JP2000258434A - Biochemical analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect loading of a cartridge in a cartridge storing part of a storage shed without installing an exclusive sensor, such as an optical sensor or the like. SOLUTION: When a cartridge 3 in which a dry analytical element 1 is stored, is housed in a cartridge storing part 11a of a storage shed 11, a pressure sensor 63 for detecting a pressure variation accompanied with suction is arranged in a pressure passage 62 for introducing a suction pressure relative to a takeoff sucking cup 60 of an element conveyance means 13 for taking out, by sucking and holding, the dry analytical element 1 from the cartridge 3. And when the cartridge 3 is loaded in the storage shed 11, the takeoff sucking cup 60 is moved to a position where it can be sucked to the dry analytical element 1 in the cartridge 3, to detect the loading of the cartridge 3 by the pressure sensor 63.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dry analytical element provided with a reagent layer which causes a concentration change by a chemical reaction, a biochemical reaction or an immune reaction with a predetermined biochemical substance contained in a sample such as blood or urine. The present invention relates to a biochemical analyzer for performing biochemical analysis or the like by using a method, and more particularly, to detection of loading of a cartridge into a storage for storing a cartridge containing a plurality of the dry analysis elements.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a dry-type dry analytical element capable of quantitatively analyzing a specific chemical component or a formed component contained in a specimen simply by spotting and supplying a small droplet of the specimen has been practically used. Has been A plurality of types of dry analytical elements having different characteristics corresponding to the measurement items are prepared, and the dry analytical elements are housed in cartridges for each type.

A plurality of cartridges in which a plurality of dry analytical elements having different measurement items are stacked and accommodated in advance as described above are arranged and stored in a cartridge accommodating section of a storage of a biochemical analyzer. There is known a biochemical analyzer in which a dry analytical element is taken out from a corresponding cartridge based on a command of a measurement item for a sample by an element conveying means having a suction cup for taking out the sample (see, for example, JP-A-8-43405). ).

[0004] When a variety of cartridges are first loaded into the storage, and new cartridges are loaded into the storage in order to replace a cartridge whose dry analytical element is empty or has expired, or the like. When the cartridge is loaded, it is detected that the cartridge is normally loaded in a predetermined storage position.Conventionally, an optical sensor is disposed in a storage to detect the loading of the cartridge. Are known.

[0005]

However, in the case where a dedicated sensor such as an optical sensor is used for detecting the loading of a cartridge into the storage as described above, a compact sensor can be provided by separately providing a sensor. In addition to an obstacle to the production, the increase in the number of parts is disadvantageous in cost.

In particular, when a large number of cartridge storage sections are provided in the storage, sensors are provided in each of the cartridge storages, and the intervals between the cartridge storages are increased. Of the cartridge becomes larger, or the number of cartridges that can be stored is reduced.

In view of the above, the present invention has been made to provide a biochemical analyzer capable of detecting the loading of a cartridge into a cartridge storage section of a storage without installing a dedicated sensor such as an optical sensor. It is.

[0008]

According to the present invention, there is provided a biochemical analyzer comprising: a storage having a cartridge accommodating portion for accommodating a cartridge accommodating a plurality of dry analytical elements having a reagent layer; An element transporting means having a suction cup for taking out and holding the dry analytical element by suction from the cartridge stored in the storage; anda biochemical analyzer having a suction passage for introducing suction pressure to the suction cup for removal. A pressure sensor for detecting a pressure change due to the adsorption is provided, and when a cartridge is loaded in the storage, the take-out suction cup of the element transfer means is attached to a part of the dry analytical element or the cartridge in the cartridge. The cartridge is moved to a position where it can be sucked, and loading of the cartridge is detected by the pressure sensor.

[0009] The suction cup for taking out is adsorbed on the dry analytical element in the cartridge loaded, and when there is no dry analytical element in the cartridge loaded in the storage,
It is preferable that the suction cup for removal is provided so as to suck air.

[0010]

According to the present invention as described above, when loading a cartridge containing a dry analytical element into the cartridge storage section of the storage, taking out the element transport means by sucking and holding the dry analytical element from the cartridge. A pressure sensor for detecting a pressure change due to the suction is provided in a pressure passage for introducing a suction pressure to the suction cup, and when a cartridge is loaded in the cartridge storage portion, a dry analytical element or a part of the cartridge in the cartridge is loaded. The removal suction cup is moved to a position where it can be sucked, and the loading of the cartridge is detected by the pressure sensor. Can be detected, and a dedicated sensor for detecting the cartridge loading is stored. Compartment there is no need to dispose, simplification of depot compactness with attained, which is advantageous in reduction and cost of the parts.

When a cartridge containing no dry analytical element is loaded, if the suction cup is provided so as to suck the atmosphere, the loading of the used cartridge can also be detected.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic mechanism of an example of a biochemical analyzer.

The biochemical analyzer 10 includes, as a general measurement system, a storage 11 for storing a cartridge 3 (see FIG. 2) containing a rectangular dry analysis element 1 (a piece of dry analysis film), and this storage 11 An incubator 12 for incubating (holding at a constant temperature) the dry analytical element 1 on which a sample is spotted and having a sample spotted thereon, and an element for taking out the dry analytical element 1 from the cartridge 3 of the storage 11 and transporting it to the incubator 12 A transport unit 13, a mounting table 14 for mounting and holding samples such as serum and urine and consumables for biochemical analysis described later, a spotting nozzle unit 15 for spotting, and a lower portion of the incubator 12 are provided. Measuring means 16. Furthermore, this biochemical analyzer 1
Numeral 0 denotes a potential difference measuring means 1 for performing a biochemical analysis by a potential difference measuring method using an electrolyte slide 2 as an electrolyte measuring system.
7 is provided.

The element transporting means 1 is located near the storage 11.
3, a suction cup 60 for taking out the dry analytical element 1 from the cartridge 3 in the storage 11 by suction and holding.
(Suction cup) is installed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the dry analytical element 1 is formed by coating or bonding a reagent layer on a light-transmitting support made of a plastic sheet such as an organic polymer sheet such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polystyrene. And a film piece (chip) obtained by laminating a spreading layer thereon by a laminating method or the like, and does not have a mount corresponding to many chemical analysis slides in the past.

The reagent layer contains a hydrophilic polymer binder such as gelatin or a porous layer containing a detection reagent (chemical analysis reagent or immunoassay reagent) selectively reacting with an analyte and reagent components necessary for a color reaction. At least one layer. Further, the spreading layer is made of a material that is resistant to friction between the outside and the outside, such as a woven or knitted fabric made of synthetic fibers such as polyester, a woven fabric, a knitted fabric, a nonwoven fabric, or the like made of a blend of natural fibers and synthetic fibers. And functions as a protective layer, and spreads the sample spotted on the spreading layer uniformly on the reagent layer.

The dry analysis elements 1 are stored in the cartridge 3 in a stacked state for each measurement item. The cartridge 3 is composed of a rectangular box-shaped divided box 31.
A first opening 3a through which only one dry analytical element 1 can pass is formed near the lowermost part of one side surface, and a substantially U-shape on the bottom surface into which a suction cup 60 for taking out and holding the element 1 enters. A second opening 3b of the mold is formed. A pressing member (not shown) for pressing and holding the stored dry analysis element 1 in the direction of the second opening 3b is provided inside.

Further, a vertical rib 3c is projected from a side surface of the box body 31 where the first opening 3a is formed and a side surface opposite to the first opening portion 3a. The formed lengths are different, thereby locking and holding the cartridge 3 in the cartridge storage portion 11a (see FIG. 3) of the storage 11, and preventing the cartridge 3 from being erroneously inserted. In addition, a data recording section 32 is provided on the side surface of the box body 31 with a barcode representing data and the like regarding the stored dry analytical element 1.

As shown in FIG. 3, the cartridge 3 is loaded in a cartridge storage portion 11a arranged in a double ring shape in a storage box 11. The cartridge 3 is stored in the storage 11 at a predetermined humidity (low humidity, dry state).

The storage 11 has a cartridge storage 1
1a is provided on a rotating disk-shaped frame 33, and this frame 33
Is rotatably supported by a case main body 34 forming a bottom wall and a peripheral wall of the storage 11. The upper surface of the case body 34 is closed by a lid (not shown), and a cartridge loading port for inserting and discharging the cartridge 3 is opened at a position corresponding to the two inner and outer rows of the cartridge storage portions 11a. ing. The frame 33 is rotationally controlled by a frame motor (not shown), and is controlled so that any one of the cartridge storage sections 11a stops at a position matching the cartridge loading port. The cartridge loading port is selectively opened and closed by a disk-shaped shutter.

Although not shown, an element outlet is formed on the bottom of the case body 34 in the same manner as the cartridge loading port on the upper surface.
An opening / closing shutter (not shown) which is opened when taking out a predetermined dry analytical element 1 from is provided, and the lowermost dry analytical element 1 of the cartridge 3 is moved by the take-out suction cup 60 in the element conveying means 13 inserted through the shutter. It is taken out.

As shown in FIG. 2, the take-out suction cup 60 holds the lower surface of the dry analytical element 1 by suction upward, and can be moved vertically and horizontally by driving means (not shown). I have. The take-out suction cup 60 rises at a position below the element take-out opening of the storage 11, comes into close contact with the lowermost dry analysis element 1 from the second opening 3 b at the lower end of the cartridge 3, and sucks this under reduced pressure. Then, the dry analytical element 1 that has been adsorbed is pulled down slightly, and is slid toward the center in a curved shape in the first position of the cartridge 3.
From the opening 3a.

A pressure passage 62 (air tube) from a suction pump 61 is connected to the suction cup 60 for extraction.
A pressure sensor 63 is connected in the middle of the pressure passage 62, and when the tip of the suction cup 60 for taking out comes into close contact with the dry analytical element 1 and the inside of the suction cup 60 is in a reduced pressure state is detected from the pressure change. It is provided to be.

The take-out suction cup 60 of the element transport means 13 is used to take out the dry analytical element 1 from the cartridge 3 of the storage 11 and to store the cartridge 3 in the storage 1.
Also, when the cartridge 3 is loaded into the cartridge storage portion 11a, the cartridge is moved below the element outlet on the bottom surface and moved so as to be adsorbed on the dry analytical element 1 at the lowermost end of the cartridge 3. 3 is loaded and suction cup 60 for removal
When the pressure sensor 63 detects a pressure change due to the suction of the cartridge 3, the loading of the cartridge 3 is detected.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of cartridge loading detection. First, in step S1, preparation for loading a cartridge is performed. In this loading preparation, the data recording unit 32 (bar code) of the cartridge 3 to be loaded is read by an input device, and the storage 11 is provided with a cartridge loading port 11a for loading the cartridge 3 and a cartridge loading port on the upper surface and an element loading device on the lower surface. The rotational drive is controlled so as to match the outlets, and the shutters are respectively opened. If there is a used cartridge 3 in the cartridge storage portion 11a, it is discharged.

Next, in step S2, the suction cup 60 for removal in the element transfer means 13 is moved to start suction. That is, the take-out suction cup 60 is moved below the element take-out opening, that is, below the corresponding cartridge accommodating section 11a, and is raised to a position at which the dry analytical element 1 can be adsorbed at the lower end of the cartridge 3 to be loaded. By operating 61, the suction pressure is introduced into the suction cup 60. In this case,
The suction cup 60 for removal is open to the atmosphere, and the pressure sensor 6
Numeral 3 detects substantially atmospheric pressure.

When the cartridge 3 is loaded by the worker in step S3, the suction cup 60 for removal enters the second opening 3b at the lower end of the cartridge 3 at the final stage of loading.
It adsorbs to the dry analytical element 1. Accordingly, step S4
When the dry analytical element 1 is adsorbed, the pressure in the pressure passage 62 connected to the suction cup 60 decreases, and the pressure sensor 63 detects this reduced pressure state. When the state is detected, step S
The suction judgment of 4 is OK, and it is displayed in step S5 that the cartridge 3 is normally loaded, and the loading is terminated.
Then, the introduction of the suction pressure to the suction cup 60 for release is released, the suction of the dry analytical element 1 is completed, and the storage element 11 is moved to the outside of the storage 11, and the storage 11 closes the shutter.

On the other hand, the pressure sensor 6
If the detected pressure in Step 3 does not fall below the predetermined value, the suction determination in Step S4 becomes NG, and Step S4
At 6, a loading error is displayed and the reloading of the cartridge 3 is waited.

As another embodiment of the cartridge loading detection, although not shown in detail, the dry analytical element 1
Can be detected when an empty cartridge 3 that is not accommodated is loaded.

In the cartridge 3, a pressing member (not shown) for pressing the accommodated dry analytical element 1 in the direction of the second opening 3b is provided, and when the dry analytical element 1 is not accommodated. The suction cup 60 for removal comes into contact with the pressing member and sucks, but an opening is formed in the contact surface of the pressing member or a recess is formed to seal the inside of the suction cup 60 for removal. Without releasing the suction cup 60 to the atmosphere without releasing the suction cup 60 to a pressure-reduced state.
4 is determined so as not to be OK.

Thus, loading of the used cartridge 3 can be prevented, and loading of the regular cartridge 3 containing the dry analytical element 1 can be promoted.

When the loading of the cartridge 3 is detected, the suction cup 60 for unloading the cartridge 3
Alternatively, it may be adsorbed on a part of the device 1 to detect the loading.

In the biochemical analyzer 10 shown in FIG. 1, the incubator 12 has a disk-shaped main body 70 rotatably supported by a rotation drive mechanism (not shown). Cell 7 for storing
A plurality of cells 1 are arranged at predetermined intervals, and the dry analysis element 1 is heated in this cell 71 at a predetermined temperature (for example, 37 ° C.).
Incubate at

The measuring means 16 has a photometric head 75 for measuring an optical density by a color reaction between the dry analytical element 1 and the specimen. Light from a light source 72 is guided to the photometric head 75 via a filter 73 and a mirror 79, and the light is irradiated to the dry analysis element 1 in the photometric head 75. Note that a plurality of types of filters 73 corresponding to the measurement items are installed on the disk 74, and the filter 73 is configured to rotate the disk 74 to select a filter 73 having predetermined characteristics corresponding to the measurement items. ing.

At this time, the light reflected from the dry analytical element 1 carries light information (specifically, the amount of light) corresponding to the amount of the dye generated in the reagent layer of the element 1. Is photoelectrically converted by a photodetector (not shown) of the photometric head 75, and sent to the determination unit via the amplifier. The determination unit determines the optical density of the dye based on the level of the input electric signal, and calculates the concentration (content) or the activity value of a predetermined biochemical substance in the specimen based on the principle of the colorimetric method.

Although not shown in FIG. 1, the main body 70 of the incubator 12 is provided with an element holder for fixing the dry analytical element 1 inserted into the cell 71 at a predetermined position. On the lower surface of the main body 70, photometric windows are opened at predetermined intervals corresponding to the positions where the cells 71 are formed, and a photometric head 75 is provided at a position matching one of these photometric windows.

The element transporting means 13 for transporting the dry analytical element 1 from the storage 11 to the incubator 12 comprises the above-mentioned take-out suction cup 60 and the dry analytical element 1 held by the take-out sucker 60, While being held in the state of being on the upper surface, it is held and received from below, and a substantially horseshoe-shaped transfer member 76 inserted from the side opening into the cell 71 of the incubator 12, and a dry type held by the transfer member 76 A holding suction cup (not shown) for holding the analysis element 1 protruding and retracting from below the cell 71 is provided.

The dry analytical element 1 after the above measurement is taken out of the cell 71 of the incubator 12, transported by the transfer member 76 to the vicinity of the disposal box 77, and disposed by the disposal means 78. Discarded during 77.

On the other hand, the electrolyte slide 2 used for measuring the electrolyte by the potential difference measuring means 17 is for measuring the electrolyte of the sample by an electrical change. A mounting portion and a bridge connecting the two point mounting portions are provided, and three types of multilayer film electrode pairs (Na, K, and Cl measurement electrode pairs) are installed therein, and a distribution member in contact with the electrodes is provided. It will be installed. A large number of the electrolyte slides 2 are stored in the slide storage section 51 in a stacked manner. When measuring the electrolyte, the slides are transported one by one from the slide storage section 51 in the transport direction E by the transport mechanism and fed to the spotting position F. You. The electrolyte slide 2 in which the sample and the reference liquid are spotted on the sample spotting part and the reference liquid spotting part almost simultaneously at the spotting position F is further transported in the transport direction E by the transport mechanism, and the measuring unit 5
2 and the potential difference between the sample and the reference liquid is measured.

On the mounting table 14, a sample rack 21 for holding a plurality of sample containers 20 each containing a liquid sample, a dilution plate 23 having a plurality of small cup-shaped recesses 22, and a sample diluent are stored. As an example, five diluting liquid containers 24, one reference liquid container 25 containing a reference liquid for measuring an electrolyte, and a tip rack 27 holding many nozzle tips 26 in an upright state are mounted and held. Has become. The mounting table 14 is movable in a front-rear direction (arrow B direction) by a driving unit (not shown) in a direction approaching and leaving the spotting nozzle unit 15.

On the other hand, the spotting nozzle unit 15 has two horizontal guide rods 40 extending in a direction orthogonal to the direction of movement of the mounting table 14 (direction of arrow B), and moves horizontally while being supported by the horizontal guide rods 40. Lateral moving block 41
And a pair of first vertical guide rods 42 extending downward from the lateral movement block 41, a similar pair of second vertical guide rods 43, and the first and second vertical guide rods 42, 43. A first up-down movement block 44 and a second up-down movement block 45 supported and moved up and down,
A first spotting nozzle 46 for sample spotting fixed to the first vertically moving block 44 and a second vertically moving block 4
5 and a second spotting nozzle 47 for spotting reference liquid.

The lateral movement block 41 and the first and second vertical movement blocks 44 and 45 are driven and controlled for lateral movement and vertical movement by driving means (not shown). , And integrally move up and down independently on the lateral movement path D.

The inside of the first spotting nozzle 46 is communicated through a hollow tube 48 to an air suction / discharge means 49 such as a syringe pump or the like. The liquid can be sucked or discharged from the chip 26. FIG. 1
Although not shown, the second spotting nozzle 47 is also connected to the same air suction / discharge means.

Hereinafter, measurement by the biochemical analyzer 10 having the above configuration will be described. First, as a preparation operation, a sample measurement item is designated from a keyboard connected to the apparatus control unit, and a sample container 2 containing a sample is designated.
0 is set on the sample rack 21 of the mounting table 14, and the dilution plate 23, the diluting liquid container 24, the reference liquid container 25, and the chip rack 27 are set on the mounting table 14. This setting operation is performed at the standby position shown in FIG. 1 where the mounting table 14 has moved backward. Further, the cartridge 3 is stored in the storage 11 as described above.
Is loaded.

When the start of measurement is instructed, in the case of the general measurement system, the suction cup 60 for removal of the element transport means 13 operates as described above, and moves to a position corresponding to the element outlet on the bottom surface of the storage 11. Then, the dry analytical element 1 is taken out of the cartridge 3 corresponding to the measurement item. This suction cup 6
The dry analytical element 1 held at 0 is transferred to the transfer member 76 and moved to the spotting position C, where the diluted sample is spotted.

This spotting is performed as follows.
First, the mounting table 14 moves forward from the standby position, the tip rack 27 moves below the horizontal movement path D of the spotting nozzles 46 and 47, and the tip of the first spotting nozzle 46 by the operation of the spotting nozzle unit 15. One nozzle tip 26 in the tip rack 27 is attached to the nozzle rack 27.

Next, the first spotting nozzle 46 is mounted on the mounting table 14.
Sample container 20 containing the sample to be measured along with the movement of
And the tip of the nozzle tip 26 is moved to the sample container 20.
A predetermined amount of the sample is sucked and held in the nozzle tip 26 by the suction operation of the air suction / discharge means 49. A number is assigned to each sample container storage section of the sample rack 21, and a sample container 20 in which a sample to be measured is stored in advance.
Is input to the device control unit together with the individual data of the sample, and the table 14
Is controlled.

Next, the first spotting nozzle 46 is moved above one recess 22 of the dilution plate 23, and the nozzle tip 26 is lowered to a position close to the recess 22. Then, after the sample held in the nozzle tip 26 is dropped into the concave portion 22 by the discharge operation of the air suction / discharge means 49, the nozzle tip 26 is firstly removed by a known means.
Remove from the tip of spotting nozzle 46.

Next, a new nozzle tip 26 in the tip rack 27 is mounted on the tip of the first spotting nozzle 46 in the same manner as described above, and the diluent in the diluent container 24 is Is aspirated by a predetermined amount, and is dropped into the concave portion 22. Thereafter, in the concave portion 22 of the dilution plate 23, the suction and discharge of the liquid by the first spotting nozzle 46 are alternately and repeatedly performed, so that the sample and the diluent are uniformly mixed. Next, the first spot wearing nozzle 4
By the suction operation of No. 6, a predetermined amount of the uniformly mixed diluted sample is sucked into the nozzle tip 26.

Next, the first spotting nozzle 46 is moved to a position above the dry analytical element 1 held at the spotting position C by the element transporting means 13, and the first spotting nozzle 46 discharges the nozzle. The diluted sample in the nozzle tip 26 is spotted on the reagent layer of the dry analysis element 1. The dry analytical element 1 onto which the diluted sample has been spotted is sent to the cell 71 of the incubator 12, where it is incubated and measured for optical density. The concentration (content) or activity value of a predetermined biochemical substance in the sample determined based on this optical density is
It is displayed on a display unit (not shown).

Next, when measuring the electrolyte of the sample,
The sample is spotted on the sample spotting part of the electrolyte slide 2 and the reference liquid is spotted on the reference liquid spotting part almost simultaneously. The spotting of the sample is the first
The spotting nozzle 46 is shared, and in this case, mounting of the new nozzle tip 26 and suction holding of the sample are basically performed in the same manner as described above. The sample is sucked and held in the nozzle tip 26, and the first spotting nozzle 46 is
Is moved to a position above the sample spotting portion of the electrolyte slide 2 at the spotting position F, and the sample held in the nozzle tip 26 is spotted.

On the other hand, the reference liquid is spotted on the second spotting nozzle 4.
7, the lid of the reference liquid container 25 of the mounting table 14 is opened,
2nd spot wearing nozzle 4 with nozzle tip 26 attached to the tip
7 is moved onto the reference liquid container 25, and a predetermined amount of the reference liquid is sucked into the nozzle tip 26 thereof.
Is applied to the reference liquid application section of the electrolyte slide 2 at the application position F.

The electrolyte slide 2 on which the sample and the reference solution are spotted in this way is sent to the measuring section 52, and the potential difference between the sample and the reference solution is measured. Then, based on this potential difference, the activity of the specific ion contained in the sample is quantitatively analyzed by potentiometry, and the concentration of the specific substance is obtained.

As described above, this biochemical analyzer 10
The loading of the cartridge 3 into the storage 11 can be detected by using a suction cup 60, a suction pump 61, and a pressure sensor 63 that take out the dry analytical element 1 from the cartridge 3 and transport the same. The mechanism is simplified as compared with a conventional device in which an optical sensor is provided for each of the 11 cartridge storage portions 11a,
Inexpensive and reliable cartridge loading detection can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a biochemical analyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a dry analytical element is removed from a cartridge together with a suction cup for removal.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a state where a lid of a storage is removed.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing cartridge loading detection.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Dry analysis element 3 Cartridge 3a, 3b opening 10 Biochemical analyzer 11 Storage 11a Cartridge storage unit 12 Incubator 13 Element transfer means 14 Mounting table 15 Point mounting nozzle unit 16 Measuring means 17 Potential difference measuring means 32 Data recording part 33 Frame Body 60 Removal suction cup 61 Suction pump 62 Pressure passage 63 Pressure sensor

Continued on the front page F-term (reference) 2G045 AA01 AA15 BA13 BB41 BB50 DB30 FA34 FB16 GC11 GC12 GC18 JA04 JA08 2G058 AA09 BA02 BB03 BB07 BB09 BB16 CB15 CC00 CC09 CD03 CD18 CD24 CD26 CF01 CF28 EA11 EB01 GA02 GA11 GE02 GA35 HA01

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A storage having a cartridge storage section for storing a cartridge containing a plurality of dry analytical elements having a reagent layer, and the dry analytical element being sucked and held from the cartridge stored in the storage. In a biochemical analyzer provided with an element conveying means having a suction cup for taking out, a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure change due to the suction is disposed in a pressure passage for introducing an adsorption pressure to the suction cup for taking out, When a cartridge is loaded into the storage, the suction cup for removal of the element transport means is moved to a position where it can be adsorbed on a dry analytical element or a part of the cartridge in the cartridge, and the loading of the cartridge is detected by the pressure sensor. A biochemical analyzer characterized by the following. 2. The suction cup for suctioning is attached to a dry analysis element in a cartridge to be mounted, and when there is no dry analysis element in a cartridge loaded in a storage, the suction cup for suction sucks air. The biochemical analyzer according to claim 1, wherein: