JP2018138908A - Automatic analysis device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic analysis device capable of more suppressing a change in discharge quantity caused by a difference in a sample nozzle height at the time of sucking a sample for each sample than that in a conventional manner.SOLUTION: The automatic analysis device comprises: sample nozzles 13a, 14a for dispensing a sample from a sample container 17 in which the sample is held to a reaction container; a horizontal/vertical movement mechanism 41 or a rack holding mechanism for causing a rack 18 in which at least one sample container 17 is held to move in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction; and a control part for controlling the horizontal/vertical movement mechanism 41 and the rack holding mechanism such that a deviation in a liquid level direction of the sample is decreased between different sample containers 17 at the time of sucking the sample.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

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

  For the purpose of realizing an automatic analyzer capable of improving the dispensing accuracy of a sample or the like regardless of the difference in suction height of the sample or the like of the dispensing probe, Patent Document 1 discloses a sample dispensing probe and a reagent dispensing device. A sample probe or a reagent part when a predetermined amount of sample or reagent is aspirated from the sample container or reagent container with the sample or reagent dispensing probe. It describes that the stop position in the height direction of the injection probe is detected, and the sample or reagent aspiration amount and the sample or reagent discharge amount of the sample or reagent dispensing probe are corrected according to the detected height direction stop position. .

  In addition, as an example of an automatic analyzer that can avoid a reduction in the reproducibility of the suction amount of a small amount of liquid sample due to a change in the flow path shape caused by the movement of the nozzle, Patent Document 2 discloses that at least a nozzle is inserted into a liquid holding container. An automatic analyzer is described that executes a series of analysis cycles while fixing the positional relationship from the nozzle to the detection unit.

JP 2013-54014 A JP 2008-58127 A

  Automatic analyzers that perform quantitative and qualitative analysis of specific components contained in biological samples such as blood and urine (hereinafter referred to as samples) have high reproducibility of analysis results and high processing speed. It is indispensable for diagnosis.

  Measurement methods used in automatic analyzers include analysis methods that use reagents that change the color of the reaction liquid by reacting with the analyte in the sample (colorimetric analysis), and direct analysis with the analyte in the sample. Alternatively, an analysis method (immunoassay) or the like that uses a reagent in which a label is added to a substance that specifically binds indirectly and counts the label is known. In the automatic analyzer, the analysis is performed by dispensing the sample contained in the sample container and the reagent contained in the reagent container into the reaction container and mixing them.

  In recent years, automatic analyzers are required to reduce running costs by reducing reagent consumption. For this reason, in order to reduce the amount of the reaction solution while maintaining the ratio of the sample and the reagent, the sample dispensing amount is particularly reduced. Therefore, maintaining accuracy even in a small amount of dispensing is an important factor in data reliability, and various ideas have been applied.

  Here, it is assumed that the height at which the nozzle sucks the sample or the reagent is different for each sample container or reagent container. In this case, for example, there is a difference in conditions such as the elastic deformation of the fluid and the flow path due to pressure, and there is a difference in the amount of bubbles at the tip of the nozzle immediately before discharging the sample or reagent to the reaction container. A difference occurs in quantity. If the sample dispensing amount is further reduced in the future, the difference in the discharge amount due to the difference in the sample nozzle height for each sample as described above becomes a problem that cannot be ignored.

  With respect to such a problem, the above-described Patent Document 1 is caused by the difference in height by changing the operation amount of the syringe used for sucking and discharging the sample according to the height of the probe tip at the time of sample suction. A method for correcting the difference in sample discharge amount is proposed. In addition, Patent Document 2 described above presents a method of sucking a sample by moving a reaction container with respect to a fixed nozzle position for the purpose of aligning conditions when the nozzle sucks the reaction liquid. .

  However, the method of Patent Document 1 has a problem that correction by the operation of the syringe cannot be corrected well when the error is less than the operation resolution of the sample pump. Further, there is a possibility that the discharge amount may change due to a difference in conditions such as elastic deformation of the flow path depending on the height of the sample, but there is a problem that it is difficult to correct this change.

  Further, the method of Patent Document 2 has a problem that the bottom cannot be lifted if there is no hole or the like in the bottom of the rack. Further, when the reagent container is lifted from the side of the rack, it is difficult to cope with various shapes of the reagent container. Furthermore, there is a problem in that it takes time for processing because the operation of grasping, raising, lowering, and releasing each reagent container must be performed.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer that can suppress a change in discharge amount due to a difference in the height of a sample nozzle at the time of sample suction for each sample as compared with the conventional one.

In order to solve the above problems, for example, the configuration described in the claims is adopted.
The present invention includes a plurality of means for solving the above-mentioned problems. For example, an automatic analyzer that dispenses and reacts a sample and a reagent in a reaction vessel and measures the reacted liquid. A sample dispensing probe that dispenses the sample from the sample container holding the sample into the reaction container and a transport member that moves the transport member that holds at least one sample container in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction. And a control unit that controls the transport unit so as to reduce a deviation in the liquid surface height direction of the sample between different sample containers when the sample is aspirated.

  According to the present invention, the change in the discharge amount due to the difference in the sample nozzle height at the time of sample aspiration can be suppressed compared to the conventional one, and the analysis accuracy is improved even when the sample dispensing amount is very small. Can be made. Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will be clarified by the following description of examples.

It is a figure which shows the outline of the whole structure of the automatic analyzer which concerns on a present Example. It is a figure which shows the structure of the sample dispensing mechanism of the automatic analyzer of a present Example. It is a figure which shows an example of the sample container and sample liquid level height which are used with an automatic analyzer. It is a figure which shows the outline of the structure for keeping constant the height of the sample nozzle tip at the time of sample suction in a present Example. It is a figure which shows the outline of another example of the structure for keeping constant the height of the sample nozzle tip at the time of sample suction in a present Example. It is a figure which shows the flow of operation | movement of the sample container before and behind the sample aspiration operation | movement in the automatic analyzer of a present Example. It is a figure which shows the sample liquid level height with respect to the reference position in the automatic analyzer of a present Example. It is a figure which shows the time change of the rack bottom face position at the time of sample dispensing in the automatic analyzer of a present Example.

  An embodiment of the automatic analyzer according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the overall configuration of the automatic analyzer will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an overall configuration of an automatic analyzer according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, an automatic analyzer 100 includes a sample transport mechanism 19, a reagent disk 11, a reaction vessel 2, a reaction disk 1, sample dispensing mechanisms 13 and 14, and reagent dispensing mechanisms 7, 8, 9, 10, stirring mechanisms 5 and 6, spectrophotometer 4, cleaning mechanism 3, cleaning tanks 15 and 16, reagent pump 20, sample pump 21, cleaning pump 22, and control unit 23 It is roughly composed.

  The sample transport mechanism 19 transports a rack (transport member) 18 on which one or more sample containers 17 containing samples to be analyzed are mounted. The reagent disk 11 has a plurality of reagent bottles 12 containing reagents used for analyzing a sample arranged in a plurality of circumferential directions. The reaction disk 1 has a plurality of reaction containers 2 arranged in a plurality of circumferential directions for mixing and reacting a sample and a reagent. The sample dispensing mechanisms 13 and 14 dispense the sample from the sample container 17 conveyed to the sample dispensing position by the sample conveying mechanism 19 to the reaction container 2. Details thereof will be described later. The reagent dispensing mechanisms 7, 8, 9, 10 dispense the reagent from the reagent bottle 12 to the reaction container 2. The stirring mechanisms 5 and 6 stir the mixed solution (reaction solution) of the sample and the reagent dispensed into the reaction vessel 2. The spectrophotometer 4 measures the absorbance of the reaction solution by measuring the transmitted light obtained from the light source 4a through the reaction solution in the reaction vessel 2. The cleaning mechanism 3 cleans the used reaction container 2. The sample nozzle cleaning tanks 15 and 16 are arranged in the operating range of the sample dispensing mechanisms 13 and 14, and clean the sample nozzles 13a and 14a with cleaning water.

  The control unit 23 is configured by a computer or the like, and controls the overall operation of the automatic analyzer 100 by controlling the operation of each device / mechanism in the automatic analyzer 100, and controls the concentration of a predetermined component in the sample. Perform the required arithmetic processing.

  The overall configuration of the automatic analyzer 100 has been described above. In FIG. 1, for simplicity of illustration, a part of the connection between each mechanism constituting the automatic analyzer 100 and the control unit 23 is omitted.

  The analysis process of the inspection sample by the automatic analyzer 100 as described above is generally performed in the following order.

  First, the sample in the sample container 17 placed on the rack 18 transported near the reaction disk 1 by the sample transport mechanism 19 is transferred to the sample nozzles (sample dispensing probes) 13 a of the sample dispensing mechanisms 13 and 14. It dispenses into the reaction container 2 on the reaction disk 1 by 14a. Next, the reagent used for the analysis is dispensed from the reagent bottle 12 on the reagent disk 11 to the reaction container 2 into which the sample has been dispensed by the reagent dispensing mechanisms 7, 8, 9, and 10. Subsequently, the mixed solution of the sample and the reagent in the reaction vessel 2 is stirred by the stirring mechanisms 5 and 6.

  Thereafter, the light generated from the light source 4 a is transmitted through the reaction vessel 2 containing the mixed liquid after stirring, and the luminous intensity of the transmitted light is measured by the spectrophotometer 4. The light intensity measured by the spectrophotometer 4 is transmitted to the control unit 23 via the A / D converter and the interface. Then, the control unit 23 calculates and obtains the concentration of a predetermined component in a liquid sample such as blood or urine, and displays the result on a display unit (not shown) or the like and stores it in a storage unit (not shown). .

  Next, the configuration of the sample dispensing mechanisms 13 and 14 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the sample dispensing mechanisms 13 and 14.

  In FIG. 2, the sample dispensing mechanisms 13 and 14 have cylindrical sample nozzles 13a and 14a arranged with their tips directed downward. A sample pump 21 is connected to the sample nozzles 13a and 14a. The sample dispensing mechanisms 13 and 14 are configured so as to be able to rotate and move up and down in the horizontal direction. The sample nozzles 13a and 14a are inserted into the sample container 17, and the sample is sucked. The sample is dispensed from the sample container 17 to the reaction container 2 by inserting 14a into the reaction container 2 and discharging the sample. Further, the sample dispensing mechanisms 13 and 14 insert the sample nozzles 13a and 14a into the reaction vessel 2, suck the sample (or reaction solution), and discharge the sample (or reaction solution) to the other reaction vessel 2, thereby Dispense the sample (or reaction solution) at.

  The sample dispensing mechanisms 13 and 14 include a dispensing arm 27 that holds sample nozzles 13 a and 14 a extending in the vertical direction, and the dispensing arm 27 in the vertical direction, horizontal direction, and rotation with respect to the base 33 of the automatic analyzer 100. A vertical mechanism 24, a horizontal mechanism 26, and a rotating mechanism 25 that are driven in the direction are installed. Further, between the sample nozzles 13 a and 14 a and the sample pump 21, a flexible tube 29 connected to the sample nozzles 13 a and 14 a and one end of the flexible tube 29 are held and connected to the fixed flow path 30. A fixing tool 31 and a support tool 32 that is installed on the base 33 and holds the fixing tool 31 are provided. A syringe pump 34 and an electromagnetic valve 35 for supplying the system water 36 to the sample nozzles 13 a and 14 a are provided on the other end side of the fixed flow path 30.

  In addition, a liquid level detector 28 is disposed in each of the sample dispensing mechanisms 13 and 14. The liquid level detector 28 detects, for example, a change in capacitance of the sample nozzles 13a and 14a, and detects that the tips of the sample nozzles 13a and 14a have come into contact with the liquid level or the like based on the change in capacitance. .

  Next, the operation of the sample dispensing mechanisms 13 and 14 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 2, before the sample is sucked, the channel between the sample pump 21 and the fixed nozzle 30 and the sample nozzles 13a and 14a via the flexible tube 29 is filled with the system water 36. A minute amount of air is sucked into the tips of the nozzles 13a and 14a as segmental air.

  After the sample nozzles 13a and 14a of the dispensing arm 27 have come directly above the sample container 17 by the horizontal mechanism 26 and the rotating mechanism 25, the dispensing arm 27 is lowered by the vertical mechanism 24 and the tip of the sample nozzles 13a and 14a is moved. It is inserted into the sample in the sample container 17. At this time, the sample liquid level position is detected by the liquid level detector 28, and the tips of the sample nozzles 13a and 14a are immersed in the sample for several mm and stopped. The syringe pump 34 performs a suction operation, and a certain amount of sample is sucked into the sample nozzles 13a and 14a.

  Thereafter, the vertical nozzle 24 raises the sample nozzles 13a and 14a, and the sample nozzles 13a and 14a stop at the home position. The home positions of the sample nozzles 13a and 14a are higher than the upper end sides of the sample container 17 and the reaction container 2, and are set to a height at which the rotation operation of the dispensing arm 27 is not hindered.

  After stopping the raising of the sample nozzles 13a and 14a, the dispensing arm 27 is rotated by the rotation mechanism 25, and the sample nozzles 13a and 14a are moved to positions on the reaction disk 1.

  Thereafter, the dispensing arm 27 is lowered by the vertical mechanism 24, the tips of the sample nozzles 13a and 14a are inserted into the reaction container 2, the syringe pump 34 is discharged, and the sample is discharged from the sample nozzles 13a and 14a. After a certain amount of sample is discharged into the reaction vessel 2, the sample nozzles 13a and 14a are raised by the vertical mechanism 24, and the sample nozzles 13a and 14a are cleaned by the cleaning tanks 15 and 16 of the sample nozzles 13a and 14a. Prepare for analysis.

  Next, the state of the sample container 17 held in the rack 18 and the sample held in the sample container 17 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the outline of the sample container 17 mounted on the rack 18 and an example of the height of the liquid level 57 of the sample 56 held in the sample container 17.

  In FIG. 3, the sample container 17 has several shapes and may be used in combination. For example, a cup type sample container 17a installed on the top surface of the rack 18, test tube type sample containers 17b, 17c installed on the bottom of the rack 18, and a sample container 17a installed on the top surfaces of the sample containers 17b, 17c are used. There are cases.

  As described above, since the sample container has a usage method combined with various shapes, the height of the liquid level 57 of the sample 56 varies depending on the type of the sample container 17 used and the operation of the apparatus.

  Further, the sample at the tip of the sample nozzles 13a, 14a immediately before the sample discharge immediately after the sample is sucked due to the difference between the height of the tip of the sample nozzles 13a, 14a immediately after the sample suction and the height of the tip of the sample nozzles 13a, 14a immediately before the sample discharge. It becomes a concave or convex state compared to the state. When the height of the tip of the sample nozzles 13a, 14a at the time of sample discharge is fixed (that is, when the height at the time of sample discharge to the reaction container 2 is constant), the liquid level 57 of the sample 56 in the sample container 17 The difference in the tip height of the sample nozzles 13a and 14a during the sample suction due to the difference in height leads to the difference in the sample discharge amount. Further, the difference in discharge amount also varies depending on the inner diameter, material, length, etc. of the flexible tube 29 and the fixed flow path 30.

  Such a difference in the discharge amount can be a problem in minute dispensing as described above. A configuration for suppressing the difference in the discharge amount will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a configuration for keeping the height of the tip of the sample nozzles 13a and 14a constant during sample suction, and is a main part of the present invention.

  In FIG. 4, in order to move the rack 18 holding at least one sample container 17 in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, the automatic analyzer 100 sets the sample 56 in the sample container 17 at a position before the sample suction position. A sample liquid surface height detector (detector) 38 for measuring the height of the liquid surface 57, and a horizontal / vertical position in which the sample liquid surface height at the sample dispensing position by the sample dispensing mechanisms 13 and 14 can be moved vertically. A moving mechanism (conveying unit) 41 is provided. In such an automatic analyzer 100, when the sample 56 is aspirated, the sample liquid level detector 38 detects the sample 56 so that the level of the liquid level 57 of the sample 56 is the same between the different sample containers 17. The operation of the horizontal / vertical movement mechanism 41 is controlled by the control unit 23 based on the information on the height of the liquid level 57.

  The horizontal / vertical moving mechanism 41 that can move in the vertical direction can move the rack 18 in the vertical direction together with the mechanism that can move in the horizontal direction. The horizontal / vertical moving mechanism 41a moves the rack 18 in the horizontal direction. The vertical movement mechanism 41b is configured to move the horizontal movement mechanism 41a itself in the vertical direction.

  The horizontal movement mechanism 41a includes a conveyor belt 43a that moves the rack 18 in the horizontal direction, a pulley 44a that transmits the driving force of the motor 42a to the conveyor belt 43a, and a fixing jig 18a that supports the rack 18 so as not to be displaced from the conveyor belt 43a. A linear guide 45a is provided.

  The vertical direction moving mechanism 41b includes a motor 42b serving as a driving source for moving the horizontal direction moving mechanism 41a in the vertical direction, a belt 43b and a pulley 44b for transmitting the driving force of the motor 42b to the horizontal direction moving mechanism 41a, and a horizontal direction moving mechanism 41a. A linear guide 45b for guiding

  In such an automatic analyzer 100, the rack 18 is conveyed as follows. The height of the liquid level 57 is measured by a sample liquid level detector 38 that measures the height of the liquid level 57 of the sample 56 in the sample container 17. Thereafter, the rack 18 moves from the sample transport mechanism 19 to the horizontal / vertical movement mechanism 41 and moves to the reagent suction position by the transport belt 43 a in the horizontal / vertical movement mechanism 41. At the sample suction position, based on the information on the height of the liquid level 57 detected by the sample liquid level detector 38 so that the height of the liquid level 57 of the sample 56 is the same between the different sample containers 17. The rack 18 is moved in the vertical direction by the vertical direction moving mechanism 41b, and the sample is sucked. After the suction operation of all the sample containers 17 in the rack 18 is completed, the horizontal / vertical movement mechanism 41 moves to a position where the height of the rack conveyance surface of the horizontal / vertical movement mechanism 41 is aligned with the height of the rack conveyance surface of the sample conveyance mechanism 19. The rack 18 is moved to the sample transport mechanism 19 on the rack discharge side by the horizontal movement mechanism 41a and discharged.

  Note that the horizontal movement mechanism 41a and the vertical direction are used as a transport unit that controls the liquid level 57 of the sample 56 at the sample dispensing position by the sample dispensing mechanisms 13 and 14 to be the same between the different samples 56. Although the horizontal and vertical movement mechanism 41 is illustrated as an example in which the movement mechanism 41b is composed of a motor, a belt, a pulley, a linear guide, and the like, the rack 18 that holds the sample container 17 is arranged horizontally and vertically in addition to this configuration. The configuration is not particularly limited as long as the mechanism is movable in the direction.

  For example, the transport unit may have a configuration in which the sample container 17 is brought to the sample suction position by a mechanism that can grab the rack 18 and move vertically and horizontally. Hereinafter, another configuration example will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing another configuration for keeping the height of the tip of the sample nozzles 13a, 14a constant when the sample is sucked, and is a main part of the present invention.

  In FIG. 5, the automatic analyzer 100 moves the liquid 18 of the sample 56 in the sample container 17 at a position before the sample suction position so as to move the rack 18 holding at least one sample container 17 in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. A sample liquid level detector 38 for measuring the height of the surface 57 and a rack holding mechanism (conveyance) capable of moving the liquid level 57 of the sample 56 at the sample dispensing position by the sample dispensing mechanisms 13 and 14 in the vertical direction. Part) 47. In such an automatic analyzer 100, when the sample 56 is sucked, the sample liquid level height detector 38 detects the sample 56 so that the liquid level 57 of the sample 56 is the same between the different sample containers 17. Based on the liquid level 57 height information, the controller 23 controls the operation of the rack holding mechanism 47.

  The rack holding mechanism 47 includes a linear guide 47a, a motor 47b1, a motor 47b2, a telescopic arm 47c, and a gripping arm 47d. The gripping arm 47 d grips the rack 18 waiting at the rack standby position 46 and releases the rack 18 gripped at the rack discharge position 48. The telescopic arm 47c is a mechanism for moving the rack 18 held by the holding arm 47d in the vertical direction, and is driven by a motor 47b2. The linear guide 47a is a guide for moving in the horizontal direction every telescopic arm 47c driven in the horizontal direction by the motor 47b1, and the rack held by the holding arm 47d between the rack standby position 46 and the rack discharge position 48. 18 is moved in the horizontal direction. A robot arm that grips the rack 18 is configured by the grip arm 47d, and a drive mechanism that moves the grip arm 47d in the horizontal and vertical directions is configured by the linear guide 47a, the motor 47b1, the motor 47b2, and the telescopic arm 47c.

  In such an automatic analyzer 100, the rack 18 is conveyed as follows. After the liquid surface 57 height is measured by the sample liquid surface height detector 38 that measures the liquid surface 57 height of the sample 56 in the sample container 17, the rack 18 is moved to the rack standby position 46 on the sample transport mechanism 19. Then, the rack 18 is gripped by the gripping arm 47d, and the motor 47b1 moves the entire telescopic arm 47c to the sample suction position in the horizontal direction. At this time, based on the information on the liquid level 57 detected by the sample liquid level detector 38 so that the liquid levels 57 of the sample 56 are the same between the different sample containers 17, The extension / contraction length is adjusted, and sample suction is performed. After the suction operation of all the sample containers 17 in the rack 18 is completed, the extendable arm 47c is contracted, and the rack 18 is moved to the rack discharge position 48 and discharged.

  The horizontal / vertical movement mechanism 41 and the rack holding mechanism 47 are controlled by the control unit 23 so that the height of the sample nozzles 13a and 14a during sample suction is the same as the height of the sample nozzles 13a and 14a during sample discharge. It is most desirable in terms of characteristics to be in such a mode.

  However, if the height of the sample nozzles 13a and 14a during sample suction is always constant between the different sample containers 17, the difference in height between sample suction and sample discharge is always constant. There is no difference in the discharge amount due to the difference in height. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the height of the sample nozzles 13a and 14a at the time of sample suction and the height of the sample nozzles 13a and 14a at the time of sample discharge are not necessarily the same. The liquid level at the time of sample suction must be constant, and the height of the tip of the sample nozzles 13a, 14a at the time of sample suction must be constant.

  The operation before suction has been described for the case where the sample nozzles 13 a and 14 a are lowered toward the sample in the sample container 17 after the rack 18 and the sample container 17 are raised so that the sample liquid level is the same. After the sample nozzles 13a and 14a are lowered toward the sample in the sample container 17, the rack 18 and the sample container 17 can be raised so that the sample liquid level is the same. Only the rack 18 and the sample container 17 can rise toward 14a.

  It should be noted that the rack 18 and the sample container 17 may be lifted so that the liquid surface height becomes the same height each time using the sample liquid surface height measured by the sample liquid surface height detector 38. It is desirable for accuracy reasons that the detailed positions of the sample nozzles 13a and 14a for starting the operation are determined by detecting the liquid level with the liquid level detector of the sample dispensing mechanisms 13 and 14.

  As the operation after the suction, the sample nozzles 13a and 14a may be raised with respect to the sample 56, the sample container 17 may be lowered, or any of them may be performed. In any case, when the sample nozzles 13a, 14a rotate or move in the horizontal direction, the sample nozzles 13a, 14a or the rack 18 and the sample container 17 are moved until the sample nozzles 13a, 14a and the sample container 17 are not in contact with each other. do it.

  Next, the operation of the sample container 17 before and after the sample suction operation will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 shows an operation flow of the sample container 17 before and after the sample suction operation.

  In order to show the operation flow of the continuous racks as an example, the racks flow in the order of rack A → rack B. First, the first sample container in rack A is designated as sample container A1, and the second in rack A .., And sample container B1, B2,... Are the top sample containers in rack B.

  First, the liquid level height of the sample in the sample container 17 mounted on the rack A is detected by all the sample containers A1, A2,..., A5 mounted on the rack A by the sample liquid level detector 38. Then, the value of the liquid level is stored in the control unit 23 (step S601).

  Next, the sample container A1 of the rack A is moved by the horizontal movement mechanism 41a to a position that becomes the sample suction position (step S602).

  Next, based on the height information measured by the sample liquid level detector 38, the sample container A1 of the rack A is moved in the vertical direction to the sample suction height by the vertical direction moving mechanism 41b (step S603).

  Next, sample suction of the sample container A1 is performed by the sample nozzles 13a and 14a (step S604). Thereafter, the sample nozzles 13a and 14a are detached from the sample container A1.

  Thereafter, the rack A is horizontally moved by the horizontal movement mechanism 41a so that the sample container A2 of the rack A is at the sample suction position (step S605), and the liquid level 57 of the sample 56 of the moving sample container A1 and the sample container A2 is changed. The rack A is moved in the vertical direction by the vertical direction moving mechanism 41b by the height difference (step S606). Whether the sample container A1 rises or falls in step S606 is increased when the sample amount in the sample container A1 is larger than the sample amount in the sample container A2 due to the difference in the sample amount in the sample container A1 and the sample container A2. In the case of, it goes down.

  Thereafter, the sample suction operation of the sample container A2 by the sample nozzles 13a and 14a is performed (step S607).

  Next, it is determined whether or not sample suction has been completed for all sample containers in rack A (step S608), and control is performed so that the horizontal and vertical movements and suction operations of rack A are repeated by the amount of sample containers in rack A. To do. If it is determined in step S608 that sample suction has been completed for all sample containers in rack A, the process proceeds to step S609. If it is determined that sampling has not been completed, the process returns to step S605, and the sample in rack A is returned. Perform suction operation on all containers.

  When the suction operation for all the sample containers in the rack A is completed, the rack A is discharged from the sample suction position (step S609) and the rack B is moved to the sample suction position (step S610). Like the rack A, the liquid level height of all the samples in the rack B is measured by the sample liquid level detector 38 before moving to the sample suction position, and the vertical operation of the rack B is performed. Used when.

  Next, the same process as the sample suction process for the rack A shown in steps S602 to S69 is performed on the rack B (step S611).

  FIG. 7 shows the liquid level height position and the suction height position from the reference position, and FIG. 8 shows the time change of the rack bottom position.

  In FIG. 7, with reference to the bottom of the rack 18, the liquid level height of the sample container A1 is Z1, and similarly the sample liquid level heights of the sample containers A2, A3, A4, and A5 are Z2, Z3, Z4, and Z5, respectively. The sample suction height is ZA.

  In this case, when the vertical movement of the rack 18 is performed as described in the flow of FIG. 6, the change of the position of the bottom surface of the rack 18 with time changes as shown in FIG. 8. The vertical axis of the graph of FIG. 8 indicates the position of the rack bottom in the height direction, and the horizontal axis indicates time.

  Specifically, in the sample container A1, the rack 18 moves by a distance of ZA to Z1, and the bottom surface of the rack 18 is positioned at ZA-Z1. In the next sample container A2, the rack 18 moves only by the difference in the liquid level of the sample between the sample containers 17 without returning to the height of the home position. ZA-Z1- (Z2-Z1) = ZA-Z2. In the next sample container A3, it moves by Z3-Z2, and the bottom surface of the rack 18 is positioned at ZA-Z1- (Z2-Z1)-(Z3-Z2) = ZA-Z3. In the next sample container A4, it moves by Z4-Z3, and the bottom surface of the rack 18 is positioned at ZA-Z1- (Z2-Z1)-(Z3-Z2)-(Z4-Z3) = ZA-Z4. In the next sample container A5, it moves by Z5-Z4, and the bottom surface of the rack 18 is ZA-Z1- (Z2-Z1)-(Z3-Z2)-(Z4-Z3)-(Z5-Z4) = ZA-Z5. It becomes the position.

  Next, the effect of the present embodiment will be described.

  The above-described automatic analyzer 100 according to the present embodiment is an automatic analyzer 100 that dispenses and reacts a sample and a reagent in the reaction container 2 and measures the reacted liquid, and holds the sample. Sample nozzles 13a and 14a for dispensing a sample from the reaction container 2 to the reaction container 2, a horizontal / vertical moving mechanism 41 or a rack holding mechanism 47 for moving the rack 18 holding at least one sample container 17 in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, and And a control unit 23 for controlling the horizontal / vertical moving mechanism 41 and the rack holding mechanism 47 so as to reduce the deviation in the liquid surface height direction between the different sample containers 17 when the sample is sucked. It is.

  Therefore, since the height of the sample nozzles 13a and 14a during sample suction can be reduced between different samples, the difference in flow path state in the sample dispensing mechanisms 13 and 14 is also small between the different sample containers 17. can do. Accordingly, the difference in the discharge amount of the sample and the like due to the difference in the state of the sample dispensing mechanisms 13 and 14 when the sample is sucked can be reduced as compared with the conventional case. Can be improved.

  Further, a sample liquid level detector 38 for detecting the liquid level of the sample in the sample container 17 is further provided, and the control unit 23 shifts the sample in the liquid level height direction when the sample is sucked. By controlling the horizontal / vertical moving mechanism 41 and the rack holding mechanism 47 based on the liquid level detected by the sample liquid level detector 38 so as to decrease between the different sample containers 17, Therefore, the deviation of the height of the sample nozzles 13a and 14a during sample suction can be more accurately reduced, and the dispensing accuracy can be further improved.

  Further, the controller 23 aspirates the sample based on the liquid level detected by the sample liquid level detector 38 so that the sample liquid levels of the sample are the same between the different sample containers 17. By controlling the horizontal / vertical moving mechanism 41 and the rack holding mechanism 47, the height of the sample nozzles 13a and 14a at the time of sample suction can be made the same between the different sample containers 17, and the analysis accuracy can be further improved. Is possible.

  In addition, when the transport member is a rack 18 that holds a plurality of sample containers 17, the control unit 23 sets the sample containers by the difference in liquid level between the sample containers 17 in the consecutive sample containers 17 in the same rack 18. In order to control the horizontal / vertical moving mechanism 41 and the rack holding mechanism 47 so as to raise or lower 17, the vertical movement for each reagent container is compared with the method of raising and lowering the reaction container for each reaction container as disclosed in Patent Document 2. The distance can be shortened. This is because Patent Document 2 is a technique based on the premise of reaction containers having the same shape, and when this is applied to a container held by a transport member such as a rack, the rack bottom is raised from the reference position 0 each time, The movement moves down to position 0. On the other hand, when the sample container 17 is moved up or down by the difference in liquid level height between the sample containers 17, it moves vertically by the difference in height between the sample containers. Thus, the throughput of the dispensing process can be further improved and the load on the horizontal / vertical moving mechanism 41 and the rack holding mechanism 47 can be reduced.

  Further, the control unit 23 controls the horizontal / vertical moving mechanism 41 and the rack holding mechanism 47 so that the tip heights of the sample nozzles 13a and 14a at the time of sample suction are the same as the tip heights of the sample nozzles 13a and 14a at the time of discharge. By doing so, it is possible to reliably avoid a situation in which the state of the flow path of the sample dispensing mechanisms 13 and 14 differs between the sample containers 17 having different shapes, and it becomes possible to dispense a minute amount with higher accuracy and to perform analysis. The accuracy can be further improved.

  In addition, when the transport member is a rack 18 that holds a plurality of sample containers 17, the control unit 23 can adjust the liquid level of the consecutive sample containers 17 in the same rack 18 without returning the racks 18 to the home position. By controlling the horizontal / vertical movement mechanism 41 and the rack holding mechanism 47 so as to raise or lower the sample container 17 by the difference, the vertical movement distance of the rack 18 can be shortened, and the throughput of the dispensing process can be further increased. The load on the horizontal / vertical moving mechanism 41 and the rack holding mechanism 47 can be improved.

  Further, the horizontal / vertical moving mechanism 41 includes a horizontal moving mechanism 41a that moves the rack 18 in the horizontal direction and a vertical moving mechanism 41b that moves the horizontal moving mechanism 41a itself in the vertical direction. The rack 18 can be moved in the horizontal and vertical directions with a simple configuration.

  Also, the rack holding mechanism 47 is configured by a robot arm that grips the rack 18 and a drive mechanism that moves the robot arm in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. It can be moved vertically.

<Others>
In addition, this invention is not restricted to said Example, A various deformation | transformation and application are possible. The above-described embodiments have been described in detail for easy understanding of the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described.

  For example, the case where the rack 18 that can hold a plurality of sample containers 17 having different shapes has been described as the transport member, but the transport member may be a holder that holds one sample container 17.

  Further, the horizontal / vertical moving mechanism 41 and the rack holding mechanism 47 are set based on the liquid level detected by the sample liquid level detector 38 so that the sample liquid levels of the samples are the same between the sample containers 17. Although the case of controlling has been described, the liquid level of the sample does not have to be the same between the different sample containers 17 and may be decreased between the different sample containers 17. For example, the deviation in the liquid level direction of the sample is ± several centimeters between the different sample containers 17, and more preferably the limit of the accuracy of the vertical drive system of the horizontal / vertical moving mechanism 41 and the rack holding mechanism 47. The difference in the flow path state in the sample dispensing mechanisms 13 and 14 can be sufficiently reduced between the different sample containers 17.

  Further, the case of controlling based on the liquid level detected by the sample liquid level detector 38 has been described. However, the factor for controlling the liquid level of the sample is the sample liquid level detector 38. It is not limited to the height of the actual liquid level detected in (1). For example, in the cup-type sample container 17a shown in FIG. 3, since the distance to the bottom of the container is shallow, the height of the sample liquid level can be roughly estimated. Further, even in the case of a cup-type sample container 17a on the upper surface of the sample containers 17b and 17c shown in FIG. 3, if the sample container 17a can be specified on the upper surface of which test tube type, the height of the sample liquid level is roughly estimated. can do. Furthermore, even if the cup-type sample container 17a is not installed, if the test tube type can be specified, the range of the height of the sample liquid level can be estimated. For example, in terms of the relationship between the sample container 17b in which the sample container 17a in FIG. 3 is not installed and the sample container 17c in which the sample container 17a is installed, the bottom surface of the sample container 17a is higher than the opening of the sample container 17b. Therefore, when the sample in the sample container 17b is aspirated, the rack 18 is controlled to be lifted, and when the sample in the sample container 17a is aspirated, the rack 18 is not lifted or lifted smaller than the previous lift amount. By performing the lifting control by the amount, the deviation in the liquid surface height direction of the sample can be reduced without fail. Therefore, when the cup type sample container 17a, the sample containers 17b, c, and the container type that is a combination of these can be specified, the deviation in the liquid surface height direction of the sample is different based on the container type. The horizontal / vertical moving mechanism 41 and the rack holding mechanism 47 can be controlled so as to decrease between the sample containers 17. The container type is specified by the container type specifying means. The container type specifying means is an optical reflective sensor that can specify the container type, a camera type sensor based on image recognition, or the like. However, the container type specifying means is not limited to the means for specifying the container type from the appearance as described above. For example, if the container type of the container to be placed is registered in the device in advance by the rack number or the combination of the rack number and the container in the rack, the container type can be specified by simply reading the rack number. can do. This rack number can be read from a barcode or RFID attached to the rack. Similarly, the container type can be specified by reading identification information such as a barcode or RFID attached to the sample container even in the sample container unit. In addition, the container type specifying means may be such that the user directly inputs information on the container type mounted on the rack into the apparatus and specifies the container type from this input information.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Reaction disk 2 ... Reaction container 3 ... Washing mechanism 4 ... Spectrophotometer 4a ... Light source 5 ... Stirring mechanism 6 ... Stirring mechanism 7 ... Reagent dispensing mechanism 8 ... Reagent dispensing mechanism 9 ... Reagent dispensing mechanism 10 ... Reagent dispensing Injection mechanism 11 ... Reagent disc 12 ... Reagent bottles 13, 14 ... Sample dispensing mechanism 13a, 14a ... Sample nozzle (sample dispensing probe)
15, 16 ... Sample nozzle cleaning tank 17 ... Sample container 18 ... Rack (conveying member)
18a ... Fixing jig 19 ... Sample transport mechanism 21 ... Sample pump 23 ... Control unit 24 ... Vertical mechanism 25 ... Rotating mechanism 26 ... Horizontal mechanism 27 ... Dispensing arm 28 ... Liquid level detector 29 ... Flexible tube 30 ... Fixed Flow path 31 ... Fixing tool 32 ... Supporting tool 33 ... Base 34 ... Syringe pump 35 ... Electromagnetic valve 36 ... System water 38 ... Detector (detector)
41. Horizontal / vertical movement mechanism (conveyance unit)
41a ... Horizontal direction moving mechanism 41b ... Vertical direction moving mechanisms 42a, 42b ... Motor 43a ... Conveying belt 43b ... Belts 44a, 44b ... Pulleys 45a, 45b ... Linear guide 46 ... Rack standby position 47 ... Rack holding mechanism (conveying section)
47a ... linear guides 47b1, 47b2 ... motor 47c ... telescopic arm 47d ... gripping arm 48 ... rack discharge position 56 ... sample 57 ... liquid level 100 ... automatic analyzer

Claims (10)

An automatic analyzer that dispenses and reacts a sample and a reagent in a reaction vessel and measures the reacted liquid,
A sample dispensing probe for dispensing the sample from the sample container holding the sample into the reaction container;
A transport unit that moves a transport member that holds at least one of the sample containers in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction; and
An automatic analyzer comprising: a control unit that controls the transport unit so as to reduce a deviation in a liquid surface height direction of the sample between different sample containers when the sample is sucked. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1,
A detector for detecting the liquid level of the sample in the sample container;
The controller is configured to suck the sample based on the liquid level detected by the detector so as to reduce the deviation in the liquid level of the sample between different sample containers. An automatic analyzer characterized by controlling. The automatic analyzer according to claim 2,
When the sample is aspirated, the control unit controls the transport unit based on the liquid level detected by the detector so that the liquid level of the sample is the same between different sample containers. An automatic analyzer characterized by The automatic analyzer according to claim 3,
The controller raises or lowers the sample container by a difference in liquid level between the sample containers in consecutive sample containers in the same rack when the transport member is a rack that holds a plurality of the sample containers. The automatic analyzer is characterized in that the conveying unit is controlled. The automatic analyzer according to claim 3,
The control unit controls the transport unit so that the tip height of the sample dispensing probe at the time of sucking the sample is the same as the tip height of the sample dispensing probe at the time of discharge. apparatus. The automatic analyzer according to claim 3,
When the transport member is a rack that holds a plurality of the sample containers, the control unit is configured such that, in successive sample containers in the same rack, the difference in the liquid level height is returned without returning the transport member to the home position. An automatic analyzer that controls the transport unit to raise or lower a sample container. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1,
The automatic analysis apparatus, wherein the transport unit includes a horizontal movement mechanism that moves the transport member in a horizontal direction and a vertical movement mechanism that moves the horizontal movement mechanism in a vertical direction. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1,
The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the transfer unit includes a robot arm that holds the transfer member, and a drive mechanism that moves the robot arm in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1,
The automatic analyzer is characterized in that the transport member is a rack capable of holding a plurality of sample containers having different shapes. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1,
A container type specifying means for specifying a container type of the sample container;
When the sample is aspirated, the control unit is based on the container type specified by the container type specifying means so as to reduce the deviation in the liquid surface height direction of the sample in the sample container between different sample containers. And controlling the conveying unit.

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