JP2017187505A - Specimen processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a specimen processing system in which the whole process is optimized.SOLUTION: The specimen processing system includes: a rack movement mechanism for moving, while holding, one of specimen racks among specimen racks fed into a feed unit; a module having a specimen rack carry-in position, a process position for performing a specimen rack dispensing process and a specimen rack carry-out position; a plurality of slots in which the specimen rack can be temporarily kept waiting; and a first position for holding one specimen rack fed into the feed unit, a second position for positioning the specimen rack to be carried in to the carry-in position, a third position for positioning the specimen rack to be carried out from the carry-out position, and a plurality of fourth positions for positioning the specimen racks to be moved to the plurality of slots respectively, the first position to the fourth positions being provided on the path along which the rack movement mechanism moves. The rack movement mechanism moves on the path that includes the first position through the fourth positions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 16

Description

  The present invention relates to a sample processing system, and more particularly to a sample processing system suitable for efficiently operating a plurality of apparatuses having different functions and processing capacities by connecting them with a transport line that transports a sample rack.

  Analysis results of biological samples such as plasma, serum, and urine provide a great deal of information in diagnosing disease states, and there are many prior arts for devices that automatically process such biological samples.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, the analysis unit separately provides transport means for taking the rack into the analysis unit and sending it out of the analysis unit, and providing identification means for identifying the requested item of the sample upstream of the analysis unit, A technique for determining which analysis unit should be operated and giving an instruction to load a rack to the corresponding analysis module is disclosed.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, a plurality of analysis units are arranged along a conveyance line including a belt conveyor, a rack supply unit is arranged on one end side of the conveyance line, and a rack collection unit is arranged on the other end side. A rack standby unit is arranged in front of the rack collection unit so that re-inspection can be automatically performed.

  Further, in Patent Document 3, a standby disk for waiting the rack is provided in the rack transport path between the rack supply unit and the analysis unit, and is used for avoiding congestion on the rack transport path and automatically performing a re-inspection. .

JP-A-10-19999 JP-A-10-213586 JP 2004-279357 A

  In the automatic analyzer described in Patent Document 1 described above, the rack transport path is determined before the rack is transported to the analysis unit. Therefore, when analysis by multiple analysis units is necessary, the samples are transported in order from the upstream side, and when there are many samples that need to be analyzed on the upstream side, the rack transport path is congested and the downstream side is Even if there is a sample that you want to analyze only, you cannot overtake it.

  In the automatic analyzer described in Patent Document 2 described above, a return path for transporting the rack from the downstream side to the upstream side is provided. However, when the rack is first transported to the analysis unit on the downstream side, it is once the most upstream. After the rack is returned to the rack supply unit, it must be transported to the upstream analysis unit, which takes time and hinders processing of the rack supplied from the supply unit.

  Furthermore, samples that require automatic re-examination are collected in the standby section in front of the storage unit, so in the case of a system consisting of multiple analysis units with different processing speeds, even if there are racks for which results are output and you want to re-examine, Unnecessary waiting time occurs because it is not possible to overtake the rack that has entered the standby unit first. Similarly, it takes time to return to the rack supply unit at the time of re-examination, and the course of the supplied rack is obstructed.

  In addition, in the automatic analyzer described in Patent Document 3, the rack standby unit is configured by a circular disk and is excellent in random access to the rack. However, since the rack shape is generally a rectangular shape, Dead space. Also, the dead space due to the circular disk is large in the entire system.

  In addition, when the system is configured with multiple analysis units, the rack direction is reversed because it is transported to the downstream analysis unit through the standby disk, and the rack travel direction is determined in front of the next analysis unit. It is necessary to return to.

  The object of the present invention is to provide the rack supply section, the transport section, and the collection section to have only the role of rack transport, which is the original purpose, and to have all the functions that are unique and necessary for other processing units. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a sample processing system that optimizes the entire processing.

  A representative example of the present invention includes a rack moving mechanism that holds and moves one of the sample racks loaded in the loading unit, a loading position of the sample rack, a processing position for performing the dispensing process of the sample rack, A module having a sample rack unloading position, a plurality of slots capable of temporarily waiting for the sample rack, and a sample rack loaded into the loading unit provided on a path along which the rack moving mechanism moves A first position for holding one, a second position for positioning a sample rack for loading a sample rack to the loading position, a third position for positioning a sample rack for unloading the sample rack from the loading position, and a sample in each of the plurality of slots A plurality of fourth positions for positioning the sample rack for moving the rack, and the rack moving mechanism moves on a path including the first position to the fourth position. A sample processing system.

  It is possible to provide a sample processing system that optimizes the entire processing.

The block diagram of the sample processing system in one Example of this invention. The functional block block diagram in the system configuration | structure of FIG. The block diagram of the sampler unit in one Example of this invention. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a sample rack unit input rack moving mechanism. The block diagram of the buffer unit in one Example of this invention. Buffer unit rack transfer mechanism configuration and operation explanatory diagram. Buffer unit rack transfer mechanism configuration and operation explanatory diagram. Buffer unit rack transfer mechanism configuration and operation explanatory diagram. Buffer unit rack transfer mechanism configuration and operation explanatory diagram. Buffer unit rack transfer mechanism configuration and operation explanatory diagram. Buffer unit rack moving mechanism configuration and operation explanatory diagram. Buffer unit rack moving mechanism configuration and operation explanatory diagram. Buffer unit rack moving mechanism configuration and operation explanatory diagram. Buffer unit rack moving mechanism configuration and operation explanatory diagram. The rack conveyance explanatory drawing between a buffer unit and a functional module. The rack conveyance explanatory drawing between a buffer unit and an attached module. The flowchart of rack conveyance path | route determination. Explanatory drawing of the rack flow in one Example of this invention. Explanatory drawing of the rack flow in one Example of this invention. Explanatory drawing of the rack flow at the time of emergency sample injection | throwing-in.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view of a sample processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a sampler unit 100 for loading and storing a sample rack, a rack transport unit 200 for transporting a sample rack between the sampler unit and each functional module, and a rack transport disposed along the rack transport unit 200. A functional module 400a is arranged on the right side of the buffer unit, which is paired with each of the buffer units 300a and 300b and the buffer units 300a and 300b for transferring the sample rack to and from the unit 200 and temporarily waiting for the sample rack. , 400b, and the accessory module 500 disposed on the left side of the buffer unit 300a.

  FIG. 2 shows the system in FIG. 1 classified by function. In this case, the system is composed of a buffer unit 300a, a function module 400a, and an accessory module 500. The function block 1 performs sample analysis and preprocessing, the function block 2 includes the buffer unit 300b and the function module 400b, the sampler unit 100, and rack transport. It can be classified into a transport block 3 for transporting a sample rack comprising the unit 200, and the functional block 1, the functional block 2 and the transport block 3 deliver the sample rack at the contact point 4 and the contact point 5, respectively.

  In this embodiment, the functional block is composed of a buffer unit, a functional module, and two units. However, a functional module that includes the buffer unit is also included in the present invention.

  In addition, the function block 1, the function block 2, and the transport block 3 are configured such that input / output that each requires power supply, pure water supply, waste liquid drainage, etc. is independently connected to the facility equipment side, Except for processing related to sample rack delivery between each unit, ie, physical movement of sample racks, processing requests related to samples, and information delivery such as result transmission, etc., it is configured to operate completely independently. Has been.

  Hereinafter, description of each system configuration unit and operation of the entire system will be described.

  FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the sampler unit 100.

  The sampler unit 100 includes a loading unit 101 for loading a sample rack into the system, a storage unit 102 for removing the sample rack from the system, a loading rack moving unit 103 for transporting the sample rack from the loading unit to the rack transporting unit 200, Rack ID identification unit 104 for identifying the ID of the sample rack, confirmation of whether a sample container is installed in the sample rack, and a sample container height detecting unit 105 for detecting the height of the sample container, installed in the sample rack A specimen ID identifying unit 106 for identifying the specimen ID attached to the specimen container, a specimen container rotating unit 107 for rotating the specimen container when the specimen ID is identified, and a rack 102 from the rack transport unit 200. Storage rack moving unit 108, emergency sample rack, or An emergency sample loading unit 109 for loading a sample rack from a sample transport system connected upstream from the system into the system, and a rack unloading unit for unloading the sample rack to a sample transport system connected upstream from the system 110 is provided.

  The input unit 101 includes an input tray mounting unit 121 for mounting a sample rack tray on which a plurality of sample racks can be mounted and carried, and an input buffer unit 122 between the tray mounting unit and the input rack moving unit 103. As a driving mechanism, a loading lever 123 for transporting the sample rack in the Y direction and a loading mechanism 124 (FIG. 4) capable of rotating the loading lever with respect to the Y direction axis are provided.

  When the sample rack tray is installed on the input tray installation unit 121, the input mechanism unit 124 operates to rotate the input lever 123 by the rotation motor 125 and drive the movement motor 126 to move the sample rack in the Y direction. The sample rack is transported to the input rack moving unit 103 via the input buffer unit 122. After all the racks of the input buffer unit 122 are exhausted, the input mechanism unit 124 rotates the input lever 123, returns to the sample rack tray position, and waits until the next sample rack tray is installed.

  The sample rack tray can be removed when all the sample racks installed are moved to the input buffer unit 122, and another new sample rack tray can be installed. In this case, the loading lever 123 of the loading mechanism unit 124 normally feeds the sample rack until all the racks in the loading buffer unit 122 are exhausted, and then performs a rack feeding process on the newly installed sample rack tray. By a switch on the sampler unit 100 (not shown) or an operator instruction from the operation unit screen, the sample rack feeding process on the input buffer unit is interrupted, the input lever 123 is returned to the input tray erection unit 121 position, and the sample rack tray It is also possible to resume the upper rack feed operation.

  Further, in this embodiment, there are two sample loading sections, and when the sample rack feeding process is completed and the rack is exhausted, the other sample rack feeding process is performed. In this embodiment, there are two sample input units, but the processing is performed in the same manner in the case of two or more sample input units.

  The input rack moving unit 103 moves the rack moved from the input unit to the rack ID identification unit 104, reads the rack ID, and then moves to the sample container height detection unit 105.

  The sample container height detection unit confirms whether or not a sample container is installed at each position of the sample rack and detects the height of the sample container.

  Thereafter, the sample rack is moved to the sample ID reading position, and the sample ID is read by the sample ID identification unit 106. A sample container rotating unit 107 is provided at the sample ID reading position.

  Barcodes are generally used for the sample IDs, and various types of sample containers such as cups, test tubes, and cups placed on test tubes are used. The barcode as the sample ID is usually affixed only to the test tube from the necessary size for having the necessary amount of information. By the rack ID identification information and the sample container height information described above, Processing is performed by determining the necessity of reading the sample ID and rotating the sample container.

  Based on the above rack ID and sample ID information, necessary processing for the sample rack is determined, and a functional module as a transport destination is determined.

  The input rack moving unit 103 moves the sample rack to the rack transport unit 200 after the transport destination of the sample rack is determined.

  The sample transport system connected to the upstream side of the emergency sample rack or the sampler unit is loaded into the sampler unit 100 from the emergency sample loading unit 109. The rack loaded from the emergency sample loading unit 109 is moved to the rack transport unit 200 after the same processing as the rack from the sample loading unit 101 described above is performed.

  In addition, the sample rack that has undergone the necessary processing in each functional module is moved to the storage unit 102 position by the storage rack moving unit 108.

  Similar to the loading unit 101, the storage unit 102 includes a storage tray erection unit 131 for mounting a plurality of sample racks that can be carried and can be carried, and a storage buffer unit 132 between the storage tray erection unit and the input rack moving unit 103. Consists of. The drive mechanism includes a storage lever 133 for transporting the sample rack in the Y direction.

  The sample rack transported to the front of the storage unit 102 by the storage rack moving unit 108 crosses the input rack movement lane by the storage lever 133, moves to the storage buffer unit 132, and can be installed on the sample rack tray in the storage buffer unit 132. When the same number of sample racks as the number of racks are accumulated, the racks are moved to the sample rack tray.

  It is also possible to move the sample rack in the storage buffer unit 132 to the sample rack tray in the storage tray erection unit 131 by a switch on the sampler unit 100 (not shown) or an operator instruction from the operation unit screen.

  Further, a rack unloading unit 110 for unloading the sample rack to the sample transport system connected to the upstream side of the present system is provided. The rack carry-out unit 110 is sized to hold one rack, and is configured to be slidable in the Y direction so that the Y position in the Y direction toward the sample transport system can be changed.

  The rack transport unit 200 in FIG. 1 includes two rack transport lanes, that is, a feed lane 201 for transporting a sample rack from the sampler unit 100 to each functional module 400a, 400b, and a sample rack from each functional module 400a, 400b to the sampler unit 100. The mechanism includes a belt mechanism 210, a stopper mechanism 220, and a shutter mechanism 230 (FIG. 5).

  The belt mechanism 210 conveys the sample rack between the sampler unit 100 and the function modules 400a and 400b in the feed lane 201 and the return lane 202 by a conveyor belt. In this embodiment, the conveyor belt is composed of one feed lane and one return lane, and the conveyor belt driving motor 211 and the belt tension mechanism 212 are provided at the end of the rack transport unit 200. High-speed transport of sample racks is possible. In addition, this method is suitable for a system in which the sample rack is randomly transported to a plurality of functional modules and bidirectionally between the functional modules arranged on the upstream side and the downstream side of the system. Although not described in this embodiment, processing is performed while the same sample rack is stopped by a plurality of functional modules as in the sample pretreatment system, that is, from the upstream side to the downstream side of the system such as centrifugation, opening, and dispensing. In a system in which processing is performed while sequentially dropping toward the side, a plurality of conveyor belts having the same width as each functional module are arranged in series, and sample racks are arranged between adjacent conveyor belts. In some cases, it may be more appropriate to process while handing over. Therefore, it is desirable that the belt mechanism configuration can be selected according to the system configuration and the required processing capacity.

  The stopper mechanism 220 is for stopping the sample rack at a predetermined position at the sample rack loading position of each functional module, and is provided with 220a for the feed lane 201 and 220b for the return lane 202.

  The shutter mechanism 230 includes a total of three rack guide plates that move up and down, two for the rack guide of the feeding lane 201 and one for the rack guide of the return lane 202. The lowering operation is performed only when the sample rack is loaded from each function module.

  FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the buffer unit 300.

  The buffer unit 300 includes a rack loading / unloading waiting unit 301, a buffer unit 302, a cold insulation unit 303, a module loading / unloading waiting position 304, a rack transporting unit 310, a one rack loading / unloading unit 320, and an ID reading unit 321 as a drive mechanism. The sample rack is moved by the rack transfer mechanism 330, the rack moving mechanism 360, and the rack carry-out mechanisms 370 and 371.

  The rack loading / unloading waiting unit 301 has a space for waiting one rack, is a position where the sample rack from the rack transport unit 200 is transferred to the buffer unit 300, and is transported from the buffer unit 300 to the rack transport unit 200. This is the position to wait for the sample rack.

  The buffer unit 302 includes a plurality of independent slots that can temporarily wait for the sample rack.

  The cold insulation unit 303 can wait for a plurality of sample racks on which quality control samples and the like that need to be processed by the functional module periodically are installed, and prevent the sample from evaporating. It has a function.

  The module loading / unloading standby position 304 has a space for waiting one rack, is a position where the sample rack from the buffer unit 300 is unloaded to the functional module 400, and the sample rack that has been processed by the functional module is stored in the buffer unit 300. It is a position to carry in.

  The rack transport unit 310 is a part that transports the sample rack between the module loading / unloading standby position 304 and the functional module 400.

  The one-rack loading / unloading unit 320 is a sample loading / unloading unit for performing sample rack processing in the functional module without using the rack transport unit 200.

  The rack transfer mechanism 330 transfers sample racks in both directions in the Y direction between the rack carry-in / out waiting unit 301 and the above-described feed lane 201 of the rack transport unit 200 and the return lane 202. It is. Normally, when transferring a rack in only one direction, the sample rack can be moved horizontally by setting the height of the sample rack transport surface after movement slightly lower than the height of the rack transport surface before movement. However, in this system, since the movement is necessary in both directions, and when moving the sample rack between the return lane 202 and the transfer lane 201, it is necessary to cross the transfer lane 201. The ability to lift the rack in the direction is required.

  The details of the rack transfer mechanism 330 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 10, taking as an example the operation of transferring the rack from the feed lane 201 of the rack transfer line 200 to the rack carry-in / out waiting unit 301.

  The rack transfer mechanism 330 opens and closes two grip plates for gripping the rack in the Y direction, and after gripping the rack, lifts the grip mechanism portion 340 in the Z direction, and the grip mechanism portion in the Y direction. It is comprised from the Y moving mechanism part 350 to which it moves to.

  The grip mechanism 340 is provided with a pulley 343 for transmitting driving force by a motor 341 and a belt 342, a pulley rotation shaft 344, a cam follower 345, and a grip plate 346 that can move up and down in the Z direction and works in a direction to attract the grip plate 346. The spring 347 is configured. Further, two bearings 348 are attached to the pulley 343, and a stepped cam 349 is attached to the rotating shaft 344 of the pulley.

  The buffer unit 300 drives the drive motor 351 of the Y moving mechanism unit 350 of the rack transfer mechanism 330 to carry in the sample rack, and moves the grip mechanism unit 340 onto the feed lane 201 of the rack transport line 200. At this time, the grip mechanism 340 is open, that is, the two bearings 348 attached to the pulley 343 push the two grip plates 346 open, and the cam follower 345 and the cam 349 are not in contact with each other. ing.

  The rack transport unit 200 drives the stopper mechanism 220a disposed at the rack transfer position of the buffer unit 300 and moves the sample rack by driving the motor 211a of the belt mechanism 210 after protruding the stopper onto the feed lane 201. .

The grip mechanism 340 drives the motor 341 to rotate the pulley 343 in order to grip the sample rack stopped at the transfer position. As a result, the position of the bearing 348 moves, and the two grip plates 346 are closed in the Y direction by the attractive force of the spring 347, and grip the sample rack (FIG. 7). When the motor 341 is further rotated, the bearing 348 is not in contact with the grip plate 346, and the cam follower 345 rides on the high step portion of the cam (FIG. 8), so that the two grip plates 346 are raised and the rack is moved to the Z position. It is possible to lift in the direction (FIG. 9).

  After the grip mechanism 340 grips the sample rack and lifts it in the Z direction, the rack transport unit 200 drives the motor of the shutter mechanism 230 to lower the shutter 231.

  After the shutter 231 is lowered, the rack transfer mechanism 330 drives the motor 351 of the Y movement mechanism to transfer the sample rack to the rack carry-in / out waiting unit 301 in the Y direction.

  After the transfer of the sample rack is completed, the rack transport unit 200 returns the stopper 220a from the lane and raises the shutter 230 so that the next sample rack can be transported.

  The grip mechanism 340 opens the sample rack after moving to the rack loading / unloading waiting unit 301. The operation in this case is performed by rotating the motor 341 in the reverse direction to the case of gripping the rack, and is performed in the reverse order of the gripping operation.

  In the embodiment, the grip mechanism is driven by one motor and is configured to lift the sample rack in conjunction with the grip plate opening / closing operation. However, the grip mechanism is configured to have a grip plate opening / closing operation and a motor for lifting the rack independently. However, the same effect can be obtained.

  The rack moving mechanism 360 is attached to the bucket 361 that holds one rack and can move in the Y direction, the X mechanism 362 that moves in the Y direction together with the bucket, and moves the rack in the bucket in the X direction. The carriage 363 moves up and down.

  Here, the operation of moving the sample rack of the rack loading / unloading waiting unit 301 to the buffer unit 302 will be described as an example with reference to FIGS.

  First, the rack moving mechanism 360 drives the Y drive motor 364 to move the bucket 361 to the position of the rack loading / unloading standby unit 301 (FIG. 11). At the same time, the X drive motor 365 is driven to move the carriage 363 attached to the X mechanism 362 to a position below the sample rack of the rack loading / unloading waiting unit 301 and move to a position where the carriage 363 enters the groove at the bottom of the sample rack. Then, the Z drive motor 366 is driven to raise the carriage 363 (FIG. 12).

  A slit 367 is provided on the sample rack conveyance surface of the bucket 361 and the rack loading / unloading waiting unit 301 so that the carriage 363 can move in the X direction while being raised. Note that the slits are also provided in the same manner as in the parts such as the buffer unit 302 and the cold insulation unit 303 that move the sample rack using the rack moving mechanism 360.

  Next, the X rack motor 365 is driven to move the carriage 363 to below the bucket 361, thereby moving the sample rack onto the bucket (FIG. 13).

  After moving the sample rack onto the bucket 361, the Y drive motor 364 is driven to move the bucket 361 to the slot position of the destination buffer unit 302. At this time, the carriage 363 remains raised in order to prevent the rack on the bucket from moving in the X direction and jumping out of the bucket.

  After moving to the slot position of the buffer unit 302, the X drive motor 365 is driven, and the carriage 363 is moved below the slot to move the sample rack to the slot of the buffer unit 302 (FIG. 14).

  In the present embodiment, the rack movement from the rack loading / unloading standby unit 301 onto the bucket 361 has been described, but the same applies to the case where the sample rack is moved onto the bucket 361 from the buffer unit 302, the cold insulation unit 303, and the like. Although the rack movement from the bucket 361 to the buffer unit 302 has been described, the same applies to the case where the sample rack is moved to the cold insulation unit 303, the module loading / unloading standby position 304, and the like. By providing a stand-by slot independently, any sample rack can be randomly accessed.

  Next, the sample rack transport operation from the buffer unit 300 to the functional module 400 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The sample rack transported to the functional module 400 is moved to the module loading / unloading standby position 304 by the rack moving mechanism 360 and moved to the rack transporting unit 310 by the rack unloading mechanism 370.

  The rack transport unit 310 has a mechanism configuration suitable for each functional module. In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which the functional module 400 is of a type in which the rack from the rack transport unit is pulled into the functional module and the sample rack is returned to the rack transport unit after processing such as dispensing is completed. . The functional module in this embodiment has a buffer that can hold a plurality of racks in series.

  The sample rack moved to the rack transport unit 310 by the rack unloading mechanism 370 is moved to the sample rack loading position 401 of the functional module by the rack moving mechanism. Here, the rack moving mechanism may be a belt mechanism such as the rack transport line 200 described above or a carriage.

  The sample rack drawn into the functional module by the rack loading mechanism (not shown) of the functional module 400 is moved to the processing position 402 where processing such as dispensing is performed, and necessary processing is performed. During this time, if there is a sample rack to be processed next by the functional module 400, the buffer unit 300 moves the sample rack to the functional module through the rack transport unit in the same procedure, and the functional module moves to the buffer position 403 in the module. Wait for the sample rack.

  The sample rack that has been processed by the functional module 400 is returned again to the rack unloading position 404 of the rack transport unit 310 by a rack unloading mechanism (not shown). The rack moving mechanism moves the sample rack in the direction opposite to that when the sample rack is transported to the functional module 400, and carries the sample rack to the module loading / unloading standby position 304 of the buffer unit 300.

  In the present embodiment, the sample rack moves bi-directionally between the buffer unit 300 and the rack transport unit 310, and the rack unit 300 can carry in and out the rack according to the number of racks that can be held in the buffer of the functional module 400. Be controlled. That is, the sample rack unloading from the buffer unit 300 is continued until the buffer of the functional module 400 is full, but after the buffer is full, the sample rack returned from the functional module 400 is transferred to the buffer unit 300. The module loading / unloading standby position 304 is left empty for loading, and after moving the sample rack returned from the functional module 400 in the buffer unit 300, the next sample rack is moved to the module loading / unloading waiting position 304. Then, the process of transporting to the functional module 400 via the rack transport unit 310 is performed.

  In this embodiment, the case where the functional module has a buffer function capable of holding a plurality of racks in series with respect to the processing position is described as an example. However, for example, the sample rack is loaded into the functional module and the rack unloading position is at one location. Even if the functional module is a functional module or a functional module that performs processing such as dispensing on the transport line without carrying in / out the rack, by changing the transport mechanism configuration of the rack transport unit 310, the buffer unit 300 and the rack transport It can be handled without changing the theory.

  Next, the rack transport operation from the buffer unit 300 to the accessory module 500 will be described with reference to FIG. The accessory module 500 in this embodiment is arranged on the left side of the buffer unit 300 and has an independent sample rack loading position and unloading position.

  The sample rack to be carried out to the attached module 500 is moved onto the bucket 361 of the rack moving mechanism 360, and the Y drive motor 364 of the rack moving mechanism 360 is driven to move to the rack carry-in position 501 of the attached module 500. Thereafter, the rack carry-out mechanism 371 pushes the sample rack on the bucket 361 to the carry-in line of the attached module and carries it out.

  The sample rack carried into the accessory module is subjected to processing such as dispensing at the processing position 502 and then moved to the rack unloading standby position 503 on the unloading line.

  In response to a sample rack unloading request from the rack unloading standby position 503, the rack moving mechanism 360 of the buffer unit 300 drives the Y drive motor 364 to move the bucket 361 to the rack unloading position 503 of the attached module. Thereafter, the sample rack is moved onto the bucket 361 by the rack carry-out mechanism 504 of the attached module.

  Next, the transport operation of the sample rack loaded from the one-rack loading / unloading unit 320 will be described.

  When the sample rack is installed on the 1-rack loading / unloading unit 320 by the operator, the rack moving mechanism 360 drives the Y drive motor 364 to move the bucket 361 to the 1-rack loading / unloading unit position 320 and drives the X drive motor 365. The carriage 363 is moved to the sample rack position and raised. Thereafter, the sample rack is moved to the position of the ID identification unit 372 and the rack ID is read. Subsequently, the sample rack is moved, and the presence / absence of the sample container is confirmed by the sample container presence / absence detector 373 and the sample ID is read. The processing contents in the functional module are determined based on the read rack ID and sample ID information. The sample rack whose sample ID has been read is moved onto the bucket 361, and is transported to the functional module and the accessory module and processed in accordance with the transport operation described above. The sample rack that has been processed is similarly carried out to the 1-rack loading / unloading unit 320 via the bucket 361, and the processing ends.

  By providing a sample rack loading / unloading unit such as the one-rack loading / unloading unit 320 shown in the present embodiment in the buffer unit and supplying power, pure water, and the like independently as described above, Even when the sampler unit 100 and the rack transport line 200 cannot be operated due to a failure or the like, it is possible to perform processing in the functional module and wait in the buffer unit 302 or the like in the buffer unit 300. The sample rack that has been placed can be carried out from the one-rack loading / unloading unit 320 by an operator inputting a carry-out instruction from a switch or an operation unit (not shown).

  Next, the cold insulation unit 303 that waits for the quality control sample will be described.

  The quality control sample is a sample for which the measurement value is determined in order to confirm the correctness of the measurement result in the analyzer, and the stability of the device is confirmed by checking the measurement result in the analyzer. . The quality control sample is measured periodically for each analysis item, that is, at a set time interval.

  The sample rack in which the quality control sample is installed is loaded from the sampler unit 100, and the flow of loading into the buffer unit by the rack transfer mechanism 330 of the buffer unit 300 is the same as described above.

  When analysis of the quality control sample rack carried into the buffer unit 300 is immediately necessary, it is transported to the function module 400 for analysis. When the analysis is not required immediately, or after the analysis by the functional module 400 is performed, the quality control sample rack waits in the cold insulation unit 303.

  As described above, since the measurement value of the quality control sample is determined, the measurement value fluctuates due to evaporation caused by waiting in the apparatus for a long time. Therefore, the cold insulation unit 303 has a cold insulation function for suppressing evaporation of the quality control specimen.

  When the analysis of the general sample is performed for a certain time and the time set to measure the quality control sample for a certain item is reached, the quality control sample rack waiting in the cold storage unit 303 is transferred from the cold storage unit 303 to the functional module. It is conveyed to 400 for analysis. After the analysis is performed, the sample is transported again to the cold insulation unit 303 and waits until the next quality control sample measurement request is made.

  The quality control sample rack standing by in the cold insulation unit 303 is unloaded from the cold insulation unit 303 according to an operator instruction from the operation unit, and is stored in the storage unit 102 of the sampler unit 100 through the return lane 202 of the rack transport unit 200.

  Next, the operation of the entire system will be described below.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a method for determining the sample rack transport path.

  The sample rack transport path is such that when the ID recognition is performed by the rack ID identification unit 104 and the sample ID identification unit 106 of the sampler unit 100, the processing in the functional module is completed, and the module rack unloading position 404 of the buffer unit 300 is completed. This is determined at the time when the sample rack is unloaded and when ID recognition is performed by the ID reading unit 321 of the sample rack loaded from the 1-rack loading / unloading unit 320.

  The control unit of the system (not shown) manages the load information of the functional modules constituting the system, that is, the number of samples and the number of analysis items that must be processed by each functional module, and the function with the lowest load at the above timing. Search for modules and items that can be processed by the functional module. The load here includes not only the number of items that each functional module has to process but also the processing capacity of each functional module. For example, the time until each functional module completes a task already assigned, That is, this is due to the time calculated by multiplying the number of processing items by the time required for each processing.

  The control unit determines whether the processing necessary for the rack can be performed by the extracted function module. If processing by the extracted function module is necessary, the rack is determined as a destination of the rack and the rack is transported.

  As a result of the search, if there are a plurality of functional modules with the same load, and any functional module requires processing for the rack, the functional module with the shortest moving distance is the one in the rack. Determined as the destination.

  In addition, if the processing with the extracted function module is unnecessary because the load is low, the function module with the next lowest load and the items that can be processed with the function module are searched, and the rack is again displayed. It is determined whether or not necessary processing can be performed. By repeating the above procedure, it is determined whether all the functional modules can be moved to the rack.

  If none of the racks finally match the destination of the rack, it is next determined whether automatic re-examination is required for the rack. If automatic re-examination is necessary, the rack is moved to the buffer unit of the buffer unit and waits until the analysis result is output. If re-examination is necessary after the analysis result is output, the rack is transported again from the buffer unit to the processing position of the functional module, and after the processing is performed, it is unloaded from the buffer unit and returned to the rack transport unit. It is stored in the storage unit of the sampler unit through the lane. Similarly, when the automatic retest is not necessary, and the sample rack determined that the automatic retest is necessary and waited in the buffer unit, the retest is determined not to be necessary from the output result. Stored in the storage unit.

  Note that the load information of each functional module is obtained when the load changes, that is, when the sample rack is determined as a new destination of the sample rack, or when the processing in the functional module ends and the sample rack is unloaded at the module rack unloading position of the buffer unit It will be updated when

  Hereinafter, an example of an actual sample rack flow will be described. 18 and 19 are simplified diagrams of a system including the sampler unit 100, the rack transport line 200, the three buffer units 300a, 300b, and 300c, the functional modules 400a, 400b, and 400c, and the accessory module 500.

  As an example, FIG. 18 shows a case where the sample rack needs to be processed by the function module 400a and the accessory module 500, the load of each function module and the accessory module is 400a, and automatic reexamination is unnecessary. explain.

  In this case, as described above, the sample rack input to the sampler unit 100 determines the items to be processed based on the rack ID and sample ID information. At this point, the control unit searches for a functional module with a low load and searches for items that can be processed by the functional module. The functional module 400a is first extracted from the load information. Since the rack needs to be processed by the functional module 300a, the transport destination 400a is determined. In accordance with this determination, the sample rack passes through the feed lane 201 of the rack transport unit 200 and moves from the rack carry-in / out position 203a into the buffer unit by the transfer mechanism of the buffer unit 300a.

  At this time, if the sample module transferred by the functional module 400a can be processed immediately, that is, if the buffer 403a in the functional module 400a is not full, the sample rack is transported to the functional module 400a. If the sample rack transferred by the functional module 400a cannot be processed immediately, the sample rack is transported to the buffer unit 302a and stands by.

  After the sample rack moves to the buffer unit 300a, the transport path is determined in the same manner for the next sample rack from the sampler unit. Similarly, when the functional module 400a is determined as the transport destination for the next sample rack as well, the buffer unit 300a, the functional module 400a, the attached module 500, and the total number of sample racks on the transport path therebetween are the buffer unit 300a. If the number is less than the number of slots in the buffer unit 302a, the sample rack is continuously carried into the buffer unit 300a, and the sample rack stands by in an empty slot of the buffer unit 302a. When the total number of sample racks has reached the buffer unit slot number, the sample rack stands by at the sampler unit until the sample rack is unloaded from the buffer unit 300a to the transport unit 200.

  The sample racks waiting in the buffer unit 302a are transported to the functional module when the buffer 403a of the functional module 400a is empty, sequentially processed, and transported to the module rack transporting position 404a of the buffer unit 300a. At this point, the next transport path is determined for the rack. If the load states of the functional modules and the attached modules at this time are as small as 300b, 500, and 300c in this order, the control unit extracts the functional module 300b, but the rack does not require the processing in 300b, so the control is performed. The unit again extracts the attached module 500 having a small load. Since the rack needs to be processed by the accessory module 500, the next transport destination is determined by the accessory module 500.

  At this time, if the accessory module 500 can process the rack immediately, the rack is directly transferred to the accessory module 500. If the rack cannot be processed immediately, the buffer unit 302a waits once, and processing is ready. Later, it is transported to the accessory module 500.

  The rack that has been processed by the attached module 500 is carried out to the attached module rack carrying-out position 503. Here, the next transport path is determined again. However, since all necessary processing for the rack has been completed, the storage unit 102 of the sampler unit 100 is determined as the transport destination. Based on this determination, the buffer unit 300a moves the rack to the rack loading / unloading position 204a of the return lane 202 of the rack transport unit 200 by the transfer mechanism, and the rack transport unit 200 stores the rack in the storage unit.

  As another example, when the sample rack needs to be processed by the function modules 400a, 400b, and 400c, the load of each function module and the attached module is 400c, and the function module 400b requires automatic retesting. Will be described with reference to FIG.

  For the sample rack loaded into the sampler unit 100, the functional module 400c having a low load is first determined as the transport destination according to the flow of FIG. The sample rack is moved to the rack loading / unloading position 203c by the feed lane 201 of the rack transporting unit 200, processed in the functional module 400c via the buffer unit 300c, and then finished at the module rack unloading position 404c. A route is determined.

  If the load of each functional module at this time is the same for 400a and 400b, the transport destination of the sample rack is determined to be the functional module 400b with a short moving distance from the functional module 400c. Therefore, the rack is unloaded to the rack loading / unloading position 204c of the return lane 202 of the rack transport unit 200 via the buffer unit 300c, and moved to the rack loading / unloading position 204b of the buffer unit 300b via the return lane 202. Processing is performed by the functional module 400b via 300b. After the processing is completed, the next transport path is determined at the module rack unloading position 404b.

  If the load of each functional module at this time is 400a, the transport destination is similarly determined to 400a, and the sample rack is placed in the rack loading / unloading position 204b of the return lane 202 of the rack transport unit 200 via the buffer unit 300b. Are moved to the rack loading / unloading position 204a of the buffer unit 300a through the return lane 202 and processed by the functional module 400a via the buffer unit 300a. After the processing is completed, the next transport path is determined at the module rack unloading position 404a.

  At this time, similarly, the transport destination is extracted according to the flow of FIG. At this time, when the first measurement result in the functional module 400b is output and it is found that re-examination is necessary, the functional module 400b is determined as the transport destination. If the initial measurement result is not output and the necessity of re-examination is unknown, the buffer unit 302a of the buffer unit 300a stands by.

  When re-examination is performed, the rack is transferred to the rack loading / unloading position 203a of the feed lane 201 of the rack transport unit 200 via the buffer unit 300a, and moved to the rack loading / unloading position 203b of the buffer unit 300b through the feed lane 201. The re-examination process is performed in the function module 400b. After the processing is completed, the next transport path is determined at the module rack unloading position 404b.

  Here, similarly, the transport destination is extracted according to the flow of FIG. 17, but since all the processing for the rack is completed, the storage unit 102 of the sampler unit 100 is determined as the transport destination. Therefore, the rack is transferred to the rack loading / unloading position 204b of the return lane 202 of the rack transport unit 200 via the buffer unit 300b, and is stored in the storage unit 102 of the sampler unit 100 through the feed lane 202.

  When the retest is not performed, the transport destination of the rack that has been waiting in the buffer unit 302a of the buffer unit 300a is determined to be the storage unit 102 of the sampler unit 100, and similarly, the rack is loaded into the return lane 202 of the rack transport unit 200. The sample is carried out to the exit position 204 a and is stored in the storage unit 102 of the sampler unit 100 through the feed lane 201.

  Next, processing when an urgent sample is introduced will be described with reference to FIG. Here, for the sake of simplicity, a case will be described in which an emergency sample needs to be processed only by the functional module 400a.

  The emergency sample rack 553 input to the emergency sample input unit 109 of the sampler unit 100 reads the ID, and then the functional module 400a is determined as the transport destination, and the rack unit is loaded / unloaded from the rack load / unload position 203a of the buffer unit 300a. It is carried into the standby position 301a. The buffer unit 300a and the functional module 400a start the operation of moving the general sample racks 550, 551, and 552 in the transport path to the buffer unit 302a when it is found that the emergency sample is transported. The emergency sample rack 553 is transported to the functional module 400a and processed as soon as the transport path to the functional module 400a becomes available. On the other hand, the general sample racks 550, 551, and 552 temporarily retracted to the buffer unit 302a are transported to the functional module 400a again as soon as the emergency sample rack 553 is transported to the functional module 400a, and the processing is resumed. The processed emergency sample rack 553 is stored in the storage unit 102 according to the above-described flow.

1, 2 Function block 3 Transport block 4, 5 Contact 100 Sampler unit 101 Input unit 102 Storage unit 103 Input rack moving unit 104 Rack ID identification unit 105 Sample container height detection unit 106 Sample ID identification unit 107 Sample container rotation unit 108 Rack moving unit 109 Emergency sample loading unit 110 Rack unloading unit 121 Loading tray erection unit 122 Loading buffer unit 123 Loading lever 124 Loading mechanism 125 Loading lever rotating motor 126 Loading lever moving motor 131 Storage tray mounting unit 132 Storage buffer unit 133 Storage Lever 200 Rack transport unit 201 Feed lane 202 Return lane 203 Feed lane rack loading / unloading position 204 Return lane rack loading / unloading position 210 Belt mechanism 211 Conveyor belt drive mode 212 Conveyor belt tension mechanism 220 Stopper mechanism 230 Shutter mechanism 231 Shutter 300 Buffer unit 301 Rack loading / unloading standby section 302 Buffer section 303 Cooling section 304 Module loading / unloading standby position 310 Rack transport section 320 1 rack loading / unloading section 321 ID reading section 330 Rack transfer mechanism 340 Grip mechanism part 341, 351 Motor 342 Belt 343 Pulley 344 Pulley rotation shaft 345 Cam follower 346 Grip plate 347 Pull spring 348 Bearing 349 Cam 350 Y moving mechanism part 360 Rack moving mechanism 361 Bucket 362 X mechanism 363 Carriage 364 Y Drive motor 365 X drive motor 366 Z drive motor 367 Slit 370, 371 Rack unloading mechanism 372 ID identification unit 373 Sample container presence / absence test Ejector 400 Function module 401 Module rack loading position 402 Processing position 403 In-module buffer position 404 Module rack loading position 500 Attached module 501 Attached module rack loading position 502 Attached module processing position 503 Attached module rack unloading position 504 Attached module rack unloading mechanism 550 ~ 552 General sample rack 553 Emergency sample rack

Claims (9)

A rack moving mechanism for holding and moving one of the sample racks loaded in the loading unit;
A module having a sample rack loading position, a sample rack dispensing process, a sample rack unloading position,
A plurality of slots capable of temporarily waiting for sample racks;
A first position provided on a path along which the rack moving mechanism moves to hold one sample rack loaded in the loading unit; a second position that positions a sample rack for loading the sample rack at the loading position; A third position for positioning the sample rack that has unloaded the sample rack from the unloading position, and a plurality of fourth positions for positioning the sample rack for moving the sample rack to each of the plurality of slots,
The sample moving system, wherein the rack moving mechanism moves on a path including the first position to the fourth position. The specimen processing system according to claim 1,
The rack moving mechanism moves in a first direction;
The sample processing system, wherein the plurality of slots are arranged along the first direction. The specimen processing system according to claim 2, wherein
The sample processing system, wherein the carry-in position and the carry-out position are arranged along the first direction. In the sample processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The sample processing system, wherein the loading position and the plurality of slots are arranged across a path along which the rack moving mechanism moves. In the sample processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The sample moving system, wherein the rack moving mechanism moves sample racks one by one. In the sample processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The module has a path through which a plurality of sample racks can move between the carry-in position and the carry-out position. In the sample processing system according to any one of claims 2 to 6,
Each of the second position and the carry-in position, the carry-out position and the third position, the plurality of fourth positions and the plurality of slots are arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Specimen processing system. In the sample processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
If the module cannot process the sample rack immediately, the sample rack is made to wait in the slot. In the sample processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A second loading position different from the loading position; a second processing position different from the processing position; a second module different from the module;
A sample processing system having a fifth position that is provided on a path along which the rack moving mechanism moves and positions a sample rack for loading a sample rack at the second carry-in position.

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