JP2001099840A - Autoanalyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an autoanalyzer which eliminates a limit that the kind of a sample is fixed for every rack and for every installation position inside a rack so as to be capable of dealing flexibly with various situations. SOLUTION: In this autoanalyzer, a prescribed reagent is mixed with a sample, and a specific component in the sample is analyzed on the basis of their reaction solution. The kind of the sample can be set for every installation position of the sample in a rack on which a plurality of samples can be installed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer for automatically analyzing components such as urine and serum.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an automatic analyzer of this type, a sample to be measured is placed in a cup or a blood collection tube, and a plurality of these cups are simultaneously installed on a sample holder (hereinafter, referred to as a rack). Once placed, the sample is then dispensed from the rack to the reaction tube according to the measurement items registered for each sample in advance, mixed with the reagents according to the measurement items, reacted, and the target component is Is automatically repeated.

The registration of the measurement items and the handling of the measurement results are generally performed by bar code information attached to the sample cup, the identification number of the rack, and the installation position in the rack (the identification number of the rack and the installation in the rack). The position is hereinafter collectively referred to as rack information.)

The rack information for identifying the sample is as follows:
In addition to the purpose of recognizing the correspondence between the sample and the measurement item on the automatic analyzer side, the sample whose measurement result shows an error such as a high value is specified for re-testing, or the measured sample is returned from the sampler. It is also effectively used for the purpose of supporting the operator's work such as taking out. In addition, a barcode may not be used for an emergency sample, in which case the rack information is the only identification information of the sample.

[0005] In order to improve efficiency, work such as registration of measurement items and printing of measurement results may be performed by an laboratory information system (LIS). The rack information or the bar code information is transmitted together with the measurement items and the measurement results.

[0006] By the way, the sample is generated from time to time in small amounts.
There are some samples that need to be measured urgently or quickly, such as samples of inpatients, which occur in large quantities at once, but do not have much urgency.The aspects such as volume and urgency are individually determined for each sample. It may be different. In addition, a sample includes not only a patient sample but also a standard sample called a calibrator for creating a calibration curve and a standard sample used for quality control. In recent years, a single automatic analyzer can handle many items at once, and in many cases, a large number of calibrators and standard samples for quality control are temporarily required to create a calibration curve. .

Various systems such as a rack sampler system, a circular sampler system (disk sampler system), a C / C sampler system having a cooling function, and a storage / transport system have been developed so as to efficiently handle these various kinds of samples. Have been.

For example, a circular sampler has 30 to 10
It is possible to mount a few racks around a circular rack on which about 0 cups can be installed.
A box-shaped rack on which up to ten cups can be installed can be handled by trays in units of ten racks.

Each of these sampler methods has its own advantages / disadvantages. For example, a circular sampler has the advantage of being able to randomly access any sample at any time regardless of the installation position using the rotation function of the sampler. It is effective for the measurement and retest of an urgent sample, and it is convenient for automatic calibration and periodic quality control by always installing a calibrator and a standard sample for quality control. On the other hand, there is a drawback that the number of samplers to be installed is limited, and a large amount of samples cannot be loaded at one time.

Further, the rack sampler has a large number of racks that can be mounted, which is advantageous for mass processing of samples, and can be easily replaced in rack units, so that it is suitable for interrupt processing. On the other hand, since the racks basically flow one-way in order according to the arrangement order, it is difficult to automate retesting, even if a return line is required for retesting or a return line is attached. The retesting time is lengthened by the time required for the return, and the rack on which the calibrator and the standard sample for quality control are installed is not always at the sampling unit side, so calibration and quality control cannot be performed at any time. There is such a problem.

In the conventional automatic analyzer, the type of the sample to be installed is fixed at each installation position or each rack.
Another problem is that it is difficult to deal flexibly with various situations. Specifically, assuming a circular sampler having 52 erections, the circular sampler is:
Installation numbers 1 to 30 are for patient samples, and installation numbers 31 to 5
0 is fixed for a calibrator and a standard sample for quality control, and installation numbers 51 and 52 are fixed for emergency samples. In such an environment, there are not enough calibrators to create a calibration curve for multiple items. In other words, at least one calibrator is required for one item. In order to create a calibration curve for more than 20 items of the installed number, it is necessary to exchange circular racks on the way.

[0012] In addition, a large number of specimens must be handled in an inpatient or group test.
Only 0 samples can be handled, so the circular racks must be replaced one after another, which is not only time-consuming, but it is almost always possible to see measurement errors after replacement, so for re-examination, A cumbersome and cumbersome operation of returning the removed rack to the sampler is required. Furthermore, when there are only two emergency sample installation positions and an emergency sample exceeding that location occurs, it is necessary to replace the emergency sample every time the emergency sample is sampled. Such a problem is the same in a rack sampler, and the type of a sample to be installed on each rack is determined. For example, rack numbers 1 to 1000 are for a patient sample, rack numbers 1001 to 1050 are for a calibrator, and rack numbers. 1
051 to 1100 are for the standard sample for quality control, and the rack numbers 1101 to 1110 are fixedly recognized on the device side for the emergency sample. For example, when it is desired to perform quality control during sample measurement, Interrupts can only be interrupted on a rack-by-rack basis, and in many cases,
There is a vacancy in the installation position in the rack, and the measurement efficiency is reduced accordingly.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to limit the type of a sample to be fixed for each rack or for each installation position in the rack so as to flexibly cope with various situations in the automatic analyzer. Is to remove.

[0014]

(1) An automatic analyzer according to the present invention is an automatic analyzer that mixes a sample with a predetermined reagent to cause a reaction, and analyzes a specific component in the sample from the reaction solution. It is characterized by having a rack on which a plurality of samples can be installed, and means for setting the type of the sample for each sample installation position in the rack. (2) An automatic analyzer according to the present invention is an automatic analyzer that mixes and reacts a predetermined reagent with a sample, and analyzes a specific component in the sample from the reaction solution. Means for setting the type of sample for each rack. (3) An automatic analyzer according to the present invention is an automatic analyzer that mixes and reacts a predetermined reagent with a sample, and analyzes a specific component in the sample from the reaction solution. Means for setting the type of sample for each rack and for each sample installation position in the rack. (4) The present invention is the automatic analyzer according to (1), (2) or (3), wherein the type of the sample is at least any of a patient sample, an emergency sample, a calibrator, and a quality control standard sample. Is included.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an automatic analyzer according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a portion related to operation, display, and control of the automatic analyzer according to the present embodiment.
The configuration mainly of a mechanism other than these parts is a general one, and although not shown, a disk sampler, a reagent storage, a reaction disk, a sample dispensing unit, a reagent dispensing unit, A unit, a stirring unit, and the like are provided.

A circular rack is assumed to be detachable from the disk sampler, and a circular rack 29 having 50 installation positions for installing sample cups (or blood collection tubes) as shown in FIG. 2 is assumed. I will explain. Also, here, nine replaceable circular racks 29 are 1
Is managed by a single digit number (rack number)
The rack number is affixed to the cup as a barcode seal, and the barcode information is optically read by the rack information detection unit 21 and the control unit 11 identifies each rack. As a sample to be installed on this rack,
There are types such as patient samples, calibrators, quality control standard samples, and emergency samples. A bar code seal is affixed to each of the sample cups, and the bar code information is optically read by the sample bar code reading unit 23.

Further, a mechanism control unit 19 for controlling the above-described mechanism such as the sampler disk, and a reagent amount detection unit 1 for detecting the amount of the reagent stored in the reagent storage.
3. A standard sample amount detection unit 15 for detecting the amount of a calibrator or a standard sample for quality control mounted on a disk sampler, and a concentration of a target component from a reaction solution of a sample and a reagent is optically or electrolytically inspected. A sample measurement unit 17 for measurement is connected to the control unit 11. The control unit 11 includes an input device 25 such as a keyboard and a trackball for inputting various commands by an operator.
Display device 27 for displaying various information such as measurement results
And are connected.

The control section 11 is equipped with functions for displaying various information such as a reagent information display function, a standard sample information display function, a calibration curve information display function, and a quality control information display function. Input device 25
Can be operated to display arbitrary information on the display device 27. In addition, the control unit 11 is provided with a calibration item setting function, a quality control item setting function, and a measurement item setting function. , Quality control items and measurement items can be set arbitrarily. Further, the control unit 11 is equipped with a characteristic rack information item setting function of the present invention.

In the rack information item setting function, the operator operates the input device 25 while looking at the operation screen displayed on the display device 27, and operates the sample type (patient type) for each rack and for each installation position in the rack. Samples, calibrators, quality control standard samples, and emergency samples) are arbitrarily set by the operator. For example, as shown in FIG. , And one of the "41 to 50" of the rack
The 0 installation positions are set for the standard samples for quality control, and in the eight racks of rack numbers “2 to 9”, the 45 installation positions of “1 to 45” are set for patient samples. In addition, one rack “No. 46” is set aside for emergency samples, and four racks “No. 47 to 50” are set for the quality control standard sample. This is a function for realizing the setting as described above, and details thereof will be described below.

FIG. 4 shows an operation screen for setting the type of sample for each rack and for each installation position in the rack, and a rack number (Rack No.) is displayed in the horizontal direction.
Are arranged in order, the installation position numbers are arranged in order in the vertical direction, and the operator scrolls vertically and horizontally,
The type of sample can be arbitrarily assigned and set for each rack and for each installation position in the rack.

When a bar code sticker is attached to a cup provided on the rack and the type of the sample can be distinguished by the bar code information, the type of the sample distinguished according to the bar code information is determined by the installation position. Is automatically set for When there is a cup to which the barcode seal is not attached, as shown in FIG.
The sample identification number can be manually input and set. In the example of FIG. 5, when the check box of “automatic” is not checked, the set sample identification number is used as a substitute for the barcode information. Also, as shown in FIG. 6, even when the automatic check box is checked, a sample identification number can be input at an arbitrary installation position.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a screen showing the current state of the disk sampler. The operator always displays this screen at any time or at the time of inputting a corresponding command, and the present state, here, is currently mounted on the disk sampler. From this screen, check the current status information such as the rack number, the type of sample set for the installation position of the rack, and whether or not the check box is checked to check whether the cup is actually installed at each installation position. be able to.

When a laboratory information system (LIS) is connected to this automatic analyzer, the above-described rack information setting function is also provided in the LIS.
On the IS side, the type of the sample can be set for each rack and for each installation position in the rack. In addition, the measurement results obtained by the automatic analyzer include barcode information and sample type identification information (eg, patient sample; 1, emergency sample; 2, calibrator; 3, quality control standard sample;
4) will be associated and forwarded to the LIS.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the type of sample can be arbitrarily set for each rack and for each installation position in the rack, so that it is possible to flexibly cope with various situations. For example, when creating a calibration curve for many items, the number of rack replacement operations can be reduced by setting all of the installation positions in the rack to “for calibrator”. In the case of measuring a large number of samples, the number of rack replacement operations can be reduced by setting all of the installation positions in the rack to “for patient samples”. In an environment where the frequency of occurrence of emergency samples is relatively high, multiple installation positions in the rack may be changed to
By setting to, the operation efficiency of the device can be improved. If it is desired to interrupt the quality control periodically during the sample measurement work, one or more specific installation positions in one or more racks are set to “for quality control standard samples” according to the cycle, and If the remaining installation positions are set for the patient sample, there will be no vacant installation positions in the rack, thereby eliminating the time loss.

Although the current state of the disk sampler can be confirmed on the screen shown in FIG. 7, in addition to this, as shown in FIG. 8, a resin chip is fitted near the cup installation position in the rack. Possible holes may be provided. For example, four types of resin chips having different colors and shapes are prepared according to the type of the sample, and the resin chips according to the type of the sample set at each of the installation positions are selectively fitted in advance, and the setting is performed. It is easy to confirm the type of the sample. Also, a light emitting diode (LED) is attached to the outer periphery of the sampler, and its lighting, turning off, blinking,
Further, the type of the sample may be distinguished by the blinking pattern.

In the above-described example, the calibrator and the standard sample for quality control are not automatically set but set by the operator. However, the bar code can be used for the calibrator and the standard sample for quality control. To do this, a part of a numeric string (for example, a two-digit number) of barcode information used for a patient sample is assigned to it.
This narrows the range that can be used as barcode information of the patient sample. For example, if a number whose second digit is 9 is assigned to a calibrator or a quality control standard sample, the number that can be used as a patient sample number is limited to 00 to 89. Here, a bar code of a patient sample generally represented by a number is used, and a symbol string such as an alphabet other than a number is used for a calibrator and a standard sample for quality control, so that a type that can be used as a patient sample number is used. Can be avoided.

Further, when a sample to which a barcode sticker is attached and a sample to which a barcode seal is not attached are mixed in the same rack or sampler, a method for efficiently processing them is described. This is shown in FIG. In this method, a sensor that can detect whether or not a cup (or blood collection tube) is installed at the installation position in the rack is used in combination with the barcode reader. First, the sampler moves (S
1) When the sensor detects that the sample is installed at the installation position that comes before the sensor (YE in S2)
S) Only at that time, the barcode is read by the barcode reader (S3). If the barcode is read normally (YE in S4)
S), perform sample management using the barcode information,
On the other hand, if the data cannot be read normally (NO in S4), the information of the type of the sample set in advance for the installation position is searched (S5), and it is substituted for the barcode information (S5).
6) The measurement process is performed on the sample at the installation position in response to the request. Here, when the information of the type of the sample is not set at the installation position (no substitution in S6), it is determined that the sample may be erroneously installed, and the measurement of the sample is skipped (not performed). ). As a result, the sample type setting function can be efficiently operated even in a state where a sample to which the barcode seal is attached and a sample to which the barcode seal is not attached are mixed.

In the above description, the type of sample at the rack installation position has been set in advance. Among them, the emergency sample may be set at the same time as the installation position when registering a patient request. . When the urgent sample is set, the control unit 11 naturally measures the sample preferentially.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be implemented with various modifications.

[0030]

According to the present invention, since the type of sample can be set arbitrarily for each rack or for each installation position in the rack, it is possible to flexibly cope with various situations.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an automatic analyzer according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a circular rack mountable on the automatic analyzer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of setting a sample type for a circular rack and a cup installation position number by the rack information setting function of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a normal setting operation screen by the rack information setting function of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view showing another example of a setting operation screen by the rack information setting function of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a view showing another example of a setting operation screen by the rack information setting function of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a rack information confirmation screen by the rack information setting function of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of marking of a cup installation position of the circular rack in FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when a sample having a bar code attached thereto and a sample having no bar code attached thereto are mixedly installed on the rack shown in FIG. 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

 11: control unit, 13: reagent amount detection unit, 15: standard sample amount detection unit, 17: sample measurement unit, 19: mechanism control unit, 21: rack information detection unit, 23: sample barcode reading unit, 25: input Device, 27 ... Display device.

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Naoki Oe 2-16-4 Akabane, Kita-ku, Tokyo F-term (reference) in Toshiba Medical System Engineering Co., Ltd. 2G058 AA07 CB15 CB18 CF09 GA01 GA11 GB05 GC02 GC05 GC06 GD06

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A sample is mixed with a predetermined reagent and reacted.
An automatic analyzer for analyzing a specific component in the sample from the reaction solution, comprising: a rack in which a plurality of samples can be installed; and a means for setting the type of sample for each sample installation position in the rack. Automatic analyzer. 2. A sample is mixed with a predetermined reagent and reacted.
An automatic analyzer for analyzing a specific component in the sample from the reaction solution, comprising: a rack in which a plurality of samples can be installed; and a means for setting a sample type for each rack. . 3. A sample is mixed with a predetermined reagent and reacted.
An automatic analyzer for analyzing a specific component in the sample from the reaction solution, comprising: a rack on which a plurality of samples can be installed; and a means for setting a sample type for each of the racks and for each of the sample installation positions in the rack. An automatic analyzer, comprising: 4. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the kind of the sample includes at least one of a patient sample, an emergency sample, a calibrator, and a standard sample for quality control.