JP2010181423A - Automatic analysis apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compact automatic analysis apparatus with high throughput on which a large number of reagents can be loaded. <P>SOLUTION: Reagent disks are provided inside and outside of a reaction disk, respectively. Reagent probes are used so that reagents can be discharged from both the reagent disks into a common position. The reagent probes access each reagent disk one after the other for every cycle. This arrangement achieves an automatic analysis apparatus with high throughput which allows first and second reagents to be placed on both the reagent disks, which increases the number of reagents to be loaded without an increase in size of the apparatus, and which shortens a cycle time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that automatically analyzes components such as blood, and more particularly to an automatic analyzer that can mount more reagents and has a high processing capacity per hour.

  Automatic analyzers that automatically analyze biological samples such as blood and output the results can be used for efficient analysis at large hospitals, small and medium hospitals, and clinics with large numbers of patients. It is an indispensable device.

  Such an automatic analyzer is desired to be compact and capable of performing more types of analysis and having a high processing speed, and various types of automatic analyzers have been proposed. For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-10957, two reagent disks that allow the reagent to be placed concentrically are provided, and a reagent probe that can move independently is provided corresponding to each concentric reagent container row. An automatic analyzer is disclosed. That is, by arranging the reagent disks concentrically, the number of reagents that can be mounted is increased, and the reagent probe is provided so as to be independently movable corresponding to each reagent container row, thereby preventing a reduction in processing speed. That's what it is.

JP-A-5-10957

  However, in the technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-10957, a plurality of reagent probes that access a reagent container row on one reagent disk are configured to operate around the same rotation axis.

  In this case, the reagent from the reagent container on the same reagent disk can be dispensed only to the reaction container at the same dispensing position on the reaction disk. Also, reagents from reagent containers on different reagent disks can only be dispensed at different locations on the reaction disk.

  That is, there is a problem that only a combination of reagents defined by the arrangement of the reagent containers can be aspirated, and a random combination analysis cannot be performed with high throughput.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer having a high degree of freedom in the arrangement of reagents on a reagent disk and mounting a large number of reagents and having a high throughput per hour.

  The problem solving means of the present invention is as follows.

  A reagent disk for arranging a plurality of reagent containers on the circumference, and a reaction disk for arranging a plurality of reaction containers on the circumference, and reacting the reagent and the sample contained in the reagent container in the reaction container; In the automatic analyzer having a mechanism for analyzing the reaction, the apparatus includes a plurality of the reagent disks, and further includes a reagent dispensing probe that discharges the reagent sucked from the reagent container to the reaction container, and the reagent probe includes the plurality of reagents. An automatic analyzer arranged so that the reagent sucked from each reagent container on the disk can be discharged to the reaction container at the same dispensing position on the reaction disk. This can be paraphrased as follows.

  A reagent disk for arranging a plurality of reagent containers on the circumference, and a reaction disk for arranging a plurality of reaction containers on the circumference, and reacting the reagent and the sample contained in the reagent container in the reaction container; In the automatic analyzer having a mechanism for analyzing the reaction, the same reaction container on the reaction disk is provided from a plurality of the reagent disks and different reagent containers arranged on the circumferences of the plurality of reagent disks. An automatic analyzer equipped with a reagent dispensing probe capable of dispensing a reagent without moving the reaction disk. “Reagent dispensing is possible without moving the reaction disk to the same reaction vessel on the reaction disk” means that the reagent can be dispensed at the same dispensing position on the reaction disk. It does not mean that the disk is fixed so that it does not move. Although expressed as a reagent disk and a reaction disk, they do not necessarily have to be disk-shaped. Therefore, the expression “on the circumference of the disk” is used, but in the case of a disk-shaped disk, it can be read as “on the circumference”. Alternatively, the reagent containers may be arranged on the circumference of a disk-shaped disc, and the reagent containers may be moved by rotating the disk, or the reagent containers are placed on a closed-loop belt conveyor, The reagent container may be moved by driving the belt. In that case, the movement trajectory of the reagent container does not have to be circumferential, and a movement trajectory having a free shape can be set.

  In addition, it is possible to dispense the reagent from different reagent containers arranged on the circumference of each of the plurality of reagent disks without moving the reaction disk to the plurality of reaction containers on the reaction disk. A configuration of an automatic analyzer including a plurality of reagent dispensing probes corresponding to each of the plurality of operable reaction containers may be employed. “Reagent can be dispensed into a plurality of reaction containers on the reaction disk” is synonymous with having a plurality of reagent dispensing positions. That is, it means that a reagent dispensing probe is provided for each of a plurality of reagent dispensing positions.

  The reagent dispensing probe may include a moving mechanism capable of reciprocating along a rail connecting the plurality of reagent disks. The rail only needs to be able to suck the reagent from the reagent containers on the plurality of reagent disks, and the shape of the rail may be linear or curved. The moving mechanism of the reagent dispensing probe may be anything as long as the reagent dispensing probe can move along the rail. For example, a structure in which a dispensing probe with a motor is hung along a rail installed above, a rail installed below. The reagent dispensing probe may run on the top.

  Further, a plurality of reagent dispensing probes capable of reciprocating along the rail may be provided, or a plurality of the rails may be provided. The number of reagent dispensing probes provided on one rail is preferably the same as the number of reagent disks. This is because even if the number of reagent dispensing probes is large, the operations of the dispensing probes interfere with each other. The higher the number of rails, the higher the speed of processing possible. However, if there are too many rails, problems such as longer reagent disk stop time for reagent dispensing operation will occur. It is desirable to select appropriately according to the situation.

  Further, it is preferable that at least one of the plurality of reagent disks is provided on the inner side of the reaction disk with the same central axis. In order to make the analyzer compact, it is necessary to improve space efficiency. For example, space efficiency can be improved by making a reaction disk into a ring shape and providing a disk-shaped reagent disk inside the ring. Of course, the reagent disks can also be arranged concentrically. Although the mechanical structure becomes simpler when the central axes of the reaction disk and the reagent disk are the same, it is of course possible to provide the central axes by shifting as necessary.

  In addition, at least one of the reagent dispensing probes may include a moving mechanism that can reciprocate in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rail. In the above configuration, the mechanism of the reagent dispensing probe is complicated, but on the other hand, the range of accessible reagent container positions is widened, so the degree of freedom of analysis is improved. Whether this mechanism is provided should be selected as necessary.

  Further, the reagent container may be configured such that both the first reagent and the second reagent used for the same analysis item can be stored in one package and can be replaced for each package.

  As described above, in the present invention, there are two reagent disks on which the first reagent and the second reagent are mounted, and the reagent is aspirated only with one reagent probe from each reagent disk during one cycle. Therefore, it is possible to provide an automatic analyzer equipped with many reagents and having a high throughput per hour.

The perspective view of the analyzer of 1st Example. The top view of the analyzer of the 1st example. Explanatory drawing of the principal part of 1st Example. The block diagram of the reagent disk of 2nd Example. The block diagram of the reagent disk of 3rd Example. The top view of the analyzer of 4th Example. The top view of the analyzer of 5th Example.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a top view. 54 reaction vessels 35 are arranged on the circumference of the reaction disk 36 on the housing 62. A reagent disk 42 is disposed inside the reaction disk 36 and a reagent disk 41 is disposed outside. A plurality of reagent containers 40 can be placed on the circumference of each of the reagent disks 41 and 42. Two reagents enter one reagent container 40. A transport mechanism 12 for moving the rack 11 on which the sample container 10 is placed is installed near the reaction disk 36. Rails 25 and 26 are arranged on the reagent disk 41 and the reagent disk 42. The rail 25 includes reagent probes 20 and 21 movable in a direction parallel to the rail and in the vertical direction. Removable reagent probes 22 and 23 are installed. Each of the reagent probes 20, 21, 22, and 23 is connected to a reagent pump 24. Between the reaction vessel 35 and the transport mechanism 12, sample probes 15 and 16 that can be rotated and moved up and down are installed. The sample probes 15 and 16 are each connected to a sample pump 14. Around 36, stirring devices 30 and 31, a light source 50, a detection optical device 51, and a container cleaning mechanism 45 are arranged. The container cleaning mechanism 45 is connected to a cleaning pump 46. A cleaning port 54 is installed in each operation range of the sample probes 15 and 16, the reagent probes 20, 21, 22 and 23, and the stirring devices 30 and 31. The sample pump 14, the reagent pump 24, the washing pump 46, the detection optical device 51, the reaction vessel 35, the reagent disk 41, the reagent probes 20, 21, 22, 23, and the sample probes 15 and 16 are connected to the controller 60, respectively. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the reaction disk 36 has a sample dispensing position, a first timing reagent dispensing position, a second timing reagent dispensing position, a third timing reagent dispensing position, a stirring position, a measurement position, and a washing position. It has been decided. The reaction disk stops by rotating counterclockwise by 11 pitches in units of a predetermined cycle time. That is, the reaction vessel that was at position 1 in one cycle proceeds to position 2 in the next cycle.

  Analysis using this apparatus is performed in the following procedure.

  A sample to be inspected, such as blood, is placed in the sample container 10, placed on a rack 11, and carried by a transport mechanism 12. First, an amount of sample necessary for the first test is aspirated from the sample container 10 where the sample probe 15 is located at a specific position. In the first cycle, a predetermined amount of sample is discharged from the sample probe 15 into the reaction vessel 35 located at the position 1 on the reaction disk. Meanwhile, the reagent probe 20 aspirates a predetermined amount of the first reagent corresponding to the first test from one reagent container 40 on the reagent disk 41.

  In the second cycle, the reaction vessel advances to position 2 on the reaction disk. Here, the reagent probe 20 discharges a predetermined amount of the first reagent into the reaction container. In the meantime, the sample probe 15 is washed.

  In the third cycle, the reagent and the sample are stirred by the stirring device 30 at the position 3 on the reaction disk. Meanwhile, the reagent probe 20 is washed.

  In the fourth cycle, while the reaction vessel rotates to the position 4 on the reaction disk, it passes between the light source 50 and the detection optical device 51, and optical measurement is performed. During the rotation of the reaction disk, the stirring device 30 is cleaned at the cleaning port 54.

  Optical detection is similarly performed in the ninth, fourteenth, nineteenth, twenty-fourth, twenty-ninth, thirty-fourth, and thirty-ninth cycles.

  If the first test is to dispense the second reagent at the second timing, the reagent probe 22 aspirates the second reagent from the reagent container 40 on the reagent disk 41 in the sixteenth cycle, and the seventeenth Discharge into the reaction vessel at position 17 on the reaction disk in a cycle. In the 18th cycle, the liquid in the reaction vessel at the position 18 on the reaction disk is stirred by the stirring device 31. In the meantime, the reagent probe 22 is washed.

  If the first test is to dispense the second reagent at the third timing, the reagent probe 22 aspirates the second reagent from the reagent container 40 on the reagent disk 41 in the 26th cycle, and the 27th Discharge into the reaction vessel at the position 27 on the reaction disk in a cycle. In the 28th cycle, the liquid in the reaction vessel at the position 28 on the reaction disk is stirred by the stirring device 31. In the meantime, the reagent probe 22 is washed.

  After the second reagent was dispensed and stirred, the optical measurement was repeated, and then the liquid in the reaction vessel was removed by the vessel washing mechanism 45 at the position 44 or 49 on the reaction disk in the 44th cycle and the 49th cycle. Aspirate and inject cleaning solution. In the 54th cycle, the cleaning solution is completely sucked.

  The optical measurement results performed a plurality of times by the detection optical device 51 are sent to the controller 60, and the concentration of the measurement item of the first test is calculated.

  In the second test, first, the sample probe 16 sucks an amount of sample necessary for the second test from the sample container 10 at a specific position with the sample probe 16 during the first cycle. In a second cycle, a predetermined amount of sample is discharged from the sample probe 16 into the reaction vessel 35 located at the position 1 on the reaction disk. Meanwhile, the reagent probe 21 aspirates a predetermined amount of the first reagent corresponding to the second test from one reagent container 40 on the reagent disk 42.

  In the third cycle, the reaction vessel advances to position 2 on the reaction disk. Here, the reagent probe 21 discharges a predetermined amount of the first reagent into the reaction container. In the meantime, the sample probe 16 is washed.

  In the fourth cycle, the reagent and the sample are stirred by the stirring device 30 at the position 3 on the reaction disk. Meanwhile, the reagent probe 21 is washed.

  In the fifth cycle, while the reaction vessel rotates to the position 4 on the reaction disk, it passes between the light source 50 and the detection optical device 51, and optical measurement is performed. During the rotation of the reaction disk, the stirring device 30 is cleaned at the cleaning port 54.

  Optical detection is similarly performed in the 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, 30th, 35th, and 40th cycles.

  If the second test is to dispense the second reagent at the second timing, the reagent probe 23 aspirates the second reagent from the reagent container 40 on the reagent disk 42 in the 17th cycle, and the 18th Discharge into the reaction vessel at the position 18 on the reaction disk in a cycle. In the 19th cycle, the liquid in the reaction vessel at the position 18 on the reaction disk is stirred by the stirring device 31. In the meantime, the reagent probe 23 is washed.

  If the second test is to dispense the second reagent at the third timing, the reagent probe 23 aspirates the second reagent from the reagent container 40 on the reagent disk 42 in the 27th cycle, and the 28th Discharge into the reaction vessel at the position 27 on the reaction disk in a cycle. In the 29th cycle, the liquid in the reaction vessel at the position 28 on the reaction disk is stirred by the stirring device 31. In the meantime, the reagent probe 23 is washed.

  After the second reagent was dispensed and stirred, the optical measurement was repeated, and then the liquid in the reaction vessel was removed by the vessel washing mechanism 45 at the position 44 or 49 on the reaction disk in the 45th cycle and the 50th cycle. Aspirate and inject cleaning solution. In addition, the cleaning liquid is completely sucked in the 55th cycle.

  The optical measurement results obtained by the detection optical device 51 a plurality of times are sent to the controller 60, and the concentration of the measurement item of the second test is calculated.

  In the third test, the same process as the first test is repeated with a delay of two cycles. In the fourth test, the same process as the second test is repeated with a delay of two cycles. Thereafter, the same steps are sequentially repeated, and the concentration of the measurement item in the sample is analyzed in a plurality of tests.

  In this embodiment, since the reagent probe 20 accesses the odd numbered cycle from the reagent disk 41 in the odd numbered cycle and the reagent probe 22 accesses the even numbered cycle and sucks the reagent, two probes are used in the same cycle. Are not accessed at the same time. Similarly, since the reagent probe 23 accesses the reagent disk 42 in the odd-numbered cycle and the reagent probe 21 accesses the even-numbered cycle to suck the reagent, the two probes do not access the same cycle at the same time. . Therefore, it is possible to shorten the cycle time and increase the number that can be analyzed in a certain time.

  Moreover, since only one reagent probe aspirates the reagent from each reagent disk during one cycle, the time for aspirating the reagent and the time for moving the probe can be increased, and the accuracy is stable and high. Reagent dispensing is possible.

  Also, the two reagent disks can be rotated independently, and only one reagent probe aspirates the reagent from each reagent disk during one cycle, so the combination of reagents to be simultaneously aspirated can be freely selected and analyzed. It is possible to perform analysis with high processing capability that can cope with irregular combinations of items.

  In the case of this embodiment, both the first reagent and the second reagent are aspirated from the reagent disk 41 and the reagent used for the even test is the reagent disk for both the first reagent and the second reagent. Since the suction is performed from 42, the first reagent and the second reagent used for the same inspection item can be placed in the reagent disk on the same side. For this reason, it is only necessary to replace the reagent with the reagent disk on the same side, thereby saving the labor of replacing the reagent and reducing errors.

  In this embodiment, since two reagents can be put in the reagent container 40, the first reagent and the second reagent corresponding to one test item can be put in one reagent container 40, Since the first reagent and the second reagent can be exchanged at a time, the trouble of reagent exchange can be saved and errors can be reduced.

  In the case of this embodiment, the reagent probe 20 accesses the first timing reagent supply position on the reaction disk 36 in the even-numbered cycle and the reagent probe 21 accesses the odd-numbered cycle to discharge the first reagent. Therefore, two probes do not access within one cycle. Similarly, the second timing reagent supply position and the third timing reagent supply position on the reaction disk 36 are accessed by the reagent probe 22 in the odd-numbered cycle and the reagent probe 23 in the even-numbered cycle. , The two probes do not access within one cycle. In addition, since the first timing reagent discharge position, the second timing reagent discharge position, and the third timing reagent discharge position are separated from each other, the probes can access the respective positions at the same time. Accordingly, it is sufficient to take only one time for the reagent discharge in the cycle, and the cycle time can be shortened to increase the number that can be analyzed within a certain time.

  In addition, since only one probe discharges the reagent at the same position in one cycle, the time required for the discharge can be increased, and reproducibility can be performed with high accuracy. Therefore, the amount of reagent to be dispensed is highly accurate, and highly accurate analysis is possible.

  In this embodiment, the reagent probe 20 and the reagent probe 23 aspirate the reagent in the odd-numbered cycle and discharge the reagent in the even-numbered cycle, and the reagent probe 21 and the reagent probe 22 are the reagent in the even-numbered cycle. Since each reagent is aspirated and discharged in odd-numbered cycles, each probe only needs to aspirate, discharge, and wash the reagent within the time of two cycles. It can be operated.

  In addition, since the operating time of each reagent probe can be increased, the range of movement of the probe can be increased, and as a result, the reagent disk can be enlarged, and reagents necessary for many types of inspections can be mounted on the reagent disk at the same time. I can leave.

  In the case of this embodiment, since the discharge positions of the reagent probe 20 and the reagent probe 21 coincide with each other, it is possible to perform dispensing at an equivalent timing regardless of which probe discharges the first reagent. Analysis of reaction assumptions under equal conditions is possible.

  Further, in this embodiment, the reagent probe 22 and the reagent probe 23 can move in a direction orthogonal to the rail 26, and the common second timing reagent position and third timing reagent position can be accessed to access the second timing reagent position. Since two reagents can be discharged, a plurality of types of reactions with different mixing timings of the second reagent can be analyzed, and the types of items that can be analyzed can be increased.

  In addition, since the ejection positions of the reagent probe 22 and the reagent probe 23 are common, analysis under equivalent conditions is possible.

  Further, since the reagent probe 20 and the reagent probe 21 are on the common rail 25 and the reagent probe 22 and the reagent probe 23 are on the common rail 26, the installation area of the probe can be reduced, and the apparatus can be made compact. It is.

  Further, since the reagent disk 41 and the reagent disk 42 are located outside and inside the reaction disk 36 across the reagent discharge position on the reaction disk, the distance between the two reagent disks can be set short. The rails 25 and 26 installed at the upper part of the disk and the reagent discharge position are short, and the apparatus can be made compact.

  In addition, since the reagent disk 41 and the reagent disk 42 are installed close to each other, the distance to the common reagent discharge position is short, the movement distance of the reagent probe can be short, and the cycle time is shortened to perform analysis at a constant time. You can increase the number you can.

  In this embodiment, since the sample probe 15 and the sample probe 16 alternately repeat sample suction and sample discharge, only one sample probe is accessed in each of the sample container 10 and the reaction container 35 in one cycle. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the cycle time and increase the number that can be analyzed in a certain time.

  In addition, each of the sample probe 15 and the sample probe 16 only needs to perform suction, discharge, and washing of the sample in two cycles, so that dispensing and probe movement can be performed in a sufficient amount of time, and the dispensing amount accuracy is increased. It is possible to increase the analysis accuracy.

  In the case of this embodiment, for the test dispensed with the sample probe 15, the first reagent is dispensed from the reagent disk 41 with the reagent probe 20, and the second reagent is dispensed from the reagent disk 41. The reagent probe 22 is used for dispensing. For the test dispensed by the sample probe 16, the first reagent is dispensed from the reagent disk 42 by the reagent probe 21, and the second reagent is dispensed from the reagent disk 42 by the reagent probe 23. Therefore, the sample probe 15, the reagent disk 41, the reagent probe 20, and the reagent probe 22 are the first set, and the sample probe 16, the reagent disk 42, the reagent probe 21, and the reagent probe 23 are the second set, and are combined with another set. There is nothing. Therefore, only the calibration using the sample probe 15, the reagent probe 20, and the reagent probe 22 is necessary for the analysis item corresponding to the reagent arranged on the reagent disk 41, and it corresponds to the reagent arranged on the reagent disk 42. For the analysis item to be performed, only calibration using the sample probe 16, the reagent probe 21, and the reagent probe 23 is necessary. Since only calibration is required for each set, the number of calibrations can be reduced to eliminate waste of reagents and time, and the occurrence of differences in analysis results due to differences in characteristics between probes can be eliminated.

  If the first timing of reagent dispensing and the second or third timing are shifted by an even number of cycles, the first reagent and the second reagent must be aspirated from the same cycle in one cycle. In the case of the present embodiment, the first timing of reagent dispensing and the second or third timing are shifted by an odd number of cycles, so that the reagent disk for aspirating the first reagent and the second reagent is alternately repeated. .

  In the case of this example, the number of reaction vessels 35 is 54, and the reaction vessel rotates by 11 pitches in one cycle. Therefore, the reaction vessel rotates by one turn plus one pitch in 5 cycles. Therefore, the reaction vessel at a certain position on the reaction disk moves to a position adjacent to one pitch after five cycles. If this is configured so that the reaction vessel rotates by one round plus one pitch in an even number of cycles, the movement to the position adjacent to one pitch is after the even number of cycles. In that case, the position moved by the time difference for every even number of cycles is continuous. In such a case, if the timing for dispensing the first reagent and the timing for dispensing the second reagent are divided into even-numbered cycles and odd-numbered cycles, the discharge position will be far away, and the reagent probe will be installed at a remote location. There is a need. In this embodiment, since the reaction vessel is configured to rotate by one round plus one pitch in an odd cycle, the discharge positions of the first reagent and the second reagent can be set close to each other, and the apparatus can be configured in a small size. . The same effect can be obtained even if the reaction vessel is configured to rotate by one turn minus one pitch in an odd cycle.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the reaction vessel position is shifted by one pitch in an odd number of cycles, so that the reaction vessel cannot be measured because it passes through the measurement position of the detection optical device 51 in an accelerated state or a decelerated state. This is a continuous timing. This continuous timing can be synchronized with the timing of washing the reaction vessel, which is not related to the measurement of the reaction process, so the reaction process can be continuously analyzed without the lack of measurement, and from the item that reacts in a short time It is possible to analyze a wide variety of items up to items that react in a long time.

  In another mode of use, the reaction disk 36 rotates 43 pitches clockwise every cycle in an apparatus having the same configuration as that shown in FIGS. Even in this case, the reaction vessel located at the position 1 on the reaction disk moves to the position 2 on the reaction disk in the next cycle. In this case, since the position of the detection optical device 51 passes four times out of five cycles, the number of measurements is increased, and the accuracy of analysis can be increased.

  FIG. 4 shows a reagent disk according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the reagent container 40 is arranged on the reagent disk 41 on a double circumference. The reagent disk 42 is similarly arranged. In the case of this embodiment, since many reagents can be arranged on a small reagent disk, the number of items that can be analyzed can be increased without increasing the size of the apparatus.

  FIG. 5 shows a reagent disk according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the reagent container 40 has a fan shape, and one kind of reagent is put in one container. This type of reagent container is placed in both the reagent disk 41 and the reagent disk 42. In the case of this embodiment, since the gap when the reagent containers are arranged on the circumference can be made small, the capacity of each reagent container can be increased, and the number of analyzes that can be performed without replacing the reagent can be increased. it can. In addition, the number of items that can be analyzed can be increased without increasing the size of the apparatus.

  FIG. 6 is a top view of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The difference from FIG. 2 is that the sample probe 15 and the sample probe 16 are discharged into a reaction container adjacent to each other, the reagent probe 20 and the reagent probe 21 are discharged into a reaction container adjacent to each other, and the reagent probe 22. And the reagent probe 23 are discharged into adjacent reaction vessels, and the stirring device 30 and the stirring device 31 each have two stirring rods, and simultaneously stir the liquid in the two adjacent reaction vessels.

  This embodiment operates as follows. The sample probe 15 and the sample probe 16 simultaneously suck the sample in the sample container 10 and discharge the sample to a reaction container at an adjacent position on the reaction disk 36. In the next cycle, the reagent probe 20 and the reagent probe 21 discharge the first reagent corresponding to each reaction container. In the next cycle, the stirring device 30 simultaneously stirs the liquid in each reaction vessel. Then, after repeating the optical measurement several times, the reagent probe 22 and the reagent probe 23 discharge the second reagent into the respective reaction containers.

  In this embodiment, since the sample and the reagent related to the test performed in the two reaction vessels are simultaneously discharged in the adjacent reaction vessels, the number of analyzes that can be performed in a certain time can be increased.

  Further, in this embodiment, since the sample discharge by two sample probes and the first reagent discharge and the second reagent discharge by two sets of sample probes are performed at adjacent reaction container positions in the very vicinity, the apparatus size is compact. Can be

  In this embodiment, the first reagent and the second reagent related to the test dispensed by the sample probe 15 are stored in the reagent disk 41, and the first reagent and the second reagent related to the test dispensed by the sample probe 16 are stored in the reagent disk 42. Since they can be arranged together, the replacement of reagents is simplified and no mistakes are made.

  FIG. 7 is a top view of the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The difference from FIG. 2 is that there is one sample probe, one reagent probe on the rail 25 and one reagent probe on the rail 26.

  This embodiment operates as follows. The sample in the sample container 10 is dispensed by the sample probe 15 into the reaction container 35 on the reaction disk 36. In the even-numbered cycle, the reagent probe 20 sucks the reagent from the reagent disk 41 and discharges it to the reaction container, and the reagent probe 22 sucks the reagent from the reagent disk 42 and discharges it to the reaction container. In the odd-numbered cycle, the reagent probe 20 sucks the reagent from the reagent disk 42 and discharges it to the reaction container, and the reagent probe 22 sucks the reagent from the reagent disk 41 and discharges it to the reaction container. Since the first timing reagent discharge position and the second or third timing reagent discharge position are separated by an odd number of cycles, the first timing reagent and the second or third timing reagent corresponding to one test must be on the same side of the reagent disk. Supplied from

  In this embodiment, since the reagent probe 20 and the reagent probe 22 suck the reagent from both the reagent disk 41 and the reagent disk 42, the number of reagent probes can be reduced, and the cost of the apparatus can be reduced.

  In this embodiment, the analysis using the reagent arranged on the reagent disk 41 and the analysis using the reagent arranged on the reagent disk 42 are performed with a common reagent probe and sample probe. Analytical results with high reproducibility can be obtained.

  In the case of this embodiment, since only one reagent probe is sucked from each reagent disk during each cycle, the cycle time can be shortened, and the number that can be analyzed within a certain time can be increased.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Sample container, 11 ... Rack, 12 ... Conveyance mechanism, 14 ... Sample pump, 15, 16 ... Sample probe, 20, 21, 22, 23 ... Reagent probe, 24 ... Reagent pump, 25, 26 ... Rail, 30, 31 ... Stirring device, 35 ... Reaction container, 36 ... Reaction disk, 40 ... Reagent container, 41, 42 ... Reagent disk, 45 ... Container cleaning mechanism, 46 ... Cleaning pump, 50 ... Light source, 51 ... Detection optical device 54 ... Cleaning port, 60 ... Controller, 62 ... Housing.

Claims (3)

A reagent disk for arranging a plurality of reagent containers on the circumference;
A reaction disk in which a plurality of reaction vessels are arranged on the circumference;
In an automatic analyzer equipped with a mechanism for reacting a reagent contained in the reagent container with a sample in the reaction container and analyzing the reaction,
The reagent disk comprises two disks, a first disk and a second disk.
For each reagent disk, a first reagent dispensed at a first timing and a second reagent dispensed at a second or third timing are arranged,
1) In the odd-numbered cycle,
A first reagent dispensing probe for a first reagent disk that discharges a reagent aspirated from a first reagent container on the first reagent disk to a first reagent discharge position of the reaction disk;
A second reagent dispensing probe for a first reagent disk that discharges the reagent aspirated from the second reagent container on the first reagent disk to a second reagent discharge position of the reaction disk;
2) In the even cycle
A first reagent dispensing probe for a second reagent disk that discharges the reagent aspirated from the first reagent container on the second reagent disk to the first reagent discharge position of the reaction disk;
A second reagent dispensing probe for a second reagent disk for discharging the reagent aspirated from the second reagent container on the second reagent disk to a second reagent discharge position of the reaction disk;
An automatic analyzer characterized by comprising: The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein
The automatic analyzer is characterized in that the two reagent disks are independently rotatable. In the automatic analyzer according to any one of claims 1 and 2,
The automatic analyzer is characterized in that the reagent container contains a first reagent and a second reagent.

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