JP2003302408A - Specimen treatment system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a specimen treatment system which can quickly treat a specimen requiring urgent examination. <P>SOLUTION: When an urgent specimen is generated, the urgent specimen is inserted in a storage part located in an insert position P1. The urgent specimen is sent in preference to other specimens and located in a tap open position P2. After the tap of the urgent sample is opened, the specimen is sent in preference to other specimens and located at a dispensing position P3. After the dispensing process, the urgent specimen is sent back to the insert position P1, and the specimen is taken out at the position 1. Fur a normal specimen, a loop conveyance line 12 moves successively by one pitch, while in the urgent specimen processing mode, the loop conveyance line 12 moves 4 pitches each. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sample processing system, and more particularly to a sample pretreatment system for performing processing such as opening and dispensing on a sample.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There are various types of sample processing systems, and one example thereof is a sample pretreatment device. Here, the sample is, for example, a sample (sample) such as blood or urine collected from a human body, but may be another sample. Such a sample is usually contained in a container such as a test tube, and transported in container units. The entire container containing such a sample is often referred to as a specimen for convenience. In this specification,
We will use the sample in that sense as well.

In the sample pretreatment apparatus, each sample is usually transported in rack units. In other words, a plurality of specimens are held upright in the rack, and in that state, label reading, opening,
Various processes such as dispensing are executed stepwise. The rack is carried by a carrying line such as a belt conveyor, and necessary processing is carried out at each processing position on the carrying line. Here, the transport line is usually a simple line.

In the conventional system described above, when an urgent sample is to be processed, it is general to set a rack holding the urgent sample in the loading section of the transfer line and load it from there. Therefore, the processing of the preceding normal sample simultaneously progresses until each processing is actually performed on the urgent sample. That is, it is not possible to overtake the normal sample and preferentially process only the emergency sample. For example, in the conventional system, 1
If it is necessary to process 0 normal samples, the processing of urgent samples will be delayed by about two and a half minutes.

An object of the present invention is to provide a sample processing system suitable for processing emergency samples.

Another object of the present invention is to realize a new sample transport system which replaces sample transport in rack units, which has relatively large restrictions.

[0007]

(1) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a loop transport line that rotates along a loop path and in which a plurality of storage sections for storing a sample are formed. Corresponding to a line, a sample transfer mechanism that puts an unprocessed sample on the loop transfer line and takes out a processed sample from the loop transfer line, and a plurality of processing positions set on the loop path. A plurality of processing devices that are provided and perform processing on the sample positioned at each processing position, and in the emergency sample processing mode, for each of the plurality of normal samples that have already been loaded on the loop transport line. The process is interrupted, and in that interrupted state,
An urgent sample is interrupted on the loop transport line, each process is preferentially executed for the urgent sample,
It is characterized in that the processed urgent sample for which each process is completed is taken out from the loop transport line, and thereafter, each process for the interrupted plurality of normal samples is restarted.

With the above arrangement, when an urgent sample occurs, the process for the normal sample is temporarily interrupted, and the process for the urgent sample is preferentially performed. Then, when the process for the urgent sample is completed, the process for the normal sample is restarted. Since the loop transport line is used, it is possible to overtake the normal sample and preferentially process the urgent sample. That is, if the loop transport line is rotated once (even if it is rotated a plurality of times), the interrupted process of the emergency sample is rationally performed by utilizing the property of returning to the original state.

[0009] Preferably, the plurality of accommodating portions are formed at a predetermined pitch, and in the normal sample processing mode, the loop transfer line transfers each normal sample by one pitch, and in the emergency sample processing mode, the loop transfer line. Transports the urgent sample by jumping in correspondence with the plurality of processing positions.
With this configuration, it is possible to carry out rational transportation corresponding to the urgent sample and reduce the processing time of the urgent sample.

Preferably, a plurality of urgent sample stop positions are defined for each m pitch on the loop path, and any of the plurality of processing positions, urgent sample input positions and urgent sample unloading positions are urgent sample stops. Corresponding to the position, in the emergency sample processing mode, the loop transport line transports the emergency sample every m pitches. With this configuration, when processing a plurality of emergency samples, various processes and operations can be performed on the plurality of emergency samples at each rotation position of the loop transport line. m pitch is equivalent to m times the basic pitch, and m
Consider the conditions such as the number of storage units, the number of processing units, whether to set the loading position and the unloading position for emergency samples in a fixed manner, and whether to match the loading position and the unloading position for urgent samples. Determined. In any case, it is desirable to determine that all of the plurality of urgent specimens after input are processed in parallel.

Preferably, the urgent sample is placed in an empty container on the loop transfer line. In this configuration, the normal sample and the urgent sample both serve as the storage unit.

Preferably, the loop transfer line is
A plurality of normal sample storage parts and a plurality of emergency sample storage parts are formed, the plurality of normal sample storage parts are formed at a predetermined pitch, and the emergency sample storage parts are adjacent to each other.
It is formed between two normal specimen storage parts. If a dedicated container is provided for the normal sample and the urgent sample, when the urgent sample occurs, it can be promptly put into the loop transport line.

Preferably, the sample transfer mechanism conveys the unprocessed sample from the sample rack to the storage section at the loading position set on the loop path, and at the take-out position set on the loop path. Is a handler for transporting the processed sample from the sample rack to the sample rack. Desirably, the handler is a dual-purpose handler for transporting a normal sample and an emergency sample.

Preferably, the plurality of processing devices include at least a cap opening device and a dispensing device. Desirably, a receiving section dedicated to the urgent sample for receiving the unprocessed urgent sample is formed prior to the introduction into the loop transport line. Desirably, a discharge section dedicated to the emergency sample for discharging the processed emergency sample taken out from the loop transport line is formed. Desirably, an urgent child sample holding unit for holding an urgent child sample prepared by dispensing using the urgent sample as a parent sample is formed.

(2) Further, in order to achieve the above object,
The present invention is a method of rotating a loop transport line in which a plurality of storage units for storing a sample are formed, and performing a plurality of processes for a plurality of samples on the loop transport line,
An unprocessed normal sample is put into the loop transfer line, the plurality of processes are executed while rotating the loop transfer line, and a normal sample processing step of taking out a processed normal sample from the loop transfer line, and the loop With the processing for the normal sample on the transfer line suspended, an unprocessed urgent sample is interrupted into the loop transfer line, and the plurality of processes are executed while rotating the loop transfer line. It is characterized by including an urgent sample processing step of taking out the processed urgent sample from the transport line and thereafter restarting the interrupted process for the normal sample.

Desirably, the normal sample is transported by one pitch in the normal sample processing step, and the emergency sample is skipped and transported in the emergency sample processing step.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the sample processing system according to the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the overall configuration thereof. In the present embodiment, this sample processing system is a sample preprocessing system that performs opening, dispensing, and the like on a test tube (that is, a sample) containing a sample such as blood or urine.

In FIG. 1, the sample pretreatment system 10
Has a loop transfer line 12 that is driven to rotate along the loop path. The loop transfer line 12 includes a loop-shaped conveyor 14 and a plurality of accommodating portions 16 provided on the conveyor 14 at a constant interval (that is, at a constant pitch).
And have. Each storage unit 16 functions as a holder that stores a sample and holds it. In FIG. 1, the contained specimen is represented by reference numeral 18. In the present embodiment, twelve accommodating portions are formed on the loop transport line 12, but this is an example, and the accommodating portion 1
The number of 6 can be appropriately set according to the convenience of the system configuration.

As shown in FIG. 1, a loading position P1, an opening position P2, a dispensing position P3 and a withdrawing position P4 are set on the loop path. The system of the present embodiment has a normal sample processing mode and an emergency sample processing mode, but in the former normal sample processing, the input position P
1 and the take-out position P4 are separated. On the other hand, in the emergency sample processing mode, P1 is the loading position and the unloading position. Of course, it is possible to separate the loading position and the unloading position in the emergency sample processing mode.

The handler 30 is composed of a manipulator and a robot that conveys the manipulator, and the handler 30 inserts and removes a sample.

Specifically, one or a plurality of racks 22 are set in the input section 20 by the user, a sample (unprocessed sample) is taken out by the handler 30 from the top rack, and the sample is input. It is inserted into the accommodation unit at the position P1. On the other hand, the handler 30 takes out the sample (processed sample) from the container at the take-out position P4 and inserts the sample into the original position on the rack.
An ejection unit 24 is formed adjacent to the loading unit 20, and each rack is delivered from the loading unit 20 to the ejection unit 24. In general, the sample is taken out from the leading rack in the loading unit 20, the rack is sent to the discharging unit 24 step by step, and when the process for the taken sample is completed, the original rack is replaced. The processed sample will be inserted into the position.

In this embodiment, the receiving portion 38 for the emergency sample is set. A rack holding one or a plurality of emergency samples can be set in the receiving section 38. Of course, a plurality of storage holes may be formed in the receiving portion 38, and the emergency samples may be manually set one by one. In addition, in the present embodiment, a discharge unit 40 for an emergency sample is provided. On the discharge section 40, a rack for storing the processed emergency sample can be placed. Alternatively, instead of mounting such a rack, a plurality of storage holes into which processed emergency samples may be inserted may be formed.

In this embodiment, as will be described later,
In the urgent sample processing mode, the handler 30 takes out the urgent sample from the rack on the receiving section 38 and inserts the urgent sample into the accommodation section at the loading position P1, while the handler 30 moves to the loading position P1. The returned urgent processed specimen is taken out and inserted into the corresponding accommodation hole of the rack on the discharge section 40.

A cap opening device 36 is provided corresponding to the cap opening position P2 on the loop path. This opening device 36
Is a device that automatically removes the stopper provided at the top of the test tube. Various known mechanisms can be used as the cap opening device. Further, suction is performed on the sample at the dispensing position P3 on the loop path. For this purpose, a dispensing device 42 is provided. Dispensing device 42
Is composed of a dispensing nozzle 44 and a robot 46 that conveys it three-dimensionally. The nozzle 44 is specifically composed of a nozzle base portion and a nozzle tip attached to the tip thereof, and the nozzle tip is a tip rack 48.
Prepared above. A nozzle tip is attached to the nozzle base, a suction is performed on the sample by the nozzle 44 configured by the nozzle chip, and then the sample is placed on one or a plurality of sub sample containers held on the sub sample rack 50. A fixed amount of each is discharged. As a result, one or more child samples are created from the so-called parent sample. Then, the nozzle remover 56 is used to remove the nozzle tip from the nozzle base, and the nozzle tip is discarded in the waste box. And such a process is repeatedly performed.

Although the above description describes the operation in the normal sample processing mode, in the emergency sample processing mode, the aspirated sample is not discharged to the sub sample container on the sub sample rack 50. , And is discharged to a child sample container provided on the child sample rack 52 dedicated to the emergency sample. Therefore, the user has the advantage that both the parent sample and the child sample of the emergency sample can be handled separately from the normal sample.

Reference numeral 54 indicates a label sticking unit, and a child sample container is conveyed to the label sticking unit 54 by a manipulator (not shown), and a label such as a bar code label is stuck to the child sample container, The sub-sample container after the labeling is returned to the original place.

As is apparent from the above description, the loop transfer line 12 is rotationally driven at a constant pitch at regular intervals. Then, each processing and operation is executed in the unit of the fixed time. Specifically, within a certain period of time, the sample loading, the sample unloading, the cap opening process, and the dispensing process are executed in parallel at predetermined positions. This is the same in both the normal sample processing mode and the urgent sample processing, but in the urgent sample processing mode, in the present embodiment, 4
With the double pitch, that is, the rotation angle that skips the three accommodating parts,
Urgent specimens are skipped and transported. Correspondingly, on the loop transfer line 12, the loading position P1 and the opening position P2
And the dispensing positions P3 are set at equal intervals, and even when an urgent sample is inserted into these three,
By rotating the loop transport line at a pitch of 4 times, it is possible to position the urgent sample at each position at any rotation angle. In this case, the processing for a plurality of normal samples already held on the loop transport line 12 is interrupted, and in view of time, the normal sample is overtaken by the emergency sample and processed. . When the emergency sample processing mode ends, the state before the interruption, that is, the rotation angle, is restored, so that the normal sample processing mode can be continuously executed.

In this embodiment, another processing device may be provided, for example, a capping device may be provided on the loop path. Even in that case, in view of the simultaneous and parallel processing of a plurality of emergency samples, it is desirable that the plurality of positions for performing operations and processes on the emergency samples be set at equal intervals.

In the present embodiment, in the emergency sample processing mode, the container 16 used in the normal sample processing mode is used as it is, but for example, the container 16 for the normal sample is not provided on the loop transport line 12. Apart from
You may make it provide one or more accommodation parts 16A for emergency samples. It is desirable to provide the accommodating section 16A between two adjacent accommodating sections 16, and when providing the accommodating sections 16A for a plurality of emergency samples, the intervals between them are a plurality of positions P1, P2, P3. It is desirable to match the interval of.

FIG. 2 shows a concrete example of the loop transfer line 12 shown in FIG. The conveyor 14 is composed of a plurality of base pieces 60, and the plurality of base pieces are rotatably connected to each other by pins 62 and the like. That is, it has a chain structure. Therefore, with such a configuration, each base piece can be moved along the arcuate path.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the accommodating portion 16 is formed on each base piece 60, and the accommodating portion 16 has a hollow well-like shape as shown in the drawing. is doing. A specimen 18 is inserted into the accommodation section 16. The inner diameter of the storage portion 16 is determined as corresponding to the outer shape of the specimen 18. Of course, the accommodation portion 16 shown in FIG. 2 is an example, and various configurations other than this can be adopted.

FIG. 3 shows the flow of processing when attention is paid to a specific normal sample in the normal sample processing mode.

In S101, the handler 30
The normal sample is taken out from the rack for the normal sample and loaded into the accommodation section at the loading position P1. A label reader 34 is provided near the loading position P1,
The content of a label such as a barcode label attached to the side surface of the sample is read (S102). Of course, the label may be read while the handler 30 is transporting the sample, or a label reader may be provided near the tip of the loading unit 20.

In step S103, the normal sample is sent forward step by step by the rotational driving of the loop transport line 12. Then, it is placed in a standby state for the next opening process.

In S104, the opening process is performed on the normal sample that has reached the opening position P2. And S10
In 5, the normal sample after the opening process is sent forward one step at a time and placed in a standby state for the next dispensing process.

In S106, the dispensing device 42 dispenses the normal sample reaching P3. And
In S107, the normal sample after the dispensing process is forwardly forwarded step by step and placed in a standby state.

At S108, the normal sample is taken out at the extraction position P.
When the number reaches 4, the normal sample is taken out by the action of the handler 30 and inserted into the original position on the rack. And such a process is implemented for each normal sample.

FIG. 4 shows the flow of processing of the emergency sample in the emergency sample processing mode. When an interrupt for an urgent sample occurs, specifically, for example, the receiving unit 3
When the setting of the urgent sample in 8 is input or automatically detected, the urgent sample is taken out from the receiving unit 38 by the handler 30 in S201, and the urgent sample is inserted into the accommodation unit at the loading position P1. And
The label attached to the urgent sample is read in the same manner as the step S102 described above (S202). In S203,
The urgent sample is conveyed from the insertion position P1 to the opening position P2 by one-time feeding. That is, interlaced feeding is carried out. In this urgent sample processing mode, the process for the normal sample is suspended, so that the process for the normal sample is not hindered.

At S204, the cap opening process is performed on the emergency sample that has reached the cap opening position P2. After that, S20
In the case of 5, the sheet is sent from the opening position P2 to the dispensing position P3 by a single transfer. That is, the same interlaced feed is executed.

In S206, the dispensing device 42 dispenses the urgent sample that has reached the dispensing position P3. Then, in S207, the urgent sample is interlaced by one-time transportation from the dispensing position S3 to the loading position P1. In the urgent sample processing mode, since the input position P1 is also the unloading position at the same time, the urgent sample is taken out by the handler 30 from the input position P1, and the urgent sample is inserted into a predetermined accommodation hole on the discharge section 40. Then, when there are a plurality of urgent specimens, such a series of processing is executed in parallel in multiple.

Also in this case, since the positions P1, P2 and P3 are set at equal intervals as described above, even when a plurality of urgent samples are processed in sequence, each urgent sample is processed. It is possible to properly position it at the position of, and it is possible to rapidly process only the emergency sample. Of course, when the emergency sample processing mode ends, the angle of the loop transport line is adjusted to the rotation angle before that and the state before the interruption is restored, so that the normal sample processing mode is restarted from that state.

FIG. 5 shows the operation of the entire system as a time chart. Where # 1, # 2, # 3, ...
.. indicates a period for each step, and the time length of the period is represented by T. Further, (A) shows the operation of the loop transfer line 12, and (B) shows the loading position P.
1 shows the closing operation at 1, and (C) shows the closing position P.
1 shows the label reading operation at (1), (D) shows the opening operation at the opening position P2, (E) shows the dispensing operation at the dispensing position P3, and (F) shows the normal sample. This shows the take-out operation at the take-out position P4 in the processing mode. Of course, in the emergency sample processing mode, such a take-out operation is executed at the loading position P1.

As described above, in the normal sample processing mode, the loop transport line 12 is sequentially fed by one pitch. On the other hand, in the emergency sample processing mode, the loop transport line 12 is transported every m pitches. In this embodiment, the loop conveyance line is rotationally driven with 4 pitches as a unit.

As described above, in the dispensing process, suction, discharge n times,
Individual processing such as chip removal and chip mounting is performed.

FIG. 6 conceptually shows a flowchart of the overall operation of the system shown in FIG. First, in S301, the normal operation is performed in the normal sample processing mode. For example, in such a normal operation, before the operation of the transfer line for each step, S
At 302, it is determined whether an urgent sample has occurred, that is, whether there has been an interruption. Here, when such an interrupt occurs, the normal operation is interrupted, and the emergency sample processing mode is subsequently executed.

Specifically, in S303, an empty container containing no sample is positioned at the loading position P1 by rotationally driving the loop transport line. And S30
In 4, the insertion of the urgent sample, the opening process, and the dispensing process are executed in parallel at the respective positions (P1, P2, P3). Of course, when only one urgent sample is input, each operation or process is performed on it.

At S305, the above-mentioned interlaced conveyance is carried out. As a result, one or a plurality of emergency specimens are positioned at any of the positions P1, P2, P3. S306
Then, it is determined whether or not all the processes have been completed for all the urgent samples, and if not completed, each step from S304 is repeatedly executed.

Then, in S307, the angle of the loop transport line 12 is returned to the original rotation angle in order to restart the processing of the normal sample. Then, the steps from S301 are repeatedly executed.

As is apparent from the above description, when processing a plurality of urgent specimens successively in order, it is necessary that a plurality of vacant accommodating parts be present at positions separated by 4 pitches. Therefore, in some cases, such a vacant accommodating section does not exist, and the processing efficiency of the urgent sample may be reduced. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of storage units 16A dedicated to the urgent sample are provided, and when the urgent sample occurs, these storage units are respectively placed at the positions P1, P2, P.
It is desirable to position them at 3, and to send them all at once by 4 pitches so that continuous processing of a plurality of emergency samples can be efficiently performed. On the other hand, if the number of urgent specimens is almost one,
It is desirable to adopt the above-mentioned configuration.

[0051]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to realize a sample processing system suitable for the processing of urgent samples. Further, according to the present invention, a new sample transport system can be realized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a preferred embodiment of a sample processing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific configuration example of a loop transport line.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flow of processing in a normal sample processing mode.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a processing flow in an emergency sample processing mode.

FIG. 5 is a time chart showing the overall operation of the system.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual flowchart showing the overall operation of the system.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 sample pretreatment system, 12 loop transport line,
20 input section, 24 discharge section, 30 handler, 36
Opening device, 38 receiving part, 40 discharging part, 42 dispensing device, 44 nozzle, 54 label sticking unit.

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A line rotating along a loop path.
A loop in which a plurality of storage units for storing the specimen are formed
Transfer line, and put an unprocessed sample on the loop transfer line,
Sample that takes out the processed sample from the loop transport line
It supports a transfer mechanism and a plurality of processing positions set on the loop path.
For specimens that have been set up and positioned at each processing position
In the emergency sample processing mode, a plurality of processing devices for executing the processing are included.
Interrupted each process for multiple normal samples
On the loop conveyor line in the suspended state
An urgent sample is interrupted by
Each process is executed with priority, and each process is completed.
The emergency sample of is taken out from the loop transfer line,
After that, each treatment for the interrupted normal samples is performed.
A sample processing system in which processing is restarted. 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of storage units are formed at a predetermined pitch, and in the normal sample processing mode, the loop transfer line transfers each normal sample by one pitch, and the emergency sample processing is performed. In the mode, the loop processing line jumps and carries the urgent sample corresponding to the plurality of processing positions, and the sample processing system. 3. The system according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of emergency sample stop positions are defined for each m pitch on the loop path, and the plurality of processing positions, the emergency sample input position, and the emergency sample removal position. Corresponds to any of the emergency sample stop positions, and in the emergency sample processing mode, the loop transport line transports the emergency sample by the m pitches. 4. The sample processing system according to claim 1, wherein the urgent sample is loaded into an empty container on the loop transport line. 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of normal sample storage units and a plurality of emergency sample storage units are formed in the loop transport line, and the plurality of normal sample storage units are formed. Is formed at a predetermined pitch, and each of the emergency sample storage parts is formed between two adjacent normal sample storage parts. 6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the sample transfer mechanism transports an unprocessed sample from a sample rack to a container at a loading position set on the loop path, and the loop path. A sample processing system, which is a handler for transporting a processed sample from the above-mentioned take-out position to the sample rack. 7. The sample processing system according to claim 6, wherein the handler is a dual-purpose handler for transporting a normal sample and an urgent sample. 8. The sample processing system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of processing devices include at least a cap opening device and a dispensing device. 9. The sample processing system according to claim 1, wherein a receiving section dedicated to the urgent sample for receiving the unprocessed urgent sample is formed prior to the introduction into the loop transport line. 10. The sample processing system according to claim 1, further comprising: a discharge section dedicated to an urgent sample from which the processed urgent sample taken out from the loop transport line is discharged. 11. The sample processing system according to claim 1, wherein an urgent child sample holding section for holding an urgent child sample prepared by dispensing using the urgent sample as a parent sample is formed. . 12. A method for performing a plurality of processes on a plurality of samples on a loop transfer line by rotating a loop transfer line in which a plurality of storage parts for storing a sample are formed, wherein an unprocessed normal sample is used. Is placed on the loop transport line, the plurality of processes are performed while rotating the loop transport line, and a normal sample processing step of taking out a processed normal sample from the loop transport line, and is on the loop transport line. With the processing for normal samples suspended, an unprocessed urgent sample is interrupted into the loop transfer line, the multiple processes are executed while rotating the loop transfer line, and the loop transfer line has been processed. Urgent sample of
A sample processing method, comprising: an urgent sample processing step of resuming the processing interrupted for a normal sample. 13. The sample processing method according to claim 12, wherein the normal sample processing step carries the normal samples one pitch at a time, and the urgent sample processing step carries the urgent sample over and over. Method.