JPH095331A - Dispensing device with conveyance line - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a dispensing device with conveyance line which can interruptively dispense an urgent original specimen. CONSTITUTION: An interruptive conveyance line 11 which interruptively conveys an urgent original specimen to the main body 20 of a dispensing device is provided so that the line 11 can join a main conveyance line 15 on the downstream of a plug opening machine 50 and, at the joint of the lines 15 and 11, a detector which detects the arrival of a rack containing an urgent original specimen is provided. An interruption switch 12 which instructs the interruption of the urgent original specimen is provided near the line 11 and a controller is provided to the main body 20 of the dispensing machine. When the switch 12 is pressed, the controller sets an interrupting state by stopping the conveyance of the rack containing the original inspection from the main line 15. When the detector detects the arrival of the rack containing the original specimen in the interrupting state, the controller restarts the conveyance of the rack containing the original specimen from the main line 15.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dispenser with a transfer line, and more particularly to a dispenser with a transfer line for interrupting an emergency source sample.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An original sample may be directly dispensed. For example, when blood is the original sample, centrifugation is performed as a pretreatment to separate it into plasma and blood clots, and then, if necessary, each component Dispensing. Further, since the original sample is generally sealed and stored in a test tube, it is necessary to open the stopper before dispensing.

Therefore, in recent dispensers, a pretreatment system for performing the above-mentioned centrifugal separation, opening and the like is connected to the dispenser main body through a transfer line. Here, as the pretreatment system, for example, a centrifuge for centrifuging the original sample,
There is a cap opening machine that opens the cap of the original sample.

Therefore, if a rack in which the original sample-containing test tubes are erected (that is, a test tube stand) is set in the preceding stage of the centrifuge, the racks are automatically conveyed to the centrifuge and the original sample-containing test tubes are It is subjected to centrifugation. Then, the test tubes that have been subjected to the centrifugal separation treatment are transported to the rack opener,
The stopper is opened in the opening machine. Then, it is conveyed to the main body of the dispensing apparatus and dispensed. Such a dispensing device is called a front system connection type.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned pre-stage system connection type dispenser, even when the original sample to be dispensed urgently occurs, the former stage of the pre-treatment system of the dispenser, for example, the centrifuge There was no choice but to put it in the previous stage, and I had to wait endlessly until I reached the dispensing process.
This makes it impossible to urgently dispense the original sample to be dispensed urgently (hereinafter referred to as "emergency original sample"), and it has been difficult to respond to the request from the site where the dispensing is performed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing device with a transfer line capable of interrupting in order to quickly dispense an emergency source sample.

[0007]

In order to solve the above problems, a dispensing apparatus with a transfer line according to the present invention is
A transport main line for transporting the original sample to the pipetting device body via the pretreatment system, an interrupt transport line for joining the transport main line and transporting the emergency original sample to the pipetting device body, and the transport main line A detector for detecting the arrival of the emergency source sample at the confluence with the interrupt transport line, an interrupt switch for instructing the interrupt of the emergency source sample, and an interrupt state when the interrupt switch is pressed. Stop the transportation of the original sample of
On the other hand, when the detector detects the arrival of the urgent original sample in the interrupted state, the controller cancels the interrupted state and restores the transport of the original sample from the transport main line.

Further, the pipetting apparatus with a carrying line according to the present invention is characterized by further comprising an analysis carrying line for carrying the original sample, which has been dispensed by the dispensing apparatus body, to the analyzing apparatus.

[0009]

According to the dispenser with a transport line according to the present invention having the above-described configuration, the interrupt transport line for transporting the emergency source sample to the dispenser body is provided so as to join the transport main line. Thus, it is possible to interrupt the original sample to be dispensed urgently. Further, since the detector is provided at the confluence of the transportation main line and the interruption transportation line, it is possible to detect whether or not the emergency source sample has arrived at the confluence and is on the transportation main line. Furthermore, when the interrupt switch that instructs the interruption of the emergency source sample is pressed by the control device, it is controlled to stop the transport of the original sample from the transport main line, so that the emergency source sample can be transferred from the interrupt transport line. It can be stably and reliably transported to the dispensing apparatus main body, and dispensing can be performed more quickly. In addition, when the detector detects the arrival of the urgent original sample in the interrupted state by the control device, the interrupted state is released and the transport of the original sample from the transport main line is resumed. Even if the dispensing of the original sample is interrupted, it can be performed smoothly.

Further, by providing the analysis transfer line for transferring the original sample after being dispensed by the main body of the dispensing apparatus to the analyzer, it is possible to perform the analyzing operation using the original sample in addition to the dispensing operation.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a dispensing device with a carrier line according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Further, FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the interrupt switch monitoring method of the pipetting apparatus with the transfer line according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a test tube containing an original sample is erected and held in a rack.

First, the structure of the dispensing apparatus with a carrying line according to the first embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pre-stage system-connection-type delivery line dispenser of the present embodiment is provided with a centrifuge 40 and a cap opener 50 as a pre-stage system for pretreatment. Here, in the centrifuge 40, for example, when blood is the original sample, centrifugation is performed in order to divide into blood plasma and blood clot. Further, in the stopper opening machine 50, the stopper of the sealed test tube is opened before the dispensing.

The test tube containing the original sample to be dispensed normally is held upright in a rack (test tube stand) and is inserted into the normal original sample rack inlet 14 provided in the centrifuge 40. .

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a main transport line 15 is provided so as to connect the centrifuge 40, the opening device 50, and the dispensing position 18 of the dispensing apparatus main body 20, and the main sample containing the original sample is provided. The rack is, as shown by arrows 22 and 23,
It is conveyed to the dispensing position 18 of the dispensing apparatus main body 20 via the centrifuge 40 and the opening device 50. Further, the rack containing the original sample for which the dispensing work has been completed at the dispensing position 18 is transported to the original sample discharging section 16 as indicated by an arrow 25.

The feature of this embodiment is that the main sample line 15 downstream of the opening machine 50 is used to convey an original sample to be dispensed urgently (hereinafter referred to as "emergency original sample") to the dispensing apparatus main body 20. That is, the interrupt conveyance line 11 that merges with is provided. As a result, the emergency source sample can be interrupted for immediate dispensing. The emergency original sample has been subjected to pretreatment such as centrifugation or opening in advance.

Further, a rack arrival sensor 21 for detecting arrival of the rack 30 in which the test tube 32 containing the emergency source sample as shown in FIG. 3 has arrived is provided at the confluence of the main transport line 15 and the interrupt transport line 11. Has been.

Further, in the vicinity of the interrupt carrier line 11,
An interrupt switch 12 for instructing the interrupt of the emergency source sample is provided, while the dispensing device main body 20 is provided with a control device (not shown). The output of the interrupt switch 12 and the output of the rack arrival sensor 21 are input to the control device, and the transport of a normal rack containing an original sample transported via the transport main line 15 is controlled. That is, when the interrupt switch 12 is pressed, the control device puts the rack into the interrupt state and stops the transport of the rack containing the original sample from the transport main line 15, while the rack 30 containing the emergency original sample arrives during the interrupt state. When detected by the sensor 21, the transport of the original sample-containing rack from the transport main line 15 is returned. At this time, the interrupt state is automatically released. By controlling as above,
The emergency source sample can be stably and reliably transported to the dispensing apparatus main body 20 from the interruption transport line 11, and dispensing can be performed immediately. Further, since the transport of the normal original sample rack is restarted immediately after the arrival of the rack 30 containing the emergency original sample, even if the dispensing of the emergency original sample is interrupted, the dispensing work can be smoothly performed. . In the present embodiment, an LED lamp 13 is arranged near the interrupt switch 12 to inform the operator whether or not the interrupt state is set. The LED lamp 13 is in the interrupt state,
The light is turned on to notify the operator that the emergency source sample has been reserved for transfer and introduction into the dispensing apparatus main body 20.

Further, an alarm (not shown) is provided, and when the rack 30 containing the emergency source sample does not arrive at the confluence of the main transport line 15 and the interrupt transport line 11 in the interrupted state, the operator is informed. It informs that the urgent original sample has not been transported to the dispensing apparatus main body 20.

Further, the dispensing table 17 has an emergency source sample area 17a for specially accommodating a rack containing an emergency source sample.
Is provided. As a result, the rack containing the emergency original sample can be placed separately from other racks, so that the analysis can be performed by prioritizing the other original sample in the subsequent analysis and the like.

In general, in an automatic transfer type dispensing system with a front system connection type transport line, a dispensing condition is programmed in advance before dispensing an original sample. As shown in FIG. 3, a bar code is attached to the test tube containing the original sample in order to interrupt the dispensing of the emergency original sample as in the present embodiment, while the barcode is provided on the main body of the dispensing apparatus. A reader is placed, the bar code of the test tube is read by this bar code reader, and based on the information of this bar code, the host computer (not shown) pre-enters the dispensing device, or the host computer responds to an inquiry. The dispensing data may be specified from the dispensing information input from the computer to the dispensing device, and the dispensing process may be performed.

Next, the transport control of the original sample in the above dispensing apparatus with the transport line will be described. The control is divided into two processes, that is, the monitoring of the interrupt switch 12 and the rack request.
As shown in FIG. 2, in the monitoring process of the interrupt switch 12, the status change of the interrupt switch 12 is monitored (S101),
When the change from OFF to ON is recognized, the interrupt state and the LED lighting state showing this state to the outside are alternately changed. The interrupt state and the LED lighting state are not changed unless the interrupt switch 12 is continuously pressed, released, or kept released.

On the other hand, in the rack 30 request processing, depending on the interrupt state determined by the interrupt switch monitoring processing, whether the rack transfer is requested to the preceding system or the internal interrupt transfer line 11 is moved to transfer the rack 30. Is determined (S102). In the case of an interrupt state (S10
3), the LED is turned on (S104), and the internal interrupt transfer line is moved so that the urgent sample is the rack arrival sensor 2
Wait for position 1 to arrive. When it arrives, the interrupt carrier line 11 is stopped, the interrupt status is cleared automatically, and L
Turn off ED.

Therefore, when the next rack request is issued from the dispensing apparatus main body 20, the transport of the original sample rack is restarted from the preceding system using the transport main line 15.

Further, the monitoring of the interrupt switch 12 is always continued, and when the interrupt switch 12 is already pressed (indicated as "set" in FIG. 2), the change from OFF to ON is recognized. Then, the interrupt state can be manually cleared (S105) and the LED can be turned off (S106).

Therefore, after that, when the next rack request is issued from the dispensing apparatus main body 20, the interrupt state is released, and therefore the interrupt transfer line 11 is not moved, and the transfer main system transfers from the preceding system. The original sample rack is transported using the line 15.

Embodiment 2 FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a dispensing device with a carrier line according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those of the dispensing device with a carrier line according to the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.
Further, the interruption operation of the emergency source sample is the same as that in the first embodiment, and therefore its explanation is omitted.

The feature of the present embodiment is that an analytical transport line 19 is provided for transporting the rack containing the original sample to the analyzer after being dispensed by the dispenser main body 20. This allows
The original sample (including the emergency original sample) after dispensing is indicated by arrow 36.
Since it can be directly conveyed to the analyzer 60, a series of operations including the analysis operation using the original sample can be performed in addition to the dispensing operation.

[0030]

As described above, according to the dispenser with a transport line according to the present invention, the interrupt transport line for transporting the emergency source sample to the dispenser body is provided so as to join the transport main line. As a result, it becomes possible to dispense the original sample to be dispensed urgently by interruption. Further, since the detector is provided at the confluence of the transportation main line and the interruption transportation line, it is possible to detect whether or not the emergency source sample has arrived at the confluence and is on the transportation main line. Further, when the control device presses the interrupt switch for instructing the interrupt of the emergency source sample, the interrupt state is set,
By controlling to stop the transport of the original sample from the main transport line, it is possible to stably and reliably transport the emergency original sample from the interrupting transport line to the main body of the dispenser, and perform dispensing as soon as possible. Will be able to. Also,
The control device controls the transport of the original sample from the transport main line to be resumed when the detector detects the arrival of the original sample in the interrupted state. Even if it is interrupted, it can be done smoothly.

Further, by providing the analysis transport line for transporting the original sample after being dispensed by the main body of the dispensing device to the analyzer, it is possible to perform the analysis work using the original sample in addition to the dispensing work. Work efficiency is improved.

As described above, according to the present invention, even when an original sample to be dispensed urgently is generated, it is possible to supply the sample before the pretreatment system of the dispensing apparatus, for example, before the centrifuge.
It can be interrupted and put into the dispensing process. As a result, it is possible to urgently dispense the original sample to be urgently dispensed, and it is possible to answer the request of the site where the dispensing is performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a dispensing device with a transfer line according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an interrupt switch monitoring method of a dispensing device with a transfer line according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a test tube containing an original sample is erected and held in a rack.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a dispensing device with a transfer line according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 interrupt carrier line, 12 interrupt switch, 13
LED lamp, 14 Ordinary original sample rack slot, 15
Transport main line, 16-source sample discharge part, 17-dispensing table, 17a Emergency source sample area, 18-dispensing position,
20 dispensing device main body, 21 rack arrival sensor, 40
Centrifuge, 50 opener.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A transport main line for transporting an original sample to a pipetting apparatus body via a pretreatment system, and an interrupt transport line for joining the transport main line to transport an emergency original sample to the pipetting apparatus body. A detector that detects the arrival of the emergency source sample at the confluence of the transport main line and the interrupt transport line, an interrupt switch that instructs the interrupt of the emergency source sample, and an interrupt state when the interrupt switch is pressed. When the arrival of an urgent original sample is detected by the detector in the interrupted state while stopping the transportation of the original sample from the transportation main line, the interrupted state is canceled and the transportation of the original sample from the transportation main line is restored. A dispensing device with a transfer line, comprising: 2. The dispensing device with a transport line according to claim 1, further comprising an analysis transport line for transporting an original sample, which has been dispensed by the dispensing device body, to an analyzer. Dispensing device with a transport line.