JP2009300340A - Automatic analysis apparatus management system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten the total time to restoration work in the case of performing the restoration work using alarm information issued in the case that an alarm has been issued in an automatic analysis apparatus, etc. <P>SOLUTION: An automatic analysis apparatus management system is provided with: a first transmission means for transmitting information on anomalies which have occurred in the automatic analysis apparatus to a support center via a network; a selection means for selecting a coping method on the anomalies transmitted this time from among coping methods on anomalies stored in a storage part of the support center; and a second transmission means for transmitting the coping method selected by the selection means to the automatic analysis apparatus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that performs qualitative and quantitative analysis of biological samples such as blood and urine, and more particularly to an automatic analyzer management system having a function that can quickly respond when an alarm occurs.

  When an abnormality occurs in the automatic analyzer and the analysis cannot be continued and the operation is stopped, there is a problem that the utilization rate of the automatic analyzer is lowered. Therefore, of course, a prompt repair response in the event of an abnormality is desired. Currently, all the alarm information handling methods expected together with alarms issued from the automatic analyzer are displayed, and one operator of the device is displayed. One alarm information handling method is tried and dealt with. In addition, currently, alarms that cannot be dealt with by the displayed alarm information handling method are requested to be handled by the support center of the automatic analyzer manufacturer.

  With reference to FIG. 8, a conventional repair work flow when an alarm occurs will be described. When an abnormality is detected by the automatic analyzer and the alarm is generated, the analysis activity is interrupted, and the generated alarm is displayed on the CRT of the automatic analyzer as alarm information and a plurality of alarm information coping methods. Since the displayed alarm information coping methods display all the expected alarm information coping methods, the coping is performed according to the alarm information coping method one by one. If all of the alarm information handling methods cannot be dealt with, the device manufacturer's support center is contacted for repair.

  In order to make it quicker to deal with abnormalities in the automatic analyzer, Patent Literature 1 can edit the ranking of the importance of alarms that are issued when abnormalities occur and the display contents of countermeasures according to the user's usage conditions. An automatic analyzer having the function is disclosed.

JP 2006-170868 A

In conventional automatic analyzers,
(1) It is necessary to check all the methods for dealing with a plurality of alarm information displayed on the CRT of the automatic analyzer, and it takes a long time to repair, and there is a possibility that the pause state of the automatic analyzer becomes long.
(2) It may take a long time to request the repair center of the autoanalyzer maker to make a repair and arrive at the autoanalyzer where the alarm is generated, which may prolong the pause state of the autoanalyzer. There was a possibility of problems such as.

  The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer and an automatic analyzer that can reduce the total time until repair when performing repair work using alarm information generated when an alarm is generated in an automatic analyzer or the like. The purpose is to provide a management system.

  The present invention relates to alarm identification information including an alarm code, an alarm type, and an alarm No. for identifying an alarm for notifying an abnormality of the automatic analyzer, an analyzer serial No. for identifying the automatic analyzer in which the alarm has occurred, and a facility No. Alarm information composed of automatic analyzer identification information including “.” Is transmitted to the storage unit of the support center via the network.

  The alarm information handling method corresponding to the designated search key is searched using the alarm identification information as a search key with respect to the alarm information handling method for the abnormality of the automatic analyzer stored in the storage unit of the support center.

  The alarm information handling method stored in the storage unit of the support center is provided with a frequency value, and the order of frequency is set as the search result.

  The result of searching the storage unit of the support center based on the automatic analyzer identification information for identifying the automatic analyzer is transmitted to the automatic analyzer via the network as the alarm information handling method.

  The automatic analyzer that has received the alarm information handling method performs the handling according to the alarm information handling method. When the alarm as a result of the countermeasure is canceled, the alarm information countermeasure result is transmitted to the support center, and the frequency value of the alarm information countermeasure method in the support center storage unit is updated.

  If the alarm information handling method cannot cope with the alarm information, the support center is requested for the next alarm information handling method.

  When all of the alarm information handling methods cannot be dealt with or when there is an operator's own alarm handling method, the operator's own handling method is transmitted to the support center and stored in the storage unit.

  When an alarm occurs in the automatic analyzer, the total time until repair can be shortened.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a multi-item automatic chemical analyzer. In FIG. 1, a large number of sample containers 1 containing samples are arranged on a sample transport disk 2. The suction / discharge nozzle of the sample dispensing mechanism 5 is connected to the sample syringe pump 7. The operations of the pump 7 and the dispensing mechanism 5 are controlled by the microcomputer 3 that controls the operation of each mechanism unit and calculates measurement data through the interface 4. A large number of reaction vessels 6 are arranged on a reaction table 17 provided to be rotatable with respect to the reaction bath 9 to form a reaction line. A constant temperature liquid maintained at 37 degrees Celsius is supplied from the constant temperature liquid supply unit 10 to the reaction bath 9. The multi-wavelength photometer includes a light source 14 and a multi-wavelength spectrometer 15, and the reaction table 17 is rotationally transferred so that the light beam from the light source 14 crosses the row of reaction vessels 6. The used reaction vessel 6 is cleaned by the cleaning mechanism 19 and is reused. The stirring mechanism 13 mixes the sample added to the reaction vessel 6 and the reagent solution corresponding to the analysis item. A measurement signal based on the reaction solution obtained by the multi-wavelength spectrometer 15 is converted from an analog signal to a digital signal by the A / D converter 16 and input to the microcomputer 3.

  Various reagent bottles 12 corresponding to each analysis item are installed along the circumference on the reagent disk 26A for the first reagent and the reagent disk 26B for the second reagent. That is, the disks 26A and 26B are reagent bottle storage portions that can be selectively rotated. A barcode reader 23A is disposed near the disk 26A, and a barcode reader 23B is disposed near the disk 26B. The reagent dispenser includes reagent dispensing pipettors 8A and 8B and a reagent syringe pump 11. These pipettors 8A and 8B suck and hold a predetermined amount of the reagent liquid in the reagent bottle 12 stopped at the suction position in the suction and discharge nozzles, rotate these suction and discharge nozzles onto the reaction container row, and stop at the reagent receiving position. The retained reagent solution is discharged into the reaction vessel 6 that is being operated. The reagent solution dispensed at this time is of a type corresponding to the analysis item assigned to each reaction container.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each reagent bottle 12 has a reagent barcode label 22 with a barcode printed on its outer wall. The information displayed as the bar code indicates, for example, a reagent bottle code unique to each bottle consisting of a sequence number, the size of the bottle, the expiration date of the reagent solution, and whether the reagent is the first reagent, the second reagent or the third reagent. The reagent dispensing order, the maximum number of times that the reagent solution can be analyzed, the reagent dispensing amount indicating the amount of dispensing used once, the production lot number, and the like. Reagent information read from each reagent bottle 12 by the barcode readers 23A and 23B is stored in the memory area corresponding to the storage unit 25 or the microcomputer 3, respectively. As the reagent bottle 12 is stored in the reagent disks 26A and 26B, the reagent information is read by the barcode readers 23A and 23B. At this time, the rotation angle detectors provided on the reagent disks respectively A signal indicating the set position of the reagent bottle is output and input to the microcomputer 3 via the interface 4. The reagent information, the bottle set position, and the analysis item are stored in association with each other.

  The operator can input various information using the screen of the CRT 18 and the keyboard 21. The measurement result of the analysis item can be displayed on the printer 27 and the CRT 18. Information on the floppy (registered trademark) disk 24 is read by the reading device and stored in the storage unit 25 or a corresponding memory area of the microcomputer 3. The information stored in the floppy (registered trademark) disk 24 is, for example, the following. That is, an analysis item code displayed in five digits, a parameter commonly used for the analysis item, a parameter stored separately for each reagent bottle, and the like. Among them, the parameters commonly used in the analysis items are the wavelength used in the photometer, the sample amount, the calibration method, the standard solution concentration, the number of standard solutions, the check limit value for analysis abnormality, and the like. The parameters for each reagent bottle include reagent type, reagent dispensing order, reagent bottle code, reagent liquid volume, reagent dispensing volume, maximum number of analyzable times, reagent manufacturing date, and the like.

  In addition to the information read from the floppy (registered trademark) disk 24, the storage unit 25 includes operating conditions of each mechanism unit of the automatic analyzer, analysis parameters of each analysis item, determination logic for performing bottle management of each reagent, The maximum number of analyzable times read from the reagent bottle, the analysis result, etc. are stored. Reagent information is provided on a floppy disk provided by the manufacturer at the time of delivery of the reagent bottle. When reagent information is not prepared using a floppy (registered trademark) disk, the operator inputs information described in the visual confirmation sheet attached to the reagent bottle into the automatic analyzer using the screen and the keyboard 21. You can also.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a specimen barcode label 50 having a barcode printed on its outer wall is attached to the specimen container 1. The information displayed as the barcode is, for example, a specimen identification number that uniquely determines the specimen. This number is read by the barcode reader 28, and the correspondence between the sample position and the sample identification number is recognized by detecting the angle of the sample transport disk 2. On the other hand, since the analysis item corresponding to the sample identification number is input and stored in advance by the keyboard 21 and the CRT 18, the sample position, the sample identification number, and the analysis item are eventually stored in association with each other when the previous barcode is read. Further, it is generally possible to identify whether the sample is a standard sample, a control sample, or a general sample by the higher number of the sample identification number.

  Analysis of the entire automatic analyzer is performed in the order of data processing such as sampling, reagent dispensing, stirring, photometry, reaction vessel cleaning, concentration conversion, and the like as follows. A plurality of sample containers 1 containing samples are installed on a sample disk 2. The sample disk 2 is controlled by the microcomputer 3 via the interface 4. Further, the specimen disk 2 causes the barcode 50 on the outer wall of the specimen container 1 to be read by the barcode reader 28 and associates the specimen with the analysis item. Thereafter, the sample is rotated under the probe of the sample dispensing mechanism 5 in accordance with the order of the sample to be analyzed, and the sample in the predetermined sample container 1 is reacted by the operation of the sample pump 7 connected to the sample dispensing mechanism 5. 6 is dispensed into a predetermined amount. The reaction container 6 into which the specimen has been dispensed moves in the reaction bath 9 to the first reagent addition position. A predetermined amount of reagent sucked from the reagent container 12 by the operation of the reagent pump 11 connected to the suction / discharge nozzle of the reagent dispensing pipettor 8 is added to the moved reaction container 6. The reaction vessel 6 after the addition of the first reagent moves to the position of the stirring mechanism 13 and the first stirring is performed. When up to the fourth reagent is set in the reagent disks 26A and 26B, such addition and stirring of the reagent is performed for the first to fourth reagents.

  The reaction vessel 6 in which the contents are agitated passes the light beam emitted from the light source, and the absorbance at this time is detected by the multi-wavelength spectrometer 15. The detected absorbance signal enters the microcomputer 3 via the interface 4 via the A / D converter 16 and is converted into the concentration of the specimen. The density-converted data is printed out from the printer 27 via the interface 4 and displayed on the screen of the CRT 18. After completion of photometry, the reaction vessel 6 moves to the position of the cleaning mechanism 19 and is discharged with a cleaning liquid after being discharged by the vessel cleaning pump and used for the next analysis.

  One embodiment of the present invention is configured by connecting one or more of the automatic analyzers described above to a support center through a communication path. FIG. 4 is a system diagram for explaining an embodiment of the present invention.

  When an abnormality is detected, the automatic analyzer 101 displays an alarm on the operation unit 103 including a keyboard and a CRT, and alarm identification information including an alarm code, an alarm type, and an alarm No., and an automatic analyzer serial No., Alarm information including automatic analyzer identification information composed of the facility No. is sent to the communication unit 104 ((1)). The communication unit 104 transmits alarm information from the operation unit 103 to the communication unit 106 of the support center 102 via the network 105 ((2)). The alarm information received from the communication unit 104 of the automatic analyzer 101 is sent to the analysis unit 107 ((3)). The analysis unit 107 searches the storage unit 108 for an alarm information handling method using the alarm identification information of the received alarm information as a search key. The automatic analyzer identification information included in the alarm information is added to the alarm information handling method of the search result and sent to the communication unit 106 ((4)). The communication unit 106 receives the alarm information handling method and transmits it to the communication unit 104 of the automatic analyzer 101 via the network 105 based on the automatic analyzer identification information included in the alarm information handling method ((5)). The received alarm information handling method is displayed on the CRT screen of the operation unit 103 ((6)). The alarm is dealt with according to the alarm information handling method displayed on the CRT screen of the operation unit 103 as shown in FIG. The alarm information handling result as a result of handling is sent to the communication unit 104 ((7)). The received alarm information handling result is transmitted to the communication unit 106 of the support center 102 via the network 105 ((8)). The received alarm information handling result is sent to the analysis unit 107 ((9)). The frequency value of the alarm information handling method stored in the storage unit 108 is updated with the received alarm information handling result.

  FIG. 5 shows the work flow of the system diagram of FIG. Hereinafter, the system diagram will be described in detail with reference to FIG. First, when an abnormality is detected by the automatic analyzer and an alarm is generated (1), the analysis activity is interrupted. At that time, an alarm is displayed on the CRT screen of the operation unit, and at the same time, alarm information is sent to the support center (2). As shown in FIG. 7, the alarm information coping method for the alarm is searched from the alarm information coping method stored in the storage unit of the support center, and the alarm information coping method is extracted in descending order of frequency used for releasing the alarm (3). The taken alarm information handling method is transmitted to the automatic analyzer and displayed on the CRT screen of the automatic analyzer operation section as shown in FIG. 6 (4). Deal with the alarm according to the displayed alarm information handling method (5). It is confirmed whether the alarm has been canceled (6). If the alarm has not been canceled, the support center is requested for the next most frequent alarm information handling method (10). It is determined whether all the alarm information handling methods stored in the storage unit of the support center have been performed (11). When all the alarm information handling methods are performed, the alarm information handling result of the operator's own alarm information handling method is transmitted as the alarm information handling result or the service person of the support center is contacted (12). If all alarm information handling methods have not been performed, search again for alarm information handling methods and take corrective action. If the alarm is dealt with by the alarm information handling method and the alarm is released, the alarm information handling method used for releasing the alarm is transmitted to the support center as the alarm information handling result (7). The frequency value in the storage unit of the support center is updated based on the received alarm information handling result (8).

  FIG. 6 is an alarm information coping method screen displayed on the CRT of the automatic analyzer operation unit. This screen is a screen for displaying a method for dealing with alarm information received from the support center in response to an alarm generated by the automatic analyzer. First, in the alarm information 201 representing the alarm generated by the automatic analyzer, an alarm code, an alarm type, and an alarm No. for identifying the alarm are displayed. The alarm information is used as a key for searching for a corresponding countermeasure from the alarm information countermeasures stored in the storage unit of the support center. The alarm generation time 202 represents the time when the alarm is generated in the automatic analyzer. The alarm information handling method 203 as a result of searching the storage unit of the support center from the alarm information 201 displays the alarm information handling method in descending order of usage frequency used up to now. When the alarm is canceled according to the displayed alarm information handling method, the alarm release 204 button is selected. When the alarm release 204 button is selected, the currently displayed countermeasure is transmitted to the support center, and the frequency value of the alarm information countermeasure stored in the storage unit of the support center is updated as shown in FIG. If the alarm cannot be canceled, the alarm non-cancel button 205 is selected. When the alarm unreleased button is selected, the support center is requested to respond to the alarm information with the next highest frequency. In this way, repeated alarms are dealt with. Also, if there is a method for dealing with alarm information of the operator who does not exist in the storage unit of the support center, the input 206 button is selected. When the input 206 button is selected, a screen for inputting an alarm information coping method is displayed. After the alarm information coping method is input, it is transmitted to the support center. The transmitted alarm information handling method is stored in the storage unit as a new alarm information handling method.

  FIG. 7 shows the data structure of the storage unit managed by the support center. In the storage unit, alarm information handling methods are divided into alarm codes, alarm types, and alarm Nos. First, there are an alarm code 301 for identifying an alarm generated by the automatic analyzer, an alarm type 302, and an alarm No. 303. Alarms are identified using these three alarm information as keys. The alarm information received from the automatic analyzer includes these three pieces of information. The alarm cause 304 represents the cause of the alarm. The alarm information handling method 305 is a method for canceling an alarm generated by the automatic analyzer. A plurality of alarm information coping methods existing in one alarm information are given an occurrence frequency 306 in descending order of usage. Based on the occurrence frequency, it is possible to determine which alarm information coping method should be transmitted first from among plural alarm information coping methods. As a result, the operator can quickly release the alarm.

1 is a configuration diagram of a multi-item chemical automatic analyzer of one embodiment. FIG. The example of the reagent information of a reagent bottle outer wall. An example of sample information on the outer wall of the sample container. The automatic analyzer alarm information sharing system block diagram. Repair work flow diagram when an alarm occurs. An example of a screen that displays alarm information handling methods. The block diagram of the memory | storage part of a support center. The repair work flow figure at the time of the conventional alarm occurrence.

Explanation of symbols

3 Microcomputer 6 Reaction vessel 8A, 8B Reagent dispensing pipetter 12 Reagent bottle 17 Reaction table 18 CRT
21 Keyboard 23A, 23B, 28 Barcode reader 24 Floppy (registered trademark) disk 26A, 26B Reagent disk 27 Printer

Claims (4)

First transmission means for transmitting information on an abnormality that has occurred in the automatic analyzer to a support center via a network;
Based on the information about the abnormality transmitted by the transmission means, a selection means for selecting a countermeasure method for the abnormality transmitted this time from the countermeasure methods for the abnormality stored in the storage unit of the support center;
Second transmitting means for transmitting the coping method selected by the selecting means to the automatic analyzer;
An automatic analyzer management system characterized by comprising: In the automatic analyzer management system according to claim 1,
The countermeasures stored in the storage unit of the support center are ranked on the basis of the rank that was effective in eliminating the abnormality, and the information on the rank is also added from the second transmission unit to the automatic analyzer. An automatic analyzer management system characterized by transmitting. In the automatic analyzer management system according to claim 2,
As a result of performing the coping method received from the support center, the automatic analyzer in which the abnormality has occurred transmits a result as to whether or not the abnormality has been resolved to the support center via the network. An automatic analyzer management system, wherein the order of countermeasures stored in the storage unit of the support center is updated based on the information. In the automatic analyzer management system according to claim 3,
When the abnormality is resolved by a method other than the coping method transmitted by the second transmission means, the abnormality elimination method is transmitted to the support center by the first transmission means, and the support center is transmitted. An automatic analyzer management system characterized in that a new handling method is stored in the storage means as a handling method.

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