Fluid holding mechanism and automated analyzing device

Abstract

Provided is a fluid holding mechanism capable of eliminating the need for an agitation step performed by an agitating paddle, reducing water consumption, and improving analysis speed. A fluid holding mechanism 24 comprises: a first holding portion 31 that is formed so as to be capable of internally holding a fluid, extends in the vertical direction, and has an open upper surface; a second holding portion 32 that is formed so as to be capable of internally holding a fluid, extends in the vertical direction, and is disposed parallel to the first holding portion 31; and a communicating portion 33 that provides communication between the first holding portion 31 and the second holding portion 32, and that is capable of transferring the fluid between the first holding portion 31 and the second holding portion 32 and vice-versa. The communicating portion 33 comprises a first region 34 that provides communication from the lower end to the upper end of each of the first holding portion 31 and the second holding portion 32, and that has a first width 36 from the lower end toward the upper end.

Description

Fluid retention mechanism and automatic analyzer

[0001] The present invention relates to a fluid holding mechanism and an automatic analyzer.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for homogenizing the concentration of magnetic particles in a reagent container in an automatic analyzer by stirring the magnetic particle solution with a stirring paddle before dispensing.

[0003] JP 2014-228318 A

[0004] According to Patent Document 1, the reagent refrigerator is a horizontal circulation type, and a stirring paddle is used to stir the magnetic particle reagent. If this stirring process could be eliminated, the water used to wash the stirring paddle would also be unnecessary, reducing water consumption. Furthermore, since the stirring process time required for moving, rotating, and washing the stirring paddle is eliminated, the analysis speed can be improved.

[0005] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a fluid retention mechanism that can stir magnetic particle reagent by vertical rotation, thereby eliminating the need for a stirring process using a stirring paddle, reducing water consumption, and improving analysis speed, as well as an automatic analyzer equipped with this fluid retention mechanism.

[0006] A fluid retention mechanism in one embodiment of the present invention comprises a first retention portion formed to be able to hold a fluid therein, extending vertically and having an open upper surface; a second retention portion formed to be able to hold a fluid therein, extending vertically and arranged parallel to the first retention portion; and a communication portion that communicates between the first retention portion and the second retention portion, thereby enabling fluid to be transferred between the first retention portion and the second retention portion, wherein the communication portion communicates the first retention portion and the second retention portion from their respective lower ends to their upper ends, and comprises a first region having a first width from the lower end to the upper end.

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a fluid retention mechanism and an automatic analyzer equipped with this fluid retention mechanism that can stir magnetic particle reagent by vertical rotation, thereby eliminating the need for a stirring process using a stirring paddle, reducing water consumption, and improving analysis speed.

[0008] 5A , 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F, 5G, 5G, 5H, 5G, 5I, 5K ... 7A, 7B, and 7C are top views of a modification of the fluid retention mechanism;

[0009] Example 1 Hereinafter, the upward direction when the automatic analyzer 1 is installed is defined as the upper side (top), the downward direction is defined as the lower side (bottom), the side accessed by the operator of the automatic analyzer 1 is defined as the front side (front), the opposite side is defined as the rear side (rear), the right side when viewing the automatic analyzer 1 from the front is defined as the right side (right), and the left side is defined as the left side (left). However, the location of the host computer 23 in Figure 1 is not specified.

[0010] First, the overall configuration of the automatic analyzer will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a plan view that schematically shows the overall configuration of the automatic analyzer.

[0011] The automatic analyzer 1 comprises a reagent storage cabinet 2, a safety cover 3, a sample transport mechanism 4, a sample dispensing mechanism 5, a tip / reaction vessel magazine 6, a tip / reaction vessel transport mechanism 7, an incubator (reaction disk) 8, a sample dispensing tip buffer 9, a tip disposal hole 10, a bottle lid opening / closing / reagent dispensing mechanism 11, a reagent dispensing arm operating mechanism 12, a reagent probe washing position 13, a reaction liquid suction / discharge probe 14, a reaction liquid washing / discharge / suction position 15, a reaction liquid stirring mechanism 16, a reaction liquid suction position 17, a detection unit 18, a reaction vessel disposal hole 19, a reaction vessel transport mechanism 20, a reagent bottle holder (hereinafter referred to as the holder) 21, a host computer (operation unit) 23, a sample dispensing tip 27, a reaction vessel 28, etc., which are arranged on a work surface 22.

[0012] The configuration of the automatic analyzer 1 is not limited to the form shown in FIG. 1, but may be an analyzer that performs analysis of various analysis items, such as a biochemical analyzer that performs analysis of biochemical analysis items, or an immunological analyzer that performs analysis of immunological analysis items.

[0013] Furthermore, the automatic analyzer 1 is not limited to a configuration having a single analysis module as shown in Figure 1, but can be configured to connect two or more analysis modules capable of measuring various identical or different analysis items and preprocessing modules that perform preprocessing via a conveying device.

[0014] The host computer 23 is connected to the devices within the automatic analyzer 1 and controls the operation of each device and mechanism within the automatic analyzer 1. The host computer 23 is a computer equipped with a CPU, memory, storage device, etc., and performs arithmetic processing to determine the concentration of a predetermined component in the sample from the detection result of the detection unit 18.

[0015] The host computer 23 controls the operation of each device based on various programs recorded in a storage device. In addition to the various programs used for measuring samples, the storage device stores various parameters input via an input device, information on the sample to be measured (such as sample type information), measurement results, etc.

[0016] The control processes for the operations executed by the host computer 23 may be integrated into one program, or may be divided into multiple programs, or may be a combination of these. Furthermore, some or all of the programs may be realized by dedicated hardware or may be modularized.

[0017] A plurality of reaction vessels 28 are arranged on the incubator 8 for mixing and reacting the sample with the reagent solution.

[0018] The sample transport mechanism 4 transports sample containers 25 placed on a sample rack 26 to a sample dispensing position. The sample containers 25 contain samples to be analyzed (biological samples such as blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid).

[0019] The sample dispensing mechanism 5 is configured to be rotatable and move up and down, and moves in an arc around the rotation axis to dispense samples from sample containers 25 placed on a sample rack 26 transported to the sample dispensing position by the sample transport mechanism 4 to reaction containers 28 on the incubator 8.

[0020] The reagent storage cabinet 2 stores reagent bottles 24 containing liquid, and includes a vertically rotating reagent storage mechanism 29 and a reagent storage lid 30 that covers the reagent storage mechanism 29. When dispensing reagent liquid from a target reagent bottle 24 mounted on a holder 21 that holds one or more reagent bottles 24 containing liquid (reagent liquid), the reagent storage cabinet 2 moves the holder 21 to the top of the rotation of the reagent storage mechanism 29, and is provided on the upper surface of the reagent storage mechanism 29. When dispensing the reagent, the bottle lid opening / closing / reagent dispensing mechanism 11 can access the reagent bottle 24 by opening the reagent storage lid 30 and the lid of the reagent bottle 24, which are accessed by the bottle lid opening / closing / reagent dispensing mechanism 11.

[0021] The bottle lid opening / closing / reagent dispensing mechanism 11 can be moved horizontally along the holder 21 by the reagent dispensing arm operating mechanism 12 to the position of the target reagent bottle 24 mounted on the holder 21. After opening and closing the lid of the reagent bottle 24 by the bottle lid opening / closing / reagent dispensing mechanism 11, the mechanism aspirates the reagent liquid inside and dispenses it into a reaction vessel 28 installed in the incubator 8. After that, the bottle lid opening / closing / reagent dispensing mechanism 11 cleans the reagent dispensing probe at the reagent probe cleaning position 13 and moves to the next reagent dispensing process.

[0022] When the reagent dispensing operation is completed, the lid of the reagent bottle 24 and the reagent storage cabinet lid 30 are closed, and then a rotation operation is performed so that the holding section 21 on which the reagent bottle 24 to be next dispensed is installed is at the top of the reagent storage cabinet 2.

[0023] In this way, the reagent storage mechanism 29 in the reagent storage 2 rotates to access a different reagent bottle 24 installed in one of the multiple holders 21 each time a reagent is dispensed. This makes it possible to simultaneously shake and stir the reagent liquid in all of the reagent bottles 24 installed in the reagent storage 2 each time a reagent is dispensed.

[0024] The rotation operation of this reagent storage mechanism 29 is not limited to when accessing different holding units 21 when a reagent dispensing operation is performed. Even if reagent liquid is successively dispensed from different reagent bottles 24 mounted on the same holding unit 21, the reagent storage mechanism 29 in the reagent storage cabinet 2 can be rotated after the reagent dispensing is completed, the lid of the reagent bottle 24 is closed, and the reagent liquid is discharged into the reaction vessel 28 to clean the reagent dispensing probe.

[0025] Furthermore, even when the analyzer is in a standby state rather than in operation, if the reagent storage mechanism 29 is rotated periodically for a certain number of times or for a certain period of time, it may be possible to shorten the time it takes to transition from the standby state to the operating state and start the analysis operation.

[0026] In the reagent storage cabinet 2, the direction of rotation of the reagent storage mechanism 29 is not limited to one direction, but can be rotated in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions to move the holder 21, on which the target reagent bottle 24 is installed, to the reagent dispensing position by the shortest distance. This makes it possible to enhance the rocking and stirring effect on the reagent liquid in the reagent bottle 24 installed in the holder 21 when the rotation direction is changed, and makes it easier to maintain the reagent liquid in the reagent bottle 24 in a uniform state compared to a structure that rotates in only one direction.

[0027] In this way, by constantly rotating the reagent storage mechanism 29 during the reagent dispensing process except when the bottle lid opening / closing / reagent dispensing mechanism 11 is accessing the reagent bottles 24, the reagent liquid in the reagent bottles 24 stored in the reagent storage cabinet 2 can be maintained in a uniform state at all times. This allows reagent dispensing to be performed immediately, which is expected to eliminate the need for a separate functional unit for mixing reagents and a mixing process, as used in conventional automatic analyzers, and ultimately leads to a reduction in the installation area of ​​the device and an improvement in analytical processing capacity.

[0028] The operator places an unopened new reagent bottle 24 from the reagent input unit 40 at the installation position of an autoloader (not shown) of the reagent transport mechanism 50 , thereby installing it in the holder 21 of the reagent storage mechanism 29 .

[0029] 2 is a schematic diagram showing the operation of stirring the magnetic particle reagent 24a contained in the reagent bottle 24 stored in the reagent storage 2 by using a vertical rotational motion. As shown in Fig. 2, the vertical circulation method stirs by using a vertical rotational motion. During rotation, the reagent bottle 24 is controlled to always maintain a constant attitude relative to the direction of gravity.

[0030] When the reagent bottle 24 rotates vertically, centrifugal force acts to oscillate the magnetic particle reagent 24a in the reagent bottle 24, and the magnetic particle reagent 24a is oscillated back and forth once per rotation, thereby being agitated. Therefore, by using a vertical circulation type reagent refrigerator 2, an agitation paddle and an agitation paddle washing unit are not required.

[0031] This embodiment is characterized by the shape of the fluid holding mechanism, which can be applied to the vertical circulation type reagent refrigerator 2 and enables efficient stirring of the magnetic particle reagent 24a during vertical rotation.

[0032] Fig. 3A is a perspective view of the reagent bottle 24, which is the fluid holding mechanism of Example 1, Fig. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Fig. 3A, and Fig. 3C is an explanatory diagram of the liquid height when the reagent bottle 24, which is the fluid holding mechanism of Example 1, is viewed from the front.

[0033] As shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the reagent bottle 24 is equipped with a first holding section 31 that is formed to be able to hold a fluid therein, extends vertically, and has an open top, a second holding section 32 that is formed to be able to hold a fluid therein, is arranged parallel to the first holding section 31 that extends vertically, and also extends vertically, and a communication section 33 that communicates between the first holding section 31 and the second holding section 32, thereby enabling fluid to be transferred between them.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 3B , the communication portion 33 communicates the first holding portion 31 and the second holding portion 32 from their respective lower ends to their upper ends, and has a cross-sectional area that increases from the lower end toward the upper end, and is provided with a first region 34 having a first width 36 extending horizontally on the lower end side, and a second region 35 having a second width 37 smaller than the first width 36 from the upper boundary of the first region 34 toward the upper end of the holding portion 32.

[0035] As long as the first holding portion 31 and the second holding portion 32 are arranged parallel to each other, the vertical height of the first holding portion 31 and the vertical height of the second holding portion 32 do not have to be the same.

[0036] The columnar shape of the first holding portion 31 may be any shape as long as it extends vertically and has an open top surface. For example, it may be a polygonal column shape such as a square column. The columnar shape of the second holding portion 32 may also be any shape as long as it extends vertically and is arranged parallel to the first holding portion 31. For example, it may be a polygonal column shape such as a square column. The first holding portion 31 and the second holding portion 32 do not have to have the same columnar shape.

[0037] The communication portion 33 may communicate with the first holding portion 31 and the second holding portion 32 from any position between them.

[0038] The boundary between the first region 34 and the second region 35 may be located anywhere.

[0039] The first width 36 and the second width 37 do not have to be constant as long as the first width 36 is larger than the second width 37 (first width 36 > second width 37).

[0040] Furthermore, the shape of the first region 34 is not limited to a linear increase from the boundary between the second region 35 and the first region 34 toward the lower end of the first region 34, but may be an arcuate increase. In other words, the inclined surface of the first region 34 is not limited to a linear increase, but may be an arcuate increase.

[0041] The magnetic particle reagent is poured into the top opening of the first holder 31, and the reagent bottle 24 is rotated vertically while maintaining a fixed orientation relative to the direction of gravity, as shown in FIG.

[0042] As shown in Figure 3C, a communication section 33 is provided that allows transfer between the first holding section 31 and the second holding section 32, and by making the widths of the first region 34 at the lower end of the communication section 33 different from those of the second region 35 at the upper end, a difference in liquid height is created between the first holding section 31 and the second holding section 32, which has the effect of making it easier for the liquids to mix.

[0043] According to Example 1, by stirring the magnetic particle reagent 24a by vertical rotation, it is possible to provide a fluid retention mechanism that eliminates the need for a stirring paddle and a stirring paddle cleaning process, thereby reducing the amount of water consumed for cleaning and improving the analysis speed, and an automatic analyzer equipped with this fluid retention mechanism. Example 2 Next, Example 2 will be described using Figures 4A to 4D. Note that in Figures 4A to 4D, the same reference numerals as in Figures 1 to 3C indicate the same parts, and therefore repeated description will be omitted.

[0044] In Example 1, the shapes of the first holding portion 31 and the second holding portion 32 and the position of the communicating portion 33 are not limited, but in Example 2, the shape settings of the first holding portion 31 and the second holding portion 32 and the position settings of the communicating portion 33 are added to the configuration of Example 1.

[0045] Fig. 4A is an explanatory diagram of how sediment is stirred up when fluid flows from left to right as viewed from the front of reagent bottle 24, which is a fluid retention mechanism of Example 2, and Fig. 4B is a bottom view of the fluid retention mechanism shown in Fig. 4A. Fig. 4C is an explanatory diagram of how sediment is stirred up when fluid flows from right to left as viewed from the front of the fluid retention mechanism of Example 2, and Fig. 4D is a bottom view of the fluid retention mechanism shown in Fig. 4C.

[0046] As shown in Figures 4A to 4D, the first holding portion 31 and the second holding portion 32 are each cylindrical, and the communicating portion 33 is provided along a common tangent plane between the first holding portion 31 and the second holding portion 32.

[0047] The magnetic particle reagent is poured into the top opening of the first holding unit 31, and the magnetic particles are allowed to settle within the fluid holding mechanism. In this state, as shown in Fig. 2, the fluid holding mechanism is rotated vertically while always maintaining a fixed orientation relative to the direction of gravity. As shown in Figs. 4A and 4B, the first holding unit 31 and the second holding unit 32 are cylindrical, and the communication unit 33 is provided along the tangent plane between them. This generates a vortex when the magnetic particle reagent flows from the second holding unit 32 to the first holding unit 31 due to centrifugal force, which has the effect of stirring up the sediment (magnetic particles).

[0048] 4C and 4D, by making the first holding portion 31 and the second holding portion 32 cylindrical and providing the communication portion 33 along the tangent plane between them, a vortex is generated when the magnetic particle reagent flows from the first holding portion 31 to the second holding portion 32 due to centrifugal force, which has the effect of stirring up the precipitate. In this way, a vortex is generated during mutual transfer, which has the effect of stirring up the precipitate.

[0049] According to Example 2, in addition to obtaining the same effects as Example 1, the communication portion 33 is configured to be arranged along the common tangent plane of the first holding portion 31 and the second holding portion 32, thereby improving the stirring performance of the magnetic particles in the magnetic particle reagent. Example 3 Next, Example 3 will be described using Figures 5A to 5E. Note that in Figures 5A to 5E, the same reference numerals as in Figures 1 to 4D indicate the same parts, and therefore repeated description will be omitted.

[0050] In the first embodiment, the height setting, which is the vertical distance of the communication portion 33, is not limited, but in the third embodiment, this height setting is added to the first embodiment.

[0051] Fig. 5A is a front view of the fluid retention mechanism of Example 3, and Fig. 5B is an explanatory diagram of sediment stirring up, viewed from the Z direction in the cross-sectional view of line A-A in Fig. 5A. Fig. 5B is an explanatory diagram of when fluid flows from first retention portion 31 to second retention portion 32. Fig. 5C is an explanatory diagram of the liquid height, viewed from the front of the fluid retention mechanism of Example 3.

[0052] As shown in Figure 5A, a first height 51, which is the vertical distance of a first region 34 on the lower end side of the communicating portion 33 in the fluid retention mechanism, is smaller than a second height 52, which is the vertical distance of a second region 35 on the upper end side of the communicating portion 33.

[0053] The magnetic particle reagent 24a is poured into the first holding unit 31 through the top opening, and the magnetic particles are allowed to settle in the fluid holding mechanism. In this state, as shown in Figure 2, the fluid holding mechanism is rotated vertically while always maintaining a constant attitude relative to the direction of gravity.

[0054] In Example 1, as shown in Fig. 3B, the first region 34 on the lower end side of the fluid retention mechanism has a cross-sectional shape in which the cross-sectional area decreases toward the lower end, but in Example 3, as shown in Fig. 5B, the upper end side of the first region 34 and the lower end side of the fluid retention mechanism have substantially the same rectangular shape. That is, in Example 3, the first region 34 has a larger cross-sectional area and a wider shape than in Example 1.

[0055] 5B , by widening the vicinity of the lower end of the fluid holding mechanism, when the magnetic particle reagent 24a flows from the first holding portion 31 to the second holding portion 32 due to centrifugal force, the flow rate at the bottom increases, and sediment is more efficiently stirred up. The same effect is also achieved when the magnetic particle reagent 24a flows from the second holding portion 32 to the first holding portion 31 due to centrifugal force.

[0056] In this way, when the magnetic particle reagent 24a is transported in both directions by centrifugal force, the flow rate in the first region 34 formed at the bottom increases, improving the effect of stirring up the sediment.

[0057] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5C, by making the first height 51 smaller than the second height 52, a difference in the liquid height between the first holding portion 31 and the second holding portion 32 is created even with a small amount of liquid, which has the effect of making it easier for the liquids to mix.

[0058] Another configuration for increasing the flow velocity at the bottom of the fluid holding mechanism in the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5D and 5E.

[0059] FIG. 5D is a front view of another configuration of the fluid retention mechanism of the third embodiment, and FIG. 5E is a bottom view of the fluid retention mechanism shown in FIG. 5D.

[0060] 5D and 5E, a convex portion 38 is added to the communication portion 33. The presence of the convex portion 38 in the communication portion 33 creates resistance when the fluid flows through the convex portion 38, and the flow velocity at the bottom becomes faster.

[0061] According to Example 3, the same effect as in Example 1 can be obtained. In addition, by forming a convex portion 38 in the communicating portion 33, in addition to making the communicating portion 33 wider near the lower end, the flow velocity at the bottom is further increased, thereby improving the effect of stirring up sediment.

[0062] Note that a plurality of convex portions 38 may be provided within the communicating portion 33. Furthermore, when the convex portions 38 are formed in the communicating portion 33, the first region 34 may have a shape similar to that of Example 1, as shown in FIG. 3B. <Example 4> Next, Example 4 will be described using FIGS. 6A and 6B. Note that in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 5E indicate the same parts, and therefore repeated description will be omitted.

[0063] In Example 1, the shape of the first width 36 of the first region 34 on the lower end side of the communicating portion 33 is not limited, but in Example 4, the shape setting of the first width 36 is added to the configuration of Example 1.

[0064] Fig. 6A is a front view of a reagent bottle 24, which is a fluid retention mechanism of Example 4, and Fig. 6B is an explanatory diagram of the fluid retention mechanism, viewed from the Z direction in the cross section of line A-A in Fig. 6A. Fig. 6B is an explanatory diagram of when fluid flows from the first retention portion 31 to the second retention portion 32. As shown in Fig. 6B, the first region 34 on the lower end side of the communication portion 33 is formed in a tapered (inclined) shape so that the first width 36 gradually decreases from the lower end to the boundary with the second region 35.

[0065] The magnetic particle reagent 24a is poured into the top opening of the first holder 31, and the magnetic particles are allowed to settle in the reagent bottle 24a, which serves as the fluid holding mechanism. In this state, as shown in FIG. 2, the fluid holding mechanism is rotated vertically while always maintaining a constant orientation relative to the direction of gravity. As shown in FIG. 6B, by tapering the first region 34 at the lower end, when the fluid flows from the first holder 31 to the second holder 32, the fluid flows along the wall, preventing bubbles from forming due to splashing of the liquid. The same effect is achieved when the fluid flows from the second holder 32 to the first holder 31.

[0066] This has the effect of preventing bubbles from being generated due to splashing of the liquid when transferring between the two.

[0067] In the fourth embodiment, the same effects as those in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0068] <Embodiment 5> Next, embodiment 5 will be described using Figures 7A to 7D. In Figures 7A to 7D, the same reference numerals as in Figures 1 to 6B indicate the same parts, and therefore repeated description will be omitted. In embodiment 5, an independent fluid retention mechanism is added to the fluid retention mechanism of embodiment 1.

[0069] Fig. 7A is a front view of the fluid retention mechanism of Example 5, Fig. 7B is a top view of Fig. 7A, Fig. 7C is a front view of a modified example of the fluid retention mechanism of Example 5, and Fig. 7D is a top view of Fig. 7C.

[0070] As shown in Figures 7A to 7D, between the first holding portion 31 and the second holding portion 32 and above the first region 34 on the lower end side of the communicating portion 33, there is provided a third holding portion A71, or a third holding portion B72 and a third holding portion C, which are formed to be able to hold a fluid therein, extend vertically, and have an open upper surface.

[0071] The fluid holding mechanisms of the third holding unit A71, the third holding unit B72, and the third holding unit C73 are independent, and it is possible to put a reagent that does not require stirring in them.

[0072] 7A and 7B show one fluid retention mechanism, third retention portion A71, and in Figures 7C and 7D show two fluid retention mechanisms, third retention portion B72 and third retention portion C74, which are equally spaced apart, but it is also possible to install three or more. When installing fluid retention mechanisms for multiple third retention portions, they do not need to have the same shape.

[0073] In Figures 7A to 7D, the third holding portion A71, the third holding portion B72, and the third holding portion C73 are shaped like square prisms, but they may also be circular, triangular, or polygonal prisms as long as they can be installed between the first holding portion 31 and the second holding portion 32.

[0074] By fixing a plurality of fluid holding mechanisms to the reagent container box 74, it is possible to form an integrated fluid holding mechanism.

[0075] As shown in Figure 7D, when the third holding portion B72 and the third holding portion C73 have the same shape, the upper surface openings of the third holding portion B72 and the third holding portion C73 can be set at equal intervals from the upper surface opening of the first holding portion 31.

[0076] According to Example 5, the same effect as in Example 1 can be obtained, and by providing multiple third holding sections A71, B72, and C73 between the first holding section 31 and the second holding section 32, the loading capacity of reagent containers can be increased.

[0077] Example 5 can also be applied to Examples 2 to 4 described above. <Others> The present invention is not limited to the above-described examples, and includes various modifications and combinations within the scope of the gist of the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to those having all of the configurations described in the above examples, and also includes those in which some of the configurations are omitted.

[0078] 1...Automated analyzer, 2...Reagent storage cabinet (refrigerated cabinet, liquid container storage cabinet), 3...Safety cover, 4...Sample transport mechanism, 5...Sample dispensing mechanism, 6...Tip / reaction vessel magazine, 7...Tip / reaction vessel transport mechanism, 8...Incubator, 9...Sample dispensing tip buffer, 10...Tip disposal hole, 11...Bottle lid opening / closing / reagent dispensing mechanism (dispensing mechanism), 12...Reagent dispensing arm operating mechanism, 13...Reagent probe washing position, 14...Reaction liquid suction / discharge probe, 15...Reaction liquid washing / discharge / suction position, 16...Reaction liquid stirring mechanism, 17...Reaction liquid suction position, 18...Detection unit, 19...Reaction vessel disposal hole, 20...Reaction vessel transport mechanism, 21...Reagent bottle holder, 22...Work surface, 23...Host computer (operation unit), 24...Reagent bottle, 24a...Magnetic Particle reagent, 25... sample container, 26... sample rack, 27... sample dispensing tip, 28... reaction container, 29... reagent storage mechanism, 30... reagent storage cabinet lid (opening), 31... first holding section, 32... second holding section, 33... communicating section, 34... first region on the lower end side of communicating section 33, 35... second region on the upper end side of communicating section 33, 36... width (first width) of first region 34 on the lower end side of communicating section 33, 37 . . width (second width) of the second region 35 on the upper end side of the communicating section 33, 38: convex portion, 40: reagent input section, 50: reagent transport mechanism, 51: first height which is the vertical distance of the first region 34 on the lower end side of the communicating section 33, 52: second height which is the vertical distance of the second region 35 on the upper end side of the communicating section 33, 71: third holding section A, 72: third holding section B, 73: third holding section C, 74: reagent container box

Claims

1. A fluid retention mechanism comprising: a first retaining section formed so as to be able to retain a fluid therein, extending vertically and having an open upper surface; a second retaining section formed so as to be able to retain the fluid therein, extending vertically and arranged parallel to the first retaining section; and a communication section that communicates between the first retaining section and the second retaining section, thereby enabling the fluid to be transferred between the first retaining section and the second retaining section, wherein the communication section communicates the first retaining section and the second retaining section from their respective lower ends to their upper ends, and comprises a first region having a first width from the lower end to the upper end.

2. A fluid retention mechanism according to claim 1, comprising a second region extending from the upper end of the first region in a direction parallel to the first retention portion and the second retention portion, and having a second width smaller than the first width.

3. A fluid retention mechanism as described in claim 2, wherein the first retention portion and the second retention portion are each cylindrical, and the communication portion is provided along a common tangent plane between the first retention portion and the second retention portion.

4. A fluid retention mechanism according to claim 2, wherein a first height, which is the vertical distance of the first region, is smaller than a second height, which is the vertical distance of the second region.

5. A fluid retention mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the first region is formed so that the first width gradually decreases from the lower end of each of the first retention portion and the second retention portion toward the upper end of the first region.

6. A fluid retention mechanism as described in claim 2, comprising at least one third retention section, between the first retention section and the second retention section, above the first region, formed to be capable of retaining a fluid therein, extending vertically, and having an open upper surface.

7. An automatic analyzer comprising the fluid holding mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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