JP2002311036A - Clinical examination device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a clinical examination device capable of further enhancing reliability of an examination by a specific control means. SOLUTION: The clinical examination device is for conducting a clinical examination, and is structured mainly by a carrying means 1 for carrying a plurality of reaction containers 10 in a predetermined direction, a reagent dispensing mechanism 3 for dispensing the reagent from a reagent container 20 to the reaction container 10, and optical equipment for measuring a reaction state of the sample and the reagent in the reaction container 10 by a change of light. A control means for controlling operation of each equipment is provided with a function for determining whether a remaining amount of the reagent in the reagent container 20 is not more than a given amount, and outputting a warning when the remaining amount of the reagent is not more than the given amount.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a clinical test apparatus, and more particularly, to a clinical test apparatus for performing a clinical test such as a blood coagulation test, a biochemical test, or an immune serum test. The present invention relates to a clinical test device which is further improved in reliability of a test by means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a blood clinical test, three tests are usually performed: a blood coagulation test, a biochemical test, and an immune serum test. In the coagulation test, a coagulation reagent is injected into a reaction vessel containing plasma as a specimen, and a change in coagulation state is measured over time. In a biochemical or immunological test, a biochemical or latex reagent is injected into a reaction vessel containing plasma or serum, and changes in the color development of the enzyme reagent in the biochemical reagent and changes in the formation of latex agglutinated components are made. Is measured over time. Each of the above inspections is described in, for example,
-160401 and JP-A-7-318559.

[0003]

Incidentally, in each test using the clinical test apparatus, abnormal test data may sometimes be obtained irrespective of the problem of the specimen. As a result of various studies of the cause, the present inventor has found that most of the occurrence of abnormal data is caused by deterioration of the reagent supplied to the apparatus.

[0004] The contents of the deterioration of the reagent include, first, a change in concentration due to evaporation of water after opening the reagent container.
In particular, the concentration of the sensitizer of a sensitizer-containing reagent changes due to evaporation, so that the reagent characteristics change significantly. In addition, alteration after opening, alteration during the storage period after preparation, and the like are also included. For example, in the case of a reagent containing latex fine particles, the latex fine particles gradually aggregate and the dispersion state becomes uneven, so that the desired characteristics cannot be exhibited.
Therefore, it is necessary to pay sufficient attention to the remaining amount and quality of the reagent.

[0005] However, in clinical examinations, a large number of types of reagents are used, and each of the reagents must be supplied to the examination apparatus in an individual container. Therefore, management of each container is not easy. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a clinical test apparatus that performs a clinical test such as a blood coagulation test, a biochemical test, or an immune serum test, and automatically performs the reagent test. An object of the present invention is to provide a clinical test device that can be managed and has high test reliability.

[0006]

That is, the gist of the present invention is a clinical test apparatus for performing a clinical test, comprising a transport means for transporting a plurality of reaction containers in a predetermined direction, and a reagent from a reagent container to the reaction container. A reagent dispensing mechanism for dispensing, a sample dispensing mechanism for dispensing a sample from the sample container to the reaction container, and an optical device for measuring the reaction state of the sample and the reagent in the conveyed reaction container by changing light. It is mainly configured and includes control means for controlling the operation of each device, and the control means, when collecting the reagent from the reagent container by the reagent dispensing mechanism, keeps the remaining amount of the reagent in the reagent container constant. The clinical test apparatus has a function of determining whether or not the amount is less than the amount and outputting a warning when the remaining amount of the reagent is less than a certain amount.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a clinical test apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an outline of the configuration of a clinical test apparatus according to the present invention. FIG.
It is a side view which shows the structural example of the principal part of a reagent dispensing mechanism. In the description of the embodiment, the clinical test device is abbreviated as “test device”.

The test apparatus of the present invention is an apparatus for performing a clinical test such as a blood coagulation test, a biochemical test or an immune serum test. As is well known, a coagulation test is a test for analyzing items related to blood coagulation / fibrinolysis.A biochemical test and an immune serum test are biochemical items, serum tumor markers, infectious diseases, thyroid gland, endocrine, Plasma protein / lipid-related, T
This is an inspection for analyzing items related to DM and the like.

In a coagulation test, after a coagulation reagent and plasma are injected into a reaction vessel, light having a wavelength of usually 540 nm is irradiated, and changes in transmitted light or scattered light due to generation of coagulation components, that is, changes in turbidity are observed. The measurement is performed for 3 to 7 minutes at a photometric interval of 0.1 to 2 seconds. On the other hand, in a biochemical test or immunological test, after injecting a biochemical reagent or latex reagent and plasma or serum into a reaction vessel, usually 340
Irradiation with light having a wavelength of 950 nm is performed, and the change in absorbance due to the color development of the enzyme reagent in the biochemical reagent and the change in absorbance or change in scattered light due to the formation of latex agglutinated components are measured at a photometric interval of 2 to 20 seconds for 3 to 20 minutes. .

As reagents for coagulation tests, PT, APT
T, Fib, T, H, extrinsic factors, intrinsic factors, and the like. Regarding biochemical and immunological tests, reagents related to biochemical items include electrolyte items, GTO, GTP,
Examples include reagents for detecting cholesterol, uric acid, urea nitrogen, blood sugar, and the like. AFP, CEA, and CA1 were used as the reagents for the immunization item,
9-9, PSA and the like. In addition, various reagents for infectious disease items, thyroid items, endocrine items, plasma protein / lipid-related items, TDM items, and the like can be mentioned.

In the above-described test, blood or blood components such as plasma and serum as a sample are stored in a sample container indicated by reference numeral (40) in the drawing in advance in a sample table (described later). 4). Various reagents are stored in advance in a reagent container indicated by reference numeral (20) in the drawing and supplied to a reagent table (2) described later. Then, in the test, the sample and the reagent are dispensed into a reaction container indicated by reference numeral (10) in the figure. The reaction vessel (10) is generally a so-called cuvette formed of a material having transparency, for example, glass, a transparent resin material, or the like, into a substantially bottomed rectangular cylindrical shape.

As shown in FIG. 1, the clinical test apparatus of the present invention comprises a transport means (1) for transporting a plurality of reaction vessels (10) in a predetermined direction, and several predetermined positions on the transport means (1). ,
That is, the reagent dispensing position (S1) on the transport means (1),
It is composed of several devices arranged corresponding to the sample dispensing position (S2), the stirring position (S3) and the measurement position (S4), respectively, and the operation of each device is controlled by a control means (not shown) described later. ).

The transfer means (1) is constituted by, for example, a turntable for moving the reaction vessel (10) in an annular shape in order to reduce the size of the apparatus. (Shown in (1)). The turntable (1) is a flat plate-like table having a plurality of square holes capable of holding the reaction vessel (10) opened in the circumferential direction, and a lower surface when the reaction vessel (10) is loaded. The reaction vessel (10) is configured to be suspended with the body of the reaction vessel (10) opened.

Although not shown, the above-mentioned turntable (1)
Is mounted on a rotating shaft erected at the center of a circular base, and is driven by a motor or servomotor controlled by a rotary encoder via a timing belt. In order to reduce evaporation of the reagent in the reaction vessel (10), the outer periphery of the turntable (1) is surrounded by a peripheral wall (side wall) of a base arranged in a ring shape. The upper surface is covered with a cover except for an opening for dispensing a sample or a reagent.

That is, the outside of the turntable (1) has a structure substantially shielded from the outside as described above, and the inside of the turntable (1) has a constant temperature by a temperature adjusting mechanism such as an electric heater. Is configured to be able to be held. Thereby, the liquid component in the reaction vessel (10) can be maintained at a substantially constant condition during the measurement. In order to manage each reaction vessel (10) individually, the turntable (1)
Is provided with a sensor for detecting the starting point of rotation, and specifies the position of each reaction vessel (10) based on the rotation angle by using the function of a control means described later.

In the vicinity of the reagent dispensing position (S1), a reagent table (2) for holding a plurality of reagent containers (20) containing various reagents and a reagent dispensing mechanism (3) are provided. . The reagent table (2) is a turntable driven by a motor or a servomotor controlled by a rotary encoder, has a fan-shaped planar shape, and is loaded with, for example, two reagent containers (20) as a set. A plurality of reagent cassettes can be mounted. In addition, each reagent container (2
0) is individually managed, so the reagent table (2) contains
A reading means for reading the code of the barcode label attached to the reagent container (20) in advance is provided.

The reagent dispensing mechanism (3) includes a reagent container (20)
A mechanism for dispensing a reagent from the container to the reaction vessel (10), the arm (31) being rotatable and capable of moving up and down,
A thin-tube reagent dispensing nozzle (32) (see FIG. 2) suspended from the tip of the arm (31). Although not shown, the reagent dispensing nozzle (32) is connected to a syringe pump composed of a cylinder, a piston, and an actuator for driving the piston via a flexible tube, and is required by intermittent minute driving of the syringe pump. The amount of reagent is sucked and discharged.

In the test apparatus of the present invention, as will be described later, in order to detect the remaining amount of the reagent in the reagent container (20) of the reagent table (2), the liquid level position of the reagent in the reagent container (20) is determined. Liquid level detecting means for detecting is provided. As the liquid level detecting means, there is a detecting means for detecting the liquid level by detecting light transmitted through the reagent container (20) by a sensor. For example, the reagent dispensing mechanism (3)
The liquid level detecting means as shown in FIG.

The liquid level detecting means shown in FIG. 2 comprises a reagent dispensing nozzle (32) made of a metal or an electric material, and a detecting circuit (33) attached to, for example, an arm (31). Reagent dispensing nozzle (32) by circuit (33)
By detecting the change in the capacitance between the reagent and the ground, it is possible to determine whether or not the tip of the reagent dispensing nozzle (32) is in contact with the reagent (liquid). Then, the liquid level is detected from the relationship with the elevation position of the reagent dispensing nozzle (32) by the function of the control means described later.

Further, the reagent dispensing position (S1) is usually
A second reagent dispensing mechanism (not shown) similar to the above-described reagent dispensing mechanism (3) is provided. When another reagent is required, a third reagent dispensing mechanism may be provided adjacent to each reagent dispensing mechanism described above. In addition, in the present invention, as a method of detecting the remaining amount of the reagent, a method of calculating based on the elapsed time after opening the reagent container (20), as described later, may be mentioned.

Although not shown, the reagent dispensing position (S
In the vicinity of (1), an empty reaction vessel (10) for storing a reagent and a sample is supplied onto the turntable (1), and the reaction vessel (10) for which inspection has been completed is discharged from the turntable (1). For supplying and discharging the container. The container supply / discharge mechanism includes, for example, a finger attached to the tip of a movable arm. The reaction container (10) grasped by the finger is loaded into a hole of the turntable (1), and the turntable (1) is loaded. ) On the reaction vessel (1
0) and has a function of carrying it out of the transport path.

In the vicinity of the sample dispensing position (S2), a sample table (4) for holding a plurality of sample containers accommodating samples to be tested, and a sample container (40) to a reaction container (10). ) Is provided with a sample dispensing mechanism (5). The sample table (4) is a turntable that is rotated by a drive mechanism substantially similar to the reagent table (2), and is configured to be able to mount a plurality of sample containers (40). Further, in order to individually manage each sample container (40) by the control means described later, the sample table (4) is provided with a reading means for reading a barcode label code attached to the sample container (40) in advance. ing.

The sample dispensing mechanism (5) includes a sample container (40)
A mechanism for dispensing a sample from a sample to a reaction container (10), and an arm (51) configured to be rotatable and capable of moving up and down;
A thin-tube sample dispensing nozzle (52) suspended at the tip of the arm (51). The sample dispensing mechanism (5)
This is a mechanism having substantially the same structure as the above-described reagent dispensing mechanism (3), and aspirates and discharges a required amount of sample by intermittent minute drive of a syringe pump. An infrared sensor (6) for detecting the temperature in the reaction container (10) may be provided inside the sample dispensing position (S2) of the turntable (1).

In the vicinity of the stirring position (S3), a stirring mechanism (7) for promoting the reaction between the reagent and the sample in the reaction vessel (10) is provided. The stirring mechanism (7) has, for example, a structure in which a small rotating blade (72) is suspended from the tip of an arm (71) that can be extended and raised at a stirring position (S3) on a turntable (1). Rotating blades (7) inserted into the reaction vessel (10) on the turntable (1).
According to 2), a function of stirring the inside of the reaction vessel (10) to promote the reaction is provided.

In the vicinity of the measurement position (S4), there is provided an optical device (8) for measuring the reaction state of the sample and the reagent in the conveyed reaction container (10) by a change in light. As the optical device (8), various optical units can be used as long as light having the wavelength and intensity required for each measurement can be generated and received and analyzed. However, in the measurement of biochemical and immunological reactions, In addition, a plurality of lights having different wavelengths are required, and in the measurement of the coagulation reaction, analysis is performed using light of one wavelength. Therefore, for example, when the biochemical / immune reaction and the coagulation reaction are measured simultaneously in one test apparatus, it is preferable to use an optical unit having a different light source for each reaction from the viewpoint of reducing the apparatus cost. preferable.

For example, in the case of a coagulation test, the optical device (8) depends on a semiconductor light source (device outside the turntable (1) in FIG. 1) such as an LED or a semiconductor laser of the above-described wavelength, and the received light intensity. And a light receiving unit (a device inside the turntable (1) in FIG. 1) having a converter such as an optical array for converting the light into an electric signal. In the case of a biochemical test or an immune serum test, the light source of the optical device (8) is constituted by a white light source such as a halogen / tungsten lamp in order to irradiate a sample having different analysis wavelengths with light from one light source. The light receiving unit includes a light receiving element that receives the irradiated light, a spectroscope that splits the light into a predetermined wavelength, and a converter such as an optical array that converts the split light into an electric signal according to the intensity.

In the clinical test apparatus of the present invention, the control means is constituted by a control circuit including a computer and an instrumentation device. In the clinical test apparatus of the present invention, individual container codes given in advance by bar codes are used, and the control unit manages the reagent containers (20) and the sample containers (40), and manages operations on these containers. It is made to do. Then, the data of each sample obtained through the optical device (2) is analyzed.

In the present invention, in order to further improve the inspection accuracy by managing the remaining amount of the reagent in the reagent container (20), the above-mentioned control means is controlled by the reagent dispensing mechanism (3) from the reagent container (20). When a reagent is collected, it has a function of determining whether the remaining amount of the reagent in the reagent container (20) is equal to or less than a certain amount, and outputting a warning when the remaining amount of the reagent is equal to or less than the certain amount.

Specifically, as described above, the reagent dispensing mechanism (3) is provided with the liquid level detecting means for detecting the liquid level position of the reagent in the reagent container (20). Is configured to determine the remaining amount of the reagent based on the liquid level position of the reagent in the reagent container (20) detected by the liquid level detecting means. That is, when the reagent is collected from the reagent container (20) by the reagent dispensing mechanism (3), as shown in FIG. 2, the control means controls the amount of the reagent in the reagent container (20) detected by the detection circuit (33). It is determined whether the remaining amount is equal to or lower than the lower limit level (L). When the remaining amount of the reagent is equal to or lower than the lower limit level (L), for example, a warning such as "reagent shortage" or "replenishment of reagent required" is displayed on the operation screen,
A warning indicating that the test is invalid due to a shortage of reagent is printed on a printed matter indicating the test result.

In the inspection apparatus of the present invention, as another method for determining whether or not the remaining amount of the reagent in the reagent container (20) is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the total suction amount is set in advance, Each suction amount is calculated when the reagent is collected from the reagent container (20) by the injection mechanism (3), and when the calculated suction amount exceeds a preset total suction amount, the reagent container (20) There is a method of determining that the amount is equal to or less than a certain value.
Also in this case, a warning is output as described above.

Further, the control means may have a function of managing the reagent by other elements, other than directly measuring the remaining amount (liquid level) of the reagent in the reagent container (20) by the liquid level detecting means. That is, the information of the bar code of the reagent container (20) supplied to the inspection device, specifically, the type of the reagent and the date and time of supply (opening date and time) to the inspection device are taken in, and the information and the management created in advance are taken. The reagent may be managed for each reagent container (20) in comparison with the information (management reference table).

As described above, the sensitivity of some reagents such as a sensitizer-containing reagent greatly varies depending on the evaporation of water. However, the amount of evaporation depends on the temperature inside the turntable (1) being substantially constant. Since it is held, it is related to the elapsed time. Therefore, the control means controls the reagent container (2
The elapsed time after opening 0) is calculated, and the remaining amount of the reagent is determined based on a preset management reference table indicating the relationship between the elapsed time and the remaining amount of the reagent. Specifically, one reagent container (20) is referred to the management reference table.
If the elapsed time after opening the package exceeds a certain time,
The remaining amount of the reagent in the reagent container (20) is at the lower limit level (L).
The following is determined (the reagent concentration is too high). When it is determined that the remaining amount is at the lower limit level (L), a warning is output in the same manner as described above.

Further, as described above, some reagents, such as latex reagents, are deteriorated by long-term storage even if they are not used. Therefore, in order to manage such reagents, in the inspection apparatus of the present invention, the barcode information of the supplied reagent container (20), specifically, the type of reagent and the date of reagent preparation are taken in, and these information and The reagent may be managed for each reagent container (20) in comparison with management information (management reference table) created in advance.

That is, in the inspection apparatus of the present invention, the control means calculates the number of days elapsed from the reagent preparation date of the barcode of the reagent container (20) read by the barcode reading means of the reagent table (2). A function for outputting a warning when the number of days exceeds a preset number of days may be provided. Specifically, if the number of days elapsed from the reagent preparation date of one reagent container (20) exceeds the allowable number of days, referring to the management reference table, the reagent container (2)
It is determined that there is a possibility that the reagent in step 0) is deteriorated, and a warning such as "the reagent is inappropriate" or "the test is invalid due to a defective reagent" is output in the same manner as described above.

In the present invention, in order to execute the test smoothly, the above-mentioned control means determines whether the remaining amount of the reagent in the reagent container (20) is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, or When it is determined that the number of elapsed days exceeds the preset number of days, a function of relatively moving the reagent dispensing nozzle (32) of the reagent dispensing mechanism (3) to another reagent container (20). May be provided. That is, when it is determined that the reagent in the reagent container (20) is ineligible, the reagent table (2) is driven by using the reagent table (2) without using the reagent in the reagent container (20).
It may be configured to dispense the reagent of the same kind of reagent container (20) at another position above.

An example of the inspection procedure by the inspection device of the present invention is as follows. The following operation example is an example of a biochemical / immune serum test.

Operation I: While turning the turntable (1) in the frame feed, first, the reagent dispensing position (S
In 1), the reaction container (1
0) are sequentially loaded on the turntable (1). And
A predetermined reagent (first reagent) is collected from the reagent container (20) on the reagent table (2) by the reagent dispensing nozzle (32) of the reagent dispensing mechanism (3), and is loaded on the turntable (1). Dispense sequentially into the reaction vessel (10).

Operation II: Next, the turntable (1) is turned clockwise in FIG. 1, and the reaction container (10) into which the first reagent has been dispensed is transported to the sample dispensing position (S2). Next, the sample dispensing nozzle (5) of the sample dispensing mechanism (5)
According to 2), the sample container (40) on the sample table (4)
From the reaction table (1) on a turntable (1) into which reagents have been dispensed.
Dispense the sample in 0).

Operation III: After dispensing the first reagent and the sample, the turntable (1) is turned counterclockwise to
The reaction vessel (10) is moved to the stirring position (S3).
Next, the first reagent and the sample in the reaction vessel (10) are stirred by the rotating blades (72) of the stirring mechanism (7).
Then, for example, after waiting for 3 to 10 minutes, the first reaction proceeds.

Operation IV: The turntable (1) is further turned counterclockwise to move the reaction vessel (10) to the measurement position (S
4) or by passing the measurement position at a constant speed, the change in the absorbance or scattered light of light of a predetermined wavelength in the light irradiated on the reaction vessel (10) is, for example, 2 to 20 seconds. At a photometric interval of 3 to 20 minutes.

Operation V: Next, the turntable (1) is turned clockwise or counterclockwise, and the reaction vessel (10) for which the measurement in operation IV has been completed is moved again to the reagent dispensing position (S1). Subsequently, a predetermined reagent (second reagent) is collected and dispensed from the reagent container (20) on the reagent table (2) using the second reagent dispensing mechanism.

Operation VI: The turntable (1) is turned counterclockwise again, and the reaction vessel (1) into which the second reagent has been dispensed.
0) is moved to the same stirring position (S3) as the stirring position (S3) in operation III. In such a position
Similarly to III, while stirring the inside of the reaction vessel (10) again by the stirring mechanism (7), the second reaction is allowed to proceed for another 3 to 10 minutes.

Operation VII: After stirring, the reaction vessel (1) was rotated by turning the turntable (1) in the same manner as in Operation IV.
0) to the photometry position (S4) or by passing the measurement position at a constant speed, the reaction vessel (1)
The change in the absorbance or the scattered light of the light having the predetermined wavelength in 0) is measured for 3 to 20 minutes, for example, at a light measurement interval of 2 to 20 seconds.

Operation VIII: The turntable (1) is turned clockwise or counterclockwise to move the reaction vessel (10) for which measurement has been completed to the first reagent dispensing position (S1). Then, the reaction container (10) is supplied by the container supply / discharge device.
From the turntable (1). Operation VII
When the measurement of operation VI is completed, the first measurement of operation IV and operation VI
The data obtained by the measurement of I is analyzed based on a predetermined analysis method and output as inspection information.

The above operations I to VIII are described as follows.
While focusing on one reaction vessel (10), the stop position of the reaction vessel (10) is shifted to the frame feed by the control of the turntable (1) during the moving operation, so that each of the reaction vessels (10) is moved. Inspection is performed by the same operation.
Although the description is omitted, in the above operation,
By using a reagent containing magnetic latex particles as the first reagent, the first reagent reacted with the antigen (or antibody) is used.
After capturing the reagent in the reaction vessel (10) by magnetic force,
A method is also possible in which the liquid medium is removed, and then the second reagent containing the fluorescent dye-labeled particles carrying the antibody (or antigen) is dispensed.

In performing the above test, in the test apparatus of the present invention, as described above, the control means determines whether or not the remaining amount of the reagent in the reagent container (20) is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, and A function is provided to output a warning when the remaining amount of the reagent is less than a certain amount. If the concentration of the reagent in the reagent container (20) changes due to evaporation, this is overlooked and a normal test result is obtained. Output errors can be prevented, and more accurate inspection can be performed. In particular, when a reagent containing latex fine particles and requiring a uniform dispersion state thereof is used, and a sensitizer that adjusts the amount of charge on the latex particles to promote the aggregation reaction of the latex particles is included. In the case of using the used reagent, the effectiveness of the reagent can be surely managed, and the reliability of the test result can be increased.

Further, in the inspection apparatus of the present invention, the elapsed days are calculated from the reagent preparation date of the barcode label of the reagent container (20) read by the barcode label reading means, and the elapsed days are set in advance to the predetermined number of days. If the control means has a function to output a warning when the number of reagents exceeds the limit, it is possible to prevent an error in which the reagent is deteriorated due to long-term storage and output as a normal test result by overlooking this, Inspection with higher accuracy can be performed. In particular, when a reagent containing latex microparticles that generate aggregates after long-term storage is used, the effectiveness of the reagent can be reliably controlled, and the reliability of the test result can be further increased.

[0048]

According to the clinical test apparatus of the present invention, it is determined whether or not the remaining amount of the reagent in the reagent container is less than a certain amount, and a warning is output when the remaining amount of the reagent is less than a certain amount. Is provided in the control means, when the concentration of the reagent in the reagent container changes due to evaporation, it is possible to prevent the error from being overlooked and output as a normal test result, and to carry out a test with higher accuracy. In particular, when a reagent containing latex fine particles or a reagent containing a sensitizer is used, the effectiveness of the reagent can be reliably controlled, and the reliability of the test result can be increased.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a clinical test apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a structural example of a main part of a reagent dispensing mechanism.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: turntable 10: reaction container 2: reagent table 20: reagent container 3: reagent dispensing mechanism 32: reagent dispensing nozzle 4: sample table 40: sample container 5: sample dispensing mechanism 52: sample dispensing nozzle 7: Stirring mechanism 8: Optical equipment

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A clinical test device for performing a clinical test,
Transport means for transporting a plurality of reaction containers in a predetermined direction, a reagent dispensing mechanism for dispensing a reagent from the reagent container to the reaction container, and a sample dispensing mechanism for dispensing a sample from the sample container to the reaction container,
It is mainly composed of an optical instrument that measures the reaction state of the reagent and the reagent in the transported reaction container by a change in light,
And includes control means for controlling the operation of each device,
The control means determines whether or not the remaining amount of the reagent in the reagent container is equal to or less than a certain amount when collecting the reagent from the reagent container by the reagent dispensing mechanism. A clinical test device having a function of outputting a warning. 2. A liquid level detecting means for detecting a liquid level position of the reagent in the reagent container, wherein the control means detects the liquid level position of the reagent in the reagent container detected by the liquid level detecting means. The clinical test apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a function of determining a remaining amount of the reagent. 3. The control means has a function of calculating an elapsed time after opening the reagent container and determining a remaining amount of the reagent based on a relationship between a preset elapsed time and a remaining amount of the reagent. The clinical test device according to claim 1. 4. A reading means for reading a reagent preparation date of a barcode label attached to a reagent container in advance, wherein the control means calculates the number of days elapsed from the reagent preparation date read by the reading means, and The clinical test apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a function of outputting a warning when the number of days exceeds a preset number of days. 5. The control means, when it is determined that the remaining amount of the reagent in the reagent container is equal to or less than a certain amount, or that the number of days elapsed after the preparation of the reagent exceeds a predetermined number of days. The clinical test apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a function of transferring a reagent dispensing nozzle of the reagent dispensing mechanism to another reagent container.