JPH03156373A - Dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To control the corresponding relation between a specimen number and a sample cup number by a computer by storing the discrimination code of a specimen container having a specimen received therein and the number of a sample cup to which a specimen is distributed as a pair. CONSTITUTION:The specimen number from a bar code reader 12 and the cup number from the turntable 8 of a distribution block 6 are sent to the memory part 17M of a control circuit 17. The relation between the specimen number and the cup number of each sample cup 7 is stored in the memory part 17M as a table. When the distribution of all of specimens is completed, the table stored in the memory part 17M is transmitted to a host computer 18. Subsequently, the table 8 is detached from the distribution block and mounted on the analyser A concerned to perform analysis. After analysis, the measured result analyzed by and analyser A is sent to the computer 18 which in turn distributes this data using the cup number as a key. When all of analysises are completed, the computer 18 allows a printer to print the measured value of each examination item at every specimen.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a dispensing device for dispensing a specimen into a large number of different sample cups. The object of the present invention is to provide a device that stores a sample container and an identification code of a sample container dispensed into the sample cup in correspondence with each other.

[Background Art] Currently, clinical testing equipment has been developed and a wide variety of tests are being performed, and accordingly, many types of equipment are being used in testing rooms. In particular, in blood tests and the like, it is necessary to perform five or more tests on one specimen. Therefore, after dispensing a large number of specimens into a number of sample cups using an automatic dispensing device, the dispensed sample cups are placed in each automatic analyzer corresponding to each test item, and the desired test items are written in short poems. Analytical methods are widely used.

[Problem II to be Solved by the Invention] In such an analysis method, it is necessary to determine from which sample container the sample dispensed into the sample cup was dispensed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing device that enables computer management of the correspondence between a sample and the number of a sample cup into which the sample is dispensed. It is something.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the dispensing device of the present invention includes a sample container that stores a sample and has an identification code attached thereto, and a sample container transport means for transporting the sample container. a pipette arranged along the transport path by the transport means; a sample cup transport means for sequentially arranging the sample cups to the discharge position of the pipette; and a pipette for reading the identification code of each sample container to be transported. a sample container reading means, a means for generating a sample number each time the sample cup is placed at a discharge position by the sample cup transporting means, and a means for storing signals from the sample container reading means and the sample number generating means, respectively. The present invention is characterized in that the sample container identification code containing the sample and the number of the sample cup into which the sample is dispensed are stored or transmitted as a pair to the host computer.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail based on the drawings.

[Example] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the configuration of a dispensing device in the present invention,
FIG. 2 is a front view of the holder that holds the sample container.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a conveying means, such as a conveyor belt, for sequentially conveying a plurality of sample containers 2 placed in a sample storage section (not shown). As shown in FIG. 2, the sample container 2 is held in a holder 4 with a barcode label 3 indicating the identification number (reception number) of the sample attached thereto. A window 5 is formed in this holder 4 so that the barcode can be read from the outside.

6 is a dispensing block arranged along the belt 1;
In this block, a turntable 8 is loaded with a plurality of sample cups 7 used in an analyzer corresponding to the test items of the specimen. Also, the operator can
When the starting cup is placed at a reference position (not shown) indicated by a mark or notch, etc., the starting cup is placed at the dispensing position. Then, each rotation in the clockwise direction places the next cup in the dispensing position.

A pipette 9 is provided between the belt 1 and the dispensing block 6, and this pipette has a shaft 1 that can rotate and move up and down.
It is supported by 0. Reference numeral 11 denotes a drive circuit for driving the shaft 10.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a barcode reader reader for reading the barcode of the sample container held in the holder 4, and this reader is installed in front of the dispensing block 6. Further, 13 and 14 are stoppers for stopping the holder 4 at the suction position IQ of the barcode reader 12 and the dispensing block 6. It is configured to be retractable.

17 is the belt 1. This control circuit is a control circuit for controlling the drive circuit 11, the barcode reader 12, and the electromagnetic solenoids 15 and 16, respectively.This control circuit 17 is connected to a host computer 18 to which measurement results are sent from the analyzer A.

The operation in this configuration will be explained in detail below.

Now, when the start button of the control circuit 17 is turned on, the belt 1 is first moved a certain distance, and the first holder 4 hits the stopper 13 and stops at the barcode reader 12 position. Then, the reader 12 reads the barcode of the sample container 2, and the sample number determined thereby is sent to the storage section 17M of the control circuit 17. Further, when the operator sets the turntable 8 loaded with a plurality of sample cups 7 to match the reference position of the dispensing block 6, the first sample cup for dispensing is set at the discharge position P,
Moreover, the cup number 01 is generated in the control circuit 17, and the cup number is sent to the storage section 17M of the control circuit 17.

When the barcode reading of the holder 4 is completed, the stoppers 13 and 14 are retracted and the belt 1 moves a certain distance in the same direction, so that the first holder moves along the dotted line 4 in FIG.
At the same time that the second holder is sent to the suction position Q of the dispensing block 6 as shown in a, the second holder is set at the position of the barcode reader 12. At this time, each stopper is put out onto the belt 1 immediately after the holder passes the stopper 13.14, so each holder hits the stopper 13.14 and stops accurately at the suction position Q and the reading position by the barcode reader 12. be done. In this state, the pipette 9 is rotated to just above the sample container 4a and then lowered to aspirate a desired amount of the sample. Then, the pipette rises, rotates in the opposite direction to that described above, moves to the ejection position P, and then descends to eject the specimen into the sample cup placed at that position. The pipette then rises back to its initial position. Additionally, while the first sample is being dispensed into the first sample cup, the barcode of the sample container held in the second holder is read by the barcode reader 12, and the sample number is stored in the storage unit 17M. Sent.

Then, when the pipette 9 returns, each stopper 13.
14 is retracted, the belt 1 further moves a certain distance in the same direction, the second holder is transferred to the suction position Q of the dispensing block 6, and the third holder is further transferred to the position of the barcode reader 12. At this time, the turntable 8 of the dispensing block 6 rotates one step clockwise, and the second sample cup is set at the discharge position P. At the same time, cup number 02 is generated, and the cup number is transferred to the control circuit 17. The data is sent to the storage unit 17M. In this state, the pipette 9 performs the same operation as described above, so that the sample held in the second holder is dispensed into the second sample cup of the dispensing block 6. At the same time, the sample number of the sample container held in the third holder is read by the barcode reader 12 and sent to the storage section 17M.

Then, the belt 1 is further moved, the first holder is collected in a collecting section not shown, and the second and third holders are set at the suction position Q of the dispensing block 6 and the position of the barcode reader 12, respectively. The second sample is dispensed into the second sample cup of the dispensing block by performing the operations described above. Thereafter, the above-described operations are repeated to sequentially dispense the specimen into each sample cup.

By the way, as described above, the storage unit 17M of the control circuit 17 receives the sample number from the barcode reader 12 and the cup number from the turntable of the dispensing block, so this storage unit stores the sample number and each sample. The relationship between cups and cup numbers is stored as a table as shown in FIG. 3(a).

The figure shows the sample number horizontally and the cup number and measurement value items for the analyzer vertically. The sample with sample number 01 is in cup number 01, and the sample with sample number 02 is in cup number 02.
Then, a table is created indicating that sample number 03 was dispensed into sample number 03, respectively.

When the dispensing of all the samples is completed, the storage section 17M
The table stored in the host computer 18 is transferred to the host computer 18. Then, the turntable 8 is removed from the dispensing block and loaded into the corresponding analyzer A for analysis. After the analysis, the measurement results analyzed by analyzer A are sent to the computer. For example, from analyzer A, the data of the sample cup number and its measured value are sent as a pair: (cup number, measured value) - (01, α01), (02, α02).
, (03, α03), . . . The computer 18 sorts the sent data using cup numbers as keys. For example, a table as shown in FIG. 3(b) is created.

When all analyzes are completed, the computer 18 prints out measured values for each test item for each sample using a printer (not shown).

In this way, since the identification code of the sample dispensed into the sample cup and the number of that cup are stored as a pair, it is possible to confirm which sample cup the obtained measurement value belongs to. This measurement value can be stored while Therefore, mistakes such as mixing up samples can be prevented, and speedy dispensing and analysis work can be performed.

In the above embodiment, a turntable was used as a loader to hold the cups of the dispensing block, but as shown in FIG. good. In this case, when the barcode reader 20 reads the rack number from the barcode attached to the rack and the first sample cup for dispensing held on the rack is set at the discharge position P, the control circuit 17 uses the cup number 01. occurs, rack number 01 and cup number 01
is configured to be sent to the storage section 17M of the control circuit 17.

Then, the barcode reader 12 reads the barcode of the sample container 01 and obtains the sample number 01, the barcode reader 20 reads the barcode of the first rack and obtains the rack number 01 and the cup number 0.
1 are stored as one set in the storage unit 17M.

Once the barcode of the sample container has been read, the
Since the collars 13 and 14 retract and the belt 1 moves a certain distance in the same direction, the first holder moves along the dotted line 4a in FIG.
At the same time as the dispensing block 6 is sent to the suction position WIQ as shown, the second holder is set at the position of the barcode reader 12.

Then, in exactly the same manner as in the embodiment shown in FIG.
From the sample container of the first holder, rack number 01
, the sample is dispensed into the sample cup with cup number 01. Additionally, during this time, the barcode of the sample container held in the second holder is read by the barcode reader 12, and the sample number is sent to the storage section 17M.

Then, belt 1 further moves a certain distance in the same direction, and 2
The third holder is transferred to the suction position Q of the dispensing block 6, and the third holder is further transferred to the position of the barcode reader 12.

Next, the rack is fed one step in the direction of arrow a, and
At the same time when the th sample cup is set to the discharge position P, the control circuit 17 generates the cup number 02, and the rack number 01 and cup number 02 are stored in the storage section 17M of the control circuit 17.
sent to. The storage unit 17M stores the sample number 02 of the sample container 02, the rack number 01, and the cup number 02 as a set.

Thereafter, dispensing and storing are performed in the same manner, and when all five sample knobs held in the first rack have been dispensed, the rack is transported in the direction indicated by the arrow by a conveyor belt (not shown). Then, a second rack holding five new sample cups is transferred in the direction of arrow C by a conveyor belt (not shown).

When the second rack is transferred in the direction of arrow a and the first sample cup for dispensing held in the rack is set at the discharge position P, the control circuit 17 generates cup number 01, and the rack number 02. The cup number 01 is sent to the storage section 17M of the control circuit 17, and the barcode reader 12 stores the sample container's no(-) code as a set together with the read sample number.

When the dispensing to the sample cup of rack number 02 and cup number 01 is completed, the rack is moved one step in the direction of arrow a, and the second sample cup is set at the discharge position P, and at the same time the control circuit 17 cup number 0
2 is generated, and the rack number 02 and cup number 02 are sent to the storage section 17M of the control circuit 17. Then, the sample number of the next sample container and the rack number 02 and cup number 02 sent to the storage section 17M are stored as a set.

Thereafter, the above-described operation is repeated to sequentially dispense the specimen into the sample cups of the given rack. By the way, the control circuit 17
The storage unit 17M stores sample numbers, rack numbers, and cup numbers as a table as shown in FIG. 5(a). The figure shows the sample number horizontally and the cup number and measurement value items of the A analyzer vertically. The sample with sample number 01 is placed in cup number 01 placed in rack number 01, the sample with sample number 02 is placed in cup number 02 placed in rack number 01, and the sample number 03 is placed in cup number 03 placed in rack number 01. A table is created to show what has been noted.

When the dispensing of all the samples is completed, the storage section 17M
The table stored in the host combiator 18 is transferred to the host combiator 18. Then, the dispensed rack is removed from the dispensing block and loaded into the corresponding analyzer A for analysis. After analysis 1. The measurement results analyzed by analyzer A are sent to the computer. For example, from analyzer A, the data of the rack number, sample cup number, and its measured value are set as one set: (rack number, cup number, measured value) - (01
,01,β01), (01,02,β02)(01
,03,β03),... (02,01°β06),
...It is sent like this. The computer 18 sorts the received data using rack numbers and cup numbers as keys, and creates a table as shown in FIG. 5(b), for example. When all the analyzes are completed, the computer 18 prints out the measured values of each test item for each sample using a printer (not shown).

It should be noted that the above description is an example of the present invention, and many modifications can be made in implementing the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the barcode of the sample cup is read while the sample container and each sample cup are stopped; however, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is possible to read the barcode of the sample cup while the sample container and each sample cup are stopped. You may read it in between. Furthermore, reading can be performed at any position before or after the dispensing position.

Further, in the above embodiment, the barcode label was attached directly to the sample container, but since this container is integrated with the holder, the barcode label may be attached to the holder.

Furthermore, although barcodes and barcode readers were used to detect the classification numbers of sample containers and each rack, the present invention is not limited to this, and any known identification method using light transmission or reflection may also be used. good.

Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a bar code is attached to the rack and the rack number is read. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a bar code is attached to the turntable and the turntable number is read. , the sample number, turntable number, and sample cup number may be stored as a set. In this way, identification can be made even if a plurality of turntables are used.

Furthermore, since the test items differ depending on each sample,
Instead of dispensing each specimen into all the sample cups as in the above embodiment, it is sufficient to dispense each specimen only into the sample cups of the analyzer that correspond to the test items.

To do this, it is necessary to load a worksheet or the like in which test items for each sample are written into the control circuit (host computer) in advance.

Further, in the above embodiment, the data stored in the control circuit is transferred to the host computer using an online method, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the data may be temporarily stored on a magnetic tape or floppy disk and then transferred. Also good.

[Effects] As detailed above, according to the present invention, the identification code of the sample cup into which the specimen has been dispensed and the number of the specimen dispensed into the sample cup are stored as a pair. Correspondence with numbers can be managed by computer, mistakes such as sample mix-up can be prevented, and speedy dispensing and analysis work can be performed.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the configuration of the dispensing device according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a front view of a holder that holds a sample container, FIGS. 3 and 5 are diagrams explaining a table stored in the storage unit 17M, and FIG. 4 shows the configuration of another dispensing device according to the present invention. FIG. 1: Belt 2: Sample container 3: Barcode 4: Holder 5: Window 6: Dispensing block 7: Sample cup 8: Turntable 9: Pipette 10: Axis 11: Drive circuit 12.20: Barcode reader 13.14 : Stopper 15.16: Electromagnetic solenoid 17: Control circuit 17M: Storage section 18: Host computer 19

Claims (1)

[Claims] A sample container containing a sample and attached with an identification code, a sample container transport means for transporting the sample container, a pipette arranged along a transport path by the transport means, and a discharge position of the pipette. sample cup transport means for sequentially arranging sample cups; sample container reading means for reading the identification code of each sample container to be transported; and sample cup transport means for sequentially arranging sample cups; A means for generating a number, and a storage means for storing respective signals from the sample container reading means and the sample number generation means, and a sample container identification code containing a specimen and a sample into which the specimen is dispensed. A dispensing device characterized in that it is configured to store or transmit a cup number and a pair to a host computer.