JP4613283B2 - Trace liquid supply device and mixing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a technique for supplying a trace amount liquid to a container holding a liquid within a smaller error range.
[0002]
[Background Art and Problems to be Solved by the Invention]
In biochemical analyzers, etc., after diluting a sample such as blood or urine, this diluted sample (sample solution) is reacted with a reagent, and then the concentration of a specific component in the sample solution, for example, by an optical method, The concentration of a specific component in the sample is measured. Since the amount of the sample solution required for such measurement is as small as 10 μl, for example, it is sufficient to prepare 50 μl of the sample solution. In this case, for example, since a sample of several μl is mixed with a dilution liquid of less than 50 μl, it is necessary to supply a dilution liquid or sample of a trace amount to the dilution container.
[0003]
Although such an operation is difficult, if a diluting solution and a specimen are not accurately supplied in a desired amount to a dilution container, it may cause a measurement error. In particular, the supply amount of the specimen is extremely small, for example, several μl, and the influence of the error in the supply amount on the measurement value is large. Therefore, various methods have been proposed in order to supply a trace amount liquid more accurately.
[0004]
Downward as an example, as shown in FIG. 8 (a) and (b), allowed to previously retained for dilution liquid 90 in the container 9, after the liquid surface 91 to stabilize, the nozzle 92 There is a method in which the specimen is discharged while the tip 93 of the nozzle 92 is in contact with the liquid surface 91.
[0005]
In this way, due to the manufacturing error and assembly error, such as a table or holder for supporting the container 9 and which, if so the height position of the liquid surface 91 is lower than the desired position, FIG. 9 (a) As shown, the specimen 94 may be ejected in the gas phase without contacting the liquid level 91. In this case, a part of the specimen 94 to be discharged may remain attached to the tip 93 of the nozzle 92, and the concentration of the dilution liquid (sample liquid) tends to be lower than desired. .
[0006]
On the other hand, when the amount of the dilution liquid 90 held in the container 9 is small, the distance from the bottom 95 of the container 9 to the liquid level 91 is small, so the position of the bottom 95 of the container 9 is higher than the design position. if a, sometimes leading end 93 of the nozzle 92 as shown in FIG. 9 (b) will hit the bottom 95 of the container 9. In this state, since the discharge port provided at the tip 93 of the nozzle 92 is closed by the bottom 95 of the container 9, the specimen cannot be discharged stably, and the concentration of the obtained sample liquid is Problems such as instability may occur.
[0007]
In order to avoid such problems, in order to make the height position of the bottom 95 and the liquid level 91 of the container 9 uniform, the container 9 and a stand or holder for supporting the container 9 are formed with high precision, and these are accurately formed. It is only necessary to assemble and manufacture the device. However, the height position of the liquid level 91 may be about several millimeters from the bottom 95 of the container 9, and in that case, improving the dimensional accuracy and assembly accuracy leads to a significant increase in manufacturing cost. Therefore, it is not necessarily an effective measure.
[0008]
The above-mentioned problem is not limited to the case where the specimen is diluted with the diluting liquid, but may generally occur when a trace amount liquid is mixed with another liquid, such as when a reagent is supplied to a sample liquid.
[0009]
The present invention has been conceived under such circumstances, and a desired amount of a trace amount liquid can be easily and appropriately supplied to other liquids without being disadvantageous in cost. The challenge is to do so.
[0010]
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention takes the following technical means.
[0011]
[0012]
[0013]
[0014]
[0015]
[0016]
[0017]
[0018]
[0019]
[0020]
[0021]
[0022]
[0023]
[0024]
In the first aspect of the present invention, the nozzle is moved in at least two directions, and a nozzle driving system that enables the liquid to be sucked and discharged by the nozzle, and control for controlling the operation of the nozzle by the nozzle driving system. A trace liquid supply device configured to discharge a trace liquid from a tip portion of a nozzle into a container holding the liquid, and supply the trace liquid, and the nozzle drive system includes: Based on the control by the control means, the nozzle is moved downward from the upper position of the container to stop the tip of the nozzle at the first fixed position set in the liquid, and then the nozzle is moved upward. is allowed to stop the tip of the nozzle at a second predetermined position which is set in said liquid, is configured to eject the small amount liquid to the liquid from the tip of the nozzle, the upper The first fixed position is set to the design position of the bottom of the container (the ideal bottom position of the container when the container and the members that support the container are formed as ideal and assembled as ideal), and The second fixed position is more than the position where the downward movement of the nozzle is stopped (the first fixed position when the nozzle does not contact the bottom of the container, and the position of the bottom of the container when the nozzle contacts). From the distance between the bottom of the liquid and the stationary liquid level of the liquid (the liquid level in a state where the liquid level is stabilized when the nozzle is not immersed), the actual position of the bottom of the container is expected. An apparatus for supplying a trace amount liquid is provided, which is set at an upper position by a distance obtained by subtracting the absolute value of the maximum error dimension between the position and the design position .
[0025]
In this configuration, since the trace amount liquid is discharged above the lowest position of the tip of the nozzle in the container, it is possible to reliably avoid a situation in which the trace amount liquid is discharged while the nozzle is in contact with the bottom of the container. Can do. In addition, since the second fixed position is set in the liquid held in the container, it is possible to avoid a situation in which a trace amount of liquid is discharged in the gas phase above the liquid level.
[0026]
As described above, in the present invention, the accuracy of the container and parts such as a table and a holder for supporting the container are remarkably improved, and the liquid held in the container is surely secured without special consideration for an assembly error. A trace amount liquid can be discharged. As a result, a desired amount of a trace amount of liquid can be reliably and easily supplied to the liquid held in the container without increasing the manufacturing cost of the apparatus.
[0027]
In addition, when the nozzle is moved up from a state where the tip of the nozzle is immersed in the liquid held in the container, even if the tip of the nozzle tries to be higher than the liquid level, the vicinity of the liquid level Then, due to the surface tension of the liquid surface, the liquid held in the container is gathered at the tip of the nozzle. Therefore, even if the tip of the nozzle is positioned slightly above the static water surface of the liquid held in the container before the nozzle is immersed, the tip of the nozzle comes into contact with the liquid surface. Therefore, when the nozzle is pulled up from the liquid held in the container, it is in a state where it is in contact with the liquid surface at a higher level than when the nozzle is moved down from the gas phase and brought into contact with the liquid level. Since the liquid can be discharged, it can be said from this point that the present invention can more reliably supply a desired amount of the trace liquid to the liquid held in the container.
[0028]
In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further comprises detection means for detecting whether or not the tip of the nozzle has contacted the bottom of the container, and the tip of the nozzle has contacted the bottom of the container by the detection means. Is detected, the nozzle drive system raises the nozzle until the tip of the nozzle is positioned at the second fixed position after stopping the downward movement of the nozzle based on the control by the control means. It is configured to move.
[0029]
In this configuration, when the tip of the nozzle comes into contact with the bottom of the container, the downward movement is stopped without applying an extra load. As a result, an excessive load is not applied to the tip of the nozzle, so that damage to the tip of the nozzle is avoided, and a trace amount of liquid can be discharged stably from the tip of the nozzle.
[0030]
[0031]
In addition, since the first fixed position is set as described above, the trace liquid is discharged above the first position, so that the trace liquid is discharged while the tip of the nozzle is in contact with the bottom of the container. Is more reliably avoided. On the other hand, since the second fixed position is set as described above, the second fixed position is more reliably set in the liquid held in the container even if a dimensional error or the like occurs in each component. Therefore, a situation in which a trace amount of liquid is discharged in the gas phase is more reliably avoided.
[0032]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the trace liquid and the other liquid are supplied by supplying the trace liquid by the second nozzle into the liquid supplied by the first nozzle and held in the container. An apparatus for mixing, wherein the apparatus for supplying a trace liquid according to the first aspect of the present invention described above is employed to drive the second nozzle. Is provided.
[0033]
In this mixing apparatus, the trace liquid supply device according to the first aspect of the present invention is used as the apparatus for supplying the trace liquid to the liquid held in the container, so the trace liquid is contained in the liquid in the container. Can be supplied in a desired amount more reliably. As a result, a minute amount of liquid can be more reliably mixed with other liquids at a desired ratio. For example, if a sample such as blood or urine is used as the minute liquid and a dilution liquid is used as the other liquid. Thus, a diluted specimen (sample solution) having a desired concentration can be more reliably prepared.
[0034]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of an example of a trace liquid mixing apparatus according to the present invention that employs a trace liquid supply apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 illustrates a method for supplying a dilution liquid to a container. 4 to 7 are schematic diagrams for explaining a method of supplying a specimen as a trace amount liquid.
[0035]
1 includes the first and second nozzles 1 and 2, the dilution liquid storage tank 3, the specimen storage tank 4, the container 5, the control means 6, the detection means 7, and the nozzle drive. A system 8 is schematically configured.
[0036]
The first nozzle 1 supplies the dilution liquid 30 held in the dilution liquid storage tank 3 to the container 5. Therefore, the first nozzle 1 can suck and discharge the dilution liquid 30 by a minute amount. The first nozzle 1 can move up and down between the dilution liquid storage tank 3 and the dilution liquid storage tank 3 as indicated by arrows A1 and A2, and is also indicated by arrows A3 and A4. As shown, it is possible to reciprocate between the upper part of the dilution liquid storage tank 3 and the upper part of the container 5, and as shown by arrows C1 and C2, it moves up and down between the upper part of the container 5 and the inside of the container 5. It is possible.
[0037]
Since the second nozzle 2 supplies a biochemical sample 40 such as blood or urine held in the sample storage tank 4 to the container 5, a minute amount of sample is provided as in the first nozzle 1. Can be sucked and discharged. The second nozzle 2 can move up and down between the specimen reservoir 4 and the specimen reservoir 4 as indicated by arrows B1 and B2, and as indicated by arrows B3 and B4. A reciprocating motion can be performed between the upper portion of the specimen storage tank 4 and the upper portion of the container 5, and as indicated by arrows C1 and C2, it can be moved up and down between the upper portion of the container 5 and the inside of the container 5.
[0038]
The nozzle drive system 8 performs the suction and discharge of the trace liquid by the first and second nozzles 1 and 2 and the movement of these nozzles 1 and 2. The nozzle drive system 8 individually supplies a power source (not shown) such as a pump that applies suction pressure and discharge pressure to the first and second nozzles 1 and 2, respectively, and the first and second nozzles 1 and 2, respectively. The two lifting mechanisms (not shown) for moving up and down in the directions of arrows A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2, and the first and second nozzles 1 and 2 are individually shown in the drawings. A transport mechanism (not shown) for reciprocating A3, A4, B3, and B4 is provided.
[0039]
The elevating mechanism makes the first or second nozzle 1 or 2 interlock with the rotation of a rotating shaft such as a stepping motor or a pulse motor, and the first or second nozzle according to the rotating direction or rotating angle of the rotating shaft. A configuration is adopted in which 1 and 2 move up and down. As the transport mechanism, for example, a configuration in which the first or second nozzle 1 or 2 is connected to a swing arm or a slide arm and these arms are rotated or horizontally moved is adopted.
[0040]
The container 5 is made of plastic or glass, for example, and has a prismatic storage space with a cross-sectional area of 6 mm × 4 mm. In this container 5, if the specimen 40 is diluted with the dilution liquid 30 to obtain a sample liquid, the sample liquid and thus the concentration of the specific component in the specimen can be measured by an optical method as it is. Yes.
[0041]
If the cross-sectional dimension of the storage space is as described above, for example, if 45 μl of the dilution liquid 30 is held in the container 5, the distance L 1 from the bottom 50 of the container 5 to the liquid surface 30 a of the dilution liquid 30. Is about 1.6 mm (see FIG. 2B).
[0042]
The control means 6 is configured with, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The control means 6 executes operations such as movement of the first and second nozzles 1 and 2 and suction / discharge of liquid by executing a program stored in the ROM while using the RAM based on a command from the CPU. In this regard, the nozzle drive system 8 is controlled.
[0043]
The detection means 7 detects whether or not the second nozzle 2 is in contact with the bottom 50 of the container 5. The detection means 7 includes a known sensor such as a pressure sensor or a sensor using electrostatic capacity, and an arithmetic unit configured to process information from the sensor and include a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. ing. When the detection means 7 detects that the second nozzle 2 has come into contact with the bottom 50 of the container 5, the information is transmitted to the control means 6, and the control means 6 detects the second nozzle 2. Operation is controlled. Of course, the control unit 6 may perform the function of the calculation unit of the detection unit 7. When a stepping motor or a pulse motor is used as the lifting mechanism for the second nozzle 2, the motor is driven if the tip 20 a (see FIG. 5) of the second nozzle 2 comes into contact with the bottom 50 of the container 5. Since the load voltage to be increased increases, the detection means 7 may be configured to detect the load voltage.
[0044]
In the mixing apparatus X configured as described above, the dilution liquid 30 is supplied to the container 5 as follows.
[0045]
First, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, the dilution liquid 30 is supplied to the first nozzle 1 by the transport mechanism of the nozzle drive system 8 based on the control by the control means 6. After being positioned above the storage tank 3, the first nozzle 1 is moved down in the direction of arrow A1 in FIG. 1 by the lifting mechanism of the nozzle drive system 8, and the first as shown by the solid line in FIG. The tip 10 of the nozzle 1 is immersed in the dilution liquid 30. In this state, the dilution liquid 30 is sucked by the first nozzle 1 using the power from the power source of the nozzle drive system 8 based on the control by the control means 6. At this time, the suction amount of the dilution liquid 30 is, for example, 45 μl. Thereafter, based on the control by the control means 6, the first nozzle 1 is moved in the directions of arrows A2 and A3 in the figure by the elevating mechanism and the transport mechanism of the nozzle drive system 8, and is indicated by a virtual line in FIG. As described above, the first nozzle 1 is positioned above the container 5.
[0046]
Next, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2B, the first nozzle 1 is moved down in the direction of the arrow C <b> 1 by the lifting mechanism of the nozzle drive system 8 based on the control by the control unit 6, and then the nozzle The dilution liquid 30 is discharged into the container 5 using the power from the power source of the drive system 8. At this time, when the whole amount of the diluted dilution liquid 30 is discharged, the height of the liquid surface 30a in the container 5 is, for example, about 1.6 mm when the bottom 50 of the container 5 is used as a reference. . Thereafter, based on the control by the control means 6, the first nozzle 1 is put on standby at a predetermined position by the lifting mechanism and the transport mechanism of the nozzle drive system 8.
[0047]
On the other hand, the supply of the specimen 40 to the container 5 by the mixing apparatus X is performed as follows based on the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG.
[0048]
First, as shown in FIG. 3, when the control means 6 determines that the specimen 40 should be aspirated (S1: YES), the specimen 40 is aspirated by the second nozzle 2 (S2). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the suction of the specimen 40 is performed by first positioning the second nozzle 2 above the specimen storage tank 4 by the transport mechanism of the nozzle drive system 8 based on the control by the control means 6. After that, the second nozzle 2 is moved downward in the direction of the arrow B1 in FIG. 1 by the elevating mechanism so that the tip 20 of the second nozzle 2 is immersed in the specimen 40. In this state, the specimen 40 is aspirated by the second nozzle 2 using the power from the power source of the nozzle drive system 8. At this time, the amount of suction of the specimen 40 is, for example, 3 μl.
[0049]
Next, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, based on the control by the control means 6, the second nozzle 2 is moved in the directions of the arrows B <b> 2 and B <b> 3 by the lifting mechanism and the transport mechanism of the nozzle drive system 8, As shown by the phantom lines in FIG. 4, the second nozzle 2 is positioned above the container 5 (S3). Thereafter, based on the control by the control means 6, the second nozzle 2 is moved downward by the lifting mechanism of the nozzle drive system 8 (S4).
[0050]
In the downward movement process (S4) of the second nozzle 2, the control means 6 determines whether or not the tip 20a of the second nozzle 2 has reached the first fixed position P1 (see FIG. 5) (S5). ). This determination is made by the control means 6 calculating whether or not the downward movement distance of the second nozzle 2 has reached a predetermined distance.
[0051]
Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the first fixed position P1 has the container 5 in an ideal state in which members such as a container and a support portion are formed as designed without error, and these members are assembled without error. It is set at the position of the bottom 50 of the container 5 when it is supported by the support portion. Actually, for example, an error P of about ± 1.0 mm is generated, and the bottom 50 of the container 5 is within a range of ± 1.0 mm from the first fixed position P1 as indicated by reference numerals P1 ′ and P1 ″ in FIG. It will be located below or above the first home position P1.
[0052]
When the controller 6 determines that the tip 20a of the second nozzle 2 has not reached the first fixed position P1 (S5: NO), the controller 6 determines that the tip 20a of the second nozzle 2 is the container 5. It is determined based on the information from the detection means 7 whether it contact | abutted to the bottom 50 of (S6).
[0053]
When the control means 6 determines that the tip 20a of the second nozzle 2 is not in contact with the bottom 50 of the container 5 (S6: NO), the control means 6 repeats the calculations of S5 and S6, and performs control. The calculation is repeated until the means 6 determines YES in S5 or S6.
[0054]
On the other hand, when the control unit 6 determines that the tip 20a of the second nozzle 2 has reached the first fixed position P1 (S5: YES), or the control unit 6 sets the tip 20a of the second nozzle 2 to the container 5 If it is determined that the bottom 50 is in contact (S6: YES), the control means 6 operates the lifting mechanism of the nozzle drive system 8 to move the second nozzle 2 to the second fixed position as shown in FIG. Move up to position P2 (S7).
[0055]
Thereby, the situation where the specimen 40 is discharged while the second nozzle 2 is in contact with the bottom 50 of the container 5 is avoided. Further, when the tip 20 a of the second nozzle 2 comes into contact with the bottom 50 of the container 5, the second nozzle 2 is brought into contact with the bottom 50 of the container 5 because the downward movement of the second nozzle 2 is stopped. Since no downward force acts on the second nozzle 2 more than necessary in the contacted state, damage to the tip portion 20 of the second nozzle 2 is suppressed.
[0056]
Here, the second fixed position P2 is in contact with, for example, the downward movement stop position of the second nozzle 2 (if the downward movement is stopped at the first fixed position P1, the first fixed position P1 is in contact with the bottom 50 of the container 5). In the case where the second nozzle 2 is not immersed in the dilution liquid 30 from the bottom 50 of the container 5 (the position of the bottom 50). Surface) is set upward by a distance obtained by subtracting the absolute value P of the maximum value of the displacement (presumed error) of the position of the bottom 50 of the container 5 from the distance L1 to 30a.
[0057]
For example, if the distance L1 from the bottom 50 of the container 5 to the liquid level 30a is 1.6 mm and the absolute value P of the maximum value of the assumed error is 1.0 mm, the tip 20a of the second nozzle 2 is When the downward movement is stopped by reaching the first fixed position P1, the second fixed position P2 is set to a position that is 0.6 mm higher than the first fixed position P1. On the other hand, when the tip 20a of the second nozzle 2 comes into contact with the bottom 50 of the container 5 and the downward movement is stopped, the second fixed position P2 is a position above the bottom 50 of the container 5 by 0.6 mm. Set to
[0058]
The uppermost position of the second fixed position P2 set in this way substantially coincides with the position of the liquid surface 30a of the dilution liquid 30 as shown in FIG. 6, and otherwise shown in FIG. As described above, the second home position P2 is set in the liquid 30 for dilution. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, when the bottom 50 of the actual container 5 is located at a position P1 ′ below the first fixed position P1 by the maximum error P, the tip 20a of the second nozzle 2 is located. Is stopped at the first fixed position P <b> 1 without contacting the bottom 50 of the container 5. This stop position is higher than the actual bottom 50 position P1 ′ by a maximum error dimension P (for example, 1 mm), from which the second nozzle 2 is calculated by the above-described method (for example, 0.6 mm). If it is only moved upward, the tip 20a of the second nozzle 2 is positioned at the liquid level 30a as shown in FIG.
[0059]
At this time, even if the actual error dimension P is slightly larger than that assumed, for example, even when the position of the bottom 50 of the actual container 5 is slightly lower than P1 ′, the second nozzle 2 The tip 20a of the liquid crystal remains in contact with the liquid level 30a. That is, when the second nozzle 2 is moved up with the tip 20 immersed in the dilution liquid 30, and the tip 20a tries to escape from the liquid level 30a, the surface of the liquid level 30a as shown in FIG. Since the diluting liquid 30 clings to the tip 20 of the second nozzle 2 due to the tension, the second nozzle 2 remains until the tip 20a of the second nozzle 2 is positioned slightly above the liquid level 30a in the stationary state. The tip portion 20 of the liquid crystal comes into contact with the liquid level 30a. Further, the height position of the liquid surface 30a is higher than the stationary water surface 30a because the tip portion 20 of the second nozzle 2 is immersed, but the second nozzle 2 is moved up from this state. In this case, since the height position of the liquid level 30a is lowered, the diluting liquid 30 is more likely to cling to the tip 20 of the second nozzle 2.
[0060]
Next, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6 or FIG. 7, based on the control by the control means 6, the tip of the second nozzle 2 at the second fixed position P2 by the power from the power source of the nozzle drive system 8 The specimen 40 is discharged from 20 (S8). At this time, since the second fixed position P2 is set below the liquid surface 30a of the dilution liquid 30 and above the bottom 50 of the container 5, the specimen 40 is discharged in the gas phase, or the first The specimen 40 can be stably discharged into the dilution liquid 30 without being discharged while the tip 20a of the two nozzles 2 is in contact with the bottom 50 of the container 5.
[0061]
When the ejection of the specimen 40 is completed, the second nozzle 2 is moved to a predetermined position by moving the second nozzle 2 by the lifting mechanism and the transport mechanism of the nozzle drive system 8 based on the control by the control means 6. Is retreated (S9), and the supply of the specimen 40 is terminated. Of course, when the control means 6 determines in S1 that there is no instruction for sample aspiration (S1: NO), the second nozzle 2 is kept in a predetermined position without supplying the sample 40. deep.
[0062]
[0063]
[0064]
[0065]
[0066]
[0067]
[0068]
In addition , the invention which concerns on this application is not limited to what was demonstrated in this Embodiment. In the above-described embodiment, the case where the specimen as the trace liquid is supplied into the dilution liquid held in the container and these are mixed is described. For example, the types of the liquid and the trace liquid held in the container are The invention is not limited, and the present invention can also be applied to a case where a trace amount of liquid is supplied to a relatively large amount of liquid and these are mixed.
[0069]
Furthermore, the container and the specimen storage tank may be placed on a support base or held by a holder. Of course, a plurality of containers and specimen storage tanks are collectively held with respect to the holder, and the container and specimen are stored together with the holder. A configuration in which the storage tank is moved can also be adopted.
[0070]
Further, the mixing device and the specimen (trace liquid) supply device of the present embodiment may be incorporated into an analyzer configured to measure the concentration of a specific component by an optical method.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of an example of a trace liquid mixing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view for explaining a method of supplying a dilution liquid to the container by the mixing apparatus shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining operation control of a second nozzle in the sample supply process to the container by the mixing apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method of an operation of a second nozzle before and after sample suction in a sample supply process.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the tip of the second nozzle has reached the first fixed position or the vicinity thereof in the specimen supply process.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the tip of the second nozzle has reached the second fixed position in the specimen supply process.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the tip of the second nozzle has reached the second fixed position in the specimen supply process.
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a conventional method for supplying a trace amount of liquid.
FIG. 9 is a schematic view for explaining problems of a conventional method for supplying a trace amount of liquid.
[Explanation of symbols]
X Mixer 1 First nozzle 2 Second nozzle 20 (second nozzle) tip 20a (second nozzle) tip 30 Dilution liquid 21 (second nozzle tip) through hole 22 Slit (as a through hole)
40 specimens (trace liquid)
5 Container 50 (Bottom) bottom 6 Control means 7 Detection means 8 Nozzle drive system

Claims (3)

A nozzle drive system that moves the nozzle in at least two directions and that allows the liquid to be sucked and discharged by the nozzle, and a control unit that controls the operation of the nozzle by the nozzle drive system, and holds the liquid. A trace liquid supply device configured to discharge a trace liquid from the tip of the nozzle into the container and supply it,
The nozzle drive system, based on the control by the control means, moves the nozzle down from an upper position of the container and stops the tip of the nozzle at a first fixed position set in the liquid. The nozzle is moved up to stop the tip of the nozzle at a second fixed position set in the liquid, and the trace liquid is discharged from the tip of the nozzle into the liquid .
The first home position is set to the design position of the bottom of the container;
The second fixed position is predicted as the actual position of the bottom of the container from the distance between the bottom of the container and the liquid resting liquid surface, rather than the position where the downward movement of the nozzle is stopped. An apparatus for supplying a trace amount liquid, wherein the apparatus is set at an upper position by a distance obtained by subtracting an absolute value of a maximum error dimension between the position and the design position . Further comprising detection means for detecting whether the tip of the nozzle is in contact with the bottom of the container; and
When the detection means detects that the tip of the nozzle is in contact with the bottom of the container, the nozzle drive system stops the downward movement of the nozzle based on the control by the control means. The trace liquid supply apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the nozzle is moved up until the tip of the nozzle is positioned at a second fixed position. An apparatus that mixes the trace liquid with another liquid by supplying the trace liquid with the second nozzle into the liquid supplied by the first nozzle and held in the container,
An apparatus for mixing trace liquids, wherein the apparatus for supplying trace liquids according to claim 1 or 2 is employed to drive the second nozzle.

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