JP4089495B2 - Automatic dispensing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to an automatic dispensing apparatus used for dispensing specimens, reagents, enzymes, and the like in reagent reaction tests such as drug metabolism tests.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the development of new drugs, this kind of drug metabolism test is frequently performed, and the work tends to be enormous, and there is also a desire to eliminate human errors due to manual labor, and from manual labor to automation Transitioning.
[0003]
In the case of automation, the automatic dispensing device's control device is composed of a general-purpose personal computer, and automatic dispensing that determines the operation process (protocol) of the automatic dispensing device by inputting from the keyboard or mouse of the personal computer. An apparatus is disclosed (for example, Patent Document 1).
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-83650
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the conventional technology, the protocol of the automatic dispensing device can be freely configured by the operator. However, as a means for checking whether the automatic dispensing device operates as expected by the operator, it is actually automatic. There is no other way than operating the dispensing device. Many specimens, reagents, and enzymes used in drug metabolism tests are expensive, and the protocol is not set as expected by the operator when actually operating. It must be avoided that everything is wasted.
[0005]
When constructing a new protocol, it is common to take measures such as checking the operation using ultrapure water instead of a reagent. However, automatic dispensing devices that perform liquid level detection are dispensed. An error is detected unless the dispensing tip for setting is set, so that the troublesome work of setting the dispensing tip only for the trial operation is accompanied.
[0006]
Moreover, since the protocol for drug metabolism tests generally takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour, an operation that requires the operator to stare and check the operation of the automatic dispensing device during that time is required.
If there is an error in the construction of the protocol and it does not work as expected, after reviewing and reconstructing the protocol, a very inefficient operation of operating the automatic dispensing device once again is required.
[0007]
An object of the present invention is to provide an easy-to-use automatic dispensing apparatus that can check the operation of a protocol without actually operating the automatic dispensing apparatus when an operator constructs a protocol for the automatic dispensing apparatus. There is.
[0008]
Another object of the present invention is to provide an efficient automatic dispensing apparatus that can check the operation of a protocol in a time shorter than the actual operation time of the automatic dispensing apparatus.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The purpose described above is to install a plurality of dispensing tips arranged in a line and to be able to suck and discharge liquid, and to transfer means that can be positioned by moving the 3D space by attaching the dispensing head to the tip. When a micro plate having a plurality of wells pre-Symbol dispensing head reagent containers and sample containing the reagent disposed below the movable range is placed is formed in a lattice shape, the movement of the transfer means, the dispensing tips A means for controlling the aspiration and discharge of reagents and the like by the above and constructing and inputting operation steps such as movement, aspiration and discharge, and a control device having a display means for displaying the operation status of these operation steps, an automatic pipetting apparatus that reacted in microplates by dispensing a reagent in the reagent container to the microplate minute, without executing the constructed operation process by said control means, operation process The operating conditions can be achieved by to Rukoto to let verifiable simulate quality of the virtual display to the constructed operation process on the display means of the control device.
[0010]
In addition, the above simulation is achieved by providing a function to display the automatic dispensing device by shortening the time when it is actually operated, and further to provide a function to skip and display the reaction time in the drug metabolism test. Can also be achieved.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automatic dispensing apparatus 1 according to the present invention, which is composed of an automatic dispensing apparatus main body 2 and a control device 3 for controlling the automatic dispensing apparatus main body 2, for example, a general-purpose personal computer, and is used for communication such as a LAN (Local Area Network). They are connected by a cable 4. The automatic dispensing apparatus main body 2 is provided with a robot 5 which is a transfer means capable of moving and positioning in a three-dimensional space, a dispensing head 6 provided at the tip of the robot 5, and a circuit unit 7 for driving them. ing.
[0012]
The robot 5 has an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis that are orthogonal to each other, and is positioned by a stepping motor (not shown). The drive motor of the robot 5 may be a servo motor. A plurality of dispensing tips arranged in a line can be attached to and detached from the dispensing head 6, and liquid can be sucked and discharged from the dispensing tips.
[0013]
For example, 12 syringes (not shown) are configured to be driven by one stepping motor, and the individual intervals of the syringes are arranged at the same 9 mm pitch as the well interval of the microplate 11, and the dispensing tips 8 are mounted. Then, the liquid is sucked and discharged by driving the syringe. Below the movable range of the dispensing head 6 attached to the robot 5, a dispensing tip container 9 in which the dispensing tips 8 can be arranged at the same 9 mm pitch as the well interval of the microplate 11, and a reagent container 10 containing the reagent. A microplate 11 containing a specimen to be tested and a disposal container 14 for discarding the used dispensing tip 8 are disposed.
[0014]
The microplate 11 is formed by arranging a plurality of wells in the form of a grid with n vertical and horizontal m, and has, for example, 8 × 12 96 wells. In addition, the dispensing head 6 can turn 90 degrees, and is configured so that the dispensing operation can be performed from both the vertical and horizontal directions of the microplate 11.
[0015]
The control device 3 controls the robot 5 to position the dispensing head 6 at a desired position, and controls the dispensing head 6 to execute liquid suction and discharge operations.
The automatic dispensing apparatus main body 2 is provided with a cover 15 on the ceiling portion and the side surface portion so that the hand does not enter the main body. In addition, the operator opens a front door (not shown) to prepare a reagent, a test sample, and the like, and closes the door to operate the automatic dispensing apparatus 1 when the operation is executed. The door is provided with a reed switch 16 that detects opening and closing. In order to ensure safety to the human body, when the door is opened, the contact of the reed switch 16 is opened, the power supply line that electrically drives the motor of each axis is cut off, and the robot 5 is stopped.
[0016]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the arrangement of each container from above. Dispensing tip containers 9a and 9b for accommodating and arranging dispensing tips 8 on the left side, reagent containers 10a and 10b in the center, and microplate 11 on the right side. And a disposal container 14 are arranged. In the reagent container 10a, the area for injecting the reagent is divided into the rows A to H, and in the reagent container 10b, the area for injecting the reagent is divided into the columns 1 to 12, so that different reagents can be injected. it can. When the dispensing head 6 is oriented vertically, the dispensing tip container 9a and the reagent container 10a are used, and when the dispensing head 6 is oriented horizontally, the dispensing tip container 9b and the reagent container 10b are used.
[0017]
The disposal container 14 is sized so that it can be discarded regardless of whether the dispensing head 6 is in the vertical or horizontal orientation. The arrangement shown in FIG. 2 is an example, and these containers may be freely arranged. However, the arrangement information needs to be input and stored in the control device 3 in advance.
[0018]
When a reagent reaction test is performed, since the reagent is generally kept cold, a cooler 12 is placed under the reagent container 10 as shown in FIG. 1 to keep the reagent cool at, for example, 4 ° C. In order to execute a so-called incubation operation in which the temperature is kept constant, the microplate 11 is placed on a shaker 13 that is shaken at a constant temperature.
[0019]
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the control device 3 is provided with a protocol setting function 30 capable of inputting a protocol such as a reagent reaction test. The process is input using the keyboard 17 or the mouse 18. The edit menu 31 includes steps such as dispensing 31a, dilution 31b, shaker 31c, stop liquid dispensing 31d after incubation, and the operator selects a step from the editing menu 31 and moves it to the protocol display column 32. By doing so, the protocol can be constructed.
[0020]
Furthermore, by selecting an arbitrary step in the protocol display column 32, an information input screen 33 for setting each process is displayed. The contents to be set differ depending on the process, and FIG. 3 shows a setting screen for the stop liquid dispensing process after incubation. The operator uses the reagent selection means 33a to select the type of reaction stop reagent to be dispensed to the microplate 11 from the list of reagents registered in advance. Further, the amount of the reaction stopping reagent to be dispensed to the microplate 11 is set using the dispensing amount setting means 33b.
[0021]
Furthermore, the time until the reaction stop reagent is injected is set using the reaction time setting means 33c. Next, using the dispensing area and direction setting means 33d, it is set to which of the 96 wells of the microplate 11 the reaction stop reagent is to be dispensed, and when dispensing to the microplate. You can set the orientation. By performing the above settings, the automatic dispensing apparatus 1 can perform the stop liquid dispensing step after incubation, but further displays a detailed setting screen (not shown) by selecting the detailed setting button 33e. In addition, means for performing detailed settings such as setting of the speed of the syringe during suction and discharge are also provided.
[0022]
The operator constructs a protocol 40 as shown in FIG. The control device 3 has a function of developing from the constructed protocol 40 to detailed steps for operating the automatic dispensing device main body 2. The specific operation of the protocol 40 will be described later. For example, in the dispensing process shown in step 1 of the protocol 40, the operation of mounting the dispensing tip 8 on the dispensing head 6 (41a), the reagent 1 is aspirated. The operation is expanded to an operation block 41 for dispensing reagents, such as an operation (41b), an operation (41c) for injecting into the microplate 11, and an operation (41d) for removing the dispensing tip 8 from the dispensing head 6.
[0023]
Further, the operation block 41 is expanded into detailed data 42 for actually operating the automatic dispensing apparatus main body 2. Specifically, when the above operation (41a) is expanded, the following 42a to 42e are obtained. In order to move the dispensing head 6 to the turning start position by driving the Z-axis to the preparation position for turning the dispensing head 6 in the 90 degree direction and then simultaneously driving the XY axes (42a: turning preparation moving position). The XY axes are driven simultaneously (42b: movement start position movement), and the XY axes are driven simultaneously to move the dispensing head 6 to the rotation end position (42c: movement end position movement), and the dispensing head 6 is dispensed. In order to mount the tip 8, the XY axes are simultaneously driven and moved to the position above the dispensing tip 8 mounting position, and then the Z axis is driven to move the dispensing head 6 downward to the dispensing tip 8 mounting position (42d: minute). When the tip is mounted), the Z-axis is driven to move the dispensing head 6 upward (42e: Z rise).
The data for actually operating the automatic dispensing device 2 like 42a to 42e is a numerical value obtained by combining the coordinate data from the origins of the XYZ axes and the syringe axes, and the priority indicating the order of driving each axis. It is data.
[0024]
The control device 3 has a function of calculating the operation time of the detailed data 42. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, since the robot 5 is operated by pulse train control of trapezoidal acceleration / deceleration, the movement time, the dispensing operation time, etc. are determined from the predetermined acceleration / deceleration slope, maximum speed, movement distance, etc. Can be calculated. Of course, when a plurality of axes operate simultaneously, an object having a long movement time is selected.
[0025]
In the example shown in FIG. 5, the Z-axis is driven after the X-axis and the Y-axis are simultaneously moved and the positioning of the Y-axis is completed, and then the syringe axis is driven, and these movement times are calculated. Although each operation is controlled by communication, the communication time can be calculated from the number of communication data and the communication speed. Therefore, the time required for each process can be calculated by adding the time required for each operation to execute one process and the communication time.
[0026]
The control device 3 has an operation status display function 60 for displaying the operation status and notifying the operator as shown in FIG. 6 while the automatic dispensing device 1 is in operation. In the protocol display column 61, all the processes are displayed in white at the start of operation, and the processes that have been executed are displayed with a predetermined color according to the operation status. At this time, colors to be given to the processes are set in advance for each process. For example, the display color in step 1 is green, step 2 is pink, and step 3 is light blue.
[0027]
Further, the operation status display column 62 is provided with a step number display 62a being executed and a detailed data display 62b for displaying the contents of the detailed data 42 shown in FIG. Further, the microplate display unit 63 has a color to be added to the process in the protocol display field 61 when a desired liquid is injected into the dispensing area set by the dispensing area and direction setting means 33d shown in FIG. Display the same color. In FIG. 6, it can be easily imagined that it is a diagram showing that the dispensing process of step 6 is being executed.
[0028]
Whether the protocol set using the protocol setting function 30 operates correctly as expected, even if the control device 3 displays the operation status virtually without operating the automatic dispensing device main body 2 alone. It has a protocol simulation function that can be confirmed.
[0029]
This will be specifically described with reference to the process chart of FIG. 4 and FIG. When the protocol check function is started, first, for example, a preset green color is added only to step 1 in the protocol display column 61, and the other steps are displayed in white, indicating that the dispensing process in step 1 is in virtual operation. Indicated. Further, “1” indicating that step 1 is being executed is displayed on the step number display 62a, and “turning preparation position movement” of the detailed data 42a which is the first operation of step 1 is displayed on the detailed data display 62b. The contents of are displayed. In the microplate display unit 63, since no liquid is injected into any well at this time, all 96 wells are displayed in white.
[0030]
Since the operation time of the turning preparation position movement of the detailed data 42a is 2 seconds, the control device 3 rewrites the contents of the detailed data display 62b to “turning start position movement” which is the contents of the detailed data 42b after the passage of 2 seconds. Further, after 0.5 seconds, which is the operation time of the detailed data 42b, has passed, the content of the detailed data display 62b is rewritten to “movement of the turning end position” which is the content of the detailed data 42c.
[0031]
With the above procedure, every time the operation time of the detailed data 42 elapses, the next detailed data 42 is automatically rewritten to the detailed data display 62b. In particular, when the content of the detailed data 42 is to inject a liquid into the microplate 11, the color set for each step is displayed at a desired position on the microplate display unit 63. With this function, it is possible to perform simulation with the control device 3 alone as if it were actually operated.
[0032]
Naturally, after displaying all the detailed data 42 of step 1, the detailed data 42 of step 2 is written in the detailed data display 62b one after another, and a predetermined color is given to step 1 and step 2 of the protocol display column 61. . The step number display 62a displays “2” indicating that step 2 is being executed.
[0033]
When the content of the detailed data 42 is to inject a liquid into the microplate 11, the color set for each step is displayed at a desired position on the microplate display unit 63. At this time, during the execution of the step 2 simulation, the color given to the microplate display unit 63 in step 1 is maintained as it is, and the desired well is overwritten when the liquid is injected into the microplate 11 in step 2. To fill.
[0034]
As a result, the operation status of the process can be visually determined, and the operator can check whether the operation can be performed as expected. For example, the position of the well into which the reagent is injected, the order in which the reagent is injected, and the like can be checked without actually operating.
[0035]
Further, when a desired well of the microplate display unit 63 is selected during the execution of the simulation function, there is a function (not shown) that displays the amount of reagent and the reagent name injected into the well when selected. ing. Of course, when a plurality of reagents are injected, the injection order, reagent name, and reagent amount are displayed. With this function, the history of the reagent injected into the desired well can be confirmed, and the protocol can be checked more reliably.
[0036]
In the same manner as described above, the simulation is performed by virtually displaying the contents after step 3, and after displaying all the steps, a message informing that the simulation has ended is displayed and the process ends.
[0037]
Here, in the shaker start process in step 4 and the stop liquid dispensing process after incubation in step 10, the detailed data 42 includes a timer start process and a timer end process. The control device 3 has a plurality of timer functions inside, and in the timer start process, the designated No timer is once cleared and then started.
[0038]
In addition, regarding the timer end process, the timer No and the time are set, and a process of waiting until the elapsed time of the timer started in the timer start process passes the time set in the timer end process is performed. . Of course, when the time set in the timer end process has already passed, or when the timer end process is set even though the timer start process is not set, how to assemble the protocol Therefore, it has a function of displaying the contents as a message and notifying the operator.
[0039]
In the above description of the simulation, the actual operation time of the detailed data 42 and the actual timer setting time are used, but the protocol for a reagent reaction test such as a drug metabolism test usually takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour. Yes, it is not efficient to display the simulation with actual operating time.
[0040]
Therefore, the control device 3 has a function of shortening and displaying the actual operation time when performing the simulation. Further, it has a function of setting how much time is reduced with respect to the actual operation time. For example, it can be set from 1 to 20 times speed. When the setting is set to 20 times, the timing at which the content of the detailed data 42b is written in the detailed data display 62b is set as the operation time of the detailed data 42 ÷ 20 [seconds]. By setting the time divided by 20 [seconds], the simulation can be performed 20 times faster than the actual operation time. As a result, for example, a reagent reaction test that requires one hour of operation can be virtually checked in 3 minutes, thereby increasing the operator's work efficiency.
[0041]
The reason why the simulation double speed can be set here is that the operator can set the desired double speed because there is a risk of overlooking the operation check if the simulation speed is too high.
[0042]
By the way, when simulating the timer termination process, it waits until a set time elapses. However, in a drug metabolism test, it is not uncommon to set the reaction time to 10 minutes or 30 minutes. Even if it is doubled, it is not efficient to keep waiting in the meantime. Therefore, it is possible to further shorten the simulation time by providing a function of skipping the remaining time until the set time elapses.
[0043]
Furthermore, the control device 3 has a function of calculating the operation time of the entire protocol from the required time when the simulation is performed and displaying it to the operator. For example, if the simulation speed is set to 20 times and the elapsed time check in the timer end process is not skipped, the time from the start to the end of the simulation is measured, and the time obtained by multiplying the time by 20 is actually operated. This corresponds to the operation time when the operation is performed.
[0044]
Also, if you want to skip the double speed of the simulation, for example, 20 times and check the elapsed time, add the skipped time (remaining time until the set time elapses) to the time spent for the simulation. The running time when going can be calculated. By notifying the operator of this time, it becomes possible for the operator to predict the remaining operation time when the operation is actually performed, and the fluorescent plate reader (FIG. 5) performed after the automatic dispensing device 1 is operated. It is possible to improve the efficiency of the entire reagent reaction test including the automatic dispensing device 1.
[0045]
Next, the actual operation will be described below using the protocol 40 shown in FIG. 4 as an example. First, the operator manually adds 6 μL of a test sample to the wells in the first row A to E of the microplate 11 in advance, sets the sample on the shaker 13, closes the door, and starts operation.
[0046]
In the process number 1, the automatic dispensing apparatus 1 attaches five dispensing chips 8 of the first row A to E set in the dispensing chip container 9b, and aspirates the reagent 1 in the reagent container 10b by 144 μL. Dispensing into the wells of the first row A to E of the microplate 11 placed on the shaker 13. In addition, since the amplitude of the shaker 13 is about ± 1 mm, which is sufficiently small with respect to the diameter of the well of the microplate 11, the dispensing operation is possible even during the incubation operation. When the dispensing operation is completed, the dispensing tip 8 is discarded into the disposal container 14 in order to avoid contamination.
[0047]
In the process number 2, the automatic dispensing device 1 mounts eleven second to twelfth dispensing tips 8 in row A set in the dispensing tip container 9a. Before this operation, the dispensing head 6 is turned 90 degrees to complete the turning operation. Aspirate 100 μL from the reagent 2 contained in the reagent A of the reagent container 10 a and dispense into the wells of the A-rows 2 to 12 of the microplate 11 on the shaker 13. Thereafter, 100 μL of the reagent 2 is sucked again from A of the reagent container 10a, and then dispensed into the 2nd to 12th wells in the B row.
[0048]
This operation is repeated and executed up to row E to discard the dispensing tip 8. Note that the dispensing head 6 may be turned using, for example, an actuator such as a stepping motor or a solenoid. Alternatively, a circular member is provided on the dispensing head, a contact member is provided on the main body at a position where it can come into contact with the dispensing head, and the circular member and the contact member are moved to the X axis or the Y axis while being in contact with each other. Anyway. The rotation axis coincides with the center of the dispensing head 6.
[0049]
For the dilution in the process number 3, first, the dispensing head 6 is swung to mount the second row of dispensing tips 8 set in the dispensing tip container 9b. It moves to the 1st row | line | column of the microplate 11 on the shaker 13, and the pipetting operation | movement which immerses the dispensing tip 8 in the liquid of the well of 1st row | line AE and sucks and discharges the liquid is repeated 5 times. Thereafter, 50 μL is sucked, and 50 μL is discharged to the wells in the adjacent second rows A to E. Similarly, dispense 50 μL from the second column to the third column and dilute.
[0050]
Such an operation is repeated up to the eighth row, and the dispensing tip 8 is discarded into the waste container 14 together with 50 μL sucked from the eighth row. By this step, diluted specimens are generated from the first row to the eighth row of the microplate 11.
[0051]
In step number 4, shaking of the shaker 13 is started to shake the microplate 11 at a constant temperature, for example, 37 ° C. for 2 minutes. The controller 3 executes the next step after incubating for 2 minutes.
[0052]
Process numbers 5 to 9 are steps for injecting reagents into the rows A to E of the microplate 11, and timers A to E provided for each row of the microplate 11 measure the time from the time when the reagents are injected. This will be described below.
[0053]
In the process number 5, the direction of the dispensing head 6 is turned to the direction of the A row, and the B row 1 to 12 dispensing tips 8 set in the dispensing tip container 9a are mounted. Next, 100 μL is aspirated from the reagent 3 contained in B of the reagent container 10 a, and dispensed to the wells in the first to twelfth rows of the A row of the microplate 11 on the shaker 13. Immediately thereafter, the control device 3 clears the timer A to 0 and starts (counts up) the timer A. For example, the timer A counts up in units of 1/1000 second. After dispensing, the 12 dispensing tips 8 are discarded into the disposal container 14.
[0054]
In Step No. 6, as in Step No. 5, 100 μL of the reagent 4 contained in C of the reagent container 10a is aspirated and dispensed to the wells in the B row 1st to 12th of the microplate 11. Immediately thereafter, the control device 3 clears the timer B to 0 and starts the timer B.
Thereafter, the same operation is performed up to the process number 9, the reagents 5 to 7 are dispensed to the respective columns C to E of the microplate 11, and the timer C, the timer D, and the timer E are started.
Since the time required for the dispensing operation is 50 seconds each, the timer B starts with a delay of 50 seconds with respect to the timer A, and the timer C starts with a delay of 50 seconds with respect to the timer B. The same applies to timers D and E.
[0055]
In the process number 10, after incubating the microplate 11 into which the reagent has been injected at 37 ° C. for 30 minutes, 75 μL of the stop reagent is dispensed into the rows A to E. First, the dispensing tip 8 is mounted from the G row of the dispensing tip container 9a, and 75 μL of the reagent 8 which is a reaction stopping reagent set in H of the reagent container 10a is inhaled.
[0056]
The incubation operation is performed while comparing the desired reaction time of 30 minutes, that is, 1800 seconds with the time of timer A. When timer A reaches the desired time of 1800 seconds, reagent 8 is injected into row A of microplate 11. After the injection, the reagent 8 is aspirated again and waits in the B row of the microplate. When the timer B reaches 1800 seconds, the reagent 8 is injected into the B row.
[0057]
Thereafter, the same operation is repeatedly executed, the reagent 8 is injected up to the E column, and the reagent reaction in each of the A to E columns is stopped. Note that the standby position until the reaction time elapses does not necessarily have to wait above the well, and may be kept at a position where there is no problem even if the stop solution is dropped. In the case of a stop reagent with strict temperature control, if the stop reagent is sucked into the dispensing tip 8 and left to stand, the temperature of the stop reagent changes depending on the ambient temperature, so that the reagent container immediately before the reaction time elapses. What is necessary is just to make it suck | inhale from H of 10a. In subsequent operations, the operator takes out the microplate 11 and measures the fluorescence intensity of the reaction product with a fluorescence plate reader (not shown).
[0058]
In the above-described embodiment, an example is described in which the dispensing tip 8 is discarded, but a fixed dispensing tip that is used while being washed may be used. In addition, although an example using the 96-well microplate 11 has been described, the application of the present invention is easy if the dispensing head 6 for the 384-well and 1536-well microplate 11 handling a minute amount is used. is there.
[0059]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, when the operator constructs a protocol in the control device of the automatic dispensing device, the automatic dispensing device is provided with a function for virtually displaying the operation status of the protocol on the display means of the control device and performing a simulation. It is possible to provide an easy-to-use automatic dispensing device that can check the operation of the protocol without actually driving the device.
[0060]
Further, according to the present invention, the simulation can be performed in a short time by providing a function for shortening the actual operation time of the automatic dispensing apparatus and further providing a function for skipping the timer elapsed waiting time. An efficient automatic dispensing device capable of performing an operation check can be provided.
Furthermore, by providing a function for calculating and displaying the actual operation time when the simulation is performed, an automatic dispensing device that improves the working efficiency of the entire reagent reaction test can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an automatic dispensing device.
FIG. 2 shows an arrangement example of a dispensing tip container, a reagent container, a microplate, and a waste container.
FIG. 3 shows a protocol setting screen.
FIG. 4 shows an example protocol for a drug metabolism test and detailed data for operation.
FIG. 5 shows an example of a robot operation when calculating an execution time.
FIG. 6 shows a screen when simulating a protocol.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 is an automatic dispensing device, 2 is an automatic dispensing device body, 3 is a control device, 4 is a communication cable, 5 is a transfer means, 6 is a dispensing head, 7 is a circuit unit, 8 is a dispensing tip, and 9 is dispensing. Note container 10, reagent container, 11 microplate, 30 protocol setting function, 31 editing menu, 32 protocol display column during protocol setting, 33 information input means, 40 example protocol, 41 operation Block, 42 is detailed data, 60 is an operation status display function, 61 is a protocol display column during operation status display, 62 is an operation status display column, and 63 is a microplate display section.

Claims (7)

A plurality of dispensing tip mounted dispensing head capable suction and discharge of liquid in a row, mounting the dispensing head to the tip, and positionable transport means to move the 3-dimensional space, before Symbol min A reagent container containing a reagent placed below the movable range of the injection head and a microplate having a plurality of wells in which a sample is stored formed in a lattice shape, movement of the transfer means, and aspiration of the reagent by a dispensing tip A control device having a means for controlling the discharge and the like and constructing and inputting the operation steps such as movement, suction and discharge, and a display means for displaying the operation status of the operation steps; An automatic dispensing device that dispenses the reagent inside and reacts in the microplate,
Without executing the constructed operation process by the control unit, that the operating conditions of the operation process was to be testable simulate quality of the virtual display to the constructed operation process on the display means of the control device Automatic dispensing device characterized by A dispensing head that is equipped with a plurality of dispensing tips arranged in a line and is capable of sucking and discharging a liquid, a dispensing head attached to the tip, a transfer means that can be moved and positioned in a three-dimensional space, and the dispensing A reagent container containing a reagent placed below the movable range of the head and a microplate in which a plurality of wells for containing a sample are formed in a lattice shape, movement of the transfer means, aspiration of a reagent, etc. by a dispensing tip A controller for controlling the discharge and the like and constructing and inputting the operation process such as movement, suction and discharge, and a display device for displaying the operation status of the operation process. An automatic dispensing device that dispenses the reagents and reacts in the microplate,
The operation constructed by virtually displaying the operation status of the operation process on the display means of the control device in a time shorter than the actual operation time of the automatic dispensing device without executing the operation process constructed by the control means. automatic dispensing device characterized in that the quality of the process was to be a verifiable simulation. Wherein comprising a means for calculating the operating time of each step of the operation process, an automatic dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein it is possible simulation to shorten the operation time. Automatic dispenser according to claim 1, wherein it is possible to set the time of the operation process in the simulation speed. When the desired time wait is to operation step stops the operation of the automatic dispensing device is set, the automatic dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the simulation is performed omitting the waiting time. 2. The automatic dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein during the execution of the simulation, the dispensing order, the dispensing amount, and the type of the reagent injected into a desired well of the microplate can be displayed.   The automatic dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the automatic dispensing apparatus has a function of performing the simulation and calculating and displaying a total operation time.

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