JPH0886787A - Device for conveying sample such as blood - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a device for conveying samples such as blood, by which sample racks on which sample containers are set can be efficiently conveyed into and out of a measuring device or the like by automating the operation of conveying the sample racks into and out of the measuring device or the like. CONSTITUTION: A course through which sample racks 6 are conveyed is formed in a closed loop inside a buffer unit 1 provided at the front stage of a measuring unit 2 provided with a measuring device 47 or the like, and sample containers 7 fed from a pretreatment device or the like are placed on the empty sample rack 6. After the sample rack 6 carrying the sample containers 7 is conveyed into the measuring unit 2, the used sample containers 7 are conveyed to another device such as a storage device, and the empty sample rack 6 is returned to a position from which the sample containers are conveyed into the measuring unit.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention transfers a test tube or other container (hereinafter, referred to as a sample container) containing a sample such as blood to a required place such as a measuring device through a sample rack, and performs measurement. The present invention relates to a device for transporting a sample such as blood that carries a sample rack out of the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various types of measuring devices for analyzing samples such as blood have already been used. However, the sample containers containing the samples are carried into these measuring devices by hand. Carry it and set it side by side on a sample tray or the like provided on the measuring device. Each sample set manually is sampled with a measuring device before measurement.

[0003]

As described above, when a container containing blood and other samples is carried into a measuring device, it is conventionally performed manually, so that it is always necessary to measure the sample. There is. Then, in the case where the number of samples is large as compared with the measurement capacity of the sample in the measuring device, for example, it is possible to place the sample in an appropriate place and wait for a time before carrying it into the measuring device. Since it is necessary, more manpower is required to transport the sample, which may affect the measurement efficiency of the sample. In addition, since the sample container is manually transported and set on the measuring device, there is a risk that the sample container may be accidentally dropped during transportation, or the sample may be contaminated. There is a risk of mistakes in the set position.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above matters, and automates loading and unloading of a sample rack in which a sample container is set with respect to a measuring device and the like, and each sample rack is provided to the measuring device and the like. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sample transfer device for blood and the like (hereinafter, simply referred to as a sample transfer device) that can be efficiently loaded and unloaded.

[0005]

In the sample transport apparatus of the present invention, a sample container carrying-in portion for mounting a sample container containing a sample on a sample rack is formed at a predetermined position, and the sample rack mounting the sample container is mounted on the sample rack. The first transporting means for transporting linearly, the first guide rail provided in a direction intersecting with the transporting direction of the first transporting means, and transferring the sample rack from the first transporting means, and the first transporting means. A reciprocating first pushing means for pushing the sample rack to transfer it to the first guide rail and moving the sample rack along the first guide rail, and a first guide rail provided in a direction intersecting with the first guide rail. The sample rack transferred from the first pushing means to the sample rack to a required position such as a measuring device, and the sample from the measuring device. The third transport means is provided with a sample container unloading position for receiving the sample rack for which measurement has been completed and for removing the sample container from the sample rack after the transport is completed, and the third transport means is provided in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the third transport means. , A second guide rail to which an empty sample rack is transferred from the third transfer means, and an empty sample rack of the third transfer means are pushed to transfer the sample rack to the sample container loading portion of the first transfer means, and the sample rack is transferred. It is provided with a reciprocating second pushing means that moves along the second guide rail.

The first carrying means, the second carrying means and the third carrying means can be constituted by arbitrary conveyors using endless belts or chains. First
As means for reciprocating the pushing means and the second pushing means,
Examples include belts and chains.

Then, the bar code label attached to the sample container is read by lifting and rotating the sample container set in the sample rack at an appropriate position of the second transfer means, and then the sample container is opened. A bar code label reader for lowering may be provided. Then, in this case, the barcode label may be read by stepping the sample rack at every installation interval of the container accommodating portion.

[0008]

In the sample transport apparatus of the present invention, a sample container containing a sample such as blood is, for example, 5
The samples are loaded one by one on an empty sample rack by the sample container loading device at one end side of the first transfer means of the buffer unit provided on the upstream side of the measurement unit. The sample rack on which the sample container is mounted is transported to the other end side by the first transport means.

When the first transport means transports the sample rack to a predetermined position, the first transport means stops. When the first transport means stops in this way, the first pushing means operates to push the transported sample rack to transfer it to the carry-in guide rail, and to move it along the first guide rail to move the second rack. Transfer to transport means. The first pushing means that has transferred the sample rack to the second transport means returns to the original position. The sample rack transferred to the second transport means is sampled by the second transport means on the basis of a signal output from the measuring device into which the sample rack is loaded and indicating that the sample rack is ready for receiving. The rack is transported and loaded into the measuring device provided in the measuring unit.

Therefore, for example, compared with the time interval of the sample rack transported to the second transport means side by the first pushing means along the first guide rail, the sample transported by the second transport means to the measuring device or the like. If the time interval of the rack becomes longer, the sample rack will be in stock on the carry-in guide rail. The second transporting means sequentially loads the stocked sample racks one by one into the measuring device.

When the processing of the sample contained in each sample container of the sample rack carried into the measuring device is completed, the sample rack is transferred from the measuring device to the third transfer means of the buffer unit. The third transport means transports the transferred sample rack to a predetermined position and stops. When the third transport means stops in this way, the sample container is taken out from the sample rack by the sample container unloading device, and the sample rack becomes empty. The second pushing means drives and pushes the empty sample rack of the third transport means to transfer it to the second guide rail, and moves it along the second guide rail to transfer it to the third transport means. The second pushing means that has transferred the empty sample rack to the sample container loading position of the first transport means returns to the original position.

When the sample container is supplied to the measuring device, the bar code label reading device lifts the sample containers one by one from the sample rack and rotates them in that state so that the bar code label attached to the sample container is I try to read it.

Further, when reading the bar code label, the sample rack is made to step in accordance with the installation interval of the sample containers by using one stopper, so that the sample rack can be surely moved at a predetermined position. It can be stopped and the barcode label can be reliably read.

[0014]

1 to 8 show an example of a sample carrying device of the present invention. First, in FIG. 1 and FIG.
Reference numeral 1 is a buffer unit provided in the preceding stage of the measurement unit 2. A pair of rails 3 are erected in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which both units 1 and 2 are arranged at an appropriate height position on one end side (the side far from the measurement unit 2) of the buffer unit 1. The rail 3 is provided with a sample container carry-in device 4 and a sample container carry-out device 5 that are horizontally movable and vertically movable.

That is, the sample container carrying-in device 4 is, for example, at a starting end side (sample container carrying-in part) of the first carrying means 9 described later, for example, a pretreatment device (not shown).
The sample container 7 carried by the carrying line connected to the above is mounted on the empty sample rack 6, and the sample container carry-out device 5 is provided, for example, at the terminal side (sample container carry-out part) of the third belt conveyor 50 described later. The used sample container 7 is taken out of the sample rack 6 and carried out to another processing device (not shown). Then, these sample container loading devices 4
The sample container unloading device 5 and the sample container unloading device 5 are configured to be controlled independently of each other.

The sample rack 6 and the sample container 7 will be briefly described below.
As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, is a container such as a test tube, in which, for example, blood as the sample S is stored, and represents information about the subject, measurement items, measurement conditions, and the like. A barcode label 7A is attached. Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 to 8, the sample rack 6 is provided with a plurality of (for example, five) storage portions 6A for individually storing the sample containers 7 at equal intervals. Through holes 6B are formed below the housing portions 6A so as to correspond to the housing portions 6A, and an engaging groove 6C that engages with a guide rail 12 described later is formed on the bottom portion of the housing portions 6A.
It is formed in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of A. In addition,
In FIG. 7, reference numeral 8 is a cushioning member provided at the bottom of the accommodation portion 6A.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, 9 is one end side of the buffer unit 1, and is a first conveying means extending below the rail 3 in the direction of the test unit 2 so as to be orthogonal to the rail 3. With the first belt conveyor as
Is the motor. The first belt conveyor 9 conveys the sample rack 6 toward the other end when the sample container 7 is loaded into the empty sample rack 6 by the sample container loading device 4, and the sample rack 6 is moved to a predetermined position. When it reaches, it is configured to detect it and stop the motor 10. Reference numeral 11 is a guide wall that is erected on both sides of the first belt conveyor 9 in the width direction.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a sample rack 6 mounted on the first belt conveyor 9, which is long on the other side of the first belt conveyor 9 in the advancing direction and on one side in the width direction thereof.
3 is a first guide rail provided so as to be transferable and supports both sides of the sample rack 6 as shown in FIG.
2a and 12b, and a locking wall 12c that locks with the locking groove 6C of the sample rack 6.

A first pushing means 13 pushes the sample rack 6 which has been conveyed by the first belt conveyor 9 and stopped,
It transfers from the 1st belt conveyor 9 to the 1st guide rail 12, and conveys it along the 1st guide rail 12. As shown in FIG. 3, the first pushing means 13 includes a push rod 14 which is arranged along the first belt conveyor 9 and faces the first guide rail 12 with the first belt conveyor 9 interposed therebetween. , The endless timing belt 15 arranged on the side of the first guide rail 12 to move it, and the push rod 14 has the connecting member 1 fixed thereto.
It is fixed to the timing belt 15 at 6. Reference numeral 17 is a motor for driving the timing belt 15, and 18 is a guide rod arranged in parallel with the timing belt 15 and having both ends fixed, to which a connecting member 16 is slidably attached.

Reference numeral 19 denotes a second carry-in / carry-out unit which is provided at an end of the first guide rail 12 in the carrying direction, is long in a direction orthogonal to the carrying direction, and is capable of transferring the sample rack 6 from the first guide rail 12. Endless second as a means
On the belt conveyor, this conveys the sample rack 6 to the measuring device 47 to be described later on its downstream side. A motor 20 drives the second belt conveyor 19. Then, a stopper 21 that supports and stops the sample rack 6 transferred by the push rod 14 at a position facing the first guide rail 12 with the second belt conveyor 19 interposed therebetween.
And a lever 22 for pushing and swinging the sample rack 6 are provided.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the lever 22 is biased by a spring 23 in a direction opposite to the direction in which the sample rack 6 is conveyed on the first guide rail 12. When the push rod 14 releases the sample rack 6 swung by the lever 22, the motor 2
The sample rack 6 is slightly retracted by an eccentric cam 25 rotated by 4 so as to be separated from the stopper 21 and is swung to return to the original position, and the next sample rack 6 is moved.
Is pushed by the push rod 14, the lever 22
Is configured to be able to swing. 26 is a sensor that operates when the lever 22 swings,
If the lever 22 is pushed by the sample rack 6 and swings against the elasticity of the spring 23, the sensor 26 is operated.
The motor 17 rotates in the reverse direction to return the push rod 14 to the side position of the first belt conveyor 9.

Reference numeral 27 is a stopper rod provided in the width direction above the middle portion of the second belt conveyor 19 in the length direction,
As shown in FIG. 5, the solenoid 28 reciprocates in the width direction of the second belt conveyor 19 to stop the sample rack 6 on the second belt conveyor 19 with the stopper rod 27, or to stop the stopped sample rack 6. It is configured so that it can be transported.

Reference numeral 29 is a bar code label reading device which is provided downstream of the stopper rod 27 of the second belt conveyor 19 in the traveling direction so as to face the second belt conveyor 19, and the measuring device of the measuring unit 2 is measured by the second belt conveyor 19. The barcode label 7A attached to the sample container 7 mounted on the sample rack 6 transported in the 47 direction is read.

By the way, in this embodiment, as already described, the plurality of sample containers 7 are mounted in the sample rack 6 at equal intervals. Therefore, when reading the bar code label 7A, it is necessary to step the sample rack 6 at every interval of the sample containers 7 and control the step so that the bar code label 7A can be read at the bar code label reading position. is there. Hereinafter, an example of the configuration at the barcode label reading position will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a mechanism for controlling the stepping of the sample rack 6, and the sample rack stepping control mechanism 30 is constructed as follows. That is, for example, an inverted L-shaped fixed guide plate 31 is provided on one side of the second belt conveyor 19.
Is erected at an appropriate height along the second belt conveyor 19. A swinging pressing member 32 formed in a T-shape when viewed from above is pivotally supported on the other side of the second belt conveyor 19. This swing pressing member 32
Is formed by connecting a flat stop plate 32B to the tip of a hook-shaped arm 32A. The stop plate 32B and the fixed guide plate 31 form a sample rack 6
Is pinched. Reference numeral 33 is a spring that constantly urges the swing pressing member 32 toward the fixed guide plate 31, 34 is a cam that abuts on the inside of the vertical portion 32a of the arm 32A (on the side of the second belt conveyor 19), and is rotated by the motor 35 as appropriate. Is configured to. Reference numeral 36 is a sensor for detecting the position of the sample rack 6, and a light emitting unit is provided on one side of the second belt conveyor 19 and a light receiving unit (not shown) is provided on the other side thereof, and the sample rack 6 is predetermined. The light from the light emitting portion is arranged so as to reach the light receiving portion through the through hole 6B of the sample rack 6 when it reaches the position.

Reference numeral 37 is a reading sensor using, for example, a CCD, which reads the bar code label 7A of the sample container 7 which is placed on the upper horizontal portion of the fixed guide plate 31 and lifted by a sample container handling device 38 described later. It is provided at a height position where possible.

Reference numeral 38 indicates the sample container 7 by grasping the sample container 7 and moving it up or down or rotating it.
The barcode label 7A attached to the sensor surface 37
It is a sample container handling device for correctly corresponding to A. This sample container handling device 38
Is fixed to one end of a horizontal arm 41 that is vertically engaged with a pinion (not shown) driven by a motor 39, and a motor 42 is provided at the other end of the arm 41. A chuck hand 44 for chucking the upper end of the sample container 7 is provided at the lower end of the rotating shaft 43 rotated by 42. Reference numeral 45 denotes a chuck hand controller that controls the chuck hand 44.

Next, the operation of the barcode label reading device 29 having the above configuration will be described. Now, when the sample rack 6 conveyed by the second belt conveyor 19 is located between the fixed guide plate 31 and the swing pressing member 32, and the leading (first) through hole 6B reaches the sensor position, This is detected by the sensor 36.

Based on the detection, the motor 20 stops and the second belt conveyor 19 stops, and the motor 35 slightly rotates in a predetermined direction to stop, and the cam 34 stops.
The cam surface (cut-off surface) 34A comes into contact with the vertical portion 32a of the arm 32A. Therefore, the swing pressing member 32 swings toward the fixed guide plate 31 by the urging force of the spring 33, whereby the sample rack 6 is fixed.
It is sandwiched by the stop plate 32B and the stop plate 32B and stopped at a predetermined position.

When the sample rack 6 stops at a predetermined position as described above, the motor 39 rotates in a predetermined direction, the rack shaft 40 descends, and the chuck hand 44 located above descends, causing the sample rack 6 to descend. First storage part 6
The upper portion of the sample container 7 accommodated in A is gripped, and the sample label 7 is lifted to a position where the barcode label 7A attached to the sample container 7 projects above the sample rack 6 and stopped. In this case, it is preferable that the lower end of the sample container 7 be located inside the housing 6A. After that, when the motor 42 rotates in a predetermined direction, the sample container 7 rotates together with the chuck hand 44, and the reading sensor 37 reads the content of the barcode label 7A. When this reading is completed, the chuck hand 4
4 is opened, the sample container 7 is released, and the original container 6A is opened.
Be accommodated by falling.

When the reading of the bar code label 7A of the sample container 7 accommodated in the first accommodation portion 6A of the sample rack 6 is completed as described above, the motor 3
5 rotates in a predetermined direction, the cam surface 34A of the cam 34 is disengaged from the vertical portion 32a of the arm 32A of the swing pressing member 32, and the motor 20 operates to operate the second belt conveyor 1
9 is 1 pitch [Installation interval of the housing portion 6A (through hole 6B)]
By the amount, it moves in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 6, and the second through hole 6B reaches the sensor position. Then, this state is detected by the sensor 36. At the same time, the motor 20 stops and the second belt conveyor 19 stops.

Based on the detection, the motor 35 slightly rotates in a predetermined direction and stops, and the cam surface (cut-off surface) 34A of the cam 34 contacts the vertical portion 32a of the arm 32A. Therefore, the swing pressing member 32 swings toward the fixed guide plate 31 by the urging force of the spring 33, whereby the sample rack 6 is sandwiched between the fixed guide plate 31 and the stop plate 32B and stopped at a predetermined position. Then, according to the procedure as described above, the content of the barcode label 7A of the second sample container 7 in the sample rack 6 is read.

After that, by repeating the above operation, the contents of the bar code labels 7A of all the sample containers 7 in the sample rack 6 are read. The information read in this way is input to a computer (not shown) via the interface 46 (see FIG. 2). Even after the reading is completed, the sample rack 6
It is sandwiched by the fixed guide plate 31 and the stop plate 32B, and the sandwiching is released by inputting a predetermined signal from the measuring device 47 described later, and
The conveyance of the second belt conveyor 19 is started.

Bar code label reading device 29 having the above structure
In order to step the sample rack 6 at a predetermined pitch, the sample rack 6 is pressed by the fixed guide plate 31 and the swing pressing member 32, and this is moved to the sample container 7
Since only the sample rack stepping control mechanism 30 which is made to step at each accommodation pitch is provided, the number of parts is small and the structure is extremely simple.

Then, the bar code label 7A is read by lifting the sample container 7 contained in the sample rack 6 whose step is controlled by the sample rack step control mechanism 30 and rotating it. The barcode label 7A can be read reliably. Then, during this reading, the sample container 7 and the barcode label 7A are not damaged.

Reference numeral 47 is a measuring device provided in the measuring unit 2. Since this measuring device 47 has no relation to the main configuration of the present invention, various measurements are performed, though detailed illustration and description thereof are omitted. Further, 48 is a receiving conveyor for supplying the sample rack 6 from the buffer unit 1 to the buffer unit 1 side, and 49 is the sample rack 6 from the measuring device 47.
It is a delivery conveyor for returning to the side.

A reference numeral 50 designates an endless third belt conveyor as a third conveying means arranged in parallel with the second belt conveyor 19, and a motor 51 drives this. And
When the sample rack 6 carried by the third belt conveyor 50 reaches a predetermined position, it is detected and the motor 51 is stopped. Although not shown, the detection means for the sample rack 6 conveyed by the third belt conveyor 50 is, for example, a combination of a limit switch and a stopper that supports and stops the sample rack 6.

Reference numeral 52 denotes an end portion on the advancing direction side of the third belt conveyor 50, one side of which in the width direction, a sample rack 6 which is long in the same direction and is placed on the third belt conveyor 50. It is a second guide rail provided so as to be transferable in the direction of the conveyor 9. The configuration of the second guide rail 52 is the same as the configuration of the first guide rail 12, and thus detailed description will be omitted.

Reference numeral 53 denotes a second pushing means, which is conveyed to a predetermined position by the third belt conveyor 50 and stopped, and pushes the sample rack 6 emptied by the sample container unloading device 5 so that the third belt conveyor 50 makes the second Guide rail 52
Is to be transferred to and transported to. As shown in FIG. 8, the second pushing means 53 is arranged along a push rod 54 arranged on a side portion of the third belt conveyor 50 and a second guide rail 52 for moving the push rod 54. Endless timing belt 55. Since the configuration of the second pushing means 53 is the same as that of the first pushing means 13, detailed description and illustration are omitted. A motor 56 drives the timing belt 55. Reference numeral 57 is a stopper rod, which has the same structure as the stopper rod 27, and therefore detailed description thereof is omitted.

A stopper 58 for supporting and stopping the empty sample rack 6 transferred by the push rod 54 with the first belt conveyor 9 interposed at the end side of the second guide rail 52, and the sample thereof. A lever 59 for pushing and swinging the rack 6 is provided.

The lever 59 operates in the same manner as the lever 22. That is, the lever 59 is biased by the spring 60 in the direction opposite to the transport direction of the sample rack 6 on the second guide rail 52. Then, the sample rack 6 swung by the lever 59 is pushed by the push rod 54.
When released, the eccentric cam 62 rotated by the motor 61 slightly retracts the sample rack 6 so as to separate it from the stopper 58, swings and returns to the original position, and the next sample rack 6 is pushed by the push rod 54. When it comes, the lever 59 is configured to swing. Reference numeral 63 is a sensor that operates when the lever 59 swings.
When 9 is pushed by the sample rack 6 and operated by swinging against the elastic force of the spring 23, the motor 61 rotates in the reverse direction to return the push rod 54 to the side position of the third belt conveyor 50.

Next, the operation of the sample transfer device configured as described above will be described. A sample container 7 conveyed by a conveying line connected to a pretreatment device (not shown) is mounted on an empty sample rack 6 placed on the stopped first belt conveyor 9. When the motor 10 operates in response to the mounting completion signal and the sample rack 6 is conveyed to a predetermined position of the first belt conveyor 9 by the first belt conveyor 9, the first belt conveyor 9 detects it and the first belt conveyor 9 detects it. Stop.

When the sample rack 6 is conveyed and the first belt conveyor 9 is stopped, the motor 17 rotates the timing belt 15 and pushes the sample rack 6 with the push rod 14 to transfer it to the first guide rail 12. The sample rack 6 transferred to the first guide rail 12
Both sides thereof are supported by the support walls 12a and 12b, and the locking recessed groove 6C at the bottom is locked to the locking wall 12c and can be moved along the first guide rail 12, so the sample rack 6 is pushed. The rod 14 is pushed and moved to be transferred to the second belt conveyor 19.

At this time, the sample rack 6 is shown in FIG.
By pushing the lever 22 in the state shown in Fig. 4 to swing it to the state shown in Fig. 4A to operate the sensor 26, and the sample rack 6 is supported by the stopper 21, the sample rack 6 stops. On the other hand, the sensor 2 using the lever 22
By the operation of 6, the motor 17 rotates in the reverse direction, so that the push rod 14 returns to the original position. Since the sample rack 6 is released by the return of the push rod 14, the lever 22
Is swung by the eccentric cam 25, the sample rack 6 is slightly retracted, and the state of FIG. 4B is restored.

Then, the locking wall 12c of the sample rack 6
When the engagement groove 6C is engaged with the
Part of the locking groove 6C is locked to the edge of the locking wall 12c,
Since the sample rack 6 is prevented from falling down, the sample rack 6 can be moved stably by pushing with the push rod 14.

When the sample rack 6 is transferred to the second belt conveyor 19, the stopper rod 27 retracts and the second belt conveyor 19 is released, and the second belt conveyor 19 causes the sample rack 6 to read the bar code label. Upon reaching the device 29, the bar code label 7A of the sample container 7 mounted on the sample rack 6 is sequentially read by the procedure described in paragraphs 0028 to 0032. That is, the sample rack 6 is captured by the sample rack advancement control mechanism 30 and advances in accordance with the accommodation pitch of the sample container 7,
Reading is performed by the reading sensor 37.

Even if the reading of the barcode label 7A by the barcode label reading device 29 is completed,
The sample rack 6 is captured by the sample rack stepping control mechanism 30, and a signal indicating that the sample rack 6 can be received is input from the measuring device 47, whereby the fixed guide plate 31 and the swing pressing member 32 are connected. The holding of the sample rack 6 by the is released, the stopped sample rack 6 is released, and this is transferred from the second belt conveyor 19 to the receiving conveyor 48 of the measuring device 47. The transfer control of the sample rack 6 to the measuring device 47 is the second
It is also possible to rotate and stop the belt conveyor 19.

When the sample rack 6 is carried into the measuring device 47, the time interval of the sample rack 6 transferred to the first belt conveyor 9 is smaller than the time interval of carrying the sample rack 6 into the measuring device 47, for example. When the length is shorter, the sample rack 6 is stocked on the first guide rail 12 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. Since the stocked sample racks 6 are successively carried into the measuring device 47, the sample racks 6 can be transported efficiently and smoothly.

When the processing of each sample by the measuring device 47 is completed, the sample rack 6 is delivered to the delivery conveyor 49.
Is transferred to the rotating third belt conveyor 50. When the third belt conveyor 50 conveys the sample rack 6 to a predetermined position, the third belt conveyor 50 stops. When the third belt conveyor 50 stops in this way,
The sample container 7 is taken out of the sample rack 6 by the sample container unloading device 5, and the sample rack 6 becomes empty. In response to the completion signal of the taking-out, the second pushing means 53 operates, pushes the empty sample rack 6 of the third belt conveyor 50 to transfer it to the second guide rail 52, and moves it along the second guide rail 52. And move it to the first belt conveyor 9. The second pushing means 53, which has transferred the empty sample rack 6 to the sample container loading position of the first belt conveyor 9, returns to the original position.

The empty sample rack 6 transferred to the first belt conveyor 9 is received by the stopper 58.
A lever 59 that performs the same operation as the lever 22 is provided in the vicinity of the stopper 58, which is the same as the transfer of the sample rack 6 from the first pushing means 13 to the second belt conveyor 19, and therefore its detailed description will be given. The description is omitted.

The sample rack 6 transferred to the sample container loading position of the first belt conveyor 9 in this manner is used again for transporting the sample container 7.

[0052]

As described above, the sample transport apparatus of the present invention forms a closed loop route for transporting the sample rack in the buffer unit provided in the preceding stage of the measuring unit provided with the measuring apparatus and the like, and performs the pretreatment. Mount the sample container sent from the device etc. on the empty sample rack,
After loading the sample rack loaded with this sample container into the measurement unit, the used sample container is taken out to another device such as a storage device, and an empty sample rack is returned to the sample container loading part. is there.

That is, in the buffer unit, the sample rack is transported in the order of the first transport means, the first guide rail, the second transport means, the third transport means, and the second guide rail. Then, the sample rack is transported by the second transport means by a signal from a measuring device or the like. Also, the first
A sample rack can be retained in each of the guide rail and the second guide rail. Therefore, for example, the time interval at which each of the first transport means and the third transport means transports the sample rack is greater than the time interval at which each of the second transport means and the first transport means transports the sample rack. When the length is shortened, the sample racks are retained in the first guide rail and the second guide rail in correspondence with the difference in the time intervals, and the sample racks are respectively retained in the second transport means and the first transport means. It is possible to carry them sequentially. Therefore, it is possible to process each of the sample rack carried in the buffer unit from the pretreatment device and the sample rack carried in the buffer unit from the measuring device, etc., in accordance with the transport state. It is possible to efficiently and smoothly carry the rack.

As described above, since no labor is required for transporting the sample rack, the transport of the sample rack causes the sample container containing the sample such as blood to be dropped or damaged, or the sample container can be damaged. It is possible to accurately convey each sample to the measuring device or the like without causing an error in the setting position of. Further, it is possible to eliminate the risk of manually contaminating the sample when the sample container is transported.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically showing an example of a sample transport device for blood or the like according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sample transport device for the blood or the like.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a guide rail portion.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of conveyance of a sample rack on a guide rail.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a stopper rod.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of a barcode label reading device.

FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory diagram of the barcode label reading device.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the sample transport device for the blood or the like.

[Explanation of symbols]

6 ... Sample rack, 7 ... Sample container, 7A ... Bar code label, 9 ... 1st conveyance means, 12 ... 1st guide rail, 13 ... 1st pushing means, 19 ... 2nd conveyance means, 29 ...
Bar code label reading device, 30 ... Sample rack stepping control mechanism, 47 ... Measuring device, 50 ... Third conveying means, 52
... second guide rail, 53 ... second pushing means, S ... sample.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yoshiyuki Sawada, 2 Higashimachi, Kichijoin-miya, Minami-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto (72) Inventor ▲ Hiroaki Takahashi Kichijoin-miya, Minami-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto No. 2 Higashimachi, Horiba Mfg. Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hitoshi Mitani No. 2 Higashi-cho, Kichijoin Miya, Minami-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture Horiba Mfg. Co., Ltd. (72) Takeshi Kono Higashi-cho, Kichijoin-miya, Minami-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto No. 2 HORIBA, Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A sample container carrying-in portion for mounting a sample container containing a sample on a sample rack is formed at a predetermined position, and a first carrying means for carrying the sample rack carrying the sample container linearly, A first guide rail which is provided in a direction intersecting with the carrying direction of the first carrying means and to which the sample rack is transferred from the first carrying means; and a sample rack of the first carrying means is pushed and transferred to the first guide rail, A reciprocating first pushing means for moving the sample rack along the first guide rail, and a sample rack provided in a direction intersecting with the first guide rail and transferred from the first guide rail by the first pushing means. The second transporting means for transporting the sample rack to the required position such as the measuring device and the sample rack where the measurement of the sample is completed from the measuring device and the like, and A third transport means having a sample container unloading position where the sample container is taken out of the sample rack after the transport is completed, and a sample rack which is provided in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the third transport means and is empty from the third transport means. Is transferred to the second guide rail and the empty sample rack of the third transfer means to transfer to the sample container loading part of the first transfer means, and the second sample rack is transferred.
A sample transport device for blood or the like, comprising a reciprocating second pushing means that moves along a guide rail. 2. A bar code label attached to a sample container is read by lifting and rotating the sample container set in the sample rack at an appropriate position of the second transport means, and then the sample container The sample transport device for blood or the like according to claim 1, further comprising a bar code label reader that is lowered. 3. The sample transport device for blood or the like according to claim 2, wherein the bar code label reader is provided with a sample rack stepping control mechanism for stepping the sample rack for each accommodation pitch of the sample containers.