JP4908956B2 - Dispensing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a dispensing apparatus that subdivides a sample such as blood into a child sample container from an original sample container.

  In order to analyze a sample such as blood stored in an original sample container, a dispensing device that collects a small amount in a child sample container is known. In the dispensing process, an operation is performed in which the tip of the dispensing nozzle is inserted into the sample stored in the original sample container, and then the nozzle is lowered while the sample is aspirated. It is necessary to detect the height of the sample liquid surface in order to start aspiration after the nozzle is inserted into the sample. Conventionally, the air level is blown from the tip of the dispensing nozzle, and the liquid level is detected by detecting that the pressure for blowing the air changes near the liquid level. In addition, it is necessary to detect the amount of the sample in order to prevent the sample from being inhaled and sucking air or liquid other than the sample.

  Patent Document 1 describes a dispensing apparatus in which a lane in which an original sample container is transported and a lane in which a child sample container is transported are parallel, and a dispensing nozzle moves in a direction crossing the lane. Patent Document 2 describes a dispensing device that detects the height of a liquid surface using a light beam and controls a dispensing operation based on the height. Furthermore, Patent Document 3 describes an interface detection device that detects the height of the upper and lower interfaces of a specimen layer among liquids forming a plurality of layers using microwaves.

JP 2004-184086 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-221392 JP-A-2005-227240

  Dispensing apparatuses are required to process many samples in a short time, that is, to increase the speed. When speeding up, there is a problem that it takes time to detect the height of the sample liquid surface and to measure the amount of the sample.

  Moreover, although it is desired that the dispensing nozzle be moved at a high speed, there is a problem that when the liquid is moved at a high speed, the liquid sucked by the nozzle is likely to drip around.

  The present invention aims to eliminate or ameliorate at least one of the above problems.

  The dispensing apparatus according to the present invention has the height of the upper and lower interfaces of the dispensing station in which the dispensing process is performed and the sample layer accommodated in the original sample container in a plurality of layers together with other liquids. It has an interface detection station for detection. By detecting the height of the interface of the specimen before the dispensing process and controlling the lowering of the dispensing nozzle based on the detected height, the nozzle can be lowered at high speed until the tip of the nozzle is inserted into the specimen. In addition, the dispensing operation and the interface detection operation can be performed in parallel, and the overall processing time can be shortened. Further, the lower interface of the specimen layer can be detected by the interface detection apparatus using microwaves. Thereby, the amount of the specimen can be detected, and when the amount of the specimen is insufficient, it is possible to prevent the liquid below the specimen layer from being sucked. In addition, the detection of the interface of the specimen in the original specimen container is performed simultaneously on a plurality of containers.

  A plurality of dispensing stations can be provided for one interface detection station. When the number of processes per unit time in a single dispensing station is smaller than the number of processes per unit time in the interface detection station, the processing capacity of the entire dispensing station can be increased by providing multiple dispensing stations. It is possible to correspond to the processing capacity of.

  The dispensing nozzle performs biaxial movement in a direction crossing the respective transport lines of the original sample container and the child sample container and a direction in which the nozzle is moved up and down. The movement of the dispensing nozzle is simplified and control is facilitated.

  In addition, the dispensing station can be provided with a chip conveyance line for conveying a dispensing chip attached to and detached from the dispensing nozzle in parallel with the original sample container conveyance line.

  Further, in the detection of the interface, it is possible to simultaneously detect the interface of every other original sample container arranged, and then simultaneously detect the interface of the original sample container that is shifted by one.

  The dispensing station is provided with a collection box for collecting used dispensing tips, and hangs from the dispensing nozzle along the movement path of the dispensing nozzle between the collection box and the original sample container transport line. A tray for receiving liquid can be arranged.

  By detecting the upper and lower interfaces of the sample in the original sample container before being carried into the dispensing station, the operation of the dispensing nozzle can be accelerated.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an overview of the entire dispensing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. The dispensing apparatus 10 includes an interface detection station 14 that detects the interface of the sample contained in the original sample container 12 and a dispensing station 18 that subdivides the sample of the original sample container 12 into the child sample containers 16. A plurality of dispensing stations 18 are provided for one interface detection station 14, and the original sample container 12 processed by the interface detection station 14 is sent to any of the dispensing stations 18 by the distribution line 20. Distributed.

  The number of the interface detection station 14 and the dispensing station 18 can be determined based on the processing capacity (the number of processes per hour) of both stations. If the processing capacity of the interface detection station 14 is three times the processing capacity of the dispensing station 18, the processing capacity can be balanced by providing three dispensing stations 18 for one interface detection station 14.

  FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing one of the interface detection station 14 and the dispensing station 18. Ten original sample containers 12 are placed on one original sample container rack 22 and are arranged in the original sample container loading lane 24. As shown in the figure, the original sample container racks 22 are arranged in the original sample container loading lane 24 in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the original sample containers 12, and from the end of the lane, in the lateral direction, that is, the original The sample container 12 is sent out in the arrangement direction. The original sample container rack 22 sent out from the sample input lane 24 is sent to the interface detection device 26, where the interface of the sample layer accommodated in the original sample container 12 is detected and its height is acquired. . As will be described in detail later, the original specimen container 12 contains serum as a specimen, blood clot, and a separating agent for separating them in layers. Serum is the uppermost layer, the upper interface is the interface with air, the so-called liquid surface, and the lower interface is the interface with the separating agent. The interface detection will be described again later.

  After the interface is detected, the original sample container rack 22 is sent to the distribution line 20. The distribution line 20 is provided with a turntable 28. In the turntable 28 shown in FIG. 2, when the original sample container rack 22 is sent to the dispensing station 18 similarly shown in FIG. 2, the rack 22 does not rotate, and the rack 22 is sent straight from the interface detection station 14 to the dispensing station 18. It is done. When the original sample container rack 22 is sent to another dispensing station 18 that is not shown in FIG. 2, the turntable 28 rotates clockwise by 90 degrees with the rack 22 mounted. Send out downward. The distribution line 20 is provided with a turntable 28 corresponding to each dispensing station 18, and the distribution destination of the original sample container rack 22 is selected by operating the turntable 28.

  In the dispensing station 18, an original sample transport line 30 for transporting the original sample container 12 placed on the original sample container rack 22 is laid, and in parallel therewith, a child sample transport line for transporting the child sample container 32. 34 is laid. The original sample container 12 is sent to the original sample container delivery lane 36 when the dispensing process of all the containers 12 placed on the rack 22 is completed. Also in the original sample container delivery lane 36, as in the input lane 24, the original sample container rack 22 is arranged in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the containers and sequentially sent out.

  Similarly to the original sample container 12, the child sample containers 32 are also placed on the child sample container rack 38 every ten, and are transported from the child sample container loading lane 40 to the child sample container sending lane 42 in units of racks. Dispensing is performed in this transport process, and the sample is dispensed from one original sample container 12 to one or a plurality of child sample containers 32. Also in the child sample container sending lane 42, the child sample container racks 38 are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the child sample containers 32 and sequentially sent out. Further, the child sample transport line 34 can be extended and sent to another apparatus such as an analyzer.

  In the dispensing station 18, a chip supply line 46 for transporting the disposable dispensing tip 44 is further laid alongside the original sample transport line 30 and the child sample transport line 34. Dispensing chips 44 are arranged on a chip rack 48 and are loaded from a chip loading lane 50. When the dispensing tip 44 is used, it is discarded separately. When all the dispensing tips on the tip rack 48 have been used, the empty tip rack 48 is sent to the tip rack delivery lane 52.

  The dispensing station 18 is provided with a dispensing mechanism 54 that performs dispensing. The dispensing mechanism 54 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3 is a perspective view of the dispensing mechanism 54, and FIG. 4 is a side view.

  Originally, the dispensing nozzle head 56 is positioned above the child sample transport lines 30 and 34 and the chip supply line 46. The dispensing nozzle head 56 is driven and moved by a Y-axis motor 60 along a head movement guide 58 provided so as to cross the child sample transport lines 30 and 34 and the chip supply line 46. The dispensing nozzle 62 provided in the dispensing nozzle head 56 is driven by the Z-axis motor 66 along the nozzle lifting guide 64 to move up and down. The dispensing nozzle 62 is connected to the syringe of the dispensing pump 70 via the tube 68. The tube 68 is omitted in the drawings other than FIG. The dispensing nozzle 62 includes a base portion called a nozzle fitting 72 and a dispensing tip 44 attached to the nozzle fitting. The dispensing tip 44 is attached to the nozzle fitting 72 by lowering the nozzle fitting 72 without a tip onto the tip supply line 46. The tip of the dispensing tip 44 is inserted into the specimen layer of the original specimen container 12, sucked up by the dispensing pump 70, the dispensing nozzle 62 is moved up and down, inserted into the child specimen container 16, and the dispensing pump 70 is By driving, a predetermined amount of specimen is discharged here. A tip collection box 74 that collects the used dispensing tips 44 that have been operated on one sample is provided at the end of the head moving guide 58 on the child sample transport line 34 side.

  A dripping tray 76 is disposed along the trajectory of the dispensing nozzle 62 from above the original sample transport line 30 to the tip collection box 74 across the child sample transport line 34. The liquid dripping tray 76 receives a sample or the like suspended from the dispensing nozzle 62 and prevents contamination of the sample from spreading to the surroundings. As shown in the figure, the dripping tray 76 is originally provided with openings 78 and 80 at portions corresponding to the respective containers for inserting the tip of the dispensing tip 44 into the child sample containers 12 and 32. Yes. Furthermore, an opening 82 is also provided above the tip collection box 74 so that the dispensed tip 44 to be discarded passes. Further, an edge wall 84 is erected around the dripping tray 76 so that the dripping liquid does not spill. A wall can also be provided at the edges of the openings 78 and 80. Further, the dripping tray 76 can be made detachable.

  Below the dripping tray 76, in-chip liquid amount sensors 120 and 122 are arranged. The in-tip liquid amount sensor 120 is disposed corresponding to the opening 78 on the original sample transport line 30, and the liquid amount in the dispensing tip 44 is removed when the dispensing tip 44 inserted into the opening 78 is removed from the opening. Detection is performed. The in-chip liquid amount sensor 122 is disposed corresponding to the opening 80 on the child sample transport line 34. When the dispensing tip 44 is inserted into the opening 80, the amount of liquid in the tip is detected. Dispensing was correctly performed by directly detecting the amount of liquid in the tip rather than indirectly detecting the amount of liquid in the tip 44 from the syringe stroke of the dispensing pump 70. Therefore, the reliability of the dispensing device can be improved. The configuration of the in-chip liquid amount sensors 120 and 122 will be described in detail later.

  FIG. 5 shows an original sample container 12 containing a sample or the like. The following description of the original specimen container and the contained specimen will be described by taking as an example the case where the test object is blood. The blood collected from the subject and the separating agent are accommodated in the original specimen container 12 and centrifuged. The state after centrifugation is the state shown in FIG. 5, and from the top, three types of liquids, ie, serum 86, separation agent 88, and blood clot 90, which are specimens, are layered. The serum 86 is a so-called liquid surface where the upper interface is in contact with air, and the lower interface is the interface with the separating agent 88.

  The probe 92 of the interface detection sensor using microwaves is brought close to the side surface of the original specimen container 12 from which the serum 86 is separated, and is scanned up and down. The probe 92 radiates microwaves and receives the microwaves reflected from the liquid in the original specimen container 12. The received microwave has an intensity corresponding to the target layer, that is, air, serum, separation agent, and blood clot. Serum has a larger dielectric constant than air and a separating agent, and the intensity of reflected waves is larger than air and a separating agent. Thereby, the position of the serum 86 layer can be detected, and the position (height) of the interface can be detected.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an outline of the interface detection device 26. The original sample container rack 22 has container holders 94 provided corresponding to the original sample containers 12 one by one. The original specimen container 12 is held in the container holder 94 with a slight gap. In order to prevent the original specimen container 12 from wobbling due to the gap, a pressing arm 96 is provided. The pressing arm 96 is arranged at a position corresponding to every other original sample container 12, and the corresponding original sample container 12 is pushed to the back side in the drawing to fix it. The probe 92 of the microwave sensor is disposed corresponding to the pressing arm 96. Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, five sets of pressing arms 96 and probes 92 are provided for ten original specimen containers placed on one rack. In the figure, these five sets are located corresponding to the odd-numbered original sample containers 12 from the right. After acquiring the height of the interface for the odd-numbered original sample containers 12, the entire set is shifted by one array pitch of the original sample containers 12 to be positions corresponding to the even-numbered containers. The interface height is obtained for the original sample container.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration relating to control of the dispensing apparatus of the present embodiment. In the interface detection station 14, the upper and lower interface positions of the sample in the original sample container 12 are detected by the interface detection unit 98 using a microwave sensor. The detected position of the interface is sent to the control unit 100. Based on the interface position, the control unit 100 controls the dispensing pump drive unit 102 and the Z-axis motor drive unit 104 to operate the dispensing pump 70 and the Z-axis motor 66. That is, when the original specimen container 12 whose interface position is detected by the interface detection station is sent to the dispensing station 18 and the dispensing process is actually performed, the Z-axis is set according to the acquired interface position. The motor 66 and the dispensing pump 70 operate. Specifically, first, the Z-axis motor 66 is controlled so that the tip of the dispensing nozzle 62 penetrates into the specimen layer to a predetermined depth. Since the position of the upper interface (liquid level) of the specimen has already been specified, the dispensing nozzle 62 can be quickly moved to a predetermined position.

  When a predetermined amount of the tip of the dispensing nozzle 62 is inserted into the sample layer, the dispensing pump 70 and the Z-axis motor 66 operate in cooperation from there. That is, the Z-axis motor 66 lowers the dispensing nozzle 62 as the sample is aspirated by the dispensing pump 70 and the liquid level is lowered. If the suction speed by the dispensing pump 70 and the inner diameter of the original specimen container 12 are known, the lowering speed of the dispensing nozzle 62 can be determined, and there is no need to detect the liquid level during the suction process. . Further, the dispensing nozzle 62 is controlled so that the tip of the dispensing nozzle 62 approaches the lower interface of the specimen, that is, the interface with the separation agent and does not suck the separation agent.

  The tube 68 connecting the dispensing pump 70 and the dispensing nozzle 62 is provided with a pressure sensor 106 and is monitored by the pressure detector 108 for abnormal pressure. For example, if the pressure does not decrease despite the suction, there is a problem with the mounting of the dispensing tip 44, and air may be leaking. Further, when the pressure drops excessively, it is conceivable that clogging has occurred in the dispensing nozzle, for example. When these abnormalities are detected, information on the occurrence of the abnormality is transmitted to the control unit 100, and a response corresponding to the abnormality, for example, reporting the abnormality or stopping the dispensing operation is taken.

  The control unit 100 is connected to an input unit 110 for inputting various setting information and operation instructions, a memory 112 for storing operation programs, setting information input in the past, and a display unit 114 for indicating detection results and operation statuses. Has been.

  8 and 9 are flowcharts showing the operation of the dispensing apparatus of the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a chart related to the detection of the interface of the specimen, and FIG. 9 is a chart related to the dispensing process. First, a flow relating to interface detection in FIG. 8 will be described. First, information for specifying the original sample container rack 22 is acquired (S800). For example, information for identifying a rack can be acquired by reading a barcode attached to the rack. The original sample container rack 22 is moved to the interface detection device 26. (S802). The odd-numbered original sample containers 12 are aligned with the position of the probe 92 of the interface detection sensor (S804), and the sample interfaces of these containers are detected (S806). The original sample container rack 22 is moved to align the even-numbered containers 12 with the position of the probe 92 (S808), and the interface between these samples is detected (S810).

  The interface positions (heights) of the specimens of the ten original specimen containers 12 are stored (S812). This interface information is stored in correspondence with information for specifying the original sample container rack 22 and information indicating the numbered container in the rack. From the position of the upper and lower interfaces of the sample layer, it is determined whether the sample amount is a predetermined amount, that is, whether there is an amount necessary for subsequent processing, for example, dispensing or inspection (S814). If the amount of the sample liquid is insufficient, a process corresponding to this is determined (S816) and is reflected in the subsequent process for this container. If it is determined in step S814 that the amount of sample liquid is not insufficient, in step S816, after processing of the original sample container in which the sample is insufficient is determined, the original sample container rack 22 is sent out to the dispensing station (S818). If the next original sample container rack 22 is in the original sample container rack loading lane 24, the process returns to step S800, and if not, the process ends (S820).

  In the dispensing station 18, the error processing method is read for the interface position of each original sample container 12 of the original sample container rack 22 that has been sent and the sample amount that is insufficient (S900). It is determined whether there is any error information in the original sample container 12 to be dispensed (S902), and the determined error process is executed for the sample container (S904). The original specimen container 12 to be dispensed is moved to a dispensing position, that is, a position that intersects the movement locus of the dispensing nozzle 62 (S906). On the other hand, the child sample container rack 38 is transported, and the child sample container 16 is also moved to the dispensing position (S906). In parallel with step S906, the dispensing tip 44 is attached to the tip fitting 72 (S908). The dispensing nozzle 62 is moved to the dispensing position and is lowered from there toward the liquid level (S910). Since the position of the liquid level is known, it can be lowered at a higher speed than when the dispensing nozzle 62 is lowered while searching for the liquid level position. When a predetermined amount of the tip of the nozzle is inserted from the liquid level, the dispensing pump 70 is driven to start aspiration of the sample. The dispensing nozzle 62 is also lowered in synchronism with the drop in the liquid level due to suction (S912).

  When the tip of the dispensing nozzle 62, that is, the tip of the dispensing tip 44 approaches the interface with the separating agent (S914), the lowering speed of the dispensing nozzle 62 is reduced (S916). At this time, while the suction pressure of the dispensing nozzle 62 is measured by the pressure sensor 106, the nozzle is lowered, and when the pressure rapidly decreases, the dropping of the dispensing nozzle 62 is immediately stopped and the suction is finished. . This rapid change in pressure occurs when the tip of the dispensing tip 44 comes into contact with the separation agent, and this is detected, and suction of the separation agent can be prevented by terminating the suction of the specimen. Note that the lowering speed is reduced to a speed at which the suction pressure is detected and suction is stopped by the pressure change to prevent the separation agent from being sucked. When a predetermined amount is aspirated (S918), the dispensing nozzle 62 is moved onto the child sample container rack 38 (S920), and the sample is discharged (S922). The discharge of the sample is performed separately for the plurality of child sample containers 16. When the discharge operation is completed, the dispensing nozzle 62 is moved to the disposal position, that is, above the tip collection box 74, and the dispensing tip 44 is removed from the tip fitting 72 and collected in the tip collection box 74 (S924).

  If the original sample container 12 for which the dispensing process has been completed is not the last one of the one rack 22, that is, the tenth one (S926), the process proceeds to step S902 and the dispensing process is repeated. When the dispensing process for all the original sample containers in one rack 22 is completed, the process moves to step S900 for the next rack 22 and the process is repeated (S928). If there is no next rack 22, the dispensing operation is terminated.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of the in-chip liquid level sensors 120 and 122 described above. The configurations of the liquid amount sensors 120 and 122 in the chip are common, and will be described below without particularly distinguishing them. The in-chip liquid level sensors 120 and 122 have two units, a light emitting unit 124 and a light receiving unit 125, which are arranged so as to sandwich the opening 78 or 80. A light emitting unit 126 is provided in the light emitting unit 124, and light emitted therefrom travels from the slit 128 toward the light receiving unit 125. The light receiving unit 125 includes a light receiving unit 130 and receives light that has passed through the slit 132. The light receiving unit 130 outputs a signal corresponding to the intensity of the received light to the control unit 100. Since light is blocked at the portion of the dispensing tip 44 containing the sample, the intensity of the light detected by the light receiving unit 130 decreases. Therefore, if the amount of elevation of the dispensing nozzle 62 and the detection signal of the light receiving unit 130 are monitored, the position of the liquid surface in the dispensing tip 44 and the amount of liquid in the tip can be calculated.

  The control unit 100 monitors the ascending / descending of the dispensing nozzle 44 and the detection signal of the light receiving unit 120, and calculates the liquid amount of the sample in the dispensing tip 44 from these. If the sample liquid amount is not a predetermined value, information indicating that the sample liquid amount is insufficient is given to the child sample container 16 to be dispensed.

  As described above, a dispensing device that can detect the amount of liquid in a dispensing tip is provided. That is, the in-chip liquid amount sensor is provided at a position where the dispensing nozzle extracted from the original sample container passes at the position where the dispensing nozzle sucks the sample from the original sample container. The liquid quantity sensor in the nozzle includes, for example, a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, and light emitted from the light emitting unit is received by the light receiving unit. A dispensing nozzle that is withdrawn from the sample container crosses the optical path during this time. When the specimen crosses the optical path, the detected light is weakened, and the amount of liquid in the chip can be detected based on the time during this period or the amount of elevation of the dispensing nozzle. A similar in-chip liquid amount sensor can be provided for the child sample container. Here, a dispensing nozzle is provided at a position to be inserted into the child sample container, and the amount of sample liquid in the chip at the time of insertion is detected. Moreover, the amount of the sample actually poured into the child sample container can also be calculated by detecting the amount of liquid when the dispensing nozzle is inserted into the child sample container and when the dispensing nozzle is removed.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the dispensing apparatus of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows a structure about an interface detection station and one dispensing station. It is a perspective view of a dispensing mechanism. It is a side view of a dispensing mechanism. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the original sample container in which the sample was accommodated. It is a general-view figure of an interface detection device. It is a block diagram which shows the structure which concerns on control of a dispensing apparatus. It is a flowchart which concerns on an interface detection process. It is a flowchart which concerns on a dispensing process. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the sensor which detects the liquid quantity of the sample in a dispensing chip | tip.

Explanation of symbols

  10 dispensing device, 12 source sample container, 14 interface detection station, 16 child sample container, 18 dispenser station, 22 source sample container rack, 26 interface detection device, 30 source sample transport line, 32 child sample container, 34 child sample Transport line, 38 child sample container rack, 44 dispensing tip, 46 tip supply line, 54 dispensing mechanism, 56 dispensing nozzle head, 62 dispensing nozzle, 70 dispensing pump, 74 tip collection box, 76 dripping tray 78, 80, 82 Opening, 84 Edge wall, 86 Serum (analyte), 88 Separating agent, 92 Probe for interface detection sensor.

Claims (5)

A dispensing device that sucks up a sample that forms one liquid layer with a dispensing nozzle from an original sample container in which a plurality of liquids are stored in layers, and dispenses the sample into a child sample container,
An interface detection station for detecting the upper and lower interfaces of the sample layer in the original sample container;
A dispensing station that accepts the original sample container for which the detection of the interface has been completed, and dispenses from the received original sample container to the child sample container;
Have
The interface detection station
An interface detection device for detecting the interface using a microwave at the same time for a plurality of original specimen containers and acquiring the height thereof,
Is provided,
In the dispensing station,
An original sample container transfer line for transferring the original sample container;
A child sample container transport line that transports the child sample container and is provided in parallel with the original sample container transport line;
A nozzle moving mechanism for moving the dispensing nozzle in a direction crossing the original sample container transport line and the child sample container transport line;
A nozzle raising and lowering mechanism for raising and lowering the dispensing nozzle in the height direction;
A dispensing pump for aspirating the specimen to the dispensing nozzle and discharging the specimen;
Based on the height of the interface acquired by the interface detection device, the nozzle lifting mechanism and the dispensing pump are controlled to control the suction of the specimen;
Is provided,
The interface detection apparatus simultaneously detects the interface of every other original sample container with respect to the arranged original sample containers, and then simultaneously detects the interface of the original sample container that is shifted by one,
Dispensing device. The dispensing device of claim 1,
The original specimen container is individually held and transported by the container holder,
Furthermore, the dispensing device includes a pressing arm that presses the original specimen container and presses it against the container holder at the time of interface detection by the interface detection device.
Dispensing device. 3. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein a plurality of dispensing stations are provided for one interface detection station, and an original specimen container for which interface detection has been completed is distributed to the plurality of dispensing stations. Dispensing device having a transport device. 4. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a tip transport line for transporting a dispensing tip attached to and detached from a dispensing nozzle is connected to an original sample container transport line at the dispensing station. Dispensing device provided in parallel. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing station is provided with a collection box for collecting used ones of the dispensing tips attached to and detached from the dispensing nozzle, A dispensing apparatus, comprising a tray that is disposed along a movement trajectory of a dispensing nozzle between the collection box and that receives a liquid dripping from the dispensing nozzle.

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