JPH0140310B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer for automatically chemically analyzing samples such as blood and urine.

Automatic analyzers are broadly divided into single-channel systems with one reaction line and multi-channel systems with multiple reaction lines. The former has a simple structure but has a low processing capacity, and the latter has a complex structure but has a high processing capacity. In addition, the automatic analyzer
Depending on the transfer type of the reaction tube, various reaction lines are constructed, such as a conveyor type reaction line, a circular reaction line, a rectangular reaction line, and a snake chain reaction line.

However, in a conveyor-type reaction line, about half of the reaction tubes face downward, and only cleaning and drying can be performed in this part, so there is a drawback that the number of reaction tubes must be larger than necessary. Particularly in the reaction tube direct photometry method, the reaction tubes used are expensive and therefore cost-effective. In addition, if the thermostatic chamber is a liquid bath, when the reaction tube is turned over, the thermostatic liquid may fall downward, or when the device is not in use, such as at night, it may not be possible to fill all the reaction tubes with water or detergent. The disadvantage is that the remaining liquid sticks to the reaction tube, causing poor data during measurement. Furthermore, when measuring a plurality of different items using a single reaction line, there is a drawback that it is difficult to separate and store the waste liquid for each item.

In a circular reaction line, the pitch radius of the innermost reaction tube is determined by the diameter of the reaction tube and the required number of reaction tubes, and therefore has the disadvantage that it cannot be made smaller than a certain level. Therefore, as the number of channels increases, space is wasted. To solve this problem, arranging the reaction tubes in a staggered manner in a circular reaction line solves the space problem to some extent, but creates a new drawback in that the dispensing and transporting mechanisms for samples and reagents become complicated.

In a rectangular reaction line, it is difficult to transfer the reaction tubes in one motion, and each reaction tube module is separated, resulting in a complicated structure and unstable operation.

Furthermore, the snake chain type reaction line requires a large space to be used, and has the disadvantage that it cannot operate in a narrow space. In particular, when a multi-channel system is adopted, reaction tubes corresponding to the number of channels must be transferred within the time it takes to move the reaction tubes one pitch, making the transfer mechanism extremely difficult.

Furthermore, when photometrically measuring a test liquid, automatic analyzers include a method in which the test liquid is taken out of the reaction tube using a flow cell or the like, and a method in which light is transmitted directly into the reaction tube. For example, the former method has the disadvantage that measurement accuracy decreases due to contamination between test solutions.

On the other hand, when photometry of a test solution is performed by direct photometry of a reaction tube without using a flow cell, in a multi-channel device, there are multiple reaction tubes in the direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the reaction tube, making photometry impossible. Put it away. To solve this problem, as shown in Figure 1, the reaction tubes are arranged at an angle with respect to their traveling direction, and only one test tube is placed on the optical axis between the light source 1 and the light receiving element 2. It may be configured so that

However, this configuration has the disadvantage that the reaction line becomes long in comparison to the processing capacity, and the entire apparatus becomes large.

In addition, there is a method that uses a reflector to bend the optical path to solve the above-mentioned problem. Various types of photometric devices have been proposed in the past as such photometric devices using direct photometry in a reaction tube, and one known example is the device shown in FIG. 2. In this device, a plurality of interference filters 3 are installed on the optical path in order to select light of a predetermined wavelength from the light source 1. The interference filter 3 is held by an interference filter holding member 4 and connected to a pulse motor 6 via a rotation shaft 5. By operating the pulse motor 6, the interference filter can rotate the holding member 4, and a predetermined interference filter 3 can be placed on the optical path. The monochromatic light that has passed through the interference filter 3 is reflected by the reflector 7, passes through the reaction tube 8, is reflected by the reflector 9, and is transmitted to the light receiving element 2.
incident on . With this configuration, this device has a light source 1
The sample liquid contained in the reaction tube 8 is irradiated with the light emitted from the interference filter 3 and the reflector 7, and the light is received by the light receiving element 2 via the reflector 9, thereby detecting the sample liquid. The absorbance is measured and the reaction state of the test liquid is investigated.

However, when this photometric device is used as shown in Figure 3, the distance between the reaction tubes in the direction perpendicular to the direction of reaction tube transfer must be left wide enough to allow the reflector to pass through, which lengthens the reaction line and reduces the overall length of the device. It has the disadvantage of being large.

The purpose of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art,
The object is to provide an automatic analyzer having the following advantages.

(1) Does not take up space.

(2) There are almost no wasted reaction tubes.

(3) All reaction tubes can be filled with water or detergent when stopped.

(4) There is no leakage of constant temperature liquid from the equipment.

(5) Photometry can be performed without contamination between test solutions.

The present invention provides a multi-channel analyzer in which a large number of reaction vessels each having a reaction chamber consisting of a plurality of recesses are arranged in substantially the same horizontal plane with two semicircular parts and two straight parts connecting them. The method is characterized in that it is configured to carry out photometry by transmitting light along an oval reaction line arranged in the semicircular part and passing through the reaction tube in an erect state in the semicircular part. It is something.

The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an example of a rectangular reaction container used in the automatic analyzer of the present invention.

The reaction vessel 11 is provided with a reaction tube 14 consisting of a plurality of recesses 13 arranged in two rows on a flat plate portion 12 . Reaction vessel 1
1 may be integrally molded of synthetic resin, and the reaction tube 14 may be made of glass in order to improve the rising characteristics of the test liquid temperature. Reaction tube 14 of this reaction container 11
The number is the number of channels of the analyzer that uses this reaction vessel 11, and one reaction vessel 11 measures one sample.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view diagrammatically showing the configuration of an example of a reaction container transfer mechanism having an oval reaction line used in the automatic analyzer of the present invention.

One end of a plurality of reaction vessels 11 is attached to an endless belt 15, and this endless belt 15 is attached to two ends.
Two sprockets 16 and 17 engage in the same horizontal plane to form a belt mechanism. The sprocket 16 is connected to a drive mechanism 19 via a substantially vertical pivot shaft 18. In the operation of the reaction container transfer mechanism having such a configuration, the drive mechanism 19 intermittently rotates the sprocket 16 to transfer the endless belt 15, so that the reaction container 11 is also intermittently transferred.
The rotation of the drive mechanism 19 may be controlled by using a pulse motor to rotate by a predetermined number of pulses, or by using a normal AC or DC motor and a micro switch installed in the transfer mechanism. The reaction vessel 11 may be moved intermittently one step at a time using a photo switch. In addition, this transfer mechanism may be a chain instead of a belt. If a constant temperature bath is provided and it is difficult to seal the rotating member 18 and the liquid in the constant temperature bath, the drive mechanism 19 may be provided above the sprocket 16. good.

FIG. 6 is a plan view diagrammatically showing a part of the configuration of an example of the reaction line of the automatic analyzer of the present invention.

First, a dispensing mechanism (not shown) for dispensing samples, reagents, etc. along the straight part of the oval reaction line 21 is attached to the main body of the apparatus. A colorimetric photometry section 29 using a reaction tube direct photometry device shown in is provided. In an automatic analyzer having such a configuration, reaction vessels 11a, 11b, and 11c are dispensed with predetermined samples, reagents, etc. by a dispensing mechanism (not shown) in a straight section of the reaction line 21, and after a predetermined reaction time has elapsed.
is located in the semicircular part of the reaction line 21. These reaction vessels 11a, 11b, and 11c are all located at a larger distance from each other than the straight portion of the reaction line 21, so that photometry can be performed by inserting the reactor shown in FIG. 2 into this distance. When the reaction line has two or more rows of reaction tubes, the rows of reaction tubes are arranged at an angle with respect to the direction of transfer of the reaction tubes, as shown in FIG. Even if you do this, the overall space will not expand much. Note that the present invention
The embodiments described above are not limited to the examples described above, and numerous modifications and changes are possible. For example, the optical path of the optical system of the colorimetric measuring section 29 may be provided parallel to the vertical plane as shown in FIG. 2, or may be provided parallel to the horizontal plane.
Furthermore, a plurality of optical paths of the optical system may be provided according to the number of reaction tubes without moving the optical system.

As is clear from the above explanation, according to the automatic analyzer of the present invention, reaction vessels having a plurality of reaction tubes are arranged in an oval reaction line, so there are almost no wasted reaction tubes even in a multi-channel reaction line. Since the reaction tube drive mechanism is simple and does not take up much space, it has the advantage of being able to be used as a compact automatic analyzer. Additionally, since the mouth of the reaction tube is always placed facing upward, it is possible to keep it filled with water and detergent even when the tube is stopped, and test liquid does not stick to the reaction tube. Another advantage is that the constant temperature liquid does not leak. Furthermore, since photometry is performed in the semicircular portion where the distance between the reaction vessels is large, sufficient space for arranging the photometry section can be obtained. Furthermore, since photometry is performed by directly transmitting light into the reaction tube, there is no contamination between test solutions and highly accurate photometry is possible.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the configuration of an example of a multi-channel reaction tube arrangement, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view diagrammatically showing the configuration of an example of a photometry device using reaction tube direct photometry, and FIG. , FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of using the photometric device in a multi-channel reaction line, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an example of a reaction vessel used in the automatic analyzer of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view diagrammatically showing a configuration of an example of a reaction vessel transfer mechanism of an automatic analyzer of the present invention; FIG. FIG. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Light source, 2... Light receiving element, 3... Interference filter, 7, 9... Reflector, 11... Reaction container, 1
2... flat plate part, 13... recessed part, 14... reaction tube,
15... Endless belt, 16, 17... Sprocket, 18... Rotating shaft, 19... Drive mechanism,
21... Reaction tube transfer line, 29... Colorimetric measurement section.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a multi-channel analyzer, a large number of reaction vessels each having a reaction tube consisting of a plurality of recesses are placed in almost the same horizontal plane with two semicircular parts and two straight parts connecting them. An automatic analyzer characterized in that the automatic analyzer is configured to perform photometry by transmitting light along an elliptical reaction line arranged and configured, and directly transmitting light to a reaction tube in an erect state in the semicircular portion. .