JP2001041963A - Autoanalyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an autoanalyzer which issues a warning when the abnormality of a cleaning solution is generated and by which the abnormality of the concentration of the cleaning solution is detected at an early stage by sequentially detecting the concentration of the cleaning solution. SOLUTION: A reaction container 1 which is used to react a sample with a reagent is provided. A sample dispensing mechanism 5 and a reagent dispensing mechanism 10 by which the sample and the reagent in a prescribed amount are dispensed into the reaction container 1 are provided. A stirring mechanism 11 by which the sample and the reagent are stirred is provided. A cleaning solution which cleans the reaction container 1, the sample stirring mechanism 5, the reagent dispensing mechanism 10 and the stirring mechanism 11 is created by a cleaning-solution creation part 13. The concentration of the cleaning solution is detected sequentially by a concentration detection part. Whether the detected concentration of the cleaning solution is within a preset normal concentration range or not is judged by a cleaning-solution-state judgment part. When the abnormality of the concentration of the cleaning solution is generated, a warning is issued.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention makes it possible to cope with fluctuations in the concentration of a washing solution by sequentially monitoring the concentration of a washing solution for washing a reaction vessel, a sample dispensing mechanism, a reagent dispensing mechanism, a stirring section, and the like. The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, many automatic analyzers dilute a stock solution of a cleaning solution (a surfactant solution, a detergent solution, etc.) in a container installed on the device to a concentration to be automatically used in the device. It has an automatic cleaning liquid preparation mechanism for preparing a cleaning liquid, and the cleaning liquid prepared by the automatic cleaning liquid preparation mechanism is used for cleaning each mechanism in the apparatus. However, the automatic cleaning liquid preparation mechanism is configured to mix a cleaning liquid stock solution and a diluting solution at a fixed ratio in order to prepare a cleaning liquid having a preset concentration, and the mixing ratio is adjusted mechanically. In most cases, they are preset in advance. Therefore, even if mechanical parts are defective or parts are worn out,
Clearly, a change occurs in the concentration of the created cleaning solution.

[0003] Further, a change in the concentration of the cleaning solution to be prepared means that the cleaning ability itself changes, and the effect on the analysis results is not small. In other words, when the concentration of the washing liquid falls below the lower limit of the normal concentration range due to some abnormality, the washing ability decreases, and contamination (contamination) between samples or reagents easily occurs. Further, when the concentration of the washing liquid becomes higher than the upper limit of the normal concentration range due to some abnormality, an abnormal reaction is likely to occur due to the carry-over of the washing liquid into the reaction system (carry over).

However, none of the conventional automatic analyzers is provided with a function of sequentially monitoring the concentration of the created cleaning liquid. In addition, regarding the malfunction of the cleaning liquid preparation unit, there is no choice but to judge from the abnormality of the analysis result or to find the abnormality by inspecting each part visually by the operator.

[0005]

Conventionally, in many automatic analyzers, contamination of a reaction vessel, a sample dispensing mechanism, a reagent dispensing mechanism, a stirrer, etc. is prevented to prevent contamination between analysis items or samples. To prevent contamination)
Cleaning with a cleaning liquid is being performed. However, no measures have been taken against a change in cleaning performance due to a temporal or sudden change in the cleaning liquid.

In general, a cleaning solution used for cleaning exhibits a normal cleaning ability in a certain concentration range (normal concentration range). A decrease occurs, and on the high concentration side, the cleaning liquid remains on the site where the cleaning is performed. In any case, there is a possibility that a problem with the measurement result may occur.

[0007] Many automatic analyzers have an automatic cleaning liquid preparation mechanism which can automatically prepare a cleaning liquid in a certain concentration range on the apparatus.
It is configured so as to adjust the concentration by collecting a fixed volume of the undiluted washing solution and adding a fixed volume of the diluting solution thereto. Means for separating the fixed volume of the solution include a syringe, a bellister pump, and a magnet. Various means such as a pump and a solenoid valve are used, and these means are controlled by a control unit.

While the components constituting these means maintain the normal function, the concentration of the cleaning solution to be prepared falls within the normal concentration range. If it becomes difficult to maintain a normal function due to a failure or the like, the concentration of the cleaning solution to be prepared becomes abnormal (out of the normal concentration range), and the above-described problem may occur.

As a countermeasure against such a problem, some automatic analyzers are provided with a function of automatically managing a component which is expected to be worn out based on a use time. However, since the management is performed based on the usage time, it is not possible to respond in real time when the above-mentioned problem occurs, and it is not possible to respond to a sudden failure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a first object of the present invention to detect a concentration of a cleaning liquid at an early stage by sequentially detecting the concentration of the prepared cleaning liquid and monitoring the state of preparation of the cleaning liquid. A second object of the present invention is to alert the operator by issuing an alarm when a cleaning liquid abnormality has occurred, and to quickly detect a failure in the cleaning liquid preparation unit. The present invention prevents the appearance of inappropriate analysis results by automatically performing control to return the cleaning solution concentration to within the normal concentration range when a cleaning solution concentration abnormality occurs, improves the reliability of the analysis data, and improves the operator's reliability. The third object is to reduce the burden on the user.

[0011]

In order to achieve the first object, the first invention according to the first aspect holds a reaction vessel for reacting a sample and a reagent and sequentially transfers the reaction vessel. A reaction container transferring means, a sample dispensing mechanism for dispensing a predetermined amount of sample into the reaction container, a reagent dispensing mechanism for dispensing a predetermined amount of reagent into the reaction container, A reaction detection unit that detects a change that occurs during the reaction, a cleaning liquid preparation unit that prepares a cleaning liquid for cleaning a plurality of parts including at least the sample dispensing mechanism and the reagent dispensing mechanism, and the plurality of cleaning liquids using the prepared cleaning liquid. An automatic analyzer comprising a cleaning unit for cleaning each of the parts, a concentration detection unit for sequentially detecting a concentration of a cleaning solution, and determining whether the detected concentration of the cleaning solution is within a preset concentration range. Wash Characterized by comprising comprises a liquid state determination unit.

In order to achieve the second object, a second aspect is provided.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the cleaning liquid state determination unit determines that the cleaning liquid concentration is out of a preset concentration range, an alarm is issued.

[0013] To achieve the third object, a third aspect is provided.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the case where the cleaning liquid state determination unit determines that the cleaning liquid concentration is out of a preset concentration range, the cleaning liquid state determination unit performs an operation in accordance with the detected cleaning liquid concentration in addition to a normal cleaning liquid preparation operation. By performing the additional operation, the concentration of the cleaning liquid is controlled to fall within the concentration range.

[0014]

In the first invention, a predetermined amount of a sample and a reagent are respectively dispensed by a sample dispensing mechanism and a reagent dispensing mechanism into a reaction container which is held by a reaction container transferring means and sequentially transferred, and is agitated. Is provided, the dispensed sample and reagent are agitated, a change occurring during the reaction of the sample and reagent is detected by the reaction detection unit, and at least the sample dispensing mechanism and the reagent dispensing are performed by the washing liquid preparation unit. A plurality of parts including a mechanism (for example, in the case of an automatic analyzer configured to use a non-disposable reaction container and a stirring unit, a plurality of parts including the sample dispensing mechanism, the reagent dispensing mechanism, the reaction container and the stirring unit) Is prepared, and each of the plurality of parts is cleaned by the cleaning unit using the prepared cleaning liquid. During that time, the cleaning liquid state determination unit determines whether or not the cleaning liquid concentration sequentially detected by the concentration detection unit is within the preset concentration range, so that the concentration of the prepared cleaning liquid is outside the preset concentration range. This enables early detection of abnormalities in the cleaning solution concentration.

In the second aspect of the present invention, when the cleaning liquid state determination section determines that the cleaning liquid concentration is out of the preset concentration range, an alarm is issued, and the alarm alerts the operator. As a result, early detection of the occurrence of abnormalities in the concentration of the cleaning liquid and prompting replacement of consumables when the cleaning liquid preparation mechanism fails.

In the third aspect of the present invention, when the cleaning liquid concentration judging section judges that the cleaning liquid concentration is out of a preset concentration range, the cleaning liquid concentration is detected in addition to the normal cleaning liquid preparation operation. Additional actions are performed accordingly.
This additional operation controls the concentration of the cleaning liquid so as to fall within the above-mentioned concentration range. Therefore, when the concentration of the cleaning liquid is abnormal, the concentration of the cleaning liquid automatically returns to within the normal concentration range, thereby preventing the appearance of inappropriate analysis results. Thus, the reliability of the analysis data is improved, and the burden on the operator is reduced.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the automatic analyzer of the present invention. This automatic analyzer
A reaction table (reaction container transfer means) 2 for holding a reaction container 1 for reacting a sample (sample) and a reagent and sequentially transferring the reaction container 1 to a predetermined position, and a sample table 4 for holding and transferring a sample container 3 A sample dispensing mechanism 5 for sucking a predetermined amount of sample from the sample container 3 stopped at the suction position of the sample table 4 and discharging the sample into the reaction container 1 stopped at the sample dispensing position of the reaction table 2; First reagent table 7 for holding and transferring reagent container 6
A second reagent table 9 for holding and transferring the second reagent container 8 (the two reagent tables rotate left and right independently of each other), and a first reagent table 7 stopped at the suction position of the first reagent table 7.
A predetermined amount of a reagent for biochemical analysis corresponding to the analysis item was aspirated from the reagent container 6 or the second reagent container 8 stopped at the suction position of the second reagent table 9 and stopped at the reagent dispensing position of the reaction table 2. Reagent dispensing mechanism 1 to be discharged into reaction vessel 1
0, a stirring mechanism 11 for stirring the sample and the reagent dispensed into the reaction container 1, a photometric unit (reaction detecting unit) 12 for detecting a change occurring when the sample and the reagent react, and a sample dispensing mechanism 5 , A reagent dispensing mechanism 10, a stirring mechanism 11, and a cleaning liquid preparation mechanism 13 for preparing a cleaning liquid for cleaning the reaction vessel 1 after photometry, and the reaction vessel 1 after photometry using the prepared cleaning liquid, and a sample dispensing mechanism. 5. washing units 14, 15, which wash the reagent dispensing mechanism 10 and the stirring mechanism 11, respectively;
16, 17 are provided.

The cleaning section 14 includes a reaction liquid suction nozzle 14a, a cleaning liquid discharge nozzle 14b, a cleaning liquid suction nozzle 14c, and a cleaning tank 14d, which are arranged in parallel from the right side in the figure.
And a cleaning mechanism 14e that moves these three nozzles vertically up and down and reciprocates with the cleaning tank 14d. Since the cleaning units 15 to 17 do not need to suck the liquid from the inside of the container, the structure is simplified compared to the cleaning unit 14, and the function of discharging the cleaning liquid and the function of the cleaning tank for cleaning the nozzles are provided. What is necessary is just to have.

A CP for controlling the operation of each of the above components
U18 is provided, and input means 18 such as a keyboard and monitor means 20 such as a monitor are connected to the CPU 18. In the following, description will be given of a case where the automatic analyzer having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 is used, but the technical idea of the present invention can be applied to an automatic analyzer having a different configuration. For example, in the case of an automatic analyzer using a disposable reaction vessel, the washing unit 14 is unnecessary, and in the case of an automatic analyzer without a stirring unit, the washing unit 17 is unnecessary.

Next, the structure of the cleaning liquid preparation mechanism 13 which is a gist of the present invention will be described. This cleaning liquid preparation mechanism 13
Can be configured as in the first to fourth embodiments described below.

FIG. 2 shows a first example used in the automatic analyzer of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a cleaning liquid creation mechanism of the embodiment. The cleaning solution preparation mechanism 13 of the present embodiment includes a cleaning solution stock solution setting section 22 for setting a cleaning solution stock solution 21 and a cleaning solution stock solution 2.
A supply amount adjusting unit (here, a syringe that dispenses a fixed amount of the undiluted cleaning liquid 21) 23 that adjusts the supply amount of 1;
The cleaning liquid diluent setting unit 25 for setting the cleaning liquid diluent 24 and the supplied cleaning liquid diluent 21 are diluted by mixing with the supplied cleaning diluent 24 to prepare a predetermined concentration to be used in the automatic analyzer. A cleaning liquid tank 27 for preparing and storing the cleaning liquid 26, a pipe 28 for supplying the cleaning liquid 26 to each cleaning unit, a concentration detecting unit 29 for detecting the concentration K of the cleaning liquid 26 in the cleaning liquid tank 27, and a cleaning liquid tank 27 And a cleaning liquid discharging unit 30 for appropriately discharging unnecessary cleaning liquid therein.

The operation of each component of the cleaning liquid preparation mechanism 13 is controlled by the CPU 18. Further, the concentration K of the cleaning liquid detected by the concentration detector 29 is determined by the CPU.
18 to be used for the following cleaning liquid concentration management control. The operation of preparing the cleaning liquid by diluting the undiluted cleaning liquid is automatically performed when the automatic analyzer is started.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a first control program of cleaning liquid concentration management control for the cleaning liquid prepared by the cleaning liquid preparation mechanism of the first to fourth embodiments.
This control program is executed by the CPU 18. In FIG. 3, when it is determined in step 51 that the cleaning liquid preparation operation is completed, in next step 52, the cleaning liquid concentration K is read from the concentration detector 29, and the next step 5 is performed.
In step 3, the cleaning solution concentration K falls within a preset normal concentration range (K
_It is determined whether _{L.ltoreq.K.ltoreq.K.sub.H} ), and if it is outside the normal density range, the control proceeds to step 54, and if it is within the normal density range, the control proceeds to step 55. Incidentally, K _L is the lower limit of the normal concentration range, K _H is the upper limit of the normal concentration range, the normal concentration range defined by these ranges that can ensure the predetermined wash performance.

At step 54, where the control proceeds based on the determination at step 53 when the concentration of the cleaning liquid is abnormal, an alarm is issued. As this alarm, one or both of an "alarm for calling attention to the occurrence of an abnormality in the cleaning liquid concentration" and an "alarm for calling for replacement of consumables in the cleaning liquid preparation mechanism" are used. After the occurrence of this alarm, in step 56,
The cleaning liquid creating mechanism 13 performs an additional operation to adjust the concentration of the cleaning liquid so as to fall within the normal concentration range. Specifically, this additional operation is performed when the cleaning liquid concentration in the cleaning liquid tank 27 is too high, and after the cleaning liquid 27 in the cleaning liquid tank 27 is discharged from the cleaning liquid discharge unit 30 by a predetermined amount, the cleaning liquid diluent 24
Is added to reduce the concentration of the cleaning solution to within the normal concentration range. If the concentration of the cleaning solution is too low, the concentration of the cleaning solution is added to the cleaning solution tank 27 to increase the concentration of the cleaning solution to within the normal concentration range. . It should be noted that the control in steps 54 and 56 is such that the determination in the next step 55 is YE
It should be performed before S (that is, during the standby state before the start of analysis).

If it is determined in step 55 that the analysis is to be started, a normal analysis operation is performed in the next step 57, and the analysis result is output. During the execution of such an analysis operation, for example, if the analysis operation is continued for a long time, the amount of the cleaning liquid may be insufficient on the way. In this case, in step 58 following step 57, it is determined that the cleaning liquid is insufficient, and thus the control proceeds to step 59. In this step 59, a cleaning liquid preparation operation is performed by the cleaning liquid preparation mechanism 13 to replenish the insufficient cleaning liquid. If it is determined in step 58 that the cleaning liquid is not insufficient, the control proceeds to step 63 described below to continue the analysis.

In the next step 60, it is determined whether or not the cleaning liquid preparation operation is completed, and the process waits until the cleaning liquid preparation operation is completed. Read K. In the next step 62 determines whether the normal concentration range that the cleaning liquid density K is set in advance _{(K L ≦ K ≦ K H} ).

If it is determined in step 62 that the concentration of the cleaning liquid is normal, the control proceeds to step 63 to continue the analysis. Thereafter, in step 65, the analysis data is calculated, and in the next step 66, the analysis result is output. As described above, the control is performed from step 65 to step 66.
When the process proceeds to step, since the concentration of the cleaning liquid is maintained at a normal level, the analysis data calculated in step 65 is output as it is because there is no possibility that the reliability is reduced.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 62 that the concentration of the cleaning liquid is abnormal, the control proceeds to step 64, where an alarm similar to that in step 54 is issued, and the same processing as in step 56 is performed. After adjusting the concentration of the cleaning liquid by the additional operation, the analysis is continued in step 67. To continue the analysis in this way,
Since the cleaning using the cleaning liquid having the abnormal concentration is performed, the analysis data calculated during the use of the cleaning liquid having the abnormal concentration may reduce the reliability. Therefore, in the next step 68, a warning mark is attached and the analysis data is calculated only while the cleaning solution having the abnormal concentration is used, and the analysis result is output in the next step 66.

In place of the control in steps 64, 67, and 68, the operation of the automatic analyzer is stopped when the concentration of the cleaning liquid is abnormal, and an "alarm for invoking replacement of the consumables of the cleaning liquid preparation mechanism" is generated. You may.

According to the present embodiment, when preparing the cleaning liquid,
By executing the above steps 53 and 62, it is determined whether or not the concentration of the cleaning liquid is within a preset normal concentration range. Further, when the concentration of the cleaning liquid is abnormal, a warning is issued by executing the above steps 54 and 64, so that the warning draws the operator's attention. Or consumables replacement.

Further, when the concentration of the cleaning liquid is abnormal, the cleaning liquid preparation mechanism 13 performs an additional operation to make the concentration K of the cleaning liquid fall within the normal concentration range by executing the steps 56 and 64. The concentration of the washing liquid automatically returns to within the normal concentration range, preventing the appearance of inappropriate analysis results, improving the reliability of the analysis data, and reducing the burden on the operator. In addition, for analysis while using an abnormally concentrated washing solution,
Since the analysis data is calculated by attaching the warning mark by executing the above step 68, the operator's attention can be attracted to the analysis data that may reduce the reliability.

FIG. 4 shows a second example used in the automatic analyzer of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a cleaning liquid creation mechanism of the embodiment. The cleaning liquid preparation mechanism 13 of the present embodiment uses a fixed amount of the cleaning liquid undiluted solution 2 instead of the syringe used in the first embodiment as the supply amount adjusting unit 23 for adjusting the supply amount of the cleaning liquid undiluted solution 21.
In addition to using a peristaltic pump that pushes the cleaning liquid 1 into the cleaning liquid tank 27, the installation position of the concentration detecting unit 29 that detects the concentration K of the cleaning liquid 26 is changed to the cleaning liquid tank 2 of the first embodiment.
7, a pipe 28 for supplying a cleaning liquid to each cleaning unit
The other parts are configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

According to this embodiment, the same operation and effect as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment used in the automatic analyzer of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a cleaning liquid creation mechanism of the embodiment. The cleaning liquid preparation mechanism 13 of the present embodiment eliminates the cleaning liquid tank 27 used in the first embodiment and replaces the cleaning liquid diluting liquid setting section 25 with the cleaning liquid diluting liquid 24 in the flow path 31 through which the cleaning liquid diluting liquid 24 flows.
A solenoid valve 32 and a mixing unit 33 are installed in this order from the side, and the supply valve is opened and closed by opening and closing the solenoid valve 32.
A predetermined amount of the undiluted cleaning solution 21 is supplied into the flow path 31 by the operation of 23, and the undiluted cleaning solution 21 and the diluting solution 24 are mixed in the mixing unit 33 to form the cleaning solution 26 adjusted to a predetermined concentration. The cleaning liquid 26
The installation position of the concentration detecting section 29 for detecting the concentration K of the cleaning liquid is changed from the inside of the cleaning liquid tank 27 of the first embodiment to the middle of a pipe 28 for supplying the cleaning liquid to each cleaning section.
Other parts are configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

According to this embodiment, the same operation and effect as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

FIG. 6 shows a fourth embodiment used in the automatic analyzer of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a cleaning liquid creation mechanism of the embodiment. The cleaning liquid creation mechanism 13 of the present embodiment sets the installation position of the concentration detecting unit 29 for detecting the concentration K of the cleaning liquid 26 to each cleaning unit to which the cleaning liquid is supplied via the pipe 28 from the cleaning liquid tank 27 of the first embodiment. , And the other parts are configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment. In addition, instead of providing the concentration detecting section 29 near each cleaning section, it may be provided near any one of the cleaning sections.

According to the present embodiment, the same functions and effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the essential part of a second control program of the cleaning liquid concentration management control for the cleaning liquid prepared by the cleaning liquid preparation mechanism of the first to fourth embodiments. This control program is executed by the CPU 18. Shall be. The control program shown in FIG. 7 includes steps 53 and 54 of the first control program shown in FIG.
56 is replaced by the following steps 71 to 74, and steps 62 and 64 of the control program of FIG. 3 are replaced by the following steps 81 to 84, and other steps are the same as those of the control program of FIG. Shall be used. Note that the control contents of Steps 81 to 84 are the same as those of Steps 71 to 74, and thus description thereof is omitted.

In FIG. 7, in step 71 following step 52, it is determined whether or not the cleaning solution concentration K is within a first concentration range (K _L1 ≦ K ≦ K _H1 ) corresponding to a preset normal concentration range. If it is out of the first density range, the control goes to step 72.
If it is within the first density range, the control proceeds to step 55. Note that K _L1 is the lower limit of the first concentration range,
_H1 is the upper limit of the first concentration range, and the first concentration range defined by these is a range in which a preset cleaning ability can be guaranteed.

In step 72 where control is performed when the concentration of the cleaning liquid is abnormal based on the determination in step 71, the concentration K of the cleaning liquid is within a second concentration range set in advance (K _L2 ≦ K ≦ K _H2 ).
It is determined whether or not it is within the second density range, and the control proceeds to step 73, and if it is outside the second density range, the control proceeds to step 74. Note that K _L2 is the lower limit of the second concentration range, and K _H2 is the upper limit of the second concentration range. The second concentration range defined by them is wider than the first concentration range. (K _L2 <K _L1 and K _H1 <
K _H2 ).

When the degree to which the concentration K of the cleaning liquid deviates from the above normal concentration range is small, the control proceeds to step 73, where
A "warning alerting the user to the occurrence of an abnormality in the concentration of the cleaning liquid" is generated, and the concentration of the cleaning liquid is adjusted by the additional operation of the cleaning liquid preparation mechanism 13. Thereafter, the control proceeds to step 55. On the other hand, when the degree of the concentration K of the cleaning liquid deviating from the normal concentration range is large, the control proceeds to step 74.
Then, the operation of the automatic analyzer is stopped, and the control is ended after an "alarm for invoking replacement of the consumables of the cleaning liquid producing mechanism" is generated.

According to the second control program, the cleaning liquid concentration K is determined in two steps to determine the magnitude of the degree that the cleaning liquid concentration K is out of the normal concentration range. In the case of a slight concentration abnormality that does not require maintenance, a warning and concentration adjustment for the concentration abnormality are performed, and in the case of a severe concentration abnormality, the operation of the automatic analyzer is stopped and an alarm is issued for replacement of consumables. It can be performed.

In the first to fourth embodiments, there are three types of configurations (combinations of the difference between the components of the supply amount adjusting unit 23 and the presence / absence of the cleaning liquid tank 27) for preparing the cleaning liquid of the cleaning liquid generating mechanism 13. In addition, although three installation positions of the concentration detecting section 29 are shown, these may be combined as appropriate to form another embodiment. In addition, the first to fourth
In the embodiment, as a component of the supply amount adjusting unit 23,
Examples include, but are not limited to, "syringes", "peristaltic pumps", and "syringes plus solenoid valves". All components having the function of diluting a fixed amount of a solution are described. Can be used

Methods for detecting the concentration of the cleaning solution include measuring the conductivity of the solution, measuring the pH of the solution, measuring the concentration of a specific component in the cleaning solution (electrode method, alkalinity measurement method), and the like. Any method that can measure the concentration can be adopted.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be configured, for example, as in the following additional items. A reaction vessel transfer means for holding a reaction vessel for reacting a sample and a reagent and sequentially transferring the reaction vessel, a sample dispensing mechanism for dispensing a predetermined amount of sample into the reaction vessel, A reagent dispensing mechanism for dispensing a predetermined amount of reagent, a reaction detection unit for detecting a change occurring during the reaction between the sample and the reagent, and washing at least a plurality of parts including the sample dispensing mechanism and the reagent dispensing mechanism. A cleaning liquid preparation unit that prepares a cleaning liquid for, and an automatic analyzer that includes a cleaning unit that cleans each of the plurality of parts using the prepared cleaning liquid, a concentration detection unit that sequentially detects the concentration of the cleaning liquid, An automatic analyzer (additional item 1), comprising: a cleaning liquid state determination unit that determines whether the detected cleaning liquid concentration is within a preset concentration range. When the liquid state determination unit determines that the concentration of the cleaning liquid is out of the concentration range set in advance, an automatic analyzer that issues an alarm prompting replacement of consumables in the cleaning liquid preparation unit is provided. (Appendix 2). In the above additional item 1, when the cleaning liquid state determination unit determines that the cleaning liquid concentration is out of the preset concentration range, a warning mark is displayed on the analysis data only for the analysis while using the cleaning liquid having the abnormal concentration. An automatic analyzer (attachment item 3), which is attached and output.

[0046]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the analysis is performed while washing the parts (such as the non-disposable reaction container, the sample dispensing mechanism, the reagent dispensing mechanism, and the stirring unit) that need to be washed in the automatic analyzer. When performing the cleaning, the cleaning liquid state determination unit determines whether or not the cleaning liquid concentration sequentially detected by the concentration detection unit is within a preset concentration range. This makes it possible to detect, at an early stage, an abnormality in the concentration of the cleaning solution in which the concentration of the prepared cleaning solution is out of the preset concentration range.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, an alarm is generated when an abnormality in the cleaning liquid concentration occurs. Therefore, the warning is used to alert the operator to detect the occurrence of the abnormality in the cleaning liquid concentration at an early stage, and to provide a consumable item in the event of a failure in the cleaning liquid preparation mechanism. Exchange can be prompted.

According to the third aspect of the invention, when an abnormal concentration of the cleaning liquid occurs, an additional operation for returning the concentration of the cleaning liquid to within the normal concentration range is performed in addition to the normal operation of preparing the cleaning liquid. In addition, the reliability of the analysis data can be improved, and the burden on the operator can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an automatic analyzer according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a cleaning liquid preparation mechanism according to a first embodiment used in the automatic analyzer of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a first control program of cleaning liquid concentration management control for a cleaning liquid generated by a cleaning liquid generation mechanism according to the first to fourth embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a cleaning liquid preparation mechanism according to a second embodiment used in the automatic analyzer of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a configuration of a cleaning liquid preparation mechanism of a third embodiment used in the automatic analyzer of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a cleaning liquid preparation mechanism according to a fourth embodiment used in the automatic analyzer of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the essential part of a second control program of cleaning liquid concentration management control for the cleaning liquid generated by the cleaning liquid generation mechanism of the first to fourth embodiments.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 reaction container 2 reaction table (reaction container transfer means) 3 sample container 4 sample table 5 sample dispensing mechanism 6 first reagent container 7 first reagent table 8 second reagent container 9 second reagent table 10 reagent dispensing mechanism 11 stirring Mechanism 12 Photometry unit (reaction detection unit) 13 Cleaning liquid preparation mechanism 14-17 Cleaning unit 18 CPU 19 Input unit 20 Monitoring unit 29 Concentration detection unit

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A reaction container transfer means for holding a reaction container for reacting a sample and a reagent and sequentially transferring the reaction container, and a sample dispensing mechanism for dispensing a predetermined amount of sample into the reaction container. A reagent dispensing mechanism for dispensing a predetermined amount of reagent into the reaction container; a reaction detection unit for detecting a change occurring when the sample and the reagent react; and at least the sample dispensing mechanism and a reagent dispensing mechanism An automatic analyzer comprising: a cleaning liquid preparation unit for preparing a cleaning liquid for cleaning a plurality of parts; and a cleaning unit for cleaning each of the plurality of parts using the prepared cleaning liquid, wherein the concentration of the cleaning liquid is sequentially detected. An automatic analyzer, comprising: a concentration detection unit; and a cleaning liquid state determination unit that determines whether a detected cleaning liquid concentration is within a preset concentration range. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein an alarm is issued when the cleaning liquid state determination section determines that the cleaning liquid concentration is outside a preset concentration range.
The automatic analyzer as described. 3. When the cleaning liquid state determination unit determines that the cleaning liquid concentration is outside a preset concentration range, an additional operation according to the detected cleaning liquid concentration is performed in addition to a normal cleaning liquid preparation operation. 3. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the control is performed such that the concentration of the washing liquid is within the concentration range.