JP2011117867A - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic analyzer capable of securing easily proper dispensation accuracy, reducing a sample dummy, and preventing complication of sucking/discharging operation of a sample. <P>SOLUTION: This automatic analyzer includes: a first container storing dilution water or cleaning water; a second container storing a sample; a reaction container; and a probe for sucking the dilution water or the cleaning water from the first container, and further sucking the sample from the second container after sucking the air, and dispensing the sucked sample into the reaction container. The automatic analyzer for preparing reaction solution by dispensing the sample and a reagent into the reaction container by the probe, and measuring a component amount in the reaction solution, also has a third container storing a nonaqueous solvent, and a driving control part for controlling the probe so as to suck the nonaqueous solvent from the third container by the probe before sucking the sample from the second container after sucking the air. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer, and more particularly to an automatic analyzer that dispenses a sample and a reagent into a reaction vessel to generate a reaction solution and measures the component amount of the reaction solution.

  In a conventional automatic analyzer, samples having different liquid properties such as a calibrator, serum, urine, and diluted specimen are sucked from each container, discharged into a reaction container to generate a reaction solution, and the component amount of the reaction solution is measured. A standard solution or a control sample (for example, control serum) is used for the calibrator. The absorbance is measured using a calibrator having a known concentration, and calibration is performed to calibrate a calibration curve that is a relationship line between the concentration and the absorbance based on the measurement result. After calibration, the concentration of the sample is automatically calculated from the calibrated calibration curve. For example, the calibration is performed every 30 days automatically, and specific parts such as reagent pumps, reagent probes, sample pumps, sample probes, and light source lamps of the automatic analyzer are replaced and inspected. There are times when it will be implemented after it has been done. For example, the calibration is performed when the automatic analyzer receives an instruction from the operation unit and receives a calibration request registration (selection of an item to be calibrated).

  There is a sampling performance test in which a regression equation is obtained from the measured concentration by the reference sampler and the measured concentration by the sampler to be evaluated, and the performance test is evaluated by the regression equation. Since serum is used for this sampling performance test, the sampling performance tends to be slightly inferior for water-soluble samples. In general, when a sample is sucked, means for sucking the sample is taken after sucking air before sucking the sample in order to prevent molecular diffusion of sample components into water. However, after the air is sucked, the water previously filled in the probe remains on the inner wall of the probe because the probe tube wall speed is 0, and forms a water layer. Thereafter, when the sample is sucked, the sucked sample components may diffuse into the water of the boundary layer, thereby causing a decrease in the concentration of the sample. For this reason, when the sample is aspirated by the probe, an extra amount of sample in consideration of the concentration decrease is aspirated to suppress the concentration decrease of the sample aspirated into the probe. In the following description, the extra aspirated sample is referred to as a “sample dummy”.

  In addition, as a conventional automatic analyzer, a pump having a piston for performing suction and discharge operations of a sample with a probe, a stepping motor for driving the piston, a control circuit and a drive circuit for the stepping motor, and a calculation unit And an input device for inputting the type of sample and analysis item and the amount of the sample, the calculation unit calculates the number of pulses according to the type of sample and the amount dispensed, and the control circuit and drive circuit of the stepping motor The number of pulses is transmitted to the stepping motor. As a result, there is an apparatus capable of accurately dispensing regardless of the difference in properties due to the viscosity of the sample (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-4-291159

  However, in the former prior art, the concentration of the sample is reduced due to molecular diffusion of sample components into the water in the boundary layer formed on the inner wall of the probe. The degree of decrease in the concentration of the sample varies depending on the molecular weight of the sample component. For example, low molecular weight range items (for example, electrolytes, uric acid, calcium, inorganic phosphorus, urea nitrogen, etc.) have a diffusion rate 10 to 100 times faster than high molecular weight range items (total proteins, albumin, enzymes, lipids, etc.), so the concentration decreases. large. In particular, the calibrator in the low molecular weight range is water soluble and its degree is higher than that of serum. For this reason, it is difficult to quantitatively determine a decrease in the concentration of the sample, and it may be difficult to ensure an appropriate dispensing accuracy with only the sample dummy. In addition, it is desired to make the amount of the sample dummy as small as possible.

  In addition, since it is necessary to change the amount of the sample sucked into the probe in accordance with the decrease in the concentration of the sample, if the latter conventional technique described in the above-mentioned patent document is used, For suction and discharge, a small amount of sample is sucked and discharged by rotating the stepping motor at a low speed, and for sucking and discharging a sample with a high degree of concentration reduction, a large amount of sample is sucked and discharged by rotating the stepping motor at a high speed. Therefore, there is a problem that the suction and discharge operations of the sample are different and complicated depending on the type of the sample.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems, makes it easy to ensure appropriate dispensing accuracy, enables a small amount of sample dummy, and complicates the suction and discharge operations of the sample. An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer that can be prevented.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention can suppress a decrease in the concentration of a sample by forming a non-aqueous solvent layer on the water layer remaining on the inner wall of the probe and then sucking the sample. Focused on that.
Specifically, the first aspect of the present invention includes a first container containing dilution water or washing water, a second container containing a sample, a reaction container, and the dilution water or the first container. A probe for aspirating the wash water, further aspirating the air, and then aspirating the sample from the second container, and dispensing the aspirated sample into the reaction container. And an automatic analyzer that dispenses the reagent into the reaction vessel to produce a reaction solution and measures the component amount of the reaction solution, and after sucking the air, a third vessel containing a non-aqueous solvent A drive control unit that controls the probe so that the non-aqueous solvent is sucked from the third container by the probe before the sample is sucked from the second container. It is an automatic analyzer.
In addition, the second aspect of the present invention includes a first container in which dilution water or washing water is placed, a second container in which a sample is placed, a reaction container, and the dilution water or the washing from the first container. A probe that sucks water and further sucks air and then sucks the predetermined sample to be dispensed into the reaction container from the second container and dispenses the sucked sample into the reaction container And selecting the sample according to the measurement item from a plurality of types of the sample having different liquidity by the probe, dispensing the sample and the reagent into the reaction container, and generating a reaction solution, In the automatic analyzer for measuring the component amount of the reaction solution, a third container in which a non-aqueous solvent is placed, a storage unit that stores the necessity of suction of the non-aqueous solvent in association with the sample, and the reaction container To the predetermined sample to be dispensed into In the case where the necessity information stored in the storage unit correspondingly requires suction of the non-aqueous solvent, after the air is sucked and before the sample is sucked from the second container, The probe is controlled so as to suck the non-aqueous solvent from the third container by the probe, and when the necessity information does not require suction of the non-aqueous solvent, after the air is sucked, the second And a drive control unit that controls the probe so as to suck the sample from the container.

  According to the present invention, it is easy to ensure appropriate dispensing accuracy, the sample dummy can be made small, and the sample suction and discharge operations can be prevented from becoming complicated.

  Further, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the non-aqueous solvent is aspirated after the dilution water or the washing water is aspirated by the probe and the air is aspirated and before the sample is aspirated. For example, a non-aqueous solvent layer can be formed between the water layer remaining on the inner wall of the probe and the sample sucked by the probe.

  Furthermore, according to the second aspect of the present invention, since the case where the suction of the non-aqueous solvent is not required is provided, the consumption of the non-aqueous solvent can be reduced.

1 is an overall view of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a conceptual diagram of an automatic analyzer. It is a perspective view of a sample probe, a sample arm, and a sample probe driving unit. It is a functional block diagram of an automatic analyzer. It is a timing chart showing each operation of a sample probe. It is a figure which shows an example of a setting screen. It is a flowchart which shows the input procedure of an analysis parameter item. It is a flowchart which shows the measurement procedure of a sample. It is a flowchart which shows the measurement operation | movement of a calibrator.

  A configuration of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 is an overall view of an automatic analyzer, FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of the automatic analyzer, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sample probe, a sample arm, and a driving device thereof, and FIG. 4 is a functional block of the automatic analyzer. FIG.

  First, the basic configuration of the automatic analyzer will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4. FIG. The automatic analyzer 10 includes a sample storage 100, a sample container 101 for storing a sample (biological sample), a sample arm 102, a sample probe 103, first and second reagent storages 200, a reagent container 201 for storing a reagent, and a reagent arm. 202, a reagent probe 203, a reagent storage case 210, a reaction storage 300, a reaction container 301, a drive control unit 40, a storage unit 42, a determination unit 43, and a display control unit 44. The drive control unit 40 receives a control unit 41 and an instruction from the control unit 41 to drive the sample storage drive unit 104, the sample probe drive unit 105, the reagent storage drive unit 204, the reagent probe drive unit 205, And a reaction chamber drive unit 304. Further, the control unit 41 controls the storage unit 42 and the determination unit 43.

The control unit 41 causes the storage unit 42 to store whether or not the non-aqueous solvent needs to be sucked in association with the sample. The display control unit 44 causes the display unit 50 to display whether or not the non-aqueous solvent associated with the sample needs to be sucked. When the control unit 41 receives a change instruction by the operation of the operation unit 61, the control unit 41 causes the display control unit 44 to display whether or not the changed non-aqueous solvent needs to be sucked and sucks the changed non-aqueous solvent. Is stored in the storage unit 42. Here, the non-aqueous solvent is only required to be insoluble in water, low in chemical reactivity and stable, and further, a non-volatile general formula C _n H _{2n + 2} and n ≧ 20. An alkane is preferred.

  Furthermore, in addition to the sample container 101, the sample container 100 is provided with a dilution water container 106 containing dilution water or washing water, and a non-aqueous solvent container 107 containing non-aqueous solvent. The dilution water container 106 and the non-aqueous solvent container 107 may be provided in a storage or the like separate from the sample storage 100, respectively. Here, the dilution water container 106, the sample container 101, and the non-aqueous solvent container 107 correspond to the first container, the second container, and the third container, respectively. The sample probe 103 corresponds to a probe.

  The sample storage 100 includes a sample rack 130 which is a disk sampler on which a plurality of sample containers 101 are arranged in a circumferential direction, and the sample racks 130 are rotated in the circumferential direction so that the plurality of sample containers 101 are arranged in a circumferential direction. And a sample storage drive unit 104 that sequentially conveys the sample to the suction position.

  The first and second reagent storages 200 basically have the same configuration. Below, the 1st reagent storage 200 is mainly demonstrated and the description which overlaps with the 1st reagent storage 200 about the 2nd reagent storage 200 is abbreviate | omitted. The reagent container 200 is mounted for reagent containers 201 arranged in a circumferential direction, and rotates the reagent containers 201 in the circumferential direction, thereby transporting a plurality of reagent containers 201 to a suction position in order. A driving unit 204 is included. The reagent container 201 contains a reagent that selectively reacts with a specific component contained in the sample.

  The reagent container 201 of the second reagent storage 200 stores a reagent that makes a pair with the reagent stored in the reagent container 201 of the first reagent storage 200.

  A plurality of reaction vessels 301 are accommodated in the reaction chamber 300. The reaction chamber 300 has a reaction line 330 on which a plurality of reaction vessels 301 are arranged in a circumferential direction, and a rotation position of the reaction line 330 in the circumferential direction, thereby sequentially discharging the plurality of reaction vessels 301 to a discharge position. And a reaction chamber drive unit 304 for transporting to the reactor.

  A sample probe 103 is provided at the tip of the sample arm 102. The sample probe 103 sucks the sample from the sample container 101 transported to the suction position, and discharges the sucked sample to the reaction container 301 transported to the discharge position. The sample arm 102 rotates so as to move the sample probe 103 between the suction position and the discharge position. A reagent probe 203 is provided at the tip of the reagent arm 202. The reagent probe 203 sucks the reagent from the reagent container 201 transported to the suction position, and discharges the sucked reagent to the reaction container 301 transported to the discharge position. The reagent arm 202 rotates to reciprocate the reagent probe 203 between the suction position and the discharge position.

  Next, each configuration of the sample probe driving unit 105 and the reagent probe driving unit 205 will be described with reference to FIGS. Each configuration is basically the same. Hereinafter, the configuration of the sample probe driving unit 105 will be described as a representative, and the description of the configuration of the reagent probe driving unit 205 will be omitted.

  A sample probe 103 is fixed to the tip of the sample arm 102 perpendicular to the axial direction of the sample arm 102. The end of the sample arm 102 is fixedly supported on the upper end of a spline shaft 123 provided perpendicular to the axial direction of the sample arm 102. A rotation mechanism 124 is fixed substantially in the middle of the spline shaft 123, and a spline side pulley 125 is provided on the rotation mechanism 124 on a concentric circle. Between the spline-side pulley 125 and a motor-side pulley 127 fixed to the rotating shaft of the stepping motor 122 that is fixed to the frame (not shown) of the automatic analyzer 10 and that constitutes the drive source of the rotating mechanism 124. The rotation belt 128 is stretched, and the spline side pulley 125 is rotated in conjunction with the rotation of the motor side pulley 127.

  The lower end of the spline shaft 123 is pivotally supported by a block 129, and a nut 121 of a ball screw 120 is fixed to the block 129. Further, the ball screw 120 is directly connected to a rotating shaft of a stepping motor 122A for vertical movement fixed to the frame of the automatic analyzer 10, and when the ball screw 120 rotates, the nut 121 moves up and down. The block 129 moves up and down.

  Next, the control of the sample probe 103 and the reagent probe 203 and the configuration of the drive control unit for each control will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing each operation of the sample probe 103, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen.

  First, the configuration of the drive control unit for controlling the sample probe 103 will be described. The sample probe 103 is lowered and raised, and the sample probe 103 is moved to the position of the dilution water container 106, the position of the non-aqueous solvent container 107, the position of the sample container 101, the position of the reagent container 201, and the position of the reaction container 301. A sample probe driving unit 105 for moving to each position and further to a cleaning position and a standby position, a pump (not shown) for sucking and discharging a sample by the sample probe 103, an electromagnetic valve ( (Not shown), an actuator (not shown) for driving the electromagnetic valve, and a control unit 41 for controlling the sample probe driving unit 105 and the like.

  A pump for sucking and discharging a sample has a stepping motor. The stepping motor changes the suction speed and discharge speed of the sample according to the rotation speed. By changing one of the rotation speed or the rotation time of the stepping motor, it is possible to change the suction amount and the discharge amount of the sample.

Next, control of the sample probe 103 will be described.
(Dilution water suction)
In response to an instruction from the control unit 41, when the sample probe driving unit 105 rotates the sample arm 102 and the sample probe 103 moves from the standby position to the position of the dilution water container (first container) 106, the sample probe driving unit 105 is moved. Lowers the sample probe 103. In response to an instruction from the control unit 41, the pump and the solenoid valve are operated, and the sample probe 103 sucks the dilution water from the predetermined dilution water container 106. The suction of the dilution water is shown by the suction of ion exchange water in FIG.

(Air suction)
In response to an instruction from the control unit 41, the electromagnetic valve is activated and closed, and the sample probe driving unit 105 raises the sample probe 103. The sample arm 102 is rotated, and the electromagnetic valve is operated to suck air while the sample probe 103 moves from the position of the dilution water container 106 to the position of the non-aqueous solvent container (third container) 107. At this time, the dilution water is removed from the sample probe 103. However, since the probe tube wall velocity is 0 as described above, a layer of dilution water remains on the inner wall of the sample probe 103.

(Non-aqueous solvent suction)
The control unit 41 reads out whether or not the non-aqueous solvent is required to be sucked from the storage unit 42, and when the read information is the key for non-aqueous solvent suction, the control unit 41 sets the instruction to the sample probe driving unit 105. FIG. 6 shows an array structure in which the analysis parameter item, calibrator dispensing type, sample type, non-aqueous solvent suction amount, and air suction amount data stored in the storage unit 42 are arranged in a line. The analysis parameter item corresponds to the measurement item.

  The control unit 41 reads out each data on the assumption that the non-aqueous solvent is aspirated when each data of the dispensing type and the sample type of the analysis parameter item is “type 1” and “aqueous solution”. Further, the control unit 41 reads out whether or not the non-aqueous solvent is aspirated when the dispensing type and sample type data of the analysis parameter item are “type 0” and “serum and urine”. Further, the control unit 41 receives an input of the suction amount of the non-aqueous solvent by the operation of the operation unit 61 and stores the necessity of suction of the non-aqueous solvent in the storage unit. For example, when the suction amount (μL) of the non-aqueous solvent is a value larger than “0”, the control unit 41 reads the data assuming that the suction of the non-aqueous solvent is necessary. Further, when the suction amount (μL) of the non-aqueous solvent is “0”, the control unit 41 reads out the data assuming that the non-aqueous solvent is not sucked.

  In response to an instruction from the control unit 41, the sample probe driving unit 105 moves the sample probe 103 from the position of the dilution water container 106 to the position of the non-aqueous solvent container 107, and then the sample probe driving unit 105 lowers the sample probe 103. Let In response to an instruction from the control unit 41, the electromagnetic valve is operated, and the sample probe 103 sucks the non-aqueous solvent from the predetermined non-aqueous solvent container 107. The sample probe 103 is filled with a non-aqueous solvent. Note that a layer of dilution water remains on the inner wall of the sample probe 103.

(Sample suction)
After the completion of the suction of the non-aqueous solvent, or the control unit 41 reads out the necessity of the suction of the non-aqueous solvent from the storage unit 42. The drive unit 105 is used.

  In response to an instruction from the control unit 41, the sample probe driving unit 105 rotates the sample arm 102 to move the sample probe 103 from the position of the non-aqueous solvent container 107 to the position of the sample container 101, and then the sample probe driving unit 105 lowers the sample probe 103. In response to an instruction from the control unit 41, the electromagnetic valve is activated and the sample probe 103 sucks the sample from the predetermined sample container 101. Thereby, the non-aqueous solvent is removed from the sample probe 103, and the sample is newly filled. Also at this time, since the probe tube wall velocity is 0 as described above, a layer of dilution water remains on the inner wall of the sample probe 103, and a non-aqueous solvent layer formed on the dilution water layer. Also remains.

  As a result, a non-aqueous solvent is formed between the diluted water layer remaining on the inner wall of the sample probe 103 and the newly sucked sample, so that the sucked sample components may diffuse into the diluted water. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the concentration of the sample. The suction of the sample dummy is unnecessary or extremely small, and a predetermined amount of sample may be sucked. The suction time and the suction operation of the sample are the same regardless of the type of sample to be sucked (low molecular weight region or high molecular weight region). It is.

(Sample discharge)
In response to an instruction from the control unit 41, the electromagnetic valve is activated and closed, and the sample probe driving unit 105 raises the sample probe 103, and then the sample arm 102 is rotated to react the sample probe 103 from the position of the sample container 101. Move to the position of the container 301. Thereafter, the sample probe driving unit 105 lowers the sample probe 103. In response to an instruction from the control unit 41, the electromagnetic valve is operated to cause the sample probe 103 to discharge the sample into the predetermined reaction container 301. Also in the discharge of the sample, a predetermined amount of sample may be discharged, and the discharge time and discharge operation of the sample are the same regardless of the type of sample to be discharged (low molecular weight region or high molecular weight region).

  As described above, it is possible to dispense a predetermined amount of a sample with a predetermined concentration into the reaction vessel 301, and it is possible to prevent the suction and discharge operations of the sample from becoming complicated. Sample dummy suction is unnecessary or very small. In addition, since the amount of sample dispensed does not vary depending on the type of sample, it is possible to easily ensure appropriate dispensing accuracy.

(Cleaning of sample probe, moving to standby position)
Next, in response to an instruction from the control unit 41, the electromagnetic valve is activated and closed, the sample probe driving unit 105 raises the sample probe 103, rotates the sample arm 102, and moves the sample probe 103 from the position of the reaction vessel 301. Move to cleaning position. After completing the cleaning of the sample probe 103, the sample probe driving unit 105 moves the sample probe 103 to the standby position.

  The control of the sample probe 103 has been described above. Note that FIG. 5A shows a case where the non-aqueous solvent needs to be sucked by the sample probe 103 before sucking the water-soluble sample. FIG. 5B shows a case where it is not necessary to suck the non-aqueous solvent by the sample probe 103 before sucking the serum or urine sample.

  Next, the configuration of the drive control unit for controlling the reagent probe 203 will be described. This configuration is basically the same as the configuration of the drive control unit for controlling the sample probe 103 described above. That is, a reagent probe driving unit 205 for lowering and raising the reagent probe 203, moving the reagent probe 203 between the suction position and the discharge position, and further moving the reagent probe 203 to the washing position and the standby position; Control for controlling a pump (not shown) for aspirating and discharging the reagent by the reagent probe 203, an electromagnetic valve (not shown), an actuator (not shown) for driving the electromagnetic valve, the sample probe driving unit 105, and the like. Part 41.

Next, control of the reagent probe 203 will be described.
(Reagent aspiration)
In response to an instruction from the control unit 41, when the reagent probe driving unit 205 rotates the reagent arm 202 and moves the reagent probe 203 from the standby position to the suction position, the reagent probe driving unit 205 lowers the reagent probe 203. In response to an instruction from the control unit 41, the electromagnetic valve is operated, and the reagent is aspirated from the predetermined reagent container 201 by the reagent probe 203.

(Reagent discharge)
In response to an instruction from the control unit 41, the electromagnetic valve is operated, and the reagent probe driving unit 205 raises the reagent probe 203. After the reagent arm 202 is rotated and the reagent probe 203 is moved from the suction position to the discharge position, the reagent probe driving unit 205 lowers the reagent probe 203. In response to an instruction from the control unit 41, the electromagnetic valve is activated, and the sample is discharged into the predetermined reaction container 301 by the reagent probe 203.

(Reagent probe cleaning, moving to standby position)
Next, in response to an instruction from the control unit 41, the electromagnetic valve is activated and closed, the reagent probe driving unit 205 raises the reagent probe 203, rotates the reagent arm 202, and moves the reagent probe 203 from the discharge position to the washing position. After moving the reagent probe 203 and moving it to the standby position.

(Stirring, measurement)
As described above, the reaction container 301 in which the sample and the reagent are dispensed is moved toward the photometric unit 190 by the reaction chamber driving unit 304. Until then, the sample and the reagent in the reaction vessel 301 are stirred by a stirrer (not shown). The photometry unit 190 irradiates the stirred reaction container 301 with light, and measures the absorbance at the set wavelength from the transmitted light.

  As described above, the sample probe driving unit 105 and the reagent probe driving unit 205 dispense a sample and a reagent into the reaction container 301 to generate a reaction solution, and measure the component amount of the reaction solution. The basic configurations of the sample probe driving unit 105 and the reagent probe driving unit 205 are the same.

  Next, a series of operations of the automatic analyzer 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 is a flowchart showing an input procedure of analysis parameter items, FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a sample measurement procedure, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a measurement operation of the calibrator.

  First, an input procedure for analysis parameter items and the like will be described with reference to FIG. When inputting an analysis parameter item or the like, the control unit 41 controls the display control unit 44 and the storage unit 42 in response to an instruction from the operation unit 61, and each of the analysis parameter screen, the calibrator request screen, and the setting screen is displayed. Each data such as an analysis parameter item, a dispensing type, a sample type, a non-aqueous solvent suction amount, and an air suction amount is displayed on each screen, and each data is stored in the storage unit 42. An example of the setting screen is shown in FIG.

(Input of analysis parameter item: S101)
For the calibrator sample of analysis parameter item A, the calibrator dispensing type “type 0” is set by default. When setting other than the default, upon receiving an instruction from the operation unit 61, the control unit 41 causes the display control unit 44 to display a cursor in each column of the item on the setting screen and “B” and “Item C” are displayed.

(Dispensing type input: S102)
Next, upon receiving an instruction by the operation of the operation unit 61, the control unit 41 causes the display control unit 44 to display a cursor in each predetermined column of the analysis parameter screen (not shown) and, for example, the analysis parameter item B “Type 1” is displayed in the column of the dispensing type related to. Further, “type 0” is displayed in the dispensing type column for the analysis parameter item C.

(Sample type input: S103)
Next, upon receiving an instruction by the operation of the operation unit 61, the control unit 41 causes the display control unit 44 to display a cursor in each predetermined column of the calibrator request screen (not shown), and for example, relates to the item A “Serum or urine” is displayed in the sample type column. In addition, “aqueous solution” is displayed in the sample type column for item B. In addition, “serum or urine” is displayed in the column of the sample type related to item C.

(Input of suction amount of non-aqueous solvent: S104)
Next, upon receiving an instruction by the operation of the operation unit 61, the control unit 41 causes the display control unit 44 to display a cursor in each predetermined column of the setting screen, and for example, item A, item B, and item “***” is displayed in each column of the suction amount of the non-aqueous solvent according to C.

(Input of air suction amount: S105)
Next, upon receiving an instruction by the operation of the operation unit 61, the control unit 41 causes the display control unit 44 to display a cursor in each predetermined column of the setting screen, and for example, item A, item B, and item “***” is displayed in each column of the air suction amount related to C. As described above, the control unit 41 stores the data of the analysis parameter item, the calibrator dispensing type, the sample type, the non-aqueous solvent suction amount, and the air suction amount displayed in each column of each screen. 42 is stored.

  Next, calibration and measurement of a general specimen will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the determination unit 43 determines to perform calibrator measurement (step S201; Y), calibrator measurement is performed (step S202). The measurement of the calibrator will be described later with reference to FIG. After measurement by the calibrator, the process proceeds to measurement of a general sample (step S203).

  When the determination unit 43 determines not to measure the calibrator (step S201; N), the general sample is measured (step S203). During the measurement of the general sample, when the determination unit 43 determines that there is a measurement of the standard sample (step S204; Y), the standard sample is measured (step S206). When all the measurements of the general specimen are completed (step S205; Y), the measurement of the sample is terminated. On the other hand, when all the measurements of the general sample are not completed (step S205; N), the measurement of the new general sample (step S203) is repeated.

  Next, the measurement of the calibrator will be described with reference to FIG. The measurement of the calibrator is displayed on the setting screen, and is based on the analysis parameter item, calibrator dispensing type, sample type, non-aqueous solvent suction amount, and air suction amount data stored in the storage unit 42. Done.

  The control unit 41 reads out the analysis parameter item associated with the sample type data from the storage unit 42 (step S301). For example, when analysis parameter item B is read (when suction of a non-aqueous solvent is required) (step S302; Y), sample dispensing including suction of a non-aqueous solvent is performed (step S303). That is, at the time of sample suction, the suction operation is performed in the order of air, non-aqueous solvent, a small amount of sample dummy, and a sample for dispensing. Note that sample dispensing including suction of a non-aqueous solvent has been described in the above description of the control of the sample probe 103.

  In addition, the control unit 41 associates with a sample (corresponding to at least one of an analysis parameter item, a dispensing type, a sample type, or a suction amount of a non-aqueous solvent, or a combination of two or more). Since the storage unit 42 stores whether or not the solvent needs to be sucked, the necessity for sucking the non-aqueous solvent is not limited to the analysis parameter item, but based on the dispensing type, the sample type, or the suction amount of the non-aqueous solvent. You may decide not.

  The storage unit 42 does not store the necessity of suction of the non-aqueous solvent in association with the sample, and causes the storage unit 42 to determine whether the non-aqueous solvent is suctioned in association with the presence or absence of calibration. Also good. In this case, the storage unit 42 stores the necessity of suction of the non-aqueous solvent in association with the analysis parameter item or the dispensing type. At this time, the suction amount of the non-aqueous solvent becomes a value larger than “0” even if the sample is serum or urine.

  Further, for example, when the analysis parameter item A is read (when non-aqueous solvent suction is not required) (step S302; N), sample dispensing that does not include non-aqueous solvent suction is performed (step S304). That is, at the time of sample suction, the suction operation is performed in the order of air, a small amount of sample dummy, and a sample for dispensing. Note that sample dispensing that does not include suction of a non-aqueous solvent has been described in the description of the control of the sample probe 103 above. Since the case where the suction of the non-aqueous solvent is not required is provided, the consumption of the non-aqueous solvent can be reduced.

  Next, the case where the analysis parameter item, calibrator dispensing type, sample type, non-aqueous solvent suction amount, and air suction amount data stored in the storage unit 42 are changed will be described. In response to the instruction by the operation of the operation unit 61, the control unit 41 causes the display control unit 44 to change and display each data on each screen of the analysis parameter screen, the calibrator request screen, and the setting screen. Data is stored in the storage unit 42. Since each data is changed on each screen and each changed data is stored, the changing operation becomes easy.

  In the above-described embodiment, the non-aqueous solvent is sucked in the calibrator measurement. However, the non-aqueous solvent may be sucked in the measurement of the general specimen.

  In the embodiment, the case where the nonaqueous solvent is sucked and the case where the nonaqueous solvent is not sucked is provided according to the type of the sample. However, the nonaqueous solvent may be sucked regardless of the type of the sample. For example, in the calibrator suction, a non-aqueous solvent may be suctioned regardless of the type of the calibrator. Accordingly, it is possible to form a non-aqueous solvent layer between the water layer remaining on the inner wall of the probe and the calibrator sucked by the probe, and it becomes easy to ensure appropriate dispensing accuracy.

10 Automatic analyzer 100 Sample storage 101 Sample container (second container)
102 Sample arm 103 Sample probe 104 Sample storage drive unit
105 Sample probe driving unit 106 Dilution water container (first container)
107 Nonaqueous solvent container (third container) 120 Ball screw 121 Nut 123 Spline shaft 124 Rotating mechanism 125 Spline side pulley
127 Motor side pulley 128 Rotating belt 129 Block
130 Sample rack 190 Photometric unit 200 Reagent storage
201 Reagent container 202 Reagent arm 203 Reagent probe
204 Reagent storage drive unit 205 Reagent probe drive unit 210 Reagent storage case 300 Reactor 301 Reaction vessel 304 Reactor drive unit 40 Drive control unit 41 Control unit 42 Storage unit 43 Determination unit
44 Display Control Unit 50 Display Unit Operation Unit 61

Claims (6)

The first container containing dilution water or washing water, the second container containing the sample, the reaction container, the dilution water or the washing water from the first container, and the air was further sucked. And a probe for aspirating the sample from the second container and dispensing the aspirated sample into the reaction container, and dispensing the sample and the reagent into the reaction container with the probe. In an automatic analyzer for measuring the amount of components of the reaction solution,
A third container containing a non-aqueous solvent;
A drive control unit that controls the probe so as to suck the non-aqueous solvent from the third container by the probe after the air is sucked and before the sample is sucked from the second container;
The automatic analyzer characterized by having. The first container containing dilution water or washing water, the second container containing the sample, the reaction container, the dilution water or the washing water from the first container, and the air was further sucked. And a probe for sucking the predetermined sample to be dispensed into the reaction container from the second container and dispensing the aspirated sample into the reaction container. An automatic analyzer that selects the sample according to the measurement item from a plurality of different types of samples, dispenses the sample and the reagent into the reaction container, generates a reaction solution, and measures the component amount of the reaction solution In
A third container containing a non-aqueous solvent;
A storage unit that stores the necessity of suction of the non-aqueous solvent in association with the sample;
When the non-aqueous solvent needs to be suctioned when the information on necessity stored in the storage unit in association with the predetermined sample to be dispensed into the reaction container, the air is sucked. Then, before the sample is aspirated from the second container, the probe is controlled so that the non-aqueous solvent is aspirated from the third container by the probe, and the necessity information is the aspiration of the non-aqueous solvent. A drive control unit for controlling the probe so as to suck the sample from the second container after the air is sucked,
The automatic analyzer characterized by having.   When receiving a change instruction by the operation of the display control unit and the operation unit, which is stored in the storage unit and displays on the display unit whether or not the suction of the non-aqueous solvent associated with the sample is necessary, A display control unit for displaying whether or not the changed non-aqueous solvent needs to be sucked, and for storing the changed need for sucking the non-aqueous solvent in the storage unit. The automatic analyzer according to claim 2, wherein   The said control part receives the suction | inhalation amount of the said non-aqueous solvent by operation of the said operation part, and memorize | stores the necessity of the suction | inhalation of the said non-aqueous solvent in the said memory | storage part. Automatic analyzer. The non-aqueous solvent includes an alkane having a general formula C _n H _{2n + 2} and n ≧ 20, which is a non-volatile chain saturated hydrocarbon compound that is insoluble in water, low in chemical reactivity, and stable. The automatic analyzer according to claim 4.   The automatic analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sample includes a water-soluble calibrator.

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