JPH06100607B2 - Automatic chemical analyzer - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an automatic chemical analyzer, and more particularly to a single line-multichannel automatic chemical analyzer.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, a single-line-multichannel automatic chemical apparatus is known, and is described in, for example, JP-A-55-136957. In this automatic chemical analyzer, a large number of reaction vessels are arranged around a turntable, and the turntable is rotated to sequentially convey the reaction vessels along a reaction line having a constant temperature. A plurality of photometric positions are determined in advance on this reaction line, light of a predetermined wavelength is projected onto the reaction container that has reached this photometric position, and the transmitted light is received by a light receiver for colorimetric measurement. , Rate assay and / or end point method is used for quantitative analysis of the measurement substance in the sample. In such an automatic chemical analyzer, one sample is dispensed into a plurality of reaction vessels, reagents corresponding to substances to be measured are dispensed into these reaction vessels, and colorimetry is performed with light of a specific wavelength. By making measurements, multiple items are analyzed. In this case, in order to perform colorimetric measurement at each photometric position, in the device described in the above publication, a light source lamp is arranged at the center of rotation of the turntable, and the light emitted from this is passed through a predetermined filter into a reaction container. It is configured to project on. However, in such a configuration, since the light source lamp and the reaction line are arranged close to each other, the heat radiated from the light source lamp is transferred to the temperature-controlled reaction line, and there is a drawback that the temperature of the reaction line fluctuates. It was When the temperature of the reaction line fluctuates in this way, the temperature of the reaction liquid contained in the reaction container conveyed through the reaction line fluctuates, so that the reaction conditions change and the analysis accuracy decreases.

(Object of the Invention) The object of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks and to prevent the heat radiated from the light source from changing the isothermal temperature of any reaction vessel on the turntable, thereby providing continuous analysis. The present invention aims to provide an automatic chemical analysis device which enables improvement of analysis accuracy in the above.

(Outline of the Invention) A turntable that holds a plurality of reaction vessels on the circumference,
A means for dispensing a reagent at a predetermined dispensing position into at least a plurality of reaction containers that have finished dispensing samples, and a rotation drive of the turntable so that the reaction containers stop at the dispensing position in a predetermined order. Transporting means, means for isolating the temperature of the reaction container held on the turntable, a support for rotatably supporting the turntable, one end directed to the light source, and the other end held on the turntable. A light projecting fiber that is branched toward the vicinity of the side surfaces of a plurality of reaction vessels, and the light transmitted from the light projecting fiber through the reaction vessel is sequentially and continuously received according to the operation of the transporting means. In an automatic chemical analyzer having a light receiving means, the support base is mounted on a predetermined base with a member for thermally separating the intermediary body, and By facing the light source extends to the edge on the back side of the base, and a reaction vessel on said light source and said turntable is characterized in that the thermally moved away.

(Example) FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view showing the configuration of an example of the automatic chemical analyzer according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic sectional view of the same, each specimen to be analyzed. Is stored in a test tube-shaped sample tube 1, and 10 of these sample tubes are stored in a rack 2. A plurality of racks 2 are loaded in the rack loader 3, and these are intermittently transferred in the direction indicated by arrow A and are also conveyed in the direction indicated by arrow B to the sample dispensing position C. A rack ID detection device 4 is provided in the middle of the transport path indicated by arrow B, and the rack ID formed on the side wall of the rack 2 is photoelectrically read. The rack ID can be a general sample rack number, a quality control rack, an emergency sample rack, a zero adjustment rack, or the like.

At the sample dispensing position C, a predetermined amount of each sample is sucked by the sample dispensing nozzle 5 while intermittently feeding the rack 2, and dispensed into four reaction containers described later. After dispensing into the reaction container in this manner, the rack 2 is further transported in the direction of arrow C and sent to the rack storage section 6. In this rack storage section 6, the rack 2 is intermittently transferred and stored in the direction of arrow D.

FIG. 3 schematically shows the amount of the sample sucked by the sample dispensing nozzle 5 at the sample dispensing position C. The sample S is sucked into the nozzle 5,
The details are shown as S _{1 to} S ₆ for convenience. Here, S ₁ is the excess sample amount. In the nozzle 5, the sample S and the water W are separated via the air layer AIR, but the water W may enter the sample S through the tube wall. In this way, when the water W is mixed in the sample S, the sample concentration changes, and an analysis error occurs. Therefore, the excess sample amount S ₁ is sucked in advance and this portion is not dispensed into the reaction tube. S ₂ ~ S ₅
Is the amount of sample to be dispensed into each of the four reaction tubes, which is the amount necessary to perform the four analytical items, and is usually about several to several tens of μ. S ₆ is the dummy sample amount. This amount S ₆ is the amount by which the sample S is sucked into the nozzle 5 and then discharged and returned to the sample tube 1.
The reason for performing such an operation is to prevent the first ejection amount from becoming excessive when ejecting the sample, and to dispense an accurate amount of the sample. Although not shown in the drawing, the sample dispensing nozzle 5 is provided with a liquid level detection mechanism to prevent the nozzle from being excessively immersed in the sample.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sample dispensing nozzle 5 is fixed to the tip of a rotating arm 7 and can be transferred to the sample discharge position E by rotating the arm. As described above, in this example, each sample is dispensed into four reaction tubes, so that the sample amount S _{5 to} S ₂ is 4 at the sample discharge position E.
Discharge sequentially into one reaction tube. The reaction tubes 8 are arranged around the periphery of the turntable 9, and the turntable is intermittently rotated in the direction indicated by arrow F. The rotation timing will be described in detail later. Around the turntable 9, a first reagent dispenser 10, a water or detergent liquid dispenser 11, a second reagent dispenser 12, a stirring device 13, a test solution discharge / wash water injector 14, a wash water discharge / An injector 15, a wash water discharger 16 and a dryer 17 are arranged. Of these devices, the stirring device 13 stirs by inserting a wire-shaped stirring rod into the reaction tube and rotating it, but other types of stirring devices can be used. Further, the drying device 17 removes the cleaning water remaining on the inner wall of the reaction tube by suction of air, and has a configuration in which a large number of air suction nozzles are arranged in a cap fitted to the upper part of the reaction tube. However, any other type of device can be used. The operation timing of each device described above will also be described later.

When the sample has been dispensed into the four reaction tubes 8 at the sample discharge position E, the nozzle 5 again moves to the sample suction position C.
Returning to this, the first and second cleaning devices in this process
After passing through 18 and 19, the outer wall and the inner wall of the nozzle 5 are washed respectively. It is possible to sequentially dispense samples into the four reaction tubes 8 while sequentially repeating such operations.

In the present invention, in order to measure the absorbance of the test solution generated by the reaction between the sample dispensed in the reaction tube 8 and the reagent, a light source lamp is provided at a position apart from the reaction line which is the transport path of the reaction tube 8. The light source device 20 is disposed, and the light emitted from the light source lamp is made incident on the incident end of the branched fiber bundle 22 through the filter device 21, and the respective fibers 22a to 22h are provided.
Then, the light is projected onto the reaction tube at the photometric position via. The reaction tube 8 is composed of a cell made up of a small amount of a partially transparent material, and the light transmitted through the reaction tube is received by each of the light receivers 23a to 23h.

As shown in detail in FIG. 2, a turntable 9 holding the reaction tube 8 is rotatably held by a shaft 24 and a gear 25 is fixedly attached thereto. A gear 26 is meshed with this gear 25, and this gear is connected to a pulse motor 27. A jacket 29 is formed in a frame 28 that holds the shaft 24 via bearings and supports a motor 27, and a constant temperature liquid is circulated in the jacket. A groove-shaped space is formed above the jacket 29, and the holding portion of the reaction tube 8 of the turntable 9 is inserted into the groove-shaped space so that the test solution in the reaction tube 8 can be thermostatted. The frame 28 is fixed to a base 32 via a spacer 31, a light source device 20 having a light source lamp and a filter device 21 are attached to the back surface of the base, and the reaction line is thermally separated from the light source device and generated from the light source device. Ensure that the temperature of the reaction line, which is thermostatted, is not affected. The light source device 20 is provided with a light source lamp 33, a lamp house 34 having a radiation fin, and a fan 35 for feeding air to the radiation fin. Further, the filter device 21 is provided with a filter disc 36 having a plurality of filters mounted on the periphery thereof, a motor 37 for rotating the filter disc, and a condenser lens 37. The filter disc 36 is equipped with a plurality of filters that transmit light having wavelengths corresponding to respective analysis items, and selectively emits light having a predetermined wavelength according to the analysis items to the incident end of the branch fiber bundle 22. It is configured so that it can be projected. Condensing lenses 39a to 3 facing the exit ends of the fibers 22a to 22h of the branch fiber bundle 22.
9h is placed and the light flux guided through each fiber is framed.
The light is projected onto the reaction tubes 8 located at the sidelight positions through the holes formed in 28. The light flux transmitted through the reaction tube is received by the light receivers 23a to 23h through the holes formed in the frame 28. The output signal of each photodetector is amplified by amplifiers 40a to 40h provided integrally with the photodetector, and is supplied to the signal processing circuit via a conductor. In this example, the light receiver and the amplifier are arranged in the constant temperature space above the jacket 29, so the temperature drift is small,
There is an advantage that analysis accuracy is improved.

The constant temperature liquid 30 circulated through the jacket 29 enters the jacket through the inlet 29a and exits the jacket through the outlet 29b. The constant temperature liquid 30 flowing out from the jacket 29 is the second reagent dispenser 12
Reservoir tank 43 through constant temperature chamber 42 surrounding dispensing nozzle 41 of
Is supplied to. Since the second reagent in the dispensing nozzle 41 is maintained at a predetermined reaction temperature in the temperature-controlled room 42, the temperature of the test liquid in the reaction tube 8 does not change due to the dispensing of the second reagent, A stable reaction is started,
Higher analysis accuracy. The constant temperature liquid 30 is sent from the reservoir tank 43 to the radiator 44 and cooled by the fan 45. Then, after being sent to the magnet pump 46, it is sent to the heater 47 and heated to a predetermined temperature. The temperature of the heater 47 is controlled so that the test liquid in the reaction tube 8 is precisely maintained at, for example, 37 ° C. In addition, the heater 47 has a thermo switch 48
When the heater is overheated, the power supply to the heater is forcibly cut off.

Next, the operation of the above-described analyzer will be described.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the drive timing of the turntable 9 that supports the reaction tubes 8. Four reaction tubes are grouped into one group, and the same operation is repeated for successive groups. One cycle is set to 12 seconds, the turntable 9 is rotated by one pitch in 1 second, and the operation of moving again in 1 second after 0.3 seconds is repeated 4 times to convey 4 reaction tubes in about 5 seconds. After that, the turntable 9 is stopped for a period of about 7 seconds. In this example, the sample is dispensed during the intermittent feeding period of the first 5 seconds and the photometry is performed, and the dispensing of the first and second reagents, the water blank or the detergent solution is performed during the rest period of the subsequent 7 seconds, Stir, discharge the test solution, inject and wash water, and dry the reaction tube.
Therefore, the latter operation of dispensing the first and second reagents is simultaneously performed on the four reaction tubes. Explaining the operation of the water blank or detergent liquid injector 11,
After the one-day analysis is completed, the detergent solution is injected into all the reaction tubes 8. At the start of analysis on the next day, first, the detergent solution is discharged, washed and dried, and then a water blank is dispensed to perform zero adjustment. Further, photometry in the light receiver 23a is for obtaining data for serum blank correction, and the light receivers 23b to 23g are for rate assay.
23h is for endpoints.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but various modifications and variations can be added. For example, in the above-mentioned example, 4 items are inspected for each sample, but 8 items, 12 items, 16 items, ...
Up to 32 items can be analyzed.

(Effect) According to the above-described automatic chemical analyzer of the present invention, the light source is
Since it is opposed to the light projecting fiber on the back side of the base that is thermally separated from the turntable, highly accurate continuous analysis can be performed without changing the constant temperature of the test solution in any reactor on the turntable. It can be carried out.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view diagrammatically showing the construction of an embodiment of the automatic chemical analyzer of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the same, and FIG. 3 shows a state in which a sample is drawn into a sample dispensing nozzle. FIG. 4 and FIG. 4 are views showing the transfer timing of the reaction tube. 1 ... Sample tube 2 ... Rack, 5 ... Sample dispensing nozzle 8 ... Reaction tube, 9 ... Turntable 10 ... First reagent dispenser, 12 ... Second reagent dispenser 13 ... Stirrer 14 …… Test liquid discharge / wash water injector 15 …… Wash water discharge / injector 16 …… Wash water discharger, 17 …… Drying device 20 …… Light source device, 21 …… Filter device 22 …… Branch Fiber bundle, 23a to 23h …… Receiver 28 …… Frame, 29 …… Jacket 30 …… Constant liquid, 32 …… Base 33 …… Light source lamp, 36 …… Filter disc 40a ～ 40h …… Amplifier, 46… … Magnet pump 47 …… Heater.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── --- Continued from the front page (56) References JP-A-54-113382 (JP, A) JP-A-57-106843 (JP, A) JP-A-55-125436 (JP, A) JP-A-57- 171245 (JP, A) Actually opened Sho-58-10062 (JP, U) Actually opened 57-182168 (JP, U)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A turntable for holding a plurality of reaction vessels on a circumference, means for dispensing a reagent at a predetermined dispensing position to at least a plurality of reaction vessels after dispensing of a sample, and the reaction vessel. Transporting means for rotationally driving the turntable so as to stop at the dispensing position in a predetermined order, and means for isothermalizing the reaction container held on the turntable.
A support table that rotatably supports the turntable; a light projecting fiber that has one end facing the light source and the other end that is arranged near the side surfaces of the plurality of reaction vessels held by the turntable; In the automatic chemical analysis device having a light receiving means for sequentially and continuously receiving light transmitted from the optical fiber through the reaction vessel according to the operation of the conveying means, the support base is a member for thermally separating the support base. The light source and the reaction container on the turntable are heated by attaching one end of the light projecting fiber to the back side of the base and facing the light source while mounting the light source on the predetermined base. An automatic chemical analyzer characterized in that they are physically separated.