JP3733456B2 - Disposable chip supply device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a disposable chip supply device that supplies a disposable chip (disposable chip) to a dispensing device that dispenses a liquid sample including a biological sample typified by blood, serum, or urine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, it is not unusual for a liquid sample to be analyzed in an immunoassay or the like, that is, a substance to be measured in serum or the like, to have a difference of 1 million times between a normal concentration and a concentration when a disease occurs.
[0003]
In this way, when there are samples with extremely different concentrations of the target substance to be measured, a dispensing device that sucks and discharges a certain amount of the sample is used between sample containers by carrying over the sample that was previously sucked and discharged. It is necessary to prevent contamination in the reactor and in the reaction vessel. For this reason, in biochemical measurement devices such as immunoassay devices where contamination between samples is a problem, a disposable tip is used, and a dispensing operation is performed instead of a new disposable tip at each suction / discharge operation. It is normal to do.
[0004]
[Prior art issues]
Disposable chips are usually placed in a one-to-one correspondence with the sample to be dispensed in a shared rack, or about 50 to 200 chips are placed in a chip-dedicated rack and supplied to the dispensing device. However, in any case, one piece is attached to the dispensing device at the time of use. In addition, it is common to insert into the dispensing device by lowering the dispensing device while pressing the nozzle of the dispensing device against the opening of the disposable tip. Placed.
[0005]
If the sample is supplied to the common rack in a one-to-one correspondence with the sample, it is necessary to arrange disposable chips in the rack every time the sample is set. There is a problem of requiring. In addition, since only one disposable chip is supplied for one sample, when a plurality of disposable chips are required per sample, such as when performing a dilution operation in a dispensing apparatus, the operator must add a new one. There is also a problem of not becoming. In particular, this problem becomes serious when the number of disposable chips used for one sample is indefinite.
[0006]
On the other hand, when supplying a large amount of disposable chips using a dedicated rack, it is still necessary to prepare for mounting on the rack, but even if multiple samples are required per sample. Can respond. However, these large amounts of disposable tips are placed in a two-dimensional array, for example, 8 × 12 rows, so that the dedicated rack has an appropriate size. A mechanism for transporting the disposable tip directly under the nozzle of the dispensing device is required for lowering and inserting / mounting while pressing against the opening. That is, since a driving means for moving the nozzle or the dedicated rack of the dispensing device in two horizontal directions (XY directions) is necessary, there is a problem that the dispensing device is large and complicated.
[0007]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a disposable chip supply device that can supply a plurality of disposable chips to one sample with a simple configuration.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An apparatus of the present invention made in view of the problems of the prior art is a disposable chip supply device that supplies a disposable chip to a dispensing device that attaches a disposable chip to the lower end and sucks and discharges a liquid. A suspension means for suspending the chip; a support means for supporting the suspension means in an inclined state with respect to the horizontal plane; a vibration means for applying vibration to the suspension means; and a lower end of the suspension means. And a distal end providing a horizontal disposable tip suspension that is substantially continuous with the suspension means. The inclination of the suspension means with respect to the horizontal plane is preferably 3 to 20 degrees. This is because it becomes easy to guide the suspended disposable tip to the suspension portion at the end portion by the vibration and gravity by the vibration means. Moreover, it is especially preferable that the high part side of the suspension means is attached to the support means. This is for efficiently using the vibration by the vibration means.
[0009]
In addition, it is preferable that the suspension part of a terminal part has a notch part which permits passage of a disposable chip | tip in the horizontal direction. Thereby, it becomes easy to move the dispensing apparatus equipped with the disposable chip to the outside of the disposable chip supply apparatus of the present invention.
[0010]
The suspension means only needs to be able to suspend two or more disposable tips at the same time. However, when it is only necessary to achieve simplification of the device, or when it is possible to supply the disposable tips at a location away from the sequential dispensing device. May be one that suspends one disposable chip. The suspension means can exemplify one that suspends the flange portion of the disposable chip. The disposable tip is usually an elongated cone shape manufactured by injection molding from a material such as polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene, ABS or the like, and the nozzle of the dispensing device is inserted into the thicker opening. Has a flange (step, shoulder). Accordingly, when such a disposable chip is used, the flange portion can be focused and the portion can be suspended.
[0011]
There is no other limitation as long as the disposable means can suspend the disposable chip and the disposable chip suspended when the vibrator acts can move from a high part to a low part. The thing comprised from two boards or two bars can be illustrated. In this case, the gap between the two plates or the two bars is adjusted and arranged so that it can be suspended by the flange portion. The suspension means may be curved as long as the width of the gap is substantially constant.
[0012]
It is preferable that the suspension means is made of a resin having moderate elasticity such as polyacetal and having a smooth surface. This is to enhance the action of the vibration means and to smoothly move the suspended disposable chip from the high part to the low part. The suspension means is supported by the support means so as to be inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. In order to facilitate the movement of the disposable chip by the action of the vibration means, the suspension means is supported at one point of the high part. A place where the vibration means is attached to the lower part or the middle part, and vice versa, and the vibration means is attached to the middle part or the high part, while being supported at one point of the lower part. Is preferably sufficiently separated.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the disposable chip supply apparatus of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.
[0014]
FIG. 1 shows a commercially available disposable chip (Eppendorf, yellow chip), where a is an overall view and b is a cross-sectional view. The disposable tip has an elongated cone shape as a whole, and the nozzle of the dispensing device is inserted into the thicker opening 1. The disposable chip has a flange 2 (shoulder) on the opening side. The dimensions of each part are 48mm in length, 43mm in length from the lower end of the flange to the narrower opening, the inner diameter of the thicker opening into which the nozzle is inserted is 5mm, and the outer diameter of the flange is about 7.4mm. The outer diameter of the chip body directly below the part is about 6.0 mm, and the height of the step 21 with the flange part is about 1.4 mm.
[0015]
FIG. 2 shows a state where the disposable chip is suspended by the suspension means. The disposable chip is suspended by using the flanges a by two flat plates 3 and b by two L-shaped plates 4. Even if two plates are not used, it is possible to bend a flat plate into a U-shape or use a plate having a slit in the center. In the apparatus shown in FIG. 3 and subsequent figures, the suspension means is configured by using two polyacetal flat plates as shown in FIG.
[0016]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the entire disposable chip supply device of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state of the device of FIG. 3 as viewed from above. In the figure, reference numeral 5 denotes a suspension means, 6 denotes a support means for supporting the suspension means while being inclined with respect to the horizontal plane 7, a vibration means 8 for applying vibration to the suspension means, and a suspension portion 9. The two flat plates constituting the suspension means are spaced apart by about 5.5 mm so that the disposable chip shown in FIG. 1 is suspended by a step 21 between the flange portion 6 and the chip body. Moreover, the total length is 120 mm, and it was comprised so that 14 disposable chips | tips could be suspended together with the horizontal surface of the suspension part mentioned later. However, it is not always necessary to suspend the maximum number of disposable tips. For example, when the number of disposable tips necessary for the dispensing operation is known in advance, the number may be suspended.
[0017]
Here, the last one of the suspended disposable chips is not pushed from behind. Therefore, in order to facilitate the movement of the suspended disposable chips on the horizontal plane, it is preferable to suspend more than the number of necessary disposable chips.
[0018]
The angle (x) between the suspension means 5 and the horizontal plane was 10 degrees. Since the apparatus shown in the figure is configured as a part of an immunoassay apparatus provided with a dispensing apparatus, the support means 6 is actually fixed to the upper horizontal surface of the immunoassay apparatus, and the suspension means 5 Attached to and supported at the high part.
[0019]
A vibration means 8 made of a commercially available vibration motor (manufactured by Namiki Precision Jewel) is attached to the side surface of the suspension means 5 and vibrates for 8 seconds each time the disposable chip is attached to the nozzle of the dispensing device and taken out. . In this example, a vibration motor is used as the vibration means, but an electromagnetic vibrator or the like can be used in addition to this. The vibration means is not particularly limited as long as the disposable chip can be vibrated to make it easy for the disposable chip to move to the lower part, and the direction of vibration is not particularly limited, for example, the direction perpendicular to the suspension means. Further, the vibration may be applied at any time, but may be provided every time the disposable chip is attached to the nozzle of the dispensing device and taken out.
[0020]
The disposable tip moved from the high part to the low part due to the inclination of the suspension means 5 and the action of the vibration means 8 is used as a nozzle of the dispensing device in the horizontal suspension part 9 attached to the lower end of the suspension means 5. Installed. Here, the suspension part 9 is not fixed to the horizontal surface 7 so that the disposable chip can be finely moved when vibrated by the vibration means 8, but is slightly separated from the surface (in a state of being suspended in the air). is there. In addition, the opposing surface which gives the horizontal surface 10 of a suspension part has the distance from the intersection with the suspension means 5 to the innermost part 10 mm.
[0021]
The suspension part 9 intersects with the suspension means 5 supported by being inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, but the disposable chip suspended by the suspension means moves from the high part to the low part, and the horizontal part of the suspension part. 10 is suspended. Here, in particular, when a plurality of disposable chips are suspended, the first disposable chip is pushed by the disposable chip located at the back and moves to the deepest part of the suspended portion. Thus, in terms of the movement of the disposable chip, the suspension means and the suspension portion constitute a movement path substantially continuously.
[0022]
As shown in the drawing, the hanging portion has a cut portion 11. The notch portion raises the nozzle until the disposable tip is completely above the horizontal plane 10 of the suspension when moving the nozzle of the dispensing device equipped with the disposable tip out of the suspension of the supply device. The necessity is omitted. Therefore, the opening of the cut portion 11 in the horizontal surface 10 of the suspension portion is a size that does not hinder the movement of the disposable chip on the horizontal surface 10 and allows passage of the disposable chip on the narrow side. .
[0023]
More specifically, in the apparatus shown in the figure, the opening of the notch is 4.0 mm and the length is 20 mm, and the flange part of the disposable chip shown in FIG. 1 and the chip body in the vicinity thereof are not allowed to pass, When the nozzle is raised by 30 mm after being attached to the nozzle of the dispensing device, the lower part of the disposable tip can pass through. This notch portion is particularly effective when it is not necessary to raise the nozzle significantly after the disposable tip is mounted, as shown in FIG.
[0024]
In the apparatus shown in the figure, the suspension portion is further equipped with a partition 12. In this example, the partition 12 has a length of the disposable tip protruding above the suspension means 5, that is, a height of the flange portion of 6 mm. Equipped with this partition 12, when a plurality of disposable tips are suspended on the suspension means 5, the leading disposable tip is pushed from behind and tilts, and when the nozzle of the dispensing device is inserted, mounting failure occurs. The possibility of waking up can be eliminated.
[0025]
FIG. 5 shows an example of application as a disposable chip supply device for a dispensing device in an immunoassay device. The nozzle 14 connected to a suction source (not shown) by the nozzle moving mechanism 13 of the dispensing device constituted by a guide rail or the like is placed on the upper part of the disposable tip 15 moved to the back of the suspension portion 9 of the disposable tip supply device. Move and descend at this position. The tip is inserted into the thicker opening of the disposable chip 15 and attached. In addition, in this figure, the partition 12 of the suspension part is omitted. Further, the supply device is not fixed to the upper horizontal surface 16 of the immunoassay device, and is separated from the surface, but the lower end of the suspended disposable chip is positioned lower than the horizontal surface 16. Further, the nozzle moving mechanism 13 of the dispensing device is also supported on the horizontal surface 16 by a support means (not shown).
[0026]
After the tip of the mounted disposable tip is raised to a height at which the tip of the disposable tip can pass through the notch 11 of the suspension portion, the nozzle is moved onto the sample container 17 and lowered to suck the sample. Next, the nozzle is raised and moved to the top of the reaction vessel 18, where it is lowered to discharge the sample. After the discharge is finished, the nozzle is raised and moved to the used disposable chip disposal box 19 where the disposable chip is removed and discarded. The disposable chip is discarded by raising the nozzle relative to the discard lever 20.
[0027]
In this example, the configuration in which the sample is aspirated / discharged with respect to the sample container or the reaction container disposed below the horizontal plane 16 is shown, but these containers may be disposed on the horizontal plane 16. In this case, depending on the height of each container, the notch portion of the suspension portion is not necessary.
[0028]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, it is possible to supply a disposable chip with a simple mechanism. Moreover, since a plurality of disposable chips can be supplied for one sample, it is possible to cope with a sample whose number is not constant. In addition, since the disposable tip can be replenished at a location away from the nozzle mounting position, replenishment work during the dispensing operation by the dispensing device is also easy.
[0029]
In the apparatus of the present invention, the disposable chips are supplied in one row, and the mounting position on the nozzle is constant, so that the moving range of the nozzle can be minimized. Thereby, the nozzle moving mechanism can be simplified, and a small disposable chip supply device and a dispensing device with a supply device can be provided as a whole.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a disposable chip.
FIG. 2 is a view for showing an example of a suspension means in the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a view showing an example (side surface) of the disposable chip supply device of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example (upper surface) of the disposable chip supply device of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a dispensing device including the disposable chip supply device of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Opening of disposable tip 2 Flange part of disposable tip 3 Suspension means (flat plate)
4 Suspension means (L-shaped plate)
5 Suspension means 6 Support means 7 Horizontal surface 8 Vibration means 9 Suspension part 10 Horizontal part 11 of the suspension part Notch part 12 Partition 13 Nozzle moving mechanism 14 Nozzle 15 Disposable tip 16 Horizontal surface 17 Sample container 18 Reaction container 19 Used disposable Chip disposal box 20 Discard lever 21 Step between flange and chip body

Claims (5)

A disposable tip supply device for supplying a disposable tip to a dispensing device that attaches a disposable tip to the lower end and sucks and discharges a liquid, and has a suspension means for hanging the disposable tip, and a high side of the suspension means Supporting means for supporting the slanting member with respect to the horizontal plane, vibrating means for applying vibration to the suspension means, and a notch that is attached to the lower end of the suspension means and allows the disposable chip to pass in the horizontal direction. It has a part, contiguous with substantially the suspending means, and a distal portion which provides a horizontal disposable tip hung section, the disposable tip supply device. 2. The disposable chip supply device according to claim 1, wherein the inclination of the suspension means with respect to the horizontal plane is 3 to 20 degrees. 2. The disposable chip supply device according to claim 1, wherein the suspension means can simultaneously suspend two or more disposable chips. 2. The disposable chip supply device according to claim 1, wherein the suspending means suspends the flange portion of the disposable chip. 2. The disposable chip supply device according to claim 1, wherein the end portion has a partition portion that is in contact with the flange portion of the disposable tip on the end side and maintains the disposable tip perpendicular to the horizontal plane.

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