JP2008008794A - Analyzing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an analyzing device capable of acquiring a reliable analysis result, even when the particle diameter of particles contained in a suspension to be analyzed becomes large. <P>SOLUTION: The analyzing device comprises a transmitted light measuring system 2 for measuring the absorbance of the suspension A through which light emitted from a light source 21 is transmitted, and a reflected light measuring system 3 for measuring the intensity of the light emitted from the light source 21 and reflected to the suspension A. Until the reflected light measuring system 3 detects a predetermined reflected light intensity, the analyzing device measures the absorbance of the suspension A using the transmitted light measuring system 2. When the reflected light measuring system 3 detects the predetermined reflected light intensity, after that, the analyzing device measures the intensity of light reflected to the suspension A using the reflected light measuring system 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an analyzer for performing analyzes such as biochemical analysis and immunological test.

  Analytical apparatuses that perform analyzes such as biochemical analysis and immunological tests are widely known. For example, an analyzer that performs biochemical analysis dispenses a reagent and a sample into a reaction container called a cuvette, and then irradiates and transmits light to a mixed solution of the reagent and the sample (hereinafter referred to as a test solution). The specimen was analyzed by measuring the amount of light (absorbance) (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

JP 2002-48714 A JP-A-6-273330

  However, as the particle size of the particles contained in the test solution to be analyzed increases, the amount of light transmitted decreases, while the amount of light scattered increases, and even if the amount of light transmitted is measured, the analysis result is highly reliable. Could not get.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and provides an analyzer capable of obtaining a highly reliable analysis result even when the particle size of particles contained in a test solution to be analyzed is increased. With the goal.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a transmitted light measurement system for measuring the absorbance of a test solution through which light emitted from a light source is transmitted, and the light emitted from the light source and reflected by the test solution. An analyzer including a reflected light measurement system that measures the intensity of light (light scattered by the test solution and traveling backward) until the reflected light measurement system detects a reflected light intensity of a predetermined value. In the case where the absorbance of the test solution is measured using the transmitted light measurement system, and the reflected light measurement system detects a reflected light intensity of a predetermined value, the test solution is subsequently used using the reflected light measurement system. The intensity of the light reflected by the light (light scattered by the test solution and traveling backward) is measured.

  The analyzer according to the present invention measures the absorbance of the test solution using the transmitted light measurement system (absorbance measurement system) until the reflected light measurement system detects the reflected light intensity of a predetermined value, while measuring the reflected light. When the system detects the reflected light intensity of a predetermined value, the intensity of the light reflected on the test solution is measured thereafter using a reflected light measurement system (backscatter measurement system). Therefore, until the reflected light measurement system detects the reflected light intensity of a predetermined value, that is, when the turbidity of the test solution to be analyzed is small, it is included in the test solution by measuring the absorbance of the test solution. When the reflected light measurement system detects a reflected light intensity of a predetermined value, that is, when the turbidity of the test solution to be analyzed is large, the intensity of the light reflected on the test solution is calculated. The component concentration is analyzed by measuring. Note that the component concentration contained in the test solution refers to a calibration curve obtained from the absorbance of a standard sample, which is a predetermined concentration of the component contained in the test solution, and a calibration curve obtained from the intensity of light reflected on the standard sample. Is required. Therefore, even if the particle diameter of the particles contained in the test solution to be analyzed increases, a highly reliable analysis result can be obtained. Further, the absorbance of the test solution contained in the test solution can be measured every time the cuvette passes between the condenser lens and the collimation lens, or every predetermined time.

  The value of the predetermined reflected light intensity is determined according to the wavelength of light. For example, when analyzing using light having a short wavelength, the predetermined value is small, and when analyzing using light having a long wavelength, the predetermined value is large. Therefore, a predetermined value determined according to the wavelength of light is used as a threshold value, and until the threshold value is reached, the absorbance of the test solution is measured using a transmitted light measurement system (absorbance measurement system), and is included in the test solution. The component concentration can be analyzed, and when the threshold value is exceeded, the component contained in the test solution is measured by measuring the intensity of the light reflected on the test solution using a reflected light measurement system (backscattering measurement system). The concentration can be analyzed.

  Hereinafter, an analysis apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

  The analysis apparatus according to the present invention can be applied to an analysis apparatus that automatically performs analysis such as biochemical analysis and immunological test. Here, a biochemical analysis apparatus used for clinical tests and the like will be described as an example.

(Embodiment)
First, an analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the measurement optical system of the analyzer according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the analyzer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The analyzer according to the embodiment of the present invention has a measurement optical system 1. The measurement optical system 1 includes a transmitted light measurement system 2 and a reflected light measurement system 3 as shown in FIG.

  The transmitted light measurement system 2 is called an absorbance measurement system, and can measure the absorbance of the test solution A through which the light emitted from the light source 21 has been transmitted. The transmitted light measurement system 2 is configured by arranging a light source 21, a condensing lens 22, a collimation lens 23, a grating 24, and a PDA 25 on the same straight line as in a conventional analyzer.

  The light source 21 emits irradiation light for analyzing the test solution A, and can emit light having a wavelength of 340 to 800 nanometers. As shown in FIG. 1, the condensing lens 22 temporarily condenses the irradiation light emitted from the light source 21, and the condensed irradiation light enters the test solution A. The collimation lens 23 converges the light transmitted through the test solution A into parallel light, and the light converged on the parallel light enters the grating 24. The grating 24 is a diffraction grating that selects light having a wavelength that is specifically absorbed by the test solution A, and a grating that is predetermined for each measurement item is used. A PDA (Photo Detector Array) 25 is a group of light detecting elements that measure the intensity (light quantity) of light incident from the grating 24. The absorbance is measured by measuring the intensity of light relating to a blank sample in advance. It becomes possible.

  Between the condensing lens 22 and the collimation lens 23, a reaction container C (hereinafter referred to as “cuvet”) called a cuvette is located. The cuvette C is a bottomed transparent container having a rectangular tube shape, and an upper portion is opened. As long as the cuvette C is located between the condenser lens 22 and the collimation lens 23, the cuvette C may be fixed between the condenser lens 22 and the collimation lens 23, or every predetermined time. It may be one that passes through.

  Reagents and specimens can be dispensed into the cuvette C, and the transmitted light measurement system 2 described above can measure the absorbance (OD: Optical Density (optical density)) of the mixed solution (test solution A). . The absorbance (OD value) of the test solution A can be measured every time the cuvette C passes between the condenser lens 22 and the collimation lens 23 or every predetermined time.

  The reflected light measurement system 3 is called a backscattering measurement system, and can measure the intensity of light irradiated from the light source 21 and reflected by the test solution A. The reflected light measurement system 3 includes the light source 21 and the condenser lens 22 of the transmitted light measurement system 2 described above, and a pair of photodetectors 31 and 32.

  The pair of photodetectors 31 and 32 are disposed on the light source 21 side between the condenser lens 22 and the collimation lens 23. The pair of photodetectors 31 and 32 includes an upper detector 31 disposed above the optical axis of incident light and a lower detector 32 disposed below the optical axis of incident light. The upper detector 31 and the lower detector 32 are disposed so as not to block incident light incident on the cuvette C from the light source 21 and are parallel to the optical axis of the incident light. Therefore, the upper detector 31 can measure the intensity of light reflected on the upper portion (supernatant) of the test solution A, and the lower detector 32 can measure the intensity of light reflected on the lower portion of the test solution A. This avoids a situation in which it is unclear which part of the test liquid A the detectors 31 and 32 have measured the intensity of the reflected light. For example, when the upper detector 31 is disposed so as to rise toward the optical axis of the incident light, the intensity of the light reflected on the sedimented portion after entering the supernatant of the test solution A is detected by the detector. However, this is not preferable.

  Thus, the upper detector 31 can measure the intensity of the light reflected on the upper part (supernatant) of the test solution A, and the lower detector 32 can measure the intensity of the light reflected on the lower part of the test solution A. It is. Therefore, the reflected light measurement system 3 can measure the intensity of the light reflected on the test solution A every time the cuvette C passes between the condenser lens 22 and the collimation lens 23 or every predetermined time.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the light source 21, the PDA 25, the upper detector 31, and the lower detector 32 described above are connected to the control unit 4 and can be controlled comprehensively. The control unit 4 can employ, for example, a microcomputer.

  A data processing unit 5 (hereinafter referred to as DPR) is connected to the control unit 4. The DPR 5 is a part that processes various data acquired by the control unit 4. The DPR 5 includes an input unit 51 and an output unit 52. The input unit 51 is, for example, a keyboard or a mouse, and can input various information such as the number of specimens and examination items. The output unit 52 is, for example, a display panel or a printer, and can output various types of information such as analysis contents including analysis results.

  The DPR 5 is connected to the PDA 25, the upper detector 31 and the lower detector 32 via the control unit 4, and the light quantity information (absorbance information) measured by the PDA 25, the upper detector 31 and the lower detector 32 are Based on the measured intensity of the reflected light, it is possible to analyze the component concentration and the like of the specimen. The absorbance can be compared and compared by measuring the amount of light relating to the blank sample (for example, water) in advance by the PDA 25. Further, the intensity of the reflected light can be compared and contrasted by obtaining the intensity of the light relating to the blank sample (for example, water) in advance by the upper detector 31 and the lower detector 32. These analysis results can be output to the output unit 52.

  When starting the analysis, the analyzer according to the present embodiment described above measures the absorbance and reflected light intensity of a standard sample with predetermined component concentrations contained in the test solution A every predetermined time, and generates a calibration curve. create. That is, until the intensity of the reflected light measured by the reflected light measurement system 3 reaches a predetermined value from zero, a calibration curve is created in which the component concentration of the test solution A is associated with the absorbance, and the reflected light measurement system 3 performs the predetermined reflection. When the light intensity is detected, a calibration curve in which the component concentration of the test solution A is associated with the intensity of the reflected light thereafter (in a range equal to or greater than the predetermined reflected light intensity) is created. The calibration curve in which the component concentration of the test solution A is associated with the intensity of the reflected light is the sum of the intensity of the reflected light measured by the upper detector 31 and the intensity of the reflected light measured by the lower detector 32, and The component concentration is related. Therefore, a calibration curve for the entire test solution is created even when the intensity of the reflected light differs greatly between the upper portion (supernatant) of the test solution A and the lower portion (precipitated portion) of the test solution A.

  Thereafter, when the analysis is started, the absorbance is measured every predetermined time until the reflected light measurement system 3 detects the reflected light intensity having a predetermined value. Then, referring to the calibration curve, the component concentration of the test solution A is analyzed from the measured absorbance.

  On the other hand, when the reflected light measurement system 3 detects a reflected light intensity having a predetermined value, the intensity of the reflected light is measured every predetermined time. Specifically, the intensity of the reflected light measured by the upper detector 31 and the intensity of the reflected light measured by the lower detector 32 are measured, and the sum thereof is taken as the measured intensity of the reflected light. Then, referring to the calibration curve, the component concentration of the test solution A is analyzed from the measured intensity of the reflected light.

  The analyzer according to the embodiment described above measures the absorbance of the test solution A using the transmitted light measurement system 2 (absorbance measurement system) until the reflected light measurement system 3 detects the reflected light intensity of a predetermined value. To do. On the other hand, after the reflected light measurement system 3 detects the reflected light intensity of a predetermined value, the intensity of the light reflected on the test solution A is measured using the reflected light measurement system 3 (backscattering measurement system). Therefore, until the reflected light measurement system 3 detects the reflected light intensity of a predetermined value, that is, when the turbidity of the test solution A to be analyzed is small, the absorbance is measured by measuring the absorbance of the test solution A. When the component concentration contained in the liquid A is analyzed and the reflected light measurement system 3 detects a reflected light intensity of a predetermined value, that is, when the turbidity of the sample A to be analyzed is large, the sample A The concentration of the component contained in the test solution A is analyzed by measuring the intensity of the light reflected on the sample. Therefore, a highly reliable analysis result can be obtained even when the particle diameter of the particles is increased, such as in an analysis using a latex agglutination reaction.

  In the analyzer according to the above-described embodiment, the sum of the reflected light intensity measured by the upper detector 31 and the reflected light intensity measured by the lower detector 32 is associated with the component concentration of the test solution A. Then, a calibration curve in which the component concentration of the test solution A is associated with the intensity of the reflected light is created, and based on the sum of the intensity of the reflected light measured by the upper detector 31 and the intensity of the reflected light measured by the lower detector 32. Thus, the component concentration of the test solution A was analyzed. However, the average value of the intensity of the reflected light measured by the upper detector 31 and the intensity of the reflected light measured by the lower detector 32 is associated with the component concentration of the test solution A, and the test solution A is related to the intensity of the reflected light. A calibration curve relating the component concentrations of the sample A is prepared, and the component concentration of the test solution A is analyzed based on the average value of the intensity of the reflected light measured by the upper detector 31 and the intensity of the reflected light measured by the lower detector 32 It is good to do.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows the structure of the measurement optical system of the analyzer concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the analyzer concerning an embodiment of the invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Measurement optical system 2 Transmitted light measurement system 3 Reflected light measurement system 4 Control part 5 Data processing part (DPR)
21 Light source 22 Condensing lens 23 Collimation lens 24 Grating 31 Upper detector (light detector)
32 Lower detector (light detector)
C cuvette (reaction vessel)

Claims (1)

A transmitted light measurement system for measuring the absorbance of the test solution through which the light emitted from the light source is transmitted;
An analyzer equipped with a reflected light measurement system for measuring the intensity of light irradiated from a light source and reflected by a test solution,
Until the reflected light measurement system detects the reflected light intensity of a predetermined value, while measuring the absorbance of the test solution using the transmitted light measurement system,
When the reflected light measurement system detects a reflected light intensity of a predetermined value, thereafter, the analyzer measures the intensity of light reflected on the test solution using the reflected light measurement system.

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