JP2008292507A - Automatic analysis apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compact automatic analyzer which can mount a large number of reagents and has high processing capacity. <P>SOLUTION: A reagent disk is each provided for the inside and outside of a reaction disk. Reagent probes are capable of performing discharge to a common location from both reagent disks. Two or more reagent probes are configured so as to alternately access each reagent disk one by one for every cycle. Since the reagent probe comprises two independently rotatable arms, access to two or more points is possible and interference between the two or more reagent probes can be avoided. The automatic analyzer is feasible which can arrange both a first reagent and a second reagent in both reagent disks, can mount an increased number of reagents without increasing the size of the analyzer, and has high processing capacity by shortening the cycle time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that automatically analyzes components such as blood, and more particularly to an automatic analyzer that can mount more reagents and has a high processing capacity per hour.

  Automatic analyzers that automatically analyze biological samples such as blood and output the results can be used for efficient analysis at large hospitals, small and medium hospitals, and clinics with large numbers of patients. It is an indispensable device.

  Such an automatic analyzer is desired to be compact and capable of more types of analysis and to have a high processing speed, and various types of automatic analyzers have been proposed. For example, the patent document discloses an automatic analyzer provided with two reagent disks on which reagents can be placed concentrically, and with independently movable reagent probes corresponding to the concentric reagent container rows. Has been. That is, by arranging the reagent disks concentrically, the number of reagents that can be mounted is increased, and the reagent probe is provided so as to be independently movable corresponding to each reagent container row, thereby preventing a reduction in processing speed. That's what it is.

  However, according to this technique, since a plurality of reagent probes that access a reagent container row on one reagent disk operate around the same rotation axis, the reagent from the reagent container on the same reagent disk does not move on the reaction disk. Can only be dispensed into reaction vessels at the same dispensing location, and reagents from reagent vessels on different reagent discs can only be dispensed at different locations on the reaction disc There was a problem that combination analysis could not be processed at high speed.

  In order to solve this problem, in Patent Document 2, a reagent dispensing probe that can reciprocate along a rail connecting a plurality of reagent disks and further has a moving mechanism that can reciprocate in a direction orthogonal to the rail. There is disclosed an automatic analyzer comprising: That is, by increasing the movable range of the reagent dispensing probe, the degree of freedom is improved by increasing the range of accessible reagent containers and reaction containers. Further, the processing speed is improved by providing a plurality of reagent dispensing probes capable of reciprocating along the rail or by providing a plurality of the rails.

JP-A-5-10957 JP 2004-45112 A

  However, in the technique described in the patent document, since a rail is required in the operable range of the reagent dispensing probe, a frame that supports the rail is required, but the frame is required to have high mechanical strength.

  In particular, when high processing speed is required, it is necessary to provide multiple reagent dispensing probes. Therefore, multiple rails are attached to the frame. By operating, vibrations generated particularly at the time of starting and stopping the operation propagate to other reagent dispensing probes via the rail, and problems such as scattering of reagents and a decrease in dispensing accuracy occur.

  In order to reduce this, it is necessary to increase the mechanical strength of the frame, but in order to increase the mechanical strength, there arises a problem that the frame becomes large. Usually, the strength is low in the cantilevered support method, and the strength is increased by connecting the frames together into a box shape, but the frame covers the space above the reagent disk because it connects between multiple reagent disks and reaction containers. It becomes a shape, and it becomes very difficult to replace the reagent arranged in the reagent disk. In an apparatus with high processing capacity, the reagent consumption rate is fast and the frequency of reagent replacement increases. Therefore, it is a big problem that the reagent replacement operation is difficult.

  Further, in the structure in which the reagent dispensing probe is arranged on the rail, it is necessary to lengthen the rail in proportion to an increase in the movable range of the reagent dispensing probe, which causes a cost increase.

  In addition, when multiple reagent dispensing probes are installed, when two reagent dispensing probes want to access a nearby location at the same time, the rails of each other become obstacles and only one reagent dispensing probe actually operates. There was a problem that restrictions such as the inability to occur occurred.

  The problem solving means of the present invention is as follows.

  A reagent disk for arranging a plurality of reagent containers on the circumference, and a reaction disk for arranging a plurality of reaction containers on the circumference, and reacting the reagent and the sample contained in the reagent container in the reaction container; The automatic analyzer having a mechanism for analyzing the reaction includes a plurality of the reagent disks, a reagent dispensing probe for discharging the reagent sucked from the reagent container to the reaction container, and the reagent dispensing probe is a first reagent dispensing probe. A first arm that rotates about a rotation axis of the first arm and a second arm that rotates about a second rotation axis disposed in the first arm, and the first arm and the second arm are A mechanism capable of independent rotation is provided. Accordingly, the reagent dispensing probe can be accessed in a wide range, and at the same time, obstacles such as a support structure are not generated above the reagent disk, and maintenance work such as reagent replacement can be easily performed. Furthermore, in order to increase the throughput, a plurality of reagent dispensing probes that allow the first arm and the second arm to rotate independently can be provided. In this case, since multiple reagent dispensing probes can be attached to the device independently, they are stable without being affected by splashing caused by the operation of other reagent dispensing probes or a drop in dispensing performance. Dispensing performance can be secured.

  Further, the range in which the reagent dispensing probe can access is within the radius of rotation of the second arm around the locus of the rotation center of the second arm in the first arm, and this range is the first arm and the second arm. Therefore, it is possible to easily set the movable range according to the application by changing these lengths.

  Furthermore, when multiple reagent dispensing probes operate, even if it is necessary to access a nearby location, it is possible to avoid mutual interference by shifting the operation timing of the first arm and the second arm. In addition, as in the case of the example using the rail described above, the performance can be maximized without being restricted by the operation of other mechanisms.

  As described above, in the present invention, there are two reagent disks on which the first reagent and the second reagent are mounted, and the reagent is aspirated only with one reagent probe from each reagent disk during one cycle. Therefore, it is possible to access multiple points and avoid interference of multiple reagent probes by using a reagent probe that consists of two arms that can be loaded and rotated independently. Therefore, it is possible to provide an automatic analyzer having a high processing capacity per hour.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a top view.

On the reaction disk 36 on the housing 62, 54 reaction containers 35 are arranged on the circumference. A reagent disk 42 is disposed inside the reaction disk 36 and a reagent disk 41 is disposed outside.
A plurality of reagent containers 40 can be placed on the circumference of each of the reagent disks 41 and 42. Two reagents enter one reagent container 40. A transport mechanism 12 for moving the rack 11 on which the sample container 10 is placed is installed near the reaction disk 36. Reagent probes 20, 21, 22, and 23 that can be rotated and moved up and down are installed between the reagent disk 41 and the reagent disk 42. The configuration of the reagent dispensing probe will be described later.

  Each of the reagent probes 20, 21, 22, and 23 is connected to a reagent pump 24. Between the reaction vessel 35 and the transport mechanism 12, sample probes 15 and 16 that can be rotated and moved up and down are installed. The sample probes 15 and 16 are each connected to a sample pump 14. Around the reaction disk 36, stirring devices 30 and 31, a light source 50, a detection optical device 51, and a container cleaning mechanism 45 are arranged. The container cleaning mechanism 45 is connected to the cleaning pump 46.

  A cleaning port 54 is installed in each operation range of the sample probes 15 and 16, the reagent probes 20, 21, 22 and 23, and the stirring devices 30 and 31.

  The sample pump 14, the reagent pump 24, the washing pump 46, the detection optical device 51, the reaction vessel 35, the reagent disk 41, the reagent probes 20, 21, 22, 23, and the sample probes 15 and 16 are connected to the controller 60, respectively. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the reaction disk 36 has a sample dispensing position, a first timing reagent dispensing position, a second timing reagent dispensing position, a third timing reagent dispensing position, a stirring position, a measurement position, and a washing position. It has been decided. The reaction disk stops by rotating counterclockwise by 11 pitches in units of a predetermined cycle time. That is, the reaction vessel that was at position 1 in one cycle proceeds to position 2 in the next cycle.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of the reagent dispensing probe according to the present invention.

  The reagent dispensing probe operates in a combination of horizontal and vertical movements. The horizontal movement is performed by a combination of the rotation of the first arm 74 and the second arm 79.

  The first arm 74 rotates when the rotational driving force of the first arm driving motor 70 is transmitted to the pulley 72 by the belt 71 and is transmitted to the hollow shaft 73 coupled to the pulley 72 and the first arm 74. Operation is performed.

  In the second arm 79, the rotational driving force of the second arm driving motor 75 is directly coupled to the shaft of the motor 75, and is transmitted to the shaft 76 disposed in the hollow shaft 73, and further through the belt 77. This is performed by being transmitted to a shaft 78 that is in the arm and serves as the second arm rotation center.

  In the vertical movement, the rotation of the vertical movement driving motor 80 is converted into a linear motion by the pulley and the belt 81, and the slider 82 is fixed to the belt 81. The slider 82 is coupled to the shaft 73, which is realized by the first arm and the second arm moving up and down simultaneously.

  The accessible range of the reagent dispensing probe is the range of the hatched portion 85.

  FIG. 5 is an example of another configuration of the reagent dispensing probe according to the present invention.

  The rotation of the first arm 74 is as described above, except that the second arm driving motor 75 is arranged inside the first arm 74 in the rotation of the second arm 79. Further, the vertical movement is performed by converting the rotation into a linear motion by a ball screw 83 directly connected to the vertical movement drive motor 80 and moving the slider 82 coupled to the ball screw nut up and down. In this configuration example, the shaft 73 does not need to be hollow, but is desirably hollow for weight reduction.

  In the configuration example of FIG. 4, all the motors 70, 75, 80 are arranged at positions below the table cover upper surface 84 of the apparatus, so that the wiring of the motors 70, 75, 80 fits below the table cover upper surface 84. Has the advantage of being refreshed. On the other hand, in the configuration example of FIG. 5, since the second arm driving motor 75 is disposed in the first arm 74, the shaft 76 in FIG. 4 is unnecessary, and the number of parts can be reduced and the weight of the vertically moving parts can be reduced. Therefore, there is an advantage that the required torque of the vertical movement drive motor 80 can be reduced.

  Further, although not shown, the second arm driving motor 75 may be arranged on the upper part of the shaft 78 serving as the second arm rotation center and directly connected to the shaft 78. In this case, the belt 77 is unnecessary, and the number of parts can be further reduced.

  Analysis using this apparatus is performed in the following procedure.

  A sample to be inspected, such as blood, is placed in the sample container 10, placed on a rack 11, and carried by a transport mechanism 12. First, an amount of sample necessary for the first test is aspirated from the sample container 10 where the sample probe 15 is located at a specific position (FIG. 2). In the first cycle, a predetermined amount of sample is discharged from the sample probe 15 into the reaction vessel 35 located at the position 1 on the reaction disk. Meanwhile, the reagent probe 20 aspirates a predetermined amount of the first reagent corresponding to the first test from one reagent container 40 on the reagent disk 41 (FIG. 6).

  In the second cycle, the reaction vessel advances to position 2 on the reaction disk. Here, the reagent probe 20 discharges a predetermined amount of the first reagent into the reaction container. Meanwhile, the sample probe 15 is washed (FIG. 7).

  In the third cycle, the reagent and the sample are stirred by the stirring device 30 at the position 3 on the reaction disk. Meanwhile, the reagent probe 20 is washed (FIG. 8).

  In the fourth cycle, while the reaction vessel rotates to the position 4 on the reaction disk, it passes between the light source 50 and the detection optical device 51, and optical measurement is performed. During the rotation of the reaction disk, the stirring device 30 is cleaned at the cleaning port 54 (FIG. 9).

  Optical detection is similarly performed in the ninth, fourteenth, nineteenth, twenty-fourth, twenty-ninth, thirty-fourth, and thirty-ninth cycles.

  When the first test is to dispense the second reagent at the second timing, the reagent probe 22 aspirates the second reagent from the reagent container 40 on the reagent disk 41 in the sixteenth cycle (FIG. 10). In the 17th cycle, the liquid is discharged into the reaction container at the position 17 on the reaction disk (FIG. 11). In the 18th cycle, the liquid in the reaction vessel at the position 18 on the reaction disk is stirred by the stirring device 31. In the meantime, the reagent probe 22 is washed (FIG. 12).

  If the first test is to dispense the second reagent at the third timing, the reagent probe 22 aspirates the second reagent from the reagent container 40 on the reagent disk 41 in the 26th cycle, and the 27th Discharge into the reaction vessel at the position 27 on the reaction disk in a cycle. In the 28th cycle, the liquid in the reaction vessel at the position 28 on the reaction disk is stirred by the stirring device 31. In the meantime, the reagent probe 22 is washed.

  After the second reagent was dispensed and stirred, the optical measurement was repeated, and then the liquid in the reaction vessel was removed by the vessel washing mechanism 45 at the position 44 or 49 on the reaction disk in the 44th cycle and the 49th cycle. Aspirate and inject cleaning solution. In the 54th cycle, the cleaning solution is completely sucked.

  The optical measurement results performed a plurality of times by the detection optical device 51 are sent to the controller 60, and the concentration of the measurement item of the first test is calculated.

  In the second test, first, the sample probe 16 sucks the sample necessary for the second test from the sample container 10 at a specific position with the sample probe 16 during the first cycle (FIG. 6). In a second cycle, a predetermined amount of sample is discharged from the sample probe 16 into the reaction vessel 35 located at the position 1 on the reaction disk. Meanwhile, the reagent probe 21 aspirates a predetermined amount of the first reagent corresponding to the second test from one reagent container 40 on the reagent disk 42 (FIG. 7).

  In the third cycle, the reaction vessel advances to position 2 on the reaction disk. Here, the reagent probe 21 discharges a predetermined amount of the first reagent into the reaction container. Meanwhile, the sample probe 16 is washed (FIG. 8).

  In the fourth cycle, the reagent and the sample are stirred by the stirring device 30 at the position 3 on the reaction disk. Meanwhile, the reagent probe 21 is washed (FIG. 9).

  In the fifth cycle, while the reaction vessel rotates to the position 4 on the reaction disk, it passes between the light source 50 and the detection optical device 51, and optical measurement is performed. During the rotation of the reaction disk, the stirring device 30 is cleaned at the cleaning port 54.

  Optical detection is similarly performed in the 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, 30th, 35th, and 40th cycles.

  When the second test is to dispense the second reagent at the second timing, the reagent probe 23 aspirates the second reagent from the reagent container 40 on the reagent disk 42 in the seventeenth cycle (FIG. 11). In the 18th cycle, the liquid is discharged into the reaction vessel at the position 18 on the reaction disk (FIG. 12). In the 19th cycle, the liquid in the reaction vessel at the position 18 on the reaction disk is stirred by the stirring device 31. In the meantime, the reagent probe 23 is washed (FIG. 9).

  If the second test is to dispense the second reagent at the third timing, the reagent probe 23 aspirates the second reagent from the reagent container 40 on the reagent disk 42 in the 27th cycle, and the 28th Discharge into the reaction vessel at the position 27 on the reaction disk in a cycle. In the 29th cycle, the liquid in the reaction vessel at the position 28 on the reaction disk is stirred by the stirring device 31. In the meantime, the reagent probe 23 is washed.

  After the second reagent was dispensed and stirred, the optical measurement was repeated, and then the liquid in the reaction vessel was removed by the vessel washing mechanism 45 at the position 44 or 49 on the reaction disk in the 45th cycle and the 50th cycle. Aspirate and inject cleaning solution. In addition, the cleaning liquid is completely sucked in the 55th cycle.

  The optical measurement results performed a plurality of times by the detection optical device 51 are sent to the controller 60, and the concentration of the measurement item of the second test is calculated.

  In the third test, the same process as the first test is repeated with a delay of two cycles. In the fourth test, the same process as the second test is repeated with a delay of two cycles. Thereafter, the same steps are sequentially repeated, and the concentration of the measurement item in the sample is analyzed in a plurality of tests.

  In this embodiment, since the reagent probe 20 accesses the odd numbered cycle from the reagent disk 41 in the odd numbered cycle and the reagent probe 22 accesses the even numbered cycle and sucks the reagent, two probes are used in the same cycle. Are not accessed at the same time. Similarly, since the reagent probe 23 accesses the reagent disk 42 in the odd-numbered cycle and the reagent probe 21 accesses the even-numbered cycle to suck the reagent, the two probes do not access the same cycle at the same time. . Therefore, it is possible to shorten the cycle time and increase the number that can be analyzed in a certain time.

  Moreover, since only one reagent probe aspirates the reagent from each reagent disk during one cycle, the time for aspirating the reagent and the time for moving the probe can be increased, and the accuracy is stable and high. Reagent dispensing is possible.

  Also, the two reagent disks can be rotated independently, and only one reagent probe aspirates the reagent from each reagent disk during one cycle, so the combination of reagents to be simultaneously aspirated can be freely selected and analyzed. It is possible to perform analysis with high processing capability that can cope with irregular combinations of items.

  In the case of this embodiment, both the first reagent and the second reagent are aspirated from the reagent disk 41 and the reagent used for the even test is the reagent disk for both the first reagent and the second reagent. Since the suction is performed from 42, the first reagent and the second reagent used for the same inspection item can be placed in the reagent disk on the same side. For this reason, it is only necessary to replace the reagent with the reagent disk on the same side, thereby saving the labor of replacing the reagent and reducing errors.

  In this embodiment, since two reagents can be put in the reagent container 40, the first reagent and the second reagent corresponding to one test item can be put in one reagent container 40, Since the first reagent and the second reagent can be exchanged at a time, the trouble of reagent exchange can be saved and errors can be reduced.

  In the case of this embodiment, the reagent probe 20 accesses the first timing reagent supply position on the reaction disk 36 in the even-numbered cycle and the reagent probe 21 accesses the odd-numbered cycle to discharge the first reagent. Therefore, two probes do not access within one cycle. Similarly, the second timing reagent supply position and the third timing reagent supply position on the reaction disk 36 are accessed by the reagent probe 22 in the odd-numbered cycle and the reagent probe 23 in the even-numbered cycle. , The two probes do not access within one cycle. In addition, since the first timing reagent discharge position, the second timing reagent discharge position, and the third timing reagent discharge position are separated from each other, the probe can be simultaneously accessed to each position. Accordingly, it is sufficient to take only one time for the reagent discharge in the cycle, and the cycle time can be shortened to increase the number that can be analyzed within a certain time.

  In addition, since only one probe discharges the reagent at the same position in one cycle, the time required for the discharge can be increased, and reproducibility can be performed with high accuracy. Therefore, the amount of reagent to be dispensed is highly accurate, and highly accurate analysis is possible.

  In this embodiment, the reagent probe 20 and the reagent probe 23 aspirate the reagent in the odd-numbered cycle and discharge the reagent in the even-numbered cycle, and the reagent probe 21 and the reagent probe 22 are in the even-numbered cycle. Since the reagent is aspirated and the reagent is ejected in odd-numbered cycles, each probe only needs to aspirate, dispense, and wash the reagent within the time of two cycles, and it has stable operating time. Can be operated.

  In addition, since the operating time of each reagent probe can be increased, the range of movement of the probe can be increased, and as a result, the reagent disk can be enlarged, and reagents necessary for many types of inspections can be mounted on the reagent disk at the same time. I can leave.

  In the case of this embodiment, since the discharge positions of the reagent probe 20 and the reagent probe 21 coincide with each other, it is possible to perform dispensing at an equivalent timing regardless of which probe discharges the first reagent. Analysis of reaction assumptions under equal conditions is possible.

  In this embodiment, since the reagent probe 22 and the reagent probe 23 can access the common second timing reagent position and the third timing reagent position and discharge the second reagent, the mixing of the second reagent is possible. A plurality of types of reactions with different timings can be analyzed, and the types of items that can be analyzed can be increased.

  In addition, since the ejection positions of the reagent probe 22 and the reagent probe 23 are common, analysis under equivalent conditions is possible.

  Further, since the reagent disk 41 and the reagent disk 42 are located outside and inside the reaction disk 36 across the reagent discharge position on the reaction disk, the distance between the two reagent disks can be set short. The rails 25 and 26 installed at the upper part of the disk and the reagent discharge position are short, and the apparatus can be made compact.

  In addition, since the reagent disk 41 and the reagent disk 42 are installed close to each other, the distance to the common reagent discharge position is short, the movement distance of the reagent probe can be short, and the cycle time is shortened to perform analysis at a constant time. You can increase the number you can.

  In this embodiment, since the sample probe 15 and the sample probe 16 alternately repeat sample suction and sample discharge, only one sample probe is accessed in each of the sample container 10 and the reaction container 35 in one cycle. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the cycle time and increase the number that can be analyzed in a certain time.

  In addition, each of the sample probe 15 and the sample probe 16 only needs to perform suction, discharge, and washing of the sample in two cycles, so that dispensing and probe movement can be performed in a sufficient amount of time, and the dispensing amount accuracy is increased. It is possible to increase the analysis accuracy.

  In the case of this embodiment, for the test dispensed with the sample probe 15, the first reagent is dispensed from the reagent disk 41 with the reagent probe 20, and the second reagent is dispensed from the reagent disk 41. The reagent probe 22 is used for dispensing. For the test dispensed by the sample probe 16, the first reagent is dispensed from the reagent disk 42 by the reagent probe 21, and the second reagent is dispensed from the reagent disk 42 by the reagent probe 23. Therefore, the sample probe 15, the reagent disk 41, the reagent probe 20, and the reagent probe 22 are the first set, and the sample probe 16, the reagent disk 42, the reagent probe 21, and the reagent probe 23 are the second set, and are combined with another set. There is nothing. Therefore, only the calibration using the sample probe 15, the reagent probe 20, and the reagent probe 22 is necessary for the analysis item corresponding to the reagent arranged on the reagent disk 41, and it corresponds to the reagent arranged on the reagent disk 42. For the analysis item to be performed, only calibration using the sample probe 16, the reagent probe 21, and the reagent probe 23 is necessary. Since only calibration is required for each set, the number of calibrations can be reduced to eliminate waste of reagents and time, and the occurrence of differences in analysis results due to differences in characteristics between probes can be eliminated.

  If the first timing of reagent dispensing and the second or third timing are shifted by an even number of cycles, the first reagent and the second reagent must be aspirated from the same cycle in one cycle. In the case of the present embodiment, the first timing of reagent dispensing and the second or third timing are shifted by an odd number of cycles, so that the reagent disk for aspirating the first reagent and the second reagent is alternately repeated. .

  In the case of this example, the number of reaction vessels 35 is 54, and the reaction vessel rotates by 11 pitches in one cycle. Therefore, the reaction vessel rotates by one turn plus one pitch in 5 cycles. Therefore, the reaction vessel at a certain position on the reaction disk moves to a position adjacent to one pitch after five cycles. If this is configured so that the reaction vessel rotates by one round plus one pitch in an even number of cycles, the movement to the position adjacent to one pitch is after the even number of cycles. In that case, the position moved by the time difference for every even number of cycles is continuous. In such a case, if the timing for dispensing the first reagent and the timing for dispensing the second reagent are divided into even-numbered cycles and odd-numbered cycles, the discharge position will be far away, and the reagent probe will be installed at a remote location. There is a need. In this embodiment, since the reaction vessel is configured to rotate by one round plus one pitch in an odd cycle, the discharge positions of the first reagent and the second reagent can be set close to each other, and the apparatus can be configured in a small size. . The same effect can be obtained even if the reaction vessel is configured to rotate by one turn minus one pitch in an odd cycle.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the reaction vessel position is shifted by one pitch in an odd number of cycles, so that the reaction vessel cannot be measured because it passes through the measurement position of the detection optical device 51 in an accelerated state or a decelerated state. This is a continuous timing. This continuous timing can be synchronized with the timing of washing the reaction vessel, which is not related to the measurement of the reaction process, so the reaction process can be continuously analyzed without the lack of measurement, and from the item that reacts in a short time It is possible to analyze a wide variety of items up to items that react in a long time.

  In another mode of use, the reaction disk 36 rotates 43 pitches clockwise every cycle in an apparatus having the same configuration as that shown in FIGS. Even in this case, the reaction vessel located at the position 1 on the reaction disk moves to the position 2 on the reaction disk in the next cycle. In this case, since the position of the detection optical device 51 passes four times out of five cycles, the number of measurements is increased, and the accuracy of analysis can be increased.

  FIG. 13 shows a reagent disk according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the reagent container 40 is arranged on the reagent disk 41 on a double circumference. The reagent disk 42 is similarly arranged. In the case of this embodiment, since many reagents can be arranged on a small reagent disk, the number of items that can be analyzed can be increased without increasing the size of the apparatus.

  Next, the case of FIG. 12 will be described as an example of an operation for avoiding interference between reagent dispensing probes. In FIG. 12, the reagent probe 20 discharges the first reagent and the reagent probe 23 discharges the second reagent to the reaction container. In the next cycle, the reagent probe 20 and the reagent probe 23 return to the washing port 54. Wash. The movement to the washing port 54 is ideal because it takes the shortest time to operate the first arm 74 and the second arm 79 at the same time, but it is near the movement locus where the reagent probe 20 returns to the washing port 54. Since there is a reagent probe 21, it is necessary to avoid interference. In such a case, only the first arm 74 of the reagent probe 20 is moved to a position where it does not interfere with the reagent probe 21 even if the second arm 79 is operated (FIG. 13), and then the second arm 79 is operated to operate the cleaning port. 54 (FIG. 14). On the other hand, since the reagent probe 23 has no obstacle in the vicinity of the operation trajectory returning to the washing port 54, the first arm 74 and the second arm 79 can be operated simultaneously to return to the washing port 54 (FIG. 14). . As shown in this example, in the reagent probe according to the present invention, since the operations of the first arm 74 and the second arm 79 are independent, the operation timing can be freely changed, and thereby the locus of probe movement can be changed. Thus, it is possible to avoid interference between mechanisms when moving to a nearby point.

  Moreover, another effect that vibration of the probe tip can be suppressed by shifting the operation timing can be obtained. When the first arm 74 and the second arm 79 are operated simultaneously and stopped at the same time, the vibration due to the stop of the first arm 74 and the vibration due to the stop of the second arm 79 are added at the time of the stop to increase the vibration. However, for example, by operating the first arm 74 first and operating the second arm 79 with the timing delayed as in the above example, only the second arm 79 is stopped at the end of the entire operation. There is an advantage that it can be made small and the scattering of the reagent can be prevented.

The perspective view of the analyzer of 1st Example. The top view of the analyzer of the 1st example. Explanatory drawing of the principal part of 1st Example. The block diagram of the reagent dispensing probe of 1st Example. The block diagram of the reagent dispensing probe of 2nd Example. Explanatory drawing of operation | movement of the analyzer of 1st Example. Explanatory drawing of operation | movement of the analyzer of 1st Example. Explanatory drawing of operation | movement of the analyzer of 1st Example. Explanatory drawing of operation | movement of the analyzer of 1st Example. Explanatory drawing of operation | movement of the analyzer of 1st Example. Explanatory drawing of operation | movement of the analyzer of 1st Example. Explanatory drawing of operation | movement of the analyzer of 1st Example. The block diagram of the reagent disk of 2nd Example. Explanatory drawing of the interference avoidance operation | movement of a reagent probe. Explanatory drawing of the interference avoidance operation | movement of a reagent probe.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Sample container, 11 ... Rack, 12 ... Conveyance mechanism, 14 ... Sample pump, 15, 16 ... Sample probe, 20, 21, 22, 23 ... Reagent probe, 24 ... Reagent pump, 30, 31 ... Stirring device , 35 ... reaction container, 36 ... reaction disk, 40 ... reagent container, 41, 42 ... reagent disk, 45 ... container washing mechanism, 46 ... washing pump, 50 ... light source, 51 ... detection optical device, 54 ... washing port, 60 ... Controller, 62 ... Housing, 70 ... First arm drive motor, 71, 77, 81 ... Belt, 72 ... Pulley, 73, 76, 78 ... Shaft, 74 ... First arm, 75 ... Second arm drive Motor, 79 ... second arm, 80 ... vertical motion drive motor, 82 ... slider, 83 ... ball screw, 84 ... table cover upper surface, 85 ... probe accessible range .

Claims (6)

A reagent disk for arranging a plurality of reagent containers on the circumference and a reaction disk for arranging a plurality of reaction containers on the circumference, and reacting the reagent and the sample contained in the reagent containers in the reaction container, In an automatic analyzer equipped with a mechanism for analyzing the reaction,
The reagent disk is a plurality of the reagent disks having different rotation center axes,
A reagent dispensing probe for discharging the reagent aspirated from the reagent container provided for each reagent disk to a reaction container, and
At least one set of the reagent dispensing probes is arranged so that the reagent sucked from the reagent container on the reagent disk can be discharged to the reaction container at the same dispensing position on the reaction disk,
Further, the reagent dispensing probe includes a first arm that rotates about a first rotation axis, and a second arm that rotates about a second rotation axis disposed on the first arm. The automatic analyzer is characterized in that the first arm and the second arm can rotate independently. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein
The reagent dispensing probe provided for each of the plurality of reagent disks includes a mechanism for controlling so that only one reagent dispensing probe aspirates the reagent from each reagent disk during one cycle. An automatic analyzer. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 or 2,
An automatic analysis characterized in that a plurality of reagents and a sample can be reacted in a reaction container in a reaction process in the reaction container, and the plurality of reagents used in the reaction are arranged on the same reagent disk. apparatus. In the automatic analyzer in any one of Claims 1-3,
There are a plurality of sets consisting of a combination of a sample probe for dispensing a sample, the reagent probe, and the reagent disk, and one analysis is controlled so that only one of the sets is used for one analysis. An automatic analyzer characterized by that. In the automatic analyzer in any one of Claims 1-4,
The automatic analyzer is characterized in that at least one of the plurality of reagent disks is provided inside the reaction disk with the same central axis. In the automatic analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
An automatic analyzer having a configuration in which both the first reagent and the second reagent used for the same analysis item can be stored in one package and exchangeable for each package.

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