JPH0331392B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for automatically sequentially collecting samples from a large number of containers containing relatively small amounts of sample.

In recent years, automation technology for measurement and analysis has made significant progress, and many excellent automatic measuring devices and automatic analyzing devices are now in practical use. However, in many cases, the operation of supplying samples to these automatic devices is still performed by obtaining samples. Particularly when there are a large number of samples and it is necessary to perform measurements or analyzes one after another, the burden cannot be ignored. True labor savings will be realized by the completion of a device that automatically collects a large number of samples from containers one after another and supplies them to an automatic measuring device or an automatic analyzing device (hereinafter both will be collectively referred to as an automatic measuring device). At the same time, it also significantly improves safety in the case of toxic samples and other samples for which manual manipulation is dangerous.

The present invention was created to achieve this purpose, and is useful not only for general measurements and chemical analysis, but also for the automated field of clinical testing, which has recently been making remarkable progress. It can be automatically collected and transported, and is expected to make a major contribution by solving the risk of infection.

Next, the present invention will be explained in detail by giving examples.

FIG. 1 is an external view of an embodiment of an automatic sample collection device (hereinafter abbreviated as sampler), and FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view thereof.

A large number of sample tubes (a test tube containing a sample and a rubber cap) are set up, the samples in the sample tubes are taken one after another, and a predetermined amount is transferred to an automatic measuring device. 2
01 is a sample tube mounting plate, and sample tube holding ring 2
A large number of sample tube fittings 203 having two sample tube fittings 203 are attached. Note that the sample tube fixture 203 is attached to the sample tube attachment plate 201 via a pin 204, and the sample tube can rotate in a vertical plane about the pin 204. A sample tube 205 is then attached to each sample tube holding ring 202. In FIG. 1, the large number of sample tubes are not shown individually, and most of them are simply shown with dotted lines.

The sample tube mounting plate 201 is supported by a column 226,
It is designed to be rotated by a motor driven by a programmer.

Reference numeral 206 designates a sample collection unit component block, which is equipped with a collection needle holder 207 that can move back and forth like a piston, and has an air supply needle 208 at its tip.
and a collection needle 209 are provided. Air supply needle 20
8 is connected to a tube 215, and the other end of the tube is connected to an air pump 213 controlled by a programmer. A tube is also connected to the sampling needle 209, which exits from the sample sampling block 206 and is connected to an automatic measuring device.

The sampling needle holder 207 is retracted when not sampling, and moves forward only when sampling, and the tips of the air supply needle 208 and sampling needle 209 are attached to the rubber cap 210 of the sample tube.
It is becoming more and more pervasive. Although necessary operations are not shown, they are controlled by a microcomputer.

Next, this operating function will be explained. First, the sampler and the necessary automatic measuring device are electrically connected, and the tube 215 from the sampling needle of the sampler is connected to the sample introduction part of the automatic measuring device. Then, set the required number of sample tubes in the sampler and turn on the power. When the automatic measuring device becomes ready for measurement,
The sample tube mounting plate 201 of the sampler rotates and stops when the sample tube to be sampled first comes to a position opposite the sampling needle 209.

The sample tube rotating lever 211 rotates back and forth several times at an appropriate angle of about 90° about the pin 212, and as shown in FIG.
5 is rotated several times in a strong 90° vertical plane to mix and homogenize the sample in the sample tube. Thereafter, the sample tube rotation lever 210 is stopped at the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 2 for an appropriate period of time. At this time, of course, the sample tube also falls on its side as shown by the solid line in FIG. 2, or in a downward position. Next, the sampling needle holder 207 moves forward, and the air supply needle 208 and sampling needle 209 penetrate the sample tube rubber cap 210.

The air supply pump 213 operates, and air is sent into the sample tube through the air supply needle 208, and the sample 214 is sent to the automatic measuring device by taking the collection needle 209 and the connecting tube 215. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, a sample discrimination tube 214 with a striped pattern consisting of a combination of thick lines and thin lines, for example, is attached to the sample tube 205, and a light, for example, is placed at an appropriate position on the sample tube rotation lever 211. Pen-like identifier 215
When the sample tube is moved by approximately 1/4 turn of this lever 211, the discriminator 215 traces the striped pattern arrangement of the sample discrimination tube 214, thereby identifying and memorizing the sample number. By combining this with memory, it is possible to prevent discrepancies between the sample and its measurement results.

Now, when the injection of one sample is completed, the sampling needle holder 207 on the sampler side is moved back, and the sampling needle 207 is moved back.
08,209 slips out of the rubber cap of the sample tube 205. Sampler sample tube mounting plate 201 again
rotates, the same operation as described above is performed for the next sample tube, and the samples are sent one after another to the automatic measuring device.

In addition, in order to prevent contamination between samples when changing samples one after another, after one sample is introduced into the automatic measuring device, the introduction path is switched to the discharge side, and the next sample is After the introduction route is washed together and completely replaced with a new sample, the introduction route is switched again to the automatic measuring device side and the sample is introduced.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, the sample collection block 206 is configured to rotate (rotated by 90 degrees in FIG. 4), and an empty test tube 216 is placed in the opposite direction. After sending out the sample, rotate the sample collection unit component block 206 toward the empty sample tube, insert the air supply needle and the air sampling needle into this, and once activate the air pump, the air will be removed from the sampling needle. After expelling the old sample from the route leading to the automatic measuring device (in this case, the other end of the liquid feeding tube has of course been switched to the discharge route), the next sample to be collected can be collected. It's okay.

In the above explanation, the air supply pump 213
We have explained an example in which air is sent into the sample tube from the air supply needle 208 using a Of course, it also functions as a replacement air introduction needle.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to collect and send a large number of samples automatically, safely, and while performing sample identification. It is possible to achieve a high degree of efficient automation, and its effects are enormous.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 and 2 are an external view and a partially enlarged view showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is an illustrative view of a tube for sample discrimination used in the same, and FIG. FIG. 3 is an external view showing another embodiment of the invention. 201...Sample tube mounting plate, 202...Sample tube holding ring, 203...Sample tube fitting, 204...
Pin, 205...Sample tube, 206...Sample tube collection unit component block, 208...Air supply needle, 209...
Collection needle, 210...Rubber cap.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A sample container mounting board on which a large number of sample containers with a sealable structure containing samples to be measured are attached in a ring shape, and a sample container from which a sample container selected from the group of sample containers is attached. 1. An automatic sample collection and supply device comprising: a sample collection and supply device for sequentially collecting samples and supplying the samples to an automatic measuring device; and a sample container overturning device for pre-mixing the sample in the sample container. 2. Automatic sample collection according to claim 1, characterized in that the sample container has a sealable structure and is equipped with a rubber cap through which a needle can penetrate, and the sample is collected by blowing air into the sealed container. Feeding device. 3. Incorporate an empty container into the sample container attachment part or provide a separate empty container, and discharge the previously collected remaining sample from the sample collection part to the injection part through the empty container prior to sample collection. An automatic sample collection and supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: 4. The automatic sample collection and supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a sample identifier is attached to the mechanism for inverting and rotating the sample tube.