JP2010217047A - Automatic analysis device and its specimen carrying method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic analysis device and a specimen carrying method thereof, capable of easily carrying a specimen without using a specimen pretreatment carrier device, even if a rack and a pack are combinedly used. <P>SOLUTION: The automatic analysis device reacts the specimen with a reagent in a reaction vessel, measures optical characteristics of a reaction liquid, and analyzes the specimen. The specimen carrying method thereof is also provided. The automatic analysis device 1 includes a pack carrying section 8 which carries a pack 10 to be loaded holding a specimen vessel to a pack specimen dispensation position Pp to dispense the specimen in the specimen vessel 10a into the reaction vessel 4 and unloads the post-dispensation pack; a rack carrying section 9 which carries the rack 17 to be supplied holding a plurality of specimen vessels 17a to a rack specimen dispensation position Pr to dispense the specimens in each of the specimen vessels into the reaction vessels and carries the post-dispensation pack to an unloading position; and a specimen dispensation device 6 which moves between the pack specimen dispensation position or the rack specimen dispensation position and the reaction vessels to dispense the specimens in the specimen vessels into the reaction vessels. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer and a sample transport method thereof.

  Conventionally, an automatic analyzer uses a rack that holds a specimen container that contains a specimen for transporting the specimen, and the rack set in the rack set section is transported to the collection section via the specimen dispensing position, The sample to be analyzed is dispensed into the reaction container. For this reason, when using a pack holding a single sample container, a sample pretreatment transport device that transfers the sample from the sample container held in the pack to the sample container held in the rack is used (for example, , See Patent Document 1).

JP 2008-76185 A

  By the way, the automatic analyzer has a problem that when the sample pretreatment transport device is used, the installation area increases by this amount, and the degree of freedom in installing the automatic analyzer is limited.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and easily transports a sample to a sample dispensing position using a rack and a pack without using a sample pretreatment transport device, and dispenses the sample into a reaction container. It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic analyzer and a sample transport method thereof.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the automatic analyzer of the present invention is an automatic analyzer that reacts a sample and a reagent in a reaction container, measures the optical characteristics of the reaction solution, and analyzes the sample. In the analyzer, a pack carried while holding a single sample container is transported to a pack sample dispensing position for dispensing the sample, and the sample in the sample container is dispensed into the reaction container. A pack transport means for unloading the packed pack and a rack that holds and supplies a plurality of sample containers are transported to a rack sample dispensing position for dispensing the samples, and the samples in each sample container are collected. Dispensing to the reaction container, moving the pack after dispensing to the unloading position, and moving between the pack sample dispensing position or the rack sample dispensing position and the reaction container, Dispensing the sample in the sample container into the reaction container Characterized by comprising a body dispensing device.

  In the automatic analyzer of the present invention, in the above invention, priority is given to one of the sample dispensing from the sample container held by the pack or the sample dispensing from the sample container held by the rack by the sample dispensing apparatus. It has a priority setting means for setting.

  In the automatic analyzer according to the present invention, in the above invention, the pack transport unit is disposed between a turntable provided on an extension line of the rack transport unit, the turntable and the rack transport unit, It has a branch conveyance means in which the rack sample dispensing position is located.

  In addition, in order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the sample transport method of the automatic analyzer of the present invention is a method in which a sample and a reagent are reacted in a reaction container and optical characteristics of the reaction solution are measured. A sample transport method of an automatic analyzer for analyzing the sample, wherein a pack carried by holding a single sample container is transported to a packed sample dispensing position for dispensing the sample, and the inside of the sample container A sample transport position for dispensing the sample, a pack transporting step for dispensing the sample of the sample into the reaction container, and unloading the pack after the dispensing, and a rack supplied by holding a plurality of sample containers A rack transporting step of transporting to the reaction container, dispensing the sample in each sample container to the reaction container, and transporting the dispensed pack to the unloading position, and the sample container transported to the pack sample dispensing position Dispense the sample in the reaction container, or Characterized in that it comprises a and a specimen dispensing step the sample pipetting into the reaction vessel in the sample container transported to the click specimen dispensing position.

  Also, in the sample transport method of the automatic analyzer according to the present invention, in the above invention, one of the sample dispensing from the sample container held by the pack or the sample dispensing from the sample container held by the rack is prioritized. It has a priority setting process.

  According to the present invention, the pack is transported by the pack transport means, the rack is transported by the rack transport means, the sample is dispensed from the sample container held by the pack by the sample dispensing device, and the sample is from the sample container held by the rack. Since dispensing is performed, the sample can be easily transported to the sample dispensing position using the rack and pack without using the sample pretreatment transport device, and can be dispensed into the reaction container.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of an automatic analyzer and its sample transport method according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an automatic analyzer according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the pack used in the pack conveyance path together with the sample container. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the rack used in the rack conveyance path together with the sample container.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic analyzer 1 includes a reagent table 2, a reaction table 3, a reagent dispensing device 5, a sample dispensing device 6, a sample transport device 7, a stirring unit 31, a photometric unit 32, a cleaning unit 33, and A control unit 35 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the reagent table 2 conveys a plurality of reagent containers 2 a held by being rotated by a driving means in the circumferential direction. At this time, the reagent table 2 has a reading unit 2b arranged on the outer periphery. The reading unit 2b reads reagent information from reagent information recording media such as barcode labels and RFID attached to the plurality of reagent containers 2a.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the reaction table 3 includes a plurality of reaction vessels 4 arranged in the circumferential direction, and is rotated forward or reverse by driving means different from the driving means of the reagent table 2 to move the reaction vessel 4 in the circumferential direction. Convey along. For example, the reaction table 3 rotates clockwise (1 turn-1 reaction vessel) / 4 in one cycle and rotates (1 turn-1 reaction vessel) in four cycles.

  The reaction vessel 4 is formed into a square cylinder shape by a transparent material that transmits 80% or more of the light included in the analysis light emitted from the photometry unit 32, for example, glass including heat-resistant glass, synthetic resin such as cyclic olefin or polystyrene. The volume is a very small amount of cuvettes of several μL to several hundred μL. In the reaction container 4, the reagent is dispensed from the reagent container 2 a of the reagent table 2 by a reagent dispensing device 5 provided in the vicinity of the reaction table 3.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the reagent dispensing device 5 has an arm 5 a that is rotated in the direction of the arrow in the horizontal plane and that is vertically moved up and down, and a dispensing nozzle 5 b that dispenses the reagent. In addition, one end of the arm 5a is supported by an upper portion of a support (not shown). In the reagent dispensing device 5, a washing tank 5c for washing the dispensing nozzle 5b with washing water is arranged on the movement locus of the dispensing nozzle 5b. The washing tank 5c is discharged from the dispensing nozzle 5b to wash the inside of the dispensing nozzle 5b, discard the washing water, and wash the outside of the dispensing nozzle 5b with the washing water sprayed into the tank.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the sample dispensing device 6 is rotated in the horizontal direction and moved up and down in the vertical direction, the dispensing nozzle 6b supported by the arm 6a, and the dispensing nozzle 5b. And a washing tank 6c for washing the inside and outside of the dispensing nozzle 6b. The sample dispensing device 6 aspirates the sample from the sample container 10a held by the pack 10 or the sample container 17a held by the rack 17 and discharges the sample to the reaction container 4 to dispense the sample. At this time, in the sample dispensing device 6, one of the sample dispensing from the sample container 10a held by the pack 10 or the sample dispensing from the sample container 17a held by the rack 17 is prioritized by the priority setting unit 35c. In the arm 6a, a sample discharge section for discharging a sample to the reaction container 4, a packed sample dispensing position Pp, and a rack sample dispensing position Pr are arranged on the movement trajectory of the tip that rotates in the horizontal direction. The cleaning tank 6c is connected to a pipe for jetting cleaning water into the tank and a pipe for discharging the cleaning water jetted into the tank and cleaning the outer surface of the dispensing nozzle 6b. Similarly to 5c, it is arranged on the movement locus of the dispensing nozzle 6b.

  The sample transport device 7 is a sample transport means for transporting packs and racks, and includes a pack transport unit 8 and a rack transport unit 9 as shown in FIG.

  The pack conveyance unit 8 uses a belt conveyor together with the rack conveyance unit 9, and has a carry-in path 8a, a carry-out path 8b, a branch path 8d, and a sensor 8e as shown in FIG. The carry-in path 8a carries the pack 10 from the outside of the automatic analyzer 1, and a turntable 8c is provided on an extension line of the rack transport unit 9 that is a terminal. The carry-out path 8b is a transport means for transporting the pack 10 in one direction together with the carry-in path 8a as indicated by an arrow in the figure, and is disposed on the extension line of the carry-in path 8a and carries out the pack 10 after sample dispensing is completed. . The turntable 8c transfers the pack 10 conveyed through the carry-in path 8a to the branch path 8d and transfers the pack 10 returning from the pack sample dispensing position Pp to the branch path 8d to the carry-out path 8b. The branch path 8d is movable forward and backward, and transports the pack 10 back and forth between the turntable 8c and the pack sample dispensing position Pp. The sensor 8e is disposed at a position facing the packed sample dispensing position Pp of the branch path 8d, and for example, a reflective optical sensor is used. The sensor 8e optically detects the pack 10 at the pack sample dispensing position Pp and outputs a detection signal to the pack transport control unit 35a.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the rack transport unit 9 is arranged on a straight line with the branch path 8d, and reciprocates the rack 17 set manually. Specifically, when the rack 17 is set at one end of the rack transport unit 9 which also serves as a rack setting unit and a carry-out position in FIG. 1, the rack transport unit 9 transports each sample to the other end adjacent to the branch path 8d. The rack 17 is advanced so that the container 17a sequentially moves to the rack sample dispensing position Pr.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the pack 10 is a cylindrical rack in which one holding recess 10b for holding the sample container 10a is formed at the center, and the sample in the sample container 10a is identified on the side surface. An information recording medium Ms such as a RFID label or a barcode label on which sample information such as patient ID, sex, age, sample number, and analysis item is recorded is attached.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the rack 17 is formed with a plurality of concave portions 17b for holding the sample container 17a along the longitudinal direction. The rack 17 is affixed to both sides with an information recording medium Mr that records sample information such as patient ID, sex, age, sample number, and analysis item for identifying the sample contained in each sample container 17a to be held. ing. Here, the rack 17 is set in the rack set unit of the rack transport unit 9 and collected by the manual operation of a user such as an operator. FIG. 3 also shows a restriction lever 24 b of the restriction lever device 24 that controls the stepping of the rack 17.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a pack sensor 11 that transmits and receives information signals, control signals, and the like to and from the control unit 35 at a position facing the carry-in path 8a near the end of the carry-in path 8a, A reading unit 12, a pack stopper 13, and a driving device 14 are provided.

  For example, a reflection type optical sensor is used as the pack sensor 11, and the pack 10 conveyed through the carry-in path 8a is optically detected, and a detection signal is output to the pack conveyance control unit 35a. The reading unit 12 reads the sample information from the information recording medium Ms attached to the pack 10 and outputs the read sample information signal to the pack transport control unit 35a.

  The pack stopper 13 is operated by a control signal from the pack conveyance control unit 35a, and is a device that waits at this position for the pack 10 holding the sample container 10a that has been conveyed through the carry-in path 8a, or releases the standby. As shown in FIG. 4, it has a main body 13a and a standby lever 13b that appears and disappears from the main body 13a to restrict the forward movement of the pack 10. The drive device 14 is a device that pushes the pack 10 on the turntable 8c to the branch path 8d or transfers it to the carry-out path 8b, and includes a rotation device 15 and a pusher 16. The pusher 16 includes a main body 16a and a push rod 16b that protrudes and protrudes from the main body 16a and pushes the pack 10 to the branch path 8d. The pusher 16 is rotated in a horizontal plane by the rotation device 15.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the rack transport unit 9 is provided with a reading unit 18 that transmits and receives information signals and control signals to and from the control unit 35, a sensor array 19, and a step position regulating device 20 on both sides. It has been.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the reading unit 18 is arranged in parallel with the rack transport unit 9 at a position facing the rack set unit at one end of the rack transport unit 9 and reads sample information from the information recording medium Mr attached to the rack 17. The read sample information signal is output to the rack transport control unit 35b.

  The sensor array 19 detects the presence or absence of the rack 17 on the rack transport unit 9. For example, a plurality of optical sensors 19 a to 19 k (see FIG. 4) composed of reflective photosensors are arranged along the rack transport unit 9. (See FIG. 1). The sensor array 19 outputs a detection signal of the rack 17 detected by the optical sensors 19a to 19k to the rack transport control unit 35b. The rack transport control unit 35b specifies the position of the rack 17 on the rack transport unit 9 from the detection signals input from the optical sensors 19a to 19k. At this time, the optical sensor 19k is used to detect the presence / absence of the rack 17 at a position serving as a rack set unit on the rack transport unit 9 facing the reading unit 18 and a carry-out position.

  The step position restricting device 20 is controlled by the rack transport control unit 35b, and is arranged in parallel along the rack transport unit 9 as shown in FIGS. The step position of the rack 17 by step is regulated so that the container 17a stops at the rack sample dispensing position Pr. The step position restriction device 20 includes a spline shaft 21, a nut 23, a restriction lever device 24, and a drive motor 25.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the spline shaft 21 is rotatably supported by two brackets 22 and supports a regulating lever device 24 via a nut 23. The restriction lever device 24 includes a main body 24 a and a restriction lever 24 b that protrudes and protrudes from the main body 24 a and restricts the step position of the rack 17. The drive motor 25 is attached to one end of the spline shaft 21, and rotates the spline shaft 21 to move the regulating lever device 24 along the spline shaft 21 via the nut 23.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the agitating unit 31 is arranged on the outer periphery of the reaction table 3 and agitates a liquid sample containing a specimen and a reagent dispensed in the reaction container 4. As the stirring unit 31, for example, a stirring device that stirs a liquid sample in a non-contact manner using a surface acoustic wave element or a stirring device that stirs a liquid sample using a stirring rod is used.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the photometry unit 32 is arranged between the stirring unit 31 and the cleaning unit 33 on the outer periphery of the reaction table 3, and stores a liquid sample held in the reaction container 4 or a reaction solution in which a reagent and a sample react. Analysis light for analysis is emitted. The photometric unit 32 outputs a photometric signal relating to the amount of analysis light transmitted through the liquid sample or reaction liquid in the reaction container 4 to the control unit 35.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the cleaning unit 33 is arranged on the outer periphery of the reaction table 3, and after the reaction liquid in the reaction container 4 is sucked and discharged by a nozzle, a cleaning liquid such as a detergent or cleaning water is injected from the nozzle. And suck. The cleaning unit 33 repeats these operations a plurality of times to clean the inside of the reaction vessel 4 in which photometry by the photometry unit 32 has been completed.

  For example, a microcomputer or the like is used as the control unit 35 and is connected to the automatic analyzer 1 together with the input unit 36 and the output unit 37 as shown in FIG. The control unit 35 controls the operation of each component of the automatic analyzer 1 and analyzes the component concentration of the specimen from the absorbance of the reaction solution based on the photometric signal output from the photometric unit 32. In addition, the control unit 35 causes the analysis operation to be executed while controlling the operation of each component of the automatic analyzer 1 based on the analysis command input from the input unit 36 such as a keyboard.

  The control unit 35 includes a pack conveyance control unit 35a, a rack conveyance control unit 35b, and a priority setting unit 35c. The pack conveyance control unit 35a controls the conveyance of the pack 10 by, for example, controlling the pack conveyance unit 8, the pack stopper 13, and the drive device 14 under a preset time chart, and controls the conveyance of the pack 10 to the branch path 8d. The above pack 10 is prevented from being sent. Similarly, the rack transport control unit 35b controls the transport of the rack 17 by controlling the rack transport unit 9 and the step position regulating device 20. The priority setting unit 35c preferentially sets the sample dispensing from the sample container 10a held by the pack 10 by the sample dispensing apparatus 6 or the sample dispensing from the sample container 17a held by the rack 17.

  The input unit 36 is a part that performs input operations for inputting various instructions including test items, sample dispensing procedures, and the like to the control unit 35. For example, a keyboard or a mouse is used. The output unit 37 includes a display unit 37a such as a display panel that displays various information based on an alarm command output from the control unit 35 and a display command input from the input unit 36, and an alarm generation unit that generates an audio alarm 37b. The display unit 37 a displays various menu items of the automatic analyzer 1 when a user who is logged on to the automatic analyzer 1 operates the input unit 36. The user sets menu items to be executed from these.

  Here, when giving priority to the sample dispensing from the sample container 10a held by the pack 10 by the sample dispensing apparatus 6 over the sample dispensing from the sample container 17a held by the rack 17, the input unit 36 is operated to give priority. The setting unit 35c is accessed, and the priority setting screen S shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display unit 37a. Then, the icon Sp displayed as the packed sample container in the sample dispensing priority setting item on the priority setting screen S is clicked. At this time, the clicked icon Sp is highlighted by a color change or luminance change on the priority setting screen S as shown in the figure. The icon Sp setting signal is output to the priority setting unit 35c. Thereby, under the control of the control unit 35, the sample dispensing from the sample container 10a held by the pack 10 by the sample dispensing apparatus 6 has priority over the sample dispensing from the sample container 17a held by the rack 17. Will be executed.

  On the other hand, the sample dispensing from the sample container 17a held by the rack 17 by the sample dispensing device 6 is performed by the sample dispensing apparatus 6 as in the case where the rack 17 is used for analysis of an urgent sample. In the case of giving priority to the sample dispensing from, click the icon Sr displayed as the rack sample container on the priority setting screen S shown in FIG. As a result, the priority setting screen S is displayed with the icon Sr highlighted instead of the icon Sp, and the sample dispensing from the sample container 17a held by the rack 17 by the sample dispensing device 6 is held by the pack 10. This is executed in preference to the sample dispensing from the sample container 10a.

  The automatic analyzer 1 configured as described above operates under the control of the control unit 35. For example, the sample is usually analyzed using the pack 10, and the rack 17 is used for analysis of an emergency sample. The

  Therefore, in the automatic analyzer 1, when the pack 10 is sequentially transported by the pack transport unit 8 and the pack 10 is transported to the pack sample dispensing position Pp, it is transported along the circumferential direction by the rotating reaction table 3. The sample dispensing device 6 dispenses the sample from the sample container 10a to the corresponding reaction container 4 to be received. In the reaction container 4 into which the specimen has been dispensed, the reagent dispensing device 5 dispenses the reagent corresponding to the analysis item from the reagent container 2a.

  In this way, each time the reaction table 3 is stopped, the reaction container 4 into which the reagent and the sample have been dispensed is sequentially stirred by the stirring unit 31 to react the reagent and the sample, and the reaction table 3 is rotated again. Passes through the photometry unit 32. During the passage, the reaction solution in which the reagent in the reaction container 4 has reacted with the sample is measured by the photometry unit 32, and the component concentration and the like are analyzed by the control unit 35. Then, after the photometry of the reaction liquid is completed, the reaction container 4 is transferred to the cleaning unit 33 and cleaned, and then used again for analyzing the specimen.

  At this time, the pack sensor 11 detects the pack 10 holding the sample container 10a conveyed through the carry-in path 8a of the pack conveyance unit 8, and outputs a detection signal of the pack 10 to the pack conveyance control unit 35a. Then, the pack conveyance control unit 35 a outputs a control signal to the pack stopper 13 to operate the pack stopper 13. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the pack stopper 13 causes the standby lever 13b to be unwound from the main body 13a, and causes the pack 10 that has been transported through the carry-in path 8a to wait at this position.

  In parallel with the standby of the pack 10 by the standby lever 13b, the reading unit 12 reads the sample information from the information recording medium Ms attached to the pack 10, and outputs the read sample information signal to the pack transport control unit 35a. Thereby, the pack conveyance control unit 35a recognizes that the pack 10 has been conveyed to the position of the pack stopper 13, and inquires the control unit 35 or the host computer about the analysis information of the sample.

  When the waiting sample is confirmed by the inquiry of the sample analysis information, the standby lever 13b is pulled back to the main body 13a, the standby of the pack 10 is released, and the pack 10 moved by the carry-in path 8a is shown in FIG. Thus, it is sent to the turntable 8c. Next, the turntable 8c rotates 90 ° clockwise, and as shown in FIG. 7, the pack 10 on the turntable 8c faces the branch path 8d. At this time, a new pack 10 is continuously conveyed to the carry-in path 8a.

  Next, the pusher 16 of the driving device 14 is actuated by the control signal output from the pack conveyance control unit 35a, and as shown in FIG. 8, the pack 10 on the turntable 8c is pushed out to the branch path 8d by the push rod 16b. In parallel with the extrusion of the pack 10, the pack sensor 11 detects the next pack 10. For this reason, the pack stopper 13 is actuated by the control signal output from the pack transport control unit 35a, and the standby lever 13b waits for the next pack 10 at this position as shown in the figure.

  Thereafter, the branch path 8d is driven by the control signal output from the pack transport control unit 35a, and the pack 10 is moved to the pack sample dispensing position Pp as shown in FIG. When the sensor 8e detects the pack 10 at the pack sample dispensing position Pp, the sample dispensing device 6 is activated by a control signal from the control unit 35. As a result, the arm 6a moves to the packed sample dispensing position Pp, and the dispensing nozzle 6b sucks the sample from the sample container 10a held in the pack 10. Then, the sample dispensing device 6 rotates the arm 6a to the reaction table 3 and discharges the sample to the reaction container 4 at the discharge position.

  Next, the branch path 8d is driven by the pack transport controller 35a, and the pack 10 is transported back along the branch path 8d, and is sent to the turntable 8c as shown in FIG. Next, the driving device 14 is driven by the pack conveyance control unit 35a, and the pack 10 on the turntable 8c is pushed out to be transferred to the carry-out path 8b as shown in FIG. Thereby, the pack 10 holding the sample container 10a after the dispensing of the sample is carried out to the collection unit through the carry-out path 8b.

  On the other hand, when analyzing an urgent sample, as shown in FIG. 12, the rack 17 is set in a rack set unit facing the reading unit 18 on the rack transport unit 9. Then, the optical sensor 19k detects the rack 17 and outputs a detection signal to the rack transport control unit 35b, and the reading unit 18 reads the sample information from the information recording medium Mr attached to the rack 17 and reads the read sample information signal. Is output to the rack transport control unit 35b.

  As a result, the rack transport control unit 35b recognizes that the rack 17 is set in the rack set unit of the rack transport unit 9, and queries the control unit 35 or the host computer for sample analysis information. At the same time, the pack conveyance control unit 35 a holds the pack 10 on the carry-in path 8 a in the standby state by the pack stopper 13 by the control signal from the control unit 35.

  When the sample collected in each sample container 17a held by the rack 17 is confirmed by the inquiry of the sample analysis information, the rack transport unit 9 is driven under the control of the rack transport control unit 35b, and FIG. As shown, the rack 17 is transported to the end of the rack transport section 9 that is the step start position. Next, the step position restricting device 20 is driven, the restricting lever device 24 is moved to the position of the rack 17 by the drive motor 25, and the restricting lever 24 b is extended from the main body 24 a and comes into contact with the end surface of the rack 17.

  Thereafter, the rack 17 starts to move downward in the figure by the rack transport unit 9 whose step position is restricted by the restriction lever device 24. At this time, the step position of the rack 17 is monitored by the sensor array 19. Then, when the rack 17 is moved to the rack sample dispensing position Pr by the advancement of the rack 17, the arm 6a of the sample dispensing device 6 is rotated onto the sample container 17a as shown in FIG. 14, and is moved to the sample container 17a. The collected specimen is aspirated. The sample dispensing device 6 discharges the aspirated sample to the reaction container 4 on the reaction table 3, and then washes the dispensing nozzle 6b in the washing tank 6c, and then is held by the rack 17 that advances step by step. The sample dispensing operation from the sample container 17a is repeated.

  When the dispensing of the sample from all the sample containers 17a held in the rack 17 is completed in this way, the rack transport unit 9 transports the rack 17 to the rack set unit. The rack 17 transported to the rack set unit is collected by a user such as an operator.

  When the optical sensor 19k detects the rack 17 and outputs a detection signal to the rack transport control unit 35b, the rack transport control unit 35b inquires of the control unit 35 or the host computer whether or not there is further rack 17 transport. If there is further transport of the rack 17 as a result of the inquiry, the rack transport control unit 35b waits for the rack 17 to be set in the rack setting unit.

  On the other hand, when there is no further transport of the rack 17, the rack transport control unit 35b outputs an end signal indicating that the rack transport has been completed to the pack transport control unit 35a. Thus, the automatic analyzer 1 finishes the analysis of the emergency sample and returns to the normal analysis mode in which the sample container 10a is transported by the pack 10.

  Here, when the rack 17 is set in the rack setting unit while the rack 17 is being transported by the rack transport unit 9, the rack transport control unit 35 b outputs an alarm signal to the output unit 37 based on the sample information signal output from the reading unit 18. . Thus, the automatic analyzer 1 displays an alarm for notifying that the rack 17 set on the display unit 37a should be removed, and the alarm generation unit 37b generates an alarm by voice.

  The above is a case where only the pack 10 is transported by the pack transport unit 8 and sample dispensing is performed, and a case where only the rack 17 is transported by the rack transport unit 9 and sample dispensing is performed. On the other hand, when the pack 10 is transported by the pack transport unit 8 and the sample is dispensed, and the rack 17 is transported by the rack transport unit 9 and the sample is dispensed in parallel, the procedure is as follows.

  Here, as is apparent from the above description, the pack 10 is transported to the pack sample dispensing position Pp via the turntable 8c, and after the sample is aspirated by the sample dispensing device 6, it is unloaded via the turntable 8c. It is sent out to the road 8b. The pack transport time during this time is longer than the time required for advancing the plurality of sample containers 17a held by the rack 17 by one. For this reason, even if priority is given to sample dispensing from the sample container 10a held by the pack 10 by the sample dispensing apparatus 6, the rack 17 is used by using the time until the sensor 8e detects the pack 10 after sample aspiration. And sample dispensing can be performed.

  Hereinafter, a case where the transport of the pack 10 by the pack transport unit 8 and the sample dispensing by the sample dispensing device 6 and the transport of the rack 17 by the rack transport unit 9 and the sample dispensing by the sample dispensing device 6 are processed in parallel will be described with reference to FIG. This will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, the control unit 35 determines whether or not the pack 10 is detected (step S100). The detection of the pack 10 is based on a detection signal output from the pack sensor 11 to the pack conveyance control unit 35a. When the pack 10 is not detected (step S100, No), this determination is repeated. When the pack 10 is detected (step S100, Yes), the control unit 35 drives the pack stopper 13 to wait for the pack 10 at this position (step S102).

  Next, the control unit 35 acquires sample information (step S104). The sample information is acquired from the record of the information recording medium Ms attached to the pack 10 output by the reading unit 12 to the pack transport control unit 35a. Next, the control unit 35 releases the standby of the pack 10 and moves it to the branch path 8d, drives the branch path 8d, and transports the pack 10 to the pack sample dispensing position Pp (step S106). Thereafter, the control unit 35 determines whether or not the sample dispensing of the pack 10 is preferentially set (step S114).

  On the other hand, the control unit 35 performs processing on the rack 17 side in parallel with the processing on the pack 10 side, and determines whether or not the rack 17 has been detected (step S108). The detection of the rack 17 is based on a detection signal output from the optical sensor 19k to the rack conveyance control unit 35b. If the rack 17 is not detected (step S108, No), this determination is repeated. When the rack 17 is detected (step S108, Yes), the control unit 35 acquires sample information (step S110). The sample information is acquired from the recording on the information recording medium Mr attached to the rack 17 output by the reading unit 18 to the rack transport control unit 35b.

  Next, the control unit 35 transports the rack 17 to the rack sample dispensing position Pr (step S112). Thereafter, the control unit 35 determines whether or not the sample dispensing of the pack 10 is preferentially set (step S114).

  When the sample dispensing of the pack 10 is prioritized (step S114, Yes), the control unit 35 drives the sample dispensing device 6 to aspirate the sample from the sample container 10a held by the pack 10, The sample is dispensed by discharging into the reaction container 4 (step S116). At this time, the control unit 35 confirms the detection of the pack 10 at the packed sample dispensing position Pp by the detection signal output from the sensor 8e to the pack conveyance control unit 35a, and drives the sample dispensing device 6. Thereafter, the control unit 35 determines whether there is a next pack 10 (step S118). This determination is based on the presence or absence of a detection signal output from the pack sensor 11 to the pack conveyance control unit 35a.

  When there is the next pack 10 (step S118, Yes), the control unit 35 returns to step S104 and repeats the subsequent steps. On the other hand, when there is no next pack 10 (step S118, No), the control unit 35 proceeds to step S126.

  On the other hand, when the sample dispensing of the pack 10 is not preferentially set (No in step S114), this is a case where the analysis of the emergency sample by the rack 17 is preferentially set. In this case, the control unit 35 preferentially executes the processing on the rack 17 side, drives the sample dispensing device 6, sucks the sample from the sample container 17 a held by the rack 17, and discharges it to the reaction container 4. Then, sample dispensing is performed (step S120). Next, the control unit 35 advances the rack 17 so that the next sample container 17a moves to the rack sample dispensing position Pr (step S122).

  Next, the control unit 35 determines again whether or not the sample dispensing of the pack 10 is preferentially set (step S124). When the sample dispensing of the pack 10 is prioritized (step S124, Yes), the control unit 35 proceeds to step S116. When the sample dispensing of the pack 10 is not prioritized (No in step S124), the control unit 35 drives the sample dispensing device 6 to aspirate the sample from the sample container 17a held by the rack 17, The sample is dispensed by discharging into the reaction container 4 (step S126).

  Thereafter, the control unit 35 advances the rack 17 so that the next sample container 17a moves to the rack sample dispensing position Pr (step S128). Next, the control unit 35 sucks the samples from all the sample containers 17a, and determines whether or not the sample dispensing of the rack 17 is completed (Step S130). When the sample dispensing of the rack 17 has not been completed (No at Step S130), the control unit 35 returns to Step S124. If the sample dispensing of the rack 17 has been completed (step S130, Yes), the control unit 35 determines again whether or not the rack 17 has been detected (step S132).

  If the rack 17 is not detected (step S132, No), this determination is repeated. When the rack 17 is detected (step S132, Yes), the control unit 35 terminates all the processes assuming that the parallel processing of the pack 10 and the rack 17 has been completed.

  Here, when analyzing an urgent sample, the rack 17 is used, and the priority setting unit 35c may perform parallel processing with priority setting so that the sample dispensing to the rack 17 has priority over the sample dispensing to the pack 10. .

  In this way, the automatic analyzer 1 transports the pack 10 by the pack transport unit 8, dispenses the sample by the sample dispensing device 6, transports the rack 17 by the rack transport unit 9, and dispenses the sample by the sample dispensing device 6. Do. Therefore, according to the present invention, even when the rack 17 and the pack 10 are used in combination, the sample can be easily transported to the sample dispensing position and dispensed into the reaction container without using the sample pretreatment transport device. Thus, the automatic analyzer 1 can be provided at low cost because the sample pretreatment transport device is not used. In addition, in the case where the transport of the pack 10 and the sample dispensing and the transport of the rack 17 and the sample dispensing are processed in parallel, the sensor 8e is aspirated from the sample container 10a held by the pack 10 by the sample dispensing apparatus 6. By using the time until the pack 10 is detected, the rack 17 is stepped, the sample is sucked from the sample container 17a, and the rack 17 is stepped, so that the processing time can be shortened.

  In the automatic analyzer 1, the driving of the pack transport unit 8 is individually controlled by the pack transport control unit 35a, and the driving of the rack transport unit 9 is individually controlled by the rack transport control unit 35b. Therefore, when either one of the pack transport unit 8 or the rack transport unit 9 fails, the automatic analyzer 1 uses the other remaining pack transport unit 8 or rack transport unit 9 to transport and dispense the sample. It can be performed.

  Furthermore, the automatic analyzer 1 may control the control of the pack transport unit 8 and the control of the rack transport unit 9 by one drive control unit.

(Modification 1)
Here, in the automatic analyzer of the present invention, as in the automatic analyzer 40 shown in FIG. 16, the pack transport unit 8 is a single transport path integrating the carry-in path 8a, the carry-out path 8b, and the branch path 8d, and the pack stopper Alternatively, the sample may be dispensed at a position where the pack 10 is stopped by 13. If comprised in this way, the automatic analyzer 40 becomes unnecessary for the turntable 8c, the sensor 8e, and the drive device 14, and a structure becomes simpler than the automatic analyzer 1. FIG.

(Modification 2)
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 17, the automatic analyzer of the present invention may be a multi-unit analyzer 50 in which a plurality of automatic analyzers 40 are connected as one unit. In this case, the multi-unit analyzer 50 transports the pack 10 to the plurality of automatic analyzers 40 by the pack transporter 8 and analyzes the sample, and transports the rack 17 by the rack transporter 9 of each automatic analyzer 40. Analyze the sample.

  The automatic analyzer 1 may not use the step position restricting device 20 as long as the rack 17 can be stepped correctly by the rack transport unit 9. Further, the rack 17 set in the rack setting unit dispenses the sample from the sample container 17a to the reaction container 4 while moving forward to the rack sample dispensing position Pr, and dispensing from all the sample containers 17a is completed. At this time, the rack setting unit may be returned.

It is a schematic block diagram of the automatic analyzer of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the pack used with a pack conveyance path with a sample container. It is a perspective view which shows the rack used with a rack conveyance path with a sample container. It is a top view which expands and shows the principal part of the pack conveyance path and rack conveyance path which comprise the sample conveyance apparatus of an automatic analyzer, and is a figure which shows the state by which the pack on a carrying-in path was made to wait by the pack stopper. It is a figure which shows an example of the priority setting screen which preferentially sets the sample dispensing from the sample container which the pack by the sample dispensing apparatus hold | maintained, or the sample dispensing from the sample container which the rack hold | maintained. It is a top view which shows the state in which the pack on a carrying-in path was sent to the turntable. It is a top view which shows the state which the turntable rotated and the pack on a turntable opposed the branch path. It is a top view which shows the state by which the pack on a turntable was extruded to the branch road. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state where a pack on a branch path is moved to a pack sample dispensing position and the sample in the sample container is aspirated by the sample dispensing device. It is a top view which shows the state which the pack which complete | finished the suction | inhalation of a sample returned the branch path, was conveyed, and was sent to the turntable. It is a top view which shows the state by which the pack on a turntable was extruded to the carrying-out path. It is a top view which shows the state by which the rack was set to the rack set part of a rack conveyance part. It is a top view which shows the state by which the rack was conveyed to the step start position of the rack conveyance part. It is a top view which shows the state which is aspirating the sample with the sample dispensing apparatus from the sample container which moved to the rack sample dispensing position by the step of the rack transport unit. It is a flowchart explaining the sample conveyance method of the automatic analyzer of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the modification 1 of an automatic analyzer. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the modification 2 of an automatic analyzer.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automatic analyzer 2 Reagent table 3 Reaction table 4 Reaction container 5 Reagent dispensing apparatus 6 Specimen dispensing apparatus 7 Sample transport apparatus 8 Pack transport part 8a Carry-in path 8b Carry-out path 8d Branch path 8c Turntable 9 Rack transport section 10 Pack 10a Sample container 11 Pack sensor 12 Reading unit 13 Pack stopper 13b Standby lever 14 Drive device 15 Rotating device 16 Pusher 17 Rack 17a Sample container
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 18 Reading part 19 Sensor row | line | column 19a-19k Optical sensor 20 Progression position control apparatus 21 Spline shaft 22 Bracket 23 Nut 24 Control lever apparatus 25 Drive motor 31 Stirring part 32 Photometry part 33 Washing part 35 Control part 35a Pack conveyance control part 35b Rack Transport control unit 35c Priority setting unit 36 Input unit 37 Output unit 37a Display unit 37b Alarm generation unit 40 Automatic analyzer 50 Multi-unit analyzer Pp Pack sample dispensing position Pr Rack sample dispensing position

Claims (5)

In an automatic analyzer for reacting a sample and a reagent in a reaction container and measuring the optical characteristics of the reaction solution to analyze the sample,
A pack carried while holding a single sample container is transported to a packed sample dispensing position for dispensing the sample, and the sample in the sample container is dispensed into the reaction container, A pack conveying means for carrying out the pack;
The rack supplied holding a plurality of sample containers is transported to a rack sample dispensing position for dispensing the sample, and the sample in each sample container is dispensed into the reaction container, Rack transport means for transporting the pack to the unloading position;
A specimen dispensing apparatus that moves between the packed specimen dispensing position or the rack specimen dispensing position and the reaction container, and dispenses the specimen in the specimen container to the reaction container;
An automatic analyzer characterized by comprising:   2. A priority setting unit that preferentially sets one of a sample dispensing from a sample container held by the pack and a sample dispensing from a sample container held by the rack by the sample dispensing apparatus. Automatic analyzer described in 1.   The pack transport unit has a turntable provided on an extension line of the rack transport unit, and a branch transport unit disposed between the turntable and the rack transport unit, where the rack sample dispensing position is located. The automatic analyzer according to claim 2. A sample transport method of an automatic analyzer for reacting a sample and a reagent in a reaction vessel, measuring an optical characteristic of a reaction solution, and analyzing the sample,
A pack carried while holding a single sample container is transported to a packed sample dispensing position for dispensing the sample, and the sample in the sample container is dispensed into the reaction container, A pack transporting process for unpacking the pack;
The rack supplied holding a plurality of sample containers is transported to a rack sample dispensing position for dispensing the sample, and the sample in each sample container is dispensed into the reaction container, A rack transport process for transporting the pack to the unloading position;
The sample in the sample container transported to the packed sample dispensing position is dispensed to the reaction container, or the sample in the sample container transported to the rack sample dispensing position is dispensed to the reaction container. Sample dispensing process;
A sample transport method for an automatic analyzer characterized by comprising:   5. The automatic analyzer according to claim 4, further comprising a priority setting step for preferentially setting one of the sample dispensing from the sample container held by the pack and the sample dispensing from the sample container held by the rack. Specimen transport method.

Images