JP2009180606A - Analysis device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an analysis device acquiring a more accurate analysis result by strictly managing a cuvette blank value. <P>SOLUTION: The analysis device 1 controls execution of measurement processing of a blank value for a cuvette 21, based on: information read from a RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag which is attached to the cuvette 21 and memorizes not only identification information of the cuvette 21 but also blank information on a blank value of the cuvette 21; position information on the respective cuvettes 21 used in the analysis device 1 which is memorized in the analysis device 1; and cuvette management information D1 in which the identification information and the blank information of the respective cuvettes 21 are associated with each other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an analyzer for dispensing a specimen and a reagent into a reaction container (cuvette) and analyzing the specimen.

  Conventionally, when the reaction container is empty or when water is injected into the reaction container, the absorbance is periodically measured as a “cuvette blank value”, and the reaction liquid of each sample and reagent is measured using this cuvette blank value. The analysis accuracy of the analyzer is maintained by correcting the absorbance of the light (see Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

JP 2001-091518 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-267935

  In recent years, there has been a demand for further improvement in analysis accuracy for analyzers, and in order to meet this demand, it is desirable to perform strict management of cuvette blank values. However, since the cuvette blank process for measuring the cuvette blank value is managed by each operator of the analyzer, the cuvette blank value is strictly managed with a certain accuracy in any analyzer. There wasn't. In particular, there are many cases where 100 or more reaction vessels are mounted per analyzer, and since the capacity is small, since the volume is a few μL to several mL, the size of each reaction vessel is small. Therefore, strictly managing the cuvette blank value may be a heavy burden on the operator of the analyzer.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an analyzer that can strictly manage the cuvette blank value and obtain a more accurate analysis result.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an analyzer according to the present invention is attached to the reaction container in an analyzer that analyzes a sample by dispensing a sample and a reagent into a reaction container. A storage medium for storing blank information regarding the blank value of the reaction container together with identification information for identifying the reaction container; a reading unit for reading the identification information and the blank information from the storage medium attached to the reaction container; and the analysis Storage means for storing reaction container management information in which position information of each reaction container used in the apparatus is associated with each identification information and blank information, information on the storage medium read by the reading means, and the storage Control means for controlling execution of blank value measurement processing for the reaction vessel based on reaction vessel management information stored by the means, and the control means The blank value measurement process storage medium of the executed reaction vessel by the control, characterized in that and a writing means for writing the blank information based on blank value measurement process is the execution.

  Further, in the analyzer according to the present invention, when the control means executes the blank value measurement process, blank information corresponding to a reaction container that has executed the blank value measurement process among reaction container management information of the storage means. Is rewritten to the blank information based on the executed blank value measurement process.

  In the analyzing apparatus according to the present invention, the control unit reads the storage medium by the reading unit among the identification information in the storage medium read by the reading unit and the reaction container management information stored in the storage unit. It is determined whether or not the identification information corresponding to the position of the given reaction container matches, and if it does not match, the reaction container attached with the storage medium read by the reading means is newly analyzed. It is judged that the reaction container is installed in the apparatus, and the blank value measurement process is executed on the reaction container.

  In the analyzing apparatus according to the present invention, the writing unit writes a blank value measurement process execution date and time when the blank value is measured together with the blank value as the blank information to the storage medium, and the reading unit is the storage medium. The blank value and the blank value execution date / time stored in the control unit are read, and the control means exceeds the preset blank value effective period from the blank value measurement process execution date / time read by the reading means. If the elapsed time exceeds the blank value effective period, the blank value measurement process is performed on the reaction container to which the storage medium read by the reading unit is attached. Is executed.

  Further, in the analyzer according to the present invention, the writing means writes the maintenance process execution date and time performed on the reaction container to which the storage medium is attached together with the blank information, on the storage medium, The reading unit reads the maintenance process execution date and time together with the blank value stored in the storage medium, and the control unit is a maintenance in which an elapsed time from the maintenance process execution date and time read by the reading unit is set in advance. It is determined whether or not the effective period has been exceeded, and when it is determined that the elapsed time has exceeded the maintenance effective period, the blank is applied to the reaction container with the storage medium read by the reading unit. The maintenance process is executed together with the value measurement process.

  Further, in the analyzer according to the present invention, the storage means associates, for each analysis item, whether or not the reaction container can be used according to the previous analysis item executed on the reaction container. The storage means stores the combination, and the writing means stores the analysis item executed on the reaction vessel every time the analysis item is executed on the reaction vessel, and the storage medium attached to the reaction vessel as the previous analysis item The reading means reads the previous analysis item stored in the storage medium of the reaction container before the next analysis item is executed in the reaction container, and the control means is executed next. A combination of an analysis item and a previous analysis item read by the reading unit corresponds to a combination in which the reaction container can be used among the analysis item combinations stored in the storage unit. In the case of refusal, the use of the reaction container with the storage medium read by the reading means is permitted, and the combination of the analysis item to be executed next and the previous analysis item read by the reading means is stored in the storage means. When the analysis item combination stored in the table is determined to correspond to a combination in which the reaction container cannot be used, the use of the reaction container to which the storage medium read by the reading unit is attached is not permitted. To do.

  The analyzer according to the present invention further includes an output means for outputting the reaction container management information stored in the storage means.

  The analyzer according to the present invention attaches a storage medium for storing blank information related to the blank value of the reaction container together with the identification information of the reaction container to the reaction container, and stores the information read from the storage medium and the analysis apparatus. The execution of blank value measurement processing for the reaction vessel is controlled based on the position information of each reaction vessel used in the analyzer and the reaction vessel management information in which the identification information and blank information of each reaction vessel are associated with each other. As a result, the cuvette blank value can be managed in the analyzer without the intervention of the operator of the analyzer, so that the cuvette blank value can be strictly managed and a more accurate analysis result can be obtained.

  Hereinafter, an analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking as an example an analyzer that dispenses a liquid sample such as blood or urine into a reaction container and analyzes the sample. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. In the description of the drawings, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an analyzer according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the analyzer 1 according to the embodiment dispenses a sample and a reagent to be analyzed into a reaction container (hereinafter referred to as a cuvette) 21, and performs a reaction that occurs in the dispensed cuvette 21. A measurement mechanism 2 that optically measures, and a control mechanism 3 that controls the entire analyzer 1 including the measurement mechanism 2 and analyzes the measurement result in the measurement mechanism 2 are provided. The analyzer 1 automatically performs biochemical analysis of a plurality of specimens through the cooperation of these two mechanisms. The cuvette 21 is a very small container having a capacity of several μL to several mL, and is a transparent material that transmits 80% or more of the light contained in the analysis light (340 to 800 nm) emitted from the light source of the photometry unit 18; For example, glass including heat-resistant glass, synthetic resins such as cyclic olefin and polystyrene are used. The cuvette 21 includes a side wall and a bottom wall that form a liquid holding unit that holds liquid, and has an opening at the top of the liquid holding unit.

  First, the measurement mechanism 2 will be described. The measurement mechanism 2 roughly includes a sample transfer unit 11, a sample dispensing mechanism 12, a reaction table 13, a reagent storage 14, a reagent dispensing mechanism 16, a stirring unit 17, a photometric unit 18, and a cleaning unit 19.

  The sample transfer unit 11 includes a plurality of sample racks 11b that hold a plurality of sample containers 11a that store liquid samples such as blood and sequentially transfer them in the direction of the arrows in the figure. The sample in the sample container 11a transferred to a predetermined position on the sample transfer unit 11 is dispensed by the sample dispensing mechanism 12 into the cuvette 21 that is arranged and transported on the reaction table 13.

  The specimen dispensing mechanism 12 includes an arm 12a that freely moves up and down in the vertical direction and rotates around a vertical line passing through its base end as a central axis. A sample probe for aspirating and discharging the sample is attached to the tip of the arm 12a. The sample dispensing mechanism 12 includes a suction / discharge mechanism using a suction / discharge syringe or a piezoelectric element (not shown). The sample dispensing mechanism 12 sucks the sample from the sample container 11a transferred to the predetermined sample suction position on the sample transfer unit 11 described above by the probe, and rotates the arm 12a in the clockwise direction in FIG. Dispensing is performed by discharging the sample to the cuvette 21 transported to a predetermined sample discharge position on the table 13.

  The reaction table 13 transports the cuvette 21 to a predetermined position in order to dispense a sample or reagent to the cuvette 21 and to stir, measure, and wash the cuvette 21. The reaction table 13 is rotatable about a vertical line passing through the center of the reaction table 13 as a rotation axis by driving a drive mechanism (not shown) under the control of the control unit 31. An openable and closable lid and a thermostat (not shown) are provided above and below the reaction table 13, respectively. The reaction table 13 is provided with a reader / writer 13a that reads information stored in the RFID tag and rewrites information stored in the RFID tag via radio waves of a predetermined frequency.

  The reagent storage 14 can store a plurality of reagent containers 15 in which reagents to be dispensed in the cuvette 21 are stored. In the reagent store 14, a plurality of storage chambers are arranged at equal intervals, and a reagent container 15 is detachably stored in each storage chamber. The reagent storage 14 can be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise about a vertical line passing through the center of the reagent storage 14 as a rotation axis by driving a drive mechanism (not shown) under the control of the control unit 31. The desired reagent container 15 is transferred to the reagent aspirating position by the reagent dispensing mechanism 16. An openable / closable lid (not shown) is provided above the reagent storage 14. A cold storage is provided below the reagent storage 14. For this reason, when the reagent container 15 is stored in the reagent container 14 and the lid is closed, the reagent stored in the reagent container 15 is cooled to evaporate or denature the reagent stored in the reagent container 15. Can be suppressed.

  Similar to the sample dispensing mechanism 12, the reagent dispensing mechanism 16 includes an arm 16a to which a reagent probe for aspirating and discharging the reagent is attached to the tip. The arm 16a freely moves up and down in the vertical direction and rotates around a vertical line passing through its base end as a central axis. The reagent dispensing mechanism 16 includes a suction / discharge mechanism using a suction / discharge syringe or a piezoelectric element (not shown). The reagent dispensing mechanism 16 sucks the reagent in the reagent container 15 that has been moved to a predetermined reagent suction position on the reagent storage 14 with a probe, and rotates the arm 16a clockwise in the drawing to perform a predetermined on the reaction table 13. The reagent is discharged into the cuvette 21 transported to the reagent discharge position and dispensed. The stirrer 17 stirs the sample dispensed in the cuvette 21 and the reagent to promote the reaction.

  For example, the photometry unit 18 irradiates the cuvette 21 transported to a predetermined photometry position with analysis light (340 to 800 nm) from a light source, spectrally separates the light transmitted through the liquid in the cuvette 21, and uses a light receiving element such as a PDA By measuring the intensity of each wavelength light, the absorbance at a wavelength peculiar to the reaction solution of the sample to be analyzed and the reagent is measured. In addition, the photometry unit 18 calculates the absorbance when the reaction container (cuvette) is empty or when water is injected into the reaction container (cuvette) in order to correct the absorbance in the reaction liquid of the specimen and the reagent. Cuvette blank processing is performed periodically. The photometry unit 18 outputs each measured absorbance to the control unit 31.

  The cleaning unit 19 sucks and discharges the mixed liquid in the cuvette 21 that has been measured by the photometry unit 18 with the cleaning probe, and completes the analysis process by injecting and sucking cleaning liquid such as detergent and cleaning water. The cuvette 21 is washed.

  Next, the control mechanism 3 will be described. The control mechanism 3 includes a control unit 31, an input unit 32, an analysis unit 33, a storage unit 34, an output unit 35, and a transmission / reception unit 36. These units included in the measurement mechanism 2 and the control mechanism 3 are electrically connected to the control unit 31.

  The control unit 31 is configured using a CPU or the like, and controls processing and operation of each unit of the analyzer 1. The control unit 31 performs predetermined input / output control on information input / output to / from each of these components, and performs predetermined information processing on this information.

  The input unit 32 is configured using a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and acquires various information necessary for analyzing the sample, instruction information for analysis operation, and the like from the outside. The analysis unit 33 performs component analysis of the specimen based on the absorbance measured by the photometry unit 18. The analysis unit 33 corrects the absorbance of the reaction solution using the cuvette blank value measured for each reaction container (cuvette), and then performs each calculation process such as component analysis of the specimen.

  The storage unit 34 is configured by using a hard disk that stores information magnetically and a memory that loads various programs related to the process from the hard disk and electrically stores them when the analyzer 1 executes the process. Various information including the analysis result of the sample is stored. The storage unit 34 may include an auxiliary storage device that can read information stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a PC card. The storage unit 34 stores cuvette management information D1 in which the position information of each cuvette 21 used in the analyzer 1 is associated with the identification information and blank information of each cuvette 21, and the control unit 31 stores the cuvette management information D1. By referring to or rewriting the cuvette management information D1, the cuvette blank value of each cuvette 21 used in the analyzer 1 is managed.

  The output unit 35 is configured using a display, a printer, a speaker, and the like, and outputs various information including the analysis result of the sample. In addition, the output unit 35 outputs the cuvette management information D1 stored in the storage unit 34, and also outputs various types of information related to the cuvette blank process. The transmission / reception unit 36 has a function as an interface for transmitting / receiving information according to a predetermined format via a communication network (not shown).

  In the analyzer 1 configured as described above, the sample dispensing mechanism 12 dispenses the sample in the sample container 11a to the plurality of cuvettes 21 sequentially conveyed in a row, and the reagent dispensing mechanism 16 After the reagent in the reagent container 15 is dispensed, the photometric unit 18 measures the spectral intensity of the reaction solution obtained by reacting the sample and the reagent, and the analysis unit 33 analyzes the measurement result, whereby the components of the sample are measured. Analysis is automatically performed. In addition, the cleaning unit 19 performs cleaning while transporting the cuvette 21 transported after the measurement by the photometry unit 18 is completed, so that a series of analysis operations are continuously repeated.

  Next, the cuvette 21 and the reader / writer 13a will be described. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, an RFID tag 22 is attached as a storage medium to the bottom surface of each cuvette 21, for example. The RFID tag 22 is a tag-shaped storage medium used in an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system. The RFID tag 22 can be read and written and rewritten via radio waves of a predetermined frequency instructing writing and reading.

  The RFID tag 22 stores blank information related to the cuvette blank value of the cuvette 21 to which the RFID tag 22 is attached together with the identification information of the cuvette 21 to which the RFID tag 22 is attached. The RFID tag 22 stores the lot number and serial number of the cuvette 21 as identification information of the cuvette 21. The RFID tag 22 stores position information indicating in which position in the cuvette holder 13b constituting the reaction table 13 the cuvette 21 to which the RFID tag 22 is attached is located. Further, the RFID tag 22 has been executed so far, the mounting device number which is the identification information of the analyzer on which the cuvette 21 with the RFID tag 22 is mounted, the mounting date of the cuvette 21 in the analyzer, and so on. Stores the total number of tests and the test items executed last time. Further, the RFID tag 22 has a maintenance history including a history of the execution date and time of cuvette blank processing performed on the cuvette 21 to which the RFID tag 22 is attached and a cleaning process for cleaning the cuvette 21 with a dedicated detergent. A history of processing execution date is stored.

  The reader / writer 13a is provided at a predetermined position below the bottom wall of the cuvette holder 13b and close to the RFID tag 22. Under the control of the control unit 31, the reader / writer 13a is attached to the bottom wall of the cuvette 21 via radio waves having a predetermined frequency. The information stored in the attached RFID tag 22 is read, and various information relating to the cuvette blanking process is written in the RFID tag 22. The reader / writer 13a reads and writes information from and to the RFID tag 22 conveyed to the upper part of the reader / writer 13a.

  In this analyzer 1, the cuvette 21 that requires cuvette blanking is automatically processed based on the information of the RFID tag 22 attached to the cuvette 21 and the cuvette management information D1 stored in the storage unit 34. The cuvette blanking process can be performed. With reference to FIG. 3, the management method of the cuvette blank value in the analyzer 1 shown in FIG. 1 is demonstrated concretely. In FIG. 3, the case where each process regarding cuvette blank management is performed by using the lid opening / closing timing of the reaction table 13 as a trigger will be described as an example.

  First, as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 31 determines whether or not the lid of the reaction table 13 has been opened and closed (step S2). For example, a pressure sensor is provided immediately below a predetermined position of the lid of the reaction table 13, and the control unit 31 determines whether or not the lid of the reaction table 13 has been opened and closed due to a change in the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor. Judging.

  The control unit 31 repeats the determination process of step S2 until it is determined that the lid of the reaction table 13 is opened and closed. If it is determined that the lid of the reaction table 13 is opened and closed (step S2: Yes), the control unit 31 causes the reader / writer 13a to On the other hand, a cuvette reading process for reading the information of the RFID tag 22 to all the cuvettes 21 installed in the reaction table 13 is performed (step S4). In this case, the reader / writer 13a reads at least the identification information, position information, mounting device number, mounting date, cuvette blank processing execution date / time history, and maintenance processing execution date / time history stored in all RFID tags 22. Then, the reader / writer 13a outputs the read information of the RFID tag 22 to the control unit 31 in correspondence with the position in the cuvette holder 13b of the cuvette 21 to which each RFID tag 22 is attached.

  The controller 31 temporarily stores the reading information of all the RFID tags 22 output from the reader / writer 13a (step S6), and then calculates the expiration date for each cuvette (step S8). The control unit 31 refers to the mounting date in the read information, and calculates the expiration date of the cuvette by adding a use allowable period set in advance to the mounting date. Next, based on whether or not the reading date and time when the RFID tag 22 has been read exceeds the calculated cuvette expiration date, the control unit 31 has an expired cuvette out of all the cuvettes that have been read. Whether or not (step S10).

  When the control unit 31 determines that there is an expired cuvette that exceeds the calculated expiration date (step S10: Yes), the control unit 31 outputs a warning indicating the position of the expired cuvette and prompting the replacement of the expired cuvette. (Step S12), the process returns to the determination process of Step S2. An example will be described in which the reading information Dr of the RFID tag 22 at each position read by the reader / writer 13a is as shown in FIG. For example, when the expiration date is six months from the date of installation in the apparatus and the reading date and time actually read by the reader / writer 13a is January 23, 2008, the cuvette at position 2 shown in row R2 21 expires. In this case, because the cuvette 21 located at the position 2 has expired, the control unit 31 outputs a message that prompts the user to replace the cuvette at the position 2 with another cuvette. In accordance with this message, the operator of the analyzer opens the lid of the reaction table 13, replaces the cuvette 21 at position 2 with another cuvette 21, and closes the lid. After the opening and closing of the lid of the reaction table 13 by the cuvette exchange is completed, each processing after step S4 is repeated again. As a result, in the analyzer 1, the use of the cuvette 21 whose expiration date has expired can be reliably avoided, so that it is possible to prevent a decrease in analysis accuracy due to the use of a cuvette whose expiration date has expired.

  On the other hand, when determining that there is no expired cuvette (step S10: No), the control unit 31 refers to the cuvette management information D1 stored in the storage unit 34 (step S16). As illustrated in FIG. 5, the cuvette management information D1 is set at each position for each position in the reaction table 13 based on the information of each RFID tag 22 of all the cuvettes 21 read by the previous reading process. The cuvette 21 lot number, serial number, mounting device number, mounting date, cuvette blanking execution date, maintenance processing execution date, cumulative test number and previous time stored in the RFID tag 22 of the cuvette 21 Test items are associated.

  Here, the control unit 31 executes the cuvette blank process for the cuvette based on the cuvette management information D1 stored in the storage unit 34 and the information of the RFID tags 22 of all the cuvettes 21 read by the reader / writer 13a. I have control.

  Specifically, the control unit 31 compares the referenced cuvette management information D1 with the information of the RFID tags 22 of all the cuvettes 21 read by the reader / writer 13a (step S16). In this case, the control unit 31 determines the lot number, serial number, and mounting device number of each position of the referenced cuvette management information D1, and the lot number, serial number, and mounting device number of each RFID tag 22 read by the reader / writer 13a. And compare. Then, the control unit 31 determines whether or not there is a cuvette in which the referenced cuvette management information D1 and the information of the RFID tags 22 of all the cuvettes 21 read by the reader / writer 13a do not match (step S18). That is, the control unit 31 determines the lot number, serial number, and mounting device number of each position of the cuvette management information D1 referred to, and the lot number, serial number, and mounting device of the RFID tag 22 of each position read by the reader / writer 13a. It is determined whether there is a cuvette whose number does not match.

  The control unit 31 includes the lot number, serial number, and mounting device number of each position of the cuvette management information D1 referred to, and the lot number, serial number, and mounting device number of the RFID tag 22 of each position read by the reader / writer 13a. If there is a cuvette that does not match (step S18: Yes), it is determined that the cuvette has been replaced by opening and closing the lid of the reaction table 13 (step S20), and each of the cuvette management information D1 referred to A cuvette in which the lot number, serial number, and mounting device number of the position do not match the lot number, serial number, and mounting device number of the RFID tag 22 of each position read by the reader / writer 13a is newly added in the analyzer 1. As an installed cuvette that was replaced by And sets the cuvette 21 that has been determined to be newly exchanged for processing (step S22). For example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the device mounting number at position 3 in the row R3 of the reading information Dr of the reader / writer 13a in FIG. 4 and the device mounting number in the row R13 of the cuvette management information D1 in FIG. If they do not match, the controller 31 determines that the cuvette at position 3 has been exchanged by opening and closing the lid of the reaction table 13 (step S20), and the apparatus in the read information Dr and the cuvette management information D1 The cuvette 21 at the position 3 where the mounting numbers do not match is set as a processing target that is newly replaced and installed in the analyzer 1 (step S22).

  On the other hand, the control unit 31 reads the lot number, serial number and mounting device number of each position of the cuvette management information D1 referred to, and the lot number, serial number and mounting device of the RFID tag 22 of each position read by the reader / writer 13a. If it is determined that there is no cuvette whose number does not match (step S18: No), it is determined that the cuvette has not been replaced by opening and closing the lid of the reaction table 13 (step S24).

  Next, the control unit 31 determines whether there is a cuvette that has exceeded the valid period of the cuvette blank based on the read information of the RFID tags 22 of all the cuvettes 21 read by the reader / writer 13a (step S26). Specifically, the control unit 31 refers to the cuvette blank process execution date in the read information, and the period from the cuvette blank process execution date to the read process time is a preset cuvette blank effective period. It is determined whether or not it exceeds.

  When the control unit 31 determines that there is a cuvette exceeding the cuvette blank valid period in the reading information of the RFID tags 22 of all the cuvettes 21 read by the reader / writer 13a (step S26: Yes), the cuvette blank is valid. A cuvette exceeding the period is set as a processing target (step S28). For example, when the cuvette blank valid period is 7 days from the execution date of the previous cuvette blank process and the reading date and time actually read by the reader / writer 13a is January 23, 2008, the row of the reading information Dr in FIG. The cuvette 21 at the position 4 shown in R4 exceeds the cuvette blank effective period. Therefore, the control unit 31 determines that the cuvette 21 at the position 4 is a cuvette that has exceeded the effective period of the cuvette blank, and determines that the cuvette 21 at the position 4 is to be processed (step S28).

  When the control unit 31 determines that there is no cuvette exceeding the cuvette blank effective period (step S26: No), or after the setting process in step S28, the cuvette set as the processing target in step S22 and step S28. It is determined whether or not there has been (step S30). When it is determined that there is a cuvette set as a processing target in step S22 and step S28 (step S30: Yes), the control unit 31 determines that the cuvette determined to have been replaced and the cuvette blank valid period have been exceeded. If there is a cuvette, the cuvette blanking process is performed on each cuvette 21 of each component of the analyzer 1 in order to obtain an appropriate cuvette blank value of the cuvette 21 (step S32). ). Specifically, the control unit 31 causes the photometry unit 18 to measure the absorbance when the cuvette 21 set as the processing target is empty or when water is injected into the cuvette 21, and caused the measurement. Absorbance is obtained as the cuvette blank value for each cuvette 21. For example, in the case illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the cuvette blank process is executed for the cuvettes 21 at positions 3 and 4 set as processing targets in steps S22 and S28. Since the constituent material may differ depending on the lot of the cuvette 21, the control unit 31 executes the cuvette blank process under the condition corresponding to the lot in the cuvette 21 at each position set as the processing target.

  The control unit 31 updates the information of the cuvette management information D1 based on the cuvette blank value acquired in the executed cuvette blank process and the read information Dr read by the reader / writer 13a in the cuvette read process (step S4) ( Step S42). For example, the control unit 31 rewrites the lot number, serial number, mounting device number, and mounting date corresponding to position 3 and position 4 of the cuvette management information D1 with the reading information read by the reader / writer 13a. Then, the control unit 31 rewrites the cuvette blank process execution date corresponding to positions 3 and 4 in the cuvette management information D1 with the cuvette blank process execution date performed this time, the maintenance process execution date, Initialize the number and previous test items. That is, the control unit 31 rewrites the blank information corresponding to the cuvette 21 that has executed the cuvette blank process in the cuvette management information D1 in the storage unit 34 to the blank information based on the cuvette blank process performed this time. As a result, the cuvette management information D1 included in the analyzer 1 is the latest. Of course, the control unit 31 updates the cuvette blank values of the cuvettes 21 corresponding to the positions 3 and 4 to the cuvette blank values acquired in the cuvette blank process performed this time.

  Next, the control unit 31 performs a cuvette writing process for writing new information to the cuvette 21 on which the cuvette blank process has been executed with respect to the reader / writer 13a (step S44), and ends the management of the cuvette blank value. To do. For example, the control unit 31 performed the information of the RFID tag 22 of the cuvette 21 located at position 3 in the reaction table 13 this time, the mounting device number of the analyzer 1, the mounting date of the analyzer 1. The reader / writer 13a is newly rewritten so as to correspond to the execution date of the cuvette blank process. Furthermore, the control unit 31 instructs the reader / writer 13a to initialize the maintenance process execution date, the number of tests, and the previous test item of the RFID tag 22 of the cuvette 21 located at the position 3 in the reaction table 13. Further, the control unit 31 reads the cuvette blank process execution date of the RFID tag 22 of the cuvette 21 located at the position 4 in the reaction table 13 so as to correspond to the cuvette blank process execution date performed this time. The writer 13a is rewritten. That is, the control unit 31 causes the reader / writer 13a to write blank information based on the cuvette blank process executed this time on the RFID tag 22 of the cuvette 21 on which the cuvette blank has been executed.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 31 determines that there is no cuvette set as a processing target in step S22 and step S28 (step S30: No), the reading information of the RFID tags 22 of all the cuvettes 21 read by the reader / writer 13a. Based on the above, it is determined whether there is a cuvette that has exceeded the maintenance effective period (step S34).

  The control unit 31 refers to the maintenance process execution date in the read information, and determines whether or not the period from the maintenance process execution date to the read process time exceeds a preset maintenance effective period. To do. When the control unit 31 determines that there is a cuvette that has exceeded the maintenance valid period in the reading information of the RFID tags 22 of all the cuvettes 21 read by the reader / writer 13a (step S34: Yes), the maintenance valid period is set. The excess cuvette is set as a processing target (step S36). For example, when the maintenance effective period is 7 days from the previous maintenance processing execution date and the reading date and time actually read by the reader / writer 13a is January 23, 2008, the reading information Dr of the reader / writer 13a in FIG. Thus, the cuvette 21 at the position 5 shown in the row R5 of the row exceeds the maintenance effective period. Therefore, the control unit 31 sets the cuvette 21 at the position 5 as a cuvette that is a cuvette that has exceeded the effective maintenance period and is a processing target (step S36).

  And the control part 31 performs a cuvette blank process, after performing maintenance processing on each component part of the analyzer 1 with respect to the cuvette set as a processing target exceeding the maintenance effective period (step S38) (step S38). Step S40). For example, in the case illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the maintenance process and the cuvette blank process are executed for the cuvette 21 at the position 5 set as the process target in step S36.

  Next, the control unit 31 updates the information of the cuvette management information D1 based on the processing results of the executed maintenance process and cuvette blank process (step S42). For example, the control unit 31 rewrites the maintenance process execution date and the cuvette blank process execution date corresponding to the position 5 of the cuvette management information D1 to the execution date of the maintenance process and the cuvette blank process performed this time. . Of course, the control unit 31 updates the cuvette blank value of the cuvette 21 corresponding to the position 5 to the cuvette blank value acquired in the cuvette blank process performed this time.

  Next, the control unit 31 performs a cuvette writing process for causing the reader / writer 13a to write new information to the RFID tag 22 of the cuvette 21 on which the maintenance process and the cuvette blank process have been performed (step S44). The management of the cuvette blank value is terminated. For example, the control unit 31 reads the information of the RFID tag 22 of the cuvette 21 located at the position 5 in the reaction table 13 so as to correspond to the maintenance process execution date and the cuvette blank process execution date performed this time. The writer 13a is rewritten.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 31 determines that there is no cuvette that has exceeded the effective maintenance period based on the reading information of the RFID tags 22 of all the cuvettes 21 read by the reader / writer 13a (step S34: No). The management of the cuvette blank value is terminated.

  As described above, in the analysis apparatus 1 according to the embodiment, each time the lid of the reaction table 13 is opened and closed, information is read from the RFID tag 22 attached to the cuvette 21, and the read read information and the analysis are performed. The cuvettes exchanged based on the position information of each cuvette 21 used in the analysis apparatus 1 stored in the apparatus 1 and the cuvette management information D1 in which the identification information and blank information of each cuvette 21 are associated with each other. 21 and the cuvette 21 exceeding the effective period of the cuvette blank are automatically extracted and the cuvette blank process is executed. For this reason, according to the analyzer 1, the cuvette blank process is executed without any processing omission on the replaced cuvette 21 and the cuvette 21 that has exceeded the effective period of the cuvette blank without intervention of the operator of the analyzer. Therefore, the cuvette blank value can be managed in a simple and strict manner in the analyzer 1, and a more accurate analysis result can be obtained.

  Further, the analyzer 1 automatically extracts the cuvette 21 that has exceeded the effective maintenance period based on the read information read from the RFID tag 22 attached to the cuvette 21, and executes the maintenance process and the cuvette blank process. To do. For this reason, in the analyzer 1, since maintenance processing and cuvette blank processing can be strictly managed in the analyzer 1 without intervention of an operator of the analyzer, a properly cleaned cuvette can be obtained. It can be used, and accurate analysis results can be obtained.

  In the analyzer 1, the output unit 35 can output the cuvette management information D1 in the storage unit 34, so that the operator of the analyzer 1 can confirm the cuvette management information D1 output from the output unit 35. Of course it is possible.

  In FIG. 3, the case where each process related to cuvette blank management is performed using the opening / closing timing of the lid of the reaction table 13 as a trigger has been described as an example. For example, the control unit 31 performs a cuvette reading process for reading information on the RFID tag 22 for all the cuvettes 21 installed in the reaction table 13 with respect to the reader / writer 13a at regular intervals (step S4). You may perform each process regarding cuvette blank management after step S6. In addition, when the analysis unit 1 is stopped, the control unit 31 determines whether a predetermined period has elapsed since the previous execution of the cuvette blank process, and determines that the predetermined period has elapsed since the previous execution of the cuvette blank process. The reader / writer 13a performs the cuvette reading process for reading the information of the RFID tag 22 for all the cuvettes 21 installed in the reaction table 13 (step S4), and the processes related to the cuvette blank management after step S6. May be performed. In addition, the control unit 31 reads the information of the RFID tag 22 for all the cuvettes 21 installed in the reaction table 13 with respect to the reader / writer 13a using the analysis processing non-execution time of the analyzer 1. A cuvette reading process may be performed (step S4), and each process relating to cuvette blank management in step S6 and subsequent steps may be performed.

  When the control unit 31 determines that there is a cuvette whose maintenance period has expired based on the read information of the RFID tags 22 of all the cuvettes 21 read by the reader / writer 13a in step S34 in FIG. Step S34: Yes) In addition to automatically performing the maintenance process and the cuvette blank process, a warning for notifying that the maintenance process is necessary is output to the output unit 35 so that the operator of the analyzer 1 can perform the maintenance process and the cuvette blank. You may prompt execution of processing.

  In the analyzer 1, the frequency of use varies depending on the cuvette position in the reaction table 13, and the degree of dirt on the cuvette may vary depending on the cuvette position. Therefore, the control unit 31 causes the reader / writer 13a to execute the cuvette reading process at the time of receiving the analysis process, etc., and acquires the total number of tests for each cuvette. Thus, the output unit 35 may output a warning prompting replacement with a new cuvette or replacement with a cuvette having a low use frequency. The total number of tests is rewritten to the total number of new tests in the RFID tag 22 of each cuvette 21 by the reader / writer 13a at the end of each test.

  In the analyzer 1, the degree of cuvette contamination may vary depending on the test item reagent. For example, it is known that when a latex reagent is used, dirt is more likely to be adsorbed on the inner wall of the cuvette 21 than when other reagents are used. Depending on the combination of test items, the reagent component of the test item measured last time may remain in the cuvette 21, and this remaining component affects the reaction of the next test item to be measured. There is a problem that the result cannot be obtained. Here, in the analysis apparatus 1, the test item performed immediately before is written in the RFID tag 22 of the cuvette 21 analyzed at the end of each test. When the analysis process is accepted, the analyzer 1 reads the RFID tag 22 of the cuvette 21 to be used, and according to the cuvette blank process execution date and time, the test item executed last time, and the received test item. The cuvette 21 to be used is selected.

  With reference to FIG. 6, the process procedure regarding this cuvette selection process is demonstrated. As shown in FIG. 6, first, the control unit 31 determines whether or not an analysis process has been accepted (step S52). The control unit 31 repeats the determination process in step S52 until it is determined that the analysis process has been received. If it is determined that the analysis process has been received (step S52: Yes), the control unit 31 reacts to the reader / writer 13a. A cuvette reading process for reading information on the RFID tag 22 from all the cuvettes 21 installed in the table 13 is performed (step S54). In this case, the reader / writer 13a reads at least the identification information, the position information, the history of the cuvette blanking process execution date and the test item executed last time, which are stored in all the RFID tags 22. The reader / writer 13a outputs the read information of the RFID tag 22 to the control unit 31 in correspondence with the position in the cuvette holder 13b of the cuvette 21 to which each RFID tag 22 is attached.

  The control unit 31 temporarily stores read information of all RFID tags 22 output from the reader / writer 13a (step S56). And the process for selecting the cuvette 21 used for the received analysis process is performed.

  First, the control unit 31 acquires the reading information of the cuvette 21 that is a determination target of whether or not to use it for the accepted test among the cuvettes 21 read by the reader / writer 13a (step S58).

  Then, the control unit 31 refers to the cuvette blank process execution date in the acquired read information, and determines whether or not the remaining cuvette blank valid period of the determination target cuvette 21 is equal to or longer than a predetermined permissible period (step S31). S60). This allowable period is preset for each test item. For example, as shown in the allowable period information D2 regarding the allowable period of the remaining effective period of the cuvette blank in FIG. 7, the allowable period of the remaining effective period of the cuvette blank is preset for each of the tests A to D and stored in the storage unit 34. ing. In Test D and Test A, the reagent used is likely to react with dirt remaining in the cuvette 21, so that the remaining usable cuvette lifetime is 36 hours or more or 48 hours or more compared to other test items. And set longer. The control unit 31 refers to the allowable period information D2 illustrated in FIG. 7 and compares the cuvette blank execution date of the read information read by the reader / writer 13a with the referred allowable period information D2. It is determined whether the remaining cuvette blank effective period of the cuvette 21 is equal to or longer than a predetermined allowable period.

  When the control unit 31 determines that the remaining cuvette blank effective period of the determination target cuvette 21 is not equal to or longer than the predetermined allowable period (step S60: No), that is, the remaining cuvette blank effective period of the determination target cuvette 21 is When it is less than the predetermined allowable period, the judgment target cuvette 21 cannot be used for the accepted test item. For this reason, the control unit 31 does not select the determination target cuvette 21 but sets it as a determination target whether or not to use the next cuvette 21 read by the reader / writer 13a for the received test. (Step S62), the above-described processes after Step S58 are performed again. For example, when the cuvette 21 whose position 6 shown in the row R6 of the reading information Dr of the reader / writer 13a in FIG. 4 has a remaining effective period of 36 hours is 36 hours, the received test item is D. In this case, the control unit 31 cannot use the cuvette 21 at the position 6 for the test item D because it falls below the allowable period 48 hours of the remaining effective period of the cuvette blank set in the test item D. Judge.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 31 determines that the remaining cuvette blank valid period of the determination target cuvette 21 is equal to or longer than the predetermined allowable period (step S60: Yes), the determination is performed on the determination target cuvette 21. It is determined whether or not the combination of the previous test item and the test item of this reception is a usable combination (step S64). This usable combination is preset for each test item. For example, as shown in the combination information D3 in FIG. 8, for each combination of the previous test item in the cuvette 21 and the next test item to be performed next, whether or not the cuvette 21 of each combination can be used is correlated. It is set in advance and stored in the storage unit 34. The control unit 31 refers to the combination information D3 illustrated in FIG. 8 and compares the read information read by the reader / writer 13a with the referenced combination information D3, so that the control unit 31 performs the previous operation on the cuvette 21 to be determined. It is determined whether the received test item and the test item of this reception are a usable combination.

  When the control unit 31 determines that the combination of the previous test item performed on the determination target cuvette 21 and the test item of the main reception is not an available combination (step S64: No), the determination target cuvette 21 is determined. 21 cannot be used for accepted test items. For this reason, the control unit 31 does not select the determination target cuvette 21 but sets it as a determination target whether or not to use the next cuvette 21 read by the reader / writer 13a for the received test. (Step S62), the above-described processes after Step S58 are performed again. For example, when the cuvette 21 at the position 7 shown in the row R7 of the reading information Dr of the reader / writer 13a in FIG. 4 is a determination target and the received test item is D, the cuvette 21 Since the previous test item is A and the next test item is a combination of D, as shown in the combination information D3 in FIG. 8, the combination is not usable. In this case, the control unit 31 determines that the cuvette 21 at the position 7 cannot be used as the cuvette 21 for the test item D.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 31 determines that the combination of the previous test item performed on the determination target cuvette 21 and the test item of the main reception is a usable combination (step S64: Yes). Then, it is determined that the determination target cuvette 21 can be used as a test item for final acceptance (step S66). Then, the control unit 31 instructs each constituent part to execute a predetermined analysis process corresponding to the received test item on the cuvette 21 (step S68). After the analysis processing for the cuvette 21 is completed, the control unit 31 rewrites the accumulated number of tests and the previous test item in the cuvette management information D1 in the storage unit 34 so as to correspond to the content of the completed analysis processing. (Step S70). Next, the control unit 31 gives the reader / writer 13a the total number of tests stored in the RFID tag 22 of the cuvette 21 on which the analysis process has been executed and the previous test item as information corresponding to the contents of the completed analysis process. A rewriting process is performed (step S72), and the analysis process for the cuvette 21 is terminated.

  The control unit 31 determines whether or not a new analysis process has been received (step S74). When the control unit 31 newly determines that the analysis process has been accepted (step S74: Yes), the control unit 31 returns to step S54, and executes each process after step S54. On the other hand, if the control unit 31 determines that no new analysis process is accepted (step S74: No), the analysis process ends.

  As described above, the analysis apparatus 1 reads the RFID tag 22 of the cuvette 21 to be used, and determines the cuvette 21 to be used according to the execution date and time of the cuvette blanking process, the test item executed last time, and the received test item. By selecting, it is possible to appropriately avoid the influence of the components remaining in the cuvette 21 on the response of the next test item.

  As shown in step S62 of FIG. 6, it is determined that the combination of the cuvette 21 in which the remaining effective period of the cuvette blank is less than the allowable period and the combination of the previous test item and the test item of this reception is not an available combination. The case where the use of the cuvette 21 is avoided has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 31 applies the cuvette 21 determined that the remaining effective period of the cuvette blank is less than the allowable period, and the cuvette 21 determined that the combination of the previous test item and the test item of the main reception is not an available combination. On the other hand, it may be controlled to perform the analysis process for the received test item after performing the cleaning process using the cleaning liquid dedicated for cuvette cleaning.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, the analysis apparatus 1 performs the analysis process acceptance determination process (step S152), the cuvette reading process (step S154), and the reading information, similarly to steps S52 to S60 and step S64 of FIG. Temporary storage processing (step S156), cuvette information acquisition processing (step S158) to be used / unusable determination target, cuvette blank remaining validity period determination processing (step S160), and combination determination processing between the previous test item and the test item of this reception (Step S164) is performed. Then, the control unit 31 determines that the remaining cuvette blank valid period is less than the allowable period for the cuvette to be used or not (step S160: No), or the previous test item and the test item for final acceptance. When it is determined that the combination is not a usable combination (step S164: No), a cleaning process using a dedicated cleaning liquid for the cuvette 21 is performed on each component (step S162).

  The control unit 31 determines that the remaining cuvette blank effective period is equal to or longer than the allowable period (step S160: Yes), and further determines that the combination of the previous test item and the test item of this reception is a usable combination ( Similarly to step S164: Yes), after executing the cleaning process (step S162), it is determined that the test item of this reception can be used (step S166), and the analysis process is performed similarly to step S68 shown in FIG. Execution instruction processing (step S168) is performed. Then, the control unit 31 performs the cuvette management information update process (step S170), the cuvette writing process (step S172), and the new analysis process reception determination process (step S174), similarly to steps S70 to S74 shown in FIG. To do.

  As described above, in the analysis apparatus 1, it is determined that the combination of the cuvette 21 in which the remaining blank effective period of the cuvette is less than the allowable period and the combination of the previous test item and the test item of the present reception are not usable combinations. The cuvette 21 is washed with a dedicated cleaning liquid, and the components remaining in the cuvette 21 are surely removed, so that the influence of the components remaining in the cuvette 21 on the reaction of the next test item can be appropriately avoided.

  Further, in step S60 of FIG. 6 and step S160 of FIG. 9, the case where it is determined whether or not the remaining cuvette blank valid period is greater than or equal to the allowable period for the cuvette 21 to be used or not is described. However, this determination process is not always necessary, and the determination process regarding the combination of test items shown in step S64 of FIG. 6 or step S164 of FIG. 9 may be performed without performing this determination process.

  In addition, the analysis apparatus 1 can appropriately manage the cuvette 21 that contains the liquid and contacts the liquid by using an RFID tag that can be read as it does not change even when it comes in contact with the liquid as a storage medium.

  The analysis apparatus 1 described in the above embodiment can be realized by executing a program prepared in advance on a computer system such as a personal computer or a workstation. This computer system implements the processing operation of the analyzer 1 by reading and executing a program recorded in a predetermined storage medium. Here, the predetermined storage medium includes not only “portable physical media” such as a flexible disk (FD), a CD-ROM, an MO disk, a DVD disk, a magneto-optical disk, and an IC card, but also inside and outside the computer system. It includes any storage medium that records a program readable by a computer system, such as a “communication medium” that holds the program in a short time when transmitting the program, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) provided. In addition, this computer system obtains a program from another computer system connected via a network, and implements the processing operation of the analyzer 1 by executing the obtained program.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the analyzer concerning embodiment. It is a figure explaining the cuvette and reader / writer shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the management process of the cuvette blank value in the analyzer shown in FIG. It is the figure which illustrated the reading information which the reader / writer shown in FIG. 1 read. It is the figure which illustrated cuvette management information which a storage part shown in Drawing 1 memorizes. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the cuvette selection process of the analyzer shown in FIG. It is the figure which illustrated the allowable period information regarding the allowable period of the cuvette blank remaining effective period which the memory | storage part shown in FIG. 1 memorize | stores. It is the figure which illustrated the combination information which the memory | storage part shown in FIG. 1 memorize | stores. It is a flowchart which shows the other process sequence of the cuvette selection process of the analyzer shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Analyzer 2 Measurement mechanism 3 Control mechanism 11 Specimen transfer part 11a Specimen container 11b Specimen rack 12 Specimen dispensing mechanism 12a Arm 13 Reaction table 13a Reader / writer 13b Cuvette holder 14 Reagent container 15 Reagent container 16 Reagent dispensing mechanism 16a Arm 17 Stirring Section 18 Photometry section 19 Washing section 21 Cuvette (reaction vessel)
22 RFID tag 31 Control unit 32 Input unit 33 Analysis unit 34 Storage unit 35 Output unit 36 Transmission / reception unit

Claims (7)

In an analyzer for dispensing a sample and a reagent into a reaction container and analyzing the sample,
A storage medium that is attached to the reaction vessel and stores blank information regarding the blank value of the reaction vessel together with identification information for identifying the reaction vessel;
Reading means for reading the identification information and blank information from a storage medium attached to the reaction vessel;
Storage means for storing reaction container management information in which position information of each reaction container used in the analyzer is associated with each identification information and blank information;
Control means for controlling execution of a blank value measurement process for the reaction container based on the information on the storage medium read by the reading means and the reaction container management information stored by the storage means;
Writing means for writing the blank information based on the executed blank value measurement process to the storage medium of the reaction vessel in which the blank value measurement process has been executed by the control of the control means;
An analyzer characterized by comprising:   When the control means executes the blank value measurement process, blank information corresponding to the reaction container in which the blank value measurement process is executed among the reaction container management information in the storage means is executed as the executed blank value measurement process. The analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the blank information is rewritten based on the information.   The control means includes identification information corresponding to the position of the reaction container at which the storage medium is read by the reading means among the identification information in the storage medium read by the reading means and the reaction container management information stored in the storage means. It is determined whether or not the information matches, and when it is determined that the information does not match, the reaction container to which the storage medium read by the reading unit is attached is a reaction container newly installed in the analyzer. The analysis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the blank value measurement process is executed on the reaction vessel based on the determination. The writing means writes a blank value measurement process execution date and time for measuring the blank value together with a blank value as the blank information to the storage medium,
The reading unit reads the blank value and the blank value execution date and time stored in the storage medium,
The control means determines whether the elapsed time from the blank value measurement process execution date and time read by the reading means exceeds a preset blank value valid period, and the elapsed time is the blank value valid period The blank value measurement process is executed on a reaction vessel to which a storage medium read by the reading unit is attached when it is determined that the value exceeds the value. The analyzer described in one. The writing means writes the maintenance process execution date and time performed on the reaction container to which the storage medium is attached together with the blank information, on the storage medium,
The reading unit reads the maintenance process execution date and time together with the blank value stored in the storage medium,
The control means determines whether or not an elapsed time from the maintenance process execution date and time read by the reading means exceeds a preset maintenance effective period, and the elapsed time exceeds the maintenance effective period. The maintenance process is executed together with the blank value measurement process on the reaction vessel to which the storage medium read by the reading unit is attached when it is determined. The analyzer described in one. The storage means stores, for each analysis item, an analysis item combination that associates whether or not the reaction vessel is usable according to the previous analysis item executed on the reaction vessel,
The writing means writes the analysis item executed for the reaction container every time the analysis item is executed for the reaction container to the storage medium attached to the reaction container as the previous analysis item,
The reading means reads the previous analysis item stored in the storage medium of the reaction container before the next analysis item is executed in the reaction container,
The control means corresponds to a combination in which the reaction container can be used among the analysis item combinations stored in the storage means in which the combination of the analysis item to be executed next and the previous analysis item read by the reading means is stored. If it is determined, the use of the reaction container with the storage medium read by the reading unit is permitted, and the combination of the analysis item to be executed next and the previous analysis item read by the reading unit is stored. If it is determined that the combination of analysis items stored in the means corresponds to a combination in which the reaction container cannot be used, the use of the reaction container with the storage medium read by the reading means is not permitted. The analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 5.   The analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising output means for outputting the reaction container management information stored in the storage means.

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