JP2001153761A - Sample liquid dispensing method and its apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a specimen capable of automatically preparing a test sample by accurately supplying a predetermined amount of a sample liquid only to a predetermined position of a petri dish without an operator directly supplying the sample liquid to the petri dish. Provided is a method and an apparatus for dispensing a sample liquid that can be suitably used for an automatic test sample preparation apparatus. SOLUTION: A pipetting position of a sample liquid is set, a plurality of pipettes are integrally assembled, and a plurality of pipettes integrated with a predetermined amount of the sample liquid from a predetermined storage container arranged at a pipetting preparation position. A dispensing method in which the integrated pipettes are moved to a dispensing position and dispensed simultaneously,
The dispensing device used for this.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention can be carried out automatically when a sample solution is dispensed to a petri dish or the like, for example, in preparing a sample test sample for measuring the efficacy of various antibiotics and the like. And a device therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art One of the methods for knowing the efficacy and potency (titer) of an antibiotic is to use a microorganism. In this method, a metal plate called a "cup" is placed on the surface of an agar medium provided in a petri dish with an agar plate medium, which is a seed layer mixed with bacteria, in an upper layer and a base layer for promoting the growth of the bacteria. Cylindrical shape (Regular size: inner diameter x outer diameter x height = 6 x 8 x 10 mm)
Stand four pieces at a predetermined position in a petri dish,
A sample liquid containing the sample whose titer is to be measured is supplied to the two cups at the diagonal positions, and a reference sample liquid whose titer is known is supplied to the other two cups, and the sample test sample is supplied. Make multiple and culture. By the culture, the specimen in the cup inhibits the growth of the bacteria, and the size of each area (inhibition circle) is measured and compared to determine the efficacy of the antibiotic.
Here, generally, a reference sample solution and a sample solution containing a sample whose titer is to be determined are mixed with a specified diluent to prepare a high-concentration solution and a low-concentration solution, respectively. Such a test is a test method (cup method) published in the Japanese Antibiotic Drug Standard. Such a specimen test sample is
In particular, when supplying (dispensing) a sample solution to a cup, an operator measures and dispenses the solution with a pipette or the like.

Further, the cup can be replaced with a piece of paper of a predetermined size (hereinafter referred to as a "disk") (disk method). FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of disks in a petri dish. In one example of the disk method, first, a sample liquid (a liquid containing a specimen and a standard liquid) is made to permeate the disk. The disc impregnated with the standard solution and the sample solution is lightly placed on blotting paper to remove excess water.
Then, as shown in FIG.
Are placed one by one at predetermined locations on the agar plate 5 formed on the petri dish 3 (normally, four locations of 36 mm × 36 mm). At this time, the disc is composed of a pair of discs 1a and 1a in which the standard solution is penetrated in one diagonal of the square, and a pair of discs 1b and 1b in which the sample liquid is penetrated in the other diagonal, that is, a total of 4 discs.
Put one. The process is performed by two workers, since better results can be obtained if the processes are performed almost simultaneously.

An agar plate 5 on which four disks 1 are placed diagonally is cultured under predetermined conditions. After the culture, the growth of bacteria is inhibited in proportion to the antibiotic concentration, and the size of the inhibition circle formed is measured to calculate the antibiotic concentration of the sample. Thereby, the effectiveness and efficacy of the antibiotic can be known.

[0005]

The conventional cup method and disc method for knowing the efficacy and efficacy of antibiotics are based on the method in which a cup or disc is manually placed on an agar medium by an experimenter as described above. , Dispensing has been performed. For this reason,
There was a problem that labor saving could not be achieved, the work time was long, and there were variations in the mounting positions of the cups and disks. Also, the supply amount (dispensing amount) of the sample liquid to the cup or the disc is likely to vary, and when supplying the sample liquid to the petri dish, there is a problem that the sample liquid is dropped to a position other than a predetermined position. I was

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem. An operator does not directly supply a sample liquid to a petri dish or the like. Sample liquid dispensing, which can be suitably used in an automatic sample test sample preparation device capable of automatically preparing test samples for measuring the efficacy of various antibiotics, etc. A method and apparatus are provided.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a method for dispensing a sample liquid according to the present invention comprises the steps of: Set, a plurality of pipettes for dispensing are integrally assembled in advance in the same arrangement as the dispensing position, and a set amount of the sample liquid is set by a plurality of the respective pipettes from a predetermined storage container arranged at the dispensing preparation position. Suction is performed, and the plurality of integrally assembled pipettes are moved to the dispensing position and dispensed simultaneously.

In the sample liquid dispensing method according to the present invention, the suction is continued until the pipetting is performed even after the pipette sucks the sample liquid in the storage container and leaves the storage container. Is preferred. According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the sucked sample liquid from dripping from the tip of the pipette during movement of the pipette.

In the method for dispensing a sample liquid according to the present invention, it is also effective to dispense a predetermined amount into a plurality of times. According to this configuration, the capacity of the liquid suction cylinder can be reduced, and the accuracy can be improved for a small amount of dispensing.

Further, in the sample liquid dispensing method according to the present invention, when the sample liquid is aspirated from the storage container into the pipette, the pipette is moved down following a decrease in the sample liquid level in the storage container. Is preferred. That is, even in the case of performing dispensing in a plurality of times, for example, the position in which the pipette is lowered in order to aspirate the sample liquid is set in the storage container for each dispensing based on the dispensing amount and the dispensing frequency. It is preferable to change the level following the decrease in the liquid level. According to this configuration, in particular, in the case of a sample liquid having a high viscosity and easily adhering to the exchange pipette tip, the sample liquid adheres to the outer wall of the exchange pipette tip, and the droplet drops while moving to just above the petri dish. Can be prevented.

Further, the sample liquid dispensing method according to the present invention can be embodied as a sample liquid dispensing apparatus. In other words, the sample liquid dispensing method according to the present invention includes a storage container for the sample liquid, a plurality of pipettes integrally assembled including the same arrangement as the plurality of dispensing positions, and dispensing between the storage container position and the dispensing position. Movement control means for moving the plurality of integrally assembled pipettes between the pipette position and the sample liquid level in the storage container position to the dispensing position, and an amount set for each pipette. And a suction dispensing control unit for dispensing the sample liquid of the pipette after moving to the dispensing position by sucking the sample liquid from the storage container. Can be.

Preferably, the storage container is a test tube, and the storage container is held by a test tube rack having the same test tube arrangement as the plurality of dispensing positions. According to this configuration, it is possible to eliminate a mistake such as mixing the sample liquid, and to efficiently use the sample liquid.

It is preferable that the sample dispensing apparatus is provided with a petri dish provided with a plurality of the dispensing positions. According to this configuration, it is possible to automate the dispensing of a prescribed sample solution and to increase the efficiency.

In this sample liquid dispensing apparatus, it is preferable that the tip of the pipette is an exchange pipette tip that can be exchanged every time dispensing when the type of sample liquid is changed.
According to this configuration, the dispensing can be performed in a state where there is no contamination (contamination) between the sample liquid types, and the accuracy of the sample test can be maintained at a high level.

Further, the movement control means includes a horizontal drive means for moving a plurality of pipettes in parallel with a guide rail between the storage container position and the dispensing position, a sample liquid surface in the storage container and the dispensing. Vertical moving means for vertically moving the pipette to a guide rail toward a position. According to this configuration, the dispensing mechanism can be efficiently driven, and maintenance can be simplified.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a sample liquid dispensing method and a sample liquid dispensing apparatus embodying the same according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, an outline of an automatic sample test sample preparation apparatus incorporating a sample liquid dispensing apparatus according to the present invention will be described, and then details of the sample liquid dispensing apparatus, which is a main part thereof, will be described. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a petri dish transfer path in an example of an automatic sample test sample preparing apparatus incorporating the sample liquid dispensing apparatus according to the present invention (a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow X shown in FIG. 3), and FIG. FIG. 3 is a side view showing a test tube transfer path of the apparatus for automatically preparing a sample test sample according to the embodiment (a side view from the arrow Y shown in FIG. 3), and FIG. 3 is an apparatus for automatically forming a sample test sample shown in FIGS. Is a top view as viewed from an arrow Z located above.

In the present embodiment, a petri dish provided with an agar medium composed of an upper layer, which is a seed layer mixed with bacteria, and a base layer, which promotes the growth of the bacteria, is used, and four cups or disks are loaded. However, the present invention can be applied to any material using a petri dish other than such a layer structure. In addition, the number of cups or discs to be charged is four in the test method (cup method) described in the Japanese Standards for Antibiotics and Pharmaceuticals, but it goes without saying that other methods can be used.

As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus 100 for automatically preparing a specimen test sample includes a linear transfer path for a petri dish 130 on a work surface 120 of a base 110. A stocker 200 accommodating a plurality of Petri dishes 130 to which a culture medium is supplied in advance is arranged at the uppermost stream of the transfer path. A cup dropping device 300 is provided at a position downstream of the stocker 200 on the transfer path of the petri dish 130. Further, a disc dropping device 400 is arranged downstream of the cup dropping device 300, and the petri dish 1 serving as an inspection sample is provided.
The tray-type petri dish storage device 700 that stores the petri dish 130 serving as the inspection sample is disposed on the tray 710 and the stocker 200A that stores the petri dish 130. Also,
A petri dish transfer device 500 that transfers the petri dish 130 is disposed below the work surface 120 of the base 110.

As shown in FIG. 2, a sample liquid dispensing apparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as “dispensing apparatus”) 600 for dispensing a sample liquid into the petri dish 130 after dropping the cup or the disc is sandwiched between the transfer paths of the petri dish 130. It is arranged at a position corresponding to the disc dropping device 400. Further, a test tube storage rack 650 accommodating a predetermined number of test tubes 656 containing a predetermined sample liquid is conveyed on the work surface 120 in parallel with the petri dish transfer path.

As shown in FIG. 3, the transfer path of the petri dish 130 is formed linearly by petri dish left and right guides 122L and 122R. On the other hand, the transport path of the test tube storage rack 650 is formed in a “U” shape by the guide rails 632 to 634 and the like on the right guide 122R side parallel to the transport path of the petri dish 130 and toward the transport direction. ing.

In this petri dish transfer path, the stocker 200 supplies the petri dish 130a at the parallel transfer start position, and the downstream cup dropping device 300 instructs the petri dish 130b at the cup drop position after being transferred by a predetermined distance. Drop the cup only if it is done. here,
At the cup dropping position, a petri dish lid opening / closing device 360 that opens and closes the lid 132 of the petri dish 130b by the suction means 362 at the tip end before dropping the cup is provided.

After the disc is further moved by a predetermined distance, the disc dropping device 400 is moved to the petri dish 1 at the disc dropping position.
The disc is dropped only when instructed to 30c. As described above, the dispensing device 600 is also arranged at the disc drop position, and this position is also the dispensing position. Here, at the disc dropping position (dispensing position), a petri dish lid opening / closing device 660 that opens and closes the lid 132 of the petri dish 130c by the suction means 662 at the tip end before dropping the disc is provided. Further, a marking device 800 is provided for marking the petri dish 130c at the disc dropping position (dispensing position) with the lid 132 opened, on the side of the petri dish corresponding to the predetermined dropping position in the petri dish.

At the back (downstream side), a petri dish 130d which becomes an inspection sample and is transferred to the stocker accommodation position
Is received by the stocker 200A when instructed, and also in the tray-type petri dish storage device 700, the petri dish 130e transferred to the tray storage position is stored when instructed. The petri dish 1 at the cup drop position
Petri dish 30b and disc dropping position (dispensing position) 1
In order to prevent shaking or rotation when opening the lid or dispensing with respect to 30c, Petri dish holding devices 140 and 160 may be provided respectively.

The work surface 120 in the petri dish transfer path sandwiched between the guides 122L and 122R has a slit 124
L, 124R and a central slit 125 are provided. From the slits 124L and 124R, the claws 512 arranged at predetermined intervals in the transport direction while being in contact with the petri dishes 130 one by one can protrude from the work surface 120 while being held by the petri dish transport device 500. This nail 5
Reference numeral 12 denotes a petri dish pressing and transferring means. In the center slit 125, the petri dish 130 at the cup dropping position is set.
a suction pad 52 as a holding device for at least two petri dishes between the disc b and the petri dish 130c at the disc drop position.
2, 524 can be projected from the work surface 120 and held by the petri dish transfer device 500. After the suction pads 522 and 524 suction the lower surface of the petri dish 130c, when the suction is released, if the elasticity of the pad edge is large, the petri dish 130c is shaken. Therefore, the pad edge itself is made of a material having low elasticity. It is preferable to use an O-ring.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing the configuration of a petri dish transfer device 500 for the petri dish transfer path shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the petri dish transfer device 500 includes a plurality of claws 512 for pressing and moving each petri dish 130 to a downstream position by a predetermined distance therebetween.
The claw plate 510 is connected to an in / out drive device 532 as an in / out drive means for projecting the claw 512 from the transport path surface (work surface) 120. The swing base 530 supporting the access drive device 532 is supported by a support frame 548 mounted on a fixed base 540 fixed to the base 110 by a stay 560 or the like.
It is swingably supported only in the transfer direction. A rod holding stay 534 extends from the swing base 530 in the direction of the fixed base 540. The holding stay 534 is provided with a drive rod 552 parallel to the fixed base 540. In addition, the fixed base 540 has the drive rod 5
A transfer direction drive device 550 is provided, which is a transfer direction drive unit that swings 52 only in the petri dish transfer direction.

The fixed base 540 includes a downstream sensor 544 for detecting the holding stay 534 at a predetermined most downstream position and an upstream sensor 542 for detecting the holding stay 534 at a predetermined upstream position. Each petri dish 130 is pressed and moved from the claw plate 510b at the most upstream position to the downstream position by a predetermined distance. By these,
The petri dish transfer device 500 has a claw 5 only in a predetermined transfer direction.
12 is moved in a state of protruding from the work surface 120, and when moving in the counter-transfer direction, the claw 512 is moved in a state of being lowered from the work surface 120.

FIG. 5A is a top view of a test tube storage rack used in the present embodiment, and FIG.
It is a side view of (a). As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the configuration of the test tube storage rack 650 uses four cups or disks in this embodiment, and
4 test tubes 65 per set for each petri dish 130
By using 6 a set number of times, mixing and contamination of the sample liquid are prevented. Also, using a replacement pipette tip 658, one pipette corresponds to each cup or disc, also preventing contamination. That is, the test tube storage rack 650 of the present embodiment includes the bottom plate 654 and the test tube holding plate 652, and the test tube holding plate 652 has four test tubes 6 corresponding to one petri dish.
Each holding hole 651, 653 for alternately holding the 56 and four replacement pipette tips 658 is provided.

Returning to FIG. 3, on the transport path of the test tube storage rack 650, the test tube storage rack 650a is moved by the guide rails 633 and 634 before being transported in parallel with the transfer path of the petri dish 130. Guide supplied. That is, when the test tube storage rack 650b supplied in front of the test tube storage rack 650a is detected by the sensor 636, the position where the test tube storage rack 650a is transferred in parallel to the transfer path of the petri dish 130 by the guide rail 632. Transported to Next, when the test tube storage rack 650b is detected by the sensor 636, the transfer of the test tube storage rack 650a to the guide rail 632 is started. Then, the test tube storage rack 6 is detected by the sensor 642.
50c is detected, and is transferred to a storage section composed of a guide rail 635 and a guide rail 634. That is, the test tube storage rack 650b has been transferred to the transferred position of the test tube storage rack 650c. Sensor 638
Is the test tube 656 set in the test tube rack 650b.
Is detected, and each sample solution is dispensed into a cup or a disk. When the sensor 638 does not detect, it is determined that the sample in that part is not set, and the dispensing process is not automatically performed.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line U in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a top view as viewed from the arrow T shown in FIG. 6 and 7 show a positional relationship among the dispensing device 600, the test tube storage rack 650b, the disc dropping device 400, and the disc dropping position. Outside the left guide 122L in the transfer direction of the transfer path of the petri dish 130,
A disc dropping device 400 is arranged, and a disc supply feeder 413 is further provided outside the disc dropping device 400, and supplies a disc to an alignment straight-ahead feeder 425. Then, the disk is moved above the petri dish 130 at the disk dropping position and dropped by the slide block 433 described later.

The frame feet 610 of the dispensing device 600 are arranged substantially perpendicular to the transfer direction of the transfer path of the petri dish 130. The frame feet 610 include a disc supply feeder 413, a disc dropping device 400, a petri dish 130c at a disc dropping position, and a test tube storage rack 6.
The replacement pipette tip discarding portion 672 disposed at a position facing the petri dish 130c is centered on the center of the test tube storage rack 650b, and is fixed on the base 110. A movement track 612 is provided across the frame foot 610. Further, a guide rod 614 is provided across the frame foot 610 and parallel to the movement track 612.

The moving plate 602, which is a pair of the dispensing device 600, forms a moving frame with the rod 690 interposed therebetween, and the moving frame is held on the moving track 612. In addition, this moving frame is
Are engaged with the guide rod 614 through the support portion 60.
The motor 8 (not shown) is configured to be movable in the left-right direction in FIG. on the other hand,
The vertical movement of the moving frame is performed by a driving cylinder 616. The support section 608, the frame feet 610, the guide rod 614, the moving track 612, and the motor constitute a horizontal driving means, and the driving cylinder 616 constitutes a vertical moving means. These horizontal drive means and vertical drive means correspond to movement control means. A pipette holding plate 604 is supported by the rod 690 so as to be vertically movable. The pipette holding plate 604 is provided with a pipette means 606 capable of holding an exchange pipette tip 658 at a tip thereof, and a cylinder 618 for controlling a dispensed amount of the pipette means 606.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing the disk supply feeder 413 and the disk dropping device 400. The upper part of the disc supply feeder 413 is a loading section (ball section) 415. The ball portion 415 discharges the discs 417, which are put in a lump, to the outside in the radial direction while loosening the discs 417 individually by vibration transfer. The discharge path 421 is branched into two,
23, and further connected to the alignment linear feeder 425, the disk 417 loaded into the ball portion 415 reaches the alignment linear feeder 425 from the discharge path 421 via the branch path 423. That is, the disk is supplied to the linear position corresponding to the petri dish 130 by the disk supply feeder 413 and the alignment straight feeder 425.

Next, the disc dropping device 400 converts the disc 417 supplied by the alignment straight feeder 425 into
The nozzles are supplied in accordance with the arrangement pattern of the above-mentioned petri dish 130, and are provided at a lower portion thereof by a nozzle block 439 to which a slide block 433 is attached, which can reciprocate in a direction orthogonal to the petri dish supply direction. By operating the suction nozzle 443, the disk 417 is supplied to the petri dish 130 at a diagonal position of a square (for example, 36 mm × 36 mm). The suction nozzle 443 has a suction opening at the lower end. When the disk 417 has a diameter of 6 mm, the suction nozzle 443 has an inner diameter of 2 mm.
mm and the outer diameter are set to about 4 mm. Needless to say, this diameter is not limited to such a numerical value as long as the disk can be sucked.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a stocker 200 for a petri dish. Sharvester 200 in the figure
A bottom plate 202 made of a stainless steel plate or the like and formed in a disk shape, and a small-diameter upper disk 204 connected to the upper center position of the bottom plate 202 via a plurality of rods 203;
A carrying handle 205 is integrally provided on the upper surface of the upper disk 204 so as to protrude therefrom. The bottom plate 202 is formed with four circular recesses 206 through which the petri dish 130 can freely pass, and the outer periphery of each of the recesses 206 is used to support the periphery of the petri dish 130 in a stacked state. The three support rods 209 are fixed and erected on the bottom plate 202.

Further, a pair of petri dish receiving brackets for supporting the bottom surface of the petri dish 130 are pivotally supported at a slightly upward position in a claw-like cross-sectional shape at diagonal positions on the inner periphery of each drop hole 206. Are projected from the inner peripheral portion of the drop hole 206. This petri dish receiving bracket is rotatable only upward from the projecting position, and when the petri dish 130 is pressed and supplied from below, it can be opened and inserted, and returned to the initial position by elasticity of a spring (not shown). After returning, even if it is going to be inserted from above, it keeps protruding from the inner periphery of the drop hole 206, thereby supporting the bottom surface of the petri dish 130.

When the stocker 200 is placed at the position where the petri dish 130 is supplied, the petri dish receiving metal fitting of the drop hole 206 is always flipped up, and the work surface 1
The petri dishes 130a at the supply position are taken out one by one from a gap that allows one of the petri dishes 130 provided between the petri dishes 20 to pass through. As a petri dish supply device, any other device can be used as long as it has a configuration capable of feeding the petri dish at a predetermined interval.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing the petri dish holding device 140. As shown in FIG. 10, in the Petri dish holding device 140, a pair of holding arms 141 for holding and centering the Petri dish 130b at the cup dropping position.
Are provided slightly projecting from the work surface 120. The holding arm 141 is interlocked with the claw plate 510 serving as a petri dish transfer unit. When the claw 512 protrudes from the work surface 120 by the driving device of the petri dish transfer device 500,
A cam 143 attached to each holding arm 141 comes into contact with the claw plate 510, and the holding arm 1
41 rotates in the opening direction. Thereby, Petri dish 13
The constraint of 0 is released, and the transfer becomes possible. The petri dish holding device 160 having the same configuration can be provided for the petri dish 130c at the disc drop position (dispensing position). In FIG. 10, reference numerals corresponding to the petri dish holding device 160 are also shown.

FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of a petri dish lid opening / closing device 360. The petri dish lid opening / closing device 360 is shown in FIG.
As in the case of the petri dish holding device 140 shown in FIG. Work surface 1
The stay 20 is provided with a stay 372, and a drive cylinder 370 is supported. The drive cylinder 370 has a rod 366.
Are provided so as to be able to enter and exit in the direction of the petri dish 130, and a suction means 362 is provided at the tip thereof. The suction means 362 includes a cylinder 364 and a suction pad 368 at the tip thereof. Note that a petri dish lid opening / closing device 660 having the same configuration can be provided for the petri dish 130c at the disc dropping position (dispensing position). In FIG. 11, reference numerals corresponding to the petri dish opening and closing device 660 are also shown.

FIG. 12 is a schematic side view of the marking device 800. The marking device 800 marks the petri dish 130c at the disc drop position (dispensing position) on the side of the petri dish corresponding to a predetermined drop position (disc or cup) in the petri dish. This allows
Which sample solution has been added can always be recognized at a glance. At the time of marking, the cap device 802 moves upward,
Subsequently, the pen 810 is extended by the drive cylinder 806 by a predetermined length in contact with the petri dish 130c. When the pen 810 is in contact with the petri dish 130c, the vertical drive cylinder 808 is operated to move the pen 810 to the petri dish 1c.
A mark is provided by moving the image in the vertical direction along the side surface of 30c. Thereafter, the drive cylinder 806 and the vertical drive cylinder 808 return to their original positions.

FIG. 13 shows a tray-type petri dish receiving device 70.
FIG. 7 is a top view of one tray 710 in 0. Petri dish 130 transferred to tray accommodation position on petri dish transport path
e is sequentially pushed onto the tray 710 by the pressing force of the petri dish moving device 500. At this time, Petri dish 130e
A guide rail 712 is provided along the center of the accommodation path 714 at a position corresponding to the thickness of one sheet, so that the petri dish does not protrude from the accommodation path 714 even when pushed in. The tray 710 is accommodated in the tray-type petri dish accommodating device 700 in a state where only the edges are on the paired flanges 720. Since the tray-type petri dish storage device 700 does not have an operation that causes the petri dish 130 to move up and down and does not generate an impact, it is particularly effective for a test sample that is vulnerable to an impact.

Next, the operation of the sample test sample automatic preparation apparatus 100 configured as described above will be described. In addition,
Here, the case where the inspection by the cup method is performed will be described. Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG.
0 is a petri dish from the stocker 200 at the most upstream position.
One is supplied to the position of 30a. This petri dish 13
0a is a slit 124L at the position of the claw plate 510b,
The claw 512 protruding from the 124R is pushed and moved in the transfer direction. In addition, the petri dish moving device 500 is set such that each of the claws 512 transfers the petri dish 130 by the same distance as the distance between the respective claws 512 in the transfer direction. Also,
Claw 512 projecting from slits 124L, 124R
Are in contact with the petri dish 130 in parallel and almost simultaneously, so once entering the transfer state, the petri dish 130 is transferred with almost no rotation or lateral displacement. On the other hand, the test tube storage rack 650a is transferred to a predetermined dispensing position separately from the transfer of the petri dish 130.

During the transfer process of the claw plate 510, the petri dish 130 is pressed and moved by the claw 512. At this time, the holding arm 141 of the petri dish holding device 140 is opened by the raised claw plate 510. . When the petri dish 130b reaches the cup drop position,
The claw plate 510 is lowered, and the holding arm 161 of the Petri dish holding device 160 holds the bottom of the Petri dish 130b.

Then, the petri dish lid opening / closing device 360 extends the suction means 362 by a predetermined amount, and returns to the original position again while the petri dish lid 132 is being adsorbed by the suction pad 368. In this state, the cup dropping device 300 is
Drop four cups at predetermined positions on the medium in Ob.
The cup dropping device 300 is not particularly limited as long as it is a device for dropping a cup. For example, a cup dropper device manufactured by Nagai Trading Company can be used. After dropping the cup, the petri dish lid opening / closing device 360 is again operated by the suction means 3.
62 is moved, and the petri dish lid 132 is put on the petri dish 130b containing the cup.

At this point, the petri dish is transferred again. As described above, the center slit 125 is provided in the petri dish transfer path, and the center slit 125 is moved to the cup drop position.
Is extended, and the slits 124L, 1
24R is not provided. At the start of the petri dish transfer, the suction pad 522 is located below the petri dish 130b. Since the suction pad 522 is supported by the claw plate 510 similarly to the claw 512, the lower surface of the petri dish 130b is suctioned when the petri dish is transferred. Then, in the range of the central slit 125, the suction pad 52
The petri dish is transferred by two of 2,524. This allows
Rotation and displacement of the petri dish due to transfer can be prevented.

With respect to the petri dish 130c at the dispensing position, the suction pad 524 suppresses rotation and displacement during transfer until reaching the petri dish 130c. Then, when the dispensing position is reached, the claw plate 510 descends, and the suction pad 524 also releases suction and descends, and the holding arm of the petri dish holding device 160 moves the bottom of the petri dish 130c similarly to the petri dish holding device 140. Pinch. Then, similarly to the petri dish lid opening / closing device 360, the petri dish lid opening / closing device 660 is used.
However, the suction means 662 is extended to a predetermined position, and returns to the original position again while the petri dish lid 132 is being sucked by the suction pad.

Almost at the same time when the petri dish lid 132 is opened, the marking device 800 extends the pen 810 in the direction of the petri dish 130c with the lid open, and the petri dish 13
A mark is placed at a position corresponding to any one of the cups on the side surface 0c. Here, in general, the sample liquid and the reference liquid are respectively supplied by two diagonal lines, and therefore, it is possible to instantly determine which cup the two liquids are contained in by using this mark.

Next, the dispensing apparatus 600 shown in FIGS.
Starts dispensing. About this dispensing action,
This will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. When the marking device 800 is in operation, the pipetting means 606 of the dispensing device 600 moves one of the test tube storage racks 650b.
The robot moves on the movement track 612 so as to be positioned on the four replacement pipette tips 658 (the state of FIG. 14A). Then, the pipette holding plate 604 is driven downward by the drive cylinder 616, and the replacement pipette tip 658 is attached to the tip of the pipette means 606 (the state of FIG. 14B). Subsequently, the pipette holding plate 6
04 is raised, and the test tube storage rack 650 is
b is moved forward, and one set of four test tubes 656 is positioned directly below the pipetting means 606 (FIG. 15A).
State). The pipette holding plate 604 is lowered again, the sample liquid in the test tube 656 is sucked up by a predetermined amount by the cylinder 618 (the state shown in FIG. 15B), and the pipette holding plate 604 is raised again. At this time, preferably, the exchange pipette tip 658 is connected to the test tube 6 so that the sucked liquid does not drip from the tip of the exchange pipette tip 658.
After leaving the sample solution in 56 and before dispensing,
Continue suctioning little by little.

Next, each exchange pipette tip 65
The pipette holding plate 604 moves on the movement track 612 so that 8 corresponds to each cup position on the petri dish 130 (the state of FIG. 16A). Then, the pipette holding plate 604 is lowered again, and the sample liquid is dispensed into each cup (the state of FIG. 16B). In this step, a predetermined amount of the sample solution may be dispensed into the cup at one time, or the predetermined amount may be divided into about two times. When the cup is divided into two times as described above, the capacity of the cylinder 618 can be reduced, and the accuracy for a small amount of dispensing operation can be improved. At this time, the position of the exchange pipette tip 658 and the cup is adjusted by setting the cup position in the petri dish 130, the transfer position of the petri dish and its state, the stop position of the pipette means 606 by the pipette holding plate 604, and the like, and Is achieved by a design that reduces

When dispensing from a set of test tubes to a plurality of Petri dishes, when the replacement pipette tip is lowered to the bottom of the test tube, the sample solution adheres to the outer wall of the replacement pipette tip, and the pipette tip is placed right above the Petri dish. Droplets may fall during movement. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the operation control is performed by automatically calculating the amount by which the liquid level drops from the amount of dispensing to the petri dish and the number of dispensing (the number of processed petri dishes). Thereby, the drop of the droplet can be prevented. This method is particularly effective for a sample liquid having a high viscosity and easily adhering to an exchange pipette tip. Further, 1 sample solution volume in the test tube of the present is 9 cc (cm ^3), or because the 10 cc (cm ³⁾ degrees, this control is easily performed.

When the dispensing is completed, the pipette holding plate 604 moves up, and the pipette holding plate 604 moves on the movement path 612 to above the replacement pipette tip discarding section 672 (the state of FIG. 17A). Then, the pipette holding plate 604 is lowered, and the exchange pipette tip 658 is changed.
Is discarded to the replacement pipette tip discarding section 672 (FIG. 17).
(State of (b)). Further, at the same time when the pipette holding plate 604 moves above the replacement pipette tip discarding section 672, the petri dish lid opening / closing device 660 sets the petri dish lid 132
Is extended to a predetermined position above the petri dish 130c, the petri dish is covered, and then returned to the original position. Then, the petri dish transfer by the petri dish transfer device 500 is started. The test tube storage rack 650b moves to a position above the replacement pipette tip position of the next sample set in order to prepare for the next dispensing.

In the case of the petri dish 130 used as a test sample by this cup method, the cup itself is very disliked by vibration, so that it is preferable to store the petri dish in a form that does not give a shock as much as possible. I do.
Therefore, in this case, the stocker 200A is not used, but, of course, can be stored in the stocker 200A. In addition, when the inspection by the disk method is performed, the dispensing operation itself is exactly the same as the case of the cup method.

In the case of the inspection by the disk method, since the cup dropping device 300 is not used, no processing is performed at the cup dropping position, and the petri dish 130 is transferred to the dispensing position only by passing through. Regarding the petri dish 130c at the dispensing position, the process of opening the petri dish lid 132 by the petri dish lid opening / closing device 660 and attaching the position mark corresponding to any one disk on the side surface of the petri dish 130c by the marking device 800 is the same as the cup method.

The petri dish lid 132 is removed and the petri dish 13 marked by the marking device 800 is removed.
For 0, the disc dropping device 400 drops a disc. In this disc dropping step, the nozzle block 439 is moved from the slide block 443 by the Z-axis drive cylinder 441, and the suction nozzle 443 is directed to the take-out hole 475 of the alignment straight feeder 425. Suction nozzle 44
When the disc 3 comes into contact with the disc 417 in the take-out hole 475, suction starts and the disc 417 is sucked. After the nozzle block 439 is pulled up by the Z-axis drive cylinder 441, the slide block 443 is moved above the petri dish 130c by the X-axis drive cylinder 435. Again, the nozzle block 439 is lowered by the Z-axis drive cylinder 441, the disc is dropped on the agar medium of the petri dish 130c, and the nozzle block 439 and the slide block 443 return to the initial positions.

Next, dispensing is performed by the dispensing device 600 in the same process as the cup method. The difference from the cup method is the amount of the sample liquid to be dispensed. Compared with the cup method, the disk method can sufficiently test even a small amount of the sample liquid. When the dispensing is completed, the pipette holding plate 604 is raised similarly to the cup method, and the dispensing device 600 moves on the movement path 612 to above the exchange pipette tip discarding section 672. Then, the pipette holding plate 604 descends and discards the replacement pipette tip 658 to the replacement pipette tip discarding section 672. In addition, at the same time as the dispensing device 600 moves to above the replacement pipette tip disposal section 672,
The petri dish opening / closing device 660 causes the suction means 662 that is adsorbing the petri dish lid 132 by the suction pad to use the petri dish 1
Extend to a predetermined position above 30c, cover the petri dish,
Return to the original position again. And the petri dish transfer device 500
The petri dish transfer by is started.

In the case of the petri dish 130 used as an inspection sample by this disk method, since the impact is relatively tolerant, an accommodation mode giving priority to the accommodation capacity is desired. Therefore, a stocker 200A having the same form as the stocker 200 is preferable. For this purpose, the petri dish 130d transferred to the stocker storage position is lifted and stored in the stocker 200A by the lifting cylinder 28. of course,
It is also possible to store in the tray type petri dish storage device 700.

Although not shown, a control device for issuing a command to each processing step and displaying information from each processing step can be provided. It should be noted that each petri dish 130 is provided with a barcode including information on the order and the contents of the inspection, and the barcode is read at the time when the petri dish 130a is supplied from the stocker 200, so that mistakes in the quantity and processing contents can be reduced.

In the above embodiment, both the cup dropping device 300 and the disc dropping device 400 are provided. However, if only one of the cup method and the disc method is required, the cup dropping device 300 is used. And the disc dropping device 400 may not be provided.

In the above embodiment, in the case of a disc, the disc dropping device 400 and the dispensing device 600 are applied at the same petri dish position because water on the surface of the culture medium is absorbed, but the disc method is not required. In this case, the dispensing device 600 and the cup dropping device can be applied at the same petri dish position. Further, by switching the dispensing amount between the cup method and the disk method, it is possible to dispense the same pipette tip and the same cup and disc at the drop pitch.

In the case of the present invention, the distance is the same as the distance between the claws 512 in the transfer direction. The petri dish moving device 500 is set so that each claw 512 transfers the petri dish 130. Thereby, the stop position of the intermittent movement of the petri dish is always at the same position, and each processing step can be performed quickly and reliably.

The use of commercially available disposable pipette tips, test tubes, and the like makes it possible to reduce running costs, simplify handling, prevent contamination, and simplify washing. Furthermore, collation between the liquid to be dispensed and the petri dish is automatically checked based on the hole provided on the bottom of the test tube storage rack, the barcode label attached to the petri dish, the number of test tubes, and the number of times of transfer. It is also possible to configure.

[0061]

As described in detail above, in the sample solution dispensing method and the apparatus embodying the same according to the present invention, a plurality of samples which are accurately intermittently transferred on a transfer path at predetermined intervals by a petri dish transfer means are provided. The sample liquid dispensing device dispenses a predetermined amount of the sample liquid at this position into the Petri dish, and an inspection sample can be automatically created.

Since the sample liquid dispensing method and the apparatus embodying the same according to the present invention supply a predetermined amount of the sample liquid to the cup or disk after being dropped on the petri dish, the cup and the disk are selectively used. And any inspection method can be implemented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view (a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow X shown in FIG. 3) showing a petri dish transfer path of an automatic sample test sample preparation apparatus incorporating a sample liquid dispensing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view (a side view from arrow Y shown in FIG. 3) showing a test tube transfer path of the automatic sample test sample preparation apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the automatic sample test sample creating apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as viewed from the upper arrow Z;

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a petri dish transfer device for the petri dish transfer path of FIG. 3;

5A is a top view of a test tube storage rack used in the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5B is a side view of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6 is an arrow view in a cross section taken along line U of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a top view as viewed from an arrow T shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing a disc supply feeder 413 and a disc dropping device 400.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a stocker 200 of a petri dish.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing petri dish holding devices 140 and 160.

FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of petri dish opening and closing devices 360 and 660.

FIG. 12 is a schematic side view of a marking device 800.

FIG. 13 is a top view of one tray in a tray-type petri dish storage device 700.

14A and 14B are diagrams (1 and 2) illustrating the operation of the sample liquid dispensing device 600.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are views (Nos. 3 and 4) for explaining the operation of the sample liquid dispensing apparatus 600. FIGS.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are diagrams (Nos. 5 and 6) for explaining the operation of the sample liquid dispensing apparatus 600. FIGS.

FIGS. 17A and 17B are views (Nos. 7 and 8) for explaining the operation of the sample liquid dispensing apparatus 600. FIGS.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a disk arrangement in a petri dish.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1,417 disk 3,130 Petri dish 100 Sample test sample automatic preparation device 110 Base 120 Work surface 124L, 124R Slit 125 Central slit 140,160 Petri dish holding device 200 Stocker 300 Cup drop device 360,660 Petri dish opening and closing device 400 Disc drop Apparatus 413 Disc supply feeder 425 Alignment straight feeder 443 Suction nozzle 500 Petri dish transfer device 510 Claw plate 512 Claw 522, 524 Suction pad 550 Transfer direction drive device 600 Dispenser 650 Test tube storage rack 656 Test tube 658 Pipette chip 700 Tray type storage Device 710 tray 800 marking device

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) C12Q 1/24 C12Q 1/24 G01N 1/10 G01N 1/10 M 35/00 35/00 E (72) Inventor Mamoru Shiratori 1-58, Hiromachi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sankyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masato Ichikawa 2-58, Hiromachi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo F-term (reference) 2G058 BB08 EA02 EA10 EA14 EB02 4B029 AA09 BB01 CC05 CC07 HA02 HA07 HA09 4B063 QA01 QA06 QA18 QQ15 QQ16 QQ18 QQ98 QR69 QR74 QR84 QS10 QS39 QX01

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A sample liquid dispensing method for supplying a sample liquid to a dispensing position, wherein a plurality of dispensing positions of the sample liquid are set in advance, and a plurality of pipettes for dispensing are previously set in the dispensing position. A plurality of pipettes are used to aspirate a set amount of sample liquid from a predetermined storage container arranged at the dispensing preparation position by the plurality of pipettes. A method for dispensing a sample liquid, comprising moving to a position and dispensing simultaneously. 2. The sample according to claim 1, wherein after the pipette sucks the sample liquid in the storage container and separates from the storage container, the suction is continued until dispensing is performed. Liquid dispensing method. 3. The method for dispensing a sample liquid according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing is performed by dividing a predetermined amount into a plurality of times. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the sample liquid is sucked into the pipette from the storage container, the pipette is moved down following a decrease in the sample liquid level in the storage container. A method for dispensing a sample liquid according to any one of the preceding claims. 5. A sample liquid dispensing device for supplying a sample liquid to a dispensing position, comprising: a storage container for the sample liquid; and a plurality of integrally assembled units including the same arrangement as the plurality of dispensing positions. A pipette, and movement control means for moving the integrally assembled pipettes between the storage container position and the dispensing position, and between the sample liquid level in the storage container position and the dispensing position. And a suction / dispensing control means for aspirating a set amount of the sample solution from each of the pipettes from the storage container and dispensing the sample solution of the pipette after moving to the dispensing position. Liquid dispensing device. 6. The sample liquid dispensing according to claim 5, wherein the storage container is a test tube, and is held by a test tube rack having the same test tube arrangement as each of the plurality of dispensing positions. apparatus. 7. A petri dish provided with a plurality of the dispensing positions therein.
The sample liquid dispensing device according to the above. 8. The sample liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a tip portion of the pipette is a replacement pipette tip that can be replaced every time dispensing. 9. A horizontal driving unit for moving a plurality of pipettes in parallel with a guide rail between the storage container position and the dispensing position, a movement of the sample liquid surface in the storage container and the dispensing. 9. The sample liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising vertical movement means for vertically moving the pipette toward a guide rail toward a position.