JP2010085275A - Automatic analysis apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a simply structured automatic analysis apparatus capable of obtaining a more reliable analytical result. <P>SOLUTION: The automatic analysis apparatus includes a reagent dispensation mechanism 24 for dispensing phenol red into a reaction vessel 21c at a reagent dispensation position P1, the phenol red having absorbance thereof changed depending on a temperature, a photometric section 26 for measuring the absorbance of the phenol red in the reaction vessel 21c, a temperature calculation section 36 for calculating a temperature estimate value of a mixed liquid of a specimen and the reagent from the absorbance of the phenol red measured by the photometric section 26, a determination section 37 for determining whether or not the mixed liquid of the specimen and the reagent has been measured as to the absorbance thereof at a temperature within a predetermined temperature range based on a determination of whether or not the temperature estimate value of the mixed liquid of the specimen and the reagent calculated by the temperature calculation section 36 is within a predetermined temperature range, and an output section 34 for outputting a determination result determined by the determination section 37. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer for optically analyzing a specimen by dispensing a specimen and a reagent into a reaction container and reacting the specimen and the reagent.

  Conventionally, an automatic analyzer analyzes a sample by measuring the absorbance of a mixed solution of the sample and reagent dispensed in a reaction container. In order to increase the reliability of the analysis result, this automatic analyzer is provided with a thermostat, and the reaction vessel is held in the thermostat so that the temperature of the mixture of the specimen and the reagent in the reaction vessel falls within a predetermined temperature range. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-83934

  However, in the conventional automatic analyzer described above, if the temperature of the thermostatic chamber is controlled within a predetermined temperature range, the temperature of the mixed solution of the specimen and the reagent in the reaction container is maintained within the predetermined temperature range. Therefore, even when the mixed liquid is not within the predetermined temperature range, it may be determined that it is within the predetermined temperature range. In this case, since the liquid mixture is out of a predetermined temperature range, there is a problem that a highly reliable analysis result cannot be obtained.

  Although it is possible to directly measure the temperature of the liquid mixture, in this case, it is necessary to provide a temperature measuring member that directly measures the temperature, and there is a problem of contamination brought in by this temperature measuring member, or a temperature measuring member. There is a problem of heat conduction due to, which is not preferable.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide an automatic analyzer that can obtain an analysis result with higher reliability with a simple configuration.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an automatic analyzer according to the present invention dispenses a reagent into a reaction vessel held in a predetermined temperature range by a reagent dispensing mechanism, and uses a sample dispensing mechanism. In an automatic analyzer that performs a series of analysis processes in which a sample is dispensed and the absorbance of the mixed solution of the sample and the reagent in the reaction container is measured by a photometric unit to analyze the sample, the dispensing position of the reagent In the reaction vessel, a dispensing means for dispensing a dye solution whose absorbance varies depending on temperature, a measuring means for measuring the absorbance of the dye solution in the reaction container, and the measurement means Calculation means for calculating an estimated value of the temperature of the mixed liquid based on the absorbance of the dye liquid, and the temperature of the mixed liquid within a predetermined temperature range based on the estimated value of the temperature of the mixed liquid calculated by the calculating means Was the absorbance measured at Determining means for determining, wherein said determining means is provided with an output means for outputting a result of the determination.

  In the automatic analyzer according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the calculating means obtains the temperature of the dye liquid based on the absorbance of the dye liquid measured by the measuring means, and the temperature of the dye liquid. On the other hand, an estimated value of the temperature of the mixed solution is calculated by correcting a temperature difference due to a difference in heat capacity between the dye solution and the reagent.

  In the automatic analyzer according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the measuring means is the photometric unit.

  In the automatic analyzer according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the dispensing means is the reagent dispensing mechanism.

  In the automatic analyzer according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the dispensing means dispenses the dye solution into the reaction container at the reagent dispensing position and the sample dispensing position. And

  In the automatic analyzer according to the present invention, the dispensing means dispenses a dye solution whose absorbance varies depending on the temperature into the reaction container at the reagent dispensing position, and the measuring means contains the above-mentioned reaction solution in the reaction container. The absorbance of the dye solution is measured, the calculating means calculates an estimated value of the temperature of the mixture of the sample and the reagent based on the absorbance of the dye solution measured by the measuring means, and the determining means is calculated by the calculating means Based on the estimated temperature of the mixed liquid, it is determined whether the liquid mixture has been measured for absorbance at a temperature within a predetermined temperature range, and the output means outputs the determination result determined by the determining means. Therefore, since it can be determined whether or not the absorbance of the liquid mixture has been measured at a temperature within a predetermined temperature range based on the output determination result, an analysis result with higher reliability can be obtained with a simple configuration. .

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an automatic analyzer according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic analyzer 1 includes a sample supply unit 10, a measurement unit 20, and a control device 30. The sample supply unit 10 is disposed on the side of the measurement unit 20 and transports a rack 10a holding a plurality of sample containers 10b for storing samples to the sample aspiration position. The measurement unit 20 dispenses the specimen and the reagent into the reaction vessel 21c, and optically measures the reaction that occurs in the reaction vessel 21c. The control device 30 controls the entire automatic analyzer 1 including the measurement unit 20 and the sample supply unit 10 and analyzes measurement data in the measurement unit 20. The automatic analyzer 1 automatically performs biochemical analysis of a plurality of specimens in order by cooperation of these units.

  The sample supply unit 10 transfers the sample container 10b to the sample aspirating position by transporting the rack 10a as described above. The specimen in the specimen container 10b transferred to the specimen aspirating position is dispensed by the specimen dispensing mechanism 22 into the reaction container 21c transported to the specimen dispensing position P2.

  The measuring unit 20 includes a reaction tank 21, a sample dispensing mechanism 22, a reagent storage 23, a reagent dispensing mechanism 24, a stirring unit 25, a photometric unit 26, and a cleaning unit 27.

  The reaction tank 21 has a heat retaining member 21a and a wheel 21b. The heat retaining member 21a is disposed on the inner side and the outer side in the radial direction of the wheel 21b. The wheel 21b holds a plurality of reaction vessels 21c and rotates by a drive mechanism (not shown) to transfer the reaction vessels 21c in the circumferential direction. The reaction tank 21 is covered with a disk-shaped lid (not shown), and functions as a thermostat tank that keeps the internal temperature at a temperature around body temperature, for example, 37 ± 0.2 ° C., together with the heat retaining member 21a.

  The sample dispensing mechanism 22 has an arm 22a to which a probe 22b for aspirating and discharging a sample is attached at the tip. The arm 22a freely moves up and down in the vertical direction and rotates around a vertical line passing through its base end as a central axis. The specimen dispensing mechanism 22 has an intake / exhaust mechanism using an intake / exhaust syringe or a piezoelectric element. The sample dispensing mechanism 22 aspirates the sample from the sample container 10b transported to the sample aspirating position by the probe 22b, rotates the arm 22a counterclockwise in the drawing, and dispenses the sample on the reaction tank 21 at the position P2. A sample is discharged into the reaction container 21c transferred to the container and dispensed. After the completion of sample dispensing, the probe 22b is washed in the washing tank 22c and repeatedly used for sample dispensing.

  The reagent storage 23 can detachably store a plurality of reagent containers 23a storing reagents to be dispensed into the reaction container 21c. The reagent storage 23 is covered with a disk-shaped lid (not shown), and functions as a cold storage having an internal temperature of a predetermined temperature. The reagent storage 23 can be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise about a vertical line passing through the center of the reagent storage 23 as a rotation axis by driving a drive mechanism (not shown) under the control of the control device 30. The desired reagent container 23a is transferred to the suction position by the reagent dispensing mechanism 24. Some of the plurality of reagent containers 23a contain phenol red which is a dye solution whose absorbance changes depending on temperature.

  The reagent dispensing mechanism 24 has an arm 24a to which a probe 24b that sucks and discharges the reagent is attached to the tip. The arm 24a freely moves up and down in the vertical direction and rotates around a vertical line passing through its base end as a central axis. The reagent dispensing mechanism 24 has an intake / exhaust mechanism using an unillustrated intake / exhaust syringe or piezoelectric element. The reagent dispensing mechanism 24 sucks the reagent in the reagent container 23a transferred to the reagent suction position on the reagent storage 23 by the probe 24b, rotates the arm 24a clockwise in FIG. Dispensing is performed by discharging the reagent into the reaction vessel 21c transferred to the dispensing position P1. After the reagent dispensing is completed, the probe 24b is washed in the washing tank 24c and repeatedly used for reagent dispensing.

  The reagent dispensing mechanism 24 as a dispensing means sucks the phenol red in the reagent container 23a transferred to the reagent suction position on the reagent storage 23 with the probe 24b in the same manner as the reagent in the reagent container 23a. 24a is rotated clockwise in the figure, and this phenol red is discharged into the reaction vessel 21c transferred to the reagent dispensing position P1 on the reaction tank 21 to perform dispensing. After the completion of the phenol red dispensing, the probe 24b is washed in the washing tank 24c and repeatedly used for dispensing the reagent. Note that the specimen and the reagent are not dispensed into the reaction vessel 21c for dispensing phenol red.

  The agitating unit 25 agitates the liquid dispensed into the reaction vessel 21c to make the reaction uniform.

  The photometry unit 26 irradiates the reaction vessel 21c, which has been transferred to the absorbance measurement position P4, with measurement light from the light source 26a, splits the light transmitted through the mixture of the sample and the reagent in the reaction vessel 21c, and uses the light receiving element 26b. By measuring the intensity of each wavelength light, the absorbance at a wavelength peculiar to the mixed liquid of the sample and the reagent to be analyzed is measured.

  The photometry unit 26 measures the absorbance of phenol red in the reaction container 21c transferred to the absorbance measurement position P4 as the measurement means, similar to the sample and reagent mixture in the reaction container 21c.

  The cleaning unit 27 sucks and discharges the sample and reagent mixed solution or phenol red in the reaction vessel 21c, which has been measured by the photometric unit 26, by a nozzle (not shown), and injects a cleaning solution such as detergent or cleaning water. Wash by aspiration.

  The control device 30 includes a control unit 31, an input unit 32, an analysis unit 33, an output unit 34, a storage unit 35, a temperature calculation unit 36, and a determination unit 37. Each unit described above in the sample supply unit 10, the measurement unit 20, and the control device 30 is connected to the control unit 31. The control unit 31 is realized by a CPU or the like, and controls processing and operation of each unit of the automatic analyzer 1. The control unit 31 performs predetermined input / output control on information input / output to / from each of these components, and performs predetermined information processing on this information.

  The input unit 32 is realized by a keyboard, a mouse, or the like, and can input various information such as inspection items. The analysis unit 33 obtains the concentration of the detection target in the sample based on the measurement result measured by the photometry unit 26, and performs component analysis of the sample. The output unit 34 is realized by a display panel, a speaker, or the like, and outputs various types of information such as analysis contents including an analysis result and an alarm as output means. The storage unit 35 has a hard disk that magnetically stores information, and a memory that reads various programs related to this process from the hard disk and electrically stores them when the automatic analyzer 1 executes the process. The storage unit 35 stores information on the sample including the absorbance and the like that have been processed.

  The temperature calculation unit 36 calculates an estimated value of the temperature of the liquid mixture of the specimen and the reagent based on the absorbance of phenol red measured by the photometry unit 26 as a calculation unit. The determination unit 37 determines whether or not the absorbance of the sample and reagent mixture is measured at a temperature within a predetermined temperature range based on the estimated temperature of the sample and reagent mixture calculated by the temperature calculation unit 36 as a determination unit. Determine whether.

  In the automatic analyzer 1 configured as described above, the reagent dispensing mechanism 24 dispenses the reagent from the reagent container 23a to the reaction container 21c with respect to the plurality of reaction containers 21c that are sequentially transferred, and dispenses the sample. The mechanism 22 dispenses a predetermined amount of sample from the sample container 10b to the reaction container 21c. Subsequently, after the stirring unit 25 stirs and reacts the reagent and the sample in the reaction vessel 21c, the photometry unit 26 measures the absorbance of the mixed solution of the sample and the reagent. Then, the analysis unit 33 analyzes the measurement result and automatically performs component analysis of the sample. In addition, the cleaning unit 27 cleans and dries the reaction vessel 21c that has been measured by the photometric unit 26, and a series of analysis operations are continuously repeated.

  Next, a temperature determination processing procedure performed by the automatic analyzer 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a temperature determination processing procedure performed by the automatic analyzer 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the transfer of the reaction container from the time when phenol red is dispensed to the reaction container 21c shown in FIG. 1 until the final absorbance is measured. As shown in FIG. 2, first, the control unit 31 disposes a reagent container 21c for dispensing phenol red set in advance from among a plurality of reaction containers 21c held on the wheel 21b. It is determined whether or not it has been transferred to the position P1 (step S101). When the reaction container 21c for dispensing phenol red is transferred to the reagent dispensing position P1 (FIG. 3A) (step S101: Yes), the reagent dispensing mechanism 24 adds phenol red to the reaction container 21c. Are dispensed (step S102). On the other hand, when the reaction container 21c for dispensing phenol red has not been transferred to the reagent dispensing position P1 (step S101: No), this determination is repeated.

  Thereafter, the wheel 21b rotates, and the reaction vessel 21c containing the phenol red is transferred to the specimen dispensing position P2 (FIG. 3B) (step S103). The dispensing process to the reaction container 21c in which the phenol red transferred to the sample dispensing position P2 is stored is not performed. Thereafter, the wheel 21b rotates and the reaction vessel 21c containing the phenol red is transferred to the stirring position P3 (FIG. 3C), and the stirring unit 25 stirs the phenol red in the reaction vessel 21c ( Step S104).

  Thereafter, the photometric unit 26 measures the absorbance of phenol red in the reaction vessel 21c passing through the absorbance measurement position P4 (FIG. 3D) (step S105). The photometry unit 26 measures the first absorbance used for determination when the time ts has elapsed since the phenol red was dispensed into the reaction vessel 21c. This time ts is the elapsed time from when the reagent is dispensed into one reaction vessel 21c until the absorbance of the sample and reagent mixture in the reaction vessel 21c is first measured. If the heat is normally applied to the phenol red in the reaction vessel 21c, the temperature of the phenol red corrected to the temperature of the mixed solution of the specimen and the reagent after the time ts has elapsed after being dispensed into the reaction vessel 21c is , 37 ° C. ± 0.2 ° C.

  Thereafter, the temperature calculation unit 36 calculates an estimated value of the temperature of the mixed solution of the specimen and the reagent (step S106). The estimated temperature of this mixture is obtained by determining the temperature of phenol red from the absorbance of phenol red based on the relationship between the temperature and absorbance of phenol red, which is derived from the characteristics of phenol red whose absorbance changes depending on the temperature. The temperature difference due to the difference in heat capacity between phenol red and the reagent is corrected with respect to the temperature of phenol red. Note that since the amount of sample dispensed is very small compared to the amount of reagent dispensed, the amount of reagent dispensed is substantially the same as the amount of sample and reagent mixture. Therefore, if the estimated value of the temperature of the reagent is calculated, the estimated value of the temperature of the mixed solution of the specimen and the reagent is calculated.

  Thereafter, the determination unit 37 determines whether or not the estimated value of the temperature of the sample and reagent mixture is within a predetermined temperature range (step S107). This predetermined temperature range is, for example, a temperature of about body temperature, 37 ± 0.2 ° C. When it is determined that the estimated value of the temperature of the mixed liquid of the sample and the reagent is within the predetermined temperature range (step S107: Yes), the determination unit 37 determines that the estimated value of the temperature of the mixed liquid of the sample and the reagent is the predetermined temperature. Information indicating that it is within the range and information on the time when the absorbance of this phenol red was measured are stored in the storage unit 35 (step S108), and the process proceeds to step S110.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the estimated value of the temperature of the mixed liquid of the sample and the reagent is not within the predetermined temperature range (step S107: No), the determination unit 37 determines that the estimated value of the temperature of the mixed liquid of the sample and the reagent is a predetermined value. Information indicating that the temperature is not within the temperature range and information on the time when the absorbance of the phenol red was measured are stored in the storage unit 35 (step S109), and the process proceeds to step S110.

  Thereafter, the control unit 31 determines whether or not the measurement of the last absorbance of phenol red in the reaction vessel 21c has been completed (step S110). The final absorbance of phenol red in one reaction vessel 21c is measured after passing through measurement position P4 (FIG. 3 (e)) after time te has elapsed since the reaction vessel 21c dispensed phenol red. To be done. This time te is the elapsed time from when the reagent is dispensed into one reaction vessel 21c until the last absorbance of the sample and reagent mixture is measured. When the measurement of the last absorbance of phenol red in the reaction vessel 21c is completed (step S110: Yes), the process proceeds to step S111. On the other hand, when the measurement of the last absorbance of phenol red in the reaction vessel 21c is not completed (step S110: No), the process proceeds to step S105 and the above-described processing is repeated.

  Here, the details of the repetition processing of S105 to S110 will be described with reference to FIG. Phenol red is measured for the first absorbance used for determination after time ts has elapsed since being dispensed into the reaction vessel 21c at time ta, and the absorbance measurement position P4 is set at the time indicated by the black circle on the time axis. The absorbance is measured every time it passes, and the final absorbance is measured after the time te has elapsed since dispensing. Based on the absorbance of the phenol red, the temperature calculation unit 36 obtains the temperature of the phenol red, corrects the temperature difference due to the difference in heat capacity between the phenol red and the reagent, and corrects the temperature of the phenol red. An estimated value Tp of the temperature of the mixed liquid is calculated (FIG. 4A).

  Here, the determination unit 37 determines whether the estimated temperature Tp of the mixed liquid is within the predetermined temperature range R (◯) or not within the predetermined temperature range R (×), and the temperature of the mixed liquid The time series information indicating whether the estimated value Tp is within the predetermined temperature range R (◯) or not within the predetermined temperature range R (×) is stored in the storage unit 35 (FIG. 4B).

  On the other hand, the absorbance of the sample and reagent mixture is measured at the time indicated by the black circle on the time axis (FIG. 4C). In addition, since the liquid mixture of the specimen and the reagent is measured by the measurement light unit 26, the measurement time is shifted from the time when the absorbance of phenol red is measured.

  Based on the time-series information stored in the storage unit 35, the determination unit 37 determines whether the temperature of the mixed solution when the absorbance of the mixed solution of the specimen and the reagent is measured is within a predetermined temperature range R (◯) or It is determined whether the temperature is not within the predetermined temperature range R (x) (FIG. 4D). The estimated value Tp is within a predetermined temperature range R (O) The liquid mixture of the specimen and the reagent whose absorbance is measured during the time between successive determinations has a predetermined temperature when the absorbance is measured. (O). In addition, a mixture of a sample and a reagent whose absorbance is measured during a time between successive determinations where the estimated value Tp is within the predetermined temperature range R (◯) and not within the predetermined temperature range R (×) determination. The temperature of this mixed solution when the absorbance is measured is not within the predetermined temperature range R (x).

  The measurement of the last absorbance of phenol red in one reaction vessel 21c is completed, and at the time tn when the absorbance of phenol red in the next reaction vessel 21c is measured, the phenol red in the next reaction vessel 21c is measured. , Time ts has elapsed since dispensing (FIG. 4A). Thereby, the measurement of the absorbance of phenol red was continued after it was dispensed into one reaction vessel 21c and corrected to the temperature of the mixed solution of the specimen and the reagent and kept at 37 ° C. ± 0.2 ° C. You can do it in time. Incidentally, when measuring the absorbance of phenol red in the next reaction vessel 21c, the phenol red in the next reaction vessel 21c is exemplified as having an elapsed time of time ts after being dispensed. However, the time ts only needs to have elapsed since at least dispensing.

  Hereinafter, the process after step S111 is demonstrated. The control unit 31 determines whether or not the reserved analysis process has been completed (step S111). The reserved analysis process is, for example, an analysis process for a plurality of samples reserved for continuously analyzing samples. When the reserved analysis process ends (step S111: Yes), the determination unit 37 determines the temperature of the sample and reagent mixture for each absorbance of the sample and reagent mixture measured in the reserved analysis process. It is determined whether or not the measurement is performed within a predetermined temperature range (step S112). This determination is based on time-series information indicating whether or not the estimated value of the temperature of the sample and reagent mixture stored in the storage unit 35 is within a predetermined temperature range and the sample and reagent mixture as described above. This is performed based on the information of the time when the absorbance of the was measured. On the other hand, when the reserved analysis process is not completed (step S111: No), the process proceeds to step S101 and the above-described process is repeated.

  Thereafter, the output unit 34 displays the determination result by the determination unit 37 (step S113). For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the determination result is displayed by adding a mark (×) to the absorbance of the mixture of the sample and the reagent determined to be outside the predetermined temperature range, and displaying the screen of the display panel. To display. Then, the control part 31 complete | finishes this process.

  In the embodiment described above, the temperature of phenol red is obtained from the absorbance of phenol red dispensed in the reaction vessel 21c, and the temperature difference due to the difference in heat capacity between phenol red and the reagent is corrected with respect to the temperature of phenol red. Then, an estimated value of the temperature of the mixed solution of the specimen and the reagent was calculated, information indicating whether or not the estimated value of the temperature of the mixed solution is within a predetermined temperature range, and the absorbance of this phenol red was measured. Based on the time information, for each absorbance of the sample and reagent mixture measured in the analysis process, determine whether the temperature of the sample and reagent mixture was measured within a predetermined temperature range, Since the absorbance is determined to be displayed when the temperature of the mixed solution of the specimen and the reagent is not within the predetermined temperature range, the mixture of the specimen and the reagent whose temperature is not within the predetermined temperature range is displayed. It is possible to identify the absorbance of the liquid. Therefore, an analysis result with higher reliability can be obtained with a simple configuration.

  In the above-described embodiment, the absorbance of phenol red is measured using the photometric unit 26 that measures the absorbance of the mixture of the specimen and the reagent. Therefore, photometry is used to measure the absorbance of this phenol red. It is not necessary to provide a device separate from the unit 26, and a simpler device configuration can be achieved.

  In the above-described embodiment, phenol red is dispensed into the reaction container 21c at the reagent dispensing position P1, and is not dispensed into the reaction container 21c at the sample dispensing position P2. Not limited to this, it is sufficient that phenol red can be dispensed into the reaction vessel 21c at the reagent dispensing position. For example, after phenol red is dispensed into the reaction container 21c at the reagent dispensing position P1, phenol red is dispensed into the reaction container 21c at the specimen dispensing position P2. In this case, the ratio of the amount of phenol red dispensed at the reagent dispensing position P1 and the specimen dispensing position P2 is equal to the ratio of the reagent and specimen dispensing amount, and the specimen dispensing. It is preferable that the temperature of phenol red dispensed at the position P2 is equal to the temperature of the specimen.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which one photometric unit 26 is provided is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is only necessary to provide the photometric unit 26 that measures the absorbance of the mixed solution of the specimen and the reagent. For example, in addition to the photometric unit 26, a plurality of photometric units that measure the absorbance of phenol red may be provided. In this case, since the absorbance of phenol red in the reaction vessel 21c passing through each photometry unit can be measured, more estimated values of the temperature of the mixed liquid of the specimen and the reagent are acquired while the wheel 21b rotates. Can do.

  Moreover, although what uses phenol red was illustrated in embodiment mentioned above, what is necessary is just to use the pigment | dye liquid which a light absorbency changes not only in this but depending on temperature.

  In the above-described embodiment, the elapsed time from when phenol red is dispensed to one reaction vessel 21c until the first absorbance used for determination is measured is dispensed to one reaction vessel 21c. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is not limited thereto, and phenol red is one reaction container. The elapsed time from the time when it is dispensed to 21c until the first absorbance used for the determination is measured, when heat is normally applied to phenol red in the reaction vessel 21c, phenol red is added to one reaction vessel 21c. What is necessary is just the time from the dispensing until the temperature is maintained at 37 ° C. ± 0.2 ° C. after correcting to the temperature of the mixed solution of the specimen and the reagent.

  In the above-described embodiment, the elapsed time from when phenol red is dispensed into one reaction vessel 21c until the last absorbance is measured, after the reagent is dispensed into one reaction vessel 21c, In addition, an example is shown in which the mixture solution of the reagent is the elapsed time te until the last absorbance is measured. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the last absorbance is measured after phenol red is dispensed into one reaction vessel 21c. The elapsed time until the correction is performed is corrected to the temperature of the mixed solution of the specimen and the reagent after the phenol red is dispensed into one reaction container 21c when heat is normally applied to the phenol red in the reaction container 21c. Thus, it suffices if the time until the temperature is maintained at 37 ° C. ± 0.2 ° C. has elapsed. In addition, when the elapsed time is long, the temperature of phenol red in the reaction vessel 21c is more stable than the actual temperature of the mixed solution. It is preferable that the elapsed time from the time when the sample and the reagent mixture are measured to the last absorbance is not exceeded.

(Modification 1)
Here, the modification 1 of embodiment mentioned above is demonstrated. In this modified example 1, the phenol red is dispensed into the next reaction vessel 21c after a time has elapsed from the measurement of the last absorbance of phenol red in one reaction vessel 21c.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, phenol red is dispensed into the reaction vessel 21c at time t1, t3, and t5 until time t2, t4, and t6 after the time te has elapsed. This is a case where the absorbance is measured at the time indicated by the black circle on the axis, and there is a time between time t2 and time t3 and between time t4 and time t5 (FIG. 6 (a )).

  In this case, whether the estimated value of the temperature of the sample and reagent mixture calculated from the absorbance of phenol red is within a predetermined temperature range (◯) or not within the predetermined temperature range (×) (FIG. 6). (B)) In a continuous time, it can be determined whether the temperature of the mixed solution of the specimen and the reagent is within a predetermined temperature range (◯) or not within the predetermined temperature range (×). (FIG. 6C). In addition, although what measured the light absorbency of the phenol red in one reaction container 21c in multiple times was illustrated, it should just measure the light absorbency of the phenol red in one reaction container 21c at least once or more.

(Modification 2)
Next, Modification 2 of the above-described embodiment will be described. In this modified example 2, the sample and reagent mixture are used when the processing from the dispensing of reagents to washing and drying is performed on the reaction vessel 21c in the arrangement order of the reaction vessels 21c aligned and held on the wheel 21b. Is determined using the absorbance of phenol red in the reaction vessel 21c in the vicinity of the reaction vessel 21c in which the liquid mixture is stored. It is. Note that the position in the vicinity is a position that is obtained empirically and is close enough to allow the temperature of the mixed solution of the specimen and the reagent in the reaction vessel 21c when the absorbance is measured to be equal.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, when performing each process from reagent dispensing to cleaning / drying counterclockwise on a reaction vessel 21c held on the wheel 21b, for example, the wheel 21b is moved in the circumferential direction. The reaction vessels 21c of Nos. 1 to 8 that are divided into 8 equal parts are set as reaction vessels 21c for dispensing phenol red. Whether the estimated value of the temperature of the mixture of the sample and the reagent calculated from the absorbance of phenol red in the reaction containers 21c of Nos. 1 to 8 is within a predetermined temperature range (◯) or not within the predetermined temperature range (×) (FIG. 7 (a)), for each of the reaction container 21c groups G1 to G8, whether or not the absorbance of the liquid mixture of the specimen and the reagent in the reaction container 21c was measured at a temperature within a predetermined temperature range. Is determined (FIG. 7B).

  More specifically, when the estimated value of the temperature of the mixture of the sample and the reagent calculated from the absorbance of phenol red in the reaction vessel 21c of number 1 is within a predetermined temperature range (◯), It is determined that the absorbance of the sample and reagent mixture in the reaction container 21c group G1 in the vicinity of the reaction container 21c is measured at a temperature within a predetermined temperature range (◯). In the second modification, the reaction vessel 21c for dispensing phenol red is illustrated as being arranged at the top of the reaction vessel 21c group G1 to G8. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the reaction vessel 21c group is exemplified. For each of G1 to G8, it is only necessary to determine whether or not the absorbance of the liquid mixture of the specimen and the reagent in the reaction vessel 21c has been measured at a temperature within a predetermined temperature range. For example, the reaction vessel 21c into which phenol red is dispensed may be arranged at the center position of each reaction vessel group G1 to G8.

It is a model diagram which shows the structure of the automatic analyzer concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the temperature determination processing procedure which the automatic analyzer 1 shown in FIG. 1 implements. It is a figure explaining transfer of the reaction container after phenol red is dispensed to the reaction container shown in FIG. 1 until the last light absorbency is measured. It is a figure explaining the detail of the repetition process of S105-S110 shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the display screen of the determination result by the determination part shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the modification 1 of the temperature determination process which the automatic analyzer 1 shown in FIG. 1 implements. It is a figure explaining the modification 2 of the temperature determination process which the automatic analyzer 1 shown in FIG. 1 implements.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automatic analyzer 10 Sample supply part 10a Rack 10b Sample container 20 Measurement part 21 Reaction tank 21a Heat retention member 21b Wheel 21c Reaction container 22 Sample dispensing mechanism 22a, 24a Arm 22b, 24b Probe 22c, 24c Cleaning tank 23 Reagent 23a Reagent Container 24 Reagent dispensing mechanism 25 Stirring unit 26 Photometric unit 26a Light source 26b Light receiving element 27 Washing unit 30 Control device 31 Control unit 32 Input unit 33 Analysis unit 34 Output unit 35 Storage unit 36 Temperature calculation unit 37 Determination unit P1 to P4 Position ta , Tb, tn, t1 to t6 Time t, ts, te Time T Temperature Tp Estimated value G group R range

Claims (5)

A reagent is dispensed by a reagent dispensing mechanism into a reaction container held in a predetermined temperature range, a specimen is dispensed by a specimen dispensing mechanism, and a mixture of the specimen and the reagent in the reaction container is measured by a photometric unit. In an automatic analyzer that performs a series of analysis processes for measuring the absorbance and analyzing the specimen,
Dispensing means for dispensing a dye solution whose absorbance varies depending on temperature to the reaction container at the reagent dispensing position;
Measuring means for measuring the absorbance of the dye solution in the reaction vessel;
A calculating means for calculating an estimated value of the temperature of the mixed liquid based on the absorbance of the dye liquid measured by the measuring means;
Determination means for determining whether the liquid mixture has been measured for absorbance at a temperature within a predetermined temperature range based on the estimated value of the temperature of the liquid mixture calculated by the calculation means;
Output means for outputting the determination result determined by the determination means;
An automatic analyzer characterized by comprising:   The calculating means obtains the temperature of the dye liquid based on the absorbance of the dye liquid measured by the measuring means, and a temperature based on a difference in heat capacity between the dye liquid and the reagent with respect to the temperature of the dye liquid. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the estimated value of the temperature of the mixed liquid is calculated by correcting the difference.   The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the measuring unit is the photometric unit.   The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing unit is the reagent dispensing mechanism.   The automatic dispensing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the dispensing unit dispenses the dye solution into the reaction container at a dispensing position of the reagent and a dispensing position of the specimen. Analysis equipment.

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