JP2008256565A - Stirring apparatus and analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a stirring apparatus capable of stirring liquids held in a plurality of reactors set in an analyzer, under fixed stirring efficiency, and to provide the analyzer that uses the stirrer. <P>SOLUTION: This autoanalyzer 1 stirs the liquids held, respectively in the plurality of reactors 12 to be brought into reaction and measures the optical characteristics of each reaction liquid to analyze the reaction liquid. The analyzer 1 is provided with the stirrer 6, having a surface acoustic wave element 20 of emitting acoustic waves for stirring each liquid held in the reactor 12, and a driving part 22 for making the surface acoustic wave element move, when stirred, to contact with the prescribed reactor holding the liquid. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a stirring device and an analysis device for stirring a liquid held in a reaction vessel.

  Conventionally, an analyzer is provided with an agitation device for integrally agitating a liquid in a non-contact manner by providing a sound wave emitting means integrally with each of all reaction containers holding a liquid and emitting sound waves from the sound wave emitting means toward the reaction container. It is known (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-90791 A

  However, since the stirring device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is provided with a sound wave output means in each of the reaction containers set on the reaction table of the analyzer, the stirring is constant due to the difference in stirring performance of the individual sound output means. However, there is a problem in that the analysis results vary even though the test items are the same for the same sample.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and is provided with a stirrer that can stir liquids held in a plurality of reaction vessels set in an analyzer with constant stirring efficiency, and the stirrer. It aims at providing the used analytical device.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the stirring device according to the present invention is a stirring device having a sound wave emitting means for emitting a sound wave for stirring the liquid held in the reaction vessel, Drive means for moving the sound wave emitting means to contact a reaction vessel holding the liquid is provided.

  In the stirring device according to the present invention, in the above invention, the sound wave emitting means has a plurality of end faces, and emits the sound waves from a predetermined one end face of the end faces to the reaction vessel. Only the one end face is brought into contact with the reaction vessel.

  In the stirring device according to the present invention, in the above invention, the sound wave emitting unit emits a standing wave, and the one end surface is provided at a position where the standing wave emitted from the sound wave emitting unit is maximized. It is characterized by.

  The stirrer according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the sound wave emitting means is a surface acoustic wave device having a base material and a vibrator comprising a comb-shaped electrode formed on the base material. To do.

  The stirrer according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the drive means makes a predetermined one of a plurality of end surfaces of the base material contact the reaction vessel.

  The stirrer according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the base material has at least one convex portion, and the driving means makes the convex portion contact the reaction vessel.

  In the stirring device according to the present invention, in the above invention, the surface acoustic wave element emits a standing wave, and the convex portion is located at a position where the energy of the standing wave emitted from the sound wave emitting means is maximized. It is provided.

  The stirring device according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the driving means changes a contact position where the surface acoustic wave element is brought into contact with the reaction vessel.

  Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the analyzer according to the present invention measures the optical characteristics of the reaction liquid by stirring and reacting the liquids held in each of the plurality of reaction vessels. An analysis apparatus for analyzing the reaction liquid, wherein a sound wave emitting means for emitting a sound wave for stirring the liquid held in the reaction container and a predetermined sound wave holding means for moving the sound wave emitting means during the stirring to hold the liquid The agitation device having a drive means for contacting the reaction vessel is provided.

  The stirrer and analyzer according to the present invention stir the liquid held in each reaction vessel with sound waves emitted from the same sound wave output means during stirring, so that stirring of the liquid in each reaction vessel is performed with a constant stirring efficiency. The effect that it can stir below is produced.

  Exemplary embodiments of an agitation apparatus and an analysis apparatus according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating the automatic analyzer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a cross section of the reaction vessel 12 and the reaction table 5 constituting the automatic analyzer shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the holder 5a of the reaction table 5, the reaction vessel 12, and the surface acoustic wave element constituting the automatic analyzer 1 of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic analyzer 1 includes a sample table 3, a sample dispensing mechanism 4, a reaction table 5, a stirring device 6, a photometric unit 7, a cleaning device 8, a reagent table 9, and reagent components on a work table 2. An injection mechanism 10 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the sample table 3 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow by the driving means, and a plurality of sample storage units 3a are provided on the outer periphery at regular intervals along the circumferential direction. In each sample storage unit 3a, a sample container 11 containing a sample is detachably stored. The specimen dispensing mechanism 4 moves in a two-dimensional direction along the surface above the outer periphery of the reaction table 5.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the specimen dispensing mechanism 4 is a dispensing means for dispensing a specimen into a reaction container 12 held by a holder 5a of a reaction table 5, and includes a specimen nozzle 4a (see FIG. 2). Yes. The sample dispensing mechanism 4 is driven by a driving unit and moves in a two-dimensional direction along the surface above the outer periphery of the reaction table 5. Accordingly, the sample dispensing mechanism 4 sequentially dispenses samples from the plurality of sample containers 11 stored in the sample storage unit 3a of the sample table 3 to the reaction containers 12 stored in the holder 5a by the sample nozzle 4a.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the reaction table 5 is rotated in a direction indicated by an arrow by a drive motor 5f (see FIG. 2) which is a drive means different from the drive means for driving the sample table 3, and the outer periphery is circumferentially provided. A plurality of holders 5a formed in a concave shape are arranged along the same interval. Each holder 5a has openings 5b and 5c (see FIGS. 2 and 3) through which the analysis light B of the photometry unit 7 is transmitted on both sides in the radial direction. In each holder 5a, a reaction container 12 for reacting a specimen with a reagent is detachably disposed. In FIG. 1, a part of the reaction vessel 12 accommodated in the holder 5 a is omitted and shown in a simplified manner. The opening 5b is formed in the outer wall 5d of the holder 5a, transmits the analysis light B, and also serves as a contact window for the surface acoustic wave element 20 to contact the reaction vessel 12. The opening 5c is a circular window formed in the inner wall 5e of the holder 5a. The reaction table 5 rotates clockwise (1 turn-1 reaction vessel) / 4 minutes in one cycle, and rotates one holder 5a counterclockwise in four cycles. In the vicinity of the reaction table 5, a stirring device 6, a photometric unit 7 and a cleaning device 8 are provided.

  The reaction vessel 12 is a small amount of a rectangular container having a capacity of several nL to several tens of μL, and is a transparent material that drops 80% or more of the light contained in the analysis light (340 to 800 nm) emitted from the photometry unit 7 For example, it is made of a synthetic resin such as glass containing heat-resistant glass, cyclic olefin or polystyrene. An opening 12 a for dispensing a liquid by the specimen dispensing mechanism 4 and the reagent dispensing mechanism 10 is formed in the upper part of the reaction container 12.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the stirring device 6 includes a surface acoustic wave element (SAW) 20, a drive circuit 21, and a drive unit 22. The surface acoustic wave element 20 is a sound wave emitting unit that stirs a liquid by sound waves, and a vibrator 20b (see FIG. 4) made of a comb-shaped electrode (IDT) is formed on a base material 20a of the surface acoustic wave element 20. Yes. The vibrator 20 b is connected to the drive circuit 21 and is driven by electric power supplied from the drive circuit 21. The surface acoustic wave element 20 is connected to the arm 22a driven in the direction of the arrow by the drive unit 22, moves into the opening 5b formed in the outer wall 5d, and the vibrator 20b is positioned on the outer wall 5d side. It contacts the side wall 12b of the reaction vessel 12. At this time, the surface acoustic wave element 20 is disposed opposite to the side wall 12b of the reaction vessel 12 held by the holder 5a and parallel to the side wall 12b (see FIG. 5).

  The drive circuit 21 has an oscillation circuit that can change the oscillation frequency in a programmable manner based on a control signal from the control unit 16, amplifies a high-frequency oscillation signal of about several tens of MNz to several hundreds of MNz, and the drive signal Is output to the surface acoustic wave device 20. In addition, the drive circuit 21 switches the drive frequency of the drive signal stepwise based on the control signal from the control unit 16. The drive circuit 21 agitates the liquid held in the reaction vessel 12 by driving the vibrator 20 b of the surface acoustic wave element 20. The vibrator 20b emits surface acoustic waves from both end surfaces 20b1 and 20b2 (see FIG. 5) in contact with the reaction vessel 12 toward the reaction vessel 12, and the surface acoustic waves H are held in the reaction vessel 12. Leak into the liquid (see FIG. 6) and stir the liquid. Here, when the control unit 16 controls the stirring device 6, for example, characteristics (frequency, intensity, phase, wave characteristics) of sound waves generated by the surface acoustic wave element 20, waveforms (sine waves, triangular waves, rectangular waves) , Burst wave) or modulation (amplitude modulation, frequency modulation) or the like. Further, the control unit 16 can switch the frequency of the oscillation signal that the drive circuit 21 oscillates according to a built-in timer.

  The drive unit 22 drives the arm 22a connected to the surface acoustic wave element 20 back and forth under the control of the control unit 16 to bring the surface acoustic wave element 20 into contact with the side wall 12b of the reaction vessel 12, and this contact state. Is a driving means for driving the surface acoustic wave element 20 left, right, up, down, right, or left rotation (see FIGS. 4 to 6), for example, a three-axis stage capable of moving in three axes and the three axes A motor that enables driving of the stage and rotation of the arm 22a is provided. The surface acoustic wave element 20 can change the contact position with the reaction vessel 12 in a state where the surface acoustic wave device 20 is in contact with the side wall 12 b of the reaction vessel 12 by driving of the drive unit 22.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the photometry unit 7 is photometry means provided at a position facing the radial direction across the holder 5 a of the reaction table 5, and an analysis light B for analyzing the liquid held in the reaction vessel 12. And a light receiver 7b that splits and receives the analysis light B that has passed through the liquid. The analysis light B emitted from the light source 7a is received by the light receiver 7b after entering the liquid test surface of the liquid held in the reaction vessel 12. After the photometry in the photometry unit 7 is completed, the reaction container 12 is transferred to the cleaning device 8 and cleaned, and then used again for analysis of a new specimen.

  The cleaning device 8 has a discharging unit that discharges the liquid in the reaction vessel 12 after photometry, and a dispensing unit that dispenses the cleaning liquid into the reaction vessel 12 that has discharged the liquid. The cleaning device 8 discharges the liquid after the photometry from the reaction vessel 12 by the discharging means. Thereafter, the cleaning device 8 dispenses the cleaning liquid into the reaction container 12 by the dispensing means, and discharges the dispensed cleaning liquid from the reaction container 12 by the discharge means. The cleaning device 8 cleans the inside of the reaction vessel 12 by repeating the dispensing and discharging operations of the cleaning liquid a plurality of times. The reaction container 12 washed in this way is used again for analysis of a new specimen.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the reagent table 9 is rotated in a direction indicated by an arrow by a driving means different from the sample table 3 and the reaction table 5, and a reagent storage portion 9a for detachably storing the reagent container 14 is provided in the circumferential direction. A plurality are provided along. Each of the plurality of reagent containers 14 is filled with a predetermined reagent corresponding to the inspection item, and an information recording medium (not shown) including a barcode label or the like for displaying information about the stored reagent is attached to the outer surface. .

  The reagent dispensing mechanism 10 is a reagent dispensing unit that dispenses a reagent to the holder 5a formed on the reaction table 5, and includes a reagent nozzle 10a (see FIG. 2). The reagent dispensing mechanism 10 is driven by a driving means different from the sample dispensing mechanism 4, and moves in a two-dimensional direction along the surface of the reaction table 5 as shown in FIG. 1, and is moved by the reagent nozzle 10a. Reagents are sequentially dispensed from the predetermined reagent container 14 of the reagent table 9 to the reaction container 12 in the holder 5a.

  Here, on the outer periphery of the reagent table 9, a reading device 15 that reads information such as the type, lot, and expiration date of the reagent recorded on the information recording medium attached to the reagent container 14 and outputs the information to the control unit 16 is installed. Has been. The control unit 16 includes a sample table 3, a sample dispensing mechanism 4, a reaction table 5, a stirring device 6, a light receiver 7b, a cleaning device 8, a reagent table 9, a reagent dispensing mechanism 10, a reading device 15, an analysis unit 17, and an input. For example, a microcomputer that is connected to the unit 18 and the display unit 19 and has a storage function for storing the analysis results is used. The control unit 16 controls the operation of each unit of the automatic analyzer 1 and stops the analysis work when the reagent lot or expiration date is out of the installation range based on the information read from the record of the information recording medium. Thus, the automatic analyzer 1 is controlled or a warning is issued to the operator.

  The analysis unit 17 is connected to the light receiver 7b via the control unit 16, and analyzes the component concentration of the sample from the absorbance of the liquid in the reaction container 12 based on the amount of light received by the light receiver 7b, and the analysis result is controlled by the control unit. 16 is output. The input unit 18 is a part that performs an operation of inputting an inspection item or the like to the control unit 16, and for example, a keyboard or a mouse is used. The display unit 19 displays analysis contents, alarms, and the like, and a display panel or the like is used.

  The automatic analyzer 1 configured as described above rotates the reaction table 5 under the control of the control unit 16, and stops the holder 5a holding the reaction container 12 to be dispensed at the reagent dispensing position. Next, in the automatic analyzer 1, under the control of the control unit 16, the reagent dispensing mechanism 10 dispenses the first reagent from above the reaction container 12 to the opening 12a by the reagent nozzle 10a.

  Next, the automatic analyzer 1 rotates the reaction table 5 under the control of the control unit 16 and moves the reaction container 12 into which the first reagent has been dispensed to the photometric unit 7. Thereby, the reaction vessel 12 is irradiated with the analysis light B emitted from the light source 7a from the opening 5c below the holder 5a, and the light beam of the analysis light B that has passed through the first reagent is measured by the light receiver 7b. The light receiver 7 b outputs optical information regarding the received light flux to the control unit 16. Based on this optical information, the control unit 16 calculates and stores the absorbance of the first reagent.

  After the photometry for the first reagent is completed in this way, the automatic analyzer 1 drives the drive motor 5f to rotate the reaction table 5 under the control of the control unit 16, and dispenses the first reagent. The reaction container 12 is moved to the specimen dispensing mechanism 4. Next, the automatic analyzer 1 dispenses the sample from the sample container 11 to the reaction container 12 by the sample nozzle 4 a under the control of the control unit 16. Thereafter, the automatic analyzer 1 drives the drive motor 5f under the control of the control unit 16 to rotate the reaction table 5, and moves the reaction container 12 holding the first reagent and the sample to the position of the stirring device 6. Let

  Next, under the control of the control unit 16, the automatic analyzer 1 drives the drive unit 22 to extend the arm 22a, and moves the vibrator 20b to contact the reaction container 12 holding the first reagent and the sample. Let The contact position of the vibrator 20b is such that the vibrator 20b is driven so that one end face (for example, the lower end face 20b2) of the vibrator 20b is at the liquid level or the vibrator 20b is at the center in the vertical direction of the liquid. It is preferable to carry out stirring by moving the part 22. This is because the vibrator 20b is arranged at the optimum stirring position in accordance with the amount of liquid held in the reaction vessel 12, inspection items, etc., so that even if the amount of liquid, inspection items, etc. change, it is substantially constant. It is for achieving the stirring efficiency of. Next, the automatic analyzer 1 drives the vibrator 20b by the drive circuit 21 under the control of the control unit 16 to emit sound waves (surface acoustic waves), and the first reagent and the sample held in the reaction container 12 Are reacted with each other to produce a first reaction solution.

  Thereafter, under the control of the control unit 16, the automatic analyzer 1 drives the drive unit 22 to retract the arm 22a, and also drives the drive motor 5f to rotate the reaction table 5 so that the reaction vessel 12 is moved to the photometric unit 7. Move to the position. Thereby, the first reaction liquid held in the reaction vessel 12 is photometrically measured by the photometric unit 7. The control unit 16 calculates and stores the absorbance of the first reaction solution based on the light information measured by the light receiver 7b.

  Next, under the control of the control unit 16, the automatic analyzer 1 drives the drive motor 5 f to rotate the reaction table 5, and moves the reaction container 12 holding the first reaction solution to the position of the reagent dispensing mechanism 10. Move. Thereafter, the automatic analyzer 1 dispenses the second reagent into the reaction container 12 from the reagent nozzle 10 a under the control of the control unit 16. Next, under the control of the control unit 16, the automatic analyzer 1 drives the drive motor 5f to rotate the reaction table 5, and the reaction vessel 12 holding the first reaction liquid and the second reagent is placed in the stirring device 6. Move to position.

  Next, under the control of the control unit 16, the automatic analyzer 1 drives the drive unit 22 to extend the arm 22a and move the vibrator 20b to contact the reaction container 12 into which the second reagent has been dispensed. . Next, under the control of the control unit 16, the automatic analyzer 1 drives the vibrator 20 b by the drive circuit 21 to emit sound waves (surface acoustic waves), and the first reaction liquid held in the reaction container 12 and the first reaction liquid. The two reagents are stirred and reacted to produce a second reaction solution.

  Thereafter, under the control of the control unit 16, the automatic analyzer 1 drives the drive unit 22 to retract the arm 22a, and also drives the drive motor 5f to rotate the reaction table 5 so that the reaction vessel 12 is moved to the photometric unit 7. Move to. Thereby, the second reaction liquid held in the reaction vessel 12 is photometrically measured by the photometric unit 7. The control unit 16 calculates the absorbance of the second reaction solution based on the light information measured by the light receiver 7b, and based on the absorbance of the first reagent and the absorbance of the first reaction solution measured in advance, The component concentration and the like are calculated and stored. Then, after the photometry in the photometry unit 7 is completed, the reaction vessel 12 is transferred to the cleaning device 8, the second reaction solution is discharged, washed, and then used again for analysis of a new specimen.

  Here, the automatic analyzer 1 according to the first embodiment drives the three-axis stage and the motor of the drive unit 22 under the control of the control unit 16, for example, when stirring is performed by the stirring device 6. It can also be moved up and down and left and right while in contact with the reaction vessel 12, or can be rotated to the right and left about the central axis of the arm 22a.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the driving unit 22 of the stirring device 6 moves the surface acoustic wave element 20 and contacts the predetermined reaction vessel 12 holding the liquid during stirring. The liquids held in different reaction vessels 12 by 20 can be stirred under the same stirring conditions (efficiency). For this reason, the automatic analyzer 1 can stir the liquid in each reaction vessel 12 with a constant stirring efficiency by the stirring device 6 having the same stirring performance, and directly insert a stirring bar into the liquid. Carry over that occurs when stirring is suppressed.

  In the first embodiment, since the surface acoustic wave element 20 and the drive circuit 21 are always electrically connected, the surface acoustic wave element 20 and the drive circuit 21 are connected during stirring as in the conventional example. This eliminates the need for such a mechanism and prevents the apparatus configuration from becoming complicated.

  In the first embodiment, since the surface acoustic wave element 20 is brought into direct contact with the side wall of the reaction vessel 12, vibration is not propagated to the liquid in another reaction vessel installed adjacent thereto, and this vibration propagation is accompanied. It is possible to prevent the influence, for example, the difference in the stirring time from occurring, and to realize constant stirring. Furthermore, if the stirring device 6 and the automatic analyzer 1 of the present invention are configured so that the reaction vessel 12 is arranged in the holder 5a via a vibration isolator, vibration of the liquid held by another reaction vessel 12 is further reduced. Propagation is suppressed, and stirring with constant efficiency can be realized.

  In the first embodiment, the vibrator 20b can be moved up and down, left and right while being in contact with the reaction vessel 12 during agitation, or can be rotated to the right and left. Therefore, the amount of liquid held in the reaction vessel 12 can be increased. Correspondingly, the surface acoustic wave element 20 can be moved to the optimum position, and the liquid held in the reaction vessel 12 can be further stirred with a constant efficiency.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the surface acoustic wave device 20 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the surface acoustic wave device 20 according to the first embodiment, the vibrator 20b is separated from the side wall 12b of the reaction vessel 12, whereas the surface acoustic wave device 20 according to the second embodiment is shown in FIGS. As described above, the one end surface 20 a 1 of the base material 20 a is separated from and connected to the side wall 12 b of the reaction vessel 12.

  In the second embodiment, the surface acoustic wave element 20 is constituted by, for example, a resonance type surface acoustic wave element, and a standing wave T generated by reflection of a sound wave (surface acoustic wave) is emitted from one end face 20a1 of the base material 20a. Further, in the second embodiment, the base material 20a is tilted with respect to the side wall 12b of the reaction vessel 12 so as to have a predetermined angle θ and is connected to the arm 22a. At this time, the angle θ is set to an optimum angle in consideration of the propagation characteristics of the surface acoustic wave element 20 such as the propagation direction of the radio waves.

  With such a configuration, the automatic analyzer 1 drives the drive unit 22 and extends the arm 22a under the control of the control unit 16. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, the automatic analyzer 1 is generated by bringing the end surface 20a1 of the surface acoustic wave element 20 into contact with the side wall 12b of the reaction vessel 12 holding the liquid and driving the vibrator 20b. The standing wave T is emitted from the one end face 20a1 into the liquid held by the reaction vessel 12. Here, the one end face 20a1 is a position where the energy of the standing wave emitted from the vibrator 20b is maximized, for example, a node where the phases of the surface acoustic waves forming the standing wave intersect with each other by 90 degrees, or a surface acoustic wave. The position of the antinode is set so as to be the largest, and this position is determined by the size of the base material 20a, the position of the vibrator 20b on the base material 20a, the wavelength of the standing wave T, and the like.

  As described above, the second embodiment can achieve the same effects as those of the first embodiment, and the one end surface 20a1 of the surface acoustic wave element 20 is brought into contact with the reaction vessel 12 by the driving unit 22 so that the one end surface 20a1 Since the standing wave is emitted to the reaction vessel 12, the one end face 20a1 can be positioned at the optimum position of the reaction vessel 12 to perform stable stirring.

  The surface acoustic wave element generally generates heat when it vibrates, and this heat is transmitted to the liquid in the reaction vessel 12 to affect the reaction state of the liquid. For example, the reaction of the liquid in each reaction vessel 12 The speed may not be constant. However, in the second embodiment, since only one end surface 20a1 of the surface acoustic wave element 20 is in contact with the reaction vessel 12, heat transfer from the surface acoustic wave element 20 to the reaction vessel 12 is suppressed, and the liquid reaction rate is increased. The influence is suppressed.

  In the second embodiment, the propagation direction of the sound wave oscillated by the vibrator 20b varies depending on the end face processing state of the base material 20a of the surface acoustic wave element 20. For this reason, it is also possible to optimize the end face processing of the base material 20a (for example, providing a curved portion instead of chamfering or a ridge line portion) according to the contact angle.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, a third embodiment of the surface acoustic wave device 20 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. 9 and 10, the surface acoustic wave element 20 according to the third embodiment is formed of a resonance type surface acoustic wave element as in the second embodiment, and is a side wall of the reaction vessel 12 held by the holder 5a. It is arranged in parallel to face 12b.

  In the third embodiment, a plurality of, for example, two convex portions 20c are formed on one end surface 20a1 of the base material 20a. The convex portion 20c is configured to be higher than the thickness of the vibrator 20b, and is configured such that only the convex portion 20c is brought into contact with the side wall 12b of the reaction vessel 12 by the arm 22a that is moved.

  By configuring in this way, the automatic analyzer 1 drives the drive unit 22 to feed out the arm 22a under the control of the control unit 16, and the reaction in which the liquid is held on the convex portion 20c of the surface acoustic wave element 20 is achieved. The container 12 is brought into contact with the side wall 12b. Then, the drive circuit 21 drives the vibrator 20b, and the generated standing wave T is emitted from the convex portion 20c. At this time, the convex portion 20c has a position where the energy of the standing wave emitted from the transducer 20b is maximized, for example, the phase of the surface acoustic wave forming the standing wave is shifted by 90 degrees as in the second embodiment. And the position of the antinode where the difference in amplitude of the surface acoustic wave is the largest is preset. This position is the size of the base material 20a, the position of the convex portion 20c on the base material 20a, and the standing wave T. It is determined from the wavelength.

  As described above, since the convex portion 20c of the surface acoustic wave element 20 is brought into contact with the reaction vessel 12 by the drive unit 22 and a standing wave is emitted from the convex portion 20c to the reaction vessel 12 in the third embodiment. 2 can be obtained, and the convex portion 20c can be pinpointed to the optimum position, so that the stirring efficiency can be further stabilized.

  FIGS. 11 to 13 are Modifications 1 to 3 of the surface acoustic wave device 20 according to the third embodiment. In these modifications 1 to 3, the reaction table 5 and the arm 22a are omitted for convenience. First, in Modification 1 shown in FIG. 11, the base material 20a of the surface acoustic wave element 20 having the configuration shown in the third embodiment is tilted by a predetermined angle with respect to the side wall 12b of the reaction vessel 12 as in the second embodiment. This is a modification in which only the convex portion 20c is configured to come into contact with the side wall 12b of the reaction vessel 12. Even with the configuration shown in the first modification, the same effects as those of the third embodiment can be obtained.

  In the second modification shown in FIG. 12, the vibrator 20b is formed on the back surface 20a2 opposite to the side wall 12b side of the reaction vessel 12 of the base material 20a of the surface acoustic wave element 20 having the configuration shown in the third embodiment. In addition, a modification configured to provide a plurality (three in this example) of convex portions 20c on the side wall 12b side surface 20a3 and at a position where the energy of the standing wave emitted from the vibrator 20b is maximized. It is an example. The installation positions of the plurality of convex portions 20c are positions on the back surface of the vibrator 20b that form a triangle when they are connected to each other. Even with the configuration shown in the second modification, the same effects as in the third embodiment can be obtained.

  13 is a surface 20a3 on the side wall 12b side of the base material 20a of the surface acoustic wave element 20 having the configuration shown in Embodiment 3, and is emitted from the formed transducer 20b. This is a modification in which a plurality (three in this example) of convex portions 20c are provided at a position where the standing wave has the maximum output. The installation positions of the plurality of convex portions 20c form a triangle when they are connected to each other, and surround the transducer 20b. Even with the configuration shown in the third modification, the same effects as in the third embodiment can be obtained.

  In these embodiments, the case where the liquid is agitated using the surface acoustic wave emitted from the surface acoustic wave element 20 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a bulk that propagates in the base material of the element. It is also possible to stir the liquid using waves, and in this case as well, the same effects as in the embodiment can be achieved.

  In the embodiment, the surface acoustic wave element 20 is configured to be in contact with the side wall 12b of the reaction vessel 12 on the outer wall 5d side (see FIG. 2). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the outer wall 5d side. It is possible to make one surface contact with the side wall 12b on the side of the inner wall 5e facing the side wall 12b, or make two surfaces contact with both side walls 12b on the outer wall 5d side and the inner wall 5e side. In this case, a highly versatile automatic analyzer according to the user's needs can be provided. In the case of two-sided contact, the stirring efficiency is increased and the stirring time can be reduced.

  In the embodiment, the surface acoustic wave element 20 is brought into contact with the liquid surface position of the side wall 12b of the reaction vessel 12. However, the present invention is not limited to this and is set to a position other than the liquid surface position. Is also possible. In this case, the photometry by the photometry unit 7 does not acquire information on scratches and dirt caused by the contact of the surface acoustic wave element 20, and accurate optical information can be obtained.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an automatic analyzer according to a first embodiment. It is the block diagram which showed the reaction container and reaction table which comprise the automatic analyzer shown in FIG. 1 in the cross section. It is a perspective view which shows arrangement | positioning of the holder of the reaction table shown in FIG. 2, a reaction container, and a surface acoustic wave element. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the movement state of the surface acoustic wave element shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows arrangement | positioning of the holder of the reaction table shown in FIG. 2, a reaction container, and a surface acoustic wave element. It is sectional drawing which shows arrangement | positioning of the holder of the reaction table, the reaction container, and the surface acoustic wave element which showed the state which the surface acoustic wave element contacted the reaction container. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of a reaction table holder, a reaction vessel, and a surface acoustic wave device according to a second exemplary embodiment. In Embodiment 2, it is sectional drawing which shows arrangement | positioning of the holder of the reaction table, reaction container, and surface acoustic wave element which showed the state which the surface acoustic wave element contacted the reaction container. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an arrangement of a reaction table holder, a reaction vessel, and a surface acoustic wave device according to a third exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of a reaction container and a surface acoustic wave device according to a third exemplary embodiment. 10 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of a reaction container and surface acoustic wave elements according to Modification 1 of Embodiment 3. FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an arrangement of reaction vessels and surface acoustic wave elements according to Modification 2 of Embodiment 3. 10 is a perspective view showing an arrangement of a reaction container and a surface acoustic wave device according to Modification 3 of Embodiment 3. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automatic analyzer 2 Work table 3 Specimen table 3a Specimen storage part 4 Specimen dispensing mechanism 4a Specimen nozzle 5 Reaction table 5a Holder 5b, 5c Opening 5d Outer side wall 5e Inner side wall 5f Drive motor 6 Stirrer 7 Photometry part 7a Light source 7b Light reception Container 8 Cleaning device 9 Reagent table 9a Reagent storage unit 10 Reagent dispensing mechanism 10a Reagent nozzle 11 Sample container 12 Reaction container 12a Open 12b Side wall 14 Reagent container 15 Reading device 16 Control unit 17 Analysis unit 18 Input unit 19 Display unit 20 Surface elasticity Wave element 20a Base material 20a1 One end face 20b Vibrator 20c Convex part 21 Drive circuit 22 Drive part 22a Arm H Surface acoustic wave

Claims (7)

A stirring device having a sound wave emitting means for emitting a sound wave for stirring the liquid held in the reaction vessel,
An agitation apparatus comprising driving means for moving the sound wave emitting means during the agitation to contact the reaction vessel holding the liquid.   The stirring device according to claim 1, wherein the sound wave emitting means is a surface acoustic wave element having a base material and a vibrator formed of a comb-shaped electrode formed on the base material.   The stirring device according to claim 2, wherein the driving unit makes a predetermined end surface of the plurality of end surfaces of the base material contact the reaction vessel. The base material has at least one convex portion,
The stirring device according to claim 2, wherein the driving unit brings the convex portion into contact with the reaction vessel. The surface acoustic wave element emits a standing wave,
The stirring device according to claim 4, wherein the convex portion is provided at a position where the energy of the standing wave emitted from the sound wave emitting means is maximized.   The stirring device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the driving unit changes a contact position at which the surface acoustic wave element is brought into contact with the reaction vessel. An analyzer for analyzing the reaction liquid by stirring and reacting the liquid held in each of the plurality of reaction vessels, measuring the optical characteristics of the reaction liquid,
2. A sound wave emitting unit that emits a sound wave that stirs the liquid held in the reaction vessel; and a drive unit that moves the sound wave emission unit during the stirring to contact a predetermined reaction vessel that holds the liquid. An analyzer comprising the stirring device according to any one of -6.

Images