JP3011761U - Sample rack - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] The test tubes can be easily accommodated in a predetermined row, can be reliably aligned at predetermined intervals, and can be prevented from floating due to an inadvertent shock. It is to provide a sample rack that can easily and reliably take out samples. [Structure] Each test tube is arranged in a predetermined row while holding its cylindrical trunk on the bottom plate of the rack body. The side plates of the rack body surround and hold the test tubes arranged on the bottom plate to prevent the test tubes from coming off the bottom plate. The setter is fitted so as to surround the cylindrical upper part of the test tubes housed in the rack body, and arranges the test tubes in a predetermined row and interval. When taking out the test tube containing the sample requiring retesting, only the required test tube is taken out by inserting the takeout pin from the lower side of the bottom plate into the through hole and pushing the test tube upward.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a sample rack used for arranging test tubes containing samples in a predetermined row when testing a large number of samples using an automatic immunoassay device or the like.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 In recent years, the demand for pathological examinations has increased rapidly, and in response to this, automation of various measuring devices has been greatly advanced. In such an automated device, the test tubes containing the samples must be arranged in a box-shaped sample rack in a predetermined row such as 8 rows x 12 rows and be aligned with each other at a predetermined interval. If the alignment is broken, it may cause malfunctions such as malfunction of the device and measurement of different samples.

While the automation of the apparatus is progressing, the work of arranging the test tubes on the sample rack, which is the first step of the measurement work, is still performed manually. Generally, the test tube is formed to have an elongated tubular trunk portion for accommodating a sample and a tubular upper portion above which is a little thicker than the tubular trunk portion for inserting a cap. The box-shaped sample rack allows a certain number of test tubes to be adjacent to each other and arranged in a predetermined row and interval, so that the test tubes fit neatly when arranged in a predetermined row and interval. It is dimensioned. Therefore, when arranging the test tubes in the sample rack, the last few tubes had to be pushed in with force, which was troublesome. Also, if you accidentally give a shock when moving the sample rack containing the test tubes or setting it in the specified position of the measuring device, one of the pushed test tubes will easily pop up. This has been a cause of hindering the operation of the measuring device.

In addition, as a result of the inspection, if a test tube containing a sample that needs re-inspection is to be extracted, the test tube cannot be easily extracted because the test tube is tightly stored in the sample rack, and the target test is performed. It was necessary to remove with the test tube around the tube. Therefore, it was not possible to completely avoid the possibility that the target test tube would mix with other test tubes and retest the wrong sample.

[0005]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 The present invention intends to provide a sample rack that can easily accommodate test tubes in a predetermined row, can be reliably aligned at predetermined intervals, and can prevent the test tubes from being lifted up by an inadvertent shock. It is a thing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sample rack in which a test tube containing a sample requiring retesting can be easily and reliably taken out.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 The sample rack according to the present invention comprises a bottom plate for holding the tubular trunk portion of each test tube so that a plurality of test tubes are arranged in a predetermined row and a side plate of the test tubes arranged on the bottom plate. The rack body is composed of a side plate for surrounding and holding the test tube, and the test tube held in the rack body is mounted so as to surround the cylindrical upper part of the test tube at predetermined intervals. It is composed of a setter for aligning with.

The sample rack according to the present invention may also be provided with through-holes through which the extraction pins are inserted, at positions corresponding to the bottom surfaces of the test tubes on the bottom plate of the rack body.

The test tube housed in the sample rack according to the present invention is a cylindrical test tube in which the tubular trunk portion of the test tube has an outer diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the upper portion of the tube. The bottom plate of the rack body is dimensioned so that multiple test tubes arranged at intervals corresponding to the dimensions of the cylindrical upper part of the test tube can be placed. The side plate of the rack body is dimensioned so as to be able to contain a plurality of test tubes arranged in a line, and the setter is suitable for a plurality of test tubes arranged at intervals corresponding to the size of the cylindrical upper part of the test tube. Bottom side opening dimensioned to enclose with open play and top side dimensioned to enclose multiple test tubes arranged at intervals corresponding to the dimensions of the upper tubular part of the test tube. It is also possible to have openings with openings.

[0010]

[Action]

 The test tubes are arranged in a predetermined row while holding their cylindrical trunks on the bottom plate of the rack body. The side plates of the rack body surround and hold the test tubes arranged on the bottom plate to prevent the test tubes from coming off the bottom plate. The setter is fitted so as to surround the cylindrical upper part of the test tubes housed in the rack body, and arranges the test tubes in a predetermined row and interval.

When taking out the test tube containing the sample requiring retesting, only the required test tube is taken out by inserting the take-out pin from the lower side of the bottom plate into the through hole and pushing the test tube upward. At this time, the test tube can be taken out more easily by removing the setter and inserting the take-out pin, but in order to avoid the risk of spilling the sample inside the test tube when removing the setter, leave the test tube attached. It is preferable to take it out.

[0012] The test tube holding space on the bottom plate and the test tube holding space in the side plate correspond to the size of the cylindrical upper part of the test tube, which is a larger size. When inserting the tubular trunk side into the rack body, the test tube to be subsequently inserted is not obstructed by the test tube already accommodated. When fitting the setter to the cylindrical upper part of the test tube, the bottom side opening of the setter has a size corresponding to the expansion of the test tube in the rack body. The test tubes are converged in the setter, and then the test tubes are aligned in a predetermined row and interval by the upper opening of the setter.

[0013]

【Example】

 As shown in FIG. 1, the sample set according to the embodiment of the present invention is a box-shaped rack for accommodating a plurality of test tubes 1 in a predetermined row, for example, 8 lengths × 12 widths. It is composed of a main body 2 and a setter 3 which is attached so as to surround the test tubes 1 housed in the rack main body 2 and aligns the test tubes 1 at a predetermined interval.

The test tube 1 used in this embodiment is slightly thicker than the tubular trunk portion 4 into which a cap (not shown) is detachably inserted above an elongated tubular trunk portion 4 for storing a sample. It has a tubular upper part 5. However, the shape of the test tube 1 is not limited to the shape shown in the drawing, and any shape can be used as long as it has a dimensional relationship that will be apparent from the later description.

The rack body 2 is composed of a bottom plate 6 having a rectangular shape, and a side plate 7 extending upward from four sides of the bottom plate 6 to a length corresponding to the tubular trunk portion 4 of the test tube 1 or appropriately smaller. It As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bottom plate 6 has positioning protrusions 8 in the spaces between adjacent test tubes for holding the bottoms of the tubular trunks 4 of the respective test tubes. It is formed so as to project appropriately. The size and shape of the positioning protrusion 8 are not particularly limited, but the bottom of the trunk of the test tube is moved to a predetermined position when inserting the test tube, and the inserted test tube is temporarily held. , It should be formed to prevent displacement from the inserted position. A through hole 11 is formed in the center of the adjacent area 9 between the positioning projections 8 where the bottom surface of each test tube 1 comes into contact with the test tube 1 so that the extraction pin 10 can be inserted when the test tube is removed. To be done.

As clearly shown in FIG. 2, the spaces between the centers of the adjacent adjacent areas 9 are provided between the thick cylindrical upper portions 5 of the test tubes 1 adjacent to each other, and the side plates 7 are Each of the test tubes 1 is formed to have a size corresponding to the size of surrounding and holding the tubular upper portion 5 of the test tube when the tubular upper portions 5 contact each other in a predetermined row. As a result, the test tube 1 housed in the rack body 2 has a play only for the difference in thickness between the tubular trunk portion 4 and the tubular upper portion 5. Here, the positioning protrusions 8 are provided so that the space between the adjacent test tubes can be the same as the space between the cylindrical upper portions 5 as described above, but the space between the adjacent test tubes is increased so as to provide more play to the test tubes. The test tube is preferably provided in a range smaller than the space between the cylindrical upper portions 5.

As shown in FIG. 4, the setter 3 has an opening 12 corresponding to the planar shape of the opening of the side plate 7. The opening 12 has a size corresponding to the size of the tubular upper portion 5 of each test tube 1 which surrounds and holds the tubular upper portion 5 of these test tubes when they are in contact with each other in a predetermined row. It has an upper surface opening 13 and a bottom surface opening 14 having a size appropriately larger than the upper surface opening 13, and an inner side surface 15 located between the upper surface opening 13 and the bottom surface opening 14 is inclined or outward. It is formed with an overhanging arcuate cross-section or any other suitable continuous surface.

Preferably, as shown in FIG. 5, a cradle 17 having a recess 16 formed to receive the bottom plate 6 side portion of the rack body 2 is prepared. In the recess 16 of the pedestal 17, receiving holes 18 are provided at positions corresponding to the respective through holes 11 provided in the bottom plate of the rack body so that the take-out pin 10 can stand upright. The well numbers (not shown) that are the same as the well numbers provided in the vicinity of the through holes 11 of the bottom plate of the rack body are provided at positions near the receiving holes 18 respectively.

The usage of the sample rack of the present invention constructed as described above will be described below.

The test tubes 1 containing the samples are sequentially arranged in the rack body 2 by inserting the tubular trunk portion 4 of the test tube 1 into the adjacent area 9 of the bottom plate 6 and holding it by the positioning protrusions 8. . At this time, the rack body 2 is obliquely placed on an appropriate inclined support (not shown), and the test tubes are lined up. As a result, the test tubes are lined up in a state of being joined to the adjacent test tubes on the lower side by their own weight, and a space corresponding to the difference in thickness between the tubular trunk portion 4 and the tubular upper portion 5 is created on the upper side. At the same time, it has a play corresponding to the above difference in the lateral direction, and the test tubes can be arranged in a predetermined row by simply inserting them instead of pushing them.

When the predetermined number of test tubes 1 are arranged in the rack body 2 in a predetermined row, the rack body 2 is preferably transferred from the inclined support table to a horizontal table and the setter 3 is attached. The setter 3 has the bottom opening 15 fitted to the upper end of the test tube 1 housed in the rack body 2 (see FIG. 4). Then, the upper end of the test tube 1 is pushed downward from the upper surface opening 13 until it is appropriately projected, and the test tube 1 is moved so as to join around the cylindrical upper part of the test tube, as shown by a phantom line in FIG. Align and hold the test tubes in the rack body according to 3. The inner surface 15 of the setter facilitates the movement of the test tube when the cylindrical upper portion of the test tube in the expanded state is converged into a predetermined row and interval.

When taking out the test tube containing the sample requiring retesting, the takeout pin 10 is made to stand upright in the receiving hole 18 to which the well number of the test tube is attached. Next, by placing the rack body 2 in the recess 16 of the receiving stand 17, the extraction pin 10 is inserted into the corresponding through hole 11, and the test tube located thereabove is moved upward. Take out the required test tube by holding and pulling out the part that partially protrudes from the rack body. When the pedestal 17 is not prepared, the take-out pin 10 may be inserted into the required through hole 11 from the bottom surface side of the bottom plate 6 to take out the test tube.

[0023]

[Effect of device]

 According to the present invention, since each test tube is arranged on the bottom plate of the rack body while holding the cylindrical trunk portion, the test tube to be inserted subsequently is prevented from being inserted by the test tube already accommodated. The test tubes can be easily and reliably arranged in a predetermined row, and the side plates of the rack body surround and hold the test tubes arranged on the bottom plate. In addition to preventing the aligned test tubes from coming off the bottom plate, the setters are arranged so as to surround the cylindrical upper part of the test tube in a predetermined row and at a predetermined interval, so that the test tube may be lifted by an inadvertent shock. Can be prevented.

Furthermore, by inserting the take-out pin into the through hole provided in the bottom plate, only the test tube in that position can be made to stand out, so that it is possible to avoid the possibility of mixing with the sample in other test tubes. In addition, the required test tube can be easily taken out and re-inspected without being disturbed by other test tubes.

On the other hand, when the setter is attached to the cylindrical upper part of the test tube, the cylindrical upper part of the test tube which is still spread by the bottom side opening of the setter can be easily and surely bundled in the opening. After the test tubes are gradually aligned by the inner surface of the opening in a predetermined row and interval, the test tubes are easily and securely aligned and fixed by the opening on the top side of the setter. Is what you can do.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a sample rack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial plan view showing a rack body of the sample rack shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG.

4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a setter of the sample rack shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of a cradle used in an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Test Tube 2 Rack Main Body 3 Setter 4 Cylindrical Top 5 Cylindrical Trunk 6 Bottom Plate 7 Side Plate 11 Through Hole 13 Top Opening 14 Bottom Opening

Claims (4)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A bottom plate for holding a tubular trunk portion of each test tube so that a plurality of test tubes are arranged in a predetermined row, and a circumference of the trunk portion of the test tube arranged on the bottom plate. From a rack main body composed of side plates for holding, and a setter mounted so as to surround the upper part of the test tube held in the rack main body so as to align the test tubes at a predetermined interval. A sample rack that is configured. 2. The sample rack according to claim 1, wherein the bottom plate of the rack main body is provided with through holes at positions corresponding to the bottom surfaces of the respective test tubes, through which the extraction pins are inserted. 3. The test tube has a cylindrical shape, the tubular trunk portion of the test tube has a slightly smaller outer diameter dimension than the tubular upper section, and the bottom plate of the rack body has a dimension of the tubular upper section of the test tube. It is dimensioned so that a plurality of test tubes arranged at intervals corresponding to can be placed, and the side plate of the rack body is arranged inside it at intervals corresponding to the size of the cylindrical upper part of the test tube. Is sized to contain a plurality of test tubes, and the setter is dimensioned to enclose a plurality of test tubes arranged at intervals corresponding to the size of the cylindrical upper portion of the test tubes with appropriate play. Characterized in that it has an opening having a bottom side opening attached thereto and a top side opening dimensioned to surround a plurality of test tubes arranged at intervals corresponding to the dimension of the cylindrical upper portion of the test tube. The sample rack according to claim 1. 4. The test tube has a cylindrical shape, the tubular trunk portion of the test tube has an outer diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the tubular upper portion thereof, and the bottom plate of the rack body has a tubular upper portion of the test tube. It is dimensioned so that a plurality of test tubes arranged at intervals corresponding to the dimensions of can be placed, and the side plates of the rack body are arranged in the interior at intervals corresponding to the dimensions of the cylindrical upper portion of the test tubes. The setter is so dimensioned as to contain a plurality of test tubes, and the setter surrounds a plurality of test tubes arranged at intervals corresponding to the size of the cylindrical upper part of the test tube with appropriate play. An opening having a bottom side opening sized to and a top side opening sized to surround a plurality of test tubes arranged at intervals corresponding to the dimensions of the tubular upper portion of the test tube. The sample rack according to claim 2, wherein