bottle 21 so that the liquid level is located higher than the tip of the nozzle portion 221. The opening of the recess of the cup 222 faces vertically upward when the suction nozzle 22 is attached to the bottle 21, and the recess can store liquid. The nozzle portion 221 and the cup 222 may be welded together. Welding makes it difficult for the cup 222 to come off inside the bottle 21. The suction nozzle 22 is also connected to a pump (not shown), and the liquid in the bottle 21 is sent to the measurement unit via the suction nozzle 22.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cup structure and manufacturing method. FIG. 3 shows three steps (1) to (3). At each step, a perspective view is shown on the left, and cross-sectional views along lines AA, BB, and CC of each perspective view are shown on the right. The cup 222 is, for example, formed by cutting a cylindrical material to form a recess inside the material. First, as shown in the upper part (1) of FIG. 3, five holes are cut vertically downward from the top surface of the cylindrical material. Specifically, a non-through hole 2221 is formed in one central location on the top surface, and four non-through holes 2222, each spatially integrated with the non-through hole 2221, are cut at equal intervals around the non-through hole 2221, forming a single recess overall. The non-through holes 2221 and 2222 form a space for storing liquid, and the upper ends of the non-through holes 2221 and 2222 serve as liquid inlet ports for the recess.

[0020] 3, a non-through hole 2223 is cut vertically downward from the center of the upper surface, the non-through hole 2223 having a diameter larger than the diameter of the non-through hole cut in (1) above and a depth shallower than the depth of the non-through hole cut in (1) above. A step 2224 is formed at the bottom of the non-through hole 2223 cut in this step, the step 2224 being higher than the bottoms of the non-through holes 2221 and 2222 cut in (1) above. The non-through hole 2223 becomes a space into which the nozzle part 221 is inserted.

[0021] Then, as shown in the lower part (3) of FIG. 3, the tip of the nozzle portion 221 is inserted into the non-through hole 2223. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a cross-sectional view of the cup 222 and the tip of the nozzle portion 221, cut along a different cut plane than that of FIG. 3 (3). The left side of FIG. 4 shows a perspective view, and the right side shows a DD cross-sectional view of the perspective view. The nozzle portion 221 is formed by combining a cylindrical member and a filter. Specifically, the nozzle portion 221 includes a tubular portion 2211, a tip portion 2212 connected to the end of the tubular portion 2211, and a filter 2213 held by the tip portion 2212. The filter 2213 is made of, for example, a fibrous material or a porous material and is capable of filtering the liquid to be sucked; however, the suction nozzle 22 does not necessarily have to include the filter 2213. The outer diameter of the tip portion 2212 is approximately the same as the diameter of the non-through hole 2223 cut in (2) above, and the tip portion 2212 can be inserted into the cup 222. The portion indicated by the thick line in the perspective view of FIG. 4 (the portion whose slope is indicated by the black triangle in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4) is welded to form a connection portion 2225 between the nozzle portion 221 and the cup 222. In other words, the shape of the inside of the non-through hole 2223 corresponds to the outer shape of the tip portion 2212, and they can be welded together. In addition, the tip portion 2212, which is the suction port of the suction nozzle 22, The tip of the nozzle 2212 abuts against the step 2224 formed in (2) above, and a space 2226 capable of storing liquid is formed below the tip 2212 in the cup 222. At this time, the upper end of a side wall 2227 formed on the radially outer side of the cup 222 is located at a higher position than the tip of the tip 2212. Also, as shown in (3) of FIG. 3, the inside of the side wall 2227 includes a separation portion 2228 separated from the nozzle portion 221, and the space 2226 capable of storing liquid, formed by the non-through holes 2222, extends around the sides of the tip 2212.

[0022] The manufacturing method of the cup 222 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 3. The cup 222 can also be produced by, for example, a 3D printer or a molded product. In this case, the recess is not limited to being formed by a combination of blind holes with a circular cross section. The outer shape of the cup 222 is also not limited to a cylindrical shape. When produced by a 3D printer, the nozzle portion 221 and the cup 222 can be integrated.

[0023] The connection between the nozzle portion 221 and the cup 222 is not limited to welding, but may be by adhesion, fitting, or screwing.

[0024] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining bottle replacement. Fig. 5 shows three steps (1) to (3). First, as shown in the upper part (1) of Fig. 5, when the remaining amount of liquid held in bottle 21 falls below a predetermined threshold, for example, the operator of analyzer 1000 replaces suction nozzle 22 with a new bottle 21. At this time, suction nozzle 22 is operated while remaining connected to the piping of analyzer 1000.

[0025] The operator of the analyzer 1000 removes the suction nozzle 22 from the bottle 21, as shown in the middle (2) of Figure 5. At this time, even if the suction nozzle 22 is tilted slightly or subjected to a slight impact, causing the liquid to overflow from the cup 222, the height of the liquid surface in the cup 222 will not easily fall below the height of the tip of the tip portion 2212.

[0026] Then, as shown in the lower part (3) of Figure 5, the operator inserts the suction nozzle 22 into the bottle 21 filled with liquid. The above process may be performed without stopping the operation of the analysis device 1000. For example, two or more bottles 21 filled with the same liquid in advance may be stored so that the flow path from one pump can be switched. Then, the bottle 21 shown in Figure 5 can be replaced when liquid is not being supplied from the bottle.

[0027] If the suction nozzle 22 were not equipped with the cup 222, there is a risk that the liquid held at the tip of the suction nozzle 22 would drip and introduce air bubbles when the suction nozzle 22 is transferred to another bottle 21. Air bubbles may also adhere to the suction nozzle 22 when it comes into contact with the liquid surface of another bottle 21. If air bubbles get mixed in the flow path, the amount of liquid in the cleaning tank may become unstable. By providing the cup 222 according to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent air from being sucked into the suction nozzle 22 and air bubbles from getting mixed into the suction nozzle 22.

[0028] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a portion of the configuration of the analyzer 1000. The analyzer 1000 includes a computer 24 housed in, for example, the bottle / etc. storage unit 2, a liquid level detection sensor 25, a switching valve 26, and a pump 27. The liquid level detection sensor 25 is a sensor that detects the remaining amount of liquid held in the bottle 21 based on the weight of the bottle 21 placed thereon. The measurement method of the liquid level detection sensor 25 is not particularly limited and may be a capacitance type or other type. The switching valve 26 is connected to the suction nozzle 22 and switches the flow path of the liquid suctioned by the pump 27 to one of the multiple bottles 21. The pump 27 suctions the liquid from the bottle 21 and delivers the liquid to, for example, a washing tank provided in a measurement unit (not shown). The washing tank is used to clean the nozzle of the measurement unit (not shown) that suctions and dispenses reagents and samples.

[0029] The computer 24 controls the analysis process executed by the analysis device 1000, detects the remaining amount of liquid held in the bottle 21, and when it determines that the remaining amount is below a predetermined threshold, displays a warning on, for example, the monitor 3 or the status output unit 4. The computer 24 includes a processor 241 and a storage device 242, and is connected to the liquid amount detection sensor 25 via an input / output interface.

[0030] The processor 241 is a computing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). 6, the processor 241 performs processing according to this embodiment by executing a program. In the example of FIG. 6, functional blocks are shown in the processor 241. That is, the processor 241 functions as a device control unit 2411, a data acquisition unit 2412, and a determination unit 2413. The device control unit 2411, for example, causes the measurement unit to perform a predetermined analysis process, controls the switching valve 26 to switch the flow path, and controls output to the monitor 3 and the status output unit 4. The data acquisition unit 2412 acquires data output by a sensor or the like via a predetermined input / output interface. The determination unit 2413 determines whether the remaining amount of liquid held in the bottle 21 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold.

[0031] The storage device 242 is, for example, a main storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory), or an auxiliary storage device such as an HDD (Hard-disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), an eMMC (Embedded Multi-Media Card), or a flash memory. The main storage device secures a working area for the processor 241 and temporarily stores data output by the sensors, etc. The auxiliary storage device stores the program according to this embodiment, data output by the sensors, and other data.

[0032] An air bubble sensor may be connected to the pipes forming the flow path. When air bubbles are detected, the computer 24 may display a warning on the monitor 3 or the status output unit 4.

[0033] <Exchange process> Fig. 7 is a process flow diagram showing an example of replacement processing. When performing a predetermined analysis process, the analysis device 1000 performs the process shown in Fig. 7 in parallel. Note that the analysis device 1000 is assumed to be equipped with two bottles 21 that hold the same liquid, as shown in Fig. 6.

[0034] The data acquisition unit 2412 of the analyzer 1000 acquires information indicating the remaining amount of liquid for each bottle 21 from the liquid amount detection sensor 25 (FIG. 7: S1). The determination unit 2413 determines whether the remaining amount of liquid in the bottle 21 currently in use is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold (S2). If it is determined that the remaining amount of liquid in the bottle 21 currently in use is equal to or less than the threshold (S2: YES), the determination unit 2413 determines whether the remaining amount of liquid in the other bottle 21 is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold (S3). If it is determined that the remaining amount of liquid in the other bottle 21 is not equal to or less than the predetermined threshold (S3: NO), the device control unit 2411 switches the switching valve 26 to switch the bottle 21 to be used (S4).

[0035] On the other hand, if it is determined in S3 that the remaining amounts in the two bottles 21 are equal to or less than the predetermined threshold (S3: YES), the measurement is terminated (S5). At this time, if the device control unit 2411 determines that the remaining amounts are equal to or less than the predetermined threshold, it displays a warning on, for example, the monitor 3 or the status output unit 4. Thereafter, if the operator replaces the bottle 21, a predetermined priming operation is performed (S6), and the replacement process is terminated, making it possible to perform the analysis process.

[0036] If it is determined that the remaining amount of the bottle 21 in use is not equal to or less than the predetermined threshold (S2: NO) or if the bottle 21 to be used is switched (S4), the data acquisition unit 2412 determines whether to end the measurement (S7). If the instruction to end the measurement is given (S7: YES), the measurement ends. On the other hand, if it is determined not to end the measurement (S7: NO), the process returns to S1 and data acquisition is repeated.

[0037] According to the replacement process described above, by using two bottles 21, it becomes possible to automatically switch the flow path even if the remaining amount in one of the bottles 21 falls below a threshold. Furthermore, the bottle 21 whose remaining amount falls below the threshold is switched in S4 and placed in an unused state. In an unused state where it is not being used to supply liquid to the measurement unit, the operator can replace the suction nozzle 22 with a new bottle 21. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the height of the liquid surface in the cup 222 is higher than the height of the tip of the tip portion 2212. Therefore, it is possible to prevent air from being suctioned or air bubbles from being mixed in.

[0038] The present invention also includes a method and a computer program for executing the above-described processing, and a computer-readable recording medium having the program recorded thereon. The recording medium having the program recorded thereon enables the above-described processing by causing a computer to execute the program.

[0039] Here, a computer-readable recording medium refers to a recording medium that stores information such as data and programs electrically, magnetically, optically, mechanically, or chemically and can be read by a computer. Among such recording media, those that can be removed from a computer include flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, optical disks, magnetic tapes, memory cards, etc. Furthermore, recording media that are fixed to a computer include HDDs, SSDs (Solid State Drives), ROMs, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1000: Analyzer 1: Measuring unit housing 2: Bottle storage area 21: Bottle (container) 22: Suction nozzle 221: Nozzle part 222: Cup 23: Cap 24: Computer 241: Processor 2411: Device control unit 2412: Data acquisition unit 2413: Judgment section 242: Storage device 25: Liquid level detection sensor 26: Switching valve 27: Pump 3: Monitor 4: Status output section

Claims

1. a measurement unit; a suction nozzle connected to the measurement unit for supplying a liquid to the measurement unit; Equipped with The suction nozzle is a nozzle portion having a suction port to be inserted into a container that contains a liquid, for sending the liquid to the measurement unit; a cup-shaped member that has a recess for storing the liquid around the suction port and a liquid inlet that opens above the recess for introducing the liquid into the recess, and that is connected to the nozzle portion; The nozzle portion and the cup-shaped member are detachably attached to the container so that the liquid inlet of the cup-shaped member is positioned vertically above the suction port of the nozzle portion. Analyzer.

2. When the nozzle portion and the cup-shaped member are attached to the container, the opening of the recess, which is the liquid inlet, faces vertically upward. The analytical device of claim 1 .

3. The sidewalls forming the recessed portion include: a connecting portion whose inner shape corresponds to the outer shape of the nozzle portion; a separation portion that forms a space for storing the liquid around the nozzle portion; Contains The analytical device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The connecting portion is welded to the nozzle portion. The analytical device according to claim 3 .

5. A pump and a switching valve for switching a flow path for sending the liquid to the pump; The suction nozzle connected to the switching valve; Equipped with The plurality of suction nozzles are connected to the switching valve. The analysis device according to claim 1 .

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