JP2011153943A - Autoanalyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a composite type analyzer having a necessarily sufficient processing capacity corresponding to the ratio of various inspections becoming necessary in individual facilities while achieving the compactification of an autoanalyzer and flexibly and rapidly performing the feed of the sample between analyzing units. <P>SOLUTION: The autoanalyzer is arranged in the periphery of a pretreatment disk for standardizing the sizes of a plurality of analyzing units for performing measurement using different measuring theories and performing the pretreatment of the sample. The power supply, control/communication cable and water supply and discharge device attaching positions of the analyzing units are made common to be arranged in the periphery of the pretreatment disk of the autoanalyzer at a definite interval. A mechanism for dispensing or transferring a pretreatment sample to the analyzing units from the pretreatment disk is provided enable the dispensation of the sample of a pretreatment container and the movement of the pretreatment container between the pretreatment disk and the respective analyzing units. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an analyzer that performs qualitative / quantitative analysis of a sample, and more particularly to a composite analyzer that integrates a plurality of analysis units that perform analysis based on measurement principles having different functions.

  An automatic analyzer in which a plurality of analyzers having different measurement principles are connected via a transfer line for transferring a sample is widely used. For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 describe an automatic analyzer in which a plurality of analyzers such as an electrolyte analyzer, a biochemical analyzer, and a serum immune analyzer are connected via a sample transport line on the back of the device.

Japanese Patent No. 3801547 Japanese Patent No. 3391734

  In the apparatuses described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, in order to cope with various inspections with different measurement principles, it is necessary to connect analysis apparatuses for the respective inspections by a sample transport line using a belt conveyor or the like. It was. Further, in order to provide a device having a processing capacity suitable for the facility to be used, it is necessary to connect a plurality of devices having the same function. Therefore, there has been a situation in which an increase in the size of the device by connecting a plurality of devices cannot be avoided.

  Usually, there are many cases in which one sample is requested to perform a plurality of types of analysis. For example, there is a case where there is a request for different analysis such as electrolyte analysis, biochemical analysis, and serum immunoassay using one serum sample. In this case, the sample moves on a transport line between a plurality of analysis units having different measurement principles.

  If the distance between multiple analysis units that should be analyzed for the sample is large, or if another sample stays in an analysis unit that exists between transport lines connected in series, the multiple units There is a problem that it takes time to transport the sample, or the sample cannot be transported to the target unit by overtaking the previous sample, so that rapid analysis cannot be performed. In addition, test items involving sample pretreatment, such as coagulation tests and immune serum tests, differ in the type of sample, which complicates the structure of the transport line and the transport operation from the line to the analysis unit on the line.

  In addition, since a plurality of devices are connected via the sample transport line, in order to change the configuration between the connected analyzers, the belt conveyor constituting the transport line can be removed, or in some cases the belt Major work such as changing the length was necessary. Therefore, it is difficult to review the configuration of the analysis unit of the apparatus according to the increase / decrease of the number of samples or the update of other analysis apparatuses.

  The outline of the most typical configuration of the invention disclosed by the present application is as follows. In the present invention, the sizes of analysis units having different functions and measurement principles corresponding to various examinations are standardized, and all are made the same size. Each analysis unit includes a detection unit in the unit according to a different measurement principle for each unit type. A plurality of standardized analysis units are arranged radially around a circular sample pretreatment disk in the apparatus.

  Wiring for power supply, water supply, drainage, analysis unit control and signal processing is common throughout all the positions where a plurality of analysis units are set, and is arranged at regular intervals. A wiring connector for power supply, water supply, drainage, analysis unit control and signal processing is also arranged on the plurality of analysis units at the same position as the analysis unit is set.

  A dispensing mechanism that can move on the plane with the XY mechanism is provided, and pre-processed samples are collected and discharged, or a transfer mechanism that can be moved on the plane with the XY mechanism is provided to transfer the pretreatment container It is possible to do it.

  In the pretreatment container, a pretreated sample and a sample not pretreated are arranged. The movement of these samples to the analysis unit is determined based on analysis items and analysis conditions. It is characterized in that a pretreated sample and an untreated sample can be dispensed to a predetermined analysis unit, or the whole pretreatment container can be transferred to a predetermined analysis unit.

  A transfer mechanism for transporting the sample from the sample pretreatment disk to each analysis unit may be arranged at the center of the circular sample pretreatment disk.

  The automatic analyzer of the present invention standardizes the size of analysis units with different functions and measurement principles, and arranges them radially around the circular sample pretreatment disk in the device, thereby connecting a large number of devices. Therefore, it is possible to cope with various inspections having different measurement principles. Also, by rotating the circular pretreatment disk and transferring the pretreatment container, the sample can be transported randomly and quickly to any analysis unit compared to a device that transports between analysis units using a belt conveyor system. Is possible.

  Furthermore, a transfer line for connecting a plurality of analysis units becomes unnecessary, and the replacement work of the analysis units becomes easy. Standardization of the size of the analysis unit and ease of replacement work make it possible to review the combination of the number of various analysis units according to the facility's demands and to develop analysis units with new functions even after the start of equipment operation. This makes it easy to incorporate into the device.

It is explanatory drawing which showed one Example of the automatic analyzer to which this invention was applied. It is explanatory drawing which showed the operation | movement range of various dispensing mechanisms and a transfer mechanism in the automatic analyzer of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which showed the example of the dispensing position of various samples and a reagent in the automatic analyzer of FIG. (A), (b) is explanatory drawing which showed the example of transfer operation | movement of the pre-processing container from the pre-processing disk to an analysis unit in the automatic analyzer of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which showed the example which used the suction nozzle for the transfer of the pre-processed sample from a pre-processing disk to an analysis unit as another Example of the automatic analyzer to which this invention is applied. It is the figure which showed only the site | part which connects the analysis unit of the automatic analyzer main body to which this invention is applied in the state which removed the analysis unit, and is explanatory drawing which showed an example of arrangement | positioning of various connection parts with an analysis unit. . It is explanatory drawing which showed the site | part which connects the analysis unit of the automatic analyzer main body to which this invention is applied, arrangement | positioning of various connection connectors by the side of an analysis unit, and an example of a connection. It is explanatory drawing which showed other embodiment of the automatic analyzer to which this invention is applied, and the example of a combination of an analysis unit.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an automatic analyzer to which the present invention is applied. The analysis apparatus includes a sample disk 1, a sample container 2, a sample dispensing mechanism 3, a pretreatment disk 4, a pretreatment container 5, a pretreatment liquid / analysis unit reagent 6, a pretreatment liquid / analysis unit reagent dispensing mechanism 7 , Pretreatment container agitation mechanism 8, pretreatment container transfer mechanism 9, analysis unit 10, pretreatment container holder 11, pretreatment container replenishment mechanism 12, pretreatment sample dispensing mechanism 13, reaction disk 14, reaction container 15, and reagent A container 16, a first reagent dispensing mechanism 17, a second reagent dispensing mechanism 18, a reaction container stirring mechanism 19, a photometric unit 20, and a reaction container cleaning mechanism 21 are provided.

  The analysis by the analyzer is performed in the following order.

  The sample for clinical examination is dispensed from the sample container 2 installed on the sample disk 1 to the pretreatment container 5 arranged on the pretreatment disk 4 by the sample dispensing mechanism 3. It is desirable to use the pretreatment disk as a place for performing the reaction between the sample and the reagent for the analysis unit, in addition to the pretreatment such as dilution of the sample and hemolysis.

  For samples that require pretreatment such as sample dilution or hemolysis, the pretreatment liquid / analysis unit reagent 6 is dispensed into the pretreatment container by the pretreatment liquid / analysis unit reagent dispensing mechanism 7. Examples of the pretreatment liquid include a diluting solution such as physiological saline for diluting the sample, and a hemolytic agent for performing hemolysis of blood cell components in the blood sample. As the reagent for the analysis unit, a reaction reagent for the analysis unit having a flow-type detection mechanism can be considered. The reagent for the analysis unit is connected to the analysis unit reagent and the analysis unit 10 through separate flow paths, except for the method of dispensing using the analysis unit reagent dispensing mechanism described above. A so-called dispenser type dispensing mechanism may be used to supply the reagent to the analysis unit.

  The mixed solution in which the pretreatment liquid / analysis unit reagent is dispensed is stirred by the pretreatment container stirring mechanism 8. For samples that do not require pretreatment such as dilution or hemolysis, the pretreatment solution is not added and stirred, and the process proceeds directly to the next step. The temperature of the pretreatment disk may be controlled to 37 ° C., for example, so that the reaction between the sample and the pretreatment liquid is promoted. Also good. A pretreatment container that requires reaction promotion and a pretreatment container that requires storage of a sample, for example, a pretreatment disk is formed in a double shape, and the pretreatment container is held on separate disks. Also good.

  Around the pretreatment disk 4, a plurality of analysis units 10 that perform analysis based on different measurement principles are arranged radially along the outer periphery of the pretreatment disk. All analysis units have the same standardized size, and are equipped with detection mechanisms with different measurement principles. Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which the analysis unit is arranged on the outer periphery of the pretreatment disk, the analysis unit may be arranged on the inner circumference side of the pretreatment disk.

  The sample held in the pretreatment container or the pretreated sample is sent to the analysis unit corresponding to the inspection item to be measured, or the reaction container 15 held on the reaction disk 14 by the pretreatment sample dispensing mechanism 13. To be dispensed. As a means for moving the sample in the pretreatment container to the analysis unit 10, a method for transferring the pretreatment container to the analysis unit using the pretreatment container transfer mechanism 9 and a suction using a suction nozzle or a dispensing mechanism are used.・ There is a method of dispensing. FIG. 1 shows an example using a pretreatment container transfer mechanism.

  Considering the possibility of contamination between different samples and solidification of the sample in the pretreatment container, the pretreatment container after use is disposable and discarded using the pretreatment container transfer mechanism as shown in the figure It is desirable to have a configuration. However, as another embodiment, although not shown, a cleaning mechanism for cleaning the pretreatment container may be provided to clean the used pretreatment container and repeatedly use it. Alternatively, as described above, the pretreatment disk may have a double-circular shape, and a disk in which the pretreatment container is disposable and a disk that is cleaned and repeatedly used may be arranged.

  In the case of a configuration in which the pretreatment container as illustrated is disposable, the pretreatment container is transferred to the analysis unit, and an empty position is generated in the pretreatment disk. A new pretreatment container is replenished from the pretreatment container holding unit 11 to the empty position by the pretreatment container replenishment mechanism 12.

  Examples of analysis units that perform analysis based on different measurement principles include blood coagulation test item measurement units, electrolyte item measurement units, biochemical item measurement units, and serum immunity item measurement units.

  The number and ratio of measurement requests for various inspection items with different measurement principles vary depending on the facility where the apparatus is used. Even in the same facility, the optimum combination of the number of various analysis units changes due to reasons such as increase / decrease in the number of samples, revision / abolition of test items, and disposal of other analysis devices. Therefore, the number of various analysis units should be freely selected for each type of unit and should be arranged around the preprocessing disk. It is good also as a structure which selects and provides the combination of the number of various analysis units at the time of apparatus introduction, and it is desirable to set it as the structure which can be replaced | exchanged easily after the apparatus operation start. Although FIG. 1 is an example in which twelve different analysis units are applied, the number of analysis units may be larger. The size of each unit is preferably as compact as possible, and it is preferable that the total number of units that can be arranged in the apparatus is large.

  Next, analysis of a sample or a pretreated sample that has not been sent to the analysis unit and dispensed into the reaction container 15 will be described. The periphery of the reaction disk has the same configuration as that of a so-called discrete automatic analyzer, and the reagent stored in the reagent container 16 is transferred from the first reagent dispensing mechanism 17 and the first reagent to the sample in the reaction container. The two-agent dispensing mechanism 18 is used for dispensing. The reaction solution in the reaction vessel is stirred by the reaction vessel stirring mechanism 19 and the absorbance thereof is measured by the photometry unit 20 and used for calculating the component concentration in the sample. The reaction vessel 15 is washed by the reaction vessel washing mechanism 21 and used repeatedly for analysis.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the operating ranges of various dispensing mechanisms and transfer mechanisms in the automatic analyzer of FIG.

  Various dispensing mechanisms / replenishment mechanisms, that is, sample dispensing mechanism 3, pretreatment liquid / analyzer unit reagent dispensing mechanism 7, pretreatment container replenishment mechanism 12, pretreatment sample dispensing mechanism 13, first reagent dispensing The mechanism 17 and the second reagent dispensing mechanism 18 are provided with rails for moving the upper surface of the apparatus back and forth and left and right as necessary. Thereby, various dispensing mechanisms and replenishing mechanisms can access any location within the rail length range. The figure mainly shows an example of a mechanism that uses rails that move back and forth, right and left on the upper surface of the device. However, it may take the form of a dispensing mechanism that rotates around one point. As shown by the processing container transfer mechanism 9, the mechanism may be a combination of a rotating operation and an operation in which the length of the arm expands and contracts.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing examples of dispensing positions of various samples and reagents in the automatic analyzer shown in FIG. In the figure, A is a sample discharge position where the sample dispensing mechanism discharges the sample to the pretreatment container, B is a pretreatment container replenishment position where the pretreatment container replenishment mechanism replenishes the pretreatment container, and C is a pretreatment liquid / analysis. The reagent dispensing mechanism for the unit dispenses the pretreatment liquid and the reagent for the analysis unit for dispensing into the pretreatment container, D denotes a pretreated sample or a sample that does not require pretreatment, from the pretreatment container to the reaction disk The sample re-sampling position where the sample is sucked when moving, E is the re-sampling sample discharge position where the re-sampled sample is discharged to the reaction vessel, and F and G are the reaction cells for the first reagent and the second reagent, respectively. These are the first reagent discharge position and the second reagent discharge position.

  4 and 5 are explanatory views showing a method of transferring a sample from a pretreatment disk to an analysis unit in an automatic analyzer to which the present invention is applied.

  As a first example, as shown in FIG. 4, a position provided in an arbitrary analysis unit from an arbitrary position H in the preprocessing disk using a preprocessing container transfer mechanism in which an arm rotates and expands and contracts. This is a method of transferring the entire pretreatment container to J. In this method, by combining the rotation operation of the pretreatment disk and the rotation operation of the arm of the pretreatment container transfer mechanism, the pretreatment container at any position on the pretreatment disk can be randomly transferred.

  As a second example, as shown in FIG. 5, the sample in the pretreatment container is sucked and transferred to the position J of the analysis unit using the suction nozzle 22. The suction nozzle is normally installed at a certain distance from the upper surface of the pretreatment disk, and only when the sample in the pretreatment container is sucked, the suction nozzle descends into the pretreatment container. Perform the suction operation. In this method, by combining the rotation operation of the pretreatment disk and the operation of moving up and down only the suction nozzle of an arbitrary analysis unit, only the sample in the arbitrary pretreatment container is sucked and transferred to the analysis unit. Can do.

  As a third example, although not shown in the drawing, a pre-processed sample is moved to a position on an arbitrary analysis unit side using a rail-type dispensing mechanism as described above, or an arm-type dispensing mechanism that rotates and expands / contracts. The pretreatment sample may be transferred by dispensing.

  Next, an example of a measurement method in the analysis unit and selection of a sample transfer method will be described.

  As a measurement method that needs to continuously detect the progress of the reaction, such as a blood coagulation reaction or an enzyme reaction, use of the first transfer method for transferring the specimen pretreatment container to the analysis unit is assumed. In this case, by continuously measuring the reaction solution in the pretreatment container using the LED light source or halogen lamp provided in the analysis unit, the enzyme concentration in the sample can be determined from the measurement of coagulation time and the degree of progress of the enzyme reaction. Perform the calculation.

  On the other hand, in the case of a flow-type measurement method in which the reaction liquid is passed through the flow channel and measured, any one of the first to third transfer methods may be used depending on the measurement principle. Examples include the method of quantifying the electrolyte concentration in the sample from the electromotive force generated by sucking the sample diluted in the pretreatment container into the flow path equipped with the ion selective electrode membrane, and the absorbance after the completion of the reaction. There are a method of quantifying the concentration of the chemical item component, a method of quantifying the concentration of the serum immunity item component from the amount of luminescence of the solution after completion of the reaction using an antigen-antibody reaction.

  FIG. 6 is a view showing only a portion to which the analysis unit of the automatic analyzer main body to which the present invention is applied is shown with the analysis unit removed, and shows an example of the arrangement of various connection portions with the analysis unit. It is explanatory drawing. The parts to which the analysis unit is connected are provided at regular intervals around the pretreatment disk of the analyzer main body. A power supply unit 23 that supplies power to the analysis unit, a water supply pipe 24 that supplies purified water used for analysis and cleaning in the analysis unit, and a waste solution after analysis are discharged to all parts connected to the analysis unit. A communication wiring unit 26 is provided for performing processing of data signals obtained by controlling and analyzing the operation of the drain pipe 25 and the mechanism of the analysis unit.

  The arrangement of these connection portions is the same at all positions to which the analysis unit is connected, and the work can be easily performed when the analysis unit is replaced with a different type.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing an example of a portion to which the analysis unit of the automatic analyzer main body to which the present invention is applied, an arrangement of various connection connectors on the analysis unit side, and a connection. The arrangement of mechanisms for analysis in the analysis unit is not shown. On the bottom surface of the analysis unit, a power supply connector 27, a water supply connector 28, a drainage connector 29, and a communication wiring connector 30 are provided at positions corresponding to the connection portion on the analyzer side. As indicated by arrows in the figure, the various connectors on the analysis unit side are connected to the various connections of the analyzer main body, thereby enabling power, water supply, drainage, and communication necessary for the operation of the analysis unit. When the pretreatment container is disposable and a unit that can be analyzed without using purified water is connected, it is possible to use only the power supply and the communication wiring without using the water supply pipe and the drain pipe.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing another embodiment of an automatic analyzer to which the present invention is applied and a combination example of an analysis unit. Each analysis unit is shown in different colors depending on the measurement principle and detection method used. FIG. 8 shows an example in which two electrolyte item analysis units K, four blood coagulation item analysis units L, four biochemical item flow method analysis units M, and two serum immune item analysis units N are combined. In this way, it is desirable to be able to freely select the number of combinations of a plurality of analysis units having different measurement principles in consideration of the ratio of the number of measurement requests and the difference in processing capacity of each analysis unit. To optimize the number of combinations of analysis units, for example, increase the number of analysis units that use an analysis method with a large number of measurement requests, increase the number of analysis units that use a measurement principle that requires time for one measurement, etc. Can be considered.

  For pretreatment solution / analysis unit reagents, a large amount of necessary reagents such as diluents and a small number of types may be used in a small amount as in serum immunoassay reagents using large-capacity bottles as shown in 6a. However, if many types are required, a reagent container as shown in 6b may be used.

  As for the transfer method of the pretreated sample, as in the example of FIG. 8, the pretreatment container transfer mechanism indicated by the arrow in the figure transfers the pretreatment container together with the pretreatment container to the analysis unit, and the suction nozzle provides the inside of the pretreatment container. An area for sucking and transferring the sample to the analysis unit may be provided and arranged around the pretreatment disk.

  In addition, to facilitate the replacement work of the analysis unit, the shape of the connection part such as the power supply, water supply / drainage pipe, communication cable, etc. between the analyzer main unit and each analysis unit is possible even for different types of analysis units. It is desirable to use a common shape as much as possible.

  Further, it is needless to say that all the positions J of the pretreatment container after the transfer are desirably provided at the same position in the unit in order to simplify the transfer operation of the pretreatment container transfer mechanism.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sample disk 2 Sample container 3 Sample dispensing mechanism 4 Pretreatment disk 5 Pretreatment container 6, 6a, 6b Reagent for pretreatment liquid / analysis unit 7 Reagent dispensing mechanism for pretreatment liquid / analysis unit 8 Pretreatment container stirring mechanism 9 Pretreatment container transfer mechanism 10 Analysis unit 11 Pretreatment container holder 12 Pretreatment container replenishment mechanism 13 Pretreatment sample dispensing mechanism 14 Reaction disk 15 Reaction container 16 Reagent container 17 First reagent dispensing mechanism 18 Second reagent dispensing Mechanism 19 Reaction vessel stirring mechanism 20 Photometric unit 21 Reaction vessel cleaning mechanism 22 Suction nozzle 23 Power supply unit 24 Water supply pipe 25 Drain pipe 26 Communication wiring unit 27 Power supply connector 28 Water supply connector 29 Drain connector 30 Communication wiring connector A Sample discharge position B Pretreatment container replenishment position C Reagent discharge position for pretreatment liquid and analysis unit D Sample re-sampling position E Re-sample Sample discharge position F First reagent discharge position G Second reagent discharge position H Position J of pretreatment container before transfer Position K of pretreatment container after transfer Electrolyte item analysis unit L Blood coagulation item analysis unit M Biochemical item flow System analysis unit N Serum immune item analysis unit

Claims (9)

  A sample holding unit for holding a sample for clinical examination, a sample preprocessing disk for preprocessing the sample, and a plurality of analysis units having different functions for performing component analysis of the sample or the preprocessed sample In the automatic analyzer, the pretreatment container can be moved, and the stop position of the pretreatment container and the position where the pretreated samples of a plurality of analysis units are added are arranged so as to have the same movement distance. Automatic analyzer to do.   2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, further comprising a circular pretreatment disk, wherein the plurality of analysis units are arranged radially on an outer periphery or an inner periphery of the pretreatment disk.   2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, further comprising transfer means for transferring the sample or the preprocessed sample from the preprocessed disk to the analysis unit.   3. The automatic analyzer according to claim 2, wherein the transfer means is a mechanism that rotates around one point, and the center of rotation is arranged near the center of the pretreatment disk.   2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein wiring for common power supply, water supply, drainage, analysis unit control and signal processing is arranged at regular intervals at a position where a plurality of analysis units are set. An automatic analyzer characterized in that wiring connectors for power supply, water supply, drainage, analysis unit control and signal processing are arranged at similar intervals on the plurality of analysis units.   A sample holding unit for holding a sample for clinical examination, a sample preprocessing disk for preprocessing the sample, and a plurality of analysis units having different functions for performing component analysis of the sample or the preprocessed sample The automatic analyzer is provided with a dispensing mechanism that can move on a plane with an XY mechanism for separating and discharging the pretreated solution from the pretreatment container to each analysis unit. Automatic analyzer.   7. The automatic analyzer according to claim 6, wherein the pretreatment container can be moved, and the XY mechanism can move the pretreatment container from the pretreatment disk to each analysis unit. An automatic analyzer characterized by the provision of   8. The automatic analyzer according to claim 7, wherein the pre-processed sample and the non-pre-process sample arranged in the pre-processing container are determined based on the analysis item and the analysis condition, and are divided into predetermined analysis units. An automatic analyzer characterized in that the pretreatment container can be moved to a predetermined analysis unit.   7. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of analysis units can be freely arranged such as a plurality of the same analysis units or a combination of different analysis units.

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