JP2000321285A - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the size of an automatic analyzer and, at the same time, to improve the accuracy of the analyzer by sucking the first or second reagent from the same reagent table by means of a reagent dispense mechanism and discharging the first or second reagent at the same position of a reaction table. SOLUTION: A reaction table 1 is positioned in roughly the center of an automatic analyzer and a reagent table 9 and a specimen table 3 are respectively positioned to this side of the table on the left side and right side. Then a reagent dispense mechanism 12, a specimen dispense mechanism 6, a primary agitating mechanism 16, a secondary agitating mechanism 17, and an optical measuring section 19, and a reaction tube cleaning mechanism 18 are arranged around the reaction table 1. Firstly, after first regent is added and heated for a fixed period of time, a specimen is added. The rotation of the reaction table 1 is dividedly controlled so as to make the table 1 to carry out its function with the minimum mechanisms along an analysis process. Since the first and second reagents are dispensed by means of the same reagent dispense mechanism 12 and primary and secondary agitation are carried out by means of the same primary agitating mechanism 16 in such a way, a small-sized automatic analyzer which can function equivalently to a large-sized analyzer can be obtained by making the mechanisms 12 and 16 more efficient.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer,
A highly accurate, compact, and inexpensive automatic analyzer for use in biochemical analysis, immunoreaction analysis, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional automatic analyzer is disclosed in
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-217163, after dispensing a sample from a sample table to a reaction tube, a step of a certain reaction tube is performed, and then a primary reagent dispensing and a primary stirring are performed. After advancing the reaction tube, secondary reagent dispensing and secondary agitation are performed, and after a certain reaction tube is advanced, a reaction tube washing step is performed. The reaction table is rotated by one rotation + 1 reaction tube for each cycle, and the rotation advances by one reaction tube counterclockwise. Also,
Photometry of the reaction solution is performed using this rotation. The primary reagent dispensing mechanism and the secondary reagent dispensing mechanism correspond to the primary reagent table and the secondary reagent table, respectively, and the reagent is added at a separate position on the reaction table. Further, a primary stirring mechanism and a secondary stirring mechanism are also arranged corresponding to the primary reagent dispensing mechanism and the secondary reagent dispensing mechanism, respectively. In general, in this type of automatic analyzer, since the first reagent is added after the sample is first added, some test items that use fast-deteriorating reagents, etc., lack reliability of measurement data. Was done.

[0003]

In the conventional automatic analyzer as described above, a sample dispensing mechanism, a sample table, a primary reagent dispensing mechanism, and the like are arranged around a reaction table along a reaction step and a washing step. A primary reagent table, a primary stirring mechanism, a secondary reagent dispensing mechanism, a secondary reagent table, a secondary stirring mechanism, a colorimetric detector, a reaction tube cleaning mechanism, and the like must be configured.
This has led to an increase in the size and cost of the device.
An object of the present invention is to provide a highly accurate, small, and inexpensive automatic analyzer by efficiently operating and unifying a reagent table, a reagent dispensing mechanism, a stirring mechanism, and the like, and measuring a reagent blank. And

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the present invention, a reaction table is arranged almost at the center of the apparatus in order to provide a highly accurate, small and inexpensive automatic analyzer by efficient operation and arrangement of the mechanism. Then, a reagent table is arranged on the left side and a sample table is arranged on the right side, and a reagent dispensing mechanism, a sample dispensing mechanism, a primary stirring mechanism, a secondary stirring mechanism, an optical measuring section, a reaction tube are arranged around the reaction table. A cleaning mechanism is arranged.
In these arrangements, after the first reagent is first added, the sample is heated for a certain period of time, and then the sample is added.
In addition, by dividing and controlling the rotation of the reaction table, the function is realized with a minimum mechanism along the analysis process.

[0005]

The automatic analyzer according to the present invention aims to provide a high-precision, small and inexpensive apparatus, in which the first reagent dispensing and the second reagent dispensing are performed by the same reagent dispensing mechanism. Also one
The function and performance equivalent to those of a large-sized machine were obtained by increasing the efficiency of the mechanism, such as performing the secondary stirring and the secondary stirring with the same stirring mechanism. In addition, since the reagent blank can be measured, the deterioration of the reagent can be monitored, so that the reliability of the measurement data has been improved.

[0006]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an arrangement of main mechanisms of an automatic analyzer as one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows the position number of the reaction table, which has the same meaning as the position number in FIG. A plurality of sample containers 4 are held on the outer circumference and inner circumference of the sample table 3 and can be aspirated by the sample dispensing mechanism 6 based on sample information read by the barcode reader 5 or input from the keyboard. After the required amount of sample has been aspirated by the sample dispensing mechanism 6, the reaction tube 2 held in the reaction table 1 is rotated.
Is added inside. Further, the reagent bottle 10 held on the reagent table 9 is rotated to a position where the reagent dispensing mechanism 12 can be aspirated based on the sample information, and is required by the R1 nozzle 13 or the R2 nozzle 14 of the reagent dispensing mechanism 12. After the amount of the reagent is aspirated, it is added to the inside of the reaction tube 2 held in the reaction table 1.

According to the present invention, the rotation of the reaction table 1 for holding the reaction tube 2 on the circumference is divided and controlled so that the first reagent and the second reagent are added at the same position, and the primary agitation and secondary stirring are performed at the same position. A single mechanism is used to perform the next stirring, and the efficiency is improved. The reaction tube 2 is, for example, 60
Hold the individual. FIG. 3 shows the flow of the analysis process.
First, the first reagent R1 is added in the first cycle, and 1.5
In the 7th cycle after the addition of the sample S, the primary stirring M1 is performed, and in the 27th cycle after 5 minutes, the addition R of the second reagent is performed.
2 and the second stirring M2 in the next 28 cycles,
Depending on test items, tertiary stirring around 43rd cycle
3 shows that the washing step of the reaction tube 2 is started from the 50th cycle, finished at the 60th cycle, and returned to the original state at the 61st cycle.

The rotation operation of the reaction tube 2 held on the reaction table 1 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the reagent dispensing mechanism 12
After the first reagent is added to the reaction tube 2 which has been stopped for a predetermined period of time (hereinafter referred to as A state) by the R1 nozzle 13, the reaction table 1 is moved counterclockwise for 13 reaction tubes (hereinafter referred to as pitch). Rotate and stop for a predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as B state)
Then, it is further rotated 21 pitches in the counterclockwise direction and stopped for a predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as C state), and further rotated in the counterclockwise direction for 27 pitches (or 27 + 60 × N) to be in the A state. The photometric measurement of the reaction liquid is performed by the optical measurement unit 19 during the rotation in the 27 pitch (or 27 + 60 × N) counterclockwise direction. This photometry is continuously performed in all cycles except a part of the reaction tube cleaning process, and is taken into the data processing unit. At this time, the reaction tube 2 comes to a position moved one pitch counterclockwise from the position where the first reagent is added. The operation up to this point is called a cycle, and in this example, three stop states (A, B, C) and three rotation operations are performed during one cycle, and control is performed so as to advance one pitch in the counterclockwise direction. You. From the first cycle to the 60th cycle until one cycle,
One reaction tube is used for one analysis.

From the state C in the fourth cycle, the first photometry of the blank measurement of the first reagent is performed by the optical measurement unit 19 while rotating counterclockwise at 27 pitches (or 27 + 60 × N). Similarly, the second photometry of the blank measurement is performed in the fifth cycle, and the third photometry of the blank measurement is performed in the sixth cycle. The deterioration of the added first reagent is determined based on the results obtained by the three photometry. Used to determine

In the seventh cycle, the reaction tube 2 is in the A state at a position (position No. 6) moved six pitches counterclockwise from the position where the first reagent is added. From this position, the sample rotates counterclockwise by 13 pitches, moves to the sample dispensing position, and enters the B state. At this time, the sample is added to the reaction tube 2 by the sample dispensing mechanism 6. After this, it rotates 21 pitches in the counterclockwise direction, moves to the position of the primary stirring mechanism 16, and enters the C state. At this time, the primary stirring mechanism 16 performs primary stirring M1 for mixing the first reagent and the sample. Further, the photometry of the reaction solution is performed by the optical measurement unit 19 during the rotation in the counterclockwise direction of 27 pitches (or 27 + 60 × N), and the eighth cycle is started. In this example, during the C state in the eighth cycle, the second primary agitation M1 is performed by the primary agitation mechanism 16 to more reliably mix the first reagent and the sample.

After about 5 minutes from the addition of the sample, for example, at the 27th cycle, the reaction tube 2 moves 26 pitches counterclockwise from the addition position of the first reagent (position number 26).
A state. From this position, it rotates 13 pitches counterclockwise to the state B, and further rotates 21 pitches counterclockwise to move to the reagent dispensing position to the state C. At this time, the second reagent is added to the reaction tube by the R2 nozzle 14 of the reagent dispensing mechanism 12. Thereafter, after rotating counterclockwise for 27 pitches (or 27 + 60 × N), the state is changed to the state A and the 28th cycle is started. From this position, it rotates 13 pitches counterclockwise, moves to the position of the primary stirring mechanism 16 and
At this time, the primary stirring mechanism 16 performs secondary stirring M2 for mixing the mixed solution of the first reagent and the sample (hereinafter, referred to as a primary reaction solution) and the second reagent. Then, after rotating 21 clockwise in the counterclockwise direction, the state changes to the C state.
After rotating the pitch (or 27 + 60 × N) counterclockwise, the state becomes the A state and the 29th cycle is started. In this example, 2
During the state B in the ninth cycle, the primary stirring mechanism 16
A second round of secondary stirring M2 is performed to more reliably mix the next reaction solution and the second reagent (hereinafter referred to as a second reaction solution).

About 4 minutes after the addition of the second reagent, for example, 43
In the cycle, the reaction tube 2 is in the state A at a position moved 42 pitches in a counterclockwise direction from the position where the first reagent is added. From this position, it rotates 13 pitches counterclockwise, moves to the position of the secondary stirring mechanism 17, and enters the state B. At this time, the secondary stirring mechanism 17 re-stirs the secondary reaction liquid (tertiary stirring M3). This tertiary stirring M3 can be selected depending on the test item, and is effective for measurement of a test item that easily precipitates at the bottom of the reaction tube, for example, an immunoturbidity item or a latex item. 27 pitches (or 27 + 60 ×
N) After rotating in the counterclockwise direction, the state becomes the A state and the cycle starts at the 44th cycle.

About 5 minutes after the addition of the second reagent, in the C state from the 50th cycle to the 60th cycle, the reaction tube 2 is washed by the process shown in FIG. 5, and the measurement is repeated for the next test item. Cleaning for use is performed. The numbers in the center of FIG. 5 indicate the cycle numbers, and the upper part of the figure shows the preceding step and the lower part shows the subsequent step. For example, in the 52nd cycle, first, after the suction of the washing water added in the previous cycle is performed, the suction and addition nozzles rise to a predetermined height,
Detergent is added. The following describes the 50th cycle and thereafter. At this time, the reaction tube 2 is in the A state at a position (position number 49) moved 49 pitches counterclockwise from the addition position of the first reagent. From this position, it rotates 13 pitches counterclockwise to the state B, and further rotates 21 pitches counterclockwise to move to the first position of the reaction tube cleaning mechanism 18 and moves to the first position.
State. At this time, the reaction liquid whose measurement has been completed is suctioned and discharged by the cleaning liquid suction nozzle 24. In the 51st cycle, a predetermined amount of cleaning water (for example, ion-exchanged water) is added from the cleaning liquid addition nozzle 25. In the next 52nd cycle, first, the cleaning water added in the previous cycle is suctioned and discharged by the cleaning liquid suction nozzle 24, and then a predetermined amount of a detergent (for example, an alkaline detergent) is added from the cleaning liquid addition nozzle 25. In the next 54th cycle, first, the detergent added in the previous two cycles is sucked and discharged by the washing liquid suction nozzle 24, and then a predetermined amount of detergent (for example, an acidic detergent) is added from the washing liquid addition nozzle 25. In the next 55th cycle, the detergent added in the previous cycle is first suctioned and discharged by the cleaning liquid suction nozzle 24, and then the cleaning liquid addition nozzle 25 is discharged.
, A predetermined amount of washing water is added.

In the next 56th cycle, first, the cleaning water added in the previous cycle is sucked and discharged by the cleaning liquid suction nozzle 24, and then a predetermined amount of cleaning water is added from the cleaning liquid addition nozzle 25. 27 pitches (or 27 + 60)
× N) The first photometry of the wash water (referred to as water blank measurement) is performed by the optical measurement unit 19 during the rotation in the counterclockwise direction. In the next 57th cycle, first, the cleaning water added in the previous cycle is suctioned and discharged by the cleaning liquid suction nozzle 24, and then a predetermined amount of cleaning water is added from the cleaning liquid addition nozzle 25. Further, the second measurement of the water blank is performed by the optical measurement unit 19 during the rotation in the counterclockwise direction at 27 pitches (or 27 + 60 × N). In the next 58th cycle, the washing water added in the previous cycle is
, A predetermined amount of cleaning water is added from the cleaning liquid addition nozzle 25. Further, the third measurement of the water blank is performed by the optical measurement unit 19 during the rotation in the 27 clockwise (or 27 + 60 × N) counterclockwise direction. These three water blank measurements are used as reference values for the next test item (after 61 cycles). In the next 59th cycle, the cleaning water added in the previous cycle is suctioned and discharged by the cleaning liquid suction nozzle 24. In the next 60 cycles,
Dry chip 2 held at the tip of cleaning liquid suction nozzle 24
Water droplets and the like are removed and sucked by 6 to regenerate the reaction tube 2 and used for analysis of new test items starting from the next 61st cycle.

Sample dispensing is performed by rotating the sample table 3 to a position where the sample dispensing mechanism 6 can aspirate based on the analysis information, and then moving the sample dispensing mechanism 6 from the sample container 4 held by the sample table 3. After aspirating a required amount of the sample, the sample is rotated to add the sample to the reaction tube 2 or the electrolyte measurement unit 8, and then the inside and outside of the nozzle of the sample dispensing mechanism 6 are washed by the washing cup 7.

In the case of the first reagent, the reagent is dispensed after the reagent table 9 is rotated to a dispensable position of the reagent dispensing mechanism 12 based on the analysis information. If the R1 nozzle 13 is the second reagent, the R2 nozzle 1
4 aspirates a required amount of reagent from the reagent bottle 10 and then rotates to add the reagent to the reaction tube 2.
Alternatively, the inside and outside of the R2 nozzle 14 are cleaned by the cleaning cup 15.

The optical measuring section 19 comprises a light source lamp 20, a reflecting mirror 21, a diffraction grating 22, a light receiving element 23 and the like. When the reaction tube 2 crosses the optical path, its absorbance is measured continuously for each cycle. The result is stored in a computer and output by a printer or the like.

As described above, according to the present invention, the rotational operation of the reaction table is divided and controlled, whereby the reagent table, the reagent dispensing mechanism,
A small and inexpensive automatic analyzer can be provided by unifying the stirring mechanism and the like. Further, after the first reagent is first added, the sample is heated for a certain period of time, and then the sample is added. Therefore, a highly reliable automatic analyzer can be provided by preheating the reagent, measuring a reagent blank, and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an arrangement of a main part of an automatic analyzer.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing position numbers of a reaction table.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an analysis process.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an analysis process and an operation of a reaction tube.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a step of cleaning a reaction tube.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 reaction table 2 reaction tube 3 sample table 4 sample container 5 sample barcode reader 6 sample dispensing mechanism 7 washing cup 8 electrolyte measuring section 9 reagent table 10 reagent bottle 11 reagent barcode reader 12 reagent dispensing mechanism 13 R1 nozzle 14 R2 nozzle 15 Cleaning cup 16 Primary stirring mechanism 17 Secondary stirring mechanism 18 Reaction tube cleaning mechanism 19 Optical measuring unit 20 Light source lamp 21 Reflecting mirror 22 Diffraction grating 23 Light receiving element 24 Cleaning liquid suction nozzle 25 Cleaning liquid addition nozzle 26 Dry chip

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A reaction table is arranged at a center position of an apparatus,
In an automatic analyzer in which a reagent table, a sample table, a stirring mechanism, a reaction tube cleaning mechanism, a reagent dispensing mechanism, a sample dispensing mechanism, an optical measuring unit, and the like are arranged in the vicinity thereof, the reagent dispensing mechanism is a first reagent table from the same reagent table. A reagent dispensing method, comprising aspirating a reagent or a second reagent and discharging the first or second reagent at the same position on a reaction table. 2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the primary stirring and the secondary stirring are performed at the same position by the same stirring mechanism, and the stirring mechanism or another stirring is performed immediately before the completion of the reaction. A stirring method, wherein tertiary stirring can be performed by a mechanism. 3. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the rotation operation of the reaction table for each cycle is performed by a plurality of divided rotation operations, and a total of one rotation or more and one reaction tube is performed. Table rotation control method. 4. The reagent adding method according to claim 1, wherein the first reagent is added first, the reagent blank is measured after heating for a certain time, and then the sample is added.