JPH0119542B2 - - Google Patents
Info
- Publication number
- JPH0119542B2 JPH0119542B2 JP20081881A JP20081881A JPH0119542B2 JP H0119542 B2 JPH0119542 B2 JP H0119542B2 JP 20081881 A JP20081881 A JP 20081881A JP 20081881 A JP20081881 A JP 20081881A JP H0119542 B2 JPH0119542 B2 JP H0119542B2
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- rack
- cassette tray
- automatic analyzer
- racks
- sample
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 claims description 19
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 claims description 15
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 14
- 210000000601 blood cell Anatomy 0.000 description 15
- 238000010790 dilution Methods 0.000 description 14
- 239000012895 dilution Substances 0.000 description 14
- 239000003085 diluting agent Substances 0.000 description 12
- 210000002966 serum Anatomy 0.000 description 11
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 8
- 235000014676 Phragmites communis Nutrition 0.000 description 6
- 210000000078 claw Anatomy 0.000 description 6
- 238000005192 partition Methods 0.000 description 6
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000007796 conventional method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 210000004369 blood Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 239000008280 blood Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000006285 cell suspension Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004520 agglutination Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000427 antigen Substances 0.000 description 1
- 102000036639 antigens Human genes 0.000 description 1
- 108091007433 antigens Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 230000003111 delayed effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001900 immune effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012216 screening Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003756 stirring Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009600 syphilis test Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007723 transport mechanism Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
- G01N35/02—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations
- G01N35/04—Details of the conveyor system
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
- G01N35/00584—Control arrangements for automatic analysers
- G01N35/00722—Communications; Identification
- G01N35/00732—Identification of carriers, materials or components in automatic analysers
- G01N2035/00742—Type of codes
- G01N2035/00752—Type of codes bar codes
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
- G01N35/02—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations
- G01N35/04—Details of the conveyor system
- G01N2035/0401—Sample carriers, cuvettes or reaction vessels
- G01N2035/0418—Plate elements with several rows of samples
- G01N2035/0425—Stacks, magazines or elevators for plates
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
- Biochemistry (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Immunology (AREA)
- Pathology (AREA)
- Automatic Analysis And Handling Materials Therefor (AREA)
Description
本発明は主に自動分析装置において分析する試
料を収容した複数個の容器を自動分析装置内に供
給する方法に関するものである。
従来の自動分析装置内への試料容器の供給方法
としては本願人による日本国特許第929300号の
「自動化学分析装置」によるものが既知である。
この装置における試料容器の供給方法は複数個の
区画に仕切られたカセツトトレイの各区画に試料
容器を複数ずつを直接収容し、これらの試料容器
をベルトコンベアにより自動分析装置内に送り込
み、自動分析装置内において試料容器内の試料に
所定の作業を行なつた後、使用済みの試料容器を
ベルトコンベアによりベルトコンベアの試料容器
供給側と反対側の端部に配置した別個の空のカセ
ツトトレイ内に使用済みの試料容器を送り込むよ
うにしている。
ところでこの従来の自動分析装置における試料
容器供給方法では、試料容器をベルトコンベアに
供給するカセツトトレイとベルトコンベアより排
出される使用済みの試料容器を収容するための空
のカセツトトレイとの両方を必要とし、場所を取
るため装置全体が大型化するという問題点があつ
た。また、自動分析装置における試料の処理作業
の関係上試料容器の供給側のカセツトトレイの位
置と使用済みの試料容器の排出側のカセツトトレ
イの位置とは離れた位置となるのが通常であり、
このためこれらの間を別の搬送機構で連結しなけ
ればならず装置の構成が複雑になるという問題点
もあつた。
本発明の目的はこのような従来の自動分析装置
への試料容器の供給方法における問題点を解決
し、自動分析装置への試料容器供給機構および排
出機構の小型化を達成するとともに使用済みの試
料容器を場所を取らずに効率より処理することの
できる試料容器の供給方法を得ることである。
この目的を達成するため本発明の自動分析装置
へのラツク供給方法は試料容器等の自動分析装置
に用いる容器を複数個ずつラツクに収容し、この
ラツクを複数個の区画を有するカセツトトレイの
個々の区画に収容し、前記カセツトトレイを１区
画ずつ間欠的作動によりラツク移送機構上に送り
出し、前記カセツトトレイの送り出された区画内
に収容したラツクをこの移送機構により自動分析
装置内へ送り込み、ラツクに収容した容器に対し
前記自動分析装置において所定の作業を行なつた
後、このラツクを前記移送機構によりカセツトト
レイの所定の区画にもどしてから次の区画を前記
移送機構上に送り出すようにしたことを特徴とす
るものである。
以下に図面を参照して本発明の自動分析装置へ
のラツク供給方法を詳述する。以下の本発明の実
施例においては血液の免疫学的凝集反応によつ
て、血液型の判定、Rh判定、抗体スクリーニン
グ、梅毒検査、HBs抗原検査を行う自動分析装
置に対しラツクを供給する方法について説明す
る。
まず最初に試料容器を収容するラツクとラツク
を収容するカセツトトレイの構成およびラツクを
自動分析装置内に送り込む機構を第１，２図を参
照して説明する。第１図においてカセツトトレイ
１は一定の間隙を保つて垂直方向に立てて配列し
た複数個の仕切り板２とこれらの仕切り板２の一
方の側端付近を連結する第１連結部材３と、仕切
り板２により仕切られた区画の底部よりラツク移
送機構を作用させる隙間を残して仕切り板２の底
部を連結する第２連結部材４と、カセツトトレイ
１の移送方向の最後列の仕切り板２の外側に設け
た取手５とから成り、複数個の試料容器６を載置
したラツク７をカセツトトレイ１の各区画に１個
ずつ収容する。カセツトトレイ１はカセツトトレ
イ受け８内に収容して使用するため、ラツク７は
カセツトトレイ受け８内に収容したカセツトトレ
イ１の各区画に上方から落し込むようにして収容
する。カセツトトレイ受け８はカセツトトレイ１
の移送方向の端部の底面両側に切欠き８ａを有
し、爪９がカセツトトレイ受け８内に突出し得る
ようにする。この爪９によりカセツトトレイ１を
第１図の矢印Ａ方向に１区画ずつ間欠的に移送す
る。カセツトトレイ１の爪９により送り出された
区画内に収容したラツク７はローラ１０，１１に
より第１，２図中右方へ送り出され、ベルト１２
に受け渡され、自動分析装置内に送り込まれる。
ローラ１０，１１はベルト１３により連結し、ロ
ーラ１１の軸に直結したモータ１４により駆動す
る。またベルト１２はモータ１４よりベルト１
５、軸１６およびプーリ１７を介して駆動する。
これによりローラ１０，１１、およびベルト１２
をモータ１４により連動させて駆動することがで
きる。第２図はカセツトトレイ１をカセツトトレ
イ受け８に収容した状態で自動分析装置本体のラ
ツク供給部１８上にセツトした状態を示す図であ
り、この状態から第１図に示す爪９によりカセツ
トトレイ１をローラ１０，１１上に１区画ずつ送
り出し、カセツトトレイ１内に収容したラツク７
の自動分析装置内への送り出しが行なわれる。第
２図に示すようにラツク７にはラツク送り出し方
向の最前列の試料容器収容部の下方に永久磁石１
９を埋設してあり、ラツク７がベルト１２により
自動分析装置内に送り込まれ際にベルト１２の下
方に設けたリードリレー２０によりこの永久磁石
１９を検知し、ラツク７の通過を確認するように
している。
第３，４図は第１，２図に示したラツク供給機
構およびラツク７の試料容器６内に収容した試料
の吸引機構を示す図である。第３，４図を参照し
てこの装置によるラツクの供給および収納方法を
説明する。第３図において、ラツク７に載置した
試料容器６内には遠心分離され血球と血清との２
層に分離された試料を収容する。ラツク７を収容
したカセツトトレイ１はカセツトトレイ受け８と
ともに自動分析装置本体のラツク供給部１８に手
２１でセツトする。この後第１図に示した爪９に
よりカセツトトレイ１を矢印Ａ方向へ移送し、カ
セツトトレイ１の最初の区画をローラ１０，１１
上に移送させ停止させる。次にローラ１０，１
１、およびベルト１２の駆動によりカセツトトレ
イ１の最初の区画に収容したラツク７を第３図中
左方へ移送する。ラツク７はこのベルト１２によ
り試料容器６の配列ピツチに合わせて間欠移送
し、順次一定時間Ｂ点で停止するように移送す
る。このラツク７のＢ点停止期間に試料容器６の
外壁にはられたID記号（バーコード等）を読み
取り手段２２により投光および受光によりその検
体についての検体No.、測定項目等を読み取り、自
動分析装置による以後の分析処理をこの記憶デー
タによつて処理する。これと同時にラツク７のＢ
点停止期間中に試料分注ノズル２３，２４を試料
容器６内に下降させ、シリンジ２３ａによりノズ
ル２３より血清を所定量吸引し、シリンジ２４ａ
によりノズル２４より血球を所定量吸引する。こ
の試料の吸引の際ノズルの先端位置と試料の液面
の検出および血清と血球との境界面の検出はこれ
らのノズル２３，２４に隣接して設けた図示して
ない電極により抵抗値変化を検出して行なう。血
清および血球の吸引後、これらのノズル２３，２
４を上昇させるとともに第３図中反時計方向に回
動させ、これと同時にモータ２５によりスクリユ
ー軸２６を回転させ、ノズル保持台２７を第３図
中左方へ移動させノズル２３，２４の先端を支持
台２８上に載置した希釈容器２９上に位置させる
（第４図参照）。希釈容器は一つの支持台２８上に
２９〜３２の４個の希釈容器が載置してあり、支
持台２８はベルト３３上に設置してあり、ベルト
３３により第３，４図の左方へ移送可能となつて
いる。希釈容器２９上においてノズル２３より所
定量の血清を希釈容器２９内に分注し、この後モ
ータ２５によりスクリユー軸２６を回転させ、ノ
ズル２３，２４を第４図中左方へ移動させ、希釈
容器３０，３１上に順次停止させ、ノズル２３よ
り所定量の血清の分注を行なう。これにより希釈
容器２９，３０，３１内には同一検体試料の血清
のみが３等分ずつ種まき分注されることになる。
希釈容器３１に血清の分注を行なつた後ノズル２
３，２４をさらに第４図中左方へ移動させ希釈容
器３２上に停止させて、ノズル２４より希釈容器
３２内に所定量の血球を分注する。この血球の分
注と同時にシリンジ３４より希釈液容器３５内の
希釈液を吸収しノズル３７より希釈容器３２内に
吐出し血球と希釈液とを混合し血球浮遊液を作成
する。この希釈液の分注は血球の分注と同時また
はそれより前から開始し、血球の分注が終了して
から希釈液の分注を終了させるようにする。これ
は血球が希釈容器３２内に付着することを妨ぐと
同時に血球と希釈液とを撹拌するためである。こ
のようにして同一検体からの血清および血球の吐
出分注を完了する。この後試料の分注の終つた支
持台２８はベルト３３により第３図中左方へ移送
し、次の支持台２８が試料分注位置に配置され
る。この時試料の分注の終つた支持台２８上の希
釈容器２９，３０，３１がそれぞれノズル３７，
３８，３９の下方に位置するようになる。これら
のノズルにそれぞれ接続したシリンジ４０，４
１，４２により、希釈液容器４３，４４，４５内
の希釈液を吸収し、ノズル３７，３８，３９より
希釈容器２９，３０，３１にそれぞれ所定量の希
釈液を分注し、希釈容器２９，３０，３１内に分
注してある血清の希釈を行ない３種類の血清希釈
液を作成する。このようにして作成された１種類
の血球浮遊液と３種類の血清希釈液により多項目
の検査がなされるがこれらの関係については以下
の第１表に示す。
The present invention mainly relates to a method for supplying a plurality of containers containing samples to be analyzed in an automatic analyzer into an automatic analyzer. As a conventional method for supplying a sample container into an automatic analyzer, there is known a method using "Automatic Chemical Analyzer" disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 929300 by the applicant.
The method for supplying sample containers in this device is to directly store multiple sample containers in each compartment of a cassette tray partitioned into multiple compartments, and feed these sample containers into the automatic analyzer using a belt conveyor for automatic analysis. After performing a specified operation on the sample in the sample container in the device, the used sample container is transferred by a belt conveyor into a separate empty cassette tray placed at the end of the belt conveyor opposite to the sample container supply side. We send used sample containers to the By the way, this conventional method for supplying sample containers in automatic analyzers requires both a cassette tray for feeding sample containers to the belt conveyor and an empty cassette tray for storing used sample containers discharged from the belt conveyor. However, there was a problem in that the entire device became large because it took up space. Additionally, due to sample processing operations in automatic analyzers, the cassette tray on the supply side of sample containers is usually located at a distance from the cassette tray on the discharge side of used sample containers.
For this reason, there was a problem in that these had to be connected by a separate conveyance mechanism, making the configuration of the apparatus complicated. The purpose of the present invention is to solve the problems in the conventional method of supplying sample containers to an automatic analyzer, to achieve miniaturization of the sample container supply mechanism and discharge mechanism to the automatic analyzer, and to also reduce the size of the sample container supply mechanism and discharge mechanism to the automatic analyzer. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for supplying sample containers that can be processed efficiently without taking up much space. In order to achieve this objective, the method of supplying racks to an automatic analyzer according to the present invention involves storing a plurality of containers used in the automatic analyzer, such as sample containers, in racks, and loading the racks into individual cassette trays having a plurality of compartments. The cassette tray is delivered one section at a time onto a rack transfer mechanism by intermittent operation, and the rack accommodated in the section of the cassette tray from which the cassette tray has been sent is sent into the automatic analyzer by this transfer mechanism. After a predetermined operation is performed on the container housed in the cassette tray in the automatic analyzer, the rack is returned to a predetermined section of the cassette tray by the transfer mechanism, and then the next section is sent onto the transfer mechanism. It is characterized by this. The method of supplying racks to an automatic analyzer according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments of the present invention, a method for supplying a rack to an automatic analyzer that performs blood type determination, Rh determination, antibody screening, syphilis test, and HBs antigen test using blood immunological agglutination reaction will be described. explain. First, the structure of a rack for accommodating a sample container and a cassette tray for accommodating the rack, and a mechanism for feeding the rack into an automatic analyzer will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In FIG. 1, a cassette tray 1 includes a plurality of partition plates 2 vertically arranged with a constant gap between them, a first connecting member 3 connecting the vicinity of one side end of these partition plates 2, and a partition plate. A second connecting member 4 connects the bottom of the partition plate 2 with a gap left for the easy transfer mechanism to operate from the bottom of the compartment partitioned by the plate 2, and the outer side of the partition plate 2 in the last row in the transfer direction of the cassette tray 1. A rack 7 on which a plurality of sample containers 6 are placed is housed, one in each compartment of the cassette tray 1. Since the cassette tray 1 is used while being accommodated in the cassette tray receiver 8, the rack 7 is accommodated by being dropped into each section of the cassette tray 1 accommodated in the cassette tray receiver 8 from above. The cassette tray receiver 8 is the cassette tray 1
Notches 8a are provided on both sides of the bottom surface of the ends in the transport direction so that the claws 9 can protrude into the cassette tray receiver 8. The claw 9 intermittently moves the cassette tray 1 one section at a time in the direction of arrow A in FIG. The rack 7 accommodated in the compartment fed out by the claw 9 of the cassette tray 1 is fed out to the right in FIGS. 1 and 2 by rollers 10 and 11, and
and delivered to the automatic analyzer.
The rollers 10 and 11 are connected by a belt 13 and driven by a motor 14 directly connected to the shaft of the roller 11. Also, the belt 12 is connected to the belt 1 by the motor 14.
5. Drive via shaft 16 and pulley 17.
As a result, rollers 10, 11 and belt 12
can be driven in conjunction with the motor 14. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the cassette tray 1 is housed in the cassette tray holder 8 and set on the rack supply section 18 of the automatic analyzer main body. 1 is fed one section at a time onto rollers 10 and 11, and the rack 7 accommodated in the cassette tray 1 is
is sent into an automatic analyzer. As shown in FIG.
When the rack 7 is fed into the automatic analyzer by the belt 12, the permanent magnet 19 is detected by a reed relay 20 provided below the belt 12, and the passage of the rack 7 is confirmed. ing. 3 and 4 are diagrams showing the rack supply mechanism and the suction mechanism for the sample contained in the sample container 6 of the rack 7 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The method of supplying and storing racks using this apparatus will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. In FIG. 3, a sample container 6 placed on a rack 7 contains blood cells and serum that have been centrifuged.
Contains a sample separated into layers. The cassette tray 1 containing the rack 7 is manually set 21 together with the cassette tray receiver 8 in the rack supply section 18 of the main body of the automatic analyzer. Thereafter, the cassette tray 1 is moved in the direction of arrow A by the claw 9 shown in FIG.
Transfer it to the top and stop it. Next, rollers 10,1
1 and the belt 12, the rack 7 accommodated in the first compartment of the cassette tray 1 is transferred to the left in FIG. The rack 7 is intermittently transferred by the belt 12 in accordance with the arrangement pitch of the sample containers 6, and is sequentially transferred so as to stop at point B for a certain period of time. During this period when the rack 7 is stopped at point B, the reading means 22 reads the ID symbol (bar code, etc.) attached to the outer wall of the sample container 6 by emitting and receiving light, and reads the sample number, measurement items, etc. of the sample, and automatically Subsequent analysis processing by the analyzer is performed using this stored data. At the same time, easy 7 B
During the point stop period, the sample dispensing nozzles 23 and 24 are lowered into the sample container 6, and a predetermined amount of serum is aspirated from the nozzle 23 with the syringe 23a.
A predetermined amount of blood cells is suctioned from the nozzle 24. When sucking the sample, the position of the tip of the nozzle, the liquid level of the sample, and the interface between serum and blood cells are detected by using electrodes (not shown) installed adjacent to these nozzles 23 and 24 to detect changes in resistance. Detect and do it. After aspiration of serum and blood cells, these nozzles 23,2
4 is raised and rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 3, and at the same time, the screw shaft 26 is rotated by the motor 25, and the nozzle holding base 27 is moved to the left in FIG. is placed on the dilution container 29 placed on the support stand 28 (see FIG. 4). Four dilution containers 29 to 32 are placed on one support stand 28. The support stand 28 is placed on a belt 33, and the belt 33 allows it to be moved to the left in FIGS. 3 and 4. It is now possible to transfer to A predetermined amount of serum is dispensed into the dilution container 29 from the nozzle 23 on the dilution container 29, and then the screw shaft 26 is rotated by the motor 25 to move the nozzles 23 and 24 to the left in FIG. The containers 30 and 31 are stopped in sequence, and a predetermined amount of serum is dispensed from the nozzle 23. As a result, only the serum of the same specimen sample is seeded and dispensed into the dilution containers 29, 30, and 31 in three equal parts.
After dispensing serum into the dilution container 31, the nozzle 2
3 and 24 are further moved to the left in FIG. 4 and stopped above the dilution container 32, and a predetermined amount of blood cells is dispensed from the nozzle 24 into the dilution container 32. At the same time as this blood cell dispensing, the diluent in the diluent container 35 is absorbed from the syringe 34 and discharged from the nozzle 37 into the diluent container 32 to mix the blood cells and the diluent to create a blood cell suspension. The dispensing of the diluent is started at the same time as or before the dispensing of the blood cells, and the dispensing of the diluent is finished after the dispensing of the blood cells is completed. This is to prevent blood cells from adhering to the dilution container 32 and at the same time to stir the blood cells and diluent. In this way, the dispensing and dispensing of serum and blood cells from the same specimen is completed. Thereafter, the support table 28 that has finished dispensing the sample is transferred to the left in FIG. 3 by the belt 33, and the next support table 28 is placed at the sample dispensing position. At this time, the dilution containers 29, 30, and 31 on the support stand 28, which have finished dispensing the sample, are connected to the nozzles 37 and 31, respectively.
It will be located below 38 and 39. Syringes 40, 4 connected to these nozzles, respectively.
1 and 42, the diluent in the diluent containers 43, 44, and 45 is absorbed, and a predetermined amount of the diluent is dispensed from the nozzles 37, 38, and 39 into the dilution containers 29, 30, and 31, respectively. , 30 and 31 are diluted to prepare three types of diluted serum solutions. A multi-item test is performed using one type of blood cell suspension and three types of serum dilutions prepared in this way, and the relationship between these is shown in Table 1 below.
【表】
一方ノズル２３，２４はノズル２４より血球の
吐出分注を完了した後、モータ２５を逆転させ、
ノズル保持台２７を第４図中左方へ移動させ、ノ
ズル２３，２４を洗浄槽４６上に停止させた後下
降させ、洗浄槽４６内でノズル２３，２４の外壁
を洗浄し、これと同時に第３図に示す洗浄液容器
２３ｂ内の洗浄液をシリンジ２３ａにより吸引
し、ノズル２３より吐出し、洗浄液容器２４ｂ内
の洗浄液をシリンジ２４ａにより吸引し、ノズル
２４より吐出し、ノズル２３，２４の内面の洗浄
を行なう。ノズル２３，２４の洗浄完了後ノズル
２３，２４を洗浄液槽４６内より引き上げて第
３，４図の時計方向に回動させ、試料の希釈容器
への分注の１サイクルの工程が終了する。この１
サイクルの間にラツク７をラツク７に載置した試
料容器の間隔の１ピツチ分だけベルト１２により
移送し、ラツク７に載置した次の試料容器６をＢ
点に停止させる。このようにして試料の分注とと
もにラツク７を間欠移送し、ラツク７に載置した
全ての試料容器６内の試料が分注され後ると、ベ
ルト１２およびローラ１０，１１を逆転させラツ
ク７をカセツトトレイ１のもとの区画にもどし、
この後爪９の作動によりカセツトトレイ１を第３
図のＡ方向に１区画分進ませ、次の区画に収容し
たラツク７をローラ１０，１１上に送り出し、ロ
ーラ１０，１１およびベルト１２により次のラツ
ク７を自動分析装置内へ送り込み、次のラツク７
に載置した試料容器６内の試料の分注を行なう。
このようにしてカセツトトレイ１の順次の区画に
収容したラツク７を自動分析装置内へ送り込み、
第４図に示すように最後の区画に収容したラツク
７が自動分析装置内へ送り込まれたら、このラツ
ク７に載置した試料容器６内の試料の分注を行な
つている間に操作者はカセツトトレイ１を受け台
にもどし、第３図に示すようにカセツトトレイ１
の第１番目の区画にラツクを収容してない新しい
カセツトトレイ１と交換する。これにより交換す
る前のカセツトトレイ１より送り出されたラツク
７を新しいカセツトトレイ１の第１番目の区画に
収容し、第２番目の区画より次のラツク７を自動
分析装置に送り出すことができる。このようにす
れば自動分析装置へのラツクの供給をとぎれさせ
ることなく行なうことができるので、自動分析装
置における分注作動および装置の作動サイクルを
遅らせることがない。カセツトトレイ１から自動
分析装置内へラツク７が送り出されてから再び収
容されるまで通常２分30秒かかるので、カセツト
トレイ１の最後の区画からラツク７が送り出され
てから余裕を見て１〜２分以内にカセツトトレイ
１の交換を行なえばよいことになる。
次にラツク７の供給、収納の際のジヤム警報に
ついて説明する。第２図において前述したように
ラツク７の第１番目の試料容器収容部の底部には
永久磁石１９が埋め込まれており、ベルト１２に
よりラツク７が自動分析装置内へ移送されて行く
とリードリレー２０がこの磁石１９を検知し、こ
の検知信号により図示してないタイマを作動させ
る。ラツク７に載置みた試料容器６内の試料の分
注が完了した後再び磁石１９がリードリレー２０
の上方を横切り、リードリレー２０を作動させ
る。このリードリレー２０が最初に作動してから
次に作動するまでの時間がタイマの設定時間内で
あればラツク７の移送が正常に作動していると判
断し警報を発しないが、この時間が設定時間以上
であればラツク７のジヤム判断し、警報を発しラ
ツク７の搬送動作を停止させる。
このように構成した本発明の自動分析装置への
ラツク供給方法では試料の分注前のラツクを収容
したカセツトトレイと試料分注後のラツクを収容
するカセツトトレイとを共用できるとともに同一
の場所で使用前のラツクの供給および使用後のラ
ツクの収容ができるのでラツクの移送機構ととも
に自動分析装置自体をコンパクトにすることがで
き、また自動分析装置による試料の分注動作およ
び装置全体の分析サイクルをとぎれさせることな
く使用済のラツクを収容したカセツトトレイと使
用前のラツクを収容したカセツトトレイとを交換
することができ、さらにカセツトトレイに収容さ
れたラツクが分析済のものであるかこれから分析
を行なうものであるのかの判断が、カセツトトレ
イの最初の区画が空となつているか最後の区画が
空となつているかによつて容易に判別できる等の
種々の利点を有するラツク供給方法である。[Table] On the other hand, after the nozzles 23 and 24 complete discharging and dispensing blood cells from the nozzle 24, the motor 25 is reversed,
The nozzle holding table 27 is moved to the left in FIG. 4, the nozzles 23 and 24 are stopped on the cleaning tank 46, and then lowered, the outer walls of the nozzles 23 and 24 are cleaned in the cleaning tank 46, and at the same time The cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid container 23b shown in FIG. Perform cleaning. After the cleaning of the nozzles 23 and 24 is completed, the nozzles 23 and 24 are pulled up from the cleaning liquid tank 46 and rotated clockwise in FIGS. 3 and 4, thereby completing one cycle of dispensing the sample into the dilution container. This one
During the cycle, the rack 7 is transferred by the belt 12 by one pitch of the interval between the sample containers placed on the rack 7, and the next sample container 6 placed on the rack 7 is transferred to B.
Stop at a point. In this way, the rack 7 is intermittently transferred along with the sample dispensing, and after the samples in all the sample containers 6 placed on the rack 7 have been dispensed, the belt 12 and rollers 10, 11 are reversed and the rack 7 is transferred. Return it to its original compartment in cassette tray 1,
After this, the claw 9 is operated to move the cassette tray 1 to the third position.
The rack 7 is advanced by one section in the direction of A in the figure, and the rack 7 stored in the next section is sent out onto the rollers 10 and 11. The next rack 7 is sent into the automatic analyzer by the rollers 10 and 11 and the belt 12, and the next rack 7 is sent into the automatic analyzer. Rack 7
The sample in the sample container 6 placed in the sample container 6 is dispensed.
The racks 7 thus accommodated in the sequential compartments of the cassette tray 1 are fed into the automatic analyzer, and
As shown in FIG. 4, when the rack 7 accommodated in the last compartment is sent into the automatic analyzer, the operator must Return the cassette tray 1 to the cradle, and place the cassette tray 1 as shown in Figure 3.
Replace the cassette tray 1 with a new cassette tray 1 that does not contain any racks in the first compartment. As a result, the rack 7 sent out from the cassette tray 1 before replacement can be stored in the first compartment of the new cassette tray 1, and the next rack 7 can be delivered from the second compartment to the automatic analyzer. In this way, the supply of racks to the automatic analyzer can be carried out without interruption, so that the dispensing operation in the automatic analyzer and the operation cycle of the apparatus are not delayed. It usually takes 2 minutes and 30 seconds from the time the rack 7 is sent out from the cassette tray 1 into the automatic analyzer until it is put back into the automatic analyzer. This means that the cassette tray 1 only needs to be replaced within two minutes. Next, a jam alarm when supplying and storing the rack 7 will be explained. As described above in FIG. 2, a permanent magnet 19 is embedded in the bottom of the first sample container accommodating part of the rack 7, and when the rack 7 is transferred into the automatic analyzer by the belt 12, the reed relay 20 detects this magnet 19, and this detection signal activates a timer (not shown). After completing the dispensing of the sample in the sample container 6 placed on the rack 7, the magnet 19 is connected to the reed relay 20 again.
, and activates the reed relay 20. If the time from the first activation of this reed relay 20 to the next activation is within the set time of the timer, it will be determined that the transport of the rack 7 is operating normally and no alarm will be issued. If the set time is exceeded, it is determined that the rack 7 is jammed, an alarm is issued, and the transport operation of the rack 7 is stopped. In the method for supplying racks to an automatic analyzer according to the present invention configured as described above, the cassette tray containing the racks before sample dispensing and the cassette tray containing the racks after sample dispensing can be used in common, and they can be supplied at the same location. Since racks can be supplied before use and racks can be stored after use, the automatic analyzer itself can be made more compact together with the rack transport mechanism, and the sample dispensing operation by the automatic analyzer and the analysis cycle of the entire apparatus can be reduced. It is possible to exchange a cassette tray containing used racks with a cassette tray containing unused racks without any disruption, and it is also possible to analyze whether the racks stored in the cassette tray are the ones that have been analyzed. This rack feeding method has various advantages, such as the fact that it can be easily determined whether the first compartment or the last compartment of the cassette tray is empty.
第１図は本発明の自動分析装置へのラツク供給
方法に用いるラツク移送機構の構成を示す一部切
欠き斜視図、第２図は第１図のラツク移送機構に
よりラツクを自動分析装置内へ供給する状態を示
す一部切欠き断面図、第３，４図は第１，２図に
示すラツク移送機構を有する自動分析装置のラツ
ク供給部分を示す線図的平面図である。
１……カセツトトレイ、２……仕切り板、３…
…第１連結部材、４……第２連結部材、５……取
手、６……試料容器、７……ラツク、８……カセ
ツトトレイ受け、９……爪、１０，１１……ロー
ラ、１２，１３……ベルト、１４……モータ、１
５……ベルト、１６……軸、１７……プーリ、１
８……ラツク供給部、１９……永久磁石、２０…
…リードリレー、２１……手、２２……読み取り
手段、２３，２４……試料分注ノズル、２３ａ，
２４ａ……シリンジ、２５……モータ、２６……
スクリユー軸、２７……ノズル保持台、２８……
支持台、２９，３０，３１，３２……希釈容器、
３３……ベルト、３４……シリンジ、３５……希
釈液容器、３６，３７，３８，３９……ノズル、
４０，４１，４２……シリンジ、４３，４４，４
５……希釈液容器、４６……洗浄槽。
FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the configuration of a rack transfer mechanism used in the method of supplying racks to an automatic analyzer according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the rack transfer mechanism shown in FIG. 3 and 4 are diagrammatic plan views showing the rack supply portion of the automatic analyzer having the rack transfer mechanism shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1...Cassette tray, 2...Partition plate, 3...
...First connecting member, 4...Second connecting member, 5...Handle, 6...Sample container, 7...Rack, 8...Cassette tray receiver, 9...Claw, 10, 11...Roller, 12 , 13...Belt, 14...Motor, 1
5...Belt, 16...Shaft, 17...Pulley, 1
8...Rack supply section, 19...Permanent magnet, 20...
... Reed relay, 21 ... Hand, 22 ... Reading means, 23, 24 ... Sample dispensing nozzle, 23a,
24a...Syringe, 25...Motor, 26...
Screw shaft, 27... Nozzle holding stand, 28...
Support stand, 29, 30, 31, 32... dilution container,
33... Belt, 34... Syringe, 35... Diluent container, 36, 37, 38, 39... Nozzle,
40,41,42...Syringe, 43,44,4
5... Diluent container, 46... Cleaning tank.
Claims (1)
画に個々に収容したカセツトトレイより、自動分
析装置内へ前記ラツクを順次に供給する方法にお
いて、前記カセツトトレイを１区画ずつ間欠的作
動によりラツク移送機構上に送り出し、前記カセ
ツトトレイの送り出された区画内に収容したラツ
クをこの移送機構により自動分析装置内へ送り込
み、ラツクに収容した容器に対し前記自動分析装
置において所定の作業を行なつた後、このラツク
を前記移送機構によりカセツトトレイの所定の区
画にもどしてから次の区画を前記移送機構上に送
り出すようにしたことを特徴とする自動分析装置
へのラツク供給方法。 ２ 前記ラツクを前記カセツトの間欠移送方向の
最初の区画を除いて前記カセツトトレイ内に収容
し、既に自動分析装置内にラツクの供給を行なつ
ているカセツトトレイの最後の区画に収容したラ
ツクを自動分析装置内に送り込み、再びカセツト
トレイ内の区画にもどす際に、このラツクを次の
カセツトの最初の区画にもどすようにした特許請
求の範囲第１項に記載した自動分析装置へのラツ
ク供給方法。[Scope of Claims] 1. In a method for sequentially supplying racks containing a plurality of containers into an automatic analyzer from a cassette tray in which the racks are individually housed in a plurality of compartments, the cassette tray is divided into one compartment. The racks accommodated in the delivered compartment of the cassette tray are fed into the automatic analyzer by the transfer mechanism, and the containers housed in the racks are transferred to a predetermined position in the automatic analyzer. After performing this operation, the rack is returned to a predetermined section of the cassette tray by the transfer mechanism, and then the next section is sent onto the transfer mechanism. Method. 2. Store the racks in the cassette tray except for the first compartment in the direction of intermittent transfer of the cassettes, and place the racks stored in the last compartment of the cassette tray, which has already been supplied with racks into the automatic analyzer. A rack supply to an automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the rack is returned to the first compartment of the next cassette when the rack is fed into the automatic analyzer and returned to the compartment in the cassette tray. Method.
Priority Applications (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP20081881A JPS58102162A (en) | 1981-12-15 | 1981-12-15 | Method of feeding rack to automatic analyzer |
| DE3246274A DE3246274C2 (en) | 1981-12-14 | 1982-12-14 | Analyzer working with immunological agglutination reaction |
| US07/036,210 US4861554A (en) | 1981-12-14 | 1987-04-08 | Automatic analyzing apparatus for analyzing agglutination patterns |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP20081881A JPS58102162A (en) | 1981-12-15 | 1981-12-15 | Method of feeding rack to automatic analyzer |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPS58102162A JPS58102162A (en) | 1983-06-17 |
| JPH0119542B2 true JPH0119542B2 (en) | 1989-04-12 |
Family
ID=16430704
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP20081881A Granted JPS58102162A (en) | 1981-12-14 | 1981-12-15 | Method of feeding rack to automatic analyzer |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS58102162A (en) |
Families Citing this family (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS60173057U (en) * | 1984-04-24 | 1985-11-16 | 出光興産株式会社 | Spectrometer sample cell supply mechanism |
| JPS62257048A (en) * | 1986-04-30 | 1987-11-09 | Corona Denki Kk | Measuring method using microplate |
| JPH0231164A (en) * | 1988-07-20 | 1990-02-01 | Nittec Co Ltd | Sample cassette transfer apparatus |
| US5735387A (en) * | 1995-07-14 | 1998-04-07 | Chiron Diagnostics Corporation | Specimen rack handling system |
| JP3972189B2 (en) * | 2002-05-10 | 2007-09-05 | 日本パルスモーター株式会社 | Dispensing device with detachable cartridge rack structure |
| JP4843416B2 (en) * | 2006-08-31 | 2011-12-21 | Ｊｕｋｉ株式会社 | Reagent storage |
| JP5258615B2 (en) * | 2009-02-20 | 2013-08-07 | 株式会社東芝 | Automatic analyzer |
| CN112867925A (en) * | 2018-10-23 | 2021-05-28 | 积水医疗株式会社 | Automatic sampler, automatic analyzer, sampling method, and automatic inspection method |
| EP3872498A4 (en) * | 2018-10-23 | 2022-07-13 | Sekisui Medical Co., Ltd. | Autosampler, automatic analysis device, sampling method, and automatic inspection method |
-
1981
- 1981-12-15 JP JP20081881A patent/JPS58102162A/en active Granted
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPS58102162A (en) | 1983-06-17 |
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