JP2008216173A - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To lock a lid of a reagent box, such that the lid does not open during a measurement operation, and to enable the lid to open, only when exchanging reagent vessels without suspending the measurement. <P>SOLUTION: The lid 110 is arranged on the upper surface of the reagent box 100, such that the lid 110 can open and close, and a lock mechanism is disposed to keep the lid 110 in its closed state during the measurement operation by using an active section 120 and a receiving section 130; and while continuing the measurement operation, an operation of a dispensing mechanism is stopped by an analyzer control section 150 which controls operations of respective pieces of constituent equipment, whereby the locked state of the lid operated by the lock mechanism can be temporarily released. Hence, since the exchange of the reagent vessels can be carried out in the suspension of the dispensing mechanism, while continuing the measurement operation, a related automatic analyzer can be managed efficiently. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that analyzes a component of a sample by reacting the sample with a reagent.

  An automatic analyzer is a device that automatically analyzes a component of a sample by mixing a reagent with a sample such as blood or urine and reacting it, and examining the reaction state with light. This automatic analyzer is widely used in hospitals and laboratories because it can simultaneously analyze many items of components for many samples.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an analysis unit, which is a main part of the automatic analyzer, and the automatic analyzer will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the automatic analyzer includes a reaction disk 11, a sample desk 12, a first reagent storage 13, a second reagent storage 14, a sample dispensing mechanism 15, a first reagent dispensing mechanism 16, and a second reagent dispensing. The injection mechanism 17, the first stirring mechanism 18, the second stirring mechanism 19, the washing unit 20, the measurement unit 22, and the like are provided, and the operation is controlled by an analyzer control unit (not shown). As an option, an electrode 21 can also be arranged.

  The reaction disk 11 is formed in an annular shape and accommodates a large number of reaction vessels 10 in a circumferential shape, and performs an intermittent rotation operation that rotates and stops at a predetermined angle in a certain cycle. A sample desk 12 containing a large number of sample containers 12a containing samples to be analyzed is arranged near the reaction disk 11. The first reagent storage 13 stores a large number of reagent containers 13a containing reagents, is arranged concentrically inside the reaction disk 11, and stores a number of reagent containers 14a also storing reagents. The two reagent storage 14 is arranged in the vicinity of the reaction disk 11 with a predetermined interval.

  A sample dispensing mechanism 15 is disposed between the reaction disk 11 and the sample desk 12. The sample dispensing mechanism 15 rotates between the reaction disk 11 and the sample desk 12 so as to draw an arc around the column 15a. Further, a first reagent dispensing mechanism 16 is disposed in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the reaction disk 11, and a second reagent dispensing mechanism 17 is disposed between the reaction disk 11 and the second reagent storage 14. The first reagent dispensing mechanism 16 and the second reagent dispensing mechanism 17 are also arranged between the reaction disk 11 and the first reagent container 13 or between the reaction disk 11 and the second reagent container 14 with the support columns 16a and 17a as axes. Rotate to draw an arc. Further, a first stirring mechanism 18, a second stirring mechanism 19, a cleaning unit 20, and an electrode 21 are disposed near the outer periphery of the reaction disk 11, and a measurement unit 22 is disposed at a predetermined position of the reaction disk 11.

  The sample desk 12 is formed in a disc shape and rotates around its axis to move a desired sample container 12a to the suction position of the sample dispensing mechanism 15. The sample dispensing mechanism 15 has a needle-like nozzle, sucks the sample in the sample container 12a at a predetermined suction position, and then rotates to the reaction disk 11 side, and the predetermined reaction container accommodated in the reaction disk 11 The sample is discharged into 10. The reaction disk 11 rotates about its axis, and moves the reaction container 10 to the reagent discharge position of the first reagent dispensing mechanism 16 and the second reagent dispensing mechanism 17.

  Both the first reagent storage 13 and the second reagent storage 14 are formed in an annular shape and rotate around the axis thereof, and the reagent containers 13a and 14a stored in the first reagent storage 13 and the second reagent storage 14 are respectively connected to the first reagent dispensing mechanism 16. Then, the second reagent dispensing mechanism 17 is moved to the suction position. Each of the first reagent dispensing mechanism 16 and the second reagent dispensing mechanism 17 has a needle-like nozzle, and the reagent is supplied from predetermined reagent containers 13a and 14a of the first reagent container 13 and the second reagent container 14, respectively. The reagent is aspirated, and a predetermined amount of the reagent is dispensed into a predetermined reaction container 10 accommodated in the reaction disk 11.

  When the reaction vessel 10 reaches the first stirring position and the second stirring position by the rotation operation of the reaction disk 11, the first stirring mechanism 18 and the second stirring mechanism 19 are discharged into the corresponding reaction vessel 10. The mixture is mixed with a reagent with a stir bar to promote the reaction. Further, when the reaction vessel 10 reaches the position of the measurement unit 22 as the reaction disk 11 rotates, the components of the liquid mixture in the reaction vessel 10 are analyzed by the measurement unit 22. Then, after the analysis is completed, the mixed solution in the reaction vessel 10 is discarded, and the reaction vessel 10 is washed by the washing unit 20 and used for the analysis of the next sample.

By the way, the reagent has various properties such as a volatile one and a one that is denatured by a temperature change. Therefore, the first reagent storage 13 and the second reagent storage 14 storing the reagent containers containing the reagents are cooled or covered on the upper surface to concentrate the reagent due to volatilization and to deteriorate characteristics due to temperature change. In order to prevent the volatilized reagent from dissolving into other reagents, for example, refer to Patent Document 1. Note that through holes are formed in the lids of the reagent containers 13 and 14 at the suction position where the reagent is dispensed from the reagent containers 13a and 14a by the reagent dispensing mechanisms 16 and 17.
JP-A-8-160050

  During the operation of the automatic analyzer, the reagent containers 13 and 14 are rotated to move the reagent containers 13a and 14a, and the reagents in the reagent containers 13a and 14a are aspirated by the nozzles of the reagent dispensing mechanisms 16 and 17, respectively. The operation of discharging into the reaction vessel 10 is repeated. Therefore, the conventional automatic analyzer is operating on the reagent storages 13 and 14 so that the user does not carelessly remove the lids of the reagent storages 13 and 14 and touch the reagent dispensing mechanisms 16 and 17. As a warning indicating this, the lamp was turned on, or a message indicating that it was operating was displayed on the console.

  However, when the reagent containers 13a and 14a are emptied or the reagents in the reagent container are insufficient, the reagent containers 13a and 14a are replaced. , 14 may be opened. In this case, there is a possibility that the nozzles of the reagent dispensing mechanisms 16 and 17 collide with the lid and break the nozzles, and the user gets injured by putting their hands in the place where the reagent storages 13 and 14 are rotating. The possibility cannot be denied. For this reason, conventionally, when the lids of the reagent containers 13 and 14 are opened during operation, the measurement operation is stopped. However, if the measurement operation is stopped, data collection of the sample dispensed in the reaction vessel 10 until then stops, so the measurement must be performed again, the sample and reagent are wasted, and the analysis result is There was a problem that it took time to get out.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is a reaction disk that moves a reaction container for reacting the sample and the reagent in an automatic analyzer for reacting the sample and the reagent to analyze the components of the sample. A reagent storage for storing a plurality of reagent containers containing the reagents, a dispensing mechanism for dispensing reagents from the reagent containers stored in the reagent storage to the reaction containers, and It is characterized by comprising a lid that is openable and closable on the upper surface, a lock mechanism for maintaining the closed state of the lid, and a control device that controls the operation of each of the components.

  Further, the invention according to claim 2 is the automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is a receiving member provided on the lid body side on an electrically operated movable member provided on the reagent container side. The lid is maintained in a closed state by engaging the member.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the automatic analyzer according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the control device operates the dispensing mechanism while continuing the measuring operation. It has a function of stopping and temporarily releasing the closed state of the lid by the lock mechanism.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the automatic analyzer according to any one of the first to third aspects further comprises a sensor for detecting the open / closed state of the lid, and a detection signal of the sensor is obtained. The display device further includes display means for displaying the open / closed state of the lid.

  As shown in the section of the means for solving the above problems, according to the invention of each claim described in the claims of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the lid of the reagent store cannot be physically opened during the reagent dispensing operation, the user accidentally opens the lid of the reagent store and performs the measurement operation. The conventional inconvenience of having to stop and invalidate the data collection of the sample that has been dispensed into the reaction container and to perform the measurement again is eliminated. This eliminates the inconvenience of taking a long time to obtain an analysis result.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the lid of the reagent storage can be surely prevented from being opened by a simple mechanism. It is also easy to control the opening and closing of the lid as needed during the measurement operation.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the reagent storage lid cannot be physically opened during the reagent dispensing operation, and the measurement operation is consciously performed by the user performing a predetermined operation. Since the lid can be opened only when the unit is temporarily suspended, it is possible to reduce the risk that the user accidentally opens the lid of the reagent storage and stops all measurement operations. Thus, for example, when it becomes necessary to replace the reagent container, the reagent container can be replaced by stopping only the reagent dispensing operation while continuing the measurement operation. It can be operated.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the open / closed state of the lid can be reliably detected and the state is displayed, an automatic analyzer that is easy for the user to use is provided.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an automatic analyzer according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  First, the point which is the aim of the present invention and its operation will be briefly described.

  That is, in the automatic analyzer of the present invention, the user cannot accidentally open the lid of the reagent store by physically locking the lid so that the lid of the reagent store is kept closed during the measurement operation. To. However, when the reagent runs out during the measurement operation and it is necessary to replace the reagent container, the lock is released by the user's instruction so that the reagent storage lid can be opened.

  When the state of the measurement operation and the state of the reagent storage are monitored by the computer of the analyzer control unit and the lock is released by a user instruction, the operation of the reaction disk and the measurement operation by the measurement unit are not stopped. It is intended to continue and stop only the reagent dispensing operation by the reagent dispensing mechanism. As the lock mechanism, for example, a mechanism that can electrically control lock / release by excitation of a solenoid is employed.

  Next, the configuration of the automatic analyzer according to the present invention will be described. The analysis unit of the automatic analyzer according to the present invention includes a reaction disk 11, a sample desk 12, a first reagent, as shown in FIG. Chamber 13, second reagent chamber 14, sample dispensing mechanism 15, first reagent dispensing mechanism 16, second reagent dispensing mechanism 17, first stirring mechanism 18, second stirring mechanism 19, cleaning unit 20, and measurement unit 22 The operation is controlled by an analyzer control unit (not shown in FIG. 5), and an electrode 21 can also be arranged as an option.

  Therefore, the description of such a basic configuration is omitted, and an electrical means for maintaining the lid of the reagent chamber closed as a means for realizing the above-described point of the present invention is provided. A controllable locking mechanism will be described first with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the reagent storage 100 and its lid 110. The reagent storage 100 corresponds to the first reagent storage 13 and the second reagent storage 14 shown in FIG. 5, and these are formed in an annular shape and rotate around the axis. Although not shown in the figure, a large number of reagent containers containing reagents corresponding to the analysis items are stored. A lid 110 is arranged so as to close the upper surface of the reagent storage 100. The lid 110 is used for preventing deterioration of characteristics due to temperature change of the reagent stored in the reagent store 100, preventing volatilization, preventing the volatilized reagent from being dissolved in other reagents, and the like.

  An active part 120 of the lock mechanism is provided on the side surface of the reagent storage 100, and a receiving part 130 engaged with the active part 120 is provided on the lid 110. A sensor 140 that detects the open / closed state of the lid 110 is provided in the reagent store 100. The active unit 120 of the lock mechanism is operated by a signal from an analyzer control unit 150 (see FIG. 3) that controls the operation of the entire automatic analyzer described later, and the output of the sensor 140 is also sent to the analyzer control unit 150. It is done. In addition, a through hole 111 for inserting a nozzle of a reagent dispensing mechanism (not shown) (corresponding to the reagent dispensing mechanisms 16 and 17 shown in FIG. 5) is formed in the lid 110 at a predetermined position. Yes.

  An example of the locking mechanism is shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b). 2A shows a state in which the lid 110 is opened with respect to the reagent storage 100, and the lock mechanism is not operated in this state. On the other hand, FIG. 2B shows a state in which the lid 110 is closed with respect to the reagent storage 100, and the lid 110 is maintained in the closed state by operating the lock mechanism in this state. . In this embodiment, a solenoid is used as the active part 120 of the lock mechanism. The U-shaped notch 131 formed in the receiving part 130 has an iron core 121 of the active part 120 (solenoid). The lid 110 is locked so as to close the upper surface of the reagent storage 100.

  Next, the analyzer control unit 150 will be described with reference to FIG. The analyzer control unit 150 controls the operation of the entire automatic analyzer, and includes a measurement operation control unit 151, a reaction disk control unit 152, a sample dispensing mechanism control unit 153, a reagent dispensing mechanism control unit 154, and a stirring mechanism. A control unit 155, a cleaning unit control unit 156, a reagent store control unit 157, a reagent store cover lock control unit 158, and the like are provided. The analyzer control unit 150 is connected to a console unit 160 having an operation unit 161 and a display monitor 162.

  The console unit 160 receives a measurement start instruction, a measurement stop instruction, a temporary stop instruction, a reagent barcode reading instruction, and the like from the user via the operation unit 161, and the received instruction is measured by the measurement operation control unit of the analyzer control unit 150. 151, and the measurement operation control unit 151 executes the instruction. That is, the measurement operation control unit 151 sends instructions necessary for the measurement operation to the reaction disk control unit 152, the sample dispensing mechanism control unit 153, the reagent dispensing mechanism control unit 154, the stirring mechanism control unit 155, and the cleaning unit control unit 156. Then, the measurement operation is executed by various devices such as a reaction disk and a sample dispensing mechanism, a reagent dispensing mechanism, a stirring mechanism, and a washing unit necessary for the measurement operation.

  Furthermore, the reagent storage control unit 157 rotates the reagent storage 100 in accordance with an instruction from the measurement operation control unit 151 and executes reading of the reagent barcode displayed on the reagent container. Further, a signal indicating the open / closed state of the lid 110 from the sensor 140 is supplied to the reagent storage controller 157. The reagent storage cover lock control unit 158 sends an operation signal to the locking mechanism formed by the active unit 120 and the receiving unit 130 based on the opening / closing state of the lid 110 from the reagent storage control unit 157 and the status of the reagent storage 100, and the lid The closed state of 110 is maintained or released.

  The display monitor 162 of the console unit 160 displays the operation status of each device such as the status of the measurement operation sent from the measurement operation control unit 151, the status of the reagent storage 100, and the open / close status of the lid 110.

  Next, in the automatic analyzer according to the present invention, the operation flow from the start of the measurement operation to the end of the measurement operation and the control of the lid 110 of the reagent storage 100 during that time will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. To do.

  When an instruction to start measurement is sent from the user to the analyzer control unit 150 via the operation unit 161 of the console unit 160 (ST1), first, it is checked by the output of the sensor 140 whether the lid 110 of the reagent storage 100 is open. (ST2). If the lid 110 remains open, an error message indicating that the lid 110 is open is displayed on the display monitor 162 of the console section 160 (ST3), and the measurement operation is stopped (ST4). At this time, the user closes the lid 110 correctly and starts the operation again from ST1. If it is determined in ST2 that the lid 110 is closed, a lock instruction is sent to the active part 120 of the lock mechanism to lock the lid 110 so as to maintain the closed state (ST5). Be started.

  When the measurement starts, first, it is checked whether there is a sample to be measured at the sample desk (ST6). If there is no sample to be measured, it is checked whether there is a sample already dispensed in the reaction vessel on the reaction disk (ST7), and if there is a sample already dispensed in the reaction vessel, the data is collected. Is completed (ST8). When the data collection is completed (ST9), the lid 110 of the reagent storage 100 is unlocked (ST10), and the measurement operation is terminated (ST11). On the other hand, if it is determined in ST7 that there is no sample dispensed into the reaction container, the process proceeds to ST10 and the lid 110 is unlocked.

  If it is determined in ST6 that there is a sample to be measured at the sample desk, the sample / reagent dispensing is repeatedly performed while the sample to be measured is present (ST12). It is checked whether the used reagent in the storage 100 is empty (ST13). If the check result is not empty, the process returns to ST6 and continues the operation. When it is determined in ST13 that the reagent has become empty, the user is notified that the reagent has become empty by displaying it as a message on the display monitor 162 (ST14). After the notification to the user, as the process of the measurement operation control unit 151, for the item for which the reagent is empty, an internal process is performed so as to skip the measurement even if the measurement is instructed (ST15), and the process returns to ST6. To continue operation.

  In ST14, when the user replaces the reagent container upon receiving notification (display) that the reagent is empty, first, a measurement operation temporary suspension instruction is input from the operation unit 161 (ST16). This instruction is transmitted to the measurement operation control unit 151. Upon receiving this instruction, the measurement operation control unit 151 temporarily suspends the measurement operation (ST17). Furthermore, a lock release signal is sent from the reagent storage cover lock control unit 158 to the active unit 120, and the lock of the lid 110 of the reagent storage 100 is released by releasing the engagement between the iron core 121 of the active unit 120 and the receiving unit 130. . Then, the user is notified that the lock has been released by displaying it as a message on the display monitor 162 (ST18).

  Upon receiving this notification, the user opens the lid 110 of the reagent store 100 and replaces the reagent container in the reagent store 100 with a new one (ST19). When the user completes the replacement of the reagent container, the user closes the lid 110 of the reagent storage 100 and instructs the operation unit 161 to restart the measurement operation (ST20). Thereby, the reagent storage control unit 157 checks whether or not the lid 110 is correctly closed based on the signal of the sensor 140 (ST21). If the lid 110 is not closed, the user is notified by displaying it as a message on the display monitor 162 (ST22). This notice is displayed until the user notices this notice and correctly closes the lid 110 and issues a measurement restart instruction again.

  When the lid 110 is correctly closed again and the operation unit 161 is instructed to resume the measurement operation again (ST20), if it is determined in ST21 that the lid 110 is correctly closed, the signal from the sensor 140 is received. The reagent storage cover lock control unit 158 sends an operation signal to the active unit 120 of the locking mechanism, and engages the iron core 121 and the receiving unit 130 of the active unit 120 to maintain the closed state of the lid 110 (ST23). . Thereby, the process proceeds to ST6 and the measurement operation is resumed.

  As described above in detail, according to the present invention, during the reagent dispensing operation, the lid of the reagent storage is not physically opened, and the measurement operation is intentionally suspended by the user performing a predetermined operation. By allowing the lid to be opened only in the case of being made, it is possible to eliminate the risk that the user accidentally opens the lid of the reagent storage and stops all measurement operations. Thus, for example, when it becomes necessary to replace the reagent container, the reagent container can be replaced by stopping only the reagent dispensing operation while continuing the measurement operation. It can be operated.

  Conventionally, if the user accidentally opens the lid of the reagent storage during the reagent dispensing operation, the measurement operation is stopped, and the data collection of the sample dispensed in the reaction container is invalidated so that The measurement had to be performed again, but according to the present invention, such an inconvenience is eliminated, the waste of the sample and the reagent due to the remeasurement is eliminated, and it takes time until the analysis result is obtained. Can also be eliminated.

It is the perspective view which showed the external appearance of the reagent storage in the automatic analyzer which concerns on this invention, and its cover. It is explanatory drawing which showed an example of the locking mechanism which maintains a cover in the closed state. It is the systematic diagram shown in order to demonstrate the control system of the automatic analyzer which concerns on this invention. It is the flowchart shown in order to demonstrate the flow of operation | movement of the automatic analyzer which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which showed schematic structure of the analysis part of the automatic analyzer generally used.

Explanation of symbols

100 Reagent chamber 110 Lid 120 Active part
130 Receiver 140 Sensor 150 Analyzer Control Unit

Claims (4)

In an automatic analyzer that analyzes the components of the sample by reacting the sample with the reagent,
A reaction disk part for moving a reaction vessel for reacting the sample and the reagent;
A reagent storage for storing a plurality of reagent containers containing the reagents;
A dispensing mechanism for dispensing a reagent from the reagent container stored in the reagent container to the reaction container;
A lid arranged to be openable and closable on the upper surface of the reagent storage;
A lock mechanism for maintaining the closed state of the lid,
An automatic analyzer comprising: a control device that controls the operation of each component device. The locking mechanism maintains the lid closed by engaging a receiving member provided on the lid body with an electrically operated movable member provided on the reagent storage side. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1. The control device has a function of temporarily stopping a closed state of the lid by the lock mechanism by stopping the operation of the dispensing mechanism while continuing the measurement operation. The automatic analyzer according to any one of claims 1 and 2. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a sensor that detects an open / closed state of the lid, and further includes a display unit that displays the open / closed state of the lid based on a detection signal of the sensor. The automatic analyzer according to any one of the above.

Images