JP2002350452A - Analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform both plural analyzing methods different in an operational sequence in an analyzer. SOLUTION: Reaction cells of 125 pieces are set on a rotary table, and a plurality of apparatuses are adjacently arranged on the reaction table. When selecting an analyzing method A, the rotary table is rotatably driven with an angle equivalent to one reaction cell as one unit. While, when selecting an analyzing method B, the rotary table is rotatably driven with an angle equivalent to four reaction cells as one unit. Thus, a series of analyzing process is completed by one rotation in the analyzing method A. While, the series of analyzing process is completed by four rotations in the analyzing method B.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an analyzer, and more particularly to an apparatus for analyzing a sample using a reaction cell.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An analyzer is, for example, an antibody-
This is an apparatus that analyzes blood (such as serum), urine, and the like using an antigen reaction or the like. To explain one example, the analyzer is provided with a rotary table that is driven to rotate, and a plurality of reaction cells are detachably set on the periphery of the rotary table. The rotary table is driven to rotate by a constant angle at regular intervals, and when the reaction cell reaches each set processing position, predetermined processing (dispensing, washing, etc.) is performed at each processing position. Conventionally, generally, a rotary table 1
The analysis operation sequence is designed to be completed by rotation.

Conventionally, various types of reaction cells have been provided depending on the analysis method. For example, in the bead solid phase method, a capsule-shaped reaction cell containing a solid phase containing the first reagent is used. When actually performing the analysis,
A sample (sample) is injected into the reaction cell, whereby the first reaction step is performed. Next, the second reagent is injected through the washing step, thereby executing the second reaction step. Similarly, the third reagent is injected through the washing step, thereby executing the third reaction step. You. afterwards,
After the reaction stopping step, the liquid eluted from the solid phase in the reaction cell is extracted, and an optical measurement is performed on the liquid to analyze the sample. As other analysis methods, for example, a tube solid phase method is known. Each analysis method has a commonality in the processing process as a whole, but partially differs somewhat.

Therefore, the conventional analyzer is compatible with only one analysis method, and in order to freely select and execute a plurality of analysis methods, dedicated analyzers must be prepared. Did not.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an analyzer capable of coping with a plurality of analysis methods while using the same rotary table.

[0006]

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides an analyzer for reacting a sample with a reagent using a reaction cell, in a first operation mode for carrying out a first analysis method. And a second method for performing the second analysis method.
Selecting means for selecting an operation mode from among a plurality of operation modes including an operation mode; and n cell positions from No. 1 to No. n at a predetermined angular pitch on a table peripheral portion,
a rotary table in which n reaction cells are set for n cell positions, and a plurality of devices necessary for performing the first analysis method and the second analysis method, wherein a peripheral portion of the rotary table is provided. A plurality of devices that execute processing on the reaction cell at a plurality of processing positions set in a predetermined direction from the rotation center, and a control that controls a rotation operation of the rotation table according to the selected operation mode. Department and
When the first operation mode is selected, the turntable is driven to rotate by the predetermined angle pitch in a first cycle, and accordingly, the rotation table is switched to the first operation mode among the plurality of processing positions. When the processing for the reaction cell is performed in parallel at the corresponding processing position, and the second operation mode is selected, the turntable is m times the predetermined angular pitch in the second cycle. The rotation of each of the plurality of processing positions corresponding to the second operation mode among the plurality of processing positions is performed in parallel, and the processing for the reaction cell is performed in parallel at the plurality of processing positions. One operation sequence corresponds to one rotation of the rotary table, and one operation sequence of the second operation mode corresponds to m rotations of the rotary table.

According to the above configuration, in the first operation mode,
When the rotary table is driven to rotate by a predetermined angle pitch and makes one rotation, a series of processes for the reaction cell is completed. On the other hand, in the second operation mode, the rotary table is driven to rotate by m multiple pitches, and when it rotates m times, a series of processes for the reaction cell is completed. As for the processing steps having the same contents between the two operation modes, the apparatuses can also be used by matching the processing positions. Of course, it is difficult to adjust the processing position.
Although dedicated devices are provided, it is desirable to set processing positions in a distributed manner so that the devices do not collide with each other. In addition, since a plurality of operation modes can also be used for the nozzle mechanism and the like, the cost of the apparatus can be reduced in this respect as well. In the above configuration, three or more analysis methods may be used.

Preferably, the n and the m are set so that the remainder obtained by dividing the n by the m is 1 or m-1, and in the second operation mode, the rotation table is rotated per rotation of the rotation table. Is shifted by one cell position. In order to satisfy such conditions, n = 125 and m = 4 can be given.
Other combinations of numerical values may be used. Preferably, the first cycle and the second cycle are the same cycle.

Preferably, the plurality of processing positions include a common position of the first operation mode and the second operation mode. At the common position, a common processing step is executed in the two operation modes. Preferably, a device that is shared by the first operation mode and the second operation mode is fixedly provided at the common position. Preferably, the plurality of processing positions include a dedicated position of the first operation mode and a dedicated position of the second operation mode, in addition to the common position. Preferably, the plurality of devices include a dispensing device that is used in the first operation mode and the second operation mode, and that performs dispensing of a sample and a reagent. Preferably, the plurality of devices include a device that is used in the first operation mode and the second operation mode and that sets the reaction cell on the turntable.

Preferably, the plurality of devices include a first dedicated cleaning unit used in the first operation mode for cleaning the reaction cell, and a second dedicated cleaning unit used in the second operation mode for cleaning the reaction cell. A dedicated cleaning unit and a dual-purpose cleaning unit that is shared by the first operation mode and the second operation mode are included.

Preferably, the plurality of devices include a measurement unit that performs an optical measurement on the reaction cell, the unit being used in the first operation mode and the second operation mode.

Preferably, the plurality of devices include a cell removal unit that is a unit that is shared by the first operation mode and the second operation mode, and that removes the reaction cell from the turntable.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of an analyzer according to the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram thereof. This analyzer targets a sample such as serum, for example, and specifically, is a device that executes analysis of a sample using an antigen-antibody reaction.

The analyzer according to the present embodiment has a first operation mode corresponding to the analysis method A and a second operation mode corresponding to the analysis method B, as described later in detail. The user can select one of these two operation modes using the input device, and the analyzer shown in FIG. 1 performs an operation according to the selected operation mode.

In FIG. 1, the turntable 10 has a circular shape, and the turntable 10
Is driven to rotate. The drive unit 12 is configured by a motor, a gear mechanism, and the like. Incidentally, a control unit for controlling the drive unit 12 and other components is not shown.

When the first operation mode corresponding to the analysis method A is selected, the rotary table 10 is sequentially driven to rotate at a predetermined angular pitch, and the driving cycle in that case is, for example, one minute. In addition, the turntable 10 is provided with the analysis method B.
When the second operation mode corresponding to (1) is selected, the motor is driven to rotate at a pitch four times the predetermined angle pitch, and the driving cycle is, for example, 1 minute.

A plurality of openings 10A are formed in the peripheral portion of the turntable 10 in a line in the circumferential direction. In the present embodiment, 125 openings 10A are formed. A reaction cell 14 is detachably attached to each opening 10A.

The reaction cell 14 is prepared for each analysis method. In the present embodiment, the reaction cell 14 used in the analysis method A is one in which a sponge body (solid phase) containing the first reagent is contained in a cell container. The reaction cell 14 used in the analysis method B also has basically the same structure, but a plurality of reagents used are different for each analysis method, and an operation sequence for performing each analysis method is also different. Different from each other.

As shown in FIG. 1, below the reaction cells 14 set in the openings 10A, wells 10B are formed for each reaction cell 14 in the example shown in FIG. In the case where the analysis method A is used, the liquid eluted from the reaction cell 14 after the reaction treatment is stored in the well 10B. An optical measurement is performed on the liquid. In this case, a suction tube is inserted through an opening 10C formed adjacent to the opening 10A, and the liquid sucked by the suction tube is inserted. Is subjected to the above-mentioned optical analysis.

In FIG. 1, a base 20 is provided above the turntable 10. In this base 20,
An opening 10A is formed for each processing position where processing is performed on the reaction cell 14. The base 20 functions as a pedestal for mounting various devices to be described later, and the devices are, for example, a measurement unit 62 and a detachment unit 64 described later.

Above the base 20, a plurality of robot mechanisms are provided. In this embodiment, two robot mechanisms 28 and 30 are provided as shown. In the present embodiment, the robot mechanism 28 is the dispensing unit 2
This is a mechanism for three-dimensionally transporting 2 freely, wherein the dispensing unit 22 includes a dispensing nozzle 22A and a liquid level detecting electrode 22B.

The robot mechanism 30 includes the cell input unit 2
6 and the dispensing unit 24 are transported three-dimensionally. In the present embodiment, the two units 24 and 26 are held by the same robot mechanism 30. Is independently movable in the Z direction (vertical direction).

Here, the cell charging unit 26 is a unit in which a plurality of unused reaction cells 14 are stacked and stored, and the lowermost reaction cell 14 is rotated by hooking the lower reaction cell 14 with a claw member (not shown) or the like. The reaction cell 14 can be set on the table 10. In this example, the cell storage cylinder in the cell insertion unit 26 is set manually according to the selected analysis method.
The dispensing unit 24 includes a dispensing nozzle 24A and a liquid level detecting electrode 24B. The dispensing unit 24 and the dispensing unit 22 can dispense a sample or a reagent. In FIG. 1, a plurality of sample containers and a plurality of reagent containers are not shown. In addition, well-known mechanisms such as a dispensing pump are not shown.

As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, six cleaning units are provided at predetermined positions on the base 20. Each of the cleaning units 50 to 56 has a cleaning nozzle 34 for cleaning the reaction cell 14. In FIG. 1, two dispensing units 22 and 24 are shown as described above. However, more than two dispensing units may be used, or a single dispensing unit may be used. , A sample and a reagent can be dispensed. Further, in the present embodiment, the cleaning units 50 to 56 dedicated to cleaning are provided for each cleaning position. However, a plurality of cleaning steps may be performed by a single cleaning unit, or dispensing may be performed. Unit 2
2, 24 can also be used as a washing unit.

FIG. 2 shows the installation position of each unit and the nozzle processing position. Here, reference numeral 102 indicates a plurality of cell positions (cell position sequence) set on the periphery of the turntable 10, and reference numeral R indicates an address corresponding to each direction viewed from the rotation center of the turntable 10. (Address on the coordinate system on the device). As described above, in the present embodiment, 1 to 125
Twenty-five addresses are set, and a plurality of processing positions are set in advance from those addresses.
Here, in the figure, hatched circle symbols indicate processing positions by the dispensing units 22, 24 and the cell input unit 26, that is, those having a degree of freedom in setting the processing positions. In FIG. 2, black circles indicate processing positions where any device is fixedly installed and cannot be moved. Further, the asterisk indicates a processing position common to both the analysis method A and the analysis method B.

Incidentally, when the analysis method A is selected,
When the analysis method B is selected, the address and the step of the processing step do not match.

The processing position of address # 001 (where # indicates an address) indicated by reference F1 is a processing position for setting a reaction cell. This is a common processing position in the two analysis methods. # 0
A cleaning unit 50 is provided at the processing position 05, and when the analysis method A is selected, pre-cleaning is performed at the processing position. At the processing position of # 009 indicated by the symbol F2, the sample is dispensed in the analysis method A.

At the processing position # 028, the cleaning unit 5
1 is provided, and in the analysis method B, the reaction cell is washed at the processing position. At the processing position of # 033 indicated by the symbol F3, the sample is dispensed in the analysis method B. In addition, # 036 indicated by reference numeral F4
In the processing position, the second reagent is dispensed in the processing method B.

The cleaning unit 52 is located at the processing position # 039.
At the processing position, the reaction cell is washed in both the analysis method A and the analysis method B.
At the processing position of # 043 indicated by the symbol F5, the second reagent is dispensed in the analysis method A. Also, the code F
At the processing position # 047 indicated by No. 6, the third reagent is dispensed in the analysis method B.

The cleaning unit 53 is located at the processing position # 067.
Is provided at the processing position of # 073.
The cleaning unit 55 is provided at the processing position # 079.
Is provided, and each of the cleaning units performs a three-stage cleaning process in the analysis method A.

At the processing position # 082 indicated by reference numeral F7, the liquid after the reaction processing is transferred from the inside of the reaction cell 14 shown in FIG. 1 to the well 10B in the analysis method B. At the processing position # 083 indicated by the reference F8, the third reagent is dispensed in the analysis method A.

At the processing position # 093 indicated by reference F9, the injection and suction of the reaction stop solution are repeatedly performed, and the reaction stop solution is discharged at the end of the process. Code F10
Also at the processing position # 096 indicated by, the injection and suction of the reaction stop solution are repeatedly executed, and the reaction stop solution is discharged at the end thereof. Further, at the processing position # 099 indicated by reference numeral F11, the processing using the reaction stop solution is executed in the same manner as described above. Such a three-step reaction stopping process is performed in the analysis method A, and the liquid eluted from the reaction cell 14 is stored in the well 10B by such a process as shown in FIG. Will be.

At the processing position of # 102, the measuring unit 62 used for both the analysis method A and the analysis method B is used.
Is provided. This measuring unit 62 is a well 1
The liquid stored in OB is sucked, and an optical measurement is performed on the sucked liquid.

A removal unit 64 is provided at the processing position of # 106. The removal unit 64 is used for picking up and discarding the reaction cell after the completion of the process in both the analysis method A and the analysis method B. belongs to.

The cleaning unit 56 is located at the processing position # 110.
The cleaning unit 66 performs the cleaning of the well 10B in both the analysis method A and the analysis method B.

Incidentally, in FIG. 2, white circles indicate cell positions which are not processing positions. As shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, a device used for a common processing step in the two analysis methods can be used in common, and on the other hand, each device or the suction / discharge position is set as a whole. Since the setting can be performed in a distributed manner, there is an advantage that a problem such as a layout collision between devices can be avoided.

Next, specific steps of the two analysis methods will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, S represents the number of each process, that is, each step. In the example of FIG.
There are steps 1 to 125. Of course, in this embodiment, 125 reaction cells are simultaneously processed in parallel.

The time of each step is 1 minute for both the analysis method A and the analysis method B. Of course, these periods may be changed.

First, the analysis method A (indicated as "method A" in FIG. 3) will be described. In step 1, the reaction cell is set on a rotary table, and in step 5, the washing unit 50 (FIG. 2)), the sample is dispensed into the reaction cell using the dispensing unit in step 9. In the analysis method A, steps 9 to 39 correspond to a first reaction period. Incidentally, each reaction period is strictly defined in each analysis method, and in order to match the operation between the two analysis methods, adjustment of the timing of incorporating a predetermined reaction step or processing of a processing step having no time constraint is performed. Adjustments have been made.

In step 39, the reaction cell is washed using the washing unit 52 (see FIG. 2). Subsequently, in step 43, the second reagent is dispensed into the reaction cell by the dispensing unit. . Step 43 to step 67, which is the next cleaning step, corresponds to the second reaction period.

In steps 67, 73, and 79, a three-stage cleaning process is performed. Specifically, the cleaning of the reaction cell is performed using the cleaning units 54, 56, and 58 (see FIG. 2). . And step 8
In 3, the third reagent is dispensed into the reaction cell using the dispensing unit, and the process from step 83 to step 93, which is a reaction stop process, corresponds to a third reaction period.

Step 93, Step 96, Step 9
In No. 9, the reaction stop process is performed using the reaction stop solution, that is, the discharge and suction of the reaction stop solution are repeatedly performed, thereby promoting the elution of the liquid after the reaction process. At the end of step 93, the reaction stopping liquid is discharged, and this is the same in step 96. on the other hand,
In step 99, the end of the process ends with suction. A plurality of holes are formed in the bottom surface of the reaction cell 14 of this analysis method A, and the liquid after the reaction treatment that has passed through them flows out into the well.

In step 102, optical measurement is performed on the liquid after the reaction using the measuring unit 62, and in step 106, the removal unit 64 is measured.
The reaction cell is removed from the turntable 10 (see FIG. 2), and in step 110, the inside of the well 10B containing the reaction cell is cleaned by the cleaning unit 66.
(See FIG. 2). afterwards,
After a certain waiting time, the steps from step 1 are repeatedly executed for the cell position from which the reaction cell has been removed.

Next, the analysis method B (shown as "method B" in FIG. 3) will be described. Incidentally, as described above, in the analysis method A, the rotation table is driven for each angular pitch using the angle of one reaction cell as a rotation unit, while in the analysis method B, the rotation table is driven for four reaction cells. The rotation table is driven with the angle of the rotation angle pitch. Therefore, in analysis method A, one turn of the turntable corresponds to the entire operation sequence, whereas in analysis method B, four turns of the turntable correspond to the entire operation sequence.

In step 1, a reaction cell (however, different from the reaction cell of the analysis method A) is set on the turntable as in the analysis method A. Then, in step 9, the sample is dispensed into the reaction cell using the dispensing unit. Step 9 to step 39, which is a cleaning step, correspond to a first reaction period. In both the analysis method A and the analysis method B, since the first reaction reagent is contained in the reaction cell in advance, the reaction is started at the same time as the introduction of the sample.

In step 41, the second reagent is dispensed into the reaction cell. Steps 41 to 73 correspond to a second reaction period. Step 73 is a washing step, and subsequently, in step 75, the third reagent is dispensed into the reaction cell. Steps 75 to 115 correspond to the third reaction period, in which the liquid in the treated reaction cell is removed from the well 10.
This is the step of transferring the inside of B.

Then, in step 120, optical measurement of the liquid is performed by the measuring unit 62, and in step 121, the reaction cell is removed from the reaction table by the removal unit 64, and in step 122, the washing unit 66 removes the reaction cell. The inside of the well will be cleaned. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning step in step 39 in the analysis method A and the analysis method in step 73 in the analysis method B are performed using the same cleaning unit 52, which includes the measurement unit 62 and the removal unit 64. The same applies to the cleaning unit 66.

FIG. 4 shows each step in the above-mentioned analysis method A in relation to the cell position. When the turntable makes one rotation, the series of steps described above are executed.

FIG. 5 shows each step of the above-mentioned analysis method B in relation to the cell position. As described above, in the analysis method B, the rotary table is rotationally driven while skipping three cell positions, that is, # 0.
The rotary table is driven to rotate while adding four addresses in the order of 01, # 005, # 009,.
When the turntable makes one full rotation, the stop position is shifted by one address. Therefore, when the turntable rotates four times, the address is shifted by four addresses, and the shift of the rotation angle corresponds to the rotation angle pitch, so that the cell position returns to the initial state by the next rotation drive. In the figure, I indicates the first reaction period, and II indicates the second reaction period.
Indicating the reaction period, III indicates the third reaction period.

By setting such operating conditions, the analysis method A and the analysis method B can be used while sharing the devices as much as possible, thereby avoiding a layout collision between the devices of each analysis method. it can. Therefore, there is an advantage that an analyzer having a very high practical value can be configured.

[0052]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to cope with a plurality of analysis methods while using the same rotary table.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an analyzer according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an arrangement of processing positions and an arrangement of each device in relation to an address.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a process of an analysis method A and an analysis method B.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an operation of an analysis method A;

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an operation of an analysis method B;

[Explanation of symbols]

10 rotary table, 12 drive units, 14 reaction cells, 20 bases, 22, 24 dispensing units, 26
Cell input unit, 28, 30 Robot mechanism, 50
~ 56 cleaning unit.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Yoshiyuki Furushiro 6-22-1, Mure, Mitaka City, Tokyo Aloka Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tomoaki Yoshida 6-22-1, Mure, Mitaka City, Tokyo Aloka Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 2G045 AA13 AA15 CA25 CA26 CB03 FA11 FB03 HA20 JA07 2G057 AC01 BA01 HA04 JA01 2G058 AA09 CD04 CD23 CF12 FB03 GA02 GE02 GE05

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An analyzer for reacting a sample with a reagent using a reaction cell, wherein the first operation mode and the second operation mode for performing the first analysis method are provided.
Selecting means for selecting an operation mode from among a plurality of operation modes including a second operation mode for performing the analysis method; and n cell positions from 1 to n at a predetermined angular pitch on the periphery of the table. Are defined, and n cell positions are n
A rotary table on which a plurality of reaction cells are set; and a plurality of devices necessary for performing the first analysis method and the second analysis method, on a peripheral portion of the rotary table in a predetermined direction from a rotation center thereof. A plurality of devices configured to execute a process for a reaction cell at a plurality of set processing positions; and a control unit configured to control a rotation operation of the turntable in accordance with the selected operation mode; When the operation mode is selected, the turntable is driven to rotate by the predetermined angle pitch in the first cycle, and accordingly, the rotary table reacts at a processing position corresponding to the first operation mode among the plurality of processing positions. When the processing for the cell is performed in parallel, and the second operation mode is selected, the turntable is m times the predetermined angular pitch in the second cycle.
The rotation of each of the plurality of processing positions among the plurality of processing positions corresponding to the second operation mode is performed in parallel, and the processing for the reaction cell is performed in parallel. The analyzer according to claim 1, wherein one operation sequence corresponds to one rotation of the rotary table, and one operation sequence of the second operation mode corresponds to m rotations of the rotary table. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said n and said m are set such that a remainder obtained by dividing said n by said m becomes 1 or m-1, and said rotary table in said second operation mode. Wherein the stop position of the rotary table is shifted by one cell position per one rotation of the analyzer. 3. The analyzer according to claim 2, wherein n is 125 and m is 4. 4. The analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the first cycle and the second cycle are the same cycle. 5. The analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of processing positions include a common position of the first operation mode and the second operation mode. 6. The analyzer according to claim 5, wherein a device that is shared by the first operation mode and the second operation mode is fixedly provided at the common position. 7. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of processing positions include a dedicated position for the first operation mode and a dedicated position for the second operation mode, in addition to the common position. Characteristic analyzer. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of devices include the first operation mode and the second operation mode.
An analyzer which is also used in an operation mode and includes a dispensing device for dispensing a sample and a reagent. 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of devices include the first operation mode and the second operation mode.
An analyzer, which is a unit that is also used in an operation mode, and includes a cell input unit for setting the reaction cell on the turntable. 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of devices are used in the first operation mode, and a first dedicated cleaning unit for cleaning a reaction cell, and used in the second operation mode, An analyzer comprising: a second dedicated cleaning unit that cleans a reaction cell; and a dual-purpose cleaning unit that is also used in the first operation mode and the second operation mode. 11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of devices include the first operation mode and the second operation mode.
An analyzer, which is a unit that is also used in an operation mode, and includes a measurement unit that performs optical measurement on the reaction cell. 12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of devices include the first operation mode and the second operation mode.
An analyzer, which is a unit that is also used in an operation mode, and includes a cell removal unit that removes the reaction cell from the turntable.