JPS63215948A - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To achieve a smaller size and a lower cost of the apparatus, by a method wherein an analysis element is transferred to a reaction table from an element cassette at an element take-out position, a sample is dropped to be reacted with a reagent and the results of reaction are measured optically. CONSTITUTION:A controller 15 drives and controls a cassette table transfer device 5 and an element transfer device 8 based on inspection item information for a sample and cassette information read with a reader 14 while controlling a pipetting device 9 and a sample cassette 27. Then, first, as a sample container 26 reaches a sample suction position (e), a pipett 28 sucks a sample from the container 26. On the other hand, in response to the operation of sucking the sample, an analysis element 2 is sent to a reaction table 6 from an element cassette 3 through the device 8 and transferred to a sample injection position (b). In synchronism with this, the pipett 28 is turned to the position (b) to drop the sample. Thereafter, with the rotation of the table 6, the element 2 is transferred to an optical measurement position (c) to measure the results of reaction of the element 2 optically.

Description

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

(Prior Art) As is well known, there are two types of automatic analyzers for biochemical analysis and immunological analysis: those using a wet method and those using a dry method (hereinafter referred to as dry chemistry method). ing.

Among these, the above-mentioned dry chemistry one-type automatic analyzer uses an analytical element consisting of a thin plate-like porous body impregnated with a reagent corresponding to the measurement item sandwiched between mounts. drop the liquid sample to
Let this react with the above reagent and check the reaction! ! It is very easy to handle in that it allows the liquid sample to be handled as a substantially solid material and does not require a reaction tube cleaning device. It is convenient and has the advantage that the configuration of an automatic analyzer can be simplified and miniaturized.

(Problems with the Prior Art) However, most of the conventional trichemistry one-type automatic analyzers can only measure - measurement items with - models, and also have so-called single-type automatic analyzers. Although some multi-system devices are known, they have problems in that they are very large and expensive, and their handling is extremely complicated.

In particular, in recent years bedside testing has been advocated for °C, so an automatic analyzer a that can only measure - models with - models is out of the question. It is easy to handle and has excellent performance.
At present, there is a strong demand for a small, low-cost, single-multiple method trichemistry type automatic analyzer in hospitals and the like.

This invention was devised in view of the current situation, and its purpose is to effectively utilize the advantages of the tri-chemistry one-type method while also providing a small-sized single-multi-type tri-chemistry method that is easy to handle. The aim is to provide a chemistry-type automatic analyzer at a low price.

[Configuration to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the single/multi-type trichemistry type R1 dynamic analyzer according to the present invention includes an element cassette holding a required number of one analysis element, and a plurality of element cassettes arranged in a loop shape. a cassette table held by a cassette table; a means for rotating the cassette table to transfer the element cassette holding an analytical element corresponding to a measurement item to an element removal position; and a means arranged concentrically with the cassette table. a reaction table, a drive control means for rotating the reaction table, an element feeding means for transporting the analytical element from the element cassette to the reaction table at the element take-out position, and measuring the reaction state of the analytical element at the optical measurement position. The present invention is characterized in that it has an optical measurement means that performs the following steps.

[Effect]

Therefore, in the reagent pipette device according to the present invention, an analytical element corresponding to the T@ specified item is used.

At the element take-out position l, the element cassette is transferred to the reaction table, and then the sample is dropped onto the analytical element set on the reaction table to cause the reagent and sample to react, and after the required time has elapsed, the reaction state or The device is characterized in that it is configured to perform biochemical analysis or immunological analysis by optically measuring the results.

(Example) Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on an example shown in the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic analyzer l according to this embodiment
is an element cassette 3 holding a required number of analytical elements 2.
A cassette table 4 is formed by holding a plurality of element cassettes 3 in a loop shape, and this cassette table 4 is rotated to take out the element cassette 3 holding the analytical element 2 corresponding to the measurement item. A transfer device 5 for transferring to position 'a, a reaction table 6 arranged concentrically around the outer periphery of the cassette table 4, a drive control device 7 for rotating the reaction table 6, and a An element transfer device 8 that transfers the analytical element 2 from the element cassette 3 to the reaction table 6, a pipette device M9 that supplies a sample such as serum to the analytical element 2 at the sample dispensing position, and an optical side localization i? Analytical element 2 in 1c
and an optical measurement device 210 for measuring the reaction state of.

The analytical element 2 is constructed by sandwiching a thin plate-like porous body impregnated with a reagent corresponding to the test item between mounts. Applicable.

The element cassette 3 is formed in the shape of a vertically elongated box, and contains the required number of analytical elements 2 corresponding to the inspection items in a stacked manner. Further, an opening 11 for transferring the stored analytical element 2 to the outside of the element cassette 3 is provided at the lower end of the front side of the element cassette 3, and an opening 11 is provided at the lower end of the rear side of the element cassette 3. An opening 13 is provided in the opening 13 through which the arm 12 for pushing out the analysis element 2 moves forward and backward. Incidentally, although not shown in the drawings, on the rear side of the element cassette 3, a recording body is attached which symbolizes the type of the analytical element 2 stored in the element cassette 3 by a known means. The information is read by a reader device fi14 and inputted to a control device 15 to be described later.

A plurality of element cassettes 3 (24-1 in the illustrated embodiment) configured in this manner and containing analytical elements 2 for each test item are arranged in a loop shape on the cassette table 4 as shown in the first [g]. Set.

The cassette table 4 has a circular planar shape and is supported by a central shaft 16. This central axis 16
As is clear from FIG. 2, it is rotatably supported by a bearing 17, and connected via a transfer device 5 so as to be rotatable in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions in FIG.

The transfer device 5 transfers inspection item information for the sample specified by input into the control device 15.

Based on the cassette information read by the reader device fi 14, the device is configured to be driven and controlled to transport the device cassette 3 containing the analysis device 2 corresponding to the test item to the device extraction position a.

A reaction table 6 formed in the shape of a planar ring is disposed around the outer periphery of the transfer device 5 configured in this manner.

This reaction table 6 has a plurality of element holding parts 18 each having a horizontally inverted cross-section at predetermined intervals along one circumferential direction (in the illustrated example In this case, 24 pieces) are formed, and each element holding part 18
As shown in FIG. 2, there is a stopper wall surface 18 on the outer peripheral side of the
A is provided protrudingly. The flat portion 18b of the element holding portion 18 is configured to be flush with the opening ti of the element cassette 3 set on the cassette table 4.

The entire outer periphery and upper part of the reaction table 6 configured in this way is covered with a cover 19 having an inverted cross-section, as shown in the second section.
A thermostatic chamber 20 is formed by covering the cover 19, and a hole 21 is provided in the upper surface 19a of this cover 19 at a position corresponding to the sample dispensing position ib, through which a pipette group 2i9 to be described later moves forward and backward. ing.

The constant temperature bath 20 allows the reaction between the sample and the reagent to occur stably, and one analytical element 2 is transferred in an atmosphere at a temperature of approximately 37°C.

The drive control device 7 rotates the reaction table 6 clockwise in FIG.
The drive is controlled so that the rotation is transferred by 360 degrees plus one pitch (360'+15'). As a result, the analytical elements 2 are rotationally transferred by l elements clockwise in FIG.

A bed device 9 and an optical measurement device 10, which will be described later, are respectively disposed along the transfer path of the analytical element 2 which is rotated and transferred along the clockwise direction in FIG. 1, and a sample dispensing position 21
An optical measurement position C, which will be described later, is formed at a position t, which is 21 pitches (21 analytical elements, 2 minutes) clockwise from b in FIG. 1, and one pitch upstream from the optical measurement position C. A discard position id is formed at the advanced position, and this discard position d
The element extraction position ZJa is formed at a position one pitch upstream from the position. That is, the element extraction position a is
It is configured to be placed one pitch forward of the sample dispensing position 22b.

The element transfer device 8 pushes out the analytical element 2 from within the element cassette 3 that has been transferred to the element extraction position a, and transfers it to the reaction table 6.
The third
As shown in the figure, a disc 22 that is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown), a crank arm 23 connected to this disc 22, and a rail 24 that is connected to the crank arm 23
It is composed of an arm 12 that slides back and forth on the upper part,
When the arm 12 enters the opening 13 of the element cassette 3, the analytical elements 2 are pushed out one by one from the opening 11 of the element cassette 3. Note that the timing of this extrusion operation is appropriately controlled by the control device 15.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the pipetting device 9, a sample cassette 27 holding a required number (10 in the illustrated embodiment) of sample containers 26 is linearly transferred, and each sample container 26 is placed at a sample suction position. When the point e is reached, the required amount of sample is aspirated from inside the sample container 26 and dropped onto the analysis element 2. and a rotating shaft 30 that pivotally supports the other end of the arm 29, and the pipette 28 is moved from the sample suction position We through the sample dispensing position to the washing position (not shown) by a drive device (not shown). It is configured to be transported with

The optical measuring device 1O has optical side localization ii! It is used to optically colorimetrically measure the reaction state or reaction result of the analytical element 2 that has been transferred to the position of the IC. ) is detected by a light receiving element such as a photosensor.

In this case, as optical measurement methods that can be applied to the present invention, both a so-called surface spectroscopy method and a back spectroscopy method can be applied.

The pre-spectroscopy method means that before the measurement light is irradiated onto the analytical element 2,
This is a method in which the light source light is preliminarily separated into light having wavelengths corresponding to measurement items, and the separated predetermined wavelength light is irradiated onto the analytical element 2. A one-filter type is well known.

The post-spectroscopy method is a method in which the light source light is directly irradiated onto the analytical element 2, the reflected light is spectrally divided by a diffraction grating, and only information regarding the wavelength light corresponding to the measurement item is extracted. and JP-A-58-06
The one described in Japanese Patent No. 8670 is publicly known.

Further, this optical measuring device 10 optically measures the surface blank of the analytical element 2 sent to the element take-out position 1a before the sample dispensing position ib before the sample is dropped at the element take-out position ia. The actual measurement value is corrected based on the surface blank value measured by the procedure, and the reliability of the measurement accuracy is improved.

In this way, the analytical element 2 whose optical measurement work has been completed at the optical side localization Rc is then transferred to the discard position 2td, and discarded at the same position d to a discard element stocker (not shown). This disposal means can be carried out, for example, by a pickup arm or by a known means such as an adsorbent.

The control device 15 moves the element cassette 3 containing the analysis element 2 corresponding to the test item to the element removal position Zla based on the test item information for the sample and the cassette information read by the reader device 14. The transfer device 5 and the device transfer device 8 are driven and controlled so that the analysis device 2 corresponding to the test item is delivered to the reaction table 6 at the device take-out position a, and the pipette is moved in response to the rotation of the reaction chamber. It is configured to drive and control the device 9 and sample cassette 27, and to process and record optically measured data for each sample.

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

First, when a predetermined sample container 26 reaches the sample suction position e, the pipette 28 aspirates the required amount of sample from within the container 26.

Meanwhile, in response to the sample suction operation, the analytical element 2 corresponding to the test item is transferred to the reaction table 6 via the element transfer device 8.
Thereafter, by one revolution of the reaction table 6, the analytical element 2 is transferred to the sample dispensing position. During this rotation, the surface blank of the analytical element 2 is optically measured as described above.

In this manner, in synchronization with the timing at which the analytical element 2 is transferred to the sample dispensing position, the pipette 28 is rotated to the sample dispensing position 21b, and remains at the same position to perform the sample dropping operation. be exposed.

Thereafter, the analysis element 2 is intermittently transferred to the optical measurement position C by the rotation of the reaction table 6, and
When the analytical element 2 reaches , the reaction state or reaction result of the analytical element 2 is measured.

When this optical measurement work is completed, the analysis element 2 is intermittently transferred to the discard position fid, and discarded to the discard element stocker 31 at the same position.

Through the above procedure, blood tests are performed on each sample successively.

In the above embodiment, the analytical element 2 is transferred by 360 degrees of the reaction table 6 plus one pitch (360@+15' =
375 degrees), the present invention is not limited to this, and the analysis element 2 is rotated 360 degrees counterclockwise in FIG. It can also be configured to be transferred in a (345°) checkered manner.

Further, in the present invention, the flat portion 1 of the element holding portion 18
8b is tilted toward the outer periphery, and the analytical element 2 sent out by the element transfer device 8 naturally slides to the stopper wall surface 18a.
It is also possible to perform one positioning by abutting against each other.

Furthermore, in this invention, on the outer periphery of the reaction cheatle,
Similar effects can be obtained by arranging cassette tables having the same configuration as in the embodiment described above in a concentric manner.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the automatic analyzer according to the present invention has the following features:
The analytical element corresponding to the measurement item is transferred from the element cassette to the reaction table at the element J&out position, and then the sample is dropped onto the analytical element set on the reaction table to cause the reagent and sample to react, and the required Because it is configured to perform biochemical analysis or immunological analysis by optically measuring the reaction state or reaction result after the passage of time,
We manufacture single/multi-method dry chemistry automatic analyzers that are easy to handle, compact, and low-cost.
In particular, it is possible to provide an automatic analysis device suitable for bet site inspection.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram showing the main parts of the same device, and FIG. 3 is a transfer device for an analytical element 2. FIG. (Explanation of symbols) 1... Automatic analyzer 2... Analysis element 3... Element cassette 4... Cassette table 5... Cassette table transfer device 6... Reaction table 7... Drive Control 1 device 8・
...Element transfer device 9...Pipette device 10...
Optical measuring device a...Element extraction position b...Sample dispensing position C...
・Optical measurement position

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) An element cassette that holds a required number of analytical elements, a cassette table that holds a plurality of these element cassettes in a loop, and this cassette table that is rotated to hold analytical elements that correspond to measurement items. means for transporting said element cassette to an element extraction position; a reaction table disposed concentrically with said cassette table; drive control means for rotating said reaction table; An automatic analyzer comprising: an element feeding means for transporting an analytical element to a target; and an optical measuring means for measuring a reaction state of an analytical element at an optical measurement position. (2) The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the element take-out position of the analytical element is set upstream of the sample supply position of the reaction table with respect to the reaction table transfer direction. .