JP2010164378A - Rack feeding mechanism of autoanalyzer, autoanalyzer, and rack feeding method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rack feeding mechanism for alleviating the labor applied to the discharge of a specimen container, an autoanalyzer equipped with the rack feeding mechanism, and a rack feeding method. <P>SOLUTION: The rack feeding mechanism includes a rack supply part 8a, on which a rack 9 for holding specimen containers 9a housing specimens is placed, to feed the rack 9 to the specimen sucking part of a measuring mechanism 40 from the rack supply part 8a, the rack recovering part 8d of the autoanalyzer 1 recovering the rack 9 after the completion of analysis in the rack recovering part 8d includes a specimen discharge part 8e, a rack grasping part 8g for grasping the rack 9 to horizontally move and rotate the same, a specimen container pushing part 8h; a specimen container discarding part 8j and a rack keeping part 8k. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a rack transport mechanism of an automatic analyzer that transports a rack that holds a sample container, an automatic analyzer including the rack transport mechanism, and a rack transport method.

  Conventionally, in an automatic analyzer that analyzes a sample component by reacting a sample with a reagent, the reaction solution in the reaction container after the analysis is sucked and discharged by a cleaning nozzle, and then various detergents are injected into the reaction container. The reaction vessel is reused (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Further, in order to avoid carry-over due to the specimen remaining in the reaction container, analysis is performed using a disposable reaction container (see, for example, Patent Documents 2 and 3).

JP-A-7-103984 JP 2002-202316 A JP 2000-32286 A

  By the way, in the analyzers disclosed in the above Patent Documents 1 to 3, although the reaction container is disposable or reused for automatic analysis, residual sample discharge and sample container for the sample container after the analysis is completed Since all the disposals were done manually, a lot of labor was required. In addition, there is a possibility that the sample may be scattered when the remaining sample is discharged, which may cause the user to suffer a biological hazard (biohazard).

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a rack transport mechanism that reduces labor for discharging a sample container, an automatic analyzer including the rack transport mechanism, and a rack transport method. To do.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the rack transport mechanism of the present invention includes a rack supply unit for placing a rack for holding a sample container, and the rack is moved from the rack supply unit to the sample of the measurement mechanism. In a rack transport mechanism of an automatic analyzer that transports to a suction unit and collects the rack after analysis in a rack recovery unit, the rack recovery unit includes a sample discharge unit that discharges a sample from the sample container, and the sample container Holding the rack, moving the rack in the horizontal direction, and rotating the rack around a horizontal axis, and holding the rack rotated around the horizontal axis by the rack holding means. A pressing unit that presses the sample container from above vertically to release the fitting with the rack, and a sample container that contains the sample container that has been pressed and dropped by the pressing unit. Characterized in that it comprises means, and a rack storage unit for recovering the rack, the.

  The rack transport mechanism of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, a rack buffer unit is provided which waits for the rack until analysis is completed and it is determined whether re-examination is necessary.

  In the rack transport mechanism of the present invention, the rack gripping means grips the rack at a rack gripping position, horizontally moves the rack to below the pressing means, and moves the rack around a 180 ° horizontal axis. The sample container is discarded to the sample container discarding means by the pressing of the pressing means, the rack is rotated again about a 180 ° horizontal axis, and the rack is straddled over the sample container discarding means. It moves horizontally to the storage unit, releases the grip of the rack, and moves horizontally to the rack gripping position.

  The rack transport mechanism according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, sensors are provided at the suction position by the sample discharging means, the rack gripping position by the rack gripping means, the rack rotation position, and the rack storage unit inlet.

  The rack transport mechanism according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the sample discharge means includes the same number of suction nozzles as the sample containers held by the rack.

  In the rack transport mechanism of the present invention, in the above invention, the sample discharging means includes two units for pooled serum aspiration and waste liquid aspiration, each of which discharges a sample remaining in a sample container, and the probe , A drive unit that moves the arm up and down and / or moves the probe horizontally on the arm, and a pump that sucks the sample by the probe.

  In the rack transport mechanism of the present invention, in the above invention, the sample discharge means includes a probe having a capacity capable of sucking all the sample remaining in the sample container, an arm supporting the probe, and raising and lowering of the arm. Alternatively, a drive unit that horizontally moves the probe on the arm and a pump that sucks and / or discharges the specimen by the probe are provided.

  In the rack transport mechanism of the present invention, the analysis result storage unit for storing the analysis result of the sample, the determination unit for determining whether or not the analysis result is within a set range, and the determination unit in the above invention are analyzed. A pool serum container for storing a sample determined to be within a set range as a pooled serum, and a waste liquid tank for storing a sample whose analysis result is determined to be outside the set range as a waste liquid, and the determination unit The sample determined to be within the set range is sent or discharged from the sample container to the pooled serum container by the sample discharging means, and the sample determined by the determination unit is out of the set range from the sample container. The specimen discharge means feeds or discharges the liquid to a waste tank.

  The rack transport mechanism of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, a probe cleaning tank for cleaning the probe is provided, and the sample is discharged from the sample container after the probe cleaning by the probe cleaning tank.

  In the rack transport mechanism of the present invention, in the above invention, the probe cleaning by the probe cleaning tank is performed after the sample is discharged to the waste liquid tank and before the sample is discharged to the pooled serum container. It is characterized by.

  An automatic analyzer according to the present invention is an automatic analyzer that optically analyzes a reaction product between a sample and a reagent, and includes the rack transport mechanism described above.

  The rack transport method of the present invention further includes a rack supply unit for placing a rack for holding a sample container, transports the rack from the rack supply unit to the sample suction unit of the measurement mechanism, and the rack after the analysis is completed. In the rack transport method of the automatic analyzer for collecting the sample in the rack collection unit, a sample discharging step for discharging the sample from the sample container by the sample discharging means, and a rack gripping for holding the rack holding the sample container by the rack gripping means A first rack moving step for horizontally moving the rack to below the pressing means by the rack gripping means, a first rotating step for rotating the rack by 180 degrees about a horizontal axis by the rack gripping means, and the sample container Is pressed from above in the vertical direction by the pressing means to release the fitting with the rack, and discarded in the sample container discarding means. A disposal step, a second rotation step of rotating the rack by 180 ° about the horizontal axis by the rack gripping means, and a second step of horizontally moving the rack across the specimen container discarding means by the rack gripping means to the rack storage unit. A two-rack moving step, a grip releasing step for releasing the grip of the rack by the rack gripping means, and a feedback step for horizontally moving the rack gripping means to a rack gripping position.

  The rack transport method according to the present invention is the rack transport method according to the above invention, wherein the rack buffer unit waits until the rack buffer unit determines whether or not re-inspection is necessary, and the rack recovery for the rack that is determined not to require re-inspection. And a transfer step of transferring to the section.

  The rack transport method of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the sample discharge step discharges the sample simultaneously by the same number of suction nozzles as the number of sample containers held by the rack.

  In the rack transport method of the present invention, in the above invention, the sample discharge step includes a first sample discharge step of transferring a sample from the sample container to the pooled serum container by the sample discharge unit, and the sample discharge unit by the sample discharge unit. And a second specimen discharge step for sending the specimen from the container to the waste liquid tank.

  In the rack transport method of the present invention, in the above invention, the first sample discharge step and the second sample discharge step include a sample suction step for sucking a sample from the sample container by the sample discharge means, and the sample suction A sample discharge step of discharging the sample sucked in the step to the pooled serum container or the waste liquid tank.

  The rack transport method according to the present invention further includes a determination step of determining whether or not the analysis result is within a set range based on the analysis result stored in the analysis result storage unit. The analysis result is sent or discharged as a pooled serum to the pooled serum container as a sample determined to be within the set range, and the sample determined in the determination step is out of the set range is sent or discharged to the waste liquid tank. It is characterized by.

  The rack transport method of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, when the sample discharge step discharges a sample to the pooled serum container, the rack transport method includes a probe cleaning step of cleaning the probe before the suction step. .

  In the rack transport method according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the probe cleaning step is performed after the second sample discharge step and before the first sample discharge step.

  According to the present invention, in the rack recovery unit, the specimen discharge means for sucking the specimen from the specimen container, the rack gripping means for gripping and moving and rotating the rack, and the fitting between the specimen container and the rack are released. By providing the pressing means and the specimen container discarding means for storing the specimen container, it is possible to reduce labor for discharging the specimen container and to prevent the occurrence of a biological disaster (biohazard).

  Hereinafter, an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, taking an automatic analyzer that analyzes a liquid specimen such as blood as a sample. The drawings referred to in the following description are schematic. When the same object is shown in different drawings, the dimensions, scales, and the like may be different. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. In the description of the drawings, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an automatic analyzer 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic analyzer 1 dispenses a sample and a reagent to be analyzed into a reaction vessel 5 respectively, and a measurement mechanism 40 that optically measures a reaction that occurs in the dispensed reaction vessel 5. The rack transport mechanism 8 that transports the rack 9 holding the sample container 9a to the measurement mechanism 40, and the entire automatic analyzer 1 including the measurement mechanism 40 and the rack transport mechanism 8 are controlled, and the measurement results in the measurement mechanism 40 are displayed. And a control mechanism 50 for performing analysis. The automatic analyzer 1 automatically performs biochemical, immunological or genetic analysis of a plurality of specimens by cooperation of these two mechanisms.

  The measurement mechanism 40 is roughly divided into a first reagent container 2, a second reagent container 3, a reaction table 4, a first reagent dispensing device 6, a second reagent dispensing device 7, and an analysis optical system 11. The cleaning mechanism 12, the first stirring device 13, the second stirring device 14, and the sample dispensing device 20 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the first reagent container 2 includes a plurality of reagent containers 2 a that store the first reagent in the circumferential direction, and is rotated by a driving means (not shown) to convey the reagent container 2 a in the circumferential direction. To do. Each of the plurality of reagent containers 2a is filled with a reagent corresponding to the inspection item, and an information recording medium (not shown) on which information such as the type, lot, and expiration date of the stored reagent is recorded is attached to the outer surface. . Here, a reading device 10 a that reads the reagent information recorded on the information recording medium attached to the reagent container 2 a and outputs it to the control unit 15 is installed on the outer periphery of the first reagent storage 2. An openable / closable lid (not shown) is provided above the first reagent chamber 2 to suppress evaporation and denaturation of the reagent, and a thermostat bath for cooling the reagent below the first reagent chamber 2. (Not shown) is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the second reagent container 3 includes a plurality of reagent containers 3 a that store the second reagent in the circumferential direction, and is rotated by driving means (not shown) in the same manner as the first reagent container 2. Then, the reagent container 3a is conveyed in the circumferential direction. Each of the plurality of reagent containers 3a is filled with a reagent corresponding to the inspection item, and an information recording medium (not shown) on which information such as the type, lot, and expiration date of the stored reagent is recorded is attached to the outer surface. . Here, a reading device 10 b that reads the reagent information recorded on the information recording medium attached to the reagent container 3 a and outputs it to the control unit 15 is installed on the outer periphery of the second reagent storage 3. An openable / closable lid (not shown) is provided above the second reagent storage 3 in order to suppress evaporation and denaturation of the reagent, and a thermostat bath for reagent cooling is provided below the second reagent storage 3. (Not shown) is provided.

  The first reagent dispensing device 6 includes an arm 6a that freely moves up and down in the vertical direction and rotates around a vertical line passing through its base end as a central axis. A probe 6b for aspirating and discharging the specimen is attached to the tip of the arm 6a. The first reagent dispensing device 6 includes an intake / exhaust mechanism using an unillustrated intake / exhaust syringe or piezoelectric element. The first reagent dispensing device 6 sucks the first reagent from the reagent container 2a transferred to a predetermined position on the first reagent storage 2 by the probe 6b, and rotates the arm 6a clockwise in the drawing. Then, the first reagent is discharged into the reaction vessel 5 to perform dispensing. A cleaning tank 6d for cleaning the probe 6b with cleaning water is installed on the rotation locus of the probe 6b.

  The second reagent dispensing device 7 includes an arm 7a that freely moves up and down in the vertical direction and rotates around the vertical line passing through the base end of the second reagent as a central axis. A probe 7b for aspirating and discharging the sample is attached to the tip of the arm 7a. The second reagent dispensing device 7 includes an intake / exhaust mechanism using an unillustrated intake / exhaust syringe or piezoelectric element. The second reagent dispensing device 7 sucks the second reagent from the reagent container 3a transferred to a predetermined position on the second reagent storage 3 by the probe 7b and turns the arm 7a counterclockwise in the figure. Then, the second reagent is discharged into the reaction vessel 5 to perform dispensing. A cleaning tank 7d for cleaning the probe 7b with cleaning water is installed on the rotation locus of the probe 7b.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the reaction table 4 has a plurality of reaction vessels 5 arranged in the circumferential direction, and is different from the drive means for driving the first and second reagent storages 2 and 3 (see FIG. The reaction vessel 5 is moved in the circumferential direction by being rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow. The reaction table 4 is disposed between the light source 11a and the spectroscopic unit 11b, and has a holding unit 4a that holds the reaction vessel 5 and an optical path 4b that includes a circular opening that guides the light beam emitted from the light source 11a to the spectroscopic unit 11b. is doing. The holding part 4a is arranged on the outer periphery of the reaction table 4 at a predetermined interval along the circumferential direction, and an optical path 4b extending in the radial direction is formed on the inner peripheral side of the holding part 4a. An openable / closable lid (not shown) is provided above the reaction table 4, and a thermostat (not shown) for heating to a temperature that promotes the reaction between the specimen and the reagent is provided below the reaction table 4.

  The reaction vessel 5 is an optically transparent material that transmits 80% or more of the light contained in the analysis light (340 to 800 nm) emitted from the analysis optical system 11, such as glass containing heat-resistant glass, cyclic olefin, or polystyrene. It is a container called a cuvette formed into a square cylinder shape by the like.

  The analysis optical system 11 is an optical system for analyzing by transmitting the analysis light (340 to 800 nm) through the liquid sample in the reaction container 5 in which the reagent and the sample have reacted, and includes a light source 11a, a spectroscopic unit 11b, and a light receiving unit. 11c. The analysis light emitted from the light source 11a passes through the liquid sample in the reaction vessel 5 and is received by the light receiving unit 11c provided at a position facing the spectroscopic unit 11b.

  The first stirrer 13 and the second stirrer 14 stir the dispensed specimen and reagent with the stirrers 13a and 14a to make the reaction uniform.

  The sample dispensing device 20 includes an arm 20a that freely moves up and down in the vertical direction and rotates around a vertical line passing through the base end of the sample dispensing apparatus 20 as a central axis. A probe 20b for aspirating and discharging the specimen is attached to the tip of the arm 20a. The sample dispensing apparatus 20 includes an intake / exhaust mechanism using an intake / exhaust syringe or a piezoelectric element (not shown). The sample dispensing device 20 sucks a sample with a probe 20b from a sample container 9a that has been transferred to a dispensing position by a rack transfer mechanism 8 to be described later, and rotates the arm 20a in the clockwise direction in FIG. Dispensing the sample. A cleaning tank 20d for cleaning the probe 20b with cleaning water is installed on the rotation trajectory of the probe 20b.

  The cleaning mechanism 12 includes a plurality of cleaning nozzles 12a, and sucks and discharges the reaction liquid in the reaction vessel 5 that has been measured by the analysis optical system 11 using the suction nozzle, and also uses a discharge nozzle to clean the cleaning liquid such as detergent or cleaning water. Inject and dry. The reaction vessel 5 cleaned by the cleaning mechanism 12 is reused.

  The rack transport mechanism 8 transports the rack 9 holding the sample container 9 a to the sample aspirating position by the sample dispensing device 20. The rack transport mechanism 8 includes a rack supply unit 8a, a rack transfer unit 8b, a rack buffer unit 8c, and a rack collection unit 8d. A rack 9 for holding a plurality of sample containers 9a for analysis is placed on the rack supply unit 8a. The user places the rack 9 to be analyzed on the rack supply unit 8a as needed. The rack transport unit 8b transports the rack 9 pushed out by the pushing means (not shown) from the rack supply unit 8a to the sample suction position, and transports the rack after dispensing to the rack buffer unit 8c. Further, the rack transfer unit 8b conveys the analyzed rack 9 to the rack collection unit 8d when reexamination is not necessary, and conveys it to the rack supply unit 8a when reexamination is necessary.

  After the analysis, the rack 9 is transported to the rack collection unit 8d by the rack transfer unit 8b, and after the sample remaining in the sample container 9a is discharged, the sample container 9a held in the rack 9 is discarded to the sample container discarding unit 8j. The The rack collection unit 8d includes a sample discharge unit 8e, a rack gripping unit 8g, a sample container pressing unit 8h, a sample container discarding unit 8j, and a rack storage unit 8k.

  The rack collection unit 8d will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rack collection unit 8d. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of rack transport in the rack collection unit 8d. FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of the sample discharge unit 8e. FIG. 5 is an operation diagram of discarding the specimen container 9a. The analysis of the sample in the sample container 9a held in the rack 9 is completed, and the rack 9 determined not to be retested is transferred from the rack buffer unit 8c to the rack collection unit 8d by the rack transfer unit 8b. The rack 9 transported into the rack recovery unit 8d is pushed out in the direction of arrow D1 shown in FIG. 2 by a rack push-out unit (not shown) and transported to the sample aspirating position (see FIG. 3, step S101). When the sensor 14a installed at the sample discharge position detects that the rack 9 has been transferred to the sample suction position, the probe 8f of the sample discharge portion 8e is lowered to the lowermost part of the sample container 9a (step S102).

  The structure of the specimen discharge unit 8e will be described with reference to FIG. The sample discharge section 8e has a plurality of probes 8f as shown in FIG. The number of probes 8f is the same as the number of sample containers 9a held by the rack 9, and the remaining samples are sucked from all the sample containers 9a held by the rack 9 by one suction. The probe 8f is formed in a rod tube shape, and the tip end side is tapered. The upper base end is attached to the arm 8l together with the position of the sample container 9a with the front end facing downward. The arm 8l is horizontally arranged, and its base end is fixed to the upper end of the support shaft 8m. The support shaft 8m is vertically arranged, and is moved up and down along the vertical axis by the probe driving unit 8n. When the support shaft 8m moves up and down, the arm 8l moves up and down in the vertical direction and moves the probe 8f up and down in the vertical (up and down) direction and in the longitudinal direction of the probe 8f. One end of the pipe 8o is connected to the proximal end of the probe 8f. The other end of the pipe 8o is connected to a waste liquid tank 8q through a pump 8p. The sample discharger 8e drives the pump 8p to suck and discharge the sample remaining in the sample container 9a from each probe 8f (step S103). The aspirated specimen is sent via the pipe 8o and discharged to the waste liquid tank 8q.

  After the sample is aspirated, the probe 8f of the sample discharger 8e is raised by driving the probe driver 8n (step S104). The rack 9 from which the sample has been aspirated is pushed in the direction of arrow D2 shown in FIG. 2 by a rack pusher (not shown), and when pushed to the rack gripping position, the sensor 14b installed at the rack gripping position Is detected (step S105). After detection by the sensor 14b, the rack 9 is gripped from both sides by the rack gripping portion 8g (step S106). The rack gripping portion 8g that grips the rack 9 moves down to the specimen container pressing portion 8h in the direction of arrow D3 shown in FIG. 2 (step S107). When the rack 9 is moved to below the sample container pressing portion 8h, the sensor 14c installed in the sample container pressing portion 8h detects the transfer of the rack 9. After detection by the sensor 14c, the rack gripping portion 8g rotates the rack 9 by 180 ° around the horizontal axis (step S108). On the bottom surface of the rack 9, holes 9b for the number of specimen containers 9a to be held are provided (see FIG. 5), and the specimen containers 9a are directly pressed from above by the specimen container pressing section 8h through the holes 9b. Then, the sample container 9a is dropped from the rack 9 (step S109).

  The sample container pressing portion 8h has a plurality of disposal rods 8i as shown in FIG. The number of waste bars 8i is the same as the number of sample containers 9a held by the rack 9, and all the sample containers 9a held by the rack 9 are pressed and dropped from the rack 9 by one press. The disposal rod 8i is attached to the arm 8w in accordance with the position of the sample container 9a. The arm 8w is horizontally arranged, and the base end thereof is fixed to the upper end of the support shaft 8x. The support shaft 8x is vertically arranged, and is moved up and down along the vertical axis by a drive unit (not shown) of the sample container pressing unit 8h.

  The operation of discarding the specimen container 9a will be described with reference to FIG. When the rack 9 holding the sample container 9a is pushed out to the rack gripping position by a rack push-out portion (not shown), the rack gripping portion 8g grips both ends of the rack 9 (see FIG. (5-1)). Thereafter, the rack gripping portion 8g moves to the lower part of the sample container pressing portion 8h while gripping the rack 9, and rotates the rack 9 about the horizontal axis (see FIG. (5-2)). After rotation of the rack 9, the drive unit (not shown) of the sample container pressing unit 8 h is driven to lower the arm 8 w in the vertical axis direction, and the waste rod 8 i is passed through the hole 9 b formed on the bottom surface of the rack 9. 9a is pressed from vertically above and dropped from the rack 9 (see FIG. 5-3). The dropped specimen container 9a is accommodated in the specimen container discarding section 8j. The number of sample containers 9a discarded in the sample container discarding unit 8j is counted, and when the number of sample containers 9a in the sample container discarding unit 8j reaches a predetermined number, a warning to that effect is output from the output unit 17, It is assumed that the user is prompted to discard the sample container 9a in the sample container discarding unit 8j.

  After discarding the sample container 9a, the rack gripping portion 8g rotates the rack 9 again by 180 ° around the horizontal axis (step S110). The rack gripping part 8g transports the rack 9 to the rack storage part 8k (step S111), and after the sensor 14d confirms the transport of the rack 9, the rack gripping part 8g releases the rack 9 and moves to the rack gripping position. (Step S112), the transport of the rack 9 is completed. It should be noted that a system for confirming whether or not to automatically discard the sample container 9a according to the maintenance of each part of the rack collection unit 8d and the analysis status of the automatic analyzer 1 may be used when the rack is transported.

  The control mechanism 50 includes a control unit 15, an input unit 16, an output unit 17, an analysis unit 18, and a storage unit 19. The control unit 15 is connected to each unit included in the measurement mechanism 40, the rack transport mechanism 8, and the control mechanism 50. In order to control the operation of these units, a microcomputer or the like is used as the control unit 15. The control unit 15 performs predetermined input / output control on information input / output to / from each of these components, and performs predetermined information processing on the information. The control unit 15 controls the operation of each unit of the automatic analyzer 1, and based on the information read from the information recording medium, the automatic analyzer stops the analysis work when the expiration date of the reagent is out of the installation range. Control 1 or issue a warning to the operator.

  The input unit 16 is configured by using a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and acquires various information necessary for analyzing a sample, instruction information for analysis operation, and the like from the outside. The output unit 17 is configured using a printer, a communication mechanism, and the like, and outputs various information including the analysis result of the sample to notify the user. The analysis unit 18 calculates absorbance and the like based on the measurement result acquired from the analysis optical system 11, and performs component analysis of the specimen. The storage unit 19 is configured using a hard disk that magnetically stores information and a memory that loads various programs related to the process from the hard disk and electrically stores them when the automatic analyzer 1 executes the process. Various information including the analysis result of the specimen is stored. The storage unit 19 may include an auxiliary storage device that can read information stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a PC card.

  In the automatic analyzer 1 configured as described above, the first reagent dispensing device 6 dispenses the first reagent in the reagent container 2a to the plurality of reaction containers 5 that are sequentially conveyed in a row. Thereafter, the sample dispensing device 20 dispenses the sample in the sample container 9a held in the rack 9 which has been transported to the sample dispensing position by the rack transfer unit 8b, and the second reagent dispensing device 7 further comprises the reagent container 3a. The second reagent in the sample is dispensed, the analysis optical system 11 measures the spectral intensity of the sample in a state in which the sample and the reagent are reacted, and the analysis unit 18 analyzes the measurement result, whereby the component of the sample is measured. Analysis is automatically performed. After the analysis, the rack 9 is transported to the rack collection unit 8d, the remaining sample is sucked by the sample discharge unit 8e, and the sample container 9a is automatically transferred to the sample container disposal unit 8j by the rack gripping unit 8g and the sample container pressing unit 8h. Dispose of. In addition, the cleaning mechanism 12 is cleaned while transporting the reaction vessel 5 after the measurement by the analysis optical system 11 is completed, so that a series of analysis operations are continuously repeated.

(Embodiment 2)
In the second embodiment, among samples remaining in the sample container 9a, a sample whose analysis result of a specific analysis item is within a set range is stored as pooled serum, and the pooled serum is used for maintenance of an automatic analyzer or the like. It is made available.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of an automatic analyzer 1A according to the second embodiment. The sample discharge section 8e ′ of the rack transport mechanism 8A of the automatic analyzer 1A is configured so that the analysis result of a specific analysis item including one probe 8f ′ having a capacity capable of sucking all the samples remaining in the sample container 9a is pooled by the user. The sample determined by the determination unit 21 as being within the range set as is aspirated by the probe 8f ′ and discharged to the pooled serum container 23. The analysis result storage unit 22 stores analysis results of analysis items set as pooled serum for all analyzed samples.

  Pooled serum storage by the specimen discharger 8e 'will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of the specimen discharge unit 8e '. The probe 8f 'of the sample discharge portion 8e' is a probe having a capacity capable of sucking all the sample remaining in the sample container 9a. The other end of the probe 8f 'is attached to the horizontally arranged arm 8l. The base end of the arm 8l is fixed to the upper end of the support shaft 8m, and the support shaft 8m is arranged vertically. The probe shaft 8m is moved up and down along the vertical axis by the probe driving unit 8n '. Further, the probe driving unit 8n ′ horizontally moves the probe 8f ′ on the arm 8l.

  The rack 9, the pooled serum container 23, the waste liquid tank 8q, and the probe washing tank 24 are arranged on the trajectory of the horizontal movement of the probe 8f ′, and the probe 8f ′ is held in the rack 9 by driving the probe driving unit 8n ′. All the sample containers 9a, the pooled serum containers 23, the waste liquid tank 8q, and the probe cleaning tank 24 can be accessed. A pipe 8o is connected to the other end of the probe 8f ', and the other end of the pipe 8o is connected to the syringe 8r. The syringe 8r is connected to a plunger drive unit 8s that moves the plunger forward and backward, and is connected to an extruded liquid tank 8v through an electromagnetic valve 8t and a pump 8u. By driving the pump 8u and opening the electromagnetic valve 8t, the extrusion liquid L1 accommodated in the extrusion liquid tank 8v is filled into the cylinder of the syringe 8r through the pipe 8o, and further from the cylinder through the pipe 8o. The probe 8f 'is filled up to the tip. In this state where the extrusion liquid L1 is filled up to the tip of the probe 8f ', the electromagnetic valve 8t is closed and the pump 8u is stopped. When aspirating the specimen, the plunger driving unit 8s is driven to move the plunger backward with respect to the cylinder, so that a suction pressure is applied to the tip of the probe 8f ′ via the extrusion liquid L1. The specimen is aspirated by the pressure. On the other hand, when the specimen is discharged, the plunger driving portion 8s is driven to move the plunger forward relative to the cylinder, whereby the discharge pressure is applied to the distal end portion of the probe 8f ′ via the extrusion liquid L1. The specimen and the reagent are discharged by this discharge pressure. As the extrusion liquid L1, an incompressible fluid such as distilled water or deaerated water is applied. This extrusion liquid L1 is also applied as a cleaning liquid for cleaning the inside of the probe 8f '.

  With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, rack conveyance according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of rack transport in the rack recovery unit according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the sample discharge process according to the second embodiment.

  In rack transport according to the second embodiment, first, a sample to be collected in the pooled serum container 23 is set (step S201). Pooled sera are pooled specimens whose analysis results are within a specific range for specific analysis items. By storing several types of pooled sera with different numerical values, they can be used for maintenance of automatic analyzers, etc. belongs to. Therefore, the user sets the analysis item, analysis data range, etc. of the sample to be collected in order to collect the pooled serum showing the desired analysis result.

  The rack 9 determined not to be re-inspected is transferred from the rack buffer unit 8c to the rack collection unit 8d 'by the rack transfer unit 8b, and is transferred to the sample aspirating position by a rack push-out unit (not shown) (step S202). After detecting that the rack 9 has been transferred to the sample discharge position by the sensor installed at the sample discharge position, the sample discharge process (step S203) is performed from the sample container 9a. After the sample discharge process, the rack 9 is transferred to the rack gripping position, and the sample container 9a is discarded (steps S204 to S211). Steps S204 to S211 are the same as steps S105 to S112 of the first embodiment.

  Next, the sample discharge process will be described. As shown in FIG. 9, the analysis result is extracted from the analysis result storage unit 22 for the sample stored in the rack 9 transported to the sample suction position (step S301). The analysis result to be extracted is the analysis result of the analysis item set to be collected as pooled serum, and the determination unit 21 determines whether or not the analysis result is within the range set in step S201, that is, whether it is the subject of pooled serum. It is determined whether or not (step S302). When the determination unit 21 determines that the subject is pooled serum (step S302, Yes), the probe drive unit 8n ′ moves onto the sample container 9a that stores the sample from which the probe 8f ′ is collected and descends into the sample container 9a. (Step S303). The probe 8f 'sucks the sample by the suction pressure driven by the plunger drive unit 8s (step S304), and raises the probe 8f' from the sample container 9a (step S305). The probe drive unit 8n 'moves the probe 8f' to the pool serum container 23 (step S306), and discharges the specimen into the pool serum container 23 by the discharge pressure driven by the plunger drive unit 8s (step S307). It is confirmed whether or not the discharge of all the samples held in the rack 9 has been completed (step S308), and if not completed (No in step S308), the process is repeated from step S302.

  On the other hand, when the determination unit 21 determines that the subject is not a pooled serum (Step S302, No), the probe driving unit 8n ′ moves onto the sample container 9a that accommodates the sample discharging the probe 8f ′, and the sample container 9a (Step S309), the specimen is aspirated by the suction pressure driven by the plunger drive unit 8s (step S310), and the probe 8f ′ is raised from the specimen container 9a (step S311). Thereafter, the probe drive unit 8n moves the probe 8f 'over the waste liquid tank 8q (step S312), and discharges the specimen into the waste liquid tank 8q by the discharge pressure driven by the plunger drive unit 8s (step S313). The dispensed probe 8f 'is transported to the probe cleaning tank 24 and cleaned (step S314). After washing, it is confirmed whether or not the discharge of all the specimens held in the rack 9 has been completed (step S308). If not completed (step S308, No), the process is repeated from step S302. When the discharge of all the samples is completed (step S308, Yes), the sample discharge process ends.

  In the second embodiment, the probe 8f 'is washed in the probe washing tank 24 after the uncollected sample is discharged in order to prevent carry-over from the other sample to the sample collected as pooled serum. However, when the analysis result (pool serum setting range) of the sample to be collected is outside the normal range, washing can be omitted because it is hardly affected by carry-over from another sample. In addition, before collecting or discharging specimens, it is determined whether or not all specimens stored in the rack 9 are collected as pooled serum, and the number of probe washings can be omitted by changing the collection or discharging order. Is possible.

  Further, as a modified example of the second embodiment, a rack recovery unit 8d ″ including two sample discharge units 8e-1 and 8e-2 for pooled serum aspiration and waste liquid aspiration is illustrated. FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of an automatic analyzer 1B according to a modification of the second embodiment. The pool serum sample discharge unit 8e-1 and the waste liquid sample discharge unit 8e-2 are installed in parallel from the transport port of the rack 9 from the rack drive unit 8b to the rack collection unit 8d ". The pool serum sample discharge section 8e-1 is installed at the pool serum aspiration position A, and the waste liquid sample discharge section 8e-2 is installed at the waste liquid suction position B. The arrangement of the pool serum sample discharge section 8e-1 and the waste liquid sample discharge section 8e-2 may be reversed. FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 show schematic configuration diagrams of each specimen discharge unit. FIG. 11 shows a schematic configuration diagram of the pooled serum sample discharge section 8e-1. FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram of the waste liquid specimen discharge unit 8e-2.

  As illustrated in FIG. 11, the pooled serum specimen discharge portion 8e-1 includes a probe 8f ″ formed in a rod-like shape, and the distal end side of the probe 8f ″ has a tapered shape. The upper base end is attached to the arm 8l together with the position of the sample container 9a with the front end facing downward. The arm 8l is horizontally arranged, and its base end is fixed to the upper end of the support shaft 8m. The support shaft 8m is vertically arranged, and is moved up and down along the vertical axis by the probe drive unit 8n '. When the support shaft 8m moves up and down, the arm 8l moves up and down in the vertical direction, and moves the probe 8f "up and down in the vertical (up and down) direction and in the longitudinal direction of the probe 8f". Further, the probe 8 f ″ can move on the arm 8 l by driving the probe driving unit 8 n ′, and can access all the sample containers 9 a held in the rack 9. One end of a pipe 8o is connected to the base end of the probe 8f ''. The other end of the pipe 8o is connected to the pooled serum container 23 via a pump 8p. The sample discharge unit 8e-1 sucks the remaining sample determined to be pooled serum by the determination unit from the probe 8f '' by driving the pump 8p, and the sucked sample is sent via the pipe 8o. It is stored in the pooled serum container 23.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the waste liquid specimen discharge portion 8 e-2 has a probe 8 f ″ formed in a rod tube shape, and the tip side of the probe 8 f ″ has a tapered shape. The upper base end is attached to the arm 8l together with the position of the sample container 9a with the front end facing downward. The arm 8l is horizontally arranged, and its base end is fixed to the upper end of the support shaft 8m. The support shaft 8m is vertically arranged, and is moved up and down along the vertical axis by the probe drive unit 8n '. When the support shaft 8m moves up and down, the arm 8l moves up and down in the vertical direction, and moves the probe 8f "up and down in the vertical (up and down) direction and in the longitudinal direction of the probe 8f". Further, the probe 8 f ″ can move on the arm 8 l by driving the probe driving unit 8 n ′, and can access all the sample containers 9 a held in the rack 9. One end of a pipe 8o is connected to the base end of the probe 8f ''. The other end of the pipe 8o is connected to a waste liquid tank 8q through a pump 8p. The sample discharger 8e-2 sucks the remaining sample, which is determined not to be pooled serum by the determination unit, from the probe 8f '' by driving the pump 8p, and the sucked sample is sent through the pipe 8o. The liquid is stored in the waste liquid tank 8q.

  With reference to FIGS. 8 and 13, rack transport according to a modification of the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a sample discharge process according to a modification of the second embodiment. In the modification according to the second embodiment, rack transport is the same as that of the second embodiment, and the same steps as those in the flowchart of FIG. First, the specimen collected in the pooled serum container 23 is set (see FIG. 8, step S201). Pooled sera are pooled specimens whose analysis results are within a specific range for specific analysis items. By storing several types of pooled sera with different numerical values, they can be used for maintenance of automatic analyzers, etc. belongs to. Therefore, the user sets the analysis item, analysis data range, etc. of the sample to be collected in order to collect the pooled serum showing the desired analysis result.

  The rack 9 determined not to be retested is transported from the rack buffer unit 8c to the rack collection unit 8d '' by the rack transfer unit 8b, and is transported to the pool serum suction position A by a rack push-out unit (not shown) (step S202). ). After detecting that the rack 9 has been transferred to the sample aspirating position by a sensor installed at the sample aspirating position, a sample discharging process (step S203) is performed from the sample container 9a. After the sample discharge process, the rack 9 is transferred to the rack gripping position, and the sample container 9a is discarded (steps S204 to S211).

  As shown in FIG. 13, the analysis result is extracted from the analysis result storage unit 22 for the sample stored in the rack 9 transported to the pool serum aspiration position A (step S401). The analysis result to be extracted is the analysis result of the analysis item set to be collected as pooled serum, and the determination unit 21 determines whether or not the analysis result is within the range set in step S201, that is, whether it is the subject of pooled serum. It is determined whether or not (step S402). When the determination unit 21 determines that the subject is pooled serum (step S402, Yes), the probe drive unit 8n ′ moves onto the sample container 9a that stores the sample from which the probe 8f ″ is collected, and enters the sample container 9a. Lower (step S403). The probe 8f ″ aspirates the sample by driving the pump 8p and sends the sample to the pooled serum container 23 (step S404). After the probe 8f ″ is lifted from the sample container 9a (step S405), it is held in the rack 9. It is confirmed whether or not all the specimens are subject to pooled serum (step S406). If all the specimens are not confirmed (step S406, No), the process is repeated from step S402.

  On the other hand, if the determination unit 21 determines that the subject is not subject to pooled serum (step S402, No), it is confirmed whether or not all samples held in the rack 9 are subject to pooled serum (step S406), and all samples are confirmed. If not (No at Step S406), the process is repeated from Step S402.

  When confirmation of whether or not all the specimens held in the rack 9 are subject to pooled serum has been completed (step S406, Yes), the specimen is transported to the waste liquid suction position B by a rack push-out unit (not shown) (step S407). Subsequently, it is determined again whether or not the specimen is an object of pooled serum (step S408), and when the determination unit 21 determines that the sample is not an object of pooled serum (No at step S408), the probe driving unit 8n ' '' Is moved onto the specimen container 9a and lowered into the specimen container 9a (step S409). Subsequently, the probe 8f ″ sucks the sample by driving the pump 8p, and sends the sample to the waste liquid tank 8q (step S410). After ascending the probe 8f ″ from the sample container 9a (step S411), it is confirmed whether or not the discharge of all the samples held in the rack 9 has been completed (step S412), and the discharge of all the samples has not been completed. In such a case (step S412, No), the process is repeated from step S408.

  On the other hand, when the determination unit 21 determines that the subject is a pooled serum (step S408, Yes), since the sample discharge has already been completed in steps S403 to S402, the discharge is performed for all the samples held in the rack 9. It is confirmed whether or not the process has been completed (step S412). If the discharge has not been completed for all the samples (No in step S412), the process is repeated from step S408. When all the samples have been discharged (step S412, Yes), the sample discharge processing ends, the rack 9 is transported to the rack gripping position, and the subsequent processing is performed (see FIG. 8, steps S204 to S211). .

  In the modification of the second embodiment, an example in which two specimen discharge units for pooled serum and waste liquid are provided has been described. However, two probes are provided in one arm, and the probe elevation is the same by raising and lowering the arm. By providing a drive unit that can move independently on the arm, it is possible to have one specimen discharge unit. Thus, the present invention can include various embodiments and the like not described herein, and various design changes and the like can be made without departing from the technical idea specified by the claims. It is possible to apply.

It is a schematic block diagram of the automatic analyzer which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a rack collection unit according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart of rack transport in the rack recovery unit according to the first embodiment; FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a sample discharge unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is an operation diagram of sample container disposal according to the first embodiment; FIG. 6 is an operation diagram of sample container disposal according to the first embodiment; FIG. 6 is an operation diagram of sample container disposal according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of an automatic analyzer according to a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a sample discharge unit according to a second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart of rack transport in the rack recovery unit according to the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart of a sample discharge process according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of an automatic analyzer according to a modified example of the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a pooled serum sample discharge unit according to a modification of the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a waste liquid specimen discharge unit according to a modification of the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart of a sample discharge process according to a modification of the second embodiment.

1, 1A, 1B Automatic analyzer 2, 3 Reagent storage 2a, 3a Reagent container 4 Reaction table 5 Reaction container 6, 7 Reagent dispensing device 6a, 7a, 20a Arm 6d, 7d, 20d Washing tank 8, 8A, 8B Rack Transport mechanism 8a Rack supply unit 8b Rack transfer unit 8c Rack buffer unit 8d, 8d ′, 8d ″ Rack collection unit 8e, 8e ′, 8e-1, 8e-2 Sample discharge unit 8f, 8f ′, 8f ″ probe 8h Sample container pressing unit 8j Sample container discarding unit 8k Rack storage unit 9 Rack 9a Sample container 10a, 10b, 10c Reading device 11 Analysis optical system 12 Cleaning mechanism 13, 14 Stirring device 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d Sensor 15 Control unit 16 Input Unit 17 Output unit 18 Analysis unit 19 Storage unit 20 Sample dispensing device 21 Determination unit 22 Analysis result storage unit 23 Pooled serum container 2 Probe washing tank 40 measuring mechanism 50,50A control mechanism

Claims (19)

An automatic analyzer that includes a rack supply unit that mounts a rack that holds a sample container, conveys the rack from the rack supply unit to a sample suction unit of a measurement mechanism, and collects the rack after analysis in a rack recovery unit In the rack transport mechanism of
The rack recovery unit
A sample discharge means for discharging the sample from the sample container;
A rack gripping means for gripping the rack holding the sample container, moving the rack in a horizontal direction, and rotating the rack around a horizontal axis;
A pressing means for pressing the sample container held by the rack rotated about a horizontal axis by the rack gripping means from above and releasing the fitting with the rack;
A sample container discarding means for storing the sample container that has been pressed and dropped by the pressing means;
A rack storage unit for collecting the rack;
A rack transport mechanism for an automatic analyzer, comprising:   The rack transport mechanism of an automatic analyzer according to claim 1, further comprising a rack buffer unit that waits for the rack until analysis is completed and whether or not re-examination is necessary is determined. The rack gripping means is
Grip the rack at a rack gripping position;
Horizontally moving the rack to below the pressing means;
Rotate the rack about 180 ° horizontal axis,
After discarding the sample container into the sample container discarding means by pressing the pressing means, the rack is rotated again about a horizontal axis of 180 °,
Horizontally moving the rack across the sample container disposal means to the rack storage unit;
Release the rack,
The rack transport mechanism of the automatic analyzer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rack transport mechanism horizontally moves to the rack gripping position.   The automatic sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising sensors at a sample discharge position by the sample discharge means, a rack grip position by the rack grip means, a rack rotation position, and a rack storage unit entrance. Rack transport mechanism for analyzers.   The rack transport mechanism of the automatic analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sample discharge unit includes the same number of suction nozzles as the number of the sample containers held by the rack. There are two specimen discharge means for pool serum aspiration and waste liquid aspiration,
A probe for discharging the specimen remaining in the specimen container;
An arm for supporting the probe;
A drive unit for moving the arm up and down and / or moving the probe horizontally on the arm;
A pump for discharging the specimen by the probe;
The rack transport mechanism for an automatic analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: The specimen discharging means is
A probe having a capacity capable of aspirating all the specimens remaining in the specimen container;
An arm for supporting the probe;
A drive unit for moving the arm up and down and / or moving the probe horizontally on the arm;
A pump for aspirating and / or discharging a specimen by the probe;
The rack transport mechanism for an automatic analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: An analysis result storage unit for storing the analysis result of the sample;
A determination unit that determines whether the analysis result is within a set range;
A pooled serum container for storing the specimen determined as an analysis result within the set range by the determination unit as pooled serum;
A waste liquid tank for storing, as waste liquid, a sample that the determination unit determines that the analysis result is out of a setting range;
A sample determined by the determination unit is determined to be within a set range, and fed or discharged from the sample container to the pooled serum container by the sample discharge means, and the determination unit determines that the analysis result is out of the set range The rack transport mechanism of an automatic analyzer according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the sample is sent or discharged from the sample container to a waste liquid tank by the sample discharge means.   The rack transport mechanism of the automatic analyzer according to claim 8, further comprising a probe cleaning tank for cleaning the probe, wherein the sample is discharged from the sample container after the probe cleaning by the probe cleaning tank.   The automatic analyzer according to claim 9, wherein the probe cleaning by the probe cleaning tank is performed after the sample is discharged to the waste liquid tank and before the sample is discharged to the pooled serum container. Rack transport mechanism. In an automatic analyzer that optically analyzes a reaction product between a sample and a reagent,
An automatic analyzer comprising the rack transport mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 10. An automatic analyzer that includes a rack supply unit that mounts a rack that holds a sample container, conveys the rack from the rack supply unit to a sample suction unit of a measurement mechanism, and collects the rack after analysis in a rack recovery unit In the rack transport method of
A sample discharging step of discharging the sample from the sample container by a sample discharging means;
A rack gripping step of gripping the rack holding the sample container by a rack gripping means;
A first rack moving step for horizontally moving the rack to below the pressing means by the rack gripping means;
A first rotation step of rotating the rack by 180 degrees about a horizontal axis by the rack gripping means;
A disposal step of pressing the sample container from above vertically by the pressing means to release the fitting with the rack, and discarding the sample container in the sample container disposal means;
A second rotation step for rotating the rack by 180 degrees about a horizontal axis by the rack gripping means;
A second rack moving step for horizontally moving the rack across the specimen container discarding means by the rack gripping means to a rack storage unit;
A holding release step for releasing the holding of the rack by the rack holding means;
A feedback step in which the rack gripping means horizontally moves to a rack gripping position;
A rack transport method for an automatic analyzer characterized by comprising: A standby step for waiting the rack until the rack buffer unit determines whether re-examination is necessary,
A transfer step of transferring the rack determined to be unnecessary to the rack recovery unit;
The rack transport method for an automatic analyzer according to claim 12, comprising:   14. The rack transport method for an automatic analyzer according to claim 12 or 13, wherein in the sample discharge step, the sample is simultaneously discharged by the same number of suction nozzles as the number of the sample containers held by the rack. The sample discharging step includes
A first sample discharging step of transferring the sample from the sample container to the pooled serum container by the sample discharging means;
A second sample discharging step of sending the sample from the sample container to the waste liquid tank by the sample discharging means;
The rack transport method for an automatic analyzer according to claim 12 or 13, characterized by comprising: The first sample discharge step and the second sample discharge step include:
A sample aspirating step for aspirating a sample from the sample container by the sample discharging means;
The rack transport method for an automatic analyzer according to claim 15, further comprising: a sample discharge step of discharging the sample sucked in the sample suction step to the pool serum container or the waste liquid tank.   A determination step for determining whether or not the analysis result is within a set range based on the analysis result stored in the analysis result storage unit, and the sample in which the determination step has determined that the analysis result is within the set range as a pooled serum 16. The automatic analysis according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the liquid serum is sent or discharged to the pooled serum container, and the sample determined in the determination step is out of a set range is sent or discharged to the waste liquid tank. Rack transport method for equipment.   The rack for an automatic analyzer according to claim 15 or 16, further comprising a probe washing step for washing the probe before the sample aspirating step when the sample discharging step discharges a sample to the pooled serum container. Transport method.   19. The rack transport method for an automatic analyzer according to claim 18, wherein the probe cleaning step is performed after the second sample discharge step and before the first sample discharge step.

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