Automated analyzer

Abstract

The present invention comprises: holding parts each holding a container accommodating a liquid; a rotation mechanism that rotationally moves a plurality of the holding parts arranged in a vertically oriented ring; an opening and closing mechanism which is disposed above the rotating mechanism and which, by vertical movement up and down, performs an opening movement to pull up, or a closing movement to push down, one end of a lid provided to an opening at the top of the container; a dispensing mechanism which is disposed above the rotating mechanism and which, by vertical movement up and down, inserts a nozzle into the opening of the container of which the lid has been opened and performs a liquid dispensing movement; and a control device that controls the movements of the opening and closing mechanism, the dispensing mechanism, and the rotating mechanism. The control device carries out control causing the rotating mechanism to rotate a predetermined angle in the direction of the other end of the lid of the container as the lid is opened due to the opening movement by the opening and closing mechanism, and causing the dispensing mechanism to perform the dispensing movement while in this state. This allows for stable opening and closing of reagent bottles and dispensing of reagents with a simpler configuration in a vertical reagent container storage carousel.

Description

automatic analyzer

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for a chemical analyzer that mixes a sample and a reagent and spectroscopically analyzes the reaction results of the resulting mixture, in which multiple reagent containers are distributed within a three-dimensional space extending perpendicular or inclined to the horizontal plane, and desired reagent containers are sequentially moved and controlled to the reagent injection position.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 04-109168

[0004] According to Patent Document 1, a configuration is adopted that does not require the opening and closing of the cap of the reagent bottle. However, from the viewpoint of preventing the reagent solution from splashing due to rotational movement and the deterioration of the reagent, it is desirable to move the reagent bottle with the stopper or lid of the opening closed and to open and close the stopper or lid as needed when dispensing the reagent.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an automatic analyzer that uses a vertically rotating container storage cabinet and that is capable of stably opening and closing caps on reagent bottles and dispensing reagents with a simpler configuration.

[0006] An automated analyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a holding section for holding a container for containing a liquid, a rotation mechanism for arranging a plurality of holding sections in a vertical ring and rotating them in a circumferential direction, an opening / closing mechanism arranged above the rotation mechanism for performing an opening operation by lifting up or pressing down one end of a lid provided on an opening on the top surface of the container by moving vertically up and down, a dispensing mechanism arranged above the rotation mechanism for performing an operation of dispensing a liquid by inserting a nozzle into the opening of the container with the lid open by moving vertically up and down, and a control device for controlling the operation of the opening / closing mechanism, dispensing mechanism, and rotation mechanism, wherein the control device rotates the rotation mechanism a predetermined angle in the direction of the other end of the lid as the opening / closing mechanism opens the lid of the container, and controls the dispensing mechanism to perform a dispensing operation in this state.

[0007] According to the present invention, an automatic analyzer can be provided that uses a vertically rotating container storage cabinet and is capable of stably opening and closing caps on reagent bottles and dispensing reagents with a simpler configuration.

[0008] 1 is a plan view schematically showing the overall configuration of an automatic analyzer; a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a reagent storage mechanism; a top view showing the overall configuration of the reagent storage mechanism; a diagram schematically showing the reagent storage cabinet as viewed from the rotation axis direction; a side view showing the configuration of a bottle lid opening / closing and reagent dispensing mechanism; a side view showing the configuration of a bottle lid opening / closing and reagent dispensing mechanism; a side view showing the configuration of a bottle lid opening / closing and reagent dispensing mechanism; a side view showing the configuration of a bottle lid opening / closing and reagent dispensing mechanism; a side view showing the configuration of a bottle lid opening / closing and reagent dispensing mechanism; a front view showing the configuration of a bottle lid opening / closing and reagent dispensing mechanism; a side view showing the configuration of a bottle lid opening / closing and reagent dispensing mechanism; a side view showing the configuration of a bottle lid opening / closing and reagent dispensing mechanism; a side view showing the configuration of a bottle lid opening / closing and reagent dispensing mechanism; a side view showing the configuration of a bottle lid opening / closing and reagent dispensing mechanism; a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a reagent bottle; a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a reagent bottle.

[0009] An embodiment of the automatic analyzer will be described using Figures 1 to 10. Hereinafter, the upward direction when the automatic analyzer is installed will be defined as the upper side (top), the downward direction will be defined as the lower side (bottom), the side from which the operator accesses the automatic analyzer will be defined as the front side (front), the opposite side will be defined as the rear side (rear), the right side when viewing the automatic analyzer from the front will be defined as the right side (right), and the left side will be defined as the left side (left). However, the location of the host computer 23 (operation unit) in Figure 1 is not specified.

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

[0011] The automatic analyzer 1 is equipped with 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 (hereinafter referred to as the arm operating mechanism) 12, a reagent nozzle cleaning position 13, a reaction liquid suction / discharge nozzle 14, a reaction liquid cleaning / 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 23, a sample dispensing tip 27, and a reaction vessel 28, all of 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 each device 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 calculations 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 (containers) that contain liquid, and includes a vertically rotating reagent storage mechanism 29 (rotation mechanism) and a reagent storage cabinet cover 30 that covers the reagent storage mechanism 29 to separate the inside from the outside. An opening 30b (see FIG. 5, etc.) is provided at the top of the reagent storage cabinet cover 30 to allow access to the inside of the reagent storage cabinet cover 30, and an openable and closable reagent storage cabinet lid 30a (see FIG. 5, etc.) is disposed in the opening 30b. In the reagent storage cabinet 2, the target reagent bottle 24 mounted on the holder 21 is moved to near the upper apex by rotating the reagent storage mechanism 29, and the reagent storage cabinet lid 30a at the opening 30b is opened, thereby enabling access to the reagent bottle 24 from above.

[0021] The bottle lid opening / closing / reagent dispensing mechanism 11 includes a bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 112 that opens and closes the bottle lid 24a (see FIG. 16 etc.) provided on the opening 24b of the reagent bottle 24, and a reagent dispensing mechanism 111 that dispenses the reagent liquid contained in the reagent bottle 24 into the reaction vessel 28. The bottle lid opening / closing / reagent dispensing mechanism 11 is held by the arm operating mechanism 12 so as to be horizontally movable along the holder 21, and moves between the position of the target reagent bottle 24 mounted on the holder 21 and the position of the reaction vessel 28 into which the reagent liquid is to be dispensed.

[0022] In the reagent dispensing step of dispensing a reagent, the reagent storage cabinet lid 30a of the reagent storage cabinet 2 is opened, and in this state, the bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 112 of the bottle lid opening / closing / reagent dispensing mechanism 11 opens the bottle lid 24a of the reagent bottle 24 through the opening 30b, and in this state, the reagent dispensing mechanism 111 performs a dispensing operation of aspirating the reagent liquid from the inside of the reagent bottle 24 and discharging it into the reaction vessel 28 installed in the incubator 8. After performing the dispensing operation, the bottle lid opening / closing / reagent dispensing mechanism 11 cleans the reagent dispensing nozzle 111a of the reagent dispensing mechanism 111 at the reagent nozzle cleaning position 13, and then the process moves to the next reagent dispensing step.

[0023] When the reagent dispensing operation is completed, the bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 112 closes the bottle lid 24a of the reagent bottle 24, and then the reagent storage cabinet lid 30a of the reagent storage cabinet 2 is closed, and then the reagent storage mechanism 29 rotates the holder 21 on which the reagent bottle 24 to be next dispensed is mounted so that it is near the top of the reagent storage cabinet 2 in the upward direction.

[0024] In this way, each time the bottle lid opening / closing / reagent dispensing mechanism 11 accesses a reagent bottle 24 mounted on a different one of the multiple holding sections 21 when dispensing a reagent, the reagent storage mechanism 29 in the reagent storage cabinet 2 rotates.

[0025] The rotation operation of the reagent storage mechanism 29 is not limited to when the bottle lid opening / closing / reagent dispensing mechanism 11 accesses a reagent bottle 24 in a different holder 21 during a reagent dispensing operation. Even if reagent liquid is successively dispensed from different reagent bottles 24 mounted in the same holder 21, the bottle lid 24a of the reagent bottle 24 and the reagent storage cabinet lid 30a of the reagent storage cabinet 2 may be closed each time one reagent dispensing process is completed, and the reagent storage mechanism 29 in the reagent storage cabinet 2 may be rotated, for example, while the reagent liquid is being ejected into the reaction vessel 28 and the reagent dispensing nozzle 111a is being cleaned.

[0026] Furthermore, even when the automatic analyzer 1 is in a standby state rather than in operation, if the reagent storage mechanism 29 is rotated periodically a certain number of times or for a certain period of time, it may be possible to shorten the time required to transition from the standby state to the operating state and start the dispensing and analysis operations.

[0027] Furthermore, the rotation direction of the reagent storage mechanism 29 in the reagent storage cabinet 2 is not limited to one direction, but can be rotated in the direction that provides the shortest distance for moving the holding section 21 on which the target reagent bottle 24 is mounted to the reagent dispensing position.

[0028] The operator places a new, unopened reagent bottle 24 from the reagent input section 40 at the installation position of the autoloader (not shown) of the reagent transport mechanism 50, and the reagent transport mechanism 50 then installs the reagent bottle 24 installed in the autoloader in the holder section 21 of the reagent storage mechanism 29.

[0029] Next, the configuration and operation of the reagent storage will be described in detail.

[0030] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the reagent storage mechanism in the reagent storage cabinet, Fig. 3 is a top view, and Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the reagent storage cabinet as viewed from the rotation axis direction, showing the arrangement of the holders that store the reagent bottles.

[0031] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the reagent storage mechanism 29 is configured so that multiple holding sections 21 (container holding sections) on which reagent bottles 24 containing reagent solution (liquid) are placed are arranged in a vertical ring shape and rotated in a circumferential direction, and is generally composed of multiple (e.g., five) holding sections 21, a horizontal shaft 31, a turntable 33, a rotation operation control section 34, etc.

[0032] Two disk-shaped turntables 33 are arranged facing each other in a vertical orientation and are supported by a horizontal shaft 31 that is arranged along the central axis, and a plurality of holders 21 are arranged in a circumferential direction between the two turntables 33. In other words, the holders 21 are arranged in a ring shape in the vertical direction. A plurality of reagent bottles 24 are arranged in the holders 21 in a line along the horizontal shaft 31.

[0033] The horizontal shaft 31 is supported by a support member 29a disposed inside the reagent storage cabinet 2 so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction, and the rotation of the horizontal shaft 31 causes the turntable 33, the holder 21, etc. to rotate integrally. Hereinafter, the horizontal shaft 31, the turntable 33, and the holder 21 may be collectively referred to as the rotation mechanism.

[0034] The reagent storage mechanism 29 is provided with a rotational operation control unit 34 configured by, for example, a motor, and power from the rotational operation control unit 34 is transmitted to the horizontal shaft 31 by a belt wound between the output shaft (rotational shaft) of the rotational operation control unit 34 and the horizontal shaft 31. In this way, the rotational operation control unit 34 controls the rotation of the rotation mechanism, such as the horizontal shaft 31, turntable 33, and holder 21.

[0035] The multiple holding sections 21 are supported at support points 32 so that they can swing relative to two turntables 33, and an attitude holding mechanism (not shown) is configured to maintain the attitude of the reagent bottle 24 placed on the holding section 21 constant at least near the apex of the reagent storage mechanism 29 (more specifically, in an attitude in which the opening 24b of the reagent bottle 24 faces vertically upward).

[0036] As an attitude maintaining mechanism, for example, a support structure such as a roller may be placed at a position different from the support point 32 of the holding part 21, and a cam structure may be used in which this roller passes through a separately provided groove or guide rail, etc., thereby making it possible to maintain and control the attitude of the holding part 21.

[0037] The reagent storage mechanism 29 is disposed so that the reagent storage cabinet lid 30a (opening 30b) of the reagent storage cabinet 2 is located vertically above the horizontal axis 31. In other words, the opening 30b is located directly above the holder 21 that has been rotated to the vicinity of the apex of the rotation mechanism and the reagent bottle 24 placed on the holder 21.

[0038] When the reagent storage lid 30a is opened, the bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 112 opens and closes the bottle lid 24a of the reagent bottle 24, which is placed in the holder 21 located directly below the opening 30b (reagent dispensing position), and the reagent dispensing mechanism 111 dispenses the reagent liquid from the reagent bottle 24. The reagent bottle 24 is placed in the holder 21 with its bottle lid 24a closed, except when the reagent dispensing operation is being performed, and is stored in the temperature-controlled reagent storage 2. The position (address) of the reagent bottle 24 in the reagent storage mechanism 29 is recorded and managed by the host computer 23, linked to the type and identification information of the reagent liquid contained in the reagent bottle 24. To perform the measurement requested by the operator, the holder 21 in which the corresponding reagent bottle 24 is placed is quickly moved to the reagent dispensing position.

[0039] Next, the configuration and operation of the bottle lid opening / closing and reagent dispensing mechanism will be described in detail.

[0040] Figures 5 to 9 are side views showing the configuration of the bottle lid opening / closing and reagent dispensing mechanism together with the reagent storage cabinet and reagent storage mechanism in partial cross section, and Figure 10 is a front view showing the opening and closing operations of the bottle lid of the reagent bottle and the dispensing operation of the reagent liquid.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 10 , the bottle lid opening / closing / reagent dispensing mechanism 11 is disposed above the reagent storage mechanism 29 and includes a bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 112 that moves vertically up and down to open or push down one end of a lid provided on an opening on the top surface of a container, and a reagent dispensing mechanism 111 that moves vertically up and down to insert a reagent dispensing nozzle 111a into the opening 24b of a reagent bottle 24 with its bottle lid 24a open to dispense reagent liquid. The bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 112 includes an engaging member 112a that is formed to be engageable with an engaging portion 24c provided on the bottle lid 24a of the reagent bottle 24. The reagent dispensing mechanism 111 also includes a reagent dispensing nozzle 111a that is inserted through the opening 24b of the reagent bottle 24 to aspirate reagent liquid. The operation of the bottle lid opening / closing / reagent dispensing mechanism 11 (bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 112 and reagent dispensing mechanism 111) is controlled by the host computer 23.

[0042] The bottle lid opening / closing / reagent dispensing mechanism 11 is disposed above the reagent storage mechanism 29 and includes members 11a and 11b whose longitudinal direction is the vertical direction. The reagent dispensing mechanism 111 and the bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 112 are configured to move vertically along the members 11a and 11b. The reagent dispensing mechanism 111 and the bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 112 are arranged side by side along the circumferential direction of the rotation mechanism. In other words, the reagent dispensing mechanism 111 and the bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 112 are arranged so that they are in the same axial position along the horizontal shaft 31 (e.g., so that their positions in the left-right direction overlap when viewed from the front of the automated analyzer 1, as shown in FIG. 10 ). In this embodiment, the bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 112 is disposed to the right of the reagent dispensing mechanism 111 in FIGS. 5 to 9 .

[0043] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a reagent bottle.

[0044] 16, the reagent bottle 24 has a plurality of (e.g., three) storage sections 24e, 24f, and 24g, each containing a reagent liquid. A plurality of (e.g., three) openings 24b corresponding to the storage sections 24e, 24f, and 24g are arranged in a straight line at the top of the reagent bottle 24, and each opening 24b is provided with a bottle lid 24a. As shown in FIG. 3 and other figures, the reagent bottle 24 is placed on the holder 21 so that the row of the openings 24b is aligned circumferentially.

[0045] The bottle lid 24a is provided at one circumferential end of the rotation mechanism and includes an engaging portion 24c that is engageable with the engaging member 112a of the bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 112, and a hinge portion 24d that is provided at the other circumferential end of the rotation mechanism and that rotatably holds the bottle lid 24a relative to the reagent bottle 24. In the example shown in Figures 5 to 9, a case will be described in which the reagent bottle 24 is placed on the holder 21 with one end of the bottle lid 24a (the engaging portion 24c side) facing leftward.

[0046] The engaging portion 24c of the bottle lid 24a has a groove structure whose cross section in a vertical plane along the horizontal axis 31 is inverted T-shaped when placed on the holder 21. The engaging member 112a of the bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 112 has an inverted T-shaped protrusion structure that engages with the engaging portion 24c of the bottle lid 24a.

[0047] When dispensing a reagent, the host computer 23 first moves the holder 21, on which the target reagent bottle 24 is placed, to near the top of the rotating mechanism (the reagent dispensing position) (see FIG. 5). As the reagent bottle 24 moves, the bottle lid opening / closing / reagent dispensing mechanism 11 is moved by the arm operating mechanism 12 to the axial position of the target reagent bottle 24 (see FIG. 10). At this time, the reagent dispensing mechanism 111 and the bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 112 are positioned above the target reagent bottle 24.

[0048] When the rotation of the rotation mechanism stops, the reagent storage lid 30a provided on the reagent storage cover 30 of the reagent storage 2 is opened, making the reagent bottle 24 accessible from outside the reagent storage 2 through the opening 30b (see Figure 6).

[0049] Next, the bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 112 is lowered until the engaging member 112a is near the engaging portion 24c of the bottle lid 24a (more specifically, a position slightly toward one end of the bottle lid 24a in the circumferential direction (toward the engaging portion 24c)) (see FIG. 7). Note that the stop position of the rotational movement is adjusted in advance so that, as the bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 112 is lowered vertically downward, the engaging member 112a is positioned near the engaging portion 24c of the bottle lid 24a that corresponds to the storage portion (any one of storage portions 24e, 24f, 24g) that stores the target reagent liquid.

[0050] Next, the bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 112 opens the bottle lid 24a of the reagent bottle 24, i.e., simultaneously with the vertical upward movement of the bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 112, the rotation mechanism is rotated by a predetermined angle θ toward one end of the bottle lid 24a (toward the engagement portion 24c) (see FIGS. 7 and 8 ). In this manner, the vertical upward movement of the bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 112 performs an opening operation in which one end of the bottle lid 24a (toward the engagement portion 24c) attached to the opening 24b of the reagent bottle 24 is pulled up. At this time, the rotation of the rotation mechanism begins slightly earlier than the vertical upward movement of the bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 112, thereby engaging the engagement member 112a of the bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 112 with the engagement portion 24c of the bottle lid 24a. The angle θ is preset so that the opening operation opens the bottle lid 24a sufficiently so as not to interfere with the insertion of the reagent dispensing nozzle 111a into the opening 24b, and so that the bottle lid 24a does not open too far and interfere with other operations.

[0051] Next, with the bottle lid 24a of the reagent bottle 24 open (open state), the reagent dispensing mechanism 111 is moved vertically downward to insert the reagent dispensing nozzle 111a into the reagent bottle 24 through the opening 24b, and the reagent liquid is dispensed (see Figure 9).

[0052] Next, the bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 112 closes the bottle lid 24a by performing operations in the reverse order of the opening operation. Specifically, the reagent dispensing mechanism 111 moves vertically upward to pull the reagent dispensing nozzle 111a out of the reagent bottle 24, and the bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 112 closes the bottle lid 24a of the reagent bottle 24. In other words, as the bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 112 moves vertically downward (simultaneously), the rotation mechanism is rotated by a predetermined angle θ toward the other end of the bottle lid 24a (toward the hinge portion 24d). The bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 112 is then moved vertically upward to retract the engaging member 112a from the reagent storage cabinet 2.

[0053] When dispensing the reagent liquid contained in one of the other storage sections 24e, 24f, and 24g of the same reagent bottle 24, the same opening / closing and dispensing operations are performed on the bottle lid 24a and opening 24b of that storage section 24e, 24f, and 24g. For example, if the bottle lid 24a (first lid) corresponding to the opening 24b of the storage section 24e (first storage section) is first opened, the reagent liquid (first liquid) in the storage section 24e (first storage section) is dispensed, and the bottle lid 24a (first lid) is closed, then the bottle lid 24a (second lid) corresponding to the opening 24b of the storage section 24f (second storage section) is opened, the reagent liquid (second liquid) in the storage section 24f (second storage section) is dispensed, and the bottle lid 24a (second lid) is closed. That is, the host computer 23 controls the rotation mechanism, the bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 112, and the reagent dispensing mechanism 111 so that the opening operation of the bottle lid 24a (first lid) to the storage section 24e (first storage section) and the dispensing operation of the reagent liquid (first liquid) are performed in the order of the rotation direction of the rotation mechanism, and the opening operation of the bottle lid 24a (second lid) to the storage section 24f (second storage section) and the dispensing operation of the reagent liquid (second liquid).

[0054] The effects of this embodiment configured as above will be described.

[0055] In this embodiment, the reagent bottles 24 containing the reagent liquid are placed in the holders 21, the reagent storage mechanism 29 which arranges the holders 21 in a vertical ring and rotates in the circumferential direction, the bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 112 which is arranged above the reagent storage mechanism 29 and moves vertically up and down to perform an opening operation by lifting up one end of the bottle lid 24a provided on the opening 24b on the top surface of the reagent bottle 24 or a closing operation by pushing down one end of the bottle lid 24a, and the reagent dispenser which is arranged above the reagent storage mechanism 29 and inserts the reagent dispensing nozzle 111a into the opening 24b of the reagent bottle 24 with the bottle lid 24a opened by moving vertically up and down to dispense the reagent liquid. The reagent storage mechanism 29 includes a mechanism 111, a bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 112, a reagent dispensing mechanism 111, and a host computer 23 that controls the operation of the reagent storage mechanism 29. The host computer 23 is configured to rotate the reagent storage mechanism 29 by a predetermined angle θ toward one end of the bottle lid 24a (simultaneously with) the bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 112 opening the bottle lid 24a of the reagent bottle 24, and to control the reagent dispensing mechanism 111 to perform a dispensing operation in this state.Therefore, in the vertically rotating reagent storage cabinet 2 (container storage cabinet) used in the automatic analyzer 1, it is possible to stably open and close the caps of the reagent bottle 24 and dispense reagents with a simpler configuration.

[0056] That is, the members 11a, 11b driven in the direction along the horizontal axis 31 by the arm operating mechanism 12 are integrally arranged with the bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 112 which performs an opening operation by pulling up or pushing down one end of the bottle lid 24a provided on the opening 24b on the top surface of the reagent bottle 24 by vertical up-down movement, and the reagent dispensing mechanism 111 which performs an operation of dispensing reagent liquid by inserting the reagent dispensing nozzle 111a into the opening 24b of the reagent bottle 24 when the bottle lid 24a is open by vertical up-down movement, so that the number of motor shafts can be reduced and the configuration can be made simpler.

[0057] Second Embodiment A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0058] This embodiment shows a case where a plurality of reagent bottle lids are simultaneously opened and closed by a bottle lid opening and closing mechanism, while a plurality of reagent dispensing nozzles are used to dispense reagent liquid. Note that in this embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted where appropriate.

[0059] Figures 11 to 15 are side views showing the configuration of the bottle lid opening / closing and reagent dispensing mechanism together with the reagent storage cabinet and reagent storage mechanism in partial cross section, and show the opening and closing operations of the bottle lid of the reagent bottle and the dispensing operations of the reagent liquid.

[0060] The bottle lid opening / closing / reagent dispensing mechanism 11A is disposed above the reagent storage mechanism 29 and includes a bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 116 that moves vertically up and down to open or push down one end of a lid provided on an opening on the top surface of a container, and reagent dispensing mechanisms 113, 114, and 115 that are disposed above the reagent storage mechanism 29 and move vertically up and down to insert multiple reagent dispensing nozzles 113a, 114a, and 115a into the openings 24b of the reagent bottles 24 with their bottle lids 24a open to dispense reagent liquid. The multiple reagent dispensing mechanisms 113, 114, and 115 are provided corresponding to the openings 24b of the multiple storage compartments 24e, 24f, and 24g of the reagent bottles 24, respectively. The bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 116 includes an engaging member 116a that is formed to be simultaneously engageable with engaging portions 24c provided on the multiple bottle lids 24a provided on the multiple openings 24b of the reagent bottles 24. The reagent dispensing mechanisms 113, 114, and 115 are each equipped with a reagent dispensing nozzle 113a, 114a, and 115a that is inserted into the reagent bottle 24 through the opening 24b to aspirate the reagent liquid. The operation of the bottle lid opening / closing / reagent dispensing mechanism 11A (bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 116 and reagent dispensing mechanisms 113, 114, and 115) is controlled by the host computer 23.

[0061] The bottle lid opening / closing / reagent dispensing mechanism 11A is disposed above the reagent storage mechanism 29 and includes members 11a and 11b whose longitudinal direction is the vertical direction. The reagent dispensing mechanisms 113, 114, and 115 and the bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 116 are configured to move vertically up and down along the members 11a and 11b. The reagent dispensing mechanisms 113, 114, and 115 and the bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 116 are arranged side by side along the circumferential direction of the rotation mechanism. In other words, the reagent dispensing mechanisms 113, 114, and 115 and the bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 116 are arranged so as to be in the same axial position along the horizontal shaft 31 (e.g., so as to overlap in the left-right direction when viewed from the front of the automated analyzer 1 as shown in FIG. 10 ).

[0062] When dispensing a reagent, the host computer 23 first moves the holder 21, on which the target reagent bottle 24 is placed, to near the top of the rotating mechanism (the reagent dispensing position) (see FIG. 11). As the reagent bottle 24 moves, the bottle lid opening / closing / reagent dispensing mechanism 11A is moved by the arm operating mechanism 12 to the axial position of the target reagent bottle 24 (see FIG. 10). At this time, the reagent dispensing mechanisms 113, 114, 115 and the bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 116 are positioned above the target reagent bottle 24.

[0063] When the rotation of the rotation mechanism stops, the reagent storage lid 30a provided on the reagent storage cover 30 of the reagent storage 2 is opened, making the reagent bottle 24 accessible from outside the reagent storage 2 through the opening 30b (see Figure 12).

[0064] Next, the bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 116 is lowered until the engaging member 116a is near the engaging portions 24c of each of the bottle lids 24a (more specifically, a position slightly toward one end (the engaging portion 24c side) of the bottle lid 24a in the circumferential direction) (see FIG. 13). Note that the stop position of the rotational movement is adjusted in advance so that the engaging member 116a can be positioned near each of the engaging portions 24c of the bottle lids 24a corresponding to the storage portions 24e, 24f, and 24g by lowering the bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 116 vertically downward.

[0065] Next, the bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 116 opens the bottle lid 24a of the reagent bottle 24, i.e., simultaneously with the vertical upward movement of the bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 116, the rotation mechanism is rotated by a predetermined angle θ toward one end of the bottle lid 24a (toward the engaging portion 24c) (see FIGS. 13 and 14 ). In this manner, the vertical upward movement of the bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 116 performs an opening operation in which one end of the bottle lid 24a (toward the engaging portion 24c) attached to the opening 24b of the reagent bottle 24 is pulled up. At this time, the rotation of the rotation mechanism begins slightly earlier than the vertical upward movement of the bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 116, thereby engaging the engaging member 116a of the bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 116 with the engaging portion 24c of the bottle lid 24a. The angle θ is preset so that the opening operation opens the bottle lid 24a sufficiently so as not to interfere with the insertion of the reagent dispensing nozzles 113a, 114a, and 115a into the openings 24b, and so that the bottle lid 24a does not open too far and interfere with other operations.

[0066] Next, with the bottle lid 24a of the reagent bottle 24 open (open state), any one or more of the multiple reagent dispensing mechanisms 113, 114, 115 are moved vertically downward to insert the reagent dispensing nozzles 113a, 114a, 115a into the reagent bottle 24 through the openings 24b, and the reagent liquid is dispensed (see FIG. 15 ). The example shown in FIG. 15 illustrates a case where the reagent dispensing mechanisms 113, 115 are moved vertically downward to insert the reagent dispensing nozzles 113a, 115a into the reagent bottle 24.

[0067] Next, the bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 116 closes the bottle lid 24a by performing the operations in the reverse order of the opening operation. Specifically, the reagent dispensing mechanisms 113, 114, and 115 move vertically upward to pull the reagent dispensing nozzles 113a, 114a, and 115a out of the reagent bottle 24, and the bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 116 closes the bottle lid 24a of the reagent bottle 24. In other words, as the bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 116 moves vertically downward, the rotation mechanism is rotated by a predetermined angle θ toward the other end of the bottle lid 24a (toward the hinge portion 24d). The bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 116 is then moved vertically upward to retract the engaging member 116a from the reagent storage cabinet 2.

[0068] The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained in this embodiment as well.

[0069] Furthermore, since the reagent liquid can be dispensed from a plurality of arbitrary containers of the reagent bottle 24 at the same time, the time required for dispensing the reagent liquid can be reduced.

[0070] Other Embodiments In the above embodiment, one example of the configuration of the reagent bottle has been described, but reagent bottles of different configurations may also be used.

[0071] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the reagent bottle.

[0072] The reagent bottle 24A has a plurality of (e.g., three) storage sections 24e1, 24f1, and 24g1 that each store a reagent liquid. A plurality of (e.g., three) openings 24b1 corresponding to the storage sections 24e1, 24f1, and 24g1 are arranged in a straight line at the top of the reagent bottle 24, and each opening 24b1 is provided with a bottle lid 24a1. As shown in FIG. 3 and other figures, the reagent bottle 24A is placed on the holder 21 so that the row of the openings 24b1 is aligned circumferentially.

[0073] The bottle lid 24a1 is provided at one circumferential end of the rotating mechanism and has an engagement portion 24c1 that is engageable with the engagement member 116a of the bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 112, and a hinge portion 24d1 that is provided at the other circumferential end of the rotating mechanism and holds the bottle lid 24a1 rotatably relative to the reagent bottle 24.

[0074] The engaging portion 24c1 of the bottle lid 24a1 has a protrusion structure that protrudes on both sides in the direction along the horizontal axis 31 when the bottle lid 24a1 is placed on the holder 21. In addition, the engaging member 116a of the bottle lid opening / closing mechanism 112 has a hook structure that engages with the engaging portion 24c of the bottle lid 24a1.

[0075] Even when the reagent bottle 24A configured as above is used, the same effects as those in the first and second embodiments can be obtained.

[0076] <Others> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, 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-described embodiments, and includes those in which some of the configurations are omitted.

[0077] 1...automatic analyzer, 2...reagent storage cabinet, 3...safety cover, 4...specimen transport mechanism, 5...specimen dispensing mechanism, 6...reaction vessel magazine, 7...reaction vessel transport mechanism, 8...incubator, 9...specimen dispensing tip buffer, 10...tip disposal hole, 11, 11A...bottle lid opening / closing and reagent dispensing mechanism, 11a, 11b...member, 12...reagent dispensing arm operating mechanism, 13...reagent nozzle cleaning position, 14...reaction liquid suction and discharge nozzle, 15...reaction liquid washing, discharge and 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, 24, 24A...reagent bottle, 24a, 24a1...bottle lid , 24b, 24b1...opening, 24c, 24c1...engagement portion, 24d, 24d1...hinge portion, 24e, 24e1...storage portion, 24f, 24f1...storage portion, 24g, 24g1...storage portion, 25...sample container, 26...sample rack, 27...sample dispensing tip, 28...reaction container, 29...reagent storage mechanism, 29a...support member, 30...reagent storage cabinet cover, 30 a... reagent storage cabinet lid, 30b... opening, 31... horizontal shaft, 32... support point, 33... turntable, 34... rotation operation control section, 40... reagent input section, 50... reagent transport mechanism, 111, 113, 114, 115... reagent dispensing mechanism, 111a, 113a, 114a, 115a... reagent dispensing nozzle, 112, 116... bottle lid opening / closing mechanism, 112a, 116a... engaging member

Claims

1. An automatic analyzer comprising: a holding section that holds a container for containing a liquid; a rotation mechanism that arranges a plurality of the holding sections in a vertical ring and rotates them circumferentially; an opening / closing mechanism that is arranged above the rotation mechanism and moves in a vertical up-and-down direction to open or push down one end of a lid provided on an opening on the top surface of the container; a dispensing mechanism that is arranged above the rotation mechanism and moves in a vertical up-and-down direction to insert a nozzle into the opening of the container with the lid open and dispense the liquid; and a control device that controls the operation of the opening / closing mechanism, the dispensing mechanism, and the rotation mechanism, wherein the control device rotates the rotation mechanism a predetermined angle in the direction of one end of the lid as the opening / closing mechanism opens the lid of the container, and controls the dispensing mechanism to perform a dispensing operation in this state.

2. An automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the control device controls the rotation mechanism to rotate a predetermined angle in the direction of the other end of the lid in response to the closing operation of the container lid by the opening / closing mechanism.

3. An automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the lid provided on the opening of the container comprises: an engaging portion provided at one circumferential end of the rotating mechanism and capable of engaging with the opening / closing mechanism; and a hinge portion provided at the other circumferential end of the rotating mechanism and holding the lid rotatably relative to the container.

4. An automatic analyzer according to claim 1, further comprising a member disposed above the rotation mechanism and having a longitudinal direction in the vertical direction, wherein the opening / closing mechanism and the dispensing mechanism are configured to move in the vertical direction along the member.

5. An automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the opening / closing mechanism and the dispensing mechanism are arranged side by side along the circumferential direction of the rotating mechanism, the container has a first storage section for storing a first liquid and a second storage section for storing a second liquid, an opening of the first storage section and an opening of the second storage section arranged side by side on the upper surface along the circumferential direction of the rotating mechanism, and a first lid and a second lid provided at the opening of the first storage section and the opening of the second storage section, respectively, and the control device controls the rotating mechanism, the opening / closing mechanism, and the dispensing mechanism so that the opening operation of the first lid for the first storage section and the dispensing operation of the first liquid, and the opening operation of the second lid for the second storage section and the dispensing operation of the second liquid are performed in that order along the rotational direction of the rotating mechanism.

6. An automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the container has a plurality of openings arranged on its upper surface along the circumferential direction of the rotating mechanism, and a plurality of lids respectively provided for the plurality of openings; the opening / closing mechanism has a plurality of engaging members respectively provided corresponding to the plurality of lids, and which perform an opening operation by pulling up or a closing operation by pushing down one end of the plurality of lids of the container by a unified vertical movement; the dispensing mechanism has a plurality of nozzles respectively provided corresponding to the plurality of openings, and which are inserted respectively by a vertical movement into the plurality of openings of the container when the plurality of lids are opened by the opening movement of the opening / closing mechanism to dispense the liquid; and the control device controls the rotating mechanism to rotate a predetermined angle in the direction of the other end of the lid as the opening / closing mechanism opens the plurality of lids of the container, and to perform a dispensing operation by the dispensing mechanism in this state.

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