JP2007010560A - Analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an analytical system capable of processing quickly a plurality of detection signals. <P>SOLUTION: This analytical system 1 is provided with a plurality of photoelectric transfer elements 84a for outputting an analog signal in response to a detection result, a plurality of multiplexers 111a for selecting one part of the analog signals out of the plurality of analog signals output respectively from the plurality of photoelectric transfer elements 84a, a plurality of A/D converting parts 111d for converting the analog signals selected respectively by the plurality of multiplexers 111a into digital signals individually, and an information processing terminal 3a for analyzing a characteristic of an analyte, based on at least one out of the plurality of digital signals after converted the plurality of A/D converting parts 111d. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an analyzer, and more particularly, to an analyzer that processes a plurality of signals output from a plurality of detectors.

  Conventionally, there has been known a received light signal processing apparatus that performs processing such as amplification on analog signals output from a plurality of detectors, converts the processed analog signals into digital signals, and inputs the created digital signals to an analysis means such as a computer. (For example, see Patent Document 1).

  In Patent Document 1, a plurality (32) of analog signals amplified by a plurality (32) light receiving amplifiers (amplifiers) respectively connected to a plurality (32) of photosensors. The analog signal is selectively acquired by using the analog switch of FIG. 5 and the selectively acquired analog signal is input to one A / D converter via the integration circuit and one multiplexer, and then the A / D A received light signal processing apparatus is disclosed that inputs a digital signal obtained by a converter into a computer (analyzing means).

  In the case of a device having an electric circuit in which a multiplexer and an A / D converter are connected in series, such as the received light signal processing device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the multiplexer selects one from a plurality of input signals. After a while, the output signal of the multiplexer is not stable. For this reason, in order to remove such an unstable signal, the electric circuit may be configured to start the A / D conversion process by the A / D converter after a predetermined time has elapsed since the signal was selected by the multiplexer. It is common.

JP-A-62-76430

  However, in the conventional light receiving signal processing apparatus as described above, the signal processing is substantially not performed for a predetermined period after the signal is selected by the multiplexer, or the data during that period is used. I can't. For this reason, the processing of the signal output from the detector is wasteful, and the signal cannot be processed efficiently.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide an analyzer capable of processing a plurality of detection signals at high speed.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

  In order to achieve the above object, an analyzer according to one aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of detectors that output an analog signal corresponding to a detection result, and a plurality of analog signals that are respectively output from the plurality of detectors. A plurality of analog signal selectors for selecting some analog signals, a plurality of signal converters for individually converting the analog signals selected by the plurality of analog signal selectors into digital signals, and a plurality of signal converters Analyzing means for analyzing the characteristics of the analyte based on at least one of the plurality of converted digital signals.

  In the analyzer according to this aspect, by configuring as described above, for example, one signal conversion unit is selected by the analog signal selection unit after a predetermined period has elapsed since the selection of the analog signal by one analog signal selection unit. In addition to digitally converting the analog signal, the other signal conversion unit can digitally convert the analog signal selected by the other analog signal selection unit within the predetermined period. Therefore, the signal output from the signal conversion unit can be stabilized and the signal can be processed efficiently.

  In the analysis apparatus according to the above aspect, preferably, the analysis means includes an analysis unit based on a digital signal obtained by converting the analog signal selected by the signal conversion unit after a predetermined period has elapsed since the analog signal selection unit selected the analog signal. The analyzer is configured to analyze the characteristics of the analyte, and further includes a control unit that controls the operation of the analog signal selection unit so that the analog signal selection units have different times for selecting the analog signals. With this configuration, the analog signal is converted into a digital signal after a lapse of a predetermined period from the acquisition of the analog signal, so that the digital signal used by the analysis means for analyzing the characteristics of the analyte becomes a stable signal. By changing the time at which the plurality of analog signal selection units acquire the analog signals, the signals converted into digital signals by other signal conversion units can be analyzed within the predetermined period. Processing efficiency can be improved.

  In the analyzer according to the above aspect, the analyzing unit preferably analyzes the characteristics of the analyte based on digital signals whose signal conversion periods by the plurality of signal conversion units do not overlap each other. If comprised in this way, the operation | movement of a signal conversion part can be made efficient. That is, in the case where there is only one memory, even if a plurality of signal conversion units output overlapping digital signals, the memory cannot store all of them, so the signal conversion unit is useless. The inconvenience of operating occurs. In the present invention, by performing analysis based on digital signals whose signal conversion periods do not overlap, the signal conversion unit does not perform useless operations, so the operation of the signal conversion unit can be made more efficient.

  In this case, preferably, a plurality of analog signal selection units further include a control unit that controls the operation of the analog signal selection unit so that the time at which the analog signal selection unit is selected is different, and the control unit includes a plurality of signal conversion units. The operation of the signal converter is controlled so that the periods for outputting the digital signals do not overlap each other. With this configuration, for example, even when there is only one memory, digital signals output from a plurality of signal conversion units can be efficiently stored in the memory.

  The analyzer according to the above aspect preferably further includes storage means for storing the digital signals converted by the plurality of signal conversion units. If comprised in this way, the digital signal output from the several signal conversion part can be memorize | stored easily.

  In the analyzer according to the above aspect, the analog signal selection unit preferably includes a multiplexer. If a multiplexer is used in this way, it is possible to easily select some analog signals from among a plurality of analog signals output from a plurality of detectors.

  The analyzer according to the above aspect preferably further includes a reagent mixing unit that mixes the reagent with the analyte, and the analysis unit performs analysis from a predetermined time after the reagent is mixed with the analyte by the reagent mixing unit. Analyze the time until the object changes to a predetermined state. In this case, in the invention according to one aspect, the optical information acquired from the analyte is detected by a plurality of detectors, and the reagent is mixed with the analyte by the reagent mixing unit based on the detected optical information. It is possible to analyze the time until the analyte changes to a predetermined state after the predetermined timing. Thereby, it is possible to accurately analyze the time until the analyte changes to a predetermined state.

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

  First, with reference to FIGS. 1-12, the structure of the analysis system 1 by one Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.

  An analysis system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a system for optically measuring and analyzing the amount and activity level of a specific substance related to blood coagulation / fibrinolysis function. Is used. In the analysis system 1 according to the present embodiment, the sample is optically measured using the coagulation time method. The coagulation time method used in this embodiment is a measurement method that detects the process of coagulation of a specimen as a change in transmitted light.

  The analysis system 1 can change a structure according to the scale of the installation facility. For example, when installed in a facility where the number of samples is not large, the analysis system 1 includes an analysis device 3 and a transport device 200 for supplying the sample to the analysis device 3 as shown in FIG. On the other hand, when installed in a facility with a large number of specimens, the analysis system 1 is provided with an expansion analyzer 4 as shown in FIG. 1, and the transfer device 200 is replaced with the transfer device 2. 2, an analysis device 3, and an expansion analysis device 4. As described above, the expansion analyzer 4 is added to the analysis system 1 to expand the sample processing capability of the analysis system 1.

  In the transport mechanism unit 2 shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of test tubes 150 (10 in this embodiment) containing samples are placed in order to supply the samples to the analyzer 3 and the analyzer 4 for expansion. The rack 151 has a function of transporting it to the suction positions 2a and 2b (see FIG. 1) of the analyzer 3 and the analyzer 4 for expansion. In addition, the transport mechanism unit 2 includes a rack set region 2c for setting a rack 151 in which a test tube 150 that stores an unprocessed sample is stored, and a rack in which a test tube 150 that stores a processed sample is stored. And a rack accommodating area 2d for accommodating 151.

  The analyzer 3 and the analyzer 4 for expansion can each acquire optical information relating to the supplied specimen by performing optical measurement on separate specimens supplied from the transport mechanism unit 2. It is configured as follows. In this embodiment, optical measurement is performed on each sample dispensed from the test tube 150 located in the transport mechanism unit 2 into the cuvette 152 (see FIG. 1) of the analyzer 3 and the analyzer 4 for expansion. Is called. The analysis device 3 includes an information processing terminal 3a, a lamp unit 5, and a control board 6. The analyzer 3 further includes a cuvette supply unit 20, a rotary transport unit 30, a sample dispensing arm 40, two reagent dispensing arms 50, cuvette transfer units 60 and 60a, and a first optical information acquisition unit. 70 and a second optical information acquisition unit 80. Further, the expansion analyzer 4 includes the same control board 6, cuvette supply unit 20, rotary transport unit 30, sample dispensing arm 40, and two reagent dispensing arms that are mounted on the analyzer 3. 50, a cuvette transfer unit 60, a first optical information acquisition unit 70, and a second optical information acquisition unit 80. The arrangement of these components is the same in the analysis device 3 and the expansion analysis device 4.

  Here, in this embodiment, the information processing terminal 3a and the lamp unit 5 are provided only in the analyzer 3, and are not provided in the analyzer 4 for expansion.

  The information processing terminal 3a is electrically connected not only to the main body of the analysis apparatus 3 but also to the expansion analysis apparatus 4 via a communication cable. In other words, the information processing terminal 3 a of the analyzer 3 is configured to be used in common for the analyzer 3 and the expansion analyzer 4. The analyzer 3 and the analyzer for expansion 4 have a function of transmitting optical information acquired from the specimen to the information processing terminal 3a. The information processing terminal 3a is composed of a personal computer (PC), and includes a PC main body 3b, a display unit 3c, and a keyboard 3d, as shown in FIG. The PC body 3b receives signals (by a signal processing unit 111 and a control unit 112, which will be described later) of the control board 6 when light having a predetermined wavelength characteristic is irradiated from the lamp unit 5 to the specimen (measurement sample). Based on the optical information). In the present embodiment, the PC body 3b of the information processing terminal 3a analyzes the time (coagulation time) from the predetermined timing after the reagent is mixed to the sample until the sample reaches a predetermined coagulation state. It is configured. The PC body 3b includes a control unit (not shown) including a CPU, ROM, RAM, hard disk, and the like. The display unit 3c is provided to display information such as analysis results obtained by the PC main body 3b. As described above, the analyzer 3 and the expansion analyzer 4 have the same configuration except that the expansion analyzer 4 does not include the information processing terminal 3a and the lamp unit 5. In the description, the configuration of the analyzer 3 will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the lamp unit 5 includes one halogen lamp 11 as a light source, two mirrors 12a and 12b, two sets of condenser lenses 13a to 13c and 13d to 13f, It has one disk-shaped filter part 14, a motor 15, a light transmission type sensor 16, and two sets of optical fibers 17a and 17b. In the lamp unit 5, the halogen lamp 11, the mirror 12b, the condenser lenses 13d to 13f, and the optical fiber 17b constitute an optical system for the analyzer 3, and the halogen lamp 11, the mirror 12a, and the condenser lens 13a. ˜13c and the optical fiber 17a constitute an optical system for the expansion analyzer 4.

  The tip of the optical fiber 17 b is connected to the second optical information acquisition unit 80 of the analyzer 3. The tip of the optical fiber 17a is connected to the second optical information acquisition unit 80 of the expansion analyzer 4 only when the expansion analyzer 4 is installed.

  The mirror 12a, the condensing lenses 13a to 13c and the optical fiber 17a are not installed in the lamp unit 5 when the expansion analyzer 4 is not installed, and when the expansion analyzer 4 is added. The mirror 12a may be attached to the mirror attachment portion 12c, and the condenser lenses 13a to 13c may be attached to the lens attachment portions 13g to 13i. Thereby, the cost of the lamp unit 5 when the expansion analyzer 4 is not installed can be reduced.

  The optical fibers 17a and 17b are respectively composed of 21 optical fibers 17c and 17d. The 21 optical fibers 17c and 17d are bundled by binding members 17e and 17f, respectively. As shown in FIG. 4, the halogen lamp 11 includes a plate-like filament 11a that can irradiate light from both sides. Thereby, it is comprised so that the light of the same characteristic may be irradiated from both surfaces of the plate-shaped filament 11a, respectively. In addition, since the plate-like filament has small variation in the amount of light in the light irradiation region from the filament, the light obtained by irradiating the measurement sample with light (transmitted light or The amount of (scattered light) is stabilized and measurement errors can be suppressed. The two mirrors 12a and 12b are provided to reflect the light emitted from the halogen lamp 11 and guide the light to a predetermined optical path. In other words, the mirrors 12a and 12b are arranged on both sides of the filament 11a, the mirror 12a is in a position facing the one surface of the filament 11a, and the mirror 12b is in a position facing the other surface of the filament 11b. Is arranged. Further, the mirrors 12a and 12b are arranged so as to be inclined with respect to the filament 11a so as to change the traveling direction of the light irradiated from the filament 11a by 90 degrees.

  The mirror 12a reflects light emitted from one surface of the plate-like filament 11a of the halogen lamp 11, and the mirror 12b reflects light emitted from the other surface of the plate-like filament 11a. Thereby, two light paths are formed by the light reflected by the mirror 12a and the light reflected by the mirror 12b. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the mirrors 12a and 12b are detachably attached to the mirror attaching portions 12c and 12d, respectively. As shown in FIG. 4, the condensing lenses 13a to 13c are arranged in the light path whose traveling direction is changed by the mirror 12a, and are arranged in the order of the lenses 13a, 13b and 13d from the mirror 12a side. . The condenser lenses 13d to 13f are arranged in the light path whose traveling direction has been changed by the mirror 12b in the same manner as the condenser lenses 13a to 13c, and are arranged in the order of the lenses 13d, 13e, and 13f from the mirror 12b side. Has been. The two sets of condenser lenses are arranged so that the arrangement direction of the condenser lenses 13a to 13c is parallel to the arrangement direction of the condenser lenses 13d to 13f.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the two sets of condensing lenses 13a to 13c and 13d to 13f condense the two lights reflected by the mirrors 12a and 12b, respectively, so as to guide them to the optical fibers 17a and 17b. . The two lights reflected by the mirrors 12a and 12b are collected by the condenser lenses 13a to 13c and 13d to 13f, respectively, and pass through one of the optical filters 14b to 14f to the optical fibers 17a and 17b. Led. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the condenser lenses 13a to 13c are detachably attached to the lens attachment portions 13g to 13i, respectively. Further, the condenser lenses 13d to 13f are also detachably attached to corresponding lens attaching portions (not shown).

  In the present embodiment, the filter unit 14 of the lamp unit 5 is provided to be rotatable about a shaft 14a as shown in FIG. The filter unit 14 includes a filter plate 14g having optical filters 14b to 14f having five different light transmission characteristics (transmission wavelengths), and a filter plate that holds the filter plate 14g so that both surfaces of the optical filters 14b to 14f are exposed. It is comprised by the holding member 14h. The filter plate 14g is fixed to the filter plate holding member 14h. The filter plate 14g is provided with five holes 14i for installing the optical filters 14b to 14f. In the five holes 14i, five optical filters 14b, 14c, 14d, 14e, and 14f having different light transmission characteristics (transmission wavelengths) are installed, respectively. The filter plate 14g is further provided with a hole 14j. The hole 14j is closed so as not to transmit light. The holes 14 i and 14 j are provided at a predetermined angular interval (equal interval of 60 ° in the present embodiment) along the rotation direction of the filter portion 14. The hole 14j is a spare hole, and a filter is attached when a filter needs to be added.

  The optical filters 14b, 14c, 14d, 14e, and 14f transmit light having wavelengths of 340 nm, 405 nm, 575 nm, 660 nm, and 800 nm, respectively, and do not transmit light of other wavelengths. Therefore, the light transmitted through the optical filters 14b, 14c, 14d, 14e, and 14f has wavelength characteristics of 340 nm, 405 nm, 575 nm, 660 nm, and 800 nm, respectively.

  The filter plate holding member 14h has an annular shape, and the filter plate 14g is disposed in the central hole portion. The filter plate holding member 14h is provided with six slits at equal intervals (60 °) along the circumferential direction. One of the six slits is an origin slit 14k having a larger slit width in the rotation direction of the filter plate holding member 14h than the other five slits 141.

  The origin slit 14k and the normal slit 141 are formed at equal intervals of 60 ° at intermediate angular positions (positions shifted by 30 ° from the holes 14i and 14j) between the adjacent holes 14i and 14j. The motor 15 (see FIG. 3) is connected to the shaft 14 a of the filter unit 14. Accordingly, the filter unit 14 is configured to rotate about the shaft 14 a by driving the motor 15.

  Here, in the present embodiment, when the lamp unit 5 irradiates light transmitted through any one of the optical filters 14b to 14f, the motor 15 is driven so that the filter unit 14 rotates continuously. Is controlled by the control board 6 (see FIG. 1). With the rotation of the filter unit 14, the path of light collected by the condenser lenses 13a to 13c (see FIG. 4) and the path of light collected by the condenser lenses 13d to 13f (see FIG. 4) In addition, five optical filters 14b to 14f having different light transmission characteristics and one light-shielded hole 14j (see FIG. 5) are intermittently arranged sequentially. For this reason, five types of light having different wavelength characteristics are sequentially and sequentially irradiated.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the light transmission type sensor 16 is provided to detect passage of the origin slit 14k and the normal slit 14l accompanying the rotation of the filter unit 14. That is, the sensor 16 is installed so that the filter unit 14 is sandwiched between the light source and the light receiving unit. The sensor 16 is installed corresponding to the position through which the origin slit 14k and the normal slit 141 pass.

  Accordingly, when the origin slit 14k and the normal slit 141 pass through the sensor 16, the light receiving unit detects light from the light source through the slit and outputs a detection signal. Since the origin slit 14k has a slit width larger than that of the normal slit 141, the detection signal output from the sensor 16 when the origin slit 14k passes through is output from the sensor 16 when the normal slit 14l passes through. The output period is longer than the detection signal. The detection signal output from the sensor 16 is sent to the control board 6 (see FIG. 1), and the filter unit rotation monitoring unit 112b (to be described later) of the control board 6 performs filtering based on the detection signal from the sensor 16. Whether or not 14 is rotating normally is configured to be monitored.

  The two sets of optical fibers 17a and 17b are the measurement samples in the cuvette 152 in which the light from the lamp unit 5 is set in the second optical information acquisition unit 80 of the analyzer 3 and the expansion analyzer 4, respectively. Is provided to guide you. As shown in FIG. 1, the optical fiber 17 a extends from the lamp unit 5 to the second optical information acquisition unit 80 of the extension analyzer 4 through the extension connection terminal 7 provided in the extension analyzer 4. Is installed. The optical fiber 17 b is installed so as to extend from the lamp unit 5 to the second optical information acquisition unit 80 of the analyzer 3. As a result, it is possible to supply light to the second optical information acquisition unit 80 of each of the analyzer 3 and the expansion analyzer 4 by one lamp unit 5.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, each of the optical fibers 17a and 17b is an end where light emitted through one of the optical filters 14b to 14f is bundled by a bundling member 17e (17f). It is comprised so that it may inject from a part. The 21 optical fibers 17c respectively transmit light to 20 insertion holes 81a and one reference light measurement hole 81b described later of the second optical information acquisition unit 80 of the expansion analyzer 4 (see FIG. 1). It is arranged to supply. Further, the 21 optical fibers 17d respectively transmit light to 20 insertion holes 81a and one reference light measurement hole 81b described later of the second optical information acquisition unit 80 of the analyzer 3 (see FIG. 1). It is configured to supply.

  The cuvette supply unit 20 aligns the plurality of cuvettes 152 that have been randomly inserted by the user and arranges them one by one at the position 152a. The cuvettes 152 arranged at the position 152a are transferred to the rotary conveyance unit 30 one by one by the cuvette transfer unit 60a. The rotary conveyance unit 30 includes a disk-shaped table 30a. The table 30a includes a plurality of holes 152b for accommodating the cuvette 152, and a reagent container (not shown) that contains a reagent added to the specimen in the cuvette 152. A plurality of holes 152c are provided for receiving (not shown). The rotary conveyance unit 30 conveys the cuvette 152 and the reagent container by rotating the table 30a.

  The sample dispensing arm 40 aspirates the sample from the test tube 150 conveyed to the aspiration dispensing position 2a (2b) by the conveyance mechanism unit 2 and enters the aspirated sample into the cuvette 152 transferred to the rotary conveyance unit 30. Has the function of dispensing. The reagent dispensing arm 50 dispenses the reagent in a reagent container (not shown) placed on the rotary transport unit 30 to the cuvette 152 held by the rotary transport unit 30, thereby providing a sample in the cuvette 152. Provided for mixing reagents. The cuvette transfer unit 60 is provided to transfer the cuvette 152 between the rotary conveyance unit 30 and a cuvette placement unit 81 described later of the second optical information acquisition unit 80.

  The first optical information acquisition unit 70 performs optical detection from the specimen in order to detect the presence / absence, type, and content of interfering substances (hemoglobin, chyle (lipid) and bilirubin) in the specimen before adding the reagent. It is configured to obtain specific information. The acquisition of optical information by the first optical information acquisition unit 70 is performed before the optical measurement of the specimen by the second optical information acquisition unit 80. As shown in FIG. 6, the first optical information acquisition unit 70 includes a light emitting diode (LED) 71 as a light source, a photoelectric conversion element 72, a preamplifier 73, and a substrate 74. The first optical information acquisition unit 70 acquires optical information from the specimen by irradiating light to the cuvette 152 held by the rotary conveyance unit 30 as described below.

  The light emitting diode 71 is provided so that light can be applied to the cuvette 152 held by the rotary conveyance unit 30. The light emitting diode 71 is controlled so as to periodically and sequentially emit light having three types of wavelength characteristics by a controller 74c of the substrate 74 (see FIG. 6). Specifically, the light emitting diode 71 periodically and sequentially emits blue light having a wavelength characteristic of 430 nm, green light having a wavelength characteristic of 565 nm, and red light having a wavelength characteristic of 627 nm. . The photoelectric conversion element 72 has a function of detecting light from the light emitting diode 71 that has passed through the cuvette 152 and converting it into an electric signal. The preamplifier 73 is provided to amplify the electric signal from the photoelectric conversion element 72.

  The substrate 74 has a function of amplifying an electric signal from the photoelectric conversion element 72, converting it to digital, and transmitting it to the PC main body 3b of the information processing terminal 3a. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the substrate 74 is provided with an amplifying unit 74a, an A / D converter 74b, and a controller 74c. The amplifying unit 74a includes an amplifier 74d and an electronic volume 74e. The amplifier 74d is provided to amplify the electric signal from the preamplifier 73. The amplifier 74d is configured to be able to adjust the gain (amplification factor) of the amplifier 74d by inputting a control signal from the controller 74c to the electronic volume 74e. The A / D converter 74b is provided for converting the electric signal (analog signal) amplified by the amplifier 74d into a digital signal.

  The controller 74c is configured to change the gain (amplification factor) of the amplifier 74d in accordance with the periodic change of the wavelength characteristics (430 nm, 565 nm, and 627 nm) of the light emitted from the light emitting diode 71. The controller 74c is electrically connected to the PC main body 3b, and transmits the digital signal digitally converted by the A / D converter 74b to the PC main body 3b. Thereby, in the PC main body 3b, the analysis (analysis) of the digital signal from the first optical information acquisition unit 70 is performed, whereby the absorbance of the specimen in the cuvette 152 with respect to the three lights emitted from the light emitting diode 71 ( Transmitted light intensity) and the presence / absence and type of interference substances in the specimen, the degree of inclusion, and the like are analyzed. Then, based on the analysis result, it is determined whether or not the sample is measured by the second optical information acquisition unit 80, and the detection signal analysis method and analysis result from the second optical information acquisition unit 80 are determined. Display method is controlled.

  The second optical information acquisition unit 80 has functions for heating a measurement sample prepared by adding a reagent to a specimen and detecting optical information from the measurement sample. The second optical information acquisition unit 80 includes a cuvette placement unit 81 and a detection unit 82 (see FIG. 7) disposed below the cuvette placement unit 81. As shown in FIG. 1, the cuvette placement portion 81 has 20 insertion holes 81a for inserting the cuvette 152 and one reference light measurement for measuring the reference light without inserting the cuvette 152. A hole 81b is provided. The cuvette placement portion 81 incorporates a heating mechanism (not shown) for heating the cuvette 152 inserted into the insertion hole 81a to a predetermined temperature.

  The detection unit 82 is configured to be able to perform optical measurement on the measurement sample in the cuvette 152 inserted into the insertion hole 81a. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the detection unit 82 is provided with a collimator lens 83a, a photoelectric conversion element 84a, and a preamplifier 85a corresponding to each insertion hole 81a into which the cuvette 152 is inserted. Corresponding to the measurement hole 81b (see FIG. 1), a reference light collimator lens 83b, a reference light photoelectric conversion element 84b, and a reference light preamplifier 85b are provided. The configurations of the reference light collimator lens 83b, the reference light photoelectric conversion element 84b, and the reference light preamplifier 85b are the same as the configurations of the collimator lens 83a, the photoelectric conversion element 84a, and the preamplifier 85a, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the collimator lens 83a is installed between the end of the optical fiber 17d (17c) for guiding light from the lamp unit 5 (see FIG. 1) and the corresponding insertion hole 81a. . The collimator lens 83a is provided to make light emitted from the optical fiber 17d (17c) into parallel light. The photoelectric conversion element 84a is attached to the surface on the insertion hole 81a side of the substrate 86a installed so as to face the end of the optical fiber 17d (17c) across the insertion hole 81a. The preamplifier 85a is attached to the surface opposite to the insertion hole 81a of the substrate 86a. The photoelectric conversion element 84a detects and detects light that passes through the measurement sample (hereinafter referred to as transmitted light) when the measurement sample in the cuvette 152 inserted into the insertion hole 81a is irradiated with light. It has a function of outputting an electrical signal (analog signal) corresponding to the transmitted light. The preamplifier 85a of the detection unit 82 is provided to amplify an electric signal (analog signal) from the photoelectric conversion element 84a.

  Further, a reference light collimator lens 83b, a reference light photoelectric conversion element 84b, a reference light preamplifier 85b, and a reference light substrate 86b provided in the detection unit 82 corresponding to the reference light measurement hole 81b are respectively inserted. The collimator lens 83a, the photoelectric conversion element 84a, the preamplifier 85a, and the substrate 86a provided in the detection unit 82 corresponding to the hole 81a are configured similarly. The reference light photoelectric conversion element 84b is configured so that the light emitted from the optical fiber 17d (17c) as the reference light is directly incident after passing through the reference light collimator lens 83b. That is, the reference light photoelectric conversion element 84b detects the reference light irradiated without passing through the cuvette 152 containing the measurement sample, and outputs an electrical signal (analog signal) corresponding to the detected reference light. It is configured.

  The control board 6 is disposed below the second optical information acquisition unit 80. The control board 6 has functions of controlling operations of the analyzer 3 and the lamp unit 5 and processing and storing optical information (electrical signals) output from the second optical information acquisition unit 80. ing. Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the control board 6 is provided with a signal processing unit 111, a control unit 112, an amplifier circuit 113, a differentiation circuit 114, and a temperature controller 115. The signal processing unit 111 is provided for processing a signal that the photoelectric conversion element 84a detects and outputs transmitted light when light is irradiated from the lamp unit 5 to the measurement sample. As shown in FIG. 9, the signal processing unit 111 includes three multiplexers (MUX) 111a, three offset circuits 111b, three amplifiers 111c, and three A / D conversion units 111d. . Each multiplexer 111a, offset circuit 111b, amplifier 111c, and A / D converter 111d constitutes one signal processing line L0. In addition to the signal processing line L0, the signal processing unit 111 is provided with signal processing lines L1 and L2 having the same configuration as the signal processing line L0. That is, the signal processing unit 111 is provided with three signal processing lines L0 to L2 for processing a plurality of analog signals output from the detection unit 82.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the multiplexer 111a is connected to a plurality of preamplifiers 85a (reference light preamplifiers 85b). This multiplexer 111a selects one by one from a plurality of analog signals inputted from a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements 84a (reference light photoelectric conversion elements 84b) via a preamplifier 85a (reference light preamplifier 85b), and sequentially selects an offset circuit. It is configured to output to 111b. The offset circuit 111b has a function of correcting the signal output from the multiplexer 111a. Specifically, the offset circuit 111b is supplied with an offset value corresponding to the insertion hole 81a or the reference light measurement hole 81b used for measurement from the control unit 112 (see FIG. 9). The offset circuit 111b is configured to correct the signal corresponding to the transmitted light output from the multiplexer 111a by subtracting the offset value from the signal corresponding to the transmitted light output from the multiplexer 111a. ing.

  The amplifier 111c has a function of amplifying the analog signal output from the offset circuit 111b. The gain (amplification factor) of the amplifier 111c is controlled by the control unit 112 so that the gain can be switched between two types of L gain and H gain having a value higher than the L gain. The L gain (amplification factor) signal and the H gain (amplification factor) signal amplified by the amplifier 111c are input to the A / D converter 111d at different timings. . Each of the A / D converters 111d is connected to the amplifier 111c, and converts the processed analog signal amplified by the amplifier 111c into an L gain signal and an H gain signal (analog signal) into a digital signal (data). It is provided for.

  In the present embodiment, the A / D converter 111d outputs 48 data (16 per A / D converter) corresponding to channels CH0 to CH47 as shown in FIG. It is configured as follows. Of the channels CH0 to CH47, the data of the 42 channels CH0 to CH41 correspond to data based on the electrical signals obtained from the photoelectric conversion elements 84a or the reference light photoelectric conversion elements 84b, respectively. is doing. In other words, the 20 pieces of data obtained from the 20 pieces of photoelectric conversion elements 84a are each amplified by the amplifier 111c of the signal processing unit 111 with an L gain (amplification factor) and an H gain (amplification factor) to obtain 40 pieces of data. It becomes the data of. Further, one piece of data obtained from one reference light photoelectric conversion element 84b is amplified with an L gain (amplification factor) and an H gain (amplification factor) in the amplifier 111c of the signal processing unit 111 (see FIG. 9). It becomes two data by this. Forty-two data, which is a sum of the 40 data and the two data corresponding to the reference light, correspond to the data of channels CH0 to CH41. Of the channels CH0 to CH47, the remaining six channels CH42 to CH47 are spare channels that are not used in this embodiment, and the data of the channels CH42 to CH47 is obtained from the photoelectric conversion element 84a or the reference light photoelectric conversion. It does not correspond to the electrical signal from the element 84b.

  The control unit 112 has a function of controlling the operation of the analyzer 3 and a function of acquiring and storing a digital signal (data) output from the A / D conversion unit 111d. As shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 112 includes a controller 112a, a filter unit rotation monitoring unit 112b, a motor controller 112c, a multiplexer control unit 112d, an offset interface 112e, an amplifier interface 112f, an A / D conversion unit interface 112g, and a logger A memory 112h, a setting memory 112i, a controller status register 112j, and a local bus interface 112k are included.

  The controller 112 a has a function of supervising various controls by the control unit 112. The filter unit rotation monitoring unit 112b is provided to monitor whether the filter unit 14 of the lamp unit 5 is rotating normally. The filter rotation monitoring unit 112b is configured to receive a detection signal from the sensor 16 that detects the passage of the origin slit 14k (see FIG. 5) or the normal slit 14l accompanying the rotation of the filter unit 14. . The filter rotation monitoring unit 112b outputs a time interval at which the detection signal of the origin slit 14k (see FIG. 5) is output from the sensor 16 and a detection signal of the normal slit 141 (see FIG. 5) from the sensor 16. The time interval and the number of times the detection signal of the normal slit 14l is output after the detection signal of the origin slit 14k is output from the sensor 16 until the detection signal of the origin slit 14k is output again are monitored. Thus, it is monitored whether or not the filter unit 14 is rotating normally. The motor controller 112c has a function of controlling the number of rotations of the motor 15 that rotates the filter unit 14. The multiplexer control unit 112d has a function of controlling the operation of the multiplexer 111a. Specifically, the multiplexer control unit 112d controls the operation of the multiplexer 111a so that the times at which the plurality of multiplexers 111a select analog signals are different.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the controller 112a has an offset circuit 111b, an amplifier 111c, and an A / D conversion unit 111d of the signal processing unit 111 via an offset interface 112e, an amplifier interface 112f, and an A / D conversion unit interface 112g, respectively. It is comprised so that control of operation | movement may be performed. Specifically, the controller 112a supplies a predetermined offset value to the offset circuit 111b through the offset interface 112e, and the offset circuit 111b performs correction processing by subtracting the offset value from the signal from the multiplexer 111a. To control. The controller 112a controls the amplifier 111c to be L gain and H gain via the amplifier interface 112f, and controls the amplification processing of the signal from the offset circuit 111b by the amplifier 111c. Further, the controller 112a controls the conversion process of the signal (analog signal) from the amplifier 111c to the digital signal by the A / D converter 111d via the A / D converter interface 112g. The digital signal (data) acquired by the A / D conversion unit 111d is input to the logger memory 112h and stored via the A / D conversion unit interface 112g and the controller 112a. . At this time, the controller 112a controls the operation of the A / D converter 111d via the A / D converter interface 112g so that the periods in which the plurality of A / D converters 111d output a plurality of digital signals do not overlap each other. I have control.

  In addition, the controller 112a receives a signal different from the predetermined signal processing line during a period in which analog signal processing is performed by the multiplexer 111a, the offset circuit 111b, and the amplifier 111c on the predetermined signal processing line (any one of L0 to L2). The multiplexer 111a, the offset circuit 111b, the amplifier 111c, and the A in each signal line L0 to L2 are performed so that the conversion processing by the A / D conversion unit 111d of the processing line and the data storage processing in the logger memory 112h of the control unit 112 are performed. The / D conversion unit 111d and the logger memory 112h have a function of switching what executes processing. This point will be described in detail later in the description of the analysis operation.

  The logger memory 112h is provided to store a digital signal (data) corresponding to the analog signal output from the predetermined photoelectric conversion element 84a so as to be identifiable by the address of the logger memory 112h. As shown in FIG. 11, the logger memory 112h includes 32 areas 0 to 31 in units of 128 bytes. In the areas 0 to 31, data corresponding to the transmitted light of the five optical filters 14b to 14f (see FIG. 5) and data corresponding to the blocked holes 14j are stored, respectively. That is, every time the filter unit 14 rotates, data corresponding to the transmitted light of the optical filters 14b to 14f having five different light transmission characteristics is generated. These five data are stored for each area in order from area 0 of the logger memory 112h (see FIG. 11). In the sixth area, “0” is stored as data corresponding to the hole 14j. As a result, six areas of the logger memory 112h are used every rotation (about 100 msec) of the filter unit 14, and after the area 31 is used, the data is overwritten by returning to the area 0. It is configured.

  Each area 0 to 31 of the logger memory 112h has 128 addresses. For example, area 0 has 128 addresses of 000h to 00Fh, 010h to 01Fh, 020h to 02Fh, 030h to 03Fh, 040h to 04Fh, 050h to 05Fh, 060h to 06Fh, and 070h to 07Fh. The data of the channels CH0 to CH47 (see FIG. 10) is stored in 96 addresses of 000h to 05Fh. Each data of the channels CH0 to CH47 is configured to be stored in two addresses. As described above, in this embodiment, no data is output from the channels CH42 to 47, and therefore no data is stored at addresses corresponding to these channels.

  Also, addresses 060h to 06Fh and 070h to 07Eh in area 0 of the logger memory 112h shown in FIG. 11 are spare addresses in which no data is stored in the present embodiment. In addition, the filter number (0 to 4) is stored in the last address 07Fh of area 0. The filter numbers (0 to 4) are numbers for identifying the five optical filters 14b to 14f (see FIG. 5). The optical filter can be identified by detecting the timing at which the origin slit 14k passes. The filter numbers (0 to 4) corresponding to the five optical filters 14b to 14f are stored in the address 07Fh, so that the data stored in the area 0 corresponds to the transmitted light of which optical filter (14b to 14f). The data is configured to be identified.

  Further, the setting memory 112i shown in FIG. 9 is provided to store setting values such as an offset value supplied to the offset circuit 111b and a gain (amplification factor) supplied to the amplifier 111c. Further, the controller status register 112j indicates whether or not the filter unit 14 is rotating normally, whether there is an error in conversion from an analog signal to a digital signal by the A / D conversion unit 111d, from the logger memory 112h by the PC main body 3b. It is provided for temporarily storing information such as the data acquisition status and the presence / absence of an instruction to start measurement from the PC main body 3b. The control unit 112 is configured to have a function of transmitting measurement sample data (optical information) stored in the logger memory 112h to the PC main body 3b via the local bus interface 112k and the interface 116. ing.

  9 receives the signal output from the reference light photoelectric conversion element 84b (see FIG. 10) via the reference light preamplifier 85b and receives the input signal. A function of amplifying the received signal. As shown in FIG. 12, the amplifier circuit 113 includes two resistors 113a and 113b and one operational amplifier 113c. A signal corresponding to the reference light from the reference light preamplifier 85b is input to one end of the resistor 113a, and the other end is connected to the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 113c. The resistor 113b is connected between the output terminal and the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 113c. The non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 113c is grounded. The output of the operational amplifier 113c is configured to be input to the multiplexer 111a of the signal processing unit 111 (see FIG. 9) and the differentiating circuit 114, respectively.

  The differentiation circuit 114 of the control board 6 has a function of generating a differentiation signal of a signal corresponding to the reference light from the amplification circuit 113 (hereinafter referred to as a reference signal). As shown in FIG. 12, the differentiation circuit 114 includes two resistors 114a and 114b, two capacitors 114c and 114d, and one operational amplifier 114e. A reference signal from the amplifier circuit 113 is input to one end of the resistor 114a, and the other end is connected to one electrode of the capacitor 114c. The other electrode of the capacitor 114c is connected to the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 114e. The resistor 114b and the capacitor 114d are both connected between the output terminal and the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 114e. The non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 114e is grounded. The output of the operational amplifier 114e is configured to be input to the controller 112a of the control unit 112 (see FIG. 9) via a comparator (not shown).

  Further, the temperature controller 115 of the control board 6 shown in FIG. 9 controls a heating mechanism (not shown) built in the second optical information acquisition unit 80 to place the cuvette 152 on which the cuvette 152 is placed. It has a function of controlling the temperature of the mounting portion 81 (see FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 9, the temperature controller 115 has a heating mechanism (FIG. 9) of the second optical information acquisition unit 80 according to a set temperature (about 37 °) input from the PC main body 3b via the interface 116. (Not shown) is configured to control heating.

  Next, an outline of control of the analyzer 3 by the PC body 3b will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, since the control of the analyzer 3 and the control of the expansion analyzer 4 are the same, the control of the analyzer 3 will be described.

  The analysis system 1 is activated by turning on the information processing terminal 3a, the apparatus main body of the analysis apparatus 3, and the expansion analysis apparatus 4.

  When these power supplies are turned on, first, initialization is performed by the PC body 3b in step S1 shown in FIG. In this initial setting, initialization of software stored in the PC main body 3b, processing for acquiring an n clock described later from the control unit 112 of the analyzer 3, and the like are performed. Note that, by turning on the power of the apparatus main body of the analyzer 3, light is irradiated from the halogen lamp 11 of the lamp unit 5 (see FIG. 3) and the filter unit 14 is rotated at 10 rotations / second at the initial setting of step S1. Start continuous rotation at speed. The irradiation of light from the halogen lamp 11 and the rotation of the filter unit 14 are continued until the power source of the apparatus body of the analyzer 3 is turned off. In step S2, a process of accepting input of sample analysis information by the user is performed. That is, the user uses the keyboard 3d of the information processing terminal 3a (see FIG. 2) to enter information in the sample number and measurement item fields in the sample analysis list output to the display unit 3c of the information processing terminal 3a. Input. The sample analysis information is stored in the PC main body 3b.

  In step S3, the PC body 3b instructs the analysis process. Thereby, the analysis process by the analyzer 3 is performed. Thereafter, in step S4, the PC main body 3b determines whether or not an instruction to shut down the analysis system 1 is input. If the PC main body 3b determines in step S4 that the instruction to shut down the analysis system 1 has not been input, the process returns to step S2 to accept the input of other sample analysis information by the user. Done. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 that the PC main body 3b has input an instruction to shut down the analysis system 1, shutdown processing is performed in step S5. By this shutdown processing, the power source of the analysis system 1 is automatically turned off, and the operation of the analysis system 1 is ended.

  Next, a method for calculating n clocks by the control unit 112 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3, 7 to 9, 14, and 15.

  As shown in FIG. 15, during the continuous rotation of the filter unit 14 (see FIG. 3), the amount of reference light incident on the reference light photoelectric conversion element 84 b (see FIG. 8) from the lamp unit 5 is “reference light. It changes like the waveform shown as “amount of light”. A period A in FIG. 15 is a period in which any one of the optical filters 14b to 14f of the rotating filter unit 14 is disposed in the light path from the halogen lamp 11 in the lamp unit 5 (see FIG. 3). It is. In this period A, when the optical filters 14b to 14f reach the light path from the halogen lamp 11, the light amount of the reference light starts to gradually increase. Thereafter, the light path from the halogen lamp 11 is completely contained in the optical filters 14b to 14f, so that the amount of the reference light becomes constant. Thereafter, when the optical filters 14b to 14f start to be detached from the light path from the halogen lamp 11, the light amount of the reference light starts to gradually decrease, and the optical filters 14b to 14f are completely removed from the light path from the halogen lamp 11. When it is off, the amount of reference light becomes zero.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the reference light is converted into an electric signal by the reference light photoelectric conversion element 84b, and the converted electric signal is amplified by the reference light preamplifier 85b and the amplification circuit 113. . Then, a signal corresponding to the reference light (hereinafter referred to as a reference signal) is output from the amplifier circuit 113, and this reference signal is input to the differentiation circuit 114. The differential circuit 114 generates a differential signal of the reference signal having a waveform shown as “differential signal of the reference signal” in FIG. The differential signal of the reference signal is input from the differentiating circuit 114 (see FIG. 9) to the control unit 112 via a comparator (not shown).

  In step S11 of FIG. 14, the control unit 112 detects the number of clocks N1 when the differential signal of the reference signal reaches a predetermined negative threshold value (+). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, the differential signal of the reference signal rises with an increase in the amount of reference light. Then, in response to the differential signal reaching a predetermined positive threshold value (+), a pulse signal that rises to H level in a comparator (not shown) to which the differential signal is input from the differentiating circuit 114 (see FIG. 9). Is output. This pulse signal is input to the controller 112a of the control unit 112, and the controller 112a detects the number of clocks N1 when the pulse signal rises to the H level. In this way, the controller 112a of the control unit 112 detects the number of clocks N1 when the differential signal of the reference signal reaches the predetermined positive threshold value (+).

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 15, the amount of reference light further increases and becomes constant at a predetermined value. Thereafter, the amount of reference light gradually decreases. Along with this, the differential signal of the reference signal gradually falls. In step S12 of FIG. 14, the control unit 112 detects the number of clocks (N2) when the differential signal of the reference signal reaches a predetermined negative threshold value (−). Specifically, the differential signal of the reference signal gradually falls, and in response to reaching a predetermined negative threshold value (−), the differential signal is input from the differentiating circuit 114 (see FIG. 9). A pulse signal that rises to H level is output from a comparator (not shown). This pulse signal is input to the controller 112a of the control unit 112, and the controller 112a detects the number of clocks N2 when the pulse signal rises to the H level. In this way, the controller 112a of the control unit 112 detects the number of clocks N2 when the differential signal of the reference signal reaches the predetermined negative threshold (−).

  In step S13 in FIG. 14, the control unit 112 calculates the number of clocks (N clocks) counted between the clock number N1 and the clock number N2 by the equation N = N2-N1. In step S14, the control unit 112 uses an equation in which the number of clocks (n clocks) for determining the timing for starting acquisition of a signal corresponding to the transmitted light of the measurement sample is n = (N−m) / 2. Is calculated using In this equation, m clock is the number of clocks set in advance as an appropriate period required when the control unit 112 acquires a signal corresponding to the transmitted light of the measurement sample. In the present embodiment, the control unit 112 calculates the timing for starting acquisition of a signal corresponding to transmitted light, using reference light that is not affected by the measurement sample or the like. As can be seen from FIG. 15, after n clocks calculated as described above from the N1 clock, the multiplexer 111a obtains a signal from the detection unit 82 corresponding to the transmitted light of the measurement sample for a period of m clocks. A signal during a period when the amount of irradiation light from the lamp unit 5 is stable can be acquired.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 5 to 11, 13, and 16 to 18, the process of step S <b> 3 in FIG. 13 will be described in detail. First, in step S21 of FIG. 16, a primary measurement instruction is issued by the PC main body 3b. Thereby, the interference substance in the sample is measured by the first optical information acquisition unit 70 described above. The optical information acquired by the first optical information acquisition unit 70 is transmitted to the PC main body 3b via the controller 74c.

  Next, in step S22, the transmitted optical information is analyzed by the PC main body 3b, and the specimen subjected to the primary measurement based on the analysis result is the target of the secondary measurement by the second optical information acquisition unit 80. It is determined whether or not. If it is determined that the sample is not subject to secondary measurement, a message indicating that it is difficult to perform a highly reliable analysis because of the large influence of interfering substances contained in the sample. It is displayed on the display unit 3c (step S28). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S22 that the sample is the target of the secondary measurement, the PC main body 3b instructs the sample to be aspirated in step S23. As a result, the sample is aspirated by the sample dispensing arm 40 from the cuvette 152 held by the rotary conveyance unit 30.

  In step S24, the PC body 3b instructs the preparation of the measurement sample. Thereby, in the analyzer 3, the sample aspirated by the sample dispensing arm 40 is dispensed into the plurality of cuvettes 152, and the reagent dispensing arm 50 causes the blood in the reagent container (not shown) to coagulate. A reagent for initiating is added to the specimen in the plurality of cuvettes 152. In this way, the measurement sample is prepared. Then, the cuvette transfer unit 60 moves the cuvette 152 containing the measurement sample to the insertion hole 81 a of the cuvette placement unit 81 of the second optical information acquisition unit 80.

  In step S25, the PC main body 3b instructs secondary measurement. Thereby, in the analyzer 3, the secondary measurement of the measurement sample is started. Hereinafter, the secondary measurement will be described in detail.

  The cuvette 152 moved to the insertion hole 81a is intermittently and sequentially irradiated with light of five different wavelength characteristics (340 nm, 405 nm, 575 nm, 660 nm, and 800 nm) from the lamp unit 5 as described above. The light transmitted through the cuvette 152 is converted into digital data via the photoelectric conversion element 84a, the preamplifier 85a, the multiplexer 111a, the offset circuit 111b, the amplifier 111c, and the A / D conversion unit 11d, and stored in the logger memory 112h. Is done.

  Here, the operation of the signal processing unit 111 will be described with reference to FIG.

  Electric signal processing by the multiplexer 111a, the offset circuit 111b, the amplifier 111c, and the A / D converter 111d is performed in three signal processing lines L0 to L2 including the multiplexer 111a, the offset circuit 111b, the amplifier 111c, and the A / D converter 111d. Partly done in parallel. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the electrical signal processing by the multiplexer 111a, the offset circuit 111b and the amplifier 111c in the signal processing line L0, the conversion processing by the A / D conversion unit 111d in the signal processing line L1, and the logger of the control unit 112 The data storage process in the memory 112h (see FIG. 9) is performed in parallel. Similarly, the processing of electric signals by the multiplexer 111a, the offset circuit 111b and the amplifier 111c in the signal processing line L1, the conversion processing by the A / D conversion unit 111d in the signal processing line L2, and the logger memory 112h ( The data storage process (see FIG. 9) is performed in parallel. Further, the processing of electric signals by the multiplexer 111a, the offset circuit 111b and the amplifier 111c in the signal processing line L2, the conversion processing by the A / D conversion unit 111d in the signal processing line L0, and the logger memory 112h of the control unit 112 (see FIG. 9). The data storage process is performed in parallel.

  Then, the partial parallel processing of these electric signals is performed in units of 48 μsec using the three signal processing lines L0 to L2 sequentially as shown in FIG. Specifically, first, in step 0 shown in FIG. 17, the switching process to the channel CH0 by the multiplexer 111a, the correction process by the offset circuit 111b, and the amplification process by the amplifier 111c are performed in the signal processing line L0. In this step S0, the signal processing lines L1 and L2 are in a state of waiting for stabilization of the electric signal (signal waiting process), and the processing of the electric signal is not performed. In step S1 of FIG. 17, in the signal processing line L1, the switching process to the channel CH16 by the multiplexer 111a, the correction process by the offset circuit 111b, and the amplification process by the amplifier 111c are performed. In this step S1, the signal processing lines L0 and L2 are in a state of waiting for the stabilization of the electrical signal, and the electrical signal is not processed.

  In step S2 of FIG. 17, the A / D converter 111d of the signal processing line L0 performs A / D conversion processing of the electrical signal of the channel CH0, data storage processing in the logger memory 112h, and multiplexer in the signal processing line L2. The switching process to the channel CH32 by 111a, the correction process by the offset circuit 111b, and the amplification process by the amplifier 111c are performed in parallel. In step S2, the signal processing line L1 is in a state of waiting for stabilization of the electric signal, and the electric signal is not processed.

  In step S3 of FIG. 17, the switching process to the channel CH1 by the multiplexer 111a in the signal processing line L0, the correction process by the offset circuit 111b, the amplification process by the amplifier 111c, and the A / D conversion unit 111d of the signal processing line L1. The A / D conversion processing of the electrical signal of the channel CH16 and the data storage processing to the logger memory 112h are performed in parallel. In step S3, the signal processing line L2 is in a state of waiting for the stabilization of the electric signal, and the electric signal is not processed.

  In step S4 of FIG. 17, the switching process to the channel CH17 by the multiplexer 111a in the signal processing line L1, the correction process by the offset circuit 111b, the amplification process by the amplifier 111c, and the A / D conversion unit 111d of the signal processing line L2 are performed. The A / D conversion processing of the electrical signal of the channel CH32 and the data storage processing to the logger memory 112h are performed in parallel. In step S4, the signal processing line L0 is in a state of waiting for the stabilization of the electrical signal, and the electrical signal is not processed.

  Then, parallel processing similar to the processing in steps S2 to S4 described above is repeatedly performed in the signal processing lines L0 to L2 while switching the channel for performing signal processing up to step S49. In step S50, the switching process to the channel CH32 by the multiplexer 111a, the correction process by the offset circuit 111b, and the amplification process by the amplifier 111c are performed in the signal processing line L2. In step S50, the signal processing lines L0 and L1 are in a state of waiting for stabilization of the electric signal, and the electric signal is not processed.

  Note that the output signals of the multiplexer 111a, the offset circuit 111b, and the amplifier 111c are all unstable immediately after signal processing. In the present embodiment, in order to prevent such an unstable signal from being used for analysis of an analyte, a period for waiting for the stabilization of the electric signal is provided.

  As described above, the electrical signals of all the channels CH0 to CH47 are processed by 51 steps S0 to S50. The electric signal processing in the 51 steps is performed in a period of 2.45 msec (= 48 μsec × 51 steps). Further, the processing of the electric signal by the 51 steps is performed once within a period of data acquisition processing of m clock described later.

  In the data storage process in the logger memory 112h, as described above, data is stored at a predetermined address so that the optical filter and the channel through which the light from the halogen lamp 11 is transmitted can be specified. The data stored in the logger memory 112h in this way is transmitted to the PC main body 3b at a predetermined timing.

  In step S26 of FIG. 16, the PC main body 3b determines the second optical information acquisition unit 80 based on the analysis result of the optical information (data) from the first optical information acquisition unit 70 acquired in step S22. 10 types of optical information (data) having different wavelength characteristics and amplification factors, ie, L gain and H gain data respectively corresponding to the five types of optical filters 14b to 14f, are suitable for analysis. Information (data) is selected and the optical information is analyzed. In step S27, the analysis result of the measurement sample (in this embodiment, the coagulation curve and coagulation time as shown in FIG. 18) is output to the display unit 3c.

  Next, data acquisition processing by the control unit 112 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9, 13, 15, 17, and 19. This data acquisition process is started when the PC main body 3b instructs the analysis process (step S3).

  First, in step S31 shown in FIG. 19, the control unit 112 (see FIG. 9) executes a process of waiting for detection of the rising edge of the differential signal of the reference signal corresponding to N1 in FIG. When the rising edge of the differential signal of the reference signal is detected, in step S32, the control unit 112 performs a process of waiting for n clocks calculated in the initial setting to elapse from the time of the rising edge of the differential signal of the reference signal. .

  In step S33, the control unit 112 executes processing for starting acquisition of digital data respectively output from the three A / D conversion units 11d. In step S34, the control unit 112 executes a process of waiting for m clocks to elapse from the start of digital data acquisition. Then, when m clocks have elapsed, in step S35, the control unit 112 ends the acquisition of digital data. In step S36, the control unit 112 executes a process of determining whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the analysis instruction was received from the PC main body 3. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the data acquisition process is terminated, and if not, the process returns to step S31.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 1, 9, 11, 18, and 20, data acquisition processing by the PC main body 3b of the present embodiment will be described. This process is started when the information processing terminal 3a is turned on.

  In step S40, the PC main body 3b monitors whether or not new data is stored in the logger 112h, and waits until the data is stored for 100 msec (one rotation of the filter unit 14). Specifically, when data for 100 msec is accumulated in the logger 112h, a notification notifying the controller is transmitted from the control unit 112. Therefore, the PC body 3b waits for the notification to be transmitted. In step S41, the PC main body 3b acquires the data (partial time series data) for 100 msec from the logger memory 112h via the interface 116 and the local bus interface 112k. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, when data for 100 msec corresponding to one rotation of the filter unit 14 is accumulated in the areas 0 to 5 of the logger memory 112h, the data accumulated in the areas 0 to 5 is stored. Acquired by the PC main body 3b.

  In step S42, the PC main body 3b determines whether or not the information processing terminal 3a has received a shutdown instruction. If the shutdown instruction has not been received, the process returns to step S40. If a shutdown instruction is accepted, the data acquisition process is terminated. In step S41, when data is acquired for the second time, the data of the six areas 6 to 11 next to the areas 0 to 5 of the logger memory 112h from which the data was acquired for the first time are acquired. . Thus, when data is acquired from the logger memory 112h by the PC main body 3b, data for each of the six areas is sequentially acquired.

  In the PC main body 3b, the cuvette 152 (see FIG. 1) in which the measurement sample is stored among the plurality of partial time-series data acquired from the logger memory 112h in step S41 is the second optical information acquisition unit 80. Predetermined time-series data is created by combining partial time-series data after the point of insertion into the insertion hole 81a in time-series order. Then, in the PC main body 3b, a coagulation curve as shown in FIG. 18 is created based on the created time series data. In the PC main body 3b, the coagulation time of the measurement sample is obtained from the prepared coagulation curve. Specifically, in the graph of the coagulation curve shown in FIG. 18, the time t when the intensity of transmitted light is 50% between 100% and 0% is obtained, and the elapsed time from the start time of the time t Is calculated as the coagulation time. As described above, the coagulation time is displayed on the display unit 3c in step S27 (FIG. 16).

  Hereinafter, monitoring of the rotation of the filter unit 14 will be described.

  The control unit 112 performs three monitoring processes described below in parallel and continuously while the filter unit is rotating. If an error occurs in any one of the three monitoring processes, the rotation of the filter unit 14 is stopped. Hereinafter, three methods for monitoring the rotation of the filter unit 14 will be described in detail.

  First, with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 9, 21, and 22, a processing method for monitoring a time interval at which the origin slit 14k is detected will be described. In the present embodiment, the filter unit 14 of the lamp unit 5 (see FIG. 3) rotates continuously without stopping while the power source of the analyzer 3 (see FIG. 2) is on. At this time, a signal from the sensor 16 that detects the slit of the rotating filter unit 14 is input to the filter unit rotation monitoring unit 112b of the control unit 112 (see FIG. 9). When the sensor 16 detects a slit, it outputs a signal that rises to an ON state as shown in the waveform diagram of FIG. In step S51 in FIG. 21, the filter unit rotation monitoring unit 112b determines whether the sensor 16 has detected a slit based on the signal from the sensor 16. If it is determined in step S51 that the sensor rotation monitoring unit 112b has not detected the slit, the filter unit rotation monitoring unit 112b detects again that the sensor 16 has passed the slit in step S51. The determination of whether or not has been made is repeated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S51 of FIG. 21 that the sensor 16 has detected a slit by the filter rotation monitoring unit 112b of the control unit 112, the slit is monitored by the filter rotation monitoring unit 112b in step S52. Is determined to be the origin slit 14k. The determination as to whether or not the origin slit is 14k is made based on a signal generated by a slit width counter (not shown) in the filter unit rotation monitoring unit 112b. A slit width counter (not shown) generates an integrated signal of the signal from the sensor 16 as shown in FIG. During the period in which the signal from the sensor 16 is ON when the origin slit 14k is detected, the normal slit 141 is detected because the width of the origin slit 14k is larger than the width of the other normal slits 141. This is longer than the ON period of the signal from the sensor 16 at the time. For this reason, the integral signal generated by the slit width counter (not shown) of the filter portion rotation monitoring unit 112b is greater when the sensor 16 detects the origin slit 14k than when other normal slits 14l are detected. Get up to a high level. Thereby, in the filter rotation monitoring unit 112b, a predetermined threshold value is set between the rising level of the integrated signal when the normal slit 141 is detected and the rising level of the integrated signal when the origin slit 14k is detected. When the integration signal reaches the predetermined threshold value, the slit detected by the sensor 16 is determined to be the origin slit 14k, while the integration signal is set to the predetermined threshold value. If not, it is determined that the slit detected by the sensor 16 is not the origin slit 14k (usually the slit 14l).

  If it is determined in step S52 of FIG. 21 that the slit detected by the sensor 16 is not the origin slit 14k, the process returns to step S51. On the other hand, if it is determined that the slit detected by the sensor 16 is the origin slit 14k, the time T1 when the origin slit 14k is detected by the sensor 16 is stored by the filter unit rotation monitoring unit 112b in step S53. Is done. Next, in step S54, similarly to step S51 described above, the filter unit rotation monitoring unit 112b determines whether the sensor 16 has detected a slit. If the filter unit rotation monitoring unit 112b determines in step S54 that the sensor 16 has not detected a slit, the determination in step S54 is repeated. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S54 that the sensor 16 has detected the slit by the filter rotation monitoring unit 112b, the slit detected by the sensor 16 similar to that in step S52 is the origin slit 14k in step S55. A determination is made whether or not there is.

  If it is determined that the slit detected by the sensor 16 is not the origin slit 14k, the process returns to step S54. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S55 that the slit detected by the sensor 16 is the origin slit 14k, the time when the origin slit 14k is detected by the sensor 16 by the filter unit rotation monitoring unit 112b in step S56. T (n) is stored. Here, n represents the number of times the origin slit 14k is detected. Therefore, here, since the number of times of detection of the origin slit 14k is two, n = 2.

  Next, in step S57, T (n) −T (n−1) is calculated by the filter unit rotation monitoring unit 112b. Here, since n = 2, T2-T1 is calculated by the filter unit rotation monitoring unit 112b. That is, in step S57, the time interval between the detection time T1 of the first origin slit 14k and the detection time T2 of the second origin slit 14k is calculated. In step S58, the time interval T2-T1 calculated in step S57 by the filter unit rotation monitoring unit 112b is within a predetermined time interval required for one rotation of the filter unit 14 set in advance. It is determined whether or not. If it is determined in step S58 that the time interval T2-T1 is not within the range of the predetermined time interval, in step S59, the filter unit rotation monitoring unit 112b enters the controller status register 112j via the controller 112a. Error information indicating that the rotation of the filter unit 14 is abnormal is output. At this time, the rotation of the filter unit 14 is stopped. The error information is temporarily stored in the controller status register 112j. The error information stored in the controller status register 112j is transmitted to the PC main body 3b through the local bus interface 112k and the interface 116. Then, the PC main body 3b displays an error message that the rotation of the filter unit 14 is abnormal on the display unit 3c of the information processing terminal 3a.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S58 that the time interval T2-T1 is within the range of the predetermined time interval, whether or not the control unit 112 has instructed the stop of rotation of the filter plate in step S60. Is judged. In step S60, when it is determined that the stop of the rotation of the filter unit 14 is not instructed, the process returns to step S54. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S60 that the stop of the rotation of the filter unit 14 has been instructed, the process of monitoring the rotation of the filter unit 14 by the filter unit rotation monitoring unit 112b ends. Note that the series of processing in steps S54 to S60 is repeatedly performed until it is determined in step S60 that the filter unit rotation monitoring unit 112b instructs to stop the rotation of the filter unit 14.

  Next, referring to FIGS. 2, 5, 9, 21, and 23, in the monitoring process of the rotation of the filter unit 14 by the control unit 112, two adjacent slits (origin slits or normal slits) are respectively present. Processing for monitoring a time interval between detections will be described.

  First, in step S61 of FIG. 23, in the same way as in step S51 shown in FIG. 21, the filter rotation detection unit 112b of the control unit 112 (see FIG. 9) causes the sensor 16 to slit based on the signal from the sensor 16. It is determined whether or not the passage of the origin slit 14k (see FIG. 5) or the normal slit 141 is detected. If it is determined in step S61 that the sensor 16 (see FIG. 9) has not detected a slit, the process of step S61 is performed again. On the other hand, when it is determined that the sensor 16 has detected the passage of the slit, the time t1 when the slit is detected by the sensor 16 is stored by the filter unit rotation monitoring unit 112b in step S62.

  Next, in step S63, similarly to step S61 described above, it is determined again whether the sensor 16 has detected the passage of the slit. If it is determined in step S63 that the sensor 16 has not detected the passage of the slit, the process of step S63 is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S63 that the sensor 16 has detected the passage of the slit, the time t (n) at which the slit is detected by the sensor 16 is detected by the filter unit rotation monitoring unit 112b in step S64. Remembered. Here, n represents the number of times the slit is detected by the sensor 16. Therefore, here, since the number of slit detections is 2, n = 2.

  Next, in step S65, the filter unit rotation monitoring unit 112b calculates t (n) -t (n-1). Here, since n = 2, t2-t1 is calculated by the filter unit rotation monitoring unit 112b. That is, in step S65, the time interval between the detection time t1 of the first slit and the detection time t2 of the second slit is calculated. In step S66, the time interval t2-t1 calculated in step S65 by the filter unit rotation monitoring unit 112b is within a predetermined time interval during which two adjacent slits are detected in advance. It is determined whether or not. In this time interval, the first time interval required for the optical filter 14e to pass normally after the optical filter 14f passes, and the optical filter 14f passes normally after the optical filter 14b passes. There are two types, the second time interval required for.

  If it is determined in step S66 that the time interval t2-t1 is neither within the first time interval nor within the second time interval, the filter unit rotation monitoring is performed at step S67. Error information indicating that the rotation of the filter unit 14 is abnormal is output from the unit 112b to the controller status register 112j via the controller 112a. At this time, the rotation of the filter unit 14 is stopped. The error information is temporarily stored in the controller status register 112j. The error information stored in the controller status register 112j is transmitted to the PC main body 3b through the local bus interface 112k and the interface 116. Then, the PC main body 3b displays an error message that the rotation of the filter unit 14 is abnormal on the display unit 3c of the information processing terminal 3a (see FIG. 2).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S66 that the time interval t2-t1 is within the predetermined time interval, the filter unit rotation monitoring unit 112b instructs the filter unit 14 to stop rotating in step S68. It is determined whether or not. If it is determined in step S68 that the rotation stop of the filter unit 14 has not been instructed, the process returns to step S63. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S68 that the stop of the rotation of the filter unit 14 has been instructed, the process of monitoring the rotation of the filter unit 14 by the filter unit rotation monitoring unit 112b ends. Note that the series of processing in steps S61 to S68 is repeated until it is determined in step S68 that the filter unit rotation monitoring unit 112b has instructed to stop the rotation of the filter unit 14.

  Next, referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 5, FIG. 9, FIG. 21 and FIG. 24, while two origin slits 14k are detected in the monitoring process of the rotation of the filter unit 14 by the control unit 112 of this embodiment. A process for monitoring the number of the normal slits 14l detected at 1 will be described.

  First, in step S71 of FIG. 24, the sensor 16 is rotated based on the signal from the sensor 16 by the filter unit rotation monitoring unit 112b of the control unit 112 (see FIG. 9), similarly to step S51 shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not the slit of the filter unit 14 (see FIG. 5) is detected. If it is determined in step S71 that the sensor 16 (see FIG. 9) has not detected a slit, the process of step S71 is performed again.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S71 that the sensor 16 has detected the slit, in step S72, the sensor 16 detects the slit by the filter unit rotation monitoring unit 112b in the same manner as in step S52 shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not the slit is the origin slit 14k. If it is determined in step S72 that the detected slit is not the origin slit 14k, the process returns to step S71. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S72 that the detected slit is the origin slit 14k, information that the origin slit 14k is detected by the sensor 16 is stored by the filter unit rotation monitoring unit 112b in step S73. Is done.

  Next, in step S74, the determination as to whether or not the sensor 16 has detected a slit is performed again in the same manner as in step S71. If it is determined in step S74 that no slit has been detected, the process in step S74 is executed again. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S74 that a slit has been detected, it is determined in step S75 whether or not the detected slit is the origin slit 14k in the same manner as in step S72. If it is determined in step S75 that the detected slit is not the origin slit 14k (normal slit 14l), the number of slits (normal slit 14l) detected in step S75 is counted in step S76. Is done. Thereafter, the process returns to step S74.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S75 that the detected slit is the origin slit 14k, information that the origin slit 14k is detected by the sensor 16 is stored by the filter unit rotation monitoring unit 112b in step S77. Is done. In step S78, the number of normal slits 14l counted in step S76 is acquired by the filter unit rotation monitoring unit 112b as the number of normal slits 14l detected while the two origin slits 14k are detected. In step S79, the filter rotation monitoring unit 112b determines whether or not the number of normal slits 14l acquired in step S78 is a predetermined number (5). When it is determined in step S79 that the number of acquired normal slits 14l is not the predetermined number (5), in step S80, the controller status register 112j is passed from the filter unit rotation monitoring unit 112b via the controller 112a. In addition, error information indicating that the rotation of the filter unit 14 is abnormal is output. At this time, the rotation of the filter unit 14 is stopped. The error information is temporarily stored in the controller status register 112j. The error information stored in the controller status register 112j is transmitted to the PC main body 3b through the local bus interface 112k and the interface 116. Then, the PC main body 3b displays an error message that the rotation of the filter unit 14 is abnormal on the display unit 3c of the information processing terminal 3a (see FIG. 2).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S79 that the number of acquired normal slits 141 is the predetermined number (5), in step S81, the filter unit rotation monitoring unit 112b instructs the filter unit 14 to stop rotating. It is determined whether or not it has been done. If it is determined in step S81 that stop of rotation of the filter unit 14 is not instructed, the process returns to step S74. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S81 that the stop of the rotation of the filter unit 14 has been instructed, the process of monitoring the rotation of the filter unit 14 by the filter unit rotation monitoring unit 112b ends. Note that the series of processing in steps S74 to S81 is repeatedly performed until it is determined in step S81 that the filter unit rotation monitoring unit 112b instructs to stop the rotation of the filter unit 14.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, a plurality of multiplexers 111a that sequentially select a plurality of analog signals respectively output from the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements 84a that output analog signals according to the detection result, and a plurality of multiplexers 111a. By providing a plurality of A / D converters 111d that individually convert the analog signals sequentially selected by the multiplexer 111a into digital signals, a signal waiting period (from the time when the analog signal is selected by one multiplexer 111a ( After 48 μsec), one A / D converter 111d can digitally convert the analog signal selected by the multiplexer 111a, and another A / D converter 111d within the signal processing waiting period (48 μsec). Is selected by the other multiplexer 111a. The converted analog signal can be digitally converted. Therefore, the signal output from the A / D converter 111d is stabilized and the signal can be processed efficiently.

  In the present embodiment, the information processing terminal 3a causes the characteristics of the analyte to be analyzed based on digital signals whose A / D conversion processing periods by the plurality of A / D conversion units 111d do not overlap each other. The operation of the A / D converter 111d can be made efficient. That is, when there is only one logger memory 112h as in the present embodiment, even if a plurality of A / D converters 111d output digital signals in duplicate, the logger memory 112h Since all cannot be stored, the A / D converter 111d has a disadvantage that it performs a useless operation. In the present embodiment, the A / D conversion unit 111d does not perform useless operations by performing analysis based on digital signals that do not overlap in the A / D conversion processing period of the electrical signal. The operation of the unit 111d can be made efficient.

  In the present embodiment, a multiplexer control unit 112d that controls the operation of the multiplexer 111a is provided so that the times at which the plurality of multiplexers 111a select analog signals are different, and the controller 112a includes a plurality of A / D conversion units 111d. Even when there is only one logger memory 112h by controlling the operation of the A / D conversion unit 111d via the A / D conversion unit interface 112g so that the periods in which the digital signals are output do not overlap each other, Digital signals output from the plurality of A / D conversion units 111d can be efficiently stored in the logger memory 112h.

  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, after the data output from the detection unit and the signal processing unit is temporarily stored in the logger memory of the control unit, the PC main body is in a part of a predetermined period from the data stored in the logger memory. The system is configured to sequentially acquire the series data, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the data is directly output from the detection unit or the signal processing unit to the PC main body without temporarily storing the data in the logger memory. May be.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the timing (n clock) at which signal acquisition is started is calculated based on the differential signal of the reference signal, and is calculated from the time when the differential signal of the reference signal reaches a predetermined threshold value. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the acquisition of data by the control unit may be started at a preset timing.

  In the above embodiment, the acquisition of data by the control unit is started after n clocks from the rising point of the differential signal of the reference signal corresponding to the reference light. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the slit is detected by the sensor. Data acquisition by the control unit may be started after a predetermined period from the determined timing.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to an analysis apparatus that performs coagulation measurement has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various types of light that have multiple wavelength characteristics other than coagulation measurement need to be used. The present invention may be applied to an analysis apparatus (analysis system) used for the measurement. For example, the present invention may be applied to a biochemical analyzer (analysis system).

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the information processing terminal is provided separately from the apparatus main body of an analyzer, this invention is not restricted to this, You may integrate the information processing terminal and the apparatus main body of an analyzer.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the analyzer is configured to be expanded by the analyzer for expansion so that it can cope with an increase in the number of samples. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the analyzer is not limited to this. You may be comprised so that the extension by the analyzer for an extension cannot be performed.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which a multiplexer that selects one by one from a plurality of analog signals output from a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements and sequentially outputs to the offset circuit has been shown, but the present invention is not limited thereto, An analog signal selector that simultaneously selects two or more analog signals from a plurality of analog signals output from a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements may be used.

1 is a plan view showing an overall configuration of an analysis system including an analysis apparatus and an expansion analysis apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view partially showing an analysis system including the analysis apparatus and the expansion analysis apparatus according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the structure of the lamp unit contained in the analyzer by one Embodiment shown in FIG. It is the schematic which showed the structure of the lamp unit contained in the analyzer by one Embodiment shown in FIG. It is the top view which showed the filter part of the lamp unit contained in the analyzer by one Embodiment shown in FIG. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure of the 1st optical information acquisition part of the analyzer by one Embodiment shown in FIG. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure of the 2nd optical information acquisition part of the analyzer by one Embodiment shown in FIG. It is the schematic which showed the structure of the detection part of the 2nd optical information acquisition part by one Embodiment shown in FIG. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the component of the 2nd optical information acquisition part of the analyzer by one Embodiment of this invention, and a control board. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure of the detection part and signal processing part of the analyzer by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the memory for loggers of the control board of the analyzer by one Embodiment of this invention. It is the circuit diagram which showed the circuit structure of the amplifier circuit of the control board of the analyzer by one Embodiment of this invention, and a differentiation circuit. It is the flowchart which showed the outline of the control method by PC main body of one Embodiment of this invention. 14 is a flowchart showing a calculation processing method by an n-clock control unit acquired by the PC main body in the initial setting shown in step S1 of FIG. FIG. 15 is a waveform diagram showing changes in the amount of reference light and the differential signal of the reference signal used in the n-clock calculation processing method shown in FIG. 14. It is the flowchart which showed the detail (subroutine) of the analysis process by the PC main body in step S3 of FIG. It is the figure which showed the method of the signal processing in the signal processing part of the analyzer by one Embodiment of this invention. It is the graph which showed the coagulation curve created by the analysis system by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the method of the data acquisition process by the control part of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the method of the data acquisition process by PC main body of one Embodiment of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the process in the case of monitoring the time interval when an origin slit is detected in the monitoring process of rotation of the filter part by the control part of one Embodiment of this invention. It is the wave form diagram which showed the waveform of the integrated signal produced | generated based on the signal output from the sensor which detects the slit of the filter part to rotate, and the signal output from a sensor. It is the flowchart which showed the process in the case of monitoring the time interval in which two adjacent slits (an origin slit or a normal slit) are detected in the monitoring process of rotation of the filter part by the control part of one Embodiment of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the process in the case of monitoring the number of the normal slits detected while two origin slits are detected in the monitoring process of the rotation of the filter part by the control part of one Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a plan view showing an overall configuration of an analysis system that does not include an expansion analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Analysis system 3a Information processing terminal (analysis means)
50 Reagent dispensing arm (reagent mixing means)
84a Photoelectric conversion element (detector)
84b Photoelectric conversion element for reference light (detector)
111a multiplexer (analog signal selector)
111d A / D converter (signal converter)
112a controller (control unit)
112d Multiplexer control unit (control unit)
112h Logger memory (storage means)

Claims (7)

A plurality of detectors that output analog signals according to detection results;
A plurality of analog signal selectors for selecting some of the analog signals output from the plurality of detectors;
A plurality of signal conversion units for individually converting the analog signals respectively selected by the plurality of analog signal selection units into digital signals;
An analysis apparatus comprising: an analysis unit that analyzes characteristics of an analyte based on at least one of a plurality of digital signals converted by the plurality of signal conversion units. The analysis means analyzes the characteristics of the analyte based on a digital signal obtained by converting the analog signal selected by the signal conversion unit after a predetermined period has elapsed since the analog signal selection unit selected the analog signal. Configured,
The analyzer according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that controls the operation of the analog signal selection unit so that the time at which the plurality of analog signal selection units select analog signals is different.   The analysis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the analysis unit analyzes the characteristics of the analyte based on digital signals whose signal conversion periods by the plurality of signal conversion units do not overlap each other. A control unit that controls the operation of the analog signal selection unit so that the time at which the plurality of analog signal selection units select analog signals is different;
The analysis device according to claim 3, wherein the control unit controls the operation of the signal conversion unit such that periods in which the plurality of signal conversion units output digital signals do not overlap each other.   The analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising storage means for storing digital signals converted by the plurality of signal conversion units.   The analysis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the analog signal selection unit includes a multiplexer. A reagent mixing part for mixing the reagent with the analyte;
The analysis unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the analysis unit analyzes a time from a predetermined time after the reagent is mixed into the analyte by the reagent mixing unit until the analyte changes to a predetermined state. 2. The analyzer according to item 1.

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