JP2008190959A - Autoanalyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an autoanalyzer that has reduced discarded amount of reagent. <P>SOLUTION: A simple residual amount is calculated by subtracting suction amount from the sealing amount of a reagent into a reagent bottle (S103), a calculated residual amount is calculated by using a residual amount formula which indicates the relation between liquid surface height of the reagent in the reagent bottle, the liquid surface height and the residual amount of the reagent (S104), the single residual amount and the calculated residual amount are compared (S105: No), and it is determined whether the reagent is distributed on the basis of the single residual amount (S106). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that analyzes a specimen by reacting a specimen such as blood and urine with a reagent.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an automatic analyzer manages the remaining amount of reagent in a reagent bottle and controls the dispensing of a sample or reagent in order to prevent the reagent from running out during analysis. Here, the automatic analyzer needs to stop the analysis and replenish the reagent when the remaining amount of the reagent becomes less than a predetermined amount.

  The remaining amount of the reagent is calculated by using a remaining amount expression indicating the relationship between the liquid level height in the reagent bottle and the remaining amount of the reagent in the reagent bottle, and the actually measured liquid level of the reagent ( (See Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). The remaining amount formula is created based on the shape of the reagent bottle.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-44774 No. 7-4576

  By the way, the shape of a reagent bottle changes with various conditions at the time of manufacture. Due to differences in the types of reagent bottles, that is, due to differences in manufacturing conditions (manufacturing factory, manufacturer, etc.), not only the shape of the reagent bottle is different, In reality, there is a difference in shape between individual reagent bottles due to the subtle errors. Between reagent bottles with different shapes, for example, between a reagent bottle with a small horizontal cross-sectional area and a reagent bottle with a large size, when the reagent is used up to the same liquid level, the amount of reagent remaining in each reagent bottle is different. A reagent bottle with a small horizontal cross-sectional area has a small amount of remaining reagent, and a large reagent bottle has a large amount of remaining reagent.

  The conventional automatic analyzer stops dispensing of the reagent when the remaining amount of the reagent obtained from the liquid level of the reagent and the remaining amount formula becomes less than a predetermined amount, for example, one suction amount, Request replacement. Therefore, the automatic analyzer continues the suction of the reagent even if the actual remaining amount in the reagent bottle is less than the predetermined amount if the remaining amount of the reagent calculated using the remaining amount formula is not less than the predetermined amount, There is a risk of unexpected reagent exhaustion. In order to prevent this fear, the remaining amount formula used in the automatic analyzer is the same shape at first glance, and even if it is a reagent bottle that should use the same remaining amount formula, that is, the same type of reagent bottle, there is a difference in shape. In consideration of this, the smallest reagent bottle is assumed, and it is made according to this reagent bottle. That is, the reagent remaining amount calculated using the remaining amount formula indicates the remaining reagent remaining amount in the reagent bottle among the reagent bottles using the same remaining amount formula. Therefore, in the reagent bottle larger than this reagent bottle, the actual remaining amount is larger than the remaining amount of the reagent calculated from the liquid level height and the remaining amount formula.

  In addition, the automatic analyzer stops aspirating the reagent when the remaining amount of the reagent determined from the reagent liquid level and the remaining amount formula is less than the predetermined amount, even if a predetermined amount or more of the reagent still remains. And request replacement of the reagent bottle. The amount of difference between the remaining reagent amount and the actual remaining amount calculated from the remaining amount formula is discarded wastefully, and as a result, many reagents are discarded.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide an automatic analyzer with a small amount of reagent discarded.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the automatic analyzer according to the present invention dispenses a reagent in a predetermined reagent bottle, reacts the reagent with the sample, and measures the characteristics of the reaction solution In the automatic analyzer for analyzing the specimen, simple remaining amount calculating means for calculating a simple remaining amount that is a remaining amount obtained by subtracting the suction amount from the amount of the reagent enclosed, and a liquid level of the reagent in the reagent bottle The remaining amount obtained from the liquid level detecting means to be detected, the liquid level detected by the liquid level detecting means, and the remaining amount expression indicating the relationship between the liquid level height and the remaining amount of the reagent in the reagent bottle The calculated remaining amount calculating means for calculating the calculated remaining amount is compared with a difference amount between the simple remaining amount and the calculated remaining amount and a reference amount, and it is determined whether or not the difference amount exceeds the reference amount. And a determination unit that determines the difference amount to be the reference amount by the determination unit. If it is determined that the difference amount exceeds the reference amount by the determination means, the simple residual amount is used to control the dispensing of the reagent. And a control means for controlling the dispensing of the reagent.

  In the automatic analyzer according to the present invention, in the above invention, a storage unit that stores a plurality of the remaining amount formulas is provided, and the calculated remaining amount calculating unit causes the difference amount to exceed the reference amount by the determining unit. After the determination, among the plurality of remaining amount formulas, specify the remaining amount formula that minimizes the difference between the difference amount of the calculated remaining amount before and after suction and the suction amount, and the identified remaining amount formula And calculating the calculated remaining amount.

  In the automatic analyzer according to the present invention, in the above invention, a storage unit that stores a plurality of the remaining amount formulas is provided, and the calculated remaining amount calculating unit includes the plurality of remaining amount formulas before and after the suction. The remaining amount formula that minimizes the difference between the difference amount of the calculated remaining amount and the suction amount is specified, and the calculated remaining amount is calculated from the specified remaining amount equation.

  The automatic analyzer according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the reference amount decreases in accordance with a decrease in the liquid level.

  Further, in the automatic analyzer according to the present invention, in the above invention, the control means controls the dispensing of the reagent using the simple remaining amount, and when the simple remaining amount becomes a predetermined amount or less, The dispensing of the reagent is controlled using the simple remaining amount.

  The automatic analyzer according to the present invention further includes a reading unit that reads the information on the enclosed amount in the above invention, and the control unit calculates the calculation when the reading unit does not read the information on the enclosed amount. The dispensing of the reagent is controlled using the remaining amount, and when the reading unit reads the information on the enclosed amount, the enclosed amount is set as the simple remaining amount before the reagent dispensing.

  The automatic analyzer according to the present invention is the automatic analyzer that reacts the reagent sucked from a predetermined reagent bottle with the sample, measures the characteristics of the reaction solution, and analyzes the sample. A liquid level detection means for detecting the liquid level, a storage means for storing a plurality of remaining amount expressions indicating a relationship between the liquid level height detected by the liquid level detection means, the liquid level height and the remaining amount of the reagent, and a plurality of Among the remaining amount formulas, the remaining amount formula that minimizes the difference between the difference between the suction amount and the difference amount before and after the suction of the calculated remaining amount obtained from the liquid level height and the remaining amount formula. The calculated remaining amount calculation means for calculating the calculated remaining amount using the specified remaining amount formula and the liquid level height, and the dispensing operation of the reagent is controlled using the calculated remaining amount. And a control means.

  The automatic analyzer according to the present invention has a simple remaining amount obtained by subtracting the suction amount from the enclosed amount, and a calculated remaining amount obtained from the liquid level height of the reagent in the reagent bottle and the remaining amount formula. If the difference between the simple remaining amount and the calculated remaining amount does not exceed the reference amount, the reagent dispensing is controlled using the simple remaining amount. Since there is no influence on the difference in the shape of the reagent bottle and the amount of the reagent contained can be reliably used for the analysis of the sample, the amount of discarded reagent can be reduced.

  Embodiments of an automatic analyzer according to the present invention will be described below 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.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an automatic analyzer according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic analyzer 1 dispenses a specimen and a reagent into a predetermined reaction container, and includes a measurement mechanism 101 that performs optical measurement on the liquid in the container, and the measurement mechanism 101. In addition to controlling the automatic analyzer 1 including the control mechanism 102, the control mechanism 102 that analyzes the measurement result obtained by the measurement mechanism 101 is provided, and these two mechanisms cooperate to automatically perform biochemical analysis of a plurality of specimens. And it is an apparatus that performs continuously. Here, the “liquid” includes a liquid containing a small amount of a solid component.

  The measurement mechanism 101 mainly includes a sample transport unit 11 that houses and sequentially transfers a plurality of racks 112 on which sample containers 111 that store general samples are mounted, and various types of samples other than general samples (calibration samples, quality control samples). , Urgent specimen, STAT specimen, retest specimen, etc.) specimen container holding section 12 holding specimen container 121, reagent bottle holding section 13 holding reagent bottle 131, and reaction for reacting specimen and reagent A reaction container holding unit 14 that holds the container 141.

  In addition, the measurement mechanism 101 dispenses the sample stored in the sample container 111 on the sample transfer unit 11 into the reaction container 141, or the sample stored in the sample container 121 on the sample container holding unit 12. The sample dispensing unit 15 for dispensing the reagent, the reagent dispensing unit 16 for dispensing the reagent contained in the reagent bottle 131 on the reagent bottle holding unit 13 into the reaction vessel 141, and the reaction vessel 141 A stirring unit 17 that stirs the liquid, a photometric unit 18 that receives light irradiated from the light source and passed through the reaction vessel 141 and measures the intensity of a predetermined wavelength component, and the reaction vessel holding unit 14 using a cleaning liquid. And a reaction container cleaning section 19 for cleaning the upper reaction container 141.

  Each of the sample containers 111 and 121 is affixed with an information code recording medium in which identification information for identifying a sample accommodated therein is encoded into a predetermined information code (bar code, two-dimensional code, etc.) and recorded (see FIG. Not shown). Also attached to the reagent bottle 131 is an information code recording medium 132 in which information such as the amount of reagent contained in the inside, the type of reagent, and the expiration date is encoded and recorded in a predetermined information code (see FIG. 2). ). For this reason, in the measurement mechanism 101, an information code reading unit CR1 that reads an information code attached to the sample container 111, an information code reading unit CR2 that reads an information code attached to the sample container 121, and a reagent container 131 are attached. An information code reading unit CR3 for reading an information code is provided in each of the sample transfer unit 11, the sample container holding unit 12, and the reagent bottle holding unit 13.

  The sample container holding unit 12, the reagent bottle holding unit 13, and the reaction container holding unit 14 are attached to a wheel that accommodates the sample container 121, the reagent bottle 131, and the reaction container 141, and the center of the bottom surface of the wheel, and passes through the center. Drive means (not shown) for rotating the wheel about the vertical line as a rotation axis is provided.

  The sample dispensing unit 15 has a liquid level detection circuit 151, and the reagent dispensing unit 16 has a liquid level detection circuit 161. The sample dispensing unit 15 and the reagent dispensing unit 16 have the same configuration. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the reagent dispensing unit 16 is a thin tube dispensing nozzle that sucks and discharges a reagent. 162, an arm 163 that holds the dispensing nozzle 162, and a column 164. The column 164 is moved up and down by the arm driving means 166 via the support member 165, and the arm 163 is moved in the horizontal plane by an arrow. Rotated in the direction of. The dispensing nozzle 162 moves up and down in the vertical direction and rotates in the horizontal direction under the control of the control mechanism 102, sucks the reagent from the reagent bottle 131, and then discharges the reagent to the predetermined reaction container 141. Furthermore, the reagent dispensing unit 16 has a washing unit (not shown) for washing the dispensing nozzle 162 with a washing liquid.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid level detection circuit 161 is connected to a dispensing nozzle 162 as a liquid level detection unit. The liquid level detection circuit 161 electrically detects the moment when the lower end of the dispensing nozzle 162 contacts the reagent liquid level in the reagent bottle 131, and outputs a detection signal to the control mechanism 102. The liquid level detection circuit 161 outputs this detection signal to the control mechanism 102 every time the reagent is aspirated. The liquid level detection circuit 161 can electrically detect the moment when the dispensing nozzle 162 is separated from the sample liquid level, and can output a detection signal to the control mechanism 102.

  The photometric unit 18 receives a light source that emits white light, a spectroscopic optical system that splits the white light that has passed through the reaction vessel 141, and a light receiving unit that receives light separated by the spectroscopic optical system for each component and converts it into an electrical signal. Device.

  Further, the control mechanism 102 will be described with reference to FIG. The control mechanism 102 is electrically connected to each part of the automatic analyzer 1, controls the operation of each part, and analyzes measurement information output from the light receiving element of the photometry unit 18. The control mechanism 102 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, an analysis unit 23, a reagent remaining amount calculation unit 24, an input unit 25, and an output unit 26.

  The control unit 21 is configured by a CPU or the like having a control function, and controls processing or operation of each unit of the automatic analyzer 1. The control unit 21 performs predetermined input / output control on information input / output to / from each unit of the automatic analyzer 1 and performs predetermined input / output processing on this information. The control unit 21 controls the automatic analyzer 1 by reading out the program stored in the storage unit 22 from the memory.

  The storage unit 22 includes 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 the program when the automatic analyzer 1 executes the process. Various information including various programs, calibration data, sample analysis results, and remaining amount formula are stored. The storage unit 22 may include an auxiliary storage device that reads information recorded on a recording medium such as a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a flash memory, and records the above-described program on such a recording medium. It is also possible to keep it.

  The analysis unit 23 converts the absorbance measured by the photometry unit 18 into a concentration by using a calibration curve included in the calibration data stored in the storage unit 22. The analysis data converted in this way is output from the output unit 26 while being written and stored in the storage unit 22.

  The input unit 25 is a part for inputting test information including test items, reagents, sample dispensing instructions, and the like to the control unit 21. For example, a keyboard or a mouse is used. The output unit 26 displays analysis contents, warnings, and the like, and a display device or a printer that outputs and displays information on paper is used.

  The reagent remaining amount calculation unit 24 calculates the remaining amount of the reagent in the reagent bottle 131. The reagent remaining amount calculation unit 24 includes a calculated remaining amount calculation unit 241, a simple remaining amount calculation unit 242, and a determination unit 243.

  The simple remaining amount calculation unit 242 calculates a simple remaining amount by subtracting a preset reagent aspiration amount for each reagent dispensing from the amount of reagent enclosed in the reagent bottle 131. This enclosed amount is obtained from the information code recorded on the information code recording medium 132 attached to the reagent bottle 131 by the control unit 21 via the information code reading unit CR3.

  Based on the detection signal output from the liquid level detection circuit 161 after the reagent is sucked into the dispensing nozzle 162, the calculated remaining amount calculation unit 241 and the remaining amount stored in the storage unit 22 are stored in the reagent liquid level height input from the control unit 21. The calculated remaining amount is calculated from the quantity formula.

  The determination unit 243 determines whether or not the difference amount between the simple remaining amount and the calculated remaining amount exceeds the reference amount. The reference amount is a reference for determining whether the simple remaining amount and the calculated remaining amount are approximately the same. For example, the reference amount is set in consideration of the accuracy of the remaining amount type and the accuracy of liquid level detection.

  By the way, the simple remaining amount is calculated by subtracting a preset reagent suction amount from the enclosed amount acquired from the information code recorded on the information code recording medium 132 by the control unit 21 via the reading unit CR3. Therefore, it is calculated regardless of the actual amount of reagent contained in the reagent bottle 131. Therefore, when the actual sealed amount when the reagent bottle 131 is mounted on the automatic analyzer 1 and the sealed amount acquired by the control unit 21 are completely different, the simple remaining amount and the actual remaining amount are completely different values. For example, when a reagent bottle used halfway in a certain automatic analyzer is mounted on the automatic analyzer 1, the actual enclosed amount is smaller than the enclosed amount acquired by the control unit 21. In this case, since the actual remaining amount is less than the simple remaining amount, if the control unit 21 controls the dispensing of the reagent using the simple remaining amount, the automatic analyzer 1 will run out of the reagent unexpectedly.

  On the other hand, since the calculated remaining amount is calculated from the remaining amount formula and the liquid level detected for each reagent dispensing, it is not irrelevant to the actual remaining amount in the reagent bottle 131 but is an amount reflecting the actual remaining amount. .

  Therefore, in the present invention, after the determination unit 243 determines that the difference amount between the simple remaining amount and the calculated remaining amount does not exceed the reference amount, that is, after determining that the simple remaining amount and the calculated remaining amount are approximately the same. Since the control unit 21 controls the dispensing of the reagent using the simple remaining amount, the simple remaining amount and the actual remaining amount are not completely different from each other, and the unexpected reagent run-out does not occur.

  Next, a procedure in which the control mechanism 102 controls the dispensing of the reagent according to the remaining amount of the reagent will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the control unit 21 sets the enclosed amount acquired from the information code recorded on the information code recording medium 132 via the reading unit CR3 as a simple remaining amount before performing reagent aspiration (step S101).

  Next, the control unit 21 causes the reagent dispensing unit 16 to dispense the reagent and calculates the liquid level height based on the detection signal input from the liquid level detection circuit 161 after the reagent is sucked into the dispensing nozzle 162. (Step S102).

  Next, the simple remaining amount calculating unit 242 calculates a simple remaining amount by subtracting a preset one-time amount of the reagent from the simple remaining amount set by the control unit 21. At this time, the control unit 21 updates the simple remaining amount every time the reagent is dispensed (step S103).

  The calculated remaining amount calculating unit 241 calculates the calculated remaining amount from the liquid level height input from the control unit 21 and the remaining amount formula corresponding to the preset reagent bottle 131 stored in the storage unit 22 (step S104). ).

  Thereafter, the determination unit 243 determines whether or not the difference amount between the simple remaining amount and the calculated remaining amount exceeds the reference amount (step S105). When the determination unit 243 determines that the difference amount does not exceed the reference amount (step S105: No), the control unit 21 determines whether the simple remaining amount is equal to or less than the predetermined amount Q1 (step S106). The predetermined amount Q1 is a criterion for determining whether or not the control unit 21 stops the dispensing of the reagent. The amount of the reagent that is sucked once and the remaining amount of the reagent that cannot be physically aspirated by the dispensing nozzle 162 ( It is set in consideration of so-called dead volume.

  When the simple remaining amount is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount Q1 (step S106: Yes), the control unit 21 returns to step S102 and repeats the above steps again. If the simple remaining amount is less than the predetermined amount Q1 (step S106: No), the reagent dispensing is stopped (step S107).

  On the other hand, when the determination unit 243 determines that the difference amount between the simple remaining amount and the calculated remaining amount exceeds the reference amount (step S105: Yes), the control unit 21 determines whether the calculated remaining amount is greater than or equal to the predetermined amount Q1. Judgment is made (step S108).

  When the calculated remaining amount is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount Q1 (step S108: Yes), the control unit 21 causes the reagent dispensing unit 16 to dispense the reagent again and detects the liquid level after the dispensing nozzle 162 sucks the reagent. The liquid level is calculated based on the detection signal input from the circuit 161 (step S109). Next, the calculated remaining amount calculating unit 241 calculates the calculated remaining amount (step S110). Then, it returns to step S108 and repeats the above-mentioned step again.

  On the other hand, when the calculated remaining amount is less than the predetermined amount Q1 in step S108 (step S108: No), the control unit 21 stops dispensing of the reagent (step S107).

  In the first embodiment, as long as the dispensing of the reagent is controlled using the simple remaining amount, the dispensing of the reagent is controlled using the remaining amount of the reagent calculated without using the remaining amount formula. Although it is the same type of reagent bottle in which the formula is used, it is not affected by differences in the shape of individual reagent bottles caused by manufacturing errors, and the amount of reagent contained can be reliably used for sample analysis. The amount of reagents discarded can be reduced.

  In the first embodiment described above, the calculated remaining amount is calculated using one preset remaining amount formula. However, as a first modification of the first embodiment, when the dispensing of the reagent is controlled using the calculated remaining amount, one remaining amount formula is specified from a plurality of remaining amount formulas stored in the storage unit 22, and this remaining amount is determined. The dispensing of the reagent may be controlled using the calculated remaining amount calculated from the quantitative formula and the liquid level.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 4, after the determination unit 243 determines that the difference amount between the simple remaining amount and the calculated remaining amount exceeds the reference amount (step S205: Yes), the calculated remaining amount calculating unit 241 includes the storage unit One remaining amount formula is specified from the plurality of remaining amount formulas stored in the memory 22, and a calculated remaining amount is calculated using the remaining formula (step S208, FIG. 5). Is used to control the dispensing of the reagent (step S209).

  Next, with reference to FIG. 5, a procedure for specifying one remaining amount expression from a plurality of remaining amount expressions and calculating the calculated remaining amount will be described.

  First, the calculated remaining amount calculation unit 241 determines whether or not the number of reagent dispensings is 10 or more (step S301).

  When the reagent dispensing frequency is 10 times or more (step S301: Yes), the calculated remaining amount calculating unit 241 inputs all remaining amount expressions stored in the storage unit 22 and the controller 21 for each reagent dispensing. The difference in the calculated remaining amount before and after the reagent dispensing is obtained using the liquid level of the reagent to be calculated, and the accumulated value of the difference in the calculated remaining amount before and after the last 10 reagent dispensings and the amount of the reagent aspirated for 10 times Is obtained (step S302).

  Next, the calculated remaining amount calculating means 241 specifies a remaining amount expression that minimizes the difference between the accumulated value of the difference between the calculated remaining amounts before and after the ten most recent reagent dispensings and the ten times of reagent aspiration. (Step S303). Here, the cumulative value of the difference in the calculated remaining amount before and after the 10th reagent dispensing is used because of the increase / decrease in the calculated remaining amount due to errors in the liquid level detection, etc. This is because the remaining amount expression is specified using a stable value by using the difference between the remaining amounts. Also, the most recent 10 times is that the accuracy of the remaining amount formula increases and the error between the calculated remaining amount and the actual remaining amount decreases as the reagent liquid level decreases, so the accuracy of the remaining amount equation is within the same range. This is because the remaining amount expression is specified using the calculated remaining amount obtained in step (1). In addition, the reference | standard of the frequency | count of dispensing is not restricted to 10 times.

  Next, the calculated remaining amount calculating unit 241 calculates the calculated remaining amount used for the control unit 21 to control the dispensing of the reagent using the remaining amount formula specified in the above-described step (step S304).

  On the other hand, when the number of dispensing of the reagent is less than 10 (step S301: No), the calculated remaining amount calculating unit 241 calculates the calculated remaining amount using a preset remaining amount formula. (Step S305).

  In this case, the calculated remaining amount calculation unit 241 automatically specifies the difference between the calculated remaining amounts before and after the reagent aspiration, that is, the remaining amount formula that minimizes the difference between the calculated aspiration amount and the preset aspiration amount. The calculated remaining amount is calculated using the specified remaining amount formula.

  Although the shape of the reagent bottle varies depending on various conditions at the time of manufacture, it is too complicated to create a remaining amount formula corresponding to the shape of each reagent bottle. However, a plurality of remaining amount formulas are created corresponding to the large difference in manufacturing conditions (manufacturing factory, manufacturer, etc.), that is, the type of reagent bottle. Furthermore, a plurality of remaining amount formulas may be created for one type of reagent bottle. Therefore, when calculating the calculated remaining amount using the remaining amount formula, if the remaining amount formula created assuming a reagent bottle close to the shape of the reagent bottle 131 in use is used, the calculated remaining amount and the actual remaining amount The error is reduced.

  The case where the difference between the calculated suction amount and the preset suction amount is the smallest is the case where the error between the calculated remaining amount and the actual remaining amount is the smallest. Therefore, at this time, it can be said that the error between the calculated remaining amount and the actual remaining amount is the smallest, and the used remaining amount equation is a remaining amount equation suitable for the reagent bottle 131 in use.

  In the case where there are a plurality of types of reagent bottles 131 mounted on the automatic analyzer 1, if the remaining amount formula corresponding to the type of each reagent bottle 131 is stored in the storage unit 22, the reagent bottle 131 in use It is automatically changed to the remaining amount formula suitable for Further, if a plurality of remaining amount formulas are stored for each type, a suitable remaining amount formula is specified from them, and is automatically changed to the remaining amount formula.

  As described above, when the dispensing of the reagent is controlled based on the calculated remaining amount, even if the preset remaining amount formula is not suitable for the reagent bottle 131 in use, a plurality of remaining amounts stored in the storage unit 22 are stored. Since the quantity formula is automatically changed to the remaining quantity formula suitable for the reagent bottle 131, the incompatibility between the reagent bottle 131 and the remaining quantity formula is eliminated. Therefore, even if it is not possible to control the dispensing of the reagent using the simple remaining amount, there will be no error between the actual remaining amount and the calculated remaining amount due to the mismatch between the reagent bottle 131 and the remaining amount formula. The error between the amount and the actual remaining amount can be reduced, and the amount of reagents discarded can be reduced.

  In the first embodiment, the calculated remaining amount is calculated using one preset remaining amount formula. However, as a second modification of the first embodiment, the calculated remaining amount calculating unit 241 is always used. May specify one remaining amount expression from a plurality of remaining amount expressions stored in the storage unit 22 and calculate the calculated remaining amount expression using this remaining amount expression.

  That is, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the calculated remaining amount calculation unit 241 specifies one remaining amount formula from among a plurality of remaining amount formulas stored in the storage unit 22, and uses this remaining amount formula to calculate the remaining calculated amount. Is calculated (step S404), and the determination unit 243 compares the difference amount between the calculated remaining amount and the simple remaining amount with a reference amount, and performs a determination process (step S405).

  FIG. 5 shows a procedure for identifying one remaining amount expression from the plurality of remaining amount expressions stored in the storage unit 22 and calculating the calculated remaining amount using this remaining amount expression performed in step S404. The procedure is the same.

  Next, after the determination unit 243 determines that the difference amount between the simple remaining amount and the calculated remaining amount exceeds the reference amount (step S405: Yes), the control unit 21 dispenses the reagent using the calculated remaining amount. Control is performed (step S408). When the calculated remaining amount is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount Q1 (step S408: Yes), the control unit 21 causes the reagent dispensing unit 16 to dispense the reagent, and the liquid level detection circuit 161 after the dispensing nozzle 162 sucks the reagent. The liquid level of the reagent is calculated based on the detection signal input from (step S409). Then, the calculated remaining amount calculation unit 241 identifies a remaining amount formula suitable for the reagent bottle 131 in use, and calculates the calculated remaining amount using the identified remaining amount formula (step S410). And it returns to step S408 again and repeats the above-mentioned procedure.

  In this case, the determination unit 243 can perform determination processing using the calculated remaining amount calculated using the remaining amount formula suitable for the reagent bottle 131.

  In this way, when deciding whether to dispense the reagent with the simple remaining amount or the calculated remaining amount, the error with the actual remaining amount can be compared with a smaller calculated remaining amount and the simple remaining amount. Therefore, it is possible to more accurately determine whether to use the simple remaining amount or the calculated remaining amount.

  In the first embodiment, the reference amount that the determination unit 243 compares with the difference amount between the simple remaining amount and the calculated remaining amount is constant. However, as a third modification of the first embodiment, the reference amount is changed to the liquid amount. You may reduce according to the reduction | decrease in surface height.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 7, after setting the reference amount (step S505), the determination unit 243 compares the difference amount between the simple remaining amount and the calculated remaining amount with the reference amount, and performs a determination process (step S505). S506).

  The accuracy of the remaining amount type is improved as the liquid level of the reagent is lowered. Therefore, if the remaining amount formula suitable for the reagent bottle is used, the error between the actual remaining amount and the calculated remaining amount decreases as the reagent liquid level approaches the bottom surface of the reagent bottle. This is because, in the reagent bottle forming step, an error in the shape of the reagent bottle is less likely to occur near the bottom of the reagent bottle than near the middle of the reagent bottle.

  Therefore, when the liquid level of the reagent is high and the accuracy of the remaining amount formula is low, the error between the calculated remaining amount and the actual remaining amount is large, so the reference amount is also increased, and the simple remaining amount and the calculated remaining amount are the same. Check roughly to see if this is the case. When the liquid level is low and the accuracy of the remaining amount formula is high, the error between the calculated remaining amount and the actual remaining amount is small, so the reference amount is also reduced, and the simple remaining amount and the calculated remaining amount are compared. Do exactly.

  In this way, when deciding whether to dispense a reagent with a simple remaining amount or a calculated remaining amount, the judgment criteria can be changed according to the accuracy of the remaining amount formula, so reagent dispensing control Therefore, it is possible to more appropriately determine whether to use the simple remaining amount or the calculated remaining amount.

  In the first embodiment, even when the dispensing of the reagent is controlled using the simple remaining amount, the calculated remaining amount is calculated for each reagent dispensing until the dispensing stops, and the simple remaining amount and the calculated amount are calculated. The difference amount with the remaining amount was compared with the reference amount, and judgment processing was performed. However, as a fourth modification of the first embodiment, after the simple remaining amount becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the calculated remaining amount is not calculated, the determination process is not performed, and the reagent is dispensed using the simple remaining amount. It may be controlled.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the determination unit 243 determines whether the difference amount between the simple remaining amount and the calculated remaining amount exceeds the reference amount (step S605), and determines that the difference amount does not exceed the reference amount. In the case (step S605: No), the control unit 21 determines whether the simple remaining amount is equal to or larger than the predetermined amount Q2 (step S606). The predetermined amount Q2 is larger than the predetermined amount Q1 used by the control unit 21 to determine whether or not to stop dispensing of the reagent, and the simple remaining amount Q2 is less than the predetermined amount. In view of the fact that the dispensing of the reagent can be controlled using, the simple remaining amount and the actual remaining amount can be inferred to be comparable without comparing the simple remaining amount and the calculated remaining amount. For example, an amount obtained by adding the aspiration amount of the reagent from several times to several tens of times to the predetermined amount Q1 is set.

  When the simple remaining amount is less than the predetermined amount Q2 (step S606: No), the control unit 21 causes the reagent dispensing unit 16 to dispense the reagent and detects the liquid level after the dispensing nozzle 162 sucks the reagent. Based on the detection signal input from the circuit 161, the liquid level is calculated (step S607).

  Next, the simple remaining amount calculating unit 242 calculates a simple remaining amount by subtracting the suction amount from the simple remaining amount calculated at the time of the previous reagent dispensing (step S608).

  Next, the control unit 21 determines whether the simple remaining amount is greater than or less than the predetermined amount Q1 (step S609). When the simple remaining amount is less than the predetermined amount Q1 (step S609: No), the control unit 21 stops dispensing of the reagent (step S610). If the simple remaining amount is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount Q1 (step S609: Yes), the process returns to step S607 and the above steps are repeated again.

  On the other hand, if the simple remaining amount is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount Q2 (step S606: Yes), the process returns to step S602, reagent dispensing and liquid level detection (step S602), simple remaining amount calculation (step S603), calculated remaining amount. The calculation (step S604), the comparison between the simple remaining amount and the calculated remaining amount by the determination unit 243, and the determination process (step S605) are repeated.

  As described above, when the simple remaining amount becomes less than the predetermined amount Q2 while controlling the dispensing of the reagent using the simple remaining amount, the calculated remaining amount is calculated by the calculated remaining amount calculating unit 241 and is determined by the determining unit 243. Since determination processing is not performed, the burden of calculation processing in the control mechanism 102 can be reduced.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the control unit 21 acquires information on the enclosed amount stored in the information code recording medium 132 via the information code reading unit CR3, and sets the enclosed amount as a simple remaining amount. As a fifth modification of the first embodiment, when the control unit 21 does not acquire the information on the enclosed amount, the control unit 21 controls the dispensing of the reagent using the calculated remaining amount calculated by the calculated remaining amount calculating unit 241. It is good.

  That is, the automatic analyzer 1 shown in FIG. 9 includes an information code reading unit CR4 that reads an information code recorded on an information code recording medium 133 attached to the reagent bottle 131. In some cases, the information code recording medium 133 shown in FIG. 10 does not record the information code of the enclosed amount. Therefore, the information code reading unit CR4 may not read the information code of the enclosed amount.

  Next, a procedure in which the control mechanism 102 controls the dispensing of the reagent according to the remaining amount of the reagent will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 11, first, the control unit 21 determines whether or not the information on the enclosed amount has been acquired (step S701). When the information code of the enclosed amount is not recorded on the information code recording medium 133 and the control unit 21 does not acquire the information of the enclosed amount from the information code recording medium 133 via the information code reading unit CR4 (No in step S701). ), The control unit 21 causes the reagent dispensing unit 16 to dispense the reagent and calculates the liquid level based on the detection signal input from the liquid level detection circuit 161 after the reagent is sucked into the dispensing nozzle 162 ( Step S710). Next, the calculated remaining amount calculating unit 241 calculates the calculated remaining amount (step S711). Next, the control unit 21 determines whether or not the calculated remaining amount is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount (step S709). When the calculated remaining amount is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount Q1 (step S709: Yes), the process returns to step S710, and the above steps are repeated again.

  As described above, even when information on the enclosed amount cannot be obtained, dispensing of the reagent can be controlled using the remaining amount of the reagent.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment described above, the dispensing of the reagent is controlled using either the simple remaining amount or the calculated remaining amount. In the second embodiment, the calculation is performed using the remaining amount formula suitable for the reagent bottle. The remaining amount is calculated, and the dispensing of the reagent is controlled using only the calculated remaining amount.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 12, instead of the reagent remaining amount calculating unit 24 shown in FIG. 1, only a calculated remaining amount calculating unit 27 is provided. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 13, a procedure in which the control mechanism 102 controls reagent dispensing according to the calculated remaining amount will be described.

  First, the control unit 21 causes the reagent dispensing unit 16 to dispense the reagent, and calculates the liquid level height based on a detection signal input from the liquid level detection circuit 161 after the reagent is sucked into the dispensing nozzle 162 ( Step S801).

  Next, the calculated remaining amount calculation unit 27 specifies a remaining amount formula suitable for the reagent bottle 131, and calculates the calculated remaining amount using the specified remaining amount formula (step S802). Note that the procedure for specifying one remaining amount equation from among the plurality of remaining amount equations stored in the storage unit 22 and calculating the calculated remaining amount using this remaining amount equation is the same as the procedure shown in FIG. .

  Next, the control unit 21 determines whether the calculated remaining amount is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount Q1 (step SS803). If the calculated remaining amount is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount (step S803: Yes), the process returns to step S801 and the above steps are repeated again. When the calculated remaining amount is less than the predetermined amount (step S803: No), the control unit 21 stops the reagent dispensing (step S804).

  In this way, a remaining amount formula with a small error between the calculated remaining amount and the actual remaining amount is automatically specified, and the dispensing of the reagent can be controlled using the calculated remaining amount calculated from this remaining amount formula. An error between the calculated remaining amount and the actual remaining amount due to a mismatch between 131 and the remaining amount formula does not occur, the error between the calculated remaining amount and the actual remaining amount can be reduced, and the amount of reagent discarded can be reduced.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the liquid level detection means includes the liquid level detection circuit 161 and the dispensing nozzle 162, and the moment when it comes into contact with the liquid level of the reagent held in the reagent bottle 131, or the reagent liquid The moment of leaving the surface was detected electrically to detect the reagent liquid level. However, the liquid level detecting means of the present invention is not limited to this as long as the liquid level of the reagent held in the reagent bottle 131 can be detected. For example, the liquid level detecting means detects the liquid level with an optical sensor or detects sound waves on the liquid level. The surface of the liquid may be detected from the reflected sound wave.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the information of the specimen or reagent is read using the information code recording media 132 and 133 and the information code reading units CR1 to CR4. If the information of the specimen or reagent is input to the control mechanism 102, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, specimen identification information or reagent information is recorded on an IC chip from which information can be read or written wirelessly, and a wireless IC tag (RFID tag) in which this IC chip is built in is used for specimen containers 111 and 121, reagent bottles. The wireless IC tag reader may read the information instead of the information code reading units CR1 to CR4. Alternatively, sample or reagent information may be input from the input unit 25.

1 is a block diagram of an automatic analyzer according to a first embodiment. It is the schematic of the reagent dispensing part of the automatic analyzer shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence until the control mechanism shown in FIG. 1 stops dispensing of a reagent. When the control mechanism shown in FIG. 1 controls the dispensing of the reagent based on the calculated remaining amount, when the calculated remaining amount is calculated using a specific remaining amount formula (Modification 1), the reagent dispensing is stopped. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence until it carries out. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure until the calculated remaining amount calculation unit shown in FIG. 1 identifies one remaining amount formula from a plurality of remaining amount formulas and calculates the calculated remaining amount using the identified remaining amount formula. . When the control mechanism shown in FIG. 1 calculates a calculation residual amount using a specific residual amount formula (modification 2), it is a flowchart which shows the process sequence until it stops dispensing of a reagent. When the control mechanism shown in FIG. 1 sets a reference amount according to the liquid level (Modification 3), it is a flowchart showing a processing procedure until stopping dispensing of a reagent. When the control mechanism shown in FIG. 1 does not calculate the calculated remaining amount after the simple remaining amount becomes less than the predetermined amount during the reagent dispensing control with the simple remaining amount (variation 4), the reagent dispensing is stopped. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence until. It is a block diagram of the automatic analyzer concerning the modification 5 of Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a reagent bottle and an information code recording medium according to Modification 5 of Embodiment 1. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure until the control mechanism shown in FIG. 9 stops dispensing of the reagent. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an automatic analyzer according to a second embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence until the control mechanism shown in FIG. 12 stops dispensing of a reagent.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automatic analyzer 11 Specimen transfer part 12 Specimen container holding part 13 Reagent bottle holding part 14 Reaction container holding part 15 Specimen dispensing part 16 Reagent dispensing part 17 Stirring part 18 Photometric part 19 Reaction container washing part 21 Control part 22 Storage part 23 Analyzing unit 24 Reagent remaining amount calculating unit 25 Input unit 26 Output unit 27 Calculated remaining amount calculating unit 101 Measuring mechanism 102 Control mechanism 111 Sample container 112 Rack 121 Sample container 131 Reagent bottle 132, 133 Information code recording medium 141 Reaction container 151, 161 Liquid level detection circuit 162 Dispensing nozzle 163 Arm 164 Support column 165 Support member 241 Calculation remaining amount calculation unit 242 Simple remaining amount calculation unit 243 Judgment unit CR1, CR2, CR3, CR4 Information code reading unit

Claims (7)

In an automatic analyzer that dispenses the reagent in a predetermined reagent bottle, reacts the reagent with the sample, measures the characteristics of the reaction solution, and analyzes the sample,
Simple remaining amount calculating means for calculating a simple remaining amount that is a remaining amount obtained by subtracting the suction amount from the amount of the reagent enclosed;
A liquid level detecting means for detecting the liquid level of the reagent in the reagent bottle;
Calculate a calculated remaining amount which is a remaining amount obtained from the liquid level detected by the liquid level detecting means and a remaining amount expression indicating a relationship between the liquid level and the remaining amount of the reagent in the reagent bottle. A calculation remaining amount calculating means;
A determination means for comparing a difference amount between the simple remaining amount and the calculated remaining amount and a reference amount, and determining whether the difference amount exceeds the reference amount;
When it is determined by the determination means that the difference amount does not exceed the reference amount, the dispensing of the reagent is controlled using the simple remaining amount, and the difference amount exceeds the reference amount by the determination means. Control means for controlling the dispensing of the reagent using the calculated remaining amount,
An automatic analyzer characterized by comprising: A storage means for storing a plurality of the remaining amount formulas is provided,
The calculated remaining amount calculating means determines, after the determining means that the difference amount exceeds the reference amount, among the plurality of remaining amount formulas, the difference amount of the calculated remaining amount before and after suction and the suction amount The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the remaining amount formula that minimizes the difference between the two is specified, and the calculated remaining amount is calculated using the identified remaining amount formula. A storage means for storing a plurality of the remaining amount formulas is provided,
The calculated remaining amount calculating means specifies the remaining amount formula that minimizes a difference between the difference amount of the calculated remaining amount before and after suction and the suction amount among the plurality of remaining amount formulas. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the calculated remaining amount is calculated from a quantitative formula.   The automatic analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the reference amount decreases with a decrease in the liquid level.   The control means controls the dispensing of the reagent using the simple remaining amount when the simple remaining amount falls below a predetermined amount while controlling the dispensing of the reagent using the simple remaining amount. The automatic analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Having a reading means for reading the information of the enclosed amount,
The control means controls the dispensing of the reagent using the calculated remaining amount when the reading means does not read the information on the enclosed amount, and when the reading means reads the information on the enclosed amount, The automatic analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an amount is set as the simple remaining amount before the reagent dispensing. In an automatic analyzer that reacts the reagent aspirated from a predetermined reagent bottle with the sample, measures the characteristics of the reaction solution and analyzes the sample,
Liquid level detection means for detecting the liquid level in the reagent bottle;
Storage means for storing a plurality of remaining amount expressions indicating the relationship between the liquid level detected by the liquid level detecting means and the liquid level height and the remaining amount of the reagent;
Among the plurality of remaining amount formulas, the remaining amount at which the difference between the difference between the suction amount and the difference amount before and after the suction of the calculated remaining amount obtained from the liquid level height and the remaining amount formula is minimized. A calculated remaining amount calculating means for specifying a formula and calculating the calculated remaining amount using the specified remaining amount formula and the liquid level height;
Control means for controlling the dispensing operation of the reagent using the calculated remaining amount;
An automatic analyzer characterized by comprising:

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