JP2011099834A - Automatic analysis device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic analysis device capable of preventing a bar code read error. <P>SOLUTION: The automatic analysis device includes a first reagent rack 70 disposed in a reagent box 60 storing a reagent container 6 housing a first reagent and movably holding the reagent container 6; a reader 80 disposed outside the reagent box 60 and reading a bar code 6a marked on the reagent container 6 held by the first reagent rack 70 through a cover 63 covering an opening formed in the reagent box 60; and a detection unit 25 predictively detecting a read error of the bar code 6a. The reader 80 generates image data by imaging a determination symbol 73 disposed in the first reagent rack 70 through the cover 63, and the detection unit 25 processes the image data generated by the reader 80 and determines whether the bar code 6a can be read. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that analyzes components contained in a liquid, and more particularly, to an automatic analyzer that analyzes components contained in body fluids such as human blood and urine.

  The automatic analyzer is intended for biochemical test items, immunological test items, etc., and changes in color and turbidity caused by the reaction of the mixture of the test sample collected from the sample and the reagent of each test item are measured with a spectrophotometer. Optical data is measured by a photometric unit having a turbidimeter or the like, thereby obtaining analytical data represented by concentrations of various test item components in the test sample, enzyme activities, and the like.

  In this automatic analyzer, a reagent container containing a reagent for each inspection item is stored in a reagent container capable of being kept cold, and then the inspection item to be inspected set according to the examination of the subject is analyzed. Then, the test sample is sucked from the sample container by the sample dispensing probe and discharged to the reaction container. Further, the reagent is aspirated from the reagent container in the reagent storage by the reagent dispensing probe and discharged to the reaction container. Then, the liquid mixture of the test sample and the reagent discharged into the reaction container is measured by the photometry unit.

  By the way, with the increase in the types of test items that can be analyzed by automatic analyzers, the number of reagent containers has increased, so remove reagent containers with insufficient reagents and store reagent containers filled with reagents in the reagent store. There is a problem that the storage position is wrong. In order to solve this problem, an automatic analyzer that can determine the position of a reagent container by writing a barcode indicating the information of the reagent on the reagent container and reading it with a reader is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). .)

  In this automatic analyzer, it is necessary to store a large number of reagent containers in the reagent store and keep them cool, and the reader is arranged outside the reagent store. For this reason, an opening is provided in a part of the reagent storage. The opening is closed with a cover that transmits light so that cold air can be prevented from leaking out of the reagent container and the barcode written on the reagent container in the reagent container can be read.

Japanese Patent No. 3300704

  However, water droplets condensed due to the temperature difference between the cold air in the reagent chamber and the outside air, and dirt such as the reagent evaporating from the reagent container in the reagent chamber are attached to the cover, and the reagent container stored in the reagent chamber There is a problem that abnormal reading of the bar code written.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer that can prevent bar code reading abnormalities.

  In order to achieve the above object, an automatic analyzer of the present invention according to claim 1 is the automatic analyzer that dispenses a sample and a reagent into a reaction container and measures the mixed solution, wherein the reagent is accommodated. A reagent rack disposed in a reagent storage for storing a reagent container and movably holding the reagent container; and a barcode written on the reagent container disposed outside the reagent storage and held in the reagent rack. Based on the reading means for reading, the imaging means included in the reading means for imaging the determination symbol arranged in the reagent rack and generating image data, and the reading means based on the image data generated by the imaging means And determining means for determining whether or not the bar code can be read.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic analyzer that dispenses a sample and a reagent into a reaction container and measures a mixed solution thereof, wherein the sample stores the sample container in which the sample is accommodated. A sample rack that is disposed inside the chamber and movably holds the sample container; a reading unit that is disposed outside the sample chamber and reads the barcode written on the sample container held by the sample rack; and The bar code is read by the reading unit based on the imaging unit included in the reading unit that generates image data by imaging the determination symbol arranged in the sample rack, and the image data generated by the imaging unit. And determining means for determining whether or not it is possible.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to determine whether or not the reader can read the barcode before reading the barcode. Thereby, it is possible to prevent bar code reading abnormalities.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the automatic analyzer which concerns on the Example of this invention. The perspective view which shows the structure of the analysis part which concerns on the Example of this invention. The figure which shows the external appearance of the reagent container which concerns on the Example of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the symbol for determination which concerns on the Example of this invention. The figure which shows the cross section of the reagent store which concerns on the Example of this invention, the arrangement | positioning of a 1st reagent rack, and a reader | leader, and a reagent store. The figure which shows the structure of the reader which concerns on the Example of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the positional relationship of the symbol for determination arrange | positioned in the 1st reagent rack which concerns on the Example of this invention, and a reader. The figure which shows an example of the symbol image data for the first determination displayed on the display part which concerns on the Example of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the process sequence of the symbol data in the determination process part which concerns on the Example of this invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the automatic analyzer which concerns on the Example of this invention.

  Examples of the present invention will be described below.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an automatic analyzer according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention. This automatic analyzer 100 measures a standard sample of each inspection item or a mixture of a test sample and a reagent of each inspection item to generate standard data and test data, and an abnormality in the analysis unit 24. And a detection control unit 30 that drives and controls each analysis unit related to the measurement of the analysis unit 24.

  Further, the automatic analyzer 100 processes the standard data and test data generated by the analysis unit 24 to generate calibration data and analysis data, and the calibration data generated by the data processing unit 40. And the output unit 45 for printing and displaying analysis data, the operation unit 50 for inputting various command signals, the detection unit 25, the analysis control unit 30, the data processing unit 40, and the output unit 45. And a system control unit 51 for controlling.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the analysis unit 24. The analysis unit 24 includes a sample container 17 that stores each sample such as a standard sample and a test sample, a sample rack 5 that holds the sample container 17, and a first reagent system or a second reagent system for each inspection item. A reagent container 6 for storing a reagent and a reagent container 7 for storing a second reagent paired with a first reagent of a two-reagent system are provided.

  The reagent container 60 for storing the reagent container 6, the first reagent rack 70 for movably holding the reagent container 6 stored in the reagent container 60, and the reagent container 6 held in the first reagent rack 70 A reader 80 for reading a written barcode, a reagent container 90 for storing the reagent container 7, a second reagent rack 91 for movably holding the reagent container 7 stored in the reagent container 90, and a second reagent rack A reader 93 for reading a bar code written on the reagent container 7 held at 91 and a determination symbol 73 arranged in the first and second reagent racks 70 and 91 are provided.

  In addition, the reaction disk 4 that rotatably holds a plurality of reaction containers 3 arranged on the circumference and the sample in the sample container 17 held in the sample rack 5 are sucked and discharged into the reaction container 3. A sample dispensing probe 16 for pouring, a sample dispensing arm 10 for holding the sample dispensing probe 16 so as to be rotatable and vertically movable, and a first reagent in the reagent container 6 held in the first reagent rack 70 And a first reagent dispensing probe 14 that dispenses the sample into the reaction container 3 from which each sample has been discharged.

  Also, a first reagent dispensing arm 8 that holds the first reagent dispensing probe 14 so as to be able to rotate and move up and down, and a first mixture that agitates each sample and first reagent discharged into the reaction vessel 3. The stirrer 18, the first stirrer arm 20 that holds the first stirrer 18 so that the first stirrer 18 can be rotated and moved up and down, and the second reagent in the reagent container 7 held in the second reagent rack 91 are aspirated. A second reagent dispensing probe 15 for dispensing the sample and the first reagent into the reaction container 3 is provided.

  In addition, the second reagent dispensing arm 9 that holds the second reagent dispensing probe 15 so as to be rotatable and vertically movable, and the mixed solution of each sample, the first reagent, and the second reagent in the reaction container 3 are stirred. The second stirrer 19 that rotates, the second stirrer arm 21 that holds the second stirrer 19 so that the second stirrer 19 can be rotated and moved up and down, and the photometric unit that optically measures the liquid mixture in the reaction vessel 3 by irradiating light. 13 and a cleaning unit 12 that cleans the inside of the reaction vessel 3 that has been measured by the photometric unit 13.

  Then, the photometry unit 13 irradiates the reaction container 3 with light, and based on the detection signal for detecting the wavelength light of each inspection item that has passed through the liquid mixture containing the standard sample and the test sample in the reaction container 3, For example, standard data or test data expressed by absorbance or the amount of change in absorbance is generated. Then, the generated standard data and test data are output to the data processing unit 40.

  The detection unit 25 shown in FIG. 1 is provided for predicting and detecting an abnormal reading of the barcode written on the reagent containers 6 and 7 held in the first and second reagent racks 70 and 91 of the analysis unit 24. . Then, based on the determination processing unit 26 that processes the image data generated by imaging the determination symbol 73 by the readers 80 and 93 of the analysis unit 24, and the processing result processed by the determination processing unit 26, the analysis unit 24. And a determination unit 27 that determines whether or not the barcodes written on the reagent containers 6 and 7 held in the first and second reagent racks 70 and 91 can be read.

  The analysis control unit 30 includes a mechanism unit 31 having a mechanism for driving each analysis unit of the analysis unit 24, and a control unit 32 for controlling each mechanism of the mechanism unit 31. The mechanism unit 31 includes a mechanism that rotates the sample rack 5, the first reagent rack 70, and the second reagent rack 91 of the analysis unit 24, and a mechanism that rotates the reaction disk 4.

  Also, a pump that causes the sample dispensing probe 16 to suck and discharge the sample, a pump that causes the first reagent dispensing probe 14 to suck and discharge the first reagent, and a second reagent to the second reagent dispensing probe 15. Each has a mechanism for driving a pump for performing suction and discharge. The sample dispensing arm 10, the first reagent dispensing arm 8, the second reagent dispensing arm 9, the first stirring arm 20, and the second stirring arm 21 are respectively rotated and moved up and down, and the washing unit 12. And a mechanism for moving up and down.

  The control unit 32 controls each mechanism of the mechanism unit 31 to operate each analysis unit of the analysis unit 24 at a predetermined timing for each analysis cycle. Further, the readers 80 and 93 of the analysis unit 24 are controlled. Based on the barcode reading information output from the readers 80 and 93, the mechanism for rotating the first and second reagent racks 70 and 91 of the mechanism unit 31 is controlled. When the determination unit 27 of the detection unit 25 determines that the readers 80 and 93 are unable to read the barcodes written on the reagent containers 6 and 7, each analysis related to the measurement of the analysis unit 24 is performed. Stop the measurement operation of the unit.

  The data processing unit 40 generates the calibration data and analysis data for each inspection item by processing the standard data and the test data output from the photometry unit 13 of the analysis unit 24, and the calculation unit 41 generates the data. And a data storage unit 42 for storing calibration data and analysis data.

  The calculation unit 41 generates calibration data representing the relationship between the concentration and activity of each test item component and the standard data from the standard data output from the photometry unit 13 and the standard values preset in the standard sample of the standard data. The generated calibration data is output to the output unit 45 and stored in the data storage unit 42.

  Further, the calibration data of the inspection item corresponding to the test data output from the photometry unit 13 is read from the data storage unit 42, and the concentration value and the activity are determined from the test data output from the photometry unit 13 using the read calibration data. Generate analytical data expressed as values. The generated analysis data is output to the output unit 45 and stored in the data storage unit 42.

  The data storage unit 42 includes a memory device such as a hard disk, and stores the calibration data output from the calculation unit 41 for each inspection item. In addition, the analysis data of each inspection item output from the calculation unit 41 is stored for each test sample.

  The output unit 45 includes a printing unit 46 that prints out calibration data and analysis data output from the calculation unit 41 of the data processing unit 40, and a display unit 47 that displays the output. The printing unit 46 includes a printer or the like, and prints the calibration data and analysis data output from the calculation unit 41 on printer paper or the like according to a preset format.

  The display unit 47 includes a monitor such as a CRT or a liquid crystal panel, and displays calibration data and analysis data output from the calculation unit 41. Also, an analysis parameter setting screen for setting analysis parameters for each test item that can be analyzed by the automatic analyzer 100, and a reagent information setting screen for setting information on the first and second reagents for each test item that can be analyzed , A holding position setting screen for setting the holding positions of the reagent containers 6 and 7 on the first and second reagent racks 70 and 91 without barcodes, and test information for identifying a test sample to be inspected In addition, a test information / test item setting screen for setting test items of the test sample is displayed.

  The operation unit 50 includes input devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, a button, and a touch key panel, and includes analysis parameters for each test item, first and second reagent information, holding positions of the reagent containers 6 and 7, test information, and test. Performs operations for setting items. Further, an operation for analyzing the inspection item is performed for each test sample of the test information of the display unit 47 in the output unit 45 and the test information set on the test item setting screen.

  The system control unit 51 includes a CPU and a storage circuit, and holds a command signal input by an operation from the operation unit 50, analysis parameter information of each inspection item, first and second reagent information, and reagent containers 6 and 7. After storing input information such as position, test information, and inspection item information in the storage circuit, the detection unit 25, the analysis control unit 30, the data processing unit 40, and the output unit 45 are integrated based on the input information. And control the whole system.

  Next, referring to FIGS. 1 to 9, the configuration of the reagent containers 6 and 7, the determination symbol 73, the reagent storage 60, the first reagent rack 70 and the reader 80 in the analysis unit 24, and the reagent in the detection unit 25. Details of the operation for predicting and detecting an abnormal reading of the barcode written on the container 6 will be described.

  The reagent storage 90, the second reagent rack 91, and the reader 93 in the analysis unit 24 are configured in the same manner as the reagent storage 60, the first reagent rack 70, and the reader 80 except for their positions. Description is omitted. In addition, since the operation for predicting and detecting the barcode reading abnormality written on the reagent container 7 in the detection unit 25 is the same as that of the barcode written on the reagent container 6, the description of the operation is omitted. .

  FIG. 3 is a view showing the appearance of the reagent containers 6 and 7. Each of the reagent containers 6 and 7 is configured by a top surface and a bottom surface that form a trapezoid whose longitudinal direction is the height direction that is the length between the upper base and the lower base, for example. In addition, an inner peripheral surface that forms a rectangle with the upper base and the bottom of the trapezoid as a short side, an outer peripheral surface that forms a rectangle with the lower base as a short side, and a rectangle that has the opposite sides other than the upper and lower bases as one side, respectively. It is comprised by the two width side surfaces which comprise.

  In the vicinity of the outer peripheral side surfaces of the upper surfaces of the reagent containers 6 and 7, there are provided openings through which the first and second reagent dispensing probes 14 and 15 enter in order to aspirate the first and second reagents. Also, the barcode area on the outer peripheral side surfaces of the reagent containers 6 and 7 is encoded with the reagent ID, the inspection item name, the reagent name, etc., which are the first and second reagent information, for example, a one-dimensional barcode such as ITF or PDF417. Bar codes 6a and 7a, which are two-dimensional bar codes such as

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the determination symbol 73. As shown in FIG. 4A, the determination symbol 73 is formed by arranging n columns of quadrilaterals (cells), which are constituent units of the barcodes 6a and 7a written on the reagent containers 6 and 7, in the width direction. It is composed of (m × n) cells 7311 to 73mn arranged in m columns in the direction. The cells 7311 to 73mn are either white or black, forming a pattern in which the white and black cells 7311 to 73mn are arranged alternately.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the determination symbol 73 has substantially the same shape as the reagent containers 6 and 7, for example, and the barcode 6a of the reagent containers 6 and 7 in the symbol body 74 having substantially the same dimensions is used. It is written in the symbol area corresponding to the marked barcode area. Whether the symbol body 74 on which the determination symbol 73 is written can read the barcodes 6a and 7a written on the reagent containers 6 and 7 held in the first and second reagent racks 70 and 91. In order to determine whether or not the first and second reagent racks 70 and 91 can hold the reagent containers 6 and 7, they are arranged at a holding position set by an input from the operation unit 50.

  FIG. 5 is a view showing the arrangement of the reagent store 60, the first reagent rack 70, and the reader 80, and a cross section of the reagent store 60. 5A is a plan view of the reagent store 60, the first reagent rack 70, and the reader 80, and FIG. 5B is a plan view of the reagent store 60 and the first reagent rack 70 shown in FIG. 5A. It is AA sectional view taken on the line.

  The reagent storage 60 covers a reagent case 61 having a circular opening on the upper side for storing the reagent container 6 containing the first reagent, and an opening of the reagent case 61 in order to prevent the cold air from escaping. A removable lid 62, a cover 63 that closes an opening provided on the side of the reagent case 61 in order to prevent the cold air from escaping, and a cooler 64 that cools the reagent container 6 stored in the reagent case 61. And.

  The first reagent rack 70 is disposed in the reagent storage 60 and has a holding body 71 that holds the bottom surface, inner peripheral side surface, and outer peripheral side surface of the reagent container 6, and a holding body 71 that holds the width side surfaces on both sides of the reagent container 6. And a plurality of partition plates 72 arranged radially at a predetermined interval. Then, in a state where the reagent containers 6 with the longitudinal directions of the upper surface and the bottom surface directed toward the center of the reagent storage 60 are held on the circumference, the reagent containers 6 are moved in the arrangement direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

  Note that the determination symbol 73 may be written and arranged on the partition plate 72 located between the adjacent reagent containers 6 held by the first reagent rack 70.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the reader 80. As shown in FIG. 7, the reader 80 is disposed in the vicinity of the cover 63 outside the reagent storage 60, and includes an irradiation unit 81 that emits light, an imaging unit 82 that captures and generates image data, and an imaging unit 82. An image processing unit 83 for processing the generated image data.

  The irradiation unit 81 has a light source such as a light emitting diode that emits light. Then, the light transmitted through the cover 63 is recorded in the determination symbol 73 disposed in the first reagent rack 70 passing through the vicinity of the cover 63 in the reagent storage 1 and the reagent container 6 held in the first reagent rack 70. The irradiated barcode 6a is irradiated.

  The imaging unit 82 detects a light from the determination symbol 73 and the barcode 6a through the cover 63, and an image data generation unit 822 that generates image data based on a detection signal detected by the detection unit 821. And.

  The detection unit 821 includes a light detection element such as a CCD (charge coupled device) that detects light. Then, the light reflected from the determination symbol 73 and the barcode 6a and transmitted through the cover 63 is detected by irradiation from the irradiation unit 81, and the detected light is converted into an electric signal. Further, the converted signal is converted into a digital signal and output to the image data generation unit 822.

  The image data generation unit 822 has a memory such as a VRAM, for example, and accumulates signals from the detection unit 821 to determine image data of the determination symbol 73 (determination symbol image data) or image data of the barcode 6a (bar code). Image data). Then, the generated determination symbol image data is output to the determination processing unit 26 of the detection unit 25. Further, the generated barcode image data is output to the image processing unit 83.

  The image processing unit 83 generates binarized data obtained by binarizing the barcode image data generated by the image data generating unit 822 of the imaging unit 82 into white and black based on a predetermined threshold. Next, the binarized data is converted into first reagent information represented by characters or the like using a preset conversion table. Then, the converted first reagent information is output to the control unit 32 of the analysis control unit 30.

  Based on the first reagent information output from the reader 80, the control unit 32 detects the holding position in the first reagent rack 70 of the reagent container 6 containing the first reagent identified by the reagent information. Then, when dispensing the first reagent in the reagent container 6 at the detected holding position, the first reagent rack 70 can be rotated and the reagent container 6 can be aspirated by the first reagent dispensing probe 14. Move to the correct position.

  In addition, when installing the reagent container 6 in which the barcode 6a of the test item to be tested in the analysis unit 24 is not written in the first reagent rack 70, the reagent container 6 is installed from the operation unit 50 before the measurement is started. By inputting the holding position of the first reagent rack 70 and the first reagent information, the first reagent rack 70 can be rotated and the reagent container 6 at the input holding position can be aspirated by the first reagent dispensing probe 14. Move to the correct position.

  The determination processing unit 26 of the detection unit 25 first outputs the image data generation unit 822 of the imaging unit 82 in the reader 80 after the determination symbol 73 is arranged at the holding position set by the input from the operation unit 50. The determination symbol image data is displayed on the display unit 47 of the output unit 45.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the first determination symbol image data displayed on the display unit 47. The determination symbol image data 75 includes symbol data 76 corresponding to the determination symbol 73 and background data 77 corresponding to the symbol main body 74 other than the determination symbol 73. The area of the symbol data 76 includes a bar code data area 78 indicated by a broken line corresponding to the bar code 6 a of the bar code image data generated by the image data generating unit 822.

  Here, when a designation operation for designating the processing area of the determination symbol image data 75 is performed from the operation unit 50, the determination processing section 26 is an area of the symbol data 76 that is the designated area of the determination symbol image data 75. Are cut out, and the cut out symbol data 76 is processed. By this designation operation, the position information of the designated area is stored in the determination processing unit 26, and the area of the position information is cut out from the determination symbol image data 75 output from the image data generation unit 822 after the designation operation. become.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the symbol data 76 in the determination processing unit 26. This determination processing unit 26 binarizes the cut symbol data 76. Next, as shown in FIG. 9A, pixels that are constituent units of the cell regions 7611 to 76mn corresponding to the cells 7311 to 73mn of the determination symbol 73 in the binarized symbol data 76a are counted for each color. To do.

  After counting, the color having the larger number in each cell region 7611 to 76mn is determined as the color of the region, and as shown in FIG. 9B, the cell regions 7611b to 76mn are determined in color. The pattern of the symbol data 76b is compared with the pattern of the determination symbol 73. Then, the cell regions 7611b to 76mnb of the symbol data 76b are classified into error regions that do not match the correct regions that match the colors of the cells 7311 to 73mn of the determination symbol 73 and the colors of the determination symbol 73, and error regions. Count.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 9C, for example, the cells 7311 to 7319 of the determination symbol 73 are replaced with black cells 7311, 7313, 7315, 7317, 7319 and white cells 7312, 7314, 7316, 7318. being classified. The cell regions 7611b to 7619b corresponding to the cells 7311 to 7319 of the symbol data 76b are classified into black cell regions 7611b, 7613b, 7614b, 7615b and 7617b, and white cell regions 7612b, 7616b, 7618b and 7619b. The The cell regions 7613b to 7615b are adjacent to the same black color, and the cell regions 7618b and 7619b are adjacent to the same white color. Therefore, the cell areas 7614b and 7619b are counted as error areas.

  In this way, the ratio (error rate) of the error area to the entire cell area of the symbol data 76b is obtained, and the obtained error rate is output to the determination unit 27 as the error rate information of the reader 80.

  Based on the error rate information of the reader 80, which is the processing result processed by the determination processing unit 26, the determination unit 27 stores the barcode written on the reagent container 6 held in the first reagent rack 70 of the analysis unit 24. It is determined whether 6a can be read. When the error rate is within a preset allowable range, it is determined that the barcode 6a can be read. If the error rate is out of the allowable range, it is determined that the barcode 6 a cannot be read, and the determination result is output to the control unit 32 of the analysis control unit 30.

  Here, if the barcode 6a is, for example, PDF417, the error correction rate of PDF417 is 10%. Therefore, it is determined that the barcode 6a can be read when the error rate is less than 8%, for example. When the rate is 8% or more, it is determined that the barcode 6a cannot be read.

  As described above, with the simple configuration in which the determination symbol 73 is arranged in the first reagent rack 70 and the detection unit 25 is provided, it is possible to predict and detect an abnormal reading of the barcode 6a. Then, by determining the error rate by processing the determination symbol image data 75 obtained from the reader 80, it can be determined whether or not the barcode 6a can be read. In addition, since the determination is performed using the determination symbol 73 that does not depend on the data pattern of the barcode 6a, determination with high accuracy is possible.

  It should be noted that a dedicated imaging unit 82 for imaging the determination symbol 73 is additionally arranged so as to be movable outside the reader 80, and the reader 80 is arranged so as to be movable, and is added when imaging the determination symbol 73. When the image pickup unit 82 is moved to the image pickup position and the barcode 6a is read, the added image pickup unit 82 may be moved to the retracted position and the reader 80 may be moved to the image pickup position.

  Hereinafter, an example of the operation of the automatic analyzer 100 that predicts and detects an abnormal reading of the barcode 6a written on the reagent containers 6 and 7 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the automatic analyzer 100.
The operation of predicting and detecting the reading abnormality of the barcodes 6 a and 7 a written on the reagent containers 6 and 7 is executed according to the measurement operation from the operation unit 50 when the analysis unit 24 performs the measurement.

  Here, for example, when “at the start of measurement”, which is a detection condition for performing predictive detection, is set, a measurement operation including a barcode reading operation and a dispensing operation in the analysis unit 24 according to the measurement start operation. Prior to, the prediction detection operation is executed.

  In addition, when “after temporary stop cancellation” is set as the detection condition, it is necessary to replace the missing reagent in any of the reagent containers 6 and 7 stored in the reagent containers 60 and 90 during the measurement operation. After a pause operation that pauses the dispensing operation, the measurement operation including the barcode reading operation and dispensing operation is resumed in response to the suspension release operation that replenishes the missing reagent and resumes the dispensing operation. Prior to, the prediction detection operation is executed.

  Further, in response to a reagent scan operation from the operation unit 50 that is performed in order to acquire information on the first and second reagents in the reagent containers 6 and 7 stored in the reagent containers 60 and 90 while the analysis unit 24 is on standby. Then, the prediction detection operation is executed.

  Hereinafter, an example of an operation of predictive detection executed based on the detection condition “at the start of measurement” will be described. In order to perform measurement by the analysis unit 24, a sample container 17 in which a test sample to be measured is stored is placed in the sample rack 5, and the first and second reagents of each test item set in the test sample are set. After the stored reagent containers 6 and 7 are stored in the reagent containers 60 and 90, when an operation for starting measurement is performed from the operation unit 50, the automatic analyzer 100 starts operation (step S1).

  The system control unit 51 instructs the detection unit 25, the analysis control unit 30, the data processing unit 40, and the output unit 45 to perform a detection operation and a measurement operation. Prior to the measurement operation, the control unit 32 of the analysis control unit 30 controls the readers 80 and 93 and the mechanism unit 31 to execute the prediction detection operation.

  The first and second reagent racks 70 and 91 move the reagent containers 6 and 7 on which the determination symbol 73 and the barcodes 6a and 7a are written (step S2).

  The readers 80 and 93 generate determination symbol image data 75 by imaging the determination symbols 73 moved by the first and second reagent racks 70 and 91, respectively, and the generated determination symbol image data 75 is detected. (Step S3).

  The determination processing unit 26 of the detection unit 25 processes the determination symbol image data 75 output from the readers 80 and 93 to obtain the error rates of the readers 80 and 93, and obtains information on the obtained error rates of the readers 80 and 93. It outputs to the determination part 27 (step S4).

  Based on the error rate information of the readers 80 and 93 output from the determination processing unit 26, the determination unit 27 displays the bars written in the reagent containers 6 and 7 held in the first and second reagent racks 70 and 91. It is determined whether the codes 6a and 7a can be read.

  If the error rates of the readers 80 and 93 are within the allowable range (Yes in step S5), it is determined that the barcodes 6a and 7a can be read. If the error rate of the reader 80 or the reader 93 is out of the allowable range (No in step S5), it is determined that the barcode 6a or the barcode 7a cannot be read, and the determination result is used as a control unit. 32.

  As described above, it is possible to determine whether or not the readers 80 and 93 can read the barcodes 6a and 7a before the measurement unit 24 starts the measurement operation.

  After “No” in step S5, the control unit 32 performs measurement including the dispensing operation of the sample dispensing probe 16 and the first and second reagent dispensing probes 14 and 15 based on the determination result from the determining unit 27. The operation is stopped (step S6).

  After step S6, the control unit 32 displays the determination result from the determination unit 27 such as “The barcode cannot be read by the reader” on the display unit 47 of the output unit 45 (step S7).

  It should be noted that the barcodes 6a and 7a are not written on the reagent containers 6 and 7 of all the inspection items of the test sample to be measured, and the first and second reagent racks 70 and 91 of the reagent containers 6 and 7 are entered. When the holding position to be installed is set on the holding position setting screen of the display unit 47, the measurement operation is started after “No” in step S5, and the determination result is displayed on the display unit 47 of the output unit 45.

  After “Yes” in step S5, each analysis unit of the analysis unit 24 starts a measurement operation. The readers 80 and 93 read the barcodes 6a and 7a of the reagent containers 6 and 7 moved by the first and second reagent racks 70 and 91, and read the read first and second reagent information to the control unit 32. Output.

  The sample dispensing probe 16 performs dispensing in which the test sample is sucked from the sample container 17 held in the sample rack 5 and discharged into the reaction container 3. Based on the first reagent information output from the reader 80, the control unit 32 detects the holding position in the first reagent rack 70 of the reagent container 6 containing the first reagent identified by the reagent information. Then, when the first reagent rack 70 is rotated to dispense the first reagent in the reagent container 6 at the detected holding position, the reagent container 6 can be aspirated by the first reagent dispensing probe 14. Move to the correct suction position.

  The first reagent dispensing probe 14 sucks the first reagent from the reagent container 6 held in the first reagent rack 70 moved to the suction position, and discharges it into the reaction container 3 from which the test sample has been discharged. Make a note. The first stirrer 18 stirs the mixed liquid in the reaction container 3 from which the test sample and the first reagent are discharged.

  Based on the second reagent information output from the reader 93, the control unit 32 detects the holding position in the second reagent rack 91 of the reagent container 7 containing the second reagent identified by the reagent information. Then, when the second reagent rack 91 is rotated to dispense the second reagent in the reagent container 7 at the detected holding position, the reagent container 7 can be aspirated by the second reagent dispensing probe 15. Move to the correct suction position.

  The second reagent dispensing probe 15 sucks the second reagent from the reagent container 7 held in the second reagent rack 91 moved to the suction position, and discharges it into the reaction container 3 in which the mixed liquid mixture is accommodated. To do. The second stirrer 19 stirs the mixed liquid in the reaction container 3 from which the test sample and the first and second reagents are discharged. The photometric unit 13 measures the liquid mixture in the reaction vessel 3 and outputs test data that is the measurement result to the data processing unit 40. The data processing unit 40 generates analysis data from the test data output from the photometry unit 13, and prints and displays it on the output unit 45.

  After the determination result is displayed on the display unit 47 in step S7 or the analysis data is output from the output unit 45 in step S8, the system control unit 51 detects the detection unit 25, the analysis control unit 30, and the data processing unit 40. Then, by instructing the output unit 45 to stop the detection operation and the measurement operation, the automatic analyzer 100 ends the operation (step S8).

  After the operation of the automatic analyzer 100 is completed, for example, when a determination result indicating that the barcode 6a cannot be read is displayed on the display unit 47, water droplets attached to the cover 63 of the reagent storage 60, the first It is impossible to read the barcode 6a of the reagent container 6 held in the first reagent rack 70 by the reader 80 due to dirt such as reagent or dirt such as water droplets attached to the outside of the reagent storage 60 of the cover 63. Judge that there is. Then, after cleaning the surfaces of the cover 63 inside and outside the reagent storage 60, the measurement operation of the analysis unit 24 is resumed.

  In this way, it is possible to prevent an abnormal reading of the barcode 6a due to dirt on the cover 63. When the measurement operation of the analysis unit 24 is resumed, if the determination result indicating that the barcode 6a cannot be read is output again, the cause is narrowed down to a range other than the dirt on the cover 63. Therefore, the cause can be investigated quickly.

  A reflector is provided between the cover 63 and the reader 80, and the light from the reader 80 is reflected by the reflector to irradiate the barcode 6a and the determination symbol 73, and the cover from the barcode 6a and the determination symbol 73 is provided. The light transmitted through 63 may be reflected by a reflector and detected by the reader 80. If it is impossible to read the barcode 6a, it is assumed that the cover 63 or the reflector is dirty, and the cover 63 and the reflector are cleaned.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention described above, measurement from the operation unit 50 can be performed with a simple configuration in which the determination symbol 73 is arranged in the first and second reagent racks 70 and 91 and the detection unit 25 is provided. Prior to the measurement operation, it is possible to predict and detect a reading abnormality of the barcodes 6a and 7a in accordance with the start operation and the pause release operation. Further, abnormal reading of the barcodes 6a and 7a can be predicted and detected according to the reagent scanning operation.

  Then, by determining the error rate by processing the determination symbol image data 75 obtained from the reader 80, it is possible to determine whether or not the barcode 6a can be read and to detect and predict it.

  When the error rates of the readers 80 and 93 are within a preset allowable range, it is determined that the barcodes 6a and 7a can be read, and the measurement operation can be started. If the error rate is out of the allowable range, it is determined that the barcodes 6a and 7a cannot be read, the measurement operation is stopped, and the determination result can be output to the display unit 47.

  As described above, abnormal reading of the barcodes 6a and 7a written on the reagent containers 6 and 7 can be prevented.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said Example, For example, the barcode which identifies the sample in this container is described in sample containers 17, such as a blood-collecting tube. In addition, in order to reduce the concentration of the sample, a sample case comprising a sample case for storing the sample container 17 and the sample rack 5 and a lid for covering the sample case is provided. Further, in order to read the barcode of the sample container 17 stored in the sample storage, an opening and a cover for closing the opening are provided in the sample case of the sample storage, and the barcode in the sample storage can be read through the cover. A reader configured similar to the reader 80 is provided. Furthermore, the determination symbol is placed on a symbol body having substantially the same shape and size as the sample container 17. And according to measurement start operation, you may implement so that it may perform similarly to the prediction detection operation | movement shown in FIG. 8 at the timing prior to a measurement, or for every completion | finish of dispensing of each sample.

  Thereby, it is determined whether the barcode of the sample container 17 can be read, and the barcode reading abnormality of the sample container 17 can be prevented in advance by predicting and detecting the barcode reading abnormality. .

6 Reagent container 6a Barcode 25 Detection unit 26 Determination processing unit 27 Determination unit 60 Reagent store 61 Reagent case 62 Lid 63 Cover 64 Cooler 70 First reagent rack 71 Holder 72 Partition plate 80 Reader

Claims (11)

In an automatic analyzer that dispenses a sample and a reagent into a reaction vessel and measures the mixture,
A reagent rack disposed in a reagent storage for storing a reagent container containing the reagent, and movably holding the reagent container;
A reading unit that is arranged outside the reagent storage and reads a barcode written on the reagent container held in the reagent rack;
Imaging means included in the reading means for imaging the determination symbols arranged in the reagent rack to generate image data;
An automatic analyzer comprising: determination means for determining whether or not the barcode can be read by the reading means based on image data generated by the imaging means. The reagent storage is provided with an opening and a cover for closing the opening,
The reading means reads the barcode through the cover,
The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the imaging unit images the determination symbol through the cover.   2. The determination symbol is characterized in that a cell which is a constituent unit of the barcode is formed in a white or black color, and a pattern in which white and black cells formed in a single color are alternately arranged is formed. The automatic analyzer according to claim 2. The determination symbol is substantially the same shape as the reagent container, and is arranged in a symbol area corresponding to a barcode area where the barcode of the reagent container is written in a symbol body having substantially the same dimensions,
4. The symbol body according to claim 1, wherein the symbol main body is disposed at a preset position among holding positions where the reagent container can be held by the reagent rack. 5. Automatic analyzer.   4. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the determination symbol is arranged between adjacent reagent containers held by the reagent rack. 5. A reagent dispensing probe that dispenses the reagent from the reagent container held in the reagent rack and dispenses it into the reaction container;
When it is determined that the barcode cannot be read, the reagent dispensing probe stops dispensing the reagent in the reagent container on which the barcode is written. The automatic analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 5.   7. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, further comprising an output unit configured to output a determination result when it is determined that the barcode cannot be read. 8.   The automatic analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the imaging means images the determination symbol prior to dispensing of the reagent. Input means for temporarily stopping the dispensing operation of the sample and the reagent, and an operation means capable of inputting to restart the dispensing operation of the temporarily stopped sample and the reagent,
In accordance with an input for resuming the reagent dispensing operation from the operation means, the imaging means images the determination symbol prior to resuming the reagent dispensing. The automatic analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The bar code indicates reagent information for identifying a reagent contained in the reagent container,
The said reading means has an image processing means which processes the image data produced | generated by the said imaging means and the imaging of the said barcode by this imaging means, and converts it into the said reagent information. Automatic analyzer. In an automatic analyzer that dispenses a sample and a reagent into a reaction vessel and measures the mixture,
A sample rack disposed in a sample storage for storing a sample container in which the sample is stored, and movably holding the sample container;
Reading means for reading a barcode written on the sample container, which is arranged outside the sample storage and held in the sample rack;
Imaging means included in the reading means for imaging the determination symbols arranged in the sample rack to generate image data;
An automatic analyzer comprising: determination means for determining whether or not the barcode can be read by the reading means based on image data generated by the imaging means.

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