JP2024006236A - Sample aspiration tip - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a sample aspirating tip with a simple structure that can reliably aspirate even a small amount of sample when a uniform liquid level cannot be maintained, and that can quietly inject the aspirated sample into a sample tube without the sample splashing or mixing with other liquids in the sample tube. [Solution] A sample aspirating tip 100 having a mounting part 110 with an upper opening 111 that can be connected to a dispensing device W so as to be able to supply and exhaust air, an intermediate part 120 with a holding part 121 that holds the sample, and a tip part 130 with a discharge port 133 that aspirates/discharges the sample, wherein a part or all of the tip part 130 continuing from the discharge port 133 forms an insertion part 122, the maximum outer diameter of the insertion part 122 is formed to be smaller than the inner diameter of the opening part of the sample tube, and the center of the discharge port 133 is located away from the central axis B of the intermediate part 120. [Selected Figure] Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a sample aspirating tip that is used by being connected to a dispensing device that dispenses a sample such as blood contained in a sample tube.

Conventionally, a sample aspiration tip used in the sample centrifugation method described in Cited Document 1 is used as a sample aspiration tip connected to a dispensing device when processing a sample such as blood contained in a sample tube. is publicly known.
The sample aspirating tip (pipette tip 4) described in Patent Document 1 is used in a dispensing device (automatic centrifugation processing device), and is installed in a holder (pipette holder) provided above a tip elevating unit (extendable stand 11). 12) is attached to the tip of the pipette 5 attached to the pipette 5.
An air tube (air suction port 8 and air discharge port 9) is connected above the pipette 5, and when aspirating the sample into the sample aspiration tip (pipette tip 4), use the air tube (air discharge port 9) to aspirate the sample into the sample aspiration tip (pipette tip 4). When sucking air into the pipette 5 and taking out the sample in the sample suction tip (pipette tip 4), air is supplied from the air tube (air suction port 8) into the pipette 5, and the air tube (air discharge port By controlling the suction and supply of air from the pipette tip 9 and the air suction port 8), the speed at which the sample is sucked into and taken out of the sample suction tip (pipette tip 4) can be controlled.

In addition, when aspirating the evaporation prevention liquid 3 and the supernatant liquid of the sample 1 into the sample suction tip (pipette tip 4), the height is adjusted by expanding and contracting the tip elevating unit (extendable stand 11), and the sample suction tip ( After positioning the tip of the pipette tip 4) below the interface between the evaporation prevention liquid 3 and the sample 1 in the sample tube (centrifuge tube 2) where centrifugation processing has been completed, Suction is started to aspirate the evaporation prevention liquid 3 and the supernatant liquid of the sample 1 into the sample suction tip (pipette tip 4).
Furthermore, when the liquid level in the sample tube (centrifuge tube 2) drops due to suction of the evaporation prevention liquid 3 and sample 1, and the sample suction tip (pipette tip 4) separates from the liquid level, the sample suction tip ( It detects a change in negative pressure caused by the start of suction of air from the tip of the pipette tip 4) and automatically stops suction from the air tube (air suction port 9).

Further, after collecting the evaporation prevention liquid 3, the pellets to be collected in the centrifuged sample 1 are collected using a similar suction method, a syringe, or the like.

JP2009-145260A

However, there is still room for improvement in the sample aspirating tip of the dispensing device known from the above-mentioned patent documents and the like.

That is, in the sample aspirating tip known in Patent Document 1, the tip for aspirating the anti-evaporation liquid and the sample is located on the central axis of the sample aspirating tip, so the sample can be collected with the sample aspirating tip. When dispensing into an empty sample tube, the sample cannot be injected gently along the inner wall of the sample tube, and the impact caused by the sample injection into the sample tube causes the sample to splash and overflow outside the sample tube. There was a risk.
Furthermore, when injecting a sample into the sample tube, surrounding air is likely to be drawn in, and if the sample is a substance that is easily oxidized, there is a risk that it will mix with the air and deteriorate in quality.
Furthermore, if the specific gravity liquid is injected into the sample tube in advance, there is a risk that the force of injecting the sample into the sample tube will mix the specific gravity liquid and the sample, making the boundary between the liquid levels unclear.

Furthermore, if the amount of sample to be aspirated decreases and the liquid level of the sample cannot be maintained uniformly and is biased to a part of the sample tube, there is a risk that the tip of the sample aspirating tip may not reach the sample and the sample cannot be aspirated.

The present invention solves these problems, and has a simple configuration that enables reliable suction even in small amounts of samples whose liquid level cannot be maintained uniformly. The object of the present invention is to provide a tip for aspirating a sample that can be quietly injected into a sample tube without causing the sample to splash or mix with other liquids.

The sample aspiration tip of the present invention has a mounting part provided with an upper opening that can be connected to a dispensing device for dispensing a sample such as blood contained in a sample tube so as to be able to supply and exhaust air through an air tube, and a suction A cylindrical sample suction tip having a middle part provided with a holding part for temporarily holding a sample, and a tip part provided with a discharge port for aspirating/discharging the sample, the tip having the attachment part is formed at the upper part of the intermediate part, the tip part is formed at the lower part of the intermediate part, and the mounting part, the intermediate part, and the tip part are connected to the upper opening part, the holding part, and the discharge part. A part or all of the distal end part that communicates with the outlet and continues from the discharge port constitutes an insertion part, and the maximum outer diameter of the insertion part is formed to be smaller than at least the inner diameter of the opening part of the sample tube, and The above problem is solved by locating the center of the discharge port at a position away from the central axis of the intermediate portion.

According to the sample suction chip according to claim 1, since the center of the discharge port is located away from the central axis of the intermediate portion, even a small amount of sample whose liquid level cannot be maintained uniformly in the sample tube, for example, can be easily removed. The discharge port can be easily brought close to the sample simply by rotating the sample suction tip so that the center axis of the intermediate portion becomes the center of rotation without tilting the sample tube or the sample suction tip.
Further, the discharge port can be easily brought close to the inner wall surface of the sample tube, and the aspirated sample can be quietly injected along the inner wall surface of the sample tube.
This can prevent the sample from splashing or mixing with other liquids, air, etc. within the sample tube, and can also maintain a clear boundary with other liquids within the sample tube.

According to the configuration described in claim 2, the distance from the central axis of the intermediate part to the outermost part of the lower end of the discharge port is greater than or equal to the distance from the central axis of the intermediate part to the outermost part of the insertion part. The discharge port can be reliably brought closer to the inner wall surface of the sample tube without tilting the sample suction tip, and the aspirated sample can be more reliably and quietly injected along the inner wall surface of the sample tube.
According to the configuration described in claim 3, since the discharge port is opened in a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the intermediate portion, the discharge port opens in a direction facing the liquid surface, and the sample to be aspirated is Even if the separation layer inside the tube is thin, only the sample can be reliably aspirated.

According to the configuration described in claim 4, the central axis of the tip connection base is the same as the central axis of the intermediate portion, and the discharge tube connects the tip connection base and the discharge port at the shortest distance. When injecting a sample into a sample tube, the sample flows inside the inclined discharge tube from the tip connection base to the discharge port, allowing it to flow smoothly along the inner wall of the sample tube, making it possible to inject the sample even more quietly. Can be injected.
According to the configuration described in claim 5, the central axis of the tip connecting base is the same as the central axis of the intermediate portion, and the central axis of the discharge tube is inclined from 20 degrees to 80 degrees from the central axis of the tip connecting base. Therefore, when injecting the sample into the sample tube, the sample should flow from the tip connection base to the discharge port inside the discharge tube inclined at 20 degrees to 80 degrees, and flow smoothly along the inner wall surface of the sample tube. This allows the sample to be injected more quietly.

According to the configuration described in claim 6, on the surface of the intermediate portion, the indicator protrusion protruding radially outward is formed on the side in the direction in which the outermost part of the discharge port is arranged. Even without directly checking the inside of the pipe from the outside, the position of the discharge port can be determined simply by checking the direction of the indicator protrusion.
For example, even if the sample tube or sample is opaque or the work is performed in a dark room, the position of the discharge port can be accurately determined, and the sample to be aspirated can be reliably aspirated. The sample can be injected with the discharge port along the wall.

1 is a schematic diagram of a dispensing device P equipped with a sample aspirating tip 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a front view of a sample suction chip 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of part A of a sample suction tip 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a suction procedure 1 of whole blood BW in a sample tube S1 using a dispensing device P equipped with a sample suction tip 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a suction procedure 2 of whole blood BW in a sample tube S1 using a dispensing device P equipped with a sample suction tip 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a suction procedure 3 of whole blood BW in a sample tube S1 using a dispensing device P equipped with a sample suction tip 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a procedure 1 for injecting whole blood BW into a sample tube S2 using a dispensing device P equipped with a sample aspirating tip 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a procedure 2 for injecting whole blood BW into a sample tube S2 using a dispensing device P equipped with a sample aspirating tip 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a suction procedure 1 of mononuclear cells MS in a sample tube S3 using a dispensing device P equipped with a sample suction tip 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a second procedure for aspirating mononuclear cells MS into a sample tube S2 using a dispensing device P equipped with a sample aspirating tip 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A sample suction chip 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.
Note that the dispensing device P is not illustrated except for a part of the configuration.

As shown in Fig. 1, the dispensing device W is a device that aspirates a sample such as blood contained in a sample tube and dispenses it into another sample tube, or aspirates a desired component from the sample tube. It has a lifting unit PM, a pump P, and a tip lifting unit TM.
The piston elevating unit PM is connected to a piston rod PL having a piston PT at its tip so as to be movable up and down, and the pump P is capable of aspirating and dispensing a sample using a sample aspirating tip 100, which will be described later, by elevating and lowering the piston PT. It is connected to the holder H via an air tube T.
A differential pressure sensor PS is attached to an air tube T that connects the pump P and the holder H.
The holder H is connected to the chip elevating unit TM so as to be movable up and down and rotatable.
The dispensing device W further includes a control section (not shown) that can control the piston lifting unit PM and the tip lifting unit TM to automatically perform suction work and dispensing work.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sample aspirating tip 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, and is detachably attached to a holder H. 110 , an intermediate portion 120 connected to the lower portion of the attachment portion 110 , and a tip portion 130 connected to the lower portion of the intermediate portion 120 .

The attachment part 110 has an upper opening 111, communicates with the air tube T via the holder H, and is detachably connected.

The intermediate section 120 includes a holding section 121 that temporarily holds the aspirated sample and an insertion section 122 that enters into the sample tube. It is formed into a tapered shape.
Furthermore, an indicator protrusion 123 that protrudes radially outward is formed at the upper portion of the intermediate portion 120 .

The tip portion 130 has a tip connection base 131 connected to the lower end of the intermediate portion 120, a discharge tube 132 extending downward from the tip connection base 131, and a discharge port 133 opened from the lower end of the discharge tube 132.
The discharge cylinder 132 is formed to be inclined downward from the tip connection base 131 and in the direction in which the indicator protrusion 123 projects, and the central axis C of the discharge cylinder 132 is formed to be inclined from the central axis B of the intermediate part 120. There is.
The discharge port 133 is opened in a plane perpendicular to the central axis B of the intermediate portion 120.

Next, a procedure for aspirating a sample (whole blood BW) using the dispensing device W equipped with the sample aspirating tip 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described using FIGS. 4 to 6.
For convenience of explanation, the piston lifting unit PM, piston rod PL, piston PT, pump P, and differential pressure differential pressure sensor PS are not shown in FIGS. 4 to 6.

First, as shown in FIG. 4, a sample tube S1 containing centrifuged blood (plasma BP and whole blood BW) is fixed below the sample aspiration tip 100, and a control unit (not shown) is connected to the tip elevating unit. An instruction is issued to the TM to lower the sample suction tip 100 together with the holder H, and as shown in FIG. 5, the tip 130 is introduced into the sample tube S1.
At this time, the pump P operates to slightly suck air, and air is sucked into the sample suction tip 100 from the discharge port 133.

In this state, when the discharge port 133 reaches the plasma BP in the sample tube S1, the plasma BP is slightly suctioned from the discharge port 133, which changes the resistance during suction from the discharge port 133, causing a differential pressure. The output value of the differential pressure sensor PS also changes.
When the sample suction tip 100 is further lowered and the discharge port 133 reaches the layer of whole blood BW, the output value of the differential pressure sensor PS changes again because the resistance during suction of plasma BP and whole blood BW is different. do.
By reading the change in the output value of the differential pressure differential pressure sensor PS by a control unit (not shown), it is possible to recognize which layer in the sample tube S1 the discharge port 133 has reached.
That is, the control unit (not shown) recognizes that the discharge port 133 has reached the whole blood BW layer to be aspirated, based on the output value of the differential pressure differential pressure sensor PS, and instructs the tip lifting unit TM to The descent of the sample suction tip 100 can be stopped at a height at which the blood BW layer can be sufficiently suctioned.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, after operating the pump P to aspirate a predetermined amount of whole blood BW from the discharge port 133, the pump P is stopped and the sample aspiration tip 100 is raised by the tip elevating unit TM. Remove it from the sample tube S1.

Next, a procedure for injecting a sample (whole blood BW) using the dispensing device W equipped with the sample aspirating tip 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIGS. 7 and 8.
For convenience of explanation, the piston lifting unit PM, piston rod PL, piston PT, pump P, and differential pressure differential pressure sensor PS are not shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

First, as shown in FIG. 7, the sample tube S2 containing the specific gravity liquid DL is fixed below the sample suction tip 100, and the control section (not shown) issues an instruction to the tip lifting unit TM to sample the sample together with the holder H. The suction tip 100 is lowered and, as shown in FIG. 8, the discharge port 133 is advanced to a predetermined position above the specific gravity liquid DL in the sample tube S2.

Next, the pump P is activated and the whole blood BW is injected from the discharge port 133 into the sample tube S2. When injecting the whole blood BW, it is preferable to inject it gently so as not to mix it with the specific gravity liquid DL. Specifically, it is preferable to bring the discharge port 133 close to the inner circumferential wall of the sample tube S2 and inject the whole blood BW so that it flows quietly along the inner circumferential wall of the sample tube S2.
In addition, in the sample suction tip 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the discharge tube 132 is formed downward from the tip connection base 131 and is inclined in the direction in which the indicator protrusion 123 protrudes, so that the sample tube S2 The discharge port 133 can be easily brought close to the inner circumferential wall of the sample tube S2 by simply moving the sample tube S2 or the sample suction tip 100 by a certain amount in the horizontal direction without tilting or the like.

Moreover, since the central axis C of the discharge cylinder 132 is formed to be inclined from the central axis B of the intermediate portion 120, when the whole blood BW is injected into the sample tube, the whole blood BW smoothly flows on the inner wall surface of the sample tube S2. The whole blood BW can be injected more quietly.
Note that the inclination angle D of the central axis C from the central axis B is preferably an angle of 20 degrees to 80 degrees.
When the injection of whole blood BW in the sample suction tip 100 is finished, the resistance at the time of discharge from the discharge port 133 changes, and the output value of the differential pressure differential pressure sensor PS changes. ) reads the change in the output value of the differential pressure differential pressure sensor PS, stops the pump P, and issues an instruction to the tip lifting/lowering unit TM to lift the sample suction tip 100 and remove it from the sample tube S2.

Next, a procedure for aspirating mononuclear cells MS in the sample tube S3 using the dispensing device W equipped with the sample aspirating tip 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIGS. 9 and 10.
For convenience of explanation, the piston lifting unit PM, piston rod PL, piston PT, pump P, and differential pressure differential pressure sensor PS are not shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

As shown in FIG. 9, the sample tube S3 contains the separated components of the whole blood BW and the specific gravity liquid DL, forming layers for each component. , specific gravity liquid DL, mononuclear cell MS, and plasma BP are formed.

First, the sample tube S3 is fixed below the sample suction tip 100, and a control section (not shown) instructs the tip lifting unit TM to lower the sample suction tip 100 together with the holder H, and The mononuclear cells MS are allowed to enter the tube S3.

Next, a layer of mononuclear cells MS is aspirated from the discharge port 133, but since the amount of mononuclear cells MS is small, it is necessary to aspirate a sufficient amount of mononuclear cells MS in the sample tube S3. We need to collect as much as possible.
In addition, since the discharge port 133 is opened in a plane perpendicular to the central axis B of the intermediate portion 120, the discharge port 133 is opened in a direction facing each liquid layer surface, and the layer of mononuclear cells MS is formed in the sample tube S3. Even if the inner layer is a thin separation layer, only the layer of mononuclear cells MS can be reliably aspirated.
However, if the layer of mononuclear cells MS is continued to be sucked, the remaining mononuclear cells MS may not be able to maintain the layer within the sample tube S3, and may collect in the shape of water droplets near the inner peripheral wall of the sample tube S3. be.
At this time, mononuclear cells MS may gather at a position away from the discharge port 133, but in the sample aspiration tip 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, as the discharge tube 132 moves downward from the tip connection base 131, , is formed to be inclined in the direction of protrusion of the indicator protrusion 123. Therefore, as shown in FIG. It can be moved to a location where MS is concentrated, and mononuclear cells MS can be sufficiently aspirated.

Note that if the liquid in the sample tube is opaque or if a label or the like is wrapped around the outer circumferential surface of the sample tube, the height direction position of the discharge port 133 within the sample tube may not be visually confirmed. As described above, it is possible to easily determine which liquid layer the discharge port 133 has reached based on the change in the output value of the differential pressure differential pressure sensor PS.
Furthermore, for the same reason, the horizontal position of the discharge port 133 within the sample tube may not be visually confirmed; Since the cylinder 132 is inclined in the direction in which the indicator protrusion 123 projects, the horizontal position of the discharge port 133 within the sample tube can be easily determined by checking the orientation of the indicator protrusion 123 visually or with a sensor, etc. .

In addition, the sample to be aspirated and injected with the sample aspirating tip 100 is not limited to whole blood, but can be used for, for example, blood, body fluids, and other various liquids handled in the fields of life science such as medicine and physics and chemistry.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the sample suction tip 100 is attached to the holder H of the dispensing device W, and the sample suction and injection operations are performed automatically, but the suction and injection operations do not have to be automatic. For example, the sample aspirating tip 100 may be connected to the tip of a pipette, etc., and the sample may be aspirated or injected manually.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various design changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention described in the claims. It is possible.

In the above-described embodiment, the sample aspirating tip connected to the holder is moved up and down and rotated by the tip elevating unit, but the method of moving up and down and rotating the sample aspirating tip is not limited to this. For example, the sample aspirating tip may be gripped by a robot arm and moved up and down and rotated.
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, the intermediate portion is provided with an indicating protrusion, but the configuration of the intermediate portion is not limited to this. A visually visible mark may be placed on the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate portion in the direction in which the

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion was described as being formed in a tapered shape in which the outer diameter gradually decreases toward the bottom, but the configuration of the sample aspirating tip is not limited to this. For example, part or all of the insertion part may be formed into a cylindrical shape with a uniform outer diameter and smaller than the inner diameter of the sample tube, and the entire sample aspirating tip may have an outer diameter that gradually decreases as it goes downward. It may be formed in a tapered shape such that it becomes smaller.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the sample suction tip was described as having one discharge port at the lower end of the discharge tube, but the configuration of the discharge tube and the discharge port is not limited to this. Two or more outlets may be provided.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the dispensing device has been described as having a differential pressure differential pressure sensor, but the configuration of the dispensing device is not limited to this, and for example, the dispensing device may not include the differential pressure differential pressure sensor.

100... Sample suction tip 110... Attachment part 111... Upper opening part 120... Intermediate part 121... Holding part 122... Insertion part 123... Indication protrusion 130... Tip Part 131...Tip connection base 132...Discharge tube 133...Discharge port B...Center axis of the intermediate section C...Center axis of the discharge tube D...Viewed from the center axis of the intermediate section Inclination angle of the central axis of the discharge tube W...Dispensing device PM...Piston lifting unit TM...Tip lifting unit PL...Piston rod PT...Piston PS...Differential pressure differential pressure sensor P ... Pump T ... Air tube H ... Holder S1, S2, S3 ... Sample tube BP ... Plasma BW ... Whole blood DL ... Density liquid MS ... Mononuclear cell BD ... Red blood cell concentrate

Claims (6)

A mounting part with an upper opening that can be connected to a dispensing device for dispensing blood or other samples in a sample tube so that air can be supplied and exhausted via an air tube, and a holder that temporarily holds the aspirated sample. A cylindrical sample suction tip having a middle part provided with a part and a tip part provided with a discharge port for aspirating/discharging a sample,
The attachment part is formed at an upper part of the intermediate part,
The tip portion is formed at a lower part of the intermediate portion,
The mounting portion, the intermediate portion, and the tip portion communicate with the upper opening, the holding portion, and the discharge port,
A part or all of the tip portion continuing from the discharge port constitutes an insertion portion,
The maximum outer diameter of the insertion portion is smaller than at least the inner diameter of the opening portion of the sample tube,
A tip for aspirating a sample, characterized in that the center of the ejection port is located away from the central axis of the intermediate portion. The distance from the central axis of the intermediate part to the outermost part of the lower end of the discharge port is greater than or equal to the distance from the central axis of the intermediate part to the outermost part of the insertion part. Tip for sample aspiration. The sample suction chip according to claim 1, wherein the discharge port is opened in a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the intermediate portion. The tip portion has a tip connection base connected to the intermediate portion, and a discharge cylinder connecting a lower end of the tip connection base to the discharge port,
The central axis of the tip connection base is the same as the central axis of the intermediate part,
The sample suction tip according to claim 1, wherein the discharge tube connects the tip connection base and the discharge port through the shortest distance. The tip portion has a tip connection base connected to the intermediate portion, and a discharge cylinder connecting a lower end of the tip connection base to the discharge port,
The central axis of the tip connection base is the same as the central axis of the intermediate part,
2. The sample aspirating tip according to claim 1, wherein the central axis of the discharge tube is inclined from 20 degrees to 80 degrees from the central axis of the tip connection base. The sample according to claim 1, wherein an indicator protrusion projecting radially outward is formed on the surface of the intermediate portion in the direction in which the outermost part of the discharge port is arranged. Suction tip.

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