JP2002071697A - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize an automatic analyzer capable of always maintaining optimum acoustic wave intensity and continuing effective agitation by correcting the aging effect and individual difference of an acoustic wave generating source in the automatic analyzer having a means for agitating an agitated substance by acoustic wave. SOLUTION: Vibration generated by exciting a piezoelectric element 30 by a drive part 14 by specified applied voltage and frequency propagates as acoustic wave in constant temperature water in a reaction vessel 4 and reaches a receiving element 31 opposed to the piezoelectric element 30. The receiving element 31 generates voltage according to the intensity of the received acoustic wave, and the voltage is detected by a detecting part 15. The detecting part 15 transmits a corresponding detection value to a control part 13. A signal indicating the receiving of wave is transmitted from the detecting part 15 to an indicating part 35 to light the indicating part 35. The control part 13 computes comparing the detection value transmitted from the detecting part 15, with a specified applied voltage reference value sent from a storage part 12 to drive the piezoelectric element 30. On the basis of the comparative computed result, the driving part 14 corrects an applied voltage value applied to the piezoelectric element 30.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer, and more particularly to a stirring device for mixing a sample and a reagent injected into a container.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an automatic analyzer, for example,
2. Description of the Related Art There is known an automatic analyzer that performs a chemical analysis by measuring a reaction solution obtained by mixing and reacting a desired reagent with a sample such as serum and measuring the absorbance. This type of automatic analyzer includes a mechanism for injecting a sample and a reagent into a reaction vessel, a mechanism for stirring the sample and the reagent in the reaction vessel, a mechanism for analyzing the physical properties of the sample during or after the reaction, and the like. It is provided with.

[0003] In particular, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-146986, a mechanism for stirring a sample and a reagent in a reaction vessel is irradiated with a sound wave from the outside of the reaction vessel toward the reaction vessel, and is not connected to an object to be stirred inside the vessel. A method is described as a non-contact stirring means for stirring by contact.

[0004]

In the non-contact stirring means using sound waves described in the above publication, the intensity and frequency of the sound waves are controlled according to the position where the sound waves are irradiated and the properties of the object to be stirred.
Efficient mixing can be performed without causing carryover between objects to be stirred.

However, since the intensity of the sound wave to be irradiated is controlled by the voltage applied to the vibrator serving as the sound wave source, if the vibrator deteriorates with time or the individual difference is large,
Even with the same applied voltage, a desired sound intensity is not always obtained.

[0006] Further, when sound waves having the intensity required for stirring cannot be irradiated, the stirring efficiency of the object to be stirred is reduced. For example, an analysis item that is sensitive to the degree of mixing of a sample and a reagent may affect the analysis result. May be affected. Also,
When the sound wave used for the stirring means is an ultrasonic wave, it is usually impossible to hear the sound wave, and in the non-contact stirring means having no means for visually recognizing the object, the ultrasonic wave is irradiated on the object to be stirred. Is difficult to confirm. An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer having means for agitating an object to be agitated by sound waves, to correct temporal changes and individual differences of sound wave sources, always maintain an optimum sound wave intensity, and continue effective stirring. It is to realize a possible automatic analyzer. Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer having means for agitating an object to be agitated by sound waves, which can indicate that stirring by sound waves is being performed.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as follows. (1) analyzing means for analyzing the physical properties of the sample, with the sample and the reagent contained in the reaction container being analyzed;
In an automatic analyzer that is provided outside the reaction container and has a sound wave generator that irradiates a sound wave toward the reaction container, a sound wave intensity detector that detects irradiation intensity of a sound wave generated from the sound wave generator. Adjusting means for adjusting the irradiation intensity of the sound wave generated from the sound wave generating means based on the irradiation intensity of the sound wave detected by the sound wave intensity detecting means.

(2) Preferably, in the above (1),
The sound wave intensity detecting means is an energy converter that converts the energy of the irradiation sound wave into electric energy.

(3) Preferably, in the above (1), the sound wave generating means also functions as the sound wave intensity detecting means.

(4) Preferably, in the above (1), the sound wave intensity detecting means is a voltage or current detector for detecting a voltage or a current applied to the sound wave generating means.

(5) Preferably, in the above (1), there is provided marking means for indicating a state of a sound wave generated from the sound wave generating means in conjunction with sound wave generation.

(6) Preferably, in the above (5), the indicating means is a visual indicator emitting light or an audible indicator emitting audible sound.

The intensity of the sound wave generated from the sound wave generator is detected by the sound wave intensity detector, and the intensity of the sound wave generated from the sound wave generator is adjusted based on the detected intensity of the sound wave. You.

Thus, it is possible to realize an automatic analyzer that corrects the time-dependent change and individual difference of the sound source, always maintains the optimum sound intensity, and can continue the effective stirring.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of the automatic analyzer according to the embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view around a stirring mechanism included in the automatic analyzer illustrated in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic analyzer according to the first embodiment of the present invention mainly includes a sample disk 1, a reagent disk 2, and a reaction disk 3.
, Reaction tank 4, sampling mechanism 5, pipetting mechanism 6, stirring mechanism 7, photometric mechanism 8, washing mechanism 9
, A display unit 10, an input unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a control unit 13. In FIG. 1, sample disk 1
Has a plurality of sample containers 1 each containing a collected sample.
6 are fixedly arranged on the circumference of the circular disk 17. The circular disk 17 can be rotated in the circumferential direction and stopped at a predetermined position by a driving mechanism including a motor, a rotating shaft, and the like (not shown). FIG.
, The reagent disk 2 contains a plurality of reagent bottles 18 containing reagents to be mixed and reacted with the sample.
Are fixedly arranged on the circumference of the circular disc 19, and the periphery of these reagent bottles 18 is a temperature-controlled cool box 20.

The circular disk 19 is rotated in a circumferential direction so as to be positioned by a driving mechanism including a motor, a rotating shaft and the like (not shown). In FIG. 1, a plurality of reaction container holders 22 holding reaction containers 21 for holding samples and reagents are attached to the reaction disk 3. , And the reaction container 21 is intermittently transferred. Further, in FIG. 1, a reaction vessel 4 is
This is a thermostatic bath that is installed along the movement trajectory and controls the reaction solution in the reaction vessel 21 to a constant temperature by, for example, temperature-controlled thermostatic water in order to promote a chemical reaction between the sample and the reagent. The reaction vessel 21 moves inside the reaction tank 4. In FIG. 1, the sampling mechanism 5
Are a probe 24, an arm 26 attached to a support shaft 25, and a sample disc 1 around the support shaft 25 as a rotation center.
And a drive mechanism for enabling reciprocation between the reaction disk 3 and the reaction disk 3.

Then, the sampling mechanism 5 supplies the sample in the sample container 16 transferred to a fixed position with the rotation of the sample disk 1 to the reaction container 21 in accordance with a predetermined sequence.

Like the sampling mechanism 5 described above, the pipetting mechanism 6 includes a probe 27, an arm 29 attached to a support shaft 28, and the reagent disk 2 and the reaction disk 3 around the support shaft 28 as a center of rotation. And a driving mechanism for reciprocating.

Then, the pipetting mechanism 6 supplies the reagent in the reagent bottle 18 transferred to a fixed position with the rotation of the reagent disk 2 into the reaction container 21 according to a predetermined sequence.

Each of the sample container 16 and the reagent bottle 18 contains a different type of sample and reagent, and a required amount is supplied to the reaction container 21. FIG.
In the above, the stirring mechanism 7 is a non-contact stirring mechanism that stirs and mixes the sample and the reagent in the reaction vessel 21 by irradiating a sound wave from the side surface of the reaction vessel 21 transferred to that position (stirring position). is there.

The stirring mechanism 7 moves the reaction vessel 2 at the stirring position.
A piezoelectric element 30 serving as a sound source fixed at a position where sound waves can be emitted from one side, a driving unit 14 for driving the piezoelectric element 30, and the energy of the irradiated sound waves fixed to the opposite surface of the piezoelectric element 30 to electric energy The power receiving device includes a wave receiving element 31 serving as an energy converter for conversion, a detecting unit 15 for detecting an output of the wave receiving element 31, and a sign unit 35 having an LED serving as a light emitting body. The drive unit 14 and the detection unit 15
The stirring mechanism 7 is connected to the control unit 13 and is controlled by the control unit 13. In the stirring mechanism 7, as shown in FIG. 2, the piezoelectric element 30 and the wave receiving element 31, which are sound sources, are provided such that one surface thereof is immersed in constant temperature water of the reaction tank 4.

The piezoelectric element 30 has a plurality of electrodes 32,
At a predetermined applied voltage and frequency by the driving unit 14, the piezoelectric element 30 is vibrated at the selected electrode 32 among the plurality of electrodes 32, and the radiated position of the sound wave can be changed by the vibrated electrode 32. It has a configuration.

Although the piezoelectric element is used as the wave receiving element 31 in the first embodiment of the present invention, any element may be used as long as it works as an energy converter for converting the energy of the irradiated sound wave into electric energy. Alternatively, a heat-sensitive element that detects the energy of the irradiation sound wave as heat and then converts the sensed heat energy to electric energy may be used. FIG.
In the reaction vessel 2 into which the sample and the reagent have been injected
Numeral 1 is fixed to the reaction disk 3 by the reaction container holder 22, and moves while being immersed in the reaction tank 4 containing constant temperature water according to the circumferential rotation of the reaction disk 3.

When the reaction vessel 21 is transferred to the stirring position and stopped, the piezoelectric element 30 is vibrated by the drive unit 14 at a predetermined applied voltage and frequency. The vibration generated by the vibration of the piezoelectric element 30 propagates as a sound wave in the constant temperature water of the reaction tank 4 and reaches the side surface of the reaction vessel 21.

This sound wave passes through the wall surface of the reaction vessel 21 and acts on the sample and the reagent, which are objects to be stirred, to generate a swirling flow. The swirling flow promotes the movement of the sample, and the sample and the reagent are stirred.

Returning to FIG. 1, although not shown, the photometric mechanism 8 includes a light source, a photometer, a lens, and a photometric signal processing unit. The side light mechanism 8 measures the physical properties of the sample with light, such as measuring the absorbance of the reaction solution in the reaction vessel 21.

The cleaning mechanism 9 includes a plurality of nozzles 33.
And a vertical drive mechanism 34 for the reaction vessel 2
The reaction solution in 1 is sucked, the cleaning solution is discharged, and the reaction container 21 transferred to that position (the cleaning position) is cleaned.

In FIG. 1, the display unit 10 displays various screens such as analysis items and analysis results. The input unit 11 inputs various information such as analysis items. Further, the storage unit 12 stores various information such as a reference value serving as a reference of output according to the receiving intensity of the receiving element 31, a predetermined sequence (program) for controlling each mechanism, and analysis items. ing. The automatic analyzer according to the first embodiment of the present invention has a syringe, a pump, and the like as constituent elements in addition to the above, and controls all of them in accordance with a sequence stored in the storage unit 12. Controlled by the unit 13. The automatic analyzer configured as described above,
When an analysis start instruction is given, a reset operation is performed. The reset operation is a preparation operation for starting an analysis operation, such as moving each mechanism to a predetermined initial position or obtaining reagent information of a reagent installed on the reagent disk 2. Subsequently, the analysis operation of the automatic analyzer will be described below. First, when the reaction container 21 cleaned by the cleaning mechanism 9 is transferred to the sample injection position by driving the reaction disk 3, the sample disk 1 rotates, and the sample container 16 containing the sample is transferred to the sampling position. . Similarly, the reagent disk 2 transfers the desired reagent bottle 18 to the pipetting position.

Subsequently, the sampling mechanism 5 operates, and the probe 24 is used to inject a sample from the sample container 16 transferred to the sampling position to the reaction container 21 transferred to the sample injection position.

The reaction container 21 into which the sample has been injected is transferred to the reagent injection position, and the pipetting mechanism 6 operates to move the reaction container 21 from the reagent bottle 18 transferred to the pipetting position on the reagent disk 2 to the reagent injection position. The reagent is injected into the transferred reaction container 21.

Thereafter, the reaction container 21 is transferred to a stirring position, and the sample and the reagent are stirred by the stirring mechanism 7. At this time, while the stirring is being performed, the sign 35
Lights up.

After the stirring, the reaction liquid is measured by the photometric mechanism 8 when the reaction vessel 21 passes between the light source and the photometer. This measurement is performed for several cycles, and the reaction container 21 having completed the measurement is washed by the washing mechanism 9. Such a series of operations is performed in each reaction vessel 21.
And the analysis is performed by the automatic analyzer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Now, the features of the stirring mechanism 7 of the present embodiment will be described. The stirring mechanism 7 according to the first embodiment of the present invention performs the following adjustment operation in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 13 during the reset operation. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG. 3 which is a longitudinal sectional view of the stirring mechanism 7 at the stirring position in the adjustment operation process. First, at the stirring position, the reaction disk 3 stops at a position where the reaction container 21 does not hinder the propagation of the sound wave emitted from the piezoelectric element 30. Then, the piezoelectric element 30 is vibrated by the driving unit 14 at a predetermined applied voltage and frequency. The vibration generated by the vibration of the piezoelectric element 30 propagates as a sound wave in the constant temperature water of the reaction tank 4 and reaches the wave receiving element 31 mounted at a position facing the piezoelectric element 30. The wave receiving element 31 generates a voltage according to the intensity of the received sound wave.

The voltage generated by the wave receiving element 31 is detected by the detection unit 15, and a detection value corresponding to the detected voltage is transmitted to the control unit 13. At the same time, a signal indicating a received wave is transmitted from the detection unit 15 to the sign unit 35, and the sign unit 35
Lighting indicates that the piezoelectric element 30 is emitting sound.

The control section 13 compares the detection value sent from the detection section 15 with a reference value read from the storage section 12 and corresponding to a predetermined applied voltage for driving the piezoelectric element 30.

The controller 13 corrects the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 30 by the driver 14 based on the result of the comparison operation. The corrected applied voltage value is reflected in the analysis operation, and the piezoelectric element 30 is driven by the optimum applied voltage. With the above adjustment operation, even when the piezoelectric element 30 serving as a sound source is deteriorated due to a change with time, sound waves can be radiated at an optimum sound intensity to constantly stir, and effective stirring can be performed.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, even when the piezoelectric element 30 is replaced due to a failure or the like, it is possible to correct the variation of the sound wave intensity due to the individual difference of the piezoelectric element 30. The stirring of the sample and the reagent is always effected with an optimal sound intensity.

During the stirring operation of the stirring mechanism 7 due to the generation of ultrasonic waves, the indicator 35 is turned on to visualize the generation of ultrasonic waves inaudible to human ears, thereby controlling the operation of the stirring mechanism 7. It is possible to notify the user.

That is, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in an automatic analyzer having a means for stirring an object to be stirred by a sound wave, a time-dependent change and individual difference of a sound wave source are corrected, and an optimum sound is always obtained. It is possible to realize an automatic analyzer capable of maintaining effective sound stirring while maintaining sound wave intensity. In addition, the above-mentioned indicator 35 is a visual indicator using light emission of an LED. However, the indicator 35 may be configured by a speaker to generate an audible sound so that the operation of the stirring mechanism 7 can be recognized audibly. Further, the characteristic adjustment operation of the stirring mechanism 7 is performed in the reset operation, but may be performed only in the initialization operation. The initialization operation is an operation performed for starting up the apparatus, such as reading an application and replacing constant-temperature water in the reaction tank 4 in addition to a reset operation after the apparatus power is turned on. If the adjustment operation in the stirring mechanism 7 is performed by the initialization operation, the reset operation is simplified, and the execution time of the reset operation is shortened.

(Second Embodiment) The first embodiment of the present invention described above.
The stirring mechanism 7 in the automatic analyzer according to the embodiment is
Although the configuration is such that sound waves are emitted from the side of the reaction vessel 21,
In order to improve the stirring efficiency, a structure in which sound waves are radiated from the bottom surface of the reaction vessel 21 in addition to irradiation from the side surface may be employed.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views of the vicinity of a stirring mechanism of an example of an automatic analyzer having a structure in which a sound wave is irradiated from the bottom of the reaction vessel 21 in addition to the above-described irradiation from the side.

FIG. 4 shows an example in which a piezoelectric element 36 serving as a sound source is provided on the bottom surface of the reaction vessel 4, and FIG. The configuration includes a reflection plate 37 that emits a sound wave. In the examples shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, it is difficult to receive the sound wave emitted from the piezoelectric element 36 as the sound source by the wave receiving element, or the sound wave travels through the fixed reflector 37. Even if it is not possible to receive a sound wave at a position facing the piezoelectric element 30 because of the obstruction, an output corresponding to the sound wave intensity can be detected by configuring the sound wave detection means as follows. The applied voltage for driving the piezoelectric elements 30 and 36 can be adjusted. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view around the stirring mechanism of the automatic analyzer according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6 focusing on differences from the first embodiment. In FIG. 6, piezoelectric elements 30 and 36 serving as a sound source in the stirring mechanism 7 are installed on the bottom and side surfaces of the reaction tank 4 so that sound waves can be emitted from the bottom and side surfaces of the reaction vessel 21 at the stirring position. The vibration is generated by the driving unit 14 at the frequency and the sound wave is generated. The piezoelectric element 30 on the side has a plurality of electrodes 32, and the irradiation position of the sound wave can be changed by the electrode 32 to be vibrated.
Includes an excitation electrode 38 for irradiating a sound wave and a detection electrode 39. Each of the electrodes 32 on the side is connected to the drive unit 14 and also to the detection unit 15, the excitation electrode 38 on the bottom surface is connected to the drive unit 14, and the detection electrode 39 is connected to the drive unit 14. It is connected to the detection unit 15.

By utilizing the fact that the piezoelectric elements 30 and 36 act as energy converters for generating a voltage in accordance with the distortion generated therein, the piezoelectric elements 30 and 36 are used as a sound source and a sound wave is generated. It is configured to also serve as an intensity detection element. In addition, a marking unit 35 is provided in conjunction with the driving of the piezoelectric elements 30 and 36, and the configuration and operation thereof are the same as those of the first embodiment. In the above configuration,
In the second embodiment of the present invention, the following adjustment operation is performed. First, the reaction disk 3 stops at a position where the reaction container 21 does not hinder propagation of sound waves emitted from the piezoelectric elements 30 and 36 at the stirring position. Then, the reaction vessel 21
The drive unit 1 is connected to the electrode 32 from above the piezoelectric element 30 on the side surface of
A predetermined application voltage is sequentially applied by 4 to vibrate.

At this time, the electrodes 32 are connected to the same piezoelectric element 30.
Since a voltage is applied to one electrode 32 and vibrated, the vibration is generated by the piezoelectric element 30.
As a result, a voltage is generated at the electrodes 32 other than the vibrated electrode 32. The generated voltage is detected by the detection unit 15 and transmitted to the control unit 13 as a detection value that the electrode 32 has been vibrated.

The control section 13 compares the reference value stored in the storage section 12 with the detected value, and corrects the applied voltage value applied to the piezoelectric element 30 based on the result.

Following the correction of the piezoelectric element 30 on the side, the correction of the piezoelectric element 36 on the bottom is performed as follows.

The driving section 14 applies a predetermined applied voltage to the vibration electrode 38 to vibrate the piezoelectric element 36. At this time, a voltage corresponding to the vibration is output from the detection electrode 39 due to the vibration of the piezoelectric element 36. The detector 15 detects this voltage,
The detected value indicates that the electrode 38 has been vibrated, and is transmitted to the control unit 13.

The control unit 13 compares the reference value stored in the storage unit 12 with the detected value, and corrects the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 36 based on the result.

As described above, the applied voltage values corrected on both the side and bottom sides of the reaction vessel 21 are reflected in the analysis operation, and the piezoelectric elements 30 and 36 are driven by the optimal applied voltage. .

According to the second embodiment of the present invention, in an automatic analyzer having means for agitating an object to be agitated by a sound wave, in addition to irradiation from the side surface of the reaction vessel 21, the sound wave is emitted from the bottom face of the reaction vessel 21. Even if it is structured to irradiate, it corrects the chronological changes and individual differences of the sound wave source,
It is possible to realize an automatic analyzer capable of always maintaining the optimum sound intensity and continuing the effective stirring. In the second embodiment of the present invention, in the piezoelectric element 30 on the side surface of the reaction vessel 21, the detection unit 15 is connected to the non-excited electrode 32.
However, an electrode dedicated to detection may be provided on the piezoelectric element 30 on the side as well as on the bottom side to detect the voltage due to the vibration. Also, the piezoelectric element 3
0, 36, the piezoelectric element 3
Since the electrical impedances of 0 and 36 change, it may be configured to detect a change in voltage or current detected from the vibrated electrode.

(Third Embodiment) The second embodiment of the present invention described above
In the embodiment, the output induced by the propagation of vibration in the piezoelectric elements 30 and 36 due to the vibration or the output change due to the change in the electrical impedance of the piezoelectric elements 30 and 36 is used. , 36 act as an energy converter more positively in a third embodiment of the present invention. Next, this third
An embodiment will be described.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the vicinity of the stirring mechanism of the automatic analyzer according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, differences between the third embodiment and the second embodiment of the present invention will be mainly described with reference to FIG. The stirring mechanism 7 in the third embodiment includes a piezoelectric element 36 serving as a sound source for emitting sound waves from the bottom surface of the reaction vessel 21 on the bottom face of the reaction vessel 4, and an electrode serving as a sound source for emitting sound waves from the side surface of the reaction vessel 21. A piezoelectric element 30 having a plurality of 32 is provided on the side surface of the reaction tank 4, and the electrodes 32 and 40 of each of the piezoelectric elements 30 and 36 are connected to the drive unit 14 and the detection unit 15.

Further, an indicator 35 is provided which operates in conjunction with the driving of the piezoelectric elements 30 and 36, and the configuration and operation are the same as in the first embodiment. Also, some reaction vessel holders 2
2 is a reflection block having a reflecting surface that reflects sound waves emitted from the piezoelectric element 36 on the bottom surface side of the reaction vessel 21 to the piezoelectric element 30 on the side surface, and conversely, reflects sound waves emitted from the side surface side to the bottom surface side. 41 are provided.

The number of the reflection blocks 41 is equal to the number of the electrodes 32 on the side surface, and the respective reflection surfaces are formed in accordance with the height of the electrodes 32. In the above configuration, the following adjustment operation is performed. First, at the stirring position, the reaction block 3 is positioned at a position where the reflection block 41 for making the height of the reflection surface the same as that of the electrode 32 positioned on the uppermost side of the piezoelectric element 30 on the side surface of the reaction vessel faces the piezoelectric element 30.
To stop. After that, the uppermost electrode 32 on the side surface is vibrated by the drive unit 14 at a predetermined applied voltage and frequency.

The sound wave emitted from the vibrated electrode 32 is reflected by the reflection block 41 and is applied to the piezoelectric element 3 on the bottom side.
6 is irradiated. A voltage corresponding to the intensity of the incident sound wave is output from the piezoelectric element 36 on the bottom side, and the detection unit 15 transmits a detection value corresponding to the detection voltage to the control unit 13. And the control unit 1
Reference numeral 3 compares the detected value from the detection unit 15 with a reference value to correct the applied voltage value applied to the uppermost electrode 32.

Subsequently, the reaction disk 3 is rotated and stopped at a position where the reflection block 41 having the reflection surface corresponding to the second highest electrode height faces the electrode 32. Subsequently, the second electrode 32 from the top is vibrated by the drive unit 14 at a predetermined applied voltage and frequency.

The sound wave emitted from the second electrode 32 from the top is reflected by the reflection block 41 and irradiated to the piezoelectric element 36 on the bottom side, and a voltage corresponding to the intensity of the incident sound wave is output from the piezoelectric element 36. . The detection unit 15 detects the voltage output from the piezoelectric element 36 and transmits a detection value corresponding to the detected voltage to the control unit 13.

The control unit 13 compares the detected value from the detection unit 15 with a reference value to correct the applied voltage value applied to the second highest electrode 32.

In the same manner as described above, the correction of the applied voltage is sequentially repeated up to the lowermost electrode 32.

Finally, the reaction disk 3 is not rotated, the piezoelectric element 36 on the bottom side is vibrated, and the generated sound wave is reflected by the reflection block 41, and the piezoelectric element 30 on the side side is excited.
To receive waves.

Since the piezoelectric element 30 on the side surface generates an output voltage corresponding to the intensity of the incident sound wave, the detecting unit 15 detects this voltage and transmits a detection value corresponding to the detected voltage to the control unit 13. The control unit 13 performs a comparison operation between the detected value and the reference value,
The same correction of the applied voltage is performed on the piezoelectric element 30 on the bottom surface side. The corrected applied voltage values are reflected in the analysis operation, and the piezoelectric elements 30 and 36 are driven by the optimum applied voltage.

In the third embodiment of the present invention, the second
The same effect as that of the embodiment can be obtained.

[0063]

As described above, according to the present invention,
An automatic analyzer that has means for agitating an object to be agitated with sound waves, which corrects the time-dependent changes and individual differences of sound wave sources, maintains an optimal sound wave intensity at all times, and is capable of continuing effective stirring. Can be realized. Further, in an automatic analyzer having means for stirring an object to be stirred by sound waves, it is possible to realize an automatic analyzer capable of indicating that stirring by sound waves is being performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an automatic analyzer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view around the stirring mechanism according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view around the stirring mechanism in an adjustment operation process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an example of an automatic analyzer having a structure in which a sound wave is irradiated from the bottom surface of a reaction vessel in addition to irradiation from a side surface.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of another example of the automatic analyzer having a structure in which a sound wave is irradiated from the bottom of the reaction vessel in addition to the irradiation from the side.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view around a stirring mechanism according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view around a stirring mechanism according to a third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sample disk 2 Reagent disk 3 Reaction disk 4 Reaction tank 5 Sampling mechanism 6 Pipetting mechanism 7 Stirring mechanism 8 Photometry system 9 Cleaning mechanism 10 Display unit 11 Input unit 12 Storage unit 13 Control unit 14 Drive unit 15 Detection unit 16 Sample container 17 Circular disk 18 Reagent bottle 19 Circular disk 20 Cooler 21 Reaction vessel 22 Reaction vessel holder 23 Drive mechanism 24, 27 Probe 25, 28 Bearing shaft 26, 29 Arm 30, 36 Piezoelectric element 31 Wave receiving element 32, 40 Electrode 33 Nozzle 34 Vertical drive mechanism 35 Indicator 37 Reflector 38 Vibration electrode 39 Detection electrode 40 Electrode 41 Reflection block

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Takao Terayama 882 Ma, Hitachi, Ibaraki Pref., Japan Within the Measuring Instruments Group of Hitachi, Ltd. Within the Measuring Instruments Group of the Works (72) Inventor Mune Kato 502 Kandachi-cho, Tsuchiura-shi, Ibaraki F-term in the Machinery Research Laboratories, Hitachi, Ltd. F-term (reference) GA03 GB10 GE08

Claims (6)

[Claims] An analysis means for analyzing physical properties of a sample with a sample and a reagent contained in the reaction container as analysis targets, and a sound wave provided outside the reaction container and irradiating a sound wave toward the reaction container. An automatic analyzer having a sound wave intensity detecting means for detecting the irradiation intensity of the sound wave generated from the sound wave generating means; and the sound wave based on the irradiation intensity of the sound wave detected by the sound wave intensity detecting means. An adjusting means for adjusting the irradiation intensity of the sound wave generated from the generating means. 2. An automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein said sound wave intensity detecting means is an energy converter for converting the energy of the irradiated sound wave into electric energy. 3. An automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein said sound wave generating means also functions as said sound wave intensity detecting means. 4. An automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein said sound wave intensity detecting means is a voltage or current detector for detecting a voltage or a current applied to said sound wave generating means. . 5. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, further comprising a marking means for marking the state of the sound wave generated from said sound wave generating means in conjunction with the sound wave generation. 6. An automatic analyzer according to claim 5, wherein said indicating means is a visual indicator that emits light or an audible indicator that emits audible sound.