JP2014021082A - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

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JP2014021082A
JP2014021082A JP2012163219A JP2012163219A JP2014021082A JP 2014021082 A JP2014021082 A JP 2014021082A JP 2012163219 A JP2012163219 A JP 2012163219A JP 2012163219 A JP2012163219 A JP 2012163219A JP 2014021082 A JP2014021082 A JP 2014021082A
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reaction
automatic analyzer
holder
reaction vessel
reaction container
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JP5978039B2 (en
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Shinya Matsuoka
晋弥 松岡
Aiko Nishitani
亜依子 西谷
Taku Sakazume
卓 坂詰
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Hitachi High Tech Corp
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Hitachi High Tech Corp
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Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the following problem: in a device such as an incubator which advances a reaction at a constant temperature to analyze an object to be measured, in the case that it is necessary to take out a reaction vessel out of the incubator to perform processing, the reaction becomes instable due to a change in temperature of the outside air, and reproducibility of a result of measurement decreases.SOLUTION: When a reaction vessel is held inside an incubator, thermal conductivity of the reaction vessel is increased; when it is necessary to take out the reaction vessel out of the incubator to perform processing, heat insulation performance of the reaction vessel is increased. For example, an automatic analyzer may be provided with a holder which is attachable to the reaction vessel of excellent thermal conductivity and is formed with a member of excellent heat insulation performance. Thus, instability of reaction due to a change of temperature is dissolved, and an analysis of good reproducibility is performed.

Description

本発明は自動分析装置に関し、特に反応溶液から夾雑物質を除去するための洗浄工程を有する免疫自動分析装置に関する。
The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer, and more particularly, to an immune automatic analyzer having a washing step for removing contaminants from a reaction solution.

臨床に用いられる一般的な分析装置の一つとして、特定の物質同士が特異的に結合する抗原抗体反応を利用して、血液や尿などの検体中の特定成分を自動的に分析する免疫自動分析装置がある。免疫自動分析装置は、血清等の検体中に含まれる特定の測定対象成分に抗原抗体反応により特異的に標識物質を結合させて、生成した複合体に結合した標識物質から得られる信号量をもとに測定対象物質の定量を行う。標識物質には、蛍光・化学発光等の発光標識や酵素反応を利用したものなど、種々のものがある。   As one of the common analyzers used in clinical practice, Immune Automation that automatically analyzes specific components in specimens such as blood and urine using antigen-antibody reaction in which specific substances bind specifically There is an analyzer. The automatic immune analyzer binds a specific labeling substance to a specific component to be measured contained in a sample such as serum by an antigen-antibody reaction, and obtains a signal amount obtained from the labeling substance bound to the generated complex. In addition, the measurement target substance is quantified. There are various kinds of labeling substances such as those using luminescent labels such as fluorescence and chemiluminescence and enzyme reactions.

しかし、測定対象である反応溶液中に測定対象物質と結合していない標識物質が残存していると、残存している標識物質からも信号が取得されてしまうため、測定対象物質を正しく定量ができなくなる。そのため、信号の取得前に未結合の標識物質等の夾雑物質を反応溶液から除去する操作を行っている。この操作のことをBF分離(Bound-Free分離)という。BF分離機構を備えた免疫自動分析装置は例えば特許文献1に記載されている。
However, if a labeling substance that is not bound to the measurement target substance remains in the reaction solution that is the measurement target, a signal is also acquired from the remaining labeling substance. become unable. For this reason, an operation of removing contaminants such as unbound labeling substances from the reaction solution is performed before acquisition of the signal. This operation is called BF separation (Bound-Free separation). An automatic immune analyzer equipped with a BF separation mechanism is described in Patent Document 1, for example.

特開2009-58319号公報JP 2009-58319

抗原抗体反応には、その反応がもっとも効率的に進行する適切な温度が存在する。一般的に、人体に存在する物質を対象とする免疫分析では、人体温に近い37℃付近での反応効率がよい。このため、多くの免疫分析装置では測定対象物質と結合物質の反応を、37℃付近に制御したインキュベータ上で行っている。   In an antigen-antibody reaction, there is an appropriate temperature at which the reaction proceeds most efficiently. In general, in an immunoassay for a substance present in the human body, the reaction efficiency is high at around 37 ° C., which is close to the human body temperature. For this reason, in many immunoanalyzers, the reaction between the substance to be measured and the binding substance is carried out in an incubator controlled at around 37 ° C.

免疫自動分析装置に搭載される試薬は、劣化を防止するために低温で保持されることが望ましく、試薬保冷庫に搭載されることが一般的である。検体は、装置に設置された段階で特段の温度管理がされていないものもあり、インキュベータの温度で保持されている保障はない。   The reagent mounted on the automatic immune analyzer is desirably held at a low temperature in order to prevent deterioration, and is generally mounted in a reagent cool box. Some specimens are not specially temperature-controlled at the stage of installation in the apparatus, and there is no guarantee that they are maintained at the temperature of the incubator.

このため、検体と試薬が反応容器に分注された段階では、反応溶液はインキュベータの制御温度と異なる温度状態であることが多い。反応の迅速化と温度による反応のバラつきを抑制するため、検体と試薬を混合した反応溶液はインキュベータ内に保持された後は速やかにインキュベータ内温度に達することが望ましい。そのため、反応容器はインキュベータ内部の熱を反応溶液に伝えやすいもの、すなわち熱容量が小さい素材で形成されることが望ましい。   For this reason, at the stage where the specimen and the reagent are dispensed into the reaction container, the reaction solution is often in a temperature state different from the control temperature of the incubator. In order to speed up the reaction and suppress variations in reaction due to temperature, it is desirable that the reaction solution in which the specimen and the reagent are mixed reach the incubator temperature immediately after being held in the incubator. Therefore, it is desirable that the reaction vessel is formed of a material that can easily transfer the heat inside the incubator to the reaction solution, that is, a material having a small heat capacity.

一方、前述のBF分離を行ったあとは、逆に反応容器の熱容量が小さいことは装置の性能にとって不利になる可能性がある。理由として、外気温の変動による反応溶液の温度変動があげられる。抗原抗体反応は一般に可逆反応であり、温度が高くなると測定対象物質と標識物質との結合が解離する方向に反応が進みやすくなる。解離反応のしやすさは測定対象物質とそれに対応する結合物質によって異なるが、影響が顕著なものでは、BF分離後の温度変動の度合いにより、解離反応の度合いが変化する。解離したものは標識物質の信号測定時に信号として得られなくなるため、結果的に分析値に影響が生じる可能性がある。   On the other hand, after the BF separation described above, the small heat capacity of the reaction vessel may adversely affect the performance of the apparatus. The reason is the temperature fluctuation of the reaction solution due to the fluctuation of the outside air temperature. The antigen-antibody reaction is generally a reversible reaction, and when the temperature increases, the reaction tends to proceed in the direction in which the bond between the measurement target substance and the labeling substance is dissociated. The ease of the dissociation reaction varies depending on the substance to be measured and the binding substance corresponding thereto, but if the effect is significant, the degree of the dissociation reaction changes depending on the degree of temperature fluctuation after BF separation. Since the dissociated product cannot be obtained as a signal when measuring the signal of the labeling substance, the analysis value may be affected as a result.

すなわち外気温の変動により反応溶液温度が変動し、これが分析値に影響を与えることになる。このため、BF分離を行ったあとは、反応溶液と外部との熱の出入りが遮断されるほうがよく、反応容器の熱容量は大きいほうが有利となる。   That is, the reaction solution temperature fluctuates due to fluctuations in the outside air temperature, which affects the analysis value. For this reason, after performing BF separation, it is better to block the heat flow between the reaction solution and the outside, and it is advantageous that the heat capacity of the reaction vessel is large.

以上より、免疫分析装置における反応溶液の熱伝達性は、BF分離処理を行う前の反応段階においては熱容量が小さいほうが望ましく、BF分離処理の実行時およびその後は熱容量が大きいほうが望ましい。   As described above, the heat transfer property of the reaction solution in the immunoanalyzer preferably has a small heat capacity in the reaction stage before the BF separation process, and desirably has a large heat capacity during and after the BF separation process.

本発明は上記課題に鑑みてなされたものであり、反応段階では反応溶液と温度制御部との熱のやりとりを促進させて反応温度の安定化を図り、BF分離完了後には反応溶液と外部との熱のやりとりを遮断して反応溶液温度の外乱を抑制する手段を提供する。
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and in the reaction stage, heat exchange between the reaction solution and the temperature controller is promoted to stabilize the reaction temperature, and after completion of the BF separation, the reaction solution and the outside The means for suppressing the disturbance of the reaction solution temperature by blocking the heat exchange is provided.

本発明は以下の構成を備えた点を特徴とする。   The present invention is characterized by having the following configuration.

すなわち、測定対象物質を含むサンプルと当該測定対象物質と結合する結合物質を含む試薬を混合した反応溶液を収容する反応容器と、前記反応容器にサンプルおよび試薬を分注する分注手段と、当該反応容器を一定温度で保持する恒温機構と、を備えた自動分析装置において、前記反応容器に着脱可能で、前記反応容器よりも断熱性能の良いホルダを備え、前記反応容器を前記ホルダに装着する装着機構を備えている点である。
That is, a reaction container containing a reaction solution in which a sample containing a measurement target substance and a reagent containing a binding substance that binds to the measurement target substance are mixed, a dispensing means for dispensing the sample and the reagent into the reaction container, An automatic analyzer having a constant temperature mechanism for holding the reaction container at a constant temperature, and a holder that is detachable from the reaction container and has better heat insulation performance than the reaction container, and the reaction container is attached to the holder It is a point provided with a mounting mechanism.

本発明によれば、BF分離処理等のインキュベータ外部に反応容器を搬出する必要がある場合に、外気温の変動による抗原抗体反応の解離の影響を排除して、分析性能を向上することが可能になる。
According to the present invention, when it is necessary to carry out a reaction container outside an incubator such as BF separation treatment, it is possible to eliminate the influence of dissociation of an antigen-antibody reaction due to fluctuations in outside air temperature and improve analysis performance. become.

免疫自動分析装置の概要図Overview of automated immune analyzer 本発明におけるインキュベータとBF分離部の詳細を説明する図The figure explaining the detail of the incubator and BF separation part in this invention 本発明で用いる反応容器とホルダの形状を説明する図The figure explaining the shape of the reaction container and holder used by this invention 本発明におけるBF分離プロセスを説明する図The figure explaining BF separation process in the present invention 本発明におけるBF分離プロセスを説明する図The figure explaining BF separation process in the present invention 本発明における使用済み反応容器の廃棄プロセスを説明する図The figure explaining the disposal process of the used reaction container in this invention

以下、本発明の実施例を説明する。   Examples of the present invention will be described below.

はじめに、図1を用いて本実施形態による分析装置の全体構成を説明する。   First, the overall configuration of the analyzer according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

一般的に、免疫自動分析装置は、検体を収容する検体容器を載せるサンプルラック100、試薬容器101を収納する試薬ディスク102、サンプルラック100上の検体を分取・分注する検体分注機構103、試薬ディスク102上の試薬を分取・分注する試薬分注機構104、磁性粒子溶液を撹拌する磁性粒子撹拌機構105、分取した検体および試薬を入れ反応を行う反応容器106、検体の分取・分注を行う際に検体分注機構103の先端に取り付けて用いる使い捨ての分注チップ107、反応容器と分注チップを収納するマガジン108、試薬と検体の分注された反応容器を載せ温度を一定に保って反応を行うインキュベータ109、反応容器をインキュベータ109や反応容器廃棄部110に搬送し、また分注チップを分注チップ装着位置111や分注チップ廃棄場所112に搬送する搬送機構113、インキュベータから磁気分離部114に反応容器を搬送するBF分離用搬送機構115、磁気分離部に搬送された反応容器から反応溶液を吸引する反応溶液吸引機構116、磁気分離部に搬送された反応容器に洗浄液を吐出する洗浄液吐出機構117、インキュベータから検出部118に、あるいは検出部からインキュベータに反応容器を搬送する検出部搬送機構119、検出部に搬送された反応容器に対して検出用の試薬を吐出する検出試薬吐出機構120などから構成される。   In general, an automatic immune analyzer includes a sample rack 100 on which a sample container for storing a sample is placed, a reagent disk 102 for storing the reagent container 101, and a sample dispensing mechanism 103 for dispensing and dispensing the sample on the sample rack 100. , A reagent dispensing mechanism 104 for dispensing / dispensing the reagent on the reagent disk 102, a magnetic particle stirring mechanism 105 for stirring the magnetic particle solution, a reaction vessel 106 for performing the reaction by adding the collected sample and the reagent, Place a disposable dispensing tip 107 attached to the tip of the sample dispensing mechanism 103 when collecting and dispensing, a magazine 108 for storing reaction vessels and dispensing tips, and a reaction vessel with reagents and samples dispensed Incubator 109 for carrying out the reaction while keeping the temperature constant, a transport mechanism for transporting the reaction container to the incubator 109 and the reaction container disposal unit 110, and transporting the dispensing tip to the dispensing tip mounting position 111 and the dispensing tip disposal place 112 113, in BF separation transport mechanism 115 that transports the reaction vessel from the reactor to the magnetic separation unit 114, reaction solution suction mechanism 116 that sucks the reaction solution from the reaction container transported to the magnetic separation unit, and the reaction container transported to the magnetic separation unit Cleaning liquid discharge mechanism 117 that discharges the cleaning liquid, detection unit transport mechanism 119 that transports the reaction container from the incubator to the detection unit 118 or from the detection unit to the incubator, and a detection reagent is discharged to the reaction container transported to the detection unit And a detection reagent discharge mechanism 120.

次に免疫分析装置における標準的な動作制御を説明する。   Next, standard operation control in the immune analyzer will be described.

まず、搬送機構113によって、反応容器がマガジンからインキュベータ109内へ搬送される。また、分注チップが搬送機構113によってマガジンから分注チップ装着場所に搬送される。インキュベータ109は回転し、搬送された反応容器が試薬分注機構104による試薬分注が可能な位置となるよう移動する。その後、試薬分注機構104により試薬ディスク102からインキュベータ109上の反応容器へ試薬が分注される。   First, the reaction container is transported from the magazine into the incubator 109 by the transport mechanism 113. In addition, the dispensing tips are transported from the magazine to the dispensing tip mounting place by the transport mechanism 113. The incubator 109 rotates and moves so that the conveyed reaction container is in a position where the reagent dispensing mechanism 104 can dispense the reagent. Thereafter, the reagent is dispensed from the reagent disk 102 to the reaction container on the incubator 109 by the reagent dispensing mechanism 104.

試薬分注後、再びインキュベータ109が回転し、検体分注機構103がアクセス可能となる位置に反応容器を移動させる。検体分注機構103は上下動作により、分注チップ装着位置に置かれた分注チップを検体分注機構103のノズル先端に装着し、分注チップを装着した検体分注機構103は、サンプルラック100に載せられた検体容器から検体を分取して、検体分注位置まで移動した反応容器に分注する。使用後の分注チップは、検体分注機構103の動作により、分注チップ廃棄場所に廃棄される。   After the reagent dispensing, the incubator 109 rotates again to move the reaction container to a position where the sample dispensing mechanism 103 can be accessed. The sample dispensing mechanism 103 is moved up and down to attach the dispensing tip placed at the dispensing tip mounting position to the tip of the nozzle of the sample dispensing mechanism 103, and the sample dispensing mechanism 103 equipped with the dispensing tip is a sample rack The sample is collected from the sample container placed on 100 and dispensed into the reaction container moved to the sample dispensing position. The used dispensing tip is discarded at the dispensing tip disposal site by the operation of the sample dispensing mechanism 103.

試薬と検体の分注が完了した反応容器は、インキュベータ109によって一定温度で一定時間、反応させる。その後、インキュベータ109を回転させて試薬分注位置まで移動し、試薬分注機構104により磁性粒子を分取・分注する。インキュベータ109によって、さらに一定温度で一定時間反応させた後、インキュベータ109が回転することにより、反応容器をBF分離搬送機構がアクセス可能となる位置に移送し、BF分離搬送機構によりインキュベータ109上の反応容器を磁気分離部へ搬送する。   The reaction vessel in which the reagent and sample have been dispensed is reacted at a constant temperature for a fixed time by the incubator 109. Thereafter, the incubator 109 is rotated to move to the reagent dispensing position, and the magnetic particles are collected and dispensed by the reagent dispensing mechanism 104. After incubator 109 is further reacted at a constant temperature for a certain period of time, the incubator 109 rotates to transfer the reaction vessel to a position where the BF separation and transport mechanism can be accessed, and the reaction on the incubator 109 is performed by the BF separation and transport mechanism. Transport the container to the magnetic separator.

磁気分離部では、不純物が含まれる反応溶液から反応容器内の反応生成物と磁性粒子が結合した複合体を分離するため、磁性粒子が結合した複合体を磁石によって吸着した状態で、反応溶液吸引機構による吸引と、洗浄液吐出機構による吐出を繰り返す。これにより、反応容器内には、反応生成物が磁性粒子と結合した複合体のみが残り、未結合の標識物質等の夾雑物は取り除かれた状態となる。   In the magnetic separation unit, the reaction product in the reaction vessel and the complex in which the magnetic particles are bound are separated from the reaction solution containing impurities, so that the complex in which the magnetic particles are bound is adsorbed by the magnet and sucked in the reaction solution. The suction by the mechanism and the discharge by the cleaning liquid discharge mechanism are repeated. As a result, only the complex in which the reaction product is bonded to the magnetic particles remains in the reaction vessel, and impurities such as unbound labeling substances are removed.

BF分離が終了した後、反応容器はBF分離搬送機構により再度インキュベータ109に戻される。インキュベータ109は、この反応容器に検出部搬送機構がアクセス可能となる位置に回転し、検出部搬送機構によって反応容器が検出部に搬送される。検出部では、検出試薬吐出機構により検出のための試薬が吐出され、測定対象物質の検出が行われる。   After the BF separation is completed, the reaction vessel is returned to the incubator 109 again by the BF separation transport mechanism. The incubator 109 rotates to a position where the detection unit transport mechanism can access the reaction container, and the reaction container is transported to the detection unit by the detection unit transport mechanism. In the detection unit, the reagent for detection is discharged by the detection reagent discharge mechanism, and the measurement target substance is detected.

検出が終了した反応容器は、再度検出部搬送機構によりインキュベータ109に戻される。インキュベータ109は回転し、搬送機構113がアクセス可能となる位置に反応容器を移送し、搬送機構が当該反応容器を廃棄部に廃棄する。以降、前述した動作をその後の検体に対して繰り返す。   The reaction container that has been detected is returned to the incubator 109 again by the detection unit transport mechanism. The incubator 109 rotates and transports the reaction container to a position where the transport mechanism 113 can access, and the transport mechanism discards the reaction container in the disposal unit. Thereafter, the above-described operation is repeated for subsequent specimens.

このとき、BF分離が行われる磁気分離部、および、検出部へ反応容器を搬送する検出部搬送機構はインキュベータ109の外部に設けられた機構であり、反応容器は外気温にさらされることとなる。従い、反応容器が熱伝導性の良い素材で形成される場合、外気の温度変動によって測定対象物質と標識物質の結合の解離反応が進行する可能性がある。   At this time, the magnetic separation unit in which BF separation is performed and the detection unit transport mechanism that transports the reaction vessel to the detection unit are mechanisms provided outside the incubator 109, and the reaction vessel is exposed to the outside air temperature. . Therefore, when the reaction vessel is formed of a material having good thermal conductivity, there is a possibility that the dissociation reaction of the bond between the measurement target substance and the labeling substance may proceed due to temperature fluctuations in the outside air.

次に本発明の主要部分について、図2を引用して説明する。   Next, the main part of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

本発明におけるインキュベータ201には、外側に反応容器を設置する反応容器設置穴202、内側にホルダを設置するホルダ設置穴203が、それぞれ同心円状に設けられている。インキュベータ201の横側には、BF分離搬送機構204、磁気分離部205、反応液吸引機構206、洗浄液吐出機構207が、それぞれ同一直線208上に設置されている。なお、BF分離搬送機構、反応液吸引機構、洗浄液吐出機構の上下および左右の駆動機構と、BF分離搬送機構のツメの開閉機構については、図示を省略している。   In the incubator 201 of the present invention, a reaction vessel installation hole 202 for installing a reaction vessel on the outside and a holder installation hole 203 for installing a holder on the inside are provided concentrically. On the lateral side of the incubator 201, a BF separation transport mechanism 204, a magnetic separation unit 205, a reaction liquid suction mechanism 206, and a cleaning liquid discharge mechanism 207 are installed on the same straight line 208, respectively. Note that the BF separation / conveying mechanism, the reaction liquid suction mechanism, the cleaning liquid discharge mechanism, and the left / right drive mechanisms and the claw opening / closing mechanism of the BF separation / conveying mechanism are not shown.

反応容器とホルダについて、図3を引用して説明する。   The reaction vessel and the holder will be described with reference to FIG.

反応容器301はポリスチレン等の樹脂の成型品であり、カップ状の形状となっている。反応容器の肉厚は形状が保てる十分な強度を持ち、かつ熱伝達を妨げないためできるだけ薄いほうが望ましく、おおむね1mm以下である。反応容器の上部に段差部302を持つ形状であって、この段差部を前記の搬送機構のツメがつかむことで、搬送を行うようにしても良い。   The reaction vessel 301 is a molded product of a resin such as polystyrene and has a cup shape. The thickness of the reaction vessel should be as thin as possible because it has sufficient strength to maintain its shape and does not interfere with heat transfer, and is generally less than 1 mm. The shape may have a stepped portion 302 at the top of the reaction vessel, and the stepped portion may be transported by grasping the claw of the transporting mechanism.

ホルダ303はウレタン等の断熱性能をもつプラスティックか、または中空構造をもち、外部との熱のやり取りを妨げる材料で作られる。ホルダ内部に反応容器がちょうど収まるようなくり抜き304が設けられている。   The holder 303 is made of a material having a heat insulating performance such as urethane or a material having a hollow structure and preventing heat exchange with the outside. A cutout 304 is provided in the holder so that the reaction vessel just fits.

次にBF分離時の動作について、図4−1および図4−2を引用して説明する。図4−1および図4−2は図2で説明した、BF分離搬送機構、磁気分離部、反応液吸引機構、洗浄液吐出機構が並ぶ直線208の部分を、横から断面で見た模式図を示す。   Next, the operation during BF separation will be described with reference to FIGS. 4-1 and 4-2. 4A and 4B are schematic views of the portion of the straight line 208 in which the BF separation and conveyance mechanism, the magnetic separation unit, the reaction liquid suction mechanism, and the cleaning liquid discharge mechanism described in FIG. Show.

試薬と検体が分注され、インキュベータ401上で一定時間反応させた反応溶液402が入った反応容器403が、図2に示す直線208上の位置に来た時点を図4−1(a)に示す。このとき、ホルダ設置位置404には反応容器がセットされていないホルダ405が置かれている。   The time when the reaction container 403 containing the reaction solution 402 in which the reagent and the sample are dispensed and reacted on the incubator 401 for a certain period of time has reached the position on the straight line 208 shown in FIG. 2 is shown in FIG. Show. At this time, a holder 405 in which no reaction container is set is placed at the holder installation position 404.

BF分離搬送機構406が反応容器上に移動し、下降してツメ407を閉じることで反応容器を掴み保持する。この状態で再度上昇し、インキュベータ401の内周側に載置されたカバー設置位置に反応容器を搬送408する(図4−1(b))。   The BF separation / conveying mechanism 406 moves onto the reaction container, descends, and closes the tab 407 to grip and hold the reaction container. In this state, it rises again and transports 408 the reaction container to the cover installation position placed on the inner peripheral side of the incubator 401 (FIG. 4B).

BF分離搬送機構を下降させてツメを開き、反応容器のホルダ409の中に反応容器をセットする。次に、反応容器がセットされたホルダ409ごとBF分離搬送機構のツメでつかみ、磁気分離部410に搬送411する(図4−1(c))。   The BF separation / conveyance mechanism is lowered to open the claw, and the reaction vessel is set in the holder 409 of the reaction vessel. Next, the holder 409 in which the reaction vessel is set is grasped by the tabs of the BF separation / conveyance mechanism and conveyed 411 to the magnetic separation unit 410 (FIG. 4C).

ここで磁性粒子が結合した測定対象物質を磁石412により吸着した状態で、反応液吸引機構および、洗浄液吐出機構413によって、反応溶液の吸引と洗浄液の吐出を行うことで、反応容器内の反応液を洗浄液414と交換する(図4−2(d))。   Here, the reaction liquid in the reaction vessel is sucked and discharged by the reaction liquid suction mechanism and the cleaning liquid discharge mechanism 413 in a state where the measurement target substance to which the magnetic particles are bonded is adsorbed by the magnet 412. Is replaced with the cleaning solution 414 (FIG. 4D).

次に、反応容器がセットされたホルダごと、反応槽内側のホルダ設置部のうちホルダが置かれていない場所415に搬送する(図4−2(e))。   Next, the holder in which the reaction vessel is set is transported to a place 415 where the holder is not placed in the holder installation portion inside the reaction tank (FIG. 4-2 (e)).

その後、インキュベータ401が回転し、反応容器がセットされたホルダが検出位置に移動する。検出部搬送機構は、BF分離搬送機構と同様の機能を有しており、検出部搬送機構により反応容器がセットされたホルダごと、検出部に搬送される。ここで検出用試薬が反応容器内に吐出され、検出が実施される。   Thereafter, the incubator 401 rotates and the holder in which the reaction container is set moves to the detection position. The detection unit conveyance mechanism has the same function as the BF separation conveyance mechanism, and the holder in which the reaction container is set by the detection unit conveyance mechanism is conveyed to the detection unit. Here, the detection reagent is discharged into the reaction container, and detection is performed.

上述のように、反応容器の外部に着脱可能で熱伝導性の高くないホルダを備えることにより、インキュベータ外部でBF分離処理や試薬添加処理等の処理を行う場合に、インキュベータ外部の温度変化によって測定対象物質と標識物質との解離反応の影響を受けることなく、再現性の良い分析結果を得ることができる。   As described above, by installing a holder that is detachable outside the reaction vessel and has low thermal conductivity, when performing processing such as BF separation processing or reagent addition processing outside the incubator, it is measured by the temperature change outside the incubator Analytical results with good reproducibility can be obtained without being affected by the dissociation reaction between the target substance and the labeling substance.

検出が完了した反応容器の廃棄について図5を引用して説明する。   The disposal of the reaction container after detection is described with reference to FIG.

検出部からインキュベータ501に戻された反応容器がセットされたホルダ502は、インキュベータ501の回転により廃棄部503の横の位置に移動する。この位置で搬送機構が、反応容器がセットされたホルダの位置に移動・下降し、ツメにより反応容器の段差部504をつかむ。このときツメは反応容器のみを掴むため、ホルダはホルダ設置位置505に残される。搬送機構は掴んだ反応容器を廃棄部に搬送し、廃棄箱506の中に廃棄する。   The holder 502 in which the reaction container returned from the detection unit to the incubator 501 is set is moved to a position next to the disposal unit 503 by the rotation of the incubator 501. At this position, the transport mechanism moves and descends to the position of the holder in which the reaction vessel is set, and grasps the step portion 504 of the reaction vessel with the nail. At this time, the claw grips only the reaction container, so that the holder is left at the holder installation position 505. The transport mechanism transports the grasped reaction container to the disposal unit and discards it in the disposal box 506.

このように、搬送機構は廃棄位置においては、反応容器のみを廃棄するため、ホルダは次の分析に繰り返し使用することが可能となる。ホルダは初期位置にもどり、後の反応容器のBF分離・検出の際に再利用される。   Thus, since the transport mechanism discards only the reaction container at the disposal position, the holder can be used repeatedly for the next analysis. The holder returns to the initial position and is reused for BF separation / detection of the subsequent reaction vessel.

本発明を適用することにより、BF分離、検出、および搬送中など、インキュベータ外部に反応容器を移送する必要があるときに、ホルダの断熱効果により、反応溶液の温度変動を抑制することが可能になる。また、洗浄液をインキュベータと異なる温度で用いる場合には、BF分離完了後の液がインキュベータによって温度変化することを防ぐことができる。   By applying the present invention, when the reaction vessel needs to be transferred to the outside of the incubator, such as during BF separation, detection, and transportation, the temperature variation of the reaction solution can be suppressed by the heat insulating effect of the holder. Become. In addition, when the cleaning liquid is used at a temperature different from that of the incubator, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the liquid after completion of the BF separation from changing due to the incubator.

なお、上記実施例では熱伝導性の良い反応容器に、断熱性能の良いホルダを装着することで反応後の温度変化を抑制するように構成したが、他の方法によって温度変化を抑制するようにしても良い。例えば、熱伝導性が異なる反応容器を複数用意しておき、反応促進させるフェーズには熱伝導性の良い反応容器に反応液を保持させておき、反応後の温度変化を受けさせたくないフェーズには熱伝導性の低い反応容器に反応液を移すようにしても良い。
In the above embodiment, the temperature change after the reaction is suppressed by attaching a holder with good heat insulation performance to the reaction vessel with good thermal conductivity, but the temperature change is suppressed by other methods. May be. For example, prepare a plurality of reaction vessels with different thermal conductivities, and keep the reaction solution in a reaction vessel with good thermal conductivity in the phase to promote the reaction, and do not want to undergo temperature changes after the reaction. Alternatively, the reaction solution may be transferred to a reaction vessel having low thermal conductivity.

100 サンプルラック
101 試薬容器
102 試薬ディスク
103 検体分注機構
104 試薬分注機構
109、201、401、501 インキュベータ
113 搬送機構
114、205、410 磁気分離部
115、204、406 BF分離用搬送機構
118 検出部
119 検出部搬送機構
202 反応容器設置位置
203、505 ホルダ設置位置
301、403 反応容器
303、405、502 ホルダ
506 廃棄箱
100 sample rack
101 Reagent container
102 Reagent disc
103 Sample dispensing mechanism
104 Reagent dispensing mechanism
109, 201, 401, 501 incubator
113 Transport mechanism
114, 205, 410 Magnetic separator
115, 204, 406 BF separation transport mechanism
118 Detector
119 Detector transport mechanism
202 Reaction vessel installation position
203, 505 Holder installation position
301, 403 reaction vessel
303, 405, 502 holder
506 Waste bin

Claims (10)

測定対象物質を含むサンプルと当該測定対象物質と結合する結合物質を含む試薬を混合した反応溶液を収容する反応容器と、
前記反応容器にサンプルおよび試薬を分注する分注手段と、
当該反応容器を一定温度で保持する恒温機構と、を備えた自動分析装置において、
前記反応容器に着脱可能で、前記反応容器よりも断熱性能の良いホルダを備え、
前記反応容器を前記ホルダに装着する装着機構を備えたことを特徴とする自動分析装置。
A reaction container containing a reaction solution in which a sample containing a measurement target substance and a reagent containing a binding substance that binds to the measurement target substance are mixed;
A dispensing means for dispensing a sample and a reagent into the reaction vessel;
In an automatic analyzer equipped with a constant temperature mechanism for holding the reaction vessel at a constant temperature,
A holder that is detachable from the reaction vessel and has better heat insulation performance than the reaction vessel,
An automatic analyzer comprising an attachment mechanism for attaching the reaction container to the holder.
請求項1記載の自動分析装置であって、
前記装着機構は、反応容器を前記恒温機構から取り出して処理する場合には、当該反応容器を前記ホルダに装着してから取り出すように制御することを特徴とする自動分析装置。
The automatic analyzer according to claim 1,
The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein, when the reaction container is taken out of the constant temperature mechanism and processed, the attachment mechanism is controlled so as to be taken out after the reaction container is attached to the holder.
請求項1記載の自動分析装置であって、
前記恒温機構は、測定対象物質と結合物質とを所定の時間反応させ、
前記装着機構は、前記所定の時間の経過後に当該反応容器に前記ホルダを装着するよう制御することを特徴とする自動分析装置。
The automatic analyzer according to claim 1,
The thermostat mechanism reacts the measurement target substance and the binding substance for a predetermined time,
The automatic analyzer is configured to control the mounting mechanism to mount the holder on the reaction container after the predetermined time has elapsed.
請求項2記載の自動分析装置であって、
前記恒温機構の外部に、反応溶液内から測定を阻害する夾雑物質を除去する洗浄機構と、反応溶液中の測定対象物質を検出する検出機構と、を備え、
前記装着機構は、前記洗浄機構および前記検出機構へ前記反応容器を搬送する必要がある場合には、当該反応容器の外部にホルダを装着することを特徴とする自動分析装置。
The automatic analyzer according to claim 2,
Outside the constant temperature mechanism, provided with a washing mechanism for removing contaminants that hinder measurement from within the reaction solution, and a detection mechanism for detecting the measurement target substance in the reaction solution,
The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the mounting mechanism mounts a holder outside the reaction container when it is necessary to transport the reaction container to the cleaning mechanism and the detection mechanism.
請求項1に記載の自動分析装置であって、
前記恒温機構内に前記ホルダを保持する位置を備えたことを特徴とする自動分析装置。
The automatic analyzer according to claim 1,
An automatic analyzer comprising a position for holding the holder in the thermostatic mechanism.
請求項1に記載の自動分析装置であって、
前記ホルダは内部が中空の部材で形成されていることを特徴とする自動分析装置。
The automatic analyzer according to claim 1,
An automatic analyzer characterized in that the holder is formed of a hollow member.
請求項1に記載の自動分析装置であって、
前記ホルダは断熱性能の高いプラスティックで形成されていることを特徴とする自動分析装置。
The automatic analyzer according to claim 1,
The automatic analyzer is characterized in that the holder is formed of a plastic having high heat insulation performance.
請求項1に記載の自動分析装置であって、
前記ホルダは内側に反応容器を収容するくり抜き部を有するように形成されていることを特徴とする自動分析装置。
The automatic analyzer according to claim 1,
The automatic analyzer is characterized in that the holder is formed so as to have a hollowed portion for accommodating a reaction vessel inside.
請求項1〜4のいずれかに記載の自動分析装置であって、
反応容器および、ホルダを装着した反応容器のいずれも把持して移送可能な移送機構を備えたことを特徴とする自動分析装置。
The automatic analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An automatic analyzer comprising a transfer mechanism capable of gripping and transferring both a reaction vessel and a reaction vessel equipped with a holder.
請求項1〜4のいずれかに記載の自動分析装置であって、
分析に使用する反応容器を供給する容器供給手段と、
分析が終了した反応溶液を収容する前記反応容器を廃棄する容器廃棄手段を備え、
前記装着手段は、前記廃棄手段により廃棄された反応容器に装着していたホルダに対して、別の分析に使用する反応容器に装着して再利用することを特徴とする自動分析装置。
The automatic analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A container supply means for supplying a reaction container used for analysis;
A container disposal means for discarding the reaction container containing the reaction solution for which analysis has been completed,
The automatic attachment apparatus is characterized in that the attaching means attaches to a reaction container used for another analysis and reuses the holder attached to the reaction container discarded by the discarding means.
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