Automated analyzer and automated analysis method

Abstract

To improve analysis precision.SOLUTION: An automatic analysis device includes: a storage part; a transfer part; a measurement part; and a static electricity removal part. The storage part stores a container for storing a sample to be analyzed. The transfer part transfers the container from the storage part. The measurement part injects the sample to the container transferred from the transfer part and measures liquid in the container. The static electricity removal part is provided in at least one of the storage part and the transfer part and removes static electricity of the container.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings relate to an automatic analyzer and an automatic analysis method.

Background Art

[0002] In an automatic analyzer for analyzing a test sample (a biological sample such as blood) collected from a subject (hereinafter referred to as a sample), generally, it is necessary to prepare empty reaction vessels in advance. After providing the reaction vessels in a work area such as a reaction disk, various analyses such as blood coagulation analysis are performed by mixing a liquid of the sample and a reagent or injecting the sample into the reaction vessel.

[0003] Therefore, an automatic analyzer includes a cuvette transport device and an analyzer having a reaction disk or the like. The cuvette transport device transports a cuvette, which is a reaction vessel used for analyzing a sample, to the reaction disk in the analyzer. The analyzer injects a sample and a reagent into the transported cuvette, or injects a sample into the transported cuvette, and performs various analyses on the sample by measuring the liquid in the cuvette.

[0004] Taking the analysis of blood coagulation as an example, FIG. 16 is an overall schematic diagram showing the configuration of a conventional automatic analyzer. The automatic analyzer includes a cuvette transport device 100' and an analyzer having a reaction disk 60'. The cuvette transport device 100' transports a cuvette 1' to the reaction disk 60'. As shown in FIG. 16, the cuvette transport device 100' transports a cuvette 1', which is a container open on one side, to the reaction disk 60', and generally includes a storage unit 10', an arrangement unit 20', and a transport unit 30' respectively surrounded by dotted lines as shown in the portion surrounded by the dotted line in FIG. 16.

[0005] After the cuvettes 1' are placed into the storage unit 10', they are fed into the placement unit 20' via the separator 40'. The placement unit 20' uses the placement unit 50' to arrange the cuvettes 1' that have been transported by the storage unit 10' in the same orientation in order to place them in the downstream transport unit 30'.

[0006] The cuvettes 1' arranged in the placement unit 20' and placed on the transport unit 30' are transported to the reaction disc 60' by the rails 30A' of the transport unit 30', where the sample is injected into the cuvettes 1' and analysis is performed. With the above structure, the cuvettes 1' that are haphazardly placed in the storage unit 10' can be automatically arranged and transported to the reaction disc 60'.

[0007] However, cuvette 1' is made of a material that easily generates dust, such as plastic. For example, in an automated analyzer having the cuvette transporter 100' described above, before the cuvettes 1' enter the reaction disc 60', they are placed haphazardly in the storage unit 10' and transported one by one to the reaction disc 60' by the cuvette transporter 100'. In this process, mutual friction exists between the cuvettes 1', between the cuvettes 1' and the storage unit 10', and between the cuvettes 1' and the placement unit 20'. For this reason, cuvettes 1' made of plastic material, for example, are prone to generating dust, and if dust enters the cuvette 1, it can mix with the injected sample and affect the analysis results of the analyzer, potentially affecting the final evaluation results. Therefore, dust generation can reduce the accuracy of the analysis. Removing dust from the cuvette is extremely important.

[0008] Furthermore, the separator 40' moves vertically to divide the cuvettes 1' into smaller portions and supply them to the placement unit 20'. Specifically, the top of the separator 40' is provided with a slope that faces the placement unit 20'. When the separator 40' is lowered, some of the cuvettes 1' fall onto the slope of the separator 40', and when the position of the separator 40' is raised, the cuvettes 1' slide down from the slope of the separator 40' into the placement unit 20'. In this process, the cuvettes 1' that are not in the separator 40' slide back down into the storage unit 10'. At this time, the cuvettes 1' collide with various parts of the storage unit 10' multiple times, making it easier for dust to be generated.

[0009] Similarly, the placement unit 50' positions the cuvettes 1' by moving vertically. During this process, the cuvettes 1' slide haphazardly into the placement unit 50'. For example, when the placement unit 50' is lowered, some of the cuvettes 1' fall into it, and when the position of the placement unit 50' is raised, the cuvettes 1' that do not fit into the placement unit 50' slide back into the placement unit 20'. During this process, the cuvettes 1' collide with various parts of the placement unit 20' multiple times, making it easy for dust to be generated.

[0010] As described above, the cuvette transport device 100' shown in Figure 16 is prone to generating dust, which may reduce the analytical accuracy of the automated analyzer due to the generation of dust. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-18968 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0012] One embodiment disclosed herein and in the drawings is for improving analytical accuracy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The automated analyzer according to this embodiment comprises a storage unit, a transfer unit, a measuring unit, and an electrostatic discharge unit. The storage unit stores a container for containing a sample to be analyzed. The transfer unit transfers the container from the storage unit. The measuring unit pours the sample into the container transferred from the transfer unit and measures the liquid inside the container. The electrostatic discharge unit is provided in at least one of the storage unit and the transfer unit and removes static electricity from the container. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an overall schematic diagram showing the configuration of the automated analyzer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2A] Figure 2A is an overhead view showing an example of an electrostatic discharge structure provided in the storage unit of the cuvette transport device in the automatic analyzer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2B] Figure 2B is a cross-sectional view of AA in Figure 2A. [Figure 2C] Figure 2C is a perspective view showing an example of an electrostatic discharge structure in the storage unit of the cuvette transport device in the automated analyzer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an enlarged schematic diagram showing an example of an electrostatic discharge mechanism provided in the arrangement unit of the cuvette transport device in the automatic analyzer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a simple schematic diagram showing an example of an electrostatic discharge mechanism provided in the arrangement unit of the cuvette transport device in the automatic analyzer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure (automatic analysis method) of the automated analyzer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6A] Figure 6A is a schematic diagram showing a part of an electrostatic discharge structure as a modified example of the electrostatic discharge structure provided in the storage unit of the cuvette transport device in the automatic analyzer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a perspective view showing the electrostatic removal structure of FIG. 6A. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an overall schematic view showing the structure of a cuvette transport device in an automatic analyzer according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the structure of an arrangement unit of a cuvette transport device in an automatic analyzer according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing the transport path of a transport unit of a cuvette transport device in an automatic analyzer according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10A] FIG. 10A is a schematic view showing the structure of a clamping unit of a transport unit of a cuvette transport device in an automatic analyzer according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10B] FIG. 10B is a schematic view showing the structure of a clamping unit of a transport unit of a cuvette transport device in an automatic analyzer according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10C] FIG. 10C is a schematic view showing the structure of a clamping unit of a transport unit of a cuvette transport device in an automatic analyzer according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure (automatic analysis method) of an automatic analyzer according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an overall schematic view showing the structure of a cuvette transport device in an automatic analyzer according to the third embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an overall schematic view showing the structure of a cuvette transport device in an automatic analyzer according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an overall schematic view showing the structure of a cuvette transport device in an automatic analyzer according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a schematic view showing a cleaning mechanism of a cuvette transport device in an automatic analyzer according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is an overall schematic view showing the configuration of a conventional automatic analyzer. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] The embodiments of the automated analyzer and automated analyzer method will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for substantially identical components, and detailed explanations are appropriately omitted.

[0016] Furthermore, while a blood coagulation analyzer is given as an example of an automated analyzer when describing the embodiments, this embodiment is not limited to a blood coagulation analyzer. Any device that uses a container to perform analysis on a sample (a biological sample such as blood) collected from a subject may be used to apply this embodiment.

[0017] Furthermore, the structures shown in each drawing are schematic for the sake of explanation, and the specific dimensions of the parts and the proportional and positional relationships between different parts may not necessarily match the actual product, as appropriate modifications have been made.

[0018] (First embodiment) Figure 1 is an overall schematic diagram showing the configuration of the automated analyzer 200 according to the first embodiment.

[0019] The blood coagulation analyzer, as an automated analyzer 200, has a cuvette transport device that automatically transports the cuvette 1 to the reaction disk. After the cuvette 1 is placed on the reaction disk, a liquid mixture of the sample and reagent or the sample itself is injected by the injection mechanism of the automated analyzer 200, and further, various analyses are performed on the sample in the cuvette 1 by the analysis mechanism of the automated analyzer 200. In this embodiment, other structures such as the injection mechanism and analysis mechanism, excluding the cuvette transport device, may all be known structures and are therefore omitted from illustration and description. Figure 1 shows and explains only the configuration related to the transport of the cuvette 1.

[0020] As shown in Figure 1, the automatic analyzer 200 according to the first embodiment includes a cuvette transport device 100. The cuvette transport device 100 comprises a storage unit 10, a placement unit 20, and a transport unit 30 connected in sequence, and transports the cuvette 1 from the storage unit 10 to the reaction disk 60 via the placement unit 20 and the transport unit 30.

[0021] The automated analyzer 200 according to the first embodiment further comprises an analyzer 70 having a reaction disk 60 and a control circuit. The control circuit controls the storage unit 10, the placement unit 20, the transport unit 30, and the analyzer 70. Here, the storage unit 10 is an example of a "storage unit," and the placement unit 20 and the transport unit 30 are examples of "transport units." The analyzer 70 is an example of a "measurement unit," and performs analysis of the sample by injecting the sample into the cuvette 1 transported from the transport unit (placement unit 20, transport unit 30) and measuring the liquid inside the cuvette 1.

[0022] The main structure of the storage unit 10 of the cuvette transport device 100 is a casing with an open top. Empty cuvettes 1 are temporarily stored in the storage unit 10 by being inserted into the storage unit 10 through the opening at the top of the storage unit 10. A slope is formed on the lower surface of the casing, which is inclined toward the placement unit 20, so that the cuvettes 1 move toward the placement unit 20 within the casing.

[0023] Specifically, the storage unit 10 comprises a cage 13 in which the cuvettes 1 are stored, a separator, a moving mechanism for moving the separator vertically, and a cage for housing the separator and the moving mechanism. As the separator, for example, a separator 40' as shown in Figure 16 is used. The separator moves vertically to separate and remove the cuvettes 1 from the storage unit 10. For example, when the separator is lowered to a lower position, it accepts the entry of the cuvettes 1, and when it is raised to a higher position, it drops the cuvettes 1 into the placement unit 20.

[0024] The placement unit 20 of the cuvette transport device 100 is connected between the storage unit 10 and the transport unit 30, and sequentially places the cuvettes 1 stored in the storage unit 10 into the transport unit 30.

[0025] Specifically, the placement unit 20 comprises a rail 50, a moving mechanism for moving the rail 50 vertically, and a casing for housing the rail 50 and the moving mechanism. As the rail 50, for example, a placement unit 50' as shown in Figure 16 is used.

[0026] Here, the cuvette 1 is formed, for example, from a member with an open top, and a flange is formed on the open side of the body of the cuvette 1. The rails 50 are rails arranged at a predetermined distance apart to align the cuvettes 1. Here, the predetermined distance is shorter than the flange of the cuvette 1 and longer than the outer diameter of the body of the cuvette 1. Note that the shape of the cuvette 1 is not limited to this, and any container with an open top will suffice, and its cross-sectional shape and appearance may be arbitrarily set according to the reaction disc 60.

[0027] Therefore, the rail 50 aligns the cuvettes 1 by moving vertically, supplying the cuvettes 1 to the transport unit 30 in a predetermined position. For example, the movement mechanism of the placement unit 20 aligns the cuvettes 1 on the rail 50 when it moves to a lower position, and sequentially supplies the cuvettes 1 in the rail 50 to the transport unit 30 when it moves to a higher position. In the placement unit 20, any cuvettes 1 that are not aligned with the rail 50 fall into the storage unit 10 when the rail 50 moves to a higher position.

[0028] The transport unit 30 of the cuvette transport device 100 is equipped with rails 30A that are spaced apart by a predetermined distance in order to align the cuvettes 1. In the transport unit 30, the orientation of the rails 30A is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, and the rails 30A are inclined downward from the starting end to the ending end. As a result, the transport unit 30 maintains the orientation of the cuvettes 1 supplied from the placement unit 20 and transports them to the reaction disc 60, thereby transporting the cuvettes 1 to a predetermined position on the reaction disc 60 with their openings facing upwards, and enabling the analysis device 70 to perform analysis on the reaction disc 60.

[0029] The analytical apparatus 70 includes, for example, a reaction disk 60, a reagent storage chamber, an injection mechanism, and a measurement mechanism.

[0030] The reaction disk 60 is a reaction vessel that rotatably holds a plurality of cuvettes 1 arranged circumferentially.

[0031] The reagent cabinet keeps multiple reagent containers, arranged circumferentially, cool and secure. The reagent containers within the cabinet contain reagents that react with the components of each test item present in the sample. The reagent cabinet has a turntable that allows the reagent containers for each test item to be rotatably held.

[0032] The injection mechanism includes, for example, a sample dispensing probe and a reagent dispensing probe.

[0033] The sample dispensing probe dispenses the sample from a sample container that has been moved to the sample aspiration position, for example. Specifically, the sample dispensing probe aspirates the sample from the sample container located at the sample aspiration position for each test item and dispenses the amount of sample set as the analytical parameter for that test item into the cuvette 1 located at the sample discharge position on the reaction disk 60. After that, the sample dispensing probe is washed.

[0034] The reagent dispensing probe dispenses reagents from a reagent container that has been moved to the reagent aspiration position, for example. Specifically, the reagent dispensing probe aspirates reagents from the reagent container located at the reagent aspiration position and dispenses the amount of reagent set as the analytical parameter for the test item into the cuvette 1 located at the reagent discharge position on the reaction disk 60. After that, the reagent dispensing probe is washed.

[0035] The measurement mechanism measures a mixture by irradiating light onto a cuvette 1 containing a mixture of a sample and a reagent. Specifically, the measurement mechanism irradiates light onto the cuvette 1 at a rotating measurement position and detects the light that has passed through the sample and reagent mixture inside the cuvette 1. The measurement mechanism then processes the detected signal to generate standard data and test data represented as digital signals and outputs them to the control circuit. After that, the cuvette 1 is washed.

[0036] Here, the storage unit 10 of the cuvette transport device 100 will be described. The storage unit 10 includes a casing 13 in which the cuvettes 1 are stored, a separator that moves vertically to remove the cuvettes 1 and drop them into the placement unit 20, a moving mechanism that moves the separator vertically, a casing that houses the separator and the moving mechanism, and an electrostatic discharge structure 10A for removing static electricity attached to the cuvettes 1 by the conductive action of metal. Figure 2A is an overhead view showing an example of the electrostatic discharge structure 10A provided in the storage unit 10 of the cuvette transport device 100 in the automatic analyzer 200 according to the first embodiment. Figure 2B is a cross-sectional view of AA in Figure 2A. Figure 2C is a perspective view showing an example of the electrostatic discharge structure 10A. Here, the electrostatic discharge structure 10A of the storage unit 10 is an example of an "electrostatic discharge section".

[0037] The static electricity removal structure 10A of the storage unit 10 comprises multiple partition plates 11 and multiple brushes 12. The multiple partition plates 11 and multiple brushes 12 are provided inside the casing 13 in which the cuvette 1 is stored. In Figures 2A to 2C, the casing 13 for housing the cuvette 1 of the storage unit 10 is schematically and simplified as a cube. However, Figure 1 does not show the passage through which the cuvette 1 can pass between the storage unit 10 and the placement unit 20, but in reality, an opening is provided between the storage unit 10 and the placement unit 20 through which the cuvette 1 can pass.

[0038] For example, the multiple partition plates 11 are made of metal. Specifically, as shown in Figures 2A to 2C, three metal partition plates 11 are provided parallel to each other in the vertical direction within the casing 13. Although Figures 2A to 2C show three partition plates 11, the number of partition plates 11 does not have to be three and can be appropriately changed according to the size of the casing 13 of the storage unit 10. For example, each of the multiple brushes 12 is provided on a partition plate 11. Specifically, one end of each brush 12 is fixed to the side of the partition plate 11, and the other end is provided so as to extend vertically from the side of the partition plate 11. The brushes 12 are made of conductive material such as conductive fibers or carbon fibers. In the static electricity removal structure 10A of the storage unit 10, the partition plates 11 are provided within the casing 13 so that the cuvettes 1 pass through the brushes 12. Here, the partition plate 11 is an example of a "plate".

[0039] With this structure, when the cuvette 1 is loaded into the storage unit 10 by an operator or loading device, the cuvette 1 comes into contact with the brush 12 as it moves downward, as shown in Figures 2A and 2B, and static electricity attached to the cuvette 1 is removed by the conductive action of the metal. As a result, impurities such as dust attached to the cuvette 1 fall off more easily.

[0040] Next, the placement unit 20 of the cuvette conveying device 100 will be described. The placement unit 20 includes the rail 50 described above, a moving mechanism for moving the rail 50 in the vertical direction, and a casing for housing the rail 50 and the moving mechanism, as well as an electrostatic discharge mechanism 20A for removing static electricity attached to the cuvette 1 by the conductive action of metal. The electrostatic discharge mechanism of the placement unit 20 removes static electricity attached to the cuvette 1 by the conductive action of metal by collecting dust from the cuvette 1. Figure 3 is an enlarged schematic diagram showing an example of the electrostatic discharge mechanism 20A provided in the placement unit 20 of the cuvette conveying device 100 in the automatic analyzer 200 according to the first embodiment. Here, the electrostatic discharge structure 20A of the placement unit 20 is an example of an "electrostatic discharge section".

[0041] The left side of Figure 3 shows the structure of the placement unit 20, excluding the rail 50, the moving mechanism for moving the rail 50 vertically, and the casing that houses the rail 50 and the moving mechanism. The electrostatic discharge structure 20A of the placement unit 20 includes a collection box 21 and a discharge circuit 22. The collection box 21 is located below at least a portion of the path for transporting the cuvette 1, and the discharge circuit 22 uses static electricity to attract dust to the collection box 21. Here, the collection box 21 is an example of a "dust collection unit," and the discharge circuit 22 is an example of an "electrostatic attraction unit."

[0042] For example, the collection box 21 is located below the casing that houses the rail 50 and the moving mechanism. Specifically, as shown in Figure 3, a metal collection box 21 with an open top is provided below the casing of the placement unit 20, and the collection box 21 is shaped to accept impurities such as dust that fall from above.

[0043] Furthermore, the collection box 21 and the discharge head 22A of the discharge circuit 22 are electrically connected by a wire, causing the discharge circuit 22 to discharge electricity to the collection box 21 and generate static electricity in the collection box 21. At this time, the statically charged collection box 21 attracts impurities such as dust. For example, impurities such as dust on the cuvette 1 of the placement unit 20 located above the collection box 21 are attracted into the collection box 21 through through holes provided in the bottom of the casing of the placement unit 20.

[0044] The upper part of Figure 3 shows an example of the circuit configuration of the discharge circuit 22. The discharge circuit 22 includes a high-voltage DC power supply 22B with one end grounded, resistors R1 and R2 connected in series with the other end of the high-voltage DC power supply 22B, a capacitor C1 which is a capacitive element connected between resistors R1 and R2 and in parallel with the high-voltage DC power supply 22B, and a discharge switch 22C which is connected in series with resistors R1 and R2 and stores charge for discharge. A power switch 22D is provided between the high-voltage DC power supply 22B and resistor R1 to connect the high-voltage DC power supply 22B and resistor R1. The control circuit controls the discharge switch 22C on / off, causing the discharge circuit 22 to discharge to the collection box 21 and generate static electricity in the collection box 21. The circuit configuration of the discharge circuit 22 shown in Figure 3 is merely an example, and any configuration that allows for discharge is acceptable, not limited to the configuration shown in Figure 3.

[0045] Figure 4 is a simplified schematic diagram showing an example of an electrostatic discharge mechanism 20A provided in the placement unit 20 of the cuvette transport device 100 in the automatic analyzer 200 according to the first embodiment. In Figure 4, the placement unit 20 is simply represented as a space capable of accommodating cuvettes 1, and the collection box 21 is provided below the casing 20B that houses the rails 50 and the moving mechanism. Multiple through holes 23 are provided at the bottom of the casing 20B. Below the casing 20B of the placement unit 20, the collection box 21 connected to the discharge circuit 22 is provided at a distance from the placement unit 20, and the electrostatic discharge structure 20A, consisting of the collection box 21 and the discharge circuit 22, attracts impurities such as dust present in the placement unit 20 through electrostatic action, causing the dust and other impurities to be attracted into the collection box 21 via the through holes 23.

[0046] Next, the processing procedure (automatic analysis method) of the automatic analyzer 200 according to the first embodiment will be described. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the automatic analyzer 200 according to the first embodiment.

[0047] First, at the start of the automated analysis, the cuvette 1 is placed into the storage unit 10 of the cuvette transport device 100, and the storage unit 10 stores the placed cuvette 1. Here, when the cuvette 1 is placed into the casing 13 of the storage unit 10 from above, it falls between the casing 13 and the partition plate 11, or between the two partition plates 11, and comes into contact with the brush 12 (step S501 in Figure 5). In this process, unwanted static electricity on the cuvette 1 is removed, so that impurities such as dust are not attracted to the cuvette 1, and the cuvette 1 is transported from the storage unit 10 to the placement unit 20.

[0048] Next, in the cuvette transport device 100, the placement unit 20 aligns the cuvettes 1 supplied from the storage unit 10 using the rails 50, thereby supplying the cuvettes 1 to the transport unit 30 in a predetermined orientation. For example, when the placement unit 20 moves to a lower position, it aligns the cuvettes 1 on the rails 50, and when it moves to a higher position, it sequentially supplies the cuvettes 1 in the rails 50 to the transport unit 30. Here, the placement unit 20 activates the discharge circuit 22, using the collection box 21 to attract impurities such as dust that have fallen from the cuvettes 1 aligned on the rails 50 with static electricity and draws them into the collection box 21 (step S502 in Figure 5).

[0049] Next, the cuvettes 1, from which impurities such as dust have been removed, are arranged on the rails 30A of the transport unit 30 (step S503 in Figure 5), and the transport unit 30 transports the cuvettes 1 supplied from the placement unit 20 to the reaction disk 60 while maintaining their original orientation (step S504 in Figure 5). Next, the analyzer 70 performs various analyses on the sample by injecting the sample into the cuvettes 1 on the reaction disk 60 using the injection mechanism and measuring the liquid inside the cuvettes 1 using the measurement mechanism (step S505 in Figure 5).

[0050] As described above, in the automatic analyzer 200 according to the first embodiment, impurities such as dust are removed during the process of transporting the cuvette 1 in the cuvette transporter 100, so that impurities such as dust do not mix into the cuvette 1. Therefore, in the automatic analyzer 200 according to the first embodiment, the analysis results performed by the analyzer 70 are not affected, and the analysis accuracy is improved.

[0051] For example, in the automatic analyzer 200 according to the first embodiment, an electrostatic discharge structure 10A (partition plate 11 and brush 12) is provided inside the casing 13 of the storage unit 10 to remove static electricity attached to the cuvette 1 by the conductive action of metal, thereby allowing the removal of impurities such as dust during the process of transporting the cuvette 1 by the cuvette transporter 100.

[0052] Furthermore, for example, in the automatic analyzer 200 according to the first embodiment, by providing an electrostatic removal structure 20A (collection box 21 and discharge circuit 22) below the path (rail 50 and casing 20B housing the moving mechanism) for transporting the cuvette 1 of the placement unit 20, which generates an effect that attracts impurities such as dust using static electricity, impurities such as dust can be removed during the process of transporting the cuvette 1 by the cuvette transport device 100.

[0053] Thus, according to the automated analyzer 200 of the first embodiment, the analytical accuracy can be improved.

[0054] (Modification 1 of the first embodiment) In the automatic analyzer 200 according to the first embodiment, the arrangement unit 20 of the cuvette transport device 100 is provided with an electrostatic discharge structure 20A below the path for transporting the cuvette 1 (rail 50 and casing 20B housing the transport mechanism), which includes a collection box 21 and a discharge circuit 22 that use static electricity to attract impurities such as dust. However, the invention is not limited to this. For example, the electrostatic discharge structure 20A of the arrangement unit 20 may not include the discharge circuit 22 and may only include the collection box 21. Even in this case, the electrostatic discharge structure 20A can collect impurities such as dust that fall from the cuvette 1 during the transport process by using only the collection box 21.

[0055] Furthermore, in the automatic analyzer 200 according to the first embodiment, the electrostatic discharge structure 20A is provided in the arrangement unit 20 of the cuvette transport device 100, but it may also be provided in the storage unit 10. Specifically, the electrostatic discharge structure 20A (collection box 21 and discharge circuit 22) is provided below the casing 13 that houses the cuvette 1 of the electrostatic discharge structure 10A in the storage unit 10, and a through hole is provided at the bottom of the casing 13. In this case, in the storage unit 10, the electrostatic discharge structure 10A (partition plate 11 and brush 12) can attract impurities such as dust that have fallen from the cuvette 1 into the electrostatic discharge structure 20A (collection box 21, discharge circuit 22).

[0056] Furthermore, in the automatic analyzer 200 according to the first embodiment, the cuvette transporter 100 is provided with an electrostatic discharge structure 10A and an electrostatic discharge structure 20A. However, for example, the electrostatic discharge structure 20A (collection box 21 and discharge circuit 22) may not be provided. Even in this case, the storage unit 10 can remove the electrostatic discharge attached to the cuvette 1 by the conductive action of the metal using the electrostatic discharge structure 10A (metal partition plate 11 and conductive brush 12).

[0057] Furthermore, in the automatic analyzer 200 according to the first embodiment, the static electricity removal structure 10A of the storage unit 10 may not include the brush 12, but only the partition plate 11. Even in this case, the static electricity removal structure 10A can remove static electricity attached to the cuvette 1 by the conductive action of the metal when the cuvette 1 collides with the partition plate 11 during the process of transporting the cuvette 1.

[0058] Furthermore, in the automatic analyzer 200 according to the first embodiment, for example, the electrostatic discharge structure 10A may not be provided. In this case, in the arrangement unit 20, the electrostatic discharge structure 20A (collection box 21, discharge circuit 22) removes the static electricity attached to the cuvette 1 by the conductive action of the metal.

[0059] (Modification 2 of the first embodiment) Furthermore, in the automatic analyzer 200 according to the first embodiment, the electrostatic discharge structure 10A of the storage unit 10 has three metal partition plates 11 that are parallel to each other and extend vertically within the casing 13 that houses the cuvette 1. However, the electrostatic discharge structure 10A is not limited to a structure with multiple partition plates 11, as long as it can remove static electricity, and other structures may be used.

[0060] For example, Figure 6A is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of the electrostatic discharge structure 10A provided in the storage unit 10 of the cuvette transport device 100 in the automatic analyzer 200 according to the first embodiment, and shows a part of the electrostatic discharge structure 10A. Figure 6B is a perspective view showing the electrostatic discharge structure 10A of Figure 6A.

[0061] The static electricity removal structure 10A of the storage unit 10 includes multiple rotating shafts 14 and multiple brushes 15. That is, in this modified example, the static electricity removal structure 10A includes multiple rotating shafts 14 and multiple brushes 15 instead of the multiple partition plates 11 and multiple brushes 12 described above. The multiple rotating shafts 14 and multiple brushes 15 are provided inside the casing 13 in which the cuvette 1 is stored.

[0062] For example, the multiple rotating shafts 14 are made of metal. Specifically, as shown in Figures 6A and 6B, three metal rotating shafts 14 are provided in parallel within the casing 13 as multiple rotating shafts 14. Although Figure 6B shows three rotating shafts 14, the number of rotating shafts 14 does not have to be three and can be appropriately changed according to the size of the casing 13 of the housing unit 10. For example, each of the multiple brushes 15 is provided on a rotating shaft 14. Specifically, one end of each brush 15 is fixed to the rotating shaft 14, and the other end is provided so as to extend outward from the rotating shaft 14 in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft 14. The brushes 15 are made of conductive material such as conductive fibers or carbon fibers. In the electrostatic discharge structure 10A of the housing unit 10, the rotating shafts 14 are provided within the casing 13 so that the cuvettes 1 pass through the brushes 15.

[0063] With this structure, when the cuvette 1 is loaded into the storage unit 10 by an operator or loading device, as shown in Figures 6A and 6B, the cuvette 1 comes into contact with the brush 15 during its downward movement, and any static electricity attached to the cuvette 1 is removed by the conductive action of the metal. Therefore, impurities such as dust attached to the cuvette 1 fall off more easily.

[0064] Here, the static electricity removal structure 10A of the storage unit 10 may have a drive mechanism installed on the rotating shaft 14 to rotate the rotating shaft 14. Specifically, the static electricity removal structure 10A may further include a drive mechanism that drives the rotating shaft 14 so that the rotating shaft 14 rotates when the cuvette 1 passes over the brush 15. Here, the drive mechanism is an example of a "rotating shaft drive unit".

[0065] As a result, the electrostatic discharge structure 10A facilitates the cuvette 1 falling between the casing 13 and the rotating shaft 14, or between the two rotating shafts 14, and also facilitates the removal of impurities such as dust adhering to the cuvette 1.

[0066] Furthermore, in the static electricity removal structure 10A of the storage unit 10, the partition plate 11 or the rotating shaft 14 does not have to be made of metal; it may be made of other materials as long as it is possible to remove static electricity attached to the cuvette 1.

[0067] (Second embodiment) The second embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 7 to 11.

[0068] Figure 7 is an overall schematic diagram showing the structure of the cuvette transport device 100 in the automatic analyzer 200 according to the second embodiment. In Figure 7, each component of the cuvette transport device 100 in the second embodiment will be explained, and the explanation of other components such as the analyzer 70 will be omitted.

[0069] As shown in Figure 7, the cuvette transport device 100 according to the second embodiment comprises a storage unit 10a, a placement unit 20a, and a transport unit 30a connected in sequence, and transports the cuvette 1 from the storage unit 10a to the reaction disk 60 via the placement unit 20a and the transport unit 30a.

[0070] Here, the storage unit 10a, the placement unit 20a, and the transport unit 30a correspond to the storage unit 10, the placement unit 20, and the transport unit 30 in the first embodiment, respectively.

[0071] First, the storage unit 10a in the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 7.

[0072] The main structure of the storage unit 10a is a casing 13 with an opening at the top. An empty cuvette 1 is inserted into the storage unit 10a through the opening at the top of the storage unit 10a and is temporarily stored there. A slope is formed on the lower surface of the casing 13, which is inclined toward the placement unit 20a, causing the cuvette 1 to move toward the placement unit 20a.

[0073] Specifically, the storage unit 10a includes at least a caging 13 in which the cuvette 1 is stored. In the second embodiment, the configuration of the placement unit 20a described below eliminates the need for a separator that moves vertically to remove the cuvette 1 and drop it into the placement unit 20, a moving mechanism that moves the separator vertically, and a caging that houses the separator and the moving mechanism in the storage unit 10a.

[0074] Next, the arrangement unit 20a in the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8.

[0075] The placement unit 20a is connected between the storage unit 10a and the transport unit 30a. The main body of the placement unit 20a is a conveyor belt that can spiral upward around a central axis aligned vertically, and this conveyor belt is used to sequentially arrange the cuvettes 1 stored in the storage unit 10a into the transport unit 30a.

[0076] Specifically, the arrangement unit 20a comprises a conveyor belt 24, a motor 24A, and a casing for housing the conveyor belt 24 and the motor 24A. In other words, the arrangement unit 20a comprises a conveyor belt 24 and a motor 24A in place of the rail 50, a moving mechanism for moving the rail 50 in the vertical direction, and a casing for housing the rail 50 and the moving mechanism in the first embodiment.

[0077] A motor 24A is connected to the bottom of the conveyor belt 24, and in response to the drive by the motor 24A, the conveyor belt 24 can spiral upward around its central axis. For example, an opening is provided between the casing 13 of the storage unit 10a and the casing of the placement unit 20a through which the cuvette 1 can pass, and a slope is formed on the bottom surface of the casing 13 of the storage unit 10a that is inclined toward the placement unit 20a, causing the cuvette 1 to move toward the placement unit 20a. As a result, the cuvette 1 that are haphazardly stored in the storage unit 10a accumulate at the bottom of the placement unit 20a. Here, the cuvette 1 that have fallen onto the conveyor belt 24 in the placement unit 20a move spirally upward in accordance with the spiral upward motion of the conveyor belt 24.

[0078] Thus, in the second embodiment, since the placement unit 20a is equipped with a conveyor belt 24 and a motor 24A, for example, the storage unit 10a only needs to be equipped with a caging 13 in which the cuvettes 1 are stored, and a separator that moves vertically to take out the cuvettes 1 and drop them into the placement unit 20, a moving mechanism that moves the separator vertically, and a caging that houses the separator and the moving mechanism are not required.

[0079] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the arrangement unit 20a of the cuvette conveying device 100 in the automatic analyzer 200 according to the second embodiment. The upper right of Figure 8 shows a front view of the conveyor belt 24, and the lower left of Figure 8 shows an overhead view of the conveyor belt 24.

[0080] Under the action of the motor 24A, the conveyor belt 24 forms a spiral upward path around its vertical central axis. Here, the path formed by the conveyor belt 24 functions as a spiral upward rail. A material with a certain frictional force is used on the surface of the conveyor belt 24. For example, when a cuvette 1 (e.g., cuvette 1A in Figure 7) accumulated at the bottom of the placement unit 20a lands on the spiral upward rail of the conveyor belt 24, the cuvette 1 spirals upward in accordance with the spiral upward motion of the conveyor belt 24. Subsequently, when another cuvette 1 (e.g., cuvette 1B in Figure 7) accumulated at the bottom of the placement unit 20a lands on the spiral upward rail of the conveyor belt 24, the cuvette 1 spirals upward in accordance with the spiral upward motion of the conveyor belt 24. On the other hand, if a cuvette 1 (for example, cuvette 1C in Figure 7) accumulated at the bottom of the placement unit 20a cannot get onto the spiral lifting rail of the conveyor belt 24, the cuvette 1 will fall back down to the bottom of the placement unit 20a.

[0081] Furthermore, the conveyor belt 24 can be made of a metal material or grounded to remove static electricity from the cuvettes 1 transported on the conveyor belt 24, similar to the static electricity removal mechanism 20A in the first embodiment.

[0082] Furthermore, the arrangement unit 20a includes rails 25 having a predetermined length. The rails 25 are provided at the top of the conveyor belt 24. The rails 25a and 25b are arranged at a predetermined distance apart to align the cuvettes 1. Here, the predetermined distance is shorter than the flange of the cuvette 1 and longer than the outer diameter of the body of the cuvette 1. Due to this shape, when the cuvettes 1 sequentially rise to the top of the conveyor belt 24 in accordance with the spiral upward motion of the conveyor belt 24, the body of the cuvette 1 (for example, cuvette 1D in Figures 7 and 8) falls between rails 25a and 25b with a certain probability, gets caught between the rails 25, and moves along the rails 25 with its opening facing upward. On the other hand, cuvettes 1 that are not between rails 25a and 25b (cuvette 1E in Figure 8) fall back down to the bottom of the arrangement unit 20a.

[0083] In the placement unit 20a, the rail 25 is connected to the rail of the transport unit 30a. This allows the placement unit 20a to transfer the cuvettes 1 to the transport unit 30a with the openings of the cuvettes 1 facing upwards. In other words, the placement unit 20a, equipped with a conveyor belt 24, a motor 24A, and rail 25, forms a path through which the cuvettes 1 can spiral upwards around their axis. After spiraling the cuvettes 1 along this path, they can be arranged in a predetermined orientation and sequentially sent to the transport guide rail 31. Here, the placement unit 20a is an example of a "container placement mechanism".

[0084] Next, the transport unit 30a in the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 9.

[0085] The transport unit 30a transports the cuvette 1 to a predetermined position on the reaction disk 60 of the analysis device 70, which is the destination, so that the analysis can be performed within the reaction disk 60.

[0086] Specifically, the transport unit 30a comprises a transport guide rail 31 and a clamping unit 35. That is, the transport unit 30a comprises a transport guide rail 31 and a clamping unit 35 in place of the rail 30A in the first embodiment.

[0087] The transport guide rail 31 is a rail connected to the rail 25 of the placement unit 20a. In the transport path that transports the cuvette 1 to the destination (reaction disk 60), the transport guide rail 31 receives the cuvette 1 from the placement unit 20a with its opening facing upwards, and the transport along the transport path changes the orientation of the cuvette 1 so that its opening faces downwards. Here, the transport guide rail 31 is an example of a "container orientation changing unit".

[0088] The transport guide rail 31 changes the orientation of the cuvette 1 so that its opening faces downwards along the transport path, thereby making it easier for dust and other impurities inside the cuvette 1 to fall out. Furthermore, the transport guide rail 31 is grounded, thus constituting an electrostatic discharge mechanism. In other words, the transport guide rail 31 can remove static electricity from the cuvette 1 along the transport path.

[0089] The clamping unit 35 is provided at the end of the transport path of the transport guide rail 31. The clamping unit 35 receives the cuvette 1 from the transport guide rail 31 with its opening facing downwards and clamps the cuvette 1. The clamping unit 35 then inverts the cuvette 1 so that its opening faces upwards. After that, the clamping unit 35 feeds the cuvette 1 to a predetermined position on the reaction disk 60.

[0090] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing the transport guide rails 31 that form the transport path of the transport unit 30a of the transport device 100 in the automatic analyzer 200 according to the second embodiment. As shown in Figure 9, the transport guide rails 31 have multiple guide rails in multiple transport paths. For example, the transport guide rails 31 move the cuvette 1 along the multiple guide rails in a predetermined position by simultaneously bringing the cuvette 1 into contact with the multiple guide rails.

[0091] In the example shown in Figure 9, the transport guide rail 31 has three guide rails 31a, 31b, and 31c as a plurality of guide rails. For example, the transport guide rail 31 includes a guide rail 31c that abuts the opening position of the cuvette 1, and at least two guide rails 31a and 31b that sandwich the top of the cuvette 1.

[0092] Specifically, guide rails 31a and 31b are connected to rail 25 of the arrangement unit 20a, so that the cuvette 1 sent from the conveyor belt 24 of the arrangement unit 20a passes through rail 25 and falls between guide rails 31a and 31b. At this time, guide rails 31a and 31b each sandwich the head of the cuvette 1 on both sides, preventing the cuvette 1 from falling between guide rails 31a and 31b. Here, as shown in the BB cross section of Figure 9, a flange 1b is formed on the opening side of the body portion 1a of the cuvette 1, and guide rails 31a and 31b are arranged at a predetermined distance apart. The predetermined distance is shorter than the flange 1b of the cuvette 1 and longer than the outer diameter of the body portion 1a of the cuvette 1. The head of the cuvette 1 is, for example, the flange 1b side of the body portion 1a of the cuvette 1, and the guide rails 31a and 31b sandwich the body portion 1a of the cuvette 1 and contact the flange 1b of the cuvette 1, thereby sandwiching the head of the cuvette 1.

[0093] Furthermore, guide rails 31a and 31b contact the flange 1b of the cuvette 1 while sandwiching the body 1a of the cuvette 1, and guide rail 31c contacts the opening of the cuvette 1, thereby preventing the cuvette 1 from falling when it is tilted or upside down. For this reason, guide rail 31c may not be provided in the path where the cuvette 1 is located between guide rails 31a and 31b with its opening facing upward, and guide rail 31c may only be provided in places where there is a possibility of the cuvette 1 falling. Alternatively, by providing guide rail 31c along the entire transport path, the position of the cuvette 1 may be fixed within the space enclosed by the three guide rails 31a, 31b, and 31c.

[0094] Furthermore, the three guide rails 31a, 31b, and 31c are spiral in shape, and as the cuvette 1 moves away from the placement unit 20a, the orientation of the cuvette 1, which is simultaneously in contact with the guide rails 31a, 31b, and 31c, sequentially changes to the orientations shown in the BB, CC, DD, and EE sections of Figure 9.

[0095] The BB cross section in Figure 9 is the starting point of the transport path for the guide rails 31a, 31b, and 31c. In the BB cross section of Figure 9, the guide rails 31a, 31b, and 31c are in contact with the cuvette 1 so that its opening faces upward, and this is the position it is in just after being separated from the placement unit 20a.

[0096] Next, in the CC cross-section of Figure 9, the guide rails 31a, 31b, and 31c rotate the cuvette 1 clockwise, so that the opening of the cuvette 1 is tilted upwards to the right.

[0097] Next, in the DD section of Figure 9, the guide rails 31a, 31b, and 31c further rotate the cuvette 1 clockwise, so that the opening of the cuvette 1 is tilted downwards to the right.

[0098] Furthermore, the EE cross section in Figure 9 is located at the end of the transport path of the guide rails 31a, 31b, and 31c. In the EE cross section of Figure 9, the guide rails 31a, 31b, and 31c are in contact with the cuvette 1 so that its opening faces downwards. In other words, the cuvette 1's orientation is changed so that its opening faces downwards.

[0099] Thus, in the second embodiment, since the transport unit 30a is equipped with a transport guide rail 31, when the cuvette 1 is transported on the transport guide rail 31, the orientation of the cuvette 1 is changed so that the opening of the cuvette 1 faces downward, making it easier for impurities such as dust in the cuvette 1 to fall out.

[0100] Furthermore, the guide rail 31a may be connected to the rail 25a, and the guide rail 31b may be connected to the rail 25b, and both may be formed as a single unit. Also, in the example shown in Figure 9, the number of rails 25 does not match the number of guide rails 31, but the connection may be made smoother by matching the number of rails 25 with the number of guide rails 31.

[0101] Let's return to the explanation of Figure 7.

[0102] The transport unit 30a further includes an electrostatic discharge unit 32 and an opening / closing door 33. The electrostatic discharge unit 32 and the opening / closing door 33 are provided at the end of the transport path of the transport guide rail 31.

[0103] The electrostatic discharge unit 32, as shown in the enlarged view within the dotted line frame in Figure 7, is a metal shaft with two brushes and comprises multiple rotating shafts 32A and multiple brushes 32B. Note that the transport guide rail 31 is not shown in the enlarged view of the electrostatic discharge unit 32 in Figure 7.

[0104] For example, the multiple rotating shafts 32A are made of metal. Specifically, as shown in Figure 7, two metal rotating shafts 32A are provided in parallel as the multiple rotating shafts 32A. For example, each of the multiple brushes 32B is provided on a rotating shaft 32A. Specifically, one end of each brush 32B is fixed to a rotating shaft 32A, and the other end is provided so as to extend outward from the rotating shaft 32A in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft 32A. In the electrostatic discharge unit 32, at the end of the transport path of the transport guide rail 31, the rotating shaft 32A is provided so that the cuvette 1 passes over the brushes 32B. Here, the electrostatic discharge unit 32 is an example of an "electrostatic discharge section".

[0105] With this structure, the cuvette 1, which is positioned with its opening facing downwards, comes into contact with the brush 32B as it passes between the two metal rotating shafts 32A. As a result, static electricity attached to the cuvette 1 is removed by the conductive action of the metal. Therefore, impurities such as dust adsorbed on the cuvette 1 fall off more easily.

[0106] Here, the electrostatic discharge unit 32 may have a drive mechanism installed on the rotating shaft 32A to rotate the rotating shaft 32A. Specifically, the electrostatic discharge unit 32 may further include a drive mechanism that drives the rotating shaft 32A so that the rotating shaft 32A rotates when the cuvette 1 passes over the brush 32B. Here, the drive mechanism is an example of a "rotating shaft drive unit".

[0107] This allows the electrostatic removal unit 32 to facilitate the removal of impurities such as dust adhering to the cuvette 1.

[0108] Furthermore, the opening / closing door 33 is provided at the end of the transport path of the transport guide rail 31, for example, downstream of the electrostatic discharge unit 32. The opening / closing door 33 receives the cuvette 1 from the transport guide rail 31 and temporarily supports it. When the clamping unit 35 comes to a position opposite the opening / closing door 33, the opening / closing door 33 opens, and the cuvette 1 falls to the position of the clamping unit 35 and is clamped by the clamping unit 35. If the clamping unit 35 is not at a position opposite the opening / closing door 33, the opening / closing door 33 closes to prevent the cuvette 1 from falling.

[0109] The clamping unit 35 can grip the cuvette 1 and rotate the gripped cuvette 1 circumferentially around its axis of rotation while it is extended along its diameter. When the clamping unit 35 rotates below the opening / closing door 33, it opens to receive the cuvette 1 that has fallen from the opening / closing door 33, and after moving away from this receiving position, it grips the cuvette 1 and rotates. When the clamping unit 35 rotates to a position where the opening of the cuvette 1 faces upward, it opens again and releases the cuvette 1, causing the cuvette 1 to fall into a predetermined position on the reaction disk 60 below.

[0110] Figures 10A to 10C are schematic diagrams showing the structure of the clamping unit 35 of the transport unit 30a of the cuvette transport device 100 in the automatic analyzer 200 according to the second embodiment.

[0111] As shown in Figure 10A, the clamping unit 35 includes a receiving plate 352 capable of clamping the cuvette 1 from both sides, a retractable compression spring 351 that supports the receiving plate 352, and a support member 353 that contacts the receiving plate 352 from one side. Furthermore, the clamping unit 35 is mounted on a disc that can rotate around a central axis, and a block 34 is fixed to this central axis, so that the clamping unit 35 rotates around the central axis in accordance with the rotation of the disc and moves relative to the block 34.

[0112] In Figure 10A, when the clamping unit 35 rotates to a position near position L shown in the figure, facing the downward-facing opening of the cuvette 1, the support member 353 comes into contact with the fixed-position block 34, resisting the pressure of the compression spring 351 and pushing the receiving plate 352 outward. As a result, the receiving plate 352 opens, and the cuvette 1 falls between the receiving plates 352.

[0113] As the clamping unit 35 rotates counterclockwise, the support member 353 separates from the block 34 and is pulled out from between the receiving plates 352, and the biasing force of the pressing spring 351 causes the receiving plates 352 to clamp and hold the cuvette 1. Figure 10B shows the state in which the clamping unit 35 has rotated while clamping the cuvette 1.

[0114] Next, as shown in Figure 10C, when the clamping unit 35 rotates further counterclockwise so that the opening of the cuvette 1 faces upward and its bottom aligns with the corresponding position on the reaction disc 60 below, the support member 353 comes into contact with a separate, fixed-position block 34, resisting the pressure of the pressing spring 351 and pushing open the receiving plate 352 again. As a result, the receiving plate 352 opens and the cuvette 1 falls into the corresponding position on the reaction disc 60. This completes the transport of the cuvette 1.

[0115] Figures 10A to 10C show an example in which the clamping unit 35 is mounted on a disc that can rotate around a fixed central axis, and the block 34 is mounted on the central axis. However, the clamping unit 35 is not limited to the structure shown in Figures 10A to 10C; any configuration that allows the clamping unit 35 to be moved to a predetermined position relative to the block 34 is acceptable, and the specific positioning structure can be arbitrarily installed.

[0116] Furthermore, multiple clamping units 35 may be provided in the rotational direction of the clamping unit 35, spaced apart in the circumferential direction. In this case, the efficiency of transport can be improved by sequentially receiving and transporting the cuvettes 1 from the transport guide rail 31. Figures 10A to 10C show only an example in which four clamping units 35 are provided in the circumferential direction, but the number of clamping units 35 is not limited to four and can be set arbitrarily.

[0117] Next, the processing procedure (automatic analysis method) of the automatic analyzer 200 according to the second embodiment will be described. Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the automatic analyzer 200 according to the second embodiment.

[0118] First, at the start of the automated analysis, the cuvette 1 is placed into the storage unit 10a of the cuvette transport device 100, and the storage unit 10a stores the placed cuvette 1. Here, when the cuvette 1 is placed into the casing 13 of the storage unit 10a from above, it moves towards the placement unit 20a along the slope below the storage unit 10a (step S111 in Figure 11).

[0119] Next, the cuvette 1 enters the conveyor belt 24 of the placement unit 20a, and as the conveyor belt 24 of the placement unit 20a is driven and spirally rises, the cuvette 1 is guided to be placed in the transport unit 30a, and is aligned with the transport guide rail 31 of the transport unit 30a with its opening facing upward (step S112 in Figure 11).

[0120] Next, the transport guide rail 31 transports the cuvette 1 by sandwiching it between multiple guide rails, and along the transport path of the transport guide rail 31, the cuvette 1 is rotated so that the opening of the container faces downwards (step S113 in Figure 11).

[0121] Furthermore, along the transport path of the transport guide rail 31, the cuvette 1 is passed through the static electricity removal unit 32 to remove static electricity from the cuvette 1. After that, the cuvette 1 is transported above the reaction disk 60 and falls into the clamping unit 35 via the opening / closing door 33 (step S114 in Figure 11).

[0122] After the clamping unit 35 grips the cuvette 1, the cuvette 1 is inverted and placed into the reaction disk 60 (step S115 in Figure 11). Next, the analyzer 70 injects the sample into the cuvette 1 on the reaction disk 60 using the injection mechanism, and performs various analyses of the sample by measuring the liquid inside the cuvette 1 using the measurement mechanism (step S116 in Figure 11).

[0123] As described above, in the automatic analyzer 200 according to the second embodiment, impurities such as dust are removed during the process of transporting the cuvette 1 in the cuvette transporter 100, so that impurities such as dust do not mix into the cuvette 1. For this reason, in the automatic analyzer 200 according to the second embodiment, the analysis results performed by the analyzer 70 are not affected, and the analysis accuracy is improved.

[0124] For example, in the automatic analyzer 200 according to the second embodiment, the transport unit 30a changes the orientation of the cuvette 1 so that its opening faces downwards along the transport path of the transport guide rail 31, thereby making it easier for impurities such as dust inside the cuvette 1 to fall out. In addition, the transport guide rail 31 is grounded, which allows static electricity to be removed from the cuvette 1 along the transport path.

[0125] Furthermore, in the automatic analyzer 200 according to the second embodiment, the transport unit 30a is provided with an electrostatic removal structure 20A (rotating shaft 32A, brush 32B) at the end of the transport path of the transport guide rail 31, which uses static electricity to attract impurities such as dust. This allows for the removal of impurities such as dust during the process of transporting the cuvette 1 by the cuvette transport device 100.

[0126] Furthermore, in the automatic analyzer 200 according to the second embodiment, the clamping unit 35 clamps the cuvette 1 and then inverts it again so that the opening faces upward, making it possible to smoothly insert the cuvette 1 into the reaction disc.

[0127] (Modified version of the second embodiment) In the automatic analyzer 200 according to the second embodiment, the guide rail 31 is provided with a configuration to remove static electricity from the cuvette 1 by passing the cuvette 1 through an electrostatic discharge unit 32. However, the method of removing static electricity is not limited to this, and static electricity from the cuvette 1 transported on the guide rail 31 may also be removed by grounding the guide rail 31.

[0128] Furthermore, in the automatic analyzer 200 according to the second embodiment, the guide rail 31 is composed of three guide rails 31a, 31b, and 31c, but the number of guide rails is not limited to this, and the cuvette 1 may be guided using three or more guide rails, and the number of guide rails may be specifically designed according to the shape of the cuvette 1, as long as the orientation of the cuvette 1 is kept constant and it is transported stably.

[0129] Furthermore, in the automatic analyzer 200 according to the second embodiment, the rotation direction and trajectory of the clamping unit 35 are not limited to a counterclockwise direction and a circular trajectory; it is sufficient if the cuvette 1 can be inverted so that the opening faces upward, and the specific rotation direction and trajectory may be changed to match the transport to the reaction disk.

[0130] (Third embodiment) The third embodiment will be described below with reference to Figure 12.

[0131] In the automatic analyzer 200 according to the third embodiment, the cuvette 1 is transported by combining the storage unit 10 in the first embodiment with the placement unit 20a and transport unit 30a in the second embodiment.

[0132] Figure 12 is an overall schematic diagram showing the structure of the cuvette transport device 100 in the automatic analyzer 200 according to the third embodiment. As shown in Figure 12, the cuvette transport device 100 according to the third embodiment comprises a storage unit 10b, a placement unit 20b, and a transport unit 30b connected in sequence, and transports the cuvette 1 from the storage unit 10b to the reaction disk 60 via the placement unit 20b and the transport unit 30b.

[0133] Here, the storage unit 10b, the placement unit 20b, and the transport unit 30b correspond to the storage unit 10 in the first embodiment, and the placement unit 20a and transport unit 30a in the second embodiment, respectively.

[0134] Specifically, the configuration of the storage unit 10b is the same as that of the storage unit 10 in the first embodiment, and a partition plate 11 with a brush 12 is provided inside the casing 13 of the storage unit 10b to remove static electricity from the cuvettes 1 as they pass through. The configurations of the placement unit 20b and the transport unit 30b are the same as those of the placement unit 20a and the transport unit 30a in the second embodiment, respectively, and the placement unit 20b transports the cuvettes 1 using a spirally rising conveyor belt 24. The transport unit 30b is provided with an electrostatic removal unit 32 for removing static electricity, and after being transported by the transport guide rail 31 so that the opening direction of the cuvettes 1 faces downward, the opening / closing door 33 and clamping unit 35 reverse the opening direction of the cuvettes 1 so that the opening direction faces upward. Therefore, a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0135] In the automated analyzer 200 according to the third embodiment, the first embodiment and the second embodiment are combined, and therefore the same technical effects as the first and second embodiments described above can be achieved.

[0136] Furthermore, in the automatic analyzer 200 according to the third embodiment, by providing the storage unit 10b and the transport unit 30b with a configuration to remove static electricity from the cuvette 1, impurities such as dust generated during each transport process of the cuvette 1 can be further removed, thereby further improving the accuracy of the automatic analyzer 200.

[0137] (Fourth embodiment) The fourth embodiment will be described below with reference to Figure 13.

[0138] In the automatic analyzer 200 according to the fourth embodiment, a cleaning mechanism described below is provided in the transport path of the transport unit, compared to the first to third embodiments. For example, in the fourth embodiment, a case is described in which the cleaning mechanism shown in Figure 13 is provided in the transport path of the transport unit 30a, compared to the second embodiment.

[0139] Figure 13 is an overall schematic diagram showing the structure of the cuvette transport device 100 in the automatic analyzer 200 according to the fourth embodiment.

[0140] As shown in Figure 13, the cuvette transport device 100 includes a storage unit 10c, a placement unit 20c, and a transport unit 30c connected in sequence, and transports the cuvette 1 from the storage unit 10c to the reaction disk 60 via the placement unit 20c and the transport unit 30c.

[0141] Here, the storage unit 10c, the placement unit 20c, and the transport unit 30c correspond to the storage unit 10a, the placement unit 20a, and the transport unit 30a in the second embodiment, respectively. Furthermore, the transport unit 30a is equipped with a cleaning mechanism 36 in the transport path of the transport guide rail 31. Therefore, only the differences will be explained, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0142] As shown in Figure 13, the cleaning mechanism 36 is provided in the transport path where the cuvette 1 is transported by the transport guide rail 31, and cleans the inside of the transported cuvette 1.

[0143] As shown in the enlarged view at the bottom of Figure 13, the cleaning mechanism 36 includes a clamping member 361 that sequentially clamps the cuvette 1 during the movement process, a blowpipe 362 and a suction pipe 363 that extend into the cuvette 1 held by the clamping member 361, and a sealing material 364 that seals the opening of the cuvette 1 after the blowpipe 362 and suction pipe 363 have extended into the cuvette 1.

[0144] The blowpipe 362 blows air or other gas into the cuvette 1, and the tip of the suction pipe 363 is provided with multiple holes for sucking in impurities such as dust, so that the gas blown out from the blowpipe 362 carries the dust and other impurities and is discharged from the suction pipe 363.

[0145] In the fourth embodiment, by making the depth to which the blowpipe 362 extends into the cuvette 1 greater than the depth to which the suction pipe 363 extends into the cuvette 1, dust and other particles in the cuvette 1 can be blown out more comprehensively.

[0146] Thus, in the automatic analyzer 200 according to the fourth embodiment, by providing a cleaning mechanism 36 in the transport path of the transport guide rail 31, impurities inside the cuvette 1 can be cleaned more thoroughly, thereby further improving the analytical accuracy of the automatic analyzer 200.

[0147] (Fifth embodiment) The fifth embodiment will be described below with reference to Figure 14.

[0148] In the automated analyzer 200 according to the fifth embodiment, a cleaning mechanism described below is provided in the transport path of the transport unit, compared to the first to third embodiments. For example, in the fifth embodiment, a case is described in which the cleaning mechanism shown in Figure 14 is provided in the transport path of the transport unit 30a, compared to the second embodiment.

[0149] Figure 14 is an overall schematic diagram showing the structure of the cuvette transport device 100 in the automated analyzer 200 according to the fifth embodiment.

[0150] As shown in Figure 14, the cuvette transport device 100 comprises a storage unit 10d, a placement unit 20d, and a transport unit 30d connected in sequence, and transports the cuvette 1 from the storage unit 10d to the reaction disk 60 via the placement unit 20d and the transport unit 30d.

[0151] Here, the storage unit 10d, the placement unit 20d, and the transport unit 30c correspond to the storage unit 10a, the placement unit 20a, and the transport unit 30a in the second embodiment, respectively. Furthermore, the transport unit 30d is equipped with a cleaning mechanism 37 in the transport path of the transport guide rail 31. Therefore, only the differences will be explained, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0152] As shown in Figure 14, the cleaning mechanism 37 is provided in the transport path that transports the cuvette 1 on the transport guide rail 31. In particular, it is provided in a position where the orientation of the cuvette 1 is changed so that the opening of the cuvette 1 faces downward, and the inside of the cuvette 1 is cleaned while the cuvette 1 is in the downward-facing orientation.

[0153] As shown in the enlarged view at the bottom of Figure 14, the cleaning mechanism 37 includes a clamping member 371 that sequentially clamps the cuvettes 1 in the transport path, and a piezoelectric ceramic 372 provided on the side of the clamping member 371 opposite to the cuvettes 1.

[0154] The piezoelectric ceramic 372 is used to generate vibrations, thereby vibrating the clamping member 371 and removing impurities such as dust from the cuvette 1.

[0155] Thus, in the automatic analyzer 200 according to the fifth embodiment, by providing a cleaning mechanism 37 in the transport path of the transport guide rail 31, impurities inside the cuvette 1 can be cleaned more thoroughly, thereby further improving the analytical accuracy of the automatic analyzer 200.

[0156] (Sixth embodiment) The sixth embodiment will be described below with reference to Figure 15.

[0157] In the sixth embodiment, a cleaning mechanism combining the cleaning mechanism 36 of the fourth embodiment and the cleaning mechanism 37 of the fifth embodiment will be described. Here, only the cleaning mechanism will be described, and descriptions of other parts will be omitted.

[0158] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram showing the cleaning mechanism of the cuvette transport device 100 in the automatic analyzer 200 according to the sixth embodiment. As shown in Figure 15, the cleaning mechanism in the sixth embodiment includes a clamping member 361 that sequentially clamps the cuvettes 1 in the transport path, a blowpipe 362 and a suction pipe 363 that extend into the cuvettes 1 clamped by the clamping member 361, a sealing material 364 that seals the opening of the cuvettes 1 after the blowpipe 362 and suction pipe 363 have extended into the cuvettes 1, and a piezoelectric ceramic 372 provided on the side of the clamping member 361 opposite to the cuvettes 1.

[0159] The blowpipe 362 blows air or other gas into the cuvette 1, and the tip of the suction pipe 363 is provided with multiple holes for sucking in impurities such as dust, so that the gas blown out from the blowpipe 362 carries the dust and other impurities and is discharged from the suction pipe 363.

[0160] Simultaneously, the piezoelectric ceramic 372 further vibrates the clamping member 361, thereby dislodging impurities such as dust from the cuvette 1. The impurities such as dust that have been dislodged by the vibration are carried to the suction pipe 363 by air blown in from the blowpipe 362 and discharged along with the gas.

[0161] In the automatic analyzer 200 according to the sixth embodiment, by providing such a cleaning mechanism, the accuracy of the automatic analyzer 200 can be further improved by more thoroughly cleaning the impurities inside the cuvette 1.

[0162] According to at least one embodiment described above, the accuracy of the analysis can be improved.

[0163] While several embodiments have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and essence of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0164] 1 cuvette 10 Storage Units 10A Static Electricity Removal Structure 20 Deployment Units 20A Static Electricity Removal Structure 30 Conveyor Units 32 Static electricity removal unit 100 Cuvette Conveyor

Claims

1. A storage section for housing a container for holding a sample to be analyzed, A transfer unit for transferring the container from the storage unit, A measuring unit that pours the sample into the container transferred from the transfer unit and measures the liquid inside the container, A static electricity removal unit is provided in at least one of the storage unit and the transport unit to remove static electricity from the container, Equipped with, The static electricity removal unit is A rotating shaft made of metal, An automated analyzer equipped with the following features.

2. The static electricity removal unit is Brush provided on the aforementioned rotating shaft, Equipped with, The rotating shaft is provided such that the container passes through the brush. The automated analyzer according to claim 1.

3. The static electricity removal unit is A rotating shaft drive unit drives the rotating shaft so that the rotating shaft rotates when the container passes the brush. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, further comprising:

4. A storage section for housing a container for holding a sample to be analyzed, A transfer unit for transferring the container from the storage unit, A measuring unit that pours the sample into the container transferred from the transfer unit and measures the liquid inside the container, A static electricity removal unit is provided in at least one of the storage unit and the transport unit to remove static electricity from the container, Equipped with, The transfer unit is In a transport path for transporting the container to the measuring unit, a container orientation changing unit is provided to change the orientation of the container so that the opening of the container faces downwards. A clamping unit is provided at the end of the transport path, which clamps the container with its opening facing downwards, inverts the container so that its opening faces upwards, and then sends it to the measuring unit. Equipped with, The container direction changing unit constitutes the static electricity removal unit by being grounded. Automatic analyzer.

5. The transfer unit is A container arrangement mechanism that arranges the containers in a predetermined orientation and sequentially sends them to the container orientation changing unit. Equipped with, The container orientation changing unit sequentially changes the orientation of the containers delivered by the container placement mechanism along the transport path so that the opening of the container faces downwards. The automated analyzer according to claim 4.

6. The container placement mechanism forms a path on which the container can spirally ascend around an axis, and after the container is spirally ascended along the path, it is sent to the container direction changing unit in the predetermined position. The automated analyzer according to claim 5.

7. The container direction changing unit is In the aforementioned transport path, multiple guide rails, It has, The container direction changing unit moves the container along the plurality of guide rails in a predetermined position by simultaneously bringing the container into contact with the plurality of guide rails. The automated analyzer according to claim 5.

8. The plurality of guide rails include a guide rail that abuts against the opening of the container, and at least two guide rails that sandwich the top of the container. The automated analyzer according to claim 7.

9. A storage section for housing a container for holding a sample to be analyzed, A transfer unit for transferring the container from the storage unit, A measuring unit that pours the sample into the container transferred from the transfer unit and measures the liquid inside the container, A static electricity removal unit is provided in at least one of the storage unit and the transport unit to remove static electricity from the container, Equipped with, The static electricity removal unit is A cleaning unit for cleaning the aforementioned container, An automated analyzer having the following features.

10. The cleaning unit is A blowpipe for introducing air into the container A suction tube for drawing air from the aforementioned container, It has, The length of the suction tube extending into the container is shorter than the length of the blowpipe extending into the container. The automated analyzer according to claim 9.

11. The cleaning unit is A clamping mechanism for holding the aforementioned container, A vibration mechanism for vibrating the aforementioned container, An automatic analyzer according to claim 9, having the following features.

12. The static electricity removal unit is A dust collection unit is provided below at least a portion of the path through which the container is transported, An electrostatic attraction unit that uses static electricity to attract dust to the dust collection section, An automatic analyzer according to any one of claims 1, 4, or 9, comprising:

13. A storage step involves storing a container for the sample to be analyzed in the storage section, A transfer step of transferring the container from the storage unit by the transfer unit, A measurement step comprising: pouring the sample into the container transferred from the transfer unit and measuring the liquid in the container; In at least one of the storage step and the transfer step, a static electricity removal step is performed using a rotating shaft made of metal to remove static electricity from the container. An automated analysis method that includes this.

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