JP2011185728A - Autoanalyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an autoanalyzer capable of reducing the waste of a sample and a reagent. <P>SOLUTION: The autoanalyzer is equipped with a reaction container 3 for housing the mixed solution of the sample and the reagent, a light source 71 for irradiating the reaction container 3 with light, a lamp house 82 for housing the light source 71, and a second photodetector 80 for detecting the light emitted from the light source 71 arranged in the lamp house 82. The state of the light source 71 is monitored during the lighting of the light source 71 on the basis of the detection signal detected by the second photodetector 80. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that analyzes a component contained in a liquid, and more particularly to an automatic analyzer that includes a light source that emits light.

  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. And optical data measured by a photometric unit having a turbidimetric meter or the like, thereby generating analysis data represented by concentrations of various test item components in the test sample, enzyme activities, and the like.

  A light source such as a halogen lamp capable of obtaining high output stability from the near ultraviolet region to the near infrared region is used for the photometric unit of this automatic analyzer so that various inspection items can be analyzed. Light sources such as halogen lamps provide high output stability, but the filament that is the light source deteriorates when the lamp is lit for a long time, so the change in light intensity from the light source is determined before measurement. An automatic analyzer is known that starts measurement when it is determined that is stable (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-127583

  However, in Patent Document 1, if the light source becomes unstable during the measurement, the abnormality of the analysis data is noticed only after looking at the analysis data output after the measurement is completed. For this reason, it will measure again and there exists a problem which wastes a sample and a reagent.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer that can reduce waste of samples and reagents.

  In order to achieve the above object, the automatic analyzer of the present invention irradiates light from a light source to a reaction container containing a mixed solution of a sample and a reagent, and detects light transmitted through the reaction container to perform measurement. In the automatic analyzer to be performed, a detection unit that is disposed outside a range through which the light transmitted through the reaction vessel passes and detects light from the light source, and based on a detection signal detected by the detection unit, And determining means for determining the state.

  According to the present invention, by detecting the light from outside the range through which the light irradiated from the light source and transmitted through the reaction vessel passes, and determining the state of the light source based on the detected signal, Waste can be reduced.

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 an example of a structure of the photometry part which concerns on the Example of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the structure of the AA arrow cross section of the 2nd photodetector shown in FIG. 3 which concerns on the Example of this invention, and a monitoring part.

  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. The automatic analyzer 100 irradiates light to a mixed liquid of a sample such as a standard sample or test sample for each inspection item and a reagent for each inspection item, and measures the irradiation light of the analysis unit 22. A monitoring unit 23 for monitoring and an analysis control unit 27 for driving and controlling each analysis unit related to the measurement of the analysis unit 22 are provided.

  In addition, the automatic analyzer 100 generates the calibration data and the analysis data by processing the standard data and the test data generated by the measurement in the analysis unit 22 and the data processing unit 30 generates the calibration data and the analysis data. The output unit 40 for printing and displaying calibration data and analysis data, the operation unit 50 for inputting various command signals, the monitoring unit 23, the analysis control unit 27, the data processing unit 30, and the output unit 40 are integrated. And a system control unit 60 that performs control.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the analysis unit 22. The analysis unit 22 includes a sample container 17 for storing a sample such as a standard sample or a test sample, a sample disk 5 for holding the sample container 17, a plurality of reaction containers 3 arranged on the circumference, There are provided a thermostatic chamber 11 for accommodating the reaction vessel 3 at a predetermined temperature so as to be constant temperature, and a reaction disk 4 for rotatably holding the reaction vessel 3 accommodated in the thermostat 11. Further, the sample dispensing probe 16 for dispensing the sample in the sample container 17 held on the sample disk 5 and sucking it into the reaction container 3 and the sample dispensing probe 16 can be rotated and moved up and down. A sample dispensing arm 10 is provided.

  In addition, a reagent container 6 that accommodates the first reagent and the two reagent system that react with the components of the test item included in the sample, the reagent container 1 that stores the reagent container 6, and the reagent container 1 that stores the reagent container 6 And a reagent rack 1a that holds the reagent container 6 rotatably. Also, the first reagent dispensing probe 14 for dispensing the first reagent in the reagent container 6 held in the reagent rack 1a and sucking it into the reaction container 3 into which the sample has been dispensed, and the first reagent. A first reagent dispensing arm 8 that holds the reagent dispensing probe 14 so as to be rotatable and vertically movable is provided.

  Further, a first stirrer 18 that stirs the mixed solution of the sample and the first reagent dispensed in the reaction vessel 3 and a first stirrer arm 20 that holds the first stirrer 18 so as to be rotatable and vertically movable. I have. In addition, a reagent container 7 that stores a second reagent that forms a pair with the first reagent of the two-reagent system, a reagent container 2 that stores the reagent container 7, and a reagent container 7 stored in the reagent container 2 are rotated. And a reagent rack 2a that can be held. The second reagent dispensing probe 15 for aspirating the second reagent in the reagent container 7 held in the reagent rack 2a and discharging it into the reaction container 3 into which the first reagent has been dispensed, and this A second reagent dispensing arm 9 that holds the second reagent dispensing probe 15 so as to be rotatable and vertically movable is provided.

  The second stirrer 19 that stirs the mixed solution of the sample, the first reagent, and the second reagent dispensed in the reaction vessel 3 and the second stirrer 19 that holds the second stirrer 19 so as to be rotatable and vertically movable. And a stirring arm 21. Moreover, the photometric part 13 which irradiates light to the liquid mixture in the reaction container 3 and measures optically, and the reaction container washing | cleaning part 12 which wash | cleans the inside of the reaction container 3 which completed the measurement in the photometric part 13 are provided. .

  Then, the photometry unit 13 irradiates light to the reaction container 3 that rotates and crosses the optical path, and detects light transmitted through the liquid mixture in the reaction container 3 for each wavelength of the inspection item. Then, the detected detection signal is processed to generate standard data or test data represented by a digital signal, and the generated standard data or test data is output to the data processing unit 30.

  The analysis control unit 27 includes a mechanism unit 28 having a mechanism for driving each analysis unit of the analysis unit 22 and a control unit 29 for controlling each mechanism of the mechanism unit 28. The mechanism unit 28 is a mechanism that stops after rotating the sample disk 5, the reagent rack 1a, and the reagent rack 2a, respectively, and a mechanism that stops after rotating the reaction disk 4, for example, every analysis cycle of 4.5 seconds. It has. 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 each provided with a mechanism that stops after rotating and vertically moving. ing. Moreover, the mechanism which stops after moving the reaction container washing | cleaning part 12 up and down is provided.

  The control unit 29 includes the sample disk 5, the reaction disk 4, the sample dispensing arm 10, the first reagent dispensing arm 8, the second reagent dispensing arm 9, the reagent rack 1a, the reagent rack 2a, and the reaction container cleaning of the mechanism unit 28. A control circuit for controlling each mechanism for driving each analysis unit such as the unit 12 is provided.

  The data processing unit 30 shown in FIG. 1 includes a calculation unit 31 that processes standard data and test data output from the photometry unit 13 of the analysis unit 22 to generate calibration data and analysis data for each inspection item, A data storage unit 32 for storing the standard data and analysis data generated by the unit 31.

  The calculation unit 31 converts the standard data output from the photometry unit 13 into absorbance data, and the relationship between the standard value and the absorbance data from the converted absorbance data and a standard value preset for the standard sample of the absorbance data. Is generated, and the generated calibration data is output to the output unit 40 and stored in the data storage unit 32.

  In addition, the test data output from the photometry unit 13 is converted into absorbance data, and calibration data of examination items corresponding to the converted absorbance data is read from the data storage unit 32. Then, analysis data represented as a concentration value or an activity value is generated from the absorbance data converted using the read calibration data. The generated analysis data is output to the output unit 40 and stored in the data storage unit 32.

  The data storage unit 32 includes a memory device such as a hard disk, and stores the calibration data output from the calculation unit 31 for each inspection item. Moreover, the analysis data of each inspection item output from the calculation unit 31 is stored for each test sample.

  The output unit 40 includes a printing unit 41 that prints out calibration data and analysis data output from the calculation unit 31 of the data processing unit 30 and a display unit 42 that displays and outputs the calibration data. The printing unit 41 includes a printer or the like, and prints the calibration data and analysis data output from the calculation unit 31 on printer paper or the like according to a preset format.

  The display unit 42 includes a monitor such as a CRT or a liquid crystal panel, and displays calibration data and analysis data output from the calculation unit 31. Also, an analysis parameter setting screen for setting analysis parameters of test items that can be analyzed by the automatic analyzer 100, and reagent information for setting information of reagents used for analysis of test items set in the analysis parameter setting screen Inspection item setting screen for selecting and setting the inspection item to be inspected from the setting screen, the identification information for identifying this test sample for each test sample, and the inspection items set on the analysis parameter setting screen, etc. 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 inspection item, reagent information, identification information and inspection items for a test sample, and identification information and a test for each test sample. An input operation or the like for setting a target inspection item or the like is performed.
The system control unit 60 includes a CPU and a storage circuit, and receives input information such as analysis parameter information, reagent information, identification information for each test sample, and test items input by operation from the operation unit 50. After storing the data in the storage circuit, the entire system is controlled by supervising the monitoring unit 23, the analysis control unit 27, the data processing unit 30, and the output unit 40 based on the input information.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 1 thru | or FIG. 4, the structure of the photometry part 13 in the analysis part 22 and the monitoring part 23 is demonstrated. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the photometry unit 13. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a cross section taken along line AA of some units in the photometry unit 13 shown in FIG.
First, the configuration of the photometry unit 13 will be described.
In FIG. 3, the photometric unit 13 includes a light source 71 that emits light, a slit 72 that restricts light from the light source 71, a heat ray absorption filter 73 that removes a heat component from the light that has passed through the slit 72, and a heat ray absorption filter. The first condensing lens 74 that condenses the light transmitted through 73 in the reaction vessel 3 passing through the optical path of this light, and the first light that condenses the light transmitted through the mixed solution in the reaction vessel 3 in the slit 76. 2 condenser lenses 75 and a diffraction grating 77 that splits the light that has passed through the slits 76.

  Further, the first photodetector 78 having a plurality of photodiodes that detect the spectrum separated by the diffraction grating 77 for each wavelength and convert it into an electrical signal, and the detection signal from the first photodetector 78 are processed. The first signal processing unit 79 that generates standard data and test data, the second photodetector 80 that detects the light emitted from the light source 71, and the detection signal from the second photodetector 80 Are converted, and a second signal processing unit 81 that generates monitor data for monitoring the state of the light source 71 and a lamp house 82 that stores the light source 71 and the slit 72 are provided.

  The light source 71 is, for example, a halogen lamp capable of obtaining high output stability from the near ultraviolet region to the near infrared region so that various inspection items can be analyzed, and irradiates strong light in the direction of the optical axis 70. The light is turned on in response to a power-on operation for turning on the automatic analyzer 100 from the operation unit 50. Further, the light is turned off in response to a power-off operation for stopping the supply of power to the automatic analyzer 100. Lights from the time when the power is turned on until the time when the power is turned off. In addition, you may make it implement using LED.

  The slit 72, the heat ray absorption filter 73, the first and second condenser lenses 74 and 75, the slit 76, and the diffraction grating 77 are disposed on the optical axis 70.

  The second detector 80 is disposed, for example, in the lamp house 82 outside the range through which the light transmitted through the reaction vessel 3 passes. Here, a method of monitoring the state of the light source 71 based on the detection signal detected by the first photodetector 78 can be considered. During the measurement, a sample or reagent that passes across the optical path for each analysis cycle is considered. The plurality of reaction vessels 3 containing the mixed solution or the like absorb light and become an obstacle, and there is a problem that detection signals based on the state of the light source 71 cannot be collected continuously. With respect to this problem, the light source 71 is turned on by disposing the second photodetector 80 in the lamp house 82 which is a position outside the range through which the light transmitted through the liquid mixture in the reaction vessel 3 passes. During the measurement, the detection signals of the light emitted from the light source 71 can be continuously collected without being affected by the reaction vessel 3.

  The lamp house 82 is disposed away from the reaction vessel 3 and has two first and second openings through which light emitted from the light source 71 passes. And the heat ray absorption filter 73 is arrange | positioned in the 1st opening part through which the light from the light source 71 irradiated to the reaction container 3 passes, and the 2nd through which the light from the light source 71 irradiated to the 2nd photodetector 80 passes. The second photo detector 80 is disposed in the opening of the.

  Here, when the light source of the light source 71 is, for example, a filament of a halogen lamp and the light passing through the slit 72 is light from a part of the light source, the intensity and stability of the light passing through the slit 72 are Even if it is normal, if a part other than a part of the light source is deteriorated, the light source indicates a sign of abnormality. Therefore, the first and second openings of the lamp house 82 are arranged so that the center is located on the optical axis 70, and a second opening having an opening area larger than the slit 72 is provided. Thereby, in the 2nd photodetector 80, the light from the part wider than the part irradiated to the reaction container 3 of the light emission source in the light source 71 can be detected, and more light information can be obtained. And it becomes easy to catch a sign of abnormality of the light source.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the monitoring section 23 taken along the line AA of the second photodetector 80 shown in FIG. The second light detector 80 is supported by the lamp house 82, removes the heat component of the incident light, a heat ray absorption filter 801, an ND (Neutral Density) filter 802 for reducing the incident light, and the incident light. It comprises a photodiode 803 for detection. Further, the heat-absorbing filter 801, the ND filter 802, a holder 804 that holds the photodiode 803, and caps 805 and 806 that are engaged with the holder 804.

  The heat ray absorption filter 801 is a filter that absorbs infrared rays in a long wavelength region, and is provided to prevent the photodiode 803 from exceeding the operating temperature due to the influence of the light source 71 that is lit and heated. Then, light in the long wavelength region is reduced from the light irradiated by the light source 71 and emitted to the ND filter 802.

  The ND filter 802 is a filter that reduces the light intensity over a wide wavelength range, and is provided to reduce the light incident on the photodiode 803 to an allowable intensity. Then, the light transmitted through the heat ray absorption filter 801 is attenuated and emitted.

  The photodiode 803 converts incident light into an electrical signal. Then, the light transmitted through the ND filter 802 is detected and converted into an electrical signal, and the detected signal, which is the detected electrical signal, is output to the second signal processing unit 81 as monitor data.

  In addition, a filter that selectively transmits a specific wavelength used for analysis of an inspection item in which the ratio of the optical error factor is large is provided on the detection surface of the photodiode 803 so that light of that wavelength is detected. Also good.

  The holder 804 and the caps 805 and 806 are made of, for example, a plastic material having excellent heat insulation in order to reduce the heat from the light source 71 that has generated heat in the lamp house 82 from being transmitted to the photodiode 803. The holder 804 has a through hole, and the heat ray absorption filter 801 and the ND filter 802 are arranged adjacent to each other at one end of the through hole. A photodiode 803 is disposed at the other end of the through hole.

  The cap 805 has an opening having a size including the second opening of the lamp house 82. The cap 805 is detachably screwed into one end portion of the holder 804 and presses and fixes the heat ray absorbing filter 801 and the ND filter 802 disposed at one end portion of the through hole of the holder 804 to the holder 804. The cap 806 is detachably screwed to the other end of the holder 804, and a photodiode 803 disposed at the other end of the through hole is pressed against the holder 804 and fixed.

  In this manner, by providing the caps 805 and 806 so as to be detachable, the heat ray absorbing filter 801 and the ND filter 802 that deteriorate due to long-term use can be easily replaced.

  The second signal processing unit 81 includes an I / V conversion circuit that converts a detection signal continuously output from the photodiode 803 of the second photodetector 80 into a voltage signal while the light source 71 is lit. As A / D conversion circuit for converting the signal converted by the I / V conversion circuit into a digital signal, the detection signal from the photodiode 803 is converted into a digital signal and used as monitor data for monitoring the light source 71 Generate. Then, the generated monitor data is continuously output to the monitoring unit 23.

  As described above, by arranging the second photodetector 80 in the lamp house 82, the light emitted from the light source 71 while the lamp is lit can be continuously detected by the second photodetector 80.

Next, the configuration of the monitoring unit 23 will be described.
The monitoring unit 23 collects monitor data output from the second signal processing unit 81 of the photometry unit 13 in the analysis unit 22 and converts it into absorbance data, and the absorbance data converted by the collection unit 24. It comprises an absorbance data storage unit 25 that stores sequentially, and a determination unit 26 that reads the absorbance data stored in the absorbance data storage unit 25 and determines the state of the light source 71 of the photometry unit 13. In addition, you may implement so that the state of the light source 71 may be determined using monitor data.

  When the power ON operation is performed, the collection unit 24 starts collecting the monitor data output from the second signal processing unit 81 and continuously collects until the power OFF operation is performed. The monitor data output from the second signal processing unit 81 is collected at a predetermined interval, for example, a plurality of times per second, which is shorter than the analysis cycle. Next, each collected monitor data is converted into absorbance data in which the first monitor data in each section, which is longer than, for example, 3 minutes, which is longer than the analysis cycle, is 100% transmittance, and the converted absorbance data is stored in an absorbance data storage unit. To 25.

  The determination unit 26 reads the absorbance data stored in the absorbance data storage unit 25 in time series, and determines the state of the light source 71 based on the read absorbance data. Here, the light source 71 needs a stabilization time until the temperature in the lamp house 82 rises to a substantially constant temperature after the light source 71 is turned on, and the light intensity is stabilized. For this reason, it is determined continuously after the light source 71 is turned on until the light is turned off after the stabilization time has elapsed.

  Here, a criterion for making use of the characteristics of the light source 71 is provided. In the case where the light source 71 is a halogen lamp, there is a feature that irregular fluctuations occur in the intensity of irradiated light when the replacement time that is the life of the lamp is imminent. Accordingly, the light emitted from the light source 71 is detected without being affected by obstacles such as the reaction vessel 3, and the detected signals are continuously collected at short intervals, so that irregular fluctuations are not overlooked. Can be caught.

  Then, in order to catch irregular fluctuations, the number of absorbance data that deviate from a preset threshold value is obtained from the absorbance data of each interval for each interval. A section having L or more obtained numbers is defined as an unstable section. And when the frequency | count of appearance of the unstable area while the light source 71 is lighting is in a tolerance | permissible_range, it determines with the light source 71 being a normal state. Further, when the number of appearances of unstable sections while the light source 71 is lit is in a warning range that is larger than the allowable range, it is determined that it is usable but deteriorated and it is a replacement time, and the determination result is as follows. The warning information is output to the system control unit 60. Furthermore, when the number of appearances of unstable sections while the light source 71 is lit is an abnormal range that is greater than the warning range, it is an abnormal state in which the analysis data deteriorates when the light source 71 deteriorates and is used any more. The abnormality information that is the determination result is output to the system control unit 60.

  In the system control unit 60, the warning information output from the determination unit 26 is displayed on the display unit 42 of the output unit 40. Thus, by displaying the warning information on the display unit 42, it is possible to notify the replacement time and prompt the user to replace the light source 71. This makes it possible to prevent abnormal analysis data from being generated by the light source 71 and prevent misdiagnosis. Moreover, waste of the sample, the reagent, and the work time can be prevented.

  Further, the abnormality information output from the determination unit 26 is displayed on the display unit 42, and is output to the control unit 29 of the analysis control unit 27. Based on the abnormality information output from the system control unit 60, the control unit 29 makes it impossible to start each analysis unit even if an operation for starting the measurement operation of the analysis unit 22 is performed from the operation unit 50. When the unit 22 is measuring, the operation of each analysis unit is stopped.

  In this way, by displaying the abnormality information on the display unit 42, it is possible to notify the deterioration and prompt the user to replace the light source 71. Further, by making it impossible to start each analysis unit of the analysis unit 22 and stopping the operation of each analysis unit during measurement, generation of abnormal analysis data can be prevented in advance. Thereby, misdiagnosis can be prevented. In addition, waste of the sample, reagent, and work time can be reduced.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention described above, the second light detector 80 is arranged in the lamp house 82 in which the light source 71 is stored, so that the light emitted from the light source 71 is constantly lit. It can be detected by the second detector 80. The state of the light source 71 can be determined based on the detection signal output from the second photodetector 80 while the light source 71 is on.

  And when the frequency | count of appearance of an unstable area is in a tolerance | permissible_range, it can determine with the light source 71 being a normal state. Further, when the number of appearances of the unstable section is a warning range that is larger than the allowable range, warning information that is the determination result can be displayed on the display unit 42 to notify the replacement timing of the light source 71. Thereby, replacement of the light source 71 can be prompted.

  Furthermore, when the number of appearances of the unstable section is an abnormal range that is larger than the warning range, it is determined that the light source 71 is in an abnormal state, and the abnormal information that is the determination result is displayed on the display unit 42, Can be notified of the deterioration. Thereby, replacement of the light source 71 can be prompted. In addition, each analysis unit of the analysis unit 22 can be disabled. In addition, the operation of each analysis unit during measurement can be stopped.

  As described above, generation of abnormal analysis data can be prevented in advance, and misdiagnosis can be prevented. In addition, waste of the sample, reagent, and work time can be reduced.

3 Reaction container 70 Optical axis 71 Light source 72 Slit 80 Second photodetector 81 Second signal processing unit 82 Lamp house 801 Heat ray absorption filter 802 ND filter 803 Photodiode 804 Holder 805, 806 Cap

Claims (8)

In an automatic analyzer that performs measurement by irradiating light from a light source to a reaction container containing a mixed solution of a sample and a reagent, and detecting light transmitted through the reaction container,
A detector that is disposed outside a range through which light transmitted through the reaction vessel passes, and detects light from the light source;
An automatic analyzer comprising: determination means for determining a state of the light source based on a detection signal detected by the detection means. A lamp house disposed apart from the reaction vessel for storing the light source;
The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is arranged in the lamp house.   The lamp house has a first opening through which light from the light source for irradiating the reaction vessel passes and a second opening in which the detection means is arranged. The automatic analyzer described. The reaction vessel stops after moving every analysis cycle,
The automatic determination according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the determination unit is configured to make a determination based on a detection signal that is longer than the analysis cycle detected by the detection unit. Analysis equipment.   The automatic determination according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the determination unit continuously determines from the time when the light source is turned on until the light source is turned off after a stable time has elapsed. Analysis equipment.   6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising output means for outputting warning information determined to be a replacement time by the determination means and abnormality information determined to be in an abnormal state. Automatic analyzer. Having a dispensing probe for dispensing the sample and the reagent into the reaction vessel;
7. The dispensing probe according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the dispensing operation is stopped during the measurement when it is determined by the determining means that the dispensing probe is in an abnormal state. Automatic analyzer.   The automatic analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the light source is a halogen lamp.

Images