JP2001066316A - Dispensing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a dispersing apparatus which enhances a dispensing treatment amount, which is made efficient and whose space can be saved. SOLUTION: In this dispensing apparatus, a sample is dispensed to a plurality of reaction containers 8 to be discharged from a plurality of sample containers 2 in which a sample to be sucked is housed. A common suction position with reference to the plurality of sample containers 2 is provided. A discharge position 16 and a discharge position 17 which are used to discharge the sample are provided. A plurality of dispensing nozzles which are fixed to one sample dispensing means 10 are provided. The plurality of dispensing nozzles are arranged so as to be movable to the common suction position and the plurality of discharge positions.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a dispensing device for dispensing a plurality of liquids into a plurality of containers.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional dispensing apparatus uses a single dispensing arm having a single dispensing nozzle fixed to each of a plurality of containers containing liquid and a plurality of containers to be discharged. In general, suction and discharge are alternately repeated while reciprocating along the same path. Therefore, a configuration in which the dispensing process is speeded up by simply adding a plurality of similar configurations in series is also conceivable.

[0003]

However, in the conventional dispensing apparatus, the operation is shifted to the next suction / discharge operation only after one suction / discharge operation is completed. It is necessary to arrange a transport means and a transport space for positioning the container to be suctioned for each. That is, even if the dispensing processing amount is increased, it has been difficult to achieve efficient dispensing operation and space saving. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing apparatus that can not only improve the dispensing throughput but also achieve efficiency and space saving.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention dispenses from a plurality of suction containers containing a liquid to be suctioned to a plurality of discharge containers to discharge the liquid. A dispensing apparatus comprising: a common suction position for a plurality of suction containers, a discharge position for discharge, and a plurality of dispensing nozzles fixed to at least one dispensing arm; A dispensing apparatus, wherein a plurality of dispensing nozzles are movably arranged with respect to the common suction position and the discharge position.

Here, the present invention provides a plurality of dispensing nozzles integrally on the same dispensing arm so that these dispensing nozzles can simultaneously enter a suction container or a discharge container. Preferably, they are arranged, and in particular the plurality of dispensing nozzles are preferably connected to separate liquid volume control means via separate tubes.

Further, according to the present invention, a dispensing nozzle is fixed to each of a plurality of dispensing arms, and the moving paths of the plurality of dispensing arms do not overlap between the suction position and the discharge position. The arrangement is preferred, and in particular the plurality of dispensing nozzles are preferably connected to different liquid volume control means via separate tubes.

[0007]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, an automatic biochemical analyzer which best implements the present invention will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto, since it may be applied to other devices.

1 is a main body of the analyzer, 2 is a sample container for storing samples such as blood and urine, 3 is a belt conveyor for feeding and transporting the sample container 2 in a certain direction (the direction of the arrow in the figure), Reference numerals 4 and 5 denote first and second housings for various first reagents and various second reagents, respectively.
Reagent containers, 6 and 7, respectively, are first and second reagent tables for transporting the first and second reagent containers 4 and 5 so as to rotate and stop in a reversible manner, and 8 is a reaction container, 9
Is a reaction table in which a large number of reaction vessels 8 are concentrically arranged in two rows, an inner circumference and an outer circumference, and transported so as to advance in a certain direction (the direction of the arrow in the figure); 10, a sample dispensing means; 11
And 12 are first reagent dispensing means for dispensing the first reagent, and 13 and 14 are second reagent dispensing means for dispensing the second reagent. 15 is the sample suction position, 1
Reference numerals 6 and 17 denote sample discharge positions corresponding to the inner and outer peripheral reaction vessels, respectively, 18 a first reagent suction position, 1
Reference numerals 9 and 20 denote a first reagent discharge position corresponding to the inner and outer reaction vessels, respectively, 21 a second reagent suction position, and 2
Reference numerals 2 and 23 denote second reagent discharge positions corresponding to the inner and outer reaction vessels, respectively. Sample dispensing means 1
0 is the sample suction position 15 and the sample discharge position 1
It is configured to rotate on trajectories passing through 6 and 17 and to move up and down to a height suitable for dispensing at the sample suction position 15 and the sample discharge positions 16 and 17. In addition,
An emergency sample can be set on the rotation locus of the sample dispensing means 10 and suction from the emergency suction position 24 corresponding to the set position is also possible. In addition to the above-described sampling, the same dispensing means can be used to selectively execute an interruptable emergency and sampling of a small number of samples, so that a conventional large-sized machine and a small-sized machine are combined.

The detailed structure of the sample dispensing means 10 is shown in FIG. 2, in which the two dispensing nozzles 31 and 32 are slightly separated and adjacent to each other so as not to cause a capillary phenomenon. It is fixed to the dispensing arm 34 via 33.
Further, the two dispensing nozzles 31 and 32 are each provided with a tube.
It communicates with micro-syringes 37 and 38 as suction / discharge control means via buses 35 and 36. The micro syringes 37 and 38 have drive mechanisms independent of each other, and have a configuration in which the stroke amount and the drive speed of suction / discharge can be changed for each dispensing nozzle.

The first reagent dispensing means 11 is configured to rotate on a trajectory passing through a first reagent suction position 18 and an inner peripheral first reagent discharge position 19. The first reagent dispensing means 12 includes:
First reagent suction position 18 and first reagent discharge position 20 on the outer peripheral side
It is configured to rotate on a locus passing through. The second reagent dispensing means 13 is configured to rotate on a locus passing through the second reagent suction position 21 and the second reagent discharge position 22 on the inner peripheral side. The second reagent dispensing means 14 is configured to rotate on a locus passing through the second reagent suction position 21 and the second reagent discharge position 23 on the outer peripheral side. These reagent dispensing means 11, 12, 1
The rotation trajectories 3 and 14 are formed so as not to overlap with each other. In particular, the rotation trajectories of the first reagent dispensing means 12 and the second reagent dispensing means 14 are opposed to each other, and both of them. Since it corresponds to the reagent discharge position on the inner peripheral side, the entire dispensing means is arranged in a minimum space.

[0011] Four reagent dispensing means 11, 12, 13, 1
4 are described in detail in FIG.
The pipetting nozzles 41, 42, 43, and 44 are fixed to pipetting arms 45, 46, 47, and 48, respectively.
The micro syringes 53, 54, 55, 56 as suction / discharge control means are communicated via 9, 50, 51, 52. These four micro syringes 53, 54, 5
Reference numerals 5 and 56 denote microsyringes 3 of sample dispensing means.
Like 7 and 38, it is an independent drive mechanism.

Reference numeral 25 denotes a CPU as control means for controlling the entire analyzer, and controls all the above-mentioned operation means. Reference numeral 26 denotes an input / output unit, which has a configuration capable of inputting desired analysis contents and displaying an analysis result. Note that the analyzer main body 1 may have a composite type configuration that can be separated and connected to the belt conveyor 3 that transports the sample container 2 separately. Further, the CPU 25 may be of a built-in type in the analyzer main body 1 or a remote type capable of controlling communication.

Next, the operation of the present invention will be described. First, items to be analyzed and the like are input to the CPU 25 by the input / output unit 26.
And the analysis is started. At this time, the analysis proceeds with the information on each sample container 2, each first reagent container 4, and each second reagent container 5 stored in the memory device of the CPU 25. When the sample container 2 to be dispensed is positioned at the sample suction position 15 and stopped by the transport mechanism of the belt conveyor 3, the sample dispensing means 10 stops rotating to the sample suction position 15 and the dispensing arm 34. When the dispensing nozzles 31 and 32, which are integrated with the sample container, enter the sample container 2, an appropriate liquid level is detected and a required amount of water is immersed. Here, the micro syringes 37 and 38 aspirate the sample into the dispensing nozzles 31 and 32 in an amount corresponding to each analysis item. On the other hand, at the sample discharge positions 16 and 17, the inner and outer reaction vessels 8 to be discharged are positioned and stopped.

After aspirating the sample, the dispensing nozzles 31, 32
Is disengaged from the sample container 2 integrally with the dispensing arm 34, the sample dispensing means 10 stops rotating at the sample discharge position 16, and the dispensing nozzles 31, 32 integrated with the dispensing arm 34. Penetrates into the reaction vessel 8 on the inner peripheral side. Here, only the micro syringe 37 corresponding to the dispensing nozzle 31 is operated, and the required amount of the sucked sample is stored in the reaction vessel 8.
Discharge inside. After the discharge operation of the dispensing nozzle 31, the dispensing nozzles 31 and 32 are separated from the inner peripheral reaction vessel 8 integrally with the dispensing arm 34, and the sample dispensing means 10 stops rotating at the sample discharge position 17. At the same time, the dispensing nozzles 31 and 32 integral with the dispensing arm 34 enter the reaction vessel 8 on the outer peripheral side. Here, only the micro syringe 38 corresponding to the dispensing nozzle 32 operates to discharge a required amount of the sucked sample into the reaction container 8. Dispensing nozzles 31 and 32 that have finished dispensing into inner and outer peripheral reaction vessels 8
Is separated from the inner peripheral reaction vessel 8 integrally with the dispensing arm 34, and after cleaning the inner and outer walls of the nozzle by nozzle cleaning means (not shown), the next sample vessel 2 is moved to the sample suction position 1
When positioned at 5, the same suction step operation is repeated, and then the same discharge step operation is repeated for the inner and outer peripheral reaction vessels 8 whose rotation has been stopped for dispensing. In addition, each suction / discharge amount by the dispensing nozzles 31 and 32 is set separately according to an item to be analyzed.

As described above, one dispensing means integrally moves a plurality of dispensing nozzles, causes a sample in one sample container to be sucked by all of the necessary number of nozzles, and then dispenses necessary samples. Since the nozzles are independently discharged to the number of reaction vessels for each nozzle, the dispensing efficiency is remarkably improved, and the space relating to dispensing can be minimized. The number of dispensing nozzles integrally fixed adjacent to one dispensing arm is not limited to two, but may be three or more. In addition, as long as the nozzles can be controlled independently for each nozzle only by the discharge operation by the micro syringe, for example, the suction amount may be equalized. In addition, by configuring the common syringe to be selectively switched to one or both of the dispensing nozzles by an appropriate flow path valve, all of the dispensing nozzles are communicated with the syringe at the time of suction, so that a uniform amount of the dispensing nozzle is provided. And a desired amount of discharge may be performed for each dispensing nozzle by making the flow path communicate with each dispensing nozzle at the time of discharge.

When the inner and outer reaction vessels 8 from which the sample has been discharged are conveyed to the first reagent discharge positions 19 and 20 and positioned and stopped, the first reagent dispensing means 11 is moved to the first reagent suction position 18. To rotate. At this time, the first reagent container 4 containing the first reagent corresponding to the analysis item to be dispensed into the sample in the reaction container 8 on the inner peripheral side is stopped at the first reagent suction position 18. Here, the first reagent dispensing means 11 immerses the dispensing nozzle 41 integrated with the dispensing arm 45 into the reagent in the first reagent container 4 like the sample dispensing means 10, so that the required amount of After performing the reagent suction, a required amount of the first reagent is discharged into the inner peripheral side reaction container 8 at the first reagent discharge position 19.

On the other hand, immediately after the first reagent dispensing means 11 leaves the first reagent suction position 18 and heads toward the first reagent discharging position 19, the first reagent dispensing means 12 is moved to the first reagent discharging position on the outer peripheral side. The rotation from 20 to the first reagent suction position 18 is performed. At this time, the rotation of the first reagent container 4 containing the first reagent corresponding to the analysis item to be dispensed to the sample in the reaction container 8 on the outer peripheral side is stopped at the first reagent suction position 18. Here, the first reagent dispensing means 12, like the sample dispensing means 10, dispenses the dispensing nozzle 42 integrated with the dispensing arm 46 to the first position.
After the reagent in the reagent container 4 is submerged for a required depth and a required amount of reagent is sucked, the required amount of the first reagent is discharged to the outer peripheral side reaction container 8 at the first reagent discharge position 20. . In addition,
The first reagent dispensing means 11, 12, which has alternately finished the ejection at the first reagent ejection positions 19, 20, are arranged in the first reagent table 6.
The nozzle inner and outer walls are alternately washed by a nozzle washing means (not shown) arranged between the nozzle and the reaction table 9.
Next, the operation shifts to the dispensing operation for the reaction container 8 to be stopped.

When the inner and outer reaction vessels 8 from which the first reagent has been discharged are transported to the second reagent discharge positions 22 and 23 and positioned there after a predetermined reaction time, the second reaction vessel 8 is stopped.
The reagent dispensing means 13 rotates to the second reagent suction position 21 and stops. At this time, the second reagent container 5 containing the second reagent corresponding to the analysis item to be dispensed into the sample in the reaction container 8 on the inner peripheral side is stopped at the second reagent suction position 21. ing. Here, the second reagent dispensing means 1
3 is a dispensing arm 47 similar to the sample dispensing means 10.
After dispensing a required amount of reagent by injecting the dispensing nozzle 43 integral with the reagent into the reagent in the second reagent container 5, the required amount of reagent is supplied to the inner peripheral side reaction container 8 at the second reagent discharge position 22. Discharge the second reagent.

On the other hand, immediately after the second reagent dispensing means 13 leaves the second reagent suction position 21 and heads toward the second reagent ejection position 22, the second reagent dispensing means 14 is moved to the second reagent ejection position on the outer peripheral side. It is rotated from 23 to the second reagent suction position 21. At this time, the reaction container 8 on the outer peripheral side is located at the second reagent suction position 21.
The rotation of the second reagent container 5 containing the second reagent corresponding to the analysis item to be dispensed to the sample in the inside is stopped. Here, the second reagent dispensing means 14 includes the sample dispensing means 10
In the same manner as described above, the dispensing nozzle 44 integral with the dispensing arm 48 is immersed in the reagent in the second reagent container 5 to a required depth, and a required amount of reagent is sucked. At 23, the required amount of the second reagent is discharged into the reaction vessel 8 on the outer peripheral side. The second reagent dispensing means 13 and 14, which have alternately completed the ejection at the second reagent ejection positions 22 and 23, are provided with nozzle cleaning means (not shown) disposed between the second reagent table 7 and the reaction table 9. (3), the inner and outer walls of the nozzle are alternately washed, and the operation shifts to the dispensing operation for the reaction container 8 to be stopped next.

As described above, the reaction vessel 8 in which the reaction between the sample and the first reagent and the reaction with the second reagent have been carried out, the photometric means (not shown) arranged below the reaction table 9 in a substantially light-shielded state. ), A measurement result regarding a desired analysis item corresponding to each reaction vessel is obtained, and the CPU 25
After the arithmetic processing by the arithmetic processing circuit, the final analysis result is displayed on the display screen of the input / output means 26.

According to the reagent dispensing apparatus of the present invention, the number of arms of the reagent dispensing means is increased so that the dispensing nozzles can be moved separately, and each dispensing nozzle is alternately moved to a common reagent suction position. Is moved so that multifaceted reagent dispensing can be performed efficiently. In addition, a common suction position is arranged, and in particular, for the dispensing of the first and second reagents, the rotation trajectories of the dispensing means having the smaller rotation radius are adjacent to each other on the inner circumference and the outer circumference of the reaction table. As a result, space saving was also greatly improved.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration, and various changes can be made. For example, in the above-described example, an appropriate stirring mechanism may be provided to promote each reaction with the first reagent and the second reagent. Although an example in which the present invention is applied to biochemical analysis has been described, a homogeneous immunoassay may be performed. However, when performing a heterogeneous immunoassay, after each reaction (the first reaction and the second reaction) with the first reagent and the second reagent, washing is performed to separate and remove unreacted substances, that is, so-called BF. Preferably, the cleaning is performed by a known mechanism. Also,
The dispensing apparatus of the present invention may be modified to use the structure of the sample dispensing means as the structure of the reagent dispensing means, or conversely, to change the design to use the structure of the reagent dispensing means for the sample dispensing means. Good.

[0023]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a dispensing apparatus which can not only improve the dispensing throughput but also achieve efficiency and space saving.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an automatic biochemical analyzer provided with a pipetting device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an embodiment in which the dispensing device of the present invention is applied to a sample dispensing means.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an embodiment in which the dispensing device of the present invention is applied to a reagent dispensing means.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Analyzer main body 2 Sample container 3 Belt conveyor 4 First reagent container 5 Second reagent container 6 First reagent table 7 Second reagent table 8 Reaction container 9 Reaction table 10 Sample dispensing means 11, 12 First reagent dispensing means 13, 14 Second reagent dispensing means 15 Sample suction position 16, 17 Sample discharge position 18 First reagent suction position 19, 20 First reagent discharge position 21 Second reagent suction position 22, 23 Second Reagent discharge position 24 Emergency suction position 25 CPU 26 Input / output means 31, 32, 41, 42, 43, 44 Dispensing nozzle 33 Holder 34, 45, 46, 47, 48 Dispensing arm 35, 36, 49, 50, 51, 52 Tube 37, 38, 53, 54, 55, 56 Micro syringe

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing a plurality of discharge containers from which a liquid is to be discharged from a plurality of suction containers containing a liquid to be suctioned, wherein the plurality of suction containers are common to the plurality of suction containers. A suction position, a discharge position for discharge, and a plurality of dispensing nozzles fixed to at least one dispensing arm, wherein the plurality of dispensing nozzles are located at the common suction position and the discharge position. A dispensing device characterized by being movably disposed with respect to the dispensing device. 2. A plurality of dispensing nozzles are integrally provided on the same dispensing arm, and these dispensing nozzles are arranged so as to be able to simultaneously enter a suction container or a discharge container. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein 3. A dispensing nozzle is fixed to each of a plurality of dispensing arms, and the moving paths of the dispensing arms are arranged so as not to overlap between the suction position and the discharge position. The dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: 4. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of dispensing nozzles are connected to different liquid amount control means via separate tubes.