JP2010217041A - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic analyzer for simplifying a constitution, and measuring lights on a plurality of reaction lines. <P>SOLUTION: The automatic analyzer is provided with a rotatable reaction table 23, having an annular inside diameter reaction line 231a and an annular outside diameter reaction line 231b for accommodating reaction vessels 20, coaxially disposed and having different diameters; an inside-diameter side irradiation section 271 and an outside-diameter side irradiation section 272, disposed on the outside and inside-diameter sides of the reaction lines, and irradiating the reaction vessels on the inside-diameter and outside-diameter sides with lights; and an optical path generating section 400 provided between the reaction lines, selecting an optical path of the light passing through the reaction vessel 20 to be measured, and making the light enter a light-receiving section. Since the light receiving section receives the light from the optical path selected by the optical path generating section 400, a single light-receiving section can measure the lights on two reaction lines. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that performs an analysis process on a specimen by measuring optical characteristics of a reaction product of the specimen and a reagent contained in a reaction container.

  Conventionally, as a device that automatically analyzes samples such as blood and body fluids, it automatically adds a sample to a reaction container in which a reagent has been dispensed, and optically detects the reaction between the reagent and the sample in the reaction container. Analytical devices are known. In such an automatic analyzer, a photometric mechanism having a light source and a light receiving system is provided, and after the light source irradiates light to the reaction container containing the sample, the light passing through the liquid in the reaction container received by the light receiving system is used. The sample is analyzed.

  By the way, an automatic analyzer equipped with a reaction table having two reaction lines in which reaction vessels are accommodated is used to speed up the analysis process. When there are two or more reaction lines, it is necessary to provide a photometry unit corresponding to the reaction line. In order to prevent an increase in the size of the apparatus and to reduce costs, light emitted from one light source is transmitted via an optical fiber. An automatic analyzer for irradiating each reaction container has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-8-146006

  However, in the automatic analyzer shown in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to separately install a light source or a light emitting unit that emits light toward the reaction vessel and a light receiving unit that receives light that has passed through the reaction vessel corresponding to the reaction line. There is a problem that the apparatus becomes complicated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide an automatic analyzer that can perform photometry of a plurality of reaction lines with a simple configuration.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an automatic analyzer according to the present invention is a rotatable reaction table that contains a reaction vessel and has two or more annular reaction lines having different diameters on the same axis. An automatic analyzer for measuring an optical characteristic of a reaction liquid of a sample and a reagent contained in the reaction container and performing an analysis process on the sample, and a light source on the outer diameter side and the inner diameter side of the reaction line Is disposed between the reaction line and an irradiation unit that irradiates the reaction container on the inner diameter side and the outer diameter side with light emitted from the light source, a light receiving unit that receives light emitted from the irradiation unit, and the reaction line, respectively. And an optical path forming unit that forms an optical path from each irradiation unit to the light receiving unit.

  In addition, the automatic analyzer according to the present invention includes a rotatable reaction table that accommodates the reaction vessel and has two or more annular reaction lines having different diameters on the same axis, in the above invention, In the automatic analyzer for measuring the optical characteristics of the reaction liquid of the sample and the reagent contained in the sample and analyzing the sample, a light source is provided between the reaction lines, and an emission unit that emits light from the light source; A light receiving portion for receiving light emitted from the emission portion and passing through the reaction vessel provided on the outer diameter side and the inner diameter side of each reaction table; and a light receiving portion provided between the reaction lines and receiving each light from the irradiation portion. And an optical path forming part for forming an optical path to the part.

  Further, the automatic analyzer according to the present invention is the above-described invention, wherein the optical path forming unit is rotatable about an axis, and the light path that passes through the reaction container from each irradiation unit enters the light receiving unit. A cylindrical member provided with a reflecting member for forming the cylindrical member, a drive unit connected to the cylindrical member and driving the cylindrical member to rotate about its axis, and the drive unit linked to the rotation of the reaction table. And a drive control unit that controls to rotate.

  In the automatic analyzer according to the present invention, in the above invention, the detection position of the reaction container is provided with a height difference for each reaction line, and the optical path forming unit reflects light that has passed through one reaction container. A reflecting member, and a rotating member that is provided between the reflecting member and the light receiving unit and rotates in conjunction with the reaction table, and the rotating member meshes with the reaction line. And a passage hole through which light passing through one reaction vessel and having a light path formed by the reflecting member to the light receiving portion passes, and reflection that reflects light that has passed through the other reaction vessel toward the light receiving portion. And a section.

  Further, the automatic analyzer according to the present invention is the above invention, wherein the reaction vessels on the inner diameter side and the outer diameter side of the reaction line are arranged while being shifted in the circumferential direction, and a height difference is provided at a detection position, thereby forming the optical path. And a reflection member that reflects light that has passed through one reaction vessel toward the light receiving portion, and an optical path between the reflection member and the light receiving portion, and that reflects light that has passed through the other reaction vessel. And a transflective reflection member that transmits light reflected by the reflection member.

  In the automatic analyzer according to the present invention, in the above invention, the optical path forming unit is rotatable about an axis and forms a light path for allowing light from the irradiation unit to enter each light receiving unit. A cylindrical member provided with a drive member, a drive unit coupled to the cylindrical member and configured to rotate the cylindrical member around an axis, and the drive unit controlled to rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the reaction table. And a drive control unit.

  In the automatic analyzer according to the present invention, in the above invention, the detection position of the reaction container is provided with a height difference for each reaction line, and the optical path forming unit transmits the light emitted from the irradiation unit on one side. A reflecting member that is reflected by the light receiving unit, and a rotating member that is provided between the reflecting member and the irradiation unit and rotates in conjunction with the reaction table. The rotating member includes the reaction line and the teeth. A meshing portion, a passage hole through which the light emitted from the irradiation unit passes, and a reflection unit that reflects the light emitted from the irradiation unit toward the other light receiving unit. And

  In the automatic analyzer according to the present invention, in the above invention, the detection position of the reaction container is provided with a height difference for each reaction line, and the optical path forming unit receives light from the irradiation unit on one side. A reflecting member that reflects on the optical path to the part, and on the optical path between the reflecting member and the irradiating part, is reflected on the optical path to the other light receiving part, and transmits light from the irradiating part, A transflective reflection member that forms an optical path to the reflection member.

  The automatic analyzer according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the reaction vessels on the inner diameter side and the outer diameter side of the reaction line are shifted in the circumferential direction.

  Moreover, the automatic analyzer according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the reaction vessel is arranged at predetermined intervals in the reaction line.

  According to the present invention, since photometry is performed with respect to a plurality of reaction lines by a single light receiving unit, it is possible to perform photometry of a plurality of reaction lines with a simple configuration.

  Hereinafter, an automatic analyzer that analyzes a sample by dispensing a liquid sample such as blood or urine into a reaction container will be described as an example with reference to the drawings. 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 the configuration of the automatic analyzer according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic analyzer 1 according to the first embodiment dispenses a sample and a reagent to be analyzed into a reaction container 20 and optically reacts the reaction generated in the dispensed reaction container 20. A measurement mechanism 2 for measuring and a control mechanism 3 for controlling the entire automatic analyzer 1 including the measurement mechanism 2 and analyzing the measurement result in the measurement mechanism 2 are provided. The automatic analyzer 1 automatically performs biochemical analysis of a plurality of specimens by the cooperation of these two mechanisms. The reaction container 20 is a very small container having a capacity of several μL to several mL, and is a transparent material that transmits at least 80% of the light contained in the analysis light emitted from the light source of the photometry unit 27, such as heat-resistant glass. Synthetic resins such as glass, cyclic olefin and polystyrene are used.

  First, the measurement mechanism 2 will be described. The measurement mechanism 2 is broadly divided into a sample transfer section 21, an inner diameter side sample dispensing mechanism 22a, an outer diameter side sample dispensing mechanism 22b, a reaction table 23, an inner diameter side first reagent dispensing mechanism 24a, and an outer diameter side first reagent distribution. Injection mechanism 24b, inner-diameter side second reagent dispensing mechanism 24c, outer-diameter side second reagent dispensing mechanism 24d, first reagent cold box 25, second reagent cold box 26, photometry unit 27, washing unit 28, and stirring unit 29 Is provided.

  The sample transfer unit 21 includes a plurality of sample racks 21b that hold a plurality of sample containers 21a containing liquid samples such as blood and sequentially transfer them in the direction of the arrows in the figure. The sample in the sample container 21a transferred to the predetermined position on the sample transfer unit 21 is arranged and transported on the reaction table 23 by the inner diameter side sample dispensing mechanism 22a or the outer diameter side sample dispensing mechanism 22b. Dispensed into container 20.

  The inner diameter side sample dispensing mechanism 22a and the outer diameter side detection dispensing mechanism 22b include an arm that freely moves up and down in the vertical direction and rotates around the vertical line passing through its base end as a central axis. A sample probe for aspirating and discharging the sample is attached to the tip of the arm. The inner diameter side sample dispensing mechanism 22a and the outer diameter side sample dispensing mechanism 22b include an intake / exhaust mechanism using an unillustrated intake / exhaust syringe or piezoelectric element. The inner-diameter side sample dispensing mechanism 22a and the outer-diameter side sample dispensing mechanism 22b aspirate the sample with the sample probe from the sample container 21a transferred to the predetermined sample aspirating position on the sample transfer unit 21 described above, The arm is turned clockwise in the figure, and the sample is discharged into the reaction container 20 transported to a predetermined sample discharge position on the reaction table 23 to perform dispensing.

  The reaction table 23 has a rotating member that rotates and transports the reaction container 20 to a predetermined position in order to dispense a sample or reagent into the reaction container 20, to stir, measure, and wash the reaction container 20. This rotating member is rotatable about a vertical line passing through the center of the reaction table 23 as a rotation axis when driven by a driving mechanism (not shown) under the control of the drive control unit 37. An openable / closable lid and a thermostat (not shown) are provided above and below the reaction table 23, respectively. The rotating member has an inner diameter side reaction line 231a and an outer diameter side reaction line 231b.

  The inner diameter side first reagent dispensing mechanism 24a, the outer diameter side first reagent dispensing mechanism 24b, the inner diameter side second reagent dispensing mechanism 24c, and the outer diameter side second reagent dispensing mechanism 24d are the inner diameter side sample dispensing mechanism 22a. Similarly to the outer diameter side sample dispensing mechanism 22b, a reagent probe for aspirating and discharging the reagent is provided with an arm attached to the tip. The arm freely moves up and down in the vertical direction and rotates around a vertical line passing through its base end as a central axis. The inner diameter side first reagent dispensing mechanism 24a, the outer diameter side first reagent dispensing mechanism 24b, the inner diameter side second reagent dispensing mechanism 24c, and the outer diameter side second reagent dispensing mechanism 24d are an intake / exhaust syringe or a piezoelectric element (not shown). Equipped with a suction and discharge mechanism using The inner diameter side first reagent dispensing mechanism 24a, the outer diameter side first reagent dispensing mechanism 24b, the inner diameter side second reagent dispensing mechanism 24c, and the outer diameter side second reagent dispensing mechanism 24d include a first reagent cold box 25, The reagent in the reagent containers 25a, 26a moved to the predetermined reagent suction position on the second reagent cool box 26 is sucked by the probe, and the arm is turned clockwise or counterclockwise in the figure to The reagent is discharged and dispensed into the reaction container 20 transported to a predetermined reagent discharge position.

  The reagent containers 25 and 26 can store a plurality of reagent containers 25a and 26a in which reagents to be dispensed in the reaction container 20 are stored. A plurality of storage chambers are arranged at equal intervals in the reagent storages 25 and 26, and reagent containers 25a and 26a are detachably stored in the storage chambers. The reagent storages 25 and 26 are rotated clockwise or counterclockwise around a vertical line passing through the centers of the reagent storages 25 and 26 as a driving mechanism (not shown) is driven under the control of the control unit 31. The desired reagent containers 25a and 26a are transferred to the reagent aspirating position by the reagent dispensing mechanism. An openable / closable lid (not shown) is provided above the reagent containers 25 and 26. A cold storage is provided below the reagent containers 25 and 26. Therefore, when the reagent containers 25a and 26a are accommodated in the reagent containers 25 and 26 and the lid is closed, the reagent accommodated in the reagent containers 25a and 26a is cooled and accommodated in the reagent containers 25a and 26a. Evaporation and denaturation of the reagent can be suppressed.

  For example, the photometric unit 27 irradiates the reaction vessel 20 transported to a predetermined photometric position with analysis light (340 to 800 nm) from a light source, splits the light transmitted through the liquid in the reaction vessel 20, and receives light from a PDA or the like. By measuring the intensity of each wavelength light by the element, the absorbance at a wavelength peculiar to the reaction solution of the sample to be analyzed and the reagent is measured. The photometry unit 27 includes an inner diameter side irradiation unit 271 and an outer diameter side irradiation unit 272 corresponding to each reaction line, and the inner diameter side irradiation unit 271 is a reaction accommodated in the inner diameter side reaction line 231a. Light is emitted toward the container 20, and the outer diameter side irradiation unit 272 emits light toward the reaction container 20 accommodated in the outer diameter side reaction line 231b. The light emitted from each light source passes through the reaction vessel 20 and enters the optical path creation unit 400. The photometry unit 27 outputs each measured absorbance to the control unit 31.

  The cleaning unit 28 sucks and discharges the liquid mixture in the reaction container 20 that has been measured by the photometric unit 27 with the cleaning probe, and completes the analysis process by injecting and sucking cleaning liquid such as detergent and cleaning water. Wash the reaction vessel 20. The stirring unit 29 stirs the sample dispensed into the reaction container 20 and the reagent to promote the reaction.

  Next, the control mechanism 3 will be described. The control mechanism 3 includes a control unit 31, an input unit 32, an analysis unit 33, a storage unit 34, an output unit 35, and a transmission / reception unit 36. These units included in the measurement mechanism 2 and the control mechanism 3 are electrically connected to the control unit 31.

  The control unit 31 is configured using a CPU or the like, and controls processing and operation of each unit of the automatic analyzer 1. The control unit 31 performs predetermined input / output control on information input / output to / from each of these components, and performs predetermined information processing on this information. Further, the control unit 31 includes a drive control unit 37. The drive control unit 37 controls the rotational drive applied to the reaction table 23.

  The input unit 32 is configured using a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and acquires various information necessary for analyzing the sample, instruction information for analysis operation, and the like from the outside. The analysis unit 33 performs component analysis of the specimen based on the absorbance measured by the photometry unit 27.

  The storage unit 34 is configured by 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 34 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.

  The output unit 35 is configured using a display, a printer, a speaker, and the like, and outputs various information including the analysis result of the sample. The output unit 35 may output various information including the analysis result of the sample to an external device via a communication network (not shown). The transmission / reception unit 36 has a function as an interface for transmitting / receiving information according to a predetermined format via a communication network (not shown).

  In the automatic analyzer 1 configured as described above, the inner-diameter side sample dispensing mechanism 22a and the outer-diameter side detecting / dispensing mechanism 22b are provided for the plurality of reaction containers 20 sequentially conveyed in a row. The inner diameter side first reagent dispensing mechanism 24a, the outer diameter side first reagent dispensing mechanism 24b, the inner diameter side second reagent dispensing mechanism 24c, and the outer diameter side second reagent dispensing mechanism 24d. After dispensing the reagents in the reagent containers 25a and 26a, the photometric unit 27 measures the spectral intensity of the reaction solution obtained by reacting the sample and the reagent, and the analysis unit 33 analyzes the measurement result, Component analysis and the like are automatically performed. In addition, the cleaning unit 28 performs cleaning while transporting the reaction container 20 transported after the measurement by the photometry unit 27 is completed, so that a series of analysis operations are continuously repeated.

  Here, an example of arrangement | positioning of the reaction container 20 of the reaction table 23 concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention is demonstrated with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the arrangement of reaction vessels in the reaction table 23 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The reaction table 23 shown in FIG. 2 shows a configuration in the vicinity of the photometry unit 27 in FIG. The reaction table 23 includes a rotating member that accommodates the reaction vessel 20, and the rotating member includes an inner diameter side reaction line 231 a and an outer diameter side reaction line 231 b that are accommodation grooves that accommodate the reaction vessel 20. Are provided with an inner diameter side photometric window 231c and an outer diameter side photometric window 231d corresponding to the detection position of each reaction vessel 20. Further, the reaction table 23 includes a casing 232 that supports the rotating member and performs temperature management of the reaction container 20 accommodated in the rotating member. The casing 232 is connected to the rotating member via a bearing or the like. The rotational power by the rotating member is not transmitted. The temperature management is adjusted to a predetermined temperature by a temperature control mechanism (not shown). The housing 232 is provided with an inner diameter side irradiation hole 232a and an outer diameter side irradiation hole 232b corresponding to the inner diameter side irradiation section 271 and the outer diameter side irradiation section 272, and the light emitted from the light sources L1 and L2 is converted into the lens 271a, The light is condensed by 272a, passes through the inner diameter side photometry window 231c and the outer diameter side photometry window 231d, and irradiates the reaction container 20 with light.

  It is to be noted that the optical path creation unit 400 is provided on the housing 232 and between the inner diameter side reaction line 231a and the outer diameter side reaction line 231b and on a line connecting the inner diameter side irradiation unit 271 and the outer diameter side irradiation unit 272. Is selected, and an optical path to be incident on the light receiving unit located below the optical path creating unit 400 is selected. Each reaction container 20 is arranged so that the detection positions of the reaction containers 20 accommodated in the inner diameter side reaction line 231a and the outer diameter side reaction line 232b do not overlap. In the arrangement example shown in FIG. 2, the reaction vessel 20 arranged in the optical path creation unit 400 by rotating the reaction line includes the reaction vessel 20 of the inner diameter side reaction line 231a and the reaction vessel 20 of the outer diameter side reaction line 231b. The reaction lines are arranged alternately. The inner diameter side photometric window 231c provided in the inner diameter side reaction line 231a and the outer diameter side photometric window 231d provided in the outer diameter side reaction line 231b are installed on the same radius of the reaction table 23 with respect to the diameter of the reaction table 23. It is provided not to be done. If not arranged on the same radius, the reaction vessels 20 of each reaction line may be arranged at a predetermined interval, or the intervals may be uneven.

  Next, the operation of the optical path creation unit 400 for the photometric process will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views showing a cross section taken along the line XX of the photometry unit 27 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. First, the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 3 shows a case where photometry is performed on the outer diameter side reaction line 231b, and the detection position of the reaction vessel 20 is irradiated with light from the outer diameter side irradiation unit 272 provided in the housing 232. The outer diameter side incident hole 232b, the outer diameter side photometric window 231d, and the outer diameter side incident light that is provided in the housing 232 and enters the optical path creating unit 400 with the light that has passed through the reaction solution A accommodated in the reaction vessel 20 A single space connecting the outer diameter side irradiation unit 272 and the optical path creation unit 400 is formed by the hole 232d.

  The housing 232 includes an optical path creation unit 400 between the inner diameter side reaction line 231a and the outer diameter side reaction line 231b. The optical path creation unit 400 includes a cylindrical member 401 that is connected to the motor 405 and rotates in conjunction with the rotational drive of the motor 405. The cylindrical member 401 has an inner diameter side incident hole 232c or an outer diameter side incident hole at the top. A reflection member 402 that reflects light incident from 232d vertically downward and a lens 403 that collects the light reflected by the reflection member 402 and causes the light to enter the light receiving unit 273 are provided. The light emitted from the light source L1 of the inner diameter side irradiation unit 271 is collected by the lens 271a and passes through the inner diameter side irradiation hole 232a, but the light is blocked by the side wall of the inner diameter side reaction line 231a, and the light receiving unit 273. Not reach. When the photometry of the reaction vessel 20 of the inner diameter side reaction line 23a is performed after the photometry of the reaction vessel 20 of the outer diameter side reaction line 231b is completed, the drive control unit 37 rotates the rotating member 231 to move the reaction vessel 20 While rotating, the motor 405 is driven to rotate the tubular member 401 to a position where the reflecting member 402 reflects the light that has passed through the reaction vessel 20 of the inner diameter side reaction line 231a.

  The cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 4 shows a case where photometry is performed on the inner diameter side reaction line 231a, and inner diameter side irradiation for irradiating the detection position of the reaction vessel 20 with light from the inner diameter side irradiation section 271 provided in the housing 232 is performed. A hole 232a, an inner diameter side photometric window 231c, and an incident hole 232c that is provided in the housing 232 and allows the light that has passed through the reaction solution A contained in the reaction vessel 20 to enter the optical path creation unit 400, are provided on the inner diameter side irradiation unit. One space connecting 271 and the optical path creation unit 400 is formed. Similarly to FIG. 3, the lens 271a collects the light emitted from the light source L1 of the inner diameter side irradiation unit 271 and enters the inner diameter side irradiation hole 232a. Thereafter, the light that has passed through the reaction solution A through the inner diameter side photometric window 231 c passes through the inner diameter side incident hole 232 c and is incident on the light receiving unit 273 by the reflecting member 402.

  In the first embodiment described above, the light passes through the space formed by the photometric window and the irradiation hole and the incident hole provided in each reaction line, and the cylinder rotates in conjunction with the rotating member under the control of the drive control unit. When the reflecting member of the shaped member selects an optical path to be incident on the light receiving portion, it is possible to perform photometry of the two reaction lines with one light receiving portion. Further, by using one light receiving unit, it is possible to reduce the cost of the apparatus and reduce the installation volume of the apparatus.

  The arrangement of the reaction vessels 20 shown in FIG. 2 may be arranged in a plurality of rows in one reaction line. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a modification of the reaction container arrangement example of the reaction table 23 shown in FIG. Like the outer diameter side reaction line 231b shown in FIG. 5, the reaction vessels 20 may be arranged in two rows, and the distance between the reaction vessels in the circumferential direction of the reaction line may be reduced. By shortening the distance between the reaction vessels, it is possible to improve the analysis processing capacity. Here, the photometric windows are installed so as not to be arranged on the same diameter with respect to the radial direction of the reaction table 23.

  Further, the tubular member 401 may be cylindrical or rectangular. In particular, in order to suppress the formation of a space due to rotation, a cylindrical shape is preferable.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views showing the photometric unit 27 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The optical path creation unit 410 according to the second embodiment is provided with a cylindrical member 411 between an inner diameter side reaction line 233a and an outer diameter side reaction line 233b that are different in the holding position of the reaction vessel 20, and the cylindrical member 411 communicates with the housing 234, and an outer diameter side incident hole 234d and a reflecting member 412 are disposed at a position corresponding to the detection position of the reaction liquid A in the outer diameter side reaction line 233b. The cylindrical member 411 reflects the inner diameter side incident hole 234c and the inner diameter side incident light at a position corresponding to the detection position of the reaction liquid A in the inner diameter side reaction line 233a, and is rotatable about the support member 234e. A reflecting plate 415 and a lens 413 that condenses the light incident on the light receiving unit are disposed. The reflecting plate 415 has a meshing portion 415c formed on the side surface portion shown in FIG. 8 provided at the bottom of the outer diameter side reaction line 233b and meshes with a guide portion 233e that can mesh with the meshing portion 415c. It rotates in conjunction with the rotating member 233. The reflection plate 415 has a transmission hole 415a that transmits light. Note that the housing 234 includes an inner diameter side emission hole 234a and an outer diameter side emission hole 234b corresponding to the inner diameter side photometry window 233c and the outer diameter side photometry window 233d.

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a case where photometry of the reaction vessel 20 in the outer diameter side reaction line 233b is performed. When photometry of the reaction vessel 20 of the outer diameter side reaction line 231b is performed, the transmission hole 415a of the reflection plate 415 is located inside the cylindrical member 411 and is arranged so that the light reflected by the reflection member 412 is transmitted. . The light emitted from the outer diameter side irradiation unit 275 by the transmission hole 415a passes through the reaction solution A accommodated in the reaction vessel 20 of the outer diameter side reaction line 233b, and is reflected to the light receiving unit 273 side by the reflecting member 412. After being reflected, the light receiving portion 273 can receive light by transmitting through the transmission hole 415a. The light emitted from the light source L3 of the inner diameter side irradiation unit 274 and collected by the lens 274a does not pass through the reaction vessel 20 by the side wall of the inner diameter side reaction line 233a and does not reach the light receiving unit 273.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a case where photometry of the reaction vessel 20 in the inner diameter side reaction line 233a is performed. After the photometry of the reaction vessel 20 of the outer diameter side reaction line 233b shown in FIG. 6, when the photometry of the reaction vessel 20 of the inner diameter side reaction line 233a is performed, the reflecting plate 415 rotated in conjunction with the rotating member 233 is a cylindrical member. It is possible to perform photometry of the reaction vessel 20 of the inner diameter side reaction line 233a by reflecting the light passing through the reaction solution A and reflected to the light receiving unit 273 side. At this time, the light emitted from the light source L4 of the outer diameter side irradiation unit 275 and collected by the lens 275a is blocked by the side wall of the outer diameter side reaction line 233b and does not reach the light receiving unit 273.

  Here, the reflecting plate 415 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of the reflector 415 shown in FIGS. The reflecting plate 415 shown in FIG. 8 has a cylindrical shape, and meshes with the transmission hole 415a and the reflecting portion 415b formed with an area corresponding to the diameter of light passing through the tubular member 411, and the guide portion 233e. Part 415c. Further, the reflection plate 415 has a connection hole connected to the support member 234e via the bearing 415d in the center, and the rotation of the reflection plate 415 prevents transmission to the housing 234. In addition, when the reflecting plate 415 rotates in conjunction with the rotating member 233, the transmission hole 415a and the reflecting portion 415b are disposed in the cylindrical member 411 corresponding to the inner diameter side reaction line 233a and the outer diameter side reaction line 233b. As described above, the diameter of the reflecting plate 415 or the area or interval of the transmitting portion 415a and the reflecting portion 415b is adjusted.

  A modification of the photometry unit 27 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 are cross-sectional views showing modifications of the photometry unit 27 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is provided with a half mirror 425 corresponding to the detection position of the reaction vessel 20 in the inner diameter side reaction line 233a inside the cylindrical member 421. The half mirror 425 transmits the axial light of the cylindrical member 421 that passes through the reaction solution A stored in the reaction vessel 20 of the outer diameter side reaction line 233b and is reflected by the reflecting member 422 toward the light receiving unit 273. The light in the vertical direction with respect to the axis of the cylindrical member 421 that has passed through the reaction vessel 20 of the inner reaction line 233a is reflected to the light receiving unit 273 side. With the half mirror 425, the light incident from the inner diameter side and the outer diameter side can be condensed by the lens 423 and incident on the light receiving unit 273, and the photometry of each reaction vessel 20 obtained by sequential rotation is obtained. Can be performed.

  The optical path creation unit according to the second embodiment described above makes it possible to perform photometry of two reaction lines with a single light receiving unit without providing a drive mechanism in the optical path creation unit.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the automatic analyzer 5 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the first and second embodiments described above, the light receiving portion is provided between the inner diameter side reaction lines 231a and 233a of the reaction table 23 and the outer diameter side reaction lines 231b and 233b. An optical path creation unit 430 having a light source is provided between the reaction line 235a and the outer diameter side reaction line 235b, and an inner diameter side light receiving portion 276 and an outer diameter side light receiving portion 277 are provided on the inner diameter side and the outer diameter side of the reaction table, respectively. . In addition, the drive control unit 38 performs rotation control on the reaction table 23. Other configurations are the same as those of the first and second embodiments, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  Here, the operation of the optical path creation unit 430 for the photometric process will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13 are cross-sectional views showing a YY line cross section of the photometry unit 27 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. First, the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 12 shows a case where photometry is performed on the reaction container 20 accommodated in the outer diameter side reaction line 235b. The light is supplied from the optical path creation unit 430 to the reaction container 20 provided in the housing 236. The inner diameter side irradiation hole 236d for irradiating the detection position, the outer diameter side photometric window 235d, and the housing 236, the light that has passed through the reaction solution A contained in the reaction vessel 20 is supplied to the outer diameter side light receiving unit 277. A single space connecting the outer diameter side light receiving portion 277 and the optical path creating portion 430 is formed by the outer diameter side incident hole 236b to be incident.

  The housing 236 includes an optical path creation unit 430 between the inner diameter side reaction line 235a and the outer diameter side reaction line 235b. The optical path creation unit 430 is connected to the motor 433 and includes a cylindrical member 431 that rotates in conjunction with the rotational drive of the motor 433. The cylindrical member 431 is emitted from the light source L5 of the irradiation unit 278 at the upper portion, and is a lens. The light collected by 278a is reflected to the inner diameter side reaction line 235a or the outer diameter side reaction line 235b, and the light reflected by the reflecting member 432 and passed through the reaction liquid A in the reaction vessel 20 is collected. And a lens 236 f that is incident on the outer diameter side light receiving portion 277. When the photometry of the reaction vessel 20 of the inner diameter side reaction line 235a is performed after the photometry of the reaction vessel 20 of the outer diameter side reaction line 235b is completed, the drive control unit 38 rotates the rotation member 235 to rotate the reaction vessel 20. While moving, the motor 433 is driven to rotate the cylindrical member 431 to a position where the reflecting member 432 reflects light toward the reaction vessel 20 of the inner diameter side reaction line 235a.

  The cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 13 shows a case where photometry is performed on the inner diameter reaction line 235a. The inner diameter side irradiation hole 236c is provided in the housing 236 and irradiates the detection position of the reaction vessel 20 with light from the irradiation unit 278. And an inner diameter side photometric window 235c and an inner diameter side incident hole 236a that is provided in the housing 236 and enters the inner diameter side light receiving portion 276 through the reaction solution A accommodated in the reaction vessel 20, are received on the inner diameter side. A single space connecting the part 276 and the optical path creation part 430 is formed. Similarly to FIG. 12, the lens 278 a condenses the light emitted from the light source L <b> 5 of the irradiation unit 278 and enters the optical path creation unit 430. Thereafter, the light reflected by the reflecting member 432 toward the inner diameter side reaction line 235a passes through the inner diameter side photometric window 235c, the reaction solution A, the inner diameter side incident hole 236a, and is collected by the lens 236e. Measures light by entering the lens.

  In the third embodiment described above, the light passes through the space formed by the photometric window provided in each reaction line, the irradiation hole and the incident hole, and rotates in conjunction with the rotating member under the control of the drive control unit. The reflecting member of the shaped member switches the optical path to be incident on the light receiving unit, so that the two reaction lines can be measured by one irradiation unit.

  The replacement of the irradiation unit and the light receiving unit described in the third embodiment can also be applied to the configuration of the optical path creation units 410 and 420 in the second embodiment. In particular, in the optical path creation unit 420 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the reaction vessels 20 accommodated in the inner diameter side reaction line 233a and the outer diameter side reaction line 233b may be arranged on the same radius of the reaction table 23. Even when the reaction vessels 20 of the reaction line 232a and the outer diameter side reaction line 233b are simultaneously arranged at the detection position, photometry can be performed simultaneously by the half mirror 425.

  In addition, the sample and reagent are dispensed by using only the inner diameter side sample dispensing mechanism 22a, the inner diameter side first reagent dispensing mechanism 24a, and the inner diameter side second reagent dispensing mechanism 24c in FIGS. The injection mechanism may dispense the specimen or reagent into the reaction vessel 20 on the outer diameter side.

It is a schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of the automatic analyzer concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the reaction container arrangement example of the reaction table concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the XX line cross section of the photometry part concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the XX line cross section of the photometry part concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the modification of the example of reaction container arrangement | positioning of the reaction table shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the photometry part concerning Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the photometry part concerning Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows typically an example of the reflecting plate shown to FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the photometry unit shown in FIGS. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the photometry unit shown in FIGS. It is a schematic diagram which shows the automatic analyzer concerning Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the YY sectional view of the photometry part concerning Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the YY sectional view of the photometry part concerning Embodiment 3 of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,5 Automatic analyzer 2 Measuring mechanism 3 Control mechanism 20 Reaction container 21 Specimen transfer part 22a Inner diameter side sample dispensing mechanism 22b Outer diameter side sample dispensing mechanism 23 Reaction table 24a Inner diameter side first reagent dispensing mechanism 24b Outer diameter side First reagent dispensing mechanism 24c Inner diameter side second reagent dispensing mechanism 24d Outer diameter side second reagent dispensing mechanism 25 First reagent cold storage 26 Second reagent cold storage 27 Photometry section 28 Washing section 29 Stirring section 31 Control section 32 Input unit 33 Analysis unit 34 Storage unit 35 Output unit 36 Transmission / reception unit 400, 410, 420, 430 Optical path creation unit

Claims (10)

A reaction container is accommodated, and a rotatable reaction table having two or more annular reaction lines having different diameters on the same axis is provided, and optical characteristics of the reaction liquid of the specimen and the reagent accommodated in the reaction container are determined. In an automatic analyzer for measuring and analyzing the sample,
A light source is disposed on the outer diameter side and the inner diameter side of the reaction line, and an irradiation unit that irradiates the reaction vessel on the inner diameter side and the outer diameter side with light emitted from the light source, respectively.
A light receiving unit that receives light emitted from the irradiation unit;
An optical path forming unit provided between the reaction lines and forming an optical path from each irradiation unit to the light receiving unit;
An automatic analyzer characterized by comprising: A reaction vessel is accommodated, and a rotatable reaction table having two or more annular reaction lines having different diameters on the same axis is provided, and the optical characteristics of the reaction liquid of the specimen and the reagent contained in the reaction vessel are determined. In an automatic analyzer for measuring and analyzing the sample,
A light source is provided between the reaction lines, and an emission unit that emits light from the light source;
A light receiving unit that receives the light emitted from the emission unit and passed through the reaction vessel provided on the outer diameter side and the inner diameter side of each reaction table;
An optical path forming unit provided between the reaction lines and forming an optical path from the irradiation unit to each light receiving unit;
An automatic analyzer characterized by comprising: The optical path forming unit is
A cylindrical member provided with a reflecting member that is rotatable about an axis and that forms an optical path for allowing light that has passed through the reaction vessel from each irradiation unit to enter the light receiving unit;
A drive unit coupled to the tubular member and configured to rotationally drive the tubular member around an axis;
A drive control unit for controlling the drive unit to rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the reaction table;
The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, further comprising: The detection position of the reaction vessel is provided with a height difference for each reaction line,
The optical path forming unit includes a reflecting member that reflects light that has passed through one reaction vessel, and a rotating member that is provided between the reflecting member and the light receiving unit and rotates in conjunction with the reaction table. ,
The rotating member is
A toothed portion that meshes with the reaction line;
A passage hole through which light passing through one reaction vessel and having an optical path to the light receiving portion formed by the reflecting member passes;
A reflection part that reflects the light that has passed through the other reaction container toward the light receiving part;
The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, further comprising: The reaction vessel on the inner diameter side and the outer diameter side of the reaction line is arranged in the circumferential direction, and a difference in height is provided at the detection position,
The optical path forming unit is
A reflecting member that reflects the light that has passed through one reaction vessel toward the light receiving unit;
A transflective reflective member that is on the optical path between the reflective member and the light receiving unit, reflects the light that has passed through the other reaction vessel, and transmits the light reflected by the reflective member;
The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, further comprising: The optical path forming unit is
A cylindrical member provided with a reflecting member that is rotatable about an axis and that forms an optical path for allowing light from the irradiation unit to enter each light receiving unit;
A drive unit coupled to the tubular member and configured to rotationally drive the tubular member around an axis;
A drive control unit for controlling the drive unit to rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the reaction table;
The automatic analyzer according to claim 2, further comprising: The detection position of the reaction vessel is provided with a height difference for each reaction line,
The optical path forming unit is provided between a reflection member that reflects light emitted from the irradiation unit to one light receiving unit, and between the reflection member and the irradiation unit, and rotates in conjunction with the reaction table. And having a member
The rotating member is
A toothed portion that meshes with the reaction line;
A passage hole through which the light emitted from the irradiation unit passes,
A reflection unit that reflects the light emitted from the irradiation unit toward the other light receiving unit;
The automatic analyzer according to claim 2, further comprising: The detection position of the reaction vessel is provided with a height difference for each reaction line,
The optical path forming unit is
A reflection member that reflects light from the irradiation unit to an optical path to one light receiving unit;
A semi-transmissive type that is on the optical path between the reflecting member and the irradiating unit, reflects to the optical path to the other light receiving unit, and transmits the light from the irradiating unit to form the optical path to the reflecting member. A reflective member;
The automatic analyzer according to claim 2, further comprising:   The automatic analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the reaction vessels on the inner diameter side and the outer diameter side of the reaction line are arranged to be shifted in the circumferential direction.   The automatic analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the reaction line arranges the reaction containers at predetermined intervals.

Images