JPH09236608A - Sample dispensing / classification device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [PROBLEMS] To provide an apparatus suitable for classifying a large number of samples into various fields in a sample dispensing / classifying apparatus used in clinical tests. SOLUTION: A plurality of dispensing parts (for example, 2a, 2b, etc.) are prepared and operated in parallel, and a sub-sample container (19) is dispensed.
Individual information adding means (printing section) after collecting the
Numbering according to 7 and sending each to the classification unit (8) for classification, further transferring to another child sample rack (21) for each classification classification, and sorting work, etc. can be performed continuously at high speed I chose

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing and classifying a specimen used in clinical examination, for example, liquid such as blood and urine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various dispensing apparatuses have been developed for dispensing each individual specimen into a plurality of specimens, but the assigned sub-specimen containers are numbered before dispensing. In addition, the sub-sample containers are usually put in a rack or the like in which a plurality of sub-sample containers are placed, and are collectively transported.

[0003]

In the above-mentioned conventional apparatus, when a plurality of dispensing units are operated in parallel in order to increase the processing capacity, a series of numbers is assigned to individual sub-samples of the same classification. In order to arrange the samples in order, the complicated control of controlling the dispensing order of the dispensing units of each other and passing the information to the classifying unit, and managing the order of arrival of the sub-sample containers in the classifying unit. Is required. In addition, since there are cases where the racks that contain the sub-samples contain sub-samples from multiple fields, individual containers are pulled out from the rack to be classified into a single field, and are inserted into the sorting rack in the forward packing. However, there is a problem in that it is not suitable for large-scale processing because it takes a long time to carry out the work for each one.

Therefore, in the present invention, after the sub-samples after dispensing are arranged in a line and then numbered in the order of arrival, complicated control is not performed regardless of the number of dispensing units operating in parallel. It is possible to give a series of numbers to the sub-samples, and by using a holder that can store each sub-sample one by one, there is no need to pull out or insert the sub-samples into the rack for classification, and high-speed classification is possible. It is an object of the present invention to provide a dispensing / sorting device suitable for large-scale processing.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention takes the following means. That is, a parent rack supply line that supplies a parent rack that stores a plurality of parent sample containers, an empty container supply line that stores and supplies child sample containers in a holder that individually holds the parent sample containers, and a parent sample container in the parent sample container. A plurality of dispensing means arranged in parallel for dispensing a sample into the sub-sample container according to the inspection field in an amount according to the inspection item, and the dispensed sub-sample container holders are individually conveyed. Sub-sample transport means, sub-sample individual information assigning means for assigning sub-sample individual information to the sub-sample container in the order of arrival of the holder in the same test field, which is a serial number, and the holder depending on the test field. Sorting means, sorting means, container transfer means for transferring the sub-sample containers from the sorted holding bodies to a holding body capable of accommodating another plurality of containers, and reusing the emptied holding body And a holder returning means for It was.

Since the present invention has the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to handle the sub-samples without extracting the sub-samples during the classification. Therefore, the classification mechanism is simple and the classification can be performed into a large number of sections at high speed. In addition, since the sub-samples after dispensing are numbered, it is not necessary to manage the order between the units even if multiple dispensing units are combined and operated in parallel.
It is possible to make the structure of the dispensing unit suitable for the throughput without performing complicated control.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a dispensing / classifying apparatus according to the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention
A plurality of dispensing units are operated in parallel in one line, and such a line may be operated as needed, for example, A line,
An embodiment in which two series of B series and multiple parallel operation are shown is shown.
2e, parent sample feeding section 1a, dispensing section 2a, parent sample discharging section 3a, empty container supply line 4a, child sample transport line 5a,
A line including the above is set as the A series, and the parent sample input unit 1b, the dispensing units 2f ... 2j, the parent sample discharge unit 3b, and the empty container supply line 4
A line including b and the sub-sample transport line 5b is a B series, and each unit of the sorting unit transport line 42, the printing unit 7, the sorting unit 8, and the container sorting unit 10 is configured as a common unit. For example, a parent sample container 1 containing a sample such as serum
For example, 10 pieces of 6a (see FIG. 4) are stored in the parent sample container holders 16 (hereinafter referred to as parent racks) and set in the standby section P of the parent sample loading section 1a or 1b.

The description will be given below using the A series. In the parent sample input unit 1a, the parent rack information reading device 14 that reads the coded information attached to the parent rack 16, for example, the bar code information 16c, and the coded information 16b attached to the parent sample container 16a (for example, The parent sample information reading device 13 for reading the bar code information), the liquid in the parent sample container,
For example, a liquid level measuring device 15 for measuring the height of the liquid level of serum is provided.

First, the bar code information 16 of the parent rack 16 read by the parent rack information reading device 14 during transportation.
By inquiring b of the host computer 31 as shown in FIG. 2, the dispensing and classification information of the parent sample contained in each parent sample container 16a is given to the measuring unit storage unit 32. Next, referring to FIG. 1, the bar code information 16c of the parent sample read by the parent sample information reading device 13 during transportation.
With the inquiry information from the host computer 31.

In the liquid level measuring device 15, after stopping the parent rack by a stopper (not shown), the leading parent sample container 16a is held by a chuck and the container is centered. This chuck may be interlocked with the scale, and at the same time, the outer diameter of the parent sample container 16a may be measured by the container diameter measuring device 36 (see the block in FIG. 2). Next, a sensor, for example, an ultrasonic sensor is lowered to, for example, 1 to 3 mm above the height of the container to measure the height of the serum liquid level in the parent sample container 16a. Next, after returning the ultrasonic sensor to the original position, the parent rack 16 is advanced by one sample container and the height of the serum liquid level of the parent sample is measured sequentially.

[0012] Based on the measured serum level and the measured outer diameter of the parent sample container, the volume of serum of the parent sample is calculated, and the dispensing information given from the host computer 31 must be dispensed. Make a comparison between the quantities. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the information of the serum liquid level measurement value, the outer diameter measurement value, and the serum internal volume calculation value of the parent sample container is stored in the measurement unit storage unit 3.
From 2 to the next information storage unit 33 of the dispensing unit.

Next, after the parent rack 16 once waits in the buffer section Q, when a sensor detects the presence of any of the dispensing sections 2f ... The stopper is released according to the instruction, and the parent rack transport conveyor 24 transports the stopper to an empty dispensing section as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, 5 units of dispensing units are prepared for both A and B series, but the number of units can be set arbitrarily according to the required processing capacity.

Next, the parent rack 16 is sent to the dispensing unit 2a by the parent rack transport conveyor 24a, and "a → ro →
"C" is moved to the position of the second parent rack information reading device 17 (see FIG. 4) that reads the bar code information of the parent rack, and the information storage unit of the dispensing unit is inquired as shown in FIG. Thus, the dispensing information of the parent sample is received and the dispensing instruction is given to the dispensing means. Next, the parent rack 16 is moved to the dispensing position R where the leading parent sample can be dispensed by the transport means between the dispensing units.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, the sub-sample container 19 has a sub-sample container holder 1 to which code information 18a is attached.
8 (hereinafter referred to as "pieces"), and as shown in FIG. 1, they are supplied to the respective dispensing parts by the empty container supply line 4a. When the bar code is the bar code information 18a attached to the frame, the bar code can be wound around the entire circumference, so that there is no need for a special mechanism such as rotating the bar 18 when reading the information. is there. The empty sub-sample containers 19 conveyed to the dispensing units 2a ... 2e are sequentially supplied one by one each time dispensing occurs.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, an empty sub-sample container 19 which has been conveyed from the “I” of the empty container supply line 4a to the front of the dispensing position through the route “RO” is stored. When the piece 18 passes from "ha" to the "ni" position in front of the piece information reading device 20, the bar code information 18a attached to the piece is read and stored in the information storage section 33 of the dispensing section. To be done. As the dispensing means of the present embodiment, by releasing the compressed portion of the long tube 27 having elasticity, the sample is sucked through the suction nozzle 25, and again compressed to discharge the sample 20a. However, the dispensing means 20a is not limited to this, and for example, a syringe is used, and a plastic dispensing tip molded by injection molding is replaced and mounted for each specimen to perform dispensing. Good.

When the parent sample 16a reaches the dispensing position, the total amount of required dispensing amount obtained from the dispensing information by the inquiry from the parent rack information reading device 14 is sucked by the suction nozzle 25 by the dispensing means. It will be targeted (Fig. 4). Next, the suction nozzle 25 of the dispensing means moves above the sub-sample container 19 to dispense a sample in an amount corresponding to the required amount in the first examination field. As shown in FIG. 2, it is confirmed that the dispensing is normally performed, and the piece barcode information stored in the dispensing unit information storage unit 33 is associated with the inspection field of the dispensed sample, It is stored in the classification unit information storage unit 34.

Next, while the parent rack 16 is stopped, the dispensed sub-samples are discharged from the position "HO" to the sub-sample transport line 5a as shown in FIGS. The container 19 moves to the dispensing position. Next, a sample is dispensed in an amount corresponding to the required amount in the second inspection field. Hereinafter, the same operation is repeated until the required number of the parent sample is dispensed. Next, the parent rack 16 moves one sample before, and the next parent sample is dispensed in the same manner.

Thereafter, the same operation is repeated until the dispensing of all the parent samples of the parent rack is completed. The parent rack 16 for which all the parent samples have been dispensed is sent as “d → e → h”, discharged to the parent rack transport conveyor 24a, and transported to the parent sample discharge unit 3a. The parent rack 1 which has been dispensed from all the dispensing units is installed on the parent rack transport conveyor 24a.
Since 6 is discharged, a sensor and a stopper are prepared at the confluence portion so that the racks do not collide with each other (not shown).

On the other hand, the dispensed sub-sample container 19 merges with another sub-sample container discharged from each dispensing unit, is transported on the sub-sample transport line 5a, and is transferred to another sub-sample transport line, for example, It merges with the subsidiary sample container from the B-series subsidiary sample transport line 5b, and is finally transported in a line on one sorting section transport line 42. FIG. 2 is an enlarged detail of the sorting section transport line 42.
Shown in A stopper 40 is provided near the end point of the merged sub-sample transport line, and a pusher 41 is used to provide the sub-sample container 1
The pieces 18 containing 9 are transferred one by one to the sorting section transport line 42. In the enlarged detailed view shown in FIG. 2, the packet 43 for accommodating and transporting the pieces 18 is provided in the sorting section transport line 42, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and may be an arbitrary conveyor line. May be. In this embodiment, 5 units of dispensing units are connected in parallel to form one series, and another unit of the same equipment is prepared to have a multiple parallel configuration of the dispensing units. However, this layout has a required processing capacity. Alternatively, it can be arbitrarily set according to the installation space or the like.

Next, a piece information reading device 26 and a print head 7a controlled by the printing unit 7 are provided on the combined sub-sample transport line. Next, when the child sample passes through the frame information reading device 26, the frame barcode information is read and the classification unit information storage unit 33 is inquired as shown in FIG. Next, in the classification part information storage part 34, numbers are generated in the order in which the inquiry is made for each inspection field, and the classification number and the order number information of the inspection field are sent to the printing part 7. Further, the classification unit information storage unit 34 sends the classification information of the child specimens to the classification unit 8 that classifies according to the examination field.

Further, the classification information storage unit 34 associates the number of the parent sample with the individual information of the assigned child sample and transmits them to the sorting unit information storage unit 35. As the printer represented by the print head 7a controlled by the printing unit 7, various printers can be used, but in the case of non-contact printing on the sub-sample container itself or the label attached to it. Should use a non-impact printer. Although an inkjet printer is used in this embodiment as an example of a non-impact printer, the present invention is not limited to this. A preprinted label may be attached to the sub-sample container. In this embodiment, when the sub sample container 19 passes through the inkjet printer, the sub sample individual information is printed on the sub sample container.

Next, as shown in FIG. 1, the piece 18 containing the printed sub-sample container 19 is sent to the classification section 8 and classified by inspection field. In this embodiment, the number of classifications in the inspection field is 6
Although set to 0, this number can be set arbitrarily.

Next, when a certain number of the classified sub-samples are accumulated in one classification, the sub-sample transfer robot 9
Is stored in another child sample rack 21 (hereinafter referred to as a child rack). In the present embodiment, the child rack 21 uses a holding body having the same shape as the parent rack 16 and capable of holding 10 pieces, but any holding body may be used. 10 above
The book-entry child rack 21 is loaded into the empty rack supply conveyor 22, the barcode information attached to the child rack is read by the child rack information reading device 23, and the child rack container 21 is conveyed to the child sample container insertion position, where the child sample container is It is stopped until it is stored.

Next, the sub sample transfer robot 9 can pick up 10 sub sample containers at the same time, and while moving, changes the inter-sub sample pitch and inserts the sub sample containers into the 10 racks 21. . As shown in FIG. 2, in the sorting section information storage section 35, the number of the child rack, the numbering information of the inserted child sample, and the number of the parent sample for the child sample are associated with each other and transmitted to the host computer 31.

Next, the 10-piece child rack 21 containing the child sample containers is classified into the sorting section 10 by inspection field. In the present embodiment, the sorting unit 10 is divided into 13 divisions with respect to the inspection field classification number 60, and a plurality of inspection fields are assigned to one sorting field, but the number of sorting fields and the allocation of inspection fields are arbitrary.

On the other hand, the empty pieces from which the sub-sample containers 19 have been removed are assembled by the piece aligning conveyor 12 into one row and conveyed to the empty container supply section 11. Next, in the present embodiment, for example, an empty child sample container 19 is stored in the empty piece 18 using a parts feeder. Next, the piece 18 containing the empty sub-sample container is the sub-sample return line 6a,
It is conveyed to the empty container supply lines 4a and 4b via 6b and is again used for dispensing.

[0028]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it is easy to change the configuration of the equipment according to the required processing capacity, and more classification can be performed in a smaller space than the conventional apparatus. be able to. In addition, by preparing multiple dispensing units to handle the increase in processing capacity,
In addition to being able to perform efficient parallel operation, even if one of the dispensing units fails due to a failure, it does not affect the other parts, so the entire device does not stop and reliability is improved. Are better.

In the conventional device, when a plurality of dispensing units were used, the number of sub-samples was given before the dispensing, which required complicated control and had a limit to increase the processing capacity. After collecting the child specimens and arranging them in a line,
Since they are numbered in the order in which they are lined up, mass processing is possible with simple control. Furthermore, since the sorting means sorts the holders one by one without taking out the container, high-speed processing is possible and the structure is simple, so that the entire device can be manufactured at a lower cost than the conventional device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged detailed view of a portion where the sub-sample container holder is transferred from the sub-sample transport line to the sorting section transport line in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an information flow of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a dispensing unit of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of a child sample holder.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1a, 1b Parent sample input section 2a ... 2j Dispensing section 3a, 3b Parent sample discharge section 4a, 4b Empty container supply line 5a, 5b Sub-sample transport line 6a, 6b Sub-sample return line 7 Printing section 7a Print head 8 Classification Part 9 Sub-sample transfer robot 10 Sorting part 11 Empty container supply part 12 Frame alignment conveyor 13 Parent sample information reader 14 Parent rack information reader 15 Liquid level measuring device 16 Parent sample container holder (parent rack) 17 Parent rack information Reading device 18 Sub sample container holder (piece) 19 Sub sample container 20 Frame information reading device 21 Sub sample rack (child rack) 22 Empty rack supply conveyor 23 Sub rack information reading device 24 Parent rack transport conveyor 25 Suction nozzle 26 Frame information Reading device 27 Long tube 31 Host computer 32 Measuring unit storage unit 33 Dispensing unit information storage unit 34 min Part information storage unit 35 sorting unit information storage unit 36 the container diameter measuring 40 stopper 41 pusher 42 classification section transport line 43 packets

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Naoki Nakayama 3-30-1 Shimura, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo Inside Mitsubishi Kagaku BLC (72) Inventor Takayuki Ushida 3-30 Shimura, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo No. 1 Mitsubishi Kagaku BLC (72) Inventor Shiro Masuda 3-20, Minamiotsuka, Toshima-ku, Tokyo No. 6 6 In Taft Co., Ltd. (72) Hiroshi Takao 3-20 Minamiotsuka, Toshima-ku, Tokyo No. 6 In Taft Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tetsufumi Omura 3-20-6 Minami-Otsuka, Toshima-ku, Tokyo Within Taft Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A parent rack supply line for supplying a parent rack accommodating a plurality of parent sample containers, an empty container supply line for accommodating and supplying child sample containers in a holder for individually holding them, and a parent sample container. A plurality of dispensing means arranged in parallel for dispensing the parent sample in the child sample container according to the inspection field in an amount according to the inspection item, and the dispensed child sample container holder Child sample transporting means for individually transporting, child sample individual information assigning means for assigning child sample individual information to the child sample container in the order of arrival of the holder in the same examination field, which is a serial number, and the holder A sorting means for sorting according to the field of examination, the sub-sample containers from the sorted holding bodies, a container transfer means for transferring to a holding body capable of accommodating another plurality of containers, and the empty The holder return means for reusing the holder Specimen dispensing / classifying device equipped. 2. The dispensing means is provided with an elastic long tube, and the sample is sucked and discharged by squeezing and releasing the long tube.
The described sample dispensing / classifying device. 3. The empty container supply line for supplying a sub sample container includes means for automatically supplying an empty sub sample container to the holder sent from the holder returning unit. The sample dispensing / classifying apparatus according to claim 1.