JPH10232239A - Dispenser - Google Patents
DispenserInfo
- Publication number
- JPH10232239A JPH10232239A JP3680997A JP3680997A JPH10232239A JP H10232239 A JPH10232239 A JP H10232239A JP 3680997 A JP3680997 A JP 3680997A JP 3680997 A JP3680997 A JP 3680997A JP H10232239 A JPH10232239 A JP H10232239A
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- liquid
- dispensing tip
- dispensing
- chip
- tip
- 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.)
- Pending
Links
Abstract
Description
【０００１】[0001]
【発明の属する技術分野】本発明は、分注チップにより
液体試料を分注する分注装置の検知・分注機能の改良に
関するものである。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement in a detection / dispensing function of a dispensing device for dispensing a liquid sample by a dispensing tip.
【０００２】[0002]
【従来の技術】従来の装置は、特開平０６−３４１９９
８号公報に記載のように、液体試料の液面に分注チップ
が接触したことを検知する方法として、超音波発生器か
ら送信された超音波を、分注チップと液体試料の吸引・
吐出駆動するポンプの間を接続するホールダ等の配管を
介して分注チップに送り出し、超音波パルスを送信して
から超音波発生器からノズル先端までの距離の往復に必
要な時間経過後に受信する信号を超音波信号処理回路で
処理し、分注チップの先端が液体試料に達したときに現
れる受信信号の変化を検出し、液体試料の液面に分注チ
ップが接触したことを検知するようになっている。2. Description of the Related Art A conventional apparatus is disclosed in JP-A-06-34199.
As described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8 (1999), as a method for detecting that the dispensing tip has come into contact with the liquid surface of the liquid sample, the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the ultrasonic generator is used to aspirate the dispensing tip and the liquid sample.
It is sent out to the dispensing tip through a pipe such as a holder that connects between the pumps that drive ejection, and the ultrasonic pulse is transmitted and received after the time required for reciprocation of the distance from the ultrasonic generator to the nozzle tip elapses The signal is processed by an ultrasonic signal processing circuit to detect a change in a received signal that appears when the tip of the dispensing tip reaches the liquid sample, and to detect that the dispensing tip has contacted the liquid surface of the liquid sample. It has become.
【０００３】[0003]
【発明が解決しようとする課題】しかし、かかる従来の
この種の装置は、超音波発生部と受信信号の変化の感知
先である分注チップの先端の間にホールダ等の配管を介
在させているため、超音波が伝搬する経路が長く信号の
減衰が大きいため受信信号の変化もわずかなものとな
り、液体試料の液面に分注チップが接触したことを確実
に検知できない場合があった。However, in such a conventional apparatus of this type, a pipe such as a holder is interposed between the ultrasonic generator and the tip of a dispensing tip which is a destination for detecting a change in a received signal. Therefore, since the path through which the ultrasonic wave propagates is long and the signal is greatly attenuated, the change in the received signal is small, and it may not be possible to reliably detect that the dispensing tip has contacted the liquid surface of the liquid sample.
【０００４】更に、分注チップは交換可能なディスポー
ザブルチップである場合、ホールダと分注チップの装着
の具合が分注チップを交換する度に変化するため、この
部分で超音波振動の伝達率が変化し、受信信号のＳ／Ｎ
比が悪化する場合があり、上述と同様にして安定した高
信頼の液面の検知が行えないという欠点があった。Further, when the dispensing tip is a replaceable disposable tip, the degree of attachment of the holder and the dispensing tip changes every time the dispensing tip is replaced, and the transmissibility of the ultrasonic vibration in this portion is reduced. Changes, the S / N of the received signal
The ratio may be deteriorated, and there is a disadvantage that stable and highly reliable detection of the liquid level cannot be performed in the same manner as described above.
【０００５】本発明は上記した従来技術の欠点に鑑みな
されたのもであり、その目的とするとするところは、こ
の種の装置に於いて、液体試料の液面に分注チップが接
触したことを確実に信頼性高く検知すると共に、分注チ
ップ内に吸引した液体試料の高さを計測することによ
り、併せて試料不足、チップ詰まりも検知可能とした分
注装置を提供することにある。The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to make sure that a dispensing tip comes into contact with a liquid surface of a liquid sample in such a device. Another object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing apparatus capable of detecting a sample with high reliability and measuring the height of a liquid sample sucked into a dispensing tip, thereby simultaneously detecting shortage of the sample and clogging of the tip.
【０００６】[0006]
【課題を解決するための手段】上記目的は、分注チップ
に所定量の液体試料を吸引しまた吸引した試料を吐出す
るポンプ手段と、分注チップを液体試料に対して上昇・
下降させるスライダ手段と、ポンプ手段の先端部の分注
チップが装着される部分の先端部と分注チップの間に介
して超音波等の信号を発信・受信する振動子と、振動子
から超音波が発信された後、超音波がこれに直接接触し
ている分注チップに伝搬し、分注チップ内に吸引された
液体試料の液面を経由し分注チップに伝わり、再び振動
子に戻る振動の伝搬経路により反射して戻ってくる信号
を振動子が受信する際の、発信から受信までの時間経過
から分注チップ内の液体試料の液面高さを計測する信号
処理回路と、信号処理回路の信号出力に基ずいてスライ
ダ手段及びポンプ手段を制御する制御手段を備えること
により達成される。The object of the present invention is to provide a pump means for sucking a predetermined amount of a liquid sample into a dispensing tip and discharging the sucked sample;
A slider means for lowering, a vibrator for transmitting and receiving signals such as ultrasonic waves between the dispensing tip and the distal end of a portion where the dispensing tip is mounted at the tip of the pump means, After the sound wave is transmitted, the ultrasonic wave propagates to the dispensing tip that is in direct contact with the dispensing tip, propagates through the liquid surface of the liquid sample sucked into the dispensing tip to the dispensing tip, and returns to the vibrator again. A signal processing circuit for measuring the liquid level of the liquid sample in the dispensing tip from the lapse of time from transmission to reception when the transducer receives a signal reflected back by the return vibration propagation path, This is achieved by providing control means for controlling the slider means and the pump means based on the signal output of the signal processing circuit.
【０００７】[0007]
【発明の実施の形態】本発明の具体的実施例を図面に基
づいて以下詳細に説明する。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.
【０００８】図１は、本発明になる分注装置の一実施例
を示した部分断面図であり、分注装置全体を１で示し、
図に於て、試験管２には親検体となる液体試料３が入っ
ており分注装置１により試験管５２に子検体として分注
される。分注チップ６は液体試料３を分注チップ６に所
定量吸引及び吐出するポンプ手段７に装着されており、
ポンプ手段７による吸引・吐出動作はシリンダ８内に嵌
合されたプランジャ９が、プランジャ駆動用モータ１０
の回転力によりカップリング１１を介してボールネジ１
２が回転し、シリンダ８内で往復動することにより行な
われる。１３は分注チップ６を試験管２、試験管５２に
対して上昇・下降させるスライダ手段であり、図示の場
合分注チップ６及びポンプ手段７が一体となって上昇・
下降動作を行ない、スライダ手段１３は駆動機構１４に
よって動かされ、１５はその駆動源となるスライダ駆動
機構用モータである。FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view showing an embodiment of a dispensing apparatus according to the present invention.
In the figure, a test sample 2 contains a liquid sample 3 serving as a parent sample, which is dispensed by a dispenser 1 into a test tube 52 as a child sample. The dispensing tip 6 is mounted on a pump means 7 for sucking and discharging a predetermined amount of the liquid sample 3 from the dispensing tip 6.
The suction / discharge operation by the pump means 7 is such that the plunger 9 fitted in the cylinder 8
Of the ball screw 1 via the coupling 11 by the rotational force of
2 is rotated and reciprocated in the cylinder 8. Reference numeral 13 denotes a slider means for raising and lowering the dispensing tip 6 with respect to the test tube 2 and the test tube 52.
The slider means 13 is moved by a driving mechanism 14, and a slider driving mechanism motor 15 is a driving source.
【０００９】１６は、分注チップ６の開口先端部２８が
液体試料３の液面２９に接触したこと及び分注チップ６
に吸引された液体試料３の吸引高さを計測する、分注チ
ップ６が装着されるポンプ手段７の先端部１８の分注チ
ップ６と先端部１８の間に介してに設けられた超音波等
の信号を送信受信する例えば中空リング状の形状をなす
振動子であり,１７は振動子１６に入出力される電気信
号を通すリードワイヤである。Reference numeral 16 denotes that the tip 28 of the opening of the dispensing tip 6 contacts the liquid surface 29 of the liquid sample 3 and that the dispensing tip 6
The ultrasonic wave provided between the dispensing tip 6 and the tip 18 of the tip part 18 of the pump means 7 to which the dispensing tip 6 is attached, which measures the suction height of the liquid sample 3 sucked into the liquid sample 3 A vibrator having a hollow ring shape, for example, for transmitting and receiving signals such as a signal, and 17 is a lead wire for passing electric signals input / output to / from the vibrator 16.
【００１０】なお、図１では振動子１６を中空リング状
の形状としたが、図６の１６Ａ、１６Ｂに示す様に送信
と受信の振動子を別個とした分割型のリング形状や、図
７の１６Ｃ，１６Ｄに示す様にその形状の一部分を切り
出した洋瓦のような形状の振動子としても構わない。In FIG. 1, the vibrator 16 has a hollow ring shape. However, as shown in 16A and 16B of FIG. As shown in FIGS. 16C and 16D, a vibrator having a shape like a Western tile obtained by cutting out a part of the shape may be used.
【００１１】ここで、分注チップ６は、分注装置１が試
験管２から試験管５２に液体試料３を所定量分注する際
の他の分注作業とのキャリーオーバを防止するため、試
験管２の親検体が変わる度に廃棄し交換して使用するた
めディスポーザブルチップとなっており、分注チップ６
はポンプ手段７の先端部１８に着脱自在に装着できるよ
うになっている。Here, the dispensing tip 6 is used to prevent carry-over with other dispensing operations when the dispensing device 1 dispenses a predetermined amount of the liquid sample 3 from the test tube 2 to the test tube 52. Each time the parent sample of the test tube 2 changes, it is a disposable tip to be discarded and replaced for use.
Can be detachably attached to the distal end portion 18 of the pump means 7.
【００１２】図２は本発明の要点となる分注途上にある
図１の分注装置１の要部の詳細を示した断面図であり、
図１と同一機能の部分には同一の番号が符してあり、振
動子１６は矢印Ａのルートで示す様に、分注チップ６の
壁面に超音波を送信し、一方分注チップ６の壁面から分
注チップ６内の液柱２３の液面５４を経由して再び分注
チップ６壁面を伝わり戻ってくる反射超音波を受信し、
このエコーバックの時間から、分注チップ６の先端が液
体試料３の液面２９に接触したこと、及び振動子１６か
ら分注チップ６内の液柱２３の液面５４までの距離Ｌを
計測し分注チップ６の全長から距離Ｌを減算することに
より液柱２３の高さＨを測定するようになっている。FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing details of a main part of the dispensing apparatus 1 of FIG.
1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the vibrator 16 transmits ultrasonic waves to the wall surface of the dispensing tip 6 as shown by the route indicated by the arrow A. The reflected ultrasonic wave transmitted from the wall surface to the wall surface of the dispensing tip 6 again via the liquid surface 54 of the liquid column 23 in the dispensing tip 6 is received,
From the echo back time, the fact that the tip of the dispensing tip 6 has contacted the liquid surface 29 of the liquid sample 3 and the distance L from the vibrator 16 to the liquid surface 54 of the liquid column 23 in the dispensing tip 6 are measured. The height H of the liquid column 23 is measured by subtracting the distance L from the entire length of the dispensing tip 6.
【００１３】なお、図２に於いてはルートＡの伝搬時間
を計測する例を示したが、図５に矢印Ｂ１のルート或い
は矢印Ｂ２のルートで例示するように、分注チップ６内
の液柱の液面５４と分注チップ６の界面で反射するエコ
ーの伝搬時間を計測してもよい。FIG. 2 shows an example of measuring the propagation time of the route A. However, as shown in FIG. 5 by the route of the arrow B1 or the route of the arrow B2, the liquid in the dispensing tip 6 is measured. The propagation time of the echo reflected at the interface between the liquid surface 54 of the column and the dispensing tip 6 may be measured.
【００１４】図３は本発明になる分注装置の制御手段等
の一実施例を示したブロック図であり、図１と同一の機
能の部分には同一の番号が符してあり、振動子１６には
送信手段となる送信ドライバ４２からリードワイヤ１７
を介して振動子１６へ例えば振動子１６の共振周波数に
合致した１ＭＨｚの周波数のパルスが２ミリ秒の間隔で
１０パルス程度送られ、一方、分注チップ６内から反射
して戻る受信パルスは同様にリードワイヤ１７を介して
受信手段となる受信アンプ３５で増幅された後信号処理
手段５３に出力され、信号処理手段５３からは矢印Ａの
ルートによる信号を弁別抽出し、例えば１０ナノ秒の内
部基準クロックの到来数をカウントし、このカウント数
から送信ドライバ４２が信号出力を開始後受信アンプ３
５から信号が出力されるまでの時間を計測し演算制御部
２６に測定結果を出力する。演算制御部２６は信号処理
手段５３の出力信号から分注チップ６の先端が液体試料
３の液面２９に接触したこと、及びその後は分注チップ
６内の液柱２３の液面５４までの距離Ｌを計測しこれに
より液柱２３の高さＨを測定し、この測定結果に基ずい
てプランジャ駆動用モータ１０及びスライダ駆動用モー
タ１５の回転を制御する。FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the control means and the like of the dispensing apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 3, parts having the same functions as those in FIG. Reference numeral 16 denotes a lead wire 17 from a transmission driver 42 serving as a transmission unit.
For example, about 10 pulses of a frequency of 1 MHz matching the resonance frequency of the vibrator 16 are sent to the vibrator 16 at intervals of 2 milliseconds. On the other hand, the received pulse reflected from the dispensing tip 6 and returned is Similarly, the signal is amplified by a receiving amplifier 35 serving as a receiving means via the lead wire 17 and output to the signal processing means 53. The signal processing means 53 discriminates and extracts a signal along the route indicated by the arrow A, and outputs a signal of, for example, 10 nanoseconds. The number of arrivals of the internal reference clock is counted, and after the transmission driver 42 starts signal output from the counted number, the reception amplifier 3
5 and outputs a measurement result to the arithmetic and control unit 26. The arithmetic control unit 26 determines from the output signal of the signal processing means 53 that the tip of the dispensing tip 6 has come into contact with the liquid surface 29 of the liquid sample 3, and thereafter, from the output signal to the liquid surface 54 of the liquid column 23 in the dispensing tip 6. The distance L is measured, thereby measuring the height H of the liquid column 23, and the rotation of the plunger driving motor 10 and the slider driving motor 15 is controlled based on the measurement result.
【００１５】以上のように構成された本発明になる分注
装置１の動作について以下に説明する。The operation of the dispensing apparatus 1 according to the present invention configured as described above will be described below.
【００１６】演算制御部２６の制御処理により、モータ
１５を動作させると駆動機構１４が動き、分注チップ６
が試験管２の液体試料３の液面２９に向かって下降す
る。この下降動作の途上において、分注チップ６の開口
先端部２８が液体試料３の液面２９に当接すると、信号
処理手段５３から演算制御部２６に信号が出力されるよ
うになり、分注チップ６の開口先端部２８が液体試料３
の液面２９に当接したことを検知する。即ち、この分注
チップ６の開口先端部２８が液体試料３の液面２９に当
接した時点での信号が（Ｌ＋Ｈ）の高さに相当する信号
となり、ポンプ手段７の先端部１８に装着される分注チ
ップ６の嵌合の具合が多少変化しても、毎回正確な（Ｌ
＋Ｈ）を計測することができる。When the motor 15 is operated by the control processing of the arithmetic control unit 26, the drive mechanism 14 moves, and the dispensing tip 6
Descends toward the liquid surface 29 of the liquid sample 3 in the test tube 2. During the lowering operation, when the opening end portion 28 of the dispensing tip 6 comes into contact with the liquid surface 29 of the liquid sample 3, a signal is output from the signal processing means 53 to the arithmetic control unit 26, and the dispensing is performed. The tip 28 of the opening of the chip 6 is the liquid sample 3
Of contact with the liquid surface 29 of the liquid crystal panel is detected. That is, the signal when the opening tip 28 of the dispensing tip 6 comes into contact with the liquid surface 29 of the liquid sample 3 becomes a signal corresponding to the height of (L + H), and is attached to the tip 18 of the pump means 7. Even if the fitting state of the dispensing tip 6 is slightly changed, the correct (L
+ H) can be measured.
【００１７】なお、分注チップ６の開口先端部２８が液
体試料３の液面２９に当接した後は、分注チップ６に液
体試料３が吸引され始め分注チップ６内にわずかな液柱
が生じ、演算制御部２６は直ちに分注チップ６内の液面
までの距離Ｌを計測するので、予め演算制御部２６に記
憶格納されている分注チップ６の長さからこの距離Ｌを
減算する事により計測開始した時点が分注チップ６の開
口先端部２８が液体試料３の液面２９に当接したと検知
し判断することもできる。After the tip end 28 of the opening of the dispensing tip 6 comes into contact with the liquid surface 29 of the liquid sample 3, the liquid sample 3 starts to be sucked into the dispensing tip 6 and a small amount of liquid remains in the dispensing tip 6. Since the column is generated and the arithmetic control unit 26 immediately measures the distance L to the liquid level in the dispensing tip 6, this distance L is calculated from the length of the dispensing tip 6 stored in advance in the arithmetic control unit 26. By subtraction, it is also possible to detect and judge that the opening end portion 28 of the dispensing tip 6 has come into contact with the liquid surface 29 of the liquid sample 3 at the time when the measurement is started.
【００１８】上記の如くの液面検知により、演算制御部
２６は分注チップ６の開口先端部２８が液体試料３の液
面に当接したタイミング及び振動子１６から分注チップ
６内の液柱２３の液面５４までの距離Ｌを正確に計測
し、演算制御部２６により分注チップ６を正確に液体試
料３の液面に所定量侵入させる。この場合、ポンプ手段
７の先端部１８に装着される分注チップ６の嵌合の具合
が多少変化しても、振動子１６は分注チップ６に直接接
触しているから距離Ｌが正確にしかも信頼性高く計測さ
れ、更に上記したように（Ｌ＋Ｈ）も常に正確に測定す
ることができるので、（Ｌ＋Ｈ）から距離Ｌを減算する
ことによりＨも正確に把握することができ、分注チップ
６の開口先端部２８を正確に所定量試料３の液面に侵入
させることが可能となり、分注チップ６の開口先端部２
８を余分に液体試料３の液面の下に潜らせる必要がない
ので、、分注チップ６の開口先端部２８に余分な液滴を
つけることが無くなり正確な分注動作が可能となる。By detecting the liquid level as described above, the arithmetic and control unit 26 determines the timing at which the opening end 28 of the dispensing tip 6 contacts the liquid level of the liquid sample 3 and the liquid in the dispensing tip 6 from the vibrator 16. The distance L to the liquid surface 54 of the column 23 is accurately measured, and the arithmetic and control unit 26 causes the dispensing tip 6 to accurately penetrate the liquid surface of the liquid sample 3 by a predetermined amount. In this case, even if the dispensing tip 6 attached to the distal end portion 18 of the pump means 7 changes a little, the distance L can be accurately determined because the vibrator 16 is in direct contact with the dispensing tip 6. In addition, since measurement is performed with high reliability, and as described above, (L + H) can also always be measured accurately, H can be accurately grasped by subtracting the distance L from (L + H). 6 can accurately penetrate the liquid surface of the sample 3 by a predetermined amount.
Since it is unnecessary to dive the liquid sample 8 under the liquid surface of the liquid sample 3, an extra liquid droplet is not attached to the opening end portion 28 of the dispensing tip 6, and accurate dispensing operation can be performed.
【００１９】続いて、液面検知後、上記の如く分注チッ
プ６を正確に液体試料３の液面に所定量侵入させた後、
演算制御部２６の制御処理により、プランジャ駆動用モ
ータ１０が回転し、プランジャ９が試験管２に対して遠
ざかる動作をすると、シリンダ８内が負圧となり、液体
試料３が分注チップ６に吸引され、この時、この動作と
並行して、液体試料３の液面２９が試験管２内で下降す
る速度に等しい速度でモータ１５によりスライダ１３が
試験管２に向って下降する。この過程に於いて、演算制
御部２６は、プランジャ９を分注量に対応した所定のス
トローク量で試験管２内の液体試料３を分注チップ６内
に吸引する。その後一旦スライダ１３を上昇させ試験管
５２上に移動した後、再びスライダ１３を下降させると
共にプランジャ９を上記と逆の動作で所定のストローク
量分試験管５２に対して近ずく動作をさせ、分注チップ
６内の試料を試験管５２に吐出し１回の分注作業を完了
する。Subsequently, after the liquid level is detected, the dispensing tip 6 is made to accurately penetrate the liquid surface of the liquid sample 3 by a predetermined amount as described above.
When the plunger drive motor 10 rotates and the plunger 9 moves away from the test tube 2 by the control processing of the arithmetic control unit 26, the pressure inside the cylinder 8 becomes negative and the liquid sample 3 is sucked into the dispensing tip 6. At this time, in parallel with this operation, the slider 13 is lowered toward the test tube 2 by the motor 15 at a speed equal to the speed at which the liquid surface 29 of the liquid sample 3 is lowered in the test tube 2. In this process, the arithmetic and control unit 26 sucks the liquid sample 3 in the test tube 2 into the dispensing tip 6 with a predetermined stroke amount corresponding to the dispensing amount of the plunger 9. Thereafter, the slider 13 is once raised and moved onto the test tube 52, and then the slider 13 is lowered again, and the plunger 9 is caused to approach the test tube 52 by a predetermined stroke amount in the reverse operation to the above, and The sample in the injection tip 6 is discharged to the test tube 52 to complete one dispensing operation.
【００２０】図４は吸引状態に於る時間Ｔに対するプラ
ンジャ９の吸引距離Ｓ、液柱２３の高さＨの変化を模擬
的に示したものであり、液体試料３の吸引動作が正常に
行なわれる場合は、図示の様に吸引距離Ｓが直線的に増
加すると、液体試料３の粘度の違いにより多少の差はあ
るものの、これに対応して液柱２３の高さＨは曲線的に
追従して増加する明瞭なカーブを描く。この状態では、
液柱２３の高さＨに対応する分注チップ６内の液体試料
３の吸引量をデータとして演算制御部２６に予め記憶格
納して置き、以前に求めた距離Ｌから液柱の高さＨを算
出し、これにより吸引量を計量し、所定の吸引量に達し
た時点でプランジャ９の動作を停止させ定量吸引を行わ
せることも可能である。この場合、本発明では試験管２
の液面の下降量の計測と合わせて、液柱の高さＨも計測
しているので、極めて正確な吸引量を把握していること
になり、定量吸引時の精度が向上する。FIG. 4 schematically shows changes in the suction distance S of the plunger 9 and the height H of the liquid column 23 with respect to the time T in the suction state, and the suction operation of the liquid sample 3 is performed normally. When the suction distance S increases linearly as shown in the figure, the height H of the liquid column 23 follows the curve in a corresponding manner, although there is some difference due to the difference in viscosity of the liquid sample 3. Draw a clear curve that increases. In this state,
The suction amount of the liquid sample 3 in the dispensing tip 6 corresponding to the height H of the liquid column 23 is previously stored and stored in the arithmetic and control unit 26 as data, and the height L of the liquid column is calculated from the distance L obtained previously. , The suction amount is measured, and when the predetermined suction amount is reached, the operation of the plunger 9 is stopped to perform the constant suction. In this case, in the present invention, the test tube 2
Since the height H of the liquid column is also measured in conjunction with the measurement of the amount of drop of the liquid level, an extremely accurate suction amount is grasped, and the accuracy at the time of quantitative suction is improved.
【００２１】また、本発明の構成では、シリンダ８の容
積が小さいため、上記所定量吸引した時点でプランジャ
９の動作を停止すると、ただちに分注チップ６内の液面
の液柱５４の上昇も停止し、レスポンスが良い正確な定
量吸引が可能である。更に試験管５２に吸引した液体試
料３を吐出する際、分注チップ６の開口先端部２８に液
滴が存在するか否かを振動子１６のエコー信号の状態か
ら演算制御部２６がチェック可能なので、吐出の完了状
態が判り、分注作業の能率が向上する。Further, in the configuration of the present invention, since the volume of the cylinder 8 is small, if the operation of the plunger 9 is stopped at the time when the predetermined amount is sucked, the liquid column 54 on the liquid level in the dispensing tip 6 immediately rises. Stops, and accurate quantitative suction with good response is possible. Further, when the liquid sample 3 sucked into the test tube 52 is discharged, the arithmetic and control unit 26 can check whether or not a droplet exists at the opening end portion 28 of the dispensing tip 6 from the state of the echo signal of the vibrator 16. Therefore, the completion state of the discharge can be understood, and the efficiency of the dispensing operation is improved.
【００２２】またこの時、例えば液体試料３中に存在す
るフィブリン等により分注チップ６内でいわゆるチップ
詰まりが発生すると、液柱２３の高さＨは破線Ｈ１で示
すように吸引距離Ｓに対して追従が停止する。この様な
吸引の状況は、液柱２３の高さＨを振動子１６による距
離Ｌの計測から演算制御部２６が逐次把握しているの
で、吸引異常として迅速且つ確実に検知することができ
る。すなわち、試料吸引時にプランジャ９の動作に対応
して分注チップ６内の液面の液柱５４が所定の液面高さ
まで上昇しない時には、分注チップ６が閉塞していると
判断する。この場合エラーを表示してオペレータによる
救済を要求するか、或いはプランジャ９を一担試験管２
に向って前進させ液体を吐出することにより詰まりを解
消し、再度吸引する処理を行なうようになっている。At this time, if so-called chip clogging occurs in the dispensing tip 6 due to, for example, fibrin or the like existing in the liquid sample 3, the height H of the liquid column 23 becomes larger than the suction distance S as shown by a broken line H1. Tracking stops. Such a suction situation can be quickly and reliably detected as a suction abnormality because the arithmetic control unit 26 sequentially grasps the height H of the liquid column 23 from the measurement of the distance L by the vibrator 16. That is, when the liquid column 54 on the liquid surface in the dispensing tip 6 does not rise to the predetermined liquid level in response to the operation of the plunger 9 during the sample suction, it is determined that the dispensing tip 6 is closed. In this case, an error is displayed to request a remedy by the operator, or the plunger 9 is connected to the test tube 2.
The liquid is ejected toward the front side to discharge the liquid, thereby eliminating the clogging, and performing a suction process again.
【００２３】また、所定量の液体試料３を分注チップ６
に吸引する過程に於て、元々液体試料３の量が少ないた
め、吸引途上で分注チップ６の開口先端部２８が例えば
粘度の高いセパレータ層等に到達し吸引ができない場合
も、液柱２３の高さＨは図４と同様の破線Ｈ１で示すよ
うな曲線となるから、いわゆるショートサンプルと呼ば
れる液体試料３の不足も検出することができる。A predetermined amount of the liquid sample 3 is dispensed into the dispensing tip 6
In the process of aspiration, the amount of the liquid sample 3 is originally small. Therefore, even when the opening end portion 28 of the dispensing tip 6 reaches, for example, a highly viscous separator layer or the like during the aspiration, the liquid column 23 is not used. Is a curve as shown by a broken line H1 similar to that in FIG. 4, so that a shortage of the liquid sample 3 called a so-called short sample can be detected.
【００２４】[0024]
【発明の効果】本発明によれば、分注チップに所定量の
液体試料を吸引しまた吸引した試料を吐出するポンプ手
段と、分注チップを液体試料に対して上昇・下降させる
スライダ手段と、ポンプ手段の先端部の分注チップが装
着される部分の先端部と分注チップの間に介して超音波
等を発信・受信する振動子と、振動子から発信された超
音波がこれに直接接触している分注チップに伝搬し、分
注チップ内に吸引された液体試料の液面を経由し分注チ
ップに伝わり、再び振動子に戻る振動の伝搬経路により
反射して戻ってくる超音波を振動子が受信する際の、発
信から受信までの時間経過から分注チップ内の液体試料
の液面高さを計測する信号処理回路と、信号処理回路の
信号出力に基ずいてスライダ手段及びポンプ手段を制御
する制御手段を備えたので、液体試料の液面に分注チッ
プが接触したことを確実に信頼性高く検知すると共に、
分注チップ内に吸引した液体試料の高さを計測すること
により、併せて試料不足、チップ詰まりも検知可能とす
ることができる。According to the present invention, pump means for sucking a predetermined amount of liquid sample into the dispensing tip and discharging the sucked sample, and slider means for raising and lowering the dispensing tip with respect to the liquid sample. A vibrator that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves and the like between the dispensing tip and the distal end of the pump means where the dispensing tip is mounted, and an ultrasonic wave transmitted from the vibrator. Propagation to the dispensing tip in direct contact, transmission to the dispensing tip via the liquid surface of the liquid sample sucked into the dispensing tip, and reflection back by the vibration propagation path returning to the vibrator again A signal processing circuit that measures the liquid level of the liquid sample in the dispensing tip from the lapse of time from transmission to reception when the ultrasonic wave is received by the transducer, and a slider based on the signal output of the signal processing circuit And control means for controlling the pump means. Because, while reliably detected and reliably that the dispensing tip to the liquid surface of the liquid sample is in contact,
By measuring the height of the liquid sample sucked into the dispensing tip, it is also possible to detect shortage of the sample and clogging of the tip.
【図１】 本発明になる分注装置の一実施例を示した部
分断面図である。FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view showing one embodiment of a dispensing apparatus according to the present invention.
【図２】 図１の要部の詳細を示した断面図である。FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing details of a main part of FIG. 1;
【図３】 制御手段の一実施例を示したブロック図であ
る。FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a control means.
【図４】 試料吸引時の吸引距離、液柱の高さの変化を
模擬的に示す図である。FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a change in a suction distance and a height of a liquid column when a sample is suctioned.
【図５】 図２のその他の実施例を示した断面図であ
る。FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of FIG. 2;
【図６】 振動子１６のその他の実施例を示した図であ
る。FIG. 6 is a view showing another embodiment of the vibrator 16;
【図７】 振動子１６のその他の実施例を示した図であ
る。FIG. 7 is a view showing another embodiment of the vibrator 16;
３は液体試料、６は分注チップ、７はポンプ手段、１３
はスライダ手段、１６は振動子、２６は制御手段、３５
は受信手段、４２は送信手段、５３は信号処理手段であ
る。3 is a liquid sample, 6 is a dispensing tip, 7 is a pump means, 13
Is slider means, 16 is a vibrator, 26 is control means, 35
Is a receiving means, 42 is a transmitting means, and 53 is a signal processing means.
Claims (2)
と、分注チップを液体試料に対して上昇・下降させるス
ライダ手段と、分注チップに液体試料を所定量吸引・吐
出するポンプ手段を備えたものに於いて、分注チップと
ポンプ手段の装着部に分注チップ内の液柱の高さを計測
する振動子を設けたことを特徴とする分注装置。1. A dispensing tip for sucking and discharging a liquid sample, a slider means for raising and lowering the dispensing tip with respect to the liquid sample, and a pump means for sucking and discharging a predetermined amount of the liquid sample to and from the dispensing tip. A dispensing apparatus characterized in that a vibrator for measuring the height of a liquid column in the dispensing tip is provided at a mounting portion of the dispensing tip and the pump means.
動子が受け取る反射振動を受信する受信手段と、受信手
段の信号出力を処理する信号処理回路と、信号処理回路
の信号出力に基ずいてスライダ手段及びポンプ手段を制
御する制御手段を備えたことを特徴とする請求項１記載
の分注装置。2. A transmitting means for applying an exciting force to a vibrator, a receiving means for receiving a reflected vibration received by the vibrator, a signal processing circuit for processing a signal output of the receiving means, and a signal output from the signal processing circuit. 2. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising control means for controlling the slider means and the pump means.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP3680997A JPH10232239A (en) | 1997-02-21 | 1997-02-21 | Dispenser |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP3680997A JPH10232239A (en) | 1997-02-21 | 1997-02-21 | Dispenser |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPH10232239A true JPH10232239A (en) | 1998-09-02 |
Family
ID=12480112
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP3680997A Pending JPH10232239A (en) | 1997-02-21 | 1997-02-21 | Dispenser |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPH10232239A (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2010522870A (en) * | 2007-03-30 | 2010-07-08 | エフ ホフマン−ラ ロッシュ アクチェン ゲゼルシャフト | Method and apparatus for detecting contact between pipette needle and liquid in container |
| JP2011503549A (en) * | 2007-11-02 | 2011-01-27 | バイオシアス ライフ サイエンシーズ， インコーポレイテッド | Sample injection system |
-
1997
- 1997-02-21 JP JP3680997A patent/JPH10232239A/en active Pending
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2010522870A (en) * | 2007-03-30 | 2010-07-08 | エフ ホフマン−ラ ロッシュ アクチェン ゲゼルシャフト | Method and apparatus for detecting contact between pipette needle and liquid in container |
| JP2011503549A (en) * | 2007-11-02 | 2011-01-27 | バイオシアス ライフ サイエンシーズ， インコーポレイテッド | Sample injection system |
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