Automated stainer

Abstract

One of the problems that the present disclosure addresses is to provide an automated stainer that can reduce the burden on a user pertaining to cold storage of reagents, even when using reagents that require cold storage.　To solve the above problem, the automated stainer for specimens according to the present disclosure comprises: a staining unit having a staining rotary unit cover in which a plurality of temperature control units are arranged in a circle, each temperature control unit having a device that cools or heats glass slides one by one, a heat sink that promotes heat dissipation of the device, and a heat-dissipation promoting fan that blows air to the heat sink; a cold storage unit that is provided outside the staining unit, incorporates a reagent disk on which a reagent is placed, and keeps the reagent cold; and a waste liquid tray that is provided in the staining unit and in which an annular recess that opens upward is formed so as to cover, from below, an outer peripheral wall extending downward in the vertical direction in the staining rotary unit cover. The upper end of the outer peripheral wall of the waste liquid tray is located at a position higher than the upper surface of the cold storage unit.

Description

Automatic Staining Apparatus

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic staining apparatus.

[0002] In the staining step of pathological examination, Patent Document 1 describes a microscope slide heating system capable of automatically supplying reagents and controlling the temperature of a specimen. The staining step is a step of staining a specimen by applying a reagent and heat treatment to the specimen prepared from a tissue piece. A disease is diagnosed by observing the specimen stained through the staining step with a microscope. Patent Document 1 describes that "up to 20 slides are placed in a circular row on a carousel, which rotates under the instruction of a computer to place each slide under one of a series of reagent distributors placed above the slides. Each slide receives a selected reagent (e.g., DNA probe) and is washed, mixed and / or heated in an optimal order over a required period of time."

[0003] Japanese National Publication of International Patent Application No. 2006-304806

[0004] In the microscope slide heating system described in Patent Document 1, the reagent tray and the reagent distributor are managed at ambient temperature and do not have a cold insulation function. Therefore, when using a reagent that requires low-temperature management, it is necessary to return the reagent to a separately prepared cold insulation device every time the reagent is used, which may increase the burden on a user such as an inspector.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic staining apparatus capable of reducing the user's burden associated with cold insulation of reagents even when a reagent requiring cold insulation is used.

[0006] To solve the above problems, for example, an automatic staining apparatus according to one embodiment is used. The automatic staining apparatus has a staining unit having a staining rotation unit cover in which a plurality of temperature control units are arranged in a circular shape, each having a device for cooling or heating a glass slide, a heat sink for promoting heat dissipation from the device, and a heat dissipation promoting fan for blowing air onto the heat sink; a cooling unit provided on the outside of the staining unit, which houses a reagent disc on which reagents are placed and keeps the reagents cool; and a waste liquid tray provided on the staining unit, which has an annular recess that opens upward so as to cover the outer peripheral wall of the staining rotation unit cover that extends vertically downward from below, wherein the upper end of the outer peripheral wall of the waste liquid tray is at a higher position than the upper surface of the cooling unit.

[0007] According to this embodiment, even when using reagents that require refrigeration, it is possible to provide an automated staining apparatus that can reduce the burden on the user regarding the refrigeration of reagents. Other issues, configurations, and effects will be clarified by the following description of the embodiments.

[0008] Figure 2 shows the overall configuration of an automatic staining apparatus according to the first embodiment. Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the automatic staining apparatus shown in Figure 1, cut across a plane including the rotating axis. Figure 2 shows a schematic view of the rotating partition as seen from below. Figure 3 shows a modified example of the rotating partition. Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the unit wall. Figure 2 shows a top view of the fan and pulley. Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the cooling unit. Figure 2 shows the overall configuration of the slide glass temperature control unit. Figure 2 shows the overall configuration of the cooling unit. Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the airflow inside the staining unit. Figure 2 shows the fluid analysis results of the airflow inside the staining unit when a rotating partition is not installed. Figure 4 shows a modified example when the rotating partition shown in Figure 4 is divided into multiple parts. Figure 13 shows a modified example when the rotating partition is installed between the slide glass temperature control units. Figure 6 shows a modified example of the fan and pulley. Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the cooling unit in the second embodiment when components are installed between the disc rotor and jacket. A cross-sectional view of the cooling unit when the unit wall and jacket are connected as shown in Figure 7 of the second embodiment. A cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 2 of the third embodiment. A schematic diagram corresponding to Figure 10 of the third embodiment. A schematic diagram corresponding to Figure 10 of the fourth embodiment. A schematic diagram corresponding to Figure 10 of the fifth embodiment. A schematic diagram corresponding to Figure 10 of a modified example of the fifth embodiment. A schematic diagram corresponding to Figure 10 of the sixth embodiment. A schematic diagram corresponding to Figure 10 of a modified example of the sixth embodiment. A schematic diagram corresponding to Figure 10 of the seventh embodiment. A schematic diagram corresponding to Figure 13 of the eighth embodiment. A schematic diagram corresponding to Figure 14 of a modified example of the eighth embodiment. A cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 2 of the ninth embodiment. A schematic diagram of the airflow inside the dyeing unit shown in Figure 2 of the tenth embodiment.

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Although this embodiment includes multiple examples, common components are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0010] (First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 18.

[0011] <Overall Configuration of Automatic Staining Apparatus> Figure 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an automatic staining apparatus according to the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the automatic staining apparatus 1 includes a glass slide 112, a glass slide temperature control unit 111, a staining rotation unit cover 102, a waste liquid tray 202, a reagent disc 302, an insulating jacket 402, a lid 404, and a reagent dispensing mechanism 500. Note that the glass slide temperature control unit 111 is an example of a temperature control unit in this application.

[0012] The automatic staining apparatus 1 also comprises a control unit 5, an operation unit 6, and a storage unit 7. The control unit 5 controls each element constituting the automatic staining apparatus 1 so that the staining process is performed automatically. The operation unit 6 receives operations from the user and sends the user's input information to the control unit 5. The storage unit 7 stores a predetermined program for executing the staining process, sample information, setting conditions, staining results, etc. The control unit 5 is, for example, a computer or control unit including a processor. The processor is, for example, a CPU or MPU. The processor functions as the control unit 5 by executing the program stored in the storage unit 7. The operation unit 6 is, for example, composed of a keyboard or mouse. The storage unit 7 is, for example, composed of an HDD, SSD, ROM, RAM, etc.

[0013] The slide glass 112 is a plate-shaped glass on which a specimen to be stained is placed. The slide glass temperature control unit 111 is a unit for controlling the temperature of the slide glass 112. The staining rotation unit cover 102 is a rotating body for moving the slide glass temperature control unit 111 to any position by rotation. The waste liquid tray 202 is a container for collecting used reagents. The reagent disc 302 is a rotating body on which reagent bottles (not shown) are placed or installed, and for storing reagent bottles. The insulation jacket 402 and its lid 404 are cover members for storing the reagent disc 302 in a space at a constant temperature. The reagent dispensing mechanism 500 is a mechanism for aspirating and dispensing reagents from reagent bottles.

[0014] Although not shown in Figure 1, the automatic staining apparatus 1 may be connected to the control unit 5 and may include a display unit that displays various information under control from the control unit 5. Also, in Figures 2 and onward, the control unit 5, operation unit 6, and storage unit 7 are omitted from the description.

[0015] The insulating jacket 402 and lid 404 are formed from an insulating material with low thermal conductivity, such as a foaming agent, to suppress heat inflow from the surroundings. The lid 404 has a dispensing port 404a for aspirating reagents and a reagent outlet 404b for placing and collecting reagents. The reagent dispensing mechanism 500 includes a moving mechanism and a lifting mechanism (not shown) for moving between the dispensing port 404a and the dispensing position 102b located on the staining rotation unit cover 102.

[0016] The staining process performed by the automated staining apparatus 1 mainly consists of a transport process, a reagent dispensing process, and a temperature control process.

[0017] In the transport process, a slide transport mechanism (not shown) places the slide glass 112, on which the sample before staining is placed, onto the slide glass temperature control unit 111. The slide transport mechanism also collects the slide glass 112 on which the sample has been stained.

[0018] In the reagent dispensing process, the reagent dispensing mechanism 500 aspirates the reagent from the reagent bottle stored in the reagent disc 302 through the dispensing port 404a. After aspirating the reagent, the reagent dispensing mechanism 500 moves to the dispensing position 102b and dispenses the aspirated reagent onto the glass slide 112. By rotating the staining rotation unit cover 102, any glass slide 112 can be moved to the dispensing position 102b.

[0019] In the temperature control process, the slide glass temperature control unit 111 adjusts the slide glass 112 to a predetermined temperature by heating or cooling it.

[0020] Furthermore, a cover may be provided around the automated staining apparatus to prevent the scattering of reagents and the intrusion of dust.

[0021] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the automatic staining apparatus 1 shown in Figure 1, cut across a plane including the rotation axis. Figure 3 is a schematic view of the rotating partition 110 shown in Figure 2, viewed from below. Figure 4 shows a modified example of the rotating partition 110 shown in Figure 3. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the unit wall 203 shown in Figure 2. Figure 6 is a top view of the fan 205 and shaft pulley 106 shown in Figure 2. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the cooling unit 300 shown in Figure 2. The rotating partition 110 is an example of a rectifying partition in this application. The fan 205 is an example of a cooling fan for the apparatus in this application. The opening in the base 204 to which the fan 205 is attached is an example of a lower opening in this application.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2, the automatic staining apparatus 1 includes a staining unit 100 for moving the glass slide 112, dispensing reagents, and controlling the temperature, and a cooling unit 300 for keeping reagents in reagent bottles (not shown) cool and stored. The staining unit 100 is installed radially inside the cooling unit 300. In this embodiment, a configuration example in which the staining unit 100 and the cooling unit 300 are installed coaxially will be described, but they do not necessarily have to be coaxial. That is, the staining unit 100 and the cooling unit 300 may each have separate axes of rotation, and it is sufficient that the staining unit 100 is installed radially inside the cooling unit 300. In this embodiment, a configuration example in which the general shape of the staining unit 100 and the cooling unit 300 when viewed from above is circular will be described, but the general shape may be other than circular, such as an ellipse or polygon.

[0023] The staining unit 100 mainly consists of a staining rotation unit cover 102, a rotary drive shaft 103, a shaft joint 104, a bearing 105, a shaft pulley 106, a belt 107, a motor 108, a fixed shaft 109, a rotating partition 110, a slide glass temperature control unit 111, a waste liquid tray 202, a unit wall 203, a base 204, and a fan 205.

[0024] An outer peripheral wall 102a is provided on the outer periphery of the staining rotation unit cover 102, extending vertically downward from the bottom surface. Multiple slide glass temperature control units 111, each having a Peltier element 114 (described later), a heat sink 116 (described later) to promote heat dissipation from the Peltier element 114, and a unit fan 117 (described later) to blow air onto the heat sink 116, are arranged in a circular pattern on the staining rotation unit cover 102. In other words, multiple slide glass temperature control units 111 are installed in a row on the circumference of the staining rotation unit cover 102.

[0025] On the inner circumference of the row in which the slide glass temperature control unit 111 is installed, a rotating partition 110 is provided, extending vertically downward from the lower surface of the staining rotation unit cover 102. That is, the rotating partition 110 is connected to the lower surface of the staining rotation unit cover 102 and is provided to rectify the airflow inside the staining unit 100. The rotating partition 110 is formed to extend vertically downward, and its lower end is lower than the lower end of the heat sink 116. This structure makes the function of rectifying the airflow inside the staining unit 100 more effective for the rotating partition 110.

[0026] In this embodiment, the rotating partition 110 is installed on the inside side of the slide glass temperature control unit 111, with its partition surface facing the slide glass temperature control unit 111. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, a configuration example in which the rotating partition 110 is cylindrical is used for explanation, but the shape of the rotating partition 110 may also be a hollow polygonal prism, as shown in Figure 4. With this structure and arrangement of the rotating partition, the air flowing inside the staining unit 100 can be straightened and discharged smoothly to the outside of the device.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, one or more bearings 105 are installed between the fixed shaft 109 and the shaft joint 104. A rotary drive shaft 103 is installed between the dyeing rotation unit cover 102 and the shaft joint 104.

[0028] The shaft pulley 106 is installed on the outer wall surface of the shaft joint 104. The motor 108 is installed on the upper surface of the base 204. A motor pulley 108a is attached to the rotating shaft of the motor 108. The shaft pulley 106 and the motor pulley 108a are connected by a belt 107.

[0029] As shown in Figure 5, the unit wall 203 has a shape that combines one or more cylinders and a disc with holes, and is installed on the outside of the shaft joint 104. Preferably, the unit wall 203 is made of a resin with low thermal conductivity and high heat insulation properties, such as PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) or PPE (modified polyphenylene ether). The waste liquid tub 202 is installed above the unit wall 203. The outer and inner circumferences of the waste liquid tub 202 are provided with an outer circumference wall 202a and an inner circumference wall 202b, respectively, which extend vertically upward.

[0030] In other words, the waste liquid tub 202 is provided on the dyeing unit 100 and has an annular recess that opens upward so as to cover the outer peripheral wall 102a of the dyeing rotating unit cover 102 that extends vertically downward from below. Note that the annular recess of the waste liquid tub 202 does not need to be entirely annular; part of it may be annular and other parts non-annular, or it may be entirely non-annular. As will be described later, the structure of the waste liquid tub 202 is such that the air inside the dyeing unit 100 flows in a roughly U-shape from the opening that opens upward on the annular recess.

[0031] An opening 202c is formed between the inner circumferential wall 202b of the waste liquid tray 202 and the staining rotation unit cover 102. The opening 202c functions as an air passage, and the air sucked in or discharged through the opening 202c flows in a roughly U-shape along the passage. Note that the opening 202c is an example of an upper opening in this application.

[0032] The upper end of the outer peripheral wall 202a of the waste liquid tray 202 is positioned higher than the top surface of the cooling unit 300. This structure results in a relatively large distance between the cooling unit 300 and the opening 202c, thereby suppressing the adverse effect of the heat from the air drawn in or discharged from the opening 202c on the cooling function of the cooling unit 300.

[0033] Furthermore, the upper end of the outer peripheral wall 202a of the waste liquid tray 202 is positioned higher than the lower end of the outer peripheral wall of the dyeing rotating unit cover 102. This structure ensures that the airflow sucked in or discharged through the opening 202c occurs above the opening 202c, further suppressing the adverse effect of the heat from the air sucked in or discharged from the opening 202c on the cooling function of the cooling unit 300.

[0034] The opening 202c may be provided with a mesh partition that prevents droplets from entering while allowing air to pass through. The waste liquid tub 202 may also be configured or installed with a bottom surface that is inclined relative to the horizontal, and a container for collecting reagents may be provided on the lower side of the inclined bottom surface. Alternatively, instead of a container for collecting reagents, the waste liquid tub 202 may be equipped with a device that automatically collects reagents, such as a hose or pump.

[0035] The base 204 has one or more openings, and one or more fans 205 can be attached to these openings. As shown in Figure 6, it is preferable that the fans 205 and the shaft pulley 106 are installed so that they do not overlap each other. The fans 205 should be installed with equal spacing between them. For example, if three fans 205 are installed, the angle between the fans 205 should be 120 degrees, and if four fans are installed, the angle between the fans 205 should be 90 degrees.

[0036] Furthermore, although not shown in the figures, as a variation of the installation method for the fan 205, a vent may be provided in the base 204, a duct may be connected to the lower part of the vent, and the fan 205 may be installed at the inlet of the duct. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 2, a duct may be provided below the installed fan 205. A cooling device for cooling the drawn-in air may be installed upstream of the fan 205 or in the duct.

[0037] Thus, the staining unit 100 has a lower opening (an opening on the base 204 to which a fan 205 is attached), an upper opening, a flow path connecting the lower and upper openings, and a fan 205 provided in the flow path. The rotating partition 110 is provided in the flow path, and the upper opening is the opening 202c between the staining rotating unit cover 102 and the waste liquid tray 202. With this structure, the heat generated inside the staining unit 100 can be cooled efficiently by circulating air drawn in from outside the device through the flow path, rectifying the flow to ensure smooth circulation, and then discharging it to the outside of the device.

[0038] Next, an example of the configuration of the cooling unit 300 will be described using Figure 2. The cooling unit 300 mainly consists of a reagent disc 302, a connector 303, a disc rotor 304, a bearing 305, a belt 306, a motor 307, an insulating jacket 402, a heat transfer container 403, a lid 404, a column 405, and a cooling unit 411. In particular, the reagent disc 302 is provided to be built into the cooling unit 300.

[0039] The reagent disc 302 has multiple bottle holes, which are grooves for holding reagent bottles (not shown), arranged around its circumference. The disc rotor 304 has a cylindrical shape or a shape formed by combining multiple cylinders. A connector 303 is installed between the disc rotor 304 and the reagent disc 302.

[0040] As shown in Figures 2 and 7, one or more bearings 305 are installed between the unit wall 203 and the disc rotor 304. The motor 307 is mounted on the upper surface of the base 204. A motor pulley 307a is attached to the rotating shaft of the motor 307. A groove (not shown) that functions as a pulley is formed on the outer surface of the disc rotor 304. The disc rotor 304 and the motor pulley 307a are connected via a belt 306.

[0041] The heat insulation jacket 402 and the heat transfer container 403 are formed so as to surround the reagent disk 302, and have an upwardly open shape. The heat transfer container 403 is provided inside the heat insulation jacket 402. The heat insulation jacket 402 is made of a material with high heat insulation properties such as a foaming agent. The heat transfer container 403 is made of a material with high heat transfer properties such as metal.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 7, it is preferable that an air layer 308a is provided between the disk rotor 304 and the unit wall 203, and an air layer 308b is provided between the disk rotor 304 and the heat insulation jacket 402. Furthermore, it is preferable that an air layer 308c is provided between the connector 303 and the lid 404. In addition, the air layers 308a to 308c preferably have a thickness of 6 millimeters or less, for example, and as large a thickness as possible. According to this configuration, heat insulation properties can be improved while suppressing air convection; however, not all of the air layers 308a to 308c need to have a thickness satisfying this condition.

[0043] The heat insulation jacket 402 is provided with a plurality of unillustrated holes on the lower surface or side surface for installing a cooling unit 411, and the cooling unit 411 is installed on the lower surface or side surface of the heat transfer container 403 through the unillustrated holes.

[0044] The lid 404 is provided on the upper side of the heat insulation jacket 402. The lid 404 is made of a material with high heat insulation properties such as a foaming agent. As shown in FIG. 1, the lid 404 includes a dispensing port 404a for aspirating a reagent by the reagent dispensing mechanism 500 and a reagent take-out port 404b for placing and replacing the reagent. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 7, a plurality of pillars 405 are provided between the lower surface of the heat insulation jacket 402 and the base 204, and support the cold insulation unit 300.

[0045] <Overall Configuration of Slide Glass Temperature Control Unit> FIG. 8 is an overall configuration diagram of the slide glass temperature control unit 111 shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 8, the slide glass temperature control unit 111 is mainly composed of a slide glass 112, a heater pad 113, a Peltier element 114, a heat transfer block 115, a heat sink 116, and a unit fan 117. The Peltier element 114 is an example of the device in the present application. Further, the unit fan 117 is an example of the heat dissipation promoting fan in the present application.

[0046] In the slide glass temperature control unit 111, one or more heat transfer blocks 115 are disposed on the upper surface of the heat sink 116. On the upper surface of the heat transfer block 115, the Peltier element 114, the heater pad 113, and the slide glass 112 are disposed so as to be stacked in order from the bottom. The Peltier element 114 is a device that cools or heats each slide glass 112 individually. In order to improve thermal conductivity, a substance with high thermal conductivity such as silicon may be disposed between the heat sink 116 and the heat transfer block 115. A unit fan 117 is disposed below the heat sink 116. That is, the unit fan 117 is disposed in an orientation that blows air from the lower side to the upper side of the heat sink 116.

[0047] <Overall Configuration of Cooling Unit> FIG. 9 is an overall configuration diagram of the cooling unit 411 shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 9, the cooling unit 411 is mainly composed of a Peltier element 412, a heat transfer block 413, a heat sink 414, and a unit fan 415.

[0048] At the lower portion of the heat transfer container 403, the Peltier element 412, the heat transfer block 413, and the heat sink 414 are disposed so as to be stacked in order from the top. In order to improve thermal conductivity, a substance with high thermal conductivity such as silicon may be disposed between the heat sink 414 and the heat transfer block 413. A unit fan 415 is disposed below the heat sink 414.

[0049] <Operation of the Automatic Staining Apparatus> Next, the operation of the automatic staining apparatus of this embodiment will be explained using Figures 1 to 9. In the reagent dispensing process, the automatic staining apparatus 1 according to this embodiment performs the following operations.

[0050] The control unit 5 shown in Figure 1 drives the motor 108, which rotates the slide glass temperature control unit 111 via the belt 107, shaft pulley 106, shaft joint 104, rotary drive shaft 103, and staining rotation unit cover 102. As a result, the slide glass 112 placed on the slide glass temperature control unit 111 moves to the dispensing position 102b shown in Figure 1.

[0051] The control unit 5 drives the motor 307, which rotates the reagent disk 302 via the belt 306, disk rotor 304, and connector 303. As a result, a reagent bottle (not shown) moves to a position corresponding to the dispensing port 404a provided on the lid 404.

[0052] The reagent dispensing mechanism 500, under control from the control unit 5, aspirates the reagent from the reagent bottle that has moved to the dispensing port 404a, moves to the dispensing position 102b, and dispenses the reagent onto the slide glass 112 that has moved to the dispensing position 102b.

[0053] Reagents that overflow from the slide glass 112 are collected in the waste liquid tray 202 and disposed of. If the waste liquid tray 202 is installed at an angle to the horizontal, used reagents are collected on the underside of the inclined bottom surface of the waste liquid tray 202. Also, if the waste liquid tray 202 is equipped with a device for automatically flowing or recovering reagents, used reagents are recovered automatically.

[0054] In the temperature control process, the automatic staining apparatus 1 according to this embodiment performs the following operations.

[0055] The control unit 5 operates the Peltier element 114, and the slide glass 112 is heated or cooled via the heater pad 113, thereby adjusting the temperature of the slide glass 112 to a predetermined temperature. When cooling the slide glass 112, the heat generated by the operation of the Peltier element 114 is conducted to the heat sink 116 via the heat transfer block 115. The control unit 5 drives the fan 205, drawing in outside air from the automatic staining apparatus 1 into the staining unit 100 and blowing it to the slide glass temperature control unit 111.

[0056] The unit fan 117 is driven under the control of the control unit 5, and blows air drawn in from the outside by the fan 205 onto the heat sink 116, thereby dissipating the heat generated by the Peltier element 114 from the heat sink 116. The heat exhausted from the heat sink 116 is discharged to the outside of the automatic staining apparatus 1 through the opening 202c.

[0057] The automated staining apparatus 1 according to this embodiment also performs refrigeration and storage of reagents. In refrigeration and storage of reagents, the automated staining apparatus 1 performs the following operations.

[0058] The control unit 5 operates the Peltier element 412 to cool the heat transfer container 403, thereby cooling the air 402a inside the cooling unit surrounded by the insulating jacket 402 and the lid 404. The insulating jacket 402 and the lid 404 suppress the inflow of heat from the outside into the cooling unit 300, and the air 402a inside the cooling unit is maintained at a constant temperature.

[0059] The heat generated by the operation of the Peltier element 412 is conducted to the heat sink 414 via the heat transfer block 413. The unit fan 415 blows air onto the heat sink 414, thereby dissipating the heat generated by the Peltier element 412 from the heat sink 414.

[0060] <Effects of the First Embodiment> According to this embodiment, since the fan 205 is installed at the bottom of the automatic staining apparatus 1, low-temperature air from outside the apparatus can be drawn into the apparatus. The air drawn into the apparatus is then blown to the heat sink 116, and the heat generated by the operation of the Peltier element 114 is efficiently dissipated and can be quickly discharged through the opening 202c.

[0061] Furthermore, since the opening 202c is installed above the cooling unit 300, it can suppress the inflow of heat into the air 402a inside the cooling unit without thermally affecting the cooling unit 300. In addition, the unit wall 203, which is made of a highly insulating material, can suppress the inflow of heat from the inside of the dyeing unit 100 into the cooling unit 300.

[0062] Therefore, it is possible to control the temperature of the sample on the slide glass 112 to a predetermined temperature while efficiently maintaining the air 402a inside the cooling unit at a predetermined temperature.

[0063] Furthermore, the outer peripheral wall 102a of the staining rotation unit cover 102 and the inner peripheral wall 202b of the waste liquid tray 202 prevent the reagent used in the reagent dispensing process from entering the interior of the staining unit 100, while the opening 202c allows the heat released by the heat sink 116 to be quickly discharged.

[0064] Furthermore, since the cooling unit 300 is installed on the outside of the staining unit 100, a large number of reagents requiring cooling can be kept cool, and the total floor area of ​​the device can be reduced compared to when the cooling unit 300 and the staining unit 100 are installed separately. In addition, the travel width of the reagent dispensing mechanism 500 can be shortened and kept constant, which improves the accuracy of movement and reduces the time from reagent aspiration to dispensing.

[0065] Furthermore, since the fans 205 are installed so that they are spaced evenly apart, the amount of air supplied to each slide glass temperature control unit 111 can be made uniform. Therefore, the cooling performance of each heat sink 116 can be made uniform, and variations in the temperature of the specimens controlled by each slide glass temperature control unit 111 can be suppressed.

[0066] Furthermore, by providing air layers 308a to 308c, heat inflow from the dyeing unit 100 to the cooling unit 300 can be suppressed, and as a result, both the rotation of the disc rotor 304 and the cooling of the air 402a inside the cooling unit can be achieved. By making the thickness of the air layers 308a to 308c 6 millimeters or less, air convection is suppressed, and heat inflow into the cooling unit 300 is suppressed.

[0067] The upper end of the outer peripheral wall 202a of the waste liquid tray 202 is positioned higher than the top surface of the cooling unit 300. This structure results in a relatively large distance between the cooling unit 300 and the opening 202c, thereby suppressing the adverse effect of the heat from the air drawn in or discharged from the opening 202c on the cooling function of the cooling unit 300.

[0068] Furthermore, the upper end of the outer peripheral wall 202a of the waste liquid tray 202 is positioned higher than the lower end of the outer peripheral wall of the dyeing rotating unit cover 102. This structure ensures that the airflow sucked in or discharged through the opening 202c occurs above the opening 202c, further suppressing the adverse effect of the heat from the air sucked in or discharged from the opening 202c on the cooling function of the cooling unit 300.

[0069] The lower end of the rotating partition 110 is lower than the lower end of the heat sink 116. This structure allows the rotating partition 110 to more effectively perform its function of rectifying the airflow inside the dyeing unit 100.

[0070] In this embodiment, the rotating partition 110 is installed on the inside side of the slide glass temperature control unit 111, with its partition surface facing the slide glass temperature control unit 111. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, a configuration example in which the rotating partition 110 is cylindrical is used for explanation, but the shape of the rotating partition 110 may also be a hollow polygonal prism, as shown in Figure 4. With this structure and arrangement of the rotating partition, the air flowing inside the staining unit 100 can be straightened and discharged smoothly to the outside of the device.

[0071] Next, the effect of the rotating partition 110 in the automatic staining apparatus 1 will be explained.

[0072] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the airflow inside the dyeing unit 100 shown in Figure 2. Figure 11 shows the results of the fluid analysis of the airflow inside the dyeing unit 100 when the rotating partition 110 is not installed. Figure 12 shows the results of the fluid analysis of the airflow inside the dyeing unit 100 when the rotating partition 110 is installed.

[0073] As shown in Figure 10, in the dyeing unit 100, the air drawn in from the fan 205 flows towards the heat sink 116 in the direction of arrow 11, is then blown by the unit fan 117 in the direction of arrow 12, and further flows in the direction of arrow 13 before being discharged to the outside of the device through the opening 202c.

[0074] In this case, if the rotating partition 110 is not installed, as shown in Figure 11, the air blown from the unit fan 117 will disperse in multiple directions upon impact with the heat sink 116. In particular, a circulating flow 15 will be generated between the slide glass temperature control unit 111 and the rotary drive shaft 103. On the other hand, if the rotating partition 110, whose lower end is lower than the lower end of the heat sink 116, is installed radially inside the slide glass temperature control unit 111, as in this embodiment, the circulating flow 15 in the air region 103a between the slide glass temperature control unit 111 and the rotary drive shaft 103 will be suppressed, as shown in Figure 12, and the internal air will be quickly discharged from the opening 202c.

[0075] Therefore, the air heated by the heat dissipation of the heat sink 116 is quickly discharged to the outside of the device without circulating inside the staining unit 100 shown in Figure 2, thus suppressing the temperature rise of the heat sink 116. Thermal fluid analysis results, with a cooling air temperature of 32°C and a heat generation amount of 30W at the Peltier heat dissipation surface 114a, showed that installing the rotating valve 110 could reduce the temperature rise of the heat sink 116 by 16%. Suppressing the temperature rise of the heat sink 116 makes it possible to efficiently control the temperature of the sample on the slide glass 112 shown in Figure 2. Furthermore, since the temperature rise inside the staining unit 100 can be suppressed, the amount of heat flowing into the cooling unit 300 shown in Figure 2 is suppressed, and as a result, the cooling performance of the air 402a inside the cooling unit shown in Figure 2 can be improved.

[0076] As described above, the automatic staining apparatus according to the first embodiment allows for automatic staining by controlling the temperature of the sample while maintaining the temperature of the reagent, thus eliminating the user's need to move the reagent to a refrigerated storage unit after use. In other words, the first embodiment provides an automatic staining apparatus that reduces the user's burden related to keeping reagents cool, even when using reagents that require refrigeration. For example, the automatic staining apparatus according to the first embodiment can keep the reagents cool while warming or heating the sample, dispensing the reagents, and automatically performing the staining process.

[0077] (Modification of the First Embodiment) Next, a modification of the first embodiment will be described using Figures 13 to 19.

[0078] Figure 13 shows a modified example in which the rotating partition 110 shown in Figure 4 is divided into multiple parts. In the embodiment shown above, the rotating partition 110 is shown to be cylindrical or hollow polygonal prism type, but as shown in Figure 12, plate-shaped rotating partitions 110 may be provided separately for each slide glass temperature control unit 111.

[0079] If the rotating partition 110 is cylindrical or hollow polygonal prism type, the staining rotation unit cover 102 must be removed from the rotation drive shaft 103 when installing the rotating partition 110, making the attachment and detachment of the rotating partition 110 time-consuming. On the other hand, with this configuration, the rotating partition 110 can be attached and detached simply by removing the slide glass temperature control unit 111 from the staining rotation unit cover 102, thus making the installation and inspection of the rotating partition 110 easier.

[0080] Figure 14 shows a modified example in which the rotating partition 110 shown in Figure 13 is installed between the slide glass temperature control units 111. In the embodiment shown above, the rotating partition was shown to be installed radially inward of the slide glass temperature control units 111, but as shown in Figure 14, the rotating partition 110 may also be provided between the slide glass temperature control units 111.

[0081] This configuration allows for the separation of the circumferential airflow from the slide glass temperature control unit 111, thereby guiding the airflow radially outward and quickly discharging the air heated by the heat sink 116 to the outside of the device. Multiple configurations of the rotating partition shown in the above embodiment may be provided.

[0082] Figure 15 shows a modified version of the fan 205 and shaft pulley 106 shown in Figure 6. In the embodiment shown above, an example was shown in which the shaft pulley 106 is solid, but as shown in Figure 15, the shaft pulley 106 may have a pulley hole 106a. With this configuration, by providing the pulley hole 106a, the airflow path of the air blown from the fan 205 can be increased, and the temperature control performance of the slide glass temperature control unit 111 can be improved by increasing the amount of air blown to the slide glass temperature control unit 111. In addition, the fan 205 and the shaft pulley 106 can be stacked, and the device can be miniaturized by bringing the position of the fan 205 closer to the fixed shaft 109.

[0083] In the embodiment shown above, the unit fan 415 does not have a duct, but a duct may be provided on the intake side or exhaust side of the unit fan 415. With this configuration, the circulation of airflow from the unit fan 415 can be suppressed by the duct, thereby improving the cooling performance of the heat sink 414 and improving the cooling performance of the cooling unit 300.

[0084] (Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 7, 16, and 17.

[0085] Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of the cooling unit when a component is installed between the disc rotor and the jacket as shown in Figure 7 of the second embodiment. Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of the cooling unit when the unit wall and the jacket are connected as shown in Figure 7 of the second embodiment.

[0086] In the first embodiment, an example was shown in which the air passage formed by the air layer 308b shown in Figure 7 was not blocked. In the second embodiment, the main difference compared to the first embodiment is that the air passage in the air layer 308b is blocked due to parts such as bearings or deformation of the heat insulating jacket 402.

[0087] As shown in Figure 16, a component 406a such as a bearing that does not obstruct the rotation of the disc rotor 304 is provided between the heat insulating jacket 402 and the disc rotor 304, and a partition 406b is provided between the base 204 and the heat insulating jacket 402. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 17, the heat insulating jacket 402 and the unit wall 203 are brought into contact, and the disc rotor 304 is housed inside the heat insulating jacket 402.

[0088] According to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the outflow or inflow of air 402a inside the cooling unit and improve the cooling efficiency of the air 402a inside the cooling unit.

[0089] (Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 18 and 19.

[0090] Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 2 of the third embodiment. Figure 19 is a schematic diagram corresponding to Figure 10 of the third embodiment.

[0091] In the first embodiment, the air drawn into the apparatus by the fan 205 is discharged from the opening 202c. In the third embodiment, the main difference compared to the first embodiment is that air is drawn in and discharged through exhaust holes installed in the staining rotation unit cover 102, the unit wall 203, or the base 204.

[0092] As shown in Figure 18, exhaust holes for drawing in or discharging air can be provided as exhaust holes 208a in the dyeing rotary unit cover 102, exhaust hole 208b in the upper part of the unit wall 203 above the cooling unit 300 shown in Figure 2, exhaust hole 208c in the lower part of the unit wall 203 above the cooling unit 300, or exhaust hole 208d in the base 204. In this case, as shown in Figure 19, a fixed partition 207 formed to extend from the waste liquid tray 202 or the unit wall 203 may be provided. The fixed partition 207 has the effect of preventing air from the unit fan 117 from circulating inside the dyeing unit 100 shown in Figure 2 as much as possible, and guiding the airflow to the exhaust holes 208. In addition, blowing devices such as fans or opening / closing mechanisms may be provided in the exhaust holes 208a to 208d. Note that the fixed partition 207 is an example of a circulation suppression partition in this application.

[0093] The air drawn into the device by the fan 205 flows toward the heat sink 116 in the direction of arrow 17 in Figure 19. The air that flows toward the heat sink 116 flows toward arrow 18 by the unit fan 117 and flows into the space between the heat sink 116 and the dyeing rotation unit cover 102. The air that flows into this space is discharged to the outside of the device from the opening 202c in the direction of arrow 19, and is also discharged to the outside of the device from the exhaust hole 208b located on the upper part of the cooling unit 300 shown in Figure 2 of the unit wall 203 in the direction of arrow 20.

[0094] According to this embodiment, the provision of the exhaust hole 208 increases the cross-sectional area of ​​the intake port and exhaust port, thereby improving the temperature control performance of the slide glass temperature control unit 111 by increasing the intake volume and exhaust volume.

[0095] (Fourth Embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 20.

[0096] Figure 20 is a schematic diagram corresponding to Figure 10 of the fourth embodiment.

[0097] In the first embodiment, the unit fan 117 is installed on the underside of the slide glass temperature control unit 111, with the airflow directed vertically upward. In the fourth embodiment, the main difference compared to the first embodiment is that the unit fan 117 is installed radially inside the staining rotation unit cover 102 of the slide glass temperature control unit 111, with the airflow directed radially outward.

[0098] The unit fan 117 is installed radially inside the staining rotation unit cover 102 in the slide glass temperature control unit 111. That is, the unit fan 117 is installed in a direction that blows air from the inside side of the heat sink 116 to the outside side of the device. In this case, the fixing partition 207 is formed and installed so that its tip extends horizontally from the waste liquid tray 202 or the unit wall 203 to the inside of the heat sink 116.

[0099] The air drawn into the device by the fan 205 shown in Figure 2 is blown to the heat sink 116 in the direction of arrow 21, then flows in the direction of arrow 22 by the unit fan 117, and is discharged to the outside of the device through the opening 202c in the direction of arrow 23.

[0100] In this embodiment, the fixed partition 207 is provided on the lower side of the slide glass temperature control unit 111, thereby suppressing the downward flow of air from the unit fan 117. Therefore, the air heated by the heat dissipation of the heat sink 116 is quickly discharged to the outside of the device without circulating through the air region 207a between the fixed partition 207 and the unit wall 203. Furthermore, since the temperature rise of the air region 207a is suppressed, the inflow of heat from the slide glass temperature control unit 111 to the cooling unit 300 shown in Figure 2 is suppressed, making it easier to maintain the temperature of the air 402a inside the cooling unit shown in Figure 2.

[0101] (Modification of the Fourth Embodiment) Next, a modification of the fourth embodiment will be described. In the fourth embodiment, the unit fan 117 is installed radially inside the slide glass temperature control unit 111, but depending on the space around the slide glass temperature control unit 111, the unit fan 117 may be installed outside the slide glass temperature control unit 111. In that case as well, the unit fan 117 is installed to blow air radially outward. According to this modification of the fourth embodiment, the slide glass temperature control unit 111 can be positioned radially inside than in the fourth embodiment, so the automatic staining apparatus 1 can be made smaller.

[0102] (Fifth Embodiment) Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 2, 21, and 22.

[0103] Figure 21 is a schematic diagram corresponding to Figure 10 of the fifth embodiment.

[0104] In the first embodiment, the airflow direction of the fan 205 and the unit fan 117 shown in Figure 2 was upward in the vertical direction. In the fifth embodiment, the main change compared to the first embodiment is that the airflow direction of the fan 205 and the unit fan 117 is set to downward in the vertical direction.

[0105] When the airflow direction of the unit fan 117 is downward in the vertical direction, one rotating partition 110 and one fixed partition 207 are installed. The rotating partition 110 is formed to extend vertically downward from the lower surface of the staining rotation unit cover 102 and is installed radially inside the slide glass temperature control unit 111. The fixed partition 207 is formed to extend from the upper surface of the unit wall 203 and is installed outside the slide glass temperature control unit 111.

[0106] The unit fan 117 draws air from the opening 202c and sends it to the heatsink 116 in the directions of arrows 31 and 32, and then further sends it in the direction of arrow 33. The air sent from the unit fan 117 flows to the bottom of the device in the direction of arrow 34 by the fan 205 shown in Figure 2, and is discharged to the outside of the device by the fan 205.

[0107] In this embodiment, the rotating partition 110 is installed radially inside the slide glass temperature control unit 111, and the fixed partition 207 is installed outside the slide glass temperature control unit 111. Therefore, the air that passes through the slide glass temperature control unit 111 flows in the directions of arrows 33 and 34, and the circulation flow shown in the direction of arrow 35 can be suppressed. Consequently, the temperature rise inside the staining unit 100 shown in Figure 2 can be suppressed, and the temperature of the sample on the slide glass 112 shown in Figure 2 can be controlled to a predetermined temperature while efficiently cooling the air 402a inside the cooling unit to a predetermined temperature.

[0108] Furthermore, since openings 202c are uniformly provided around the circumference of the slide glass temperature control unit 111, air can be uniformly drawn in from the openings 202c, thereby equalizing the temperature control performance of the multiple slide glass temperature control units 111 installed around the circumference. By equalizing the temperature control performance of the multiple slide glass temperature control units 111, for example, the cooling capacity can be made uniform, and variations in the temperature of the specimens controlled by each slide glass temperature control unit 111 can be suppressed.

[0109] (Modification of the Fifth Embodiment) Next, a modification of the fifth embodiment will be explained using Figure 22.

[0110] Figure 22 is a schematic diagram corresponding to Figure 10, which is a modified example of the fifth embodiment. In the fifth embodiment, the fixed partition 207 is formed and installed so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal surface of the unit wall 203 (vertical direction). However, as shown in Figure 22, the fixed partition 207 may be formed and installed so as to have a slope that rises from the inside to the outside with respect to the horizontal surface of the unit wall 203 or the waste liquid tray 202. In Figure 22, the fixed partition 207 is formed to have a triangular cross-sectional shape, but it may also be formed to have a cross-sectional shape that includes a rectangle or an arc. With such a configuration, the air from the unit fan 117 is quickly guided to the bottom of the device in the direction indicated by arrow 33, the amount of air exhausted from the inside of the device to the outside of the device is increased, and the temperature control performance of the slide glass temperature control unit 111 can be improved.

[0111] (Sixth Embodiment) Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 2, 23, and 24.

[0112] Figure 23 is a schematic diagram corresponding to Figure 10 of the sixth embodiment.

[0113] In the fourth embodiment, the airflow direction of fan 205 shown in Figure 2 is upward in the vertical direction, and the airflow direction of unit fan 117 is outward in the radial direction. In the sixth embodiment, the main difference compared to the fourth embodiment is that the airflow direction of fan 205 is set downward in the vertical direction, and the airflow direction of unit fan 117 is set inward in the radial direction.

[0114] The unit fan 117 is installed inside the slide glass temperature control unit 111, and the airflow direction of the unit fan 117 is set radially inward. One rotating partition 110 and one fixed partition 207 are provided. The rotating partition 110 is formed to extend horizontally outward from the rotary drive shaft 103 and is provided at the same height as the upper side of the unit fan 117. The fixed partition 207 is formed to extend radially inward from the waste liquid tray 202 and is provided below the slide glass temperature control unit 111. The fixed partition 207 may also be formed and provided to extend from the unit wall 203.

[0115] The unit fan 117 draws air from the opening 202c and sends it to the heatsink 116 in the directions of arrows 41 and 42. The air sent to the heatsink 116 flows downward in the direction of arrow 43 and is then directed to the bottom of the device in the direction of arrow 44 by the fan 205 shown in Figure 2, and is discharged to the outside of the device by the fan 205.

[0116] In this embodiment, since the fixed partition 207 is installed below the slide glass temperature control unit 111 and the rotating partition 110 is installed above the slide glass temperature control unit 111, the air passing through the slide glass temperature control unit 111 flows as shown by arrows 43 and 44, and the circulation flow shown by arrow 45 can be suppressed. Therefore, the temperature rise inside the staining unit 100 shown in Figure 2 can be suppressed, and the temperature of the sample on the slide glass 112 shown in Figure 2 can be controlled to a predetermined temperature while efficiently cooling the air 402a inside the cooling unit to a predetermined temperature. Furthermore, by suppressing the collision of air with the wall surface 203a of the unit wall located below the slide glass temperature control unit 111, the inflow of heat into the cooling unit 300 shown in Figure 2 is suppressed, and the temperature of the air 402a inside the cooling unit shown in Figure 2 can be easily maintained.

[0117] (Modification of the 6th embodiment) Next, a modification of the 6th embodiment will be explained using Figure 24.

[0118] Figure 24 is a schematic diagram corresponding to Figure 10, which is a modified example of the sixth embodiment. In the sixth embodiment, the rotating partition 110 is provided perpendicular to the vertical side surface of the rotary drive shaft 103. However, the rotating partition 110 may be formed and provided with a slope that slopes downward from the outside to the inside with respect to the horizontal surface of the staining rotary unit cover 102 or the vertical surface of the rotary drive shaft 103. Alternatively, the rotating partition 110 may be formed and provided so as to extend from the lower surface of the staining rotary unit cover 102. In Figure 24, the rotating partition 110 is formed to have a triangular cross-sectional shape, but it may be formed to have a cross-sectional shape that includes a rectangle or an arc. With such a configuration, the air from the unit fan 117 is quickly guided to the bottom of the device in the direction indicated by arrow 44, the amount of air exhausted from the inside of the device to the outside of the device is increased, and the temperature control performance of the slide glass temperature control unit 111 can be improved.

[0119] (Seventh Embodiment) Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 25.

[0120] Figure 25 is a schematic diagram corresponding to Figure 10 of the seventh embodiment.

[0121] In the first embodiment, the unit fan 117 is provided on the slide glass temperature control unit 111 and moves together with the slide glass temperature control unit 111. In the seventh embodiment, the main difference compared to the first embodiment is that the fixing partition 207 and the rotary drive shaft 103 are connected, and the unit fan 117 is fixed to the fixing partition 207.

[0122] The fixed partition 207 is formed to extend radially inward from the waste liquid tray 202. The internal air of the staining unit 100 shown in Figure 2 is divided by the fixed partition 207 into an upper air region 100a and a lower air region 100b. The unit fan 117 is fixed to either the fixed partition 207 or the waste liquid tray 202. The unit fan 117 is located below the slide glass temperature control unit 111 and is installed in a single row on the circumference of the staining rotation unit cover 102. A bearing 209 is installed between the fixed partition 207 and the rotary drive shaft 103. This isolates the internal air of the staining unit 100 vertically without hindering the rotation of the rotary drive shaft 103. The airflow direction of the fan 205 shown in Figure 2 is vertically upward.

[0123] The air drawn into the device from the fan 205 shown in Figure 2 is sent to the unit fan 117 in the direction of arrow 51. The air sent to the unit fan 117 flows to the heat sink 116 in the direction of arrow 52, ​​and is discharged to the outside of the device from the opening 202c in the direction of arrow 53.

[0124] According to this embodiment, the air in the upper air region 100a of the dyeing unit is prevented from flowing to the lower air region 100b of the dyeing unit in the direction of arrow 54. Therefore, it is possible to quickly discharge the air heated by the heat dissipation of the slide glass temperature control unit 111, and the temperature control performance of the slide glass temperature control unit 111 can be improved.

[0125] (Eighth Embodiment) Next, the eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 2, 10, 26, and 27.

[0126] Figure 26 is a schematic diagram corresponding to Figure 13 of the eighth embodiment.

[0127] In the first embodiment, the rotating partition 110 is provided as part of the staining rotation unit cover 102, and its main function is to suppress the air circulation flow 15 shown in Figure 10. In the eighth embodiment, the main difference compared to the first embodiment is that a circuit board necessary for the operation of the slide glass temperature control unit 111 is used instead of the rotating partition 110.

[0128] Instead of the rotating partition 110 shown in Figure 2, the control board 118 of the slide glass temperature control unit 111 is provided radially inside the slide glass temperature control unit 111. The control board 118 is a circuit board into which the electronic circuits necessary for the operation and control of the Peltier elements and other components that constitute the slide glass temperature control unit 111 are incorporated. In the automatic staining apparatus described in the first to fifth embodiments, the control board 118 is installed outside the staining unit 100. Note that the control board 118 is an example of a circuit board in this application.

[0129] The control board 118, like the rotating partition 110 shown in the first embodiment, suppresses the air circulation flow 15 shown in Figure 10. Therefore, the air supplied from the unit fan 117 is quickly discharged to the outside of the device, which suppresses the temperature rise of the heat sink 116, and as a result, the temperature control performance of the slide glass temperature control unit 111 can be improved. In this way, by arranging the control board 118 in the same position as the rotating partition 110, it is possible to provide it with the same function as the rotating partition 110.

[0130] According to this embodiment, in addition to the effects described in the first embodiment, the unit fan 117 enables cooling of the slide glass temperature control unit 111 and the control board 118, thus reducing the number of fans required to cool the control board 118. Furthermore, as in the first to seventh embodiments, it becomes possible to install other additional functions in the space outside the dyeing unit 100 where the control board 118 was installed.

[0131] (Modification of the 8th Embodiment) Next, a modification of the 8th embodiment will be described using Figure 27. Figure 27 is a schematic diagram corresponding to Figure 14 of the modification of the 8th embodiment. In the 8th embodiment, the control board 118 is installed radially inside the slide glass temperature control unit 111. However, the control board 118 may be installed between adjacent slide glass temperature control units 111. With this configuration, both sides of the control board 118 can be cooled by the air supplied from the unit fan 117, thereby improving the cooling performance of the control board 118.

[0132] (Ninth Embodiment) Next, the ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 28.

[0133] Figure 28 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 2 of the ninth embodiment. In the first embodiment, only the inside of the unit wall 203 is used as an air passage from the fan 205. On the other hand, the main difference in the ninth embodiment compared to the first embodiment is that the inside of the disc rotor 304 is also used as an air passage.

[0134] As shown in Figure 28, through-holes are formed on the inside of the unit wall 203 and the disc rotor 304, each passing through vertically, and these through-holes function as vents 210. With this configuration, the two flow paths, the flow path 203b inside the unit wall 203 and the vents 210, become airflow paths, making it possible to deliver air drawn in from outside the apparatus by the fan 205 to the slide glass temperature control unit 111 more smoothly and with less resistance. An intake device such as a fan may be provided in the vents 210. The other configurations of the automatic staining apparatus 1 are the same as those shown in Figure 2.

[0135] Air drawn in from outside the device by fan 205 and flowing toward the flow path 203b in the direction of arrow 61 passes through flow path 203b and flows in the direction of arrow 63, and is sent to unit fan 117. On the other hand, air drawn in from outside the device by fan 205 and flowing toward the vent 210 in the direction of arrow 62 passes through the vent 210 and flows in the direction of arrow 64, and is sent to unit fan 117. The air sent to unit fan 117 flows in the direction of arrow 66 and is discharged to the outside of the device through opening 202c.

[0136] According to this embodiment, by increasing the airflow path, the airflow rate supplied to the slide glass temperature control unit 111 can be increased, thereby improving the temperature control performance of the slide glass temperature control unit 111.

[0137] (Tenth Embodiment) Next, a tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 29.

[0138] Figure 29 is a schematic diagram of the airflow within the dyeing unit shown in Figure 2 of the 10th embodiment.

[0139] In the ninth embodiment, the airflow direction of the vent 210 is vertically upward, air is discharged from the opening 202c, and the airflow direction of the unit fan 117 is vertically upward. On the other hand, in the tenth embodiment, the airflow direction of the vent 210 is vertically downward, air is discharged from the exhaust hole 208d provided in the base 204 instead of the opening 202c, and the airflow direction of the unit fan 117 is vertically downward. These are the main differences compared to the ninth embodiment.

[0140] Fixed partitions 207b and 207c are provided between the two flow paths, the flow path 203b inside the unit wall 203 and the vent 210. Fixed partition 207b is formed and provided so as to extend vertically upward from the upper surface of the unit wall 203. Fixed partition 207c is formed and provided so as to extend vertically upward from the upper surface of the base 204. The opening 202c is closed when the airflow direction of the unit fan 117 is set to a vertical downward direction and the dyeing rotation unit cover 102 and the waste liquid tray 202 are connected. In addition, an exhaust hole 208d is provided in the base 204 so as to be located below the vent 210. A duct may be provided below the fan 205 or the exhaust hole 208d.

[0141] Air drawn in from outside the device by fan 205 in the direction of arrow 71 passes through the flow path 203b inside the unit wall 203 and is sent to the heat sink 116 in the direction of arrow 72. The air sent to the heat sink 116 is then blown by unit fan 117 in the direction of arrow 73, passes through the vent 210, and is discharged to the outside of the device from the exhaust hole 208d provided in the base 204 in the direction of arrow 74.

[0142] With this configuration, exhaust from inside the device is performed from the bottom of the device, preventing air from being discharged to the top of the device, and thus suppressing the effect of air discharged from the opening 202c on the slide glass 112 and reagent dispensing mechanism 500 shown in Figure 1. In addition, by blocking the opening 202c, it is possible to prevent staining reagents from contaminating the staining unit 100 shown in Figure 2.

[0143] Although various embodiments have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but includes various modifications. For example, the embodiments described above are detailed explanations of the entire apparatus in order to explain the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the described configurations. Furthermore, it is possible to replace parts of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add configurations from other embodiments to the configuration of one embodiment. In addition, it is possible to add, delete, or replace parts of the configuration of each embodiment with other configurations.

[0144] 1...Automatic staining device, 5...Control unit, 6...Operation unit, 7...Storage unit, 100...Staining unit, 102...Staining rotation unit cover, 103...Rotation drive shaft, 110...Rotation partition, 111...Slide glass temperature control unit, 112...Slide glass, 114...Peltier element, 116...Heat sink, 117...Unit fan, 118...Control board, 202...Waste liquid tray, 202c...Opening, 203...Unit wall, 205...Fan, 207...Fixed partition. 300...Cooling unit, 302...Reagent disc, 402...Insulation jacket, 403...Heat transfer container, 404...Lid, 411...Cooling unit, 500...Reagent dispensing mechanism

Claims

1. An automatic staining apparatus comprising: a staining unit having a staining rotation unit cover in which a plurality of temperature control units are arranged in a circular pattern, each having a device for cooling or heating a glass slide individually, a heat sink for promoting heat dissipation from the device, and a heat dissipation promoting fan for blowing air onto the heat sink; a cooling unit provided on the outside of the staining unit, containing a reagent disc on which reagents are placed, and for keeping the reagents cool; and a waste liquid bath provided on the staining unit, having an annular recess that opens upward so as to cover the outer peripheral wall of the staining rotation unit cover that extends vertically downward from below, wherein the upper end of the outer peripheral wall of the waste liquid bath is located higher than the upper surface of the cooling unit.

2. An automatic staining apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the upper end of the outer peripheral wall of the waste liquid bath is located higher than the lower end of the outer peripheral wall of the staining rotating unit cover.

3. An automatic staining apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the staining unit has a flow straightening deflector connected to the lower surface of the staining rotation unit cover and straightening the air flowing inside the staining unit, the flow straightening deflector is formed to extend vertically downward, and the lower end of the flow straightening deflector is located lower than the lower end of the heat sink.

4. An automatic staining apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the flow straightening partition is installed on the inward side of the temperature control unit, with the partition surface facing the temperature control unit.

5. An automatic staining apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the rectifier partition is installed between adjacent temperature control units, with the partition surface facing the temperature control unit.

6. An automatic staining apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the rectifier is a circuit board into which a circuit for driving the temperature control unit is incorporated.

7. An automatic staining apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the rectifier is a circuit board into which a circuit for driving the temperature control unit is incorporated.

8. An automatic staining apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the staining unit has a lower opening, an upper opening, a flow path connecting the lower opening and the upper opening, and a device cooling fan provided in the flow path, the flow straightening cutter is provided in the flow path, and the upper opening is an opening between the staining rotating unit cover and the waste liquid tray.

9. An automatic staining apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the apparatus cooling fan is provided in the lower opening and draws air from outside the apparatus into the apparatus.

10. An automatic dyeing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the cooling unit comprises a cooling unit for cooling the inside of the cooling unit, and a jacket and lid for enclosing the air inside the cooling unit, and the upper opening is provided above the cooling unit.

11. An automatic staining apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the staining rotation unit cover is provided above the cooling unit.

12. An automatic staining apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the heat dissipation promoting fan is installed in a direction that blows air from the lower side to the upper side of the heat sink.

13. An automatic staining apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the heat dissipation promoting fan is installed in a direction that blows air from the inside side of the heat sink to the outside side of the apparatus.

14. An automatic staining apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a circulation suppression valve for preventing air from the heat dissipation promoting fan from circulating inside the staining unit.

15. An automatic staining apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the apparatus cooling fan is provided in the lower opening and discharges air from inside the apparatus to the outside of the apparatus.

16. An automatic staining apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reagent disc is configured to rotate within the space of the cooling unit.

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