JP2008224372A - Autoanalyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent analysis from becoming unable to be carried out during analysis due to abnormality of an ultrasonic vibration generating element. <P>SOLUTION: In this autoanalyzer equipped with a reaction container, the ultrasonic vibration producing element for stirring the sample and reagent injected in the reaction container and a control part, the control part has a detection function for detecting the output signal data, including the output intensity and resonance frequency of the ultrasonic vibration producing element at the time of stirring operation; a recording function for recording the output signal data; and an operational function for operating the output signal data and the signal data related to the output signal data. More specifically, the operational functions have functions of estimating and determining the deterioration tendency of the ultrasonic vibration producing element from the elapse data and present data, relating to the output signal data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer including an agitation unit for agitating a specimen and a reagent injected into a reaction vessel, a control unit for controlling the agitation unit, and the like.

  More specifically, the present invention relates to an automatic analyzer having a function of stirring a reagent and a specimen using ultrasonic vibration, acoustic flow, acoustic radiation pressure, etc., using an ultrasonic vibration generating element as stirring means.

  In a conventional automatic analyzer, a stirring bar having a spatula-like tip is used in the stirring section of a reaction vessel to mix a reagent with a specimen. The reagent and the sample are injected into a cell (reaction vessel) for mixing, and the stirring rod is rotated or reciprocated to mix.

  In such a conventional automatic analyzer, a phenomenon called carry-over occurs in which the reagent or specimen attached to the stirring bar affects the next analysis result. In order to avoid this, an automatic analyzer using a stir bar requires a mechanism for washing the stir bar.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic analyzer in which stirring by ultrasonic vibration is applied to a stirring element of a mechanism for mixing a reagent with a specimen using a piezoelectric element. This mechanism can prevent the carry-over and reduce the size of the entire automatic analyzer.

  Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a method for detecting an ultrasonic vibration intensity of an ultrasonic vibration generating element as a stirring element used in an automatic analyzer and detecting a poor stirring state. In this method, a stirring failure is detected by monitoring an applied waveform of an ultrasonic vibration generating element that is a stirring element.

  However, since it is necessary to observe a waveform indicating the characteristics of the destruction of the ultrasonic vibration generating element, it has been difficult to know the deterioration of the element until the element is broken.

JP 08-146007 A JP 2003-254979 A

  Conventionally, only a typical ultrasonic vibration generating element segment has been used to confirm the electrical connection and the ultrasonic vibration output by monitoring the current value and the like. In addition, the application waveform was observed so as to know the stirring failure.

  Furthermore, the state of the element cannot be grasped until the ultrasonic vibration generating element fails, and analysis may not be performed due to abnormal ultrasonic vibration stirring due to the failure.

  An object of the present invention is to cope with the above-described problems and to prevent a situation in which analysis cannot be performed due to an abnormality of an ultrasonic vibration generating element during analysis.

  In addition, by predicting the life from the deterioration of the ultrasonic vibration generating element before the failure of the ultrasonic vibration generating element, ascertaining the replacement time of the ultrasonic vibration generating element, and warning the operator or serviceman as soon as possible, It is to be able to quickly respond to the failure of the ultrasonic vibration generating element.

  The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer comprising a reaction vessel, an ultrasonic vibration generating element that stirs a sample and a reagent injected into the reaction vessel, and a control unit, wherein the control unit includes the super A detection function for detecting output signal information including the output intensity and resonance frequency of the sonic vibration generating element, a recording function for recording the output signal information, the output signal information, and a recording signal information related to the output signal information are calculated. It has the calculation function to perform.

  More specifically, the calculation function of the present invention is characterized in that it has a function of predicting and determining the deterioration tendency of the ultrasonic vibration generating element from the progress information and the current information related to the output signal information.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to predict the life from the deterioration of the ultrasonic vibration generating element and determine the replacement time of the ultrasonic vibration generating element before the ultrasonic vibration generating element breaks down and vibration becomes impossible.

  As a result, the downtime of the automatic analyzer can be reduced and the automatic analyzer can be prevented from stopping during the analysis work, so that the reliability of the automatic analyzer can be improved.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, an outline of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a cross section of a part of an automatic analyzer according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the main part of FIG.

  1 and 2, the control unit 1 is constituted by an information processing apparatus having a CPU, a memory, an I / O, and the like, and uses an automatic analysis and diagnosis program and data stored in the memory to automatically analyze the apparatus. Information necessary for the operation 5 and the analysis operation is processed or comprehensively controlled by the CPU.

  The control unit 1 includes a microcomputer 21 and a latch 22 shown in FIG. In a broad sense, the control unit 1 outputs an ultrasonic vibration element drive circuit 6, an oscillator 17, an amplifier 18, a distributor 19, which will be described later, an output intensity of an ultrasonic vibration generation element (not shown), and an output including a resonance frequency. A detection function (detection means) for detecting signal information is included.

  The ultrasonic vibration generating element is included in an ultrasonic vibration generator 7 described later.

  The control unit 1 performs overall control of the automatic analyzer 5, control of the ultrasonic vibration generator 7, and the like.

  The control function of the control unit 1 related to the ultrasonic vibration generator 7 has various functions.

  That is, the control unit 1 has a detection function that detects output signal information, a recording function (such as a memory) that records output signal information, and an arithmetic function that calculates the output signal information and the recording signal information related to the output signal information. (CPU / microcomputer 21 etc.).

  These functions are provided by operations performed according to the program.

  The calculation function (CPU / microcomputer 21 etc.) is a function for calculating the output tendency of the ultrasonic vibration generating element, a function for predicting and determining the deterioration tendency of the ultrasonic vibration generating element from the progress information and current information regarding the output signal information, A function of comparing the output signal information with a predetermined threshold value to determine the state of the ultrasonic vibration generating element is included.

  The recording function (memory etc.) has the following functions.

  The recording function of the control unit 1 records and stores output signal information including the output intensity of the ultrasonic vibration generating element and the resonance frequency.

  The recording function stores the maximum value, minimum value, average value of the output signal information, and the determination result calculated by the resonance frequency or the calculation function as a DB. The output signal information recorded in the recording function includes not only stirring at the time of analysis but also output signal information at the time of stirring performed before analysis or by an operator's instruction.

  Mix the sample and reagent in the stirring section. The stirring unit includes a reaction vessel 10, a reaction cell 9, an ultrasonic vibration generator 7, and the like.

  A sample 11 (sample) is dispensed from the sample container 12 to the reaction cell 9 of the stirring unit by the sample dispensing mechanism 14, and a reagent is dispensed from the reagent container 13 by the reagent dispensing mechanism 15, and is generated from the ultrasonic vibration generator 7. Mixing and stirring are performed by the ultrasonic vibration 8.

  The reaction cell 9 is immersed in a heat retaining medium 16 typified by water stored in the reaction tank 10 and is kept at a constant temperature.

  The ultrasonic vibration element driving circuit 6 includes an oscillator 17, an amplifier 18, a distributor 19 and the like shown in FIG. The ultrasonic vibration generator 7 is driven by an ultrasonic vibration element driving circuit 6. The ultrasonic vibration element driving circuit 6 generates a voltage having the frequency of the ultrasonic vibration 8. The ultrasonic vibration element driving circuit 6 is controlled by the control unit 1 and generates an ultrasonic wave 9 by vibrating the ultrasonic vibration generator 7.

  The ultrasonic vibration element of the ultrasonic vibration generator 7 includes a piezo element, a magnetostrictive vibrator, and an electrostrictive vibrator.

  Power is supplied to the control unit 1 from the power supply unit 2 connected to the commercial power supply 3. The processing result is displayed on the screen of the display unit 4. That is, the state process, deterioration state, failure prediction time, etc. of the ultrasonic vibration generating element determined by the calculation of the calculation function described above are displayed on the display unit 4.

  When a plurality of ultrasonic vibration generating elements are provided, control is performed using the same function for each ultrasonic vibration generating element.

  Next, the configuration outline and basic operation of the ultrasonic vibration stirring unit will be described with reference to FIG.

  An ultrasonic wave is generated in a piezo element (ultrasonic vibration generating element), and the sample and the reagent are mixed and stirred by ultrasonic vibration to perform ultrasonic stirring. In this case, in order to generate an ultrasonic sound pressure sufficient for mixing and stirring the specimen and the reagent, the electrode that is a component of the piezo element has a frequency at which the displacement of the piezo element is maximized, and a further sufficient displacement. Supply power with a voltage that generates a quantity.

  The oscillator 17 generates a sine wave whose basic frequency is FM modulated (swept). The amplifier 18 amplifies the signal from the oscillator 17 and drives the piezo element 20.

  Piezo elements are divided into side irradiation elements 24, bubble removal elements, and reverse direction irradiation elements according to the irradiation position. Further, side irradiation elements 24 and bubble removal elements are divided into units called segments. The distributor 19 is constituted by a relay, and switches the irradiation position of the side element 24 by the drive segment according to the amount of the reaction liquid inside the cell.

  The agitation unit confirms the result of the self-diagnosis performed by the microcomputer 21 along with the operation of the automatic analyzer.

  First, the ultrasonic vibration generator 7 (1) vibrates the liquid surface by irradiation to take bubbles into the liquid, and pushes the bubbles into the cell bottom by ultrasonic vibration reflected by the reflector 23. A swirling flow is generated in the liquid by the movement of the bubbles, and stirring is performed.

  Bubbles attached to the cell wall during stirring are peeled off by (2) irradiation from the forward direction of irradiation and (3) irradiation from the opposite direction of irradiation.

  Next, a check operation flow of the stirring element using the ultrasonic vibration generating element will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7.

  First, the three adjacent reaction cells 9 are washed.

  Hereinafter, the three reaction cells 9 will be described as # 1, 2, 3 as an example.

  The # 1 reaction cell 9 is moved to the reagent dispensing position, and 450 μl of system water is discharged with the reagent probe. Sequentially, the # 2 and # 3 reaction cells 9 are moved to the reagent dispensing position, and 450 [mu] m of system water is dispensed into each of the reaction cells in the same manner as the # 1 reaction cell 9.

  The reaction cell 9 of # 2 is moved to the stirring position. Stirring is performed, and the current value at that time is monitored. At this time, the resonance frequency is measured from the frequency of the oscillator 17 at the maximum current value. The output intensity can be known from the current value.

  The current value of the output intensity and the resonance frequency are measured and detected by the detection function and recorded in the recording function. Then, the state of the ultrasonic vibration generating element, the deterioration state, the failure prediction time, and the like are diagnosed by calculation processing and determination by the calculation function, and the contents to that effect are displayed on the display unit 4.

  FIG. 6 shows segment combinations and driving conditions.

  Stirring was conducted for each check No. Repeated 5 times each, the interval is 5.0 seconds, and the stirring time is the same as the operation.

  FIG. 4 shows a time chart.

  The driving of the stirring element is the same as the operation.

  Next, the current value at the time of stirring is monitored and compared with a predetermined threshold value to determine the state of the stirring element. FIG. 7 shows criteria for determining whether the stirring element is good or bad.

  The monitor value and the determination result are recorded and saved in a file (saved as a DB). The storage is the initial value and the latest 10 times, and can be displayed and printed on the monitor. When the check is interrupted, the result of the interrupted check is deleted. An example of recording is shown in FIG.

  Thus, the used reaction cell is washed and the check program is terminated.

  Also, the reaction disk is reset and the reaction cells # 1 to # 3 are washed in the same manner.

  According to this embodiment, when a failure or deterioration occurs in the stirring element of the piezoelectric element used in the stirring mechanism in the automatic analyzer, it becomes possible to promptly display information on the failure and deterioration as an alarm. It is possible to facilitate analysis when a failure caused by the element occurs and to shorten the non-operation time of the automatic analyzer.

  In addition, by creating a trend graph with the time axis and current value axis based on the current value observed / detected by the control unit 1, the date and time that falls below the use limit value can be predicted. It is possible to predict the replacement time due to deterioration of the element), and it is possible to prevent a failure leading to poor stirring in advance.

  In addition to the agitation during analysis, it is possible to more accurately predict the deterioration tendency of the ultrasonic vibration generating element by accumulating the output intensity and resonance frequency data of the agitation operation performed before analysis or according to the operator's instruction. It becomes possible.

  As a result, an operator or a service person is warned early, and the automatic analyzer can be restored early and the reliability can be improved.

It is a figure concerning the Example of this invention, and is a figure which shows the structure outline | summary of an automatic analyzer. It is a top view which concerns on the Example of this invention and shows the structure outline | summary of an automatic analyzer. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of an ultrasonic vibration stirring unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure concerning the Example of this invention, and is a figure which shows the time chart regarding the check of a stirring element. It is a figure which concerns on the Example of this invention, and is a figure which shows the content of the check result of a stirring element. It is a figure which concerns on the Example of this invention, and shows the drive segment which comprises a stirring element, a voltage, and a threshold value setting. It is a figure which concerns on the Example of this invention, and is a figure which shows the determination result of the check of a stirring element.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Control part, 2 ... Power supply part, 3 ... Commercial power supply, 4 ... Display part, 5 ... Automatic analyzer, 6 ... Ultrasonic vibration element drive circuit, 7 ... Ultrasonic vibration generator, 8 ... Ultrasonic vibration, 9 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Reaction cell, 10 ... Reaction tank, 11 ... Sample, 12 ... Sample container, 13 ... Reagent container, 14 ... Sample dispensing mechanism, 15 ... Reagent dispensing mechanism, 16 ... Insulation medium, 17 ... Oscillator, 18 ... Amplifier, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 19 ... Distributor, 20 ... Piezo element, 21 ... Microcomputer, 22 ... Latch, 23 ... Reflector, 24 ... Side element.

Claims (8)

In an automatic analyzer comprising a reaction vessel, an ultrasonic vibration generating element that stirs the sample and reagent injected into the reaction vessel, and a control unit,
The controller is configured to detect an output signal information including an output intensity of the ultrasonic vibration generating element during a stirring operation and a resonance frequency, a recording function to record the output signal information, the output signal information, And an automatic analyzer having a calculation function for calculating the recording signal information related to the output signal information. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1,
The control unit has a monitor function of monitoring the output signal information,
The automatic analysis apparatus characterized in that the calculation function includes a function of calculating an output tendency of the ultrasonic vibration generating element. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1,
The automatic analysis apparatus includes a function of predicting and determining a deterioration tendency of the ultrasonic vibration generating element from progress information and current information regarding the output signal information. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1,
The calculation function includes a function of comparing the output signal information with a predetermined threshold value to determine a state of the ultrasonic vibration generating element. In the automatic analyzer according to claim 4,
The automatic recording apparatus, wherein the recording function stores a maximum value, a minimum value, an average value of the output signal information, and a determination result calculated by the resonance frequency or the calculation function as a DB. The automatic analyzer according to claim 4 or 5,
An automatic analyzer comprising a display unit for displaying a state process, a deterioration state, a failure prediction time, and the like of the ultrasonic vibration generating element determined by calculation of the calculation function. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1,
The output signal information recorded in the recording function includes not only stirring at the time of analysis but also output signal information at the time of stirring performed before analysis or by an operator's instruction. In the automatic analyzer as described in any one of Claims 1-7,
The reaction vessel comprises a plurality of the ultrasonic vibration generating elements,
The automatic analysis apparatus characterized in that the control unit controls each of the ultrasonic vibration generating elements with a similar function.

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