JP6412382B2 - Sample analyzer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a sample analyzer .

  Conventionally, a technique for detecting a liquid level using a conductive nozzle for collecting a liquid sample in a container is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-064661 A

However, in the sample analyzer using the conductive nozzle of Patent Document 1, when an electrolyte cleaning liquid (for example, a solution containing sodium ions) is supplied to the nozzle, the cleaning liquid supply path functions as an antenna in some cases. That is, this supply path becomes a noise source, or noise caused by other equipment is received by this supply path. As a result, there arises a problem that a change in capacitance and a change in impedance during liquid level detection cannot be measured correctly.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a sample analyzer that can satisfactorily perform liquid level detection even when an electrolyte solution is supplied to a nozzle via a supply pipe.

To solve the above problems, the invention of claim 1, a sample analyzer, and a storage unit for storing a specimen, a cylindrical nozzle having an electrically conductive, have been of the specimen stored in the reservoir Based on a change in capacitance, an elevating unit that elevates and lowers the nozzle relative to the liquid level, and whether the tip of the nozzle raised and lowered by the elevating unit has reached the liquid level of the specimen. a detector that, the nozzle communicating with the connected Rutotomoni, a supply pipe, which is formed by a dielectric, is provided on the supply pipe, in a state where the tip of the nozzle is immersed in said sample, wherein An electrolyte cleaning liquid that is provided in the supply pipe and is supplied from a liquid supply unit and that flows through the supply pipe, while a specimen is sucked into the nozzle and the specimen in the nozzle can be pushed out. The A discharge portion for discharging from the nozzle, the is provided in the supply pipe, comprising said cleaning liquid flowing through the supply pipe, and a grounding portion for electrically connecting the reference potential point, the cleaning liquid in the supply pipe when the flow direction of the reference, the pump, as well as provided on the downstream side of the discharge portion, the ground portion is characterized that you have provided between the discharge portion and the liquid supply part.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the sample analyzer according to the first aspect, a valve provided in the supply pipe is disposed between the discharge section and the pump.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the sample analyzer according to the first or second aspect, the grounding portion is a conductor provided in a part of the supply pipe.

In the first to third aspects of the invention, the liquid level detection of the specimen based on the change in capacitance is performed in a state where the electrolyte cleaning liquid flowing through the supply pipe is grounded. As a result, the supply pipe becomes a noise source, and the problem that the capacitance change cannot be detected correctly due to this noise, and the noise in the sample analyzer or other equipment are received by the supply pipe. Can be prevented.

Therefore, even when the electrolyte cleaning liquid is circulated through the supply pipe, it can be well determined whether or not the tip of the nozzle has reached the liquid surface of the sample , and erroneous detection of the liquid surface position can occur. Can be prevented.

In particular, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the electrical connection between the reference potential point and the ground portion can be facilitated. Therefore, the potential of the cleaning liquid flowing through the supply pipe can be easily set to the reference potential.

It is a perspective view which shows an example of the external appearance of the sample analyzer in embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the principal part of the sample analyzer in embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows an example of a structure of a sample processing unit. It is a perspective view which shows an example of a structure of a sample processing unit. It is a perspective view which shows an example of a structure of a sample processing unit. It is a perspective view which shows an example of a structure of a sample processing unit. It is a figure which shows an example of the piping structure of a sample analyzer. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of a control unit. It is a figure for demonstrating the principle of the liquid level detection based on the change of an electrostatic capacitance. It is a figure for demonstrating the principle of the liquid level detection based on the change of an electrostatic capacitance.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<1. Configuration of Sample Analyzer>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an appearance of a sample analyzer 1 in an embodiment of the present invention. Here, the sample analyzer 1 is a device that examines the concentration of a liquid sample such as urine (for example, glucose and protein) and the specific gravity of the sample. As shown in FIG. 1, a transport unit 3 is provided on the front surface of the sample analyzer 1. The casing 1a of the sample analyzer 1 is mainly provided with a display unit 8 and a warning lamp 9.

  In FIG. 1 and the subsequent drawings, in order to facilitate understanding of each component described in the drawings, an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system in which the Z-axis direction is a vertical direction and the XY plane is a horizontal plane as necessary. Is attached.

  The transport unit 3 transports one or a plurality of Spitz tubes 5 from the transport position of the transport platform 6 to the transport position of the transport platform 6 via the sampling position below the sample processing unit 10. Here, each Spitz tube 5 is a reservoir for storing the specimen (first liquid). As shown in FIG. 1, each Spitz tube 5 is transported in a state of leaning on a transport table 6.

  The display unit 8 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display, and has a function as a “touch panel” that can specify a position on the screen by touching the screen with a finger or a dedicated pen. Therefore, the user of the sample analyzer 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as “user”) gives an instruction using the “touch panel” function of the display unit 8 based on the content displayed on the display unit 8. The sample analyzer 1 can execute a predetermined process (for example, start analysis of the sample stored in the Spitz tube 5). Thus, the display unit 8 can be used as an input unit that receives an input operation from the user.

  The warning light 9 is a notifying unit for notifying the user of the operation status of the sample analyzer 1, and is formed of a transparent body such as an acrylic rod. As shown in FIG. 1, the warning lamp 9 has a transparent main body 9a and a lighting part 9b whose surface is made opaque by polishing or the like. Thereby, when light is guided from the end of the main body 9a to the warning lamp 9, the lighting unit 9b emits light in a color corresponding to the guided light.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a main part of the sample analyzer 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the sample analyzer 1 mainly includes a sample processing unit 10, a transfer unit 40, a test unit 70, and a control unit 90.

  The sample processing unit 10 discharges the sample sucked into the nozzle 11 from the Spitz tube 5 at a desired position (for example, each test pad 7a of the test body 7 placed on the transfer unit 40). The detailed configuration of the sample processing unit 10 will be described later.

  The transfer unit 40 transfers the test body 7 in which the sample is discharged to each test pad 7 a from the sample processing unit 10 to the test unit 70. As shown in FIG. 2, the transfer direction (arrow AR1 direction) of the test body 7 is substantially orthogonal to the forward / backward direction (arrow AR2 direction) of the nozzle 11.

  The inspection unit 70 images each test pad 7a and performs image processing on the acquired image data, thereby determining the measurement item corresponding to each test pad 7a.

  The control unit 90 is electrically connected to the sample processing unit 10, the transfer unit 40, and the test unit 70 via signal lines 98 and 99, and controls the operations of these elements 10, 40 and 70. The detailed configuration of the control unit 90 will be described later.

<2. Configuration of Sample Processing Unit>
Each of FIG. 3 to FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the sample processing unit 10. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the sample processing unit 10 mainly includes a nozzle 11, an elevating unit 15, and an advancing / retreating unit 20.

  The nozzle 11 is a cylindrical body formed of a conductive material. From the tip 11a of the nozzle 11, the aspirated specimen or cleaning liquid can be discharged. The configuration of the piping connected to the nozzle 11 will be described later.

  The elevating unit 15 elevates and lowers the nozzle 11 with respect to the liquid level of the specimen stored in the Spitz tube 5. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the elevating unit 15 mainly includes an elevating table 16, a feed screw 17, an elevating motor 18, and an elevating guide 19.

  The elevator 16 is a plate-like body to which the nozzle 11 is fixed, and has a screw hole that is screwed with the feed screw 17. The lifting platform 16 is slidable with respect to a lifting guide 19 arranged in parallel with the feed screw 17. Further, the feed screw 17 is connected to the rotating shaft of the lifting motor 18.

  As a result, the elevator motor 18 is rotated in the positive direction or the negative direction, whereby the elevator table 16 is moved along the extending direction of the feed screw 17 and the elevator guide 19 (arrow AR3 direction). Therefore, the nozzle 11 can be moved up and down between a suction position (see FIG. 4) for sucking the specimen stored in the Spitz tube 5 and a retreat position (see FIG. 5) above the Spitz tube 5.

  The advancing / retreating unit 20 advances and retracts the elevating unit 15 between the upper position of the Spitz tube 5 and the upper position of the transfer unit 40. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the advancing / retreating portion 20 mainly includes upper and lower guides 21, 22, pulleys 24 (24 a, 24 b), a belt 25, an advancing / retreating motor 27, a fixture 28, have.

  The upper and lower guides 21 and 22 slide the elevating unit 15 along the forward / backward direction (arrow AR2 direction). The pulley 24 (24a, 24b) rotates around an axis substantially parallel to the arrow AR1 direction. A belt 25 is hung on the outer periphery of the pulley 24 (24a, 24b). The shaft center of the pulley 24 a is connected to the rotation shaft of the advance / retreat motor 27. Further, the elevating part 15 is fixed to the belt 25 by a fixing tool 28.

  Thereby, the advancing / retreating motor 27 is rotated in the positive direction or the negative direction, whereby the elevating part 15 is moved along the advancing / retreating direction (arrow AR2 direction). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the nozzle 11 can advance and retreat between a sample suction position and a discharge position for discharging the sample to the test body 7.

<3. Sample Analyzer Piping Configuration>
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the piping configuration of the supply system and the discharge system in the sample analyzer 1. Here, piping connected to the supply system of the gas supply unit 45 and the cleaning liquid supply unit 50 will be described.

  The gas supply unit 45 is a supply source that supplies gas to the nozzle 11. As shown in FIG. 7, the gas supply unit 45 is connected to the nozzle 11 through a pipe 46 and a common pipe 49. The gas mixing pump 47 is provided in the pipe 46 and sends gas to the nozzle 11 side. The valve 48 is an electromagnetic valve provided in the pipe 46. The valve 48 is provided on the downstream side of the gas mixing pump 47 when the gas flow direction in the pipe 46 (that is, the flow direction from the gas supply unit 45 to the nozzle 11) is used as a reference.

  Thus, the gas is supplied to the nozzle 11 by driving the gas mixing pump 47 with the valve 48 opened. Here, when air is adopted as the gas supplied to the nozzle 11, the air in the atmosphere may be introduced into the pipe 46 without providing the special gas supply unit 45. That is, one end of the pipe 46 is opened.

  The cleaning liquid supply unit 50 is a supply source that supplies an electrolyte cleaning liquid (for example, a solution containing sodium ions) (second liquid) to the nozzle 11 and a cleaning unit (not shown). As shown in FIG. 7, the cleaning liquid supply unit 50 is connected to the nozzle 11 through a pipe 51 and a common pipe 49. Here, as a material of the pipe 51 and the common pipe 49, for example, a dielectric such as a vinyl tube is employed. The nozzle 11 is cleaned by a cleaning unit (not shown).

  The discharge pump 54 is provided in the pipe 51 and sends the cleaning liquid to the nozzle 11 side. That is, the discharge pump 54 is used as a discharge unit that discharges the cleaning liquid supplied from the cleaning liquid supply unit 50 and flowing through the pipe 51 from the nozzle 11.

  The valve 55 is an electromagnetic valve provided in the pipe 51. When the flow direction of the cleaning liquid in the pipe 51 (the direction of flow from the cleaning liquid supply unit 50 to the nozzle 11) (hereinafter simply referred to as “first flow direction”) is used as a reference, the valve 55 is disposed downstream of the discharge pump 54. Is provided.

  The suction pump 56 is provided on the downstream side of the discharge pump 54 and the valve 55 when the first flow direction is used as a reference. The suction pump 56 can push the sample in the nozzle 11 and the common tube 49 in the first flow direction and suck the sample in the direction opposite to the first flow direction. That is, the suction pump 56 can be used as a suction unit that sucks the specimen 5a into the nozzle 11 in a state where the tip 11a of the nozzle 11 is immersed in the specimen 5a.

  As a result, when the suction operation of the suction pump 56 is executed in a state where the valve 55 is closed, the specimen 5a stored in the Spitz tube 5 is sucked into the nozzle 11 (in some cases, in the common tube 49). Is done. On the other hand, the cleaning liquid is discharged from the nozzle 11 by driving the discharge pump 54 with the valve 55 opened. That is, the pipe 51 and the common pipe 49 are connected to the nozzle 11 and the cleaning liquid supply unit 50 and are used as supply pipes for supplying the cleaning liquid to the nozzle 11.

  In addition, by driving the discharge pump 54 and the gas mixing pump 47 with the valve 48 and the valve 55 being opened, the cleaning liquid containing gas bubbles can be discharged from the nozzle 11. In this case, the cleaning power can be improved as compared with the cleaning liquid without bubbles.

  The grounding part 57 is a cylindrical conductor provided in a part of the pipe 51, and is disposed between the cleaning liquid supply part 50 and the discharge pump 54 as shown in FIG. The cleaning liquid flowing through the pipe 51 comes into contact with the inner wall of the grounding portion 57. Further, the outer periphery of the grounding portion 57 is connected to the reference potential point of the housing 1a, and the electrical connection between the reference potential point of the housing 1a and the grounding portion 57 can be easily performed. Thereby, the potential of the cleaning liquid flowing through the pipe 51 and the common pipe 49 can be easily set to the reference potential. Here, as a material of the grounding portion 57, for example, stainless steel may be employed.

<4. Configuration of control unit>
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the control unit 90. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the control unit 90 mainly includes a CPU 91, a memory 92, a communication control unit 94, and a detection unit 95.

  The CPU 91 executes a data calculation process or the like at a predetermined timing in accordance with a program 92a stored in the memory 92. The communication control unit 94 transmits a control signal to the elevating motor 18, the advancing / retreating motor 27, the gas mixing pump 47, the discharge pump 54, the suction pump 56 and the valves 48 and 55 connected via the signal line 98. be able to. Thereby, the communication control part 94 can operate these elements 18, 27, 47, 48, 54, 55, 56, etc. at a predetermined timing.

  For reasons of space, FIG. 8 shows only the elevating motor 18 and the advancing / retreating motor 27 as elements connected to the signal line 98.

  The detection unit 95 detects whether the tip 11a of the nozzle 11 moved up and down by the elevating unit 15 has reached the liquid level of the sample 5a based on a change in capacitance. As shown in FIG. 8, the detection unit 95 is electrically connected to the nozzle 11 via the signal line 99.

  FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are diagrams for explaining the principle of liquid level detection based on a change in capacitance. Here, assuming that the capacitance value between the nozzle 11 and the reference potential point immediately before the tip 11a of the nozzle 11 reaches the liquid level of the specimen 5a is “C1” (see FIG. 9), the tip 11a of the nozzle 11 is The capacitance value at the time of reaching the liquid level of the specimen 5a is “C1 + C2”.

  That is, when the tip 11a of the nozzle 11 reaches the liquid level of the specimen 5a, the capacitance value between the nozzle 11 and the reference potential point changes steeply by “C2”. Therefore, the detection unit 95 determines whether or not the tip 11a of the nozzle 11 has reached the liquid level by monitoring the change in capacitance.

  By the way, in the case where the pipe 51 and the common pipe 49 connected to the nozzle 11 are formed of a dielectric material such as a vinyl tube, if the electrolyte cleaning liquid is circulated through the pipe 51 and the common pipe 49, the following Such a problem arises.

  That is, the flow path (supply pipe) of the cleaning liquid functions as an antenna, and this flow path becomes a noise source, or noise in the sample analyzer 1 or noise caused by other equipment is received by this flow path. . As a result, there arises a problem that the change in capacitance at the time of liquid level detection cannot be measured correctly.

  Therefore, in the sample analyzer 1 of the present embodiment, a grounding portion 57 is provided in the pipe 51 in order to solve such a problem. Thereby, it can block that the channel of cleaning fluid functions as an antenna. Therefore, even when the electrolyte solution is employed as the cleaning solution, the change in capacitance during the liquid level detection can be measured correctly.

<5. Advantages of Sample Analyzer of the Present Embodiment>
As described above, in the sample analyzer 1 of the present embodiment, the liquid level detection of the sample 5a based on the change in capacitance is performed by grounding the electrolyte cleaning liquid flowing through the pipe 51 and the common pipe 49 (supply pipe). It is executed in the state.

  As a result, the pipe 51 and the common pipe 49 become noise sources, and the problem that the change in capacitance cannot be correctly detected due to this noise, and noise in the sample analyzer 1 or noise caused by other equipment. Can be prevented from being received by the pipe 51 and the common pipe 49.

  Therefore, even when the electrolyte cleaning liquid is circulated through the pipe 51 and the common pipe 49, it can be well determined whether or not the tip 11a of the nozzle 11 has reached the liquid level of the specimen 5a. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of false detection.

<6. Modification>
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made.

  (1) In the embodiment of the present invention, the sample analyzer 1 has been described as having the single grounding portion 57, but is not limited to this. The sample analyzer 1 may have a plurality of grounding portions 57.

  (2) In the embodiment of the present invention, the grounding portion 57 has been described as a cylindrical conductor provided in a part of the pipe 51, but is not limited thereto. For example, the grounding unit 57 may include an electrode arranged in the pipe 51 and an electric wire connecting the electrode and a reference potential point outside the pipe 51. That is, the grounding portion 57 is sufficient if it is provided in the pipe 51 and electrically connects the cleaning liquid flowing through the pipe 51 and the reference potential point.

  (3) Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the pipe 51 and the common pipe 49 are described as being supplied with the electrolyte cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid supply section 50, but the use of the liquid is limited to this. Not. That is, even when a liquid supply unit that supplies an electrolyte liquid is used, erroneous detection of the liquid surface position can be similarly prevented.

  (4) In the embodiment of the present invention, the liquid level of the specimen is described as being detected. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the device 1 of the present embodiment can be used as a liquid level detection device that does not limit the liquid level detection target to a liquid sample.

  (5) Furthermore, in the embodiment of the present invention, it has been described that the liquid level detection is performed based on a change in capacitance, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the technique of suppressing the influence of noise by grounding the liquid using the grounding unit 57 is also effective when performing liquid level detection based on impedance change.

1 Sample analyzer (liquid level detector)
5 Spitz tube (reservoir)
5a Sample (first liquid)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Sample processing unit 11 Nozzle 11a Tip 15 Elevating part 40 Transfer unit 49 Common pipe 50 Cleaning liquid supply part (liquid supply part)
51 Piping 54 Discharge pump (discharge section)
56 Suction pump (suction part)
57 Grounding unit 70 Inspection unit 90 Control unit 95 Detection unit

Claims (3)

A sample analyzer comprising :
(a) a reservoir for storing the specimen ;
(b) a cylindrical nozzle having conductivity;
(c) an elevating unit that elevates and lowers the nozzle with respect to the liquid level of the specimen stored in the storage unit;
(d) a detection unit that detects whether or not the tip of the nozzle moved up and down by the lifting unit has reached the liquid level of the specimen , based on a change in capacitance;
(e) said nozzle and communicating connected Rutotomoni, a supply pipe, which is formed by a dielectric,
(f) provided on the supply pipe, in a state where the tip of the nozzle is immersed within said sample, with suctions the specimen in the nozzle, is capable extruding said analyte in said nozzle Pump
(g) a discharge unit that is provided in the supply pipe, is supplied from a liquid supply unit, and discharges the electrolyte cleaning liquid flowing through the supply pipe from the nozzle;
(h) a grounding portion that is provided in the supply pipe and electrically connects the cleaning liquid flowing through the supply pipe and a reference potential point;
Equipped with a,
When based on the flow direction of the cleaning liquid in the supply pipe, the pump is provided on the downstream side of the discharge unit,
The ground portion, the sample analyzer according to claim that you have provided between the discharge portion and the liquid supply part. The sample analyzer according to claim 1,
The valve provided in the supply pipe, the sample analyzer according to claim that you have been placed between the discharge unit and the pump. In the sample analyzer according to claim 1 or 2,
The ground portion, the sample analyzer according to claim conductor der Rukoto provided in a part of the supply pipe.

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