JP2004101290A - Automatic analytical instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a small automatic analytical instrument easy in reagent control, simplifying operation, and easily making an automatic analysis even when an analytical frequency is few in a feces occult blood analysis. <P>SOLUTION: This automatic analytical instrument 1 analyzes a specimen component by measuring a coloration change by mixing a reagent and a specimen liquid in a disposable cuvette 11, and has a specimen vessel 12 for housing the specimen liquid, a sample tray 3 mounted with the cuvette 11 for housing the reagent R and a disposable nozzle tip 13, a pipette 4 having a suction nozzle 41 for dispensing and mixing the specimen liquid into the cuvette 11 by sucking the specimen liquid from the specimen vessel 12 in the nozzle tip 13 installed on the tip and a light measuring part 5 for transmitting and measuring the coloration change in the reagent and the specimen liquid in the cuvette 11, and makes an automatic analysis by mounting the cuvette 11 for preinserting the reagent R inside on the sample tray 3 by the required number according to the number of specimens, and is also desirably provided with an opening mechanism 7 for opening a seal of the cuvette 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a small automatic analyzer that can perform fecal occult blood analysis and the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a large-sized analyzer that automatically performs fecal occult blood analysis from a sample collected by a mass examination or the like is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
This large analyzer sets a large number of cuvettes (mixing containers) to be disposable or washed and reused, and transports the cuvettes in a straight line while transferring sample liquid from a sample collection container to an empty cuvette and liquid from a reagent bottle. Reagents are respectively dispensed, and photometry of the degree of coloration is performed.
[0004]
The sample collection container is used for dissolving and storing a stool sample collected in a stick-shaped collection rod by immersing it in the storage solution in the container. The sample liquid is injected into the cuvette by cutting the part.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-8-35969
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The conventional automatic analyzer as described above is large and suitable for analyzing a large number of samples, and when the number of samples is small and the frequency of analysis is low, it is expensive and unsuitable, and operation and management are difficult. Have the problem of being complex.
[0007]
For example, the above-mentioned reagents change their analysis characteristics under the influence of their storage conditions, and need to be stored in a refrigerator or the like. If the amount of the reagent bottle is small and the use period of one reagent bottle is prolonged, the characteristics are deteriorated, the management of the reagent becomes complicated, and it is difficult to design a small analytical instrument for a small number of samples.
[0008]
In addition, when the reagent characteristics deteriorate, calibration for correcting the analysis characteristics for maintaining the analysis accuracy is required, and the operation and management are complicated, which is an obstacle to simplifying the operation.
[0009]
In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a small-sized automatic analyzer capable of performing automatic analysis with a simple operation even when the number of analyzes is small.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The automatic analyzer of the present invention is an automatic analyzer that mixes a reagent and a sample liquid in a disposable cuvette, and analyzes a sample component by measuring a color change thereof,
A sample container containing the sample liquid, a sample tray on which the cuvette containing the reagent and the disposable nozzle tip are mounted, and the nozzle tip is attached to the tip, and the sample liquid is aspirated from the sample container into the nozzle chip. A dispenser having a suction nozzle for dispensing and mixing the cuvette, and a photometric unit that transmits and measures the color change of the reagent and the sample liquid in the cuvette,
The sample tray is provided with cuvettes in which reagents are inserted in advance therein according to the number of samples.
[0011]
It is preferable that the cuvette has a top opening sealed and further includes an opening mechanism for opening the seal of the cuvette. In this case, it is preferable that the opening mechanism has an opening pin provided with a tapered multi-faced tip. Further, it is preferable that the opening pin of the opening mechanism is opened by an operation of pushing down the suction nozzle of the dispenser.
[0012]
It is preferable to further include a cuvette presser for restricting the upward movement of the cuvette during the opening operation by the opening mechanism. It is preferable that the unsealing pin and the cuvette holder of the unsealing mechanism are installed on a light-shielding cover that covers the photometric unit.
[0013]
The cuvette may contain a reagent in a dry state, and may be equipped with a solution bottle containing a solution for dissolving the reagent.The solution from the solution bottle is transferred to the cuvette by the dispenser. Dispensing is preferred.
[0014]
The sample tray provided with a rotary table on which a plurality of sample containers can be mounted is suitable for miniaturization.
[0015]
The reagent to be inserted into the cuvette is preferably in a dry state such as freeze-dried, powdered, granular, or tablet, but a liquid reagent can also be inserted.
[0016]
Various sealing methods are applied to the cuvette according to the hygroscopicity of the reagent, such as one in which a metal foil is fixed and hermetically sealed, one in which a lid member is hermetically sealed, and the like.
[0017]
It is preferable that the cuvette is set on the sample tray in a sealed state and opened by an opening mechanism immediately before the measurement, but it is also possible to open the cuvette immediately before mounting.
[0018]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention as described above, a sample container, a sample tray on which a cuvette and a nozzle chip are mounted, a dispenser having a suction nozzle, and a photometric unit that transmits and measures a change in color in the cuvette is provided. The tray is equipped with cuvettes in which reagents have been inserted in advance according to the number of samples, so that the management of reagents is simple and operation can be simplified, measurement can be performed efficiently, and it is suitable for analysis with a small number of samples. The size can be reduced.
[0019]
In other words, cuvettes containing reagents can be taken out from the storage by the amount corresponding to the number of samples, set on the sample tray, and the deterioration of reagents can be suppressed. Operation can be simplified.
[0020]
In addition, if an opening mechanism for opening the seal of the cuvette is provided, the seal can be opened immediately before the analysis, for example, deterioration of the highly hygroscopic reagent can be prevented, and the time from opening to the time of photometry becomes constant, and the analysis can be performed. Can be performed well, and the operation can be simplified.
[0021]
When the seal is pierced and opened with a multi-faced taper opening pin, the opening force of the seal can be reduced, the opening can be reliably performed with a small force, and it is suitable for miniaturization. When the opening operation of the opening pin is performed by the operation of pushing down the suction nozzle of the dispenser, the mechanism can be simplified.
[0022]
When the cuvette is provided with the cuvette holder, the cuvette does not come off from the mounting portion at the time of opening and does not shift in position, so that the operation reliability can be improved.
[0023]
In a method in which a dry reagent is inserted into a cuvette and a solution is dispensed and dissolved, the properties and characteristics of the reagent are stabilized, which is advantageous for maintaining analysis accuracy.
[0024]
Further, a sample tray provided with a rotary table on which a plurality of sample containers can be mounted is advantageous for miniaturization.
[0025]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic mechanism of an example of an automatic analyzer, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sample tray, FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a sample tray in an analysis state, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cuvette, a sample container and a nozzle chip. FIG. 5 and FIG. 5 are sectional views showing the opening operation of the cuvette by the opening mechanism.
[0026]
The automatic analyzer 1 includes a disposable cuvette 11 as a mixing container in which a dry reagent R is sealed as shown in FIG. 4A, a sample container 12 containing a sample liquid as shown in FIG. The disposable nozzle tip 13 attached to the tip of a suction nozzle 41 described later for sucking and discharging the liquid as shown in FIG.
[0027]
The cuvette 11 is formed of a translucent resin into a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape, the lower wall surface is particularly configured as a measuring portion 11a through which the measuring light is transmitted, and the upper outer periphery projects outward and is locked in the mounting hole. In the case of fecal occult blood analysis, a lyophilized reagent R made of a colloidal gold reagent is accommodated therein, and a seal 11c made of a metal foil is welded to the upper end opening to enclose the reagent R. The reagent R is dissolved by injecting a solution during analysis. Further, the sample container 12 has a flange portion 12a which protrudes outward on the upper outer periphery and is locked in the mounting hole, and into which a sample liquid obtained by dissolving and storing a stool sample collected from a sample collection container (not shown) is injected. You. Further, the nozzle tip 13 is formed in a pipette shape, and the tip of a suction nozzle 41 is fitted and mounted on the upper end opening. The liquid is suction-contained inside by introduction of suction pressure, and is discharged to the cuvette 11 by introduction of discharge pressure. I do.
[0028]
The automatic analyzer 1 includes a circular sample tray 3 in which a plurality of (for example, 10) sets of the cuvette 11, the sample container 12, and the nozzle chip 13 can be mounted on the front flat portion of the apparatus main body 2, and a vertically moving and rotating movement. A dispenser 4 having a suction nozzle 41 for performing the measurement, a photometric unit 5 (see FIG. 3) which is installed inside the sample tray 3 and which transmits and measures the change in color of the reagent R and the sample liquid in the cuvette 11 (see FIG. 3). A light-shielding cover 6 for covering the sample tray 3 above the photometric unit 5; an opening mechanism 7 (see FIG. 5) installed on the light-shielding cover 6 for perforating and opening the seal 11c of the cuvette 11; It comprises a disposed chip disposal section 8, a bottle mounting section 9 on which a solution bottle 14 containing a solution of the reagent R is mounted, and the like.
[0029]
The apparatus main body 2 includes an operation unit 21 installed at an upper part, a front cover 22 that covers an analysis mechanism such as a sample tray 3 and a dispenser 4, and a chip disposal box 23 installed at a lower part so as to be able to be pulled out. .
[0030]
The basic operation of the fecal occult blood analysis is as follows. First, the seal 11c of the cuvette 11 is opened, and then the dissolving solution is dispensed from the dissolving solution bottle 14 by the dispenser 4 to dissolve the reagent R. A predetermined amount of the sample liquid from 12 is dispensed into the cuvette 11 and stirred. Next, each time the light passes through the measurement position, the color change is measured by the light measuring unit 5, and fecal occult blood is obtained from the initial value and the color degree after a predetermined time.
[0031]
Next, the structure of each part will be specifically described. First, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sample tray 3 includes a disk-shaped rotary table 31 that is driven to rotate in the normal rotation direction and the reverse rotation direction, a temperature control block 32 that does not rotate, and a heat shield cover below. 33 is provided.
[0032]
The rotary table 31 has a plurality of circular mounting holes 34 concentrically holding the sample container 12 on the outer peripheral side, a plurality of rectangular mounting holes 35 concentrically holding the cuvette 11 on the inner peripheral side, and a circular mounting hole 34. And ten sets of cylindrical mounting portions 36 for holding the nozzle tips 13 on the outer peripheral side adjacent to the peripheral portion are provided with the circumference equally divided. A support shaft 37 is provided at the center of the lower surface of the turntable 31 and penetrates the center of the temperature control block 32 and is pivotably supported. A gear 38 is fixed to the lower end of the support shaft 37, and is rotated by a drive motor with a timing belt (not shown).
[0033]
The temperature control block 32 is made of a metal such as aluminum and has a large and large heat capacity. A heater 39 is provided at the bottom to adjust the temperature to a predetermined temperature, and the lower portion of the cuvette 11 mounted on the rotary table 31 moves to the upper surface. The cuvette 11 is heated to a predetermined temperature by heating the air in the concave portion 32a. The bottom surface and the outer periphery of the temperature control block 32 are covered with a heat shielding cover 33 made of resin to obtain a heat retaining effect of the temperature control block 32 and to accommodate the sample container 12 and the nozzle chip 13 in an annular space 33 a formed in the outer peripheral portion. The lower part passes along with the rotation of the turntable 31.
[0034]
Further, a photometric section 5 is provided inside the temperature control block 32. The photometric unit 5 is provided between the inner and outer peripheries of the concave portion 32a so as to sandwich the measuring portion 11a of the cuvette 11 moving in the concave portion 32a. And a light-receiving element 52 installed in the device. Photometry of a predetermined wavelength (color) by the light emitting element 51 is applied to the light receiving element 52, and a signal corresponding to the amount of received light is output. In fecal occult blood analysis, photometry is performed at two wavelengths, a main wavelength and a sub-wavelength, and two sets of the light emitting element 51 and the light receiving element 52 are provided. The two sets of LEDs of the light emitting elements 51 have different emission wavelengths, and are installed in accordance with the pitch of the mounting intervals of the cuvettes 11 (opening intervals of the rectangular mounting holes 35) of the rotary table 31, so that two different sets of cuvettes 11 are simultaneously set. Photometry can be performed between the light emitting element 51 and the light receiving element 52, and the degree of coloration is sequentially measured each time.
[0035]
The light-shielding cover 6 that covers the photometric unit 5 and blocks the influence of external light is installed so as to be able to undulate above the sample tray 3 in a range where the photometric unit 5 is installed. The outer peripheral portion is rotatably supported by a horizontal shaft, and a portion covering the center of the sample tray 3 is lifted.
[0036]
The opening mechanism 7 provided on the light-shielding cover 6 includes an opening pin 71 that is vertically movably disposed at the intersection of the rotation path of the cuvette 11 and the rotation path of the suction nozzle 41. Is installed in a pin installation portion 61 arranged in a protruding manner on the light shielding cover 6 as shown in FIG. The opening pin 71 pierces and opens the seal 11c of the cuvette 11 by the operation described below as shown in FIGS. 5 (a) to 5 (c). The shaft of the opening pin 71 has a round bar shape, but the tip portion 71a is formed in a multifaceted taper shape, for example, a four-sided pyramid, and the tip is pressed against the sheet-like seal 11c to form a hole in the seal 11c. When opening, the seal 11c is provided with a cut to reduce the force required for opening. Further, the opening pin 71 is urged upward by a spring 72, and the opening operation is performed by the operation of pushing down the suction nozzle 41 of the dispenser 4.
[0037]
Further, the lower surface of the light shielding cover 6 is provided with a cuvette presser 62 (a scraping member) at the time of unsealing for preventing the unsealing pin 71 from engaging with the unsealing hole of the seal 11 c and lifting the cuvette 11. A cuvette holder 63 (see FIG. 2) for stirring is provided on the side of the light shielding cover 6. The cuvette retainer 62 at the time of unsealing is constituted by the tip of a cylindrical portion through which the unsealing pin 71 is inserted below the pin setting portion 61, and the lower end thereof can contact the upper surface edge of the cuvette 11. Also serves as a guide for the opening pin 71. The cuvette presser 63 during stirring is for preventing the tip of the nozzle tip 13 from being inserted deep into the cuvette 11 from the opening hole and engaging with the opening hole of the seal 11c to prevent the cuvette 11 from being lifted. 6, a plate-like projection is formed above the edge of the cuvette 11 at the dispensing position. The cuvette presser 63 restricts the upward movement of the cuvette 11 even when the nozzle tip 13 inserted into the cuvette 11 is pulled out for stirring, so that the stored liquid does not spill.
[0038]
The unsealing operation will be described with reference to FIGS. In the state before opening (a), the opening pin 71 is raised by the urging force of the spring 72, and the cuvette 11 whose seal 11 c is not opened is moved to a position below the opening pin 71 by the rotation of the rotary table 31. Next, as shown in (b), the suction nozzle 41 is moved downward, and the tip of the suction nozzle 41 contacts the upper end of the opening pin 71 and is pushed downward, so that the sharp tip 71a is pressed against the seal 11c. Open the opening hole and open. Next, as shown in (c), when the suction nozzle 41 is raised to release the pushing-down force, the opening pin 71 is moved upward by the spring 72, and at this time, the opening hole engages with the opening pin 71. The cuvette 11 is lifted together, but the lower end of the cuvette retainer 62 at the time of opening is locked on the upper edge of the cuvette 11, and the cuvette 11 is scraped off from the opening pin 71, and the cuvette 11 further moves upward. regulate.
[0039]
The dispenser 4 (FIG. 1) is provided with a rod-shaped suction nozzle 41 extending downward at the lower end of the turning arm 42, and performs dispensing of the sample liquid and the dissolving liquid and stirring and mixing of both liquids. The swing arm 42 is supported so as to be able to move up and down along a guide rod (not shown), and a rotary plate holding the guide rod is driven to rotate by a timing belt wound by a drive motor. As a result, the turning arm 42 is driven to rotate, and a feed screw (not shown) provided at the center of rotation is screwed into the turning arm 42, and the rotation of the feed screw causes the turning arm 42 to move up and down. I have.
[0040]
The above-described pipette-shaped nozzle tip 13 is attached to the tip of the suction nozzle 41 by the downward movement of the swivel arm 42, and the sample liquid and the lysing solution are sucked and discharged into the nozzle tip 13. After use, with the upper end of the nozzle tip 13 engaged with the engagement groove of the tip discarding portion 8, the swivel arm 42 is moved upward to disengage and fall into the lower discard box 23. And discard it. The chip disposal section 8 is arranged on the turning locus of the suction nozzle 41.
[0041]
The suction nozzle 41 has an air passage (not shown) opened at the tip, and an air pipe from a syringe pump (not shown) installed in the apparatus main body 2 is connected to the air passage. The syringe pump is an air pump having a syringe-like piston, and a negative pressure or a positive pressure (suction / discharge pressure) generated by driving the syringe is introduced into the suction nozzle 41.
[0042]
The automatic analyzer 1 has a built-in control unit (not shown) linked to the operation unit 21 in the apparatus main body 2. The control unit controls the operation of the sample tray 3 and the dispenser 4 and calculates an analysis result based on the photometry of the photometry unit 5.
[0043]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. First, before performing the analysis, the sample container 12 containing each sample solution is mounted on the sample tray 3, the cuvette 11 and the nozzle tip 13 are mounted at a position corresponding to the sample container 12, and the lysis solution bottle 14 is further mounted. Set and prepare for measurement.
[0044]
Thereafter, the start button of the operation unit 21 is operated to start the analysis processing. At the initial time, the rotating table 31 of the sample tray 3 is rotated once, the cuvette 11 is detected by the photometric unit 5, and the sample analysis of the mounted position is started in order.
[0045]
Next, the rotating table 31 is rotated to stop the cuvette 11 corresponding to the sample container 12 to be analyzed at the opening position, and the opening pin 71 is pushed down by the suction nozzle 41 to open the seal 11c. Next, the rotary table 31 is rotated to move the nozzle chip 13 below the turning position of the suction nozzle 41, and the nozzle chip 13 is mounted on the suction nozzle 41. Subsequently, the cuvette 11 is positioned below the swirling position of the suction nozzle 41, and the suction nozzle 41 is swirled to the position of the solution bottle 14 to suck a predetermined amount of the solution into the nozzle tip 13. After moving upward, the dissolving solution is injected into the cuvette 11 from the opening hole to dissolve the reagent R.
[0046]
Next, the rotating table 31 is rotated to move the sample container 12 below the turning position of the suction nozzle 41 to suck a predetermined amount of the sample liquid into the nozzle chip 13, and then move onto the cuvette 11 to move the sample liquid into the cuvette 11. The sample liquid is dispensed into the cuvette 11, the nozzle chip 13 is further inserted into the cuvette 11, and the liquid in the cuvette 11 is repeatedly sucked and discharged into the nozzle chip 13 to stir and mix the reagent liquid and the sample liquid. . The used nozzle tip 13 is detached from the suction nozzle 41 by the tip discarding unit 8 and dropped downward to be discarded.
[0047]
The cuvette 11 in which the reagent solution and the sample solution are mixed is adjusted to a predetermined temperature by the temperature adjustment block 32, and is sequentially moved to the photometric unit 5 by rotating the rotary table 31, so that the photometric transmission optical density is measured each time. Done. While continuing the above measurement, a series of analysis operations following the opening of the next cuvette 11 are performed simultaneously. The analysis result based on the photometry is output, and the process ends.
[0048]
In the embodiment as described above, by mounting the required number of cuvettes 11 in which the reagents R are previously sealed in the sample tray 3 according to the number of samples, the management of the reagents is simplified and the characteristics are stabilized. Accuracy control is not required, operation can be simplified, and a series of operations are automated after opening the seal of the cuvette 11, thereby realizing miniaturization suitable for analysis with a small number of samples.
[0049]
In the above embodiment, the mode of fecal occult blood analysis is described, but the design can be changed so as to analyze urine components (for example, urine protein) by changing specifications. In this case, an empty cuvette 11 is mounted on the sample tray 3 without inserting the reagent R into the cuvette 11, and a reagent bottle is mounted on the bottle mounting unit 9 instead of the lysis solution bottle 14. Then, the sample container 12 containing the sample liquid (urine) is mounted on the sample tray 3 in combination with the empty cuvette 11 and the nozzle tip 13. First, the nozzle tip 13 is attached to the suction nozzle 41 of the dispenser 4. Thereafter, a predetermined amount of the reagent solution is aspirated from the reagent bottle and dispensed into the cuvette 11, and then the sample solution is dispensed from the sample container 12 into the cuvette 11 and mixed and stirred. Thereafter, the degree of coloration is similarly measured by the photometry unit 5. In this case, the light emitting element 51 (LED) of the photometric unit 5 is provided with an LED having a light emission characteristic of a predetermined wavelength because the photometric wavelength is different from that of fecal occult blood analysis. When a dual-purpose measuring instrument is used to perform both fecal occult blood analysis and urine component analysis, it is necessary to install a plurality of LEDs corresponding to the number of wavelengths required for each analysis. When the wavelength is common, one LED may be used.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an automatic analyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sample tray of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a sample tray in an analysis state. 4 is a perspective view of a cuvette, a sample container, and a nozzle tip. FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing an opening operation of the cuvette by an opening mechanism.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automatic analyzer 2 Device main body 3 Sample tray 4 Dispenser 5 Photometry unit 6 Light-shielding cover 7 Opening mechanism 8 Chip disposal unit 9 Bottle mounting unit 11 Cuvette R Reagent 12 Sample container 13 Nozzle chip 14 Lysis solution bottle 21 Operation unit 31 Rotary table 41 Suction nozzle 42 Swivel arm 51 Light emitting element (LED)
52 Light receiving element 71 Opening pins 62 and 63 Cuvette holder

Claims (7)

An automatic analyzer that mixes a reagent and a sample liquid in a disposable cuvette, and analyzes a sample component by measuring the color change thereof,
A sample container containing the sample liquid, a sample tray mounted with the cuvette containing a reagent and a disposable nozzle tip,
A dispenser having a suction nozzle attached to the tip of the nozzle tip, aspirating a sample liquid from the sample container into the nozzle chip, dispensing the mixture into the cuvette, and mixing.
An automatic light source, comprising: a photometer for transmitting and measuring a change in color of a reagent and a sample liquid in the cuvette; and a cuvette in which a reagent is inserted in advance in the sample tray according to the number of samples. Analytical instruments. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the cuvette has an upper opening sealed, and further includes an opening mechanism for opening the seal of the cuvette. 3. The automatic analyzer according to claim 2, wherein the unsealing mechanism includes an unsealing pin having a tip provided in a multi-sided tapered shape. 4. The automatic analyzer according to claim 3, wherein the opening pin of the opening mechanism is opened by an operation of pushing down a suction nozzle of the dispenser. The automatic analyzer according to claim 2, further comprising a cuvette presser that restricts upward movement of the cuvette during an opening operation by the opening mechanism. 2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the cuvette is inserted with a reagent in a dry state, and is equipped with a solution bottle containing a solution for dissolving the reagent. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the sample tray includes a turntable on which a plurality of sample containers can be mounted.

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