JP7171641B2 - Reagent container rack and sample analyzer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a reagent container rack and a sample analyzer provided with the reagent container rack.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, sample analyzers that analyze samples using reagents are known. In the sample analyzer, the reagent is aspirated from the reagent container by a suction tube or the like, so the reagent container containing the reagent is installed in the sample analyzer in an unsealed state. If the reagent container is installed in an unsealed state, the reagent inside the container may evaporate, affecting analysis performance.

As a method for reducing the evaporation of the reagent, it is known to attach a lid that suppresses the evaporation of the reagent to the mouth of the reagent container (see, for example, Patent Document 1). As shown in FIG. 16, Patent Document 1 discloses a fitting cylindrical portion 901 that is fitted into a reagent container, a flange portion 902 that comes into contact with the mouth of the reagent container when mounted, and a reagent on the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion 902 . A reagent container lid 900 is disclosed having a deformable lid 903 arranged to cover the opening of the container and an opening 904 formed in the center of the lid 903 for receiving a suction tool. . In this reagent container lid 900, the lid 903 partially covers the opening of the reagent container, thereby suppressing evaporation of the reagent. In this reagent container lid 900 , the lid portion 903 is deformable by the notch 905 . Therefore, even if the suction tool contacts the lid portion 903 when the suction tool is inserted into the opening 904 , the deformation of the lid portion 903 Does not interfere with suction operation.

Japanese Patent No. 4829624

However, in the reagent container lid 900 described in Patent Document 1, the inside of the reagent container is open through the opening 904, so the evaporation of the reagent in the reagent container cannot be sufficiently suppressed. In addition, since the reagent container lid 900 is in direct contact with the mouth of the reagent container, and the suction tool to which the reagent is attached is likely to be in contact with the lid 903, the reagent container lid 900 is used once. Attempting to load another reagent container creates the potential for reagent contamination. To avoid potential contamination, the lids had to be either disposable or thoroughly washed when the lids were replaced with another reagent container.

Therefore, from the viewpoint of user convenience, reagent evaporation can be sufficiently suppressed even when the unsealed reagent container is left in the sample analyzer, and the possibility of contamination is suppressed so that the reagent container can be used as is even if the reagent container is replaced. It is hoped that it can be done.

The present invention is directed to effectively suppressing the evaporation of a reagent when an unsealed reagent container is installed in a sample analyzer, and to suppress the possibility of reagent contamination even when the reagent container is replaced with another reagent container. It is a thing.

A reagent container rack (100) according to the first aspect of the present invention is a reagent container rack (100) removably installed in a sample analyzer (200) that analyzes a sample using a reagent, and has an opening. A mouth portion including a holding portion (10) for holding a reagent container (90) containing a formed reagent, an opening end face in which an opening of the reagent container (90) is formed, and an outer surface extending from the peripheral edge of the opening end face. a lid (20) covering the mouth (91) at a distance between the mouth (91), the lid being in contact with the outer surface of the reagent container around the mouth to allow the lid to and the outer surface of the reagent container form a space surrounding the mouth.

In the reagent container rack (100) according to the first aspect, by being configured as described above, the lid (20) covering the opening (91) of the reagent container (90) and the reagent container (90) create a space. (CS) can be formed and the mouth (91) can be placed inside this space (CS). As a result, the inside of the reagent container (90) can be isolated from the outside of the lid (20) only by communicating with the space (CS) through the mouth (91). As a result, unlimited evaporation of the reagent contained in the reagent container (90) to the outside is suppressed, so that evaporation of the reagent can be effectively suppressed even when the unsealed reagent container is installed in the sample analyzer. Furthermore, even if the lid (20) covers the mouth (91), a space (CS) is formed between the lid (20) and the mouth (91), so there is a possibility that the reagent will adhere. Adhesion of the reagent to the lid (20) through a mouth (91) is suppressed. As a result, even if the reagent container (90) covered by the lid (20) is replaced with another reagent container (90), the possibility of reagent contamination can be suppressed.

In the reagent container rack (100) according to the first aspect, preferably, the opening (91) is exposed when the unopened reagent container (90) is opened by removing the cap (95) attached in advance. part. Here, the reagent container (90) is sold in an unopened state with the sealing cap (95) attached to the opening (91), and is opened with the cap (95) removed. It is set in the reagent container rack (100) in this state and installed in the sample analyzer (200). Since the cap (95) that seals the reagent container (90) in advance may have an internal reagent adhered thereto, the reagent may adhere to the portion covered by the cap (95). be. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the lid (20) covering the mouth (91) forms a space (CS) between itself and the mouth (91) covered with the cap (95). ) can be further reduced. Therefore, when replacing the reagent container (90) set in the reagent container rack (100), the possibility of reagent contamination via the lid (20) can be effectively suppressed.

In the reagent container rack (100) according to the first aspect, preferably, the outer surface of the mouth (91) has a container engaging portion that engages with a cap (95) previously attached to an unopened reagent container (90). The cover (20) includes a joint (91b), and the mouth (91) has a mouth (91b) so as to form a space (CS) between the opening end face (91a) of the mouth (91) and the container engaging portion (91b). 91). With this configuration, not only the opening end face (91a) to which the reagent may adhere through the aspiration tube (121) when aspirating the reagent, but also the cap (95) for sealing the reagent container (90) in advance. Since the lid (20) covers the container engaging portion (91b) via the space (CS), the reagent may adhere to the lid (20). can be effectively reduced.

In this case, the container engaging portion (91b) of the spout (91) may be a threaded portion that engages the cap (95).

In the reagent container rack (100) according to the first aspect, the lid (20) is preferably configured to cover the mouth (91) without contacting the mouth (91). With this configuration, the cover (20) can be prevented from coming into contact with the mouth (91) while covering the mouth (91), so reagent contamination can be more reliably suppressed.

In this case, the lid portion (20) preferably has a top plate (21) and a cylindrical side wall (22) extending from the top plate (21) toward the holding portion (10). is larger than the outer shape of the mouth (91). With this configuration, a gap can be secured between the peripheral edge of the mouth (91) and the side wall (22). Therefore, contact between the opening (91) and the top plate (21) as well as contact between the peripheral edge of the opening (91) and the lid (20) can be avoided. Nation can be suppressed.

In the configuration in which the lid (20) has a top plate (21) and a side wall (22), preferably, the side wall (22) is located at the end (22a) of the side wall (22) at the end (22a) of the reagent container (90). It is formed so as to abut on the outer surface of an intermediate portion (94) connecting the mouth portion (91) and a trunk portion (92) having a larger outer shape than the mouth portion (91). With this configuration, the outer diameter is increased at the middle portion (94) between the mouth portion (91) and the body portion (92) of the reagent container (90), so that the end portion (22) of the side wall (22) 22a) is brought into contact with the intermediate portion (94), a space (CS) can be formed if the reagent container (90) has an outer diameter larger than that of the side wall (22). Therefore, the size range of the reagent container (90) in which the lid (20) can be used can be easily ensured.

In the configuration in which the end (22a) of the side wall (22) abuts the intermediate portion (94) of the reagent container (90), the side wall (22) is preferably made of an elastic material and contacts the reagent container (90). It has an abutting portion (23) that contacts, and the abutting portion (23) is annularly provided at the end portion (22a) along the end portion (22a). With this configuration, the contact portion (23) of the end portion (22a) of the side wall (22) and the reagent container (90) can be brought into close contact with each other due to the elastic deformation of the contact portion (23). As a result, the degree of sealing of the space (CS) formed in the lid (20) can be further improved, so that evaporation of the reagent can be more effectively suppressed.

In the configuration in which the lid portion (20) has a top plate (21) and a side wall (22), preferably, the side wall (22) has an inner peripheral surface (22b) formed at the opening (91) of the reagent container (90). ) and an intermediate portion (94) connecting the mouth portion (91) and the body portion (92). With this configuration, even if the reagent container (90) has a small outer diameter, the inner peripheral surface (22b) of the side wall (22) can contact the reagent container (90) to form a space (CS). .

In this case, the side wall (22) is preferably made of an elastic material and has a contact portion (23) that contacts the reagent container (90). It is provided so as to protrude from the surface (22b) toward the center. With this configuration, the contact portion (23) of the inner peripheral surface (22b) of the side wall (22) and the reagent container (90) can be brought into close contact with each other due to the elastic deformation of the contact portion (23). As a result, the degree of sealing of the space (CS) formed in the lid (20) can be further improved, so that evaporation of the reagent can be more effectively suppressed. In addition, since the contact portion (23) is elastically deformable, it is possible to easily secure a range of sizes of the reagent container (90) in which the lid portion (20) can be used.

In the configuration in which the side wall (22) has an abutment (23) made of an elastic material, it is preferably engaged with the lid (20) and the abutment (23) is held by the holding part (10). It further comprises an engaging portion (41) that holds the lid portion (20) in a state of being pressed against the reagent container (90). With this configuration, by engaging the cover (20) with the engaging portion (41), the contact portion (23) is pressed against the reagent container (90) and is elastically deformed so as to be in close contact with the reagent container (90). can hold This makes it possible to easily maintain the closed state of the space (CS) formed in the lid (20).

The reagent container rack (100) according to the first aspect preferably further comprises a support section (30) connecting the holding section (10) and the lid section (20). With this configuration, the holding part (10) and the lid part (20) are not provided as separate parts, but the holding part (10) and the lid part (20) are connected via the support part (30). A single connected reagent container rack (100) can be obtained. This makes it easier to handle the used reagent container rack (100) without having to manage each component individually, thereby improving convenience for the user.

In the reagent container rack (100) according to the first aspect, the support (30) preferably exposes the front and side surfaces of the reagent containers (90) between the holder (10) and the lid (20). The holding part (10) and the lid part (20) are connected at positions separated from each other. Here, in the sample analyzer (200), the reagent container (90) may be stored at a temperature different from room temperature. In that case, if most of the reagent container (90) is covered with the lid or holder of the reagent container rack (100), heat transfer will be hindered, and the reagent in the reagent container (90) will not reach the set temperature. slow to reach. Therefore, with the configuration described above, the opening (91) of the reagent container (90) is covered with the lid (20), while the reagent container (90) is covered in a wide range outside the lid (20). By exposing them to the outside from the rack (100), it is possible to suppress the inhibition of heat transfer. As a result, the reagent temperature in the reagent container (90) can be rapidly reached to the set temperature while suppressing evaporation of the reagent.

In the configuration provided with the support (30), preferably, the support (30) has the lid (20) in the closed position (P1) covering the mouth (91) of the reagent container (90), and the holder (30). It is movably supported to an open position (P2) in which a reagent container (90) can be placed and removed from (10). With this configuration, even when the holding part (10) and the lid part (20) are connected by the support part (30), the lid part (20) is moved to move the reagent container ( 90) can be easily placed and replaced, thereby improving convenience for the user.

In this case, the support (30) is connected to the lid (20) via a first hinge (31) that pivots the lid (20) between the closed position (P1) and the open position (P2). may have been

In the structure in which the support part (30) is connected to the lid part (20) via the first hinge part (31), the lid part (20) preferably has an aspiration tube (121) inserted therein for aspirating the reagent. It has an insertion opening (24) for inserting and a closing part (25) that closes the insertion opening (24) and can be opened and closed. With this configuration, the lid (20) is placed in the closed position (P1) to cover the mouth (91), and the closing part (25) is opened to open the suction tube (121). Reagent can be aspirated by Therefore, compared to the configuration in which the entire lid (20) is moved to the open position (P2) when aspirating the reagent, it is possible to prevent the inside of the reagent container (90) from being opened to the outside. , the evaporation of the reagent can be suppressed.

In this case, the closing part (25) is preferably rotatably connected to the lid part (20) via the second hinge part (26) so that the insertion port (24) can be opened and closed. With this configuration, the insertion port (24) can be easily opened and closed simply by rotating the closing portion (25).

In the configuration in which the closing part (25) is rotatable via the second hinge part (26), preferably, a biasing member (27) for biasing the closing part (25) toward the insertion opening (24) is provided. ) is further provided. According to this structure, the degree of sealing when the closing portion (25) is closed can be improved by the biasing force of the biasing member (27).

In the configuration in which the closing portion (25) is rotatable via the second hinge portion (26), preferably, the closing portion (25) is such that the pressed portion (25b) presses toward the holding portion (10). As a result, the lid (20) is provided to rotate about the second hinge (26) arranged at a position closer to the distal end of the lid (20) than the first hinge (31) of the lid (20). It is It should be noted that "the front end side of the lid portion" means the front end side in the radial direction centering on the first hinge portion. With this configuration, when the pressed portion (25b) is pressed toward the holding portion (10) in order to open the closing portion (25), the pressing force is applied to the lid portion (20) by the first hinge portion. (31) It can act in a direction to rotate toward the holding part (10) side. Therefore, even when the closing portion (25) is opened and closed, the degree of sealing between the lid portion (20) and the reagent container (90) is not lowered.

The reagent container rack (100) according to the first aspect preferably comprises a plurality of holding portions (10), and the lid portion (20) is a reagent held by at least one of the plurality of holding portions (10). It is provided so as to cover the mouth (91) of the container (90). With this configuration, for example, when a plurality of reagents are used for one measurement item, the reagent containers (90) to be used can be collectively placed on the same reagent container rack (100), which is convenient for the user. can improve the convenience of Here, there are some reagents whose concentration change due to evaporation does not easily affect the analysis results, and for such reagents, it is not always necessary to suppress evaporation of the reagent by means of the lid (20). Therefore, in the above configuration, it is possible to provide the necessary reagent container (90) with the lid (20) and not to provide the unnecessary reagent container (90) with the lid (20). 20) is not provided in the holding part (10), the placement and replacement of the reagent container (90) can be simplified.

In the reagent container rack (100) according to the first aspect, the holding part (10) preferably includes a mounting part (11) for supporting the bottom part (93) of the reagent container (90); and opposite sides (12). With this configuration, the reagent container (90) can be stably supported by the mounting portion (11), and displacement of the reagent container (90) can be suppressed by the side portion (12).

In this case, preferably, the mounting portion (11) of the holding portion (10) has an inclined mounting surface (11a) on which the reagent container (90) is mounted, and the lid portion (20) has an inclined It is configured to form a space (CS) with the mouth (91). With this configuration, the reagent container (90) can be tilted and the reagent can be collected in the lowest portion. As a result, the reagent can be collected and aspirated even when the remaining amount of the reagent is low, so that the dead volume of the reagent can be reduced. Even when the reagent container (90) is tilted in this manner, evaporation of the reagent can be suppressed by covering the opening (91) with the lid (20). , reagents can be utilized as effectively as possible.

In this case, preferably, the mounting section (11) supports the bottom section (93) of the reagent container (90) at a predetermined height and at a predetermined angle in the holding section (10), and is detachable from the holding section (10). configured as possible replacement parts. With this configuration, reagent containers (90) having different sizes can be arranged at the same height or held at an optimum tilt angle by exchanging the placement section (11).

In the reagent container rack (100) according to the first aspect, the reagent in the reagent container (90) may be a reagent for blood coagulation analysis.

A sample analyzer (200) according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises a reagent container rack (100) according to any one of the first aspects and an opening/closing mechanism for opening and closing a lid (20) of the reagent container rack (100). (110), a reagent dispensing unit (120) that dispenses the reagent in the reagent container (90) placed on the reagent container rack (100), and a signal based on the sample for measurement containing the specimen and the reagent is detected. and an analysis unit (140) that analyzes the specimen based on the signal detected by the detection unit (130).

The sample analyzer (200) according to the second aspect includes the reagent container rack (100) according to the first aspect, thereby effectively evaporating the reagent even when the unsealed reagent container is installed in the sample analyzer. This can be suppressed, and the possibility of reagent contamination can be suppressed even when the reagent container (90) covered by the lid (20) is replaced with another reagent container (90).

In the sample analyzer (200) according to the second aspect, the lid (20) of the reagent container rack (100) preferably has an insertion opening (24) for inserting a suction tube (121) for sucking the reagent. and an openable/closable closing portion (25) that closes the insertion port (24). When the reagent is aspirated, the lid (20) is opened and closed by moving the closing part (25) to open and close the insertion port (24). With this configuration, the insertion port (24) is opened by the opening/closing mechanism (110) while the space (CS) is formed between the lid (20) and mouth (91) of the reagent container rack (100). By locally opening only the portion of , the reagent can be aspirated by the aspiration tube (121). Therefore, the inside of the reagent container (90) is opened to the outside compared to the configuration in which the entire lid (20) is removed from the reagent container (90) to open the mouth (91) when aspirating the reagent. can be suppressed, the evaporation of the reagent can be suppressed accordingly.

Evaporation of the reagent can be effectively suppressed while the unsealed reagent container is installed in the sample analyzer, and the possibility of reagent contamination can be suppressed even when the reagent container is replaced with another reagent container.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an outline of a reagent container rack; It is a figure which shows the enlarged view (A) of a mouth part, and the structural example (B) and (C) of a cover part. It is a figure which shows the outline|summary of a sample analyzer. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a specific configuration example of a sample analyzer; FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the sample analyzer; FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a specific configuration example of a reagent container rack; FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the reagent container rack with the lid in the open position; FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a reagent container rack in which reagent containers are placed and the lid portion is closed; FIG. 4 is a plan view of a reagent container rack; FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a vertical cross section passing through the lid of the reagent container rack; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the opening/closing mechanism closes the closing portion; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the opening/closing mechanism opens the closing portion; FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the analysis operation of the sample analyzer; FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the sample analyzer during reagent replacement; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing experimental results regarding changes in the degree of divergence of analysis results with respect to elapsed time after opening of a reagent container; It is a figure for demonstrating a prior art.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described based on the drawings.
[Overview of reagent container rack]
First, an overview of a reagent container rack 100 according to one embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The reagent container rack 100 is a reagent container rack used in a sample analyzer 200 that analyzes samples using reagents. The reagent container rack 100 is installed in the sample analyzer 200 and holds at least one reagent container 90 . The reagent container 90 is held in the reagent container rack 100 in an unsealed state. For example, the user sets the unsealed reagent container 90 in the reagent container rack 100 and installs it at a predetermined position of the sample analyzer 200 . The sample analyzer 200 can aspirate the reagent from the inside of the reagent container 90 held in the reagent container rack 100 using the aspirating tube 121 or the like. The specimen is analyzed using the aspirated reagent. The reagent container 90 contains an amount of reagent capable of performing sample analysis for a predetermined number of times. When the reagent is consumed and the reagent container 90 becomes empty, or when the reagent container 90 reaches the expiration date after opening and the reagent can no longer be used, the reagent container 90 is taken out from the reagent container rack 100 and used for sample analysis. is replaced with a new reagent container 90 .

The reagent container 90 accommodates a reagent therein. The reagent container 90 is a cylindrical container capable of containing a liquid, and includes a mouth portion 91 formed with an opening serving as an entrance and exit for the liquid, and a cylindrical body portion 92 for partitioning a space for containing the reagent. Prepare. The mouth portion 91 includes an end face through which an opening communicating between the internal space of the reagent container 90 and the outside is exposed. The lower end of the trunk portion 92 is closed by the bottom portion 93 , and the upper end of the trunk portion 92 is connected to the mouth portion 91 . The reagent container 90 may generally have a cylindrical shape with a circular horizontal cross-section. The reagent container 90 may have any tubular shape other than a cylinder, such as a rectangular tubular shape. In the following, for the sake of convenience, an example in which the reagent container 90 is a cylindrical container having a circular horizontal cross-sectional shape will be shown.

Although not particularly limited, the outer shape of the trunk portion 92 in a horizontal cross section is generally larger than the outer shape of the mouth portion 91 . The reagent container 90 may include an intermediate portion 94 that connects the body portion 92 and the mouth portion 91 that have different external sizes in horizontal cross section. The intermediate portion 94 connects the upper end portion of the body portion 92 and the lower end portion of the mouth portion 91 . At the intermediate portion 94 , the outer shape of the reagent container 90 in horizontal cross section changes from a shape that matches the mouth portion 91 to a shape that matches the upper end portion of the body portion 92 . In the intermediate portion 94, the outer shape may change continuously as it approaches the body portion 92 from the mouth portion 91, or the outer shape may change discontinuously at a predetermined position as shown in FIG.

A reagent is a liquid. A reagent is, for example, an aqueous solution containing a component corresponding to an analysis item by sample analysis. For example, the reagent reacts with components contained in the sample by being mixed with the sample in the sample analyzer 200 . Evaporation of water in the reagent changes the component concentration, and the change in concentration may affect analysis by the sample analyzer 200 .

The reagent container rack 100 of this embodiment includes a holding section 10 and a lid section 20 .

The holding part 10 is a part that holds a reagent container 90 containing a reagent. The holding part 10 holds the position of the reagent container 90 in the reagent container rack 100 by contacting and supporting a part of the reagent container 90 . The holding part 10 supports the bottom part 93 of the reagent container 90, for example. The holding unit 10 holds, for example, both side surfaces of the reagent container 90 . The holding part 10 can engage with, for example, a flange-shaped portion provided on the reagent container 90 to hold the reagent container 90 in a suspended manner.

The lid portion 20 is configured to cover the mouth portion 91 of the reagent container 90 so as to form an airtight space CS with the mouth portion 91 of the reagent container 90 . The lid portion 20 is configured to surround and cover the mouth portion 91 of the reagent container 90 . The lid portion 20 is made of a resin material, a metal material, or the like, and has a sufficient thickness to prevent the permeation of gas. The lid portion 20 is in contact with the outer surface around the mouth portion 91 of the reagent container 90 to form an airtight space CS. The airtight space CS is a space surrounded by the lid portion 20 and the surface of the reagent container 90 . The airtight space CS is formed to include a mouth portion 91 therein. Since the airtight space CS is formed between the lid portion 20 and the mouth portion 91 , the surface of the lid portion 20 is separated from the mouth portion 91 . In other words, the lid portion 20 is provided so as to cover the region including the mouth portion 91 while being separated from the mouth portion 91 which is the end face of the reagent container 90 in which the opening is formed.

The airtight space CS communicates with the internal space of the reagent container 90 via the mouth portion 91 . The airtight space CS and the internal space of the reagent container 90 are isolated from the outside by the lid portion 20 and the reagent container 90 . The cover 20 and the surface of the reagent container 90 restrict gas flow between the inside and the outside of the airtight space CS. Therefore, a very small amount of the reagent in the reagent container 90 evaporates and is only released into the internal space of the reagent container 90 and the airtight space CS. The airtight space CS does not have to be an airtight space in the strict sense, and a slight gap that is inevitably formed due to minute unevenness or changes in the surface shape at the contact point between the lid portion 20 and the reagent container 90 may be present. Allow to exist.

The lid portion 20 is provided so as to come into contact with the reagent container 90 held by the holding portion 10 and form an airtight space CS with the mouth portion 91 . When the sample analyzer 200 aspirates the reagent, for example, the lid portion 20 can be moved from the position forming the airtight space CS to open the mouth portion 91 to the outside. The aspirating tube 121 enters the reagent container 90 through the opening 91 opened to the outside, and the reagent inside is aspirated by the aspirating tube 121 . When the reagent aspiration is completed and the aspiration tube 121 moves out of the reagent container 90, the lid portion 20 is moved to the position where the airtight space CS is formed. For example, when the suction tube 121 moves out of the reagent container 90 , droplets of reagent may adhere to the vicinity of the mouth portion 91 . Since the lid portion 20 is spaced from the mouth portion 91 while forming the airtight space CS, droplets are prevented from adhering to the lid portion 20 . Even when the reagent container 90 set in the reagent container rack 100 is replaced, the lid 20 covers the opening 91 so as to form an airtight space CS between the lid 20 and the opening 91, so that another reagent container can be replaced. Droplets in 90 are suppressed from moving into a new reagent container 90 via lid portion 20 .

As described above, in the reagent container rack 100 of the present embodiment, the reagent container 90 and the lid portion 20 covering the mouth portion 91 of the reagent container 90 form the airtight space CS. can be placed. Thereby, the inside of the reagent container 90 can be isolated from the outside of the lid portion 20 only by communicating with the airtight space CS through the mouth portion 91 . As a result, unlimited evaporation of the reagent contained in the reagent container 90 to the outside is suppressed, so that evaporation of the reagent can be effectively suppressed even when the unsealed reagent container 90 is installed in the sample analyzer 200. - 特許庁Furthermore, even if the lid portion 20 covers the mouth portion 91, since the airtight space CS is formed between the lid portion 20 and the mouth portion 91, the lid portion can be detected through the mouth portion 91 to which the reagent may adhere. Adhesion of the reagent to 20 is suppressed. As a result, even if the reagent container 90 covered by the lid portion 20 is replaced with another reagent container 90, the possibility of reagent contamination can be suppressed.

(Configuration example of lid)
In the configuration example of FIG. 1 , the lid portion 20 is configured to cover the mouth portion 91 in a non-contact state with the mouth portion 91 . In FIG. 1 , the lid portion 20 covers the mouth portion 91 so that a gap is formed between the lid portion 20 and the mouth portion 91 . In FIG. 1 , the lid portion 20 covers the mouth portion 91 with a clearance CL1 above the mouth portion 91 and a clearance CL2 on the side of the mouth portion 91 . As a result, it is possible to prevent the cover 20 from contacting the mouth 91 while covering the mouth 91, so that contamination of the reagent can be suppressed more reliably.

In the configuration example of FIG. 1 , the lid portion 20 has a top plate 21 and a cylindrical side wall 22 extending from the top plate 21 toward the holding portion 10 side. The top plate 21 covers the opening 91 above. The top plate 21 can constitute the upper surface of the lid portion 20 . The side wall 22 covers the opening 91 so as to surround it. Side wall 22 is formed in a tubular shape surrounding mouth portion 91 . The top plate 21 and the cylindrical side wall 22 form a recessed internal space in the lid portion 20 in which the mouth portion 91 can be accommodated. The inner space of the lid portion 20 is closed by the contact between the lid portion 20 and the reagent container 90 to form an airtight space CS. For example, the lid portion 20 may have a shape in which the top plate 21 and the side walls 22 cannot be divided, such as when the lid portion 20 has a hemispherical shell shape.

The shape of the top plate 21 when viewed from above is larger than the outer shape of the mouth portion 91 of the reagent container 90 . That is, the peripheral edge of the top plate 21 is arranged outside the peripheral edge of the opening 91 . With the cover 20 covering the opening 91, the top plate 21 is arranged above the opening 91 with a gap CL1 therebetween. In FIG. 1, the top plate 21 has a flat plate shape. The top plate 21 may be formed in a non-flat shape such as a curved shape. In FIG. 1 , the top plate 21 extends horizontally and forms the upper surface of the lid portion 20 . The top plate 21 may be inclined.

The side wall 22 extends from the top plate 21 toward the holding portion 10 while the lid portion 20 covers the mouth portion 91 of the reagent container 90 . In the example of FIG. 1, the side wall 22 extends downward from the lower surface of the top plate 21. As shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 1, side walls 22 extend from the peripheral edge of top plate 21 . Side wall 22 may extend from a position inside the peripheral edge of top plate 21 . In the example of FIG. 1, the vertical length L1 from the contact position between the lid portion 20 and the reagent container 90 to the top plate 21 is the length from the contact position between the lid portion 20 and the reagent container 90 to the mouth portion 91. It is larger than the vertical distance D1.

The cylindrical side wall 22 is configured so that the opening 91 of the reagent container 90 can be arranged inside in the horizontal plane. That is, the inner shape of the side wall 22 is larger than the outer shape of the mouth portion 91 . The internal shape is the contour shape of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical side wall 22 in the horizontal cross section. When the side wall 22 has a cylindrical shape, the inner diameter of the side wall 22 is larger than the outer diameter of the mouth portion 91 . Therefore, in a state in which the lid portion 20 covers the mouth portion 91 , the side wall 22 is arranged on the side of the mouth portion 91 with the gap CL<b>2 therebetween.

Thereby, a gap can be secured between the peripheral edge of the mouth portion 91 and the side wall 22 . Therefore, contact between the opening 91 and the top plate 21 as well as contact between the peripheral edge of the opening 91 and the lid 20 can be avoided, so that reagent contamination can be more reliably suppressed.

In the example of FIG. 1, the lid portion 20 forms an airtight space CS between the lid portion 20 and the mouth portion 91 by abutting the side wall 22 on the container outer surface of the reagent container 90 other than the mouth portion 91 . cover the mouth 91; As a result, contact between the side wall 22 and the outer surface of the reagent container 90 is improved while avoiding contact between the lid portion 20 and the mouth portion 91, thereby improving the degree of sealing of the airtight space CS formed in the lid portion 20. can be done. As a result, reagent evaporation can be effectively suppressed.

In the example of FIG. 1, the side wall 22 abuts the outer surface of the intermediate portion 94 connecting the mouth portion 91 of the reagent container 90 and the body portion 92 having a larger outer shape than the mouth portion 91 at the end portion 22 a of the side wall 22 . formed to be in contact with each other. That is, the inner diameter of the side wall 22 is larger than the outer diameter of the mouth portion 91 and smaller than the outer diameter of the trunk portion 92 . Therefore, the end portion 22a of the side wall 22 contacts the flat intermediate portion 94 of the reagent container 90 from above.

As described above, the intermediate portion 94 between the mouth portion 91 and the body portion 92 of the reagent container 90 has a large outer diameter. If the reagent container 90 has a larger outer diameter, the airtight space CS can be formed. That is, the lid portion 20 can form an airtight space CS with respect to any reagent container 90 having a body portion 92 whose outer diameter is larger than the inner diameter of the side wall 22 . Therefore, the size range of the reagent container 90 in which the lid portion 20 can be used can be easily secured.

Although illustrated in a simplified manner in FIG. 1, the mouth portion 91 is a portion exposed when the unopened reagent container 90 is opened by removing the cap 95 previously attached to the unopened reagent container 90, as shown in FIG. 2(A). can be That is, the reagent container 90 is sold in an unopened state with the sealing cap 95 attached to the opening 91 . The reagent container 90 is set in the reagent container rack 100 in an unsealed state with the cap 95 removed, and installed in the sample analyzer 200 . The reagent container 90 may tip over during transportation or storage, and there is a possibility that the cap 95 that seals the reagent container 90 in advance may have an internal reagent adhered to it. Therefore, the reagent may adhere to the portion covered by the cap 95 . Therefore, the lid 20 that covers the mouth 91 by forming an airtight space CS between it and the mouth 91 covered by the cap 95 can further reduce the possibility of the reagent adhering to the lid 20 . As a result, when the reagent container 90 set in the reagent container rack 100 is replaced, the possibility of reagent contamination via the lid portion 20 can be effectively suppressed.

Specifically, the mouth portion 91 includes an opening end face 91a in which the opening of the reagent container 90 is formed, and a container engaging portion 91b that engages with the cap 95 pre-attached to the unopened reagent container 90. is. The lid portion 20 covers the mouth portion 91 so as to form an airtight space CS between the opening end face 91a of the mouth portion 91 and the container engaging portion 91b. As a result, not only the opening end face 91a to which the reagent may adhere through the aspirating tube 121 during reagent aspiration, but also the container engagement surface to which the reagent may adhere through the cap 95 that seals the reagent container 90 in advance. Since the lid portion 20 also covers the joint portion 91b through the airtight space CS, the possibility of the reagent adhering to the lid portion 20 can be effectively reduced.

The container engaging portion 91b of the spout 91 can be a threaded portion that engages the cap 95 . The container engaging portion 91b constitutes the outer surface of the mouth portion 91 extending from the peripheral portion of the opening end surface 91a toward the body portion 92 side, and engages with the female screw portion of the cap 95. As shown in FIG.

In the example shown in FIG. 2B, the side wall 22 is made of an elastic material and has a contact portion 23 that contacts the reagent container 90 . The contact portion 23 made of an elastic material is provided on the side wall 22 at a position contacting at least the reagent container 90 . That is, the contact portion 23 is annularly provided along the end portion 22a at the end portion 22a. The entire side wall 22 or the entire lid 20 may be constructed from a resilient material. When the lid portion 20 is pressed against the reagent container 90, the contact portion 23 is pressed against the reagent container 90 and elastically deformed. Due to the elastic deformation of the contact portion 23, the contact portion 23 of the end portion 22a of the side wall 22 and the reagent container 90 can be brought into close contact. As a result, the airtightness of the airtight space CS formed in the lid portion 20 can be further improved, so that evaporation of the reagent can be more effectively suppressed.

In the example of FIG. 2(C), the side wall 22 includes, on the inner peripheral surface 22b, a trunk portion 92 having an outer shape larger than that of the mouth portion 91 of the reagent container 90, and an intermediate portion 94 connecting the mouth portion 91 and the trunk portion 92. is formed so as to abut on at least one of the. That is, unlike the contact at the end 22a shown in FIG. 2B, the side wall 22 in FIG. 2C contacts the container outer surface of the reagent container 90 at the inner peripheral surface 22b. An inner peripheral surface 22b of the side wall 22 is formed with a portion that protrudes inward and has a smaller inner diameter. Therefore, the reagent container 90 passes through the end portion 22a of the side wall 22 and comes into contact with part of the inner peripheral surface 22b of the side wall 22 . As a result, even if the reagent container 90 has a small outer diameter, the inner peripheral surface 22b of the side wall 22 can contact the reagent container 90 to form the airtight space CS. For example, as shown in FIG. 2C, the airtight space CS can be formed by bringing the inner peripheral surface 22b of the side wall 22 into contact with the reagent container 90 having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the end portion 22a of the side wall 22. . In FIG. 2C, the inner peripheral surface 22b of the side wall 22 is in contact with the intermediate portion 94 of the reagent container 90, but the inner peripheral surface 22b of the side wall 22 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the body portion 92 of the reagent container 90. good too.

Also in the example of FIG. 2C, a contact portion 23 made of an elastic material may be provided. That is, in FIG. 2C, the side wall 22 is made of an elastic material and has a contact portion 23 that contacts the reagent container 90 . The contact portion 23 is provided so as to protrude from the inner peripheral surface 22b of the side wall 22 toward the center. When the lid portion 20 is pressed against the reagent container 90, the contact portion 23 is pressed against the reagent container 90 and elastically deformed. Due to the elastic deformation of the contact portion 23, the contact portion 23 of the inner peripheral surface 22b of the side wall 22 and the reagent container 90 can be brought into close contact. As a result, the airtightness of the airtight space CS formed in the lid portion 20 can be further improved, so that evaporation of the reagent can be more effectively suppressed.

In the example of FIG. 2C, the contact portion 23 further protrudes so that the inner diameter becomes smaller as it goes from the end portion 22a side of the side wall 22 toward the top plate 21 side. That is, the contact portion 23 constitutes the inclined inner peripheral surface 22 b of the side wall 22 . Therefore, even with various reagent containers 90 having different outer diameters, the airtight space CS can be formed by abutting at any position on the inclined surface of the abutting portion 23 . This makes it possible to easily secure a size range of the reagent container (90) in which the lid (20) can be used.

The contact portion 23 made of an elastic material is elastically deformable more easily than, for example, the portion of the side wall 22 other than the contact portion 23 . Preferably, the contact portion 23 is configured by a seal member for contacting the reagent container 90 to seal the airtight space CS. The seal member is made of an elastic material that is flexible and has low gas permeability, such as synthetic rubber such as natural rubber, silicone rubber, and fluororubber. Therefore, the abutting portion 23 has elasticity that enables close contact with the reagent container 90 and sufficient sealing performance for the purpose of use. Thus, by bringing the sealing member into close contact, the lid portion 20 and the reagent container 90 can be more reliably sealed.

[Overview of Sample Analyzer]
Next, an overview of the sample analyzer 200 according to one embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The sample analyzer 200 is a device that analyzes a sample by detecting a signal based on components in the sample using a reagent.

A specimen can be a biological material collected from a subject. A sample contains a component to be detected. A sample for measurement of the component to be detected is prepared by adding the reagent to the sample and allowing it to react. Subjects are primarily humans, but may be animals other than humans. Sample analyzer 200 analyzes samples taken from patients, for example, for clinical examination or medical research. Specimens derived from a living body are, for example, liquids such as blood (whole blood, serum or plasma), urine, or other body fluids collected from a subject, or body fluids or blood that have been collected and subjected to a predetermined pretreatment. such as the resulting liquid. Also, the specimen may be, for example, a part of the tissue or cells of the subject other than the liquid. The sample analyzer 200 detects a detection target component contained in the sample. Components to be detected may include, for example, predetermined components, cells, and material components in blood or urine specimens. Components to be detected may be nucleic acids such as DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), cells and intracellular substances, antigens or antibodies, proteins, peptides and the like.

The sample analyzer 200 includes the above-described reagent container rack 100 , opening/closing mechanism 110 , reagent dispensing section 120 , detection section 130 and analysis section 140 .

A reagent container rack 100 in which reagent containers 90 are set is installed in the sample analyzer 200 . Prior to sample analysis, for example, the user sets the reagent container 90 in the reagent container rack 100, covers the mouth portion 91 of the reagent container 90 with the lid portion 20 of the reagent container rack 100, and attaches the reagent container rack 100 to the sample analyzer. 200 is placed at a predetermined position.

The opening/closing mechanism 110 opens and closes the lid portion 20 of the reagent container rack 100 . The opening/closing mechanism 110 moves part or all of the lid 20 . Due to the movement, the opening/closing mechanism 110 shifts between a state in which the lid portion 20 forms the airtight space CS and a state in which at least the reagent dispensing portion 120 can access the mouth portion 91 to aspirate the reagent from the reagent container 90 . You can switch. The opening/closing mechanism 110 can put the lid portion 20 into a state in which the reagent can be aspirated only when the reagent dispensing portion 120 aspirates.

The opening/closing mechanism 110 moves part or all of the lid portion 20 by, for example, contacting the lid portion 20 and applying an external force to the lid portion 20 . The opening/closing mechanism 110 includes a pressing device that presses a predetermined portion of the lid portion 20 to move it, a gripping device that grips a predetermined portion of the lid portion 20 and moves it, and a device that attracts and moves the lid portion 20 by magnetic force, pressure, or the like. , etc. As will be described later, when an opening that can be opened and closed is provided in a part of the lid portion 20, the opening/closing mechanism 110 can open and close the lid portion 20 by moving only the insertion opening portion of the lid portion 20. good. In this case, with the cover 20 covering the opening 91 of the reagent container 90, the insertion port is opened to open the airtight space CS, and the insertion port is closed to form the airtight space CS. .

The reagent dispensing unit 120 dispenses the reagent in the reagent container 90 placed on the reagent container rack 100 . That is, the reagent dispensing unit 120 aspirates the reagent from inside the reagent container 90 placed on the reagent container rack 100 and discharges the aspirated reagent to a predetermined position outside the reagent container 90 . Reagent dispensing section 120 dispenses a reagent, for example, into a reaction container containing a specimen or into a reaction container that will contain a specimen. The dispensed reagent is mixed with the sample. Thus, a measurement sample containing the specimen and the reagent is prepared.

Reagent dispensing section 120 includes, for example, aspiration tube 121 for aspirating and discharging a reagent. Suction tube 121 is, for example, a straight tube with both ends open. One end of the suction tube 121 is connected to a pressure source (not shown) such as a pump that applies a negative pressure for suction and a positive pressure for discharge. The suction tube 121 can suction liquid from the other end. The reagent dispensing section 120 can include a moving mechanism (not shown) for moving the suction tube 121 between the inside and outside of the reagent container 90 . The aspirating tube 121 may be fixed and the reagent container rack 100 may be moved by the moving mechanism, or both the aspirating tube 121 and the reagent container rack 100 may be moved.

The detection unit 130 detects a signal based on a measurement sample containing a specimen and a reagent. The detection unit 130 detects, for example, a change in the measurement sample that accompanies the reaction between the component in the specimen and the reagent. Regardless of the signal detection method by the detection unit 130, a chemical method, an optical method, an electromagnetic method, or the like can be employed depending on the target component. For example, detector 130 may include an imager with an image sensor, or a photodetector such as a photomultiplier tube, phototube, or photodiode. The detector 130 may include a light source. The detection unit 130 may include a radiation detector such as a scintillation counter when detecting radiation.

The analysis unit 140 analyzes the specimen based on the signal detected by the detection unit 130 . The analysis unit 140 analyzes, for example, the presence or absence of the detection target component contained in the sample, the number or amount of the detection target component, the concentration and abundance ratio of the detection target component, and the like, based on the detection result by the detection unit 130 . Analysis unit 140 quantitatively analyzes the component to be detected based on standard information such as a calibration curve and detection results of a standard sample and measurement results by detection unit 130, for example.

The analysis unit 140 can be configured by a computer including a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and a storage unit such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a hard disk. The computer functions as the analysis unit 140 of the sample analyzer 200 by the processor executing the program stored in the storage unit.

In the sample analyzer 200 , after the lid portion 20 of the reagent container rack 100 is moved by the opening/closing mechanism 110 to switch to a state in which the reagent can be aspirated from the reagent container 90 , the reagent is introduced through the opened mouth portion 91 . The reagent in the container 90 is sucked by the reagent dispensing section 120 . After the reagent is aspirated from the reagent container 90 , the lid 20 forms an airtight space CS by means of the opening/closing mechanism 110 . The reagent dispensing unit 120 discharges the aspirated reagent and mixes the specimen and the reagent. The sample analyzer 200 prepares a measurement sample containing a sample and reagents. The detection unit 130 detects a signal corresponding to the measurement item from the prepared measurement sample. Analysis unit 140 performs analysis based on the detection signal of detection unit 130 .

As described above, in the present embodiment, the sample analyzer 200 includes the reagent container rack 100 having the lid portion 20 that covers the mouth portion 91 of the reagent container 90 . However, evaporation of the reagent can be effectively suppressed, and even if the reagent container 90 covered by the lid portion 20 is replaced with another reagent container 90, the possibility of reagent contamination can be suppressed.

(Configuration of sample analyzer)
A more specific configuration example of the sample analyzer 200 will be described. Sample analyzer 200 is, for example, an automatic analyzer for blood coagulation analysis (so-called blood coagulation analyzer).

(blood coagulation analysis)
In the sample analyzer 200 that performs blood coagulation analysis, the detection unit 130 includes a light receiving unit and a light transmitting unit. A light receiving portion detects transmitted light or scattered light of the light irradiated to the sample. The analyte is plasma or serum separated from blood. The sample analyzer 200 analyzes samples using a coagulation method, a synthetic substrate method, an immunonephelometry, or an agglutination method. Analysis unit 140 analyzes the specimen based on the detected light.

In the coagulation method, a measurement sample is irradiated with light, and the coagulation time during which fibrinogen in the sample is converted to fibrin is measured based on an electrical signal of transmitted light or scattered light from the sample. Measurement items of the coagulation method include PT (prothrombin time), APTT (activated partial thromboplastin time), Fbg (fibrinogen content), and the like.

In the synthetic substrate method, the measurement sample is irradiated with light, and the degree of color development due to the action of the chromogenic synthetic substrate on the enzyme in the measurement sample is measured based on the electrical signal of the transmitted light from the sample. Measurement items of the synthetic substrate method include ATIII (antithrombin III), α2-PI (α2-plasmin inhibitor), PLG (plasminogen), and the like.

In the immunoturbidimetric method, a reagent that causes an antigen-antibody reaction with coagulation/fibrinolytic factors in the specimen is added to the specimen, and substances contained in the reagent agglutinate as a result of the antigen-antibody reaction. In immunoturbidimetry, a measurement sample is irradiated with light, and the agglutination rate of a reagent-containing substance in the measurement sample is measured based on an electrical signal of transmitted light or scattered light from the sample. Items to be measured by immunoturbidimetry include D-dimer and FDP (fibrin degradation product).

In the agglutination method, a measurement sample is irradiated with light, and based on an electrical signal of light transmitted from the sample, changes in absorbance during the process of aggregation reaction of platelets and the like in the measurement sample are measured. Measurement items of the agglutination method include vWF: RCo (von Willebrand list cetin cofactor) and platelet aggregating ability.

(immunoassay)
Further, for example, the sample analyzer 200 may be an automatic analyzer for immunoassay analysis (so-called immunoassay device). The sample analyzer 200 detects the target component by utilizing the antigen-antibody reaction between the target component in blood and the component in the reagent. Target components include, for example, antigens, antibodies, proteins, and peptides contained in blood. An immunoassay device acquires serum or plasma as a sample and quantitatively or qualitatively measures antigens or antibodies contained in the sample. The antigen-antibody reaction includes not only the reaction between an antigen and an antibody, but also the reaction using a specific binding substance such as an aptamer. Aptamers are nucleic acid molecules or peptides synthesized to specifically bind to a particular substance.

The sample analyzer 200 measures light generated from a sample, that is, chemiluminescence based on a test substance contained in the sample. The sample analyzer 200 generates measurement data based on the light detected by the detector 130 .

Here, chemiluminescence is light emitted using energy from a chemical reaction. Chemiluminescence is light emitted when, for example, a chemical reaction excites a molecule into an excited state and then returns from the excited state to the ground state. The chemiluminescence detected by the detection unit 130 is based on, for example, enzyme-linked immunosorbent chemiluminescence (CLEIA), and is light generated by the reaction between an enzyme and a substrate.

In the enzyme immunochemiluminescence assay, for example, in the 2STEP method, (1) the test substance in the sample is supported on a solid phase carrier in a reaction vessel, and then (2) the solid phase supporting the test substance and the liquid phase (3) binding the labeling substance to the solid phase supporting the test substance in the reaction vessel, (4) performing secondary BF separation, (5) in the reaction vessel A chemiluminescent substrate is added to allow the enzymatic reaction to occur. In addition to the 2STEP method, the enzyme immunochemiluminescence assay includes the known 1STEP method, D-1STEP method (delayed one-step method), and the like. HBsAg is a measurement item of the 2STEP method. HBsAb is a measurement item of the 1STEP method. Measurement items of the D-1STEP method include FT3, FT4, and TSH.

The chemiluminescence detected by the detection unit 130 is, for example, chemiluminescence analysis (CLIA), electrochemiluminescence analysis (ECLIA), fluorescence enzyme measurement (FEIA method), LOCI method (Luminescent Oxygen Channeling Immunoassay), BLEIA. The light based on the method (bioluminescence enzyme immunoassay) or the like may also be used.

(Blood cell analysis)
Further, for example, the sample analyzer 200 may be an automatic analyzer for blood cell count measurement (so-called blood cell analyzer). The sample analyzer 200 causes a measurement sample prepared by mixing a blood sample and a reagent to flow through a channel, and detects and counts blood cell components flowing through the channel. The detection unit 130 of the unit for blood cell analysis performs detection by flow cytometry, for example. That is, the detection unit 130 includes a flow channel through which the sample flows, a light transmitting unit that irradiates the sample flowing through the flow channel with measurement light, and a light receiving unit that detects the light irradiated onto the sample.

The detector 130 causes particles such as cells to flow in the flow of the sheath liquid formed in the channel, irradiates the flowing particles with laser light from the light transmitter, and detects scattered light and fluorescence with the light receiver. The sample analyzer 200 analyzes individual particles based on the light detected by the detector 130 . For example, a scattergram or the like is created by combining the scattered light intensity and fluorescence intensity as parameters, and the sample is analyzed based on the distribution of the scattergram. Items measured by flow cytometry include NEUT (neutrophils), LYMPH (lymphocytes), MONO (monocytes), EO (eosinophils), BASO (basophils), and the like.

Moreover, the sample analyzer 200 performs detection by, for example, a sheath flow DC detection method. That is, the detection unit 130 detects an electrical change between a channel portion provided with an opening through which a sample flows and a pair of electrodes (not shown) arranged to face each other across the opening. and a detection unit 130 that performs the detection. The detector 130 causes particles such as cells to flow in the flow of the sheath fluid passing through the opening, and direct current to flow between the electrodes. The detector 130 detects individual particles based on pulse-like current changes when the particles pass through the opening. Measurement items by the sheath flow DC detection method include WBC (white blood cell) count, RBC (red blood cell) count, HGB (hemoglobin level), HCT (hematocrit value), MCV (mean corpuscular volume), MCH (mean hemoglobin level), MCHC. (average hemoglobin concentration), PLT (platelet count), and the like.

(Specific Configuration of Sample Analyzer)
FIG. 4 shows a specific configuration example of a sample analyzer 200 that performs blood coagulation analysis. A sample analyzer 200 shown in FIG.

The sample analyzer 200 has a function of aspirating a sample from a sample container 104 containing the sample and dispensing a fixed amount of sample into the reaction container 108 .

A sample rack 105 is installed in the transport section 102 . A plurality of sample containers 104 containing samples can be installed in the sample rack 105 . The transport unit 102 transports the sample rack 105 installed by the user and positions each sample container 104 at a predetermined sample aspiration position 501 or 502 . The sample rack 105 and the sample container 104 are attached with a label (not shown) in which identification information is recorded in a bar code or the like. Identification information of the sample rack 105 and the sample container 104 is read by the reader 103 installed in the middle of the transport route and transmitted to the analysis unit 140 . Using the identification information, the samples in the sample container 104 and the measurement results of the samples are associated and managed.

The measurement unit 101 includes sample dispensing units 151 and 152 for aspirating the sample in the sample container 104 and dispensing a fixed amount of sample into the reaction container 108 .

The specimen pipetting units 151 and 152 are composed of pipetting arms that rotatably hold pipettes 153 for specimen pipetting. The pipette 153 is connected to a pump (not shown) and can aspirate and discharge a fixed amount of sample. The specimen dispensing unit 151 can aspirate a predetermined amount of specimen from the specimen container 104 at the specimen aspiration position 501 by moving the pipette 153 . The specimen dispensing unit 152 can aspirate a predetermined amount of specimen from the specimen container 104 at the specimen aspiration position 502 by moving the pipette 153 . The sample pipetting units 151 and 152 can respectively move the pipette 153 to discharge the aspirated sample into the reaction container 108 arranged at the predetermined sample pipetting positions 503 and 504 .

The measurement unit 101 optically measures a measurement sample prepared by adding a predetermined reagent to the sample aspirated by the sample dispensing unit.

The measuring section 101 has a mechanism for transferring a reaction container 108 containing a specimen and a reagent to prepare a sample for measurement to each section. In the configuration example of FIG. 4 , the measurement unit 101 includes a rotary table 160 that transports the reaction vessel 108 . The rotary table 160 has a ring shape in plan view and can rotate in the circumferential direction. The rotary table 160 includes a plurality of holding holes 161 arranged along the circumferential direction. One reaction vessel 108 can be installed in each holding hole 161 . The specimen dispensing units 151 and 152 can dispense the aspirated specimen to new reaction containers 108 held on the rotary table 160 . The specimen pipetting units 151 and 152 can also aspirate the specimen from the reaction container 108 containing the specimen on the rotary table 160 .

The rotary table 160 conveys the reaction vessels 108 arranged on the rotary table 160 by rotating in the circumferential direction.

A large number of new reaction vessels 108 are housed in a container housing (not shown), and are taken out one by one from the container housing. The reaction container 108 taken out from the container storage part is placed in the holding hole 161 of the rotary table 160 .

In the configuration example of FIG. 4, the sample analyzer 200 has a function of adding a reagent to the sample in the reaction container 108 to prepare a sample for measurement. A measurement sample is a mixture of a sample and a reagent.

The measurement unit 101 includes a gripping mechanism 170 capable of transporting the reaction container 108. As shown in FIG. The gripping mechanism 170 can grip and transfer the reaction container 108 , set the reaction container 108 in the holding hole 161 , or remove the reaction container 108 from the holding hole 161 . Also, the gripping mechanism 170 can transfer the held reaction vessel 108 to the disposal port 106 .

The measurement unit 101 includes a reagent table 180 that stores reagent containers 90 used for measurement, and a reagent dispensing unit 120 that aspirates and discharges reagents from the reagent containers 90 placed on the reagent table 180 . In the example of FIG. 4, a plurality (two) of reagent dispensing units 120 are provided, which are referred to as a reagent dispensing unit 120a and a reagent dispensing unit 120b, respectively.

The reagent table 180 is arranged inside the rotary table 160 and has a circular shape in plan view. A reagent container rack can be installed on the reagent table 180 by setting the reagent container 90 . A plurality of reagent container racks can be installed on the reagent table 180 . The reagent in the reagent container 90 is a reagent for blood coagulation analysis.

Specifically, the reagent table 180 includes a first table 181 arranged in the center and having a circular shape in plan view, a second table 182 provided on the outer circumference of the first table 181 and having an annular shape in plan view, including.

In the example of FIG. 4, four reagent container racks 100 can be arranged side by side along the circumferential direction on the first table 181 . On the second table 182, three large reagent container racks 300 can be arranged side by side along the circumferential direction. It should be noted that not all reagent container racks need to be provided with the lid portion 20 . For example, reagent container rack 100 having lid 20 can be used as a dedicated rack for reagent container 90 containing a specific reagent whose evaporation is desired to be suppressed.

In this manner, the reagent container racks 100 and 300 holding a plurality of reagent containers 90 can be installed along the circumferential direction on the reagent table 180 . The reagent table 180 is rotatable in the circumferential direction, and can position any reagent container 90 at a predetermined reagent aspirating position by rotation. The first table 181 and the second table 182 are independently rotatable in the circumferential direction about a central rotating shaft 183 by a rotating mechanism (not shown) equipped with an electric motor. The first table 181 can move the respective reagent containers 90 placed on the first table 181 to the reagent aspirating positions 505 and 506 by rotating. The second table 182 can move each reagent container 90 placed on the second table 182 to the reagent aspirating positions 505 and 506 by rotating.

An opening/closing mechanism 110 is provided at each reagent aspirating position 505 and 506 . The opening/closing mechanism 110 opens and closes the lid portion 20 when the reagent container rack holding the reagent container 90 arranged at the reagent aspirating position is the reagent container rack 100 including the lid portion 20 .

The reagent table 180 also includes a reagent reading unit 184 that reads identification information given to each reagent container 90 and each reagent container rack 100 (300). Reagent identification information may include, for example, reagent name or type, lot number, expiration date, and other information. Reagent container rack 100 (300) information may include information such as a unique identification number (ID) that identifies an individual reagent container rack. The first table 181 and the second table 182 can move the placed reagent container 90 and reagent container rack 100 respectively to reading positions facing the reagent reading section 184 . It is possible to identify which reagent is arranged at which position on the reagent table 180 by the identification information of the reagent and the identification information of the reagent container rack. With the identification information of the reagent container rack, it is possible to identify which reagent container rack is the reagent container rack 100 having the lid portion 20 .

Although FIG. 4 omits the upper surface of the reagent table 180 to show the inner space, the reagent table 180 includes a hollow box-shaped case portion 185 having a bottom surface, side surfaces, and a top surface. The case portion 185 accommodates the first table 181 and the second table 182 inside. The case portion 185 is made of a heat insulating material and has a heat insulating function. The reagent table 180 has a temperature controller (not shown) such as a Peltier element. The reagent table 180 is configured as a reagent cooler that keeps the reagent containers 90 held in the reagent container rack 100 installed therein at a predetermined storage temperature.

Each reagent pipetting unit 120 has a suction tube 121 for reagent pipetting. The aspirating tube 121 is connected to a pump (not shown) and is capable of quantitatively aspirating and discharging the reagent. The reagent dispensing unit 120 a can aspirate a predetermined amount of reagent from the reagent container 90 positioned at a predetermined reagent aspirating position 505 on the reagent table 180 . The reagent dispensing unit 120 a can move the suction tube 121 to the reagent dispensing position 507 and discharge a predetermined amount of reagent into the reaction container 108 at the reagent dispensing position 507 .

The reagent dispensing unit 120 b can aspirate a predetermined amount of reagent from the reagent container 90 positioned at a predetermined reagent aspirating position 506 on the reagent table 180 . The reagent dispensing unit 120 b can move the aspirating tube 121 to the reagent dispensing position 508 and discharge a predetermined amount of reagent into the reaction container 108 at the reagent dispensing position 508 .

The measurement unit 101 includes a rotary table 190 for holding and heating the reaction container 108 into which the sample is dispensed. The rotary table 190 includes a plurality of holding holes 191 for respectively holding a plurality of reaction containers 108 containing specimens, and a grasping mechanism 192 for grasping and transferring the reaction containers 108 . The rotary table 190 incorporates heaters (not shown) for heating the reaction vessels 108 respectively held in the plurality of holding holes 191 .

The rotary table 190 has a circular shape in plan view, and a plurality of holding holes 191 are arranged along the circumferential direction. The rotary table 190 is rotatable in the circumferential direction, and can transfer the reaction vessels 108 installed in the plurality of holding holes 191 in the circumferential direction by rotating while being heated to a predetermined temperature by the heater. The gripping mechanism 192 can grip and transfer the reaction container 108 , set the reaction container 108 in the holding hole 191 , or remove the reaction container 108 from the holding hole 191 .

The measurement section 101 includes a detection section 130 for detecting a signal based on the measurement sample in the reaction container 108 . The detection unit 130 includes a container installation unit 131 for installing the reaction container 108 containing the sample, a light receiving unit 132 (see FIG. 5) provided corresponding to the container installation unit 131, and installed in the container installation unit 131. and a light transmitting unit 133 (see FIG. 5) for irradiating the reaction vessel 108 with light for signal detection.

In the configuration example of FIG. 4 , the detection unit 130 includes a plurality of container installation units 131 . In the detection section 130, a plurality of container installation sections 131 are arranged in two rows in a straight line with a predetermined interval therebetween.

The measurement section 101 includes a gripping mechanism 175 for transferring the reaction vessel 108 to the detection section 130 .

The gripping mechanism 175 has a moving mechanism (not shown) in each of three orthogonal axial directions of X, Y, and Z, and can grip and transfer the reaction container 108 . The gripping mechanism 175 takes out the reaction container 108 from the holding hole 191 of the rotary table 190 , transfers it to the reagent dispensing position 507 , and installs the reaction container 108 after the reagent has been dispensed in the container installation part 131 of the detection unit 130 . can. Also, the grasping mechanism 175 can take out the measured reaction container 108 from the container installation part 131 and transfer it to the disposal port 107 .

The detection unit 130 detects an optical signal based on the measurement sample in the reaction container 108 installed in the container installation unit 131 . The light transmitting unit 133 (see FIG. 5) irradiates the reaction container 108 installed in the container installing unit 131 of the detecting unit 130 with light for signal detection. Light transmitting unit 133 includes a light source such as a light emitting diode or a halogen lamp. The light transmission portion 133 may include a light guide, such as an optical fiber, for transmitting light from the light source to each container placement portion 131 . The light receiving unit 132 (see FIG. 5) receives transmitted light or scattered light of the light irradiated to the reaction vessel 108 and outputs an electric signal corresponding to the amount of received light. The light receiving section 132 includes a photoelectric conversion element that converts received light into an electrical signal and outputs the electrical signal. The electrical signal is transmitted to analysis unit 140 . Analysis unit 140 analyzes the sample based on the electrical signal output from light receiving unit 132 .

(Controllable Configuration of Sample Analyzer)
Next, a control configuration of the sample analyzer 200 will be described with reference to FIG.

Sample analyzer 200 includes control unit 210 and storage unit 220 . The control unit 210 includes a processor such as a CPU or FPGA (field-programmable gate array). Storage unit 220 includes volatile and/or non-volatile storage devices such as ROM, RAM, and hard disks. The processor functions as a control section of the sample analyzer 200 by executing the control program stored in the storage section. The control unit 210 controls the operation of each unit of the sample analyzer 200 described above. The control unit 210 controls dispensing operations of the reagent dispensing unit 120, dispensing operations of the sample dispensing units 151 and 152, operations of the reagent table 180, operations of each rotary table and each gripping mechanism, operations of the opening/closing mechanism 110, and detection. It controls transmission and reception of the light receiving section 132 and the light transmitting section 133 of the section 130 .

Analysis unit 140 is configured by, for example, a personal computer. Analysis unit 140 includes, for example, a processor such as a CPU, and storage devices such as ROM, RAM, and hard disk. The processor functions as the analysis unit 140 of the sample analyzer 200 by executing the control program stored in the storage unit. The sample analyzer 200 includes a display section 230 that displays analysis results.

Analysis unit 140 is electrically connected to control unit 210 of sample analyzer 200 and controls sample analyzer 200 . Also, the analysis unit 140 analyzes the sample based on the signal from the detection unit 130 of the sample analyzer 200 . The analysis unit 140 is also connected to a host computer (not shown) via a network, and obtains a measurement order for the sample analyzer 200 from the host computer. The analysis unit 140 controls the sample analyzer 200 to sequentially execute the acquired measurement orders.

(Specific configuration example of reagent container rack)
Next, a specific configuration example of the reagent container rack 100 installed on the reagent table 180 of the sample analyzer 200 shown in FIG. 4 will be described.

A reagent container rack 100 shown in FIGS. 6 to 10 includes a plurality of holders 10. As shown in FIG. In the example of FIGS. 6-10, two holding portions 10 (see FIGS. 7 and 9) are provided. Two reagent containers 90 can be set in each holder 10 of the reagent container rack 100 . As a result, when a plurality of reagents are used for one measurement item, for example, the reagent containers 90 to be used can be collectively placed on the same reagent container rack 100, thereby improving convenience for the user. can.

The lid portion 20 is provided so as to cover the mouth portion 91 of the reagent container 90 held by at least one of the plurality of holding portions 10 . In this way, when the reagent container rack 100 has a plurality of holders 10 and can hold a plurality of reagent containers 90 , the lids 20 need not be provided for all the reagent containers 90 .

In other words, there are some reagents whose concentration changes due to evaporation do not easily affect the analysis results, and for such reagents, it is not always necessary to suppress evaporation of the reagent by the lid portion 20 . Therefore, in the configuration examples of FIGS. 6 to 10, the lids 20 can be provided for the necessary reagent containers 90 and not provided for the unnecessary reagent containers 90. Therefore, the lids 20 are provided. In the holding part 10 without the reagent container 90, the placement and replacement of the reagent container 90 can be simplified.

As an example, the reagent container rack 100 holds a reagent container 90 containing a first reagent and a reagent container 90 containing a second reagent used for sample analysis of the same measurement item.

As an example of a blood coagulation analysis measurement item, the measurement item is, for example, ATIII. Reagents for ATIII include two types: enzymatic reagents and substrates. A reagent container 90 containing an enzyme reagent is mounted on the holding portion 10a provided with the lid portion 20 . A reagent container 90 containing a substrate is placed on the holding portion 10b where the lid portion 20 is not provided. In the measurement of ATIII, when an enzyme reagent is added to a sample, ATIII in the sample and the enzyme form an inactive complex, and when a substrate is added, the residual activity of the enzyme corresponding to the activity of ATIII causes Substrates are degraded to yield degradation products. When the concentration of the reagent increases due to evaporation of water in the enzyme reagent, the enzyme content per unit volume of the enzyme reagent increases, and the degree of residual activity changes according to the concentration of the reagent. occurs. On the other hand, the substrate is contained in an excess amount so that it reacts in an amount corresponding to the remaining enzyme, so that it is not affected by concentration changes due to evaporation of water in the reagent. Evaporation of the enzyme reagent is suppressed by covering the reagent container 90 containing the enzyme reagent with the lid portion 20 in the unsealed state.

6 to 10, the reagent container rack 100 includes a holding portion 10 that supports the bottom portion 93 (see FIG. 10) of the reagent container 90, a lid portion 20 that covers the mouth portion 91 of the reagent container 90 from above, A support portion 30 connecting the holding portion 10 and the lid portion 20 is provided. The support portion 30 is provided so as to extend upward from the holding portion 10 toward the lid portion 20 and is connected to the lid portion 20 at its upper end. As a result, a single reagent container rack 100 in which the holding portion 10 and the lid portion 20 are connected via the support portion 30 can be obtained instead of providing the holding portion 10 and the lid portion 20 as separate parts. can. This makes it easier to handle the finished reagent container rack 100 without having to manage each component individually, thereby improving the user's convenience.

The support part 30 has the cover part 20 at a closed position P1 (see FIG. 8) that covers the mouth part 91 of the reagent container 90 and an open position P2 (see FIG. ) and is supported so as to be movable. At the closed position P1, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the lid portion 20 covers the upper portion including the opening portion 91 of the reagent container 90 so as to form an airtight space CS (see FIG. 10) with the opening portion 91. placed in At the open position P<b>2 , the lid part 20 is located away from the top of the reagent container 90 . Since the upper side of the reagent container 90 is opened, the installation and removal of the reagent container 90 from the holding part 10 can be performed smoothly. Accordingly, even when the holding section 10 and the lid section 20 are connected by the support section 30, the lid section 20 can be moved to easily place or replace the reagent container 90 on the holding section 10. Convenience for the user can be improved.

The support portion 30 is connected to the lid portion 20 via a first hinge portion 31 (see FIG. 7) that rotates the lid portion 20 between the closed position P1 and the open position P2. The first hinge portion 31 has a horizontal rotation axis and supports the lid portion 20 so as to be vertically rotatable. Therefore, when the lid portion 20 moves from the open position P2 to the closed position P1, the lid portion 20 moves downward from above the reagent container 90 placed on the holding portion 10 by rotating around the first hinge portion 31. to cover the reagent container 90 . At the closed position P<b>1 , the lid portion 20 abuts on the reagent container 90 so as to be pressed from above against the reagent container 90 including the weight of the lid portion 20 .

<Lid>
As shown in FIG. 10 , the lid portion 20 has a top plate 21 and a cylindrical side wall 22 extending from the top plate 21 toward the holding portion 10 side. The top plate 21 is formed in a circular flat plate shape having a larger outer diameter than the mouth portion 91 of the reagent container 90 . Side wall 22 has a substantially cylindrical shape extending downward from the peripheral edge of top plate 21 toward holding portion 10 .

An end portion 22 a of the side wall 22 extending downward is provided with an abutting portion 23 made of an elastic material and abutting against the reagent container 90 . The contact portion 23 is annularly provided at the end portion 22a along the end portion 22a. In the example of FIG. 10 , the contact portion 23 is a sealing member that is detachably attached to the side wall 22 as a separate member from the side wall 22 . When pressed against the reagent container 90 , the contact portion 23 is elastically deformed so as to come into close contact with the reagent container 90 .

The lid portion 20 is provided to cover the mouth portion 91 of the reagent container 90 so as to form an airtight space CS with the mouth portion 91 of the reagent container 90 . Moreover, the lid portion 20 is configured to cover the mouth portion 91 in a non-contact state with the mouth portion 91 .

The lid portion 20 covers the mouth portion 91 so as to form an airtight space CS between the lid portion 20 and the mouth portion 91 by abutting the side wall 22 on the outer surface of the reagent container 90 other than the mouth portion 91 . is configured to

Specifically, the inner shape of the side wall 22 is larger than the outer shape of the mouth portion 91 . With the airtight space CS formed, the maximum horizontal dimension of the opening 91 is the length L2. The inner diameter of side wall 22 is greater than length L2. Therefore, the side wall 22 is provided so as to be spaced apart from the mouth portion 91 of the reagent container 90 in the horizontal direction, with the mouth portion 91 of the reagent container 90 arranged inside. The side wall 22 is formed so as to contact the outer surface of the intermediate portion 94 of the reagent container 90 at the end portion 22a of the side wall 22 .

In the example of FIG. 10 , the intermediate portion 94 of the reagent container 90 has an inclined surface that decreases in outer diameter from the upper end of the body portion 92 toward the mouth portion 91 . The intermediate portion 94 connects the upper end of the trunk portion 92 and the lower end of the container engaging portion 91 b of the mouth portion 91 . A threaded portion for attaching a cap 95 (see FIG. 2A) of the reagent container 90 is formed on the container engaging portion 91b. The container engaging portion 91b is connected to the opening end face 91a of the mouth portion 91 . The contact portion 23 provided at the end portion 22 a of the side wall 22 is provided so as to contact the inclined intermediate portion 94 .

The inner diameter of the contact portion 23 is slightly smaller than the maximum outer diameter of the intermediate portion 94 of the reagent container 90 . When the lid portion 20 forms the airtight space CS, the lid portion 20 is pressed toward the reagent container 90 so that the intermediate portion 94 is fitted inside the contact portion 23 . The contact portion 23 is expanded from the inside by the inclined surface of the intermediate portion 94 and is deformed so as to be in close contact with the contact portion 23 . The amount of deformation of the contact portion 23 may be such that the contact portion 23 and the intermediate portion 94 are in close contact with each other, and may be very small.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the reagent container rack 100 is engaged with the lid portion 20, and the contact portion 23 is pressed against the reagent container 90 held by the holding portion 10. An engaging portion 41 is provided to hold the lid portion 20 in the closed state. By engaging the lid portion 20 with the engaging portion 41, the contact portion 23 can be pressed against the reagent container 90 and elastically deformed so as to be in close contact. Thereby, the sealed state of the airtight space CS formed in the lid portion 20 can be easily maintained.

Specifically, a loop portion 29 integrally formed with the lid portion 20 is connected to the lid portion 20 . The loop portion 29 has an annular shape, and the grip portion 40 having the engaging portion 41 formed thereon can be inserted into the loop portion 29 on the inner peripheral side.

The engaging portion 41 includes a hook 42 (see FIG. 7) that engages the loop portion 29 . The engaging portion 41 is provided on the grip portion 40 rising upward from the connecting portion 45 that connects the two holding portions 10 . When the lid portion 20 is rotated from the open position P2 (see FIG. 7) to the closed position P1 (see FIG. 8) together with the loop portion 29, the grip portion 40 is inserted into the loop portion 29, and the hook of the engaging portion 41 is engaged. 42 and the inner peripheral surface of the loop portion 29 are engaged. The engagement between the engaging portion 41 and the loop portion 29 (that is, the lid portion 20) restricts the lid portion 20 from moving toward the open position P2. The engaging portion 41 is formed at a position where the lid portion 20 is pressed toward the reagent container 90 and engaged when the contact portion 23 is deformed. Therefore, the engagement between the engaging portion 41 and the lid portion 20 keeps the contact portion 23 and the reagent container 90 in close contact with each other. When the lid portion 20 is moved to the open position P2, when the grip portion 40 is pushed and deformed, the hook 42 of the engaging portion 41 is moved and the hook 42 and the loop portion 29 are disengaged.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 10 , the lid portion 20 has an insertion port 24 for inserting a suction tube 121 for aspirating the reagent, and an openable/closable blocking portion 25 that blocks the insertion port 24 .

The insertion port 24 is formed so as to vertically penetrate the top plate 21 of the lid portion 20 . The insertion port 24 is formed to be positioned directly above the mouth portion 91 of the reagent container 90 in a state where the lid portion 20 forms the airtight space CS. As a result, the closing portion 25 can be opened and the reagent can be aspirated by the aspiration tube 121 while the lid portion 20 is placed at the closed position P1 to cover the mouth portion 91 . Therefore, compared to the configuration in which the entire lid portion 20 is moved to the open position P2 when aspirating the reagent, it is possible to prevent the interior of the reagent container 90 from being opened to the outside, thereby suppressing evaporation of the reagent. can.

The closing part 25 has an outer shape larger than the insertion opening 24 so as to cover the entire insertion opening 24 . The closing portion 25 has a flat plate shape and is arranged so as to overlap the upper surface of the top plate 21 in which the insertion opening 24 is formed, thereby covering and blocking the insertion opening 24 . In the example of FIG. 10, the closing portion 25 is rotatably connected to the lid portion 20 via the second hinge portion 26 so that the insertion port 24 can be opened and closed.

Like the first hinge portion 31, the second hinge portion 26 has a horizontal rotation axis and supports the closing portion 25 so as to be vertically rotatable. The second hinge portion 26 is attached to a bearing portion 26 a provided on the lid portion 20 . The second hinge part 26 has a closed position Q1 (see FIG. 11) where it overlaps the upper surface of the top plate 21 and closes the insertion port 24, and a second hinge portion 26 facing upward to open the insertion port 24. The closing portion 25 is rotatably supported at the opening position Q2 (see FIG. 12). Thus, the insertion port 24 can be easily opened and closed simply by rotating the closing portion 25 .

In the example of FIG. 10 , the reagent container rack 100 includes a biasing member 27 that biases the closing portion 25 toward the insertion port 24 . The biasing member 27 biases the closing portion 25 in the direction from the open position Q2 toward the closed position Q1. Due to the biasing force of the biasing member 27 , the closing portion 25 is pressed toward the upper surface of the top plate 21 and comes into contact therewith. As a result, the urging force of the urging member 27 can improve the degree of sealing when the closing portion 25 is closed. The biasing member 27 is, for example, a torsion spring provided on the second hinge portion 26 .

In the example of FIG. 10 , the closing portion 25 forms a seal portion 28 with the top plate 21 while closing the insertion opening 24 . Specifically, an annular rib 21a is formed on the upper surface of the top plate 21 and protrudes upward from the periphery of the insertion opening 24 . Further, an annular rib 25 a projecting downward toward the top plate 21 is formed on the surface of the closing portion 25 on the top plate 21 side. The inner diameter of the annular rib 25a is larger than the outer diameter of the annular rib 21a. The annular rib 21 a and the annular rib 25 a are formed concentrically around the insertion opening 24 . Therefore, when the closing portion 25 is at the closing position Q1, the rib 21a and the rib 25a form a seal portion 28 having a labyrinth structure. This improves the degree of sealing when the closing portion 25 is at the closing position Q1.

<Holding part>
The holding part 10 includes a mounting part 11 that supports the bottom part 93 of the reagent container 90 and a side part 12 that faces the outer peripheral surface of the reagent container 90, as shown in FIG. The side portion 12 is provided along the lower outer peripheral surface of the body portion 92 of the reagent container 90 . As a result, the reagent container 90 can be stably supported by the mounting portion 11 and the lateral displacement of the reagent container 90 can be suppressed by the side portion 12 .

The mounting portion 11 of the holding portion 10 has an inclined mounting surface 11a on which the reagent container 90 is mounted. The reagent container 90 is held in an inclined state on the holding part 10 by the mounting surface 11a. Due to the inclined mounting surface 11a, the inner bottom surface of the reagent container 90 is inclined such that one side in the inclination direction is lower than the other side. Note that the lid portion 20 (see FIG. 10) is configured to form an airtight space CS between itself and the inclined mouth portion 91 .

As shown in FIG. 10, the slanted placement surface 11a allows the reagent container 90 to be slanted so that the reagent can be collected in the lowest portion. The reagent in the reagent container 90 is collected in the lower corner CP of the inner bottom surface. As a result, the collected reagent can be aspirated even when the remaining amount of the reagent is low, so that the dead volume of the reagent can be reduced. Even when the reagent container 90 is tilted in this manner, the reagent can be prevented from evaporating by covering the opening 91 with the lid 20. Therefore, the reagent can be effectively used as much as possible while suppressing concentration changes due to evaporation. can be done.

The mounting portion 11 supports the bottom portion 93 of the reagent container 90 at a predetermined height and at a predetermined angle in the holding portion 10 and is configured as a replacement part that can be attached to and detached from the holding portion 10 . The mounting portion 11 is installed on the bottom portion 93 of the holding portion 10 and is detachably attached to the bottom portion 93 of the holding portion 10 by a screw member 11b or the like. The mounting portion 11 may be attached to the holding portion 10 by engagement such as snap fit.

The mounting portion 11 as a replacement part has, for example, a plurality of variations in which at least one of the inclination angle θ of the mounting surface 11a with respect to the bottom surface of the reagent container rack 100 and the height position H1 from the bottom surface of the reagent container rack 100 is different. can include As a result, by exchanging the placement section 11, the reagent containers 90 having different dimensions can be arranged at the same height or held at the optimum tilt angle. For example, by exchanging the mounting portion 11 , even when reagent containers 90 with different heights are mounted on the holding portion 10 , the height of the contact position with the lid portion 20 can be made uniform.

As shown in FIG. 8 , the side portion 12 of the holding portion 10 is formed to extend upward along the outer peripheral surface of the body portion 92 of the reagent container 90 . On the other hand, the side portions 12 are provided on one side and the other side in the horizontal direction so as to be divided into left and right sides with the front surface of the reagent container 90 placed on the holding portion 10 as a boundary. The side portion 12a on one side and the side portion 12b on the other side form a gap with an interval D2 in the horizontal direction so that the front surface of the reagent container 90 is exposed. Identification information of the reagent container 90 is attached to the reagent container 90 in the form of a barcode label LB. By arranging the identification information of the reagent container 90 between the side portion 12 a and the side portion 12 b , the identification information can be read by the reagent reading section 184 outside the reagent container rack 100 .

Note that the lid portion 20 is arranged at a position above the side portion 12 with an interval D3 in the closed position P1. Therefore, the gap D3 between the lid portion 20 and the side portion 12 extends in the circumferential direction of the reagent container 90 to expose the side surface of the reagent container 90 . In this way, the support portion 30 of the reagent container rack 100 separates the holding portion 10 and the lid portion 20 from each other so that the front and side surfaces of the reagent containers 90 are exposed between the holding portion 10 and the lid portion 20. connected in position. Here, the sample analyzer 200 stores the reagent container 90 on the reagent table 180 at a temperature different from room temperature. At this time, if most of the reagent container 90 is covered with the lid portion 20 or the holding portion 10 of the reagent container rack 100, heat transfer is hindered, and the reagent in the reagent container 90 is slow to reach the set temperature. Become. On the other hand, by exposing the front and side surfaces of the reagent container 90 between the holding portion 10 and the lid portion 20 , the mouth portion 91 of the reagent container 90 is covered with the lid portion 20 while the outside of the lid portion 20 is covered with the lid portion 20 . By exposing a wide area of the reagent container 90 from the reagent container rack 100 to the outside, it is possible to suppress the inhibition of heat transfer. As a result, the reagent temperature in the reagent container 90 can be rapidly reached to the set temperature while suppressing evaporation of the reagent.

Further, the side portion 12 is provided with an attachment area 13 for attaching a barcode label LB of identification information of the reagent container rack 100 . The sticking area 13 is provided on the side portion 12a. Therefore, the barcode label LB of the reagent container 90 and the barcode label LB of the reagent container rack 100 are arranged side by side.

<Opening and closing of the blocking part>
Next, opening and closing of the closing portion 25 during reagent aspiration will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the opening/closing mechanism 110 moves the closing portion 25 to open the insertion port 24 of the lid portion 20 when the aspiration tube 121 of the reagent pipetting portion 120 aspirates the reagent from the reagent container 90 . It is configured to open and close the lid portion 20 by opening and closing. As a result, in a state where the airtight space CS is formed between the lid portion 20 and the mouth portion 91 of the reagent container rack 100, only the insertion port 24 is locally opened by the opening/closing mechanism 110, and the suction tube 121 Reagent aspiration can be performed. After the reagent is aspirated, the opening/closing mechanism 110 can locally close only the insertion port 24 while the opening 91 is covered with the lid 20, thereby forming the airtight space CS again. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the entire lid portion 20 is removed from the reagent container 90 to open the mouth portion 91 when aspirating the reagent, it is possible to prevent the inside of the reagent container 90 from being opened to the outside. , the evaporation of the reagent can be suppressed.

When aspirating the reagent, first, the reagent table 180 (see FIG. 4) moves the reagent container rack 100 so that the reagent container 90 is placed at the reagent aspirating position 505 or 506 where the opening/closing mechanism 110 is placed. At this time, the lid portion 20 is arranged at a position directly below the opening/closing mechanism 110 .

The blocking portion 25 has a pressed portion 25b (see FIGS. 9 to 11) at a position extending to the opposite side of the insertion opening 24 with the second hinge portion 26 interposed therebetween. As shown in FIG. 12, when the opening/closing mechanism 110 presses the pressed portion 25b toward the holding portion 10, a moment acts with the second hinge portion 26 as a fulcrum, and the portion of the closing portion 25 on the insertion port 24 side is pushed. The insertion opening 24 is opened by rotating upward.

The opening/closing mechanism 110 includes a rotating shaft 115 , an arm portion 111 that rotates around the rotating shaft 115 , a pressing piece 112 provided at the tip of the arm portion 111 , and a drive source 113 that drives the arm portion 111 . The drive source 113 is connected via a link at a position away from the rotating shaft 115 . The drive source 113 is, for example, an electric motor, and horizontally advances or retreats a connecting portion 114 with the arm portion 111 via a link. By advancing the connecting portion 114 of the drive source 113 , the arm portion 111 rotates around the rotation shaft 115 and the pressing piece 112 presses the pressed portion 25 b of the closing portion 25 . When the pressing piece 112 presses down the pressed portion 25b against the biasing force of the biasing member 27, the closing portion 25 is rotated to the open position Q2 (see FIG. 12). When the opening/closing mechanism 110 returns the pressing piece 112 to the position shown in FIG. 11, the biasing force of the biasing member 27 returns the closing portion 25 to the closing position Q1.

10 and 12, the closed portion 25 is pushed toward the holding portion 10 side by the pressed portion 25b, so that the tip of the lid portion 20 is pushed closer to the tip of the lid portion 20 than the first hinge portion 31 of the lid portion 20. As shown in FIGS. It is provided so as to rotate around the second hinge portion 26 arranged at the side position. That is, the second hinge portion 26 is arranged at a position between the first hinge portion 31 of the lid portion 20 and the tip portion of the lid portion 20 in the radial direction from the first hinge portion 31 (that is, the loop portion 29). It is Therefore, the pressing force applied from the pressing piece 112 to the lid portion 20 rotates the lid portion 20 toward the reagent container 90 side around the first hinge portion 31 (that is, toward the closed position P1). direction), and the pressing force does not move the lid portion 20 toward the open position P2 side. In this way, when the pressed portion 25b is pressed toward the holding portion 10 in order to open the closing portion 25, the pressing force is applied in a direction to rotate the lid portion 20 around the first hinge portion 31 toward the holding portion 10 side. can act on Therefore, even when the closing portion 25 is opened and closed, the degree of sealing between the lid portion 20 and the reagent container 90 is not lowered.

The opening/closing mechanism 110 arranges the closing portion 25 at the closing position Q1 (see FIG. 11) when the reagent is not aspirated. That is, the pressing piece 112 does not press. The opening/closing mechanism 110 causes the closing portion 25 to be placed at the open position Q2 (see FIG. 12) by the pressing piece 112 when the reagent is aspirated.

(Description of operation of sample analyzer)
Next, the operation of the sample analyzer 200 shown in FIGS. 4-12 will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. FIG. Operation control of the sample analyzer 200 is performed by the controller 210 .

In step S1, the control unit 210 controls reading of identification information. By rotating the reagent table 180, the control unit 210 displays the barcode label LB (see FIG. 8) recording the identification information of each reagent container 90 and the identification information of each reagent container rack 100 at the reading position of the reagent reading unit 184. Bar code labels LB with recorded information are sequentially arranged. The control unit 210 causes the reagent reading unit 184 to read the identification information from the bar code labels LB sequentially arranged at the reading position. As a result, the type and position of each reagent container rack 100 in the reagent table 180 and the type and position of each reagent container 90 in the reagent table 180 are acquired by the control unit 210 .

When the sample container 104 is set and the analysis is started, in step S2, the control section 210 performs control to mix the sample and the reagent to prepare the sample for measurement. The control unit 210 causes the transport unit 102 to move the sample container 104 to the sample aspirating position 501 or 502 , and causes the sample dispensing unit 151 or 152 to transfer the sample from the sample container 104 to the reaction container 108 installed on the rotary table 160 . dispense.

Further, the control unit 210 causes the reagent table 180 to move the reagent container 90 corresponding to the measurement item to the reagent aspirating position 505 or 506, and the reagent dispensing unit 120a or 120b distributes the sample from the reagent container 90 to the reaction container 108. order. At this time, when the reagent container 90 for reagent aspiration is set in the reagent container rack 100 having the lid portion 20 , the control portion 210 operates the opening/closing mechanism 110 to close the closing portion 25 of the lid portion 20 . It is moved from position Q1 (see FIG. 11) to open position Q2 (see FIG. 12). Control unit 210 operates reagent dispensing unit 120 to allow aspiration tube 121 to enter reagent container 90 through insertion opening 24 of lid unit 20 and opening of opening 91 of reagent container 90, thereby dispensing the reagent. to aspirate. Then, the controller 210 moves the aspirating tube 121 to the outside of the reagent container 90 and the insertion port 24, and dispenses the aspirated reagent into the reaction container 108 containing the sample to be analyzed. When the suction tube 121 moves to the outside of the insertion opening 24 , the control section 210 operates the opening/closing mechanism 110 to release the pressing of the closing section 25 of the lid section 20 . The closing portion 25 is moved to the closing position Q1 by the biasing force of the biasing member 27 .

In addition, the control unit 210 transfers the reaction container 108 to the turntable 190 by the gripping mechanism 175 according to the measurement item, and heats the reaction container 108 on the turntable 190 . By heating, the specimen and the reagent in the reaction vessel 108 are heated to a predetermined reaction temperature. The dispensing of the reagent is performed once or multiple times depending on the measurement item. For example, when the measurement item is ATIII, the control unit 210 causes the enzyme reagent to be dispensed from the reagent container 90 held by the holding portion 10a of the reagent container rack 100 into the reaction container 108, and placed on the rotary table 190 for a predetermined time. After heating to the temperature, the substrate is dispensed from the reagent container 90 held in the holding portion 10b of the reagent container rack 100 to the reaction container 108 . Thus, a measurement sample is prepared.

In step S3, the control unit 210 causes the detection unit 130 to detect a signal based on the specimen. The control unit 210 causes the gripping mechanism 170 to transfer the reaction container 108 containing the measurement sample to the container installation unit 131 of the detection unit 130, and causes the light transmission unit 133 to irradiate the reaction container 108 with measurement light and receive the light. Transmitted light is received by the portion 132 . The control unit 210 transmits an electrical signal corresponding to the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 132 to the analysis unit 140 as a detection signal of the detection unit 130 . The control unit 210 continues detection of transmitted light for a predetermined measurement time.

In step S<b>4 , the analysis unit 140 analyzes based on the signal from the detection unit 130 . For example, when the measurement item is ATIII, the analysis unit 140 obtains the amount of change in absorbance based on the signal of the amount of light received over a predetermined measurement time acquired from the detection unit 130 . The analysis unit 140 obtains the activity of ATIII based on the obtained amount of change in absorbance and the reference value or calibration curve information obtained from the detection result of the standard sample.

In step S5, the analysis unit 140 outputs analysis results. For example, analysis unit 140 causes display unit 230 to display analysis results. Also, the analysis unit 140 records, for example, the analysis results and outputs the analysis results to a network-connected host computer. This completes the analysis operation of the sample analyzer 200 .

(Operation during reagent replacement)
Continuing the analysis may reduce the amount of reagent remaining in the reagent container 90 and require replacement of the reagent. In that case, the user temporarily stops the operation of the measurement unit 101 of the sample analyzer 200 and performs the reagent replacement work.

In step S11 of FIG. 14, the control section 210 temporarily stops the operation of the measuring section 101 in response to an operation input from the user. When the operation of the measurement unit 101 is stopped, the user performs reagent replacement work. When replacing the reagent container 90 of the reagent container rack 100 , the user takes out the reagent container rack 100 held on the reagent table 180 from the reagent table 180 and presses the grip portion 40 to engage the lid portion 20 . It is released, and the lid portion 20 is moved from the closed position P1 (see FIG. 8) to the open position P2 (see FIG. 7). The user takes out the reagent container 90 placed on the holding part 10a and replaces it with the newly opened reagent container 90 . The user moves the lid portion 20 from the open position P2 to the closed position P1 where the engaging portion 41 engages the loop portion 29 of the lid portion 20 . Due to the engagement, the contact portion 23 of the lid portion 20 contacts the reagent container 90 to form an airtight space CS. The user sets the reagent container rack 100 on the reagent table 180 . Since the lid portion 20 covers the mouth portion 91 of the reagent container 90 across the airtight space CS, the reagent does not adhere to the lid portion 20 side, and the reagent container 90 can be replaced without exchanging or cleaning the lid portion 20. However, there is no risk of reagent contamination, and reagent replacement can be performed quickly.

Control unit 210 determines whether or not to restart the operation of measurement unit 101 in step S12. Upon receiving an input operation instructing restart of operation from the user who has completed the reagent replacement work, the control unit 210 restarts the operation of the measurement unit 101 . In step S<b>13 , the control unit 210 controls reading of the identification information of the replaced reagent container 90 and the reagent container rack 100 holding the reagent container 90 . By rotating the reagent table 180, the control unit 210 sequentially places the barcode label LB of the target reagent container 90 and the barcode label LB of the target reagent container rack 100 at the reading position of the reagent reading unit 184. place it. The control unit 210 causes the reagent reading unit 184 to read the identification information from the bar code labels LB sequentially arranged at the reading position.

In step S14, the control unit 210 updates the reagent information arranged in the reagent table 180 with the newly read identification information. Reagent replacement is performed as described above.

(Experimental result)
Next, the results of an experiment conducted to confirm the reagent evaporation suppressing effect of the reagent container rack 100 of this embodiment will be described.

In the confirmation experiment of the evaporation suppression effect, the reagent container 90 was set on the reagent table 180 of the sample analyzer 200 for the same standard sample, and the analysis was performed immediately after opening the new reagent container 90 (elapsed time: 0 hours). The analysis result at the start of the experiment was obtained as a reference value. After that, while the reagent container 90 was stored in the reagent table 180, the standard sample was analyzed periodically at each preset elapsed time to obtain the degree of deviation (%) from the reference value.

The experiment was conducted in a plurality of cases in which the storage method of the reagent container 90 was changed while performing the analysis for each elapsed time. That is, the experiments were carried out as an example in which the lid portion 20 of the reagent container rack 100 of the present embodiment was used to store the reagent container 90, a comparative example 1 in which the reagent container was left unopened, and the patent document 1 shown in FIG. Comparative Example 2 in which the described reagent container lid 900 was attached to the opening of the mouth portion 91 of the reagent container 90 and stored, and the cap 95 (see FIG. 2A) was used except when the reagent was aspirated during analysis. Four cases of Comparative Example 3 in which the reagent container 90 was stored in an airtight manner were carried out. The experiment was conducted for the analysis of the measurement item ATIII. Briefly, experimental results were collected for enzymatic reagents for ATIII. The analysis results were obtained immediately after opening, after 72 hours, after 114 hours, after 120 hours, after 144 hours, and after 162 hours.

FIG. 15 is a graph of experimental results. The horizontal axis of the graph is the elapsed time (time), and the vertical axis is the deviation (%) from the reference value. 20% above and below the standard value was set as a guideline for the allowable range of deviation.

As shown in FIG. 15, in Comparative Example 1 in which the reagent container 90 was left unopened, the divergence fell below the lower limit (-40%) of the graph 72 hours after opening. In Comparative Example 2 in which the reagent container lid 900 (see FIG. 16) was attached to the reagent container 90, the deviation fell below the allowable range after 114 hours. In the example in which the lid portion 20 of the reagent container rack 100 shown in FIG. 10 was used to form the airtight space CS for storage, the deviation was within the allowable range until 120 hours had passed. In the example, after 144 hours, the degree of divergence fell below the allowable range. Moreover, in the case of Comparative Example 3, in which the sample was stored in a sealed state each time aspiration was performed, the degree of divergence remained within the allowable range even after 162 hours had elapsed.

As described above, according to the reagent container rack 100 of the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the evaporation of reagents compared to the conventional method (Comparative Example 2), and to suppress the influence of evaporation on analysis results over a longer period of time. was confirmed.

In addition, from the result of the example that falls within the allowable range after 120 hours have elapsed, the reagent container 90 was continuously set in the sample analyzer 200 for five days from Monday to Friday in one week. , it can be seen that the reagent can continue to be used. As a result, it can be seen that the user's convenience can be improved by reducing the frequency of the user's reagent replacement work.

It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed this time should be considered as examples and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of the claims rather than the description of the above-described embodiments, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of the claims.

10, 10a, 10b: holding portion, 11: placing portion, 11a: placing surface, 12, 12a, 12b: side portion, 20: lid portion, 21: top plate, 22: side wall, 22a: end portion, 22b : inner peripheral surface 23: contact portion 24: insertion port 25: closing portion 25b: pressed portion 26: second hinge portion 27: biasing member 30: support portion 31: first hinge Part 41: Engagement Part 90: Reagent Container 91: Mouth Part 91a: Opening End Face 91b: Container Engagement Part 92: Body Part 93: Bottom Part 94: Intermediate Part 100: Reagent Container Rack 110: opening/closing mechanism, 120, 120a, 120b: reagent dispensing unit, 121: suction tube, 130: detection unit, 140: analysis unit, 200: sample analyzer, CS: airtight space, P1: closed position, P2: open position

Claims (26)

A reagent container rack removably installed in a sample analyzer that analyzes a sample using a reagent,
a holder that holds a reagent container that contains the reagent and that has an opening;
a lid part that covers the mouth part spaced apart from the mouth part including the opening end face in which the opening of the reagent container is formed and the outer side surface extending from the peripheral edge of the opening end face,
The lid is provided so as to contact the outer surface of the reagent container around the mouth, thereby forming a space surrounding the mouth with the lid and the outer surface of the reagent container. a reagent vessel rack. 2. The reagent container rack according to claim 1, wherein the opening is a portion exposed when a cap attached in advance to the unopened reagent container is removed and the unopened reagent container is opened. the outer surface of the mouth includes a container engaging portion that engages with a cap pre-attached to the unopened reagent container;
3. The reagent container rack according to claim 1, wherein the lid covers the mouth so as to form the space between the opening end face of the mouth and the container engaging portion. 4. The reagent container rack according to claim 3, wherein the container engaging portion is a threaded portion that engages with the cap. 5. The reagent container rack according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the lid is configured to cover the mouth without contacting the mouth. The lid portion has a top plate and a cylindrical side wall extending from the top plate toward the holding portion,
6. A reagent container rack according to claim 5, wherein the inner profile of said sidewall is larger than the outer profile of said mouth. 7. The side wall is formed so that an end of the side wall abuts an outer surface of an intermediate portion connecting the mouth portion of the reagent container and a body portion having an outer shape larger than that of the mouth portion. A reagent vessel rack as described in . the side wall is made of an elastic material and has a contact portion that contacts the reagent container;
8. The reagent container rack according to claim 7, wherein the abutting portion is annularly provided along the end portion at the end portion. The side wall is formed so as to abut on at least one of a trunk portion having an outer shape larger than that of the mouth portion of the reagent container and an intermediate portion connecting the mouth portion and the trunk portion on the inner peripheral surface. 7. A reagent container rack according to claim 6, comprising a the side wall is made of an elastic material and has a contact portion that contacts the reagent container;
10. The reagent container rack according to claim 9, wherein said contact portion is provided so as to protrude from the inner peripheral surface of said side wall toward the center. 2. An engaging portion that engages with the lid portion and holds the lid portion in a state in which the contact portion is pressed against the reagent container held by the holding portion. 0. The reagent container rack according to 0. The reagent container rack according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a support portion connecting said holding portion and said lid portion. The support part connects the holding part and the lid part at positions separated from each other such that the front surface and the side surface of the reagent container are exposed between the holding part and the lid part. 12. The reagent container rack according to 12. The support portion supports the lid portion so as to be movable between a closed position covering the mouth portion of the reagent container and an open position where the reagent container can be placed on and removed from the holding portion. , a reagent container rack according to claim 12 or 13 . 15. The reagent container rack according to claim 14 , wherein the support section is connected to the lid section via a first hinge section that rotates the lid section between the closed position and the open position. 16. The reagent container rack according to claim 15 , wherein said lid has an insertion port for inserting a suction tube for aspirating said reagent, and an openable and closable blocking portion for blocking said insertion port. 17. The reagent container rack according to claim 16 , wherein the closing part is rotatably connected to the lid part via a second hinge part so that the insertion port can be opened and closed. 18. The reagent container rack according to claim 17 , further comprising a biasing member that biases the closing portion toward the insertion port. The closing portion is centered on the second hinge portion arranged at a position closer to the tip side of the lid portion than the first hinge portion of the lid portion by pressing the pressed portion toward the holding portion side. 19. The reagent container rack according to claim 17 or 18 , which is arranged to rotate in the direction of . comprising a plurality of holding portions,
The reagent container rack according to any one of claims 1 to 19 , wherein the lid is provided so as to cover the opening of the reagent container held by at least one of the plurality of holding parts. . The reagent container rack according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the holding portion includes a mounting portion that supports the bottom portion of the reagent container, and a side portion that faces the outer peripheral surface of the reagent container. . the mounting portion of the holding portion has an inclined mounting surface on which the reagent container is mounted;
22. The reagent container rack according to claim 21, wherein the lid is configured to form the space with the slanted mouth. 23. The mounting section according to claim 22, wherein the holder supports the bottom of the reagent container at a predetermined height and at a predetermined angle, and is configured as a replacement part that can be attached to and detached from the holder. Reagent container rack. The reagent container rack according to any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein the reagent in said reagent container is a reagent for blood coagulation analysis. a reagent container rack according to any one of claims 1 to 24;
an opening and closing mechanism for opening and closing the lid of the reagent container rack;
a reagent dispensing unit that dispenses the reagent in the reagent container placed on the reagent container rack;
a detection unit that detects a signal based on a measurement sample containing a specimen and a reagent;
an analysis unit that analyzes the specimen based on the signal detected by the detection unit;
A sample analyzer with The lid portion of the reagent container rack has an insertion port for inserting a suction tube for aspirating a reagent, and an openable and closable blocking portion that blocks the insertion port,
3. The opening and closing mechanism opens and closes the lid portion by moving the closing portion to open and close the insertion opening when the aspiration tube of the reagent dispensing portion aspirates the reagent from the reagent container. 6. The sample analyzer according to 5 .

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