JP2009036595A - Analyzer, washing device, dispenser, stirrer and container - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an analyzer capable of smoothly inserting an insertion member into a cuvet even in the case where a positional shift of the insertion member and the cuvet occurs, a washing device, a dispenser and a stirrer. <P>SOLUTION: By providing a guide member 3143 which is arranged to the upper part of the opening part of the cuvette 30 for holding a liquid and guiding the insertion of a suction nozzle 391, that constitutes a washing nozzle, an injection nozzle 392 and an overflow suction nozzle 393 into the cuvette 30, the collidion of the washing nozzle with the edge of the cuvette 30 is prevented, when the washing nozzle is inserted in the cuvette 30, even when the positional shift of the washing nozzle and the cuvette 30 occurs and the washing nozzle is inserted smoothly in the cuvette 30. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an analyzer, a cleaning device, a dispensing device, a stirring device, and a container provided with an insertion member that is inserted into the container through an opening of the container.

  Conventionally, as a device for automatically analyzing specimens such as blood and body fluid, a reagent and a dispensed specimen are dispensed into a cuvette, and a reaction generated between the reagent and the specimen in the cuvette is optically detected. Analytical devices are known. In such an analyzer, a sample and a reagent are dispensed into a cuvette, and after stirring the sample and the reagent, an optical measurement is performed on a reaction solution of the sample and the reagent. The cuvette is used repeatedly by cleaning the inside. Here, in the analyzer, a dispensing nozzle, a stirring bar, or a washing nozzle is inserted into the cuvette to perform a dispensing process, a stirring process, and a washing process (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-6-230014

  Incidentally, in recent years, an analyzer for analyzing body fluid such as blood has been required to reduce the amount of specimen used for analysis processing in order to reduce the burden of collecting blood from a patient. In order to realize this small amount of specimen, it is necessary to reduce the size of the cuvette.

  However, when the cuvette is downsized, the area of the cuvette opening also decreases, so if there is a misalignment between the dispensing nozzle, stirring bar or washing nozzle and the cuvette, the dispensing nozzle, stirring bar or washing nozzle May collide with the edge of the cuvette when inserted into the cuvette, and the cuvette, the dispensing nozzle, the stirring rod or the washing nozzle may be damaged.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and even when there is a positional shift between the insertion member and the cuvette, the analysis device and the cleaning device can smoothly insert the insertion member into the cuvette. An object is to provide a dispensing device and a stirring device.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an analyzer according to the present invention is arranged on an insertion member inserted into the container from an opening of a container holding a liquid, and an upper part of the opening of the container. And an insertion assisting member for guiding insertion of the insertion member into the container.

  In the analyzer according to the present invention, the insertion assisting member has an insertion hole through which the insertion member can enter and exit, and an opening area of the insertion hole opposite to the container opening is larger than an area of the container opening. It is large.

  The analyzer according to the present invention is characterized in that an opening area on the container opening side in the insertion hole is larger than a sectional area of the insertion member and smaller than an opening area of the container.

  In addition, the analyzer according to the present invention further includes a positioning member that positions the insertion assisting member so that the insertion assisting member is positioned at a predetermined position above the container opening.

  In the analyzer according to the present invention, the insertion member stirs the cleaning nozzle for cleaning the inside of the container, the dispensing nozzle for dispensing a predetermined liquid into the container, or the liquid held in the container. It is one of the stirring bars.

  In addition, the cleaning device according to the present invention is inserted into the container through the opening of the container that holds the liquid, and is disposed in the upper part of the opening of the container. And an insertion assisting member for guiding insertion into the container.

  Further, the dispensing device according to the present invention is arranged in the upper part of the opening of the container, and a dispensing nozzle that is inserted into the container from the opening of the container that holds the liquid and dispenses a predetermined liquid into the container. And an insertion assisting member that guides insertion of the dispensing nozzle into the container.

  The stirring device according to the present invention is inserted into the container from the opening of the container holding the liquid, and is disposed on the stirring bar for stirring the liquid held in the container, and above the opening of the container. And an insertion assisting member for guiding insertion of the stirring rod into the container.

  The stirring device according to the present invention is a container for holding a liquid, wherein the holding member is inserted into the container through the opening, the holding region for holding the liquid, and the holding in a plane parallel to the opening. It has an opening having an area larger than the cross-sectional area of the region, and includes an insertion assisting portion for guiding insertion of the insertion member into the container.

  According to the present invention, when the insertion member and the container are misaligned by being provided at the upper part of the opening of the container holding the liquid and including the insertion auxiliary member for guiding the insertion of the insertion member into the container. Even so, when the insertion member is inserted into the container, collision between the insertion member and the edge of the container can be prevented, and the insertion member can be smoothly inserted into the container.

  Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an analyzer that is an embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example of an analyzer that performs biochemical analysis on a sample such as blood or urine. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. In the description of the drawings, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the analyzer according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the analyzer 1 according to the present embodiment includes a sample supply unit 2, a measurement unit 3, and a processing unit 4. The sample supply unit 2 sequentially supplies the sample containers containing the samples to the measurement unit 3. The measurement unit 3 dispenses the sample and reagent in the sample container supplied from the sample supply unit 2 into the cuvette, and optically measures the reaction occurring in the cuvette 30. The processing unit 4 controls the entire analyzer 1 including the sample supply unit 2 and the measurement unit 3 and analyzes the measurement result in the measurement unit 3. The analysis apparatus 1 automatically and sequentially performs biochemical analysis for analyzing the detection target in the sample by the cooperation of these units. The cuvette 30 is a very small container having a capacity of several nL to several mL, and is transparent to transmit 80% or more of the light contained in the analysis light (340 to 800 nm) emitted from the light source of the photometry unit 38 described later. A raw material, for example, a glass including heat-resistant glass, a synthetic resin such as cyclic olefin or polystyrene is used. The cuvette 30 is a cuvette 30 in which a liquid holding portion that holds a liquid is formed by a side wall and a bottom wall, and an opening is provided at an upper portion of the liquid holding portion.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the sample supply unit 2 includes a plurality of sample racks 20 that hold a plurality of sample containers 21 containing blood, urine, and the like and sequentially transfer them in the direction of the arrows in the figure. The sample in the sample container 21 transferred to a predetermined position on the sample supply unit 2 is dispensed by the sample dispensing unit 34 into the cuvette 30 that is arranged and transported on the reaction table 31.

  The measurement unit 3 includes a reaction table 31, a first reagent storage 32, a second reagent storage 33, a sample dispensing unit 34, a first reagent dispensing unit 35, a second reagent dispensing unit 36, and an agitation. A unit 37, a photometric unit 38, and a cleaning unit 39 are provided.

  The reaction table 31 transports the cuvette 30 to a predetermined position in order to dispense the sample or reagent into the cuvette 30, and to stir, wash, or measure the sample or reagent in the cuvette 30. The reaction table 31 is rotatable about a vertical line passing through the center of the reaction table 31 as a rotation axis by driving a drive mechanism (not shown) under the control of the control unit 41. The reaction table 31 includes an openable and closable outer lid 312 provided with holes at positions corresponding to the liquid discharge positions and the stirring / washing positions, and a thermostat bath below. As will be described later, the reaction table 31 has an inner lid provided with a guide member that guides insertion of the insertion member inserted into the cuvette 30 into the cuvette 30 above the opening of each cuvette 30.

  The first reagent storage 32 can detachably store a plurality of first reagent containers in which the first reagent dispensed first among the two types of reagents dispensed in the cuvette 30 is accommodated. The first reagent storage 32 rotates clockwise or counterclockwise about a vertical line passing through the center of the first reagent storage 32 as a driving mechanism (not shown) is driven under the control of the control unit 41. The desired first reagent container is transferred to the reagent aspirating position by the first reagent dispensing unit 35. Above the first reagent storage 32, an openable / closable lid having a suction hole through which a nozzle can enter and exit is provided at a location corresponding to the reagent suction position. Moreover, the 1st reagent storage 32 is provided with the cold storage function.

  The second reagent storage 33 can detachably store a plurality of second reagent containers in which the second reagent dispensed next to the first reagent among the two types of reagents dispensed in the cuvette 30 is accommodated. . Similar to the first reagent storage 32, the second reagent storage 33 can be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise under the control of the control unit 41, and a desired second reagent container can be dispensed to the second reagent. Transfer to the reagent suction position by the unit 36. Above the second reagent storage 33, an openable / closable lid having a suction hole through which the nozzle can enter and exit is provided at a location corresponding to the reagent suction position. Moreover, the 2nd reagent storage 33 is provided with the cold storage function.

  The sample dispensing unit 34 includes an arm 34a having a sample dispensing nozzle for aspirating and discharging the sample attached to the tip. The arm 34a freely moves up and down in the vertical direction and rotates around a vertical line passing through its base end as a central axis. The sample dispensing unit 34 includes an intake / exhaust mechanism using an intake / exhaust syringe or a piezoelectric element (not shown). The sample dispensing unit 34 sucks the sample from the sample container 21 transferred to a predetermined position on the sample suction position P0 in the sample supply unit 2 by the sample dispensing nozzle. Thereafter, the arm 34a is pivoted counterclockwise in the figure, and the sample dispensing nozzle is lowered to insert the sample dispensing nozzle into the cuvette 30 transported to the sample discharge position on the reaction table 31, thereby removing the sample. Dispense and dispense. Note that the sample dispensing nozzle rises onto the cuvette 30 after the completion of sample discharge and is cleaned in a cleaning tank (not shown).

  The first reagent dispensing unit 35 includes an arm 35a having a reagent dispensing nozzle for aspirating and discharging the first reagent attached to the tip. The arm 35a freely moves up and down in the vertical direction and rotates around the vertical line passing through its base end as a central axis. The first reagent dispensing unit 35 includes an intake / exhaust mechanism using an unillustrated intake / exhaust syringe or piezoelectric element. The first reagent dispensing unit 35 sucks the reagent in the first reagent container moved to a predetermined position on the first reagent storage 32 by the reagent dispensing nozzle. After that, the reagent dispensing nozzle is inserted into the cuvette 30 transported to a predetermined position on the reaction table 31 by turning the arm 35a counterclockwise in the drawing and lowering the reagent dispensing nozzle, and correspondingly. Dispensing by discharging the first reagent. The reagent dispensing nozzle rises on the cuvette 30 after the reagent discharge is completed and is washed in a washing tank (not shown).

  Similarly to the first reagent dispensing unit 35, the second reagent dispensing unit 36 includes an arm 36a having a reagent dispensing nozzle for aspirating and discharging the second reagent attached to the tip, an unillustrated suction / discharge syringe or piezoelectric device. An intake / exhaust mechanism using an element is provided. The second reagent dispensing unit 36 draws the reagent in the second reagent container moved to a predetermined position on the second reagent storage 33 by the reagent dispensing nozzle and then lowers the reagent dispensing nozzle to thereby form a reaction table. A reagent dispensing nozzle is inserted into the cuvette 30 transported to a predetermined position on 31 and dispensing is performed by discharging the corresponding second reagent. The reagent dispensing nozzle rises on the cuvette 30 after the reagent discharge is completed and is washed in a washing tank (not shown).

  The agitation unit 37 agitates the first reagent, the sample and / or the second reagent dispensed in the cuvette 30 to promote the reaction. The stirring unit 37 lowers the stirring bar, inserts the stirring bar into the cuvette 30 transported to a predetermined position on the reaction table 31, and rotates the stirring bar to remove the liquid to be stirred. Stir. Note that the stirring rod rises on the cuvette 30 after the stirring process is completed, and is cleaned in a cleaning tank (not shown).

  The photometric unit 38 emits light of a predetermined wavelength to the cuvette 30 and receives the light that has passed through the reaction solution of the reagent and the sample in the cuvette 30 to measure the spectral intensity. The measurement result by the photometry unit 38 is output to the control unit 41 and analyzed by the analysis unit 43.

  The cleaning unit 39 sucks and discharges the mixed liquid in the cuvette 30 that has been measured by the photometric unit 38 by a cleaning nozzle (not shown), and performs cleaning by injecting and sucking cleaning liquid such as detergent and cleaning water. . The cleaned cuvette 30 is reused, but the cuvette 30 may be discarded after one measurement is completed depending on the inspection contents.

  Next, the processing unit 4 will be described. The processing unit 4 includes a control unit 41, an input unit 42, an analysis unit 43, a storage unit 44, and an output unit 45. These units included in the sample supply unit 2, the measurement unit 3, and the processing unit 4 are electrically connected to the control unit 41.

  The control unit 41 is configured using a CPU or the like, and controls processing and operation of each unit of the analyzer 1. The control unit 41 performs predetermined input / output control on information input / output to / from each of these components, and performs predetermined information processing on this information.

  The input unit 42 is configured using a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and acquires various information necessary for analyzing the sample, instruction information for the analysis operation, and the like from the outside. The input unit 42 may acquire various information necessary for analyzing the sample, analysis operation instruction information, and the like from an external device via a communication network (not shown). The analysis unit 43 calculates the absorbance and the like based on the measurement result measured by the photometry unit 38 to obtain the concentration of the detection target in the sample, and performs component analysis of the sample. The storage unit 44 is configured by using a hard disk that magnetically stores information and a memory that electrically loads various programs related to the process from the hard disk when the analyzer 1 executes the process, Various information including the analysis result of the sample is stored. The storage unit 44 may include an auxiliary storage device that can read information stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a PC card. The output unit 45 is configured using a display, a printer, a speaker, and the like, and outputs various information including the analysis result of the sample. The output unit 45 may output various information including the analysis result of the sample to an external device via a communication network (not shown).

  In the analyzer 1 configured as described above, the first reagent dispensing unit 35 distributes the reagent in the reagent container in the first reagent storage 32 to the plurality of cuvettes 30 that are sequentially conveyed in a row. After the sample dispensing unit 34 dispenses the sample in the sample container 21 and the second reagent dispensing unit 36 dispenses the reagent in the reagent container in the second reagent storage 33, the photometric unit 38 The spectral intensity of the sample in a state where the sample and the reagent are reacted is measured, and the analysis unit 43 analyzes the measurement result, whereby the component analysis of the sample is automatically performed. In addition, the cleaning unit 39 performs cleaning while transporting the cuvette 30 transported after the measurement by the photometry unit 38 is completed, so that a series of analysis operations are continuously repeated.

  Next, the reaction table 31 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the reaction table 31 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing a part of the reaction table and the inner lid shown in the region S1 of FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X1-X1 shown in FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the reaction table 31 with the outer lid 312 shown in FIG. 1 removed.

  The reaction table 31 shown in FIG. 1 is provided with an inner lid 314 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 between an outer lid 312 and a holder 313 to which the cuvette 30 is mounted. In the inner lid 314, a guide member 3143 that guides insertion of the suction nozzle 391, the injection nozzle 392, and the overflow suction nozzle 393 constituting the cleaning nozzle into the cuvette 30 is provided for each cuvette 30 mounted on the holder 313. Is provided. The guide member 3143 has an insertion hole 3144 through which the cleaning nozzle can enter and exit.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a positioning pin 3142 is provided on the lower surface of the inner lid 314, and the positioning pin 3142 is inserted into a pin hole 3132 provided on the upper surface of the holder 313. The inner lid 314 is fixed to the holder 313 so that the inner lid 314 covers the cuvette 30. For this reason, the inner lid 314 rotates together with the holder 313.

  When the inner lid 314 is mounted on the holder 314, the positioning pin 3142 and the pin hole 3132 overlap the central axis of the opening 30a in the cuvette 30 and the central axis of the insertion hole 3144 of the guide member 3143 in the inner lid 314. Is provided. Therefore, the positioning pin 3142 and the pin hole 3132 have a function of positioning the guide member 3143 so that the guide member 3143 is located at a predetermined position above the opening of the cuvette 30. The holder 313 corresponds to the photometry area so that the light from the light source in the photometry unit 38 is irradiated to the photometry area on the side surface of the cuvette 30 and the light transmitted through the cuvette 30 is incident on the light receiving unit in the photometry unit 38. A photometric window W1 having an opening is provided.

  Further, the upper opening area of the insertion hole 3144 is set to be larger than the area of the opening 30a of the cuvette 30 so that the cleaning nozzle can be inserted smoothly. Specifically, with reference to FIG. 4, a description will be given of a cut surface of each member taken along line X <b> 1-X <b> 1 shown in FIG. 2 as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the guide member 3143 has a funnel shape in which the upper opening width D of the insertion hole 3144 is wider than the lower opening width A of the insertion hole 3144. The upper opening width D of the insertion hole 3144 in the guide member 3143 is wider than the width C in the cut surface of the opening 30 a of the cuvette 30, and the lower opening width A of the insertion hole 3144 in the guide member 3143 is the opening of the cuvette 30. It is set narrower than the width C in the cut surface of the part 30a. The lower opening width A of the insertion hole 3144 in the guide member 3143 is configured by the suction nozzle 391, the injection nozzle 392, and the overflow suction nozzle 393 so that the cleaning nozzle can smoothly enter and exit the insertion hole 3144 of the guide member 3143. It is set wider than the maximum diameter B of the entire cleaning nozzle.

  That is, the width and maximum diameter of the guide member, cuvette 30 opening and cleaning nozzle described above are the maximum diameter B of the entire cleaning nozzle, the lower opening width A of the insertion hole 3144 in the guide member 3143, and the opening 30a of the cuvette 30. The width C is set to increase in the order of the width C at the cut surface and the upper opening width D of the insertion hole 3144 in the guide member 3143. In other words, in the guide member 3143, the opening area of the insertion hole 3144 opposite to the opening 30a of the cuvette 30 is set to be larger than the area of the opening of the cuvette 30, and the cuvette 30 in the insertion hole 3144 is set. The opening area on the side of the opening 30a is set to be larger than the cross-sectional area of the entire cleaning nozzle and smaller than the opening area of the cuvette 30.

  The guide member 3143 is provided by the positioning pin 3142 and the pin hole 3132 so that the central axis of the opening 30a in the cuvette 30 and the central axis of the insertion hole 3144 of the guide member 3143 in the inner lid 314 overlap. The lid 314 is attached to the holder 313.

  Furthermore, the inner wall surface of the guide member 3143 is formed of a fluororesin material such as polytetrafluoroethylene having good slippage. Therefore, it is considered that an object that has contacted the inner wall surface of the guide member 3143 is likely to slip off the inner wall surface due to the slipperiness of the inner wall surface of the guide member 3143.

  In the analyzer 1, the reaction table 31 is provided with an inner lid 314 provided with the guide member 3143 to smoothly guide the insertion of the cleaning nozzle into the cuvette 30. With reference to FIG. 5, the guide of the cleaning nozzle into the cuvette 30 in the guide member 3143 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, when the cleaning nozzle constituted by the suction nozzle 391, the injection nozzle 392, and the overflow suction nozzle 393 is lowered as indicated by the arrow Y1, the central axis of the cleaning nozzle is indicated by the arrow Y2. Next, a case where the cuvette 30 has shifted from the central axis A0 will be described as an example.

  As described above, since the upper opening width of the guide member 3143 is set wider than the width of the cuvette 30, the central axis A0 of the cuvette 30 and the central axis of the descending cleaning nozzle are shifted. In addition, the cleaning nozzle can be inserted into the insertion hole 3144 of the guide member 3143.

  Then, the cleaning nozzle that has been lowered into the guide member 3143 comes into contact with the inner wall surface of the guide member 3143, for example, in the region S2. Since the inner wall surface of the guide member 3143 is slippery, the injection nozzle 392 in contact with the inner wall surface of the guide member 3143 is inclined as shown by the arrow Y3 in FIG. The member 3143 slides down along the inner wall surface. Since the inner wall surface of the guide member 3143 is formed of a material that is slippery, the cleaning nozzle slides down along the inner wall surface even when the cleaning nozzle contacts the inner wall surface of the guide member 3143. Therefore, the possibility of damage to the cleaning nozzle is extremely low.

  As described above, the inner lid 314 is positioned so that the central axis A0 of the opening 30a in the cuvette 30 and the central axis of the insertion hole 3144 of the guide member 3143 in the inner lid 314 overlap each other. The lower opening width of the insertion hole 3144 is set to be narrower than the width of the cuvette 30. For this reason, the object protruding from the lower opening of the insertion hole 3144 of the guide member 3143 is directly inserted into the opening of the cuvette 30 having a larger area than the lower opening of the insertion hole 3144.

  Therefore, the cleaning nozzle slides down along the inner surface of the guide member 3143 and protrudes from the insertion hole 3144 of the guide member 3143 by the lowering operation of the lifting arm of the cleaning nozzle, and does not collide with the edge of the cuvette 30. It is inserted as it is inside the opening.

  Conventionally, since such a guide member is not provided, when the central axis of the cleaning nozzle constituted by the suction nozzle 391, the injection nozzle 392, and the overflow suction nozzle 393 is shifted from the central axis A0 of the cuvette 30, the cuvette 30 When the cleaning nozzle descends as shown by an arrow Y11 in FIG. 6 for insertion into the inside, a collision between the cleaning nozzle and the cuvette edge region S12 may occur, and the cuvette 30 or the cleaning nozzle may be damaged. was there. In particular, when the cuvette is downsized, the area of the cuvette opening is reduced, so that it is difficult to completely prevent the cuvette 30 and the cleaning nozzle from being damaged due to the positional deviation between the cleaning nozzle and the cuvette.

  In contrast, in the embodiment, by providing the guide member 3143, even if there is a positional deviation between the cleaning nozzle and the cuvette, the cleaning nozzle is guided by the guide member 3143 having a funnel shape. The cleaning nozzle can be inserted into the cuvette 30 along the central axis A0 of the cuvette opening that overlaps with the central axis of the insertion hole by the lowering operation of the lifting / lowering arm of the cleaning nozzle. That is, in the embodiment, by providing the guide member 3143 at the upper part of the opening of the cuvette 30, even when the cleaning nozzle and the cuvette are misaligned, the cleaning nozzle and the cuvette are inserted when the cleaning nozzle is inserted into the cuvette. Collision with the edge of 30 can be avoided, and the cleaning nozzle can be inserted into the cuvette 30 smoothly. In particular, even when the cuvette is downsized in accordance with recent requirements and the opening area of the cuvette is reduced, by providing the guide member 3143, the edge of the cuvette 30 due to the positional deviation between the cleaning nozzle and the cuvette is provided. The collision between the portion and the cleaning nozzle can be avoided, and the cleaning nozzle can be smoothly inserted into the cuvette 30.

  In order to more reliably attach the inner lid 314 provided with the guide member 3143 to the holder 313, the pin hole 3132 provided in the holder 313 and the positioning pin 3142 provided in the inner lid 314 are formed of a magnetic material. May be. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, instead of the positioning pin 3142 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a positioning pin 3142a formed of a magnet showing an N pole is attached to the inner lid 314a. Then, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a magnet 3132a showing an S pole is formed in a pin hole 3132 formed in the holder 313a so that the positioning pin 3142a can be inserted therein so as to attract the positioning pin 3142a. Install it. In this case, as shown by the arrow Y21 in FIG. 8, when the positioning pin 3142a is inserted into the pin hole 3132, the positioning pin 3142a indicating the N pole and the magnet 3132a indicating the S pole attract each other by magnetic force. The pin 3142a is unlikely to be detached from the pin hole 3132, and the inner lid 314 provided with the guide member 3143 can be more securely attached to the holder 313.

  Further, the guide member may be set at the upper part of the cuvette opening only when the arm for raising and lowering the cleaning nozzle is lowered. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, a rail 3147 on which an inner lid 314 having a guide member 3143 is movable is connected to a holder 313, and a suction nozzle 391, an injection nozzle 392, and an overflow suction nozzle 393 are provided. A gear 3145 is fixedly disposed between the shaft column 395 for moving the arm 394 up and down and the inner lid 314. And as shown in FIG. 9, the guide side tooth | gear 3146 which can mesh | engage with the gear 3145 is provided in the bottom face of the arm side area | region of the inner cover 314. As shown in FIG. Further, in the side surface region of the shaft column 395, when the cleaning nozzle is raised to a position outside the cuvette 30, a region having the same height as the installation height of the gear 3145 is projected to the gear 3145 side. Shaft side teeth 396 that can mesh with the gear 3145 are provided on the surface of the gear 3145 side. That is, a shaft side tooth 396 that can be engaged with the gear 3145 when the cleaning nozzle is raised to a position outside the cuvette 30 is provided on a part of the side surface of the shaft column 395.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the cleaning process is not performed, the left end of the inner lid 314 is positioned at the left end of the rail 3147 so that the guide member 3143 is located at a position off the opening of the cuvette 30. To do. In this case, since the upper part of the cuvette 30 is covered with the inner lid 314, the contamination of foreign matter in the cuvette 30 can be reduced.

  Then, the cleaning process of the cuvette 30 is started, and the shaft column 395 is lowered as indicated by an arrow Y31 in order to lower the washing nozzle into the cuvette 30 as indicated by an arrow Y32. In this case, since the axial column side teeth 396 are also lowered, the gear 3145 meshing with the axial column side teeth 396 is rotated as indicated by an arrow Y33 by the downward movement of the axial column side teeth 396. The rotation of the gear 3145 in the direction of the arrow Y33 moves the guide side teeth 3146 that mesh with the gear 3145 in the direction indicated by the arrow Y34, and the inner lid 314 provided with the guide side teeth 3146 also moves in the direction indicated by the arrow Y34 in the rail 3147. Move up.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, the inner lid 314 moves in conjunction with the lowering operation of the cleaning nozzle so that the insertion hole 3144 of the guide member 3143 is positioned above the opening of the cuvette 30. The cleaning nozzle is inserted into the cuvette 30 through the insertion hole 3144 of the guide member 3143 located at the upper opening of the cuvette 30.

  Then, the cleaning process is completed, and the shaft column 395 is raised as indicated by an arrow Y35 in order to raise the washing nozzle inserted into the cuvette 30 above the cuvette 30. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, when the shaft column 395 rises as indicated by an arrow Y37 and the cleaning nozzle rises to a position outside the cuvette 30 as indicated by an arrow Y36, the shaft column side teeth 396 engage with the gear 3145. . As the shaft column 395 continues to rise, the gear 3145 meshing with the shaft column side teeth 396 rotates in the direction opposite to the rotation corresponding to the shaft column 395 rising as indicated by the arrow Y38. The rotation of the gear 3145 in the direction of arrow Y38 moves the guide side teeth 3146 meshing with the gear 3145 in the direction indicated by the arrow Y39, and the inner lid 314 provided with the guide side teeth 3146 also moves in the direction indicated by the arrow Y39 in the rail 3147. As a result of the movement above, the guide member 3143 moves to a location off the opening of the cuvette 30.

  In this way, in conjunction with the lowering of the shaft column 395 for raising and lowering the cleaning nozzle, the guide member 3143 is set at the upper part of the cuvette 30 only when the cleaning nozzle is inserted, so that foreign matter contamination into the cuvette 30 is reduced. May be.

  Further, in the embodiment, the cleaning unit 39 including the cleaning nozzle constituted by the suction nozzle 391, the injection nozzle 392, and the overflow suction nozzle 393 has been described as an example, but the same applies when applied to other units. The collision between the insertion member and the edge of the cuvette 30 when the insertion member is inserted into the cuvette can be avoided.

  For example, a case where the present invention is applied to a sample dispensing unit for dispensing a sample or a reagent, the first reagent dispensing unit 35 or the second reagent dispensing unit 36 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, even when the dispensing nozzle 351 is inserted into the cuvette 30 as indicated by the arrow Y41 in a state of being displaced from the central axis of the cuvette 30, by providing the guide member 3143, the arrow Y42 is provided. As described above, the dispensing nozzle 351 can be guided into the cuvette 30. In this way, the dispensing nozzle 351 can be smoothly inserted into the cuvette 30.

  A case where the liquid in the cuvette 30 is applied to a stirring unit 37 that stirs the liquid in the cuvette 30 with a stirring rod will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, even when the stirring bar 371 is inserted into the cuvette 30 as indicated by the arrow Y51 in a state of being deviated from the central axis of the cuvette 30, by providing the guide member 3143, Thus, the stirring rod 371 can be guided into the cuvette 30. In this way, the stirring bar 371 can be smoothly inserted into the cuvette 30.

  In the embodiment, the case where the guide member 3143 separate from the cuvette 30 is provided has been described. However, a funnel-shaped insertion assisting portion having a function of assisting insertion may be formed in the cuvette body. Specifically, as shown in the cuvette 230 of FIG. 14, the cuvette has a width D2 at the upper end of the opening of the cuvette 230 forming the funnel shape so as to be wider than the width C2 in the region where the liquid is actually held. The internal shape of 230 may be formed. That is, the cuvette 230 has an opening having a larger area than the cross-sectional area of the liquid holding region in a plane parallel to the opening, thereby guiding insertion of the insertion member into the cuvette 230. The opening width of the cuvette 230 and each width and maximum diameter of the cleaning nozzle are increased in the order of the maximum diameter B of the entire cleaning nozzle, the width C2 of the liquid holding region of the cuvette 230, and the width D2 of the upper end of the opening of the cuvette 230. Is set.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 15 (1), in the region S62 on the inner wall of the cuvette 230, the washing nozzle is inserted into the cuvette 30 in a state shifted from the central axis A0 of the cuvette 230 as shown by an arrow Y61. Even when the cuvette 230 is in contact with the inner wall of the cuvette 230, by forming the upper region into a funnel shape, the cleaning nozzle can be guided to the central axis A0 of the cuvette 230 as indicated by an arrow Y62 shown in FIG. . By using this cuvette 230, it is not necessary to provide the above-described inner lid 314 having the guide member 3143. Therefore, the insertion member can be smoothly inserted into the cuvette 230 without increasing the number of parts. The cuvette 230 is made of glass including heat-resistant glass, synthetic resin such as cyclic olefin or polystyrene, and can be formed integrally with the shape shown in FIG. The predetermined portion may be chamfered so as to form a funnel shape after the formation.

  2 and 3, the case where the ring-shaped inner lid 314 provided with the guide members 3143 respectively corresponding to the cuvettes 30 installed on the reaction table 31 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 16, an example of an analyzer that uses a plurality of holder units 313 b that store a predetermined number of cuvettes 30 and can be attached to and detached from the main body of the reaction table 31 will be described. In this case, the inner lid unit 314b including the guide members 3143 respectively corresponding to the number of cuvettes 30 stored in the holder unit 313b and the positions of the cuvettes 30 is attached to the holder unit 313b. Of course, as shown in FIG. 17, an inner lid unit 314 c having one guide member 3143 may be attached to each cuvette 30.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an analyzer according to an embodiment. It is a top view of the reaction table shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which expands and shows a part of reaction table and inner cover shown to area | region S1 of FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X1-X1 shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the insertion process of the washing nozzle in the cuvette in the analyzer shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the insertion process of the washing nozzle in the cuvette in the conventional analyzer. It is a figure which shows the other example of sectional drawing along the X1-X1 line | wire shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the positioning pin and pin hole which are shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the other example of the reaction table and washing | cleaning unit which are shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the movement of the guide member shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the movement of the guide member shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the other example of the insertion member in embodiment. It is a figure explaining the other example of the insertion member in embodiment. It is sectional drawing explaining the other example of the cuvette in embodiment. It is a figure explaining the insertion process of the washing nozzle in the cuvette shown in FIG. It is a perspective view of the holder unit and inner cover unit which comprise the reaction table shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the other example of the top view of the reaction table shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Analyzer 2 Sample supply part 3 Measurement part 4 Processing part 20 Sample rack 21 Sample container 30, 230 Cuvette 31 Reaction table 32 1st reagent storage 33 2nd reagent storage 34 Sample dispensing unit 34a, 35a, 36a Arm 35 1st Reagent dispensing unit 36 Second reagent dispensing unit 37 Agitation unit 38 Photometric unit 39 Washing unit 41 Control unit 42 Input unit 43 Analysis unit 44 Storage unit 45 Output unit 312 Outer lid 313, 313a Holder 313b Holder unit 314, 314a Inner lid 314b, 314c Inner lid unit 351 Dispensing nozzle 371 Stirring rod 391 Suction nozzle 392 Injection nozzle 393 Overflow suction nozzle 394 Arm 395 Shaft pillar 396 Shaft pillar side tooth
3132 Pin hole 3132a Magnet 3142, 3142a Positioning pin 3143 Guide member 3144 Insertion hole 3145 Gear 3146 Guide side tooth 3147 Rail

Claims (9)

An insertion member inserted into the container from the opening of the container holding the liquid;
An insertion assisting member that is disposed above the opening of the container and guides the insertion of the insertion member into the container;
An analyzer characterized by comprising: The insertion assisting member has an insertion hole through which the insertion member can enter and exit,
The analyzer according to claim 1, wherein an opening area of the insertion hole opposite to the container opening is larger than an area of the container opening.   The analyzer according to claim 2, wherein an opening area on the container opening side in the insertion hole is larger than a cross-sectional area of the insertion member and smaller than an opening area of the container.   The analyzer according to claim 1, further comprising a positioning member that positions the insertion assisting member so that the insertion assisting member is positioned at a predetermined position above the opening of the container.   The insertion member is any one of a washing nozzle for washing the inside of the container, a dispensing nozzle for dispensing a predetermined liquid into the container, and a stirring rod for stirring the liquid held in the container. The analyzer according to claim 1. A cleaning nozzle that is inserted into the container from the opening of the container that holds the liquid to clean the inside of the container;
An insertion assisting member disposed above the opening of the container and guiding insertion of the cleaning nozzle into the container;
A cleaning apparatus comprising: A dispensing nozzle that is inserted into the container from the opening of the container that holds the liquid and dispenses a predetermined liquid into the container;
An insertion assisting member that is disposed above the opening of the container and guides the dispensing nozzle to be inserted into the container;
A dispensing device characterized by comprising: A stirring rod inserted into the container through the opening of the container for holding the liquid and stirring the liquid held in the container;
An insertion assisting member that is disposed above the opening of the container and guides the stirring rod into the container;
A stirrer comprising: In a container for holding a liquid, in which an insertion member is inserted into the inside through an opening,
A holding region for holding the liquid;
An insertion assisting portion having an opening having a larger area than the cross-sectional area of the holding region in a plane parallel to the opening, and guiding insertion of the insertion member into the container;
A container characterized by comprising:

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