JP2000046844A - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic analysis device that achieves a high contamination prevention function among specimens without losing processing speed and can cope with a plurality of types of analyses with different sensitivity. SOLUTION: A data-processing part 13 performs data storage processing for relating analysis items corresponding to a specimen to the specimen number for storage, the transfer processing of a rack 3 for accommodating a test tube with the specimen, dispensation processing for sucking the specimen by a specific amount by a dispensing nozzle 8 and discharging it to an analysis means, and washing processing for washing the dispensing nozzle 8 after discharging the specimen. Also, the data-processing part 13 performs special washing information storage processing for storing special washing information for at least one of specimen number information, analysis item information, and analysis item group information and special washing processing for performing the special washing of the dispensing nozzle instead of normal dispensing nozzle washing or in addition to the normal dispensing nozzle washing after completing the previous suction of the specimen sample before sucking the specimen sample with the special washing information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer for controlling the washing of a dispensing nozzle to prevent inter-sample contamination and realize high-speed processing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when performing a biochemical analysis and an immunological analysis of an original sample stored in a primary tube, a separate child sample cup for biochemical analysis and immunological analysis is used. It was common to dispense the original sample and analyze it with each automatic analyzer. At this time, since biochemical analysis items have less individual differences than immunological analysis items, in the case of analysis of biochemical analysis items, dispensing nozzle cleaning (for example, sample nozzle cleaning) to prevent contamination between samples is performed. ) Is achievable in a short time and is easy. On the other hand, in the case of analysis of immunological analysis items, the concentration difference between the normal value and the abnormal value is extremely large, so if there is a small amount of inter-sample contamination that is not a problem in the analysis of biochemical analysis items. Even so, the inter-sample contamination causes a false positive determination.
Therefore, in the automatic immunological analyzer, various measures are taken for cleaning the sample nozzle. For example, a method of cleaning a nozzle using a detergent (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
97006) and a method using a disposable (disposable type) sample nozzle (see Japanese Patent Publication No. 8-7222).

[0003] In recent years, with the trend of labor saving in laboratories, integration of biochemical automatic analyzers and immunological automatic analyzers has been progressing. A device for both biochemical analysis and immunological analysis, which is equipped with a module corresponding to the item, is being developed. At the same time, a complex apparatus in which a biochemical analysis module and an immunological analysis module are incorporated in a single automatic analyzer has also appeared. In such a dual-purpose device or combined device, biochemical analysis and immunological analysis are performed on samples in the same test tube. It has been required to have a function of preventing contamination between samples, which is equivalent to that of an automatic analyzer.

[0004]

As in the case of the immunological automatic analyzer, a disposable sample nozzle or a cleaning method using a detergent is commonly used in the biochemical automatic analyzer or the biochemical analysis module. Can provide the same level of inter-specimen contamination prevention function as an immunological automatic analyzer, but using a disposable sample nozzle in a biochemical automatic analyzer can reduce the amount required for biochemical analysis. Injection accuracy cannot be achieved. In addition, when a cleaning method using a detergent such as that used for an immunological automatic analyzer is applied to a biochemical automatic analyzer, the cleaning takes too much time, so that a high-speed biochemical analyzer has a remarkable processing speed. It causes a decline. In addition, the running cost increases with the use of the detergent.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and has as its object to provide an automatic analyzer which realizes a high inter-sample contamination prevention function without impairing the processing speed. .

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data processing apparatus for storing analysis items corresponding to respective sample samples contained in a plurality of sample containers in association with sample numbers. Processing means, sample transfer means for transferring the plurality of sample containers, dispensing means for aspirating a predetermined amount of the sample into the dispensing nozzle and discharging it to the reaction section, and dispensing nozzle of the dispensing means. Washing means for washing after discharging the sample sample,
An automatic analyzer having at least one analysis means set to share the sample container and / or the nozzle for at least two kinds of analyzes having different sensitivities, wherein the cleaning means is provided with a relatively sensitive means. The system is configured so that normal washing performed for low analysis and special washing performed for relatively sensitive analysis can be selectively performed on the dispensing nozzle, and the sample number, analysis item, and multiple Special cleaning information recording means for recording special cleaning information for at least one of an analysis item group consisting of analysis items, and cleaning of a dispensing nozzle that has finished dispensing the immediately preceding sample sample based on the presence or absence of the special cleaning information And control means for selectively controlling

In a second aspect of the present invention, the control means according to the first aspect is configured such that, prior to aspirating the sample of the sample having the special cleaning information, after the aspiration of the sample of the immediately preceding sample is completed, A special cleaning of the dispensing nozzle is performed in place of, or in addition to, the dispensing nozzle cleaning by the normal cleaning.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the control means according to the first aspect is configured such that, prior to aspirating the sample of the sample having no special cleaning information, after the aspiration of the sample of the immediately preceding sample is completed. The cleaning is performed on the dispensing nozzle by the normal cleaning without cleaning the dispensing nozzle by the special cleaning.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first to third aspects, the at least two types of analysis with different sensitivities are any of biochemical analysis, immunological analysis and genetic analysis. It is characterized by including two combinations of

A fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the analysis items in the first to fourth aspects include analysis items to be analyzed by another automatic analyzer.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 respectively
It is a top view and a side view showing the composition of a 1st embodiment of an automatic analyzer to which the present invention is applied. The automatic analyzer of this embodiment is equipped with an immunological analysis module corresponding to various immunological analysis items in the biochemical automatic analyzer, and has a sensitivity of biochemical analysis and immunological analysis. It is configured as a dual-purpose device capable of coping with two different types of analysis (hereinafter, a dual-purpose device). It is to be noted that such a dual-purpose device is generally adapted to a homogeneous immunological analysis that does not require BF separation, in addition to biochemical analysis. It is also possible to support a heterogeneous immunological analysis.
The automatic analyzer according to the present embodiment is configured as a dual-purpose device corresponding to biochemical analysis and heterogeneous immunological analysis. Although the automatic analyzer of the present embodiment can be configured as a dual-purpose device corresponding to biochemical analysis and homogeneous immunological analysis, biochemical analysis and heterogeneous analysis are more significant in that the sensitivity difference is more remarkable. It is preferable that the device is a dual-purpose device corresponding to genius immunological analysis.

The dual-purpose device of this embodiment is shown in FIGS.
As shown in the figure, a sample such as blood (hereinafter referred to as a sample)
A rack 3 for holding a test tube 2 which is a container containing 1;
A rack feeder 4 for accommodating the rack 3; a rack transporter (belt conveyor or the like) 5 for transporting the rack 3 to the sample suction position A; a rack receiver 6 for accommodating the rack 3 whose analysis has been completed; A biochemical automatic analyzer 10 including a reaction section 9 for performing a biochemical analysis of the sample 1 sucked by a dispensing nozzle (for example, a sample nozzle) 8 held by an arm 7, and a sample 1 sucked by the sample nozzle 7
A module 11 for immunological analysis, which is a built-in module for performing immunological analysis of, a cleaning unit 12 for cleaning the sample nozzle 8, and an analysis item corresponding to the sample 1 are stored in association with a sample number. And a data processing unit 13.

The sample nozzle 8 is connected to a transfer mechanism and a suction / discharge mechanism (micro-syringe or the like) (not shown), and the sample dispensing arm 7 rotates as shown by an arrow in FIG. Test tube 2, reaction section 9,
Reaction part and washing part 1 of the immunological analysis module 11
It is configured to be movable between the two. The immunological analysis module 11 includes a reaction container (for example, a cuvette, an analysis element, etc.) for receiving the sample 1 aspirated by the sample nozzle 8, a reaction unit for adding a reagent to the reaction container to cause a reaction, It comprises a detection unit for detecting the reaction. When the reaction container holds or stores a required reagent in advance, the reaction proceeds without adding the reagent.

The data processing unit 13 includes an input unit for inputting various information, a storage unit for storing various information, and a central processing unit (CPU) as a control unit for performing various processes. It comprises. Here, as the input means, a keyboard for an operator to perform manual input at any time, a barcode reader for reading a barcode corresponding to various information attached to the test tube 2, and transmission and reception of various information For this purpose, at least one of a computer (for example, a lab computer) connected online is used. As the various types of information, sample number information, analysis item information, analysis item group information including a plurality of analysis item information, and special cleaning information described later are used.

The data processing unit 13 includes a data storage process for storing analysis item information corresponding to a sample in association with sample number information, a transfer process for a rack 3 containing a test tube 2 containing a sample 1, a sample In addition to the dispensing process of aspirating the sample 1 by the nozzle 8 by a predetermined amount and discharging the sample 1 to the analysis means, the washing process of cleaning the sample nozzle 8 after the sample is discharged, sample number information, analysis item information, and analysis item group information Special cleaning information recording processing for recording special cleaning information for at least one of the above, and prior to aspirating a sample of a sample having the special cleaning information, replacing the normal sample nozzle cleaning after the end of the previous sample aspiration of the sample. hand,
Alternatively, in addition to normal sample nozzle cleaning, special cleaning processing for performing special cleaning of the sample nozzle is performed.

Next, a general sample dispensing operation of the automatic analyzer according to the present embodiment will be described. The rack 3 containing the test tube 2 containing the sample 1 is sent from the rack feeder 4 to the rack transfer unit 5 and then transferred by the rack transfer unit 5 to the test tube at the head (left end in the figure) of the rack 3. When 2 reaches the sample suction position A, it stops at that position. In this state, the sample nozzle 8 held by the sample dispensing arm 7 rotates to the upper part of the test tube 2 and descends, and stops when the nozzle tip comes into contact with the sample 1 in the test tube 2,
After a predetermined amount of the sample 1 has been sucked, it rises.

Here, when performing biochemical analysis, the sample nozzle 8 is connected to the reaction section 9 of the automatic biochemical analyzer 10.
When the immunological analysis is performed, the sample is rotated to the sample discharge position C above the reaction section of the immunological analysis module 11 and stopped. In this state, the sample nozzle 8 performs sample dispensing by discharging a predetermined amount of the sample 1 from the test tube 2 into a container (not shown) of the reaction unit. Analysis of the item is started. After the ejection of the sample 1, the sample nozzle 8 pivots to the nozzle cleaning position B and stops, and in this state, water containing no cleaning agent such as ion-exchanged water is applied to the inside and outside of the sample nozzle 8. (Hereinafter referred to as normal nozzle cleaning). In the same manner, the same operation is repeated until sample dispensing for all analysis items stored in the data processing unit 6 is completed for the same sample, and when sample dispensing for all analysis items is completed, the rack 3 is tested. It is transported by one tube and stopped, and the same operation as described above is repeated for the sample 1 in the next test tube 2.

The normal nozzle cleaning described above is performed, for example, as shown in FIG.
This is performed as shown in (a) and (b). First, when the “biochemical item A”, which is the first analysis item for the sample of sample number 1, is read from the information of FIG. As shown in FIG. 5B, on the side of the automatic analyzer 10, 1.5 seconds are set in the sample aspirating process, 1.5 seconds in the sample discharging process, and 1.5 seconds in the nozzle cleaning process. Therefore, 4.5 seconds are spent in one cycle of the sample suction (the time required for one sample dispensing). Similarly, in the same manner, the remaining two of the three biochemical items set to the sample number 1, the one biochemical item set to the sample number 2 and the two biochemical items set to the sample number 3 Sample dispensing for biochemical items is repeated.

By the way, the automatic analyzer of the present embodiment comprises:
Because the sample nozzle 8 is used for both biochemical analysis and immunological analysis, the necessity of cleaning the sample nozzle to prevent contamination between specimens is required as compared with an automatic analyzer dedicated to biochemical analysis. Is even higher. Therefore,
In the present embodiment, in addition to the above-described normal nozzle cleaning, special cleaning of the sample nozzle as described in detail below is performed.

For example, the information stored in the storage means of the data processing unit 13 is as shown in FIG. 6A, and three biochemical items are set in the sample number 1 and the sample number 2 , One biochemical item and one immunity item are set, two biochemical items are set for sample number 3, and special cleaning information is set for "immune item A" in the analysis item of sample number 2. In the case where (hereinafter referred to as “marking”) is recorded, the biochemical automatic analyzer 10 side reads FIG.
As shown in (1), first, sample dispensing for "biochemical item A" is performed, and then sample dispensing for "biochemical item B" is performed. In this case, the marking is recorded in advance on the analysis item by the data processing unit 13 which receives manual input from a keyboard, online input from a lab computer (data download), input from a barcode reader, and the like. It is assumed that

By the way, since the immunity item is set for the sample of the sample number 2 having the above-mentioned marking as shown in FIG. 6A, another sample (in this case, the sample dispensing is performed immediately before the sample in question). This is a sample for which the conditions for preventing inter-sample contamination from the sample No. 1 to be performed are set most strictly. Therefore, in order to realize the advanced inter-sample contamination prevention function required for the sample of sample number 2, the biochemical automatic analyzer 10 has the sample number 1 as shown in FIG. After the ejection of the sample of “biochemical item C”, which is the last analysis item, the special cleaning of the sample nozzle is performed. In the present embodiment, special cleaning is performed by performing long-time cleaning that takes four times as long as normal nozzle cleaning (6 seconds). In the present embodiment, the sample of the sample number 2 is first dispensed to the reaction section of the automatic biochemical analyzer, and then the sample is aspirated again from the same test tube 2 to remove the sample from the immunological analysis module. Since the discharge is performed to the reaction container, the same sample nozzle 8 is not dispensed immediately before dispensing the immunization item but is dispensed two times before (that is, the last dispensing for a different specimen last time). After the end, special cleaning is performed. Thus, when trying to analyze an immunization item for a specific sample, the dispensing for the immunization item may result in several previous dispensations,
The data processing unit or the laptop computer determines whether or not it is the last dispensing for a different sample from the previous time, and the above-described command is issued.

In the above description, by adding a time equivalent to special cleaning (4.5 seconds) to normal nozzle cleaning (1.5 seconds), special cleaning in which the cleaning efficiency is enhanced over a long period of time is performed. However, it is more effective to use agents such as acids, alkalis, hypochlorous acid and detergents in combination.
Further, cleaning may be performed using hot water instead of water, which is heated so as to enhance the cleaning effect. If possible, instead of the normal nozzle cleaning, the cleaning using only the chemical may be performed in the same cleaning time as the normal nozzle cleaning.

In this embodiment, since the special washing is performed when the sample to be dispensed is switched from the sample of sample number 1 to the sample of sample number 2, the sample of sample number 1 is changed to the sample of sample number 2. Is suppressed to an extremely low level, and a high inter-sample contamination prevention function is realized. At this time, the special cleaning of the sample nozzle is performed only in the minimum necessary case, so that the processing speed does not decrease.

In this embodiment, the data processing unit 13 records the marking in advance on the immunity item A, which is an analysis item that requires a high degree of contamination prevention between specimens. )), The data processing unit 13 determines that the sample of the sample number 2 having the immunity item A is the sample to be subjected to the special cleaning, and can issue a command to perform the special cleaning, thereby completing the processing inside the automatic analyzer. Can be done. Therefore, it is particularly effective when applied to a case where the automatic analyzer is used alone without being connected to a laboratory computer.

It should be noted that instead of recording markings for each of the analysis items that require a high degree of inter-sample contamination prevention,
The marking may be recorded in an analysis item group including a plurality of analysis items. In this case, for example, by recording the marking in the "immune item group",
Since the markings can be collectively recorded in “immunity item A, immunity item B, immunity item C,...”, The marking operation can be simplified. Further, instead of recording the marking on an analysis item that requires advanced inter-sample contamination prevention, the marking may be recorded on a sample number having an analysis item that requires advanced inter-sample contamination prevention. In this case, the determination of a sample that requires a high degree of sample-to-sample contamination prevention is made outside the automatic analyzer (for example, a lab computer).
Therefore, it is possible to centralize the management of the prevention of contamination between samples at the center or to save labor.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a configuration of a second embodiment of the automatic analyzer to which the present invention is applied. The automatic analyzer of the present embodiment is a dedicated machine for biochemical analysis, and the analysis items of the biochemical analysis are analyzed inside the automatic analyzer, but the analysis items of the immunological analysis are the external immunological automatic analysis. It is configured to analyze with the device. In addition, since the external immunological automatic analyzer generally uses the heterogeneous immunoassay exclusively, the sample number 2 in FIG.
“Nozzle cleaning (1.5 seconds)” in “Immunization item A” is “Nozzle special cleaning (6.0 seconds)”.

In the automatic analyzer of this embodiment, FIG.
In the examples of (a) and (b), a sample containing the biochemical analysis item A, the biochemical analysis item B, the biochemical analysis item C,... Is analyzed inside the automatic analyzer, and then the external immunological automatic analysis is performed. The sample of the sample number 2 including the immunity item A is analyzed by the apparatus.
For this reason, the data processing unit 13 records the marking on the immunity item A (or the immunity item group including the immunity item) to be analyzed by the external immunological automatic analyzer or the specimen number 2 including the immunity item A. I do.

In the present embodiment, the data processing unit 13 applies to the immunity item A (or the immunity item group including the immunity item) or the sample number 2 including the immunity item A, which is an analysis item requiring a high level of inter-sample contamination prevention. Since the marking is recorded in advance, the sample of sample number 2 having the immunity item A in FIG. 6A is a sample for which special cleaning of the sample nozzle is to be performed even in a dedicated machine for biochemical analysis. Is determined by the data processing unit 13 and all of the sample dispensing of the sample number 1 before the dispensing of the sample of the sample number 2 is performed even with the sample nozzle 8 in FIG. 3 which is a dedicated machine for biochemical analysis. After the completion of the above, a command for performing the special cleaning can be issued. Therefore, since the control for preventing contamination between samples can be performed for a sample including an immune item to be analyzed by an external immunological automatic analyzer, the same test tube can be used, which contributes to labor saving.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a configuration of a third embodiment of the automatic analyzer to which the present invention is applied. The automatic analyzer according to the present embodiment is configured as a composite device in which a biochemical analysis module 14 and an immunological analysis module 15 are incorporated in one automatic analyzer. The automatic analyzer of the present embodiment can be conceptually regarded as a device in which a biochemical analysis-dedicated machine and an immunological analysis-dedicated machine are incorporated in the same device and both are connected via a rack transfer unit. Since the two analysis modules are independently provided, the sensitivity of the analysis is higher than that of the dual-purpose device of FIG.
The immunological analysis module 15 corresponds to a heterogeneous immunological analysis, but a module corresponding to a homogeneous immunological analysis may be further added. Further, the order of arrangement of the biochemical analysis module 14 and the immunological analysis module 15 may be reversed from that in FIG. 4, or each module may be two or more. The configuration for combining a plurality of analysis modules as one analyzer is disclosed in JP-A-51-51389,
Reference can be made to JP-A-188888, JP-A-64-84148, JP-A-3-285175, and the like.

In the present embodiment, for example, the information stored in the storage means of the data processing unit 13 is shown in FIG.
The sample number 1 is set with three biochemical items, the sample number 2 is set with one biochemical item and one item of immunity, and the sample number 3 is set with 2 items.
The biochemical item of the item and one immunity item are set,
When two biochemical items are set in the sample number 4, and special cleaning information (marking) is recorded in the “immune item B” of the sample number 2 and the “immune item C” of the sample number 3, The sample dispensing as shown in FIG. 7B is performed on the objective analysis module 14 side, and the sample dispensing as shown in FIG. 7C is performed on the immunological analysis module 15 side. The marking may be recorded on any of the sample number, the analysis item, and the analysis item group.

Here, when the sample of sample number 1 is dispensed to the biochemical item C on the biochemical analysis module 14 side, the sample of sample number 2 to be dispensed next contains the immune item B. Therefore, special cleaning is performed, which takes four times as long (6 seconds) as normal nozzle cleaning. When dispensing the biochemical item D of the sample No. 2 on the biochemical analysis module 14 side, the sample of the sample No. 3 to be dispensed next contains the immunity item C. Perform cleaning. The module for immunological analysis 1
On the 5th side, since a high degree of inter-sample contamination prevention is required for all immunoprecipitation items, use a detergent or the like for a sufficiently long time (18 seconds) as shown in FIG. 7 (c). Cleaning.

In this embodiment, when the sample to be dispensed is switched from the sample of the sample number 1 to the sample of the sample number 2 and when the sample of the sample number 2 is switched to the sample of the sample number 3, Since the special cleaning is performed on the analysis module 14 side, the inter-sample contamination from the sample of sample number 1 to the sample of sample number 2 including the immune item and the sample of sample number 2 to the sample of sample number 3 including the immune item Is suppressed to an extremely low level, and a high inter-sample contamination prevention function is realized. At this time, the special cleaning of the sample nozzle is performed only in the minimum necessary case, so that the processing speed does not decrease.

In the above description, especially for the specimens in the laboratory, all automatic analyzers in the laboratory are required to be highly controlled by a laboratory computer for centrally managing information on analysis items. If the determination information is downloaded to the automatic analyzer of each of the above embodiments, or the information of the specially cleaned sample is uploaded to the laboratory computer, a more comprehensive sample-to-sample contamination can be obtained. Preventive management can be achieved.

Further, the marking in the above-described embodiment is an analysis item (for example, FIG.
7A shows the biochemical item A of the sample number 2, FIG.
In (a), the biochemical item D of the sample number 2 and the biochemical item E of the sample number 3 may be marked. In addition, it is preferable that the analysis data corresponding to the marked item and / or the item that the special cleaning is actually confirmed by an appropriate monitoring means can be identified in the memory or on the output data.

In the second and third embodiments, the rack 3 is transported and each module is designed and arranged so that immunological analysis is always performed after biochemical analysis on the same sample. Regardless of the arrangement or normal transport direction, for example, in an automatic analyzer designed and arranged to perform biochemical analysis after immunological analysis has been performed, The technique of the present invention can be similarly applied to the case where the rack 3 is conveyed backward or set again in the rack feeding section 4 so as to perform analysis. Further, when the output format of the analysis data on the CRT or the printing paper is predetermined or when the analysis data is sequentially output in the order of the end of the analysis (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
647 and JP-A-3-110474), the analysis order for the same sample nozzle (first embodiment) and the analysis order for the same test tube 2 (second and third embodiments) can be confirmed. The identification information may be output together or separately on a CRT screen or print paper.

The specimen sample may be contained in a well or a sample cup on a microplate, for example, in addition to the test tube 2, and may be subjected to pretreatment such as centrifugation or dilution in advance. . Also, the transport means of the sample in the automatic analyzer may not be a linear transport line using a belt conveyor, but may be a cyclic transport line using a turntable or the like or a spatial transport line using a robot arm.

Also, in the sample dispensing in the first embodiment, after a single sample aspirating operation, the same sample is placed in a desired order in both the reaction container for biochemical analysis and the reaction container for immunological analysis. Dispensing may be performed in a dispensing manner, in which case a single aliquot consists of a single aspiration into the same test tube 2 and a number of dispense equal to the total number of items for the same specimen. The washing is performed after the end of the dispensing immediately before the dispensing of the specimen including at least the immunization item. In the first and third embodiments, when the sample related to the next dispensing does not include the analysis by the immunization item, the special washing is not performed even if the last dispensing related to the current sample is the immunization item. By issuing such a command, it is also possible to shorten the cleaning time required for the sample nozzle after the immunological analysis, such as performing special cleaning, or to reduce the running cost due to the use of detergent (for example, FIG. 6B). In the immunization item of sample number 2, normal washing is performed for 1.5 seconds). In the above embodiment,
Although a sample nozzle dedicated to sample dispensing is used, the dispensing nozzle may be used for both sample dispensing and reagent dispensing.

The immunological analysis module in the combined device of the first embodiment or the combined device of the third embodiment may be replaced with an automatic analysis module using gene amplification. In addition to the above, genetic analysis, heterogeneous immunological analysis and biochemical
A desired inspection system can be constructed by combining, combining, or using one or the other three or using them separately.

[0039]

As described above, according to the automatic analyzer of the present invention, special washing is performed for all sample dispensing by efficiently switching between normal washing and special washing for dispensing noise. Therefore, at least two types of analyzes having different sensitivities can be executed at high speed while efficiently preventing inter-sample contamination. Further, in the invention of claim 2, sample dispensing is performed immediately before a sample that requires advanced prevention of inter-sample contamination. Only samples of different origins are analyzed without using advanced inter-sample contamination prevention. Even when dispensing samples, special cleaning is performed after the dispensing of the dispensing nozzle, and normal nozzle cleaning is performed for the other samples. Even if cleaning takes a longer time than normal nozzle cleaning, the effect on the overall processing speed is negligible.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a sample in which sample dispensing is performed immediately before a sample that does not require advanced prevention of inter-sample contamination is used for analysis that requires advanced prevention of inter-sample contamination. Even for sample dispensing, selective control is performed so that normal washing is performed after dispensing, so the number of times of special washing can be reduced, and high-speed operation without substantially impairing the inter-sample contamination prevention function. Can be achieved. Further, according to the invention of claim 4, a dual-purpose apparatus in which an analysis module for an immunological analysis item is incorporated in a biochemical automatic analyzer, a biochemical analysis module and an immunological analysis in one automatic analyzer. A high-speed processing speed can be achieved even in a combined device that is combined with an arbitrary combination of a module for analysis and a module for genetic analysis, or an integrated test system that handles the same sample in separate devices.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a configuration of a first embodiment of an automatic analyzer to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing the configuration of the first embodiment of the automatic analyzer to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the configuration of a second embodiment of the automatic analyzer to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a configuration of a third embodiment of the automatic analyzer to which the present invention is applied.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining a normal nozzle cleaning operation in the first to third embodiments, respectively.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining a special cleaning operation of the sample nozzle in the first and second embodiments, respectively.

FIGS. 7A to 7C are diagrams for explaining a special cleaning operation of a sample nozzle in the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Sample sample (sample) 2 Container (test tube) 3 Rack 4 Rack feeder 5 Rack transporter 6 Rack receiver 7 Sample dispensing arm 8 Sample nozzle (dispensing nozzle) 9 Reaction unit 10 Biochemical automatic analyzer 11 Module for immunological analysis 12 Washing unit 13 Data processing unit 14 Module for biochemical analysis 15 Module for immunological analysis A Sample suction position B Nozzle washing position C Sample discharge position D Sample discharge position

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] May 24, 1999 (1999.5.2
4)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claim 1

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0006

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data processing apparatus for storing analysis items corresponding to respective sample samples contained in a plurality of sample containers in association with sample numbers. Processing means, sample transfer means for transferring the plurality of sample containers, dispensing means for aspirating a predetermined amount of the sample into the dispensing nozzle and discharging it to the reaction section, and dispensing nozzle of the dispensing means. Washing means for washing after discharging the sample sample,
An automatic analyzer having at least one analysis means set to share the sample container and / or the nozzle for at least two kinds of analyzes having different sensitivities, wherein the cleaning means is provided with a relatively sensitive means. The system is configured so that normal washing performed for low analysis and special washing performed for relatively sensitive analysis can be selectively performed on the dispensing nozzle, and the sample number, analysis item, and multiple Special cleaning information recording means for recording special cleaning information for at least one of the analysis item groups comprising the analysis items, and if there is special cleaning information relating to the next sample to be dispensed, it is dispensed immediately before. Regardless of the presence or absence of special cleaning information on the sample sample, the dispensing nozzle that dispensed the immediately preceding sample sample is specially cleaned, and the sample nozzle to be dispensed next is also cleaned. If there is no special cleaning information, control is performed to selectively control the dispensing nozzle that dispensed the immediately preceding sample sample to be normally cleaned regardless of the presence or absence of the special cleaning information relating to the sample sample to be dispensed immediately before. Means.

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0039

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0039]

As described above, according to the automatic analyzer of the present invention, when special cleaning information is available for a sample to be dispensed next, special cleaning is selected and special cleaning information is not provided. As normal washing is selected for
By efficiently switching between normal washing and special washing for dispensing noise, at least two types of analyzes with different sensitivities can be efficiently performed while preventing inter-sample contamination without special washing for all sample dispensing. , Can run fast. Further, in the invention of claim 2, sample dispensing is performed immediately before a sample that requires advanced prevention of inter-sample contamination. Only samples of different origins are analyzed without using advanced inter-sample contamination prevention. Even when dispensing samples, special cleaning is performed after the dispensing of the dispensing nozzle, and normal nozzle cleaning is performed for the other samples. Even if cleaning takes a longer time than normal nozzle cleaning, the effect on the overall processing speed is negligible.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A data processing means for storing an analysis item corresponding to each sample sample stored in a plurality of sample containers in association with a sample number, a sample transfer means for transferring the plurality of sample containers, Dispensing means for sucking a predetermined amount into the dispensing nozzle and discharging it to the reaction section; cleaning means for cleaning the dispensing nozzle of the dispensing means after discharging the specimen sample; and at least two types of analysis having different sensitivities. An automatic analyzer having at least one analysis unit set to share the sample container and / or the nozzle, wherein the cleaning unit performs a relative cleaning with a normal cleaning performed for an analysis with relatively low sensitivity. And special cleaning for highly sensitive analysis can be selectively performed on the dispensing nozzle, and consists of a sample number, analysis items, and multiple analysis items. Special cleaning information recording means for recording special cleaning information for at least one of the analysis item groups; and selectively cleaning the dispensing nozzle which has finished dispensing the immediately preceding sample sample based on the presence or absence of the special cleaning information. An automatic analyzer, comprising: control means for controlling. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control means is configured to perform the normal cleaning before the sample suction of the sample having the special cleaning information and after the sample suction of the immediately preceding sample is completed, instead of the dispensing nozzle cleaning by the normal cleaning. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing nozzle is specially cleaned in addition to the dispensing nozzle cleaning by cleaning. 3. The control means according to claim 1, further comprising: prior to aspirating the sample of the sample having no special cleaning information, after cleaning the sample of the sample immediately before, without cleaning the dispensing nozzle by the special cleaning. 2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing nozzle is washed by the normal washing. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least two types of analyzes having different sensitivities include any combination of biochemical analysis, immunological analysis, and genetic analysis. The automatic analyzer according to any one of the above. 5. The analysis item according to claim 1, wherein the analysis item includes an analysis item to be analyzed by another automatic analyzer.
The automatic analyzer according to any one of the above.