JP2011220928A - Autoanalyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To utilize washing water used for probe washing effectively by controlling the water quantity of the washing water.SOLUTION: An autoanalyzer dispensing a sample and a reagent in a container by using a probe and measuring the mixture thereof includes a washing portion for washing the probe by using washing water and a control portion for changing the water quantity of the washing water used for probe washing based on either the kind or the dispensing amount of the sample or the reagent dispensed by the probe.

Description

  The present disclosure relates to an automatic analyzer that cleans a probe using purified water.

  An automatic analyzer is an apparatus that automatically performs component analysis of a test sample (hereinafter referred to as a sample) such as blood or urine aspirated from a subject. In component analysis of a sample, a sample or a reagent is dispensed into a reaction tube using a hollow needle called a probe, and the sample and the reagent are mixed in the reaction tube. Then, this mixed solution is irradiated with light, and the reaction state is examined from the wavelength component of the transmitted light of the irradiated light. This automatic analyzer is widely used in hospitals and laboratories because it can analyze various items for a large number of samples.

  By the way, a sample and a reagent adhere to the inside and outside of the probe described above every time a dispensing operation is performed. In order to wash the sample and the reagent adhering to the inside and outside of the probe, the automatic analyzer includes a washing mechanism for washing the probe using washing water. The automatic analyzer combines the probe dispensing and cleaning into one operation cycle, and repeats this operation cycle to analyze a large number of samples. In order to sufficiently clean the probe with a large amount of sample attached, the probe is cleaned by adding an operation cycle in which only cleaning is performed without dispensing according to the cumulative amount of dispensing performed by the probe. Is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-225608 A

  The above-mentioned probe dispenses various samples such as blood, serum, and urine. For example, since blood and urine have different viscosities and concentrations, washing water necessary for sufficiently washing the probe is used. The amount varies with the type of sample. Similarly, since the viscosity and concentration of the reagent also vary depending on the type, the amount of washing water required varies depending on the type of reagent. In addition, since the amount of sample or reagent dispensed varies from measurement item to measurement item, the amount of washing water required to sufficiently clean the probe varies depending on the measurement item.

  However, in the conventional automatic analyzer, the amount of cleaning water used for cleaning in one operation cycle is fixed. For this reason, for example, when a large amount of a sample with a high viscosity is dispensed, the probe cannot be washed sufficiently, or even when a small amount of a sample with a low viscosity is dispensed, an excessive amount of washing water is used. However, there was a problem that washing water could not be used.

  Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to reduce the amount of use by controlling the amount of cleaning water used for probe cleaning, and to use the cleaning water efficiently.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present disclosure is directed to an automatic analyzer that dispenses a sample and a reagent into a container using a probe and measures a mixed solution thereof, and a cleaning unit that cleans the probe using cleaning water; And a control unit that changes the amount of cleaning water used for cleaning the probe based on at least one of the type or the amount of the sample or reagent dispensed by the probe.

  In addition, in order to solve the above-described problems, the present disclosure is directed to an automatic analyzer that dispenses a sample and a reagent into a container using a probe based on a measurement item, and measures the mixed liquid. And a control unit that changes the amount of cleaning water used for cleaning the probe based on the measurement item.

The block diagram which shows the internal structure of the automatic analyzer which concerns on embodiment. 1 is an external perspective view showing a configuration of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment. The figure which shows the example of a screen display of the parameter setting screen of a measurement item, and a measurement item allocation screen based on embodiment. The figure which shows the structure of the washing | cleaning part which concerns on embodiment. The figure which shows the structure of the washing | cleaning part which switched the flow path which concerns on embodiment. The figure which shows the operation | movement which switches washing | cleaning time according to sample type based on embodiment. The figure which shows the operation | movement which switches washing | cleaning time according to the dispensing amount and density | concentration of a reagent based on embodiment. The figure which shows the operation | movement which switches washing | cleaning time according to a measurement item based on embodiment. The graph which shows the relationship with the sample classification, dispensing amount, and washing | cleaning time which concern on embodiment.

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

(Internal configuration of automatic analyzer 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an automatic analyzer 1 according to the present disclosure.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic analyzer 1 according to this embodiment includes a system control unit 10, an operation unit 11, a storage unit 12, a display unit 13, a component analysis unit 14, a cleaning unit 20, a sample unit 31, and a reagent unit. 32 and the reaction part 33. Note that the configuration of the automatic analyzer 1 is not limited to this, and appropriate components may be added or omitted.

  The system control unit 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The system control unit 10 executes processing according to various application programs loaded in the ROM and RAM in accordance with an instruction signal input from the operation unit 11 described later. The system control unit 10 performs overall control of the automatic analyzer 1 by processing signals supplied from the respective units and generating various control signals and supplying them to the respective units.

  The operation unit 11 includes, for example, a touch panel display and mechanical buttons, and receives an input made by the user of the automatic analyzer 1 with respect to the operation unit 11. The operation unit 11 outputs an instruction signal corresponding to a user input to the system control unit 10.

  The storage unit 12 includes a storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) that can be electrically rewritten and erased, and a flash memory that is a nonvolatile memory. The storage unit 12 stores the analysis result output from the component analysis unit 14 described later. In addition, the storage unit 12 stores a measurement item that associates a reagent to be used for each sample, a dispensing amount of the reagent, and the like. The storage unit 12 also stores a table that associates the type of reagent or sample with the contamination rank. In addition, the storage unit 12 stores a function that associates the contamination rank, the dispensing amount, the reagent concentration, and the like with the cleaning time.

  The display unit 13 is a display composed of, for example, an LCD (Lucid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence). The display unit 13 displays various information such as analysis information output from a component analysis unit 14 described later, progress information of analysis performed by the automatic analyzer 1, and an input screen for input by the operation unit 11.

  The component analysis unit 14 analyzes the wavelength component information output from the reaction unit 33 described later, and calculates the component information of the measured sample. When the component analysis unit 14 calculates the component information, the component analysis unit 14 outputs the analysis information to the storage unit 52.

(Configuration of sample part 31, reagent part 32, reaction part 33)
Next, the configuration of the sample unit 31, the reagent unit 32, and the reaction unit 33 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing the configuration of the automatic analyzer 1.

  The sample unit 31 is a mechanism unit that extracts an arbitrary sample from a sample container stored in the sample table 311 and dispenses the sample into a reaction tube 331 described later. The sample unit 31 includes a sample table 311 that stores sample containers, and a sample probe 312 that dispenses the sample into the reaction tube 331.

  The sample table 311 accommodates sample containers arranged in a circle. Here, the sample refers to a body fluid such as blood, serum, urine, and spinal fluid of a subject to be analyzed, a calibrator (reference sample) used to determine a reference value at the time of analysis, and the like. A rotation motor (not shown) is attached to the sample table 311, and the rotation motor rotates the sample table 311. By rotating the sample table 311, the sample container to be analyzed is moved to the dispensing position of the sample probe 312.

  The sample probe 312 is a hollow needle supported by a movable arm for performing an operation of extracting a predetermined amount of a sample from the sample container and dispensing the sample into the reaction tube 331. A motor (not shown) is attached to the sample probe 312, and the tip of the probe is moved to the dispensing position or the upper portion of the reaction tube 331 according to the instruction signal output from the system control unit 10. Specifically, when the sample probe 312 extracts a sample from the sample container, the system control unit 10 drives a motor attached to the sample probe 312 to move the sample probe 312 around the installation axis of the sample probe 312. Rotate and move the tip of the sample probe 312 to the top of the sample container. When the tip of the sample probe 312 moves to the upper part of the sample container, the system control unit 10 lowers the movable arm of the sample probe 312 to move the tip of the sample probe 312 into the sample container. When the tip of the sample probe 312 moves to the inside of the sample container, the system control unit 10 drives the probe pump 22 attached to the sample probe 312 and sucks out the sample contained in the sample container 3. Extract the sample. Note that the sample extraction amount at this time is determined in advance in the measurement items stored in the storage unit 12. A syringe 24 that is a cylindrical container with a variable volume is attached to the probe pump 22, and the system control unit 10 controls the sample extraction amount by changing the volume of the syringe 24. When the sample probe 312 extracts a predetermined amount of sample, the system control unit 10 drives the movable arm of the sample probe 312 to move the sample probe 312 to the upper part of the sample container, and then attaches the tip of the sample probe 312 to the reaction tube 331. Move to the top of. When the tip of the sample probe 312 moves to the upper part of the reaction tube 331, the system control unit 10 drives the movable arm of the sample probe 312 to move the sample probe 312 into the reaction tube 331 and further drives the probe pump 22. The sample extracted in this manner is discharged into the reaction tube 331. By such a series of operations, the sample probe 312 dispenses the sample in the sample container into the reaction tube.

  The reagent part 32 is a mechanism part that extracts an arbitrary reagent from the reagent containers stored in the first reagent table 321 and the second reagent table 323 and dispenses it to a reaction tube 331 described later. The reagent unit 32 includes a first reagent table 321 and a second reagent table 323 that store reagent containers arranged in a circle, and a first reagent probe 322 that dispenses an arbitrary reagent from the first reagent table 321 to the reaction tube 331, The second reagent probe 324 dispenses an arbitrary reagent from the second reagent table 323 to the reaction tube 331.

  The first reagent table 321 and the second reagent table 323 contain reagent containers arranged in a circle. Here, the reagent refers to a chemical that causes a specific chemical reaction when mixed with a sample. Reagents are classified into two types, a first reagent and a second reagent, in the order in which they are mixed, and are classified and stored in a first reagent table 321 and a second reagent table 323, respectively. In the first reagent table 321 and the second reagent table 323, various reagents having different types, concentrations, viscosities, and the like are stored for each reagent container. The amount of which reagent to use for the sample is determined in advance in the measurement item stored in the storage unit 12. A rotation motor (not shown) is attached to the first reagent table 321 and the second reagent table 323, and the rotation motor rotates the first reagent table 321 and the second reagent table 323. The first reagent table 321 rotates to move the reagent container in which an arbitrary first reagent used for analysis is stored to the dispensing position of the first reagent probe 322. Similarly, the second reagent table 323 rotates to move the reagent container in which an arbitrary second reagent used for analysis is stored to the dispensing position of the second reagent probe 324.

  The first reagent probe 322 and the second reagent probe 324 are hollow needles supported by a movable arm for performing an operation of extracting a predetermined amount of reagent from the reagent container and dispensing it to the reaction tube 331. Similar to the sample probe 312, the first reagent probe 322 and the second reagent probe 324 are provided with a motor (not shown), a probe pump 22, and a syringe 24, and the probe tip is set according to an instruction signal output from the system control unit 10. Move and perform reagent dispensing operation. Specifically, for example, when the first reagent probe 322 extracts a reagent from the reagent container, the system control unit 10 drives a motor attached to the first reagent probe 322 to install the first reagent probe 322. , The first reagent probe 322 is rotated, and the tip of the first reagent probe 322 is moved to the upper part of the reagent container. When the tip of the first reagent probe 322 moves to the upper part of the reagent container, the system control unit 10 moves the movable arm of the first reagent probe 322 down to move the tip of the first reagent probe 322 into the reagent container. When the tip of the first reagent probe 322 moves into the reagent container, the system controller 10 drives the probe pump 22 attached to the first reagent probe 322 to suck out the reagent contained in the reagent container. A reagent is extracted into the inside of one reagent probe 322. The system control unit 10 controls the reagent extraction amount at this time by changing the volume of the syringe 24. When the first reagent probe 322 extracts a specified amount of reagent, the system control unit 10 drives the movable arm of the first reagent probe 322 to move the first reagent probe 322 to the upper part of the reagent container, and then the first reagent. The tip of the probe 322 is moved to the upper part of the reaction tube 331. When the tip of the first reagent probe 322 moves to the top of the reaction tube 331, the system control unit 10 drives the movable arm of the first reagent probe 322 to move the first reagent probe 322 into the reaction tube 331, and further The reagent extracted by driving the probe pump 22 is discharged into the reaction tube 331. Through such a series of operations, the first reagent probe 322 dispenses the reagent in the reagent container into the reaction tube 331. The second reagent also dispenses the reagent in the reagent container into the reaction tube 331 by the same operation.

  The reaction unit 33 is a mechanism unit that mixes the sample and the reagent dispensed from the sample unit 31 and the reagent unit 32 and performs photometric analysis of the mixed solution. The reaction unit 33 includes a reaction tube 331 for storing the mixed solution, a thermostat 332 for storing the reaction tubes 331 in a circular shape, a stirrer 333 for stirring the mixed solution in the reaction tube 331, and a photometric unit for performing photometric analysis of the mixed solution. 334.

  The reaction tube 331 is a container that contains a mixed solution of the sample dispensed from the sample probe 312 and the reagent dispensed from the first reagent probe 322 and the second reagent probe 324. The reaction tube 331 is constituted by a transparent container that transmits light, and is arranged in a circular shape in a thermostat 332 described later.

  The thermostat 332 is a container in which the reaction tubes 331 are arranged in a circle. A rotation motor (not shown) is provided in the thermostat 332, and the rotation motor is connected to the reaction tube 331. The thermostatic chamber 332 rotates and moves the reaction tube 331 by driving a rotary motor, and the arbitrary reaction tube 331 is disposed at the dispensing position of the sample probe 312, the first reagent probe 322, and the second reagent probe 324, the stirrer 332. Are moved to the photometry position of the photometry unit 334 and the photometry position of the photometry unit 334.

  The stirrer 332 is configured by combining a stirring rod inserted into the reaction tube 331 and a vibrator connected thereto. The stirrer 332 inserts a stirring rod into the reaction tube 331 that has moved to the stirring position. When the stirrer is inserted into the reaction tube 331, the stirrer 332 vibrates the vibrator attached to the stirrer, thereby vibrating the stirrer to stir the mixture. When the stirrer 332 finishes stirring, the stirrer 332 moves the stirring rod to the upper part of the reaction tube 331.

  The photometric unit 334 is configured by combining a light emitting unit that emits light of a specific wavelength and a light receiving unit that receives transmitted light that has passed through the mixed liquid. The light emitting unit irradiates light toward the mixed solution in the reaction tube 331. The irradiated light passes through the liquid mixture and enters the light receiving unit. At this time, the wavelength component of the transmitted light changes according to the component of the mixed liquid. When the light receiving unit receives the transmitted light, it analyzes the wavelength component of the transmitted light and acquires the wavelength component information. The photometry unit 334 outputs this wavelength component information to the component analysis unit 14.

(Measurement item settings)
The dispensing operation by the sample probe 312, the first reagent probe 322, and the second reagent probe 324 described above is performed along the measurement items stored in the storage unit 12. In this embodiment, the measurement item is associated with the measurement item name, the sample dispensing amount, the first reagent dispensing amount, the second reagent dispensing amount, the type of reagent to be dispensed, the type of sample, and the measuring item. It is defined as a parameter group that specifies the cleaning time. The system control unit 10 drives each probe according to each parameter included in the measurement item to perform a dispensing operation or a cleaning operation.

  FIG. 3A is a parameter setting screen for measurement items displayed on the display unit 13. For example, the user assigns a name “AST” to the measurement item using the operation unit 11, and the sample dispensing amount, the first reagent dispensing amount, and the second reagent dispensing amount when the measurement item is executed. , And parameters such as probe cleaning time. Alternatively, although not shown in FIG. 3, various parameters such as the type of reagent to be used, the reaction time, the photometric wavelength by the photometric unit 334, and the number of stirrings by the stirrer 332 may be input. Further, instead of inputting the measurement items one by one from the operation unit 11, for example, the measurement items may be input from an external device connected to the automatic analyzer 1 via a network.

  FIG. 3B is an assignment setting screen for measurement items for each sample displayed on the display unit 13. The user uses the operation unit 11 to input which measurement item is to be analyzed for each sample. For example, in FIG. 3B, the analysis of measurement items named “AST”, “ALT”, and “Γ-GPT” is performed on the sample 101. The measurement item assignment may be input from an external device connected to the automatic analyzer 1 via a network, for example, instead of being input from the operation unit 11 one by one.

(Configuration of the cleaning unit 20)
With the configuration described above, the sample unit 31 and the reagent unit 32 perform an operation of dispensing an arbitrary sample and reagent to the reaction tube 331 of the reaction unit 33 based on the measurement item. The reaction unit 33 performs photometric analysis of the liquid mixture in the reaction tube 331 and outputs the mixed liquid to the wavelength component information component analysis unit 14 to analyze the sample. By the way, when performing the dispensing operation, the sample probe 312, the first reagent probe 322, and the second reagent probe 324 perform an operation of extracting and discharging the sample or the reagent into the probe. For this reason, the extracted sample or reagent residue adheres to the inner wall of the probe after the dispensing operation. If a dispensing operation is performed on another sample while leaving a sample or reagent residue attached to the inner wall, the residue will be mixed with another sample, resulting in an error in the analysis (hereinafter referred to as contamination of this residue). Is simply referred to as carryover). The automatic analyzer 1 includes a cleaning unit 20 to prevent this carryover. 4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating the configuration of the cleaning unit 20. In addition to the probe pump 22 and the syringe 24 described above, the cleaning unit 20 receives the cleaning water stored in the storage tank 21, the switching valve 23 for switching the cleaning water flow path, and the cleaning water discharged from the probe to the discharge port. It is comprised from the washing tank 25 which guides. The cleaning unit 20 discharges the cleaning water stored in the water storage tank 21 through the probe toward the cleaning tank 25, thereby discharging the sample or reagent residue adhering to the inner wall of the probe to the drain outlet together with the cleaning water.

  4 and 5 describe the configuration for cleaning the sample probe 311, the first reagent probe 312 and the second reagent probe 324 are also provided with a mechanism for cleaning the inner wall of the probe with the same configuration.

  Hereinafter, an operation in which the cleaning unit 20 cleans the sample probe 311 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. The operation of cleaning the inner walls of the first reagent probe 312 and the second reagent probe 324 is the same.

  When cleaning the sample probe 311, first, the probe pump 22 sucks the cleaning water from the water storage tank 21 and discharges the cleaning water toward the switching valve 23. When the probe pump 22 starts to discharge cleaning water, the system control unit 10 switches the flow path of the switching valve 23 to guide the discharged cleaning water to the syringe 24 as shown in FIG. When the switching valve 23 switches the flow path, the discharged cleaning water passes through the syringe 24 and is discharged to the sample probe 311. The cleaning water discharged into the sample probe 311 is discharged from the tip of the sample probe 311 together with the sample residue adhering to the inner wall of the sample probe 311. The discharged cleaning water is discharged from the discharge port of the cleaning tank 25.

  On the other hand, when the cleaning of the sample probe 311 is finished, the system control unit 10 switches the flow path of the switching valve 23 so that the cleaning water discharged from the probe pump 22 is transferred to the water storage tank 21 as shown in FIG. Lead. That is, the wash water sucked out from the water storage tank 21 returns to the water storage tank 21 again through the switching valve 23 instead of being discharged from the sample probe 311. When the flow path of the switching valve 23 is switched, the system control unit 10 stops the operation of the probe pump 22 and ends the cleaning operation.

  In the present embodiment, as an example, a configuration in which the start and stop of cleaning are controlled by switching the flow path of the switching valve 23 has been described. However, the configuration of the automatic analyzer 1 is not limited to this. For example, the switching valve 23 and the circulation flow path to the water storage tank 21 are omitted, and the start and stop of cleaning are performed at the timing when the operation of the probe pump 22 is started or stopped. You may take the structure which controls a stop. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which the switching valve 23 and the circulation flow path to the water storage tank are omitted, a solenoid valve or the like that blocks the flow path is attached, and the start and stop of cleaning are controlled by the timing at which the solenoid valve opens or closes the flow path. Absent.

(Control of washing time)
Using the cleaning unit 20 described above, the automatic analyzer 1 cleans the inner wall of the probe to which the sample or reagent residue has adhered. When the automatic analyzer 1 actually performs an analysis operation, each probe alternately performs dispensing and cleaning operations. The dispensing and washing operations are performed in synchronization with the rotation and stoppage of the reaction tube 331 that the constant temperature bath 332 periodically performs. In this embodiment, the time interval of the rotation operation of the reaction tube 331 is defined as one cycle. Each component constituting the automatic analyzer 1 such as the probe, the sample table 311, the first reagent table 321, the second reagent table 323, the thermostatic chamber 332, the stirrer 332, and the photometric unit 334 is used as a reference time. Each operation is performed as follows.

  The automatic analyzer 1 changes the time used for cleaning in one cycle based on the type and concentration of the sample or reagent, the inspection parameter, and the like, and uses the cleaning water efficiently. More specifically, the system control unit 10 reads the measurement item from the storage unit 12 when the sample probe 311 performs a dispensing operation, and reads the type and dispensing amount of the sample currently dispensed by the sample probe 311. . Similarly, the system control unit 10 reads the measurement item from the storage unit 12 when the first reagent probe 322 and the second reagent probe 324 perform the dispensing operation, and the first reagent probe 322 and the second reagent probe 324 are currently distributed. Reagent parameters such as the type and amount of reagent being poured, reagent concentration, viscosity, and pH (hydrogen ion concentration) are read. The system control unit 10 determines the cleaning time based on the read information and controls the switching valve 23 to change the cleaning time.

  In the embodiments described later, the operation for determining the cleaning time based on various factors such as the type of sample and reagent to be dispensed, the amount dispensed, and the parameter of the cleaning time associated with the measurement item will be described. Which element is used to determine the cleaning time may be determined in advance as an operation setting of the automatic analyzer 1, or an operator may select an element that determines the cleaning time. Or you may take the structure which adjusts washing | cleaning time by combining a some element.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an operation of changing the cleaning time according to the type of sample. For example, a sample such as a calibrator or urine containing only a water-soluble substance has a low viscosity, so that it is less likely to adhere to the inner wall of the sample probe 311 than blood, serum, and cerebrospinal fluid with high viscosity. Therefore, in the automatic analyzer 1, the cleaning time of the sample probe 311 in which a sample such as a calibrator or urine is dispensed is controlled to be shorter than the washing time in the case of dispensing blood, serum, and cerebrospinal fluid. More specifically, the storage unit 12 stores a contamination rank table that associates and stores a sample type and a contamination rank that is an index value indicating the difficulty of cleaning the residue. For example, the contamination rank of urine with low viscosity is set to a value lower than that of blood, serum, and cerebrospinal fluid with high viscosity. Similarly, the contamination rank of high-viscosity blood is set to a higher value than that of urine or blood, which has a lower viscosity than blood. The system control unit 10 reads measurement items from the storage unit 12 and detects the type of sample dispensed by the sample probe 311. Thereafter, the system control unit 10 reads the contamination rank table from the storage unit 12, and determines the cleaning time in one cycle based on the contamination rank of the sample dispensed by the sample probe 311. The system control unit 10 controls the cleaning time by controlling the timing at which the switching valve 23 switches the flow path.

  In FIG. 6, urine is dispensed in the first dispensing (“dispensing 1” in the figure), and serum is dispensed in the second dispensing (“dispensing 2” in the figure). In “Dispensing 3”), the same amount of blood is dispensed. The system control unit 10 performs the cleaning time control based on the contamination rank described above, so that a short cleaning time is given in dispensing 1, a washing time longer than dispensing 1 in dispensing 2, and a washing longer than dispensing 2 in dispensing 3. The switching valve 23 is switched so as to have time.

  With the above control, the system control unit 10 performs a process of switching the cleaning time in one cycle according to the type of sample. Carry-over can be prevented from occurring by washing the sample having a high viscosity and the like on the inner wall of the sample probe 311 for which residue is likely to adhere, for a long time. On the other hand, a sample having a low viscosity or the like on which the residue hardly adheres to the inner wall is washed for a short time, thereby reducing the amount of water discharged from the sample probe 311 by the washing water in the washing tank 21, resulting in the washing water. Consumption can be reduced.

  Although the cleaning time control for the sample probe 311 has been described in the present embodiment, the same processing is performed for the cleaning time control for the first reagent probe 322 and the second reagent probe 324. That is, information that associates the reagent type with the contamination rank is stored in the contamination rank table of the storage unit 12. The system control unit 10 reads the type of reagent dispensed by the first reagent probe 322 or the second reagent probe 324 from the measurement item, and determines the contamination rank of the reagent to be dispensed based on the contamination rank table. The system control unit 10 determines the cleaning time based on the contamination rank. When the contamination rank value is low, the cleaning time of the first reagent probe 322 or the second reagent probe 324 is shortened. Controls the washing time by switching the switching valve 23 so that the washing time becomes longer. By such control, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of carry-over by washing the reagent having a high viscosity and the like on the inner walls of the first reagent probe 322 and the second reagent probe 324 for a long time. On the other hand, the amount of water discharged from the first reagent probe 322 or the second reagent probe 324 in the washing tank 21 by washing the reagent having a low viscosity and the like on which the residue hardly adheres to the inner wall for a short time. As a result, consumption of washing water can be reduced.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an operation of changing the washing time according to the amount and concentration of the reagent to be dispensed. For example, when the dispensing amount of the reagent is large, the degree of the reagent adhering to the inner wall of the probe is higher than when the dispensing amount is small. Therefore, in the automatic analyzer 1, when the dispensing amount of the first reagent probe 322 or the second reagent probe 324 is large, control is performed so that the washing time thereof becomes long. On the other hand, regarding the reagent concentration, the reagent having a high concentration is more likely to adhere to the inner wall of the probe than the reagent having a low concentration. Therefore, in the automatic analyzer 1, when the concentration of the reagent to be dispensed by the first reagent probe 322 or the second reagent probe 324 is high, the cleaning time is controlled to be long. The system control unit 10 reads the measurement item from the storage unit 12 and reads information on the amount and concentration of the reagent to be dispensed by the first reagent probe 322 or the second reagent probe 324. Thereafter, the system control unit 10 determines the cleaning time in one cycle according to the dispensed amount and concentration of the reagent.

  In FIG. 7, 100 μL of a 0.50% concentration reagent is used in the first dispensing (“dispensing 4” in the figure), and the concentration is 0.2 in the second dispensing (“dispensing 5” in the figure). In the third dispensing (“dispensing 6” in the figure) of 50% reagent, 150 μL, 100 μL of the reagent having a concentration of 1.50% is dispensed. The system control unit 10 sets the switching valve 23 so that the dispensing time is longer in the dispensing 5 than the dispensing 4 and the washing is longer in the dispensing 6 than the dispensing 4 according to the dispensing amount and concentration of the reagent. Switch.

  With the above control, the system control unit 10 performs a process of switching the cleaning time in one cycle according to the dispensed amount and concentration of the reagent. Carryover can be prevented from occurring by washing for a long time for a reagent whose dispensing amount or concentration is high and whose residue tends to adhere to the inner wall. On the other hand, by washing the reagent whose dispensing amount or concentration is low and the residue hardly adheres to the inner wall for a short time, the washing water in the washing tank 21 passes through the first reagent probe 322 or the second reagent probe 324. As a result, the amount of washing water consumed can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the cleaning time control for the first reagent probe 322 and the second reagent probe 324 has been described, but the same processing is performed for the cleaning time control for the sample probe 311. That is, the system control unit 10 reads the measurement item from the storage unit 12 and detects the amount of sample dispensed by the sample probe 311. The system control unit 10 determines the cleaning time based on the dispensing amount of the sample probe 311. When the dispensing amount is small, the cleaning time is long so that the cleaning time of the sample probe 311 becomes long. The switching time is controlled by switching the switching valve 23 so that the time is shortened. By such control, when a large amount is dispensed and a large amount of residue is attached to the inner wall of the sample probe 311, the occurrence of carryover can be prevented by performing cleaning for a long time. On the other hand, when the amount dispensed is small and the amount of residue adhering to the inner wall is small, the cleaning water in the cleaning tank 21 is reduced for a short time, thereby reducing the amount of water discharged from the sample probe 311 and consequently the cleaning water. Consumption can be reduced.

(Association between measurement item and cleaning time)
In the control of the cleaning time described above, the system control unit 10 reads out the measurement items in the storage unit 12, reads out parameters such as the type, dispensed amount, and concentration of samples and reagents in the measurement items one by one. The cleaning time was controlled according to However, the configuration of the automatic analyzer 1 is not limited to this, and the measurement items and the cleaning times of the sample probe 311, the first reagent probe 322, and the second reagent probe 324 are associated with each other and stored in the storage unit 12. In addition, the system control unit 10 may take a configuration in which the cleaning time in one cycle is determined based on this measurement item. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an operation of changing the cleaning time according to the measurement item. For example, if the sample type specified by the measurement item is a sample with a high contamination rank and the dispensing amount is large, the reagent adheres to the inner wall of the probe compared to the measurement item using a sample with a low contamination rank or a small dispensing amount. The degree to do is high. On the other hand, when the skip operation is performed without performing the dispensing operation, the reagent or sample does not adhere to the inner wall of the probe, so that there is no need for probe cleaning. The measurement item stored in the storage unit 12 is previously associated with the measurement item and the cleaning time, and a long cleaning time is used for a measurement item using a sample with a high contamination rank or a measurement item with a large amount of dispensing. On the other hand, a short washing time is assigned to a measurement item using a sample having a low concentration or a measurement item having a low dispensing amount. Furthermore, in the case of a measurement item for which dispensing is not performed, no cleaning time is assigned. The storage unit 10 reads the measurement item when dispensing, and determines the cleaning time in one cycle.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an operation for inspecting the cleaning time according to the measurement item. In FIG. 8, the first dispensing ("dispensing 7" in the figure) is the measurement item 1, and the second dispensing ("dispensing 8" in the figure) is based on the measurement item 2. I do. On the other hand, in the third dispensing (“dispensing 9” in the figure), the dispensing operation is not performed. The system control unit 10 determines the cleaning time based on the measurement item read from the storage unit 12 and the cleaning time table, and switches the switching valve 23 based on the determined cleaning time. The system control unit 10 switches the switching valve 23 so that the dispensing time in the dispensing 8 is longer than that in the dispensing 7, whereas the dispensing valve 9 does not switch the switching valve 23 and does not perform washing.

  With the above control, the system control unit 10 performs a process of switching the cleaning time in one cycle according to the measurement item. Carry-over can be prevented from occurring by performing cleaning for a long time on measurement items using a reagent or sample with a high contamination rank or measurement items with a large amount of dispensing. On the other hand, the cleaning water in the cleaning tank 21 is removed from the sample probe 311 and the first one by performing cleaning only for a short time for a measurement item using a reagent or sample having a low contamination rank or a measurement item with a small dispensing amount. The amount of water discharged through the reagent probe 322 or the second reagent probe 324 can be reduced, and as a result, the consumption of washing water can be reduced.

(Washing time determination function)
In the control of the cleaning time described above, the cleaning time and the measurement item are stored in the storage unit 12 in association with each other, and the system control unit 10 determines the cleaning time based on the measurement item. However, the configuration of the automatic analyzer 1 is not limited to this, and a cleaning time determination function that links various parameters such as the contamination rank and the dispensed amount with the cleaning time is stored in the storage unit 12, and the system control unit 10 may be configured to calculate the cleaning time in one cycle based on the cleaning time determination function instead of the cleaning time table.

  FIG. 9 is an example of a graph plotting the function of the cleaning time determination function. The cleaning time determination function in FIG. 9 is shown as a function for determining the cleaning time in one cycle from the dispensed amount and the sample type as an example. The cleaning time determination function is set as a function that lengthens the cleaning time as the value of the contamination rank, the dispensing amount, the concentration of the reagent, or the like increases. When dispensing, the system control unit 10 reads the measurement item and the cleaning time determination function from the storage unit 12, and calculates the cleaning time from the cleaning time determination function using the parameters in the measurement item. The system control unit 10 controls the cleaning time by switching the switching valve 23 based on the calculated cleaning time.

  In FIG. 9, as an example, the cleaning time determination function determines the cleaning time in one cycle based on two parameters of the contamination rank and the dispensing amount. However, the configuration of the automatic analyzer 1 is not limited to this, and it may be a function that determines the washing time in one cycle based on various parameters such as reagent concentration.

(Determination of cleaning time based on other parameters)
In the control of the cleaning time described above, the cleaning time of the sample probe 311, the first reagent probe 322, and the second reagent probe 324 depends on the contamination rank, dispensing amount, concentration, or measurement item determined by the type of sample or reagent. It will be decided. However, the parameters used by the system control unit 10 to determine the cleaning time in one cycle are not limited to these, and the cleaning time may be determined based on various parameters. For example, when performing the dispensing operation, the system control unit 10 accesses the RIS / HIS server connected to the automatic analyzer 1 via the network based on the specimen ID associated with the sample, and the subject from which the sample has been collected is accessed. Gender, age, disease name currently suffering, past medical history, amount of protein and lipid amount contained in past sample of subject are read out. The system control unit 10 is configured so that when the subject is old, when the subject is currently suffering from a disease, or when the subject has a past medical history, the past sample of the subject has a large amount of protein or lipid. If it is a sample, control is performed to increase the cleaning time of the sample probe 311. Samples such as those mentioned above may contain components that are not included in normal samples (such as bacteria and drugs), or may exhibit different properties from normal samples (such as high viscosity and turbidity). Conceivable. The automatic analyzer 1 can prevent the occurrence of carry-over by detecting such a sample and increasing the washing time.

  Similarly, when performing the dispensing operation, the system control unit 10 reads parameters such as the pH of the reagent. When the PH of the reagent is a value away from neutrality, the system control unit 10 performs control so that the cleaning time of the first reagent probe 322 or the second reagent probe 324 is increased as the reagent is away from neutrality. To do. In the reagent as described above, an error that occurs when mixed in a different sample is large. Therefore, the occurrence of carryover can be prevented by increasing the washing time.

  In addition, the structure of the automatic analyzer 1 is not limited to the above-mentioned Example, It can implement with a various form in the range which does not deviate from a summary.

  For example, in the present embodiment, the automatic analyzer 1 has been described as controlling the cleaning times of the sample probe 312, the first reagent probe 322, and the second reagent probe 324, respectively. However, the control of the cleaning time is not limited to this. For example, only the cleaning time of the sample probe 312 may be controlled, and the cleaning time of the first reagent probe 322 and the second reagent probe 324 may be always set to a constant value. . Alternatively, only the cleaning time of the first probe 322 and the second reagent probe 324 may be controlled, and the cleaning time of the sample probe 312 may always be a constant value.

  Further, for example, in the present embodiment, it has been described that the amount of cleaning water used is controlled by adjusting the cleaning time. However, the amount of use of the cleaning water is not limited to this. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which the amount of use of the cleaning water is increased or decreased by, for example, increasing or decreasing the delivery speed of the probe pump 22 per unit time. Absent.

  Further, for example, in the present embodiment, it has been described that information such as the type of the sample and the reagent, and the concentration of the reagent is read from the measurement items stored in the storage unit 12. However, the method for reading out the information is not limited to this. For example, a bar code reader attached to the automatic analyzer 1 reads the bar code indicating the information on a sample container or a reagent container. The information may be read by the above.

Further, various inventions can be formed by proper combinations of a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Or you may combine the component covering a different Example suitably.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automatic analyzer 10 System control part 11 Operation part 12 Storage part 13 Display part 14 Component analysis part 20 Washing part 21 Water storage tank 22 Probe pump 23 Switching valve 25 Washing tank 31 Sample part 32 Reagent part 33 Reaction part 311 Sample table 312 Sample Probe 321 First reagent table 322 First reagent probe 323 Second reagent table 324 Second reagent probe 331 Reaction tube 332 Reaction tank 333 Stirrer 334 Photometry unit

Claims (5)

In an automatic analyzer that dispenses samples and reagents into containers using a probe and measures the mixture,
A cleaning section for cleaning the probe with cleaning water;
And an automatic control unit that changes the amount of cleaning water used for cleaning the probe based on at least one of the type and the amount of the sample or reagent dispensed by the probe. Analysis equipment. In an automatic analyzer that dispenses samples and reagents into containers using a probe based on measurement items and measures the mixture,
A cleaning section for cleaning the probe with cleaning water;
An automatic analyzer comprising: a control unit that changes the amount of cleaning water used for cleaning the probe based on the measurement item. 3. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes the amount of cleaning water used for cleaning by the cleaning unit by changing a time during which the cleaning unit performs cleaning. 4. A water storage tank for storing cleaning water used by the cleaning unit for cleaning;
The probe comprises a sample probe for dispensing a sample and a reagent probe for dispensing a reagent,
The cleaning unit includes a first flow path for guiding the cleaning water stored in the water storage tank to at least one of the sample probe and the reagent probe, and the cleaning water stored in the water storage tank. A switching valve for switching between the second flow path leading to the tank;
The said control part changes the amount of the washing water which the said washing | cleaning part uses for washing | cleaning by switching the said flow path using the said switching valve, The any one of Claim 1 thru | or 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Automatic analyzer. A storage unit for storing identification information of a sample to be dispensed by the probe;
The said control part acquires the information regarding the subject which sampled based on the said identification information, and changes the water quantity of the washing water used for washing | cleaning of the said probe based on the information regarding the said subject. Item 5. The automatic analyzer according to any one of Items 1 to 4.

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