Automated analyzer

Abstract

This automated analyzer includes a bottle-side engagement part 24g. After a reagent bottle 24 is placed on a holding part 21 by a bottle take-in / out mechanism 53, the bottle-side engagement part 24g is detached from a take-in / out mechanism-side engagement part 53a by rotation of the holding part 21, and after the holding part 21 moves to a position facing an auto-loader 52, the bottle-side engagement part 24g is attached to the take-in / out mechanism-side engagement part 53a by rotation of the holding part 21. Thus, the present invention provides an automated analyzer having a space-saving structure by further reducing the size of a vertical rotation-type reagent storage.

Description

automatic analyzer

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an automatic analyzer that includes a container that accommodates a reagent container mounting stand and is movable about a horizontal axis, and a control unit that rotates and moves the container in the vertical direction.

[0003] JP 2014-163711 A

[0004] According to Patent Document 1, containers are mounted in a reagent storage cabinet using rails that allow the containers to be transported. However, as a result of extensive research, the inventors of the present invention have found that there is room for further improvement in order to further reduce the size of the vertical rotating reagent storage cabinet.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an automatic analyzer having a more space-saving structure by further miniaturizing a vertically rotating reagent storage cabinet.

[0006] An automatic analyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a holding section for holding a container containing a liquid, a rotating device for vertically rotating the holding section, which is arranged in a vertical ring, a reagent transport mechanism arranged to the side of the rotating device and on which a container can be placed, a transfer device for moving the container horizontally between the reagent transport mechanism and the holding section, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the rotating device, the reagent transport mechanism, and the transfer device, wherein the container has a container side engaging portion that engages with a transfer device side engaging portion on the transfer device side, and the container side engaging portion is configured such that after the container is held in the holding section by the transfer device, the rotation of the rotating device causes the container side engaging portion to disengage from the transfer device side engaging portion, and after the holding section moves to a position opposite the reagent transport mechanism, the rotation of the rotating device causes the container side engaging portion to be attached to the transfer device side engaging portion.

[0007] According to the present invention, an automatic analyzer having a more space-saving structure can be provided by further reducing the size of the vertical rotary reagent storage cabinet.

[0008] 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of an automatic analyzer. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a reagent bottle. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing another overview of a reagent bottle. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overview of a reagent storage cabinet and a reagent transport mechanism. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an overview of a reagent storage cabinet and a reagent transport mechanism. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overview of a reagent storage cabinet and a reagent transport mechanism. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which a reagent bottle is carried in. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which a reagent bottle is carried in. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which a reagent bottle is carried in. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which a reagent bottle is carried out. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which a reagent bottle is carried out. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which a reagent bottle is carried out. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an overview of a reagent bottle. A bottom view of a reagent bottle. A diagram showing an overview of a reagent transport mechanism. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a state in which a reagent bottle is moved horizontally in an autoloader. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state in which a reagent bottle is moved horizontally in an autoloader. A diagram showing the configuration of a reagent bottle holding unit.

[0009] An embodiment of the automatic analyzer will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 12. First, the overall configuration of the automatic analyzer will be described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 is a plan view that schematically shows the overall configuration of the automatic analyzer.

[0010] 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 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, and a reaction vessel 28, all of which are arranged on a work surface 22.

[0011] 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.

[0012] 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.

[0013] 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.

[0014] 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] A plurality of reaction vessels 28 are arranged on the incubator 8 for mixing and reacting the sample with the reagent solution.

[0017] 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).

[0018] The sample dispensing mechanism 5 has a structure that can rotate 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] The operator places an unopened new reagent bottle 24 from the reagent input unit 40 at the installation position of the autoloader 52 (see FIG. 4 etc.) of the reagent transport mechanism 50 , thereby installing it in the holder 21 of the reagent storage mechanism 29 .

[0028] The reagent storage 2 of the automatic analyzer 1 will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS.

[0029] First, the reagent bottle 24 suitable for use in the automatic analyzer 1 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figures 2 and 3 are diagrams showing an outline of the reagent bottle.

[0030] 2, the reagent bottle 24 has three reagent storage sections 24c capable of storing one to three types of reagent, and one of the four sides has a bottle-side engaging section 24g formed thereon that engages with an insertion / removal mechanism-side engaging section 53a provided on the bottle insertion / removal mechanism 53 of the reagent transport mechanism 50. In addition, a bottle-side notch 24d that engages with a holder-side hold section 21a provided on the holder 21 is formed on the side opposite to the side on which the bottle-side engaging section 24g is formed.

[0031] 3, the reagent bottle 24A has three reagent storage sections 24c capable of storing three types of reagent, and the bottom surface of each section is formed with a bottle-side engaging section 24g1 that engages with an insertion / removal mechanism-side engaging section 53a1 provided on the bottle insertion / removal mechanism 53 of the reagent transport mechanism 50. Note that the bottle-side notch 24d is omitted from FIG. 3 for convenience of illustration.

[0032] The bottle-side engaging portions 24g, 24g1 of the reagent bottles 24, 24A as shown in Figures 2 and 3 are configured so that after the reagent bottles 24, 24A are placed on the holder 21 by the bottle loading / unloading mechanism 53, the bottle-side engaging portions 24g are disengaged from the loading / unloading mechanism-side engaging portions 53a by the rotation of the holder 21 by the horizontal shaft 31, connecting points 32, turntable 33, and rotational operation control unit 34, and after the holder 21 moves to a position opposite the autoloader 52, the bottle-side engaging portions 24g1 are attached to the loading / unloading mechanism-side engaging portions 53a by the rotation of the holder 21 by the horizontal shaft 31, connecting points 32, turntable 33, and rotational operation control unit 34.

[0033] 2 extends horizontally from the side surface of the reagent bottle 24 and then extends vertically downward. In contrast, the loading / unloading mechanism-side engaging portion 53a has a shape that protrudes vertically upward.

[0034] Therefore, when the reagent bottle 24 is carried into the holder 21, the loading / unloading mechanism-side engaging portion 53a, which is engaged with the reagent bottle 24 by the bottle-side engaging portion 24g, pushes the side of the reagent bottle 24. After the reagent bottle 24 is carried into the holder 21, the holder 21 rotates vertically upward, thereby releasing the engagement between the loading / unloading mechanism-side engaging portion 53a and the bottle-side engaging portion 24g.

[0035] When the reagent bottle 24 is to be removed from the holder 21, the holder 21 rotates downward in the vertical direction, causing the bottle-side engaging portion 24g to interfere with and engage with the loading / unloading mechanism-side engaging portion 53a. The loading / unloading mechanism-side engaging portion 53a then pulls the bottle-side engaging portion 24g, thereby removing the bottle.

[0036] In FIG. 3, a concave bottle-side engaging portion 24g1 provided on the bottom surface of the reagent bottle 24A engages with a convex loading / unloading mechanism-side engaging portion 53a1.

[0037] Therefore, when the reagent bottle 24A is carried into the holder 21, the loading / unloading mechanism-side engaging portion 53a presses the side surface of the bottle-side engaging portion 24g1, causing the bottle to be carried in. After the bottle is carried in, the holder 21 rotates vertically upward, thereby disengaging the loading / unloading mechanism-side engaging portion 53a1 from the bottle-side engaging portion 24g1.

[0038] When the reagent bottle 24A is to be removed from the holder 21, the holder 21 rotates downward in the vertical direction, causing the bottle-side engaging portion 24g1 to interfere with and engage with the loading / unloading mechanism-side engaging portion 53a1. Then, the loading / unloading mechanism-side engaging portion 53a1 pushes the side of the bottle-side engaging portion 24g in the opposite direction to the loading direction, thereby removing the bottle.

[0039] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the bottle-side engaging portions 24g, 24g1 of the reagent bottles 24, 24A are structured so that the drive side of the autoloader 52 is open so as not to interfere with the insertion / removal mechanism-side engaging portions 53a, 53a1 provided on the bottle insertion / removal mechanism 53 when the autoloader 52 is driven in the drive side direction or when the bottle horizontal movement mechanism 54 moves the reagent bottle 24 horizontally.

[0040] Next, the details of the reagent storage and the reagent transport mechanism will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 6. Figures 4 to 6 are diagrams showing an overview of the reagent storage and the reagent transport mechanism of the automatic analyzer.

[0041] As shown in Figure 4, the reagent storage mechanism 29 has multiple holding sections 21, a horizontal shaft 31, connection points 32, a turntable 33, a rotation operation control unit 34, etc., and these horizontal shafts 31, connection points 32, turntable 33, and rotation operation control unit 34 form a rotation device that vertically rotates one or more holding sections 21 arranged in a vertical ring.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the reagent transport mechanism 50 is made up of a base frame 51, an autoloader 52, a bottle loading / unloading mechanism 53, a bottle horizontal movement mechanism 54, and an autoloader drive mechanism 55.

[0043] The base frame 51 is a housing that houses the autoloader drive mechanism 55 .

[0044] 4 to 6, the autoloader 52 is disposed to the side of the horizontal shaft 31, the connecting point 32, the turntable 33, and the rotational motion control unit 34, and is configured to be able to hold a plurality of reagent bottles 24, and in Figure 4 and other figures, is able to accommodate five reagent bottles 24. The autoloader 52 is moved in a direction parallel to the horizontal shaft 31 of the reagent storage mechanism 29 by an autoloader drive mechanism 55 (described later), thereby transporting the reagent bottle 24 from the reagent input unit 40 to a carry-in position / carry-out position in the holder 21.

[0045] The autoloader drive mechanism 55 is a mechanism for moving the autoloader 52 in a direction parallel to the rotation axis direction of the reagent storage mechanism 29, and is composed of a motor, pulleys, belts, etc.

[0046] The bottle loading / unloading mechanism 53 is a mechanism for horizontally moving the reagent bottles 24, 24A between the autoloader 52 and the holder 21, and is composed of a motor, pulleys, belts, etc., similar to the autoloader drive mechanism 55.

[0047] The bottle loading / unloading mechanism 53 moves the reagent bottles 24, 24A horizontally between the autoloader 52 and the holding section 21 to one of the multiple loading positions of the autoloader 52, for example, one of the five reagent bottle installation positions of the autoloader 52, in this embodiment, the reagent bottle 24, 24A closest to the reagent input section 40, is transported into the holding section 21, and the used reagent bottles 24, 24A held in the holding section 21 are first transported to the autoloader 52 so that they can be removed from the automatic analyzer 1.

[0048] In addition, the bottle loading / unloading mechanism 53 moves the loading / unloading mechanism side engaging portion 53a toward the autoloader 52 after the loading / unloading mechanism side engaging portion 53a disengages from the bottle side engaging portions 24g, 24g1 due to rotation of the holding portion 21 by the horizontal shaft 31, connecting point 32, turntable 33, and rotation operation control portion 34, and moves the reagent bottle 24, 24A to the autoloader 52 after the loading / unloading mechanism side engaging portion 53a is attached to the bottle side engaging portions 24g, 24g1 due to rotation of the holding portion 21 by the horizontal shaft 31, connecting point 32, turntable 33, and rotation operation control portion 34.

[0049] The bottle horizontal movement mechanism 54 is a mechanism that moves the reagent bottle 24 on the autoloader 52 in a direction parallel to the rotation axis direction of the reagent storage mechanism 29 from the other four locations on the autoloader 52 that are not available for loading and unloading to the one location where loading and unloading is possible, since the bottle loading and unloading mechanism 53 is configured to be able to load and unload only one of the five reagent bottle installation locations on the autoloader 52, in this embodiment the reagent bottle 24 closest to the reagent input section 40, into and out of the holding section 21, and is composed of a motor, pulleys, belts, etc.

[0050] Next, the manner in which reagent bottles are carried into the automatic analyzer, specifically the manner in which they are carried into the holder 21 from the autoloader 52, will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 9. Figures 7 to 9 are diagrams showing the manner in which reagent bottles are carried into the automatic analyzer.

[0051] In the following description, the case where the reagent bottle 24 is used will be described, but the same applies to the reagent bottle 24A.

[0052] 7 shows a state in which the reagent bottle 24 is positioned at the loading / unloading position by the bottle horizontal moving mechanism 54 as shown in FIG. 6, and the loading operation by the bottle loading / unloading mechanism 53 starts.

[0053] 8, the reagent bottle 24 is moved horizontally from above the autoloader 52 toward the holder 21 by the bottle loading / unloading mechanism 53. When the reagent bottle 24 is positioned on the holder 21, the bottle-side notch 24d of the reagent bottle 24 engages with the holder-side hold portion 21a provided on the holder 21, and the reagent bottle 24 is firmly held.

[0054] As shown in Figure 9, after the reagent bottle 24 is positioned and held on the holding portion 21, the holding portion 21 rotates vertically upward, thereby releasing the engagement between the insertion / removal mechanism side engagement portion 53a and the bottle side engagement portion 24g, and the bottle insertion / removal mechanism 53 returns to the standby position where the autoloader 52 is located, thereby avoiding interference between the bottle insertion / removal mechanism 53 and the holding portion 21.

[0055] Next, the manner in which reagent bottles are transported from the holder 21 to the autoloader 52 will be described with reference to Figures 10 to 12. Figures 10 to 12 are diagrams showing the manner in which reagent bottles are transported from the automatic analyzer.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 10, when a used and empty reagent bottle 24 is to be transported, the bottle loading / unloading mechanism 53 first advances from the standby position where the autoloader 52 is located to the holder 21 and waits at a position close to the holder 21.

[0057] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 11, the holder 21 rotates vertically downward, causing the bottle engaging portion 24g of the reagent bottle 24 to interfere with and engage with the insertion / removal mechanism engaging portion 53a of the bottle insertion / removal mechanism 53.

[0058] After the engagement, the bottle loading / unloading mechanism 53 returns to the standby position where the autoloader 52 is located, as shown in Figure 12. At this time, the loading / unloading mechanism side engaging part 53a pulls the bottle side engaging part 24g, which also releases the engagement between the bottle side notch 24d and the holder side hold part 21a, and the bottle is moved from the holder 21 to the autoloader 52.

[0059] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0060] The above-described automatic analyzer 1 includes a holder 21 on which one or more reagent bottles 24 containing liquid are placed, a horizontal shaft 31, a connecting point 32, a turntable 33, and a rotational operation control unit 34 for vertically rotating one or more holders 21 arranged in a vertical ring, an autoloader 52 arranged beside the horizontal shaft 31, the connecting point 32, the turntable 33, and the rotational operation control unit 34 and capable of placing a reagent bottle 24 thereon, a bottle loading / unloading mechanism 53 for moving the reagent bottle 24 horizontally between the autoloader 52 and the holder 21, and a host computer 23 for controlling the operations of the horizontal shaft 31, the connecting point 32, the turntable 33, the rotational operation control unit 34, the autoloader 52, and the bottle loading / unloading mechanism 53. The medicine bottle 24 has bottle side engaging portions 24g, 24g1 that engage with the insertion / removal mechanism side engaging portion 53a on the bottle insertion / removal mechanism 53 side, and the bottle side engaging portions 24g, 24g1 are configured so that after the reagent bottle 24 is placed on the holding portion 21 by the bottle insertion / removal mechanism 53, the bottle side engaging portions 24g, 24g1 are disengaged from the insertion / removal mechanism side engaging portion 53a by the rotation of the horizontal shaft 31, connection point 32, turntable 33, and rotation operation control portion 34, and after the holding portion 21 moves to a position opposite the autoloader 52, the bottle side engaging portions 24g, 24g1 are attached to the insertion / removal mechanism side engaging portion 53a by the rotation of the horizontal shaft 31, connection point 32, turntable 33, and rotation operation control portion 34.

[0061] As a result, by providing bottle side engagement parts 24g, 24g1 and loading / unloading mechanism side engagement part 53a, and utilizing the rotational movement of the holding part 21 side, the bottle side engagement parts 24g, 24g1 can be disengaged from or engaged with the loading / unloading mechanism side engagement part 53a, eliminating the need for a mechanism for engaging the bottle side engagement parts 24g, 24g1 with the loading / unloading mechanism side engagement part 53a, and reducing the number of actuators such as motors in a vertically rotating reagent storage cabinet, thereby enabling the device to be made more compact.

[0062] In addition, the bottle loading / unloading mechanism 53 moves the loading / unloading mechanism side engaging portion 53a toward the autoloader 52 after the loading / unloading mechanism side engaging portion 53a disengages from the bottle side engaging portions 24g, 24g1 due to rotation of the horizontal shaft 31, connection point 32, turntable 33, and rotation operation control portion 34, thereby preventing the bottle loading / unloading mechanism 53 from interfering with the rotation operation of the holding portion 21.

[0063] Furthermore, the bottle loading / unloading mechanism 53 can be easily transported by moving the reagent bottle 24 to the autoloader 52 after the loading / unloading mechanism side engagement part 53a is attached to the bottle side engagement parts 24g, 24g1 by rotation of the horizontal shaft 31, the connection point 32, the turntable 33, and the rotation operation control part 34.

[0064] Furthermore, the autoloader 52 can load a plurality of reagent bottles 24 at one time, thereby improving the efficiency of loading and unloading the reagent bottles 24 .

[0065] Furthermore, since the bottle loading / unloading mechanism 53 moves the reagent bottle 24 horizontally between the autoloader 52 and the holding section 21 at one of the multiple loading positions of the autoloader 52, there is no need to provide multiple bottle loading / unloading mechanisms 53 or a mechanism to move the bottle loading / unloading mechanism 53 horizontally, which reliably avoids an increase in the number of actuators.

[0066] Furthermore, the holder 21 has a holder-side hold portion 21 a that holds the reagent bottle 24 , which can strongly prevent the reagent bottle 24 from shifting sideways when it rotates on the holder 21 .

[0067] Furthermore, since the bottle side engagement parts 24g, 24g1 are open in the drive side direction of the autoloader 52, when the autoloader 52 is capable of loading multiple reagent bottles 24 at once, it is possible to avoid interference with the insertion / removal mechanism side engagement parts 53a, 53a1 provided on the bottle insertion / removal mechanism 53 when the autoloader 52 is driven in the drive side direction or when the bottle horizontal movement mechanism 54 moves the reagent bottle 24 horizontally, with a simple structure.

[0068] Second Embodiment An automatic analyzer according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0069] First, the structure of the reagent bottle 24B suitable for use in the automatic analyzer of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 13 and 14. Figure 13 is a diagram showing an outline of the reagent bottle, and Figure 14 is a bottom view of the reagent bottle.

[0070] The reagent bottle 24B of this embodiment shown in Figures 13 and 14 has a gap 24e between the bottle side wall 24f and the reagent storage section 24c. This gap 24e serves as a container-side engaging portion that engages with the loading / unloading mechanism-side engaging portion 53a2 of the bottle loading / unloading mechanism 53A. Note that the bottle-side notch 24d is omitted in Figures 13 and 14 for convenience of illustration.

[0071] The gap 24e of the reagent bottle 24B as shown in Figures 13 and 14 is configured so that after the reagent bottle 24B is placed on the holding section 21 by the bottle loading / unloading mechanism 53A, the gap 24e is disengaged from the loading / unloading mechanism side engaging section 53a2 by the rotation of the horizontal shaft 31, connecting point 32, turntable 33, and rotation operation control section 34, and after the holding section 21 moves to a position opposite the autoloader 52, the gap 24e is attached to the loading / unloading mechanism side engaging section 53a2 by the rotation of the horizontal shaft 31, connecting point 32, turntable 33, and rotation operation control section 34.

[0072] In this reagent bottle 24B, the bottle side wall 24f, which is the outer frame of the gap 24e, which is the container side engagement part, is not designed to open the drive side direction of the autoloader 52, unlike the bottle side engagement parts 24g, 24g1 of the reagent bottles 24, 24A described in Example 1, so that it does not interfere with the loading / unloading mechanism side engagement part 53a2 provided on the bottle loading / unloading mechanism 53A when the autoloader 52 moves in the drive side direction.

[0073] Although it is possible to address this issue by providing a partial notch in the bottle side wall 24f, which is the outer frame, the reagent bottle 24B is inserted into and removed from the holder 21 at one of the multiple loading positions of the autoloader 52, and in order for the horizontal bottle movement mechanism 54, which moves the reagent bottle 24B in the autoloader drive direction, to function properly, the bottle insertion / removal mechanism 53A has an additional component compared to the bottle insertion / removal mechanism 53 described in Example 1.

[0074] The structure and operation of the bottle loading / unloading mechanism 53A in the automatic analyzer of this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 15 to 17. Figure 15 is a diagram showing an outline of the reagent transport mechanism of the automatic analyzer of embodiment 2, and Figures 16 and 17 are diagrams showing how a reagent bottle is moved horizontally within the autoloader.

[0075] As shown in Figure 15, the bottle loading / unloading mechanism 53A has, in addition to each mechanism of the bottle loading / unloading mechanism 53 of Example 1 and the loading / unloading mechanism side engaging portion 53a2, a first base 53A2, a second base 53A3, a spring 53A4, a linear guide 53A5, a second base fixing plate 53A6, a first base side roller 53A7, and a mechanism base 53A8.

[0076] 15 and 16 show the state in which the insertion / removal mechanism side engagement portion 53a1 is inserted into the gap 24e between the bottle side wall 24f and the reagent storage portion 24c of the reagent bottle 24B, allowing the reagent bottle 24B to be inserted into and removed from the holding portion 21.

[0077] The first base 53A2 is provided with an insertion / removal mechanism side engaging portion 53a2 at its upper end and a first base side roller 53A7 at its substantially lower end.

[0078] The second base 53A3 has a linear guide 53A5 provided on the surface of the first base 53A2, and the first base 53A2 is movable in the vertical direction on the linear guide 53A5. The second base 53A3 is connected to the first base 53A2 via a spring 53A4.

[0079] The second base fixing plate 53A6 is provided at the end opposite the holding portion 21 side of the mechanism base 53A8, and has a shape in which the vertical upper end side is inclined vertically downward toward the holding portion 21 side, and a part of it is in contact with the first base side roller 53A7.

[0080] Figure 17 shows a state in which the loading / unloading mechanism side engaging portion 53a2 is disengaged from the gap 24e between the bottle side wall 24f and the reagent storage portion 24c, and the bottle horizontal movement mechanism 54 moves the reagent bottle 24B to one of the five reagent bottle installation locations on the autoloader 52, in this embodiment, only the reagent bottle 24B closest to the reagent input portion 40, from the holder 21 to a position where it can be loaded / unloaded, or moves it from the position where it can be loaded / unloaded to another position.

[0081] 17 , when the reagent bottle 24B is moved on the autoloader 52 in the drive direction of the autoloader 52, the mechanism base 53A8 and second base 53A3 of the bottle loading / unloading mechanism 53A are driven in the direction opposite to the holder 21. At this time, because the first base rollers 53A7 interfere with the second base fixing plate 53A6, the first base 53A2 is pushed vertically downward together with the first base rollers 53A7. As this descent occurs, the loading / unloading mechanism engaging portion 53a2 is also pushed downward and disengaged from the gap 24e, allowing the autoloader 52 and the reagent bottle 24B to move freely in the drive direction of the autoloader 52.

[0082] Furthermore, when the reagent bottle 24B is loaded into the holder 21 by the bottle loading / unloading mechanism 53A, the reagent bottle 24B to be loaded is moved vertically upward of the bottle loading / unloading mechanism 53A, and the bottle loading / unloading mechanism 53A is first driven toward the holder 21. This releases the interference between the first base roller 53A7 and the second base fixing plate 53A6, and the first base 53A2 is lifted vertically upward by the spring 53A4, causing the loading / unloading mechanism engaging portion 53a2 to engage with the gap 24e, resulting in the state shown in FIG. 16. The bottle loading / unloading mechanism 53A is then driven further toward the holder 21 to load the bottle.

[0083] Other configurations and operations are substantially the same as those of the automatic analyzer of Example 1, and therefore detailed descriptions are omitted. The automatic analyzer of Example 2 also provides substantially the same effects as those of the automatic analyzer of Example 1.

[0084] In addition, the automatic analyzer of this embodiment can also accommodate reagent bottles 24B that have a gap 24e that engages with the insertion / removal mechanism side engagement portion 53a on the bottle insertion / removal mechanism 53 side and are not open toward the drive side of the autoloader 52.

[0085] Third Embodiment An automatic analyzer according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 18. Fig. 18 is a diagram showing the configuration of a holding unit in the automatic analyzer according to the third embodiment.

[0086] In the automatic analyzer of this embodiment, the holder 21 has a holder member 71 for holding the reagent bottle 24 as shown in Fig. 18. The reagent bottles 24A and 24B may also be used.

[0087] The holding member 71 shown in Figure 18 is a member that is provided in the holding section 21 in one or more pieces, preferably in the same number as the number of reagent bottles 24 held by the holding section 21, and is composed of a housing 71a, a spring mounting portion 71b, a spring 71c, an opening 71d, a contact portion 71e, etc.

[0088] In the holding member 71, when the reagent bottle 24 enters the housing 71a, the contact portion 71e presses the side of the reagent bottle 24 through the opening 71d with the spring 71c using the spring mounting portion 71b as a fulcrum, thereby strongly preventing the reagent bottle 24 from moving in the transport direction while the holding portion 21 is rotating.

[0089] The holding member 71 may further be provided with a structure equivalent to the holding portion-side holding portion 21a.

[0090] Other configurations and operations are substantially the same as those of the automatic analyzer of Example 1 or Example 2, and therefore details are omitted. The automatic analyzer of Example 3 also provides substantially the same effects as those of the automatic analyzer of Example 1 or Example 2.

[0091] Furthermore, the holder 21 has the holding member 71 for holding the reagent bottle 24, which allows the reagent bottle 24 to be held more firmly, thereby achieving stable analysis operations.

[0092] <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.

[0093] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Automatic analyzer 2...Reagent storage cabinet 3...Safety cover 4...Sample transport mechanism 5...Sample dispensing mechanism 6...Reaction vessel magazine 7...Reaction vessel transport mechanism 8...Incubator 9...Sample dispensing tip buffer 10...Tip disposal hole 11...Bottle lid opening / closing / reagent 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...Holding unit 21a...Holding unit side holding unit (container holding unit) 22...Work surface 23...Host computer 24, 24A, 24B...Reagent bottle 24c...Reagent storage unit 24d...Bottle side notch 24f...Bottle side wall 24e...Gap 24f...Bottle side wall 24g, 24g1...Bottle side engaging portion 25...Sample container 26...Sample rack 27...Sample dispensing tip 28...Reaction container 29...Reagent storage mechanism 30...Reagent storage cabinet lid 31...Horizontal shaft 32...Connection point 33...Turntable 34...Rotation operation control portion 40...Reagent input portion 50...Reagent transport mechanism 51...Base frame 52...Autoloader 53, 53A...Bottle loading / unloading mechanism 53a, 53a1, 53a2...Mechanism side engaging portion 53A2...First base 53A3...Second base 53A4...Spring 53A5...Linear guide 53A6...Second base fixing plate 53A7...First base side roller 53A8...Mechanism base 54...Bottle horizontal movement mechanism 55...Autoloader drive mechanism 71...Holding member 71a...Housing 71b...Spring mounting portion 71c...spring 71d...opening 71e...contact portion

Claims

1. An automatic analyzer comprising: a holding section that holds a container that contains a liquid; a rotating device that vertically rotates the holding section, which is arranged in a vertical ring; a reagent transport mechanism that is arranged to the side of the rotating device and on which the container can be placed; a transfer device that moves the container horizontally between the reagent transport mechanism and the holding section; and a control unit that controls the operation of the rotating device, the reagent transport mechanism, and the transfer device, wherein the container has a container side engaging portion that engages with a transfer device side engaging portion on the transfer device side, and the container side engaging portion is configured so that after the container is placed on the holding section by the transfer device, the container side engaging portion is disengaged from the transfer device side engaging portion by the rotation of the rotating device, and after the holding section has moved to a position opposite the reagent transport mechanism, the container side engaging portion is attached to the transfer device side engaging portion by the rotation of the rotating device.

2. An automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the transfer device moves the transfer device side engaging portion toward the reagent transport mechanism after the transfer device side engaging portion disengages from the container side engaging portion due to rotation of the rotation device.

3. An automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the transfer device moves the container to the reagent transport mechanism after the transfer device side engagement portion is attached to the container side engagement portion by rotation of the rotation device.

4. An automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the reagent transport mechanism is capable of mounting a plurality of the containers.

5. An automatic analyzer according to claim 4, wherein the transfer device moves the container horizontally between the reagent transport mechanism and the holder to one of a plurality of loading positions of the reagent transport mechanism.

6. An automatic analyzer according to claim 4, wherein the container-side engaging portion is released in the direction of the drive side of the reagent transport mechanism.

7. An automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the holding section has a container holding section that holds the container.

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