JPS61247972A - Automatic analyzing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain plural pieces of reliable blood analytic information in a short time by measuring >=1 items for each of plural reaction container holders and inhibiting different items from being analyzed for the same reaction container. CONSTITUTION:When a specific sample container 1 is conveyed to a sample dispensing position, the sample in the container 1 is dispensed to a reaction container A by a specific amount through a sample dispensing device C. When a reagent bottle 5 corresponding to a measurement item is conveyed to a reagent dispensing position, the reagent in the bottle 5 is dispensed to the reaction container A by a specific amount through a reagent dispensing device D. A turret type reaction container holder E which holds a necessary number of reaction containers A at equal intervals is formed integrally wit the outer peripheral drum part of a column 20 and one item is analyzed for each stage of the reaction container holders E1-E5. For example, a GOT analysis is taken in the holder E1, a GPT analysis in E2, an LDH analysis in E3, an ALP analysis in E4, and a TP analysis in E5 respectively.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that easily performs biochemical analysis and immunological analysis, and particularly relates to an improvement of a so-called single-multi type automatic analyzer.

[Prior art and its problems]

In recent years, with the aim of improving blood testing in the region,
Various small, low-cost automatic analyzers that can easily perform blood tests even in small hospitals have been proposed, and most of them are of the so-called single type or single multi type.

Single-type automatic analyzers continuously analyze different measurement items in one reaction line, and since the reaction container is cleaned by a separate means, there is less risk of carryover, but the light wavelength corresponding to the measurement item is The problem was that switching between the two was complicated and it took a long time to obtain the analysis results.

In addition, most single-multiple automatic analyzers are equipped with a reaction container cleaning device, but because different items are analyzed in the same reaction container, carryover in the reaction container is likely to occur. Moreover, the apparatus also had the problem that the separate apparatus equipped with the cleaning apparatus was large and complex, making it expensive.

[Purpose of the invention]

The present invention was devised in view of the current situation, and its purpose is to use a single method that allows analysis of different items in a short time, and also eliminates the risk of carryover occurring in the reaction vessel. The aim is to provide a compact, low-cost, general-purpose automatic analyzer that combines the advantages of the single-multi method and the single-multi method.

[Structure of the invention]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a reaction container holder that holds a required number of reaction containers at equal intervals, a sample dispensing device that dispenses a specimen into each of these reaction containers,
The reaction container of an automatic analyzer comprising a reagent dispensing device for dispensing a reagent corresponding to a measurement item into a reaction container into which a specimen is dispensed, and an optical measurement device for optically measuring the reaction state of the specimen. A plurality of holders are attached along the long axis direction of the column, and each of the reaction vessel holders is installed in sequence so that the top surface of the holder is flush with the operating surface of the sample dispensing device and the reagent dispensing device. The automatic analyzer was configured such that the reaction containers were intermittently transferred in the vertical direction, and each of the reaction container holders rotated at a timing suitable for the sample dispensing and reagent dispensing to transfer the reaction containers to each dispensing position. It is something.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

1 to 3 show a single-multi type automatic analyzer X according to a first embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 1 is a plan view of this automatic analyzer. In the figure, S denotes a turret-shaped sampler, R denotes a turret-shaped reagent supply device, and B denotes a reaction vessel holder accommodation section disposed between the sampler S and the reagent supply device R, respectively.

Tempura S has a plurality of sample containers l containing a required amount of the specimen (serum) to be measured, and each sample container l is held at equal intervals in a turret-shaped sample holder 2. The device intermittently transports the sample to the sample dispensing position at predetermined timing.

When a predetermined sample container 1 is transferred to the sample dispensing position in this manner, a required amount of the specimen in the container 1 is dispensed into a reaction container A, which will be described later, via a sample dispensing device C'.

Further, in the reagent supply device RK, a reagent bottle 5 containing a required amount of a reagent such as a first reagent or a second reagent corresponding to a measurement item is held in a turret-shaped bottle holder 6 in a radial manner when viewed from a plane. The holder 6 is driven and controlled by a drive device (not shown) so that the reagent bottle 5 containing the reagent corresponding to the measurement item is transferred by forward and reverse rotation to a reagent dispensing position.

When the reagent bottle 5 corresponding to the measurement item is transferred to the reagent dispensing position in this way, the reagent in the bottle 5 is transferred to the reaction container AK that has arrived at the reagent dispensing position via the reagent dispensing device. The amount is dispensed.

The sample dispensing device C and the reagent dispensing device C are composed of a suction pump, a pipette, a transfer device that transfers the pipette to a sample suction position or a reagent suction position, and a lifting device that guides the pipette up and down. After being transferred to each suction position, the pipette descends to aspirate the sample or reagent, rises, rotates to the sample discharge position or reagent discharge position, is transferred, and then descends again to aspirate the sample or reagent. It is configured to discharge into reaction container A, then further ascend and be transferred to the pipette cleaning section, and then repeat the above operations in sequence.The configuration of each of these parts and the configuration and operation of the drive control device are based on known samples. Since the configuration and operation of the dispensing device and the reagent dispensing device are the same, detailed explanation thereof will be omitted here.

As shown in FIG. 2, a light source 10 and a reflecting mirror 11 for reflecting the measurement light 1 emitted from the light source 10 at right angles are fixed in the center of the reaction vessel holder accommodation part B. A cylindrical optical device 12 with a sealed end is vertically installed, and the measurement light p reflected by the reflecting mirror 11 of this optical device [2 is reflected by the body 13 of the optical device [2]. The light is guided to the outside of the optical device 12 through the nine holes [4], which are opened through it, and transmitted through a reaction vessel A, which will be described later, and is received by the light receiver 15, where the light is received, although not shown. The optical measurement of the specimen is performed by a known optical measurement method, such as splitting the measurement light p into each predetermined wavelength and converting the increase or decrease in the amount of light of the wavelength corresponding to the measurement item into a voltage. Of course, this light receiver 15 may be of a type that receives measurement light converted into a wavelength corresponding to the measurement item by a wavelength filter.

The optical measuring device H is composed of the optical device 12 and the light receiver 15.

Further, a turret-shaped reaction vessel holder E, which holds a required number of reaction vessels A at equal intervals, is integrally formed on the outer peripheral body of the column 20, and this holder E is attached to the column 20.
0 at equal intervals along the long axis direction (in the illustrated embodiment, there are 5 stages (from the bottom El, El...Es),
The number of stages is not limited to this, and can be set according to the needs corresponding to the number of measurement items, the number of specimens, etc. ) is formed.

It is assumed that each of these reaction vessel holders El to E5 performs one item analysis for each stage. For example, the above holder El performs GOT analysis, El performs GPT analysis, and Es performs UD analysis.
H analysis is configured to be performed, E4 is configured to perform ALP analysis, and Es is configured to perform TP analysis. However, it is not necessarily limited to this, and other item analyzes (CRNN analysis, CA analysis, etc. analysis).

The column 20 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape with its upper end 21 closed, and the inner diameter of the column 20 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the optical device 12.
1 has a handle 22 protruding from it, and a disc-shaped gear body G is provided on the outer surface of the lower end body below the lowest reaction vessel holder E1.
is formed integrally with the support column 20.

As shown in FIG. 3, the reaction vessel holders E at each stage, which are horizontally protruded from the outer periphery of the body of the secondary support 20, are provided with a bottomed accommodation hole 24 for accommodating the reaction vessel A. A plurality of light guide holes 25 are formed at intervals, and a light guide hole 25 is formed in each of these accommodation holes 24 along a horizontal direction perpendicular to the long axis direction of the light guide hole 24.
is formed through it. In other words, each light guiding hole 25 is connected to the column 2 from the outer peripheral wall 26 of the reaction container holder E through the accommodation hole 24.
The light guide holes 5 are opened on a straight line into the hollow parts 27 of the optical device [2], and the pillar side ends of the light guide holes 5 have their axes aligned with the axes of the holes [4] of the optical device [2] at the measurement position. It is formed like this.

The reaction vessel holder E configured in this manner is held with its lower end placed on the support stand 30, and the vertically erected optical device 12 is fitted into the hollow portion 27 of the support column 20. The reaction container holder E is placed on the support base 30 in a manner that it can move up and down along the axial direction of the optical device L2 and can rotate along the circumferential direction of the rotating device 12.

That is, the support stand 30 is in contact with the lower surface of the gear body G of the reaction vessel holder E, and the reaction vessel holder E is supported by the bearing 31.
The main body 33 is integrally formed below the rotating portion 32 and has a diameter larger than the diameter of the rotating portion 32. Also, support stand 3
As shown in FIG.
The support table 30 is vertically penetrated through the optical device 12, and the support table 30 can move up and down along the long axis direction (vertical direction) of the optical device 12 via a bearing 35 disposed on the inner circumferential wall of the optical device 12. It is fitted in 12. The vertical movement of the support table 30 is driven and guided via a lift drive device 40 along a pair of guide rails (not shown) arranged in parallel on both sides of the support table.

The lifting drive device 40 includes a motor M disposed on a base F to which the lower end of the optical device 12 is fixed;
A pair of main pulleys 41 , 41 rotated by a pair of main pulleys 41 , 41 , a pair of driven pulleys 42 , 42 arranged vertically above these main pulleys 41 , 41 , and a pair of driven pulleys 42 , 42 which are rotated by the main pulleys 41 , 41 and the driven pulley 42 . , 42 (chain bells) 43, 43, and these main pulleys 41, 41. The driven pulleys 42, 42 and chain bells 43 and 43 each constitute a set of drive mechanisms, and are installed adjacent to and erected on both sides of the main body of the support base (9). Both sides of the optical device 120 are fixed to chain bells (43, 43) disposed on both sides of the optical device 120, so that the support stand 30 does not rotate in the circumferential direction of the optical device 120, but is driven by the motor M to support the optical device 120. 1
It is guided up and down only along the long axis direction of 2.

Note that the installation height of the driven boos 1742 and 42 is higher than that of the support base 3.
0 is at the highest position, the upper surface of the lowermost holder El of the reaction container holder E placed on this support stand 30 is the pipette horizontal movement surface of the sample dispensing device C and the reagent dispensing device R, The pipette is located slightly below the operating surface of the lower end of the pipette so that the pipette is set in a position that does not abut the outer wall of the reaction container holder El and the upper end of the reaction container A.

In addition, a reaction vessel holder E is attached to the main body of the supporting white chrysanthemum.
A rotary drive device 50 for intermittently rotating the optical device 12 in the circumferential direction of the outer circumferential surface of the optical device 12 is disposed. A drive gear g is provided that meshes with a gear body G of the reaction vessel holder E when it is set, and rotates the holder E along the circumferential direction of the optical device 120.

The light receiver 15 is disposed several steps below the operating surfaces of the sample dispensing device C and the reagent dispensing device R.

Next, the operation of the automatic analyzer X configured as described above will be explained.

The reaction vessels A that have been separately cleaned are accommodated in the accommodation holes 24 for the reaction vessels A opened in the reaction vessel holders El to E5 of each stage, and then the reaction vessel holders E are placed above the optical device 12. Grasp the handle n and insert it, and place it on the support part 32 of the support stand set at the highest position. At this time, the gear body G disposed at the lower end of the reaction vessel holder E is set to mesh with the drive gear g.

In this state, when a start switch (not shown) is turned on, the motor m is driven intermittently to rotate the reaction vessel holder E intermittently at each interval for placing the reaction vessels A, and the TEMPRA S and sample dispensing device C are also started. The required amount of the sample is sequentially dispensed into the reaction container A held in the lowermost reaction container holder El.

When the reaction container A into which the sample has been dispensed in this way is intermittently transferred and reaches the reagent dispensing position, the reaction container holder El
A first reagent for GPT analysis, for example, corresponding to the measurement item, and a second reagent if necessary, are dispensed into all the reaction containers A via the reagent dispensing device R. In this case, the reagent bottle 5 containing the reagent corresponding to the measurement item is moved to the reagent dispensing position via a drive control device (not shown) so that the reagent bottle 5 arrives at the reagent dispensing position in synchronization with the arrival of the sample at the reagent dispensing position. The holder 6 is driven and controlled.

When the sample and the reagent corresponding to the measurement item have been dispensed into all the reaction vessels A held in the lowest reaction vessel holder El in this way, a control device (not shown) detects this completion timing and raises and lowers the The drive device 40 starts and the support base (9
) is intermittently lowered by the intermittent rotation of the motor M. This amount of descent is the same as the length of each height interval between the reaction vessel holders 8. In this way, when the reaction container holder E1 is intermittently transferred to the measurement position and the reaction container holder E2 is transferred to a position where it is flush with the sample dispensing surface and the reagent dispensing surface, the timing at which this intermittent transfer ends is illustrated. an external control device detects and rotates the motor m intermittently in the same manner as above;
In each reaction vessel A of the reaction vessel holder E2, a sample and a reagent different from those dispensed in the reaction vessel holder E1 are placed in the same manner as the sample and reagent dispensed into the reaction vessel A of the reaction vessel holder E1. The reagents corresponding to the measurement items are sequentially dispensed, while the reaction vessel A holding the reaction vessel holder EIK
The reaction solution of the sample and the reagent inside is irradiated by the light source 10 of the optical device 12, reflected by the reflecting mirror 11, and passed through the hole 14 to the light guiding hole 5.
Measuring light guided by! The light receiver 15 selects the wavelength corresponding to the measurement item and performs the required optical analysis. Thereafter, each of the nine reaction vessels AK held by the reaction vessel holders E3 to EsK is subjected to sample dispensing according to the same procedure as the reaction vessel A of the reaction vessel holders El and Ez, and the reagents dispensed by the reaction vessel holders Et and Ez are Dispensing of different reagents and predetermined optical measurements are carried out.

When the optical measurement of the reaction liquid of the sample and reagent contained in all the reaction vessels A is completed in this way, the reaction vessel holder E is pulled out from the optical device 12 by grasping the handle 22, and each reaction vessel A is separated. The reaction containers A are removed from the accommodation holes U of the reaction container holders El to E5, and each of the removed reaction containers A is cleaned using a separately provided cleaning device or manually, and then reset to the reaction container holder E as described above. and reused. In addition, sampler S1 sample dispensing device C1 reagent supply device R1
The drive control of the reagent dispensing device D1, the optical measurement device H1, the lifting drive device 40, and the rotation drive device 50 is performed by a control device having a known configuration not shown.

FIG. 4 shows an automatic analyzer according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, one item of analysis is performed for each stage of the reaction vessel holder E. In addition to configuring the system to perform two-item analysis for each stage,
Since the other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first embodiment, detailed explanation thereof will be omitted here.

That is, the automatic analyzer according to this embodiment performs the - item analysis on half of the reaction vessels Al among the plurality of reaction vessels A held in the - reaction vessel holder E, and analyzes the - items on the other half of the reaction vessels Al. The dispensing of reagents is controlled so that the analysis of the other - items is performed in A2. With this configuration, the automatic analyzer of the first embodiment, in which five reaction vessel holders E are arranged, can be used. The number of analysis items is doubled without increasing the number of stages of the reaction container holder E, and more detailed blood information can be obtained. Of course, it is also possible to carry out analyzes of three or more items using the negative reaction vessel holder E, if necessary, by appropriately applying the control means according to the second embodiment.

In each of the above embodiments, the case where the reaction container holder E is configured to be intermittently lowered will be explained as an example, and in Example 9, each sample dispensing, reagent dispensing, and optical measurement are performed while being intermittently raised. The effect is the same even if the reaction container holder E is vertically moved intermittently by the lifting drive device 40.
Similar effects can also be obtained by constructing a drive device using various gears or a lifting device using various pistons.

In addition, in each of the above embodiments, Tempura S and reagent supply device R
9 has been explained using an example in which the work surfaces of the sample dispensing device C and the reagent dispensing device C are set to be on the same plane. However, the same effect can be obtained even if the sampler S and the sample dispensing device C and the reagent supply device R and the reagent dispensing device are arranged in different stages, or the sampler S and the sample dispensing device A similar effect can be obtained by arranging C, the reagent supply device R, the reagent dispensing device R, and the light receiver 15 of the optical measuring device in order in the vertical direction.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, this invention is configured such that one or more item measurements are performed for each of a plurality of reaction vessel holders, and furthermore, once the reaction vessel holders are set, this analysis is held in the last stage reaction vessel holder. Since the measurement and analysis of the reaction vessels are carried out continuously until the end, it is possible to obtain multiple pieces of blood analysis information in a short time, and it is easy to handle, and it is also possible to analyze different items in the same reaction vessel. Since there is no risk of carryover occurring, reliable blood data can always be obtained.
Since no washing device is incorporated and a plurality of reaction vessel holders are arranged vertically, the entire automatic analyzer can be significantly downsized, and the structure is simple, so it can be provided at a low price.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of an automatic analyzer according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. The figure is a partially cutaway perspective view of the reaction container holder, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory plan view showing an example of use of the reaction container holder of the automatic analyzer according to the second embodiment of the present invention. X... Automatic analyzer A... Reaction container C... Sample dispensing device D... Reagent dispensing device E... Reaction container holder H... Optical measurement device 20... Support
40... Lifting drive device 50... Rotating drive device Patent applicant Nihon Tektron Co., Ltd. M2 diagram

Claims (1)

[Claims] A reaction vessel holder that holds the required number of reaction vessels at equal intervals, a sample dispensing device that dispenses the specimen into each of these reaction vessels, and a reagent that corresponds to the measurement item into the reaction vessels into which the specimen has been dispensed. In an automatic analyzer equipped with a reagent dispensing device for dispensing a reagent, and an optical measurement device for optically measuring the reaction state of a specimen, a plurality of the reaction container holders are attached along the longitudinal direction of the column, and Each of the plurality of reaction vessel holders is sequentially and intermittently transferred vertically so that the upper surface of the holder is flush with the operating surface of the sample dispensing device and the reagent dispensing device, and each of the reaction vessels An automatic analyzer characterized in that the holder is configured to rotate at a timing suitable for the sample dispensing and reagent dispensing to transfer the reaction container to each dispensing position.