JPS61117460A - Sampling and dispensing nozzle of automatic biochemical analysis instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To have a function for detecting a liquid level as well as an effect of reinforcing a nozzle part by providing a liquid level detecting part consisting of the nozzle part and a pair of electrode materials. CONSTITUTION:A sampling and dispensing nozzle 1, the nozzle part 2, the liquid level detecting part 3 and the electrode materials 4, 5, etc. are provided. The nozzle part 2 and the electrode materials 4, 5 of the detecting part 3 descend simultaneously and when both top ends of the materials 4, 5 dip into a reagent or sample, the two top ends are conductive with the reagent, etc. and are therefore made conducting in the stage of suction and sampling of a reagent or sample. Then a detector 14 can detect the liquid level and the subsequent descending of the nozzle 1 is stopped. When the materials 4, 5 fail to attain the conducting state, the detector 14 can transmit the emptiness of the reagent, etc. to the operator in accordance with the information thereon. The top end 4a of the material 4 is disposed slightly upper than the top end 2a of the nozzle part 2 and therefore the error in the stage of liquid level detection owing to the influence of the liquid drop likely to stick always to the end 2a is prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to a collection/dispensing nozzle of an automatic biochemical analyzer used for collecting and dispensing a reagent or sample.

[Technical background of the invention and its problems] As a collection/dispensing nozzle for collecting and dispensing reagents or samples used in automatic biochemical analyzers, the collection/dispensing nozzle itself moves up and down to collect and dispense reagents or samples. Some have a mechanism for sucking and discharging samples.

In this case, part of the collection/dispensing nozzle will be immersed in the reagent or sample, but if the degree of immersion is greater than necessary, cross-contamination will increase and adversely affect the measurement data. There is a fear.

Furthermore, if there is no reagent or sample in the reagent bottle or sample bottle, the collection/dispensing nozzle may be used empty, which may cause errors in measurement results.

In order to solve these problems, it is necessary to detect when the collection/dispensing nozzle is immersed in the reagent or sample, and to prevent the collection/dispensing nozzle from descending further. It is necessary to have a liquid level detection function to detect when the liquid has run out and notify the operator of this condition.

An example of sampling/dispensing noise provided with such a liquid level detection function is shown in FIG.

The collection/dispensing nozzle 10 shown in the figure includes a nozzle 11 made of metal (for example, stainless steel), and a metal rod 12 arranged along the nozzle 11 and configured to move up and down in conjunction with the nozzle 11. The nozzle 11 and the upper part of the metal rod 12 are connected to a detector 14 via signal cables 13a and 13b.

In the collection/dispensing nozzle 10 having the above configuration, when a reagent or sample is aspirated and collected, the nozzle 11 and the metal rod 12 are simultaneously lowered, and the tips of both are immersed in the reagent or sample.

At this time, due to the conductivity of the reagent or sample, the nozzle 11
Since the metal rod 12 becomes energized, this information can be detected by the detector 14 and the descent of the sampling/dispensing nozzle 10 can be stopped. In addition, this reagent/dispensing nozzle 10 descends to the deepest part of the reagent bottle or sample bottle and the b nozzle 11
If there is no current flowing between the metal bar 12 and the metal rod 12, the detector 1 determines that the reagent or sample is empty and sends this information to the detector 1.
4 to the operator by some means.

However, since the sampling/dispensing nozzle 10 described above is made of metal (for example, stainless steel), it has problems in terms of chemical resistance and workability, and is also expensive in terms of cost.

In recent years, in view of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the metal nozzle 11, synthetic resin nozzles using fluororesin or the like have been used.

However, in the case of a synthetic resin nozzle, it is difficult to provide a liquid level detection function using the conductivity of the reagent or sample, and if the nozzle length is made long, there are problems in terms of strength.

[Object of the Invention] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a collection and dispensing biochemical automatic analyzer that uses a synthetic resin nozzle and has a liquid level detection function and is also excellent in strength. The purpose is to provide a nozzle.

[Summary of the Invention] The outline of the present invention to achieve the above object is to provide a collection/dispensing nozzle of a biochemical automatic analyzer that collects and dispenses a reagent or sample, wherein the collection/dispensing nozzle is a synthetic A liquid level detection unit comprising a resin nozzle part and a pair of electrode materials configured to move with the nozzle part, and at least one of the pair of electrode materials is integrated with the nozzle part. This is a special defeat.

[Embodiments of the invention] Examples of the present invention will be described in detail below.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention.

The sampling/dispensing nozzle 1 shown in the figure includes a nozzle part 2 made of fluorine-based synthetic resin, and a liquid level detection part 3 configured to move up and down in conjunction with the nozzle part 2. ing.

The liquid level detection section 3 consists of a pair of electrode materials 4 and 5 that have durable chemical properties, corrosion resistance, and conductivity.One electrode material 4 has its tip 4a slightly above the tip 2a of the nozzle section 2 ( Several meters
It is spirally wound around the outer periphery of this nozzle part 2 so as to reach the length (m). In this case, since the electrode material 4 is coated with synthetic resin made of the same material as the nozzle part 2, and only the tip part 4a is exposed, or the electrode material 4 is used as the nozzle part 3. It is also possible to use a structure in which only the tip portion 4a is exposed by being buried inside the tip when it is molded.

The other electrode material 5 is formed into a rod shape and is arranged along the nozzle part 3 so that its tip 5a is slightly above (several mm) than the tip 3a of the nozzle part 3, and moves with the nozzle part 3. It is designed to move up and down.

A pair of electrode materials 4.5 are connected to signal cables 13a and 1, respectively.
It is connected to the detector 14 via 3b.

Next, the operation of the sampling/dispensing nozzle 1 having the above configuration will be explained. It is assumed that a constant voltage is applied to both electrode materials 4.5 by the detector 14. Aspirate reagent or sample;
When sampling, both the electrode materials 4 of the nozzle part 2 and the liquid level detection part 3 are
, 5 are lowered at the same time, and the image tips 4a, 5 of both electrode materials 4.5
When a is immersed in the reagent or sample, the image tip 4a,
5a becomes energized due to the conductivity of the reagent or sample, which allows the detector 14 to detect the liquid level and stops the subsequent descent of the sampling/dispensing nozzle 1.

In addition, if both electrode materials 4 and 5 are not energized,
Based on this information, the detector 14 can communicate to the operator that the reagent or sample is empty.

Since the tip 4a of the electrode material 4 is arranged slightly above the tip 2a of the nozzle part 2, errors in liquid level detection due to the influence of droplets that may always adhere to this tip 2a are prevented. be able to.

Further, the electrode material 4 integrated with the nozzle portion 1 functions as a reinforcing material for this nozzle portion 1.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, in the sampling/dispensing nozzle 1A shown in the same figure, the first
Components having the same functions as those shown in the figures are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

This sampling/dispensing nozzle 1A is different from the one shown in FIG. 1 in that instead of using a rod-shaped electrode material 5, a pair of electrode materials 6.
7 is wound spirally with a constant interval, so that the tips 6a, 7a of both electrode materials 6, 7 are located slightly above the tip 2a of the nozzle part 2 (several lllll11), and both Connect the electrode material 6.7 to the signal cables 13a and 13b.
It is connected to the detector 14 via. As in the case of the first embodiment, both electrode materials 6 and 7 may be covered with synthetic resin or may be embedded in the nozzle portion 2.

In the sampling/dispensing nozzle 1A having the above configuration, both electrode materials 6 and 7 function in the same manner as the electrode materials 4 and 5 of the first embodiment, and perform liquid level detection and detection of reagent and sample empty information. I can do it.

Furthermore, since this sampling/dispensing nozzle 1A has both electrode materials 6.7 wound around its outer periphery, the reinforcing effect of the nozzle part 2 is enhanced and the space factor is reduced compared to the sampling/dispensing nozzle 1. I can do it.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, in the sampling/dispensing nozzle 1B shown in the figure, those having the same functions as those shown in FIG. 2 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

This sampling/dispensing nozzle 1B is different from the sampling/dispensing nozzle 1B shown in FIG. The image tips 8a and 9a are closely arranged along the outer periphery of the portion 2.
is located slightly above (several mm) the tip 2a of the nozzle portion 2, and both electrode materials 8.9 are connected to the detector 14 via signal cables 13a, 13b. As in the case of the first embodiment, the rain and snow polar moon 8.9 may be covered with synthetic resin or may be buried in the nozzle portion 2.

The sampling/dispensing nozzle 1B having the above configuration also has the functions of liquid level detection and empty information detection like the sampling/dispensing nozzle 1A, and has the advantage of having a high reinforcing effect on the nozzle section 2 and a small space factor. .

It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and that various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention described in detail above, the liquid level detecting section consisting of a pair of electrode materials is moved around the nozzle section made of synthetic resin, and at least one of the pair of electrode materials is connected to the nozzle section. By integrating them, it is possible to provide a sampling/dispensing nozzle for an automatic biochemical analyzer that has a function of detecting the liquid level of a reagent or sample and also has the effect of reinforcing the nozzle part.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially omitted front view showing a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a partially omitted front view showing a second actual IM example of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a partially omitted front view showing a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is a partially omitted front view showing a note nozzle. 1.1A, IB... Collection/dispensing nozzle, 2...
...Nozzle part, 3...Liquid level detection part, 4.
5, 6.7, 8.9... Electrode material.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In a collection/dispensing nozzle of a biochemical automatic analyzer that collects and dispenses reagents or samples, the collection/dispensing nozzle is configured to move with a synthetic resin nozzle part and this nozzle part. 1. A collection/dispensing nozzle for an automatic biochemical analyzer, comprising: a liquid level detecting section made up of a pair of electrode materials, and at least one of the pair of electrode materials is integrated with a nozzle section. (2) A sampling/dispensing nozzle for an automatic biochemical analyzer according to claim 1, wherein both of the pair of electrode materials of the liquid level detection section are integrated with a nozzle section.