JP2939417B2 - Dispensing method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for dispensing a liquid sample in an automatic dispensing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An automatic dispensing apparatus for aspirating a liquid sample with a pipette tip and dispensing the liquid sample into a plurality of other containers is known. For example, multiple items are applied to blood or serum collected from the human body. It is used to subdivide into a plurality of small containers for conducting tests.

[0003] A dispensing method performed by a conventional automatic dispensing apparatus will be described.

As a dispensing method, a batch dispensing method and an individual dispensing method are generally known. In the former batch dispensing method, a pipette tip supported by an XYZ robot or the like is inserted into a storage container storing blood, serum, and the like (hereinafter, referred to as a sample) collected from a human body, and the pipette chip collectively uses the pipette tip. To aspirate the sample. For example, 3 small containers
In the case of individual pieces, the samples for three small containers are collectively aspirated. After the aspiration, the pipette tip is moved to the small container to be dispensed. With the pipette tip positioned above the predetermined small container, a predetermined amount of sample is discharged into the small container, and the first dispensing is completed. Then, the pipette tip is moved above the next small container, and the second dispensing is performed. Hereinafter, similarly, the movement of the pipette tip and the discharge operation of the sample are performed. In this manner, the sample is divided into a predetermined number while the sample is firstly aspirated and the sample is divided into small portions at the time of ejection to omit the suction operation.
When dispensing is performed by the batch dispensing method, a predetermined suction is performed by a pump or the like regardless of the amount of the sample. At this time, if the sample amount is less than the predetermined suction amount for collective suction, the pipette tip 10 entrains bubbles (air) 12 as shown in FIG. Then, when dispensing the sample 16 into each small container 14, although a predetermined amount of discharge operation is performed by a pump (not shown) or the like,
A predetermined amount of sample 1
6 was not dispensed (FIG. 4 (b),
(C) and (d)). Further, since the diameter of the pipette tip is generally small, the bubbles 12 remain in the lower layer or the middle layer of the pipette tip as shown in FIG. 4A, and it is not possible to specify whether the bubbles 12 have been discharged at the time of the next sample discharge. In other words, when dispensing into three small containers, it is possible to guarantee which small container was properly dispensed, even if a sufficient amount of sample was aspirated for two dispensations. As a result, the redispensing process is increased, and the number of discarded small containers with dispensing errors is increased.

On the other hand, in the latter individual dispensing method, the sample is divided into a predetermined number by repeating the subdivision operation of sucking the sample of one small container and discharging the sample into a single small container. . According to the individual dispensing method, the sample 1
Since the suction / discharge operation of No. 6 is performed, if the suction state is monitored for each suction, it becomes possible to specify the small container 16 in which the bubbles 12 are mixed, and to perform the redispensing process and the discarding of the small container. The number can be one.

The selection between the batch dispensing method and the individual dispensing method is appropriately selected and set before the operation of the automatic dispensing apparatus.

[0007]

However, as described above, in the case of the batch dispensing method, the dispensing speed can be improved, but it is difficult to guarantee the dispensing accuracy. Further, in the case of the individual dispensing method, since the dispensing speed is determined by the operation speed of the drive system, it is easy to guarantee the dispensing accuracy, but it is difficult to improve the dispensing speed. Therefore, it is necessary for the operator of the automatic dispensing device to select whether to give priority to the dispensing speed or the dispensing accuracy at the stage of initial setting of the device, and it is not possible to perform efficient dispensing. There was a problem.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to improve the dispensing speed of an automatic dispensing apparatus and to easily guarantee dispensing accuracy. It is to provide a dispensing method.

[0009]

In order to solve the above problems, first, a batch dispensing mode in which a sample stored in a storage container is collectively sucked and divided into a plurality of small containers, and a sample dispensing mode. And an individual dispensing mode in which a single small container is aspirated and discharged into a single small container. An initial suction step of sucking, a batch suction availability determination step of determining whether or not the sample has been sucked by a predetermined number of small container dispensed amounts in the initial suction step based on a sample suction state, and the batch suction availability determination A dispensing mode selecting step of selecting one of a batch dispensing mode and an individual dispensing mode in accordance with a result of the determination in the step.

Secondly, in the first dispensing method, a priority reading step for reading the use priority for each of the small containers, and a case where the individual dispensing mode is selected in the dispensing mode selecting step. A sample discharge and return step of discharging the sample sucked in the initial suction step to the storage container, and a pipette tip for sucking the sample for each small container and according to the use priority input in the priority read step; An individual priority dispensing step of dispensing small containers at a time.

[0011]

In the dispensing method of the first configuration according to the present invention, the sample in the storage container is collectively aspirated by a predetermined number of small containers in the initial aspirating step, and the aspirating state of the sample is determined in the collective aspirating possibility determining step. In the initial suction step, it is determined whether or not the sample has been sucked by a predetermined number of small containers. Then, based on the determination result, one of the batch dispensing mode and the individual dispensing mode is selected in the dispensing mode selecting step. Therefore, the dispensing method is changed according to the sample suction state,
Dispensing accuracy can be easily guaranteed while improving the dispensing speed.

In the dispensing method of the second configuration, when the individual dispensing mode is selected, the sample sucked in the initial suction step in the sample discharging step is returned once to the storage container, and the individual priority dispensing is performed. In the process, the small containers are sequentially dispensed in descending order of importance according to the use priority of each small container read in the priority reading step. Therefore, even if the dispensing abnormality occurs due to a shortage of the sample amount, the small container having the dispensing abnormality can be easily specified, and the small container having high importance can be preferentially dispensed.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 1A, a storage container 18 such as a test tube contains a sample 16 such as blood or serum collected from a human body.
Is stored. A plurality of storage containers 18 are set at predetermined positions of an automatic dispensing device having a batch dispensing mode and an individual dispensing mode (not shown), and a sample in each storage container 18 is stored in a predetermined number of small containers 14 (this embodiment). When the dispensing start switch of the automatic dispensing device (not shown) is pressed (S1) in order to divide the pipette into three parts, first, the insertion amount of the pipette tip 10 is detected as shown in FIG. For this purpose, the liquid level is detected by a predetermined method, for example, a pressure change due to air discharge or the like (S2). Next, the sample 16 for a predetermined number of small containers (three in this embodiment) is initially sucked (collectively sucked) (S3). FIG. 1B shows an end state of the initial suction step. It is determined whether or not a predetermined amount of the sample 16 has been suctioned at the time of the initial suction, based on the suction state of the sample, for example, whether or not the collective suction has been performed based on a change in the suction pressure (S).
4: Batch suction availability determination step). At this time, as shown in FIG. 1 (b), if the suction pressure changes due to the inclusion of the air bubbles 12, it is determined that the predetermined amount of collective suction has not been performed, and the sample 16 is sucked by one small container. To select an individual dispensing mode for discharging into a single small container (S5: individual dispensing mode selecting step). When the individual dispensing mode is selected, all of the initially sucked sample is discharged (S6: sample discharging step, FIG. 1).
(See (c)) The pipette tip once used for suction / discharge is discarded and replaced with a new pipette tip (S7).
This is due to the suction and dispensing of individual
This is to prevent the ejection amount from becoming unstable. Then, in order to perform the first individual dispensing, the use priority order of the small containers is read from a memory or the like (not shown) (S8). The use priority is determined in consideration of the item importance, the test order, and the like of the test device of the multi-item test performed after the dispensing. The test is stored in a memory or the like in advance so that tests having high importance are smoothly performed in a predetermined order. Next, in order to perform the first individual suction, the liquid level detection is executed in the same manner as in (S2) (S9: see FIG. 1D), and the sample 16 is individually suctioned for one small container (S10: FIG. 1 (e)). At this time, similarly to (S4), it is determined whether or not the sample 16 has been successfully suctioned (S11). If it is determined that the desired amount of the sample 16 has been sucked without any entrainment of air bubbles,
The sample 16 is discharged to the small container 14 having the highest use priority (S12: see FIG. 1 (f)). After that, (S7) ~
The process of (S12) is repeated to execute the second and subsequent individual dispensing (individual priority dispensing step: see FIGS. 1 (g) to (i)). If there is a change in the suction pressure of the sample 16 in (S11), it is determined that the amount of the sample 16 is smaller than the one-time dispensed amount and the bubbles 12 and the like are mixed as shown in FIGS. 1 (j) and 1 (k). It is determined that normal dispensing cannot be performed, and abnormal processing such as alarm warning is performed (S13). In this abnormal processing, a warning light is emitted in addition to the alarm warning to call attention to the operator, and the small container in which the abnormal dispensing is performed is specified. At this time, the automatic dispensing device is temporarily stopped, or the position of the small container 14 'in which abnormal dispensing is performed is stored in a memory or the like as shown in FIG. The next sample may be dispensed without stopping the dispensing device. In any case, the small container in which abnormal dispensing is performed is specified, and the dispensing accuracy of other dispensing can be guaranteed.

On the other hand, there is no change in the suction pressure in (S4).
When it is determined that the predetermined amount of the sample 16 has been sucked, the batch dispensing mode is selected (S14: dispensing mode selection step), and the priority is read in the same manner as in the individual dispensing mode (S14).
15) Then, a predetermined amount of the sample 16 is discharged into a predetermined small container 14 (S16). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the number of times of batch dispensing has been completed (S17). If the predetermined number of times (three times in this embodiment) has not been completed, the process returns to (S15), and the predetermined number of ejections is performed. Do. If it is determined in (S17) that the predetermined number of ejections has been completed, the batch dispensing is terminated (S18), and after exchanging the pipette tip or the like, (S17).
Return to 2) and start dispensing the next sample.

As described above, according to this embodiment, one of the batch dispensing mode and the individual dispensing mode is selected every time the sample is initially suctioned, and when a predetermined amount of the sample is suctioned without any abnormality in the initial suction. , A batch dispensing is executed to improve the dispensing speed. In addition, when there is an abnormality in the initial aspiration and a predetermined amount of the sample is not aspirated, the individual aliquots are executed and the abnormal aliquots can be specified, so that the dispensing accuracy can be easily guaranteed. Reliable dispensing can be performed smoothly.

In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the presence of air bubbles and the like is detected by a change in suction pressure. However, the same applies to other detection methods such as optical detection and detection using ultrasonic waves. The effect can be obtained.

As shown in FIGS. 3 (a) to 3 (f),
Even when the serum 24 separated from the clot 22 by the separating agent 20 is used as a sample, the initial suction is performed in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, and depending on the suction state of the initial suction, the batch dispensing mode and the individual dispensing mode are used. Dispensing accuracy can be assured while either one is selected to improve the dispensing speed. FIG. 3 shows that at the time of the initial suction (FIG. 3B), the shortage of the sample is detected by the pressure change due to the suction of the separating agent 20, the individual dispensing mode is selected, and the first individual dispensing is executed. Shows the case.

[0019]

As described above, in the dispensing method according to the present invention, one of the batch dispensing mode and the individual dispensing mode is selected every time the sample is initially aspirated, and the predetermined amount is determined without any abnormality in the initial aspiration. When a sample is aspirated, batch dispensing is performed to improve dispensing speed, and there is an abnormality in the initial aspiration, and when a predetermined amount of sample is not aspirated, individual dispensing is performed and abnormal dispensing is performed. Can be specified, and the dispensing accuracy can be easily guaranteed. Therefore, appropriate dispensing is performed according to the suction state of the initial suction, and a highly reliable dispensing that can easily guarantee dispensing accuracy while improving the dispensing speed of the automatic dispensing device. It can be carried out.

When the individual dispensing mode is selected in the dispensing mode selection step, the sample sucked in the initial suction step is returned once to the storage container in the sample discharging step, and the individual priority dispensing step is performed in the individual priority dispensing step. In accordance with the use priority of each small container read in the priority reading step, dispensing is performed sequentially from small containers having high importance. Therefore, even if the sample volume is insufficient, small containers with abnormal dispensing can be easily identified and small containers with high importance are preferentially dispensed, so that subsequent inspections can be performed smoothly. , Highly reliable dispensing can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing specific steps of a dispensing method according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing specific steps of a dispensing method according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is another explanatory view showing specific steps of the dispensing method according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view illustrating a conventional batch dispensing method.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Pipette tip 12 Bubbles 14 Small container 16 Sample 18 Storage container

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A batch dispensing mode in which a sample stored in a storage container is collectively aspirated and divided into a plurality of small containers, and an individual dispensing mode in which a sample is aspirated by one small container and discharged into a single small container. A dispensing method including an injection mode, wherein an initial suction step of collectively aspirating the sample in the storage container by a predetermined number of small container dispensed amounts by a pipette tip, and dispensing a predetermined number of small containers in the initial suction step A batch aspiration determination step of determining whether or not the sample has been aspirated by the amount by the suction state of the sample; and a batch aliquot mode or an individual aliquot mode according to the determination result of the batch aspiration determination step. A dispensing mode selecting step of selecting one of the methods. 2. The dispensing method according to claim 1, wherein a priority reading step for reading a use priority for each of the small containers, and the initial dispensing mode when an individual dispensing mode is selected in the dispensing mode selecting step. A sample discharge and return step of discharging the sample sucked in the suction step to the storage container, and a small container according to the use priority read in the priority reading step by sucking the sample for each small container by the pipette tip. An individual priority dispensing step of dispensing one by one.