Automatic analysis device

Abstract

A chute 305 for guiding a reaction vessel 116a from a conveying portion 117 to a waste storage unit 202 comprises a reaction vessel disposal hole 113 for accepting the reaction vessel 116a dropped from the conveying portion 117 into the chute 305, a first passage 411 that extends a first distance in a vertical direction from the reaction vessel disposal hole 113, and a second passage 421 that extends a second distance from a first end portion 412 of the first passage 411 on the opposite side to the reaction vessel disposal hole 113, in a state inclined through a first angle, wherein, in the second passage 421, a second end portion 423 on the opposite side to first end portions 412 and 422 is inclined through a second angle such that the chute 305 is directed toward the waste storage unit 202. As a result, the present invention provides an automated analysis device with which it is possible to achieve a reduction, compared with the past, in splashing of a residual liquid in the reaction vessel in the course of disposing of the reaction vessel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer.

Background Art

[0002] In an automatic analyzer for analyzing biological components, a reaction vessel, which is one of the consumables that have been used, is put into a waste box provided at a predetermined position from an analysis unit. When a certain amount has accumulated, it is taken out of the apparatus and discarded, and an empty waste box is reset to a predetermined position inside the apparatus (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003] ]][[ID=]22]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] According to Patent Document 1, in a shooter that serves as a second rail on the waste path of the reaction vessel, the reaction vessel collides with the inner wall surface of the shooter, and the residual liquid of the sample in the reaction vessel scatters. As a result, the reaction vessel stops on the waste path, which may cause clogging.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer capable of reducing the scattering of the residual liquid in the reaction vessel during the waste process of the reaction vessel.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An automatic analyzer according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a transport unit for transporting used reaction vessels, a waste box capable of accommodating a plurality of the used reaction vessels, and a waste cylinder having an internal passage for guiding the reaction vessels from the transport unit to the waste box, wherein the internal passage of the waste cylinder has an opening for receiving the reaction vessels dropped from the transport unit into the internal passage, a first passage extending vertically by a first distance from the opening, and a second passage extending by a second distance at an angle of first inclination from a first end of the first passage opposite to the opening, The first passage is formed such that its cross-sectional area narrows as it extends vertically downward from the opening. The second passage is inclined by a second angle on the side opposite to the first end, such that the internal passage faces the direction of the waste bin. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an automated analyzer that can reduce the scattering of residual liquid inside a reaction vessel during the disposal process of the reaction vessel. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Perspective view of an automated analyzer. [Figure 2] Cross-sectional view of the waste unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view of the waste cylinder inside the waste unit of the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the automated analyzer will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings used herein, identical or corresponding components are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals, and repeated descriptions of these components may be omitted.

[0010] <First Embodiment> A first embodiment of the automated analyzer will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

[0011] First, the overall configuration of the automated analyzer will be explained using Figure 1. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the general configuration of the automated analyzer.

[0012] The automated analyzer 101 houses multiple reagent containers (omitted for illustrative purposes) along the inner side of the outer wall of a cylindrical reagent storage chamber 105 that is rotatably supported around a vertical axis. It has the function of drawing a predetermined amount of reagent from each reagent container using a dispensing pipette and supplying it to a biological sample such as blood or urine dispensed into a reaction vessel 116a for analysis.

[0013] First, let's explain the transport route for the samples to be analyzed.

[0014] The sample to be analyzed is placed in a sample container 103 and moved within the automated analyzer 101 by a sample transport mechanism 102 such as a belt conveyor or rack handler, and transported to the dispensing position of a sample dispensing mechanism 104 equipped with a dispensing pipette for dispensing the sample, where it is dispensed.

[0015] Multiple reaction vessels 116a are supplied into the automatic analyzer 101 while placed in the unused reaction vessel storage section 116.

[0016] The reaction vessels 116a are picked up one by one from the unused reaction vessel storage section 116 by the transport section 117, then raised and moved to the sample dispensing position (not shown). To enable such movement, the transport section 117 is configured to be movable in the X, Y, and Z axes.

[0017] The disc-shaped incubator 110, which is pivotally supported around a vertical central axis, has multiple reaction vessel mounting sections 110a for securing multiple reaction vessels 116a on the circumference near its outer edge, and each reaction vessel 116a can be moved to a predetermined position by rotating the incubator 110.

[0018] Next, the sample dispensing mechanism 104 moves to the upper region of the sample, aspirates the sample, then moves to the upper region of the reaction vessel 116a, and discharges the sample into the reaction vessel 116a. After this, the sample dispensing mechanism 104 cleans the nozzle of the dispensing pipette by a cleaning mechanism (not shown). When using a replaceable tip instead of the nozzle, the tip may be replaced by an exchange mechanism (not shown).

[0019] Next, the conveyance path of the reagent added to the sample in the reaction vessel 116a will be described.

[0020] The conveyance unit 117 is configured to be capable of circular motion within its movement range including the sample discharge position, the reaction vessel gripping position, and the range of the reaction vessel installation part 110a on the incubator 110, and is configured to be rotatable to convey the reaction vessel 116a to these positions.

[0021] The reagent reservoir 105, which is cylindrical and hollow inside and is pivotally supported rotatably around a vertical central axis, forms a reagent holding part that holds a plurality of reagent containers radially along the housing of the inner cavity.

[0022] The reagent dispensing mechanism 108 is configured to be movable so that it can aspirate the reagent in the reagent container and move to a predetermined position. First, the reagent dispensing mechanism 108 moves to the upper region of a predetermined type of reagent on the reagent reservoir 105, aspirates a predetermined amount of the reagent, then moves to the upper region of the reaction vessel 116a in the incubator 110, and discharges the reagent into the reaction vessel 116a.

[0023] After a predetermined reaction time has elapsed since the sample and a predetermined reagent are dispensed, a reaction solution is formed. The reaction vessel 116a containing this reaction solution is moved to the analysis unit 120 by the conveyance unit 117.

[0024] The analysis unit 120 detects the concentration etc. of the detection target in the reaction solution.

[0025] Next, the used reaction vessel 116a, which held the analyzed reaction solution, is moved by the transport unit 117 to the upper area of ​​the reaction vessel disposal hole 113, and the reaction vessel 116a is disposed of in the waste storage unit 202 through the reaction vessel disposal hole 113.

[0026] The automated analyzer 101 shown in Figure 1 can efficiently analyze multiple samples for multiple analytical items by combining or repeating the above operations.

[0027] The mechanism described above within the automated analyzer 101 is referred to as the analysis operation unit.

[0028] Furthermore, in addition to the analysis unit, the automated analyzer 101 is equipped with a control device 125 that controls the operation of each instrument within the analysis unit, and an operation unit 126.

[0029] The control device 125 is composed of, for example, a hardware board and a computer, and incorporates a storage unit 127 such as a hard disk and a control unit 128.

[0030] The memory unit 127 stores, for example, control parameters corresponding to each unit and sample information related to various samples.

[0031] The control unit 128 may be configured as hardware using a dedicated circuit board, or as software executed on a computer. When configured as hardware, it can be realized by integrating multiple arithmetic units that perform processing on a wiring board, or within a semiconductor chip or package. When configured as software, it can be realized by equipping a computer with a high-speed general-purpose CPU and executing a program that performs the desired arithmetic processing. Existing devices can also be upgraded using a recording medium on which this program is stored. Furthermore, these devices, circuits, and computers are connected by a wired or wireless network, and data is transmitted and received as needed.

[0032] The operation unit 126 consists of a display unit 126a, which is a display, and an input unit 126b, which is an input unit for a mouse, keyboard, etc. The display unit 126a displays information stored in the storage unit 127.

[0033] The above describes the configuration of the automated analyzer 101 of this embodiment.

[0034] Although the configuration of the automated analyzer shown in Figure 1 is that it is equipped with an analysis unit 120, the configuration of the automated analyzer to which the present invention applies is not limited to this. For example, it can also be applied to automated analyzers that are equipped with a biochemical system or an immunological system detection unit, or a biochemical system and an immunological system detection unit, or further, or interchangeable, detection units for other analytical items.

[0035] Furthermore, the automated analyzer is not limited to a single analysis module configuration as shown in Figure 1. It can also be configured by connecting two or more analysis modules capable of measuring various identical or different analysis items, or pre-processing modules that perform pre-processing, via a transport device.

[0036] Next, the details of the waste unit 201 in the automated analyzer 101 will be explained using Figure 2. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the waste unit 201.

[0037] As shown in Figure 2, the waste unit 201 includes a waste storage unit 202 capable of accommodating multiple used reaction vessels 116a, and a guide unit 203 having a chute 305 that guides the reaction vessels 116a from the transport unit 117 to the waste storage unit 202.

[0038] In the automated analyzer 101, used consumable reaction vessels 116a are poured into a waste box 301 located in a designated position through a reaction vessel waste hole 113 near the analysis unit. Once a certain amount has accumulated, the waste box is removed from the device and discarded, and the empty waste box is reset to its designated position inside the device.

[0039] Since the waste box 301 needs to be located at the front of the device when removing and reinstalling it, it is desirable to position the waste box 301 at the front.

[0040] In the automated analyzer 101, multiple units such as the reagent storage, dispensing mechanisms, and optical systems must be arranged within a limited space, taking into account their respective operating ranges and impacts on analysis. As a result of optimizing this layout, for example, if the reagent storage, which is frequently accessed by the user, is prioritized for placement at the front, as shown in Figure 1, the waste disposal system must be placed at the back of the device.

[0041] In this configuration, the reaction vessel's waste port must also be located at the rear, making it difficult to place the waste box at the front. In this case, a mechanism is needed to place the waste box at the rear and extend it to the front for removal. However, with this mechanism, the space through which the waste box passes during replacement becomes dead space, making it difficult to miniaturize the device.

[0042] Therefore, by adding the guide unit 203 to the waste unit 201, it is possible to reduce dead space while positioning the waste box 301 at the front. By reducing dead space, at least one unit such as the pump or degassing module can be placed below the slope 306, thereby enabling further miniaturization of the device without affecting measurement results or user maintenance operations.

[0043] The waste storage unit 202 includes a waste box 301, a waste box holder 302, a waste box housing 303, and an observation window 304.

[0044] The waste box 301 is set in the waste box holder 302 and is removable.

[0045] The waste box holder 302 is connected to the waste box housing 303 via a hinge 321, and the waste box holder 302 can be extended to the removal position 322 for removing the waste box 301 by pulling the handle 307 provided on the waste box holder 302 by hand. In this embodiment, the extension method is rotational, but an extension method of horizontal pulling may also be used.

[0046] The waste box 301 is a roughly rectangular parallelepiped with an open top, and is a bottomed cardboard tube structure, for example, lined with vinyl. As an example, the waste box 301 is a vertically elongated box with a width of approximately 87 mm in the left-right direction, a depth of 157 mm in the front-to-back direction, and a height of 215 mm. The waste box 301 is stored in a waste box holder 302, which is assembled to a waste box housing 303 located at the front of the device.

[0047] The observation window 304 is, for example, a transparent plastic plate. The observation window 304 may also be a plate with many small holes. The observation window 304 allows for visual inspection of the condition of the surface of the slope 306 while preventing the discarded reaction vessel 116a from flying out of the waste unit 201.

[0048] The guide unit 203 includes a ramp 306 that guides the reaction vessel to the waste box 301, and a chute 305 that guides the reaction vessel 116a, which has been placed into the reaction vessel waste hole 113, to the ramp 306.

[0049] The chute 305 is composed of a plastic cylinder having a cross-section that changes continuously along a curved trajectory from a circular cross-section to an elliptical cross-section, and broadly speaking, it has a reaction vessel waste hole 113, a first passage 411, and a second passage 421 for receiving the reaction vessel 116a dropped from the transport section 117 into the chute 305. The cross-sectional shape of the chute 305 may be a cylinder including an elliptical cross-section, and there are no particular limitations regarding the cross-sectional shape.

[0050] Of these, the first passage 411 is a passage for used reaction vessels 116a that extends vertically by a predetermined first distance from the reaction vessel waste hole 113, and is formed such that the cross-sectional area of ​​the passage narrows as it goes vertically downward from the reaction vessel waste hole 113.

[0051] The second passage 421 is also a passage for used reaction vessels 116a, and extends from the first end 412 of the first passage 411, opposite to the reaction vessel waste hole 113, by a predetermined second distance at a predetermined first angle θ1. Of this, the first angle θ1 is bent toward the opposite side from the waste storage unit 202.

[0052] This second passage 421 is provided with a first end 422 connected to the first end 412 of the first passage 411, and a second end 423 on the opposite side of the first end 422. Of these, the second end 423 is inclined by a predetermined second angle θ2 so that the chute 305 faces the waste storage unit 202.

[0053] The inner walls of the first passage 411 and the second passage 421 are continuous.

[0054] As an example of the chute 305, it has a stable section with a 9mm inner diameter circular cross-section that tapers from 42.5mm above to 8mm in diameter downwards. From the exit of the taper, a circular cross-section with an 8mm inner diameter continues from 86.2mm above to downwards. Beyond that, it is a cylinder with an oval cross-section that changes from a 30° to 60° incline, becoming an oval cross-section that is 30mm long and 20mm wide, continuing down to a position 270mm below the chute inlet. In the process of changing from a 30° to 60° incline, it becomes an elbow with a radius of 1mm to 250mm.

[0055] The preferred range of the first angle θ1 described above is not particularly limited, but can be 1-89°, preferably 1-20°, and more preferably 5-15°. Similarly, the preferred range of the second angle θ2 is not particularly limited, but can be 1-89°, preferably 30-60°, and more preferably 40-50°.

[0056] The ramp 306 is, for example, a plastic component having an inclined surface 308 and a deceleration surface 309, and the guide unit 203 is positioned so that the lower end of the ramp 306 is at the upper end of the waste box 301.

[0057] The inclined plane 308 is a plane having a constant inclination angle θ3 of 1° to 89°. The inclined plane 308 may be a plane with an inclination that changes depending on the location, or it may be a curved surface that continuously changes along a curved trajectory in the shape of a semicircle, semiellipse, or V-shape, and is not particularly limited.

[0058] Furthermore, to prevent the reaction solution from adhering to the surface of the slope 308, the surface can be treated with a processing treatment. Examples of processing treatments include texturing, water-repellent treatment, or hydrophilic treatment.

[0059] The deceleration surface 309 is a surface formed at the lower part of the slope 308, with a less pronounced incline than the slope 308. The enclosure 310 is a plastic component formed to cover the slope and prevents splashing to the surrounding area and the reaction vessel 116a from flying out.

[0060] In the guide unit 203, the upper end face of the slope 306 is located 5 mm above the lower end point of the chute 305. This arrangement stabilizes the installation position of the chute 305 and reduces the angle of incidence of the reaction vessel 116a onto the slope 306, thereby suppressing the reaction vessel 116a from bouncing on the slope 306.

[0061] In this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the slope 306 is such that the enclosure 310 is open from above, which also has the effect of preventing the reaction vessel 116a from getting stuck inside the guide unit 203.

[0062] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0063] The automatic analyzer 101 of the first embodiment described above comprises a transport unit 117 for transporting used reaction vessels 116a, a waste storage unit 202 capable of accommodating multiple used reaction vessels 116a, and a guide unit 203 having a chute 305 that guides the reaction vessels 116a from the transport unit 117 to the waste storage unit 202. The chute 305 of the guide unit 203 receives the reaction vessels 116a dropped from the transport unit 117 into the chute 305. The container has a waste hole 113, a first passage 411 that extends vertically for a first distance from the waste hole 113, and a second passage 421 that extends for a second distance from the first end 412 of the first passage 411 opposite to the waste hole 113, at an angle of first θ1, and the second end 423 of the second passage 421, opposite to the first ends 412 and 422, is inclined at an angle of second θ2 such that the chute 305 faces the waste storage unit 202.

[0064] This allows the used reaction vessel 116a to be transported stably through the chute 305 and then continuously through the slope 306. Consequently, the scattering of residual liquid from the used reaction vessel 116a during the disposal process can be prevented more effectively than in conventional methods. As a result, clogging of the reaction vessel 116a can be reduced compared to conventional methods.

[0065] Furthermore, since the first passage 411 is formed such that its cross-sectional area narrows as it extends vertically downward from the reaction vessel waste hole 113, the reaction vessel 116a can be transported more smoothly through the chute 305, and the scattering of residual liquid during the disposal process can be prevented more effectively.

[0066] Furthermore, the second passage 421 is curved at a first angle θ1 toward the opposite side of the waste storage unit 202, which prevents the waste from falling directly onto the slope 306. Additionally, contact with the inner wall surface within the second passage 421 corrects the trajectory of the fall to a straight line towards the waste storage unit 202 within the slope 306, thereby enabling smoother disposal and further reducing clogging.

[0067] Furthermore, because the inner walls of the first passage 411 and the second passage 421 are continuous, there are no points where the reaction vessel 116a may get stuck while passing through the chute 305, allowing the reaction vessel 116a to be guided more smoothly to the waste storage unit 202 and further effectively preventing the scattering of residual liquid.

[0068] <Second Embodiment> The automated analyzer of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the chute 505.

[0069] In the automated analyzer of this embodiment, the internal shape of the chute 505 is different, and the inner wall surfaces of the first passage 511 and the second passage 521 are not continuous, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the second passage 521 is larger than that of the first passage 511.

[0070] The other features of the chute 505 are the same as above, including the reaction vessel waste hole 113, a first passage 511 extending vertically for a first distance from the reaction vessel waste hole 113, and a second passage 521 extending for a second distance from the first end 512 of the first passage 511 opposite to the reaction vessel waste hole 113 at an angle of first θ1, and the second end 523 of the second passage 521 opposite to the first ends 512 and 522 is inclined at an angle of second θ2 so that the chute 505 faces the waste storage unit 202.

[0071] For example, the chute 505 shown in Figure 3 has a slope with an incline of 1 to 5 degrees in the 86.2 mm downward from the stable section outlet of the chute 305 shown in Figure 2. The section from the elbow portion at the exit of the slope has the same shape as the chute 305. This slope suppresses collision of the reaction vessel 116a at the elbow portion inside the chute 505, making it possible to dispose of the reaction vessel 116a in a stable manner.

[0072] Other configurations and operations are substantially the same as those of the automated analyzer in the first embodiment, and details are omitted.

[0073] The automated analyzer of the second embodiment also achieves substantially the same effects as the automated analyzer of the first embodiment.

[0074] <Other> It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are included. The embodiments described above are explained in detail for the purpose of clearly illustrating the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 101…Automatic analyzer 102... Specimen transport mechanism 103... Specimen container 104... Specimen dispensing mechanism 105…Reagent storage 108…Reagent dispensing mechanism 110... Incubator 110a... Reaction vessel installation section 113…Reaction vessel waste port (opening) 116... Unused reaction vessel storage section 116a…Reaction vessel 117... Conveyor Department 120…Analysis Department 125...Control device 126...Operation unit 126a...Display section 126b...Input section 127...Storage section 128... Control Unit 201... Disposal Unit 202...Waste storage unit (waste box) 203... Information unit (waste tube) 301... Disposal box 302... Disposal box holder 303... Disposal box enclosure 304... Observation window 305... Shooter (internal passage) 306...Slope 307...Handle 308... Slope 309...Deceleration surface 321... Hinge 322… position 411…First Pathway 412…First end 421…Second Pathway 422…First end 423…Second end 505…シュータ 511…First Pathway 512…First end 521…Second Pathway 522…First end 523…Second end θ1…first angle θ2…Second angle θ3… tilt angle

Claims

1. A transport unit for transporting used reaction vessels, A waste box capable of accommodating multiple used reaction vessels, The system includes a waste cylinder having an internal passage for guiding the reaction vessel from the transport unit to the waste box, The internal passage of the waste cylinder is An opening for receiving the reaction vessel dropped from the transport section into the internal passage, A first passage extending vertically by a first distance from the opening, The first passage has a second passage that extends a second distance from the first end of the first passage opposite to the opening, at an angle of a first degree, The first passage is formed such that its cross-sectional area narrows as it extends vertically downward from the opening. The second passage is inclined by a second angle on the side opposite to the first end, such that the internal passage faces the direction of the waste bin. Automatic analyzer.

2. A transport unit for transporting used reaction vessels, A waste box capable of accommodating multiple used reaction vessels, The system includes a waste cylinder having an internal passage for guiding the reaction vessel from the transport unit to the waste box, The internal passage of the waste cylinder is An opening for receiving the reaction vessel dropped from the transport section into the internal passage, A first passage extending vertically by a first distance from the opening, The first passage has a second passage that extends a second distance from the first end of the first passage opposite to the opening, at an angle of a first degree, The second passage is bent at the first angle toward the opposite side of the waste bin, and the second end, opposite to the first end, is inclined by the second angle such that the internal passage faces toward the waste bin. Automatic analyzer.

3. In the automated analyzer described in claim 2, The first passage is formed such that its cross-sectional area narrows as it extends vertically downward from the opening. Automatic analyzer.

4. In the automated analyzer described in claim 1, The second passage is curved such that the first angle is directed away from the waste bin. Automatic analyzer.

5. In the automated analyzer according to claim 1 or 2, The inner wall surfaces of the first passage and the second passage are continuous. Automatic analyzer.

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