JP2000258430A - Automatic analytical method and automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an automatic analytical method and an automatic analyzer, having an improved throughput regardless of analytical items of a specimen. SOLUTION: This device is equipped with an immuno-analytical units 5, 6 requiring long hours for analysis and a biochemical analytical units 7, 8 capable of finishing analysis in a short time. A specimen including an analytical item requiring long hours for analysis and a specimen including an analytical item requiring only a short time for finishing analysis are loaded on a specimen rack, and conveyed to the immuno-analytical units 5, 6 and the biochemical analytical units 7, 8, and analysis of the specimens loaded on the specimen rack is executed. As for the specimen including an analytical item requiring long hours for analysis, dispensation is executed in advance and analysis is started by the immuno-analytical units 5, 6. While waiting an output of the result of the analysis, the specimen rack is conveyed to the biochemical analytical units 7, 8, and analysis of the specimen including an analytical item requiring long hours for analysis and the specimen including an analytical item requiring only a short time for finishing analysis, is executed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic analyzing method and an automatic analyzing apparatus, and more particularly to an automatic analyzing method and an automatic analyzing apparatus suitable for a complex system for performing an immunological analysis in addition to a biochemical analysis.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Biological samples (specimens) such as blood and urine
In the field of automated analyzers for analyzing liposomes, analysis using biochemical analyzers suitable for measuring enzymes and lipids contained in specimens has been the mainstream, but in recent years, negative and positive infectious diseases and tumor markers have been analyzed. Analysis of the presence or absence of DNA and RNA of antigens detected when antigens in infectious diseases increase in the body
The number of requests for gene analysis suitable for analyzing genes, such as those of the like, is also increasing, and devices for specialized in immunological analysis and gene analysis are also becoming widespread. There is a growing demand for immunoanalyzers that can perform analysis of hormones and the like in serum with high sensitivity.

[0003] As the analysis ratio of items such as infectious diseases and tumor markers in clinical tests increases, to improve work efficiency in the laboratory, samples in the same sample cup are used for biochemical analysis. Items that do not require carryover,
In addition, there is an increasing demand for an apparatus for analyzing a measurement item that requires avoidance of sample carry-over in the analysis items such as an immunoanalysis and a gene analysis. To meet this requirement,
It is possible to consider a complex system in which an analysis unit mainly performing biochemical analysis is combined with an immune analysis unit mainly analyzing immunological analysis items or a gene analysis unit mainly performing gene analysis.

[0004]

However, in such a combined system, there is a problem that the throughput of the entire system is reduced due to handling of the following specimens.

[0005] 1) In general, the time required to analyze each analysis item in immunoassay is longer than the time required to analyze each analysis item in biochemical analysis. Therefore, when a sample including an item requiring a long time for analysis and a sample including an item for which analysis is completed in a short time compared to the analysis item are on the same sample rack, the analysis requires a long time. If the analysis of a sample containing an item that completes analysis in a short time is performed after waiting for the analysis result of the sample containing the item, the throughput of the analysis system is reduced by the analysis time of the sample containing the item that requires a long time for analysis. , And the throughput decreases.

[0006] 2) In the case of a device for analyzing a sample in the same sample cup which analyzes a measurement item requiring avoidance of sample carryover and an item which does not require avoidance of sample carryover, the analysis is particularly effective for infectious diseases. In the case of immunoassays for analysis of tumors, tumor markers, etc., there must be no sample carryover. It is necessary to prevent influence on analysis. In the case of an analyzer that analyzes measurement items that need to avoid sample carryover and items that do not need to avoid sample carryover, the items that need to avoid sample carryover after completing the items that do not need to avoid sample carryover Is highly likely to cause sample carryover. Specifically, in the case of analysis of infectious diseases, tumor markers, etc., when a sample dispensed before a certain sample shows a positive reaction, dispensing when dispensing into a sample that should have been negative A part of the previous sample is mixed through the nozzle to contaminate the sample, and as a result, sample carryover is more likely to occur. In order to avoid such carryover, after performing an analysis that includes analysis items that need to avoid carryover, continue analysis with items that do not need to avoid carryover only for samples that do not require retesting. Is performed, sample carryover can be avoided. However, since analysis items of at least one sample in a sample rack equipped with a plurality of sample racks include measurement items that need to avoid sample carryover, there are other samples that do not need to avoid sample carryover. In addition, the sample rack is forced to operate to avoid sample carryover, and the sample rack containing the sample cannot perform the next analysis until the analysis of the immunological analysis item is completed. The throughput of the entire system is reduced by the time.

[0007] Further, one sample includes an analysis item having a long analysis time and an analysis item having a short analysis time, or one sample is an analysis item requiring avoidance of a sample carryover and an analysis item requiring no avoidance of a sample carryover. Similarly, in the case of including items, there is a problem that the throughput of the entire system is similarly reduced.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic analysis method and an automatic analyzer that have improved throughput regardless of the analysis items of a sample.

[0009]

(1) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method that includes a sample including an analysis item requiring a long time for analysis and a sample including an analysis item for completing the analysis in a short time. Of the sample rack, which takes a long time to analyze,
And the second analysis unit, which completes the analysis in a shorter time than the first analysis unit, and analyzes the sample mounted on the sample rack. A sample including an analysis item requiring a long time for analysis is first dispensed in the first analysis unit to start the analysis, and the sample rack is transported to the second analysis unit while waiting for the output of the analysis result. Thus, a sample including an analysis item requiring a long time for the analysis and a sample including an analysis item for which the analysis is completed in a short time are analyzed. According to such a method, the analysis is first started in the first analysis unit, and the analysis is performed in the second analysis unit while the analysis result is obtained, so that the throughput can be improved.

(2) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a sample rack on which a sample including an analysis item requiring a long time for analysis and an analysis item for completing the analysis in a short time is mounted.
A first analysis unit that requires a long time for analysis;
In the automatic analysis method in which the sample is conveyed to the second analysis unit, which completes the analysis in a shorter time than the analysis unit, and the sample mounted on the sample rack is analyzed, the analysis item requiring a long time for the analysis is performed. Analysis is started by dispensing first in the first analysis unit and the analysis is started, and the sample rack is conveyed to the second analysis unit while waiting for the output of the analysis result, thereby completing the analysis in a short time. The analysis of the sample containing is performed. According to such a method, the analysis is first started in the first analysis unit, and the second analysis is performed while the analysis result is obtained.
Since the analysis is performed by the analysis unit, the throughput can be improved.

(3) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a sample including an analysis item which does not need to avoid sample carryover and a sample having a sample including an analysis item which does not need to avoid sample carryover. The rack is transported to a first analysis unit that performs an analysis that requires avoiding sample carryover and a second analysis unit that performs analysis that does not require avoidance of sample carryover, and the sample mounted on the sample rack is transported. In the automatic analysis method for analyzing the sample, the sample including the analysis item that needs to avoid the sample carryover is first dispensed in the first analysis unit to start the analysis, and while waiting for the output of the analysis result, It is necessary to transport the sample rack to the second analysis unit to analyze the sample including the analysis item which does not need to avoid the sample carryover, and to avoid the sample carryover. After the analysis result of the sample including the analysis item comes out, in which so as to analyze the specimen including an analysis item requiring avoidance of the sample carryover in the second analysis unit. According to such a method, the analysis of a sample including an analysis item that does not require a sample carryover can be performed quickly, so that the throughput can be improved.

(4) In the above (3), preferably,
When a retest is set for a sample that contains an analysis item that requires avoidance of the sample carryover, if a retest is required based on the analysis result of the sample that includes the analysis item that requires avoidance of the sample carryover, After the retest, the second analysis unit analyzes a sample including an analysis item that needs to avoid the sample carryover.
With this method, carryover can be avoided.

(5) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a sample rack on which a sample including an analysis item requiring avoidance of sample carryover and a sample containing an analysis item not requiring avoidance of sample carryover is provided. The sample is transported to a first analysis unit that performs an analysis that does not need to avoid sample carryover, and to a second analysis unit that performs an analysis that does not need to avoid sample carryover, and analyzes the sample mounted on the sample rack. In the automatic analysis method to be performed, an analysis item requiring avoidance of the sample carryover is first dispensed by the first analysis unit to start an analysis, and an analysis result of the analysis item requiring avoidance of the sample carryover is obtained. After that, the second analysis unit analyzes the analysis items that do not need to avoid the sample carryover. By such a method,
Since a sample including an analysis item that does not require sample carryover can be analyzed quickly, throughput can be improved.

(6) In the above (5), preferably,
When a retest is set for a sample that contains an analysis item that requires avoidance of the sample carryover, if a retest is required based on the analysis result of the sample that includes the analysis item that requires avoidance of the sample carryover, The second analysis unit analyzes the analysis items that do not need to avoid the sample carryover after the retest. With this method, carryover can be avoided.

(7) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a first analysis unit that requires a long time for analysis, and a second analysis unit that completes the analysis in a shorter time than the first analysis unit. And a sample rack on which a sample including an analysis item requiring a long time for analysis and a sample including an analysis item for which analysis is completed in a short time are mounted. In an automatic analyzer that transports the sample to the analysis unit and analyzes the sample mounted on the sample rack, the first analysis unit first dispenses and analyzes the sample including the analysis item that requires a long time for the analysis. Is started, the sample rack is transported to the second analysis unit while waiting for the output of the analysis result, and the sample including the analysis item that requires a long time for the analysis and the sample including the analysis item for which the analysis is completed in a short time Analysis It is intended. According to such a configuration, the analysis is started first in the first analysis unit, and the analysis is performed in the second analysis unit while the analysis result is obtained, so that the throughput can be improved.

(8) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a first analysis unit that requires a long time for analysis, and a second analysis unit that completes the analysis in a shorter time than the first analysis unit. And a sample rack in which a sample including an analysis item that requires a long time for analysis and an analysis item for which analysis is completed in a short time is mounted on the first analysis unit and the second analysis unit. In an automatic analyzer that transports and analyzes a sample mounted on a sample rack, the analysis item that requires a long time for the analysis is first dispensed by the first analysis unit, and the analysis is started. While waiting for the output of
And transports the sample rack to the analysis unit, and analyzes the sample including the analysis item in which the analysis is completed in a short time. According to such a configuration, the analysis is started first in the first analysis unit, and the analysis is performed in the second analysis unit while the analysis result is obtained, so that the throughput can be improved.

(9) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a first method for performing an analysis which needs to avoid sample carryover.
, And a second analysis unit that performs an analysis that does not require avoidance of the sample carryover, and includes a sample including an analysis item that requires the avoidance of the sample carryover and an analysis item that does not require the avoidance of the sample carryover In an automatic analyzer that transports a sample rack loaded with a sample containing the sample to the first analysis unit and the second analysis unit and analyzes the sample loaded in the sample rack, avoiding the sample carryover The first analysis unit first dispenses a sample including an analysis item required for analysis, starts analysis, and transports the sample rack to the second analysis unit while waiting for the output of the analysis result. The analysis of the sample including the analysis item which does not need to avoid the sample carryover is performed, and after the analysis result of the sample including the analysis item which needs to avoid the sample carryover is obtained, the second analysis is performed. At analysis unit is obtained so as to analyze the specimen including an analysis item requiring avoidance of the sample carryover. With such a configuration, a sample including an analysis item that does not require sample carryover can be analyzed quickly, so that the throughput can be improved.

(10) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a first analysis unit for performing an analysis that requires avoidance of a sample carryover, and a second analysis unit for performing an analysis that does not require avoidance of a sample carryover. A sample rack having an analysis unit and loaded with a sample that includes an analysis item that requires avoidance of sample carryover and an analysis item that does not require avoidance of sample carryover is loaded into the first analysis unit and the second analysis unit. In the automatic analyzer that transports the sample to the unit and analyzes the sample mounted on the sample rack, the first analysis unit first starts analysis of the analysis items that need to avoid the sample carryover, and the analysis result After that, the second analysis unit analyzes the analysis items that do not need to avoid the sample carryover. With such a configuration,
Since analysis of an analysis item that does not require sample carryover can be performed quickly, throughput can be improved.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The configuration and operation of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. First, the overall configuration of the automatic analyzer according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
It is a system block diagram showing the whole automatic analyzer by one embodiment of the present invention.

The automatic analyzer according to the present embodiment comprises a sample rack input section 1, an ID reading section 2, a transport line 3
, Return transport line 4, and analysis modules 5, 6, 7,
8, a sample rack standby unit 9, and a sample rack collection unit 10
And an overall management computer 11.

The sample rack input section 1 is a section for inputting a plurality of sample racks each holding a plurality of samples (samples). The analysis modules 5, 6, 7, and 8 are arranged along the transport line 3 and
Is detachably connected. The number of analysis modules may be arbitrary, and the present embodiment shows a case of four analysis modules. The four analysis modules 5, 6, 7, 8 constitute two analysis units. That is, the first analysis unit is composed of two upstream units of the transport line 3, that is, the analysis modules 5 and 6, and these are the immune analysis modules. In addition, the second analysis unit includes the downstream analysis unit 2.
, Ie, analysis modules 7 and 8, which are biochemical analysis modules. The number of analysis modules constituting the biochemical analysis module is not limited to two, but may be three or more. In the present embodiment, the case of the combination of the biochemical analysis module and the immune analysis module is shown, but it may be configured by a combination with another analysis module, for example, a gene analysis module.

The transport line 3 transports the sample rack from the sample rack input unit 1 to a predetermined one of the analysis modules 5, 6, 7, and 8. In addition, the transport line 3 transports a sample rack holding a sample that has been analyzed by the analysis modules 5, 6, 7, and 8 so as to be stored in the sample collection unit 10. Analysis modules 5, 6, 7, 8
Have drop lines 51, 61, 71 and 81, respectively. Each transport of the sample rack from the transport line 3 to the analysis modules 5, 6, 7, 8 is performed by drawing the sample rack into the drop-in lines 51, 61, 71, 81, respectively. The return transport line 4 transports the sample rack analyzed by one of the analysis modules 5, 6, 7, and 8 when re-examination is required or when analysis is required by another analysis module. It is for returning to the entrance of the line 3. Sample rack standby unit 9
Means that when a sample analyzed in each analysis module is further analyzed in another analysis module, temporary dispensing in each analysis module and a temporary wait until the result of determination as to whether or not to perform a retest after the analysis is completed are obtained. It is the part that makes you

The analysis modules 5, 6, 7, and 8 are provided with computers 12, 13, 14, and 15 for controlling necessary processing in each analysis module. The sample rack input section 1 includes a sample rack input section 1, a transport line 3, a transport line 4 for re-examination, and a computer 16 for performing necessary control in the sample rack collecting section 10. Further, the sample rack standby section 9 includes a computer 17 for performing necessary control in the sample rack. Computers 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and ID
The reading unit 2 is connected to a computer 11 for overall management. The computer 11 further includes an operation unit 18 for inputting necessary information and a display unit 1 for displaying analysis results.
9 is connected.

The sample held by the sample rack has a sample ID indicating information on the sample (reception number, patient name, requested analysis item, etc.), and the sample rack indicates rack identification information such as a rack number. It has a rack ID.
The sample rack placed in the sample rack input unit 1 is transported by the transport line 3. When the sample rack moves to the transport line 3, the sample ID and the sample rack ID are read by the ID reading unit 2, and the 11 is sent. The computer 11 determines which analysis module performs the analysis of the requested analysis item based on the information, and provides the information to the computer 16 and the computers 12,..., 15 of the determined analysis module. .

Next, the configuration of the immune analysis module used in the analyzer according to the present embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, the immunity analysis module 5 shown in FIG. 1 will be described as an example, but the immunity analysis module 6 has the same configuration. The same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 indicate the same parts. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a configuration of an immune analysis module used in the analyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

A plurality of reagent containers 20 include a reagent disk 21
It is arranged in a circle above. The reagent disk 21 is rotated by a motor. The plurality of reaction vessels 22 are
3 on a circle. The constant temperature bath 23 is rotated by a motor. By the rotation of the thermostat 23, the reaction container 22 is moved from the reaction container installation position 24 to the sample dispensing position 25,
It is moved to a reagent dispensing position 26 and a reaction liquid suction position 27.

The sample dispensing pipetter 28 is positioned at the sample suction position 2
It can be moved from 9 to a sample dispensing position 25 by a motor. When the sample rack 30 is drawn into the drop line 51 and held by the sample rack, and the sample (sample) positioned at the sample suction position 29 is dispensed to the reaction container 22 at the sample dispensing position 25, the sample Dispensing pipettor 27
The disposable tip 31 is attached to the tip of the nozzle 8.

The reagent dispensing pipetter 32
3 to a reagent dispensing position 26. Shipper 34
Is movable between the reaction solution suction position 27, the buffer solution suction position 35, and the flow cell internal washing position 36. or,
The shipper 34 has a function of sending a reaction solution to a flow cell in the detection unit 37 via a tube.

The tip and reaction container transfer mechanism 38 transfers the disposable tip 31 from the tip storage position 39 to the tip mounting position 55, and transfers the reaction container 33 from the reaction container storage position 40 to the reaction container installation position 24. . The reagent dispensing pipetter 32 and the shipper 34 clean their own nozzles at the respective cleaning positions.

Next, the operation of the immune analysis module 5 will be described. First, the tip and reaction vessel transfer mechanism 38
The disposable tip 31 is transferred to the tip mounting position 55, and the reaction container 22 is transferred to the reaction container installation position 24. When the sample is positioned at the sample suction position 29, the reagent disk 2
1 is a reagent container 2 containing a reagent to be used for analyzing the sample.
The sample dispensing pipetter 28 moves to the sample suction position 29 after the disposable tip 31 is attached to the nozzle, and aspirates the sample (specimen). After aspirating the sample, pipette 2
8 is moved to the sample dispensing position 25 and discharges the sucked sample into the reaction container 22. After its release, the sample dispensing pipettor 2
8 is moved to the chip discarding position 41, and the tip chip is discarded.

The reaction container 22 from which the sample has been released is moved to the reagent dispensing position 26 by the rotation of the reaction disk 23. The reagent dispensing pipetter 32 sucks the reagent at the reagent suction position 33 and discharges it to the reaction container 22 moved to the reagent dispensing position 26. The reaction container 22 containing the immunoreaction solution of the reagent and the sample is moved to the reaction solution suction position 27 by the rotation of the reaction disk 23 after a certain period of time.
The sipper 34 sucks the reaction solution, moves to a buffer solution suction position 35 to suck the buffer solution, and transfers the buffer solution to a flow cell in the detection unit 37 via a tube. Thus, the optical measurement is performed, and the analysis result of the immunological analysis item is obtained. Thereafter, the sipper 34 is moved to the flow cell internal cleaning position 36, aspirates the flow cell internal cleaning liquid, flows through the tube to the flow cell, and cleans the flow cell.

Next, the configuration of the biochemical module used in the analyzer according to the present embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, the biochemical analysis module 7 shown in FIG. 1 is described as an example, but the biochemical analysis module 8 has the same configuration. The same reference numerals as those in FIG.
The same parts are shown. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the configuration of the biochemical analysis module used in the analyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The biochemical module 7 includes a first reagent disk 43 in which a plurality of first reagents 41 are respectively arranged in a circle, and a first reagent disk 43 in which a plurality of second reagents 42 are arranged in a circle. A second reagent disk 44, a reagent system including first and second reagent dispensing pipettes 45 and 46, a sample system including a sample dispensing pipettor 47, and a reaction disk in which a thermostat from a thermostat 48 is circulated. A reaction system in which a plurality of reaction vessels 50 are arranged on 49 and a measurement system (analysis system) including a multi-wavelength photometer 52 are provided.

The sample rack 30 is drawn into the lead-in line 71, the sample (sample) held by the sample rack and positioned at the sample suction position is sucked by the sample dispensing pipettor 47, and 50 is released at the sample dispensing position. The reaction container 50 from which the sample has been released is moved to the first reagent dispensing position by rotation of the reaction disk 49, where the first reagent disk 43 held in the reaction container 50 holds the first reagent disk 43. Reagent 41
Is dispensed by the first reagent pipettor 45. The reaction container 50 into which the first reagent has been dispensed is moved to the stirring position, where the sample and the first reagent are stirred by the stirring position 53.

Further, when it is necessary to add the second reagent,
The stirred reaction container 50 is moved to the second reagent dispensing position, where the second reagent 42 held on the second reagent disk 44 contains the second reagent pipettor. Dispensed by. The dispensed reaction vessel 50 is moved to the stirring position, where the sample, the first reagent, and the second reagent in the reaction vessel 50 are stirred by the stirring device 53, and the reaction liquid is generated. . The reaction vessel 50 containing the reaction solution is moved to a measurement position, where the multi-wavelength photometer 52 measures the multi-wavelength absorbance of the reaction solution, and obtains the analysis result of the biochemical analysis item.

Next, the procedure of system operation of the automatic analyzer according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of system operation of the automatic analyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

In step S401, the operator places a reagent at a predetermined position in each analysis module,
Then, information on which analysis module each analysis reagent corresponds to which analysis item is stored in a storage device in the computer 11 and registered. This registration may be performed by the operator operating the operation unit 18 or may be performed by automatically reading the reagent ID of the reagent. In addition, a sample is set on a sample rack, and a test item is set for each sample,
register.

Here, an example of setting the inspection items will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an example of setting analysis items for biochemical analysis in the automatic analyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is an analysis item of immunoassay in the automatic analyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a setting example of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, the specimen type, specimen number,
The user inputs sample information such as a patient ID and a sample cup, and sets analysis items using the illustrated tags of Sheet1 to Sheet5. Sheets 1 to 4 list analysis items of biochemical analysis in a list, and Sheet 5 lists analysis items of immunoassay. FIG.
Indicates that Sheet1 is selected, and AST, ALT, IP,..., ISE, and the like are set as the analysis items of the biochemical analysis. In the example shown in FIG. 6, Sheet5 is selected, and TSH, T3T, T4,
…, T-UP etc. are set.

Next, in step S402 of FIG.
The operator operates the operation unit 18 to specify whether the automatic retest logic is unconditionally activated for all items and all samples, and if so, which retest logic is activated.

Next, if the automatic retest is not performed unconditionally for all items and all samples, in step S403, the operator himself / herself executes the automatic retest logic for each analysis item and / or each sample. The user operates the operation unit 18 to specify whether or not to operate, and if so, which reinspection logic to operate. This automatically re-examines only the analysis items that really need to be re-examined, which greatly contributes to minimizing a decrease in processing performance of the entire apparatus.

The automatic retest logic specifically indicates, for example, the following conditions. These are stored and registered in the storage device of the computer 11 in advance, and can be designated and selected by the operator. (1) Always perform automatic re-inspection unconditionally. (2) If the analysis (measurement) range for each analysis item is out of the preset analysis (measurement) range, an automatic retest is performed. (3) When the difference between the current analysis value and the previous analysis value exceeds a preset limit value for a sample derived from the same subject, an automatic retest is performed.

Here, a setting example of the automatic retest logic will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a setting example of the automatic retest logic in the automatic analyzer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In the example shown in the figure, as the reagent information loaded on each analysis unit, an item name, the number of valid items, an analysis unit indicating which analysis unit the reagent is mounted on,
A check mark is displayed for each reagent position on the analysis unit, a group indicating which item group the reagent belongs to, and a retest registration item if a retest is requested. I have.
At this time, a request for reexamination can be made by re-registering all items by pressing re-examination registration, or registration can be made by pressing manual registration.

In the example shown in the figure, automatic retesting is set for each of the immunoassay items CEA, HCG, CA19-9, and CK125, which are marked with circles, in the column of “retest registration”. It indicates that The column “Carryover Avoidance” is used to register whether or not it is necessary to avoid carryover. In this example, similarly to “Re-examination registration”, CEA, HCG, CA19-9, CK1
This indicates that it is set that it is necessary to avoid carryover for each of the 25 immunoassay items.

Next, in step S404 in FIG.
The operator operates the operation unit 18 to specify an analysis (measurement) channel use algorithm when performing the automatic re-examination. The analysis channel use algorithm in the case of performing the automatic re-examination specifically indicates, for example, the following conditions. These are stored and registered in the storage device of the computer 11 in advance, and the operator can specify and select any of them. (1) Always perform automatic re-inspection unconditionally. (2) Use the same analysis (measurement) channel as in the analysis (measurement) before re-examination. (3) Use an analysis channel different from that used during the analysis before retest. This is effective when the analysis channel before re-examination is abnormal. (4) Use a plurality of analysis channels including the same analysis channel as in the analysis before the retest. This is effective when a highly reliable analysis result is desired. (5) Use a plurality of analysis measurement channels that do not include the same analysis channel as in the analysis before the retest. This is effective when the analysis channel before re-examination is abnormal and a highly reliable analysis result is desired.

Each analysis module has one analysis (measurement)
Although it is assumed that only channels are provided, a plurality of analysis channels may be provided. Also,
The plurality of analysis channels in (3) and (4) may be a plurality of analysis channels in one analysis module, or a plurality of analysis channels spanning a plurality of analysis modules within the same analysis unit. It may be an analysis channel. The automatic retest logic information and the analysis channel use algorithm are registered in a storage device in the computer 11, but may be stored and registered in a storage device provided outside the computer.

When the operation by the operator as described above is completed, the analysis is started in step S405,
In step S406, the analysis result is output. Further, depending on the analysis result, after the automatic re-examination logic operates in step S407, the process proceeds to step S4.
At 08, the analysis ends.

In the system operation flow described above, the system flow after installing and registering the reagent and the sample at the same time is shown. However, after the installation of the reagent, each item or all items are corresponded to S402 and S403. After performing the setting of whether or not to perform automatic retesting, when performing automatic retesting for each item or all items, set what kind of automatic retesting logic is to be performed, and then set the As shown in S402 and S403 for the sample, whether or not to perform the automatic retest for each sample or for all the samples, and if so, what kind of automatic retest logic is to be performed, and then perform the analysis It may be.

Next, the flow of the sample rack transport process in the automatic analyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a sample rack transport process in the automatic analyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The analysis logic in this embodiment is basically as follows. Now, it is assumed that the same sample rack stops at two places of the immunological analysis module 5 and the biochemical analysis module 7 to analyze the immunological analysis items and the biochemical analysis items for the samples held by the sample racks. The analysis of the immunological analysis item requires a longer time for analysis than the analysis of the biochemical analysis item.

For example, if the sample held in the sample rack is a sample for which automatic retest is not specified, or if the sample is registered by the operation unit 18 not to be retested, first, The rack is transported by the transport line 3 to the immunological analysis module 5, where the rack is dispensed and immunological analysis is performed. When the dispensing is completed, the sample rack is
The sample transported by the transport line 3 to the biochemical analysis module 7 where the sample held in the sample rack is subjected to biochemical analysis. The sample rack for which the biochemical analysis has been completed is transported by the transport line 3 to the sample rack collection unit 10 and collected.

When the sample held in the sample rack is a sample for which automatic retesting is specified and includes an immunological analysis item for which automatic retesting is specified, the sample rack is used for immunoassay. After the end of the dispensing, the sample is transported to the sample rack standby section 9 by the transport line 3 and is temporarily standby.
In the meantime, the computer determines whether or not a retest is necessary according to a predetermined algorithm or logic, and if a retest is required as a result of the determination, the sample rack is transported by the transport line 4 by the transport line 3 and the return transport line 4. The sample is returned to the inlet side of the line 3 and further transferred to the analysis module 5 by the transfer line 3, and the sample held in the sample rack is dispensed again, and re-examination, that is, another immuno-analysis is performed. After the dispensing for the second immunoanalysis in the analysis module 5 is completed, if the sample held in the corresponding sample rack is a sample for which retest is not specified, the analysis module 8 and the sample rack The sample is conveyed to and collected by the sample rack collection unit 10 by the transfer line 3 without stopping at the standby unit 9.

Further, with respect to the sample rack dispensed by the analysis module 7, if the sample held in the sample rack is a sample designated for reexamination and contains a biochemical analysis item designated for reexamination, the analysis module 5 The same steps as those performed when the sample held in the sample rack is a sample for which retest is specified and includes an immunoanalytical item for which retest is specified for the sample rack dispensed in step (1).

The sample rack is connected to the analysis module 5,
6, 7, or 8, for example, when there is another sample rack to be subjected to biochemical analysis by the analysis module 8 during the immunological analysis processing by the analysis module 5, the sample rack is transferred to the analysis module 5 by the transport line 3. It is also possible to directly transport the sample to the analysis module 8 without stopping at any of the items 6 and 7. In this sense, the transport line 3 can also be called an overtaking transport line.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when performing both the biochemical analysis in the biochemical analysis module and the immunoanalysis in the immunoanalytical module, the immunoanalysis in the immunoanalytical module is performed by the biochemical analytical module. Performed prior to biochemical analysis of In addition, if it is determined that re-examination is necessary for the sample that has been dispensed for immunoanalysis, the sample rack is re-executed before the biochemical analysis in the biochemical analysis module. The module is transported to perform an immunoassay. For this reason, the influence of the sample carryover from the biochemical analysis module on the immunological analysis is prevented.

A plurality of samples are set on the sample rack, and each sample is a sample A).
A sample that performs analysis items only for biochemical analysis, a sample B) a sample that performs biochemical analysis and an analysis item for immunoassay for which automatic retest is not set, and a sample C) that performs biochemical analysis and automatic retest Since there is a mixture of items that perform the analysis items of the immunoanalysis, a transport process is performed for each sample rack according to the type of the sample on the sample rack. That is, in the present embodiment, the transport processing is performed for each sample rack, and the analysis time is reduced. The sample C) that performs the analysis items of the biochemical analysis and the immunoanalysis for which the automatic retest is set will be described below as it is necessary to avoid carryover.

In step S501, a sample rack is loaded into the sample rack loading section 1 shown in FIG. Here, this sample rack includes the above-mentioned samples A),
B) and C) are assumed. Next, in step S502, the loaded sample rack is transferred to the transport line 3. Next, in step S503, the sample ID and the rack ID are
And the information is sent to the computer 11.

Next, in step S504, the computer 11 determines whether or not there is a sample on the sample rack for which an analysis request has been made for the immunological analysis item. If the immunological analysis item has not been requested, step S
Proceeding to 511, it is transported to the biochemical analysis module.
If an immunological analysis item has been requested, step S5
Go to 05. Immunoassays take a long time to analyze,
First, I try to do an immunoassay. In the description of the present embodiment, since the samples A), B), and C) are mounted on the sample rack, the process proceeds to step S505. If only the sample A) is placed on the sample rack, the process proceeds to step S511.

Next, in step S505, the computer 11 determines whether an automatic retest has been requested. Even when a request for an immunological analysis item is made, if the automatic retest of the item has not been requested, the process proceeds to step S510. If an automatic reexamination has been requested, the process proceeds to step S506. In the description of the present embodiment,
Since the samples A), B), and C) are placed on the sample rack, the process proceeds to step S506. For example, in a sample rack,
If only the above-described sample B) is placed, the process proceeds to step S510.

Here, to explain step S510, the computer 11 determines whether it is necessary to avoid carryover. If it is set that the carry-over avoidance is necessary, the process proceeds to step S506. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S511.
It is transported to the biochemical analysis module. That is, in the present embodiment, when an automatic retest is requested or when it is set that the carry-over avoidance is required, the immune analysis is performed first.

When an automatic reexamination has been requested or when it is set to avoid carryover,
In step S506, the sample rack is transported to the immune analysis module. Next, in step S507, the sample B) and the sample C) are dispensed from the sample rack, and analysis of the immunological analysis item is started. Then, before the analysis result of the immunoassay is output, the process proceeds to the next step.

Next, in step S508, the computer 11 determines whether or not the analysis of the biochemical analysis item has already been completed for the sample rack. here,
As in sample A), the presence or absence of a sample for which only biochemical analysis is performed is determined.
Proceed to step 511; otherwise, execute step S509.
Proceed to. In the description of the present embodiment, the specimens B) and C)
In addition to the above, since the sample A) is listed, step S510
Will go on. Because immunoassays take a long time,
If the specimen A) is put in the standby state as it is, a long time is required for the analysis. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S511 so as to execute the biochemical analysis of the specimen A).

In step S511, the sample rack is transported to the biochemical analysis module. Next, in step S512, the analysis of the biochemical analysis items is performed on the samples other than the sample for which the automatic retest regarding the immune analysis items on the sample rack has been requested. In the description of the present embodiment, biochemical analysis is performed on the samples A) and B) on the sample rack. Note that the sample C) on the sample rack has not been subjected to biochemical analysis at this time in order to avoid carryover since an automatic retest is requested.

Next, in step S513, the presence or absence of a retest of a sample for which an automatic retest in biochemical analysis is requested is confirmed. If there is a sample for which an automatic retest is requested, the process proceeds to step S514; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S520. In the description of the present embodiment, since the sample A) has not been requested to perform an automatic retest, the process proceeds to step S520.

In step S520, it is determined whether or not there is any sample on the sample rack that requires retesting of an analysis item relating to an immune analysis item. If such a sample exists, the process proceeds to step S506; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S521. In the description of the present embodiment, the sample C) has been requested to perform an automatic retest by immunological analysis. If it is determined that the retest is necessary, the process proceeds to step S506. However, if it is determined that the reexamination is unnecessary, the process proceeds to step S521.

Then, in step S506, the sample rack is transported to the immune analysis module, and
At 507, a reanalysis of the immune analysis item is performed. Next, in step S508, the computer 11
It is determined whether the analysis of the biochemical analysis item has already been completed for the sample rack. Here, since the presence or absence of a sample for which only biochemical analysis is performed is determined as in the sample A), the process proceeds to step S509.

Next, in step S509, the computer 11 determines whether or not an automatic retest has been requested, the retest has been completed, and there is a sample for which a biochemical analysis item has been requested. If there is such a sample, the process proceeds to step S511; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S523. Here, the retest of the immunoassay has been completed for the sample C), but the biochemical analysis has also been requested, so the process proceeds to step S511. In addition, on the sample rack,
If there is a sample for which only the area analysis has been requested, the process proceeds to step S523, and the process proceeds to step S51.
In 1, the sample rack is transported to the biochemical analysis module. Next, in step S512, the analysis of the biochemical analysis items is performed on the samples other than the sample for which the automatic retest regarding the immune analysis items on the sample rack has been requested. In the description of the present embodiment, the samples A),
Since the biochemical analysis of B) has already been completed, the biochemical analysis of the sample C) that has been subjected to the retest of the immunoassay is performed.

Next, in step S513, the presence or absence of a retest of the sample requested to be automatically retested in the biochemical analysis is confirmed. If there is a sample for which an automatic retest is requested, the process proceeds to step S514; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S520. In the description of the present embodiment, since the sample A) has not been requested to perform an automatic retest, the process proceeds to step S520.

In step S520, it is determined whether or not there is any sample on the sample rack that requires retesting of an analysis item relating to an immunological analysis item. If such a sample exists, the process proceeds to step S506; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S521. Here, since the retest of the sample C) has been completed, the process proceeds to step S521.

In step S521, it is determined whether or not there is a sample for which an immunological analysis item has been requested on the sample rack. If there is, the process proceeds to step S506,
If not, the process proceeds to step S522. Here, since there is the sample B), the process proceeds to step S506 again.

In step S522, it is determined whether there is a sample on the sample rack that requires retesting of an analysis item relating to an immune analysis item, but there is a sample that does not need to be retested. If there is such a sample, the process proceeds to step S506; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S523. For example, if it is determined in the determination in step S520 that the retest of the sample C) is unnecessary, the process proceeds to step S520.
Proceeding to 511, in step S512, the sample C)
Will be analyzed. Then, in step S523, the sample rack is stored in the sample storage unit 9.

Next, a case where a retest in biochemical analysis is requested will be described. In such a case, the process proceeds to step S514 based on the determination in step S513. Then, in step S514, the sample rack is transported to the sample rack standby unit 9.

Next, in step S515, the analysis order of the automatic retest analysis items is awaited. Next, step S51
At 6, it is determined whether or not a retest is necessary. If re-examination is unnecessary, the process proceeds to step S520, and if re-examination is necessary, the process proceeds to step S517.

Then, in step S517, the sample is transported to the biochemical analysis module according to the measurement channel selection algorithm. Next, in step S518, the biochemical analysis is re-examined. Next, in step S519, the biochemical analysis ends, and the process proceeds to step S520 and subsequent steps.

In the above description, both the biochemical analysis in the biochemical analysis module and the immunoanalysis in the immunoassay module are performed, and when the automatic retest is performed, the immunoanalysis in the immunoassay module is Performed prior to biochemical analysis in the chemical analysis module. In addition, the sample for which dispensing for immunoassay has been completed temporarily waits in the sample rack standby unit until it is determined whether retesting is necessary.
Alternatively, the dispensing in the biochemical analysis unit is performed while another sample that has been transported to the biochemical analysis unit and has not been re-tested for the immunological analysis item is being dispensed and analyzed. Since it is not performed, the effect of the sample carryover from the biochemical analysis module on the immunological analysis is prevented. In addition, if the results of the immunoassay show that there is no need for retesting and that the analysis of biochemical items has not been requested for the sample for which retesting has been requested, the sample rack can be stored at this point. It is possible to perform both biochemical analysis with the biochemical analysis module and immunoassay with the immunoassay module without lowering the overall throughput.

In the above description, a plurality of samples are loaded on the sample rack. However, even when one sample is loaded on one sample rack, the transport of the sample rack shown in FIG. The processing is likewise applicable. That is, one sample placed on the sample rack is a sample that includes an analysis item that requires a long time for analysis and an analysis item that completes the analysis in a short time. The unit starts dispensing first and starts the analysis, and while waiting for the output of the analysis result, transports the sample rack to the second analysis unit and completes the analysis in a short time. What you do. In addition, one sample placed on the sample rack is a sample including an analysis item that needs to avoid sample carryover and an analysis item that does not need to avoid sample carryover, and an analysis item that needs to avoid sample carryover. Is first dispensed in the first analysis unit to start the analysis, and after the analysis result of the analysis item that requires avoidance of the sample carryover is obtained, the second analysis unit performs the analysis of the sample carryover. The analysis of analysis items that do not need to be avoided is performed. Further, one sample placed on the sample rack is a sample including an analysis item that needs to avoid sample carryover and an analysis item that does not need to avoid sample carryover, and an analysis item that needs to avoid sample carryover. When a retest is set for a sample containing a sample, if a retest is required based on the analysis result of the sample containing an analysis item requiring avoidance of the sample carryover, a second analysis is performed after the retest. The unit analyzes the analysis items that do not require the avoidance of the sample carryover.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the throughput can be improved irrespective of the analysis item of the sample. In addition, sample carryover can be avoided.

[0079]

According to the present invention, the throughput can be improved irrespective of the analysis items of the sample.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system block diagram showing an overall configuration of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a configuration of an immune analysis module used in the analyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a configuration of a biochemical analysis module used in the analyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a system operation of the automatic analyzer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an example of setting analysis items for biochemical analysis in the automatic analyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an example of setting analysis items for immunoassay in the automatic analyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a setting example of an automatic retest logic in the automatic analyzer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a sample rack transport process in the automatic analyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Sample rack input part 2 ... ID reading part 3 ... Conveyance line 4 ... Return conveyance line 5, 6, 7, 8 ... Analysis module 9 ... Sample rack standby part 10 ... Sample rack collection part 11 ... Computer for overall management 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 ... each analysis module computer 18 ... operation unit 19 ... display unit 51, 61, 71, 81 ... drop-in line

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Kyoko Imai 882 Ma, Hitachinaka-shi, Ibaraki F-term (reference) 2G058 BB05 CB09 CD12 CD21

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A sample rack on which a sample including an analysis item requiring a long time for analysis and a sample including an analysis item for which analysis is completed in a short time is mounted, a first analysis unit requiring a long time for the analysis, In the automatic analysis method in which the sample is conveyed to the second analysis unit that completes the analysis in a shorter time than the first analysis unit, and the sample mounted on the sample rack is analyzed, the analysis may take a long time. The sample including necessary analysis items is first dispensed by the first analysis unit to start the analysis, and the sample rack is transported to the second analysis unit while waiting for the output of the analysis result, and the analysis is performed. An automatic analysis method characterized by analyzing a sample including an analysis item that requires time and a sample including an analysis item in which analysis is completed in a short time. 2. A sample rack on which a sample including an analysis item requiring a long time for analysis and a sample including an analysis item for which the analysis is completed in a short time is mounted, a first analysis unit requiring a long time for the analysis,
In the automatic analysis method in which the sample is conveyed to the second analysis unit that completes the analysis in a shorter time than the first analysis unit, and the sample mounted on the sample rack is analyzed, the analysis may take a long time. The required analysis items are first dispensed by the first analysis unit to start the analysis, and the sample rack is transported to the second analysis unit while waiting for the output of the analysis result, thereby completing the analysis in a short time. An automatic analysis method characterized in that a sample containing an analysis item to be analyzed is analyzed. 3. A sample rack on which a sample containing an analysis item requiring avoidance of a sample carryover and a sample rack containing a sample containing an analysis item which does not require avoidance of a sample carryover are subjected to an analysis requiring the avoidance of a sample carryover. A first analysis unit that performs analysis and a second analysis that performs analysis that does not require avoidance of sample carryover.
In the automatic analysis method of transporting the sample to the analysis unit and analyzing the sample mounted on the sample rack, the sample including the analysis items that need to avoid the sample carryover is dispensed first in the first analysis unit. To start the analysis, and while waiting for the output of the analysis result, transport the sample rack to the second analysis unit to analyze the sample including the analysis item which does not need to avoid the sample carryover, After the analysis result of the sample including the analysis item which needs to avoid the sample carryover is obtained, the second analysis unit analyzes the sample including the analysis item which needs to avoid the sample carryover. And automatic analysis method. 4. The automatic analysis method according to claim 3, wherein when a retest is set for a sample including an analysis item requiring avoidance of the sample carryover, the analysis requiring avoidance of the sample carryover is performed. In the case where a retest is required based on the analysis result of the sample including the item, after the retest, the sample including the analysis item which needs to avoid the sample carryover is analyzed in the second analysis unit. And automatic analysis method. 5. A sample rack on which a sample rack containing an analysis item that needs to avoid sample carryover and an analysis item that does not need to avoid sample carryover is subjected to an analysis that needs to avoid sample carryover. In the automatic analysis method in which the sample is carried to the analysis unit and the second analysis unit that performs the analysis that does not need to avoid the sample carryover, and the sample mounted on the sample rack is analyzed, the sample carryover can be avoided. Necessary analysis items are first
Dispensing is performed first in the analysis unit, and analysis is started. After the analysis result of the analysis item that requires avoidance of the sample carryover is obtained, it is not necessary to avoid the sample carryover in the second analysis unit. An automatic analysis method characterized by analyzing various analysis items. 6. The automatic analysis method according to claim 5, wherein when a retest is set for a sample including an analysis item requiring avoidance of the sample carryover, the analysis requiring avoidance of the sample carryover is performed. In the case where re-examination is necessary according to the analysis result of the sample including the item, after the re-examination, the second analysis unit analyzes the analysis items which do not require the avoidance of the sample carry-over. Analysis method. 7. A first analysis unit which requires a long time for analysis, and a second analysis unit which completes the analysis in a shorter time than the first analysis unit. The sample rack on which the sample containing the required analysis item and the sample containing the analysis item for which the analysis is completed in a short time is mounted is transported to the first analysis unit and the second analysis unit, and is mounted on the sample rack. In an automatic analyzer for analyzing a sample, a sample including an analysis item that requires a long time for the analysis is first dispensed in the first analysis unit to start the analysis, and while waiting for the output of the analysis result, An automatic analyzer, wherein the sample rack is transported to the second analysis unit to analyze a sample including an analysis item requiring a long time for the analysis and a sample including an analysis item for which the analysis is completed in a short time. 8. A first analysis unit which requires a long time for analysis, and a second analysis unit which finishes the analysis in a shorter time than the first analysis unit. A sample rack on which a sample including a required analysis item and an analysis item for which analysis is completed in a short time is mounted is transported to the first analysis unit and the second analysis unit, and analysis of the sample mounted on the sample rack is performed. In the automatic analyzer for performing the analysis, the analysis item that requires a long time for the analysis is first dispensed by the first analysis unit to start the analysis, and the second analysis unit is configured to wait for the output of the analysis result. An automatic analyzer, wherein a sample rack is transported to analyze a sample including an analysis item in which the analysis is completed in a short time. 9. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a first analysis unit for performing an analysis that requires avoidance of the sample carryover, and a second analysis unit for performing an analysis that does not require avoidance of the sample carryover. A sample rack on which a sample containing necessary analysis items and a sample containing analysis items for which avoidance of sample carryover is not required is mounted is transported to the first analysis unit and the second analysis unit and mounted on the sample rack. In the automatic analyzer for analyzing the analyzed sample, the first analysis unit first dispenses the sample including the analysis item which needs to avoid the sample carryover, starts the analysis, and outputs the analysis result. While waiting, the sample rack is transported to the second analysis unit to analyze a sample including an analysis item that does not need to avoid the sample carryover. An automatic analyzer for analyzing a sample including an analysis item requiring avoidance of the sample carryover in the second analysis unit after an analysis result of the sample including an analysis item requiring avoidance is obtained. . 10. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a first analysis unit for performing an analysis that requires avoiding the sample carryover, and a second analysis unit for performing an analysis that does not require the avoidance of the sample carryover. The sample rack on which the sample including the necessary analysis items and the analysis item which does not need to avoid the sample carryover is mounted is transported to the first analysis unit and the second analysis unit, and the sample mounted on the sample rack is transported. In the automatic analyzer that analyzes the sample, the analysis items that need to avoid the sample carryover
An analysis unit that starts analysis first, and after the analysis result is obtained, analyzes the analysis items that do not require the avoidance of the sample carryover in the second analysis unit.