Ultrasonic cleaner for automatic analysis device and method for suppressing residual cleaning liquid

Abstract

Provided is an ultrasonic cleaner for an automatic analysis device that enables suppression of the residual cleaning liquid between a cover for preventing the scattering of the cleaning liquid and an ultrasonic vibrator without significant mechanism change. This ultrasonic cleaner for an automatic analysis device includes: a dispensing probe 501 for dispensing a sample or a reagent into a container 102; a cleaning tank 303 for cleaning the dispensing probe 501; and ultrasonic radiation parts 301, 305 for radiating ultrasonic waves into the cleaning tank 303. The cleaning tank 303 includes: a cleaning liquid storage part 308; and a cover 304 that is positioned above the ultrasonic radiation parts 301, 305, covers a part of each of the ultrasonic radiation parts 301, 305, and has an opening 307 through which the dispensing probe 501 can pass. Each of the ultrasonic radiation parts 301, 305 has a hollow part 306 that is located in the cleaning liquid storage part 308, is located vertically below the opening 307 of the cover 304, and allows the dispensing probe 501 to pass therethrough. The wettability of the surface 901 of the cover 304 facing the ultrasonic radiation parts 301, 305 is different from the wettability of the surfaces 306S, 1003 of the hollow part 306 of the ultrasonic radiation parts 301, 305.

Description

Ultrasonic Cleaner for Automatic Analyzer and Method for Suppressing Residual Cleaning Liquid

[0005]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic cleaner for cleaning a probe for dispensing reagents and samples of an automatic analyzer and a method for suppressing residual cleaning liquid.

[0002] In an automatic analyzer, a probe for dispensing reagents and samples is repeatedly used to dispense samples. In order not to allow a part of the previous sample to be brought into the next sample, an ultrasonic cleaning mechanism for cleaning the probe before dispensing a separate sample is installed. In this ultrasonic cleaning mechanism, a cover for preventing the scattering of the cleaning liquid is provided so as to cover the cleaning tank.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a technique of "performing a hydrophobic or hydrophilic coating on the splash-preventing cover to prevent the adhesion of the deposited cleaning liquid".

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-100871

[0005] Patent Document 1 describes a cleaning mechanism in which the cleaning liquid in the cleaning tank is exchanged by flowing it out by overflow.

[0006] However, in the mechanism described in Patent Document 1, cleaning liquid remains between the splash-proof cover covering the cleaning tank and the ultrasonic vibrator, and there is a possibility that this remaining cleaning agent is misdetected as the liquid level in the liquid level detection operation for confirming the cleaning liquid exchange. When a misdetection of the liquid level occurs, device confirmation work is required, resulting in labor for that and downtime of the device. Therefore, it is necessary to suppress the residual of the cleaning agent in order to prevent misdetection of the liquid level.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic cleaner for an automatic analyzer and a method for suppressing residual cleaning liquid that suppress the residual of the cleaning liquid between the cover for preventing the scattering of the cleaning liquid and the ultrasonic vibrator without significantly changing the mechanism.

[0008] To achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as follows.

[0009] The ultrasonic cleaner of an automated analyzer comprises a dispensing probe for dispensing a sample or reagent into a container, a cleaning tank for cleaning the dispensing probe, and an ultrasonic emitting unit for emitting ultrasonic waves into the cleaning tank. The cleaning tank includes a cleaning liquid storage unit for storing cleaning liquid, and a cover located above the ultrasonic emitting unit, covering at least a portion of the ultrasonic emitting unit, and having an opening through which the dispensing probe can pass. The ultrasonic emitting unit is located within the cleaning liquid storage unit, vertically below the opening in the cover, and has a hollow portion through which the dispensing probe can pass. The surface of the cover facing the ultrasonic emitting unit and the surface of the hollow portion of the ultrasonic emitting unit have different wettability properties.

[0010] Furthermore, in a method for suppressing residual cleaning solution in an automated analyzer having a dispensing probe for dispensing a sample or reagent into a container, a washing tank for washing the dispensing probe, a cleaning solution storage section for storing cleaning solution, an ultrasonic emission section for emitting ultrasonic waves into the washing tank, a cleaning solution outlet formed in the washing tank, a cover with an opening through which the dispensing probe can pass, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the dispensing probe, the washing tank, and the ultrasonic emission section, the control unit operates the ultrasonic emission section before discharging the cleaning solution stored in the cleaning solution storage section from the outlet, thereby heating the cleaning solution remaining between the cover and the ultrasonic emission section.

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an ultrasonic cleaner for an automated analyzer and a method for suppressing the residue of detergent solution between a cover for preventing splashing of cleaning solution and an ultrasonic transducer, without making significant changes to the mechanism.

[0012] Other issues, configurations, and effects not mentioned above will be clarified by the following description of the embodiments.

[0013] This is a schematic diagram of an automated analyzer to which the present invention is applied. This is a diagram showing the configuration of the sample dispensing mechanism. This is a schematic diagram of the overall configuration of the cleaning mechanism. This is a schematic diagram of the cleaning mechanism with the cover removed. This is a cross-sectional view of the ultrasonic cleaning tank including the flow path. This is a schematic diagram showing the probe cleaning operation of the ultrasonic cleaning mechanism. This is a schematic diagram of the liquid level confirmation operation of the ultrasonic cleaning mechanism to check the presence or absence of cleaning solution in the cleaning tank. This is an operation time chart showing the detergent supply confirmation method of the ultrasonic cleaning mechanism. This is an operation flowchart showing the detergent supply confirmation method of the ultrasonic cleaning mechanism executed by the controller. This is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example where a false detection occurs in the liquid level confirmation operation of the ultrasonic cleaning mechanism. This is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example where a false detection occurs in the liquid level confirmation operation of the ultrasonic cleaning mechanism. This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cleaning tank when the splash-proof cover according to Example 1 has been processed. This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cleaning tank when the surface of the ultrasonic radiation part according to Example 2 has been processed. This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the main part of the cleaning tank when the cleaning solution of Example 3 has been preheated. This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the main part of the cleaning tank when the cleaning solution of Example 3 has been preheated. This is an operation chart showing the operation of preheating the cleaning solution. This is an operation flowchart showing the confirmation of detergent (cleaning solution) supply and the method for suppressing cleaning solution residue in the ultrasonic cleaning mechanism in Example 3.

[0014] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0015] (Example 1) Example 1 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the automated analyzer 100 in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In Figure 1, the automated analyzer 100 is a device for measuring the reaction solution produced by a chemical reaction in a reaction vessel 102 and performing component analysis. The main components of this automated analyzer 100 are a reaction disk 101, a cleaning mechanism (ultrasonic cleaner) 103, a spectrophotometer 104, a stirring mechanism 105, a cleaning tank 106, a first reagent dispensing mechanism 107, a second reagent dispensing mechanism 107a, a cleaning tank 108, a reagent disk 109, a first sample dispensing mechanism 111, a second sample dispensing mechanism 111a, a cleaning tank 113, a sample transport mechanism 117, and a controller (control unit) 29. In addition, the first reagent dispensing mechanism 107, the second reagent dispensing mechanism 107a, the first sample dispensing mechanism 111, and the second sample dispensing mechanism 111a have a liquid level detection function.

[0017] The reaction disk 101 has reaction vessels 102 arranged in a circular pattern. The reaction vessels 102 are containers for holding a mixed solution of the sample and reagent, and multiple vessels are arranged on the reaction disk 101. A sample transport mechanism 117 for transporting a sample rack 116 loaded with sample containers 115 is located near the reaction disk 101.

[0018] Between the reaction disk 101 and the sample transport mechanism 117, a rotatable and vertically movable first sample dispensing mechanism 111 and a second sample dispensing mechanism 111a are arranged, each equipped with a sample dispensing probe 111b. A sample syringe is connected to each sample dispensing probe 111b. The sample dispensing probe 111b moves horizontally in an arc around its axis of rotation, and moves vertically to descend into the sample container inlet 119 of the sample container 115, aspirates the sample, and dispenses the sample into the reaction vessel 102.

[0019] The reagent disk 109 is a storage unit in which multiple reagent bottles 110 containing reagents, detergent bottles 112, etc., can be placed around its circumference. The reagent disk 109 is kept refrigerated.

[0020] Between the reaction disk 101 and the reagent disk 109, a first reagent dispensing mechanism 107 and a second reagent dispensing mechanism 107a, which are capable of rotation and vertical movement, are installed and equipped with reagent dispensing probes 120 and 120a, respectively. The reagent dispensing probe 120 or reagent dispensing probe 120a is moved vertically and horizontally by the first reagent dispensing mechanism 107 or the second reagent dispensing mechanism 107a. Reagent syringes (not shown) are connected to the reagent dispensing probes 120 and 120a, respectively. These reagent syringes dispense reagents, detergents (washing solutions), diluents, pre-treatment reagents, etc., drawn from the reagent bottle 110, detergent bottle 112, diluent bottle (not shown), pre-treatment reagent bottle (not shown), etc., into the reaction vessel 102 via the reagent dispensing probes 120 and 120a.

[0021] Around the reaction disc 101 are a cleaning mechanism 103 for cleaning the inside of the reaction vessel 102, a spectrophotometer 104 for measuring the absorbance of light that has passed through the mixed liquid inside the reaction vessel 102, and a stirring mechanism 105 for mixing the sample and reagent dispensed into the reaction vessel 102.

[0022] Furthermore, a washing tank 108 for the reagent dispensing probe 120 is located within the operating range of the first reagent dispensing mechanism 107 and the second reagent dispensing mechanism 107a, a washing tank 113 for the sample dispensing probe 111b is located within the operating range of the first sample dispensing mechanism 111 and the second sample dispensing mechanism 111a, and a washing tank 106 for the stirring mechanism 105 is located within the operating range of the stirring mechanism 105. The sample dispensing probe 111b is washed at the washing position of the washing tank 113 for the sample dispensing probe 111b.

[0023] Each mechanism is connected to the controller 29, and its operation is controlled by the controller 29. The controller 29, which is the control unit, is composed of a computer or the like, and controls the operation of the aforementioned mechanisms within the automatic analyzer 100, as well as performing calculations to determine the concentration of predetermined components in liquid samples such as blood and urine.

[0024] The analysis of the test sample by the automated analyzer 100 described above is performed in the following order.

[0025] First, the sample in the sample container 115, which has been transported to near the reaction disk 101 by the sample transport mechanism 117 and placed on the sample rack 116, is dispensed into the reaction vessel 102 on the reaction disk 101 using the sample dispensing probe 111d of the first sample dispensing mechanism 111 or the sample dispensing probe 111b of the second sample dispensing mechanism 111a. Next, the reagents to be used for analysis are dispensed from the reagent bottles 110 on the reagent disk 109 into the reaction vessel 102 into which the sample was previously dispensed, using the first reagent dispensing mechanism 107 or the second reagent dispensing mechanism 107a. Subsequently, the stirring mechanism 105 is used to stir the mixture of sample and reagent in the reaction vessel 102.

[0026] Subsequently, light generated from a light source (not shown) is transmitted through the reaction vessel 102 containing the mixed solution, and the luminous intensity of the transmitted light is measured by a spectrophotometer 104. The luminous intensity measured by the spectrophotometer 104 is transmitted to the controller 29 via an A / D converter and interface. The controller 29 then performs calculations to determine the concentration of a predetermined component in a liquid sample such as blood or urine, and displays the result on a display unit (not shown), etc.

[0027] In this explanation, we will describe an automated analyzer 100 that uses a spectrophotometer 104 to determine the concentration of a predetermined component, but the techniques disclosed in the embodiments described later may also be used in automated immunoassay analyzers or automated coagulation analyzers that measure samples using other photometers.

[0028] Here, the configuration of the sample dispensing mechanism will be explained using Figure 2. Although Figure 2 shows the configuration of the first sample dispensing mechanism 111, the second sample dispensing mechanism 111a has a similar configuration.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the sample dispensing mechanism consists of a sample dispensing arm 111c equipped with a sample dispensing probe 111b at its tip, a vertical movement mechanism 111e that moves the sample dispensing arm 111c in the vertical direction (Z direction), a rotational movement mechanism (not shown) that rotates the sample dispensing arm 111c, a syringe 202 that aspirates the sample from the tip of the sample dispensing probe 111b, and a pressure sensor 202 that detects dry aspiration during the aspiration operation of the sample dispensing probe 111b.

[0030] The sample dispensing mechanism uses these movement mechanisms to move the sample dispensing probe 111b to a suction position for aspirating the sample from the sample container 115, a discharge position for discharging the aspirated sample into the reaction vessel 102, and a washing position for washing the tip of the sample dispensing probe 111b in the washing tank 113.

[0031] Furthermore, the sample dispensing mechanism lowers the sample dispensing probe 111b (in the Z direction) to match the height of the sample container 115, reaction vessel 102, and washing tank 113 at the aspiration, discharge, and washing positions.

[0032] In this embodiment 1, the cleaning mechanism of the sample dispensing probe 111b is described as an example, but the same method can be applied to the cleaning mechanisms of the reagent dispensing probes 120 and 120a. Furthermore, it can also be applied to devices that dispense both sample and reagent using a single probe.

[0033] Figure 3A is an overall schematic diagram of the cleaning mechanism 103, and Figure 3B is an overall schematic diagram of the cleaning mechanism 103 with the cover 304 for preventing cleaning fluid splashing removed.

[0034] In Figures 3A and 3B, the cleaning mechanism 103, which is an ultrasonic cleaner, comprises a vibrating head 302 having an ultrasonic transducer (ultrasonic radiating part) 301, a cleaning tank 303 for storing cleaning solution and cleaning the dispensing probe 501, and a cover 304 for covering the cleaning tank 303 to prevent splashing of cleaning solution. The vibrating head 302 extends from the ultrasonic transducer 301 toward the cleaning tank 303 and plays the role of amplifying the vibrations of the ultrasonic transducer 301 and radiating them into the detergent. The tip of the vibrating head 302 (ultrasonic radiating part) 305 is cylindrical and is adjusted to be fixed in a position where it is immersed in the cleaning solution stored in the cleaning tank 303 but does not come into contact with the cleaning tank 303. The cylindrical tip of the vibrating head 305 is provided with a cylindrical hole (hollow part) 306 that is larger than the outer diameter of the tip of the sample dispensing probe 111b to be cleaned. The cylindrical hole 306 is located within the washing fluid reservoir 308, vertically below the cylindrical hole (opening) 307 formed in the cover 304 for preventing washing fluid splashing, and is formed so that the dispensing probe 501 can pass through it.

[0035] The cover 304, which covers the cleaning tank 303 to prevent splashing of the cleaning solution, has a notch formed in it so as not to obstruct the movement of the vibrating head 302, and a cylindrical hole (opening) 307 larger than the outer diameter of the tip of the sample dispensing probe 111b, which is the object to be cleaned, is formed vertically above the vibrating head 302. It serves to keep the cleaning solution that splashes out when the vibrating head 302 vibrates inside the cleaning tank 303.

[0036] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning tank 303 of the cleaning mechanism 103, including the flow path. A cleaning liquid supply outlet 411, which is the inlet and outlet of the piping 401, is formed on the bottom surface of the cleaning tank 303, and a solenoid valve 407 for detergent supply (for cleaning liquid supply) and a liquid delivery section 403 for detergent supply are connected to it. The piping 401 at the bottom of the cleaning tank is divided by a branch pipe 408, which is connected to a solenoid valve 409 for detergent drainage and a piping 410 for detergent waste liquid.

[0037] The operation of supplying detergent solution to the washing tank 303 will be described below.

[0038] The detergent supply unit 403 is operated with the solenoid valve 407 for detergent supply open and the solenoid valve 409 for detergent drainage closed. The detergent liquid (cleaning liquid) supplied from the detergent bottle 402 is stored in the cleaning liquid storage unit 308, which forms a space for storing cleaning water inside the cleaning tank 303, and overflows from the notch 404 formed at the upper end of the side wall of the cleaning tank 303. The overflowing cleaning liquid then flows into the liquid receiver 405 on the outer circumference of the cleaning tank 303 and is discharged from the drain port 406 formed in the cleaning tank 303, so that the height (liquid level) of the cleaning liquid inside the cleaning tank 303 remains constant each time cleaning liquid is supplied.

[0039] This allows the old detergent solution in the cleaning tank 303 to be replaced with new detergent solution. The cleaning solution supply outlet 411 and the drain outlet 406 of the piping 401 can be collectively referred to as the inlet and outlet for supplying and discharging the cleaning solution.

[0040] The operation of draining the detergent solution from the washing tank 303 will be described below.

[0041] By closing the solenoid valve 407 for supplying detergent and opening the solenoid valve 409 for draining detergent (draining cleaning liquid), the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid storage part 308 of the cleaning tank 303 flows from the pipe 401 to the pipe 410 for draining detergent via the branch pipe 408. This draining operation can also be carried out with a configuration of a pump or a syringe that can perform suction and discharge without the solenoid valve 409 for draining detergent.

[0042] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the cleaning operation of the probe 501 for dispensing a sample or a reagent of the ultrasonic cleaning mechanism into a container. The probe 501 is inserted from the cylindrical hole 307 of the cover 304 for preventing the cleaning liquid from splashing into the cylindrical hole 306 at the tip of the vibration head 302 in the cleaning tank 303 filled with detergent. The ultrasonic vibrator 301 is driven, and the sample and dirt attached to the tip of the probe 501 are removed by the ultrasonic vibration energy transmitted by the vibration head 302 and the cavitation in the detergent liquid.

[0043] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the liquid level confirmation operation for confirming the presence or absence of the cleaning liquid in the cleaning tank 303. The probe 501 is inserted into the cylindrical hole 306 of the vibration head 302 in the same manner as the above cleaning operation, and the probe 501 performs a suction operation by the syringe 202. When the probe 501 sucks air, it is determined that there is no detergent (cleaning liquid) in the cleaning tank 303. When it is not air suction, it is determined that there is detergent in the cleaning tank 303. The method for confirming the presence or absence of this detergent may also be a configuration that can detect the liquid level by the change in the capacitance of the probe 501. Also, a method for confirming the presence or absence of detergent by an ultrasonic sensor may be used.

[0044] Figure 7 is an operation time chart for confirming the cleaning liquid replacement operation.

[0045] The operation for confirming the cleaning liquid replacement operation is mainly divided into Part A701, Part B702, and Part C703. In Part A701, it is confirmed that there is a detergent liquid in the cleaning tank 303, and in Part B702, it is confirmed that the cleaning tank 303 is empty. In Part C701, it is confirmed again that there is a detergent liquid in the cleaning tank 303.

[0046] Explain the reason why the operation of Part B702 is necessary. In the cleaning tank 303 where the detergent overflows and the height of the detergent liquid level is constant, even if the liquid level is detected before and after the detergent supply operation, there is no difference in the height of the liquid level, so it is impossible to confirm whether the detergent is being supplied normally. Therefore, the detergent supply operation is performed from the state (Part B702) where the liquid level is lowered to a predetermined position (set arbitrarily), and by detecting that the liquid level is rising (Part C703), it is confirmed that the cleaning liquid is being supplied.

[0047] Figure 8 is an operation flowchart showing a method for confirming the supply of detergent in the ultrasonic cleaning mechanism, which is executed by the controller 29.

[0048] First, in Part A701 of FIG. 7, the probe 501 is moved above the cleaning tank 303 by the sample dispensing mechanism, and the probe 501 is lowered to the cleaning position (step S1 in FIG. 8). The inside of the probe is made negative pressure by the syringe 202 of the sample dispensing mechanism, and the detergent is sucked in from the tip 501 of the probe (step S2 in FIG. 8). The pressure sensor 201 confirms that there is no air suction, and the probe 501 is raised (step S3 in FIG. 8).

[0049] Next, in Part B702, the drain solenoid valve 409 is opened (step S4 in FIG. 8). After emptying the cleaning liquid in the cleaning tank 303, the probe 501 is lowered to the cleaning position by the sample dispensing mechanism (step S5 in FIG. 8). The inside of the probe is made negative pressure by the syringe 202 of the sample dispensing mechanism, and the pressure sensor 201 confirms that air is being sucked in (step S6 in FIG. 8), and the probe 501 is raised (step S7 in FIG. 8).

[0050] Subsequently, in Part C703, the supply solenoid valve 407 is opened and the liquid delivery unit 403 is operated to supply (deliver) cleaning liquid to the cleaning tank 303, and the water level is raised to the specified level by overflow (step S8 in Figure 8). Next, the probe 501 is lowered to the probe cleaning position in the cleaning tank 303 by the sample dispensing mechanism (step S9 in Figure 8), a negative pressure is created inside the probe 501 by the syringe 202, and the pressure sensor 201 confirms that detergent is being supplied into the cleaning tank (step S10 in Figure 8). Then, the probe 501 is raised (step S11 in Figure 8).

[0051] Furthermore, the liquid level detection method in Parts A701, B702, and C703 may be modified to perform liquid level detection. This improves the reliability of liquid level detection by combining detection methods based on different principles.

[0052] As described above, the cleaning solution is supplied to the cleaning tank 303 from an empty state to a predetermined level by the detergent supply operation, and it can be confirmed that the detergent is being supplied to the cleaning tank 303 normally.

[0053] Figures 9A and 9B illustrate examples of false detections in liquid level detection operation.

[0054] Figure 9A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cleaning tank 303 after the detergent wastewater has been used in the liquid level detection operation. Figure 9B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cleaning tank 303 when the probe 501 has been inserted in the liquid level detection operation.

[0055] In Figure 9A, when the detergent overflows, the detergent 801 gets trapped between the vibrating head 302 and the cover 304 for preventing the detergent from splashing. During the draining process, the detergent is drained, but due to surface tension, some of the detergent 801 remains between the vibrating head 302 and the cover 304 for preventing the detergent from splashing.

[0056] If detergent 801 remains between the vibrating head 302 and the cover 304 for preventing splashing of cleaning solution, and the probe 501 is inserted from the cylindrical hole 307 into the cylindrical hole 306 at the tip of the vibrating head 302, as shown in Figure 9B, the remaining detergent 802 will adhere to the tip of the probe 501, and the suction action will cause the probe 501 to suck up the remaining detergent 802, leading to a false detection of liquid presence.

[0057] In this case, it is determined that the detergent drainage operation is not functioning correctly, preventing the detergent supply operation from being performed and thus making it impossible to verify the integrity of the detergent supply operation.

[0058] Figure 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example in which the surface 901 of the cover 304 for preventing splashing of cleaning liquid has been made hydrophobic. As shown in Figure 10, the cover surface 901 (the lower surface of the cover 304 for preventing splashing of cleaning liquid) is subjected to a surface treatment that makes it more hydrophobic than the surface 305US facing the cover 304. As a result, when the cleaning liquid is drained, it splashes, and the contact angle of the cleaning liquid (detergent) on the cover 304 for preventing splashing of cleaning liquid becomes smaller. Therefore, the cleaning liquid splashes due to surface tension, and the force 902 that keeps the cleaning liquid on the cover 304 for preventing splashing of cleaning liquid decreases.

[0059] In other words, the surface 901 of the cover 304 with the opening 307 facing the ultrasonic radiation section 305, the surface 306S inside the hollow section 306 of the ultrasonic radiation section 305, and the surface of the ultrasonic radiation section 305 facing the cover 304 are formed to have different wettability properties. This makes it possible to suppress the residue of cleaning fluid between the cover 304 and the ultrasonic radiation section 305.

[0060] Therefore, the detergent (cleaning solution) flows through the cylindrical hole 306 on the vibrating head side 302 to the bottom of the cleaning tank 303, thereby suppressing detergent residue.

[0061] Here, even if the wettability of only one of the surfaces 306S of the hollow portion 306 of the ultrasonic emission section 305 and the surface of the ultrasonic emission section 305 facing the cover 304 is formed to be different from the wettability of the surface of the cover 304 facing the ultrasonic emission section 305, the residue of cleaning solution between the cover 304 and the ultrasonic emission section 305 can be suppressed.

[0062] In Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the ultrasonic cleaner for the automatic analyzer 100 is realized by processing the cover surface 901 (the lower surface of the cover 304 for preventing cleaning solution from splashing, which faces the upper surface 305US of the tip 305 of the vibrating head 302) so that its hydrophobicity is higher than that of the surface of the ultrasonic radiation unit 301 that faces the cover 304.

[0063] The lower surface 901 of the cover 304, which prevents splashing of cleaning fluid and faces the upper surface 305US of the tip 305 of the vibrating head 302, can be made hydrophobic by creating fine irregularities (on the order of micrometers) using laser processing and achieving hydrophobicity through the lotus effect.

[0064] Furthermore, the surface 901 may be made hydrophobic by coating it with a fluororesin or the like. In other words, the surface 901 of the cover 304 facing the ultrasonic radiation section 305 may be configured to have a more hydrophobic film than the surface of the ultrasonic radiation section 301 facing the cover 304.

[0065] According to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, an ultrasonic cleaner for an automated analyzer can be provided that suppresses the residue of detergent solution between the cover for preventing splashing of cleaning solution and the ultrasonic transducer without making significant changes to the mechanism.

[0066] (Example 2) Next, the ultrasonic cleaner of the automatic analyzer 100 according to Example 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 11.

[0067] Figure 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cleaning tank 303 of Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Unlike Embodiment 1, the cleaning tank 303 of Embodiment 2 shown in Figure 11 does not have the surface 901 of the cover 304 for preventing cleaning liquid from splashing made hydrophobic, but rather the surface 1001 (the surface facing the surface 901) of the tip 305 of the vibrating head 302 and the inner surface 1003 of the cylindrical hole 306 are made hydrophilic. By making the surface 1001 of the vibrating head 302 hydrophilic, the contact angle of the detergent on the vibrating head 302 side increases when the cleaning water is drained, and the force 1002 pulling towards the vibrating head 302 side due to surface tension increases. As a result, the detergent can easily separate from the cover 304 for preventing splashing, and detergent residue can be suppressed. This processing may be done by creating fine irregularities (on the order of nanometers) by laser processing to make it hydrophilic. Alternatively, the inner surface 1003 of the cylindrical hole and the surface 1001 may be coated with a hydrophilic material.

[0068] The example shown in Figure 11 is an example in which the surface 1001 and the inner surface 1003 of the cylindrical hole 306 are processed to make them hydrophilic. However, in Example 2, there is also an example in which only the inner surface 1003 of the cylindrical hole is processed to make it hydrophilic, and the surface 1001 is not processed to make it hydrophilic.

[0069] In Embodiment 2 of the present invention, as in Embodiment 1, an ultrasonic cleaner for an automated analyzer can be provided that suppresses the residue of detergent solution between the cover for preventing splashing of cleaning solution and the ultrasonic transducer without making significant changes to the mechanism.

[0070] (Example 3) Next, a method for suppressing cleaning solution residue in the ultrasonic cleaner of the automatic analyzer 100 according to Example 3 of the present invention will be described.

[0071] Figures 12A and 12B are cross-sectional views of the main part of the washing tank 303 of Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0072] Unlike in Example 1, the cleaning tank 303 of this embodiment 3, shown in Figure 12A, is heated by driving the ultrasonic transducer 301 (shown in Figure 3A) before draining the detergent, thereby reducing the residual detergent (residual cleaning solution) 801 remaining between the vibrating head 302 and the cover 304 for preventing cleaning solution from splashing.

[0073] It is known that the surface tension of a liquid decreases with increasing temperature. In the residual detergent 801 shown in Figure 12A, the surface tension of the residual detergent 801 is balanced by the force 1002 being pulled by the vibrating head 302 and the cover 304 for preventing splashing of the cleaning liquid. When the surface tension of the liquid decreases due to the temperature rise of the residual detergent 801, this balance is disrupted, and as shown in Figure 12B, the residual detergent 801 splits into the vibrating head tip 305 of the vibrating head 302 and the cover 304 for preventing splashing of the cleaning liquid, becoming the split detergent 11101. As a result, the detergent in the hollow space between the cylindrical hole 306 of the vibrating head tip 305 of the vibrating head 302 and the cylindrical hole 307 of the cover 304 for preventing splashing of the cleaning liquid is eliminated, preventing false detection of the liquid level.

[0074] A time chart of the above operations is shown in Figure 13, and an operation flowchart is shown in Figure 14. Based on the time chart and operation flowchart, the controller 29 controls the operation of each part of the automatic analyzer 100, in particular the operation of the ultrasonic transducer 301.

[0075] The operation time chart shown in Figure 13 differs from Part A701 of the operation time chart shown in Figure 7 in that Part A'1201 (detergent heating and detergent solution confirmation operation) adds the operation of heating the detergent by driving the ultrasonic transducer 301 after raising the probe 501 from the washing tank 303.

[0076] The operation flowchart shown in Figure 14 has a step Sa added between steps S3 and S4 of the operation flowchart shown in Figure 8. In step S3a, the ultrasonic transducer 301 is driven. The other steps shown in Figure 14 are the same as the steps shown in Figure 8.

[0077] In order to ensure sufficient heating time, the ultrasonic transducer 301 may be driven to heat the detergent from the time the probe 501 is moved onto the cylindrical hole 306 until just before the start of the cleaning solution drainage operation in Part A'1201, before the detergent solution drainage operation.

[0078] In Embodiment 3 of the present invention, as in Embodiment 1, an ultrasonic cleaner for an automatic analyzer is provided that suppresses the residue of detergent solution between the cover 304 for preventing splashing of cleaning solution and the ultrasonic transducer 301 without making significant changes to the mechanism.

[0079] Furthermore, in Embodiment 3 of the present invention, a method for suppressing residual detergent solution (cleaning solution) in an automated analyzer is provided, which suppresses the residue of detergent solution (cleaning solution) between the cover 304 for preventing splashing of cleaning solution and the ultrasonic transducer 301.

[0080] Furthermore, Example 3 can also be combined with Example 1 or Example 2 described above.

[0081] 29...Controller (control unit), 100...Automatic analyzer, 101...Reaction disk, 102...Reaction vessel, 103...Washing mechanism (ultrasonic cleaner), 104...Spectrophotometer, 105...Stirring mechanism, 106...Washing tank, 107...First reagent dispensing mechanism, 107a...Second reagent dispensing mechanism, 108...Washing tank (for reagent dispensing mechanism), 109...Reagent disk, 110...Reagent bottle, 111...First sample dispensing mechanism, 111a...Second sample dispensing mechanism, 111b, 111d...Sample dispensing probe, 111c...Sample dispensing Arm, 111e... Vertical movement mechanism, 112... Reagent bottle, 113... Washing tank, 115... Sample container, 116... Sample rack, 117... Sample transport mechanism, 119... Sample container inlet, 120, 120a... Reagent dispensing probe, 201... Pressure sensor, 202... Syringe, 301... Ultrasonic transducer (ultrasonic radiation part), 302... Vibration head, 303... Washing tank, 304... Cover to prevent splashing of washing solution, 305... Tip of vibration head (ultrasonic radiation part), 305US... Top surface of tip of vibration head (surface), 306...Cylindrical hole (hollow part) at the tip of the vibrating head, 306S...Surface of the hollow part, 307...Cylindrical hole (opening) of the cover to prevent detergent splashing, 308...Cleaning liquid storage section, 401...Piping at the bottom of the washing tank, 402...Detergent bottle, 403...Liquid supply section for supplying cleaning liquid, 404...Notch at the top of the washing tank, 405...Liquid receiver on the outer circumference of the washing tank, 406...Drain port at the bottom of the liquid receiver, 407...Solenoid valve for detergent supply, 408...Branch pipe, 409...Solenoid valve for detergent drainage, 410...Piping for detergent drainage, 501...Sample or reagent Dispensing probe for dispensing into a container, 701... Operation to confirm the presence of detergent solution, 702... Operation to drain detergent and confirm the absence of detergent solution, 703... Operation to supply detergent and confirm the presence of detergent solution, 801... Residual detergent, 802... Residual detergent adhering to the probe, 901... Surface of the cover for preventing detergent splashing, 902... Surface tension of the detergent on the side of the cover for preventing detergent splashing, 1001... Surface of the vibrating head, 1002... Pulling force, 1003... Inner surface of the cylindrical hole at the tip of the vibrating head, 1101... Detergent after splitting, 1201... Operation to heat detergent and confirm the presence of detergent solution

Claims

1. An ultrasonic cleaner for an automated analyzer, comprising: a dispensing probe for dispensing a sample or reagent into a container; a cleaning tank for cleaning the dispensing probe; and an ultrasonic emission unit for emitting ultrasonic waves into the cleaning tank, wherein the cleaning tank comprises: a cleaning liquid storage section for storing cleaning liquid; and a cover located above the ultrasonic emission unit, covering at least a portion of the ultrasonic emission unit, and having an opening through which the dispensing probe can pass; the ultrasonic emission unit is located within the cleaning liquid storage section, vertically below the opening in the cover, and has a hollow portion through which the dispensing probe can pass; and the wettability of the surface of the cover facing the ultrasonic emission unit and the surface of the hollow portion of the ultrasonic emission unit are different from each other.

2. An ultrasonic cleaner for an automatic analyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that the surface of the cover facing the ultrasonic radiation unit has higher hydrophobicity than the surface of the ultrasonic radiation unit facing the cover.

3. An ultrasonic cleaner for an automatic analyzer according to claim 2, characterized in that the surface facing the ultrasonic emission unit has a film that is more hydrophobic than the surface facing the cover of the ultrasonic emission unit.

4. An ultrasonic cleaner for an automatic analyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that the surface of the ultrasonic radiation section facing the cover has a film that is more hydrophilic than the surface of the cover.

5. An ultrasonic cleaner for an automatic analyzer according to claim 1, comprising a control unit for controlling the operation of the ultrasonic emission unit, wherein the cleaning liquid storage unit has an outlet for supplying and discharging the cleaning liquid, and the control unit operates the ultrasonic emission unit before discharging the cleaning liquid stored in the cleaning liquid storage unit from the outlet.

6. A method for suppressing residual cleaning solution in an automated analyzer, comprising: a dispensing probe for dispensing a sample or reagent into a container; a washing tank for washing the dispensing probe; a cleaning solution storage section for storing cleaning solution; an ultrasonic emission section for emitting ultrasonic waves into the washing tank; a cleaning solution outlet formed in the washing tank; a cover having an opening through which the dispensing probe can pass; and a control unit for controlling the operation of the dispensing probe, the washing tank, and the ultrasonic emission section, wherein the control unit operates the ultrasonic emission section before discharging the cleaning solution stored in the cleaning solution storage section from the outlet, thereby heating the cleaning solution remaining between the cover and the ultrasonic emission section.

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