JP2009270869A - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic analyzer can clean efficiently an analysis unit without lowering operation efficiency or emergency response of the analyzer. <P>SOLUTION: This analyzer includes the analysis units 5, 6 for analyzing a specimen; a conveyance line 3 for conveying a rack for placing thereon a container holding the specimen or cleaning liquid to the analysis units 5, 6; a rack input part 1 for inputting a rack onto the conveyance line; a rack detection part 2 for detecting the kind of a rack input into the rack input part 1; and an overall control computer 8 for controlling whether the operation state of the analyzer is to be shifted from an analysis state to an analysis finish state or not, in correspondence with setting of system information 201, when detecting a cleaning rack for placing thereon a container containing the cleaning liquid by the rack detection part 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that qualitatively and quantitatively analyzes a biological sample such as blood or urine as a specimen, and includes means for supplying a cleaning liquid to the analysis unit and washing the mechanism of the analysis unit in the same manner as the specimen to be analyzed. The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer.

  Automatic analyzers such as those described in Patent Document 1 often measure biological samples such as blood and urine containing proteins, lipids, etc., and there are cleaning mechanisms for probes and reaction vessels used in analysis units. It is becoming a situation where dirt easily adheres. In particular, in the case of a random access type automatic analyzer that can analyze multiple items on a single line, each instrument such as a sample probe, reagent probe, and reaction cuvette touches various samples, reagents, and reaction solutions. It is desirable to set the type of cleaning liquid and the cleaning time (length) according to the type and degree of dirt.

  For this reason, there is an operation method for maintaining the accuracy of each device by flowing a cleaning rack containing a desired cleaning liquid at the end of the day's work and running the operation according to the request in the same manner as the sample analysis. Are known.

No. 01/051929

  As an operation method to automate the cleaning of the analysis unit using the cleaning rack, when the loading of the cleaning rack is detected during the analysis operation, the loading of the subsequent rack is suppressed and the cleaning rack is supplied to the analysis unit. After executing the cleaning process, it is known to change the operation state of the automatic analyzer from the analysis state to the analysis end state.

  However, in recent years, the number of facilities that operate automatic analyzers almost all day has increased due to the increase in throughput, and the need for handling urgent samples has also increased. However, in the conventional operation method described above, once the cleaning rack is inserted, the operation is temporarily stopped, and in order to restart the automatic analyzer, the reaction container is washed before starting, the amount of transmitted light in the reaction container is measured, etc. A preparatory action is required each time. This preparatory operation takes time, and even if a sample is introduced during the preparatory operation, if the preparatory operation is not completed, the sample will not be dispensed. Therefore, the acquisition of the analysis result will be delayed due to the occurrence of an incapable analysis time.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer that can efficiently clean an analysis unit without reducing the operation efficiency and emergency response of the apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an analysis unit for analyzing a sample, a rack transport device for transporting a rack on which a container for holding the sample or cleaning liquid is placed to the analysis unit, and the rack as the rack. A rack loading unit that is loaded into the transfer device, a detection unit that detects a type of the rack that is loaded into the rack loading unit, and a device that is used when the detection unit detects a cleaning rack on which a container containing a cleaning liquid is placed. Operating state setting means for setting whether or not to shift the operating state from the analysis state to the analysis end state.

  According to the present invention, the analysis unit can be efficiently cleaned without deteriorating the operation efficiency and emergency response of the apparatus.

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

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a system block diagram showing the overall configuration of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The automatic analyzer according to the present embodiment transports a plurality of (two in this example) analysis units 5 and 6 for analyzing a sample and a rack on which a container holding a sample or a cleaning solution is placed to the analysis units 5 and 6. A transport line 3 that is a rack transport device, a rack input unit 1 that inputs a rack into the transfer line 3, a rack detection unit 2 that is a detection means for detecting the type of rack input to the rack input unit 1, and a rack A buffer 71 for waiting, a reinspection transfer line 4 for returning a desired rack to the entrance of the transfer line 3, a rack recovery unit 7 for recovering a used rack, and an overall management for managing and controlling the entire automatic analyzer And a computer 8.

  The sample rack loading unit 1 is a portion for loading a plurality of sample racks each holding a plurality of samples (samples) and a sample rack for washing (washing rack) on which a container containing a plurality of washing liquids is placed. It is. The analysis units 5 and 6 are disposed along the transport line 3 and are detachably connected to the transport line 3. The number of analysis units is not limited, and at least one analysis unit can be established as an automatic analysis device. Although the analysis units 5 and 6 use biochemical analysis units, for example, the gene analysis unit and the immunological analysis unit can be used instead of the biochemical analysis unit or in combination with the biochemical analysis unit.

  The transport line 3 transports the sample rack from the sample rack input unit 1 to a specified analysis unit among the analysis units 5 and 6, and collects the sample rack that holds the sample that has been analyzed in the analysis units 5 and 6. It is conveyed so as to be stored in the part 7. The analysis units 5 and 6 have service lines 51 and 61, respectively. By pulling the sample rack into the service lines 51 and 61, the sample rack is transported from the transport line 3 to the analysis units 5 and 6. The re-inspection transport line 4 is used when the sample rack analyzed or washed in any of the analysis units 5 and 6 needs to be re-inspected or further analyzed and washed by another analysis unit. In order to return to the entrance of the transfer line 3.

  The buffer 71 is installed in the transport line 3 or the reinspection transport line 4 and stores an arbitrary rack transported by the transport line 3. The buffer 71 can store one rack or a plurality of racks. The mode of the buffer 71 is not limited to this, and any buffer that can store and supply racks at random may be used. For example, a plurality of slots can be allocated to a circular base, and the base can be rotated to send a rack to each slot and temporarily hold the rack. The timing at which the cleaning rack is re-supplied from the buffer 71 to the analysis units 5 and 6 or the rack recovery unit 7, or the cleaning rack is supplied to the designated analysis unit is described later with reference to the cleaning rack information 202 (see FIG. 2 (b)) can be specified. Further, the analysis unit of the supply destination, the cleaning part thereof, and the like can also be designated by setting the cleaning rack information 202 (see FIG. 2B) and the cleaning container information (see FIG. 2C) described later.

  Here, the analysis units 5 and 6 include analysis unit computers 9 and 10 that control their own operations. The sample rack loading unit 1 includes a computer 11 that controls the operations of the sample rack loading unit 1, the conveyance line 3, the reexamination conveyance line 4, the buffer 71, and the rack collection unit 7. These computers 9, 10, and 11 are connected to the overall management computer 8 together with the rack detector 2. Connected to the overall management computer 8 are an operation unit 12 having an input / output device for inputting necessary information, and a display unit 13 for displaying and outputting necessary information designated by the operation unit 12. The overall management computer 8 manages the operation and measurement results of the entire automatic analyzer, and notifies the computers 9, 10, and 11 of the analysis start request and analysis end request instructed from the operation unit 12.

  A rack ID indicating rack identification information such as a rack number is attached to the sample rack and the cleaning rack. The rack ID can be recorded on a barcode or a semiconductor storage medium and pasted on the rack. In the case of a barcode, the rack ID can be directly printed on the rack. Information such as the ID of the rack placed in the sample rack loading unit 1 and whether or not a sample is placed is read by the rack detection unit 2 when the rack moves to the transport line 3, and the overall management computer 8. Sent to. The overall management computer 8 determines the analysis unit 5 or 6 to be subjected to the analysis process of the sample or the cleaning process by the cleaning container based on the information input from the rack detection unit 2, and the analysis unit of the determined analysis unit The information input from the rack detector 2 is given to the computer 9 or 10 and the computer 11. By recording either or both of the analysis units 5 and 6 as transport destination information in the rack ID of the cleaning rack, the analysis unit to be cleaned can be designated. When the rack ID of the cleaning rack is read by the rack detection unit 2 and sent to the overall management computer 8, the overall management computer 8 notifies the computer 11 of a request to interrupt the next rack loading, and automatically It is possible to give the analysis unit computers 9 and 10 a request to set the state of the entire analyzer to the analysis end state.

  FIG. 2A to FIG. 2D are conceptual diagrams showing an example of a table of information related to the cleaning rack.

  Information 201, 202, 203, and 204 shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D is stored in each area of a storage unit (not shown) provided in the overall management computer 8, and is sent from the operation unit 12. It is sequentially updated by input and information received from the computers 9, 10, and 11. The overall management computer 8 includes a display control unit, generates a display signal by the display control unit in response to an instruction input from the operation unit 12 or automatically, and stores information stored in the storage unit in the display unit 13. Can be displayed. The stored information can also be output to an external medium other than the display unit 13.

  The system information 201 in FIG. 2A is not information attached to individual cleaning racks but setting information for the entire automatic analyzer, and the operation state of the apparatus after the cleaning rack is loaded is changed to the analysis end state. Whether or not setting information is included. The system information 201 can be set on a system setting screen 301 (see FIG. 3) described later by operating the operation unit 12, and the setting content set on the system setting screen 301 is stored in the overall management computer 8. It is stored in a system setting storage area of a storage unit (not shown).

  The cleaning rack information 202 in FIG. 2B is an example of a table for managing information on individual cleaning racks specified by the rack ID, which is rack unit information, and the rack ID (indicating that it is a cleaning rack). ), Supply destination unit (analysis unit 5 or 6), necessity of waiting to buffer 71 (buffer waiting), time for supplying rack from buffer 71 to designated analysis unit (automatic cleaning designated time) The date and time of the next automatic cleaning and the state of the cleaning rack are at least stored in the cleaning rack information storage area of the storage unit (not shown) of the overall management computer 8. Among these pieces of information, the rack ID, supply destination unit, presence / absence of buffer standby, supply destination unit, and automatic cleaning specified time are registered in advance by performing an input operation on the operation unit 12 before putting the cleaning rack into the automatic analyzer. The state of the cleaning rack and the date and time of the next automatic cleaning are updated by the overall management computer 8 based on information reported from the analysis unit computers 9 and 10 and the computer 11 after being put into the automatic analyzer. . As the supply destination unit, either one of the analysis units 5 and 6 can be designated, or both can be designated.

  The cleaning container information 203 in FIG. 2C is an example of a table including information on the cleaning container placed on the cleaning rack. The rack ID of the cleaning rack, the container placement position on the rack, and the cleaning container information It includes at least a residual amount initial value, a residual amount threshold value, a cleaning portion of an analysis unit that performs cleaning with a cleaning container, whether or not it is placed on a cleaning rack, and an actual remaining amount. The associated information is stored in the cleaning container information storage area of the storage unit (not shown) of the overall management computer 8. Among these pieces of information, the rack ID, the container placement position, the remaining amount initial value, the remaining amount threshold value, and the cleaning part are registered in advance by performing an input operation on the operation unit 12 before putting the cleaning rack into the automatic analyzer. The presence / absence and the actual remaining amount are input to the automatic analyzer and then updated by the overall management computer 8 based on information reported from the analysis unit computers 9 and 10 and the computer 11. In addition, the cleaning part can be designated only at one place per analysis unit, or a plurality of places can be designated. Of course, one or a plurality of locations can be specified only for one of the analysis units 5 and 6, or one or a plurality of locations can be specified for both the analysis units 5 and 6.

  The history information 204 of the cleaning process in FIG. 2D is an example of a table for managing the cleaning history of the cleaning container placed on the cleaning rack. The rack ID of the cleaning rack that has performed the cleaning, the container placement It includes at least the position, date and time of cleaning, cleaning unit, and cleaning site. This history information 204 is sequentially added and recorded by the overall management computer 8 when there is a report of the cleaning process by the cleaning rack from the analysis unit computers 9 and 10, and a storage unit (not shown) of the overall management computer 8. Are stored in the history information storage area.

  Since the cleaning rack information 202 and the cleaning container information 203 are associated with each other by a rack ID, for example, the cleaning rack information 202 is used as an interface, and the other, for example, the cleaning container information 203 is not registered by the operation unit 12. The rack ID and the container placement position can be automatically assigned.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen for the operating state of the apparatus after the cleaning rack is inserted.

  The system setting screen 301 shown in FIG. 3 includes a check box 302 for setting whether the analysis is continued when the cleaning rack is carried into the automatic analyzer that is in continuous analysis operation, or whether the analysis transition state is entered. A “return” button 303 for returning the display of the display device 13 to the upper layer screen or the screen displayed immediately before, and a “registration” button 304 for registering the setting contents of the check box 302 are provided. That is, when the operation unit 12 is operated and the check box 302 is checked and the “registration” button 304 is operated, this setting is stored in a system setting storage area of a storage unit (not shown) of the overall management computer 8. Thereafter, even if the rack detection unit 2 detects that the cleaning rack has been put into the automatic analyzer, the continuous analysis operation is continued, and the sample is analyzed even after the analysis unit is cleaned by the cleaning rack. The On the other hand, when the check box 302 is unchecked and the “Register” button 304 is operated, this setting is stored in the system setting storage area of the overall management computer 8, and thereafter the cleaning rack is loaded into the automatic analyzer. Is detected by the rack detector 2, the overall management computer 8 stops carrying in the subsequent rack, and after the analysis unit is cleaned with the cleaning rack, the cleaning rack is recovered or transported as necessary. Returning to the entrance of the line 3, the operation state of the automatic analyzer is shifted to the analysis end state.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen for setting information on a cleaning rack.

  The cleaning rack setting screen 400 shown in FIG. 4 is a screen displayed on the display device 13 by the display control unit (not shown) of the overall management computer 8. The rack information list area 401 for displaying the designated cleaning time for each rack ID in a list format, and the remaining amount initial value and remaining amount threshold value of the container at each position (mounting position) of the cleaning rack selected by the cleaning rack information 401 A container information list area 403 for displaying the cleaning site in a list format, a “delete” button 402 for executing deletion of the cleaning rack information selected in the cleaning rack information 401, and a screen on the upper layer or immediately before And a “return” button 404 for returning the display of the display device 13 to the screen. The display information in the rack information list area 401 is read from the cleaning rack information 202 (see FIG. 2B) stored in the cleaning rack information storage area of the storage unit (not shown) of the overall management computer 8. However, the data can be corrected and added on the cleaning rack setting screen 400 as well. For example, when adding new rack information, it can be performed by registering information in a blank line following the end of the cleaning rack list area 401, or for correction / addition on the cleaning rack setting screen 400. A button can be prepared separately so that a setting screen for adding / modifying information can be displayed separately. The display information in the container information list area 403 is the cleaning container information 203 (see FIG. 2C) stored in the cleaning container storage area of the storage unit (not shown) of the overall management computer 8, and the rack information list area Similar to the display information 401, it can be modified and added on the cleaning rack setting screen 400.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a history screen displaying a history of cleaning history.

  The history screen 500 shown in FIG. 5 is based on the history information 204 (see FIG. 2D) of the cleaning history stored in the history storage area of the storage unit (not shown) of the overall management computer 8. It is a screen displayed on the display device 13 by (not shown). The history screen 500 returns the display of the display device 13 to the history list area 501 for displaying the history information of the cleaning process for each rack ID in a list, for example, in the order of execution time, and the screen of the upper hierarchy or the screen displayed immediately before. A “return” button 503, and a “print” button 502 for instructing output of the history information 204 to a printing apparatus (not shown) connected to the overall management computer 8. In this example, the history information 204 is output to the printing apparatus. However, the output destination and the output method are not particularly limited. For example, an external storage device or an electronic file connected to the overall management computer 8 is stored. Of course, it can also be the output destination.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of cleaning rack information during buffer standby.

  A display screen 600 shown in FIG. 6 is a screen displayed on the display device 13 by the display control unit (not shown) of the overall management computer 8, and the cleaning designated time of the waiting cleaning rack is stored in the buffer 71. A rack information list area 601 that displays a list for each ID, and a container information list screen that displays a list of positions (placement positions), actual remaining amount, and remaining amount threshold of containers belonging to the cleaning rack selected in the rack information list area 601 602, a “collection” button 603 for issuing an instruction to collect the cleaning rack selected on the rack information list screen 601 to the overall management computer 8, and an upper layer screen or a screen displayed immediately before A “return” button 604 for returning the display of the display device 13 is provided. The display information in the rack information list area 601 is extracted from the cleaning rack information 202 (see FIG. 2B) stored in the cleaning rack information storage area of the storage unit (not shown) of the overall management computer 8. It is data. The display information in the container information list area 602 is data extracted from the cleaning container information 203 (see FIG. 2C) stored in the cleaning container information storage area of the storage unit (not shown) of the overall management computer 8. is there.

  FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of the state transition of the cleaning rack.

  The state of the cleaning rack is managed in at least a state 701 outside the apparatus, a state 702 that is being cleaned, and a state 703 that is waiting for a buffer. The state 701 is a state where the cleaning rack is not carried into the automatic analyzer. When the washing rack is carried from the rack loading unit 1, the state transitions to the state 702 or the state 703, and the washing rack is changed to the sample collection unit 7. When it is stored, the state 701 is returned. The state 702 is a state in which the cleaning rack is being transported or used in the automatic analyzer. When the cleaning rack is stored in the buffer 71, the state transitions to the state 703, and the cleaning rack is transferred to the sample collection unit 7. When stored, the state transitions to state 701. A state 703 indicates a state in which the cleaning rack is waiting in the buffer 71. When the cleaning rack is carried out from the buffer 71 to the retest line 4, the state transitions to the state 702, and the cleaning rack is changed to the sample collection unit 7. If it is stored in the state, the state 701 is transitioned to.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the control procedure of the automatic analyzer by the overall management computer 8 when the cleaning rack is supplied.

  First, in step 801, the overall management computer 8 given the analysis start request by the operation unit 12 gives an instruction to start analysis to the computers 9, 10, and 11 and shifts the state of the entire automatic analyzer to the analysis state. .

  In step 802, it is determined based on a signal from the rack detection unit 2 whether or not a cleaning rack has been loaded into the rack loading unit 1. Specifically, when it is detected that the rack loaded into the rack loading unit 1 has moved to the transport line 3, information on the loaded rack is input to the overall management computer 8 via the computer 11. . When the overall management computer 8 compares the given rack information with the cleaning rack information 202 registered in advance and recognizes that the rack is a cleaning rack, the rack status of the corresponding cleaning rack information 202 is displayed. The state 702 is registered in the item, the presence / absence of the placement of the cleaning container information in the related cleaning container information 203 is updated, and the procedure proceeds to step 803. When the presence / absence information is “present”, the remaining amount initial value registered in advance is registered in the actual remaining amount of the cleaning container information 203.

  In step 803, the overall management computer 8 determines whether or not the setting of the apparatus state after the cleaning rack is carried in the system information 201 is an instruction to shift to the analysis end state. If the transition to the analysis end state is instructed, the procedure moves to step 804, and if the instruction to continue the analysis state is instructed, the procedure moves to step 808.

  When the procedure is moved to step 804, the overall management computer 8 gives a rack loading restriction instruction to the computer 11 in order to limit the analysis after loading the cleaning rack. Receiving the instruction, the computer 11 stops the rack loading from the rack loading unit 1 to the transfer line 3.

  In the subsequent step 805, the overall management computer 8 refers to the corresponding cleaning rack information 202 and cleaning container information 203, and the computer 9 and the computer 9 of the analysis units 5 and 6 designated as the supply destination of the cleaning rack. , 10 is provided with information on the cleaning rack, and the state 702 is registered in the rack state of the cleaning rack information 202. The computer 11 controls the transport line 3 based on the information on the cleaning rack given from the overall management computer 8 and supplies the cleaning rack to the specified analysis units 5 and 6 at a specified time. In the analysis units 5 and 6 to which the cleaning rack is supplied, a cleaning process is executed in accordance with instructions from the corresponding analysis unit computers 9 and 10. When the cleaning process is completed, the analysis unit computers 9 and 10 notify the overall management computer 8 of a cleaning completion report and cleaning history information. Receiving the cleaning completion report and the cleaning history information, the overall management computer 8 updates the actual remaining amount of the corresponding cleaning container information 203 and additionally registers the information reported in the cleaning history information 204. When the cleaning in all the analysis units specified for the cleaning rack is completed, the overall management computer 8 sets the date and time when the automatic cleaning specified time is added to the current date and time as the next automatic cleaning execution date and time of the cleaning rack information 202. sign up.

  In step 806, the overall management computer 8 instructs the computer 11 to request cleaning rack collection, and registers the state 701 in the rack state of the cleaning rack information 202. The computer 11 instructed to collect the rack controls the transport line 3 and the rack collection unit 7, stores the cleaning rack in the rack collection unit 7, and notifies the overall management computer 8 that the rack collection is completed.

  Then, when the procedure is moved to step 807, the overall management computer 8 instructs the computers 9, 10, and 11 to end the analysis, changes the state of the entire automatic analyzer to the end of analysis, and ends the flow of FIG. .

  On the other hand, if the analysis operation state is set to continue even after the cleaning rack is carried in, the overall management computer 8 moves the procedure from step 803 to step 808 and executes the cleaning process at the specified time in the specified analysis unit. . The procedure of step 808 is the same as step 805 described above.

  In the subsequent step 809, the overall management computer 8 determines whether or not it is instructed to place the cleaning rack in the buffer 71. With reference to the pre-registered item of whether or not there is buffer standby in the cleaning rack information 202, if the buffer standby is “None”, the procedure moves to Step 810, and the buffer standby is designated as “Yes”. In this case, the procedure is moved to step 811.

  When the procedure is shifted to step 810, the overall control computer 8 instructs the computer 11 to collect the cleaning rack. The procedure of Step 810 is the same as that of Step 806 described above, but the automatic analyzer is continuously operated even after the cleaning rack is collected.

  When the procedure is moved to step 811, the overall management computer 8 subtracts the amount of the cleaning liquid used for the cleaning process from the actual remaining amount, and determines whether or not the cleaning liquid remaining in the cleaning container is insufficient. If the actual remaining amount of the cleaning container information 203 is less than the remaining amount threshold specified in advance, it is determined that the remaining amount of cleaning liquid in the cleaning container has fallen into a shortage state, and the procedure proceeds to step 812. If the actual remaining amount of the cleaning container information 203 is equal to or greater than the remaining amount threshold value, it is determined that the remaining amount of cleaning liquid in the cleaning container is not insufficient, and the procedure proceeds to step 814.

  When the procedure is moved to step 812, the overall management computer 8 generates a display signal for notifying that the shortage has occurred by the display control unit (not shown), and displays a warning display on the display unit 13, The procedure is moved to step 813. The warning display to be displayed on the display device 13 displays at least a message indicating the rack ID for specifying the cleaning rack, the mounting position of the cleaning container, and the shortage of the remaining amount. In addition, a history in which a cleaning liquid deficiency has occurred may be added to the history information 204 of the cleaning process to register an additional path.

  In subsequent step 813, the overall control computer 8 instructs the computer 11 to collect the cleaning rack. The procedure of Step 810 is the same as that of Step 806 described above, but the automatic analyzer is continuously operated even after the cleaning rack is collected.

  When the procedure is shifted from the previous step 811 to step 814, the overall management computer 8 instructs the computer 11 that the storage destination of the cleaning rack is the buffer 71, and the state is changed to the rack state of the cleaning rack information 202. 703 is registered. The computer 11 given the instruction controls the transfer line 3 and the buffer 71 to store the cleaning rack in the buffer 71.

  In subsequent step 815, the overall management computer 8 determines whether there is any cleaning rack waiting in the buffer 71 that has reached the cleaning execution time. Specifically, the overall management computer 8 periodically refers to the cleaning rack information 202 to extract a cleaning rack whose rack status is buffer standby (status 703), and puts it into the extracted cleaning rack. If there is one in which the next automatic cleaning execution date / time of the cleaning rack information 202 exceeds the current date / time, the procedure returns to step 808 to execute the cleaning process using the cleaning rack, and in steps 808 to 815. Repeat the process.

  Note that the cleaning process using the standby cleaning rack in the buffer 71 and the recovery of the cleaning rack are not limited to being automatically performed at a predetermined time as shown in the flow of FIG. It is also possible to instruct arbitrarily. For example, the display screen 600 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display unit 13 to display a list of waiting cleaning racks in the buffer 71, and the operation unit 12 is operated to perform a cleaning process using the cleaning rack selected from the list. It can be configured to instruct the overall management computer 8 to interrupt or to interrupt the collection of the selected cleaning rack. The list display of the cleaning racks waiting for the buffer is executed by extracting a record in which the rack state of the cleaning rack information 202 is in the state 703. When instructed to interrupt the cleaning process, the overall management computer 8 executes the procedure of Step 808 without going through the procedure of Step 815. When the cleaning rack is instructed to be collected, the overall management computer 8 skips to the step 810 after the procedure being executed is completed.

  The effects obtained by the above embodiment will be described.

  By setting on the system setting screen 301 whether or not to change the operation state of the apparatus from the analysis state to the analysis end state when the rack detection unit 2 detects the cleaning rack, the set system information 201 is set. Based on this, the operation state after the detection of the cleaning rack is shifted to the analysis continuation state or the analysis end state by the overall management computer 8. Therefore, for example, in a facility that operates an automatic analyzer almost all day or a facility that frequently responds to urgent samples, etc., if you want to perform an analysis process with an automatic analyzer immediately after performing the necessary cleaning process, etc. By setting the analysis operation to continue even after the cleaning rack is turned on, the preparatory action associated with the restart can be omitted, so the occurrence of non-analytical time can be minimized and the cleaning process can be performed. Accompanying analysis result acquisition delay can be suppressed. Therefore, the analysis unit can be efficiently cleaned without degrading the operation efficiency and emergency response of the automatic analyzer.

  In addition, if the automatic analyzer does not transition to the analysis end state due to the introduction of the cleaning rack, another cleaning rack can be introduced thereafter, and various cleaning processes can be flexibly performed using multiple cleaning racks. Can be executed. Furthermore, since one or a plurality of cleaning racks can be made to stand by in the buffer 71 and a specified cleaning rack can be sent to a specified analysis unit at a specified time in advance, periodic cleaning processing can be automated. It is possible to reduce the work load on the operator and to secure time for engaging in other work. Therefore, the business efficiency of the entire facility can be improved.

  In addition, depending on the type of cleaning liquid placed in the cleaning rack and the request contents (information 202, 203) attached to the cleaning rack or input by the operation unit 12, when the cleaning rack is sent to which analysis unit, the analysis unit It is possible to freely set which part and how much to wash. The analysis unit to be cleaned, the cleaning site, the cleaning time, and the like can be individually set for each cleaning rack and cleaning container.

  Further, the remaining amount of the cleaning liquid on the cleaning rack that is made to wait in the buffer 71 and the threshold value specified by the operation unit 12 or the like for the remaining amount are stored in the cleaning container information storage area of the storage unit (not shown). Further, when the overall management computer 8 recognizes that the remaining amount of the cleaning liquid has fallen below the threshold value, for example, the display device 13 is notified that the remaining amount of the cleaning liquid is insufficient. It is possible to suppress the execution of the cleaning process (incomplete cleaning process).

  Further, as the history information 204 of the cleaning process using the cleaning rack, information such as the cleaning execution time and the cleaned analysis unit is stored in a history storage area of a storage unit (not shown), and the history information 204 is stored in the history storage area. Since the data can be output to output means such as the display device 13 or the printing device, the operator or other person can know how the automatic analyzer is operated in succession, which is effective for maintenance management of the automatic analyzer. Can be useful.

It is the schematic showing the whole structure of the automatic analyzer which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is the conceptual diagram showing an example of the table of the information relevant to the rack for washing | cleaning. It is a figure showing an example of the setting screen of the operating state of the apparatus after throwing in the rack for washing | cleaning. It is a figure showing an example of the setting screen which sets the information of the rack for washing | cleaning. It is a figure showing an example of the history screen which displays the history of washing history. It is a figure showing an example of the display screen of the rack information for washing | cleaning in buffer standby. It is a conceptual diagram of the state transition of the rack for washing | cleaning. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure of the automatic analyzer by the whole management computer when the cleaning rack is supplied.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Rack input part 2 Rack detection part 3 Conveyance line 4 Reinspection conveyance line 5 and 6 Analysis unit 7 Rack collection part 8 Overall management computer 9 and 10 Analysis unit computer 11 Computer 12 Operation part 13 Display part 51 and 61 Lead-in line 71 Buffer 201 System Information 202 Cleaning Rack Information 203 Cleaning Container Information 204 History Information 301 System Setting Screen 302 Check Box 304 Registration Button 400 Cleaning Rack Setting Screen 401 Rack Information List Area 403 Container Information List Area 500 History Screen 501 History List Area 502 Print button 600 Display screen 601 Rack information list area 602 Container information list screen 603 Collection button

Claims (7)

An analysis unit for analyzing the sample;
A rack transport device for transporting a rack for placing a container for holding the sample or the cleaning liquid to the analysis unit;
A rack loading unit for loading the rack into the rack transporter;
Detection means for detecting the type of rack that has been input to the rack input unit;
An operation state setting unit for setting whether or not to change the operation state of the apparatus from the analysis state to the analysis end state when the detection unit detects the cleaning rack on which the container containing the cleaning liquid is placed. Automatic analyzer characterized by. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1,
A plurality of the analysis units;
An automatic analyzer further comprising an analysis unit selecting means for selecting an analysis unit to be cleaned using the cleaning rack.   3. The automatic analysis system according to claim 1, further comprising cleaning part designating means for designating a cleaning part to be cleaned by using the cleaning rack in the analysis unit. In the automatic analyzer in any one of Claims 1-3,
A buffer for waiting the cleaning rack;
An automatic analyzer comprising: a means for sending the cleaning rack waiting in the buffer to the rack transporter at a predetermined time. The automatic analyzer according to claim 4,
Cleaning liquid information storage means for storing at least the remaining amount of the cleaning liquid on the cleaning rack waiting in the buffer;
A designation means for designating a threshold for the remaining amount of cleaning liquid;
An automatic analyzer comprising notification means for notifying when the remaining amount of cleaning liquid stored in the cleaning liquid information storage means falls below a threshold value specified by the specifying means.   6. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, further comprising history storage means for storing at least one of the time of cleaning and the cleaned analysis unit as a history of cleaning using the cleaning rack. A featured automatic analyzer.   7. The automatic analyzer according to claim 6, further comprising an output unit that outputs history information of cleaning recorded in the history storage unit.

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