Hitachi-high-technologies Corporation

Hitachi High-tech Corporation

Naoto Tsujimura

Mitsuru Oonuma

Yoko Sato

Hiroyuki Noda

Shinji Azuma

Masashi Akutsu

Nobuo Suzuki

Hiroaki Sakai

Shigeki Yamaguchi

Tomoyuki Nemoto

Kazuhiro Noda

Kenichi Takahashi

Takahiro Sasaki

Kuniaki Onizawa

Tatsuya Fukugaki

Shigeru Yano

Hiroshi Ohga

Osamu Watabe

Masashi Endo

Kazuma Tamura

Katsushi Takahashi

Takeshi Matsuka

Provided is a connection device to which an automatic analysis device can be connected from a plurality of directions, and a specimen inspection automating system provided with the connection device. A connection device () is provided with: a specimen carrier conveyance part () that conveys a specimen carrier () housing a specimen; and a carousel () that is configured so as to be able to hold a plurality of specimen carriers () carried in from the specimen carrier conveyance part () and that conveys the held specimen carriers () to specimen sampling positions () for receiving a specimen sampling mechanism () from an external automatic analysis device () at a prescribed interval.

Connection device and specimen inspection automating system provided with same

The present invention is provided with: an automatic analysis devicefor performing an analysis process to analyze a specimen that is to be analyzed; a specimen pre-processing modulefor performing pre-processing to cause the specimen to enter a state in which the analysis process can be performed; a main conveyance linefor conveying a specimen container carrierwhich accommodates the specimen that is to be analyzed and in which at least one specimen container can be mounted; and annular conveyance linesthat are disposed adjacent to the main conveyance lineand that are moreover disposed so as to be capable of transferring the specimen container carrierto and from the main conveyance line, the annular conveyance linesbeing capable of circulating and conveying the specimen container carrierseparately without the use of another conveyance line (e.g., a return line). This makes it possible to maintain flexibility in conveyance of specimens while suppressing increases in device surface area.

Sample test automation system

A specimen transfer device having high flexibility is implemented, where a specimen can be transferred between carriers purposed for different kinds of conveyance without decreasing processing speed for the specimen. A plurality of trays that can retain specimen carriers of a transfer destination is provided, and these trays can be freely grouped, and therefore, while a carrier is fed from a tray, a specimen is automatically executed to a carrier in a different tray.

Specimen transfer device and system

A transport line cover with excellent workability that can be operated by an operator even with one hand. Proposed is a transport line cover that includes a cover body adapted to cover an opening at a top of a sample transport apparatus, the sample transport apparatus accommodating a plurality of transport lines that extend in one direction; and a first groove formed on an upper face of the cover body, the first groove extending from one short side to another short side of the cover body. A lower end of a long-side side face of the cover body is located at a level below a bottom face of the first groove.

Transport line cover

In a conventional conveyor line, an empty specimen rack conveyor line is provided separately from a specimen rack conveyor line having a specimen mounted thereon. However, crossing of the conveyor lines leads to the decrease in processing speed. Also, when a specimen rack conveyor line and an empty specimen rack conveyor line are configured on two stages, a vertical movement mechanism needs to be added in order to connect the upper-stage conveyor line and the lower-stage conveyor line, and there is a possibility that the system is complicated and the cost thereof is increased. In the present invention, by connecting an empty holder conveyor line and a main conveyor line disposed up and down on two stages via one conveyor line having a horizontal part and an inclined part, crossing of the conveyor lines can be eliminated and an inexpensive structure can be achieved.

Sample conveyor apparatus and specimen testing automation system

The present invention addresses the problem of inefficient utilization in a specimen pre-processing connection system due to integrated operation of a portion for connecting with pre-processing and a portion for connecting with an automated analysis system. The specific structure of the present invention contributes to providing a highly efficient system by causing a function for connecting to pre-processing and receiving a specimen from a pre-processing system and a function for connecting to an automated analysis system and transferring a specimen to the automated analysis system to each operate independently in a single unit, so that the functions do not affect each other during reset processing, and making it possible for either function to operate alone.

Growing community of inventors

Tokyo, Japan

Naoto Tsujimura