JPH0718884B2 - Container transfer device in automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a container transfer method and apparatus in an automatic analyzer having a plurality of automatic analysis lines for performing biochemical analysis and immunological analysis. .

[Prior art]

Conventionally, various types of automatic analyzers have been proposed, and these are generally classified into a single-channel system and a multi-channel system according to the time-series treatment of items to be analyzed. Among these, as a method that is prevailing in the multi-channel method, a multi-channel multi-item simultaneous analysis type (generally referred to as multi-channel) is generally used.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, in the conventional multi-channel automatic analyzer, for example, taking a sample container as an example, although the number of measurement items to be inspected differs depending on the patient, the sample suction position is sequentially moved at a constant speed. Since the sample is transferred, the sample suction work time at each sample suction position is different, and there is a problem in that a large amount of wasted time is wasted until the analysis of all the samples is completed, and the actual operating efficiency of the automatic analyzer is low. Was there.

[Means and Actions for Solving Problems]

The present invention has been made in view of the present circumstances, and an object thereof is to correct the drawbacks of the multi-channel method and to dramatically improve the substantial operating efficiency of an automatic analyzer. The present invention aims to provide an automatic analyzer that can be used.

In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, a container transfer device in an automatic analyzer has at least two container transfer paths and transfers containers from one of these container transfer paths to the other. The container is formed of one or more distribution control devices, the container is formed of a magnetic adsorbent, and each of the distribution control devices is actuated at least with an actuator formed of a magnetic material at its tip. The actuator is composed of a driving means and a stopper body which is supported by spring bias so as to be capable of undulating, and the actuator is attracted when the container is attracted by one of the container transfer paths at a predetermined position to extend. The container presses another container waiting between both container transfer paths to transfer the other container to the other container transfer path, and thereafter, the container adsorbed by the actuator is the actuator. And the stop member and the abutment when the data is contracted to release the attracted state, the container is characterized in that the step of transferring control to wait between the both container transport path.

(Example) Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to a case where it is applied to a sample container transfer device of an automatic analyzer shown in the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, an automatic analyzer A to which the present invention is applied includes a plurality of sample containers 1 each containing a sample (serum) to be measured, and a plurality of sample containers 1 arranged in a predetermined order. Sample container holding device 10 arranged in the above, sample container pressing device 30 for feeding the sample containers 1 to the first sample container transfer path 20 one by one, and sample containers on the first sample container transfer path 20 1 for each sample suction position a set on the second sample container transfer path 40
Sample container transfer device 50 for transferring the sample container 1 to the predetermined sample suction position a, and the first distribution control device 60 for distributing and transferring the sample container 1 to each sample suction position a, and the sample container transferred to each sample suction position a. Sampling pipette device 70 for sucking a required amount of sample from inside 1 and dispensing it to corresponding reaction vessels 5 arranged in a plurality of loop-shaped automatic analysis lines L, which will be described later, and arranged in the automatic analysis lines L A regent pipette device 80 for sucking / dispensing a required amount of reagent corresponding to the measurement item into the corresponding reaction container 5 from each reagent container 6 and each automatic analysis line L are provided after a predetermined time elapses. The optical measuring device 7 for optically measuring the reaction between the sample and the reagent at a predetermined wavelength, and the sample container 1 in which the dispensing of the sample is completed are transferred to the corresponding stocker row of the stocker device 100. A second distribution control device 90, and a third distribution control device 110 that selects a sample container 1 that needs reinspection from the sample containers 1 transferred to the stocker row and transfers it to the reinspection line B. It consists of It should be noted that reference symbol S _{E in} FIG. 1 denotes a line on which the sample container 1 for emergency inspection is set, and reference symbol S _S denotes a stocker row in which the sample container 1 for emergency inspection for which sample dispensing has been completed is stored. Show each.

The sample container 1 is made of a material such as synthetic resin and is formed in a substantially box shape, and the outer peripheral surface thereof is covered with a metal film.
Of course, the entire sample container 1 may be made of metal or a magnet adsorbent. On the outer surface of the sample container 1, a storage medium (not shown) such as a bar code in which information such as an inspection reception number, a patient name, and an inspection item is optically input is attached.

The sample container holding device 10 is, as shown in FIG. 1, a stocker for holding 10 sample containers 1 in a straight line.
A required number of 11 are arranged in parallel, of which, in the illustrated embodiment, the stocker 11a at the right end is configured to stock the emergency inspection container 1a, and at the bottom of each of these stockers 11 and 11a. The slits 12 are respectively provided along the longitudinal direction of the.

Although not shown, the first sample container transfer path 20 is composed of an endless belt, a pulley for suspending the endless belt, and a motor for transferring the endless belt to the right in FIG. 1 at a constant speed. The upper surface of the endless belt is set to be substantially flush with the bottom surface height of the stocker 11.

The sample container pressing device 30 is a so-called XY bar device, and as shown in FIG. 2, it is provided with two rails 31 and 31 arranged in parallel with each other and the rails 31 and 31 arranged orthogonally to each other. A crossbar 32, a moving body 33 slidably fitted along the longitudinal direction of the crossbar 32, and a pressing body 34 projecting from the moving body 33. Both ends of the bar 32 are movable bodies 35, slidably fitted on the rails 31, 31.
35 is fixed to the cross bar 32 in the Y direction (second
The movement amount control in the vertical direction of the drawing) and the movement amount control of the moving body 33 in the X direction (the horizontal direction in FIG. 2) are driven and controlled by a known timing belt device, which is not shown,
Although not shown, the moving body 33 is drive-controlled so as to be rotatable so that the pressing body 34 can be retracted from the slit 12.

That is, the sample container pressing device 30, the pressing body 34 to select and project any slit 12 designated by the control device among the slits 12 opened on the bottom surface of each stocker 11 of the sample container holding device 10, The sample container 1 in the stocker 11 in which the slit 12 is opened is pressed and controlled by one container, and the sample container 1 at the tip is pushed out to the first sample container transfer path 20.

The second sample container transfer path 40 is arranged in parallel with the first sample container transfer path 20, and, like the first sample container transfer path 20, although not shown, an endless belt and the endless belt are provided. It comprises a suspension pulley and a motor for moving the endless belt to the right in FIG. 1 at the same speed as the endless belt of the first sample container transfer path 20, and the upper surface of the endless belt is The first sample container transfer path 20 is set so as to be substantially flush with the upper surface of the endless belt, and a stocker device 110, which will be described later, is provided at the front end of the second sample container transfer path 40 in the endless belt moving direction. It is arranged.

The sample container transfer device 50 forms the sample container 1 transferred through the first sample container transfer path 20 between the first sample container transfer path 20 and the second sample container transfer path 40. The sample is transferred to the container standby position b or the sample suction position a on the second sample container transfer path 40, and is arranged at predetermined intervals along the flow direction of the endless belt of the second sample container transfer path 40. Five groups are provided corresponding to the sample dispensing positions a of the individual reaction lines L.

As shown in FIG. 3, each of these sample container transfer devices 50 has an actuator 51 for pressing and transferring the sample container 1 transferred through the first sample container transfer path 20 toward the sample container standby position b. And a positioning device for waiting the sample container 1 at a predetermined sample container standby position b
It consists of 52 and.

The piston tip of the actuator 51 is composed of a magnet, and is configured to adsorb the sample container 1 when it comes into contact with the outer surface of the sample container 1.

As shown in FIG. 4, the positioning device 52 has a block-shaped main body 53, a slit 55 formed in the upper surface 54 of the main body 53, and a rotatably supported shaft in the slit 55. The upper end of the stopper 56 is configured to project from the upper surface 54, and a spring 57 for pulling the stopper 56 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4 in a normal state.
The upper surface 54 is connected to the first sample container transfer path 20 and the second sample container transfer path 20.
The sample container transfer path 40 is configured to be flush with the upper surface of each endless belt. The stopper 56 is normally pulled by the spring 57 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4 and abuts against the stopper 58, which is the end of the slit 55 on the side of the first sample container transfer path, and stands upright in the normal state. Has been set to the state.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first distribution control device 60 includes a motor 61 disposed between the first sample container transfer path 20 and the second sample container transfer path 40, and a motor 61 of the motor 61. And a distribution plate 62 connected to the drive shaft.
Is rotated in the directions of the first and second sample container transfer paths 20 and 40, and is instructed by the control device.
Is configured to regulate the upstream transfer of the.

Therefore, when the sample container 1 on the first sample container transfer path 20 reaches a predetermined position, the stop plate 62 of the first distribution control device 60 transfers the sample container 1 as shown in FIG. The sample container 1 is rotated so as to close the passage, and then the actuator 51 of the sample container transfer device 50 is extended to move the sample container 1 on the first sample container transfer passage 20 to the main body as shown in FIG. 4 (A). Push in 53 direction and transfer. At this time, the tip of the actuator 51 formed of a magnetic material is adsorbed on the surface of the sample container 1 coated with a metal. When the extension movement of the actuator 51 further progresses from this state, as shown in FIG. 4 (B), the sample container 1 on the first sample container transfer path 20 moves to the spring 57.
The stopper 56 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 4 against the urging force of the sample container 1 and abuts against the sample container 1 set in the standby state on the main body 53. When the extension motion of the actuator 51 further progresses from this state, as shown in FIG.
Is pressed toward the second sample container transfer path,
The sample container 1 set in the standby state on 53 is set on the second sample container transfer path 40. At this time, the stopper 56 is pulled in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4 by the urging force of the spring 57 and abuts against the stopper 58 to be set upright. Next, when the actuator 51 starts contracting movement, as shown in FIG.
The sample container 1 adsorbed to the tip portion formed of the magnetic material is moved toward the main body 53 as the actuator 51 contracts, and collides with the stopper 56. If the contracting movement of the actuator 51 further progresses from this state, the fourth
As shown in FIG. (E), since the sample container 1 adsorbed to the tip portion formed of the magnetic material of the actuator 51 collides with the stopper 56, the adsorbed state is released,
Only the actuator 51 returns to the original position.

The sample container transfer device 50 and the first distribution control device 60
When the sample container 1 is transferred to the predetermined sample suction position a by, the sample suction operation is performed by each sampling pipette device 70 arranged in each automatic analysis line L.

The automatic analysis line L includes a required number of reaction vessels 5 arranged in a loop, a driving device (not shown) for intermittently transferring the reaction vessels 5 by 1 pitch for each vessel, a first reagent or a second reagent.
Reagent bottles 6a and 6b containing reagents and the reagent bottles 6a,
A transfer device (not shown) capable of rotating in the forward and reverse directions for transferring 6b to a predetermined reagent suction position, and a sampling pipette device 70
And the first and second regent pipette devices 80, 80 '
And an optical measuring device 7 and a cleaning device 8. Of course, the automatic analysis line L is not limited to the one shown in the drawing, and various types of automatic analysis lines having known mechanisms such as a reaction container transfer path, each pipette device, and an optical measuring device may be applied. it can.

Although not shown, the sampling pipette device 70 has an arm whose one end is rotatably supported by a shaft, a pipette arranged at the other end of the arm, and a pipette device which is continuously connected to the pipette, although not shown. A sampling pump that sucks a required amount of sample and discharges it to the reaction container 5, and the arm rotates at a predetermined timing around the axis from the sample suction position a to the sample dispensing position d, and further to the cleaning position (not shown). And a drive device that is controlled to move up and down at each position. The sample weighing method is such that the wicking system is filled with water, suction and weighing are performed while the sample and water are separated via air, and then only the sample is discharged.
After this, the inside of the pipette is washed from the inside by passing washing water. The pipette is provided with a suction amount confirmation device (not shown) having a known configuration for confirming the suction amount of the sample or the like, and detects the absolute amount of the sample or the like each time sampling is performed. If the sample volume is insufficient, this is automatically corrected.

Reagent bottles 6a and 6b containing reagents corresponding to measurement items
Is attached to a reagent table (not shown) coaxially arranged inside the reaction vessel array arranged in a loop, and the reagent corresponding to the measurement item is set to the first reagent based on a command from the controller. High-speed transfer to the suction position and the second reagent suction position. First and second reagent bottles set on each table
6a and 6b are set at predetermined positions and stored in the control device.

In this way, each reagent bottle 6a, 6b corresponding to the measurement item
When reaches the predetermined reagent suction position, the corresponding reagent is dispensed into the corresponding reaction container 5 by the predetermined amount via the regent pipette devices 80 and 80 '.

Although not shown, the Regent pipette device 80, 80 ′ has an arm whose one end is pivotally supported by a shaft, a pipette arranged at the other end of the arm, and A pump which is connected to and is connected to the pump for sucking a required amount of reagent and discharging it to the reaction container 5, and rotation of the arm from each reagent suction position to the reagent dispensing position and further to the washing position around the axis at a predetermined timing. And a drive device for controlling the elevation of the arm depending on the position. This reagent is measured by filling the wicking system with water, aspirating and measuring the reagent and water in a separated state via air, discharging only the reagent, and then passing the washing water from the inside through a pipette. Wash the inside of the. This pipette is equipped with a suction amount confirmation device (not shown) of a known configuration for confirming the suction amount of the reagent, etc., and the absolute amount of the reagent etc. is detected each time the reagent is sucked. Is detected and the reagent amount is automatically corrected. Further, the pipette is configured such that there is no washing water and only air is present, and at the time of reagent dispensing, the air is discharged together to agitate a sample (a mixture of a sample and a reagent; the same applies hereinafter). It may be configured as follows.

The optical measuring device 7 that forms the detection unit or the observation point has the same configuration and operation as a known optical measuring device, and although not shown, the light source and the measuring light emitted from this light source correspond to the measurement items. A filter device for converting the wavelength, a light receiving element for receiving the amount of light after the wavelength-converted measuring light passes through the reaction vessel 5, and a light amount received by the light receiving element for voltage conversion to process the analysis value. It is composed of a data processing unit and a display unit. The optical measuring device 7 is arranged so that the reaction container 5 crosses the optical path, and the sample in the reaction container 1 that crosses the optical path is measured for its absorbance when it crosses the light flux and printed out as necessary. . Of course, a diffraction grating method may be used as the optical measurement method.

The cleaning device 8 has a configuration similar to that of a known cleaning device,
After suctioning the sample, the washing water is supplied / discarded, this is performed a plurality of times, and then the reaction container 5 is reused.

For the sample container 1 for which the sample suction operation has been completed at each sample suction position a, the stop device 62 of the first distribution control device 60 opens the second sample container transfer path 40 by the control device that has detected the same timing. Since the rotation is controlled,
It is sequentially transferred in the direction of the fourth distribution control device 90.

As described above, the second distribution control device 90 is arranged at the end portion of the second sample container transfer path 40, and its configuration is similar to that of the first distribution control device 60. 91
And a distribution plate 92 connected to the drive shaft of the sample container 1. The distribution plate 92 rotates in the direction of the second sample container transfer path 40 to regulate the transfer of the sample container 1 in the upstream direction. Is configured to.

As shown in FIG. 1, the stocker device 100 has the same number of stockers 11 as the sample container holding device 10, and stockers 101 that linearly hold 10 sample containers 1 for which the sample suction operation has been completed, and the stocker 101. a preliminary stocker 105 of one row consisting of the same configuration as the 101, with a stocker S _S sample containers 1 is stored for emergency inspection are arranged in parallel on the bottom surface of the stocker 101, 105 and S _S Slits 102 are opened along the longitudinal direction.

Each transfer of the sample container 1 distributed by the second distribution control device 90 to the corresponding stocker 101 is performed by a known actuator (not shown).

The transfer to a third distribution controller 110 of the sample container 1 accommodated in the respective stocker 101, 105 and the S _S is
Since the sample container pressing device 130 having the same structure as the sample container pressing device 30 is used, detailed description of the structure of the sample container pressing device 130 will be omitted here.

Although not shown, the third distribution control device 110 includes an endless belt, a pulley that suspends the endless belt, and a motor that moves the endless belt in the left-right direction in FIG. 1 at a constant speed. The upper surface of the endless belt is set to be substantially flush with the bottom surface height of the stocker 101 and the like.

The third dispensing control device 110 configured as described above uses the sample container 1 which is determined by the control device to require re-inspection.
Is selected and transferred to the re-inspection line B after the analysis of all the sample containers 1 set in the sample container holding device 10 is completed.

There are various possible cases where it is determined that re-inspection is necessary. First, when a hardware part fails, secondly when the analysis data deviates from the normal value, and thirdly when analog waveform analysis is performed. The above problems should be sent to re-inspection also in the sense of maintaining the measurement accuracy of the automatic analyzer.

Although not shown, the re-inspection line B is composed of an endless belt, a pulley for suspending the endless belt, and a motor for moving the endless belt to the left in FIG. 1 at a constant speed, The upper surface of the endless belt is a third distribution control device.
It is set so that it is flush with the endless belt height of 110. The sample container 1 distributed by the third distribution control device 110 has an actuator 150 at its end.
It is transferred to the re-inspection stocker 151 by. The actuator 150 is configured so that the sample containers 1 stocked in the retest stocker 151 can also be sent to the first sample container transfer path 20.

Incidentally, reference numeral 120 in FIG. 1 is a device for reading information of a storage medium attached to the outer surface of the sample container 1, and the information reading device 120 is used for the second sample container transfer path 40.
Each sample suction position a which is formed along the second are respectively disposed in the region facing the outlet of each stocker 101, 105 and S _S of the inlet and near the stocker apparatus 100 of the distribution control device 90, these distribution The identification information of the sample container 1 passing through the set position is input to the control device, and the sample container 1
The control device is provided with analytical information within and information for determining the transfer path.

Next, the operation of the automatic analyzer A according to this embodiment will be described. For convenience of description, when there are a plurality of means / devices having the same configuration, in order to clarify the positional relationship between them, in the drawings and the following description, in the drawings from left to right in FIG. At the end of the code, a, b, c …… or ₁ , ₂ , ₃ …
A description will be given.

When the start switch (not shown) is turned on, the sample container 1 set in the stocker 11 _{n at the} right end of FIG.
The container is pushed out to the first sample container transfer path 20 via the sample container pressing device 30. The pushing operation of the sample container 1 to the first sample container transfer path 20 is performed until all the sample containers 1 set in the stocker 11 _n are pushed to the first sample container transfer path 20,
When this is completed, the sample container 1 stocker 11 _n-1 of the next left stocker 11 _n are sequentially performed in the stocker 11 _n transfer the same procedure, all the sample containers 1 in the stocker 11 is transferred It is continuously performed until.
Further, the sample container 1 set in the emergency inspection stocker S _S is also pushed out to the first sample container transfer path 20 in the same manner.

The sample containers 1 sequentially sent to the first sample container transfer path 20 in this way are sequentially transferred to the right in FIG. 1, and the sample suction position on the right side in FIG. a ₁ Sample suction position on the left sequentially from ₁
Transferred to a ₂ , a ₃ ……. In this case, sample container 1 which is sent to a sample suction position a ₁ is the first distribution control unit 60
The sample container 1 which is sent to the sample suction position a ₂ by a is controlled by the first distribution control device 60b, the sample container transfer device 50 and the first distribution control device 60, respectively. Transferred to position a.

In this way, when the sample containers 1 are first transferred and set to all the sample suction positions a, the next first sample container 1 is the sample suction position a at which the sample suction determined by the control device ends the earliest. (For example, the sample suction position a ₂ ) is moved to the sample container standby position b (for example, the sample container standby position b ₃ ), and the standby state is set until the sample suction operation of the first sample container 1 is completed. Therefore, similarly to the case described above, the sample container 1 next to the sample container standby position b (for example, the sample suction position a ₅ ) at which the sample suction determined by the control device finishes next earliest (for example, the sample suction position a ₅ ). For example, the sample container is moved to the sample container standby position b ₅ ) and set in the standby state until the sample suction work of the first sample container 1 at that position is completed, and thereafter the same work is sequentially performed for all sample containers 1. Be seen.

Incidentally, the standby positions b ₁ , b ₂ , b _3, ... Of the sample container 1 as described above.
... and sample suction positions a ₁ , a ₂ , a ₃ ... are distributed and transferred by the sample container transfer device 50 and the first distribution control device.
60 according to the above procedure.

As described above, the sample container 1 is placed at the sample suction position a.
When set, the corresponding sampling pipette device
70 sucks a required amount of sample from the same container and dispenses the sample into the corresponding reaction container 5. At this time, each reading device 120 reads the aspirated sample information from the storage medium of the sample container 1, inputs the information to the control device, and determines to which reaction container 5 the aspirated sample was dispensed. To enter.

In the reaction container 5 into which the sample has been dispensed, the first reagent and the second reagent corresponding to the measurement item are dispensed in each automatic analysis line L, and after a predetermined reaction time has elapsed, optical measurement is performed at a predetermined wavelength. After that, the reaction vessel 5 having completed these operations is washed by the washing device 8.

On the other hand, the sample container 1 for which the sample suction has been completed at the sample suction position a is transferred toward the second distribution control device 90 by the second sample container transfer path 40, and near the entrance of the second distribution control device 90. The information of the sample container 1 is read by the reading device 120 and input to the control device.
This stocker 1 in which the sample container 1 is the sample container holding device 10 throat stocker 11, to check has been set in S _E, which correspond to the stocker 100
This is because it is stored in 01, S _S. Accordingly, the second distribution control unit 90, the sample container 1 to ensure that transport to the corresponding Suttoka 101, S _S based on the above information, rotational control of the distribution plate 92 is performed by the control device .

Further, the sample container 1 which is determined by the control device that the re-inspection is necessary is selected by the third distribution control device 110 and transferred to the re-inspection line B.

That is, when performing a re-inspection, the sample container pressing device 130 is actuated sequentially Stocker sample container 1 is accommodated in FIG. 1 the right end of the stocker 101 _n 110
1 container at a time. The stocker device 110 is the first
Since the sample container 1 that can be reciprocated in the left-right direction in the drawing does not need to be re-examined, the sample container 1 is sent to the right in FIG. 1 and then the preliminary stocker 105 arranged at the left end of the stocker device 100.
The sample container 1 that has been transferred to
FIG. 1 is sent to the left and placed on the re-inspection line B.
Once all of the sample containers 1 above stocker 101 _n in this manner is transported, since the stocker 101 _n becomes empty, the stocker 101 _n is, next to the stocker 101 _n stocker 11 _n-1 in It functions as a spare stocker for the sample container 1 stored in. As described above, the sample containers 1 in each stocker 101 are sorted into those requiring re-inspection and those not requiring re-inspection. The stocker device is used to identify each sample container 1.
Reading device 1 installed near each stocker exit of 110
Made by 20. Of course, the emergency inspection container is also determined and sent in the same manner.

The sample container 1 transferred to the reinspection line B is transferred to the reinspection stocker 151 as described above.

It should be noted that the related operation control of each of the above-mentioned devices and the arithmetic processing of the measurement data are performed by a microcomputer.

FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, in which a plurality of (11 in the illustrated embodiment) sample containers 1 are not transferred one by one. 1
Is set in the sample cassette 220, and the sample cassette 220 is directly transferred to the first sample container transfer path 20 and the second sample container transfer path 40. The configuration of the sample container pressing device 30 and the like is further simplified.

That is, the sample cassette 220 is the cassette tray 200
Multiple lines are held in parallel. Cassette tray 200
Is formed in a rectangular box shape, the front wall of which is cut out to form an opening 201, and the rear wall has holes 230, 23 through which a feeding arm (not shown) of a feeding device appears.
0 is open. Reference numeral 202 in the figure denotes a stand into which the lower end of the sample cassette 220 is fitted.

Incidentally, in this embodiment, the sample cassette 220 is transferred one by one to the first sample container transfer path 20 by the sending arm of the sending device, and correspondingly, the second sample container transfer path 40 and the like. The respective devices are applied with appropriate design changes.

In the above embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to the sample container transfer device has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. Of course, it can be applied to, for example, a transfer device for a reagent container or a reaction container.

〔The invention's effect〕

Since the present invention is configured as described above, a so-called missing tooth state does not occur even though it is a multi-channel type automatic analyzer, so that the substantial operating efficiency of the automatic analyzer can be dramatically improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view schematically showing the overall structure of an automatic analyzer to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing the schematic structure of a sample container pressing device, and FIG. 3 is a sample container transfer device. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the first distribution control device, FIGS. 4 (A) to 4 (E) are cross-sectional views showing the transfer state of the sample container, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the first distribution control device. ,
FIG. 6 is a configuration explanatory view showing an example of an automatic analysis line, and FIG.
The drawing is a perspective view showing an example of setting the sample container according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Explanation of Codes] A ... Automatic analyzer, L ... Automatic analysis line a ... Sample suction position, 1 ... Sample container 20 ... First sample container transfer path 40 ... Second sample container transfer path 50 …… Sample container transfer device 60 …… First distribution control device

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A magnetic adsorption device comprising at least two container transfer paths and at least one distribution control device for transferring a container from one of these container transfer paths to the other. Formed in the body, each of the above distribution control device,
An actuator having at least a tip made of a magnetic material, and a drive means for expanding and contracting the actuator,
The actuator comprises a stopper body which is rotatably and axially supported by a spring bias, and the actuator is configured such that when the container is attracted and extended in one container transfer path at a predetermined position, the attracted container is The other container standing by between the transfer paths is pressed to transfer the other container to the other container transfer path, and thereafter, the container adsorbed by the actuator is stopped when the actuator contracts. A container transfer device in an automatic analyzer, wherein the container is controlled to abut against a body to release the adsorbed state, and the container is controlled to stand by between the both container transfer paths.