JP2000266754A - Automatic chemical analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve workability and reliability of a biochemical examination by arranging an index screen independent of a screen for a device main body and arranging a function for selecting an objective setting item and for sequentially introducing respective operations after the selection. SOLUTION: In a step 25, a button indicating a support screen is operated to be pressed. In a step 26, a first index screen representing a rough classification such as a basic usage, a measurement result checking method, setting of respective conditions required for analysis and the like is displayed, and a target item is selected. In a step 27, a second index screen representing a subclassification such as setting of a precision management specimen name, setting of a precision management value, setting of a precision management specimen setting position, an analysis item adding method, a printing order and the like is displayed, and a target item is selected. In a step 28, contents selected in the step 27 are introduced sequentially, and setting is carried out. In a step 29, it is determined whether respective setting contents are registered or not after setting is finished, and because of this function, self-learning based on a simulating operation can be carried out.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic chemical analyzer having a function of supporting an operation for performing an analysis.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A current automatic chemical analyzer can quickly and accurately analyze a large number of samples and many items by introducing a computer. It is used for testing in various fields such as toxicity tests at related research institutions. In particular, when used in hospitals and test centers, the reliability of analysis results is required because the sample to be measured is a patient sample.

[0003] However, while the speed and multifunctionality of automatic chemical analyzers have been increasing, the operation has become complicated due to the increase in the number of screens. At present, it is necessary to set conditions on a plurality of screens, especially for setting conditions for performing analysis. A method of adding an analysis item will be described as an example.
In order to add an analysis item, it is necessary to make inputs on a plurality of screens. The screen operation steps are described below.

Step 1: Setting of item number (Screen 1) Step 2: Setting of analysis item name (Screen 1) Step 3: Setting of sample type (Screen 1) Step 4: Setting of analysis method (Screen 2) Step 5 : Setting of reaction time (Screen 2) Step 6: Setting of measurement point (Screen 2) Step 7: Setting of measurement wavelength (Screen 2) Step 8: Setting of sample dispensing volume (Screen 2) Step 9: Re-testing Setting of sample dispensing volume (Screen 2) Step 10: Setting of first reagent dispensing volume (Screen 2) Step 11: Setting of second reagent dispensing volume (Screen 2) Step 12: Setting of calibration method (Screen) 3) Step 13: Set the number of standard solutions (Screen 3) Step 14: Set the sample dispensing amount during calibration (Screen 3) Step 15: Set the standard solution set position (Screen 3) Step 16 Setting of standard solution concentration (Screen 3) Step 17: Setting of normal value range (Screen 4) Step 18: Setting of abnormal value range (Screen 4) Step 19: Setting of reaction limit absorbance in rate analysis (Screen 4) Step 20 : Setting of reaction linearity check value in rate analysis (Screen 4) Step 21: Setting of reaction vessel detergent (Screen 4) Step 22: Setting of reagent setting position (Screen 5) Step 23: Setting of washing conditions (Screen 6) In order to add analysis items as described above, it is necessary to use 6 screens and 2 screens.
A three-step operation is required. Therefore, if the functions of the apparatus, the complicated screen configuration, and the like are not sufficiently understood, the analysis may be performed under erroneous conditions, resulting in an unreliable inspection result.

Conventionally, an automatic chemical analyzer has a function of checking whether or not analysis conditions set by a user are correctly input. If the analysis conditions are incorrect, a message such as an alarm is usually displayed. However, it was difficult to deal with which step was wrong. Therefore, the user cannot determine which screen condition setting is inadequate, which requires a great deal of time, and requires re-input and re-measurement.

[0006]

That is, conventionally, with the increase in the number of screens due to the multifunctionality of the apparatus, it has been necessary for the user to grasp all the functions in order to perform the intended analysis.
For this reason, performing an operation without a sufficient understanding leads to inaccurate analysis results, and lacks technical consideration for the support function of the device.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a table of contents screen independent of the screen of the apparatus main body, and to display the screen when necessary, select a desired setting item, and after the selection, sequentially perform each operation. Providing a guide function and supporting the next operation to be performed, the user can operate freely and obtain correct measurement results with minimum knowledge of the device, and work efficiency and reliability of biochemical testing The goal is to improve

[0008]

According to the present invention, the input of conditions for analysis is performed on one or a plurality of screens, and a sample is sampled, a reagent is added, a reaction solution is measured, and measurement is performed according to the set analysis conditions. In an automatic chemical analyzer that converts values into concentrations or enzyme activity values, etc., the first table of contents screen, which is largely independent of the above-mentioned screens and shows the major categories of operation methods, analysis condition setting methods, and maintenance inspection methods, is displayed. Means to do
From the first table of contents screen, you can see how to register reagents, replace reagents, perform operations before starting analysis, add analysis items, set dilution conditions, set automatic rerun conditions, set manual rerun conditions, etc. Means for displaying a second table of contents screen showing classification, means for sequentially selecting each item from the second table of contents, and means for selecting whether or not to register each set content By doing so, the above-mentioned technical problem is solved.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an automatic chemical analyzer using the present invention.

This apparatus comprises a sample disk 2 on which a plurality of sample cups 1 can be mounted, a sampling mechanism 4 having a sample probe 3 for collecting a predetermined amount of sample, a reagent pipetting mechanism 5a, 5b for dispensing a plurality of reagents, and a reagent. Central processing unit for controlling the disks 6a, 6b, the reaction disk 8 holding a plurality of direct photometric reaction vessels 7, the stirring mechanisms 9a, 9b, the reaction vessel cleaning mechanism 10, the photometer 11, and the entire mechanism system ( Microcomputer) 12
It is mainly composed.

A reaction disk 8 holding a plurality of reaction vessels
The control of the operation of rotating the reaction vessel by half a rotation + 1 and temporarily stopping the reaction vessel every cycle is performed. That is, at the time of stoppage for each cycle, the reaction vessel 7 of the reaction disk 8 stops in a state where it has advanced counterclockwise by one reaction vessel.

As the photometer 11, a multi-wavelength photometer having a plurality of detectors is used. When the reaction disk 8 is in a rotating state as opposed to the light source lamp 13, the row of the reaction vessels 7 is a light flux from the light source lamp 13. 14. A reaction vessel cleaning mechanism 10 is provided between the position of the light beam 14 and the sample discharge position 15. Further, a multiplexer 16 for selecting a wavelength, a logarithmic conversion amplifier 17, an A / D
It comprises a converter 18, a printer 19, a CRT 20, a reagent dispensing mechanism drive circuit 21 and the like, all of which are connected to the central processing unit 12 via an interface 22. This central processing unit also performs control of the entire apparatus including control of the entire mechanical system and data processing such as concentration or enzyme activity value calculation.

The operation principle of the above configuration will be described below.

When the start switch on the operation panel 23 is pressed, the washing of the reaction vessel 7 is started by the reaction vessel washing mechanism 10, and the water blank is measured. This value serves as a reference for the absorbance measured in the reaction vessel 7 thereafter.

When the operation proceeds to the sample discharge position 15 by repeating the operation of the reaction disk 8 for one cycle, that is, the operation of causing the reaction container to temporarily stop by rotating counterclockwise + 1, the sample cup 1 moves to the sampling position. Similarly, the two reagent disks 6a and 6b also move to the reagent pipetting position. During this time, the sampling mechanism 4 operates, and for example, the sample amount of the analysis item A is sucked from the sample cup 1 by the sample probe 3 and then discharged to the reaction container 7.

On the other hand, when the sampling mechanism is discharging the sample into the reaction vessel 7, the reagent pipetting mechanism starts the operation of the reagent pipetting mechanism 5a and transfers the first reagent of the analysis item A mounted on the reagent disk 6a to the reagent. Probe 2
Aspirate by 4a. Next, the reagent probe 24a moves onto the reaction container 7 and discharges the sucked reagent. Then, the inner wall and the outer wall of the probe are washed in the probe washing tank to prepare for the next reagent B of the next analysis item B.

Photometry is started after the addition of the first reagent. The photometry is performed when the reaction disk 8 rotates and the reaction container 7 crosses the light flux 14. When the reaction disk rotates 2 rotations + 2 reaction vessels after the first reagent is added, the stirring mechanism 8
a is activated to agitate the sample and the reagent.

The reaction container 7 is rotated 25 times from the sample dispensing position.
When the reaction proceeds to the position rotated by 25 reaction containers, that is, the second reagent dispensing position, the second reagent is added from the reagent probe 24b, and thereafter, the stirring is performed by the stirring mechanism 8b. By means of the reaction disk 8, the reaction vessel 7 successively traverses the light beam 14 and the absorbance is measured each time. These absorbances are measured 50 times in total in a reaction time of 10 minutes.

After the photometry, the reaction vessel 7 is washed by the reaction vessel washing mechanism 10 and is ready for the next sample measurement.

The measured absorbance is converted into a concentration or an enzyme activity value by the central processing unit 12 and an analysis result is output from the printer 19.

A specific example of the present invention in such an automatic chemical analyzer will be described. FIG. 2 shows the flow of the present invention.

In FIG. 2, a step 25 is an operation of pressing a button for displaying a support screen, and a step 26 is a first class representing a large classification such as a basic usage, a method of confirming a measurement result, and setting of various conditions necessary for analysis. The operation of displaying a table of contents and selecting a target item; Step 27 is to set a quality control sample name, set a quality control value, set a quality control sample set position, add an analysis item, set a printing order, Displaying the second table of contents showing the sub-classifications, etc., and selecting the target item, Step 28 is an operation for sequentially guiding the contents selected in Step 27 and performing the setting, and Step 29 is a step after completion of the setting. This is an operation for selecting whether to register each setting content.

A specific example in such a flow will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 10 by taking "setting of various conditions necessary for analysis-setting of quality control sample name" as an example. FIG. 3 shows a screen configuration of the present apparatus.

The screen 30 includes a button 31 for displaying a necessary screen, an area 32 for inputting conditions and the like, a button 34 for starting analysis, stopping analysis, displaying an alarm, and the like.
A support button 33 for displaying a support screen.

When the user presses the support button 33 shown in FIG. 3 when necessary, a menu screen 35 of the support function shown in FIG. 4 is displayed. Next, the user selects a desired item “setting of conditions necessary for analysis” from the menu. After the selection, the menu screen 36 of the sub-classification of the support function shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. further,
When the target item “setting of the quality control sample name” is selected from the menu, a guidance 39 is displayed on the screen 37 shown in FIG. 6 which is displayed only when the support function is used. Touch the job, then "Settings" to bring up the settings screen. Is displayed, and the same voice instruction as the displayed content is issued. Further, in the screen 37, the "accuracy management" button 38 is more conspicuous than other buttons so that the user can easily search for the "accuracy management" button 38, and the operation is visually guided. Subsequently, when the "accuracy management" button 38 is selected, the "setting" button 39, which is the next operation to be performed, becomes more prominent than the other buttons as shown in the screen 40 shown in FIG. When the “SET” button 39 is pressed, the screen 41 shown in FIG. 8 is displayed, and “Enter the“ quality control sample name ”. Is displayed, and a voice instruction is given.

The user inputs a name in the name input field 42. At this time, the input field 42 is also made more prominent than the other input fields,
Guide the operation visually. After input, touch “Register” shown in Fig. 9. Is displayed on the screen 43, and an instruction is given by voice.

The user touches a “register” button 44. In this way, guidance on the screen and instructions for the next operation are given by voice so that only the desired operation can be performed according to the procedure necessary for input, and the target button is compared with other buttons etc. Guide the operation of the screen so that it can be visually recognized. After operating the “Register” button,
The confirmation screen 45 shown in FIG. 10 is displayed. On the screen 45, the message “Setting is completed. Do you want to save your settings? Is displayed. If "Yes" is selected, the input contents are registered, and finally the setting of the quality control sample name is completed. If you select "No", the entered content becomes invalid. In this case, when "No" is selected, a simulated operation can be performed, and self-learning becomes possible.

According to the present invention, conditions can be set in a short time and easily without sufficiently familiarizing the functions of the apparatus, so that analysis can be performed under correct conditions, and correct measurement results can be obtained. In addition, the efficiency and reliability of the biochemical test can be improved. In addition, self-learning of the device becomes possible by performing the simulation operation.

[0029]

As described above, a table of contents screen independent of the screen of the main body of the apparatus is provided as a man-machine interface for inputting conditions for analysis and the like on a single screen or on a plurality of screens. After displaying the screen, select the desired setting item, and after selecting, provide a function to guide each operation sequentially, and support the next operation to be performed, experienced or inexperienced in handling automatic chemical analyzers Regardless of the above, setting under correct analysis conditions can be performed easily and quickly, thereby improving the work efficiency and reliability of the biochemical test.

In addition, after the condition is input, by having a function of setting whether to automatically register the set contents, it is possible to perform self-learning by simulated operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an operation flow in the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a screen configuration according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a support menu (major classification) according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a support menu (small classification) according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a support screen according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a support screen according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a support screen according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a support screen according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a confirmation screen according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... sample cup, 2 ... sample disk, 3 ... sample probe, 4 ... sampling mechanism, 5 ... reagent pipetting mechanism, 6 ... reagent disk, 7 ... reaction container for direct photometry, 8 ... reaction disk, 9 ... stirring mechanism, Reference Signs List 10: reaction vessel washing mechanism, 11: photometer, 12: central processing unit (microcomputer), 13: light source lamp, 14: luminous flux,
15: sample discharge position, 16: multiplexer, 17: logarithmic conversion amplifier, 18: A / D converter, 19: printer,
20: CRT, 21: Reagent dispensing mechanism drive circuit, 22: Interface, 23: Operation panel, 24: Reagent probe, 25: Step of pressing a button for displaying a support screen, 26: Displaying the first table of contents screen, purpose 27, a step of displaying a second table of contents and selecting a target item, 28, a step of sequentially inducing the selected contents, and setting, 29 ... A step of selecting whether or not to register, 30: a screen configuration diagram of the apparatus, 31: a button for displaying a required screen,
32: Area for inputting conditions, etc., 34: Start of analysis,
Buttons for stopping analysis, displaying alarms, etc., 33... Support buttons for displaying a support screen, 35. Menu screen for a large classification of support functions, 36. Menu screen for a small classification of support functions, 37. …
“Touch the“ Accuracy Management ”job and then“ Settings ”to bring up the setting screen. Guidance, 38 ... "Quality Management"
Button, 40 ... screen, 41 ... screen, 46 ... "Enter the" quality control sample name ". Guidance, 42 ... Name input field, 47 ... "Touch" Registration ". , 43 ... screen, 44 ... "Registration" button, 45 ... confirmation screen.

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Kyoko Imai 882 Momo, Oaza, Hitachinaka-shi, Ibaraki F-term in Hitachi Measuring Instruments Division (Reference) 2G058 GE01

Claims (1)

[Claims] An input of conditions for analysis is performed on one or a plurality of screens, and a sample is sampled, a reagent is added, a reaction solution is measured, and a measured value is converted to a concentration or an enzyme activity value according to the set analysis conditions. Means for displaying a first table of contents, which is a large group of operation methods, analysis condition setting methods, and maintenance / inspection methods, independent of the above-mentioned screens; The second table of contents that shows the sub-classifications such as how to register reagents, how to replace reagents, operations before starting analysis, how to add analysis items, setting of dilution conditions, setting of automatic retest conditions, and setting of manual retest conditions. Means for displaying a screen; means for sequentially guiding each operation content after selecting an item from the second table of contents; and means for selecting whether or not to register each setting content. Automatic chemical analyzer .