WO2022009476A1

WO2022009476A1 - Specimen carrying device

Info

Publication number: WO2022009476A1
Application number: PCT/JP2021/009803
Authority: WO
Inventors: 茂輝山口; 茂矢野; 健史松家; 早織千田
Original assignee: 株式会社日立ハイテク
Priority date: 2020-07-10
Filing date: 2021-03-11
Publication date: 2022-01-13
Also published as: JP7320134B2; JPWO2022009476A1

Abstract

A specimen carrying device 150 equipped with a plurality of carrying modules 20 for carrying a specimen holder 11 for holding a specimen container 10 containing a specimen, and further equipped with a cleaning unit which contacts the floor surface 12 of the specimen holder 11 and is provided to a gap 41 between the plurality of carrying modules 20. The cleaning unit has a brush 30 for removing foreign matter 40 such as wear debris from the floor surface 12, and a receiver tray 31 for storing the foreign matter 40 such as wear debris which the brush 30 has removed from the floor surface 12. As a result, the present invention provides a specimen carrying device equipped with a plurality of carrying modules and capable of better suppressing the intrusion of foreign matter onto a sliding surface than is the prior art.

Description

Specimen transfer device

The present invention relates to a sample transport device in a sample test automation system.

According to Patent Document 1, the laboratory sample delivery system is adapted to carry a sample container, each of which is a container carrier, each equipped with at least one magnetically active device, preferably at least one permanent magnet. A container carrier, a transport plane adapted to carry the container carrier, and several electromagnetic actuators statically placed below the transport plane that are placed on the transport plane by applying magnetic force to the container carrier. It is described above to include an electromagnetic actuator adapted to move the container carrier.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-532870

In recent years, labor saving and speeding up of tests using automated equipment have been promoted in sample tests for the purpose of diagnosis in the medical field.

For this reason, in the sample test automation system, a pretreatment device, an automatic analysis device, and a post-treatment device are connected by a sample transfer device, and the work related to blood analysis processing is being fully automated.

A sample carrier capable of mounting a single sample container containing a sample is used for transporting a sample in such an automated system, and a magnetic field is applied by a plurality of electromagnets fixedly arranged below the transport surface. A method is known in which a magnet in a sample carrier is attracted and repelled by generating it to slide on a transport surface. This transport method realizes sample transport in two dimensions in addition to one dimension.

Patent Document 1 states that when transporting a specimen holder, "the electromagnetic actuator applies or causes a magnetic force to the container carrier, i.e., to the magnetically active device of the vessel carrier, in at least two different directions on the transport plane. Is adapted to move the container carrier. "

In the method of sliding on the transport surface, the sample is often transported while the bottom surface of the sample holder and the transport surface slide. For this reason, it is common to use a material with less wear for the sliding portion. However, it is not possible to have a structure that does not cause any wear in the transport method that involves sliding.

Here, due to the sliding between the transport surface and the bottom surface of the sample holder, wear debris derived from the transport surface and the bottom surface of the sample holder is generated. In addition, dust floating in the atmosphere inevitably intervenes between the transport surface and the bottom surface of the sample holder.

If such foreign matter such as wear debris and dust exists between the holder sliding surface and the transport surface, there is a concern that the variation in the frictional force of the sliding surface will increase. For this reason, various problems occur, such as the transport distance becoming shorter than the setting, the increase in the current value required for transport, and the need for measures against heat generation associated therewith. In addition, it acts like an abrasive and may accelerate wear.

For this purpose, it is required that foreign matter does not intervene in the sliding surface as much as possible.

The present invention provides a sample transfer device provided with a plurality of transfer modules, which can suppress foreign matter from intervening on the sliding surface as compared with the conventional case.

The present invention includes a plurality of means for solving the above problems, for example, a plurality of transport panels for transporting a sample holder holding a sample container containing a sample, and a plurality of the transport panels. It is characterized in that it is provided in a gap between the two, and is provided with a cleaning portion that comes into contact with the bottom surface of the sample holder.

According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the intervention of foreign matter on the sliding surface as compared with the conventional case. Issues, configurations and effects other than those mentioned above will be clarified by the description of the following examples.

The figure which shows typically the whole structure of the sample inspection automation system provided with the sample transport device of Example 1 of this invention. Schematic diagram of the side surface of a general sample transfer device. The plan view of the sample transporting apparatus of Example 1. FIG. The side view of the cleaning part of the sample transporting apparatus of Example 1. FIG. The side view of another form of the cleaning part of the sample transporting apparatus of Example 1. FIG. The figure which shows the outline structure of the sample transporting apparatus of Example 2 of this invention. The figure which shows typically the whole structure of the sample inspection automation system provided with the sample transport device of Example 3 of this invention. The plan view of the sample transporting apparatus of Example 3. FIG.

Hereinafter, examples of the sample transport device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings used in the present specification, the same or corresponding components may be designated by the same or similar reference numerals, and repeated description of these components may be omitted.

<Example 1>
Example 1 of the sample transport device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

First, the overall configuration of the sample test automation system will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the configuration of the entire sample inspection automation system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The sample test automation system 1 according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is a system provided with an analyzer for automatically analyzing the components of a sample such as blood and urine.

The main components of the sample test automation system 1 are a plurality of sample holders 11 (see FIG. 2) or an empty holder on which a sample container 10 (see FIG. 2 and the like) containing samples such as blood and urine are stored. The sample transport device 150, the pretreatment device 100, the analyzer 200, and the system control device 111 that integrally manages the sample test automation system 1.

The sample to be inspected in the sample inspection automation system 1 is handled in the state of being collected in the sample container 10. The sample container 10 is manually inserted into the sample holder 11 by an operator or by an automatic insertion unit, transported in the sample inspection automation system 1, and various processes are performed.

The pretreatment device 100 is a part for pretreating a sample before the analysis treatment. In the pretreatment device 100, a sample acceptance process, a centrifuge process for a sample requiring centrifugation, acquisition of information such as a sample liquid volume, an opening process for removing a plug from a sample container, and a sample in a plurality of containers. A sample pretreatment step, such as subdivision dispensing, is performed. The detailed configuration of the pretreatment device 100 is not particularly limited, and a known configuration of the pretreatment device can be adopted.

The sample transport device 150 is a device for connecting to a pretreatment device 100, an analyzer 200, and the like, and transporting the sample holder 11 in these devices. In this embodiment, a plurality of transport modules 20 capable of transporting the sample holder 11 two-dimensionally on the transport plane by an electromagnetic actuator are arranged. The sample for which the pretreatment has been completed in the pretreatment device 100 is transported to the analyzer 200 by the sample transfer device 150. The details will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and later.

The analyzer 200 is an apparatus that performs various analytical processes on a sample. The sample for which the analysis process has been completed is transported by the sample transport device 150 to the sample storage unit provided in the pretreatment device 100 or the like, and is temporarily stored.

The analysis items in the analyzer 200 are not particularly limited, and a configuration of a known automatic analyzer that analyzes biochemical items and immune items can be adopted. Further, when a plurality of specifications are provided, the same specifications or different specifications may be used, and the specifications are not particularly limited.

The system control device 111 controls the operation of the entire system including the sample transfer device 150 and the analysis device 200, and is composed of a display device such as a liquid crystal display, an input device, a storage device, a CPU, and a computer having a memory. Will be done. The control of the operation of each device by the system control device 111 is executed based on various programs recorded in the storage device.

The operation control process executed by the system control device 111 may be integrated into one program, may be divided into a plurality of programs, or may be a combination thereof. Further, a part or all of the program may be realized by dedicated hardware or may be modularized.

Although the above-mentioned FIG. 1 describes a case where one pretreatment device 100 and one analysis device 200 are provided, the number of these devices is not particularly limited and may be two or more. .. Similarly, the number of transport modules 20 constituting the sample transport device 150 is not particularly limited, and may be two or more.

Next, the configuration of the sample transfer device 150 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 2.

First, for comparison, the configuration of a general transport module will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a side view showing a general transport module.

The transport surface 122 of the transport module 120 is composed of a flat surface having a small frictional force, and electromagnets 121 are arranged at equal intervals on the back side (lower side) thereof.

A transport path is formed by arranging a plurality of such transport modules 120. When arranging a plurality of transport modules 120 smoothly, it is desirable to arrange them without gaps in order to smoothly transport the transport modules 120 without being affected by the seams of the transport surfaces 122. However, in actual installation, for convenience of work, there is a possibility that a gap 141 may be formed between the transport modules 120, or that the transport modules 120 are close to each other and interfere with each other. In particular, when the gap 141 is wide, the sample holder 11 may be caught in the gap 141 between the transport modules and transport may not be possible.

Further, in the method in which the sample holder 11 is slid while sliding on the transport surface 122, wear debris 140 is generated due to the sliding between the transport surface 122 and the bottom surface of the sample holder 11, and dust is generated between the transport surface 122 and the sample holder. There is a concern that it may intervene with the bottom surface of 11.

The configuration for such a problem will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a configuration example of a sample transfer device equipped with the holder cleaning unit of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a side view showing a configuration example of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a configuration example of another sample transport device.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in the transport module 20 constituting the sample transport device 150 of this embodiment, the sample holder 11 in which the sample container 10 containing the sample is erected is one in the transport module 20. It has been transported above. One sample container 10 can be mounted on the plurality of sample holders 11, and a magnetic material 13 is provided on the bottom surface of each sample container 11.

The magnetic material 13 is composed of permanent magnets such as neodymium and ferrite, but can also be composed of other magnets and soft magnetic materials, and can be appropriately combined.

The sample holder 11 having the magnetic material 13 slides on a flat transport surface 22 having a small frictional force. In order to generate the transfer force, a plurality of electromagnets 21 composed of a core 21a made of a columnar magnetic material and windings 21b wound around the outer circumference of the core 21a are provided below the transfer surface 22. ing. The electromagnet 21 constitutes each of a plurality of detection points for detecting the position of the magnetic body 13. Further, a plurality of transport paths are provided above the electromagnet 21 so as to cover the electromagnet 21.

In the transport module 20 of this embodiment, a plurality of electromagnets 21 provided inside the transport module 20 are responsible for detecting the position of the magnetic body 13 and for transporting the magnetic body 13, that is, transporting a sample.

The electromagnet 21 is connected to a drive unit 23 that allows a predetermined current to flow through the winding 21b by applying a predetermined voltage to the electromagnet 21. The electromagnet 21 to which a voltage is applied by the drive unit 23 acts as an electromagnet, and by generating a magnetic field, the magnetic body 13 in the sample holder 11 can be attracted and repelled. After the sample holder 11 is attracted and repelled by the electromagnet 21, the voltage application to the electromagnet 21 is stopped by the drive unit 23, and the voltage is applied from the drive unit 23 to a different electromagnet 21 adjacent to the electromagnet 21 in the same manner as described above. As a result, the magnetic material 13 of the sample holder 11 is attracted and repelled by the adjacent electromagnets 21.

By repeating this procedure with all the electromagnets 21 constituting the transport path, the sample stored in the sample container 10 held in the sample holder 11 provided with the magnetic material 13 is placed along the arrangement of the electromagnets 21. It is transported to the destination in a two-dimensional manner on the transport surface 22.

The current flowing through the winding 21b of the electromagnet 21 during transportation is detected by the current detection unit 24. The current flowing through the winding 21b of the electromagnet 21 detected by the current detection unit 24 is sent to the calculation unit 25 and quantified, and a current change amount curve depending on the position of the sample holder 11 is acquired. By acquiring such a current change amount curve depending on the position of the sample holder 11, the position of the sample holder 11 can be detected.

The calculation unit 25 specifies the position of the sample from the current change amount curve based on the command from the system control device 111. The position detection process may be executed by the calculation unit 25 or the system control device 111, but in this embodiment, the system control device 111 determines various settings for position detection. , It is assumed that it is executed by the calculation unit 25.

Further, the calculation unit 25 calculates the current flowing through each winding 21b using various information such as position information, speed information, and weight information of the sample holder 11, and outputs a command signal to each drive unit 23. .. The drive unit 23 applies a voltage to the corresponding winding 21b based on the command signal.

The configuration of the transport module 20 is not limited to the above configuration, for example, a configuration in which the position of the sample holder 11 is detected by a sensor or the like, or a configuration in which electromagnetic transport is performed on a one-dimensional transport path (see Example 3 described later). ).

Here, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a plurality of transport modules 20 are arranged to form a transport path. When arranging the samples, it is desirable to arrange them without gaps in order to smoothly transfer the sample holder 11 without the influence of the seam of the transport surface 22, but it may be difficult as described above. Therefore, in the sample transfer device 150 according to the present invention, when a plurality of transfer modules 20 are installed side by side, they are installed so that a predetermined gap 41 is provided between the transfer surfaces 22.

Then, of the one or more gaps 41 provided in the sample transport device 150, at least one gap 41 is provided with a cleaning portion that comes into contact with the bottom surface 12 of the sample holder 11.

In this embodiment, the cleaning unit has a brush 30 for removing foreign matter 40 such as wear debris from the bottom surface 12, and a saucer 31 for accommodating the foreign matter 40 such as wear debris removed from the bottom surface 12 by the brush 30. do.

With this cleaning unit, it is possible to allow the brush 30 to pass through the gap 41 while contacting the bottom surface of the sample holder 11 when crossing between the transport modules 20 in the transport process of transporting the sample by the sample transport device 150. By supporting the sample holder 11 passing through the gap with the brush 30 in this way, it is possible to prevent the sample holder 11 from being caught in the gap 41 during transportation between the transfer modules 20.

Further, the brush 30 sweeps the bottom surface of the sample holder 11 when the sample holder 11 passes through. As a result, foreign matter 40 such as wear debris adhering to the sliding portion of the bottom surface of the sample holder 11 with the transport surface 22 can be removed.

Since the sample holder 11 and the transport surface 22 are slid, static electricity may be generated and the foreign matter 40 may be adsorbed. In this case, the foreign matter 40 can be removed more effectively by eliminating static electricity on the bottom surface of the sample holder 11 by mixing conductive fibers such as carbon and metal wires into the brush 30.

In order to surely obtain the above effect, it is desirable that the tip of the brush 30 is adjusted to a predetermined tolerance range from the same height as the transport surface 22 so as to be in contact with the sample holder 11 and installed.

The foreign matter 40 swept out by the brush 30 is housed by the saucer 31 so as not to be scattered again on the transport surface 22. By making the saucer 31 removable, it is possible to easily dispose of the foreign matter 40 collected in the saucer 31. Further, the brush 30 worn by sliding with the bottom surface of the sample holder 11 needs to be replaced before the wear limit is exceeded. The brush 30 can be easily replaced by fixing the brush 30 to the removable saucer 31.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of a configuration in which a suction mechanism for foreign matter 40 is added to the cleaning portion according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5, the suction mechanism of the present configuration includes a dust box 32 that sucks foreign matter 40 such as wear debris contained in the saucer 31, and a suction duct 33 connected to the lower part of the saucer 31 of the configuration of FIG. It is composed of a suction pump 34.

In this configuration, the suction pump 34 sucks air while the system is operating. When the sample holder 11 passes through the brush 30, the foreign matter 40 adhering to the bottom surface of the sample holder 11 is swept away by the brush 30.

The foreign matter 40 is sucked together with the air sucked by the suction pump 34 and is carried to the dust box 32 via the suction duct 33. In the dust box 32, the foreign matter 40 sucked by means such as a filter or centrifugal force and the air are separated. The foreign matter 40 is housed in the dust box 32, and only air is sucked by the suction pump 34 and discharged to the outside of the device.

Here, the dust box 32 is made removable or a disposable collection pack can be attached so that the foreign matter 40 can be easily disposed of.

Further, by connecting a plurality of trays 31 from the dust box 32 with a plurality of suction ducts 33, foreign matter 40 cleaned from the bottom of the holder at a plurality of positions can be stored in one dust box 32. As a result, it is possible to consolidate the labor of disposing of the foreign matter 40 from the plurality of saucers into the disposal from one dust box 32, and it is possible to improve the work efficiency of maintenance.

Further, since the foreign matter 40 swept by the brush 30 is sucked by air, it is possible to prevent it from flying up again on the transport device. This makes it possible to improve the efficiency of cleaning.

In the form of FIGS. 3 to 5, the cleaning portion is described as the brush 30, but the present invention is not limited to this. As another form of the cleaning unit, an adhesive roller is installed in the gap between the modules at the same height as the transport surface 22 to support the sample holder 11 so that it does not get caught in the gap 41 at the time of delivery, and the bottom surface of the sample holder 11. It is possible to adopt a configuration for removing the foreign matter 40 adhering to the.

Also, the cleaning unit does not have to be arranged between all the transport modules 20. By limiting the place to be arranged such as one place in several modules, it is possible to reduce the trouble of disposing of the foreign matter 40 housed in the saucer 31, which requires regular maintenance.

Next, the effect of this embodiment will be described.

In the sample transport device 150 of the first embodiment of the present invention described above, the gap 41 between the plurality of transport modules 20 for transporting the sample holder 11 holding the sample container 10 containing the sample and the plurality of transport modules 20. The sample holder 11 is provided with a cleaning portion that comes into contact with the bottom surface 12 of the sample holder 11.

With such a configuration, the foreign matter 40 can be cleaned and removed from the sliding surface of the sample holder 11 with a simple configuration, and the wear of the transport surface 22 can be reduced. Further, since the room for adjusting the gap 41 between the transport modules 20 can be secured, the allowable range of the gap 41 that may occur in the installation work can be expanded, and the sample holder 11 is caught in the gap 41 as compared with the conventional case. It can be suppressed.

Further, since the cleaning unit has a brush 30 for removing foreign matter 40 such as wear debris from the bottom surface 12, and a saucer 31 for accommodating the foreign matter 40 such as wear debris removed from the bottom surface 12, the sample holder 11 The foreign matter 40 adhering to the bottom surface of the sample holder 11 can be removed by the brush 30 as it passes through the gap 41, and can be collected in the saucer 31, so that the foreign matter 40 can be removed more effectively. Further, even if the gap 41 between the transport modules 20 that may occur in the installation work becomes large, the bottom surface of the sample holder 11 can be supported by the brush 30, so that the sample holder 11 being transported is caught in the gap 41 and is stable. It is possible to suppress the problem of hindering the transport, and it becomes possible to cope with the increase / decrease of the gap 41.

Further, the cleaning unit further includes a dust box 32, a suction duct 33, and a suction pump 34 for sucking foreign matter 40 such as wear debris contained in the saucer 31, so that the number of times the foreign matter 40 is removed can be reduced and maintenance can be performed. Work efficiency can be further improved.

<Example 2>
The sample transport device according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an outline configuration of the sample transport device of this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 6, the transport module 20A constituting the sample transport device of this embodiment is a self-propelled transport method instead of the electromagnetic transport method as in the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the sample holder 11A is provided with wheels 11A1 on both side surfaces thereof, the wheels 11A1 are driven by a built-in battery, and a transport guide provided on the transport surface 22A of the transport module 20A. It is configured to be able to self-propell in two dimensions on the transport surface 22A along the slot 26A.

In the transport, when the wheels 11A1 on both sides of the sample holder 11A rotate in the same direction, the sample holder 11A moves forward or backward, and the wheels 11A1 on both sides of the sample holder 11A rotate in opposite directions. At that time, the sample holder 11A can rotate on the spot and change the traveling direction. A sample container 10 containing a sample is erected in such a sample holder 11A and transported to a destination.

The cleaning unit in this embodiment is provided in the gap 41A between the plurality of transport modules 20A, and is in contact with the bottom surface 12 of the sample holder 11. The details of the cleaning unit are the same as those shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 or 5, and the details thereof will be omitted.

Other configurations / operations are substantially the same as those of the sample transport device of the first embodiment described above, and details are omitted.

The sample transport device of Example 2 of the present invention also has almost the same effect as the sample transport device of Example 1 described above.

<Example 3>
The sample transport device according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of a sample inspection automation system provided with the sample transfer device of this embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a plan view of the sample transfer device.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the sample transfer device 150B of the present embodiment uses a line-shaped transfer line 20B instead of the transfer module 20 capable of transporting the holder on a two-dimensional plane as in the first embodiment. Is configured.

The transport line 20B of this embodiment basically has the same electromagnetic transport method as that of the transport module of the first embodiment, and is attracted by an electromagnet 21 provided on the opposite side of the surface on which the sample holder 11 slides. The sample holder 11 slides on the rail 22B laid in advance by the force / repulsive force.

The cleaning portion in this embodiment is provided in the gap 41B between the plurality of transport lines 20B, and is in contact with the bottom surface 12 of the sample holder 11. The details of the cleaning unit are the same as those shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 or 5, and the details thereof will be omitted.

The sample transport device of Example 3 of the present invention also has almost the same effect as the sample transport device of Example 1 described above.

<Others>
The present invention is not limited to the above examples, and includes various modifications. The above-mentioned examples have been described in detail in order to explain the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the described configurations.

It is also possible to replace a part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Further, it is also possible to add / delete / replace a part of the configuration of each embodiment with another configuration.

1 ... Specimen inspection automation system 10 ...

Specimen container

11, 11A ... Specimen holder 11A 1 ... Wheel 12 ... Bottom surface 13 ...

Magnetic material

20, 20A ... Conveying module (conveying panel)
20B ... Conveyance line (conveyance path)
21 ... Electromagnet (magnetic field control unit)
21a ... Core 21b ... Winding 22, 22A ... Transfer surface 22B ... Rail 23 ... Drive unit 24 ... Current detection unit 25 ... Calculation unit 26A ... Transfer guide slot 30 ... Brush 31 ... Recipient (accommodation unit)
32 ... Dust box (suction part)
33 ... Suction duct (suction part)
34 ... Suction pump (suction part)
40 ...

Foreign matter

41, 41A, 41B ... Gap 100 ... Pretreatment device 111 ... System control device 120 ... Transfer module 121 ... Electromagnet 122 ... Transfer surface 140 ... Abrasion powder 141 ...

Gap

150, 150B ... Specimen transfer device 200 ... Analytical device

Claims

Multiple transport panels for transporting sample holders that hold sample containers containing specimens,
A sample transfer device provided in a gap between a plurality of the transfer panels and provided with a cleaning unit that comes into contact with the bottom surface of the sample holder.
In the sample transport device according to claim 1,
The cleaning part
A brush that removes foreign matter from the bottom surface,
A sample transporting device comprising: a storage portion for accommodating the foreign matter removed from the bottom surface of the brush.
In the sample transport device according to claim 2,
The cleaning unit further includes a suction unit for sucking the foreign matter contained in the storage unit.
A plurality of transport paths for transporting a sample holder that has a magnetic material and holds a sample container containing a sample,
Of the transport path, a magnetic field control unit provided on the opposite side of the surface on the side on which the sample holder slides,
A sample transport device provided in a gap between a plurality of the transport paths, and provided with a cleaning unit that comes into contact with the bottom surface of the sample holder.
In the sample transport device according to claim 4,
The cleaning part
A brush that removes foreign matter from the bottom surface,
A sample transporting device comprising: a storage portion for accommodating the foreign matter removed from the bottom surface of the brush.
In the sample transport device according to claim 5,
The cleaning unit further includes a suction unit for sucking the foreign matter contained in the storage unit.