Sample analyzer

• US 20070089543A1
• Filed: 09/25/2006
• Published: 04/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Horiba Limited
• Original Assignee: Horiba Limited
• Inventors: Matsumoto, Masaharu, Ohnishi, Toshikazu, Naya, Hiroshi, Oku, Narihiro
• Application Number:
  US11/526,490
• Publication Number:
  US 20070089543A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/864.810
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1095 for supplying the samples to flow-through analysers for a specific analyser see relevant groups, e.g. under G01N15/00, G01N21/00, G01N27/00, G01N30/00, H01J49/00

Abstract

The present invention has been made to simplify assembly and maintenance of a sample analyzer including: a flow passageway 3 that flows fluid, such as a sample, air, or the like; one or more fluid control units 5 that control the flow of the fluid on the flow passageway 3; a measurement cell 41 that is provided on the flow passageway 3; a sample analysis part 6 that analyzes the sample inside the measurement cell 41; and a casing 7 that holds these parts mentioned above. At least one of the fluid control units 5 is formed by unitizing functions related to fluid control; integrally has a manifold 502 that forms an internal flow path 501, one or more control valves 503 that control flow of the fluid in the internal flow path 501 and connection ports 504 for connecting together the internal flow path 501 and the flow passageway 3; and is so configured as to be removable from the casing 7.

Claims

1. A sample analyzer comprising:

a flow passageway that flows fluid, such as a sample, air, or the like;

one or more fluid control units that control the flow of the fluid on the flow passageway;

a measurement cell that is provided on the flow passageway;

a sample analysis part that analyzes the sample inside the measurement cell; and

a casing that holds these parts mentioned above,

wherein at least one of the fluid control units is formed by unitizing functions related to fluid control;

integrally has a manifold that forms an internal flow path, one or more control valves that control flow of the fluid in the internal flow path, and a connection port for connecting together the internal flow path and the flow passageway; and

is so configured as to be removable from the casing.

2. The sample analyzer according to claim 1,

wherein the fluid control unit includes an air pump unit for flowing the air into the flow passageway and a syringe pump unit for moving liquid inside the flow passageway.

3. The sample analyzer according to claim 2,

wherein the fluid control unit further comprises a diluting liquid temperature regulation unit that preserves a diluting liquid for diluting the sample and regulates temperature of the diluting liquid.

4. The sample analyzer according to claim 1,

wherein the casing stores a main wiring for supplying an electrical power to the units, and has a relay connector for electrically connecting together the units and the main wiring, the relay connector being provided near a region where the units are fitted.

5. The sample analyzer according to claim 1,

wherein the sample is a blood specimen.

6. A sample analyzer comprising:

a flow passageway that flows fluid, such as a sample, air, or the like;

one or more fluid control units that control the flow of the fluid on the flow passageway;

a measurement cell that is provided on the flow passageway;

a sample analysis part that analyzes the sample inside the measurement cell; and

a casing that holds these parts mentioned above,

wherein at least one of the fluid control units is formed by unitizing functions related to fluid control;

integrally has a manifold that forms an internal flow path, one or more control valves that control flow of the fluid in the internal flow path, and the connection port for connecting together the internal flow path and the flow passageway; and

is so configured as to be removable from the casing,

wherein the fluid control unit includes;

an air pump unit for flowing air into the flow passageway;

a syringe pump unit for moving a liquid inside the flow passageway; and

a diluting liquid temperature regulation unit that preserves a diluting liquid for diluting the sample and regulates temperature of the diluting liquid, and

wherein the casing stores a main wiring for supplying the electrical power to the units, and has a relay connector for electrically connecting together the units and the main wiring, the relay connector being provided near the region where the units are fitted.

7. A sample analyzer comprising:

a flow passageway that flows a fluid, such as a sample, air, or the like;

one or more fluid control units that control the flow of the fluid on the flow passageway;

a measurement cell that is provided on the flow passageway;

a sample analysis part that analyzes a blood specimen inside the measurement cell; and

a casing that holds these parts mentioned above,

wherein at least one of the fluid control units is formed by unitizing the functions related to fluid control;

integrally has a manifold that forms an internal flow path, one or more control valves that control flow of the fluid in the internal flow path, and a connection port for connecting together the internal flow path and the flow passageway; and

is so configured as to be removable from the casing,

wherein the fluid control unit includes;

an air pump unit for flowing the air into the flow passageway;

a syringe pump unit for moving the liquid inside the flow passageway; and

a diluting liquid temperature regulation unit that preserves a diluting liquid for diluting the blood specimen and regulates temperature of the diluting liquid, and

wherein the casing stores a main wiring for supplying the electrical power to the units, and has a relay connector for electrically connecting together the units and the main wiring, the relay connector being provided near the region where the units are fitted.