Sample Analyzer

The present disclosure relates to a sample analyzer, including: an incubation mechanism, which is used for performing incubation on liquid in a reaction vessel; and a uniform mixing mechanism, which is independently arranged relative to the incubation mechanism and has a transport station and a uniform mixing station, wherein the uniform mixing mechanism includes a carrying member for carrying the reaction vessel, and the carrying member drives the reaction vessel to circularly move between the transport station and the uniform mixing station; and the carrying member conveys the reaction vessel, which is input from the transport station, to the uniform mixing station, so as to uniformly mix the liquid, and conveys the reaction vessel from the uniform mixing station to the transport station, so as to output the reaction vessel to the incubation mechanism.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The disclosure claims the priority to Chinese Patent Application No. CN202210243007.0, filed to the Chinese Patent Office on Mar. 11, 2022 and entitled “Sample Analyzer”, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a technical field of medical instruments, and in particular, to a sample analyzer.

BACKGROUND

A sample analyzer may test substances, such as antibodies and antigens, contained in samples such as blood. In general, an empty reaction vessel is put into the sample analyzer, then a sample and a target reagent are added into the reaction vessel, steps such as uniform mixing, incubation, and cleaning and separation are performed, and finally, a signal reagent is added into the reaction vessel to measure an optical signal or an electric signal, so as to realize the measurement and analysis of an antibody and an antigen in the sample.

A test flux is an important parameter for measuring the working efficiency of the sample analyzer, the test flux may be defined to be the number of reaction vessels, which are tested by the sample analyzer within a unit time, and the test flux is proportional to the number of the tested reaction vessels. For a traditional sample analyzer, in order to ensure a relatively large flux, it usually has the defect of a relatively large volume.

SUMMARY

One technical problem to be solved by the present disclosure is how to reduce the volume and to improve the test flux of a sample analyzer.

A sample analyzer, including:an incubation mechanism, which is used for performing incubation on liquid in a reaction vessel; anda uniform mixing mechanism, which is independently arranged relative to the incubation mechanism and has a transport station and a uniform mixing station, wherein the uniform mixing mechanism includes a carrying member for carrying the reaction vessel, and the carrying member drives the reaction vessel to circularly move between the transport station and the uniform mixing station; and the carrying member conveys the reaction vessel, which is input from the transport station, to the uniform mixing station, so as to uniformly mix the liquid, and conveys the reaction vessel from the uniform mixing station to the transport station, so as to output the reaction vessel to the incubation mechanism.

In one embodiment, the incubation mechanism is fixedly arranged, and the carrying member is rotatably arranged, so as to drive the reaction vessel to perform circular movement.

In one embodiment, the carrying member is rotated by 180°, such that the reaction vessel arrives at the uniform mixing station from the transport station.

In one embodiment, the uniform mixing mechanism further has a first transfer station and a second transfer station, the positions of the first transfer station and the second transfer station are different from positions of the transport station and the uniform mixing station, the reaction vessel is input at the first transfer station to the carrying member, and the carrying member is rotated by 180°, such that the reaction vessel arrives at the second transfer station from the first transfer station, so as to be output.

In one embodiment, a connecting line between the first transfer station and the second transfer station intersects with a connecting line between the transport station and the uniform mixing station, and both the transport station and the uniform mixing station are spaced apart from each other by 180° in the rotation direction of the carrying member.

In one embodiment, the sample analyzer further includes a first gripper and a second gripper, both the incubation mechanism and the transport station are located within the movement range of the first gripper, the incubation mechanism has a first region, the first region is located beyond the movement range of the second gripper, the first transfer station is located within the movement range of the second gripper, and the transport station is located beyond the movement range of the second gripper.

In one embodiment, the second transfer station is located within the movement range of the first gripper, and is located beyond the movement range of the second gripper.

In one embodiment, a straight line for connecting the centers of the transport station and the uniform mixing station is a first straight line, a straight line for connecting the centers of the first transfer station and the second transfer station is a second straight line, both the first straight line and the second straight line pass through the incubation mechanism, the first straight line is spaced apart from edges of the incubation mechanism, which are arranged in the extension direction of the second straight line at intervals, and the second straight line is spaced apart from edges of the incubation mechanism, which are arranged in the extension direction of the first straight line at intervals.

In one embodiment, the incubation mechanism further has a second region located within the movement range of the second gripper, the second region is located within the movement range of the second gripper, the first region is closer to the transport station relative to the second region, and the second region is closer to the first transfer station relative to the first region.

In one embodiment, an operation surface, which is used for enabling the incubation mechanism and the uniform mixing mechanism to complete different procedures, is taken as a reference, the operation surface is determined by a third straight line and a fourth straight line, which are perpendicular to each other, the third straight line extends in an arrangement direction of the first region and the second region, and the uniform mixing station keeps a set distance with the first region and the second region in the extension direction of the fourth straight line.

In one embodiment, the sample analyzer further includes a cleaning mechanism and a measurement mechanism, which are oppositely and independently arranged and are located beyond the movement range of the first gripper, the second gripper inputs the reaction vessel from the incubation mechanism to the cleaning mechanism, and inputs the reaction vessel from the cleaning mechanism to the measurement mechanism, and the second gripper further inputs, at the first transfer station, the reaction vessel on the cleaning mechanism to the carrying member.

In one embodiment, the sample analyzer further includes a carrying mechanism, which has a first station, a second station and a reagent station, the second station is located within the movement range of the first gripper, beyond the movement range of the second gripper and above the uniform mixing station, the carrying mechanism conveys the reaction vessel, which is input from the first station, to the reagent station, so as to load a reagent, and conveys the reaction vessel from the reagent station to the second station, so as to output the reaction vessel to the carrying member, and the reaction vessel on the incubation mechanism is input at the second station to the carrying mechanism.

In one embodiment, the reaction vessel on the uniform mixing mechanism is input at the second station to the carrying mechanism.

In one embodiment, the carrying mechanism includes a driving wheel, a driven wheel and a conveyor belt, the conveyor belt is sleeved on the driving wheel and the driven wheel, the conveyor belt includes a linear first edge and a linear second edge, the first edge is further away from the carrying member relative to the second edge, the reaction vessel is input from the first station to the first edge, and the second edge drives the reaction vessel to move between the second station and the reagent station.

In one embodiment, the first edge and the second edge are parallel to each other.

In one embodiment, the sample analyzer further includes a conveying mechanism, which has an in-out station and a sample station, the conveying mechanism conveys the reaction vessel, which is input from the in-out station, to the sample station, so as to load a sample, and returns the reaction vessel from the sample station to the in-out station, so as to output the reaction vessel to the carrying mechanism.

In one embodiment, the uniform mixing mechanism and the incubation mechanism are located on one side of the carrying mechanism, and the conveying mechanism is located on the other side of the carrying mechanism.

One technical effect of one embodiment of the present disclosure is that: the incubation mechanism and the uniform mixing mechanism are independent of each other, so as to eliminate a direct physical connection relationship therebetween. In this way, on one hand, when the two grippers input or output reaction vessels on the carrying member, interference can be eliminated, thereby avoiding that the two grippers can only take the form of sequential movement due to the interference, thus eliminating a “queue waiting” time, ensuring that the two grippers can move at the same time, and improving the working efficiency of the grippers, such that the number of reaction vessels, which are input to and output from the carrying member within the unit time, is increased, and finally the test flux is improved. Moreover, the volumes of the independently arranged incubation mechanism and the uniform mixing mechanism are relatively reduced, thereby reducing the volume of the entire sample analyzer. By means of providing the transport station and the uniform mixing station, the input and uniform mixing procedures of different reaction vessels on the carrying member can be carried out independently at the same time, and the output and uniform mixing procedures of different reaction vessels on the carrying member can also be carried out independently at the same time, such that the “queue waiting” time between two adjacent reaction vessels can be shortened, and an interval time of the two adjacent reaction vessels for arriving at the uniform mixing station is compressed, thereby shortening the time for inputting or outputting the two adjacent reaction vessels to and from the carrying member, and finally, the test flux of the sample analyzer is improved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In order to facilitate the understanding of the present disclosure, the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are given in the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure may be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. On the contrary, the purpose of providing these embodiments is to make the understanding of the disclosure of the present disclosure more thorough and comprehensive.

It should be noted that, when an element is referred to as being “fixed to” another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may also be an intervening element. When an element is considered to be “connected” to another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may also be an intervening element at the same time. The terms “inner”, “outer”, “left”, “right” and the like used herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to indicate unique embodiments.

Referring toFIG.1andFIG.2, a sample analyzer10provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a storage mechanism110, a conveying mechanism120, an accommodation mechanism130, a sample bin140, a carrying mechanism200, a reagent bin150, a uniform mixing mechanism300, an incubation mechanism400, a cleaning mechanism160, a measurement mechanism170, a first gripper500, a second gripper600, and a transfer gripper. With the carrying mechanism200as a reference, the storage mechanism110, the conveying mechanism120, the accommodation mechanism130and the sample bin140may be located on the right side of the carrying mechanism200, and the reagent bin150, the uniform mixing mechanism300, the incubation mechanism400, the cleaning mechanism160and the measurement mechanism170may be located on the left side of the carrying mechanism200, such that the overall mechanism distribution is in a pipeline layout, and thus the operation efficiency is high.

In some embodiments, referring toFIG.1andFIG.3, the storage mechanism110is used for storing empty reaction vessels1000, the sample bin140is used for storing samples, the accommodation mechanism130is used for accommodating disposable suction nozzles, the storage mechanism110is located on the front side of the conveying mechanism120, and the sample bin140and the accommodation mechanism130may be located on the rear side of the conveying mechanism120. The conveying mechanism120includes a belt driving assembly and a conveying tray124, which are connected to each other, the conveying tray124may be of a disk-shaped structure, a plurality of containing holes are formed in the edge of the conveying tray124, the containing holes may be evenly arranged at intervals along the same circumference, and the empty reaction vessels1000are placed in the containing holes, such that the conveying tray124plays a role in carrying the reaction vessels1000. The belt driving assembly is used for driving the conveying tray124to rotate, the conveying mechanism120has an in-out station121and a sample station122, both the in-out station121and the sample station122may be arranged at intervals in the rotation direction of the conveying tray124, and there is one in-out station121. In this way, an in-out time of the reaction vessel1000is equal to a sample loading time, and a waiting time is eliminated, therefore the speed is improved. There may be a plurality of sample stations122, for example, thereby may be 5 sample stations122. When the conveying tray124rotates, the conveying tray124may drive the reaction vessel1000to move between the in-out station121and the sample station122.

During work, the conveying tray124may move clockwise, firstly, the transfer gripper removes the reaction vessel in the storage mechanism110, and inputs the reaction vessel from the in-out station121to the conveying tray124; and then, the conveying tray124rotates by 180° to convey the reaction vessel from the in-out station121to the sample station122, and the sample in the sample bin140is added into the reaction vessel at the sample station122by means of the disposable suction nozzle, that is, the reaction vessel completes sample loading at the sample station122, and the disposable suction nozzle may be discarded after the sample loading is completed, so as to take a new disposable suction nozzle from the accommodation mechanism130to perform sample loading on the next reaction vessel, thereby preventing cross contamination of the samples. Finally, the conveying tray124rotates by 180° to return the reaction vessel from the sample station122to the in-out station121, such that the transfer gripper transfers, at the in-out station121, the reaction vessel, of which the sample loading has been completed, from the conveying tray124to the carrying mechanism200.

If the input, sample loading and output procedures of the reaction vessel are completed at the same station, the next reaction vessel must wait until the previous reaction vessel leaves the conveying tray124and then enter the conveying tray124, such that there is a relatively long “queue waiting” time between two adjacent reaction vessels, resulting in a prolonged interval time for starting the sample loading of the two adjacent reaction vessels, such that the time for inputting or outputting the two adjacent reaction vessels to or from the conveying tray124is prolonged, thereby affecting the test flux of the sample analyzer10. In fact, the “queue waiting” time is approximately equal to the sum of an input time, an output time and a sample loading time of the reaction vessel. In the above embodiment, by means of providing the in-out station121and the sample station122, when the previous reaction vessel is subjected to sample loading at the sample station122, the next reaction vessel can enter the conveying tray124from the in-out station121, such that the input and sample loading of different reaction vessels can be performed at the same time. Accordingly, the “queue waiting” time between the two adjacent reaction vessels can be shortened, such that the “queue waiting” time is not greater than the sum of the output time and the sample loading time of the reaction vessel, and then the interval time of the two adjacent reaction vessels for arriving at the sample station122is compressed, thereby shortening the time for inputting or outputting the two adjacent reaction vessels to or from the conveying tray124, and finally, the test flux of the sample analyzer10is improved.

In some embodiments, the carrying mechanism200includes a driving wheel, a driven wheel and a conveyor belt210, the conveyor belt210is sleeved on the driving wheel and the driven wheel, the reaction vessel may be carried on the conveyor belt210, and the conveyor belt210may drive the reaction vessel to move clockwise along a runway-shaped track. The space occupied by the conveyor belt210is relatively small, which is beneficial to the compact design of the structure of the carrying mechanism200. The conveyor belt210includes a linear first edge211and a linear second edge212, the first edge211and the second edge212may be parallel to each other, and the first edge211is further away from the uniform mixing mechanism300relative to the second edge212, so as to form an elliptical carrying range, which occupies a small space. The carrying mechanism200has a first station221, a second station222and a reagent station223, wherein the first station221corresponds to the first edge211and is arranged close to the in-out station121, and the transfer gripper may remove the reaction vessel on the conveying tray124from the in-out station121and input the reaction vessel from the first station221to the first edge211. The second station222and the reagent station223correspond to the second edge212, such that the second edge212drives the reaction vessel to perform linear movement between the reagent station223and the second station222. The reagent bin150is used for storing a reagent and is arranged close to the reagent station223, and the second station222is arranged close to the uniform mixing mechanism300. A connecting line between the first station221and the second station222may perpendicularly intersect with a connecting line between the reagent station223and the second station222, in other words, the first station221and the second station222are arranged at intervals in a left-right direction, and the reagent station223and the second station222are arranged at intervals in a front-back direction.

During work, firstly, the conveyor belt210conveys the reaction vessel from the first station221to the reagent station223; and then, the reagent in the reagent bin150may be added into the reaction vessel at the reagent station223through a reagent needle. Since the sample has been added into the reaction vessel at the first station221, at this time, the sample and the reagent are simultaneously contained in the reaction vessel. Finally, the conveyor belt210conveys the reaction vessel, which contains the sample and the reagent, from the reagent station223to the second station222, such that the first gripper500outputs, at the second station222, the reaction vessel from the conveyor belt210, so as to input the reaction vessel to the uniform mixing mechanism300.

In some embodiments, the uniform mixing mechanism300includes a carrying member310, a uniform mixing assembly and a belt driving assembly, the belt driving assembly may be used for driving the carrying member310to rotate counterclockwise or clockwise, the structure of the carrying member310may be similar to that of the conveying tray124, that is, the carrying member310is also a disk-shaped structure, and the carrying member310may carry the reaction vessel, so as to drive the reaction vessel to rotate. The uniform mixing mechanism300has a transport station321, a uniform mixing station322, a first transfer station331and a second transfer station332. The transport station321and the uniform mixing station322are spaced apart from each other by 180° in the rotation direction of the carrying member310, the first transfer station331and the second transfer station332are spaced apart from each other by 180° in the rotation direction of the carrying member310, such that a connecting line between the first transfer station331and the second transfer station332perpendicularly intersects with a connecting line between the transport station321and the uniform mixing station322, and a point of intersection of the two connecting lines is located at the rotation center of the carrying member310. The uniform mixing assembly corresponds to the uniform mixing station322, and when the reaction vessel moves to the uniform mixing station322, the uniform mixing assembly may drive the reaction vessel to generate eccentric oscillation, such that the sample and the reagent in the reaction vessel are fully and uniformly mixed. In other embodiments, the reaction vessel may perform linear movement between the transport station321and the uniform mixing station322, and may also perform linear movement between the first transfer station331and the second transfer station332at the same time.

During work, firstly, the first gripper500may remove the reaction vessel on the conveyor belt210from the second station222, and input, at the transport station321, the reaction vessel to the carrying member310; then the carrying member310rotates by 180° to convey the reaction vessel from the transport station321to the uniform mixing station322, such that the uniform mixing assembly generates eccentric oscillation on the reaction vessel, so as to uniformly mix the sample and the reagent, and the uniform mixing effect is thus improved; and finally, the carrying member310rotates by 180° to return the reaction vessel from the uniform mixing station322to the transport station321, such that the first gripper500removes, at the transport station321, the reaction vessel from the carrying member310, so as to input the reaction vessel to the incubation mechanism400.

Similar to the working principle of the conveying tray124, if the input, uniform mixing and output procedures of the reaction vessel are completed at the same station, the next reaction vessel must wait until the previous reaction vessel leaves the carrying member310and then enter the carrying member310, such that there is a relatively long “queue waiting” time between two adjacent reaction vessels, and the queue waiting time is equal to the sum of the input time, the output time and the uniform mixing time of the reaction vessel, resulting in a prolonged interval time for starting the uniform mixing procedure of the two adjacent reaction vessels, such that the time for inputting or outputting the two adjacent reaction vessels to or from the carrying member310is prolonged, thereby affecting the test flux of the sample analyzer10. In the above embodiment, by means of providing the transport station321and the uniform mixing station322, for example, when the previous reaction vessel is oscillated at the uniform mixing station322for uniform mixing, the next reaction vessel may enter the carrying member310from the transport station321; and as another example, when the previous reaction vessel is output from the carrying member310at the transport station321, the next reaction vessel may be oscillated at the uniform mixing station322for uniform mixing. Accordingly, the input and uniform mixing procedures of different reaction vessels on the carrying member310can be performed at the same time, and the output and uniform mixing procedures of different reaction vessels on the carrying member310can also be performed at the same time. In this way, the “queue waiting” time between the two adjacent reaction vessels can be shortened, such that the “queue waiting” time is approximately equal to the uniform mixing time of the reaction vessel, and then the interval time of the two adjacent reaction vessels for arriving at the uniform mixing station322is compressed, thereby shortening the time for inputting or outputting the two adjacent reaction vessels to or from the carrying member310, and finally, the test flux of the sample analyzer10is improved, and the uniform mixing effect can also be improved. At the same time, the input and output time of the reaction vessel on the transport station321is less than the time required for uniform mixing, such that the efficiency can be improved to the maximum extent, and only the same driving unit is required to drive the carrying member310to move among the transport station321, the uniform mixing station322, the first transfer station331and the second transfer station332, such that the structure of the uniform mixing mechanism300can be simplified, the occupied space is small, and the four stations can act at the same time, such that the speed is high.

In some embodiments, the incubation mechanism400and the uniform mixing mechanism300are arranged oppositely and independently, and the incubation mechanism400is used for heating the sample and reagent in the reaction vessel, so as to realize incubation. The incubation mechanism400may be fixedly arranged, that is, the incubation mechanism400is stationary, such that a heat dissipation effect on the incubation mechanism400by flowing air caused by movement is eliminated, and the incubation effect is thus improved. According to the movement ranges of the first gripper500and the second gripper600, the incubation mechanism400may be divided into a first region410and a second region420, the movement range of the first gripper500is a dashed rectangle A, and the movement range of the first gripper500may cover the entire incubation mechanism400, such that the movement range of the first gripper500may simultaneously cover the first region410and the second region420. The movement range of the second gripper600is a dashed rectangle B, the movement range of the second gripper600may only cover the second region420, but cannot cover the first region410, that is, the second region420is located within the movement range of the second gripper600, and the first region410is located beyond the movement range of the second gripper600. At the same time, the transport station321, the second transfer station332and the second station222are located within the movement range of the first gripper500, and are located beyond the movement range of the second gripper600; and the first transfer station331is located within the movement range of the second gripper600, and of course, the first transfer station331may also be located within the movement range of the first gripper500, such that interference generated between the first gripper500and the second gripper600can be effectively avoided, and it is ensured that the both grippers work simultaneously at different positions.

The width h of the first region410is less than the width H of the second region420, such that the first region410and the second region420together enclose a mounting notch430, and the carrying member310is at least partially accommodated in the mounting notch430. Therefore, the carrying member310can fully utilize the space of the mounting notch430, and it is ensured that the area occupied by both the incubation mechanism400and the carrying member310in the horizontal plane is relatively small, such that the sample analyzer10is more compact in structure, and the space utilization rate is thus improved. The second region420is closer to the first transfer station331relative to the first region410, and the distance from the center of the first transfer station331, in an arrangement direction perpendicular to the first region410and the second region420, to the centers of a row of reaction cups at the bottommost end of the incubation mechanism400is greater than or equal to zero, the connecting line between the first transfer station331and the second transfer station332intersects with the connecting line between the transport station321and the uniform mixing station322, preferably, the connecting line between the first transfer station331and the second transfer station332perpendicularly intersects with the connecting line between the transport station321and the uniform mixing station322, therefore the movement ranges of the first gripper500and the second gripper600can be reduced as much as possible, and the interference problem of the two grippers themselves are solved, such that the movement speed and working efficiency of the two grippers are improved. Compared with the second region420, the first region410is closer to the transport station321and the second station222.

Referring toFIG.4, a straight line for connecting the centers of the transport station321and the uniform mixing station322is denoted as a first straight line L1, and a straight line for connecting the centers of the first transfer station331and the second transfer station332is denoted as a second straight line L2. The extension direction of the first straight line L1may be understood as the width direction of the incubation mechanism400, and the extension direction of the second straight line L2may be understood as the length direction of the incubation mechanism400. The incubation mechanism400has first edges, which are arranged at intervals in the extension direction of the first straight line L1, and second edges, which are arranged at intervals in the extension direction of the second straight line. Obviously, the first edges generally extend in the length direction of the incubation mechanism400, and the second edges generally extend in the width direction of the incubation mechanism400. Since the carrying member310is at least partially accommodated in the mounting notch430, the first straight line L1passes through the incubation mechanism400and neither overlaps nor intersects with the second edges, such that the first straight line L1is spaced apart from the second edges. The second straight line L2also passes through the incubation mechanism400and neither overlaps nor intersects with the first edges, such that the second straight line L2is spaced apart from the first edges.

Referring toFIG.4, an operation surface, which is used for enabling the uniform mixing mechanism300and the incubation mechanism400to complete different procedures, is taken as a reference, the operation surface may be determined by a third straight line L3and a fourth straight line L4, which are perpendicular to each other, the third straight line L3extends in the arrangement direction of the first region and the second region. In fact, the extension directions of the third straight line L3and the second straight line L2are the same, and the extension directions of the fourth straight line L4and the first straight line L1are the same. In the extension direction of the fourth straight line, the uniform mixing station322keeps a set distance with the first region410and the second region420, such that the movement ranges of the first gripper500and the second gripper600can be further reduced, and the working efficiency of the first gripper500and the second gripper600is thus improved.

During work, the first gripper500may remove the reaction vessel on the carrying member310from the transport station321and input the reaction vessel to the first region410or the second region420of the incubation mechanism400, may also remove the reaction vessel in the first region410or the second region420of the incubation mechanism400, and input, at the second station222, the reaction vessel onto the conveyor belt210, and may also remove the reaction vessel on the carrying member310from the second transfer station332, and input, at the second station222, the reaction vessel onto the conveyor belt210. In this way, the first gripper500can realize the transfer of the reaction vessel on the three mechanisms, that is, the incubation mechanism400, the uniform mixing mechanism300and the carrying mechanism200, and no interference is generated, therefore the efficiency is high.

In some embodiments, the cleaning mechanism160and the measurement mechanism170are oppositely and independently arranged and are located beside the incubation mechanism400, the second gripper600may transfer the reaction vessel in the incubation mechanism400to the cleaning mechanism160, and may also transfer the reaction vessel in the cleaning mechanism160to the measurement mechanism170. For the reaction vessel located on the cleaning mechanism160, a substance to be measured in the reaction vessel is adsorbed on a magnetic bead, and then the cleaning mechanism160cleans the substance to be measured, so as to remove interference impurities, such that the substance to be measured is cleaned. After the cleaning is completed, the second gripper600removes the reaction vessel from the cleaning mechanism160and inputs the reaction vessel to a measurement device, and then a signal reagent is added into the reaction vessel, such that the signal reagent reacts with the substance to be measured on the magnetic bead, and accordingly, the measurement device measures a light-emitting amount generated by the reaction between the signal reagent and the substance to be measured. Moreover, the second gripper600may also input, at the first transfer station, the reaction vessel on the cleaning mechanism to the carrying member. In this way, the second gripper600can complete the transfer of the reaction vessel on the four mechanisms, that is, the cleaning mechanism160, the measurement mechanism170, the incubation mechanism400and the uniform mixing mechanism300, interference is avoided, and the efficiency is high.

The sample analyzer10may perform three detection items on a sample, and the process flows of the three detection items respectively correspond to a one-step method, a one-step re-addition method and a two-step method. In an early test stage, the one-step method, the one-step re-addition method and the two-step method all have the same working steps; and in a later test stage, the working steps of the three methods are different. The same working steps of the one-step method, the one-step re-addition method and the two-step method in the early test stage are denoted as universal steps, and the universal steps are described as follows:

First, the transfer gripper removes the reaction vessel from the storage mechanism110, and inputs, at the in-out station121, the reaction vessel to the conveying tray124; then, the conveying tray124rotates to enable the reaction vessel to move from the in-out station121to the sample station122, such that the disposable suction nozzle adds the sample in the sample bin140into the reaction vessel; and after sample loading is completed, the conveying tray124rotates to enable the reaction vessel to move from the sample station122, so as to return to the in-out station121, and finally the transfer gripper removes, at the in-out station121, the reaction vessel from the conveying tray124, and inputs, at the first station221, the reaction vessel to the conveyor belt210.

Secondly, the conveyor belt210conveys the reaction vessel, into which the sample is added, from the first station221to the reagent station223, and the reagent needle adds the reagent in the reagent bin150into the reaction vessel, such that the sample and the reagent are mixed; then the conveyor belt210conveys the reaction vessel from the reagent station223to the second station222; and finally, the first gripper500removes, at the second station222, the reaction vessel from the conveyor belt210, and inputs, at the transport station321, the reaction vessel to the carrying member310.

At the end of the working steps in the early test stage of the one-step method, the reaction vessel, into which the reagent and the sample has been added, has been input at the transport station321to the carrying member310. The working steps in the later test stage of the one-step method are described as follows:

Step 1, the carrying member310is rotated by 180° to enable the reaction vessel to move from the transport station321to the uniform mixing station322, such that the uniform mixing assembly drives the reaction vessel to generate eccentric oscillation, so as to fully and uniformly mix the sample and the reagent; then the carrying member310is rotated by 180° to enable the reaction vessel to move from the uniform mixing station322to the transport station321; and finally, the first gripper500removes, at the transport station321, the reaction vessel from the carrying member310, and inputs the reaction vessel to the second region420of the incubation mechanism400.

Step 2, the second gripper600transfers the reaction vessel, of which incubation has been completed, from the second region420of the incubation mechanism400to the cleaning mechanism160; after the reaction vessel is cleaned, the second gripper600inputs the reaction vessel from the cleaning mechanism160to the measurement mechanism170; and after the measurement of the reaction vessel is completed, the second gripper600takes away the reaction vessel from the measurement mechanism170, and discards the reaction vessel.

At the end of the working steps in the early test stage of the one-step re-addition method, the reaction vessel, into which the reagent and the sample have been added, has been input at the transport station321to the carrying member310, and the reagent, which has been added in the early test stage of the reaction vessel, is denoted as a first reagent. The working steps in the later test stage of the one-step re-addition method are described as follows:

Step 1, the carrying member310is rotated by 180° to enable the reaction vessel to move from the transport station321to the uniform mixing station322, such that the uniform mixing assembly drives the reaction vessel to generate eccentric oscillation, so as to fully and uniformly mix the sample and the reagent; then the carrying member310is rotated by 180° to enable the reaction vessel to move from the uniform mixing station322to the transport station321; and finally, the first gripper500removes, at the transport station321, the reaction vessel from the carrying member310, and inputs the reaction vessel to the first region410of the incubation mechanism400; and of course, when the first region410has been saturated and cannot continue to receive the reaction vessel, the first gripper500may also remove, at the transport station321, the reaction vessel from the carrying member310, and input the reaction vessel to the second region420of the incubation mechanism400.

Step 2, after the reaction vessel is incubated in the incubation mechanism400for a set time, the first gripper500removes the reaction vessel from the first region410of the incubation mechanism400, and inputs, at the second station222, the reaction vessel onto the conveyor belt210; then the conveyor belt210conveys the reaction vessel from the second station222to the reagent station223, the reagent needle then adds a reagent into the reaction vessel, the reagent is denoted as a second reagent, the ingredients of the second reagent may be different from those of the first reagent, and at this time, there are the sample, the first reagent and the second reagent in the reaction vessel at the same time; next, the conveyor belt210conveys the reaction vessel, which contains the sample, the first reagent and the second reagent, to the second station222; and finally, the first gripper500removes, at the second station222, the reaction vessel from the conveyor belt210, and inputs, at the transport station321, the reaction vessel to the carrying member310.

Step 3, the carrying member310is rotated by 180° to enable the reaction vessel to move from the transport station321to the uniform mixing station322, such that the uniform mixing assembly drives the reaction vessel to generate eccentric oscillation, so as to fully and uniformly mix the sample, the first reagent and the second reagent; then, the carrying member310is rotated by 180° to enable the reaction vessel to move from the uniform mixing station322to the transport station321; and finally, the first gripper500removes, at the transport station321, the reaction vessel from the carrying member310, and inputs the reaction vessel to the second region420of the incubation mechanism400.

Step 4, the second gripper600transfers the reaction vessel, of which incubation has been completed, from the second region420of the incubation mechanism400to the cleaning mechanism160; after the reaction vessel is cleaned, the second gripper600inputs the reaction vessel from the cleaning mechanism160to the measurement mechanism170; and after the measurement of the reaction vessel is completed, the second gripper600takes away the reaction vessel from the measurement mechanism170, and discards the reaction vessel.

At the end of the working steps in the early test stage of the two-step method, the reaction vessel, into which the reagent and the sample have been added, has been input at the transport station321to the carrying member310, and the reagent, which has been added in the early test stage of the reaction vessel, is denoted as a first reagent. The working steps in the later test stage of the two-step method are described as follows:

Step 1, the carrying member310is rotated by 180° to enable the reaction vessel to move from the transport station321to the uniform mixing station322, such that the uniform mixing assembly drives the reaction vessel to generate eccentric oscillation, so as to fully and uniformly mix the sample and the reagent; then the carrying member310is rotated by 180° to enable the reaction vessel to move from the uniform mixing station322to the transport station321; and finally, the first gripper500removes, at the transport station321, the reaction vessel from the carrying member310, and inputs the reaction vessel to the second region420of the incubation mechanism400.

Step 2, the second gripper600transfers the reaction vessel, of which incubation has been completed, from the second region420of the incubation mechanism400to the cleaning mechanism160; after the reaction vessel is cleaned, the second gripper600removes the reaction vessel from the cleaning mechanism160, and inputs, at the first transfer station331, the reaction vessel to the carrying member310; then the carrying member310conveys the reaction vessel from the first transfer station331to the second transfer station332; and finally, the first gripper500removes, at the second transfer station332, the reaction vessel from the carrying member310, and inputs, at the second station222, the reaction vessel to the conveyor belt210.

Step 3, the conveyor belt210conveys the reaction vessel from the second station222to the reagent station223, the reagent needle then adds a reagent into the reaction vessel, the reagent is denoted as a second reagent, the ingredients of the second reagent may be different from those of the first reagent, and at this time, there are the sample, the first reagent and the second reagent in the reaction vessel at the same time; then the conveyor belt210conveys the reaction vessel, which contains the sample, the first reagent and the second reagent, to the second station222; and finally, the first gripper500removes, at the second station222, the reaction vessel from the conveyor belt210, and inputs, at the transport station321, the reaction vessel to the carrying member310.

Step 4, the carrying member310is rotated by 180° to enable the reaction vessel to move from the transport station321to the uniform mixing station322, such that the uniform mixing assembly drives the reaction vessel to generate eccentric oscillation, so as to fully and uniformly mix the sample, the first reagent and the second reagent; then, the carrying member310is rotated by 180° to enable the reaction vessel to move from the uniform mixing station322to the transport station321; and finally, the first gripper500removes, at the transport station321, the reaction vessel from the carrying member310, and inputs the reaction vessel to the second region420of the incubation mechanism400.

Step 5, the second gripper600transfers the reaction vessel, of which incubation has been completed, from the second region420of the incubation mechanism400to the cleaning mechanism160; after the reaction vessel is cleaned, the second gripper600inputs the reaction vessel from the cleaning mechanism160to the measurement mechanism170; and after the measurement of the reaction vessel is completed, the second gripper600takes away the reaction vessel from the measurement mechanism170, and discards the reaction vessel.

Therefore, for the sample analyzer10, different reaction vessels for respectively performing the one-step method, the one-step re-addition method and the two-step method may exist at the same time, in other words, while the detection items of the one-step method are performed in a part of reaction vessels, the detection items of the one-step re-addition method and the two-step method are performed in the other parts of reaction vessels, that is, it is ensured that different reaction vessels for respectively performing the one-step method, the one-step re-addition method and the two-step method can be orderly and quickly tested in the same sample analyzer10.

If the uniform mixing mechanism300and the incubation mechanism400are of an integrated turntable structure, on one hand, when reaction vessels are input or output on the turntable through two grippers at the same time, the two grippers will work in a limited space of the turntable, resulting in interference, that is, the two grippers cannot move at the same time. At this time, in order to eliminate the interference, the two grippers must move successively, that is, after waiting for one gripper to leave the interference region, the other gripper starts to move, resulting in a “queue waiting” time of the grippers, thereby reducing the working efficiency of the grippers, which in return reduces the number of reaction vessels, which are input to and output from the turntable within the unit time, and finally, the test flux is reduced. On the other hand, the turntable is heavy in weight and large in volume, the turntable with a large weight is large in inertia, which will obviously increases the difficulty of movement control of the turntable, such that the speed of the turntable is difficult to be controlled. When the speed of the turntable is relatively low, the number of reaction vessels, which are input to and output from the turntable within the unit time, is also reduced, thus affecting the test flux. In yet another aspect, the uniform mixing mechanism in the turntable will be connected to other mechanisms, such as an external control mechanism, by means of a connecting line, and the connecting line plays a role in conducting heat in the turntable, resulting in heat loss for the turntable, thereby reducing the incubation effect of the turntable.

For the sample analyzer10in the above embodiments, the incubation mechanism400and the uniform mixing mechanism300are independent of each other, so as to eliminate a direct physical connection relationship therebetween, and the incubation mechanism400is fixedly arranged. In this way, the structure is simple, and the incubation effect is good. In addition, on one hand, when the first gripper500and the second gripper600input or output the reaction vessels on the carrying member310, interference can be eliminated, thereby avoiding that the first gripper500and the second gripper600can only take the form of sequential movement due to the interference, thus eliminating the “queue waiting” time, ensuring that the first gripper500and the second gripper600can move at the same time, and improving the working efficiency of the grippers, such that the number of reaction vessels, which are input to and output from the carrying member310within the unit time, is increased, and finally the test flux is improved. On the other hand, the weight and the volume of the carrying member310are reduced, thereby reducing the difficulty of movement control of the carrying member310, and accordingly, the rotation speed of the carrying member310can be reasonably improved. When the rotation speed is improved, the number of reaction vessels, which are input to and output from the carrying member310within the unit time, can be increased, thereby further improving the test flux. In yet another aspect, since there is no physical connection relationship between the incubation mechanism400and the uniform mixing mechanism300, the heat of the incubation mechanism400can be effectively prevented from being input to the uniform mixing mechanism300in a heat conduction manner, thereby preventing the incubation mechanism400from generating heat loss, thus improving the incubation effect of the incubation mechanism400.

For example, for the reaction vessel, which is used for performing the two-step method, the second gripper600moves from the cleaning mechanism160to the first transfer station331, such that the second gripper600may input, at the first transfer station331, the reaction vessel on the cleaning mechanism160to the carrying member310. For the reaction vessel, which is used for performing the one-step re-addition method, the first gripper500may move from the transport station321to the first region410, such that the first gripper500may transfer, at the transport station321, the reaction vessel on the carrying member310to the first region410of the incubation mechanism400; and the first gripper500may also move from the first region410to the second station222, such that the first gripper500may input, at the second station222, the reaction vessel in the first region410of the incubation mechanism400to the conveyor belt210.

Since not only the first region410is located beyond the movement range of the second gripper600, but the transport station321, the second transfer station332and the second station222are also all located beyond the movement range of the second gripper600, when the second gripper600moves from the cleaning mechanism160to the first transfer station331, the first gripper500may move from the transport station321to the first region410, or the first gripper500may also move from the first region410to the second station222. Therefore, the first gripper500and the second gripper600are effectively prevented from generating interference during movement, the “queue waiting” time caused by the first gripper500and the second gripper600for avoiding the interference is eliminated, the working efficiency of the first gripper500and the second gripper600is improved, it is ensured that the working steps of the two-step method and the one-step re-addition method can be performed at the same time, and the number of reaction vessels, which are input to and output from the cleaning mechanism160, the carrying member310and the incubation mechanism400within the unit time, is increased, thereby improving the test flux of the sample analyzer10.

As another example, for the reaction vessel, which is used for performing the two-step method, the second gripper600moves from the cleaning mechanism160to the first transfer station331, such that the second gripper600may input, at the first transfer station331, the reaction vessel on the cleaning mechanism160to the carrying member310. For the reaction vessel, which is used for performing the one-step method, the first gripper500moves from the transport station321to the second region420of the incubation mechanism400, such that the first gripper500may transfer, at the transport station321, the reaction vessel on the carrying member310to the second region420of the incubation mechanism400. Since the transport station321is located beyond the movement range of the second gripper600, while the second gripper600moving from the cleaning mechanism160to the first transfer station331, the first gripper500may move from the transport station321to the second region420, thereby effectively avoiding the interference to eliminate the “queue waiting” time, and also improving the test flux.

As another example, for the reaction vessel, which is used for performing the two-step method, the first gripper500moves from the second transfer station332to the second station222, such that the first gripper500may remove the reaction vessel on the carrying member310from the second transfer station332, and convey, at the second station222, the reaction vessel to the conveyor belt210. The second gripper600moves from the cleaning mechanism160to the first transfer station331, such that the second gripper600may remove the reaction vessel on the cleaning mechanism160, and input, at the first transfer station331, the reaction vessel to the carrying member310. Since the second transfer station332and the second station222are located within the movement range of the second gripper600, and the first transfer station331and the second transfer station332are two different stations, which are spaced apart from each other by 180° in the rotation direction of the carrying member310, while the first gripper500moving from the second transfer station332to the second station222, the second gripper600may move from the cleaning mechanism160to the first transfer station331without generating mutual interference, thereby increasing the number of reaction vessels, which are input to and output from the carrying member310within the unit time to perform the two-step method, thus improving the test flux of the sample analyzer10.

As another example, while the transfer gripper removes the reaction vessel on the conveying tray124from the in-out station121, and inputs, at the first station221, the reaction vessel to the conveyor belt210, the first gripper500may remove the reaction vessel on the conveyor belt210from the second station222, and input, at the transport station321, the reaction vessel to the carrying member310, such that the number of reaction vessels, which are input to and output from the conveyor belt210within the unit time, can also be increased, thereby improving the test flux.

Due to the presence of the mounting notch430on the incubation mechanism400, on one hand, the occupied area of the incubation mechanism400can be reasonably reduced, such that the coverage area of the movement ranges of the first gripper500and the second gripper600is reasonably reduced, that is, the movement strokes of the first gripper500and the second gripper600are reduced. On the other hand, the carrying member310is at least partially accommodated in the mounting notch430, such that the distance from each part of the first region410and the second region420to the carrying member310is also shortened, for example, the distance from the transport station321to each part in the first region410is greatly reduced, such that the movement stroke of the first gripper500for moving from the incubation mechanism400to the carrying member310can be shortened. When the movement strokes of the first gripper500and the second gripper600are reasonably reduced, on one hand, the time consumed by the first gripper500and the second gripper600in the movement process may be reduced, thereby improving the working efficiency of the first gripper500and the second gripper600, and increasing the number of reaction vessels, which are input to and output from the carrying member310and the incubation mechanism400within the unit time, such that the test flux of the sample analyzer10is improved. On the other hand, the operation stability and reliability of the first gripper500and the second gripper600are improved, thereby avoiding the situation that the movement precision of the two grippers is reduced or even the two grippers are damaged due to vibration during a long-distance movement process.

Therefore, for the sample analyzer10in the above embodiment, in the presence of the detection items corresponding to only one of the one-step method, the one-step re-addition method and the two-step method, the “queue waiting” time can be eliminated to improve the test flux. In the presence of the detection items corresponding to at least two of the one-step method, the one-step re-addition method and the two-step method, a plurality of detection items can move simultaneously at key nodes, and the “queue waiting” time can also be eliminated to improve the test flux.

The technical features of the above embodiments may be combined arbitrarily. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features of the above embodiments have been described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, it should be considered as the scope of the present specification.

The above embodiments only express several embodiments of the present disclosure, and the description thereof is more specific and detailed, but cannot be understood as a limitation to the patent scope of the present disclosure. It should be noted that, for ordinary skilled in the art, several variations and improvements may be made without departing from the concept of the present disclosure, and are all within the protection scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the protection scope of the present disclosure shall be subject to the appended claims.