JP2008032624A - Optical measurement apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical measurement apparatus capable of automatically removing a measuring cell with a simple constitution. <P>SOLUTION: The optical measurement apparatus optically measures a specimen in a sample using the measuring cell having a space section for holding the sample and an introduction hole and suction hole communicating with the space section. The optical measurement apparatus includes a suction section for sucking the inside of the space section, a measuring cell attaching section for attaching the measuring cell, a measuring cell detachment auxiliary section for detaching the measuring cell from the measuring cell attaching section, a light source for emitting light coming into the measuring cell, and a detector for detecting the light coming out of the measuring cell. The suction section comprises a movable section and a driving section for moving the movable section. By moving the movable section with the driving section, the inside of the space section is sucked or exhausted through the suction hole, and the measuring cell detachment auxiliary section is connected to the movable section so that the measuring cell attached to the measuring cell attaching section can be moved in the direction detaching it from the measuring cell attaching section in interlock with movement of the movable section in the other direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for optically measuring a test substance contained in a sample.

Conventionally, a measurement system for performing optical measurement of a test substance contained in a sample includes a measurement cell having an opening for supplying the sample, a measurement cell mounting portion for inserting the measurement cell, a piston mechanism for sucking the sample, And a measuring device including a light source and a light receiver.
For example, Patent Document 1 proposes the following measurement system. A sample such as urine is supplied by suction into the measurement cell through the opening of the measurement cell inserted into the measurement cell mounting portion. Thereafter, light is emitted from the light source toward the measurement cell, and the light is transmitted or scattered into the sample in the measurement cell. Then, the light emitted from the measurement cell and incident on the light receiver is detected. Further, after the measurement, when the measurement cell removal button is pressed, the measurement cell removal mechanism is activated and the sample in the measurement cell is discharged, and then the measurement cell is automatically removed from the measurement apparatus.
International Publication No. 2005/108960 Pamphlet

However, Patent Document 1 does not disclose a detailed configuration of the measurement cell removal mechanism. In addition, when a measurement cell removal mechanism is provided in addition to the piston mechanism for sucking the sample, an actuator for removing the measurement cell is required in addition to the actuator for sample suction, which complicates the equipment configuration. there were.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical measurement apparatus that can automatically remove a measurement cell with a simple configuration in view of the above-described conventional problems.

The present invention includes a space for holding a sample, an introduction port that communicates with the space portion and introduces the sample into the space portion, and a suction port that communicates with the space portion and sucks the inside of the space portion. An optical measurement device that optically measures a test substance in the sample using a measurement cell comprising:
A movable portion and a drive portion that sucks or exhausts the space through the suction port by moving the movable portion, and the measurement cell is joined by joining the suction port and the suction portion. A measurement cell mounting portion to be attached, a light source that emits light incident on the measurement cell attached to the measurement cell attachment portion, and a detector that detects light emitted from the measurement cell attached to the measurement cell attachment portion. And the measurement cell attached to the measurement cell attachment part is detached from the measurement cell attachment part in conjunction with the movement of the movable part when the space part is exhausted. A separation assisting unit.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the optical measuring apparatus which can remove a measurement cell automatically with a simple structure can be provided.

The present invention includes a space for holding a sample, an introduction port that communicates with the space portion and introduces the sample into the space portion, and a suction port that communicates with the space portion and sucks the inside of the space portion. The present invention relates to an optical measurement apparatus that optically measures a test substance in the sample using a measurement cell comprising: Then, the optical measurement device includes a suction part including a movable part, and a drive part that sucks or exhausts the space through the suction port by moving the movable part, and the suction port and the suction part. A measurement cell mounting part for attaching the measurement cell by joining, a light source for emitting light incident on the measurement cell attached to the measurement cell attachment part, and the measurement cell attached to the measurement cell attachment part A detector that detects the emitted light, and the measurement cell attached to the measurement cell attachment portion in conjunction with the movement of the movable portion that is connected to the movable portion and exhausts the space. It is characterized in that it includes a measurement cell detachment assisting part that is detached from the cell attaching part.
More specifically, the drive unit sucks the space through the suction port by moving the movable unit in one direction, and moves the movable unit in a direction different from the direction to move the suction port. The space is exhausted through. In addition, the measurement cell detachment assisting unit moves in a direction to remove the measurement cell attached to the measurement cell attachment part from the measurement cell attachment part in conjunction with the movement of the movable part in the other direction. .

  With this configuration, the movable part in the suction part moves in one direction so that the sample can be supplied into the space part from the introduction port by suctioning into the space part through the suction port of the measurement cell. In addition, the movable portion in the suction portion moves in a direction different from the above direction so that the sample held in the space portion can be discharged from the introduction port by exhausting into the space portion through the suction port of the measurement cell. . At this time, the measurement cell detachment assisting unit connected to the movable unit moves in conjunction with the movement. Thereby, the measurement cell attached to the measurement cell attachment part is automatically removed. Accordingly, the sample can be supplied / discharged and the measurement cell can be removed by one actuator, so that the number of parts of the entire device can be reduced and the configuration of the measurement device can be simplified.

  In the optical measurement apparatus having the above configuration, when the measurement cell is attached to the measurement cell attachment portion, it is preferable that the measurement cell is arranged at a position where both suction and exhaust are possible. That is, when the measurement cell is attached to the measurement cell attachment part, the movable part evacuates the one direction (the direction of movement when sucking in the space part) and the direction different from the direction (the inside of the space part). It is preferable that it is arranged at a position where it can move in any direction.

In addition, the measurement cell detachment assisting unit includes a detachment assisting unit that intersects the movable axis direction of the movable unit, and the measurement cell is attached to the measurement cell mounting unit when the detachment assisting unit The measurement cell detachment assisting unit is opposed to the detachment assisting unit when the measurement cell is attached to the measurement cell mounting unit. It is preferable to arrange in such a position.
When removing the measurement cell from the measurement device, the force for pushing the measurement cell is easily transmitted from the desorption assisting unit to the desorption assistance unit, so that the desorption assistance unit is a desorption assistance surface, and the desorption assistance unit Is a surface to be detached, and it is preferable that the separation assisting portion and the portion to be detached are in planar contact. The shape of the surface may be flat or curved. As for the shape of the contact portion between the detachment assisting part and the detachable assisting part, a recess is provided in one of the detachment assisting part and the detachable assisting part, and the other A convex portion that fits into the concave portion may be provided.

Examples of the sample include body samples such as urine, serum, plasma and blood, and liquid samples such as the supernatant of the culture medium. Of these, urine is preferred as a sample. When the sample is urine, daily health management at home can be performed non-invasively.
Examples of the test substance include albumin, hCG, LH, CRP, IgG and the like.
In the urine qualitative test performed at the first stage of health care, 12 items of pH, specific gravity, protein, sugar, occult blood, ketone body, bilirubin, urobilinogen, nitrite, leukocyte, ascorbic acid, amylase, and salt are tested. Is called. In addition, for the purpose of analyzing renal function, trace albumin can be mentioned, and markers such as pregnancy tests include hormones such as hCG and LH. For proteins, hormones such as microalbumin, hCG, and LH, optical measurement based on antigen-antibody reaction is suitable. Examples of the optical measurement based on the antigen-antibody reaction include an immunoratio method, an immunoturbidimetric method, and a latex immunoaggregation method.

Hereinafter, an example of the preferable form of the optical measuring device of this invention is demonstrated.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the optical measuring apparatus of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the optical measurement apparatus 101 includes a sample supply button 301 for starting supply of a sample to a measurement cell 401 (described later) attached to the optical measurement apparatus 101, and a sample in the measurement cell 401 after measurement. A sample discharge button 302 for discharging to a container such as a paper cup 701 described later, a measurement cell detachment button 303 for removing the measurement cell 401 from the optical measurement apparatus 101 after the sample is discharged, and a display unit 304 for displaying the measurement result. Is provided on the outer surface of the housing 113. In the opening 305 of the housing 113, a measurement cell detachment assisting unit that operates to apply pressure to the measurement cell 401 to detach the measurement cell 401 from the optical measurement device 101 when the measurement cell detachment button 303 is pressed. 106 is provided. The measurement cell detachment assisting unit 106 has an opening 115, and the size of the opening 115 is set to a size at which at least the suction port 403 of the measurement cell 401 can be inserted. The size of the opening 115 is, for example, about 12 mm in length and 12 mm in width.

Here, the structure inside the housing 113 of the optical measuring apparatus 101 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the optical measuring device 101. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a part of the inside of the housing 113 of the optical measuring device 101. In FIG. 3, the casing 113, the light source 112, and the detector 108 are omitted. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the optical measurement apparatus 101.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the optical measuring device 101 includes a plunger 105 provided inside a cylinder 104, a shaft 103 interlocked with the plunger 105, a suction drive motor 102 that moves the plunger 105 via the shaft 103, and a measurement cell. When attaching the light source 112 that emits incident light incident on the optical window 404 of 401, the detector 108 that receives and detects the emitted light emitted from the optical window 404 of the measurement cell 401, and the measurement cell 401, the suction port 403 is fixed. Measured by applying force in the direction in which the measurement cell 401 is pushed by pressing a later-described detachment assisting surface 111 against the measurement cell 401 and the measurement cell mounting portion 107 that secures airtightness between the measurement cell and the O-ring. A measurement cell detachment assisting unit 106 for removing the measurement cell 401 from the cell attachment unit 107 is provided.

Among these, the suction drive motor 102, the plunger 105, the cylinder 104, and the shaft 103 correspond to the suction unit 603 for sucking the sample into the measurement cell 401. Further, the plunger 105 and the shaft 103 correspond to a movable part. The measurement cell detachment assisting unit 106 has a planar detachment assisting surface 111 that intersects the movable axis direction of the movable unit (the axial direction of the shaft 103) at the tip.
The suction drive motor 102, the cylinder 104, the measurement cell mounting portion 107, the light source 112, and the detector 108 are fixed to the housing 113 and do not affect the movement of the movable portion. An O-ring is provided between the cylinder 104 and the plunger 105, and the airtightness between the cylinder 104 and the plunger 105 is maintained. The size of the housing 113 is, for example, about 150 mm × 50 mm × 50 mm.

  The measurement cell detachment assisting unit 106 is connected to the shaft 103 at the joint 114, and is interlocked with the shaft 103 in the moving direction of the plunger 105 by the power of the suction drive motor 102. The measurement cell detachment assisting unit 106 includes an incident light passage hole 110 that allows incident light from the light source 112 to pass through the measurement cell 401, and an emission light passage hole 109 that allows emission light from the measurement cell 401 to pass through the detector 108.

As the light source 112, a semiconductor laser that emits light having a wavelength of 650 nm is used. Instead of this, a light emitting diode (LED) or the like may be used. In the present embodiment, measurement by an immunoturbidimetric method is applied and an irradiation and light reception wavelength of 650 nm is selected. However, an appropriate value can be selected for this wavelength depending on the measurement method and the measurement target.
A photodiode is used as the detector 108. Instead of this, a charge coupled device (CCD), a photomultimeter, or the like may be used.

The suction unit 603 is configured to operate the plunger 105 in the cylinder 104 by a suction drive motor 102 that is a linear step motor.
The step motor is made up of a mover having a small tooth like a stator having a small tooth, for example. The mover is made permanent magnet in advance, and each small tooth of the stator is wound with a coil. The one that excites is used. By moving the stator excitation teeth per one input pulse signal, the mover is sequentially attracted to the corresponding stator teeth, and as a result, moves a certain distance accurately. That is, the operating distance of the plunger 105 (piston) can be controlled by the number of input pulse steps. By connecting this mover to the shaft 103, the plunger 105 is configured to linearly move according to the number of input pulses.

  Next, the function of the optical measurement apparatus 101 will be described with reference to FIG. Inside the optical measurement apparatus 101, a CPU 601 is a calculation unit for detecting or quantifying a test substance contained in a sample based on detection by the detector 108 of light emitted from the optical window 404 of the measurement cell 401. A memory 602, a suction unit 603, and a timing unit that store a calibration curve representing the relationship between the amount of the test substance (eg, the concentration of human albumin) and the light intensity detected by the detector 108 for the test substance. A unit 604, a recording unit 605, a transmission unit 606, and a reception unit 607 are provided.

The recording unit 605 has a function of recording a measurement result such as a test substance concentration on a storage medium such as an SD card. By storing in a removable storage medium, the measurement result can be easily taken out from the optical measurement apparatus 101. Therefore, the storage medium can be brought to an analysis specialist or mailed to request an analysis.
The transmission unit 606 has a function of transmitting a measurement result such as a test substance concentration to the outside of the optical measurement apparatus 101. As a result, the measurement results can be sent to analysis-related departments or analysis-related contractors in the hospital and analyzed by the analysis-related departments or analysis-related contractors, etc., so the time from measurement to analysis can be reduced Can do.
The receiving unit 607 has a function of receiving the result of analysis in an analysis related department or an analysis related business. Thereby, the analysis result can be quickly fed back to the user.

Here, an example of the measurement cell used in the optical measurement apparatus 101 is shown in FIGS. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the measurement cell 401, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view in the AA direction in FIG.
The measurement cell 401 communicates with the space portion 406 that holds the sample, the space portion 406, communicates with the introduction port 402 that introduces the sample into the space portion 406, and the space portion 406 and sucks the space portion 406. 403, the optical window 404 that transmits the incident light from the light source 112 and the outgoing light emitted to the detector 108, and a planar object to which pressure is applied by the measurement cell desorption assisting unit 106 when desorbing the measurement cell 401. A desorption assist surface 405 is provided. The suction port 403 is connected to the suction unit 603 in order to introduce a sample from the introduction port 402 by applying a negative pressure inside the measurement cell 401 using the suction unit 603.

  It is preferable that the surface to be detached 405 is provided at a position in contact with the measurement cell removal assisting unit 106 when the measurement cell 401 is inserted into the optical measurement apparatus 101 before measurement. In this way, the measuring cell 401 can be easily attached to the correct position by inserting the measuring cell 401 into the opening 305 of the optical measuring device 101 until the auxiliary surface 405 to be detached comes into contact with the measuring cell desorption assisting unit 106. Can do. In addition, when the desorption assist surface 405 is provided at such a position, the pressure by the measurement cell desorption assisting unit 106 can be sufficiently transmitted to the measurement cell 401 when the measurement cell 401 is desorbed. it can.

  In addition, the optical window 404 is preferably located between the auxiliary surface to be detached 405 and the suction port 403. In this way, when the measurement cell 401 is inserted into the optical measurement apparatus 101, the auxiliary surface to be detached 405 blocks the disturbance light, thereby preventing the disturbance light from entering the optical measurement apparatus 101. Therefore, disturbance light is not mixed in the outgoing light received by the detector 108.

  The measurement cell 401 may further include a reagent in the space 406 that specifically reacts with a test substance in the sample. It is preferable that the reagent is provided in a dry state in the space portion 406 and arranged so as to dissolve in the sample when the sample is supplied to the space portion 406. For example, after impregnating a porous carrier made of glass fiber, filter paper, or the like with a solution containing a reagent, the reagent is supported on the carrier by drying, and the carrier carrying the reagent is provided in the space 406. Good. Alternatively, the reagent may be placed in the measurement cell 401 by coating the reagent solution directly on the inner wall surface constituting the measurement cell 401 and drying it.

  Examples of the reagent include enzymes, antibodies, hormone receptors, chemiluminescent reagents, DNA and the like. In particular, antibodies can be produced by a known method, which is advantageous in that a reagent can be easily prepared. For example, an antibody against the antigen can be obtained by immunizing mice, rabbits and the like using proteins such as albumin and hormones such as hCG and LH as antigens. Examples of the antibody include an antibody against a protein contained in urine such as albumin and an antibody against a hormone contained in urine such as hCG and LH.

  The optical window 404 in the measurement cell 401 is preferably formed of an optically transparent material or a material that does not substantially absorb visible light. For example, quartz, glass, polystyrene, polymethyl methacrylate and the like can be mentioned. When the measurement cell 401 is disposable, polystyrene is preferable from the viewpoint of cost.

Next, attachment of the measurement cell 401 to the optical measurement apparatus 101 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state when the measurement cell 401 is inserted into the optical measurement apparatus 101.
When attaching the measurement cell 401 to the optical measurement apparatus 101, the suction port 403 of the measurement cell 401 is inserted into the measurement cell attachment portion 107. At this time, a sealing ring made of a resin or rubber having elasticity such as fluororesin or isoprene rubber is provided on the inner wall of the measurement cell mounting portion 107 so as not to cause air leakage in the insertion portion. It is preferable to improve the adhesion with the suction port 403.

When the measurement cell 401 is attached to the optical measurement apparatus 101, it is preferable that the desorption assist surface 111, which is the tip surface of the measurement cell desorption assisting portion 106, and the desorption assist surface 405 of the measurement cell 401 are in contact with each other. . As described above, the measurement cell 401 is held by the optical measurement apparatus 101 by the measurement cell attachment portion 107, and portions other than the measurement cell attachment portion 107 may not contribute to holding the measurement cell 401.
In addition, when the measurement cell 401 is attached to the measurement apparatus 101 by the measurement cell attachment unit 107, the measurement cell 401 and the optical measurement apparatus 101 are arranged so that the auxiliary support surface 405 and the auxiliary auxiliary surface 111 come into contact with each other. Preferably it is designed.

In FIG. 7, the plunger 105 and the shaft 103, that is, the movable part moves upward, whereby the space 406 is sucked. Further, the plunger 105 and the shaft 103, that is, the movable portion moves downward, and thereby the space 406 is exhausted.
When the measurement cell 401 is attached to the optical measurement apparatus 101, the position of the plunger 105 is upward in the cylinder 104 (direction approaching the suction drive motor 102, that is, the direction in which the space portion 406 is sucked) and downward (measurement cell attachment portion 107). In the direction of approaching, that is, the direction of exhausting the space 406). Similarly, the joint portion 114 is also adjusted to a position where it can move both upward and downward. Here, the distance that the plunger 105 can move upward in FIG. 7 corresponds to the distance until the plunger 105 contacts the inner upper surface of the cylinder 104, and the distance that the plunger 105 can move downward is the distance that the plunger 105 can move to the cylinder 104. Corresponds to the distance to the inner bottom surface. The distance that the joint portion 114 can move upward corresponds to the distance until the joint portion 114 comes into contact with the lower surface of the suction drive motor 102. The distance that the joint portion 114 can move downward is the distance that the joint portion 114 can move to the cylinder 104. It corresponds to the distance until it contacts the outer top surface.

Next, the measurement procedure of the optical measurement apparatus 101 of the present invention using the measurement cell 401 will be described. Here, an example is shown in which urine is used as a sample and the test substance is albumin.
First, as shown in FIG. 7, the measurement cell 401 is attached to the measurement cell mounting portion 107 of the optical measurement apparatus 101 so that the opening 115 of the measurement cell detachment assisting portion 106 and the suction port 403 of the measurement cell 401 are joined. Installing. At this time, the detachment assist surface 405 and the detachment assist surface 111 are in contact. The opening 115 of the measurement cell detachment assisting unit 106 is set to a size that allows only the portion of the measurement cell 401 from the detachable assisting surface 405 to the suction port 403 to be inserted.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the measurement cell 401 is immersed in the urine discharged into the paper cup 701 so that at least the introduction port 402 of the measurement cell 401 is positioned below the urine liquid surface and contacts the urine. Let
Next, when the user presses the sample supply button 301, the CPU 601 operates the suction unit 603. Specifically, the suction drive motor 102 in the optical measuring device 101 is driven, and the plunger 105 inside the cylinder 104 is pulled up via the shaft 103. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, a predetermined amount (for example, 2 mL) of urine is supplied from the inlet 402 of the measurement cell 401 into the space 406.

Here, the amount of sample introduced into the measurement cell 401 is determined by the product of the cross-sectional area (S) of the plunger 105 and the movement distance of the plunger 105 when the plunger 105 is pulled up. As shown in FIG. 9, the plunger 105, the shaft 103, and the measurement cell detachment assisting unit 106 are each pulled up by the same distance by the suction drive motor 102. When the vertical position of the plunger 105 and the joint part 114 in the state where the measurement cell 401 is attached is the initial position of the plunger 105 and the initial position of the joint part 114, respectively, the plunger 105 is pulled up from the state where the measurement cell 401 is attached. The distance that the plunger 105 can move from the initial position (Hp (S)) of the plunger 105 to the position (Hp (F)) that contacts the inner upper surface of the cylinder 104 (L1 = Hp (F) −Hp ( S)) and the distance (L2 = Hj (F) −) that the joint part 114 moves from the initial position (Hj (S)) of the joint part 114 to the position (Hj (F)) that contacts the lower part of the suction drive motor 102. Hj (S)) is the shorter distance. Therefore, the product of the smaller distance between L1 and L2 and the cross-sectional area (S) of the plunger 105 is the maximum amount of sample that can be introduced into the measurement cell 401. Therefore, for example, if the cylindrical plunger 105 and the cylinder 104 are designed so that S is 201 mm ² (the radius in the cylinder 104 is equivalent to 8 mm) and L1 and L2 are both 9.95 mm, the plunger 105 is sufficient. 2 mL of urine can be aspirated when it is pulled out.

  In a state where the pulling up of the plunger 105 by the suction drive motor 102 is completed, the incident light passage hole 110 provided in the measurement cell detachment assisting unit 106 is located on the optical path connecting the light source 112 and the optical window 404 of the measurement cell 401. The outgoing light passage hole 109 is disposed on the optical path connecting the optical window 404 of the measurement cell 401 and the detector 108. By doing so, emitted light from the measurement cell 401 can be correctly detected by the detector 108 during measurement. The incident light passage hole 110 and the outgoing light passage hole 109 preferably have the same size as the cross section of the optical axis. By doing so, disturbance light can be eliminated, and the measurement cell detachment assisting unit 106 can block the light source 112 and the detector 108 except during measurement. 112 and the detector 108 can be prevented from being damaged.

By pulling up the plunger 105 by the suction drive motor 102 and holding it at that position, urine is held in the space 406, and urine does not leak from the inlet 402 or suck into the cylinder 104. When the suction drive motor 102 is stopped and the suction operation is finished, the CPU 601 displays a message notifying that the supply of the sample into the space portion 406 is completed on the display unit 304, and measures the time by a timer that is the time measuring unit 604. To start. After the supply of the sample is completed, the inlet 402 may be pulled up from the urine.
The urine supplied into the space part 406 dissolves the anti-human albumin antibody, which is a dry reagent carried on a reagent holding part (not shown) in the space part 406, and human albumin, which is an antigen in urine. And an anti-human albumin antibody develops an immune reaction.

Next, when the CPU 601 determines that a predetermined time (for example, 2 minutes) has elapsed from the completion of the supply of the sample into the space unit 406 by the signal from the time measuring unit 604, the CPU 601 causes the light source 112 to perform light irradiation. .
Laser light emitted from the light source 112 passes through the optical window 404 and irradiates the urine in the space 406, and is scattered in the urine and emitted from the optical window 404 by the detector 108. The CPU 601 reads a calibration curve representing the relationship between the emitted light intensity and the human albumin concentration stored in the memory 602, and by referring to it, the CPU 601 converts the emitted light intensity received by the detector 108 into the human albumin concentration. To do. The obtained human albumin concentration is displayed on the display unit 304. By displaying human albumin on the display unit 304, the user knows that the measurement of the human albumin concentration has been completed. Preferably, the obtained human albumin concentration is stored in the memory 602 together with the time measured by the time measuring unit 604.

  Next, when the user presses the sample discharge button 302, as shown in FIG. 10, the suction drive motor 102 is driven and the plunger 105 inside the cylinder 104 is pushed down via the shaft 103. Thereby, the urine in the measurement cell 401 is discharged into the paper cup 701. The urine discharged into the paper cup 701 is discarded and then the paper cup 701 is also discarded. At this time, as shown in FIG. 10, the suction drive motor 102 is operated only to a position where the plunger 105 contacts the lower part of the inner wall of the cylinder 104.

  Finally, when the discharge of urine in the measurement cell 401 is completed and the disposal box 1001 for disposal of the measurement cell 401 shown in FIG. 11 is prepared, the user presses the measurement cell detachment button 303 to perform suction. The drive motor 102 is driven again. Thereby, the shaft 103 moves in the direction in which the measurement cell 401 is pushed out, and the measurement cell detachment assisting unit 106 connected to the shaft 103 moves in the same manner in conjunction with the shaft 103. When the measurement cell detachment assisting unit 106 moves in a direction to push out the measurement cell 401, the detachment assisting surface 111 applies a force to the detachable assisting surface 405 of the measurement cell 401. The force applied to the auxiliary support surface 405 of the measurement cell 401 increases as the moving distance of the shaft 103 increases.

  As shown in FIG. 11, when the force applied to the attachment / detachment assisting surface 405 of the measurement cell 401 exceeds the force with which the measurement cell mounting portion 107 holds the measurement cell 401, the measurement cell 401 is moved to the measurement cell mounting portion 107. Extruded and removed. At this time, a disposal box 1001 for discarding the measurement cell 401 is prepared under the measurement cell 401. With the above procedure, the measurement cell 401 can be automatically discarded without the user touching the measurement cell 401. The suction drive motor 102 has a torque that can push the measurement cell 401 from the measurement cell mounting portion 107.

In the above description, a configuration in which the plunger 105 in the cylinder 104 is operated by the suction drive motor 102 that is a linear step motor is used as the suction unit 603, but the present invention is not limited thereto. A step motor other than the linear type, a DC motor, or the like may be used.
In the above description, urine is collected in the paper cup 701. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a transportable container such as a plastic cup, a urine receiving container provided in the toilet bowl, or the like may be used.
In the above description, a message notifying that the supply of the sample into the space unit 406 has been completed is displayed on the display unit 304. Alternatively, a message such as a buzzer may be used.

  The optical measuring device of the present invention is useful for examinations in the medical field and medical-related examination fields, in particular, urine examinations.

It is a perspective view which shows an example of the optical measuring device of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the same optical measuring device. It is a perspective view which shows the principal part inside the housing | casing of the same optical measuring device. It is a figure which shows the structure of the same optical measuring device. It is a perspective view of the measurement cell used for the optical measuring device. It is sectional drawing of the AA part in FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows a state when a measurement cell is attached to the optical measuring device of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state before supplying a sample to the measurement cell attached to the optical measuring device of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state after supplying a sample to the measurement cell attached to the optical measuring device of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state which discharged | emitted the sample from the measurement cell attached to the optical measuring device of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state from which the measurement cell was removed from the optical measuring device of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Optical measuring device 102 Suction drive motor 103 Shaft 104 Cylinder 105 Plunger 106 Measurement cell removal | desorption assistance part 107 Measurement cell attachment part 108 Detector 109 Outgoing light passage hole 110 Incident light passage hole 111 Desorption assistance surface 112 Light source 113 Case 114 Joint part 115 Opening part 301 Sample supply button 302 Sample discharge button 303 Measurement cell detachment button 304 Display part 305 Opening part 401 Measurement cell 402 Inlet 403 Suction port 404 Optical window 405 Desorption assist surface 406 Space part 601 CPU
602 Memory 603 Suction unit 604 Timekeeping unit 605 Recording unit 606 Transmission unit 607 Reception unit 701 Paper cup 1001 Disposal box

Claims (4)

A measurement cell comprising a space for holding a sample, an inlet for communicating with the space and introducing the sample into the space, and a suction port for communicating with the space and for suctioning the space An optical measuring device for optically measuring a test substance in the sample,
A suction part including a movable part, and a drive part that sucks or exhausts the space part through the suction port by moving the movable part;
A measurement cell attachment portion for attaching the measurement cell by joining the suction port and the suction portion;
A light source that emits light incident on the measurement cell attached to the measurement cell attachment portion;
A detector for detecting light emitted from the measurement cell attached to the measurement cell attachment portion;
A measurement cell detachment assist that is connected to the movable part and removes the measurement cell attached to the measurement cell attachment part from the measurement cell attachment part in conjunction with the movement of the movable part when exhausting the space. An optical measuring device.   The optical measurement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the movable portion is arranged at a position where suction and exhaust in the space portion are possible when the measurement cell is attached to the measurement cell attachment portion. The measurement cell detachment assisting unit has a detachment assisting unit that intersects the movable axis direction of the movable unit,
When the measurement cell is attached to the measurement cell attachment part, the measurement cell has a part to be detached that is opposed to the part to be detached,
The measurement cell detachment assisting portion is disposed at a position where the detachment assisting portion and the detachable assisting portion come into contact when the measurement cell is attached to the measurement cell mounting portion. The optical measuring device according to 1 or 2. The optical measurement apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the detachment assisting part is a detachment assisting surface, and the detachable assisting part is a detachment assisting surface.

Images