JPH04319667A - Sampler for many specimens - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To take flexible correspondence and to perform the high analyzing processing of a plurality of analyzers by setting a large number of specimen racks at once by connecting a plurality of rack sending/recovering apparatuses in series and providing a stagnation part on the way to perform processing. CONSTITUTION:A plurality of rack sending parts 10 and recovery parts 14 are connected in series and, by changing the connection number of both parts, sending parts and recovery parts different in the number of racks are constituted. At the time of the trouble of either one of the sending parts 10 and the recovery parts 14, the other sending and recovery parts are used to prevent the stop of the system. A stagnation part 60 composed of at least one rack sending and recovering apparatus is provided between transfer parts 12A, 12B to temporarily stagnate a plurality of specimen racks. By this constitution, a high speed analyzer can perform high speed processing regardless of the processing capacity of a low speed analyzer. When an analyzer 21 is stopped, the stagnation part 60 is allowed to function as a sending part to perform the processing of analyzers 22, 24. In the case reverse to this state, the processing of the analyzers can be also made possible.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a multi-sample sampler for transporting sample racks to an analysis device such as a blood analyzer or a smear preparation device, and more specifically, to set a large number (several tens or more) of sample racks at once. It can be used flexibly depending on the purpose, and when connecting multiple analyzers with different processing capabilities, it is possible to perform analysis processing without waiting for a high-speed analyzer. This article relates to a multi-analyte sampler (sample rack supply device) that can be used for multiple samples.

0002

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventionally, there has been known a supply device for a specimen rack that transports a specimen rack and sequentially supplies samples such as blood to an analyzer (for example, in Japanese Utility Model Application No. 63-141
(Refer to Publication No. 456 and Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 141458/1983)
.

0003

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] With the conventional sample rack supply device, only about 20 sample racks can be set in the shipping section (starting yard) at a time (about 200 samples if 10 samples are placed in one rack). ). This also applies to the collection department (stockyard). Therefore, if a larger number of samples are to be processed continuously, additional sample racks must be set when the shipping section is empty. When the collection section is full of sample racks, the sample racks have to be taken out, which is time-consuming. will stop). However, this does not mean that it is sufficient to simply increase the capacity of starting yards and stockyards. This is because the required number of racks differs depending on the facility. One facility may need a 60-rack version, while another may need a 20-rack version (but...
In the future, as the number of processed samples increases, it is possible that a system for 40 or 60 racks will be required.

Conventionally, several types of shipping sections and collecting sections with different numbers of racks were prepared, and the one of the required size was selected and used. In other words, the cost was high because each item was handled individually. Furthermore, if either the shipping section or the collecting section breaks down, the sampler system will stop, making it impossible to measure the sample. Furthermore, when a plurality of analyzers with different processing capacities are connected, there is a problem in that analysis can only be performed at the processing speed of the analyzer with the slowest processing capacity. The present invention has been developed in view of the above points, and can flexibly respond to changes in the number of sample racks, failures, etc. without much cost, and can connect multiple analyzers with different processing capacities. The object of the present invention is to provide a sampler for multiple samples that can perform high-speed processing regardless of the processing capacity of a low-speed analyzer.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the multi-sample sampler of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In a multi-sample sampler that sends samples to 2A and 12B, supplies them to a plurality of analyzers, and then collects them in a collection section 14, a plurality of rack shipping and collection devices 16 are connected to constitute a shipping section 10 and a collection section 14, respectively. , furthermore, the shipping section 10
In the middle of the transfer parts 12A and 12B from to the collection part 14,
A storage section 60 consisting of at least one rack shipping/collecting device 16 is provided for temporarily retaining and accumulating a plurality of sample racks. section 30 and this intake section 3
an accumulation unit 32 that is connected to 0 and accumulates a plurality of sample racks;
A sending unit 34 that is connected to the storage unit 32 and sends out sample racks to the outside; a first moving unit 38 that moves sample racks in the intake unit 30 to the storage unit 32; The shipping unit 10 and the collecting unit 14 include a second moving means 40 for moving the sample racks in the sending unit 34 and a third moving unit 44 for moving the sample racks of the sending unit 34 to the outside. Part 30 and other rack shipping/
It is characterized in that the rack shipping and collecting devices are connected in series so that they communicate with the sending section 34 of the collecting device. When the retention section 60 is composed of a plurality of rack shipping/collecting devices 16, the upstream rack shipping/collecting device's intake section 30 and the upstream transfer section 12A communicate with each other.
The sending section 34 of the rack shipping/recovering device on the downstream side and the transfer section 12B on the downstream side communicate with each other, and the intake section 30 of one rack shipping/recovering device and the sending section 34 of the other rack shipping/recovering device communicate with each other. The rack shipping and collection devices are connected in series so that they communicate with each other.

[0006]

[Operation] In the shipping section 10, the sample rack in the sending section 34 is sent out to the outside (transfer section 12A or the receiving section 30 of the adjacent shipping/recovery device) by the third moving means. External to the intake section 30 (sending section 34 of the shipping/recovery device)
A sample rack is sent in from the storage section 30, and the sample rack in the intake section 30 is moved to the storage section 32 by the first moving means 38. The sample racks in the storage section 32 are moved entirely toward the delivery section 34 by the second moving means 40 . Thereafter, this process is repeated, and the sample racks are shifted one rack at a time within and between the shipping/retrieval equipment and transferred to the transfer section 12A.
being sent out to A sample rack 26 is intermittently transferred in front of the analyzer 21, and samples are collected one by one. The sample rack from which the sample has been collected is stored in the storage section 6.
After temporarily staying and accumulating in 0, it is sent out to the transfer section 12B. A sample rack 26 is intermittently transferred in front of the analyzers 22 and 24, and samples are collected one by one. When a plurality of analyzers installed along the transfer sections 12A and 12B have different throughputs, by temporarily retaining and accumulating the sample racks 26 in the retaining section 60,
Sample racks can be transported without waiting for high-speed analyzers. In the collecting section 14, a sample rack is sent into the receiving section 30 from the outside (transfer section 12B or the sending section 34 of an adjacent shipping/recovery device), and the sample rack in the receiving section 30 is transported by the first moving means 38. is moved to the storage section 32. The sample racks in the storage section 32 are moved entirely toward the delivery section 34 by the second moving means 40 . The sample rack in the sending section 34 is sent out to the outside (to the receiving section 30 of the adjacent shipping/recovery device) by the third moving means 44. Thereafter, this process is repeated, and the sample racks from the transfer section 12B are moved within and between the shipping/recovery devices and collected.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, unless there is a specific description, the shapes of the components described in this embodiment, their relative positions, etc. are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to these, but are merely illustrative examples. It's nothing more than that. Example 1 FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of a multi-analyte sampler of the present invention. In this embodiment, the transfer section 12A and the transfer section 12B are
By providing a retention unit (rack puller) 60 consisting of one or more rack shipping/recovery devices 16 between them, a plurality of analysis devices 21, 22, and
24, by allowing the racks to stay there, it is possible to transport the racks without having to wait for a high-speed analyzer.

The multi-analyte sampler in this embodiment is comprised of a shipping section 10, transfer sections 12A and 12B, a retention section 60, and a collection section 14. Reference numeral 18 denotes a sample rack to which a plurality of sample containers 20 are mounted. A plurality of sample racks 18 are set in the shipping section 10. The sample racks 18 are sent one by one to the transfer section 12A and provided to the blood analyzer 21. A sample rack 26 is intermittently transferred in front of the analyzer 21, and samples for each sample are collected one by one. The sample rack from which samples have been collected is sent to the storage section 60. In this embodiment, the retention section 60 includes a plurality of (in FIG. 1, two as an example) rack shipping/collecting devices 16, including an upstream rack shipping/collecting device intake section 30 and an upstream transport section. 1
2A communicates with each other, the sending section 34 of the rack shipping/recovering device on the downstream side communicates with the transfer section 12B on the downstream side, and further, the inlet section 30 of the rack shipping/recovering device on the downstream side communicates with the rack shipping section 12B on the upstream side. In order to communicate with the sending section 34 of the shipping/recovery device,
It consists of rack shipping and collection devices connected in series. Note that the number of rack shipping and collecting devices may be three or more. This number is determined by the storage status of the racks. The racks from the storage section 60 are sent to the transfer section 12B and provided to the blood analyzers 22 and 24. Analyzer 22
, 24, the sample rack 26 is intermittently transferred,
Samples are collected one by one. The sample rack from which samples have been collected is collected by the collection unit 14.

A rack shipping/recovering device 16 is also used in the shipping section 10 and the collecting section 14. Shipping this rack/
The recovery device 16 has the function of taking in a sample rack from outside the device and sending out the sample rack to the outside of the device. The take-in section 30 is a part that takes in the sample rack from the longitudinal direction. The delivery section 34 is a part that sends out the sample rack in the longitudinal direction. A storage section 32 is provided between the intake section 30 and the delivery section 34, in which a plurality of sample racks can be arranged in parallel rows.

In FIG. 1, the shipping section 10 uses three rack shipping/recovering devices 16A, 16B, and 16C. Sending section 34 of first rack shipping/recovering device 16A
A is connected to the transfer section 12A, and the intake section 30A is connected to the sending section 34B of the second rack shipping and collecting device 16B. The intake section 30B of the second rack shipping/recovery device 16B is
It is connected to the sending section 34C of the rack sending/recovering device 16C. The collection unit 14 also uses three rack shipping and collection devices 16D, 16E, and 16F. The intake section 30D of the fourth rack shipping/recovery device 16D is the transfer section 12B.
In addition, the sending section 34D is connected to the fifth rack sending/recovering device 16E.
It is connected to the intake section 30E. 5th rack shipping/
The sending section 34E of the collecting device 16E is a sixth rack sending/receiving unit.
It is connected to the intake section 30F of the collection device 16F. Assuming that 20 sample racks can be set at one time in the storage section of one rack shipping/recovery device, in this embodiment, a total of 60 sample racks can be set at one time. Figure 2,
FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the rack shipping/recovering device 16. Although the arrangement and orientation are different, the configuration and function are the same. FIG. 2 shows the first, third, and fifth shipping and collection devices 16.
A, 16C, and 16E, and Figure 3 shows the second, fourth, and
These are those of the sixth shipping/collecting devices 16B, 16D, and 16F.

The operation will be explained below. First, a sample rack is sent into the intake section 30 in the direction of arrow A. At this time, the sensors S1a and S1b detect that the sample rack has been sent. Next, the belt 36 of the intake section 30
rotates, and the sample rack is taken deep into the taking part 30. The sensor S2 detects that the sample rack has been taken deep into the taking-in section 30. The loaded sample rack is pushed into the storage section 32 by the first moving means 38 . The movement range of the first moving means 38 is the sensor S3a, S
3b. Further, whether or not there is a sample rack in the storage section 32 is detected by sensors S4a and S4b. The second moving means 40 operates, and the sample rack pushed into the storage section 32 is moved in the direction of arrow B (lever 42
pushes the sample rack. The movement range of the lever 42 is determined by sensors S6a and S6b). The second moving means 40 moves the entire sample rack of the storage section 32 in the direction of arrow B. When the first sample rack among the sample racks in the storage section 32 reaches the sending section 34, the sensor S5 detects it. Then, the third moving means 44
is operated, and the sample rack of the delivery section 34 is pushed by the lever 46 and moved in the direction of arrow C. The movement range of the lever 46 is determined by sensors S7a and S7b. Sensor S8 indicates that the sample rack has been pushed out from the delivery section 34.
a, detected at S8b. Note that the sensors S1a and S1
b, S4a and S4b, and S8a and S8b are a light emitting part and a light receiving part of a light transmission type sensor, respectively. In addition, sensor S2,
S5, S6a, S7a, and S7b are microswitches, and sensors S3a, S3b, and S6b are photointerrupters.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the sending portion 34 for explaining the sensor S5. A push-back means 48 for pushing back the sample rack and a sensor S5 are attached to the wall surface 35 of the sending section. The sample rack 5 is pushed against the sending section wall surface 35 in the direction of arrow B by the lever 42 of the second moving means.
The front surface 51 of the sensor S5 overcomes the force of the spring 52 of the push-back means 48, comes into close contact with the wall surface 35 of the delivery section, pushes the actuator 49 of the sensor S5, and turns on the sensor S5. When the lever 42 of the second moving means returns to its original position, the spring 52 of the push-back means 48 is restored and the sample rack is moved a certain distance (1 to 2 m).
m) Pushed back and sensor S5 is turned off. 54 is a ball-shaped member. The purpose of providing the push-back means 48 for pushing back the sample rack at the sensor S5 portion will be explained. In FIG. 5, sensor S5 is off when there is no sample rack. When the first sample rack 56 is sent to the storage section 32, the second moving means 40 moves until the sensor S5 is turned on (that is, until the sample rack 56 reaches the sending section 34).
Operate. Next, the second sample rack 58 is placed in the storage section 32.
sent to. However, since sensor S5 remains on, second moving means 40 does not operate. That is, the sample rack 56 in the delivery section and the sample rack 58 newly pushed into the storage section 32 cannot be brought into close contact. However, when the push-back means 48 shown in FIG. 4 is used, as shown in FIG.
operates, allowing sample racks to be brought into close contact with each other. The sample racks come into close contact with each other, the sensor S5 is turned on, and the second moving means 40 returns to its original position. In this way, even when no sample racks are sent out from the delivery section 34, new sample racks can be taken in until the storage section 32 is full of sample racks. First moving means 38
As the second moving means 40, the known ones described in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 63-141456 and Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 63-141458 can be used. Further, the third moving means 44 can also be realized using known technology.

In this embodiment, when the processing speed of the upstream analyzer 21 is fast and the processing speed of the downstream analyzers 22 and 24 is slow, loss time can be eliminated. In other words, a high-speed analyzer can perform high-speed processing regardless of the processing capacity of a low-speed analyzer. Furthermore, even if the analysis device 21 on the upstream side has some kind of trouble and is temporarily stopped, there is no need to stop the entire system. If the retention section 60 functions as a shipping section, processing can be performed in the analyzers 22 and 24 on the downstream side. In other words, there is no downtime for the system. Moreover, contrary to the above, even if the analyzer 22 and/or 24 on the downstream side stops, if the retention section 60 functions as a collection section,
Processing can be performed by the analysis device 21 on the upstream side. The above description has been made for the case where there are three analyzers, but the same applies to the case where there are two or four or more analyzers.

Embodiment 2 In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the storage section 60 consists of one rack shipping/recovering device 16. That is, the intake section 30 of the rack shipping/recovery device 16 and the upstream transfer section 12A communicate with each other, and the delivery section 34 and the downstream transfer section 1 communicate with each other.
2B are connected so as to communicate with each other. Other configurations and operations are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0015]

[Effects of the Invention] Since the present invention is constructed as described above, it has the following effects. (1) Since a plurality of rack shipping and collecting devices are connected in series to form the shipping section and the collecting section, it is possible to easily configure the shipping section and the collecting section with different numbers of racks by changing the number of connected devices. Expansion can be easily accommodated. Moreover, the manufacturing cost is low. (2) If any of the rack shipping/collecting devices breaks down, it can be replaced with another rack shipping/collecting device, eliminating system stoppages. (3) A retention section consisting of at least one rack shipping/collection device is installed in the middle of the transfer section, allowing multiple sample racks to be temporarily retained and accumulated, allowing for different processing capacities. When connecting a plurality of analyzers with multiple analyzers, the high-speed analyzer can perform high-speed processing regardless of the processing capacity of the low-speed analyzer by retaining the racks. (4) Even if the upstream analyzer stops, processing can be performed in the downstream analyzer by making the retention section function as a shipping section. (5) Even if the analyzer on the downstream side stops, processing can be performed in the analyzer on the upstream side by making the retention section function as a collection section.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory plan view showing an embodiment of a multi-analyte sampler of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory plan view of a rack shipping/recovering device used in the multi-analyte sampler of the present invention, and is depicted in a different arrangement and orientation from FIG. 3;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory plan view of the rack shipping/recovery device, which is depicted in a different arrangement and orientation from FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a detailed plan view of the area around the sending section of the rack shipping/recovering device shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the purpose of providing the push-back means, and is a plan view of the rack shipping/recovery device when the push-back means is not provided.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the purpose of providing the push-back means, and is a plan view of the rack shipping/recovery device when the push-back means is provided.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory plan view showing another embodiment of the multi-analyte sampler of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols] 10　　　Dispatch Department 12A Transfer part 12B Transfer part 14 Collection Department 16 Rack shipping and collection equipment 18 Sample rack 21 Analyzer 22 Analyzer 24 Analyzer 26 Sample rack 30 Intake part 32 Accumulation section 34 Sending part 38 First means of transportation 40 Second means of transportation 44 Third means of transportation 48 Push-back means 60 Retention part

Claims (2)

[Claims] Claim 1: In a multi-sample sampler in which sample racks from a shipping section (10) are sequentially sent to transfer sections (12A) and (12B), supplied to a plurality of analyzers, and then collected in a collection section (14). , a plurality of rack shipping and collecting devices (16) are connected to each other to form a shipping section (10) and a collecting section (14).
), and further includes a shipping section (10) to a collecting section (14).
), a storage section (60) consisting of at least one rack shipping/collecting device (16) for temporarily retaining and accumulating a plurality of sample racks is located in the middle of the transfer section (12A), (12B) leading to the transport section (12A), (12B). This rack shipping and collection device (16)
an intake unit (30) that takes in a sample rack from the outside;
An accumulation section (32) that is connected to this intake section (30) and stores a plurality of sample racks; a delivery section (34) that is connected to this accumulation section (32) that sends out sample racks to the outside;
a first moving means (38) for moving the sample rack of 0) to the storage section (32); and a second moving means (40) for moving the sample rack of the storage section (32) to the sending section (34). ,
The sending section (10) and the collecting section (14) include a third moving means (44) for moving the sample rack of the sending section (34) to the outside. 3
A multi-analyte sampler characterized in that rack shipping/collecting devices are connected in series so that the rack shipping/collecting device (0) and the sending section (34) of another rack shipping/collecting device communicate with each other. [Claim 2] The retention section (60) is configured to accommodate multiple racks for shipping and storage.
In the case of a collection device (16), the intake section (30) of the rack shipping/collection device on the upstream side and the transfer section (12A) on the upstream side.
) communicate with each other, the sending section (34) of the downstream rack shipping/recovering device communicates with the downstream transfer section (12B), and the intake section (30) of a certain rack shipping/recovering device communicates. 2. The multi-analyte sampler according to claim 1, wherein the rack shipping/collecting devices are connected in series so as to communicate with the sending section (34) of another rack shipping/collecting device.