JP2017173156A - Specimen conveyance system and specimen inspection system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a specimen conveyance system and specimen inspection system that enable achievement of efficiency improvement in conveyance processing or analysis processing in accordance with a priority order of specimens.SOLUTION: A specimen conveyance system comprises: a specimen conveyance line 22 that is capable of conveying a specimen rack 7 loading a specimen container having a specimen housed in either direction via a single route; a specimen transition unit 21 that is arranged in one end of the specimen conveyance line 22, carries out the specimen rack 7 to the specimen conveyance line 22, and recovers the specimen rack 7 from the specimen conveyance line 22; and a retreat function unit that is arranged for each of a plurality of sections predetermined on the specimen conveyance line 22, and has a function of retracting the specimen rack 7 from on the specimen conveyance line 22. Retraction processing is performed that is configured to compare a predetermined priority order of the specimen rack 7 with the specimen rack 7 scheduled for being simultaneously conveyed in the same section on the specimen conveyance line 22, and make the retraction function unit retract the specimen rack 7 relatively low in the priority order.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a sample transport system for transporting a sample such as blood or urine to an analyzer and a sample testing system using the same.

  In a sample testing system that performs quantitative and qualitative analysis of a specific component contained in a sample by using a biological sample (hereinafter referred to as a sample) such as blood or urine and a reagent, a pretreatment for making the sample ready for analysis is performed. It is necessary to transport a specimen container containing a specimen between a pretreatment apparatus to be performed and an analytical apparatus for performing a specimen analysis process by a specimen transport system.

  For example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent No. 3579516) includes a sample with a readable sample identification code and a predetermined number of samples collectively as a technique related to the transport of such a sample container, A rack with a readable rack identification code, a conveyance line that conveys the rack in a predetermined direction, various analyzers that analyze predetermined items among inspection items given in correspondence with the sample identification code, and conveyance A connection unit that selectively takes in racks on the line and supplies them to various analyzers to be connected; a rack buffer that selectively takes in and holds racks on the transfer line; and a sample supplied to the sample transfer system and / or General control means that controls the rack transport control by supervising request data such as rack inspection items and analysis result data, and the transport line Connection control means for controlling the selective loading of racks and the supply of racks to various analyzers to be connected, and the selective loading of racks on the transport line and the samples included in the racks to be transported to the transport line have already been obtained. A sample transport system having a buffer control means for controlling the carry-out direction of the rack based on the analysis result is disclosed.

Japanese Patent No. 3579516

  By the way, in a sample inspection system, a sample having a high priority of analysis processing may be input, and such a sample is preferentially analyzed by the sample transport system over other samples having a relatively low priority. It needs to be transported to be subjected to analysis processing. However, in the above prior art, the time required for analysis processing is managed based on the number of unprocessed racks taken into the buffer section of each analyzer, and only high priority racks are transported to those with a short required time. Absent. Therefore, when the transport of a high-priority rack is hindered by the transport of other racks, or the analysis processing of a rack with a high priority transported to the analyzer is not performed in the analysis processing of another rack that has already been transported to the analyzer. There are cases where it cannot be done until completion. For this reason, there is a problem that the analysis efficiency of the sample is lowered, and further improvement in the efficiency of the transport process and the analysis process according to the priority of the sample has been demanded.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sample transport system and a sample inspection system that can improve the efficiency of transport processing and analysis processing according to the priority of a sample.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a sample transport line capable of transporting a sample container containing a sample in both directions through a single path, and one end of the sample transport line. A sample unloading and collecting unit for unloading the sample container and collecting the sample container from the sample transport line, and a plurality of predetermined sections on the sample transport line, are arranged on the sample transport line from the sample transport line. The retraction function unit having a function of retreating the sample container and the predetermined priority of the sample container are compared with the sample container scheduled to be simultaneously transported in the same section on the sample transport line, and are relatively prioritized. It is assumed that the control device performs a retreat process for retreating a low-spec sample container to the retreat function unit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the efficiency of transport processing and analysis processing according to the priority of a sample.

1 is a diagram schematically showing an overall configuration of a sample test system to which a sample transport system according to a first embodiment is applied. It is a figure which expands and shows the principal part of a sample conveyance system. It is a figure which expands and shows the sample transfer unit of a sample conveyance system. It is a figure which expands and shows a sample rack buffer unit. It is a figure which shows the conveyance condition setting screen which sets the conveyance conditions of each lane of the sample rack buffer unit controlled by a control apparatus. It is a figure which shows the conveyance priority setting screen which sets the priority for every sample classification accommodated in the sample container. It is a figure which shows an example of the value of the priority allocated for every priority set with the sample priority setting screen. It is a figure which shows the table group which shows the some data table used for determination of the priority of each sample container. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which determines the sample container rack conveyed preferentially by a sample conveyance line. It is a figure which expands and shows the sample rack buffer unit of the modification of 1st Embodiment.

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

<First Embodiment>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an overall configuration of a sample testing system to which a sample transport system according to the present embodiment is applied, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a main part of the sample transport system in FIG. It is. 3 is an enlarged view of the sample transfer unit of the sample transport system, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the sample rack buffer unit.

  1 to 4, the sample testing system includes a sample pretreatment system 1 that performs preprocessing for making a biological sample such as blood and urine (hereinafter referred to as a sample) contained in a sample container 5 into an analyzable state. , A sample transport system 2 for transporting the sample container 5, and a plurality of analysis processes that are arranged along the sample transport line 22 of the sample transport system 2 and perform quantitative / qualitative analysis of specific components included in the sample (this embodiment) In the embodiment, the analyzers 31a to 31c (hereinafter referred to as analyzers 3 when the analyzers are not distinguished from each other) and the operation of the sample transport system 2 and the operation of the entire sample test system are controlled. The control unit 4 is schematically configured.

  The sample pretreatment system 1 includes a plurality of processing units 11 to 19 for performing pretreatment on a sample stored in a sample container 5. Although details of the processing units 11 to 19 are omitted in the present embodiment, the processing units 11 to 19 are the processing unit 11 into which the sample container 5 in which the sample is accommodated is loaded, and the centrifuge for separating the serum and the clot. The processing unit 12 for performing the test, the processing unit 13 for performing the opening operation for removing the stopper of the sample container 5, and the serum part from the sample container 5 are separate containers (child sample containers and the like are not distinguished from the sample container 5 here). And a processing unit 15 that holds the sample container 5 collected from the sample transport line 22 via the sample transfer unit 21. In the sample pretreatment system 1, a sample holder 59 that holds sample containers 5 one by one is transported between the processing units 11 to 19 by a sample transport line 6 that constitutes a part of the sample transport system 2. The sample container 5 for which the pretreatment in the sample pretreatment system 1 has been completed is unloaded to the sample transfer line 22 via the sample transfer unit 21 of the sample transfer system 2, and from the sample transfer line 22 to the sample transfer unit 21. The sample container collected via the is collected and held in the processing unit 15.

  The analyzers 31a to 31c are connected to the sample transport line 22 of the sample transport system 2 via sample rack buffer units 23a to 23c, respectively, and the sample container 5 transported via the sample rack buffer units 23a to 23c. Analyze the sample stored in the container.

  The sample transport system 2 is generally configured by a sample transfer unit 21 (sample transport / collection unit), a sample transport line 22 (main line), sample rack buffer units 23a to 23c, and a control device 4.

  The sample transport line 22 is configured to be able to transport the sample rack 7 carrying the five sample containers bidirectionally through a single path. A plurality of sections 22 a to 22 c are set in advance in the sample transport line 22. The sections 22a to 22c may be set so as not to include a plurality of branches in each section. For example, in the present embodiment, the sample transfer unit 21 to the sample rack buffer unit 23a are in the first section 22a (section a), and the sample rack buffer unit 23a to the sample rack buffer unit 23b are in the second section 22b (section b). ), The case where the sample rack buffer unit 23b to the sample rack buffer unit 23c are set as the third section (section c) will be described as an example. In the present embodiment, one sample rack 7 can be transported at a time in each section.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the sample transfer unit 21 (sample discharge / collection unit) is equipped with a sample holder 59 (one sample container 5 is mounted) used for transporting the sample container 5 on the sample transport line 6 in the sample pretreatment system 1. And a transfer process for transferring the sample container 5 between the sample rack 7 (mounted with the five sample containers 5) used for transporting the sample container 5 on the sample transport line 22 in the sample transport system 2. A rack storage area 121 for storing a plurality of empty sample racks 7, a feed line 122a for sending the sample rack 7 from the rack storage area 121 to the sample transport line 22, and a rack storage from the sample transport line 22 The return line 122 for collecting the sample rack 7 in the area 121 is arranged between the feed line 122a and the return line 122b and the sample transport line 22. The shifter mechanism 100 switches the transport direction of the sample rack 7 to either the feed line 122a or the return line 122b by shifting between the feed position 100a and the return position 100b with the sample rack 7 placed. And have.

  In the sample transfer unit 21, when the sample container mounted on the sample holder 59 is transported to the sample transfer position 6a of the sample transport line 6, the sample transfer position 21a from the rack storage area 121 via the feed line 122a. The empty sample rack 7 is transported to the sample holder 5, the sample container 5 is extracted from the sample holder 59 at the sample transfer position 6a by the sample transfer mechanism (not shown), and transferred to the sample rack 7 at the sample transfer position 21a. The When the sample rack 7 conveyed from the sample transport line 22 to the return line 122b via the shifter mechanism 100 is transported to the sample transfer position 21b, the sample rack at the sample transfer position 21b is transported by the sample transfer mechanism. The sample container 5 is extracted from 7 and transferred to an empty sample holder 59 that has been transported to the sample transfer position 6 b of the sample transport line 6. The sample rack 7 that is empty after the transfer of all the loaded sample containers 5 is completed is stored in the rack storage area 121 via the return line 122b.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the sample rack buffer units 23 a to 23 c (hereinafter referred to as the sample rack buffer unit 23 when the sample rack buffer units are not distinguished from each other) are loaded on the carry-in side rotation mechanism disposed on the sample transport line 22. 231 and a carry-out side rotation mechanism 232, a carry-in line 234 for carrying the sample rack 7 from above the sample carry line 22 via the carry-in side rotation mechanism 231, and the sample rack 7 carried into the carry-in line 234 are temporarily stored. The waiting lane 235, the overtaking lane 236 for transporting the sample rack 7 from the carry-in line 234 to the analyzer 3 in preference to the sample rack 7 stored in the waiting lane 235, and the sample via the waiting lane 235 and the overtaking lane 236 A transport line 237 for transporting the rack 7 to the analyzer 3 side, and the rack 7 discharged from the analyzer 3 An unloading line 239 for transporting the sample rack 7 to the unloading-side rotation mechanism 232 of the sample transport line 22, and the transporting position 238 a and the unloading position with the sample rack 7 placed on the transporting line 237 and the unloading line 239. The rack shifter 238 schematically transports the sample rack 7 between the transport line 237 and the unload line 239 by shifting between the space 238b and the transport line 238b. The carry-in side rotation mechanism 231, the carry-out side rotation mechanism 232, and the conveyance line 233 that connects the carry-in side rotation mechanism 231 between the carry-out side rotation mechanism 232 constitute a part of the sample conveyance line 22.

  The carry-in side rotation mechanism 231 is configured to be rotatable in the horizontal direction, and can pass through the sample rack 7 transported on the sample transport line 22 when facing the direction along the sample transport line 22. Further, by rotating with the sample rack 7 placed, the sample rack 7 can be exchanged between the sample transport line 22 and the carry-in line 234 of the sample rack buffer unit 23. Although the rotation angle of the carry-in side rotation mechanism 231 differs depending on the positional relationship between the sample transport line 22 and the carry-in line 234, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. Is done.

  The carry-in line 234 transports the sample rack 7 from the sample transport line 22 side (in other words, the transport-side rotation mechanism 231 side) to the standby lane 235 or the overtaking lane 236 side, and the sample transport line from the standby lane 235 or the overtaking lane 236 side. Both the transport of the sample rack 7 to the 22 side (in other words, the carry-in side rotation mechanism 231 side) can be performed. That is, the carry-in line 234 can carry the sample rack 7 in both directions. Although the rotation angle of the carry-in side rotation mechanism 231 varies depending on the positional relationship between the sample transport line 22 and the transport line 239, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. Is done.

  The carry-out side rotation mechanism 232 is configured to be rotatable in the horizontal direction, and can pass through the sample rack 7 transported on the sample transport line 22 when facing the direction along the sample transport line 22. In addition, the sample rack 7 can be exchanged between the sample transport line 22 and the carry-out line 239 of the sample rack buffer unit 23 by rotating with the sample rack 7 placed thereon.

  Note that the sample rack buffer unit 23 can be used only for temporarily storing the sample rack 7 transported on the sample transport line 22 without connecting the analyzer 3 downstream thereof. . Further, by providing a separate rotation mechanism, it is possible to configure not only a straight line but also a bent conveyance line.

  Here, the carry-in rotation mechanism 231 and carry-in line 234 of the sample rack buffer unit 23a are in the first section 22a (section a), and the carry-in rotation mechanism 231 and carry-in line 234 in the sample rack buffer unit 23b are in the second section 22b (section). b) The carry-in side rotation mechanism 231 and the carry-in line 234 of the sample rack buffer unit 23c are arranged in the third section (section c). That is, at least a part of the sample rack buffer unit 23 (loading line 234) is arranged for each of a plurality of predetermined sections on the sample transport line 22, and the sample container 5 (sample container 5 is removed from the sample transport line 22). It functions as an evacuation function unit having a function of evacuating the mounted sample rack 7).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a transport condition setting screen for setting transport conditions for each lane of the sample rack buffer unit controlled by the control device.

  In FIG. 5, the transport condition setting screen 50 selectively determines how to use the lanes 235 and 236 of the sample rack buffer units 23a to 23c connected between the sample transport line 22 and the analyzers 31a to 31c. Setting sections 51 to 53 provided with setting buttons 51a, 51b, 52a, 52b, 53a, and 53b, an OK button 54 for determining setting contents, and a cancel button 55 for canceling setting contents are provided.

  For example, when it is desired to leave the overtaking lane 236 so that the emergency sample can be overtaken, one of the plurality of lanes (for example, the overtaking lane 236 in the present embodiment) is designated as an emergency sample overtaking. be able to. In other words, the lanes 235 and 236 normally use one lane to buffer the sample racks and send them to the analyzer 3 in the order of arrival. However, when an emergency sample arrives, the lanes 235 and 236 are usually empty. By passing the lane 236, the urgent sample can be sent to the analyzer 3 by overtaking the sample with low urgency, and the result of the urgent sample can be obtained quickly. In FIG. 5, the setting button 51b of the buffer lane (No. 2) is set to “empty for bypass”, so that the lane (No. 2) 236 does not hold the sample rack 7 in the normal state. When the sample rack 7 loaded with the urgent sample arrives, the analyzer is passed through the lane (No. 2) 236 and the transport line 237 in order to pass the sample rack held in the lane (No. 1) 235. The sample rack 7 is transported to 3.

  Even when a sample that requires retesting occurs, the result can be determined in the order in which the sample containers 5 are loaded by preferentially sending the sample container 5 to be retested to the analyzer 3. it can. In FIG. 5, the lane (No. 1) 235 of the analyzer (No. 2) 31b is designated as “general” and the lane (No. 2) 236 is designated as “waiting for re-examination”. Sample racks of general samples that have not yet been analyzed can be buffered. The sample rack 7 that has once analyzed and waited for the output of the result returns from the analyzer 3 and then waits in the lane (No. 2) 236 via the transport line 22 at one end. When an analysis result is output and re-examination is necessary, the sample rack 7 held in the lane (No. 1) 235 is prioritized and transported to the analyzer 3. Further, the sample rack 7 in which the analysis result is output and the reexamination is not necessary, the transport line 237, the rack shifter 238, the carry-out line 239, and the carry-out side rotation mechanism 232 are provided when the analyzer 3 and other lines are available. Then, the sample is returned to the sample transport line 22 and transported to another analyzer 3 or returned to the sample transfer unit 21. If the sample rack 7 that needs to be retested is not at the head of the lane 236, the process returns the head sample rack 7 to the same lane 236 via the rack shifter 238 and the sample transport line 22. The sample rack 7 that needs to be retested can be transported to the analyzer 3 at the head of the lane 236.

  Although it is important to quickly transport the untested sample container 5 to the analyzer 3, the number of racks that can be held in the analyzer 3 is limited. When viewed from the analyzer 3 side, it is possible to accept the analysis of a new sample, but there is a possibility that the analyzed sample rack 7 will be full and a new sample rack 7 cannot be accepted. There is. In such a case, the sample rack buffer unit 23 can be used not only for waiting for input to the analyzer 3 but also for waiting for return after the end of analysis. That is, when the sample rack 7 that has been analyzed by the analyzer 3 is full in the analyzer 3 and cannot be received from the sample rack buffer unit 23 side, the sample rack 7 is transported to the analyzer 3. , The sample transport line 22 cannot be transported back in the direction of the sample transfer unit 21. In this case, the sample rack 7 received from the analyzer 320 b is temporarily waited in the lane 236 of another sample rack buffer unit 23 via the transport line 22. Thereby, the analyzer 3 can receive a new sample rack 7 and can continue the analysis.

  The control device 4 transfers the sample container 5 in the sample transfer unit 21, transfers the sample rack 7 from the sample transfer unit 21 to each analyzer 3 via the sample transfer line 22, and sets different analyzers 3. Processing such as the transport of the sample rack 7 and the recovery of the sample rack 7 to the sample transfer unit 21 via the sample transport line 22 is controlled. Further, the evacuation process is performed as one of the processes related to the transport of the sample rack 7. The evacuation process compares the predetermined priority of the sample container 5 with the sample container 5 scheduled to be simultaneously transported in the same section on the sample transport line 22, and saves the sample container 5 having a relatively low priority. This is a process of retreating to a carry-in line 234 as a unit.

  Here, a method for determining the priority set for each sample container 5 used for the saving process will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a transport priority setting screen for setting the priority for each type of specimen stored in the specimen container. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of priority values assigned for each priority set on the sample priority setting screen.

  In FIG. 6, the transport priority setting screen 60 displays a setting unit 61 that sets the priority of a general sample, a setting unit 62 that sets the priority of an emergency sample, and the priority of a retest sample to be retested. The setting unit 63 for setting, the setting unit 64 for setting the priority of the sample after the test, the OK button 65 for determining the setting content of the transport priority setting screen 60, and the setting content of the transport priority setting screen 60 are set. And a cancel button 66 for canceling.

  As shown in FIG. 7, for example, the priority value of the general sample and the retest sample set during the priority is set to 20, and the priority value of the emergency sample set to the high priority is set to 30. Then, the priority value of the specimen after the end of the examination set to low priority is set to 10. Thus, the priority value is set according to the priority setting of each sample. Note that the values assigned to the respective priorities are merely examples, and it may be set so that the priority is determined relatively between the priorities.

  FIG. 8 is a table showing a plurality of data tables used for determining the priority of each sample container. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure for determining a sample container rack to be preferentially transported in the sample transport line.

  In FIG. 8, the data table 70 confirms whether there is a transport request using the sample transport line 22 and stores a transport start request table 71 that stores a priority value, and a request with the highest priority value for each section. A result of storing a request table 72 stored together with the priority, a current state table 73 storing the current transport state for each section, and a result of determining to start transport using a comparison result between the request table 72 and the current state table 73 And a table 74.

In FIG. 9, the control device 4 first confirms whether there is a transport request using the sample transport line 22, and stores information including the priority in the transport start request table 71 (step S81). That is, it is confirmed whether or not there is a transport request from the sample transfer unit 21, and if there is, a priority point of the rack is obtained and the result is stored in the table 710. Further, whether or not there is a request for transporting the sample rack 7 returned from the analyzer (No. 1) to the sample transport line 22 is similarly confirmed, and the confirmation result is stored in the table 711. Similarly, the number of start positions for the transport to the sample transport line 22 is repeated and the results are stored in the tables 712 to N. Next, the transport section is based on the priority point of each transport request stored in the transport start request table 71. Each time, the transport request having the highest priority point is stored in the request table 72 (step S82). That is, for example, the tables 711 to N are compared for the transport section a, and the transport start request with the highest priority is determined. Then, a value indicating the determined transfer start point and its priority is stored in the request table 72. Similarly, the transport sections b to X are also compared, and the transport start request with the highest priority is determined for each section and stored in the request table 72.

  Next, the current transport state is stored for each section in the current state table 73 (step S83). That is, priority points are obtained for the sample racks 7 currently being transported in each section and stored in the current state table 73.

  Here, the request table 72 and the current state table 73 are compared to determine whether or not each conveyance section is currently being conveyed and stored in the result table 74 (step S84). If the determination result is NO, that is, If the corresponding section is unused, the transport requested in that section is started (step S85). That is, since there is a transport start request in the section c of the request table 72 and there is no sample rack 7 currently being transported in the section c of the current status table 73, the analyzer (No. 2) Start the transfer of the sample rack 7 from the analyzer (No. 3).

  If the determination result in step S84 is NO, that is, if the corresponding section is in use, is the priority point of the transport request in that section higher than the priority point of the sample currently being transported? If the determination result is YES, that is, if the priority of the transport request is high, the evacuation process is performed on the sample rack 7 currently being transported and stored in the result table 74. (Step S87). Since there is a transport start request for the section a and the section b of the request table 72 and there is a sample rack 7 currently being transported for the section a and the section b of the current table 73, the sample transfer that is a request in the section a of the request table 72 The conveyance from the mounting unit 21 to the analyzer (No. 1) cannot be started. However, since the transport start request for the section a and the section b in the request table 72 is higher than the priority of the section a and the section b in the current table 73, the sample rack 7 currently being transported in the section a and the section b of the current table 73. The evacuation process for evacuating the sample from the sample transport line 22 is started. Then, after the evacuation process is completed and the transport state in the section a and the section b is no transport, the transport from the sample transfer unit 21 to the analyzer (No. 2) is started.

  If it is determined in step S86 that the priority is low, and if steps S85 and S87 are completed, it is determined whether or not the confirmation has been completed in all the transport sections (step S88). In the case of NO, the processes in steps S84 to S87 are repeated until the determination result in step S88 is YES, that is, until the confirmation is completed for all the conveyance sections. If the determination result in step S88 is YES, the process ends.

  Here, in FIG. 8, the start position is a position where the sample rack 7 is carried into the sample transport line 22 that can be transported in both directions, that is, the position of the sample transfer unit 21.

  The priority point is a numerical value calculated from the specimen type, the priority for each start position, and the like, and the higher the priority point, the higher the priority. The priority point is obtained by the following formula. That is, the priority point X = α × (priority for each specimen type) + β × (priority of start position) + γ × (rack standby time).

  A value representing the priority obtained above is stored in the table 710 up to the target position. In this embodiment, α = 10, β = 1, and γ = 0. Also, the priority for each specimen type is converted into the priority value shown in FIG. 9 as internal data. The priority for each start position is set to transfer machine = 5, analyzer (No. 1) = 3, analyzer (No. 2) = 2, and analyzer (No. 3) = 1.

  For example, in the example of FIG. 8, as the transfer start request, “transport of an emergency sample from the transfer machine to the analyzer (No. 2)”, “from the analyzer (No. 2) to the analyzer (No. 3)”. The case where there is a request for “conveying a general sample” and “conveying (returning) a sample after the analysis from the analyzer (No. 3) to the sample transfer unit 21” is illustrated. Further, the sample transport line 22 shows a case where the sample rack 7 is being transported from the analyzer (No. 2) to the sample transfer unit 21. In FIG. 9, a blank indicates that there is no such data.

  Here, a specific evacuation operation of the sample rack in the evacuation process will be described as an example below.

  For example, in the evacuation operation when urgent samples are transported preferentially, the sample rack 7 that has been analyzed by the analyzer 3 is made to wait on the carry-out line 239 of the sample rack buffer unit 23, and the urgent sample is preferentially targeted. The sample is transferred to the sample rack buffer unit 23 of the analyzer 3.

  Further, in the retreat operation using the carry-in side rotation mechanism 231, the lower-priority sample rack 7 being transported on the sample transport line 22 is transferred to the carry-in line of the sample rack buffer unit 23 via the carry-in side rotation mechanism 231. Evacuate temporarily on H.234. Then, after transporting the sample rack 7 with high priority on the sample transport line 22, the sample rack 7 evacuated to the transport line 234 is returned to the sample transport line 22 again via the transport-side rotation mechanism 231. Continue conveying.

  Further, in the overtaking (evacuation operation) by detouring using the rack shifter 238 of the sample rack buffer unit 23, for example, the sample rack 7 having a low transport priority returning from the analyzer 3 to the sample transfer unit 21 transports the sample transport line 22. When it becomes necessary to transport the sample rack 7 with high priority from the sample transfer unit 21 to the analyzer 3, the sample rack 7 with low priority is transferred to the sample rack buffer via the carry-in side rotation mechanism 231. The unit 23 is temporarily retracted onto the carry-in line 234. Subsequently, the sample rack 7 is transported via the lane 236 and the rack shifter 238 and returned to the sample transport line 22 via the unloading line 239 and the unloading side rotation mechanism 232, and the transport is continued. The rack shifter 238 is also used when transferring the sample rack 7 buffered in the lanes 235 and 236 to another analyzer 3 when the analyzer 3 becomes unavailable during the analysis operation. Is possible.

  The effect of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.

  In a sample testing system, a sample with a high priority of analysis processing may be input, and such a sample is transported to the analyzer preferentially by the sample transport system over other samples having a relatively low priority. Need to be analyzed. However, in the above prior art, the time required for analysis processing is managed based on the number of unprocessed racks taken into the buffer section of each analyzer, and only high priority racks are transported to those with a short required time. Absent. Therefore, when the transport of a high-priority rack is hindered by the transport of other racks, or the analysis processing of a rack with a high priority transported to the analyzer is not performed in the analysis processing of another rack that has already been transported to the analyzer. There are cases where it cannot be done until completion. For this reason, there is a problem that the analysis efficiency of the sample is lowered, and further improvement in the efficiency of the transport process and the analysis process according to the priority of the sample has been demanded.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the sample container 5 (that is, the sample rack 7) containing the sample is bidirectionally transported in a single path, and one end of the sample transport line 22 is provided. The sample transfer unit 21 is arranged to carry out the sample container 5 to the sample transfer line 22 and collect the sample container 5 from the sample transfer line 22, and is arranged for each of a plurality of predetermined sections on the sample transfer line 22. And a retracting function unit having a function of retracting the sample container 5 from the sample transport line 22, and the predetermined priority of the sample container 5 is scheduled to be transported simultaneously in the same section on the sample transport line 22. Compared with the sample container 5, the retreat process is performed to retreat the sample container 5 having a relatively low priority to the retreat function unit, so that the transport process and the analysis process according to the sample priority are performed. It is possible to perform the rate improvement.

<Modification of the first embodiment>
A modification of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  In this modification, a sample rack buffer unit having a simple configuration is used according to the first embodiment.

  FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the sample rack buffer unit of the present modification. In the figure, the same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 10, the sample rack buffer unit 23 </ b> A includes a carry-in rotation mechanism 231 and a carry-out rotation mechanism 232 arranged on the sample transfer line 22, and a sample rack 7 from the sample transfer line 22 via the carry-in rotation mechanism 231. , A standby lane 235 for temporarily storing the sample rack 7 carried into the carry-in line 234, a transport line 237 for transporting the sample rack 7 via the standby lane 235 to the analyzer 3 side, and The sample rack 7 discharged from the analyzer 3 is placed across the carry-out line 239 for carrying the sample rack 7 to the carry-out side rotation mechanism 232 of the sample carry line 22, and the sample rack 7 is placed across the carry line 237 and the carry-out line 239. In this state, the sample rack 7 is moved to the transport line 237 by shifting between the transport position 238a and the unloading position 128b. It is schematically composed Rakkushifuta 238 Metropolitan to transport between unloading line 239.

  Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  Also in this modified example configured as described above, it functions as a retracting function unit having a function of retracting the sample container 5 (the sample rack 7 on which the sample container 5 is mounted) from the sample transport line 22.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to above-described embodiment and each Example, Various modifications and combinations are included. That is, the above-described embodiment has been described in detail for easy understanding of the present invention, and is not necessarily limited to one having all the configurations described.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sample pre-processing system 2 Sample transport system 3 Analyzer 4 Control apparatus 5 Sample container 6 Sample transport line 6a Sample transfer position 6b Sample transfer position 7 Sample rack 21 Sample transfer unit 22 Transport line 22 Sample transport line 23 Sample rack Buffer unit 50 Transport condition setting screen 59 Sample holder 60 Transport priority setting screen 70 Data table 231 Carry-in side rotation mechanism 232 Carry-out side rotation mechanism 233 Transport line 234 Carry-in line 235 Waiting lane 236 Passing lane 237 Transport line 238 Rack shifter 239 Carry-out line

Claims (4)

A sample transport line capable of transporting a sample container containing a sample in both directions by a single path;
A sample unloading and collecting unit that is disposed at one end of the sample transport line, unloads the sample container to the sample transport line, and collects the sample container from the sample transport line;
A retreat function unit that is arranged for each of a plurality of predetermined sections on the sample transport line and has a function of retracting the sample container from the sample transport line;
The predetermined priority of the sample container is compared with the sample container scheduled to be simultaneously transported in the same section on the sample transport line, and the sample container having a relatively low priority is retracted to the retracting function unit A specimen transport system comprising: a control device that performs evacuation processing. The sample transport system according to claim 1,
At least one of the evacuation function units connects an analyzer disposed along the sample transport line and the sample transport line, and includes a plurality of the sample containers transported from the sample transport line to the analyzer. A sample transport system characterized by being a buffer for temporarily storing. The specimen transport system according to claim 2,
The buffer is
A standby lane for temporarily storing a plurality of sample containers transported from the sample transport line to the analyzer;
A sample transport system comprising: an overtaking lane for transporting the sample container from the sample transport line to the analyzer in preference to the sample container stored in the standby lane. The sample transport system according to claim 1;
An analyzer arranged along the sample transport system;
A pre-processing device that performs pre-processing for allowing the sample to be analyzed by the analyzer, and transports the sample to the sample transport system via the sample transport / recovery unit;
A specimen testing system characterized by comprising:

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