JP2006010615A - Clinical specimen treatment device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a clinical specimen treatment device for reducing the number of times the device stops. <P>SOLUTION: This clinical specimen treatment device 1 is equipped with a blood smear preparing device 2 comprising a discharge pipet 71a and supply pipet 71b capable of retry motion for making a raising motion of the pipettes 71a and 71b concurrently with a smear preparing motion of a blood specimen while executing again the raising motion when the raising motion have failed to be executed normally, and a display operation part 2b for communicating anomaly information to a user for showing that the raising motion for the pipettes 71a and 71b are in an anomalous state when the pipettes 71a and 71b of the preparing device 2 are incapable of normally executing the retry motion (re-raising motion). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a clinical sample processing apparatus, and more particularly, to a clinical sample processing apparatus including a mechanism unit that performs a predetermined operation in accordance with a sample processing operation.

Conventionally, as a clinical sample processing apparatus, a smear preparation apparatus for preparing a smear for a blood sample is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic specimen preparation device that automatically performs a plurality of mechanisms from smearing blood on a slide glass to a staining step. In the conventional automatic specimen preparation apparatus as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, in the staining process in the staining unit, the ascending operation of the pipette (mechanism unit) for sucking and discharging the staining solution and the cleaning solution is somehow When the operation is not normally performed due to the cause, it is generally determined that the operation is abnormal and the apparatus is immediately stopped.
JP-A-8-271390

  However, as described above, if the apparatus is stopped immediately in the case of an abnormal operation of the mechanism unit, the number of times the apparatus is stopped increases, so that it is difficult to quickly prepare a smear for a blood sample. In addition, when the number of stoppages of the device increases, the number of return operations by the user also increases, which may increase the burden on the user.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a clinical sample processing apparatus capable of reducing the number of stoppages of the apparatus.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

  In order to achieve the above object, a clinical sample processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention performs a predetermined operation along with a sample processing operation, and performs a predetermined operation when the predetermined operation cannot be performed normally. When the apparatus main body including a retryable mechanism part to be executed again and the mechanism part of the apparatus main body cannot execute the retry operation normally, abnormality information indicating that the predetermined operation of the mechanism part is in an abnormal state is displayed. Notification means for notifying the user.

  In the clinical sample processing apparatus according to this aspect, as described above, the apparatus main body includes a mechanism capable of retry operation that re-executes the predetermined operation when the predetermined operation accompanying the sample processing operation cannot be normally executed. In this case, the cause of the failure of the first predetermined operation to be normally executed by the retry operation (second predetermined operation) of the mechanism unit may be removed. (Second predetermined operation) can be executed normally. As a result, since the sample processing operation of the clinical sample processing apparatus can be continuously performed without stopping, when the first predetermined operation of the mechanism unit is not normally performed, the apparatus is immediately stopped. In comparison, the number of stoppages of the apparatus can be reduced. As a result, rapid sample processing can be performed, and the burden on the user's return processing can be reduced. Also provided is a notification means for notifying the user of abnormality information indicating that the predetermined operation of the mechanism unit is in an abnormal state when the mechanism unit cannot normally execute the retry operation (second predetermined operation). Thus, the notification means allows the user to quickly recognize that the operation has not been performed normally even by the retry operation (second predetermined operation). Thereby, the user can perform a return process etc. rapidly.

  In the clinical sample processing apparatus according to this one aspect, preferably, the notification means includes a display unit provided in the apparatus main body. If comprised in this way, a user can be notified of abnormality information easily using the display part of an apparatus main body.

  In this case, the apparatus main body preferably includes a control unit that controls the retry operation of the mechanism unit and causes the display unit to display abnormality information. If comprised in this way, the abnormality information of a mechanism part can be easily notified to a user using a control part and a display part.

  In the clinical sample processing apparatus according to the one aspect described above, preferably, the clinical sample processing apparatus is connected to a maintenance management apparatus installed outside via a network, and the abnormality information is transmitted via the network. The apparatus further includes transmission means for transmitting to the maintenance management apparatus. If comprised in this way, abnormality information can be easily transmitted to the maintenance management apparatus of the maintenance company installed outside by the transmission means.

  In the configuration including the transmission unit, the transmission unit preferably transmits retry operation history information indicating that the mechanism unit has performed the retry operation to the maintenance management apparatus via the network. With this configuration, the retry operation history information can be easily transmitted to the maintenance management apparatus of the maintenance company installed outside by the transmission means.

  In this case, it is preferable that the transmission unit transmits at least one of the abnormality information and the retry operation history information to the maintenance management apparatus using an electronic mail. With such a configuration, it is possible to transmit abnormality information and retry operation history information to an external maintenance management device by electronic mail that is easy to handle.

  In the configuration including the transmission means for transmitting the retry operation history information, preferably, the apparatus further includes a computer connected to the apparatus main body and collecting at least abnormality information and retry operation history information of the apparatus main body, and the transmission means is provided in the computer. It has been. If comprised in this way, the abnormality information and retry operation history information of an apparatus main body can be easily transmitted to the maintenance management apparatus of an external maintenance company using a computer.

  In the configuration including the computer, preferably, the transmission means provided in the computer transmits the abnormality information and the retry operation history information to the maintenance management device by e-mail at a predetermined timing, Emergency information, which is urgent information, is transmitted to the maintenance management apparatus by e-mail via the network without waiting for a predetermined timing. According to this configuration, the maintenance company in which the maintenance management apparatus is installed can immediately know emergency information that requires an emergency of the clinical sample processing apparatus, so that quick maintenance can be performed.

  In this case, preferably, the transmission means provided in the computer transmits the abnormality information and retry operation history information to the maintenance management apparatus by e-mail when the apparatus main body is started or shut down. With this configuration, the abnormality information and retry operation history information of the clinical sample processing apparatus can be periodically transmitted to the maintenance management apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a clinical sample processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a perspective view showing the blood smear preparation apparatus and the transport apparatus of the clinical specimen processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 shows the internal structure of the blood smear preparation apparatus shown in FIG. It is a top view. 4 to 7 are diagrams for explaining the structure and operation of the third suction / discharge mechanism part of the staining part of the blood smear preparation apparatus. FIGS. 8 to 11 are diagrams of the blood smear preparation apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure and operation | movement of the feeding mechanism part of a storage part.

  First, an overall configuration of the clinical sample processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the clinical specimen processing apparatus 1 includes a blood smear preparation apparatus 2 and a transport apparatus 3.

  Here, the blood smear preparation apparatus 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is provided for preparing a smear of a blood sample, and includes a control unit 2a and a display operation unit 2b including a touch panel. Yes. The blood smear preparation apparatus 2 is an example of the “apparatus main body” of the present invention, and the display operation unit 2b is an example of “notification means” and “display unit” of the present invention. The control unit 2a of the blood smear preparation apparatus 2 has a function of controlling the normal smear preparation operation of the blood smear preparation apparatus 2, and a retry operation associated with the normal smear preparation operation of the blood smear preparation apparatus 2. And a function for controlling the return-to-origin operation, a function for determining that the blood smear preparation apparatus 2 is in an abnormal (error) state, and a display operation for indicating that the blood smear preparation apparatus 2 is in an abnormal (error) state Part 2b. The control unit 2a includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The display operation unit 2b is provided to notify the user of abnormal information indicating that the blood smear preparing apparatus 2 is in an abnormal (error) state.

  Moreover, the conveying apparatus 3 is installed in the front surface of the blood smear sample preparation apparatus 2, as shown in FIG. 2, and has the carrying-in part 3a and the taking-out part 3b. The transport device 3 is provided for automatically transporting the sample rack 100 storing the test tube 101 storing blood to the blood smear preparation device 2.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 11, the entire configuration of the blood smear preparation apparatus 2 and the transport apparatus 3 will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 2, in the blood smear preparation apparatus 2, in addition to the control section 2a and the display operation section 2b, a test tube 101 containing blood is introduced from the transport apparatus 3 side to the blood smear preparation apparatus 2. A hand member 2c for transporting to the side is provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the blood smear preparation apparatus 2 includes a suction / dispensing mechanism section 21, a smear section 22, a resin cassette 23, a cassette housing section 24, a cassette transport section 25, and a slide. The glass insertion part 26, the dyeing | staining part 27, and the storage part 28 are provided.

  The suction dispensing mechanism unit 21 has a function of sucking blood from the test tube 101 transported to the blood smear preparation apparatus 2 side by the hand member 2c (see FIG. 2) and dropping the sucked blood onto the slide glass 10. Have. As shown in FIG. 3, the suction / dispensing mechanism unit 21 includes a piercer (aspiration needle) 21a for sucking blood from the test tube 101 and a dispensing pipette for dispensing the sucked blood to the slide glass 10. 21b.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the smearing unit 22 supplies the slide glass 10 to the dispensing / smearing position 90, smears and dries the blood dropped on the slide glass 10, and the slide glass 10 It is provided for printing. In addition, the resin cassette 23 is configured to accommodate the smeared slide glass 10 and the liquid (staining liquid) used in the staining process. As shown in FIG. 3, the cassette 23 includes a slide glass storage hole 23a and a staining liquid suction / dispensing hole 23b. The slide glass storage hole 23a and the staining liquid suction / dispensing hole 23b are connected to each other as shown in FIG.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the cassette housing portion 24 is provided for carrying the cassette 23 into the cassette carrying portion 25, and includes a feed belt 24a. The cassette transport unit 25 is provided to transport the cassette 23 carried from the cassette housing unit 24 to the slide glass insertion unit 26 and the staining unit 27. As shown in FIG. 3, the cassette transport unit 25 includes a cassette transport member 25 a that can move in the horizontal direction, and a transport path 25 b for transporting the cassette 23 supplied from the cassette housing unit 24. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the slide glass insertion portion 26 is provided to store the slide glass 10 that has been smeared and printed in the slide glass storage hole 23 a of the cassette 23.

  Further, the dyeing unit 27 performs the dyeing process on the smeared slide glass 10 by supplying and discharging the dye solution to and from the dye solution suction / dispensing hole 23b of the cassette 23 conveyed by the cassette conveying member 25a. It is provided for. As shown in FIG. 3, the dyeing unit 27 conveys the feeding mechanism unit 27a for feeding the cassette 23 conveyed by the cassette conveying member 25a to the staining unit 27, and the cassette 23 fed from the feeding mechanism unit 27a. A feeding belt 27b for feeding, a first to fifth suction / discharge sections 27c to 27g for supplying and discharging the staining liquid to and from the cassette 23, and a conveyor belt 28b for the cassette 23 from the feeding belt 27b to the storage section 28. And a feeding mechanism portion 27h for feeding to the side. The feeding mechanism 27a of the dyeing unit 27 has the same structure as a feeding mechanism 28a of the storage unit 28 described later.

  Here, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7, the structure of the first suction / discharge section 27 c to the fifth suction / discharge section 27 g of the staining section 27 will be described by taking the third suction / discharge section 27 e as an example. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the third suction / discharge unit 27e includes a discharge pipette 71a that sucks and discharges the staining liquid in the cassette 23, a supply pipette 71b that supplies the staining liquid into the cassette 23, A pipette support member 72 that supports the discharge pipette 71a and the supply pipette 71b, a frame 74 to which the pipette support member 72 is attached via a linear motion guide 73, and a pair attached to the frame 74 at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction. Pulleys 75a and 75b, a drive belt 76 attached to the pair of pulleys 75a and 75b, a connecting member 77 for connecting the driving belt 76 and the pipette support member 72, and a pulse for rotationally driving the pulley 75b. And a motor 78 (see FIGS. 5 and 7). The discharge pipette 71a and the supply pipette 71b are examples of the “mechanism part” in the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the connection member 77 for connecting the drive belt 76 and the pipette support member 72 has an upper end position of the pipette support member 72 so as to extend to the back side of the frame 74. A detection piece 77a for detecting the lower end position is integrally provided. Further, on the back side of the frame 74, a light transmission type upper sensor 79a for detecting that the detection piece 77a has reached the upper end position, and a light transmission type lower part for detecting that the detection piece 77a has reached the lower end position. A sensor 79b is attached. The third suction / discharge unit 27e is configured to suck and discharge and supply the staining solution to the cassette 23 after moving the discharge pipette 71a and the supply pipette 71b downward.

  The storage unit 28 is provided to store the cassette 23 in which the slide glass 10 stained by the staining unit 27 is stored. As shown in FIG. 3, the storage unit 28 includes a feeding mechanism unit 28a for feeding the cassette 23 fed from the feeding belt 27b by the feeding mechanism unit 27h of the dyeing unit 27 to the conveying belt 28b of the storage unit 28; A transport belt 28b for transporting the cassette 23 fed from the feed mechanism section 28a is provided.

  Here, with reference to FIGS. 8-11, the structure of the feeding mechanism part 28a of the storage part 28 is demonstrated. As shown in FIG. 8, the feeding mechanism portion 28a includes a swing member 81, a support shaft 82 that supports the swing member 81, an attachment member 83 for mounting the swing member 81 to the support shaft 82, and a support shaft. 82, a pulley 84a attached to one end of the pulley 82, a pulley 84b provided at a predetermined interval from the pulley 84a, a drive belt 85 attached to the pair of pulleys 84a and 84b, and the pulley 84b. And a frame 87 to which the support shaft 82 and the pulse motor 86 are attached. The swing member 81 is an example of the “mechanism part” in the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the swing member 81 is provided to press the back surface of the cassette 23 while swinging. As shown in FIG. 8, the swing member 81 includes a pressing portion 81a that presses the upper back of the cassette 23, and detection for detecting that the swing member 81 is at the origin position (non-oscillation position). The piece 81b is provided integrally. Also, as shown in FIG. 8, the cassette 87 (see FIG. 9) is transported to the frame 87 by a light transmission type sensor 88 for detecting the detection piece 81b of the swing member 81 and the feeding mechanism portion 28a. A light reflection type sensor 89 for detecting whether or not the image has been normally fed onto 28b is attached. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the frame 87 has an opening 87a for the swinging member 81 to swing and protrude toward the conveying belt 28b, and the light of the light reflection type sensor 89 passes therethrough. An opening 87b is provided.

  Next, the operation of the clinical sample processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the chart information of the sample provider (patient) is input to a host computer (not shown). The blood smear preparation apparatus 2 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 collects a blood sample from the test tube 101 placed on the sample rack 100 transported by the transport apparatus 3 according to the information of the host computer, and blood Make a smear.

  When preparing a blood sample smear using the blood smear preparation device 2, first, as shown in FIG. 2, the hand member 2c of the blood smear preparation device 2 is used as a suction dispensing operation. After the test tube 101 of the sample rack 100 transported from the carry-in unit 3a to the take-out unit 3b is lifted and stirred, the test tube 101 is arranged in the suction dispensing mechanism unit 21 shown in FIG. Then, blood in the test tube 101 is sucked by the piercer 21a. After the blood suction operation is completed, the dispensing pipette 21b is moved to the dispensing / smearing position 90 shown in FIG. 3, and blood is dropped (dispensed) from the dispensing pipette 21b onto the slide glass 10.

  A smearing operation by the smearing unit 22 is performed in parallel with the suction dispensing operation by the suction dispensing mechanism unit 21 or after the suction dispensing operation. The smearing unit 22 supplies the slide glass 10 to the dispensing / smearing position 90 (see FIG. 3), and smears the blood dropped on the slide glass 10 and dries it. Then, after the blood sample information is printed on the slide glass 10, the printed slide glass 10 is moved to the slide glass insertion portion 26 side.

  Next, the cassette 23 set in the cassette housing portion 24 shown in FIG. 3 is sent to the transport path 25b of the cassette transport portion 25 by the feed belt 24a. Then, the cassette 23 is transported to the slide glass insertion unit 26 by the cassette transport member 25 a of the cassette transport unit 25. Then, after the slide glass 10 is inserted into the cassette 23 by the slide glass insertion section 26, the cassette 23 in which the smeared slide glass 10 is stored is transported to the staining section 27 by the cassette transport member 25a. .

  In the dyeing unit 27 according to the first embodiment, first, the cassette 23 conveyed by the cassette conveying member 25a is fed onto the feeding belt 27b by the feeding mechanism unit 27a and conveyed by the feeding belt 27b. Then, in the first suction discharge unit 27c to the fifth suction discharge unit 27g, the staining liquid and the cleaning water are sequentially dispensed and sucked and discharged to the staining liquid suction dispensing hole 23b of the cassette 23. The smeared slide glass 10 of the cassette 23 is dyed. The details of the feeding operation of the cassette 23 by the feeding mechanism unit 27a are the same as the feeding operation of the cassette 23 by the feeding mechanism unit 28a of the storage unit 28 described later.

  Here, referring to FIG. 4 to FIG. 7, of the operations of the first suction discharge portion 27 c to the fifth suction discharge portion 27 g described above, the third suction discharge portion 27 e is attached to the pipette support member 72. The lowering and raising operations of the discharge pipette 71a and the supply pipette 71b will be described. First, in the state shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the pulse motor 78 is rotationally driven in a predetermined direction by giving a pulse signal to the pulse motor 78 from the controller 2a. Thereby, the driving force of the pulse motor 78 is transmitted to the connecting member 77 via the pulley 75b and the driving belt 76, and the connecting member 77 and the pipette support member 72 are moved downward (in the direction of arrow A in FIGS. 4 and 5). The At this time, the discharge pipette 71 a and the supply pipette 71 b are inserted into the cassette 23 from the staining liquid suction / dispensing hole 23 b of the cassette 23 while moving downward together with the pipette support member 72. Then, when the pulse signal from the control unit 2a applied to the pulse motor 78 reaches the specified number of pulses, the driving of the pulse motor 78 is stopped, and the detection piece 77a of the connecting member 77 is moved to the lower part as shown in FIGS. By detecting by the sensor 79b, it is confirmed that the discharge pipette 71a and the supply pipette 71b are in the lower position. Thereby, the lowering operation of the discharge pipette 71a and the supply pipette 71b attached to the pipette support member 72 is completed.

  Thereafter, after the staining liquid in the cassette 23 is sucked and discharged by the discharge pipette 71a, another staining liquid is supplied into the cassette 23 by the supply pipette 71b. Next, by giving a pulse signal to the pulse motor 78 from the control unit 2a, the pulse motor 78 is driven to rotate in a direction opposite to the above-described predetermined direction, so that the pipette is removed from the state shown in FIGS. The support member 72 is moved upward (in the direction of arrow B in FIGS. 6 and 7). Accordingly, the discharge pipette 71a and the supply pipette 71b are taken out from the cassette 23. Then, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when the detection piece 77a of the connecting member 77 is detected by the upper sensor 79a, the driving of the pulse motor 78 is stopped. Thereby, the raising operation of the discharge pipette 71a and the supply pipette 71b attached to the pipette support member 72 is completed. The lowering and raising operations of the discharge pipette 71a and the supply pipette 71b are controlled by the control unit 2a of the blood smear preparation apparatus 2.

  Here, in the first embodiment, when the raising operation of the discharge pipette 71a and the supply pipette 71b is not normally performed, a retry operation that repeats the same raising operation once again is performed. Hereinafter, this retry operation will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The following retry operation is controlled by the control unit 2a of the blood smear preparing apparatus 2. First, in step S1, a pulse signal is given to the pulse motor 78 from the controller 2a, thereby raising the discharge pipette 71a and the supply pipette 71b. Thereafter, in step S2, it is determined whether or not the upper sensor 79a is turned on after a first predetermined time (about 1.7 seconds) from the start of the raising operation of the discharge pipette 71a and the supply pipette 71b. If it is determined in step S2 that the upper sensor 79a is on after a first predetermined time (about 1.7 seconds) from the start of the ascending operation, the smear preparation operation is continued as it is.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that the upper sensor 79a has not been turned on after the first predetermined time (about 1.7 seconds) from the start of the ascending operation, the discharge pipette 71a is again used in step S3. And the raising operation (retry operation) of the supply pipette 71b is performed. Specifically, the control unit 2a gives a pulse signal to the pulse motor 78 again to perform the re-raising operation of the discharge pipette 71a and the supply pipette 71b. Thereafter, in step S4, it is determined whether or not the upper sensor 79a is turned on after a first predetermined time (about 1.7 seconds) from the start of the re-lifting operation (retry operation). In step S4, if it is determined that the upper sensor 79a is in the on state after the first predetermined time (about 1.7 seconds) from the start of the re-lifting operation (retry operation), the smear preparation is performed as it is. Continue operation. Here, in the first embodiment, when it is determined in step S4 that the upper sensor 79a is not turned on after the first predetermined time (about 1.7 seconds) from the start of the re-lifting operation (retry operation). In step S5, it is determined that the ascending operation of the discharge pipette 71a and the supply pipette 71b is in an abnormal state (error), and the display operation unit 2b of the blood smear preparation apparatus 2 is connected to the discharge pipette 71a and the supply pipette 71b. The error display of the ascending operation is performed.

  Thereafter, the cassette 23 in which the dyed slide glass 10 is stored is sequentially sent from the feed belt 27b to the transport belt 28b side of the storage unit 28 by the feed mechanism unit 27h shown in FIG. Then, the cassette 23 is sent to the transport belt 28 b of the storage unit 28 by the feeding mechanism unit 28 a of the storage unit 28.

  Here, with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11, the operation of feeding the cassette 23 to the conveying belt 28b by the swing member 81 of the feeding mechanism portion 28a will be described. First, from the state shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the pulse motor 86 is rotated in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 8 by giving a pulse signal to the pulse motor 86 from the controller 2a. Accordingly, the driving force of the pulse motor 86 is transmitted to the support shaft 82 via the pulley 84b, the driving belt 85, and the pulley 84a. Therefore, since the support shaft 82 is rotated in the direction of arrow D in FIGS. 8 and 9, the swing member 81 attached to the support shaft 82 is rotated in the direction of arrow E in FIG. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, the swing piece 81 a at the top of the swing member 81 presses the upper back of the cassette 3. By the pressing operation of the swing member 81 by the swing piece 81a, the cassette 23 is moved to the transport belt 28b side and placed on the transport belt 28b as shown in FIG. At this time, it is detected by the light reflection type sensor 89 attached to the frame 87 whether or not the cassette 23 has been normally moved onto the transport belt 28b. Thereafter, by rotating the pulse motor 86 in the direction opposite to the arrow C direction in FIG. 8, the support shaft 82 is rotated in the arrow F direction in FIGS. Thereby, the swing member 81 attached to the support shaft 82 is rotated in the direction of arrow G in FIGS. 10 and 11. Then, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the rotation of the pulse motor 86 is stopped when the detection piece 81 b of the swing member 81 is detected by the sensor 88. As a result, the swing member 81 returns to the origin position, and the feeding operation of the cassette 23 by the swing member 81 of the feed mechanism portion 28a is completed. Note that the feeding operation of the cassette 23 to the transport belt 28b by the swing member 81 of the feeding mechanism section 28a is controlled by the control section 2a of the blood smear preparation apparatus 2.

  Here, in the first embodiment, when the feeding operation of the cassette 23 to the transport belt 28b by the swing member 81 of the feeding mechanism portion 28a is not performed normally, a retry operation is performed to repeat the same feeding operation again. Hereinafter, the retry operation in the feeding mechanism section 28a will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The following retry operation is performed by the control unit 2a of the blood smear preparation apparatus 2. First, in step S11, a pulse signal is given from the control unit 2a to the pulse motor 86, whereby the feeding operation of the swing member 81 to the transport belt 28b of the cassette 23 is performed. In step S12, it is determined whether or not the cassette 23 has been sent to the transport belt 28b. If it is determined in step S12 that the cassette 23 has been sent to the conveyance belt 28b, the sensor 88 is detected in step S13 after a first predetermined time (about 4.5 seconds) from the start of the feeding operation of the cassette 23. By detecting the detection piece 81b of the swing member 81, it is determined whether or not it is in an on state. If it is determined in step S13 that the sensor 88 is on after a first predetermined time (about 4.5 seconds) from the start of the cassette 23 feeding operation, the smear preparation operation is continued as it is. To do. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S13 that the sensor 88 is not turned on after the first predetermined time (about 4.5 seconds) from the start of the cassette 23 feeding operation, in step S14, the controller 2a. By applying a pulse signal to the pulse motor 86, the return operation of the swing member 81 to the origin position is performed. In step S15, the sensor 88 detects the detection piece 81b of the swinging member 81 after the second predetermined time (about 4.5 seconds) from the start of the origin return operation of the swinging member 81, and is turned on. It is determined whether or not. In step S15, if it is determined that the sensor 88 is in the on state after the second predetermined time (about 4.5 seconds) from the start of the origin return operation of the swing member 81, the smear preparation is performed as it is. Continue operation. In step S15, if it is determined that the sensor 88 is not turned on after the second predetermined time (about 4.5 seconds) from the start of the origin return operation of the swing member 81, a retry operation is performed. In step S22, it is determined that the feeding operation of the cassette 23 by the swing member 81 is in an abnormal state, and the cassette 23 is sent by the swing member 81 to the display operation unit 2b of the blood smear preparation apparatus 2. An operation error is displayed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S12 that the cassette 23 has not been sent to the transport belt 28b, the sensor is detected in step S16 after a first predetermined time (about 4.5 seconds) from the start of the feeding operation of the cassette 23. It is determined whether 88 is on. If it is determined in step S16 that the sensor 88 is on after the first predetermined time (about 4.5 seconds) from the start of the cassette 23 feeding operation, the process proceeds to step S19, and the vibration is again performed. A feeding operation (retry operation) of the cassette 23 to the conveyor belt 28b by the moving member 81 is performed. Specifically, a retry operation by the swing member 81 is performed by giving a pulse signal again to the pulse motor 86 from the controller 2a. If it is determined in step S16 that the sensor 88 is not turned on after the first predetermined time (about 4.5 seconds) from the start of the feeding operation of the cassette 23, in step S17, the controller 2a By applying a pulse signal to the pulse motor 86, the return operation of the swing member 81 to the origin position is performed. Then, in step S18, it is determined whether or not the sensor 88 is in an on state after a second predetermined time (about 4.5 seconds) from the start of the origin return operation of the swing member 81. If it is determined in step S18 that the sensor 88 has not been turned on after the second predetermined time (about 4.5 seconds) from the start of the origin return operation of the swing member 81, the process proceeds to step S22. An error is displayed. If it is determined in step S18 that the sensor 88 is on after a second predetermined time (about 4.5 seconds) from the start of the return to origin operation of the swing member 81, in step S19, Perform retry operation.

  Thereafter, in step S20, it is determined whether or not the cassette 23 has been sent onto the conveyor belt 28b. Here, in the first embodiment, when it is determined in step S20 that the cassette 23 has not been fed onto the conveyor belt 28b, the process proceeds to step S22, and an error display is performed. If it is determined in step S20 that the cassette 23 has been sent onto the conveyor belt 28b, in step S21, a first predetermined time (approximately 4.5 times) from the start of the refeeding operation (retry operation) of the cassette 23. Seconds), it is determined whether the sensor 88 is on. In step S21, if it is determined that the sensor 88 is on after a first predetermined time (about 4.5 seconds) from the start of the re-feeding operation (retry operation) of the cassette 23, the smearing is performed as it is. Continue the specimen preparation operation. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S21 that the sensor 88 is not turned on after the first predetermined time (about 4.5 seconds) from the start of the re-feeding operation (retry operation) of the cassette 23, step S22 is performed. Proceed to, and error display is performed.

  Thereafter, the cassette 23 fed from the feeding mechanism section 28a is transported to the storage section 28 by the transport belt 28b and stored.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, when the discharge pipette 71a and the supply pipette 71b are raised and when the cassette 23 is not normally fed into the transport belt 28b, the retry operation is executed again. In some cases, the reason why the first operation cannot be normally executed by the retry operation can be removed. In this case, the retry operation can be executed normally. Thereby, since the smear preparation operation | movement of the blood smear preparation apparatus 2 of the clinical sample processing apparatus 1 can be performed continuously without stopping, when the first operation is not normally performed, the apparatus is immediately turned on. Compared with the case where it stops, the frequency | count of a stop of an apparatus can be decreased. As a result, rapid sample processing can be performed, and the burden on the user's return processing can be reduced. In addition, by providing the display operation unit 2b that displays that the operation is in an abnormal state when the retry operation cannot be executed normally, the user did not perform the operation normally even by the retry operation. Can be recognized promptly. Thereby, the user can perform a return process etc. rapidly.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a clinical sample processing apparatus and an external maintenance management apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Here, referring to FIG. 14, the clinical sample processing apparatus 11 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment in that the blood smear preparation apparatus 12 of the clinical sample processing apparatus 11 is connected to a personal computer (personal computer). ) 14 is connected. The blood smear preparation apparatus 12 is an example of the “apparatus main body” of the present invention, and the personal computer 14 is an example of the “computer” of the present invention. The personal computer 14 is connected to a maintenance management device (server) 15 installed in an external maintenance company via a network. As a network, a dedicated network such as a telephone line, a network such as the Internet, an intranet, and a LAN can be used.

  The blood smear sample preparation device 12 and the transport device 13 of the second embodiment have a structure in which the blood smear sample preparation device 12 includes a control unit 12a and a display operation unit 12b including a touch panel. The control unit 12a is similar to the first embodiment except that the control unit 12a has a function of transmitting history information (error information and operation history information) of the blood smear preparation apparatus 12 to the personal computer 14. The display operation unit 12b is an example of the “notification unit” and “display unit” in the present invention.

  The personal computer 14 includes a control unit 14a and a memory 14b. This control unit 14a has a function of determining whether or not the error information transmitted by the control unit 12a of the blood smear preparation apparatus 12 is emergency information that requires an emergency, and history information (errors) of the blood smear preparation apparatus 12 (History information and operation history information) and emergency information (information that requires emergency out of error information) is transmitted to the maintenance management device (server) 15. The memory 14b has a function of storing error history information and operation history information of the blood smear preparation apparatus 12. The control unit 14a is an example of the “transmission unit” in the present invention. The control unit 14a of the personal computer 14 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The control unit 14a of the personal computer 14 stores a program for sending / receiving and processing electronic mail.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the information transmission operation by the control unit of the blood smear preparation apparatus and the control unit of the personal computer in the clinical sample processing apparatus according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. Here, with reference to FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, the operation of the clinical sample processing apparatus 11 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the operation of the clinical sample processing apparatus 11 according to the second embodiment, error information of the blood smear preparation apparatus 12 is displayed on the display operation unit 12b, and history information (error information and operation history information of the blood smear preparation apparatus 12 is displayed. ) To the personal computer 14. In addition, the control unit 14a of the personal computer 14 stores the history information (error history information and operation history information) of the blood smear preparation apparatus 12 and the emergency information (information that requires urgent error information) (maintenance management device ( Server) 15.

  Hereinafter, the information transmission operation by the control unit 12a of the blood smear preparation apparatus 12 and the control unit 14a of the personal computer 14 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, in step S31, when it is recognized that the operation of the predetermined portion of the blood smear preparation apparatus 12 has not been completed within the first predetermined time preset for each operation, the operation of the predetermined portion is performed in step S32. Is determined whether or not belongs to the retry item. In the second embodiment, the operation belonging to the retry item is, for example, the raising operation of the discharge pipette 71a and the supply pipette 71b described in the first embodiment, or the operation of the cassette 23 by the feeding mechanism section 28a of the storage section 28. It is a feeding operation. If it is determined in step S32 that the operation of the predetermined portion belongs to the retry item, the retry operation is automatically executed in the predetermined portion in step S33. In step S34, it is determined whether or not the retry operation for the predetermined portion is completed within the first predetermined time.

  Here, in this second embodiment, if it is determined in step S34 that the retry operation for the predetermined portion has not been completed within the first predetermined time, the display operation of the blood smear preparation apparatus 12 is performed in step S35. An error is displayed on the unit 12b, and error information is transmitted from the blood smear preparation apparatus 12 to the personal computer 14. If it is determined in step S32 that the operation of the predetermined portion does not belong to the retry item, the process proceeds to step S35, and the error display and the transmission of the error information to the personal computer 14 are performed. The processes in steps S31 to S35 described above are performed by the control unit 12a of the blood smear preparation apparatus 12.

  In step S36, the control unit 14a of the personal computer 14 determines whether the error information of the operation of the predetermined part belongs to the emergency mail transmission item. If it is determined in step S36 that the error information of the predetermined portion of the operation belongs to the emergency mail transmission item, the error history information and the operation history information of the predetermined portion of the operation are stored in the personal computer 14 in step S37. While being stored in the memory 14b, an emergency error mail (electronic mail) is transmitted to the maintenance management device (server) 15 by the control unit 14a of the personal computer 14. In the second embodiment, the operation belonging to the emergency mail transmission item is, for example, a feeding operation of the cassette 23 by the feeding mechanism unit 28a of the storage unit 28 described in the first embodiment. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S36 that the error information of the predetermined part operation does not belong to the emergency mail transmission item, the error history information of the predetermined part operation is stored in the memory 14b of the personal computer 14 in step S38. Is done. In the second embodiment, the operation not belonging to the emergency mail transmission item is, for example, the ascending operation of the discharge pipette 71a and the supply pipette 71b described in the first embodiment. If it is determined in step S34 that the retry operation for the predetermined portion has been completed within the first predetermined time, the control portion 12a of the blood smear preparation apparatus 12 performs an operation history (for the predetermined portion) in step S39. Retry operation history and origin return operation history) information is transmitted to the personal computer 14, and on the personal computer 14 side, the operation history (retry operation history and origin return operation history) information is stored in the memory 14b. In this case, the blood smear preparing apparatus 12 automatically continues operation. In step S40, when the blood smear preparation apparatus 12 is shut down, history information (operation history information and error history information) stored in the memory 14b of the personal computer 14 is sent to the electronic mail by the control unit 14a of the personal computer 14. And transmitted to the maintenance management device (server) 15.

  In the second embodiment, as described above, an error is determined after a retry operation (refeeding operation of the cassette 23 by the swing member 81 of the feeding mechanism portion 28a, or re-raising operation of the discharge pipette 71a and the supply pipette 71b). If the error information is displayed on the display operation unit 12b, the user can immediately recognize the error (abnormality) after the retry operation.

  In the second embodiment, among error information determined to be an error after the retry operation, error history information that requires urgent is immediately transmitted to the maintenance management device (server) 15 via the network, so that maintenance management is performed. Since the maintenance company in which the device (server) 15 is installed can immediately know the abnormality, it is possible to perform a quick maintenance for the abnormality that requires an emergency. Of the error information determined to be an error after the retry operation, error history information that does not require an emergency (error history information of the ascending operation of the discharge pipette 71a and the supply pipette 71b) and an operation history (retry operation history and origin return operation) History) information is transmitted to the maintenance management device (server) 15 when the blood smear preparation device 12 is shut down, so that the history information of the blood smear preparation device 12 is periodically updated to the maintenance management device (server) 15. Can be sent to.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the embodiments but by the scope of claims for patent, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims for patent.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a clinical sample processing apparatus including a blood smear preparation apparatus has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to other clinical sample processing apparatuses. is there. For example, for blood samples, blood cell analyzers (blood analyzers) that analyze blood cell counts, hematocrit, hemoglobin, etc., immunoassays that determine the concentration of antigens or antibodies for infectious diseases and cancer markers, and serum and plasma samples Blood coagulation measuring device for examining coagulation function, biochemical analysis device for measuring enzyme activity, which is an indicator of serum total protein and organ function, and urine for determining the presence of protein, sugar, and red blood cells in urine samples The present invention can also be applied to a qualitative apparatus or a clinical specimen processing apparatus such as a urine sediment inspection apparatus that quantifies red blood cells, white blood cells, epithelial cells, cylinders, and bacteria.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the example which performs retry operation about the feeding operation of the cassette by the rocking | swiveling member of the feeding mechanism part of a storage part, and the raise operation | movement of the discharge | emission pipette and supply pipette of the 3rd suction | emission discharge part of a dyeing | staining part is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a retry operation may be performed with respect to an operation performed by another operating member of the blood smear preparation apparatus. For example, a retry operation is performed with respect to the raising and lowering operations of the discharge pipette and the supply pipette of the suction discharge unit other than the third suction discharge unit of the staining unit, and the cassette feeding operation by the swinging member of the feeding mechanism unit of the staining unit. It may be.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the example using a display operation part was shown as a notification means of this invention which notifies a user of the abnormal information after retry operation | movement, this invention is not limited to this, It replaces with a display operation part. Notification means such as a speaker that emits sound or a blinking light source that emits light may be used.

  Further, in the second embodiment, the error history information that does not require emergency out of the error information determined to be an error after the retry operation and the operation history (retry operation history and origin return operation history) information are prepared as a blood smear preparation. Although an example of transmitting to the maintenance management device (server) at the time of shutting down the device is shown, the present invention is not limited to this, and error history information and operation history information that do not require urgent are started at the start of the blood smear preparation device, You may transmit to the management apparatus (server) for maintenance.

  Further, in the second embodiment, the error information of the ascending operation of the discharge pipette and the supply pipette is shown as an example of saving in the memory of the personal computer as error history information that does not belong to the emergency error mail transmission item. Not limited to this, the error information of the upward movement of the discharge pipette and the supply pipette may be transmitted to the maintenance management device (server) by the control unit of the personal computer as error history information belonging to the emergency error mail transmission item.

  In the second embodiment, emergency information (emergency error mail) is transmitted to the maintenance management device (server) of the maintenance company. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and emergency information (emergency error mail) is used. May be transmitted to a mobile phone or a laptop computer of a maintenance company serviceman. In this case, a mobile phone or a notebook personal computer of a service person of the maintenance company corresponds to the “maintenance management device” of the present invention.

  In the second embodiment, the history information and the emergency information are transmitted to the maintenance management device (server) using electronic mail. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and data communication other than electronic mail is possible. The history information and the emergency information may be transmitted to the maintenance management apparatus (server) by a technique.

1 is a block diagram showing a clinical sample processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is the perspective view which showed the blood smear preparation apparatus and conveyance apparatus of the clinical sample processing apparatus by 1st Embodiment shown in FIG. It is the top view which showed the internal structure of the blood smear preparation apparatus shown in FIG. It is the top view which showed the 3rd suction discharge part of the dyeing | staining part of the blood smear preparation apparatus shown in FIG. It is a left view of the 3rd suction discharge part of the dyeing | staining part shown in FIG. It is the top view which showed the state which the pipette support member in the 3rd suction discharge part of the dyeing | staining part shown in FIG. 4 fell. It is a left view of the 3rd suction discharge part of the dyeing | staining part shown in FIG. It is the perspective view which showed the sending-in mechanism part of the storage part of the blood smear preparation apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the sending-in mechanism part of the storage part shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the sending-in mechanism part of the storage part shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the sending-in mechanism part of the storage part shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining automatic retry in the ascending operation of the discharge pipette and the supply pipette attached to the pipette support member of the staining section shown in FIG. 4. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the automatic retry in the feeding operation of the cassette by the rocking | swiveling member of the feeding mechanism part of the storage part shown in FIG. It is the block diagram which showed the clinical sample processing apparatus by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and the management apparatus for external maintenance. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the information transmission operation | movement by the control part of the blood smear sample preparation apparatus in the clinical sample processing apparatus by 2nd Embodiment shown in FIG. 14, and the control part of a personal computer.

Explanation of symbols

1,11 Clinical specimen processing device 2,12 Blood smear preparation device (device main body)
2a, 12a Control unit 2b, 12b Display operation unit (display unit, notification means)
14 PC
14a Control unit (transmission means)
15 Maintenance management device (server)
71a Discharge pipette (mechanism)
71b Supply pipette (mechanism)
81 Swing member (mechanism)

Claims (9)

An apparatus main body including a mechanism capable of performing a retry operation when performing a predetermined operation in accordance with a sample processing operation and executing the predetermined operation again when the predetermined operation cannot be executed normally;
A clinical means comprising: a notification means for notifying a user of abnormality information indicating that a predetermined operation of the mechanism section is in an abnormal state when the mechanism section of the apparatus main body cannot perform the retry operation normally. Sample processing device.   The clinical specimen processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit includes a display unit provided in the apparatus main body.   The clinical specimen processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the apparatus main body includes a control unit that controls a retry operation of the mechanism unit and causes the display unit to display the abnormality information. The clinical specimen processing apparatus is connected to a maintenance management apparatus installed outside via a network,
The clinical specimen processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a transmission unit configured to transmit the abnormality information to the maintenance management apparatus via the network.   The clinical specimen processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the transmission unit transmits retry operation history information indicating that the mechanism unit has performed the retry operation to the maintenance management device via the network.   The clinical specimen processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the transmission unit transmits at least one of the abnormality information and the retry operation history information to the maintenance management apparatus using an electronic mail. A computer connected to the apparatus main body and collecting at least the abnormality information and the retry operation history information of the apparatus main body;
The clinical specimen processing apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the transmission means is provided in the computer.   The transmission means provided in the computer transmits the abnormality information and the retry operation history information to the maintenance management device by e-mail at a predetermined timing, and information that requires urgent information in the abnormality information 8. The clinical sample processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the emergency information is transmitted to the maintenance management apparatus by e-mail via the network without waiting for the predetermined timing.   The said transmission means provided in the said computer transmits the said abnormality information and the said retry operation history information to the said management apparatus for maintenance by an email at the time of starting of the said apparatus main body, or shutdown. Clinical specimen processing device.

Images