JP2001099843A - Biochemical analytical method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a biochemical analytical method in which an operator can pot a specimen onto a chemical analytical slide by hand and with good operability and in which a measuring and processing operation can be performed with good efficiency as a whole. SOLUTION: In a biochemical analyzer 10, a pipette for potting is used, chemical analytical slides 1 onto which a specimen is potted by hand are inserted one by one into a plurality of cells 55 in an incubator 14, and the concentration of a prescribed biochemical substance in the specimen is measured sequentiallay. The chemical analytical slides 1 are conveyed and supplied to a potting part 12 so as to be potted at a set cycle corresponding to the photometric cycle of every cell 55 in the incubator 14.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method in which a sample such as blood or urine is manually spotted on a chemical analysis slide with a drop pipette, inserted into a cell of an incubator, and quantitatively analyzed for a specific component contained in the sample. The present invention relates to a biochemical analysis method, and particularly to a measurement cycle for manually spotting a sample on a chemical analysis slide.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, dry type chemical analysis slides have been developed which can quantitatively analyze a specific chemical component or material contained in a sample simply by spotting and supplying a small droplet of the sample. It has been put to practical use. These chemical analysis slides make it easier and faster to analyze samples than conventional wet analysis methods, so they are especially useful for medical institutions that need to analyze many samples,
It is suitably used in laboratories and the like.

In order to quantitatively analyze a chemical component or the like in a specimen using such a slide for chemical analysis, a specimen is spotted on the slide for chemical analysis and then kept at a constant temperature for a predetermined time in an incubator. The color reaction (dye-forming reaction) is measured by irradiating the chemical analysis slide with measurement light containing a predetermined wavelength to measure the change in the optical density, and the optical density determined in advance from the optical density is measured. A biochemical analyzer configured to obtain a substance concentration of a predetermined biochemical substance in a sample using a calibration curve representing a correspondence between the concentration and a substance concentration of the predetermined biochemical substance is used.

[0004] As the biochemical analyzer, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-223829, a sample is automatically transferred from a sample container containing each sample by a spotting nozzle unit. It is provided so as to be sucked and spotted on the chemical analysis slide, the spotting timing is performed at a predetermined timing linked to a series of measurement processing in the incubator, and the chemical analysis slide after spotting is immediately inserted into the cell of the incubator. It has been made to take measurements.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-288916 discloses that, in addition to the automatic spotting described above, when a sample is spotted manually, a vacant cell is determined and the cell is inserted into a slide. A biochemical analysis method has been proposed in which a time until reaching a position is calculated, a spotting timing is set so that a time from spotting to insertion is constant, and spotting is performed at this timing. .

[0006]

However, in the biochemical analyzer for automatically spotting a sample as described above, the mechanism is complicated and expensive. An apparatus is conceivable in which an operator manually performs the operation by using the simplification to simplify the mechanism.

[0007] In such a method of manually spotting a sample, it is necessary to perform spotting at a timing corresponding to the photometric processing of the incubator in order to immediately insert the spotted chemical analysis slide into the cell of the incubator. In some cases, the operator has to wait until a predetermined timing in accordance with an instruction from the apparatus, and there is a problem in operability.

In particular, in the incubator, the chemical analysis slide inserted into a plurality of cells is sequentially moved to a measurement position to perform photometry in order, and the next chemical analysis slide is transferred to a cell vacant at a predetermined timing during the photometry. The insertion timing of the chemical analysis slide differs depending on the position of the vacant cell, and the photometry cycle differs between when the slide insertion process is performed and when it is not performed. However, manual spotting cannot be performed at regular intervals, and the user has to wait for the spotting while monitoring the display of the apparatus. Thus, there is a problem in performing a stable spotting operation.

As the spotting operation of the operator, it is preferable to perform spotting at a constant cycle because a stable spotting operation can be obtained. However, in this case, the insertion timing is shifted, and the chemical analysis is performed until the incubator is ready to receive. The slide cannot be transported, and the chemical analysis slide after spotting is left for a long time. As a result, there is a problem that the sample on the chemical analysis slide after spotting evaporates or is affected by external light, thereby affecting measurement accuracy.

[0010] On the other hand, in the case where the spotting is performed manually as described above, the slide transport cycle which is the target of the spotting operation is performed by attaching a nozzle tip to the tip of a spotting pipette and aspirating a sample from a sample container. A predetermined amount of sample is ejected and spotted at a substantially central position of the supplied chemical analysis slide, and thereafter,
It is the time required to perform the operation of replacing the nozzle tip and spotting another sample from the next sample container,
This time must be set to a time at which efficient and efficient spotting can be performed. The measurement time of the chemical analysis slide is the time required for measuring the change in concentration in the chemical analysis slide of each cell sequentially at a predetermined photometric cycle, and repeating the measurement. It is set according to the like. Furthermore, the larger the number of cells in the incubator, the greater the measurement processing capacity. However, as the size of the apparatus increases, the photometric period becomes longer, and is set to an appropriate value corresponding to the photometric suitable period. Then, the photometric period must be set according to the overall measurement characteristics as described above, and it is particularly necessary to set the photometric period suitable for spotting operability so that efficient measurement processing can be performed. is there.

In the case of measuring a plurality of items having different measurement times, conventionally, the photometric performance has been prioritized by shortening the photometric interval. For this reason, the incubator operates irregularly, it is difficult to transport the chemical analysis slides at a constant cycle, and it is difficult to perform spotting manually due to the spotting operability as described above.

In view of the foregoing, the present invention provides a biochemical analysis method that allows an operator to manually apply a sample to a chemical analysis slide with good operability and perform efficient measurement processing as a whole. Things.

[0013]

According to the biochemical analysis method of the present invention, which solves the above-mentioned problems, a chemical analysis slide on which a sample is manually spotted using a dropping pipette is transferred to a plurality of cells of an incubator. Inserting one by one, keeping the temperature of the chemical analysis slide at a constant temperature and sequentially measuring the concentration of a predetermined biochemical substance in the sample, the chemical analysis slide at a constant cycle corresponding to the photometric cycle of each cell in the incubator. It is characterized by carrying and feeding and spotting.

It is preferable that the photometric period when the chemical analysis slide is inserted into the cell of the incubator is the same as the photometric period when the insert process is not performed.

Further, it is preferable that, after the sample is spotted on the chemical analysis slide, the chemical analysis slide is temporarily stored in a state where the sample is evaporated and external light is blocked while the sample is being inserted into the incubator.

[0016]

According to the present invention as described above, the chemical analysis slide is transported and supplied at a constant cycle corresponding to the photometric cycle of each cell in the incubator, and spotting is performed. Since the spotting interval by manual operation becomes constant, the spotting operability of the operator improves,
Spotting mistakes can be reduced, and measurement accuracy can be increased by spotting with high accuracy.

Further, when the chemical analysis slide is temporarily stored in a state in which the sample is evaporated and external light is blocked while the chemical analysis slide after the spotting is inserted into the incubator, the slide may be inserted depending on the cell position to be inserted. Even if the timing is different, the chemical analysis slide after spotting is protected, and the sample is not left as it is and the measurement accuracy does not decrease due to the influence of external light, ensuring good measurement accuracy it can.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic plan configuration of a biochemical analyzer for carrying out the method of one embodiment of the present invention.

The biochemical analyzer 10 includes a slide standby section 11 for storing unused chemical analysis slides 1 and a spotting section 12 for spotting samples such as blood and urine on the chemical analysis slide 1.
And an incubator 14 for accommodating the spotted chemical analysis slide 1 and keeping it at a constant temperature for a predetermined time, and the spotted chemical analysis slide 1 between the spotting unit 12 and the incubator 14.
And an insertion standby unit 13 for temporarily storing
The chemical analysis slide 1 is sequentially conveyed from the slide standby section 11 to the spotting section 12, and an operator attaches a nozzle tip to the tip of the chemical analysis slide 1 located on the spotting section 12 using a dropping pipette (not shown) by an operator. After the sample is attached, the sample is sucked from the sample container into the nozzle tip, and a predetermined amount of spotting is performed on the chemical analysis slide 1 manually.
After the chemical analysis slide 1 is covered in 3 and held in a state where the sample is evaporated and external light is blocked, the chemical analysis slide 1 is inserted into the cell 55 (storage section) of the incubator 14 by the transport means 15 at a predetermined timing. The degree of coloration (reflection optical density) of the chemical analysis slide 1 held at a constant temperature by the incubator 14 is measured by the photometric head 27 of the measuring means 18, and the measured chemical analysis slide 1 is further transferred to the incubator 14 by the transport means 15. Is dropped and discharged to a disposal hole 56 on the center side of the container.

In the chemical analysis slide 1, at least a reagent layer is disposed in a rectangular mount, and openings are provided in upper and lower portions of the mount, and the center of a circular opening 1a, which is an upper opening, is provided. Is spotted on the sample.

The structure of each part of the device 10 will be described.
First, as shown in a sectional front view of FIG. 2, the transfer means 15 is configured such that a transfer table 30 extending linearly toward the center of the incubator 14 is formed by a leg 30 a at the front and rear ends of a lower flat base. The slide stand 11 is disposed at a substantially central portion of the transfer table 30, the spotting section 12 is disposed on the incubator 14 side, and the insertion standby section 13 is further disposed on the incubator 14 side. I have.

The slide standby section 11 is provided with a slide guide 32 for holding the chemical analysis slide 1, and a plurality of unused chemical analysis slides 1 are usually held on the slide guide 32. The slide guide 32 is mounted on the transfer table 30 so that the lowermost chemical analysis slide 1 is positioned at the same height as the transfer surface of the transfer table 30.
An opening 32a through which only one chemical analysis slide 1 can pass is formed on the front side of the lowermost end portion. An opening through which an insertion member 36 described later can be inserted is formed on the rear surface side, and a groove 32b communicating with a slit 30b formed in the carrier 30 is formed on the bottom surface. Note that a cartridge containing a plurality of chemical analysis slides 1 stacked and stored may be set in the slide guide 32.

The spotting section 1 in front of the slide standby section 11
FIG. 3 is a plan view, FIG. 4 is a sectional front view, and FIG. 5 is a sectional side view of the insertion standby unit 13 in detail.

An open / close cover 34 having a slide holder 33 built therein is installed above the transfer table 30 in this portion. The opening / closing cover 34 has a substantially rectangular flat surface, and one side thereof is attached to the transfer table 30 so as to be able to move up and down by a mounting tool 29. A substantially rectangular opening 34 a is provided at a position corresponding to the spotting portion 12. Are formed. Further, a concave portion 34 b corresponding to the size of the slide holder 33 is formed on the bottom surface of the opening / closing cover 34.

A spotting guide 47 made of a transparent material is fixed to the upper surface of the opening / closing cover 34. The spotting guide 47 has a base fixed to the upper surface of the opening / closing cover 34 on the side of the opening 34a, extends from the base toward the opening 1a of the chemical analysis slide 1 located at the center of the opening 34a, and has a concave cut at the tip. A notch 47a is formed, and the sample is spotted by applying the tip of a drop pipette to the notch 47a. Note that this spotting guide 47
May be attached to the opposite side of the opening 34a as shown by a chain line in FIG. 3, or may be attached to both sides. In addition, a plate member 48 which is also a guide of the slide guide 32 extending upward together with the spotting guide 47 and a handle of the opening / closing cover 34 is fixed.

The cover 34 is moved in the anti-slide transport direction and then pivots up and down.
Is locked by engaging with the long hole 30c of the carrier 30. When opening and closing the open / close cover 34 for inspection, cleaning, etc., the slide guide 32
Remove the

The slide holder 33 has a substantially rectangular flat surface, and an elliptical opening 33 communicating with the rectangular opening 34a of the opening / closing cover 34 at a position corresponding to the spotting portion 12.
a is formed, a flange 33b is formed at the upper edge of both sides, and a bottom corner near the slide guide 32 is a slope 33.
c. The bottom surface of the incubator 14 at a position corresponding to the insertion standby portion 13 is formed flat.

The upper surface of the slide holder 33 including the flange 33b is inserted into the concave portion 34b of the cover 34, and a flat bottom plate 35 is provided on both sides of the lower surface of the cover 34.
The inner side of the bottom plate 35 is located inside the flange 33b of the slide holder 33, receives the bottom surface of the flange 33b, and holds the slide holder 33 so as not to be detached from the opening / closing cover 34. . The recess 34b is formed to be larger than the shape of the slide holder 33, and the slide holder 33 can be slightly moved up and down and back and forth and right and left. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a spring receiving hole 34d is provided on the upper surface of the slide holder 33 on the side of the insertion standby portion 13, and the spring 28 is compressed between the spring receiving hole 34d and the lower surface of the opening / closing cover 34. And slide holder 33
Are biased downward.

The slide transfer surface of the transfer table 30 in the spotting section 12 and the insertion standby section 13 is the slide guide 32.
Is formed at the same height as the opening 32a of the slide holder 33, and a flat space for carrying the chemical analysis slide 1 is formed between the opening 32a and the bottom surface of the slide holder 33. The mounting portion of the slide 1 is pressed so as to cover the opening 1a so as to cover the same, and the structure is such that the spotted sample is prevented from evaporating (drying) and is shielded from exposure to external light.

The transport of the chemical analysis slide 1 by the transport means 15 is performed by a forward movement of a plate-shaped insertion member 36 (see FIG. 2) placed on the transport table 30. That is, a slit 30b extending in the front-rear direction is formed at the center of the transfer table 30, and the slit 30b
The insertion member 36 is slidably mounted on the upper transfer surface,
A block 37 is fixed to the rear end bottom portion of the insertion member 36 from below through a slit 30b, and the block 37 is slidably provided in the front-rear direction along the slit 30b. An auxiliary plate 38 for pressing the insertion member 36 is provided on the transfer table 30 at a position behind the slide standby unit 11 by the slide guide 32,
The auxiliary plate 38 is held in the cover 39 so as to be slightly vertically movable.

A slider 40 is attached to a lower portion of the block 37, and the slider 40 is slidably supported in a front-rear direction by a guide rod 41 disposed along the transfer table 30. Further, pulleys 42 provided before and after the carriage 30 are attached to the slider 40,
A part of the belt 44 wound around 43 is fixed. The rear pulley 43 is driven to rotate by a transport motor 45, and the insertion member 36 is moved in the front-rear direction by a block 37 that moves integrally with the slider 40. By pushing the rear end of the analysis slide 1, the chemical analysis slide 1 is linearly moved from the slide standby section 11 to the spotting section 1.
2, and then transported from the insertion standby unit 13 to the incubator 14.

That is, the chemical analysis slide 1 at the lower end of the slide guide 32 is transported to the spotting unit 12 by driving the transport motor 45, and the chemical analysis slide 1 on which the sample is spotted is transported to the insertion standby unit 13. The insertion standby unit 13 suspends the incubator 14 until the incubator 14 is inserted.
The transport control of the transport motor 45 is performed so that the chemical analysis slide 1 in the cell 55 after measurement is inserted into the cell 55 and transported to the disposal hole 56 at the center of the incubator 14.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the incubator 14 has a disk-shaped rotating member 50 rotatable with respect to a bearing 53 via a bearing 52 by a rotating cylinder 51 having a lower center, as shown in FIG. The upper member 54 is supported on the rotating member 50. The bottom surface of the upper member 54 is flat, and a plurality of (six in the case of FIG. 1) recesses are formed at predetermined intervals on the circumference of the upper surface of the rotating member 50 so that a slit-shaped space is formed between the two members 51 and 54. The height of the bottom surface of the cell 55 is set to be the same as the height of the transfer surface of the transfer table 30 of the transfer means 15. The outer peripheral part is located. In addition, the incubator 14 of FIG. 1 shows the upper surface shape of the rotating member 50 from which the upper member 54 has been removed.

The inner hole of the rotary cylinder 51 is formed in a waste hole 56 of the chemical analysis slide 1 after the measurement, and the diameter of the waste hole 56 is set to a size through which the chemical analysis slide 1 can pass. In addition, an opening 50 a communicating with the waste hole 56 is formed in the center of the rotating member 50. The central portion of the cell 55 communicates with the central opening 50a at the same height as the cell 55. When the chemical analysis slide 1 located in the cell 55 moves to the central side as it is, the disposal hole 56 It is configured to fall.

The upper member 54 is provided with a heating means (not shown) for controlling the temperature of the chemical analysis slide 1 in the cell 55 at a constant temperature. A holding member 57 for pressing the mount of the slide 1 from above to prevent the sample from evaporating is provided. While a cover 58 is provided on the upper surface of the upper member 54, the incubator 14 is covered at the top and sides by an upper cover 59, and at the bottom by a lower cover 60 to shield light. The heating means heats and holds the chemical analysis slide 1 in the cell 55 at 37 ± 0.2 ° C.

Further, a photometric opening 55a is formed in the center of the bottom of each cell 55 for accommodating the chemical analysis slide 1 of the rotating member 50, and a photometric head disposed at the position shown in FIG. The measurement of the reflection optical density of the chemical analysis slide 1 according to 27 is performed. The rotating member 50 has a density reference plate cell 61 (see FIG. 1) formed on the same circumference as the cell 55, and two white and black colors for calibration of the photometric head 27 are formed in this portion. A density reference plate 62 is provided. The photometric head 27 is provided with a filter, and irradiates light having different wavelengths of main wavelength and sub-wavelength to perform respective measurements, thereby improving measurement accuracy.

The rotary drive of the incubator 14 is not shown, but the rotary cylinder 5 supporting the rotary member 50 is not shown.
A timing belt is wound around an outer peripheral portion of the driving member 1. The timing belt is also wound around a driving pulley of a driving motor, and the reciprocating rotation of the rotating member 50 is performed by forward and reverse rotation driving of the driving motor. It is configured. And the rotation operation of the incubator 14 is
First, for the photometric head 27 disposed below the predetermined rotation position of the incubator 14, a black reference plate is located next to the white reference plate in the density reference plate 62, and the density is detected to perform calibration. After that, the optical density of the color reaction of the chemical analysis slide 1 is measured by sequentially positioning the cells 55 from No. 1 to No. 6, and after this series of measurements, it is rotated backward to return to the reference position. Is controlled so as to perform reciprocal rotation drive within a predetermined angle range so as to perform the measurement of the number of times. Also, insert the new chemical analysis slide 1 after spotting and wait for insertion 1
For example, the process of inserting the empty cell 55 (or the chemical analysis slide after the measurement is completed) during the rotation operation until the measurement of the first cell 55 is performed after the calibration by the concentration reference plate 62 is performed. 1) is stopped at a position corresponding to the insertion standby section 13 and the transfer means 15 is stopped.
Is controlled to insert the chemical analysis slide 1 in the insertion standby section 13 by the operation of.

Further, a collection box 70 for collecting the chemical analysis slide 1 after the measurement is provided below the incubator 14. The collection box 70 has a storage chamber 71 formed at the center of the rotary cylinder 51 below the disposal hole 56, and has a bottom portion in contact with the chemical analysis slide 1 falling from the disposal hole 56. A projection 73 is formed to change the falling direction and disperse.

On the other hand, an operation panel 20 is installed on the upper part of the main body of the biochemical analyzer 10 as shown in FIG. 1, and a display unit 21 such as an LCD is provided on the operation panel 20 to display various displays. At the same time, the operation unit 23 including the start key 22 is provided, and the linking operation between the spotting operation and the measurement operation is performed.

Then, the biochemical analyzer 10 as described above
In the control of the measuring operation, the photometric period of each cell 55 in the incubator 14 is set within the photometric suitable period,
The chemical analysis slide 1 is transported and supplied to the spotting unit 12 at a constant cycle corresponding to the photometric cycle, and the spotting is performed. Further, the photometric period is the same between when the chemical analysis slide 1 is spotted on the cell 55 of the incubator 14 and when it is not inserted.

For example, assuming that the processing capacity is 150 tests (slides) per hour, the slide transport cycle is 36 times.
00 seconds divided by 150 is 24 seconds. Next, assuming that the slide measurement time is 120 seconds, the number of slide insertions into the cell 55 of the incubator 14 which is efficient without waiting for insertion is:
120 seconds divided by 24 seconds, which is 5 times, and the cell number is 6
Cells are required. Furthermore, the photometry cycle needs to be a divisor of 24 seconds of the slide transport cycle. If the photometry suitability cycle is 10 to 15 seconds, it is set to 12 seconds that satisfies these. Note that the slide transport cycle of 24 seconds is a cycle that is possible even for the spotting cycle of the operator.

Further, in order to stabilize the photometry cycle, the photometry cycle of the 12-second cycle is performed for the slide conveyance of the 24-second cycle, so that the photometry cycle is constant between the cycle with the insertion processing and the cycle without the insertion processing. Is performed. That is, when there is no insertion processing, the density reference plate 62 is measured at both the main wavelength and the sub-wavelength (see the periods A and C in FIG. 7 described later). (See period B in FIG. 7) to equalize the operation time. If the time required for the insertion process varies depending on the insertion position, the time is adjusted in the photometry processing return procedure of the incubator 14 so that each photometry cycle is the same.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to a time chart of an example of FIG. In this time chart, the upper part shows the order of photometry, the order of the density reference plate 62 or the cell 55 located on the photometric head 27, and the state of the start key 22 and the display (L
CD display), a sliding operation by the transporting means 15, and an incubator operation, respectively, and the hatched portion indicates that the operating state.

First, before performing analysis, the slide standby unit 1
The chemical analysis slide 1 is set to 1 and the analysis process is started. As described above, the rotation operation of the incubator 14 is basically performed by the photometric head 27 using the density reference plate 62.
After detecting the densities of the white reference plate and the black reference plate, the cells 55 from No. 1 to No. 6 move in order to
This series of operations is repeated at a constant photometric period (12 seconds). Separately from this, the initial operation on the spotting portion 12 of the chemical analysis slide 1 is performed by operating the start key 22 separately. The chemical analysis slide 1 is supplied to the spotting portion at a constant cycle (24 seconds) in the subsequent cycle,
When a predetermined period of time (5 seconds) has elapsed since the spotting was performed, the sheet is conveyed to the insertion standby unit 13, and the insertion operation from the insertion standby unit 13 to the cell 55 is linked to the operation of the incubator 14. The display is performed in association with the above operation. In addition, the chemical analysis slide 1 after the spotting is inserted into the cell 55, and then sequentially measured in the photometric period (12 seconds), and the measurement is completed when a total of 120 seconds of measurement time has elapsed. Yes, the measurement on the chemical analysis slide 1 is performed at each of the two wavelengths of the main wavelength and the sub-wavelength in each measurement, but the measurement (calibration) on the concentration reference plate 62 is performed in each measurement cycle according to the presence or absence of the insertion process. As described above, the case where both the main wavelength and the sub-wavelength are measured and the case where only the main wavelength is measured are set alternately.

When the measurement is started, the incubator 14
In the idle state in which the chemical analysis slide 1 is not stored in the cell 55, the start key 22 is in a state of waiting for the supply key as in the period A, and the display of “OK” is displayed. If the operator presses the start key 22 to perform spotting when this display is displayed during the measurement, the display will be “JUNBITU (X)” (X indicates the time until spotting is possible. (For example, 15 to 23 seconds), and one chemical analysis slide 1 is transported and supplied from the slide standby unit 11 to the spotting unit 12 by the transport unit 15 at a predetermined timing. When the time display X is three seconds before, a buzzer sounds to notify the operator. When the slide 1 is conveyed to the spotting unit 12 and the spotting is enabled, the display becomes “Temperature Detection (X)” (X is a time display until the end of the spotting, for example, 5 seconds), and the second time display changes. A buzzer sounds each time. During this time, the operator spots the sample on the chemical analysis slide 1 in the spotting unit 12 using a spotting pipette. When the time allowed for spotting is over, a buzzer sounds, the slide 1 after spotting is conveyed to the insertion standby unit 13, held in a state where evaporation and external light are blocked by the slide holder 33, and the display is “Shibarak”. "Omachikudasai".

During the above-mentioned spotting processing time, the photometric period of the incubator 14 enters the next period B. In this period B, an insertion process is performed. After the main wavelength measurement of the reference plate 62, the measurement is performed while the first cell 55 moves to the measurement position.
At the same time as the slide 1 after being spotted is conveyed to the insertion standby unit 13, the operation of the incubator 14 is at the above timing, and the incubator 14 responds to the stop of the movement of the predetermined cell 55 selected by the control unit to the insertion position. hand,
The chemical analysis slide 1 in the insertion standby section 13 is inserted into the cell 55 by the operation of the transporting means 15, and the transporting means 15 returns to the initial position (origin) for supplying the next chemical analysis slide 1 and the incubator 14. Is the first cell 5
5 returns to the photometric processing of moving to the photometric position. In the return of the photometric processing, the processing time difference is adjusted according to the number of the inserted cell. And the display is "Junbitchu"
Changes to

During this period B, spotting is not performed, and the next period C is entered. When a predetermined timing for spotting is reached, the display changes to "Junbitchu (X)" accompanied by a time display. The time until the chemical analysis slide 1 is transported and supplied to the spotting unit 12 is displayed. Hereinafter, the slide 1 is conveyed to the spotting unit 12 in the same manner as in the cycle A, and the spotting is enabled, and the display becomes “Tenku-ku-shiku-da-sai (X)”.
Spotting becomes possible. After the spotting, the process proceeds to the same processing as in the cycle B. The slide 1 after the spotting is conveyed to the insertion standby unit 13, the display is switched to “Shibaraku Omaikudasai”, and the insertion process is performed. Thereafter, by repeating the cycles B and C, the chemical analysis slide 1 is continuously transported and supplied at a constant cycle, spotted, and the continuous measurement process is continued.

When the stop key is operated in accordance with the end of the number of samples, or when the chemical analysis slide 1 is exhausted, the continuous conveyance is ended, and the subsequent measurement is continued. During this continuous measurement, “NO FULL” is displayed, and the next start key 22 is accepted.

As described above, this biochemical analyzer 10
For manually spotting a specimen, the photometric cycle is fixed, and the chemical analysis slide 1 is continuously transported to the spotting unit 12 at a constant cycle according to the photometric cycle, and spotting is performed. Can perform spotting operation with incubator 1
The spotting operation can be performed at a predetermined time without being affected by the timing that fluctuates in accordance with the measurement operation of 4, the operability is improved, the occurrence of spotting mistakes can be reduced, and the entire apparatus can be processed. Increases efficiency. The chemical analysis slide 1 after being spotted is conveyed to the insertion standby unit 13 until the timing of insertion of the incubator 14 and temporarily stored. During this storage, the slide holder 33 holds the chemical analysis slide 1 to prevent evaporation of the sample and to prevent external light. It is shielded and held, thereby preventing a decrease in detection accuracy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a main mechanism of a biochemical analyzer for carrying out one embodiment of the method of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional front view of a portion of a conveying unit.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a spotting portion and an insertion standby portion.

FIG. 4 is a sectional front view of a spotting portion and an insertion standby portion.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of an insertion standby unit.

FIG. 6 is a sectional front view of a part of the incubator.

FIG. 7 is a time chart showing a measurement operation, a slide conveyance operation, and a display of the incubator.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Chemical analysis slide 10 Biochemical analyzer 11 Slide standby section 12 Spotting section 13 Insertion standby section 14 Incubator 15 Transport means 18 Measuring means 20 Operation panel 21 Display section 22 Start key 23 Operation section 27 Photometric head 30 Carrier 32 Slide guide 33 Slide holder 33a Opening 33b Flange 34 Opening / closing cover 34a Opening 34b recess 35 Bottom member 36 Insertion member 45 Transport motor 47 Spotting guide 50 Rotating member 55 Cell 62 Concentration reference plate

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G01N 33/52 G01N 33/52 B 35/00 35/00 BF Term (Reference) 2G042 AA01 CA10 CB03 DA08 FB05 HA05 HA07 2G045 AA01 AA15 BB50 FA11 FB16 GC12 JA08 JA10 2G054 AA07 BB13 EA05 EB05 EB12 FA36 FB03 FB08 GE03 2G058 AA09 BB15 CC09 CD04 CD12 EA11 GA02 GE03 HA01

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A chemical analysis slide on which a sample has been manually spotted using a dropping pipette is inserted one by one into a plurality of cells of an incubator. A biochemical analysis method for sequentially photometrically measuring the concentration of a predetermined biochemical substance, comprising: transporting and supplying the chemical analysis slide at a constant cycle corresponding to a photometric cycle of each cell in the incubator to perform spotting. Analysis method. 2. The photometric cycle according to claim 1, wherein the photometric cycle when the chemical analysis slide is inserted into the cell of the incubator is the same as the photometric cycle when the insert processing is not performed. Chemical analysis method. 3. After the sample is spotted on the chemical analysis slide, the chemical analysis slide is temporarily stored in a state in which the sample is evaporated and external light is blocked while the sample is being inserted into the incubator. The biochemical analysis method according to claim 1.