Specimen conveying device, specimen analysis system, and specimen pretreatment device

Abstract

The present invention provides a conveying device capable of detecting the position of an object being conveyed with high accuracy. A conveying device (1) according to the present invention is used in testing for analyzing a specimen, which is a biological sample, and conveys an object being conveyed, using electromagnetic forces as a thrust force and a braking force, the conveying device (1) comprising: a plurality of magnetic poles (25a, 25b) that are arranged in a lattice shape and that are supplied with an electric current to generate the electromagnetic forces; and a calculating unit (41). The object being conveyed is a container carrier (110) that is provided with a permanent magnet and that holds a specimen container (122) in which the specimen is accommodated, and the object being conveyed is conveyed along at least a portion of a conveying line that leads to an analysis unit. In the analysis unit, components contained in the biological sample that has reacted with a reagent are analyzed. The magnetic poles (25a, 25b) are electromagnets, and include a first magnetic pole (25a) positioned in a direction of travel (110a) of the object being conveyed, and a second magnetic pole (25b) positioned adjacent to the first magnetic pole (25a) in the direction opposite to the direction of travel. The calculating unit (41) detects the position of the object being conveyed using the electric current supplied to the second magnetic pole (25b), which generates a braking force on the object being conveyed.

Description

Specimen transport device, specimen analysis system, and specimen pretreatment device

[0001] The present invention relates to a specimen transport device that transports specimens, which are biological samples, a specimen analysis system that analyzes specimens, and a specimen pretreatment device that performs pretreatment on specimens.

[0002] In a sample analysis system that analyzes biological samples (hereinafter referred to as "samples") such as blood, plasma, serum, urine, and other bodily fluids, multiple devices with different functions are connected to test the specified analysis items for each sample, and each process is processed automatically. In other words, in a sample analysis system, analysis sections for multiple analytical fields such as biochemistry and immunology are connected by a transport device, and multiple analyses are performed simultaneously.

[0003] A transport device is a device (transport line) that transports objects to be transported. For example, in a sample analysis system, container carriers such as sample holders that hold sample containers containing samples are transported as transport objects to devices that perform the processing of each step.

[0004] There are two types of conveying methods for conveying devices: a method using a belt conveyor and a method using electromagnetic attraction as thrust. In the electromagnetic attraction method, a permanent magnet is attached to the object to be conveyed, and the electromagnetic attraction generated by supplying current to the windings of a magnetic circuit attached to the conveying surface of the object is used as thrust for the object.

[0005] An example of a conventional conveying device is described in Patent Document 1. The conveying device described in Patent Document 1 does not use a sensor such as a Hall IC, but instead detects the position of a container carrier, which is a conveyed object, by utilizing the magnetic saturation phenomenon of a magnetic circuit caused by the magnetic flux of a permanent magnet. More specifically, the conveying device described in Patent Document 1 detects the position of the container carrier by utilizing changes in inductance of a winding that generates thrust on the container carrier.

[0006] International Publication No. 2020 / 137182

[0007] When transporting the container carriers, which are the objects to be transported, the speed of the container carriers must be precisely controlled in order to stop the container carriers at a predetermined position and to avoid shaking of the samples placed on the container carriers and collisions between the container carriers. In order to precisely control the speed of the container carriers, it is necessary to accurately detect the positions of the container carriers.

[0008] In a conveying device, if the position of a conveyed object (e.g., a container carrier) is detected using only the windings that generate thrust on the conveyed object, there are areas on the conveying surface where the position detection accuracy is low, resulting in large errors in position information and poor controllability of the conveyed object's speed. In particular, when the conveyed object decelerates and the current flowing through the windings decreases, the change in inductance due to magnetic saturation is small, making it difficult to accurately determine the position of the conveyed object.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a transport device that can detect the position of a transported object with high accuracy, and to provide a sample analysis system and a sample pretreatment device that include this transport device.

[0010] The transport device according to the present invention is used in a test for analyzing a biological sample, and is configured to transport a transported object using electromagnetic force as thrust and braking force. The transported object comprises a plurality of magnetic poles arranged in a grid pattern, which generate the electromagnetic force when supplied with current, a calculation unit, and the transported object. The transported object is a container carrier equipped with a permanent magnet and holding a sample container containing the sample, and is transported along at least a portion of a transport line to an analysis unit. In the analysis unit, components contained in the biological sample reacted with a reagent are analyzed. The magnetic poles are electromagnets, and include a first magnetic pole located in the transport direction of the transported object, and a second magnetic pole located adjacent to the first magnetic pole in the counter-travel direction, which is opposite to the transport direction. The calculation unit detects the position of the transported object using the current supplied to the second magnetic pole, which generates the braking force on the transported object.

[0011] A sample analysis system according to the present invention includes a container carrier for holding a sample container containing a biological sample, an input section in which the sample is placed, an analysis section for analyzing the sample, a sample transport device for transporting the sample from the input section to the analysis section, and the sample. The analysis section analyzes components contained in the biological sample after the biological sample has reacted with a reagent. The sample transport device is a transport device according to the present invention.

[0012] A sample pretreatment device according to the present invention includes a sample transport device that transports the sample to the sample analysis system, and the sample transport device is a container carrier that holds a sample container containing a sample that is a biological sample. The sample analysis system is connected to the sample transport device and includes an analysis unit that analyzes components contained in the biological sample that has reacted with a reagent. The sample transport device is the transport device according to the present invention.

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a transport device that can detect the position of a transported object with high accuracy, and to provide a sample analysis system and a sample pretreatment device that include this transport device.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a transport device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of a plurality of electromagnets provided in the transport device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing cross sections of a first electromagnet, a second electromagnet, and a fifth electromagnet in the transport device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the inductance change rate of the first electromagnet and the second electromagnet when a container carrier moves from directly above the second electromagnet to directly above the first electromagnet. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the inductance change rate of the first electromagnet, the second electromagnet, and the fifth electromagnet with respect to the position of the container carrier when current is supplied to each of the first electromagnet, the second electromagnet, and the fifth electromagnet. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an outline of the overall configuration of a sample analysis system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an outline of the overall configuration of a sample pretreatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] The specimen transport device according to the present invention (hereinafter also referred to simply as the "transport device") is a device for transporting specimens, which are biological samples such as blood or urine, and is used in tests for analyzing the specimens, and is capable of detecting the position of the object with high accuracy while the object is being transported, providing high controllability. The transport device according to the present invention can be used in specimen analysis systems in which the object is a container carrier used to transport a biological sample (hereinafter referred to as "specimen"), and in specimen pretreatment devices that perform pretreatment on the specimen required for specimen analysis.

[0016] The following describes a transport device, a sample analysis system, and a sample pretreatment device according to embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. In the drawings used in this specification, identical or corresponding components are designated by the same reference numerals, and repeated description of these components may be omitted.

[0017] A conveying device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0018] 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a conveying device according to this embodiment. The conveying device 1 includes a plurality of electromagnets that form magnetic poles. Two electromagnets are shown in FIG. 1 as representative examples.

[0019] The conveying device 1 comprises a first electromagnet 25a constituting a magnetic pole, a second electromagnet 25b which is a magnetic pole arranged adjacent to the first electromagnet 25a at a predetermined interval, a first drive circuit 50a, a second drive circuit 50b, a first current detection unit 40a, a second current detection unit 40b, a calculation unit 41, and a power supply 55.

[0020] The first electromagnet 25a includes first teeth 22a made of a magnetic material and first windings 21a wound around the outer peripheries of the first teeth 22a. The second electromagnet 25b includes second teeth 22b and second windings 21b wound around the outer peripheries of the second teeth 22b, similar to the first electromagnet 25a. In this embodiment, the first teeth 22a and the second teeth 22b are cylindrical as shown in FIG. 1, but may have any shape, such as a rectangular column.

[0021] The conveying device 1 is provided with a conveying surface (not shown in FIG. 1 ) on the upper surface of the first electromagnet 25 a and the second electromagnet 25 b. An object to be conveyed, which is an object to be conveyed by the conveying device 1, is placed on the conveying surface so as to be movable in the horizontal direction. In this embodiment, the object to be conveyed is a container carrier 110. The container carrier 110 moves by sliding in the horizontal direction on this conveying surface. The container carrier 110, which is the object to be conveyed, is conveyed on at least a portion of a conveying line to the analysis unit, as will be described in Example 3 below. In the analysis unit, the biological sample (specimen) reacted with a reagent is analyzed for components contained in the biological sample.

[0022] The container carrier 110 includes a permanent magnet. The permanent magnet is installed, for example, on the bottom surface of the container carrier 110, and its magnetization direction (direction of the magnetic field) is vertical. The container carrier 110 moves on the conveyance surface by using the electromagnetic force generated by the electromagnets 25a and 25b, which acts on the permanent magnet of the container carrier 110 as a thrust force and a braking force. The permanent magnet included in the container carrier 110 is preferably a magnet made of a neodymium alloy, ferrite, or the like. The container carrier 110 may also include a soft magnetic material instead of a permanent magnet.

[0023] Examples of the container carrier 110 include a container holder that holds one container and a container rack that holds multiple containers. A container is a container that contains a container, such as a test tube or a sample cell that can contain a liquid container.

[0024] The first drive circuit 50a is connected to the first winding 21a of the first electromagnet 25a. When a voltage is applied by the first drive circuit 50a, the first electromagnet 25a generates a magnetic field. This magnetic field is directed upward from the upper end of the first tooth 22a, for example.

[0025] The second drive circuit 50b is connected to the second winding 21b of the second electromagnet 25b. When a voltage is applied by the second drive circuit 50b, the second electromagnet 25b generates a magnetic field. This magnetic field is directed upward from the upper end of the second tooth 22b, for example.

[0026] The magnetic fields generated by the first electromagnet 25a and the second electromagnet 25b, for example, the magnetic fields generated upward from the upper ends of the first teeth 22a and the second teeth 22b, generate thrust in the permanent magnets provided in the container carrier 110.

[0027] The first current detection unit 40 a has a function of detecting the current supplied from the first drive circuit 50 a to the first winding 21 a of the first electromagnet 25 a and sending the detected current value to the calculation unit 41 .

[0028] The second current detection unit 40 b has a function of detecting the current supplied from the second drive circuit 50 b to the second winding 21 b of the second electromagnet 25 b and sending the detected current value to the calculation unit 41 .

[0029] The first current detection unit 40a and the second current detection unit 40b can be composed of any element or device, for example, one that measures the voltage of a series resistor, one that uses a current transformer, or one that uses a Hall current sensor.

[0030] The calculation unit 41 generates a control signal for moving the container carrier 110 using the current values ​​detected by the first current detection unit 40 a and the second current detection unit 40 b, and outputs this control signal to the first drive circuit 50 a and the second drive circuit 50 b. This allows the transport device 1 to transport the container carrier 110 to a desired position.

[0031] The calculation unit 41 calculates the relative positional relationship between the first teeth 22a, the second teeth 22b, and the container carrier 110 based on the current values ​​detected by the first current detection unit 40a and the second current detection unit 40b, and can thereby determine the position of the container carrier 110 in the transport device 1. In other words, the calculation unit 41 can calculate and determine the current position of the container carrier 110 in the transport device 1. Furthermore, the calculation unit 41 uses the calculated position information of the container carrier 110 to determine the amount of current required to drive the container carrier 110 and the timing of supplying this current.

[0032] The calculation unit 41 can calculate the position of the container carrier 110 in the transport device 1 using conventional technology, for example, the method described in Patent Document 1. That is, the calculation unit 41 calculates in advance, for example, the relationship between the inductance obtained from the current flowing through the first winding 21 a of the first electromagnet 25 a and the position of the container carrier 110 relative to the first electromagnet 25 a, and the relationship between the inductance obtained from the current flowing through the second winding 21 b of the second electromagnet 25 b and the position of the container carrier 110 relative to the second electromagnet 25 b. The calculation unit 41 stores these relationships, calculates the inductance using the current values ​​detected by the first current detection unit 40 a and the second current detection unit 40 b, and can calculate the position of the container carrier 110 using the stored relationships.

[0033] The calculation unit 41 can also determine the amount of current required to drive the container carrier 110 and the timing of supplying this current using conventional technology, for example, the method described in Patent Document 1. That is, the calculation unit 41, for example, determines the velocity of the container carrier 110 from the change in the position of the container carrier 110 over time, and determines the thrust required to move the container carrier 110 from this velocity, and then determines the amount of current required to drive the container carrier 110 and the timing of supplying this current based on the determined thrust.

[0034] The calculation unit 41 generates a control signal for moving the container carrier 110 as described above.

[0035] The power supply 55 is connected to the first drive circuit 50 a and the second drive circuit 50 b. The power supply 55 may be an AC power supply or a DC power supply. For example, the power supply 55 may be a battery as a DC power supply.

[0036] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of multiple electromagnets provided in the conveying device 1 according to this embodiment. Five electromagnets are shown as an example, and the conveying direction of the container carrier 110 is the left-right direction in Fig. 2. The traveling direction of the container carrier 110 (from left to right in Fig. 2) is indicated by an arrow 110a in Fig. 2. The electromagnets are connected to each other by yokes, but the yokes are not shown in Fig. 2.

[0037] The transport device 1 includes a first electromagnet 25a, a second electromagnet 25b, a third electromagnet 25c, a fourth electromagnet 25d, and a fifth electromagnet 25e. These electromagnets 25a to 25e are arranged in a lattice pattern, and each includes windings 21a to 21e and teeth 22a to 22e to form a magnetic pole. The transport device 1 transports a container carrier 110, which is a transport object, by using the electromagnetic forces generated by the electromagnets 25a to 25e, which are magnetic poles, as thrust and braking forces.

[0038] The fifth electromagnet 25e and the second electromagnet 25b are magnetic poles arranged adjacent to the first electromagnet 25a along the transport direction of the container carrier 110. The fifth electromagnet 25e is positioned in the direction in which the container carrier 110 moves relative to the first electromagnet 25a (the direction in which the container carrier 110 moves). The second electromagnet 25b is positioned in the direction opposite to the direction in which the container carrier 110 moves relative to the first electromagnet 25a (the direction opposite to the direction in which the container carrier 110 moves).

[0039] The third electromagnet 25c and the fourth electromagnet 25d are magnetic poles arranged adjacent to the first electromagnet 25a in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the container carrier 110 (the vertical direction in FIG. 2).

[0040] As described above, the container carrier 110 is equipped with a permanent magnet, and the magnetic fields generated by the first electromagnet 25a to the fifth electromagnet 25e generate thrust and braking forces, causing the container carrier 110 to move and be transported on the transport surface in the direction of the arrow 110a.

[0041] 3 is a schematic diagram showing cross sections of the first electromagnet 25a, the second electromagnet 25b, and the fifth electromagnet 25e in the conveying device 1 according to this embodiment. These electromagnets 25a, 25b, and 25e are connected to one another by a yoke 26.

[0042] 3, the container carrier 110 moves on the conveying surface 65 in the direction of arrow 110a from directly above the electromagnet 25b to directly above the electromagnet 25a. Directly above the electromagnet means a position where the center lines of the container carrier 110 and the electromagnet coincide with each other in the conveying direction.

[0043] 3, the distance between the second electromagnet 25b and the first electromagnet 25a, and the distance between the first electromagnet 25a and the fifth electromagnet 25e in the conveying direction are denoted by A. The distance A is the interval between the center lines of two electromagnets adjacent to each other in the conveying direction.

[0044] In this embodiment, a case where a moving container carrier 110 is decelerated is considered. That is, a case where the container carrier 110 is decelerated to stop at a predetermined position, or a case where a container carrier 110 moving at a high speed is decelerated to set the speed of the container carrier 110 to a desired value is considered.

[0045] When the container carrier 110 moves from a position above electromagnet 25b to a position above electromagnet 25a (Figure 3), current is supplied to electromagnet 25b, which is located in the opposite direction from the position of the container carrier 110, causing electromagnet 25b to generate an electromagnetic force that attracts the container carrier 110 in the opposite direction, and this electromagnetic force is used as a braking force to decelerate the container carrier 110.

[0046] At the same time as this deceleration, a small current is supplied to the electromagnet 25a located on the forward side of the container carrier 110, causing the electromagnet 25a to generate an electromagnetic force that attracts the container carrier 110 in the forward direction, thereby generating a thrust force on the container carrier 110.

[0047] The current supplied to the electromagnet 25b located on the opposite side of the container carrier 110 in the direction of travel is greater than the current supplied to the electromagnet 25a located on the opposite side of the container carrier 110 in the direction of travel. That is, the braking force on the container carrier 110 is greater than the thrust force on the container carrier 110.

[0048] Furthermore, if the container carrier 110 moves at a high speed and has sufficient inertia, there is no need to supply current to the electromagnet 25a (i.e., there is no need to generate thrust on the container carrier 110) because an abnormal stop in which the container carrier 110 stops between the electromagnets 25b and 25a while moving will not occur.

[0049] 4 is a graph showing an example of the inductance change rate 30a of the first electromagnet 25a and the inductance change rate 30b of the second electromagnet 25b when the container carrier 110 moves from directly above the second electromagnet 25b to directly above the first electromagnet 25a (FIG. 3). In the graph of FIG. 4, the horizontal axis represents the position X of the container carrier 110, and the vertical axis represents the inductance change rate, i.e., the rate of change of the inductance obtained from the current flowing through the electromagnet windings, depending on the position X of the container carrier 110.

[0050] 4, position P indicates the position directly above the first electromagnet 25a, and position (P-A) indicates the position directly above the second electromagnet 25b. As described above, distance A is the distance between two adjacent electromagnets (electromagnet 25b and electromagnet 25a) in the conveyance direction. The container carrier 110 is located between electromagnet 25b and electromagnet 25a.

[0051] The inductance change rate is the magnitude of the change in inductance per unit movement of the container carrier 110. Therefore, the larger the inductance change rate, the more sensitively the change in the position X of the container carrier 110 can be detected, and the more accurately the position X of the container carrier 110 can be detected.

[0052] 4, the inductance change rate 30b of the electromagnet 25b is greater than the inductance change rate 30a of the electromagnet 25a because the current flowing through the electromagnet 25b is greater than the current flowing through the electromagnet 25a, causing magnetic saturation of the electromagnet 25b.

[0053] The electromagnet 25b with a large inductance change rate 30b is an electromagnet that generates a braking force, and the electromagnet 25a with a small inductance change rate 30a is an electromagnet that generates a thrust force. Therefore, if the electromagnet 25b that generates a braking force, i.e., the electromagnet 25b that is located on the opposite side of the container carrier 110 in the traveling direction and attracts the container carrier 110, is used to detect the position of the container carrier 110, the position of the container carrier 110 can be detected with high accuracy.

[0054] The calculation unit 41 determines the position of the container carrier 110 in the conveying device 1 based on the current value supplied to the electromagnet 25b, and can detect the position of the container carrier 110 with high accuracy, thereby enabling high-precision deceleration control of the container carrier 110.

[0055] As described above, the conveying device 1 according to this embodiment can detect with high accuracy the position of the container carrier 110, which is the object to be conveyed, and can perform with high accuracy speed control of the container carrier 110. For example, the conveying device 1 according to this embodiment can accurately determine the position of the container carrier 110 even when the container carrier 110 is decelerating and the current flowing through the electromagnet that applies thrust to the container carrier 110 is small or when no current is flowing through this electromagnet.

[0056] A conveying device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, the container carrier 110 is conveyed from a position (P-A) directly above the second electromagnet 25b, passes through a position P directly above the first electromagnet 25a, and decelerates toward a position (P+A) directly above the fifth electromagnet 25e, as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0057] In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the position of the container carrier 110 is detected with high accuracy by changing the electromagnet used to detect the position of the container carrier 110 depending on the position of the container carrier 110 relative to the electromagnet. Even when the current flowing through the electromagnet that applies thrust to the container carrier 110 decreases during deceleration of the container carrier 110, the position of the container carrier 110 can be determined with high accuracy.

[0058] In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the calculation unit 41 determines the position of the container carrier 110 in the transport device 1 based on the value of the current supplied to the electromagnet, and controls the speed of the container carrier 110.

[0059] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the inductance change rate 30a of the first electromagnet 25a, the inductance change rate 30b of the second electromagnet 25b, and the inductance change rate 30e of the fifth electromagnet 25e relative to the position X of the container carrier 110 when current is supplied to each of the first electromagnet 25a, the second electromagnet 25b, and the fifth electromagnet 25e.

[0060] While the container carrier 110 moves between position (P-A) and position P (the section P-A≦X≦P), current is supplied to the electromagnet 25a, causing the electromagnet 25a to generate a thrust force toward the container carrier 110, and current is supplied to the electromagnet 25b, causing the electromagnet 25b to generate a braking force toward the container carrier 110. In other words, the electromagnets 25a and 25b generate an attractive force toward the container carrier 110.

[0061] Position P1 shown in FIG. 5 is a position where the inductance change rate 30a of the electromagnet 25a and the inductance change rate 30b of the electromagnet 25b are equal to each other, and is located between position (PA) and position P.

[0062] Between position (P-A) and position P1 (the section P-A≦X≦P1), the container carrier 110 is positioned close to the electromagnet 25b that generates a braking force on the container carrier 110. Therefore, in the section P-A≦X≦P1, the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet provided in the container carrier 110 largely interlinks with the electromagnet 25b, causing the electromagnet 25b to be magnetically saturated, and therefore the inductance change rate 30b of the electromagnet 25b is larger than the inductance change rate 30a of the electromagnet 25a.

[0063] Between positions P1 and P (the section P1≦X≦P), the position of the container carrier 110 is close to the electromagnet 25a that generates thrust on the container carrier 110. Therefore, in the section P1≦X≦P, the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet provided in the container carrier 110 largely interlinks with the electromagnet 25a, causing the electromagnet 25a to be magnetically saturated, and therefore the inductance change rate 30a of the electromagnet 25a is larger than the inductance change rate 30b of the electromagnet 25b.

[0064] Therefore, in the section P-A≦X≦P1, the position of the container carrier 110 is detected using an electromagnet 25b that generates a braking force, and in the section P1≦X≦P, the position of the container carrier 110 is detected using an electromagnet 25a that generates a thrust force, thereby allowing the position of the container carrier 110 to be detected with high accuracy.

[0065] While the container carrier 110 moves between position P and position (P+A) (the section P≦X≦P+A), current is supplied to the electromagnet 25e, causing the electromagnet 25e to generate a thrust force toward the container carrier 110, and current is supplied to the electromagnet 25a, causing the electromagnet 25a to generate a braking force toward the container carrier 110. In other words, the electromagnets 25e and 25a generate an attractive force toward the container carrier 110.

[0066] Position P2 shown in FIG. 5 is a position where the inductance change rate 30a of the electromagnet 25a and the inductance change rate 30e of the electromagnet 25e are equal, and is located between positions P and (P+A).

[0067] Between positions P and P2 (the section P≦X≦P2), the position of the container carrier 110 is close to the electromagnet 25a that generates a braking force on the container carrier 110. Therefore, in the section P≦X≦P2, the electromagnet 25a is magnetically saturated, and the inductance change rate 30a of the electromagnet 25a is greater than the inductance change rate 30e of the electromagnet 25e.

[0068] Between position P2 and position (P+A) (the section P2≦X≦P+A), the position of the container carrier 110 is close to the electromagnet 25e that generates a thrust force on the container carrier 110. Therefore, in the section P2≦X≦P+A, the electromagnet 25e is magnetically saturated, and the inductance change rate 30e of the electromagnet 25e is greater than the inductance change rate 30a of the electromagnet 25a.

[0069] Therefore, in the section P≦X≦P2, the position of the container carrier 110 is detected using an electromagnet 25a that generates a braking force, and in the section P2≦X≦P+A, the position of the container carrier 110 is detected using an electromagnet 25e that generates a thrust force, thereby allowing the position of the container carrier 110 to be detected with high accuracy.

[0070] The positions P1 and P2 can be determined by experiments or simulations carried out in advance.

[0071] In this embodiment, by changing the electromagnets 25a, 25b, and 25e used to detect the position of the container carrier 110 depending on the position of the container carrier 110 relative to the electromagnets 25a, 25b, and 25e, the position of the container carrier 110 can be detected with higher accuracy than when only one of the electromagnets 25a, 25b, and 25e is used to detect the position of the container carrier 110 regardless of the position of the container carrier 110.

[0072] 5, the magnitude of the inductance change rates 30b and 30a between the electromagnets 25b and 25a is reversed, and the magnitude of the inductance change rates 30a and 30e between the electromagnets 25a and 25e is reversed depending on the position of the container carrier 110. This is because the container carrier 110 is transported by controlling the current values ​​of the electromagnets 25a, 25b, and 25e. For example, the velocity of the container carrier 110 is controlled to approach a target value by changing the value of the current supplied to the electromagnets 25a, 25b, and 25e.

[0073] A sample analysis system and a sample pre-treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The sample analysis system and the sample pre-treatment device according to this embodiment include a transport device 1 according to the first or second embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] First, the sample analysis system according to this embodiment will be described. The sample analysis system is an apparatus that dispenses a sample and a reagent into a reaction vessel, reacts them, and measures the reacted liquid.

[0075] 6 is a diagram showing an outline of the overall configuration of a sample analysis system 100 according to this embodiment. The sample analysis system 100 includes an input unit 101, an emergency rack input port 113, a transport line 102, a buffer 104, an analysis unit 105, a storage unit 103, a display unit 118, and a control unit 120.

[0076] The loading section 101 is where a sample rack 111, which is a container carrier that holds a plurality of sample containers 122 containing biological samples (specimens) such as blood or urine, is placed.

[0077] The emergency rack insertion port 113 is a place for inserting into the device a sample rack (calibration rack) loaded with a standard solution or a sample rack 111 containing a sample container 122 containing a sample that requires urgent analysis.

[0078] The transport line 102 is a line that transports a sample rack 111 installed in the loading section 101, and can be configured with the transport device 1 according to Example 1 or Example 2 of the present invention. In this example, the container carrier 110, which is the object to be transported, is the sample rack 111, and the permanent magnet provided on the container carrier 110 is provided on the bottom surface of the sample rack 111. The transport device 1 transports the object to be transported from the loading section 101 to the analyzing section 105. The sample rack 111, which is the object to be transported, is transported on at least a portion of the transport line 102 to the analyzing section 105.

[0079] The buffer 104 holds a plurality of sample racks 111 transported by the transport line 102 so that the order in which samples are dispensed in the sample racks 111 can be changed.

[0080] The analysis unit 105 analyzes samples transported from the sample rack 111 via the transport line 102 from the loading unit 101 through the buffer 104. The analysis unit 105 analyzes components contained in a biological sample (sample) that has reacted with a reagent. The analysis unit 105 can have a configuration similar to that of an analysis unit included in an existing sample analysis system, for example. Details of the analysis unit 105 will be described later.

[0081] The storage section 103 stores sample racks 111 that contain sample containers 122 holding samples that have been analyzed in the analysis section 105 .

[0082] The display unit 118 is a display device for displaying the results of the analysis performed by the analysis unit 105. For example, the display unit 118 displays the concentration of a predetermined component contained in a sample such as blood or urine as the analysis result.

[0083] The control unit 120 is configured with a computer or the like, and controls the operation of each mechanism of the sample analysis system 100, and performs arithmetic processing to determine the concentration of a predetermined component in a sample such as blood or urine. The transport device 1 (transport line 102) according to Example 1 or Example 2 is controlled by the control unit 120.

[0084] The analysis unit 105 includes a conveyor line 106 , a reaction disk 108 , a sample dispensing nozzle 107 , a reagent disk 117 , a reagent dispensing nozzle 109 , a cleaning mechanism 112 , a reagent tray 114 , a reagent ID reader 115 , a reagent loader 116 , and a spectrophotometer 121 .

[0085] The conveyor line 106 is a line that carries the sample racks 111 in the buffer 104 into the analysis unit 105, and has the same configuration as the transport device 1 according to the first or second embodiment.

[0086] The reaction disk 108 includes a plurality of reaction vessels.

[0087] The sample dispensing nozzle 107 dispenses the sample from the sample container 122 into the reaction container on the reaction disk 108 by rotational driving and vertical driving.

[0088] The reagent disk 117 supports a plurality of reagents.

[0089] The reagent dispensing nozzle 109 dispenses reagent from a reagent bottle in the reagent disk 117 into a reaction vessel on the reaction disk 108 .

[0090] The cleaning mechanism 112 cleans the reaction vessels on the reaction disk 108 .

[0091] The reagent tray 114 is a component on which a reagent is placed when registering the reagent in the sample analysis system 100 .

[0092] The reagent ID reader 115 is a device for acquiring reagent information by reading the reagent ID attached to the reagent placed on the reagent tray 114 .

[0093] The reagent loader 116 is a device that loads the reagent onto the reagent disk 117 .

[0094] The spectrophotometer 121 measures the absorbance of the reaction solution by measuring transmitted light obtained from a light source (not shown) through the reaction solution in the reaction vessel.

[0095] The above is the overall configuration of the sample analysis system 100.

[0096] The sample analysis process by the sample analysis system 100 described above is generally carried out in the following order.

[0097] First, the sample rack 111 is placed in the loading section 101 or the emergency rack insertion port 113, and is then carried by the transport line 102 into the randomly accessible buffer 104.

[0098] The sample analysis system 100 transports the sample rack 111 with the highest priority among the racks stored in the buffer 104 to the analysis section 105 via the conveyor line 106 in accordance with the priority rules.

[0099] The sample rack 111 that has arrived at the analysis unit 105 is further transported by the conveyor line 106 to a sample collection position near the reaction disk 108, where the sample is dispensed by the sample dispensing nozzle 107 into a reaction vessel on the reaction disk 108. The sample dispensing nozzle 107 dispenses the sample as many times as necessary depending on the analysis items requested for the sample.

[0100] The sample dispensing nozzle 107 dispenses samples from all of the sample containers 122 mounted on the sample rack 111. After the dispensing process for all of the sample containers 122 has been completed, the sample rack 111 is transferred back to the buffer 104. After all of the sample dispensing processes, including those for automatic retesting, have been completed, the sample rack 111 is transferred to the storage unit 103 via the conveyor line 106 and the transport line 102.

[0101] Furthermore, the reagent to be used for analysis is dispensed from the reagent bottle on the reagent disk 117 into the reaction vessel into which the specimen was previously dispensed by the reagent dispensing nozzle 109. Next, the mixture of the specimen and the reagent in the reaction vessel is stirred by a stirring mechanism (not shown).

[0102] Thereafter, light emitted from a light source is transmitted through a reaction vessel containing the stirred mixture, and the luminous intensity of the transmitted light is measured by a spectrophotometer 121. The luminous intensity measured by the spectrophotometer 121 is transmitted to the control unit 120 via an A / D converter and an interface. The control unit 120 then performs calculations to determine the concentration of a predetermined component in a specimen, which is a liquid sample such as blood or urine, and displays the determined result on the display unit 118 or stores it in a memory unit (not shown).

[0103] The sample analysis system 100 is not limited to having the above-described configuration. For example, the sample analysis system 100 may include a pretreatment unit, or may not include some units or configurations. Furthermore, the analysis unit 105 is not limited to a biochemical analysis unit, but may be an immunoanalysis unit. Furthermore, the sample analysis system 100 can include two or more analysis units 105, rather than just one. Even if the sample analysis system 100 includes two or more analysis units 105, the analysis units 105 and the loading unit 101 are connected by a transport line 102, and sample racks 111 are transported from the loading unit 101.

[0104] Next, a sample pretreatment device according to this embodiment will be described. The sample pretreatment device is a device that performs various pretreatments required for sample analysis.

[0105] 7 is a diagram showing an outline of the overall configuration of the sample pretreatment device 150 according to this embodiment. The sample pretreatment device 150 may have a configuration similar to that of existing sample pretreatment devices. For example, the sample pretreatment device 150 includes a capping unit 152, a sample storage unit 153, an empty holder stacker 154, a sample introduction unit 155, a centrifugal separation unit 156, a liquid volume measurement unit 157, an uncapping unit 158, a secondary sample container preparation unit 159, a dispensing unit 160, and a transfer unit 161, as well as an operation unit 163 that controls the operations of these multiple units.

[0106] A sample analysis system 100 for performing qualitative and quantitative analysis of sample components is connected to the sample pretreatment device 150 as a destination of the pretreated sample. The sample analysis system 100 includes an analysis unit 105 that analyzes components contained in a biological sample (sample) that has reacted with a reagent.

[0107] The sample input unit 155 is a unit for inputting the sample container 122 containing the sample into the sample pretreatment device 150 .

[0108] The centrifugal separation unit 156 is a unit for centrifuging the sample containers 122 that have been placed therein.

[0109] The liquid volume measuring unit 157 is a unit that measures the liquid volume of the specimen contained in the specimen container 122 .

[0110] The cap removal unit 158 ​​is a unit that removes the cap from the sample container 122 that has been inserted.

[0111] The secondary sample container preparation unit 159 is a unit that makes the necessary preparations for dispensing the sample contained in the loaded sample container 122 in the next dispensing unit 165 .

[0112] The dispensing unit 160 divides the centrifuged sample into small portions for analysis by the sample analysis system 100 or the like, and attaches barcodes or the like to the divided sample containers 122 and child sample containers 122a.

[0113] The transfer unit 161 sorts the dispensed secondary sample containers 122 a and prepares them for transfer to the sample analysis system 100 .

[0114] The capping unit 152 is a unit that caps the sample container 122 and the secondary sample container 122a.

[0115] The specimen storage unit 153 is a unit for storing the capped specimen containers 122 .

[0116] The transport device 1 according to the first or second embodiment of the present invention can connect the multiple units included in the sample pretreatment device 150, or connect the sample pretreatment device 150 to the sample analysis system 100. For example, the transport device 1 transports a sample holder or a sample rack that holds sample containers 122 to the sample analysis system 100.

[0117] The specimen pretreatment device 150 is not limited to the above-described configuration. For example, the specimen pretreatment device 150 may further include other units, or may not include some units or configurations.

[0118] 7, i.e., a sample analysis system 200 including a sample pretreatment device 150 and the above-described sample analysis system 100. In this sample analysis system 200, sample containers 122 can be transported not only within each system but also between systems using the transport device 1 according to Example 1 or Example 2 of the present invention.

[0119] The sample analysis systems 100, 200 and sample pretreatment device 150 according to this embodiment are equipped with the transport device 1 according to Example 1 or Example 2, and can transport sample containers 122 to their destinations with high efficiency, thereby shortening the time it takes to obtain analysis results. In addition, there are fewer problems that occur when transporting sample containers 122, reducing the burden on laboratory technicians.

[0120] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the transported object is a sample rack 111 that holds five sample containers 122 containing samples, as shown in Fig. 6. The transported object is not limited to this sample rack 111, and may be, for example, a sample holder that holds two sample containers 122.

[0121] Furthermore, in Examples 1 to 3, the objects to be transported by the transport device 1 are not limited to the container carrier 110 (sample holder or sample rack 111), but can be any object, for example, various objects that need to be transported on a large scale.

[0122] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to embodiments that include all of the described configurations. Furthermore, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment. It is also possible to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. It is also possible to delete part of the configuration of each embodiment, or to add or replace other configurations.

[0123] 1...Transportation device, 21a...First winding, 21b...Second winding, 21c...Third winding, 21d...Fourth winding, 21e...Fifth winding, 22a...First teeth, 22b...Second teeth, 22c...Third teeth, 22d...Fourth teeth, 22e...Fifth teeth, 25a...First electromagnet, 25b...Second electromagnet, 25c...Third electromagnet, 25d...Fourth electromagnet, 25e...Fifth electromagnet, 26...Yoke, 30 a...rate of change in inductance of first electromagnet, 30b...rate of change in inductance of second electromagnet, 30e...rate of change in inductance of fifth electromagnet, 40a...first current detection unit, 40b...second current detection unit, 41...calculation unit, 50a...first drive circuit, 50b...second drive circuit, 55...power supply, 65...transport surface, 100...sample analysis system, 101...carry-in unit, 102...transport line, 103...storage unit, 104...buffer, 105...analysis unit, 106...conveyor line, 107...sample dispensing nozzle, 108...reaction disk, 109...reagent dispensing nozzle, 110...container carrier, 110a...arrow indicating direction of travel, 111...sample rack, 112...cleaning mechanism, 113...emergency rack insertion port, 114...reagent tray, 115...reagent ID reader, 116...reagent loader, 117...reagent disk, 118...display unit, 120...control unit, 121...spectrophotometric Total, 122...sample container, 122a...subsidiary sample container, 150...sample pretreatment device, 152...capping unit, 153...sample storage unit, 154...empty holder stacker, 155...sample input unit, 156...centrifugation unit, 157...liquid volume measurement unit, 158...uncapping unit, 159...subsidiary sample container preparation unit, 160...dispensing unit, 161...transfer unit, 163...operation unit, 200...sample analysis system.

Claims

1. A specimen transport device used in a test for analyzing a specimen which is a biological sample, the device being configured to transport an object to be transported using electromagnetic force as thrust and braking force, the device comprising: a plurality of magnetic poles arranged in a lattice pattern to which an electric current is supplied to generate the electromagnetic force; a calculation unit; and the object to be transported, the object to be transported being a container carrier equipped with a permanent magnet and holding a specimen container containing the specimen, the container carrier being transported on at least a portion of a transport line to an analysis unit, the analysis unit analyzing components contained in the biological sample which has reacted with a reagent, the magnetic poles being electromagnets, the magnetic poles comprising: a first magnetic pole positioned in the direction of travel of the object to be transported, and a second magnetic pole positioned adjacent to the first magnetic pole in a counter-travel direction which is opposite to the direction of travel, the calculation unit detecting the position of the object to be transported using the electric current supplied to the second magnetic pole which generates the braking force on the object to be transported.

2. The specimen transport device of claim 1, wherein the calculation unit detects the position of the transported object using the current supplied to the second magnetic pole that generates the braking force on the transported object, without using the current supplied to the first magnetic pole.

3. The specimen transport device according to claim 1, wherein a current is supplied to the first magnetic pole so as to generate the thrust force toward the transported object.

4. The specimen transport device according to claim 3, wherein the calculation unit detects the position of the transported object using a current supplied to the first magnetic pole or a current supplied to the second magnetic pole depending on the position of the transported object.

5. The specimen transport device according to claim 1, further comprising a current detection unit which detects a current supplied to a winding of the electromagnet, and wherein the calculation unit determines the position of the transported object using an inductance obtained from the value of the current detected by the current detection unit.

6. The specimen transport device according to claim 5, wherein the calculation unit uses the determined position of the transported object to determine the amount of current required to drive the transported object and the timing for supplying this current.

7. A sample analysis system comprising: an input section in which the transported object is placed; an analysis section for analyzing the transported sample; a sample transport device for transporting the transported object from the input section to the analysis section; and the transported object; wherein the analysis section analyzes components contained in the biological sample that has reacted with a reagent; and the sample transport device is the sample transport device described in claim 1.

8. A specimen pretreatment device comprising: a specimen transport device that transports the object to the specimen analysis system; and the object to be transported, the specimen analysis system including an analysis unit that analyzes components contained in the biological sample that has reacted with a reagent, the specimen transport device being the specimen transport device described in claim 1, the specimen pretreatment device being characterized in that the object to be transported is a container carrier that holds a specimen container containing a specimen that is a biological sample, the specimen analysis system being connected to a specimen analysis system for analyzing the specimen, the specimen pretreatment device being characterized in that the object to be transported is a container carrier that holds a specimen container containing a specimen that is a biological sample, the specimen analysis system being connected to a specimen analysis system for analyzing

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