Patent Description:
An automatic analyzer is a device that performs an analysis by dispensing a sample solution containing an analysis target substance and a reaction reagent into a reaction container and causing the sample solution and the reaction reagent to react with each other, and optically measuring the reaction solution.

For example, there is an automatic analyzer for detecting specific biological components, chemical substances, and the like, which are contained in a sample when blood, serum, urine, or the like are used as the sample. In order to obtain sufficient analysis accuracy in the automatic analyzer, it is necessary to maintain the temperature of a reagent used in the pre-treatment of a sample or the temperature of a reagent used in an analysis to be constant.

As a method of controlling the temperature of the reagent, as disclosed in PTL <NUM>, a method of performing cooling using cooling water produced by a Peltier element and a constant temperature water tank or a method of performing cooling using a Peltier element and an air-cooled heat dissipation fin is known.

In addition, as a structure of a flow path of a device that adjusts the temperature of a reagent, a structure of heating a meandering flow path is known as disclosed in PTL <NUM>.

In the automatic analyzer, it is preferable that the installation area of the device is small. In order to reduce the size of the device, it is desired to reduce the size of a temperature adjusting device that adjusts the temperature of the reagent, which is a component of the device.

In the conventional temperature adjusting device, a method using a constant temperature water tank and a heater is often used, and there is a problem that the size becomes large for automatic analysis and size reduction has difficulty.

Further, although the Peltier element is used in some cases as in PTL <NUM>, a meandering flow path is used as the flow path, as in PTL <NUM>. Thus, more size reduction has difficulty.

It is necessary not to simply reduce the size of the temperature adjusting device, but to reduce the size while maintaining temperature adjustment with high precision.

However, in the prior art, it has been difficult to realize an automatic analyzer including a temperature adjusting device capable of further reducing the size while maintaining temperature adjustment with high precision.

An object of the present invention is to realize an automatic analyzer including a temperature adjusting device capable of reducing a size while maintaining temperature adjustment with high precision.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as defined in the claims.

It is possible to realize an automatic analyzer including a temperature adjusting device capable of reducing a size while maintaining temperature adjustment with high precision.

The following examples are examples when the present invention is applied to an automatic immunoassay analyzer.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an automatic immunoassay analyzer according to Embodiment <NUM> of the present invention.

In <FIG>, reagents required for analyzing a sample are stored in reagent storage portions <NUM> to <NUM>, respectively. When the reagent (buffer solution) of the reagent storage portion <NUM> is delivered, a valve <NUM> is opened, and a valve <NUM> is closed. Then, a plunger <NUM> of a syringe pump (delivery unit that intermittently delivers the reagent) <NUM> is moved in a sucking direction (downward direction in <FIG>) to suck the reagent from the reagent storage portion <NUM>.

Then, the valve <NUM> is closed, and the valve <NUM> is opened. The plunger <NUM> is moved in a discharge direction (upward direction in the figure) to discharge the reagent, and thus the reagent is delivered to a sample container <NUM> containing a sample in a reagent pre-treatment unit <NUM> via a tube <NUM>.

The sample container on which a treatment has been completed by the reagent pre-treatment unit <NUM> is transported to a container holding member <NUM> by a transport mechanism (not illustrated) and is held.

Regarding the reagent (for example, reaction auxiliary liquid) in the reagent storage portion <NUM>, a valve <NUM> is opened, a valve <NUM> is closed, and then a plunger <NUM> of a syringe pump <NUM> is moved in the sucking direction to suck the reagent from the reagent storage portion <NUM>.

Then, the valve <NUM> is closed, the valve <NUM> is opened, and the plunger <NUM> is moved in the discharge direction to discharge the reagent. In this manner, the reagent is delivered to a reagent container <NUM> held by the container holding member <NUM> via a tube <NUM>.

Regarding the reagent (for example, cleaning liquid) in the reagent storage portion <NUM>, a valve <NUM> is opened, a valve <NUM> is closed, and then a plunger <NUM> of a syringe pump <NUM> is moved in the sucking direction to suck the reagent from the reagent storage portion <NUM>.

Then, the valve <NUM> is closed, the valve <NUM> is opened, and the plunger <NUM> is moved in the discharge direction to discharge the reagent. In this manner, the reagent is delivered to a sample container <NUM> held by the container holding member <NUM> via a tube <NUM>.

The reagents in the reagent containers <NUM> and <NUM> fixed to the container holding member <NUM> and the sample in the sample container <NUM> are delivered to a detector <NUM> in accordance with a predetermined sequence. The container holding member <NUM> performs two operations of rotation and vertical movement. When the sample or the reagent is delivered to the detector <NUM>, the container holding member <NUM> is rotated so that a nozzle <NUM> is located above the container of which the reagent or the sample is to be delivered. Then, the container holding member <NUM> is raised so that the tip portion of the nozzle <NUM> is put into the reagent. In that state, a valve <NUM> is opened, a valve <NUM> is closed, and a plunger <NUM> of a syringe pump <NUM> is moved in the suction direction. Then, the sample or the reagent is sucked through a pipe <NUM> and guided to the detector <NUM>.

After that, the valve <NUM> is closed, the valve <NUM> is opened, and the plunger <NUM> is moved in the discharge direction so that the sample or the reagent is discharged to a waste liquid container <NUM>. Then, the container holding member <NUM> is lowered, and the container holding member <NUM> is rotated so that the nozzle <NUM> for the reagent or the sample to be delivered next is located above the container of which the reagent or the sample is to be delivered.

Subsequently, after the same operation is repeated and the measurement of one sample is completed, the measurement proceeds to the next sample.

The detector <NUM> is fixed to a detector (analysis unit that analyzes the sample) <NUM> via a holding portion <NUM>. The detector <NUM> analyzes the components detected by the detector <NUM>.

When the reagents stored in the reagent storage portions <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are delivered to the reagent pre-treatment unit <NUM> or the reagent containers <NUM> and <NUM>, the temperatures of the reagents are adjusted in advance in a temperature adjusting unit <NUM>. The temperature adjusting unit <NUM> is a device for adjusting the temperature of the reagent supplied to the detector (analysis unit that analyzes the sample) <NUM>.

In addition, a space in which the sample container <NUM> and the reagent containers <NUM> and <NUM> are installed and the temperature of the detector <NUM> are controlled by respective temperature adjusting means (not illustrated).

Further, the operations of the plungers <NUM> to <NUM>, the valves <NUM> to <NUM>, the reagent pre-treatment unit <NUM>, the container holding member <NUM>, and the detector <NUM> are controlled by a controller <NUM>.

Next, the structure of the temperature adjusting unit <NUM> in one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

<FIG> is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a temperature adjusting unit <NUM> of the automatic analyzer according to Embodiment <NUM> of the present invention. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of <FIG>.

However, a first reagent storage portion <NUM>, a third reagent storage portion <NUM>, and a fifth reagent storage portion <NUM> are not illustrated in cross section for convenience of illustration.

In <FIG>, the first reagent storage portion <NUM> and a second reagent storage portion <NUM> are attached to a metal block <NUM> made of aluminum or the like. The first reagent storage portion <NUM> is obtained by spirally shaping a pipe made of stainless steel or the like to store the reagent. The second reagent storage portion <NUM> functions as a buffer portion formed by a slightly thick straight stainless steel pipe or the like and stores the reagent. The reagent is supplied from the first reagent storage portion <NUM> to the second reagent storage portion <NUM>. In addition, a third reagent storage portion <NUM> and a fourth reagent storage portion <NUM> are attached. The third reagent storage portion <NUM> is obtained by spirally shaping a pipe made of stainless steel or the like to store the reagent. The fourth reagent storage portion <NUM> functions as a buffer portion formed by a slightly thick straight stainless steel pipe or the like and stores the reagent. Further, the fifth reagent storage portion <NUM> and a sixth reagent storage portion <NUM> are attached. The fifth reagent storage portion <NUM> is obtained by spirally shaping a pipe made of stainless steel or the like to store the reagent. The sixth reagent storage portion <NUM> functions as a buffer portion formed by a slightly thick straight stainless steel pipe or the like and stores the reagent.

As a method of attaching the first reagent storage portion <NUM> and the second reagent storage portion <NUM> to the metal block <NUM>, a through hole which is slightly larger than the outer shape of the spiral of the pipe of the first reagent storage portion <NUM> is provided in the metal block <NUM>. The first reagent storage portion <NUM> and the second reagent storage portion <NUM> are inserted into the through hole and are fixed by pouring solder or the like around the through hole.

The first reagent storage portion <NUM> may be inserted into a through hole formed in the metal block <NUM> in a state where a pipe is wound around an aluminum cylinder, and be fixed with solder. A tube connector 13a is attached to the inlet port of the pipe of the first reagent storage portion <NUM>. The tube connector 13a is threaded to be connected to the tube <NUM> with a fitting for the tube.

Further, a tube connector 14a is attached to the outlet port of the second reagent storage portion <NUM>. The tube connector 14a is threaded to be connected to the tube <NUM> with a fitting for the tube.

The third reagent storage portion <NUM>, the fourth reagent storage portion <NUM>, the fifth reagent storage portion <NUM>, and the sixth reagent storage portion <NUM> are attached to the metal block <NUM> in a manner similar to the first reagent storage portion <NUM> and the second reagent storage portion <NUM>.

In addition, tube connectors 13b and 13c similar to the tube connector 13a are attached to the inlet ports of the pipes of the third reagent storage portion <NUM> and the fifth reagent storage portion <NUM>, and thus are connected to the tube <NUM>.

Further, tube connectors 14b and 14c similar to the tube connector 13a are attached to the outlet ports of the pipes of the fourth reagent storage portion <NUM> and the sixth reagent storage portion <NUM>, and thus are connected to the tube <NUM>.

A heat diffusion plate <NUM> made of aluminum or the like is connected to the metal block <NUM> via a thermal interface <NUM> such as grease, and a Peltier element <NUM> is further connected to the metal block <NUM> via a thermal interface <NUM>. A heat sink configured by a fin base <NUM> and a fin <NUM> is connected to the opposite surface of the Peltier element <NUM> via a thermal interface <NUM>. Then, a fan <NUM> is connected to the fin <NUM>.

The metal base <NUM> is surrounded by a heat insulator <NUM>. The heat insulator <NUM> is formed of, for example, urethane foam or the like.

The Peltier element <NUM> and the thermal interfaces <NUM> and <NUM> are fixed by a method of, for example, sandwiching the Peltier element <NUM> and the thermal interfaces <NUM> and <NUM> between the heat diffusion plate <NUM> and the fin base <NUM> and fixing the Peltier element <NUM> and the thermal interfaces <NUM> and <NUM> with screws.

In addition, the thermal interface <NUM> is fixed by a method of sandwiching the thermal interface <NUM> between the metal block <NUM> and the heat diffusion plate <NUM> and fixing the thermal interface <NUM> with screws.

A temperature detection unit of a temperature detector <NUM> is disposed in the vicinity of the reagent outlet port of the first reagent storage portion <NUM>. The temperature detector <NUM> is supported by the metal block <NUM>. The temperature detected by the temperature detector <NUM> is output to a Peltier element controller <NUM>. The output from the Peltier element controller <NUM> is supplied to a power output unit <NUM>, and the power is supplied from the power output unit <NUM> to the Peltier element <NUM>.

<FIG> are perspective views illustrating the external appearance of the second reagent storage portion <NUM>. In <FIG>, a hole <NUM> for attaching the pipe-shaped first reagent storage portion <NUM> is formed on a surface of the second reagent storage portion, which is opposite to a surface on which the tube connector 14a is formed.

Next, the operation of the temperature adjusting unit <NUM> will be described.

Here, description will be made on the assumption that all the thermal interfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are thermal grease.

In a cooling operation in which the ambient temperature is high and the chemical solution is cooled, power is supplied from the power output unit <NUM> to the Peltier element <NUM> so that the surface of the Peltier element <NUM> on the metal block <NUM> side is at a low temperature and the surface on the fin base <NUM> side is at a high temperature. The heat of the reagent moving or staying in the first reagent storage portion <NUM> or the second reagent storage portion <NUM> is absorbed by the Peltier element <NUM> through the metal block <NUM>, the grease <NUM>, the heat diffusion plate <NUM>, and the grease <NUM>.

Heat is emitted (radiated) from the surface of the Peltier element <NUM>, which is opposite to the grease <NUM> side. The heat is transferred from the grease <NUM> and the fin base <NUM> to the fins <NUM> and radiated to the air flowing between the fins <NUM> by the fan <NUM>.

In a heating operation in which the ambient temperature is low and the chemical solution is heated, power is supplied from the power output unit <NUM> to the Peltier element <NUM> so that the surface of the Peltier element <NUM> on the metal block <NUM> side is at a high temperature and the fin base <NUM> side is at a low temperature. In the heating operation, the temperature of the fin <NUM> is lower than the air temperature. Thus, heat is taken from the air flowing between the fins <NUM> by the fan <NUM>, and is absorbed by the Peltier element <NUM> through the fin base <NUM> and the grease <NUM>. Heat is emitted (radiated) from the surface of the Peltier element <NUM> on the grease <NUM> (being the thermal interface) side. The heat is applied to the reagent that moves or stays in the first reagent storage portion <NUM> or the second reagent storage portion <NUM>, through the grease <NUM>, the heat diffusion plate <NUM>, the grease <NUM>, and the metal block <NUM>.

A target temperature is set in the Peltier element controller <NUM>. The Peltier element controller controls a current (power) output from the current output unit <NUM> to the Peltier element <NUM> based on the target temperature and the temperature detected by the temperature detector <NUM>, so that the reagents stored in the first reagent storage portion <NUM>, the second reagent storage portion <NUM>, the third reagent storage portion <NUM>, the fourth reagent storage portion <NUM>, the fifth reagent storage portion <NUM>, and the sixth reagent storage portion <NUM> have the target temperature.

As a method of controlling the current output of the Peltier element controller <NUM>, for example, a method of controlling the on/off time ratio of the current, that is, the duty ratio, is performed based on the target temperature and the temperature detected by the temperature detector <NUM> at regular time intervals, by proportional-integration-differential control (PID control) at regular time intervals. At this time, the current in supplying the power is set to be constant.

Here, the reason that the temperature adjusting unit <NUM> in Embodiment <NUM> of the present invention is smaller than a temperature adjusting unit having a structure different from that of the present invention, but can more stably control the reagent temperature at the outlet port of the temperature adjusting unit <NUM> will be described.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of the temperature adjusting unit that is different from that according to the present invention.

In <FIG>, in a structure of an example different from the present invention, a first reagent storage portion <NUM> configured by a meandering pipe is buried in a metal block <NUM>, and tube connectors <NUM> and <NUM> are attached to both ends of the first reagent storage portion <NUM>. In addition, another reagent storage portion similar to the first reagent storage portion <NUM> is formed. The periphery of the metal block <NUM> is insulated by a heat insulator <NUM>.

In the structure of the example different from the present invention, the tube connector <NUM> is formed, but is connected to the outlet portion of the first reagent storage portion <NUM>. A second reagent storage portion to which the reagent is supplied from the first reagent storage portion <NUM> is not formed. Similarly, for other reagent storage portions, no second reagent storage portion is formed.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a temperature distribution of the reagent in a temperature adjusting unit having a structure of the example different from that according to the present invention illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating a temperature distribution of the reagent in the temperature adjusting unit <NUM> according to Embodiment <NUM> of the present invention. <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate an example of the cooling operation in which the ambient temperature is high.

In <FIG> and <FIG>, the graph on the left side represents the reagent temperature distribution immediately after the operation of the syringe pump that supplies the reagent to the temperature adjusting unit is completed. The graph on the right side represents the temperature distribution immediately before the operation of the syringe pump is started. In each of the graphs, the horizontal axis indicates the linear distance from the inlet port of the temperature adjusting unit, and the vertical axis indicates the temperature of the reagent.

Here, in <FIG>, the operations of the syringe pumps <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are intermittently performed. For example, the syringe pumps operate once every <NUM> seconds, and the operation time is as short as about one second to several seconds. When the syringe pumps <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> do not operate, the reagents in the temperature adjusting unit <NUM> are stationary.

In <FIG> which illustrates the liquid temperature distribution in the structure of the example different from that according to the present invention, the internal volume of the pipe is larger than the amount of liquid delivered at one time. The temperature is high until reaching of the reagent from the inlet port in one operation of the syringe pump. The reagent is cooled more as the reagent flows to downstream (outlet port), and the temperature becomes lower. The temperature on the downstream of a place where the reagent added from the inlet port in one operation of the syringe pump reaches the already-stored reagent portion does not change. Then, the reagent is cooled while the syringe pump is stopped, and thus the entirety of the reagent is settled to a substantially uniform temperature as represented in the graph on the right side in <FIG>.

In the structure according to Embodiment <NUM> of the present invention, which is illustrated in <FIG>, the internal volume (first reagent storage volume) of the first reagent storage portion <NUM> located on the upstream side of the second reagent storage portion <NUM> is set to be larger than the one-time discharge amount of each of the syringe pumps <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

Further, the internal volume (second reagent storage volume) of the second reagent storage portion <NUM> on the downstream side is also set to be larger than the one-time discharge amount of each of the syringe pumps <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

Since the second reagent storage portion <NUM> is configured by a pipe thicker than the first reagent storage portion <NUM>, a large internal volume can be obtained even with the same length. However, as illustrated in <FIG>, the temperature of the reagent in the second reagent storage portion <NUM> (buffer portion) on the downstream can be set to constant. Thus, the temperature of the reagent leaving from the temperature adjusting unit <NUM> is controlled in the similar manner as in the example illustrated in <FIG>.

Meanwhile, in a case where the ambient temperature of the automatic immunoassay analyzer changes rapidly, the heat capacity of the reagent in the second reagent storage portion <NUM> in Embodiment <NUM> of the present invention is large and the temperature does not change easily. Thus, even though the outer shape is smaller than that in the structure of the example different from that in the present invention illustrated in <FIG>, it is possible to more stably control the temperature of the reagent discharged from the temperature adjusting unit <NUM>.

That is, a distance L2 from the inlet port to the outlet port of the temperature adjusting unit <NUM> according to Embodiment <NUM> of the present invention is set to be shorter than a distance L1 from the inlet port to the outlet port of the temperature adjusting unit having a structure different from that of the present invention, and thus, even with the structure of the small outer shape, it is possible to more stably control the temperature of the reagent discharged from the temperature adjusting unit <NUM>.

When the amount of liquid to be delivered differs depending on the flow path, for example, when the amount of liquid to be delivered to the reagent pre-treatment unit <NUM> in <FIG> is smaller than that in other flow paths, as illustrated in <FIG>, the winding diameter of the spiral pipe of the third reagent storage portion <NUM> corresponding to the flow path may be set to be smaller than that of the first reagent storage portion <NUM> and the fifth reagent storage portion <NUM>, so as to reduce the reagent storage volume in comparison to the first reagent storage portion <NUM> and the fifth reagent storage portion <NUM>. The inner diameter of the pipe of the fourth reagent storage portion <NUM> may be set to reduce the reagent storage volume in comparison to the second reagent storage portion <NUM> and the sixth reagent storage portion <NUM>. Alternatively, the same one as the first reagent storage portion <NUM> and the fifth reagent storage portion <NUM> may be used as the third reagent storage portion <NUM>, and thus only the reagent storage volume of the fourth reagent storage portion <NUM> may be reduced in comparison to the second reagent storage portion <NUM> and the sixth reagent storage portion <NUM>.

It is possible to further reduce the size of the temperature adjusting unit <NUM> without impairing the temperature controllability, by changing the internal volume of the reagent storage portion in accordance with the amount of the reagent to be delivered in this manner.

As described above, according to Embodiment <NUM> of the present invention, a spiral pipe having a large diameter is used as the first reagent storage portion <NUM>, and reagent storage container having a large diameter is used as the second reagent storage portion <NUM>. The internal volume of the first reagent storage portion <NUM> located on the upstream side of the second reagent storage portion <NUM> is set to be larger than the one-time discharge amount of each of the syringe pumps <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. The internal volume of the second reagent storage portion <NUM> is also set to be larger than the one-time discharge amount of each of the syringe pumps <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. Accordingly, it is possible to realize an automatic analyzer including a temperature adjusting device capable of reducing a size while maintaining temperature adjustment with high precision.

Note that, the third reagent storage portion <NUM> (having a third reagent storage volume), the fourth reagent storage portion <NUM> (having a fourth reagent storage volume), the fifth reagent storage portion <NUM> (having a fifth reagent storage volume), and the sixth reagent storage portion <NUM> (having a sixth reagent storage volume) have the same structure as the first reagent storage portion <NUM> and the second reagent storage portion <NUM>. However, regarding the diameter of the pipe and the dimensions of the reagent storage container, the first reagent storage portion <NUM> and the second reagent storage portion <NUM> may be different from each other or be the same as each other, the third reagent storage portion <NUM> and the fourth reagent storage portion <NUM> may be different from each other or be the same as each other, and the fifth reagent storage portion <NUM> and the sixth reagent storage portion <NUM> may be different from each other or be the same as each other.

Next, Embodiment <NUM> of the present invention will be described.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a structure of a temperature adjusting unit <NUM> according to Embodiment <NUM> of the present invention. In <FIG>, components common with those in Embodiment <NUM> described above are denoted by the same reference signs. In addition, the configuration of the applied automatic immunoassay analyzer is similar to the example illustrated in <FIG>, and thus illustrations and detailed description will be omitted.

In <FIG>, the temperature detection unit of the temperature detector <NUM> is disposed in the vicinity of the reagent outlet port of the first reagent storage portion <NUM>, in Embodiment <NUM>. However, in Embodiment <NUM>, a temperature detection unit of a temperature detector <NUM> is disposed in the vicinity of the reagent outlet port of the second reagent storage portion <NUM>. Other components are similar to those in Embodiment <NUM>.

According to Embodiment <NUM>, it is possible to obtain effects similar to those in Embodiment <NUM>. In addition, when the load fluctuation such as the temperature fluctuation around the automatic immunoassay analyzer is small, the temperature detector is provided in the vicinity of the outlet port of the second reagent storage portion <NUM>, which is close to the outlet port of the temperature adjusting unit <NUM> as in Embodiment <NUM>, and thereby it is possible to precisely control the temperature of the reagent.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a structure of a temperature adjusting unit <NUM> according to Embodiment <NUM> of the present invention. In <FIG>, components common with those in Embodiments <NUM> and <NUM> described above are denoted by the same reference signs. In addition, the configuration of the applied automatic immunoassay analyzer is similar to the example illustrated in <FIG>, and thus illustrations and detailed description will be omitted.

In <FIG>, in Embodiment <NUM>, a first temperature detector <NUM> is provided in the vicinity of the outlet port of the first reagent storage portion <NUM>, and a second temperature detector <NUM> is provided in the vicinity of the outlet port of the second reagent storage portion <NUM>.

Since the first reagent storage portion <NUM> has a relatively favorable followability to the output change of the Peltier element <NUM>, for example, when a rapid change in the ambient temperature occurs around the temperature adjuster <NUM>, in a case where quick feedback is required, the Peltier element controller <NUM> controls the Peltier element <NUM> by the second temperature detector <NUM> and the target temperature.

When the temperature fluctuation is small under normal operating conditions (when rapid ambient temperature fluctuation does not occur around the temperature adjuster <NUM>), the Peltier element controller <NUM> controls the Peltier element <NUM> by the first temperature detector <NUM> and the target temperature.

Regarding the determination of which of the first temperature detector <NUM> and the second temperature detector <NUM> performs the control, a threshold value based on the amount of change in temperature per unit time by the second temperature detector <NUM> is set in the Peltier element controller <NUM>.

According to the third embodiment, it is possible to obtain effects similar to those in Embodiments <NUM> and <NUM>. In addition, it is possible to control an outlet reagent temperature of the temperature adjusting unit <NUM> by following even the rapid load fluctuation. When the load fluctuation is small, it is possible to precisely control the reagent temperature.

In Embodiment <NUM>, the temperature detection unit of the temperature detector <NUM> is disposed in the vicinity of the reagent outlet port of the first reagent storage portion <NUM>. However, in <FIG>, in Embodiment <NUM>, the shape of the second reagent storage portion <NUM> is set to be a relatively elongated rectangular shape, and is disposed at a position closer to the Peltier element <NUM> than the first reagent storage portion <NUM>.

In addition, the temperature detector <NUM> and the temperature detector <NUM> are disposed in the vicinity of the outlet ports of the first reagent storage portion <NUM> and the second reagent storage portion <NUM>.

In Embodiment <NUM>, it is possible to obtain effects similar to those in Embodiment <NUM>. In addition, since the outlet port of the second reagent storage portion <NUM> is disposed at the position close to the Peltier element <NUM>, a response of the reagent temperature change to the output change of the Peltier element <NUM> becomes faster, and it is possible to further improve the temperature control accuracy.

Note that, in Embodiment <NUM>, as in Embodiment <NUM> or <NUM>, the temperature detector may also be disposed in either the vicinity of the outlet port of the first reagent storage portion <NUM> or the vicinity of the outlet port of the second reagent storage portion <NUM>.

<FIG> is a top view illustrating a temperature adjusting unit <NUM> according to Embodiment <NUM> of the present invention. <FIG> is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating Embodiment <NUM>.

In <FIG>, components common with those in Embodiment <NUM> described above are denoted by the same reference signs. In addition, the configuration of the applied automatic immunoassay analyzer is similar to the example illustrated in <FIG>, and thus illustrations and detailed description will be omitted. Note that, in <FIG>, illustration of the temperature detector <NUM> is omitted in order to simplify the illustration.

In <FIG>, in Embodiment <NUM>, the third reagent storage portion <NUM> and the fourth reagent storage portion <NUM> which have three systems of flow paths and are smaller in volume than other two reagent storage portions <NUM> and <NUM> are located farther from the Peltier element <NUM> than the other two reagent storage portions <NUM>, <NUM>. The three reagent storage portions of the second reagent storage portions <NUM> and <NUM> and the fourth reagent storage portion <NUM> are arranged to have a triangular shape. That is, the first reagent storage portion <NUM>, the third reagent storage portion <NUM>, and the fifth reagent storage portion <NUM> are arranged to be located at apexes of the triangle.

The first reagent storage portion <NUM>, the second reagent storage portion <NUM>, the third reagent storage portion <NUM>, the fourth reagent storage portion <NUM>, the fifth reagent storage portion <NUM>, and the sixth reagent storage portion <NUM> are arranged described above, and thus it is possible to further reduce the volume of the temperature adjusting unit <NUM> in addition to obtaining of effects similar to those in Embodiment <NUM>.

Note that, in Embodiment <NUM>, although an example in which the sizes of the reagent storage portions <NUM> and <NUM> of two systems are equal to each other is described, all the reagent storage portions <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of three systems may have sizes (reagent storage volume) different from each other.

Further, in the example illustrated in <FIG>, the temperature detector <NUM> is disposed near the reagent outlet port of the third reagent storage portion <NUM>. The temperature detector <NUM> may be disposed between the reagent outlet port of the first reagent storage portion <NUM> and the reagent outlet port of the fifth reagent storage portion <NUM>.

In addition, the first reagent storage portion <NUM>, the second reagent storage portion <NUM>, the third reagent storage portion <NUM>, the fourth reagent storage portion <NUM>, the fifth reagent storage portion <NUM>, and the sixth reagent storage portion <NUM> in Embodiments <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can be arranged in a manner similar to that in Embodiment <NUM>.

Hitherto, as described in detail above, according to the automatic immunoassay analyzer of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the volume and stably control the temperature of the reagent discharged from the temperature adjusting unit, in comparison to the conventional structure.

That is, according to the present invention, in the temperature adjusting unit <NUM> that preliminarily adjusts the temperature of the reagent, the reagent that intermittently flows by the syringe pumps (<NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>) firstly enters into the spiral pipe portion being the first reagent storage portion <NUM>, and then is cooled. Then, the reagent in the first reagent storage portion <NUM> enters into the second reagent storage portion <NUM> when the syringe pumps (<NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>) operate. The reagent in the second reagent storage portion <NUM> is discharged to the reagent containers (<NUM> and <NUM>) through the tube <NUM>. Since the second reagent storage portion <NUM> is configured by a thick and short pipe or the like, the volume per length is large. Thus, it is possible to reduce the size even with the same volume. In addition, since the heat capacity in the second reagent storage portion <NUM> is large, the temperature does not change easily by disturbance, and the temperature is always maintained to be constant. Therefore, it is possible to realize an automatic analyzer capable of more stabilizing the reagent temperature at the outlet port of the temperature adjusting unit while reducing the overall volume.

The above-described example is an example in which the present invention is applied to an automatic immunoassay analyzer, but the present invention is not limited to the automatic immunoassay analyzer. The present invention can be applied to other analyzers that require adjustment of reagent temperature, such as an electrolyte analyzer, for example.

Note that, although Embodiments <NUM> to <NUM> described above have been described on the assumption that a heat source is the Peltier element (heat source element), a device that cools the reagent storage portions <NUM> to <NUM> may be provided, the cooled reagent may be delivered to the temperature adjusting unit <NUM>, and a heater may be used as the heat source <NUM>.

Further, in the above-described embodiments, an example in which the temperature adjusting unit <NUM> includes the first reagent storage portion <NUM>, the second reagent storage portion <NUM>, the third reagent storage portion <NUM>, the fourth reagent storage portion <NUM>, the fifth reagent storage portion <NUM>, and the sixth reagent storage portion <NUM> has been described. The present invention can be applied so long as the temperature adjusting unit <NUM> includes at least the first reagent storage portion <NUM> and the second reagent storage portion <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An automatic analyzer comprising:
an analyzing unit (<NUM>, <NUM>) that is adapted to analyze a sample; and
a temperature adjusting unit (<NUM>) that is adapted to adjust a temperature of a reagent required to analyze the sample in advance and supply the reagent to the analyzing unit (<NUM>, <NUM>),
wherein the temperature adjusting unit (<NUM>) includes:
a first reagent storage portion (<NUM>) that is adapted to store a reagent in a spiral-shaped pipe having a first reagent storage volume;
a second reagent storage portion (<NUM>) that has a second reagent storage volume, is connected to the first reagent storage portion (<NUM>) and is supplied with a reagent from the first reagent storage portion (<NUM>),
characterized in that
the temperature adjusting unit (<NUM>) further includes: a metal block (<NUM>) connected to a Peltier element (<NUM>), wherein
a heat diffusion plate (<NUM>) is connected to the metal block (<NUM>) via a first thermal interface (<NUM>), and the Peltier element (<NUM>) is connected to the metal block (<NUM>) via a second thermal interface (<NUM>),
the Peltier element (<NUM>) is adapted to adjust temperatures of the first reagent storage portion (<NUM>) and the second reagent storage portion (<NUM>), and
the second reagent storage portion (<NUM>) is a pipe which is thicker and shorter than the first reagent storage portion (<NUM>) so that its volume per length is larger.