JP2009121873A - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic analyzer having an automatic cleaning function instead of manual cleaning of an inner wall and an outer wall of a sample probe or a reagent probe, concerning an automatic analyzer for measuring automatically components, such as a protein, a lipid, a sugar or inorganic ions, included in a specimen, such as serum or urine. <P>SOLUTION: A stirring mechanism of a noncontact system for stirring reaction liquid is arranged at least on either of a specimen dispensation position and a reagent dispensation position, and an operation for dipping the sample probe or the reagent probe into a reaction container into which a detergent is discharged, and a stirring operation of the noncontact system in the reaction container are performed simultaneously, to thereby clean automatically the inner wall and the outer wall of the probe. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that analyzes a component contained in a specimen such as serum or urine using a reagent or the like, and particularly relates to a method for washing a sample probe and a reagent probe.

  An automatic analyzer is an apparatus that automatically quantifies components such as proteins, lipids, sugars, and inorganic ions contained in specimens such as serum and urine. A sample probe for dispensing a specimen is in a situation where the tip of the probe is easily soiled by components such as proteins and lipids contained in the specimen.

  Since the reagent probe also dispenses reagents having different liquid properties such as viscosity and wettability, the tip of the reagent probe is likely to become dirty like the sample probe. In order to avoid these problems, conventionally, the sample probe is automatically washed with water between the specimens, and the reagent probe is automatically washed between items. In addition, after the measurement, automatic cleaning with a cleaning liquid is also performed.

  However, even with these washings, in an automatic analyzer that processes a large amount of specimen, dirt gradually accumulates at the probe tip. After all, as a final inspection, it is necessary to manually wipe off the dirt accumulated on the outer wall of the probe using gauze soaked with detergent or disinfecting ethanol.

  In addition, the inner wall of the probe cannot be visually checked for contamination. Therefore, it is necessary to estimate the degree of contamination from the results of calibration and accuracy control, and remove the probe and clean it carefully if necessary.

  On the other hand, in recent years, in order to reduce medical costs, the amount of specimens / reagents has been miniaturized for the purpose of reducing running costs. As the amount of sample / reagent dispensed is reduced, the influence of the variation in the dispensed amount due to contamination of the probe tip on the measurement results increases, and probe maintenance is necessary to provide reliable clinical data. It is essential.

  The sample probe and the reagent probe need to be wiped and cleaned of the specimen and the reagent adhered to the outer wall at the daily end inspection, and are manually cleaned by the operator. The probe is removed as necessary, and the inner wall is manually cleaned.

  On the other hand, due to the recent development of microminiaturization technology, the tip of the probe becomes thin, and manual wiping and cleaning is an operation that requires careful and careful operation. Therefore, as an alternative to manual cleaning, a function of automatically cleaning the outer and inner walls of the sample and reagent probe by software control has been expected.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention provides an automatic analyzer that can automatically clean the inner wall and outer wall of a probe while the sample or reagent probe is mounted on the specimen dispensing mechanism or the reagent dispensing mechanism. The purpose is to provide.

  The present invention relates to a reaction disk, a reaction container disposed on the reaction disk, a sample dispensing mechanism for dispensing a sample into the reaction container, or an automatic analyzer having a reagent dispensing mechanism for dispensing a reagent. The sample dispensing mechanism, or a non-sonic vibration method that provides a cleaning action in a state where the sample or reagent probe mounted on the reagent dispensing mechanism is immersed in the cleaning water in the reaction container. A contact type stirring means is provided.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to automatically clean the inner wall and the outer wall of the probe without removing the probe while attached to the specimen dispensing mechanism or the reagent dispensing mechanism.

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

  First, an outline of the automatic analyzer will be described with reference to FIG.

  The automatic analyzer includes a reaction disk 10 and a plurality of reaction containers 5 that are detachably mounted on the reaction disk 10. The plurality of reaction vessels 5 are arranged so as to be arranged on the circumference. Samples such as serum and urine are set in the sample container 6, and reagents used for measurement are set in the reagent container 7.

  The reaction vessel 5 is cleaned in advance by the cleaning mechanism 11. The cleaning mechanism 11 discharges the cleaning liquid into the reaction vessel 5 for cleaning, and then rinses with cleaning water. As the cleaning liquid, a liquid to which a detergent is added or a detergent liquid is used.

  The reaction vessel 5 that has been cleaned and rinsed moves to the sample dispensing position as the reaction disk 10 rotates.

  Next, the sample is dispensed from the sample container 6 to the reaction container 5 by the sample probe 2 attached to the sample dispensing mechanism. The reaction container 5 into which the specimen has been dispensed moves to the reagent dispensing position as the reaction disk 10 rotates. At the reagent dispensing position, the reagent is dispensed into the reaction container 5 already containing the sample by the reagent probe 3 attached to the reagent dispensing mechanism.

  Thereafter, the ultrasonic stirring mechanism 9 irradiates the reaction vessel 5 containing the reaction liquid in which the specimen and the reagent are mixed with ultrasonic waves, and the reaction liquid is stirred. The ultrasonic stirring mechanism 8 performs stirring only with the specimen.

  The reaction vessel 5 in which the reaction liquid has been stirred passes through the optical axis of the light source lamp 4 as the reaction disk 10 rotates, and the absorbance is measured by the photometer 1. The target component is quantified from the measured change or rate of change in absorbance.

  The sample probe 2 is washed in the washing tank 12 with washing water. This cleaning is performed every time the sample to be analyzed is changed, and the same sample probe 2 is used for dispensing the next sample.

  Similarly to the sample probe 2, the reagent probe 3 is washed with washing water between items in the washing tank 13 and used for dispensing the reagent of the next item. On the other hand, the reaction vessel 5 is washed with a detergent and rinsed with washing water in the washing mechanism 11 and used again for analysis.

  Next, probe cleaning will be described with reference to FIG.

  A cleaning solution is dispensed into the reaction vessel 5 cleaned by the cleaning mechanism using the reagent probe 3 or the cleaning mechanism 11. The reaction container 5 into which the cleaning liquid has been dispensed moves to the specimen dispensing position.

  The sample probe 2 sucks the detergent in advance as required, moves and descends onto the reaction vessel 5 into which the washing solution is dispensed, and is immersed in the washing solution in the reaction vessel. Simultaneously with the immersion, the inner wall and the outer wall of the sample probe 2 are cleaned by irradiating ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic stirring mechanism 8.

  In the above-described cleaning, the outer wall of the sample probe 2 is further cleaned by adding a detergent to the cleaning liquid in the reaction vessel 5.

  After cleaning, the detergent inside the probe is discharged in the sample probe cleaning tank 12, and the inner wall and outer wall of the probe are rinsed with cleaning water.

  That is, the sample probe 2 is rinsed in the reaction vessel 5 by a non-contact type stirring means using the ultrasonic stirring mechanism 8 and by a non-contact type stirring means in the sample probe cleaning tank 12. In this step, washing and rinsing are performed well.

  Similarly to the sample probe 2, the reagent probe 3 is well rinsed by the washing step in the reaction vessel 5 and the rinsing step in the reagent probe washing tank 13.

  Thus, since the probe tip is washed well both inside and outside, there is little influence on the measurement result, and reliable clinical data can be provided.

  Also, cleaning and rinsing of the probe is easier than cleaning by manually removing and cleaning the probe because the internal / external cleaning is automatically performed with the specimen dispensing mechanism or reagent dispensing mechanism attached.

  Probe cleaning and rinsing are performed using a reaction container, a sample probe cleaning tank, and a reagent probe cleaning tank that exist in the area where the probe is dispensed and moved by the sample dispensing mechanism or reagent dispensing mechanism. Configured. For this reason, since the conventional component parts including the specimen dispensing mechanism or the reagent dispensing mechanism are used in full, the configuration is not complicated.

  Next, cleaning parameter setting will be described with reference to FIG. 3 showing a display screen.

  From the ultrasonic cleaning in the reaction vessel 5 to the rinsing with the cleaning water in the cleaning tank 12 is counted as one time, and the number of cleanings can be specified in the cleaning frequency input area 14 on the screen according to the degree of contamination.

  There are two methods of dispensing the cleaning liquid into the reaction vessel 5, dispensing with the reagent probe 3 or discharging with the washing mechanism 11. It can be designated in the detergent discharge means designation area 15 shown on the display screen. When dispensing the cleaning solution into the reaction vessel 5 using the reagent probe 3, the detergent can be used as it is.

  The detergent type to be used can be input in the detergent type designation area 16 on the display screen, and the detergent amount can be input in the detergent liquid amount input area 17 on the display screen. On the other hand, when the cleaning liquid is discharged to the reaction vessel 5 using the cleaning mechanism 11, since the diluted detergent can be filled up to the upper portion of the reaction vessel 5, the immersion part of the probe is increased and a wide range can be cleaned.

  There are two timings for cleaning the probe: automatic cleaning at the end of the operation or execution as a maintenance item.

  The above washing is performed not only for the probe 2 for the sample but also for the probe 3 for the reagent.

  Next, stirring during operation will be described.

  The reaction container 5 into which the specimen has been dispensed moves to the reagent dispensing position as the reaction disk 10 rotates.

  At the reagent dispensing position, the reagent probe 3 dispenses the reagent from the reagent container 7 to the reaction container 5 into which the specimen has been dispensed. At the same time, the ultrasonic stirring mechanism 9 irradiates the reaction vessel 5 containing the reaction liquid with ultrasonic waves, and the reaction liquid is immediately stirred to be uniform.

  The stirring operation is characterized in that it can be stirred at the same time as the dispensing of the reagent, not the stirring after a certain time has elapsed since the dispensing of the reagent.

  Simultaneous stirring with reagent dispensing was made possible by employing non-contact stirring. That is, in the method using a stirring rod, it is necessary to allow the stirring operation to elapse for a certain period of time from the dispensing of the reagent in order to avoid a collision between the probe for dispensing the reagent and the stirring rod. Since the non-contact type stirring does not cause a problem of mixing, stirring can be performed simultaneously with the dispensing of reagents, and the time spent for analysis can be shortened.

  In addition, since the stirring can be performed simultaneously with the dispensing of the reagent, the reaction solution becomes immediately uniform and the degree of uniformity increases.

  In these examples, ultrasonic agitation was used as the non-contact type agitation, but a method in which air is discharged from the tip of the probe to agitate the detergent, agitation with magnetic particles, or agitation by vibration method may be used.

  The ultrasonic stirring mechanism 9 irradiates the reagent probe cleaning tank 13 and the reaction vessel 5 with ultrasonic waves. In order to receive irradiation of ultrasonic waves more strongly, the ultrasonic stirring mechanism 9, the reagent probe cleaning tank 13, and the reaction vessel 5 are placed in an adjacent arrangement.

  Even in the ultrasonic stirring mechanism 8, the sample probe cleaning tank 12, and the reaction vessel 5 at the specimen dispensing position, they are placed in an adjacent arrangement configuration as described above.

  The control of the automatic analyzer will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 4, the automatic analyzer includes an analysis module 41, an information processing unit 42, and display means 43.

  The analysis module 41 includes the photometer 1, the sample probe 2, the reagent probe 3, the light source lamp 4, the reaction vessel 5, the sample vessel 6, the reagent vessel 7, the ultrasonic stirring mechanism 8 at the sample dispensing position, An ultrasonic stirring mechanism 9 at the reagent dispensing position, a reaction disk 10, a washing mechanism 11, a sample probe washing tank 12, a reagent probe washing tank 13, a specimen dispensing mechanism, a reagent dispensing mechanism, and the like are provided.

  The display means 43 displays various display screens including the display screen shown in FIG. The sample is analyzed by looking at the display screen displayed on the display means 43.

  The information processing unit 42 functions as a control unit that processes various information signals including the reaction disk 10, the photometer 1, the specimen dispensing mechanism, and the reagent dispensing mechanism to control the automatic analyzer.

  For example, the information processing unit 42 controls the rotation of the reaction disk, the dispensing operation of the sample dispensing mechanism and the reagent dispensing mechanism, and the stirring of the stirring means.

  The information processing unit 42 controls so that the sample probe or the reagent probe is immersed in the cleaning water of the reaction container and the stirring operation of the stirring means almost simultaneously, and the cleaning water into the reaction container is controlled. Supply provides control over a function that can be specified to use either a cleaning mechanism or a reagent probe.

  Further, the information processing unit 42 can set the type of detergent to be used and the amount of detergent liquid when supplying cleaning water using a reagent probe, and the type and detergent of detergent used when supplying cleaning water using a reagent probe. Controls the ability to set liquid volume.

  The probe cleaning time will be described with reference to FIGS.

  A description will be given along the flow shown in FIG.

  At step 100, the automatic analyzer is turned on. Subsequently, a start-up inspection is performed (step 101). In this initial inspection, the sample probe and the reagent probe are cleaned.

  In step 102, sample measurement is performed. After the sample measurement, the sample probe and the reagent probe are washed. At the end of the day's analysis work, in step 103, the automatic analyzer is inspected. In this final inspection, the sample probe and the reagent probe are washed and the power is turned off (step 104).

  Usually, the sample probe and the reagent probe are washed in step 101 (start inspection) and step 104 (end inspection). Although cleaning is performed at the start and end inspections, it is convenient because the analysis work is not interrupted.

  Description will be made along the flow shown in FIG.

  Steps 200 to 204 are analysis items of specimen A (5 items of items A to E). Steps 205 to 209 are analysis items (5 items of items A to E) of the sample B.

  When shifting from the analysis of the specimen A to the analysis of the specimen B, the sample probe is washed (step 300). Since the sample probe is washed well, it has little influence on the measurement result and can provide reliable clinical data.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the periphery of the reaction container of the automatic analyzer concerning embodiment of this invention. It is an input screen of the cleaning parameter concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the washing | cleaning flow of the probe for a sample and the probe for a reagent concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the washing | cleaning flow of the probe for samples concerning embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Photometer, 2 ... Sample probe, 3 ... Reagent probe, 4 ... Light source lamp, 5 ... Reaction container, 6 ... Sample container, 7 ... Reagent container, 8 ... Ultrasonic stirring mechanism in specimen dispensing position, 9 ... Reagent Ultrasonic stirring mechanism at dispensing position, 10 ... reaction disk, 11 ... cleaning mechanism, 12 ... sample probe cleaning tank, 13 ... reagent probe cleaning tank, 14 ... cleaning frequency input area, 15 ... designation of detergent ejection means Area, 16 ... designated area for detergent type, 17 ... input area for detergent volume.

Claims (7)

In an automatic analyzer having a reaction disk, a reaction container disposed on the reaction disk, a sample dispensing mechanism for dispensing a sample into the reaction container, or a reagent dispensing mechanism for dispensing a reagent,
Non-contact method including an ultrasonic vibration method that imparts a cleaning action in a state where a sample or reagent probe attached to the specimen dispensing mechanism or the reagent dispensing mechanism is immersed in cleaning water in a reaction vessel An automatic analyzer comprising the stirring means. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein
A sample probe cleaning tank or a reagent probe cleaning tank is provided in an area in which the sample dispensing mechanism or the sample or reagent probe mounted on the reagent dispensing mechanism is moved by dispensing,
An automatic analyzer comprising a washing step by the non-contact type stirring means and a rinsing step of rinsing the probe with rinsing water in the sample probe washing tank or the reagent probe washing tank. The automatic analyzer according to claim 2,
In the washing step, an automatic analyzer is characterized in that a detergent is included in the probe. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein
A control means is provided for controlling so that the sample probe or the reagent probe is immersed in the washing water of the reaction vessel to which the detergent is added and the stirring means is substantially simultaneously performed. Automatic analyzer. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein
A cleaning mechanism for cleaning the reaction vessel;
An automatic analyzer having a function capable of specifying whether to use either the washing mechanism or the reagent probe in the supply of washing water into the reaction vessel. The automatic analyzer according to claim 5, wherein
An automatic analyzer having a function of setting the type of detergent to be used and the amount of detergent liquid when supplying washing water using the reagent probe. In an automatic analyzer having a reaction disk, a reaction container disposed on the reaction disk, a sample dispensing mechanism for dispensing a sample into the reaction container, or a reagent dispensing mechanism for dispensing a reagent,
Non-contact stirring means including an ultrasonic vibration system that imparts stirring action to the liquid present in the reaction vessel,
An automatic analyzer comprising control means for controlling so as to simultaneously perform a dispensing operation for dispensing a reagent into the reaction vessel with a reagent probe and a stirring operation of the stirring means.

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