JP2017194325A - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic analyzer with which it is possible to prevent a reduction in measurement accuracy by optical measurement.SOLUTION: The automatic analyzer comprises: a reaction vessel 3 for accommodating a sample and a reagent; a drive unit 60 for rotationally moving the reaction vessel 3; a thermostat bath 31 that comes in contact with the outer surface of the reaction vessel 3 and holds a heating medium 29 for maintaining a mixed liquid at a constant temperature; a measurement unit 13 arranged on the outside of the thermostat bath 31, for radiating light toward the reaction vessel 3 arranged in the thermostat bath 31, detecting light having passed through a transmission window 32 for closing up an opening provided in the thermostat bath 31, the heating medium 29, the reaction vessel 3 and the mixed liquid in the reaction vessel 3, to make measurement; and a cleaning unit 23 for cleaning the surface of the transmission window 32 that is in contact with the heating medium 29. The cleaning unit 23 cleans the surface of the transmission window 32 that is in contact with the heating medium 29 when the reaction vessel 3 is idle, and stops cleaning said surface when the reaction vessel 3 is doing rotational movement.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an automatic analyzer that dispenses a sample and a reagent into a reaction container and irradiates the reaction container with light to measure a mixed solution of the sample and the reagent.

  The automatic analyzer is intended for biochemical test items, immunological test items, and the like, and optically measures changes in color tone and turbidity caused by the reaction of a mixture of a sample collected from a specimen and a reagent for each test item. By this measurement, analysis data represented by the concentration of each test item component contained in the sample, the activity of the enzyme, and the like are generated.

  This automatic analyzer is equipped with a thermostatic chamber for holding a heat medium such as liquid or gas in order to keep the mixed liquid in the reaction container at a constant temperature. Moreover, the measuring part arrange | positioned on the outer side of the thermostat which irradiates light to the reaction container arrange | positioned in a thermostat and optically measures a liquid mixture is provided. The constant temperature bath is provided with an opening in the optical path of light from the measurement unit and a window for closing the opening so that the reaction vessel can be irradiated.

JP 2014-106033 A JP 2014-119425 A

  However, when used for a long period of time, dirt such as dust mixed in the heat medium adheres to the surface of the window in contact with the heat medium in the thermostat. Further, when the heat medium is a liquid, gas dissolved in the heat medium is generated and adheres to the window. When dirt or air bubbles adhere to the window, there is a problem that the accuracy of measurement of the mixed liquid decreases due to obstruction of light from the measurement unit.

  The embodiment has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an automatic analyzer that can prevent a decrease in measurement accuracy due to optical measurement.

  In order to achieve the above object, the automatic analyzer according to the embodiment dispenses a sample and a reagent into a reaction container, and measures the mixed solution of the sample and the reagent in the reaction container. A thermostat that holds a heat medium for contacting the outer surface of the container to keep the mixed liquid at a constant temperature, a drive unit that moves and stops the reaction container, and is disposed outside the thermostat, Irradiate light toward the reaction vessel disposed in the thermostat, and transmit a transmission window that closes an opening provided in the thermostat, the heat medium, the reaction vessel, and the mixed solution in the reaction vessel. A measuring unit that detects and measures the transmitted light, and the surface of the transmission window that is in contact with the heat medium when the reaction vessel is stopped, the reaction vessel is moved And a cleaning section that stops cleaning the surface That.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the automatic analyzer which concerns on embodiment. The figure which shows the structure of the analysis part which concerns on embodiment. The top view which shows the structure of the constant temperature part which concerns on embodiment, and a measurement part. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3 illustrating the configuration of the cleaning unit according to the embodiment. The figure which shows the 1st sliding member sliding on the 1st permeation | transmission window surface which concerns on embodiment. The figure which shows the stop position of the 1st sliding member which concerns on embodiment.

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

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an automatic analyzer according to the embodiment. This automatic analyzer 100 dispenses a sample such as a standard sample or test sample for each test item and a reagent for each test item, and measures a sample and reagent mixture to generate standard data and test data. The analysis unit 24 is provided. Moreover, the drive part 60 which drives the various units of the analysis part 24 is provided. Further, an analysis control unit 61 that controls the drive unit 60 to operate various units of the analysis unit 24 is provided.

  The automatic analyzer 100 includes a data processing unit 70 that processes the standard data and test data generated by the analysis unit 24 to generate calibration data and analysis data for each inspection item. In addition, an output unit 80 that outputs calibration data and analysis data generated by the data processing unit 70 is provided.

  Further, the automatic analyzer 100 has an operation unit for performing input for setting analysis parameters for each inspection item, input for starting calibration for generating calibration data, input for starting inspection for generating analysis data, and the like. 90. In addition, a system control unit 91 that controls the analysis control unit 61, the data processing unit 70, and the output unit 80 is provided.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the analysis unit 24. The analysis unit 24 includes a sample container 11 that stores a sample such as a standard sample or a test sample, and a sample disk 5 that holds the sample container 11. In addition, a reagent container 6 containing, for example, a first reagent and a second reagent system, which are reagents containing components that react with the components of each test item included in the sample, and the reagent container 6 can be rotated. And a reagent rack 1a to be held.

  The analysis unit 24 includes a reagent storage 1 that keeps the reagent containers 6 held in the reagent rack 1a cold. In addition, a reagent container 7 that houses a second reagent that forms a pair with the first reagent of the two-reagent system, and a reagent rack 2a that rotatably holds the reagent container 7 are provided. In addition, a reagent storage 2 that keeps the reagent container 7 held in the reagent rack 2a cold is provided. In addition, a plurality of reaction vessels 3 arranged at regular intervals on the circumference, and a reaction disk 4 that supports the reaction vessels 3 so as to be rotatable are provided.

  The analyzing unit 24 sucks the sample in the sample container 11 held on the sample disk 5 for each inspection item and dispenses the sample into the reaction container 3 and the sample dispensing probe 16. A sample dispensing arm 10 that supports the probe 16 so as to be rotatable and vertically movable is provided.

  The analysis unit 24 sucks the first reagent in the reagent container 6 held in the reagent rack 1a and dispenses the first reagent into the reaction container 3 into which the sample has been dispensed. And a first reagent dispensing arm 8 that supports the first reagent dispensing probe 14 so as to be rotatable and vertically movable.

  The analysis unit 24 also supports a first stirrer 17 that stirs the mixed solution of the sample and the first reagent discharged into the reaction container 3, and a first stirrer 17 that is rotatably and vertically movable. 1 stirring arm 18. In addition, a second reagent dispensing probe 15 is provided for dispensing the second reagent in the reagent container 7 held in the reagent rack 2a and discharging it into the reaction container 3 into which the first reagent has been dispensed. Yes.

  The analysis unit 24 includes a second reagent dispensing arm 9 that supports the second reagent dispensing probe 15 so as to be rotatable and vertically movable. Also, a second stirrer 19 for stirring the sample discharged into the reaction vessel 3, the mixed solution of the first reagent and the second reagent, and a second stirrer 19 that supports the second stirrer 19 so as to be rotatable and vertically movable. And a stirring arm 20. In addition, a constant temperature unit 22 is provided to keep the mixed liquid in the reaction vessel 3 supported by the reaction disk 4 at a constant temperature.

  Further, the analysis unit 24 irradiates the reaction vessel 3 with light, and measures the mixed solution stirred by the first stirring bar 17 in the reaction vessel 3 or the mixed liquid stirred by the second stirring bar 19. Part 13 is provided. Moreover, the washing | cleaning part 12 which wash | cleans the inside of the reaction container 3 which measurement was completed by the measurement part 13 is provided.

  The cleaning unit 12 is a waste liquid nozzle that sucks the mixed liquid in the reaction container 3 for which the measurement has been completed, and a cleaning nozzle that performs cleaning by discharging the cleaning liquid into the reaction container 3 after the mixed liquid is sucked and then sucking the liquid. The water blank nozzle which discharges the water which measures a water blank in the reaction container 3 in which washing | cleaning was performed, and the drying nozzle which attracts | sucks the water for water blank measurement in the reaction container 3 are provided.

  The measurement unit 13 irradiates light to the reaction container 3 that is rotating and detects light in a predetermined wavelength region from the light transmitted through the reaction container 3 to perform measurement. First, the light which permeate | transmits the water for water blank measurement in the reaction container 3 is detected, and the water blank data used as the standard of light absorbency are produced | generated. Then, when the water blank data is within a preset range, the sample is dispensed into the reaction vessel 3 in which the water blank measurement has been performed.

  And the measurement part 13 detects the light which permeate | transmitted the liquid mixture containing the standard sample in the reaction container 3, and produces | generates the standard data represented by a light absorbency based on water blank data. Moreover, the light which permeate | transmitted the liquid mixture containing the test sample in the reaction container 3 is detected, and the test data represented by a light absorbency based on water blank data are produced | generated.

  The drive unit 60 shown in FIG. 1 drives the sample disk 5 of the analysis unit 24 to rotate the sample container 11. Further, the reagent rack 1a is driven to rotate the reagent container 6. Further, the reagent rack 2a is driven to rotate the reagent container 7. Further, the reaction disk 4 is driven to rotate and move each reaction vessel 3. The sample dispensing arm 10 is driven to move the sample dispensing probe 16 between the sample container 11 and the reaction container 3.

  In addition, the driving unit 60 drives the first reagent dispensing arm 8 to move the first reagent dispensing probe 14 between the reagent container 6 and the reaction container 3. Further, the first stirring arm 18 is driven to move the first stirring bar 17 into the reaction vessel 3. Further, the second reagent dispensing arm 9 is driven to move the second reagent dispensing probe 15 between the reagent container 7 and the reaction container 3. Further, the second stirring arm 20 is driven to move the second stirring bar 19 into the reaction vessel 3.

  When input of calibration or inspection start is performed from the operation unit 90, the analysis control unit 61 operates various units of the analysis unit 24 based on the analysis parameters of each inspection item. Then, after each reaction vessel 3 is rotationally moved every cycle, it is stopped. Also, dispensing of the sample, dispensing of the first reagent, dispensing of the second reagent, stirring of the mixed solution of the sample and the first reagent, and stirring of the mixed solution of the sample, the first reagent, and the second reagent, respectively It is performed every cycle.

  The data processing unit 70 includes a calculation unit 71 and a data storage unit 72. And the calculating part 71 produces | generates the calibration data which show the relationship between a standard value and standard data from the standard data produced | generated by the measurement part 13 of the analysis part 24, and the standard value set to the standard sample of this standard data. Further, analysis data expressed as a concentration value or an activity value is generated from the test data generated by the measurement unit 13 using the calibration data of the test item corresponding to the test data. The data storage unit 72 includes a memory device such as a hard disk, and stores the calibration data generated by the calculation unit 71 for each inspection item. Moreover, the analysis data of each test item generated by the calculation unit 71 is stored for each test sample.

  The output unit 80 includes a printing unit 81 that prints out the standard data and analysis data generated by the data processing unit 70, and a display unit 82 that displays the data. The printing unit 81 includes a printer, and prints out calibration data and analysis data on printer paper or the like according to a preset format.

  The display unit 82 includes a monitor such as a CRT or a liquid crystal panel, and displays calibration data and analysis data. In addition, an analysis parameter setting screen for setting analysis parameters such as the amount of sample to be dispensed into the reaction container 3 for each inspection item, the amount of the first reagent, and the amount of the second reagent is displayed. In addition, an inspection item setting screen for setting identification information such as name and ID for identifying the test sample and test items is displayed for each test sample.

  The operation unit 90 includes input devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, a button, and a touch key panel, and performs input for setting analysis parameters for each inspection item. Also, a calibration start for generating calibration data is input. In addition, input for setting identification information and inspection items is performed for each test sample. In addition, the start of inspection for generating analysis data is input. In addition, a cleaning start input is performed to clean various units that come into contact with the sample or reagent.

  The system control unit 91 includes a CPU and a storage circuit, and stores input information such as analysis parameter information of each inspection item, identification information for each test sample, and inspection item information input from the operation unit 90 in the storage circuit. After that, based on the input information, the analysis control unit 61, the data processing unit 70, and the output unit 80 are integrated to control the entire system.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 1 thru | or FIG. 6, an example of a structure and operation | movement of the thermostat 22 and the measurement part 13 in the analysis part 24 is demonstrated.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the configuration of the constant temperature unit 22 and the measurement unit 13. The constant temperature unit 22 includes a heat medium 29 that is in contact with the outer surface of the reaction vessel 3 to keep the mixed solution in the reaction vessel 3 at a constant temperature. Further, a temperature adjustment unit 30 that adjusts the heat medium 29 to a predetermined temperature is provided. In addition, the reaction vessel 3 is arranged, and a doughnut-shaped thermostat 31 for holding the heat medium 29 is provided. In addition, a transmission window 32 that closes an opening provided in the thermostatic bath 31 is provided so that light emitted from the measurement unit 13 can pass through the thermostatic bath 31. Moreover, the cleaning part 23 which cleans the permeation | transmission window 32 is provided.

  The heat medium 29 is composed of liquid, for example, water that transmits light in a wavelength region that can be detected by the measurement unit 13. Moreover, the temperature adjustment part 30 is arrange | positioned under the thermostat 31, and makes the heat medium 29 in the thermostat 31 flow out of the thermostat 31, adjusts to predetermined temperature, and then flows in the thermostat 31. Circulate.

  The constant temperature bath 31 is formed along the trajectory of the rotational movement of the reaction vessel 3 and has a circular flow path through which the heat medium 29 flowing in by the temperature adjusting unit 30 flows. The upper opening is covered with a reaction disk 4 and a reaction vessel 3 supported by the reaction disk 4. Moreover, it has the 1st opening provided in the side wall of the outer peripheral side, and the 2nd opening provided in the side wall of the inner peripheral side.

  The transmission window 32 includes a first transmission window 321, a first transmission window 321, a heat medium 29, and a reaction vessel 3 that close the first opening of the thermostatic chamber 31 into which the light emitted from the measurement unit 13 is incident. And a second transmission window 322 that closes the second opening of the thermostatic chamber 31 into which the light transmitted through the light enters. The first and second transmission windows 321 and 322 are formed of, for example, a glass material that transmits light in a predetermined wavelength range that can be detected by the measurement unit 13, and the inner surface of the thermostat 31 contacts the heat medium 29. doing.

  4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. The cleaning unit 23 includes a sliding member 40 that is disposed between the transmission window 32 in the thermostat 31 and the reaction vessel 3 and slides on the surface of the transmission window 32 that is in contact with the heat medium 29. Yes. Further, an arm 41 that slidably supports the sliding member 40 and a motor 42 that swings and drives the arm 41 are provided. Then, the transmission window 32 is cleaned when the reaction vessel 3 is stopped, and the cleaning of the transmission window 32 is stopped when the reaction vessel 3 is rotating.

  The sliding member 40 is disposed between the first transmission window 321 and the reaction container 3, and the first sliding member 401 that slides on the surface of the first transmission window 321, the reaction container 3, The second sliding member 402 is disposed between the second transmission window 322 and slides on the surface of the second transmission window 322.

  The first and second sliding members 401 and 402 are constituted by, for example, a rubber material that slides on the surfaces of the first and second transmission windows 321 and 322 and a blade that holds the rubber material. In addition, you may implement so that a brush may be used as the 1st and 2nd sliding members 401 and 402. FIG.

  The arm 41 is arranged over the inside and outside of the thermostatic bath 31, and is arranged below the reaction vessel 3 in the thermostatic bath 31. The lower end portions of the blades of the first and second sliding members 401 and 402 are supported. Further, it is rotatably supported on the drive shaft of the motor 42.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the arm 41 swings in the directions of the arrows R <b> 1 and R <b> 2 by the rotation drive of the motor 42, so that the first sliding member 401 is on the surface of the first transmission window 321. The second sliding member 402 slides on the surface of the second transmission window 322 at the same timing as the sliding of the first sliding member 401. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, when the motor 42 is stopped, the first sliding member 401 stops at a position T away from the optical path indicated by the broken line of the light emitted from the measuring unit 13, and the second sliding is performed. The member 402 stops at a position away from the optical path of the light emitted from the measurement unit 13 at the same timing as the stop of the first sliding member 401.

  In this way, by sliding the sliding member 40 on the surface of the transmission window 32 that is in contact with the heat medium 29, dirt or heat medium mixed into the heat medium 29 from the outside and adhering to the transmission window 32. Interfering substances that interfere with the light emitted from the measurement unit 13, such as bubbles that are generated from the light 29 and adhere to the transmission window 32, can be removed from the transmission window 32.

  Note that an injection port capable of injecting the heat medium 29 toward the surface of the transmission window 32 in contact with the heat medium 29 and a pump for injecting the heat medium 29 from the injection port are provided, and the reaction vessel 3 is stopped. The heat medium 29 is sprayed toward the surface of the transmission window 32 at a speed higher than the speed of the heat medium 29 flowing in the thermostat 31 to remove the obstructing substance from the transmission window 32. May be.

  The measurement unit 13 illustrated in FIG. 3 includes a light source unit 131 and a detection unit 132 that are opposed to each other with the thermostat 31 interposed therebetween. And the light source part 131 irradiates light toward the reaction container 3 in the thermostat 31. In addition, the detection unit 132 includes a first transmission window 321, a heat medium 29, a side wall on one side of the reaction vessel 3, a mixed liquid, and the light irradiated from the light source unit 131 on the optical path indicated by a broken line in FIG. Of the light transmitted in the order of the side wall on the other side of the reaction vessel 3, the heat medium 29, and the second transmission window 322, light in a predetermined wavelength region is detected. And when the reaction container 3 is rotating, the water for measuring the water blank and the mixed liquid in the reaction container 3 that crosses the optical path of the light emitted from the light source unit 131 are measured.

  The analysis control unit 61 drives and controls the motor 42 of the cleaning unit 23. When the reaction vessel 3 is stopped every cycle, the sliding member 40 is slid on the surface of the transmission window 32 in contact with the heat medium 29 to perform cleaning. Further, when the reaction container 3 rotates and moves every cycle, the sliding member 40 is positioned at a position away from the optical path of the light emitted from the measurement unit 13.

  Thus, each time the reaction vessel 3 is stopped, the sliding member 40 is slid on the surface of the transmission window 32 in contact with the heat medium 29 to perform cleaning, and the reaction vessel 3 rotates and moves. The sliding member 40 that obstructs the light emitted from the measurement unit 13 can be stopped at a position away from the optical path of the light emitted from the measurement unit 13. Thereby, when the reaction container 3 is rotating, the liquid mixture in the reaction container 3 can be accurately measured.

  In addition, when the water blank data generated for each reaction vessel 3 by the measuring unit 13 during the rotational movement is out of the preset range, the transmission window 32 is cleaned when the rotational movement is stopped. You may carry out so that it may. In this case, the dispensing of the sample and the reagent into the reaction vessel 3 in which the water blank data is generated by the measurement while rotating is stopped. In addition, an error flag is added to the standard data and the test data generated by the measurement during the rotational movement. When calibration data is generated using standard data to which an error flag is added, or when analysis data is generated using test data to which an error flag is added, the calibration data and analysis data are also included. Add an error flag.

  When air is used as the heat medium 29, an injection port capable of injecting the heat medium 29 toward the surface of the transmission window 32 that is in contact with the heat medium 29 and a pump for injecting the heat medium 29 from the injection port are provided. When the reaction vessel 3 is stopped, the heat medium 29 is jetted toward the surface of the transmission window 32 at a speed higher than the speed of the heat medium 29 flowing in the thermostatic chamber 31, and the transmission window 32. May be carried out to remove interfering substances from

  According to the embodiment described above, the cleaning unit 23 in which the sliding member 40 is disposed between the transmission window 32 and the reaction vessel 3 is provided. When the reaction container 3 is stopped, the sliding member 40 is slid on the surface of the transmission window 32 in contact with the heat medium 29 to perform cleaning, and the reaction container 3 is rotated. At this time, the sliding member 40 can be stopped at a position away from the optical path of the light emitted from the measurement unit 13. Thereby, it becomes possible to remove the interfering substance that hinders the light irradiated from the measuring unit 13 from the transmission window 32 that is in contact with the heat medium 29, and accurately measure the liquid mixture in the reaction container 3. be able to.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

3 Reaction container 13 Measuring unit 23 Cleaning unit 29 Heat medium 31 Constant temperature bath 32 Transmission window 40 Sliding member 321 First transmission window 322 Second transmission window 401 First sliding member 402 Second sliding member

Claims (4)

In an automatic analyzer that dispenses a sample and a reagent into a reaction container and measures a mixed solution of the sample and the reagent in the reaction container,
A thermostatic chamber for holding a heat medium for contacting the outer surface of the reaction vessel to keep the mixture at a constant temperature;
After moving the reaction vessel, a drive unit to stop,
A transmission window that is disposed outside the thermostat, irradiates light toward the reaction vessel arranged in the thermostat, and closes an opening provided in the thermostat, the heat medium, the reaction vessel, and A measurement unit that detects and measures light transmitted through the mixed solution in the reaction vessel;
A cleaning unit that cleans the surface of the transmission window that is in contact with the heat medium when the reaction vessel is stopped and stops cleaning the surface when the reaction vessel is moving. Automatic analyzer.   The said cleaning part is arrange | positioned between the said permeation | transmission window and the said reaction container, and has a sliding member which slides on the surface of the said permeation | transmission window which is contacting the said heat medium. Automatic analyzer described in 1.   The sliding member slides on the surface of the transmission window that is in contact with the heat medium when the reaction vessel is stopped, and is irradiated from the measurement unit when the reaction vessel is moving. The automatic analyzer according to claim 2, wherein the automatic analyzer is stopped at a position away from the optical path of the emitted light.   The automatic analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the measurement unit performs measurement by irradiating light to the moving reaction vessel.

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