JPH09192539A - Test sample centrifugal separation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate the possibilities that no trouble with an operation for centrifugal separation might occur, in a state of suppressing noise level and without nearly no temperature rise by providing a test tube handling mechanism having a hand part and an arm part for transferring the hand part for collectively loading all test tubes each containing a test sample from its insertion hole or collectively taking out the test tubes. SOLUTION: In a test sample centrifugal separation device, test tube holders 21, 22... in which one or plural (in this case, 5 pieces) pieces of test tubes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 each containing a test sample are totally accommodated in the space G of angular window parts 11, 12, 13... provided on the peripheral part of a disc-like rotor 10 for centrifugal separation during the centrifugal separation process. Consequently, there is none of the significantly projecting test tube holder from the front/rear faces and the peripheral face of the disc-like rotor 10 for centrifugal separation. Thus, a noise is significantly suppressed and, at the same time, friction with air is reduced, so that it is possible to decrease the rise in temperatures of the test tube holders 21, 22... and the rotor 10 for centrifugal separation.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sample centrifuge for loading a sample such as blood contained in a test tube and centrifuging the test tube.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventionally known sample centrifuging device of this type, there is, for example, the device disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 07-13805. This device enables efficient automatic processing such as pretreatment of specimens and eventually examination of clinical specimens by automating loading and unloading of test tubes from the centrifuge body.

[0003]

However, this device has the following problems to be solved. That is, the centrifuge rotor of the sample centrifuge has a polygonal disk shape, and the test tube holders swingably attached to the respective straight sides of the rotor have a large radial direction from the outer periphery of the rotor during centrifuge operation. To project to For this reason, there is a problem that the noise during the centrifugal separation operation is large, and the temperature of the test tube holder and the centrifugal separation rotor rises due to friction with air, which hinders the centrifugal separation work.

An object of the present invention is to reduce noise during centrifugal separation operation, and to cause almost no increase in temperature of the test tube holder and the centrifugal separation rotor due to air friction, so that there is no possibility of disturbing the centrifugal separation work. It is to provide a centrifuge.

[0005]

In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the present invention uses the following means. (1) The sample centrifuge according to the present invention oscillates in accordance with a disc-shaped centrifuge rotor having a plurality of square windows arranged in the periphery and a centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the centrifuge rotor. In order to be movable, test tube holders each having one or a plurality of test tube loading holes mounted in the respective square windows of the centrifuge rotor, and test tube loading holes in each of these test tube holders are provided. On the other hand, when the centrifuge rotor is stopped, one or a plurality of test tubes containing a sample are collectively loaded or unloaded, and the hand portion for gripping the test tube and the hand portion are moved. And a test tube operating mechanism including an arm portion.

As a result of taking the above-mentioned means, the following effects occur. During centrifuge operation, the test tube holder with one or more test tubes filled with the sample is in a state where the whole is just accommodated in the space of the square window provided in the peripheral portion of the centrifuge rotor. Present. For this reason, there is no large protrusion from both the front and back sides and the peripheral surface of the disk-shaped centrifuge rotor, noise is greatly reduced compared to the conventional one, and friction with air is reduced, so the test tube holder And the temperature rise of the centrifuge rotor is reduced.

[0007]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(First Embodiment) FIGS. 1A and 1B show a first embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure which shows the structure of the principal part of the sample centrifugation device which concerns on embodiment, (a) is a figure which shows the state which the rotor for centrifugation is stopping, (b) is the state which the rotor for centrifugation is rotating. FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), a plurality of square window portions 11, 12, 13, ... Are disposed in the peripheral portion of the disk-shaped centrifugal rotor 10. There is. The test tube holders 21, 22, 23, ... Are mounted in the respective square windows 11, 12, 13, ... In such a manner that the test tube holders 21, 22, 23, ... Can be swung according to the centrifugal force accompanying the rotation of the centrifugal separation rotor 10. Has been. These test tube holders 21, 22, 23, ...
Respectively have one or a plurality (five in this example) of test tube loading holes, and the test tube 1 containing the sample loaded therein.
2, 3, 4, 5 can be stably held.

Although not shown, a test tube operating mechanism including a hand portion for holding the test tube 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 containing the sample and an arm portion for moving and operating the hand portion is provided. When the centrifuge rotor 10 is stopped, the test tube containing sample 1, 2, 3, 3 is inserted into each test tube loading hole in each test tube holder 21, 22, 23 ,.
4, 5 can be collectively loaded or unloaded.

The sample centrifuge according to this embodiment constructed as described above operates as follows. When the centrifuge rotor 10 is stopped as shown in FIG. 1A, the test tube holders 21, 22, 23, ...
One or a plurality (five in this example) of the test tubes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 containing the sample are automatically and collectively loaded by a test tube operating mechanism (not shown).

Next, the centrifuge rotor 10 is rotated by a motor (not shown), for example, in the direction indicated by the arrow R in FIG. 1 (b). Then, centrifugal force is exerted, and the test tube holders 21, 22, 23, ... With the test tubes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 held therein are placed in the radial direction of the rotor as shown in FIG. 1 (b). Change.

FIG. 3A is a partial sectional view showing the state of the test tube holders 21, 22, 23, ... At this time, which is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 1B. That is, the test tube holders 21, 22, 23, ...
The state of being completely accommodated in the space G of 12, 13 ,. For this reason, there is no large protrusion from both the front and back surfaces and the peripheral surface of the disk-shaped centrifuge rotor 10.
Therefore, the noise is significantly reduced as compared with the conventional one.
Also, test tube holders 21, 22, 23, ...
And the temperature rise of the centrifuge rotor 10 is reduced.

(Second Embodiment) (a) and (b) of FIG.
It is a figure which shows the structure of the principal part of the sample centrifugation device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention, (a) is a figure which shows the state which the rotor for centrifugation has stopped, (b) shows the rotor for centrifugation. It is a figure which shows the state which is rotating.

The difference of the second embodiment from the first embodiment is that instead of the test tube holders 21, 22, 23 ,.
This is a point that test tube holders 31, 32, 33, ... With flanges (reference numeral 32 and below are not shown) are used. That is, a plurality of (three in this example) flanges Fa, Fb, Fc are provided on the outer periphery of the test tube holders 31, 32, 33 ... At predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the test tube loading hole.

Also in the sample centrifuge of the second embodiment, like the sample centrifuge of the first embodiment, the test tube holder holding the test tubes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 containing the sample. .. change their postures in the radial direction of the rotor during the centrifugal separation operation as shown in FIG.

FIG. 3B is a partial sectional view showing the state of the test tube holders 31, 32, 33, ... At this time, which is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 2B. That is, the test tube holders 31, 32, 33, ...
Since the state of being completely accommodated in the space G of 12, 13, ... Is exhibited, the same operational effect as that of the first embodiment is obtained.

In the sample centrifuge of the second embodiment, the test tube holders 31, 32, 33, ... Are provided by the flanges Fa, Fb, Fc provided on the outer circumference of the test tube holders 31, 32, 33 ,. The mechanical strength of will be supplemented. Further, the flanges Fa, Fb, and Fc allow the test tube holders 31, 32, and
The wind noises around 33, ... Are erased. Further, since the flanges Fa, Fb, Fc also function as heat radiation fins, heat radiation occurs. Therefore, the mechanical strength is high, and the noise reduction effect and the temperature rise suppressing effect are more remarkable.

The principle of eliminating the wind noise by the flanges Fa, Fb, Fc is, for example, the principle of eliminating the wind noise by the rod-shaped antenna when the automobile is running by providing a ring-shaped or spiral collar around the rod-shaped antenna for automobile. Is the same. That is, by providing the flanges Fa, Fb, Fc, turbulent flow is generated in the air flow flowing on the surfaces of the test tube holders 31, 32, 33, .... Due to this turbulent flow, the difference in height of the atmospheric pressure that is about to occur on the outer circumference of the holder is suppressed. Thus, the wind noise is eliminated.

(Modification) The sample centrifuge according to the embodiment includes the following modifications. -A test tube holder divided into a plurality of pieces is attached in each of the square window portions 11, 12, 13, .... .. edge portions of the respective square window portions 11, 12, 13, ... That face the outer circumference of the rotor (the portions illustrated by applying dots to (a) of FIG. 1) M
The test tube holder can be opened and closed to facilitate the test tube holder installation work.

(Summary of Embodiments) The configuration and operational effects of the sample centrifuge according to the above-described embodiment are summarized as follows. [1] The sample centrifuge according to the embodiment is a disk-shaped centrifuge rotor 10 in which a plurality of square window portions 11, 12, 13, ... Are arranged in the peripheral portion, and the centrifuge rotor. Each of the square window portions 11, 12, 13, ... Of the centrifugal separation rotor 10 is swingable in accordance with the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of 10.
Test tube holders 21, 22, 23, ... Each of which has one or a plurality of test tube loading holes mounted therein.
The centrifuge rotor 10 is inserted into each test tube loading hole in each of the test tube holders 21, 22, 23, ....
And a hand unit for gripping the test tubes 1 to 5 so that one or a plurality of test tubes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 containing a sample are collectively loaded or unloaded at the time of stop of And a test tube operating mechanism including an arm section for moving the section.

In the above-described sample centrifuge, the test tubes in which one or a plurality (five in this example) of test tubes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 are loaded in the centrifugal separation operation. The holders 21, 22, 23, ... Have rectangular window portions 11, 12, 13 ,.
The entire space G is just accommodated. For this reason, there is no large protrusion from both the front and back surfaces and the peripheral surface of the disk-shaped centrifuge rotor 10, noise is significantly reduced compared to the conventional one, and friction with air is reduced. The temperature rise of the holders 21, 22, 23, ... And the centrifugal separation rotor 10 is reduced. [2] The sample centrifuge device shown in the embodiment is the device described in the above [1], and includes the test tube holder 3
1, 32, 33 ... Have a plurality of flanges Fa, F on the outer circumference.
b and Fc are provided at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the test tube loading hole.

In the above sample centrifuge, the test tube holder 3 has the same operational effect as the above [1].
Flange Fa provided on the outer circumference of 1, 32, 33, ...
Test tube holders 31, 32, 33, ...
The mechanical strength of will be supplemented. Also the flange F
The wind noise is eliminated by a, Fb, and Fc, and a heat radiation effect is also generated. Therefore, the mechanical strength is high, and the noise reduction effect and the temperature rise suppressing effect are more remarkable. [3] The sample centrifuge device shown in the embodiment is the device described in [1] above, in which the corner window portions 11, 1 are provided.
The edge portions M of the rotors 2, 3 ... That face the outer circumference of the rotor can be opened and closed.

In the above sample centrifuge, the test tube holder 2 has the same effects as the above [1].
When attaching 1, 22, 23, ... Or 31, 32, 33, ..., Since the end edge portion M can be opened, the work of attaching the test tube holder becomes easy.

[0024]

According to the present invention, since the test tube holder is installed in the square window portion provided in the peripheral portion of the centrifuge rotor, the noise during the centrifugal separation operation is small, and the test tube due to air friction is small. It is possible to provide a sample centrifuge device in which the temperature of the holder and the centrifuge rotor hardly rises and there is no risk of impeding the centrifugation process operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a sample centrifuge according to a first embodiment of the present invention, (a) showing a state in which a centrifuge rotor is stopped, and (b) showing a centrifuge. The figure which shows the state in which the separation rotor is rotating.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a sample centrifuge according to a second embodiment of the present invention, (a) showing a state in which a centrifuge rotor is stopped, and (b) showing a centrifuge. The figure which shows the state in which the separation rotor is rotating.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the centrifuging rotor according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention is rotating, and FIG. 3 (a) is A- of FIG. 1 (b). A line sectional view,
3B is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... Test tube with sample 10 ... Centrifugal rotor 11, 12, 13, ... Square window 21, 22, 23, ... Test tube holder 31, 32, 33, ... Test tube holder Fa, Fb, Fc ... Flange M ... End edge

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A disk-shaped centrifuge rotor having a plurality of square windows arranged in the periphery thereof, and the centrifuge so that the rotor can be swung according to a centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the centrifuge rotor. Test tube holders each having one or a plurality of test tube loading holes mounted in the respective square windows of the separating rotor, and the centrifuge rotor for each test tube loading hole in each test tube holder. At the time of stop of the test, a test comprising a hand part for holding the test tube and an arm part for moving the hand part so that one or a plurality of test tubes containing the sample are collectively loaded or unloaded. A sample centrifuge device comprising: a tube operation mechanism.