Sample measurement method, cartridge, and sample measurement device

Abstract

To reduce the frequency at which a user introduces a measurement aid into a specimen measurement device.SOLUTION: A specimen measurement method measures a specimen using a container into which a solid measurement aid is loaded. The specimen measurement method comprises: a loading step of loading a predetermined number of measurement aids into the container from a storage chamber for a cartridge attached to a specimen measuring device, in which each of a plurality of measurement aids is movably stored; a dispensing step of dispensing a specimen into the container; and a measurement step of measuring the specimen in the container into which the measurement aids are loaded.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sample measurement method, a cartridge, and a sample measurement device. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a known method for measuring a sample using a container containing a solid measurement aid. For example, in a platelet aggregation test, a container containing a stirring bar as a measurement aid is used to stir the sample while measuring.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus for automatically loading stirring bars into a reaction vessel. The apparatus has the function of separating a plurality of stirring bars introduced through an introduction opening and loading them into a reaction vessel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-16468 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the above Patent Document 1, the user needs to insert multiple stirring bars into the introduction opening. As the frequency of measuring samples using reaction vessels with stirring bars inserted increases, there is a demand for users to reduce the frequency of inserting stirring bars into the device.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of these points, and its object is to provide a sample measurement method, cartridge, and sample measurement device that allows users to reduce the frequency with which they need to introduce measurement aids such as stirring bars and metal balls into the device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] As shown in Figures 11 and 17, the sample measurement method of the present invention is a sample measurement method for measuring a sample using a container (B) into which a solid measurement aid (F) has been placed, and includes an introduction step (T1) of introducing a predetermined number of measurement aids (F) into the container from a storage chamber (100) of a cartridge (50) attached to a sample measurement device, in which a plurality of measurement aids (F) are each freely accommodated, a dispensing step (T2) of dispensing the sample into the container (B), and a measurement step (T5) of measuring the sample in the container (B) into which the measurement aid (F) has been placed.

[0008] According to the sample measurement method of the present invention, the measurement aid (F) is introduced into the container (B) from the storage chamber (100) of the cartridge (50) attached to the sample measurement device, thereby reducing the frequency with which the user introduces the measurement aid (F) into the device.

[0009] As shown in Figures 3, 4, 6, 7, 11, 19, and 20, the cartridge (50) of the present invention is a cartridge (50) that is detachably attached to a specimen measurement device that measures a specimen using a container (B) containing a solid measurement aid (F), and includes a plurality of solid measurement aids (F), a storage chamber (100) in which the plurality of measurement aids (F) are stored, a discharge chamber (101) that communicates with the storage chamber (100) and has a discharge port (150) for discharging the measurement aids (F) from the storage chamber (100), and a detachable part (102) for attaching to and detaching from the specimen measurement device.

[0010] According to the cartridge (50) of the present invention, the cartridge (50) containing a plurality of measurement aids (F) can be attached to a specimen measurement device, and the measurement aids (F) can be discharged from the cartridge (50) and transferred to a container (B), thereby reducing the frequency with which the user introduces the measurement aids (F) into the device.

[0011] As shown in Figures 2, 3, 8, 11, and 16, the specimen measurement device of the present invention is a specimen measurement device that measures a specimen using a container (B) into which a solid measurement aid (F) has been placed, and includes an attachment section (200) to which a cartridge (50) containing a plurality of measurement aids (F) is detachably attached, an extraction section (201) that extracts the measurement aids (F) from the cartridge (50) attached to the attachment section (200), a transfer section (202) that transfers the measurement aids (F) extracted from the cartridge (50) to the container (B), a dispensing section (700) that dispenses the specimen into the container (B), and a measurement section (405) that measures the specimen in the container (B) to which the measurement aids (F) have been transferred.

[0012] According to the specimen measurement device of the present invention, a cartridge (50) containing a plurality of measurement aids (F) can be attached to the specimen measurement device, and the measurement aids (F) can be removed from the cartridge (50) and transferred to a container (B), thereby reducing the frequency with which the user introduces measurement aids (F) into the device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, the frequency with which a user introduces a measurement auxiliary into a specimen measurement device can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a specimen measurement device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the specimen measurement device with the front cover open. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cartridge. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the cartridge. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cartridge taken along the X1-X1 cross section. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the cartridge taken along the X2-X2 cross section. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the internal configuration of the cartridge. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the outline of the configuration of the cartridge mounting mechanism. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating the configuration of the cartridge mounting mechanism. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the ejection portion of the cartridge mounting mechanism. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of a transport section of the cartridge mounting mechanism. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing the configuration of the container holding section. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal configuration of the specimen measurement device. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the transport mechanism of the third table. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the transport mechanism of the third table. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the specimen measurement device. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing the main steps in the sample measurement method. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a flow diagram showing the stirring bar insertion step in the specimen measurement method. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cartridge mounted in the cartridge mounting mechanism. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a plan view of the cartridge mounted in the cartridge mounting mechanism. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the size of the discharge chamber of the cartridge. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of a specimen measurement device, a cartridge, and a specimen measurement method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a specimen measurement device 1 according to this embodiment.

[0017] The specimen measurement device 1 automatically measures blood specimens. The measurements include the measurement of platelet aggregation. The specimen measurement device 1 is capable of mounting a cartridge 50 (described below) that contains a stirring bar as a solid measurement aid, and has the function of automatically dispensing the stirring bar from the cartridge into a cuvette as a container. As shown in FIG. 1, the specimen measurement device 1 comprises a housing 10 having a roughly rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, and a display 11 attached to the housing 10.

[0018] The housing 10 has a front cover 20 that can be opened and closed to allow for user work and operation. The front cover 20 can be slid or rotated up and down to expose the interior of the housing 10. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the interior of the sample measurement device 1 with the front cover 20 open. As shown in Figure 2, the interior of the sample measurement device 1 with the front cover 20 open contains a work table 30, a cuvette supply unit 31, and sample dispensing arms 410 and 411 (described below). The work table 30 has, for example, a substantially flat surface cover 40. The surface cover 40 exposes the mounting unit 200 of the mounting mechanism 51 for the cartridge 50. By opening the front cover 20, the user can work on and operate the mounting unit 200 for the cartridge 50, the first table 401, the second table 402, the cuvette supply unit 31, etc.

[0019] <Cartridge> Figure 3 is a perspective view of cartridge 50. Figure 4 is an exploded view of cartridge 50. Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of cartridge 50 taken along the X1-X1 cross section (shown in Figures 3 and 7). Figure 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of cartridge 50 taken along the X2-X2 cross section (shown in Figures 3 and 7). Figure 7 is a plan view showing the internal structure of cartridge 50. Note that, for the sake of explanation, stir bars are not shown in Figures 3 to 7, but in reality, multiple stir bars are housed inside. In this specification, "upper" and "lower" in relation to cartridge 50 refer to the position of cartridge 50 when it is attached to the specimen measurement device 1.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, the cartridge 50 has a cartridge body 70. The cartridge body 70 is configured to rotate around a vertically oriented central axis L1. The cartridge body 70 has a circular upper surface 70a, a circular lower surface 70b having a smaller diameter than the upper surface 70a, a first annular outer peripheral surface 70c facing the central axis L1 and arranged around the central axis L1, a second annular outer peripheral surface 70d having a smaller diameter than the first outer peripheral surface 70c and arranged around the central axis L1, and a downwardly oriented annular lower peripheral surface 70e connecting the first outer peripheral surface 70c and the second outer peripheral surface 70d. The cartridge body 70 also has a generally cylindrical knob portion 71 protruding upward from the center of the upper surface 70a.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 4, the cartridge body 70 is composed of an upper member 80 including an upper surface 70a, a first outer peripheral surface 70c, and an outer peripheral lower surface 70e, and a lower member 81 including a lower surface 70b and a second outer peripheral surface 70d. The upper member 80 and the lower member 81 are fitted or bonded to each other. As shown in FIG. 5, the upper member 80 and the lower member 81 are fitted to each other by inserting one into the other, thereby forming a fitting mechanism. For example, the upper member 80 has multiple locking portions 80a protruding downward from near the central axis L1, and the lower member 81 has locked portions 81a to which the locking portions 80a are locked. The locking portions 80a have protrusions 80b protruding outward, and the locked portions 81a have protrusions 81b protruding inward. The protrusions 80b, 81b hook together, thereby locking the locking portions 80a to the locked portions 81a.

[0022] The upper member 80 and the lower member 81 each have a disk shape, and the upper member 80 has a larger diameter than the lower member 81. The upper member 80 and the lower member 81 fit together with their central axes L1 aligned. The outer periphery of the upper member 80 protrudes outward beyond the lower member 81, forming an annular flange portion 90.

[0023] 3 and 6, cartridge 50 has a storage chamber 100 that stores multiple stirring bars, a discharge chamber 101 that communicates with storage chamber 100 and discharges the stirring bars in storage chamber 100 to the outside of cartridge 50, and an attachment / detachment part 102 that attaches and detaches cartridge 50 to and from specimen measurement device 1. Storage chamber 100 is provided in lower member 81 of cartridge 50, and discharge chamber 101 and attachment / detachment part 102 are provided in upper member 80.

[0024] The attachment / detachment portion 102 is provided in the center of the cartridge 50. The attachment / detachment portion 102 has an attachment / detachment hole 110 that penetrates the central axis L1 of the cartridge body 70, and a cylindrical portion 111 for forming the attachment / detachment hole 110. The attachment / detachment hole 110 and the cylindrical portion 111 constitute an engagement portion that engages with a rotation drive shaft 211 (described later) of the cartridge mounting mechanism 51.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 6, the storage chamber 100 is formed inside the cartridge body 70. The storage chamber 100 is provided in a ring shape around the detachable portion 102. The storage chamber 100 has a bottom surface 120, a ceiling surface 121, an inner surface 122, and an outer surface 123. The storage chamber 100 has a capacity capable of storing 100 or more, preferably 200 or more, stirring bars. The stirring bars have, for example, a cylindrical shape and are approximately 1 mm in diameter and 4 mm in length. The storage chamber 100 can randomly store multiple stirring bars so that each can move freely.

[0026] The bottom surface 120 and the ceiling surface 121 are horizontal surfaces, the inner surface 122 is a vertical surface, and the outer surface 123 is an inclined surface that gradually becomes higher as it goes outward.

[0027] 3, 4, and 7, the storage chamber 100 is divided into a plurality of storage areas, for example, two storage areas S1 and S2, by partition plates 130. Two partition plates 130 are provided at 180-degree intervals around the central axis L1.

[0028] As shown in Figures 3, 4, 6, and 7, the discharge chamber 101 is formed outside the storage chamber 100. The discharge chamber 101 is formed on the flange portion 90 side of the cartridge 50. The discharge chambers 101 are provided at multiple locations, for example, two locations, in the circumferential direction R1 of the cartridge 50. The two discharge chambers 101 are arranged at equal intervals, i.e., at 180-degree intervals, along the outer periphery of the storage chamber 100. Each discharge chamber 101 is provided at a position corresponding to each storage region S1, S2 of the storage chamber 100. The upper member 80 and the lower member 81 are combined so that each discharge chamber 101 is located at the center of the outer periphery of each storage region S1, S2, i.e., 90 degrees away from the partition plate 130.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 6, the discharge chamber 101 is provided contiguous with the inclined outer side surface 123 of the storage chamber 100 and is provided at a position higher than the storage chamber 100 .

[0030] The storage chamber 101 has a space with dimensions of 1 mm or more but less than 2 mm in height and 1 mm or more but less than 2 mm in width relative to the dimensions of the stirrer (diameter 1 mm, length 4 mm). The discharge chamber 101 is capable of accommodating one stirrer, as its height and width are less than twice the diameter of the rod-shaped stirrer. Therefore, the discharge chamber 101 can accommodate one stirrer with the longitudinal direction of the stirrer facing the outer direction D of the cartridge 50, and can accommodate one stirrer, but cannot accommodate two or more stirrers.

[0031] The discharge chamber 101 has a horizontal lower surface 101a. The lower surface 101a corresponds to the outer peripheral lower surface 70e of the cartridge body 70 and the lower surface of the flange portion 90. A discharge port 150 that opens to the outside is formed in the lower surface 101a. The discharge port 150 has dimensions slightly larger than the stirrer so that the stirrer falls while facing the outward direction D. The discharge port 150 has, for example, a rectangular shape that is elongated in the outward direction D. Note that the discharge port 150 and the lower surface 101a may be the same size, or the discharge port 150 may be smaller than the lower surface 101a.

[0032] A movement restricting portion 160 that protrudes downward is provided near the entrance of the discharge chamber 101. The movement restricting portion 160 is provided, for example, on the ceiling surface 121 of the storage chamber 100. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , the movement restricting portion 160 is formed in a linear protrusion that extends outward from the center of the ceiling surface 121. The movement restricting portion 160 can push down other stirrers that attempt to adhere to the stirrers stored in the discharge chamber 101 by magnetic force, causing them to fall into the storage chamber 100. In other words, the movement restricting portion 160 has the function of preventing the stirrers in the discharge chamber 101 from connecting with other stirrers. The entrance 102a of the side surface 102 of the discharge chamber 101 in the circumferential direction R1 has a curved shape that gradually widens toward the storage chamber 100.

[0033] An identification code 103 containing identification information such as the part number, lot number, and number of stirring bars contained is attached to the surface of the cartridge 50. The identification code 103 can be read by a reader in the specimen measurement device 1.

[0034] <Cartridge mounting mechanism> Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of cartridge mounting mechanism 51. As shown in Figure 8, cartridge mounting mechanism 51 includes mounting section 200 to which cartridge 50 is detachably mounted, removal section 201 that removes the stirring bar from cartridge 50 mounted in mounting section 200, and transfer section 202 that transfers the stirring bar removed from cartridge 50 to a cuvette.

[0035] The mounting part 200 has a substantially rectangular, thick plate shape. The mounting part 200 has a recess 210 that houses the cartridge 50, and a rotation drive shaft 211 that serves as an engaging member that protrudes vertically from the center of the recess 210. The recess 210 of the mounting part 200 is exposed to the surface cover 40 of the work table 30, as shown in FIG. 2 .

[0036] 8 and 9, the recess 210 is formed in a substantially circular shape corresponding to the outer shape of the cartridge 50. The recess 210 has a mounting surface 220 against which the flange portion 90 of the cartridge 50 abuts and on which the cartridge 50 is mounted, and an outer peripheral surface 221 that covers the outer peripheral surface (first outer peripheral surface 70c) of the cartridge 50 mounted on the mounting surface 220. The mounting surface 220 is an annular horizontal surface, and the outer peripheral surface 221 is an annular vertical surface. An insertion port 310 (described later) of the transfer section 202 is formed in the mounting surface 220.

[0037] 9, the mounting portion 200 has a first sensor 212 that detects that the cartridge 50 has been mounted in the mounting portion 200. The first sensor 212 is configured to detect the presence or absence of the cartridge 50 by light. The first sensor 212 is configured to output the detection result of the presence or absence of the cartridge 50 to the control portion 407, which will be described later.

[0038] The unloading unit 201 has a first mechanism 240 that moves the stirrer in the cartridge 50 to the discharge port 150 provided in the cartridge 50. The first mechanism 240 has two magnets 250 as magnetic force generators that move the stirrer in the cartridge 50 by magnetic force. The two magnets 250 are provided near the outer peripheral surface 221 of the recess 210. The two magnets 250 are arranged at positions spaced apart from each other by 45 degrees or more, for example, approximately 90 degrees, along the circumferential direction R1 of the outer peripheral surface 221 of the recess 210. Each magnet 250 is provided at a distance from the inlet 310 of the transfer unit 202. Each magnet 250 is spaced apart from the inlet 310 by 90 degrees or more, for example, 135 degrees, along the circumferential direction R1 of the recess 210. The two magnets 250 are arranged so that the same magnetic pole faces the recess 210. The number of magnets 250 is not limited to two, and may be one, three, or more.

[0039] The removal unit 201 further has a second mechanism 260 that moves the discharge port 150 of the cartridge 50 and the input port 310 of the transfer unit 202 relatively to align the position of the discharge port 150 with the position of the input port 310. The second mechanism 260 has a rotation drive unit 270 that rotates the cartridge 50 around a central axis L1 of the cartridge 50 that faces the vertical direction.

[0040] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a vertical cross section for describing the configuration of the cartridge mounting mechanism 51. As shown in FIG. 10 , the rotation drive unit 270 has a motor 280, a first pulley 281 connected to the drive shaft of the motor 280, a rotation drive shaft 211, a second pulley 282 connected to the lower part of the rotation drive shaft 211, and a drive belt 283 that connects and interlocks the first pulley 281 and the second pulley 282. The motor 280 is provided at a position horizontally adjacent to the mounting unit 200. With this configuration, when the motor 280 is driven, the rotation drive shaft 211 rotates via the first pulley 281, the drive belt 283, and the second pulley 282. When the rotation drive shaft 211 rotates, the cartridge 50 mounted on the rotation drive shaft 211 rotates, and the ejection port 150 of the cartridge 50 rotates due to this rotation, and the position of the ejection port 150 is positioned at the position of the insertion port 310.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 8, the transfer section 202 has a passage 300 through which the stirring bar passes, and a container holding section 301 that holds a cuvette.

[0042] Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram of a vertical cross section for explaining the configuration of the transfer section 202 of the cartridge mounting mechanism 51. As shown in Figure 11, the passage 300 has a circular tubular shape extending in the vertical direction. The passage 300 has an inlet 310 at its upper end and an outlet 311 at its lower end. The inlet 310 and the outlet 311 are, for example, circular. A second sensor 320 is provided midway along the passage 300 to detect the stirring bar discharged from the cartridge 50 and passing through the passage 300.

[0043] The second sensor 320 has a light-emitting unit 330 that emits light horizontally toward the passage 300, and a light-receiving unit 331 that receives the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 330. The tip surfaces of the light-emitting unit 330 and the light-receiving unit 331 form part of the inner surface of the passage 300, and are aligned so as not to create any step with the rest of the inner surface of the passage 300.

[0044] 12, the container holder 301 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped holder body 340 and a plurality of insertion holes 341 formed in the holder body 340 into which the cuvettes B can be inserted. The container holder 301 is configured so that the holder body 340 supports the cuvettes B inserted into the insertion holes 341.

[0045] <Internal configuration of the specimen measurement device> As shown in Figure 13, the sample measurement device 1 is equipped with, inside the housing 10, a sample container loading section 400 for loading a sample container A containing a collected sample, a first table 401 for holding a circular arrangement of cuvettes B for containing the sample during measurement, a second table 402 for holding a plurality of reagent containers C containing a reagent to be mixed with the sample, a third table 403 for holding the cuvette B and introducing a stirrer into the cuvette B, a heating section 404 for holding and heating the cuvette B, a measurement section 405 for holding the cuvette B and measuring a measurement sample in which the sample and reagent are mixed in the cuvette B, an ejection section 406 for ejecting the cuvette B after measurement has been completed, a cartridge mounting mechanism 51, a control section 407, etc.

[0046] The sample measurement device 1 is equipped with a liquid dispensing section that dispenses liquid into cuvette B, which includes a sample dispensing arm 410 that dispenses the sample from sample container A brought into the sample container loading section 400 into cuvette B on the first table 401, a sample dispensing arm 411 that dispenses the sample from sample container A in the sample container loading section 400 or the sample from cuvette B on the first table 401 into cuvette B on the third table 403, and two reagent dispensing arms 412 and 413 that dispense reagent from reagent container C on the second table 402 into cuvette B.

[0047] The sample measurement device 1 is equipped with a cuvette transport section for transporting cuvettes B, which includes a cuvette supply mechanism 420 that supplies cuvettes B to the device main body, a first transport arm 421 that transports cuvettes B supplied by the cuvette supply mechanism 420 to the first table 401 or the third table 403, a second transport arm 422 that transports cuvettes B from the first table 401 or the third table 403 to the heating section 404, and a third transport arm 423 that transports cuvettes B from the heating section 404 to the measurement section 405 and the discharge section 406.

[0048] In plan view, the sample container loading unit 400 is disposed on the front side within the housing 10, and the first table 401 and the second table 402 are disposed near the center within the housing 10. The third table 403, the heating unit 404, and the cartridge mounting mechanism 51 are disposed on the right side within the housing 10. The cartridge mounting mechanism 51 is disposed on the front side of the heating unit 404. The measurement unit 405 is disposed on the rear (back) side within the housing 10. The discharge unit 406 is disposed between the heating unit 404 and the measurement unit 405. The cuvette supply mechanism 420 is disposed on the left side within the housing 10, and is disposed between the measurement unit 405 and the first table 401.

[0049] The sample container carry-in section 400 includes a rack carry-in section 450 that carries in a rack R containing a plurality of sample containers A, a sample aspirating section 451 that is reachable by the sample dispensing arms 410, 411 and through which samples are aspirated from the sample containers A in the rack R by the sample dispensing arms 410, 411, a rack carry-out section 452 that carries out the rack R containing the sample containers A from which the samples have been aspirated, and a transport mechanism 453 that transports the rack R to the rack carry-in section 450, the sample aspirating section 451, and the rack carry-out section 452 in this order. The transport mechanism 453 moves the rack R using, for example, a conveyor.

[0050] The first table 401 has an annular shape and is configured to be rotatable by a drive unit. The first table 401 is provided with a plurality of cuvette holders 460 that hold cuvettes B. The cuvette holders 460 are arranged at equal intervals around the entire circumference.

[0051] The second table 402 is disposed inside the first table 401. The second table 402 has a disk shape and is configured to be rotatable by a drive unit. The second table 402 is provided with a plurality of reagent container holders 470 that hold reagent containers C. The reagent container holders 470 are arranged, for example, in the form of multiple overlapping concentric circles. The reagent container holders 470 are arranged, for example, at equal intervals along the circumferential direction.

[0052] The third table 403 includes the above-mentioned container holding unit 301 that holds the cuvette B, and a transport mechanism 480 that transports the container holding unit 301. For example, the transport mechanism 480 can hold the container holding unit 301 and move it from near the bottom of the cartridge mounting mechanism 51 to near the heating unit 404.

[0053] 14 and 15 are explanatory diagrams illustrating the configuration of the transport mechanism 480. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the transport mechanism 480 includes a rail 490 extending horizontally in the longitudinal direction of the third table 403 (the N direction in FIG. 15), a slider 491 to which the container holder 301 is fixed and which moves on the rail 490, a drive belt 492 extending in the N direction, a pair of pulleys 493 and 494 to which both ends of the drive belt 492 are attached, and a motor 495 that rotates and drives one of the pulleys 493. The transport mechanism 480 moves the drive belt 492 via the pulleys 493 and 494 by driving the motor 485, thereby moving the slider 491 and moving the container holder 301 fixed to the slider 491 in the horizontal direction. With this configuration, the third table 403 can move the container holding portion 301 from an introduction position where the stirring bar is introduced directly below the passage 300 of the cartridge mounting mechanism 51 to a position near the heating portion 404 where the first transport arm 421 or the second transport arm 422 can hand over the cuvette B.

[0054] 13, the heating unit 404 has a circular heating plate 500. The heating plate 500 has a plurality of cuvette holders 501 that hold cuvettes B. The cuvette holders 501 are arranged, for example, at equal intervals around the entire periphery of the heating plate 500. The heating plate 500 has a heat source and can heat the liquid in the cuvettes B held in the cuvette holders 501 to a predetermined temperature.

[0055] The measurement unit 405 has a rectangular measurement plate 510. The measurement plate 510 has a plurality of cuvette holders 511 that hold cuvettes B. The cuvette holders 511 are arranged, for example, in a plurality of rows along the longitudinal direction of the measurement plate 510. The measurement unit 405 irradiates light from an irradiation unit onto the cuvette holders 511, receives the light that has passed through the measurement sample in the cuvette B with a light receiving unit, and can measure the sample from the light reception result.

[0056] The discharge unit 406 has a discharge hole 520 for discharging the cuvette B. The discharge hole 520 communicates with a cuvette recovery unit provided in the lower part of the housing 10.

[0057] In plan view, the sample dispensing arm 410 is disposed between the sample aspirating unit 451 of the sample container loading unit 400 in the housing 10 and the first table 401. The sample dispensing arm 410 includes a drive unit 530 that drives the sample dispensing arm 410, and a nozzle 531 that dispenses and aspirates the sample.

[0058] The drive unit 530 includes, for example, a rotation drive unit that rotates the sample dispensing arm 410 in a plane between the sample aspirating unit 451 and the first table 401, and an elevation drive unit that moves the sample dispensing arm 410 up and down. The nozzle 531 is provided at the tip of the sample dispensing arm 410 and can aspirate and dispense the sample using a pump. With this configuration, the sample dispensing arm 410 can reach sample container A in the sample aspirating unit 451, aspirate the sample, move onto the first table 401, and dispense the sample into cuvette B on the first table 401.

[0059] In plan view, the sample dispensing arm 411 is disposed between the sample aspirating unit 451 of the sample container loading unit 400 in the housing 10 and the third table 403. The sample dispensing arm 411 includes a drive unit 540 that drives the sample dispensing arm 411, and a nozzle 541 that dispenses and aspirates the sample.

[0060] The drive unit 540 includes, for example, a rotation drive unit that rotates the sample dispensing arm 411 in a plane between the sample aspirating unit 451, the first table 401, and the third table 403, and an elevation drive unit that moves the sample dispensing arm 411 up and down. The nozzle 541 is provided at the tip of the sample dispensing arm 411 and can aspirate and dispense the sample using a pump. With this configuration, the sample dispensing arm 411 can reach cuvette B on the first table 401 or sample container A in the sample aspirating unit 451, aspirate the sample, move onto the third table 403, and dispense the sample into cuvette B on the third table 403. The sample aspirating unit 451 is provided at two positions: one for the sample dispensing arm 410 to aspirate the sample, and the other for the sample dispensing arm 411 to aspirate the sample.

[0061] In plan view, the reagent dispensing arms 412, 413 each have a long, slender arm 560 with a nozzle 561 at its lower part. The arm 560 of the first reagent dispensing arm 412 extends from above the second table 402 to near the heating unit 404. The arm 560 of the second reagent dispensing arm 413 extends from the second table 402 to near the measurement unit 405. The arm 560 is fixed to the ceiling of the housing 10, for example.

[0062] The nozzle 561 is configured to be movable longitudinally and vertically relative to the arm 560 by a drive unit. The nozzle 561 of the first reagent dispensing arm 412 is movable along the arm 560 from above the second table 402 to near the heating plate 500 of the heating unit 404. The nozzle 561 of the second reagent dispensing arm 413 is movable along the arm 560 from above the second table 402 to near the measurement plate 510 of the measurement unit 405. The nozzle 561 can aspirate and dispense reagent using a pump. The nozzle 561 is also equipped with a heat source and can heat the aspirated reagent to a predetermined temperature. With this configuration, the nozzle 561 of the first reagent dispensing arm 412 can reach a reagent container C on the second table 402, aspirate the reagent, move to near the heating plate 500, and dispense the reagent into a cuvette B held by the second transport arm 422 near the heating plate 500. In addition, the nozzle 561 of the second reagent dispensing arm 413 can reach the reagent container C on the second table 402, aspirate the reagent, move to the vicinity of the measurement plate 510, and dispense the reagent into the cuvette B held by the third transport arm 423 near the measurement plate 510.

[0063] The cuvette supply mechanism 420 can store empty cuvettes B input from the cuvette replenishing unit 31 and sequentially supply the cuvettes B to the cuvette unloading unit 580.

[0064] The first transfer arm 421 is disposed, for example, between the cuvette supply mechanism 420 and the first table 401 in a plan view. The first transfer arm 421 has a drive unit 600 that drives the first transfer arm 421 and a cuvette holder 601 that holds a cuvette B. The drive unit 600 includes, for example, a rotation drive unit that rotates the first transfer arm 421 in a plane direction between the cuvette discharge unit 580 of the cuvette supply mechanism 420 and the first table 401, and an elevation drive unit that moves the first transfer arm 421 up and down. The cuvette holder 601 is provided at the tip of the first transfer arm 421 and has, for example, a U-shape, and can hold a cuvette B within the U-shape. With this configuration, the first transport arm 421 can hold cuvette B in the cuvette discharge unit 580 of the cuvette supply mechanism 420 or the container holder 301 of the third table 403, move the cuvette B onto the first table 401, and place it in the cuvette holder 460 of the first table 401. The first transport arm 421 can also hold cuvette B in the cuvette discharge unit 580 of the cuvette supply mechanism 420, move the cuvette B onto the third table 403, and place it in the container holder 301 of the third table 403.

[0065] The second transfer arm 422 is disposed, for example, on the heating plate 500 of the heating unit 404. The second transfer arm 422 has a drive unit 610 that drives the second transfer arm 422 and a cuvette holder 611 that holds the cuvette B. The drive unit 610 includes, for example, a rotation drive unit that rotates the second transfer arm 422 in a plane between the first table 401, the third table 403, and the heating plate 500, an elevation drive unit that moves the second transfer arm 422 up and down, and an extension drive unit that extends and retracts the second transfer arm 422 in the horizontal direction. The cuvette holder 611 is provided at the tip of the second transfer arm 422 and has, for example, a U-shape, and can hold the cuvette B within the U-shape. With this configuration, the second transport arm 422 can hold cuvette B in the cuvette holding portion 460 of the first table 401 or the container holding portion 301 of the third table 403, and move the cuvette B below the nozzle 561 of the first reagent dispensing arm 412 or to the cuvette holding portion 501 of the heating plate 500.

[0066] The third transfer arm 423 is disposed behind the measurement unit 405 in the housing 10 in a plan view. The third transfer arm 423 includes a drive unit 620 that drives the third transfer arm 423 and a cuvette holder 621 that holds a cuvette B. The drive unit 620 includes a drive mechanism that moves the third transfer arm 423 left and right, front and rear, and up and down. The cuvette holder 621 is provided at the tip of the third transfer arm 423 and has, for example, a U-shape, and can hold a cuvette B within the U-shape. With this configuration, the third transfer arm 423 can hold a cuvette B in the cuvette holder 501 of the heating plate 500 and move the cuvette B below the nozzle 561 of the second reagent dispensing arm 413 or to the cuvette holder 511 of the measurement unit 405. The third transfer arm 423 can transport a cuvette B after measurement to the discharge unit 406.

[0067] FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the specimen measurement device 1. As shown in FIG. 16, a control unit 407 controls devices that perform various steps of specimen measurement, namely, a specimen container loading unit 400, a heating unit 404, a measurement unit 405, a discharge unit 406, a dispensing unit 700 (specimen dispensing arms 410, 411, reagent dispensing arms 412, 413), a cuvette transport unit 701 (cuvette supply mechanism 420, first transport arm 421, second transport arm 422, third transport arm 423, third table 403), a stirring bar insertion unit 702 (cartridge mounting mechanism 51, third table 403), and a detection unit 703 (first sensor 212, second sensor 320). The control unit 407 performs specimen measurement based on information from various devices including the measurement unit 405. The control unit 407 includes, as hardware, a memory, a CPU, an input unit for various information, a display unit for various information, a communication unit, and the like. The control unit 407 can control various devices and perform sample measurement by executing programs recorded in the memory with the CPU. The display 11 shown in Figure 1 may have the functions of an input unit and a display unit of the control unit 407.

[0068] <Sample measurement method> Next, a sample measurement method performed by the sample measurement device 1 configured as above will be described. In this embodiment, an example in which platelet aggregation is measured as the sample measurement will be described. Figure 17 is a flow diagram showing the main steps in the sample measurement method. Figure 18 is a flow diagram showing the stirring bar insertion step in the sample measurement method.

[0069] First, a cartridge 50 containing a specified number of stirring bars is prepared. Each of the storage areas S1 and S2 of the cartridge 50 contains, for example, 100 stirring bars. The stirring bars are made of, for example, ferritic stainless steel having ferromagnetic properties. Before the measurement process begins in the sample measurement device 1 or while the measurement process is stopped, the user opens the front cover 20 as shown in FIG. 2 and mounts the cartridge 50 in the mounting portion 200 of the cartridge mounting mechanism 51. The cartridge 50 is fitted into the recess 210 of the mounting portion 200 exposed through the surface cover 40 of the work table 30. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 10, 19, and 20, the rotary drive shaft 211 of the mounting portion 200 is inserted into the mounting hole 110 of the mounting portion 102 of the cartridge 50, and the rotary drive shaft 211 and the cartridge 50 are fixed together. The flange portion 90 with the outlet 150 of the cartridge 50 is placed on the placement surface 220 with the inlet 310 of the recess 210. Before the cartridge 50 is attached, the identification code 103 of the cartridge 50 shown in Fig. 7 may be read by a reading device. The identification code may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional, or may be an RF tag.

[0070] Next, the specimen measurement device 1 performs an order selection step T0 shown in FIG. 17. In order selection T0, the user selects a desired measurement order from among a platelet aggregation measurement order that is performed by inserting a stirring bar into cuvette B, and various measurement orders that are performed without inserting a stirring bar into cuvette B. For example, the user selects a measurement order by inputting the selection on the display screen of display 11. If a platelet aggregation measurement order is selected in order selection T0, a stirring bar insertion step T1 is initiated. Note that if a measurement order other than a platelet aggregation measurement order is selected, insertion step T1 is not performed, and steps T2 to T5, described below, are performed. Stir bar insertion step T1 is initiated before, at the start of, or during the measurement process of the specimen measurement device 1. First, first sensor 212 confirms that cartridge 50 is attached to mounting portion 200 (step U1 in FIG. 18). If cartridge 50 is not attached to mounting portion 200, an error is issued, and a warning is displayed and sounded on display 11, etc.

[0071] If cartridge 50 is attached to attachment portion 200, the remaining amount of stirring bars in cartridge 50 is then confirmed (step U2 in FIG. 18). For example, control portion 407 counts the number of stirring bars used in measurement processes that have already been performed, and confirms the remaining amount by subtracting the number used from the current number of stirring bars in cartridge 50. Note that the remaining amount may also be confirmed by subtracting the number used from the initial number. Then, the remaining amount is compared with the number of stirring bars planned to be used in the measurement process that is to be performed next, and if the remaining amount of stirring bars is insufficient, an error is issued and displayed on display 11.

[0072] The number of stirring bars planned to be used is compared with the remaining amount. If the remaining amount of stirring bars is sufficient, an empty cuvette B is transported to immediately below the passage 300 of the transfer unit 202 on the third table 403 as shown in FIG. 14 (step U3 in FIG. 18). This empty cuvette B is transported from the cuvette discharge unit 580 of the cuvette supply mechanism 420 shown in FIG. 13 to the third table 403 by the first transport arm 421, and then transported to immediately below the passage 300 of the cartridge mounting mechanism 51 on the third table 403 by the transport mechanism 480. Two cuvettes B may be held in the container holding unit 301, and the two cuvettes B may be transported sequentially to immediately below the passage 300. Furthermore, when a measurement order other than a platelet aggregation measurement order is selected (for example, when the cuvette supply mechanism 420 and the first transport arm 421 are not used), two cuvettes B may be held.

[0073] Next, the motor 280 of the rotation drive unit 270 in the ejection unit 201 shown in Fig. 10 is driven to rotate the rotation drive shaft 211, and the cartridge 50 rotates in a predetermined first direction (forward rotation direction R1a) shown in Fig. 20 (step U4 in Fig. 18). The rotation speed at this time is, for example, 50 rpm or more and 100 rpm or less.

[0074] As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 , a plurality of stirring bars F are randomly housed in the storage chamber 100 of the cartridge 50 so that each is movable. For example, the stirring bars F are housed in random, irregular directions in a three-dimensional space defined by mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z directions. Here, the X direction is one horizontal direction of the cartridge 50, the Y direction is a horizontal direction orthogonal to the X direction, and the Z direction is a vertical direction. The stirring bars F housed in the storage chamber 100 of the cartridge 50 are attracted to the magnet 250 and move outward while abutting against the partition plate 130. Then, one stirring bar F enters the discharge chamber 101. At this time, even if the other stirring bars F try to attach to the stirring bar F that has entered the discharge chamber 101 due to magnetic force, they are knocked off by the movement restricting portion 160 and returned to the storage chamber 100. With one stirring bar F housed in the discharge chamber 101, the cartridge 50 continues to rotate, and when the position of the discharge outlet 150 of the discharge chamber 101 and the position of the input port 310 of the transfer section 202 are aligned, the stirring bar F in the discharge chamber 101 is carried out from the discharge outlet 150 and input into the input port 310. Here, one or two or more magnets 250 may be provided, but when two or more magnets are provided, the probability that the stirring bar F will be attracted while the cartridge 50 is being rotated increases.

[0075] The stirring bar F falls through the passage 300 and is introduced into the empty cuvette B on the third table 403. At this time, the stirring bar F passing through the passage 300 shown in FIG. 11 is detected by the second sensor 320 (step U5 in FIG. 18). At this time, based on the detection result, it is determined whether or not the stirring bar F has been transferred to the cuvette B. When the stirring bar is detected in the passage 300, the motor 280 of the rotation drive unit 270 is stopped, and the rotation of the cartridge 50 is stopped.

[0076] If the stirring bar F is not detected in the passage 300 for a predetermined time, the motor 280 rotates the cartridge 50 in a second direction (reverse rotation direction R1b) opposite to the first direction (step U6 in FIG. 18). The stirring bar F passing through the passage 300 is detected by the second sensor 320 (step U7 in FIG. 18). Then, when the stirring bar F is detected in the passage 300, the rotation of the cartridge 50 is stopped, and the stirring bar insertion step T1 ends.

[0077] Furthermore, if the stirring bar F is not detected in the passage 300, it is confirmed whether the total rotation time of the cartridge 50 exceeds the specified time (step U8 in FIG. 18). If the stirring bar F is not detected in the passage 300 and the total rotation time of the cartridge 50 has not exceeded the specified time, the cartridge 50 rotates again in the forward rotation direction R1a. If the stirring bar F is not detected in the passage 300 and the total rotation time of the cartridge 50 has exceeded the predetermined specified time, an error is issued and the measurement process is interrupted.

[0078] After the stirring bar insertion step T1 shown in Fig. 17, a sample dispensing step T2 and a cuvette transport step T3 are performed successively. First, as shown in Fig. 13, a rack R containing a plurality of sample containers A is loaded into the rack loader 450 of the sample container loader 400. The rack R is transported to the sample suction unit 451 by the transport mechanism 453.

[0079] Next, the sample dispensing arm 411 aspirates the sample from the sample container A in the rack R and dispenses it into the cuvette B on the third table 403, into which the stirring bar F has been placed. Next, on the third table 403, the cuvette B containing the stirring bar F and the sample is transported to the heating unit 404 by the transport mechanism 480. Then, the cuvette B is transported from the third table 403 to the heating unit 404 by the second transport arm 422.

[0080] In another embodiment, before the sample is dispensed, the cuvette B on the third table 403 into which the stirring bar F has been introduced is first transported by the transport mechanism 480 to the heating unit 404 side, and then transported by the first transport arm 421 to the first table 401. Then, the sample dispensing arm 410 aspirates the sample from the sample container A in the rack R and dispenses it into the cuvette B on the first table 401. Next, the cuvette B containing the stirring bar F and the sample is transported from the first table 401 to the heating unit 404 by the second transport arm 422.

[0081] Cuvette B transported to heating unit 404 is heated to a predetermined temperature. Next, cuvette B is held by second transport arm 422 and moved below first reagent dispensing arm 412.

[0082] When the transport step T3 of one cuvette B is completed, the next cuvette B is subjected to the stirring bar F insertion step T1, the sample dispensing step T2, and the cuvette transport step T3.

[0083] 17 are then performed. First, the reagent in the reagent container C on the second table 402 is aspirated by the nozzle 561 of the first reagent dispensing arm 412, heated to a predetermined temperature, and dispensed into the cuvette B held by the second transport arm 422. This causes the sample in the cuvette B to mix with the reagent.

[0084] Next, cuvette B is transported by second transport arm 422 to heating plate 500 of heating unit 404. Here, the mixture of the sample and reagent in cuvette B is heated to a predetermined temperature.

[0085] Cuvette B is held by the third transport arm 423 and moved, for example, below the second reagent dispensing arm 413. Next, the nozzle 561 of the second reagent dispensing arm 413 aspirates the reagent from the reagent container C on the second table 402 and dispenses it into cuvette B held by the third transport arm 423. As a result, the specimen and reagent in cuvette B are mixed together to form a measurement sample.

[0086] Next, cuvette B is transported to the measurement plate 510 of the measurement unit 405 by the third transport arm 423. Note that there may be cases where the second reagent dispensing arm 413 does not dispense the reagent. In such cases, cuvette B from the heating unit 404 is transported to the measurement unit 405 by the third transport arm 423.

[0087] In the measuring unit 405, the measurement sample in the cuvette B is measured. At this time, the stirring bar in the cuvette B is stirred by magnetic force, and the measurement sample is stirred. Then, light is irradiated onto the measurement sample in the cuvette B, and the light that has passed through the measurement sample is received, and the received light information is acquired as measurement data. The measurement data is sent from the measuring unit 405 to the control unit 407, where it is analyzed. At this time, the platelet aggregation rate is calculated based on the absorbance or transmittance of the measurement sample.

[0088] When the measurement in the measurement unit 405 is completed, the cuvette B is transported to the discharge unit 406 by the third transport arm 423 and discharged. In this way, the measurement process for one cuvette B is completed.

[0089] The specimen measurement method of this embodiment includes a loading step of loading a predetermined number of stirring bars F into a cuvette B from a storage chamber 100 of a cartridge 50 attached to the specimen measurement device 1, the storage chamber 100 housing a plurality of stirring bars F each movably; a dispensing step of dispensing the specimen into the cuvette B; and a measurement step of measuring the specimen in the cuvette B into which the stirring bars F have been loaded. According to the specimen measurement method of this embodiment, the stirring bars F are loaded into the cuvette B from the storage chamber 100 of the cartridge 50 attached to the specimen measurement device 1, thereby reducing the frequency with which the user introduces stirring bars F into the device. Furthermore, when the stirring bars F are placed into the cuvette B, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from being mixed into the cuvette B. By using the cartridge 50, the user does not have to touch the stirring bars F, and the mixing of foreign matter into the cuvette B can be significantly reduced.

[0090] In the sample measurement method, the stirring bar F contained in the storage chamber 100 of the cartridge 50 is moved to the outlet 150 provided in the cartridge 50 and discharged from the outlet 150 to the outside of the cartridge 50, so that the stirring bar F can be discharged from the cartridge 50 appropriately without foreign matter adhering to the stirring bar F.

[0091] In the specimen measurement method, the stirring bar F is discharged by dropping it from the discharge port 150, so that the stirring bar F can be discharged appropriately using a simple device.

[0092] In the specimen measurement method, the stirring bar F is moved to the outlet 150 by magnetic force, so that the stirring bar F can be discharged appropriately using a simple device.

[0093] In the specimen measurement method, outlet 150 of cartridge 50 and inlet 310 provided in specimen measurement device 1 are moved relative to each other, the position of outlet 150 is aligned with the position of inlet 310, and stirring bar F is ejected from outlet 150 and inserted into inlet 310. This allows stirring bar F to be properly inserted from outlet 150 of cartridge 50 into inlet 310 of specimen measurement device 1.

[0094] In the sample measurement method, the cartridge 50 is rotated around the central axis L1 oriented vertically of the cartridge 50 to align the position of the outlet 150 with the position of the inlet 310, so that the stirring bar F can be conveniently inserted into the inlet 310 using a simple device.

[0095] In the specimen measurement method, the stirring bar F ejected from the cartridge 50 is introduced into the cuvette B through the passage 300 provided in the specimen measurement device 1, so that the stirring bar F can be introduced appropriately.

[0096] In the sample measurement method, the stirring bar F is introduced into the cuvette B held by the container holding section 301 provided in the sample measurement device 1, so that the stirring bar F can be introduced into the cuvette B more reliably.

[0097] In the specimen measurement method, the stirring bar F ejected from the cartridge 50 is detected, and based on the detection result, it is determined whether the stirring bar F has been transferred to the cuvette B, so it is possible to confirm that the stirring bar F has been transferred to the cuvette B. Furthermore, the specimen measurement device 1 can be easily controlled so that two stirring bars F do not enter one cuvette B.

[0098] In the specimen measurement method, the stirring bar F is a stirring bar used in a platelet aggregation test, so that the platelet aggregation test can be performed with high accuracy without the inclusion of foreign matter.

[0099] In the specimen measurement method, the platelet aggregation rate is calculated based on the absorbance or transmittance of the measured specimen, so that the platelet aggregation test can be performed with high accuracy.

[0100] Cartridge 50 in this embodiment has a plurality of stirring bars F, a storage chamber 100 that stores the plurality of stirring bars F, a discharge chamber 101 that has a discharge port 150 for discharging the stirring bars F from storage chamber 100, and a detachable part 102 for attaching to and detaching from specimen measurement device 1. Cartridge 50 in this embodiment makes it possible to attach cartridge 50 that stores a plurality of stirring bars F to specimen measurement device 1, and to eject the stirring bars F from cartridge 50 and transfer them to cuvette B, thereby reducing the frequency with which a user introduces stirring bars F into the device. Furthermore, when stirring bars F are placed in cuvette B, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from being mixed into cuvette B.

[0101] The discharge chamber 101 has a size that can accommodate a predetermined number of stirring bars, for example, one stirring bar F. This allows the stirring bars F to be discharged one by one from the cuvette B, so that one stirring bar F can be placed in one cuvette B.

[0102] When the cartridge 50 is attached to the specimen measurement device 1, the position of the discharge chamber 101 is configured to be higher than the position of the storage chamber 100. This makes it easier for the multiple stirring bars F stored in the storage chamber 100 to disperse as they head toward the discharge chamber 101, making it easier for one stirring bar F to enter the discharge chamber 101. This makes it easier to discharge the stirring bars F one by one from the cartridge 50 and place them in the cuvette B.

[0103] The cartridge 50 includes an outer surface 123 that gradually rises from the bottom surface 120 of the storage chamber 100 toward the lower surface 101a of the discharge chamber 101. This makes it easier for the multiple stirring bars F stored in the storage chamber 100 to disperse as they head toward the discharge chamber 101, making it easier for one stirring bar F to enter the discharge chamber 101. This makes it easier to discharge the stirring bars F one by one from the cartridge 50 and place them in the cuvette B.

[0104] The cartridge 50 is provided near the entrance of the discharge chamber 101 and further includes a movement restriction portion 160 that protrudes downward. As a result, when another stirrer F tries to follow the stirrer F in the discharge chamber 101, the other stirrer F hits the movement restriction portion 160 and is returned to the storage chamber 100, making it easy to discharge the stirrers F one by one from the discharge port 150 of the discharge chamber 101.

[0105] The storage chamber 100 has a plurality of storage areas S1, S2 separated from each other by a partition plate 130, and a discharge port 150 is provided in each of the plurality of storage areas S1, S2. As a result, the plurality of stirring bars F are dispersed by the partition plate 130, and the plurality of stirring bars F are prevented from gathering and sticking together. As a result, the stirring bars F can easily enter the discharge chamber 101 one by one.

[0106] The detachable part 102 has an engaging part (detachable hole 110 and cylindrical part 111) that engages with an engaging member (rotation drive shaft 211) provided on the specimen measurement device 1. This allows the cartridge 50 to be attached to and detached from the specimen measurement device 1 in an appropriate manner.

[0107] The cartridge 50 has a disk-like shape, the attachment / detachment part 102 is provided in the center of the disk shape of the cartridge 50, the storage chamber 100 is provided around the attachment / detachment part 102, and the discharge chamber 101 is provided outside the storage chamber 100. This makes it easier for the stirring bar F in the storage chamber 100 to be guided into the discharge chamber 101 by a force acting in one direction on the outer periphery of the cartridge 50, and the stirring bar F can be moved to the discharge chamber 101 and discharged from the discharge port 150 in an efficient manner.

[0108] The specimen measurement device 1 of this embodiment includes an attachment section 200 to which a cartridge 50 containing a plurality of stirring bars F is detachably attached, an ejection section 201 that ejects the stirring bars F from the cartridge 50 attached to the attachment section 200, a transfer section 202 that transfers the stirring bars F ejected from the cartridge 50 to a cuvette B, a dispensing section 700 that dispenses the specimen into the cuvette B, and a measurement section 405 that measures the specimen in the cuvette B to which the stirring bars F have been transferred. According to the specimen measurement device 1 of this embodiment, the cartridge 50 containing a plurality of stirring bars F can be attached to the specimen measurement device 1, and the stirring bars F can be removed from the cartridge 50 and transferred to the cuvette B, thereby reducing the frequency with which the user introduces stirring bars F into the device. Furthermore, the introduction of foreign matter into the cuvette B when the stirring bars F are placed in the cuvette B can be prevented.

[0109] The mounting section 200 is provided on the surface cover 40 of the specimen measurement device 1, making it easy for the user to mount and remove the cartridge 50 on the specimen measurement device 1.

[0110] The mounting section 200 has a recess 210 in which the cartridge 50 is housed, making it easy for the user to mount and remove the cartridge 50 on the specimen measurement device 1.

[0111] The mounting section 200 has an engaging member (rotation drive shaft 211) with which the cartridge 50 is detachably engaged, so that the cartridge 50 can be suitably mounted in the specimen measurement device 1.

[0112] The removal unit 201 has a first mechanism 240 that moves the stirring bar F housed in the cartridge 50 to the outlet 150 provided in the cartridge 50. This allows the stirring bar F to be moved within the cartridge 50 in an appropriate manner.

[0113] The first mechanism 240 has a magnet 250 that uses magnetic force to move the stirrer F housed in the cartridge 50. This allows the stirrer F in the cartridge 50 to be moved appropriately using a simple mechanism.

[0114] The transfer section 202 has an inlet 310 into which the stirring bar F removed from the cartridge 50 is inserted, and the removal section 201 has a second mechanism 260 that moves the discharge outlet 150 of the cartridge 50 and the inlet 310 of the transfer section 202 relatively to align the position of the discharge outlet 150 with the position of the inlet 310. This allows the stirring bar F to be appropriately inserted from the discharge outlet 150 of the cartridge 50 into the inlet 310 of the transfer section 202.

[0115] The second mechanism 260 has a rotation drive unit 270 that rotates the cartridge 50 around a central axis L1 oriented in the vertical direction of the cartridge 50. This allows the stirring bar F to be suitably introduced into the introduction port 310 of the transfer unit 202 using a simple mechanism.

[0116] The transfer section 202 has a passage 300 through which the stirring bar F passes. This allows the stirring bar F to be transferred to the cuvette B appropriately.

[0117] The transfer unit 202 has a container holding unit 301 that holds a cuvette B, and is configured to transfer a stirring bar F to the cuvette B held in the container holding unit 301. This allows the stirring bar F to be reliably transferred to the cuvette B.

[0118] The specimen measurement device 1 further includes a second detection unit (second sensor 320) that detects the stirring bar F ejected from the cartridge 50. This makes it possible to confirm that the stirring bar F has been ejected from the cartridge 50. Furthermore, the specimen measurement device 1 can be easily controlled so that two stirring bars F are not placed in one cuvette B.

[0119] The specimen measurement device 1 includes a first detection unit (first sensor 212) that detects the presence or absence of the cartridge 50 attached to the attachment unit 200. This makes it possible to confirm that the cartridge 50 is attached to the specimen measurement device 1.

[0120] 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 within the scope of the ideas set forth in the claims, and it is understood that such modifications also fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0121] For example, in the above embodiment, the second mechanism 260 of the extraction unit 201 of the specimen measurement device 1 includes a rotation drive unit 270 that rotates the cartridge 50 around the central axis L1 of the cartridge 50 that is oriented in the vertical direction. However, the second mechanism 260 may also be configured to move the cartridge 50 in a horizontal plane to relatively move the outlet 150 of the cartridge 50 and the inlet 310 of the transfer unit 202, thereby aligning the positions of the outlet 150 and the inlet 310. In this case, too, the magnet 250 of the first mechanism 240 may move the stirrer F in the cartridge 50 to the outlet 150. Furthermore, the cartridge 50 may be moved irregularly in a horizontal plane to align the positions of the outlet 150 and the inlet 310, or the cartridge 50 may be moved regularly in the horizontal plane to align the positions of the outlet 150 and the inlet 310.

[0122] The specimen measurement device 1 may be provided with a plurality of cartridge mounting mechanisms 51. In such a case, even if the stir bar F of a cartridge 50 mounted in one cartridge mounting mechanism 51 runs out, the stir bar F of a cartridge 50 mounted in another cartridge mounting mechanism 51 can be supplied to the cuvette B. The cartridge mounting mechanism 51 may also be provided with a plurality of mounting sections 200 and removal sections 201. In such a case, for example, the transfer section 202 may have a passage 300 for each mounting section 200, and the plurality of passages 300 may merge midway to form a single outlet 311. In this case, there is preferably only one receiving position for the stir bar F.

[0123] In the above embodiment, the removal section 201 is configured to move the stirring bar F housed in the cartridge 50 to the outlet 150 using magnetic force, but it may also be configured to move the stirring bar F to the outlet 150 using other forces, such as centrifugal force or suction force.

[0124] In the above embodiment, the discharge chamber 101 of the cartridge 50 is large enough to accommodate one stirring bar F, but it may also be large enough to accommodate multiple stirring bars F. As shown in FIG. 21(a), the discharge chamber 101 may be large enough to accommodate a total of four stirring bars F, with two stirring bars F lined up in each of two mutually orthogonal directions (X direction and Y direction). As shown in FIG. 21(b), the discharge chamber 101 may be large enough to accommodate a total of four stirring bars F, with two stirring bars F lined up in each of two mutually orthogonal directions (Y direction and Z direction). As shown in FIG. 21(c), the discharge chamber 101 may be large enough to accommodate a total of eight stirring bars F, with two stirring bars F lined up in each of three mutually orthogonal directions (X direction, Y direction, and Z direction).

[0125] In the above embodiment, the measurement aid is a stirring bar introduced into cuvette B to measure platelet aggregation. However, it may also be a metal ball introduced into the cuvette to measure clotting time by a mechanical method. Here, the mechanical method refers to a method of measuring clotting time by capturing changes in the viscosity of a blood sample by capturing changes in the amplitude of the metal ball introduced into the cuvette together with the blood sample. For example, if steel balls are used as the metal balls, the method involves using an electromagnet to move the steel balls introduced into the cuvette and capturing changes in their movement associated with the clotting reaction of the blood sample. The method may involve using an electromagnet to stop the steel balls introduced into the cuvette and capturing changes in their movement as they begin to move associated with the clotting reaction of the blood sample. That is, in the above embodiment, the sample measurement device 1 may be configured to perform a loading step of introducing a predetermined number of metal balls from a plurality of metal balls housed in cartridge 50 into a container, a dispensing step of dispensing the sample into the container, and a measurement step of measuring the sample in the container into which the metal balls have been introduced.

[0126] Although the specimen measurement device 1 has the configuration shown in Figure 13, the specimen measurement device of the present invention is not limited to this and may have other configurations. The specimen measurement device and specimen measurement method of the present invention can be applied not only to measurements of platelet aggregation, but also to other blood measurements such as blood immunoassays and measurements of specimens other than blood. [Industrial Applicability]

[0127] The present invention is useful in reducing the frequency with which a user introduces measurement aids into a specimen measurement device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0128] 1. Sample measurement device 50 cartridges 51 Cartridge mounting mechanism 100 Containment Rooms 101 Discharge chamber 102 Detachable part 150 Outlet 200 Mounting part 201 Removal section 202 Transfer section B cuvette F Stir bar

Claims

1. A sample measurement method for measuring a sample, comprising: removing a plurality of stirring bars used in a platelet aggregation test from a storage chamber of a cartridge that stores each of the stirring bars in a freely movable manner through an outlet of the cartridge; and measuring a sample using the removed stirring bars, an introduction step of magnetically moving a predetermined number of the stirring bars from the storage chamber to the outlet provided at a higher position than the storage chamber, aligning the position of the outlet with the position of an inlet provided in the sample measurement device by rotating the cartridge attached to the sample measurement device, and dropping the predetermined number of stirring bars from the inlet via the outlet into a container; a dispensing step of dispensing a sample into the container; a measuring step of measuring the sample in the container into which the predetermined number of stirring bars have been added.

2. A sample measurement method comprising: removing a plurality of rod-shaped stirring bars used in a platelet aggregation test from a cartridge having a storage chamber in which each of the stirring bars is freely accommodated; removing the stirring bars through an outlet of the cartridge; and measuring a sample using the removed stirring bars, an introduction step of magnetically moving one of the plurality of stirring bars housed in the storage chamber to a discharge chamber having dimensions capable of housing only one stirring bar in a predetermined orientation, and rotating the cartridge attached to the specimen measurement device to align the position of the discharge outlet provided in the discharge chamber with the position of the inlet provided in the specimen measurement device, and dropping the stirring bar from the inlet via the discharge outlet into a container; a dispensing step of dispensing a sample into the container; a measuring step of measuring the sample in the container into which the stirring bar has been placed.

3. The specimen measurement method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the introducing step, the stirring bar ejected from the cartridge is introduced into the container through a passage provided in the specimen measurement device.

4. A specimen measurement method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein in the introduction step, the stirring bar ejected from the cartridge is introduced into a container held by a container holding section provided in the specimen measurement device.

5. The specimen measurement method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a detection step of detecting the stirring bar ejected from the cartridge, and a determination step of determining whether the stirring bar has been inserted into the container based on the detection result of the detection step.

6. The specimen measurement method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein in the measurement step, the specimen in the container is measured while stirring the stirring bar in the container.

7. The specimen measurement method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a calculation step of calculating a platelet aggregation rate based on the absorbance or transmittance of the specimen measured in the measurement step.

8. The sample measurement method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising the step of detecting that the cartridge has been attached to the sample measurement device.

9. further comprising an order selection step of selecting a measurement order; A specimen measurement method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, when a measurement order in which the stirring bar is to be introduced into the container is selected in the order selection process, the introduction process, the dispensing process, and the measurement process are performed.

10. A cartridge configured to be detachable from a specimen measurement device that measures specimens using a stirrer used in a platelet aggregation test, which can be aligned with an inlet provided on the specimen measurement device by rotating it while attached to the specimen measurement device, and which can insert the stirrer into a container through the inlet, A plurality of the stirring bars; a storage chamber in which the plurality of stirring bars are stored; a detachable part for attaching to and detaching from the sample measurement device; a discharge chamber that is in communication with the storage chamber and has an outlet for discharging the stirring bar stored in the storage chamber, and is configured so that the position of the outlet is higher than the position of the storage chamber when the sample is attached to the specimen measurement device by the detachable part, The discharge chamber is configured so that the stirring bar, which has been moved from the storage chamber to the discharge outlet by magnetic force, can be dropped from the discharge outlet through the input port and introduced into the container while the position of the discharge outlet and the position of the input port are aligned.

11. A cartridge configured to be detachable from a specimen measurement device that measures specimens using a rod-shaped agitator used in a platelet aggregation test, which can be aligned with an inlet provided on the specimen measurement device by rotating it while attached to the specimen measurement device, and which can insert the agitator into a container through the inlet, A plurality of the stirring bars; a storage chamber in which the plurality of stirring bars are stored; a detachable part for attaching to and detaching from the sample measurement device; a discharge chamber that is in communication with the storage chamber and has a discharge port for discharging the stirring bar housed in the storage chamber, and has a size that can accommodate only one of the stirring bars housed in the storage chamber in a predetermined orientation, The discharge chamber is configured so that the stirring bar, which has been moved from the storage chamber to the discharge outlet by magnetic force, can be dropped from the discharge outlet through the input port and introduced into the container while the position of the discharge outlet and the position of the input port are aligned.

12. The cartridge according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising an inclined surface that gradually rises from the bottom surface of the storage chamber toward the bottom surface of the discharge chamber.

13. The cartridge according to any one of claims 10 to 12, further comprising a movement restricting portion provided near an inlet of the discharge chamber and protruding downward.

14. the storage chamber has a plurality of storage areas separated from each other by partition plates, The cartridge according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the discharge port is provided in each of the plurality of storage areas.

15. The cartridge according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the detachable part has an engaging part that engages with an engaging member provided on the specimen measurement device.

16. The cartridge has a disk-like shape, The detachable portion is provided at the center of the disk shape, The storage chamber is provided around the detachable portion, The cartridge according to any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein the discharge chamber is provided outside the storage chamber.

17. A specimen measurement device for measuring a specimen using a stirrer used in a platelet aggregation test, a mounting portion to which a cartridge containing a plurality of stirring bars is detachably mounted; a magnetic unit that magnetically moves the stirring bar housed in the storage chamber of the cartridge to an outlet of the cartridge provided at a position higher than the storage chamber, and a removal unit that removes the stirring bar from the cartridge attached to the attachment unit by a rotation drive unit that rotates the cartridge to align the position of the outlet with the position of the inlet; a transfer unit that transfers the stirring bar removed from the cartridge to a container through the insertion port; a dispensing unit that dispenses a sample into the container; a measuring unit that measures the sample in the container to which the stirring bar has been transferred.

18. A specimen measurement device for measuring a specimen using a rod-shaped stirring bar used in a platelet aggregation test, a mounting portion to which a cartridge containing a plurality of the stirring bars is detachably mounted; a magnetic unit that magnetically moves one of the plurality of stirring bars housed in the housing chamber of the cartridge to a discharge chamber of the cartridge having dimensions that can house only one stirring bar in a predetermined orientation; and a rotation drive unit that rotates the cartridge to align the position of a discharge port and a feed port provided in the discharge chamber, thereby removing the stirring bar from the cartridge attached to the mounting unit; a transfer unit that transfers the stirring bar removed from the cartridge to a container through the insertion port; a dispensing unit that dispenses a sample into the container; a measuring unit that measures the sample in the container to which the stirring bar has been transferred.

19. The specimen measurement device according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the mounting portion is provided on a surface of the specimen measurement device.

20. The specimen measurement device according to claim 19 , wherein the mounting portion has a recess in which the cartridge is housed.

21. The specimen measurement device according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the mounting portion has an engaging member to which the cartridge is detachably engaged.

22. The specimen measurement device according to any one of claims 17 to 21, wherein the transport section has a passage through which the stirring bar passes.

23. The specimen measurement device according to any one of claims 17 to 22, wherein the transfer unit has a container holding unit that holds a container and is configured to transfer the stirring bar to the container held in the container holding unit.

24. The specimen measurement device according to any one of claims 17 to 23, further comprising a first detection unit that detects whether or not a cartridge is attached to the attachment unit.

25. The specimen measurement device according to any one of claims 17 to 24, further comprising a second detection unit that detects the stirring bar ejected from the cartridge.

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