초록 ▼

An automatic analysis apparatus is disclosed which provides for various analytical operations in clinical diagnosis and experiments including measuring the changes in light absorbance of a large number of samples mixed with different reagents in a progressive manner, biochemical, electrolytical, flu

An automatic analysis apparatus is disclosed which provides for various analytical operations in clinical diagnosis and experiments including measuring the changes in light absorbance of a large number of samples mixed with different reagents in a progressive manner, biochemical, electrolytical, fluorescence, and immunological analysis and EIA analysis of samples in bead solid phase. A plurality of samples are maintained, together with diluents and emergency samples, in an ordered sequence on a sample table rotatably disposed which is rotated by drive means in a stepping manner to move the samples progressively to a predetermined suction position at which a sample pipetter picks up a measured amount of sample and dispenses it to one of a plurality of reaction containers that are arranged in an ordered sequence on a reaction table rotatably disposed, preferably about said sample table. A first and a second reagent table are provided, each carrying a plurality of reagents different in kind from one another, selected for various analyses to be performed. A first and a second reagent pipetter are provided and operated to pick up a measured amount of a particular reagent and mix it with any selected sample in the reaction containers. Each sample and reagent mixture may be scanned to measure the rate of light absorbance during a period of time as the reaction containers is rotated on the reaction table a photometer system including a rotating frame carrying thereon filters for different wavelengths through which the optical beam from a light source is passed to traverse the reaction container to be sensed by an optical sensor as the reaction container is rotated. Each reagent pipetting tube is provided with agitator means which is operated, after each dispensing operation of the pipetting tube into the reaction container, to stir the mixture in the reaction container into a homogenous state for proper reaction.

대표청구항 ▼

An automatic analysis apparatus comprising: A. a sample table rotatably disposed for rotation about a vertical axis and including a first plurality of sample containers for containing samples, a second plurality of diluted sample containers for containing diluted samples, and a third plurality of em

An automatic analysis apparatus comprising: A. a sample table rotatably disposed for rotation about a vertical axis and including a first plurality of sample containers for containing samples, a second plurality of diluted sample containers for containing diluted samples, and a third plurality of emergency samples, said first, second and third pluralities being arranged in concentric and ordered circular rows for sequential operation, said sample table being operatively connected to first drive means which rotates said sample table in a stepping manner to bring said pluralities of containers sequentially to a separate predetermined aspiration position in each said row, B. a reaction table rotatably disposed for rotation about a vertical axis and mounted around said sample table, said reaction table including a plurality of reaction vessels arranged in ordered circular row for sequential operation and concentrically of said rows of said containers on said sample table, said reaction table being operatively connected to second drive means which rotates said reaction table in a stepping manner to bring said reaction vessels sequentially to a predetermined first discharge position, C. at least a pair of reagent tables each rotatably disposed for rotation about a vertical axis and situated externally of said reaction table, each said reagent table including a plurality of identical reagent containers of sectional cross section for containing at least one type of reagent, said containers being laid out in a circular pattern, each said reagent table being operatively connected to separate drive means which rotates said associated reagent table in a stepping manner to bring said reagent containers sequentially to a predetermined reagent pipetting position, D. sample pipetting means provided mounted adjacent to said reaction table and including a stationary cleaning trough and a pair of first and second identical pipetting tubes fixedly secured to both ends of a linear arm that is horizontally rotatably pivoted at its center on a stationary vertical column and drive means which moves said linear arm about said vertical column to bring each paired pipetting tube first to said aspiration position for said sample containers where a measured aliquot of sample is picked up, then to said first discharge position where the picked up sample aliquot is discharged, and finally to said cleaning trough where said pipetting tubes are cleaned of the sample residue for the next round of operation, said paired pipetting tubes being operated by drive means to be alternatively employed in such a manner that, when one of said paired pipetting tubes is at said first discharged, the other stands at said cleaning trough, said linear arm being slidably disposed for sliding movement in longitudinal direction with respect to said vertical column and connected to a power transmission system which slides said linear arm to extend each said pipetting tube from said aspiration position for said sample containers to a diluted or emergency sample container that is situated radially externally of said aspiration position so that a measured aliquot of diluted or emergency sample can be picked up for transfer to said discharge position for testing purposes, E. reagent pipetting means provided mounted between said reaction table and each reagent table and consisting of a cleaning trough, a pair of first and second identical reagent pipetting tubes fixedly secured to both ends of a linear arm that is horizontally rotatably pivoted at its center on a stationary vertical column, and drive means which moves said linear arm about said vertical column to turn each said paired reagent pipetting tubes first to said reagent pipetting position where a measured aliquot of reagent is picked up, then to a second discharge position situated a predetermined number of steps after said first discharge position where the picked up aliquot of reagent is discharged to mix with the picked up aliquot of sample discharged at said first discharge position to produce a reaction mixture in said reaction vessel so that the mixture is eventually allowed to cause reaction for subsequent analytical purposes, F. a photometric system for biochemical and EIA analysis of the mixture, comprising a bead feeder consisting of a bead disk rotatably disposed for rotation about a vertical axis and mounted adjacent to said reaction table, a number of bead stockers mounted at circumferential locations along the periphery of said bead disk and each adapted to contain beads, drive means which rotates said bead table to bring said stockers sequentially to a predetermined bead supply position, and a feeding level provided on each stocker which is actuated through an electromagnetic solenoid to open said stockers at said bead supply position to supply beads into the mixture to a predetermined bead level, a frame or largely U-shaped cross section mounted in said reaction table at said bead supply position and vertically movable disposed between an upper position where one of said reaction vessels at said bead supply position is snugly housed in said frame and a lower position where said reaction vessel is lowered away from said frame, a light source provided mounted at a fixed position internally of said bead supply position and adapted to produce a predetermined wavelength of light beam that traverses through the mixture along a path below said bead level when said frame is at said lower position, sensor means provided mounted opposite said light source and oriented to receive said light beam after passage through the mixture to detect changes in said light beam compared with said wavelength, and a built-in optical system assembled into said frame and consisting of a set of reflectors so arranged that, when said frame is at said upper position, said light beam is allowed to reflect and pass through the mixture along a path above said bead level, said optical system reflecting said light beam back to be received by said sensor, G. electrolytic analysis system for electrolytic analysis of samples on said sample table, comprising said sample pipetting means and a testing bottle situated at a position along the traveling path of said sample pipetting tubes, said sample pipetting tubes being operated to pick up a measured aliquot of sample from said first, second and third pluralities of containers to discharge into said testing bottle for eleclrolytic analysis, and H. fluorescent analysis for fluorescent analysis of samples on said sample table by measuring the density of chemicals container therein, comprising a light source provided mounted at a fixed position in said sample table and adapted to produce a predetermined wavelength of light beam that traverses through the sample in one of said first plurality of sample containers that is rotated to a predetermined scanning position, and sensor means provided mounted opposite said scanning position to receive said light beam after passage through said sample container to detect changes in said light beam compared with said wavelength.