JP2010117176A - Analyzer and dispensation controlling method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an analyzer capable of enhancing dispensing precision by suppressing the vibration of a dispensing probe in dispensing operation while suppressing the shaking of the surface of a liquid, and also to provide a dispensation controlling method therefor. <P>SOLUTION: The analyzer is equipped with a control part for controlling the rotation of a first reagent cold reserving housing 2 and the dispensing operation of a dispenser so as to move a container 2a becoming a suction target to a suction position Pr11 near to the discharge position Pr1e of a liquid sample to suck the liquid sample in the case where the suction positions Pr11 and Pr12 of probes at two places exist in the recommended rotary region Aa of the container, to move the container to the suction position of either one of the probes in two places to suck the liquid sample in the case where the suction position exists in the recommended rotary region of the container becoming the suction target, and to move the container to the nearest suction position to suck the liquid sample in the case where the suction positions of the probes in two places do not exist in the recommended rotary region. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an analyzer and a dispensing control method thereof.

  Conventionally, an analyzer includes a reagent cool box in which a plurality of reagent containers holding reagents are arranged on the circumference, and a reaction tank in which reaction containers for reacting the reagent and the sample are arranged on the circumference. . The reagent cooler moves the reagent container and the probe to the suction position where the rotation angle of the turntable that supports the reagent container in a rotatable manner is minimized in order to maintain the accuracy of the rotation operation and suppress the fluctuation of the liquid level in the reagent container. The reagent is aspirated (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-48801 A

  By the way, the analyzer rotates and moves the reagent container to be dispensed stored in the reagent cool box and sucks the reagent by the probe, then rotates the probe and moves it to the discharge position of the reaction tank, and removes the sucked reagent. The reagent is dispensed by discharging from the probe to the reaction container. At this time, since the probe moves between the suction position of one of the two reagents and the discharge position of the reaction tank, the probe stopped at the discharge position vibrates. For this reason, even if the rotation angle of the turntable is regulated to suppress the liquid level fluctuation, the dispensing accuracy at the time of discharging the reagent due to the vibration accompanying the movement of the probe may vary within an allowable range.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an analyzer capable of improving the dispensing accuracy by suppressing the vibration of the dispensing probe accompanying the dispensing operation while suppressing the liquid level fluctuation. It aims at providing the dispensing control method.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the analyzer of the present invention sucks the liquid sample from the container containing the liquid sample containing the reagent or the specimen, and discharges the sucked liquid sample to the reaction container. A plurality of containers containing the liquid sample, and a plurality of containers containing the liquid sample are arranged on the circumference and rotated below a preset maximum rotation angle, on the movement trajectory of the probe An analyzer for analyzing the sample dispensed in the reaction container, the sample holding means in which at least two positions of the probe are present, and within a recommended rotation region of the container to be aspirated If there are suction positions of the two probes, the container is moved to the one suction position close to the discharge position of the liquid sample to suck the liquid sample, and the recommended rotation of the container to be sucked region When the suction position of any one of the two probes exists, the container is moved to the suction position to suck the liquid sample, and any one of the two probes is placed in the recommended rotation region. When the suction position does not exist, the container is moved to the nearest suction position to control the rotation of the sample holding means and the dispensing operation of the dispensing device so as to suck the liquid sample. It is characterized by that.

  Moreover, the analyzer according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, the plurality of containers containing the liquid sample have a maximum rotation angle set according to their respective capacities.

  In the analysis apparatus according to the present invention, in the above invention, the recommended rotation region is an angle range that is twice a recommended rotation angle that is a predetermined center angle that is equal to or less than the maximum rotation angle.

  In the analyzer according to the present invention, the recommended rotation region is narrowed at least as the capacity increases.

  Moreover, the analysis apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, the recommended rotation region includes a boundary portion.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the dispensing control method of the analyzer of the present invention sucks a liquid sample containing a reagent or a specimen and discharges the sucked liquid sample to a reaction container. A plurality of containers containing the liquid sample, and a plurality of containers containing the liquid sample are arranged on the circumference and rotated below a preset maximum rotation angle, on the movement trajectory of the probe A sample holding means having a suction position of the probe in at least two places, and a dispensing control method for an analyzer for analyzing a sample dispensed in the reaction container, wherein the container to be aspirated is recommended. A recommended rotation region determination step for determining a rotation region; and when the suction positions of the two probes are present in the recommended rotation region of the container to be aspirated, the container is close to the liquid sample discharge position. One suction When the suction position of any one of the two probes exists in the recommended rotation area of the container to be aspirated, the container is moved to the suction position, and the recommended rotation area is within the recommended rotation area. And moving the container to the nearest suction position when none of the suction positions of the two probes exists.

  According to the present invention, when there are two probe suction positions in the recommended rotation region of the container to be suctioned, the container is moved to one suction position close to the liquid sample discharge position, and the liquid sample is moved. If any one of the two suction positions exists in the recommended rotation area, move the container to the suction position and suck the liquid sample. If no aspiration position of the probe exists, the container is moved to the nearest aspiration position and the liquid sample is aspirated. For this reason, according to the present invention, in addition to suppressing the fluctuation of the liquid level due to the rotation of the container to be sucked, the probe movement to the discharge position for discharging the liquid sample is reduced, and the probe vibration is also suppressed. There is an effect that the dispensing accuracy is improved.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment according to an analysis apparatus and an analysis method of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the automatic analyzer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the relationship between the position of the reagent container and the suction position to which the reagent container is transported when the first reagent is dispensed into the reaction container by the first reagent dispensing device.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic analyzer 1 includes a first reagent cooler 2, a second reagent cooler 3, a cuvette wheel 4, a sample container transfer device 8, a measurement optical system 14, a container cleaning device 15, and a control unit 16. , An input unit 17 and a display unit 18.

  The 1st reagent cool box 2 has a turntable rotated by a drive means, and a lid is attached to the upper part. As shown in FIG. 1, the first reagent cooler 2 has a plurality of reagent containers 2a holding the first reagent placed on the turntable and arranged on the circumference along the circumferential direction. There are suction positions by the probe 6b of the first reagent dispensing device 6 at two locations on the circumference (see FIG. 2). The first reagent cooler 2 conveys the reagent container 2a to be dispensed to one of two suction positions by rotating the turntable. Each reagent container 2a has an information recording medium (not shown) such as a bar code label on which various information related to the stored reagent such as the reagent name and capacity is affixed to the end surface on the outer peripheral side of the first reagent cooler 2. Has been. The first reagent cooler 2 is provided with a reading device R1 that reads information on an information recording medium attached to the end face of each reagent container 2a on the outer periphery. The second reagent cooler 3 is configured in the same manner as the first reagent cooler 2, and a reading device R2 is provided on the outer periphery. The second reagent accommodated in the reagent container 3 a placed on the turntable of the second reagent cooler 3 is dispensed into the reaction container 5 by the second reagent dispensing device 7.

  Here, the first reagent cooler 2 and the second reagent cooler 3 are allowed to rotate to the suction position according to the volume of the reagent containers 2a, 3a to be dispensed, and accordingly, the reagent containers 2a, 3a. The maximum rotation angle of the turntable is determined. For example, when the first reagent dispensing device 6 performs a dispensing operation, it is assumed that the lower end of the probe 6b sinks to a position 3 mm below the liquid surface of the first reagent. In this case, the maximum displacement of the liquid level (up and down movement) of the first reagent immediately after the turntable of the first reagent cooler 2 stops rotating is, for example, less than 3 mm after rotating to the maximum rotation angle upper limit. It will fit.

  The maximum rotation angle determined from the results of experiments conducted under such conditions is, for example, 150 ° when the volume is 60 mL, 120 ° when 120 mL, and 90 ° when 180 mL. , It decreases with increasing capacity. By restricting the maximum rotation angle of the turntable in this way, the first reagent cooler 2 and the second reagent cooler 3 can be used when the reagent containers 2a and 3a stop rotating when the turntable stops rotating. The liquid level fluctuation of the reagent stored in 2a and 3a is suppressed to a range that does not cause trouble in liquid level detection and reagent suction by the probes 6b and 7b.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the cuvette wheel 4 has a plurality of reaction vessels 5 arranged in the circumferential direction, and rotates while keeping the plurality of reaction vessels 5 at a predetermined temperature (for example, 37 ° C.). Is transported along the circumferential direction. At this time, the cuvette wheel 4 exposes the side surfaces of the plurality of reaction vessels 5 to the outer circumferential surface, and, for example, rotates in one cycle (1 turn-1 reaction vessel) / 4, and in 4 cycles (1 turn-1 reaction vessel). )Rotate. Further, the first reagent dispensing device 6, the second reagent dispensing device 7, the sample dispensing device 11, the first stirring device 12, the second stirring device 13, and the measurement optical system 14 are arranged in the vicinity of the cuvette wheel 4. ing.

  The reaction vessel 5 is a very small cuvette with a capacity of several μL to several hundred μL, and is a transparent material that transmits 80% or more of the light contained in the analysis light emitted from the light source 14a of the measurement optical system 14, for example, heat resistant Glass containing glass, synthetic resins such as cyclic olefin and polystyrene are used.

  The first reagent dispensing device 6 dispenses the first reagent from the reagent container 2 a on the first reagent cool box 2 to the reaction container 5, and the second reagent dispensing device 7 is on the second reagent cool box 3. The second reagent is dispensed from the reagent container 3a into the reaction container 5. As shown in FIG. 1, the first reagent dispensing device 6 and the second reagent dispensing device 7 are provided with probes 6 b and 7 b for dispensing reagents on arms 6 a and 7 a that rotate in the direction of the arrow in the horizontal plane, respectively. It has been. The first reagent dispensing device 6 and the second reagent dispensing device 7 are provided with a probe cleaning device in the vicinity for cleaning the probes 6b and 7b with cleaning water. Here, the first reagent dispensing device 6 moves the probe 6b to the first reagent cool box 2 and sucks the first reagent, and then moves the probe 6b to the cuvette wheel 4 to discharge the reagent to the reaction vessel 5. Then, the series of operations for moving the probe 6b to the probe cleaning device and cleaning the probe 6b is repeated. This operation is the same for the second reagent dispensing device 7.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the sample container transfer device 8 transfers the plurality of racks 10 arranged in the feeder 9 while stepping one by one along the arrow direction. The rack 10 holds a plurality of sample containers 10a containing samples.

  The sample dispensing apparatus 11 has a drive arm 11a and a probe 11b that rotate in the horizontal direction, and from the sample container 10a to the reaction container 5 every time the rack 10 transferred by the sample container transfer apparatus 8 stops. Dispense the sample into For this reason, the sample dispensing device 11 is provided with a probe cleaning device in the vicinity for cleaning the probe 11b with cleaning water.

  The first stirrer 12 performs a stirring operation when the first reagent and the specimen are dispensed into the reaction vessel 5, and the second stirrer 13 performs a stirring operation when the second reagent is dispensed. The first stirrer 12 and the second stirrer 13 are precisely moved up and down by a stepping motor, and the stirrers 12b and 13b are held by holders 12a and 13a that rotate in a horizontal plane. As for the 1st stirring apparatus 12 and the 2nd stirring apparatus 13, the washing | cleaning apparatus which wash | cleans the stirring rods 12b and 13b is arrange | positioned in the vicinity. The first stirrer 12 and the second stirrer 13 rotate the holders 12a and 13a each time the reaction container 5 transported to the stirring position is changed to stir the liquid such as the reagent and the specimen in the reaction container 5 12b and 13b are changed.

  The measurement optical system 14 emits analysis light for analyzing the liquid in the reaction vessel 5 in which the reagent and the sample have reacted. As shown in FIG. 1, the measurement optical system 14 includes a light source 14a, a spectroscopic unit 14b, and a photometric unit 14c. ing. The analysis light emitted from the light source 14a passes through the liquid in the reaction vessel 5 and is measured by a photometry unit 14c provided at a position facing the spectroscopic unit 14b. The photometry unit 14 c is connected to the control unit 16 and outputs a light amount signal of the received analysis light to the control unit 16.

  The container cleaning device 15 includes a suction nozzle that sucks the reaction liquid, the detergent, or the cleaning water from the reaction container 5, and a dispensing nozzle that dispenses the detergent or the cleaning water. By repeating the suction operation a plurality of times, the reaction vessel 5 in which photometry has been completed is washed. The reaction vessel 5 washed in this way is used again for analysis of a new specimen.

  For example, a microcomputer or the like is used as the control unit 16 and is connected to each component of the automatic analyzer 1. The controller 16 controls the operation of each component, and the amount of light emitted from the light source 14a and the amount of light received by the photometric unit 14c. Based on the absorbance of the liquid in the reaction container 5 based on the above, the component concentration of the specimen is analyzed. The control unit 16 causes the analysis operation to be executed while controlling the operation of each component of the automatic analyzer 1 based on the analysis request information input from the host computer or the input unit 17.

  In particular, when dispensing the reagent, the control unit 16 rotates the first reagent cooler 2 and the dispensing operation of the first reagent dispenser 6 or the rotation of the second reagent cooler 3 and the second reagent dispenser. The dispensing operation of the device 7 is controlled. For example, when dispensing the first reagent into the reaction container 5, the control unit 16 controls the rotation of the first reagent cold box 2 and the dispensing operation of the first reagent dispensing device 6 as follows.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the first reagent cooler 2 has two locations intersecting the movement locus ML of the probe 6b of the first reagent dispensing device 6 on the circumference where the plurality of reagent containers 2a are arranged. Suction positions Pr11, Pr12 exist, and the point C is the center of rotation. After the inside and outside are cleaned in the cleaning tank Wt, the probe 6b sucks the first reagent from the reagent container 2a at the suction position Pr11 or the suction position Pr12. After the first reagent is aspirated, the probe 6b is moved to the discharge position Pr1e on the cuvette wheel 4, discharges the first reagent into the reaction vessel 5, and after washing the inside and outside in the washing tank Wt, a new first reagent is obtained. Go to aspirate and repeat this action.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, when the suction position Pr11 and the suction position Pr12 exist within the recommended rotation area Aa of the reagent container 2a to be reagent suctioned, the control unit 16 moves the reagent container 2a to the discharge position Pr1e. The rotation of the first reagent cool box 2 and the dispensing operation of the first reagent dispensing device 6 are controlled so that the first reagent is aspirated by moving to the near one suction position Pr11.

  Here, the recommended rotation area Aa refers to an angle range twice the recommended rotation angle θr (see FIG. 2), which is a predetermined central angle that is equal to or less than the maximum rotation angle. The recommended rotation angle θr is that when the rotation of the reagent containers 2a and 3a is stopped due to the rotation of the turntable, the liquid level fluctuations of the reagents stored in the reagent containers 2a and 3a are hindered in the liquid level detection and the reagent suction by the probes 6b and 7b. This means the rotation angle of the turntable that can be maintained at a sufficiently low level so as not to cause any problems.

  In the present invention, by selecting a suction position where the moving distance of the probes 6b and 7b becomes small within the recommended rotation area Aa determined by the recommended rotation angle, the probe 6b accompanying the dispensing operation is suppressed while suppressing the liquid level fluctuation of the reagent. , 7b is suppressed to improve the dispensing accuracy. The recommended rotation area Aa includes boundary portions at both ends. Here, in FIG. 2, θmax indicates the maximum rotation angle of the turntable, and the same applies to FIGS. 3 and 4.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, when the suction position Pr11 exists in the recommended rotation area Aa of the reagent container 2a to be reagent suctioned, the control unit 16 moves the reagent container 2a to the suction position Pr11 to move to the first position. The rotation of the first reagent cool box 2 and the dispensing operation of the first reagent dispensing device 6 are controlled so as to suck the reagent.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, when neither of the suction positions Pr11 and Pr12 exists in the recommended rotation area Aa of the reagent container 2a to be aspirated, the control unit 16 moves the reagent container 2a to the suction position Pr11. Alternatively, the rotation of the first reagent cool box 2 and the dispensing operation of the first reagent dispensing device 6 are controlled so that the first reagent is aspirated by moving to the nearest position among the aspiration positions Pr12. However, in this case, the control unit 16 controls the rotation of the turntable of the first reagent cooler 2 so as to rotate at a maximum rotation angle or less according to the capacity of the reagent container 2a to be reagent aspirated.

  Thus, when the reagent is aspirated, the first reagent dispensing device 6 moves to the aspiration position Pr12 where the frequency of the probe 6b is moved to the aspiration position Pr11 having a small central angle accompanying the rotational movement of the probe 6b. Will increase more often than Therefore, the first reagent dispensing device 6 can suppress the movement amount of the probe 6b to the discharge position Pr1e and reduce the movement time and the discharge position Pr1e as compared with the case where the reagent is sucked at the suction position Pr12. The vibration at the time of stopping is reduced. As a result, the automatic analyzer 1 increases the frequency with which the reagent is discharged to the reaction container 5 in a state where the vibration of the probe 6b is reduced, so that the dispensing accuracy of the first reagent dispensing device 6 is improved.

  Here, the recommended rotation angle θr of the reagent container 2a, and therefore the recommended rotation angle region, is specifically determined by the volume of the reagent container 2a to be dispensed and is stored in the control unit 16 in advance. The first reagent cooler 2 has a recommended rotation angle θr (see FIG. 2) that is not more than the maximum rotation angle and is a predetermined central angle, and is set in advance for each capacity of the reagent container 2a.

  For example, when the amount of penetration of the probe 6b into the first reagent during the dispensing operation described above is 3 mm below the liquid level, for example, immediately after the turntable of the first reagent cooler 2 is rotated to the upper limit of the maximum rotation angle. When the maximum displacement of the first reagent liquid level fluctuation (up and down movement) is less than 3 mm, it is within 1.5 mm after rotating to the recommended rotation angle.

  As shown in Table 1, the recommended rotation angle θr determined from the results of experiments conducted under such conditions is, for example, 100 ° when the capacity of the reagent container 2a is 60 mL, and 80 ° when 120 mL. In the case of 180 mL, it was 60 °, and decreased as the capacity increased. That is, the range of the recommended rotation area Aa of the first reagent cooler 2 becomes narrower as the capacity of the reagent container 2a increases. Here, FIG. 2 shows a case where the capacity of the reagent container 2a is 60 mL.

  The input unit 17 is a part for inputting an analysis command such as the number of specimens and examination items to the control unit 16, and for example, a keyboard or a mouse is used. The display unit 18 displays analysis results, alarms, and the like, and a display panel or the like is used.

  The automatic analyzer 1 configured as described above operates under the control of the control unit 16 and dispenses the first reagent into the plurality of reaction vessels 5 conveyed along the circumferential direction by the rotating cuvette wheel 4. The first reagent, the sample, and the second reagent were sequentially dispensed by the apparatus 6, the specimen dispensing apparatus 11, and the second reagent dispensing apparatus 7, and dispensed by the first stirring apparatus 12 and the second stirring apparatus 13. Reagents and specimens are agitated sequentially.

  Then, when the reaction vessel 5 in which the reagent and the sample are stirred passes through the measurement optical system 14, the optical characteristics of the reaction solution are measured by the photometry unit 14c, and the component concentration and the like are analyzed by the control unit 16. Then, after the photometry of the reaction liquid is completed, the reaction container 5 is washed by the washing device 15 and then used again for analyzing the specimen.

  At this time, for example, when the first reagent is dispensed into the reaction vessel 5, the control unit 16 controls the rotation of the first reagent cool box 2 and the dispensing operation of the first reagent dispensing device 6 as follows. To do. At this time, the dispensing control method of the analyzer executed by the control unit 16 will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, the control unit 16 specifies the reagent container 2a to be dispensed (step S100). The reagent container 2a is specified by analysis request information input to the control unit 16 and information from the information recording medium of each reagent container 2a from the reading device R1.

  Next, the control part 16 determines the recommended rotation area Aa of the 1st reagent cold storage 2 corresponding to the specified reagent container 2a (step S102).

  Thereafter, the control unit 16 determines the suction position of the first reagent (Step S104). When there are two probe suction positions Pr11 and Pr12 in the recommended rotation area Aa, the suction position is one suction position Pr11 close to the discharge position Pr1e. On the other hand, when any one suction position exists in the recommended rotation area Aa, that position becomes the suction position. In other cases, the suction position is closer to the reagent container 2a to be aspirated.

  Next, the control unit 16 moves the specified reagent container 2a to be dispensed to the suction position (step S106). At this time, the control unit 16 moves the reagent container 2a specified by controlling the rotation of the turntable of the first reagent cold storage 2 to the suction position.

  Next, the control unit 16 causes the probe 6b to suck the first reagent at the moved suction position (step S108). At this time, the control unit 16 controls the first reagent dispensing device 6 to move the arm 6a to the suction position and suck the first reagent into the probe 6b.

  Thereafter, the control unit 16 discharges the aspirated first reagent into the reaction container 5 (step S110). At this time, the controller 16 controls the first reagent dispensing device 6 to move the arm 6a from the first reagent suction position to the discharge position Pr1e on the cuvette wheel 4, and from the probe 6b to the reaction vessel 5 for the first time. A predetermined amount of reagent is discharged.

  Next, the control unit 16 determines whether or not dispensing of all the first reagents based on the analysis request has been completed (step S112). When dispensing of all the first reagents has not been completed (No at Step S112), the control unit 16 returns to Step S100 and repeats the subsequent steps. On the other hand, when the dispensing of all the first reagents has been completed (step S112, Yes), the control unit 16 terminates the dispensing control method of the analyzer.

  As described above, the automatic analyzer 1 according to the first embodiment discharges the reagent container 2a when there are two suction positions Pr11 and Pr12 in the recommended rotation area Aa of the reagent container 2a to be dispensed. The first reagent is sucked by being transported to one suction position close to the position Pr1e, and when one suction position exists in the recommended rotation area Aa, the reagent container 2a is transported to this suction position and the first reagent Aspirate. When the suction positions Pr11 and Pr12 are located outside the recommended rotation area Aa of the reagent container 2a to be dispensed, the automatic analyzer 1 transports the reagent container 2a to the nearest suction position and transfers the first reagent. Suction.

  Therefore, the automatic analyzer 1 suppresses the fluctuation of the liquid level by reducing the rotation angle at which the automatic analysis device 1 conveys the reagent container 2a to be dispensed to the suction position, and the first reagent dispensing device. Since the moving distance of the 6 probe 6b is reduced, vibration due to the movement of the probe 6b can be suppressed. As a result, the first reagent dispensing apparatus 6 controls the reagent to the reaction container 5 while suppressing the vibration of the probe 6b while suppressing the fluctuation of the liquid level of the reagent container 2a due to the rotation of the first reagent cool box 2. Dispensing improves the dispensing accuracy.

  If the liquid level fluctuation of the liquid held in the reagent container 2a due to the rotation of the first reagent cooler 2 can be suppressed, as is apparent from FIG. 2, the recommended rotation angle θr of the first reagent cooler 2 Therefore, it is possible to make the recommended rotation area Aa the entire range of the first reagent cold storage 2. In this way, if the liquid level fluctuation of the liquid held in the reagent container 2a can be suppressed, the first reagent dispensing device 6 can be used as a suction position to suppress the vibration of the probe 6b due to the movement to the reagent discharge position Pr1e. The first reagent may be aspirated with Pr11.

  The automatic analyzer 1 also applies the above-described dispensing control method when the second reagent dispensing device 7 sucks the second reagent from the reagent container 3a of the second reagent cooler 3.

(Modification)
Here, instead of the first reagent cooler 2 and the second reagent cooler 3, the reagent cooler of the automatic analyzer 1 is a first having a common turntable like a reagent cooler 2A shown in FIG. The second reagent cooler 2c is doubled concentrically inside the reagent cooler 2b, and the reagent is dispensed by a reagent dispenser 6A configured in the same manner as the first reagent dispenser 6. Also good.

  At this time, in the first reagent cooler 2b and the second reagent cooler 2c, a plurality of reagent containers 2a holding the first reagent and a plurality of reagent containers 2a holding the second reagent are placed on the turntable, respectively. Are arranged on the circumference along the circumferential direction. For the first reagent and the second reagent, the movement trajectory ML of the probe 6b accompanying the rotation of the arm 6a has two suction positions Pr11, Pr12, and suction positions Pr13, respectively, which are the first reagent cool box 2b and the second reagent cool box 2c. The reagent is dispensed by the reagent dispensing device 6A that intersects with Pr14. A cleaning tank Wt for cleaning the probe 6b of the reagent dispensing device 6A is provided between the reagent cold storage 2A and the cuvette wheel 4.

  At this time, the reagent container 2a having a capacity of 60 mL and a capacity of 120 mL can be used for the first reagent cold storage 2b. However, in the second reagent cold storage 2c, only a reagent container 2a having a capacity of 60 mL can be installed, and a reagent container 2a having a capacity of 120 mL cannot be installed. Table 2 shows the relationship between the capacity of the reagent containers 2a and the recommended rotation angles of the first reagent cool box 2b and the second reagent cool box 2c.

  Even when the reagent cooler 2A shown in FIG. 6 is used, the control unit 16 applies the above-described dispensing control method to each of the first reagent cooler 2b and the second reagent cooler 2c, thereby dispensing the reagent. The reagent dispensing accuracy using the device 6A can be improved.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the analyzer according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The analyzer of the first embodiment is provided with one reagent dispensing device in the vicinity of each reagent cooler, whereas the analyzer of the second embodiment has two reagents in the vicinity of each reagent cooler. A dispensing device is provided, and a plurality of reaction vessels 5 are arranged on the cuvette wheel 4 in two rows in a concentric manner. FIG. 7 is a plan view schematically showing a schematic configuration of the automatic analyzer according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the automatic analyzer 20 includes a first reagent dispensing device 6B, 6C in the vicinity of the first reagent cooler 2, and a second reagent dispensing device 7B, in the vicinity of the second reagent cooler 3. 7C is provided, and includes a sample table 19 instead of the sample container transfer device 8. In the cuvette wheel 4, a plurality of reaction vessels 5 are arranged concentrically in two rows inside and outside.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the first reagent dispensing device 6B, the probe movement trajectory ML1 intersects the first reagent cooler 2 at two suction positions Pr11 and Pr12, respectively, and the reagent is at one of the suction positions. The first reagent sucked from the container 2a is discharged into the reaction container 5 arranged outside the cuvette wheel 4. In the first reagent dispensing device 6C, the probe movement trajectory ML1 intersects the first reagent cooler 2 at two suction positions Pr13 and Pr14, respectively, and sucks from the reagent container 2a at one of the suction positions. The first reagent is discharged into the reaction vessel 5 arranged inside the cuvette wheel 4. In the first reagent dispensing devices 6B and 6C, a cleaning tank Wt1 for cleaning the probe is provided on the movement locus ML1 of the probe outside the cuvette wheel 4.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, the second reagent dispensing device 7B has a probe movement locus ML2 that intersects the second reagent cooler 3 at two suction positions Pr21 and Pr22, respectively, and either one of the suction positions. The second reagent sucked from the reagent container 3a is discharged into the reaction container 5 arranged outside the cuvette wheel 4. In the second reagent dispensing device 7C, the probe movement trajectory ML2 intersects the second reagent cooler 3 at two suction positions Pr23 and Pr24, respectively, and sucked from the reagent container 3a at one of the suction positions. The second reagent is discharged into the reaction vessel 5 arranged inside the cuvette wheel 4. In the second reagent dispensing devices 7B and 7C, a cleaning tank Wt2 for cleaning the probe is provided on the probe movement locus ML2 outside the cuvette wheel 4.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the sample table 19 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow by the driving means, and a plurality of sample containers 19a containing samples along the circumferential direction are detachably stored on the outer periphery. A sample dispensing device 11B, 11C is provided between the sample table 19 and the cuvette wheel 4. In the sample dispensing apparatus 11B, the probe movement locus MLs intersects the sample table 19 at two suction positions Ps1 and Ps2, respectively, and the sample sucked from the sample container 19a at one of the suction positions is outside the cuvette wheel 4. Are discharged into the reaction vessels 5 arranged in a row. Further, the sample dispensing apparatus 11C has the probe movement locus MLs intersecting the sample table 19 at two suction positions Ps3 and Ps4, respectively, and the sample sucked from the sample container 19a at one of the suction positions is cuvette wheel 4 Are discharged into the reaction vessels 5 arranged inside. In the sample dispensing apparatuses 11B and 11C, a cleaning tank Wts for cleaning the probe is provided on the movement locus MLs of the probe outside the cuvette wheel 4.

  At this time, the automatic analyzer 20 operates under the control of the control unit 16 and analyzes the sample dispensed into the reaction container 5 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Then, the control unit 16 rotates the first reagent cool box 2, the second reagent cool box 3, and the sample table 19, and the first reagent dispensing devices 6B and 6C, the first reagent cooler 2, the second reagent cooler 3, and the first reagent dispenser 6B, 6C. The dispensing operation of the two reagent dispensing devices 7B and 7C and the sample dispensing devices 11B and 11C is controlled.

  Therefore, for example, when dispensing the first reagent, which is kept in the first reagent cold storage 2 by the first reagent dispensing device 6B, into the reaction container 5, the control unit 16 performs the same as in the first embodiment. The vibration of the probe is reduced by controlling the dispensing operation of the first reagent dispensing device 6B while suppressing the fluctuation of the liquid level of the first reagent accommodated in the reagent container 2a accompanying the rotation of the first reagent cooler 2. In this state, the reagent is discharged into the reaction vessel 5.

  For this reason, when the first reagent dispensing device 6B aspirates the reagent, the frequency at which the probe moves to the aspiration position Pr11 having a smaller central angle with the rotational movement than the aspiration position Pr12 increases. For this reason, the first reagent dispensing device 6B has a smaller amount of movement of the probe to the reagent discharge position Pr1e than the case of aspirating the reagent at the suction position Pr12, and the movement time of the probe is shortened. As a result, in the first reagent dispensing device 6B, the time after the probe moves to the reagent discharge position Pr1e can be set as the vibration relaxation time, and the reagent is discharged into the reaction container 5 with the probe vibration reduced. This increases the frequency of dispensing, thus improving the dispensing accuracy. This also holds true in the first reagent dispensing device 6C, the second reagent dispensing devices 7B and 7C, and the sample dispensing devices 11B and 11C as long as the dispensing control method of the present invention is applied.

  Accordingly, the automatic analyzer 20 suppresses the rotation angles of the first reagent cooler 2, the second reagent cooler 3 and the sample table 19 that transport the reagent containers 2a and 3a and the sample container 19a to be dispensed to the suction position. Meanwhile, the probes of the first reagent dispensing devices 6B and 6C, the second reagent dispensing devices 7B and 7C, and the sample dispensing devices 11B and 11C can be moved to the discharge position in a short time. Therefore, the probes of the first reagent dispensing devices 6B and 6C, the second reagent dispensing devices 7B and 7C, and the sample dispensing devices 11B and 11C are moved to the discharge position, and then the first reagent, the second reagent, and the sample are moved. The vibration due to the movement can be reduced until the ejection. As a result, the automatic analyzer 20 reacts the reagent and the sample with the first reagent dispensing devices 6B and 6C, the second reagent dispensing devices 7B and 7C, and the sample dispensing devices 11B and 11C alleviating the vibration of the probe. Since the frequency of discharge to the container 5 increases, the dispensing accuracy is improved.

  In addition, each said embodiment demonstrated the case where the reagent was mainly dispensed. However, the analyzer of the present invention and its dispensing control method can also be used when dispensing a sample.

1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of an automatic analyzer according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a top view explaining the aspiration position which moves a reagent container when the aspiration position of two probes exists in a recommended rotation area | region. It is a top view explaining the aspiration position which moves a reagent container, when the aspiration position of any one of two places exists in a recommended rotation area | region. It is a top view explaining the aspiration position which moves a reagent container when neither of the aspiration positions of two probes exists in a recommended rotation area | region. It is a flowchart explaining the dispensing control method of the analyzer which a control part performs. FIG. 10 is a plan view for explaining a modification example related to the reagent cold storage of the automatic analyzer used in the dispensing control method of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a plan view schematically showing a schematic configuration of an automatic analyzer according to a second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automatic analyzer 2 1st reagent cool box 2a Reagent container 3 2nd reagent cool box 3a Reagent container 4 Cuvette wheel 5 Reaction container 6 1st reagent dispenser 6b Probe 7 2nd reagent dispenser 7b Probe 8 Sample container transfer Device 9 Feeder 10 Rack 11 Sample dispensing device 12 First stirring device 13 Second stirring device 14 Measurement optical system 15 Container cleaning device 16 Control unit 17 Input unit 18 Display unit 20 Automatic analyzer 6B, 6C First reagent dispensing device 7B, 7C Second reagent dispensing device 11B, 11c Sample dispensing device 19 Sample table 19a Sample container Aa Recommended rotation area C Rotation center ML Movement locus ML1, ML2, MLs Movement locus Pr11, Pr12 Aspiration position Pr13, Pr14 Aspiration position Pr21 , Pr22 Suction position Pr23, Pr24 Suction position Ps1 to Ps4 Suction position R1, R2 Reader Wt Cleaning tank Wt1, Wt2, Wt s Cleaning tank θr Recommended rotation angle θmax Maximum rotation angle

Claims (6)

A dispensing apparatus having a probe for sucking the liquid sample from a container containing a liquid sample containing a reagent or specimen and discharging the sucked liquid sample to a reaction container for dispensing, and the liquid sample A plurality of containers arranged on a circumference, rotating below a preset maximum rotation angle, and a sample holding means in which the probe suction positions exist in at least two places on the movement trajectory of the probe, and An analyzer for analyzing a sample dispensed in a reaction vessel,
When the two probe suction positions exist within the recommended rotation region of the container to be aspirated, the container is moved to the one suction position close to the liquid sample discharge position to move the liquid sample. If the suction position of any one of the two probes exists within the recommended rotation region of the container to be aspirated, the liquid sample is aspirated by moving the container to the suction position, If neither suction position of the two probes exists in the recommended rotation region, the rotation of the sample holding means and the separation are performed so as to suck the liquid sample by moving the container to the closest suction position. An analyzer comprising control means for controlling the dispensing operation of the pouring device.   The analyzer according to claim 1, wherein a maximum rotation angle is set in accordance with each volume of the plurality of containers containing the liquid sample.   The analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the recommended rotation area is an angle range that is twice a recommended rotation angle that is a predetermined center angle that is equal to or less than the maximum rotation angle.   The analyzer according to claim 3, wherein the recommended rotation region is narrowed at least as the capacity increases.   The analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the recommended rotation area includes a boundary portion. A dispensing device having a probe for aspirating a liquid sample containing a reagent or a specimen and discharging the aspirated liquid sample to a reaction container for dispensing, and a plurality of containers containing the liquid sample on the circumference Specimens dispensed in the reaction vessel, comprising sample holding means arranged and rotated at a maximum rotation angle equal to or less than a preset rotation angle and having the probe suction positions in at least two locations on the movement trajectory of the probe A dispensing control method for an analyzer for analyzing
A recommended rotation area determination step for determining a recommended rotation area of the container to be aspirated;
When the suction positions of the two probes exist in the recommended rotation area of the container to be aspirated, the container is moved to the one suction position close to the liquid sample discharge position, and the recommended rotation area When any one suction position of the two probes exists in the container, the container is moved to the suction position, and any suction position of the two probes does not exist in the recommended rotation region. Moves the container to the nearest suction position; and
The dispensing control method of the analyzer characterized by including.

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