Patent Abstract:
A pipette chip supply device for supplying a pipette chip for suctioning liquid, the pipette chip supply device comprising: a chip accommodating section for accommodating pipette chips; a conveying section for conveying the pipette chips supplied from the chip accommodating section; and a static eliminator for removing electrification charge of the pipette chips.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to pipette chip supply devices, sample analyzing apparatus, pipette chip supply methods, and sample analyzing methods, in particular, to a pipette chip supply device equipped with a conveying section for conveying a pipette chip, a sample analyzing apparatus, a pipette chip supply method, and a sample analyzing method.  
         [0003]     2. Background  
         [0004]     Conventionally, an analyzing device removably attached with a disposal-type pipette chip at the distal end of the dispensing nozzle for preventing pollution is known as an analyzing device (specimen analyzing device) equipped with a dispensing nozzle (suction part) for suctioning and discharging liquid such as specimen, reagent and the like.  
         [0005]     Such analyzing device generally includes a pipette supply device for supplying a pipette chip to the dispensing nozzle one at a time so as to continuously perform the dispensing task. Various component supply devices have been conventionally proposed as a device for supplying components such as pipette chip (see e.g., Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 8-244957). A component supply device in which a plurality of components are accommodated in a hopper, and the component is conveyed one at a time by stirring the components accommodated in the hopper is disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 8-244957.  
         [0006]     However, the following problems arise when using the component supply device disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 8-244957 as the pipette chip supply device. Static electricity occurs at the pipette chip due to friction between the pipette chips since the plurality of components (pipette chips) accommodated in the hopper are stirred. Thus, the charged pipette chips tend to attach to the supply path of the pipette chip, the pipette chips may attach to each other, and sorting of the pipette chips one by one becomes difficult. Furthermore, if the pipette chips are charged even after the pipette chips are sorted one by one, the pipette chips may attach to the supply path of the pipette chips, the pipette chips may attach to each other, and the supplying of the pipette chip to the dispensing nozzle (suction part) one at a time becomes difficult.  
         [0007]     Conventionally, a pipette chip supply device for conveying upward the plurality of pipette chips accommodated in a stocker by a bucket conveyor, guiding the conveyed pipette chips to the hopper from above the bucket conveyor through a shoot (conveying path), and thereafter, conveying the pipette chips in the hopper by means of a conveying rail is known (see e.g., Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2000-19182).  
         [0008]     However, the pipette chips sometimes accumulate in the shoot and the hopper at the path extending from the shoot (conveying path) to the hopper in the pipette chip supply device disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2000-19182. In this case, the pipette chips conveyed by the bucket conveyor sequentially accumulate, and the pipette chips may not be conveyed.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The scope of the present invention is defined solely by the appended claims, and is not affected to any degree by the statements within this summary.  
         [0010]     A pipette chip supply device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a pipette chip supply device for supplying a pipette chip for suctioning liquid, the pipette chip supply device comprising: a chip accommodating section for accommodating pipette chips; a conveying section for conveying the pipette chips supplied from the chip accommodating section; and a static eliminator for removing electrification charge of the pipette chips.  
         [0011]     A pipette chip supply device according to a second aspect of the present invention is a pipette chip supply device for supplying a pipette chip for suctioning liquid, the pipette chip supply device comprising: a chip accommodating section for accommodating the pipette chips and supplying the pipette chips; a conveying path for conveying the pipette chips supplied from the chip accommodating section; a detector for detecting the accumulation of the pipette chips in the conveying path; and a discharging section for discharging the accumulated pipette chips of the conveying path based on the detection of the accumulation by the detector.  
         [0012]     A pipette chip supply device according to a third aspect of the present invention is a pipette chip supply device for supplying a pipette chip for suctioning liquid, the pipette chip supply device comprising: a chip accommodating section for accommodating pipette chips; a sending part for supplying pipette chips accommodated in the chip accommodating section; a conveying path for conveying the pipette chips sent from the sending part; a supply section for supplying one by one the pipette chips received from the conveying path; and a sending controller for controlling the sending part whether the sending part send the pipette chips to the conveying path or not.  
         [0013]     A pipette chip supply device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a pipette chip supply device for supplying a pipette chip for suctioning liquid; the pipette chip supply device comprising: a chip accommodating section for accommodating pipette chips; a sending part for supplying pipette chips accommodated from the chip accommodating section; a sorter for sorting one by one the pipette chips sent from the sending part a transfer section for transferring the pipette chips so that the distal end of the sorted pipette chips faces downward; a first chip detector for detecting whether the pipette chip is supplied from the sorter to the transfer section or not; a second chip detector for detecting whether the pipette chip is discharged from the transfer section or not; and a controller for controlling the sorter so as to sort the pipette chips based on the first and second chip detected results.  
         [0014]     A pipette chip supplying method according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is a pipette chip supply method for supplying a pipette chip for suctioning liquid; the method comprising the steps of: sending pipette chips accommodated in a chip accommodating section to a conveying section; conveying the pipette chips sent from the chip accommodating section by the conveying section; and removing electrification charge of the pipette chips positioned at the chip accommodating section or the conveying section.  
         [0015]     A sample analyzing method according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is a sample analyzing method, the method comprising the steps of: sending pipette chips accommodated in a chip accommodating section to a conveying section; conveying the pipette chips sent from the chip accommodating section by the conveying section; removing electrification charge of the pipette chips positioned at the chip accommodating section or the conveying section; attaching the pipette chip supplied from the conveying section to a suction part; suctioning a sample by the suction part; and analyzing the sample suctioned by the suction part. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]     The invention, together with objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description of the presently preferred embodiment together with the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a plan view showing an entire configuration of an immune analyzing device equipped with a pipette chip supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a front view of a pipette chip supplied by the pipette chip supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing an emergency specimen conveying section of the immune analyzing device shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing the emergency specimen conveying section of the immune analyzing device shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing an entire configuration of the pipette chip supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing an entire configuration of a pipette chip supply device according to one embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  is a side view showing a turning mechanism section of the pipette chip supply device according to one embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of when the pipette chip supply device according to one embodiment shown in  FIG. 5  is seen from the chip supply mechanism section side;  
         [0025]      FIG. 9  is a front view of when the pipette chip supply device according to one embodiment shown in  FIG. 5  is seen from the chip supply mechanism section side;  
         [0026]      FIG. 10  is a front view of the pipette chip supply device according to one embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0027]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing a neutralizing fan of the pipette chip supply device according to one embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 12  is a front view showing a state in which a discharge mechanism section of the pipette supply device according to one embodiment shown in  FIG. 5  is positioned at a second position;  
         [0029]      FIG. 13  is a plan view of a discharge mechanism section of the pipette chip supply device according to one embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0030]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the discharge mechanism section of the pipette chip supply device according to one embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0031]      FIG. 15  is a plan view of a movement section of the pipette chip supply device according to one embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0032]      FIG. 16  is a side view of the movement section of the pipette chip supply device according to one embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0033]      FIG. 17  is a front view of a cuvette used in the immune analyzing device shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0034]      FIG. 18  is a side view of an emergency specimen conveying section and the specimen dispensing arm of the immune analyzing device shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0035]      FIG. 19  is a side view describing the release operation of the pipette chip attached to the specimen dispensing arm of the immune analyzing device shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0036]      FIG. 20  is a side view describing the release operation of the pipette chip attached to the specimen dispensing arm of the immune analyzing device shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0037]      FIG. 21  is a side view describing the release operation of the pipette chip attached to the specimen dispensing arm of the immune analyzing device shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0038]      FIG. 22  is a front view showing a pipette chip supply device according to a first variant of one embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0039]      FIG. 23  is a front view showing a pipette chip supply device according to a second variant of one embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0040]      FIG. 24  is a plan view showing the movement section of the pipette chip supply device according to the second variant shown in  FIG. 23 ;  
         [0041]      FIG. 25  is a side view showing the movement section of the pipette chip supply device according to the second variant shown in  FIG. 23 ;  
         [0042]      FIG. 26  is a perspective view showing a pipette chip supply device according to a third variant of one embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0043]      FIG. 27  is a front view of the pipette chip supply device according to a third variant shown in  FIG. 26  seen from the chip supply mechanism section side;  
         [0044]      FIG. 28  is a perspective view showing a pipette chip supply device according to a fourth variant of one embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 ; and  
         [0045]      FIG. 29  is a block diagram of a control section of the immune analyzing device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0046]     The embodiments of the present invention will now be described based on the drawings.  
         [0047]     First, the configuration of an immune analyzing device equipped with a pipette chip supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS.  1  to  18  and  FIG. 29 .  
         [0048]     The immune analyzing device  1  equipped with a pipette chip supply device  30  according to one embodiment of the present invention is a device for performing examination on various items such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, tumor marker, thyroid hormone and the like using specimens such as blood. The immune analyzing device  1  is configured by a control section  401 , a specimen conveying section (sampler)  10 , an emergency specimen and chip conveying section  20 , a pipette chip supply device  30 , a specimen dispensing arm  50 , reagent installing sections  61  and  62 , a cuvette supply section  70 , a primary reaction section  81  and a secondary reaction section  82 , reagent dispensing arms  91 ,  92 ,  93  and  94 , a BF separating section  101  and a BF separating section  102 , a conveyance catcher  110 , a detecting section  120 , a disposing section  130 , and a chip releasing section  140 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . In the immune analyzing device  1  according to the present embodiment, the disposable pipette chip  2  (see  FIG. 2 ) is replaced each time suction and discharge of the specimen are performed to suppress the specimen such as blood suctioned and discharged by the specimen dispensing arm  50  from mixing with other specimen.  
         [0049]     In the immune analyzing device  1 , after the specimen such as blood containing antigen, which is the measurement target, trapped antibody (R1 reagent), magnetic particles (R2 reagent) are mixed, and the antigen, trapped antibody and magnetic particles are bound, the magnetic particles are attracted to a magnet  101   d  of the BF (Bound Free) separating section  101  thereby removing the solution containing non-reacting (Free) trapped antibody. After binding a labeled antibody (R3 reagent) to the magnetic particles bound with antigen, the bound magnetic particles, antigen, and labeled antibody are attracted to the magnet  102   d  of the BF separating section  102  thereby removing the R3 reagent containing the non-reacting (free) labeled antibody. Furthermore, after adding a light emitting substrate (R5 reagent) that emits light in the reaction process with the labeled antibody, the light emission amount produced by the reaction between the labeled antibody and the light emitting substrate is measured. The antigen contained in the specimen that binds with the labeled antibody is quantitatively measured through such process.  
         [0050]     The control section  401  is mainly configured by a CPU  401   b , a ROM  401   a , a RAM  401   c , and a communication interface  401   d , as shown in  FIG. 29 .  
         [0051]     The CPU  401   b  executes a computer program stored in the ROM  401   a , and a computer program read by the RAM  401   c . The ROM  401   a  stores computer programs to be executed by the CPU  401   a , data used in the execution of the relevant computer program and the like. The RAM  40   ac  is used in reading the computer program stored in the ROM  401   a . The RAM  401   c  is also used as a work region of the CPU  401   c  when executing the computer program.  
         [0052]     The communication interface  401   d  has a function of transmitting a control signal from the CPU  401   b  for controlling each section such as the mechanism section, detecting section and the sensor of the immune analyzing device  1 . The communication interface  401   d  also has a function of receiving a signal from each section such as the mechanism section, detecting section and the sensor of the immune analyzing device  1 .  
         [0053]     The specimen conveying section  10  is configured so as to convey a rack  4  mounted with a plurality of test tubes  3  accommodating the specimen to a position corresponding to the suction position  1   a  of the specimen dispensing arm  50 . The specimen conveying section  10  includes a rack set part  10   a  for setting the rack  4  mounted with the test tube  3  accommodating non-processed specimens, and a rack storage part  10   b  for storing the rack  4  mounted with the test tube  3  accommodating the dispense processed specimens. When the test tube  3  accommodating the non-processed specimen is conveyed to the position corresponding to the suction position  1   a  of the specimen dispensing arm  50 , the specimen such as blood in the test tube  3  is suctioned by the specimen dispensing arm  50  and the rack  4  mounted with the relevant test tube  3  is stored in the rack storage part  10   b.    
         [0054]     The emergency specimen and chip conveying section  20  is configured so as to convey the test tube  3  accommodating emergency specimens, which must cut into the specimens being conveyed by the specimen conveying section  10  and examined, to an attachment position  1   b  of the specimen dispensing arm  50 . As shown in  FIGS. 1, 3 , and  4 , the emergency specimen and chip conveying section  20  includes a slide rail  21  arranged so as to extend in the X direction, a linear moving guide including a slide main body  22  arranged movable along the slide rail  21 , a conveying rack  23  attached to the slide main body  22 , a detection strip  24  attached to the lower part of the conveying rack  23 , and a light shielding sensor  25  light shielded by the detection strip  24 . Furthermore, the conveying rack  23  is arranged with a test tube installing part  23   a  for installing the test tube  3  accommodating the emergency specimens, and a chip installing part  23   b  (see  FIG. 4 ) of a long hole for mounting the pipette chip  2  (see  FIG. 2 ) supplied from the pipette chip supply device  30  to be hereinafter described. The detection strip  24  is arranged so as to light shield the light shielding sensor  25  when arranged at a position of receiving the pipette chip  2  from the pipette chip supply device  30 . The conveying rack  23  conveys the test tubes  3  accommodating the emergency specimens and the pipette chip  2  to the attachment position  1   b  (see  FIG. 1 ) of the specimen dispensing arm  50  by being moved along the slide rail  21  by the driving force from the motor (not shown).  
         [0055]     In the present embodiment, the pipette chip supply device  30  has a function of installing one at a time the pipette chip (see  FIG. 2 ) input to a chip refill section  31  to be hereinafter described to the chip installing part  23   b  of the conveying rack  23  of the emergency specimen and chip conveying section  20 . Furthermore, the pipette chip supply device  30  also has a function of supplying the pipette chip to the chip installing part  23   b  of the conveying rack  23  with the distal end  2   a  of the pipette chip  2  facing downward. The pipette chip supply device  30  is configured by the chip refill section  31 , a turning mechanism section  32 , a chip supply mechanism section  33 , a conveying path  34 , a neutralizing fan  35 , a discharge mechanism section  36 , a sort mechanism section  37 , a movement section  38  and a movement section  39 , three shoots  40   a  to  40   c , seven detection sensors (transmissive sensor)  41   a  to  41   h , and a chip collecting container  42 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 .  
         [0056]     The chip refill section  31  is configured so as to be able to accommodate a plurality of refill pipette chips  2  (see  FIG. 2 ). The pipette chips  2  accommodated in the chip refill section  31  is commercially available in bags containing the pipette chips in pluralities (e.g., 500). The pipette chips  2  in bags tend to be charged with static electricity of about a few kV (e.g., about 6 kV) as the pipette chips  2  rub against each other in the transport process of marketing. The chip refill section  31  includes an input port  31   a  for inputting the plurality of pipette chips  2  taken out from the bag, and a discharge port  31   b  for discharging the accommodated pipette chips  2 , as shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0057]     A detection sensor (transmissive sensor)  41   a  for detecting the presence of the pipette chip  2  accommodated in the chip refill section  31  is arranged at a position in the vicinity of the discharge port  31   b  of the chip refill section  31 .  
         [0058]     A shoot  40   a  for leading the pipette chips  2  dropped from the discharge port  31   b  to a drum  335  of the chip supply mechanism section  33  to be hereinafter described through an opening  30   b  (see  FIG. 8 ) of a chassis  30   a  is arranged at a position of receiving the pipette chip  2  dropped from the discharge port  31   b  of the chip refill section  31 .  
         [0059]     The turning mechanism section  32  is configured so as to turn the turning member  323  from a position of blocking the discharge port  31   b  of the chip refill section  31  to a position of opening the discharge port  31   b . The turning mechanism section  32  is configured by a motor  321  acting as a driving source, a pressing member  322  attached to the motor  321 , a turning member  323  pressed against the pressing member  322 , an extension coil spring  324 , and a light shielding sensor  325  (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ), as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The motor  321  is attached to a steel plate  326  attached to the chip refill section  31 . One end of the extension coil spring  324  is attached to the steel plate  326 , and the other end of the extension coil spring  324  is attached to the turning member  323 . In other words, the extension coil spring  324  is arranged so as to bias the turning member  323  in a direction of moving away from the position of blocking the discharge port  31   b . A roller  327  for pressing the turning member  323  is attached to the pressing member  322 . The light shielding sensor  325  is arranged so as to detect the side surface  323   a  (see  FIG. 5 ) of the turning member  323  when the turning member  323  is turned to the position of blocking the discharge port  31   b.    
         [0060]     As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the chip supply mechanism section  33  has a function of receiving the pipette chip  2  input through the shoot  40   a  and the opening  30   b  of the chassis  30   a  from the discharge port  31   b  of the chip refill section  31  and sending some of the received pipette chips  2  to the conveying path  34  to be hereinafter described. The chip supply mechanism section  33  is configured by a stepping motor  331  acting as a driving source, a gear  332  attached to the stepping motor  331 , a drum part  333  rotatably attached to the chassis  30   a , and a light shielding sensor  334  for detecting the rotating position of the drum part  333 . The drum part  333  includes a drum  335  made up of a tubular body capable of accommodating the plurality of pipette chips  2 , a chain  336  winded to the periphery of the drum  335  so as to gear with the gear  332 , two detection strips  337  detected by the light shielding sensor  334 , and a lid  338  (see  FIG. 8 ) attached on the opposite side of the chassis  30   a  side so as to block the accommodating part  335   a  of the drum  335  of the tubular body. Two segmenting parts  335   b  capable of lifting the pipette chips  2  when the drum part  33  rotates are arranged at an interval of 180 degrees on the inner side of the drum  335 . The segmenting part  335   b  has the size and the shape of having the number of pipette chips  2  to be sent to the conveying path  34  to be of a predetermined number (5 to 15 in the present embodiment), and is arranged so as not to send the pipette chips  2  to the conveying path  34  in excess amount. Therefore, the ionized air blown from the neutralizing fan  35  evenly hits the pipette chips  2 , thereby effectively performing neutralization. Thus, when the gear  332  rotates by the drive of the stepping motor  331 , the chain  336  geared to the gear  332  and the drum  335  winded with the chain  336  rotate. The segmenting part  335   b  arranged on the inner side of the drum  335  also rotates with the rotation of the drum  335 , and the pipette chips  2  accumulated at the lower part in the accommodating part  335   a  of the drum  335  are lifted by the segmenting part  335   b  and sent to the conveying path  34  to be hereinafter described through the opening  30   c  (see  FIG. 6 ) of the chassis  30   a . Static electricity is produced at the pipette chips  2  when the pipette chips  2  accommodated inside the drum rub against each other as the drum  335  rotates.  
         [0061]     As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 10 , the conveying path  34  is configured by two inclined paths  34   a  and  34   b  for conveying a predetermined amount (about 5 to 15 in the present embodiment) of pipette chips  2  sent from the chip supply mechanism section  33 . The inclined paths  34   a  and  34   b  of the conveying path  34  are arranged to lead the pipette chips  2  to a partition mechanism section  37  side to be hereinafter described by rolling down the pipette chips  2  sent from the segmenting parts  335   b  of the drum  335  of the chip supply mechanism section  33 . In this case, the ionized air blown from the neutralizing fan  35  hits the pipette chips  2  rolling down the inclined path  34   a  in a scattering manner, and thus the ionized air evenly hits the pipette chips  2  thereby effectively performing neutralization.  
         [0062]     In the present embodiment, the neutralizing fan  35  has a function of blowing ionized air, so that the static electricity charged at the pipette chips  2  can be removed. The neutralizing fan  35  is held so that both side surfaces are sandwiched at a holding part  30   d  having a horseshoe shape when seen in plan view arranged above the chassis  30   a , as shown in  FIGS. 5, 8 ,  10  and  11 . The neutralizing fan  35  held at the holding part  30   d  of the chassis  30   a  is arranged so that the air blow port  35   a  faces the opening  30   c  of the chassis  30   a  and the portion (region F of  FIG. 11 ) for receiving the pipette chip  2  of the inclined path  34   a  of the conveying path  34 , as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 11 . In other words, the neutralizing fan  35  is arranged so as to blow the ionized air to the pipette chip  2  lifted by the segmenting part  335   b  of the drum  355  through the opening  30   c  of the chassis  30   a , and to blow the ionized air to the pipette chip  2  sent from the segmenting part  335   b  and positioned at the inclined path  34   a  of the conveying path  34 . Furthermore, the neutralizing fan  35  is controlled so as to be driven based on the rotating operation of the drum  35 . That is, the neutralizing fan  35  is configured so as to be driven (turned ON) only while the pipette chips  2  are positioned in region F of  FIG. 11  by being controlled so as to be driven (turned ON) only for a predetermined time from when the segmenting part  335   b  of the drum  335  is exposed through the opening  30   c  of the chassis  30   a.    
         [0063]     As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 12 , the discharge mechanism section  36  is configured so as to turn from a first position shown in  FIG. 10  at where the pipette chips  2  can be conveyed to a second position (open position) shown in  FIG. 12  at where the pipette chips  2  can be discharged. As shown in  FIGS. 10 , and  12  to  14 , the discharge mechanism section  36  is configured by a motor  361  acting as a driving source, a pressing member  362  attached to the motor  361 , a turning member  363  pressed against the pressing member  362 , an extension coil spring  364 , and a light shielding sensor  365 . The motor  361  is attached to a steel plate  366  attached to the chassis  30   a . One end of the extension coil spring  364  is attached to the steel plate  366 , and the other end of the extension coil spring  364  is attached to the turning member  363 . In other words, the extension coil spring  364  is arranged so as to bias the turning member  363  in a direction of moving away from the second position (see  FIG. 12 ). A roller  367  for pressing the turning member  363  is attached to the pressing member  362 . The turning member  363  includes a slanted surface part  368  configuring the inclined path  34   b . The slanted surface part  368  has a function of rolling down the pipette chips  2  received from the inclined path  34   a  to the partition mechanism section  37  to be hereinafter described through a relay member  40  when turned to the first position, and discharging the pipette chips  2  stuck at the slanted surface part  368  when turned to the second position (open position). The light shielding sensor  365  is arranged so as to detect the detection strip  363   a  of the turning member  363  when the turning member  363  is turned to the first position.  
         [0064]     A detection sensor (transmissive sensor)  41   b  for detecting the presence of the pipette chip  2  in the slanted surface part  368  is arranged at the position in the vicinity of the slanted surface part  368  of the discharge mechanism section  36 . That is, the detection sensor  41   b  can detect whether or not the pipette chip  2  is stuck at the slanted surface part  368  of the turning member  363 .  
         [0065]     The sort mechanism section  37  is arranged to sort the pipette chips  2  received from the inclined path  34   b  by way of the relay member  40  one by one, and to send the pipette chips  2  sorted one by one to the movement section  38  to be hereinafter described. The sort mechanism section  37  includes a cut-out mechanism part  371  for lifting the pipette chips  2  received from the inclined path  34   b  by way of the relay member  40 , a slanted surface part  372  for receiving the pipette chips  2  lifted by the cut-out mechanism part  371  and leading the same to the cut-out mechanism part  373  to be hereinafter described, the cut-out mechanism part  373  for lifting two or less pipette chips  2  received from the slanted surface part  372 , and a slanted surface part  374  for receiving the pipette chips  2  lifted by the cut-out mechanism part  373  and sending the same to the movement section  38  to be hereinafter described, as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 10 .  
         [0066]     The cut-out mechanism part  371  is configured by a motor  371   a  acting as a driving source, a pulley  371   b  connected to the motor  371   a , a pulley  371   c  arranged at a predetermined distance from the pulley  371   b , a drive transmission belt  371   d  attached to the pulley  371   b  and the pulley  371   c , and a movement member  371   e  coupled to the drive transmission belt  371   d  and movable in the up and down direction (Z direction). Thus, when the motor  371   a  is driven, the drive transmission belt  371   d  is driven by way of the pulley  371   b , whereby the movement member  371   e  coupled to the drive transmission belt  371   d  moves in the up and down direction (Z direction). Therefore, the pipette chips  2  mounted on the upper surface of the movement member  371   e  are lifted upward and sent to the slanted surface part  372 .  
         [0067]     The slanted surface part  372  is an inclined surface on which the pipette chips  2  are rolled down from the cut-out mechanism part  371  side towards the cut-out mechanism part  373  side.  
         [0068]     Furthermore, the cut-out mechanism part  373  has a function of sending the pipette chips  2  received from the slanted surface part  372  one by one to the slanted surface part  374 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the cut-out mechanism part  373  is configured by a motor  373   a  acting as a driving source, a pulley  373   b  connected to the motor  373   a , a pulley  373   c  arranged at a predetermined distance from the pulley  373   b , a drive transmission belt  373   d  attached to the pulley  373   b  and the pulley  373   c , and a movement member  373   e  (see  FIG. 6 ) coupled to the drive transmission belt  373   d  and movable in the up and down direction (Z direction). Thus, when the motor  373   a  is driven, the drive transmission belt  373   d  is driven by way of the pulley  373   b , whereby the movement member  373   e  coupled to the drive transmission belt  373   d  moves in the up and down direction (Z direction). Therefore, the pipette chips  2  mounted on the upper surface of the movement member  373   e  are lifted upward. The movement member  373   e  is formed so that only two or less pipette chips  2  are mounted on the upper surface. The movement member  373   e  is designed so that one of the two pipette chips  2  becomes unbalanced and drops to the slanted surface part  372  side from the upper surface o the movement member  373   e  even when moved upward (Z direction) with two pipette chips  2  mounted on the upper surface of the movement member  373   e . Thus, even if two pipette chips  2  are mounted on the upper surface of the movement member  373   e , the pipette chips  2  can be supplied to the slanted surface part  374  one at a time.  
         [0069]     The slanted surface part  374  is an inclined surface on which the pipette chips  2  are rolled down from the cut-out mechanism part  373  side towards the movement section  38  side to be hereinafter described, and has a function of supplying the pipette chips  2  to the movement section  38  to be hereinafter described.  
         [0070]     The detection sensor (transmissive sensor)  41   c  is arranged to detect the presence of pipette chips  2  mounted on the upper surface of the movement member  371   e  of the cut-out mechanism part  371  of the sort mechanism section  37  when the movement member  371   e  of the cut-out mechanism part  371  of the sort mechanism section  37  is positioned on the lower side. The detection sensor (transmissive sensor)  41   c  is arranged at a position of a predetermined distance from the detection sensor (transmissive sensor)  41   b.    
         [0071]     The detection sensor (transmissive sensor)  41   d  is arranged to detect the presence of the pipette chips  2  mounted on the slanted surface part  372 , and control is made such that the cut-out mechanism part  371  of the sort mechanism section  37  does not operate when the detection sensor (transmissive sensor)  41   d  detects the pipette chip  2 .  
         [0072]     The movement section  38  is arranged to move the pipette chip  2  rolled down from the slanted surface part  374  of the sort mechanism section  37  in the direction of the arrow X 1  (see  FIG. 15 ). As shown in  FIG. 15 , the movement section  38  is configured by a motor  381  acting as a driving source, a gear  382  attached to the motor  381 , a feed screw  383 , a shaft  384 , a gear  385  attached to the feed screw  383  and geared with the gear  382 , and a gear  386  attached to the shaft  384  and geared with the gear  385 . The feed screw  383  and the shaft  384  are rotatably attached with respect to the chassis  30   a . The feed screw  383  and the shaft  384  are arranged parallel to each other at a distance substantially the same as the diameter of the core  2   b  (see  FIG. 2 ) of the pipette chip  2 . Thus, the feed screw  383  and the shaft  384  are able to hold the core  2   b  of the pipette chip  2 . In this case, the core  2   b  of the pipette chip  2  held by the feed screw  383  and the shaft  384  is positioned on the upper side from the center of gravity (see  FIG. 2 ) of the pipette chip  2 , as shown in  FIG. 16 , and thus is held by the feed screw  383  and the shaft  384  with the distal end  2   a  of the pipette chip  2  rolled down from the slanted surface part  374  of the sort mechanism section  37  facing downward. An input part  38   a  having a spacing greater than the diameter of the attachment part  2   c  of the pipette chip  2  when seen in plan view is arranged on the side of the direction of the arrow X 1  of the feed screw  383  and the shaft  384 .  
         [0073]     The detection sensor (transmissive sensor)  41   e  is arranged to detect the presence of the pipette chip  2  held at the feed screw  383  and the shaft  384 . The detection sensor (transmissive sensor)  41   f  is arranged to detect whether or not the pipette chip  2  conveyed by the feed screw  383  and the shaft  384  has been sent to the input part  38   a.    
         [0074]     The shoot  40   b  is arranged to lead the pipette chip  2  (see  FIG. 2 ) dropped from the input part  38   a  (see  FIG. 15 ) of the movement section  38  to the movement section  39 .  
         [0075]     The movement section  39  is arranged to move the pipette chip  2  led from the movement section  38  by way of the shoot  40   b  in the direction of the arrow Y 1 . The movement section  39  is configured by a motor  391  acting as the driving source, a pulley  392  connected to the motor  391 , a pulley  393  arranged at a predetermined distance from the pulley  392 , a drive transmission belt  394  attached to the pulley  392  and the pulley  393 , a feed screw  395  mounted so as to be rotatable with the rotation of the pulley  393 , a wall part  396  attached to the chassis  30   a , a detection strip  397  attached to the pulley  393 , and a light shielding sensor  398 , as shown in  FIGS. 5, 6 , and  10 . The feed screw  395  includes a groove part  395   a  having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the attachment part  2   c  (see  FIG. 2 ) of the pipette chip  2  and greater than the diameter of the core  2   b  (see  FIG. 2 ) of the pipette chip  2 . The wall part  396  is arranged parallel to the feed screw  295  at a predetermined distance so that the pipette chip  2  fitted to the groove  395   a  of the feed screw  395  does not drop. The feed screw  395  and the wall part  396  are thereby able to hold the core  2   b  of the pipette chip  2 . The light shielding sensor  398  is arranged to detect the detection strip  397  attached to the pulley  393  when the pulley  393  rotating the feed screw  395  is rotated.  
         [0076]     The detection sensor (transmissive sensor)  41   g  is arranged to detect whether or not the pipette chip  2  led from the movement section  38  by way of the shoot  40   b  has reached to the movement section  39 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The detection sensor (transmissive sensor)  41   h  is arranged to detect whether or not the pipette chip  2  conveyed by the movement section  39  has been conveyed up to immediately before being dropped to the shoot  40   c  to be hereinafter described.  
         [0077]     The shoot  40   c  is arranged to lead the pipette chip  2  conveyed by the movement section  39  to the chip installing part  23   b  of the conveying rack  23  of the emergency specimen and chip conveying section  20 . The shoot  40   c  is formed so that the distal end  2   a  of the pipette chip  2  passing therethrough slides down in an inclined state.  
         [0078]     The chip collecting container  42  is arranged at a position capable of collecting the pipette chips  2  discharged by the discharge mechanism section  36 .  
         [0079]     The specimen dispensing arm  50  has a function of dispensing the specimen in the test tube  3  conveyed to the suction position  1   a  (see  FIG. 1 ) by the specimen conveying section  10  or the specimen in the test tube  3  conveyed to the attachment position  1   b  (see  FIG. 1 ) by the emergency specimen and chip conveying section  20  to the cuvette  8  (see  FIG. 17 ) held at the holding portion  81   b  of the rotating table part  81   a  of the primary reaction section  81  to be hereinafter described. The specimen dispensing arm  50  includes a motor  51 , a drive transmitting section  52  connected to the motor  51 , and an arm part  54  attached to the drive transmitting section  52  by way of a shaft  53 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 18 . The drive transmitting section  52  is configured to turn the arm part  54  with the shaft  53  as the center and move the same in the up and down direction (Z direction) by the driving force from the motor  51 . A nozzle portion  54   a  for suctioning and discharging the specimen is arranged at the distal end of the arm part  54 . The pipette chip  2  conveyed by the conveying rack  23  of the emergency specimen and chip conveying section  20  is attached to the distal end  54   b  of the nozzle portion  54   a.    
         [0080]     A reagent installing section  61  (see  FIG. 1 ) includes an installing part  61   a  for installing the reagent bin  5  accommodating the R1 reagent containing trapped antibody and the reagent bin  7  accommodating the R3 reagent containing labeled antibody, an upper surface part  61   b  arranged at the upper part of the installing part  61   a  so that foreign materials such as dust do not enter the R1 reagent in the reagent bin  5  or the R3 reagent in the reagent bin  7  installed in the installing part  61   a , and a lid part  61   c  attached to the upper surface part  61   b  in an openable and closable manner. A groove part  61   d  to be inserted with a nozzle  91   e  of the reagent dispensing arm  91  to be hereinafter described, and a groove part  61   e  to be inserted with a nozzle  93   e  of the reagent dispensing arm  93  are formed in the upper surface part  61   b . The installing part  61   a  is rotatably configured so as to convey the installed reagent bin  5  and the reagent bin  7  to the position corresponding to the groove part  61   d  and the groove part  61   e  of the upper surface part  61   b.    
         [0081]     The reagent installing section  62  (see  FIG. 1 ) includes an installing part  62   a  for installing a reagent bin  6  accommodating the R2 reagent containing magnetic particles, an upper surface part  62   b  arranged at the upper part of the installing part  62   a -so that foreign materials such as dust do not enter the R2 reagent in the reagent bin  6  installed in the installing part  62   a , and a lid part  62   c  attached to the upper surface part  62   b  in an openable and closable manner. A groove part  62   d  to be inserted with a nozzle  92   e  of the reagent dispensing arm  92  to be hereinafter described is formed in the upper surface part  62   b . The installing part  62   a  is rotatably configured so as to convey the installed reagent bin  6  to a position corresponding to the groove part  62   d.    
         [0082]     A cuvette supply section  70  (see  FIG. 1 ) is configured so as to be able to sequentially supply a plurality of cuvettes  8  (see  FIG. 17 ) to a holding portion  81   b  of the rotating table part  81   a  of the primary reaction section  81 . The cuvette supply section  70  includes a hopper  71  capable of accommodating the plurality of cuvettes  8 , two guiding plates  72  arranged below the hopper  71 , a supporting table  73  arranged at the lower end of the guiding plate  72 , and a supply catcher part  74 . The two guiding plates  72  are arranged parallel to each other at a distance smaller than the diameter of a collar part  8   a  (see  FIG. 17 ) of the cuvette  8  and larger than the diameter of a core  8   b  (see  FIG. 17 ) of the cuvette  8 . The plurality of cuvettes  8  supplied to the hopper  71  are arrayed along the guiding plate  72  with the collar part  8   a  engaging the upper surface of the two guiding plates  72  by applying vibration to the hopper  71 . The supporting table  73  includes a rotating part  73   a  arranged rotatable with respect to the supporting table  73 , and a concave part  73   b  arranged so as to be adjacent to the rotating part  73   a . Three cut-outs  73   c  are formed on the outer peripheral portion of the rotating part  73   a  at every predetermined angle (120° in the present embodiment). The cut-out  73   c  is arranged to accommodate the cuvette  8  guided by the guiding plate  72  one by one. The concave part  73   b  is configured so as to receive the cuvette  8  that rotates in a state accommodated in the cut-out  73   c  of the rotating part  73   a.    
         [0083]     The supply catcher part  74  (see  FIG. 1 ) has a function of moving the cuvette  8  received by the concave part  73   b  to the holding portion  81   b  of the rotating table part  81   a  of the primary reaction section  81 . The supply catcher part  74  includes a motor  74   a , a pulley  74   b  connected to the motor  74   a , a pulley  74   c  arranged at a predetermined distance from the pulley  74   b , a drive transmission belt  74   d  attached to the pulley  74   b  and the pulley  74   c , an arm part  74   e  attached to the pulley  74   c  by way of a shaft, and a driving part  74   f  for moving the arm part  74   e  in the up and down direction (Z direction). A chuck part  74   g  for sandwiching and gripping the cuvette  8  is arranged at the distal end of the arm part  74   e.    
         [0084]     The primary reaction section  81  (see  FIG. 1 ) is arranged to rotatably move the cuvette  8  held by the holding portion  81   b  of the rotating table part  81   a  over a predetermined angle at every predetermined period (18 seconds in the present embodiment), and to stir the specimen, R1 reagent and the R2 reagent in the cuvette  8 . The primary reaction section  81  is configured by a rotating table part  81   a  for conveying the cuvette  8  accommodating the specimen, the R1 reagent, and the R2 reagent in the rotating direction, and a conveying mechanism part  81   c  for stirring the specimen, the R1 reagent and the R2 reagent in the cuvette  8  and conveying the cuvette  8  accommodating the stirred specimen, the R1 reagent and the R2 reagent to the BF separating section  101  to be hereinafter described.  
         [0085]     The reagent dispensing arm  91  (see  FIG. 1 ) has a function of suctioning the R1 reagent in the reagent bin  5  installed in the installing part  61   a  of the reagent installing section  61  and dispensing the suctioned R1 reagent to the cuvette  8  dispensed with the specimen of the holding portion  81   b  of the rotating table part  81   a  of the primary reaction section  81 . The reagent dispensing arm  91  includes a motor  91   a , a drive transmission part  91   b  connected to the motor  91   a , and an arm part  91   d  attached to the drive transmission part  91   b  by way of a shaft  91   c . The drive transmission part  91   b  is configured to turn the arm part  91   d  with the shaft  91   c  as the center and move the same in the up and down direction (Z direction) by the driving force from the motor  91   a . The nozzle  91   e  for suctioning and discharging the R1 reagent in the reagent bin  5  is attached to the distal end of the arm part  91   d . That is, the nozzle  91  suctions the R1 reagent in the reagent bin  5  through the groove part  61   d  of the upper surface part  91   e  of the reagent installing section  61 , and thereafter the suctioned R1 reagent is dispensed into the cuvette  8  dispensed with the specimen.  
         [0086]     The reagent dispensing arm  92  (see  FIG. 1 ) has a function of dispensing the R2 reagent in the reagent bin  6  installed in the installing part  62   a  of the reagent installing section  62  into the cuvette  8  dispensed with the specimen and the R1 reagent of the primary reaction section  81 . The reagent dispensing arm  92  includes a motor  92   a , a drive transmission part  92   b  connected to the motor  92   a , and an arm part  92   d  attached to the drive transmission part  92   b  by way of a shaft  92   c . The drive transmission part  92   b  is configured so as to turn the arm part  92   d  with the shaft  92   c  as the center and move the same in the up and down direction (Z direction) by the driving force from the motor  92   a . A nozzle  92   e  for suctioning and discharging the R2 reagent in the reagent bin  6  is attached to the distal end of the arm part  92   d . Therefore, the nozzle  92   e  suctions the R2 reagent in the reagent bin  6  by way of the groove part  62   d  of the upper surface part  62   b  of the reagent installing section  62 , and thereafter the suctioned R2 reagent is dispensed into the cuvette  8  dispensed with the specimen and the R1 reagent.  
         [0087]     The BF (Bound Free) separating section  101  (see  FIG. 1 ) is arranged to remove the non-reacting R1 reagent in the cuvette  8  (see  FIG. 17 ) received from the conveying mechanism part  81   c  of the primary reaction section  81 . The BF separating section  101  includes an installing part  101   a  for installing the cuvette  8  and conveying the same in the rotating direction, and a separation stirring part  101   b  for suctioning the non-reacting R1 reagent. The installing part  101   a  includes three installation holes  101   c  for holding the cuvette  8 , and a magnet  101   d  arranged lateral to each of the three installation holes  101   a . Thus, the bound antigen, trapped antibody and magnetic particles in the cuvette  8  installed in the installation hole  101   c  can be attracted to the magnet  101   d  side. Furthermore, the non-reacting (free) R1 reagent not binding with the magnetic particles can be removed by suctioning the specimen and the like in the cuvette  8  in the attracted state by means of the separation stirring part  101   b.    
         [0088]     A conveyor catcher section  110  (see  FIG. 1 ) has a function of conveying the cuvette  8  (see  FIG. 17 ) of the installing part  101   a  of the BF separating section  101  in which the non-reacting R1 reagent etc. is separated to the holding portion  82   b  of the rotating table part  82   a  of the secondary reaction section  82 . The conveying catcher section  110  includes a motor  110   a , a pulley  10   b  connected to the motor  11   a , a pulley  110   c  arranged at a predetermined distance from the pulley  110   b , a drive transmission belt  110   d  attached to the pulley  110   b  and the pulley  110   c , an arm part  110   e  attached to the pulley  110   c  by way of a shaft, and a driving part  10   f  for moving the arm part  110   e  in the up and down direction (Z direction). A chuck part  110   g  for sandwiching and gripping the cuvette  8  is arranged at the distal end of the arm part  110   e.    
         [0089]     The secondary reaction section  82  (see  FIG. 1 ) has a configuration similar to the primary reaction section  81 , and is arranged to rotatably move the cuvette  8  held at the holding portion  82   b  of the rotating table part  82   a  over a predetermined angle at every predetermined period (18 seconds in the present embodiment), and stir the specimen, R1 reagent, R2 reagent, R3 reagent and R5 reagent in the cuvette  8 . The secondary reaction section  82  is configured by a rotating table part  82   a  for conveying the cuvette  8  accommodating the specimen, R1 reagent, R2 reagent, R3 reagent and R5 reagent in the rotating direction, and a conveying mechanism part  82   c  for stirring the specimen, R1 reagent, R2 reagent, R3 reagent, and R5 reagent in the cuvette  8  and conveying the cuvette  8  accommodating the stirred specimen and the like to the conveying to the BF separating section  102  to be hereinafter described. Furthermore, the conveying mechanism part  82   c  has a function of conveying the cuvette  8  processed by the BF separating section  102  again to the holding portion  82   b  of the rotating table part  82   a.    
         [0090]     The reagent dispensing arm  93  (see  FIG. 1 ) has a function of suctioning the R3 reagent in the reagent bin  7  installed in the installing part  61   a  of the reagent installing section  61  and dispensing the suctioned R3 reagent into the cuvette  8  dispensed with the specimen, R1 reagent, and R2 reagent of the secondary reaction section  82 . The reagent dispensing arm  93  includes a motor  93   a , a drive transmission part  93   b  connected to the motor  93   a , and an arm part  93   d  attached to the drive transmission part  93   b  by way of a shaft  93   c . The drive transmission part  93   b  is configured so as to turn the arm part  93   d  with the shaft  93   c  as the center and move the same in the up and down direction (Z direction) by the driving force from the motor  93   a . A nozzle  93   e  for suctioning and discharging the R3 reagent in the reagent bin  7  is attached to the distal end of the arm part  93   d . That is, the nozzle  93   e  suctions the R3 reagent in the reagent bin  7  through the groove part  61   e  of the upper surface part  61   b  of the reagent installing section  61 , and thereafter, the suctioned R3 reagent is dispensed into the cuvette  8  dispensed with the specimen, R1 reagent, and R2 reagent.  
         [0091]     The BF separating section  102  (see  FIG. 1 ) has a configuration similar to the BF separating section  101 , and is arranged to remove the non-reacting R3 reagent in the cuvette  8  (see  FIG. 17 ) received from the conveying mechanism part  82   c  of the secondary reaction section  82 . The BF separating section  102  includes an installing part  102   a  for installing the cuvette  8  and for conveying the same in the rotating direction, and a separation stirring part  102   b  for suctioning the non-reacting R3 reagent. The installing part  102   a  includes three installation holes  102   c  for holding the cuvette  8 , and a magnet  102   d  arranged lateral to each of the three installation holes  101   a . Thus, the bound magnetic particles, antigen, and labeled antibody in the cuvette  8  installed in the installation hole  102   c  can be attracted to the magnet  102   d  side. Furthermore, the non-reacting (free) R3 reagent can be removed by suctioning the specimen and the like in the cuvette  8  in the above attracted state by means of the separation stirring part  102   b.    
         [0092]     The reagent dispensing arm  94  (see  FIG. 1 ) has a function of dispensing the R5 reagent containing light emitting substrates in a reagent bin (not shown) installed at the lower part of the immune analyzing device  1  into the cuvette  8  accommodating the specimen, R1 reagent, and R2 reagent, and R3 reagent of the secondary reaction section  82 . The reagent dispensing arm  94  includes a motor  94   a , a drive transmission part  94   b  connected to the motor  94   a , and an arm part  94   d  attached to the drive transmission part  94   b  by way of a shaft. The drive transmission part  94   b  is configured so as to turn the arm part  94   d  with the shaft as the center and move the same in the up and down direction (Z direction) by the driving force from the motor  94   a . A nozzle (not shown) for suctioning and discharging the R5 reagent is attached to the distal end of the arm part  94   c.    
         [0093]     The detecting section  120  (see  FIG. 1 ) is arranged to acquire the light produced in the reaction process of the labeled antibody that binds with the antigen of the specimen performed with a predetermined process and the light emitting substrate by means of a photo multiplier tube to measure the amount of antigen contained in the relevant specimen. The detecting section  120  is configured by an installing part  121  for installing the cuvette  8  accommodating the specimen, R1 reagent, R2 reagent, R3 reagent, and R5 reagent, and a conveying mechanism part  122  for conveying the cuvette  8  (see  FIG. 17 ) held at the holding portion  82   b  of the rotating table part  82   a  of the secondary reaction section  82 .  
         [0094]     The disposing section  130  (see  FIG. 1 ) is arranged to dispose the measured specimen etc. measured by the detecting section  120 , and the cuvette  8  (see  FIG. 17 ) accommodating the relevant specimen etc. The disposing section  130  is configured by a suction part  131  for suctioning the specimen and various regents in the cuvette  8 , and a disposing hole  132  arranged at a position at a predetermined distance from the suction part  131 . Thus, the suction part  131  suctions the measured specimen etc., and thereafter the used cuvette  8  is disposed into a dust box (not shown) arranged at the lower part of the immune analyzing device  1  through the disposing hole  132 .  
         [0095]     The chip releasing section  140  (see  FIG. 1 ) is arranged to release the pipette chip  2  attached to the specimen dispensing arm  50 . The chip releasing section  140  includes a steel plate  141  arranged so as to extend in the vertical direction (Z direction), and a release strip  142  made of resin attached to the steel plate  141 , as shown in  FIG. 19 . A cut-out part  142   a  having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the attachment part  2   c  (see  FIG. 21 ) of the pipette chip  2  and greater than the diameter of the distal end  54   b  (see  FIG. 21 ) of the specimen dispensing arm  50  is formed in the release strip  142 .  
         [0096]     The supply operation of the pipette chip with respect to the specimen dispensing arm of the pipette chip supply device will now be described with reference to FIGS.  2  to  6 ,  8 ,  10 ,  12 ,  15 ,  16 , and  18 .  
         [0097]     As shown in  FIG. 5 , a plurality of pipette chips  2  are first input from the input port  31   a  of the chip refill section  31  of the pipette supply device  30 . In this case, the turning member  323  of the turning mechanism section  32  is turned to the position of blocking the discharge port  31   b  of the chip refill section  31 , and the plurality of pipette chips  2  are accumulated in the chip refill section  31 . The pipette chips  2  in the chip refill section  31  are detected by the detection sensor (transmissive sensor)  41   a.    
         [0098]     When the turning member  323  of the turning mechanism section  32  is turned to the position of opening the discharge port  31   b  of the chip refill section  31 , a predetermined amount of pipette chips  2  are input to the drum  335  of the chip supply section  33  from the discharge port  31   b  of the chip refill section  31  through the shoot  40   a  and the opening  30   b  (see  FIG. 8 ) of the chassis  30   a.    
         [0099]     When the detection sensor (transmissive sensor)  41   b  shown in  FIGS. 5 and 10  does not detect the pipette chip  2  on the slanted surface part of the discharge mechanism section  36 , the drum part  333  of the chip supply mechanism section  33  is rotated, and a predetermined amount (5 to 15 in the present embodiment) of pipette chips  2  are sent to the conveying path  34  by the segmenting part  335   b . The segmenting part  335   b  has the size and the shape of having the number of pipette chips  2  to be sent to the conveying path  34  at a predetermined amount (5 to 15 in the present embodiment), and thus does not send an excess amount of pipette chips  2  to the conveying path  34 . Therefore, the ionized air blown from the neutralizing fan  35  evenly hits the pipette chips  2 , and neutralization is effectively performed. When the detection sensor  41   b  detects the pipette chips  2  on the slanted surface part  368  of the discharge mechanism section  36 , the drum part  333  of the chip supply mechanism section  33  is not rotated, and the pipette chips  2  are not supplied to the conveying path  34 .  
         [0100]     In the present embodiment, the pipette chips  2  sent to the conveying path  34  by the segmenting part  335   b  of the drum  335  of the chip supply mechanism section  33  rolls down the inclined path  34   a  of the conveying path  34  while having the static electricity removed by the ionized air blown from the neutralizing fan  35 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . The ionized air blown from the neutralizing fan  35  hits the pipette chips  2  rolling down the inclined path  34   a  while scattering, and thus the ionized air evenly hits the pipette chips  2 , and neutralization is effectively performed. According to the experiments of the inventors, the result that the voltage of the pipette chip  2  charged with static electricity of a voltage of a few kV lowers to a few V is obtained.  
         [0101]     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the pipette chip  2  rolled down from the inclined path  34   a  of the conveying path  34  rolls down the slanted surface part  368  of the discharge mechanism section  36  configuring the inclined path  34   b  of the conveying path  34  to be led to the cut-out mechanism part  371  of the sort mechanism section  37  by way of the relay member  40 . In this case, the presence of the pipette chip  2  on the slanted surface part  368  of the discharge mechanism section  36  is detected by the detection sensor (transmissive sensor)  41   b , and the presence of the pipette chip  2  on the movement member  371   e  of the cut-out mechanism part  371  is detected by the detection sensor (transmissive sensor)  41   c.    
         [0102]     When the detection sensors  41   b  and  41   c  detect the pipette chip  2  even when the movement member  371   e  of the cut-out mechanism part  371  is moved in the up and down direction over a predetermined number of times (e.g., 15 times), the pipette chip  2  is determined as being stuck at the slanted surface part  368  of the discharge mechanism section  36 , and thus the turning member  363  of the discharge mechanism section  36  is turned and the slanted surface part  368  is separated away from the relay member  40 , as shown in  FIG. 12 . The pipette chip  2  stuck at the slanted surface part  368  is thereby dropped downward, and collected by the chip collecting container  42 . The above operation is performed under the condition that the pipette chip  2  on the slanted surface part  372  is not detected by the detection sensor (transmissive sensor)  41   b.    
         [0103]     Subsequently, the pipette chip  2  mounted on the movement member  371   e  of the cut-out mechanism part  371  is lifted and sent to the slanted surface part  372  side by moving the movement member  371   e  of the cut-out mechanism part  371  of the sort mechanism section  37  in the up and down direction (Z direction). In this case, the presence of the pipette chip  2  mounted on the slanted surface part  372  is detected by the detection sensor (transmissive sensor)  41   d , where when the pipette chip  2  is detected by the detection sensor  41   d , the operation of the cut-out mechanism part  371  is stopped, thereby stopping the pipette chip  2  from being sent from the cut-out mechanism part  371  to the slanted surface part  372 .  
         [0104]     The pipette chip  2  lifted to the slanted surface part  372  from the cut-out mechanism part  371  of the sort mechanism section  37  is then rolled down the slanted surface part  372  and led to the cut-out mechanism part  373 . Thereafter, the pipette chip  2  mounted on the movement member  373   e  of the cut-out mechanism part  373  is lifted and sent to the slanted surface part  374  by moving the movement member  373   e  of the cut-out mechanism part  373  in the up and down direction (Z direction). The pipette chip  2  lifted to the slanted surface part  374  rolls down the slanted surface part  374  and sent to the movement section  38 .  
         [0105]     As shown in  FIG. 16 , the pipette chip  2  rolled down from the slanted surface part  374  of the sort mechanism section  37  has the core  2   b  (see  FIG. 2 ) at the position above the center of gravity G held by the feed screw  383  and the shaft  384 , and thus the distal end  2   a  of the pipette chip  2  is directed downward.  
         [0106]     The presence of the pipette chip  2  held by the feed screw  383  and the shaft  384  is detected by the detection sensor (transmissive sensor)  41   e  shown in  FIGS. 5 and 15 . Specifically, when the detection sensor  41   e  does not detect the pipette chip  2  held by the feed screw  383  and the shaft  384 , one pipette chip  2  is sent from the slanted surface part  374  of the sort mechanism section  37  to the movement section  38  by moving the cut-out mechanism part  371  and the cut-out mechanism part  373  of the sort mechanism section  37  in the up and down direction (Z direction), as shown in  FIG. 6 . On the other hand, when the detection sensor  41   e  detects the pipette chip  2  held by the feed screw  383  and the shaft  384 , the supply of pipette chip  2  to the movement section  38  is stopped by stopping the movement of the cut-out mechanism part  371  and the cut-out mechanism part  373  of the sort mechanism section  37  in the up and down direction (Z direction).  
         [0107]     The pipette chip  2  held by the feed screw  383  and the shaft  384  is conveyed to the input part  38   a  (see  FIG. 15 ) of the movement section  38  by rotating the feed screw  383  and the shaft  384  of the movement section  38 . In this case, whether or not the pipette chip  2  sent by the feed screw  383  and the shaft  384  has been conveyed to the input part  38   a  is detected by the detection sensor (transmissive sensor)  41   f , as shown in  FIG. 15 .  
         [0108]     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the pipette chip  2  dropped from the input part  38   a  of the movement section  38  passes through the shoot  40   b  and reaches the movement section  39 . In this case, whether or not the pipette chip  2  has reached the movement section  39  is detected by the detection sensor (transmissive sensor)  41   g . Specifically, if the detection sensor  41   g  detects the pipette chip  2 , the operation of the movement section  38  is stopped, thereby stopping the pipette chip  2  from being sent from the movement section  38  to the movement section  39 . On the other hand, if the detection sensor  41   g  does not detect the pipette chip  2 , the pipette chip  2  is supplied from the movement section  38  to the movement section  39  by rotating the feed screw  383  and the shaft  384  of the movement section  38 .  
         [0109]     The pipette chip  2  held one by one at the groove part  395   a  and the wall part  396  of the feed screw  395  is sequentially conveyed to the shoot  40   c  by rotating the feed screw  395  of the movement section  39 . In this case, the detection sensor (transmissive sensor)  41   h  detects the presence of the pipette chip  2  at the position immediately before the shoot  40   c . Specifically, the pipette chip  2  is rapidly conveyed to the position immediately before the shoot  40   c  by rotating the feed screw  395  until the detection sensor  41   h  detects the pipette chip  2  at the position immediately before the shoot  40   c.    
         [0110]     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the pipette chip  2  sequentially conveyed one at a time by the movement section  39  passes through the shoot  40   c  and installed at the chip installing part  23   b  of the conveying rack  23  of the emergency specimen and chip conveying section  20 . In this case, the emergency specimen and chip conveying section  20  is recognized as being arranged at a position capable of receiving the pipette chip  2  from the shoot  40   c  when the detection strip  24  of the emergency specimen and chip conveying section  20  is detected by the light shielding sensor  25 , as shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0111]     The pipette chip  2  mounted on the chip installing part  23   b  of the conveying rack  23  is conveyed to a position corresponding to the attachment position  1   b  (see  FIG. 1 ) of the specimen dispensing arm  50 . As shown in  FIG. 18 , the distal end  54   b  of the nozzle portion  54   a  of the arm part  54  is press fit into the attachment part  2   c  of the pipette chip  2  by moving the arm part  54  downward after turning the nozzle portion  54   a  of the arm part  54  of the specimen dispensing arm  50  to the attachment position  1   b  (see  FIG. 1 ). The pipette chip  2  is thereby supplied from the pipette chip supply device  30  to the specimen dispensing arm  50 .  
         [0112]     FIGS.  19  to  21  are side views for explaining the release operation of the pipette chip attached to the specimen dispensing arm of the immune analyzing device shown in  FIG. 1 . The release operation of the pipette chip attached to the specimen dispensing arm will now be described with reference to FIGS.  19  to  21 .  
         [0113]     First, as shown in  FIG. 19 , the arm part  54  attached with the used pipette chip  2  is moved downward, and the arm part  54  is turned so that the nozzle portion  54   a  of the arm part  54  fits into the cut-out part  142   a  of the release strip  142  of the chip release section  140 . The arm part  54  is then moved upward from this state to contact the lower surface of the release strip  142  of the chip release section  140  and the upper surface of the attachment part  2   c  of the pipette chip  2 , as shown in  FIG. 20 . Subsequently, the arm part  54  is moved upward to release the pipette chip  2  from the distal end  54   b  of the nozzle portion  54   a  of the arm part  54 , as shown in  FIG. 21 .  
         [0114]     In the present embodiment, the neutralizing fan  35  is arranged so as to blow the ionized air against the pipette chip  2  lifted by the segmenting part  335   b  of the drum  335 , and to blow the ionized air against the pipette chip  2  positioned at the inclined path  34   a  of the conveying path  34  sent from the segmenting part  335   b  through the opening  30   c  of the chassis  30   a , so that pipette chip  2  is suppressed from attaching to the segmenting part  335   b  of the chip supply mechanism section  33 , conveying path  34 , relay member  40 , sort mechanism section  37 , movement section  38 , shoot  40   b , movement section  39  and shoot  40   c  on the supply path or the pipette chips  2  from attaching to each other due to the electrification charge of the pipette chip  2 , whereby the pipette chip  2  can be smoothly supplied to the chip installing part  23   b  of the conveying rack  23  of the emergency specimen and chip movement section  20 .  
         [0115]     Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the pipette chip  2  can be sorted by ones and supplied with the distal end  2   a  facing downward by arranging the sort mechanism section  37  for sorting the pipette chips  2  received from the conveying path  34  one by one, and the movement sections  38  and  39  for directing and moving the sorted pipette chip  2  with the distal end  2   a  facing downward. As a result, the supplied pipette chip  2  can be easily attached to the specimen dispensing arm  50  one at a time in the immune analyzing device  1  equipped with the specimen dispensing arm  50  employing the supplied pipette chip  2 .  
         [0116]     In the present embodiment, by arranging the detection sensors  41   b  and  41   c  for detecting the stuck of the pipette chip  2  at the slanted surface part  368  of the discharge mechanism section  36  and at the movement member  371   e  of the cut-out mechanism part  371  or the supply path of the pipette chip  2 , and the discharge mechanism section  36  for discharging the pipette chip  2  on the inclined path  45   b  (slanted surface part  368 ) of the conveying path  34  when the stuck of the pipette chip  2  is detected by the detection sensors  41   b ,  41   b , when the pipette chip  2  is stuck at the slanted surface part  368  of the discharge mechanism section  36  and the movement member  371   e  of the cut-out mechanism part  371 , the stuck of the pipette chip  2  is detected by the detection sensors  41   b  and  41   c , and the stuck pipette chip  2  can be discharged from the inclined path  34   b  of the conveying path  34  by turning the turning member  363  of the discharge mechanism section  36  to the second position (open position) based on the detected information. As a result, the pipette chips  2  are suppressed from accumulating at the conveying path  34  of the pipette chip  2 .  
         [0117]     In the present embodiment, by attaching the slanted surface part  368  made of resin having substantially the same inclination as the upper surface of the movement member  371   e  of the cut-out mechanism part  371  and the upper surface of the relay member  40  configuring the inclined path  34   b  to the turning member  363  of the discharge mechanism section  36  when the turning member  363  is moved to the first position, the pipette chip  2  that passes through the movement member  371   e , the relay member  40  and the slanted surface part  368  of the turning member  363  of substantially the same inclination can be smoothly dropped, and thus the pipette chip  2  is suppressed from being stuck near the boundary of the relay member  40  and the slanted surface part  368 , and near the boundary of the movement member  371   e  and the relay member  40 . Furthermore, by forming the slanted surface part  368  from synthetic resin, the slanted surface part  368  having substantially the same inclination as the upper surface of the movement member  371   e  and the upper surface of the relay member  40  can be easily formed.  
         [0118]     In the present embodiment, by arranging the detection sensor  41   b  for detecting the presence of the pipette chip  2  at the slanted surface part  368  of the turning member  363  and the detection sensor  41   c  for detecting the presence of the pipette chip  2  in the cut-out mechanism part  371  of the sort mechanism section  37 , whether the pipette chip  2  is stuck at the slanted surface part  368  and the cut-out mechanism section  371  can be reliably detected by detecting the presence of the pipette chip  2  with two detection sensors  41   b  and  41   c.    
         [0119]     In the present embodiment, the detection sensors  41   b  and  41   c  for detecting the presence of the pipette chip  2  are respectively arranged in the slanted surface part  368  of the turning member  363  and the cut-out mechanism part  371  of the sort mechanism section  37  or the supply path of the pipette chip  2 , and further, the operation of the drum part  333  of the chip supply mechanism section  33  for sending out the pipette chip  2  is controlled based on the presence of the pipette chip  2  detected by the detection sensors  41   b  and  41   c , so that the pipette chip  2  can be sent out to the conveying path  34  by operating the drum part  333  when there are no pipette chip  2  to be supplied to the sort mechanism section  37 . Therefore, a predetermined amount of pipette chip  2  can be refilled to the conveying path  34  to supply to the sort mechanism section  37 . Furthermore, when there are pipette chips  2  to be supplied to the sort mechanism section  37  in the conveying path  34 , the excess amount of pipette chip  2  is suppressed from being conveyed by stopping the drum part  333 . Thus, the pipette chip  2  is suppressed from being stuck that occurs when excess amount of pipette chip  2  is conveyed to the conveying path  34 . As a result, the pipette chips  2  are suppressed from accumulating in the conveying path  34  or the supply path of the pipette chip  2 .  
         [0120]     In the present embodiment, by arranging the detection sensors  41   e  and  41   f  for detecting the presence of the pipette chip  2  moved by the movement section  38 , and controlling the operation of the sort mechanism section  37  for supplying the pipette chip  2  to the movement section  38  based on the presence of the pipette chip  2  detected by the detection sensors  41   e  and  41   f , the pipette chip  2  can be sent out from the sort mechanism section  37  to the movement section  38  by operating the sort mechanism section  37  when the detection sensors  41   e  and  41   f  do not detect the pipette chip  2  to be moved in the movement section  38 . Thus, the pipette chip  2  to be moved by the movement section  38  can be refilled. When the pipette chip  2  moved by the movement section  38  is detected by the detection sensors  41   e  and  41   f , the excess amount of pipette chip  2  is suppressed from being sent out to the movement section  38  by stopping the operation of the sort mechanism section  37 . Thus, the pipette chip  2  is suppressed from being stuck that occurs when excess amount of pipette chip  2  is conveyed to the movement section  38 . As a result, the pipette chip  2  is suppressed from being accumulating at the supply path (movement section  38 ) of the pipette chip  2 .  
         [0121]     The embodiments disclosed herein are merely illustrative in all aspects and should not be construed as being exclusive. The scope of the present invention is defined not by the description of the above described embodiment but by the scope of the claims, and thus encompasses all modifications equivalent in meaning to and within the scope of the claims.  
         [0122]     In the embodiment, an example of applying the pipette chip supply device for supplying the disposable pipette chip one at a time to the immune analyzing device has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be applicable to devices other than the immune analyzing device as long as the device uses disposable pipette chips.  
         [0123]     In the embodiment, an example of ON/OFF controlling the drive of the neutralizing fan based on the rotating operation of the drum has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the neutralizing fan may be driven constantly while the pipette chip supply device is being driven irrespective of the rotating operation of the drum.  
         [0124]     In the embodiment, an example of arranging the neutralizing fan  35  so as to blow the ionized air to the pipette chip  2  lifted by the segmenting part  335   b  of the drum  335  and so as to blow the ionized air to the pipette chip  2  positioned at the inclined path  34   a  of the conveying path  34  sent from the segmenting part  335   b  through the opening  30   c  of the chassis  30   a  has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the neutralizing fan  35  may be arranged above the movement section  39  so as to blow the ionized air to the pipette chip  2  moved by the movement section  39  as in the pipette chip supply device  130   a  of the first variant shown in  FIG. 22 . In this case, the drive of the neutralizing fan  35  may be controlled based on the drive of the movement section  39 , or the neutralizing fan  35  may be driven constantly while the pipette chip supply device  130  is being driven irrespective of the drive of the movement section  39 .  
         [0125]     In the embodiment, an example of removing electrification charge of the pipette chip  2  by blowing the ionized air from the neutralizing fan  35  has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the electrification charge of the pipette chip may be removed by contacting the conductive member to the pipette chip. For example, the electrification charge of the pipette chip  2  may be removed by contacting the neutralizing brush  351  to the pipette chip  2  as in the pipette chip supply device  130   b  of the second variant shown in FIGS.  23  to  25 . Specifically, in the pipette chip supply device  130   b  of the second variant, the neutralizing brush  351  including a brush part  351   a  made of fiber having electrical conductivity such as carbon fiber, stainless fiber etc., and a holder part  351   b  for supporting the brush part  351   a  is attached to the protective cover  399  of the movement section  39 , as in  FIGS. 24 and 25 . The brush part  351   a  of the neutralizing brush  351  has flexibility. Thus, since the pipette chip  2  moved while being held by the feed screw  395  and the wall part  396  of the movement section  39  contacts the brush part  351   a  of the neutralizing brush  351 , the electrification charge of the pipette chip  2  is removed, and accumulation of the pipette chip  2  that occurs when the pipette chip  2  contacts the brush part  351   a  of the neutralizing brush  351  is suppressed. The electrification charge of the pipette chip  2  can be removed by contacting the neutralizing sheet  352  to the pipette chip  2  as in the pipette chip supply device  130   c  of the third variant, shown in  FIGS. 26 and 27 . Specifically, in the pipette chip supply device  130   c  according to the third variant, the neutralizing sheet  352  is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the drum  335 , the surface of the inclined paths  34   a  and  34   b  of the conveying path  34 , the surface of the relay member  40 , the surfaces of the cut-out mechanism parts  371  and  373  and the slanted surface parts  372  and  374  of the sort mechanism section  37 , and the surface of the wall part  396  of the movement section  39 , as shown in  FIGS. 26 and 27 . Thus, the electrification charge of the pipette chip  2  can be removed since the pipette chip  2  contacts the neutralizing sheet  352  on the supply path of the pipette chip  2 . The neutralizing sheet  352  has a thickness of about 0.3 mm to about 0.5 mm and is interworked with fiber having electrical conductivity such as carbon fiber, stainless fiber and the like. The neutralizing sheet  352  may be a plate member or foil member having electrical conductivity.  
         [0126]     In the embodiment, an example of conveying the pipette chip  2  while holding the same with the feed screw  395  and the wall part  396  in the movement section  39  has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the pipette chip  2  sorted one by one may be sandwiched and held by two belts, and sequentially conveyed one at a time.  
         [0127]     In the embodiment, an example of accommodating a plurality of refill pipette chips in the chip refill section, and thereafter inputting the plurality of pipette chips from the chip refill section to the drum through the shoot has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the plurality of pipette chips may be directly input to the drum.  
         [0128]     In the embodiment, an example in which the segmenting part lifts the pipette chip accumulated at the lower part and sending out the pipette chip to the conveying path by rotating the drum has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and a predetermined amount of pipette chips may be sent out to the conveying path by the conveying belt from locations where the pipette chips are accommodated, or the pipette chips may be lifted and sent out to the conveying path as in the cut-out mechanism part of the sort mechanism section of the present embodiment.  
         [0129]     In the embodiment, an example in which the pipette chips  2  stuck at the conveying path  34  is dropped into the chip collecting container  42  by turning the turning member  363  of the discharge mechanism section  36  to the second position has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the slanted surface part  43  may be arranged at the position where the pipette chip  2  discharged from the discharge mechanism section  36  is dropped, and the opening  30   d  for returning the pipette chip  2  sled down the slanted surface part  43  to the drum  335  of the drum part  333  may be formed in the chassis  30   a  so as to return the pipette chip  2  stuck at the conveying path  34  again to the drum  335  of the drum part  333 . Thus, the pipette chip  2  stuck at the conveying path  34  can be reused by returning the pipette chip  2  stuck at the conveying path  34  again to the drum  335  of the drum part  333 . In this case, as the distal end  2   a  of the pipette chip  2  enters from the opening on the attachment part  2   c  side of the other pipette chip  2 , even if the plurality of pipette chips  2  are overlapped, such overlap can be eliminated by rotating the overlapped pipette chips  2  at the drum part  333 .  
         [0130]     In the embodiment, an example of dropping the pipette chip discharged from the discharge mechanism section to the chip collecting container has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and similar to the disposing hole of the disposing section of the immune analyzing device, the pipette chip discharged from the discharge mechanism section may be disposed to a dust box at the lower part of the immune analyzing device.  
         [0131]     It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalence of the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8