Automatic analysis device

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an automatic analysis device with which it is possible to selectively move a discretionary nozzle among a plurality of nozzles to a discretionary dispensing position by using a drive mechanism that is as small as possible. An automatic analysis device according to the present invention comprises a nozzle and a vertical-direction interference mechanism. A nozzle protrusion part that extends in a horizontal direction is disposed on the nozzle. The vertical-direction interference mechanism is provided with an interference protrusion part that extends in the horizontal direction. The interference protrusion part is disposed so as to come into contact with the nozzle protrusion part at a prescribed position (see fig. 1).

Description

automatic analyzer

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer for analyzing samples such as blood and urine.

[0002] Automated analyzers that analyze samples such as blood and urine are equipped with a mechanism equipped with nozzles that dispense reagents and samples. This mechanism may be equipped with multiple nozzles to efficiently dispense multiple different types of liquids. Furthermore, it is necessary to selectively move the nozzles to any position depending on the purpose of the analysis operation.

[0003] The following Patent Document 1 aims to provide a detection method and detection device that can contribute to the miniaturization of devices and reduce the risk of contamination, and describes a technology in which the detection method includes the steps of: transporting a rack 50 holding reaction vessels 51 along a first axis 41 toward a specimen dispensing position 61; linearly moving a specimen dispensing pipette 10 above the rack 50 along a second axis 42 that intersects with the first axis 41 in a top view to dispense specimens into the reaction vessels 51 positioned at the specimen dispensing position 61; transporting the rack 50 along the first axis 41 toward a reagent dispensing position 62; linearly moving a reagent dispensing pipette 11 above the rack 50 along a third axis 43 that intersects with the first axis 41 in a top view to dispense reagents into the reaction vessels 51 positioned at the reagent dispensing position 62; and detecting a detection target in a sample prepared from the specimen and the reagent (see Abstract).

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-086706

[0005] An automated analyzer is equipped with units that perform various functions, such as a dispensing mechanism, a reagent supply mechanism, and a reagent cooling mechanism. To accommodate all of these units within the limited size of the device, each unit must be made smaller. Furthermore, cost reduction is also required in manufacturing the device. In a mechanism equipped with multiple nozzles, if an actuator is provided for each nozzle, as in Patent Document 1, for example, space is required to install the actuators. Furthermore, costs increase with the number of actuators.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an automatic analyzer that can selectively move any nozzle out of multiple nozzles to any dispensing position using as few driving mechanisms as possible.

[0007] The automatic analyzer of the present invention comprises a nozzle and a vertical interference mechanism, the nozzle having a nozzle protrusion extending horizontally, the vertical interference mechanism having an interference protrusion extending horizontally, and the interference protrusion being arranged to contact the nozzle protrusion at a predetermined position.

[0008] According to the automated analyzer of the present invention, any one of a plurality of nozzles can be selectively moved to any one of the dispensing positions using as few drive mechanisms as possible. Other objects, configurations, advantages, etc. of the present invention will become clear from the following description of the embodiments.

[0009] 6 is a perspective view of a dispensing mechanism provided in an automatic analyzer according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view showing a state before the dispensing mechanism starts operating. FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view showing an example of a state after the nozzle transport unit 1 has moved. FIG. 9 is a side view of the dispensing mechanism. FIG. 10 is a side view showing a state in which the nozzle 2 is pushed down due to interference between the protrusions. FIG. 11 is a side view of a dispensing mechanism provided in an automatic analyzer according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 12 is a view showing a state in which the base member 12 has risen from the state of FIG. 6, causing interference between the protrusions. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the periphery of the base member 12. FIG. 14 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which multiple nozzles 2 are fixed to the nozzle transport unit 1. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a jig 22 used to adjust the position of the nozzle 2 in the X direction. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a state in which the jig 22 is attached to a container 3. FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a state in which the outlets 17 of all nozzles 2 pass through a groove 23. FIG. 18 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the nozzle 2 and the protrusions 6.

[0010] <First Embodiment> Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a dispensing mechanism included in an automatic analyzer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. An automatic analyzer is an apparatus for analyzing samples and includes various mechanisms. Among these mechanisms, the dispensing mechanism shown in Fig. 1 has the function of preparing a mixture required for sample pretreatment. There are multiple types of reagents, and various types of mixtures can be prepared by combining these reagents. The dispensing mechanism shown in Fig. 1 includes a nozzle transport unit 1, multiple nozzles 2, multiple containers 3 for preparing the reagents, and a Z-axis interference mechanism 4 that lowers the nozzles 2 in the Z direction. Each of the multiple nozzles 2 ejects a different reagent, and various mixtures can be prepared simultaneously in parallel depending on the combination of reagents ejected into the containers 3.

[0011] 2 is a schematic plan view showing the state before the dispensing mechanism starts operation. The nozzle transport unit 1 has multiple nozzles 2 and one actuator 5, and is movable in the Y direction. The Z-axis interference mechanism 4 has the same number of protrusions 6 and one actuator 7 corresponding to each container 3, and is movable in the Z direction. The protrusions 6 are configured to protrude in the X-axis direction from the main body of the Z-axis interference mechanism 4 within the XY plane. Each protrusion 6 is located on the center line of the corresponding container 3 in the X-axis direction.

[0012] 3 is a schematic plan view showing an example of the state after the nozzle transport unit 1 has moved. A protrusion 8 is disposed at the bottom of each nozzle 2, protruding from the nozzle transport unit 1 in the X-axis direction in the XY plane. Any one of the multiple nozzles 2 moves directly above any one of the containers 3. At this time, the nozzle transport unit 1 moves to a position where the protrusion 8 and the protrusion 6 overlap in the XY plane. The nozzle transport unit 1 moves so that the nozzle 2 is positioned above the corresponding container 3 according to the combination of container and reagent to be discharged. FIG. 3 shows the state in which the nozzle 2 closest to the actuator 5 has moved directly above the container 3 closest to the actuator 5.

[0013] Figure 4 is a side view of the dispensing mechanism. This figure shows the same state as in Figure 3, but from the side. The dotted line 9 indicates the height immediately before the nozzle 2 is pushed down. The spring 10 is arranged to connect the main body of the nozzle transport unit 1 to the protrusion 8, and is configured to exert a restoring force in the Z-axis direction when the protrusion 8 moves in the Z-axis direction. When the base member 12 equipped with the protrusion 6 descends in the Z-axis direction, the protrusions 8 and 6 interfere with each other. The base member 12 descends to a predetermined position while the protrusions remain interfering with each other. As a result, the protrusions 8 and 6 descend together, and the tip of the nozzle 2 connected to the protrusion 8 is also machined to the dispensing position. At this time, the restoring force of the spring 10 balances the force acting on the protrusion 6 in the downward Z-axis direction, maintaining its position in the Z-axis direction.

[0014] 5 is a side view showing the state in which the nozzle 2 has been pushed down due to interference between the protrusions. The nozzle 2 that is not pushed down is not shown as it is not necessary for explanation. The height of the nozzle 2 immediately after it has been pushed down is indicated by a solid line 11. After dispensing is complete, the base member 12 rises in the Z-axis direction, and the pushed-down nozzle 2 returns to its position before being pushed down by the restoring force of the spring 10. By pushing the nozzle 2 down to the dispensing position (i.e., below the top surface of the container 3), the reagent ejected from the nozzle 2 is dispensed into the container 3 without splashing around the container 3.

[0015] The above-described operations can be performed using two axes: horizontal and vertical movement. In other words, even if the number of nozzles 2 and containers 3 is increased, there is no need to increase the number of actuators. This allows for cost reduction and space savings in an automatic analyzer that requires multiple nozzles 2 and containers 3.

[0016] <Summary of First Embodiment> The automated analyzer according to the first embodiment includes a nozzle 2 having a protrusion 8 and a Z-axis interference mechanism 4 having a protrusion 6, and when the protrusion 8 and the protrusion 6 come into contact with each other at a predetermined position in the horizontal direction, the protrusion 6 presses down the protrusion 8 and the nozzle 2, thereby moving the tip of the nozzle 2 into the container 3. Because the nozzle transport unit 1 moves only in the Y direction and the Z-axis interference mechanism 4 moves only in the Z direction, it is possible to drive each nozzle 2 individually while minimizing the number and size of actuators.

[0017] Second Embodiment FIG. 6 is a side view of a dispensing mechanism included in an automated analyzer according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the protrusion 6 is positioned below the protrusion 8. When the automated analyzer is not in operation, the positional relationship shown in FIG. 6 may be established due to human intervention or other reasons. For example, the dispensing mechanism may require maintenance, requiring removal from the automated analyzer and reinstallation. Because the nozzle transport unit 1 and the base member 12 can be manually moved in their respective axial directions, the relative position between the nozzle transport unit 1 and the protrusion 6 may change each time the dispensing mechanism is installed. If the automated analyzer is operated with the relative positions of the mechanisms in an unintended state, unintended interference may occur, potentially resulting in damage. In other words, all mechanisms must be positioned in their home positions to operate normally.

[0018] Therefore, the automated analyzer according to the second embodiment is provided with a function for returning each mechanism to its home position. The home position of the dispensing mechanism is when the nozzle transport unit 1 is in the position shown in Figure 2 and the protrusion 6 is in the position shown in Figure 4. The procedure for the dispensing mechanism to return to its home position is as follows. First, the base member 12 rises in the Z-axis direction to its home position. Next, the nozzle transport unit 1 moves in the Y-axis direction to its home position. The support member 14, the rotating shaft member 15, and the spring 16 will be described later. The rest of the configuration is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the state in which the base member 12 rises from the state shown in FIG. 6 and the protrusions interfere with each other. When the base member 12 moves from a state in which the protrusions 6 are below the protrusions 8 to a state before the nozzle 2 is pushed down, interference between the protrusions could result in damage. Therefore, by rotating the base member 12 around the Y axis as shown in FIG. 7 , even if the protrusions 6 and 8 come into contact, the protrusions 6 can be avoided from being pushed up and can return to the home position. Furthermore, by making the tips 13 of the protrusions 8 round, the protrusions 6 can be more easily rotated when they collide with each other. Alternatively or additionally, the tips of the protrusions 6 may be similarly rounded.

[0020] The tip shape for facilitating rotation of the protrusion 6 is not limited to the curved shape shown in Fig. 7. For example, the tip of the protrusion 6 or the tip of the protrusion 8 may be configured to taper toward the tip in the XZ plane in Fig. 7. That is, the tip of the protrusion 8 may be configured to taper so that the upper surface of the protrusion 8 is narrower than the lower surface of the protrusion 8, and the tip of the protrusion 6 may be configured to taper so that the lower surface of the protrusion 6 is narrower than the upper surface of the protrusion 6.

[0021] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the periphery of the base member 12. The base member 12 includes a support member 14, and the two are connected via a rotating shaft member 15. A spring 16 is provided to be wound around the rotating shaft member 15. After avoiding the protrusion 8, the base member 12 returns to its pre-rotation state due to the restoring force of the spring 16. When the protrusion 6 presses down on the protrusion 8, the support member 14 stops the base member 12 from rotating vertically upward, allowing the protrusion 6 to press down on the protrusion 8. As another method for returning to its pre-rotation state, a weight that rotates in the desired direction of rotation may be used. This function allows the device to return to its home position regardless of the position of each mechanism before operation.

[0022] More specifically, the support member 14 has a wall-like portion (first portion) that has a height in the Z-axis direction in Fig. 8, and a lid-like portion (second portion) that rotates to cover the wall portion from above in Figs. 6 and 7. When the protrusion 6 is parallel to the horizontal plane, the lid portion and the wall portion come into contact with each other, preventing the tip of the protrusion 6 from rotating further upward in the vertical direction. This allows the support member 14 to stop the base member 12 (i.e., the tip of the protrusion 6) from rotating upward in the vertical direction.

[0023] <Embodiment 3> In embodiment 3 of the present invention, a method for fixing a plurality of nozzles 2 and a method for adjusting them in the X-axis direction will be described. The dispensing mechanism has a function that allows the position of each nozzle 2 to be adjusted in the X-axis direction. This function is necessary to align the positions of the nozzles 2 and the centers of the containers 3. Other configurations are the same as those of embodiments 1 and 2.

[0024] 9 is a diagram showing one nozzle 2. The nozzle 2 has an ejection port 17 and a nozzle fixing member 19. The nozzle fixing member 19 is disposed in a portion of the nozzle 2 that extends in the Z-axis direction, and has a screw hole 20.

[0025] 10 is a side cross-sectional view showing how multiple nozzles 2 are fixed to the nozzle transport unit 1. To fix the multiple nozzles 2, first, the multiple nozzles 2 are installed on the nozzle transport unit 1. Next, one screw 18 is passed through a screw hole 20 and into a screw hole 21 in the nozzle transport unit 1. By tightening the screw 18, a force is applied in the direction of the screw 18, pressing the nozzle fixing member 19, thereby fixing the multiple nozzles 2. By loosening the screw 18, the nozzle fixing members 19 become movable in the X-axis direction, allowing the position of each nozzle 2 to be freely adjusted in the X direction. The spacing between nozzles in the Y direction can be made constant by arranging the nozzle fixing members 19 housed in the nozzle transport unit 1 without any gaps and tightening them with the screw 18.

[0026] The length of the protrusion 8 in the X-axis direction is determined so that it always interferes with the protrusion 6 even when the nozzle 2 moves within the adjustment range in the X-axis direction, and therefore the nozzle 2 can be pushed down by the Z-axis interference mechanism 4 no matter where it moves within the adjustment range. The length of the protrusion 8 in the X-axis direction is also determined so that it does not come into contact with anything other than the Z-axis interference mechanism 4. Therefore, the protrusion 8 does not interfere with other parts, and the position of each nozzle 2 can be freely adjusted in the X direction within the adjustment range.

[0027] 11 is a perspective view of a jig 22 used to adjust the position of the nozzle 2 in the X direction. The jig 22 has a groove 23 large enough to fit the outlet 17 of the nozzle 2. The width dimension of the groove 23 and the outer diameter dimension of the outlet 17 are the same, so the outlet 17 can fit into the groove 23 without any gaps. Two cylindrical sections 24 are arranged on the bottom of the jig 22. The groove 23 is arranged on a center line that extends to connect the centers of the bottom surfaces of the two cylindrical sections 24.

[0028] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the jig 22 attached to the container 3. A method for adjusting the position of the nozzles 2 using the jig 22 will be described below. First, as shown in FIG. 12 , the cylindrical portions 24 are inserted into two of the containers 3. At this time, since the cylindrical portions 24 are sized and shaped to fit snugly inside the containers 3, the center line of the containers 3 (the dashed line in FIG. 12 ) and the central axis of the cylindrical portions 24 are aligned. Next, the screws 18 that secure the multiple nozzles 2 are loosened to allow the nozzle fixing member 19 to move freely. Next, the nozzle conveying unit 1 is moved in the Y direction. At this time, the discharge ports 17 of all the nozzles are passed through the grooves 23. Since the nozzles 2 are free to move in the X direction, the nozzle fixing member 19 is moved to adjust the position of the nozzles 2 so that all the nozzles 2 can pass through the grooves 23.

[0029] 13 is a perspective view showing the state in which the outlets 17 of all nozzles 2 pass through the grooves 23. Since the grooves 23 are located on the center line of the container 3, the nozzles 2 that have passed through the grooves 23 will be on the center line of the container 3. In this state, the positions of the nozzles 2 in the X direction can be adjusted by tightening the screws 18 that secure the multiple nozzles 2. Because the diameter dimensions of the nozzle outlets 17 and the dimensions of the grooves 23 are the same and the nozzles 2 are inserted into the grooves 23 without any gaps, no misalignment or distortion occurs when the screws 18 are tightened. By adjusting the position using the jig 22, it is no longer necessary to move the nozzles 2 up and down one by one to align them with the center of the container 3, improving workability.

[0030] Here is a supplementary explanation of why the nozzles 2 are attached to the nozzle transport unit 1 so that they can move in the X direction. Although the nozzles 2 are bent at a right angle in Figure 9, they are not necessarily bent at a precise right angle due to manufacturing tolerances, which can cause the X-direction position of the tip of each nozzle 2 to vary. Therefore, the nozzle transport unit 1 holds each nozzle 2 so that each nozzle 2 can move to a certain extent in the X direction, and the tip positions of the nozzles 2 can be aligned using a jig 22 in the operating environment.

[0031] <Regarding Modifications of the Present Invention> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and includes various modifications. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present disclosure, and are not necessarily limited to those including all of the described configurations. Furthermore, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, or to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, or replace part of the configuration of each embodiment with other configurations.

[0032] 14A is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the nozzles 2 and the protrusions 6. In order for the protrusions 6 to selectively lower one of the nozzles 2, the following positional relationship is required: the distance d1 between one end and the other end of the array of adjacent nozzles 2 in the Y direction is smaller than the distance d2 between two adjacent protrusions 6 in the Y direction. This is because, if d1 > d2, there is a possibility that two protrusions 6 will each lower a nozzle 2 at the same time (i.e., two nozzles 2 will lower at the same time).

[0033] 14B is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the nozzles 2 and the protrusion 6. In order for the protrusion 6 to selectively lower one of the nozzles 2, the following relationship is required for the width of the protrusion 6. Of three nozzles 2 adjacent in the Y direction, the distance d3 between two nozzles 2 on either side is greater than the width d4 of the protrusion 6 in the Y direction. This is because if d3 < d4, one protrusion 6 may lower two nozzles 2 simultaneously.

[0034] It should be noted that if the protrusion 6 does not need to selectively lower only one nozzle 2 (i.e., two or more nozzles 2 may be lowered simultaneously), the conditions described in Figures 14A to 14B are not necessarily required.

[0035] In the above embodiment, it has been explained that the protrusion 8 is positioned at the bottom of the nozzle 2, but the position of the protrusion 8 is not limited to this, and it may be in a position where it can be pressed down together with the protrusion 8 by coming into contact with the protrusion 8.

[0036] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1: Nozzle transport part 2: Nozzle 3: Container 4: Z-axis interference mechanism 5: Actuator 6: Projection part 7: Actuator 8: Projection part 10: Spring 12: Base member 14: Support member 15: Rotating shaft member 16: Spring 17: Discharge port 18: Screw 19: Nozzle fixing member 20: Screw hole 21: Screw hole 22: Jig 23: Groove 24: Cylindrical part

Claims

1. An automatic analyzer for analyzing samples, comprising: a nozzle for dispensing liquid; a transport unit for transporting the nozzle horizontally; and a vertical interference mechanism having an interference protrusion extending horizontally, wherein the nozzle has a nozzle protrusion extending horizontally, and the interference protrusion is arranged so as to come into contact with the nozzle protrusion at a predetermined position.

2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport section holds the nozzle so that the nozzle can move vertically, and the vertical interference mechanism moves the nozzle vertically downward together with the nozzle protrusion by pushing the interference protrusion vertically downward while the interference protrusion and the nozzle protrusion are in contact with each other.

3. The automatic analyzer according to claim 2, further comprising a first spring that exerts a restoring force that acts to return the nozzle protrusion to its original position when the nozzle protrusion moves vertically, and the first spring exerts the restoring force in a direction that moves the nozzle vertically upward together with the nozzle protrusion when the vertical interference mechanism moves the nozzle protrusion vertically downward.

4. The automatic analyzer described in claim 2, characterized in that the transport unit moves the nozzle horizontally so that the tip of the nozzle is positioned above a container that holds the liquid, and the vertical interference mechanism, when the tip of the nozzle is positioned above the container, lowers the tip of the nozzle into the container by pushing the interference protrusion portion vertically downward.

5. The automatic analyzer according to claim 4, characterized in that the vertical interference mechanism comprises a first interference protrusion and a second interference protrusion as the interference protrusion, the first interference protrusion being positioned so that when the tip of the nozzle is located above a first container that holds the liquid, the first interference protrusion is pressed vertically downward to lower the tip of the nozzle into the first container, and the second interference protrusion is positioned so that when the tip of the nozzle is located above a second container that is disposed adjacent to the first container and holds the liquid, the second interference protrusion is pressed vertically downward to lower the tip of the nozzle into the second container.

6. The automatic analyzer according to claim 2, further comprising: a support member capable of rotating around a rotation axis extending horizontally; and a base member connecting the support member and the interference protrusion; and wherein the vertical interference mechanism is configured to rotate the support member in a direction such that, when the interference protrusion and the nozzle protrusion come into contact by raising the interference protrusion from below the nozzle protrusion, the support member is rotated in a direction such that the tip of the interference protrusion descends, thereby enabling the interference protrusion to rise while avoiding the nozzle protrusion.

7. The automatic analyzer according to claim 6, characterized in that the support member has a first part and a second part, the first part and the second part are arranged so that when the interference protrusion is parallel to a horizontal plane, they come into contact with each other to prevent the tip of the interference protrusion from rotating vertically upward, and the vertical interference mechanism lowers the nozzle by pushing down the interference protrusion in a state in which the tip of the interference protrusion is prevented from rotating vertically upward.

8. The automatic analyzer according to claim 6, characterized in that the interference protrusion and the nozzle protrusion are configured so as to be at least one of the following: within a vertical plane formed by a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the transport section transports the nozzle and a vertical direction, the upper surface of the interference protrusion is tapered to be narrower than the lower surface of the interference protrusion; or, within the vertical plane, the lower surface of the nozzle protrusion is tapered to be narrower than the upper surface of the nozzle protrusion.

9. The automatic analyzer of claim 1, characterized in that the transport unit is configured to transport the nozzle in a first direction in a horizontal plane, the transport unit holds the nozzle so that the nozzle can move in a second direction different from the first direction in the horizontal plane, and the transport unit is provided with a screw that can fix the position of the nozzle in the second direction relative to the transport unit.

10. The automatic analyzer according to claim 9, further comprising a jig for adjusting the position of the tip of the nozzle in a horizontal plane, the jig having a groove extending in a horizontal plane, and the transport unit adjusting the position of the nozzle in the second direction by moving the nozzle in the first direction so that the tip of the nozzle fits within the groove when the jig is positioned so that the groove extends in the first direction.

11. The automatic analyzer described in claim 1, characterized in that the transport unit is configured to transport the nozzle in a first direction in a horizontal plane, the transport unit holds the nozzle so that the nozzle can move in a second direction different from the first direction in the horizontal plane, and the length by which the nozzle can move in the second direction is shorter than the length by which the interference protrusion portion and the nozzle protrusion portion overlap each other when they come into contact with each other.

12. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that the automatic analyzer is provided with a plurality of nozzles, each of which is provided with the nozzle protrusion, and the vertical interference mechanism brings into contact with the interference protrusion those of the nozzle protrusions provided on each of the nozzles which have been moved by the transport unit to a position overlapping with the interference protrusion in the horizontal plane.

13. The automatic analyzer described in claim 12, characterized in that the multiple nozzles are configured in a nozzle array arranged adjacent to each other in a transport direction in which the transport unit transports the nozzles, the interference protrusion includes a first interference protrusion and a second interference protrusion adjacent to each other in the transport direction, and the distance between one end and the other end of the nozzle array in the transport direction is smaller than the distance between the first interference protrusion and the second interference protrusion in the transport direction.

14. The automatic analyzer described in claim 12, characterized in that the multiple nozzles include a first nozzle, a second nozzle, and a third nozzle arranged adjacent to each other in a transport direction in which the transport unit transports the nozzles, and the width of the interference protrusion portion in the transport direction is smaller than the distance between the first nozzle and the third nozzle.

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