JP3065197B2 - Cartridge for storing dry analytical film pieces - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a biochemical substance (hereinafter referred to as "test component") contained in a sample solution such as blood or urine.
Or a chemical analysis, a biochemical reaction, or an immunoreaction with an analyte, and thereby a dry analytical film having a reagent layer whose optical density changes by a small piece (chip, such as a square, a rectangle, a circle, and an ellipse). The present invention relates to a cartridge for accommodating a dry analysis film piece (dry analysis film chip) cut in (1).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, qualitatively or quantitatively analyzing a specific chemical component or an activity value of a chemical component in a sample liquid is performed in various industrial fields. In particular, it is extremely important in the field of clinical biochemistry to quantitatively analyze the content of biochemical components in biological fluids such as blood and urine, the activity value thereof, and the content of formed components.

[0003] In recent years, the quantitative analysis of the content of a specific chemical component or its activity value, or the content of a formed component in a sample liquid by merely dropping and supplying a small drop of the sample liquid has been carried out. A dry type integrated multi-layer analytical film (also referred to as a multi-layer analytical element or a multi-layer analytical element) has been developed (Japanese Patent Publication No. 53-21677 (US Pat. No. 3,993).
2,158), JP-A-55-164356 (U.S. Pat.
No.) etc.). Further, a filter paper type test piece or a monolayer or multilayer test piece obtained by improving the same (Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 57-53)
No. 661 (U.S. Pat. No. 4,477,575) has also been proposed, and some have been put to practical use. The use of these dry analysis films makes it easier and faster to analyze sample liquids than conventional wet analysis methods, so their use is particularly important for medical institutions that need to analyze a large number of sample liquids. It is preferable in laboratories and the like.

In order to quantitatively analyze the chemical components in a sample solution using such a dry analysis film, the sample solution is applied to a dry analysis film (for those having a development layer, a development layer is provided and a development layer is provided). If it is not applied, it is spotted directly on the reagent layer), kept at a constant temperature (incubation) in an ink beta (constant temperature device) for a predetermined time to cause a color reaction (dye formation reaction), and then a predetermined reaction in the sample liquid. The dry analysis film is irradiated with measurement irradiation light having a wavelength selected in advance by a combination of the biochemical substance and the reagent contained in the dry analysis film to measure its optical density, and from the optical density value, A substance concentration or activity value of a predetermined biochemical substance in the sample liquid is obtained using a calibration curve representing a correspondence between the obtained optical density value and a substance concentration or activity value of a predetermined biochemical substance. .

The above-mentioned dry analysis film has a structure in which at least one reagent layer containing a reagent is provided on a support made of an organic polymer, and more preferably, a developing layer is provided above the reagent layer. . Then, for automatic operation, the dry analysis film piece is used as a chemical analysis slide housed in a slide frame (frame) made of an organic polymer.

[0006]

However, an analyzer using the above-described chemical analysis slide has a tendency to be large-sized. In other words, large medical institutions use large cartridges because they consume a large amount of chemical analysis slides in a short period of time, and also correspond to the number of biochemical substances (test components and analytes) to be analyzed. Since it is necessary to provide a sufficient number of cartridges, the space required for the cartridges becomes large.

[0007] The chemical analysis slide requires a large cost for the frame, which is one of the causes for increasing the cost of the chemical analysis slide. Further, the presence of the frame increases the size of the cartridge, the ink beta and the like. there were.

Accordingly, the present applicant has made it possible to use a dry analysis film piece (dry analysis film chip) in its original form (without accommodating the dry analysis film piece in a frame), thereby enabling downsizing. (Japanese Patent Application Nos. 4-99823 and 5-58131).

The above-mentioned cartridge is very preferable because it can be made of a dry analytical film piece which can be made small and inexpensive.

[0010] However, the dry analysis film pieces were easily warped and deformed when dried. Therefore, when the deformation (warpage) of the dry analysis film piece is large,
In some cases, the dry analysis film piece could not be removed from the cartridge. That is, as shown in FIG. 13, when the dry analysis film piece 19 that was greatly deformed (warped greatly) reached the lower end surface 839 of the casing 810 of the cartridge, the outlet 829 side was lifted at the lower end surface 839. . Therefore, when the transporting means is inserted from the notch 834 to discharge the dry analysis film piece 19 to the outside through the discharge port 829, the tip of the dry analysis film piece 19 is caught and cannot pass through the discharge port 829. Met.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and provides a cartridge for accommodating a dry analysis film piece capable of reliably discharging the dry analysis film piece from the cartridge even when the dry analysis film piece is greatly deformed. The purpose is to:

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to achieve the above object, and a cartridge for accommodating a dry analytical film piece of the present invention has at least one cartridge on a support.
A casing for accommodating a plurality of dry analysis film pieces provided with a layer of reagent layer in a stacked state, and a transport means for transporting the dry analysis film piece provided on one end surface of the casing reaches the dry analysis film piece. An end plate for locking a dry analysis film piece having a notch formed therein, and a discharge plate through which a stored dry analysis film piece provided on one wall near the end plate of the casing can pass in a direction parallel to the film piece. An outlet, and a dry film piece tilt holding member that positions the edge of the dry analysis film piece in contact with the end plate on the opposite side to the end plate of the casing obliquely from the edge on the discharge port side in the opposite direction to the edge of the casing. And a biasing means provided in the casing to bias the stored dry analysis film piece toward the end plate.

The outlet may be of a size that allows the dry analytical film piece to pass through in the lateral direction. The outlet is generally formed in a horizontal direction. The outlets can also be provided on two opposing or adjacent wall surfaces of the cartridge casing, so that transport is possible from two directions.

The dry film piece tilt holding member is positioned such that the edge of the dry analysis film piece abutting on the end plate is opposite to the outlet of the dry analysis film piece in the direction opposite to the end plate of the casing from the edge of the discharge port side. Thus, even if the dry analysis film piece is greatly deformed, the edge of the dry analysis film piece located on the discharge port side is corrected so as to be substantially parallel to the discharge port. The dry film piece inclination holding member is not particularly limited as long as it is a means capable of bringing the dry analysis film piece into the above-described state. For example, a protrusion may be formed on the side wall opposite to the discharge port, a protrusion may be formed on the end plate, or a slope may be formed on the end plate from the side wall on the side opposite to the discharge port toward the discharge port. The part that is in contact with the side wall opposite to the outlet is made the thickest, and the slope is approximately 1/3 of the distance from the side wall to the discharge port.
２ length, inclined surface is flat, curved flat like a part of a column with a large curvature, etc.), saddle shape inclined from the side wall opposite to the outlet toward the outlet ( Or a projection on the back of the horse (the projection is highest at the portion in contact with the side wall opposite to the outlet, and ends at about 1/3 to 2/3 of the distance from the side wall to the outlet).

When the dry film piece tilt holding member is formed in a projecting shape on the side wall opposite to the discharge port, it can be appropriately set according to the size of the dry analysis film piece. For example, in the case of a dry analysis film piece having one side of 12 mm, the length from the end plate is preferably 0.2 to 3.0 mm, more preferably 0.5 to 1.5 mm. Further, the protruding length of the side wall of the casing from the inner surface is preferably 0.3 to 4.0 mm, more preferably 0.5 to 2.0 mm.
Further, the width is preferably from 1.0 to 8.0 mm, more preferably from 2.0 to 5.0 mm.

The film piece lifting member may be formed integrally with the casing or may be attached to the casing later.

The outlet can be provided with a flexible locking means for locking the dry analytical film piece in a direction parallel to the wall surface of the casing, that is, in a hanging direction with the wall surface extended.

This flexible locking means is provided when the transport means transports the state-of-the-art dry analytical film piece in the direction of the outlet.
The cutting edge of the dry analytical film piece slid along the end plate is bent in a direction parallel to the end plate to discharge the latest dry analytical film piece through the outlet.
The second dry analytical film piece which is in contact with the slid and discharged state-of-the-art dry analytical film piece has a strength capable of locking the second dry analytical film piece.

The shape of the flexible locking means is not particularly limited as long as it has the above-mentioned action, but it is preferable to adopt the Greek letter "Π" or the Roman numeral "II". When the flexible locking means is formed in the shape of “又 は” or “II”, its substantial part is a part protruding downward (upward). In this specification, the portion projecting downward is referred to as a locking tongue. Further, the shape of the locking tongue piece can be a tongue shape, a long tongue shape, a scale shape, an inverted triangular shape, a wedge shape, or the like.

Although the tip (lower end) of the locking tongue may be in contact with the lower surface (upper surface) of the discharge port, the tip of the locking tongue may be in contact with the dry analysis film piece from the lower surface (upper surface) of the discharge port. Are preferably separated from each other in a range of か ら to ／ of the thickness of the metal. As a specific numerical value, since the thickness of the thinnest dry analysis film piece is about 300 μm, about 100 μm to about 300 μm is provided between the tip of the locking tongue and the lower surface (upper surface) of the discharge port.
Preferably, there is a gap in the range of μm. The width of the locking tongue ranges from about 1.0 mm to about 3.0 mm at the maximum width, and the length is about
A range from 250 μm to about 3.0 mm is preferred. The distance between the locking tongues is substantially the same as or the same as the maximum width of the development area or the diffusion area in the plane direction (lateral direction) of the liquid sample to be spotted and supplied in the development layer or the reagent layer which is the uppermost layer of the dry analysis film piece. Wider (longer) is preferred, but if the size of the dry analytical film strip is small, then the spacing may be slightly smaller (shorter) than the maximum width of the development or diffusion region. Specifically, each locking tongue is preferably located in a range from about 0.5 mm to about 1.0 mm from the side edge of the dry analytical film piece. In the case of a dry analysis film piece having a developing layer, the distance between the locking tongue pieces is the shortest (smallest) of about 7 mm, and in the case of a dry analysis film piece having the reagent layer as the uppermost layer, the distance between the locking tongue pieces is The shortest (shortest) is about 5 mm.

The shape of the tip (lower end) of the locking tongue is preferably a rounded vertex without having a polygonal vertex (whether acute or obtuse). Further, it is preferable that the ends of the edges on both sides of the locking tongue also have a rounded shape (a shape having a U-shaped cross section). The flexible locking means is such that only one or two locking tongues protruding downward (upward) are installed in the vicinity of both ends in the horizontal direction of the discharge port in a Π or II character shape with a gap therebetween. Structure. Preferably, the inner surface of the flexible locking means is flush with the inner surface of the casing.

The flexible locking means is a sheet (thin plate) of a hard organic polymer (eg, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene, hard polyethylene, polystyrene, polyamide (eg, nylon), polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride). Is preferably formed.
For example, in the case of a PET sheet, the rigidity of the hard organic polymer sheet is preferably in a range corresponding to the rigidity of an amorphous PET sheet having a thickness of about 80 μm to about 120 μm.

The flexible locking means is embedded or screwed, riveted, fixed by welding or an adhesive at or near the edge of the wall surface of the casing, or is formed integrally with the casing by a molding method or the like. .

As the flexible locking means, in addition to the above-described sheet-like mode, a hook-and-loop fastener (Hook-and-Loop Fastener;
In a mode in which long, loop-shaped elastic monofilaments (or twisted yarns of elastic multifilaments) of a different type of magic tape) are arranged substantially in parallel in 1 to 4 rows, preferably 2 to 3 rows, It is possible to adopt a mode in which 1 to 4 rows, preferably 2 to 3 examples, of the hairy elastic single fibers (or twisted yarns of the elastic double fibers) of the brush are arranged substantially in parallel. The tip of the brush-like elastic single fiber of the brush preferably has a spherical shape with a diameter larger than the thickness of the fiber or a structure in which the tip of the fiber is rounded. Also in the case of a yarn, a structure in which the tip of each fiber is rounded is preferable.

Also in such a flexible locking means, the center portion of the end face of the dry analysis film piece (corresponding to the spread area of the liquid sample to be spotted and supplied or the diffusion area in the plane direction (lateral direction)). It is preferable that neither Rina nor the hairy elastic single fiber (or twisted yarn) be present, or even if present, the number is small. Regardless of the shape of the lina or the hairy elastic single fiber (or twisted yarn), the gap, the maximum width, and the length between the tip and the lower surface of the discharge port are determined by “Π” or “II” formed by the sheet described above. "Is the same as in the case of

Further, the discharge port may be provided with a flexible locking means for the most advanced film piece and a second film piece locking means. The flexible locking means for the cutting edge film piece prevents the dry analysis film piece located at the forefront of the casing from going outside, and the dry analysis is performed when the cutting edge of the dry analysis film piece is discharged by the transport means. It has flexibility enough to allow a film piece to pass through.

The flexible locking means for a cutting edge film piece engages a second dry analysis film piece which is dragged and moved by the cutting edge dry analysis film piece when discharging the cutting edge dry analysis film piece. The point that it is not necessary to stop is different from the above-mentioned flexible locking means. That is, in this cartridge, the second film piece locking means prevents the second dry analysis film piece from being discharged, and the state-of-the-art film flexible locking means uses the state-of-the-art dry type What is necessary is that the analysis film has sufficient rigidity to prevent the analysis film from unexpectedly popping out. Therefore, the flexible means for a cutting-edge film piece can have the same configuration as the above-described flexible locking means, except for the configuration described above.

It is to be noted that the flexible locking means for cutting-edge film pieces can also have a function of preventing the discharge of the second dry analysis film piece, like the above-mentioned flexible locking means. . With such a configuration, even if a thin dry analysis film piece is used and the second film piece locking means described later cannot prevent the discharge of the second dry analysis film piece, it is possible to prevent the second dry analysis film piece from being discharged. Flexible locking means can prevent ejection of the second dry analytical film strip. Therefore, it can be used for dry analysis film pieces having different thicknesses.

[0029] The second film piece locking means, when discharging the dry analysis film positioned at the forefront, discharges the second dry analysis film piece placed on the upper surface of the discharged most dry analysis film piece. Is prevented from being dragged and discharged by the state-of-the-art dry analysis film piece. Therefore, the second film piece locking means has its lower end located between the lower surface and the upper surface of the second dry analysis film piece,
The shape, material, and the like are not particularly limited as long as the rigidity is sufficient to lock the second dry analysis film piece. For example, the second film piece locking means formed separately from the casing may be attached to the casing.

The shape and size of the cartridge casing are determined according to the shape and size of the dry analytical film piece to be used, and the material, color, etc. may be appropriate. Further, the form in which the dry analysis film pieces are stored is not limited to the vertically stacked form, but may be a diagonally stacked form.

The urging means toward the end of the casing has a function of urging the dry analysis film piece toward the end. Examples of the urging means in the end direction include a coil spring, a bent leaf spring, a weight, and a desiccant package serving as a weight. A pressing plate having substantially the same size as the dry analysis film piece is fixed to the tip of the urging means toward the end. The surface of the pressing plate on the side in contact with the dry analysis film piece is
It is made of an inert material that does not adversely affect even if it comes into contact with the reagent layer or the developing layer of the analysis film piece. Specifically, it is preferable to form the non-adsorbing surface with a mirror surface of stainless steel or chrome-plated metal or a coating of a non-adsorbing substance such as polytetrafluoroethylene. Further, a structure in which a through-hole is provided at the center so as not to be sucked when sucked by the suction pad is also preferable.

As another example of the urging means, two opposing surfaces on the inner surface of the cartridge casing are provided with vertical positioning means such as ratchet teeth, and the pressing plate is provided with positioning means such as ratchet teeth. There are combinations that provide a means for preventing engagement (returning upward). Such a combination can be constituted by a well-known technique of a reverse-preventing means which engages with a positioning means with reference to the description of Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 54-180030 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 4,151,931).

In the casing, when a shock is applied to the cartridge by dropping or the like, the pressed plate is prevented from moving in the direction opposite to the discharge port or the discharge opening so that the stored dry analysis film piece does not rise. It is preferable to provide rising prevention means. As the rise prevention means, when a coil spring is used as the urging means, a rod-shaped body is provided in the coil spring, or when a weight is used as the urging means, the length of the weight is stored in the dry analysis film piece of the casing. Or the same as the length of the space portion that is not (that is, the inside of the casing is separated from the pressing plate by the dry analysis film on one side and the weight is stored on the other side), or
A leaf spring or the like may be attached to the surface of the pressing plate opposite to the surface in contact with the dry analysis film piece, and a convex rib may be provided on the inner wall of the casing in a vertical direction so that the leaf spring is engaged with the rib.

In addition, it is preferable to provide a rib on the inner surface of the casing that is continuous in the longitudinal direction of the casing in order to improve the sliding of the dry analysis film piece and not to damage the dry analysis film piece.

The outlet can be provided not at the bottom but at the top of the casing. When the discharge port or the discharge opening is provided in the upper part of the casing, the dry analysis film pieces are sequentially taken out from the upper side. The direction in which the dry analysis film pieces contained in the casing are stacked can be either downward or upward on the substrate. In the cartridge of this aspect, it is preferable that a vertical positioning means such as a ratchet tooth is provided on the inner surface of the casing, and a return plate preventing means is provided on the pressing plate to be engaged with the positioning means.

Notches, recesses, protrusions, magnetic codes, bar codes, carla codes (1
It can also record and display information about dry analysis film pieces stored in a hexagonal number (a cross-shaped code that can represent hexadecimal numbers). In addition, human-readable characters (Kanji, Hiragana,
Printing such information in katakana, alphanumeric characters, etc.) is also preferable from the viewpoint of preventing erroneous use and erroneous operation.

The cartridge containing the dry analysis film pieces as described above is housed in the cartridge storage section of the chemical analyzer in a state where the dry analysis film pieces are housed, and the dry analysis film pieces are taken out by the transport means. .
The dry analysis film piece taken out of the cartridge is
The liquid sample is sent to the liquid sample spotting section where the liquid sample is spotted, and the dry analysis film piece on which the liquid sample is spotted is sent to the ink beta to be incubated. Then, after being measured by the photometry unit, the ink is discharged from the ink beta.

The structure of the dry analysis film piece (chip) of the present invention will be described below. The dry analysis film piece is prepared by cutting the dry analysis film into a predetermined shape. The basic structure of a dry analytical film piece is such that a reagent layer and a developing layer are laminated and integrated on a support in this order.

For the purpose of increasing the rigidity (strengthening) of the support, a reinforcing sheet-like member or a thin plate-like member can be laminated and adhered to the lower portion of the support. Each of the support and the sheet-like member for reinforcement or the thin plate-like member has a function of maintaining the flatness of the dry analysis film piece. further,
It is preferable that the support and the sheet-like member for reinforcement or the sheet-like member which may be laminated and adhered are light-permeable.
Examples of the support and the sheet-like member or the sheet-like member for reinforcement include an organic polymer sheet such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polystyrene. In general, it is preferable that the reinforcing sheet-like member or the thin plate-like member is a sheet-like or thin-plate-like member made of an organic polymer having the same thickness as the support or being thicker than the support and having high rigidity (toughness). The thickness of the support ranges from about 100 μm to about 1000 μm, preferably from about 150 μm to about 300 μm. The thickness of the reinforcing sheet or thin plate is from about 150μm to about 1000
μm, preferably in the range of about 180 μm to about 500 μm.

The shape and size of the support and the sheet-like member for reinforcement or the thin plate-like member which may be laminated and bonded are not particularly limited as long as the flatness of the dry analytical film piece can be maintained. For example, the shape is a square, a rectangle, a circle, or the like, and is usually the same as the shape of a reagent layer described later. The dimensions may be the same as, smaller or larger than the reagent layer as long as the flatness of the dry analysis film piece can be maintained. If the support or the reinforcing sheet-like member or the thin plate-like member that may be laminated and bonded has a shape protruding from the reagent layer, the protruding portion can be sandwiched at the time of conveyance, so that the selection range of the conveyance means is expanded. become.

Both the support and the sheet-like member or the sheet-like member for reinforcement, which may be laminated and bonded, are generally configured to allow light to pass therethrough. In order to allow light to pass, the support, the sheet-like member for reinforcement, or the thin plate-like member itself may be formed of a transparent material that allows light to pass therethrough, or a light passage hole may be provided in a portion through which light passes at the time of photometry. The light may be allowed to pass through. As a material that transmits light, there is, for example, a polymer having excellent transparency such as an acrylic polymer represented by polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, and polymethyl methacrylate. Also,
The light passage hole may be any hole that allows light to pass therethrough at the time of photometry, and may have, for example, a circular, elliptical, square, or rectangular shape.

The reagent layer forms a color (dye is formed) for detecting an analyte (a biochemical component to be quantitatively analyzed) in a hydrophilic polymer binder such as gelatin, polyacrylamide, or polyvinyl alcohol. ) Or at least one layer containing reagent components necessary for the color change reaction. However, there are those which do not require a reagent, such as a dry analytical film for quantification such as hemoglobin.

In the case of a filter paper type test element or a single-layer or multi-layer test element obtained by improving the filter paper type, a test element obtained by bonding and laminating such a test element to the above-mentioned support with a known suitable adhesive may be used. In this specification, it is included in the dry analysis film.

The shape of a dry analysis film piece (dry analysis film chip) is generally a small piece (chip) such as a square, a rectangle, a circle, and an ellipse.
In the case of a square or rectangle, the length of one side is in the range of about 8 mm to about 20 mm, in the case of a circle, in the range of about 8 mm to about 20 mm in diameter, in the case of an ellipse, the diameter and minor axis are both in the range of about 8 mm to about 20 mm, thickness The length for any shape ranges from about 300 μm to about 1.5 mm.
The shape of the dry analysis film piece is preferably a square or a rectangle close to a square from the viewpoint of the ease of analysis operation and production.

The biological components which can be analyzed with this dry analysis film include, for example, blood glucose (glucose), cholesterol, urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, bilirubin, GOT (glutamic oxaloacetate transferase), G
There are PT (glutamate pyruvate transferase), amylase and C-reactive protein (CRP).

[0046]

In the cartridge containing the dry analysis film piece of the present invention, when the greatly deformed dry analysis film piece comes into contact with the end plate, the film piece lifting member moves the end of the dry analysis film piece on the side opposite to the discharge port. Since the dry analysis film piece is lifted, the end on the outlet side of the dry analysis film piece is substantially parallel to the outlet. Therefore, the dry analysis film piece does not catch on the wall surface of the casing above the outlet.

[0047]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a cartridge accommodating a dry analytical film piece according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, the dry analytical film pieces housed in the cartridge for accommodating the dry analytical film pieces according to the present invention will be described.

As shown in FIG. 7, the dry analytical film piece 10 is a square having a size of 12 mm × 12 mm × 0.5 mm (thickness), and is provided on a support 11 made of polyethylene terephthalate or polystyrene, and on the support 11. Reagent layer 12 and a development layer 13 laminated on the reagent layer. When the dry analytical film piece 10 is dried before use, it is usually in a more or less curved state with the developing layer 13 or the reagent layer 12 inside as shown by a two-dot chain line in the figure.

Next, an analyzer using a cartridge accommodating a dry analytical film piece of the present invention will be described.

As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG.
Dry analysis film piece storage section 20 for storing unused dry analysis film pieces 10, dry analysis film piece conveyance section 30 for taking out dry analysis film piece 10 from storage section 20 and sending it to ink beta described later, dry analysis film piece conveyance section A spotting part 40 for spotting the sample liquid on the dry analysis film piece 10 in the middle of the transport path 30, and an ink beta 50 for keeping the dry analysis film piece 10 on which the sample liquid is spotted at the spotting part 40 at a constant temperature for a predetermined time. A photometric unit 60 for measuring the reflection optical density of the dry analytical film piece 10 that has caused a color reaction in the ink beta 50, and a dry analytical film piece for discharging the dry analytical film piece 10 measured by the photometric unit 60 from the ink beta 50 A discharge unit 70 is provided.

A box-shaped cartridge storage section 21 is provided in the dry analysis film piece storage section 20, and a number of dry analysis film pieces corresponding to the number of analytes are stored in the cartridge storage section 21. A cartridge 80 according to the present invention is loaded.

A suction pad for fixing the dry analysis film piece 10 by suction under reduced pressure is provided in the dry analysis film piece transport section 30.
31 is used. Suction means (not shown) for reducing the pressure of the air and sucking the air is connected to the suction pad 31. Also,
Moving means (not shown) for moving the suction pad 31 is provided, and the suction pad 31 can be moved horizontally and vertically between the cartridge 80 and the ink beta 50 by this moving means.

The cartridge for accommodating the dry analytical film piece according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway front view of a cartridge accommodating a dry analysis film piece, FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a partially cutout lower portion of the cartridge, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a lower portion of the cartridge. FIG. 4 is a side view showing a step of taking out a dry analysis film piece from the cartridge.

The cartridge 80 shown in these figures comprises a casing 810 having an outer diameter of about 16 mm × 16 mm × 100 mm, a wall thickness of about 1 mm to 2 mm, and a hollow inside having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.
The casing 810 is formed of an organic polymer colored black so as to have a light-shielding property. A discharge port 821 is formed at a lower portion of the casing 810, and an end plate 8 at the bottom is formed.
Notch 834 for the vacuum suction pad to enter in 834
Are formed. In the lower front part of the casing 810, 2
The flexible locking means 841 for the two most advanced film pieces is formed, and the locking means 846 for the second film piece is provided therebetween.
Are formed. The flexible locking means 841 for a cutting edge film piece is formed integrally with the casing 810 so that the width and the thickness become smaller from the base end (upper side in the figure) to the front end, and become deformable. I have. Further, the tip of the flexible locking means 841 for the cutting edge film piece extends to a position where it engages with the dry analysis film piece 10 located at the foremost end, and the cutting edge of the dry analysis film piece 10 in the normal state is outside. To prevent them from getting out.

The locking means 846 for the second film piece is formed integrally with the casing 810 so as not to be easily bent, and its tip is on the most advanced dry analysis film piece. The second dry analysis film piece 10 is extended to a position where the second dry analysis film piece 10 is engaged with the second dry analysis film piece 10 so as to prevent the second dry analysis film piece 10 from being dragged out of the state. I have.

At the center of the end plate 830 on the side opposite to the discharge port 821, an analysis film one edge lifting member 881 for lifting the side end of the dry analysis film piece 10 upward is integrally formed. This film piece lifting member 881
Is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, its upper corner is chamfered, its height is 1.5 mm, its width is 2.0 mm, and its depth is
2.0 mm.

The pressing plate 8 is provided inside the casing 810.
51 and a coil spring 855 as an urging means that comes into contact with the pressing plate 851 are provided, and the stored dry analysis film piece 1 is provided.
Numeral 0 is constantly pushed toward the end plate 830 by the coil spring 855 via the pressing plate 851. In the coil spring 855, a rising prevention rod 861 for preventing the dry analysis film piece 10 from rising is provided. That is, when the cartridge 80 is dropped by mistake, the drop spring may cause the coil spring 855 to shrink and the dry analysis film piece 10 to become vertical (parallel to the wall surface of the casing). Press plate 851 even if 855 shrinks
Does not move, so that the dry analysis film piece 10 does not stand up.

Further, two ribs 871 are formed on each side of the four inner surfaces of the casing 810 to facilitate the movement of the dry analytical film piece 10 in the casing 810 in the longitudinal direction.

Then, a large number of dry analysis film pieces 10 are filled in the cartridge as described above with the support layer 11 facing downward and the developing layer 13 (or the reagent layer 12) facing upward. Is urged downward by a coil spring 855.

In order to take out a dry analytical film piece from the cartridge as described above, first, as shown in FIG. 4, a reduced pressure suction pad 31 is attached to the lower surface of the lowermost analytical film piece 10 through a notch 834 on the bottom of the cartridge. Fix by suction, then horizontal (horizontal) along the notch 834
Then, the reduced pressure suction pad 31 is moved toward the discharge port 821. At this time, the outlet of the dry analysis film piece 10 at the bottom end
Since the side end on the 821 side is located substantially parallel to the outlet 821,
As shown in FIG. 3, as the vacuum suction pad 31 moves in the horizontal direction, the dry analytical film piece 10 passes through the outlet 821 and reaches the outside of the cartridge 80. Then, at this time, the dry analytical film piece 10 on the most advanced dry analytical film piece 10 tries to go out together with the most advanced dry analytical film piece 10 by friction, but the second film piece locking means Since 846 locks the second dry analysis film piece 10, the second dry analysis film piece 10 remains in the casing 810.

FIG. 8 is a partially cut-away perspective view of the lower portion of another embodiment of the cartridge for accommodating the dry analytical film piece of the present invention.

In the cartridge for accommodating the dry analysis film piece shown in this figure, an outlet 822 having a width slightly smaller than the thickness of the dry analysis film piece is formed at the lower part of the casing 810, and the outlet 822 is provided on the opposite side to the outlet 822. Is formed with an analytical film piece edge lifting member 882 for lifting the dry analytical film piece. Analysis film one edge lifting member882
Are continuously formed only on the wall surface of the casing 810 without contacting the end plate 830. Other configurations are shown in FIG.
This is the same as the cartridge.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a cartridge for accommodating a dry analytical film piece according to the present invention, in which a lower portion is partially cut away, and FIG. 10 is a sectional view thereof.

The cartridge for accommodating the dry analytical film pieces shown in these figures is provided with a lower end plate 8 of the casing 810.
31 is formed linearly thicker as it goes from the position about 1/3 from the outlet 822 to the opposite side wall, and has an inclined surface 891.
It has become.

FIG. 11 is also a sectional view of the lower part of another embodiment of the cartridge for accommodating the dry analytical film piece of the present invention.

The cartridge for accommodating the dry analytical film pieces shown in FIG.
However, as it goes from the position about 1/3 from the discharge port 822 to the opposite side wall, it is formed into a curved surface with a thick wall to form an inclined surface 892.

FIG. 12 is also a sectional view of the lower portion of another embodiment of the cartridge accommodating the dry analysis film piece of the present invention.

The cartridge for accommodating the dry analytical film pieces shown in FIG.
However, it is formed in a saddle shape from a position about 2/3 from the discharge port 822 to the opposite side wall to form an inclined surface 893.

[0071]

According to the present invention, even when the dry analytical film piece is greatly deformed, it can be reliably taken out of the cartridge.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway front view of an embodiment of a cartridge accommodating a dry analysis film piece of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a lower part of an embodiment of a cartridge accommodating a dry analysis film piece of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a lower part of an embodiment of a cartridge for accommodating a dry analysis film piece of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a step of taking out a dry analysis film piece from a cartridge accommodating the dry analysis film piece of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of a chemical analysis device using a cartridge containing a dry analysis film piece of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a chemical analysis device using a cartridge containing a dry analysis film piece of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a dry analysis film piece accommodated in a cartridge accommodating the dry analysis film piece of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a lower portion of another embodiment of a cartridge accommodating a dry analysis film piece according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a lower portion of another embodiment of the cartridge accommodating the dry analysis film piece of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a lower portion of another embodiment of a cartridge for storing a dry analysis film piece of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a lower portion of another embodiment of the cartridge for accommodating the dry analysis film piece of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a lower portion of another embodiment of the cartridge accommodating the dry analysis film piece of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a lower portion of a conventional cartridge for storing a dry textural film piece.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Dry analysis film piece 11 ... Support 12 ... Reagent layer 13 ... Development layer 20 ... Dry analysis film piece storage part 19 ... Dry analysis film piece greatly deformed (warped greatly) 21 ... Cartridge storage part 30 ... Dry analysis film One-side transport unit 31 ... Conveying means (vacuum suction pad) 40 ... Liquid sample spotting unit 50 ... Ink beta 53 ... Storage unit 60 ... Photometry unit 70 ... Discharge unit 80 ... Cartridge 810 ... Casing 821,822 ... Discharge port 830 ... End Part plate 834… Notch 841… Locking means for cutting edge film piece 846… Locking means for second film piece 851… Pressing plate 855… Coil spring 861… Analytical film piece rising prevention rod 871… Rib 881, 882… Analysis film piece inclined holding member 891,892,893,… Slope (conventional technology) 810… Caging 839… Bottom face 829… Discharge port 834… Notch

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A casing for accommodating a plurality of dry analytical film pieces provided with at least one reagent layer on a support in a stacked state, and a dry analytical film piece provided on one end surface of the casing. An end plate for locking the dry analysis film piece having a cut-out portion in which the conveying means can reach the dry analysis film piece, and a contained dry analysis film piece provided on one wall near the end plate of the casing. A discharge port through which the film piece can pass in a parallel direction,
A dry film piece inclined holding member for positioning an edge of the dry analysis film piece in contact with the end plate on the side opposite to the discharge port diagonally in a direction opposite to the end plate of the casing from the edge on the discharge port side; And a biasing means for biasing the stored dry analysis film piece toward the end plate in the cartridge.