JP2010025748A - Dispensing device and autoanalyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a dispensing device and an automated analyzer capable of precisely dispensing a very small amount of a liquid sample while corresponding to the miniaturization of a container. <P>SOLUTION: A specimen dispensing device 9 dispenses an analyzing target specimen in a reaction container. At this time, a dispensation control unit 98 controls extrusion dispensing operation in the case where a sample amount necessary for analysis is a predetermined liquid amount or below capable of achieving desired dispensing precision and dispenses a sample amount of the specimen in the reaction container along with an extrusion liquid so that a dispensing amount may become the maximum dispensing amount defined by the volume of the reaction container. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a dispensing device that dispenses a liquid sample to be analyzed into a container and an automatic analyzer equipped with the dispensing device.

  2. Description of the Related Art There is known an automatic analyzer that dispenses and analyzes a sample (liquid sample) such as blood or body fluid collected from a subject into a container. Further, as a technique for keeping the dispensing accuracy of the dispensing device used in this automatic analyzer uniform, there is known one that controls the driving of a piston based on a preset driving profile (Patent Literature). 1).

  Here, as a dispensing method of a dispensing apparatus, a quantitative dispensing method is known in which a sample of a liquid amount necessary for analysis is dispensed into a container. As another dispensing method, there is a water extrusion dispensing method in which a liquid sample having an amount required for analysis is extruded with an extrusion solution such as pure water and dispensed into a container. This water extrusion dispensing method is used, for example, when it is desired to analyze a plurality of items on a sample with a small amount of sample collected, such as a child sample.

JP 2006-343243 A

  Incidentally, in recent years, there has been a demand for a small amount of specimen for the purpose of reducing the burden on the subject and reducing the operation cost of the apparatus. However, when a small amount of sample is dispensed by the quantitative dispensing method, there is a problem in that the dispensing accuracy varies, and a certain dispensing accuracy cannot be ensured. In addition, the dispensing accuracy varies depending on the difference in the viscosity of the specimen, and the difference in viscosity affects the dispensing accuracy as the sample amount becomes smaller. On the other hand, according to the dispensing by the water extrusion dispensing method, the dispensing amount can be increased by the extrusion liquid, so that the dispensing accuracy can be stabilized. However, as the amount of the sample is reduced, the container itself is also reduced in size, and depending on the amount of the sample, a situation in which the capacity of the container is exceeded is a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a dispensing device and an automatic analyzer that can accurately dispense a small amount of a liquid sample while corresponding to downsizing of a container. And

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a dispensing apparatus according to the present invention is a dispensing apparatus that dispenses a liquid sample to be analyzed into a container, and is necessary for the analysis of the liquid sample. When the liquid volume is equal to or less than a predetermined liquid volume that can achieve a desired dispensing accuracy, the liquid sample of the liquid volume necessary for the analysis is set so that the dispensing volume is equal to or less than the maximum dispensing volume determined by the capacity of the container. An extrusion dispensing operation is performed in which the liquid is dispensed into the container together with the extrusion liquid.

  The dispensing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, the amount of the extruded liquid is set from the liquid amount necessary for the analysis and the maximum dispensing amount.

  The dispensing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the amount of the extruded liquid is set from the predetermined liquid amount and the maximum dispensing amount.

  In the dispensing device according to the present invention, in the above invention, when the amount of liquid required for the analysis is larger than the predetermined amount of liquid, the liquid sample of the amount required for the analysis is placed in the container. A quantitative dispensing operation for dispensing is performed.

  In the dispensing device according to the present invention, in the above invention, when the amount of liquid necessary for the analysis is larger than the predetermined amount of liquid, the liquid of the amount necessary for the extrusion dispensing operation or the analysis is used. A quantitative dispensing operation for dispensing a sample into the container is selectively performed.

  The dispensing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the predetermined liquid volume is a liquid volume of 10 μL or less.

  The dispensing device according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the maximum dispensing amount is 20 μL.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic analyzer including the dispensing apparatus having the above-described configuration, wherein the liquid dispensed into the container by the dispensing apparatus is optically measured and analyzed.

  Moreover, the automatic analyzer according to the present invention is the above invention, wherein the amount of the extruded liquid dispensed by the dispensing device during the extrusion dispensing operation is the amount dispensed is the maximum dispensing amount. An extrusion liquid amount setting means for setting the following is provided.

  Further, the automatic analyzer according to the present invention, in the above-mentioned invention, as the dispensing method of the dispensing device when the amount of liquid necessary for the analysis is larger than the predetermined liquid amount, dispensing that performs an extrusion dispensing operation. Dispensing method setting means for setting one of a method and a dispensing method for performing a quantitative dispensing operation is provided.

  According to the present invention, when the amount of liquid necessary for the analysis of the liquid sample is equal to or less than a predetermined amount capable of achieving a desired dispensing accuracy, the amount to be dispensed is less than or equal to the maximum dispensing amount determined by the capacity of the container. Since the liquid sample can be inflated and dispensed into the container, the dispensing accuracy can be stabilized. Therefore, there is an effect that a small amount of liquid sample can be dispensed with high accuracy while corresponding to downsizing of the container.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. Moreover, in description of drawing, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and shown to the same part.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the internal configuration of the automatic analyzer 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a main block diagram for explaining a control system of the automatic analyzer 1. The automatic analyzer 1 is an apparatus that automatically performs biochemical, immunological or genetic analysis of a plurality of specimens (liquid samples). The specimen supply apparatus 2, the reaction table 4, and two reagents. Tables 5 and 6, a specimen dispensing device 9 as a dispensing device, two reagent dispensing devices 10 and 11, two stirring devices 12 and 13, a measurement optical system 14, and a cleaning device 15 are provided. . Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the automatic analyzer 1 includes a control unit 16 that controls each unit constituting the device, and performs operation timing instructions, data transfer, and the like to each unit to control the overall operation of the device. Control.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the sample supply device 2 stores a plurality of racks 2 a on which a plurality of sample containers 2 b storing samples (samples) such as blood and urine are mounted. Under the control of the control unit 16, the sample supply device 2 sequentially transfers the rack 2a along the movement path indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1, and sequentially sets the sample containers 2b on the rack 2a to the sample sorting position. Carry. Then, the specimen in the specimen container 2b transported to the specimen sorting position is dispensed into a reaction container (cuvette) C as a container to be transported by arranging on the reaction table 4 by the specimen dispensing device 9. The

  A sample reading device 3 is installed on the movement path of the rack 2 a that is transferred by the sample supply device 2. The sample reading device 3 is, for example, a barcode reader, reads a barcode (not shown) attached to the sample container 2b, acquires sample information such as a sample number, and outputs the sample information to the control unit 16. The barcode attached to the sample container 2b is obtained by coding the sample information according to a predetermined standard. Based on the sample information acquired by the sample reading device 3, the sample in the sample container 2b is recognized and selected.

  The reaction table 4 includes a cuvette wheel 41 and a heat retaining member 43. The cuvette wheel 41 holds a plurality of reaction containers C into which specimens and reagents are dispensed, and rotates around the rotation axis by a drive mechanism (not shown) under the control of the control unit 16. For example, the cuvette wheel 41 rotates counterclockwise (one turn-1 cuvette) / 4 minutes in one cycle and rotates one cuvette clockwise in four cycles. By the rotation of the cuvette wheel 41, each reaction container C has a position such as a first reagent dispensing position, a sample dispensing position, a second reagent dispensing position, first to third stirring positions, a measurement position, and a washing position. Are sequentially conveyed. The heat retaining member 43 is disposed inside and outside the cuvette wheel 41 in the radial direction, and keeps the liquid in the reaction vessel C at a temperature about the body temperature. The heat retaining member 43 has an opening 45 for irradiating the analysis light to the liquid in the reaction container C transported to the measurement position corresponding to the measurement optical system 14.

  The reagent tables 5 and 6 store reagent containers 5a and 6a each storing predetermined reagents corresponding to analysis items. For example, one reagent table 5 contains a reagent container 5a containing a first reagent, and the other reagent table 6 contains a reagent container 6a containing a second reagent. Each of the reagent tables 5 and 6 is configured to be able to be intermittently rotated about a rotation axis by a driving mechanism (not shown) under the control of the control unit 16. 6a is transported to the reagent sorting position. In addition, a thermostat (not shown) is provided below each of the reagent tables 5 and 6 to keep the reagents stored in the reagent containers 5a and 6a cool. Thereby, evaporation and denaturation of the reagent can be suppressed.

  Reagent reading devices 7 and 8 such as a barcode reader are installed on the outer peripheral sides of the reagent tables 5 and 6, respectively. The reagent readers 7 and 8 read the barcodes (not shown) attached to the reagent containers 5 a and 6 a respectively stored in the reagent tables 5 and 6, acquire reagent information, and output the reagent information to the control unit 16. The reagent information includes, for example, information such as the reagent name, lot number, and expiration date as appropriate. Based on the reagent information acquired by the reagent readers 7 and 8, the reagents in the reagent containers 5a and 6a are recognized and selected.

  The sample dispensing apparatus 9 includes a dispensing probe 91 that performs suction and discharge of the sample, performs a dispensing operation under the control of the control unit 16, and uses the dispensing probe 91 from the sample container 2b at the sample dispensing position. The sample is aspirated and dispensed by discharging the sample into the reaction container C at the sample dispensing position. The dispensing probe 91 is flushed and washed in a washing tank (not shown) to which washing water is supplied after dispensing is completed.

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the sample dispensing device 9. As shown in FIG. 3, the sample dispensing device 9 controls each part of the probe driving unit 92, the syringe 93, the syringe driving unit 94, the pump 95, and the sample dispensing device 9 in addition to the dispensing probe 91. A dispensing control unit 98 that performs a dispensing operation is provided, and the dispensing probe 91 is referred to as an extruded liquid such as pure water or physiological saline (hereinafter referred to as “extruded water”) through a pipe line provided with a syringe 93 and a pump 95. ) Is stored and connected to an extruded water tank 96. A control valve 97 is attached between the syringe 93 and the pump 95.

  The probe drive unit 92 moves the dispensing probe 91 between the sample dispensing position and the sample dispensing position under the control of the dispensing control unit 98, and moves the dispensing probe 91 up and down at each position. . Under the control of the dispensing control unit 98, the syringe drive unit 94 reciprocates the piston of the syringe 93 to cause the syringe 93 to perform an intake / exhaust operation.

  Then, under the control of the control unit 16, the dispensing control unit 98 opens the control valve 97 and operates the pump 95 to drive the syringe drive unit 94 in a state where the extruded water is filled in the pipeline. The syringe 93 is caused to perform the suction / discharge operation, and the dispensing operation of the sample dispensing device 9 is controlled. At this time, when the dispensing method is the quantitative dispensing method, the dispensing control unit 98 controls the quantitative dispensing operation of the sample dispensing device 9. That is, in the quantitative dispensing operation, a sample of a quantity obtained by adding a dummy quantity for preventing dilution of the specimen to the liquid quantity required for analysis (hereinafter referred to as “sample quantity”) by the dispensing probe 91. Aspirate from the container 2b. Then, the sample amount of the specimen sucked by the dispensing probe 91 is discharged into the reaction container C. On the other hand, when the dispensing method is the water extrusion dispensing method, the dispensing control unit 98 controls the extrusion dispensing operation of the sample dispensing device 9. That is, in the push-out dispensing operation, a sample amount of specimen is aspirated from the specimen container 2b by the dispensing probe 91. Then, the specimen of the sample amount sucked by the dispensing probe 91 is extruded with the extrusion water supplied from the extrusion water tank 96, and the extrusion water amount of the extrusion water set in advance (hereinafter referred to as “extruding water amount”). And discharged into the reaction vessel C together with the extruded water.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the reagent dispensing devices 10 and 11 have dispensing probes 101 and 111 that perform suction and discharge of reagents, respectively. Then, under the control of the control unit 16, the reagent dispensing apparatus 10 sucks the first reagent from the reagent container 5a at the reagent dispensing position on the reagent table 5 by the dispensing probe 101, and the first reagent dispensing. Dispensing by discharging the first reagent into the reaction container C at the position. Similarly, the reagent dispensing apparatus 11 sucks the second reagent from the reagent container 6a at the reagent dispensing position on the reagent table 6 by the dispensing probe 111 under the control of the control unit 16, and the second reagent Dispensing is performed by discharging the second reagent into the reaction container C at the dispensing position. The dispensing probes 101 and 111 of the reagent dispensing devices 10 and 11 are flushed and washed in a washing tank (not shown) to which washing water is supplied after the dispensing is completed. The reagent dispensing devices 10 and 11 are configured in the same manner as the sample dispensing device 9 shown in FIG.

  The stirrers 12 and 13 are moved up and down by a stepping motor to stir the liquid in the reaction vessel C conveyed below the apparatus. Specifically, the stirring device 12 includes stirring rods 121 and 123, and the stirring rod 121 stirs the liquid in the reaction vessel C conveyed to the first stirring position below the stirring rod 121. The liquid in the reaction vessel C conveyed to the second stirring position below the stirring rod 123 is stirred by 123. Further, the stirring device 13 has a stirring bar 131, and stirs the liquid in the reaction vessel C conveyed to the third stirring position below the stirring bar 131 by the stirring bar 131. Each stirring rod 121, 123, 131 is flushed and washed in a washing tank (not shown) to which washing water is supplied after the stirring is completed.

  The measurement optical system 14 irradiates the reaction vessel C transported to the measurement position with analysis light, receives light transmitted through the reaction solution in the reaction vessel C, and performs spectral intensity measurement. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a light source 141 that emits analysis light (340 to 800 nm) for analyzing the reaction solution in the reaction vessel C and a reaction solution that is emitted from the light source 141 and passes through the reaction solution in the reaction vessel C. And a photometric sensor 145 that measures the amount of light emitted. The measurement value obtained by the measurement optical system 14 is output to the control unit 16 and analyzed by the analysis unit 17 connected to the control unit 16.

  The cleaning device 15 sucks and discharges the reaction liquid in the reaction vessel C which has been measured by the measurement optical system 14 and transferred to the cleaning position below the device under the control of the control unit 16, and the reaction vessel The inside is cleaned and dried by discharging, sucking and discharging the cleaning water into C. The washed reaction vessel C is used again for analysis.

  The control unit 16 is composed of a microcomputer or the like, and is stored in a proper place in the apparatus. The control unit 16 controls the operation of each unit of the automatic analyzer 1, and sets the reaction container C to the first reagent dispensing position, the sample dispensing position, the second reagent dispensing position, the first to third stirring positions, and the measurement position. Then, the sample is sequentially transported to each of the cleaning positions for analysis processing. Here, paying attention to one reaction container C on the reaction table 4 and explaining the analysis process performed on this reaction container C, the reaction container C is first transported to the first reagent dispensing position. Then, the reagent dispensing device 10 dispenses the first reagent in the reagent container 5a into the reaction container C. Subsequently, the reaction vessel C is transported to the first stirring position. Then, the stirring device 12 stirs the liquid in the reaction vessel C with the stirring rod 121. Subsequently, the reaction container C is transported to the sample dispensing position. Then, the sample dispensing device 9 dispenses the sample in the sample container 2b into the reaction container C into the reaction container C. Subsequently, the reaction vessel C is transported to the second stirring position. Then, the stirring device 12 stirs the liquid in the reaction vessel C with the stirring rod 123. Subsequently, the reaction container C is transported to the second reagent dispensing position. Then, the reagent dispensing device 11 dispenses the second reagent in the reagent container 6a into the reaction container C. Subsequently, the reaction vessel C is transported to the third stirring position. Then, the stirring device 13 stirs the liquid in the reaction vessel C with the stirring rod 131.

  The reaction container C stirred at the first stirring position, the reaction container C stirred at the second stirring position, and the reaction container C stirred at the third stirring position are measured at the measurement position as the cuvette wheel 41 rotates. At this time, the measurement optical system 14 measures the spectral intensity of the liquid in the reaction vessel C. The measured value is output to the analysis unit 17 and analyzed. After the stirring at the third stirring position, if the reaction liquid in the reaction container C is measured by the measurement optical system 14, the reaction container C is transported to the cleaning position, and the cleaning device 15 reacts with the reaction in the reaction container C. Drain the liquid and clean and dry the inside. The reaction container C washed and dried at the washing position is again transported to the first reagent dispensing position, and a series of analysis operations are continuously repeated.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 16 is connected to the analysis unit 17 so that a measurement value obtained by the measurement optical system 14 is appropriately output. The analysis unit 17 analyzes the component concentration of the specimen based on the measurement value obtained by the measurement optical system 14 and outputs the analysis result to the control unit 16.

  The control unit 16 also includes an input unit 18 including an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse for inputting information necessary for analysis such as the number of samples and analysis items, an analysis result screen, a warning display screen, and various settings. Connected to a display unit 19 composed of a display device such as an LCD or an ELD for displaying an input screen for input, etc., and a storage unit 20 for storing various data necessary for the operation of the automatic analyzer 1, analysis results, etc. Has been.

  The control unit 16 includes a dispensing method switching unit 161. The dispensing method switching unit 161 switches between the quantitative dispensing method and the water extrusion dispensing method of the sample dispensing device 9.

  Here, the dispensing accuracy obtained by the dispensing by the quantitative dispensing method and the water extrusion dispensing method will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the dispensing accuracy achievable by each dispensing method when the sample amount is 1 μL and 5 μL, and shows the variation (CV) in dispensing accuracy at each sample amount. As shown in FIG. 4, when the sample amount is 1 μL, the variation in dispensing accuracy in the quantitative dispensing method is 2% to 3%. On the other hand, the dispersion of the dispensing accuracy in the water extrusion dispensing method is about 1%. When the sample amount is 5 μL, the variation in dispensing accuracy in the quantitative dispensing method is about 1%, and the variation in dispensing accuracy in the water extrusion dispensing method is about 0.5%. For example, it is assumed that about 1% is required as variation in dispensing accuracy. In this case, if the sample amount is 1 μL, the dispensing accuracy required by the quantitative dispensing method cannot be achieved. As described above, when the sample amount is small, the dispensing accuracy is not stable in the quantitative dispensing method, and the dispensing accuracy is lowered. Further, when the amount of the sample becomes small, there is a problem that the difference in the viscosity of the specimen affects the dispensing accuracy. Therefore, the dispensing method switching unit 161 switches between the quantitative dispensing method and the water extrusion dispensing method according to the sample amount.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a dispensing method for each sample amount in the first embodiment, a dispensing method for each sample amount (μL) of 0.5 μL to 20 μL, an amount of extrusion water (μL), and a dispensing amount (μL). ) In a list. In the first embodiment, the predetermined liquid volume of the specimen that can achieve the desired dispensing accuracy is 10 μL. The maximum dispensing volume is 20 μL. And the dispensing method switching part 161 switches a dispensing method as a water extrusion dispensing method, when a sample amount is 10 microliters or less. In addition, when the dispensing method is the water extrusion dispensing method, the dispensing method switching unit 161 performs extrusion so that the dispensing amount discharged into the reaction vessel C is 20 μL or less which is the maximum dispensing amount. The amount of water is set to 10 μL, for example. For example, when the sample amount is 4 μL, the dispensing amount is 14 μL including 10 μL of the extruded water (R11). Then, the dispensing control unit 98 dispenses 4 μL of the sample in the sample container 2b into the reaction container C together with 10 μL of extruded water. On the other hand, the dispensing method switching unit 161 switches the dispensing method when the sample amount is larger than 10 μL as the quantitative dispensing method. For example, when the sample amount is 14 μL, the control unit 16 sets the dispensing method to the quantitative dispensing method. In this case, the dispensing control unit 98 dispenses 14 μL of the sample in the sample container 2b into the reaction container C. The dispensing volume in this case is 14 μL (R13).

  The amount of extrusion water is not limited to 10 μL. For example, based on the above-mentioned predetermined liquid volume of 10 μL, a value of 10 μL or less can be appropriately set so that the dispensing volume becomes 20 μL or less of the maximum dispensing volume. Or you may make it set the amount of extrusion water so that a dispensing amount may be 20 microliters or less of the maximum dispensing amount based on the sample amount actually dispensed. Further, the predetermined liquid volume is not limited to 10 μL. For example, a value of 10 μL or less can be set as appropriate. Actually, the dispersion of the dispensing accuracy is a big problem when dispensing 5μL of a small amount of sample. For example, the fixed dispensing method and the water extrusion dispensing method with a predetermined liquid volume of 5μL that can achieve the desired dispensing accuracy. And may be switched. Alternatively, the predetermined amount of liquid may be further changed to 3 μL, and the quantitative dispensing method and the water extrusion dispensing method may be switched.

  The automatic analyzer 1 having the above-described configuration performs analysis for each analysis item on the sample to be analyzed. Here, the sample amount is defined in advance for each analysis item. The analysis items to be performed for each sample are set according to the user operation prior to the analysis process. That is, the control unit 16 accepts input of the analysis target sample and the analysis item of each sample before the start of the analysis process. The control unit 16 stores the analysis item of each sample input via the input unit 18 in the storage unit 20 in association with the sample number. Further, at the time of analysis processing, the control unit 16 reads the analysis item from the storage unit 20 based on the sample number of the sample to be analyzed input from the sample reading device 3, and performs the analysis processing according to the read analysis item. . At this time, the dispensing method switching unit 161 switches the dispensing method based on the sample amount corresponding to the analysis item. Then, the dispensing control unit 98 of the sample dispensing device 9 controls the extrusion dispensing operation or the quantitative dispensing operation of the sample dispensing device 9 according to the dispensing method switched by the dispensing method switching unit 161, and sets the analysis item as the analysis item. The sample of the corresponding sample amount is sequentially dispensed into the reaction container C on the reaction table 4.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the sample dispensing process performed on one reaction container C on the reaction table 4 in the first embodiment. In the sample dispensing process, first, the dispensing method switching unit 161 determines the sample amount according to the analysis item (step S101). When the sample amount is 10 μL or less (step S103: Yes), the dispensing method switching unit 161 sets the dispensing method to the water extrusion dispensing method and sets the amount of extrusion water (10 μL in the first embodiment). (Step S105). At this time, the dispensing method switching unit 161 outputs the switched dispensing method (water extrusion dispensing method) and the amount of extruded water to the dispensing control unit 98 together with the sample amount. And the dispensing method switching part 161 calculates the correction information of a measured value based on the water thinning part according to the amount of extrusion water (step S107). This correction information is output to the analysis unit 17, and the water thinning of the measurement value is corrected by this correction information. Or you may make it output to the analysis part 17, after correcting a measured value by this correction information.

  In this case, the dispensing control unit 98 controls the extrusion dispensing operation of the sample dispensing device 9 (step S109). As a result, the sample dispensing apparatus 9 sucks the sample amount of the sample from the sample container 2b at the sample dispensing position, and pushes out the sample amount of the sample sucked into the reaction container C at the sample dispensing position (10 μL). It is discharged together with the extrusion water.

  On the other hand, when the sample amount is larger than 10 μL (step S103: No), the dispensing method switching unit 161 sets the dispensing method to the quantitative dispensing method, and uses the switched dispensing method (quantitative dispensing method) as the sample amount. At the same time, it is output to the dispensing control unit 98 (step S111). In this case, subsequently, the dispensing control unit 98 controls the quantitative dispensing operation of the sample dispensing device 9 (step S113). As a result, the sample dispensing device 9 sucks the amount of the sample obtained by adding the dummy amount to the sample amount from the sample container 2b at the sample dispensing position, and out of the samples sucked into the reaction container C at the sample dispensing position The sample amount of the specimen is discharged.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, when the sample amount is 10 μL or less that is preset as a predetermined liquid amount capable of achieving a desired dispensing accuracy, the sample is dispensed by the water extrusion dispensing method. The sample can be added to the reaction vessel C so that the dispensing amount is equal to or less than the maximum dispensing amount determined by the volume of the reaction vessel C. Thereby, dispensing accuracy can be stabilized. In addition, when the sample amount is larger than 10 μL and the desired dispensing accuracy can be achieved by dispensing the sample amount, the sample can be dispensed by the quantitative dispensing method. Therefore, it is possible to accurately dispense the specimen even if the amount of the sample is very small, while corresponding to the miniaturization of the reaction container C. Further, since the control for dispensing a small amount of sample does not become complicated, the stroke at the time of dispensing is not in time, and there is no situation in which it is not possible to cope with high-speed analysis processing.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a main block diagram for explaining a control system of the automatic analyzer 1b according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 7, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the automatic analyzer 1b includes a control unit 16b, and performs an analysis process by controlling the operation of each part of the automatic analyzer 1b. The control unit 16b according to the second embodiment includes a dispensing method switching unit 161b and a dispensing setting unit 163b serving as an extrusion liquid amount setting unit and a dispensing method setting unit. The dispensing method switching unit 161b switches between the quantitative dispensing method and the water extrusion dispensing method of the sample dispensing device 9. The dispensing setting unit 163b performs a dispensing method setting process for setting the amount of extrusion water when the water extrusion dispensing method is set as the dispensing method and the dispensing method when the sample amount is greater than 10 μL according to the user operation.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a dispensing method for each sample amount in the second embodiment, a dispensing method for each sample amount (μL) of 0.5 μL to 20 μL, an amount of extrusion water (μL), and a dispensing amount (μL). ) In a list. In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the predetermined liquid volume that can achieve the desired dispensing accuracy of the sample volume is, for example, 10 μL, and the maximum dispensing volume is, for example, 20 μL. And the dispensing method switching part 161b switches a dispensing method as a water extrusion dispensing method, when a sample amount is 10 microliters or less. In addition, the dispensing setting unit 163b sets the amount of extruded water for each sample amount in the case of the dispensing method and the water extrusion dispensing method in advance prior to the analysis process. Specifically, the dispensing setting unit 163b sets the dispensing method when the sample amount is greater than 10 μL as the water extrusion dispensing method. On the other hand, the dispensing setting unit 163b sets either the quantitative dispensing method or the water extrusion dispensing method according to the user operation as the dispensing method when the sample amount is larger than 10 μL. And the dispensing setting part 163b sets the amount of extrusion water at the time of setting a dispensing system as a water extrusion dispensing system according to user operation. At this time, based on the sample amount, an operation for setting the amount of extrusion water is accepted so that the dispensing amount becomes approximately 20 μL. For example, if the sample amount is 5 μL, the amount of extrusion water is set within the range of 1 μL to 15 μL (R21). Moreover, when the dispensing method when the sample amount is 15 μL is set as the water extrusion dispensing method, the amount of extruded water is set within the range of 1 μL to 5 μL (R23). Data on the set dispensing method and the amount of extrusion water for each sample amount is held in the storage unit 20.

  Here, the sample dispensing process of the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a sample dispensing process performed by the automatic analyzer 1b according to the second embodiment for one reaction container C on the reaction table 4. In the sample dispensing process, first, the dispensing method switching unit 161b determines the sample amount according to the analysis item (step S201). Subsequently, when the sample amount is 10 μL or less (step S203: Yes), the dispensing method switching unit 161b sets the dispensing method to the water extrusion dispensing method (step 205). On the other hand, when the sample amount is larger than 10 μL, the dispensing method switching unit 161b sets the dispensing method to the water extrusion dispensing method or the quantitative dispensing method set by the dispensing setting unit 163b before the dispensing process. (Step S207).

  Then, the dispensing method switching unit 161b determines the switched dispensing method (step S209). When the dispensing method is the water extrusion dispensing method, the dispensing method switching unit 161b sets the amount of extrusion water to the value set by the dispensing setting unit 163b before the dispensing process (step S211). At this time, the dispensing method switching unit 161b outputs the switched dispensing method (water extrusion dispensing method) and the amount of extruded water to the dispensing control unit 98 together with the sample amount. And the dispensing method switching part 161b calculates the correction information of a measured value based on the water thinning part according to the amount of extrusion water (step S213). This correction information is used to correct the water thinning of the measurement value. And the dispensing control part 98 controls the extrusion dispensing operation | movement of the sample dispensing apparatus 9 (step S215).

  On the other hand, when the dispensing method is the fixed dispensing method, the dispensing method switching unit 161b outputs the switched dispensing method (quantitative dispensing method) to the dispensing control unit 98 together with the sample amount. In this case, the dispensing control unit 98 controls the quantitative dispensing operation of the sample dispensing device 9 (step S217).

  Next, the dispensing method setting process performed by the dispensing setting unit 163b will be described. For example, it is configured to present a dispensing setting menu for performing dispensing setting as one of the menu items for setting the operation of the apparatus, and the dispensing setting unit 163b dispenses when selecting the dispensing setting menu. Perform method setting processing. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the dispensing method setting process.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the dispensing setting unit 163b first controls the display unit 19 to display a setting request screen for requesting dispensing setting for each sample amount, and requests dispensing setting for each sample amount. (Step S301). And the dispensing setting part 163b sets the sample amount which performs dispensing setting according to the user operation input via the input part 18 (step S303). Subsequently, when the set sample amount is 10 μL or less (step S305: Yes), the dispensing setting unit 163b sets the dispensing method with this sample amount as the water extrusion dispensing method (step S307). Subsequently, based on the sample amount, the dispensing setting unit 163b performs control to display on the display unit 19 the range of the amount of extruded water in which the dispensing amount is 20 μL as the setting range (step S309). The setting operation of the extrusion water amount is accepted. And dispensing setting part 163b sets the amount of extrusion water in this sample amount according to user operation inputted via input part 18 (Step S311). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S321.

  On the other hand, when the set sample amount is larger than 10 μL (step S305: No), the dispensing setting unit 163b determines whether or not the set sample amount is 20 μL. When the set sample amount is not 20 μL, that is, when a sample amount greater than 10 μL and less than 20 μL is set (step S313: No), the dispensing setting unit 163b inputs via the input unit 18 In accordance with the user operation, the dispensing method with this sample amount is set as the water extrusion dispensing method or the quantitative dispensing method (step S315). And when the set dispensing system is a water extrusion dispensing system (step S317: Yes), it transfers to step S309 and sets the amount of extrusion water. Further, when the set dispensing method is the fixed dispensing method (step S317: No), the process proceeds to step S321.

  When the set sample amount is 20 μL (step S313: Yes), the dispensing method with this sample amount is set as the quantitative dispensing method (step S319), and the process proceeds to step S321.

  In step S321, it is determined whether or not the setting of the dispensing method is to be ended. When the setting is to be ended (step S321: Yes), this process is ended. On the other hand, when the dispensing setting for another sample amount is continuously performed (step S321: No), the process returns to step S303.

  FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are diagrams illustrating an operation example when the user performs the dispensing setting, and illustrate an example of a setting request screen. On the setting request screen, a spin box I1 for selecting each value of the sample amount in the range of 0.5 μL to 20 μL is arranged, and the user can select from the choices of the spin box I1 via the input unit 18. Select and set the sample amount. Here, FIG. 11 shows a setting request screen when a value of 10 μL or less is set as the sample amount (5 μL in FIG. 11). When a value of 10 μL or less is set in the spin box I1, dispensing automatically occurs. The method is set as a water extrusion dispensing method. In this case, a spin box I11 for selecting each value of the extrusion water amount within the setting range corresponding to the sample amount is displayed together with the message M11 requesting the setting of the extrusion water amount, and the user via the input unit 18 Then, the amount of extrusion water is selected and set from the options of the spin box I11. On the other hand, FIG. 12 shows a setting request screen when a value larger than 10 μL is set as the sample amount (15 μL in FIG. 12). When a value larger than 10 μL is set in the spin box I1, quantification is performed as a dispensing method. A spin box I21 capable of selecting a dispensing method or a water extrusion dispensing method is arranged. When confirming the operation on this setting request screen, the setting button B1 is pressed, and when canceling the operation, the cancel button B3 is pressed.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained, and the amount of extruded water and the amount of sample when the water extrusion dispensing method is set as the dispensing method are as follows. A dispensing method in the case where the amount is larger than 10 μL set in advance as a predetermined liquid volume capable of achieving a desired dispensing accuracy can be set according to a user operation. Moreover, when setting the amount of extrusion water, the upper limit value of the amount of extrusion water that can be set can be limited so that the amount of dispensing is equal to or less than the maximum dispensing amount determined by the capacity of the reaction vessel C. In the above-described embodiment, the case where water (pure water) is used as the extrusion liquid has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to water, and for example, physiological saline may be used as the extrusion liquid.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an internal configuration of the automatic analyzer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a main block diagram for explaining a control system of the automatic analyzer according to the first embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the structure of a sample dispensing apparatus. It is a figure explaining the dispensing precision achievable with a fixed-quantity dispensing method and a water extrusion dispensing method. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a dispensing method for each sample amount in the first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a sample dispensing process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a main block diagram for explaining a control system of an automatic analyzer according to a second embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating a dispensing method for each sample amount in Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a sample dispensing process according to the second embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a dispensing setting process. It is a figure which shows an example of a setting request screen. It is a figure which shows the other example of a setting request screen.

Explanation of symbols

1, 1b Automatic analyzer 2 Specimen supply device 3 Specimen reader 4 Reaction table 5, 6 Reagent table 7, 8 Reagent reader 9 Specimen dispenser 91 Dispensing probe 92 Probe drive unit 93 Syringe 94 Syringe drive unit 95 Pump 96 Extruded water tank 97 Control valve 98 Dispensing control unit 10,11 Reagent dispensing device 12,13 Stirring device 14 Measuring optical system 15 Cleaning device 16,16b Control unit 161, 161b Dispensing method switching unit 163b Dispensing setting unit 17 Analysis Section 18 Input section 19 Display section 20 Storage section 2a Rack 2b Sample container C Reaction container 5a, 6a Reagent container

Claims (10)

A dispensing device for dispensing a liquid sample to be analyzed into a container,
When the amount of liquid necessary for the analysis of the liquid sample is equal to or less than a predetermined amount capable of achieving a desired dispensing accuracy, the analysis is performed so that the dispensing amount is equal to or less than the maximum dispensing amount determined by the capacity of the container. A dispensing apparatus which performs an extrusion dispensing operation for dispensing the liquid sample of a necessary liquid amount into the container together with an extrusion liquid.   The dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an extrusion liquid amount of the extrusion liquid is set from a liquid amount necessary for the analysis and the maximum dispensing amount.   The dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an extrusion liquid amount of the extrusion liquid is set from the predetermined liquid amount and the maximum dispensing amount.   The quantitative dispensing operation of dispensing the liquid sample of the liquid amount necessary for the analysis into the container when the amount of liquid necessary for the analysis is larger than the predetermined liquid amount. The dispensing apparatus as described in any one of 1-3.   When the amount of liquid necessary for the analysis is larger than the predetermined liquid amount, the extrusion dispensing operation or the quantitative dispensing operation for dispensing the liquid sample in the amount of liquid necessary for the analysis is selectively performed. The dispensing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the dispensing apparatus is performed.   The dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined liquid volume is a liquid volume of 10 μL or less.   The dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the maximum dispensing amount is 20 μL.   An automatic analyzer comprising the dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and optically measuring and analyzing the liquid dispensed into the container by the dispensing device. .   An extrusion liquid amount setting means for setting the amount of the extrusion liquid dispensed by the dispensing device during the extrusion dispensing operation so that the dispensing amount is equal to or less than the maximum dispensing amount; The automatic analyzer according to claim 8, wherein   Dispensing for setting a dispensing method for performing an extruding dispensing operation or a dispensing method for performing a quantitative dispensing operation as a dispensing method of the dispensing device when the amount of liquid necessary for the analysis is larger than the predetermined liquid amount 10. The automatic analyzer according to claim 8, further comprising a method setting unit.

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