JP2007322324A - Analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an analyzer that is enhanced in analysis precision. <P>SOLUTION: In the analyzer constituted to have the liquid sample, housed in a reaction vessel irradiated with the light emitted from a light source 180 for analyzing a liquid sample and equipped with a branching mechanism 181 for branching the light emitted from the light source 180 and a plurality of photometric units a colorimetric measuring unit 18A comprising a plurality of photometric optical systems for performing at least different photometrics, respectively using the lights branched by the branching mechanism 181, a turbidity measuring unit 18B, a contamination measuring unit 18C and a foam/liquid amount measuring unit 18D. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an analyzer for analyzing a specimen by irradiating a liquid sample stored in a reaction container with light emitted from a light source.

  Conventionally, an analyzer that automatically and continuously performs various chemical analyzes on liquids such as blood and urine has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). In such an analyzer, a plurality of reaction containers are annularly arranged on a rotary table, and the reaction container is rotated by rotating the rotary table, whereby a sample dispensing device and a reagent dispenser arranged along the rotary table are arranged. The reaction container is transferred to each of the pouring device, the stirring device, the photometry device, and the cleaning device. Here, the photometric device includes a light emitting unit that emits light and a light receiving unit that receives light, the light emitting unit emits light to the reaction vessel, and the light receiving unit receives light transmitted through the reaction vessel. The analyzer performs a chemical analysis process such as a concentration analysis of a predetermined substance in the liquid sample in the reaction container based on the amount of received light.

JP-A-5-164663

  By the way, there are multiple photometric optical systems of the same type, each photometric optical system performs photometry at different photometric timing, and concentration analysis of each liquid sample that has been photometrically performed based on each photometric result in each photometric optical system Analyzing devices to perform have been proposed. However, in such an analyzer, even if a plurality of photometric optical systems are used for concentration measurement, these photometric optical systems are the same kind of photometric optical systems, so the measurement results are different from the other viewpoints. Therefore, there was a limit of analysis accuracy.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described drawbacks of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an analyzer that can significantly improve the analysis accuracy.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides an analyzer for analyzing a liquid sample by irradiating the liquid sample contained in the reaction vessel with the light emitted from the light source. And a plurality of photometric optical systems that perform at least different types of photometry using the light branched by the branching unit.

  In the analyzer according to the present invention, one of the photometric optical systems is configured to irradiate a predetermined region on the side surface of the reaction vessel with parallel light perpendicular to the side surface of the reaction vessel, and measure the light passing through the reaction vessel. The degree of suspension in the liquid sample is detected.

  Further, in the analyzer according to the present invention, one of the photometric optical systems detects the contamination of the reaction container by entering light having an angle inclined with respect to the side surface of the reaction container and measuring scattered light in the reaction container. It is characterized by that.

  Also, in the analyzer according to the present invention, one of the photometric optical systems images the side surface of the reaction container using the light branched by the branching unit, and accommodates the reaction container based on the imaging result. It is characterized by detecting the volume of the liquid and / or the presence or absence of bubbles in the liquid stored in the reaction vessel.

  Moreover, the analyzer according to the present invention is characterized in that the branching means is a half mirror and / or a mirror.

  In the analyzer according to the present invention, the branching unit receives the light emitted from the light source by an optical fiber, branches the optical fiber for each photometric optical system, and emits the light.

  Moreover, the analyzer according to the present invention is characterized in that the branching means is a plurality of optical fibers provided for each photometric optical system.

  Moreover, the analyzer according to the present invention is characterized in that a lensed fiber is provided at both ends of the optical fiber.

  Further, the analyzer according to the present invention is characterized in that at least one of the plurality of photometric optical systems includes a plurality of the same type of photometric optical systems.

  Further, the analyzer according to the present invention determines whether or not there is a possibility that the detection result of the other photometric optical system includes an abnormality based on the detection result of at least one of the plurality of photometric optical systems. It is characterized by further comprising determination means for determining.

  The analyzing apparatus according to the present invention includes an analyzing unit that analyzes the liquid sample based on a photometric result in the photometric optical system, and an output that outputs a determination result in the determining unit and / or an analysis result in the analyzing unit. And means.

  The analyzer according to the present invention includes a branching unit that branches light emitted from a light source, and a plurality of photometric optical systems that perform at least different types of photometry using the light branched by the branching unit, respectively. The accuracy of photometric analysis can be significantly improved by using the photometric results of a plurality of photometric optical systems.

  Hereinafter, an analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. In the description of the drawings, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an analyzer 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the analyzer 1 dispenses a sample and a reagent to be analyzed into a transparent reaction container 20 and optically measures a reaction that occurs in the reaction container 20, and a measurement A control mechanism 3 that controls the entire analyzer 1 including the mechanism 2 and analyzes the measurement result in the measurement mechanism 2 is provided. The analyzer 1 automatically performs biochemical, immunological or genetic analysis of a plurality of specimens by cooperation of these two mechanisms.

  The measurement mechanism 2 is roughly divided into a reaction table 10, a first reagent storage 11, a first reagent dispensing mechanism 12, a sample transfer unit 13, a sample dispensing mechanism 14, a second reagent storage 15, a second reagent dispensing mechanism 16, A stirring unit 17, a photometric unit 18, and a cleaning unit 19 are provided. The control mechanism 3 includes a control unit 31, an input unit 32, an analysis unit 33, a determination unit 34, a storage unit 35, an output unit 36, and a transmission / reception unit 37. These units included in the measurement mechanism 2 and the control mechanism 3 are electrically connected to the control unit 31.

  The reaction table 10 transfers the reaction container 20 to a predetermined position in order to dispense a sample or a reagent into the reaction container 20, to stir, wash or measure the reaction container 20. The reaction table 10 is rotatable about a vertical line passing through the center of the reaction table 10 as a rotation axis by driving a drive mechanism (not shown) under the control of the control unit 31. An openable and closable lid and a thermostat (not shown) are provided above and below the reaction table 10, respectively.

  The first reagent storage 11 can store a plurality of first reagent containers 11 a in which the first reagent dispensed in the reaction container 20 is stored. A plurality of storage chambers are arranged at equal intervals in the first reagent storage 11, and a first reagent container 11a is detachably stored in each storage chamber. The first reagent storage 11 is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise around a vertical line passing through the center of the first reagent storage 11 as a driving mechanism (not shown) is driven under the control of the control unit 31. The desired first reagent container 11a is transferred to the reagent aspirating position by the first reagent dispensing mechanism 12. An openable / closable lid (not shown) is provided above the first reagent storage 11. A constant temperature bath is provided below the first reagent storage 11. Therefore, when the first reagent container 11a is stored in the first reagent storage 11 and the lid is closed, the reagent stored in the first reagent container 11a is kept at a constant temperature, and the first reagent container 11a Evaporation and denaturation of the reagent contained in the container can be suppressed.

  A recording medium on which reagent information related to the reagent stored in the first reagent container 11a is recorded is attached to the side surface of the first reagent container 11a. The recording medium displays various encoded information and is optically read.

  A first reagent reading unit 11 b that optically reads the recording medium is provided on the outer periphery of the first reagent storage 11. The first reagent reading unit 11b emits infrared light or visible light to the recording medium, and reads the information on the recording medium by processing the reflected light from the recording medium. In addition, the first reagent reading unit 11b may capture the recording medium, decode the image information obtained by the imaging process, and acquire the recording medium information.

  The first reagent dispensing mechanism 12 includes an arm 12a to which a probe for aspirating and discharging a sample is attached to the tip. The arm 12a freely moves up and down in the vertical direction and rotates around a vertical line passing through its base end as a central axis. The first reagent dispensing mechanism 12 includes a suction / discharge mechanism using a suction / discharge syringe or a piezoelectric element (not shown). The first reagent dispensing mechanism 12 sucks the reagent in the first reagent container 11a moved to a predetermined position on the first reagent storage 11 with a probe, and rotates the arm 12a in the clockwise direction in FIG. Dispensing is performed by discharging the first reagent into the reaction container 20 transported to the predetermined position above.

  The sample transfer unit 13 includes a plurality of sample racks 13b that hold a plurality of sample containers 13a containing samples and sequentially transfer them in the direction of the arrows in the figure. The specimen is a liquid sample such as blood or urine. The sample in the sample container 13a transferred to a predetermined position on the sample transfer unit 13 is dispensed by the sample dispensing mechanism 14 into the reaction container 20 that is arranged and transported on the reaction table 10.

  Similar to the first reagent dispensing mechanism 12, the sample dispensing mechanism 14 includes an arm 14a to which a probe for aspirating and discharging a sample is attached to the tip, and an intake / exhaust mechanism using an unillustrated intake / exhaust syringe or piezoelectric element. Prepare. The sample dispensing mechanism 14 sucks the sample from the sample container 13a transferred to the predetermined position on the sample transfer unit 13 with the probe, and rotates the arm 14a counterclockwise in the drawing to bring the reaction container 20 into the reaction container 20. Dispensing the sample.

  The second reagent storage 15 can store a plurality of second reagent containers 15a in which the second reagent dispensed in the reaction container 20 is stored. Similar to the first reagent storage 11, the second reagent storage 15 is provided with a plurality of storage chambers in which the second reagent containers 15a are detachably stored. Similar to the first reagent storage 11, the second reagent storage 15 can be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise, and the desired second reagent container 15 a is transferred to the reagent aspirating position by the second reagent dispensing mechanism 16. To do. Similar to the first reagent storage 11, an openable / closable lid (not shown) is provided above the second reagent storage 15, and a thermostatic bath is provided below the second reagent storage 15. Similar to the first reagent container 11a, a recording medium on which reagent information related to the second reagent stored in the second reagent container 15a is recorded is attached to the side surface of the second reagent container 15a. In addition, a second reagent reading unit 15b that has the same function as the first reagent reading unit 11b and optically reads the recording medium attached to the second reagent container 15a is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the second reagent storage 15. It has been.

  Similar to the first reagent dispensing mechanism 12, the second reagent dispensing mechanism 16 uses an arm 16a with a probe for aspirating and discharging the second reagent attached to the tip, and an unillustrated suction / exhaust syringe or piezoelectric element. The reagent in the second reagent container 15a that has been moved to a predetermined position on the second reagent storage 15 is sucked by the probe, and is then transferred to the reaction container 20 that is transported to the predetermined position on the reaction table 10. Dispense reagent and dispense.

  In order to perform biochemical analysis such as concentration analysis, the reaction container 20 is dispensed with the first reagent or the second reagent according to the measurement item. For example, the first reagent and the second reagent are reagents dispensed for concentration analysis by the colorimetric measurement unit 18A described later, and are reagents containing a labeling substance that reacts with the analyte in the sample. The first reagent and the second reagent are reagents dispensed for the turbidimetric measurement by the turbidimetric photometric unit 18B, which will be described later, with respect to the specimen designated for the immunological test, and the analyte in the specimen is analyzed. It may be a reagent containing magnetic particles that cause an immune reaction with the component.

  The stirring unit 17 stirs the specimen and each reagent dispensed in the reaction container 20 to promote the reaction. In addition, the stirring unit 17 vibrates the reaction container 20 with respect to the reaction container 20 containing a predetermined specimen, stirs the liquid in the reaction container 20, and then leaves the reaction container 20 for a predetermined time to react. The reaction in the container 20 is promoted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the photometry unit 18 includes a light source 180 that emits light of a predetermined wavelength, a branch mechanism 181 that branches light emitted from the light source 180 to each photometry unit, and light that is branched by the branch mechanism 181. And a plurality of photometric optical systems having a plurality of photometric units including a colorimetric measuring unit 18A, a turbidimetric measuring unit 18B, a dirt measuring unit 18C, and a bubble / liquid amount measuring unit 18D. Each photometric unit performs a photometric process according to an instruction from the control unit 31.

  In order to perform biochemical analysis such as concentration analysis, the colorimetric measurement unit 18A condenses the light branched from the branching mechanism 181 at a predetermined position of the reaction vessel and passes through the reaction vessel 20 containing the liquid sample. Spectral intensity is measured by receiving light.

  The turbidimetric measurement unit 18B irradiates a predetermined region on the side surface of the reaction container 20 with a parallel light perpendicular to the side surface of the reaction container 20 in order to detect the degree of suspension in the liquid sample accommodated in the reaction container 20. Measure the light passing through. The turbidimetric measurement unit 18B irradiates the reaction container 20 with parallel light as a focal point of light and a light flux different from those of the colorimetric measurement unit 18A. The turbidimetric measurement unit 18B may perform turbidimetric measurement for immunological examinations as well as turbidimetric measurement for determination in the determination unit 34 described later. In this case, a reagent containing magnetic particles that cause an immune reaction with the component to be analyzed in the sample is dispensed into the reaction container 20.

  The dirt measurement unit 18 </ b> C receives light having an angle inclined with respect to the side surface of the reaction container 20 in order to detect dirt in the reaction container 20, and measures the amount of scattered light in the reaction container 20.

  The bubble / liquid amount measurement unit 18D uses the light branched by the branch mechanism 181 to detect the volume of the liquid accommodated in the reaction container 20 and / or the presence or absence of bubbles in the liquid accommodated in the reaction container 20. Then, the side surface of the reaction container 20 is imaged, and image information that is the imaging result is output.

  The cleaning unit 19 performs cleaning by sucking and discharging the mixed liquid in the reaction container 20 that has been measured by the photometry unit 18 by using a nozzle (not shown) and injecting and sucking cleaning liquid such as detergent and cleaning water. . Although the washed reaction container 20 is reused, the reaction container 20 may be discarded after completion of one measurement depending on the contents of inspection.

  Next, the control mechanism 3 will be described. The control unit 31 is configured using a CPU or the like, and controls processing and operation of each unit of the analyzer 1. The control unit 31 performs predetermined input / output control on information input / output to / from each of these components, and performs predetermined information processing on this information. The input unit 32 is configured using a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and acquires various information necessary for analyzing the sample, instruction information for analysis operation, and the like from the outside.

  The analysis unit 33 analyzes the sample in the reaction container 20 based on the measurement result measured by the photometry unit 18. The analysis unit 33 calculates absorbance and the like based on the measurement result of the colorimetric measurement unit 18A, and performs component analysis of the specimen. The analysis unit 33 may perform an immunological analysis to determine whether or not a predetermined analyte is contained in the sample based on the measurement result of the turbidimetric measurement unit 18B.

  The determination unit 34 determines the sample contained in the reaction container 20 based on the measurement result of at least one of the turbidimetric measurement unit 18B, the dirt measurement unit 18C, and the foam / liquid amount measurement unit 18D for the same reaction container 20. Whether the analysis result based on the measurement result of the colorimetric measurement unit 18A is likely to contain an abnormality is determined. The determination unit 34 generates analysis information in which the determination result is associated with the analysis result in the analysis unit 33.

  The determination unit 34 acquires the degree of suspension in the liquid sample in the reaction container 20 based on the amount of received light measured by the turbidimetric measurement unit 18B, and determines whether the acquired degree of suspension is within a predetermined range. To do. This predetermined range is set based on the degree of suspension of the liquid sample when the specimen and the predetermined reagent are normally dispensed and the reaction proceeds normally. If the determination unit 34 determines that the acquired degree of suspension is within a predetermined range, the determination unit 34 determines that each process corresponding to the general analysis has been normally performed, and outputs a normal determination. If the determination unit 34 determines that the acquired degree of suspension is not within the predetermined range, the determination unit 34 determines that each process corresponding to the general analysis may be abnormal and outputs an abnormality determination.

  The determination unit 34 determines the presence or absence of dirt in the reaction container 20 based on the amount of scattered light measured by the dirt measurement unit 18C. When the reaction vessel 20 is contaminated, when light incident at an angle inclined with respect to the side surface of the reaction vessel 20 passes through the reaction vessel 20, the traveling direction of the light passing through the reaction vessel 20 changes in many directions and is scattered. To do. For this reason, the presence or absence of dirt in the reaction container 20 can be determined based on the amount of the scattered light. If the amount of scattered light is less than or equal to the predetermined range, the determination unit 34 determines that the contamination in the reaction container 20 does not affect the analysis in the general analysis, and outputs a normal determination. On the other hand, when the amount of scattered light exceeds a predetermined range, the determination unit 34 can ensure the accuracy in the general analysis because the contamination of the reaction vessel 20 caused by the abnormality in the cleaning process in the cleaning unit 19 affects the general analysis. It is determined that it is difficult, and an abnormality determination is output. The predetermined range is set based on the state of the reaction vessel 20 and the like.

  The analysis unit 33 also determines the volume of the liquid stored in the reaction container 20 and / or the presence of bubbles in the liquid stored in the reaction container 20 based on the image information output by the bubble / liquid amount measurement unit 18D. Determine. The determination unit 34 processes the image information and acquires the volume of the liquid stored in the reaction container 20. When the volume of the liquid stored in the reaction container 20 is a predetermined amount, the determination unit 34 determines that a predetermined amount of the sample or reagent is normally dispensed, and outputs a normal determination. On the other hand, when the volume of the liquid accommodated in the reaction container 20 is not a predetermined amount, the determination unit 34 does not dispense a predetermined amount of sample or reagent, and accurate analysis is difficult in general analysis. It is judged that there is, and an abnormality judgment is output. Moreover, the determination part 34 processes image information, and acquires the ratio for which the bubble in the reaction container 20 accounts in a liquid. When the ratio of the bubbles in the reaction container 20 is within a predetermined range, the determination unit 34 determines that the amount of received light in the colorimetric measurement unit 18A is an appropriate value that is less affected by bubbles, and outputs a normal determination. To do. On the other hand, the determination unit 34 may include a large error in the amount of light received in the colorimetric measurement unit 18A when the ratio of bubbles in the reaction container 20 exceeds a predetermined range. In general analysis, it is determined that accurate analysis is difficult, and abnormality determination is output.

  Further, the determination unit 34 performs predetermined image processing on the image information output from the bubble / liquid amount measurement unit 18D, and whether or not the light amount supplied to the bubble / liquid amount measurement unit 18D is a set light amount. Determine whether. For example, the determination unit 34 performs image processing for determining light and dark areas in the imaging range and image processing for acquiring the lightness in each light and dark area on the image information. If the determination unit 34 determines that the light amount supplied to the bubble / liquid amount measurement unit 18D is a set light amount based on the image processing result, the light amount necessary for the measurement is also measured for each photometry unit. Is supplied and normal measurement is output. On the other hand, when the determination unit 34 determines that the light amount supplied to the bubble / liquid amount measurement unit 18D is not the set light amount, there is a risk that the amount of light necessary for measurement is not supplied to each photometry unit. It is determined that there is an error, and an abnormality determination is output.

  The storage unit 35 is configured using a hard disk that magnetically stores information and a memory that loads various programs related to the process from the hard disk and electrically stores them when the analyzer 1 executes the process. Various information including the analysis result of the sample is stored. The storage unit 35 may include an auxiliary storage device that can read information stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a PC card. The storage unit 35 stores each predetermined range serving as a determination criterion in the determination unit 34. Each of these predetermined ranges is obtained in advance by, for example, actually operating each component of the measurement mechanism 2 with respect to the reaction vessel 20 according to the content of the analysis method.

  The output unit 36 is configured using a display, a printer, a speaker, and the like, and outputs various information including the analysis result of the sample. The output unit 36 outputs the determination result in the determination unit 34. The transmission / reception unit 37 has a function as an interface for performing transmission / reception of information according to a predetermined format via a communication network (not shown).

  In the analyzer 1 configured as described above, the first reagent dispensing mechanism 12 dispenses the first reagent in the first reagent container 11a to the plurality of reaction containers 20 that are sequentially transported in a row. Then, after the sample dispensing mechanism 14 dispenses the sample in the sample container 13a and the second reagent dispensing mechanism 16 dispenses the reagent in the second reagent container 15a, each measurement unit of the photometry unit 18 analyzes the sample. The measurement is performed according to the contents, and the analysis unit 33 analyzes the measurement result, so that the component analysis of the sample is automatically performed. Further, the determination unit 34 determines whether or not there is a possibility that the analysis result corresponding to the colorimetric measurement unit 18A includes an abnormality based on the measurement result in each measurement unit in the photometry unit 18. Further, the cleaning unit 19 cleans the reaction container 20 that is transported after the measurement by the photometry unit 18 is completed, so that a series of analysis operations are continuously repeated.

  Next, a processing procedure until analysis information is output in the analysis apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure until analysis information is output in the analysis apparatus 1. The analysis apparatus 1 performs determination after performing turbidimetric measurement, dirt measurement, and bubble / liquid amount measurement on the reaction container 20 measured by the colorimetric measurement unit 18A.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the analyzer 1, the operation of each component of the measurement mechanism 2 and the control mechanism 3 is started under the control of the control unit 31, and the first reagent dispensing mechanism 12, the sample dispensing is performed. The mechanism 14 and the second reagent dispensing mechanism 16 perform a dispensing process for dispensing the sample and the reagent into the reaction container 20 (step S2). Thereafter, the stirring unit 17 performs a stirring process for promoting the reaction of the liquid in the reaction container 20 (step S4).

  Then, the colorimetric measurement unit 18A performs colorimetric measurement such as spectral intensity measurement on the light that has passed through the reaction vessel 20 in order to perform biochemical analysis such as concentration analysis under the control of the control unit 31 (step). S6).

  Next, the turbidimetric measurement unit 18B performs turbidimetric measurement by irradiating parallel light to the reaction vessel 20 that has been photometrically measured by the colorimetric measurement unit 18A (step S8). Then, the dirt measurement unit 18C performs the dirt measurement that measures the diffused light in the reaction container 20 with respect to the reaction container 20 that has been measured by the colorimetric measurement unit 18A and the turbidimetric measurement unit 18B (step S10). Then, the bubble / liquid amount measurement unit 18C performs bubble / liquid amount measurement for imaging the side surface of the reaction vessel 20 that has been photometrically measured by the colorimetric measurement unit 18A, the turbidimetric measurement unit 18B, and the dirt measurement unit 18C (step S12). ).

  Then, the determination unit 34 uses the measurement results output from the turbidimetric measurement unit 18B and the dirt measurement unit 18C and the image information output from the bubble / liquid amount measurement unit 18D to detect dirt and bubbles in the reaction container 20. A determination process for the volume of the generated and contained liquid is performed (step S14).

  And the control part 31 judges whether the determination result in the determination part 34 is a normal determination or an abnormality determination (step S16). When the control unit 31 determines that the determination result in the determination unit 34 is an abnormality determination (Step S16: Abnormal), the output unit 36 includes an abnormality in the analysis result by the colorimetric measurement unit 18A in the reaction container 20. Warning processing is performed to notify that there is a risk of being injured (step S18), and the output unit 36 outputs a warning under the control of the control unit 31 (step S19). The warning indicates that the analysis result of the colorimetric measurement unit 18A for the reaction vessel 20 may contain an abnormality, the liquid suspension in the reaction vessel 20 is abnormal, and the reaction vessel 20 is dirty. This indicates that a predetermined amount of specimen or reagent has not been dispensed, that there is a possibility that measurement may not be properly performed due to the generation of bubbles, or that light is not normally branched to each photometric optical system. The operator of the analyzer 1 confirms the warning output from the output unit 36, so that the analysis result by the colorimetric measurement unit 18A may contain an abnormality, and the first reagent dispensing mechanism 12, the sample It can be recognized that an abnormality may have occurred in any of the dispensing mechanism 14, the second reagent dispensing mechanism 16, the stirring unit 17, the photometry unit 18, and the cleaning unit 19.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 31 determines that the determination result in the determination unit 34 is normal determination (step S16: normal), the analysis result by the colorimetric measurement unit 18A for this reaction container 20 is normal, and the first It is determined that each part of the 1 reagent dispensing mechanism 12, the sample dispensing mechanism 14, the second reagent dispensing mechanism 16, the stirring unit 17, the photometric unit 18, and the cleaning unit 19 is operating appropriately. And the control part 31 performs the normal alerting | reporting process which alert | reports to the output part 36 that the analysis result by 18 A of colorimetric measurement units is normal, and each component part is operate | moving appropriately (step S20).

  Next, the determination unit 34 generates analysis information in which the determination result is associated with each analysis result (step S22), and the output unit 36 outputs the analysis information (step S24). This analysis information may be output from the output unit 36, stored in the storage unit 35, or transmitted to the external device by the transmission / reception unit 37 via a communication network (not shown).

  A conventional analyzer has a plurality of photometric optical systems of the same type, and each photometric optical system performs photometry at different photometric timings to analyze the concentration of each liquid sample. However, in conventional analyzers, even if measurements are performed using a plurality of photometric optical systems for concentration measurement, these photometric optical systems are the same type of photometric optical systems, so the measurement results can be obtained from another viewpoint. It was not possible to verify, and there was a limit to analysis accuracy.

  On the other hand, the analyzer 1 according to the embodiment includes a plurality of measurement units that perform different photometry using the light branched by the branch mechanism 181. Then, the analyzer 1 may use the measurement results of the measurement unit that performs photometry different from the colorimetric measurement unit 18A, and the concentration analysis result based on the measurement result of the general analysis measurement unit 18A may include an abnormality. It is determined whether or not there is. For this reason, the analyzer 1 can verify the concentration analysis result based on the measurement result of the colorimetric measurement unit 18A from another viewpoint based on the measurement result of the other measurement unit, and improve the analysis accuracy. It becomes possible to increase.

  Next, the branching mechanism of the photometry unit 18 and each measurement unit will be specifically described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the photometry unit 18. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the photometry unit 18 includes half mirrors 181 b and 181 c and a mirror 181 d that divide transmitted light and reflected light as the branching mechanism 181.

  First, the branch mechanism 181 will be described. A part of the light emitted from the light source 180 is supplied to the colorimetric measurement unit 18A through the half mirror 181a as shown by the light beam la. A part of the light 1 emitted from the light source 180 is reflected downward by the half mirror 181a and travels toward the half mirror 181b. A predetermined amount of light incident on the half mirror 181b is reflected by the half mirror 181b and supplied to the turbidimetric measurement unit 18B as indicated by the light beam lb. A predetermined amount of light incident on the half mirror 181b out of the light l emitted from the light source 180 passes through the half mirror 181b and enters the half mirror 181c. A predetermined amount of light incident on the half mirror 181c is reflected by the half mirror 181c and supplied to the dirt measurement unit 18c as indicated by the light beam lc. A predetermined amount of light incident on the half mirror 181c passes through the half mirror 181c and enters the mirror 181d. The light incident on the mirror 181d is reflected by the mirror 181d and supplied to the bubble / liquid amount measuring unit 18D as indicated by the light beam ld.

  Next, each photometric unit shown in FIG. 4 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the colorimetric measurement unit 18A condenses the light emitted from the light source 180 at a predetermined position of the reaction vessel 20 and the light passing through the reaction vessel 20 on the grating 185A. Lenses 183A and 184A, a grating 185A that splits incident light and reflects and outputs light in a predetermined wavelength region on a photodiode array (hereinafter referred to as "PDA") 186A, and light in a predetermined wavelength region that is reflected from the grating 185A. It has a PDA 186A that receives light and measures the amount of light received at a desired wavelength.

  The turbidimetric measurement unit 18B is a lens 182B that irradiates a part of the light emitted from the light source 180 as a parallel light to a predetermined region on the side surface of the reaction container 20, and a lens that condenses the light that has passed through the reaction container 20 on the grating 185B. 183B and 184B have a grating 185B that splits incident light and reflects and outputs light in a predetermined wavelength region on the PDA 186B, and a PDA 186B that receives light in a predetermined wavelength region reflected from the grating 185B and measures the amount of light received at a desired wavelength. . In the turbidimetric measurement unit 18B, the lens 182B has a shape and a diameter different from that of the lens 182A in order to make the light emitted from the light source 180 different from the colorimetric measurement unit 18A. 184B has a diameter different from that of the lenses 183A and 184A in order to properly collect the light that has passed through the reaction vessel 20.

  The dirt measuring unit 18C reflects the light incident from the lens 182C for condensing the light transmitted through the half mirror 181b to the mirror 187C, the mirror 187C for reflecting the light incident from the lens 182C to the mirror 188C, and the light incident from the mirror 187C. Of the scattered light that has passed through the reaction vessel 20 and is scattered or polarized on the surface of the reaction vessel 20 through light incident at an angle inclined with respect to the side surface of the vessel 20, the light directed from (a) to (b) on the drawing Lenses 183C and 184C that condense the light lc2 scattered in the left direction onto the grating 185C, a grating 185C that separates incident light and reflects and outputs light in a predetermined wavelength region on the PDA 186C, and a predetermined wavelength region that is reflected from the grating 185C A PDA 186C that measures the amount of light received at a desired wavelength.

  The bubble / liquid amount measurement unit 18D includes a lens 182D that collects light having a brightness that allows image processing within the imaging range, and a CCD camera 189D that images the reaction vessel 20 from the side.

  As described above, the branching mechanism 181 shown in FIG. 4 arranges the half mirrors 181b, 181c and the mirror 181d in correspondence with the irradiation path of the light emitted from the light source 180 and the arrangement position of each photometric unit. The emitted light is branched and supplied to each photometric unit. The branching mechanism 181 adjusts the amount of light supplied to each photometric unit by adjusting the split ratio of transmitted light and reflected light in the half mirrors 181b and 181d. Each photometric unit performs each measurement based on the light emitted from the light source 180 and the light from the light source 180 branched by the half mirrors 181b and 181c and the mirror 181d.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the branching mechanism 181 may receive light emitted from the light source 180 with an optical fiber 181f, branch the optical fiber 181f for each photometry unit, and emit light. As shown in FIG. 5, the light emitted from the light source 180 is condensed on one end of an optical fiber 181f by a lens 181e. The end of the optical fiber 181f where the light from the light source 180 is incident is provided with a lensed fiber (a fiber having a lens characteristic on the end surface) 181g that is connected to the optical fiber 181f at one end and collects the light incident on the other end. It has been. Further, at the end of the optical fiber 181f disposed at a position corresponding to each photometric unit, a lensed fiber 181h is connected to the optical fiber 181f at one end and the light supplied from the optical fiber 181f is output from the other end to each photometric unit. Each is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the photometry unit 18 includes a plurality of optical fibers 181 </ b> A to 181 </ b> D that are arranged at positions corresponding to the photometry units and are provided for the photometry units as the branching mechanism 181. Also good. The optical fiber 181A branches the light emitted from the light source 180 to the colorimetric measurement unit 18A, the optical fiber 181B branches the light emitted from the light source 180 to the turbidimetric measurement unit 18B, and the optical fiber 181C emits the light source 180 to the dirt measurement unit 18C. The optical fiber 181D branches the light emitted from the light source 180 to the bubble / liquid amount measuring unit 18D. A lensed fiber 181g for condensing the light incident on the other end is provided at one end connected to the optical fibers 181A-181D at the end where the light of the light source 180 of each of the optical fibers 181A-181D is incident. Further, at the end portion of the optical fiber 181f arranged at a position corresponding to each photometric unit, one end is connected to the optical fibers 181A to 181D, and the light supplied from the optical fibers 181A to 181D is output from the other end to each photometric unit. A fiber 181h is provided.

  In addition, the analyzer 1 may perform turbidimetric measurement, dirt measurement, bubble / liquid amount measurement, and determination processing together with general analysis on all reaction vessels 20 to be analyzed. In addition, the analyzer 1 can perform turbidimetric measurement, dirt measurement, bubble / foaming with respect to the corresponding reaction container 20 according to the change of the analysis item, according to the type of the sample to be analyzed, or for each predetermined period. Liquid volume measurement and determination may be performed. Similarly, the analyzer 1 selectively performs colorimetric measurement and turbidimetric measurement on the corresponding reaction container 20 according to the analysis item or the type of specimen, and also measures dirt and / or bubbles / liquids. You may make it determine by performing.

  In addition, when photometry is performed in the turbidimetric measurement unit 18B for immunological examination, the determination unit 34 determines the determination on the measurement result in the turbidimetric measurement unit 18B based on the dirt measurement unit 18C and the bubble / liquid amount measurement unit 18D. In addition to the measurement result, the measurement result of the colorimetric measurement unit 18A may be used. If the determination unit 34 determines that the measurement result of the colorimetric measurement unit 18A satisfies the predetermined range, the determination unit 34 determines that the measurement result of the turbidimetric measurement unit 18B is normal and outputs a normal determination. On the other hand, when the determination unit 34 determines that the measurement result of the colorimetric measurement unit 18A is not within the predetermined range, the determination unit 34 determines that the measurement result of the turbidimetric measurement unit 18B may include an abnormality, and outputs an abnormality determination. . This predetermined range is set based on the measurement result of the colorimetric measurement unit 18A when the measurement is normally performed in the turbidimetric measurement unit 18B.

  Further, in the photometry unit 18, when there are other different types of photometry units, any one of the plurality of photometry units may include a plurality of the same type of photometry units. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the photometry unit 18 may include two sets of the colorimetric measurement units 18 </ b> A among the four sets of photometry units to increase the measurement processing speed for the reaction vessel 20.

  In addition, the analysis apparatus described in the above embodiment can be realized by executing a program prepared in advance on a computer system such as a personal computer or a workstation. Hereinafter, a computer system that executes an analysis program having the same function as the analysis apparatus described in the above embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration of a computer system using the above-described embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the computer system 100 according to the present embodiment includes a main body 101 connected to the measurement mechanism 2 and a display for displaying information such as an image on a display screen 102 a according to an instruction from the main body 101. 102, a keyboard 103 for inputting various information to the computer system 100, and a mouse 104 for designating an arbitrary position on the display screen 102a of the display 102. The display 102 corresponds to the output unit 36 in the control mechanism 3, and the keyboard 103 and the mouse 104 correspond to the input unit 32 in the control mechanism 3. The main body 101 corresponds to the control unit 31, the analysis unit 33, the determination unit 34, the storage unit 34, and the transmission / reception unit 37 in the control mechanism 3. And this computer system 100 implement | achieves the processing operation of the analyzer 1 by reading and executing the program recorded on the predetermined recording medium. Here, the predetermined recording medium is not limited to “portable physical medium” such as flexible disk (FD) 108, CD-ROM 109, MO disk, DVD disk, magneto-optical disk, IC card, etc. The recording medium includes any recording medium that records a program readable by the computer system 100, such as a “communication medium” that holds the program in a short time when transmitting the program, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) provided inside and outside. In addition, the computer system 100 acquires a program from another computer system (not shown) connected via a network line (not shown) and executes the acquired program to realize the processing operation of the analysis apparatus 1.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the analyzer concerning embodiment. It is a figure explaining the photometry part shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence until analysis information is output in the analyzer shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the structure of the photometry part shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the other example of a structure of the photometry part shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the other example of a structure of the photometry part shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the other example of a structure of the photometry part shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the computer system using embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Analyzer 2 Measurement mechanism 3 Control mechanism 10 Reaction table 11 1st reagent storage 11a 1st reagent container 11b 1st reagent reading part 12 1st reagent dispensing mechanism 12a, 14a, 16a Arm 13 Sample transfer part 13a Sample container 13b Sample Rack 14 Specimen dispensing mechanism 15 Second reagent storage 15a Second reagent container 15b Second reagent reading unit 16 Second reagent dispensing mechanism 17 Stirring unit 18 Photometric unit 18A Colorimetric measurement unit 18B Turbidity measurement unit 18C Dirt measurement unit 18D Foam / Liquid Volume Measurement Unit 180 Light source 181a, 181b, 181c Half mirror 181d, 187C, 188C Mirror 181e, 182A, 183A, 184A, 182B, 183B, 184B, 182C, 183C, 184C, 182D Lens 185A, 185B, 185B 186A, 186B, 186C PDA
181f, 181A, 181B, 181C, 181D Optical fiber 181g, 181h Lensed fiber 189D CCD camera 19 Cleaning unit 20 Reaction vessel 31 Control unit 32 Input unit 33 Analysis unit 34 Judgment unit 35 Storage unit 36 Output unit 37 Transmission / reception unit 100 Computer system 101 Main unit 102 Display 102a Display screen 103 Keyboard 104 Mouse 108 Flexible disk (FD)
109 CD-ROM

Claims (11)

In the analyzer for analyzing the liquid sample by irradiating the liquid sample contained in the reaction container with the light emitted from the light source,
Branching means for branching light emitted from the light source;
A plurality of photometric optical systems that perform at least different types of photometry using the light branched by the branching unit, and
An analyzer characterized by comprising:   One of the photometric optical systems irradiates a predetermined area on the side surface of the reaction container with parallel light perpendicular to the side surface of the reaction container, and measures the light passing through the reaction container to detect the degree of suspension in the liquid sample. The analyzer according to claim 1.   3. The photometric optical system according to claim 1, wherein light incident at an angle with respect to a side surface of the reaction vessel is incident, and scattered light in the reaction vessel is measured to detect contamination of the reaction vessel. The analyzer described in 1.   One of the photometric optical systems images the side surface of the reaction container using the light branched by the branching unit, and based on the imaging result, the volume of liquid contained in the reaction container and / or the reaction The analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the presence or absence of bubbles in the liquid contained in the container is detected.   The analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the branching unit is a half mirror and / or a mirror.   The said branching means receives the light emitted from the light source by an optical fiber, branches the optical fiber for each of the photometric optical systems, and emits the light. Analysis equipment.   The analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the branching means is a plurality of optical fibers provided for each photometric optical system.   8. The analyzer according to claim 6, wherein lensd fibers are provided at both ends of the optical fiber.   The analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least one of the plurality of photometric optical systems includes a plurality of photometric optical systems of the same type.   And a determination means for determining whether there is a possibility that the detection result of the other photometric optical system includes an abnormality based on the detection result of at least one of the plurality of photometric optical systems. The analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: Analyzing means for analyzing the liquid sample based on a photometric result in the photometric optical system;
An output means for outputting a determination result in the determination means and / or an analysis result in the analysis means;
The analyzer according to claim 10, further comprising:

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