Automatic analyzer and assembly support system thereof

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023160917-A1
Application number	US-202117919355-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 3, 2021
Priority date	May 22, 2020
Publication date	May 25, 2023
Grant date	—

Abstract

An automatic analyzer includes: a plurality of dispensing units; and a plurality of pump units connected to the respective dispensing units. Each of the plurality of pump units includes: a syringe tube that has a liquid port at one end and an opening at another end; a syringe base that is attached to the opening at the other end of the syringe tube; a plunger that penetrates the syringe base and whose tip end is inserted inside the syringe tube; a seal piece that is configured to seal a gap between the plunger and the syringe base; an actuator; and a power transmission mechanism that connects the actuator and the plunger. Each plunger of the plurality of pump units has an individually set diameter and a different thickness. At least one of the syringe base and the syringe tube represents the diameter of the corresponding plunger in appearance.

First claim

1 . An automatic analyzer, comprising:
a plurality of dispensing units; and a plurality of pump units connected to the respective dispensing units, wherein each of the plurality of pump units includes:
a syringe tube that has a liquid port at one end and an opening at another end;
a syringe base that is attached to the opening at the other end of the syringe tube;
a plunger that penetrates the syringe base and whose tip end is inserted inside the syringe tube;
a seal piece that is configured to seal a gap between the plunger and the syringe base;
an actuator; and
a power transmission mechanism that connects the actuator and the plunger,
each plunger of the plurality of pump units has an individually set diameter and a different thickness, and at least one of the syringe base and the syringe tube is color coded for a molding color according to the diameter of the corresponding plunger, and represents the diameter of the corresponding plunger in appearance.

2 . (canceled)

3 . The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 , wherein
the syringe base indicates the diameter of the corresponding plunger in a molding color, and the syringe tube indicates a classification of the diameter of the corresponding plunger in a molding color.

4 . The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 , further comprising:
an identification band that is provided on a hose connecting the liquid port and the dispensing unit and has a color corresponding to the molding color of the corresponding syringe tube.

5 . The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 , wherein
outer shapes of the syringe tube, the syringe base, the actuator, and the power transmission mechanism are unified among the plurality of pump units.

6 . The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 , wherein
the plurality of pump units are disposed side by side so as not to overlap when viewed from a specified position.

7 . The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 , wherein
the plurality of pump units have optotypes at corresponding positions.

8 . An assembly support system, comprising:
the automatic analyzer according to claim 1 ; a monitor; a memory in which registration data regarding arrangement and the appearances of the syringe tube and the syringe base of each of the plurality of pump units are recorded; and at least one processor that is configured to display and output the registration data of the automatic analyzer to the monitor.

9 . An assembly support system, comprising:
the automatic analyzer according to claim 1 ; a monitor; a memory in which registration data regarding arrangement and the appearances of the syringe tube and the syringe base of each of the plurality of pump units are recorded; and at least one processor that is configured to collate a captured image of the plurality of pump units with the registration data, determine whether assembly positions of the syringe tube and the syringe base are correct, and display and output a determination result on the monitor.

10 . The assembly support system according to claim 9 , wherein
the processor is configured to, when the assembly positions of the syringe tube and the syringe base are incorrect, output an interlock signal for prohibiting a dispensing operation to the automatic analyzer.

Assignees

• Hitachi High Tech Corp

Inventors

• Miyamoto Shunsuke
• Mishima Hiroyuki
• Yamazaki Hajime
• Setomaru Takeshi
• Yasui Akihiro

Classifications

• G01N35/00732 Primary

  Identification of carriers, materials or components in automatic analysers · CPC title

• G01N35/1002 Primary

  Reagent dispensers · CPC title

• G01N2035/00891

  Displaying information to the operator · CPC title

• G01N2035/0439

  Rotary sample carriers, i.e. carousels · CPC title

• G01N2035/00792

  Type of components bearing the codes, other than sample carriers · CPC title