JP2000131327A - System and method for inspection of specimen - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To continue an inspection operation intermittently, even if the readout operation of discriminating information on a specimen inspection system is failed by a method, wherein an operator recognizes that the readout operation is failed and specimen discrimination information is input, while image information whose readout operation is failed is being confirmed. SOLUTION: A charging part 6, rack conveyance line parts 71, 72, 73 and a housing part 8 are controlled by a central control part 9. The central control part 9 is connected to an inspection-request-item input device 1, an inspection- result-output device 2 and a parameter input device 11 by communication cables 10. The central control part 9 sends a rack to the rack conveyance line part 71 from the charging part 6, to respective processing units 3, 4, 5 or the housing part 8 from the rack conveyance line parts 71, 72, 73, on the basis of an inspection request content which is input by the inspection-request-item input device 1. The housing part 8 houses the rack, which is sent through the rack conveyance line parts 71, 72, 73 from the respective processing units 3, 4, 5.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sample test system for automating a sample test in a clinical test field.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An example in which sample identification information affixed to a sample container is used for analysis is described in, for example, JP-A-8-327632. In the dispensing system described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-327632, it is necessary to read container information (such as a bar code) in order to search what kind of dispensing is to be performed before the dispensing process.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-327 is disclosed.
In the sample test system according to Japanese Patent Publication No. 632, if reading of the identification information stuck on the sample container fails, the operator discharges the sample once, performs the work of replacing the identification information, and re-enters the sample. Occurs,
There was a problem that hindered the continuity of inspection work.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a sample test system that can continue seamlessly even if the identification information of the sample test system is missed.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided a structure having a function of attaching identification information of a sample to the outside of a sample container and reading the information to specify the sample and a request item for performing a test on the sample. Applied in.

In the present invention, an image information input device is provided in the identification information reading section, and when the reading of the identification information fails, the portion where the identification information of the sample is attached is saved as image information, and the operator is provided with the information. In addition, the image information is reported together with the report that the reading error has occurred. The operator inputs the specimen identification information for the specimen while confirming the human-readable (for example, Arabic numeral) specimen identifier entered in the image information, whereby the identification information of the specimen is determined and the specimen is identified. This makes it possible to recognize the test request item and continue the sample test operation again, and it is not necessary to reattach the sample identification information, and the sample test operation can be performed seamlessly.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a sample processing system to which the present invention is applied.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a test request item input unit for inputting a test item request for what kind of test is to be performed. The test request item input unit 1 includes a test item, sample identification information for identifying the sample, and sample attribute information (sex, year, and year). Order, sample type, etc.). Reference numeral 2 denotes an inspection result output unit that outputs an inspection result, and outputs a necessary result among the processing performed by the processing unit 1, the processing unit 4, and the processing unit 5 in response to the inspection request input in the step 1. .

Reference numeral 6 denotes an input section for inputting a rack on which a sample is mounted to each processing unit, in which a plurality of racks can be placed.
The racks are supplied to the transport line units 71, 72, 73 in the order in which they are placed as the processing in each processing unit proceeds. Reference numeral 60 denotes a sample identification information reading unit that reads identification information attached to a sample container on a rack.
This is a place to recognize that the sample identification information input in step (1) and the transferred sample are the same. Reference numeral 61 denotes a place where the image information of the identification information of the sample in which the reading of the sample identification information has failed is acquired.

Reference numerals 71, 72 and 73 denote rack transport line sections for transporting racks from one place to another place, and also serve as rack input / output places for 100, 200 and 300 processing units, respectively. These 71, 72, and 73 are connected to a central control unit by a communication cable to manage the loading and unloading of racks to and from a transport line. Reference numeral 8 denotes a rack storage unit that stores a rack that has completed processing based on the inspection request.
The operator can remove the processed rack from here.

The processing unit 1, the processing unit 2, and the processing unit 5 have various functions such as centrifugal separation, opening, dispensing, plugging, closing, classification, analysis, and the like. It is. Each processing unit has a rack transfer line unit 71, 7
The racks conveyed from the racks 2, 73 are taken into the own apparatus, and after processing, the racks are sent out again to the rack transfer line sections 71, 72, 73.

The input section 6 and the rack transport line section 71,
72, 73 and the storage unit 8 are controlled by a central control unit 9, and the central control unit 9 is connected to the inspection request item input unit 1, the inspection result output unit 2, and a parameter input unit 11 described later by a communication cable. The central control unit 9 sends racks from the input unit 6 to the rack transport line unit 71 and from the rack transport line units 71, 72, 73 to each processing unit 3, based on the inspection request content input by the inspection request item input unit 1. 4,5
Alternatively, the rack is sent to the storage unit 8, and the storage unit stores the racks sent from the processing units through the rack transfer line units 71, 72, and 73.

Each processing unit has its own control unit (not shown) and is connected by a communication cable 10 to exchange information with the central control unit 9. Each control unit operates independently, but when a rack is transferred to and from the central control unit 9, each controller needs to send out the rack (hereinafter, referred to as a carry-out request) and the rack. A request to be received (hereinafter referred to as a carry-in request) is reported to the central control unit 9 via the communication cable 10,
The central control unit 9 selects one set from each request,
At the same time as controlling the transport line units 71, 72, and 73, an instruction is issued to each of the control units 3, 4, and 5 through the communication cable 10 to exchange racks in a cooperative manner.

The parameter input device 11 has a system configuration such as the type and arrangement of the processing units constituting the system.
The rack access position for transferring the racks to the racks 1, 72, 73, the type of rack used in the system, and each of the processing units 3, 4, 5 is connected to the rack transport line units 71, 72, 7
3, the timing at which the rack is transported to another processing unit 3, 4, 5, or the storage unit 8, and each processing unit 3, 4, 5 passes through the rack transport line unit 71, 72, 73 to the other processing unit 3, 4, 5. 5 or the type of rack to be transported to the storage unit 8 (for example, processing units 3, 4, 5,
Is a dispensing device, three types of racks to be conveyed are input: the parent rack that is the dispensing source, the child rack dispensed into the sample cup, and the child rack dispensed into the test tube). Is what you do.

Next, each part will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 1, three units having different sizes and functions (for example, centrifugal separation, opening, dispensing, etc.) corresponding to a first processing unit, a second processing unit, and a third processing unit are provided. A loading unit that takes in the own unit The processing units 100, 200, and 300 having a sending unit that sends out a rack in the own unit onto a transport line; input trays 13 and 14 and an input transport path corresponding to the input unit 6; The storage transport path and storage trays 15 and 16 are connected.

In this embodiment, the number of processing units is three, but the number may be one or ten, for example, and the number of processing units is not limited. In addition, as shown in the processing unit 100 and the processing unit 300, not only a single unit as shown in the processing unit 100 and the processing unit 300, but also a processing unit for taking in the rack on the transfer line and a sending unit for sending out the rack on the transfer line. As shown in the unit 200, the unit may be a common unit for taking in / sending out one unit, or a case where there are a plurality of uniting units and sending out units (not shown).

FIG. 5 shows an example of the capturing section. In FIG. 5, a connection passage 864 having a width in which the sample rack 809 can move is formed between the transport line 813 and the rack receiving port 816 of the processing unit. Connection passage 86
Above 4, a sample transfer mechanism having a belt 868 wound between a motor drive shaft 866 and a pulley 867 is provided.

The belt 868 is provided with a pair of gripping members 865 that can be opened and closed. FIG. 5A shows a state in which the holding member 865 is waiting on the transport line 813 for the arrival of the sample rack 809, and the holding member 865 is in an open state. FIG. 5B shows the holding member 8.
A state 65 is closed and the sample rack 809 is being moved. FIG. 5C shows a state where the sample rack 809 has been carried to the rack receiving port 816 and has been released from the gripping member 865.

The sending section performs the reverse operation with the same mechanism as the taking section.

The rack to be conveyed in FIG. 2 has a structure for holding five test tubes containing a sample. FIG. 6 shows an example of this sample rack. The sample rack 909 is capable of holding a plurality of sample containers 976, and includes a bar code 9
A sample container 976 is loaded into each of a plurality of loading holes having notches 978 which are windows 77 for reading. Each sample container 976 contains a sample to be analyzed by an analysis unit such as serum, plasma, or urine. Each sample rack 909 is provided with a plurality of holes as code information indicating individual rack numbers, and a barcode label 975 on which a barcode is printed. This rack number identification information is read by a known reading device. A magnetic recording medium or a barcode label 977 is attached to the outer wall of the sample container 976 as a sample identification information medium. This sample identification information is read by a known reading device.

Since the analysis item requested to be tested for each sample is stored in the central control unit 9, by recognizing the sample identification information corresponding to each sample container, the sample holding the sample container is stored. The rack 909 can be associated so as to be transported to a processing unit for analyzing the relevant analysis item.

One method of recognizing the sample identification information is a method of directly reading the identification information of the sample container, and the other method is to previously determine the combination of the arrangement position of each sample container on the sample rack and the rack number. In this method, the rack number is read in association with the sample identification information and stored. Although the example of FIG. 6 holds five test tubes, the number of sample containers is not limited to this, and a rack holding one or more or ten tubes may be used.

In the rack input section shown in FIG.
Alternatively, the sample (rack) placed on 14 is transported to the transport path by the moving arm, and transported to just before the transport line by the hook. When the sample is placed in the emergency sample inlet 18, the sample (general sample) in the tray takes precedence over the sample (general sample).
It is transported on the transport path. When a sample arrives immediately before the transport line 191 corresponding to the rack transport line unit 7, the rack insertion unit issues a request to unload the rack to the transport line 191 to the central control unit 9 and waits for permission for unloading.

On the way, the sample identification information is read by a known sample identifier reader and the rack identifier is read by the rack identifier reader 62, and the central control unit determines the transfer destination of the rack based on this information. Conveying line 191
Is driven by a pulse motor (not shown) 1
It is a belt line of a book.

Processing unit 100 and processing unit 2
00, the processing unit 300, and the storage unit 8 immediately after the start of the operation, there is no rack in each unit.

The central control unit 9 periodically checks the request from each processing unit at a predetermined cycle, and when there is a request from the processing unit to carry out the transfer, transmits the inspection request input in advance and the transmission from the processing unit. The destination of the rack at the carry-out port of the unit that has issued the carry-out request based on the type of transfer rack is inspected, and if the carry-in port of the destination processing unit is carry-inable, the rack is allowed to be carried out and the rack is carried.

The outlet of the charging section 6, that is, the transport line 191
If the sample waiting just before the loading unit 20 of the processing unit 100 has a processing request in the processing unit 100, a transport request from the loading unit 20 of the transport line to the loading port 29 of the processing unit 100 is generated. In addition, the sample is
In the case where the processing in the processing unit 200 is not required and the processing unit 200 has a processing request, the processing unit 1
00, when the processing in the processing unit 200 is not required and the processing unit 300 has a processing request, a transfer request from the loading section 20 of the transfer line to the loading port 23 of the processing unit 300 is generated.

At the entrance and exit of each processing unit, the racks on the transport lines 191, 192, and 193 are loaded into the units, or the racks in the units are unloaded onto the transport lines 191, 192 and 193. (Hereinafter referred to as a handling mechanism) 29 is attached. The handling mechanism 29 includes a sensor for detecting the rack that has been transported and a stopper for stopping the rack.

On the other hand, the processing unit having a sample which has been carried into the processing unit and has completed processing issues a request to the central control unit 9 to allow the rack to be unloaded. At this time, the type of rack that can be carried out at the same time is notified to the central control unit 9. In response to this request, the central control unit 9 determines the next destination of the unloadable rack, and the processing unit serving as the destination issues a request to allow the rack to be loaded.
Only if the rack is not being transported on 192,193
An instruction to unload the rack is given to the processing unit that has issued the unloadable request, and the transport lines 191, 192, and 19 are used to transport the rack unloaded to the next processing unit.
3 is performed. When the destination of the rack is the storage unit 8, a rack export permission is issued in the same sequence,
The control of the transport line 19 is performed.

The rack conveyed to the storage section 8 is carried to the front of the storage section, and if the test item for the sample on the rack is not invalid, the rack is sent to the storage tray 15 or 16 by the rack delivery mechanism 28, Is stored.
In the case of a fraud, the sample is transported to the retest sample transport line 190 by the retest sample return line merging mechanism 19. The sample transported by the retest sample transport line 190 is transported by the main transport line merging mechanism 17 before the input trays 13 and 14, and is inspected again.

When the identification information reading unit 60 reads a bar code label 975, which is identification information for each sample, and fails to read the bar code label 975, the test request item for the sample and the test request item input by the test request item input device 1 Cannot be authenticated to be the same, so that the request item information for the sample cannot be obtained, and a problem arises in that the inspection work on the sample cannot be continued. The specimen falling into such a situation is stored in the storage section 8, the barcode label 975 is re-attached, and the sample must be set on the input trays 13 and 14 again to perform the inspection work.

FIG. 3 shows a processing flow for avoiding such a problem. When the sample identification information reader 62 reports the occurrence of the reading error (603), the sample identification information image information reader 63 stores the image information of the sample identification information (604), and reports that the reading of the sample identification information has failed. At the same time, the stored image information is reported to the operator (605) (see FIG. 7).

The operator inputs specimen identification information for the specimen while confirming the reported image information of the specimen container (606). That is, at the time of step 607, since the identification information of the sample can be recognized, the test request item for the sample can be recognized from the sample identification information input by the sample request item input device 1, and the test operation can be continued. Becomes

FIG. 4 is a timing chart in which examples of rack flows in the conventional system and the present system are developed on a time axis. The sample identification information is read from the transported rack by the sample identification information reading mechanism (502, 512). In the conventional system, when the reading is failed (509), it is stored (503), the identification information is re-attached by the operator (504), the operator inserts it again (505), and the sample identification information is read (50).
6), inspection (507), and storage (508) are performed.

On the other hand, in the present system, when the reading is failed, the image information of the sample container is displayed (516), and the operator identifies the sample while checking the image information at the location where the identification information of the sample container is written. Enter information (5
13). The sample for which the identification information has been input is inspected (514) and stored (515) in the same manner as the sample for which the sample identification information has been successfully read.

In the above embodiment, the inspection operation is stopped unless the identification information of the sample in which the reading error has occurred is input again. However, the inspection operation of only the sample on the rack in which the reading error has not occurred does not occur. Continuing, the rack is not stored by automatic retesting, and the rack is returned to the identification information reading unit again. If the identification information is input by the operator by that time, it can be handled by processing the identification information of the sample as determined.

If the identification information is not input before returning to the reading section by the automatic retest, the identification information of the sample is not input, that is, since the operator is absent during this time, it can be interpreted that the priority for the sample is low. Therefore, the inspection can be performed by storing the rack, reattaching the identification information as in the related art, and re-inserting the same.

According to the above-described embodiment, when the identification information reading fails, the image information of the sample container to which the identification information is attached is displayed together with the report of the reading failure, and the operator inputs the identification information while confirming the image information. Thus, the specimen for which the reading has failed can recognize the identification information.
Thus, it is possible to not only confirm that the pasting of the identification information has failed, but also to continue the sample test seamlessly without re-pasting the identification information.

[0041]

According to the present invention, the sample test operation can be continued without ejecting the sample for which the identification information reading failed from the apparatus, so that even if the identification information is not attached, the test operation of the corresponding sample can be performed. Can be continued. Further, since there is no need to re-paste, it is possible to shorten the time until the measurement result is output.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a sample test system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a detailed configuration diagram of FIG. 1 showing an embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart in which an example of a flow of a sample is developed on a time axis.

FIGS. 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating an example of a rack capturing unit.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of a sample rack.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an identification information input screen when reading of sample identification information has failed.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Inspection request item input device, 2 ... Inspection result output device, 3 ... Processing 1 part, 4 ... Processing 2 part, 5 ... Processing 3 part, 6 ... Input part, 8
... storage unit, 9 ... central control unit, 10 ... communication cable, 11
... Parameter input device, 13,14 ... Input tray, 15,
16: storage tray, 17: re-test sample main transfer line junction, 18 ... emergency sample input port, 19 ... re-test sample return line junction, 20 ... transport line loading section, 22 ... loading port of processing unit 100, 23 ... processing Loading port and loading port of the unit 200, 24 ... Loading port of the processing unit 300, 25
... Outlet of processing unit 100, 26... Processing unit 30
0 carry-out port, 28: rack feeding mechanism, 29: handling mechanism, 60: sample identification information reading unit, 61: sample identification information image information reading unit, 62: sample identification information reader, 63: sample identification information image information reading Bowl, 7
1, 72, 73: transport line section, 100, 200, 30
0: processing unit, 190: retest sample return transport line,
191, 192, 193: Main transport line.

Claims (4)

[Claims] An apparatus for acquiring sample identification information, in which sample identification information in which character information that can be determined by humans is described is attached to a sample container, an apparatus for acquiring image information of the sample identification information, Obtain the sample identification information affixed to the sample container in a system equipped with a device that tests the sample and a retest mechanism that returns the sample to the position where the identification information is obtained again when the test result of the sample is abnormal. And a means for outputting image information of the sample container in which the sample identification information has been written, together with a report of failure in obtaining the sample identification information. 2. The sample test system according to claim 1, wherein the sample that has been read successfully is tested while the report that the read has failed is output, and the input of the operator is until the sample identification information is read at the time of automatic retest. In this case, the sample test system is characterized in that the sample test is continued at the time of automatic retest using the input sample identification information. A step of obtaining the sample identification information attached to the sample container; and, if the acquisition of the sample identification information fails, writing the sample identification information failure to the operator and writing the sample identification information. A sample inspection method, comprising: outputting image information of a sample container contained in the sample container; inputting the sample identification information to the operator when the output is provided; and recognizing the sample identification information that has failed to be acquired by the input. 4. A sample whose reading has failed is returned via a return line, another sample is read until the return line is reached, and it is determined again whether a failed sample has been input at the reading position. If so, a sample test method characterized by performing a test using the input identification information.