JP2014235020A - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic analyzer capable of suppressing a reduction in processing capacity in an analysis process.SOLUTION: There are provided, on a conveyance path 5a for reaction vessels 5 in a reaction disk 4 for conveying the plurality of reaction vessels 5 for mixing a specimen 2 to be analyzed and a reagent 8 for absorbance measurement or scattered light measurement, a transmitted light measurement unit 13 constituting an absorbance measurement mechanism for measuring the absorbance of a mixed liquid of the specimen 2 and the reagent 8 accommodated in the reaction vessel 5, and a scattered light measurement unit 14 constituting a scattered light measurement mechanism for measuring scattered light. On the basis of measurement conducted, by the absorbance measurement mechanism, on the mixed liquid accommodated in the reaction vessel 5 into which the reagent 8 for scattered light measurement is dispensed, calculation is made of the degree of turbidity, lysemia, and yellow color which is serum information.

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that performs component analysis of biological samples such as blood and urine.

  An automatic analyzer adds and reacts a reagent that specifically reacts with a specific component contained in a biological sample such as blood or urine (hereinafter simply referred to as a sample), and measures transmitted light and scattered light. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the sample is performed.

  For example, as an analysis method using an immunoaggregation reaction between an antigen and an antibody, latex particles sensitized (bound) with an antibody on the surface are used as a sensitizer, and an aggregate of latex particles generated by an immunoaggregation reaction is used. There is a latex immunoturbidimetric method in which analysis is performed by irradiating light and measuring a temporal change in the amount of transmitted light.

  Further, as a more sensitive analysis method using an immunoagglutination reaction, a latex immunoratio method is known in which analysis is performed by irradiating a latex particle aggregate with light and measuring the size of scattered light. Yes.

  As a technique related to an automatic analyzer that performs such analysis, for example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-141654) discloses that a reaction vessel is irradiated with light from two light sources having different spectral regions. An apparatus is disclosed that measures transmitted light and scattered light by separating the light from the light into transmitted light and scattered light using a diaphragm.

JP 2001-141654 A

  By the way, when analyzing a sample by measuring transmitted light or scattered light, the state of the sample may affect the measurement result. For example, when blood is used as a sample, the state of turbidity, hemolysis, yellow, etc. may affect the measurement result. Information on turbidity, hemolysis, yellow (hereinafter referred to as serum information) is obtained and analyzed. Therefore, it is necessary to suppress the influence of the sample state on the analysis result.

  However, serum information is obtained based on the measurement results obtained by adding a reagent suitable for the sample to be analyzed and measuring the absorbance at a specific wavelength. Therefore, when using an automated analyzer that performs analysis that does not require absorbance measurement, such as the latex immunoratio method that measures the magnitude of scattered light, the absorbance measurement related to serum information can be measured with another device. There is a problem that the processing capability in the analysis processing is reduced because it is necessary to perform this separately.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer that can suppress a decrease in processing capability in analysis processing.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention accommodates a sample container transport mechanism for transporting a plurality of sample containers containing a sample to be analyzed, and a plurality of scattered light measurement reagents used for measuring scattered light in the sample. A plurality of scattered light measurement reagent containers, a reagent container transport mechanism for transporting a plurality of absorbance measurement reagent containers containing a plurality of absorbance measurement reagents used for measuring absorbance in the sample, and the sample A reaction container transport mechanism for transporting a plurality of reaction containers for mixing either the absorbance measurement reagent or the scattered light measurement reagent; a sample dispensing mechanism for dispensing the sample into the reaction container; A reagent dispensing mechanism that dispenses either the scattered light measurement reagent or the absorbance measurement reagent into the reaction container; and a transport path for the reaction container in the reaction container transport mechanism. An absorbance measurement mechanism for measuring the absorbance of the mixed solution of the sample and the reagent contained in the reaction vessel, and a scattered light measurement for measuring the scattered light of the mixed solution of the sample and the reagent contained in the reaction vessel And a calculation unit that performs a serum information calculation process for obtaining serum information that is information used for analysis of the sample based on a result of measurement of the mixed solution contained in the reaction vessel by the absorbance measurement mechanism. And the calculation unit performs the serum information calculation process on the mixed solution in the reaction container into which the scattered light measurement reagent has been dispensed.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress a decrease in processing capability in analysis processing.

1 is a diagram schematically showing an overall configuration of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which illustrates the flow of the analysis process in one embodiment of this invention, and the serum information calculation process about one analysis item. It is a figure which shows the serum information measurement condition setting screen for setting conditions, such as a coefficient used for calculation of serum information. It is a figure which shows the serum information measurement item setting screen which sets the analysis item which calculates serum information. It is a figure which shows the serum information measurement result list screen which displays the measurement result of serum information.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(1) Overall Configuration of Automatic Analyzer FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of an automatic analyzer according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, the automatic analyzer includes a sample container 3 for storing a sample 2, a sample disk 1 for holding the sample container 3, a reaction disk 4 for holding a reaction container 5, and a sample from the sample container 3 to the reaction container 5. Sample dispensing mechanism 6 for dispensing 2, reagent container 9 for storing reagent 8, reagent disk 7 for holding reagent container 9, and reagent dispensing for dispensing reagent 8 from reagent container 9 to reaction container 5 A mechanism 10, a stirring mechanism 11 that stirs a mixed solution (or a reaction solution) of the sample 2 and the reagent 8 contained in the reaction vessel 5, a constant temperature bath circulating liquid 12 that adjusts the temperature of the reaction vessel 5, a reaction Transmitted light measuring unit 13 and absorbance measuring circuit 17 constituting an absorbance measuring mechanism for measuring the absorbance of the mixed solution accommodated in container 5, and a scattered light measuring mechanism for measuring the scattered light of the mixed solution accommodated in reaction vessel 5 Scattered light measuring unit 14 and A scattered light measurement circuit 18, the reaction container washing mechanism 15 for washing the reaction vessel 5 already used, is schematically configured from the overall control unit 19 and having an input unit 20 and display unit 21.

  On the sample disk 1, a plurality of sample containers 3 in which biological samples such as blood and urine to be analyzed (hereinafter referred to as samples) are accommodated are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction. The sample disk 1 has a function as a sample container transport mechanism for transporting the sample container 3 in the circumferential direction by being rotationally driven in the circumferential direction by a rotation driving device (not shown).

  The reagent disk 7 includes a plurality of reagent containers 9 in which reagents 8 such as a scattered light measurement reagent used for measuring scattered light corresponding to each processing item of the analysis process and an absorbance measurement reagent used for measuring absorbance are accommodated. They are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction. The reagent disk 7 has a function as a reagent container transport mechanism for transporting the reagent container 9 in the circumferential direction by being rotationally driven in the circumferential direction by a rotation driving device (not shown).

  On the reaction disk 4, a plurality of reaction containers 5 in which a mixed solution (reaction solution) of the sample 2 and the reagent 8 is accommodated are arranged in the circumferential direction. The temperature of the reaction vessel 5 is controlled by a constant temperature bath circulating liquid 12 that is controlled to a constant temperature (for example, 37 ° C.) by a constant temperature maintaining device (not shown), and the mixture (reaction solution) contained in the reaction vessel 5 The reaction is promoted and the progress of the reaction is stabilized. The reaction disk 4 has a function as a reaction container moving mechanism that conveys the reaction container 5 in the circumferential direction by being rotationally driven in the circumferential direction by a rotation driving device (not shown).

  The sample dispensing mechanism 6 includes a sample container 3 transported to a predetermined sample dispensing position 1A on a transport path 3a in the sample disk 1 (sample transport mechanism), and a transport path in the reaction disk 4 (reaction container transport mechanism). The sample 2 accommodated in the sample container 3 is dispensed into the reaction container 5 with respect to the reaction container 5 conveyed to the predetermined sample dispensing position 4A on 5a. The reagent dispensing mechanism 10 includes a reagent container 9 conveyed to a predetermined reagent dispensing position 7B on a conveyance path 9a in the reagent disk 7 (reagent conveyance mechanism), and a reaction disk 4 (reaction container conveyance mechanism). The reagent 8 accommodated in the reagent container 9 is dispensed into the reaction container 5 with respect to the reaction container 5 transported to the predetermined reagent dispensing position 4B on the transport path 5a. The mixed solution (reaction solution) of the sample 2 and the reagent 8 dispensed into the reaction vessel 5 is stirred by the stirring mechanism 11.

  The operation of the sample disk 1, reaction disk 4, reagent disk 7, sample dispensing mechanism 6, reagent dispensing mechanism 10, stirring mechanism 11, and reaction container cleaning mechanism 15 is connected to the overall control device via a mechanism control circuit 16. 19 is controlled.

  The transmitted light measurement unit 13 of the absorbance measurement mechanism and the scattered light measurement unit 14 of the scattered light measurement mechanism are provided on the transport path 5a of the reaction container 5 in the reaction disk 4 as the reaction container transport mechanism.

  The transmitted light measurement unit 13 includes a transmitted light measurement light source, a transmitted light detector, and the like (not shown). The transmitted light measurement unit 13 detects the transmitted light when the reaction container 5 transported on the transport path 5 a in the reaction disk 4 passes, and sends a detection signal related to the transmitted light to the absorbance measurement circuit 17. The absorbance measurement circuit 17 calculates the absorbance based on the detection signal related to the transmitted light from the transmitted light measurement unit 13 and sends the data to the overall control device 19 (hereinafter referred to as absorbance data).

  The scattered light measurement unit 14 includes a scattered light measurement light source, a scattered light detector, and the like (not shown). The scattered light measurement unit 14 detects scattered light when the reaction container 5 conveyed on the conveyance path 5 a in the reaction disk 4 passes, and sends a detection signal related to the scattered light to the scattered light measurement circuit 18. The scattered light measurement circuit 18 calculates the magnitude of the scattered light based on the detection signal related to the scattered light from the scattered light measurement unit 14 and sends the calculated data (hereinafter referred to as scattered light data) to the overall control device 19.

  The overall control device 19 includes an input unit 20, a display unit 21, a calculation unit 22, and a storage unit 23.

  The calculation unit 22 is information used for analyzing the sample based on an analysis process for calculating the concentration of the target component in the sample and a result obtained by measuring the mixed solution (reaction solution) contained in the reaction vessel 5 with the absorbance measurement mechanism. Serum information calculation processing for acquiring serum information is performed, and the results of analysis processing and serum information calculation processing are displayed on the display unit 21 and stored in the storage unit 23.

  The calculation unit 22 has a function as an allowable range setting unit for setting an allowable range of serum information, and an input unit based on a setting screen (not shown) of a serum information range displayed on the display unit 21. The allowable range of serum information is set in advance by input from 20. Furthermore, the calculation unit 22 also has a function as a notification unit that notifies the operator via the display unit 21 when the serum information obtained by the serum information calculation process exceeds the allowable range. In addition, the calculation unit 22 has a function of notifying the operator via the display unit 21 when the difference in serum information measured over a plurality of analysis items exceeds a predetermined difference allowable range. Have.

  The storage unit 23 stores the scattered light data from the scattered light measurement circuit 18 of the scattered light measurement mechanism, the absorbance data from the absorbance measurement circuit 17 of the absorbance measurement mechanism, the result of analysis processing, the result of serum information calculation processing, and The information such as the password set to, the display level of the screen, the analysis parameter, the contents of the analysis request item, and the calibration result are stored.

(2) Serum information Serum information is information about turbidity, hemolysis, and yellow color of blood used as a sample. When blood is used as a sample, conditions such as turbidity, hemolysis, and yellow may affect the measurement results. However, the sample status can be obtained by collecting serum information and reflecting the results in the analysis process. Suppresses the influence on. Whether or not the analysis result with the required accuracy can be obtained by predetermining the allowable range of the serum information value that is considered to ensure the analysis accuracy and comparing it with the serum information value obtained by the serum information calculation process Can be determined before the analysis process, so that analysis accuracy can be improved and efficiency can be improved.

(3) Process Flow FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the analysis process and the serum information calculation process in this embodiment for one analysis item.

  In FIG. 2, the calculating part 22 first dispenses the sample 2 to be analyzed into the reaction vessel 5 (step S100). Next, the first reagent (one of the reagents 8) is dispensed into the reaction vessel 5 (step S110), and the mixed solution of the sample 2 and the reagent 8 is stirred (step S120).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the analysis item (detailed later) is set in advance as a measurement item of serum information in the sample to be analyzed (step S125). If the determination result is YES, the absorbance of the mixed solution is determined. Measurement is performed (step S130), and serum information is calculated from the absorbance measurement result (step S140).

  Next, it is determined whether each value of the serum information calculation result is within a predetermined allowable range (step S150). If the determination result in step S150 is NO, alarm information related to serum information is added to the information of the target sample, and the analysis process is terminated (step S151). If the determination result in step S125 is NO, or if the determination result in step S150 is YES, the second reagent (one of the reagents 8) is dispensed into the reaction vessel 5. (Step S160), the mixed solution is stirred (Step S170). Subsequently, the scattered light and absorbance of the mixed liquid are measured (step S180), the result of the analysis process is calculated, and the process is terminated (step S190).

  In step S151, a serum information alarm is added, the second reagent containing latex particles sensitized with an expensive antibody or an antibody is terminated by canceling the dispensing operation of the second reagent and ending the analysis operation. Although the configuration is such that it is not consumed, it may be configured such that the sample amount is reduced to the extent that it is not affected by the serum information and the retest is performed.

(4) Analysis Process An outline will be described while illustrating an analysis method in the analysis process of the present embodiment.

  In the analysis processing of the present embodiment, a biological sample such as blood or urine is shown as an example of a sample to be analyzed, and a reagent that specifically reacts with a specific component contained in this sample (absorbance measuring reagent, scattered light). Quantitative and quantitative analysis of the sample is performed by adding and reacting a measurement reagent) and measuring transmitted light and scattered light.

(4-1) Analysis using immunoaggregation reaction For example, as an analysis method using an immunoaggregation reaction between an antigen and an antibody, an antibody to be measured (or latex particles sensitized (bound) with an antibody on the surface) Is used as a sensitizer, analysis is performed by irradiating the aggregate (latex aggregate of latex particles) generated by immunoaggregation reaction and measuring the transmitted light (latex immunoturbidimetry) There is also an immuno-ratio method (latex immuno-ratio method) in which analysis is performed by measuring scattered light. Such analysis using immunoagglutination is called immunoassay or turbidimetric analysis, and the corresponding test items include trace proteins, tumor markers, hormones, blood drugs and the like.

(4-1.1) Latex immunoturbidimetry In latex immunoturbidimetry, light is irradiated to aggregates formed by agglomeration of latex particles with a measurement substance, and the amount of transmitted light transmitted without scattering is measured. Analyze by measuring time change. Since the change in the amount of light per unit time increases as the concentration of the measurement substance increases, the concentration of the measurement substance can be calculated from the change in the amount of transmitted light.

(4-1.2) Latex immunoratio brazing method In the latex immune brazing method, analysis is performed by measuring scattered light when light is irradiated to an aggregate produced by aggregation of latex particles by a measurement substance. . Since the time change of the scattered light increases as the concentration of the measurement substance increases, the concentration of the measurement substance can be calculated from the time change of the amount of scattered light. Since the latex immunoratio method (immunotrophic method) is characterized by higher sensitivity compared to the immunoturbidimetric method, the items using the analysis using the latex immunoratio method are in the low concentration region. There are test items that require highly sensitive detection and test items whose quantitative values are important for clinical diagnosis.

(4-2) Analysis using a color reaction For example, an analysis using a color reaction by a reaction between a substrate and an enzyme is performed by using light from a light source in a reaction solution in which a sample and a reagent (absorbance measurement reagent) are mixed. The amount of the target component is quantified from the relationship between the absorbance and the concentration of the reaction solution according to the Lambert-Beer law. Such an analysis using a color reaction is called biochemical analysis or colorimetric analysis, and corresponding test items include enzymes, lipids, and nitrogen compounds.

(5) Serum information calculation processing The serum information calculation processing will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the serum information calculation process, serum information is calculated based on the absorbance at a specific wavelength in the result (absorbance data) obtained by measuring the mixed solution (reaction solution) stored in the reaction vessel 5 with the absorbance measurement mechanism. The absorbance in the serum information calculation process is measured by measuring the absorbance at a specific wavelength in a state where a sample is mixed with a reagent having no visible absorption.

Serum information arithmetic processing of the present embodiment, the wavelength λ = 480nm, 505 (nm) , 570 (nm), 600 (nm), 660 (nm), on the basis of the absorbance G _lambda at 700 (nm), the following Serum information is calculated using (Expression 1) to (Expression 3).

Turbidity (L) = (1 / C) × | G ₆₆₀ −G ₇₀₀ | (Formula 1)
Hemolysis (H) = (1 / A) × (| G ₅₇₀ −G ₆₀₀ | −B × | G ₆₆₀ −G ₇₀₀ |) (Formula 2)
Yellow (I) = (1 / D) × (| G ₄₈₀ −G ₅₀₅ | −E × | G ₅₇₀ −G ₆₀₀ | −F × | G ₆₆₀ −G ₇₀₀ |) (Formula 3)
In the above (Expression 1) to (Expression 3), the coefficients C, A, and D are coefficients for acquiring each serum information from the absorbance, and the coefficients B, E, and F are the absorbance (absorption spectrum) at each wavelength. Is a coefficient for correcting the overlap. These coefficients are obtained experimentally in advance.

  In the present embodiment, the case of measuring turbidity, hemolysis, and the degree of yellow using the transmitted light measurement unit 13 capable of measuring light of a plurality of wavelengths is described as an example. As for the degree, it is also possible to measure the scattered light from the turbid substance in the scattered light measurement unit, and it is possible to detect turbidity with higher sensitivity than the absorbance measurement, so the transmitted light measurement is used for the calculation of serum information. It is good also as a structure which uses a part and a scattered light measurement part together.

(5-1) Serum information measurement condition setting screen 300
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a serum information measurement condition setting screen for setting conditions such as coefficients used for calculation of serum information.

  In FIG. 3, a serum information measurement condition setting screen 300 is an absorbance measurement item for selecting an item name of an item (colorimetric analysis item) for measuring absorbance among analysis items to be set for measurement conditions used for calculating serum information. A selection unit 310, a coefficient A setting unit 311 to a coefficient F setting unit 316 for setting each coefficient A to coefficient F of measurement conditions used for calculation of serum information in the measurement item selected by the absorbance measurement item selection unit 310, , A scattered light measurement item selection unit 320 for selecting an item name of an item for measuring scattered light (a comparison method item), and a measurement condition used for calculating serum information in the measurement item selected by the scattered light measurement item selection unit 320 A coefficient A setting unit 321 to a coefficient F setting unit 326 for setting the coefficients A to F, a cancel button 330 for canceling the setting contents, and an OK button for approving the setting contents And a 340.

  The coefficients A, C, and D are coefficients used in the above-described (Expression 1) to (Expression 3), and are coefficients for outputting the absorbance of the mixed solution of the specimen and the reagent as serum information. Since the dilution ratio of the specimen with the reagent differs for each analysis item, the coefficients A, C, and D are set for each item so that the value of serum information that can be regarded as the same among a plurality of analysis items can be calculated. . When trying to adjust the calculated value of serum information among a plurality of analysis items, the coefficients A, C, and D for each analysis item are values determined according to the dilution ratio of the first reagent of the sample, and therefore are selected. It may be set by automatically inputting according to the ratio of the sample to the first reagent in the analyzed item. Further, the user may arbitrarily set and set a numerical value obtained by an experiment or the like.

(4-2) Serum information measurement item setting screen 400
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a serum information measurement item setting screen for setting analysis items for calculating serum information.

  The serum information measurement item setting screen 400 includes an absorbance measurement item setting unit 410 for setting an analysis item for calculating serum information from an absorbance measurement item, a scattered light measurement item setting unit 420 for setting from a scattered light measurement item, and setting contents. A cancel button 430 for canceling the setting and an OK button 440 for approving the setting contents. The absorbance measurement item setting unit 410 and the scattered light measurement item setting unit 420 include item names 411 and 421 and setting fields 412 and 422 for setting the availability of serum information measurement, respectively.

  Among the analysis items of the sample to be analyzed, serum information calculation processing is performed when measuring the analysis items set on the serum information measurement item setting screen 400. For example, in FIG. 4, when there are item names BBB, CCC, PPP, QQQ in the analysis items of the sample to be analyzed, serum information is measured in the analysis of the item names BBB, PPP, QQQ.

  The setting of whether or not serum information measurement is possible may be configured to be automatically set according to the type of reagent (first reagent) used for each analysis item.

(4-3) Serum information measurement result list screen 500
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a serum information measurement result list screen displaying the measurement result of serum information.

  The serum information measurement result list screen 500 includes a sample ID display unit 510 that displays an ID of a sample that is a target of the displayed serum information measurement result, and a serum information measurement result display unit 520 that displays the measurement result of serum information. I have. In addition, the serum information measurement result display unit 520 includes a serum information measurement item display field 521 that displays the name of an analysis item for which serum information has been measured, and a turbidity (L) measurement result display field 522 that displays a measurement value of turbidity (L). A hemolysis (H) measurement result display field 523 for displaying a measurement value of hemolysis (H), a yellow (I) measurement result display field 524 for displaying a measurement value of yellow (I), and an alarm for displaying alarm information And an information display field 525.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, serum information can be measured for a plurality of analysis items, and the setting for combining the output values of serum information among a plurality of items using correction by a coefficient. The turbidity, hemolysis, and yellow level obtained from each item can be displayed in a list for each sample. As described above, when there are items in which the serum information measurement results are different from the other items among the plurality of serum information measurement items, abnormal sample dilution due to poor dispensing of the sample or the first reagent is suspected. An apparatus configuration that generates an alarm may be used. In addition, it is good also as a structure which provides the setting screen which sets the grade of the deviation | separation of the serum information between items used as the reference | standard which generate | occur | produces an alarm.

(5) Analysis operation in automatic analyzer The operation in the automatic analyzer of this embodiment will be described.

  When the analysis target sample stored in the sample container 3 is placed on the sample disk 1 and the start of analysis for a preset analysis item is instructed, the analysis target sample 2 is first dispensed into the reaction container 5. Subsequently, the first reagent (one of the reagents 8) corresponding to the analysis item is dispensed into the reaction vessel 5, and the mixed solution of the sample 2 and the reagent 8 is stirred by the stirring mechanism 11 (FIG. 2). S100 to S120).

  When this analysis item is an item set in advance in the serum information measurement item setting screen 400 as a measurement item of serum information in the sample to be analyzed, the absorbance of the mixed solution is measured, and the above-described (( Serum information is calculated according to equations (1) to (3) (see S130 and S140 in FIG. 2).

  Here, when each value of the calculation result of serum information, that is, turbidity (L), hemolysis (H), and yellow (I) is within a predetermined allowable range, the second reagent ( One of the reagents 8) is dispensed into the reaction vessel 5, the mixture is stirred, the scattered light and the absorbance of the mixture are measured, the result of the analysis process is calculated, and the process is terminated (FIG. 2 S150 to S190). If each value of the calculation result of the serum information is outside the predetermined allowable range, alarm information regarding the serum information is added to the information of the target sample, and the analysis process is ended (see S150 and S151 in FIG. 2). ).

  In addition, when this analysis item is not an item set in advance in the serum information measurement item setting screen 400 as a measurement item of serum information in the sample to be analyzed, for the mixed solution of the sample 2 and the reagent 8 (first reagent) The second reagent (one of the reagents 8) according to the analysis item is dispensed into the reaction vessel 5, the mixture is stirred, the scattered light and the absorbance of the mixture are measured, and the result of the analysis process Is calculated and the process ends (see S125 to S190 in FIG. 2).

(6) Effect The effect in this Embodiment comprised as mentioned above is demonstrated.

  An automatic analyzer adds and reacts a reagent that specifically reacts with a specific component contained in a biological sample such as blood or urine (hereinafter simply referred to as a sample), and measures transmitted light and scattered light. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the sample is performed. For example, as an analysis method using an immunoaggregation reaction between an antigen and an antibody, latex particles sensitized (bound) with an antibody on the surface are used as a sensitizer, and an aggregate of latex particles generated by an immunoaggregation reaction is used. There is a latex immunoturbidimetric method in which analysis is performed by irradiating light and measuring a temporal change in the amount of transmitted light. Further, as a more sensitive analysis method using an immunoagglutination reaction, a latex immunoratio method is known in which analysis is performed by irradiating a latex particle aggregate with light and measuring the size of scattered light. Yes.

  Thus, when analyzing a sample by measuring transmitted light or scattered light, the state of the sample may affect the measurement result. For example, when blood is used as a sample, the state of turbidity, hemolysis, yellow, etc. may affect the measurement result. Information on turbidity, hemolysis, yellow (hereinafter referred to as serum information) is obtained and analyzed. Therefore, it is necessary to suppress the influence of the sample state on the analysis result.

  However, serum information is obtained based on the measurement results obtained by adding a reagent suitable for the sample to be analyzed and measuring the absorbance at a specific wavelength. Therefore, when using an automated analyzer that performs analysis that does not require absorbance measurement, such as the latex immunoratio method that measures the magnitude of scattered light, the absorbance measurement related to serum information can be measured with another device. There is a problem that the processing capability in the analysis processing is reduced because it is necessary to perform this separately.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, an absorbance measurement mechanism (transmitted light measurement unit 13 and absorbance measurement circuit 17) and a scattered light measurement mechanism (scattered light measurement unit) that measure the absorbance of the mixed solution accommodated in the reaction vessel 5. 14 and the scattered light measurement circuit 18) are provided on the transport path 5a of the reaction container 5 in the reaction container transport mechanism (reaction disk 4), and the serum is mixed with the mixed solution in the reaction container 5 into which the scattered light measurement reagent is dispensed. Since the information is calculated, it is possible to suppress a decrease in processing capability in the analysis processing.

  Further, unlike the prior art, it is not necessary to consume a colorimetric reagent for serum information measurement in order to separately measure serum information, so that the cost required for the analysis process can be suppressed.

1 Sample disc (sample container transport mechanism)
2 Sample 3 Sample container 4 Reaction disk (Reaction container transport mechanism)
5 Reaction container 6 Sample dispensing mechanism 7 Reagent disc (reagent container transport mechanism)
8 Reagent 9 Reagent container 10 Reagent dispensing mechanism 11 Stirring mechanism 12 Constant temperature bath circulating liquid 13 Transmitted light measurement unit (absorbance measurement mechanism)
14 Scattered light measurement unit (scattered light measurement mechanism)
15 Reaction vessel cleaning mechanism 16 Mechanism control circuit 17 Absorbance measurement circuit (absorbance measurement mechanism)
18 Scattered light measurement circuit (scattered light measurement mechanism)
19 Overall Control Device 20 Input Unit 21 Display Unit 22 Calculation Unit 23 Storage Unit

Claims (6)

A sample container transport mechanism for transporting a plurality of sample containers containing samples to be analyzed;
A plurality of scattered light measurement reagent containers containing a plurality of scattered light measurement reagents used for measurement of scattered light in the sample, and a plurality of absorbances containing a plurality of absorbance measurement reagents used for measuring absorbance in the sample A reagent container transport mechanism for transporting the measurement reagent container;
A reaction container transport mechanism for transporting a plurality of reaction containers for mixing either the absorbance measurement reagent or the scattered light measurement reagent with respect to the sample;
A sample dispensing mechanism for dispensing the sample into the reaction vessel;
A reagent dispensing mechanism for dispensing either the scattered light measurement reagent or the absorbance measurement reagent into the reaction container;
An absorbance measurement mechanism that is provided on the reaction container conveyance path in the reaction container conveyance mechanism and measures the absorbance of the mixed solution of the sample and the reagent accommodated in the reaction container, and accommodated in the reaction container A scattered light measurement mechanism for measuring scattered light of the mixture of the sample and the reagent;
Based on the result of measuring the mixed solution contained in the reaction vessel with the absorbance measurement mechanism, a calculation unit that performs a serum information calculation process for acquiring serum information that is information used for analysis of the sample,
The automatic analyzer performs the serum information calculation process on the mixed solution in the reaction container into which the scattered light measurement reagent has been dispensed. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein
The said serum information contains the information regarding at least 1 item among the turbidity of the said sample, hemolysis, and yellow, The automatic analyzer characterized by the above-mentioned. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 or 2,
The serum information includes information on a plurality of items,
An allowable range setting unit for setting an allowable range for each of the plurality of items;
An automatic analyzer comprising: a notifying unit for notifying an operator when at least one of the plurality of items is outside the allowable range. The automatic analyzer according to claim 3,
An automatic analyzer having a function of stopping an operation related to analysis of the sample when information on at least one of the plurality of items is outside the allowable range. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 or 2,
Among measurement items using either the plurality of scattered light measurement reagents or the plurality of absorbance measurement reagents, a plurality of measurement items for which the sample mixed with the reagent is the subject of the serum information measurement process are simultaneously set. An automatic analyzer comprising a measurement item setting unit capable of performing The automatic analyzer according to claim 5, wherein
An automatic analyzer characterized by notifying an operator when a difference between a plurality of pieces of serum information obtained by the serum information measurement process exceeds a predetermined allowable range.

Images